Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Peter groans softly to himself as he blinks his eyes open. His everything hurt. He lifts his head slowly from the ground, looking around him in a dazed state. His Spidey sense doesn’t instantly start screaming at him, so he figures he’s in the clear. He tries to remember what happened, and why he’s laying face first on cement. He can’t see anyone else around, so he slowly pushes himself up onto his hands and knees.

“Ugh, that’s just great.” He mutters to himself when he notices that his whole front is soaked, his suit sticking to his body from laying in a puddle.

He lifts his hand and runs it over his face, checking that he’s still got his mask on even though the fact that he’s looking through his lenses should be obvious to him. He’s just paranoid. Rolling his neck back, he lets out another small groan when he hears a little crack from his joints.

Peter gets to his feet, grabbing his head in his hands in an attempt to stop the spinning as he tries to refocus on the area around him. He’s in an alley, between two apartment complexes. He twists his body to look down the alleyway, only for pain to shoot up his side. And that’s when he remembers what happened.

He’d been fighting some crazed scientist who was trying to make some experiment on the roof. He got tipped off about the guy nearly a week ago and finally caught him in action. Peter had been naïve enough to think that some scientist was in no way going to be able to best Spider-Man, but God, had he been wrong.

The guy must have been expecting him because he was ready to defend himself the moment Peter showed up. And Peter hadn’t wanted to accidentally cause any reaction with whatever chemicals this guy was messing with, so he tried keeping his distance. The guy had tried getting him in the face with one of the chemicals, and on instinct, Peter had screwed his eyes shut as he moved to dodge the attack. He’d lost his footing and fallen off the side of the building, crashing into the rail of the fire escape before he was able to grab onto it. He’d heard the crack of his ribs with the impact before his head had met the railing as well and he’d been knocked unconscious to fall to the ground below.

No wonder he ached.

He doesn’t let it stop him from straightening himself up and climbing up the side of the building, even though his body was screaming in pain for him to stop. He gets to the roof and has a look around. The guy isn’t there anymore and there was no evidence left to say anyone was even there in the first place. Peter lets out a defeated sigh.

“Shattered half my body for nothing.” He grumbles to himself. There’s not much he can do now besides try to hunt the guy down. But he has no leads and no clue where he could even be. For now, he can’t do much.

- - -

Peter’s squatting on the edge of a high-rise, looking out at the city below. The light breeze against his mask makes him wish he didn’t have to be wearing it to enjoy himself for once. Patrol tonight had been easy once he’d thrown the scientist to the cops. Just a few muggers so far, nothing major. But there was no harm in always staying alert.

“Oooh, Spideyyy,”

Peter rolls his eyes even though a somewhat fond smile tries to curl up the corner of his mouth. He turns to look over his shoulder, watching was Deadpool steps up to him.

“Hey Wade, been a while.”

“Aw, did you miss me?” Wade asks, his smug smirk showing through his mask somehow, like always.

Peter gives a small shake of his head and shifts his position so that he can sit on the ledge, rather than stay in his squat. He leans back on his hands as Wade comes over to sit beside him.

“I think it’d be pretty hard to miss you Wade, no offence.” Peter teases.

{He totally missed us.}

Peter freezes, his shoulders going rigid at the sound of the voice. He instantly turns around to look behind them, panicking because he Spidey sense hadn’t warned him that they had company. But no one is there. He misses what Wade says because he’s so thrown off by the sudden and random voice.

“Webs?”

Peter snaps out of his daze and turns his head to face Wade again.

“You okay?”

“Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

“The voice…” Peter slowly turns on his butt so that he can stand up on the roof, looking around in the dark. There’s no one around, he knows that, and this is just ridiculous. But he knows he heard something.

“Baby boy, I’m always hearing voices.” Wade jokes, even as he gets up as well and looks around, trusting in Peter’s instincts.

“I swear I heard something,” Peter continues, feeling a prickle at the back of his neck. Not his Spidey sense, just general fear because his Spidey sense wasn’t giving him any signs that they were in trouble.

[Looks like Spidey’s lost it too.]

Peter tenses again. It’s another voice, and he’s trying to figure out where they’re coming from, but he can’t pinpoint it.

{Don’t look at us, you can’t catch stupid.}

“Hey, crazy doesn’t equal stupid,” Wade mumbles to himself, sounding like he’s pouting.

Peter slowly turns to face Wade, eyes wide under his mask as he stares at the older.

“Webs, you’re starting to freak me out.”

“It’s… you’re… you responded to it.” Peter states, pointing at Wade a little dumbly.

“I wasn’t talking to you. Like I said, always hearing voices, I was talking to them.”

“It said you can’t catch stupid, the voice said that and you-”

Peter stops himself, his brain feeling like it was running far too fast with too many thoughts.

{He heard me?!}

“Wade…” Peter steps closer to him and stupidly lifts his hands to frame Wade’s head between his palms.

“Uh-”

{Spidey can hear me?!}

“I… I can hear them.”

[Holy shit,]

{Spider-Man can hear us!}

“They’re real.”

“What? Of course, they’re real. What did you think I’d really just talk to myself?”

“Well, I mean… yeah. Crazy people always think they have voices in their heads. Wade, there’s never been any proof.”

{Oh no, he’s not gonna try to experiment on us, is he?}

“What? No,”

[You are a man of science, why wouldn’t you want to?]

“Because I’m not cruel, that’s just-” Peter cuts himself off. He shakes his head, trying to clear his thoughts. This was insane. He was talking to the voices in Wade’s head.

He realises then that he’s still holding Wade’s face between his hands. He quickly pulls his hands back, holding them to his chest as he steps away from Wade to give him some space, feeling his cheeks heat up in embarrassment. There’s a moment of silence that passes between them. Even the boxes are quiet. Wade steps into Peter slightly, not too close but enough that he can reach out and rest his hand on the youngers shoulder.

“You gonna be okay Webs?” Wade asks, genuinely sounding concerned. Peter gives a slow nod of his head.

“I… yeah I think so. I just… why can I suddenly hear them?” Peter’s not really asking Wade.

{Maybe you’re finally ready to admit you like us back and the connection has allowed you to be one with us.}

Peter huffs out a breath, pressing his fingers to his temple to rub it. Wade lets out a huffed breath and pulls his hand away from Peter.

“That’s a bit of a stretch,”

{He hasn’t denied it yet,}

“I’m guessing that’s yellow,” Peter decides to ignore the voice for the moment. He doesn’t want to respond to that. He’s not sure how the boxes work or what they are. If they’re part of Wade’s thoughts or if they’re somewhat of their own.

[The fact that you have to guess is insulting.]

“I feel like maybe I should apologise. They can be… very forward.”

“Why? It’s not like you’re at all subtle, Wilson.” Peter snorts as he rests his hands on his hips.

{Is he flirting with us right now?}

“No, he is not,” Peter says before he takes in another steady breath.

“This is… kinda cool though, you have to admit.” Wade says, sounding a little smug. Peter huffs out a breath.

“I don’t know about that…”

“Dude, you can hear the voices in my head! No one else can hear them. It really is a special connection.” Wade practically swoons. Peter groans internally, glad that the ‘connection’ didn’t go both ways and Wade could hear his own thoughts.

“This isn’t going to be fun for me, is it? Because now there’s like… three of you.”

“Oh no baby boy, three of me would be a lot worse than just me and my voice boxes.” Wade snickers.

Peter stares a little blankly at him, even though his mask keeps it concealed.

God, this was so not going to be fun for him.

- - -

Peter’s shoulders tense when there’s a chorus of ‘Spideyyyy’ from behind him. Three different voices, all from the same person. God, he was already done with this and it’s only been a few days. It wasn’t fair. Why’d he have to get stuck with being able to hear the boxes?

He turns to face Wade as the merc comes up to him, a slight bounce to his step like he’s having the best day of his life. Good for him, at least that made one of them.

“Hey,”

“Aw Spidey, you sound so glum.” Wade pouts, his hands falling to his own hips as he obviously gives Peter a look over.

“Rough night already.” He mumbles, and he’s not sure why because it’s not like admitting that he’s having a shit time is going to reduce the chance of Wade sticking around. It probably only serves to increase the chance of him sticking around.

“You know, you don’t have to be doing Spider-Man shit every night.” Wade offers. It’s a little startling that he’d say something like that. Wade’s not usually that kind of guy. Peter holds his breath for a second because he feels like he needs to wait it out like Wade’s got more to say before he says anything nice in return.

“But you could totally be doing Deadpool on those off nights.”

There it is.

Peter hears the yellow box snickering as he lets out a huff of breath. “You know if you weren’t such a pig, maybe you’d actually get a date.”

{Are you saying you’d date us, Spidey babe?}

“No, I’m saying someone might wanna date you.”

[Doubtful with the way we look.]

Peter’s gut rolls weirdly. He’s used to Wade hating on himself and his appearance. And yeah, he can’t say that Wade’s the best-looking guy without it being a lie. But looks aren’t everything, and he’s tried to nail that message home a lot because Wade being depressing is a real bummer. But Wade never liked listening and hearing the white box be downgrading toward Wade isn’t nice.

“Hey, some people might dig the mangled chicken flesh look. You don’t know that. But yeah, I’m pretty sure my attitude is the least of my problems Webs. Girls like boys are assholes, after all, you know that.” Wade shrugs.

[You’re right, but they like the attractive assholes.]

Peter goes to respond, feels like he should say something to get the voice to lay off when there’s a twinge at the back of his head as the sound of a scream breaks the relative silence of the night. He turns instantly and runs to the edge of the building, looking down over the edge to try and locate where the noise came from. Wade’s at his side instantly, scanning the area too.

“Sounds like it’s time to work.” He states and his voice sounds weirdly relieved.

{Oh, Spidey can give us a ride!}

Peter rolls his eyes and looks to Wade. The merc gives a shrug.

“It’d be faster.”

“Or you could leave me to do my job.”

“It’s not your job though.” Wade points out. He’s not entirely wrong, but Peter’s not about to waste time arguing with him. He huffs out a sigh and gestures to his back. Wade seems to beam and wraps his arms around Peter’s shoulders as the hero shoots a web out.

[Don’t do anything gross.]

“I wasn’t gonna.” Wade defends and Peter chooses to ignore the mere thought that maybe Wade had been thinking about something inappropriate for the box to even say anything about it. He leaps off the building and they swing through the city, both keeping their eyes and ears peeled for the source of the disturbance.

They barely get a few blocks before Wade’s patting his hand against Peter’s chest, drawing the wall-crawlers attention to that side.

“There,” Wade lets go of Peter with his arm and points over to where he’s referring. And there’s a wave of fear that washes over Peter because Jesus Christ Wilson we’re five stories high going at close to a hundred miles per hour don’t fucking let go, but it vanishes just as fast as it comes because there’s a voice in his head saying if he’s stupid enough to let himself fall, that’s on him.

Sure enough, Wade’s located two suspicious looking vans parked too close together in an alley, almost like they’re blocking off the view. Even the cops would have picked up on it. Peter changes his course and lands them atop the vans. The sudden stop from the momentum almost has him skidding off the back of the van when Wade’s weight presses down on him more and his feet loose traction. But he manages to correct himself and shrugs Wade off.

The backs of both vans are opened up and the door to the building they’re out the front of is opened up too. They’re moving what look to be some high-tech weapons that definitely aren’t legal. And there’s a small group of people to the side, bound and gagged. Obviously, they’d gotten in the way, and one of them had managed to get out a scream before they were gagged. And with the way this city is, people screaming in the dead of night is a norm, so it’s likely no one else even thought twice about it.

Wade shifts beside Peter, drawing his attention. He’s unholstered his pistol and is checking the clip. Peter reaches out instantly and grabs the barrel.

“No killing,” He hisses, and Wade rolls his eyes.

{[They’re rubber.]}

Both boxes hiss back at the same time. Peter grits his teeth and Wade nods in agreement with them. Peter huffs out a sigh and drops his hand away from the gun.

“Make sure at least one of them is able to answer some questions,” Peter says. The moment he has a nod of confirmation from Wade, he’s jumping down into the alley, instantly colliding with one of the crooks, his knuckles cracking against his guy and sending him to the ground.

Instantly the alley is full of shouting, the criminals instantly panicking as they try to figure out what to do. One of them runs for the hostages they’ve acquired, and before Peter can do anything about him, a shot goes off and he falls to the ground, clutching his leg as he cries out in pain. Deadpool’s boot meets his face a second later.

Peter turns and focuses on taking down the other men, hoping that he’s able to get to them before they try shooting anything, so no stray bullets hit any of the innocent people. Or worse they try using these high-tech weapons and end up blowing them all up.

Peter’s main concern is webbing them up before they can try to reach for a weapon, and Wade is happy to follow through with knocking them out if he doesn’t shoot them first. Surprisingly, they work well as a duo. They always do, and Peter hates to admit it most of the time. But working with Wade is never easy, even without the boxes. But now…

{That spandex could be tighter though…}

He hadn’t been paying attention with all the noise around him, but the offhand comment that’s clearly from the midst’s of an internal conversation does snap Peter out of his concentration.

[If it was any tighter, it’d probably rip when he squats.]

{Would that really be a bad thing?}

“Hey,” Peter hisses, turning to look over at Wade accusingly as he lands another punch to one of the crooks faces.

{Whoops! Forgot he could hear us.}

“Sorry Webs, your ass does look good though,” Wade mutters before he headbutts one of the guys.

“No, you’re not and no, you didn’t,” Peter growls, still glaring at Wade.

{We’re just complimenting your ass. Hey, is it as tight as it looks?}

“Shut up!” Wade growls before Peter even can, and even though Wade’s actually trying to get them to be quiet, Peter still has to believe that the voices are only Wade’s thoughts being spoken aloud.

“You’re unbelievable,” Peter shakes his head as he turns back to the two guys in front of him and jumps at them.

“It’s not me!” Wade defends.

[By account we are part of you.]

{Though we do like to say the things you never would, which is why it was fun when he couldn’t hear us. We could talk about how good he looks all we wanted.}

“Just shut up,” Peter sighs as he knees a guy in the gut before webbing him up. “You’re the most annoying things in this world.”

{That’s harsh.}

[But fair.]

“Now you know what it’s like to be me.” Wade points out.

[You actually don’t mind us, we keep your sorry ass company when he’s sick of being around you.]

{And you only want to be around him because of your crush.}

“I’m serious, just shut up!” Peter snaps because he can’t think with them going on and he’s tired of being able to hear Wade’s thoughts and whatever they have to say-

“Webs!” Wade warns and there’s the tingle at the back of his skull and his brain is out of focus now and he doesn’t move in time before he’s coping a crowbar to his shoulder.

Something definitely cracks and Peter cries out as the impact pushes his body down. A shot goes off and the guy who hit him screams in pain and fall to the ground beside him. Peter twists and kicks his leg out and knocks the guy out cold. Two more shots go off and the remaining guys drop before Wade’s bashing their heads together and they’re out too.

He moves over to Peter, dropping to one knee and his hands hover uselessly in the air like he doesn’t know what to do. Peter’s gritting his teeth, hissing with the pain that throbs through his shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” Wade mumbles and he sounds ashamed. Peter lifts his head and lets out a soft sigh. He can’t even be mad at Wade when he somehow looks so worried through the mask.

“It wasn’t you.”

“I know… but it was them and by account, me.” Wade sighs, rubbing his hand over the back of his neck. “Are you okay?”

“I dunno. I heard a crack,” Peter gets himself to his feet and goes to roll his shoulder, only for Wade’s hands coming up to his arm to stop him. Wade carefully moves his hands over and around the area, pressing his thumbs into certain spots. Peter hisses, but he doesn’t try to flinch away or anything.

“Yeah, you’ve shattered your collarbone,” Wade notes. He looks even sadder now. “I’m really sorry Webs.”

“You can help me with interrogation, cleaning this mess up for the cops to deal with and getting me at least half way home to make up for it.”

“You can come back to my place and I can wrap it for you because I know you don’t go to the hospital for that shit.”

{Oh, and he can sleep over!}

“Shut up, no I’m not insinuating that.” Wade lets out a sigh and rubs his temples. “I just want to help because it’s my fault you’re hurt.”

“Wade,” Peter pauses and lets out his own sigh. Wade’s not going to drop it and he’s going to continue to feel like shit if Peter doesn’t let him at least do that. “Fine. But we’re not done here.”

“I know,” Wade chews his bottom lip and gives a nod before they turn to the guys that Peter had left webbed up but conscious.

“Let’s get the civilians out of here first.”

“Yes, sir.”

{Kinky,}

“Only a little.” Wade hums and Peter huffs out another breath. No matter what, putting up with Wade was still going to hurt more than his broken shoulder.

- - -

Wade tries to offer to carry Peter back to his place, and the yellow box gladly supplies because then he could cop a feel while he was at it, so even though Peter was going to deny Wade that in the first place, he’s a little firmer about his rejection after the comment. But he has no plan on swinging through the city with his shoulder fucked up, so they have to resort to making the trek by foot. Which turns out to be a very long and painful journey, since the boxes don’t seem to want to shut up.

“Sorry the place is a mess, I don’t usually have company,” Wade states before he climbs into the window. Peter clicks his tongue, thinking it can’t be any worse than he expects it to be.

There are weapons laying across a lot of the surfaces though, weird stains in the carpet that are either blood, vomit or something Peter doesn’t want to think about. Honestly, nothing is tidy which is Wade’s main problem. It’s nothing like a hoarder’s place though. Things don’t look as clean as they should be but it’s not… terrible. The place doesn’t even smell bad.

“I’ll be honest, not as bad as I thought it’d be,” Peter admits as he follows Wade inside.

“What’d you expect? Blood splatters all over the walls and ceiling and rotting food in every corner?”

“Something like that.”

[There are blood stains in every piece of furniture.]

{Yeah, we wouldn’t advise sitting on anything that isn’t leather or wooden.}

“I bleed a lot,” Wade says it like Peter would have never been able to figure that out.

“I never would have guessed that Deadpool might bleed.” Peter snorts. Wade shrugs.

{The place leaves an uneasy feeling in a lot of people because of the sense of death.}

“Yeah… I can get that.” Peter hums. Wade gestures for Peter to follow him into the bathroom.

“Shirt off Spidey,” Wade says as he points to the edge of the bath.

“You know, I could have done this myself.”

“You know, it doesn’t matter how many bones you break, I’ve broken more and will always have more practice with this.” Wade counters. Peter huffs out a sigh and pulls the top half of his suit off. It hurts his shoulder like a bitch, but he refuses to show it too much.

[He’s even more toned than he looks.]

{He’s so hot,} The white box whines, like it’s somehow in physical pain from the sight of Peter.

He lifts his head, just glad that his mask is hiding his embarrassment. Wade’s just… staring at him, unmoving with a first aid kit between his hands.

“Earth to Deadpool,” Peter hums, waving his hand in front of Wade’s face. And he snaps out of his trance and moves like nothing happened.

“Hold this for me?” He asks, holding the kit out in front of Peter. He takes it and places it in his lap, opening it up and turning it toward Wade. Wade lifts his hands and lightly touches around the point of impact again.

“Yeah, that’s bruising nicely already.”

Peter turns his head a little and tries to look at his shoulder. But wade nudges his head out of the way before he fumbles around in the first aid. He picks up an alcohol wipe and pressing it to the damaged skin. Peter hisses at the slight burn as Wade dabs it over the area.

The skin isn’t broken, so he doesn’t need to properly sterilise the wound, so it’s not long before he’s grabbing a patch to press over the area. He gets out bandages next and starts unravelling it.

“Hold your arm out a little, but don’t tense too much,” Wade instructs and Peter follows easily.

It’s completely silent as Wade wraps Peter’s shoulder, keeping the bandages tight to help make sure everything heals back in place. It still hurt like a bitch, but Peter could feel his humble little healing factor already getting to work on it. He’ll be healed up in half the time a normal person would be, like always.

Peter swallows and clears his throat slightly when the silence becomes a little too stiff.

“They always quiet when you’re concentrating?” He asks just for casual conversation.

“No,” He doesn’t expect Wade to sound so serious. Was he really that worried?

{You’re uncomfortable with us and if we make you tense, you’ll be worse off so we thought we’d stay quiet. We don’t have to be if you’d like.}

“I mean at this stage what’s it matter? I’m gonna have to get used to you guys, I guess.” Peter huffs. He stays completely still even though he has the urge to try moving to lessen the tension building in his neck. He hopes Wade will be done soon so that he can.

[Yeah about that, why can you hear us again?]

“I wish I knew.” Peter shakes his head slightly.

“You haven’t been involved in any other experiments? No bugs have bitten you again? Unprotected sex?”

“Wade,” Peter wants to glare at him, but he can’t move, and his mask is in the way anyway.

{So, it was the sex then.} Even Wade snickers and Peter rolls his eyes.

“No, none of that happened. As far as I know, I’ve gone crazy and that’s why this is happening. So maybe it just one of those dreams that never seem to want to end.”

{Aw, I hope not. We haven’t gotten to take in how good you look properly yet.}

[Would be a wasted opportunity if we didn’t take this chance now then.]

“If it’s my dream, why would it even matter?” Peter raises a sceptical eyebrow.

“The better question is why are you dreaming about being half-naked in my bathroom?” Wade asks as he stands back.

And there’s no shame in the way his eyes trail down Peter’s body. Peter shakes his head and reaches up to grip over the bandage on his shoulder. He rolls his neck to the side and it cracks. Which doesn’t do much for his busted shoulder, but it does make his neck feel a little better.

“You’re right, there’s no way this is my dream.” Peter sighs before he stands up. “Thanks, by the way.”

“Don’t mention it, I owed you.”

Peter gives a small nod. He doesn’t really feel that way, but he knows he wouldn’t have been able to get the bandage as tight as Wade had and he’d be a little worse off.

[Maybe it’s our dream.]

{Yeah, since Spidey doesn’t actually like hanging around you.}

“Shut up,” Wade grumbles as he takes the first aid from Peter and closes it up before putting it away. Peter chews his bottom lip. That’s not entirely true. He… doesn’t mind Wade, and he definitely doesn’t hate the merc.

{It would make sense! Spidey actually coming to our place and willingly being shirtless around us.}

[It’s not like you’re exactly a great person to be around. In person or the suit.]

Peter watches as Wade’s hands ball into fists and he leaves the bathroom abruptly. Peter grabs the top of his suit and quickly hurries after him, feeling unsure about what to do. Peter’s not sure if Wade’s muttering under his breath or saying things back to the boxes in his head since he doesn’t actually hear Wade respond to them as they keep going.

{He does hate you.}

[And you’re utterly disgusting. Not just because you look the way you do either.]

{He’s just like the rest of his hero friends and you know it.}

[Only wants you around because you’re convenient.]

The statement makes Peter snap.

“That’s not true.” He almost snarls. Wade freezes and turns to look at him like he’d forgotten Peter was there.

“Sure, you can say things that are inappropriate at times and you might not look like a runway model, but I don’t hate you. And you’re not… you’re not that bad in general but to look at too. You’re good company and more times than not you do make me smile. You’re worth a lot more than you think, and that’s not because you’re Deadpool. If I’m completely honest I could say that I almost like you.”

There’s the longest pause of silence that has even come between the two. Peter’s heart pounds in his chest. He can’t believe he just said that. Oh God, he can’t believe himself. He swallows thickly and waits for the worst.

{Holy hell,] both boxes mutter and Wade’s straightening up again.

“You don’t hate me?” It’s not what he expects Wade to say.

“I… no. I don’t Wade.”

{Spidey likes us,}

“I’m not fond of you two. Now that I know how cruel you are to him.” Peter mutters.

[He has no idea how good that is to actually hear.]

Peter stares uncertainly at Wade for a moment before he clears his throat nervously. Wade’s playing with his own fingers, head lowered slightly like he’s embarrassed.

“I’m gonna… go.” Peter finally manages to say because the awkward tension feels like it wants to kill him.

“Yeah, okay.” Wade nods.

Peter nods as well and turns away, pulling his suit on before he makes his hasty escape out the window, leaving Wade stood in the middle of his apartment feeling like his heart is about to explode out of his chest.

Chapter Text

On average, a shattered collarbone can take around nine weeks to heal. Luckily for Peter, his slightly accelerated healing from the spider bite means he heals in half the time. Unluckily for Wade, that’s still five weeks. And while Peter’s definitely been on patrol when he’s been worse off, he can’t really swing around while his arm is in a sling, and if his collarbone doesn’t heal properly… well, he can say goodbye to being Spider-Man.

Though if Peter is completely honest with himself, that’s not even the main reason he decides to give himself a break. It helps with his healing, it truly does, but the injury wasn’t really what was stopping him. It was the fact that the last time he’d seen Wade, he somewhat stupidly admitted that he didn’t hate him, that he maybe even liked the merc.

That was embarrassing enough. Knowing it was because of the boxes that Peter had his little outburst was even more embarrassing. How could he have been goaded on by something he doesn’t even really understand?

Peter’s spent his five weeks well. Note the sarcasm, because he’s spent them thinking about Wade. Which is not what he would have wanted for himself if he had the damn thought to be bothered by it. But there was no undoing what’s already transpired.

Wade’s “boxes” just didn’t make sense to him, and he was trying his hardest to scientifically explain something he didn’t have any idea about.

Wade isn’t schizophrenic, though that would seem to be the best way to describe him to someone. Peter isn’t a psychologist or a mental health expert by any means, but Wade doesn’t show any symptoms besides hearing voices. And maybe that would be enough for some, but it’s not for Peter. And the thing is, if Peter can hear them, they cannot be hallucinations. They have to be some kind of physical body or something like that. It’s the only thing that makes sense. Not that they make sense, or that Peter hearing them makes sense. But Peter’s concluded that they have to be real, physical beings of some kind.

Peter has also figured out that the reason he can hear them is due to the scientist that he had a run-in with. Whatever chemical experiment he was doing must have triggered some kind of extra sense in him. He wished he had more information or an idea at all, but thinking back on it, the only thing he knew that happened before he started hearing the boxes was that he got hit with that chemical before he was knocked out. He tried interrogating the guy in prison, but he clammed up and refused to speak a word to Peter. He asked one of the guards to keep an ear out just in case anything slips, but Peter isn’t sure if he was really paying attention once Spider-Man asked for a contact number. Sometimes being a menace was easier than being an idol.

So, for five weeks, Peter had resigned to the fact that he couldn’t go on patrol, that he didn’t know why he could hear the boxes or what they even were, and that he was most likely going to be stuck hearing them forever. That was a daunting thought, but even more daunting was realising that he was going to hear them for as long as Wade was in his life, and he expected that to be forever. He was thinking that Wade would be in his life that long.

That was crazy to think about, so Peter stopped thinking about it.

His collarbone is healed now, and perfectly so, might he add. Wade definitely did a better job of wrapping him than he could have done himself, and he knows he needs to thank him. But Peter didn’t know that Wade would find that a top priority to talk about right now. The last conversation they’d had, Peter practically admitted he liked Wade, and then he vanished for five weeks. So, if Wade even wants to talk to him, Peter doubts he’ll want to talk about his damn collarbone.

It feels good to be out on patrol again. Peter was itching to get out, and being able to swing through the air again carelessly, feeling the rush of the wind, the adrenaline of the freefall was like taking a breath again after almost drowning. Peter loved being Spider-Man. And he loves the few shouts of joy he hears as he swings by some people, relieved to see him back on the streets after his sudden absence.

Peter contemplates going by Wade’s apartment, but he knows that the merc always seems to find him while he’s out, so he hedges his bets and goes about his normal routes for patrol. There’s nothing too dramatic going on, which makes his first night back a little easier on him. It means he can get back into the groove without instantly dealing with too many bruises or obtaining any new scars. Peter is glad for it.

As the early hours of the morning start passing by, Peter stops on a rooftop that Wade seems to show up on more often than not, usually with a bag of food in hand, or with the offer to get some. Peter sits on the edge of the roof, his feet dangling over the city below as he waits, silently hoping for the merc to show.

By the time an hour has passed, Peter realises that Wade isn’t around and, feeling embarrassed, he heads straight home. A weird feeling settles in his chest when he gets back to his apartment. A sense of disappointment that Wade didn’t show. Peter missed him. Which was also embarrassing.

- - -

“I heard you were back, but I wasn’t sure if it was the real you.” Peter perks up almost instantly, hearing Wade’s voice suddenly only a couple of paces behind him.

{But seeing that ass, can confirm that’s our Spidey.}

Peter turns on his toes, trying to offer Wade a smile he knows the merc can’t see through his mask. He was genuinely happy to see him, and he could ignore the boxes for a moment.

“Been back for almost a week, I expected to see you sooner.” Peter slightly teases, and it somehow comes out so easily. He’s also ignoring the last conversation they had as best he can, in the hopes of things feeling more normal between them.

[We didn’t think you wanted to see us.]

Peter frowns. And if the white box hadn’t said anything, there would be an extended period of silence between them. As it is, it drags a bit because Peter still waits for Wade to say something, and if he couldn’t hear the boxes, it would have been such an awful silence. How often did that happen before Peter could hear them?

“I mean… I’m happy to see Wade. I’m still on the fence about you two.” Peter admits.

“You made a pretty big deal of disappearing the moment you showed any emotion toward me.” Wade mumbles, almost sounding spiteful. Peter’s gut churns a little at the tone of his voice.

{Because he was lying, obviously.}

“I was giving myself time to heal.” Peter defends, but it’s also a deflection. And it’s clear that Wade can tell.

“You could have let me know.” Wade throws back, and Peter doesn’t have an excuse, or at least not a good one, for why he didn’t. He did have Wade’s contact after all, but it’s not as though Wade had tried contacting him either. Peter won’t point that out, because that still doesn’t excuse his reasoning.

“I didn’t want you to get the wrong idea.” Peter tries. It is hard to read tone and intent in a message, and that still isn’t a real or valid reason for why Peter acted like he couldn’t contact Wade. But, given how Wade is reacting now, he can only assume how Wade would have interpreted a message saying he was taking time off to heal the day after what he said.

[Too late.]

“This was better?” Wade asks, and it sounds awfully condescending, and Peter almost scoffs. Almost, but he keeps it to himself so that he doesn’t somehow make this situation any worse.

“I’m sorry. Okay, I said more than I wanted to that night, but I did genuinely need to heal my collarbone. I can’t be Spider-Man if I can’t use my arms.” Peter defends once more. He knows admitting it is only going to make Wade believe further that he was avoiding him.

[Keep telling yourself that.]

Peter grits his teeth. He’s really sick of the boxes already. “I’m serious. And I meant what I said that night. I don’t hate you, Wade. But the boxes are a lot to get used to, and I don’t like the shit they say.”

“They’re part of me. You can’t have me without them, Spidey.” Wade says it like there’s a little more intent to the idea of Peter not hating him. Which is a step too far right now, especially when he’s frustrated.

“I know that. But that doesn’t mean I have to agree with what they say about you. Because I don’t.” Peter clarifies. The boxes are cruel, and while Peter’s sure that Wade is used to cruel, having those voices continually regard you every moment of the day must be exhausting and painful. Peter didn’t like the idea of it.

Wade doesn’t say anything to that, and Peter hates that even the boxes go quiet too. The silence is somehow worse now. How did that flip so quickly? But Peter doesn’t know what Wade’s thinking; he never could, but at least with the voices, he knew at least somewhat the noise rattling around in his head.

[Now it’s awkward again.]

{Ask him about his arm!}

Peter rolls his eyes and is genuinely surprised when Wade clears his throat before he listens to the voice. “So… how is your shoulder?”

Peter chews the inside of his cheek a little. “…it healed fine. Thank you for what you did. It might not have without you.” Admitting it is a lot. 

Wade just nods, which doesn’t help with anything either. If Peter had known it was going to be like this, maybe he wouldn’t have bothered at all with the merc. Why bother being honest when clearly neither of them is handling it well? It’s equal parts his own fault, of course, but taking responsibility for his actions is not always his strong suit. At least when it comes to his feelings, anyway.

He felt ridiculous, he felt stupid and borderline childish. He’s had five weeks to himself, and all he was thinking about was Wade and how he missed him, and he was upset that he didn’t see him right away once he was better. That said volumes in terms of how Peter feels about Wade.

Sighing maybe a little too dramatically, Peter presses the balls of his palms against his eyes, and the lenses of his mask are in the way, which only makes him grunt further in his frustration. “Okay, this is stupid. What are we doing?” Peter laughs because he doesn’t know what else to do.

“What do you mean?” Wade sounds confused, and he probably is, but that only makes Peter want to shake him about. 

“I know I didn’t outright say it, but I know you’re not stupid. I like you. God, this is too high school, but it’s true, Wade. I like you, and I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that I can hear the voices in your head, but that hasn’t changed how I feel. And I know you feel the same way, so… what are we doing? Standing here acting like we don’t know how each other feels.” Peter drops his hands to his sides, palms slapping against his thighs.

Wade stands there still, unmoving and saying nothing. He fidgets slightly, and that’s the most Peter gets out of him.

[Say something, idiot.]

Peter holds his breath, and he realises in that moment that despite hearing the voices, he can’t hear Wade’s thoughts. Which still doesn’t make any damn sense. This whole thing is too confusing.

{Anything!}

[This is the second time he’s opened himself up to you.]

“I don’t even know who you are.” Wade blurts out. It’s not what Peter expected him to say.

{Anything but that would have been better.}

“No, he’s right. You don’t know who I am.” Peter takes in a slow breath, his hands flexing at his sides. How could he expect anything to happen between them when Wade only knows him as Spider-Man? He hasn’t seen his face, and he doesn’t know his name.

“Don’t do this lightly, Spidey. There’s no turning back once I know who you are.” Wade says in a sudden rush, his hands held out like he’s trying to calm an animal.

“Why does that sound like a threat?” Peter isn’t worried, but he does find it curious that Wade is acting this way.

“Because I’m dangerous? Did you forget who you’re talking to? The name Deadpool ring any bells?” Wade shrugs so cartoon-like that Peter almost expects a sound effect to accompany the action. 

“I’m not scared of you, or worried you’ll hurt me, if that’s what you’re trying to get at.” Peter takes a step toward Wade and lifts his hands again to his mask. There is a second of hesitation, because of a number of reasons. They’re on a rooftop, so the chances of anyone else coming across them are low, but the concern is still there, no matter the time of night.

{This anticipation is better than sex.}

Peter’s arms drop a little, and he glares, even though Wade can’t see it and it’s not directed at him.

“Shut up, you’re ruining it.” Wade hisses. Peter inhales again and follows through this time, without pausing and pulls his mask off. It feels a little bit like a dick move, given how he knows how he looks when Wade looks like the definition of mutilation.

[{Wowie.}]

Peter can’t help that he snorts slightly at the response from the boxes.

“Yeah, what they said.” Wade whistles, and Peter tries not to blush from it. But then Wade’s stepping forward and his fingers are suddenly touching Peter’s cheek, and he does recoil just enough that his stupid face heats up. This is all very new territory for him. He’s always been so careful with his identity, and while he is fairly certain he can trust Wade, that little voice of doubt in the back of his head has him on edge.

“Jesus Spidey, how fucking young are you?” Wade almost sounds offended, and Peter gawks a little because he is offended.

“I’m old enough, thanks.” Peter pushes Wade’s hand away from his face, despite the contact not bothering him.

{He looks like a baby.}

“Yeah, that’s not a number, and I’m going to need a real answer before I throw myself into a volcano.” Wade’s grimace is visible through his mask.

Peter hesitates for a moment because of that doubt in his mind. But if he’s about to tell Wade his name, does his age really matter? He can’t find out more about him from his age that his name wouldn’t be able to give. “I’m twenty-three.”

“Oh God, you’re fucking with me.” Wade moves away like he’s been physically impacted by Peter’s words. He hunches over himself with his hands resting on his knees as if he were trying to catch his breath. Peter rolls his eyes at the drama of it, but maybe he should have expected as much from the merc.

“You can’t be that much older.” Peter crosses his arms over his chest. His confidence in the statement isn’t really there, though, because it’s not like he can really gauge Wade’s age with how he looks.

“Try a baker's dozen. But there are two bakers and one of them only does a half batch because he’s lazy.” Wade’s voice is strained, and he’s still hunched over himself. And Peter figured Wade was at least a decade older than him, but not almost double his age.

“Thanks for the maths lesson, professor.” Peter scoffs because he doesn’t know what else to say.

“Fuck don’t say that. I could have actually been your teacher.” Wade suddenly straightens up, throwing his hands into the air as he turns away from Peter. He starts pacing.

[Plus, he’s into roleplay.] And Peter isn’t surprised by that at all. 

“Shut up.” Wade waves his hand past his head, as if he were trying to swat the voice away. The voice that doesn’t have a physical being, which Peter still doesn’t understand how it exists in the first place. He’s going to end up losing his mind at this rate.

“Fucking hell, baby boy, and that’s an accurate nickname, holy shit.” Wade suddenly says in a sort of outburst. Peter keeps his arms crossed defensively over his chest when Wade turns back to him and stares him down like an animal. “You’ve been doing this since you were a child.”

“I was a teenager.” Peter corrects, even though he knows that doesn’t help. But what was he meant to do? Go about his life as if the bite had never happened when he knew he could help people with his powers?

“An actual child.” Wade holds his hand up in an accusing way. Peter rolls his eyes again.

[You pined for that.] The white box points out like it’s trying to be helpful. Peter feels the sight unease in his own gut when Wade visibly shudders and recoils again into himself, as if maybe he could vanish if he curls up into a tight enough ball.

“Fuck I need to go boil my fucking skin off, I feel so gross right now.” Wade shakes his arms and turns away from Peter again, and he looks like he intends to follow through with that and leave. Peter can understand, but he also doesn’t think that Wade should be feeling the guilt he is.

“You didn’t know.” He tries to offer, and it’s clearly not helpful when Wade laughs, and he hears the boxes scoff.

“Do not act like you’re comfortable with the thought of my crypt keeper ass thinking about your ass when you were underage.” Wade deadpans, shaking his head, most likely at himself and not Peter.

“I’m not going to think about it.” Peter throws out. Because of course, that’s not okay, but no one knows Spider-Man’s age; that’s the whole point. Wade couldn’t have known, and maybe that doesn’t make what he’s said or done okay, but Peter knows if he had known, he never would have acted the way he did toward him. “Nothing happened. Despite being vulgar, you never crossed a boundary with me.” Peter shrugs.

“That does not make me feel any better.”  Wade shivers, and now his freakout is getting a little too tired for Peter. He sighs and rests his hands on his hips.

“Then stop thinking about it.” He suggests more to actually get Wade to stop talking about it than as a solution for Wade’s sake.

“I’m gonna need an actual distraction and not a suggestion,” Wade states, though he doesn’t actually look like he intends to help himself with that.

{Sex doesn’t even sound fun right now.} 

Peter clicks his tongue. “I wouldn’t have suggested that anyway.” He still doesn’t know how the boxes work, so he doesn’t know if Wade himself has already been thinking about sex, though with how he’s reacting to their age difference, he seriously doubts it, or if the box brings these ideas to light. It’s a really weird conundrum. Because if Wade was thinking about it, why is he acting so put off by Peter’s age? And if he’s not thinking about it… why is the yellow box bringing it up?

[Who said sex with you?] 

“Do you wanna have sex with me?” Wade cuts in before Peter can even think of anything to say. Because if Wade’s thinking about sex but not sex with Peter… then who and why? Everything is just so confusing when it comes to these voice boxes.

“I just said I wasn’t going to suggest that.” Peter reiterates. Even though he was thinking about it, because it keeps getting brought up. And while sex with Wade doesn’t sound bad, he’s not ready to be thinking about it right now.

“But like… at some point?” Wade presses, and usually, if he’d done something like that, Peter would have ignored him and walked away. But now, all he’s thinking about is having sex with Wade.

“…I don’t know, maybe? I mean, if we get there.” Because Peter isn’t above a one-night stand, and he’s had his fill of messing around with other suits. But he doesn’t think he could emotionally handle a simple fling with Wade. Being some kind of friends with benefits never appealed to him.

[{Holy shit.}]

“Consider me officially distracted.” Wade hums, and he doesn’t shy away from looking Peter up and down. Peter would have to be stupid not to know that Wade was pining for him and wanting to get in his pants, but usually Wade was a little more subtle.

“I thought you just said sex didn’t sound fun,” Peter notes, because he can tell that Wade’s joking.

“It didn’t until you said you were interested.” Wade plays along, and this felt… too easy and natural. It was so easy to be carefree and comfortable around Wade. Even when he was being an ass, even when he’s covered in guts and blood. Even when he’s making inappropriate jokes. Wade just always seemed to understand Peter, in a weird way that he cannot for the life of him understand himself.

“Don’t get your hopes up.” Peter hums, and usually he’d be able to hide his smirk behind his mask, but he’s fully exposed to Wade right now, so his fond smile doesn’t go unnoticed. Peter clears his throat to try to save face and tries to change the subject. “My name is Peter, by the way. Not that you asked.”

He’s not even mad that Wade didn’t ask. Showing the merc his face was a big step, and maybe Wade didn’t expect to get his name as well. But it felt fair, right? If they’re genuinely going to try to date, he needs to know his name.

“Peter,” Wade repeats, and it’s inexplicably nice hearing his name in Wade’s voice. “God, you’re pretty. With a pretty name too.”

{And a pretty ass.}

Peter scoffs and averts his gaze. He didn’t know what to do or think. They’ve admitted they’re into each other, Peter’s revealed his identity to Wade, and they’ve even mentioned having sex. Where the hell do you go from there? He really tried to get away from that thought, but he can’t ignore it. He’s definitely not ready, but he’s one hundred percent interested.

“So… now what?” Wade asks after a moment. Peter honestly was thinking the same thing. It’s late, but if this hadn’t occurred, Peter wouldn’t be thinking about heading home just yet. Though he’s not sure that continuing patrol is in the cards now.

“I don’t know. You mentioned sex.” Peter jokes because he really can’t get his mind off it. Is he really to blame, though? Wade’s hot, and he’s fucking huge, and Peter wants to know what he likes.

“Yeah, but I know neither of us are actually going to commit to that right now.” Wade shrugs, and Peter fully understands.

“Raincheck?” Peter’s still kind of joking, but he’s also not. Because if they’re going to date, it’s going to happen, and he’s sure it’ll exceed his expectations by a landslide.

“Definitely.” Wade agrees, and his stupid grin is visible through his mask, and Peter wants to hate it, but he can’t. Fuck he’s gotten soft on the merc.

“Maybe we should… go on a date first?” He suggests, a little timidly. His concern is valid when he sees Wade’s demeanour change.

[You do not want to be seen in public with this.]

Wade turns his head, and Peter’s gut churns again. He really doesn’t like how the boxes treat Wade.

“Actually, I do.” Peter almost wants to snarl at the box, but that would mean snarling at Wade. He’s not mad at Wade, but he doesn’t have anything else to direct his anger at.

Wade swallows thickly, audibly, and Peter chews the inside of his cheek. He understands that Wade’s going to have a hard time because of his appearance if they do go out, so Peter will respect his comfort levels. But he does genuinely think that going on an actual date would be something good for them.

“Just so you know, that was really hot.” Wade murmurs, still looking away from Peter.

“What?” Peter blinks, feeling like his brain is suddenly miles behind on the conversation they’re having.

“Saying that you’d go on a date with me. In public. While also getting pissy with them.” Wade shrugs like it’s no big deal and gestures to his head. Peter would have to disagree. Maybe Wade’s saying that because it makes him feel better, or maybe he’s genuinely turned on by the idea. Peter can’t know, and he’s a little nervous to ask.

“I get it. I mean… I can understand why you wouldn’t want to. But like… I think you’re attractive. Genuinely.” Peter shrugs, not knowing what else to say. It’s going to take some time for them to find their rhythm, which will only be made more difficult by the barrage of bullshit that the boxes have to say. But Peter hopes they’ll work it out.

“You’re really just making yourself even more desirable with everything you’re saying right now. What the fuck, baby boy?” Wade clicks his tongue and finally looks to Peter again. “But yeah… a date sounds good.”

Peter chuckles softly and crosses his arms over his chest. He would have understood if Wade shot the idea down. There are hundreds of other things they could have done, but a date… well, what better way for Peter to show that he wants to date Wade than y’know, dating him?

“So… what about tomorrow night?” Peter asks. It’s not like he has anything going on in his life. Besides work, and being Spider-Man. But he can take the night off for a damn date. And if something comes up and he has to rush out for Spider-Man reasons, at least Wade would get it.

“Yeah. I can do that.” Wade’s confidence has clearly fallen by the wayside. Peter doesn’t blame him.

“I’ll make a reservation or something. Do you have a preference?” Peter knows what kind of burgers and pizza Wade likes, but beyond that, he doesn’t know much about his eating habits or food preferences. It’s just never something that comes up. But he supposes he’ll learn. He’ll learn a lot about Wade going forward, and Wade will learn a lot about him.

“I’m easy.” Wade shrugs, which isn’t very helpful, but Peter has vague ideas of what places around town will be “easy”. He knows they won’t go fancy anyway, for multiple reasons.

“Cool. I’ll… text you.” He’s not asking, but he kind of is. Peter hasn’t actually dated in a little while, so he’s a bit rusty.

“Yeah.” Wade gives another shrug.

{Is this the part where you kiss?}

Peter scoffs a little and chews the inside of his cheek. Wade looks ready to apologise, but for once, Peter thinks that the box is on par with the situation in a good way. “Can’t while he’s still got his mask on,” Peter states.

Wade hesitates; Peter can see the tension in his shoulders. He steps up to the merc, but only lifts his hand to rest against Wade’s chest. “It’s okay. I know it’s uncomfortable for you.”

“But it’s only fair.” Wade lifts his hands, but he still pauses before he starts pushing the bottom of his mask up. Peter’s stomach flutters, like he’s got butterflies. He feels stupidly gleeful, like he’s about to experience his very first kiss all over again. It’s silly, and he knows it, but he knows that deep down, he genuinely has been pining for Wade for longer than he was ready to admit to himself.

Wade gets his mask up over his nose when he stops, and it’s enough for Peter, even if there’s a small part of him that wants to be able to see all of Wade’s face. Peter moves closer, pressing their bodies together as he wraps his arms around the back of Wade’s neck. And the merc’s hands fall to Peter’s hips, gripping him almost cautiously.

“I hate how long I’ve wanted this, knowing that- well, y’know?” Wade grimaces, clearly regretting instantly that he even brought it up. Peter clicks his tongue and shakes his head.

“We’re not going to think about it.” He’s quick to say it because he doesn’t want Wade to continuously be antagonising over it. It’s done, it’s the past, and again, nothing happened. Peter is fine; he’s not uncomfortable at all.

“Yeah. Sure.” Wade nods, but the waver in his voice says more than Peter thinks he wants it to.

In the hopes of moving beyond it more easily, Peter tips his head slightly and leans into Wade. He does have to arch his back a little to get the extra height, but Wade meets him eagerly. And Peter definitely hasn’t imagined kissing Wade like this. It’s always been in his head that Wade would be rough and messy but practised. Overexcited and fueled by hormones.

But it’s nothing like that. Despite the texture of Wade’s lips, they’re soft, and he doesn’t push. It’s a simple kiss, and it does linger for a moment, but not too long. It’s way better than what Peter could have imagined, and way better than his first kiss.

Peter exhales slowly when he pulls back, not moving away too far, too fast. He exists in the moment, with Wade’s hands firmly on his waist, and the lingering warmth of his lips against his own.

“I’ll see you tomorrow night,” Peter murmurs as he finally untangles his arms from Wade’s neck. The merc’s grip stays for a moment longer before his hands come away from Peter. He longed to see Wade’s eyes, to see the emotion in them, but he knew he had to be patient. One step at a time.

“Yeah.” Wade’s voice is breathy, like he’s still trying to grasp what’s just happened. Peter gets it. He smiles and leans up to press another kiss to Wade’s lips. Brief and quick, but it still makes Peter’s insides somersault.

“Night, Wade.” Peter steps back and pulls his mask back on. He feels Wade’s gaze on him as he moves away, and his stupid heart beats faster in his chest.

“Night, Peter,” Wade responds, just before Peter shoots out a web and swings from the building.

His body feels warm and fuzzy for the rest of the night.