Chapter Text
Ugh.
Writing essays is so incredibly dull. It's not even a school night, What's the point? Peter shuts his laptop, spinning around in his chair to face his bookshelf. Hmmm.. A history book.. Something about WW2. Seems interesting but he's done with school stuff for… Ever, really.
Science fiction sounds good.
Peter's hand reaches for the well-worn pages of his favourite, and cracks it open. The familiar smell of the book enchants his nose, and he's back in space, fighting battles along side his favourite heroes.
Knock knock.
“Peter? It's late. I hope you're not still awake, but I thought I'd check anyway.” Uncle Ben says, opening the door and peaking around. “That book again? Surely you have it memorised by now.”
Peter finally looks up from the words, pushing his glasses up. “Hm? Oh, man, is it that late already?” Peter looks at the time. Damn, it is that late. “Sorry Uncle Ben, I got carried away..”
Ben chuckles, leaning on the wall. “I figured. Get some sleep, kiddo.” He shakes his head.
“..Night Ben. Love you.” Peter says, tucking himself under the red white and blue covers of his bed.
Ben repeats the same to his nephew, and leaves, heading to bed himself, and making sure May doesn't do the same as Peter.
*****
Peter groans, and slaps his alarm clock, fumbling for his glasses.
Once the plastic sits on his face he looks at the time.
Crap.
He’s late.
Very late.
He pulls himself out of his pyjamas and shoves jeans over his legs, followed by a Captain America shirt for his torso, and his favourite hoodie.
He all but jumps down the stairs, and has just enough time to grab toast and lace up his converse before sprinting to the bus that's already leaving.
He manages to get on, thank goodness, and takes his usual seat next to Harry.
“Morning Pete!” Harry smiles, throwing his arm around Peter's shoulders.
Pete groans in response. Morning people.
*****
After a very boring talk from the teachers, they're all off to Oscorp.
Of course, it's nothing new for Harry, so he's bored.
But Peter? Oh, this place is a science nerd's dream. He doesn't care what Flash says about him today, he's geeking out to the max.
“We have genetically enhanced all of these arachnids. We've studied them. Their regenerative abilities and strength are unmatched - At least in the bug world. We’re hoping that in the near future, these, or something like them, could help cure diseases, regrow lost limbs, and more.”
Wow. Peter looks at the tanks. Those little guys look pretty happy. Good for them. “Hey, Pete, I can't see the one in this tank. You?” Peter leans over Harry’s shoulder.
“I.. Think I see a leg behind that branch. It's probably sleeping or something.”
“Lucky guy.” Harry mumbles. Evidently he's not having as much fun as Peter.
*****
Once the trip is over, much to Peter’s dismay and mostly everyone else's excitement, they're back at school to catch the bus.
Harry's yapping about some new video game he got. It sounds cool, but Pete's social battery is gone.
“OW!” Peter slaps the back of his neck. “..You okay Pete?” Harry asks.
Peter waves him off. “Mosquito. It's summer. I'll be fine.”
Harry shrugs, and continues talking.
The bus finally arrives, and Peter says his goodbyes. He's.. Tired. Really tired.
And hungry.
The first thing he opens after the front door is the fridge. He eats the leftovers cold with the door still open.
“Peter? Are you home dear?” May calls. Peter hears her footsteps before she comes in. “Hi May.” He greets, swallowing the last of the food.
“Wow, you ate that quick. Do I need to make more for dinner? You finally getting that growth spurt you wanted?” May ruffles his hair.
“I hope so. And yes to extras.” Peter nods, ducking under her hand to dispose of the empty container. May rolls her eyes, already starting on dinner.
*****
The next morning. Peter wakes up just before his alarm goes off, hitting it anyway out of instinct. Cogs fly and he hears batteries fall down the back of his bed. “..Oops.” He pulls off his sheets. Woah - these pants were way to big just last night. Now they're… Five inches too short? That means he's grown.. A FOOT? Shit. How's he gonna explain that to anyone?
He pulls off his too tight clothes and looks in the mirror. He blinks. “I have got to still be dreaming..” He pokes his abdomin. Rock solid. And shredded. Wait.
He can see?
He’s definitely not wearing his glasses, they're heavy.
What.
Is.
Happening?!
He's what, 6’5 now, with 20/20 vision, and the most beautiful muscles he's ever seen?
Okay, maybe excluding the ones in that history book.
But still. He could barely run upstairs two days ago.
“Peter? You're going to be late again!”
Dammit.
“Yeah, one second May - I'm getting dressed..” If his jeans would fit.
“..Okay, maybe not…”
“Peter? I'm coming in, okay?” May opens the door, and takes a step inside before looking at Peter.
“...Oh, my. Well. That's.. Something.”
She takes a breath.
“I'll go get some of Ben's old things. We can buy some more today. I'll call you in sick.”
Peter doesn't even have time to thank her before he's in the mall's dressing room, catching seven items of clothing and a belt. He pulls them on.
Better, but still not the right size.
*****
Once he's in something that actually fits him and May are sat in the food court eating burgers. More than one for him.
“..Peter, d’you have any idea what could’ve caused this?”
Peter stutters for a second. “Uh- Probably uhm. Y’know. Just..”
May stops him. “Okay, okay, I get it. You’d rather talk to Ben about.. This, but can’t I at least help a little? With anything?”
“You’ve done plenty, May, I don’t exactly want to talk to either of you about this. Don’t feel bad.” Peter finishes his food, and bundles up the wrappers.
May sighs. “Is there anyone you can talk to? Who could help at all?”
“I have Harry. He’ll get it.” Peter nods.
“Ah, yes. He’s a good kid. He can help you with all your.. Problems and such?”
Peter chokes on his sprite. “Wh- huh?”
“You know I didn’t mean it like that, Peter.” She chuckles, lightly batting him around the head.
“Right. Right. Yes, Harry’s got it covered, May. Geez..” Peter shakes his head.
*****
Once they’re back home, Peter shoves his new clothes into his wardrobe, and falls onto his bed.
He wakes up suddenly, his wrists hurting like hell. He holds his arm and groans as pressure under his skin increases, a sort of hole forming. White shoots out of the end of his arm, into a web on the wall. Peter makes a weird noise and curses. Maybe a little too loud.
He hears May’s slippers on the hallway carpet, then the gentle tap on the door. “Pete? You awake? It’s late y’know.” She whispers.
Peter thinks of an excuse. “Ah- Uh, I’m fine, May, just woke up to pee.” Technically not a lie.
“Okay. Just thought I heard something, is all.”
“Nope. All good in here. Maybe my headphones disconnected while I was sleeping.”
May hums, then gives him a goodnight. He hears her door close.
Peter takes a breath to calm himself down.
Okay. White sticky stuff just came out of him. That’s.. Normal. Right?
Peter shoves his head in his hands. He knows damn well how his brain made that sound.
He peels the web off of his wall, and tosses it under his bed.
After a couple minutes of zoning out, he heads to the bathroom.
Once he’s finally in bed, he has the devastating realisation of what May probably assumes he was doing.
He decides to literally never think of that again. Ever.
*****
“Pete? Dude? Hellooo? Ground control to Major Parker?” Harry’s voice snaps him out of his daze.
“Yeah? Sorry- What’s up?” He turns to face the ginger.
“Man what’s wrong with you? You’ve been zoning out all day. Like, more than usual.” Harry leans on his locker, his green eyes interrogating Peter’s brown ones.
“Uhm- Nothing. I’m okay. Just mulling things over.”
“What is there to mull over? You’re acting like your aunt walked in on- Ooooh! Shit!” Harry cackles, slapping Peter’s shoulder.
Peter’s ears go pink. “She didn’t- She just thinks that’s what I was doing. I wasn’t, my arm just hurt.”
Harry nods. “Sure, sure.”
“Harry.”
“Peter.”
Peter rolls his eyes. “I’m not lying.”
“I know, I know. I’m just teasing. Now c’mon, we’re gonna be late to meet the new kid.”
“New kid?”
“Yeah. Dumbass. New kid. Haven’t you heard? Apparently they’re some genius transfer.”
Peter lets Harry drag him to first period.