ALIAS ? Peter Parker?

2.09 Burning Bridges

"Still working through some theories." He stepped towards me causing me to mirror the steps away from him. But his eyes squinted at me, my head turned to my drawers for a pair of matching socks. "Were you out on patrol?"

"It happens, Peter. Now can we move on?" I said, his brows pinched. "Sorry, I'm just tired."

He bit his lower lip. "Are you sure you're up for this?"

Mercilessly I shuffled through socks, did I even own pairs? "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know... just cause... you know everything with DC and... Jackie."

Was that what everyone saw? Magma rose in my stomach and I dug my nails into my palm.

"I'm fine." Perfectly fine. I didn't need this. Especially from Peter Parker. "And don't see how that's any of your business." Eyes picking him apart, I crossed my arms.

His hoodie gave him faux gloves he played with. "Because that's what friends do."

"We're not friends, we're co-workers at best." Yanking out two random socks, I attempted to close the drawer, but there was too much. "Dammit—"

"I'm pretty sure you don't spill all your guts to Co-Workers." Peter moved next to me and pushed down the pile of colorful socks and closed the drawer in one go.

A certain feeling pressed up into my stomach and pulled my skin tight.

I took a step back, hugging my ribs. "If I knew it meant Peter Parker would be breathing down my neck, I would have stayed home."

Hurt flashed across his face. "You know, when I found out you were Voltage, I thought I'd finally have someone who'd understand everything." His shiny wet gaze met the floor in disappointment. "But, I guess..." He shrugged in defeat, the softness of his face sagging with wear.

I stepped forward, fingers raised to touch his arm, but I curled back before they could. "Peter..."

He wiped under his eyes and shook his head. "I'll find the weapons dealers myself, I wouldn't want to breathe down your neck anymore."

I felt the harsh words play over and over. "Fuck."

***

Water splashed against my ankles as I walked back home. The bag of cigarettes swung in my hand. Add that to my list of titles: lair, broken, enabler.

When Zoey asked I couldn't think to fight against it, I wanted to go on a walk anyway, or maybe I wanted to pick a fight with some poor creature, I really couldn't tell. But what I could tell was that Peter Parker probably hated me and now I couldn't stop the weapons dealers without his help.

I was tired and empty, but I knew sleep and food were wasted on me, I'd feel the same.

A blaring buzz came from my ass and I nearly dropped the white plastic bag. I slid it out of my back pocket only to see No Caller ID slapped across its screen. With an eye roll, I declined the call.

In seconds, another buzz came from my phone. These spammers were getting annoying. I declined it.

Then another buzz came.

And another.

With a sigh, I stopped on the sidewalk and picked up the phone. Jigsaw was at the very least about to be inconvenienced. "Queen's sperm bank, you jack 'em, we pack 'em. How may I help you?"

"I'm starting to think I have the wrong number, Queens." Steve Rogers said, his voice laced with tired humor. It sent a snapping sting up my bloodstream. Memories rolled through my head in crashing waves.

How the hell— across the street, a store's camera was bent at an awkward angle directly at me. It's them.

Head dropping to give me a curtain to hair to hide behind, I held on tightly to the phone as if I let go they'd disappear. "Cut to the chase Brooklyn, you never know when Big Brother's watching."

"Nat's done something with the cell, couldn't trace us if they tried." He explained, then there was a pause. "Saw what happened in DC, how are you holding up?"

"Other than a new awareness of my mortality, dandy. Best friend's dead, I'm a bitch, and the Wonder Buddies can't get their head out of their ass long enough to get their shit together." I bit my lip.

"Sound like idiots." His tired laugh made me regret my words a bit, but not enough for me to take them back. "Sorry, we couldn't make it to the funeral."

"You didn't miss much," It was boring, she would have hated it. The roses were dead and scorched by the time everyone left.

"Still, no one should be alone at a funeral."

"Been three months, we're a bit past that expiration date, Captain. But, I'll pencil you in for the next one." Squeezing my eyes shut, I threw my head back. I'm such a dick. "Sorry."

"You're good, should have realized Sam would have been better suited for your snark." The patience he had was astounding, his tone not wavering for a ruefully sweet. "He told me what you did in Berlin. Thank you."

"I didn't do it for you."

"I know." He chuckled a little and even I had to find amusement in my quick defense. "Listen, you've been doing good working with Stark. I don't agree with him, but he's not a bad guy—"

I rolled my eyes, knowing he couldn't see me. "Here I was thinking I wasn't getting the Captain America "do good" lecture, got enough of those at school."

Steve groaned. "Filming those might be the worst mistake I've ever made."

"Even bigger than becoming a war criminal?" Rubbing the plastic of the phone and swallow the ball in my throat. "Thanks for calling, must have been hard considering..."

"Considering I'm one of the most wanted men alive?"

"I was going to say considering you probably were born before phones were invented, but yours works, too."

"1918, you're a year off. Had to prove it, Sam, too." An audible smile married his words.

A tense ball formed at the back of my throat, and I felt my eyes get warm. "So after this, what are you going to do? Prance around Europe, get a dog, finally get that date or some shit?"

"I don't know how many people are looking for a centurion to date."

"I'm sure there's some desperate dude waiting to be rescued by superhero somewhere." I tighten my grip on the phone. "Steve?"

"I'm here."

"Can you tell Sam and Nat that..." I hate they didn't just sign the damn papers. I hate that they didn't tell what was going on in Berlin. I hate that Sam never came back for his cap, and Nat was always too quick to steal from. I hate that they left me alone. I cleared my throat and clenched my jaw. "Tell them I said something nice."

"Just don't make it sappy or some inspirational quote," I added quickly.

"Did you just call me sappy?" He questioned. "I'll make sure to be very pragmatic in my phrasing; I'll include a few curse words if it makes you feel better."

"Thank you." I breathed.

"No problem, Qu-eens." His voice fidgeted in and out towards the end.

"Steve?" I asked, his presents slipping out of my fingertips.

"I'm s-till her-" The phone line clicked dead, and I held the phone to my chest. The camera had spurred back to its usual angle. Just like that, they were gone again.