anonymous asked:

here's a tough prompt for you...one of usm vulture! of course, peter must be in there too! you can write it any way you but i can suggest some outlines. 1. take places in vulture's first debut, he & pete shares a moment as they watch the sunrise. 2. an introspective inside vulture's head from "beached" (pete was really sweet to him) 3. a AUish fic where vulture breaks free from the suit & goes to the academy (with rhino), & peter taking care them (especially adrian) & pacify the wary kids!

PG

Peter watched the sun as rose over the city. Who knew what would happen in the new day, what foe may rear it's head, what force may try to level the city. But he had time. There would always be time to help those in need. And Vulture - Adrian- was in need of so much. And Peter wasn't sure if he alone could provide it.

"What do I do now?" The teenager next to him was folded into himself.

"Come with me." Peter kept his voice low and soothing. "Let us show you another way. That there is more to life than what you have experienced so far."

"My memories. My family…"

"We can help you." Peter nudged him with his shoulder. "Will you let me help you?"

"I won't join SHIELD."

Adrian turned, fixing Peter with his near-dead eyes. It was so unfair, to have his whole life stripped away. Physically and mentally. Yet, despite the torture, Adrian still had good inside him.

"Then let me help as a friend. Forget SHIELD."

"Spider-Man, you would extend me friendship? After all I've done. All I will do…."

"I am a friend to anyone who is willing. Not many people take me up on it, but the offer is always there, Adrian."

"A friend. I don't even know what that means."

Peter wrapped his arms around the lost teen, pulling him close. "It means I won't give up on you."

For a brief moment, Adrian returned the embrace. Then he was gone. Soaring through the skies in search of answers he didn't need. And probably would never find.

But Peter would wait. He wouldn't give up.

Adrian fought the screeching, raking, pounding, in his head. Whatever mind control he was under was fading. He was lucid enough now. Not fully, but enough. Even if it was only temporary, it was enough.

It had to be enough. Ock couldn't have another win.

It had not taken long to find Spider-Man. But there were two of them. He wasn't looking for a fight, didn't want to cause them harm. But the programming in his suit acted. Maybe it was self defense, he wasn't able to make it out i his haze.

He couldn't talk. His mind screamed for his body to cooperate, to give him just a few seconds of control. Without being able to communicate, the other Spider insisted he was a threat. It wasn't a bad instinct. Adrian knew he could lose his control any second.

But Spider-Man kept his word. He believed in him. Even through everything. Spider-Man didn't give up on him. He insisted Adrian was good. Spider-Man stuck up for him, defended him even without proof.

Maybe he had a chance.

Maybe he could still be a good guy.

It took all of his concentration to fly in the direction of the island. Every second he spent dodging Iron Spider was a second he lost. This was the longest he had control and he hoped he could hold on long enough.

But Spider-Man believed.

So he fought. He focused.

Because Ock couldn't have another win.

After months (years? He lost count), Adrian almost gave up. But here he was. Blue sky above him. And he could see it clearly, with his own eyes.

"How's it feel to be free" Spider-Man's cautiously cheerful voice rang out to him. "Bet the air feels good in your skin."

Yes, the air. The cool breeze. The smell of the sea, of grass, of the nearby flowers… it was too much. He sunk to his knees, relishing the feel of the rough concrete poking through his pants.

"Adrian?" Spider-man knelt in front of him, not bothering to conceal the worry in his voice.

How long had it been since someone was worried about him? Since someone cared?

It was a lifetime ago. On a rooftop while they watched the sunrise.

"Hey." Fingers dug into his shoulder, but it wasn't an attack. No. It was warmth. And peace. And worry.

Spider-Man had always cared. He never stopped, not since the first day they met.

Adrian lifted his head. "You didn't give up." His voice sounded foreign to his own ears. How long had it been since he spoke?

"Friends don't give up."

This time, it was Adrian who initiated the hug, burying his face in Spider-Man's costume. He was free. Spider-Man held him close, rubbing circles along his back.

"W-what happens now? Do you take me to SHIELD? Do they lock me up?"

"I won't let them lock you up." Spider-Man continued rubbing soothing patterns along his back. "They will want to run tests. Make sure the control over you is severed for good. But it seemed linked to the suit."

Spider-Man pulled away, gripping him by the shoulders. "I'll be at your side. Though the whole thing. As long as you want me by your side, I'll stay."

"What then?"

Spider-man looked away, to where the other heroes waited out of earshot. "I don't know. It's up to you. But my invitation is still open. There is still a spot on the team for you."

"Everyone on the team… are they all… friends?"

Spider-man hummed. "The team is more than that. We're family."

Family. "I'd like to try."

Spider-Man tilted his head then pulled Adrian back to him. "It is good to have you back."

It was good to be back. To be himself. Family. Even if it wasn't his original family, it was still worth trying, worth fighting for.

If Spider-Man fought this hard for him when they were friends… it made him wonder what he did for his family.

"Okay, Adrian. Let's go home."

Thank you for reading!