
Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/11233551.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Major_Character_Death, Rape/Non-Con,
      Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      Spider-Man_-_All_Media_Types, The_Spectacular_Spider-Man_(Cartoon),
      Ultimate_Spider-Man_(Cartoon)
  Relationship:
      Norman_Osborn/Mendel_Stromm, Harry_Osborn_&_Norman_Osborn, Eddie_Brock/
      Harry_Osborn
  Character:
      Norman_Osborn, Harry_Osborn, Mendel_Stromm
  Series:
      Part 2 of A_Series_of_Seriously_Bad_Decisions
  Stats:
      Published: 2017-06-27 Chapters: 2/? Words: 7056
****** The Goblin King & His Fairy Princess ******
by NoveltyToy
Summary
     Harry's childhood. From birth until he transfers into the public
     school system. Initially, the focus is going to be on Norman and
     Mendel's relationship, how rapidly Norman builds OsCorp, Norman's
     struggle to be a good father, HYDRA and Scrier subplots... and how
     one seriously bad decisions leads to another and another...
     This is definitely subject to change, because I may want to go back
     through for some major editing as I figure out how I want the whole
     series to play out. For now it'll just be drafts of the scenes that
     build their backstory, but I do plan on eventually connecting each
     piece together into a decent narrative.
***** Summary of Events and Trigger Warnings *****
Chapter Summary
     My original plan involved combining "Osborn With A Curse" with "The
     Goblin King and His Fairy Princess" but I have since started
     developing so many ideas that it feels necessary to make each part
     distinct from one another.
     "Osborn With A Curse" is meant to include events that set Norman
     Osborn on a dark path, especially examining his early relationships
     with his parents, his grandfather, how he fell in love with Mendel
     Stromm and was manipulated into marrying Emily Lyman.
     "The Goblin King and His Fairy Princess" will probably begin with
     Harry's birth, introduce the family dynamic that develops, and
     ultimately lead to the circumstances that cause Norman to become
     exposed to a super soldier serum.
     My aim is to order the chapters chronologically, which may involve
     having to rearrange them after posting. Hopefully that's not too
     confusing.
                          *** Chapter Breakdowns. ***
* Chapter 1:
                   **** Summary of Events and Warnings. ****
This is the second part of a Series entitled, "A Series of Seriously Bad
Decisions." Although, *please note: my writing process involves jumping around
in the timeline and drafting many different scenes from multiple perspectives
at the same time, so the various parts will not be completed in a sensical
order. If you prefer to read things Start to Finish, you may have a long wait
ahead of you before you'd be able to properly enjoy this work. However, I will
continue to update sporadically, all over the place, often with unpolished
chapters, because receiving absolutely any kind of feedback gives me that
little happy boost that keeps me motivated to continue. (If you've already left
Kudos on the story, I would still very much appreciate a simple comment of
"kudos" or "looking forward to the next update" just to let me know
that someone is still interested.)
Since this story is going to be long and a little bit complicated, I’ve decided
to compile a guide here with summaries of all the chapters’ events to help
everyone keep up with the story’s progression with minimal confusion. Hopefully
this will also help those that want to skip over triggering content and still
be able to understand any significant changes that have transpired.
*Trigger_Related_Note: I am fallible, so if you notice any triggering content
that I’ve forgotten to warn about, then let me know so that I can add it to my
list.
New Readers be warned! Everything that follows after this point will be filled
with spoilers!
 
* Chapter 2:
                      **** A Month Ahead of Schedule ****
Featured Characters: Norman Osborn, Mendel Stromm, Emily Lyman-Osborn, and baby
Harry. 
Trigger_Warnings: 
Summary:Emily goes into labor and Harry is born a little over a month
premature.
Norman frets over the possibility of losing his heir and having to postpone
their plans for expanding Osborn Chemical Company (plans involving the
construction of some new laboratories and a buyout of some promising tech
companies).
Mendel Stromm is upset with Norman for being more concerned with adjusting his
business plans than tending to his newborn son. 
After a difficult delivery, while Emily is still in recovery, Norman is given
news that his son appears to have been born with an extra set of reproductive
organs. (Not going into too much graphic detail, he has both male and female
parts down there.) Given Harry's preemie status, the doctor doesn't want to
rush into "corrective surgery" but recommends that the new parents consider
it. 
When Emily is given the news, she is unexpectedly delighted to hear it. Norman
immediately becomes suspicious of his wife's intentions. She explains that her
excitement is over what value Harry will have to the Scryers when they find out
about his status - insisting that being born intersex is an inherited trait
from their "fae" ancestory and citing the strong possibility that he would be
classified as omega.
An argument ensues over what to do with Harry and whether or not to proceed
with the gender assignment surgery recommended by the doctor. Emily wants to
fake Harry's death so that he can be spirited away to serve the Order. Norman
is disgusted by what that would mean for Harry, as well as angry with how the
death of his heir would further delay his other plans. Ultimately, he and Emily
come to an agreement that Norman wouldn't interfere with Emily's plans for
Harry so long as she wait at least three years before turning Harry over to the
Scryers, as this should be long enough to solidify Norman's control over his
grandfather's company. 
Planned Plot Development: Revolves around Norman and his relationship with his
wife, his lover, his son, and the secret organizations that his family has long
been involved with.
    * References to the deal Norman and Emily struck when they decided to get
      married.
    * References to the Order of the Scryers / Descendants of the Fae (a new
      element to the Goblin's Origin story that includes aliens capable of
      breeding with humans and many of the descendants wholeheartedly believing
      that they are demi-gods, forming a secret society and encouraging incest
      among their membership to preserve blood purity).
    * Specific references to the use of an A/B/O style classification system
      for the so-called Descendants of the Fae.  
    * Establishes that my version of Harry Osborn is intersex and would be
      classified by the Scryers as an omega.
    * Establish a possible motive for Norman to kill Emily before Harry's third
      birthday. 
 
* Chapter:
                          **** New Parent Feels ****
Featured Characters: Norman, Mendel Stromm, Newborn Baby Harry, Emily Lyman-
Osborn.
Trigger_Warnings: Newborn baby and fatherly feels.
Summary: Mendel is staying in the Osborn's estate while they get settled. He's
eager to be around his lover's baby and anxious over some of Norman's odd
behavior. Neither Emily Lyman-Osborn or Norman feel inclined to spend very much
of their time tending to the baby.
"Leave it to the nanny to look after him," Norman tells Mendel, "That's what
she's paid for." 
"You honestly want nothing to do with him, do you?" Mendel says it with a note
of accusation that Norman finds troubling. Osborn sets things aside so that he
can give his lover the full force of his unyielding stare.
"What exactly do you expect of me, Professor?" 
Mendel had no answer ready for him. Words were on the tip of his tongue, but he
couldn't find the voice to speak them. Maybe, he thinks, he was blinded by love
and his affection for Norman was so strong that he never really saw the man for
what he truly was. No, he had gone in knowing exactly how much of a conceited,
ambitious cunt his lover could be, but he'd been stupid enough to imagine that
there was something soft and giving beneath all that pretty, brittle casing.
Some of Mendel's disappointment must've shown on his face, because Norman's
gaze softened almost imperceptively. 
"I never wanted to be a father," he said, "you know what my old man was like."
Norman turned away to tinker with something - anything to keep his mind and
hands occupied, whatever was right in front of him. [Which happened to be -
blank-, if I want to add more backstory to OsCorp's projects]
"Hey," Mendel pinched the long sleeve of Norman's coat between two fingers and
gave it a small tug, hoping to pull him away from needless busy work for a
serious discussion. Mendel Stromm was not going to let this go. He wouldn't let
his partner off the hook this easily, not when it involved something this
important. 
Norman nearly dropped the instrument that he was dealing with, but he otherwise
hardly seemed to notice Stromm's hand. His facial expression was set in rapt
determination, absolutely refusing to return his gaze to his former professor. 
"I know it isn't easy." Mendel was struck with the thought of how frustrating
this must be for Norman. The man was gifted in many ways, but he'd likely grown
up thinking this was women's work. Norman with his fast inclination towards
business management would obviously choose to delegate the task, thinking he
had not enough time and no natural aptitude for it anyhow.
"Raising a child isn't easy for anyone." 
"That's why we hire professionals to shoulder the task. So long as we can
afford to, I don't see what your problem is. He's being taken care of."
"By strangers that won't likely be in a position to form any lasting attachment
to him."
"Is a longterm attachment somehow necessary? Plenty of people manage with less.
You're making this out to be a larger hindrance than it really is. He's happy
and healthy and everything will turn out just fine." 
"For now, I'm willing to concede, if only because I'm not sure you even know
how to properly hold a baby, but I'm warning you that this hands-off approach
to fatherhood can't last forever. I won't let it." 
"Then how about we table that discussion for a later date and get some actual
work done in the meantime, hm?" 
Mendel agreed, "We will be talking about this later." 
Norman couldn't avoid the conversation forever, but it was a relief to have it
off his mind for almost a full day before Mendel brought it up again. 
"Harold deserves better than two absentee parents."
"Then I suppose it's lucky we have you around to keep him company."
Planned Plot Development: Minor. Mostly Fluff.
 
* Chapter:
                   **** Goodnight Hugs (Working Title) ****
Featured Characters: Norman, Professor Stromm, Harry, 
Trigger_Warnings: Sample.
Summary: The Osborns + Stromm are still learning to cope with the loss of Emily
Osborn. Harry is an adorable little shit. Norman and Mendel are still very much
in love. Norman is experiencing troubling episodes, wherein his mental illness
is getting the best of him and he is lying about it.
Planned Plot Development: Minor. Mostly Fluff.
 
* Chapter:
                      **** Kidnapped (Working Title) ****
Featured Characters: Norman, Professor Stromm, Harry, Alice Carlyle (OC, Nanny/
Undercover S.H.I.E.L.D./HYDRA Agent), Lonnie Lincoln (soon to become known as
Tombstone) and Joseph (Hit Man, soon to become known as Hammerhead, Mr. H).
Trigger_Warnings: Kidnapping, violence, ransom demands.
Summary: Harry is kidnapped by a S.H.I.E.L.D./HYDRA Agent that was working
undercover as a temporary replacement nanny. Demands are sent to Norman and
Professor Stromm. If they want Harry back, they will need to participate in an
illegal experiment testing their highly unstable Super Soldier Serum on an
assortment of thugs and mercenaries. To ensure that their efforts are sincere,
Norman is forced to act as one of the first test subjects.
Planned Plot Development: Significant.
 
* Chapter:
                    **** Evil Escapes (Working Title) ****
Featured Characters: Norman, Mendel Stromm, Harry,
Trigger_Warnings: Sample.
Summary: While the other test subjects undergo the treatment, The Voice in
Norman's head grows louder, more insistent, and persuades him to fight back.
Norman proceeds to subdue and/or kill everyone else. He forces the Agent in
charge to lead him to the place where they are keeping Harry. Once there,
Norman slaughters every last one of them in front of his son. Harry is
terrified and confused, but he numbly does whatever Daddy says. Norman takes
him home.
Planned Plot Development: Significant.
 
* Chapter:
      **** People Don't Kill People, Paranoid Delusions Kill People. ****
Featured Characters: Norman, Harry, Professor Stromm, and an as of yet unnamed
therapist.
Trigger_Warnings: character death.
Summary: Stromm suffers a heart-attack and dies. Norman destroys the home and
office of his therapist, he wants to ensure that there is no record of his
treatment and he's paranoid that the therapist has been working for Hydra. The
therapist is bound to a chair and tortured until Norman is satisfied that this
person knows nothing. His feelings are torn about whether or not to kill them.
Open Ended/Undecided about whether or not Norman eventually does. In the very
end, Norman returns home with Harry.
Planned Plot Development: Significant.
 
* Chapter:
                             **** Bed Wetting ****
Featured Characters: Harry and Norman. 
Trigger Warnings: wetting the bed, obviously. Scared child desperate for
Daddy's love and comfort. 
Summary:
Planned Plot Development: Minor. 
 
* Chapter:
  **** Not So Innocent Affection for the kid who is Desperate for Attention. 
                                     ****
Featured Characters: Eddie, Harry and mentions of Norman.
Trigger_Warnings: grooming of a young boy for sexual abuse, use of rohypnol to
incapacitate a child, rape of an unconscious child, sexual pictures taken
without consent, child pornography, very creepy behavior. 
 Summary:
Planned Plot Development: Minor. 
 
* Chapter:
                  **** Master's Academy / Private School ****
Featured Characters: Harry, Eddie.
Trigger_Warnings: manipulation of a child, ongoing sexual abuse of a child,  
Summary:
Planned Plot Development: Minor.
 
* Chapter:
          **** Future Husband / Lead Up to Locker Room Nightmare ****
Featured Characters: Harry, Eddie, and introducing Cletus Kasady. 
Trigger_Warnings: manipulation of a child, ongoing sexual abuse of a child,
pornography, masturbation, casual misogyny, "locker room talk" between teenage
boys. 
Summary:
Planned Plot Development: Minor. 
 
* Chapter:
                       **** Osborn Family Holidays ****
Featured Characters: Norman and Harry.
Trigger_Warnings: Sample.
Summary: Norman and Harry go on a holiday family vacation to a secluded little
luxury cabin.
Planned Plot Development: Minor. Mostly Fluff.
 
* Chapter:
                              **** Lion King ****
Featured Characters: Norman and Harry.
Trigger_Warnings: Sample.
Summary: Norman has plans to go on a business trip to Africa. Harry doesn't
want him to leave. Basically just an excuse for a silly Lion King reference.
Planned Plot Development: Minor. Mostly Fluff.
 
* Chapter:
                            **** Hide and Seek ****
Featured Characters: Norman, Harry,
Trigger_Warnings: Sample.
Summary: Harry bothers Norman while Daddy is working, so Norman plays Hide and
Seek with Harry.
Planned Plot Development: Minor. Mostly Fluff.
 
* Chapter:
            **** Knocking the Pretty Princess Off her Pedestal ****
Featured Characters: Norman, Harry, Eddie.
Trigger_Warnings: Sample.
Summary:
Planned Plot Development: Minor.
 
* Chapter:
         **** Edward "Eddie" Brock, Jr. Asshole Jock, Golden Boy ****
Featured Characters: Eddie, Dr. Edward Brock Sr., Norman, Harry. 
Trigger_Warnings: Sample.
Summary:
Planned Plot Development: Minor.
 
* Chapter:
                       **** Back to School Shopping ****
Featured Characters: Norman and Harry.
Trigger_Warnings: Sample.
Summary: Norman takes Harry shopping for some fun outfits after Harry complains
about his Nanny not allowing him to buy any pretty dresses or other "girly
things." Norman and Harry have some important conversations. 
Planned Plot Development: Minor. Mostly Fluff.
 
* Chapter:
                      **** Parent-Teacher Conference ****
Featured Characters: Norman, Harry, and an assortment of teachers.
Trigger_Warnings: Sample.
Summary: Norman attends a Parent-Teacher Conference. Harry has been getting
into all kinds of trouble. 
Planned Plot Development: Minor. Mostly Fluff.
 
* Chapter:
             **** Hot For Daddy, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out ****
Featured Characters: Norman and Harry.
Trigger_Warnings: Sample.
Summary: Harry stays home sick with a fever. Norman personally checks up on
him. 
Planned Plot Development: Minor. Mostly Fluff.
 
* Chapter:
                            **** Quiet Moments ****
Featured Characters: Norman and Harry.
Trigger_Warnings: Sample.
Summary: When all is quiet, Norman likes to look in on his son.
Planned Plot Development: Minor. Mostly Fluff.
 
* Chapter:
                            **** Mother's Day ****
Featured Characters: Norman and Harry.
Trigger_Warnings: Sample.
Summary: Mother's Day is approaching, and there was a corresponding art project
in school, and Little Harry isn't quite sure what to do with the card that he
made. After all, his mother is dead. 
Planned Plot Development: Minor. Mostly Fluff.
 
* Chapter:
                            **** Father's Day ****
Featured Characters: Norman, Harry, and an assortment of teachers.
Trigger_Warnings: Sample.
Summary: Harry is excited to give Norman the special gift he ordered, but
Norman is too preoccupied to look at the calendar so he brushes Harry off.
Later, Norman finds his gift in the trash, realizes what it is, and he
confronts Harry about it.
Planned Plot Development: Minor. Mostly Fluff.
 
* Chapter:
                              **** Drowning ****
Featured Characters: Norman, Harry, and Mendel Stromm.
Trigger_Warnings: Sample.
Summary: Norman and Harry go on a vacation to a private beach. Just the two of
them. Mendel Stromm would've gone with them except he was preoccupied
overseeing an animal trial for an experimental performance enhancer (aka super
soldier serum). 
While Norman is distracted, Harold swims out into a drop off area and nearly
drowns. Norman notices that it's gotten 'too quiet' and he comes to Harry's
rescue in just the nick of time. 
Planned Plot Development: Minor.
***** Goodnight Hugs (Norman/Mendel and Harry age 4?) *****
Chapter Summary
     Brief preview of domestic life at the Osborn household after Emily
     died and Mendel Stromm moved in with Norman and Harry.
     Also, Dad on Godfather sex after Harry gets put to bed.
Chapter Notes
     Status: Unfinished Draft
     Trigger_Warnings for Harry's daddies flirting with each other and
     discussing mental health issues. Which very suddenly gets rapey, with
     possessive and controlling and not okay behavior on Norman's part.
     Additionally, a reference to past dub/non-con. I'm sorry, I don't
     know how something fluffy took such an awful turn. Blame the Goblin.
     Characters: Norman, Harry and Mendel Stromm. Additionally, mentions
     of Emily, Ambrose, and Alton Osborn.
     Last Updated: 6/26/17
                            *** Goodnight Hugs ***
“Come on, Fuzzball,” Mendel affectionately ruffled his godson’s hair. “Time for
bed.”
“But I’m not tired!”
“Oh, no? Then how about you brush your teeth, get changed, and I’ll find a
story that is sure to put you to sleep. How about I read Daddy’s thesis?” He
snuck a glance over at where Norman was still brooding across the room. Mendel
was happy to see that comment had earned him a scowl.
Harry didn’t know what he was talking about but he had noticed the way the
Professor had checked Daddy’s reaction. “Oo-oh, what’s that?”
“Go get ready and I’ll come show you in a couple minutes.”
“Okay,” and Harry ran halfway to the door before he abruptly stopped and turned
around. “Is Daddy going to join us?”
Mendel turned to give Norman his best pleading look, but received nothing in
response.
Mister Dark and Broody was rubbing the bridge of his nose in annoyance, still
trying to ignore the both of them in favor of the research he was reviewing.
Mendel could see the weariness in Norman’s rigid posture, the sense of
responsibility weighing heavily on his lover’s shoulders and it took all of
Norman's intensely stubborn will to keep from folding under the pressure of it
all. 
After several moments of silence while Harold impatiently wiggled, Mendel
finally answered for him. “No, Fluffy, I think Daddy is too tired for story
time tonight.”
Harry’s expression contorted and for a moment Mendel was concerned that he’d
throw a tantrum and completely ruin the evening. But then Harold rubbed his
face quickly until it softened back into that happy-go-lucky mask that he liked
to wear. 
Mendel was endlessly impressed and concerned by how easy and natural it was for
both Osborn’s to assume roles to disguise their true feelings. But he never did
have the stones to challenge either one of them, especially when the masks they
wore usually tended to make life easier for him. 'One day,' he thought, 'this
will come back to bite me in the ass when all their bottled up emotions
explode. But not today.' 
Harry shyly approached his father. But no, not really shy in anything more than
appearance. Harry was so rarely genuinely shy about anything, but he liked to
pretend to be hesitant sometimes because he thought it helped him win sympathy
that kept him from getting into trouble. He was usually right. The boy had good
instincts, he could be a master manipulator one day, just like his father. 'Oh,
Lord help me,’ Mendel thought, 'these boys are going to be the death of me for
sure.'
"Daddy," Harry called out from just off to the side of where Norman was
reclined in his favorite spot on the couch. “Daddy,”he tried again a little
louder when Norman didn’t look up at first.
“Daddy’s too tired. Listen to the Professor and go to bed, Harry.” Norman made
a 'shoo!’ gesture and glanced 'round to catch Mendel’s eye as if to say,'what’s
taking so long? Can’t you handle this yourself?’ 
Mendel wore his best put-upon expression in retaliation, attempting to silently
communicate, 'well, he’s your son,not mine.Shouldn’t you be handling this?’
“I know, I know, but -” and Harry boldly climbed up onto the couch and tried to
push himself into Daddy’s lap so Norman would either have to set his papers
aside or risk having them crushed. “But if you’re not coming to tuck me in then
I need to get my goodnight hug now.”
“That’s not a thing. Goodnight hugs are not a thing,” and Norman was scowling
at Stromm while he said this, correctly guessing that he was responsible for
this idea. 
Mendel’s face broke into a big grin, “well, they really should be,” he
commented.
“Yeah!” Harry agreed. “Every night,” and the little boy was not going to accept
no for an answer. “I need my hug. I can’t go to sleep without my hug.” 
Norman was starting to lose his patience so Mendel calmly moved to lean over
and wrap his arms around both of them. Harry squealed in happy surprise and
snuggled between them, snaking his arms up to wrap tightly around Norman’s
neck. Big Daddy Osborn made a sound of protest but he quickly melted into the
embrace and stole a kiss from Mendel while Harry had his face buried too far
into Norman’s shoulder to notice more than the slight smacking sound.
“Okay, that’s enough,” Norman signaled the end of this nonsense. “Take him to
bed, Professor.” 
Harry turned around and clung to Mendel’s shoulders as he picked him up out of
Norman’s lap. “Love you, Daddy,” Harry was still smiling like this was the best
idea ever.
“Goodnight, Harry," Norman's tone was still stiff and reserved, but his lover
was able to detect the faintest hint of a smile in his sad blue eyes.
Mendel hated to imagine what might become of Norman if he ever had to leave
him. Which wasn't to say that he was anywhere near considering the possibility
of leaving. No, Mendel loved his boys, they were a family, but things had
been difficult lately. So much more complicated since Emily's untimely
passing. 
“Nighty night, Grumpy,” Mendel couldn't help but add and then hastened to carry
Harry off to his bedroom while Norman contemplated chucking one of the throw
pillows at him.
Just five year ago, Mendel would've never suspected that he would actually miss
his lover's late wife. But he did. He missed Emily so much. She had always been
so kind and understanding. Somehow she'd managed to be loving and supportive
without ever really threatening the relationship he had with Norman. 
Now, without her, Mendel was nearing the end of his rope in trying to deal with
the so-called 'Osborn Curse' that was still hanging over their heads. Norman
was increasingly distant, and it was becoming unsettling. He caught Norman
talking to himself, getting distracted, and then lying about it. Mendel knew he
was talking to the Goblin again. That it wouldn't be long before the gremlin
started whispering more unhelpful suggestions if he hadn't already. Mendel
couldn't risk leaving him alone with Harry, and that thought more than anything
else scared him.  
Mendel loved Norman and Harry more than anyone else in the whole world, but he
couldn't ever completely trust Norman. Mendel had long ago decided that any
abuse he suffered at his lover's hands would be worth it. He could tough out
all the harsh words, the paranoia, jealousy, and the controlling behavior. It
rarely turned into physical violence, except for an exceedingly rough fuck now
and then, but he resolved to lie back and take it until Norman came back to
himself. Norman would always come back, eventually, and the suffering would all
be worth it in the end. 
But Harry was just a child. Harry would be powerless to defend himself if
Norman ever lashed out at him physically and he was too young to understand the
complexities of Norman's sometimes very cruel and erratic behavior. 
After Harry was put to bed, tucked in, warm and sleeping soundly, Mendel
decided that it was time. He needed to broach the subject of therapy again. 
When he returned to the living room, Mendel found Norman exactly where he'd
left him. Except now he was furiously scribbling notes. His lips were moving,
forming silent words as he did, and Mendel knew - he just knew - that the
Goblin was back, without a doubt. 
"Norman, we need to talk."  
Norman's face darkened and he refused to look up from his scribbles. "Not now,"
he said, "I know what you're going to say, and I can't. I won't. Not now, I'm
so close to a breakthrough, I can feel it."  
Mendel moved to sit beside him and turned so that they would be facing one
another. He reached out to take his hand but Norman pulled his arm away and
curled in around himself like a frightened child. "What you're nearing is
another episode, Norman, and that is something far more dangerous than -"
"No," Norman repeated. "I won't, not again. I can't think, I can't function on
the -!" he cut himself off after he caught his voice rising. He glanced
fearfully towards the hall that led down to Harold's bedroom. In a whisper, he
continued, "No more meds. Not until there's an effective means to counteract
the side effects." 
"Okay," Mendel agreed with a heavy sigh. At this, Norman finally raised his
head high enough to make eye contact. He imagined the sincere sorrow to be as
painful as a knife twisting in his gut. Norman always felt so conflicted
whenever the topic of treatment was broached. He wanted badly to protect his
lover and his son, but he had a terrible fear of doctors. Absolutely refused to
seek any official diagnosis, and the treatment options were already limited
enough without any further hand tying. 
Most times Norman wanted to pretend that nothing was even wrong. Whenever he
was forced to admit the nature of his illness, he acted like it was a death
sentence, that any treatment would only make it worse. 
'It's a curse,' Alton Osborn had told him, and Norman's sane mind knew better
than to believe that, but the Goblin took it to heart. Alton convinced his
grandson that the only way to cope with his demons was to work with them. Any
attempt to work against them would only amount to more suffering. There was
nothing Norman feared more in this world than the possibility of inheriting his
father's legacy as a failed inventor, a shoddy businessman and an abusive
father.
"But we can't do nothing. Norman, look at me," Mendel was pleading with him to
maintain eye contact. He needed to be sure that he had Norman's full attention,
thatthe Goblin wouldn't distract and detract from his argument before he could
finish making it. "No medication this time, but I think you need to see a
therapist. It doesn't have to be a psychiatrist or even a psychologist, Norman.
But I can't be your only confidant. With Emily gone," he stopped to take in a
steadying breath before his voice could begin to shake. 
Mendel needed to be the strong, older man that Norman had come to for guidance
when their dalliance first began. He couldn't let his grief get the better of
him, not while Norman still needed him to be his rock, but he couldn't keep up
this act forever. "We need to find someone else that you can talk to about
this. I can't be your only lifeline, if anything ever happens to me -"
"It won't," Norman's voice cracked. He couldn't even bear the thought of losing
his professor, his partner, his lover. Not now, not ever. Norman dropped the
papers he'd been clutching and they scattered onto the floor as he reached
forward to crawl across the couch and into his lover's waiting arms. "I can't
lose you," he spoke mournfully into Mendel's shoulder while the older man
rubbed soothing circles against his back. 
With Norman leaning so heavily on him it fast becoming uncomfortable for Mendel
to hold them both upright. He needed to shift positions in an effort to
accommodate the younger man's much larger frame, so he laid back against the
armrest. Norman followed and on the way down managed to curl himself around his
professor, snug against his side and forced half on top of him by the small
width of the couch. 
"I'm sorry to say this, Norman, I really am." Mendel ran his hands through
Osborn's wavy auburn hair. "But we have to prepare for the possibility that I -
"
'Dammit,' Stromm really didn't want to contemplate the many ways that he could
die. 'Could have a heart attack, stroke, car accident, get hit by a bus.'There
were endless possibilies for misfortune. His life could end abruptly at any
time.'Just look at what happened to Emily.' 
Mendel sighed so deeply that it left him feeling cold and weary to the core.
The thoughtless manner with which he'd stroked Osborn's hair had led his
fingers to become entangled, and he used this grip to pull Norman's head back
just enough that they could comfortably make eye contact.
"You have to know that I would never intentionally leave you, but you can't
honestly expect that I'll outlive you. I'm an old man, Norman."
"You're notthat old."
"Older than you, and I have a heart condition."
"Too much love will do that to you," Norman's voice sounded a tad bitter, with
a strange quality to it that almost made it seem as though it was intended for
someone else. For now, Mendel decided to ignore the possible implications
behind that tone. 
"If you're referring to my love for greasy fast food and red meat, yes.Yes, it
will." He sighed. "I think we can both be fairly certain that mortality is not
going to be conquered in my lifetime." 
"Perhaps you underestimate our combined genius." Norman's sly expression made
him look adolescent from this angle. In the position they found themselves in
now, it was easy to imagine Osborn as a mischievous child plotting to outwit
Death herself. 
"No," Mendel said with a smile. "I would never. If money was no object and
sleep and sanity were not required, I know you could accomplish anything you
ever put your mind to."
"Sleep and sanity are so overrated." Norman was smiling against Mendel's
throat. He darted a tongue out for a quick taste before latching on to suck a
bruising hickey just above Stromm's collar.
'It's too hot for turtlenecks or scarves,' Mendel wanted to complain. 'We're
not a couple of horny teenagers,' but no one ever paid that much attention to
Meek Mendel anyway, so what did it matter if he wore Norman's mark? Especially
when he knew what the thrill of ownership meant to Osborn.
"You can't derail every serious conversation with sex," he said instead.
Although, at this precise moment, it was very tempting to hop aboard that
train. They hadn't had enough time for themselves to be truly intimate since
Harry was born. They'd simply been too busy, between work, parenting and some
minor quarrels. Mendel found himself quickly growing warm with every touch,
wanting more.
Norman's kisses gradually grew heavier and his teeth became more prominent
against Mendel's heated flesh. Stromm had to bite back a loud groan when one of
Norman's hands snaked down between their bodies to grasp at the fastenings of
his pants. Norman's other hand was too preoccupied with keeping Mendel's head
tilted at the perfect angle to give him leverage for the continued assault of
tongue and teeth and lips on his bared throat. 
"Norman," he gasped. Mendel's hips lifted almost of their own accord and
wriggled just enough to allow Osborn to drag his pants down where they got
tangled somewhere between his knees and ankles. Norman's weight settled back on
Mendel's thighs and kept him pinned while Mendel's hands fumbled for something
to hold onto.
"Norman," he insisted. He wanted to demand that they continue their
conversation, but he was steadily losing all composure. Even if they did resume
their argument, Stromm stood no chance of convincing Norman of anything. Except
maybe to fuck him senseless, but only because that never required very much
convincing to begin with. Of the two of them, Mendel was always the one to show
restraint in these matters. 
"Professor," Norman's voice was husky and irritatingly similar to his former
arrogance. The same sort of confidence he'd had back in his freshman term, when
he first demanded his mentor fuck him roughly against the desk 'or the
floor.'Mendel remembered him saying, 'Come on, push me down or perhaps up
against the wall if you think you're strong enough, Professor.'
"Mendel," 
Norman's aggressive touches faltered for a moment, giving way to a tender kiss
that captured Mendel's bottom lip between Osborn's teeth. The suction was soft
and slow and nothing like the frantic, eager, desperate hunger that he'd
expected after his brief jaunt down memory lane. When they broke apart, Norman
leaned forward to press his forehead against his professor's. "You mistake this
for a simple diversionary tactic. This discussion is far from over. I only mean
to emphasize how much I need you." 
Any resolve that Mendel had left crumbled at hearing that. This man, despite
his charm and ego, had always been so much more vulnerable than he ever let on.
It deeply humbled Mendel that he was one of the only people in the world to
ever be given the privilege of seeing Norman for who he really was under his
vast collection of masks. The strength and the sadness had more than once
brought both men to tears during late night confessions.
After only their first night together it had become abundantly clear, whenever
the young man had clung to him, scratched long red trails down Stromm's back,
bucked hard and fast, he'd been desperate for so much more than just a quick
fuck. And if Norman needed sex to validate his affections, to reassure him that
their feelings were real, that he was loved... then how could Mendel ever deny
him?
Everything in Mendel's being ached to be given the opportunity to lovingly tend
to Norman's wounds. Even back when they first began, perhaps the very moment
Norman took a seat in his classroom or caught Mendel's eye across campus,
long before Mendel had any clue as to the full extent of Norman's troubles, he
had longed to provide the young man with every form of comfort that he had to
give. If that made him sound like a foolish, hopeless romantic, then so be it.
He'd never pretend to be anything other than a fool when it came to loving
Norman Osborn. 
It was Norman's fingertips teasing the length of Mendel's cock that brought him
out of his sentimental stupor. He bit down to stifle his moans. "Not in the
living room," Mendel protested. "Norman, not here." Osborn's gentle touch
became more bold rather than backing off as he groped lower and fondled the
other man's balls, one sneaky finger tucking between his cheeks to poke at
Mendel's unprepared hole. 
"No delays, I need you now, Professor." If Mendel hadn't noticed the intrusion
before it was impossible to miss now, Norman's dry middle finger pressing
against his puckered asshole. "I want to be inside of you. I want to fill you
up until you can't take anymore." There was a dangerous edge to Norman's voice,
possessive and cruel. 
Mendel grit his teeth at the way it burned when Norman's finger started to work
it's way inside him without any lubrication. He didn't say anything at first.
Mendel's body was screaming at him to say,'No. Stop.'He steeled himself against
the urge to struggle. Mendel was afraid, if he tried to refuse him then there
was a chance that Norman would have his way by force. At least if Mendel said
nothing, then he could blame himself for not speaking up if Norman went too
far. It was somehow more bearable to him than the alternative.
It had taken months for Mendel to forgive him after the last time something
like this had happened. 'It was the Goblin's fault,' that's how Mendel
justified his decision to stay. Norman sometimes had trouble listening to
things he didn't want to hear when that damn gremlin was whispering in his ear.
Otherwise Norman would've already been dragging him towards the bedroom to
satisfy Mendel's request of a change in locale. 
Regardless of intent, it hurt to feel used like this. Mendel's mind was still
reeling, trying to adjust to the sudden change. Hadn't Norman been an emotional
mess desperate for love just a moment ago? Now this.
Norman's finger worked it's way in up to the second knuckle, feeling as though
it was jabbing and clawing Stromm's insides along the way. Mendel's body had
gone completely rigid beneath Norman. Normally, that alone would be enough for
Norman to realize that something was terribly wrong, but not now with the
Goblin distracting him. 
"You can't fuck me dry," Mendel finally chose to speak up, to remind him,
because it was safer than refusing to continue at all. "I'll scream and wake
Harry up." Not to mention the way Norman's impressive girth would probably tear
him apart if he tried. One painful mistake like that was enough for a lifetime,
and spit was never sufficient for Stromm.
It was Harry's name that brought Norman back to his senses. His hands withdrew
and Osborn slowly backed away. He sat on the couch, with a safe distance
between them while his eyes swept over Stromm. "I -" his mouth went dry as he
became aware of what just transpired between them. "I got carried away in the
moment, Professor. I forgot myself." It was as close to an apology as he was
going to readily offer. The last thing Norman wanted to do was admit the full
severity of his mistake. 
Mendel refused to acknowledge the not-apology. He was already upset enough now
without working himself up even more. His limbs still stiff from the horrid
amount of stress they'd just suffered, he stood up and pulled his clothes back
into their proper place. "If it's alright with you, I think I'll be sleeping in
my own bed tonight." 
"It's not alright," Norman got up to follow him, but the words were already
enough to stop Mendel in his tracks before he'd even managed to take two steps
towards the hall. Goddammit, Mendel immediately regretted his choice to phrase
it that way, unintentionally inviting Norman to think he had a choice in the
matter of where he slept. 
"What do you mean it's not alright?" Stromm whirled around to glare at Norman. 
"I mean that I'm not going to let you go to bed angry with me."
"Let me?" Mendel found himself shaking with sudden rage. "As if you could stop
me. Butby all means, go ahead and dig your hole even deeper." 
"Please, keep your voice down," Norman whispered with a pointed glance towards
the hall that led to Harold's bedroom. Mendel scoffed and crossed his arms. 
"Oh, so now you're concerned about waking him." 
"Yes.I'm sorry," the words appeared to physically pain Norman as they formed on
his lips. "I'm sorry," it wasn't any easier the second time, but Mendel was
more prepared to believe that the apology was sincere. "I shouldn't have
listened," Norman closed his eyes, hating himself for being so stupid. 
"The voices. You mean to say that you shouldn't have listened to the
voices. Norman, you should have been listening to me." 
"And I was, but then -" Norman knew there was no excuse for his severe lapse in
judgement, but he needed Mendel to understand what had happened, that it wasn't
intentional. "Then there was this passionate moment.You had this far away look
in your eyes, and I - I got carried away at the same time." 
Against his better judgment, Mendel stepped closer and reached out to Norman.
"What were the voices telling you to do?"
Osborn brushed away the offered hand and covered his face with his own.
Embarrassed and ashamed of himself, of the truth."No, it's not so much that
they were telling me to do something as - as they were just providing
encouragement." Mendel recognized Norman's attempts to stall and to obfuscate
the truth.
"What were they encouraging you to do, Norman?" The tone Professor Stromm used
made Osborn feel small, like a disobedient child being caught in a lie.
Distantly, Norman was glad for the fact that there was no physical threat
behind it. When Ambrose used a tone like that, Normie would've expected a
beating to follow. But then Norman thought he would've preferred to take a
brutal beating over the threat of losing the love of his professor. So Norman
conjured a lie. 
"They were reminding me of all those books you like to read, with the
werewolves and the vampires. The dirty, hardcore -" 
"Dammit," Mendel interrupted with a fierce glare, "You know better." Stromm
started to walk away, but he only made it a few paces before he walked right
back and jabbed a finger at Norman's chest. "You know better than to act on
those fantasizes without talking to me about it first." 
"I got confused," Norman's kicked puppy look was well practiced. "I wanted to
make you feel good. I wasn't trying to hurt you. I should've been more
attentive, I should've realized something was wrong." He looked pleadingly
towards Mendel. "Why didn't you speak up sooner?" It was Mendel's turn to cover
his own face in shame. It was unfair to redirect the blame to Mendel and Norman
knew it, but he also knew Mendel would feel inclined to accept responsibility
anyhow. 
"I can't do this right now." Unbidden, Mendel was plagued with the thought of
taking this opportunity to leave and never come back. He would never do it. He
could never do it. But that thought haunted him just the same. "I don't want to
argue anymore. I'm tired. I just want to sleep." Mendel half turned towards the
hall that would lead to his private quarters. "Let's forget this ever
happened." 
Norman stepped forward to block his path and captured both of Stromm's wrists
in his hands. "Allow me the opportunity make it up to you, Professor. Come to
bed with me. No hanky panky, I promise. Just let me hold you."
The suggestion had no right to sound so appealing, especially when Mendel was
still half-considering the possibility of leaving. "If you want to make it up
to me, you'll need to take your mental health more seriously."
"I will," Norman responded without an ounce of hesitation. "We can start making
arrangements for a therapist in the morning. I'll do anything to keep
you. Anything."
                 *** Scene Break for Norman's Perspective ***
It was funny - or sad, really, how much easier it was to lie about something
than to tell the truth. How it even began to feel more natural to put an act.
On some level, Norman wished he could tell Mendel everything, but it was better
for everyone if he kept some things to himself. 
Mendel needn't ever know what the Goblin was really saying. How much the voices
hated Mendel for how often he advised Norman to ignore them and for all the
attempts to drug him until Norman could no longer clearly make out anything
they were saying. Perhaps what upset the Goblin the most was the mere mention
of therapy. Oh, how much the voices wanted Mendel to suffer for all his
meddling. They would never suggest killing him outright, knowing that Norman
would never agree to that, but they were quick to remind Normie of all the ways
Ambrose used to discipline his bitch whenever she got out of line.
The Goblin was only a figment of Norman's imagination anyhow, so what did it
matter what that pesky delusional had to say? Especially when Norman already
had much bigger secrets to hide.  
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