buckle up, boys, this is a thiccy chapter
I'll edit it again tomorrow
lo siento
______
I'd been texting the group chat the past few days. They distract me from everything that's actually been going on, so that's nice. I really have to eat something soon though, I'm starving. Maybe I can go spend a few bucks at Delmar's and grab a sandwich. Its Saturday, so I have all day. We'll see.
____
Peter
Good morning everyone
Spy
Why was that so ominous
...
Peter
Where is everyone
Spy
Asleep
Peter
Why lmao
It's like 10 AM
Spy
Well when you don't actually have a job and don't have to pay rent, it's pretty easy to just sleep forever
Peter
You mean die
Spy
That's also an option
Peter
Wait, I thought you said you work at SI?
CAW CAW
Uhhhh
Yes
We do work
Peter
Oh hello caw caw
CAW CAW
Is my name in your phone seriously caw caw
Peter
Unfortunately yes
And don't walk away from the question
I thought you all worked at stark industries...?
___
I sigh in frustration as I realize no one's gonna text me back. They're avoiding my question. Why?
I stuff my phone in my hidden pocket, pull my mask on, and leap out my window. The wind chills against my face as the thrill of leaping off skyscrapers carries my mind far away from my ordinary problems
It's weird. It's almost as if stopping robberies, saving people from burning buildings, and taking down supervillains sounds easier to me than dealing with school, going home, or getting a good night's sleep.
Suddenly, my phone buzzes in my pocket again. I look down at it in excitement.
____
Printer
Donuts, anyone?
Spy
Ah, you're up early
CAW CAW
It's literally 10:30 AM, you consider that early?
Spy
Shut up, you woke up 7 minutes ago
CAW CAW
Yeah but at least I admit that's late
Printer
So no donuts?
CAW CAW
YES DONUTS
Peter
Aww I want a donut
CAW CAW
Come get a donut then
Spy
NO
Printer
NO
Peter
You guys are no fun ;( I guess I'll go starve then *dramatically falls against bed*
Spy
Oh suck it up
You have other food
Peter
Yeah sure I do
But will I take the time to eat any of it?
that's the real question
*switched to chat with Spy*
Spy
You haven't eaten breakfast yet ?
Aren't you hungry
Peter
Oh, very
But here we are
Spy
Where is 'here'
Peter
Uhhhh
manhattan
Spy
Do you live in Manhattan
Peter
No
Spy
Then what on earth are you doing in Manhattan at 10:30 AM
Peter
My job
Spy
AH
you mean the street lamps
Peter
Oh yeah
...that
Spy
Don't bullshit me kid I know you don't work on street lamps
What are you doing in Manhattan
Peter
Went on a walk
Spy
So you didn't eat before you left ?
Peter
...no...
Spy
You ate dinner last night though, right?
Peter
O-o
Spy
peTER
food is important
Peter
I know that
Spy
Then go home and eat!
Peter
I can't
Spy
What the hell do you mean 'you can't'
Peter
I just can't
You wouldn't understand
Spy
Oh I think I'd understand better than you'd expect
Peter
I just
I have some issues
Therefore
food ≠ in my tumtum
Spy
What kind of issues
I'll strangle those issues
Peter
Can't explain
But I appreciate the fact that you would strangle my issues for me mom ;D
Spy
Lmao mom?
Peter
yes
Spy
I accept these conditions
Because it means I get to feed you
Peter
How do you plan on feeding me lmao
It's okay
I'll live
Spy
nOt foR LoNg iF yOu'Re sTaRvInG tO dEaTh
Peter
...
__Nat__
Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god—I'm such an idiot. This is some random ass strange child who've I've never met before, but I'm getting attached! I gotta feed him. He's hungry and for some unknown reason, he doesn't have access food. I can't give him an address to pick some food up from, otherwise he'd know where we all live.
Maybe if I just give him a random adress and meet him there. No, no, no—that's insane! He could be lying about everything for all I know. I mean, he already knows my name! Well, he doesn't know my last name. There's got to be thousands of Natashas in New York, right?!
I mean at least I know his name too, just in case he ends up being some mass murderer and I have to hunt him down. The rest of the team doesn't know his last name's Parker, but I always feel like it's my job to keep the team safe. Gotta keep my guard up.
______
Spy
Okay okay okay okay
Peter
What
Spy
What's the problem
Peter
What problem
Spy
Why you can't eat
That problem
Peter
It's complicated
Spy
So is calculus
Peter
Your point?
Spy
Just tell me the damn issue
Peter
Ahagwghahwbsnwnd
fine
Spy
😒
Peter
I have
v e r y
sensitive senses
Spy
You mean like taste?
Peter
And smell, touch, sound, etc
Spy
Why
Peter
I just do
Spy
Okay..?
Peter
This poses an issue because
uh
ah
my aunt
...
favors the bottle
Spy
She drinks?
Peter
I can't stand the smell of alcohol, okay? It makes me want to puke and with my problem it makes it sooosososo much worse
i mean I know it sounds crazy but please don't think I'm crazy
You probably think I'm crazy omg ahhhhh but I can't even go inside my apartment really without wanting to die and I know I shouldn't have told you this, but I trust you
I mean I've only known you for a few days and I don't know anything else about you other than your name really
and now I'm realizing how absolutely insane I am for telling you about this problem!
Wow you know what forget I said anything sorrysorrysorrysorrysorry
...
please respond
__Nat__
This kid can't even walk into his apartment to get food. That must be horrible for him.
Now, I know I should have my guard up, and in any other situation, I'd call him crazy and block his number. BUT for some reason, I feel attached to this kid. I believe him.
I haven't heard of someone with his problem before, though. Sensitive senses? It must be pretty bad if he can't even stay in his apartment without freaking out. Poor kid.
Tony used to be an alcoholic. He's changed since then, which I'm grateful for. He was not fun to work with when he was hungover. Alcoholics aren't fun, especially when you're forced to live with one.
______
Spy
Your aunt's an alcoholic?
Peter
NooNoONNOoOo
she is not an alcoholic ☝🏼
Spy
How much does she drink?
Peter
At least one a day ¯\_ ('･_･')_/¯
...sometimes 5
it varies!! •~•
Spy
For how long
Peter
Around 3 years
Spy
Peter your aunt is a hardcore alcoholic
Peter
No!! She's just grieving nat it's okay
Spy
Grieving? For who?
Peter
My uncle
He died a few years ago and alcohol has helped her cope with it
Spy
Have you told your aunt how much her problem affects you?
Peter
Well, no
But only because I know it's her way to cope with it
My therapist used to say that people grieve in their own ways
Spy
Well sure
But drinking that much isn't healthy
Both mentally and physically
Peter
Yeah I figured that
But as long as she's happy, I'm happy
Spy
Alcohol isn't going to make her happy peter
You are
__Peter__
I quickly tuck my phone back into my pocket and leap off the next building, taking a deep breath. Too heavy of a conversation for 11 AM.
I spend the next few hours patrolling around Queens, searching for any and all crime to stop. The overwhelming hunger is slowly becoming too much as I bounce from rooftop to rooftop.
Eventually, I decide the pain's become too much, so I head back home to change clothes. Crawling down the fire escape, I start my on-foot journey to Delmar's to buy that sandwich. However, on the way, my stomach starts to feel like it's getting pulled inside out, so I stop in an alleyway to try to pull myself back together.
Okay, Peter. Stay calm. Figure out the problem.
Stomach. Pain. Hunger. Food!
When was the last time I ate something?
Well, not this morning. Not last night. I didn't have lunch yesterday. Was it yesterday morning, then? Yeah, yesterday morning.
My fast metabolism is honestly such a pain sometimes. I can't seem to keep up with it, no matter how much I try. And right now, that proves to be an issue.
__group chat__
Peter
Hey guys
Printer
Sup bitch
CAW CAW
AhH he returns
Spy
Where'd you go
You just kind of left me on read there kid
Cool
Did you really just use the term 'left me on read'
Oh that is so 2015 nat
Printer
How would you know
You're older than the fucking 14 pieces of stale bread lying underneath Clint's bed
CAW CAW
HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT BREAD CITY
Printer
I HAVE CAMERAS EVERYWHERE DUMBASS
THROW OUT YOUR DAMN BREAD
CAW CAW
FRICK YOU MAN
THOSE ARE LOYAL, DEDICATED BREAD CITIZENS TONY
___
Meanwhile, the pain in my stomach had yet to subside. In fact, it was now starting to feel like a pulsating ache. To keep myself from passing out, I sit against the alleyway wall and take a few deep breaths. Who knew starvation could kill you?
_____
Peter
Hate to interrupt
But I think I actually do need some help
Spy
What's the problem?
CAW CAW
What what what what what what what what
Printer
Spill it
Old
What's going on?
Cool
Are you okay? What's happening bud?
POP TARTS
Is the miniature adult alright?
Spy
Talk to us peter
Peter
I don't know
My stomach
It's like it's on fire
Spy
That's because you're stARVING PETER
CAW CAW
Woah wait up
Printer
The kid is starving?
Old
When was the last time he ate something?
Cool
I don't know, steve, why don't you ask him
Peter
I will admit
It's been longer than what's recommended
Spy
And how long would that be
Peter
Only like 2 x 1 - 0.5 days
Spy
That's two whole days
Peter
you missed the -0.5
Spy
Fuck the 0.5
Where are you
Peter
What?!
Printer
Yeah
what
Spy
Where are you
If you don't tell me, I'll just have printer track your phone
Printer
I will gladly track his phone
In fact
I'm already on it
Peter
How the fuck
Old
l a n g u a g e
Peter
WHAT
naT JUST CURSED SO MUCH
Spy
WHERE ARE YOU
You need to eat something
I'm bringing you food
Peter
It's okay
I was leaving to buy a sandwich at delmar's
But it hurts
Like
A lot
Cool
I bet
starvation is a fruitless battle
Printer
It's not a battle, it's literally death bucky
POP TARTS
The boy is dead?
Cool
No Thor Peter isn't dead
Spy
But he will be if he doesn't eat some FOOD
Wait
You mentioned delmar's
I'm on my way
____
Okay, Peter. Here's what you're gonna do—you're gonna suck it up, you're gonna walk into that deli, get a sandwich, pet Murph, then get out of there before Nat finds you. You got this, Pete. You're Spiderman! This is nothing compared to what—
Another pang of hunger rocks through me, causing stars to float around my vision. Don't pass out, Peter, don't pass out.
The sound of a car's engine booms from the street, swerving into view. As soon as the car reaches the alley I'm in, it takes a hard left and zips up directly in front of me. The window rolls down, revealing a woman with bright red curls. "Get in."
"What?" I stutter. Oh, if this is Oscorp finally coming after me, I'm gonna lose it.
"Peter, it's me." She raises her eyebrows at me. The woman looks very hesitant to keep her window rolled down. "Spy?"
"Spy?!" I gape. It's Natasha! Immediately, I hurry to the other side of the car. However, half way there, another spike of hunger stabs through my abdomen and I collapse against the hood, crying out.
"Peter!" She exclaims and leaps out of the car, helping me up and over to the passenger's side. "Are you okay?"
"Never better." I reply through clenched teeth as I double over in my seat. Natasha opens the backdoor and pulls out a lunch bag. She tosses it into my lap, closes my door, then proceeds to sit back down in the driver's seat.
"Eat." She insists as she buckles up.
"You seriously had Printer track my phone?" I raise my eyebrows at her.
"Forget that. Eat the food." She gestures to the lunch box in my lap. "And buckle up."
After quickly buckling up, I tear into the lunch bag. Oh, I forgot how good food was. She packed me a sandwich, grapes, yogurt, chips, a bottle of water, a donut, and a candy bar. What a mom. "Thank you so much." I thank her without looking up, quickly finishing my sandwich in a matter of seconds.
Natasha pulls into an empty parking lot and stops the car, turning to me expectantly. "Spill it." She insists as she crosses her arms.
I pause my chewing. "Spill what?" I ask, my voice muffled by a mouthful of candy bar.
"Your issue."
"I already told you—"
"I know, you have a problem with your senses." She replies as she unbuckled to lean her back against the door of the car, bringing her feet up on top of the seat. "But your aunt drinking that much alcohol isn't safe."
Immediately, I feel embarrassed. Texting about a problem is one thing, but actually talking about it? That's a whole other socially awkward ballgame. "I know it isn't." I sigh heavily and shut my eyes tightly. "But what else am I supposed to do?"
It seems Nat can't find an answer. Makes sense, neither could I. "Just please make sure you eat." She laughs lightheartedly and runs a hand down her face. "I think everyone on that chat would explode if you died." We both laugh a little at this. "Just eat something. I mean, honestly, even if it's, like, just a slice of bread—"
My spider senses go off. I flip around behind me to find a man crawling out of the trunk. "DiD soMeBoDy mEnTiOn bReAd?" The random man's head comes popping out of the backseat.
"CLINT—" Natasha shrieks, her eyes widening when she realizes he was hiding in the trunk this whole time.
"I needed to meet the kid!" He throws his palms up in surrender.
"Wait—" My eyes slowly widen as I realize who this is. "CAW CAW?" (please take note that peter did, in fact, imitate a bird when saying this. thank you)
"YES." He throws his hand up into a high five, which I gladly return. My stomach is feeling a million times better with food in it, thanks to Nat. "Wow. Looks like Tony owes me 20 bucks."
Nat raises an eyebrow at him, "Why?"
"He exists." Clint jabs a thumb in my direction.
"What?" I snort.
"Tony didn't think you were actually real. I knew you existed. He didn't believe me." Clint sighs dramatically as he steals a chip from my bag. "Bitch."
Both mine and Nat's head tilt back in laughter. "Thank you so much for this, guys." I gesture to the entire car, in representation of the food and company involved. "I haven't felt hungry like that before."
"I'll always bring you food." Nat smiles at me from her seat. "I'm your mom now. It's what I do." She laughs lightly.
"Mom?" Clint laughs as he raises an eyebrow at her. Then he explodes with excitement, "OH, can I please be dad? Or, like, a crazy uncle? CRUNKLE."
"Dad it is, then." I approve as I chomp on my candy bar with finalization.
"YES." Clint fist pumps the air in victory.
Wow. Not even lunchtime and I've already got myself a set of parents. Crazy day, huh?
_____
w o w
this entire chapter is
w a c k
and written
h a p h a z a r d l y
-fruit roll ups