Chapter 2: If... (3/4)
"That should do." The white haired boy spoke.
Nero managed to take care of the burn on his arm and wrapped on bandages. All thanks to the boy called Peter Parker that was nice enough to help him, even though Nero technically invaded his home. Nero actually asked where he was, he was in 20 Ingram Street, in the heart of Forest Hills Gardens.
I need to get out and go back to the orphanage. Nero thought as he checked the bandage to see if was well tied. "Thanks again for the help, and sorry for breaking in." He apologized once again.
The boy glasses just nodded. "It's okay, but... You really need to go before my aunt wakes up." He told him. "She's gonna be mad that you eat her meatloaf."
"Was it for a special occasion?" Nero asked in curiosity.
"No, but it's my uncle Ben's favorite." Peter informed him. "He's been working a lot lately and she wanted to make it to cheer him up."
"For a specific reason?" He asked.
"Our car broke down and he's been working extra shifts to pay for the repair." Peter explained.
Shit, and I ate guy's dinner. Nero thought feeling bad.
Suddenly, before Nero could reply. Both boys heard a noise coming from the front of the house. It sounded like two people talking to each other. Peter tapped his shoulder and signalled him to follow him. Nero, not having much of a choice decided to obey. So he followed the boy wearing red pajamas as he climbed the stairs.
Once they reach the top, they heard the front door opening.
"Thanks again for the ride, this night has been too problematic for one day." The voice was familiar to Nero.
"No problem, I honestly just wanted an excuse to get away." Yet another familiar voice was heard.
Nero decided to check to see who were the two, even though Peter was trying to stop him. Only to see that it was the same old man wearing a brown suit from the train that he accidentally set on fire, being accompanied by that NYPD detective from the Castle's case, George Stacy. What the hell? Don't tell that the old men is uncle Ben. Of every single house I could broke in... Nero kept trying to understand that unbelievable coincidence.
"I know the last thing you need is to go to a police station, so I'll just ask you what happened and be on my way." He heard Mr. Stacy say.
"I really appreciate that, I was afraid I was going be stuck on a police station all night." He heard the old man say.
Unfortunately for the two boys, they heard steps coming from one of the rooms upstairs. Which caused Peter to pull Nero into another room to avoid being seem. They both heard steps walking towards the stairs.
"Ben? I was worried." He heard a woman's voice.
Once the person descended the stairs, both Nero and Peter came out of the room again to eavesdrop.
"George? What are you doing here at this hour?" The woman called May asked Mr. Stacy.
"He gave a ride home, there was a problem on the train that I was in." The man called Ben told her.
"What kind of problem?" She asked them.
"I was coming back home on the usual train, quite a unremarkable ride. While I was sitting down, there was a kid, around the same age as Peter, that entered the train running and sat down on the train looking upset about something." Yeah, about being chased by the cops over something that I didn't even stole. Nero thought as he heard the man explain what he saw on the train. "Then the boy went to the other carriage, and after some time I started to sense the smell of smoke coming from the other carriage, and decided to go and check." I really need to get more weed. "But as soon as I opened the carriage, I saw that it was on fire which strangely was spreading very quickly like someone tossed gasoline on it. And saw the kid desperately trying to drag a homeless man out of the flamming carriage." He explained. That damn hobo was obviously drunk, but I can't say anything as I was little high myself.
"Oh my god, are you okay?" She was quick to ask.
"Yes, don't worry about it." He reassured her.
"Could you describe this kid that you saw?" Mr. Stacy asked.
Oh shit.
"He was very pale, his hair was white as snow and he had very bright gray eyes that almost seem to be white." He gave a pretty good description of Nero. Which Peter noticed and looked at Nero, who just gave him a thumbs up, confirming that he was talking about him.
"What? Him again?" Unfortunately, Mr. Stacy probably recognized the description.
"Him? Do you know him?" Peter's uncle asked.
"His name is Nero Carnby, he was involved in a case that I was working on." Mr. Stacy explained.
"What kind of case?" Peter's uncle asked in curiosity.
"The case of the Castle family." He informed him.
"Oh my, I saw that horrible thing on the news." Peter's aunt spoke.
"Yes, Mr. Carnby was friends with the son, Frank Castle Jr. He was gunned down alongside them." And it pisses me off, how he can about that so casually... But it's probably because of the job. "And no one understand how is he still alive."
"George, I think the boy got burned on the fire." Peter's uncle told him. "If you know where he lives, could you take look on him to see if he's okay?"
"I'll check on it later," Mr. Stacy replied. "But... What were you doing working this late?"
"Oh, the car broke a few weeks ago, and I been taking some extra shifts to pay for the repairs." Peter's uncle explained. "But, let's not talk about that, how's Gwen doing?"
Wait? Why the fuck am I still here? I can sneak out through one of the windows. Nero realised as he was not exactly interested in their conversation. He noticed that one of the room, which he assumed to be Peter's was open.
"Not good to be honest, she's been very distant lately and with the audience for the custody coming, I'm worried what is going to do with her and w-." Mr. Stacy was explaining something to Peter's uncle and aunt, but while he was at it, Nero signalled Peter for them to sneak into the room. The boy wearing glasses complied and the two sneaked inside the room and closed the door behind them slowly.
Peter's room could be described as a complete opposite of Nero's room. Peter's room was filled with stuff, there was a TV , a computer, some science equipment and a lot of posters of physics and science. But as opposed to Nero's room, Peter's was a mess.
"Do you guys know Mr. Stacy?" He whispered to ask Peter.
"He used to be our neighbor." Peter replied. "But he moved into an apartment after he got promoted."
"Oh, I see... Is Gwen his daughter?" Nero asked and Peter just nodded in response. I remember him yelling at someone on the phone about this Gwen, but that's none of business. "I'm gonna sneak out through the window, thanks a lot for your help." He informed Peter.
"Okay, but try not to make any noise please." Peter pleaded him.
Nero just nodded before making his way to the window. "See ya." He told him as he passed through it.
The sun is about to come up. Nero managed to get back to the orphanage after leaving Peter's room. It wasn't a easy task, he had to steal some cash from a vending machine and take a bus. The Bus ride wasn't particularly enjoyable as the bus was surprisingly full. So Nero had to be on his feet through out the whole ride.
But on the upside, he was able to arrive at his street quickly enough without any fire accidents this time. Nero climbed the pipe that lead to the window of his room. Home bitter home. He thought sarcastically as he entered his room.
What a shitty night. He thought as he took off his clothes to go to bed, even though he would just lay there as he still couldn't fall asleep. Just what the fuck was that?He pull out the expensive ring from his pocket. Why the fuck didn't I just ditched this back on the train? He sincerely doesn't know why. And how the fuck did that fire came out of my mouth? He couldn't understand how did that happened, alongside the fact that the fire wasn't normal as it was spreading like someone poured gasoline on it. AAAHHH! He tossed the ring to the side before taking off his black jeans.
"That's worth more than this entire building and you just tossed away like that?" Out of nowhere, Nero heard a familiar voice coming through the window. As he turned, he noticed a familiar face. It was the platinum blond haired thief that stole the ring and gave it to him. She was wearing some strangely clichéd burglar outfit that looked nice on her alongside a mask that covered the upper-half of her face.
Nero, who was standing there wearing white boxers, just stared at her.
She entered the room and looked around. "You got a pretty bland room, snowball." She commented.
Nero didn't know how to react to react. A part of him wanted to punch her because of the shit that he got him into. Another wanted to question her about the robbery. And there was s third part that really wanted to say something. "Don't call me snowball, that's nasty." He unfortunately found the meaning of it while he was watching porn once.
"But I never met a boy who fit the nickname so well." She argued with him while smiling. "I got to say, I wasn't expecting you to outrun the cops," She commented. "And when you sat that train on fire."
"You were following me?" He asked.
"I caught up to you on the fifth block that you ran into." She explained before sitting on top of his bed.
Nero took a deep breath, before walking towards the ring that was on the floor and grabbing it. Then he made his way towards his bed and tossed on the girl, who grab it with easy. "There, now just get out of here." He wasn't really on the mood to argue or even yell. All that the white haired boy wanted was to just lay down and maybe, just maybe fall asleep. So he just climbed on the bed and just covered himself with the blanket.
"Wait? That's it?" The girl asked him in deep confusion. "You're not going yell, attack or even ask what this is about?"
"Nope, just fuck off." Nero said before getting into fetal position.
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"Seriously?" She decided to spoke after a whole minute of him ignoring her. "You're not even a little bit curious?"
Nero then sat up on the bed looking annoyed. "What kind of thief are you? It wasn't really a question. "You already got the shit, why the hell are you so preoccupied in informing me about it?"
"Why the hell are you so cool with this entire situation?" She asked him in deep curiosity. "Most people would be freaked out or furious."
"Cause I don't care." Nero replied. "I got other shit to worry about." Like trying to figure it out this random super powers that keep appearing. He thought in deep annoyance. "Now... ummm..." Nero didn't know her name. "What's your name again?"
"Just call me, Black Cat." She told him her name.
"I'm Nero, Nero Carnby." He introduced himself to her. "Now, go away, Kitty." He flipped her off before getting back to the fetal position.
Another small silence ensured. "Okay, but just for courtesy, I'll give you a short version of why I did." She informed him.
"What part of I don't care, didn't you get?" He pointed out.
"My father is a Cat burglar and he was showing me the roots." She gave him a short explanation.
"Wait," That caught Nero's attention. "He made you steal that for your first burglary, what is he nuts?" He was quick to point out how crazy that was.
"This isn't my first burglary, dumbass." She input. "I did it several times already."
"What? In all those times there was a moron passing through to involuntarily help you?" He mocked her before turning to face her.
"That was... A oversight, the place was supposed to be empty." She quickly replied. "But Norman Osborn's son was there and he saw me."
"How do you know that it was his son?" Nero asked as he did got a little curious.
"He has the exact same awful hairstyle, and there's no way someone would voluntarily have a hair like that." She commented.
Black Cat was right though, Norman Osborn did had a horrible haircut. Which made him look like a Goblin.
"Alright, now go." He demanded while pointing at the window.
"You're boring." She told him in response.
"Well, excuse me for not enjoying the company of a thief that nearly landed my ass in jail." Nero sarcastically rebuffed before turning to the side.
"Not even if the thief gives you a reward for helping her?" She asked him.
"Unless it's half of the cash you're going get from that ring, I'm not interested." Nero quickly answered.
"That... Is impossible, Dad and I are gonna need the cash." She informed him. "But if there's anything else."
God, she's annoying. Okay, what else can I get from her... By the lower-half of her, I can tell that she's pretty... Maybe... Nero turned again to face her and sat up. "Fine, then give me kiss."
"What?" She's surprised by that request.
But while she was distracted by Nero's request, he quickly grabbed the ring from her hand. "Give me a kiss in exchange of the ring." I was going to ask her to show me her boobs, but she would probably say no , so I'll settle for a kiss. The white haired boy thought before deciding to read her mind.
What the hell?! I was just joking!? Nero heard her thinking that. He got the ring, now what? She thought in deep frustration. I should have just got the hell out of here.
Yes, you should but it's too late now. Nero thought humorlessly.
Maybe I could knock him out with the lamp. But I told him my name, why the hell did I do that? Nero was wondering the same thing. Is she that incompetent? Goddammit! I need that ring or daddy will not teach me his methods. Nero could tell that she was deeply frustrated by that and contemplated just giving her the ring. But quickly decided against it as this was a very shitty night and he was at least get something out of it.
Suddenly, the silver blond haired girl took a deep breath before removing her mask. Woah, she is pretty. By her face, Nero could tell that she was a year or two older than him. She had green eyes like Jean, though her eyes were a flashing cat-green eyes. "Fine, but just one." I can't believe this, daddy can't never know about this.
"Don't try to trick me, I want on the lips." Nero pointed out.
"Fine." She replied. That's what I get from trying to have some fun. But I was expecting him to try to hit me like the last guy.
So I wasn't the first moron that she used. Nero thought after realizing that he wasn't the first.
Shr then closed her eyes and parts her lips slightly. Nero looked at her pink lips for a second. My first kiss coming from blackmail, I should be ashamed of myself but... Chances are, no girl would want kiss me anyway. He then moved his face for it. Beggars can't be choosers, can they? The pale boy thought sadly as he pressed his lips on the silver haired burglar.
It was a simple chaste kiss, but it was sweat, very sweat. Nero ended up putting his hand on the nape of her neck, trying to make the most out of the situation, as he knew that she'll pull back and put an end to it at any moment. But, strangely, she didn't. Quite the opposite, she actually licked Nero's lips, asking for entrance. Which, without hesitation, he complied. Causing the chaste kiss to turn into a open mouth kiss, with their tongues touching one another.
What am I doing? He heard her thinking. I barely know him, why am I kissing him like this? She apparently was confused. It's intoxicating.
Intoxicating? Maybe it's another power. He thought humorously, but that was the last thing that was on his mind.
The two kept on kissing, for a considerable amount of time. None of the two seemed to want to pull back or push the other away. But soon enough, she finally pulled back, apparently to catch her breath as she was breathing heavily.
Both of them then stared into each other's eyes for a bit. Before Nero handed her the ring. "This night officially wasn't total shit." He told her as he put the ring on her hand.
Black Cat was still regaining her breath, but she took the ring from Nero's hand. "Of course, it's not every day that you get to kiss a girl like me." She spoke with a lot of confidence. Then she stood up from the bed. "Well, that was fun, but I got to get going." She made her way to the window. "Until next time, Snowball." She blew him a kiss before jumping out of the window.
"Don't call me that!" He yelled at her as she left.
Once she was gone, the white haired boy just lay it on bed again. Okay, today I had to run away from the police, accidentally set a train on fire because of another... superpower? I think. And got my first kiss from a pretty burglar through blackmail. Nero just stayed there recapitulating everything thathappened. So... What's next? That was his only opinion about that.
Thanks everyone who followed and favorited my story, as always, you're support means a lot to me.
Questions and Answers:
Wait, those two from the dream sequence on the Prologue were the Beyonder and The One Above All?
Is the Beyonder somehow connected to Nero. I mean, white is probably the Beyonder's favorite color and Death did mentioned that someone made Nero so white, with the pale skin and white hair.
Finally, someone figured out.
(Warning: The Intoxicating thing, is actually a super power that Wolverine's son also possess.)