A year to Remember. Part 2, the Internship

Pop Tarts and Popsicles

He slowly stands back up, mildly bruised from both the impact of the kid and the ground, but otherwise fine. "No need to apologise, you saved my life", he gasps, the adrenaline finally hitting him. They both brush themselves off, Bruce's anxiety revealing new stresses and realisations. "Wait! Are you alright? You jumped in the way of a speeding car! That's not safe! Why would you do that?", he cries, patting the teen's shoulder, trying to find any cuts, bruises or injuries.

The young man is left speechless, "are you asking me... why would I save your life?". Bruce internally face palms at the seemingly inane question. "Because it's the right thing to do, and because someone needed to help. It's what Spider-Man taught me". Bruce and Thor freeze, "you know the man of Spiders?", Thor asks, the young lad looks confused, but amused at his wording. "How do you know Spider-Man?".

The teen smiles, "He's my mentor, or was? I think? My name's Jon by the way", he smiles, offering a hand. Only Thor took it. Bruce frowns at the 'was' comment. "I'm Bruce, this is Thornton, nice to meet you". Thor shakes hands with the guy, Bruce smiling nicely, only 80% certain he doesn't have a concussion. "But what do you mean your mentor?"..

"It's a bit of a long story...", Jon scratches the back of his head, fidgeting with his shirt with his other hand. Bruce shrugs, "Thornton has his pop tarts and I probably shouldn't move much right now, so if you got time, I'd love to hear it". Thor nods, remembering his snacks, opening another box to eat. "Sure, it's what Spider-Man did with me,  so I should too", Jon smiles, "It goes back a couple of years. I always loved gymnastics and cheerleading, it was my dream to compete but I never qualified the locals or my schools team".

"That explains your impressive form!", Thor booms, "You're quite capable for a child". Jon blushes, "thanks, but I wasn't that good back then", he mumbles, scratching his elbow. "I tried parkour-ing most days, hoped it would help me improve. I started becoming careless, tried more and more dangerous tricks until I bit off more than I could handle".

He pulls up a couple old photos, from the day they met, showing them to Bruce and Thor as he explains. "Messed up a move, started falling for like 2 storeys. Spider-Man saved me and then stayed to talk, asked me why I was doing what I did. Told him everything and he offered to train me". He showed a picture of him and Spidey on the ledge of a roof, another of him in his gymnast leotard, training with Spider-Man in his back yard.

Bruce hands the phone back to Jon, "So he was your gymnastics teacher?". Nodding, he smiles, "Yup, for the last year and a half. Turns out when you're a web slinging superhero you're really good at gymnastics", he laughs. "Took me one move at a time, gave me a lot of tips and suggestions, 6 months of meeting him two to three times and practising at home and I made the team at school, started making the podium in local competitions".

Both congratulate him on his wins, Jon blushing, smiling proudly at his successes. "And what about the last year? What's happened since?", Bruce asks.

"Spider-Man was soo proud after I made the team and all, even brought me a little cake to celebrate", he pulled out the picture, though it looked like a cupcake more than a cake. Jon frowns, "But I got recruited by a gymnastics team, I had school training, so we met less and less. It started every second Friday but now he just visited me at home whenever he was free and nearby", till the thing.

Jon looks over his phone, checking the dates. "I think I saw him like two weeks before he posted the video, practised a little. He even let me use his web shooters once. I miss him", he mumbles, playing with the sleeve of his shirt. Bruce slouches, another reminder weighing heavier on him. Thor taking this opportunity into his own hands. "So when you said that's what the man of Spiders taught you, was it just gymnastics?".

The teen thinks over his words, smiling at all the memories. "He always said that it's ok to make mistakes, it's ok to fail. They're a part of life, and what matters is how we react to them", he replies, "if choose to try again, to be better than before. Said he could never fault someone for their mistakes if they fought to be better, if they chose to try". Bruce smiles at the world, the didactic point not lost on him. Thor smiling as well, seeing his plan work.

"He also showed me the value of a helping hand", he looks down at his arms, "Two years ago I was average at best, now I'm working a summer job so I can go to Albany for State next month, all because he was there to help. That's why I didn't hesitate to help, I knew I could do something so I had to try".

Thor almost beams at the purity of the child. "Truly an honourable warrior!", he laughs, an inch away from lifting him to his shoulders.. Bruce laughs off his boyfriends antics before adding his own comment, "You qualified for the State gymnastics competition? You must be so proud!", he replies.

"I am", he smiles, "Topped the qualifiers 2 weeks ago". Their conversation dies down a little. Bruce having gotten an emotional second wind proposes a fun idea. "Hey, sorry if this is weird but I know there's a carvel nearby. You saved my life and gave us some of your time, so if you don't mind can we buy you ice cream as a thanks? Maybe you can tell us more about your adventures with Spider-Man?". 

Jon laughs, "I wouldn't exactly call them adventures buuut, I have an hour or two to kill, and I would never say no to free ice cream. So as long as you two aren't creepy kidnappers, sure".

"Reminds me of the birdbrain!", Thor laughs, patting Jon on the back hard enough to make him stumble. "So", Bruce asks, "is that a yes?"

Jon shrugs. "Yeah, thanks".

"Then forth we go! For ice cream!", Thor booms, Bruce rolling his eyes while Jon breaks into inconsolable laughter. Thor pulls Bruce to his side while Jon's laughter slowly dissipates. "Feeling better Brucie?". He nods, "yeah, I think. Who would've thought a random kid running into our lives could have that effect".

Thor smirks. "Peter?" He asks, raising an eyebrow at his boyfriend.

"Touché". Jon catches up to the duo, still heaving a little from his laughing fit, "so what ice cream flavour you guys getting?".

"Chocolate, Bruce replies, calmly but certainly. Chocolate ice cream always his secret comfort food. "Cool", Jon nods, "If it's ok, can I get a large cup of vanilla-chocolate mix". Bruce smiles. "You jumped in the way of a car for me, ask for whatever you want".

"Thanks", Jon smiles back, looking over at Thor next,  "And what are you getting Thornton?".

Thor shakes his head 'no' while eating the last Pop Tart out of his second box, swallowing before replying. "Why get ice cream when I have my Pop Tarts!".

"You know you can combine the ice cream with your Pop Tarts, right?". Bruce looks over at Thor, the god walking on automatic as his brain processes Jon's idea, a distinct look of fascination and amazement growing brighter on his face. "Genius!".