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Something was off about the day; it felt as if something was lost. For most people, it felt as if they’ve lost the smallest part of a dear collection. For all heroes, it felt as if they’ve lost a dear friend, but not quite. For Deadpool, it felt as if he’s lost one of his closest friends and family member.
He sent out a small, surprisingly simple card out to every hero he knew was connected to this person, whether they knew of the connection or not was completely irrelevant. Of course, those receiving the card were caught a bit off-guard -especially once seeing who it was from.
Tony Stark was the first to react, sending out an email -or letter- to everyone he knew to be connected and involved with Deadpool in any way or form. He had titled it ‘This is an Intervention’, and the only contents were a time and an address (with a floor level and a code for accessed entry).
Once getting a confirmation from everyone (and convincing some more obscure characters to come), the mechanic changed into a simple tee, jeans, and blazer, before heading out to find the Merc with the Mouth.
*~_~*~_~*~_~*
Tony confidently marched towards the door, but before he knocked, it flew open revealing Wade Wilson. The latter opened the door and walked inside, and then into a room just a woman left. “Huh, guess he read a few lines later. He’s gonna go get changed now, but sit.”
In all honesty, Tony was both surprised and flabbergasted by the reactions of both adults, but he kept a stoic face as he sat down on a worn couch. “I’m here to personally-“
“Go to your place for a thingy because I’m acting surprisingly normal, at least, compared to usual.” Wade came back wearing a blue sweater and a thick brown coat. “Vanessa, my love, the Death to my Life,” he exaggeratedly offered her his elbow, in his usual Deadpool manner -although, anyone can see his heart just wasn’t in it- “may we?”
She offered a soft, sad smile, and accepted his arm, before facing Tony. “Lead the way, Mr. Stark.” As he turned around and started walking out the door, she whispered softly. “Junior.”
Wade shot her a small smile before following the other man out.
*~_~*~_~*~_~*
As soon as they entered the commons area, Wade pipped up. “Wow, is this an intervention? Guys, I swear, I don’t use the shit I take from the baddies.” He paused. “Except alcohol. That’s where it’s at. It’s legal and no hangovers.”
Many glared at him for that, but a familiar mask caught the merc’s attention.
“Spidey-Baby?” He turned and gaped mockingly at Tony. “You’ve even brought my baby boy to this?” The billionaire shot his a blistering glare, which the mutant responded by dramatically wincing and looking away. “Okay, wow, geez, I didn’t realize you took monopoly over as his parental figure in this universe, I see how it is.”
Peter treaded closer, unconsciously offering a smile to the other vigilante. “Sorry Mister Wilson, I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
That seemed to spur others to speak up, commenting about their worry of the out-of-character cards the received, and questioning how he’s feeling and if he’s okay. “Guys, girls, ambiguous, others, I-I’m fine, don’t worry. I’m just-“
“Grieving.” Vanessa spoke up, glancing around. “Take a seat, and let him get all his fucks and shits out before he breaks-down.”
“I’m not gonna breakdown.” Wade grumbled out.
Once everyone had sat down, Peter pipped up. “Mister Wilson, what’s going on, are you okay?”
“Of course I am, Spidey-Baby, why wouldn;t-”
“Stop lying Wilson.” Natasha spoke up now. “Tell us what’s really going on.” Before he could retaliate with another fake smile, she leaned over and patted his knee. “Wade, come on, what’s wrong?”
Wade’s facade crumbled, a broken look creeping onto his scared face. “He’s gone.”
Peter frowned and leaned closer. “Who is? Who’s gone, Mister Wilson.”
A bitter laugh escaped the older man. “Someone we’ve all met, and are connected to, but only I know his true form.” A snort. “Fuck, I sound like a dramatic anime character.”
Vanessa frowned and shook his shoulder softly. “Wade, stop evading. Who? Who is gone?”
“God, who isn’t he?” He seemed a little more delirious than usual, but still sober in a way not seen by most.
He glanced at Bruce. “He was part of a jury, and a security guard to you.”
His gaze fell unto Peter, a soft smile on his face. “He was ‘Gary’ for you, and your bus driver.”
Stark was next. “You though he was Hugh Hefner, then Larry King, and he called you ‘Tony Stank’ one time.”
The billionaire flushed a bright red at that, but Wade turned towards Steve before the raven haired man could say anything. “He was a World War Two general in a conference, and he asked you to get a waitress’s number.”
Then Thor. “He was that vet who you gave Asgardian liquor to and got super fucking drunk, and he gave you that sick-ass haircut.”
Rocket was next. “You saw him flirting with a pretty lady.”
Scott. “He was the bartender Luis was telling you about, and you shrunk his car.”
Stephen. “You saw him reading ‘The Doors of Perception’ as you were fighting.”
T’Challa. “He was a thirsty gambler for you.”
Jemma. “He apologized for your loss, and he told off Phil to do better.”
Luke, Jessica, Matt, and Frank were next. “There’s a picture up in the police station of him being an honored cop, and a few posters of him.”
Next was Tandy. “You saw him as a painting in a house.”
Finally, Eddie. “And he told you to not give up on her.”
Natasha seemed as if she understood who he spoke of -probably having seen glimpses of the man, or meeting him once- and even though she was still lost on why Wade was so distraught about the loss of this man, she offered a soft smile. “Wade, everything’s going to be okay-”
“NO! He’s gone, and the only one who knows in this universe and any universe we exist in, is me!” He fell and covered his face, silent rivets of tears rolling down his chin and hands. “He’s gone. He’s gone, and I’ll never see him again. Never hear him, fuck, and none of you know the man that created us!”
Vanessa took a seat next to him, Peter following her example and sitting on his other side, offering comfort to the normally energetic man.
A sob escaped him, followed by full on tremors. “He’s gone!”
This caused a domino effect, everyone in the room circling around the vigilante, patting his arms or knees, and offering comfort, all knowing what loss is like.
“H-he-he’s gone.”
And they felt his pain. They knew this man, yet they didn’t, but he did, and he was one of those who suffered the most.
“But we’re here, we’ll always be here for you.”
*~_~*~_~*~_~*
In memory of Stanley “Stan Lee” Martin Lieber
1922-2018
Thank you for the adventures, the tears, and the joy you’ve brought and created.
Rest In Peace