Spiderman Character Study

Spiderman/Peter Parker is brave.

Peter woke up screaming. He buried his face into the pillow, sobbing shakily. The  six year old's peaceful sleep had been abruptly halted, torn away by the terrors of the night. His Ironman bed covers were rumpled, as he desperately reached and flicked on his lamp.

"What is it?" Benjamin and May Parker rushed in, their bed clothes still on. They caught sight of the small, shivering figure, swamped by his blanket, and rushed towards the bed. Peter gradually began whimpering quietly, slowly arising from his half-asleep state. 

May moved to sit on the bed and began stroking Peter's hair, as Ben kneeled on the floor in front of the now completely awake child. "Oh dear, nightmares?" May asked.

Peter nodded jerkily. "Th-there were sh-shadows. Y-you weren't th-there. U-uncle Ben, A-aunt May... They grabbed a-and p-pulled a-and..." He broke down again, shaking due to his cries. The boys voice was small, tiny and wobbly, fear was prominent in his deep brown eyes.

Ben sighed sympathetically. "Come here, my boy." He opened his arms for a hug, and Peter complied, his body stilled racked with sobs. Aunt May joined in, providing comfort for the boy from all sides. The bed creaked as she did so, a familiar noise, and Peter slumped against his guardians as they started rubbing his back, soothing him. After a few moments, they pulled away, and Peter again attempted to speak, more confident.

"The shadows attacked me. They were evil, and you wouldn't come, no matter how much I called. And, Uncle Ben... I was scared. Of shadows." Peter was a genius, no doubt about it. Even as a young six year old, he was smarter than most teens. So it was understandable that he was ashamed of  his "irrational" nightmares. Ben sighed again, and sunk down so he was directly eye to eye with his nephew.

"Peter. Fear is a good thing. A little bit of fear can help sometimes. But, fear is also the most important way to be brave. Without fear, there is no bravery. True bravery comes in the face of fear, when conquering your deepest terrors. Do you think you can do that, Peter? I believe you can." Peter nodded, and furiously wiped the tears from his eyes.

"I am brave, Uncle Ben."

Ben chuckled as May looked on fondly. "Now, chin up, sport. You'll defeat those shadows, won't you?"

"I will, I will!" Peter nodded again and grinned toothily as Ben ruffled his hair.

"Goodnight, Peter." Aunt May kissed Peter's forehead and rose, walking out the door. "Night, sport." Ben followed his wife out, and closed the door as he left.

Peter once more fell into deep sleep; a confident smile gracing his face.

A.N Ah, Parker family fluff. I love it! Any constructive criticism is welcome, If you have any feedback, don't hesitate to say so!

(Also, young Peter is SO CUTE)