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BANG!
Then, at a moment's notice, Frank realized he'd shot the wrong person. He didn't shoot Jean, no. He shot Spiderman, his spider. He rushed, ignoring all traffic laws. But, then again, when does Frank Castle ever obey the law? He was running red lights, just doing everything. Frank was so happy that he'd found out about this Spidey-Tracker app. So happy. He knew the streets of New York like the back of his hand, he was quick to get to Spider-Man. So many thoughts rushed of him. Thoughts of guilt, so much guilt. How could he have messed up this bad? Never in a million years did he expect Spider-Man to intercept it, save Jean. The guilt was eating him up on the inside, oh my.
All he could think is “Please, stay alive.” “Don't die.” “Oh. Please don't die.” That's all he wanted, no, it's what he needed. He couldn't lose another kid, no. Not because of him. Not again. He couldn't let this happen. He couldn't. That's the part that ate him up most, it was his fault. His. His again. Like his wife, his son, his daughter. Tears welled up in his eyes now. Just thinking about this.
Once he got out of the car, at the location. He ran, I mean, he never ran this fast before. He was as fast as a flash of lightning. He had basic medical knowledge from his time in the military, it would be crazier if he didn't, he was lucky he had that shit in his car. He'd usually just wait to do it himself when he was in front of the mirror of the bathroom in his bunker.
“Hey, hey kid. Focus on the light. You'll be alright, you'll be alright.” Frank said, trying to reassure himself more than Spider-Man. He locked in, holding him, doing what he could as he ran back to his big ass van. Jean followed behind him quickly.
As he drove to the hospital, he used only one hand. The other hand was putting pressure on the wound, he needed to stop blood loss. As much as he could, he was stressing. But, he kept trying to talk to him, talking to Spider-Man. Trying to keep him grounded, alive. He spoke softly, shakily too. So shaky. He was scared, no matter how much he tried not to be. Jean was in the back part of the van, she was just quietly watching. Nervous. But, she was using her powers to keep him alive. Despite both of them trying to kill the other, they now have the same goal. Keeping Spider-Man alive.
He grabbed Spider-Man, carrying him in. Looking for someone. Someone specific. A friend, someone who he trusted. A damn good doctor too… Claire Temple. Claire was, luckily, not doing much. Crazily, the hospital wasn't as busy as it usually after these big, destructive fights. But, then again. This was a bit more of a smaller fight, in an enclosed area. Not too many civilians. Actually, no civilians. So, it wasn't too crazy. But it's just bizarre. Especially for Frank to be bringing someone in here like that. Or even Frank to be in here in general. Especially on what happened last time in the hospital, most nurses and doctors were tense as hell. Nervous, but he didn't seem aggressive or on the prowl.
“Claire, help him. Please. You gotta save him, Claire. Do whatever you can.” Oh shit, Frank was practically begging her. That was the craziest, it was unnerving. It was nerve-wracking. But, Claire had been in those situations before. Of course she had, she knew Daredevil and had dealt with his bullshit. So she did what she did best, operated and saved him.
She was locked in, talking to Frank as she operated on spidey. He wasn't nervous that she would do something wrong, no, he was nervous that he brought Spider-Man to her too late. He lurked, he paced, he looked, that's all he could do. That's all. So, he did. He did that. Jean stood near the door frame, tapping.
“Luckily, I saved him. Miraculously. Most people would be dead by now, but… Not him, I don't know why. But, we are lucky for that. He needs a lot of rest, I'll call you when he wakes up. But, it will definitely take a couple days. He must have been in one hell of a battle.” Claire said.
“We'll stay and wait. I want to stay with him.” Jean replied, this was the first time she had spoke after he was shot.
“Me too. We'll stay.” Frank agreed.
Frank and Jean sat next to each other on those uncomfortable seats. Dead silent. Just watching Peter. Waiting for him to awake.
“He’s a strong kid.” Frank said.
Frank got his phone out, he got a news notification. It was about Spider-Man, people covering this. He, curiously, and maybe to just pass some time, ease him a little, read a couple articles. Jean read them out of the corner of her eye but she tried not to look like she was. Frank knew though. He just moved his phone so she could see it a little better. She quietly appreciated it.
Days and days went by, Claire dropped by to check his vitals, make sure he is already and to put the gifts that the community was giving spider-man to him. They stayed there, everyday. Every hour until visitation stopped. Just in anticipation.
Until he did. And God they were grateful. They knew he'd wake up, obviously, thanks to Jean and Claire's help. But, seeing him get up. Wake up, look at them both. It felt different. It felt great. They were both so happy, all of them were happy actually.
After that, they took care of Peter. Obviously, he was a grown ass man who could take care of himself but, he was also healing. He was recovering. So, Frank took care of Peter. He swung by Peter's apartment more often, making sure he's taking care of himself or just taking care of him. One of these acts of care was making sure his ass was not going out in that suit until he was fully healed.
“Man, are you serious? I'm fine! I promise. I can go out, I'm literally fully recovered guys!” Peter said.
“Not yet.” Frank said.
“Definitely not.” Jean agreed.
No matter how much he asked, he always got a resounding “No.”
Jean Grey was the one who stuck around most, she was the one with most free time. Plus, she didn't exactly have anyone else to go to. So, whenever Frank was gone, and obviously, even when he was here, she took care of him. They both did.
MJ hung out there a lot too, she also brought Ned too. They'd be in his room playing with Legos, chilling, doing whatever. It made him the happiest, it was finally like old times. Now, Peter had his own family. His own people. He thought he would be alone forever, especially after the spell Dr. Strange casted. But, finally, that seemed like it was changing after all this time. He felt like a kid again with MJ and Ned, like things never changed. He felt happy. He was so glad he had his own family again.