"What do you mean you can't find him?!"

Mirko had returned to the nearest police station the next morning to collect what she could on the villain she had fought. Venom—at least that's what he called himself— was too similar to another she had fought back in Hosu. Considering how dangerous Bloodstain was, this darker imitation needed to be dealt with quickly, something she didn't think these people understood.

"How can you not have found him, already?!" She questioned the officer standing in front of her, "He's a big, muscular man with giant white eyes!"

"No one has seen him anywhere since you reported it!" The officer panicked, "It's only been a few hours, Mirko. When we get a sighting logged in, we'll tell you."

"You better. Do you know what happened in Hosu? A villain with a similar quirk killed a lot of people and took up to four of us to stop. I don't want to even imagine what this one will do in the time until we catch him!"

"Y-yes ma'am!"

It was normal to be intimidated by Mirko. She was strong enough to crush someone's entire body under one foot, and she had the attitude to match. When she demanded something, no one dared to make her wait if they could help it. Impatient, stubborn and sometimes rude, but still one of the best and most respected heroes out there.

Even if she scared the crap out of them.

"Mirko."

Her name was spoken by a deep and commanding voice, fueled with authority only she could rival. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was, given that the rooms temperature had risen gradually. Behind her was the number 2 hero, Endeavor, with his fiery shoulders and ignited beard. He stared her down with such focus that would knock over the average man. She, of course, didn't budge.

The officer she was speaking with quickly fled after Endeavor had arrived, not wishing to fall victim to his demeanor. Mirko and the hot-headed hero were left there alone, staring each other down as a few officers watched from a distance.

"Endeavor," She finally spoke back, "What are you doing here?"

"I saw your report in the Hero Network," he said, "About a villain that resembled Carnage and Bloodstain."

"Yeah? So?"

"Have they found him?"

She scoffed, "No. They work too slow, here. Why do you care?"

He clenched his fist at her, making his intention clear, "Simple; I wish to take him out."

"Why is that? Oh, I get it!" she smirked, "You still feel burned for not getting to finish Carnage yourself!"

"I will not let one of their kind best me again. I am capable of defeating any and every quirk. If this man holds the same one as the previous, my flames will be best suited to deal with it."

She remembered how he acted during that incident. He made it all about himself and fully intended to kill Carnage and the man it controlled. Endeavor was the last person she wanted near someone like that. If this Venom was the same as Carnage, then there was a chance the man inside wasn't in control. The goop can die for all she cares, but the man inside – even if he was a criminal – could still be saved.

"You're the last person I'd ask for help, bud, and I almost never ask for help," She spat, "You nearly killed the kid last time cuz you wouldn't calm the hell down."

He glared at her, "That child was and is a villain."

"He was and is a hero," She walked past him, refusing to look back as she made for the door, "A better one than you."

He wanted to counter her insult, but she was gone before he could. To think that a child could ever be perceived as a better hero than even himself was ridiculous. The boy was a vigilante; a sinner of the law. How could someone like him be a hero? He was the one who refused to burn Carnage alive, who refused to make the tough choice.

Only children are incapable of tough choices.

…

It was the last night until the camping trip for Class's 1-A and 1-B. Knowing the trip was both a vacation as well as extra training, they each found different ways to spend their time in preparation. Some, like Sato or Bakugou, chose to do some physical training in their spare time. Others, like Tokoyami or Shoji, prepared themselves mentally with brain exercises.

A few from each class had been gathered into one place for a night of fun and relaxation before the big trip. Ashido, Yaoyorozu, Jiro, and Kendo were waiting just outside the door to the Midoriya household, all packed with pajamas and clothes to stay overnight. Mina couldn't help but jump up and down in excitement as she hadn't been to a sleepover in some time. It used to be one of her favorite activities when she was younger, since most times they would put on music she could dance too.

The door finally opened to reveal Izuku Midoriya with a great big smile on his face, "Hey, everyone!" he greeted, "Glad you could make it!"

"We brought snacks!" Mina lifted a plastic bag into his face, full of chips and other unhealthy foods.

"She brought snacks," Kyoka corrected, "We wanted to, but she pretty much covered everything."

Izuku moved aside to let them in. Ashido had booped his cheek on her way inside with an artificial sound effect to match.

Everything had already been prepared in the living room. Sleeping bags, a mountain of movies, and plenty of blankets and pillows were scattered everywhere for the picking. Admittedly, Izuku hadn't really had a proper sleepover like this, at least not for a long time. Even then, he'd never had one with so many girls present. It made him feel rather awkward. Had he invited others from their class, it would be different, but it would be fine regardless.

Besides, his face would only turn redder if Uraraka had shown up.

When they entered the living room, the first thing they noticed beyond the movies and blankets was Peter, who slept soundly on the couch with his head nearly sinking into the cushion.

"Aw," Kendo cooed to her significant other, gently brushing his hair, "Look who's all tuckered out."

"He just got back from New York," Izuku explained, "Worked with Hatsume on his suit, patrolled back home, then fell asleep when he got here. He's been out for over an hour."

"He works hard," Kendo commented, "You have to respect that in some way."

Mina grinned evilly before pulling out her phone and strolling over to Peter. Kendo wanted to protest whatever she was doing and leave him alone, but Mina had quickly shoved her aside without hesitation. With a sinister smile stretching to both cheeks, she pressed the play button on her phone, and a loud, over-saturated "I am here!" sound effect exploded from the speakers.

Peter shot awake with a loud gasp and scream, leaping off the couch and flying straight up to stick to the ceiling. He glanced in every direction to find the danger, tune to his instincts for danger. Instead, all he found were his friends. Mina was laughing uncontrollably as she exclaimed "Captain on the ceiling!"

"Ashido!" Peter scolded as he remained stuck to the ceiling, "That's not funny!"

"It's a little funny," She emphasized by squeezing her thumb and index finger together, "Just a smidgen."

"You suck. I hate you."

"Aah no you don't. You gonna come down?"

"You know what? I like it up here. It's nice and safe and comfy. I live here now, like a true spider."

He felt something poke his back, and found Kyoka Jiro with a broom in her hand.

"Happy with yourself?" He asked her.

"Ecstatic," she grinned.

Inevitably he let himself down and landed back-first onto the couch, holding his hands behind his head with his legs crossed. He was putting on a pouting face to over-show his disappointment in the alien queen, "I'll never forgive you, Ashido."

She held up the plastic bag she brought, "I have snacks."

"… is there coffee cake?"

"Uh …no?"

"I'll never forgive you, Ashido."

She whined at him, but he simply scoffed and turned his head away. She retaliated by grabbing his cheeks, taking this rather seriously now. No matter how she begged, he would not falter.

Finally, things had settled down as everyone changed into their pajamas. It was passed 8 P.M now. No one was sure just how long they would stay up watching movies, but it didn't matter to them. Tonight was all about spending time together. Everyone found their spots in the room and claimed them as their own. Kendo and Peter, of course, chose to sit next to each other. She had placed her head on his shoulder, thankful for the moment of calm and cheer.

Looking around at his friends, Peter remembered all they had been through together. So much of their bond was forged in fire; the fire of battle, of heartbreak, of betrayal, and of pain. There were good times, too, and he couldn't forget that. All of their hero classes together, the laser-tag game, how they stood up for him at the sports festival, and the school dance. For every battle, there was celebration.

"You okay?" Kendo suddenly asked, looking him in the eyes.

"Yeah, I'm okay," he answered halfheartedly.

She, of course, glared at him in disappointment, knowing fully that he was lying, "You gonna pull that? With me? You sure that's wise?"

"I'm not …please don't hurt me."

She very gently placed her fist against his cheek, "Boom," she said.

"Aaaah, no, I've been beaten," He spoke sarcastically, "Call 911, I'm being abused by a pretty lady."

"They'll never believe you."

"Noooooo."

Kyoka jokingly groaned in disgust, telling them to get a room as everyone laughed.

While this went on, Izuku skimmed through the list of movies they could watch, going off the suggestions of his friends. Peter, of course, wanted a sci-fi movie. Kendo said she wanted to watch an action-drama, which caused them to butt heads on the topic. Mina naturally wanted to see a romance movie. Kyoka wanted horror. The only ones who were indifferent were Momo and Izuku; too awkward or shy to make any suggestions that went against the others.

"So, how's patrol in New York?" Kendo asked, "Staying safe?"

"Did you just ask a superhero who looks for danger if he's being safe?" he asked rhetorically.

"Did I stutter, ya' goof?"

Mina crept behind the couch and quietly chanted 'fight' over and over as she pumped her hands in the air.

Peter pushed Mina's head back down as she let out a playful cry, "I'm staying as safe as I can be while chasing down dangerous situations and dodging bullets."

"Peter I'm really being serious," She suddenly sat up straight, "I wanna be sure you're staying safe with everything. You work really hard and you deserve a break."

"I am taking a break. That's what tonight is all about."

"I know, I know, I just worry about you. Someone has to do it."

Mina popped her head back up, saying that she also worries, only to be pushed back down by Peter with another playful cry of despair.

"Life of a hero is dangerous," He reminded her, "But I'm making good choices, I swear."

She breathed a sigh of relief, "Okay. I know, it sounds hypocritical, but I can't help it."

Izuku finally picked out a movie from the list, deciding on a superhero horror movie that recently came out. Despite wanting horror, Kyoka was unsure about this one since it had delayed its release so many times. Still, it was a decent compromise since it was sci-fi related with horror, drama and some romance.

As soon as Izuku popped the DVD in, he turned off the lights and rushed over to his spot. Mina passed out the snacks to everyone, with no one being quiet as they opened the bags of chips and cheesy finger-foods.

They made comments about the movie as it played, telling jokes and poking fun at certain scenes, while trying to guess if they recognize a few of the actors.

As the movie went on, they had started to become more relaxed, sinking into the cushions of the couch. The room had gone quiet, besides the movie and the occasional chuckle. Silence was a strange thing to experience, even with background noise. For some of them, it was a blissful experience; for others, it was torture.

Ever since becoming Spider-Man, silence was not something he was used to. Whether it be bullets flying, people screaming, or something on fire, silence only came rarely, and it usually hinted at a hidden danger. Between that and his spider-sense, silence was rather uncomfortable. The only other thing he'd hear besides his own spider-sense were his thoughts. At that point, he preferred danger.

He needed this; he needed tonight. The problem was that his thoughts and worries still haunted him. There were still things he needed to fix, despite the crisis now behind him. He could never seem to fully win as both Peter and Spider-Man. One always had the upper hand over the other.

"You're making that face again," Kendo commented, poking at Peter's cheek as she leaned her head onto his body, "What's up?"

"The ceiling," He answered sarcastically.

"Peter."

Mina perked up as though her own spider-sense had gone off, immediately grabbing the remote and pausing the movie, much to everyone's dismay, "Shush! Parker is sad!" she retorted.

"Am not!" He snapped back.

"Are too! It's written on your adorable face! In permanent ink!"

Everyone's focus swayed from the paused movie to the concern of their friend. It was touching how quickly their priorities changed as soon as they realized he was bothered by something. Normally, he wouldn't talk about these things with anyone, but he had been through too much with this group to deny them, especially when they're all giving him that face; one made to guilt him and tug at his heart.

"Alright, alright," He surrendered, sitting up straight with the blanket still wrapped around him and Kendo, "I've just been …distracted, lately. Life back in New York is complicated."

"How so?" asked Momo, "If it's anything we can help you with …"

"No, no, it's okay. It's …my friend, Harry. We've been in kind of a rough patch lately and I've been trying really hard to fix it. I just wanna relax tonight but I can't stop thinking about how badly I screwed up."

"Well, what did you do?"

"Disappeared onto another world for months without any contact. To him, I totally ghosted everyone."

Kyoka sat up now, fully investing into the conversation, "That's so dumb! None of that was your fault!"

"But he doesn't know that, Jiro. My identity is still a secret back home, and it can be really hard to juggle that kind of life. He's going through plenty already with Normans trial coming up soon."

"Wait," Izuku chimed in, "Why is he concerned with the Green Goblins trial?"

He realized he may not have ever told them about Harry's relation to one of his biggest problems, "He's …Harry's dad?"

Everyone in the room shot up, exclaiming their disbelief all at once.

"I'm surprised I didn't tell you that," he chuckled awkwardly.

"The Green Goblin is your friend's dad?!" Kendo questioned, "Geez! No wonder you guys are in a pickle. Does Harry know you're Spider-Man?"

"No, and I'd like to keep it that way, or he might hate me even more since Spider-Man put his dad in prison."

The life of a hero doesn't seem this complicated from the outside. Many of Peter's enemies were people he once called friend. That kind of betrayal, especially more than once, couldn't have been easy. They often forgot just how much he had faced before meeting them, despite all they had done together.

"Well, Osborn needs to realize you're a good friend!" Mina stated.

"Which Osborn?" He asked.

"Yes!"

"That's not a yes or no question."

"Weird, cuz' I answered with a yes."

"I hate you."

She whined at him, rushing up to him and pinching his cheeks in defiance, "Take it back, jerk!" She yelled as he tried to squirm away from her. Everyone simply laughed along, pulling Mina off like a stray puppy and sitting her down with the sleeping bags.

He liked this; being able to speak his thoughts. He's never really had anyone to talk about this with before. It's strange not to always act like Spider-Man doesn't exist when the mask is off. Here, though, he can accept Spider-Man as part of him, and not a lie he puts on for others.

It was nice to know he wasn't alone, anymore.

…

The night had finally become mature in its age as the children of the hero's world fell asleep. Each of them was snugged in their sleeping bags and blankets, protected from the cold of the nightly air. It was past midnight now, having finished their movie only an hour prior. With the big day ahead of them, a good night sleep was exactly what they needed.

Inko Midoriya had come into the living room quietly, mostly to check on the children. It was cute to see them all fast asleep with their gentle breaths and small noises of comfort. Kyoka was sleeping with her headphones on, playing music through that she often lulled herself with. Momo was wrapped in a pristine blanket from someplace too expensive to even think about. Everyone else hid in their sleeping bags.

All but one.

The couch was reserved for Peter and Kendo, who had started the night of sleep by snuggling with each other. Peter, however, was no longer there. The young red head hadn't awoken to notice his absence yet. It puzzled Inko until she felt a breeze coming from the other end of the room.

Air was being let in through an open window, shifting the curtains ever slightly. The only hint to the young Queen's boy was the shadow he casted into the room. Inko breathed a sigh of relief, but also of motherly concern, as she approached the window.

Peter was sticking to the side of the building just outside, holding his knee's close to his chest for comfort. He stared out into the city full of noise and people, as though there was a difference. His eyes stared out and took in every detail trying to distract himself. He hadn't even noticed her there as she peered out, and he was normally aware of everything around him.

Inko chose to take this moment of silence and watch him carefully. The boy was only 16 years old, with no immediate family. He was under her care now; her protection. All she wanted to do was wrap him in bubble wrap and keep him safe from everything that would do him harm. It's the same that she felt for Izuku. The world needed people like Peter, but she didn't want anything—or anyone—to take him away.

"Peter?" She gently asked, tugging on his arm.

He looked to her with little surprise, perhaps too tired for such a reaction, "Hi, Inko. Sorry, I'll get to bed."

"No, it's alright," She reassured, "Tell me why you're up so late."

"I don't wanna worry you."

"You'll worry me if you don't."

Surrendering to her parental instincts, he pressed himself further against the wall, "Just …had a lot on my mind, tonight. Then my friends came in and made it all better."

She smiled, "That's good."

"It is," he smiled back, but it quickly faded, "They mean a lot to me, as do you. Tonight, was really nice, being able to act …normal, for once. Like, I didn't have to fight anyone, or hide anything. I was just me and no one else. I never knew it felt this good to be myself around others."

"I'm glad you feel that way. Your friends really care about you."

"I know. It's why I want to protect them," As his thoughts began caving in, he placed his fingers between his eyes, squeezing tightly, "Sorry."

"What's wrong?"

"Just trying not to cry, is all."

They spent another moment in the silence of the stars. She wanted to say more to help, do whatever it took to relieve him of his sadness, but what was there to say? This child had seen more than many adults have. He's carried such a burden for so long and this is the first time anyone has helped him carry it. Could she not just wrap him in a blanket, read him a story and make it go away? When did it stop being that simple?

"I've cried a lot," he admitted, "So much that I worry I may run out of tears."

"Crying is okay."

"Maybe …but I don't wanna do that, anymore. I wanna be strong for May …for you, and Izuku. You're the only family I have left and I don't want you to end up the same as them."

"Peter, we aren't going anywhere."

He paused, finally looking her eye to eye, "Did I ever tell you what happened to my parents?"

She shook her head politely.

"My parents worked for the government. Dad did a lot of jobs with Alchemax, who had government deals. I think he must have gotten into something bad. No one knows for sure; he kept that part of his life secret. All I know is they had to leave for a while, and they left me with my aunt and uncle. They got on a plane …and never made it back. It crashed …somewhere overseas, they said."

She held a hand over her cheek, "Peter …I'm sorry that happened."

"I didn't get to say goodbye to them, or my Uncle either. He …he was shot in a mugging, and I could have stopped it but didn't. May is the only one I got to say goodbye to, yet …her death hurts the worst, because she told me to just let it happen."

Seeing him in pain, even though he had accepted it, was something she could not, "Peter, you are not without family," She stated firmly, but kindly, "I know you've faced many hardships in the past, more than any child should at your age. You've faced enemies most would cower from, and you've done it all alone," She placed a hand on his shoulder, "You are not alone anymore, sweetheart. You have your friends, you have Kendo, and Izuku, and you have me. We are your family now."

He knew all of this already, but hearing it from her was like hearing it for the first time. He couldn't help but smile, fighting away any tears before they happened, "Thank you, Inko. Really, thank you for everything; for taking me in, and keeping me safe."

"I'm sorry I couldn't do the same for May."

"You did more than most. I want more than anything to protect you and Izuku, and I promise I always will."

That should have brought comfort to her, yet she only felt guilty. Peter wasn't aware of the recent events that had transpired with her son. She chose to keep it secret, purely of Izuku's request. Trouble was something both boys had a hard time avoiding. Peter didn't need to know, not right now, not when there was already so much on his plate.

"You should come inside and get some sleep, hon," she smiled, "You don't wanna catch a cold."

With a quiet chuckle, he let himself back inside and shut the window. Inko wished him goodnight before he climbed back onto the couch, where Kendo had instinctively pulled him in closer like a teddy bear. In her arms, it hadn't taken long before he fell right to sleep.

Inko leaned in over the couch, watching Peter as he quickly fell into slumber. He looked so innocent like this, like a pure light in a dark cave. She wanted only to protect him from everything going on. If she could rip up that costume of his, she would, but he would only make another. As much as she supported their heroic deeds, she wished they'd let someone else be the hero instead.

Inko quickly placed a kiss on his forehead before retreating to her room, trying to ignore the thoughts of guilt on her mind as she closed the bedroom door behind her.

Suddenly, her mind fell back to that night she got the call. Izuku had been with his friends at the mall, shopping for camping supplies. The next thing she knew, the police told her Izuku had been confronted by some villain from that terrible League. She didn't like thinking that there was a target on her baby's back, so long as he attended that school.

Why did heroes have to be heroes? Why did he have to be one too?

…

All Might sat himself in the teachers' lounge of U.A, having just got off an early shift of hero work and reduced to his weaker form. The sun wasn't out yet and most of the students were still sleeping at home. Other than his own house, this was the only place he could rest in peace, and he was exhausted after using up one of his three hours for the day. He'd rather just be here already than track from his house after only a few hours of sleep. It was just easier this way.

The injury on his body, given to him by his worst enemy, was aching in sync to his heartbeat. He used to have concern for such a feeling, but now simply saw it as part of his daily routine. Hero work had become harder after his fight with All for One five years ago, but now it was even worse. Transferring his quirk to Izuku was taking a toll on him. Two people can't have One for All at the same time. The previous user operates only on fumes and sparks before their power finally drains from them. Whatever time he had left with his power was even less, yet he still didn't regret the choice.

His phone buzzed three times; the ring he set whenever something crucial popped up in the Hero Network app. He had been doing this so long that he remembered when the Hero Network was all paper, not digital. It made him feel like an old man, but he got the hang of it quick.

The notification was a sighting report, which normally wouldn't be too important unless specific villains were on the 'red flag list'. This sighting was reported by the Rabbit Hero, Mirko. She claimed to have seen a villain similar to Carnage just the night before, and believed him to have been one of Peter's American villains.

All Might remembered her as the hero he spoke with on the school roof just a few days ago. She spoke very strongly about Peter and the people, specifically those who reject him at every turn. The amount of hatred that's been put against the poor boy couldn't go unnoticed. He did so much good, and they still hated him for it. Perhaps that had something to do with the villains he had brought here.

He could only imagine if Peter had access to this Network; all the reports he'd see of his villains and not be able to do anything about it. It was the rules; a full pardon in exchange that he stopped his vigilantism in Japan. Still, he knew how much responsibility meant to Peter. He probably wanted more than anything to catch these guys himself, but strict law prevented it.

There was a conversation he had with the young web-slinger, back in the hospital after the USJ attack. Peter had said to him how fighting these guys were his responsibility, and his alone. Part of that was true; these villains were technically here because of him, so it made sense he'd want to fix it. All Might knew Peter was a capable hero, though still young. He just needed the right guidance, and he'd already make a great Pro Hero.

"Everything alright?"

The voice of Principle Nezu chimed into the room, holding a cup of tea in his hands.

"Ah, good morning, principle Nezu," All Might greeted, "Just tired. Did an early shift today."

"You shouldn't be checking the Network so soon after getting on your break."

"It's a habit."

"I assume you saw the report from Mirko? About one of Parker's villains?"

"I'd ask how you knew, but I already know the answer," he put the phone away, "I feel sorry for young Parker. He wants more than anything to fix the mess he indirectly caused. I can't stand getting one more report from the police about people calling, saying that they thought he was doing 'villainous' things."

"Try to remember something, All Might," Nezu sat in the chair across from him, dangling his little legs, "Mr. Parker did act out of heroic desire, and did much good in his time here as Spider-Man. However, despite all this, he operated as a vigilante, which is still an illegal status around the world. Vigilante's haven't been this prominent for decades. No one knows how to feel about it."

"I know, of course."

"I know you do. The Hero system isn't perfect, but it works. Parker didn't fully understand that until it was too late, and it led to him making mistakes that others force him to pay for. He more than made up for it already by defeating Lumina, but the people still see him as the criminal we branded him as."

All Might nodded, "You're right. I just wish there was a way to fix it now."

"I do, as well. No matter what we say, people won't listen. They have to see Parker the way we do, don't you agree?"

A spark lit in All Might's eyes as Nezu casually implanted an idea in his head.

"I have to make some calls," All Might stood up and started dialing into his phone, leaving Nezu to drink his tea with a devilish smirk.