peterparker | ❧ INBOX || IC/OOC Contact

Peter-

We need to talk. You promised that you'd check in and in this case...I've been hearing some disturbing things about the city and I want to hear about how you're taking care of yourself.

We can do this either in person or via email. Whichever works for you.

[This is his polite way of saying "check in."]

~~Capt-- ...Miste--- Georgey... Captain Curious George MacDonald, Esq. of the Midtown MacDonalds'... DEAR GWEN'S DAD...~~

[Okay, so 82 backspaces later...]

Sir,

I'm taken care of. Everything's copasetic.

Thanks.

[His polite way of not.]

[George's face looks like this. :/ rn.]

...Humor me kiddo? ...Please?

I know that being in the icescapades is an important gig, but I'd really feel better if we could talk. Face to face even.

[You'd need a sense of humor for that first, Sir.]

I'm not in the ice capades, Sir. The suit's not even 100% spandex...

But okay, okay.

What did you need to talk about? Like I said, I'm all right. Really.

[Talking? Fine.

In person? That's going to take some extra prodding, considering what happened the last time. He doesn't really cross paths until he's got everything settled; his jobs, his new place... until he can convince this guy that he's not just some hooligan living in a dumpster.]

Edited 2012-07-24 05:27 (UTC)

I wanted to find out what you've been up to-given that school doesn't seem to exist here Gwen will be getting a job and I'm assuming you will be too.

As it is, I was hoping you would agree to meet with some friends of mine. they'd like to help you.

[George will get over it, eventually down the line. If his father in law got over it he will too. Except the bullying will always remain, but fathers are never comfortable with the men dating their daughters.]

Yeah, sure... I've got a couple of jobs already. I'm all set.

[Surprised, Mr. Stacy? He's industrious; you don't sneak into Oscorp on charm alone.

But what's all this about a self-help group...?]

Agree to meet with some friends...? ~~What kind of friends? The kind that wear fedoras???~~

No offense meant, but I'm not sure I need any help just right now.

...Oh? can I ask where?

Family who might be willing to offer you a place to live Peter.

Aah, with the Search & Rescue squad.

And a few part-times, doing photography and fixing things up.

[He writes this part before reading the rest of George Stacy's message. Maybe he's a little bit proud of the progress he's made, what he's been able to accomplish since arriving here. Maybe he wants this guy to have to own up to the fact that he did a good job; that he was a diligent student, a hard worker and someone who law enforcement could trust and use.

Not dangerous. Not some kind of slum-gum that you get on your shoes getting off the F Train.

But then the Captain is saying family and a place to live and he doesn't want to be-- but Peter gets angry. Irrationally, totally furious.

Two things became seriously obvious to him, upon reading the latter half of that message.

Thing 1: That this guy's been shopping around for someone to dump him off on, like he was a puppy that just needed a good home. It was a little insulting; family? He had a family already. They were mostly gone back at home, too, so while adjusting to the loss of Aunt May was tough, stand-ins weren't going to be any kind of comforting.

Thing 2: That however much Mr. Stacy talked the talk about 'checking in' and 'taking care of your own', he viewed Peter as a problem and he wasn't going to be his problem. He wasn't going to 'take care' of anything. Not that Peter wanted or expected a helping hand... but he wasn't quite ready to say 'gee, thanks for the silent auction, Mr. Stacy!' either.

When he's able to calm down enough to type, he finishes the email and sends it, twenty minutes later.]

Thanks for the charity.

But I have a family already. I don't need a loan.

[George balks at that. Kindness, it was a kindness and he did not want to let the boy go. He was from New York, he was Gwen's friend (and why not just own upto it?) Gwen would never forgive him.]

[...He hated that then. He hated the boy and he hated him with a firey burning...hateful feeling in his gut that rolled up his insides. However he had to try. which is why the feed switches to video.]

I didn't mean to phrase it like that Peter. No one can replace your family-I've been asking around and this isn't a safe place for kids. No matter what they can do.

Apparently there are monsters out there and worse.

[All of this is said-except George Stacey looks sick, gray tinged skin and beads of sweat across the brow.]

Now is not the time to be proud.

[Ah, jeez.

He's still pretty upset-- upset now, that gut-wrenching blend of just angry enough to feel hot and look flushed but just sad enough to have trouble remembering the words that fury so easily supplied, replaced by a cold sweat.

So yeah, 'ah, jeez'. Ah, jeez because the guy just had to go and switch on the video function...

Peter does the same, reluctantly, and he's there with furrowed brows and an open, drawn mouth. He doesn't look ill like George does, but he's on the street and he looks... upset. Didn't we just cover that?

He's trying not to, though. Really.

This is Gwen's father. He's never going to make a good impression, but-- he'll always come just shy of totally losing his temper, with someone so important to her.]

Right... monsters and worse. Got it.

I'll keep a look out, guaranteed. While I'm searching and definitely while I'm rescuing.

...And if you need any help, you know who to call.

[Unless you're too proud, yourself, that is.]

Edited 2012-07-24 06:21 (UTC)

...Excuse me? Who I need to call? [George was sitting at a table when he spoke and something inside him snaps.

It's subtle.

A twitch across his features and George's face contorts in pain as a spasm of something rolls up through his body. Then he's on his feet-too fast-hands planted on the table digging into the wood.]

Let me tell you something you little shit, I was out there serving and protecting while you were still farting in your fucking sandbox so the next time you think you know better then me [there's an emphasis on the word better. It does not sound human. The next words sound even less normal.] I will rip out your spine and beat you over the head with it!

[He growls-deep in his chest-and something falls off the table near him and George jumps back.

the camera shifts, flopping and there's a minute or so before George comes back...looking utterly horrified.

What came over him.

His heart is pounding, skin...weird. Cold and clammy. There is something in his eyes that Peter Parker might have never seen before.

Fear.

And an apologetic look.]

...I'm...I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me. [Help me. That's what he wants to say but Peter is a child, and he's not a cop. That was just...]

I had no right to yell at you like that.

[There were probably nicer ways of reminding him that in a world with monsters 'and worse', one of them was more effective than the other. That being a cop didn't train you for the uncommon the way that walking around in downtown Queens did past 8pm without a gun on your holster; only a pay-as-you-go phone . That being afraid for your daughter didn't qualify someone to know what it was really like to lose a family member in cold blood and to do anything to prevent it from happening again. That being the man of the house didn't mean you could fly, fight and flip the way that teenager with the insect bite could.

Maybe it didn't sound very fair, from where Mr. Stacy was standing. And Peter could have put it better. But it didn't make it any less sincere, any less true.

If they needed his help, he'd help. Not 'cause of some moral creed that said he had to... but because he wanted to.

Because he knew at least that much about responsibility; you protect what you love as best you can, as long as you can. Because it's right.

He's not the most eloquent, okay. He's even kind of a sarcastic jerk. But wow-- Gwen's dad just took the cake.

Regardless of what he'd said, a reaction like that? It belied something a lot deeper, almost more animal than hate. It reminded him of Dr. Connors.

Again, something shot through every heightened sense in his body. Danger. (And it wasn't just the death threats cluing him in, thanks.)

It's a full half-minute after Mr. Stacy picks the phone back up that Peter finds his voice. It's shaky when he does and he looks pretty much in-shock.]

...I didn't have a sandbox.

Sorry to disappoint, Sir.

Edited 2012-07-24 06:46 (UTC)

[George sat down-gently. The chair was bent out of shape at the top and there are faint marks in the wood but he looks horrified.]

...Neither did Gwen.

[the weakest of laughs. He looks lost, horrified still.]

Peter...you're...

[And then he just sounds lost.]

I took an oath Peter. "I swear to faithfully discharge the duties of police captain, to serve, protect and defend the citizens and constitution of the state of New York."

I didn't expect to see either you or Gwen again, I made the sacrifice knowing what it meant but that's all I have. I can't...just leave you to be on your own Peter.

[It's said from the heart.]

You're from home. But god-what you do it's going to get you killed, it would get Gwen killed. That's reason.

[His head rolled.] ...I don't know why I reacted like that. Must be something I'm allergic to.

[He's going to keep this short and sweet because he's not one for talking about what's going on in his life, much less how he feels. Even with Uncle Ben-- he was the talker, Peter just listened.

As much as Mr. Stacy talked, he'd lost his audience. Hypocrisy has that effect; future speech notes to jot down.]

Only thing that's threatened to kill me since getting here s'been you, Mr. Stacy.

[Spoken calmly, but seriously. He's going to be mature here, even as he's looking down at his feet, making a face and adjusting his bag's strap a little. Maturity is usually his least favourite option, but he's not seeing any runners up at the moment, so...]

I'm fine. Thanks. Just pretend I'm from Connecticut or something.

[...Though now he's really making a face.]

[Why does it feel like he's been slapped? There's something about Peter that makes him sick to his stomach. It's painful, eyes closed tight. Lips pressed together painful.

Something in the water. Something in the air. That was it. Dr. Conners you did your work well and the mist wants him alive.]

Good. yes. fine. you do that. Saves me the trouble from having to worry about dragging two helpless teenagers through this hellhole I...

[Rolling levels of rage. George Stacey breaths hard and fast before opening his eyes to glare angrily at the camera...and it vanishes. And returns. And vanishes. And returns and his pupils are larger then they should be...

And it's gone.

The NYPD would be proud. Of how one of their own is fighting.]

...You're Gwen's friend and there are monsters out there. Just stay alive.

I'm Gwen's boyfriend.

[He's not helpless, he's not trouble and he's not a 'friend'.

The correction comes quickly. He really shouldn't be pressing topics right now, he knows, but...

Hey. In this guy's book, he and Gwen couldn't be friends. So he should at least get the terminology right on what he was trying to stem.

Looking down, growing sheepish after that statement, Peter heaves a sigh and makes a face like he just swallowed car oil.

Okay, okay. Appeasement.]

...I'll meet your friends. But that's it.

Edited 2012-07-24 07:17 (UTC)

[George hesitates]

...that's good. Good. Thank you. Yes. I'll...find out their schedules. We'll set up something.

[he pauses] You like science right?

[Now there's a random, rapid change of topics.

Head still bowed, he glanced up and squinted.

It was on the tip of his tongue, the reminder that he and Gwen went to the same science school, but he decides he only likes to be called a dislikable orphan brat once per day, thanks and instead goes with--]

Yeah, mhm. Yes.

I do.

...Is it possible...for somebody to...be allergic to things that they've never encountered before? Like...something that's in it-maybe it has something in common with something else...and then they get sick even if they've never seen it?

[he's allergic to you Peter. There's no help for it.]

...Yeah, 'course. That's how a lot of people find out they have allergies. Try something for the first time and their face, throat swells up, bumps, rashes...

You having a reaction to something?

[ahyafjafaggj darnit, stop being allergic to talented, upstanding young men, George.]

[SPIDERS DUDE. HE'S ALL ABOUT BEING SCURRED OF SPIDERS OHK ERMEGAD.]

....Whatever the doctor did when I arrived. [Yes that must be the reason for the patch of scaley skin over his wound.] ...that's got to be it. Left me with one of those rashes.

[His eyes narrow, but he's calming down now.] What about...being sick to your stomach and being.. well having, having weird emotions. Weird emotional reactions.

Edited 2012-07-24 07:33 (UTC)

[Peter assures that Spiders are only scary first thing in the morning, before their Wheaties and mid bed-head. Aunt May can attest.]

Still-? Er, the rash should have gone down by now. If it was a reaction, I mean. You'd be okay now, unless it's an infection, but then you'd have a fever-- probably.

[He's rambling to cover up how uniquely uncomfortable it is to be feelings coaching the guy who just promised to beat your skull in with your newly-freed vertebrae, but okay.

George Stacy is trying to get emotional advice. From Peter Parker.

Stranger things hadn't happened and short of telling the guy to start an 'Anger Management 101' class, he's at a loss.

Filler. He needed filler.]

Stomach thing, maybe it was all the fish. You were pretty hungry when you got here...

Emotional reactions, uh. Stress. Post-Trauma. Ice capade-ians.

Seem to be your leading causes, anyway. [You're welcome.]

You're a regular doctor Parker. Genius.. [These are all plausible things however. and he visibly relaxes.]

...Hey. Don't knock fish. Fish is pretty good. [He has been eating a lot lately, but working it all off rather quickly.] And I just died, I think a welcome back meal would be in order although it wasn't hot wings.

Forget donuts. Every cop at my precinct lived at Wings in things. update your book of insults kid.

You're a headache and a half, but I'm glad you're making the right decision to at least consider meeting Mr. and Mrs. Stark. Mr. Stark works for the police too.

[This is what he gets for trying to help. Backstory, an eyeroll and shoulder pats.

At least the consolation prize is that this conversation has to be over and it's gotta be a mutual relief that they won't need to be having another one...

That is until he hears the name 'Mr Stark'.]

Mr. Stark? Tony Stark?

[Because regardless of if he wants to be pawned off or not, that was a pretty big name in New York. Peter could almost get behind a quick meeting with a genius billionaire, to appease Gwen's father.]

[...um. stare.]

...No. They might be related? Stark's here? I know his CEO is. Friends of mine. Ed Stark and his wife.

[all the frowning.] ...Tony Stark's CEO is here. You can meet her too I suppose. See that's what, being a cop is about. Making friends. She met Gwen.

[Because George will always condescend, and there is no more condescending statement.]

[Peter doesn't bother to hide the roll of his eyes.

Being a cop is about meeting as many Midtowners as possible and then rubbing it in the face of every Alphabet City-ite you threatened to end? Okay, guy.]

Ed Stark. Got it.

So where am I meeting him-?

[Focus, George, focus.]

I'll let you know.

Thanks again Peter.

Yeah, you're uh-- welcome.

[A nod. Whenever is fine. Later is better than sooner.

With that an an awkward wave, he hangs up.]

Peter Parker? My name is Riza Hawkeye, captain of the Alliance's search and rescue division. Priscilla thought you might be interested in joining the united and requested that I do some follow-up. Unless she was mistaken?

Uh, hello?

This is Peter, yeah-- I wanted to, no mistakes there.

Thanks for calling. Sorry, new, wasn't totally sure how to and ah--

Anyway. Thanks. Yes, I'm looking to join. I think I'd make a good addition.

Is there a sign-up sheet?

[And by that he does mean a trial or test. He's ready.]

It's no trouble. I'm glad to speak to an enthusiastic volunteer.

There isn't a sign-up sheet, per se. I will need to ask you a few questions and assess your skills, just to have a better understanding of your strengths and abilities.

[And apparently she's going to start with the questions now.]

Do you have any combat experience?

All right.

[He wets his lips, preparing for this.]

Shoot.

[And when she does shoot, he grimaces softly before nodding. It's still weird-- getting used to the whole 'no more secret identity' thing. The idea that no one would have a prejudice against him for who he was and what he was and that no one could hurt those closest to him for it wasn't exactly true here...

But at least by signing up, he figured it was the right preventative measure. So he's honest when he nods and replies--]

Yeah. Plenty of it. Hand-to-hand, hand-to-guns, hand-to-claw... you name it it.

Have yet to meet a bad guy that I can't take down.

[She makes a note on the papers in front of her.]

Do you not fight with any weapons?

No, not really. I have web-slings, but I ah... move with those, more than fight.

Still, they come in handy. Non-violent crime-stoppers.

[He knows how this probably sounds.]

My body is the best weapon I've got.

What's a web-sling?

It's aah... something I developed. Well, Oscorp made the web fiber, but-- the shooters, that was me.

[Okay, excuse the small bit of pride there, he'll get on with explaining now.]

They attach at the wrist and shoot out microfibers developed with the same strength of a spider's web. One strand is enough to hold the weight of a 747 plane. Strong enough to wrap up a bad guy up or attach yourself to a rooftop and get down the street in half the time.

Pretty handy.

Hm. That does sound useful.

In any case, I only ask about your combat experience on the chance that you end up in an altercation while working. Combat is not the primary function of this unit, but I like to know that my team members can defend themselves and others if necessary.

Now. Do you have any experience with natural disasters, attacks, or any other situation which has seen you functioning as a rescuer? I'm sure you know that the mindset for S&R is completely different from one more suited to battle.

Yeah, no, I get that-- that's why I want to do it.

I have experience with helping people. Getting people out.

I can do this, believe me.

[And he sounds enthusiastic, if not entirely sure of himself.]

I won't leave anyone behind. I'm not afraid. Just give me a shot and I can do this.

[She pauses a moment after he finishes speaking, assessing.]

Good.

[That means she likes you, Peter.]

Don't worry, you're in. I just need to meet with you and have you sign a few papers. I'd also like a demonstration of your 'web-slings' too, if you don't mind.

[If a grin was audible, you'd be hearing one, Riza.]

Yeah, yeah sure. Sounds good.

I'm pretty good at signing papers too, just fyi! Watch out.

[ooc: Would you like to do a log? :D If you're busy, handwaving is fine too!]

I'm glad to hear that.

[She can't help smiling too.]

Can you meet with me tomorrow morning at around ten at Patrol Outpost 2?

[ooc: i'd love to do a log! sounds fun!]

Sure can!

[He has no idea where that is-- but he'll find it!]

See you then, ma'am~!

[Bam. He'd salute and all, but you know. Phone.]

[ooc: Would you mind setting it up? :D If it's too much trouble, I can do it later tonight! Just let me know. :) ]

You'll find my office down at the end of the hall if you make a left from the entrance way. Ten o'clock.

[If you could hear a sort of official looking nod, that would be what you'd hear now.]

See you then, Peter.

[ooc: sorry for the delay! rough couple of days. I did manage to set up a log, though! i hope it looks all right!]

I sent the mods a plurk ping asking about the manor break-in, so I'll let you know what they say!

Sounds good! Thanks a lot!

If they give a go-ahead (either to make it in or to fail spectacularly), did you want to log it?

I'd love to! Ariel said the house usually is just an empty house most of the time, with maybe some servants and such around. I asked for more details too but it looks like we're free to do so!

Sounds good! They can just creep and feel like they're cooler than they actually are, lol.

Would you like to pin up the log, or would you like me to? I have to pop off in a sec but I can later if you don't want to!

:)

I'll see if I can get to it today and if it's not up later, you can throw it up there? :3

Sounds good to me! I'll keep an eye out tonight.

Catch you later. :D

http://scorched-logs.dreamwidth.org/457446.html#cutid1

Here we go! Sorry for the delay! :D

Hey thanks!! Obviously no problem since I didn't get it up either... I've been totally swamped ;; Thank you again!

[ Sad to say she can't stay away from you. ]

...

He made you promise didn't he?

[It was almost a full day before Peter got up the nerve to reply to that. Wasn't doing the voice or video thing; that ended badly enough the first time, thanks.]

Doesn't matter too much.

[He added 'He was probably right.' before deleting it and sending it as-is.]

Edited 2012-11-10 03:23 (UTC)

[ Fine, you wanna be like that, Parker. ]

Yes, it does.

[Not really, because either way, it's ended, right? Didn't even have to make the promise. Took care of itself...

Girls were weird. True fact.]

OK.

[If it isn't obvious, he doesn't know what to say. He's supposed to be leaving you alone, Gwen; and George Stacy wasn't the only one to make that request.]

[ No, boys are stupid. Most true fact ever. ]

...Do you know how that makes me feel, Peter?

[ IT'S A TRAP. ]

[GWEN auhfaiuh this is the one type of test he CANNOT POSSIBLY PASS.

Peter stared at his screen for a long time before going with the honest answer--]

No, I don't.

[Because 'Like leaving me voice mail?', while accurate, didn't seem appropriate.]

Like...I was all alone.

I have my Mom and my brothers, but they weren't there that night. They didn't know what happened. You were there.

And I thought that you'd be there when I needed you most.

But...I was wrong.

[Again, Peter stared at the screen for a long time. Shuffling it in his hands. biting his lip.

Gwen had already broken up with him over it. He already felt awful for it; awful because it had happened, awful because you couldn't refuse a man's last request, awful because he'd wanted to and awful because he hadn't been there for her.

But Gwen just contacting him to rub it in his face felt a little harsh. Not unwarranted, just. Harsh.

He had been there. Literally. He was there when her father had died. How was he supposed to face her with that, when he'd asked him not to?

He'd tried to be there too, though late, when she arrived in this place. Gwen hadn't wanted that.

So... why bring it up?]

Right. I understand.

Sorry.

[Agreed, sending that before deleting the texts on his phone. It might have been cowardly, but he didn't want to have to re-read them. Not right now.]

[ She thinks she is fighting a losing battle. Then several minutes later-- ]

I don't want to be away from you.

[Between Peter not showing up and Gwen being Queen of the verbal onslaughts lately, they were both quite a pair in showing the other what they meant to them.

Nonetheless, Peter was holding hard and fast to his guilt ~~because what else is new~~ and coupling that with his somewhat already-crippling fear of girls he likes, the result is he isn't too convinced.

Gwen had made herself pretty clear. So clear, that he almost suspected someone had stolen her phone on that reply.

After a long, awkward lapse (nearly half an hour had passed), he wrote back,]

If you ever need any help, my offer still stands.

[He wouldn't abandon her if she needed anything. If she felt scared or needed a friend from back home.

But thinking about more than that just made him feel anxious, like he could crawl out of his own skin.

Knowing you deserved someone's anger didn't make it any easier, dealing with it.]

[ She wanted him. She wanted her boyfriend back.

But Peter seemed intent on keeping his promise to her father. She wasn't sure she could stand it. Being with Peter but not actually with him. ]

I know.

OK.

So just. Let me know.

[Goodbye was a lot harder to say, but that probably got the point across.

It wasn't that he didn't want to be with Gwen; not at all. Just that the fragile ego that had been able to go for it, to tamper with that broken promise back home had been totally bent by the past few days with her here.

He hadn't even been able to ask her out when everything was copasetic. Asking for her back when she was intent to remind him he was pond scum hadn't made it easier.

He'd never, ever blame Gwen or hold her feelings against her. He just couldn't help his own negative ones from reinforcing that maybe George Stacy had been correct...]

Peter.

[ She loved him...but she didn't want to tell him. It might freak him out. She sighed and typed the best safe response. ]

Thanks.

Any Time.

[It's lame, but it's all he can think of.

Next time, he'll be there for her. Even if it's just as a friend.]

[ Really weird silence as Gwen bites her lip and tries to figure out how she wants to start this message. And then decides to stop over-thinking it and go for the gold. ]

...Peter...I would like to talk. When you aren't busy.

[Peter actually debated calling her back... he wasn't sure that he could stomach another thorough beat down, but.

He did promise to be there for he. He was gonna keep that promise.]

Hey. Yeah, uh.

I'm not busy.

What's up?

So...do you have plans for Christmas?

Maybe we can spend it together?

[Waitwhat.]

Uh... No.

I mean, yeah.

I mean no, I'm not busy, yeah, I can... We can get together.

[A pause.]

You want to...?

Yeah...I mean, I don't have anyone else here.

And...I don't want to spend Christmas alone. You probably don't either....

[ Pause. ]

And I'd really like to talk...about us.

[Oh. It's more of a 'no better options' thing?

That makes him feel like a winner.

Wincing and rubbing the back of his neck, he gave,]

Uh, Gwen. No offense, but-- I think maybe we've talked about that enough. Okay?

[He doesn't need to hear it a third time. Not on Christmas.]

[ Stop throwing yourself a pity party, Peter. You aren't a last resort. ]

No, we didn't. I didn't give you much of a chance.

[ Another pause. Not sure if she can convince him to talk to her. ]

I miss you.

[He's been having this party for a year, Gwen. You aren't invited.

Also, he's not totally sure how to reply to that. Seems a little suspiciously hopeful...]

I, uh-- don't really know what I would have said if you did.

[Probably nothing. He wasn't great at arguing-- note, he wasn't on the debate team.]

...Yeah.

Me too.

[He's awkward, ok?]

[ Him being awkward is what she likes. ]

...Do you plan to do what my Dad asked? Are you...going to continue stay away from me?

[ Ignore that she asked him to do that when she first came, Peter. ]

Edited 2012-12-14 17:15 (UTC)

[No wonder she likes him, then. Always Awks!]

I wasn't planning on doing what your dad asked...

I was doing what you asked.

[Reminded.]

But before I came here...you avoided me. So at one point...did you do what he asked?

[ remember someone didn't show up to her Dad's funeral. ]

...At one point, yeah. I had to.

[He paused, before saying,]

Gwen, I really did go. To ah, see the procession. I didn't want to avoid you, but...

I didn't want you to get hurt. He was right about that. I didn't protect him, just like I didn't protect Uncle Ben and...

If something happened to you? [Another pause.]

You know.

Anyway... here, it's different. Everyone's weird here.

[So it's just like-- join the club!]

I won't get hurt.

You carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, Peter. You don't always have to do everything alone.

And I don't think everyone is weird here. [ She met this interesting boy named, Finnick. ]

...Yeah. Yeah, okay.

[He nods a little at that, though he isn't sure it's true.

But then a brow raises.]

Well-- I guess not everyone, no. Making friends already?

Yeah, I've made some friends. I met Tony Stark. Well, talked to him, not officially met him in person. And this guy, Finnick, I think we're friends.

Have you made any friends here? [ You can't be alone all your life, Peter. ]

You met Tony Stark--?

[Well, so had he, he was just too thick to realize it yet.

Gwen, you're meeting a suspicious number of men here...

Clearing his throat, Peter gave, as casually as possible,]

Uh, yeah. A few. I work for Bruce Banner and Dr. Stiles at the hospital and uh, with Mike Chilton and Chuck at the garage. I live with a guy named Bolin. Aside from that, there's just Jason, the Colonel, Carol, Ema, Trucy, Reyna, Spyro and Shiki. Uh, and Aurora-- cooks most of what I eat, hah?

[He's leaving Selina out because she's creepy. Same with Schmidt.

He's just as baffled by his popularity as you are, Gwen.]

Edited 2012-12-16 03:54 (UTC)

[ She's met two...compared to your 6 women. ]

Oh...I'm glad you aren't on your own then.

Wait...you work for Bruce Banner? The Bruce Banner?

[...Men are more nefarious, okay? Okay.

GUUURL that was his same reaction!]

Ah, yeah. Yeah, I do. He recruited me.

[Now who has the better college rec. Bam.]

Oh? That's great then.

That's a great opportunity.

[ Shut up. Guess which one of them can afford college though. Buuurn. ]

Yeah, no. It really is.

I'm enjoying it.

[Guess who gets a full ride cause he graduates top in his class? OH DOUBLE BUUURN.]

...So uh. See you on Christmas Eve.

[ She can't help but smile. ]

See you Christmas Eve.

[ Top of his class...all alone. Poor, lonely, Peter Parker. ]</small.

[SHUT UP, DR. CONNORS, OH MY GOD. SOB.]

Right. So uh.

[He actually smiled for a moment himself.]

Later-- Bye.

[ She smiles more cause that is the awkward Peter she knows and loves. ]

Right. Bye.

[ Prepare for fish on Christmas Eve, Peter. ]

[Sooo yeah since apparently there's been no word about you Bruce is worried, so, um.

Have a text.]

Are you alright, Peter?

[Is he alright? Peter's first reaction upon receiving the text is to snort lightly. What does Dr. Banner mean, exactly? Is it...

A. Are you all right after learning that the thing I kept from you was a potentially fatal secret?

B. Are you all right after finding out that the man who killed your girlfriend's father, your once-friend and only connection to your parents, is here and out to murder you? (Bonus points for letting him escape.)

C. Are you all right after realizing that my affliction is disturbingly, painfully similarly to that of Dr. Connors, turning someone you respected into someone you're not sure you can trust?

D. Are you all right after having your torso mauled, your leg ripped up, your trachea squeezed and then being left by someone you thought was your friend to deal with it on your own?

E. All of the above.

Peter was not alright.

He'd decided not to reply to the text at all, but like most things that bugged him, he just couldn't get it out of his head. Maybe it was guilt-- wasn't it immature not to write back, to the guy that might have saved your life?

Granted, was saving someone's life nixed by leaving them to die right after? He'd lost a lot of blood, he'd been in a serious amount of pain and someone else had come to help him.

Peter wasn't so sure.

He assumed Dr. Banner didn't want to talk about what had happened because, yeah, clearly between the two of them here... Peter was the suspicious one. Right.

About a day and a half after receiving that text, he finally fires off a reply.]

Thanks for your help.

[There. Now maybe he at least didn't have to feel guilty; ~~though he likely would, anyway.~~ The bad mood wasn't blowing over any time soon.]

[The lack of response worries Bruce at first - he was almost convinced that something had happened, but he managed to talk to some of the people doing the repairs who had said that they had seen Peter - not in the best shape, but alive all the same.

Still... Bruce supposes he can't blame Peter for not wanting to talk to him. How does one talk about seeing you turning into a monster and nearly killing you in the process. Sure, the other guy had managed to not do too much damage, but the worst was already there.

He's almost prepared to just take it all in stride and try to move on when he finally gets a response. Bruce takes a moment to think about how he should reply to something like that, because - yeah, Bruce knows he should probably explain himself.]

No problem.

Are you better now, though?

[His injuries, not... in general. Since he guesses that Peter doesn't want to talk about that.]

[Seriously? Seriously?

That really didn't matter when you left him there, Doctor Banner. He doesn't see why it's important now.

He's replying, isn't he? Means he still has both hands. No need to worry.]

Yup. A-OK.

[If he didn't talk to his Aunt May about stuff like this? Then there was exactly 0 chance he was about to really discuss it with someone who'd lied to him.

And yeah, Dr. Banner; when you omit something like that? Something that could potentially get a lot of people really, really hurt? Something you needed help with, something other people needed to be aware of? It was lying.

If that makes Peter a hypocrite for not fessing up his own secret, well. He could live with that. He might be Spider-Man, but he wasn't Black-Widow-Man; his wasn't that important.]

[There's an awkward pause now from Bruce, because - yeah. Its clear enough to him that Peter is troubled by the other guy. The way he's acting in these messages reminds him far too much of SHIELD, of Nick Fury, of Natasha when they first met. That crippling uncertainty, the fear of the beast that lived under his skin.

Again, Bruce just wishes things could be so much simpler, so much easier. This was just one of the countless reasons why he hated the other guy so much. He simply ruined everything.]

When you're up for it, we could have a meal together? I know there's some things I need to explain to you.

[Since its not like he can hide it from Peter any more, not after that display.]

[While Peter's a good deal surprised that Dr. Banner is offering to talk about it at all... this wasn't how it was supposed to go. It wasn't supposed to be something you were forced to say, after an unfortunate incident in which your workplace was ruined and the cat was out of the bag anyway. It was supposed to be something you said because it was the responsible thing to do; because you cared.

Peter kept his own dilemma a secret because it could hurt the people he wanted to protect. If not knowing was what could potentially get them in trouble, he would be open about it.

The fact that Bruce doesn't really care isn't that shockingr that, though. After all, it's pretty clear they don't know each other afte. But running off with your bff and leaving someone in that condition? A little harsh between frienemies, much less co-workers.

It's not the Other Guy that had Peter so bent (though yeah, that's pretty out there.) It's the fact that Bruce left and didn't come back.

He couldn't wrap his mind around that.

And he sure didn't want to talk about it.]

No. Thanks.

Talking isn't your forte. 2-4, Loud & Clear.

Don't worry; I won't tell anyone.

[And when Peter says that, what can Bruce do? He's never been good at handling confrontations, doubly so when its something as complicated as this. Bruce always steps back and doesn't push even though he knows he should, but at the same time pushing people is a risk for him. Because if he pushes and they push back... well, enough people know what happens after that.

So he steps back. Because its the only thing he knows how to do, and because he's always been expecting this to happen eventually. People find out about the other guy and then avoid him. That's how things had been. Have been. Are still being.

(Was it stupid of him, to hope otherwise?)]

Okay, If you don't want to, I won't.

[Okay.]

Thank you.

[Time to cut his losses and move on. That's how things always had been, until SHIELD and Tony and Somarium.

Fine. He's fine. This isn't the first time.

Just the first time in a long enough while.]

[So that was it?

Well, yeah. Of course it was. He didn't know why he expected any kind of apology, or-- or anything, quite frankly. Bruce had offered to explain, but what was there to explain? Peter understood.

So, you're a big green monster with a PhD and good intentions. Okay, sure. He's been there, done that. Not that surprising anymore.

But he could almost kick himself for expecting 'good intentions' to also mean 'I can be bothered with your welfare'. A little off for a doctor to be this blaise about it, but hey.

Peter was used to it.

He probably should just leave it there. But there's still some stuff to clear up, and even if he doesn't want to deal with it, he could only run away for so long.

So, he fiddles with the phone. The longer he fiddles, the less hurt he feels and the more... angry, quite frankly. He's mad and he wishes he were better than that, but he's not. He's seventeen, disappointed and upset.]

Sorry; I don't think I'll be coming in to work this week.

Or next week.

Maybe you should hire an intern you're cool with peeling off the floor after the next Bring Your Problems To Work Day.

Didn't realize that would be so much of a hassel for you.

[Okay, he's going to feel really bad about that later, even if he does think it's true. But he just couldn't help it anymore, he'd needed to lash out. Even over text, Bruce just didn't care and Peter didn't get it.

What had he done to deserve that kind of total detachment?]

[And it does hurt, the words. It stings, but again - not the first time. Bruce knows he has issues, but he also knows that there's no use bringing them up, which is why he has never done it. Never dared to do it. Who would want to deal with the problems that he has?

But still, the words burn, and Bruce can feel the twist in his gut that had nothing to do with hurt and everything to do with guilt. Not the first time, of course, but this one hits just a little harder, because Peter is a good kid - just caught in this situation where Bruce had no choice but to turn into the other guy.

He hates it, really.]

If that's what you want, I can't stop you. You're free to leave whenever you want.

[He's giving Peter a way out - himself a way out, because Bruce is not good at confrontations and only adept at running away. Which is what he's been doing for his entire life.]

[Still no reaction, still pretty much nothing.

Just: OK, bye then.

It's so frustrating that he nearly beans the Dreamberry across the room, before forcibly reminding himself what a bad idea that would be.

...He couldn't stop him? What a cop out. He should just admit that he was okay with it because it didn't matter.

Well it had mattered to Peter. He wished that he could just pretend it didn't, or tell himself that he hadn't enjoyed working with Dr. Banner, hadn't wanted to help him, hadn't wanted to be his friend (or, apparently more ridiculous still, thought he was).

With the way the guy had been acting, Peter seriously had to wonder why he'd even been hired.

That last one is hard to reply to, because he doesn't know how. He isn't sure how to say any of this, and he's embarrassed at the thought that he'll be laughed at, looking down on or just plain ignored. He wasn't used to having as many important people in his life as he did here, much less an actual adult who was interested in the same things he was and who thought of him as capable. So where exactly did he mess that up?]

Yeah, okay. Fine.

You gonna bother to tell me what I did wrong before I leave? Aside from Connors, I mean.

I didn't know he'd come to the hospital. Really. I didn't mean fort he place to get wrecked-- I'll pay for the damages as much as I can.

I messed that up, but

That's no reason to be a jerk.

[Or maybe it was.

There. That was the best he could do, though. If Dr. Banner wrote him off, then fine. He'd stop bugging the guy by replying.

He'd done his required job by inquiring after Peter's health. Nothing else would have to be said.]

You did nothing wrong. Given the circumstances, you were doing the best you could.

[The one who was wrong is Buce himself. He knew the risks, knew the danger, but yet he had still went in and put everybody there at risk.

He messed up bad, and Bruce knows this all too well.]

I'm sorry for everything. I don't blame you for leaving if you want to.

[He knows that once you see the monster, that's all you'll ever see. Bruce won't blame Peter for wanting to leave. Its the logical thing to do.]

[Ugh. Well there went the last stewing vestiges of his rage. Apologies take that right down a notch, and he's back to simply moping, being moody and a little bit sharp.

Lucky you, Bruce.]

Then why'd you just leave me there? You and your friend.

[Might as well get to the point.

He's harbouring a little bit of a secret hope that this answer won't be filled with fantastic amounts of fail, Dr. Banner. Please.]

I passed out right after turning back. Its one of the side effects of my... condition.

[And that is the truth, as much of an excuse as it seemed to be.]

Tony probably missed you when he came to get me - he gets an alert whenever I change. I usually try to be away from people when it happens, so he didn't think that anyone would be around.

[Peter read over that three times before deciding it was honest. That he believed it and that... well. Okay.

Fair enough.

He understood that.

It took him another few minutes to decide that maybe since that explanation hadn't been so bad, others could... well, they couldn't hurt, anyway. Probably.

It takes him to the very apex of his ability to be mature to write back;]

...so were you thinking lunch, or dinner?

[Somehow, Bruce had given him a reasonable excuse for what he'd thought was inexcusable behavour. So Peter, in return, would give him the benefit of the doubt.]

[Bruce lets out a sigh of relief at the reply. He had--well, he had almost been certain that he lost Peter, so this is... a relief, for one. Things at least don't seem to be as bad now.]

Either is fine. You can pick.

[And here he hopes that he doesn't screw this up.]

Dinner then.

[You're going to have to pick the date, Bruce. Let's see some commitment, here. Peter's giving you the benefit, but he's still not happy; moody teenager is go. Hope you're ready for the most awkward dinner of all time.]

[It's okay, Bruce can deal with awkward. Somewhat. He's awkward incarnate himself.]

This weekend, when you're more healed?

Sounds good.

No worries; this bandaid I found is working out great.

[Can't help the snark. He'll feel sorry about it later, but not now.]

Sunday, then.

[Gives him a little more time not to lose his cool and to heal up his ~~fragile~~ ego.]

[Ow. Yeah, that snark stings a little, but Bruce supposes that he deserves it. And honestly, being snarked at isn't as bad as some of the other things that's been done to him.]

Sunday it is. I'll see you then, Peter.

OK.

Later, Dr. Banner.

[He didn't feel right about this by a long shot... but some explanation, belated as it was, was better than nothing.]

Thank you, Peter Parker.

From Not-Mean-Girl

No Prob, Not-Mean-Girl!

Hope you like cherry.

I like it just fine!

You really didn't have to you know. You were a pretty adorable kid. It was fun.

Hey, you were nicer about it than most people were-- believe me, I had to.

Tough choice between cherry and grape, though.

Peter, where are you?

Sorry.

I don't feel well.

What's wrong?

[What isn't wrong?]

I'm just... I just got shaken up, is all.

...Because of Dr. Connors?

Because of a lot of things, I guess.

Sorry.

I don't think I'm going to make it over tonight.

What's going on?

You can tell me.

...So how was the ~~date~~ hangout with Finnick?

[Translation: Not so much.]

We didn't really do anything.

We were waiting for you.

[ Translation: She missed you. ]

That's too bad, huh.

Didn't mean to mess that up for the two of you.

[Snippy isn't his usual thing, but it's been a hell of a week.]

It was suppose to be the three of us.

[ She doesn't like your attitude. She was trying to introduce you to her friend. But if you really want to be a loner, Peter... ]

Three's a crowd, I hear.

[Since he's pretty much in self-destruct mode after the amazing trifecta of his girlfriend inviting another guy on their date, Dr. Connors trying to murder him at work, and Dr. Banner more or less dropping him like it was hot... there was no reason not to over-react.

Was this even overreacting?

If anything, things had been bad before and Connors being here made them worse. Made what George Stacy had said viable again.]

Are you really going to do this again, Peter?

[ Boyfriends are frustrating. ]

Do what again?

[Girlfriends are worse.]

Shutting me out.

[ She's rich and hot. You got the best one ever, Peter. ]

Think that was all you, if we're gonna get technical.

...Look. Now isn't a good time.

[That's not what makes a girlfriend the best. Someone sweet, someone smart; someone who made you feel like things were going to be okay.

Gwen wasn't that for him right now. He'd like to say he knew when that changed, but maybe it was gradual. The flip-outs and the jealousy and now Connors...

It felt like talking to Gwen was just a timebomb constantly waiting to blow up in his face. He just couldn't handle it right now, right after everything.]

How am I shutting you out?

[ Peter, you seriously confuse her. She'd be there for you except, you're the one with a life here, not her. ]

[He isn't good at this Gwen. He isn't good at talking, he isn't good at it ever... and he so isn't good at it right now.

The problem with these texts were that he couldn't ignore them. He tried to, tried to close his eyes again and rest and pretend he didn't hear the beep. Then he'd give up, read it and put it back down. Pretend he didn't want to reply.

But Peter was in a bad place right now. He was irrational, he was angry-- really, he was just hurt.

Spoiler: That didn't make him any better at talking about it, it just made him braver and sloppier about it.]

Hey, you're the one who broke up with me.

You're the one who said not to talk to you again.

You're the one who's been hanging out with another guy.

You were mad at me for something I couldn't help, Gwen. You didn't ask if I was all right after that deal with the cards, you were just pissed.

You invited Finnick on our date.

[He writes all of that, then crosses it out and bites his lip, groaning in frustration.

Take Two.]

I'm going to sleep.

Fine.

We'll talk about this tomorrow.

[ She will find you and make you talk. ]

[SPOILER NUMBER 2: NOPE.

His other super power is Avoidance. Watch how he rolls, Gwen.]

[ Oh she will find you and will be annoyed. ]

[ She bites her lip, her feelings of embarrassment. ]

Peter, I'm really sorry about Finnick. I don't know why he said those things.

[That click?

Was you being hung up on.]

[ And she is recalling. ]

Peter. Talk to me.

[And he's hanging up.

But fine, you wanna talk?]

Don't let me get in the way of your beautiful 'friendship'.

Next date, just invite him.

Peter, there is nothing happening between me and Finnick.

It's none of my business.

It is, because you're my boyfriend.

[He doesn't know what to say to that. You complain about him as a boyfriend to his face, now to other people? He really, really doesn't see what he's done wrong, Gwen. It's been a terrible last two months... and Gwen hasn't been there in any way but as another bad element. Besides, Connors was back... so the promise to George Stacy meant something again.]

Not anymore.

...What?

[ Blinking, really confused and hurt. ]

You're breaking up with me?

[ Ouch. You broke her heart. ]

Yes.

...Fine.

[Fine.]

[ Crying on her bed. ]

You're an idiot.

[Wow, had Gwen seriously already gone to him about that, too?

He'll give Finnick the benefit of the doubt and watch that. Before sending back a message dated on the day he was a 'no-show'.]

Gee. Thanks.

Hope your girl shows up.

[He meant that, really.

Didn't change anything, though.]

[ She had been through a whirlwind of emotions. Upset, then angry, then sad, and finally calm. She'd missed him a whole bunch so maybe it was time to talk rationally to him. She couldn't trust her voice so she decided the safest bet was to text. ]

Peter...are you free?

[Despite what it seems like, Peter Parker isn't actually a jerk. Yeah, he can say some pretty choice one-liners, and yes, he's pretty human in that he can be selfish, petty, and down... but he's not a real jerk.

That's why he doesn't ignore this message, even though a part of him really wanted to. It had been weeks; what could Gwen possibly want to say?

But, just on the off chance she actually needed help with something, that something was wrong, or that they were gonna broach the supremely awkward 'can't we just be friends now?' topic... Peter sucked it up and wrote back:]

I've got a minute.

What's up?

[ She wasn't sure where to start. Well, one thing was clear, she missed him. Terribly. ]

I know thing's have gotten bad between us...and I'm sorry.

I don't want you to think that there is something between me and Finnick. There isn't.

[ She didn't know if she should add more or not. She didn't want to scare him away. ]

Okay.

[Obviously there was something between them. Might not be that they were into each other, sure. But Gwen had obviously kept things from him, about that guy. Who was, on the whole, a total douchebag to him; made Flash Thompson look like the prima ballerina.

That Gwen was into a guy like that? That she trusted him, invited him on their dates, complained about Peter to him? That was a unique kind of discomfort that Peter really wasn't getting over any time soon.

...Piled on top of a wall of unique discomforts that Gwen had been responsible for recently.

But, all the same...]

Did you need help with something, Gwen?

Connors is in jail. ~~You~~ Everyone should be ~~safe~~ all right for now.

I want to fix things between us.

[He's prepared for this. Check out all this maturity, Gwen. It took effort.]

Yeah. Sure.

We can still be friends or whatever.

[ She hasn't yelled at you this whole time so I think she gets maturity points too. ]

Or whatever?

[ Can that whatever lead to getting back together? ]

[Considering she's the one in the wrong, no points are awarded for that.]

You know. Or not, or whatever.

[He's being casual.]

[ She can say the 'l' word. That makes everything better. ]

Peter...I never said one bad thing about you to Finnick. I still feel the same as I did before we came here.

Edited 2013-05-01 03:35 (UTC)

Man, do you ever stop talking about that guy?

It isn't about him.

Oh...I see.

I didn't realize your feelings changed.

Sorry for bothering you then.

[--His feelings changed? What?

Girls were baffling.

Just because it wasn't about Finnick didn't make it about him, either. It was about Gwen. It was about the fact that Connors being here changed things. It was about the fact that she'd been pretty hard on him, kind of mean, if Peter was honest. It was about the fact that she seemed into a huge commitment, but... wasn't making him feel too great. It was also about her safety, and yes, okay, fine. Finnick too.

Because what a douchebag.

But Peter doesn't know how to SAY any of that, so.]

You weren't bothering me.

Can we talk...face to face?

[UHHH.

Awkwardness Meter Reading: 110%.

Action?: Dodge.]

Talk about what?

Everything...us...

Gwen.

I don't think there's much to talk about.

[She clearly doesn't think she's done anything wrong, and Peter isn't about to tell her. Things were... rough right now, besides.

It was just better this way.]

So, that's it?

You don't want anything to do with me now?

Look, it's two-sided, all right?

I did what I did for a reason. You didn't really care what the reason was, okay fine. I get it. We haven't spoken in almost a month, your ~~douchebag~~ dumb friend decided to send me another message, and I've been dealing with-- a lot.

[Connors, mostly, but he doesn't want to bring that up to her.]

I said we can be friends. I'm replying to these texts.

What do you want from me, Gwen?

I want to get things to go back to the way they were.

I know that sounds naive but I want to try. If you don't want to then...

[ She'll have to go write a sad poem in her journal. ]

I don't know what I want.

[He admits. Things sure don't feel fixed; they feel worse, and the thought of being around her is unbearably uncomfortable right now, no matter how much he cares.

And he does care.]

Then...I'll wait until you know.

[ In the meantime, she has some shit to get together. Like visit a lizard and tell him off while he's safely locked up. ]

Might be a long wait.

[But, he's not saying the wait won't end. He just needs time.

Time, and then maybe a real apology.

~~And less villains on his ass, jeez guys.~~]

I don't mind.

[ She will apologize with fish. ]

[ Have a bag of fish cookies that Gwen made that say 'I'm Sorry' on each one. ]

I hope you like them.
♥ Gwen

Edited 2013-05-22 07:02 (UTC)

[That's... really cute, actually. He can't help but smile when he picks the first one up, after reading the note.

After his third cooke, he texts her.]

I feel bad eating them, they look too nice.

I mean, I did anyway though. Thanks, Gwen.

[ She smiles at the text and glad she did something nice for Peter. ]

I'm glad you liked them.

Yeah. Thank you.

You're a good cook. Or, uh, baker?

Thanks.

I could...make you some more if you want.

Oh, um.

Yeah, but I'd feel bad.

[But then again, cookies.]

I could only make you something burnt in return, probably. So, I mean, don't worry about it. I still got a few of these left.

You don't have to give me anything in return.

[ She blushes before typing the next part. ]

I like baking for you...

[ She likes to pretend she's your wife. ]

❧ INBOX || IC/OOC Contact

[EMAIL. IT'S YOUR FAVORITE PERSON PETE]

[EMAIL BACK. HE SAYS OHGODDAMNIT, I MEAN UH. HI?]

[SPECTRE AT THE FEAST.]

[YOU'VE SOLD HIM TO REDNECKS, HE JUST KNOWS IT.]

THEY ARE A NOBLE FAMILY of rednecks.

[GEE, THAT MAKES IT almost BETTER.]

IT WILL BE GLORIOUS THEY WILL TEACH YOU ABOUT HONOR AND HE'LL MARRY YOU OFF.

OH GOD, HE SUDDENLY KNOWS WHAT MULAN FEELS LIKE.

[/ D E A D]

/violins EVERYWHERE.

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sorry for the delay!

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[Voice] HAY ITS YOUR BFF

[Voice] SOB.

[Voice] Jeez she hasn't raped yet Peter

[Voice] GOOD.

[Voice] Yet being the keyword. It's gonna happen.

[Voice] GET OUT.

[Voice] Not until she taps dat ass

[Voice] Gwen, stop out-creeping him.

[Voice] She's watching you. loljk.

[Voice] 5 Adults. He needs 5 adults. (One won't die or be evil.)

[Voice] Asking the impossible Peter.

[Voice] Hence the pity-party. BAWloons for everyone!

[Voice] Your life isn't that hard Peter :|

[Voice] Believe him, it is.