Saving the World, Saving Hearts

Chapter 12 of my crossover story, enjoy.

Reviews:

Boris Yeltsin: Oh yes, things are looking rather problematic, aren't they, here we go...
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel, Stranger Things, or their characters.

Addressing Fears

Jake took a shaky breath, trying to concentrate, he had to be careful how he did this. He couldn't let his parents work things out, he had to distract them. Swallowing nervously, he stepped out and approached, catching his parents attention.

"Jake…" Mike began.

"I um, I heard what you guys were talking about." He explained. "You know, about Spider-Boy and what happened tonight…"

Will quickly intervened. "Jake, listen, we're just worried about you, everything that's happened lately, we…"

"What, something crazy no doubt, like what, I'm Spider-Boy?" Jake joked. "Yeah right. I mean, I'm only fourteen."

Mike sighed. "Jake...You know what we went through...and we started getting involved in that at twelve, but we were fourteen when we faced Vecna."

Jake grimaced, this wasn't working out as well as he'd hoped.

"Listen, we're just worried about you, especially since well...that injury of yours, why lie about it, we know what you said just doesn't make sense."

'Shit, shit shit…' Jake thought. 'Not working, need...need something else…'

Shaking his head, Jake sighed and moved over to the sofa and sat down, well aware of his dads eyes on him.

"Well...it's not quite what you...listen I can explain all of this, but it's not exactly what you seem to be thinking." Jake explained.

Mike and Will shared a sharp look.

They turned their gaze back to their son, concerned.

Jake shook his head. "It's...it's simple. I just...I've met Spider-Boy, talked with him, that's all it is...he's, certainly admirable."

"Oh?"

"Spider-Boy doesn't want others to find out about his secret identity, because he's afraid, every single day. Not for himself, but for his loved ones. He has his parents, who he admires, they're his heroes, and Spider-Boy wants to be a hero just like them. His friends, the Avengers, feel the same for their parents. Sometimes he has nightmares, seeing his parents, or his friends, dead, with him not having been able to save them. That fear, something he feels each and every day, since he started his hero journey, always devours him alive, because his parents and his friends are his stars of hope, little, but not to be ignored." Jake explained. "This is all stuff he's told me...But he can't allow himself to show fear, and so he pushes through that fear to fight for his stars, and for what he believes in, because he knows, deep down in his heart, what he's doing, is right."

Mike and Will stared at Jake in amazement at this sudden passionate speech about Spider-Boy from him.

"I was there at the incident with Vulture, I saw it happening." Jake continued.

Mike gasped. "What...Jake, that's, you…"

"I was scared yeah, who wouldn't be, but…" Jake paused then smiled. "Spider-Boy has taught me that being brave doesn't mean to not be afraid, it means to find the strength to push through that fear to do what is right, and never giving up until the very end."

There was a moment of silence after he said that.

Will and Mike couldn't help but be surprised at their son, the passion with which he had spoken, as well as being deeply moved by Spider-Boy's intention.

"Alright..."Will said finally. "I'm sorry Jake, I just...we worry for you, that's all."

Mike nodded. "Yeah, still...that's incredible. Nevertheless, we are proud of you, for standing up for what you think is right...it's something we tried to do back then."

"Probably should've done more of." Will admitted. "But we did what we could. We just want you to be careful, please, as you've already seen, things can get pretty dangerous. Now...it's late, you should get to bed...family day tomorrow."

Jake nodded as he stood up. "Yeah, thanks."

Smiling he his way off to his bedroom, Mike and Will shared a relieved smile before Mike headed off to their room. Will lingered for a moment, thinking. He couldn't put his finger on it but, something in what Jake had said to them, the way he'd said it. It felt so, familiar to him. Shaking his head he stood up.

'No sense dwelling on it now...not so late anyway.' He reflected.

So he too headed for bed, ready for a relaxing day tomorrow, followed by the big family dinner that had been planned.

XXXXX

Jake smiled warmly as he entered the house after his dads. Nancy and Jonathan were already present with Thomas and Barbara and before long, after the happy and warm greetings, Karen turned to Jake and hugged him tightly.

"Oh Jake, look at you, you're nearly as tall as Mike now." She said cheerfully.

Jake smiled softly and returned the hug. "Hi grandma, yeah, I know."

They parted and Karen smiled around at the guests and explained happily.

"Well, everything's nearly ready, we're just waiting for Holly, Lee and Kelsey."

The others nodded and settled in, simply relaxing and chatting and Jake was glad for the peace. After all the danger and things that had happened lately, he needed this, and not just him, Thomas, Barbara and Kelsey too. Sure enough, at that moment, Holly, her husband Lee Sanders and Kelsey arrived too and soon everybody was working together, making the last preparations so that soon they were all seated together, ready to enjoy a nice and peaceful family dinner.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.