Chapter 38 – Date With Deadpool

Peter enters the restaurant and looks around the few occupants. At the back he sees a very familiar looking profile, hunched over with a hood drawn up. Trying his best to ignore the butterflies currently taking residence in his stomach, Peter makes his way to the back and takes a seat opposite, smiling at the tacos on the table top.

Taking a deep breath he slowly looks up from the table top, taking in the casual clothes, until he reaches the mask and tries not to let the disappointment show on his face.

'Care to tell me who you been visiting, Baby Boy?'

'Thanks for the tacos,' he replies, reaching for some sauce. 'I'm pretty sure it was my turn to buy.'

'Don't avoid the fucking question.'

Peter scowls at him. 'Who made you my babysitter? I've got enough of them already thank you very much.'

'Yeah well I bet you failed to mention you went to the shit hole that is Hell's Kitchen to your buddies,' Deadpool counters.

Peter crosses his arms. 'I was seeing a friend.'

'You were seeing Daredevil. When did you find out who he was?'

'The same time he found out who I was. I keep his identity, he keeps mine.' The two have a staring match across the table. 'If you're going to try and stare me down at least have the decency to do it without the mask. Otherwise I can't tell if you're cheating.'

'Mask stays on,' Wade's tone is final as he looks down, then picks up one of his own tacos and realises his issue. 'Well, mostly on.'

'Right, yeah,' Peter looks down at his own food, forcing himself to eat it even though he doesn't have much of an appetite any more.

'Look, it's not that I-'

'Whatever, Pool,' he says, taking a bite out of a taco. 'I thought you wanted to catch up on information?'

'Right, yeah.' Peter doesn't look up as the mercenary fills him in on what he's found; there's nothing that points directly to where Tony is being held, but he's got information on weapon movements and a couple of drop offs. 'I went to a couple last night, but no one was talking much, mainly because they don't know shit. HYDRA's not stupid, Baby Boy, they aren't going to tell their secrets to the regular foot soldiers. But I did get the locations of a few destinations and origins of the weapon loads so I'll check them out and get back to you.'

'Thanks,' he replies, making sure he gets all of the information written down. 'I'll let you know if I hear anything else.' He makes to stand up and leave.

'Spi- Peter wait,' Deadpool reaches out and grabs hold of his wrist. 'I'm sorry, I just- fuck I'm shit at this. Will you just sit down and hear me out?' Peter looks at him for a moment, then nods and sits back down, pulling his hand back and sitting with arms crossed over his chest. 'Right,' the merc nods and looks down at the table. 'Ok I deserve that. Look, I didn't mean to be all, you know, "you can't do what you want" when you got here I just- I freaked the fuck out yesterday. I mean you call me a couple of days ago saying you're being attacked by the guy that's threatened to kidnap you, and we barely get you out of that shit show. The next thing I hear is Tin Can has been taken, and you nearly got taken with him, and then you're running off to Hell's Kitchen to go see a vigilante that, last time we spoke, also threatened you. In the meantime I'm running around like a fucking moron trying to work out where they're holding Tin Can, all the while wondering, if I do stumble across him, are you going to be there with him? I guess… I was just so fucking relieved to see you sit down I just let it all out.'

'I-'

Deadpool holds up a hand. 'I know you can look after yourself, Baby Boy. I know you can, I've seen you in action. Hell I've stared at your spandex-clad arse when you're in action. Doesn't mean I'm not going to worry about you. I'm sorry I flipped out.'

'I'm sorry, too,' Peter says, looking back up at the older man.

'We good?' Peter nods and gives him a small smile. 'Want some more tacos?'

'I could murder a couple of chimichangas.' He can see the answering grin through the mask as the man stands up to go and order. Just as he's settling back against the chair his phone rings. It's a number he doesn't recognise. 'Hello?'

'I've not got much for you, Peter,' Matt's voice comes over the phone, 'but I may have something.'

Peter sits bolt upright. 'Really?'

'Where are you now?'

'Catching up on information with another friend.'

'Deadpool?' he can hear the amusement in the man's voice, and tries to keep his face from going bright red.

'Maybe.'

'Am I interrupting a date?'

'Why is everyone calling it that?' he mutters. 'Can we move on please?'

'Alright I'm sorry. But seriously, it's obvious you like him I can hear your heart beat over the phone.'

'Can we please not talk about this?'

'Sorry.'

'No you're not,' Peter mutters, not caring the man will hear.

'No I'm not,' he agrees with a laugh. 'But anyway this isn't a call about your love life. There's been a lot of weapons being moved around the city.'

'Yeah Pool said the same thing,' Peter says as the man sits back down. He mouths the vigilante's name at him and sees the scowl through the mask but ignores him. 'He's going to check out a couple of the sites when we've finished here.'

'Tell him to concentrate around the old Expo site, and at warehouses at these addresses,' as Matt gives him the addresses Peter takes out his notebook to write them down. 'That's where I've picked up the most activity, makes me think it's some of their bases.'

'Thanks Daredevil,' he says, sliding the paper over to Deadpool who reads it carefully. 'I owe you big time.'

'Yeah well if you need anything else checking out then give me a call, now you've got my number. I'll let you know if I pick anything else up; if HYDRA start taking up residence in New York it's only a matter of time before they try taking over the city and that means Hell's Kitchen is on that list too. Let me know if you need help.'

'I'll let you know when the team plans to move against them. If you want to take off one of the heads, feel free.'

'Speak to you soon, kid.'

Peter puts his phone away and looks over at Deadpool. 'They on your list already?'

'All except the old Expo site,' he nods, 'I'll go to the others first and then head over there. Now how about we stop talking shop and actually chill a bit? You look ready to drop, Baby Boy.'

'I feel it,' he admits, taking a bite of his chimichanga. 'Thanks for this, Pool.'

The man shrugs. 'No need to thank me, I'm happy to help out my favourite arachnid. I would say you could pay me back with a date, but pretty sure I'd end up in jail.'

Peter tries not to let his nerves show, reaching for the sauce instead. 'Is that what this is?'

The tension at the table spikes, and he knows the man is watching him intently. Part of the giveaway is the forgotten chimichanga halfway to his open mouth. 'Would-is-would you like it to be? I mean… would you want to? Shit I can't believe I'm having this conversation with a fucking teenager.'

'I'm seventeen,' Peter huffs.

'Still a teenager.'

They're both avoiding the question. Peter takes a deep breath and looks up uncertainly at the man, remembering Matt's words. 'If this was a date you wouldn't have the mask on, so the question's kind of moot really.'

If possible the tension gets even thicker, and Peter finds it difficult to breathe as Deadpool lowers the chimichanga back down to the plate and looks to the side. 'Suppose you're right,' he sighs. 'But seeing as my face would put anyone off their food, the mask stays on, so we're not on a date.'

'Could be,' he says, voice cracking a little. He knows his face is bright red as the merc swings his face round to look at him, eyes of the mask wide. Steeling his nerves he takes a deep breath. 'Please?'

It feels like an eternity passes before the man reaches up, fingers curling under the mask. He pauses, and Peter desperately tries to keep the hope that's bubbling in his chest from his face, then slowly peels the mask the rest of the way off.

'Oh,' Peter breathes as the scarred face comes into view; but that's not what's caught his attention. 'Wade your eyes are gorgeous.' Then his brain catches up to what he's said and he blushes bright red. 'I mean-uh- you know- uh-'

'What?' Wade squeaks. 'That's what you come out with? Not "holy fuck what fire farted over your face?" You look at my eyes. Seriously?'

'Well…yeah?'

Wade's mouth falls open and he's staring at Peter in shock. 'You-what- are you real?'

'Last time I checked. Unless you want to get into the whole "evil demon dream" theory of reality. Does this mean we can call this a date now?'

'You-what- but- my face.'

'What does your face have to do with a date?'

'You- I- I can't- I need to get the fuck out,' before Peter can say anything Wade has pushed away from the table and all but run out of the restaurant.

'What?' Peter blinks, then growls in frustration and runs after the merc. He exits just in time to see the man disappear into an alley and gives chase. 'Wade!' When he reaches the entrance he can't see the man anywhere, but a sound from above catches his attention and he looks up to see the man vault onto the roof.

Peter growls and, throwing caution to the wind, vaults up the side of the building onto the roof. He arrives to see the mercenary pacing backwards and forwards muttering to himself, and running his hands over his head. Frustration taking over Peter lets a web fly and drags the merc towards him.

'What the hell was all that about?' he demands once the man is within a couple of feet.

'I…panicked?'

'Panicked,' Peter repeats. 'What the hell did you need to panic for?'

'You,' he looks away in shame, 'you didn't freak out over my face.'

'Why is that a reason to panic? Surely that's a good thing.'

'It is!' Wade agrees quickly, looking back to Peter. 'It's just… you're the first person whose seen my face and hasn't reacted with some form of disgust. I hadn't prepared myself for any part of me to be called "gorgeous" so I just…panicked.'

Peter feels his heart breaking. 'But Wade…' he struggles to find the words he wants, 'why would I find you disgusting?'

'Uh… you've looked at me right?'

Peter closes the space between them so he's standing close enough to feel the warmth from the man's body, dropping the end of the web he reaches a hand up to brush over the bald head. 'I'm looking at you right now, and I don't see anything disgusting. I finally get to look at one of my best friends, and there's nothing not to like.'

'Fuck,' Wade breathes and then, before Peter can properly register what is happening the man kisses him. Strong arms tighten and would have crushed him against the hard chest if not for his powers, and honestly he's glad the man is holding him up because he's not entirely sure his knees would be able to support him. One of Wade's hands travel up his side to his face, cupping the back of his head and deepening the kiss, making Peter gasp, and the mercenary takes the opportunity to tentatively explore with his tongue.

When he starts to pull away Peter makes a noise of protest, tightening arms around the man's neck and jumping up to follow the man's mouth, using his wall crawling abilities to hold onto Wade's shoulders, and wrapping his legs around his waist. Wade stumbles back a couple of steps, but quickly steadies them and continues to kiss him. It's deep and ferocious, and full of emotion, much like the man himself.

'Fuck,' Wade says again, pushing Peter away from him and taking a few steps back. 'No, no, no I can't be doing this. You're seventeen!'

'We've taken out criminals together, and I've taken out a supervillain wanting to steal the Avengers' stuff and you're worrying about my age?'

'Of course I'm fucking worried about your age! You're not even legal-'

'Oh come on!'

'No, listen to me, please,' Wade says, turning pleading eyes on him. Peter sighs but nods, gesturing for the man to continue. 'Look I know I've been making comments about your arse in spandex and all that, but I'm not about to start something like this with someone who is underage alright? I just… I do have some fucking morals. I mean usually they're shit ones I'll give you that, but I'm not moving on this. Peter you asked me if this was a date and I would absolutely love to be taking you on dates every single week and spoiling the shit out of you.'

'So why don't you? I want this, Wade.'

'Fuck Baby Boy, you trying to get me put in prison? There's only so much self-control I have. Look,' he holds up his hands to stop whatever Peter is about to say, 'I'm not saying I don't want this but… Peter you're still in school and you have a lot going on and I don't want something with us to screw it up for you. I'm assuming Tin Can wants you staying in school and getting a degree and all that and, honestly, I agree with him. You need some normality in your life, and a crazy mercenary for a boyfriend doesn't fit in that.'

'Fits into every aspect of my life, you moron,' Peter grumbles, crossing his arms over his chest.

'Look, how about we do more of what we did tonight?' Wade suggests. 'Without the whole person missing and exchanging information obviously. We meet up outside of patrols for food or whatever, but nothing more happens until you're eighteen. Then we can decide if we still want to do the whole explore the dating scene.'

'You seriously kiss me like that and then tell me I have to wait a year to be able to do it again?' Peter demands.

'Baby Boy you kiss me like that again before you're eighteen and I am going to do things to you that will definitely be putting me into a jail cell for many many years.'

Peter blushes, but knowing he's not going to be able to change the merc's mind just nods. 'Fine,' he pouts, 'but just so you know, when you get frustrated at taking it slow I'm reminding you this is all your idea.'

He knows he's in trouble when he gets home. It's not just May sitting on the sofa waiting for him.

'Spending the evening with Ned?' Natasha asks, quirking an eyebrow at him. 'I thought we agreed you would lay low.'

'I am!' he protests. 'I promise I am.'

'So what are you doing wandering around most of New York in the past two days?'

Peter tries not to come across as defensive as he reaches into his pocket and takes out the piece of paper that he'd copied the addresses on earlier, he places it on the table in front of her and then takes a seat on one of the armchairs.

'What's this?' Natasha asks, taking the piece of paper.

'I called in a couple of favours,' he explains. 'Well and owe a favour. Those are all areas of high activity with weapons distribution, most probably from HYDRA activity.'

Natasha's eyebrows disappear into her hairline, and May looks furious. 'Peter Parker what have you been doing?' his aunt demands.

'Technically I've just been walking to a couple of meeting points and talking to people. It's other people that have done most of the work. Ned and I have just been collating information and listening in on police radios. Uh-I mean-'

'Listening in on-'

Natasha cuts across his aunt. 'Who have you been speaking to?' Peter looks down at her question. 'Deadpool?'

He nods, and he sees Natasha rub her temples. 'Deadpool and… and Daredevil.'

'What? Since when did you know Daredevil?' she demands. 'We've been trying to track him down for months.'

'I'm not giving you his name,' Peter says, voice firm, 'he knows who I am. It's a mutual secret.'

Natasha studies him for a moment and then nods. 'Alright. So these are all places of high activity?'

Peter nods. 'Daredevil gave me those addresses. Deadpool had done his own investigation and got all of the addresses except the Expo as potential places for HYDRA activity. He's checking out some of them and getting back to me. Daredevil's keeping tabs on things and will let me know if anything else comes up.'

'You've been busy,' the red head comments, 'May showed me your room.'

'I couldn't sit and do nothing,' he says, looking down at the carpet.

There's silence for a while. 'You've done well, Pete,' Natasha says eventually. 'I'll admit I'm impressed. Keep me updated if you hear anything else, but you don't move against them, you understand?' Peter nods. 'I'll let you know when we move in. You're not coming though.'

'What? Why-'

'They wanted you as well as Tony,' she snaps. 'I couldn't live with myself if you got hurt whilst we were trying to save him. And you can bet anything that Tony would have my hide if I let you come along. If you're there Pete he'll be too distracted keeping you safe to focus on getting out. We can't risk that. Understand?' He frowns but nods. She stands up to leave and he scrambles to his feet. 'Don't stop what you're doing now though, you've made more progress than we have. Seems you've got some good contacts, Spider-Man.'

He gives a small smile, but doesn't look up from the carpet. Then he's pulled into a tight hug and, after a couple of seconds, he wraps his arms around her waist. 'Be careful,' he says quietly. 'I don't want any of you to get hurt.'

'Takes more than a couple of HYDRA idiots to take us out,' she says into his hair and he chuckles.

'Bring him back, Nat. Please.'

A/N: So finally some Spideypool action! Sorry I know it's taken a while for the relationship side of this story to really take off. Now all we have to do is get Tony back and the Stony can take off.

Thank you to everyone who is still reading this story, and especially to the people who are finding it for the first time and persevering with getting through all of it! Extra big thank you to everyone who has left reviews, I do love hearing your thoughts on what is going on. The support for this story has been incredible.

I've had a few requests for a WinterIron story so I'm having a few thoughts about how to do that. It would be separate from this series, but I've got the start of an AU idea in my head that I might make into WinterIron. For now I'm working on the next special which is set after this story finishes, and will then go on to the sequel for this one.

In the meantime do let me know what you think of these two chapters. I hope you continue to enjoy the story and, as always, do let me know what you think.

Thank you again and big love!

L x

As always here's your sneak peek:

'You touch any of them,' Tony growls, 'and I'll make sure you die a slow and very painful death.'

'Any of them?' Hammer echoes. 'Or just the intern that's more a son than an employee? Or the dear Captain who you've become more than a little closer to? Or what about the Soldier who so desperately wants your heart?'

'Whatever you think you know, Hammer,' Tony growls, 'you don't know shit.'

Hammer just laughs. 'Whatever you say, Anthony. How about we give your friends a little call?'