Peter worked at the Daily Bugle pretty much just taking pictures of heroes.
Oh sure, he was Spider-Mans' hand hand-picked photographer, but he did other heroes too. The Spider-Man ones were the only ones he put his name on. The rest were anonymous.
That was because he is Spider-Man. Shocker.
He took pictures of himself in the suit in a skillful and professional way. His other ones were more like regular paparazzi photos, just in more intimate settings and usually with his phone.
He didn't want the other heroes he was around to know he was using their time together to get him cash. Of course, all of their pictures were respectful and he's never heard a bad thing from his actions, sooooo…
He started with just a few. Just when times were tough. Then it became a regular thing. Only a select few people at the Bugle knew it was him with the small monopoly on hero pictures. Which made it kind of weird that Betty sent everyone with hero pictures to Peter.
Robbie said it was because he knows a good picture when he sees it. Peter was careful and kind to the heroes that protected the city and the world. He was the saving grace for the heroes who 'got caught having a bad day'.
Peter still thought it was weird. That a news place has integrity and a heavy moral compass. Even if J.J.J. tried to act like they didn't. Hell, even that alliteration of a man was more morally guided and strong than some heroes Peter had met.
Today, Peter had an appointment. He groaned. That meant someone had pictures of heroes. It wasn't too often he would accept them. Most of the time it was outted-heros in normal clothes and situations. Those weren't the problem. It was the 'caught having a bad day' ones that came in, he dreaded.
The people would shout that they had good pictures of a hero being an ass or losing their cool and that they should get the cash, not the boot. He hoped it wasn't one of those.
3 p.m. his appointment walked in. He wore a thick hoodie, a baseball cap, sunglasses, and a plain gray fabric face mask. Peter smiled at the tall and very muscular man, but in his head, he was dying.
They dressed like this when they thought they had 'dirt' on heroes and that their life was in danger if they were caught with the pictures. They wanted their shitty pictures, usually taken from behind something, or half-blurred images to be posted anonymously but still get the cash in hand.
"Hey, I'm-"
"Peter Parker!" The man cheerfully interrupted, "I know you're Spidey's photographer! Hand-picked! I'm a big fan," The people coming in with pictures knew they were meeting with Peter but usually didn't know that he was the main Spider-Man guy.
"Ha," Peter chuckled as the man sat next to him in his 'cubicle'.
It was a plastic folding desk that was pushed against the real cubicles to make Peter feel like he actually had a permanent place so he wouldn't run off and sell his pictures to others.
"Yeah. Not ah, not too many people know that" he pushed up his thick-rimmed glasses that were only for show.
"Ohooh! I know aaaaaallll of your work, Petey," he leaned on the desk, propping his head in his hand.
"Hum," Peter smiled, "so, what do you have for me today? Do you have the pictures emailed already?"
He asked to have the pictures sent beforehand so he could just pull them up- but more often than not- they only had them on their phones or god forbid, printed.
"Yep!" The man chirped. Peter smiled again.
"Cool," he turned to his laptop, closed RuneScape, and opened his email.
Peter also asked when emailing that they format their email in a specific way. Even the people who did email him prior to the appointment did not do that.
Again, Peter was surprised. It was easy to find.
Subject: Pictures for Peter Parker for 3 pm appointment with WW
"Nice, let's take a look," Peter opened the email and looked at the attached pictures. They were of HIM.
Well, Spider-Man to be exact. No one came to him with Spider-Man pictures. But this guy had the balls to not only say to Peters' face that he was Peters 'fan' because he was Spider-Man's 'hand picked' photographer but then try to sell him pictures of Spider-Man!
Peter laughed a little with a cutesy smile. He looked over the pictures.
They… looked good…. And really close to Peter.
Zoom was an amazing function but unfortunately lost quality the further you were from the subject.
Which was weird because these were awesome-looking but really close up.
There was a picture of Spider-Man standing on his back leg, his other one pushed out, reading an item that was cropped out.
Shoot. Peter hoped he would recognize the reading material and remember who was so close to him.
A picture of Spider-Man on street level, looking back over his shoulder, hands forward and outstretched holding onto the web, readying for a swing.
Peter didn't remember this instance. There were thousands of times he probably looked like this with dozens of people around him each time.
Another one was a side profile of him, a mask above his nose, holding a puppy to his face to kiss him.
He remembered a little more, he, Daredevil, and Deadpool were patrolling when a puppy fell in a sewer grate while being walked by his teen owner. The two others watched him and Peter managed to fish the pup out with his webs. The teen was happy that Peter saved her dog and asked if she could buy him a thank-you gift.
Peter got this sometimes. People are thankful and happy that they were saved. He didn't ask for anything unless he was strapped for cash and hungry. Just tried to get away as fast as he could so they wouldn't have the opportunity to waste their money on him.
But he asked the girl if he could get a kiss from the dog. Joking that he never got kisses from his rescued people, but would love a few from this good boy.
The teen laughed and happily agreed. Deadpool joked that he would kiss him anytime the hero wanted. Peter didn't want to date other supers, so he always turned down Deadpool's advances. But he wasn't going to lie, he wanted to take up the offer.
Peter remembered there was a small crowd that initially got their attention to the trouble, but most of it had dissipated when the dog was safe.
Again- this could have been anyone.
Peter scrolled through the rest of the photos. They were all good close-ups of general things that Peter did as Spider-Man.
"These- are pretty awesome. We can definitely use- well- all of them!" Peter looked at the disguised man.
"That's great," the man had a happy tone, but something was behind the words. "Spidey would probably take off my head if he knew I was selling some of my personal collection," he wiggled in his seat and sang his last few words.
Peter started to forward the pictures to Robbie, CCing J.J.J. and the original email.
WWilsonisdp at yahoo dot com.
Peter laughed quietly while asking for permission to buy these.
"I need to get permission from my bosses to give you the cash," Peter sent off the email and looked at the company-wide calendar, "it only takes about- shoot," Peter groaned. "Usually it's about 10 minutes to get the verdict, but it looks like they both just went into a meeting for about an hour, an hour and a half?" Peter turned to the man. "If you want to wait here, we have a café on level 4. Or you can email me your address and-"
"Would you eat with me?" He asked.
"P-pardon?" Peter stuttered.
"Do you have a lunch break? How about I treat you while we wait?" The man's voice was flirtatious. Peter blushed. He looked at his phone for the time. He was going to skip his lunch break because he was too broke to eat today. And he was hungry. Against his better judgment- he agreed.
They both went down to the Café and got premade, cold turkey sandwiches. Peter had them before. They were good for what they were. The man bought them both drinks and a small bag of chips each. The man got spicy Cheetos, and Peter got plain lays. They sat down together in the corner. Peter dug in, while the man sipped his drink.
"So," Peter swallowed, "how did you get these pictures? Do you know Spider-Man?" he was trying to find out who this mysterious stranger was.
"I take them myself! And yeah, you can say we're thick as thieves,". Peter stared at him. He didn't even recognize this guy's voice, but he acted like he and Spider-Man were close. "Well- when he wants to be," that sounded like he was a little hurt. Peter chewed the inside of his cheek.
"I'm sorry," Peter sighed, "he can be… distant sometimes,".
"I know. Poor baby doesn't want his heart to be broken," the man touched his chest where his heart was. Peter let out a single laugh.
"Sure," he nodded. He went to take another bite when he realized something.
"I didn't even catch your name," Peter sat up more, "I saw Wilson on your email, but nothing else,".
"Ah," the man stuck out his hand, Peter took it and they shook. "Wilson, Wade Wilson! But maybe if you play your cards right, it could be Wade Parker," he leaned over and put his chin in his hand. Even though he was wearing sunglasses, Peter could tell he was batting his eyes.
Peter blushed and… Giggled. He covered his mouth and cleared his throat.
"Cute,".
"You are. That's why I asked you on this date," he could hear Wades' smirk.
"Date?" Peter smirked himself. He leaned back and looked around bouncing his head from side to side as if he was mulling over the idea. "I guess. Haven't been on a date in a while. So I guess I should find some way to say sorry for not recognizing this as one," he teased.
"Oh- Petey," Wade hummed, "you can say sorry any way you like,".
Peter blushed hard but didn't back down. This felt almost familiar. He had this type of flirting done to him before, but this time he felt free to reciprocate the energy. So he did. Hard.
"So, if this is a date," Peter put his finger on his straw and wiggled it around absentmindedly, "I think I'm owed a pick-up line," he smiled coyly.
"Okay- here are some of my best ones," Wade leaned back and pushed his hands together as if he were stretching for a race.
"Can I get a picture of you? I want to show Santa what I want for Christmas,". Peter snorted.
"Best?" He grinned.
"Wait- wait, I have more- remember me? Oh, that's right. I've met you only in my dreams," Peter couldn't help but laugh at his dumb lines, "I've lost my teddy bear. Can I sleep with you instead?" Peter covered his face. Wade sat up straight, "Do you work at Subway? Because you just gave me a foot-long,". Peter threw his head back, laughing loud enough to get others' attention. Peter covered his mouth but was still laughing. Wade rested his head on his hand and watched Peter laugh.
"You better be careful, Parker... be too cute and I'll have to tie you up and take you home," he purred.
"Are you asking for some rope?" Peter bit his lip.
Peters' phone rang, scaring both of them. He pulled it out of his pocket. He pursed his lips and scowled.
"Heeeey Mr. Jameson. You got out of your meeting early? Greeeeat," he answered in a frustrated tone." no, no attitude here sir," Peter couldn't tell, but Wade loved seeing Peter get frustrated, "I'm having lunch," Peter sighed. He took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose, "No, I-" Peter dropped his head on his sandwich, quickly picked it back up and blushed at Wade. "Yeah- the seller is actually with me," Peter shrugged and pointed to his phone, "I'll be right back up with him,". The secret hero hung up his phone. He whined.
"We have to go back because Jameson wants to make sure you're real," He rolled his eyes.
"Really? Why?" Wade asked. Peter started gathering his food.
"He wants to make sure I'm not trying to put in pictures under someone else's name to get extra money. I- I have a contract that pays salary," he shrunk down. "Just when we were starting to have some fun," he muttered.
Wade put his finger under Peter's chin and pulled his head to his mask. He pulled down the fabric and licked the photographer's forehead. He pulled away, smiling. Peter stood up straight- not thinking about the blood rushing downward.
"You had mustard on your head,".
Peter saw Wades' skin for the first time. He was covered in sores. Some were large and some were small. All of them were at different levels of being healed. Wade noticed him staring. He pulled the mask back up and sighed.
"Let's get you back to work," his tone was defeated sounding compared to earlier. Peter looked down.
"I think you need some chapstick. Your lips are really bad," Peter looked at Wade. He couldn't see the guy's face but his shoulders drooped, "but if you don't have any, I guess I'll just have to spend a few hours licking them myself," Peter stuck his tongue out and winked at him.
Wade pulled back slightly.
"Oh- Petey," he chuckled, "how soon is J.J. expecting you?".
—
Spider-Man sat on a roof and looked at the pictures on his phone. It was him and Wade taking selfies together in different places. Dinner dates, short trips, or just hanging out. Kissing each other's cheeks or giving the other bunny ears.
His favorite one was when they first met 3 years ago. They went on a real date hours after they said 'hello' for the first time. It showed Peter surprising Wade by pulling down his face mask and kissing the corner of his mouth.
Over the years it was hard for Wade to open up to Peter but he eventually did. He was a man with a heart of gold and a face only a mother could love after winning the lottery.
But Peter was smitten.
He was funny and sincere. Honest and genuine. Peter had never met anyone like him before. He knew almost everything about him… except his job. But Peter didn't mind. Wade traveled a lot for his work and was secretive about it. Peter pretended he was an international super spy.
That may or may not have been foreplay a few times.
"Hey, webs," Peter turned around at the voice. It was DareDevil and Deadpool.
"Late!" He laughed, "Which means I'm gonna be late going home tonight," he pouted.
"Awwww does Spidey have a guuuuuuuuurrrllfrriiiieeend?" Deadpool wiggled his hips. Spider-Man rolled his eyes. "Want a three-way?"
"I'm sure your boyfriend will appreciate you asking another man for a three-way," DareDevil huffed.
"Four-way then," Deadpool shrugged.
"Wait-" Spider-Man scoffed, "you have a boyfriend?"
"Hopefully not for long," Deadpool nodded.
"Oof, really?" Spider-Man felt a little awkward.
"Seriously? Don't worry," DareDevil smacked Deadpool on the back of his head, "He's going to ask him to marry him."
Spider-Man hopped up and patted his friend on the back.
"Way to go! Make sure you invite me to the wedding!" Spider-Man joked.
"I'll invite you to the wedding night if you want," Deadpool rubbed his shoulder on Spidey's.
"No," Spider-Man pushed him away.
"I hope he knows you flirt with everyone,". DareDevil folded his arms.
"You remind me of my partner in that aspect," Spider-Man chuckled.
"You actually know my soon-to-be fiancé," Deadpool pulled out his phone.
"Really?" Both Spider-Man and DareDevil asked.
"Yeah, I should really thank you, Spidey," he scrolled through his phone, "you kind of introduced us,".
"Really?" They asked together again.
"Yep! Here- this is our first picture together. Sorry Not-Matt-Murdock," Deadpool hummed.
"Stop calling me that," DareDevil scolded.
"But you have to miss out on the cutest guy I have ever seen. Cutest ass, cutest face, cutest tears rolling down his cute cheeks when he begs-"
"Deadpool-" DareDevil chided.
"Cutest laugh, cutest smile, cutest stanky ass morning breath," Deadpool continued.
"Sounds like you really love him," Spider-Man smiled. He was happy for his friend. "Who is he?" Deadpool flipped over the phone to show Spider-Man the image.
It showed a hazel-eyed man with brown hair, surprising another guy with a bad skin condition by pulling down his face mask and kissing the corner of his mouth.
"He's your photographer: Peter Parker," Deadpool sang. He turned the phone around and kissed the screen. "He's too good for me. He's kind and funny. He likes to talk for hours on end. I love him," Deadpool sighed sweetly.
As he spoke, Spider-Man was frozen. He stared at Deadpool.
"P-Peter Pa-rker?" He choked out. Deadpool hummed.
"He even introduced me to his Aunt a while back. I bet you haven't even met her," he teased, "guess I'm on a different level than you,".
"Congratulations Deadpool," DareDevil nodded his head at him, "I hope he doesn't realize how stupid you are,".
"If he agrees to marry me- he'll be the stupid one," he laughed, "don't tell him I said that,".
"Wade Wilson," Spider-Man whispered. Deadpool cocked his head, shocked he heard his name.
"Oh! So he's talked about me to you?"
"Your name is Wade Wilson?" DareDevil asked, "Wade Wilson and Peter Parker. I know a lot of people with alliterative names," he joked.
"You're Wade Wilson?" Spider-Man asked again.
"Yep!"
Spider-Man paused. He stopped thinking. He just acted. He put his thumbs under his mask and pulled it off. Deadpool stared at the unmasked hero.
"Well shit," Deadpool stared at him.
Peter looked at Deadpool, a hard thumping in his heart. Deadpool took off his mask as well. They stared at each other, mouths slightly open in awe. Their eyes scanned the other's face.
Peter was the first one to crack. His lips twitched. He leaned his head to the side and gazed at Wade. A goofy smile was accompanied by a strong blush on Peters' cheeks. Wades' face softened. He smiled back.
"What's going on?" DareDevil asked.