chapter three:

Caelum went to work early that afternoon, leaving a bit earlier than when he was supposed to in order to get to the train back home. Peter hadn't stayed with him, but promised to swing by if he needed it, and to keep his phone alert if he contacted him. It made Caelum feel a little better.

He arrived for his shift about twenty minutes early. Delmar raised an eyebrow at his entrance, easily noticing the time as well. "Sorry, I didn't, uh feel like staying at the school this afternoon," Caelum awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.

Delmar waved a hand, "As long as you're not gettin' yourself in trouble, kid. Just, don't clock in until your actual time."

"Got it," Caelum smiled and began to work. It was a notably slow day, despite yesterday's heavy rains, and the morning's gloomy weather, it had passed allowing the sun to shine clearly. Caelum was able to personally see a beam of light when Peter stepped into the grocery store, smiling wide.

Caelum grinned immediately when he saw him, and Delmar scoffed. He knew they were friends, but he didn't know they had been dating. Caelum didn't know how the man would react to that, and he wasn't keen on finding out, not unless he had a back-up plan.

Peter ordered his food, Ezekiel was running sandwiches while Caelum stocked the store. Peter and Delmar went back and forth for a bit before the boy came to him, "See anything yet?" He whispered, and Caelum shook his head.

"Nothing," he had even possessed a man while he was walking down the street just to check ― and had nearly fainted as a result. Whatever the man had done to him, he was still dealing with the consequences, two hours later. "I don't think he's coming, to be honest."

"I still don't think you should've came in, if that man was threatening you," Peter murmured and Caelum shook his head. "What if he comes here, and. . . and something happens?"

"Delmar and Ezekiel will be here, and you're walking me home." Caelum gently reminded him. Peter frowned, but couldn't argue with him. "Unless you plan on letting me get kidnapped?"

"Don't say that," Peter scoffed, still worried and Caelum smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I'll be fine, go. I'm sure there's some kitten stuck in a tree waiting for you." Peter huffed, smiling, and Caelum nudged his arm away. "I'll text when I get off."

"Please do, and don't leave until I get back," Peter said and Caelum rolled his eyes.

"Just go, I got it." Peter smiled and grabbed his food, thanking Delmar and waving goodbye to Ezekiel before running off to catch Spider-Man, the bell overhead jingling behind him.

° · ° · ° · °

The rest of the day had gone by without any disfigured men making advances on him. Caelum never left the store, not even to take out the trash, and stayed within sight or calling distance of Delmar and Ezekiel. Delmar somehow sensed the higher tension with him and eventually asked him about it when the store's traffic had died down.

Caelum was wiping down the cutting board when Delmar approached him. Ezekiel was out back, probably smoking. "Hey, is everythin' alright, kid?" Caelum rose an eyebrow, pausing.

"Pardon me?"

Delmar blew a bit of air out of his nose, his fingers twitching against the faux wood counter. Caelum knew the man as a nervous smoker and had recently been trying to quit because of his daughter. The ticks he did as a result of it always caught his eye. "You look a bit on edge lately, is somethin's goin' on? You sure you ain't in trouble?"

Caelum was a bit surprised by the man's perceptiveness, but eventually answered his question. "I'm sorry for worrying you. There's. . . a man approached me yesterday and he looked a bit suspicious. Peter's walking me home tonight just in case."

Delmar raised an eyebrow, "Have you reported him to the police?"

"No, he hasn't done anything that should require legal action." And, he wasn't comfortable around policemen for obvious reasons. "But, we're taking precautions, just in case."

"You gonna be okay?" Caelum was a bit touched by the man's worries, and smiled at him.

"Yes sir, we should be alright."

"If you need to stay longer and wait for Pete, you're more than welcome to do so," Delmar reminded, going to the register, probably counting the money for the afternoon.

"I would actually appreciate that, if you don't mind," Caelum gave a small laugh and Delmar nodded. Just then, the door rang and Caelum looked up, "Do you want me to call Ezekiel back in?" He asked and Delmar gave a nod.

"Please. I'm gonna lock the door in a few minutes, if you don't mind sweepin' the office while I count the cash, that would be great."

Caelum nodded, put the cleaning materials away and walked to the back door inside the office. He grabbed the broom as he moved to open the slightly cracked metal door, "Hey, Mr. Ezekiel, Delmar said―AH!" He stumbled back, dropping the broom, when he saw Ezekiel standing by the door, staring down at him, his eyes were vacant and distant, but had cleared up as soon as they came into focus.

Caelum moved back immediately, a hand over his chest and his burned eye beginning to sting in pain. Ezekiel moved into the office, walking by him as if he didn't see him at all. He shut the door to the office, just as the door leading to the back closed as well.

Caelum stared at the empty place, trying to calm his erratic breathing. He could hear Ezekiel and Mr. Delmar talking on the main floor for several minutes. He heard the keys jangle as Delmar locked the front door and turning off the neon open sign.

Caelum let out a short sigh, rubbing his face and picking his phone out of his pocket. He had a text from Peter.

Peter P <3:
im across the street at the bank but i might be a bit late so dont go anywhere

Caelum F:
I'll stay here. Delmar said I can stay at the shop until you show.

Peter didn't reply to his text, probably dealing with whatever was happening at the bank. He began to sweep the back room, which wasn't much to do since there wasn't much are to clean in the first place, and Caelum had been tired and ready to go home. He grabbed his backpack, setting it at the door, as he finished up, dumping the last of the trash in the small bin, and then tying it so it could be taken out with the rest of the trash for the night. He vaguely wondered if Delmar had started the mop water yet as he grabbed his bag, going for the door.

It was locked. Caelum stared at it, confused as he tried it again, but nothing happened. He knocked on the door, "Delmar? The door is locked, can you―?"

A loud boom rocked the room, the door blasting off its hinges, and throwing him back. Caelum flew, hitting the stone wall, his eyes slamming closed.

° · ° · ° · °

When Caelum opened his eyes again, there was a sharp buzzing in his ears and his head throbbed. He felt something wet and warm on his head, he touched it and it was sticky and thick ― blood. His eye began to burn in pain, as if it were on fire again.

No. . . not just his eye. . . everything was burning, swelteringly hot. He coughed, trying to sit up, gripping his bleeding skull in his hand, using the other to steady himself. It was as if he had touched a burning stove, because he immediately drew his hand back, his skin blistering. He hissed in pain, shaking his burned hand.

Caelum tried to look around, coughing desperately. The door to the office laid on top of him, but the entrance leading out was partially covered in rubble. The room was full of smoke and was so hot.

Caelum coughed again, pushing the heavy door off of him. He managed to wiggle his foot and keep it from getting stuck in the wreckage. He crawled away, trying to stand and get out. His body was trembling and he covered his face with his singed hand. The buzzing in his ears wasn't helping his disoriented situation.

He tried to call for help, but his voice was choked out by the smoke. He bent over, coughing terribly. He heard noise ― besides the buzzing ― was someone calling him?

Caelum swallowed, and regretted it immediately because dust and ash went down his throat. He wheezed, trying to take a step, but his foot slipped, his hands falling forward and landing on what had to be glass and splinters of wood. He cried out, holding his hands to his chest, as his face barely inches from an open flame.

He felt his father's hand on his throat, pushing him farther into the flames, ignoring his wails of pain as he screamed into his ear. "Fucking faggot!!"

Caelum trembled, scrambling away from the burning element. He felt a panic attack swelling inside him as memories approached the forefront of his mind. No, no, no, not now, he was going to die.

He heard more noise, the buzzing slowly beginning to clear, "Hey! Get back here!" Caelum coughed, trying not to breathe in the smoke despite the fact that he had begun to hyperventilate. His hand shook as he closed,l his eyes. He had to stand back up. He had to get out. The longer he stayed trapped here, he faster he would die. Smoke inhalation ― that was very bad.

His eyes were watering from the flames, heat, and smoke and he made his way to the door again, he tried to claw towards the partial opening, prying his way out of the toxic environment. "Help!" He cried, his ears clearing and he slowly heard voices reply.

". . . Cael!? Hold on! I'm coming!!" He kept clawing, coughing and beginning to sob. He couldn't breathe. He could feel the flames getting closer, quickly eating at all the oxygen in the room.

He felt the rubble blocking the exit grow wider as someone moved heavier chunks away. His teary eyes caught sight of Peter's masked face, the eyes of his mask narrowed in determination. "Hold on, Cael, please," Caelum shakily nodded, trying to help even though his hands just got cut on the jagged edges of glass and stone.

Finally, Peter stretched his hands through, grabbing Caelum's arms and pulling him out. He groaned as he moved, his body sore from getting slammed by the door, but he eventually climbed out.

Peter helped Caelum stumble out, he was limping and he coughed, smoke tainting his airways. The entire main floor turned to dust and ashes. Outside, bright, strobe lights shone through the shattered window spaces.

A fireman quickly came, taking him from Peter's hands and Caelum nearly fell limp, choking on his lack of fresh air, despite him being brought outside. He was put on a stretcher, and a mask was placed over his face. The man pushed him down, instructing him to do something, but Caelum didn't even hear it, his eyes widened as the man pressed him into the bed and he screamed, his eyes widening and he frantically tried to move away.

Principal Davis was smiling down on him, his grimy hands tight on his shoulders as he forced him to the mattress, "Stay still, we haven't even had any real fun yet."

People shouted around him and he couldn't stop shaking, unable to breathe properly, "Shock ― heart ― smoke in― calm d―"

Someone sat down in front of him, gently taking his hand and speaking to him. His instincts told him to pull away immediately, but something made him stop and listen to instead.

"Hey, I'm going to need you to calm down, if. . . if you don't you going to hurt yourself, and we don't want to see you in the hospital again, okay?" They laughed, a sound that sounded like a sunny day, and he calmed hesitantly. Peter? "Breathe deep breaths, alright? They're not going to hurt you ― Davis is gone now and we can get through this. Breathe. . ."

Caelum slowly listened to him, breathing in and out slowly and at a steady pace. "Good. . . good. . . keep going. . ."

Caelum sat, breathing for what felt like it had to be hours, slowly becoming more aware of what was going on, remembering that Davis was in prison and that he couldn't be here anymore. Eventually, the stranger, Spider-Man, had to leave, and about ten minutes later, Peter showed up, out of breath and worried sick.

Peter spoke with the paramedic for several minutes. At this point, Caelum knew at least an hour had passed since the explosion, and he knew 'Spider-Man' had a hand in it. The criminals had been apprehended, but the Deli was beyond saving.

Caelum nursed a headache, but successfully had help getting the oxygen mask taken off. He was feeling a bit better now, if not left with a bad cough. Peter came to him immediately, sans suit, and wrapped his arms around Caelum.

"I thought you were dead," he whispered. "How are you feeling? Is anything else―Is anything hurting? Did you break anything?"

"I'm fine," Caelum croaked, taking a sip from a water bottle the paramedic had provided. They were beginning to wrap up now that everyone was okay. The police had been contacted in order to take the criminals away and record witness accounts. Nosy neighbours and local news stations had appeared, wanting to know what happened and who was responsible. Most of them had spoken to Delmar and a few had tried to speak to him, but they had been immediately waved away.

"Can you walk?" Peter continued, pulling out a surprisingly untouched phone. "May's probably going to be worried sick."

Caelum nodded, rubbing his nose and Peter led him away. The crowd respectfully parted, a few cameras trained on their backsides as they made their way home. Caelum paid no attention to those desperate enough to catch a few teenagers for a good headline, but as his eyes lazily scanned the crowds, he spotted a familiar face.

A masked man with white eyes, watching him carefully, as if happy or pleased. Caelum stumbled, but Peter helped him, "You okay?"

"He―He's―!" Caelum rasped, trying to find the face again, but it was gone now. Caelum felt suffocated again, wanting to turn around and find the man, but at the same time, knowing he needed to get home.

Peter walked him home as fast as he could, grabbed a half-zipped backpack from an alleyway before went to the apartment door, slipping in his key.

"I saw him," Caelum whispered as Peter opened the screen up. He fumbled, the keys nearly falling out his hands.

"What? When?"

"In the crowd, at the bodega. He was there," Caelum couldn't stop thinking about it. The man had just been staring at him, how long had he been there? Did he cause the explosion?

"I didn't see him when I went in," Peter said and swung the door open. Caelum stumbled inside after him, wondering how May would react to seeing him covered in ash and sounding like an aged smoker.

They opted for the elevator and rode it to their apartment in a comfortable silence. Caelum leaned his head back, breathing deeply against the cold metal wall of the shady machine, hoping it didn't get stuck. He tried to rehearse what he would say to May, but nothing sounded right. He hoped that she wouldn't freak out, even though he knew she would. She didn't watch the news too much, so it's likely she hadn't heard what had happened yet.

The doors opened, Caelum and Peter walked out. Peter's bag was half-closed and a bit of red fabric peeked from it. Caelum didn't get the chance to warn Peter about it, he had already opened the door and helped Caelum to the couch.

He heard the stovetop sizzling in the kitchen. "Finally, you two are back! I've been calling your phone for hours, why haven't you answered? What were you going, where have you been?"

May stepped into the room and her brown eyes went wide in shock. "Wha―?! What happened!" She ran over, swiping a bit of loose hair behind her ear as she came to Caelum's side.

"I'm fine," he insisted, "There was an accident at work, Delmar's place. . . uh, caught fire. I've already been checked by a paramedic, no major injuries, just a minor concussion and a few scratches. I'll live."

"Why didn't you call me?!" She snapped, glaring at him and at Peter.

"I lost my phone and Peter was too busy helping me get back. Really, I'm fine, Ms. May, there's no need to worry."

May looked a bit flustered, still shocked by the situation, but managed to calm down a little. "I'm going to go put my bag down," Peter said, and left the room for a moment.

"How did this happen? Where was Delmar?" May asked after cooling down significantly.

"He was there, but he's fine now. There weren't any casualties." Caelum thought vaguely about Ezekiel and the locked door, but he didn't mention it to May. There was no need to make her even more worried than she was.

May sighed, rubbing her face, "Well, in that case, do you need anything? I can hear how the smoke affected your throat. I can make some tea or soup."

Caelum relaxed at the thought of drinking green tea again, "That would be wonderful, thank you, Ms. May." May moved over and hugged him tight. Caelum stiffened, staring at the floor. He still wasn't used to being hugged all the time, even when it wasn't in pity. He couldn't stand being touched and although he knew the motion was out of affection for him, he still was put off by it.

Sensing his slight discomfort, May pulled away, but smiled anyway. She had been trying to get him to smile and be more open. Caelum knew she wanted him to see a therapist for his issues but Caelum was not ready for it at all. He had too many bad experiences being trapped in a room with a stranger and wasn't keen on making another. Besides that, there was also the issue of money, which wasn't something they were rich in either. Therapists weren't cheap, and although May meant well, they both knew she didn't have the funds to pay for therapy, so Caelum was better off keeping his issues to himself, or finding some other outlet.

May went to the kitchen and Caelum slowly stood, making his way to Peter's room, He gently opened the door, finding Peter and Ned sitting on the bed, staring at him. In Ned's hands, were the unmistakable Spider-Man suit.

"Shit," Caelum deadpanned, quickly closing the door to keep May from hearing.

"You knew too!?" Ned hissed, angrily and almost upset.

"I'm his boyfriend," Caelum frowned.

"I'm his best friend!"

"I live with him, it would've been harder to keep it from me," Caelum moved, sitting down near the corner on the floor, rubbing his face. God, it's been a long day. He was ready to crash.

"I didn't mean anything by it, Ned," Peter insisted, but Ned still seemed a bit hurt. "I didn't even mean for Caelum to find out, it was just that, well, things happened and I found out about his possession, and it was only fair to―"

"Possession!?" Ned practically screeched, his small almond eyes almost going to the sides of bottle caps. Caelum swore again, rubbing his face, and Ned noticed. "No, no, don't tell me! You can. . . you can possess people!?"

"Please, keep it down," Caelum whispered, nursing a headache probably from the smoke inhalation.

"Wait, so am I the first to, like, know?" Ned asked. "Besides you, Cael."

"Yeah, I guess. You and Mr. Stark," Peter replied. "But, Mr. Stark doesn't know Cael can possess people, though."

"Can I see?" Ned asked, looking at Caelum.

"I'm tired," he bemoaned, he hadn't possessed anyone in front of Peter in a long while, he didn't know how Peter would react to. . . his recent condition. He didn't want him to be worried.

"Please!" Ned begged, but Caelum shook his head.

"Next time, I promise."

Ned gave a small pout, but since he didn't know there would never be a 'next time' he continued his questions. "When did you know? Have you always had this power? Are you a superhero too?"

Caelum frowned, "Parker and I got our powers on the same weekend. Acid tried to take my eyes out and I think he was bitten by a spider, or swallowed it, or whatever." Peter rolled his eyes at the tease, and Caelum continued. "I'm not a superhero, I don't run with the whole 'vigilante' thing, sorry."

"Why not?" Ned insisted, "Du-ude, if I had your powers―"

"My power isn't like Peter's," Caelum frowned. "I can't go around and help people like he can, and frankly, I don't have time to be doing it either. Besides, if the news saw that some kid from Queens was possessing people left and right, people would lose their shit." Ned thought about this for a minute before ultimately agreeing.

"It would be so cool though," He whined a little, "The team-up would be awesome! Spider-Man and you, Caelum, fighting some big bad guy!" If they were in a cartoon, Ned would have stars in his eyes. "You would be unbeatable."

"Ned, this isn't a comic book," Caelum frowned, "This is serious." He didn't feel like getting into the nuances of how his power could actually kill people, if he wanted to.

Luckily, he didn't have to. Caelum jumped when the sharp beeping of the fire detector began to ring its alarm through the small home. A few seconds later, the door opened and slightly flustered, but smiling May stepped through.

"Whew! That turkey meatloaf recipe was a disaster!" She smiled and pulled her hair back. "Let's go to dinner, Thai? Ned, you want Thai?"

"Yes," Ned smiled just as Caelum and Peter said, "No."

Ned was notorious for not being able to keep secrets, and if this came out to May, over a bowl of cheap Thai food. . . well, it wasn't ideal in the slightest.

Peter glanced at Ned, giving him an obvious look, "He's got a thing."

Ned nodded, now frowning and begrudgingly agreeing with Peter. "A. . . thing to do after. . .?" From the look Peter gave his friend, he would not be doing his 'thing' after Thai.

"I'll stay here," Caelum spoke up from the corner, and gave a smile, "I have work to finish."

"Are you sure?" May asked and he gave a nod, he was tired and wasn't feeling up to eating out, especially after the explosion. His nerves were fried and he was about ready to drop. "Okay, well, Peter put on some warmer clothes, it's cold outside. I'll be waiting in the kitchen." She closed the door again and Peter rounded on Ned.

"May doesn't know," Peter said.

"Why didn't you tell her?" Ned asked, confused, "You told Cael."

"You know what she's like," Peter frowned, biting his lip and scrunching up his nose. He was getting that worried look, which was adorable, but Caelum didn't like it when Peter was stressed out. It, by association, stressed him out. "If she finds out people try and kill me every night, she's not gonna let me do this anymore. Come on, Ned, please?"

Ned looked at Caelum who shrugged, rubbing his temple. "It's no use arguing with him, he's not going to tell, I've already tried."

"Okay," Ned said, a bit unhappily. "I'll level with you. It's just. . . it's that, I don't think I can keep this a secret. This is the greatest thing to have ever happened to me!"

"Ned, May cannot know," Peter pressed, and Caelum had to agree, it was one of the main reason why he hadn't said anything yet either. Between the adoption, life in general, and working to support two more people along with herself, she was a sweet lady. He didn't want anything bad happening to her. "I cannot do that to her right now. You know? I mean, everything that's happened with her, I. . . please. . ."

"Okay," Ned breathed.

"Swear it," Peter urged.

"I swear."

"Thank you," Peter breathed a sigh of relief, and moved to sit down in his chair, absolutely exhausted. "I can't believe this is happening now."

"Can I try the suit on?" Ned asked and Peter deadpanned.

"No."

"How does it work?" He continued, not even fazed, as he grabbed his backpack preparing to leave, "Is it magnets? How do you shoot the strings―?"

"I'm going to tell you about this at school tomorrow, okay?" Peter assured.

"Great. Okay," He put his hand on the door, but stopped, "Well, wait, then. How do you do this and the Stark Internship?"

"This is the Stark Internship," Peter said and Ned's mouth formed an 'o', a dozen more questions burning in his eyes. "Just get out of here."

Caelum chuckled as Ned left the room, waving goodbye. Peter let out a short sigh, laying down on the ground next to him. "What are we going to do now?" Caelum asked, curiously. He would have to go job searching again, and very soon by the looks of it.

"Live," Peter replied and he scoffed. "The explosion, at the bodega, it was caused by these huge guns. Cael, it's nothing like I've ever seen."

"Did you ask Mr. Stark about it?" Peter frowned.

"I can't, like, ask him directly," He explained. "I've been texting Happy, but it's like, he hasn't responded back to much of anything that I send him. I tried to call him, but all I could do was leave voicemails."

Caelum narrowed his eyes, was Tony Stark really as much of a douchebag that the media made him out to be? He was beginning to think otherwise after the fiasco with his father, but now. . . he wasn't sure what to believe.

"Keep trying. You said the guy really seemed to like you, and if it's serious, then he'll have to get involved eventually. I mean, if the gun managed to blow up a whole street corner of a building, and that was what a few thugs had, what else can they do?" The idea was unsettling, but it was the truth. If these guns were out and about and bad guys at Peter's level had access to them, what did the people at Stark's level have access to? And how did they decide to use it?

Caelum frowned, thinking about the night again, and the dead look in Ezekiel's face and how the door had been locked. Then, he thought about the man with white eyes who completely destroyed him in one look. He vaguely wondered if he had anything to do with these guns, and what his motives were.

The world was getting weirder by the day, and Caelum did not want to see where it lead them.