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Looking for a “cure” for the “ailments” of 6 angry villains from different universes was far from easy, to say the least. But, it worked on Dr. Otto Octavius, the villain formerly known as Doctor Octopus, thanks to one Peter Parker. Now, with the help of both Otto and Dr. Norman Osborn, things seemed to be looking up for the ragtag band of villains…
“I’ll be back in a second, guys…” says the hero as he jogs out of the room. There’s much to do, it’s no problem but that leaves Norman and Otto in the room together, alone for the first time in forever. Two ghosts facing each other, men on the verge of their own demises. Two old friends.
Norman turns on his heels away from the machine they were working on to gaze up at the scientist. He cocks his head and crossing his arms, with this coy smirk on his face.
“Otto,” he tells the other man. One could almost hear him smiling through his voice.
“Norman,” says Otto, his own grin growing. “I thought you were dead, you old bastard.” Norman cackles, not in the Goblin-esque way, but in the uncontrolled, happy way you laugh around a close friend. He responds with a playful smack to Otto’s arm— a real arm.
“Not even death can keep the two of us apart, Otto,” he quipped back. “You didn’t think you could get rid of me that easily, did you?”
Although the two were playing, Otto’s smile grows sad. Yes, they’re here together now. But, if that boy sent the two of them back to their own times, they’d be as good as dead, separated forever.
No, no. That wouldn’t happen. Peter would fix them. He was a smart boy. Brilliant, like his Peter, but less lazy. Maybe this is the second chance both of them needed. Noticing the silence, Norman spoke again.
“Ah. So. Rosie. How’s she been?” he inquired.
“Dead,” Otto responded, truly not wanting to talk about that either. Another person dear to him he lost. He’d not like to discuss it. The pain was still fresh.
“And Harry? How’s he?”
“He’s a good boy,” Otto says, now smiling once more. “He takes care of your business well. He’s a bit of a loose canon but I think he’ll settle down soon. You know, he’s still a young man, without his parents, taking care of his father’s big business.” Norman emitted a sad ‘tsk’.
“I miss him,” he mused. No one could say Norman was the best father ever. He was definitely contender for worst father. However, he missed his boy. They’d grown apart. It wasn’t the same anymore. Maybe if he was back to his old self, things would be the way they used to be.
“He misses you,” Otto started… then paused. “I missed you too, Norman,” Despite being behind sunglasses, Norman could feel Otto’s eyes meet his.
“I’m the lucky one. I didn’t have a moment to miss you.”
“You’ve always been one to brag, haven’t you, Osborn?”
“Quiet you,” he teased back, staring up at the doctor. Despite their playful banter, there was a palpable longing between the two of them. Norman’s hand reached up to twirl one of the doctor’s curls around his finger.
“We used to have fun,” continued Norman. “… back in the day. Before we were married, before we had careers… When we were both bachelors, remember? Like we are now.” Back when things were secret and forbidden, their feelings were fresh and new. All of that just turned into a forgotten time. The only thing that lingered was the silent want between the two of them; the tension of it all.
“What are you implying, Osborn?” asked the scientist, quirking an eyebrow.
“What I’m implying is that we may have mere minutes to live. I’m sure you’re still mourning, whether it’s for me or your old life but we have only minutes perhaps to live before we’re sent back to our fate,” Norman’s voice increased in passion. “What I’m saying is carpe diem, c’est la vie.” Otto couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Hopefully Norman didn’t see that.
Otto leaned down. He was much taller than Norman. He bonked their heads together, albeit gently, so they were eye to eye almost.
“I understand what you’re saying. But just… shh.” Otto placed a gloved finger against Norman’s lips, which was soon replaced by his own lips, as he embraced him in a kiss. All the tension that had once filled the air was dissolved in one, special kiss.
They lingered for a moment, even after pulling away, they gazed at each other.
Norman, always being the one to surprise, pulled back. This confused Otto for a moment until Norman had his legs around Otto’s waist and was clinging to him like a koala. His hands gripped his shoulders, holding himself steady. Otto, after a moment of shock, held him by the hips.
Norman went back in for another kiss, this one more passionate. His hands moved from the scientist’s shoulders to his chest, shoving him back against a nearby wall. Otto stumbled, but caught his balance eventually, by leaning up against the wall. Thanks to one of his mechanical limbs, he caught the wall and stabilized them both. Osborn gripped his cheeks, squishing his face just a little as he kissed him with all the passion that had been pent up for years.
Otto’s large hands squeezed the businessman’s hips as he returned the feverish embrace. His hands wandered up and down, feeling Norman’s back. Norman’s fingers got lost in the doctor’s hair, and he took a moment to toss his glasses to the side. Not one to be gentle, he gave Otto’s hair a little tug and his lip a nibble.
Their loving moment was interrupted by glass hitting the floor. It’s source? Peter’s hand. He’d dropped something at the surprise from the sight.
“Guys…?” he said, meekly. “What’s going on?”