DARKCHILD

chapter one : first day, huh?

Earlier that morning. . .

If Peter was finally going to be honest with himself, he was tired of the slander. He picked up yesterdays newspaper from a food truck and read the title: Spider-man causes over 5 Million Dollars in Damages to Newly Built Roxxon Building. The paper crinkled under his grip as he read the title over and over again. Maybe, he wouldn't have caused so much damage if it weren't for Rhino. He tried stopping the guy for over 10 blocks before he ran through the entire building and swatted desks, chairs, and electronics out of his way like flies. His webs only had so much grip strength before they frayed at the seams.

He stuffed the newspaper back where it belonged and made his way to the Daily Bugle. He was already late and the last thing he needed was for Jonah to chew him out again. Peter bit back a sigh and ran a hand through his hair in stress. Living a double life wasn't easy, but it was what he had to do to keep the city safe.

"Do you know how absolutely late you are?" Jonah rounded on him as soon as he stepped into his office. His blue eyes shook and were red at the corners. "I told you we had a meeting this morning with the new hire, and you didn't even show!"

Right, so that's what he was missing. . . the meeting. He was sure whoever the chump he was supposed meet would be fine waiting until tomorrow. No harm no foul, right? Peter sighed and dropped his satchel into the chair across from Jonah's desk. He shrugged and spread his arms wide. The last thing Peter wanted to do was lie, but if he didn't. . . he didn't even want to think about the consequences of that.

"I'm sorry, Jonah, I am. But Aunt May had a thing, and— and I couldn't miss it. Okay?" Peter huffed quietly and sat on the arm chair with his shoulders bunched up to his ears. He thought the excuses would stop in high school, but now he's well into his 30s and still lying. Was there going to be any hope for him?

J.J.J just sighed and shook his head. The same excuses and stories, it was like Peter never changed at all. "You can't keep doing this, kid," He slumped in his chair and waved a dismissive hand at Peter. "Dismissed. But be here tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. sharp."

Peter hated the guilt that sat in his gut like a rock. It was heavy and it made him nauseous. Sure, he didn't mind a white lie here and there, he lied to his baddies all the time, but it was different this way. He exhaled and entered the bullpen with a slow gait.

"What's up with you today," MJ stopped by Peter's desk and rested her hip against the edge. "Thought you'd be excited after your win yesterday?"

Peter looked up at MJ with sorrow in his eyes. "Yeah, well, when the paper you work for keeps slandering your side hustle it isn't exactly easy to be happy," Peter leaned back in his seat and rested his hands on top of his stomach. "I mean, it wasn't even me! Alex— Rhino was the one who tore through the place."

"I wouldn't worry if I was you. There's barely any mention of that in the article. And you'd know if you read it." MJ lightly flicked Peter's forehead and he rubbed the spot with the dramatics like he'd been shot.

"What's this about a new hire," Peter changed the subject and sat upright. He appeared busy as he fished his camera out of his bag and placed it on his desk with all the care in the world. His prized possession, his (literal) money maker. "Anything I should know about them?"

"They're cute." MJ stated. Peter looked up at her incredulously then back down to his camera again. "Seriously? That's all you have for me?"

"I met them yesterday, it's not like we're BFFs or anything," She crossed her arms over her chest then pursed her lips in thought. "Fine. Listen up. They are cute. Eager to start, good work ethic, insane portfolio. You know they met Captain America?"

Peter's eyes went big as he stared up at MJ. They met Sam? Peter shook his head and finally turned his monitor on. "Well, I'm meeting them tomorrow, so I'll see for myself if they're so great."

You hate yourself. Deeply, and utterly hate yourself. Your coffee spilled all over your shirt and on to a stranger's when you both crashed into each other getting on the elevator.

"I am so sorry. Are you okay?" You didn't wait for their response as you grabbed a handful of napkins from your bag and began patting them down.

"No, no— it's fine! I swear." The stranger looked up at you as you patted down his sweater. Slowly, you looked up and met the softest pair of brown eyes. You cheeks felt warm as you backed away and accidently hit your lower back against the elevator's handlebars.

You hissed in pain and stuffed the wet napkins in the front pockets of your pants. You couldn't meet the stranger's eyes and hurriedly exited the elevator once you got to your floor. Unbeknownst to you, the stranger followed you out, but you were already half way down the corridor by now.

You steeled your nerves before you entered J.J.J's office and tossed the clump of soaking wet napkins into the trash. It was 8:32 a.m. when you entered with a gentle, yet strained smile on your face. "Good morning, sir." You greeted as you stood near the chair with your hands clasped in front of you.

"Have a seat newbie, I'm still waiting for—" "Sorry, I'm here. Some idiot spilled coffee on me." Peter's words slowly trailed off as he entered and looked between you and J.J.J. He cleared his throat awkwardly and brushed down the front of his sweater with clammy palms. "Sorry, didn't know it was you."

Great. Just great. You spilled coffee on your coworker and now he thinks you're an idiot. You looked away before he caught your eyes and refocused on J.J.J's words.

"Now that you're both here. I need to discuss something with the both of you," J.J.J sat down in his leather chair and steepled his fingers together. He looked every bit like a cliche villain right now. "Spider-man recently wrecked havoc on the new Roxxon building. Before that he had a run in with Doc Ock at his lab, then a splash zone party with Lizard down in the sewers. For too long has he gone unchallenged. Left to his own devices. That's why I need the two of you to catch Spider-man and question him."

"What?" you both balked at the same time at J.J.J's words. That was the big surprise he had in store for you? He wanted an interview from Spider-man? That's it? But you knew it was more than that. He wanted Spider-man's version of events. . . at least that's what it sounded like to you.

"Wait, wait, wait. You want Spider-man to do an interview with the Daily Bugle? What for? It seems like they've already made up their mind about him being a heathen and everything," Peter rushed out and stared down J.J.J with an intensity in his eyes. "Isn't this going to be a biased interview?"

"It won't be, because our newbie here will be conducting it," J.J.J gestured to you and shrunk into yourself at the attention. "They've never interacted with Spider-man or seen him action, therefore they have a totally unbiased opinion on him. Isn't that right, kid?" "Yes sir. That's right." You fidgeted with your fingers and kept your eyes on the linoleum floor beneath you. You hated the reflection you saw. You were usually so confident, but this task was daunting. Did every new hire have to do something insane to prove themself?

"What about the Human Torch? He's been going crazy lately. He burned down that power plant!" Peter swung his arms wildly and it confused you on how much he didn't want this. "He's more of a menace than Spider-man is." "I don't want an interview with the Fantastic Four. I want Spider-man, Peter," J.J.J rubbed the bridge of his nose in stress and shooed the both of you away. "Figure something out. You have a week."

As soon as you both stepped out of J.J.J's office, it's like you both became yourselves again. You breathed out a sigh of relief and smoothed down the front of your shirt in habit; then flinched when you remembered Peter's coffee soaked sweater.

"Sorry about your sweater by the way," You extended your hand for a shake and offered your name. "Didn't mean to ruin your morning too." Peter shook his head and took your hand with a friendly smile on his face. "I was just being dramatic, it's no worries, really."

You both held on for longer than necessary then quickly let go when things became awkward. From out of the corner of your eye, you saw Peter's cheeks take on a slight pinkish hue and yours became hot after the fact. It's just the nerves, you thought.

"I'm going to go get started on those questions. I'll run a draft by you once I'm done, okay? See you around Peter." You waved goodbye shyly and started towards your desk.

As soon as you left his sight, Peter hastily searched for his phone and shot out a quick text. 'Dude. Need your help ASAP. Text me back.'

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