Krabik

Peter squints at his phone and picks up. The line is silent for a good ten seconds and Peter is just about to ask if Wade is there when he finally speaks

His voice is shaky and quiet and the unfamiliarity of this tone coming from the normally upbeat Deadpool throws Peter

“Can I come over?”

“…of course”

Wade hangs up immediately and leaves Peter staring at the ceiling and wondering what just happened

Less than a minute later Peter hears the window in his living room being pushed open. He should be surprised but the idea of Wade waiting outside to get permission to come in when he normally barges in like he lives here fills Peter with concern

He stumbles out of bed an grabs a hoodie from the back of a chair then walks to the living room

“Wade?” He asks cautiously. He can see the man’s silhouette against the moonlight coming through the window

Wade doesn’t speak, he steps towards Peter slowly, like he’s unsure of himself

“…Wade?” Peter is getting scared

Wade takes the last few hurried steps to Peter and wraps his arms around him, burying his face in Peter’s neck

Peter freezes for only a second before hugging Wade back and holding him tight

Wade is trembling like he’s trying to hold back tears and his breathing is overly controlled. Peter recognises the breathing exercises his aunt had taught him to do to calm himself down. Wade squeezes Peter tighter when his hug is reciprocated

“It’s alright, you’re safe, I’ve got you Wade, I’m right here” Peter murmurs as he rubs circles on Wade’s back

A single sob shakes Wade and he noses into Peter’s neck, hiding himself from the world and letting the soft words of comfort wash over him

The two stay stood in the middle of the living room for a long time, until Wade is breathing normally and can bring himself to peel away from Peter

The first thing Wade says is “sorry”

Peter physically feels his heart break in two

“No, nu uh, you have nothing to be sorry about, don’t you dare apologise for being human Wade”

Wade bites his lip to hold back tears and nods

“D’you want to stay here tonight?” Peter doesn’t think that Wade is in any state to be alone, let alone travel in New York City in the middle of the night. He also doesn’t want to leave Wade like this, he needs to make sure Wade is ok

Wade nods again

Peter leads him to the bedroom and hands Wade an oversized sleep shirt, then excuses himself to grab Wade a glass of water to give him a bit of privacy

He feels awkward about sleeping in the same bed as Wade, but he can’t think of anything else he’d rather do. Wade seems fragile, it’s a state that Peter had never seen from him before. The concept of Wade hiding his sadness and fear from him, or forcing the persona he always wears, makes Peter want to protect this side of him. He needs Wade to know that it’s ok to feel, that being vulnerable is ok, that it’s ok to show all sides of himself to Peter. That Peter is safe.

Peter had used Wade a bit like a beacon, a lighthouse cutting through the fog over a dark sea. Whenever Peter had had a bad day, Wade is always smiling and joking and making everything better. Thinking about it, Wade makes Peter feel safe.

Wade deserves to feel like Peter feels when Wade is around.

Peter places the glass of water down on the bedside table and walks around to the other side. Wade is sat on the edge awkwardly, so at least they’re both in the same boat. Peter gets into bed and Wade copies him, like he was waiting for permission. They both face away from each other and Peter can slightly feel the heat radiating off of Wade, an assurance that he’s still there

“I had a nightmare…” Wade says, “I wanted- needed someone who’d get it. Thank you.”

Peter’s not sure what to say. ‘Anytime’ feels too casual. “I’m always going to be here for you, Wade” he says, “promise” he adds, and he means it

Wade’s breathing slows only a minute later and he’s fast asleep. He sounds calm and Peter really hopes he feels safe now.