If That's How It's Gotta Be
"You and Deadpool hu," Clint asked glancing at him. They were seated in one of the company cars. Peter was staring down at his school book as if it would distract him for the feeling of lose.
"It's not like that," he whispered.
"Not what it looked like. Does he always bring you lunch? And since when did he know your secret identity?"
"He doesn't know it's me. Or didn't. Doesn't matter I'm not going to see him as Peter again."
"You okay kid?"
"Fine," Peter turned to look out the window not wanting the other man to see his face.
"Do you want me to ask Nat to beat him up for you?"
That managed to get a snort of amusement out of the student. "No, it's okay." He glanced at Hawkeye, "can you keep this between us?"
Clint raised a brow, "you mean you don't want me to tell the group of superheroes we live with that you've been seeing a mercenary?"
"Please Clint."
"Okay. But I already texted Nat so..." Peter groaned pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Can you tell her to keep it between us?"
"Sure," he gave a shrug. They were quiet the rest of the way to the tower. When they stepped out Peter looked to him gripping the strap of his backpack. He had to tell them what Deadpool had told him. It was a lead even SHIELD didn't have.
"Clint there's something I gotta tell you. And the rest of the group." Clint made a questioning noise but followed Peter silently.
"Good evening Mr. Barton, Mr. Parker."
"Hey Jarvis, could you take us to the penthouse please. And call everyone up."
"Right away sir." Natasha and Bruce were already in the penthouse. They looked up at Clint and Peter as they entered.
"Jarvis said you called us in," Bruce asked.
"It's about the break in," he said setting his backpack down, taking a seat on the couch.
"What about the break in," Tony asked walking in. Steve followed just a few minutes later.
"I think I know who it was. Or Deadpool does. He says it was Hydra working with Weapon X."
"Well if that ain't a shit show," Tony grumbled.
"Language," Steve muttered gesturing to Peter.
"I'm 21," the student said with a wtf face. Steve just gave one shake of his head. Peter ignored him and continued, "He said they're looking for a weapon and they have al ist of heros they're going after."
"He has no leads?"
"I don't know I'll ask him tonight."
"Like hell," Tony growled.
"What?"
"We have a lead we'll leave it to SHEILD. If they need us we'll," he gestured to himself, Steve, and the others. "Go handle it. You can stay here and away from that lunatic Deadpool."
"B-but wait, hold on. Wait a second," Peter said standing up. "Deadpool and I have been working cases together for months now. And they're coming after me! I want to work this case."
"Hydra and Weapon X aren't just some drug lords or robbers. They're organized groups with power."
"I'm not a kid anymore! I can do this, I've taken down the Goblin, Doc Oc, Rhino, I can do this," Peter insisted.
"Tony," Clint started. "We should give him a chance."
"We should-we should NOT let him. Are you crazy? We are not going to let him fight HYDRA or WEAPON X you've seen what they did to Deadpool."
"I'm not saying he should go alone," Clint rolled his eyes.
"Wait what do you mean what they did to Deadpool," Peter asked.
"That's how they got his powers and he's fu-freaking face."
"They did that to him," Peter asked quietly suddenly understanding things a lot more clearly.
"That's why you're going to be a good boy and stay here. Where it's safe."
"I agree with Clint," Bruce put in. "Peter's powers have stabilized since he was a teenager and he's seen his fair share of battles."
Tony looked to Steve. Who looked to Peter before shrugging. He then turned to Natasha who picked her nails with a blade, "I'm staying out of this."
"If we do it as a team then I don't see why not," Steve finally answered.
"Capsical," Tony gasped.
"What did I say about calling me that."
"Fine," Tony said throwing his hands up. "We'll let SHEILD look them up then we'll take them down as a team."
"But Deadpool already has leads he was the one who told me who it was," Peter defended.
"We are not working with Deadpool," the billionaire said immediately. "It'd be a mess publicly, politically, and the man isn't easy to work with either."
"Like I said I already work with him. If he comes in with me to talk to SHEILD will you at least listen to what he has to say?"
"Deadpool? In my tower?"
"Tony," Bruce sighed.
"Maybe he is a changed man," Clint said. "We haven't heard of him doing any of his usual work in months." Peter gave him a careful look unsure if he should be grateful or nervous. Was Clint genuinely trying to help or did he have his own plans after seeing them at Peter's school?
"Not you too," Tony gaped.
"I'm just saying, maybe he isn't as morally compromised as we thought."
"He's been doing good," Peter promised. They all looked to Peter, then to each other. The youngest waited for them to respond.
"If you can bring him in for a civil conversation," Steve detailed raising a hand to Tony before he could speak. "Then it's only fair that we listen. He's been targeted as well. We should hear him out."
"I'll bring him in as soon," Peter nodded rushing to his room.
"Peter," Steve stopped him. When he turned the captain gave a stern look. "Be careful." Peter nodded and went to his room. The change into his suit was a familiar routine that had him giddy to get out on the town.
"See you guys in a bit," he called as he ran past the main room to the balcony. He leapt over the railing with a cheer, catching him before he hit the floor sending him soaring over the city streets. All the stress he had felt lately was swept away as he made his way across the city towards Wade's apartment. After what happened earlier he was both nervous and excited to meet with the merc.
It took a while to find him. He wasn't in any of the usual meet ups or near his house. He was one the outskirts of the city, just close enough for Peter to comfortably use his webs. "Deadpool," he shouted finding the man perched on a roof.
"Now's not a good time-"
"We need to talk," Peter said before he could finish.
"Okay but we need to get out of here." The merc got up and put a hand on the other's elbow guiding him away.
"Why? What's going on?"
"We just gotta go," he picked up the pace. "Wanna use those web shooters? Head that way?"
"Deadpool what's happening?"
"It's a long story-" he was cut off with an explosion. Both of them stumbling forward, Peter yelping in surprise. The building across from them began to crumble. The hero turned to glare at Deadpool throwing his hands in the air.
"What the hell?!"
"I can explain," Deadpool said raising his hands.
"What happened to you being a better man? The no killing rule! You said you wanted to do better!"
"Let me explain-" he repeated lower his shoulders as if defeated.
"Have you been doing this the whole time? Have you even changed?"
They stood staring at each other as the rest of the building fell. "I tried," Wade said quietly. "I was doing good. I was...I didn't kill anyone. I wasn't taking any shady jobs."
"What changed?"
"I did Spidey. I...look those guys who attacked us last time, they're bad people. I can't let them take you or any of the other guys. I'm trying to do good."
"Killing people isn't the way-"
"Letting them live isn't either. These people are everywhere. We can't...all be you. And why, why are you getting all up tight about this the avengers kill people all the time. Enemy and collateral. That's how it is isn't it? You kill the bad enough guys when it's necessary?"
"No, you turn them into the police. Or SHEILD. Because dead people can't tell you what the hell they're after. But that's not the point Deadpool! I believed in you! I defended you to the Avengers!"
"Well that was your mistake wasn't it."
Peter stepped back. A cold feeling going up his back. He no longer felt like he was talking to a friend but a stranger. "Y-you aren't going to stop."
"Not until their all dead," the taller man said walking to the fire escape.
"I can't let you kill them. Deadpool I can't let you walk away."
"Don't fight me Spiderman."
Peter felt the wind knock out of him again. Spiderman? Was that how it was? Peter glared at the other man as he began climbing down the fire escape. "If that's how it's gotta be," the hero muttered leaping at him.