Son of a Preacher (working title)
Peter Parker grew up in the church. His father and grandfather were pastors before they died. His uncle Ben was too, and raised Peter to follow in their footsteps. But religion just…doesn't make sense anymore. Not after visiting the library in Albany and reading about Darwin and Tesla and Einstein. So he slipped away, started writing for the local paper, dreamed of moving to the Big Apple and maybe learning to take pictures like Ansel Adams.
That was the plan until Uncle Ben died, from the same cancer that killed Peter's father and grandfather. The little town was left without a minister, and his Aunt May practically begged him to fill in. So here he is, preaching a religion that he doesn't believe in, that couldn't save his righteous and moral uncle, and couldn't prevent the devastation of the Great War. He's stuck in this podunk town, managing its dwindling flock and tiny newspaper.
Then a traveling snake-oil salesman rolls into town. This smooth-talking man with the scars covering his body seems to really be helping people, somehow. Is it the cocaine in the soda-water that he's hocking as medicine? Or is something deeper going on, something that defies both the religion Peter grew up in and the science he's adopted? Mr. Wilson keeps hanging around the church, sending Peter sideways glances and joking innuendos. It's infuriating. And captivating. Peter needs to learn his secrets, but the journey will take him down a dark path and away from the life he's always known.
. . .
Wade hasn't been the same since he met Mr. Sinister. That's his name for the voice in his head, anyway…the one that gives him premonitions, that tells him how to cure people and take away pain by branding it onto his skin and into his now seemingly immortal body. The same voice that promised he could heal Virginia, for a price…but failed to mention the fire that would take her life a few weeks later. Mr. Sinnister probably has a real name that sounds vaguely Latin and has too many Z's, but Wade has forgotten what it is.
After Ginny died, he packed up and hit the road, vowing to use his powers for…something useful, anyway. But faith healing doesn't actually pay the bills; those most in need usually can't afford his services. Sweet, cocaine-laced fizzy water…now that's where the money is. People will buy anything if it promises good health and vital spirits, and gets you nice and high while doing it (especially during prohibition). And Wade can slip in some actual healing on the side.
When he finds himself in Saratoga County in upstate New York, he starts hearing about the healing powers of the local springs, and thinks maybe it's something he can "tap into", so to speak. But then he sits in on a sermon at a small church (he likes to keep Mr. Sinister on his toes), and this cute young preacher talking about evolution and relativity…now that's something he can really tap into. Between the dark and sulphur-laden local hot springs, the TB sanitorium up the road, and the brooding young man on the pulpit, Wade and the voice in his head both like it in this little one-horse town.
Or: supernatural powers AU set in rural New York State in the 1920s. Featuring religious internal conflict, sexy demon possession, a reverse baptism, and a real life TB clinic where Wade gets to play Patch Adams. A WIP for the Spideypool Priest Fest.
