Part Two
Peter pulls his Art History text out of his bag and sighs. He's up to his ears in bio-chem and lab assignments, not to mention his Spider-Man duties, but this quiz isn't going to study for itself and he can't seem to give less than 110% at everything expected of him. Still, that doesn't stop his thoughts from wandering off to Wade.
He hasn't seen him in two weeks. Peter isn't even sure if he's still on the same mission or not. He doesn't actually know anything except that Captain Rogers and Black Widow haven't gotten back yet, either. And while Captain Rogers has gotten in touch with Iron Man, Spider-Man has gotten nothing but radio silence from Deadpool.
Peter tries to ignore the anxious churning in his gut and focus on studying. He opens his textbook and notices a bit of paper sticking out of the top of the book. It's a note and drawing from Wade on Hello Kitty stationary, with a Deadpool sticker for the header. Because, of course. It's a crude drawing of the two of them with the words "congrats on still not being a college drop out" scribbled beneath.
Wade must have slipped the note in his bag the night he'd crashed at his place. This must be Wade's (kind of a month late) way of acknowledging the start of his sophomore year. Peter snickers.
"I'm in love with a total dork," he mumbles to himself.
A postscript scrawled at the bottom catches his eye: Tossed some condom in your bag, bro. Make me proud.
"A total dork with zero interest in me," he groans and slumps down at his desk.
Peter has tried everything. Always teaming up and patrolling together, trying to get to know him better. He always makes it a point to hangout after a mission, something he never really does with anyone other than Mr. Stark. And when they do hangout it never ends up feeling even remotely like a date. It's always super old movies (like Footloose or Forest Gump) and Mario Kart and Fortnite and disgusting amounts of take out. He did try to ask him out once, as in on a legitimate date, but Wade had laughed it off until it had felt too awkward for Peter to say he was being serious.
Which still confuses the hell out of Peter since Wade is such a huge flirt. Peter had thought he at least had a shot at one date.
So then he began to think it was because he hadn't revealed his identity to Wade, yet. He understood that; it's a bit hard to know if you might like someone if you don't really know them, or even what they look like. So, almost month ago, Peter had taken off his mask and told him who he was. And nothing had changed. Sure, Wade had a bit of a melt down at the initial reveal and talked about how attractive Peter was for a really, really uncomfortable amount of time, and he had also stabbed himself in the leg (twice, once with a quick twist at the end) which had been even more uncomfortable… But Wade had acted like everything was the same the next day. And nothing else has been different, either, and they had even hung out a few times before Wade's mission, sans mask, on Peter's part…
Which really only means one thing. Wade just… doesn't see him that way. Which is fine. Honestly. Peter will get over it.
His gaze shifts back to the note, then up to the clock, and he wonders if he should text Wade. Just to make sure he's okay…
He'll definitely get over this really soon.
Sure.
"No! That was NOT a successful mission! How can you guys all sit there and be okay with this? How?" Peter shouts, fists clutched so tight his knuckles have gone white.
"Son, calm down. There was nothing else-"
"That's such bull!" Peter cuts Steve off as he stands, looking around the conference room with wild eyes.
Steve, Natasha, and Nick are the only ones to meet his eye.
"You could have done plenty. But this was the fastest and easiest way and who cares, right? It's just Deadpool! He can't stay dead so it doesn't matter how often we kill him!" Peter knows he's got to get it together before he's excused. He's barely an Avenger as it is and the only reason he's here is because he'd stormed in and Director Fury had allowed it, much to everyone else's annoyance.
But he can't stay quiet anymore and keep listening to them talk about the mission to Oaxaca as if everything had just gone so swimmingly. As if Wade hadn't had to sacrifice himself for it. And no one even cared. No one even bothered to stop and be thankful he was going to be alright. No one had even mentioned him.
Director Fury had just asked how it had gone and Captain Rogers had just said, "All in all, it was a successful mission." Even the reports had barely touched on it. Just one sentence- "Deadpool sustained near fatal injury." That was it. Wade's suffering was just a footnote on a 'successful mission'.
And they weren't even accurate. Near fatal injuries? No. Wade had died and come back. Peter could tell; his friend always seemed to be somewhere else for a bit when he first came back after particularly difficult regenerations.
"If we could have found any other option we would have," Natasha speaks up. "Deadpool knew what he signed up for. If he hadn't blown up the bunker they would have killed everyone in that warehouse. Including Steve and myself. Everything was rigged."
"I know that!" Peter says, "but everyone here is just acting like nothing happened!"
"Because nothing did happened, kid," Tony says with a sigh. He rubs at his temples and doesn't even bother to take off his sunglasses. "Look, Peter, I get it. He's your friend. And that's great. But we have, oh, about twenty other terrorist organizations to deal with in this hemisphere alone, so you'll have to forgive us if we don't read a eulogy every time DP decides to off himse-"
"Mr. Stark how can you be so-"
"It was his idea, kid. We did'n-"
"Shut the fuck up, both of you." Director Fury's voice is calm, but it's obvious he's one more outburst away from losing it. "Since you felt the need to interrupt this meeting, I suggest you shut it or see yourself out."
"This is why I was going to ask him to get us coffee," Tony sing-songs under his breath and leans back, looking bored. "But no, we had to turn this into a 'learning experience'."
"Because he's got to learn," Fury says, then address Peter directly. "Can you handle this, Spider-Man? Can you do this job without being compromised or do you need to be taken off the team?"
Peter flushes in anger and embarrassment. Four years ago, he never would have dared to open his mouth. A year ago, he would have teared up or even stormed out. But he knows now they're expecting that kind of reaction. This is why Fury allowed him to stay; it's just another test to make sure he's "ready".
Funny how they only ever seem to think he's ready when the fate of the world, and on occasion the universe, is at stake.
"Yes, sir. I can handle it." Peter gives a curt nod and sits back down.
He can play along.
When everyone has left the compound, Peter seeks Tony out.
"Mr. Stark, can I talk to you?"
Tony sighs. "Friday, remind me again why Peter is allowed in my workshop?"
"Because he works for you, sir," she replies dryly.
Tony stops working and motions for Peter to come over.
"How was class?" he asks.
"I have lab tonight," Peter says absentmindedly, distantly.
He glances at the program Tony is configuring, corrects a mistake, and begins to wander aimlessly around the workshop. He's picked up a thing or two from working with Mr. Stark and Dr. Banner.
Tony narrows his eyes but decides to pretend nothing just happened.
"I'm not gonna ask why you never offered in the first place," Peter begins and Tony is certain this isn't going anywhere good. "But, Mr. Stark, why didn't you make Wade a suit like mine?"
Peter turns and looks him in the eye. "He's been helping me around New York since I was 17. And he's been helping the Avengers for over a year. He's always got my back. And yours, too. I know he can take a punch. And a shot in the heart. And a grenade. But, but does he have to?"
Tony gives a half smile. "Kid, I've got to admit, I'm a little offended you think I never offered him one."
"You offered him a suit and he turned it down?!" Peter asks in disbelief.
Tony rolls his eyes. "Wouldn't be the first person to do that," he mutters and types in a code.
The wall opens to show a display case housing an unmistakable black and red costume. Peter's eyes widen, and Tony can almost see stars in them. "He turned down THIS?"
"Said it didn't have enough pouches," Tony says with a shrug.
Peter rushes up to it and Tony can tell he wants to push his face up against the glass and get his hands on the outfit and investigate the tech.
"Take it with you," Tony says. Peter whips his head around. "What?! R-really?" he nearly squawks. Tony is reminded of the eager teenager he'd met over five years ago and his heart swells a bit.
"Well, I'm not going to wear it," Tony scoffs and turns back to his work. "Just no messing with my programing! I mean it. I'll know."
Spider-Man lands on the roof of Deadpool's apartment, Stark Industries case in hand. The hair on the nap of his neck raises, but it's not uncomfortable. It feels more like pleasant anticipation than anything else. Peter smiles; Deadpool's on his way.
"Ooh, business!Spidey. Deadpool likey." Speak of the devil.
Deadpool approaches and takes the case. "It's not a bomb, right?" he lifts the case to his ear to listen for ticking.
"Seriously?" Peter deadpans and snatches the case back.
"What? Wouldn't be the first time this month," Wade says with a half shrug. "Anyway, what's up? Where have you been? I've been cooped up with Blind Al for days! And seriously what's in the case? Is it money? Are you a free-lance mercenary now? Are we about to g-"
"Oh my god. Shut up. I've been to see you every day since you got back," Peter snaps. "And this," he pushes the case into Deadpool's chest so hard the bigger man falls over, "is your new suit. Wear it."
"Oh," is all Wade says as Peter sets it at his feet.
"Tony told me he tried to give it to you," Peter says. "I don't know what your hang up is but could you at least wear it on suicide missions?"
"You know I don't need that, Spidey," Deadpool says with a humorless chuckle. He doesn't move to stand, just staring at the ground.
"Oh, come on. Don't be like this. Just because you can't stay dead doesn't mean you can't die and, and that's…" Spider-Man rubs at the back of his neck with one hand and gestures awkwardly in the air with the other, trying to figure out how to put his thoughts into words. "That's got to really suck, right? Always having to- to…" He gives up and huffs.
"Aww, are you worried about little old me?" Deadpool gives the impression that he's batting his lashes. Spider-Man wants to punch something. "Of course I'm worried about you!"
Deadpool's eyes widen. "Oh," he says.
"So will you wear it?"
Deadpool sighs. "Fine, fine. If it will make you feel better, I promise I'll try on the Iron Maiden's fall line. Alright?"
Spider-Man smiles so wide you can see it through his mask. "Awesome! You should try it on now!"
"Eager to get me naked, huh, Petey?" Deadpool says with a grin. His voice is playful with the promise of something more… But of course, he's just joking. Like usual. Not for the first time, Peter is thankful he wears a mask.
He clears his throat and frowns. "I want to check out the specs," he says evenly.
"Nerd."
"And I wanted to know if you needed me to, you know… Fix anything," Spider-Man says.
"Oh, my sweet, sweet baby Jesus. Are you offering to override Stark's programing for little old moi?"
"No no no!" Spider-Man back tracks, waving his arms in front of him. "I'm just saying if there's anything like, overly intrusive, like a tracking device or something, I can take care of it."
Deadpool nods and strokes his chin. "Rebelling against Iron Dad? How does Captain Mom feel about this?"
"I changed my mind. I'm giving the suit back to Mr. Stark."
"Nooo! I take it back please don't leav- Aaand he's gone."
The night Wade woke up
Wade has been back from his latest mission for three days and has finally started to wake up. He prefers to stay in his own apartment but since joining the Avengers they've given him a room and even he has to admit that when he's this injured, it's the safest place to wait it out and let his healing factor work.
Peter visits him twice every day, once before class, and once again after patrolling the city. He never stays when Wade starts talking, though, because until he's fully healed, Peter is certain Wade doesn't always know what he's saying or mean to say any of it out loud. Especially not in front of him. Wade is so private, and Peter respects that about the older man.
Being nosy would be a breach of the super-bro-code: Never unmask a fellow super bro, and never listen to a fellow super bro's post-regeneration Ted Talk about traumatic life experiences.
Especially when he's talking about things that happened five, ten years ago. Things that happened before Spider-Man was even a thought. Things that Wade hasn't ever told Peter and probably doesn't want him to know.
"No… Stay," Wade says as Peter stands to leave. "I don't feel like sleeping anymore." His voice is dry and rough, and he speaks slowly, as if his tongue is too heavy to move.
"O-okay," Peter says, a little startled. He stalls for a second; maybe Wade will fall back asleep. For a moment it seems like he might; his breath evens out and his face relaxes. Peter takes another step for the door.
"Please," Wade whispers. His eyes are open but they're distant, unfocused.
"Okay, Wade," Peter says again and slowly sits back down. "You don't have to go back to sleep."
"It doesn't help anyway. It used to but it doesn't anymore," Wade says, voice manic. "I used to get a moment of peace but now it's just BAM welcome back to reality, asshole! Can't fuckin' stay, can't fuckin' go." He laughs but it breaks down into a sob. "I'm- I don't want to do that anymore."
Peter grabs Wade's hand and squeezes it. "You don't have to, Wade. You don't have to do anything you don't want to, okay?" He wants to say more but he can't seem to talk around the lump forming in his throat.
Wade looks at Peter directly, finally becoming more aware. His eyes, dark and tired, soften when they catch Peter's gaze. Peter's heart surges for a second and he hopes Wade can't see the color rising on his cheeks.
"Sup?" Peter blurts out because what do you say when you want to punch something and cry and kiss your best friend all at the same time? Peter laughs nervously and tries to pull his hand away but Wade squeezes his fingers.
"Hmm, hey, Pete."