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[made_up_names]

[ Hey look, it's another teenager! A totally and completely normal teenager that has managed to scrounge up some clothes that aren't just whatever the hell he was wearing under his suit. Looks like a hoodie and some kind of shirt that looks like it might be nerdy? He tried for a nerdy aesthetic, anyway, which is hard when he doesn't even know what nerd culture looks like here. He's seated outside in Nova City somewhere, trying to figure out what to do next.

Anyway. He. Waves awkwardly? ]

Hey, um. I'd ask if people really just introduce themselves online like this without making it like "Welcome to My Star Wars Vlog And/Or Podcast" but I went back and looked at a bunch of posts and I guess that's exactly what it is? Which is cool. But weird? I'm weirded out.

[ Focus, Peter. Maybe breathe a little. He looks incredibly awkward, which is still only 50% of the Awkward Peter Parker Experience. ]

Anyway, I'm Peter Parker! I just got here like. A couple hours ago? And I have one really super important question.

[ Pause. Try not to look too excited. Look incredibly excited. ]

Did I see something about Pokémon? Like, actual physical Pokémon? Is that real or is this some super convincing AR thing? Because I'm down with both but if it's the first kind I am literally going to explode.

Comments

[made_up_names]

[ He does think that Beck wants to be heroic. Just for all the wrong reasons, with all the wrong execution. There's no way he can trust the guy. But ... ]

Then do that. No tricks. If you go on an ego trip and start causing property damage or killing people, it'll be all over the network.

[mysteryhero]

Only time can offer that proof. For now, you only have my word.

[Truthful, at least. He can't predict what may happen in the future.]

[made_up_names]

Yeah. Trust me, I'm not happy about that.

[ But he's quickly realizing he doesn't really have a choice. If he exposes Beck, then the man has no choice, right? It's straight back to supervillainy. At least this way he might actually do something good. And it gives Peter time to get back on his feet. ]

But fine. You've got my word too. I won't tell anyone.

[ Also truthful, given Gwen already knows. ]

[mysteryhero]

Good.

[He gives out an easier smile and ducks his head as if acquiescing to Peter. Then he holds out a hand again, offering to seal the deal with a handshake.]

To our new partnership.

[He may be pushing the goodwill a little too far.]

[made_up_names]

[ Yeah, Beck deserves this glare. ]

This isn't a partnership. It's a truce.

[mysteryhero]

[He keeps his hand out this time, waiting.]

A truce then. For now.

[made_up_names]

[ Ugh. He hates this. He hates all of this. But he reluctantly takes Beck's hand, squeezing a little too hard. ]

Fine. For now.

[mysteryhero]

[Beck visibly winces. Yeah, one punch from Peter would likely just knock Mysterio out. He had to be careful.]

Thank you.

[He at least sounds sincere?]

Now... What's the next step?

[Letting Peter take the lead, or at least give an opportunity to. Whether Beck agrees to anything Peter says is still up in the air. He'll make his judgments as they happen, although he does want to try to make this work.]

[made_up_names]

[ Easily. He'd have a harder time avoiding killing him, honestly. Maybe don't think about that too hard.

Anyway. That ... is a good question. A really good question. Because frankly he has no idea. He sighs, deflating a little. Looking more like the teenaged kid he actually is. ]

It'd be great if you fessed up to the Elemental stuff being bullshit, but I'm guessing you wanna keep that part.

[mysteryhero]

What good would that do here? I'll keep that story. It's a good jumping off point for conversations.

[He makes it sound so flippant; all that tragic backstory.]

[made_up_names]

[ Peter flinches. ]

Conversations. Right. With people like me.

[mysteryhero]

Look, Peter.

You know what happened. You're the only one. If I confess to these people now they'll start off by seeing me in a bad light.

[And he can't have that.]

It would completely destroy the idea of a fresh start and a second chance.

And you do want to save me this time, don't you?

[made_up_names]

[ Goddammit, Beck. He hates that that particular button is so obvious. And that it works so well. ]

I want you to be the person you pretended to be.

[mysteryhero]

It wasn't all pretend. Sure, I don't have any superhuman powers like you but there is a lot I can do.

[His voice, so soothing; reassuring; friendly with a touch of earnestness.]

[made_up_names]

That's not what I meant.

[mysteryhero]

[He lets out a small sigh and closes his eyes for a moment. When he reopens them he focuses more directly on Peter's face.]

To get what you want from me, you'll have to trust me first.

[made_up_names]

[ He just shakes his head, slowly. His own gaze distant and a little heartbroken, still. ]

Probably better you never end up as someone I actually care about. Survival odds aren't real good.

[mysteryhero]

Would you be concerned for my safety, like you were concerned about your friends?

[He sounds doubtful, not able to believe that Peter is just that nice. Not after all they went through.]

[made_up_names]

I'm just tired of losing people.

[ Whether that means he's just that nice or not, well. Other people can make that distinction. ]

[mysteryhero]

That's what upset you the most, wasn't it...

That I betrayed your trust.

[made_up_names]

Good job. You finally figured it out.

[ He probably shouldn't have told Beck that, but. What the hell. ]

[mysteryhero]

[He nods.]

I understand.

It's difficult when you think you can work with somebody and they just turn around and... dismiss you. Crushing your dreams and all the time and effort you put in and not appreciating anything.

[His voice rises slightly with emotion as he's projecting his own feelings about Tony onto this in some attempt at understanding. It's not the same, but he feels it is - at least similar enough to try to make some point about it.]

I don't want that to happen again. Not between us. We had a good thing going there. We had teamwork. We had trust. You put your life on the line to help out a stranger from another dimension, only to have that thrown back in your face as if it never mattered.

Yeah, I get it. I was wrong...

I shouldn't have treated you like that.

[made_up_names]

[ That ... was a surprisingly compelling apology. Peter knows some (or all) of it has to be bullshit, but he'd be bullshitting himself if he said he wasn't affected by it. An apology goes much further than a threat.

He takes in a deep breath. And swallows, looking a bit stricken. ]

Yeah, well. You don't get teamwork and trust back with just an apology. Live up to what you say you're gonna do. Make me genuinely respect you.

[mysteryhero]

Then that's my goal.

Be the hero. The real hero.

No more tricks.

[That wasn't really a guarantee, but it's a start?]

[made_up_names]

[ He just nods slowly, shoulders sagging. ]

Then who knows. Maybe this will work.