Ship Idea: SteelSpider
Some of you reading this have probably seen some these images.
This part of a Marvel Rivals AU created by one Egghead Cobra, focusing on a blossoming romance between Spider-Man and Psylocke (Sai).
And it's really taken off in terms of popularity among the fandom.
And in all honesty.....I kinda ship them too now.
But recently I realized that the ship reminded me of a pairing I that came up with a couple months ago, which also was between Spider-Man and a member of The X-Men.
That member being Colossus.
While yes, I did kinda ship these two together because of them having the same name, but I also think these two could work really well given their history.
This is SteelSpider!
Starting off with how these two got together.
One day, Peter was stopping Felicia in the midst of one of her robberies.
This time she was stealing a series of rather melancholic paintings.
Luckily, the paintings have an address on the back, so he's able to return them to their rightful owner.
This leads him to Peter Nicholas, a tall and muscular Russian man with a equally melancholic and pessimistic personality.
After their meeting, Peter has two takeaways.
1#) In spite of his depressing nature, Nicholas is kinda cute (let's be real, Peter is definitely bisexual)
And 2# and most importantly) there's something weirdly familiar about that guy.
Shortly after that, Peter decides to start to hanging with Nicholas, in order to make sure Felicia doesn't try to steal his paintings again.
While Nicholas was not exactly a fan of this at first, he eventually got used to it.
And over time, the two would get to know each other a little better.
Along with that, their feelings towards each other start to change as well.
Peter genuinely starts wanting to help Nicholas beyond just protecting his art.
He finds out that the dude has pretty rough life.
He lost his parents, was taken advantage of by multiple people (including his own siblings), the people who he thought cared for him basically snubbed him during his times of need, and worst of all, was left at the altar by his previous love.
As a result of all this, Nicholas has developed the mindset that nothing in life matters, and most of all, he doesn't matter.
As for Nicholas, he genuinely finds himself intrigued by Peter.
Just like him, Peter has also had a pretty rough life himself.
(Which shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who even remotely knows the character)
But in spite of all that, Peter still remains kind and optimistic.
Soon enough, the two actually start hanging out.
And over time, Nicholas starts to lighten up.
Which is even reflected in his recent art, which is now a lot more cheery and optimistic.
And of course, their feelings for each other start to grow.
They become so close that Peter even reveals his identity to Nicholas.
Eventually, Peter officially asks Nicholas out on a date to Coney Island, which he was accepts.
Things go pretty well for the couple that night, but everything changes while they're on the ferris wheel.
Nicholas reveals that he genuinely appreciates Peter's company over the last few months and how much he's made him happy.
And while he does genuinely want to be with Peter, he tearfully admits he's afraid that it'll just end up in heartbreak like his last relationships.
But Peter makes it clear to Nicholas that he would NEVER hurt him or leave him.
Touched by this, Nicholas hugs Peter.
Shortly after that, the two find themselves looking into each other's eyes.
And soon enough, they start closing in for a kiss.
But before they could seal the deal, Peter spots The Rhino terrorizing the guests of Coney Island.
So immediately takes off to take care of him.
Unfortunately, Peter ends up getting his ass handed to by Rhino, much to Nicholas' horror.
And at that moment, he decides to reveal who he truly is in order to save Peter.
Right as Rhino was about finish Peter off, a huge steel fist punches him out-cold.
That punch was from none other than Nicholas, who's entire skin was currently steel.
And it's there Peter finds out that he's none other than Piotr Rasputin!
And he realizes why "Nicholas" seemed so familiar.
A little while later, as they're walking back to Peter's place, he asks Piotr a few questions.
Specifically why he used a fake alias and and more importantly, why isn't he with the other mutants?
Piotr reveals that he used the alias of Peter Nicholas in order to hide who he really was.
And as for the latter, he reveals that he's trying to stay away from the other mutants, more specifically, The X-Men.
And it's all because of the fall of Krakoa, which Piotr unfortunately had a major hand in (albeit via mind control from his brother Mikhail and The Chronicler).
Piotr then asks Peter if knowing who he is now changes anything.
Peter responds by kissing him on the lips, much to his shock.
He then answers the question by saying that it doesn't.
And so, their romance officially starts to blossom.
So that was the story of SteelSpider.
It's pretty simple, but what I think makes this ship works is when your consider their partners' respective backgrounds.
Peter and Piotr are both individuals who have been through lot of a pain throughout their lives.
Especially when it comes to romance.
So seeing these two finally finding love with each other is just feels really resonating.
There's always been something enduring about seeing individuals who have gone through absolute HELL finding happiness with each other.
Plus it feels pretty in-character for both of them.
Peter would really help Piotr out of the dark place he's been in for so long.
That dude has been hurt so many times throughout his life.
From the loss of his entire family, to the constant manipulation from dark forces.
And perhaps worst of all, the people who he thought would be there for him the most (The X-Men) not being there for him during his darkest time.
Hell, not even his own sister, the only member of his family left that isn't dead or evil, helped him!
Piotr has been hurt so much, that it led him to believe that nothing matters and that HE doesn't matter.
But Peter would assure him that things do matter and that he matters.
And it would make sense given that Peter is no stranger to helping out broken people.
Just look at Eddie.
In fact, the story of their relationship is pretty reminiscent to Hercules and Megara.
Just like Herc, Peter is just a kind, honest, sweet and caring guy.
And like Meg, Piotr has been hurt by love so much in the past, that he refuses to accept it ever again, fearing that he'll just be hurt yet again.
Anyway, that's it for now.
Let me know what you guys think about this ship idea.
I'm planning on doing some more with it!
