inhcritance

[inhcritance]

It was not a decision to be made lightly, when his situation was still what it was, but he could not, and would not, deny he was a great deal curious about it all. Then again, he was a scientist, and so curiosity was just who he was.

He did nod, moreover, at the question about FEAST.

"They are, yes. And I'm not entirely certain it was a donation, nobody could tell me where it had come from. Someone just found it in the back, and we only mostly suspect it was donated." He admitted, happily letting Sioda investigate it as he wanted.

"And I haven't just yet. The owner was busy when I came in, and it felt needless to rush him." He admitted. "Is he free again at last?" He asked Niamh.

@ohdecth

Going but the purring that was starting to fill the room, Nia was sure that Sioda was enjoying the extra attention and spoiling. Far be it from her to ruin it for him, and they had some time still, "It's quite the dedication of time and effort, you shouldn't make the decision lightly. Especially if you want to learn a basic level of it or a far more involved form of practice." she heard the joke but she also did keep finding Harry in the shop in the first place. Maybe it was only half of one, only time would tell and for now, it seemed he still had that. She was glad he did.

The mention of an errand made her incline her head and the paper-bound book he motioned drew her attention, "Those are some of the shelters in town, aren't they? I've seen the signs for them before. Was it left as a donation?" she'd seen plenty of those too, was familiar with it from other shelters she'd seen over the decades. Different cities, different names, and if someone really did have a tome and not realize that it was real, or simply didn't believe that it was, she could very easily see why it would have been donated or otherwise gotten rid of. Then again, Nia had been in New York long enough just in the past few years to know that some people didn't care if there really was a risk after all.

"The owner downstairs, have you had a chance to show it to him yet? He's very good at identifying texts, I'm sure he'd be able to tell you if there's any real reason for concern." she offered as Sioda crept over to the wrapped book to sniff at it to investigate.

|| @inhcritance ||

[inhcritance]

He should have felt pained, he thought, that things hadn't been the same. And a part of him did wish he could have just slipped away, without harm and without notice, because that was the safest option for everyone involved.

But another part of him was glad that his absence had been noticed. Not the pain it had caused, but the way it meant he had been there. That he had had mattered, a little, beyond the fear and the horror. He still knew it was mostly the fear, and he still knew that it was for the better than things had settled down in time.

"I suppose," he said, in the end, "that two Green Dragons in the vicinity, town or not, would make a difference."

It had come at the cost of far too many lives, and yet... Harry had loved that town. And he had loved some people, and a part of him ached and felt relief and warmth both that May had lit candles for him.

He didn't know which kind of deity would take care of one like him, but he had found peace, so maybe someone had actually listened.

"You're free to bring back anything that doesn't grow there anymore." He told Peter. "And if you have some names, or maybe even seeds, I'm happy to set aside some space so I can send her some of those herbs, if we can figure out a safe way to do so."

Because he wouldn't risk endangering her, but there, holding the mug and with Peter there, he felt far more at ease than he'd felt in ages.

@localwebslingers

The smile didn't falter but it did catch a faint tilt towards mischief, "Maybe, but you still would miss it if I wasn't still just a little reckless." Peter teased, taking a sip of the tea. It was warm, and mixed with the flavor of the herbs themselves he could taste just how fresh they were. Just like from may's own garden, hand picked and patiently dried until they were ready to be stored for later. Not too sweet, not too strong, and it warmed him inside and out. For a moment that was enough before he said softly, "I missed you too...it wasn't the same with you gone." he felt guilty admitting it and went on, "I know why you did, I'm happy you did, in a way. It means you were safe, and you were alive but it...it hurt." that he never saw Harry around anymore, that he couldn't slip in through the ceiling of his lab to hang out, or talk with him late into the night about whatever came to mind.

It wasn't the same, it wasn't ever going to feel the same. At least now it might feel better though, "So I'm glad I'm welcome, because you'd have to move somewhere else all over again to keep me from coming back here now."

For a few moments he was quiet before setting the cup back down, "Aunt May missed you too, she knew I was looking for you. Hoped that I would, that you were okay. She lit a candle for you every night since you left, she didn't have anyone specific to ask that you be safe but...she'll be happy to know you are. She'd want you to know she missed you and would be relieved that you're okay." as soon as he got back, Peter would tell her, too. There was no way he couldn't, and he watched Harry for a sign that he would be asked not to just in case but didn't really expect it. He chewed his lip, "Town has been...okay, I guess. After you left I did...I did my best to make them believe me, like you asked. It worked but for a few months I don't think it mattered, it settled back down though. We've been okay, and I could still travel those months to bring back some money so it wasn't that bad. Aunt May talked about moving a few times, I don't think she really meant it but...some stuff doesn't grow around town anymore."

|| @inhcritance ||

[inhcritance]

He did need a vacation, and yet he didn't bother hiding the way his eyebrow rose, only pretending offense while he tackled the one topic he knew he could tackle, and tackle effectively. And maybe do something about.

Because the multiverse, and magic, those were problems he could do little beyond researching them, and making sure Oscorp didn't learn of them. Which spoke about Peter's trust, when he was comfortable with Harry knowing about them, and Harry didn't think he was pulling his leg about it.

But paperwork was his domain, almost as much as violence, and he did remember Peter's stress about the scholarships. And he had respected him too much to offer support, and not only because it might turn Oscorp eyes on him.

"Paperwork is something I know and can manage far better than... everything else." He settled for, with a sigh. "But I won't push, if it's settled, just as long as you keep in mind that the offer is there. I don't mind calling in on a favor or two, especially when the situation is something like this."

And he wouldn't do it just for Peter.

"It's also easier to wrap my head around than... everything else." He admitted. "For all I'm very intrigued about the multiverse." He added.

A question, a silent request. He was, indeed, curious.

@localwebslingers

He couldn't help the small smile at Harry's apology, "Sorry, it is kind of a lot to just suddenly hear about." spells to wipe out memories was a lot in itself, to know that one day something was known and the next it was just gone. It felt like something that should be crazy. The multiverse though, Peter had been shocked and overwhelmed by being told it was real twice, first by Beck and then again by Stephen with living proof of the fact right in front of him. Of the two things, he was pretty sure that was the part that Harry was processing the most. Peter didn't blame him, just listened to the news playing and waiting for his friend to regain his bearings. Sort through every theory they'd ever heard about the subject as it was proven without even being proven.

It was a lot, maybe even more than magic, and that was a lot too.

With the next question, Peter blinked a moment at Harry before giving him a slightly doubtful look, "I tell you about a magic spell and the existence of the multiverse and your brain goes to paperwork first? Gwen's right, you need a vacation." it was joking, it was poking a little fun despite the topic, because the rest of it made him want to sigh. He knew what it was, he knew it was actually Harry taking in the full scope of what not being remembered might mean. What one corrupt file at Oscorp could mean everywhere else, "You remember when I was really stressed last semester about my scholarships? That they were paused and I wasn't sure what was going to happen? Stuff like my birth certificate just...get lost sometimes, I guess? It took me months of calls and emails and appointments to try and get it all to be recovered enough to prove I was really a person and that those records existed so I could get into ESU. But it all glitched and wouldn't go through so I thought they were going to kick me out, but it seems like everything is okay again now."

|| @inhcritance ||

[inhcritance]

Even after everything, even if there was far less fur to caress and far less ear to scratch, awkward as it would have been in Peter's current form anyway, Harry still understood the gesture. And when he could not leave -Faustus had made it clear, and Harry knew he'd regret it if he left anyway- he could only take comfort in Peter's gesture, in the way he was offering him support there.

So, after a quiet, short moment, he leaned back a little against him as well.

He did have to shift as well when May brought him the tea, but he still smiled, and thanked her, and then shifted back to his original position and let Peter lean on him.

"It was," Harry admitted, "quite the situation. And we both panicked." He added, after a soft, quiet moment.

The teacup was a welcome distraction for his hands, and so, after a moment, he began recounting the story. The way he had been following the rumor of a teen who had disappeared, and he'd been on the way back, tired and frustrated and taking some back alleys to avoid running into anyone until he could change into something less notorious, when he'd ran into Peter, in the middle of shifting.

"I panicked." He admitted. "I couldn't keep myself from speaking, then I panicked further, and then I fled."

It had been far from elegant, in any way.

"And then I had to start reconsidering everything in my life, under Faustus' exasperation." He went on, as Faustus curled himself on the back of the couch, next to Harry.

"A few days later, Peter and I agreed to meet." He added, glancing at him, and taking a sip from the tea. Letting him choose how much to say.

@localwebslingers

The returned smile was at least a little encouraging, it was something, but Peter could still see the nerves and uncertainty painted all over Harry. Could smell it on him, duller than fear but just as easy to pick out. His current melted posture on the couch didn't really hide it either. The small glass was taken and he drank it quickly, the mixture tasting like the mix of herbs he knew it was and the greenery of it all mixed into the water. More than two usually started being too much to taste at once but the water washed it down like a strong tea rather than any medicine that could be found in the pharmacy. He leaned over to set it down before settling back and going quiet a moment before shifting over a little closer to Harry and bumping against him lightly. In the next moment his head was resting on his shoulder, "Thanks."

He wasn't sure what else to say. If he should apologize for suddenly crashing Harry into what his world was and not telling him about it sooner. If he should try to offer some vague, general reassurance that somehow wouldn't quite be right for the situation. If he should offer to let Harry leave again, let him handle the talk, but he was pretty sure Faustus had already made it clear that wasn't really an option at this point. What Peter could do for now, was lean against his friend. Not quite the same as when he was shifted before, resting a head in his lap to try and offer the reassurance he wanted to when he couldn't say it. To try and prove there was safety there. The quiet intent behind the gesture didn't change just because the shape he was in had, for now it would have to be enough.

It was a few more minutes before May came back, setting a cup of tea down for Harry first that was already filled for him, then taking a seat across from them in the chair. Peter lifted his head so it could be grabbed but didn't move any further back as his aunt looked at them both, "Alright, how about we start with what happened for you two to find out about each other, and we'll go from there."

|| @inhcritance ||

[inhcritance]

There was a hand coaxing him closer, and Harry let himself be coaxed. Closed his eyes and enjoyed the closeness, the warmth and the gentleness, the way Peter's very heatbeat and breath were as familiar as they could be.

"A prize." He hummed. "Well, you know I can't refuse you."

In so many ways. Peter had become his favorite weakness of his and he wasn't about to stop the teasing or the playfulness anytime soon.

"What's on your mind, my dear?"

Beyond the kiss, of course, a kiss he abandoned himself to, relaxed and comfortable and letting the battle wash away behind them.

He didn't dwell, not right then, on how easier it was to set aside the bloodlust and the focus that were the effects of the serum in battle, now that they were sparring regularly. Of course, these kinds of distractions helped, but he was also very aware that, some months ago, he couldn't have just been this relaxed after sparring.

@localwebslingers

It was hard to want to pull any further away than what was needed for talking, Peter was barely willing to let the kissing break for that as it was, and could only smile against Harry when the question was asked. Soft and teasing and not too wrapped up in the moment to miss how he finally relaxed completely. Just a few minutes ago, Peter would have taken the chance and now all he could do was happily follow the way he was pulled in for another kiss. Letting it settle and linger and not daring to break it up until he had to so that he could answer, smiling against him, "Nothing..."

There wasn't a thing to stop Harry because Peters till couldn't think of a good reason to even want to try. If he wanted to win, at this point he was welcome to claim that. He was making a very convincing case for it already.

Peter's hand gave a gentle tug to the shirt to coax Harry back in closer, doubted he even really had to do that. He just wanted to make sure he was clear, still smiling and speaking softly, "If you are, I guess the question then is do you want a prize for all your hard work?" he teased, leaving the question open and vague, "Think you might have earned one...but if you need a second to think about it-" another kiss was already there waiting and Peter didn't hesitate to make that one Harry's too.

|| @inhcritance ||

[inhcritance]

There were, all in all, some topics Harry had already been making lists about, and some of them were topics he wasn't entirely, fully sure he dared speak about. Mainly because, for all that Peter already knew about Harry's patchy, uncertain memories, it was not a topic he wanted to linger on too much.

It was also a topic, and a collection of topics, he would very much need to focus on, if he wanted to leave this room at any point. And he was determined to, for all he wasn't too certain, just yet, of how long it might take him.

It was not a topic he wanted to dwell on, considering how dangerous hope could be.

"We can do some figuring out." He admitted, unable not to keep at least a small smile at Peter's own. "But I've been thinking about all the things I should keep in mind, and know, and be aware of, when leaving this place is an option. And all the many holes to patch in my memory." He added. "Like in science."

Because he was determined to at least get out at some point, when he knew it was not dangerous. And there was so much he hadn't done just yet, and still wanted to do. For himself, for Peter, for the city as well.

@localwebslingers

Once they had the door open, Peter imagined that it would be a bit of adjusting to find where that comfort line was before they could get started. If he had to move further away, or could come closer, if it was more than one or two passes back and forth before Harry may need the door closed again after all. He didn't expect them to have it perfect the first time, but maybe they would, "Okay, well, then we'll plan for me being this close." he gestured between himself and the glass vaguely, as if it would map out what the distance actually was, "And we can go from there about what works. No problem." it was another starting point to try, and one that might be a little easier to keep and maintain.

"And if he's got a bunch of spare folders I'm sure Conners won't mind us using a couple of them. Just in case we need multiple lists made." he did see the doctor a few times since he'd come and gone, compared to Norman who Peter hadn't laid eyes on since the first day he showed up. Which did make some sense, if Conners was acting as Harry's doctor like it sounded like he had before, then him being nearby would be a reasonable thing to expect. That, and he had a feeling the man was trying to do like he was and give Harry more say in things like how much contact was welcomed and distances needed. He had been on the other side of the glass the day before to talk, and if he had an idea of the basis the serum had been made from, there were few other people in the world who would understand some of what Harry may be struggling with now.

Peter made a note to ask about it the next time he saw the man, assuming that no one behind the cameras was already going to pass along the request. He doubted they would, but they could surprise him. He shifted forward in the seat slightly and smiled, "But, if we're going to make lists that means we have to pick some topics to make them on. Any ideas you have already or should we figure that out later?"

|| @inhcritance ||

[inhcritance]

There were far, far worse things in life than spoiling a royal cat spirit, and Harry was certainly spoiling him: what could he do, if Sioda enjoyed the attention and Harry thought him far cuter than he'd admit to the familiar's face?

"I am certainly and unashamedly spoiling him." Harry smiled, very much obliging the cat. And then, "It's good to see you two. For all I haven't yet decided on whether learning magic is a path I should pursue." He added, not entirely joking, not entirely serious. "But no, today it's neither: I'm actually here on an errand."

And he was truly curious, admittedly, and cautious as well, and he had and would heed Niamh's warnings. But sometimes, knowing what he knew, well.

"Someone left a tome in FEAST, and after some comments," he added, nodding towards a paper-bound book on one of the tables, "I was asked to make sure it was harmless." He went on. "My friends there do believe, and rightfully so, that I always know the right person to go to."

Or could find them, if needed.

@ohdecth

| @inhcritance liked for a starter |

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As soon as they entered the shop, Sioda saw fit to head straight up the stairs to the second floor as Nia spoke with the owner. Called on this time, and happy to take the item in question off the man's hands that he looked openly relieved to get rid of. A book that was not meant for the living to have, even if it wasn't among the most dangerous there were out there. She glanced at the stairs and thanked the wonder before heading up herself to collect her familiar. At first she assume that the cat would have been perched in the higher window to watch the street, or maybe sitting among the books on one of the shelves that had already gained his approval as a bed. The shoulder being eagerly bumped against for more attention was, admittedly, an expected third option.

"You know if you keep showing up in here, I'll start to think you're actually trying to learn magic." she offered to Harry, walking over and adding, "He ran straight for the stairs when we came in, you're spoiling him." in response, the king of cats only meowed didn't let up in his attempts to gain more affection. For his trouble, Nia reached over and scratched gently under his chin with her free hand, "Did you come here looking for something specific this time around or are you only browsing again?" she remembered his curiosity at some of the text other times she'd come to find him there, neither option felt impossible.

[inhcritance]

It had taken him a long, long time to truly be comfortable, to even consider that such a thing would happen. And a part of him, he knew it, would forever be wary and cautious about the mere idea of setting roots anywhere, when he'd had to leave as abruptly as he had, once. When he knew what most people would try to do, if they discovered what he was.

But over time, with his magic setting in and his cottage taking form and the forest and the garden and the trips where he was not a common sight but neither was he met with the utmost suspicion, he'd almost felt at home.

But he might be a Green Dragon, a creature of solitude and power, meant to share nothing of his space, yes. But he had not grown up alone. He'd grown up with a place in society, with people he loved dearly, and so he had never really felt like everything was right.

Until now, that he handed Peter his tea, and held his own, and cradled the too-hot mug as he regarded his oldest friend. His oldest... well, he had never really named that, had he?

"So am I." He admitted, the understatement of the century. And then, quieter, "I still miss our hometown, and I still have missed you. I'm glad you've come, reckless as it might have been."

And despite everything, despite all the years, perhaps he was being a bit naive but he still knew he could never turn Peter away without a very good reason.

"You're always welcome here, you know."

@localwebslingers

Peter wasn't sure how many questions they would ask if Harry regularly brought tea to barter with or sell. Then again, his perspective of that was slightly skewed with May still running the apothecary in town. Herbs and teas and mixtures for sale was all she ever had but people in town also knew where she was. Had seen the garden she grew and could walk into the shop where bundles were hung to dry in the sun. Maybe it was different when someone was secluded in the woods, maybe it wasn't, but if Harry thought it was too much of a risk then that was reason enough to avoid it.

At the mention of magic, Peter straightened slightly as he listened. Magic was something he was mostly familiar with from Harry and the scraps of memory of ones his mother had known. Listening and watching her work, eyes fixed on the web in her hands and listening to her tell him "spiders don't cast, we weave" whenever he asked if she was casting spells. He never really knew what that meant as a kid, but he learned quickly that it was different from what Harry did, and that wasn't casting either. That it wasn't weaving, Peter didn't know what it was, but he was happy that Harry got to be more familiar with it now. Even if it did happen because he had to leave the way he did.

"It does sound like it would help make things easier." he agreed, waiting for the tea to be served before pulling his own cup slightly closer, to be within easy reach, "It sounds like you've gotten to be comfortable out here." another thing he was happy about. Another thing he was relieved by. That Harry was somewhere he could be comfortable, could change form without worry or threat, could use his magic and let it thrive around him. Peter managed a small, soft smile, "I'm glad you're okay...I'm really, really glad that you are."

|| @inhcritance ||

[inhcritance]

A spell to make everyone forget, and if Harry hadn't seen what he had, as the Green Goblin, if he hadn't known Peter for so long, he might not have believed it. But he knew Peter, and he trusted him, and he was certain enough he was not lying, or being uncertain. It had been a spell, and for now Harry could set aside the ethics on casting a spell to make everyone forget: he had more pressing matters in mind.

The idea of the multiverse, however, and bringing people there... Harry blinked, then leaned back, and then sighed.

"Give me a moment, I'm processing so many things here." He added, softly, making it clear it was not an accusation. That he did believe him, he was just... a little shaken.

But it would make sense, that such a spell would have those consequences. And for all his list of questions was growing by the second, he would still push them away. For now.

"Is there any paperwork you've been unable to recover, or forge?" He asked instead. Chose to be practical, chose to focus on Peter. Everything else would be asked, but not just yet. "I know people. I wouldn't mind pulling on a favor or two to make your life easier, and doing so discreetly." He offered.

@localwebslingers

It made sense. From what little Peter knew about the serum and what had happened, it made perfect sense to think that maybe Harry didn't remember what was in it because of the effects of the serum in those early days. Maybe he had other gaps of memory, it wasn't something that Peter ever really asked about, it never seemed like a comfortable topic. Kind of like this one, and he almost wished there was more lasagna to push around the plate to try and stall longer. The whole conversation lived in a limbo of being nervous saying anything and people getting hurt because of him again, and wanting to be able to talk to someone about it. Harry hadn't asked him questions, and if Peter backed out of wanting to say anything he knew he could.

"It wasn't the serum," he said instead, "it was a spell. It made you forget, it made everyone forget, and it completely wiped out every trace. Photos got changed, videos glitched out, records and files suddenly were corrupted and couldn't be recovered...I honestly still get shocked that I even got into ESU at all because it took me months of calling and recalling and reading things off to prove that I was....that I was real." that he had a life, that he still had a life, that he was anyone who could possibly have an existence that wasn't just tied to a mask.

"The spell was to make everyone forget, in the whole universe, forget that Peter Parker existed after what happened at Liberty Island. Because before that, everyone knew that I was Spider-Man...and because of another spell from a couple days before that, it opened rifts into the multiverse bringing people here and it was going to destroy everything here. I couldn't let that happen, and it was the only way to stop it so I..." Peter turned the fork over several times between his fingers, slowly listening to it clank against the plate before forcing himself to set it down. To stop fidgeting. He looked across the table at Harry, "...what do you wanna ask about?"

|| @inhcritance ||

[inhcritance]

The competition, Harry might have argued, was very important. Bragging rights were very important, after all, when it meant he could tease Peter a little bit. But not as important as this, as the quiet ease among them, almost a tease by itself. Almost -almost- as sweet as that next kiss that had Harry smiling into it.

"What's stopping me," Harry murmured, teasing and joking and so very fond, "from claiming I'm the one winning?"

He wasn't, it was a short margin but he wasn't: Peter was still fighting his enemies far more often than Harry himself, who might have been a supervillain but was now officially retired from that world.

Of course, it didn't change that Harry was competitive, and that when competition so often ended like this, with him pulling Peter up for another kiss and finally, finally relaxing fully, well.

They both knew Peter could get up whenever he wanted, and Harry would never mind making out with his boyfriend for a while.

@localwebslingers

As soon as the kiss broke, Peter had leaned in again to try and follow Harry for another one, barely stopping short of it. Only barely, only to let them catch their breath again. He could still feel Harry's breath against him, felt his own hand gripping the shirt and sure that he could pull again to get them just that next fraction closer. Get rid of that last distance that was already barely there. Peter felt the way he relaxed, just slightly, gradually, like weighing if anything was going to happen and for a moment, he thought about flipping their positions again. Of moving suddenly to roll them over, or sit up and hold on so Harry stayed and didn't tumble out of his lap. Try to hold out just a little bit longer.

It was a thought, it would be very possible to do. Easy.

With the smirk that was so close, well within reach, the thought was immediately dismissed. It wasn't easy to try and keep up the competition it was entirely unwanted and unimportant, something to worry about later. Or on a whole other day entirely, "Which one of us was winning again?" he asked, somewhere between a tease and a real question, and closed the space for another kiss. Just as soft as the last one and he stayed that fraction leaned in for it. He was more than happy to stay right there and concede if it would keep them kissing longer.

|| @inhcritance ||

[inhcritance]

Peter had mentioned it, yes, and Harry knew that even despite everything, even despite the way this was Peter, and May, there was little to do about the way his nerves were not going to just vanish. Or maybe it was the exhaustion, slowly piling up from everything that had happened. From what he had feared, from what he still feared, and from so many assumptions that were likely as wrong as the rest he'd had drilled into him, but were not so easy to set aside.

"He did." Was what Harry said, in the end, almost a sigh, almost relief and a defeat at the same time. And after a moment, he found the will to move again, and Faustus took one last treat before walking next to him, and choosing his spot on the back of the couch, as Harry handed Peter the mixture and, after a moment, he sat on the couch.

He almost melted into it, his energy almost gone, and he needed a moment just to gather himself, before he could still sit up again. Faustus familiar warmth next to his head was a welcome comfort: he was not alone. He was not among enemies, for all everything claimed he was supposed to be. And so, if everything he'd known had been wrong so many times, this too could work out.

And for a few moments, he simply smiled back at Peter, knowing his disquiet wasn't the most reassuring but also knowing it was the best he could do. But he'd take peace wherever he could find it.

@localwebslingers

May watched him a for a moment before letting out a soft sigh and nodding, handing the glass with the mixture over to Harry, "Well, I think you've certainly done a lot towards that. Getting Peter out of that trap and making sure we could let others know about it. Here, bring this over to him and just sit and catch your breath a minute. The tea won't be much longer," she gave Faustus an understanding look as well, "and then we can all talk about it. I'm sure Peter has already mentioned having to tell the others." she cast a look into the other room and Peter nodded slightly. It had come up, and he'd known that once his aunt knew, the rest of the pack would have to as well. As much as he wished he could keep the secret for Harry, to not have to tell others about it, but there was no avoiding it at this point.

More than that, it might be dangerous for him now. Peter wasn't sure if the Hunter that had run would tell others that Harry had been, to their eyes, left at the mercy of a wounded, enraged werewolf. That was if the coward dared to say anything in the first place and if not, then it was going to be fine, more or less. But if he did, if it was suspected that the werewolf had let a Hunter live and go uninjured, that was bound to raise questions. Peter was grateful for Harry's help getting out of the trap, and he was always going to be. Getting out on his own would have been at least three times as hard with every movement causing searing pain as he struggled to keep from going prone, but he wasn't going to be able to sit there and do nothing if Hunters started turning on Harry.

The pack deserved to know that a Hunter had been among them, that his intentions weren't aimed at hurting them or others for no reason other than fear.

A motion from May was made to try and urge Harry out of the kitchen where there was nothing to do, Peter looking up at him and moving slightly, careful of his leg, to make room on the couch for him. He offered a small smile, hoping it was reassuring. As relieved as he was that may wasn't angry with either of them, that she didn't give a single sign that Harry was no longer welcome, there was still the rest of the conversation to have. Of what this meant, of having to tell the others and how, and as surprising as it was that she suspected something, Peter was glad what seemed like the hardest part was past them.

|| @inhcritance ||

[inhcritance]

It is, Harry suspects, far from an unusual situation. But he's seen the fear in the kid, he'd smelled it from all across the building, and all in all, there's not so much he can do for the people at FEAST. This, however, he can do, even if he knows that his family name tends to be an issue.

He's at least glad he's not been accused of trying to lead the Wolverine into a trap.

"Are you familiar with FEAST?" He still asks Logan. "There is a branch in Chinatown." There had been nowhere else the child could stay, after the first incident.

Logan nods, listening without interruption. It’s still a pretty run-of-the-mill situation, all things considered. Kid gets a weird power. Kid loses control. Someone gets hurt and/or something goes wrong. Kid, friend, or family reaches out to the X-Men. Rinse, lather, repeat. Tale as old as time, and all that. Good news was, that meant there were plenty of solutions in place for when an issue like this does arise. 

“Okay, take a breath, kid.” He says, holding up a hand to ask for silence. “I’m not gonna make you any promises. I can't guarantee anything until I meet your pal…” He pauses to scratch at his jaw. 

“... But, I can meet with her, at least. You got an address, or are we makin’ this a class trip?”

[inhcritance]

He wasn't sure he'd be okay, but he was sharply, ruthlessly determined to have it be okay. To not have a repeat of what had happened last time, to try and slowly get some control over a situation that he found as exhausting as it could be.

And yet, he knew the surprise was deserved, and reasonable. He knew he might be aiming too high. He knew he'd been cautious until then. It still didn't change one bit how he wanted to try.

The door made everything muffled enough that he could exist without the instincts in his mind making everything too dangerous for everyone else. Without it... without it, well, how was he going to ever get out if he couldn't handle this? Maybe, without touch, he told himself, it might even be enough.

And, at the very least, he could trust Peter to respect it if he suddenly needed more, for all that opening the door would also open the door to more people trying the very same thing.

"I don't know how close you'll be able to be." He settled for, in the end, being realistic. "But maybe as close as you are will be enough, for now." He settled for. And then, after a moment... "I know Connors does keep a stack of empty folders on one of his drawers, you could always ask him." He considered.

Because it was not a bad idea, and it felt like a lot, and like too little at the same time. Like making concessions that shouldn't be made, and that he could nevertheless not hope to avoid otherwise.

It was as exhausting as the need and the want to be close, and the way it had been too much when it had happened.

@localwebslingers

Opening the door was a surprise, and Peter wasn't ashamed or embarrassed that he let it show. After the previous day he wouldn't have blamed Harry for not wanting the door open when he was visiting for a while. That was, from the sounds of it, part of the point of the glass in the first place. It didn't block every scent and smell in the lab but it at least cut down on some of it. He wasn't sure if it muffled sound as well but if he had to guess, Peter didn't think the glass was thick enough for that kind of thing too. Rather than answer right away he watched Harry a moment, thinking about it before nodding slightly, "Yeah, if you're okay with that." he said, voice soft not just quiet, "If not or it turns out to be too much, we can close the door and just pass it back and forth from under it. That's fine with me too." it would still have his scent on it, the scents he brought in from outside probably too, but it wouldn't be as strong.

It was an option if they needed it, if Harry needed it. Even if it was just to take a break for a few minutes.

Peter offered him a small smile after another moment and shook his head, "I won't come closer...not if you don't want me to. I'll stay as far back as you need, or be as close as you want." he wouldn't reach out even if he wished he could, he wouldn't press his luck and try to inch a little bit closer than Harry asked him to be, and if he needed to move further back? Well, if that's what Harry needed then Peter was going to do it. If everything else was going to feel uncertain, the least he could do was make sure that Harry knew he was going to listen to his wishes and respect what they were. So far it didn't seem like anyone else was pressing against those wants, not as far as he could tell but he'd only really seen Dr. Conners interacting with Harry so far. Peter hopped it stayed that way, that other people were also trying to give the space that was asked for to make it easier.

"I'll try and snag a file folder of something we can put the paper in for it." he offered then, trying to help not change the subject so much as let it progress and keep moving, "Probably be a lot easier to pass it back and forth that way. Slide it across the floor or something right?" maybe Peter could bring the coffee that day for Harry, if the door was going to tentatively be opened anyways.

|| @inhcritance ||

[inhcritance]

𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓  𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆   .  .  .  ( ice  breaker  )

✧     ›    Send  "Looks  like  we're  stuck  together."  for  a  sudden  situation  forces  our  muses  into  close  quarters.  A  great  way  to  break  the  ice  with  mutuals  you'd  like  to  write  with  but  are  nervous  to  approach!

[inhcritance]

It didn't surprise Peter that he'd stopped at that town: it had also been where Harry had stopped, on his way to a forest that did seem remote enough, and might even be what he'd been looking for. And it had been, all in all.

"They will start asking questions, at some point, if I only bring tea... but it does help." He admitted, as he considered the tea. Not yet ready, but soon enough. "And I mostly only grow tea, the rest... well. It mostly grows."

Which was not much in the way of an explanation, and he knew it, but it was not truly easy to explain.

"I did not know," he told Peter, because this was Peter and who else could he ever hope to trust, "that my magic was so tied to nature. But this forest welcomed me." He explained. "And over the years, I've come to know it. It's like a sixth sense, on the back of my mind. It's my lair, in a way?" He considered, as he started to serve the tea for both of them. "I know where things will grow, and where they will be ready, and where living creatures are. It makes hunting easier." He admitted. "Even if I didn't have magic."

And bringing pelts and antlers to barter did help a lot.

@localwebslingers

A seat was offered and the smell of the freshly brewed tea was slowly starting to move through the space. The cookies looked pretty good too and Peter was at least a little hungry after walking to the forest and then into it a ways, "The one out in the valley nearby?" he asked, taking the seat and leaning on the table to wait for Harry to sit down as well, "That's where I was before coming here." it was smaller than their home was, no homes to lords or their families but an impressive market. Permanent shops that were filled in the windows with goods and plenty of space for stalls and carts traveling in to set up, "As far as I could tell from the people I heard from, it's one of the last towns around before you either have to get through the forest here, marshes if you go far enough east, and mountains to the north. Which means plenty of people coming up to trade for that stuff."

It also meant exactly what Harry said, no one would notice one person wandering in to town for supplies or to make a few small extra purchases with everyone else there. Not with so many other faces and goods passing through. Towns that were based on trade cared very little about strangers passing through as long as they didn't cause any trouble and they had coin to offer or supplies to barter with.

Growing teas would help with that and lessen the needed trips to go looking for more supplies, "Well then I'm looking forward to trying it even more if you grew it yourself." Peter didn't remember seeing a garden outside but he'd been focused on keeping a hold of Harry as his senses seemed to distort and confuse from the magic of the space, and then on the home itself. He'd have to take another look the next time he was outside. Once Harry was seated as well he finally let himself reach for one of the cookies to take, "Do you grow more than just the tea or do you forage for other stuff? Or hunt, I guess." there was the lake that wasn't far, at the very least fishing seemed like it could be an option.

|| @inhcritance ||

[inhcritance]

He wanted to ask, and he did feel slightly bad for the poor piece of lasagna, but not enough not to nod, as Peter spoke. Enough to listen, all in all, and consider everything, and regard Peter with quiet consideration, because even when he was given the option to do so, it came with a question. And a very strange, unusual one. It would have been stranger if Harry didn't know about that uproar, that concern, one day. "There was a file, once. One that was... suddenly incomplete, and it could not be recovered." Harry admitted. "It was quite the situation, yes, and I was... not as established as I am now."

He was newer to the serum, to his position, to the threats on him and the threads he could have on everyone. Now, he was wiser, and more experienced, and he knew, in a way, that Peter wouldn't mention this if it was not related.

"But there was indeed that file, and it was concerning to me as well, because I'd read it." He admitted. "But back then, I assumed it might be because of the serum."

@localwebslingers

"It's a four hour drive up. Half of the trip even goes near the coast so if you wanted, you could stop there for a break and enjoy the view if you really wanted to." was offered, easily and conversationally. Because they'd looked it up, talked about how they would get up there while the blinds were shut tight on the window to keep anyone from seeing Peter was there. Debated if they would take a bus or ride with their families up in one big trip all together, if they wanted to stop along the way anywhere. Peter remembered looking at a laptop screen and wondering, hoping, still sure that they all would be able to get in and put all of the crazy going on that summer behind them, "...but I won't go see them." the last two bites of lasagna didn't deserve to be poked at as much as they were and Peter made himself finish them before leaning back.

On the news, there was a smaller window of what was happening at the river still playing as the reporter moved on to other stories to fill the time. Until they got an update, until anyone else showed up on the scene.

Peter felt the hem of the shirt twist and roll between his fingers, fussing with it. Fidgeting, watching as he did it and telling himself not to ruin the clothes that weren't even his to start with, "...I know you wanna ask," he told Harry finally, "and I'm sure it's probably been for a while, right? It means a lot that you didn't, but before you do, because you can, I'm really okay if you do, I wanna ask you something first. And it's going to sound weird no matter how I try to ask it so just..." just what? Don't freak out? Harry figured out he was Spider-Man and all things considered took it pretty well. Was this really that much weirder?

Maybe a little.

"Do you know if Oscorp has a file on Spider-Man that was fine one day, and then the next it was messed up? Or it was gone, or corrupt, or no one really remembers everything that's in it? Something like that?"

|| @inhcritance ||

[inhcritance]

"What can I say," Harry hummed, amused and entertained and very much smug, "it was a good answer."

And it had been, and it had been true, and while Harry was not fully certain about the idea of relaxing into the kiss, competitive as he was and unwilling to play fair as he was, it didn't change how it was far from easy, and much less how he yielded as Peter pulled him closer. If it had been on him, there would be no distance at all between them.

He didn't pull away, all in all, until he needed to breathe, and he didn't move away at all far, only enough that he could breathe in Peter's breath, and smirk at him, and slowly, carefully, relax a little.

See if this was a ploy on both ends, or the battle could be forgotten in favor of making out a little bit, before they decided if they continued. Because all in all, he was quite comfortable where he was.

@localwebslingers

"That sounds dangerously close to trying to take my answer of why I'm winning to be your own." Peter teased, fighting off the grin and that warm way he could feel his heart rate speed up a fraction as Harry leaned in even closer. Trying not to think about how he could feel breath on his lips just moments before he was kissed. It wasn't playing fair, Harry never played fair in a fight and that only seemed to be proven as Peter felt himself melt into it. The way he kissed him back, how every single one of his muscles seemed to relax and that he already knew when the kiss ended if Harry tried to pull away, he'd be chasing after for another. After trying so hard to resist and hold back on doing just this, it was too easy to just give into it and want more than try to hold his ground all over again.

One hand left Harry's leg to reach up and gently curl into the fabric of his shirt. Give it a soft tug to try and coax him closer than he already was. If it was an option. His other hand stayed resting on Harry's knee, thumb brushing against him lightly. The same gesture he'd done hundreds of times, simple and loving, and something that was easy to still manage while his lips and focus were busy. Very happily busy and it felt like it was admitting defeat. It was at the very least not putting up any kind of fight or protest to the very real possibility of it.

At that moment, Peter couldn't really think of a reason why that was a bad thing.

|| @inhcritance ||