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Peter Parker had never been one to dwell on his past. As Spiderman, he had always tried to keep moving forward, pushing past his own fears and insecurities to save the city he loved. But every now and then, something would trigger a flashback or a memory that would send him spiraling back into the darkness.
It had happened tonight, during a routine patrol with Deadpool. They had been working together for a few months now, and what had started as a purely physical thing had slowly blossomed into something more. They were dating, officially, and Peter had never been happier.
Until now.
They had come across a group of thugs robbing a convenience store, and for some reason, the scene had triggered a memory from Peter's childhood. He remembered a similar incident from when he was very young, one that had ended with his uncle Ben getting shot.
He couldn't shake the memory, no matter how hard he tried. He had gone completely silent, frozen in place, as the robbers had escaped and Deadpool had tried to get his attention.
Now they were back at Wade's apartment, and Peter was curled up on the couch, barely even blinking as his mind churned with memories and fears.
"Hey," Wade said softly, taking a seat beside him. "You want to talk about it?"
Peter shook his head, still staring off into space.
"Okay, that's fine," Wade said, running a hand through Peter's hair. "We don't have to talk about it. But you need to do something, Spidey. You're scaring me."
Peter let out a shuddering breath, the weight of the memories crushing him. He felt like he was drowning.
"I'm fine," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just need some time."
"I'm not leaving you like this," Wade said firmly, pulling Peter into his lap. "You know me, I'm not exactly the poster boy for mental health, but I know enough about panic attacks to know you need someone to ground you. So that's what I'm going to do."
Peter didn't resist, sinking into Wade's hold like he was a lifeline. He tried to calm his breathing, but it was like his body was betraying him, suffocating him.
"You're safe," Wade whispered, rubbing circles on Peter's back. "I've got you. No one's going to hurt you."
The words were reassuring, but they weren't enough. Peter felt like he was trapped in his own head, the memories cascading over him like waves.
Wade must have sensed how far gone he was, because he started humming softly, a familiar tune that Peter recognized instantly.
It was a lullaby Aunt May used to sing to him when he was a kid, something simple and sweet that always calmed him down. Peter tried to focus on the melody, on the way Wade's chest vibrated against his cheek as he hummed.
It was working, slowly but surely. The memories were starting to recede, the panic easing up.
"You're doing great," Wade said softly. "Just keep breathing with me, okay?"
Peter nodded, his eyes slipping shut. He didn't know how long they stayed like that, with Wade cradling him and humming softly, but eventually the panic attack subsided.
When Peter finally opened his eyes again, he felt drained, like he had run a marathon. But he also felt a sense of gratitude towards Wade that he had never felt before.
"Thank you," he said quietly, looking up at him.
"Don't mention it," Wade said, his voice gentle. "Do you want to talk about what happened?"
Peter shook his head. "Not really."
"Okay," Wade said, nodding. "But just so you know, I'm always here if you need to."
"I know," Peter said, feeling a small smile tug at his lips. "I'm lucky to have you."
Wade grinned back at him, something soft and genuine in his expression that made Peter's heart skip a beat.
"Speaking of which," Wade said, standing up and offering his hand. "How about we go to bed? I could use some cuddles."
Peter felt a warmth spread through him at the idea, grateful for the chance to feel safe and loved in Wade's arms.
"Yeah," he said, taking Wade's hand. "That sounds good."
They made their way to Wade's bedroom, crawling under the covers and snuggling close. It didn't take long before Peter was drifting off, the echoes of the panic attack fading away into the warm and safe embrace of his boyfriend.
He knew the memories would still be there come morning, but for now, he had Wade. And that was enough.