Panic
Wade constantly checked his phone for any messages on edge. He was currently seated just far enough from the usual seat he and Peter had lunch at. After the nightmare he had to make sure the student was okay. The amount of unease in his system was dangerous that much he knew. He was taking up any small job he could but there was nothing that seemed to satisfy the itch. There weren't any new leads on the Weapon X case. He had only got so much information from the last base. It was one of Hydra's. The boss knew as much as the last.
So he kept searching for anything on Weapon X's involvement. He was hoping the explosions would call them out to attack but it seemed that only made them scurry. Wade guessed that meant they weren't as strong he initially thought. Weapon X wasn't the kind to run, they were fighters. Literally. They created fighters, soldiers. They used to throw them at Wade like petty change. And now? They were no where in sights. Wade didn't know if he should be worried or eased. He decided to forgo both of them, keeping a knife tucked under his pillow. Walking around the city in spastic routes that no one could follow. He was paranoid.
And that's why he was leaned against the wall glancing at the bench from beneath his hood. He was paranoid for Peter. For the Avengers. He wasn't slept since that nightmare. He doubted he would until they case was closed. He glanced over at the bench still not finding the student. Anxiety crushed at his chest until he couldn't take it. He usually got there around this time. Now he was empty handed, feeling guilty, wondering if Peter had a chance to eat. And where the hell was he?
Wade stepped closer, checking the area to see if he was sitting somewhere else. Peter was no where to be seen and the longer Wade went without seeing him the more he panicked. Had they grabbed him? Did Weapon X take him? His breath grew faster and shallow by the second. He was pushing through the crowd now searching each face for the one he sought. He just needed to see him.
People cursed as he jogged up the steps to the benches. The people there stared at him as he whirled around, looking to the entrances of each building wishing he'd show up. But as time went on and people parted for him as he rushed through he only panicked more and more. Each breath scraping against his throat. His lungs fighting to work at a steady pace. His stomach curling in on itself. His palms sweating, shaking. He knew this feeling. One he was used to having without the mask on.
He was used to it. He could just pull his mask down and it would fade but his mask was already on and the feeling was only getting worse. He was having a panic attack. He sucked in a sharp breath turning on his heel. If he could he would have been shouting out Peter's name. Where was he?
"Wade?"
Like being brought up from underwater Wade took in a deep breath. He turned to his left where the soft voice spoke. Relief flooded the mercenary almost sending him to his knees. The college student gripped his elbow holding the taller man steady. "Whoa, Wade? Hey, deep breaths man," he was lead to a nearby bench where they sat. Wade's shaking hands held in stable ones. "Do you need a bag? Can you lift up the mask? Just to your mouth."
But Wade couldn't speak. The tingles of panic still in his limbs, his brain trying to comprehend what was happening. "Can I...Is it okay if I lift it up? Just so you can breath?" Wade wasn't sure if he nodded or shook his head, either way smooth hands found their way to the hem of his mask. Wade's hands clamped around his wrists stopping him from lifting it. "Just a little bit Wade. You're suffocating under there." He stared into those doe eyes, slowly letting the wrists go.
The first mouthful of muggy New York worked at bringing him back to the present. Peter smiled softly at him, coaching him through a few more deep breaths before Wade managed on his own. "Oh thank fuck."
Peter raised a brow with an amused scoff. "Hello to you too?"
"Pete. Petey pie, Petey Pete, jesus fuck! Peter! You scared the shit out of me," as Wade spoke if jogged him mind back into place.
"Um, sorry?"
Wade groaned about to shove his face into his hands when he notice Peter still held onto his. He didn't want to let go. "Where were you? I thought you were kidnapped! I-I was so worried..."
"I was at the cafe on 3rd," the student said with a guilty smile. "I don't really come over it's kinda...yeah it feels weird to sit here without you. I didn't think you'd be back so soon. Did you find those guys?"
"No, I," Wade suddenly remembered why he was standing so far away. He snatched his hands back putting space between them. "It's stupid I just...I had to see you. I thought-I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize," Peter said tilting his head to look at Deadpool under the hood. "You were pretty shooken up. Is everything okay?"
Wade shook his head, "I just wanted to check on you but you weren't here so I guess I just panicked." His voice shrinking as he went on. He felt worse saying it out loud.
"Well, I'm here. And okay. Kind of, midterms are coming up so I've been cramming," Peter's voice was soft and helped ground Wade. The change of topic easing him, he was glad the student didn't react to the way he pulled himself back.
"Did you eat?"
"I had a donuts at the cafe," he scratched at the small stubble on his jaw. "Did you?"
"Yes? I think I did," now that he thought about it Wade didn't remember doing anything besides obsessive cleaning. "Maybe."
"Want to get something to eat?"
Wade gasped, "are you trying to skip class?"
"It's not like I can't come back. Unless we're gone for two hours? Plus, I could use a break."
"I can't distract you from your education."
Peter stood, turning to the merc with pleading eyes. "Wade, please. Please distract me. If I have to sit through another lecture today my brain WILL start melting."
"When you put it that way," the taller muttered standing too. They agreed on a deli just a couple blocks from the campus. Peter typed away on his phone on the way there and Wade tried to keep his mind back from spiraling into panic. This was dangerous. He knew that. He had said it a thousand times by now. But when those chocolate brown eyes found his all logic was out the window. They sat in a secluded area where Wade could hide from people. Peter got them both subs, Wade said to put everything on it.
When they got to eating Peter picked up the conversation. "Can I asked what happened that made you check up on me?"
Wade stopped, mouthful of sandwich. He chewed slowly, contimplating his answer. "It's stupid."
"Seemed imporportant enough to worry you."
Wade picked at a scab on his cheek realized the mask was up. Had it been the whole time? "It was just a bad dream. Seemed a little too real."
Peter nodded not pressing the issue any further. Wade asked him about his mid terms making the student groan and roll his eyes. He went on about his biochemistry project and how his partners where useless so he'd basically do it alone. He wasn't worried about the math test but he sweated over the mechanic project that needed to be turned in by the end of the week. Wade kept encouraging him, asking him about each project, basically trying to stay engaged while listening to Peter talk. He felt at better listening to his voice.
"How's you're work going?"
Wade grimced, "went cold. I can't find any leads and I don't know if that's good or bad."
"Why would that be good?"
Wade sighed, "it could be good because that means they aren't as big of a threat. It could be bad because they could just be planning. I mean they're always planning but..."
Peter hummed taking a drink of his water. "I'm sure you'll figure it out. Don't forget to take care of yourself. If you want to beat these guys you have to be in the best shape right?"
"Right," Wade mumbled staring at him as he wrapped up the rest of his sub. "Look I know I said we couldn't have lunch again-"
"Why don't we meet up again? Somewhere under the radar? We could see each other outside of these lunches," Peter smirked.
"I don't know if that's a good idea. I wasn't even supposed to be here today."
"I get it," Peter said quietly and Wade felt both relieve and let down. It's not like he didn't want to see Peter but that nightmare still flashed behind his eyes. "Then why don't we trade numbers?" Wade's head snapped up to gape at him. "It's kind of unfair that you show up and become my friend just to ditch me. Yes, Wade, I consider you my friend." Peter spoke quickly when the merc opened his mouth to protest. He snapped it shut when Peter made it clear. "Ready," he asked taking his phone out of his pocket.
Wade fumbled to take his phone out of his pocket. He punched in the numbers Peter listed before giving his own. Wade got a text just a second later, 'Nice hoodie' with a spider emoji. Wade glanced down at his Spiderman hoodie realizing what he wore. How did he even get out of the house this morning?
He smirked replying, 'Nice face' with a plethora of emojis. He watched Peter blush, chuckling before typing in the name as Petey Pie with a few more of the tiny pictures. "Let me know when you finish your case," Peter asked sliding his messenger bag onto his shoulder.
"Yeah," Wade said still a bit dazed. "I'll take you out to lunch to celebrate." Peter stood, stopping by Wade to lift up a pinky. The merc locked his with Peter's. The smaller man chuckled giving it a shake. "Promise."
"Cool, can't wait. Take care Wade."
"You too Peter."