Chapter 6
"You sure you're ready for this, Parker?"
Peter turned and watched as Jessica Jones made her way towards him, followed by Matt in full Daredevil gear.
"Why must you hurt me this way, Jess? I thought we really had something." Peter cried dramatically, throwing his hand over his heart.
"It'll take more than that to get in these pants." the detective grinned.
"So you're saying there's a chance?"
"Another time children." Matt sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I don't know why I ever allow the two of you to be around each other."
"Like you could stop us." Jessica rolled her eyes. "Anyway, here's what you need to know."
Peter and Matt moved in as Jessica filled them in on her observations of the past week.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Daredevil and Spider-Man watched from the shadows as the NYPD searched the docks.
"Looks like Jess wasn't the only one getting tips on the docks." Peter frowned.
"I don't like it." Matt replied. "Jess is through in her work. If even she thought something was amiss, she wouldn't have bothered us. Someone went through a lot of effort to draw attention here without making it look obvious."
"Well, it looks obvious now." Peter sighed. "Jess is going to be pissed about this. She'll take this personally."
"Better for us. She'll be ruthless to find out what's going on now. Guess we should leave before someone spots us and throws us on the chopping block."
"Jameson would have a field day." Peter grinned.
"Some times your sense of humor baffles me." Matt shook his head as the two silently left the warehouse they had staked out.
"If I didn't laugh about J.J.'s quest to end the Spider-Man menace, I'd probably begin my path towards super villain."
The two made their way through the city, stopping on the roof of Alias Investigations.
"I'm going to talk to Jessica-" Matt started.
"Good luck." Peter saluted.
Matt rolled his eyes and sighed.
"I'll let her know what happened so she can keep an eye out on any connections away from the docks. I really don't like this, makes me think there's something bigger than a simple turf war going on."
"Well, I'm gonna swing around the city a bit. Maybe I'll catch something. I was really hoping to work off some energy at the docks tonight. I'm turning down the Stark offer tomorrow." Peter rubbed the back of his neck and looked out at the city.
"It'll be fine, Pete. You've already got the position at Oscorp. You'll feel better once you get it over with." Matt smiled lightly, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Rip it like a bandaid I guess. See you later Matt. Tell Jess she's a raging beauty for me." Peter grinned, firing a web.
"I am not telling her that." Matt scowled as Peter laughed, swinging off through the night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"No dock fight, one robbery, no car jackings, two muggings and one break in. As a hero, I shouldn't break the code and complain but when does this city's crime practically fall asleep?" Peter grumbled, kicking his legs over the side of the building. "I really needed something to let out this energy on."
"Oh I could help you with that baby boy!"
Peter jumped, spinning around to come face to face with Deadpool.
"Hello sweets! How are you on this fine evening? I couldn't help but overhear your problem and just had to offer my services."
Peter could see the eyebrow wiggle under his mask.
"Thanks but no thanks."
"But why not?" Wade whined, throwing his arms around Peter. "I'm just as good as any old bad guy Spidey! Bet I could give you a rush they'd never dream of giving." he purred in Peter's ear.
Peter felt his face flare up in heat, never more thankful that he had the mask on and pulled down.
"You missed the docks!" Peter rushed out, desperate to distract from the current conversation.
"What? What about the docks?" Wade asked, pulling back and sitting properly beside him.
"DD and I went on a stakeout of the docks, turned out to be a semi bust."
"You and DD went to the docks without me? That was the perfect opportunity to forge Team Red!" Wade yelled, throwing his hands up in the air.
"Yeah, DD mentioned you were pushing that."
"Think about it spidey-cakes. Daredevil, Spider-Man and Deadpool. Team Red could be the newest and greatest team in New York!"
Peter smiled as Wade rambled on about how Team Red would easily best the other super groups of the city.
"Some how I don't think a team of vigilante's would be New York's first choice of defenders, Pool."
"It would only be because they didn't know what they were missing." Deadpool hushed him before pausing. "Of course, things would have to change for us." he smirked.
"What do you mean?" Peter raised an eyebrow in suspicion.
"Well, you and Double D already know who each other are outside the mask, so naturally, it only stands that I would get to know both of you outside the mask as well!"
"Yes, I could definitely see Daredevil willing to share his secret identity with you." Peter replied, waving his hand in a dismissive gesture.
"How is that fair when your Black Cat knows who he is?" Wade pouted, crossing his arms over his chest.
"How do you know that she knows?" Peter asked, not at all watching the way Deadpool's muscles flexed under his suit.
"I've seen them chatting. There's no way she doesn't know who he is."
"Were you spying on them?"
"Well, I hadn't planned to if that's what you're getting at. It wasn't until I heard that sweet Spider-Man name that I took a pause."
Peter froze. If Wade had come across a conversation between Felicia and Matt about him, what exactly had he heard? It wasn't unusual for any of them to use each others real names when they thought they were alone.
"I couldn't help but hear how my Spider-baby is a little genius with offers from both Stark and Oscorp. I hear its a real drama as to who you'll pick. My money is on Oscorp."
"What else did you hear?"
"I'll be honest with you, Peter, it is nice to have a real name to call you."
Peter's breath hitched, nearly causing him to fall off the roof if Deadpool hadn't caught him.
"Don't worry Petey-Pie, it's not like I'm going to invade your privacy anymore and find out exactly who you are. I can be patient when I want to be. It'll be all the better when you finally fill in the missing pieces and fall madly in love with me! Then we'll get married and have little spider babies!"
Peter couldn't respond as he stayed wrapped up in Wade's arms. There was going to be a serious discussion with Matt and Felicia about their in costume chats. Now Deadpool knew his first name! Despite the fact the man swore not to look further in to him, Peter couldn't stop the rising fear in his chest. Shaking his head to clear his senses, Peter dove on the merc, pushing him down on the rooftop and holding him there with his super strength.
"I promise you Deadpool, you won't like what will happen if I catch wind of you breathing a single word about my first name to anyone." he growled, straddling the man below him.
"Petey, honey, I wouldn't dream of it. Do you really think I'd let anyone else get to call your name while your in the suit? It's bad enough I have to share that information with your two other cohorts." the merc assured. "Now, I'm just going to let you know if you feel something hard, it's not my gun."
With a gasp, Peter flung himself off the merc in embarrassment. He'd been to occupied by Wade knowing his name to think about what he was doing.
"I didn't mean for you to move!"
Before Peter could react, he found himself pinned under the mercenary. Wade straddled him as he held Peter's hands down above his head. The two stayed that way, both breathing heavily.
"I may joke a lot Spidey, but never when it comes to you. I won't be telling anyone your pretty little name because that's just for me. I can only hope that you'll take my silence as a sign you can trust me and one day give me a face to go with that name. You know I've got your back in anything you do. I've also made it no secret during the years we've known each other that I'd love to pin you down to my mattress just like this. I mean every single thing I've ever told you."
Peter didn't even try to fight the hold as Wade's words sunk in. He had heard every line Wade had ever thrown at him and despite a blush he usually got, he thought he managed to keep a slight distance at developing and romantic feelings towards the man. However, as he looked up to the white eyes of Wade's mask, he felt a warmth settle in his lower regions at the his words. They were so sincere it hurt. He felt his breath hitch as Wade let his hands go and leaned back, still keeping his held down. Their meet-up, while it had started out very light hearted, had quickly deteriorated into an intimate confession. Peter felt his heart race as Wade finally moved off him and held out a hand to help him up. Slowly, Peter took it as Wade pulled him to his feet.
"You're not usually so quiet baby boy. Maybe I broke you. Tell you what Petey-Pie, I'll leave and give you a chance to think about what I said. I really do mean every word. Go home and get some rest." Wade smiled as he raised his mask slightly and planted a kiss on Peter's masked cheek before leaving him standing on the roof top alone.
Once Wade was out of sight, Peter raised a hand to his tingling cheek.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter smashed his alarm as it blared in his sensitive ear. After arriving back to his aunt's he had found it hard to fall asleep. His encounter with Wade ran over and over again in his head and his cheek still tingled where he had placed a kiss. He lay in bed, going over the night one more time, when he heard the ding of his phone. Sitting up, he grabbed it to see a text from Felicia.
[Morning Spider, how was your night?]
A cold feeling hit Peter's stomach.
'Oh God no.'
(A sort of bust. Nothing went down at the docks but it looks like that might have been a distraction to something bigger happening.)
Peter hit send, deciding to play it cool. Surely what had happened between him and Deadpool hadn't been witnessed.
[Interesting. I'll keep an ear out for anything that might help. However, that's not what I'm asking about and you know it.]
'No no no!'
(Well, I mean I stopped a few crimes.)
[Boring]
(Yeah. Considering how my nights can usually go, it was pretty uneventful.)
[Stop stalling and spill as to why I happened to catch you in a compromising position under the very man you've been denying having feelings for. I want the details and if you ghost me on this, I'll hunt you down.]
(It was nothing!)
[Didn't look like nothing when it was clear you weren't fighting against him. He can't hold you down unless you let him. We all know this.]
Peter looked at the time on his phone. He was planning to tell Dr. Connors he was turning down Stark's offer today, he did not need this.
(Look, it really was nothing. You're misinterpreting what happened. We were sparring!)
'Oh please, please, please buy that!'
[Liar.]
(It. Was. Nothing. I have to go, I've got a big day today. Going to turn down that internship and all.)
[Good luck with that. Also, I'm not fooled. I'll just go to the other source. DP is always forthcoming with anything to do with you. >;D]
Peter paled as he read the message. Deadpool was indeed an open book sometimes. He fumbled with trying to type out a response but Felicia beat him to it.
[Don't bother. I'm going to ask him regardless of what you say. I can't believe you think you can hide stuff from me. I thought I taught you better than that. Maybe I need to start implementing punishments for naughty spiders in the bedroom again. I mean, I'm sure I can get one more romp in the sack before I have to turn you over.]
'Just let the earth swallow me now.'
[Anyway, let me know how it goes with Connors. Catch you late Spider.]
Peter groaned as he fell back on the bed. Bless Dr. Connors for being the only person he had regular interactions with that didn't know anything about his personal life. One last glance at his phone and Peter sighed, admitting defeat. There was no way out of the storm that was about to be unleashed. Even if Wade took pity on him and decided not to tell her, Felicia would somehow find a way to make him cave. She would get along well with Jessica.
"Peter, breakfast is ready! You better get down here and eat before it gets cold! You have a big day ahead of you!" May's voice called out.
Stretching, Peter threw on a button up flannel and jeans and went to the kitchen. May place a plate of eggs, bacon and toast in front of him.
"How do you feel?" she asked.
'No where near as stressed as compared to what's waiting me the next time I see Felicia.'
"I'm fine Aunt May. Had a quick chat with Matt about it last night."
"I can only imagine his insightful words of wisdom and encouragement." May grinned. "Let me guess, he place his hand on your shoulder and told you you'll feel better once it's over."
"I might have spider powers but I swear you can read minds." Peter grinned as May sat down across from him.
"No, I've just come to expect Matt's reactions." she laughed. "Seriously Peter, how are you?"
"Honestly, I don't know why I'm bothered. I don't have any doubts about turning Stark down. I'm not nervous at all about working for Harry. I just can't figure out why I have this unsettling feeling."
"Peter-" May frowned. "Since getting your powers, I've rarely known of you to get a feeling about something and it turn out to be nothing but normal anxiety."
Peter shoveled in the last of his breakfast and sighed.
"I just..I just know it's not going to be as easy as a simple 'no thanks I'm good'. Thats what's hanging over me. What comes next? I turn down Stark's offer and then what? He finally leaves me alone? Doubtful."
The two sat quietly for a moment, both in their own thoughts.
"Well, nothing we can do about it now." May smiled gently. "Whatever happens, we'll deal with it together."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hey Dr. Richards!" Spider-Man greeted as he entered the man's lab through his open window.
"Good morning Spider-Man. Here to check up on my progress?"
Reed Richards, leader of the Fantastic Four smiled as he turned to look at Peter.
"You're in luck, I just finished up." He smiled as he held out the new web shooters. "Your designs were extremely detailed and easy to create. I'm sure you could have done this on your own."
"Honestly, I'm taking advantage of you Dr. Richards. I just don't have access to the tech I needed to try this." Peter admitted, swapping out his old shooters for the new ones.
"Well, the compartments for your web fluid are bigger, so you'll be able to hold more. The tasing aspect was fun to implement though. I warn you though, don't get caught in your own web. These things pack a hefty punch."
Peter lifted the bottom of his mask up to his nose and grinned.
"Never hurts to have a secret weapon."
"Well, I admit I took some liberties with your designs. I took a page out of the Green Goblins book. On the top of your web shooters I installed a compartment for knock out gas."
Peter's eyes widened as Reed held up two small vials of clear liquid.
"I've got enough of this to last you a while, but you can always come back to me for more. Since you prefer to use non lethal methods, I didn't figure you'd object to this. To activate it, just tap your trigger switch once and it will convert the liquid to a gas cloud. Each puff is one dose so no need to use it more than once on anyone. It won't hurt you to have another option." Reed nodded, turning Peter's wrists palm down and showing him where the cartridges went. "I realize it makes your shooters a tab bit bulkier, but I personally feel better with you having them. I don't know how old you are, but I know you're young and as a responsible adult it means I have to worry."
Peter chuckled as Reed feigned annoyance.
"So, should I call you Uncle Reed now? Pretty sure DD won't turn lose the title of Dad."
"Uncles are always cooler than dads." Reed grinned, shaking his head and handing Peter a small bag containing vials of the knock out liquid. "Now, get out of here. There's real science to be done you know."
"What kind of hero would Spider-Man be if he kept Dr. Richards from working?" Peter agreed with a laugh. "Seriously though, thanks Dr. Richards."
"No problem Spider-Man."
Peter tossed him one more smile before pulling down his mask and slipping back out the way he had come in.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Sorry I'm late Dr. Connors! I had to make a stop on my way here." Peter greeted as he rushed in the lab.
"No worries Peter. I was running behind a little myself this morning. I'm sorry to spring this on you so suddenly Pete, but I'm going to be leaving for the next two weeks. We've been so busy here I completely forgot to tell you Martha, Billy and I are going to visit her family. They're having a reunion and it's been a while since they've all been able to be together."
"That's great Dr. Connors. You need a vacation!" Peter smiled, internally happy for the free time it would give him.
"Before I go though, I need to wrap up a few things. At the top of my list is you, Peter. Have you made your decision on the SI internship? I've gotten a few emails that they haven't heard from you."
Peter rubbed the back of his neck in guilt. He hadn't meant for them to keep pestering Curt the way they had been pestering him.
"Actually Dr. Connors, I'm not going to take the position."
Curt paused, raising an eyebrow.
"I realize it might sound intimidating but-"
"I got another offer! Oscorp. I was offered a lead position there, and I'm going to take it."
Peter paused. No one outside of his inner circle and Harry knew about his offer. Curt was the first person to be told that Oscorp was even offering jobs after the company changing hands to Harry.
"Wow Peter." Curt breathed out, a large smile sliding across his face. "That's great! I forgot you were friend's with Harry Osborn. Truthfully Peter, knowing he offered you a job I"m glad you took it. Poor kid could use some real allies right now. Office politics are a real thing Pete."
Peter smiled as relief started to flow through him. Why had he been anxious again? Shaking his head, he moved to put his backpack down in the corner when the other shoe finally dropped.
"Just make sure you send a response to SI before the day is through. I'm sure they'll want to consider another prospect."
There it was. Why had he not realized earlier that he would personally have to turn down the offer? His email was being spammed with company letters, so of course they were expecting to hear directly from him. It wasn't like sending a simple 'thanks but no thanks' through email was hard, but with him being who he was there was no way it could go smoothly. While any other intern prospect may actually have their emails go through some random SI employee, Peter's most likely would not. He wouldn't be surprised at all if Tony had made arrangements for any of his responses to go directly to him.
"S-sure Dr. Connors. I'll send a response this afternoon. I'll let you know when I send it."
"Thanks Peter. Now, help me get this lab cleaned up before I have to head back home and help load the car."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter groaned as his face hit Felicia's couch. Usually he would reserve his meltdowns for Matt's couch, but he would have to make an exception this time. After leaving his internal crisis with Dr. Connors behind, he had received as simple text instructing him to get himself to Felicia's or she would come find him.
Why stop at one disaster when you can have two?
"You're going to suffocate and I refuse to be denied this conversation." Felicia rolled her eyes, pulling Peter's face from the cushion.
"I'm going to assume you've already attained your victory and just want to cause trouble." Peter glared as a smirked crossed the woman's face.
"I always want to cause trouble. Really, where have you been all this time?"
Peter groaned and buried his face back into the couch.
"So, you gonna let him pin you to his mattress or what?"
An inhuman sound ripped from Peter's throat in shock as he flung himself off the couch in alarm and hit the ceiling. He glared down at the blond as she smiled innocently up at him. The two stared each other down before Peter finally broke.
"Who asks that kind of question? I literally threw myself on your couch in obvious distress and you just skip in to launch straight into asking me if I'm basically going to bang Deadpool?!"
"I never said that Spider, but you did, so you must be considering it." she smirked. "All I asked was were you going to let him pin you to his mattress. That doesn't exactly mean anything is going to happen. You're reaction obviously shows you've thought about it though."
Peter sputters before losing his focus and falling to the floor. He rolled over on his back and continued to glare as Felicia grinned above him.
"You're so cute when you try to be scary. You might be able to pull it off behind the mask but not out of it."
"No. I am not letting Wade pin me to his mattress and we are not having sex." Peter grumbled as he crossed his arms over his chest and turned his head away from her.
"You are so annoying sometimes!" the blond grouched, throwing her hands up. "He's hit on you ever since we met him and you're lying if you say you haven't totally warmed up to him. What, are you still in the slow burn phase? Is that what this is? I mean, he's ready, so we're just waiting on you I guess."
"The hell is a 'slow burn phase'?" Peter huphed.
"Where you can't just jump into a relationship bc you're not sure about your feelings and you have to 'discover' yourself or some shit. I mean, I'm not against them, they're pretty cute, but I'm dying here! Listen, once I get rid of having you whenever I want, I'm so taking Matt to bed. I just couldn't, ya know, have both of you at the same time."
"You're honesty about your bed partners is both refreshing and unsettling. Anyway, Matt's on to you already."
"Duh." Felicia scoffed. "It's not like I don't drop hints left and right. I'm only waiting on losing you to make the final blow."
Peter stared wide-eyed at her as she sat down on the coffee table and crossed her legs.
"Honestly I'm not sure if I should be flattered that you clearly want to sleep with Matt but haven't because of me, or offended that you want to sleep with Matt but haven't because of me. Am I good or you just pity me?"
"I don't do pity sex Parker. I've got no complaints for your prowess in bed. I'm just a romantic softie I guess." she sighed, placing her hand on her cheek.
"Well don't call Matt yet. I'm not sleeping with Deadpool."
"Slow burn. I can wait. I just have one question."
The mischievous glint in her eye only made Peter squirm.
"How did it feel to be held down by that muscle? I mean, he had you there for a little while 'Petey-Pie'."
Peter felt his face erupt in heat and embarrassment. An honest Peter would have admitted he had gotten a bit excited, but he was not an honest Peter.
"I just didn't want to hurt him!"
"He's Deadpool, 'Petey-Pie', he would have gotten right back up. It's fine Peter, everyone has their kinks you know. Makes sense now that I think about it. You always do respond well when I take control." she chuckled moving down to straddle his waist. "All that solid muscle looming over you. Holding you down and taking the lead. Big, strong hands running up and down your lithe body and sliding up under your shirt to touch skin on skin. Heat from nimble fingers leaving tingling trails across your ribs and stomach. Hot breath and then a wet tongue on your neck to distract from the hands moving lower and lower and- HELLO! Looks like someone's ready to play!"
Felicia grinned in triumph as Peter scramble out from underneath her in a mortified panic.
"Did Peter Parker start carrying a gun or you just happy to fantasize about a certain Merc with a Mouth?"
"You were on top of me!"
"I wasn't touching you or describing me."
"I"m leaving." Peter fumbled as he moved to grab his shoes.
"I really don't think you want to walk out of here in the state youre in Spider. You might give some little old ladies a heart attack. If you can promise not to picture our favorite merc, I'll help you out with your problem." Felicia chuckled as she moved up behind him, running her hands slowly down to the obvious bulge in his pants.
"You should. This is your fault."
"If you want, I can call Wade to come help you out. I've been carrying his number around in case of an emergency." she snickered as he froze. "I know, you're not there yet. In time though my Spider, you'll come to see I'm right. Until then, let's head to the bedroom and I'll show you how to put those web shooters to work properly."
Peter sighed as he hit send on his email. In just a few minutes probably, Tony Stark would read a rejection letter to his offer. Taking another few minutes, Peter sent another email to Dr. Connors to confirm he had handle the SI Internship offer. Now all he had left to do was meet with Harry to sort out the details before his graduation in two weeks. He lend his head back against the head board and closed his eyes.
"Things are about to get interesting for a different reason than I wanted." Felicia smiled, laying her head on Peter's chest and closing the laptop. "Wonder how long it will take Stark to plan a counter attack? Did you mention the Oscorp job?"
"No. That's my business. I don't have to explain myself for not excepting any job offer."
"It's cute that you think you'll be able to keep it a secret before you officially take the job."
Peter groaned and opening his eyes to stare at the ceiling. She was right. He wouldn't be able to keep Tony from finding out he was going to be working with Oscorp and he knew how that would turn out once he did. It wasn't like he'd change his mind though. It wasn't just his history with Tony, it was his friendship with Harry. He wanted to be there to offer what ever help he could to his friend, and he knew he'd enjoy his work there. Peter was perfectly happy with his choice and nothing Tony Stark said or did would change his mind.
A ringing came from the bedside table and Peter moved to answer it, Felicia slowly sliding off him.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Parker?"
"Yes?"
"This is Sergeant Scott. I"m calling to let you know May Parker has been admitted to the hospital after being involved in a car accident. She is not in critical condition but she is unconscious."
Peter felt his heart drop and the officer's words.
"I'll be there immediately!” Peter yelled, jumping up and throwing clothes on as fast as he could.
"What's wrong?!" Felicia asked, hoping out of bed and dressing herself.
"Aunt May. She was in an accident and sent to the hospital." he managed to get out, shoving his foot into his sock.
"I'm coming with you." Felicia said, getting her things together. "I don't want you going alone and I want to make sure May's ok."
Peter didn't argue as the two rushed out the door, praying everything would be fine. Peter had lost a lot of people in his life, but he didn't know if he could ever recover from losing May.