Chapter Text
Davey has always been too curious. His mother had said that when he scraped his knee after trying to climb to catch a star. His father had said that when he broke his shoulder trying to add an engine to his bike. His teachers had all said that when he interrupted their lessons to ask questions.
And maybe, just maybe, his curiosity was about to bite him in the ass. Because now he was tied up in a warehouse with the most powerful man in all of New York scowling down at him.
“Isn’t he cool, Davey?” Les’s excited voice rang out as he pointed at the red and blue vigilante, not superhero Davey thought irritably, that swung above them.
Personally, Davey thought the little flip that Spider-Man did was completely unnecessary and a bit ridiculous looking.
“Come on, Les. Let’s just get to school.” Davey sighs, tugging Les along as they walk towards Les’s elementary school.
Quite frankly, he didn’t trust Spider-Man. Now, he could easily acknowledge that crime rates had dropped, only slightly, since Spider-Man had started swinging around and doing his thing, but he also could acknowledge that there was suddenly a suspicious rise in super villains right afterwards. It seemed suspicious to him. Also the World Bugle had written some very scathing things about Spider-Man, and they were a reliable newspaper. So Spider-Man obviously could not be trusted.
Les did not share his concerns, however, happily tugging Davey along and yapping about how cool Spider-Man was.
And yes, it was cool that he could lift tons of pounds and swing around effortlessly and somehow keep a running commentary throughout fights. Davey didn’t like to think about how quick witted Spider-Man was.
After another irritable sigh from Davey, Les stops talking and glares at him. “What?” Davey asks, grinning down at his little brother. He couldn’t take Les seriously when Les was trying to be stern, his face scrunched up and Davey thought he looked like an angry pug or something.
“You are biased.” Les declares after a moment. “And you refuse to see the good things Spider-Man does.”
“What?” Davey scoffs. “Les, come on. Biased? What would I be biased towards?”
“You’re mad because of that time Spider-Man ruined your notebook.” Les says like it’s obvious.
Davey splutters and waves a hand, glaring indignantly at Les. “That is…ridiculous. And petty. It was, like, two months ago. Just because he should have known better, doesn’t mean I look for reasons to hate him. Honestly, how petty do you think I am?”
Les shrugs. “You can list everything that was in that notebook.”
“Because it was an important notebook for my creative writing…” Davey almost shouts. He takes a deep breath and points at Les’s school. “There. Don’t be late.”
“Bye, Davey!” Les yells as he runs towards where one of his friends is waiting for him.
After waiting and making sure Les gets safely into the building, Davey continues the walk to his school. Sarah had gotten a ride from Katherine to go on a morning date before school so she had abandoned him. Consequently, he was left with nothing but his headphones and music as he walked to school.
He actually didn’t mind walking to school. Admittedly, New York City wasn’t the prettiest place that existed, but there were some murals on walls that Davey could appreciate and a few gardens on people’s balconies. Even an occasional garden in a planter. And he got some fresh air and some light exercise, so it was good for him too. And today was no different, the occasional coffee shops along the way smelled like pumpkin spice and he was having a great time.
Until a very unfortunate blur lands on the pavement right in front of him. Davey is only stopped from tripping over what he can now see is Spider-Man by a hand in his collar from someone random. But when he turns around the person must be one of the people running away.
Screams slip through his headphones and he quickly pulls them down to whirl around. His eyes widen when he sees a very large, winged figure swooping down towards him. Or, more likely, the vigilante right behind him.
But then his back and head are hitting a wall and Spider-Man is staring at him. Spider-Man is slightly shorter than him, which makes Davey feel oddly proud of himself.
“Get out of here!” Spider-Man is yelling at him. He blinks at Spider-Man, his head pounding slightly.
“A-Are you okay?” Davey asks Spider-Man, suddenly very aware that Spider-Man was definitely in the midst of a fight.
Spider-Man glances behind them at where the Vulture had landed and shoves Davey. “Leave!”
But then Spider-Man is gone and there’s a sudden shout of anger that sounds almost pained.
And Davey had always been a rule follower, so he practically sprints the rest of the way to school. When he gets to his locker he’s completely out of breath and slumps against the cool metal. It was fall right now, so usually Davey was shivering in his jacket, but the feeling of sweat dripping down his forehead was oddly grounding.
He looks up as Sarah approaches him with Katherine, looking a bit worried. “Davey?” She asks. “You okay? You look out of breath. And you hate running.”
“I run.” Davey mutters half heartedly. “But…yeah. No. I mean.” He sighs and rubs his forehead. “Spider-Man was fighting who I have to assume was the Vulture because they had wings and Spider-Man yanked me out of the way and…yeah.”
Sarah gasps and grabs Davey to check him over. “Are you okay? Are you injured at all?”
Katherine grins at Davey. “Spider-Man saved you, huh? And I assume this completely changes your view on him?” She wiggled her eyebrows teasingly.
Davey shoots her a glare and huffs. But Sarah, the traitor who picks her girlfriend over her own twin, laughs and pats his shoulder. “Oh, nothing like that could change Davey’s mind about anything. He has to come to a conclusion himself.”
“Stubborn. Like someone I know.” Katherine directs her smile at Sarah and tucks a piece of hair behind her ear.
Sarah flushes lightly and tugs Katherine closer to her. “You are gorgeous and such a flirt.” She says fondly. “And I think we need to have another date tonight.”
“Oh, yes.” Katherine says enthusiastically. “I don’t need to be home until late. I’m taking you to…how about a dinner and bookstore date?”
“I love it.” Sarah says, equally as enthusiastic as her girlfriend.
Davey coughs to get their attention. “You guys are adorable. And right in front of me.”
Sarah chuckles and punches his arm. “We can drive you home if you want. I’m not making you walk home alone.”
Katherine nods. “Yeah, I’ll drive you. I don’t want you walking through the city all by yourself. My father’s newspaper covers more than enough awful things for me to be comfortable with it.”
Davey smiles and lightly kicks her leg. “I don’t want to intrude on your guys’ date. I’ll be okay, it’ll still be light and crowded outside when I go home because I don’t have debate club today. And Les is going home with Sally.”
Sarah squeals. “He’s so cute. I saw him drawing her flowers a week ago.”
Katherine coos. “Oh, he is so adorable. I love that.”
Davey laughs and suddenly Katherine is accosted by a lanky blonde haired boy bumping into her.
“Racetrack!” She scolds, shoving at him. “What are you doing?”
“Kelly shoved me!” Race yelps. “I’m innocent. I would never, Kath, believe me!”
Sarah laughs and pulls her girlfriend into her side. “And where is Jack?”
Davey sighs as Jack pops up next to him, grinning. Jack Kelly, who had been friends with Katherine since freshman year, yet apparently hadn’t known Davey existed until three months ago and hadn’t started paying him any mind until about two months ago. And who had decided that irritating Davey was his new favorite thing to do.
And unlike Sarah claimed, Davey did not think that Jack was attractive just because he was exactly Davey’s type. Unfair.
“Hey, Dave.” Jack leans against the locker next to Davey.
“Hello, Jack.” Davey sighs. “Don’t you have class on the other side of campus in five minutes?”
Jack checks his watch. His extremely battered watch, Davey notices. Watches weren’t exactly cheap, Jack should probably take better care of it. Unless Jack maybe couldn’t afford something else. Who was Davey to judge? Or…he was thinking too much. Was he being classist? Was that the right word?
“He does have class on the other side of campus in five minutes.” Race confirms, breaking Davey out of his thoughts and throwing an arm around Jack’s shoulder. Jack playfully shoves at him and Race pretends to fall into Katherine who shoves him back. Sarah hooks an arm around Katherine’s waist.
“Come on.” She pouts at Katherine teasingly. “Let’s get to class.”
“Happily.” Katherine leans in to kiss Sarah. “Bye, guys.” She waves as they walk away and Race turns to grin at Davey and Jack.
“I also have to go to class.” He says, winking at them.
“Good bye then, Race.” Davey says, nodding at him. He liked Race. Race was a bit eccentric and hyper, but he was always nice if not a bit teasing.
“See ya. Give Spot a kiss for me.” Jack calls after Race, who flips him off as he walks away.
“So.” Jack grins at Davey. “How about I walk you to your class?”
“I’d prefer if you weren’t late to yours.” Davey responds, trying not to roll his eyes. The offer was sweet, but Jack…wait, why was Jack offering? Did Jack even know…
“I don’t care. I usually am late.” Jack replies.
His eyes were sincere, Davey takes note of. He looked genuinely hopeful and so Davey nods. “Alright. I have AP English Literature.”