Peter Parker and Dick Grayson are having coffee at a diner in New York City. After exchanging pleasantries, Peter dives into the pool head-first.

"So Dick, yesterday when I was kicking the Shocker's butt, something occurred to me and it wasn't that this was the fifth time I was kicking the Shocker's butt this month. In between calling him names I started thinking, 'Why am I such good friends with Dick Grayson, the golden child of the superhero universe?' "

"You pick weird times to think such deep, philosophical thoughts."

"I don't get a lot of time to sit still and reflect."

"The life of a crime fighter."

"I'm serious, Dick. EVERYONE loves you. You've led the Teen Titans, worked with everyone from Superman to Shining Knight, and no one has ever had one bad thing to say about you. And then there's me."

"Here we go."

"No one likes me. Before the Defenders, I've never been part of a team. I could never get past reserve status in the Teen Titans and even that was only because YOU vouched for me. I just don't understand why someone like you keeps talking to someone like me after all these years."

"First of all, Pete, do you not remember the way Wolverine looked at me that time Magneto tried to take control of Gotham? His glances were not friendly glances."

"Dick…that wasn't Wolverine. That was Mystique. Magneto had her switch places with him to spy on us."

"Oh…crap. Never knew that. Guess I will send him that birthday card."

"You send superheroes birthday cards?"

"Yeah, don't you?"

"What the heck? No! No I don't. This is what I'm talking about. You're just such a….nice guy."

"I sincerely apologize?"

Peter sighs as the waitress refills their coffee mugs.

"Can you answer my question so I can go get told how worthless I am by J.J.?"

"I suppose. I wouldn't wanna deprive you of the one thing that gives your life meaning."

"Thank you."

I guess one of the reasons I like you so much is because I envy you."

"Stop the presses! Dick Grayson, heir to a fortune, superhero beloved by all, and the guy who's knocked boots with the hottest alien in the galaxy-"

Dick puts his hand out as if asking him to stop.

"Thank you for that."

"your welcome. You're trying to say that you envy me? How can this be?"

"I guess I've always envied you because you've always been your own man. You've never had to live up to another superhero's legacy. I may never have been 'Bat-Boy' or 'Bat-Teen', but I was always looked at as 'Batman's sidekick' until I established an identity of my own. Heck, sometimes I still feel like the kid in the green speedo."

Peter gives him a sideways glance.

"Why did you-"

"Don't ask."

"Another time, then. But, anyway, if anything, I'm the one who should envy you. Being 'Batman's sidekick' got you a lot of respect."

"Yeah it did, but I never felt like I completely earned my place, like I was riding Batman's coattails. You, on the other hand, were no one's 'sidekick'. You worked alone with no adult partner."

Peter laughs and repeats "adult partner" in a mocking tone. Dick laughs and gives him a soft punch in the arm.

"Shut up. I'm trying to give you a compliment, you jerk."

"I know, I know. And it's greatly appreciated, but let me tell you, if it's worth anything, I never thought any less of you because you worked with someone."

"Thanks, Peter. That means a lot."

Dick leaves the money for their tab on the table and they start to get up. They begin to walk towards the door until Peter stops.

"By the way, it's a good thing you never called yourself 'Bat-Boy' or 'Bat-Teen' because those are incredibly stupid names."

They walk out of the diner and see none other than Fing Fang Foom attacking New York citizens.

"Ooh, this is new. Wanna help me hold off until the Fantastic four or the Avengers get here?"

"Pete, my friend, I couldn't think of a better way to finish off the evening."