Chapter 33

*ACHOO!*

Peter wipes his nose with the sleeves of his hoodie, smiling guiltily at the disgruntled & disgusted faces of the other passengers beside him.

"Sorry," Peter offered to no one in particular. "Sinuses, you know," he continued with his excuse, pointing to his reddening nose.

As the subway continued to chug along, and the other passengers kept on throwing disgruntled glances at him every time he sneezes, courtesy of his late-night dip caused by Black Cat, Peter couldn't help but listen in to the latest gossip-of-the-day from the train-goers.

"Did you hear about last night?"

"Heard it? I was right there, two streets away where it happened!"

"What? Did you see it?"

"Well, no, I mean, I was there a week ago-,"

"What? Pfft, shut up man, that don't count,"

"Still! I-,"

Peter sighed softly, as his eyes land on another of the morning papers one of the passengers were reading. 'Spider-Burglar! Menace turned Criminal as True Colors revealed!' headlined the papers as photos of last night's incident featured, front & center, on the pages of the Daily Bugle.

"Bahh! I knew he was a bad egg from the start. Jameson's been saying it from the very beginning!"

"I don't know man. This doesn't feel right. I bet you it's one of those government conspiracies to mislead us,"

"What conspiracy?! They've already got the statement from the police!"

"What? Let me see that!"

"I don't know man. Why would he return it, right after he just stole it?"

"Tch, cause he was caught in the act, that's why!"

"Don't know man. I'm telling you, doesn't feel right, this,"

"What doesn't feel right?! See, they even have a picture of him at the scene!"

"That's super blurry though,"

"Yeah man, that could be anything,"

"What? You can clearly see the outline from this here picture,"

Peter lets out another long sigh, as the conversation around him continued. His only saving grace is that the photo of him was so blurry, he doubted anyone could even make sense of what they were actually seeing.

Peter's mind quickly turned back to the absurd events of last night.

By the time he managed to collect back all of the jewelry that Black Cat had thrown into the river, she was already long gone.

Sneaking his way past the army of officers on-the-hunt for him, Peter doubted he was going to get away with anything but an arrest if he had confronted them with the jewelry bag in hand. So, after a period of long deliberation, Peter decided (regrettably) that the only option available for him was to just return the bag of jewelry, and avoid getting caught, and hope that that would help defuse the situation.

And so, drenched as he was in the cold, stinky waters of the Hudson River, Peter quickly wrote down a note & attached it onto the bag, hoping that it would explain what actually happened to the police. He then quickly snuck into Inspector Watanabe's office and placed it onto her table, not really knowing where else would be the best way to place the bag of stolen goods.

As he stood there recalling the events of last night, his face quickly flushed red as he recalled the scene of him jumping around, half-naked in front of an onlooking Gwen.

'What are you doing Pete…?,' Peter thought to himself as he cupped his face in his hands and lets out another long sigh.

He looked around exasperatedly, as he feels his hard-earned 'friendly neighborhood superhero' reputation, that he'd been working so hard for, for the last few months, goes completely down the drain in one night.

"Talk about a lousy night," he smiled ruefully to himself, his newfound 'criminal' status being one of the two major reasons for his unplanned metro trip (The other being the constant sneezing into the mask that made it extremely sticky & uncomfortable, having to constantly open it partially to blow the snot in his nose).

Peter slowly pushed his way out of the crowded train as he arrived at his intended station.

"… I've been saying it for months! HE. IS. A. MENACE!"

Peter felt his heart sank as he listens to the radio speakers blaring across the station.

"Now, I'd like to correct the low-information caller just now, before you go around calling him a 'super-hero', let's examine that claim shall we. Sure, he 'allegedly' stops crime, every now & again, but those are nothing our wonderful police couldn't have done so themselves. And for the more unusual crimes, he's caught, what? A misguided idiot who invented a pair of vibrating bracelets? A guy sitting inside of a Ferris Wheel? A freak-show who DRESSES UP AS A RHINO?! These people aren't criminals, they're criminally insane! And he's out there convincing ill-informed people like you, that him beating these people up, is good for us?! If anything, they're probably in cahoots!"

Peter rolled his eyes in annoyance, as he listens to J. Jonah Jameson. As he looks around the station, he noticed displays, posters, headlines, everything around him focusing on the fact that he 'allegedly' robbed a jewelry store last night.

"Great, that's one way to make the news," Peter mouthed to himself. "Courtesy of the top-tier journalism by the Bugle, no doubt," he shook his head in annoyance as he made his way across the station.

*crash*

While he was absent-mindedly walking, an old, slouched man walked across Peter's path, causing him to crash into the old man.

Peter, looked at the scene in horror, as he quickly got up & tried to help the old man up.

"Sir? Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" Peter quickly apologized, as he helped the old man back up to his feet. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

The old man, slowly stood back up, leaning on Peter's arms for support. To Peter's surprise, the old man had a strong firm grip despite his frail-looking posture.

"Why, thank you, young man," he said slowly. "Sincere apologies, these old bones are not what they used to be," he smiled warmly at Peter.

"Oh, n-no no, it was my fault sir, I wasn't looking at where I was walking," Peter bowed down apologetically. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Ah, no, no I'm fine, thank you," the old man smiled, patting Peter on the shoulder. "Although, if you don't mind," he said, before gesturing to the suitcases sprawled across the floor.

"Oh, r-right," Peter nodded thoughtfully, before quickly picking up the suitcases & placing them, upright, next to the old man.

"Thank you," the old man smiled warmly at Peter. "You must have a lot on your mind, to have been walking so absent-mindedly like that,"

"Oh, y-yeah, sorry about that," Peter smiled awkwardly. "That was my fault, sorry sir,"

"It's fine," the old man placed a reassuring hand on Peter's shoulders. "I can see you're an absolutely upstanding young lad, very good," he continued.

"Oh, uhh, okay sir. Thanks," Peter nodded awkwardly, slightly unsure at how to react. "So, I've got-,"

"Oh, now, where has my niece got herself to?" the old man suddenly said, squinting his eyes as he seemingly scanned the station. "Have you seen her by any chance?"

Peter opened his mouth, before closing it again, slightly hesitant. "Uhm, I don't think so?" Peter offered.

"She was just here a while ago," the old man continued, sounding slightly disheartened. "I was trying to go find her, but I'm afraid I've gotten myself lost. These eyes, not what they used to be," he mulled.

"O-oh, I see," Peter nodded along. "Uhm, can you tell me what she looks like? Maybe I can help you find her?"

"Oh, that would be amazing," he smiled brightly. "She's about yea high, and yea big," he gestured seemingly randomly with his hands. "And she's around your age lad,"

"Uhm, ookay," Peter raised his eyebrow inquisitively. "Can I know what she's wearing?"

The old man looked up in thought for a few moments. "I think she was wearing one of you youngins 'tank tops'? Green,"

"Right," Peter looked around to try & find someone matching the description he had just been given, but to no avail.

"Uhm, sorry, but-,"

"Well, never mind then," the old man suddenly cuts him off. "I suppose I'll just wait for her at one of those cafes," he smiled warmly. "Would you mind keeping an old man company, while he waits?"

"Oh, uhm..," Peter hesitated slightly.

"I'd love to introduce you to my niece. I'm sure she'd be glad to meet someone like you," the old man continued, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Uhm, sorry, I'm actually kinda late for-,"

"Ooh, this back," the old man suddenly groaned, as he rubs his back in pain(?). "Would be nice if I could have a seat somewhere,"

Peter hesitated for a few moments, slightly worried at failing his original plan to come in early for his internship today to make up for his previous tardiness. Peter took a quick glance at his phone clock.

'There's still more than an hour left. I've got time,' Peter reasoned to himself.

"Ok sir, sure. Come, I'll help you with that," Peter smiled, before taking the suitcases and pushing them for the old man. "Which café would you like to go to?"

"And now for listener emails. May from Queens writes, "You're so full of anger, and I wish you'd get help managing it. It's terrible for your health." Now, I know she speaks from a place of concern, but this is a common misconception that I have to correct. I'm not full of anger. I'm full of love. I call out injustice, corruption & crimes against humanity, because I adore this city, and I want it to be better. What you hear in my voice? It's love! NOTHING BUT LOVE!"

Peter came out with the tray of coffee & placed it on the table. He then served the coffee to the old man who was now leaning, sitting cross-legged on the chair, his intense gaze fixed on Peter, seemingly studying him intently.

"Your coffee sir," Peter said slowly, slightly taken aback by the intense stare the old man was giving him.

The old man's set of thick grey hair & thick eyebrows, made his gaze all the more intense. Peter felt a slight sense of discomfort as the old man's stare made it felt like it was able to see through him, an all-knowing stare that pierced his very soul.

Peter quickly sat down and took a sip from his cup of coffee, looking eagerly at the passers-by, hoping to see the old man's niece amongst them.

"So, umm, did you tell your niece that we're waiting for her here?" Peter asked.

"Hmm? Oh, yes, I'm sure she'll come along eventually," the old man brushed off the suggestion, taking a relaxed sip from his cup of coffee. "Sorry, but let's start over. Your name?" he asked politely, offering his hand out for a handshake.

"Oh, right. Uhm, Peter sir, Peter Parker," Peter said, accepting the old man's hand. Peter felt surprised at the strength & firmness of the man's grasp.

"Sims," he smiled warmly. "A pleasure to have made you an acquaintance,"

"Uhh, yeah, same here sir," Peter nodded along.

"Which college do you go to? If you don't mind me asking?" Mr. Sims said solemnly.

"Oh, no sir, I'm still in high school. Senior," Peter smiled awkwardly.

"Oh? Then you're a bit younger than Cindy," he said excitedly. "My niece," he continued. "Ahh, but for someone so young, you seem to have so much in your head,"

"Ahaha, right," Peter lets out a small chuckle. "I guess a lot has happened recently,"

"I see," Mr. Sims nodded softly. "Would you like to share?"

"Uuhhh, wellll," Peter rubbed the back of his head. "I guess it's just a bunch of things happening all at once. But it's nothing overly serious," Peter said politely.

The old man continued to nod, as he stared at Peter. "A lot of responsibility for someone so young" he offered.

"Uhh, yeah, sure, you could say that," Peter looked up in thought. "But, you know, nothing overly serious, just teenage stuff, you know,"

The old man continued to smile, taking the occasional sip from his cup of coffee. After a while, he turned towards the passers-by.

"What do you make of this news that's popped up today? About this Spider-Man fella?" Mr. Sims suddenly asked.

"Huh?" Peter's eyes widened in surprise, slightly taken aback by the question. "A-About Spider-Man?"

Mr. Sims smile widened as he continued to stare directly at Peter. "Yes, what do you think? Doesn't seem like he's the sort of guy that'd do these sorts of things, does he?" he continued.

"Oh, uhm, yeah, no, he doesn't seem like it, no," Peter said weakly, slightly wary whenever someone asks him about his secret superhero persona.

"And yet, here we are," Mr. Sims gestured to nothing in particular. "What do you think actually happened?"

"I-I wouldn't know sir," Peter hesitated, before smiling awkwardly as he often does when he's nervous.

"Well yes, but what do you think happened?" Mr. Sims continued. "Hypothetically, of course,"

Peter hesitated slightly, before continuing. "Well, I think there's probably been a misunderstanding," he said, slightly relieved to get it off his chest, even if it was to a random person.

"Oh? How so?"

"W-well, hypothetically speaking," Peter said slowly. "Spider-Man is a pretty nice guy, maybe even a pretty chill dude, I think. I don't think he would steal jewelry, that doesn't match with anything he's done before," Peter reasoned. "And, if he really did steal it, then why would he return the stolen jewelry that very same night? That doesn't make any sense,"

"Oh? You seem to be convinced that he's innocent then?" Mr. Sims asked.

"W-well, yeah, I think he probably is," Peter shrugged his shoulders. "I think it was all a big misunderstanding,"

"How so?"

"Well, maybe what happened was, he actually caught the girl that was robbing the store, and then they just saw him with the jewels & mistakenly assumed he took it, when what actually happened was, he was just trying to return it from the cat-burglar," Peter lets out a long sigh. "As to why the cat-burglar did what she did… I have no idea,"

"Interesting," Mr. Sims nodded, a knowing smile plastered across his face as he turned towards the passers-by.

"O-of course, it's hypothetical," Peter offered. "I wouldn't know what actually happened,"

"Of course," Mr. Sims nodded softly.

"So, um, what about you sir? What are you doing here?" Peter said quickly, trying to change the topic to avoid talking about his costumed identity.

Mr. Sims took a long sip and waited for a few moments before turning back towards Peter. "We're actually here, on a, kind of a business trip," he explained. "I suppose it's sort of like a, prospect scouting trip,"

"I see," Peter nodded along. "Are you going there via the subway?"

"No, not really, it's just nearby," Mr. Sims smiled. "I think Cindy is preparing some of the finishing touches,"

"Oh, okay," Peter nodded. "What kind of business are you in?"

Mr. Sims flashed a smirk at Peter, before pausing for a few moments. "Hmmm, if I had to put it in words, I'd say… it's 'Totems',"

Peter raised an inquisitive eyebrow, the answer catching him slightly off-guard. "Totems? Like…?" Peter tried to make a gesture resembling small round-like objects with his hands.

Mr. Sims lets out a small chuckle as he sees Peter's gestures. "No, not quite. Mine is a bit more, 'Mystical' shall we say,"

"Oh, okay," Peter frowned, slightly surprised & intrigued by the old man in front of him.

"Tell me, Peter, do you know why people use the expression 'as dangerous as giving a loaded gun to a small child'?" Mr. Sims suddenly asked. "It is not because the child is especially malicious, or because he wants to knock over a bank. It is because the child does not comprehend the power he holds in his hands," he continued

Peter frowned, slightly uncertain at what Mr. Sims is trying to say. "Uhmm-,"

"Sims! There you are! I've been looking all over for you!" a woman's voice suddenly came from behind Peter's back. Surprised, Peter quickly turned towards the source of the voice who he assumed must be Mr. Sims's niece.

*TINGLE*

Peter stared, dumbfounded at the Korean-American lady in-front of her. The both of them stood still, for what Peter felt like an eternity, as he felt every fiber in his being screaming at him, his hormones & arousals spiking out of control, leaving him transfixed for a few moments.

Suddenly, Mr. Sims tapped him from behind, seemingly snapping Peter out of whatever hormone-induced stupor that he was having just now, the lady seemingly simultaneously breaking out of her own spell of confusion at the same time as he did.

"Alas, Mr. Parker, it was a pleasure meeting you," Mr. Sims said slowly as he walked past Peter, his slouch & frailties seemingly gone. "But I have to take my leave now. Perhaps our paths will cross again one day," he continued, waving Peter goodbye, before grabbing a still confused looking Cindy by the shoulder and pushing her away.

As Peter stared at the pair, disappearing into the sea of crowds of the morning commute, Peter suddenly realized the feeling of a small weight in his front shirt pocket. He frowned, slightly confused, as he reached for the item in his pocket, only to take out a small, spider-like totem carved out of wood, and a small note attached.

'Do you, Spider-Man?'

Having spent the next few minutes after Sims's departure, wildly searching for him in the station, to no avail, Peter eventually made his way to Oscorp. As distressed as he was at the reveal that someone had figured out his secret identity, there were too many questions that he had burning at the back of his mind. Questions, that until he could find Sims again, had no way of being answered. For the time being, Peter had to make do with the fact that for whatever reason, Sims had not exposed his secret identity yet.

As he arrived early at Oscorp's main entrance, he was suddenly greeted with the scene of a disheveled looking Dr. Connors & his wife, rushing into the building, and, to his surprise, a tired-looking Gwen seemingly tailing behind them.

"Gwen?" Peter let out involuntarily.

Gwen immediately looked over at him, and stared at him in surprise.

"Peter? You're super early." Dr. Martha Connors looked over at him in surprise as she turned towards Peter as well.

Peter quickly made his way to the trio, eventually noticing, the small boy holding onto Matha's arm at their side. "Yeah, I uhh, wanted to come over early to make up for yesterday," Peter offered.

"Well, that-,"

"Peter! Perfect! Come! Come! We have to go now!" Dr. Curtis Connors smiled excitedly as he grabbed Peter by the arms.

"Oh, uhm okay," Peter nodded, slightly taken aback by the forcefulness behind Dr. Connor's words. He then turned towards Gwen & Martha for an explanation.

"We're about to make history Peter! She did it! She's solved the decay rate algorithm!" Dr. Connors said excitedly.