Chapter Text
Peter was having a good year, great even. They defeated Thanos with the help of the Justice League, he somehow managed to not embarrass himself in front of his favorite heroes and even got complimented. He was having a good time in his internship with Mr. Stark, none of his usual villains caused any massive problems in New York, his training with Daredevil is going well and even Flash apparently decided to give him a break (well, not really a break, but his… comments are more sparse and tame then what they used to be).
His life work balance is also better now, he is even managing to take more pictures for his photography account on social media. Initially it was just a hobby that he had picked up from his uncle Ben, then, after his death, he decided to make something to honor him. So he created “Webs of Good” or WG for short (in his defence he had just started with Spider-Man and having everything spider themed seemed cool), an account focused on taking pictures of people who help, from heroes and vigilantes to firefighters and police officers to someone helping an old lady crossing the street or helping a kid get his cat out of a tree. The point is to show people that there always is someone willing to do something good and that, if you can help someone, then you should do it.
“With great power comes great responsibility”, his uncle’s words that he will always carry with him.
Anyway, this was a great year. If he was more sure that he wouldn't jinx himself, he would dare to say the Q-word. So when his aunt woke him up to eat breakfast he was in a good mood. He was finally going to have a break from school and he and May are going on their annual trip to photograph a random hero or vigilante, so sue him if he was feeling like a kid but isn't that what he is? on a Christmas morning.
“Good morning Peter! Sleep well?” His aunt asked when he got in the kitchen of their apartment. It is a simple apartment with only 2 rooms, 1 bathroom and a small kitchen with a living room, but they don't really care for nor want that much luxury. (believe it, Tony had tried and failed)
“Morning May! Honestly, it has been some time since I last slept this well” He wasn't lying when he said that. Having no nightmares at night is something pretty rare for him, especially after his first run with the Vulture, having a whole warehouse fall on you and thinking you would die isn't a funny experience.
“When are we picking which hero we're following this year?” The fun part about their little travels is that they only discover where they are going the day before they hit the road. The hero he goes to photograph is chosen by his followers on his social media. Even though he never openly said that to his followers (he thinks they probably know since it's kinda obvious what he's doing), every year he takes pictures of the most commented hero or vigilante in his account. “It would be pretty cool if I try to take pictures of Miss. Romanoff without her noticing me, but that's something I can try and do later, plus it isn't much of a trip if we don't even leave New Work City-” May chuckles at her nephew's enthusiasm “Breath Pete. I can see someone is anxious for our trip, huh?”
“Of course I am! It is our tradition May. Plus I get to see some of my favorite heroes while doing something that I like” and that reminds me of Ben went unsaid but understandable nonetheless. “Oh baby…” His aunt hugs him and, before she lets go, kisses his hair. “Before we discover where we are going, someone here is a growing boy who needs food”
Breakfast is simple but full of warmth and jokes even with only the two of them. Peter can’t help but think that for the first time after the bite and uncle Ben's death he is happy. Eating Breakfast with his aunt, spending time in the lab with Tony, patrolling with DD and sometimes DP… Yeah, he's glad that he has them in his life, with flaws and all that shit ton of trauma in Matt and Wade cases.
Breakfast is over in no time, and Peter finds himself drying dishes while May washes them.
“Did you already told Tony that you’ll miss some lab days due to our trip?” Oh shit “OH MY GOD! I totally forgot!! I’ll call him now, wait a moment” While he turns around to try and find his phone he vaguely hears May's laugh and, after a minute of intense searching, he hears a “You left your phone on the counter, sweetheart!” followed by more giggles and internal face palming on Peter's part.
When he picks his phone he opens Tony's contact and calls him.
“Pete? What 's up?
“Hey, Mr. Stark! Just wanted to say that I'm gonna miss some lab days. Me and May are going on a trip tomorrow, so I just wanted to let you know”
“Oh? And where are you going?”
“Oh we don't know yet”
“...”
“You… Don’t Know…?”
“Yet Mr. Stark. We're gonna find out today, it’s a little tradition that we do, we only discover where we are going the day before. In my opinion it makes it more fun than having everything already planned” There is also the fact that it is for WG business, It sounds kinda shady if you say it like this, but anyway, Tony doesn't need to know about his adventures as a civilian (if he doesn't know already, he is Tony Stark after all)
“Ah, that makes more sense, so I suppose that you also don't know when you're coming back?”
“Yep, we don't know exactly when we're coming back, but we will be back before the end of my school break, that's for sure!” Sadly he still needs to go to school after this…
“Well, have a good time then Roos, if you or May need anything call me or Pep or even Happy and we'll help, talk to you later kid.”
“Bye Mr. Stark!!” When Peter returns, May had already put the dishes in their places and was waiting for him so they could see which hero was the most commented. “Talked with him?”
“Yep!! Now, are we ready to check where we are going?” Peter sits at May's side on the table while opening D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. (Data Extraction for Selecting Trip Itineraries Near You), a program he created some time ago that counts the amount of times words have been texted on his social media page, on his phone. “I really hope they don't give us, like, I dunno, someone we didn't ever heard about that lives in the middle of nothing-” Fuck “I just jinxed us, didn't I? Now, with my luck, we're going to the middle of nowhere…”
“Hey, at least we will be in the ‘middle of nowhere’ together! Remember? It's me and you.” she grins when he nods and smiles at her “Me and you.” He agrees.
Peter gets D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. to work while they anxiously wait for the results.
Selecting hero/vigilantes names detecteds…
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… Counting repetition of words…
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… checking for bots…
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… selecting top 3…
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… choosing your destiny…
danger
huh? His Spidey-sense gives a very low buzz of danger. Why? ‘It's probably nothing, I must be overthinking again’ Peter shrugged and got back to anxiously watching while his program chooses his destiny (Dramatic he knows, but his mentor is Tony freaking Stark, what did you expect?)
… D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. complete.
> Access Results
RESULTS OF DATA EXTRACTION
Total: 569 votes
TOP 3 HEROES AND/OR VIGILANTES (Total top 3: 314 votes)
3. Daredevil - 85 votes
2. Superman - 114 votes
Winner:
1. Batman - 115 votes
“Well, it definitely isn't in the middle of nowhere.”
“OH MY GOD!! BATMAN!?”
They said at the same time
“There are barely any real good pictures of him!! If I manage to take a few good shoots… Wait. There's also Robin! Oh May we need to go take pictures of Batman and Robin!! They're, like, the dynamic duo, Robin was one of the first teenage hero ever. Oh, wait, isn't the current one, uhh, the second Robin, I think? Doesn't matter, he's still cool!! I'll need my- OH, I'm rambling again… Sorry…” May chuckles, amused by her nephew's antics. “It's alright, honey, you're just excited.” Peter blushes a little, embarrassed. “But, shouldn't we also think where are we going?” huh?
“What do you mea- Ohh!”
“‘Ohh!’ indeed Pete…” She says “I think I get what you mean…” Gotham “‘Crime Capital’ isn't that welcoming, right? But, hey, I think, if we plan carefully and be careful, we can manage to make a good trip out of that place!” May gives him an unimpressed stare “Pretty please? I promise I will be on my best behavior! Scouts honor! We can even stay at some hotel in the safest part of Gotham, I can even use the card Tony gave me but I never use!!” May sighs and stay silent for a moment
“Okay.” “yes!!” “BUT. You stay at my side at all times, and, as I know you're going to do either way – it doesn't mean I like that you do that – when you go out at night in Gotham” Peter winces at the emphasis “I need you to promise me, promise me, that, if your ‘Peter Tingle’–” “Please, don't call it that” “–warns you of any danger, you'll walk the other way.”
“You know I can't do that…” He says looking at the ground.
“Please Peter… Let me have the peace of mind that my Nephew is safe… I don't want to risk losing you…” May says softly cupping Peter's face
“...”
“Okay…” May relaxes slightly at that “But only if you also stays safe at all times”
“Oh Pete…” She hugs him, running a hand in his hair “I promise you I'll stay safe. ‘Scouts Honor’” She smiles at him.
They stay like that for a few minutes, just enjoying each other's presence, when May pulls away “Okay then. Promises made, now it's time to actually plan the trip!”
‘I really do have the best aunt huh?’ Peter smiles softly at the thought
“Welp, I need to pack my camera, I guess”
“Only your camera?“ May raises an unimpressed eyebrow
“I suppose I can take some clothes too this time”
They manage to stay serious for one minute before they start laughing
‘Yep. Best family ever’
•–«🕸🕷🕸»–•
Peter and May are now coming closer to Gotham and Peter can't help but start feeling anxious. His Spidey-sense is starting to act up again. The difference? Now it has a reason. Gotham. The city is making his skin crawl and he isn't even inside it yet. Don't even let him get started on the air ‘This place is a nightmare for people with enhanced senses’ He grimaces slightly at the thought.
He and May decided to stay only a week, and, honestly, he may think that it is too much.
His thoughts were cut by May's voice. “We're almost there.”
The trip isn't that long, Gotham is rather close to New York, but with the traffic the time almost doubles, funny thinking that the traffic going to The Crime Capital of America would be so bad.
After some minutes Peter finally sees a sign saying “Welcome to Gotham City” with “Run While You Can!” written with red paint.
“Who would guess Gotham would be so… Gothic, huh?” Peter snorted
“Well, maybe you can catch a gargoyle helping an old lady cross the street.” May joked.
“Nah, I think they'd be way too preoccupied with brooding. Or with bats falling on them” He adds the last part as an afterthought and both of them laugh.
Brooding gargoyles and falling bats aside, Gotham architecture is actually really beautiful. Actually, from a certain point of view, Gotham is quite beautiful. She has a strange pull to her that makes him want to run and want to get closer at the same time. ‘Gotham is strange’
———
Danger
———
When they arrived at their hotel, the sun was already going down, so Peter and May decided to just stay at the hotel for the rest of the day, watch a movie and eat some snacks that they brought with them.
They did end up picking a hotel in one of the richest parts of Gotham as it is supposed to be safer. It was, in fact, expensive, but Tony's card took care of that. Normally he wouldn't use it, but they were paying more for safety not for luxury, so, for him, it was alright (Not that Tony minded, but meh).
[Somewhere in New York, Tony is crying because his the kid finally used the card he gave him]
While May put the movie for them to watch (Star Wars, of course), Peter asked Karen to make a list of places for them to visit and safety precautions for them to take. Before coming, Peter made a deep dive on Gotham's Rogues and their MO as a preparation in case they encountered any of Batman's Rogues, and made plans of action in case of said encounters (Hopefully they aren't needed. That Joker guy seems no joke (Ha! A pun) and Scarecrow still gives him the creeps).
———
Danger
———
It has been a total of 2 hours since they had gone to sleep, and he can't. Fall. Asleep. To put it simply, his Spidey-sense is screaming at him DANGER, and he doesn't know why the fuck (Sorry aunt May) it is like this.
You might think ‘But, Peter, isn't it just because Gotham is dangerous?’ And he would also think so if it didn't feel like it wasn't just that. Something's gonna happen, and he doesn't know what it is. This is driving him insane.
If May wasn't literally in the room right on the side of his, he would totally be up to screaming. So, he decides to do what he does best. He picks up his camera, warmer clothes and gets out to the rooftops of Gotham.
‘Maybe some fresh air can help. Well, as fresh as Gotham can get…’ He sighs and leaves a note on his bed warning that he got out for some air, in case May wakes up and goes check on him, before leaving from the window.
Running across rooftops, even without his webs, is pretty refreshing and freeing. The feeling of the air on his face is always great. Even though it does nothing for his ‘sense problem’, it helps calm his nerves a little.
After some rooftop running and some climbing, Peter finds a high building that has a view of the city but doesn't set his senses even more (That includes cameras or risk of a collapsing building) and sits on the ledge.
“Seeing Gotham like this, it reminds me of New York” Peter says to nobody "A gothic and sadder version of New York" He adds.
He takes his camera to his eyes and takes a picture of Gotham's skyline and puts the camera at his side. The boy closes his eyes and allows himself to just breathe. Despite everything, he manages to relax a little.
“...”
Danger
At the warning, Peter immediately straightens his back and looks around looking for the danger. Except there is no one there. He stretches his senses just like Matt taught him. The smell hits him first, ‘smoke’ Peter thinks. After that, he hears it. Screams, a building on fire.
Peter gets on his feet, still focusing on his hearing
“Please, don’t let me be right… Don't do this to me…” He murmurs
May's heartbeat. May's heartbeat on the same region of the fire. “God, please no.”
He opens his eyes and looks at the direction of the sound of fire and he forces his vision. His stomach drops at the sight.
His Hotel. His fucking Hotel is on fire
Peter doesn't even register when he starts running back. Jumping from roof to roof until he gets close.
‘She's alive. May's alive. I heard her heartbeat. She's not dead’
‘Yet’ A little voice in his head says.
When he arrives at the hotel, he immediately scans the crowd for May “Please be ok, please be ok…”
There!
He looks where his Spidey-sense is pointing to, and there she is. May is with some paramedics being put inside an ambulance. She's hurt in several places and with some burns on her too, and seems to be unconscious.
“MAY!!” He runs. But, before he manages to get to May, he is stopped by another paramedic.
“She's my aunt!! She's all I have left… Please let me go with her!!”
He didn't hear what the guy said after letting him go and was already at his aunt's side.
“I'm sorry May… I'm so, so sorry”
He knew something was wrong the moment that he discovered they were going to Gotham. But he chose, no, insisted that they would come to this city. He was given warnings, and he just ignored all of them. He failed to save her. His only family left.
‘Parker luck huh’ He lets out an incredulous huff. Nothing good stays. He should've known this was going to happen from the start. Nothing good happens with Peter Parkers without a price.
He feels something wet falling on his hands. “huh?” He brings his hand to his face and… He was crying…? oh… Yeah, he was crying.
Something broke out of him that sounded between a sob and laugh. What can someone do if not crying or laughing at the situation? He drove a loved one to his death again. First it was Ben. Oh Ben… He had tried to find Peter after he ran away because of a fight between him and his aunt and uncle. Peter didn't stop a robber in a little corner store and that same robber killed his uncle in a failed mugging attempt. He could've stopped him. He already had his powers, he just chose not to. Just like now. He chose to ignore his Spidey-sense that had saved him so many times. And his aunt may di– STOP, don't go that path. She's still ALIVE.
‘But not because of you’ That little voice says again.
Peter is broken out of his thoughts by the movement of the paramedics.
He can't be at his aunt's side during whatever the doctors are going to do. He wasn't even there enough to care about how expensive the medical bill will be.
He does the most logical thing his brain can think. Call Tony.
One ring. Two rings. Three rings–
“Peter? Did something happen?”
“...” His voice didn't seem to work. Why couldn't he talk? Just tell him
“Peter? Kid, can you hear me?”
“Peter. I'm serious, you're scaring me, kid. What's wrong? Where are you? Where is May?” At May's mention a sob broke out of him and he finally was able to speak.
“May– There was a– A fire at the hotel we were at… I– I wasn't there but– But… God Tony– May was there! We're now at the hospital and I– I don't know what to do…”
“Fuck… Kid breathe with me ok?” But he is breathing, right? “come on kid, in for four, three, two, one…” Tony exaggerates his breathing so Peter can follow “Hold for seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. And out for eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one… Better?“ Peter nods, then remembers that he can't see him from the phone “Ye– Yeah, Thanks Tony…”
“Don't worry kid. Happy is going to your location right now, ok? He will arrive in 30 to 45 minutes, Pete. Do you want to stay talking with me ‘till he's there?”
“Yes… Please, if you can do that…”
“Again, don't worry about it… And… I'm sorry I can't go there with you…” Peter is slightly surprised by the confession ‘Why would Mr. Stark want to come here…? Him sending Happy is more than what I could deserve ask for’ so he stayed silent
“I really wanted to, but I'm in another country and the fastest I can come back is only tomorrow…”
Peter isn't sure what to say about that, so he eloquently just says “Huh…?”
“...”
“...”
“Mr. Parker?” He turns to find a doctor standing on the doorway. ‘saved by the bell’
“It's me…” He awkwardly makes his way to the doctor while saying goodbye to Mr. Stark.
“How's May? My aunt I mean." He asks fidgeting a little "Dr. Williams, ma'am” He reads in her badge.
“There is no adult with you?” She asks, frowning. Peter sighs
“No. Not yet. My aunt's… 'Boyfriend', is coming, but he is going to take some time to get here. You can explain it to me, miss. I will pass on the information to him when he arrives…” She has a look that is a mix of skepticism and pity on her eyes.
“Very well then, Mr. Parker. Follow me.” She turns around and starts walking in the corridor of the hospital's rooms.
“Mrs. Parker is stable for now. She has some damage on her lungs due to smoke inhalation and some bruises and burns from the fire. But, because of the amount of smoke she inhaled, she was sedated so we could intubate her, to help her to breathe, and to also help with the pain from the burns. Fire victims tend to be quite unpredictable, so there is no date for her to wake up yet.” Dr. Williams stops at a door ‘room 12’ Is written above the door “We're here.”
“Uhh, Thank you Dr. Williams… For everything…” A look of surprise crosses her face, but, as soon as it appears, it is gone. “Just doing my work, kid.” Her eyes soften just a little “Stay safe and, if possible, out of the Hospital” She says while going to check on another patient.
‘Gothamites are strange’ Peter shakes his head.
Peter takes a deep breath and opens the door. “May…” He whispers.
He sits at the chair on the side of her bed “Hey, May… I hope you're going to be fine… I– I called To– Mr. Stark and Happy is coming here. But… I'm still lost, you know? But I will get through this. You'll get through this. Remember? It's me and you.” Peter knows he's crying, but he doesn't care. His aunt is here and the world could be ending that he wouldn't get off her side during this.
“Me and you, May.”