nwo_cyclops (nwo_cyclops) wrote in nwo_xmen, @ 2008-07-17 00:13:00 |
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There were positives and negatives to being the figurehead of an exclusive boarding school. One of the negatives, in Scott's opinion, was the constant scrutiny and media thrust on them. Presently, he was at ESU, smiling for people, shaking hands, and it was driving him nuts. As an alumni, he was required to be there anyways, but since Charles was a benefactor...well it sure didn't help lessen the photo ops.
Managing to disentangle himself from the crowd, he made his way over to the drink table and fetched a bottle of water. He glanced over to the clock and frowned inside. Still another hour before I can take off.
Pete was exhausted. A night of web-slinging should never be followed by another droning lecture from Dr. Connors. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy the class, he had a lot of respect for the Doc. Lately his mind seemed preoccupied. Over the last week, his spider-sense had been triggering for seemingly no reason. Always in a different area of the city, never the same spot twice. It was as if the entire city was on the edge of some great disaster. Or it could be his steady diet of hastily gobbled burritos and dime store coffee. He put it out of his mind for now. Normally he'd be off to see MJ now, but a crowd had gathered outside the library. Apparently there were some VIP's visiting.
His cheeks were now officially hurting from all the smiling. He couldn't take much more of this. Next time, I'm sending Rogue. She loves these things..
Excusing himself, he tried to extricate himself yet again, only to be stopped as the crowd by the door was larger than anywhere else. Giving up, he moved back in the room, and just stood. He saw someone else enter and look just as equally out of place. "Are you as lost as I feel?" he said.
"Come on, I know a place."Scott had no idea who he was following, but anything had to be better than the mob. "I'm Peter, Peter Parker. I'm guessing you aren't a student here?"
Scott shook his head. "I guess you could say I'm one of those VIPs in there. Scott Summers. I help run the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning." He smiled ruefully. "I'm not very good at these crowds. Never know what to say. I have to admit, I'm very glad you saved me from there."
Looking around the room, he frowned. "Though, I'm not really sure where here is."
"Just a bit further." Pete led him out to the fire escape, and up to the rooftop of the main campus. The view of New Yorks famous skyline opened before them. "I like it up here. It's a great starting point for swing...err...bird watching." Smooth Pete, real smooth. "So, the Xavier Institute? Does that mean...that is..are you a...mutant?"
The view really was spectacular. He never got to enjoy the city without having to protect it.
Turning towards Peter, he raised an eyebrow and tapped his sunglasses. "I don't wear these for fashion," he said. He'd long ago stopped caring if people knew he was a mutant or not, and it seemed like the boy obviously didn't care.
The glasses...Holy Shit!
Pete finally realized just who he was talking to. Not just a mutant, not even just an X-Man! This was Scott Summers! Cyclops himself. He wasn't the type to be star struck, but this guy was a legend. He wondered how Scott would feel if he knew he was chatting with Spiderman. Probably a lot less impressed.
"Tell me, is the rest of your team here, or is it just you?"
He was taken a little aback at the enthusiasm, but he merely chuckled. "No, I guess you could say I'm the unlucky one who had to come out and show my public face."
"I really hate these things," he confessed.
"Can I ask you a personal question?"
Scott nodded. "Unless the question is regarding the identity of the rest of my team. I may be open about who I am, but the others might not appreciate it."
"No, its nothing like that." When you discovered that you had...powers, did you always imagine being a hero, or did you feel like it was a responsibility?"
An odd question, to be sure, but Scott thought about it carefully before answering.
"When I got my powers...well let's just say without my visor, I can't control them. I was blind for the first year or so, until we could find a way to control the blasts. So at the beginning, no, I never felt like I was a hero or even destined for it. I still don't feel that way."
Sighing, he walked up to the railing and leaned on it, gazing out into the skyline. "It's always been a responsibility though. When my powers manifested, I was responsible for some serious injuries...deaths..." He shook his head, and backed away from that train of thought. "Anything can be a responsibility. I suppose it's just how you perceive it."
Pete sympathized. He of all people knew that power was not always a blessing. His own incompetence and greed had cost him the life of his Uncle. God, that felt like an eternity ago. He wanted so badly to tell Scott that he understood, that he had had his own doubts and fears. Scott could be a real kindred spirit. But that would require him sharing his greatest secret.
Still, he considered it. If you couldn't trust your fellow heroes...
"What's it like, being open about your identity? Do you ever wish you could go back to the anonymity, maybe lead a normal life?"
These questions were getting odder and odder. Surreal almost, but even odder still, was that Scott didn't mind.
"Well, I didn't have much of a choice. A guy with a red visor or permanent red sunglasses? Easy enough to tell he's a mutant. Now when there's a vigilante group with a member who happens to have the same red visor?" He shrugged.
"It's interesting though. Many people on the team are anonymous and they seem to like it that way, and there are others who are open and also like it that way. I never even really thought about it."
It's true. Pete had taken for granted the fact that he had been able to choose the way of the mask. He almost felt guilty. His problems were nothing compared to what Scott had been through. Scott had coped with his powers since early on, whereas Pete had been gifted much later on in life. He appreciated how Scott was being so honest and open with his questions. He was almost certain he could trust him.
"I guess I worry...uh that is I would worry, that people would come after my friends, family, just to get to me you know, or you...if I was you...."
Scott cocked his head curiously at Peter, but he nodded anyways. "That's always a concern," he said slowly. There was something Peter wasn't telling him, and he just wasn't sure what. Of course, he didn't blame him if he didn't come right out and say whatever it was he was hedging around, but it was still odd.
"You just do what you can to protect your loved ones and know that you tried your best. That's all that you can do."
Scott seemed so calm and collected. The thought of anyone trying to harm MJ, it was the kind of thought that left him in a cold sweat. He was begining to see Scott as a mentor. Someone who could help him work through his own issues. And why not, he was willing to open up with a stranger, why not your friendly neighborhood Spiderman?
He could see there were thoughts mulling around in Peter's head but he didn't want to intrude. Instead, he enjoyed the view and allowed for Peter to say what he had to say.
The sun was beginning to set, casting an orange glow across the horizon. He knew he didn't have much time left. Once that glowing ball dropped, the criminal element went wild, and he would have to find an excuse to leave.
He was tired of hiding from everyone, and burned to share is secret with Scott. Fuck it, he would take a chance.
"Listen Scott, it's been great talking with you, but I haven't been entirely honest with you. There's something about me you need to know."
"Shoot."
Scott eyed him curiously as Pete started to unbutton his shirt. What had he gotten himself into? He watched, as slowly, Peter Parker transformed himself from a nerdy Grad student, into the powerful force of justice known as Spiderman.
Pete jumped, showing off his trademark acrobatics, in case any doubt remained in Scott's mind. He felt amazing, sharing with Scott had been such a release. Now, came the hard part. How would Scott react?
"You're Spider-Man." It was said as a statement not a question and still he felt stupid for saying it. Of course he was Spider-Man. He had the outfit, he did the moves. Wow.
"You're so young."
Pete jumped back down and pulled off his mask.
"You're right Scott, I am. I may have the moves, but I guess I lack the maturity to accept my place as you have. You've been through this, you've answered the hard questions."
I haven't got my own team, and I sure never had a professor guiding me on my path. Will you help me Scott? I need an ally, I need a mentor, but mostly I need a friend."
This was too much, but he nodded sharply. "Of course, Peter, anything. Through all of this, I've learned there's no such thing as coincidence."
"You can count of me, for whatever you need. In fact, I'd like you to come by the Mansion, whenever you have some time. Meet everyone else. If you're okay with that." Extending a hand, he put on a smile. "Cyclops will definitely be friends with Spider-Man."
Pete grabbed his hand, shaking it firmly. He couldn't wait to meet the other X-men. As corny as it sounded, this was to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship