Chapter Text
Peter’s head whipped around the laboratory, smoke clouding his vision as he heard an inhuman snarl echo off of the tile walls. A green streak of scaled flesh and serrated claws tore through his back before his spider-sense finished screaming in his ears to warn him.
“Dr. Connors, please- Let me hel-”
The sedan-sized reptilian leapt out from the smoke, tackling him, pinning his right arm as his head cracked against the concrete floor. He tried to lift his head, eyes tearing up from a combination of smoke and his building concussion, before the Lizard slammed his head back down. Peter’s brain rattled in his school as his vision went black, feeling unconsciousness dragging him away from the lab.
Away from Curt Connors. Away from Spider-Man. A flash of light suddenly broke through the writhing darkness, his head shot up, eyes watering, and neck aching. He exhaled softly as he found that he was surrounded by the familiar ESU Mechanics Lab.
Just a nightmare… It was a dream… it must be because of Dr. Connors from Peter 3’s universe. I need to stop being so paranoid-
He blinked blearily at the blue screen on the table in front of him needling into his retinas before he was interrupted.
“Peter… have you been getting any sleep lately,” a familiar voice pierced his daze.
“Dr. Octavius… I uh- sorry. It’s been a busy few weeks. You and Dr. Connors have been making so much headway, so I feel like I’ve been torn between both labs” That was a lie and Peter knew it. Connors and Octavius had several other aides helping them, Peter’s presence wouldn’t have mattered all that much. The City, on the other hand, seemed to have a never ending depth of problems to cause for Peter.
“-eter! Peter…” Peter blinked, dragged out of thoughts by Dr. Octavius waving his hand in front of his face. “I think you should head home and get some rest. I was just thinking about shutting down for the night.”
“But Doc, it’s only 6-...”
“Peter.” He cut in, voice sharp. “Go home.” His soft eyes shone concerned through his round, silver-rimmed glasses. “I’ll have Gwen and Caleb clean up. Just try to get ahead on sleep for tomorrow. We’ll need you at full capacity when we test the prosthetics.”
“Yes, Dr. Octavius. Sorry again for being a burden.” Octavius chuckled and placed a comforting hand on his back.
“We all have bad days, Parker. It’s up to us as engineers to manage them and make sure that we don’t have bad days when it's important”
“To be fair, when exactly has Peter had a good day recently,” Peter’s attention shifted to the honey golden hair sitting at a table on the opposite end of the lab. Gwen smiled at him, amused by his sheepish sigh.
“She has a point, Doc. I feel like Peter’s eyebags have gotten worse each day this week. At this rate, they’ll get so dark, not even vantablack will be darker.” Caleb chimed in, bemused by the way the other three laughed. “I’m being serious, it’s concerning, I’ve been double checking his computations all week, because I’m worried he’s going to make some error that’ll ruin our exposé.”
“And how’s that turned out for you..?” Gwen smirked, closing her laptop, and putting down the model that she’d been tinkering with.
“Say what you will about Parker’s sleep schedule, he’s disturbingly accurate. It’s like his brain speaks in mathematical models rather than English.” Otto chortled. Peter had shrunk back under the unwanted attention, and quietly packed his laptop and notepad.
“Go take a night for yourself Pete. Try not to dream of vectors and Dr Connors too much.” Peter’s eyes darted to Gwen’s, alarm etched on his face as he latched onto her wide, cerulean eyes.
“I’m sorry, Gwen what..?” Gwen’s face twisted in confusion.
“Well… you kept mumbling his name while you were asleep. I’m not going to judge you or anything, I know the work you do with him is super important, but… take the weight of the world off your shoulders. Ease up. Have some fun…” Peter’s shoulders relaxed as he released a breath he hadn’t known he was holding.
“Right… sorry. I didn’t mean to snap like that, I guess I’m more wound up than even I realized.” Peter sighed, dragging his fingers down his face.
“Clearly…” Caleb remarked, looking up from the component he’d been fiddling with. “Now get out of here Pete. Don’t make Otto and I throw you out.”
“Alright-! Alright…” Peter gave an exhausted grin as he walked out of the Mechanics Lab, fingers drumming on the trim for a moment before a buzz from his phone shocked him out of his stupor.
Ned’s face popped up hey! are we still good for tonight? I’m ordering some poke bowls, and god knows those aren’t cheap in this economy, so you BETTER make it dude.
Peter hummed happily as he jogged through the long empty halls of ESU, fingers tapping away. ‘Yeah! Doc let me out early, so I'm on my way over right now! ETA like-’ He glanced at a clock hanging from the white brick walls ‘like 8ish’.
He pushed open the door at the end of the Mechanics Wing into the courtyard, stumbling out onto the-snow covered grounds.
“Damn, it's freezing. I need to work on getting those insulation pads built into my suit…” he murmurs to no one in particular. His breath evaporated in front of him as he puffed and then trotted down the steps, onto the street below.
The sound of car horns echoed through the cool December air, street lights illuminating happy couples trudging arm in arm through the powder. Peter breathed in the aroma of a pizzeria as he jogged briskly down the block, stopping at the crosswalk before weaving through the cars that snaked forwards slowly, bumper to bumper.
Peter walked a few more blocks down, turning into an alleyway dark enough to rival his eyebags, pulling his mask on, and slipping out of his jacket and pant legs, forcing them sloppily down into the bottom of his bag.
He reached his hands forwards, creating a web line and yanking on it hard, catapulting himself onto the Manhattan rooftops. Adrenaline surged through him, the bone chill of New York City winter lost as he leapt and dashed across the rooftops, his eyes scanning for his next anchor point.
The tip of a water tower. Thwip. The corner of that rooftop, he anchored his strand to it and shot another web across his body, zipping towards the fire escape as he swung around the corner, leaping through it, reveling in the way his heart raced. This was the highlight of his day… so of course E.V. rung with an incoming call from Detective DeWolff.
Damned Parker Luck He groaned as he skidded to a stop on top of an apartment building, feeling the cold snow beneath his feet.
“Spider-Man?” DeWolff’s voice came through sharply in his ear
“Yes.” He replied shortly, hoping this was one of her routine check-ins she’d begun last year after his… Scorpion incident.
“Are you busy right now? How close are you to St. Patrick’s Cathedral.”
Okay, not a check-in. He sighed. “I could make it in a few minutes, what’s up?”
“A mutant awakening. Rumor has it that the teen was panicking talking to a priest, and when the priest asked him to leave, he freaked and froze half of the people in the cathedral. He’s not malicious, but I’m worried that one of the cops might get jumpy, especially with all the mutantphobia recently and escalate the situation.”
“So I’m playing mediator, gotcha.” He reached out and shot off in the direction of the Cathedral, keeping the line open.
“Yeah. Thanks Spidey. Hey, just a head’s up, one of the officers who responded to the call was involved with that huge fiasco a month back-” She began and Peter swore audibly.
“Please tell me you’re not talking about the kid that they literally executed because he flooded 5th-” DeWolff’s silence spoke volumes.
“Damn it. How does he still have his badge?” He spat.
“Spidey… things have been tight across the boroughs. Tombstone is free again, Mayor Osborn cut funding and-”
“I know… I know Detective DeWolff… you’re doing your best. Thank you. I’ll handle things.” Peter swung with urgency as he turned a corner and was met by the seat of the Archbishop of New York. “I’ll call you after all this is done…”
He whistled as he landed, sliding to a stop next to the 4 police vehicles parked in front of it, red and blue lights illuminating the otherwise eerily quiet street.
“Evening officers, I hear the guy inside is an aspiring architect. At least that’s what I’d assume based on the new spires and flying buttresses he’s added to the place.” One of the officers chuckled in spite of himself.
Peter turned his attention to the Cathedral. Tendrils of ice clawed their way out of the spires and several windows. Peter winced at the thought of the cost of the property damage.
“Poor kid.” He sighed and ran up the steps two at a time. He turned his head and shouted “You guys can come, but DO NOT escalate the situation. God knows the Department can’t handle another incident like 5th Street.” As if to agree, he heard more glass shatter as the new addendums to James Renwick Jr.’s work cracked and grew.
He rushed ahead, determined to defuse the ticking time bomb within. Slamming his shoulder against the 15 foot wooden doors, He entered the inner chamber, walking past several frozen priests. THAT can’t feel too nice.
As he walked past the first several rows of aged wooden pews, he saw him. His head adorned with a mop of curly blonde hair, streaked with white, kneeling before the altar, sobs wracking his body as he hid his face from the destruction around him. The destruction he’d caused.
“H-hey buddy- It’s Spider-Man… I’m here to help you out, but you gotta let me get close” Peter’s ears rang as his spider-sense screamed at him as he saw the boy’s shoulder tense, his head swivelling around, and icy pale eyes locking onto the red and blue clad hero.
“Y-you’re here? I’m not a villain- I didn’t mean to do any of this! DON’T LET THEM TAKE ME.” Peter swore under his breath as the cops began to shout at him, telling him to calm down. Idiots, why wouldn’t the kid panic, everyone’s seen what you did to that poor girl. Shooting her dead just because she accidentally caused an overflow from the sewers.
“GET ON THE GROUND” an officer screamed, drawing his weapon and pulling it up. Peter saw the pillar of ice hurtling towards him a second too late. The officer’s body contorted, and he was launched several feet, crashing into one of the pews. Peter knew the cracking sound that echoed through the high ceiling wasn’t from his back being adjusted.
“STOP RESISTING-” the three remaining officers began to open fire.
“WOAH WOAH WOAH! STOP-” Peter tried to jump in the way and sucked in a breath as a stray bullet grazed his shoulder, another lodging in his ribs. “STOP-! No more shooting.” He hunched over in front of the boy. After bracing his ribs, he stood up and took a hesitant step towards the awakened mutant.
Getting a better look at him, he saw that he looked to be a year or so out of high school, judging by the Temple University key ring that hung from the belt loop of his corduroy trousers. His eyes glistened with frozen tears as he reached shaky hands for Spider-Man
“Spider-Man, I’m so sorry, I-” Peter placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, feeling how the poor kid’s entire body coursed with fear.
“Don’t sweat it boss, here let me help you out okay? Those guys back there,” He motioned to the 3 officers behind him, who had hesitantly lowered their handguns, “They’re pretty scary, I get that. But however scared of them you are, they’re at least twice as terrified of you… so what do you say we do some meditation for a second, I help you get ahold of your powers, and then we get you to the station-”
“The station-” the boy’s eyes widened like a cornered animal, “please no- they’ll kill me, I don’t wanna die, please-” He collapsed on his knees, each breath becoming erratic as the ice around his feet thickened and began growing spikes.
“Buddy, I swear you’re gonna be okay, I know detective DeWolff, she’ll ensure that you’re protected and I-” His ears screeched and he weaved an icicle large enough to put a hole in his chest. “Damn it kid, please I’m trying to-”
“Spidey, move out of the way, he’s too dangerous, we need to neutralize him.” A voice shouted from behind, and he spun around just in time to see him raise his weapon and fire three rounds. The first one missed, but Peter knew that the 2nd and 3rd would hit, so he stepped forwards and hugged the boy.
The lead bullets pierced his back and thigh. “Can you think with anything other than your guns.” He whispered through gritted teeth. “Next person to shoot will get their hands broken.” He snarled as his head turned around, his eye lenses narrowing as he stared down the officer who’d ignored his orders.
The boy’s sobs had resumed and he clung to Spider-Man for dear life “-orry, im sorry, please stop, im sorry-” Peter grimaced but couldn’t help but feel his heart torn in two.
“Hey buddy, it's okay…what’s your name?” He rubbed his thumbs across his shoulder blades as he steadied himself enough to stand.
“B-Bobby… I’m so sorry-” Peter hushed him softly, patting his head.
“It’s okay Bobby. You’re gonna be okay, I won’t let them take you, I’m gonna try and get in contact with some friends upstate-”
“Oh my god, Pe- Spider-Man-!” He breathed a sigh of relief. Guess I don’t need to call them, he thought as a familiar voice echoed through the sanctuary, followed by the scraping of boots against ice. He turned around, using Bobby to help him stand on his bad leg, only to be met by a flash of crimson grabbing hold of him gingerly, her careful hands combing his suit as she inspected his myriad of bullet wounds
“Hi Jean.” He whispered softly, half collapsing into her as he held onto her “long time, no see.” Her eyes flitted towards him, her warm blue eyes peering into his soul from under her scarlet bangs. She released him from her embrace, looking down at the red stains on her beige coat and crisp blouse, and told Bobby to scoot as she got under his arm on his weaker right side. Bobby shook, sniffling away the last of his tears, and assumed his position under his left arm.
“Idiot.” she replied, eyes shimmering with concern as she noticed the way the blue spandex of his thigh had turned red from the blood. She helped him stumble down through the stone halls and each step eliciting a gasp as lightning shot through his right leg.
“You have a habit of getting me shot whenever you’re around me huh…” he remarked breathlessly as she and Bobby helped carry him out of the sanctuary, past the glowering officer who still eyed Bobby.
“Don’t make jokes like that.” she murmured, avoiding his gaze as they walked through the arches and out into the quiet night beyond. Peter winced as his supposed peace was ruined by a shouting Detective DeWolff.
“I DON’T CARE WHO YOU’RE WITH, YOU CAN’T JUST TAKE THE BOY TO A ‘SCHOOL’ THE GOVERNMENT DOESN’T RECOGNIZE. HE’S LIABLE FOR THIS DAMAGE AND-” Her tirade continued, but Peter could tell it was falling on deaf ears.
The recipients were a tall, well built man, his tousled strawberry-blonde flecked with white. His black puffer, white polo and tan, straight-legged khakis did little to mask the powerful muscle that rippled beneath, and his expression was clouded by the red glasses that rested on his nose as he glanced at his partner, bemused by the fire packed in DeWolff’s small frame.
Kurt laughed, throwing his head back, the piercing wind mussing up his carefully tamed curly black hair. His crisp button-up, was tucked into his black dress pants and the lamplight gently dusted his midnight-blue skin. Peter felt Bobby shudder as his yellow eyes found the three of them stumbling out of the place of worship.
“Jean! You almost missed it, I’ve never seen Scott GET berated before! She’s really giving it to him!” Kurt grinned, bamfing right in front of them.
“H-holy shi-” Bobby slipped on the stairs, falling hard, and Peter went with him, hissing as Jean lowered him to the ground.
“Hey Kurt, long time no see…” Peter wheezed, as Kurt assumed Bobby’s place and helped him up.
“It has been some time hasn’t it… how’re things going since the uh… Docks incident.” Kurt grimaced at the memory, and Peter laughed in spite of himself.
“Well Mac has been locked up in the Raft since then, but god-” Peter paused, knowing the look that Kurt was already giving him “... sorry, what I meant to say was that no one who gets locked up in the Raft stays there very long. But hey, at least millions of dollars of Stark tech wasn’t distributed to every borough in New York.”
Kurt hummed. “Sounds like you’ve kept busy… Jean would know better than I, she tends to watch the news when she can, and keeps up with Spidey Tracker sightings with more fervor than some members of my old congregation.”
“Kurt-!” Jean choked out “You said that you wouldn’t-” She was cut off by Scott’s .
“You found him… though it sounds like we have Spider-Man to thank for being able to meet him. Nice to finally have a chance to speak with you in person.”
“Likewise Mr. Summers.”
Scott paused. “Mr.-? Whatever. Thank you again. You saved us from arriving too late again…” Peter nodded grimly.
“When we got there… seeing her, face down on the street-” Jean’s voice trailed off, her gaze falling to her feet.
Peter felt the survivor’s guilt radiating from her downtrodden frame. He’d been in a battered sleep from a fight with Electro and had woken up to that poor child’s face plastered on the Daily Bugle, New York Times and just about every major news outlet had covered it.
“So uh… you managed to convince DeWolff to take Bobby..?” Peter broke the heavy silence, hoping for good news. Scott’s head inclined towards the boy.
“That… yes. Unfortunately,I’m going to have to head to the station to fill out some paperwork and build a cover story on what’s going to ‘happen’ to Bobby here. Kurt, I assume you’re good with taking him upstate?”
“Of course Scott… What’s Jean going to-” He made a small O with his mouth and nodded. “Makes sense, Okay well I’ll catch you both when you make it home in the morning.”
“Umm, well, you’ll be safe with these guys Bobby,” Peter turned to the teen and wrapped him in a gentle hug. “You did well controlling yourself. I know how terrifying it can be to randomly have reality altering powers, these guys will train you up and get you back on your feet. Do you have any family that you want me to tell or-” Bobby shook his head.
“No… thank you Spider-Man… I’m so sor-” Peter raised his hand, stopping him from spiraling.
“I’m doing what I do best-”
“Getting shot to protect everyone else…” Jean seethed, her gaze falling on the several bullet wounds.
“I second that sentiment.” DeWolff interjected, walking to the group at the bottom of the cathedral stairs. “This idiot stepped in the line of fire of my officers, and at the end of the day, we’re the ones that benefit from it.” She sighed, taking stock of his condition.
“I’m putting you back on the No-Call list. Johnny will have to pick up the slack for the next few days.” Peter began to protest, but Jean dug a finger into his side.
“No more arguments out of your Pete- Spider-Man. I meant Spider-Man.” Scott and Kurt laughed softly as Jean shrunk under the eyes of Bobby and Lieutenant DeWolff.
“I’m not going to ask why an X-Men, much less the cause of the Roosevelt Island incident knows your name, but I will ask you to get some rest. I’ve buried too many friends recently. I don’t wanna be making calls to your headstone kid.” A somber silence stifled out the last dregs of conversation.
“Oookay… DeWolff and I are gonna head out, you and Jean should head out soon before those officers finish freeing the priests in here and come out and start trying to question you. Kurt-” He tossed him his car keys. “I’ll commute back upstate after this gets handled.” Kurt nodded and started guiding Bobby away from the aftermath of his awakening.
Scott and DeWolff quickly retreated towards her cruiser and they headed back towards the Precinct, leaving Peter leaning on Jean, red dripping into the white snow.
“Okay… we need to get you patched up Pete.” She whispered.
“We? As in-”
“Yes, webs-for-brains, do you still live in that dingy old apartment? Down in Queens?”
“I moved to Manhattan recently, it’s closer to ESU… which is where I work now.” Jean hummed, her warmth feeling nice as his left side felt the brutality of the cold now that neither Kurt nor Bobby were present.
“How far..?”
“Down a few blocks and then I gotta get in an elevator. So maybe we could go grab my clothes from the alley I dropped them in on the way over..?” She sighed softly, her breath crystallizing in front of them.
“Okay… but if you get shot at again, I’m not carrying you to medical attention a 3rd time.” The wobble in her voice betrayed her. But Peter chose not to notice. Just like Peter had chosen to ignore Kurt’s revelation about Jean’s… interest in his movements, or the way her index and pointer fingers had taken a small amount of his suit between them and she was anxiously rubbing it back and forth.
Hyper awareness is a blessing and a curse he sighed softly, as set off for his backpack, his apartment and his-
“Shit… I forgot to tell Ned I wouldn’t be able to make it tonight…” He felt Jean bubble with laughter, shaking her head softly.
“Considering he made the Spidey Tracker app, I’m sure that he has some idea of why you won’t be able to make it… c’mon Peter. Let’s get you home.”