{*This is nearly 11 000 words. Why do I do this to myself...It is earlier than usual so that's cool. I'm pretty sure there were some questions I was meant to address but memory is not good and I'm tired from writing to get this out today so sorry if that was for you. Lots of references as usual so have fun spotting them.

Also, action scenes are hard I'm sorry in advance.

Anyway. Go forth and read, I look forward to your abuse on both me for writing this and the Avengers for being idiots.*}

Under the mask, Peter sometimes had trouble telling if he was laughing or crying. It was like that distinctive switch inside him had been worn away, leaving him forever teetering between the two and never knowing when the emotions switch over.

He likes to tell himself that it's just his duty as an edgy Gen Z kid to be dead inside, but he knew that perhaps it wasn't the most normal thing to not feel a difference when his brain suddenly decides to be out weeping and sad over his preferred covering problems with humour technique. To him, sadness and happiness sometimes... sometimes it just felt the same.

The only real way to tell was the reactions of the people around him. He's been told that his laugh was contiguous, making you want to smile and talk a million miles an hour to keep up with the sheer exuberance he exhibits. People are happy when he laughs. He likes that, he knows that he must be happy too. But when they get uncomfortable and frantic, he knows that his switch suddenly teetered over, that there are tears in his eyes and sadness in his brain. People's faces; It's an easy tell to tell if it's he is in tears or laughing when he himself cannot tell.

He wished more than anything he could understand that switch as he crept inch by inch along the thickest shadows of a quiet alley a mere block from his home. He was definitely feeling something, but it was hard to tell around this general feeling of panic. His senses were shaking, each rustle of a street rat sending him scurrying up the nearest building and it felt like there were thousands of spiders crawling mockingly along his skin. And the Spider-man suit, oh how it seemed to itch as it never had before. His clung to the wall with one hand as his other ghosted it way down his side, fingers twitching with the urge to just rip it off and ran home with his tail between his legs.

Peter groaned and hung his head with defeat as he swung carelessly through the broken glass window of an abandoned warehouse and sat high on a beam to stare down at the dusty broken furniture that littered the floor. This warehouse used to be the base of a small drug operation that he had broken up during his early days of Spider-man, back when he was still insecure enough that his extent of 'vigilantism' was performing parkour in the few blocks around his home. That has been his first real taste of what Spider-man could be and how he had revelled in the feeling. He felt like he had single-handedly stopped all drugs in New York, like he could take on the world and come out unscathed. He was a fool back then. A fool who had no idea how dark and scary the rabbit hole was.

Peter gave a snort and lay splayed on his back so his arms and legs dangled loosely over the metal beam. He stared up at the jagged gaps in between the roof beams, eyes drifting to watch the moonlight scatter on the loose sheets of dirty plastic that hung down like spider webs.

What was he doing? Hiding in an old warehouse on a quiet street in the area surrounding his home known to criminals as "Spider-man Hotspots." Criminals never come around here anymore, he needs to move if he wants to confront any sort of crime and save anyone this evening.

"Come on. Move." Peter hissed to himself through barely moving lips, eyes still lingering at the moon between the broken sheets.

He didn't move.

He felt frantic and filled with restless energy, yet every time he imagines getting up, joining the larger city, his limbs felt like lead weights. With great effort, he pulled himself upright so his legs dangled slowly back and forth, his arms braced either side of him. Maybe he should just go home. Back to Jaffa and Aunt May, back to science experiments and cooking and nagging about getting more potassium. Back to where he is safe, where he can be happy.

Yet as Peter studied the hard-woven material of the suit's red arm, he knew that the trembling of his arms was more than just panic. There was a superhuman restlessness in his bones. One that always appeared when he couldn't be Spider-man for a few days because of an injury.

"Come on Parker. Get your shit together and move!" Peter yelled, slamming an open palm against the beam. He sat until the quivering echo finally subsided before pulling the mask off with a frustrated huff.

God he was such was a coward. Why couldn't he move? Spider-man was a hero, he wasn't afraid of what people thought of him. Spider-man did things out of a duty to the city and a love of her people.

Spider-man was brave, quick witted, strong and self-sacrificing, a hero, a good citizen that never gives up and lets down. Peter stared down at those stupid white bug eyes with a sigh. Guess that was the problem huh? Spider-man was worthy but Peter Parker... he, he wasn't.

Stupid, cowardly, weak Peter Parker. He could never live up to Spider-man.

Spider-man would have been out there protecting the people even as they knocked him down again and again. He would have been unscathed and unfazed, standing in that heroic power pose Peter denies having tried in the mirror (it ended horribly. He looked like he was doing a mannequin challenge during a chicken dance.)

Not like Peter Parker, who just wanted to block up and curl up in a ball like some sort of dead spider.

Peter stilled where he sat with his shoulders hunched and hide bowed as he tried to hide from his own thoughts. Suddenly he shot his head up stared with a critical graze at the mask.

He may be a curled up dead spider but his own internal thoughts were right. He WAS a spider. Well not a literal spider, but HE was the one spider powers and Spider-man was him not matter how much it felt like they were different people. If he was weak and flawed then Spider-man was too. If Spider-man could get up to fight another day then Peter should stop talking in the third person and get up too!

It was time he stopped being a hormonal, overly emotional kid for once and be the serious grown up hero that he was. Or well, be the serious grown up hero that was that everyone thought that he was. Wait. Um, it was time he was the not-serious, grown-up, not-hero that everyone thought he was!

This is why he had Jaffa proof-read his inspirational speeches. Still, he had one more line to deliver so hear him out.

Peter clambered to his feet, swaying slightly as he tried to keep his balance on the beam before holding the mask dramatically above him into the light of a moonbeam.

He was Peter Parker, he was the man behind the mask and he was a gosh darn hero and

"When you knock me down," he bellowed as he pulled on the mask, "I get the fuck back up again!"

Before he could think any more on the matter he leaned forward and tumbled off the beam. As he somersaults in the air he shoots a web on the beam he was previously siting on, shooting like an arrow through a hole in the roof before landing of a still secure piece of metal.

Don't think. Just do.

Feel the Spider. Be the Spider. He raced across the metal rooftop, leaping over holes and jagged steel his spider sense told him to avoid while staring determinedly at the moon.

God how he missed this. The freedom of travelling the city, free and like no other before him ever could. Spinning and tumbling past street signs, hanging washing, building and cranes, nothing would stop him. The world was a blur of shadows and moonlight as the leapt across rooftops; the creaking metal of industrial area shifting to the terracotta slates of suburbia until he reached the flat air conditioner inhabited roofs of the outer city. He doesn't even know where he is anymore maybe he should start paying attention...

Voices flooded his senses and he found himself snapped into the reality of fashionable food strip of a harbour town.

"...at that new pizza place..."

"...What the fuck Daryl you retard..."

"...that the returns were filed..."

"...I saw it! That pigeon was red..."

"...and they were roomates!"

No no no, People. Did they see him? Oh god no not again... no breathe he had to get out of here no no what if they...

Peter slammed into the wall of the next building causing to shake his head dizzily as he scrambled frantically up the side to hide behind the shadow cast by a billboard proclaiming a new Stark phone. The motivational speech did not work, repeat speech did not work!

His arms trembled so much he found himself struggling to remain clinging to the billboard.

He was not ready for this... and that's okay! He could just take a few days to recover and recuperate and then he'll give it another go. Wait for things to die down a bit more. Everyone needs a mental health day. Yeah, that's what he would do.

Peter took a few shaky breathes before gently folding out his tightly bound body so he could step gingerly down onto the floor.

Then he heard it. A prickle of wrong on the edge of his senses, the far-off smash of glass and the quiet wail of an alarm. A robbery. In an instant, long-honed instincts kicked in. Peter's mind whirled as he habitually checked the web shooters and paced back far enough that he could get a good run off the building.

If he goes by that alarm sound, it's a jewellery store being robbed judging by the type of alarm system they used. Costly system, but nothing outrageous, so it's a well-off store but not super upscale or with high brand reputation. The time is late enough that the streets would be low in traffic to allow for an easy escape, yet still early enough that the cops would be busy in more populated inner-city regions. The robbers would have to know Spider-man hasn't been seen since the press conference with the Avengers, yet still chose a location with low crime rate where Spider-man is unlikely to be near. Means that the robbers are smart. This is well planned out and will work like a well-oiled machine. They won't take unnecessary risks, so it will be a team of three inside and one driver, easily fit into one discreet car, yet each with specified jobs. They are too careful, so they will bring impressive looking but easy to obtain weapons that will intimidate jewellery staff, but not cause unnecessary suspicion with police.

They will have an external ringleader no doubt. That will make bringing them in more difficult as they will have a point of calm and an extra pair of eyes to coordinate attacks. They will have been instructed not to shoot anyone, but they won't hesitate to try to kill a vigilante like himself. They won't take the chance even if he is seen as a villain. His best to sneak into the building and hang on the roof to assess locations. He should wait until they are all in the same location so he can attack swiftly and before the external ringleader can take control. If the fight goes side-ways, it would be best to let them escape to prevent a hostage situation which will be more difficult to manoeuvre safely. Best to let them think they escaped out of the bank so there guard it down, but restrain them before they manage to reach the driver.

Now, judging by the sound of the alarm and factoring in the enhanced hearing, background noise and wind direction, the shop is 25.3km NNW. Assessing the building size in the area, a direct route should take him 4 minutes and 12 seconds to 4 minutes and 53 seconds. More accurate calculations and a plan will develop as more data of the area and situation are assessed, he should...

Just as Peter reached the edge of the building he found himself jerked back suddenly with pin wheeling arms as he scurried back up the billboard.

What was that? His mind was saying 'leap off into the busy streets and save the day" but his body was saying "haha that's funny mind I like billboards they are warm and safe."

It's easy. All he had to do was swing off the rooftop... to where the hungry people are... swing over the city... where everyone can see you and mock you... and go stop some jewellery thieves... giving people time to prepare to catch you. Easy. Superly duperly easy. The easiest most non-scary thing he had ever done. Ever. He could go now. Anytime...

He stayed on the billboard. With his hearing now focused on the jewellery shop being robbed, he could hear the sound of shouts and shattering glass.

Peter growled, "I swear to god once this is over my nervous system is going to have a good sit down so the brain and muscles can go to couples counselling. Sensory neurons... attack!"

Peter threw his body forward as if to jump off, only for his hands and feet to remain firmly stuck. The result was him flopping down awkwardly so he crouched like a vertical cat who fell asleep with stretching.

"Okay, I swear that wasn't me that time! I was going to go I swear but my fingers and feet just stuck my Spider grip is probably malfunctioning. That's it! I would absolutely go catch the robbers if I could but my spider sense isn't working so oops that not going to happen maybe I should go home and Jaffa can do it for me," Peter rambled before stilling and hanging his head in shame, "Dammit Jaffa is an incorporeal AI. Could I make a body for her in the time it takes until the robbery is over or is that too far?"

Maybe he could get a comm and Jaffa could be here with him when he was Spider-man!

"No, god dammit Peter you are a nearly fully-grown superhero you don't need to be carting your AI around like a security blanket. Face your fears like the strong independent Superhero you are." Peter laughed self-deprecatingly.

Why couldn't he move? He loved stopping bad guys, it was kinda his thing. Yet every minute he stayed there the opportunity slipped away and the crime continued on unstopped. He wanted to stop the robbery, and he knew he could do it and how to get there, but he just couldn't make himself do it. He just had to get started. Get off this rooftop and he knows he'll be able to just pretend the people aren't there. He always lost himself in battle he would have no problem! Just MOVE PARKER.

Just as he failed to once again motivate himself into facing his fear he heard a scream. A child. In an instant, he saw a burning building, a terrified child and a mother sobbing in relief in his arms. What was her name again... Luc? Yeah...

No, no what have you done Spider-man. God he... Peter, Peter was scared, terrified really. He knew that if he went out there as Spider-man there was a chance that he wouldn't come back the same, if at all, and that scared him. People were out to hurt him and he didn't know if he was strong enough. But there was a child out there who was just as scared as he was, who was probably braver than him, had a brighter future too. A child who was too precious for the world they might one day save.

It didn't matter if he was scared. He was allowed to be in pain, but he wasn't allowed to let his people hurt if he could take their pain away. Even if taking that pain for himself instead.

As Spider-man leapt of that building, he was terrified. More terrified than he ever was staring down the barrel of a gun or laughing in the face of Ironman. His limbs felt still with petrified fear as he swung past buildings and darted through parks and stunned dinners. His fear dripped like unexpected rain onto the passersby below. Most were unable to avoid the fear, they didn't expect rain nor Spider-man that night. The thing about the rain though, is that there is always someone with an umbrella, who will smile while everyone screams.

When arrived at the robbery of Eye of Joan Jewelry, he arrived too late. Ashen white faces were already stumbling out the building doors and he could see the terrified form of a young boy as he sobbed into his Grandmothers' shoulder. He wanted to go down to them, to apologies that he was weak, to say he wished he had been there to be a hero for them but he was no longer needed. They were more bitter and jaded when they went into work that day.

All he could do was chase down the car he could hear taring its way down the next street over. Spider-man burst off the rooftops and into the view of the main street as he continued his web swing straight past the shop, offering only a small apologetic wave in the direction of the shop workers. He doesn't wait to see their responses.

Within a minute he managed to catch up to a dated black Honda as speed past the other cars on the road and narrowly missing clipping the pedestrians that strayed too close to the road as they bypassed the chairs and tables of restaurants.

When he was above the car, Spider-man let go of the web as he handed heavily on the roof of the car. Around him, he could hear the shocked gasp of the passersby at his seemingly sudden appearance (seriously look up people he's not that hard to miss) and the sudden curses from inside the vehicle.

"What's going on Ryan! Something just landed on the roof, this isn't a part of the plan," the driver, a man with a bald head and truly atrocious blonde moustache, yelled.

In the passenger seat, a man in a black suit and baklava (same outfit as his companions. Twinsies!) fumbled around to put an earpiece back in.

"You two up back, poke your head out and see what's going on, I'll see if I can get Mr. Otter on the comms..."

"It's Spider-man! Someone call the...," a young woman helpfully screamed in fear as the car sped fast. Well, there goes the surprise.

The passenger frantically scrambled for his gun, "I'm sorry who did she just say?" he screamed in frustration.

One of the other thugs gave off a relieved laugh, "It's cool dude, Spidey is a good friend of mine! Once time he pranked me by pretending to get me arrested but then Mr. Otter's people freed me and..."

The robber next to him buried his face in his hands with a groan, "Damo! How many times have we told you this, Spider-man DID try to get you arrested..."

Spider-man sat on top of the car in slight confusion, had they forgotten he was there or... He swung and ducked over the windscreen to avoid a spray of bullets my front passenger (Ryan... Roberta...Rachel? One of those.) He gave a jaunty gave at the guns facing him and its owner inside the car and knocked on the screen.

"Hello," Spiderman sang as on the second knock he punched through the screen and grabbed the gun straight off him before webbing him to the seat, "My name is Elder Spider-man..."

He flung himself onto the roof to avoid the rain of bullets the backseat drivers shot at him, successfully breaking the rest of glass. Well made his job easier.

One of the thugs from the back seat stuck his head out and gave a wave, "Hey man! How you've been? Don't worry I've forgiven you for the 'webbing me to the wall thing"

"I've come to share with you this most amazing book!" he sang as he crouched and studied the oncoming traffic to predict the movement of the car.

The baddies were starting to get what was going on as the driver began swerving dramatically over the road, barely missing the oncoming cars while the others leant down to collect an extra gun. A rookie mistakes. Swerving does little to throw off a smart spider like him, actually makes his job easier as it slows down the car and takes away the drivers focus. Spider-man shot onto the car before jumping up and swinging forward, the force of the moving car sending him flying through the window and sitting in the spare seat between the two stunned robbers.

"It's called a driving manual," he dead panned as the driver braked desperately, perfect. Before they had time to react he was elbowing them in the stomach and snatching up the guns out of their hands as they doubled over, dodging a punch to his head as he quickly webbed their hands to the back of the seat.

The slightly burlier one to his right gave a delighted laugh as he wiggled to test to bonds, "Spidey you are such a laugh! I knew our bonding had..."

He gets his mouth webbed shut.

With the driver having so kindly brought the car to a screeching halt for him, Spider-man poked his head through the two front seats, "I don't want to be a backstreet driver but stopping in the middle of the road is called causing a hazardous situation. Instant fail in your driving test," he grinned as the driver scrambled to pull his gun up only for it to be plucked out of his hands while he was quickly webbed and detained like his friends.

"Two hands on the wheel at all times! Have I taught you NOTHING!" he reprimanded.

Spider-man settled back into his seat with a sigh, taking a minute to relax as around him the sound of tires squealing and angry honks greeted him from behind the small blockade of crashed cars stretched across the road.

"Do you think you mind moving your legs so I can get out?" he queried only to be given a death glare by the two passengers.

"We will not give in to your demands," the guy on his left declared while Damo just gave an excited wiggle.

"...okay whatever man you do you just don't mind me then, sorry, sorry, excuse me," Spider-man muttered as he awkwardly shuffled over the criminal's leg, nearly sitting in his lap in the process before finally managing to kick the door and tumble out onto the street. As a last final touched, Spider-man opened each door and webbed any free limbs as well as the other guy's mouth for good measure, making sure that all hands and feet were now securely going to be kept inside the vehicle at all times. He dusted his hands before taking a step back to admire his handiwork; a true masterpiece.

"Spider-man," a panicked voice yelled behind him causing him to whirl around looking for threats. What was wrong was someone injured in the chase? Was there a villain what was going on? Oh... Before him a small crowd of terrified people were hovering, pale faces backing away while others leapt out of their cars to run away further down the street.

Peter could feel that bone deep panic take over. Not again, please, please not again. He could feel himself backing up, pressing himself against the car and squeezing his eyes closed against the assault.

"He's evil haven't you heard?" someone hissed.

"Look what that monster did to that poor family!"

"He should have run while he had the chance..."

"Wow I didn't realize there were so many idiots in the world if you actually believe all that crap. Like Spider-man the actual puppy could be evil," the frustrated voice of a young girl called out. Spider-man snapped his eyes open in shock to see that a tiny barely 5-foot tall teen only a year or two younger than him had pushed her way to the front of the crowd. She had dyed black and green streaked hair, the sharpest pair of wings he had ever seen in glitter gold, a pair of galaxy leggings and a shirt with 'I like your shoelaces' in swirling cursive.

"Well, I'll be damned..." Spider-man muttered to himself as a nearby business man turned angrily.

"Why don't got back home to play dolls little girl, you don't understand what's going on here," the business man sneered.

Small with shoelaces girl spun and jabbed him hard in the chest, "I'll have you know that I run one of the most popular Spider-man watch blogs and I am HIGHLY knowledgeable on the subject. I am WORSHIPED by cannon writers."

"Oh! So you run criminal information network!" the Business man spat sending the crowd into an angry mutter. Spider-man quickly called out to bring the attention back to him.

"I'm not a bad guy okay, the Avengers got it wrong," Spider-man tried to sooth as he straightened and took a few steps forwards with his hands waving frantically in front of him. The effect was instant, people instantly began screaming and running down the street or rushing to hide inside nearby shops with locked doors.

"SPIDER-MAN IS ATTACKING EVERYONE GET OUT OF HERE" a shop owner yelled sending customers scattering.

"Stay away from us!" one of them yelled, throwing a glass that bounced harmlessly off his chest.

A woman in 6-inch heels sobbed as she tittered down the street calling "I can't die today! SOMEONE CALL THE AVENGERS!"

"No need sweetheart, we're already here," a familiar tin-y voice ran out as Ironman landed heavily in the street between the crowds and where Spider-man stood with his back pressed against the car.

oh.

Oh

OH OH GOD

THIS WAS BAD

He was emotionally drained as it was but having to deal with an Avenger on top of it...

"You're okay. You've defeated him before. You can do it again," he murmured to himself. Smile and wave boy, that's all you gotta do. Maybe a couple of verbal stabs. And then some physical ones. Lots of webbing as well... but mostly smiling and waving.

"Ironman!" Spider-man greeted warmly, "I thought I said no surprise work visits until the third date."

The blue eyes of the mask stared blankly into the white eyes of Spider-man before Ironman gave a chuckle, "Well my friends were dying to meet you and who was I to refuse them. Why don't you say hello to them?" He lifted metal hand the gesture over Spider-man's shoulder causing him to turn around.

...shit.

Standing just over the other side of the road and steadily advancing was The Avengers. Not AN Avengers, or SOME Avengers. THE Avengers. Jaffa was going to kill him. Painfully. In his sleep... but painful sleep, not can't feel anything happy dream sleep.

Leading them was Captain America with his shield casually by his side OMG THE ACTUAL VIBRANIUM SHIELD SO BEAUTIFUL

(don't fanboy Peter they are probably here to kill you it's embarrassing)

DO YOU THINK THE CAPTAIN WOULD LET HIM TOUCH IT.

"(Maybe if it involves throwing it in your face)," A snarky voice whispered in his head.

...I SHOULD ASK HIM

"(...are you stupid. This is your bad idea brain telling you DON'T DO THAT. I have too much self-preservation to let you do that.)"

BUT, BUT, BUT THE SHIELD IS SO PRETTTTYYYYYYY

"(Shut it fanboy brain.)"

Moving on. Just to his right was the formidable Black Widow, glaring angrily at him as she sent sparks through those electric devices of her wrist and pulling a knife out of a back pocket. So badass...

To Captain America's left was Thor who was swinging his giant, magic, alien hammer (he was so stealing that) like he just doesn't care in one hand, with the other fiddled with... was his hair in a braid? Huh, not bad, though the slant looks a little off and the second third could have done with some tightening...

Just behind them Hawkeye stood blowing bright purple bubbles and fiddling with his bow. A fair way off he could just make out a van with the SHIELD logo (super subtle super secret agency everyone) and leaning against it was... no. It couldn't be. There was no way the best day of his life could come on a day he was probably about to be beaten to death.

"OMG OMG BRUCE BANNER YOUR PAPER ON BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING IN COMBINATION RADIOISOTOPES WHEN TRACKING MINUTE RADIATION GAVE ME LIFE AND CONTINUES TO GIVE ME LIFE PLEASE GIVE MORE LIFE AND HAVE MY BABIES" Peter screamed internally trying to swallow the squeal that was so very close to escaping.

"...why we must bring you in to face the full justice of Shield," Captain America declared after what was no doubt was a rousing speech filled with liberty and freedom and eagles and other fun things. That wasn't meant for him, was it? Please don't tell him that Captain America was talking to him the whole time he was ogling the Avengers (and Bruce Banner OH MA LORD). AHHhhh... that's a little awkward he hoped it wasn't important.

"Sorry I tuned out for a second what's going on?" Spider-man apologized as he scratched his head guilty, "Can I have the spark notes version?"

There's a moment of stunned silence where Captain America opened and closed his mouth as he foundered for words before Hawkeye let out a snigger.

"I LIKE this villain! Oh man he gets even better in person."

Ironman spoke up from behind, causing Spider-man to whirl around, "Facts are this: you're evil and we're good so don't resist arrest. Full stop, end of story, blab la don't bother protesting."

Peter found himself filled with an unexpected fire. He was angry. Why. Why did these Avengers have to come and screw up his life? He was struggling as it but he was getting better, he was feeling happier and stronger each day and life was finally looking up for him. Then they just had to come in with their half-formed theories and ruin everything. They took away his people, his safety, his reputation and now they had come for him. How DARE THEY.

Spider-man clenched his fists to his side and leant off the car so he was standing side on, flicking his head between the crowd of watchers with Ironman and the rest of the Avengers.

"I'm not some bad guy OKAY! I don't know where you guys got that impression but all I do is help people. That's all I want to do! I have gone through horrors no person should go through. Had hardship I know would never have happened if the world wasn't so cruel. Then I got powers that could make a difference in this stupid world and life got worse. But I had a responsibility, I wanted to do good, not add to the evil that hurt me so often. So, for the last time. I AM NOT A VILLIAN and I certainly don't work for any!"

He finished breathing heavily, squeezing his eyes shut as angry tears leaked down the sides of his eyes, thankfully hidden by his mask.

"That so. Where you get those powers then Spider-man?" Black Widow spat as she spun a knife between her fingers.

They... they were never going to believe him. So high in their pretty tower, they are on top of the world they simply don't know how to be wrong. They were god given Avengers. The saviours of Earth. They were the freakin incarnation of good and justice, weren't they? If they are fighting someone they just HAVE to be super evil, there's no other way. Any everyone else? Well, they just believed them! Why is it easier to believe in a God you're simply told is good but never see, than the good you see evidence of every day.

Well, screw them. Screw them all.

He shot a quick glance at the crowd of people who were siding with these foolish idiots, then at the small teen with the shoelace shirt who gave him a worried frown before he turned back to the Avengers with a smirk he knew they couldn't see. He was done trying to explain himself.

"Where I got these powers huh? I stole them from the president,"

As soon as the words left his mouth he shot a rapid fire of webs at the Avenger cluster as he bounded on to the roof of the car before attaching a web to a nearby streetlamp and swinging himself high above the shopping street and into the air and leaving the Avengers to dive out of his way. Guessing they weren't expecting him to attack first huh?

He ran, or swung really, as fast as his webs would take. He flipped into a tight alley, bounding between the two walls of the alley as it gradually narrowed before he swung sharply and ducked between the alleyway between two brick red apartment blocks and sprinting down them. As he reached the end, he launched himself onto the exposed brick of the next building over as he readily scaled it, making sure to stay out of sight of any air patrols. He continued, flipping through any small crevice he could find, taking every twisted backstreet and random directions. Anything to throw them off his track all while avoiding the sight of people. Yet he couldn't hear any sign of pursuit. Had the Avengers really given up already?

That was anti-climactic.

Spider-man slowed his frantic pace up a rusted fire escape a little, as he casually shot a web onto the building's ledge and used it to pull himself onto his roof where he gave a cautionary glance around him at the rubbish filled streets and docking yard just beyond, yet all was quiet. Huh. So, he had lost them.

'Better to put some distance between them though' he thought as he began using his webs to help his web swing past the apartments and towards warehouses, hopefully giving him a place to hide while until he could safely move towards the more heavily populated areas on his way home.

He couldn't believe it! A close shave with the Avengers and he was going to get away as easy as that? Really it almost seemed...

Suddenly heavy suddenly rammed into Spider-man's side causing him to be ripped from his web mid swing, throwing him harshly to the ground. He skids for a meter before ramming suddenly into the side of a shipping container. Spider-man groaned in pain, clutching his sides in agony as he stumbled to his feet with a blurry vision. Was that... a hammer? Well this was great...

"Ah ah! Did I tell you that the mighty Thor travels with lightening's own speed, I believe this is a win for me," a throaty laugh rippled around him as a large blur stops and picks up the hammer, swinging it casually around. Or maybe that was the world moving... Either way, he was out of here.

Spider-man groggily leapt up the shipping container's side before a repulsor last just above his head sends him bashing against the pavement with a scream before stilling. He ached all over...

"You did not beat me to him! Your hammer did, not what we agreed to Thor," Ironman grumpily replied as he landed beside Thor with crossed arms. Spider-man remained still as his vision slowly sharpened again and watched the shape of the Thor and Ironman formed out of the sea mist coming from the harbour just past the shipping dock. They were standing just in front of him, paying him little attention. They must think he was unconscious. Rookies.

"I believe our barter means that you must relinquish your place of residence to me should you wish to hold you honour."

Iron man through his hands up in an exasperated gesture, "Yes sure. Give a HAMMER an apartment, because you certainly didn't do anything,"

"Did I not throw the hammer? As I, not the only one worthy of using such a weapon?" Thor questioned smugly as he gestured with his hammer in Ironman's direction.

Before he could reply the sound of a motorbike interrupts him, causing them to turn as the Black Widow weaves her way between the containers and trucks to come to a screeching halt before them.

"Who won the penthouse then?" she asked casually as she dismounted as Tony and Thor began chattering again. Won a penthouse...? What was going on here?

"T'was I fair Widow..."

"It was not him, it was his hammer..."

She cut them off with a withering glare, "I don't actually care. Go secure the bug before it wakes up... you did double check he was unconscious right?"

There was an awkward pause while Ironman and Thor looked between themselves before Tony spoke up defensively, "We slammed him into the ground twice, trust me he's unconscious. Plus, he would have moved anyway! He's just kinda... flopping there" he finished with a vague wave of his hand.

'I'm not flopping!' Spiderman thought, rather offended as he resisted the urge to shuffle his position lying against the container, "I'm just... tactfully resting to assess the situation."

"You two are idiots. Move. I'll tie him up so he's secure until the others arrive. Cap can do what he likes with him then," she grumbled as she pulled a long black cord and handcuffs from... somewhere.

Don't say it don't say it don't say it...

"Ooo kinky,"

Every time. You think he would have learnt by now.

Spider-man seriously regretted his lack of brain to mouth filter as Black widow instantly reached to flick her knives into her hands. Lost all advantage because he couldn't hold back the quip. Nice one Parker.

Spider-man lunged straight from his crouch to land a flying kick straight to Black Widows stomach to send her sprawling to the ground before leaping up into a cat-like crouch. He darted to the left, avoiding a blast from Ironman while he shot a web at Thor. He managed to hit an unnaturally toned bicep before he was forced to duck and roll to avoid an attack by Black Widows non-battle practical heels. Seriously he thought he had mentioned this last time.

Spider-man quickly assessed the area while dodging a swooping Ironman. There was nothing much around, lines of massive shipping containers were all he could see as well as a massive crane peeking out behind them a few rows over. Behind him, he could vaguely hear the beating of the waves and he knew somewhere in front of him he would find a small string of far off water view shops and offices. Nothing with height and nowhere to escape. Well, they don't call he that idiotic smart-aleck with too many brain cells for nothing!

Spiderman sent a series of webs towards Ironman's foot which were all unfortunately avoided. Instead, he skidded close to the ground to run a few paces before a repulsor blast sent him spinning to face Black Widow who stood assessing him. He prepared an obvious fight pose (wax on wax off) causing her to roll her eyes before sprinting forward. Spider-man instantly abandoned him fight pose to jump as high as he could to place his feet on her shoulders.

"Leapfrog!" He called as he leapt clean over her head...

...and right into Thor's arms as he flew past with Mjolnir. Not who he expected (He didn't even realize Thor could fly that suddenly) but it would do. Instantly Spider-man webbed the ground below and pull with great strength causing Thor to nearly drop him. He switched flight paths to go straight upwards instead, counteracting the web attached to the ground.

Perfect.

"Ohhh Woooaaw did you oil your arms because the muscle definition is poppin. It's like those super buff cows they genetically engineered in... Sweden was it? It was probably Sweden they do crazy stuff like buff up cows. Anyway, so these cows right, they're called Belgium Blues and... Ooooh Belgium totally made them, didn't they? Damn I missed an obvious clue there." Spider-man chattered conversationally as he struggled half-heartedly as Thor took him higher and higher into the air.

"It would be best you didn't struggle little spider, unless you want to be dropped that is?" Thor sighed in annoyance, the grumble of his voice vibrating against his back.

Spider-man stopped struggling instantly to give an offended huff, "I'm not short! You do realize I'm ten times the size of the biggest spiders, right? I should be Giganitum Spider."

Little higher littler higher... now. With a surge of strength, Spider-man flung his head back to hit Thor, dazing him, as he ripped his arms free sending him plummeting to the ground. He twisted so he could throw a web onto the enormous shipping crane nearby sending him launching high and fast away from the other Avengers.

Spider-man turned around midair to give a jaunty wave, "Hasta la vista bab..."

For the second time that night Spider-man found himself thrown out of the sky by the unexpected impact of an Avengers weapon in his side. Could his Spider sense PLEASE stop sulking about the last time he ignored it and start helping him out here?

He landed (mostly) on his feet as he stared, mesmerized, at the shiny red and blue star shield a few meters from him. OMG Captain America's Shield had just touched him! Or hit him very painfully in the side but still! He was never washing that blood off him again... It was so beautiful... so perfectly timeless technology, so genius designed. Those curves were so sophistically flawless and balanced, what he would give to see a Fibonacci construction of it... He really wanted to pick it up and take it home and perform experiments on it and maybe sleep on it but that would be stealing and stealing is bad.

Wait. They think he's a villain, stealing a weapon they are attacking him with his sort of reasonable... No one else needs to know...

Spider-man barely had time to avoid the arrows shot at him. Fighting, right.

"Sorry I'm late, Barton had to stop to puke," Captain America announced as he waltzed up to pick up his Shield to joining the semi-circle of Avengers in front of Spider-man. Beside him, a green looking Hawkeye shuddered as he knocked another arrow.

"I am never accepting a ride from Cap again in my LIFE. He's a maniac! A danger to society! I am living every day from now on knowing it's a gift of pure luck I was not killed on that bike"

"You're exaggerating. I maybe ran a red light on the way here that's all" Captain America snorted as he gave a small signal with his hands and instantly the Avengers all rushed forward.

Ironman hovered above, shooting blasts whenever Spider-man attempted to run to off, bringing him back to where the rest of the Avengers were throwing casual attacks at the panicking Spider. He was so screwed, so very VERY screwed.

Hawkeye was clearly not done yet as he began to blindly shoot arrows while facing where Cap was trying desperately to get close enough to hit Spider-man.

"Yeah you maybe ran a red light and then in order to avoid being hit by a truck, decided to not, I don't know BRAKE, but instead throw to bike to the ground and GO UNDERNEATH A MOVING TRUCK INSTEAD! Who does that!"

Spider-man was, for the moment, able to dodge the attacks while they still underestimating how strong their attacks would be in order to bring him in. Once they started focusing...

"Less complaining more arrows." Black Widow snapped as she ducked under a web, causing it to hit the arrow Clint had just knocked, and tripping Spider-man's feet while he was distracted by Captain America's Shield. Because it was currently being swung at him in an attempt to bring him down. No other reason at all.

"But Tasha I'm TRAUMATISED!" Hawkeye gasped as he discarded the webbed arrow to the side and reached back for another one. Spider-man rolled to his feet, kicking one of Black Widow's taser wrists as he did, causing it to spark wonderfully. He ducked under Thor's arm just as it went to close around his neck before finally managing to get a web to latch onto Ironman's, which he yanked, sending him crashing to the ground.

"Now that's a lotta damage," Spider-man crooned before the sound of a bullet caused a painful stab in his side. He hissed, pressing his hand to reveal a small patch of red where it had nicked his side. Painful but manageable. Sliding under Captain America's legs he leapt up and kicked the gun out of Black Widows hand and sending it flying into Thor.

"Does this betrayer of City Spider always make so many unnecessary comments in battle?" Thor grumbled throwing him hammer and causing Spider-man to do a matrix style limbo that transferred into a handspring. He flipped to land behind Captain America who was forced to bring his Shield up to deflect the hammer. He then swung the shield around to hit Spider-man, who had already disappeared and was now dancing around Thor.

"Oooo I forgot there are a couple new faces here today! Why don't we all introduce ourselves," Spider-man chirped as Black Widow managed to flip him to the ground. As he fell he managed to grab her wrists and flip her over him) successfully crushing the other electric tazer bracelet while rolling to avoid arrows and Ironman's attacks.

"No? Tough crowd. That's okay I'll start!" He chirped as he dodged a hammer wildly swinging at his head before catching its attack and pushing the arm attached back into Thor's face. And now he's totally killed that wrist. Worth it for the cool action shot.

"So heyyyy, My name Spider-man. I'm an Aquarius, I enjoy sunsets, long walks on the beach and risky hotdogs. And I did not kill anyone. Or any other criminal act you probably think I did. Just FYI"

Captain America's Shield hit him directly in the ribs with a loud crack sending him sprawling at Hawkeyes feet. He offered him a smirk as he trained an arrow on him and placed a triumphant foot on his injured side which was still bleeding sluggishly from where it had been just scraped by the bullet.

"Technically I am currently restraining him so does this mean as the best Avenger I get the penthouse? I'm thinking neon orange walls..." Hawkeye pondered while tapping an arrow against his chin.

Spider-man coughed as some liquid he hoped wasn't blood bubbled up his throat, "I'm not d'ne yat. Jst restin' I'll beat you ina sec. Prepare y'urself..." he slurred causing Hawkeye to press his boot down slightly harder. Shake it off Peter. What would Jaffa do if you let yourself get captured because of a few broken ribs? Spider-man never gives up...

Captain America shook his head with a sigh as he walked over, "Let me offer you some free advice,"

"Can this be done over a drink instead?" Spider-man groaned in pain as he rolled awkwardly to his. Wait. He's underage, why did he say. All this adultness must be rubbing off on him.

"Talk less." He stated as he reached to haul Spider-man to his feet to restrain him causing Hawkeye to back off.

"What?" Spider-man shouted back at him as he launched upwards and grabbed Hawkeye's bow and slammed it over Captain America's head before promptly tripping and woozily swaying to regain his balance.

"As in shut the fuck uuuup! Please just let me fight you in peace!" pleased Ironman as he

charged up a powerful blast of energy from the repulsor which he sent straight at Spider-man who was barely able to stumble out of its path.

The blast instead hit the beat up shipping container, exploding the metal and releasing a flood of ice and salmon outside and onto the floor. The sudden salmon assault (wow that really rolled off the tongue) caused Spider-man to slip, his arms flailing wildly giving Black widow opportunity to launched herself to wrap her legs around his throat and send him crashing to the bed of ice and fish as she chocked him with her thighs.

"I had a dream about this once. Much less sexy in person." Spider-man gasped as he clawed desperately at her to free up him air supple, fully aware of the mushy mixture of salmon and ice he was now lying in. Hang on...

"Do you ever shut. UP!" she hissed as she braced her hands against his mouth. Spider-man could feel his strength leaving him, his wounds and now diminishing oxygen had simply made him too weak to throw her off. His hand fumbled next to him, desperate for anything to throw her off. He wasn't about to get captured (or get killed he wasn't sure what was going on here still) while lying in salmon.

Weak fingers managed to grasp the slippery end of a tail, its fins digging into his palm. Well you can't say he let his pride be stronger than his survival skills, can he?

Spider-man threw his arm with all the remaining strength he had at Black Widow causing the salmon to slap straight across her face.

"YOU JUST GOT CORNOBBLED" Spider-man shouted as he managed to slid beneath her and leap to his feet, her shock having been enough to loosen her grip.

The rest of the Avengers groaned. How hard could it be to catch one guy!

"Someone please just catch him," Ironman pleaded desperately trying to hit him, "He's so weird I can't handle it, cornobble what even is that."

"Cornobble: means to smack someone with a fish." Spider-man laughed gleefully as he began slapping arrows out of the air while running (quickly limping really) away from Captain America.

Ironman flew down close and set off a string of furious random blasts towards where Spider-man was sparring with Captain America and Thor using the fish to fend them off as they grabbled for him like a bar of soap. Cause he's a slippery bastard and proud. Most of the blasts were way off before Ironman finally decided to aim and sent a blast he couldn't avoid unless he wanted the other Avengers to catch him. Thinking quickly a muttered a quick prayer and threw the fish up in the air to intercept the blast, causing a rain of burnt fish, a large chunk of which began sizzling in the Black Widow's hair.

Spider-man watched with awe as he webbed Thor's feet together causing him to hop aggressively towards him. "Wow. That thing was awesome. How high do I have to roll until I can be proficient in using a fish as a weapon?"

"I'm going to kill him," Black Widow stated bluntly as she sprinted towards Spider-man who began frantically running towards the container to grab more fish, "Thor stop being useless and let down your hair," she growled, while Ironman nearly instantly received a call.

The other Avengers watched in awe as she leapt and placed a knee into Thor's back, grabbing a ninja star out of Thor's plaited hair as she did and throwing it in Spider-man's back. She then leapt towards Cap who lifted his Shield in awe as she bounced off it and leapt in Spider-man direction.

Spider-man himself dove to the ground and causing his ribs to groan in protect, barely managing to avoid the star. He then flipped onto his back and seeing Black Widow hurtling towards him he did the first thing he thought of. Brace his legs and kicked her straight past him into the blown opening of the fish container.

Spider-man did the first thing he thought to do. Run after her and hid from the other Avengers. He leapt into the hole before rapidly webbing the entrance do the other Avengers couldn't enter after him. He knew his limits, and if he didn't get somewhere safe soon adrenaline wouldn't be enough to keep him going. Between the bloodless and the trouble, he was starting to have breathing... plus fish are now officially Spider allies.

As soon as he webbed Widow up inside the container he sank down to his knees, his face in his hands to try and alleviate the dizziness. God that wasn't to hold them off long he was stuck in here. God, he wished there was some other exit than a stupid blown up side of the container. Who made stupid enclosed containers anyway. Wait. He was being an idiot, wasn't he? Outside he could hear the Avengers yelling and ripping apart the webs so he scrambled to plough through the fish and ice. Freedom. Come on you're Spider-man don't you dare pass out now.

"Get that thing open!" Cap growled as he began trying to slash at webs with his Shield, "Widow may be in trouble who knows what kind of things that despicable villain may be doing to her."

Hawkeye ran up and began peeling off the paint where the web was stuck while Thor tried to hobble over, his own two feet still stuck as they were.

Ironman spoke up as he landed heavily on the ground and began cutting through the webs with a laser.

"Bruce is calling, he is asking whether you guys need the hulk of if he should just drive the van around for pick up. Also, something about tangled hair and flowers... gleaming and glowing? I don't know I think the connection might be cutting out or something he's not making much sense."

They finally burst through to find Widow webbed but unarmed against the ice, Spider-man nowhere to be seen. All they could see was a path of clear ice and fish showing the end of the shipping container, where its door had been propped open.

Steve slammed his fist against the side of the shipping container before storming out while Clint gently freed the Natasha.

"Avengers!" he snarled as he strapped his Shield to his back, "We let this villain seeming innocence and weakness fool us into a false sense of security and now one of most crafty villains New York has seen has gotten away."

"He can't have gotten far, he was really injured I'm surprised he was still fighting as well as he was. There's no way he'll make it more than a kilometre before he'll be forced to rest." Tony promised, clasping a hand to the Captains shoulder before launching back into the air and scanning the area.

As Natasha and Clint walked out Steve called out, "Alright everyone spread out. We'll coordinate a web of a search area using Ironman's scanning systems. There's no way he'll be able to escape. Move out!"

They instantly collected all their weapons and moved off, Cap moving to his bike, Ironman streaming off, and Clint collecting up stray arrows as he puttered after Natasha.

"You get him, fellow warriors! I will be just behind you!" Thor bellowed after them as he desperately tried to hop after them, unable to untick his legs.

Peter wasn't going to make it. He limped down a street, with an arm pressed to his side and his vision growing black and fuzzy. His breath was coming in uneven pants and each step sent him buckling.

He could faintly hear the whirl of Ironman, the rev of a motor bike and somewhere Hawkeye was cackling in laughter. They would find him soon.

Peter let out a spluttering cough as a panic overcame him. He couldn't let himself get captured. Something was wrong within Shield and he knew he wouldn't make it unless they had taken either his life or his free will. They would rip his world apart, his Aunt May, good 'ol Midtown high and Jaffa, oh god what would they do to his Jaffa! She was still too innocent she wouldn't understand what was going on. She didn't know the world outside of his and his home. He couldn't do that to her.

He just had to keep... going... the next step sent him crumbling to the ground with a wheezy breath. Maybe he could just rest a little bit...

"...not what Fury told me!" Hawkeye whined while someone else murmured something.

"Yeah yeah, whatever I'll check these last couple of alleys and then i'll come meet up with you."

No. Peter let out as quiet a sob as he could before be dragging his aching limbs up. He had to keep going...

"Get in here," a voice hissed as Spider-man suddenly dragged by his collar and into an open doorway. He struggled as much as he could as he was dragged past some sort of dim and creepy storage room but the grip was relenting. His breath quickened, first the Avengers and now some crazy citizen! God, what if they attacked him.

He was eventually pulled through another darkened door before he was abruptly let go. Instantly, he scurried as fast as he could, pushing past some sort of table and chairs, to clamber up the wall and press himself into a corner.

The first thing he noticed was the man hovering awkwardly in the doorway. He was... enormous. Bulging tree trunk arms wrapped in tattoos and the wide frame to match, hard lined face with a square jawline, eyes that glinted even in the low light and a bald head offset with the curls of an orange beard. Most prominently was the half-formed lotus flower that was half-bloomed across his cheek.

"...ah. I didn't really think this through. Um, hi I'm Espen?" the man mumbled as he nervously twisted his hands in an... was he wearing a floral apron?

He must have been staring as the man seemed to blush and rush to take it off, throwing it across the counter behind him.

"Well this is embarrassing... I swear I don't usually wear floral! But it was a present from my... ah sister yeah. She's super girly and likes flowers and other girly things... I wasn't expecting company okay?"

Peter spared the man a brief glance before surveying the room in the low light available. It seemed to be some sort of café, or maybe a bakery? There were bookshelves and tables scattered about, some blobs he assumed were beanbags and the faint smell of pastries coming from the counter the burly man was standing in front of. Peter could feel his arms trembling and his grip slipping, he didn't know how much longer he could hold this.

"I always imagined you would be a lot more talkative," the man... Epsen was it, murmured to himself before rushing to correct himself, "Not that I'm saying that's a bad thing! At all. You're still great. Just... quiet. Yeah. This is awkward..."

Peter finally gave in to his aching limbs and slif off the wall to lean heavily against a chair. Please be kind... he could not last a second longer in a fight or a need to escape.

"Ummm I'm really not equipped for this I just... sorry about the lighting, by the way, Spider-man, can I call you Spider-man? Oh course I can you aren't going to tell me your actual name don't be stupid Espen..." he hissed to himself and rubbing his forehead as he glanced out a window.

"Right. Lights. I tried to make it dark so the Avengers..." Peter tensed causing Espen to stutter, "Ah them, they didn't try to see you in here."

Espen seemed to shrink in on himself, looking truly miserable and Peter felt bad for the guy, really. But the world was currently spinning and he still wasn't confident this wasn't a trap. He seemed to get over himself either way and after briefly touching the flower on his cheek straightened up, "Tea or coffee!?" he proclaimed loudly before slapping a hand over his mouth.

Peter didn't answer. He just didn't get it...

Espen seemed to shrink in on himself before pulling his apren back on and declaring, "Well, You seem kinda jittery so I am just going to make a teapot for us both how bout that?"

He gave a decisive nod before strolling behind the counter towards where Peter assumed the kitchen was.

"Why are you doing this?" Peter called after him causing Espen to trip over a something, causing a loud crash, before whirling bake in shock.

"You... You spoke to me! I'm... wait sorry explain the question?" he muttered sheepishly. Peter shook his head in bewilderment before repeating the question.

"Why are you do doing this? Saving me from the Avengers, making tea, being nice. I'm currently supposed to be evil incarnate or did you not watch the news?"

He whirled and slammed his hands on the bench, "The Avengers are wrong! You're New York's hero, you're here for the little guys as much as the big ones, you help people when it does nothing but cause pain and suffering for you. Those Avengers don't know anything about being a hero and they don't know anything about you! I am not going to just stand aside as they drag you through the dirt. Not when I have the power to help! If I can do even do the smallest thing, even if you barely remember it, to help a hero as pure as yourself, then I've lived a life worth living."

I don't need to explain anything to you. You're Spider-man and you damn well deserve every kindness that comes your way!" Espen finished with a shout, his eyes feverish and his breath panting. He seemed to be as shocked as Peter seemed to be ad he stared at his own shaking hands.

"...I'm sorry. I don't usually have outbursts like that. Really, I'm just... you're Spider-man and... I'm pretty much Espen so... I'll just grab that tea." He seemed to hiccup on that last one, almost in tears for some reason.

"There's a first aid kit in a basket next to the door if you want it. Need it. You'll probably need it the Ave- those guys. Bit strong, aren't they? Sorry... tea. I can tea. Just ignore everything I've said for the last 10 minutes, please. Except for the first aid kit. You can still remember that part... I'll just go if that's okay," he whispered before shuffling away, but before he could go, Peter, called out after him,

"Espen!"

The man himself turned around so quickly his shoulders bashed against the walls.

"You... you have done more for me than I deserve. I... Thank you. You're more pure a person than I could ever be. And some tea would lovely. Really." Peter shot him a smile he knew he couldn't see before shuffling to get the first aid kit. Espen seemed to be in shock, as he stared for a few moments longer before wispily floating into the kitchen while Peter let out a low chuckle. Interesting guy.

He spends the rest of the night listening to the Avengers pass, growing more and more furious each time, in the company of Espen. They exchange few words else, simply sit and sip tea while Espen checks his wounds (once Peter had trusted him enough to get close enough to see the injuired he found out Espen was quite a skilled medic)

They pass the night in peaceful company. As Peter sits there are drinks his tea he wonders whether this lump he holds back in his throat is a laugh or a sob. Was it this fear and trapped feeling due to the Avengers or the hope and comfort Espen had provided by showing that people out there did support him. Whatever it was, he knew deep down inside he was to be feeling a lot more of it in his future. He wishes desperately for a moment to rip off his mask, to stare Espen in the face to see how he reacts. Would he smile at the laughter threatening to burst forward or shift uncomfortably at red eyes and choked back tears? He wishes his face would tell him what this feeling scrambling to break free was. Perhaps it was panic. Perhaps it was hope. Fear. Courage. Victory. Defeat.

He did not know.

{*As always comment, I read everyyyy oneeeeee even if I only sometimes respond. If you do want me to answer just me or write OI SUNSHINETEARS YOU THERE MATE (or something along those lines) and I'll go 'Oh hey that person probably wants me to answer. That's cool I can do that.'*}