Had to throw this out here right before I see the movie tomorrow. I have a new Spiderman crossover fanfic coming out soon, probably sometime this week. I'm super excited about that. I finally had to face the music and admit that Peter is 17. I really wish I didn't have to concede to canon, but I don't think it screws with my story.

Chapter 8- Peter

He must have hit his head when he was thrown into the little room because he recalled waking up.

"Karen?" He groaned.

"Peter, your vital signs are good, but you might have a mild concussion."

"Right, of course…" Peter felt so tired and groggy. This was just the best.

"What time is it Karen?"

"Four AM."

"Oh."

"There is something nearby messing with this suit. Allow me to make some modifications to save energy?"

"Yeah, do it." Suddenly Peter's suit was reduced to just a mask, his web shooters, and his underwear.

"This is awkward…"

"Peter, you have over a thousand messages from Mr. Ned Leeds."

"That makes sense. Call him."

"It will use a lot of power."

"I'm already in my underwear Karen, it can't get worse!"

"Everything can always get worse. Calling Ned Leeds at his most relevant number." Peter's head was aching and he couldn't imagine Ned actually still being up at four in the morning… But he was!

"Man, what's the last time we had an all-nighter?" He joked, "I cheated a bit though, just took a nap."

"Peter! Now is obviously not the time, I'm tracking you, and Shuri, Shuri's on another line and she's going to come to find you and help you." Peter had to let out a breath of relief. He used to hate the concept of having someone help and save him, he used to think that he should be able to handle his problems himself. But sometimes it was okay to admit that you couldn't do it on your own. Sometimes it was necessary to reach out and get help.

"Thanks, man, I'll sit tight." Peter wrung his hands, almost accidentally deploying the web shooter.

"Careful, Peter," Karen advised.

"Karen is there any protocol where I could temporarily disable you to preserve energy? I have Ned and Shuri on the line."

"I was programmed to stay with you."

"Don't worry, I have backup." He trusted his friends.

"You'll always have backup," Ned promised.

"I will deactivate temporarily until the interference is dealt with. Web shooters and communications will continue to function." It was darker without Karen. He wondered what systems she ran without him knowing. He took a shaky breath and stood up, searching the room. Except it wasn't a room. It was more like a shipping container.

"Hey guys, I think I'm in a box. I might be able to bust out, but I don't know what's on the other side…"

"Just sit tight," Ned advised, "I'm tracking both of you right now, Shuri will be there really soon."

"You're a good friend," Peter said gratefully.

"I shouldn't have blown you off, man. I shouldn't have jumped into patrol straight away. I should have known that things would be different after the snap, that I wouldn't be the same. I should have respected what happened more… I should have just gone and done homework with you. I'm sorry…"

"Dude, don't apologize for trying to save the world. Just apologize for not making me your guy in the chair sooner."

"I'm sorry about that too."

"From now on, you have a partner in reverse crime." For the first time, Peter made out Shuri's voice over the line.

"Did you just call justice reverse crime?" She laughed. Peter laughed a little too. It just felt really good to know that someone had his back right now. He felt significantly less afraid with those two on the other side.

"Yes and I'm sticking with it."

"Alright then, I guess we're reverse criminals now. My brother would be so proud," Shuri decided.

"We'll get you out of there, buddy."

"Good. Something is messing with my suit, so I have my strength and my web shooters if we have to fight. Ned, you're at home right?" The last thing Peter would want was his guy in the chair getting hurt.

"Yes, safe at home trying to orchestrate your rescue."

"Well, you're doing great. I'm not an easy reverse criminal to watch after."

"You can say that again."

"After all this is over I'm getting you two upgrades. Especially you, Ned." Peter leaned against the wall and felt a grin stretch over his face. Though he was in imminent danger, he couldn't help be proud of his matchmaking skills. He'd done the impossible! He'd gotten his candidates in the same city at the same time. Maybe he should get kidnapped more often! Well no, probably not… But there was clearly a silver lining here.

"Are you hurt, Peter?" Shuri asked.

"Karen, er, my suit AI, suggested I have a mild concussion. So there's a bit of a headache muddling my senses, but I should be okay."

"So you're up for a fight when I get there?"

"Yes."

"Good, because I'm getting close." He let out a sigh of relief. Shuri was strong and tough and exactly who he needed to see right now.

"Thank you, Shuri. You didn't have to come."

"I'm not about to let my boys get hurt."

"Boys support boys," Ned reminded, referencing one of his and Peter's favorite podcasts.

"What's that from?" Shuri asked, "Never mind, that's not important right now. I'll be here for you soon."

"You're the best, both of you. I'd be lost without you."

"You are lost, dork. But we'll always find you," Ned promised. And Peter believed him.