Peter stepped into the café, quietly scanning the room before his eyes settled on MJ, Ned, and her. He paused, feeling a strange familiarity he couldn't explain, then quickly shook it off. He ordered a coffee, stole one more glance her way, and quietly took an empty table nearby.
She sitting at the cafe table talking with Mj and Ned ,talking about how flash being jerk again not taking her out on date when she noticed strange but familiar presence walking in ,why does he seem familiar as she shakes her head begins retalking to her friends . @ShootsWeb
Peter was quiet for a moment, looking down before finally meeting Matt’s gaze. “If you really care, or you actually wanna help me. . . then help me to fight them. I could use someone who can help me to take them down.”
Matt fell quiet, his expression tightening as he listened. There was no lecture this time, no immediate argument waiting on his tongue.
“Then I’ll care until you can again.”
The words came softly, but without hesitation. He stayed where he was, giving Peter the space he -
Peter swallowed. “Yeah. . . I know.” He let out a quiet, tired breath. “I just stopped expecting things to feel different. You get hurt, you deal with it, you get up the next morning and do it again. After a while, you don't really think about whether you should care anymore.”
Matt went still at that, the tension in his expression deepening. Somehow, that answer was worse.
“Peter, that isn’t normal.” His voice remained quiet, careful not to make it sound like a lecture. “Getting hurt often doesn’t mean you’re supposed to stop caring when it happens.”
Peter went quiet for a moment, his eyes staying on the floor. “I do notice, Matt. I just. . . don’t really feel it anymore.” He gave a small shrug, almost like he’d gotten used to saying it. “Bruises, cuts, whatever. they’re kinda normal for me now. just part of the day.”
Matt’s jaw tightened, his head tilting slightly as he listened to Peter’s breathing. “Pete…” His voice softened, though the concern beneath it was impossible to hide.
“You don’t get bruised up like that and just not notice.” He stayed where he was, giving Peter his space.
Peter glanced down at the bruises, then shrugged quietly. “Yeah. . . I know. I just—” He paused, looking away. “It’s fine. Just had a rough night.” He rubbed at one of the bruises absentmindedly. “Honestly, I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. Didn’t really notice.”