The city hummed with life below as Spider-Man perched on the edge of a towering skyscraper, his legs dangling in the wind. It was supposed to be a quiet patrol tonight, just a standard rooftop sweep to ensure nothing too dangerous was happening in the city. Of course, with Deadpool in tow, nothing ever stayed quiet for long.
"Okay, seriously, who designs a getaway car withflameson the side?" Deadpool said, gesturing wildly to the street below. "That's like putting a giant neon sign that says, 'Cops, follow me!'"
"Wade," Peter said, his tone strained, "can you focus for five seconds?"
"Iamfocusing," Deadpool shot back, folding his arms. "I'm focusing on the poor choices of our local criminal masterminds."
Peter sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, I appreciate the help, but can you stop turning everything into a joke for five minutes? This is serious."
Deadpool tilted his head. "Everything doesn'thaveto be serious, Spidey. Maybe you should try lightening up once in a while. It's called 'fun.' You ever heard of it?"
"This isn't about fun," Peter snapped, turning to face him. "It's about doing the right thing and keeping people safe. And it's hard enough without you making everything a spectacle."
Deadpool blinked, his usual playful demeanor slipping just slightly. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize Mr. Perfect here had everything figured out."
"This isn't about me," Peter said, his voice rising. "It's about the fact that I can't do my job properly with you constantly distracting me!"
Deadpool took a step closer, his voice losing its usual edge of humor. "You think I'm a distraction? Fine. Why don't you just say it? You don't want me here. You think I'm some kind of screw-up."
Peter hesitated, surprised by the sudden change in Wade's tone. "That's not what I—"
"Save it," Deadpool interrupted, his hands balling into fists. "You think I don't know what people say about me? That I'm a joke? A screw-up? A danger to everyone around me? Guess what, Spidey—I've heard it all before. But I thoughtyouwere different."
"Iamdifferent," Peter said, his frustration softening into something closer to guilt. "I didn't mean it like that."
"Then howdidyou mean it?" Wade asked, his voice quieter now but no less intense. "Because from where I'm standing, it sure sounds like you're just like everyone else."
Peter took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He hadn't meant for things to spiral like this. He hadn't meant to hurt Wade.
"I don't think you're a screw-up," Peter said finally, his voice soft but firm.
Wade snorted, though it lacked any real humor. "Could've fooled me."
"I'm serious," Peter said, stepping closer. "You're reckless, sure, and yeah, you can be annoying sometimes. But you care. You try. And you make things better, even if it's in your own… chaotic way."
Deadpool tilted his head, studying Peter carefully. "Then why are we even arguing?"
"Because you drive me crazy!" Peter exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. "You're unpredictable and stubborn and you don't listen to me half the time. And yet…"
He stopped, his words catching in his throat.
"And yet what?" Wade prompted, his voice quieter now, almost hesitant.
Peter hesitated, his heart hammering in his chest. He wasn't sure if he could say it, but the words were already on the tip of his tongue, begging to be let out.
"And yet I care about you," Peter admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Wade froze, his head tilting slightly as if he hadn't heard correctly. "Wait… what?"
Peter sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I care about you, Wade. More than I probably should. And that's why this is so hard. Because I don't want to screw things up between us, but I also don't know how to handle… this."
Deadpool stared at him, his usual bravado completely gone. "You… care about me?"
"Yes," Peter said, his voice steadier now. "And it's terrifying because you're the last person I ever expected to feel this way about. But I do."
For a moment, Wade didn't say anything. Peter braced himself for a joke, a sarcastic comment, something to deflect. But instead, Wade took a step closer, his voice softer than Peter had ever heard it.
"You're not the only one who's terrified," Wade admitted. "I'm not exactly great at… feelings. But you? You make me want to try. And that scares the hell out of me."
Peter blinked, caught off guard by the honesty in Wade's voice.
"So, what now?" Wade asked, his tone light but his eyes serious.
Peter took a deep breath, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I guess we figure it out. Together."
Wade's grin returned, though it was softer than usual. "Together, huh? I like the sound of that."
"Me too," Peter admitted.
For a moment, the city around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them standing on the rooftop.
"So," Wade said, breaking the silence, "does this mean I get to call you my boyfriend? Or do I have to fill out some kind of superhero dating application first?"
Peter rolled his eyes, but he couldn't stop the laugh that escaped him. "You're impossible."
"And you love it," Wade replied, his grin widening.
Peter didn't deny it.