A Little warning for this chapter, There is talk of child abuse and suicide again. Jsyk.

Chapter Four:

Over the next couple of weeks Peter and Wade spent a lot of time together. Peter tried to convice himself that he kept summoning Wade because he was trying to decide if he would make a good champion, but the truth was Peter just enjoyed his company. The underworld in not an easy place to find friends.

Wade may have been loud, crude and at times almost immature, But Peter found he'd grown to enjoy those things about him. He was fun to be around, and you never knew what he was going to say. And even if you though he was being serious the chances were he wasn't.

One morning, about two months after Wade's arrival in Hades Peter fell ill. Now as odd as this sounds for someone in the underworld, for the king, it wasn't. The past two months had been hard on Peter. He had pushed himself to and past his limits in trying to be the best king he could be.

So, he fell ill from stress and exhaustion and it happened something like this.

Wade and Peter had fallen into a routine of having breakfast together. Wade would lounge on the steps leading up to the thrones while Peter sat in his. They would laugh and joke and just enjoy each other's company.

But one morning, when Wade got to the throne room, Peter wasn't there. Wade called out to Jarvis.

"Jarvis?!"

"Yes Master Wade?" The spector said, appearing with a thermometer in hand.

"Where's Peter?"

Jarvis gaving Wade a solemn look. "He has fallen ill I'm afraid Master Wade."

Wade didn't wait to hear anymore. He ran as fast as he could to Peter's room, barging in through the door with a bang.

Of course this woke Peter, who sat up in bed quickly, cursing loudly. "What the fuck is that-" a look of shock came to his eyes as he saw who it was. "Wade?"

Wade straightened up sheepishly. "Sorry, I might have over-reacted a bit."

Peter snorted, "Uh, yeah. Big time. I'm not going to die, already done that anyway."

Wade laughed as he came to sit next to Peter's bed. "So, you overworked yourself huh?"

Peter grimaced. "I guess so. Geez, I really wish this didn't happen. My parents are going to be over here soon I'm sure. Papa will fret and Dad will laugh at him even though he'll secretly be fretting too." Peter laid himself back onto the bed with a sigh as he closed his eyes again.

Wade thought it might be best if he left, seeing as Peter was pretty okay and just tired. But as he turned to go he felt a tug on his shirt.

"Don't go." Peter said softly.

Wade turned around in surprise and looked at Peter. A light blush tinted his cheeks and Wade had to try very hard not to answer his voices who had broken into loud calls about that look on Peter's face.

"Okay." He replied, his own cheeks darkening to match.

OYO

For the next two days Wade watched over Peter. Even when Tony and Steve came over to fret he stayed in the room. In fact, he never left it. He stayed by Peter's side the entire time.

On the third day Peter awoke to find Wade sleeping with his head on his arms just inches from Peter's face. Peter reached out a hand and stroked Wade's cheek. He wasn't sure what made him do it, but as he sat there stroking his face he felt the feelings he'd been denying well up inside him.

"Mmmh, Wha-?" Wade awoke to see Peter looking down at him with a smile.

"Good morning." Peter said with a smile as he drew back his hand. "You didn't have to stay here at night you know."

Wade shook his head. "You asked me to stay. I didn't want you to be alone. That's never fun. Believe me I know, I did it for a long time."

Peter reached out and took Wade's hand. "Wade, what happen to you?" He asked softly.

Wade looked uncomfortable, "Well I, it's not important, I just. . ."

Peter looked him in the eye. "Please Wade, Tell me."

Wade held Peter's gaze for a long time before he gave in with a sigh. "Well it's kind of a long story. . . But, I guess it started when my Mom died. I don't remember much, I was really little, like four years old or something. After sh-she died my dad. . . My dad was never the same. He was a scientist, and after she was gone that's all he was. He wasn't my Dad anymore. . . At least I guess not, because how can you do something like that to your own kid?" Wade stopped there, almost unable to go on. Peter gave Wade's hand a squeeze and he continued. "He needed. . . He needed a test subject, and I think he hated me because I looked so much like her. So he used me. . ."

Peter felt tears prick his eyes as Wade pressed on.

"He, he ran all of his tests on me. . . Y-you can't tell now, but these scars aren't my first." He said gesturing to himself. "He had to see if his formula for cell regenration worked. . . H-he needed someone who was hurt. So he hurt me. . ." Wade drew a shakey breath.

"He died, I was 16, all alone for the first time in my life. He'd never let me out of his sight before, except at school. Of course when he keeled over I stopped going. I was rich, what did school matter? I spent my money like a mad man at first, but when I was still empty and broken inside I realized that this was my fault. I was the reason they both died, I was bad, and because my dad had tried to give me the punishment I deserved. . . I . . . I killed him for it. Because he was right, I am a monster." Wade finished, his voice barely more than a whisper.

Tears spilled down Peter's face as he pulled Wade into a hug. "I'm so sorry Wade, But you are wrong."

Wade froze. "What?"

"You are not to blame. Your father was a sick evil man who tortured his own son. You are not a monster." Peter said firmly.

"Yes I am." Wade said, pulling away and rising from the bed. "I shouldn't even be here. I couldn't possibly be anyone's champion."

Peter grabbed Wade's hand and pulled him back towards the bed. He lifted a hand, turning his face towards him to make sure the other man was paying attention. "Wade, You. Are. Not. And It is possible. You are my champion." Peter said firmly as he pulled Wade down into a kiss.

Wade gave a muffled squeak of surprise and tried to pull away, but Peter kept

a firm grip on his arm while his other hand caressed his cheek till Wade finally gave in and kissed Peter back.

When they broke apart both's faces were flushed.

"That's not usually the reaction that story gets." Wade said quietly.

Peter smiled and gently stroked Wade's scarred cheek. "You are not all that 'usual' yourself Wade. I would never have expected this or you or any of it. Believe me."

Wade smiled and kissed him again.

Well there you go. Hope you liked it! Please review if you did! (or if you didn't and you think I should change something).