Winning the Game

Chapter 3

Trigger warning: Brief mention of self-harm.

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There were few things in life Peter enjoyed anymore.

But swinging through New York with the sky painted in orange and pink hues as the sun dipped below the horizon was one of them. He loved the smell of the chill in the air and the feeling of the wind whipping against his skin-tight suit. It was the only time he felt like he was in control of his mind, too busy focusing on where to latch his webs onto and how to avoid being hit by the tour buses. It was the only time he felt like he could keep the bad thoughts at bay.

On this particular night in the city, things were pretty slow. Earlier, he helped an old lady find her way to the grocery store, saved an unattended baby stroller from rolling across the street, and even found someone's lost puppy. But now, he had been sitting on the edge of a roof for 45 minutes, scanning the area below for crime.

All was still, and he was about to give up and head home when he heard it: a scream from below.

"STOP IT, ASSHOLE!" A girl's voice yelled, the sounds of struggle following.

Peter glanced down toward the sound and his mask zoomed in on a tall man forcing a girl up against the brick wall below. It was hard to tell if he was trying to steal her belongings or...something worse. But Peter knew he had to save this girl regardless.

He swung down and landed next to the pair, immediately shooting a web at the man.

"Don't you have anything better to do on a nice Wednesday night?" Peter asked the man, as he webbed the guy up tighter to the wall. Karen had called the police automatically this time. Even his AI knew he was slacking lately...

Peter turned toward the screaming girl and approached her cautiously. "Are you alright, miss?"

She looked up at him and smoothed down her honey-colored hair. "Yes, I'm fine. I would've kicked him in the nuts sooner, but I'm wearing my good shoes today."

Peter snorted and realized the girl he just saved was Carli Rodriguez. One of the most popular girls at Midtown.

Of course she's not scared, Peter thought.

Peter always thought Carli was cool and down-to-earth. Her friend, Y/N, seemed nice enough, too. They still never talked to Peter in school though. No one but Ned and MJ did.

"Um, well, be safe tonight," Peter said quickly, and swung off toward his apartment building.

"Thank you, Spider-Man!" Peter heard Carli call after him.

His stomach did a flip knowing that someone he knew appreciated what he was doing. She'd never know it was him under the mask – if she even knew who Peter Parker was – but it still felt good knowing he made someone's night better. This was the best part of being Spider-Man and the reason he had to stay alive.

Peter crawled in through his window, not bothering to be quiet anymore now that Aunt May knew all about his nightly adventures. He quickly shed his suit and grabbed a towel from his desk chair before heading to the bathroom to shower.

He made sure the water was scalding hot and on a high pressure before stepping in. He stood under the scorching water for 10 minutes as it burned his skin. He knew it wouldn't leave a mark or really hurt him, but the feeling of having to torture himself in some way was too strong.

Once his skin was raw and red, he washed up and stepped out to get dressed in his room. After he was clad in basketball shorts and an old science T-shirt, he threw himself onto his bed and stared at the ceiling. He knew he had chemistry homework to finish, but he didn't care.