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"This is a bad idea," Peter Three insists, clutching onto the bags in his hands like a lifeline.
"No, it's not," Peter Two argues, rubbing his gloved hands together to try and conserve heat.
Outside it's snowing so much that Peter Two's worried they could get frostbite. They're right outside Peter One's apartment building, grocery bags in their hands, both bundled up in coats and scarves. It's only now starting to get dark out. The sky is a deep blue, making the bright lights stick out much more. The Times Square Christmas tree is lit up beautifully, skaters just beneath having a good time during this season on the ice. Joy is what they hear all around them. People laughing, singing, talking, and just enjoying each other's company. Everyone is smiling, it seems. Not a single pained face in sight.
It's marvellous.
But, they don't have time to appreciate it.
"Yes, it is," Peter Three counters, face pulled into a frown as he shivers. "We should come later."
Peter Two gives his brother a blank look, tilting his head. "And, leave him alone on Christmas? Not happening," he tells him, leaving no room for discussion. "We're doing this."
"I just--" Peter Three begins, looking over at the building worriedly, then back to his older brother. "Maybe he needs more time alone?"
"Maybe he needs to spend Christmas alone?"
"Well-- okay, maybe not Christmas," he allows, shrugging. "But, like, it's Christmas Eve."
"So, he should spend his first Christmas Eve without May or anyone he loves alone?"
There's a short pause as Peter Three glares at Peter Two until he dramatically sighs, looking away. "I hate that you're always right," he says, voice a whine.
"I know."
"How do we even, like, announce our presence?" Peter Three asks, starting to fidget where he stands from both the cold and anxiety.
Peter Two raises a brow. "We could say hello?"
"Hello, kid, I know you're like super sad, but we want to celebrate Christmas, 'kay?" Peter Three practices, melancholic smile on his face, voice laced in false cheer.
"Alright, so I'll do the talking."
"Hello, Peter One, you're probably having the worst time of your life, right now, huh? Anyway, would you--?"
"Stop," Peter Two interrupts his brother, rubbing his eyes tiredly.
"I'm going to be so bad at this," Peter Three complains, crossing his arms across his chest.
"I know."
"Shut up."
"You're the one who said it!"
Peter Three makes eye contact with Peter Two, serious now. "I'm so awkward."
"I know we are. But, it'll be okay," Peter Two assures him, placing a grounding hand on his shoulder. "All he needs is for us to be there for him. We may not know what it's like spending Christmas alone, but we can help."
"Avoid using the word May."
"Good point."
"Hey, your May's still around, right?" Peter Three checks, looking over at the building, and up at to where he knows Peter One's apartment is. He can hear him from here. But, assumes that considering Peter One's blasting music, and not listening for his brothers that he can't hear them.
"Yeah," Peter Two confirms, copying his brother and facing the building. "She's getting pretty old, though. She's in a nursing home, right now."
"Ha, my May's younger than that," Peter Three says, like it's a brag. "I mean, not as young as Peter One's May was, but still."
"Why do our May's just get younger?"
"Don't know." Peter Three shrugs. "Maybe 'cause this Peter started out younger."
"Yeah, maybe." Peter Two quickly turns to face his brother, causing Peter Three to do so as well, face alert. "Also, don't mention Spider-Man, either."
"Oh, God," Peter Three groans, covering his face with his hands. "I'm gonna mess up."
"No, you're not!"
"Yes, I am!"
Peter Two draws out a big sigh, waiting a moment before continuing. "Let's go inside now."
"What if he senses us before we get there?"
"Then, oh well?" Peter Two answers, gesturing for his brother to walk. "It'll be better for you, you won't have to do an awkward greeting."
"YOU'RE RIGHT!" he exclaims, linking their arms and practically dragging Peter Two inside the old apartment building. "Okay, please sense us Peter One."
There's a receptionist at the front who gives them a weird look. She seems to be in her late twenties, glasses perched at the end of her nose as she types on her computer. The typing does pause, however as the two Spider-Men make their entrances. Peter Two offers her a kind smile and a wave, all while Peter Three is practically buzzing with excitement now.
They stumble into the elevator, arms full of stuff. Peter Two is the one who presses the button, Peter Three much too distracted now.
"Okay," Peter Two says, catching Peter Three's attention. "You need to take the energy down a little, sound good? 'Cause, like, you're at a nine, and it has to be below a six."
Peter Three nods, face going serious. "Right, makes sense."
"You know, 'cause his mom just died."
"Yeah, you're right."
"Mhm."
"I hate that you're right all the time," Peter Three repeats his previous statement, leaning against the elevator wall and glaring.
"I know. You've told me."
"Well, I hate you."
". . ."
Peter Three immediately begins freaking out, grabbing his brother by the shoulders, a panicked expression on his face. "I didn't mean that, I love you a lot."
"It's okay. I know us well."
"Okay, shut up." Peter Three rolls his eyes. The elevator stops to let another person on. Both brothers go quiet, smiling politely at the girl, and making sure to step to the other side of the elevator so she's not uncomfortable. After a few seconds pass, Peter Three leans towards Peter Two, and whispers, "This is gonna be fine, right?"
"Yup," Peter Two whispers back, smiling kindly at the lady when she exits the elevator, having had arrived at her floor. "Everything is going to be fine."
"I hope he's happy to see us."
"I'm sure he will be. Don't worry."
"I am worried."
"Well, don't."
"How's your MJ?
"She's doing good. And, don't mention MJ's either. Or Ned's," he adds, looking at the slowly rising number in the elevator. "This is the worst elevator ever. Why is it so slow?"
"Oh my God," Peter Three says dreadfully, ignoring Peter Two's last comment. "I'll just stick to wishing him a happy Christmas Eve."
"Don't use the word happy. Say merry."
"I'm gonna die in there."
"I know."
"Hey!"
"I'm kidding," Peter Two says, offering his brother a smile. The elevator dings, signalling that they've reached their floor. They begin grabbing their things, and Peter Two stands in the doors to make sure they don't close while Peter Three is collection all his things. "You're gonna do amazing because you are amazing."
Peter Three pauses what he's doing, giving Peter Two a blank expression. "I feel awkward now."
"I know."
Heading out of the elevator, they both walk in silence for a few seconds, looking at each door they pass. They know Peter's apartment is pretty far away, so they walk slowly, both preparing themselves for what's about to happen. The boy is grieving, and it's going to be hard. But, they're here. And, they'll help him get through it.
"Hey, guess what?" Peter Three starts the conversation back up once something has popped into his head.
Peter Two glances at his brother who now looks a little nervous, a light blush on his cheeks. "What?"
"I met an MJ."
"Oh, yeah?" Peter Two smiles.
"Yeah." Peter Three shrugs, looking anywhere but his older brother. "His name's Mason James."
"Oh, cool," the older of the two responds, still smiling. He hated how hurt his younger brother was about Gwen, and is happy to see him like this. "Have you two gone out yet?"
Peter Three stops walking. "What?"
Copying his brother, Peter Two stops and turns to him a little. "What?"
"I'm not gay."
Peter Two nods. "I know."
Brows scrunching together, leaning back a little, Peter Three continues. "But--"
"You can like men and women."
"I know. But, I don't."
There's a big long pause before Peter Two nods, lips pursed, and keeps walking. ". . . oh."
"Oh?" Peter Three questions, grabbing his brother by the arm, and pulling him to a stop again.
Peter Two shrugs, making awkward eye contact with his brother. "Oh."
"I don't," Peter Three insists, eyes wide.
"Mhm."
"I don't!"
"Okay," Peter Two begins, a breathless and awkward laugh leaving his mouth. "Just, um, curious, what his last name?"
"Watson."
Peter Two pauses. Blinks. Then nods. "Oh."
They both go quiet after that. They're still making eye contact, Peter Three's brown eyes searching Peter Two's blue one's. Honestly, he looks like he's going through a crisis right now, and Peter Two feels bad for being the cause of it. After awhile of staring, Peter Three looks away, hand over his chest as he lets out a deep breath. And, Peter Two's vaguely aware of Peter Three mumbling an 'oh shit' to himself.
"Peter . . ." the younger boy begins, voice quiet.
"What?"
"I . . . I think I . . ."
Peter Two offers him a soft smile, giving his shoulder a little pat. "I know."
"Well," Peter Three begins as they continue down the hall. "This has been a fun talk of self realization."
"Mhm."
"Thank you."
"No problem."
~~~
Peter One is in his apartment completely in denial with the fact that it's currently Christmas Eve, and that this is the first time he's celebrating this holiday without his friends and family. He knows it's probably not healthy to ignore his feelings like that, but oh well. It's not like he has any family members around to make sure he's healing properly.
Right now he's blasting regular music -- not Christmas -- and folding laundry. He hasn't had to the time to do any recently, and the pile on his floor had started to get ridiculous. So, earlier today he went to a laundromat. And, now that he's back from patrol, he's decided it's a good time to finally put it all away.
When he first moved him, he didn't even have a system, and just kind of out stuff in random drawers. But, now he has the time to actually organize himself. It feels nice. The rest of his apartment was already semi-organized, so having this last thing get done feels so much better.
He's shoving folded socks into his top drawer when shivers go down his spine. Head shooting straight up, Peter One turns to look at the front door, a weird feeling settling into his chest. After a moment, he decides to ignore what he's feeling. It's impossible for Peter Two and Three to be here. As much as he wishes they were. So, he won't even let himself consider the idea.
Peter One continues organizing his drawer before closing it and moving onto his second where he's decided to keep pants. To be honest, he probably needs to go shopping for more clothes. After everything that happened, he didn't have that much time to get stuff out of him apartment. He knew people would be there soon to move all of May's stuff, and he wanted to make sure they didn't see any of his.
When he hears footsteps from outside his door, Peter One pauses in the folding of his jeans. He glances back at the door, tilting his head a little in confusion. At first, he wonders if it's the landlady coming to complain about him. But, then he remembers she's down at the apartments Christmas party on the second floor. She even warned everyone not to bug her today. So, that wouldn't make sense.
He listens, and hears two heartbeats.
Two familiar heartbeats.
But, from where?
Placing the folded jeans in the drawer, Peter One takes a step forward. "Who's there?"
There's no answer. The two people simply knock again, more persistent this time.
Warily, Peter One walks towards the door, pulling his hoodie sleeves past his hands, and letting his too big sweatpants drag on the ground. The sweatshirt is MJ's, and the sweatpants are Tony's, but Peter One doesn't let himself think too hard about that.
Reaching out, he unlocks his many locks on his door. Technically, he could look through the peephole to see how it is, but decides against it. He's not really sure why, but he feels the need to open the door as quickly as possible.
When the door's finally open, his heart jumps into his throat.
His bothers are here.
They're really here.
Between the both of them they're probably carrying at least ten bags. Peter One's pretty sure he sees a little green tree sticking out of one of them. They're both bundled up in coats, scarves and beanies, desperately trying to get away from the crisp coldness of New York. He can't even imagine how bad it had been for their thermo regulation. And, adding on to all of that, they wear big smiles, and kind eyes.
It breaks Peter One.
Sobs fly past his lips so fast he has no time to process it. He's not sure why he's reacting like this, but he is. His face screws up horribly, and Peter Two and Three feel their hearts clench painfully. Their youngest brother takes a few steps back, hands covering his face in embarrassment as he cries. Peter One didn't realize how badly he missed them until now.
"Oh, Peter," Peter Two whispers, pulling him into a hug. It's not reciprocated, but seems to be appreciated by the way Peter One presses his face into his oldest brothers neck. "I'm so sorry."
Peter Three joins in, wrapping his arms tightly around both his brothers, and resting his head atop Peter One's while also rubbing his back
"It's okay," Peter Three soothes, voice soft and warm. "We're here now."
"H-How?" he asks, voice pitiful as he leans the side of his head against Peter Three's shoulder. "I-I don't understand."
"Found a Dr. Strange in my universe," Peter Two answers, running a gentle hand through Peter One's hair. "Figured out a way to come see you. We wouldn't just leave you like that, bud."
"This last week has been terrible," Peter One cries, finally moving his arms to hug his brothers back. "I hate this." He pauses for a second to take a deep breath. "How did you find out about the world forgetting me?"
"We have our ways."
"Did you go see MJ?"
"Maybe."
"How are you doing?" Peter Two asks, pulling away when he feels Peter One's arms retracting. "Actually."
"Horrible," Peter One admits in nothing but a whisper. He looks up at them both, tears in his eyes. "But, I'm starting to feel a bit better now that you guys are here."
"Well, let's all get settled, yeah?" Peter Two suggests, gesturing at the bags that they placed down when hugging Peter One. "We brought a mini Christmas tree, decorations and food and presents."
For a split second, Peter One's face jerks down in a frown. "I don't have anything for you."
"That's okay, Petey," Peter Three assures him, ruffling his hair. "We assumed since we showed up on you out of nowhere that you wouldn't have anything. All we want for Christmas is to spend it with you."
Peter Two closes the door, then starting to peel his layers off. "Yeah. We just want to have a good time with you. Sound good?"
Peter One manages the smallest of smirks. "Yeah, sounds good."
A little time passes by, they put the tree up and decorate it with colours. They hang the stockings by the chimney with care. Peter Two makes them all Mac and Cheese, apologizing profusely as he explains that it's all the store had tonight. Peter One continues assuring him that it's fine while sitting right next to Peter Three by the tree. The youngest brothers sit on the ground, watching their older brother with smiles as the man work's seriously.
Once they dinner is made and they're all sitting with their own bowls full, Peter Two decides it's time to speak again. "So, Peter One, how have you been handling everything?"
"Been working a lot. Spider-Manning a lot," he begins, sitting the contents of his bowl. "I go and see May's grave almost everyday. And, I got to the coffee shop MJ works at almost everyday too." He looks down. "It's hard. But. I'm a Peter Parker. Turns out life likes to throw tough shit at us all."
"Comes with the job description," Peter Three agrees, nodding with a sad look on his face.
Peter Two looks both frowning boys for awhile, shaking his head. "You two," he mumbles. "Come on. It's Christmas Eve! Let's have a good time." Peter One and Three roll their eyes fondly as their older brother wiggles his eyebrows teasingly. "Do you want your early presents I got for you?"
"Yes!" They both shout with excitement.
The oldest Spider-Man gets both of them their gifts, handing them out at the same time. They act as if they're toddlers discovering the fun of Christmas for the first time, and Peter Two is tempted to take a photo, but refrains and decides to just live in the moment. When all they do is stare at Peter Two, the man rolls his eyes and gestures with his hands to signal they can carry on.
They tear their presents open. Peter One pulls a confused expression at the bright blue band that appears in his box, while all Peter Three does is smile knowingly down at his purple one.
"Thank you so much!!" Peter Three exclaims, jumping up to give Peter Two a hug.
When they pull back, Peter One is looking at Peter Two with a shy smile. "Uh, what is it?"
"Something my Dr. Strange whipped up," Peter Two explains, pointing at his own dark red band. "Anytime you want to visit us, all you have to do is press a button."
So many emotions cross over Peter One's face, but the one he lands on his happy. He jumps into both of his brother's arms, squeezing them tight. They hold him with the same amount of ferocity. Peter Two even plants a kiss on the boy's forehead, and then repeats it on Peter Three's temple.
"I love you guys so much," Peter One whispers, a mix of sad and happy in his tone.
"Love you too, Petey," Peter Two responds, rubbing a hand up and down his back.
"Love you," Peter Three says, "Merry Christmas."