HAPPY UPDATE DAY! I hope everyone's doing good with school back under way for a lot of you, I know it's tough but you're all doing great :) You got this! Today's chapter is a bit more on the fun side, with another visit to everyone's favorite character JJ, time with Ned, and Tony being done with everything as always. Enjoy!
No TW!
Have fun and stay safe ❤️️ 💛💚💙💜
May patiently rubs lotion on Peter's sunburnt shoulders, hoping that his spider abilities prevent his skin from peeling. According to what Tony told her, it's already looking much better than that morning.
"It stings," Peter halfheartedly whines. His aunt had offered to moisturize the most burned areas, mostly because he groaned every time he tried to reach his arms up.
"Maybe if you had put on more sunscreen like I told you, then it wouldn't sting," May points out, sounding more like a mom than an aunt. Of course she's right, but Peter is as stubborn as ever.
"But the smell makes my senses go nuts," he counters with partial truth. Yes, the amount of chemicals from the sunscreen drives his sense of smell crazy, but that's about it. It's nothing compared to peppermint.
"Mhm," May acknowledges, but doesn't buy it. Then again, Peter didn't really expect her to. "There you go, good as new." She smiles brightly and places her hands on her hips. Meanwhile, Peter looks in the mirror in front of them and glances over his chest.
"I'm still pink," he pouts, sticking out his bottom lip slightly.
"That's right. My pink baby boy." May simply stands with a feeling of accomplishment as Peter tilts his head back in exasperation.
"Please don't call me that," he pleads. His self esteem is already low enough without being called both "pink" and "baby" in the same sentence. This is May's form of payback for him being MIA and he's painfully aware of it. She gingerly pats his shoulder with what's probably meant to be encouragement, but it feels more like an "I told you so."
"Come on, dinner's ready." With that, she exits the bathroom and leaves behind a mildly confused Peter.
"Isn't it pizza night? I thought we were going to Rosa's?" They have a system; every Wednesday is pizza night. It is Wednesday, isn't it? He loses track of the days when he isn't in school. Usually MJ reminds him.
"It is, but I thought we'd do something a little different," May calls back to him from the kitchen. When Peter doesn't get a further explanation, he pulls on his t-shirt and walks out to join her. Instead of sitting on the counter, like he used to do, he casually jumps to the ceiling and sits upside down. When May turns around and sees him, she sighs and tries to maintain her patience.
"Peter, what did I say about shoes on my ceiling?" she inquires calmly. As always, she has the patience of a saint. Peter smiles apologetically and uses one hand to stick to the ceiling while he takes his shoes off with the other. When he's finished, he tosses his shoes to the door. "If there's any footprints up there, you're cleaning them up, young man," May pushes her point firmly. She sets a brown paper bag on the dining room tables and pulls out their meal.
"Woah! No way!" Peter exclaims. He immediately leaps down, his sock-covered feet landing silently, and excitedly sits. "I haven't had one of Mr. Delmar's sandwiches in weeks! Thanks, May! Did he-"
"Smoosh it down flat? Yes. He knows your order by heart," May finishes for him, shooting him an amused glance before pulling out her own sandwich.
"You're the best," Peter says honestly and doesn't waste another second. Nothing beats Mr. Delmar's sandwiches and nothing will ever change that. He needs to visit the man more often. It's hard not to miss someone who was part of your daily routine, plus he's a nice guy.
"I know," May agrees confidently.
The two eat in a comfortable silence, both of their mouths full, as she mulls over the plan in her head. She has Peter's favorite food and they aren't in a public space, so it'll be easier to talk to him and simultaneously get honest answers. Is she using Mr. Delmar's sandwiches as a form of bribery? Maybe a little bit, but that's not the topic at hand. What they need is a long overdue heart-to-heart. For some amusing reason, her intentions cause a slight tingling from Peter's Spidey Sense. This usually means one of two things; a scolding or an emotional talk. Peter silently hopes his senses are wrong.
"Have anything fun planned tomorrow?" May casually inquires before taking a bite out of her sandwich. "I was thinking we could start some shopping for Hanukkah and get some stuff for latkes and jelly doughnuts." She smiles, knowing those are his favorites. Peter's eyes light up at the thought; latkes are the best and it's one of the only things that May knows how to cook well. Then, he remembers the sewers.
"Actually, I do kinda have something I have to do," he admits, looking back down at his sandwich. He nervously picks at the cheese peeking out of the bread and avoids eye contact. May frowns slightly at his words and sets down her food.
"What kind of thing?" It's phrased as a question, but Peter can tell he has no choice but to answer it. Not that he'd lie again after the issues they had a few months ago. That ended with her finding out about Homecoming and then the warehouse after he was almost killed by Mysterio. Ah, the memories.
"Well, Ned and I were gonna go check out a lead on Scorpion. In the sewers… But don't worry! It'll be totally safe! Mr. Stark's going to be on the comms with us the whole time," he quickly reassures when May gives him an incredulous look.
"There's no way I'm allowing you to go chasing after that lunatic all by yourself. Did you see what he did to the park?" May can't believe what she's hearing. Peter wants to go walking through the New York sewer system alone? Chasing after a scorpion-themed super villain? Is this her life now?
"Yeah, May, I kind of got to see it first hand," Peter reminds her. He makes a fair point, but not necessarily in his favor.
"Watch your tone, young man," May scolds mildly. She takes a deep breath and thoughtfully interlocks her fingers under her chin. Peter gauges her reaction, his food now forgotten as well, and flickers his eyes around the room. "I just want to spend more time with you. School is finally out and I know Spider-Man is important, but so is this family," she says gently. Peter chews the inside of his cheek anxiously, but nods.
"I know…I just, our relaxing day didn't go great. It's like bad luck follows me or something. And I can't ignore it, even if it is the holidays, y'know? I don't exactly get the holidays off like every other job." He does his best to portray his frustrations, but he isn't upset about it. This is what he signed up for and now he has a duty, a responsibility. He has to look out for the little guy, even if that means a little less time at home. May carefully considers his conflicted expression.
"I understand that, but it isn't a job. It's something you've chosen to do out of the kindness of your heart. There are plenty of superheroes out there and you're too young to be escapading in the sewers on your winter break. Not everything has to fall on you, sweetheart." A hint of her humor leaks through, causing Peter to smile. All of her teasing aside, this truly is her baby boy and she doesn't want to see anything happen to him. More than it already has. However, she knows she can't keep him on a tight leash when it comes to Spider-Man. Thank goodness for Tony Stark. "Alright, but only because Tony will be keeping an eye on you," she relents, if only minutely. "You call me before and after. No ifs, ands, or buts. I want to be kept in the loop, understand?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Peter enthusiastically agrees to her terms and salutes her. May shakes her head at the goofball and lets some of the tension in her shoulders dissipate, knowing her boy is going to be in good hands. He better be or she and Tony will be having a few choice words. "And the day after, we can do all the shopping and start decorating and stuff! As long as chocolate gelt is a part of the deal," Peter promises and glances to his aunt hopefully. With playful, narrowed eyes, May mulls over his request.
"I'm sure we can find a way to make that happen," she gives in, making Peter immediately throw his arms up victoriously. He deserves to be spoiled every once in a while, especially when they're in the rare position to afford it. Plus, it helps that she'd do absolutely anything for him. That seems to be a standard side effect of love. "But only superheroes who eat all their vegetables get chocolate." She goes back to eating her sandwich, fully aware of the conversation she has just unleashed. Peter's face instantly scrunched up in disgust at the notion.
"But May," he draws out in a whine, "vegetables are gross. I don't like green stuff." He says it as if it proves his point, following his aunt's actions by taking a disgruntled bite of his food. Still, it's not outright dismissal, so May considers that approval to make brussels sprouts with tomorrow night's dinner.
The next morning, the first thing Peter realizes is that he has to take the photos of his most recent fight with Scorpion to J. Jonah Jameson. Maybe this time I can actually get some information instead of being yelled at. Betty might have some advice? She's been working with him for longer, but I can't imagine anyone getting on his good side. With a sigh, he lets it go for later today and grabs his phone off the nightstand.
Guy in the Chair
Peter: moooorning
Ned: morning!
Ned: DUDE we finally got snow! this is awesome!
Ned: that means we got to put on extra comfy clothes and have eve hot choclate
Peter: right? we HAVE to go ice skating with mj too
Ned: y E S
Ned: when shes not busy
Peter: yeah it's not gonna be the same without her today
Peter: hey serious question
Ned: hey serious answer
Peter: have you ever herd mj talk about her parents?
Ned: ummmm actually no not really
Ned: she mentioned hanging out with her dad today tho
Peter: yeah
Peter: I was thinking about it and after the washington monument thing everyones parents were there to pick up their kids except for mj's
Peter: may and i offered her a ride but she said her ride was on the way and they were just late
Ned: thats weird
Ned: do you think hes a single dad
Peter: maybe
Peter: i dunno
Peter: but what i DO knpw is that we have a lot to do today
Ned: lay it on me! :)
Ned: wait
Ned: do you think pirates use this smiley face .)
Peter: ned we're off topic
Peter: but yes they totally do
Peter: just like us spider themed heroes use the spidey owo
Peter: ꙮwꙮ
Ned: oh my god youre a genius
Peter: thank you thank you
Peter: but the plan! we gotta drop off the photos from the boardwalk to JJJ, talk to Betty, hopefully get on JJJ's good side, and rhen go sesrching for our nemesis in the sewers
Ned: this is going to be so AWESOME AAAAAAHHHHHH
Ned: ILL START BOOTING UP MY COMPUTER RN AND GET EVERYTHING READY TO GO
Ned: WE'RE GONNA KICK ASS
Peter: ned
Peter: this is a stealth mission remember? we don to run into scorpion
Ned: oh yeah huh
Ned: thats a good point especially since he kinda beat you to a pulp last time
Peter: NED
Ned: WHAT? IT E
Peter: THAT DOESN'T MEAN TOU HAVE TO SAY IT
Peter: i'm gonna go get dressed where your words cant hurt me ;-;
Ned: ill be here when youre ready for your Guy in the Chair™ .)
Peter: you arent a pirate you cant use that smiley face
Ned: now whos being mean to whO
Ned: .) .) .) .) .) .) .) .) .) .) .) .)
He prints Droney's pictures from the fight at Luna Park and heads out relatively early, May having already left for work, and makes his way to the Flatiron Building. On the way to see J. Jonah Jameson, he looks through the photos one by one. They look good and have a variety of dynamic action shots, but they feel…impersonal. Maybe he'll take the next batch himself. How will he be able to do that by himself? He has no clue, but he'll make it happen somehow!
After a short walk and even shorter subway ride, he walks into the building housing the Daily Bugle Newspaper. Okay, he thinks as he rides up the newly renovated elevator, first I have to talk to Betty. Get some tips. Then, I'll go give Mr. Jameson his photos and try to get on his good side. How the hell do I do that? He hates Spidey, so I just have to hate myself to make myself look good to earn the trust of someone who hates me…? My head hurts…
The elevator dings, the doors open, and he timidly steps out with a half-baked plan in mind. He's met with the bustling commotion of the editorial rooms once again, but it's easier to navigate this time. Walking between the aisles of desks, he looks for a specific head of blonde hair. He finds her standing by a computer with a set of coffees and moves towards her before he loses his nerve.
"Hey, Betty," he greets with a heartwarming smile. Betty looks over her shoulder, then returns the smile.
"Hi, Peter. Back to see Jameson?" she asks somewhat sympathetically, glancing at the photos in his hand. Peter follows her line of sight before looking back up.
"Yeah! More Spider-Man. You know how it is." He chuckles awkwardly and accepts that he'll always be socially inept. Still, Betty's eyes go wide and she gasps lightly.
"Did you see what happened to Luna Park on the news?!" she asks, suddenly exuberant.
"Uh, yeah, the Spider-Man stuff? I was there…" Peter answers cautiously. He isn't sure how much he should say, but he makes sure to keep his story consistent. This seems to only make Betty more enthusiastic.
"No. Way. What was it like? What happened?" Well, she certainly has the interrogation skills of a reporter. Peter rubs the back of his head as he thinks of a suitable response.
"Well, I got pictures? So, like, I saw some of it but not a lot. But, um, I didn't get that close. I have a…drone," he explains. Betty's eyebrows come together in confusion.
"A drone?" Peter quickly nods in affirmation. C'mon, get your story straight.
"Yeah! Ned and I built it." There, that makes sense. He gives her a tight-lipped smile as she seems to accept the answer.
"Oh, nice. That's very ingenuitive. Did you see the villain?" She leans against the desk behind her and sets the coffees down. Her eyes are attentive and she's more interested than Peter has ever seen her in a conversation.
"Not really, Scorpion was-"
"His supervillain name is Scorpion?!" she questions in a barely contained whisper. Oops, Peter absentmindedly thinks. He stares at her for a second, unable to speak, before his brain stops short-circuiting.
"Mhm!" he answers, crossing his arms defensively. "I, I heard Spider-Man yell it during the, uh, fight." Hopefully, the stuttering doesn't give away the white lie. Technically though, he isn't lying; he probably yelled it during the fight. At some point.
"Thank you so much, Peter! Now I have critical information that no one else has. I'll climb the ladder in no time," Betty says with determination, visualizing her career path with the new material in mind. Great job, Peter, you just gave the media more traction, Peter internally berates.
"No problem." He hardly manages to maintain his upbeat demeanor and tries not to wince at the hole he's dug himself into. "Actually, I was hoping you had some tips? About how to…handle Mr. Jameson?" His tone is hopeful, but timid at the same time. Some of that is alleviated when Betty kindly nods.
"First of all, agree with him on everything. Otherwise, you'll just get tinnitus. Take my word for it. Get in and get out as fast as you can. Don't waste your time with pleasantries, because he won't. If anything, it will only annoy him. Lastly, let his insults bounce off. You need thick skin if you want to work with him. Does that help?" It seems like she's been asked this before or has a lot of experience with Jameson, since her words are somewhat formal. If anything, Peter is more intimidated than before.
"A lot!" he assures. "Thanks, Betty. I really appreciate it." Maybe they should hang out with Betty more often, she seems sweet.
"Anytime. Hopefully you survive and I'll see you around," she mildly jokes before walking away to pass out the remaining coffee cups. After casually looking around for a moment, surveying the area, Peter makes his way towards Jameson's office. There's no giveaways in the editorial room that Mac has any connection to the company, so it has to be solely personal when it comes to him and Jameson. Well, if you want answers, sometimes you have to go straight to the source. He lightly knocks on the new door and notes how the office is slowly being restored to the former glory that he can only assume it was.
"Whataya want?!" the bellowing voice of Jameson answers. Peter slowly opens the door and peeks his head through.
"Hi, Mr. Jameson! I have more pictures of Spider-Man. Do you-"
"Of course I want 'em! Get in here already, Parker!" Jameson cuts off the teen, who then quickly steps in and shuts the door behind him. Peter clears his throat and maintains his polite smile. You got this. Just like you planned and remember what Betty said. Don't waste time on being formal. He simply hands over the folder of photos and sits in one of the empty chairs as Jameson cycles through them.
"I was at the boardwalk when the fight happened," he informs to fill the awkward silence. A cloud of cigar smoke floats up as Jameson breathes out and his eyes shift up to look at Peter.
"What, you set up cameras at a random theme park this time? Huh?! Tape 'em up in the sky?!" Jameson demands, setting the photos on his desk. Peter swallows thickly, but this is why he came up with a story ahead of time.
"Actually, sir, I use a drone," he supplies calmly. Jameson's eyes narrow before he continues.
"That explains the crappy quality," the temperamental man mutters. Let the insults bounce off, let the insults bounce off, let the insults bounce off, Peter repeats the mantra in his head. "I'll give you three hundred for the lot. No more than that! I'm not running a charity, you got it?!" Peter nods enthusiastically, a real smile replacing the anxious one.
"Yeah! Of course! That's perfect, really," he assures as Jameson gathers the photos, an uncharacteristic grin on his face. Or maybe it's just because Peter hasn't ever seen the man smile, let alone grin before.
"Tomorrow, page one, 'Spider-Man Goes on a Rampage: Luna Park Decimated.'" He tests out the wording theatrically, raising his hand as if visualizing the headline. A slight buzzing at the base of Peter's skull only confirms how wary he is of the newspaper. Last time, it turned the police against him, now what will it do? Turn the entire city against him?
"Uh, Mr. Jameson?" he starts reluctantly. "Spider-Man wasn't actually the one destroying the place? It was the, the bad guy and he was trying to lead him away from all the people so that no one got hurt." Due to Jameson's painfully bored expression, he can tell his words aren't making any difference.
"My newspaper, my headline. I don't pay you to have a brain! Or a conscience! If anything, they're in cahoots! Trying to brainwash everyone into thinking he's a hero. Not on my watch! You can't go around trusting every maniac in primary colors and tights! Can't trust anyone in a mask…" His voice suddenly takes on a somber undertone and he stares off for a moment. Peter easily catches the change in mood and heightens his senses out of habit as he notes in his head, he doesn't trust people in masks? Why? Does he just hate superheroes? Did something happen? …Better not press it. As quickly as the atmosphere shifted, Jameson is back to his overly uproarious nature. "He needs to answer for his crimes! Pay for what he's done! Literally! Monetarily!" Peter gulps and is about to retort, but then remembers what Betty said.
Agree with him on everything
"Yeah! I totally agree! But, but he's friends with Iron Man, right? Who's a billionaire! If we force him to be accountable for…what he's done, it'd be too easy for him to just ask for Iron Man to pay for it. He wouldn't learn his lesson and, and that might make him out to be even more of a hero by being responsible." It's difficult to keep his train of thought going, especially knowing he'd never ask Tony to pay for stuff, but he has to get on Jameson's good side.
"I like the way you think, Parker!" Jameson exclaims, his voice unwavering as he stands, then moves around his desk. Peter also stands before Jameson clasps a hand on his shoulder and starts walking them both towards the door. "We'll have it up first thing tomorrow on the new site! Don't understand why we need to replace good old fashioned newspapers. All these no-good, lazy kids. Well, what're you waiting for?! Get out! Spider-Man's not gonna take pictures of himself!" As soon as Peter is past the threshold, the door slams behind him. Well…I think that went good! While he gets his payment, he silently considers everything.
So, Mr. Jameson has something against masked vigilantes, that much is obvious. But it seems like it's personal for him. Maybe we can find something online? I'll have to ask MJ if she can help us out with her magic researching powers. Or I'm sure Ned and I can handle it.
He meanders a few blocks away from the Flatiron Building, blending into the crowd, before ducking into an alleyway. After making sure he's away from any prying eyes, not that some teenager would gather much attention, he hastily puts on his suit.
"Good morning, Peter. It's been a while," Karen greets as the HUD boots up. Peter realizes that it has been a while. The last time they really talked was the fight at the boardwalk. A few days doesn't seem like a lot, but it is when he considers they usually talk every day.
"Hey, Karen! I missed you," he says genuinely, a smile underneath his newly-dawned mask. The voice that replies is just as warm and comforting.
"I missed you too. What would you like to do today?" she politely asks. Peter goes over the options in his head.
"Well, I think we should start heading for the sewers. The ones we were at when we fought Scorpion last time. We're gonna explore them!" he recants excitedly. As Karen responds, he leaps straight up out of the alley and starts carelessly swinging.
"As long as you have a plan, unlike last time," she all but scolds.
"Hey! It's not my fault he surprised me last time. I thought I did pretty great for being tossed around an amusement park," Peter confidently defends. A route is highlighted on his HUD back to Luna Park where he lost Scorpion in the sewers. He's aware that he could start the search at any manhole, but if the villain is hiding out in the sewers, then hopefully he can look for clues. Wherever he's hiding out can't be too far from that entrance.
"Whichever makes you feel better," Karen humors, a hint of amusement to her voice. Peter huffs, then gets back on topic.
"Can you call Ned for me, please?"
"Sure thing, Peter. Dialing." He can still hear the merriment, which only makes him pout and his mechanical lenses droop. There's ringing for a few beats, but Ned is always quick to answer.
"Hey, Peter! Is Tony Stark here?!" his best friend's frantic voice comes through.
"Ned, you've seen him a bunch. How are you still nerding out?" he questions curiously. He can't still be starstruck…can he?
"Talk about being a hypocrite," Ned mumbles, crossing his arms indignantly. "You should be nicer to your Guy in the Chair." Peter chuckles, but complies nonetheless.
"You're right, what was I thinking. How are you doing on this fine, winter morning, oh King of Hackers?" he dramatically says instead. Ned nods in approval, holding back a laugh.
"That sounds way cooler. Too bad it's too late to rebrand. I've been rewatching Game of Thrones and I still don't get how people want to sit on a throne made of, like, literal swords," he rambles and Peter nods in agreement.
"Exactly, that's the most unrealistic thing about Game of Thrones. No one would wanna sit on the Iron Throne." And just like that, they're sucked into another irrelevant conversation as they wait for Tony to join them on the call.
"Right?!" Ned exclaims, Karen automatically adjusting the volume for Peter's sensitive ears. "What season are you on?" One of Peter's lenses widens while the other narrows.
"What do you mean? We're watching it together, I'm on the same season as you," he reminds in confusion.
"Awe, you're waiting for me?!"
"Of course, man." They always watch cool, new series together, especially something as brutal as Game of Thrones that they don't want to watch by themselves. Sometimes, having your best friend there to share in your sorrow at losing characters makes all the difference.
"Then this is probably a good time to tell you that I watched season five of the office without you." Peter audibly gasps at the betrayal.
"Ned how could you?!" he demands, landing on the asphalt road. Without waiting for a response, he lifts the manhole cover and descends into the darkness.
"I couldn't resist!" Ned halfheartedly defends, obviously not remorseful in the slightest sense of the word. Nevertheless, Peter leaves that for another day and becomes serious as soon as the relative silence and dampness of the sewers surrounds him.
"Okay, so we have to really be careful, we have no idea where Scorpion is," he says in a cautious, hushed voice. "Mr. Stark isn't on yet, so we can't do anything crazy. There's sewage everywhere and-"
"What do you think my codename would be?" Ned suddenly interrupts. Peter blinks, his lenses following the movement, then attempts to retort.
"Ned we don't need-"
"I know it's already taken but I kinda like NOOBMASTER69." Silence. "Yeah, you're right. That doesn't go well with my porn-excuse past. Oh! You can be Cool Ranch since your face is all over Doritos bags!" Ned continues despite not getting a response.
"Ned, it's literally just us. We don't need code names over the comms," Peter tries to reason with him, but of course his attempts are futile.
"Then what about Iron Man for you?" Ned suggests, practically ignoring his friend entirely. Peter takes carefully planned steps forward, making sure he doesn't come into contact with any water that could send out ripples.
"Ned…" he takes a deep breath, then resumes through clenched teeth, "someone already uses that name, in case you forgot."
"Right, sorry," Ned concedes nonchalantly, hardly sounding finished. So, Peter waits with drooped shoulders and a resigned expression. "Iron Boy," Ned corrects, causing Peter's cheeks to heat up.
"Ned!" Thankfully, as if the universe is finally starting to smile upon him, Tony's contact pops up on his HUD. He breathes a sigh of relief. "Oh thank god. Hi, Mr. Stark!" he happily answers the call.
"Hey, Underoos. Your friend on?" Tony checks in reluctantly. It's not that he doesn't like Ned, he does, it's that the teen tends to get overexcited. Peter opens his mouth to respond, but is instantly cut off.
"Mr. Iron Man, Sir, what's your code name?!" Silence envelops the trio, probably not for the last time today.
"I'll take that as a yes," Tony comments resolutely. Peter's head drops and he momentarily wonders if this is his villain origin story. This is going to be a long patrol…
PHEEEEEEWW i hope you're ready for next week, things get *real* pretty fast with the plot, so prepare! Since a week is a long time to wait, take this lil tidbit that gets the fun vibe across:
"Iron Boy, this is Solid Snake coming in. Overprotective Dad and I have procured vital information regarding Jar Jar Binks."
"Really, man? You could've had any code name and you picked Solid Snake?"
"Overprotective Dad…?"
Thank you for reading! ❤️️ 💛💚💙💜
If you'd like to keep up to date on upcoming fics and get sneak peeks, feel free to follow one of my accounts!
Instagram: kevy_fanfics
Tumblr: kevyfanfics
Twitter: Kevy_Fanfics