chapter eighteen:

Eventually, Peter had to go back to school ― Caelum didn’t even know how he got out, that school was like a fortress. He didn’t get out of the Deli until nearly ten PM because there was a lot more cleaning to do, but Caelum didn’t mind.

Caelum said goodbye to Delmar and Murph, before leaving the store. He put his sunglasses on so he didn’t possess anybody as he walked. However, they were quite useless when someone pushed him down and dragged him into an alley.

Caelum grunted, his head slamming against the concrete, seeing stars for a minute. He didn’t get the chance to recover. His attackers began to kick him, in the side, in the neck, in the legs. Caelum curled up, trying to protect himself, but it was no use. He was lucky they didn’t have bats or 2x4s.

He heard a wish and someone landing on the ground with a thud. “That’s not very nice,” A familiar voice commented. His attackers turned to the new guy and began to run away, someone trying to reach into Caelum’s pocket.

His greed was his mistake. The new guy attacked. He heard a loud wish, someone running, and indistinct shouting. In minutes, everything was quiet again, as it had been when he was walking home. “Hey, are you all. . .” The guy trailed off, and Caelum turned to look up at him. His busted, swollen face fell as he saw his saviour ― Spider-Man.

“. . . Shit,” Caelum swore, turning to get away. His sides ached, but Caelum didn’t think about it.

“Wait!” Spider-Man called after him, trying to catch his arm. Caelum yanked it away and glared at the guy.

“Get away from me,” Caelum snapped. This masked idiot brought nothing but trouble ― why was he out so late at night anyway? He didn’t have time to ponder his sleep schedule — Caelum was late to his shift at the bar. He had to hurry if he was going to make it back on time.

He turned, looking around for the sunglasses, his eyebrow furrowed, scrutinizing the dirty concrete. “Are you looking for these?” Spider-Man held up the sunglasses, Caelum stood straighter.

“Yes, those are mine,” he held out his hand, waiting for him to hand it over.

Instead, Spider-Man tilted his head to the side, “What do you need sunglasses for ― it’s nighttime and it’s February.”

“That’s none of your business. Give it back,” Caelum couldn’t go home without them ― he might end up possessing someone and get them hurt.

“They’re really dark,” Spider-Man remarked. “It’s no wonder these guys jumped you. They probably thought you were blind.” It was a joke how he said it, but neither of them laughed.

“I need to get home,” Caelum said again. “Give me my glasses.” Spider-Man looked at him, and handed them to him. Caelum snatched it away and quickly shoved them on his face. Immediately, the glasses were yanked away, and back in Spider-Man’s grip. Now, they had a line of white webbing hanging off the lense. Caelum twitched in anger and irritation.

“You can’t wear these ― what if you don’t see something coming at you?” Spider-Man asked, disapprovingly.

Caelum was getting annoyed. “Are you trying to harass me?” He asked dubiously. “Because, for someone who likes to ― what is it? Keep Queen's safe? You’re doing a shitty job right now. I have to get home and you’re holding me up. Give me my glasses and leave me alone.”

“It’s not safe to―”

“I don’t remember asking you if you believed it was ‘safe’ or not,” Caelum snarled, anger creeping up on him. Suddenly, weeks of agitation, malnutrition, and sleep-deprivation was tempted to emerge. Caelum forced it down, but couldn’t get rid of the scowl on his face.

Spider-Man help up his hands, “Okay, okay,” He handed the glasses back. Caelum took them and left immediately, not giving another word to the vigilante. This was exactly why Caelum didn’t waste his time trying to fight crime at night ― it was stupid and ridiculous.

Spider-Man, however, didn’t have any qualms with this. In fact, he strolled right up to Caelum and began to walk beside him. Caelum inhaled, and then exhaled, “What do you want?”

“Well. . .” Spider-Man said, holding out the end of the sentence. “Since you’re so adamant on wearing those things, I thought you’d need a buddy to guide you.” Caelum could hear the annoying smile in his voice. “Just in case you get hit by a truck.”

“Are you planning on hitting me with a truck?” Caelum deadpanned, and Spider-Man shook his head.

“No! I just. . .” He rubbed the back of his masked head. “I wanted to make sure you’re alright.”

“I’m not some little old lady who needs help carrying groceries,” Caelum snapped. “I’m not someone you can just go ‘check’ off your ‘Goodie-Two-Shoes’ list. You can leave me alone ― I don’t want you here.”

“Cael,” Spider-Man sighed, and Caelum looked at him.

“How do you know my name?” He demanded, angrily.

Spider-Man stopped, “I―uh―” Caelum sneered at the boy, yanking his hand away.

“I knew something was off,” He snapped, “Have you been stalking me?”

“No, I–I just―!”

“Were you trying to see where I lived?” Caelum snapped, ready to run away.

“Peter told me,” Spider-Man said, and Caelum stopped, staring at the boy. His heart twisted at the name.

“Peter? Peter Parker?” Spider-Man nodded. “How. . . why would Peter put you up to this?”

“He. . . he said he was worried about you,” Spider-Man rubbed the back of his neck again. “He said you might be in trouble and. . . he asked me to keep an eye out.” Caelum frowned, annoyed. He didn’t need a babysitter.

“You can tell Peter that I don’t need him to keep an eye out for me,” Caelum said coldly. “And, I don’t need a babysitter. I’m fine on my own. If he wants to talk to me, he can come do it himself. In fact,” Caelum gave a heartless laugh. “He can come explain why the hell he snitched on my dad! Because I sure don’t know!” The anger seemed to bubble over like a pot, and he couldn’t stop the explosion. “Thought I could trust him, but looks likes he’s just as much of an asshole as everyone else is in my godforsaken life.” Caelum glared at Spider-Man, who looked almost stunned into silence. Caelum couldn’t tell much with his face covered. “You can tell ‘Peter’ that if he wants to talk to me, he can come talk. But if he wants to talk, he better be ready to explain some shit.”

“Caelum―”

“Get away from me,” Caelum snapped, and turned. He left, and this time, Spider-Man stayed behind.

° · ° · ° · °

For some reason, the bar was especially crowded that night. Caelum worked nonstop, despite his bruised ribs, and made sure everything was clean while customers came in and out. Mr. Hills was busy getting drinks done, and the patrons of the bar were making a mess as they went along. Caelum had to possess three people in order to break up a fight at one point, inhabiting their bodies until they collapse. Since they had usually been very drunk at the time, nobody questioned it.

It was a strange feeling, possessing a drunken man. Nothing felt exactly right and it was harder to make sure he looked back in his own eyes before the man collapsed.

By the end of the night, Caelum was exhausted. He was more than ready to fall out on the bed and sleep. His sides burned from moving around so much. Mr. Hills thanked him, and paid him per usual. Caelum replied in earnest, paying him the rent for the night.

Since his accident with his father, Caelum was paying $15 a night. He had tried to go back up to $25, but Mr. Hills said that he was such a great worker, that he wanted to keep it at $15. Caelum didn’t complain ― the extra ten dollars would go towards the electric bill for the apartment.

Caelum didn’t go to sleep until 5:25 AM that night, meaning that he got a full twenty minutes of sleep before having to get up and go to work. Admittedly, he knew this was unhealthy. He knew that if he kept working like this, he would work himself to the grave. But, if he missed even an hour with Mr. Goldson or Delmar, he would be missing out on money. He wouldn't let his family starve. Caelum left them a check every month. It was nearly all of the money he earned to go towards rent and bills. Sometimes, he wondered how his brothers or his mother was doing.

Sometimes, he wondered if his father would be back anytime soon.

The train came to a stop and the garbled voice announcing the exit ― his exit ― sounded overhead. Caelum stumbled to his feet, making it past the doors. He swiped his student card over the exit and began to leave, holding onto the railing for support. God, he was so tired.

He felt someone come behind him, lifting his arm over his head, helping him stand.

This jolted life into him, and he stumbled away. However, the stranger was prepared, catching his arm and holding tight so he didn’t fall down the steps. Caelum stared up at them, seeing the twinkling brown eyes and dazzling smile. He immediately frowned. “Isn’t it a bit early to be wearing those?” Peter remarked, nudging his glasses as he helped Caelum up.

Caelum yanked his arm away, annoyed. “What are you doing here, Parker?” He was too tired to deal with him. He needed to get to Goldson’s ― he didn’t like being late.

“What do you mean? I just. . . happened to be coming along the―”

“Don’t bullshit me,” Caelum grumbled, making it to the top of the steps. He began to walk briskly away, causing Peter to jog and catch up to him.

“Okay, fine, I sa―I mean. . . a friend of mine’s saw you going into a bar last night, and―”

“You mean Spidey? The same idiot who thinks the laws of gravity and this city doesn’t apply to him if he can swing his way out of issues?” Caelum said, crabbily. Geez, he needed to lie down.

Peter made a face, frowning and scrunching up his nose, thinking of a defense for his Enhanced friend. “He doesn’t do anything bad. . .”

“Not yet,” Caelum muttered, “And, if you’re as close as you two say, you’d better advise him to stop while he’s ahead, or he’ll start facing some serious opposition in the future.” He stopped at the corner, remembering last night. “And that opposition might end up being me, if you don’t tell him to stop stalking me. It’s weird and I’ll sue him if he keeps doing it.” Of course, Caelum was in no place to sue anyone at the moment, but Peter didn’t need to know that. He started to walk when the light changed and they could cross the intersection.

“Okay, okay,” Peter raised his hands in defense. “I’ll tell him to lay off, but you didn’t really explain why you stopped coming to school.” He paused for a minute, “I mean. . . I know why you stopped, but. . . why did you leave your parent’s place? Just because your dad’s in jail doesn’t mean you have to move.”

Caelum turned on him immediately, pointing an accusatory finger at him, anger suddenly flaring. “First of all, Parker, my father is in jail right now, because of you. So you are in no place to ask me where I am spending my time, and why. You’re the reason I had to move ― you’re the reason I dropped out of school. You have no right to question me on my actions when you knew full well what would happen if you went to the police with that information!”

“Caelum, your dad was beating you!” Peter exclaimed and Caelum winced a bit from his loudness. A few curious and nosy heads turned their way, now intrigued with their conversation.

Caelum turned around and began to walk again, adjusting his sunglasses so they stayed on his face. “Get away from me, Parker. I don’t want to talk to you.”

“I do,” Peter said. “Let me explain―”

“There’s nothing for you to explain,” Caelum snapped. “What are you going say? ‘Sorry for fucking up my life’? Too late for that!” He gave a half-hearted laugh, his fists clenching tight with anger. He needed to calm down. Making a scene in public wouldn’t do anything for his image. If someone he knew saw what was going on, he would be in trouble.

He forced his face to go neutral and remain that way. His eyes settled on Peter, and the back of his neck tingled despite the dark sunglasses. “At this point, Parker, ‘sorry’ won’t cut it. Talking won’t either. You’ve done enough damage and now I have to clean up your mess. The least you could do is leave me alone while I do it.”

Peter looked back at him, his brown eyes round with regret and sadness. His mouth, that was usually spilling with words and information was pressed tight, unable to speak the words that were probably ready to spill out completely. Caelum shook his head, getting Peter and his devastated look as far away from his mind’s eye as possible. He turned back around and began to walk again.

And was just as disappointed when Peter still insisted on following him.

Caelum didn’t entertain his presence with words. He didn’t turn around and yell at him either. He just kept walking all the way to Goldman’s shop, knowing he was a little late.

He opened the door and Peter came in behind him. Surprisingly, Austin was there ― he was usually at school around this time, but tried to come and help in the afternoons and on weekends. Caelum belatedly realized that it must be a holiday ― which explains how Peter managed to be there. “Hey Austin,” Caelum greeted, shaking the older gentleman’s hand.

Austin nodded, and glanced over at Peter, who had been staring around the auto repair shop, in a almost dazed wonder. Caelum remembered them playing when they were younger. He and Peter would find broken things in the neighbourhood and try to fix it or build something out of it. Peter was just as much of an engineer as he was. He was the only other kid on Caelum’s level, he never found someone else like Peter.

“Who’s this?” Austin asked curiously.

Peter looked over and grinned at Austin, it was the same bright one that Caelum believed could light up a dark room. When Peter smiled, his entire body smiled as well. He stood straighter, his muscles relaxing, his twinkling eyes crinkling at the edges. Caelum loved every part of this boy. “Hi! I’m Peter Parker ― Caelum’s best friend.”

He shook his head, convincing himself that it was because of Peter’s comment and not to get the image of him smiling out of his head. “You aren’t my best friend,” he said, and Austin turned to him, raising an eyebrow.

“Right. I’m his self-imposed best friend and Cael likes to deny it.”

Austin was quiet for a minute ― at least, more quiet than he usually was. “‘Cael’?” He finally said, looking at Caelum. He felt like his entire face would explode.

“It–It’s a. . . he likes to call me that,” Caelum stuttered, trying to find his footing. He needed to regain hold of this conversation. This was getting out of hand. Austin knew he was gay ― or at least he suspected it. He would not shy away from relentlessly teasing him ― and in Peter’s presence no less. “You can leave now, Parker.”

“Who can leave now?” Mr. Goldson called, and a minute later, he was making his way to the front room, scrutinizing Peter. “Who’s that?”

Peter stepped forward, “Hello there, sir. I’m Peter Parker, Cael’s best friend.”

“Stop saying that,” Caelum grumbled, and Austin chuckled amusedly behind him. Mr. Goldson took Peter’s hand, but still eyed him suspiciously.

“You here to buy somethin’, boy?” He asked, and Peter blinked.

“No. . .―”

“You here to work?”

“Not. . . necessarily―”

“Then, we don’t open ‘til eight,” Mr. Goldson was clear with his point. Get out.

Peter nodded, and Austin frowned silently. “Alright then. If I come back at eight, can I bring food in here? I can go to Starbucks or another coffee shop and get you something, if you like.” Caelum was suddenly shocked by Peter’s charisma. He usually wasn’t like this, Caelum was used to him being goofy and sweet. Now, he was charming and respectful. Was he always like this? Who did he learn this from? Him?

The thought of Peter watching Caelum’s mannerisms with adults and sweet-talking his way into things he wanted made shivers run down his back. Peter learning how to ‘finesse’ his way to getting what he wanted ― and taking inspiration from Caelum of all people. It made certain things come alive when it was neither the time, nor the place for it.

He shoved his hands in his pants pockets, annoyed, and wanting to get to work. However, Mr. Goldson wasn’t quite done with Peter’s offer. “I’m not paying for anything,” he frowned.

“You wouldn’t have to ― it’d be my treat!” Peter grinned, “How do you like your coffee?”

When Peter mentioned he would pay for it, Caelum knew Mr. Goldson was on board ― the cheap bastard. “Black ― no cream, no sugar.”

Peter nodded, and turned to Austin, “Anything for you?”

“. . . Mocha frappuccino,” Austin said, crossing his arms. “The ones in the bottles.” Peter nodded and glanced at Caelum.

“I don’t―”

“I know,” Peter smiled, “I’ll bring you back a green tea. Two sugars.” Caelum could feel his face lit up. Peter remembered his order from when they went shopping? In December?! This boy. . . this boy. . .

Caelum sighed as he went to go to the office, dropping off his phone. Austin followed him, a teasing smirk on his face. “Is there anything else you want, Cael?” He asked and Caelum inhaled, rubbing his face.

“Don’t,” He warned, grabbing his toolbelt that he left on a hook. He adjusted it as Audtin leabed against the wall, obviously ready to ignore his warning.

Austin nodded, still smiling. “Is there anything I should know about your ‘Not-Best-Friend’?”

“Other than he’s a pain in the ass,” Caelum grumbled, “No. There’s nothing else.” Austin chuckled as Caelum adjusted his belt. “What do I need to do today?”

“That car over there needs the plugs replaced, and a woman came in yesterday evening to learn how to fix her filter. Goldie said you’d help her this morning.” Caelum nodded, “And, you can check the underside of the junker again, make sure the valves are on tight.”

“Is that all?”

Austin nodded, thinking for a minute, “You can show off for your boyfriend while you’re at it.”

Caelum went red, despite his darker complexion, “He–He’s not my boyfriend!” He snapped and Austin burst into laughter.