Spider-Man's life is going great.
Ever since meeting the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man had his first super powered friend his age in the form of Johnny Storm!
Peter knows it's weird, but he feels like Johnny could be a contestant to be one of the best male friends he's ever made, even when they've met like 5 times in the span of a month.
And every other teammate was just so great to Peter, he honestly could call all of them as friends, true friends. Which was weird, since Peter was never one to gain friends as easy as that, or even trust people as he now can truly say he trusted them.
He was a little disappointed and embarrassed when Reed told him that his 'place on the team' didn't come with a check, but Reed just laughed and assured the boy that there's no shame in wanting to provide for his family once Peter tried to explain himself, fearing he would be kicked out for being so greedy.
And out of all the teammates, Peter thinks he gets along best with Johnny and Sue. The Storm siblings, even when very different, are also so similar when it comes to being great friends to him. Johnny in a normal teenage kind of way, or at least as normal as they both can manage. And Sue was a great listener, talker and just a wholesome person overall.
Even with the age gap between them, Peter could honestly say that if he had never gotten his powers, Sue would be the most likely to be friends with him still.
And his life was going great, even outside of the Fantastic Four.
Just the other week, he got to meet Captain freaking America! And not only meet him, but he fought side by side with him!
Flashback
Peter was frustrated with how the public perceives him. After what happened with Connors, he was considered a public menace, but thankfully the Fantastic Four managed to help him drop that claim on him to the authorities.
The problem came with the public opinion, who still has some people who don't care about any of that and still follow Jonah's rambling about him being a menace like damn sheep even 3 weeks after his 'official menace status' was revoked.
No matter what he did, who he helped or the damn truth, there's still a fairly large percentage of the public that still hates him.
He even made a chubby kid cry when he saved his cat from a tree! And just now he apprehended a pickpocketer and the victim threatened to call the cops on him with the phone he just saved!
He was happy as Spider-Man, but man does he sometimes wish that everyone in New York would understand that he is here to help!
"Did you hear that New York?! I'm here to help!" Spider-Man yelled out loud from a building's edge while crouched in his famous position.
"Is that so?" Asked a voice Peter knew very well from behind him, prompting the hero to turn around quickly and see THE Captain America walking towards him with a smirk on his cowl-covered face.
"Captain America?!" Spider-Man asked, flabbergasted at the appearance of one of his all time idols.
"That's what it says on the back of my shield" Captain America quipped with a funny tone as he placed a friendly hand on his shoulder.
"Woah! - uhm, hi? I-Im uh, I'm Spider-Man" Spider-Man started rambling somewhat nervously as he stepped off from the edge of the building rather lamely amd awkwardly.
But can you blame him?
Captain America is everyone's favorite hero! He is a living legend! The physical representation of what morals and principles are - the boy scout himself! Peter has admired Steve Rogers ever since Ben started talking with grandiosity about him, his deeds and his adventures as bedtime stories.
Spider-Man's persona, in some part, is based on Captain America. To be someone who can inspire hope to the people just like he does, even if Peter is failing at that.
"With a hyphen, I've heard" The Captain kept talking in the same tone as he looked over Spider-Man with curiosity.
'Oh shit! Of course he knows, I trashed the Avengers' plane!' Peter thought nervously as he remembered that little fact, but he still tried to play it cool 'C'mon, Peter, don't blow this - be cool. For once in your sad little life, be remotely cool!'
"Y-you've heard of me? Of course you've heard of me. I have heard of you also as well, too!" Spider-Man said a little too fast for his liking, causing him to groan mentally '… I'm the worst'
"This is my neighborhood, and right now I'm on patrol" but Captain America paid no mind to the teen's awkwardness; motioning with his shield-free hand to the buildings around them "maybe you'd care to join me?"
"Uhm, sure?… I-I mean, yes please" Spider-Man answered with wide eyes, surprising Steve slightly by the amount of emotion those lenses are able to convey.
But he was happy to hear Spider-Man accept his proposal. Almost half a year ago he and the rest of the Avengers had agreed to see how Spider-Man acted when left alone, and despite what the papers said about him, Steve could see that he is a nice person trying to do good.
Some weeks ago though, the authorities had claimed Spider-Man as a very real threat, with orders to bring him to justice and all. Claims that were dropped pretty fast thanks to the Fantastic Four's help.
But Steve wants to see for himself what kind of man Spider-Man is for himself without a middle man, which is why the opportunity of today came like a heaven sent.
"Okay Spider-Man, let's do some good!" Captain America exclaimed as he leapt off the building, followed closely by Spider-Man.
Spider-Man then started following around The Captain as they both helped whenever and wherever they could. From a guy needing help with his flat tire, to helping out some firemen with rescuing civilians from a minor fire in a building.
And throughout the whole day, Spider-Man noticed how just about everyone smiled, thanked and even talked with The Captain as they went through the city.
And all that time Peter felt dejected.
Always staying out of his own earshot whenever Cap talked with firemen or cops, sometimes even staying hidden as they helped kids or something like that. Watching from away as Captain America was rightfully loved by everyone, while he was shunned to the shadows.
Eventually they stopped at another ledge in a building as they looked over their beloved city, a comfortable silence between them. Silence that was broken by The Captain himself.
"Can I ask you something?" Steve asked almost carefully as he side eyed the teen next to him "Respectfully, you're just a kid. You should be doing kid things - so why do this?"
"…" Spider-Man stood quietly as he looked into the city, pondering his answer 'I do it for the love, cap… I do it for America, cap… No! No! This is Captain America, Parker, this is serious! … this is serious…'
"A long time ago…" Spider-Man started saying with a serious tone. The difference between the person now talking to Steve in comparison of the hero 'Spider-Man' so apparent, like night and day, threw the old man off.
No doubt, this is something important to the one behind the mask "… someone important to me said 'with great power, there must also come great responsibility. I can help, so I do help… or at least I try to" Spider-Man finished with a dejected sigh.
"Good answer" Captain America said as he nodded, liking the genuinity of Spider-Man's conviction. But something in his answer felt… missing "…but?"
"… but sometimes I… well, I would be lying if I told you that I sometimes don't entertain the thought of taking the mask off. And leave it like that" Spider-Man explains with clear shame in his voice, as if this is something that keeps him up at night "I don't do this for fame or anything like that. But sometimes it's…"
Steve turned his head from the hero and followed his eyesight, seeing a billboard of The Daily Bugle calling Spider-Man a menace. And from that he understood what the young man meant.
Even if Spider-Man wasn't doing this for fame, even if he is genuinely and truly helping folk just because he can, doesn't mean that he won't be affected by the public opinion.
Which is only half of it, since the teen is also torn apart by the way he has been treating his friends and family, causing them to treat him somewhat badly as well.
He wants to find balance between the two lives and make the most of both, but he only seems to be screwing up at every chance…
Peter meanwhile was groaning on the inside, wondering just why the heck he would say something like that to Captain America. And for the first time they are meeting each other no less.
'God, that's so pathetic' Peter thinks to himself while trying to make excuses 'it's just… the guy inspires so much trust!'
"Can I tell you something, son?" Captain America said, making Spider-Man turn to look at him.
"Yeah, of course" Spider-Man said, slightly nervous, but interrupted Steve before he could say anything else "y'know what!? I think you're going to have to hold that thought!"
"Wha-?" Steve asked surprised as Spider-Man closed the distance between them and forced his left arm to cover both heroes with the shield.
'Fast and strong!' Steve thought to himself as he was basically powerless against what Spider-Man did. He had his guard totally down around the hero though.
*ZAAMMMM*
Sounded from the shield as Spider-Man successfully shielded them both from an electric-purple blast. Turning around, Steve sighed as he saw many agents of AIM running their way.
"Friends of yours?" Asked Spider-Man as the many men ran their way.
"Yeah, we go way back" Captain America answered as both heroes started fighting the many agents. With the Captain occasionally trying to coach Spider-Man here and there, but seeing it be useless because the young hero was doing just fine on his own.
The battle led the duo to an abandoned warehouse where Steve took on the big headed, weird baby-like MODOK by himself with a strong bash on his giant head while reminding the villain of Spider-Man's name.
"Okay, now we- oh, wow" Steve started saying, but was silenced by the sight of Spider-Man sitting in his webs triumphantly while surrounded by more than a dozen - knocked out agents.
"Meh, I learned it from watching you" Spider-Man said humorously as he jumped down "except the webs. The webs are all me".
———-
"You did good today, son" Steve told Spider-Man once SHIELD arrived to arrest MODOK and his team, talking to the hero that was trying to blend in the darkness of an alleyway so as to not warrant the agents to arrest him if given the chance.
"Thanks, you too…!" Spider-Man replied somewhat absentmindedly as his focus shifted between the Captain and the agents.
"… Here, I wanted to tell you something but we got interrupted" Steve said as he started climbing the fire escape stairs from one of the buildings from the alleyway "let's talk".
"Uh, y-yes, sir" Spider-Man answered as he walked up the building's side without any trouble. Reaching the top, Captain America started talking without giving Spider-Man a chance to do so himself.
"You are a good person, Spider-Man. You shouldn't let anyone else tell you otherwise or allow yourself to be brought down by their opinions" Steve said sincerely as he walked slightly in front of Spider-Man.
"W-what?" Spider-Man asked lamely, nor expecting that at all.
"I've talked to the police, the firemen. The people you helped, even before our little team up today. And I heard their stories about how you saved lives - how you never asked for recognition or reward or even thanks.
So it doesn't matter what the newspapers say or the politicians or the whole world. They don't define who you are. You do. And not by your words, but by your actions.
The truth will come out, but until then, I hope that you'll still stand up for what you know is right, just like you have been doing all this time" Captain America talked with firmness and conviction in his voice.
Spider-Man stopped in his tracks as Captain America was talking, prompting Steve to do the same; continuing talking as he now gazed into the mask's lenses.
Peter's lip even quivered as he heard one of his all time favorites talk to him, approving of what he does and even encouraging to keep going. He doesn't do what he does for recognition of others, but man is it nice to have it once in a while.
Especially when Peter was feeling like he was.
"… can I be your sidekick?" Spider-Man a half quips - half genuinely asks. Out of all the heroes in the world, Captain America would perhaps be the only one who Peter wouldn't mind be the shadow of.
*Chuckle* "I don't think being a sidekick suits you" Captain America says as he looks for something in his own utility belt, from where he fishes out a card "but if you're ever in need of help, please don't hesitate to call. The Avengers and I will gladly answer the call".
"W-wow, I-I don't know what to say" Spider-Man mutters as he receives the card somewhat nervously, as if this was a dream or something "thanks…".
"But remember, that number is for emergencies only. It's a responsibility that you keep that number to yourself and use it only when absolutely necessary" Captain America said as he tried to hide his smirk to emphasize the importance of this trust.
"Y-yes of course… Oh! Here…" Spider-Man said as he started rummaging through his utility belt as well, gaining a quirked eyebrow from Steve. Until the teen finally fished out a card with a number of his own "I-I don't know how useful I can be to you guys, but I'd like it if you also had my number".
"You have your own business cards?" Steve asked humorously as he received the spider-themed card with a single phone number in it.
"Yeah… when I met The Fantastic Four I forgot to give them my number. Next time I heard from them, The Human Torch wrote an embarrassing message in the sky for us to meet up and because of it one villain got the jump on me" Spider-Man admitted as he recalled swinging to the Baxter Building until Electro appeared out of nowhere, already waiting for him around the building for revenge.
*Chuckle* "Yeah, we saw that on the television" Steve let out a hearty laugh as he recalled seeing 'SPIDEY COME' in the sky written by flames.
"Yeah…" groaned Spider-Man as he remembered thinking something bad was going on, only to find a smirking Johnny asking him to play with him again, which he did happily. But still…
"Well, if you usually fight as well as you did today, I'll definitely think of calling you sometime, until then…" Captain America said as he pocketed the nard and extended his hand for Spider-Man to shake "It was honor meeting you".
"Y-yeah, same!" Spider-Man answered excitedly as he shook the older man's hand rather enthusiastically. After that, bith heroes parted ways with a better opinion on the other.
Even if it was almost impossible for Peter to hold Captain America himslef in a higher regard than he previously did, but the Captain is just so charismatic that he managed to do so.
More so when the Captain, god bless his heart, even managed to get JJJ to retract himself on saying that he was working with AIM against Captain America, and published the first ever paper where he was saying the truth about him saving the day!
If Peter was a little more shameless, he would've cried then and there while bragging to everyone he knew that Captain America vouched for him.
Flashback end
After that particular team up with Captain America, mora and more civilians seemed to begin seeing him as the helper he's always wanted to be seen as.
He gets more cheers as he swings by, less cops try to shoot him and even his classmates all talk about how amazing Spider-Man is. Most of all Flash, who even wears his Spider-Man merchandise almost everyday.
He also got to team up with Daredevil again, and Peter can honestly say it was fun to see his older friend doing good; even if he sometimes gets into this weird religious mood where he's all brooding and all he talks about is guilt and sin…
He had a fun time with Daredevil.
Spider-Man still dealt with your petty criminal and everything, but his career was starting to finally look good and with a fright future.
Peter Parker's life however…
Well, Peter Parker's life was a serious pile of trash.
Missed classes, always late to everything, May was starting to get annoyed that Peter was abusing his curfew to always get home exactly at the edge of it.
Peter had a fun night on Halloween with MJ and Gwen, who had long forgiven him for what he did when Connor's attacked due to his lie and MJ's willingness to believe his lie. And thankfully that night went smoothly for him.
But outside of that night Peter found that it's very hard to balance two lives.
But the worst thing was Emma and Chat.
Chat has been somewhat distant, no longer hanging out with him anytime they both could in school, and ever since the day Connor's attacked they haven't done anything outside of it.
And Emma…is Emma okay? Peter wonders anytime he sees a happy couple on the street that reminds him of his crush. Crush who hasn't been to school these last two weeks, making it a total of a month since he's seen or even heard from her; she is not answering her phone or any of Peter's texts either.
Chat told Peter that she's fine, but that she didn't really want to talk about her since they kinda got into a fight.
That obviously made Peter worry for their friendship, but why would Emma ignore him then? Why would she not come to school?
He misses her a lot.
He met her shortly after becoming Spider-Man, and ever since then they have been getting closer and closer as the months went by.
First hanging out with Chat as they went on and about the city, then spending much of their summer side by side, their date, those fun days at school… at least until Connors accident.
And now for the first time since meeting the girl he's heard nothing from her.
She, who sees Peter as he wants to be seen by someone, anyone. She who became someone so crucial in Spider-Man's struggle to help his city.
Because sometimes it is hard to fight while thinking about all the people relying on him. Sometimes he only thinks about just saving a few, or even one.
And Peter found that more often than not, Emma's bright and smiling face would appear to him as motivation whenever he is in a particularly difficult fight.
But now he doesn't even hear from her anymore...
Peter was glad that from that day on Thanksgiving break would start, he was honestly tired of the social environment that is high school and all its drama.
Plus being away from his bullies and from having to act as the weak nerd all the time is refreshening for Peter.
He sometimes misses it though; being the weak nerd and all of that. Back when he could immerse himself in a science book or watch the newest sci-fi movie and criticize what's wrong with it, both in the real science aspect and how mistreated the characters are since the new writer doesn't understand them.
Or simply hanging out with his friends without the need to look over his shoulder at all times, ready to run head first into any problem that may arise; fighting for his life every week and only getting lies told about Spider-Man by the newspaper and disappointed looks from his friends for leaving them.
God, how Peter misses being his old self.
For some part.
Because on the other side, he knows that he's changed, and even if he were to lose his spider-powers on that very moment, he would never go back to being the boy he was before his uncle's death.
His actions are now forever marked by the words of wisdom given by his uncle, the only father he's truly known.
But more than his uncle Ben - God rest his soul - Peter does everything for his Aunt May.
Every decision he makes, every action, almost every thought is his way of making things right with the lovely older woman who shaped Peter Parker since childhood to be the man he is today.
Because he needs to thank her.
To apologize to her.
Peter and Spider-Man whole beings are basically an apology letter of a sad and lonely kid without parents that was picked up by an old married couple with no real necessity of doing so, only for that same kid to inadvertently kill the husband.
Peter's grades, his internship, allowing himself to be bullied so to not get into conflicts, how nice he is, his upbringing and mentality are all results of May Reilly's influence on him.
And Spider-Man's heroism, deeds, attitude and no killing rule: his heroism, ethics and morals - even when mostly influenced by his uncle's words and memory - are thanks to his aunt's teachings that she's been carving into him for all these years.
And because if his identity would ever be revealed to her, he wants her to be proud of him.
So it breaks his heart a little bit every time she agrees with the media that say he's a menace. Because that means he's failing in making her proud, even if she doesn't know it.
*Sigh* Peter sighed from his bed while wearing his home-made, absolute noise canceling headphones.
Another invention of his that he came up with after he got his powers and got his hearing dialed up to eleven.
He wears them at times, mostly when he wants to disconnect from everything else but his thoughts. Just like he was right now, thinking about the misfortunes of his personal life and May's apparent hate of his Spider-Man persona.
*Ugh* When suddenly he smelled something, something disgusting. Like if he suddenly was thrown directly at his high school's locker room after football practice mixed with a public bathroom and a bar.
He felt his spider-sense buzz ever so slightly as well, so he quickly took off his headphones and turned his head toward his window, where his spider-sense was indicating something was wrong there.
And right there in his window he saw Wolverine, crouching very similarly to how he normally does when he is Spider-Man.
Wolverine has his suit on but without his cowl on, showing his extremely hairy face and a small grin at his lips.
"Heh, fancy meeting you here, bub. Now stop lazing around and get dressed, we have work to do" Said Wolverine mockingly as he signaled behind him with the thumb on his right hand, putting his cowl on with his left as he said that.
And Peter saw red.
—————-
"Ugh. What happened?" Asked Logan as he rubbed his nose, noting how it probably broke due to the blood that streamed down his face. Luckily for him, it was already cured.
"HOW DARE YOU?!" Asked a now fully dressed Spider-Man as he arrived at where Logan was; in the middle of the street at plain sight for all to see in Peter's neighborhood in the middle of the day.
"…" Wolverine stood quiet for a moment, remembering how he ended up in that situation in the first place.
….
Wolverine arrived at Spider-Man's house, led by his sense of smell all around the city until he arrived at what looked like a high school, after that he followed the trail to the suburban part of Queens - Forest Hills - where the smell was the strongest.
After a few minutes he arrived at what definitely is Spider-Man's house and climbed up the window to seek for the young hero's help.
Only for this one to punch him with the speed of lighting, send him flying through the air and leave him there in the middle of the street.
….
"Oh right - you wanna explain yourself bub!? Or am I gonna have to beat an apology out of ya?!" Wolverine barked annoyed at being punched like that, but he hoped that Spider-Man had a good reason not to be Wolverine's most recent victim.
"What the fuck are you doing here?!" Roared Spider-Man as he ran towards Wolverine.
"Heh, seems like it's not going to be your day"
Wolverine snarled with a loud *SNIKT*, caused by his claws popping out.
If Spider-Man wanted to fight, Wolverine would answer in kind.
Peter had liked the guy, but whatever the case was, there's just no way he could've found where he lives and what his real name is.
Peter immediately jumped to the conclusion that Wolverine somehow managed to implant some sort of tracker on him when they met or something. Whatever the older man did, he just placed everyone Peter knows and loves in mortal danger by showing up with his costume, and he couldn't let that slide.
"You don't come to my house!" Spider-Man yelled as he closed the distance between them as soon as he heard the claws pop out, punching Wolverine very hard on the stomach, forcing the yellow-suit wearing man to the ground as Spider-Man brought his arm down.
*GUHHH* Wolverine groaned at the force of the impact, even breaking the ground behind him. But before he could do anything, Spider-Man jumped over him while shooting a strand of webbing to his chest.
"NEVER MY HOUSE! NEVER!" Spider-Man yelled as he front flipped, bringing Wolverine with him to the sky and then pulling him down hardly to the ground again with a loud *KRCH*.
Wolverine was a little overwhelmed. He fought Spider-Man last time they met, but he was nowhere as fast or as strong as he is right now.
Cutting the webbing off from his chest, Logan managed to stand up from the ground and leaped at the younger hero with his claws.
But Spider-Man dodged him, and started punching him. Without using any kicks, jumps or even quips in his assault. Wolverine tried to swipe at the hero as well, but none of his attacks met their mark.
"Enough!" Yelled Logan as he finally landed a hit with his claws, aiming for Spider-Man's face but landed on his forearm when the younger man tried to block it, making blood gush out of his arm with a howl of pain.
*AUGH* screamed Spider-Man as he jumped backwards to make distance between them.
"And tell me why the hell you're attacking me! Now!" Wolverine demanded to know as Spider-Man analyzed the damage done to his arm.
"What do you mean why?! How the hell do you know where I live?! You know I have a secret identity for a reason!" Barked Spider-Man in utter rage.
"…huh, I guess I forgot about that, my mistake." Wolverine felt he was forgetting something when it came to Spider-Man, mainly because he didn't care.
Ever since they bid farewell to each other, Logan planned to scout Spider-Man by his scent. Guess he never thought how he might take that.
"Mistake? You put everyone I know in danger… because of a mistake?!" Spider-Man trembled in anger as he heard Wolverine.
"Yeah, yeah. That's my mistake bub, so why don't you settle down before I do anything you're gonna regr-" *NGH* Wolverine tried to stop the fight, but was interrupted by Spider-Man who once again closed the distance between them in a flash and with, an uppercut sent, Wolverine soaring through the air.
Spider-Man followed the yellow costume wearing man with a mighty leap and shot two lines of webs at the floor, slinging himself towards the ground with Wolverine in the middle of the way.
*HNGH* Peter exclaimed with effort as he stuck his feet to Wolverine's stomach, hurling both of them towards the ground where he used Wolverine as a surfboard on the pavement.
"Get off!" Yelled Wolverine as he swiped at the younger hero, who avoided his claws with a backflip.
"You want trouble?! Well, now you got it!" Growled Wolverine as he launched himself at Spider-Man, who began avoiding the now feral looking man with precision, unable to retaliate due to Wolverine's attack speed.
Spider-Man tried to blind the man with his webs, but Wolverine stopped them with his claws and delivered a strong front kick to Spider-Man, who was sent crashing harshly against a park's metal fence, ripping it open.
Peter groaned slightly on the ground, but reacted fast enough thanks to his spider-sense to avoid being stabbed by the six blades on Wolverine's hands when this one leapt at him with both arms outstretched.
"Leapy bitch!" Grunted Wolverine as he saw Spider-Man make space between them with a backflip.
Both warriors then stood one in front of the other in their battle poses; Wolverine growling like a wild animal and Spider-Man unnervingly quiet.
They charged at each other again, this time Spider-Man more in control of himself, not allowing himself to be led by anger.
That actually worked wonders since now Wolverine's attacks did nothing to him, no matter the strength or speed behind them, Peter could dodge and counter, focusing on the skills he's harnessed through sweat and blood over all these months and his spider-sense.
*GUH* The fight finally ended when Peter threw a strong punch at Wolverine's stomach yet again, knocking the air out of him for long enough for Spider-Man to web his torso and arms, working him like a puppeteer.
"If I were you, I would retract those claws now!" Advises Spider-Man as he hurled Wolverine in between to trees as he grabbed the webs attached to each arm of Wolverine, crossing them violently.
Logan, seeing what Spider-Man is attempting to do, did as told and retracted his claws, leaving his knuckles directly on his temples and his whole body lifted in the air horizontally in between the two trees, stomach looking at the floor.
*Phew* "Now, will you tell me why you wanted to know my identity… or will I have to use you as the prettiest boxing bag around?" Peter quipped mockingly as he dusted himself off in front of Wolverine.
The older man struggled against the webs, trying to free himself with brute strength as he only growled in response.
*Pfft* "Give it up dude, those webs are made to hold things much heavier than you and restrain people a whole lot stronger.
So, normally I don't mind talking as you most probably know, but I would be very angry to have to ask you three times, but I'll give you another chance and ask you a second time.
Why. Do. You. Want. My. Identity. For?" Spider-Man asked, accentuating every word with a very chilling tone, getting closer and closer to Wolverine.
"Heh, give it your best shot bub, doubt it will even hurt" Said Logan with a smirk, a little uncertain of his words himself.
"Wanna bet?" Asked Spider-Man as he readied fist up in the air, tightening his hand so much that Wolverine could hear very clearly how his suit stretched against his muscles.
"Okay, fine!" Wolverine conceded when Spider-Man launched the punch.
The young hero stopped millimeters away from Wolverine's face and just wrinkled his eyes in suspicion, giving the older man the chance to talk.
"I was honest when I said I made a mistake, okay?! Happy now?! I didn't mean to know who you really are or nothin', I just… well to be honest I didn't remember!" Answered Logan embarrassed, something not usual on him.
But he still is an honorable man, and he admits when he screws up.
It helps that the one he screwed up to is someone so young that could put up a fight. Respect is something rare that Logan gives other people, and so far, Spider-Man was winning it.
He also couldn't fault the teen's hotheadedness. Logan was an expert on it after all, and it would be hypocritical of him if he did.
"What do you want with me that needs you coming to my house?! And-and how did you even know where I live?!" Peter wanted to give the man the benefit of the doubt, but this is too important for Peter to do so without more information.
"I want your help; the cell of purifiers we fought last time has some bases around here in the city.
I've already located some, but I believe there's going to be a bit too many men for me to do it alone without this being a total mess.
So I searched for you as you told me to do so last time. As for how I found you, I have a pretty good nose" Explained Wolverine with a resigned tone.
"You're kidding!" Peter was listening attentively, until the last part "There's just no way you 'smelled' me out!"
"You gotta problem with 'at?!" asked an offended Wolverine.
"Yeah! There's no way that in a city this big, with so many smells, which by the way - gross! You not only remembered, but tracked me specifically by it! It's not possible!" Spider-Man stressed his point, which made Logan relax a little.
He could understand how that would seem crazy to anyone but those who knew him personally, and he guessed Spider-Man had every right to be suspicious of that.
So he decided to tell another thing he needed to tell the young hero, a message from the professor.
*Sigh* "Okay, I understand that.
But I have good news for you.
The kids you saved here from the day we met? They are just fine back home" Said Wolverine with a grin at how Spider-Man's mask turned from wrinkled with an expression that screamed suspicion, to one where it told Logan he was surprised, with his lenses wide open.
"W-wha-? Really?!" Asked Peter very excited about the news. He's been worried sick about them, and even used his connection to Captain Stacy to gain access to the NYPD and city's network, where he searched for any calls or reports that may have suggested something about those kids.
He also hacked the Child Support Services, the Fire department and even FEAST; but nothing led Peter to believe the kids called someone. Or so he thought.
"Yes, really. They called the professor I told you about and now they are proud members of the 'X' household.
They were asked to not tell that they were kidnapped so as to not raise the hate and fear towards humans some of the students already have though…" Trailed Logan, not liking how the professor asked that of the children, thinking it would be best if everyone knew the truth about the world outside of the mansion.
Also noting that there are also good people out there who have their back, just like Spider-Man.
"That's *sigh* That's great man, I've been looking for them and got worried when I found nothing" Peter admitted with a relieved and tired sigh.
"So, will you help me take those bastards down?" Questioned Wolverine.
"Y-yes man, of course!" Peter was happy to be asked to help, something that rarely happened with any other hero he knew.
So far the only one that had ever asked for his help was Daredevil after they finished the short training period, but Peter was starting to suspect he only did so to check up on him, not because he really needed the help.
"…" Wolverine remained quiet.
"…so…uhm, now what?" Peter asked.
"Now get me the fuck out of here!" Barked Wolverine, still held up by the webs in the middle of the parks.
"Oh sh- r-right. Sorry" Peter, embarrassed and hurriedly took out a small vile from his utility belt and placed a few drops on key places of the webs, letting Wolverine free.
"Whatever, come on now bub" said Wolverine as he started walking towards their destination, followed closely by Peter.
————
Unfortunately for both heroes, it seemed like there were no Purifiers in what are most definitely their bases. These being mostly abandoned warehouses, buildings and even some torn down churches which Peter found to be disturbing.
The whole time Wolverine just yelled in frustration because those men have been gone for so many days that their smell is now gone, leaving him frustrated for not being able to kill any of them.
Obviously Spider-Man felt uncomfortable with that, still feeling conflicted at how Wolverine dealt with his enemies since he swore to never kill - and Wolverine seemed like he had a bet to himself to see how many he could kill in under a minute.
But weirdly enough, even Peter understood Wolverine's need to kill these men.
They are the enemy of his people, and it wouldn't be too crazy to say that mutants are at war with some humans; they are being persecuted, arrested, enslaved and even killed.
And even if Peter cringes at the thought, people die in war.
Even his all time idol and friend, Captain America, killed Nazis back in the day.
But Peter can't.
He can't force himself to kill, he can't go the extra mile and end someone's life. He's no one to judge these men and make them meet their creator and he's no one to act as judge, jury and executioner.
He has no right.
But he's also no one to judge those who do based on what their enemy has done; enslaving children and experimenting on them? Peter doesn't think that anything done deserves death as a consequence, but it's true that that is a pretty close one.
And it's worse because it's for a reason so stupid like being born different. Something humanity should've stopped doing by now. It's the 21st century and people still fear and hate someone with no choice but to be born that way, truly a sad thought.
"Okay bub, we're done here" Wolverine sighed almost disappointed as they left the last place in wolverines list, snapping Spider-Man out of his thoughts.
"All right… now where to?" Asks Spider-Man as he follows after the older man.
"Hmm, I think we're done for today. Maybe they'll be back, so keep an eye on these places, hm?" Logan said with a shrug, clearly intending to leave without anything else to say.
"W-wait! We need to talk" Spider-Man stopped the older hero with a shout, making the older one stop on his track and look back at him.
"About?" Asked the older man, slightly annoyed due to still being frustrated with the turn of events of his failed hunt.
"W-well about me and-and you know… what you saw?" Said Spider-Man as he motioned toward his mask.
*Groan* "Okay fine, but not here. Too many chances of someone still having ears here" Logan said as he looked all around him.
"Right, lead the way Wolvie" said Spider-Man as he neared a window.
"Don't you ever call me that!" Barked Wolverine as he also fled through a window, being followed closely by a laughing Spider-Man.
The kid was annoying, but for some reason Logan doesn't get the immediate urge to SNIKT him like he does with Deadpool.
Instead he felt a small grin tug at his lips as both men started moving through the rooftops with synchronized grace under the dark blanket that is the night sky.
For some reason, being with Spider-Man makes Logan feel less lonely, almost like the young hero was some kind of kindred spirit to his own in some weird way.
Finally they both arrived on the roof of an abandoned three story building that was surrounded by larger ones, both Logan and Peter could tell this was a safe space thanks to their advanced senses.
"So what is it?" Asked Logan as he crossed his arms.
"W-well, now that you know my secret identity…what are you going to do with it?" Peter hesitated in asking, fearful of the possible answers.
"Is that it? I ain't doing anything with it" Logan replied easily.
"Really?" Spider-Man asked, surprised and hopeful.
*Sigh* "Look kid, why don't ya take your mask off so we can talk face to face?" Said Logan resigned as he took his own cowl off, revealing to Peter once again the face of a matured and rugged man, with eyes that had clearly seen more than anyone should've.
Face weirdly unharmed and full of hair that covered his face almost entirely.
Peter had seen it before in his own room, but it felt weird to see someone taking off their mask as easily as that.
"I don't… I don't think-" Peter wanted to trust this guy, but his identity still is too much of a big deal for him to give up like this to someone he barely knows.
"It's fine bub - s'not like you or I are gonna unsee what we saw or nothin'. I'm also trustin' you here, y'know? My name is Logan Howlett" Said the man as he extended his hand for a handshake with Spider-Man.
"…what the hell" muttered Spider-Man to himself as he lifted his mask off his face, revealing his brown and disheveled hair on top of his young and still squishy face with some baby fat still very present on him.
Despite his young face, Spider-Man's true eyes demonstrated a certain level of maturity that could only be achieved through struggle, pain and loss.
Something that Logan immediately noted.
Being as old as Logan is, he can judge people based solely on their eyes; they are the most telling part of anybody's body. He can tell when someone is an innocent civilian, a deceitful person who only wants to scam him or his friends, someone that has lost his way and is on the wrong path unwillingly, or men who walk the wrong path willingly.
He was one after all… once.
Before meeting Xavier, when his mind was a maze with no exit and he was more a weapon than a man.
"Peter…Peter Parker" after some seconds of doubt, Peter shook Logan's hand, still very nervous about what he's doing.
Wolverine for his part felt like he had heard this name before, both the 'Peter Parker' name as well as the 'Parker' surname, but mentally shrugged it off because he figured that if it was important he'd remember it later.
What he won't remember though, is that he's heard the name from his little girls, who sometimes geek about the photos of Spider-Man the boy is able to take; the only one in the world actually.
And the surname is from the same agents he once worked with.
Unfortunately it's a fairly common name, so Wolverine didn't blink twice at his suspicions. He could tell that the boy was sincere with his name though, based on his nervousness.
"Heh, nice hand shake bub, but if I had normal bones I'm sure they'd be broken" said Logan with humor as he noticed the surprised and embarrassed face of Peter Parker, who gained a deep red color.
"S-sorry! It's just…I'm nervous, y'know? I've never revealed my identity to anyone before" Admitted Peter as he released Wolverine..
"I can understand that, protecting your loved ones is difficult in this line of work, ain't it?" Wolverine said grimly as he sat on the edge of the building.
"…yeah, it's a bit much at times" Peter answered as he sat besides the man.
There, Peter and Logan talked instead of Spider-Man and Wolverine. Two men bonding over the hardships of having to balance those lives and trying to separate one from another.
Wolverine admitted that his way of living had cost the life of many of his loved ones, and that if it wasn't for his powers, his too would've been long gone.
Meanwhile Peter confessed his part in the death of his father figure, which Wolverine tried to reassure the younger man that it wasn't his fault to no avail, and his fear of his villains knowing his real identity, leading to the demise of everything he loves.
They stood that way, talking about their personal selves and bonding over it. The tone shifted slightly when Peter asked Logan if he had something that brought him joy in his life, given that he's only talking about depressing things.
Logan closed his eyes, pondering about the question. Several faces popped in his mind: Charles Xavier, the man that freed his mind and revealed his true self to him and even gave him a place with his home and family.
His girls - Jubie Lee and Kitty Pryde. That even if he admitted it or not, felt like daughters to him and brought the necessary innocence and energy his life needs.
And Ororo Munroe, the beautiful wind-rider and revered goddess of many tribes somewhere in Kenya, woman that had stolen the rugged man's heart away.
Logan answered truthfully, describing the people that matter to him without revealing any names with the softest smile Peter's has seen on the man since knowing him.
He then asked Peter the same question, and the younger man answered equally without revealing any names; his aunt, the single most important person in his life and the only mother he's truly known.
All of his friends that even when they have fights and they scold him for the excuses he gives them, are still pillars of his life.
And the beautiful blonde that Peter set his eyes on, wanting a relationship deeper than just being friends, but unable to confess due to the fear of dragging her into his mess.
He wishes to be able to hold her hand as they walk through the city, to be able to proudly call her his girlfriend and vice versa, to know that she feels the same way he does because she means oh so much to him.
But there are too many things that could go wrong with that.
Too much at risk…
"You want my advice bub? Go for it and ask 'er out" advised Logan with a smirk at the boys baffled face.
"R-really?! But-but what if-" Peter tried to refute, but was cut off by Logan.
"You can't live thinking about the worst bub, believe me, I know what it's like to do it… but men like us…we need to have someone by our side that grounds us, shows us why we're fighting… someone to love dammit" Wolverine finished his sentence slightly embarrassed at what he was saying, but meaning every word with his whole being.
"…" Peter stood quietly as he pondered Logan's words.!
"You found someone you want to be more than friends with? And you are lucky enough to be almost certain that she feels the same way?" Logan questions with a knowing tone "Then you should hold on to that feeling with all yer' might, man up and get 'er".
"Yeah, I guess you're right…okay, so how do i do it?" asked Peter, a little embarrassed.
"I ain't telling you how to pick up girls, we aren't that close as friends yet" Wolverine said with humor in his voice, not believing the guy's audacity for asking him that.
"Aww so that means we're friends now, how sweet of you!" Quipped Peter, unable to help himself because of how embarrassed and happy he actually felt at the words of the older man.
"Don't make me take it back" Grumbled Logan, slightly annoyed.
"Hehe, sorry" answered Peter as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well, it's getting rather late, you up for a drink?" Asked Logan as he stood up, dusting himself off a little bit.
"I'm 15, dude" answered Peter incredulously as he also stood up.
"Is that a no?" Logan asked with a raised eyebrow, not really seeing or caring about that particular problem.
"Of course it's a no!" Peter said with a chuckle, making the older man snicker.
"Yeah, yeah okay. Well, here you go, better we clear any misunderstanding next time so that we avoid another tussle, yeah?" Said Wolverine as he reached towards his belt and from it he took a small burner phone and handed it to Peter "memorize the number of whatever. Call me when you can so you can ask for help from me as well".
"W-wow, thanks…" said Spider-Man unbelievingly as he did as told, luckily having his own burner in him this time around to exchange numbers more easily.
He's collecting heroes' phone numbers like Pokémon! First Daredevil's, then the Fantastic Four's, Captain America with the Avengers line and now Wolverine, and not only that, he's also made friends with the FF and Logan!
Spider-Man's life is seriously going great.
Shame he can't say the same for Peter Parker's.
"Hey, just… don't share my number with anyone… or my name" Peter requested nervously, still having all his fears about his identity.
"Yeah, yeah. Don't ya' worry about it" Wolverine said easily as he took his burner back.
"Im serious here man, I really need to know-" Peter frowned at the almost dismissive response, but was interrupted by Logan.
"I am serious bub. A man's worth is based on his word, and on my honor, I promise and give you my word that your secret is safe with me" Logan said with a straight face and genuinely believing in his words.
"…thanks. Your secret is also safe with me" agter a few seconds of considering Logan's words and seeing his resolve behind them, Peter smiled softly and thanked him.
"See ya' around, Spidey" said Logan as he raised his fist for a fist pump, matching Peter's easy smile.
"Yeah, see you around, Wolvie" Replied Spider-Man as he connected the fist bump, which he quickly ended when his spider-sense yelled at him and he heard a loud *SNIKT*.
"The hell was that for?!" Yelled Spider-Man surprised, angry and honestly a little scared.
"Heh, told ya' not to call me that" Replied Logan as he placed his cowl back on and left the rooftop by jumps and acrobatic prowess.
"Hey, that's not fair!" Yelled Peter as he raised his fist up in protest, a bright smile adorning his face though.
Peter still stood a while there on the rooftop, now with his mask on as he meditated Logan's words of the importance of loving people, and how vital it is for men like them not to lose that.
'…I should really talk with Emma…and let everyone else know how much they matter to me' Peter concluded as he also placed his mask on and left the rooftop, deciding to patrol for a while longer. The night's pretty young after all.
Similarly to Peter, Logan was also meditating his own words. He knows that what he said is the absolute truth, it's just hard for him to be near the people he loves due to his fear of getting too attached, only to lose them.
But he knows he can't live that way. He needs them in his life desperately, much more than they need him.
'Maybe…maybe I should go to Chuck's for Thanksgiving… I should pick up a toy or something for the girls' Logan thinks with a soft smile.
He was originally not going to the celebration at the mansion. Instead he planned to get wasted at a bar somewhere and get into a fight or two. But it would do him good to be surrounded by the people in the mansion this year, perhaps every year from now on, who knows?
Wolverine makes up his mind with a smile, mentally wishing Peter Parker,, his new friend, a happy holiday.
This will be a nice Thanksgiving for Spider-Man and Wolverine.
Thanksgiving / night time
"Everything was as delicious as always Anna" May Parker thanked her friend for the meal. She usually always cooks for her family and whatever friends they may be hosting.
But because of the events more recently in the year, Anna offered to do the honors this time.
"I'm sure it was, given that Peter ate three complete servings" Anna giggled as she looked over to the living room where her niece is watching some corny movie with the boy.
*Giggle* "Peter sure is growing into himself, huh?" May laughed in agreement.
Ever since earlier this year, Peter seemed to fancy eating for three people without gaining any weight, but muscle and height instead.
Which she can't understand why he keeps hiding his now toned body under all the layers of shirts and hoodies he loves.
"He is, which I see my niece really likes" Anna says playfully as both women see Mary Jane resting her head on Peter's shoulder while using his arm like a huggable pillow.
Anna and May have both noticed that the red haired girl would use any opportunity she had to try and touch Peter in any way she could, which usually gained a blush on the boy's face paired with a nervous chuckle or stammer in his speech.
Anna has never heard her niece admit any feelings for the boy out loud, but one would be blind and dumb to think otherwise when they act the way they do.
"Those two are very cute" May admits with a soft smile, the image reminding her of her own youth with her late husband.
"But they are still too young" Anna said as she started walking towards her niece, with May agreeing in quiet nods while her friend did so.
Anna watched as Peter's focus was entirely on the movie, trying as hard as he could to not notice how MJ is clinging to him while she sleeps. Her niece looked so happy where she is, with a goofy smile on her face and drool dripping slightly from her mouth.
It really is a cute image, and Anna would've loved to take a picture of it if she had a camera on hand. But it was pretty late and they each had to go get some sleep in their respective rooms.
"Mary, sweetie, you have to get up" Anna said softly as she moved her niece's shoulder, but she only got MJ to mumble some incoherences and bury herself further on Peter's arm.
"Uhm, I can carry her to her room if you'd like, Ms. Watson" Peter whispered loud enough for the woman to hear.
Anna pondered for a bit his offer. She knows Peter is a gentleman and wouldn't dare to try and do anything to her niece, and MJ is pretty tired after helping her in the kitchen for the whole day.
Which was not surprising since Peter would be the one eating it after all.
After a few seconds, Anna asked "are you sure you can carry her all the way towards her room?"
To which Peter actually wanted to laugh at "of course Ms. Watson. I'd never drop her or anything" not like he can, given how he can carry literal tons of weight.
"Alright then, please be careful with her. And don't do anything inappropriate!" The older lady said sternly as she pointed a menacing finger towards the boy.
"O-of course not!" Answered Peter nervously with a bright blush on his face, which made May laugh from all the way from the kitchen.
After that, Peter slithered the hand MJ is hugging to hold her from the back beneath her armpit, and with his other hand he spooned her legs and successfully carried her in a princess carry.
MJ, in her sleep and the sudden movement, held on Peter's collar and hid her face on his neck.
The boy simply gave his friend's aunt an uneasy smile and quickly took the girl to her room, hearing how she muttered "Teenagers" with a slightly exasperated tone.
The young hero navigated easily through the stairs and the small corridor leading to MJ's room, careful to not hit anything with her body as he did so.
He opened the door to her room and without needing to turn on the lights due to his advanced vision, left her very gently on her bed.
At first MJ didn't seem to want to let go of the boy "MJ, you have to let go" but his soft words were enough to make her do so.
Or at least it seemed like it, because the moment he tried to leave he felt his jacket being tugged at. Looking back at the girl, Peter saw how she was still clinging to his shirt with her hand.
*Sigh* Peter sighed with a soft smile on his face as he debated what to do for a moment, and decided to do something selfish for once.
He sat in the bed next to MJ and started combing her head softly, which the redhead seemed to enjoy immensely in her sleep.
He wondered if this counted as something inappropriate, but he shrugged the thought off. Caressing his friend's hair isn't that bad, right? Weird and creepy maybe… most definitely actually; but inappropriate?
… either way, Peter is just doing this because of Logan's words.
Peter has spent so much time away from his friends and loved ones now that he is under the mask, that he feels necessary to be like this with someone he loves to remind himself just why he's fighting.
Love.
Peter Parker knows he loves Mary Jane Watson.
Perhaps not in the romantic way someone does a girlfriend or wife, but he definitely loves her.
But… perhaps that's a lie.
Perhaps Peter is still in love with his redheaded neighbour just like he had been for so long, but tries to push that feeling down.
He doesn't want to be a bastard who falls in love with every pretty face he sees. He feels like scum everytime he thinks of how he fell for Gwen, MJ and now Emma; figuring that if he falls for many at the same time is not real love.
Because how can you look at another person when you're in love? How can you even consider dating anyone else but the person you're supposed to look at? He doesn't want to do that, and he most definitely does not want that happening to him.
That's why he's crushing for Emma and only Emma.
Emma looks at Peter, and even if it sounds insane, he feels that she only looks at him. He feels like her first and only option. Peter wants to be someone's first choice, not a settlement for someone he loves.
Loving someone who doesn't love him with the same intensity is something Peter fears. And despite him not wanting to, he feels that that is something that would happen if he pursues MJ as a romantic partner.
Peter… sometimes doesn't like himself very much.
And when he thinks that MJ, someone he loves, will disappoint him like that, well… he definitely does not like himself.
He knows MJ would never betray his trust, but it's a feeling he has. And he has always struggled with his feelings. Especially feelings like these; ethereal in origin, with no real logical reason for them to be.
Peter is not a selfish person, not by a long shot.
If he was, he wouldn't allow himself to be bullied just for the sake of his aunt, he wouldn't be as selfless as he knows he is, and he would most definitely not be the hero Spider-Man.
He's not a selfish person… but when it comes to love, he feels like he has a right to be.
He wants a family that loves him unconditionally and as passionately as he does; that has been his dream ever since his parents died, and the desire for that future has only been increasing as time goes by.
And MJ… Peter feels like she has looked one too many times away from him to be his destined one. Whether it be ditching him in favor of Harry and the popular kids, or Flash and his car, or whatever it is that causes MJ to not be there for him causes Peter to doubt.
He hates doubting her.
He has no logical reason to do so. MJ has always been great with him; she's one of the best girls he will ever meet, he's sure, but there's something missing.
Perhaps it's him.
Perhaps he should have fought harder for her, to get her attention to be on him, to make her want to look his way and only his.
But now he's looking in Emma's way…
Peter stops caressing MJ's hair and looks at her delicate and beautiful face, remembering a time where he pictured his perfect future with her at his side and with him at hers… perhaps some part of himself still wishes that to be true and he just tries to deny himself to not feel like garbage.
Garbage because, once again, Peter has his eyes set on Emma Frost; the way Peter feels she has her eyes on him.
The way he doesn't feel MJ doing for him.
"Heh, teenagers" Peter says in the same manner that MJ's aunt did before he stood up, blaming his hormones and Logan's chat about his loved ones for getting him into this mood.
He stood up and walked away from MJ, before casting her one last look at her sleeping face. Then he closed the door behind him, leaving her alone in her room.
After that and an interrogation from Anna towards Peter to know why he took so long in MJ's room, only to be calmed down by May who defended her nervous nephew while laughing at the interaction, Peter and May thanked Ms. Watson and left towards their home.
Once they were both almost ready to sleep, Peter intercepted May who was grabbing a glass of water before heading to bed.
"Hey May… I know I already said so before but… thank you" Peter said softly.
"About what, dear?" May asked, not understanding what Peter was thanking her for.
"For everything really. I'm thankful for every hug you give me, every meal you make, for all the effort you put into FEAST, for being here for me…" Peter started enumerating all the things he loved about his aunt with a soft and sweet voice "and I know that I make you worry too much, and sometimes I even do things that make you angry… but please know that I don't do anything with the intent to make you feel sad.
Because I love you, Aunt May… and I'm so happy and thankful to be able to love you the way I do.
You are one of my most important reasons, if not the most, to keep on f- going" Peter catches himself before he says 'fighting', which he is sure his aunt wouldn't like to hear. What she did like hearing though, is what Peter is saying.
"Oh sweetie, you're going to make an old lady cry over here" May said with teary eyes as she hugged her sweet nephew "I'm thankful for you too, always."
Peter answered the hug in kind. Then each let go of one another and with one last goodnight, May left Peter in the kitchen, thinking about the events of today.
He turned off everytime light in the house and remained sitting on the couch, surrounded only by darkness.
*Sigh* he sighed contently and he sunk in his sofa, feeling tired about everything going on around him.
'I should really head to bed now' Peter figured as he heard the quiet hums of his humble house.