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Max had no idea how he and Kyle had managed to convince Peter to go clubbing for his 21st birthday. Peter was kind, helpful, pure. The type of person who would never even think about underage drinking. Max did feel slightly guilty as Peter was a pushover but he decided that Peter had to experience bar culture at least once in his life. And now, Max was waiting with their friend group for Peter to arrive. They talked to eachother, mainly about how excited they were to witness Peter’s first drink. As they were talking, the man in question rounded the corner.
“Hey guys!” Peter called, “Sorry I’m late.” He had cleaned up slightly. He wore suit pants and a simple white top.
“You clean up nicely.” Jamie smiled at him. Peter blushed and murmured a thanks.
“Ok,” Emma came up behind them and kissed Max on the cheek, “Are we ready to go?”
She got a round of varying responses that all chalked up to a yes and they made their way to the line outside the bar. The wait was long and the five of them started talking. The five in their group contained Max who was a major in bioengineering. He liked to believe he made the best jokes in the group. Next was his stunning girlfriend Emma. She was a redhead and had the most dazzling pair of green eyes that reminded him of the forest. She was studying classical civilization. A poor choice if you asked Max, but Emma loved it, so Max was happy for her. Next was Jamie. She was Polish and still learning English but incredibly smart. She was getting a doctorate in Physics. It seemed like pure torture to Max, but the blonde was always an overachiever. The next person was Max’s best friend. Kyle. He was also majoring in bioengineering and extremely laid back about everything. And last but not least was Peter. The personification of a cinnamon role, and yet he was getting doctorates in bioengineering and physics. He was probably the nicest person Max had ever met and always made sure to help people even though he was swamped with work from taking two doctorates. The thought made Max want to cry. How Peter survived was a mystery.
After talking for a while, they made it to the front door. They gave their IDs to the bouncer before being waved through. Peter scrunched his brows and Max assumed he was confused by how guarded it was. As soon as they stepped in, they were bombarded with flashing lights and people dancing. Max looked to Peter to see his reaction. Instead of being overwhelmed, he just looked confused. Almost immediately, Emma pulled them to a bar, telling Peter she would order for them. Peter just shrugged as she called out for the bartender. Once he arrived, Emma started ordering.
“Can we get five shots of batganba?” Emma asked. The bartender nodded and went to make the drinks.
“What’s a batganba?” Peter asked. Emma laughed, not unkindly.
“It’s a drink with tequila, lime juice and cola.” Julie told him. Peter just nodded, looking slightly mystified. Soon, the bartender returned with their drinks and everyone took a shot glass each, thanking the man.
“Wait,” Kyle said, “Let’s let Peter take his shot first so we can see how he takes it!”
They all agreed to his idea immediately. As much as he loved Peter, seeing his face scrunch up in disgust would be incredibly funny. Peter also seemed to have a problem with it as he rolled his eyes but picked up his glass. He quickly downed it and Max stared at him. Peter made no face. He didn’t even react to the drink. In fact, he seemed to just look more confused. Everyone stared at him.
“Peter? Are you alright?” Jamie asked, clearly as concerned as Max was.
“Yes?” Peter just scrunched his brows more, “This tasted weird. It didn’t burn.”
Everyone shared a look. While Max didn’t drink much, he knew that batganas’s were light, but his face still scrunched in disgust as the alcohol burnt his throat when he first tried one.
“Dude,” Max said, “These are meant to burn slightly. Are you sure yours didn’t?”
Peter nodded, “Yeah, it just tasted like expired lemonade.”
“That’s still pretty disgusting,” Emma noted, “But why don’t we try ours just to make sure they’re not… made wrong.” Max nodded and soon they were clinking glasses and taking their shots. The light burn made Max shudder at it. He looked around and saw the others wincing at the drink as well.
“Pete, that did burn.” Emma told him. Peter just shrugged.
“Maybe I need something stronger.” Peter announced. Immediately protests sprang up. It was his first time drinking, so he definitely shouldn’t try something strong.
“Hey!” Peter called out, waiting for the bartender to come to them, “Could I get a shot of everclear, without the snake venom?”
That immediately concerned Max. Everclear was one of the strongest alcohols there is. He stayed firmly away from it for a reason. And without snake venom? What was Peter talking about? The bartender seemed to be worried as well.
“Are you sure, kid?” The Bartender asked, eyebrows raised, brushing over the part about snake venom “Everclears really strong. You want it just straight up?” Peter nodded, as if nothing was wrong with that sentence. The bartender cast one look at Peter before going to grab the drink.
“Peter, this isn’t a good idea.” Jamie said.
“Please guys, just this one, I promise.” Peter turned his bambi eyes on them and Max knew he wouldn’t be able to refuse.
“Fine,” grumbled Max, not believing he was agreeing with this, “Just one.” Peter nodded and the bartender came back with his drink. Without hesitation, Peter picked up the glass and downed it. He shuddered slightly before putting the shot glass back down. Everyone stared at him.
“Peter,” Kyle asked, “Are you ok?”
“Yes, it burnt properly.” Peter said as if it were an everyday occurrence.
Max was shocked. How could innocent Peter Parker be drinking one of the strongest alcohols in the world and not feel anything other than a ‘proper burn’. Max openly gaped at Peter. After a moment, everyone recovered from their surprise. They all deemed it a subject to completely forget about.
The next two hours went by in a blur. Everyone was dancing and drinking, but they unanimously agreed to not split up. Eventually, they found themselves at the same bar seats they were in when they first entered. Max was nursing a beer while everyone else seemed to be sipping on their own drinks. True to his word, Peter hadn’t ordered another strong drink for the rest of the night.
“This place is so nice.” Peter noted, “Are all places around here like this?” It really wasn’t the nicest. The floors were dirty and plastic cups were littered everywhere.
“it’s really not. It’s filthy.” Max told him. Peter scanned the room in surprise.
“There’s some dirt, I guess. But seriously, there’s no blood stains. No unconscious people lying across the ground. And, everyone runs to the washroom if they are going to puke. Also, where is their fighting ring? Everything is so… tame.” He seemed genuinely in awe and that worried Max. Peter could not stop making him concerned tonight it seemed.
“Peter. How many movies have you seen where bars are like that? Seriously? Why would that be a standard for a good club? That shit is so overexaggerated, it’s not even funny. It’s not something that should be used as a reference,” Emma snorted, “Men.”
That made more sense. Peter had probably seen bars from his films and decided that that was what bars were like. Peter opened his mouth to respond but suddenly he was cut off by a loud siren. Almost immediately, sprinklers started pouring down from above.
They all grabbed onto one another and shuffled out of the bar. Everyone around them was groaning, complaining about a ruined night.
“What happened?” Peter asked, shaking the water out of his hair. It reminded Max of a puppy.
“Someone pulled the alarm.” Emma pointed to a man who was being lectured by a bouncer. Peter tilted his head.
“Why aren’t they being beat up?” Peter asked the question so innocently it took Max a moment to process.
“It’s not like the movies, Pete. You know this.” Kyle told Peter who nodded, eyebrows still scrunched. Max understood. Going to a bar in and of itself is overwhelming. But now, with the fire drill… even Max was starting to feel slightly panicked. Emma suggested they leave and everyone agreed. They wandered the streets in search of another bar but all the ones already had stupidly long lines with the people from the bar they were just at. They walked through Manhattan slowly making their way to the shadier part. When they turned a corner onto another dark and grimy street, Peter let out a gasp.
“What is it?” Kyle glanced back at Peter.
“Just realized we’re near my friend’s bar.” Peter said, as if it was an old fact.
“Wait? What? Your friend owns a bar?” Max stopped in his tracks. He turned back to Peter, seeing the boy rub the back of his neck sheepishly.
“Shit. I shouldn’t have said that.” Peter amended.
“No, which one is it?” Emma probed.
“Look, he owns a bar, but it’s really not a place we want to hang out in.” He quickly rushes to fix whatever mistake he thought he made. Max rolled his eyes.
“Which one is it?” Jamie asked, her eyes narrowed at the birthday boy. Peter considered them for a hot moment.
“That one.” He finally said pointing to an old building with a door. A man stood in front and even from far away, Max could see the mussel bulging from his arms. The sign above said “Sister Margaret’s School for Wayward Children” but it had been crossed out and someone had graffitied ‘HELLHOLE’ under it. It didn’t particularly seem welcoming but before they could talk, Kyle was bounding down the street to the building forcing everyone to follow. Peter started stammering out protests but once he realized his words were useless, he sighed.
“Guys, wait.” He said once they were closer to the bar. The bouncer looked up in interest. Max, being the nice friend he was, called out to the others.
“People, let’s just hear what Parker has to say, ok?” His words caused groaning but everyone looked at Peter.
“I’ve accepted that I’m not escaping going here. But, please, let me do the talking to start with. Do not start fights. And if you feel uncomfortable, just tell me and we’ll leave, ok?” Peter seemed so sincere it made Max’s stomach churn slightly. They all nodded and Peter seemed a little more relieved. They walled up to the bouncer as there was no line, getting their IDs out. The bouncer looked confused before noticing Peter.
“Hey Pete, they with you?” The bouncer asked, nodding his head towards the group.
“Yup,” Peter sighed, “they’re good.”
The bouncer nodded and opened the door. Before Max could even question anything that had just happened, something came flying towards them at high speed. At the last second Peter caught it. It was a glass. Holy shit. Just stepping through the front door, they nearly got attacked.
“Hey!” Peter shouted, “You know how much Weasel hates broken things.” Peter waved the glass in the air.
“Baby boy!” The person who threw it yelled back, “You’re here!” The man bounded over, picking Peter up and tossing him over his shoulders. As if by instinct, Peter wrapped his leg around the man’s neck, tackling him to the ground. Peter pinned the man down, both of them laughing. Miraculously, the glass in Peter’s hand never broke. They stood up, still laughing as they brushed themselves off. Casually, Peter turned to the man behind the counter.
“Weasel!” And with that shout, Peter tossed the glass in his hand to the man who caught it. Jamie let out a strangled gasp. Peter turned to them.
“Oh my god! I completely forgot you guys were here!” Peter pulls the man he tackled forward, “This is Wade.” Max looked at the man. He wore full head to toe red leather with black accents and white eye holes. Holy shit. This was Deadpool. Who Peter had no problem roughhousing. The others seemed to come to the same conclusion as they all gasp at the same time.
“You’re Deadpool.” Emma stated, crossing her arms. But Max saw her eyes flick to Peter in worry.
“The one and only.” Deadpool did a curtsey which Peter smacked him. Max stifled a gasp. Peter was for sure dead. Instead Deadpool just ruffled his head, “I need a drink, what do you want Petey Pie?”
“A Moaning Madhouse.” Peter said with a straight face. No way that was a drink. Max nearly burst out laughing but Deadpool just nodded.
“And what about y’all?” Deadpool asked, turning his attention back to the group. Max just stared blankly. Were all the drinks here named weirdly? He had no idea what to order. What were the drinks like here?
“They’re light drinkers.” Peter told Deadpool, “Get them all Nipple Rubbers with normal gin. No ant gin.”
Deadpool nodded before disappearing to the bar.
“Peter. What the fuck?” Emma stared at their supposedly innocent friend. Peter was about to answer when a tall man came up behind them. The man was built like a wall and even through his red (what was vigilantes and red?) suit Max could feel his glare. Before anyone could warn Peter, the man put his arm around Peter’s shoulders. But that wasn’t even the most shocking thing. Peter leaned into Daredevil. Max had his mouth hanging open by now, he was sure of it.
“Hey Pete.” Daredevil ruffled Peter’s hair, “How’s it going?”
“Fine,” Peter sighed, “My friends and I are celebrating my 21st so we went to a bar.”
“You chose here?” Daredevil’s shock was plain. And Mat couldn’t bring himself to be surprised.
“Of course not.” Peter shrugged, “Someone pulled the fire alarm at the other one so we were kicked out.”
“Did you do it?” Max was affronted on Peter’s behalf at Daredevil’s question. Peter would never do something illegal. Maybe. Probably. Right?
“What else do you expect from Petie Pie?” Deadpool came back with a drink in his hand. Peter snatched it from the mercenary's grip, downing it in one go. Peter made a face as the man from behind the bar came out holding a tray of four identical drinks.
“These are for your friends, right kiddo?” The man asked, clearly bored.
“Yep, thanks Weasel.” Peter smiled and gestured for them to take the drink. Hesitantly, they did so. Weasel (as Peter had called the man) started talking to Deadpool. Peter was staring at them expectantly. Max shared a look with Emma, Kyle and Jamie. God, they were really doing it. Emma went first, downing the drink. Her body shuddered and she started coughing. She waved Max off as he tried to help. Kyle went next and had a similar reaction. Max decided to try it. Why not at this point. He tipped the drink into his mouth and instantly wanted to recoil. It burnt more on the way down than any drink he had ever had. As soon as he swallowed, he started coughing as well. That shit was strong. Jamie went next and she also gagged and coughed.
“Shit Pete, what’s in that?” Kyle asked. Peter just looked at them stunned.
“No clue. But it’s the weakest drink here, how could you not handle it?” Peter looked genuinely confused. That was the weakest drink? It hurt so much going down, Max didn’t even want to think about anything even just a tiny bit stronger. It was clear that the others thought that as well.
“The fights are about to start.” Weasel told Deadpool and Peter. They both lit up and Deadpool ran off into the midst of the bar chaos. Peter turned his full attention to them, a massive smile on his face.
“C’mon! This will be great!” Before he could react, Peter grabbed Max’s wrist, pulling him and, subsequently, the rest of their friends onto barstools on the edge of the crowd. A shrill whistle sounded and the crowd parted, leaving Max with a clear view of a red circle drawn out in the middle of the floor. A man stepped up and another followed. The crowd immediately started counting down from three, Peter joining in. As soon as the countdown stops, the two men launch themselves at each other. The fight is loud, rough and disgusting. The sickening crack of bone would bring cheers. It horrified Max that people could find this interesting. By the looks of the others' faces, they thought so too as they watched the fight with morbid curiosity, flinching at every injury inflicted.
Peter on the other hand seemed to be having the time of his life. He cheered with the crowds, laughing at random moments. He had another drink in his hand and was nursing it as the fight stretched on. Max couldn’t believe Peter found fun in… all this. It was the opposite of the shy, nerdy, quiet boy he knew.
Eventually, the fight came to an end. One of the men was slumped on the floor while the other was soaking in praise from the crowd. As soon as the winner was announced, people started cheering and booing as money was exchanged. No one seemed slightly concerned for the man who had lost. He was slumped on the ground and hadn’t moved for a while. It worried Max. Max turned to Peter to see his reaction to the winner. Peter just sat there, a small smile on his face. It seemed almost fond. He seemed neither disappointed nor excited about the outcome. As Peter took another sip of his drink, the bartender from earlier, Weasel, came over.
“Pete, you’re on clear up duty.” The man said before disappearing.
“Sorry guys, I gotta go.” Peter sighed, pushing himself off the bar chair. He made his way to the middle of the fight ring to the man who lost. Max watched in shock as Peter bent down and grabbed the man's wrist before announcing that he was alive. Some people cheered while others jeered at the declaration. As if it were natural, Peter grabbed the man’s arms and dragged him to a corner, propping him up like a ragdoll. Peter then strolled back to the rest of the group, wiping the blood from the man on his trousers. It made Max want to gag.
“How are you,” Emma for once seemed to have a difficult time speaking, “How are you ok with this?”
“It’s not that bad.” Peter shrugged, “No one died and everyone is having fun. Also, the majority of these people are mercenaries, they’re used to this.” Peter said it so flippantly, so carelessly, it made Max’s skin crawl. Before they could question him more, a voice cut through the bar.
“Alright, you fuckers!” Weasel yelled, “Job list is posted.”
Peter’s eyes widened and he somehow managed to usher the group to the edge of the room before a brawl broke out. It was terrifying watching so many people fight one another. There were screams and blood spurted out from the pile. After what seemed like hours, the fight ended and everyone was walking around like nothing happened. Some were smiling while others grumbled. The only thing that was different was the mangled body in the center. With a disgusting realization, Max saw that the boy was Deadpool's. Peter seemed to notice at the same time as him.
“That idiot.” Peter grumbled, walking to the broken corpse. Peter then kicked it. When he got no reaction from the vigilante, Peter dragged the body to a backroom. Max watched the door his friend just walked through, waiting for him to emerge. When he finally did, he was covered in blood. Surprisingly, that was the last straw for Max.
“I want to go home.” Max declared.
“Yeah, me too.” Emma agreed and soon everyone was ready to leave.
“Peter!” Kyle called out. Peter jogged to them, “We’re leaving, you wanna come with?”
“I’m fine, don’t worry, you guys go.” Before this evening, Max would have never believed that, but now… well, he’d seen a whole new side of Peter Parker. It made him wonder how much he didn’t know about the boy’s life.