Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Vol. 2

Chapter 11

Harry took a moment to steady himself as his driver opened the door, allowing him to step out. He glanced up at the building in front of him. It felt like a strange place for his father to want to meet him; though it was far from the oldest building in the city, there also wasn't much very modern about it either. It looked as though it had seen some wear and tear, with some discoloration visible in places. Basically, it just didn't seem like the kind of place his father would ever be seen doing business in.

"Are you sure this is it?" he asked the driver.

The driver nodded.

"Your father left very specific instructions."

Harry turned back to the building. Though his mind maintained some of its skepticism, he trusted his dad must have a reason behind it, so he began marching his way towards the building. As he drew near to the door, he was met by another man in a suit who opened the door for him.

"Oh, thanks," he said. The man did not reply, hardly even looking at him. He briefly narrowed his eyebrows at the man as he passed him, confused as to his cold demeanor, but ultimately shrugged off the matter as he continued. Remembering that his father had told him to wait in the second-floor lounge area, Harry then made his way up the stairs. Fortunately, the room wasn't difficult to find, as it was the first one he saw upon reaching the floor. It was open and modestly spacious, with vending machines, a coffee bar that appeared not to have been used for some time, and a couple of couches near the center. Opting to sit while he waited, Harry took a seat in the middle of the bigger couch, the cushion giving way only slightly to his weight.

For several minutes, he sat there, his mind wandering as he waited for his father's arrival. The man had assured him that today would be a big day for him but had otherwise been incredibly vague except for telling him where and when to meet him. Was this finally the day he brought him alongside him to run Oscorp together? He'd also considered that perhaps his father would suggest he start smaller and get involved in running something like the "Special Projects" division. In any case, he could feel the butterflies spreading their wings and fluttering around in his stomach, the thought of finally beginning a more positive relationship with his dad producing an anxiety within him that he mostly considered good.

Still, his mind occasionally came back to Peter's phone call. It wasn't of the most illogical nature of him to want to invite him over; frankly, had he not been already committed to something so important to him, there was little Harry would have found more appealing than a day with his best friend, whether they were just chilling at his apartment or watching movies while snacking on junk food all day. But why had he been so insistent even once he knew what was going on? Also, what had he meant when he said his dad was "not himself?" Sure, some of the man's behavior had been a bit strange, but hardly cause for alarm. It had almost seemed like Peter had been trying to keep Harry away from his father, and he just couldn't figure out why. It didn't matter anyway though, as today was his big day, his chance to finally prove himself and have the chance at a real father-son relationship for the first time in several years, and nothing was going to stand in the way of that.

Speaking of his father, the man finally entered the room, prompting Harry to stand to his feet.

"There he is!" he yelled, his arms extended enthusiastically. Harry went to meet him, the two Osborns wrapping one another in a hug. "I'm so glad you're here."

"Glad to be here," Harry assured him even as he glanced at their surroundings, "though I must admit that this isn't exactly the kind of space I would have pictured for what I hope is us finally getting to work together."

"Harry," his dad spoke up, placing a hand on his son's shoulder, "this place may not look like much now, but it is the beginning of the future... our future. Together, we will lead this city into a new tomorrow, one where we are at the helm, making the most of all the opportunities before us."