heartstumbles | Inbox.

[Peter shakes his head. How could it be okay? He hurt Bucky, mistaking him for the Goblin and throwing all of his unquenched rage directly at him through his fists. He hurt Bucky, a good person who didn't deserve the hurt Peter gave him.

He closes his eyes and tries to swallow down his own guilt and shame along with the nausea.]

I'm so sorry Bucky.

[He hangs his head. He can at least give him an explanation; it's the least that he owes him, after beating him up so soundly.]

I thought you were the Green Goblin, the monster who murdered my aunt.

[Murdered his aunt. Bucky takes in a sharp breath of air as he reaches out to put a hand on Peter's shoulder.]

Then it's understandable you were enraged like that. It's okay.

[He gives a single shake of his head. It was, truly okay. Bucky was still in one piece, and it's not Peter's fault.] You don't need to apologize. Not to me.

This place will make you see things. Warp your mind until you're not sure who you are.

[Peter sobs, shakes his head. It's not okay; not to him. He's supposed to be better than that, better than giving into his own rage. Goblin very nearly succeeded in dragging him down to his level, and that thought haunts Peter constantly. That thought haunts him especially now, after what he just did to Bucky.]

It's not okay. I hurt you! I almost...

[He almost didn't stop. And if he had killed Bucky, he would never have been able to forgive himself.

He nods, trying to keep himself from falling apart completely.]

I keep thinking this place can't get any worse and then it goes and proves me wrong.

I'm okay. [Bucky repeats that, firmly, not missing how Peter is beating himself up. It fills him with concern.]

Besides, better me than someone else. I can take it.

[Bucky squeezes Peter's shoulder, wondering if he can break through Peter's guilt, at all. There's a hard nod.]

Can't have people get accustomed to being tortured, right. [Painful sarcasm. He hates Hell. Hates what he watches it do to everyone he cares for.]

[That's a thought that gives Peter pause. What if it had been someone else, someone who didn't have the endurance to withstand his pummeling? God. He nearly chokes at the thought.

He tries to focus on his breathing, tries to fight against the panic rising in his throat. He glances up at Bucky as he squeezes his shoulder and nods, grateful.]

We wouldn't want that, no.

[He sucks in another breath.] Can I get you medicine, or something?

[He still feels so damn guilty.]

[Bucky hadn't considered how much that might torture Peter, too busy grateful it wasn't someone else.]

I definitely wouldn't. Not that I want any of this for you.

[Bucky shakes his head.] You need anything? Water? I don't know if I trust the medicine in this place.

[Peter shakes his head. Yeah, trusting the medicine in this place...he can't say he disagrees with Bucky. But he still feels guilty, and his first thought is any kind of medicine that could help ease Bucky's pain.

Still, he won't press him for it.]

I'm okay, I think. Maybe we should get out of here?

Yeah....

Want me to take you to your room? [Not sure how much that would help, but Bucky was willing to do anything if it kept Peter from worrying about him.]

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