Separate Worlds

by F4Autismo

Summary:

Peter and Johnny have been ignoring eachother since the start of highschool. Now it's their senior year and forces beyond their control bring them together. It doesn't help them when Johnny learns he is in love with his ex-bestfriend.

Chapter 1: First Steps

September 14th, Sunday

Doomed…

That's all that went through Peter Parker's mind as May taped a sign to the window labeling “Free coffee and Pastry to seniors day!”. It was a Sunday morning inside “May-de with Love”, his aunt May and uncle Ben's bakery and coffee shop. It started with just her just handing out the pastries she enjoyed making to some close friends, then the homeless. Though when Ben saw it, he practically swooned at the idea of making money off of it to May's disapproval. So it evolved, being free to any in need of food who were honest about their situation. This though, had also been a safe space for Peter when they closed for the day, the environment was just what he needed to draft the college essays he had been needing to finish.

Peter must have applied to over a hundred colleges, he just wanted to play it safe in his eyes, in case his first fifty choices rejected him. Though his first and most preferred option was naturally Harvard, Stanford, or MIT for their physics programs. Then of course the backups being the colleges in states like Illinois, Washington, and Minnesota.

Blinking his attention back to the real world, May was squinting at him.

“Peter! Did you see the sign?” She asked, tapping to the sign laid on the front desk he worked at.

“Yeah May, I know sorry, just zoned out.” He replied, rubbing his tired eyes as they glanced towards the clock. 10:12AM, great…

“Well then thank you baby, I will be back from my shopping by about noon or sometime past that. So if you need help…hire someone trust worthy…” Then she laughed as she pinched his chin and pulled him in to kiss his head, “Well, buh-bye!” 

He watched her walk out as he chuckled to himself, hiring someone, yeah no one was taking a job that paid $7 an hour. Not that May trusts anyone to be hired anyway, the risk being that they live in the small apartment above the building. It was something to do with the ground floor since Ben refused to have it be a risk. 

 

He checked his phone, messaging Nico Minoru.

Peter P- Hey Nico, gonna have to do later today, May is making me watch the shop till 12-1pm now…kms…

Demon Queen- Parkerrrrr!!!! Lol, jk it’s all good, I’ll just come in and bother you king.

Peter P- Please no, I’m mentally zoning out for the evening soooo, I might accidentally ignore you.

Demon Queen- We’ll see…

 

He swiped on do not disturb mode and clicked his phone off while he served the first person in front of him while he let his mind wander. Only letting his body move from serving drinks and beverages to making more small treats when there were free moments. 

When the rush was over he wiped the sweat from his brow and checked his phone to see only the email icon. Swiping up he read the email.

Email-Lavina Forbes-7:00AM: Hello Parker, I hope this email finds you in good health, I wished to deliver this news in person though my schedule is full recently so I hope that this email will suffice!

Congratulations! You have been chosen from your submission to attend a PSEO course for young scientists at the Baxter Building starting in the Spring Semester! This is a huge opportunity for you, we have some forms for you to fill out and then you are all good to start!

There is a tour happening on September 19th, below you will find a permission slip to pass along to your school.

We look forward to working with you Mr. Parker!

Your instructor will be our star prodigy, Reed Richards.

Lavina Forbes

Baxter Foundation

 

Peter blinked a couple times to make sure he read that right. Had Lavina Forbes, the leader of the Baxter Foundation, really emailed him that? He doubled back to the email, and there it was, the actual email from Ms. Forbes. 

 He could feel the smile peeling back at his cheeks, this was real, this was really fucking real! His final part of getting the dream life he had wished for all of his life. Peter clenched his jaw tight to hold back the scream inside from escaping. 

He screenshotted it and then sent it to Nico.

 

Peter P- image.

Demon Queen- DDUUUUDEEE FSADLKGFDL WTFFF

Peter P- IKKKK

Demon Queen- PETER I AM RUNNING TO YOU AS WE SPEAAAK

Peter P- PLEASE NO I NEED TO BE GIDDY ALONE

Demon Queen- STFU!!

 

He shoved his phone in his pocket and rested his head in his hands with his elbows on the counter. Ecstatic was never the word he imagined to be using today but nothing was felt but that. 

Peter had worked so hard to get back there, the tech that he would have his hands on could make him pass out right here. 

 

“Happy about something there Tiger?” A familiar feminine voice asked.

His head snapped upwards, “MJ!” He reached out and hugged her from across the counter. She would come in every now and again though it was very sporadic as she’d been busy with her new Bugle job.

“Heh, nice to see you too!” she said.

He pulled back and realized he was not very presentable right now. Not that she hadn’t seen him like this. They had been friends for the better part of three years with her being a huge part of his life in high school. They actually almost dated, Peter having had the biggest crush on her before she started dating some intern at the Bugle named Paul. He hates Paul to this day even though he and MJ are no longer together. Nowadays though along with her reporter job, she was going to college at Columbia for journalism.

“Wait so why are you here this morning? You usually come on Mondays and that's when I don’t work…” he asked.

She shrugged as she leaned to look at the pastries in the glass display, “Just got a gig to do a neighborhood story. It’s a favor for a friend in one of my classes since he helped me study. Helps that I am actually in the friend group but…nobody heard that okay?”

Peter narrowed his eyes, smirking, already suspicious of her tone, “Wait, what kind of favor?”

She chuckled, “Well, you young reporter, his name is Teddy and his boyfriend is in a band, they have some shows and I was asked by all of them to bring their fame to the masses of the Bugle. I am starting to become their manager…”

Peter blinked a few times, “Who has the dreams of making a famous college rock band at 18 and in college?”

She looked at him blank, “Peter, you were a notorious rockerboy weirdo before I swooped in and cleaned you up.”

He picked up on the sarcasm and scoffed fakely, “Well excuse me if I say that I still am! Then I was going to play soccer regardless of it being popular Mary Jane.”

Smirking, she just pointing her index finger to the pastries, “The strawberry one and a Mocha Pastry boy”

Begrudgingly, Peter took out the strawberry slice of pie, made MJ a Mocha, sliding both across the counter, “$9.22 News girl…”

MJ pulled out her wallet and slid a $10 on the table, “Keep the change kid” and walked out.

An hour later Peter was scrolling through his phone as the time passed, then he heard a ding!

Nico reached over the counter and grabbed a piece of bread Peter was slowly eating to eat herself.  "Well well well, look who is here, at his job.” 

Peter slowly looked up, sighing, “Me unfortunately, no word on May and I’m getting annoyed.”

She leaned forward, “Well then, tell me about this email Parker”

He nodded and began, "Oh yeah, the lady who I offered me a spot! She told me that this Friday there is a tour, so I gotta get May to sign the slip later for it. Think of it, a tour at the innovation center of the universe!”

At that, Nico's eyes shot up to his, "Really? You said yes right, this isn't a scam?" She said, reading his eyes and realizing there was more, "What's the catch"

He threw his head back and up, "I just...It's the home of the Fantastic Four! You know, the world's next astronauts set to begin the age of space discovery? Who has a member by the name of Johnny Storm!" He groaned, "What if he is also there today Nico? It's gonna be so awkward"

Nico laughed and patted his back, "There there, is there any proof he is? Doesn’t he have the space flight thingy today?"

 

He moved his head back to her, "Well…he lives there, I just got a hunch that he will show up!"

 

"Well...I doubt it, I doubt he would ever care to be smart or learn like you" she said, putting her hands on her hips.

 

"Stop kidding, he is!” He laughed, smiling as he traced his mind to a childhood memory. He and Johnny were at their classes slotting in for the school book fair. Peter picked up a book of math, wanting to get better at algebra. Johnny got one on cars, he had personally fixed his bike and wanted to add an engine to it. He and Peter spent the entirety of spring break doing just that, even if it ended with Johnny breaking his arm. 

Peter shook his head and let go of the memory, he had no idea why it even came to his mind, “I heard the Baxter Foundation is setting a record for the youngest astronaut or something." Peter said with a swallow of pancake, "Still, I just don't wanna see him"

 "Does his family not know that you two aren't friends anymore?" Nico asked with her voice in a sympathetic tone.

He winced slightly at the way the conversation was headed, "I'd assume so, I mean he hasn't had me over since 6th grade."

"Well" She started, "At least you aren't alone in having a shitty friend."

He smiled, "No news on you and the others?" He asked, he knew that Nico was from California, her and as she dubbed the, ‘The Runaways’. They all came from really rich families who found new work for their businesses in New York. He met her as a freshman, he was quiet and kept to himself, she saw him alone at lunch and offered him to sit with their group. 

It was nice, for about a month, then Alex stopped sitting with them, then Chase, then Karolina. Gert sat with them but would always talk about clubs and things around campus she was trying, Peter felt bad for her, it had to be hard to not have friends halfway through the year. After that, Peter and Nico made a pact to stick together, she would be at his house often to the point of May saying how she was her daughter. 

Nico fit in perfectly into his and May’s lives, she never asked about Ben, when she did though? May and her would talk for hours about him, from his 3 outfits per season he cycled through, his dream car, and a name he would’ve picked for a kid if they had one. When they talked, Peter would go to his room, it was hard to hear about Ben, ever since he died in 8th grade. Nico knew this, she never brought him up unless it was a moment where she needed too. 

Peter had tried to recall his memories of the group, he only remembered how Alex hated him from the get go, he had no idea why though. Chase had asked him for tutoring but always bailed for something else. Karolina mentioned to him about the church her parents ran a few times, he thinks he might have some of the pamphlets even. Gert just was obsessed with making change, it was admirable, until it was clear that she was looking for a way to fit in.

She threw her head back, "Ugh, no. Chase is besties with said evil Johnathan and Thompson, Alex is a loner who runs at conversations, Karolina is a preppy bitch ever since she got popular, Gert is chill but not lowkey like us. Then Molly, she’s still just a kid." Nico explained, her voice getting low.

He had only heard of Molly, never meeting her. She had her parents leave her when the mutants disappeared, they gave her to the Yorks family when they came to the East Coast. Nico trusted Peter with this information, he knew that mutants were a rare thing these days.

Peter gave her a knowing expression, "Hey, it's gonna be fine, we are fine with the two of us"

She looked up to him, smiling as she nodded in agreement, "Well, I think no matter who is there, you'll make the right choice.", then her eyes went blank as she asked, “Also, how are you gonna have time for a college level class when Pole Vault in the spring?”

Peter nearly choked on the pancake he was chewing on, “Ack! Holy fu- I totally forgot! That’s gonna take up so much of my time holy hell!”

Nico just shrugged, “Well, talk to your coach and then explain it to him”

Peter just looked to the side, “Maybe…maybe I just won’t do sports this year, focus up on my studies y’know?”

This was met with a jab to his side, “NO! You are not giving up your one hobby that makes you popular, Peter Parker. We neeeeeed more friends”

“I thought you hated people?!”

“I do! I also hate being disliked by them! I’m a confusing woman, Parker!”

---

“Morning handsome,” she said.

Johnny opened his eyes to see her green irises staring back to him. Her hair was light brown and curled, she had some soft freckles that dotted her nose and upper cheeks. 

He slowly leaned upwards and rubbed his eyes, “Hey there…pretty” 

Shit, he forgot her name…wait actually how did she manage to get him in bed with her? Johnny traced what little he recalled from the previous night and blinked hard. He remembers that he was out at a bar, 18 plus of course, then that he got served some drinks by girls, and now he woke up with…whoever this is.

“So, how are you feeling?” She asked, tilting her head to the side as she asked it in a way he found endearing. 

“Well, better now I guess, but how about you?” He inquired, he wanted to make sure that she was sober now and most importantly comfortable.

“Amazing now, though I suppose I should be heading out? Is that how these things work or…” She said, looking over the edge of his bed to scan for all of her clothes.

Johnny frowned, admittedly he was upset at the way this went. For as much of a playboy superstar he is portrayed to be from the tabloids, he really wants to find his person. This led to Johnny absolutely despising hookup culture, even if he was a huge participant in it. 

“I mean, you’re welcome to stay for breakfast, either here or somewhere else in the city, my treat of course.” He offered, though he winced internally as it might’ve come off too needy.

She looked at him, thinking it over, then cupped his cheek with her hand, “Oh, I would love to, but, I have things to do today. You have my number though”

Then as Johnny begrudgingly nodded, he watched her gather her clothes, check her phone, and open the door before turning back to him.

Before she even spoke he answered, “Take a left then in the living room go to the right and it's the elevator down the hall beside the kitchen…”

He heard a guilty, “Thanks…” Before the door closed.

Johnny was then once more, alone in his room. He looked up to the ceiling, and rested his head on his hands as he did so.

He was loving this, he thought, this was the life most teenage boys his age would kill to have. He goes to parties, sleeps with girls almost daily, smokes, drinks, has multiple varsity letters for football, hockey, and track. His family is extremely wealthy with most of the money coming from clean methods, in less than a week he becomes the worlds youngest astronaut…

He was happy, this is the dream life, this is everything he could ask for. He was a member of the Fantastic Four, their name coming from the fact that this family was the leading movement of change. Reed was the smartest man alive and revolutionized science to a point where he invented a version of fossil fuels that were made of burnt waste and actually were clean for the ozone.

Sue led campaigns across the globe to help provide that tech to less fortunate communities globally, now the global hunger percentage has dropped from 8.2% to 1.2%. She even endorsed the New York congressman, Mr. Rogers on his own campaign to amend the super human registration act. Now the age of heroes is less feared and more hopeful and safe.

Ben led the space program at the Baxter Foundation, now they are seen as their own private space program as long as they have no waste left in space. Ben helped get this passed and with Reeds help, Johnny is set to earn his title in this family.

…So why couldn’t he even give himself the smallest ounce of giddy when he thinks of this. Johnny attempted to fight back the guilt he always had when he would lead down this mindset, so he did what he always does. He reached in the drawer on his nightstand, taking out a cart of his, breathing in the drug, feeling his mind fog over. The thoughts left his mind slowly, only the silent hums of the street below giving him the smallest hint of anxiety.

He reached on his nightstand to feel for his phone, grabbing it and pulling it towards him, checking it.

On it was only a few new notifications, most were snaps from random people, notifications about people who liked his posts on instagram and Tik Tok. Then there were the ones from the Bugel app he had on his phone to check what the press was saying about him and his family. Sue always told him to ignore the press and how it would only stress him out, but Johnny ignored her, he would never outwardly say it, but he really cared about how he was seen. 

He felt like he needed to be perfect if he was really going to be a part of this perfect family. He shook his head and took another hit, ignoring the thoughts now swimming into his mind. He scrolled on his phone for a few moments before a notification popped up.

Ben G- Hey kid, some lady friend of yours just headed out the elevator, you throw the ball on another one?

Johnny S- Yeah, she had plans today so…

Ben G- aaaaaand you didn’t ask her why? Don’t tell me you just let her go like that with no fight?

Johnny S- Ben, imma be so fr, not in the mood for a lecture on your outdated ways to get chicks.

Ben G- Well I AM the one with a girl so take that.

Johnny S- Dude, idc tbh.

Ben G- Okay Okay, well you got plans today?

Johnny S- Yeah, bedrotting until school tmr

Ben G- Get dressed, we gonna go do smth to help with the post being rejected blues.

Johnny S- I really don’t wanna

Ben G- Too bad, we gotta get things for Suzie today anyway, and I ain’t messing it up alone.

Johnny S- Fiiiineeee. Just gimme a sec.

He dropped his arms to his side and looked out the window, sighing as he got up to stretch and get ready. He threw on a grey hoodie with a pair of slightly baggy blue jeans, then it was topped off with white converse and a navy blue jacket. He contemplated putting on a hat to mask his appearance but decided against it, throwing his hood up instead 

Johnny made his way towards the kitchen and sat on a barstool at the counter while he scrolled his phone. Not long after, Ben walked in wearing a plaid long sleeve over a white shirt and blue jeans with boots.

“Aight, c’mon blondie, no more mopin’ on my watch.” He demanded as he grabbed his keys and nodded to the elevator. 

Johnny rolled his eyes as he grabbed his wallet following behind Ben.

They made their way down to the garage, finding Ben’s truck. Johnny entered the passenger seat side, resting his head against the window as Ben entered and started the vehicle. 

“Oh okay kid, this whole moping thing oughta stop, you have it good. Girls gonna come an’ they gonna go, ya just gotta brush off ya shoulders and wait for da next one.” Ben explained as he drove them out of the private garage.

Johnny once more rolled his eyes, and sarcastically responded, “Well you have a finance who is head over heels in love with you Ben…”

Ben only shrugged, “Well you think I found her da second I was old enough to date? Pfft, nah, I was workin’ wit’ Reed and she was at one of those charity parties, the rest is history. Also you are in football and hockey, dat oughta help wit da ladies problem…Plus a band!”

Johnny huffed, “Yeah”

He was partially right, though most girls were more into him for his body and fame than the fact he also had those things. 

When the truck stopped at a light Ben turned to Johnny, “Hey well you have her number right? You usually are good at getting those at least…well before you get blocked.”

Johnny’s eyes lit up, “Ben you are a genius!” He said, pulling his phone out of his pocket and scrolling through his snapchat and looking for the girl from this morning. Though when he found her icon, there was a grey X beside it. He threw his head back, dropping his phone in his lap.

“Ah, too late?” Ben asked.

“As always…” Johnny replied.

Ben looked awkward, like he wanted to say more but didn’t know how too, “Here, let’s cheer you up, I know a spot you used to love that I go to once a year.”

Johnny raised an eyebrow, “Where?”

Ben just drove, not responding to the question. Feeling that he wasn’t getting anymore information, Johnny pulled out his phone and scrolled.

A few minutes later they parked on the side of the sidewalk and got out when Ben stopped, “Hey actually, kid I think you should wait in the car. This place isn’t your cup of tea, and I actually think Suzie would kill me if she found out that I took you here.”

Johnny’s attention perked up, “Why? Ben where are you going? You gonna sell meth or shit?”

He attempted the joke to lighten the mood but Ben stared back with a serious expression, “Not gonna budge on this one kid, please.”

Johnny put his hands in his pocket, “I assure you that I can handle myself and will hold all bad things to say about your vegan coffee or whatever.”

Ben’s face still wouldn’t change, “I’m serious Johnathan, you wanna get Suzie to kill the both of us if she finds out?”

Johnny now was very curious, what kind of places was Ben Grimm going to in this city that would upset Johnny and get his sister so pissed. He scanned those big blue eyes, looking for any way he might be able to break through. 

“Ben, what are you doing? If you wanna get me a treat that’ll cheer me up, then I should get to know where it comes from!” He said in an admittedly shallow attempt at a guilt trip.

Ben sighed, “Kid, you need to keep this private, I mean this with all of my heart, like…Jeez, no you shouldn’t be coming.”

Johnny held out a pinky, “I swear on my blond curly locks that if I say a word you can tell Sue that it was my idea, then shave my head.” 

Was he serious? Johnny had no idea, but he was really curious to discover this big teddy bears dark secret.

Ben rolled his eyes and walked down the sidewalk, Johnny followed silently, afraid that asking questions or seeming too eager might change his answer.

They were in Queens, though he had never been here, he couldn’t help but feel a vague nostalgia that made his head foggy. The smells and sights of the fall trees made his throat tighten. Shit, why was he so emotional over somewhere he had never been. He needed to ignore this, he pulled out his phone and looked for anything to escape, keeping his peripheral vision on the man he was following.

Ben turned a corner, then after a minute or two longer, he entered a small shop. When Johnny entered, feeling the warm air cover his body, he nearly dropped his phone. The smell made his eyes twitch ever so slightly, he knew that a small part of his soul was here before.

Looking up and around while shoving his phone in his pocket, he saw that Ben brought them to a small cafe. Ben walked to the front counter, and who was about to serve Ben. 

The boy wore a dark red long sleeve with the sleeves rolled up, he had a white apron on that was covered in pastry and frosting. His brown hair was short and somewhat spikey with the light highlighting the tips that made it almost caramel, his eyes were an oak brown that complemented his freckles. Johnny knew those eyes, they belonged to none other than Peter fucking Parker.

Peter was still talking with Nico who was now sitting at the small desk behind the counter nearing the door to the upstairs doing some school work. They were talking about the colleges they applied to, along with their fears of that fact. Nico planned on going to an art school in California, it seemed right for her to leave her family and go to the place they made her leave to pursue her dreams. Peter was upset for her to be so far, though he knew it was what she wanted.

As they spoke while Peter prepped some pastries, the bell from the front door dinged. He looked up briefly to see none other than Ben Grimm, it was odd to see him, he was the only person he still kept in contact with from the Four. He would come in usually twice a year to catch up and keep Peter in the know. Peter figures that he felt guilty of the fact that his uncle died, so he tries to fill that void. He however would usually send a heads up to make sure May wasn’t here, she was heavily against him seeing any of the Four.

Peter was about to greet Ben before he saw another person behind him, a boy around his age. He wore baggy jeans and a grey hoodie that covered his head, only showing his face in a slight shadow. Light blonde curly hair puffed out of it, he seemed to be on his phone before seemingly being snapped awake, he looked around then to the front counter. Peter couldn’t deny who it was any longer, the blonde blue eyes pierced his own brown eyes. 

At that point, memories of their childhood stung, the fallout and how it all ended. The rage that began to climb up his chest and neck, though he couldn’t bring himself to fully feel hate or bitterness towards Johnny.

He shook his head softly, shifting his attention to Ben in an attempt to ignore Johnny, “So, what brings you around here big guy?”

Ben looked that he could feel the tension in the room, so he gave a sincere smile that held out an apology, “Well, my buddy here is down in the dumps dis mornin’, figured dat dose here pastries would cheer him up.”

Peter wanted to say no, he wanted to tell Ben that he had gone too far and brought Johnny to the one place where he wasn’t welcome. But Peter wasn’t that person, he would think all day about being an ass and growing a back bone, though he could never actually follow through with it.

“Y-yeah, sure thing man…” He begrudgingly responded as he moved to the small glass display case. He picked out a small muffin and set in on the counter, speaking soft to Ben so Johnny couldn’t hear, “A banana muffin, I remember those being his favorite.”

Ben gave a mournful smile, he knew it must be hard for him to be here, “How much I owe you?” He asked, opening his wallet.

Peter raised a hand, “It’s fine, this one’s free, you know I don’t make you pay…”

Ben nodded, “Thanks again kiddo, sorry for da trouble.”

Peter tried his best to put on a sincere smile and move his attention from Johnny and keep it on Ben, “Always”

Ben turned and made his way for the door, though as he left, Johnny stood there for a few seconds, almost like a deer in headlights, frozen. He was staring at Peter, his face was red, probably from the embarrassment he felt. 

Then, as if being smacked, he turned and made his way for the door.

“Well…that was unexpected” Nico said.

Peter turned to look at her, realizing she was there for the whole interaction, then looking back to the door, “Yeah…”

Johnny ran to catch up with Ben who pressed the muffin to his chest for him to grab.

“Ben what the hell was that!? You stay in contact with…HIM?” He questioned, his mind was so conflicted, every single part of his brain wanted to explode.

Ben scoffed, “Yep, and to be fair, I told ya.”

“I thought it was going to be an illegal weapons deal! A drug hand off! Not taking me to the Parker’s residence!”

Ben gave a slight chuckle, “Now you see why I told ya to stay in da car?”

Johnny shook his head, “No no no! You don’t get to play wise fool! What the fuck are you doing in contact with him!?”

Ben shrugged, “Just feels right, missed the kid, I go there twice a year to-”

“TWICE? You said ONCE!”

“Yeah well I lied, anyway, I keep in touch, he likes havin’ someone family wise to vent and talk to. I mean it wus rough at first of course, but he came around and he even tells me about his college plans.” Ben confessed.

Johnny’s head was spinning, he had been so sure he buried all of those thoughts, the regret, the anger, the sadness for the whole situation years ago, “How long?”

“Well probably a few months after his uncle passed… felt that he might need someone similar to help him fill da void.” Ben answered, seeming more emotional than usual.

Johnny mentally froze, “Wait, BP died? What when? I-I, why did no one tell me?” His heart was racing, he was never close with Ben Parker, the only one who was remotely even close was Ben Grimm himself, though he still was a good man, someone who he remembers Peter loving a lot.

Ben shrugged, “He died in…2020, it was a mugging, think it was right as Peter started highschool wit’ you. Never was close wit’ him, but poor Parker needed someone.”

That last part stung a bit, the fact that Peter needed someone and only one person came to help, and it wasn’t his childhood friend. Then the sadness shifted into a slight guilty anger at himself and Peter, the fact that he was so stand-offish towards Johnny. The way their friendship fell apart into whatever they were now was no one's fault but Parkers, he pushed Johnny away, yeah…

When they got to the car, Johnny stared at the muffin, it was banana, his old favorite flavor. He wanted to go home, he wanted to pretend today never happened, all of these feelings were too much for him to process right now.

---

September 19th, Friday

Peter arrived at school and parted for Nico's side as he left for his first period, Physics. His teacher was a strict man Peter found out the year prior. Though he did care about educating his students. This class was full of kids he mostly knew, though not many friends. He did notice Karolina sitting near the middle with a group of girls, she shot him a friendly smile, he wondered if she knew that they weren’t supposed to be friends.

As Peter found his seat and began pulling out his supplies, he noticed that beside him was the boy with clean black hair and black piercings. He wore a red hoodie and black jeans, he already had his notebook and laptop out. On his notebook was a bunch of doodles of odd symbols Peter felt like he recognized but couldn’t place. He felt new? He wasn’t, obviously, but something in Peter was never able to notice him until today.

Peter saw that the laptop he owned was decorated in a lot of those symbols in faded pencil, stickers of some small bands from school and the city, and a few fantasy characters he remembered from a RPG game he used to play, admittedly, a few of those things he recognized thanks to Nico.

The boy checked his phone for notifications, it was a red trimmed case with a space interior. The lock screen showed him with a blond boy behind him wrapping his arms around him. The notification was a snapchat one with the user being named ‘Teddy loml’.

"Anything you need?" He said, his eye catching Peter's staring and setting his phone down. 

"Oh I'm sorry! I didn't mean to stare!" Peter said, raising his hands, "I just noticed you like the Coweled Coven, I listen to them occasionally with a friend"

The boy eyed Peter up and down, "You listen to them? Huh, didn't take you for… that genre" he said, turning back to his notebook flipping to the next page.

"What's that mean?" He said in a joking offended tone.

The boy chuckled and shrugged, hiding a smile "No offense, just that you seem more nerdy than witchy.” His voice was relaxed, so carefree of any chaos around him.

"Well, when you have a friend like Nico, you learn to pick up a whole host of things witchy. Let’s see, I know tarot, runes though I can’t read them, the music kind of genre, I have heard every theory about the covens here in New York. Then…” He looked to the boy who was smiling in a way that told him that he was nerding out.

“Here let me just” Peter said, pulling out his phone and showing pictures he took of Nico for her instagram.

“Well then, I guess this Nico character is a witch through and through, I’d watch your back Parker.” He joked, narrowing his eyes at the pictures.

“Impressive pictures.”

Peter tilted his head, “Heh, than-...wait how do you know who I am?”

The boy looked forward towards the white board, “Because you aren’t as hidden or niche of a person as you might hope to be.”

What the hell does that mean, Peter thought, looking at the white board as well, hoping to see if there was more he was missing.

“Who are you by the way?" Peter blurted out, he sucked at meeting new people and hated it every single time.

The boy gave a half smirk before holding out his hand to shake, "Billy Kaplan"

Taking his hand, Peter gave a soft smile, "Peter Parker, but you knew that…”

"Okay class! Sit and shut it! We have physics to learn!" The teacher spoke out. Peter just turned to Billy who was hiding a smile but turned straight ahead.

When the class ended, Peter made his way to the spot where he would be meeting the tour group for the field trip. Examining the room he noticed a couple kids but a lot he couldn't make names on.

Nearing the back and sitting on stairs was Chase Stein, star football player and rich boy. Behind him was Amadeus Cho, next level kid genius who admires scientist Bruce Banner. Behind Chase was Flash Thompson, Peter doubted that he was gonna be on this trip and was just skipping class.

Standing on their own were a few more kids, Alex Wilder who was talking to Riri Williams, a stand up girl who’s in the engineering program. 

"Hey there!" A bright voice said, he jolted up and turned around to see a girl in the same year as him. She wore a purple skirt with a green shirt and a beige coat. Her hair was a very light blonde and had a black headband. She looked wide eyed at him when he jumped, "Sorry! Didn't mean to spook you!" She laughed, "I just um, you seemed like you didn't have a buddy so, I thought I'd be that buddy." She ended with a smile that made all his problems lighter.

"Uh...Yeah! Sorry, yes, I would enjoy that, very much." He stuttered, "I'm Peter by the way" then held out his hand.

She took it and shook firmly, "I'm Gwen"

And I’m smitten, Peter thought to himself

The pair boarded the bus with Peter keeping his head down, the last thing he needed was Flash embarrassing him in front of Gwen.

When they took their seats, Peter stepped aside for Gwen to take the window seat. She smiled at him and sat down, shuffling with her bag to a seated position with himself sitting beside her.

"So, Peter, how come you chose this class?" Gwen spoke with her eyes on the window. He noticed that she was admiring the route to the Baxter building, taking note of the people, animals, and sights.

"Well, I just always wanted to be a scientist as long as I could remember, so it seemed obvious for me" He muttered before looking closer to Gwen, "What about you?"

At that, she sighed, "My dad, he is chief of police so wants what's best for me, to be the most well rounded lady" she spoke in a sassy tone, "Though if I had a choice? I'd go to Europe for the environmental science offered."

"Environmental science?" Peter asked, hoping that she would continue.

"Yeah, y'know? Like making plastic that actually decomposes in less harmful ways, ways to make new fuel. The whole shebang!"

He couldn't stop himself from smiling at her when she spoke with passion about the future she wants to shape. It made his stomach twist in ways he hated, but never wanted to stop.

Before he could think more on this, the bus came to a stop.

Inside the Baxter Building was a giant foyer, it seemed too futuristic compared to any other science centers he had seen, blue and white lined the walls and floors. The center had a water fountain with a statue of a man Peter couldn't quite make out, he skimmed the plate at the bottom as the group walked past, something about the man being named something Kirby. 

The group met with a man who led them across the tour in the building, passing through every floor, learning about the science that the team was working on.

When they reached a cafeteria lobby area the group sat to eat lunch, splitting into groups. Peter looked near the windows, noticing a balcony at the top of the building with people standing on it. He narrowed his eyes in an attempt to get a better look.

The first person he saw was a man whose back faced Peter with white side parts on his brown hair speaking to a woman, all he could see was her light blonde hair. Nearing them was a gruff looking man crossing his arms staring out to the sky. He turned to a person who walked behind him and leaned over the balcony. He matched the rest of the group, wearing a white and baby blue jumpsuit. The boy had blonde hair and glasses. He looked around and noticed Peter.

"Is that?" Peter mumbled to himself adjusting his glasses.

"Is that what?" Gwen said, holding two drinks and looking up to the balcony, Peter took his eyes off the four and on to Gwen.

"Nothing to worry about, did you? Get me something?" He asked.

She looked confused, "Yeah? You didn't get lunch so I figured you might as well drink something"

"Oh, you didn't have to, I'll pay you back when we get back, actually I think i have some ca-"

"What? No, this wasn't a scam, I got it for you, no need Peter." She said, extending a hand with a drink in it to him. 

He smiled softly and looked back at her, "Thank you, I mean it." Then, he moved his gaze to the balcony, the blonde boy was gone with the others looking to the door.

The group entered the Fauna department, animals who needed help, studying for diseases, and any more care they might need.

The tour instructor led them in a line through the wing when Peter noticed something moving to his side. He saw a small Lizard skittering under a table, his eyes went wide when he nudged Gwen and nodded in the direction.

"Hm? Oh!" She whispered, "Peter, we gotta do something, that could be hurt in this lab or if someone steps on it?"

"Should we tell the instructor?" Peter asked.

Gwen raised her hand, "Excuse me!"

"Not now, all questions will be taken at the end of the tour, now these Fauna-"

"He isn't listening to you Peter" She panicked.

Thinking quickly, Peter moved behind Chase, then ducked down to the floor looking for the Lizard. He skimmed the tiles before seeing the tail sticking out from a small container. He crawled closer to it and attempted to open the lid fully, but it was stuck, he wondered if it was glue?

Taking a deep breath, he reached inside the container, grabbing the tail and pulling back. When he looked closer, the tail was the only thing he pulled back. Panicking now, he reached further inside and felt around for the lizard. When he grabbed something, it alarmed him that there were no scales, just a smooth round object, then it moved. 

He gulped and held within a scream he wanted to release as whatever it was was crawling on his hand, feeling around for the lizard he touched something mushy. Nope, he thought and retracted his hand. As he did though, a sharp pain jolted throughout his hand, quickly with his free one he covered his mouth and bit on it to cover his screams.

He shook his hand to get the creature off and took it out, crawling back to the group.

Gwen looked to him up and down as he readjusted his glasses. He wore a look of panic on his and glanced down to the bite location, but he was surprised when he saw no bite mark.

"Peter, what happened?" Gwen asked, "Is it okay?"

He looked at her and swallowed hard, "Yeah, I put it back in it’s container, all good here."

She smiled and squeezed his shoulder, "knew you could do it Peter." Then she moved them to catch up with the rest of the tour.

He looked one final time back to the bite spot, there still was no redness. Odd he thought.

---

That Morning

"Wake up! We gotta get ready!" Susan Storm quietly shouted while excitedly shaking him, "Today's the day Johnny!"

Johnny shot his body awake, "Wait! Yes! I'm still coming!?"

She smiled ear to ear and clearly failed at hiding her joy, "Yes you are!"

He threw his arms around her, "Thank you thank you thank you! You are the best!!"

She pulled away, "Tell it to Reed, and also, no distracting Ben today, he is piloting for real this time."

He nodded eagerly, "Got it, now can I get ready!?"

Sue laughed, still not releasing her smile, "Of course, now hurry, you've got a record to set."

He leapt out of bed, "H.E.R.B.I.E! Let some light in here man!"

There was a beep noise as the window walls changed hues, filling the room with sunlight. Johnny ran to his bathroom showering, brushing his teeth, and fixing up his hair. 

He looked at his phone checking social media, all of his fans were posting on how today was the day he would be announced as the world's youngest astronaut. He couldn't help but become ecstatic with happiness about how good his life was.

Below them was his rock band group chat messaging him good luck on his big day. Billy, MJ, and Alison all had been told about it in a more personal level along with a few other friends compared to his social media life. 

He got dressed in the suit Reed designed for them, it was a baby blue and white jumpsuit. The white hugged their shoulders and arms with the blue covering their body, even a darker blue trimmed the outfits.

Running out to the main lobby area of the suite penthouse they were in, Johnny hurried to the kitchen where he smelled food. Reaching out his hand to the bacon he spotted, a hand slapped his.

"Ey! I'm cookin' 'ere kiddo!" Ben Grimm barked, "now go sit, you get yours last greedy" he chuckled.

"Okay okay" Johnny backed off and moved to the table sitting down. The pair had of course kept the secret, no need for Sue to kill them both and ground Johnny, well in this case literally.

Walking in with Sue, Reed Richards sat beside Johnny, "How are you feeling today champ?"

"Amazing duh! I get to go to space!" He bragged.

From the kitchen Ben chimed in, "We are actually all going to space so...y'know"

Sue put her hands on Ben's back as she prepared some plates, "Someone is jealous"

"Hey! I'm not, I just don't want the kid getting more cocky is all" he chuckled.

Sue leaned close to him with her hands on the plates still, "not possible" 

While the two in the kitchen were laughing, Johnny looked to Reed, "You sure that we will be safe? My sister especially?"

Reed placed a reassuring hand on Johnny's shoulder, "I assure you, she is my priority when it comes to safety."

Johnny nodded to the side, "fair"

He knew this, the pair had been dating since they were younger, since Johnny was just a little boy, Reed though refuses to put a ring on it, Sue doesn’t mind it though.

Johnny checked his phone while the others were gathering out on the balcony to get a lay of their plan.

Chase-10:14AM: Dude! Wya?? Out sick today? Im here on the tour

Johnny-11:21AM: Nah, js out being sick asf and all of that

Chase-11:22AM: WAIT, THATS TODAY??

Johnny-11:22AM: YEAHHHH

Chase-11:23AM: Dude, I'll watch it for you man, whats the wifi here? 

Johnny-11:23AM: Is flash not in your group?

Chase-11:24AM: Nah, js me, Amadeus, Riri, that Alex kid, some nerdy skinny kid w glasses, and some blonde hottie

Johnny-11:24AM: Wait holdup, what floor are yall on?

Chase-11:25AM: 13th, Fauna department is next but we getting lunch.

Chase-11:26AM: why?

Chase-11:28AM: dude?? Wifi?

Johnny rushed out the balcony and passed by Ben leaning against it to count the floors on the building's side. Once he reached the 13th he looked closer and saw a boy there. It was...Peter? What was he doing here? 

He felt his stomach turn inside, guilt rising to the surface. He then noticed his head turn, and a girl walked beside him, giving him a drink.

Johnny couldn't help but swallow his strange spectrum of emotions, simply smiling, "Good for you Pete." Then, wiping his eyes, he made his way back inside the building.

The four made their walk to the rocket. Stepped inside and buckled.

The rest all did their parts as Johnny moved on auto pilot. 

He couldn't get that girl out of his mind, did he? Did Johnny like her? That explains the feelings earlier, yeah, he probably was getting a small crush on a pretty girl.

"Hey, Baxter Building to Excelsior, can you read us?"

Sue pressed a button to her side, "All clear here BB, the Excelsior reads you loud and clear" she said while smiling to Johnny.

Well, either way, that girl was gonna love him by the time he was back home, all the girls on earth would, and then he would…he would be married at twenty and get that life he was supposed to have.

The Thrusters roared with a boom as he could feel his body get slammed back into his seat. Turning he could see Ben grinning as he pushed further on the thrusters.

Johnny couldn't remember the rest, just the feeling of being free when he was in the black abyss. Then a warm light showed out the window. Then alarms before feeling very hot.

---

Peter stirred in his bed, getting up after a moment to go into the hallway. He wore his red and blue pajamas while holding his stuffed animal, Mr. Bear. 

The hallway light was off but light spilled out from his parents room. He went to move closer and heard the voices of his parents with their shadows on the wall painting their movements.

"Richard! We can't just do this! He needs us!" His mom's voice begged.

"What he needs is to be safe! We wouldn't be helping him this way if that man was correct!" His father boomed.

"Jesus, listen to yourself! You want to listen to a strange man over our friends!"

"That whole family is going to get both our boy and theirs killed! Or do you want to ignore what he said!?"

"We can't trust him! Why can't you understand that?" She snapped.

"Mary! Stop!" He said, sinking on the bed, "That boy, he is going to be something...amazing, but that means we can't be here to see that. Unless you want to risk him being killed by what’s to come."

She sighed, sinking into the bed as she sat, "You're right, it just...it just doesn't make it any easier y'know?" She choked on her own sobs, "Like, how can we doom him to this life when we can stop it?"

His father walked over and pulled his wife into a hug, "We need to trust that we did good, that we raised him with what we could, and that May and Ben will take over where we couldn't."

Peter stood in the doorway and looked at his parents, "Momma? Dad? What are you talking about?" He questioned, tightening his grip on his bear.

"Oh Petey" His mother gasped, "Sweetie, what are you doing awake?"

He could see his father pulling out a small rectangular box in the background while his mother pulled him into a hug, "Mary, we need to do it"

"What!? We don't know what he heard! Richard stop!" She shouted, standing to tug at his arm.

Peter watched as his father crouched down to him, "Peter, know that we love you, more than anything, we did this with a purpose built around you!"

"Dad, I-I don't understand" he cried, "You're scaring me!"

He then felt a prick in his neck before his body snapped awake with a scream. He was wet with sweat, his breathing sporadic. 

Aunt May knocked on his door, "Peter! Dear are you okay?"

"Uh!? Yeah, just a bad dream May!" He called out with his hands clenching his chest.

"Okay, well if you need anything, come here and I will help you however" May finished before Peter heard her move back into her room.

He swallowed hard at his dream, the way he had no memories of his parents during that night. He looked from his bed into his closet, where Mr. Bear sat, just as he always had ever since he was little. It had white fur with a plastic heart in the center that lit up when he hugged it. He steadied his breathing, he had always had nightmares, though most of the time they were about such unrealistic situations, like the time he was chased by clowns. Though this nightmare was the first time it felt…real.

---

September 20th, Saturday

Johnny sat in the white room with his arms crossed as his sister slept against his shoulder. He itched his neck as he observed how Reed was writing in marker with his arms stretched out across the wall. The looks of it still made Johnny wanna hurl. Well, everything about their situation made him wanna hurl. The implications on not just the fact that his sister can refract light and he can light himself on fire.

The things that had Reed worried most of all though, were the radioactive threats to their bodies.

This must be why he dressed them in white T-shirts and pants, the fabric was almost paper thin, it felt like a paper towel but still covered them. The space suits were in a separate room for examination.

Johnny wondered how Ben was, he had seen his body when they landed, when they entered the building out of sight of any citizens. Though, when Reed suggested they lock themselves away for 24 hours it didn't make sense that Ben locked himself off alone unless what Johnny saw was really what he looked like.

The others respected it of course, they had no way to comprehend what was happening in his mind.

After all, Johnny had only seen a piece of it all, just the orange colors, dented lining, then the rocks.

He looked at his hand, it was still skin, he snapped his fingers to see sparks come out. That still shocked him he admitted to himself, flames this close were always going to scare him, especially right now. Johnny's small jump caught Reed's attention. He stopped writing and turned his eye to Johnny.

"Is she still asleep?"

He looked down to his sister leaning against his shoulder, "Yeah"

Reed looked to the side subtly, "Good"

"Reed, I-...Wha-..." He tried to grasp what he wanted to say before Reed cut him off.

"I don't know Johnny for the hundredth time, this seems permanent by what I can tell. Though I suspect no... life or death changing issues however" he said calmly.

Johnny's eyes burned, "N- No life or death- are you joking me? Ben is a rock! My sister can disappear! I can combust into flames! You are the smartest man Reed, fix this!" Johnny snapped.

His sister shuffled off of his shoulder and to the wall beside her.

Reed moved his attention to her, then back to his calculations, "I...I can assure you this is not as bad of a situation as you imagine it is. It actually ended far less catastrophic than it could've been"

Johnny stood and walked over to Reed grabbing the collar of his shirt with both hands shoving him into the wall knocking off his glasses, "You wanna tell me how much worse this can be when you get the best case of powers here?" Johnny growled.

Reed pushed Johnny off, "You don't understand, you're just a kid here."

"Then tell it to your best friend who is a sculptor in the next room." Johnny scoffed to Reed before leaving the room and walking towards his own.

Reed adjusted his collar as he watched Johnny leave, he stretched a hand to pick up his glasses before stopping… He sighed, pulled his arm back, and walked over to pick them up.

"He doesn't mean any hate or ill intent sweetie" Sue said, surprising Reed.

He jolted his head in her direction, noticing she's awake now, "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you. But I know that"

"Heh, well Johnny woke me more tha-" she stopped her chuckle when she looked closer at Reed. Sue stood and walked over to him cupping his face, "You alright?"

He had to force himself to bring his eyes to hers, "Just...I'm sorry, Johnny's right, I should've known, I should've done more to protect us, to protect you"

Sue moved her hands into his and connected their foreheads, "Reed, we can't change the past anymore than we can traffic. We can only choose whether we sit through this path, or divert for another in the hope to get to the same spot."

He nodded, "Yeah, so...what path do we take now?"

Sue looked to his calculations and sighed, "We do the math, take the best answer"

Reed looked at the calculations staring at the 4 circled, "Hmm"

Johnny made his way to the room at the far end of the hall, the door was, like everything in the detox wing, a bright sterile white. The only other color came from the red locking symbol above the handle.

He looked at his hand, clenching it to feel his own moist palm. He looked up to the door and took in a deep breath as he reached outwards toward it, and knocked.

"Uh, hey big gu- Ben...It's Johnny, just uh...I figured it was a dick move of Reed to not check in on you, and I just blew him off so..." Johnny stumbled to get out.

No response came from beyond the door.

"Listen, I-I...I know you probably don't want to talk to anyone right now." He swallowed hard.

"and that is...it's perfectly understandable." He closed his eyes and leaned against the door grimacing.

"I just- It sounds selfish...but I..."

Johnny's voice softened to reveal how scared he really was, "I can burst into flames at any moment....and I really don't wanna be alone when it happens"

Silence once again filled the corridors.

Johnny let out all the breath that was left in his lungs, the ones that are all that holds back sobs. His knees shook as he could feel himself slide down.

"You ain' gonna scream...are ya?" A gruff voice said in a surprisingly soft tone.

"Not unless you scream first"

A chuckle was heard before noises of rocks moved to the door, clicked the unlocking, and the red turned green. Then the rocks moved back to where it was.

Johnny gripped the door handle, took a deep breath in, and slowly opened it.

"Hey, you oughtta be da luckiest kid eva if you still a pretty boy and I'm..." Ben said. 

Johnny stared, taking it all in. Like just how right Ben really was, they all could've been killed, and only Ben was really altered beyond recognizability. His blue eyes stood firm, staring at Johnny past all of the orange sediment. It was still Ben, he knew it for certain.

"You uh...I know Imma good lookin man, but you ain't gotta stare kiddo"

He shook his head, "Sorry, you are just...dude you look sick as hell. Something out of a comic book."

Ben's demeanor sank, "you ain't gotta lie, give it to me straight Johnny, how bad."

Johnny put on his cool guy persona and walked closer, leaning against the wall, "Hey hey, you are asking an 18 year old to call a man made of rocks lame or ugly. Dude, you are like a full on superhero or something!"

Ben chuckled quietly, "Guess I am kinda like a comic character huh?" 

"We all are bud." He said, trying to emphasize his genuine care.

"Well..." Ben began, "What did you get?"

Johnny took a step back, "You...don't wanna see, I don't wanna... yeah"

"No way, you saw me, its only fair kiddo!"

He winced even when he knew it was coming, "Ben, you can't hurt me, I can kill you"

"Hey, I know you ain't gonna hurt me, look at me"

He looked him up and down, nodded wearily, then took in a deep breath. Johnny lifted his right arm and closed his eyes focusing.

FWOOM

He opened his eyes to see his entire arm was on fire. He held it as far from his face as he could. Then looked to Ben for a reaction.

"You okay kid!?" Ben shouted, standing from his chair.

Johnny was shaky but overall, he felt completely fine, he waved his hand around, mesmerized by the light, "Yeah, I...I'm fine"

"Well, just turn it off then, just to be sure." Ben cautioned.

He closed his eyes and tensed his muscles. When he opened his eyes, the flame stood tall.

"Johnny! Please turn it off!" Ben asked again. 

"I'm trying!" Johnny said, trying to wave it off.

Ben, impatient now, just walked over and blew out the flame with a big huff before taking a step back to look to his friend.

Johnny looked up to him with a worried expression, "Do...do you think this is really permanent?"

---

Peter walked through town as he ran errands for May, texting Nico that he wanted to meet later to talk about Friday. He wanted to tell her all about Gwen, about how he thinks for some reason that he might have a chance. Though Nico will probably tell him that he is dreaming to big. He also wanted to talk to her about that bite he received. He glanced down to his hand, the mark was gone, not even red which was really unusual.

He pulled his phone out of his satchel he carried and checked the time, 10:24, he was still making good time for his chore list. He slid his phone back in his bag but he couldn't seem to let go of it. 

Taking it back out he attempted once more, to no avail. With his other hand he tried to pry the device off his hand with much more strength than he would've liked, accidentally snapping the top half of his phone clean off!

"Shit!"

He looked at the two pieces, still stuck to both hands. Peter panicked and was confused and struggled to grasp what was going on. He ran into an alley way to get out of the swarms of people walking. Leaning against a wall he tried to calm himself and, to his relief, his hands dropped the two pieces of the broken phone. He sighed before suddenly there was a loud ringing in his ears.

He felt his body tense up as his hairs stood, he was in fight or flight? Listening to his mind, he walked forward looking around, as he walked, the ringing lessened.

SLAM 

Jumping from the noise, he turned to see a ladder had fallen down and landed harshly. Where he had been sitting only moments earlier.

He took a deep breath and attempted to understand what was happening, he picked up a can off the floor, tensed a part of him, closed his eyes, and released his hand. To his surprise upon opening his eyes, the can was stuck to his palm. Peter then untensed that same muscle, the can dropped. 

Millions of possibilities crashed into his head as to what was happening. He snapped back to reality, his focus shifted back to his phone on the pavement, dammit. He picked up what he could and rushed to the store, ignoring all of the thoughts that fought on his new abilities.

Peter couldn't even focus on his paper list May had given him as he walked to check out. He was too excited to learn more about his new changes, he had come to three conclusions on how this is happening.

1. He is one of those mutants that disappeared years back.
2. He is an alien and his parents were also aliens.
3. He was given magical powers by a sorcerer of some kind.

He smiled to himself, secretly hoping it was the third option. Though the smile faded as his ears began to ring slightly, he scanned his surroundings, having put two and two together that danger was nearby. Though to his right was the Billy kid. The sudden appearance in a non-school setting alarmed Peter. 

He was unsure if he should say hello or not, it wasn’t like they were really friends, they had shared the same class for a month but never spoke. It really was odd that this boy who was anything but un-noticable had managed to fly under his radar, maybe Peter was just too much in his own head these last two months.

Billy wore the same red hoodie and a navy blue T-shirt underneath with slim matching navy blue jeans and grey converse. Beside him was a taller blonde boy, he had a strong jawline and was well fit, he wore a green T-shirt and tan pants. He was smiling while he talked with Billy, the Billy was staring to Peter.

He held a basket filled with odd items, some being; a notebook, drumsticks, plastic cups, pastries, pencils, polaroid film, markers, and chocolates. 

He looked to the taller boy and motioned to Peter, then the pair began walking towards him.

“Peter, right?” Billy started.

“Uh yeah, yeah, Billy and…?” he said, glancing up to the taller boy.

The blonde boy looked blank for a moment before snapping back to the conversation, “Oh! Sorry I'm Theodore, but you can call me Teddy!”

Peter’s eyes went wide, “No way! You are MJ’s friends!” As he said that, he noticed that Teddy seemed to have a huge smile growing on his face.

“No way! You know her too! How?” Teddy asked.

“She is a regular for my aunt’s shop. It's actually why I’m here, just doing some shopping. I need more flour, fruits, and coffee mix. Then some sweeteners.” He said with a shrug, attempting to seem relaxed.

“Wait, you own a shop?!” Billy blurted out and leaned forward slightly, seemingly excited by most likely the idea of cheap snacks.

Teddy pulled him back slightly, “Sorry about him, but wait that’s a lot cooler than what Billy said you might get up to.”

Peter raised an eyebrow, “Oh and what does he think I get up too?”

“I said you look like you do photography, because with those glasses…you look like a photographer.” Billy admitted with a shrug.

Teddy face palmed, “I apologize for him, he gets too involved in other peoples lives.”

Billy just crossed his arms and frowned, “Do not, whatever…”

Peter chuckled slightly, “Wait, so are you both…?”

Teddy smiled with his eyes closed and nodded, “Boyfriends since 2023, he was the year below me and we met…actually I forgot to be honest haha”

Billy only smiled softly at him before speaking, “Well if it helps, I’m also blanking, it was almost three years ago.”

Peter just smiled as they debated on when it was, feeling an aching in his chest, though he was unsure as to exactly why.

Billy glanced at Peter, then back to Teddy, “Hey, why don’t you go ahead and finish up the plans, I gotta catch up with Parker about our class.”

Teddy nodded, then turned to walk into the store.

Billy turned to Peter, “So, you alright?”

Peter blinked, “Wait what? What do you mean?”

“I mean that you seemed off yesterday and then now, just checking up. Also you left your satchel at the door” He said, pointing behind Peter to the green satchel that was left inside one of the shopping carts.

Peter’s eyes went wide, he completely was unaware of it slipping off! Did he place it in the cart and then decide to use a basket? 

“Oh shit!” He said, rushing over and grabbing it, he looked through it for anything that was stolen, then he pulled out...his completely intact phone?!

His face was in shock, how? He had broken it earlier! The fragments were in his bag, or he thought? Was that all just a weird dream?

Billy placed his hand on Peter's shoulder, "You seem like you are going through a lot right now, let me put my number in it, we have a project coming up and gotta partner on it." He said before turning to leave into the store, "See you around Parker"

Peter looked down to his phone, it was in pristine condition, the same model but...it was just fixed.

He shook his head and left the building, he still had his own project to put into work, making his way to his house as fast as possible he made sure to grab any scrap he found useful. Once he arrived he immediately locked himself in his room, clearing his desk and starting work.

Johnny and Ben left the room, walking down the lit hallway towards the main containment room. When the two reached the door they stopped.

Johnny wore an expression of worry on his face, "You sure you don't wanna come in? I get it if not but...feels wrong leaving you here."

Ben shrugged, "It ain’ you kid, I jus' ain' ready to face him yet."

"That's...understandable." Johnny began, "I'll ask if theres a cure or something, or...I don't know."

Johnny then turned to open the door. When he did, he was met with, confusion?

The previously white room was covered in blue marker with scribbles Johnny couldn't make sense of. Reed looked beyond tired, in every sense possible. He turned to Johnny an smiled, "Ah! Johnathan! Come here, I know what can fix everything, and you as well Ben...please."

Johnny turned to the side to look Ben in the eye, in return his rocky friend nodded and guided him in.

When they moved deeper into the room they saw Sue on the lifted bed smiling at Johnny before her eyes going wide for only a second at Ben.

"Oh my..." She stood and walked over to him, reaching out a hand to caress his face only for him to reel back.

"Yeah yeah, it's me Suz" He replied before then turning to Reed, "So? What's da big fix for this?"

Reed turned around and stretched his arms to present the room, "This! I listened to Sue and did the math, we have a responsibility to help and continue with our goal in science!"

Johnny and Ben gave each other a, 'really?' look before giving it back to Reed. He seemed to understand the look and raised his hands, "Hey hey! It was Susan's idea, I just took it to heart and ran with it!"

The pair looked to Sue who was sitting on the bed once more, "Well, I just figured that we can make an actual change, the Avengers fight world ending threats, the defenders keep our streets clean, we can help the planet on a hero and science level. We can't work a 9 to 5 with this power, not when we can use it to assist."

Johnny weighed the options in his head. He agreed with them and what it meant to have these abilities, the fact that he could do more than he thought he was ever capable of. 

Turning to Ben he seemed to be thinking in a similar path, he obviously couldn't really hide, even if he wanted.

Taking initiative, Johnny took a step forward, "I'll do it, you'll need me to help you out Sue, I won't leave you to do it alone."

Sue gave him a soft smile before she turned to Ben.

The big man sighed, "Well, if it’s an ask from Suzie, and this kid is gonna be in danger? What choice do I have, what we gotta do?"

Peter was in his room, working at 8PM on his personal project, when the news channel he was watching switched to a new broadcast. 

It was a camera showing the front of the Baxter building. There was a podium on a stage with white and blue banners behind it. After a few moments, he had seen Reed Richards step out and was followed by 3 other individuals, his girlfriend Susan Storm, her younger brother Johnny Storm? Along with a rock man?

Reed had spoken out on how the group had been changed when they had been sent to touch the stars, the inner workings of how their DNA had been altered and how it didn't make them mutants, but rather mutates. 

Sue then stepped in on how they want to work forward to use the science of the Baxter Foundation to assist with what they learned on their powers. The methods on which were moved to her younger brother.

Johnny...Peter could feel his ears ring as he focused on the blond boy looking so mature on the podium. The way he glanced down to the script and swallowed in preparation.

"Hello, my name is Johnathan Storm and, I too was a survivor of this incident today. I, like my sister, believe we can do much more for our city and planet than just sitting and sulking in what changed us. We were given a curse you might think, I think otherwise." 

Peter could see him, his anxiety, the way he still had the barely visible scar from when they were younger on his left cheek, it was Johnny through and through. So he took his big finish to heart.

"So, when I see these other heroes flying and helping, I know that when I go out there, I am doing the right thing with this gift. Because we have a responsibility when we are given these powers, a responsibility to use them for good. A man I knew when I was younger told me this fact, and to pass it on, so I pass it to you, our planet."

Peter smiled, he was conflicted inside, on one hand Johnny was using Uncle Ben’s phrasing to do good. On the other hand, Johnny was using his Uncle’s words…he shook his head, returning to work on his gadget with a new found inspiration as the broadcast continued, sure to finish, and put those words out on the streets.

To finish off, Ben spoke on the team's structure and how they will be moving forward as a united force of good and how they had already been registered under the super-human registration act. The names of each member, Reed as Mr. Fantastic, Susan as the Invisible Woman, Johnny as the Human Torch, and Ben himself as The Thing. Together, this is why the group wanted to be known as:

The Fantastic Four

---

September 26th, Friday

Nico Minoru is a good person, she likes to believe that everyone could maybe be a good person. She moved down the halls of the school, navigating the halls flooded with people, feeling the stares on her. She wore her hair in a very messy spikey bun with heavy gothic makeup. Her outfit was all black with a jacket over her tanktop, her bottoms were ripped leggings with a dress that was torn at the bottom itself. Her shoes were simple boots that were also black.

She wore this mainly to piss other people off, though her gut always just told her that this was her style.

She walked to her poetry class for second period, it was her favorite class of the day. She was alright at it, but mainly enjoyed writing and sharing it since the teacher loved her. 

When inside she sat near the window in the back, as always. She preferred being on her own if possible, and no one actually sat back there, even if it was open seating. Nico never actually knew anyone in this class, it was only two months in the new school year so, she couldn’t be really blamed.

Though for whatever reason today, a boy who she could vaguely recall sitting at the front, sat beside her. He was a skinnier guy, wearing more red themed clothing with black hair and piercings, she thinks he is in the year below her. She eyed him up and down, wondering why he was sitting beside her.

“Can I help you?” She bluntly asked.

Though his reaction wasn’t one she had expected, because instead of leaving, he smiled and chuckled, “You’re funny Nico.”

Her eye twitched, “You know my name?”

He looked at her as he pulled out his books, “Yeah, Peter gave it to me. He said you were cool so I figured I’d see for myself.”

Nico scanned him, looked over his books, laptop, and phone case as she took note of his witchy fanboyness. Yeah, he was alright Parker, she thought to herself.

“Okay then, well what you doing over here then kid?” She questioned.

“Nothing besides friendship, hard to find someone who also believes in covens and their ancient past” He casually remarked, leaning back in his chair and peeking an eye open to her.

She gave a very small smirk in response, “Okay, then… Morgan Le Fay, myth or real?”

He rolled his eyes, “C’mon, easy, both. She was the leader of witches here on earth and her spirit haunted Britain for years and years following her hanging. Though many people suspect she followed the most evil of souls across the globe, offering immense magical power in trade for a living body. Though its debated as to where she was buried, many believing that Britain banished her corpse to sea whe-”

Nico snapped up with clenched hands, “Where it followed the colonizers of America and cursed them to a land filled with magical woman leading to the Salem massacre!” She remarked, giddy to have someone to talk with this about. 

She always had Peter, though he would usually zone out and stop paying attention.

Billy chuckled, then leaned in and lowered his voice, “There’s also another theory, Where the country of Latveria took it and used her body for the magic within since during that time is when the country rose to power, when before they were years behind the times.”

Nico widened her eyes then smirking fully, “Woah, now that’s some serious reaching there prodigy. So what podcast do you listen to?”

He blushed looked flushed slightly and rubbed the back of his head, “Uh, none really, I prefer to make my own claims with my sources.”

She raised an eyebrow, “Oh? Then where are these sources found?”

He pulled out his phone and showed off a picture of his room, in it were bookshelves all over filled with texts of all kinds, “These are my sources, then of course I go out and ghost hunt and all of that.”

She was slightly slack jawed as she realized just how nerdy this kid was, “Impressive I admit, though it’s cheesy to have copies that are paper backs” She teased.

They talked like this until class ended, and for once in their life, Nico was upset a class ended. Though at least she managed to get his instagram so they could chat more.

As she made her way to third hour, art, she remembered that Peter had the tour thing today so he wouldn’t be in class. She left her locker and her eyes met with the wonderful face of Gertrude York scaring Nico admittedly.

"Hey Nico! I wanted to talk to you!" Gert said, she had that tone that let Nico know she was only here for a favor.

"Not joining the student union Gert..." She answered, walking down the hall.

"No! No no nooooo. I know you have....book club or something. I actually wanted to talk about if you think you'd help to get Ch- the group to talk to again" She muttered, quickly following.

"Please, just stop trying, we split when we moved and highschool began Gert, you and I became social outcasts, Chase and Karolina became popular, Alex is a loner and Molly is a kid. We don't get along anymore" she reminded her.

Then she heard those recognizable squeaky boots stop in the empty hallway, "Well, if it got you closer to her?"

Nico stopped as well, shit, she hated how Gert knew her and could read people like a book, "What's your move Gert?"

"I have...a plan...but I need you" She stumbled.

"This isn't a bond film, if you wanna go out with Chase just ask him and get rejected like every other girl." 

"Their dating!"

She turned back to her and now was the one stumbling on her words, "w-what?"

"Caroline and Chase, they are supposedly dating..."

"But sh-” Nico’s mind was racing with so much information to process, then stopping herself, “no...good for them.."

"Really? Nothing? No feelings of wanting to talk and reunite them to who they belong with?" She said in the judgmental tone she carried around guilting people into doing what she wanted, Nico however was one of the few people resistant to it.

"No! I don't Gert! This isn't middle school, they aren't the only kids here! Find people!" she snapped.

"You are all I have!" Gert shouted back, her eyes red behind her glasses, "you think I didn't try that!? I-I-I'm not like you Nico! I can't just attract people to me by being mysterious!"

"Gert.."

"No! When we moved I thought we would explore the city as a group, then you and Alex broke up and made people feel like they had to pick sides. So Alex left! Then when we came to high school, Chase rose to popularity and left us, taking Karolina with him!"

Nico froze and put her hands in the air, squeezing my fists, "Oh my god, Gert, get the fuck over it. You and Chase dated for a month in the 7th grade! Stop fucking crying and move on!" she finally broke. Looking back, it wasn't kind but Nico refused to claim to be perfect.

It was the sounds of Gert holding in whimpered sobs that made her walk away and into class.

Inside she scanned the room for an open seat, only to see that the only one was right next to that blonde bitch. Parker hadn’t gotten there early for a seat…great.

Nico wanted to die...

She sat in her chair beside Karolina, at least getting the window seat. Nico looked at her, the hair color had gone up a level of blonde, probably to fit in. Around her neck was the symbol of her church, where she wore a matching bracelet for it.

"Do you need something?" She asked.

She snapped her head to the board immediately, hoping to cover the stares, "nah, just forgot what you looked like since we haven't been this close in a class in years."

"Right! Isn't this so exciting!?" She said, genuinely, she was so so dense that she doesn't think she did a thing wrong.

This pissed Nico off so about an hour into class she muttered beside her, "How's the straight life treating you?"

She whipped her head to look at her with a face so full of pity, it caught her off guard.

"You know you can move on right? You can stop sulking and grow up. Here...I know that you had a rough time making friends, so wanna go to the first party of the year tonight? It’s gonna be after the football game, ,e and Chase will be there!" She offered, smiling calmly as she invited Nico. It was so condescending.

"Thanks but I really don't think it's my spa-"

Karolina checked her phone as she packed her bag.

"You can bring a plus one, now. I have to go to see the other girls. But think about it."

Then she left.

---

September 26th, Friday Night.

Johnny was tired, he had played like shit tonight and thanks to him, they lost the game since he fucked up the catch. He was the last on the field as he stood in the endzone, staring up towards the bleachers, his family wasn’t there, they had more important things, he knew this, so why was he looking?

Then his eyes snapped to a blond tuft, only though as he squinted and got a better look, the boy lacked freckles. Why was this his mind's priority right now?

He felt like shit and honestly needed to forget it all, so he made his way here tonight to ignore it all and get some weight lifted off of his shoulders. 

Johnny made his way from the school and flew to Chase’s house with his power. It was new though he was learning the hang of flying, it helped that Reed made him flame proof clothes. Tonight was one of few nights he wasn’t wearing the action suit made for each one of them. Chase lived on the nice end of the city, he was hosting tonight since his parents were out of town for the week, something about a big work trip across the globe in Europe. He tried to stay out of his friends' lives, felt rude when his family was…well his family.

When he got there and was welcomed inside, he immediately made his way to the kitchen and poured himself a drink, letting the lag of his awareness grow more and more. An arm wrapped around him, Chase Stein, genius rich boy. He very well could’ve graduated early last year, though his love for high school and football kept him there.

“Look who’s soaking up all the booze” He shouted into Johnny’s ear over the music.

Johnny just pushed him off slightly and gave a fake laugh, “Hey fuck you man, I need some of this shit thanks to that throw!” 

He knew it was himself, he was the one who fucked up and he was the one to blame, there was no doubt about it. 

Chase just laughed, “Un-fucking-believable” He said, walking in staggered steps away.

Johnny stood there a second, then threw back another shot, leaving for the main room. Upon entering, he saw someone who looked, familiar? 

She wore all black clothing, a simple crop top and ripped jeans with excessive jewelry. Somewhere in his mind, she had a spot, though he had no clue as to why at the moment.

Looking to her side he saw a new girl, though he knew this one, she had purple hair and was always in clubs that interrupted classes, not like he hated it. He vaguely recalls her name being Gert. Chase would bring her every so often.

The first girl then was registered in his brain, she was the girl at the shop Peter worked at, his girlfriend maybe? He just shrugged and walked upstairs, checking his phone. His head hurt, it had to because there was no way that he was still checking his phone and hoping for a text from Peter. 

Just because you get in another headline doesn’t mean he gets to reach out now, it’s just too late for both of them.

He then felt his face get hot, shit why was this happening now, suddenly memories of learning to play catch with Peter re-entered his mind. He took a hit of his cart to drown them out, only getting in half of one before he realized it was dead, fuck.

He attempted to get up the stairs, it was a struggle as he held everything within himself. Johnny knew he made a mistake, he shouldn't have come here tonight, this was stupid. Now, here he was, on the roof of a house in a neighborhood, crying to himself…

 

He shot up a flame from his finger to make small silent fireworks, letting them light up his face as they burst. He pulled out his phone, no notifications, he scrolled instagram and checked his story about the party. It was seen by everyone he didn’t care that saw it, and the one person on his close friends list, never saw it.

 

He shot off another one as he slowly sobered up, he had been drinking for the past couple of hours, then now was smoking on a roof. The bud was a smudge since he put out the end piece a few minutes ago, he wanted to get more but didn’t feel like moving from his spot.

 

“Hey, uh…this spot taken?” A girl asked, he turned around to see the same girl from before, climbing out of the window from the room connected to it. She looked calm but her drippy mascara told a different story.

 

“Oh sorry, nah you can have it or uh….join me if ya want” He flirted. He knew it was stupid.

She just walked over and sat beside him, “You can cut the act, that may work on most girls but I don’t care for blondes right now”

 

His manner changed from preppy and cocky back to the somber emotive, “Sorry, it’s just…I don’t know why I do it”

 

She reached for her coat and pulled out a joint, feeling her pockets for her lighter, Johnny just held out his hand, pressed the end of it and lit the rolled drug. She looked surprised for a second before speaking, “Thanks, and don’t be, i know it’s a coping mechanism”

 

He looked to her, “How did you-?”

 

She just took in a huff before exhaling it, “You’re Johnathan Storm, play boy teenager, you have a higher body count than classes you’ve taken, yet you have no girlfriend. I take it that you cope as a physical touch love kinda guy, by getting touched…” She then offered her joint to him while staring at the moon while shrugging, “That or your gay”


His eyes went wide as he reached out and took it, letting her words linger a few moments longer, “WHAT?! How is that even a conclusion!?”

 

Nico pulls in her leg resting her head on it as she turns to Johnny, “Well, a lot of gay men try to hide it by forcing the perception of them to be seen as a ladies man.” Then she smirks, “And if you were straight? I wouldn’t feel safe talking up here with you…though I am drunk so…I think I’m just gambling right now.”

He could feel his chest tighten, his palms were freezing and pale, the feeling of numbness now rising across his fingers and lips. He internally panicked as the weed settled on his anxiety. He looked at the joint, taking a hit and handing it back to her as he let his gaze drift to the moon, his throat closed as he felt sick. Then he thought about it, letting all 18 years soak in at once, he then felt tears crawl down his cheeks while his breathing started to race.

She looked at him, her eyes feeling remorse, “Hey hey! I-I won’t tell anyone! This isn’t a bad thi-”

 

“T-Tell people what? I’m not gay.” He wiped his tears and attempted to give his best tough guy persona.

Nico furrowed her brows and grabbed his shoulders, “Hey hey, that’s fine. Jonathan Storm, look at me”

He obeyed, moving his eyes to meet her black pupils, “W-what?”

“You are a hero! You live in the most protected city and house in the world, you can burn steel with a wave of a hand! You think that people will think less of you for…anything? You are a king of popularity here at school and hell, globally!” She said, in an attempt to reassure him of…of what?

He looked at her like a deer in headlights, “W-why are you…what do you?”

She nodded her head side to side, “Because you and I are alike, and If you can have all of those girls, then…well then the reverse shouldn’t be much different.”

Then it all clicked, “Wait, you wanna help me? What?! No no no, what’s the catch?” He asked.

 

She held back a smirk, then looked away, “I don’t know what you’re talking about Storm”

 

He snorted a bit then pointed at her, “Liar!”

 

She broke and laughed nervously. “Okay okay fine!! I uh” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear then Johnny swears he saw her face go pink, “I need help…with a…person”

 

He blinked, “Wut?”

 

He didn’t know much about her, he had seen her somewhere he knew it, just…where?

 

Wait…..

 

Oh!

 

OH!

 

OHHHHHHHHH!

 

She must have seen his face get it all at once.

 

“YOU LIKE CHASE! YOU WANNA GET WITH CHASE!”

 

This remark got a bitch slap to the side of his face that left a print. Nico looked upset, not in a genuine way, more like her eyes were calling him an idiot, “NO YOU ASS, KAROLINA!”

 

He rubbed the side of his face, “Who?”

 

This got another slap. Thankfully, it was a lighter forced one, she pulled out her phone to furiously type in the user of someone on instagram, handing it to him.

 

The girl was Karolina Dean, she had blonde hair and was from the same group of friends Chase used to talk about. Johnny hadn’t asked much about those people, it seemed to upset his friend. This girl however was someone he had seen with Chase semi-often, they would talk at football games since she was the head of the Seniors student section. 

 

She had some verse of a religion in her bio, ‘Gibborim will help you if you let the light in’, Johnny wasn’t that big of a believer of anything but it didn’t ring any bells he grew up with. Her profile pic was of her looking to the stars while sitting on a rooftop. The profile seemed to be mostly normal, and Johnny, a newly realized gay man, had to admit, she was gorgeous.

 

He handed the phone back to Nico, “Okay, so what am I supposed to do?”

She groaned, “I uh…can you get her to like me, and break up with Chase?”

This got a laugh out of Johnny, “What!? No! They aren’t dating, Chase likes someone else”

 

Her expression shifted as her mouth opened slightly, “What? But I heard that they were?”

 

“Not from what he tells us, I know he likes a girl, he just refuses to tell us. He calls Karolina his sister, saying he is all he has left, family wise.” He explained, leaning back on the roof.

 

She looked blank before shoving her head in her hands, “Oh my fucking god, I’m so stupid.”

 

Johnny couldn’t help but smirk, “You assumed?”

 

“YES!”

He leaned back, “Well I thought it was pretty obvious that she was not interested in him.”

She peaked out from her hands to him, “Of course you would know about girls not being interested.”

He gave a fake chuckle before staring straight ahead.

“So then Johnny, who am I helping you with?” She asked.

He looked aside, “Not someone even you could help me with.” he admitted, trying to say more than he was ready to without actually saying it.

“What do you mean? Do I know h-…them?” 

He couldn’t even speak anymore, only able to nod his head yes.

She scanned her mind for a moment before he saw it register, she locked eyes with him. He pulled in his legs and hugged them in a half hearted attempt to hide any emotions.

Though she read through it all, only muttering, “Oh, Johnny…”

She then pulled him into a hug.

---

1 Week Later
October, 4th, Saturday

Peter was tired, he was beyond tired of it all. He felt his body growing more and more anxious as the minutes passed. He wanted to die in all honesty, just there on the spot. He stared out the window of the coffee shop he was in at the billboard staring back at him. It was one with Johnny's face promoting a barbecue brand. He wore a cheeky smirk and a flaming thumbs up in his uniform. Then there was a snapping noise.

"Peter! Did you not hear a word I said?" Nico questioned as she fiddled with her empty drink.

Peter snapped back to reality, stopping from stirring his coffee to look up to her, "Huh? Uh yeah"

"Okay, then explain to me what I was talking about." She said, leaning on her arm with an eyebrow raised.

Peter just leaned his head back and threw up his arms, "Fine yeah, I wasn’t listening but can you blame me?" 

He moved his head back to look at Nico, pulling out his phone and holding it up to show his instagram feed, on it was reel after reel of Johnathan storm and his sky rocket to even bigger stardom, "It just is all I hear about these days. Johnny Johnny Johnny. It's annoying"

Nico put her hand on the phone and laid it on the table, "True but I mean, I thought you'd be more excited about it"

He snapped his eyes up, "Excited?! Why on earth would I be excited?"

Nico just shrugged, "Well, you have a solid reason to reach out to him and his family now, if you think about it."

"What? No! He would think I-I-I'm shallow! That I want to talk to him for the money and a piece of the fame!"

"Uh huh, not what I was referring to but sure Parker, orrrrr he could see you as someone who cares about him after he almost dies?"

Peter huffed and crossed his arms mumbling, "Well he didn’t call me anytime I broke a bone..."

"Peter, he was in a cosmic level accident with his body now able to be set on fire..."

"..."

"You fell off of a bike..."

"OKAY! FINEEEE" Peter groaned.

THUD

He looked out the window to see flames shooting up and police zipping past. He and Nico stood from their seats and joined a crowd that had gathered around the view.

"Peter! What do you think is happening?" Nico asked, as she stared out.

No response came.

"Peter?" She asked again, turning to her side only to realize that he was gone.

---

A few moments earlier

Flash Flash

Johnny posed again, this time with a finger gun at the camera as smoke came out of it.

Flash

Another pose with his back to the camera and his thumbs pointing on his back to the coat he was wearing.

"Alright! That was perfect Torchy!" A very olden style New York accented voice called out. It came from a small man who hopped off of his chair and walked over to him, "My my my Johnny boy, this is gonna make a killin' for this designer!"

Johnny was lost in thought, "Yeah yeah, sure thing Gordy." He said, scrolling through his phone. Emails and messages about photoshoots, fundraisers, and meetings filled his schedule this weekend. 

He knew that going along with this meant that he needed to give up alot of time, but this was just.....alot.

One thing on his phone caught his focus immediately, a message from H.E.R.B.I.E.

Herbo-12:24PM: <ALERT> METAHUMAN ATTACK. 107 METERS FROM [JOHNATHAN STORMS] LOCATION. FANTASTIC FOUR ETA: 18 MINUTES

Johnny stared at the message with a grin on his face, "Gotta bounce man!" He shouted as he grabbed his jacket and ran outside shouting, "Flame on!"

His body burst into flames, burning the designer clothing he was wearing, revealing his flame proof suit remaining underneath, he threw his jacket for the suit over his shoulder, shooting off into the sky.

He wore a fitting body suit that was a pale baby blue, with similar de-saturated white lines that slid down from his armpit to his shoes built into his suit. The jacket was cropped with a lighter white main base color, it was accented with the same pale baby blue, the new Fantastic Four logo on his left pec and back.

He always wore this in case of a moment just like this, a moment to prove himself to Sue and the others that he can use his powers without worry. 

In his ear he heard Reed's voice, "Johnny, I see you're closer to the threat, wait for us, you aren't ready to fight yet! We won’t be there in time if you get hurt!"

He just scoffed, "Reed my man, you know I am, tell Sue I'll be fine, and to Sue, I'll be fine" 

Sue then chimed in on the coms, “Johnathan Spencer Storm, you know that you are not allowed to be in the line of action yet!”

Johnny just rolled his eyes, turning his ear-piece off, then flew to the location of the threat, assuming that the flying man with wings was the threat.

When he arrived he tackled the man out of the sky, crashing the two of them into the street where the man kicked Johnny off and into a car. 

His body hit with a loud crash as he collapsed to the floor. He admitted, he might've been a little in over his head this time around. 

The pain was a fresh new feeling, his body was resistant and more durable, Reed told them that this is why they are able to be heroes. Though they still felt pain, but their bodies over time would build up a resistance to the pain. Still, Johnny needed to try.

He shook his aching head and threw out a flurry of fireballs towards the man. As he looked to his side to see if they hit, he could only see the metal wings that covered him. Fire was spreading on the street now, shit.

Johnny clenched his fists as he spit out the blood from his cut cheek. The car he was slammed into had messed him up pretty bad, though it only pissed him off. As his fists tightened, they burst into flames. 

Then he saw it, almost as if time froze…oil from the damaged car spilled…

“Wai-!” 

Johnny braced as the car exploded in a puff of black smoke, mixing in the the dust of the street, fire shot outwards the city block, smoke rising from the front of the buildings. 

Johnny was definitely concussed now, his ears were ringing, he could hardly breath, and he is eighty percent sure that he broke a rib, he fucked up.

The man landed through the smog, crouching in front of him, "Aw, poor little flame wanted to play hero?" He lifted Johnny's chin to make him look at his killer, he spoke in a European accent Johnny couldn't make out in his state, though it sounded russian almost, "Little child, what a gift for me, I get away from a bank heist, then get away with a hero to impale on my wings"

He lifted the still concussed Johnny up by the throat as his wings angled themselves to point towards the hero. He wanted to fight, to kick him, maybe he could get off one last fireball.

"Bye by-" 

It was as if it was in slow motion again, a fist slammed into the side of the man's face. The power  of a single punch sent him flying into the glass windows of a shop as the aggressor landed elegantly on his feet.

Judging by the frame, he assumed it was a male, maybe...20, definitely young. He wore biker gear but it was painted mainly red, with blue accents and white occasionally scattered. His shin guards seemed to be reinforced with extra guarding, the same was on his wrists and knuckles. On his forearms were a metal brace with canisters attached to it with wires connecting to his palms. He wore a mask with big white goggles and a painted blue rebreather.

He looked at Johnny, tilting his head before his goggles went wide. He instinctively ducked as a mannequin flew over his head. Then the bird man flew out of the building looking down at the hero.

"YOU!? Oh I intend to split you in two Spider!" Then he charged in.

The hero jumped up then on the back of the bird man, "Ha! You are obsessed, it's honestly adorable Vulty, can I- hmph- call you that? Are we at a nickname level yet?" He quipped while riding on his back.

"It is VULTURE! and I promise, you are dead!" He shouted back, attempting to open his now...webbed wings? To throw the hero off. 

The ‘Spider’ jumped off, landing in an agile pose, before throwing his wrist out to the building above and shooting out a web, pulling himself into the air as he shouted, "Hey! No mean words, our couple’s counselor talked to us about this!"

Then he angled himself in for a kick square to the Vultures temple on his armored helmet, sending his body rocketing into the ground with a loud,

SLAM!

Smoke shooting up in the sky and clearing the block from the smog.

Johnny coughed, waving away the dust in front of him as he attempted to rise to his feet. In front of him was a silhouette of a person he swore was in his dreams? When the smoke cleared he got a better look at him.

He now realized that the reinforcement was for his attacks most likely, judging by the kick and how it landed perfectly on the guarded section. His suit was made to be a hero, utilized in practical ways on all fronts, from the webshooters, guarding, to the rebreather for his high energy attacks.

Johnny just was in awe, he wanted to be a hero, but this guy? He was a hero through and through while showing him with example. Now that they were closer, the man looked at least 18, at most? Maybe 25? Not that it mattered to him…

He did wonder something though, was this guy a mutant? He obviously had super strength by the way he fought, but his dodging and agility was something super soldiers can't do. If he was then why was he-

"Hey! You okay Johnny?" He called out to him. He knew his name?

"Ye-yeah...wait, you know my name?" He asked. Though the second it came out, he knew it was stupid.

"Oh! Uh...yeah, you are uh, kinda everywhere..." he said, motioning to a billboard of Johnny.

"Right...yeah sorry that was um, stupid." He said, stumbling forward rubbing his neck.

He didn't think it was stupid though, because something was different about the way his name was said. Not a 'Johnny' in a fanboy way, but a 'Johnny' in a, knowing way?

He coughed, and as if he asked, the other walked over and tilted his chin up with his hand to examine Johnny's neck.

His face became red immediately, this boy clearly had no clue what social space was. Not that Johnny cared, he was free to move away, but didn't....why didn't he again?

"Okay, no serious injuries, but um" The hero looked up to Johnny, freezing in his sentence when their eyes locked. Yes, Johnny couldn't see this boy's eyes, but he sure felt them.

Johnny opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out, he wanted to say so many things, ask them. Though none of them would be things he should be asking.

"I'm...Spider-Man...uh, incase you didn't get...it" He stuttered before gulping and resuming his original sentence, "you'll be fine...just need ice for your ribs I'll guess"

No, Johnny do not ask him if he wants to check them himself! That is NOT appropriate! Think of if this is a cree-

"Wanna check them? Just to make sure?" He flirted.

"H-huh?" Spider-Man said, raising his hands and backing away, "Sorry! Didn't mean to uh, be intrusive, just uh....wanted to make sure you were...fine"

Johnathan, you are so so stupid. You don't even like guys! Why did you say that! Well...no. Think about this later.

"Sorry! I...don't know why I even said that. It was...stupid." He admitted.

"Yeah, don't you have a girlfriend anyway? Or was that a different paper of the week I read" Spider-Man asked, crossing his arms as he looked to the street.

Ouch, okay, that stung he can acknowledge, this guy clearly isn't a fan of him. He...liked that? Okay, Johnny needed to have a Johnny talk later.

"Hey hey, those are all scandals, I'm as single as a number 1 to 9. But I don't have to be with a 10 like you." He flirted again. He needed to stop, he really did, Johnny was straight and so was this hero he had to guess.

Spider-Man tilted his head, "What?" 

"Fair enough sorry, I am concussed and acting on autopilot right now..."

"Which includes flirting?" He asked.

Johnny scratched his blonde hair, "Well...it helps often." 

"Uh huh"

Sirens got closer as cop cars and firetrucks skirted to a halt nearby. Johnny now realized that the pair was being watched by the entire city block. 

Then Johnny looked and saw that Spider-Man had actually extinguished all of his flames during the fight?! How did he manage to control his damage and the Vulture at once?

Spider-Man after noticing the sirens looked to Johnny and chuckled "Hey uh, all good if I just head out? Vigilante and all, thanks!" Then he threw out an arm and swung off with cops shouting at him.

Johnny was frozen...the whole world stopped. Not a noise was heard in his head as he made a list of thoughts he needed to come to terms with later. 

He only looked up, muttering to himself, "You're welcome...hero"

One Hour Later

“I-I mean how can- you really- you are so grounded Johnathan! You are reckless and-...”

The rest of her lecture faded into the ringing that he still had in his ears, though he saw her lips moving, now words seemed to come out. So he tried for a second to read her lips, but he couldn’t even get anywhere with that. So he let the fog take over his mind, feeling his eyes as they unfocused and almost as if it weren’t real, he pretended he wasn’t here, ignoring Ben sitting to his right on the lounge chair staring at a paper, then Reed behind the kitchen counter.

Instead, Johnny drifted back to the fight, back to Spider-Man. Why was he such a fan? He enjoyed talking to him, he enjoyed the idea of becoming friends, of…no. He was a vigilante, he was someone that the registration act was against. Though Johnny didn’t want to really think about it at this moment.

He went to the moment when he swore their eyes met, he wondered what color his eyes were, how old he was, what his hair looked like. Then his mind rounded back to the question, ‘why do I like him at all?’. He knew that he enjoyed someone telling him off, it was nice to not have pretty privilege, no matter how much people gave it to him.

Then there was the thoughts of his flirting, he wouldn’t stop flirting? Why? Johnny was straight and so was that hero so maybe he did it to ease any tension. Then there was the way he was so stand offish, he wasn’t a fan of his, but he almost teased Johnny. As if he got off on down playing Johnny, maybe he did? He had never been in a position like this so it was hard on what to know and how to go along now. When would they meet again? How would it go next ti-

“Are you even listening?!” Sue screamed to him, that he heard loud and clear.

He refocused his eyes to her, blinking slowly as he shook his head to concentrate, “uhm, yeah…yeah sorry, I uh. I apologize sis.”

Then there was the guilt coming in, he had majorly screwed up, he had no idea how to control his powers yet. There was his small flames and flying, and then there was controlling it out in the world. He was out of his depth completely.

“So then why did you refuse to actually listen to me?” 

He looked to the side, he really just wanted to go to his room, “Because…I don’t know” he said quietly.

“Not an answer”

“I don’t know! Okay!? I wanted to actually help! Maybe even save some lives on my own!” He shouted back, standing now.

Sue looked at him, slack jawed, “Oh so this is about your ego then. Well news flash Johnathan, the reason we have you benched is because you think this is one of your movies!”

That hurt a bit, to hear her call him out was nothing new, but for whatever reason it was personal for her now. He looked to Ben for back up, but he wouldn’t meet through eye contact.

“Sue, I know it isn’t a mo-”

“No! You don’t! If you did, then you would have waited.” She rebutled. 

He scoffed and rolled his eyes, “Wow, good to know that you care soooo much about saving people that you are holding me back from helpi-”

“If you really wanted to help, you would have lured him closer to us, maybe played damage control, Johnny, you have so much potential you refuse to use” She accused.

He laughed slightly, “Oh woooow, there it is, nothing new to say so you say the same thing you have since mom died. ‘Oh Johnny, you have more to yourself than you see’” He mocked.

Sue just shook her head and raised a hand, “Ridiculous, actually insane that you remember those words yet don’t listen to them.”

She looked towards Reed, “I can’t reason with him” She finished before walking down the hall with Reed chasing after her.

“Great, I’m done here then” Johnny said, placing his hands on his thighs as he stood.

Then Ben’s voice boomed, “No kid, we certainly aren’t done here. You made a really stupid decision here today”

Johnny was shocked, he could feel the tips of his fingers and lips tingle. To see Ben serious was something new all together, and it unnerved him, “Be-”

“No! I’m speakin’, Johnny I give you a lot of slack, I stick up for you, I-I-I help you get out of ruts, I have gone miles for you. So you gotta believe me when I say that you are alone on this.” He argued, pointing to Johnny at the end.

“You made a stupid and reckless call, and I know we are so high up in famedom that you often don’t suffer from them, but there were consequences.”

“What do you mean?” Johnny asked.

As a response, Ben tossed his paper packet towards him, as he read it he spoke, “Her name is Katherine Plicks, while you rushed into the fight, the car you slammed into was hers. She was luckily able to crawl out before it exploded but not without serious burns.”

In the paper was the face of a middle aged woman with light brown hair and glasses, it was all black and white so he had no clue on her clothing or eyes. The packet was filled with insurance information, medical records, and the item that Ben was next to speak on most likely, the laws on hero registration.

Shit.

“Now, you are so lucky that she is forgiving and is settling for a pay out versus taking it to court. Do you know what this means? If she had been someone less forgiving of being burned and almost killed, she could sue you and report you for reckless hero behaviour. When someone does that then you are on thin ice for keeping your hero registration kid!” Ben explained.

Johnny read it over, repeating all of the words in his head, “Ben…wh-why are you showing me this? Why didn’t Sue?”

Ben pinched the bridge of his rocky nose, “Because we protect you from so much kid. So much that you might as well live in a different world. We love you, and you’re a kid so we understand that you’ll make mistakes. But there’s drawing on the wall, then this!” 

He sat in silence, unable to even find the words.

“I’m not saying you need to be saving ants when we get you out there, of course people die, its a part of the job, there are things in place for this whole part of the job. Though theres a distinction between casualties, and causality. You were clearly concussed, had high running emotions, made a bad call. So she let you off the hook with this one thankfully.” 

Johnny nodded as he spoke, listening intensively to the way he needs to go about things.

“From now on, we gotta work on controllin’ your emotions, you need to see the bigger picture, make a fighting ring that is clear of citizens, learn how to fight.” He said as he stood, slinging his coat over his arm as he got ready to leave.

“Ben…” Johnny began.

“Yeah?”

“Thank you… for not keeping me in the dark this time.” He confessed.

Ben just ruffled his hair as he left, "Apologize to ya sister brat”

Johnny walked to his room, he needed a distraction ASAP. This was all so fucking much for him to handle, he didn’t ask for this. He looked at the trophies on his shelf, all of those he had for the group, yet he didn’t do anything but sit there. He threw his hand across the boards, sending them down to the floor as he let out an angry grunt. 

Walking to them, he raised his foot, bringing it down hard on the trophy, watching it bend in repeatedly. All of his life he had done all he could to catch up to his stupidly talented family, only for him to let them down again. He was so tired of failing those around him.

When it was firmly pressed flat into itself, Johnny collapsed to the floor, withholding a scream that burned his lungs in a need to escape. He was sick of being useless, of being a burden, of failing over and over.

He deserved to be happy…right? He was insanely rich, famous, attractive, talented, and hell now he was a super hero. So why was he still leagues behind everyone else. His family keep protecting him at every step in his life, only for him to fuck it up over and over.

His hands fell to his sides, he was tired of it all. Johnny was so ready to love, to show everyone that he was more than his body. Yet he wasn’t even sure if he was…

---

Later that evening

Peter grabbed his backpack on the way back, crawling into his window after patrolling for longer than he should have been admittedly. He then shut it before he tore off his mask and gasped for breath as he walked to the bathroom in his room.

Leaning over the sink he took in the fresh air, then looking up to see his sweaty face now flushed pink. He immediately turned on the sink and washed his face until he was breathing even heavier. He moved his damp hand through his hair as he fought all of his thoughts.

Why was he like that!? He had always been so confident as Spider-Man, so sure of himself. Of course it was fucking Johnathan that broke him, he was so awkward but...why!?

He started fine! He liked being friendly with Johnny again, missed it even. But then he wanted to check his neck for injuries and then he fell apart...why!!??

Peter moved to the center of his room holding his head in his hands staring at the walls as he paced in circles.

It wasn't because Johnny was wearing cologne that drove Peter mad. Or because Johnny gulped and Peter saw his adams apple move with his neck muscles. Nor was it the fact of Peter looking up to Johnny, only to see his blue eyes staring back...

No...it was because it was the only time they spoke in years...the only time Johnny saw him as a human...the only time he saw someone more than his past...

He collapsed onto his chair and stared at the mask as a tear fell on it.

The only way Johnny would ever care about Peter Parker again was if he wasn't Peter Parker at all...

He wiped his eyes as he reached in his pocket to check his phone. Shit...

He stared at the 4 missed calls from Nico and dozens of messages. Most about being ditched during a sick ass hero fight. Then the last one...

Shit shit shit.

He heard downstairs a clicking and shwup noise, followed by the sounds of keys jingling. May was asleep, fuck fuck fuck.

He slammed his door shut and locked it. On the other side was the noise of creaking stairs and a yawn.

Fuck....no no no.

"Parker? Are you there?" Nico asked from the other side with the following knock.

"Uh yeah! Just....naked! P-please don't come in!" He scrambled.

"Pfft, yeah okay, I know you aren't because you never are naked for more than 3 minutes, it freaks you out." She explained as her body sank to the door, "But, if you need privacy, I can talk here."

Peter just stood there, practically seeing her body against the door, waiting for him. He just sank his body against it as well.

"Hey Nico..."

"Parker, you-...you doing okay?"

He looked at the mask on his chair as he sighed, "I-I think so? But I'm not sure..." He admitted.

"Is it about Johnny?" She asked.

"Kinda"

"Oh....well...I'm sorry if I made you upset earlier. I swear that I don't care about him and I should respe-"

"You're fine."

"..."

"..."

"That wasn't all of it, was it dude."

He swallowed hard, and held back his tears, sinking his head into his hands, "N-No..."

"Are...are you crying? What is going on?"

"There is just, so much is changing, and I hate it...Nico I just..."

"Shh, dude, it'll all be okay. We can figure it out together." 

"No...not this time." He said, in the tone that Nico knew, the one that told her, 'please don't make me shut you out by force'

"Okay. Then you wanna hear about what I was talking about earlier since you went...MIA?"

Peter wiped his eyes,welcome to the topic change, "Yeah, I'd like that"

"Well then can I come in?"

"Yeah just let me change, go get some drinks." He snorted as he removed his suit and put it in his closet, swapping it for some pajamas.

A few moments later the two of them were sitting on his loft bed with their favorite drinks in hand. Nico had gotten herself some grape juice and Peter some apple juice. It was childish but they liked it, and made the conversations more pure somehow.

Peter laid back down and head hanging off at the foot of the bed, as Nico sat up near the head with drink in hand.

"So what I was meaning to ask at coffee this afternoon..."

Peter awkwardly looked away, "Sorry"

"Eh, I don't care. But, I talked to Johnny at the party last time, and he said I can go to a house party he is gonna be at tonight. I want you as my plus one." She explained.

He threw his head up, "What!?"

"Sorry for the short notice, I tried to tell you but you seemed....busy. But I wanna still put it there in case you care."

He looked at his hands and then closed his eyes to ponder the pro’s and con’s of the option, then he decided.

"Sure…I guess"

"Wait really?" Nico said as she shook his leg

He smiled and took in a deep breath, “I mean, is there anything else to do?” He needed to get his shit together and make sure Peter didn't fall behind in confidence. Plus he really didn't wanna think about those other thoughts from earlier, so maybe it would help if Johnny was an ass to Parker.

---

October 5th, Sunday Night
Johnny was sitting on a couch, his head spinning as Flash and Chase stood and eyed the room for girls to talk to. He was losing his mind, it was about an hour or two into the party and he was cross faded. Flash's house was filled with people all their age and that went to their school. 

 

He still would go to high school even if he was now a hero, this was a non-negotiable for Sue, even if Reed argued that he could teach him. That was an idea he refused, either way, he wanted to live out his last year of high school as normal as possible. So, the parties had a few rules,

1. No pics or vids of Johnny, that would lead to a lot of trouble for the person
2. Only kids from his school were allowed, no plus ones from college or outside.
3. You must have a DD or sober if you come in groups, no coming alone.

 

It was a lot to set up at first, thankfully Chase and Flash spent an entire afternoon at his place hero-proofing Johnathan Storm's life. Reed also helped out, he agreed that he would help in wiping any info that he wouldn't want out from the internet behind the scenes. It was thanks to Ben mostly, the double guiltrip they can put on Reed has been doing wonders for them.

 

Johnny scanned the living room he was in, it smelt like mixers, a whole variety of different fruity vape flavors, and of course, weed. Chase was the main provider for the substances, his dad was constantly at work and his mom was a very reserved person, naturally with that combination and a hell of an allowance, he got a lot of connections for these things.

 

Johnny met them when he played hockey, Chase and Flash were buddies since freshman year and picked up Johnny when he got hot. It was odd to think of their relationship, he admitted to himself. Yes, most people that wanna be friends with him do it out of care for his looks and now status. Hell, he was Prom and Homecoming king three times in a row with all sorts of girls he doesn’t talk to. This year will probably be his fourth on both.

 

Though after they got to know Johnny, those two became his second closest friend group, right behind his band group. Flash is a bully at times yeah, but doesn’t mean it, he acts out since his family is a big bag of dicks. Chase is an only child who in Johnny’s honest opinion? He takes on a lot after his dad, the way he is inventing and drinking sound just like the way Chase speaks of his old man. Of course Johnny would never bring that up though, he was allowed to figure it out on his own.

 

Just then, Flash crashed on the couch, drunk confessing to him, this was a usual occurrence, “Johhhaaay! Dude! Did ya hear about the Spider guy!!?? He is Gulp S-SO COOL!”

 

Okay, Johnny might need to drink more because clearly he was not drunk enough. He just looked at Flash with a face that must have read ‘WTF?’ because Flash burst out laughing, “Whaaat?! Not a fan of his!?”

 

Johnny cleared the fog in his head to respond, “No, he is it just…what? YOU, Flash Thompson, deep down are a fan boy?”

 

Flash just shrugged as he stumbled to the other room in search of more beer. Johnny’s eyes met Chase’s who gave him a chuckle and a shrug that said ‘Idk man’. So he stood and walked into the basement of the house, past couples who were against walls and kissing with a lot more hand action then was probably socially acceptable, but Johnny couldn’t really judge. This school year so far alone he had gotten with…nine? Ten girls? Most of them were just party flings he wouldn’t see again, some he met at a few college parties he got in for his looks, this was before the incident. 

 

Deep down? He really wished he were at one of those, the people there were drunk, but a less reserved drunk, they liked talking to him and didn’t care who he was, no one was judgmental at all. That was a huge downside to this mess, no one talked to him that much anymore, if they did? It was flirty.

 

When he was able to reach and enter the basement, he saw Billy sitting down on one of a few bean bags with his boyfriend’s arms thrown around him. They were talking to MJ, probably about band rehearsals. 

 

Teddy and Billy had been dating since Johnny met them, Billy being one of very few people that were allowed to ignore the rule of guests along with this group. As he watched them it came back, the painful feeling that had always been there when he saw them together. Johnny was jealous of their relationship, Billy was the one kid at school that no one cared when he came out, because he didn’t, he just was. Other kids got hate and bullied if they came out, but Billy somehow had everyone wrapped around his finger when it came to that. Teddy was a college freshman, the only boy to ever compete with his looks, he was lucky he was dating someone or he might steal his fame.

 

Johnny approached the group and just collapsed on the bag MJ was on, leaning against her for physical touch. She just chuckled and patted his head, “Rough night hot stuff?”

 

The two of them were never gonna date, even if the school thinks otherwise, he hated the thought of sleeping with her, it physically twisted his stomach. She had been the only girl before a few days ago that was straight and didn’t want to sleep with him, he latched to her immediately, craving the way platonic love felt. 

 

He was a different person with his bandmates than he was with his bros, these few seemed to see past his surface, they bullied him past just harps that the hockey team gave him, it was nice. 

 

With his head slumped on her shoulder he finally responded, “I…snort I’m so fucking crossed” he said as he laughed.

 

Billy leaned to the side and looked at him, “Yup, you are…no yeah hun that’s just sad”

 

This got an elbow into his side from Teddy, “Billy!”

 

“What! I am stating a fact! Jonathan is…he is chuckles, he is gone!” He said as he fell into Teddy laughing. He then pulled out his phone and flicked a pic. His bandmates were also the only people who could take pictures of him at parties, he trusted them not to post it.

 

MJ just rested her head on top of his, “So, what brings you into my office tonight”

 

“N-Nothin” He lied, how did she know!?

“Hmm, not even upset about the new hero taking your big moment?” She asked, holding back a laugh.

 

He slowly turned up to her, “Befriending you was a mistake, please remember this”

 

MJ laughed as she replied, “Well I saw it on the news about the fight. Luckily I am the reporter for the bugle that got the story, I'll make you look good”

 

“Liar!”

 

“No genuinely! I'll even add that you wo-”

 

He moved them so he could pull his phone out of his pocket, went to his notes app and started speaking as he typed, “Mary Jane Watson is eeeeeevvviilllll”

 

Her and Johnny were laughing as she tried to defend herself, then at that moment Alison Blaire walked over and crouched in front of him. He and her had a similar relationship to him and MJ, but she did have a crush on him, thankfully though it faded.

 

“Aww, poor guy drunk?” She asked as she ruffled his hair.

 

Billy raised a single finger, “I think he called it, what was it Johnny? Oh yea, ‘So fucking crossed’” then he laughed to himself before Teddy’s hand covered his mouth.

 

“Please ignore him, he is causing problems” he pleaded, this got muffled aggression noises from behind his hand.

 

Alision turned her head back to Johnny and then to MJ, “Sober him or leave him?”

 

MJ looked to him and shook her head mouthing ‘nah, he’s fine’

 

Johnny raised a hand, “Y’know I can sober up easily now?”

 

Alison scoffed a giggle, “Yeah? How so fella?”

 

“Flaaaaame on!” he drunkenly said, not actually flaming on of course.

 

Billy wrestled out of the hand and asked, “Wait, does that actually work? Like…genuinly.”

 

MJ and Alison looked to him and then to each other before MJ spoke, “Well…it should since it would burn things right?”

 

Johnny just laughed as he blankly said, “It also burned da joint I rollllled”

 

That got a belly laugh out from Billy where Teddy once more had to restrain him, MJ let her jaw hang as Alison covered her mouth.

 

He continued, “Hey! I looooove yall, for realzies”

 

Billy was having a hard time calming himself, MJ just looked down to him, “For realz for realzies?”

 

He looked up to her with the same, ‘the fuck?’ face and spoke, “Duhhh bitchh”

 

She of course knew that he didn’t mean it in any bad way, he spoke like that with them all the time, it was another part of himself that was revealed when he was with them, Johnny Storm, to all their surprise, was a sassy girl at heart.

 

The group laughed as Alison pulled him into a hug, stealing him from MJ, “Oh my GOD I love this twink!”

 

Billy paused before crying out with laughter, Teddy was now chuckling to himself as he fought Billy. MJ was now again, jaw dropped and covered her mouth to giggle.

 

As for Johnny? He was confused on what exactly a ‘twink’ was

 

Then he got a text on his phone:

 

Nico M.- Here King!

 

Johnny snapped awake as he looked to the stairs, tempted to make his way upstairs to see Nico. 

 

MJ peeked over his shoulder and read the messages, “Anyone know of a Nico? She’s here!”

 

Billy flailed his arms as he escaped from Teddy’s, “No way!” he said, rushing upstairs.

 

---

The place reeked of weed, vape, and sweat, the last one though is what mainly irked him. Peter stepped inside after showing some kid his student ID, it was insane in his opinion to have a bouncer for a high school party. When he and Nico arrived, she instantly grabbed them drinks, handing Peter his. He was already buzzed from his earlier drink, which is why they had to walk here, they were responsible kids afterall.

 

They looked for somewhere to sit that didn’t have a couple sucking face on it, they opted for a window sill behind the couch in the ground floor living room.

 

“Hey Parker?” Nico began, he knew what she was going to say, she was gonna get a status report, now, halfway through, then at the end of their night out.

 

“It's…fine so far” He replied, taking sips from his mystery cup that he could feel going to his brain and gripping control. 

 

His eyes must be telling Nico everything because she just laughed at him, “Dude! Tastes like shit right?!”

 

He could only nod as he winced from the flavor, he wondered if his powers made it easier, or harder to get drunk, he hated how he wanted to test it. Then, blonde hair caught his eyes, he felt his heart slam hard as the blue eyes met his and the smile grew. He wanted to be sober, maybe even drunk, he had no proper opinion on anything right now, just a feeling of…yearning.

 

Gwen Stacy wore a green blouse with white pants and heeled boots. She wore some golden jewelry that clinked as she walked closer to him with a bright smile that put him at ease.

 

He stepped off of the window sill and moved closer to her, he was thrown for a loop when she threw her arms around him and hugged him tight, all those thoughts about Johnny faded, no one else had what she had, no one else had Parker like she had.

 

“H-Hi Gwen! What…What are you doing here?” He asked, god he could feel Nico laughing at him even if he couldn’t see her. 

 

Gwen giggled, “Well, Flash invited me, isn’t that sweet of him? I mainly came for a few drinks and to talk to some girl I know who is going here, big fan of her work. But I had some drinks and found you instead!”

Peter was red, he didn’t know if it was shame or embarrassment, “Oh! You and Flash are…? Sorry I had no- I uh. Nevermind, I'm happy for you!” God, he was so stupid he thought, of course she…obviously.

 

She blinked for a few seconds as his words registered, then she laughed, loud, even heeling over.

 

Peter could feel people looking, his face was now flushed with sweat, he felt so stupid, he muttered, “I…Please I didn’t know, I get I fucked it up but…”

 

She looked up to him and wiped a tear from her eye to keep her mascara on, “No! Nooooo Petey, I don’t snort I like you! He just invited some chick he saw. I wanted to invite you, but I never got your number.”

 

Peter.exe is loading…

 

“Wait wut?”

 

“Do you seriously not think that I’d wanna go out with you?” She asked.

 

He was now the one blinking confused, “Well…no one really… sorry I just really suck at social cues, I didn’t even know you would be here. Lucky I guess.”

“Wait, Pete, if you didn’t know I'd be here, then why did you come here? Parties don’t really seem like your scene.” She asked.

 

Then, at that moment roughly four to five people emerged from the basement.

 

Billy was there, wearing a black longs sleeve with a larger boy behind him wearing a green polo that fit him well.

 

On the opposite side of them was a redheaded girl wearing a black slim dress and leggings, to her side was a blond girl with hints of orange in her hair, she wore a white sleeveless crop top with colored tattoos of stars on her arms.

 

In the back he saw someone stumbling on the stairs trying to get up, Billy waved to Peter as he held in laughs. The red head turned around to help the person.

 

Peter just looked at Gwen, “Nico invited me, but um, do you wanna talk somewhere? I’m still wrapping my head around this all, and there's a lot of people here” He said as he blushed.

She just took his hand and walked with him to a room upstairs.

 

Johnny was on the floor of a stair now, having crawled up the stairs and struggling to get to his feet, as MJ helped him he heard someone yell something about doors on lefts?

 

When he entered the foyer he saw two people vanish into the upstairs, he just shrugged it off as he muttered to himself, “Wait…why am I up here?”

MJ looked at Billy and motioned to the basement while she spoke, “Nothing uh, don’t worry about it.”

 

Billy nodded and grabbed his other arm, helping move him down the stairs. Then he saw hair he recognized, his eyes went wide when he called out, “Nico!? Oh my Gossshhhh!”

 

Shuffling out of his friend's grips, he stumbled to the small girl a couple feet from him and embraced her in a hug, “Frieaand!!!!”

 

Billy laughed again, MJ rushing over to attempt to pull him off, “I am so so sorry about him, he is so gone tonight”

 

Nico gave a friendly smile as she chuckled and held drunk Johnny, “It’s okay, he was mostly drunk last time, I uh, I can handle him if you guys wanna take a break”

 

She looked to Billy and tilted her head, he returned the gesture and nodded, “Yeah, I know her, she’s chill, Johnny will be fine guys, trust”

 

Nico mouthed ‘Thank you’ as she walked with Johnny upstairs.

---

 

Peter sat on the bed with Gwen beside him, he was gone right now, the spider shit definitely makes him a lightweight. Neither of them were talking, silence was filling the room, just the AC powering on, the music downstairs playing, and the walls shaking from the bass filled the room.

 

He decided to man up and start, “So uhm…I apologise for assuming you and Flash were…”

 

She smiled and chuckled, “No no, don’t be, it was cute!”

 

“Wait, what?” He said, tilting his head.

 

She just laughed, “Peter, you haven’t ever been alone with a girl have you?”

 

Okay, so she was emotionally smart too, shit Parker, you are being one upped on all fronts, play some offense man, “Oh uh, no! Nico and I hang out all the time!” He defended

 

She raised an eyebrow, “Do you and Nico like each other?”

 

He thought about it for a second before nodding his head, “Yeah, i would say, she is a great frie-”

 

“Meant romantically Petey” 

 

Peter blinked, then again, “OH! No uh, you would be the first.”

 

She smacked her lips, “Yeah I could tell, but then…Have you ever…kissed a girl?”

 

The question tore his brain down to the atoms, his heart instantly was thumping out of his chest as his face became pink, “Uh! I-I-I- well? No I can’t um gulp say I have?”

 

She just laughed as she brought a hand to his hair and played with it, “You’re fun Petey, I like that about you, you aren’t a normal guy”

 

His eyes narrowed as he tried to pinpoint the thought, “What’s that mean?”

 

“Not that it’s bad, no, just…You aren’t an ass. You care about me and my brain, see me more than a girl” Gwen said, now enamored by his hair.

 

“Wait, isn’t that how most people act to girls?” Peter asked

 

She softly chuckled, “No Peter, not a lot of people are like you”

 

“Well, then…what would a normal guy be doing right now?”

 

Her eyes met his, “Don’t be normal, do what Peter wants to do right now”

 

The way their eyes met each other seemed to be lasting a lifetime. He swears he saw a world in her blue eyes, from a house and two kids, a doberman, and a cabin trip for the summers. This girl, Gwen Stacy, was beyond anything he could have ever expected from life. So, when she asked this, he asked himself the same question, and drunk Peter answered. Needing to get to that perfect world by any means.

 

He leaned in, cupped her cheek and brought their lips to a soft point of contact. Lightning struck his very core, he could envision the neurons lighting up like fireworks, dancing in his mind as he was high on the feeling of being in love.

 

She smiled into the kiss, their teeth clacking as they both smiled and continued. He grabbed her waist and pulled them closer, and in response she leaned in more. Not before long the two of them were holding and touching each other as the alcohol gave them the confidence to go further with every kiss.

 

Gwen tugged at his shirt and he slid his hand from her waist to her thigh, feeling the fabric of her clothing with his hands, for the only time he pulled back to look at her, “Is, is this all okay?” He hesitantly asked a piece of him for whatever reason hoping for a no.

 

She smiled even brighter, more than he could’ve ever imagined possible, “Please, don’t stop, dork.” Then kissed him again.

 

Peter was in love, more than he would ever be in his entire life. This was right he thought to himself, this was the right thing to do.

---

 

Johnny was led to a bathroom and sat on the floor as Nico sat in front of him, her boots resting on his shoulder. He didn’t know how, but she knew how to calm him, and give him the space he needed.

 

She looked conflicted, like she wanted to talk, needed to talk. So he stood up and closed his eyes, boiling his insides enough to sober him up to a high before sitting once more.

 

“Out with it” He said, pointing to her without raising his hand, “I know girls well enough to know that you wanna say something, but don’t wanna start shit. I don’t care right now…”

 

“What happened between you two?” She asked, “You and Peter, I’ve seen his family album, you two were childhood best friends, Sue and Reed would take you to meet with his parents all the time. Then at some point….nothing?”

 

Johnny took in a deep breath then exhaled, he knew this was inevitable, “Listen…if he hasn’t told you then I…I can’t…I was…ask him”

 

“I did.” She blurted, grabbing her cup and drinking from it, “He’s Peter, I have to force him to even talk to me. He won’t say shit”

 

He shrugged partly bitter at his reluctance to share info that now puts him on the hot seat, “Then you won’t find out I guess”

 

She kicked him soft to the side of his head with her boot, “Don’t be an asshole! You miss him, don’t act like you don’t.”

 

“I don’t, not like what happened is any of your concern, in fact why do you even care?” Johnny questioned.

 

“Because beyond what you might think Johnny? I like you, but I don’t think Peter has been the same since then. We used to be friends with so many kids…now? He is ditching me!” Nico cried out, her face covered in concern as she placed a palm on her chest, "I'm worried! Ever since he went to the Baxter Building he just stopped being seen!”

 

Johnny squinted, feeling the waves of consciousness halt as it all zoned in, “What? What do you mean?”

 

“God, you and him are so dense! He is disappearing, skipping classes, coffee studying, morning breakfast, lunch! Jeez, he’s not even texting me like he used too! I know I am his only friend right now so I know something's off when he acts like this!” She shouted, now with tears swelling in her eyes.

 

Johnny looked away, “Cool, then…he can handle it on his own…and he isn’t alone…it’s that Gwen girl…I heard it all”

 

Nico’s eyes went wide, “Holy shit”

 

No, no no no, that’s a look of realization, stop thinking, quick Johnny, change the conversation.

 

“What?” 

 

Good one…

 

“You love him…” She figured it out.

 

“...”

 

“...”

 

Silence was all that was in the room as Johnny just looked away, covering his mouth with a hand.

 

Nico placed a hand on his knee, “Johnny, I can help if you just let m-”

 

“No! Stop!” he shouted back now, voice cracking as tears scrambled down his warm cheeks, “I don’t need him! He left me alone! He hates me! I deserve it!” Johnny then held his head in his hands as he curled into a ball.

 

Nico reached out, pulling him into a hug, “Johnny, I promise you he doesn’t hate you…he is just…Peter.” Then she pulled away making him look at her, “Here, I can prove it, let’s just get to the bottom of this, him and Gwen are talking right now, if he is going through something he would listen if all of us are there”

 

He sniffed before nodding, “he doesn’t want me there!”

 

She stood, “Well then I’m going, so if you care even partially? You’ll be there when your childhood friend needs you.”

 

As she moved to leave, he reached out, grabbing her ankle, “Wait…”

 

The pair used each other and the wall to travel towards the door at the end of the hall they knew he was in.

 

Nico squeezed Johnny's shoulder, “It’s gonna be okay man”

 

He nodded, opening the door.

 

Jonathan Storm was drunk and high. Usually this makes him very emotional. This time, he sobered up before talking to a childhood friend turned gay awakening mega crush.

 

Johnathan Storm was also a lover boy at heart, he was proud of this, he wore it on his sleeve the way that yes, even if he was annoying, he could keep his composure.

 

This was not Johnathan Storm. Not when that door opened…

 

The first thing he saw was clothes, green ones on the floor, he followed them to the bed, seeing blonde hair, and brown hair. In a quick movement, the brown eyes met his. Then the blue ones followed. He saw skin, lips pressed against each other, and Peter Parker holding a topless Gwen Stacy on his lap as they made out. He looked at Peter's eyes, the first look he got. The look of love and how it was for the girl version of Johnny…

 

The door then slammed shut as his hand shook on the knob. He turned to Nico, she hadn’t seen it. He heard her asking what he saw, muffled as his ears cut out all the noise. He could only, as if in a trance, walk down the stairs. He could see in the blurred vision his friends all staring at him, some asking if he was okay, some asking him to hang. 

 

Johnny just grabbed a bottle off the counter, shuffling down the basement steps as Nico kept shaking his shoulder before leaving to see for herself. He could hear a loud gasp and a door slamming. He only was focused on his legs feeling like jelly, the way they buckled under his nerves after every step. MJ and Alison were talking to him, the words were just blocked out by the muffling his ears seemed to have. He saw Billy and Teddy sitting near the basement wall laughing until Billy saw him. His expression shifted to concern as he saw Johnny walking like a zombie. 

 

When he finally reached his destination, he sank into the beanbag, swinging back the bottle in his hands, hoping to get drunk enough to a point where he could wipe his mind clean.

 

---

Peter had opened his eyes when he heard the door click, he knew he should’ve locked it, especially when he saw blue eyes. For once they weren’t attached to the girl who he loved, it was Johnathan Storm's eyes. Those blue eyes that made him want to hurl, to cry, to scream out and explode.

 

Gwen swiftly turned her head back to meet where Peter was looking, but as they met, the door slammed shut. 

 

Shit

 

“Who was that?” Gwen asked with a laugh.

 

Peter looked to her as he quickly stood and tossed her the shirt she wore only moments prior, “It was Johnn- Jonathan. I think we should get dressed, I don’t want anyone else seeing you like this” He sternly said as he fumbled to put his own shirt back on.

 

She smiled and obliged, putting on her shirt.

 

Just then, the door swung open, and Peter snapped to it as this time he met Nico’s gaze. She covered her mouth with a hand and laughed a bit before she seemed to be thinking of something, then backing out of the room and shutting the door. 

 

Quickly, he finished getting his shirt on and locked the door, determined to let them get ready in peace. 

 

Peter then looked to Gwen with a look of worry, “I am so so so soooo, sorry. I am so, gosh that was, are you okay?”

 

She just stood and smiled, pulling him close and kissing his nose, “It’s okay, really Pete!”

 

Though his mind was racing, “Just, can we please get dressed?”

 

She paused a second, then nodded, “If uh, if you want.” She brought her hands up and wrapped them around his neck, “Then I’m okay with that”

 

The pair stood there hugging for a few moments before getting dressed and cuddling in bed.

---

October 6th, Monday

[No School, Staff meeting day]

 

Johnny woke up with a headache, feeling his silk sheets press against his chest as he could feel his back hurting. He looked around the room to see all his friends laid about his room in their usual spots. MJ was on the floor beside Alison who was sprawled out, he moved his gaze and saw that on his pull out couch facing his TV, Teddy had his arms wrapped around an awake Billy who was scrolling tik tok, He nodded to himself, everyone was in the spots they usually slept when he had them over. He rubbed his eyes, then they widened when he saw Nico, leaning against a pillow beside the door as she fell asleep sitting. 

 

He blinked hard, trying to remember how he even got here. When he tried to, nothing. Of course you blackout…

 

He looked up to the ceiling, holding out his hand, watching it focus as he slowly gained consciousness. Johnny then dropped it on his bed, turning to his side and grabbing a pair of sweats to put on, the only reason no one slept in his bed anymore was because he slept naked. He hated it but he was a person who naturally ran hot at night, this was also why his room had the most l guest blankets, since it was freezing for everyone else.

 

He put on the sweatpants and a tanktop he had in his drawer before he slumped back into his pillow, grabbing another to place on his face. He really wanted to scream into it, but the others needed sleep.

 

There was then a shift in his bed as he turned to his side seeing Billy there now, smiling at him. Oh god, Johnny knows that look, that look was the ‘What do you remember’ look, and was usually followed by an embarrassing retelling.

 

He just threw the pillow at Billy, “Not in the mood man”

 

Billy let it hit him, ignoring it all together, he moved his expression to Teddy as he spoke softly, “Johnny, did I ever tell you how I came out at school?”

 

Johnny sat up, telling by the tone he needed to focus up, he shook his head no while he gathered his mess of a brain.

 

“Yeah, you wouldn’t have…Well, I originally was in a separate school…a…a gifted one, it was since I was moved up a grade when I was younger…The kids there were, well kids. I had a rumor go around about me that I would join sports and clubs to get with them. It sucked.” He swallowed hard as he continued, “My folks, I told them about how unhappy I was, and how I was gay. That I was sorry, I tried to convince them that I had prayed to god and all other ones to make me normal”

 

Billy chuckled as he looked at Johnny, “Do you know what they did?”

 

He nodded no, “Did they…did they send you to a camp or something?”

 

He scoffed, “No, they actually listened, moved me here, gave me more freedom, allowed me to be me. This didn’t fix all the…all the bad”

 

“Billy, what are you getting a-”

 

“Shut up, anyway. When I came here” He looked to the couch, “I met Teddy, he was a….well a hot mess. He met me before he graduated a year early and was struggling in college, Literally. But he showed me that I was worthy of being loved, of being held, he showed me that me being me was okay.”

 

Johnny just listened, focusing on his mannerisms as he spoke.

 

“Then…I met you all, I took a risk after seeing your guy’s sign up sheet, looking for a drummer, and…” He laughed as he stared up, “I felt so nervous, I mean I was the youngest one there, you all were juniors and I was by normal standards, a freshman.” Billy then looked at Johnny, “But you made everyone look at me and listen to my drumming, now? So many people want to listen to my noise.”

 

Johnny felt his face go red, he had zero recollection of these events, but when Billy spoke of them? He felt like he was re-living them.

“Johnny, you and everyone here? They made me love being me…you made all of us feel that. And…I know I get taken less seriously since I'm younger? But, it makes no sense that you get to be sad…”

 

“What?” Johnny said, turning to the other, “I’m no-”

 

“You know we are all able to see right? Now you may not be dressing in all black and doing coke, but you show us like how you did last night…” He wiped his eyes, wiping away the start of tears, “We all know you won’t tell us, and that’s fine. But you spooked us, drinking like that then flirting with MJ? She and the rest of us know that you weren’t serious…but it's just…”

 

Johnny could feel his heart racing again, his body tense as he cringed at himself.

 

Billy looked to Nico, “She insisted she come along after we decided you had partied enough. She cares for you, the others see this, we like her.” Then his gaze met Johnny’s, “We all care about you. But…if you can only talk with her about whatever is happening? Then bring her wherever we go. Just…”

 

Johnny felt arms wrap around his body, Billy who was always so unserious, hugged him and burrowed his head into his shoulder.

 

“You…You are all like older siblings to me…” He confessed, “I don’t wanna lose another brother…”

 

Johnny felt his throat tighten, he tilted his head up. Then hugged Billy back, promising to him softly, “I promise, I’m not going anywhere, and nothing on this earth will change that William…”

 

A muffled and cracked, “Thanks” came from Billy.

 

Johnny turned his head to look at Nico, She was awake and smiling at him.

 

---

Peter woke up shirtless, in his boxers, in a house that he was preeeeetty sure wasn’t his. To his side was Gwen, wearing a sports bra as she had her arms wrapped around him, he was very unsure on how he got here. He remembered him and Gwen having sex, it was such a mess, he quickly found out that he was inexperienced in yet another part of life compared to her.

 

She stirred in her sleep as she woke up and rubbed her eyes. Then she sat up, stretching out her arms to yawn, smacking her lips and staring at Peter. He could tell that she was taking in his frame, hair, eyes, and soft smile. Peter knew this, and loved it, loved the attention.

 

“You uh, you know where we are?” He jokingly asked, hoping for more of an answer than he had.

 

She nodded as she yawned again, “Yeaah, uh we’re at my house”

 

His eyes went wide, “Y-Your house? You mean the house with a cop in it?”

 

She looked at him before laughing and leaning forward on his chest, “No No! He works from morning to midnight on Saturdays.”

 

Peter let out a big huff as the nerves left his body, “Oh thank fuck” He heaved, placing a forearm over his eyes.

 

Gwen giggled, “What? Scared of meeting my dad?”

 

He looked at her with a slack jaw and shocked look, “Uh, yeah?! Especially when I come out shirtless from his daughter's room!”

 

“Well…you are gonna have to walk home shirtless because I ammmm stealing your shirt” She joked.

 

He peeked out from his arm, “The hell you are, if you want one send me your shipping address “

 

The two of them chuckled as she fell back into bed with him, letting him hold her close. They could feel how comfortable they felt around each other, how normal it felt for them to be like this.

 

“Hey uh…Is it early if I want to um…” He started but froze.

 

She looked up to him, blinking as she laid her chin on her hands that were on his chest. “Hm?”

 

He blushed and looked away, “Well, you seem to be better at these things than me…so I wanna take the first step…you wanna um, date?” He asked, wincing at his own words.

 

She just cupped his cheek and softly nodded, “Yea, of course I would Peter Parker” Then leaned in to kiss his cheek, letting them lay there, living in the small moment of peace and warmth of the morning sun.

A few hours later he was dressed and at the door, kissing her as they prolonged their separation for the weekend.

 

When he was on the walk back to his house, he looked at his phone seeing a message from…Oh fuck, he completely forgot about Nico!

 

He called her immediately. Hearing the ringing for a second before it picked up, “Yo?” She said in a low voice followed by a shushing noise.

“Hey Nico, listen I am so so sorry that I left you, I promise I didn’t mea-”

 

“It’s fine” She said bluntly, “Listen, you’re good, I got…home yeah, and you got um, wherever you’re at.”

 

He sighed a breath of relief as he responded, “Oh jeez, thank you Nico, listen I had the best night of all time, I met Gwen again and we acta-” 

 

Nico cut him off again, “Hey so sorry but I gotta go, I got a lot uh, going on right now man chores and all, but I swear we can catch up over coffee.”

 

“Huh? Oh wait, I think I’m near your neighborhood, I’ll find it on Life 360 and help you out while we…” He looked at his phone and saw her location at the Baxter building.

 

“Peter I gotta g-”

 

“Nico…why are you at the Baxter Building?” He coldly asked, he wasn’t sure why he was mad, or if he should be, but…he had only one reason for that.

 

“I-I listen it’s complicated man, I-”

 

“No, it’s fine, I get it, I’m gonna kill Johnny if I found out you guy’s didn’t use protection.” He said in all seriousness, he knew that Nico was drunk and is Bi, but for her to be there means only one thing, Johnny picked her up when she was wasted.

 

“Peter, that is not what happened, I swear” She attempted to plead.

 

“Nico, I don’t blame you, you were wasted and shitfaced, he just took advantage of that like he always does, listen, just dip and I can come get you.” He said, looking as he crossed the street.

“No! Stop Peter! Just…just go home!” Nico said, then spoke something to someone else as she hung up.

 

Peter stood there, in the middle of the sidewalk, frozen, then he shook his head as he shoved his phone into his pocket. If she wanted to fuck Johnny then fine, she can have that, good for her, atleast she moved on from one blonde to another.

 

He walked home, grabbed his bag and suited up to go patrol…

 

---

Nico clicked off her phone, embarrassment covering her face as all eyes in the room now looked at her. Her eyes went to Johnny, pleading for forgiveness that he had to hear that. 

 

He only raised a hand to stop her from speaking before him, “It’s…it’s fine, that’s honestly the best outcome for you in this situation.”

 

She gripped her phone tighter as she scanned the room, everyone else seemed to be nodding in agreement as Alison gave her a look of sympathy, “Yeah girl, if he thinks you slept with Johnny then you get off scott free, he’ll get over it, I promise.”

 

Nico loosened the grip, “Y-yeah…sorry”

 

“Don’t be, we all get it” Billy began, “We may all not understand the thing between them, but I say the more distance the better” He then looked to Johnny, “At least for now.”

 

The group once again agreed before they moved back to their previous conversation, Nico felt safe, like it was old times again, then her phone buzzed, checking it she saw a notification that made her heart melt.

 

Johnathan Storm added Nico Minoru to ‘The Hottest MF’s’

 

She just mouthed thank you to him, then moved to sit next to Johnny and Billy as she joined in on them recalling the night.

 

When Johnny said goodbye to everyone, he knew what needed to come next. He went into his room, running a shower and cleaning himself off from the previous night. He was going to need to be awake for the conversation that was coming next.

When he stepped out and got himself ready for the day, he moved for the elevator. Moving to the labs where he knew the others were. When the elevator arrived on the floor, a small panel in the wall revealed itself, he pressed his thumb against it. A thin green line moved up and down, then stopped, the screen chiming green as the elevator doors opened.

Stepping out of the elevator, he was met with the lab Reed had made his own. It was an entire floor, with the walls lacking windows and covered in Expo markers with random equations. 

Reed was standing hunched over a hologram table with Ben and Sue, all of them in their suits examining some map of Europe.

“If this is true then they could be overthrown in…a month's time. This is serious you two!” Reed exclaimed.

Ben rolled his eyes, “You woke us up again to talk about dis loser?”

“Ben! He is alive and he is a threat!” 

Sue rubbed Ben’s shoulder, “Hey, let’s go along with this, until Reed knows for a certain, then we need to take this seriously.”

“Thank you Susan, he was exposed to that device, he is an insane man who won’t stop at just disappearing. He was stupid enough to attempt roping the-”

“Reed!” Sue snapped, smacking his arm as she spotted Johnny.

“Wha- Oh! Hi there Johnathan! Didn’t hear you come in.” Reed anxiously said.

Johnny looked at the map, unable to identify where or what it was, “What’re you guys talking about?”

“Nuthin’ you oughtta worry about kid” Ben reassured Johnny.

“How can we help you?” Sue asked.

He looked down, squeezing his hands to prep himself, “I just wanted to say that I’m sorry for how I behaved yesterday, I shouldn’t have taken this job so carelessly. I want to be out there…with you guys. So I’ll do what it takes to do that.”

The three looked at each other a little dumbfounded before Sue spoke, “Johnny, you’re okay, we accept your apology, and…if you really want to get out there? Then we are gonna have to train you.

Johnny used all of his strength to hide his smile, “I uh…I’d really appreciate that.”

He then nodded, heading to turn around and for the elevator.

 

3 Weeks Later

October 29th, Wednesday

 

THUD!

 

Johnny landed hard on the mat, his back down and face looking straight to the ceiling lights above that shined into his retinas. His whole body was in pain, his joints ached and skin stung. They had been at this for 5 hours now, he just wasn’t able to keep up.

 

“Get up Johnny.” Sue demanded, looking down to him, blocking the light out for only a moment.

 

“Yeah yeah” he said, sitting up and rubbing the back of his head, “Why don’t you try getting your ass kicked for hours on end.” He mumbled.

 

She only turned back to him and fixed her sleeve cuffs, “Why don’t you try harder at beating me?”

 

He groaned in a response, standing to his feet to face his sister. Behind her were Ben and Reed, leaning against a wall. They had been taking bets on who would win, Reed put his on Sue of course, and to Johnny’s surprise, Ben bet on him. 

 

Sue looked him up and down in her sweats as she smirked, “You sure you ready firefly?”

 

He returned the challenge with a cocky grin, “Yeah, you're gonna go down this time.”

 

He rushed forwards, sliding to grab her leg. She looked down, jumped up and landed into his upper back, swiftly dropping and getting him into a head lock.

 

Johnny shot flames that propelled them upwards, knocking her off before using his momentum to charge down to her. Right as he was about to reach out to her however, he hit a wall, literally.

 

The invisible wall tossed him to the floor, he rolled himself back onto his feet, maintaining his battle stance as his smirk remained.

 

Sue was a couple feet away from him, she knew he would charge, so he knew there was walls here. 

He chuckled before asking, “Am I really that obvious Sue?” 

 

Then, he shot flames in bursts that launched him up, then he twisted his body to shoot them at the roof, sending him crashing down into Sue from the sky.

 

She gasped as she flipped backwards to avoid his slam.

 

He stood, huffing heavy, his breath visible in the cool room. He was getting agitated now, she wasn’t saying anything, her expression was clear, void of any emotion.

 

“C’mon! Not even gonna try and make this a fun win?” He teased, shooting a puff of smoke up and launching through it in a slide. 

 

Sue jumped up and landed on his arm, twisting herself until he was in a leg lock.

 

He tried once more to use his flames to go airborne, but something weighed him down. When he looked up, he saw that his sister made a bar from her forcefields and had used it to hold herself in place.

 

Johnny attempted to use his strength to escape, though to no avail.

 

He tapped out…

 

Sue stood, wiping her face with a rag Reed had stretched out to her, she seemed so calm, as if this was no sweat. It frankly pissed Johnny off, the way she made him look so…so helpless.

 

He stood, breathing heavy, looking down to the mat as his damp hair covered his view of her, “Again.” He ordered.

 

His sister looked to him with a smile, though as she saw his demeanor, it faded. She walked over to him, “Johnny, we should wrap it up for the day, you’re tired.”

 

He only gritted his teeth in response, “No! Let’s go again! I will win!”

 

She sighed, spoke softly, spoke pitifully, “You will, just not today, now, it’s almost 7 so go get showered, you have band rehearsals.” 

 

He scoffed, standing to walk to the door, as he passed her she ruffled his hair only for him to brush her off with his arm. As he reached the bench near the wall and grabbed his water he refused to make eye contact with Ben. How could he, he just lost the big guy money and his respect.

 

“Hey, you gonna get her next time, ‘kay kid?” Ben sympathetically encouraged.

 

Johnny didn’t respond, leaving to go wash off.

 

“Ben, don’t worry, he is just…he is going through a moment.” Sue said, walking to the other two.

 

He nodded, “I know, I jus’ hope he knows we wadn't bettin’ on real cash.” Then he looked solemnly to the door, “And why I bet on him to begin wit’”

 

As his shower ran and he got ready, Johnny checked his phone, seeing the multiple articles about his life.

 

Jonathan Storm! Super-Fail?? Newest hero loses first fight!!

 

Johnny Storm, Hottest outfits to add to YOUR collection!

 

Fantastically Forward? Why Johnny Storm doesn’t date!!

 

He just clicked his phone off, breathing a heavy sigh out as he shook the anger from his head. He knew these papers wanted a reaction, MJ even warned him, he needed to not react and it would blow over. But Johnny Storm is someone who couldn’t not react! 

 

He got in the shower, avoiding the noises coming from his phone as more and more of the city attempted to bait him into doing something stupid. He didn’t need the city for that though, he was unfortunately a one man disaster. 

 

Over the last 2 weeks since the party, he had been ruining so many things in his life. 

 

Nico had to tip toe when they hung out, had Peter thinking the two of them were dating, he could deny it but Nico says it’s unnecessary, it just makes thinks easier for their friendship. 

 

He had accidentally flamed on when he fell down the stares to catch himself and triggered the fire alarm. This got him a day suspension where he spent it helping Reed's assistants around the Baxter Building, this unfortunately meant that he saw Peter that Wednesday afternoon. 

 

He’s been losing more fights as he started off his super career. One to fucking mole man, he was so embaressed for an entire week after that. The other three had taken him on plenty of times, so Johnny had thought that he would be more than enough, turns out that Mole Man made a new version of his pet Giganto. Johnny was carried out unconscious. The tabloids ate it up like a starved dog.

 

Thanks to these failures, not only was the city shitting on him in all aspects, but his sister was debating on pulling him from the field entirely, saying that he ‘lacked the mindset of a hero’ or something. Which was so bullshit to him since they all had powers and wanted to help. So in order to be allowed out, he has to train with the others once a day.

 

His band rehearsals have been the only thing he has yet to fuck up, barely…

 

Yet another reason to call his powers a curse, he has been late a few times due to rain, villains, or other reasons. His bandmates seem to be completely chill with it, but he feels they hate it deep down, they are all he really has right now so he just hopes they hold out for him while figures his shit out.

 

He tossed on his undersuit Reed made so he could fly throughout the city and packed his clothes in a bag since believe it or not, but cloth is notoriously flameable. He had gotten some brands he really liked to get him some fireproof clothes in turn for him modeling for them, but it would still be a day or two until they arrived.

 

He jumped out the balcony in his room and flamed on, flying up into the cold night sky.

 

As he flew he could see billboards he had been hired for lit throughout the city, some, admittedly, more revealing than others. He was 18 though so it gave him a lot of leeway on his marketing options, but this one was his most risky, and highest selling line of photos. 

 

It was to support the first responders, mainly firefighters in the cities, by donating funds. The ad line up had him dress up in firefighter uniforms with…less clothing then was probably standard. One had him in an unzipped jacket with no shirt underneath as he held an axe. Another was of him in a white tank top, putting on the fire proof pants looking very clumsy. The most sold one however was the one of him being hosed down by firefighters showing his shirtless body.

 

These were a huge success for all parties besides him. The stations had gained enough money to get a whole new line of uniforms thanks to Reed, and a series of calendars of Johnny to help them increase cash. Apparently a firehouse appreciated his help so much that they bought his and have it in the station for the whole year. 

 

Some other ad campaigns he helped out for was sunscreen, sun-glasses, breathable clothing, and the occasional dating app sponsor. 

 

Most of his newer offers had been put on hold since Sue disapproved of these companies using him…okay his body, to get more sales. But Johnny couldn’t really care, this was just his life, he had grown used to it ever since he got famous when he was 14 or 15. 

 

Looks were everything when it came to him, his life depended around how much he could market himself and the way he was presented in his own life. Vlogs, Tik Toks, pictures, ads, and anything else he appeared in was packed, labeled, and shipped to the world. He didn’t know how else to feel about it, he didn’t feel amazing about it, but he couldn’t feel bad when all of these things did some good. 

 

Like comments about how he helped some younger guys get some confidence, the fire stations had funding, and some families saw him as a brother, son, or even role model. If it took the city stripping him down and selling him to the masses for at least one person to feel better in life, then he would do it again.

 

Though a piece of his mind couldn’t help but think that they were way off.

 

When he arrived at Alison's house he flamed off at the front door, knocking as he brushed off the burnt smoke on his suit. He heard muffled shouting behind the door and music playing, the door creaked open and Alison squealed, hugging him.

 

“Hi!!! Oh my gosh Johnny, you gotta try this drink MJ made, Billy thinks it’s awful but I love it!” She began, dragging him inside. It was calming, how here, he got to be absent of all his worries, no one here would ever bug him about his worth, at least not vocally.

 

When he entered he brushed off the padding on the bottom of his suit's connected shoes. The suit was a lighter baby blue, fitting him firmly and cutting off at his wrists and neck. Around it he usually wore a cropped jacket with the fours logo on it, but this time he was off the clock and had no need to wear it.

 

He walked further in, hearing the sounds of laughter and the smell of fruits and cleaning chemicals, Alison always deep cleaned before having them over, it was just a habit of hers, she says it helps her keep tidy that they have rehearsal at hers.

 

Following the noises, he entered the kitchen he could see the group sprawled all about. Billy was crisscrossed on the kitchen island with Teddy leaning with his back against the sink, MJ leaned forward the island holding a cup as she laughed. 

 

The group noticed Johnny and MJ pointed, “You! Try!” she ordered, holding out a small glass cup with a red liquid inside.

 

He grabbed it nervously and chuckled, “What’s in it?” He asked, it was common since the party for them to make drinks and have Johnny try them since he could sober up instantly, he was able to give them a review.

 

MJ and Billy looked at each other smiling, Teddy looked down and smirked himself. It did not put Johnny at ease to see Teddy helping Billy and MJ cause chaos. 

 

“Just, guess,” Billy said.

 

Johnny brought it too his nose, sniffed it, and sipped the drink. It was thick, and almost familiar as he could instantly taste the alcohol in it. He coughed as he made a disgusted face before smacking his lips and raising an eyebrow. As the flavors mixed in, it clicked. 

 

He laughed as he looked to the two responsible, “Is this a fucking cough syrup chaser?”

 

The room burst out their unrestrained laughter as MJ stumbled over mouthing yes since she couldn’t speak it coherently. 

 

He made a fake offended look, “Billy Kaplan, did you just give me this? This has you written all over it!”

 

Billy while heeled forward nodded no, pointing to Teddy who was now holding his mouth.

 

“Teddy!?”

 

He raised his hands, “Hey! I had debated with MJ that it could be a healthy chaser! But it was Billy who wanted to try it on you!”

 

Johnny laughed as he shook his head, setting his bag down and getting out his change of clothes putting them on. He brought a baggy shirt with a similar baggy pair of pants and a spiked belt. Then sprayed some cologne he had to cover up the smokey smell his flames usually had stuck on him.

He looked to the rest of the group, smiling as he joined in on the pre-talk hangout before rehearsals. This mainly consisted of them talking about their ideas for covers they should do, where their next show would be, song concepts.

 

They all sat in living room while they did this, with the TV playing some random show they liked, he thinks this time it was a hospital show about a guy who was always right but no one believed him

 

DING DONG

 

They all froze, staring to each other, everyone making a mental count of one another, everyone was here. So who was at the door?

 

“You order pizza Alison?” Teddy asked nervously.

 

She nodded no then looked to the door. 

 

Johnny stood to get it, knowing that if it was a creep, he could deal with it.

 

He stepped closer, resting his hand on the cold door knob, twisting it slowly until it clicked open, then he cracked it, revealing…

 

“Nico!?” He eagerly asked, getting everyone else jumping out of their seats to see for themselves.

 

On the other side of the door was Nico Minoru, wearing a black trench coat and attire, with the only color being a grey scarf covering her mouth. She pulled it down to give him a slight smile, “Hey there J-man, that uh…that offer to hang with you all tonight still on the table?”

 

He scratched his head, wondering who invited her before looking to the others, “Billy?”

 

The black hair boy who was leaning over the couch shrugged, “What? We need a lyricist if we wanna actually make music, Nico writes poetry.”

 

They all now looked back to Nico, “You do?” Johnny asked, stepping aside to let her in.

 

She… did she blush for a second? He knew it wasn’t romantic, it was probably a nervous one. Nico nodded whilst avoiding eye contact.

 

MJ moved back to the couch and brushed shoulders with Billy, reaching her arms out, “Read some!!!”

 

Alison joined in with the others, “Please! I can’t have Billy re-write other bands lyrics, or Johnny’s ones about him!”

 

He shrugged, “I’m just giving the people what they want.”

 

Nico walked in, sitting on the couch and catching up with them all. It wasn’t much longer until the group was all listening to her read about her poems. Now, Johnny wasn’t that much of a feels type of guy, but when she read it out, he got it, he got why this was such a romantic medium. The movies can’t do it justice enough, and frankly it made him wanna make Nico direct every scene that had a poem in it from here on.

 

When she was finished, MJ demanded she read more as they rehearsed their own music, Nico had timed it perfectly to the groups beat, and Johnny could see it, the reason Peter was so close with her, she fit in wherever she found herself.

 

Johnny, on one of the breaks, looked at the group, just in awe that he had such a lucky break in these last few weeks, it made him so giddy inside, and most of all. It made him proud.

 

---

Peter exhaled a deep breath, seeing the cloud it made in front of his eyes. Licking his lips he tasted his own salty sweat, he was tired, it made him wanna collapse, clearly, spider powers don’t give him super endurance, he still has to work for that.

 

The ball was then tossed up, and he tried again, jumping up with minimal strength so as to not set off any red flags. In the air, he angled his right leg to give a powerful kick, bringing it down and sending it off ever so slightly, missing the goal. 

 

He fell to the floor on his shoulder, landing with a grunt as he felt the damp grass stain his white shirt and shorts. He shook his head to focus himself, rattling his brain as he did so. Spider-Man could do this, so why can’t Peter? Come on Parker.

 

He raised his hand to signal that he was fine and to go again as he got back in position. He centered his whole focus, this was something he needed to learn, to perfect if he wanted to land harder and more precise hits as Spider-Man. 

 

The warm exhale was visible on the cool October night, the ball was tossed. He lunged forward, planting a strong cleat into the wet grass, flexing his calf as he propelled himself up. The ball was in his sight, he twisted himself, throwing his arm forward and back as he used momentum to empower his kick. His shin guard made contact, pressure pushed into his leg as he fought it forward, sending the ball flying.

 

He watched, uncaring as to how he landed, almost in slow motion he could see the ball. 

 

It was sent at an angle, and…hit the pole, flying out to the field.

 

He landed on his thigh and hip with a small thud. 

 

With a frustrated grip of the grass he stood to his feet, using his shirt to wipe the sweat off his face. A whistle then blew, the ringing blistering in his ear, moving his vision to the sidelines his coach waved to him, gesturing for him to be done. 

 

He nodded, grabbing the ball and walking to the exit of the field. He was looking down at his feet, he knew he had that move, he could do it easy, it was just his aim that was off.

 

Peter was now biting his thumb, going over his movements and the calculations he would need to correct for it to be perfect.

 

“Peter!” A girl's voice called out to him.

 

He heard his name, he looked to his left, then right, nothing?

 

“Right in front of you dummy”

 

He quickly snapped his head around, seeing her, the girl of his dreams, his girl. She was wearing a hoodie of his that was definitely way too big for her, and a pair of comfy green sweatpants.

 

He smiled. All thoughts that had existed in his head in the past four minutes now were a thing of the past. A clear head was all that remained, only holding within, a single thought. Kissing and holding Gwen Stacy.

 

Rushing forward, he dropped the ball, swooping Gwen into his arms and the air, holding her waist and hugging hard. He never knows how much he needs a hug until he is in one, but she does, she always knows him.

 

Gwen giggles loudly and returns his hug back to him with her own, burying herself in collar bone.

 

The two of them remained like that for a couple more moments, just taking deep breaths of each other's smell, Gwen smelt like butterscotch today, usually it was lilacs in her room, but butterscotch was his favorite candy, perfect.

 

When he let her down and stared at her face, she was all smiles, nervously giddy, “Hi” she said.

 

He had attempted to hide his demeanor, his own excitement and how badly he wanted to just lift her up again and just hold her, “Hey there”

 

She nodded backwards to the parking lot before asking him, “Are you ready for tonight?”

 

His mind blanked, he totally forgot that he was doing that! “Yes! I just need to shower off at mine! What time is that again?”

 

Gwen looked down to her watch, “In about 3ish hours he gets off? So you have time”

 

Peter gave a thankful sigh as he leaned into her shoulder,  “Holy- Thank you, also why are you here?” He asked, moving his head to the side, looking with his eyes up to her.

 

She pulled her arms around him and crawled her fingers around his back muscles and up his neck, “Well…I thought I could hang out at yours? Since we’re gonna be together there anyway…That okay?”

 

He closed his eyes, smiling at the stupid question, softly replying, “Of course, you are welcome in all aspects of my life, Gwen Stacy.” It was a lie, a partial one, a white lie, she was welcome in almost every aspect of his life.

They took the public transit back to his house, with him leaning on her shoulder on the subway to get some rest in as he was still wearing his green stained soccer jersey, only having had changed his shoes to walk better.

 

When the two arrived at Peters, he cracked open the door while calling out to the house, “May!? You home? Uh, Gwen's here for a bit!”

 

From out past the kitchen the old yet surprisingly quick lady shuffled to meet Gwen, bringing her inside with a barrage of questions, “Oh my Gwen! How are you? What brings you here? Is Peter being a good gentleman?”

 

Peter could only grab Gwen’s hand and take her upstairs, hiding his red face, “Good bye!”

 

Gwen had come around almost daily to his home, yet his aunt always would ask her these things as if she had never met her before. Gwen and her got along quick, like everyone his aunt met in his life, not a soul could leave that house without a fully belly and a story of his childhood.

 

When the couple entered his room, Peter immediately removed his shirt, tossing it to his hamper, walking to his bathroom and running the water.

 

He heard Gwen sit on his bed, the springs creaking as her weight shifted. 

 

He looked in the mirror, running a hand through his still damp hair, brushing his teeth and shaving while waiting for his shower to warm, “Hey Gwen, Imma shower real quick but you wanna like, watch a movie or something when I finish?”

“Ummm, no I think I’m fine, I got some homework I can do on my phone.” She replied.

 

“Awesome, let me know how it goes!” He asked as he entered the shower.

75 minutes later

 

Peter laid in bed next to Gwen who now wore a new hoodie of his, the two now properly ready for dinner were cuddling, taking in the small moment of peace before they would need to get ready for the night.

 

“Hey uh, Gwen?” Peter began, hoping to ignore the odd burning feeling in his chest.

 

“Hm?” She said, looking up to him from his chest and moving her blue irises into his brown.

 

He froze, shocked to his core as he stared, because when their eyes met only one thought came to mind. How he could not marry her.

 

“I…I think I um…sorry I think we’re moving fast and if we are then that’s fine, just tell me to slow down, but” He stuttered, moving his eyes away from hers as those blue orbs made it hard to get any other thought out.

 

Gwen though, she just looked up, with a gaze of doe eyes, eager to hear his scrambled confession, as if she knew what it was and wanted him to be the one to say it. 

 

He swallowed hard, looking back at her, “I…I love, you…” He finally admitted, wincing for what she would say, he felt himself cringe at it though he had no clue as to why.

 

She however, just gave a quick laugh from her nose, laying back on his chest as if nothing had been changed, “I love you too” she then said, making it so…so normal.

 

Peter had once more, even though he got the jump on her, been out done by this girl, Gwen Stacy. The only girl he could ever love. The only human on earth he would ever marry. His girl.

 

Not much later he put on a nice pair of pants with a polo, putting on some cologne Gwen picked out for him as she got into a pair of nice clothes she left at his place.

 

When they arrived at Gwen’s, Peter took in a shaky breath, ready to meet Gwen’s family. 

 

She must have read his nerves, because Gwen grabbed his hand, squeezing tight and smiling at him, “Calm down Petey, it’s gonna go great, promise.”

 

He squeezed back, exhaling a foggy breath, knocking on the door.

 

From the other side of the door, he heard a little boy shouting something with a woman's voice getting closer to the door. A click was heard and the door opened.

 

A woman peeked out from the crack as it widened, she had blonde hair and green eyes, her eyes seemed baggy but were covered with makeup. The outfit she wore was a blue dress that cut off at her upper thigh with a tuft, her pants were white and slim.

 

Below her was a little boy, Howard he thinks his name was, he had a dirty blonde hair color, wearing a very loose white button up that was tucked into his pair of black dress pants, he looked to be about seven or eight-years old maybe? He smiled at Peter, nervously hiding behind his mother. Peter just waved down to him which got a giggle.

“Apologies, I didn’t have a suit that fit me, didn’t know I’d be so underdressed” He laughed.

 

“Oh, I am so sorry, he just insisted he make a good first impression” Gwen’s mother said, picking him up and into her arms, he hid in her shoulder giddy, “Please! Come in!” She insisted, her voice frail and soft spoken.

 

When Peter walked in, he pretended that he hadn’t already seen the house, though it wasn’t hard as the place was more tidied up. The clothes of her brother had been cleaned, the hardwood floors obviously had been mopped, a refresher turned on that mixed nicely with the smell of the food. 

 

He moved further in, sitting at the table beside Gwen. On the table were cuts of steak with baked potatoes and corn. It looked delicious in all honesty, Peter looked at it, feeling like he hadn’t eaten in years.

Lumbering footsteps then were heard from upstairs, traveling to the stairs and down them. Peter peaked a look, seeing a large fit man with his sons matching dirty blonde hair and daughters blue eyes. He held his phone in one hand, seemingly just hanging up the phone as he walked down.

 

“Heh, sorry, work never ends, just got a call about some rumors on the case I’m starting up, figured I’d have more time” He joked, laughing in a hefty tone as he walked to the dinner table looking at Peter, “Well! Aren’t you a scrawny little thing!” He laughed.

 

Gwen looked uncomfortable but Peter was a sucker for all things comedy, he stood to his feet, offering his hand to shake his, “Hello sir, I’m Peter Parker”

 

He took it and squeezed and looked down to his daughter with wide eyes, “So he’s real?!”

 

She face palmed, “Oh my god dad please”

 

He only laughed before turning his attention back to Peter, “Well, gotta say son, you got a hell of a grip on you, baseball?”

 

Peter grew nervous, he had been so anxious that he had completely forgotten to loosen his own strength, he thought quick, “Uh no, bowling, me and my uncle used to”

 

He nodded in acknowledgment, “Well tell him he has a tough opponent then” 

 

Peter only nodded back, not wanting to bring up the fact that his uncle was never gonna be able to hear that, murders and police captains usually aren't dinner etiquette conversations.

 

George and Peter both sat down as the family began to eat the food. As he bit in he swore to whoever was up there that this was the best food he had ever eaten, “Thank you Mrs. Stacy, this is delicious!”

 

She only chuckled, “No no, you can’t thank me, it was all thanks to Howie being an excellent helper.”

 

Howard then looked to Peter with a wide smile, food still in his mouth as he spoke, “Momma is gonna open a restaurant, aren’t ya momma! She wants to be a chef!”

 

She looked down, “No no, I really couldn’t, we have been over this Howie…”

 

Peter gave a look of confusion, “Wait, why can’t you? This food is delicious! You could make a killin’ Mrs. Stacy.”

 

“Well we already make a killin’ with a police chief salary” George sternly said, it was in a tone that told Peter that this conversation had been had many times before.

 

“Bu-” 

 

A hand gripped his thigh, Gwen's hand, when he looked over he saw her subtly nodding her head no.

 

So he stopped, changing the topic instead, “But what sport did you play in highschool sir?”

 

George chuckled hardily, “Oh boy, what sport didn’t I play kiddo.”

 

The banter went back and fourth through out most of the dinner, George was an odd man, he spoke with such assurance in every single part of his dialogue. Helen however was the exact opposite, petite and quiet with an air of sadness around her in a way Peter couldn’t pin.

 

Then his focus was taken immediately.

 

Howard chewed and spoke once more looking to his dad, “Wait dad, I saw uh on the TV today that you had that new case! Is it any closer to being solved?”

 

Gwen kicked his feet under the table, “Howie, don’t you think he’s had enough cop stuff today? Either way, Peter wouldn’t be allowed to hear, we told you this.”

 

“Now now, I like Peter, so he can be filled in” He said, leaning in on his elbow towards the family, “This case is one that is personal for me, I’m tracking Spider-Man.”

 

Peter felt the blood drain from his face, forcing it to climb back as he gathered his thoughts, “S-Spider-Man? How come? Isn’t he just like a hero?”

 

George scoffed, “Really? A hero wearing all of that dangerous tech and has no identity? Now, if he were a real hero then we would know his face, like the Fantastic Four, Iron-Man, hell, even Ant-Man is known. They are registered under the laws put in place!”

 

“Well…maybe it’s to keep people safe?” He debated.

 

He raised his hand waving it, “No no, if he wanted to then he wouldn’t be a hero, that man is reckless and makes things harder.” He then took a bite as he cut more of his food up, “No matter, we are close to pinning him down.”

 

Peter felt sweat drip down his face, “Really? Uh, how?”

 

“Yeah, and we heard there’s someone looking for him, he is some famous game hunter that looks for humans to hunt, his prey is mainly killers. Just an ex-something that goes after unregistered heroes, he likes the challenge. The Bugle insisted they also had a guy coming to New York, but it’s just a back up.”

 

He now felt a knot in his stomach as it twisted and turned, “Who is this hunter? Like S.H.I.E.L.D.?”

 

George looked up from his food with a smirk, “No, supposedly they call him Kraven…”

 

---

Johnny stirred in his sleep, opening his eyes to stare at the ceiling. Something in him was refusing to let him rest, or maybe he had insomnia. 

 

Out of nowhere he then heard laughing. It was soft, a woman's laugh, no one else to surround the noise.

 

He sat up and looked at the door, under it a soft blue light shined, sounds that could only be described as nostalgia echoing.

 

Johnny left his bed, put on a white shirt and a pair of blue sweatpants that were sitting on his chair. When he stepped out into the hall in the dead of night he turned to peek into Ben’s room. The giant was sprawled out on his bed, snoring softly. He then made his way to the noise, the blue light getting ever closer.

 

As he drew nearer the noises were more and more recognisable, sounds of wind, children laughing, and…those voices…

 

Johnny ran into the main living room, heart racing out of his chest. He scanned the room only to find Sue sitting on the floor, a small TV in front of her with a retro device hooked into it.

 

“Sis, i-I thought I heard-”

 

“Susan! Your little one is running away and- is Peter joining him?” Mary Parker's voice called, blurred by the static fuzz of the camcorder it was recorded on.

 

His eyes snapped to the light. A sight was given to him.

 

In the suburbs of New York during a warm fall morning, a small blonde boy was riding a tricycle, holding onto his back sat a scruffy hair boy….Peter. A girl with blonde hair who appeared to be 19 chased them, the boys only giggling.

 

He sank to his knees, listening to them scream and giggle while Mary cheered them on.

 

His sister rested a hand on his shoulder, moving down to rub his back, “Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you, found these videos and…I couldn’t help myself from…Do you remember these?”

 

Johnny never looked away, his eyes only focusing on the two boys.

 

“Yeah, It was a week before Halloween, the Parkers wanted to have us dress as Superheros” He then chuckled, “But Pete and I, we wanted to be bikers, saw his uncles highschool yearbook photos and thought it was the coolest thing.”

 

He then swore, that he could smell the memory, the nostalgia echoing like hums in his ears. The fresh fall sap that wafted in his face when he peddled, feeling Peters hair against his neck and arms on his stomach.

 

“Do…do you have anymore?” He asked.

 

She nodded, sliding over a cardboard box with black tapes inside, “Ben and May wanted the files on those since it’s what they used, even let us keep a copy.”

 

He skimmed through the titles, most of them with dates and a word, one caught his eye, “First Steps”

 

He took it out, putting it in the small device and watching the TV flicker as it adjusted.

 

The first sight was a man and woman in sweaters on a couch, behind them were lab coats thrown on it as well. Sitting on the floor was Sue, still around 19, with a 21 year old Reed leaning against her shoulder laughing to himself. 

 

Ben Grimm's voice was then heard, chasing the camera operator as they giggled and ran.

 

Johnny scanned the hall to his right, the exact same room it took place in.

 

The boy who sounded 10 or so called out, “Johnny!” and from behind the couch a slightly taller blonde boy emerged, rushing into Bens legs.

 

Peter set the camera down, rushing in to help Johnny take on Ben, they both clung to his legs, giggling as Johnny declared, “You are stuck! Big baby!”

 

He then took big lumbering steps in an attempt to shake them off.

 

Johnny remembers the memory, he only was looking to Peter, eyes full of giddy as they held on like their life depended on it.

 

The camera was then picked up by Sue, “Oh no Ben! They got you really well? How ever will you escape?”

 

He turned to the camera smiling, “Like this” he said, leaning down and picking up Johnny, poking his sides as to tickle him off before lifting him up. As Johnny was lifted, Peter rushed out, grabbing his hand with his, holding on.

 

He remembered that too, the look of determination on Peters face as he called to him, “Stay with me Johnny!” The high pitched voice laughed, “We gotta win against this guy!”

 

The camera then cut.

 

“Sue, I…” Johnny began.

 

“I know” He heard her say, she sniffed and when he looked at his sister she was wiping her eyes, “I miss it all too”

 

“What…what happened? Why did the Parkers leave? I know it was my fa-”

 

“No, don’t you dare blame yourself for what happened, they had no right to assume those things.” Susan firmly said, rage emerging from her sobs, “You and that boy were not to blame”

 

“So…what happened?” He asked, looking down.

 

She wiped her eyes, “I don’t know if you’d understand, hell, Reed nor I can even understand.”

 

That threw him off, “Reed?”

 

“Yeah, but…sigh, they came to us that April, saying something about the Baxter buildings exploration division was doomed, frantic about how something bad was gonna happen. Reed was the lead at the time along with someone else, they discussed it and soon after an argument broke out.” She explained, attempting to remember it.

 

“Reed eventually decided to disconnect them from the grid, hoping it would stop anything from being done, then…”

 

“Then what?” Johnny asked.

 

“I…I don’t actually know, they just stopped coming around, then Peter’s aunt said we were going to cause the death of their nephew.”

 

“You don’t know? Sue what the hell happened?”

 

“We don’t know, all files of it were deleted, as if they never existed, all files on the Parkers in the employee data base also vanished along with the assistant scientist.”

 

“So is that why we all stopped speaking?” He asked, firm to search for clues on how to fix it all. Johnny remembered the fallout of it all was…rough to say the least. Peter never smiled at him that summer, Just ignored him and then they faded.

Sue nodded mixed with a shrug, “I suppose”

 

He pulled in his legs, “So why did they say it was my fault?”

 

“Where did you hear this?” Sue asked, looking at him with concern.

 

He felt his eyes sting as he held back tears, “I…I tried to see him one time, about a month after the summer's end. I only met his aunt, he just said it was my fault for this whole mess and to…to leave his son alone…” Then the tears fell, he held his hands up to his eyes to block them but it didn’t work.

 

Susan just pulled him into a hug, “Johnny, this is not your fault, you were just a 13 year old boy when it all happened, you were as blameless as Peter.”

 

Johnny then gave in, feeling tired of holding it in, he clung to his older sister and cried into her shoulder, “I-I miss him! He hates me Sue I know he does!”

 

She just held him, shushing him softly as they rocked back and fourth, “I know, I miss him too, we all do.”

---

He was finally about to sit down, his destiny on the right path, the path he was made for. He walked through the kingdom halls, blood dripping from his gauntlets and on to the stone floor.

“Cease! You dare betray the king that has graciously fed and protected you?” The Advisor yelled.

 

Though he kept walking forward, nothing the advisor said would sway the way history was meant to happen…

 

“S-stop! What is the treacherous behavior for! You mean to kill us all?” He asked, hands shaking as he held the sword.

 

He still, was moving forward.

 

“Fine, then if you wi-”

 

The man grabbed him by the throat, and lifted him in the air.

 

Snap

 

The body went limp, then it was tossed to the side.

 

The king looked at the behemoth sized man, standing at six foot eight inches, metal armor covering his body, and the fur coat green cape with the handle of the sword that was almost as tall as him sticking out.

 

“I-I surrender! We yield! The people have control of the country!” He pleaded as the man approached.

 

When he was merely a few feet away, the man fell off of the throne, on his knees begging, “Please! Please don’t kill me” He cried out.

 

The man looked down to the king, releasing a breath from the metal mask, the light cloud visible with a hiss of his helmet letting go of it, “There is no begging for your life at the feet of Doom…”

 

The king looked up at the true king of Latveria, “Hu-huh?”

 

“Die like a true king, and know that Latveria will prosper, Latveria will grow.” He began, looking down at the pitiful man with his piercing green eyes telling the truth, “Latveria, will conquer.”

 

Then, unsheathing his sword, he held it above his head, ready to strike.

“Wait! Who are you! Why have you done all of this?” The king asked for his last request.

 

The man paused, choosing his words decisively, then he spoke, “I am Victor Von Doom, the only man with the heart and honor to do what no one else will…”

 

SLASH

 

Blood spilled down the steps to the throne, with the sound of the head rolling down the stairs echoing in the chamber. He wiped the blood from his sword on the white fur collar of his shoulder. Then, not caring as he stepped in the blood, made his way to the balcony.

 

He hadn’t even reached the doors before he heard the voices.

 

As he swung open the doors of the balcony that overlooked his country, he saw the sight, the sight he had wanted to see since he was only a young boy. The sights he saw on that day.

 

The Capitol city of Latveria, now Doomstadt, was burning, the royal families having been slaughtered and overthrown, no counts left to keep the riches from the people. 

 

As the rioters in the city street saw him walk out, the voices rose.

 

“DOOM DOOM DOOM”

 

He raised his hands upwards, hearing as his country shout their new leaders' name louder. Eager to enter this new era.

 

“DOOM DOOM DOOM”

 

Behind the mask he smirked.

 

“DOOM DOOM DOOM”

 

Latveria was now under Doom’s command.

 

“DOOM DOOM DOOM”

 

Soon, the world would fall…