Chapter 33
Wade's heart had stopped once on the way there. Peter had noticed by the way the breath on his neck stopped. It sent him into a panic. Steve and Bucky had to hold him back as the EMT used a portable defibrillator.
Wade woke with a start, coughing and groaning. Peter had fallen back against the two in relief. They went from restraining him to holding him up.
Wade stared at Peter where he stood. Shaking, covered in tears and sweat with his arms restrained. It was like he was staring at a stranger. Eventually he was able to hold out his arms. Peter fell into them with a sob. Clutching onto him as if he could stop him from dying again.
"Okay," Wade croaked stroking his hair. "I'll go. You and Banner can nerd out all you want."
"Thank you," Peter mumbled into his shoulder. When they landed he picked up the Merc easily. Wade swooned. It got the hero to chuckle which was all he wanted at the moment.
It was a mostly empty dock. The same one they left from. Steve and Bucky rode had a motorcycle waiting. Sam had an old mustang and Clint said he'd find a ride. "I'll drop you off," Sam offered.
"Just follow us," Steve said taking a helmet from the seat. Bucky already had his on, revving up the bike as soon as he got on.
Peter sat with Wade in the back. The other man was given more medication so he was in and out of consciousness. Peter kept checking his pulse just in case.
They followed Steve and Bucky to Brooklyn. Peter wasn't surprised they had set up here. It was their home town after all. He eyed the two in front of them. Steve sat back, hands placed modestly at Buck's sides. They weren't the physical type.
Where Peter and Wade would hardly let go of each other Steve and Bucky always had a space between them. At first Peter wondered why. But at times he found them looking over their shoulder, scanning the room before they so much as held hands. They were paranoid about being physical. It was most likely due to the fact they they would have been arrested in their time.
Peter was mad about it at first. They had no reason to be scared. This was a different era and even though there were still bitter people they had more freedom them before. But he caught moments of them staring. It was like they said and felt everything they needed to with a look. And that satisfied them. They were happy. And that's all Peter wanted.
"I ship it," Wade muttered staring out the windshield. "They have matching helmet how fucking cute is that."
Peter snorted noticing it too. Steve's was navy blue and Bucky' s was black. Each of them had red stars on each side.
"I gave them to 'em last Christmas," Sam chuckled.
Peter held out a hand and Sam gave him a high five. They ended up at Steve's apartment first. Bruce wasn't home at the moment. Steve was all manners and hospitality. He offered food and water, placed them on the coffee table despite them declining, and pushed a pile of papers and gun parts out of the way for them to sit.
They're home was exactly what Peter had expected. They didn't have many decorations. It was mostly picture, some of them framed. There were two leather couches and an old TV pressed to one wall. The coffee table was fake oak, chipping at the edges. It was full of loose sketch paper, work documents, and Buckys supplies.
The kitchen was just as empty. The only things being a few dishes and all appliances. From what Peter could tell it was a one bedroom one bath. There was a small balcony with a slightly withered plant. It was what he expected of military men.
"Bruce is on his way back from the tower. I asked him not to say anything to Tony."
"Thanks," Peter sighed glancing at Wade who fell asleep against the arm of the couch. He watched the raise and fall of his chest for a moment.
"Do you think you can make an antidote," Bucky asked from his spot near the window.
"I have to," he replied with a grin expression.
"You and Bruce created it. I know you guys can fix it," Sam offered. Peter nodded nimbly still looking at the Merc. His face was pinched like he was hurting. He wondered if Bruce could bring some kind of pain medication with him.
"Peter."
The youngest looked up at Steve who placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know this is a lot to take in. Just remember to stay focused okay? Everything will work out in the end."
He wanted to believe it. Everyone kept telling him it would be okay. But all his life he felt the moment he got comfortable something horrible happened. There was a knock at the door. It startled Wade awake and Bucky stood straight. Steve waved a hand at him that seemed to ease his stance.
"Was goin on," Wade grumbled.
Sure enough Bruce Banner walked in. He had an angry look on his face. He gave everyone in the room a glare. "Two days! Two days without a word! Tony has been on my back all 48 hours. I can only handle him for so long!"
"Sorry Bruce, official business." Steve pat his shoulder in apology.
"Official? Like SHIELD stuff? Why weren't we told anything?" His shoulders dropped as he now looked around for answers.
"It was about the syrum we made," Peter said standing. "The no healing syrum."
"You guys found a lead and didn't say anything?"
"We were asked to keep it quiet," Steve elaborated. "Sorry for closing you out but we need your help."
"Look, I get that the Green Guy is a fan favorite but I can't-"
"Not him. We need your help Bruce," Peter cut in. "I need to make an antidote for the syrum."
Bruce looked around the room again. "An antidote?"
Peter glanced at Wade, in fact everyone did. He was awkwardly leaned against the couch looking pale and weak. He gave a lazy wave when he noticed people staring. "Is he..." Bruce looked to Peter wide eyed.
"His cancer is spreading and he isn't healing."
Bruce looked to him in distress, "It was the syrum?" Peter swallowed thickly clenching his hands into the pants of his suit. "I'm so sorry," he began to tell Bruce.
"Don't. I already did this bit with Peter. I don't have the energy to do this with you too." Wade sat himself up on the couch.
"We have to get to the tower-"
"Tony can't know," Peter cut in.
"But he has everything we need. He has all the equipment-"
"If he's involved I'm out," Wade said simply. They both looked to him. Peter never got to ask why he hated Tony so much but now wasn't the time for it.
"Do you have a place we can go," Peter asked hopefully.
"I don't have supplies," Bruce said shaking his head.
"I might know someone who does," Steve cut in. "You have to want this Wade. He isn't the kind of person to do favors."
Wade looked to Peter. He sat beside him taking Wade's hand. "Yeah. I want to try."
Steve nodded leaving the room. Bucky pushed off the wall with a grunt. "Let's hope he's in a giving mood."
"Who," Bruce asked
Bucky gave him a tired smirk. "The king of Wakanda."
-*-
They had ended up at Peter's loft seeing as Wade's apartment was far from sterile. As soon as Peter had him situated on the couch he was cleaning. Steve had said T'Challa would send help. He could come by to greet them formally but his sister would be the one to assist. He claimed she would be more help to them anyways.
Bruce had gone back to the tower to collect anything he could with raising suspicion from Tony. Steve and Bucky said they'd be by after debriefing Fury. That left Peter and Wade alone for the next couple of hours.
"Pete," Wade laughed looking up at him. "You're stress cleaning." Peter was on the ceiling, scrubbing furiously.
"Of course I am. A freaking princess is coming to my house. I don't have a laundry basket for my dirty clothes. There's month old pizza in the fridge!" Now that he remembered he dashed to the refrigerator to toss it out. "I missed laundry day three weeks in a row!"
Wade laughed again getting up from the couch. Peter was there in an instant to help him stand. "It looks find Petey. Everything smells lemony fresh. I'm sure she won't mind."
"I mind."
Wade chuckled kissing the top of his head. "Help me to the shower yeah?" Peter carried most of his weight as they went to the bathroom. He started up the shower glad that the water was still running and warm. "Pete can you help me," Wade grunted reaching for the back of his suit.
Peter helped him unzip the back. They both carefully peeled it off. By the time he was naked the water was warm enough to use. Wade stepped in with a sigh of relief. Peter never thought he'd be so grateful for the shitty water pressure.
Brown eyes met his. He wasn't aware he was just standing there staring at Wade. He blushed averting his eyes. He couldn't help it. Wade had always looked to memorizing to him.
"Want to join me?"
"Are you sure," Peter asked timidly. Wade grinned, "Baby boy I will utilize any excuse to get you naked." Peter laughed as he stripped down. Wade hummed gripping onto his waist and bringing him flush against his chest. "Wade," Peter scolded half heartedly.
Wade rested his head onto Peter shoulder with a sigh. "You always feel so good Petey." The smaller man's face went warm as he ghosted his finger over his back. "If I wasn't in so much pain. I'd fuck you against the wall." Peter chuckled kissing his collar bone lightly.
"Once your better we can start on your kink list."
Wade gasp, "all the kink?"
"Yes. Except that one with the...you know which one I'm talking about."
Wade laughed hugging him even closer. Peter melted against him. He'd never been so comfortable pressed naked against someone. All his usual insecurities worm away with the feeling of Wade's textured skin on his. "I love you."
Wade kissed his shoulder, leading a trail up to his ear. "I love you too Webs." The shower only lasted so long. Warm water only stayed on for so long in this building. They fumbled out together, still trying not to let go of each other. Peter used his softest towel to dry Wade off as the Merc traced every inch of skin of Peter's he could reach.
"Do we have to get dressed," he pouted.
"Yes, I'd rather not be naked when I meet the princess of Wakanda," Peter grinned wrapping the towel around Wade's neck. He pulled the taller man down for a kiss.
Wade groaned but pulled on his comfy clothes. They were cotton, soft, and thin. They hung off of him in a way that made him seem small. Peter had made food, it was just soup from a can. He was trying to get Wade to eat but it seemed everything he tried made him sick.
Peter set up a playlist of all Wade's favorite movies on his laptop. They watched as they waited. Wade's head in Peter's lap. They made commentary for each film, Peter stroking his skin gently until there was a knock at the door.
Wade whined in protest when Peter got up. Giving his ass a swat as he went. Peter laughed and tossed a pillow his way. He had to undo at least a dozen locks before opening the door. Standing on the other side was a woman looking a out Peter's age. A mass of hair braided and twisted onto her head. She wore clothes Peter would have seen on any other New York kid.
He was expecting something more expensive and traditional like the guard beside her. She wore orange armor with silver plating. A sour look on her face. "Peter Parker," the younger woman asked.
"Yeah, yes, um Princess Shuri?"
"Just Shuri," she said with a friendly smile. Peter stepped aside letting them in. "This is my sister in law Nakia."
"Not your sister in law," Nakia glared, her face tinting pink.
"Yet," Shuri teased. She set down a duffle bag as she scanned the room.
"Sorry it's a mess," Peter mutter gripping the back of his neck. He and Wade had set up a makeshift bed on the couch. There was a mess of unfinished food on the coffee table.
"This is nothing compared to Shuri's room."
"Ah, I am a genius at work. I don't have time to clean." She turned up her nose in a joking manner making Nakia roll her eyes. They both turned to Wade when he began coughing. Peter was at his side in a second. Handing him a glass of water.
"This is Wade," he introduced. The Merc waved as he drank from the glass.
"He is why we're here?" Shuri looked over him with a frown.
"You look to far gone to be saved," Nakia said bluntly.
Wade laughed giving Peter a smug grin, "told ya."
Peter glared at him before turning to the others. "Please, if you could help us make an antidote for the syrum then he can do the rest."
"Syrum?"
"Yeah, did anyone tell you about it?"
She gave a guilty shrug. "She heard about taking a trip to New York and went without question," Nakia elaborated.
"I know people needed our help. That's what's important."
Peter pursed his lips, glancing at Wade before explaining. They gave him exasperated looks by the end. "Why would you create something so dangerous in the first place," she demanded
"Can you help or not," Wade cut in.
"Wade," Peter hissed.
"Of course we can," she said going to her bag. "I am not an expert in biochemistry but I have about anything you need to work." She pulled out some kind of device that displayed a hologram. "Give me an hour and a list of things you need."
"Thank you," the hero sighed in relief listing off the equipment they'd need. There was another knock at the door just a few minutes later. It was Bruce. He introduced himself in the same nervous manner Peter did.
They had set up at the coffee table using their laptops to come up with equations for now. Most of what they had was just theory. They started to combine any detox they could think of. None of it was usable. And they had now way of testing it. At least Bruce believed they didn't. Peter had offered to try it himself.
"Peter I don't want you to," Bruce turned to him with a hard glare. "After you were taken by Weapon X... I still have those nightmares. Everyone at the tower does. It was horrible not knowing where you were. And it was worse when you came back. Peter you scared us. I don't want to see you like that again."
As promised Shuri had most of what they needed in an hour. Bruce had brought most of the solvents. Shuri was actually really good at biochemistry despite what she said. She ended up helping them both through several equations. Though most of them came up to be u sless.
"This is not what I expected," Bruce grumbled staring at the swirling red and black mixture in the breaker. It was beginning to boil even after being off the flame.
Shuri gave a frustrated groan flipping through pages of Peter's biochem book. Peter himself had already started on another mixture. They had been trying non stop since Bruce arrived. The sun was beginning to rise .
"I can't think anymore I need a break," Bruce announced.
"Same," Shuri closed the book turning to Nakia who had somehow managed to stay awake. "We have a place nearby. Call this number if something comes up." She gave him a card with nothing more then a number.
Peter gave a thanks moving to the floor so Bruce could sleep on the couch. He continued working alone. Blowing through five more equations. "Petey I know you didn't stay up all night."
Peter looked up at Wade who was still wrapped up in blankets. He was in the doorway with a frown. "I took a break," he lied going back to work.
"No you didn't." Peter didn't reply. "Come take a nap with me." He still didn't say anything. "Pete. Petey. Peter. Petster. I'm not going to stop until you join me, Petey pie." Wade continues to call out names as he went to bed.
"Peter please shut your boyfriend up," Bruce groaned.
Peter sighed getting up. "Love of my life! Man of my dreams," Wade yelled at the ceiling. Peter could help the tired chuckled as he climbed into bed. "There he is," Wade cheers wrapping blankets around them both. "Mmm Baby boy."
"You're so loud," Peter grumbled smashing his face into Wade's chest.
"Always," the Merc laughed.
"Ten minutes," Peter mumbled.
"I'm not letting you go for the next eight hours." And he didn't.