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"Thank you Spider-Man! We can always count on you!" The police officers gathered some muggers into the police car that was lightly beeping into the silent night.
"No problem- ACHOO! ACHOO! Ughh." Spider-Man instinctively sniffed really hard.
The police officers scratched their head. "You can get sick?"
"I'm human, of course I can- ACHOO! And I think it's just allergies...ya know night allergies? Since it's night? And- and there's a lot of flowers and pollen and...stuff." Peter didn't want to mention even to himself that his head started to hurt terribly along with his bone feeling quite weak. Pretty sure that wasn't from the criminals who got a good kick in him earlier.
Also his communication skills? Decent. Decent...he's just..tired.
"Spider-Man, it's fall. Everything with pollen is dead."
Spider-Man narrowed his eyes and prepared a web to swing away. "I bet some are still alive." He muttered as he swung away, the police officers waving in a bit of worry.
***
"Wow, you sound like shit."
"Goodnight to you too. Does everyone like to remind me that I, Spider-Man, get sick time to time?" Peter rolled his eyes, not that Harry would see since he's on the phone with him. Okay, Peter can admit that ever since he's gotten home his body felt achy, his sinuses have gotten worse and his head is pounding. But it's nothing too major, right?
Okay, maybe he is getting a little cold.
"Peter, how long have you gotten out beating good for nothings asses?" Harry pulled out a worn out list. "According to when I've been calling you, you've gotten at least 2-3 hours of sleep and been half-dead on your ass. Don't think I've seen your apartment, Pete. Take out isn't healthy when it's your reoccurring meal."
Peter groaned at his now increasing headache. Whether that be from this little cold or Harry's mother henning, he wasn't sure. "I'm fine, Harry. Really. Look, I'm gonna take some night quill now and hit the hay. I should be better by morning."
He heard Harry sigh on the other side of the phone. "Pete, you know you can be a real stubborn guy sometimes, right?"
"That's why you love me. I'm a very lovable...stubborn guy."
"Oh and not for the free piggyback rides I get with Spider-Man?" Harry laughed to himself, hearing Peter snort. "Seriously, Pete. Please take a break and get some rest. Or, I'm reporting you to your girlfriend. Or beating your ass personally. Give or take.
Peter flopped on his bed, feeling his nose plug fully. "No. No no no. She's having the time of her life with that gig she has in Japan. She doesn't have to worry for nothing. Please Harry. I don't need her worrying."
Peter swang his legs absentmindedly. "Besides, why report me to her when I have you to anyways? Mom."
Peter's cackles and half coughs filled the phone line. Harry could not help but let his lips curl just a bit. "Shut up, just making sure I don't have you hacking your lungs out as you go save a bank or something."
After a bit more talking, Harry and Peter decided to call it a night and talk more tomorrow. (Yes Harry, I’ll text you to assure you I’m not dead)
Peter groaned as he realized he actually had to get up snd actually put in the effort to take his medicine. Even with it, he kept sneezing which was now getting him extremely annoyed and tired. He lazily changed out of his Spider-Man costume and left himself in his boxers and put on an oversized t-shirt that MJ always loved to steal everyone or so.
He plopped himself onto his bed, fighting between taking off and fully wrapping himself with the sheets because he was too dang hot and cold!
"Ughh, and on a lecture day too? Dumb fever.” Peters eyes widened as he smashed his face into his pillow. Crap, his science essay!
With crimefighting, taking pics and now being sick he completely forgot about his essay that was due in the morning.
Debating on whether to cry or let himself die, Peter decided that he should be better by morning to quickly do it. Somehow. That's for future Peter to worry about.
For now, just dreams.
***
"Petey. Pete. Get up, son. Come on. Open those baby blues for me.”
Peter slowly woke, only to feel himself covered in sweat and his hair plastered to his forehead. His body felt weaker, cold and hot at the same time. He absolutely couldn't breathe and his throat felt absolutely dry.
"Ughh." He groaned as he slowly opened his pupils, seeing a blurry figure in front of him. Probably still a dream or just imagining things.
"Here, I have some water." The figure helped the still distraught Peter sit up and helped ensure the young man wouldn’t spill it all over his clothes. Peter felt his throat sigh in relief. He rubbed his eyes to finally awaken but what he saw nearly had him hit his head on the bed board.
Uncle Ben.
"Pete, what's wrong?" Ben crinkled his eyes in confusion. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Peter blinked again and rubbed his eyes. Uncle Ben was still there.
Peter remained silent and tried to stay calm. That all went downhill when he saw where he was.
He was no longer in his apartment but the old house he used to live at before Ben died he graduated Highschool. His blue colored room, the same posters were still there. Books, his video game consoles and wardrobe. No, no this had to be some kind of dream. Peter lived alone. Peter had a raggedy apartment and still had trouble to make ends meet. He didn’t have a nice room with heating- or maybe that was just the warmth emulating from his uncle-
Uncle Ben is supposed to be dead.
Ben looked somewhat alarmed from the stunned silence his nephew was giving him. “Pete? Son? Should I take you to the hospital? You look even paler than earlier.”
Uncle Ben touched his forehead, his touch felt warm despite peters head now burning with fever and questions. Peter couldn’t forget the calloused hands and the warm touch his uncle had.
Ben clicked his tongue. "Let's see if I can get May too-
"NO!" Peter unexpectedly cried out as he grabbed Ben’s shirt sleeves. He started panting, feeling distraught that Ben would even leave right now when he’s alive and well.
"Don't go, please."
"H-hey? What?" Ben crouched down to look at Peter straight in the eye. He touched peters forehead again. "Hmm, must be that fever...Peter I need to go out and buy you some better medicine-
Peter found himself unable to explain how he felt when he let out a staggering whimper. As he opened his mouth to speak, he let out a loud hitch noise as he tried to keep the lump that formed in his throat down. Peter looked at Uncle Ben with big watery eyes before the boy completely broke down.
"Aww, it’s that bad,huh? Come here bud." Ben opened his arms only for Peter to basically jump into them, pulling the older man closer as he let out loud sobs and occasionally choked on the salty tears.
”B-Ben,” Peter struggled to say, gripping tightly on his uncle’s shirt. “I’m so sorry- I’m so sorry-
“What? Wait woah woah. There’s nothing to be sorry for Petey.” Ben rubbed his nephew’s back reassurangly. “What’s wrong? Stomach hurt? Head, maybe?”
”No, no I-
“Do you want to get checked out in the hospital? Seems like you have a nasty flu.” Ben was about to get up again before Peter tugged on him again.
Peter nearly laughed. Uncle Ben did get paranoid. “No doctor, please. Just, don’t go. Please?”
"Okay, okay, we won’t go. Jeez buddy, you really do look like you've really seen a ghost." Ben fondly chuckled as Peter snuggled in, Peter breathing nasally on Ben’s neck. It would have been disgusting for anybody, but when you have a sick kid it simply doesn’t matter at the moment. Ben simply kissed the very clingy Peter on his slightly damp hsir, Peter letting out a soft hum.
"Okay, I'll make a deal with you. May is going to make some of her delicious soup. You drink that, I’ll take the day off and then we can spend the whole day at the house. How does that sound?”
That sounded like heaven to Peter. Right now, he was just caring about the fact that Uncle Ben was right here. Right now.
Was this made up? Is he question it? Nope!
Peter let out a congested hum as he tried to unlatch himself from Uncle Ben to walk down with him to living room. It wasn’t until Peter found himself sticking to the man himself. He tried slight budging but, couldn’t.
Great. So my spider powers have to activate in my non-dangerous dream?
Ben continued rubbing Peter’s back as he let out a chuckle.“Seems like someone doesn’t want to let go.”
Peter, not feeling the need to explain it’s his creepy sticky fingers doing the trick, miserably sniffed and coughed. He wiped his nose on his pajama sleeve and groaned.
"Oh yeah, must be the fever kid. You're never his handsy or this emotionally exposed." Ben smiled at his nephew. “You’re not that heavy Pete. What about a ride on the Ben express, huh? You aren’t too old to hitch a ride with your old man, huh?”
Peter let out a soft snort before arching his legs, Ben already lifting him into his arms and over the shoulder. He simply held his sick nephews back and legs before lifting him off the bed.
Since when was Ben really this strong?
“Ben-
“it’s okay Peter, I’m not going to hurt anything.” Peter felt another kiss to his hot forehead before he felt himself moving up and down slightly.
“Go to sleep kiddo. I’ll wake ya when it’s time to eat, okay?”
Peter kept his grip around his uncles neck before letting his eyes close again. He’s never felt this safe, protected, in a very long time. He simply snuffled before his body slumped into his uncles arm, feeling a light kiss on his forehead before sleeping to the steady heartbeat of his uncle.
Everything was okay.
***
Peter woke up almost panicking until his nose inhaled the smell of soup and cinnamon. As Peter processed what was going on, Ben tried to prod spoons of food into Peter’s mouth since he wasn’t making the move to eat. Since Peter still felt like crap, he didn’t feel like arguing and let himself be fed. (Jeez, Peter you are light as a feather. We gotta make sure to fatten you up!)
For the next couple hours or so, Peter and Ben spent their time watching TV re re-runs while May cooked in the kitchen. The smells of the kitchen were divine, the living room was cozy and the lights were off to help Peter control his overbidding senses.
Peter clinged to Uncle Ben like a small octopus, whether Ben stood up to get wet cloths for Peter or medicine, Peter felt his heartbeat intensely and panic emerge. What if that was the last time he saw Uncle Ben? What if this is the last time? He just can’t..lose him again! There’s so much he doesn’t said, haven’t done together!
Peter stayed curled up in his uncle’s side, a thin sheet covering Peter, his uncles arms wrapped around him while Ben absentmindedly played with his nephews hair. Peter simply basked into the safe, warm cocoon of family he’s missed.
“Oh, look at my boys,” May cooed as she walked in, giving a kiss to Ben’s cheek. “What are you fellas watching today?”
“Random stuff, May. Honestly, whatever keeps Peter from hitting my chest from now on.” He looked at Peter with a playful glare. The boy giggled as he snuggled in closer to his father figure.
“Hey, you know i hate scary movies. You were just trying to see if I would react poorly,” Peter stuck out his tongue. “And look what happened.”
All 3 of them laughed, just like old times. Peter missed it dearly. Nowadays,he knows he still has family. May, Mary Jane, Harry, heck- he could even consider Jameson as family too.
but sometimes, he just- just felt alone. Whether that he the depression he gained from Spider-Man or missed Ben, or maybe both he wasn’t sure. There was just some days he had awful, awful days that he just didn’t want nothing more than to rant to Uncle Ben, stay in his embrace and listen to his advice. Sometimes, he just needed his dad.
May bid her farewell to bed when the sun started to set. She gave Peter a goodnight kiss and checked his temperature before heading to bed. Peter felt himself wanting to drift off, but something was telling him that he would drift away from this…this reality that could have been his.
“Wooo boy. My ass feels numb!” Uncle Ben laughed hard as he stretched his arms, standing up to relief some of the numbed pressure of sitting too long and (not that he would mention this in front of Peter, but dang could that boy cuddle for long! He could barely feel his arm)
Peters felt the contact disappear, like someone just yanked a cozy blanket off him during a cold morning. He slightly whimpered as he once again felt alone.
Ben was a bit oblivious since he was respectfully tired. “Okay Pete. If you need anything, just text me on the flip phone, okay? I’m a light sleeper, I’ll come down.” He gave a light ruffle Peter’s head, Peter observing the tired creases on his Uncle’s face. “You gonna be okay, bud?”
As much as he wanted Uncle Ben to stay down with him, embrace him again in his warm gentle arms, Peter couldn’t let the man sleep here nor get no sleep taking care of Peter. Peter could blame the fever, but he had the dumb idea of trying to stay up all night to not lose this reality. “I’ll be fine, Uncle Ben.” Peter looked bashful before raising his arms up. “Hug? Please?”
Ben cooed as he sat on the couch again and embraced Peter one more time. “Oh Buddy, seems like you’re more cuddly when you’re sick. You usually aren’t the touchy type. Thought I’d be too old to hug you or whatnot.” Ben said lightly to get a chuckle out of the boy. Instead, he got a round of sniffles.
“Pete?”
“I should have hugged you more,” Peter hugged himself closer to his Uncle’s chest, “I should have thanked you more, fist bumped you more. I should have..hugged you more. I’m sorry,”
Peter sobbed in the older man’s chest, not wanting to let go again. This really is the last time, wasn’t it? There would never be a time to tell what was left unsaid.
“Oh bubba,” Ben whispered fondly, gripping the back of Pete’s neck to ground him. Whether Ben was pitying Peter being sick or Ben..knew what he was talking about, he couldn’t tell.
“I know you’ve been through the rebellious stage, Pete. And I know you love me, okay? Not wanting a few hugs or kisses isnt a sin, boy. I was like that at your age once too.”
Peter shook his head frustratedly. “No no, I didn’t appreciate you enough,” Peter used the extra energy he obtained from breaking down to simply clench his uncles dress shirt and bunch it in his fist, like a newborn would to their guardian. For that vulnerability, the protection, the care. Right now, Peter felt stripped completely from any walls.
“I love you, Uncle Ben. I love you. Don’t let me go, Please.” he begged, “It’s been so hard without you!”
He felt Ben whisper something so softly that Peter couldn’t pick up, before Ben shifted Peter fully on his lap.
“Sport, listen to me. I will always love you, okay?” You’re my boy. You’re my kid.” Ben sniffed, Peter feeling some wet droplets on his head. “My son. I will always love you, okay? Be there for you, watch over you and love you. I love you so much, Peter.”
Peter hiccuped as Ben patted his back, “But I miss you, some days, I- I just want to be with you and I miss that.” He frowned.
Ben rocked each other slowly and as he let out a soft humming tune.
Peter laughed wetly as he started to feel extremely tired, feeling that safeness again. He wasn’t alone, he didn’t feel scared. Yeah sure, he felt childish, but he wouldn’t trade this moment for the world.
Ben kept humming as Peter mumbled small congested I love yous and felt the number of forehead kisses increasing, before he completely slumped; last melody of his uncles heartbeat still ringing in his ears as he was lulled to sleep.
***
“Ben?"
There was a sad sigh. ”I’m sorry Peter.”
Peter opened his eyes and found himself back into his apartment again. Harry was sitting on his bed while he was cautiously and worryingly examined Peter. Peter tried to smile but it more came out like a grimace.
"Your fever finally broke. I thought I was gonna have to take you to the hospital man. 104,I mean we're you trying to cook your brain pal?" Harry put another rag on Peter and gently shook his shoulder. "How you feelin?"
"Still kinda like crap." Peter muttered as he felt his throat feel like sandpaper. "Water, please?"
Harry handed him water and a couple of cough drops. "Don't scare me like that again, Pete. You kept muttering stuff and thrashing.”
"I'm sorry.”
"What? No, don’t be sorry. Just… be more careful. Such as, not going on patrol when you are sick.” Harry helped Peter to sit up. He grabbed a wet cloth and gently rubbed Peter’s face and torso which was covered in a sweat. “You kept..mumbling stuff. What was happening?”
Peter then explained about his dream with Uncle Ben. How everything felt so real, the scent, his voice and his beating heartbeat. The movies, the warm soup, everything.
Well, not really everything. Harry didn’t have to know that Peter practically let himself be babied for the whole duration.
But sometimes, it just felt nice being taken care of.
"I guess your fever ridden brain was reflecting on maybe how long you've missed that kind of contact Pete." Harry sadly smiled at the sweaty young man. "I'm sorry if it was just dream though.
Peter sighed, just glad that he was able to kind of spend time with his uncle, even if it was fake. "It felt so real Harry."
"I know,” Peter found himself unexpectedly enclosed in Harry’s arms. Peter was surprised that Harry wanted to hug him despite being covered in sweat.
“Everything's gonna be okay." Although, he did give a hardy sniff and pinched his nose.
“Hey,” Peter pouted. “You’re the one who wanted to hug me! Not my fault if my spider bite enhanced other…glands”
“First of all, ew. And yeah yeah , cause I know you wanted a hug from yours truly.” Harry ruffled Peter’s hair as he went to Peter’s clothes drawer. “How about I start a shower for ya so you don’t kill my expensive nostrils, okay? Then…I can order any food you want and watch a movie.” He said not unkindly.
”But I have classes today, and a paper due-
“Pete. I already called your college, I called in for a sick day. You need your rest buddy. If Spider-Man is allowed to take sick days, so can Peter Parker.” Harry looked at his friend with a small smile. “Let’s just worry about that stuff later. Rest, okay?”
For once, Peter didn’t feel himself forcing a smile. So, he does have people who love him, want to make sure he’s alright. Didn’t matter if he was Spider-Man, he had many internal weaknesses as being Peter Parker.
Peter nodded as he saw Harry go into the bathroom to start the shower. Movie, food, and comfort with his bestfriend sounds perfect about now. He gave a small hearty sigh as he remembered doing almost the same activities with his uncle.
He’s truly with people who cares about him.
He’s not alone.
“Thank you Harry.”
He whispered softly and looked above to his ceiling, hoping his message can be heard to heaven. “Thank you Uncle Ben.”