Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It’s March, two months after Peter’s spider bite turned out to be a little more than a normal bite.. Spider-Man swung throughout Queens, wrapping up for the night because he had a chemistry quiz tomorrow. He landed and grabbed The Daily Bugle’s latest, wanting to see what Jameson’s said now.

“No…. No…. No, no.!” Spidey exclaimed as he read the news paper…. “Again? Seriously.? It’s not my fault that they stole a car. Come on, I broke three ribs that day, give me a break.” He threw the paper into a recycling bin, running his hands down the front of his tacky ski mask. Mr. Jameson, once again, said that the ‘Spider-Menace’ had been affiliated with the same gang Spidey took down a week prior. Scoffing as he ducked into an alleyway, he managed to tear the shoulder strap off of his backpack when he ripped it from the dumpster.

Letting out an exaggerated groan as he forgot that rough housing wasn’t the same as it used to be. He quickly got over it and began walking up a wall, planning on eating the sandwich he’d bought two hours ago, but then he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He jumped off the wall, closing his eyes as he tried to feel what his spider sense was set off by. He opened his eyes and turned towards the back end of the alleyway and three people in all black attire walked out. They were in militia type gear, carrying god knows how many weapons.

Spider-Man leaned on the wall, trying to keep his cool facade even though he was currently running on adrenaline. “You all like spy movies? Sorry, but the film festival was actually on-“ He said, yelping at the dart that hurled towards his face, he put his arms up as he barely dodged it. “Okay, rude. Usually my conversation starters work better, let’s try that again. Hi, I’m Spider-Man, what’s your names?” Not being up for small talk, they continued firing at him, but they swapped for real bullets. Spidey’s spider sense went off the hook as bullets flew past him from every angle.

“Паук нужен ему живым.” The one masked individual said while cursing at his teammates. “Now here I thought you weren’t down for small talk! I don’t speak whatever you guys speak, but I do speak some Spanish. Um, donde está biblio-“ Before he could finish asking for the library, one of the agents shot him in the leg with a dart. It seemed to only make his leg go numb, so Spidey decided it’d be funny to hop on one leg for the bit. “Oh no! Pins and needles! My worst enemy!”

His sarcastic quip did not earn any laughs.

He joked around knowing he would be getting his shit rocked if they hit another limb, and he knew it would probably would. He hopped around, dodging the punches and bullets. The agents continued to speak to each other, nothing Spidey could’ve understood due to the language barrier. “Как он еще стоит на ногах?” One agent screamed before Spider-Man webbed them to a wall. “Okay, it was funny for a while, but now I really can’t feel my leg.” For a moment, the agents seemed to hesitate. He thought they might’ve had a change of heart, like he’d really changed their minds.

He was then shot in the other leg.

Slowly falling, he thought of how Jonah might twist this story. If he had any confidence to speak right now, he’d probably say ‘Timber!’ As he was falling, or something stupid like that. But, unfortunately you’re never too confident when this scary agent is running towards you with a rope. “That’s a no, no.” Spidey remarked as he was hogtied by the smallest agent. Feeling humbled, he turned his head to get a better look at the guy, instead he saw an odd octopus insignia on the left shoulder of the agent. “Woah, I didn’t know the Boy Scouts had been accepting older applicants, where do I sign up?”

He got no answer, but he did feel his spider sense go off. Before he could even wonder why his senses were screaming at him, the guy who tied him up fled with a random man chasing after him. The strange guy easily caught up and threw the agent against the alleys brick wall. There was a look of pure terror on the agents face, Spidey could feel it even though he couldn’t see through the guys helmet. The scrawny kid tried to listen in on their conversation, but the man was speaking to the agent in a hushed tone, I guess it didn’t matter much since he didn’t know Russian. Spider-Man then noticed the other two agents had gone silent, he rolled over to be greeted by the two bodies, scattered around the alley, just a few feet away.

He knew they were dead, he couldn’t hear their heartbeats anymore, but a big part of him hoped there was a chance at saving them. His eyes widened as he saw the shadow of a gun raising, he turned around to try and stop the stranger, but was too late. The gun had already went off, and the agent was already sliding down the wall. His spider sense hammered in his ears as he made eye contact with the strange man, he was mentally planning his funeral. Spider-Man couldn’t conjure up any quips, comments, or snarky remarks as the guy walked over to him. The man stood over Spider-Man, pulling out a shining knife, Spidey was ready to put up some sort of fight, until the man cut him free.

Spider-Man didn’t have a moment to be shocked before he was pulled to his feet, just to fall back on the ground. “…. Sorry.” The man apologized, he seemed to be deciding what to do right now. He kneeled down in front of Spider-Man. “How do you know them.?” The man asked. “You just…” Spidey murmured as he looked at the three bodies in the alley, his eyebrows furrowing at the sight. Then the stranger blocked his view from the corpses. “Don’t worry about them, answer me.” Despite how the man seemingly tried to calm Spider-Man’s nerves, he still looked absolutely terrifying.

Spidey legs twitched as they began to regain strength, the man seemed to notice and looked a little shocked. “I’m guessing you don’t know who they are.?” The man asked as he stood up, lending the spider a hand. “Not one bit, man.” He grabbed the man’s hand, letting himself be dragged up. They stood there for a moment, letting Spidey gain some balance, then Bucky started walking them out of the alleyway. “Wait, we can’t just leave them there.” Spider-Man protested, grimacing at the scene behind them, then the man spoke up. “You’re right…. People will find them, hiding them is our best-“ Spidey interjected. “No! I meant like, call the police. We can’t just leave them here like chopped liver.” They stared at each other for a few seconds, Spidey not backing down and the man’s piercing blue eyes seemed to stare daggers into Spidey…. “Did you miss the whole part where they tried to kidnap you.? Maybe you hit your head a little too hard.” The guy argued, raising his eyebrows as he waited for an answer. “Sure, but not even they deserve to be left alone.” Spider-Man fought back…. The air was tense, but the way Spidey defended the agents made it clear that he probably had no clue what he was dealing with.

Then he sighed. “You do whatever.” He then dragged the spider to a pay phone. “You should get back home, your parents must be pretty worried that their kid is out, fighting bad guys, in pyjamas.” Spidey glanced over at the stranger, then he shook his head. “One, they’re gone. Two, why are you assuming how old I am, I could be like, twenty. It’s Spider-MAN for a reason. And they’re not pyjamas.” Spider-Man sputtered out, then was cut off by the stranger scoffing at him. “You really think anyone would imagine you as someone older than fifteen? Kid you’re like one hundred pounds, kid, your voice cracks at least every second word.”

Spidey rolled his eyes, thank god for his mask. “Yeah, a one hundred pound kid who can lift a bus.” The spider snapped back. Instead of a look, the strange man seemed to piece some things together. He looked down at the spider and patted him on the back. “Take the long way home. Stay safe.” He said as he started to walk the other way. Spidey was confused, ‘take the long way home?’, why? This stranger was confusing..

——————

Bucky got back to his dingy little apartment, putting his jacket on the door knob…. He walked into what would’ve been a living room, but was actually just an empty space with a bed in the corner, and sat on the bed. He thought back to the scrawny kid he saw in the alley, it felt similar…. If it were an average person, he might’ve walked the other way, but the moment he saw the thin kid trying to fight guys twice his side, it’s like his body moved without thinking.

He shook his head, it was stupid to help someone. That kid could’ve been a decoy or something. Spider-Man? The hell did he call himself? Bucky let that thought go, he knew he needed to at least make a get away plan if he was right. He stood once again, but then his attention turned to his slightly open window…. Was it open before..? Yeah, Bucky left it open to air out the moldy scent…. Yeah…. But Bucky could’ve sworn-

“Mr. Stranger- guy-“

Chapter Text

The two stared at each other. His wide bug eyes, blinking and clicking shut every so often. “Are you gonna blink, sir, or?” The spider shuddered, the icy eyes burning holes into him. The stare down lasted a few more seconds.

“…. Get out of my house.” Bucky grumbled, reaching into his pocket.

“Hey now- This is an apartment, not a house… Well, you know, I just wanted to clarify, and um. And is that a gun-” The Spider-Man froze. In all his one month of being a vigilante, he froze.

”Get out.” Bucky reiterated, his eyes flicking up and down. The gun was now traced on the kid, there was no intent on it firing, but there still was the stress of the possibility. The spider threw his hands up, almost cowering at the pistol. Till the gun was chucked against the wall.

”Don’t be rash-” The spider mumbled, his web still attached to the firearm.

“…. You broke into my house.” The soldier spat, looking around for a weapon he knew he left somewhere.

“Apartment. And you left the window open so technically..” The spider didn’t dare finish his sentence, not with the look he received. “I was just wondering if you possibly stepped on the ten dollar bill I dropped…. A. Ham? I had it, but now it’s gone. Unless you stole from me.” Spidey put his hands down, shamefully folding them.

“…. Breaking and entering all for ten dollars.?” Bucky asked, almost rhetorical with how straightforward it sounded. “I kinda need it.” It became awkward, the spider didn’t want to admit that the ten dollars was all he had to his name. It was like an awkward stand off, the kid fidgeting as he glanced around for his ten dollars. The silence was broken by Bucky sighing and tearing his boot off…. The founding father stared up at him. “This one.?” The gruff soldier asked while peeling it off his boot. He expected the kid to say yes, like a normal person.

“12161991119… Yep! Same serial number.!” Spidey exclaimed…. Why’d he memorize that, and how. Bucky shook his head, finding his current situation ridiculous. He’s dealt with weirdos, but not weird kids.

“Like I said earlier, go home, kid.” Bucky grumbled, giving up on that other hidden weapon. The kid bounced on his heels, almost eager to say something. “You can go now—“ Bucky rasped.”

”Do you like pickles?” The kid piped up, his one goggle lens going down. “Tomatoes? Lettuce? You look like you like lettuce. I mean like, you look healthy.” The kid rambled.

The soldier looked down, a genuine face of confusion quickly erasing the angry glare. His eyebrow perked up, wondering if this kid had a screw loose. He in fact, had quite a few loose. The kid’s goggles clicked and went small, meaning he was either glaring or smiling. Yeah, many screws loose. Bucky didn’t like potential trouble in his area, too many risks. Before this awkward conversation could continue, Bucky picked the kid up by the hood. Before the kid could get a word out, he was walked to the door and put down. The doors slam echoed in the hall.

”… Not a fan of lettuce..? Man…” Spidey muttered.

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Bucky laid there, the darkness of the room seemed eerie after the kid left. So he focused on what his senses could pick up. The people down the street were throwing another party, the neighbours next door were arguing about bills, and someone in the building was getting high. Bucky’s not pointing fingers or anything, but-

*Knock* *knock*

Bucky shot up. Not like he was trying to fall asleep, but he was still just as annoyed. He looked out his window to see an insect holding a brown paper bag.

”Sir! Can you let me in! It’s cold!” The spider shouted, visibly shivering while upside down. “Please? They didn’t let me in tonight, so-“ Before the kid could finish his explanation, the window opened and a metal arm yanked him through.

”Who are you. Why are you following me?” The soldier snapped in a hush tone so know one would hear him through the thin walls.

The boy held up the bag, his goggles showing his distress. “I got you a sandwich! No lettuce. To, you know, say thank you…? You really helped me out back there.” The boy explained, his eyes clicking wider somehow.”

”You one of them.? They the ones who didn’t let you in tonight.?” The soldier didn’t let up, shaking the boy a little.

”Those stormtroopers? No way man.! I don’t even know them!” The spider seemed to get the vibes that maybe this guys wasn’t the most stable…. Better than the streets though. His response seemed to anger the man.

”Stormtroopers? So you are a liar.” The soldier snarled.

”No- like the homeless shelter? They only let so many people in at night, and I didn’t want my backpack stolen again!- you can just take the sandwich…” The spider took a second to think, maybe the street was better than this crazy dude’s apartment. But judging by the look on the soldier’s face, he could tell the soldier wasn’t expecting that.

”Shelter? You a runaway? Where are your parents.?” Bucky asked, his grip on the kid loosening enough for him to worm away.

”Kinda six feet under, in a better place, passed on- whichever one you prefer.” The kid muttered, seeing if the man had stretched his hoodie.

”Guardians..? Foster home? Any girlfriend or friend… Or, someone.?” Bucky pressed, trying to get this kid to go somewhere other than here.

”Gone, no, and definitely not. My aunt and uncle passed about 3-4 weeks ago, the state doesn’t exactly care enough, and I can’t ask that of my friend.” Spidey reluctantly replied, fiddling with his web-shooters, ignoring how he accidentally webbed the scary man’s journal to the dingy coffee table. He expected a look of sympathy from the man.

”So you thought that going out at night to fight crime was the better option.? Can’t ask a friend, but can ask it of a random stranger..?” Bucky asked, his tone was equally exasperated and in disbelief, but he understood. He pitied the boy a little, well a lot, he knew what it was like to be in a situation like that. It gave him an odd familiar feeling. But he thought the kid was stupid or wanted a death wish. “Ever hear of stranger danger?” Bucky rubbed his temple, his question lingered.

“Well, you didn’t exactly fit the description of a- well actually…. Maybe a drug dealer-“ The bug was rambling again, cocking his head at the man. “Or, no. Murder. Not that I’m implying you killed someone, well you technically did tonight. But…” The goggles clicked into place, wide and white as the kid realized how stupid he was.

”You’re not the sharpest pencil in the box, huh.?” Bucky scoffed picking up the sandwich. “Delmar’s. Nice guy, good sandwiches, not too much bread.” Bucky stated, pulling the sandwich out to investigate it. Sure the kid probably didn’t have access to any horse killer hallucinogens, but always good to stay safe.

”Best sandwiches in queens.” The bug nodded, sitting down on the couch. He wasn’t the same bubbly one Bucky pulled through the window a few minutes prior, this bug was on his guard now.

”Used to be a really good place in Brooklyn.” Bucky blurted, pausing as he seemed to surprise himself. Bucky just got here, moved around a lot after visiting the Smithsonian Museum, but never went to Brooklyn. “Got a name, bug?” The older man subtly continued his investigation.

The spider glared at the man, the goggles squinting in annoyance. “I’m an arachnid. You know? Spiders, scorpions. Bugs are a different. I don’t have three body segments or an antennae. Arachnid.” Spidey explained, grimacing as he remembered each time Jameson called him a bug or insect. “And it’s… Ben.” The kid continued.

Bucky looked the small kid up and down. Skinny, maybe 12-13 years old, and on his own. They sat in silence for quite a bit, Bucky ate half the sandwich before he heard the kid’s stomach screaming. ”You’re a really bad liar, Ben.” The soldier stated, passing him the other half of the sandwich. “You can stay one night, I’m not a fan of strays.”

The ARACHNID’S eyes went wide, then flicked into those tiny slits. Before he responded, he pulled his mask up halfway. “Thank you.” The boy murmured, almost looking ashamed for being taken in. The sandwich ahead looked like heaven, neither Spider-Man or the boy behind the mask had anything to eat for the past few days. The cold made him drowsy and the lack of food had him weak, he almost passed out during patrol last night as well. So he tore that sandwich up.

It started to rain as the two sat in silence, the boy groaning the moment he finished the sandwich. “I poisoned that, by the way-“ The older man joked, still rolling his eyes at how trusting this kid was. He wasn’t expecting the goggles the boy wore to go pure white.

”What.”

”I’m kidding-“