Chapter Text
Peter is irritated that he is at this event with Aiden Scott. He had been sort of excited when Jameson had demanded that he go take photos of this exclusive technology showcase, in which special projects were given their first glimpses to the public. Very few people were let in and Peter had always half dreamed of having his own tech presented at something like this someday. So to be able to take photos of it for a writing piece for the Bugle since the normal photographer is absent felt like a dream come true.
And then he got paired with the writer for the event. Aiden. Aiden had the social graces and elbow rubbing to get himself an invitation from wealthy CEOs but seriously had no understanding of technology or its potential. Peter cringes into himself whenever Aiden asks a question that repeats something the presenter had clearly just explained or was very obvious. Half the time Aiden did not even listen to the response and would remain confused. At least when Flint or Electro asked questions, they actively listened. And were not dismissive with their questions, to begin with.
Peter snaps his photos and takes care to avoid Osborn, Avoiding Osborn is fairly hard as the event is tight and he is forced to move with Aiden who does not know that he is avoiding Norman. He spots Tombstone, but finds the thought that the Big Man is here only brings relief rather than extra stress. However, his spidey-sense is tingling at the base of his brain the whole time and he finds himself growing tired. So very tired. Even looking at the new medical tech from Stark industries brings very little joy to his growing anxiety.
Despite his best efforts, he eventually is dragged into facing Norman Osborn. The man’s eyes are piercing, very quick to move away from Aiden to focus on Peter. Peter feels a bit of anger hops up through his veins. This man had pushed Harry so harshly and had been so cruel that his own son had left him and found happiness only after getting a different dad. Peter hates the look the man is giving him, one of calculation and interest. After Aiden finishes his questions and moves to go, Norman catches Peter by the elbow. Peter fights the urge to shove him off.
“Excuse me, Mr. Osborn. I need…”
“Peter. I just want to talk with you for a moment. Im sure you will have plenty of time to take your fluff piece photos.”
Peter feels both offended and worried by the words. Osborn had snatched away his excuse before he could give it. But… A small part of him wonders if this is where Osborn will ask after Harry. Show some level of care. So he stays with a tiny nod. Osborn keeps ahold of his elbow.
“I have not seen you in a while. How have you been?”
“Ah, well, you know. Busy. Schools taking up a lot of time.”
“Is your lab job treating you well?”
“Yeah. The people there are kind. And I get to work on some interesting stuff.”
“Well, you know there is always an opening for you at Oscorp."
Peter finds his tiny hope that the man might display some concern for Harry fade to nothing. His spider-sense is growing louder and he notices that the grip on his elbow hurts. Hurts more than someone holding onto him should. His stomach rolls as panic starts to claw the edges of his thoughts.
“I… uh… I’ll keep that in mind, sir.”
He shifts a little, trying to pull away. But Osborn keeps holding.
“I am curious. You never said what company is that you are working for.”
“I didn't. It's fairly private. They don't want any leaks.”
Peter says with a falsely casual shrug.
“But your ‘uncle’ Beck works there?”
Peter finds his heart race as he feels a bruise starting to form. Osborn’s eyes are piercing through his skull. He finds that his spidey-sense is screaming to flee and to hide, to get away from this scavaging carnivore that will rip him up. That is not a feeling he is familiar with. Normally his spidey-sense was timed to run, jump, dodge, and alert him of nearby dangers. Not to go to ground and hide. He needs air. He needs to get away.
“Uh, yes. Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom.”
He yanks his arm back and quickly darts away. He does not go to the bathroom, but finds out how to get outside onto a balcony. He gasps for air when he gets there, gripping the railing and closing his eyes as he sucks in the night air. He relaxes, so very worn from his constantly buzzing spider-sense. He gently touches his elbow without opening his eyes and lets out a noise of pain. Okay, so he had been bruised. Did Norman… Did Norman have augmentation? He certainly had experimented on other people. Peter finds himself spiraling as he tries to suck in air and calm himself down.
And then someone touches him.
He acts on instinct, twisting and biting down, nerves shot to hell. Blood hits his tongue as he hops back up onto the wall with a flip and its taste makes his brain focus. Tombstone blinks at him, concern clear in his eyes.
“Peter. Are you alright?”
That is all the man manages to get out before the paralysis sets in and he starts to fall. Peter leaps forwards and catches the man. Tombstone had come to check on him and really did not deserve to smash his face into the floor for offering an ounce of comfort to Peter. Plus he had already revealed his fangs and venom. Tombstone’s not dumb enough to not know. He had literally flipped backwards and stuck to the wall. He gently sets the man down and digs into his pocket. The anti-venom is in there somewhere. Where? His heart speeds up again and his hands shake a little in desperation. He finds the syringe in his inner jacket pocket and takes it out and quickly injects it into Tombstone.
He shakily sits there as Tombstone slowly recovers. His body shakes, too stressed. Today had been the worst and he feels so freaking weak. He takes a breath, tastes blood, and then scrubs at his mouth with his shirt sleeve. Tombstone’s entire body is slack and if it were not for the slight movement of his chest, Peter might think he had killed the man. He scrubs at his mouth again. Oh no. He had never bitten someone else before. Is the anti-venom going to work?