A Terrifying Spider-Man (Male Spider-Man Reader x Creepypasta)

Chapter 19: The Eight Pages

The Baxter building main meeting room was filled with unusual tension. Susan sat at the head of the table, her hands folded in front of her, trying to steady her breath. Johnny was leaning back in his chair, arm crossed, looking restless. Ben stood by the door, his rocky brow furrowed as he watched the room, concerned. And, for once, Reed Richards, the ever absent genius, was actually sitting with them, his tablet in hand, seemingly distracted by some calculations on the side.

The kids, Franklin and Valeria, sat at the far end of the table, quietly playing with a small model of one of Valeria's inventions. Susan glared at them, her heart aching. She could already feel the weight of the conversation that was about to unfold. She cleared her throat, catching Reed's attention.

Susan: Reed, we need to talk about something serious.

Reed: If this is about Y/N, I'm sure we can track him down and-

Susan: No, Reed. This is about us. About the family.

Her voice was steady but sharp, cutting through the scientific jargon that Reed always used as a shield. Reed blinked, finally putting his tablet down. He looked around, as if seeing the room for the first time.

Reed: What's wrong?

Susan: You've been absent, Reed. More than ever. You're always in your lab, always working on some new project or dealing with some crisis. The kids barely see you. We barely see you.

Reed: But, I'm here now, aren't I? I've been keeping up with my work, and the kids are fine. They got plenty of attention from you, Johnny, Ben and... Y/N...

At the mention of Y/N's name, the room seem to tense even more. Susan's hands clenched, her knuckles turning white.

Susan: That's exactly the problem, Reed. You're not parenting them. You're just... assuming that because we're all here, it's enough.

Reed tilted his head, as though trying to solve an equation.

Reed: I don't understand. The kids are doing fine, aren't they? They have everything they need. You're with them all the time, and Y/N... well, he was with them and was more than willing to help with Franklin and Valeria.

Susan breath caught at his words. 'Was more willing to help.' The realization struck her like a lightning bolt, and she saw it clearly for the first time: Y/N was the one taking care of the kids. Reed saw him as a solution to his absence, as if Y/N was filling the role Reed had chosen to ignore.

Susan: Reed...

She said slowly, trying to keep her voice from shaking.

Susan: Do you even realize what you're saying? You're saying that Y/N's the one parenting our children. That he's the one who's there for them.

Reed: Well, isn't that what we agreed to? Y/N was always good with kids. He was the responsible figures in their life.

Susan shook her head, the ache in her chest deepening.

Susan: No, Reed. You don't understand. He was not just a 'responsible figure.' Y/N was the father figure to Franklin and Valeria. He was the one who helps them with their problems. He was the one who teaches them. He was the one who played with them and listened to them.

She glances at Franklin and Valeria, who were still sitting quietly, unaware of the storm brewing in the room. Susan's mind flashed back to memories of Y/N with the kids. His easy smile as he helped Franklin build a model rocket. His patient, encouraging tone when Valeria asked her questions about her latest experiment. His arms wrapping around them in a hug whenever they need comfort.