𝐄𝐊𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐀
𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐑-𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐗 𝐌𝐔𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓!𝐅𝐄𝐌𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑
MINOR SPOILERS FOR BRAND NEW DAY
SUMMARY - Spider-man needs Ex-Avenger!Reader’s help in investigating..
CONTENTS - taking care of each other, soft , humor and… unspoken thing? Mentioned a situationship?
WORD COUNT - 3.1k
AUTHOR’S NOTE - I actually had some of this written before BND so I just kept writing and added some tweaks. I don’t know what this is. Also I am not a professional writer at all so expect that going into this.
𝐓𝐔 𝐙𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐑𝐈 the continuation
✦. ── 🕸️ྀི 𓏲ּ𝄢 💋ྀིྀི ── .✦ ✦. ── 🕸️ྀི 𓏲ּ𝄢 💋ྀིྀི ── .✦ ✦. ── 🕸️ྀི 𓏲ּ𝄢 💋ྀིྀི ── .✦
You sat cross-legged on your pink rug, your back resting against the painted cedar chest at the foot of your bed. Books lay scattered around your open notebook, and you absentmindedly gnawed at the end of your pen as you reread the same sentence.
The windows beside you were wide open, the sheer curtains blowing gently with the night breeze. You’d long since tuned out the city’s noise. People always imagined New York as something glamorous, but after living there long enough, it became nothing more than blaring horns, distant arguments, sirens and the constant rumble of construction repairing whatever had been destroyed that week.
The main light stayed off, leaving your bedside lamp to cast a warm amber glow across the room. A few candles flickered nearby, making the pages of your notebook dance with shifting shadows.
You stopped reading when your mind became aware of another.
You side-glanced towards the open window.
“You know I can sense you, right?” you called out looking back at your notebook.
Silence.
You pulled the pen from between your lips and when you looked up again, there he was.
Spider-Man stood awkwardly in your window, still dressed head to toe in the familiar red-and-blue spandex. Lately, it felt like that was all he’d ever worn.
One hand rested against the frame while the other was propped in his hip.
He was forcing himself to act casual like he hadn’t just been outside your window for five minutes. Like he hadn’t been admiring you trying to focus on whatever you were reading. Your hair over your shoulders, the pen between your lips that you kept biting down on and apart of him wished it was him-
“I was gonna knock,” he blurted, louder than intended.
“But you didn’t.”
“You… didn’t exactly give me the chance.”
“At my window?”, Your tone was dry but held teasing.
He had never been more grateful to be wearing the mask. He was certain his face was as pink as the night-gown you were wearing.
“…It was open?” He looked back at the window and back to you.
A smile tugged at your lips.
“Hey, last time I tried your front door,” he continued, pointing an accusing finger, “that cat declared war on me.”
“He’s harmless.”
“‘Harmless’-“ He used his fingers to make quotation marks “-doesn’t usually involve attempted murder.”
“You showed up dressed as Spider-Man.” Because it’s not like the cat knew who he was.
“I was working.”
“You scared him.”
He scoffed in disbelief “He scared me.”
“He-“ You emphasized, “-doesn’t like spiders.”
He paused to say something but then muttered under his breath. “Well I don’t like cats but you don’t see me biting him.”
A giggle escaped you. He was ridiculously easy to wind him up.
Peter let out a defeated groan before stepping inside, carefully closing the window so that it wouldn’t slam in the breeze. He wandered over with the sort of tired shuffle that suggested he’d been on his feet for far too long before letting himself drop onto the rug opposite you, crossing his legs to mirror your own.
His mask tilted towards the candles.
“…Are we summoning something?”
You blinked.
“What?”
He gestured vaguely around the room.
“The candles… the circle of books…” He looked between you and your notebook. “I’m just saying, if a ghost appears, I’m leaving. I can’t deal with that today.”
You snorted with a laughter knowing he was half-serious.
“No, you idiot.” With a lift of your finger, the study books closed showing him the front covers. “I’m studying.”
“Oh.”
“You know… like normal people our age.”
He looked down at himself.
“I am currently sitting on your bedroom floor as Spider-Man.”
Touché.
“And you’ve got…” He motioned around the room again.
Then looked back up at you in your frilly gown, one sleeve hanging off your shoulder.
You raised your brow slightly with smile of amusement.
“I’ve got…?”
“…Super cool witchy powers?” He tilted his head which made you believe he was hiding that cheesy grin under there.
You shook your head with a small smile, “By New York’s standards, I’d say we’re probably the normal ones.”
Spider-man considered it for a second before sighing,“…That’s actually a little concerning.”
“It really is.”
He noticed you smiled a lot more with him. Maybe because you were laughing at him but he liked to think he was just hilarious. The way your eyes would twinkle or the way you’d laugh suddenly and place your hand over your mouth to downplay it. It warmed his heart every-time. Every-time he’d decide to keep a distance with you. He didn’t know whether it was a coincidence or a test for him.
You reached over, stacking a few textbooks together.
He picked one up.
“‘Introduction to Quantum Mechanics?’”
“Mhm.”
He opened it, pretending to read.
“I know… some of this.”
“Do you?”
“No.”
“I was gonna say.”
“I recognized ‘quantum’ and ‘mechanics’.”
“Well done, you’ve learnt it all now.” Your words dripped in sarcasm.
He half shrugged, “Well I understand you and that’s a reward in itself.”
You smiled, watching him carefully place the book back where he’d picked it up from.
“Besides, what do you need these for?” He asked, turning his attention back to you.
“Trying to learn abit about myself and what I can actually do or try to do.”
“That’s good. For you.”
He nodded slightly and managed to get his fingers on the hem of your dress. He took the lace frill between his gloved fingers and started playing with it like a child.
You looked at him with amusement.
“Speaking off, I had lunch with Kamala yesterday.” You suddenly remembered.
“Oh?” He said, now not really listening.
“At Dal’s.”
“…Delmar’s.” Or maybe he was.
You frowned, “I knew that.”
“You absolutely didn’t.” His tone was flat.
“I was close.”
“You were alphabetically close.”
You gave him a puzzled look.
“How did you even know that?”
He shrugged, “It’s on my patrol route.” Now tugging at the lace.
“So you’ve just happened to see me there?”
“…Maybe.”
You gave him a look,“Peter.”
He snapped his head up, “What?” His voice went high again.
He cleared his throat,“I’ve… happened to see you there a couple of times.” He said casually.
“A couple?” You questioned, believing it to be more than that.
“…Three.”
“You counted?”
“I didn’t count.”
“Right, you just remembered.” You lightly mocked him.
“I did!”
A smile tugged at your lips,“That’s oddly sweet.”
“Really?” He asked, almost hopeful.
Then you shrug, “Or a little creepy.”
He slouched down,“I was hoping that wouldn’t be it.”
You smiled playfully and nudged his knee with yours.
“Kamala’s been asking about you.”
“Oh no.”
“‘Oh no?’” You brows furrowed and you whacked his hand away.
“Ow-“ He pulled his hand to his chest.
You gasped, “You don’t like her?”
“No-no, I do-I do.”
“That doesn’t sound convincing.”
“It’s not that.” A quiet laugh escaped him. “Last time we talked she asked me, like… seventeen questions.”
“Seventeen?”
“I counted those.”
“Why do you keep counting everything?”
He ignored you, “And in the space of like 5 minutes.”
You extended your legs beside him, “What about?”
“‘Why are there so many rules in time-travel?’ ‘Do the Avengers know fanfiction about them exists?’ ‘And why am I not in the New Avengers?’ ‘Why didn’t Thanos just double the resources in the universe?’” He threw his hands up exasperated.
You grinned.
“Well?”
“I don’t know!” He threw his hands up animatedly.
“You were there.” You pointed
“So were you!” He nudged your finger and pointed back.
You drop the pen and cracked your knuckles, “Yeah I was a little busy trying not to y’know, die.”
“But I’ll tell her you’ll swing by if I see her.”
His hands lifted immediately, “Woah, don’t promise anything.”
“I didn’t.” You already did.
“You implied.”
“I suggested.”
He let out a dramatic sigh and propped his chin on fist.
You smiled fondly, watching him. You always did around him. A part of you wanted to peel the mask off him. But you knew this was ‘Spider-Man’. And technically on duty. Which means he was here for something.
“So,” you said, “you’re either avoiding patrol…”
“I’m not.”
“…or you need something.”
He let out a feigned insulted gasp, “I don’t always need something.”
“You climbed through my bedroom window.”
“I was in the neighborhood.”
“You live twenty blocks away.”
“Can I not just say hello?”
His voice turned smug and his fingers found your ankles, almost caressing it, “You know they do call me the friendly-“
You pulled your ankle back, “Don’t. Finish that.” You shook your head.
He sighed like a child who was just told no, “…Okay.”
“I need your help.” He piped up again.
I knew it.
Your gaze softened, “You know you can just ask.”
“I know.”
He rubbed the back of his neck again.
“I just… don’t want to drag you into things.” His tone shifted heavier and you could tell he was avoiding your gaze.
You extended your hand and placed it on his knee in assurance, “You’re not ‘dragging’ me to anything. It’s my choice.”
He then looked at you and down at your hand. For a moment, he just let himself embrace it.
He tilted his head up, “Have you ever heard of something called V-Max?”
Your eyebrows pinched together.
“Drugs?” You suggested.
“Not drugs.”
He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees, “I keep hearing the name.”
“From who?”
“Different people.”
“Different how?”
“You know the attacks that have been happening recently?” He asked.
You nodded, “The thing jumping into different bodies?”
“Exactly that. Whoever is behind all this is looking for V-max”
You straightened up, “But nobody actually knows what it is?”
“Nope.” He shook his head.
“So you’ve looked into it?”
“I’ve looked everywhere.”
“Police records?” You questioned.
“Nothing.”
“Online?”
“Nothing.” He shook his head again.
A quiet huff escaped beneath his mask.
“But I did speak to Bill Metzger.”
You quickly recalled where you remembered that name, “The head of Damage Control?”
“Yep.”
“What’d he say?”
“That he’d never heard of it.” He said back almost immediately.
You frowned, picking up on the doubt in his tone,“You don’t believe him.”
Peter was quiet for a beat.
“…I don’t know.”
“I asked Yelena. She didn’t know either.”
“You asked Yelena before me?” You tilted your head slightly.
He paused and you’re certain his white lens widened.
“…No?”
“That’s not the point-“ he waved his hand, “I don’t have any proof.”
“So why ask me?”
“Because…” He shrugged. “I don’t know what I’m chasing.”
You thought about his words momentarily.
“You think Damage Control knows more than they’re saying.”
“I think…” He paused. “I think Metzger knows… something.” The frustration evident in his tone.
“But?”
“But the last thing I need is to start accusing the people who are supposed to be helping this city.”
You nodded slowly, “I get it.”
He let out a quiet breath, “I just… I can’t shake the feeling.”
“And if maybe that thing is a telepath then you could possible track it down - better than anyone else here?” He said quieter, like he didn’t really want to ask.
“You got a face or name?” You ask but you already knew what the answer would be.
“Not yet.”
You clasp your hands together, “If I start trying to go through the minds of everyone in New York, it’ll give me an aneurism.” You said straight and honest.
“I-I know, and I’m not asking that. I’ve seen what can happen when you do that. I just- If I find anything, could you possibly maybe try - when I narrow it down?”
You looked at him for a few moments and for a second you weren’t looking at the mask, you were looking at the eyes behind the lens.
“Yes, I’ll try.” You agreed on a softer tone.
Your hand leaves him and you pick up the pen again, tapping against your notebook.
“Well, I haven’t heard anything about V-Max.”
Spider-man sighed, knowing he wasn’t getting anywhere with this.
“But…”
His head lifted.
“I have heard some things. Not anything specific.”
“But?” He gestured to go on, more intrigued.
Anything would be better than nothing right now.
“I don’t know…” You frowned. “Call it a gut feeling.”
“Telepathy?”
“Gut feeling.”
“The powers?”
“Peter” You said flat.
“Sorry-sorry. It’s just-they’ve done a lot of good, y’know. They clean up after attacks and they keep dangerous tech out of the wrong hands.”
You understand where he’s coming from. Spider-man was working alongside the city right now and he’s already had the world turn against him before.
“I’m not saying they’re the bad guys but you have to remember the way the people believe , the others don’t always.” You advised him.
You gestured between the two of you, “They trust heroes until heroes start asking questions and I mean we’ve seen that first-hand.”
Peter didn’t interrupt.
“Sometimes I feel their fear and doubt.” You paused looking down at your hands.
“That doesn’t stop just because they’ve decided to work with us. Not for us, for themselves.”
Spider-man was quiet but he didn’t look away from you. He knew you had your own fears, mostly about yourself. About not knowing. And he was going through the same thing, not that he’d share it.
“If I were you,” you said quietly, “I’d keep looking into V-Max.”
You looked back up at him and he nodded once.
“But I’d keep an eye on Damage Control too.”
“You really think so?”
You gave a small shrug, “I just think it’s better to be safe than sorry. Hope can turn into fear very quickly, Pete.”
He let out a low exhale and was about to speak up.
Peter suddenly winced, groaning. His hand flew up to the side of his head.
You practically lunged over to him, “Peter?”
“I’m fine.” He said through gritted teeth.
“You’re not fine.” You said concerned, your hands holding him by his shoulders.
“I thought you weren’t getting them anymore.” You said quieter, examining him as he avoided looking at you.
“They’re… mostly gone.”
“Mostly?” You lowered your head.
He looked away.
“Once or twice.”
“They’re manageable.”
You knew that tone. And you knew it meant it definitely was not manageable.
You used one hand to turn his chin so he’d look at you, “Let me help.”
“It’s okay.” He raised his hands to stop you.
“It’ll take a minute.” You pushed, trying to get him to let you help.
“I-I’m fine, really-.”
You reached for the edge of his mask but stopped before you could lift it.
He paused when he felt you about to unravel him. He stiffened up, like he was bracing himself.
You felt his eyes on you but he didn’t stop you.
You peel the mask back enough to rest on the tip of his nose.
His lips pressed into a thin line like he was trying to hide any emotion. To protect you and himself.
Like he hadn’t used these very lips to kiss you some nights. To make you feel at peace when the world was too loud.
His jaw was clenched and tight, and for a second you both held your breath.
You lifted your hand, your fingers grazing his jaw.
You applied a light amount of pressure and the tension beneath your touch eased almost instantly.
He let out a sigh of relief and his mind and senses suddenly became clearer.
His shoulders relaxed.
He looked peaceful. Which for Peter Parker was a rare sight. Something you only ever saw when he’d rarely let his guard down and let you help him. You didn’t understand, you could ease his mind. Help him so much more. But he never wanted that to be your burden.
His head lulled forward and he placed his hand over yours, holding you against him. He laid his other hand on your thigh, feeling your skin through the thin fabric.
You let your eyes close.
His forehead rested against you and then the hand over yours slid down to wrap around your wrist. You turned slightly, nose bumping into his as you let him lean on you.
His fingers tightened around your wrist, and you continued to relieve his mind and body at peace.
You didn’t look into his mind, you never did.
Not unless someone gave permission but even then, a part of you dreaded it. Because whatever emotions they’d felt, it stayed within you. You knew you’d do it for him. But ever since four years ago, this was the closest he would let you come.
BEEP. BEEP..
“Armed robbery in progress. Helll’s Kitchen. Officers requesting immediate assistance.”
The police scanner built into his suit crackled to life.
Peter opened his eyes.
“Close your eyes.” You gently commanded.
“The city’s got great timing.” He forced a light tone and the corner of his lips lifted as an attempted smile.
He wished he could stay. He so desperately wished he would.
Your eyes open and you looked at him in longing and something else… not disappointment, just wistful.
He turned his head, his lips press against your inner palm, lingering for a few moments before he pulled the mask back down.
Your gaze softened and your hand catches his wrist.
“Peter-“
“I have to.” He doesn’t let you finish. Because he knows it’s easier this way. He doesn’t let you ask because when you do it makes him want to just be Peter Parker. But that’s not him anymore.
You let out a heavy sigh and you know what the inevitable is between you two but every night you hope for a different outcome.
“I know.”
He climbed to his feet and crossed towards the window.
You followed behind.
He rested a hand against the frame and turned to you.
“Swing by later?” You offered.
“You’ll still take me in?” His voice was softer and tired.
“Kept you so far, haven’t I?” You attempted to ease the tension.
You felt the more genuine smile on his face this time.
“I’ll hold you to that.” He opened the window again, wide. He climbed over the ledge, one leg still dangling in.
“Be careful,” you murmured.
His head dipped in a small nod.
“Always.”
Then he was gone.
You stood there for another moment before looking down. You used your other hand to trace your fingers over your palm. Where his kiss lingered.
You heard a jingle and snapped your head up to see the familiar black cat perched on your window.
A smile graced your face and you brought him in.
