Chapter 8
Of course, the news of Peter dating a mass murderer spread to the one person he didn't really want to know: Steve Rogers.
The former Captain America had become Peter's sort-of guardian after everything with Tony dying and then May. Peter really did appreciate the support Steve had given him, but he really didn't want him to know about Wade.
It happened, though, and when it did, it was full-force.
Peter was hanging out in his apartment, reading one of many news articles about him and Wade on his phone, when he heard someone approaching his apartment.
The knock on the door was completely unnecessary. Steve knew that. But he was raised in the 19-somethings, and it seemed politeness never faded no matter how many wars Steve lived through.
"Peter," Steve greeted.
"Steve," Peter frowned, pretending like he didn't know why Steve was here. "What's going on?"
"You know what's going on, Pete," Steve raised an eyebrow and Peter's heart clenched at how much he sounded like Tony. "Your boyfriend. Deadpool? Seriously?"
Peter rolled his eyes.
"Fuck, Steve, at least come inside before you expose my secret identity," He grumbled in some annoyance. It was nice that Steve cared, it would always be nice; but sometimes, it felt like he cared about the wrong things.
Steve entered and seated himself immediately, leaning forward to squint at Peter.
"He's a murderer," Steve began.
"Holy fucking Christ. I get that you care, Steve," Peter exhaled sharply. "But how stupid do you really think I am?"
Steve's lips twisted into a scowl.
"I'm not trying to insinuate anything of the sort. I'm just saying...are you really sure that Deadpool is...I don't know, a safe choice?"
"Isn't Barnes your ex-boyfriend?" Peter cried, exasperated. "He's a murderer too!"
He'd dropped all of the extra titles he'd added to everyone's names. If he couldn't call Tony by Mister Stark, then he wouldn't call anyone by anything of the sort. No one else deserved that respect.
"He-he was brainwashed!" Steve was clearly restraining himself. Peter realized that Steve must've been awfully worried to have this much to say.
"Listen, Steve. I pulled out a PowerPoint--"
"Oh, great."
"--and Wade promised he'd only stick to the most horrible of guys. And he's stuck to it so far!"
"So far! Peter, that's not good enough for me to trust him." Steve's face was contorted into an expression of concern and hurt and anger.
"Fine. What if you meet him?" The words muscled their way past Peter's lips before he could think about it. "What if he proves he's trustworthy?"
Steve blinked slowly.
"...fine." He conceded. "But if I don't approve, you agree to break up with him?"
Peter crossed his toes beneath his socks.
"Of course," He lied easily. He had gotten good at lying in front of enhanced senses when he tried really hard.
Steve didn't scrutinize him, anyway. Steve picked himself up and headed for the door.
He paused before the doorknob.
"I just...want you to be safe," He mumbled.
You're not Tony. You're not May. You're not Ben. You're no one to me.
"And I just want to be happy." Peter replied sharply.
Steve slammed the door when he left.