Chapter Text
Wade blew his blond hair out of his eyes with a frustrated huff as his dad handed him another box from the moving van. He was moving from Canada to some run-down, but homely, neighborhood in New York, his mother's death had troubled his father greatly, causing him to turn to alcohol and take out his frustrations on 12 year old Wade. Wade's father had decided they needed to get out of the house that reminded him of his passed wife, Wade missed his home, but he had no say. He began carrying the box up the walk to his new home, it was a small, 2 story building, the same floor plan as all the rest of the houses on his street, the houses were all very close together. Wade took the first box inside and rushed out when his father's harsh voice called him back to get another. When he made it back out he saw a kind looking old woman saying hello to his father, a small boy holding her hand, he looked at Wade shyly as he approached. His eyes were big and brown, his hair a wavy darker brown, he looked no older than 7 or 8, a small, tattered stuffed rabbit was in a tight grip to his chest, he looked down quickly as Wade approached. His father introduced himself and took a box inside the house, leaving wade with the older woman and the boy. She leaned slightly “I'm May, this is Peter, we're your neighbors,” she paused and tugged Peter's hand gently, causing him to smile softly at Wade. “What's your name?” She asked him. Wade bit his lip and looked back at his house, then back at May. “My name's Wade,” he said softly as May smiled “Welcome to the neighborhood, Wade.” Wade smiled at her kindness and jumped when his father scolded him from the open door of the house, Wade scrambled and grabbed another box. May frowned slightly “Come play with Peter sometime Wade, I'd love to make you two some cookies.” Wade nodded quickly as May and Peter walked away and he hurried into the house.
Peter looked back at the taller boy as he took another box into the house. May opened the door and Peter ran into the front room quickly, peeking out the window to keep watch on the boy named Wade. May smiled at him softly and went to fix dinner. Peter pulled his rabbit close “Bunny, do you think we could make friends with him?” He asked the stuffed toy quietly, pointing to Wade, who was grabbing another box. Peter made the rabbit nod and he smiled “I hope so.” He pushed his face closer to the glass to watch Wade as long as possible. That night Peter watched Wade take in all the boxes from the moving van. Wade's father didn't come outside again that night. When Peter was finally sent to bed, he nervously peeked out the window when he heard yelling from his neighboring house. After a few minutes the yelling ceased and the window across from his lit up with light. Peter ducked as he watched Wade storm in, closing the door and locking it behind him. He was holding his face and his body was shaking. Peter frowned as he realized Wade was crying. “That poor boy,” he pulled his rabbit toy up, moving him up to have a view of Wade, “I hope he wants a friend..” Peter frowned to himself when he heard more yelling, and a few moments later Wade turned of his light. Peter fell asleep that night worried about Wade, now determined to befriend him.
After a few days Wade was settled in his new house, aside from his father's regular drinking and cruel words, Wade loved his new house. It was a warm, summer morning, Wade stepped down the stairs quietly, wincing at the soft creak. He hurried into the kitchen and grabbed a small pack of crackers from the counter, this was his breakfast, he hurried to the small back yard to eat. Before he had even opened the door all the way he saw the neighbor boy, Peter, sitting in the neighboring back yard, he was laying on his back in the patchy grass, moving the rabbit plush in the air above him. Wade quirked his brow, 'What is he doing?’ Wade thought as he closed the door quietly. He stepped down the stairs as quietly as possible, sneaking over to the fence that separated his and Peters back yard. He was close enough to hear Peter talking to his toy. “I'm sure he'll come outside soon Bunny, don't be sad. Aunt May said we need to invite him over for cookies.” Peter moved the rabbit back and forth a bit, a look of panic took over Peter's young face “What if he doesn't like cookies, Bunny?” He sat up quickly, now facing away from Wade. Wade smiled softly at the boy “I don't know who you're talking about,” he began suddenly, causing Peter to jump, “but I really love cookies.” He grinned as Peter turned around. Peter moved Bunny gently and he nodded at whatever the toy had “said.” Peter stood himself up as Wade opened his crackers, he walked to the fence cautiously, keeping enough distance that Wade couldn't reach him. His wide brown eyes met Wade's blue ones, Wade bit a cracker loudly, “What's the matter, cat got your tongue?” He teased gently. Peter looked scared, almost sad. “Am I that handsome?” Wade asked, taking another bite of his cracker, Peter's face scrunched in confusion and a soft blush flushed his cheeks when he got what Wade had said. “N-no… Wade you've got a bruise on your cheek.” Peter pointed at it and then looked away. Wade stopped chewing and frowned, “Oh.” Peter nodded. “What happened?” Peter pried gently, taking a step closer to the fence. Wade took a bite of another cracker nonchalantly, “Nothing.” He looked away and leaned against the fence. “It's rude to ask about 'owies,’ Peter.” Wade snipped at him. Peter looked hurt for a moment and clutched the rabbit to his chest. “Sorry.” Wade frowned, feeling bad at hurting the younger boys feelings.
They stood in silence before the silence was interrupted by May from the back door. “Oh! Hello Wade! Would you like to come in for some cookies?” Peter looked back at him with a gentle smile. Wade shook his head slightly and called back to her “I probably shouldn't, my dad might get mad.” Wade flinched softly, 'He'd be mad to hear I said that.’ He thought. May frowned knowingly and nodded, “Some other time then!” A false cheer was in her voice as she returned into the house. Peter put his hand over his mouth and whispered something to Bunny, his big brown eyes on Wade the whole time. Wade quirked a brow “What?” Peter looked at his rabbit, as if asking it a question before he responded, “Did your dad get mad, and that's why you've got a bruise on your face?” Wade scowled at him immediately. “Say, Peter. Why aren't you out playing with any of your friends?” Peter scowled back “I was, until you interrupted us.” Wade smirked mischievously “You and who?” He looked around with mock curiosity “there's no one else here.” Peter held up Bunny, “Me and Bunny.” Wade rolled his eyes “Pfft, Bunny isn't alive, he's a toy.” Wade made a reach for Peters toy and snatched it from him. “Wade!” Peter cried out and reached back for the rabbit. Wade pulled it back and up, using his height as an advantage, Peter made a noise in his throat and his eyes started to water, “Wade don't. Bunny's my only friend.” He held back a gentle sob. Wade felt a pang of guilt and sadness and he lowered the toy back down, he jumped over the small 4 foot fence and handed it back to the teary eyed Peter, “I'm sorry, Peter.” Peter took it and hugged his toy tightly. A tear rolled down his cheek and Wade frowned “Petey… I'm sorry. I don't have any friends either.” Peter sniffled and looked up at him, “You don't?” Wade shook his head. Peter looked down at his toy and nodded as if it had said something, “We could be friends,” he looked up hopefully, Wade felt another pang when those big puppy-dog eyes looked at him. “I mean, if you wanted.” Peter wiped his face and looked away, casting a quick glance at Wade. Wade smiled “Of course.”
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Wade and Peter grew closer every day, learning a lot about each other. Wade learned that Peter liked to look at the stars, and wanted to be a scientist like his dad, who was dead. Peter learned that Wade loved captain America, and cats, he left scraps out on the back porch for any strays. They'd meet every morning and talk all day, playing games like hide and seek, tag and many more. Peter had become aware of Wade's father abusing him, but he knew better to speak of it. Wade did come over for cookies, and May sent him home with more because he was “a growing boy and needed a lot of food.” Wade came to enjoy Peters company, he was only 8 but he was smart, wise, if you will. He was funny and made sure to hug Wade every night before he went inside his house. Wade didn't show it but he loved the kind affection Peter showed him, they were easily best friends.
Time passed, Wade had turned 13 and Peter was nearly 9, school had started, Wade was no longer in elementary school but he and Peter would still go on walks through the neighborhood. One night Peter invited Wade to have a sleep over, Wade was worried his dad would say no, but he asked anyways. Surprisingly his father allowed it, and at 6:30pm exactly Wade met Peter where their fences ended.
Peter was so excited he grabbed Wade's hand and lead him inside excitedly, Wade of course, held onto Peter's hand tightly. Peter showed Wade his room, pointing out his favorite things, Bunny (who now spent a lot of time in Peter's bedroom) his telescope, and his favorite books. Wade grinned and held tightly onto Peter's hand as the younger boy bubbled with excitement. That night May made a big dinner with chocolate cake for dessert, May promised Wade he could have the leftovers as Peter grabbed his hand again. Peter grabbed his telescope and lead wade downstairs and outside. Peter showed Wade as many constellations as they had time for before May called them in, to go to bed.
Wade laid on Peter's floor next to his bed in a sleeping bag May had provided. Peter was chattering softly about the stars when he stopped suddenly. “Wade?” Wade sat up “What's up Petey?” Peter sat up as well, a big grin on his face “Wade I've got a present for you.” Wade scrunched his brow in confusion as Peter stood up, “A gift? What for?” Peter pulled open a drawer of his desk and dug around for a moment, “Just because, that's what friends do.” he replied matter of factly. Wade smiled softly at Peter as he turned around, his hands behind his back, “Close your eyes,” Wade did as he was told and Peter knelt on his sleeping bag, setting something in Wade's now outstretched hand. “Open,” Wade's eyes flashed open, looking at Peter before looking down at a little plastic figurine in his hand. He turned it over in his hand in awe. “It's a Captain America toy, I remember one time you said you liked Captain America and so I thought that would be a good gift. I saved three weeks allowance for it, and-” he babbled on before he was cut off with a hug from Wade. “Thank you Petey,” his voice was a near whisper as he hugged Peter tighter. Peter grinned and hugged him back, relishing the warmth of Wade's embrace. Peter giggled as Wade let him go “You're welcome!” Wade laid back and held the toy up, admiring it. Peter laid next to him, his head resting slightly on his shoulder, “The shield comes off too, and he's fully posable!” Peter was bubbling more, Wade looked at him and smiled as Peter took the doll and made him strike a pose. Wade felt a special warm feeling in his stomach and he let his cheek rest on the top of Peter's head as the boy babbled on and on about the toy. Peter yawned but kept talking on about the toy, Wade found his eyes getting heavy and he soon fell asleep to Peter talking.
When Wade woke up, Peter was curled up next to his side, the Captain America toy still in his grip. Wade smiled softly and sat up carefully, although he was gentle Peter's eyes still fluttered open and he looked at Wade with heavy eyes. “Good morning Petey” Wade smiled at him, Peter sat up and rubbed his eyes while he yawned out what sounded like “morning” he looked down at his hand and handed up the toy back to Wade. “Oh yeah, here” Wade took it and smiled wider. Peter stood up and motioned for Wade to do the same “Come on, aunt May probably has breakfast fixed.” Wade followed him downstairs and indeed breakfast was fixed.
A few days passed and Peter heard a lot of yelling coming from Wade's house. He heard Wade yelling back at his father, some silence and a yelp. Peter bit his nail and slipped out the back door, he heard better. They were arguing about something. Peter picked up a few words like 'Canada’, 'fuck’, and a few other fowl words. After more yelling and a long while of silence, Wade came out the back door. Peter slipped over the fence when he noticed Wade's nose was bleeding “Oh Wade are you okay?” Wade let out a choked sob and hugged Peter tightly. Peter hugged back, dismissing the worry of getting blood on his sweater. Wade cried softly for a minute before he pulled away and wiped his nose, wincing. “P-Petey.. I've got bad news..” he hiccuped, Peter felt worry rise in his chest “What is it?” He chewed his lip. Wade looked up at him, his blue eyes red and puffy from crying, one swelling up a purple colour, his slip was split, too. Peter felt his eyes prick with tears as the pause widened. Wade's eyes squeezed shut for a moment “My dad, he says we're moving Pete, back to Canada.” He sniffled. Peter felt his body go numb, tears rolling down his cheeks, Wade hugged him again and Peter held on tighter than he thought he could. They cried together for a moment before Wade hears his dad yell. “Petey I gotta go back inside or he'll-” he trailed off. Peter nodded and hugged him tight before letting go, he watched Wade walk back into the house. Peter sat in the grass and heard more yelling from Wade's house, he cried a while more before he was called back inside by Aunt May.
Wade had packed up and was preparing to leave three days later. Peter met him in the backyard for the last time and they hugged tightly. “Will you write me letters?” Peter's voice was a close whisper, he felt Wade nod against his shoulder. He squeezed his eyes shut tight and hugged Wade. Wades dad honked the horn of the moving van and Wade pulled away slowly. “I'll come back, don't worry Petey.” Wade let his arms fall to his side's and he looked to the front of the house and back at Peter, he pulled him into the cover on the house before kissing Peter's forehead. “Bye Petey.” Peter bit back a sob as Wade walked away. He watched the van drive away, Wade wasn't able to look at him. Peter cried himself to sleep that night.