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Peter opened his eyes in haze of pain. Wherever the X-Men were, he hoped they would come back soon. He wasn't sure he could handle Magneto's interrogation much longer without breaking.
He's sluggish and he hates that. He hates being slow. Slow means people can get him. Can hurt him.
Oddly enough, he feels more comfortable than before. Is he not in his cell anymore? He shudders. That can't be. He keeps his eyes closed, not wanting to see whatever torture is readied for him now.
"Good that you're awake." A familiar voice says and Peter can't help but freeze. He doesn't want to be hurt again. But Magneto sounds odd. His voice is raspy and he sounds truly relieved.
A gentle hand caresses his hair. Now that's confusing. His father Magneto hasn't touched him before. Especially not like this. He wants to move away from him, what right does he have to be so gentle now? To get his hopes up again. But he's so tired and the touch is nice.....
"You need to rest for now. I'll take you back to Charles when you feel better." That wakes him up more. He's going back? Why would Magneto just hand him over? It must be a trick. Or a dream.
He's nothing if not brave and stupid , so he decided to ask. Speaking surprisingly hurts, his throat must be more bruised than he expected. "W-Why?"
There's no answer for a long time and he's not really expecting one. Until Magneto speaks up again, his voice a shaky whisper. "I never meant to hurt you. I'm so sorry that I did."
That confuses Peter more than anything. If this is another interrogation tactic, it's a very odd one. It hurts, yes, but he doesn't think Magneto realises just how much it would mean if the words were genuine. It's his stupid hope all over again. His eyes sting with tears.
"Why haven't you told me?" The question is a whisper as well. Tell him what? The X-Men secrets? Magneto continues. "My poor, poor boy." The last word comes out in the form of a sob.
Pietro opens his eyes at that. He did not think Magneto was capable of crying. Frankly he doubted that the man had any feelings at all. Yet there he was holding his face in his hands.
Magneto stands up and Peter can't help flinching, bracing for the pain. He sees the face of regret in his eyes at the action. That's new too. Was he visited by three ghosts last night?
He offers Peter a glass of water. "Drink." He tries to take it but his hands are too shaky to grip it properly. His cheeks burn with embarrassment.
Magneto holds the glass to his lips as he helps him drink. "Rest now. Nobody will hurt you anymore, I promise."
Peter finds it hard to believe after the days? Weeks? Months? Of constant torture and manipulation, but doesn't try to fight. A new wave of exhaustion flows over him. He closes his eyes again, not wanting to cry in front of Magneto.
The hand returns to pet his hair. He feels the tears stinging more as he fights them. This just might be Magneto's most effective torture.
Giving him hope again.