ꨄ tangled hearts • spideypool ꨄ

5 • can't do it alone

As the last of the thugs were subdued, Wade rushed to Peter's side. His expression was a mix of concern and frustration. "You really outdid yourself this time, Spidey. Thought you could handle this alone, huh?"

Peter, barely able to stand, looked up at Wade with a mix of gratitude and guilt. "I... I didn't want to drag you into this. I thought I could... I thought I could prove I didn't need anyone."

Wade shook his head, helping Peter to his feet. "Proving something won't help if you're dead, Spidey. You're not alone in this. We're a team, whether you like it or not."

As they exited the warehouse, the city lights seemed to offer a cold comfort, a stark reminder of the danger and darkness that had nearly consumed them. Peter's heart ached with a blend of relief and remorse. The mission had been a disaster, and his decision to go alone had nearly cost him his life.

Wade's presence was a lifeline, a reminder of the strength that came from facing challenges together. The road to repairing their strained partnership would be long, but tonight had shown Peter just how vital it was to trust and rely on those who had his back.

—-

The city lights flickered in the distance as Peter and Wade made their way back to Peter's apartment. Despite the chill of the night, the warehouse's chaotic aftermath still lingered in Peter's mind, a heavy weight that seemed impossible to shake. Wade's presence did little to fully ease the amount of thoughts and emotions swirling within him.

As they entered Peter's apartment, Wade, still buzzing from the adrenaline of the fight, began to ease his gear off with a mix of practiced efficiency and casual nonchalance. Peter, on the other hand, felt a deep exhaustion settling over him. He leaned against the doorframe, the adrenaline that had kept him going now replaced by a profound weariness.

"Wade," Peter began, his voice heavy and tinged with a mix of frustration and fatigue. "I need to talk. About everything. I'm tired of this—of us fighting and not being on the same page."

Wade glanced over, his usual smirk replaced by a look of concern. He could see the strain etched into Peter's face, the kind that went beyond physical exhaustion. "Yeah, I get that," Wade said, his tone more serious than usual. "We've been at each other's throats for a while now. What's on your mind?"

Peter ran a hand through his hair, his movements weary and deliberate. "I know we've had our differences, and I know I've made mistakes. But I'm tired of the constant friction. I want to clarify things with you. I need to understand where we stand and how we move forward."

Wade nodded, taking a seat on the edge of the couch. "Okay. Let's hear it. What do you need to talk about?"

Peter took a deep breath, trying to organize his thoughts. "I think we both have different approaches to our work, and that's okay. But when I went into that warehouse alone, I realized just how much I need to trust you and how much I need you to trust me. We can't keep doing this—pushing each other away every time we disagree."

Wade listened intently, his gaze steady. "You're right. I've been stubborn, and maybe I didn't fully appreciate the risks you're dealing with. I've been so focused on doing things my way that I didn't consider how it affects us both."

Peter nodded, his expression softening slightly. "And I've been too rigid, too focused on the risks and what could go wrong. I didn't want to drag you into this because I thought I needed to handle it alone. But that was a mistake."

Wade sighed, running a hand through his nonexistent hair. "I get it. We've both got our strengths and weaknesses. I guess we need to figure out how to balance those and work as a team, not just as individuals who occasionally cross paths."

Peter's eyes met Wade's, searching for a connection amidst the tension. "Exactly. We can't keep having these explosive fights and then just brush them off. We need to communicate better, to understand each other's perspectives and work together more effectively."

Wade's expression grew thoughtful. "You know, it's easy to forget that we're in this together when things get heated. But tonight, seeing you in trouble, it hit me how important it is that we actually stick together."

Peter nodded, a tired but hopeful smile tugging at his lips. "I think we both need to be more mindful of that. We've got a lot going on, and we can't let our differences tear us apart. We need to be stronger together."

Wade stood up, crossing the room to Peter. "So, what do you say? We start fresh? Try to work through our issues instead of letting them fester?"

Peter looked up at Wade, the weight of the night's events still heavy on his shoulders but lightened by the prospect of reconciliation. "Yeah, I'd like that. Let's try to rebuild what we've lost and make sure we're on the same page moving forward."

Wade extended a hand, a gesture of peace and commitment. "Deal. We'll figure it out together. And next time, I'll be there to back you up, no matter how heated things get."

Peter shook Wade's hand, a sense of relief washing over him. "Thanks, Wade. I really appreciate it."

As the night wore on, the tension between them began to dissipate, replaced by a cautious but hopeful sense of renewal. The road ahead would be fraught with challenges and adjustments, but for the first time in a while, Peter felt a glimmer of optimism about their partnership.

They settled into a more comfortable silence, the weight of their conversation offering a fragile sense of peace. It was a small step toward mending their fractured alliance, but it was a step nonetheless. In the quiet of the apartment, the city's distant hum seemed to offer a promise of better days ahead, a reminder that even in the darkest times, there was always hope for a brighter future.

And maybe, Wade and Peter were each other's only hopes.

Maybe?

For sure.