Spider-Man dropped into the alleyway, losing his balance. He had just busted another drug ring, barely managing to make it back. Peter had to stop and catch his breath.
“Shit!” He rasped, barely making the words out. “Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!” He planted both of his hands over his left abdomen. Peter groaned, feeling the hole in his suit where the bullet had made contact. He hadn’t gotten far from the warehouse before he lost his breath.
Now, Peter has to spend a couple of days stitching up his suit, not that he was worried about his current injury or anything.
Peter breathed in and out aggressively. He clutched at his side, falling against the wall. He pressed into his wound, trying to get it to stop bleeding. His suit was torn where the bullet had gone through.
“God.” Peter gasped, his hands slippery with his blood. He stood against the alleyway, chest puffing as he thought about his next move.
He could make it back to his apartment and stitch himself up. His healing factor could do the rest. Probably.
“Okay.” Peter took in a deep breath, groaning as his side felt like it was ripping open. He didn’t have anything to stop the bleeding, which limited his time to get back to his apartment. “Okay.” He repeated, getting ready to start swinging again.
The hero squatted and shot a web up to the building. “I can do this.” Peter mumbled, taking in his surroundings. The sun was setting soon.
Peter flew across the city, one hand shaking over his side. He tried not to twist too much. The pain could easily make him fall to his death.
He suddenly missed his opening and started falling. Peter’s other hand flew up to shoot a web. He screamed out as his side protested. The spider caught himself on the side of the building. His entire body shook as he planted his feet onto the brick. He caught his breath and made it to the rooftop.
The hero felt a wave of tiredness hit his body. “Okay.” He said out loud, lying down on the rooftop. The sky was so pretty at sundown. “I’ll just take another break.”
He tried to labor his breathing. Peter gasped out, seeing all of the blood on his suit. His suit might as well have been solid red. He whined, trying to roll over. Another wave of pain hit him. The hero caught himself with his hand, sitting up.
“Jesus, why can’t I make it home?” Peter groaned, audibly. His apartment was so close.
He gagged as he felt the bullet wound. His skin had been burned through, leaving nothing. Peter thought long and hard. Could he even stitch himself up when he was so tired? If he collapsed now, he’d surely die from blood loss. The only positive thing was the bullet hadn’t scraped any of his internal organs.
Peter stood, looking over the street. Most of the people didn’t give him a second glance. Barely anyone stopped him on the street anymore.
“Focus, Spider-Man!” Peter squeezed his face through his mask. His brain was fried. The only person he could think of was Wade.
“Wade.” Peter blinked, rubbing vigorously at his eyes now. The blood was drying underneath his suit. Could he even trust Wade? Peter knew the merc was dangerous.
He remembered Deadpool had been quiet the last time Peter had seen him. It was so different from his usual behavior.
“Is something up?” Peter had asked, reaching out to touch Wade on the shoulder. The merc flinched away, standing up. His head shook, repeatedly. “Wade?” Peter had whispered, trying to follow him.
The mercenary shook him off. “Nothing’s wrong. I gotta go.” He waved and climbed down the building.
Peter didn’t like to think about how his heart stung. They had been teaming up for a year now. Wade should trust him enough to let him know what’s on his mind.
He shook the thought away, almost losing his balance again. Even if he found Wade, he probably didn’t feel like patching the hero up anyway. He was probably on a job, it being the only way to clear his head.
Peter had given up on changing the mercenary’s ways. It scared him when Wade would raise his voice. His usual rowdiness was so different from his anger.
Peter had fought back tears, trying to get away. “Wade.” His voice strained.
Deadpool stood over him, hands eerily hung at his sides. “You don’t get to tell me what I should or shouldn’t do. I don’t care what you believe in.”
“I won’t bring it up again.” Peter looked away, not liking how little he felt. He knew Wade was a good person, but Spider-Man couldn’t agree with killing. It wasn’t right. Peter understood good vs. bad, but no one should ever have to die for it, especially the way Wade does it.
Peter has witnessed him tearing people limb from limb, torturing them until they couldn’t respond anymore. It made him sick.
It made Wade a sick person.
Peter’s anxiety started churning. He either had to find Wade or somehow stitch himself up. He had no time to think as he swung over buildings, letting his body decide.
Peter’s head was spinning as he landed again. His legs gave out and he hit the ground. He gasped as his side gushed out more blood. God, he could hear it.
But he had to get back up. He needed to find Wade, even if his body was shutting down. Wade couldn’t refuse him if he was dying, right?
Peter directed his attention to the bruises on his body. He thought about lying down and just falling asleep.
“Come on, I can’t die from a bullet to the stomach.” He garbled out, tripping down the fire escape. His senses were humming low.
This was one of Wade’s safe houses. If he wasn’t there, Peter would just try his best. His heart started racing as he got to his window. Hopefully, Wade wouldn’t shoot him.
Peter used all of his strength to open the window. He groaned out as he swung his leg into the apartment. Wade would have to deal with the blood all over his floor.
He took note of the very clean bed and array of weapons on the floor.
“Ah!” Peter’s foot got stuck, throwing him to the hardwood floor. He grasped his side, curling up into himself. “W-Wade?!” He called, voice breaking.
Nothing.
Peter was scared. He was really screwed. The hero didn’t carry a phone on him, so he couldn’t call anyone else. “Wade?” Peter groaned, moving to crawl across his bedroom floor.
He had only been here once when Wade needed to pick up one of his duffle bags. “I have a lot of safe houses around for when I need them.” He had claimed.
Peter found the door, reaching to open it. He could hear the faint sound of a TV. Before his hand made contact with the door knob, he heard loud footsteps. The spider flinched away as they got closer.
The door flung open. There stood the mercenary, outside of his suit. His mask looked as if it had been clumsily thrown on.
“Wade-“ Peter gasped, trying to get his attention down to the floor. His heart still racing. Please don’t kick me out, he pleaded.
Wade traced over the trail of blood on his floor, then he slowly looked down at Peter, connecting the dots. He quickly kneeled down, moving Peter’s hand.
“I’m so-sorry.” The hero shivered. His body was so cold. Wade ran his hands over Peter’s sides, and the hero just wanted to sleep. He couldn’t hear Wade talking, his conscious slipping from him.
“Shi- Pete! Wha- appened?” The voice rang. Peter kept his eyes closed, not caring anymore. He didn’t care if Wade left him there or saw his face. He just wanted to sleep.
“Open your eyes, damnit!” Wade shouted, tweezers now in his hands. Peter shot up, but the merc’s hand steadied him back down. The sting in his side slowly came back.
Peter focused his eyes on his body, noticing the top half of his suit was off. His mask had been brought up to his nose.
Peter breathed in, whining when he felt the tweezer dig for the bullet. He wanted to pass out, just wanted the pain to stop. He couldn’t hurt anymore if he was sleeping.
“Shhh.” Wade’s voice comforted Peter. “I almost have the bullet.”
“Oh, God.” Peter held his hand over his mouth. He could feel the tweezer grabbing at the bullet. He could feel it digging. Peter craned his neck to see all of the blood pooling on the floor. Everything was overwhelming him: the TV, the ringing in his ears, his heartbeat.
Peter traced over Wades body. His hands and arms were bloody. And his… his mask was off? When did he take off his mask?
The spider took in the mercenary’s face. His nose was sharp and so was his jawline. Peter whined again, feeling more blood escaping. Wade was hot, and it was kind of distracting the hero from the pain.
But then his head started swimming and he couldn’t even tell if he was alive anymore. “Make it stop.” Peter cried, letting his head drop against the floor. Even his voice was a ringing noise in the back of his head.
“I know it hurts, Petey.” Wade’s voice was oddly shaky. Why was his voice shaky? Wade always knew what he was doing.
“I got it!” The merc dropped the bullet and his hands grabbed for more gauze. He wanted to reach out and soothe the hero so badly. Peter was shivering and his hands were dead on the ground.
“This will hurt, but just a little.” Wade shakily opened the alcohol bottle. He poured it over Peter’s wound, resting his hand over his ribs. The hero squirmed, head turning away.
It hurt Wade’s heart to hear him in so much pain. He had just been sitting on his couch when he heard the thud come from his bedroom.
“Shhh, it’s okay, Peter. We’re almost done!” Wade dabbed the gauze over the blood, gingerly wiping it away. Peter’s chest was red and the bruises were everywhere. It was unnerving.
Did Peter always look like this?
“Wade!” Peter shook, grasping his wrist, trying to stop him. Wade grabbed his hand, ignoring how the bones in his wrist were creaking. He set Peter’s hand over his ribs.
“Shhh. I got you, I got you.” Wade grabbed for the needle driver and thread. It had been unopened because the merc never needed it anymore. He praised the lord he still had it buried in his bathroom.
Peter had given up on fighting, tiny moans of pain in the back of his throat. He knew what was coming. Wade clutched the driver and reached for the open wound.
The bleeding was still heavy, but slowing down. “Okay, Petey, this is going to hurt, but I’ll be quick, k?”
The hero shook his head, his mouth frowning. Wade sighed sadly. “I have to. Bite your hand if you have to.” He made contact with his skin, the needle going through.
Wade hated how it felt. Peter’s skin closed together as he pulled the thread. The hero was trying so hard not to shake.
The mercenary shushed him again, starting a new stitch. He tried to be as quick as he could, focusing on making the stitches even. He didn’t want to accidentally go too deep and hurt Peter even more.
“W-Wade!” His voice shook. Wade tried not to look at Peter. He knew his face would be in pain and he couldn’t handle it.
“It’s ok, we’re almost done! Almost done!” Wade’s hands were caked in blood, cracking as it dried. He couldn’t believe this was Peter’s blood. It had to be someone else’s. It had to be someone else’s.
Peter’s back arched up, trying to squirm away. Wade pressed down hard this time to stop him. The last few knots were tied and he pulled the final one closed. He backed away, throwing the needle across the room. He never wanted to touch a medical tool ever again.
“You’re done, baby, it’s ok!” He gently rested his hand on Peter’s abdomen. His chest rose shallowly.
Wade reached for the bandage with his other hand and wrapped it securely around Peter’s waist, making sure it wouldn’t stick beforehand.
“Sorry, this’ll have to do.” He muttered, attention turning to soothing the hero. His shaking had ceased a little, but the grimace on his face was unbearable.
Wade continued to massage his sides, looking over Peter again. His body wasn’t broken or sprained, just bruised. Who did this to his spider?
Peter started shivering again, head shaking on the floor. Wade reached and took Peter into his arms. He whimpered in pain, but didn’t protest.
The spider was mumbling words to himself, slurring everything together. Wade hushed him, rubbing Peter’s thigh, his legs draping over the merc’s lap.
“Let’s get you washed and changed, okay?” Wade stood, eyes catching his mask on the floor. Peter didn’t seem to be bothered, but that’s probably because he was barely conscious.
The hero clung to his body, trying to stop his body from shaking. Wade could see the tears running from his mask. He wanted to brush them away and kiss his cheeks.
The merc made it to the bathroom, kicking away the shit on his floor. “Are you ok with me undressing you, Pete?” He asked, not wanting the hero to be uncomfortable.
Peter nodded, not wanting to let go. Wade sighed, leaning over to make sure the hero didn’t fall down again. “Ok, I’m just going to run a shower.” Wade held Peter close, thinking about how he should do this.
“P-please.” A voice wavered. Wade looked at Peter, who was clinging onto the merc. His chest was still bare, his body now broken out in a cold sweat. “Don’t leave.”
Wade’s heart broke in two. “Of course I’m not leaving.” Peter burrowed his face back in Wade’s broad chest. The merc paused, thinking.
“Do you want me to join you?” Wade asked, waiting for Peter’s answer. He nodded immediately, mumbling something to himself.
“Ok,” Wade sighed, “you’re going to need to let go, Pete.” He brushed his hand down his non-injured side. God, he really didn’t want Peter to be disgusted with him, especially when he was this vulnerable.
Peter leaned away, head tilted to the floor. Wade quickly reached for the shower, turning it on. He needed to be careful around Peter’s bandages.
The spider had wrapped his hands around his own chest, trying to hold in a shiver. Wade just wanted to wrap him up and cuddle him until he felt better. But he had to make sure Peter was comfortable first. So, Wade stripped himself of his shirt and sweatpants.
Peter turned away, reaching for his mask. Wade quickly reached and stopped him.
“You don’t have to, babe. I know you’re paranoid about that sorta’ stuff.” Wade remembered hearing the hero rant about how scared he was about his identity. He went on and on about how an enemy could get him unconscious and easily un-mask him.
But Peter shook his head. “I trust you.” The quiet voice answered. His shaky hands lifted up his mask the rest of the way, face grimy from the blood and sweat.
Wade was met with hazel eyes. They quickly looked back at the floor, embarrassed. The merc soaked in his features: his cute nose, lips, and freckles. He wondered how the hero didn’t flinch when he saw his scars. They were almost polar opposites.
“You’re so sweet, Petey.” Wade whispered, reaching for the hero’s face. His skin was so soft. Their eyes met again and Wade waited for him to pull away in fear. But it never came.
He really was amazing. Wade was worried Peter would look at him in shock and disgust, but he could see now that it was the opposite. When Wade took his mask off to focus all of his attention on Peter, the hero’s eyes were filled with admiration.
The mercenary’s heart melted as the spider blushed. His freckles disappeared from his face. “Oh.” Wade breathed.
They stood in silence until Wade remembered the water running. Peter was wobbling on his feet. He really needed a shower.
“Ok, I’m going to take off our pants. You’re still ok?” Wade asked, making sure Peter hadn’t changed his mind. The spider nodded, eyes closing.
The merc moved his hands from the hero’s face, sliding his boxers down first, then Peter’s. He respected his privacy, refocusing his gaze on something else.
The spider hummed as Wade led him to the warm shower. It might’ve been too hot for Wade, but Peter seemed to like it. He did seem to always run on the cold side.
The merc cradled Peter’s back to his chest, letting the water run off of their bodies. He grabbed his bar of soap and made sure to be extra careful with the spider. His eyes were still closed, his legs barely standing on their own.
Wade tended to his arms and shoulders, then down his chest. The clean smelling soap rubbed away all of the dried blood.
Peter’s legs gave out, but Wade held him up. He knew the hero was just exhausted, so he pulled him closer. He never imagined anyone would want to be this close to him ever again. Wade wasn’t even recognizable.
He quickly shook the thought away, focusing back on Peter. He turned the spider around so he leaned onto Wade’s chest, the warm water still pattering down on them.
The stream wasn’t red anymore as the soap was washed away. Peter’s hair was laid out on his face, peaceful looking. Wade wanted to reach forward and kiss him, but he knew Peter would be uncomfortable.
Wade didn’t even bother washing himself. His focus was entirely on Peter. He turned the shower off, backing out onto the plush mat. The hero’s arms were limp at his side.
Wade grabbed the closest towel and wrapped it around the spider, making sure to be gentle. The merc noted to change his bandages before dressing Peter.
It was unnerving how still and pliant the spider was. Wade wanted to get him comfy as fast as possible. So, Wade didn’t bother dressing, awkwardly cradling the hero to his chest, naked. Peter laid his head on Wade’s shoulder, eyes still peacefully closed.
Wade held him with one hand as he fished clothes for the spider. His closet was messy.
He dug deep for clean clothes that were probably too big. Wade found himself boxers so he was at least covered.
He then found some boxers for Peter, the tiniest pair of shorts he had, and a random t-shirt. Wade walked them to his bed and laid Peter down. He only shifted a little, splayed out on the bed.
Wade admired Peter’s beauty. The different scars scattered on his body, his newest wound adding to the collection. He was almost glowing, even in the moonlight.
The mercenary swiftly changed his bandages, trying not to stare at the out of place stitches for too long. Was this even real? We haven’t talked to Spidey in weeks and he just shows up half way to the grave. Wade had an uneasy feeling in his stomach, but all he cared about was that Peter was safe now.
Then, he pulled his own boxers on and moved the spider so he was leaning on Wade’s shoulder again. He pulled the still-too-big boxers and pants over the hero’s legs. Wade felt like a creep for admiring him.
Peter was starting to come back to consciousness. He flinched as his eyes opened. Wade pitied him, knowing he was a scary first sight.
“Can you lift your arms?” Wade stood between Peter’s legs as he sat up. He needed to stay strong for him. Peter nodded, body still flushed from the hot shower. His arms slowly rose and Wade helped him pull the t-shirt over his head.
“Your mask is off.” Peter’s eyes were on him, fluttering. Wade leaned back, scratching the back of his head.
“Yeah, sorry. I wasn’t really thinking.” Peter shook his head, almost angrily.
“No!” His voice surprised the mercenary. “I like them.” He quickly quieted down, looking away. The blush returned to his face. Wade’s eyes widened, barely hearing the words come out of his mouth.
“You must’ve hit your head, Petey, cause no one-ever has said that.” Wade ushered Peter to lie down, pulling at the covers.
The spiders face came to a pout. Wade’s heart melted again to a pile of mush. He must’ve been really tired from everything.
“I did, but I’ve always liked you, even before I knew what you looked like.” Peter whispered from his place on the bed. “I already set my mind, so don’t even try to change it.”
Wade laughed, wholeheartedly. He had never seen the spider act like this before. It was like he was drunk. Peter smiled, the color returning to his face. He was glad the merc seemed to agree with him.
A silence washed over them and Wade remembered he was basically naked. Peter definitely noticed because his eyes were wandering around the merc’s room, face a bright red.
Wade smiled, stepping closer. If he was confident about one thing, it was his muscles. “Does Spider-Man like my muscles?” He teased. The mercenary was grateful for the playful tone lightening the mood.
Peter’s eye met Wade’s and he didn’t answer. Instead, his eyes roamed Wade’s uncovered body. The spider whined in the back of his throat.
Wade’s throat went dry. “Oh, Petey. The things you do to me.” He looked down at Peter as he hid under the covers.
“Hey!” Wade laughed, pulling the cover back down. Peter giggled but didn’t make eye contact, hands playing with the duvet.
Wade wished he could hear that sound on repeat.
Another silence covered them and the hero suddenly looked very tired. Wade smiled sadly, going to leave him alone. He was probably keeping him awake anyway.
“I’ll go? You get some sleep.” Wade turned but Peter quickly sat up, immediately clutching his side.
“No!” Peter’s voice cracked, awkwardly. Wade quickly shushed him to lie back down. They couldn’t risk Peter tearing his stitches, especially this early.
“Hey, hey, hey, don’t move, okay?” Wade pulled the covers back over the spider. Peter embarrassedly looked down. The merc sighed and grabbed Peter’s chin, making him look at Wade. “Do you really want me to stay?”
Peter’s eyes were so beautiful. They looked golden almost. Wade wanted to kiss him senseless. He never looked away, answering without hesitation,
“Please.” He squirmed, wanting to reach for Wade, but remembered he said to stay. The merc nodded, smiling a little.
The hero never really let the merc get too close to him. Occasionally, Wade would get to wrap his arm around his shoulder or waist, but that was really it. This was a blessing.
Peter giggled again, seeing how excited Wade was to cuddle. The merc scooted next to him, under the covers. His body was still so warm.
The hero turned so he could wrap himself in Wade’s embrace again. It felt so good to be held. Some nights, Peter would just cry because he felt so alone. He wanted someone to be with so badly.
Wade seemed to be so perfect. He was strong and caring. And he seemed to really care about Peter.
“Thank you.” The hero mumbled in Wade’s chest. He knew how much he had bled everywhere, and was probably a hassle to dress. He owed Wade a big one. Hell, he’d do it all over again just to be this close to the merc.
Wade held Peter closer, tangling their feet. The lights were out and it was pitch black out now. The window was closed and locked this time. Maybe Wade was insane, but he still smelt the blood in the air. He shivered, answering,
“Of course, baby. You’re lucky you found me. I’m so glad you came to me.” His hand rubbed through Peter’s shirt, lulling him to sleep.
Peter hummed, too tired to answer. Wade’s skin felt good against his. He could be pressed up against him all day if he could. Maybe he would if he asked.
A comfortable silence filled the room. Peter hummed a goodnight and felt his conscious slip away from him. Wade was saying something, but he couldn’t understand. All Peter heard was the vibrations in his chest.
Wade continued to rub Peter’s back. He was so glad the spider had gotten to him in time. He didn’t know what he would do without him.
The merc had a feeling Peter felt the same way about him. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to Peter’s damp hair. His eyes slipped closed and he focused on the weight in his arms.