Goodbye for Now
"So how did people break into the building anyway," Peter asked the group as they sat eating a a large order of Chinese takeout. Clint had tried to make dinner, which ended in some kind of bad smelling mush. Bruce made the decision to order takeout and everyone quickly agreed.
"We had a tour for aspiring engineers earlier in the day. Seems like some of them stuck around and waited for the right time to attack. Jarvis had them locked in the lab. They put up a fight but we managed to get at least one of them to SHIELD in one piece." Tony muttered the last part picking at his chow mein.
"Did you find out what they wanted?"
"SHIELD hasn't gotten anything out of him. We just know they downloaded files from the lab. We got back though." Peter was quiet as he ate. Whoever these people were they were good enough to sneak into Stark Town. Sure they didn't make it out but they had still gotten information. Information Peter had worked hard to keep secret.
"I've looked up the surveillance footage to your apartment," Tony stated. It took everything in Peter not to roll his eyes. Of course he did. "There were three masked people, I didn't see them actually go into your apartment but they left in a rush."
"They took my meds," Peter murmured now just pushing around his food. "Now that I think about it isn't it dangerous? The stunt healer. I mean it doesn't turn off the healing factor but..."
"In the wrong hands it could be altered to completely stop your healing factor," Bruce announced dosing the table in silence.
"What," Tony snapped.
"We weren't expecting anyone to steal it," Bruce defended weakly.
"Why wasn't I told about this?"
"You were in the lab when I created it," the doctor said exasperated.
"You know how I get when I'm focus," he grumbled.
"It was a centralized formula, it'll be hard to alter in a way to subdue a complete healing factor."
"But it's a foundation. It's something to go off on," Tony growled.
"It's my fault I should have known better then to take it out of the lab," Peter murmured slowly falling into a panic.
"It's not your fault Peter we didn't know anyone was looking to steal it. We didn't even know we were being watched."
"These people came out of nowhere," Natasha commented. "Think it's someone new?"
"Or someone making a come back," Clint muttered.
"Whoever it is has been working under our noses for who knows how long," Steve said. "We need to be on guard from now on. Peter I believe you going to school could pose some danger."
"Wh- hold on I can't just stop going to school," Peter gaped.
"I'm not saying you should stop attending."
"You should have someone with you," Clint said.
"But...you guys I'm Spiderman. I can take care of myself!"
"You were shot last night."
"I was in the suburbs! School is in the city, I've handled guys with guns before."
"As a safety measure," Steve tried again. "Just until we can figure out who these people are and what they want."
"And how long will that take?" They were all quiet again. Peter stood this time, taking a deep breath. "Look I...I need some time. Just let me think about all this. I still have to call my aunt..." Everything felt overwhelming again. Peter wanted nothing more then to hide in his familiar worn sheets.
"Take your time Peter," Bruce said before the younger left the room. He went straight to his phone, dialing his aunt.
"Peter! Hi sweetheart I haven't heard from you in a while!"
"Hey Aunt May, sorry I've been busy with school and work...and the internship," he sighed taking a seat on the bed. "How are you?"
"Oh, been living day by day. You know how it is."
"Yeah, yeah I do." He stared at the skyline. "Mr. Stark offered me a place at his tower so I'll be staying here for a few days."
"That's great Peter! How are they treating you?"
"Good," he rubbed his face. "They're good."
"How's school?"
"I'm passing all my classes," he chuckled.
"And the job?"
"Jameson's still...Jameson."
"I've never liked that man. Isn't there any way Mr. Stark will hire you?"
"I don't know Aunt May he's already gave me the scholarship, the internship, Dr. Banner helped with the my medicine-"
"You're a smart boy Peter I know there's more you can offer them." Peter hummed laying back on the bed. "Don't underestimate yourself Peter. I know you're capable of extraordinary things." She had no idea.
"Thanksgiving break is coming up, I was thinking I'd visit for a few days?"
"That sound great! You're old room's still set up, I'll make you're favorite pecan pie."
"That sounds perfect May."
"Well you sound tired sweetie, I'm gonna let you go."
"Yeah alright, take care of yourself. I'll call in more often. Love you."
"Love you too Peter. Take care," they hung up. Peter let his phone fall somewhere on the sheets. He got up to peel off all his clothes save for his boxers. He dug into the suitcase for an oversized shirt before crawling into bed. The comforter was soft but it did nothing to soothe Peter's nerves. There was only one person he felt like talking to right now and he had no way to contact him. Peter pulled the comforter over his head.
-*-
The next day he sat on the usual bench staring at his Chemisty book without really reading anything. Clint was on babysitting duty, Peter couldn't see him but he knew he was being watched. Right on time Deadpool came holding a brown paper bag. "Hey," Peter greeted closing the book.
"Hey baby boy." The nickname never failed to make Peter blush. But it sounded different this time. He had never heard Deadpool sound so small and quiet.
"Deadpool, everything okay?"
"Yeah...no. No Pete there's...there's some really bad guys after me. This has got to be our last lunch together."
"Bad guys? Hey, hey," the student put a hand on Deadpool's shoulder making him face Peter. "Are you in trouble?"
"There's some people after me, after a few of us. I don't want you to get caught up in it."
"Who's after you maybe there's something I can do?"
"Some really fucked up guys. They're the ones who...they did me wrong." He put the bag on the book in Peter's lap. "Just came to say thanks for having lunch with me. I know I'm not easy to put up with. You've been a good friend." He stood, Peter set his things aside and stood too.
"Wait Deadpool-"
"Take care of yourself Pete."
"Deadpool," Peter snapped feeling the beginning of a panic attack again. He was beginning to hyperventilate and sure he knew he's see him again as Spiderman but he craved these lunches. It was a time he was able to let go and enjoying being with someone. He'd finally made a friend. "Please don't...just explain to me. The least you can do is explain."
He hesitated, looking around. The place was almost empty now. There were people a few feet away walking on the sidewalk but class had started leaving them alone on the benches. With trembling hands he lifted the mask up to his nose. Peter kept his eyes on the whites of his mask already having seen his scared skin. "Hydra's been working with Weapon X to take in me, Spiderman, a few other heroes. They're looking for a weapon, probably to kill us all. It's not going to happen, don't worry. I'll find them. But until then I can't let them find you." He put his hands on the younger's shoulders. "This is goodbye for now."
Peter stood speechless. Because of the news he just got and because he was watching his only friend now leave. Just like everyone else. "B-be careful out there Deadpool."
The merc leaned forward for just a second to press his lips to the other's forehead. "It's Wade," he murmured almost silently. Peter stared at him as he walked away, shock still high in his system.
He replied just as quietly. "Bye Wade."