𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙬𝙤 — 𝙝𝙖𝙯𝙚𝙡𝙣𝙪𝙩 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢

☕

          PETER DIDN'T MEAN to lie. He really didn't. He had great intentions with what he promised and did intend to complete them, but life got in the way of things too often. And by life, he meant robberies and muggers, basically just life as Spider-Man. He loved being Spider-Man, the friendly neighborhood hero who was also now hanging around his college a bit because, well, he was a college student – he actually made it to college. Not that it surprised anyone.

         He loved saving people and protecting everyone, he loved standing against the bad people of the world, it just took up so much time. Like, didn't people realize he was also a full time student? No, but that was probably because no one (or, at least, a very small amount of people) knew he was in college. That he was just eighteen and didn't have time at three in the morning to save them because he really needed to start on essays and readings, not like those ever got done.

         But he tried, and he wanted to be a good student. He wanted to be Spider-Man along with Peter Parker, who was a great student and did his work but really, bad guys didn't just seem to care and he really just needed to put them down a notch. Not that they ever said thank you, always trying to come back again this time with a personal vendetta against him.

         Whatever, that doesn't matter. What does matter is that Peter has an essay due in two days and he's barely even started it and he doesn't really even know what's he's going to write for it so that's great. He also doesn't really know where he is because it's midnight and he hasn't slept in probably two days and how is he still functioning? He doesn't have an answer for that either, but he knows that his vitals don't look good in the suit and if Mr. Stark took a look or FRIDAY told him, Peter was so screwed.

         But he can't just take a night off. Someone could die or a bank could be robbed or someone's money and possessions stolen that night all because Spider-Man (Peter Parker) wanted to sleep and do his college work. So yeah, he couldn't just stop for one night because all of that could happen and he'd be able to hear because thanks enhanced hearing!

         Sadly, though, he hasn't been sleeping and everything is kind of blurring together and he doesn't really know what Karen is telling him because all of that seems so far away but he's okay. He's still get his things together and a little disassociation and spacing is nothing because it started in one of his classes but ended maybe ten minutes later. Although, that had been at least ten hours ago and these sort of symptoms seem to get worse with time. So there's that.

         And he really didn't know how he ended up not swinging anymore, but that's probably a good thing. For him and pedestrians. He also doesn't know why he was standing in front of a coffee shop that was about to close because Peter had never been a fan of coffee. It's so bitter and sweetening it only makes it worse somehow and he's no expert so what the hell is a cappuccino?

         But he's there, and he's kind of standing to the side in the darkness so he can't be seen. He sees someone leaving, probably because their shift had just ended and then there's one person still inside and fuck. Peter is so fucked because of course it's Cute Boy From Class, as he had dubbed him.

         Really, he knew the guy's name because they hung out together sometimes. At least, he's pretty sure that it's Brandon. Or if not, he knows that he's close. Not like they were friends or anything, but they had mutual friends that brought them together. Not that Cute Boy had ever really spoken to him except for asking for notes after missing a day of class because he was sick and the first time they met at a party.

         Because Peter knew Harry Osborn (they were roommates, after all) and Betty Brant from school and Betty knew Cindy Moon, who also went to his old high school, and Cindy was rooming with Cute Boy (Brandon?) so therefore they hung out together. Sometimes. Peter stayed with Harry and Ned, who was also attending the same college but Harry didn't like hanging out with them that much because they spoke a lot about science and Star Wars and Harry would rather talk about other things. Whatever, they weren't really any hard feelings. MJ was taking a gap year to focus on her art.

         And he didn't realize that his feet were moving until he was standing in front of the door, just peering into the empty coffee shop. Cute Boy From Class was still humming to himself and cleaning off one last table before going to the back, which was sad but also so nice for Peter, until he emerged a second later. He was putting in his earbuds and turning off the lights and he still hadn't noticed Peter because he hadn't even glanced at the door. But Peter (Spider-Man) was still standing right at the entrance where anyone could see him and he was too sleep deprived to move.

         But then Cute Boy got to the door but he was looking at the ground. He opened it, keys in hand presumably to close the door, as he looked up and he jaw practically dropped. There was a moment of silence as Peter just stood there and Cute Boy processed everything with huge eyes before exclaiming: "Holy shit! You're Spider-Man!"

         And then there was silence. Because everything wasn't hazy and he was perfectly in the moment and his heart was beating so quickly. Peter knew what it looked like; he was practically a dead man walking and he was just standing there, not moving or saying any. And Cute Boy was shocked because Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man was right in front of him. Of course he was shocked. He's pretty sure he's heard the boy gush about superheroes before.

         Awkwardly, Peter raised a hand and gaze a laugh. "Uh – hi?" he greeted, though it came out as more of a question.

         Cute Boy blinked, really processing that Spider-Man was there and in front of him (no, it wasn't a dream) and took a breath. "Hi," he said back, "Um, uh, do you need some coffee?"

         Peter took a moment, looking back at the shop. "I'm pretty sure it's closed."

         Cute Boy chuckled and Peter swelled with pride because he made the boy laugh – he made him laugh! He couldn't wait to tell Ned about it. "It is. Closed, I mean, but I have the keys, so..."

         "I really can't ask that," Peter insisted but Cute Boy just waved him off, turning back to unlock the door he had just finished closing only minutes ago.

         Brendon, too, knew that his heart was rapidly beating. God, he couldn't wait to tell Cindy about this – he met her spider brethren! Like, Silk was cool but he had been following Spider-Man since his early days and couldn't help but be impressed with everything he did with Vulture. Not that he would say so to Cindy, she made it clear that she would dangle him off a building if he ever said anything as blasphemous as stating that Silk wasn't his favorite superhero.

         He tried to unlock the door quickly but his hands were shaking. Partly from the cold (fuck New York) and also because Spider-Man was standing behind him. Oh, and yep, he was coming closer if the footsteps gave any indication.

         Finally, he opened the door and moved to turn on the lights as Spider-Man shuffled awkwardly into the building, looking around. Brendon tried not to imagine whether or not if he had been there before. If he had met Spider-Man in human clothes, not as his persona.

         "So," Brendon cleared his throat as he got behind the counter, "What type of coffee?"

         "I-I'm not really good with coffee. Just whatever you think is best," Spider-Man answered as he took a seat at one of the center tables.

         Brendon nodded. "I can work with that," and he made two cups of hazelnut cream coffee, adding the right amount of sugar and creamer – at least, what he believed to be the right amount.

         He brought over the cups of freshly brewed coffee and sat down opposite to the superhero. He held the cup in his hands because even though it was practically burning him, it warmed him up from the cold he had experienced outside. He really wanted to be back in Georgia for winter. While it was cold, it wasn't fucking freezing like this.

         "So," Brendon started to strike up a conversation, "Why red and blue? You a big patriot or something?"

         He wanted to ask more about the person behind the mask, but he knew that he wouldn't get any answers. Spider-Man kept his identity a secret for a reason, he wasn't about to pry into it. But asking about the suit was safe, he would get answers from that.

         Spider-Man just shrugged, "Blue's my favorite color and red goes well with it – and it, uh, helps hide some of the blood."

         Brendon hummed and nodded his head, though his nose crinkled at the thought of it. "My favorite color is green, personally. But like a light green – pastelish," he said back, "Cats or dogs?"

         "What are trying to get out of asking that?" the masked superhero chuckled.

         "Hey, being a cat or dog person says a lot about you. Like, if you like dogs you're probably more lonely because dogs will always give you attention and if you likes cats you're probably more independent," Brendon then shrugged, "I don't know, that's what I've gathered at this."

         "You got any science to back it up?" Spider-Man asked and Brendon inwardly smirked. So, he's a science guy...

         But he shook his head, "Nope. I'm not really into science. I like English more – well, languages themselves. I'm a Spanish major."

          Spider-Man nodded, "You really want to tell this all to a mask man?"

         "It's not like I keep it a secret. Plus, you won't tell anyone because if you do, I know that I told you this and then I'll know your identity," Brendon then smiled, "And we wouldn't want that to happen, would we?"

         Spider-Man stilled and Brendon couldn't help the cackle that rippled through his body. He took a sip of his coffee, savoring it for a short moment before continuing to laugh. "I'm just messing with you, don't worry."

         He then gave a sweet smile to prove it. He looked at the cup he made, seeing that the superhero hadn't taken a sip of it and he asked, "You gonna drink that? I really looks like you need it."

         His hands immediately when to his mask, "I, uh, can't – the mask."

         "Can't you just, I don't know, pull it up? Just to your nose. I'm pretty sure I've seen pictures of you doing it before," Brendon suggested and rolled his eyes when the superhero didn't move, "Oh, come on. I was joking before. I'm not out here trying to find out who you are. I respect the secret identity."

         He couldn't see it, but he could sense that behind the mask the superhero was raising his eyebrow. "Really?"

         He nodded, "I'm not gonna out your identity on the Internet or whatever, I'm just offering you coffee – free of charge, by the way. No one'll know that you were here."

         There was a moment of hesitation before the superhero pulled up his mask to his nose and took a sip of the drink. "Thanks," he then said, "I appreciate it."

         Brendon waved him off, "No problem. I wasn't lying when I said that you looked like a zombie out there. Really, how are you still alive? How much do you sleep at night?"

         Spider-Man shrugged. "Not, uh, not much," he answered.

         "I understand. Well, not because like I'm also a masked superhero or whatever, but because of college. Which, I assume, you attend this one," Brendon said, "Again, don't worry, I'm not gonna go looking and interrogate everyone that attends here. It's cool."

         "You seem to know a lot about me," Spider-Man awkwardly chuckled.

         Brendon rolled his eyes, "Well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that you go here, and I don't have the time to go looking for your identity anyway. I have papers – fuck, I really need to finish that one for Psychology. Never mind."

         Spider-Man laughed slightly and Brendon counted it as a win as he smiled at him. "Anyway, favorite superhero?" he couldn't help but ask.

         He just knew that Spider-Man was raising his eyebrow again at him, the deadpanned, "Really?" helped confirm his suspicions.

         "Hey, even superheroes like yourself can have a favorite. I mean, there had to be a reason that you decided to become Spider-Man, right?" Brendon questioned, "And here, mine's Thor."

         "Thor is pretty cool..."

         "Pretty cool? Thor is fucking amazing, and have you seen his muscles? He could tear me apart without even breaking a sweat and I would thank him for it," Brendon exclaimed, "And he's a fucking god – that's more than pretty cool."

         "Alright, Thor is amazing, but mine's Iron Man," Spider-Man answered.

         Brendon nodded, "Nice choice. Going for the OG."

         "I'm pretty sure Captain America was the first superhero," the masked hero corrected him.

         To that, Brendon just waved him off, "Yeah, but he was more of a war hero than anything else. Plus, he's boring as fuck. Like, he throws a shield and can beat up some people. Whatever."

         "He has super strength!"

         "What-fucking-ever. Even Black Widow is better than him – and she's really just an assassin when you think about it," Brendon said.

         "You have some pretty strong opinions about the Avengers," Spider-Man conceded.

         "Yeah," Brendon admitted, "Don't get me wrong, they're fucking awesome and it's cool how they saved the world – more than once, actually – but like on their own...not that cool. But Iron Man is dope. He's probably the only one who could actually be a superhero on their own."

         "Not Thor?"

         "Thor's on Asgard all the time, he isn't around enough to protect earth," Brendon said, "I love the guy, but nah."

         "You really don't think Captain America could hold his own by himself?" Spider-Man couldn't help but ask.

         "I'm not saying that, but he works better with a team. Iron Man can work independently and with others and he's still a fucking beast. Hawkeye and Black Widow are assassins, so not exactly superheroes, and the Hulk is, well, the Hulk."

         "But you still think that Thor is better than Iron Man?" Spider-Man concludes, though he still phrased it as a question.

         "Yep. Mostly because it'd rather fuck Thor than Tony Stark – no offense to the guy," Brendon said, not able to see the disgusted look on Spider-Man's face at the thought of fucking Mr. Stark because of the mask. "Tony Stark is still cool, though. Better than when he's being Iron Man."

         "Really? You think so?" Spider-Man asked, taking another sip of his coffee.

         Brendon nodded, "Of course. I mean, the whole 'I Am Iron Man' thing is iconic and how he stopped SI from producing weapons even though literally everyone else was telling him that it's a bad idea takes so much bravery."

         There was a pause before Spider-Man said, "Yeah, Tony Stark is a lot cooler than Iron Man."

         Brendon smiled, about to say something else when his phone began to ring. "Shit," he muttered, looking at the caller ID and then back at Spider-Man, "I gotta take this real quick."

         He moved to go and stand near the counter, accepting the call. "Hey, there!"

         "Are you okay?" Cindy asked him in a panic.

         "Um, yeah? Why wouldn't I be?" Brendon asked with a frown, looking back to where Spider-Man was sitting.

         "I just got back and you aren't here. You should be home be back by now," Cindy explained.

         "Oh," Brendon paused, "Don't worry. I'm just hanging out with someone. I'll be back soon."

         "There's no rush, I just – I couldn't help but think that someone, well, you know..." Cindy trailed off. She didn't have to finish the thought, though, because Brendon understood what she meant and he felt guilty for not texting her sooner even though he believed that she would out later.

         "No, no. It's alright, just give me a couple minutes and I'll be there," he then ended the call and went back to the superhero with an apologetic look on his face, "Sorry, but I really gotta go. I, uh, I hate kicking you out like this."

         Spider-Man immediately shook his head, "No it's cool. Really. I should get going anyway. Um, thanks for the coffee!"

         "No problem," Brendon said back with a smile as Spider-Man left through the doors and began to swing away. He looked at where the superhero left before going to clean the mugs and lock up again.

         Where Brendon went back to his dorm to tell Cindy about everything that had happened, Peter went to Ned to excitedly say that he actually had a conversation with Cute Boy. Both were gushing about the either but neither knew it. And while Cindy shook her head, mock annoyance because Spider-Man wasn't there to be her partner in stopping crime, Ned squealed with Peter over the event.

to clear up some stuff, in the original version it was mj that attended their college and ned that went someone else. however this has changed because i just like ned more than mj.

also, in this fic civil war did not happen. the accords happened and they just signed it no problem, so yeah.

(and i can just imagine karen recording everything that brendon said about how tony is amazing and better than iron man and peter showing the clip to him next time he saw him)