Chapter Text
“Ugh gross…” Peter wiped the goop from the newest creature to crawl out of New York’s Sewers off of his face, at least they seemed pretty harmless. “What even is this? Forget it I don’t want to know.” Peter yelped in surprise as more projectile goop hurdled towards him and he instinctually leapt towards the nearest wall started climbing it. “Ironman always gets to fight corrupted scientists and other rich men, Captain America gets to fight spies, why am I always fighting weird things that crawl out of the sewers and cover me in slime.” The newest villain spat out a few more projectiles one of which hit Peter’s arm and cemented him to the wall.
“So much for these things having harmless useless powers.” Peter sighed. He pulled at his arm to no avail, it was stuck. “It’s cool you got this Spidey, just use your handy spider strength and break the goop off the wall no problem. If that doesn't work you have a pocket knife on you...I think.” The thing from below let out a screech and sprouted wings. “Okay, maybe a small problem. Oh man, what is with people and making weird mutant animal things? Nice giant lizard-moth…thing?” It started flying up towards Peter. “Okay change of plan.” Letting go of his grip on the wall Peter used his cemented wrist to hold him up while he shot webs at the moth and blocked and kicked the moth from his solitary spot. Suddenly, the creature screamed. A blinding light and impossible amount of heat hit Peter forcing him to close his eyes, his suit wasn't exactly military grade defence technology and even with the mask the heat hurt his eyes. All Peter could think was that death by unknown lizard-moth hybrid was not the great heroic death he wanted Aunt May to read about. It hadn’t even done more that eat a few dogs and terrify a few children yet, at least if it killed someone then people would understand. Peter paused as he started thinking these final thoughts were lasting possibly a bit too long. He opened his eyes.
“Don’t worry this one's mine! You know what they say about moths and flames!” Came a slightly obnoxious sounding proclamation. Peter looked up and saw none other but the Human Torch easily handling the weird moth creature. Not that it was difficult for him, Peter thought, the goop didn’t seem to withstand heat and moths are surprisingly flammable. Within a few moments, the moth was flying away to who knows where with the Human Torch seemingly pursuing it.
“Cool…I guess I’m just going to stay here attached to this wall then. Awesome.” Peter manoeuvred for his hand again trying to flex in the hopes of causing a fracture in the cementing goop so he could break free. “This is always how I thought my first meeting with a member of the fantastic four was going to go, yep. What are they even doing in town anyways?” Peter sighed as he heard the goop creak slightly under his force but no fractures seemed to be appearing, this was going to be a long night.
“Need a hand with that?” Peter looked up to see the Human Torch floating before him. Before he could say anything the Human Torch brought his flaming hand near the hardened goop which started to melt. It quickly lost it's adhesion to the wall before Peter really thought of trying to catch himself, he yelped as he started to slip down the wall.
“Ouch.” He exclaimed as he hit the ground. Peter frowned and looked up to see the Human Torch above him.
“Whoops. Sorry, I really thought you’d catch yourself what with the whole wall sticking thing, and the flying web stuff and-”
“I get it!” Peter yelled back in frustration.
“Right…” Torch responded just kind of floating there. “So…I’ve gotta bounce but if you need an exterminator again feel free to call.” The Torch winked as Peter sat on the alley floor in his Spider-Man suit.
“Cool…thanks but I’ve got this. You know, bug to pseudo-bug-arachnid man.” The Torch shrugged and flew off, probably to his fancy tower or beloved fans. Spider-Man stood up and went to launch his web only to have it jam and fall pathetically in front of him. Peter sighed, as it turned out extreme heat and moth goop were not good for web shooters. This was not his day at all.
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Peter slammed his locker only to be startled to see MJ right behind it. Some spider senses, Peter thought bitterly as he held his hand over his heart willing it to calm down.
“Peter.” MJ said seriously not looking the least bit remorseful. Peter was often surprised that he was the one hiding super powers. MJ was a regular Black Widow in training in his books.
“MJ, you’re going to give me a heart attack.” MJ raised her eyebrow as Peter tried to shuffle all of his books into a less haphazard stack.
“You forgot to turn your internship application into the Daily Bugle. Come on Pete, what’s up? You were so stoked about the whole thing, not only will it diversify your college application but it’s a paid internship! Paid!” I was, Peter thought until I became a radioactive punching bag for J. Jonah Jameson. Peter sighed.
“I don’t know MJ, I was thinking of maybe just doing one with Harry’s dad’s lab? I mean even scientists need someone to do coffee runs, right?” It wasn’t a total lie, except for the fact that Peter didn’t really want to put Harry in the position of having to ask his dad for anything.
“You wouldn’t do that and we both know it, Parker. Besides, we both know that if you were going to work with anyone you’d try Connors first. Don’t worry though, I sent in your application.” MJ said dismissively.
“You did what?” Peter dropped his books. MJ just stared at him judgingly as Peter bent down to pick his books up while people stared as they passed by.
“I need someone I can trust on my team Pete. Someone who always goes after the story, plus you never miss a beat on Spider-Man and Jameson lives for that kind of dirt.” MJ turned and started walking to class. Great, he thought, I’m going to be trying to dish dirt on myself. This’ll never backfire. “First day is this Friday!”
“But I have…” Peter paused, it wasn’t like he could say I have to patrol New York to figure out why these weird moth things are coming out of the sewers. “…Things.” Peter winced. Great cover Parker, he thought to himself. MJ turned sharply.
“Things?”
“I’ll be there!” Peter smiled and waved with false joviality. MJ pursed her lips but then walked away and Peter sighed in relief. MJ was one of the nicest people he knew until someone got in the way of her journalistic ambitions.
“Bring your camera!” He heard her yell as she walked away.
________
There turned out to be some sort of photo shoot or something. MJ dragged him over as soon as she saw him and strung a press pass around his neck. “Finally!”
“What are we doing here MJ? Shouldn’t we be at the Bugle office you know brewing coffee making copies, intern stuff?”
“I was talking to Harry and he let it slip that Cosmo is doing a big exclusive on one of the big superheroes, so I dropped it to Jameson and obviously I need photographs so that’s why you’re here.” MJ continued to drag him until they started nearing the sounds of club music and laughter.
“Cosmo? What kind of superhero does interviews with Cosmo?”
“Ironman did an interview with Cosmo.” MJ snapped back as she started craning her neck hoping to figure out who it was a moment faster. Peter didn’t have much to say to that so he just pulled out his camera. "Even if there's no dirt we have to build our reputations, Pete! We can be the go-to Press team for Super-heroes!" Peter bit his tongue and kept himself from reminding her that they worked for the Bugle and as far as positive press coverage went, Jameson was a wild card. Unless you were Spider-Man, then it was guaranteed negative press.
“That’s it Johnny, amazing! Do you think you could go like half-flame?” More laughter echoed through the hall. Peter's mood soured. He had just heard that laugh yesterday.
“I know what you mean. People are going to want to see these abs and this face!” Peter felt like gagging. He figured out who it was before they got to the room. Other than Ironman what big superhero would grace Cosmo proudly? The Human Torch, the youngest member of the Fantastic Four and the first person to remind you he topped the Hottest Heroes Under 20 list.
“Oh wow, it’s the Human Torch, Johnny Storm.” MJ whispered to Peter. Peter just hummed back. Maybe it was a little childish to be upset but he totally had that thing with the weird mutant moth under control last night. Peter leant against the wall while MJ milled around talking to people trying to figure out what the big scoop was here. ‘There always has to be a reason for an exclusive Peter!’ she had said. Yeah, Peter thought, and the reason is Johnny Storm loves the attention. Peter fiddled with his camera. Action shots were more his thing, particularly somehow managing to take action selfies of himself as Spider-Man or a few of his supercharged enemies. Pictures of egotistical superhero’s shirtless? Not really his area.
“Alright everyone let's break for lunch! Those were amazing Johnny the girls are going to go wild!” Johnny laughed again and started talking to the staff around him showing the different tricks he could do with his powers. Everyone applauded and cheered at every trick while Peter continued to slump against the wall and tried to keep his glaring to a minimum. How come Flame Brain wasn’t a public menace? He can literally set fire to himself and everything around him at any time. All Peter was doing was catching bad guys, Spinning out webs and climbing walls. So maybe he could see why janitorial staff might hate him but not really everyone else. Maybe Jameson had a spider phobia he didn’t want to talk about. Peter felt his phone buzz and looked down pulled it out of his pocket.
Stop glaring at the Human Torch like he stole your girl and get me some pictures!!!!! - MJ
Peter sighed and put his phone way and tried to focus on taking pictures. If it was photos of socialising Flame Brain Jameson wanted then it was photos of that he was going to get. Who knows maybe JJJ would decide Flame Brain was his new target. Peter floated around the room aimlessly taking pictures and trying to go unnoticed, something he was pretty good at when it came to social circles. His pocket buzzed again.
Of the Human Touch Pete!!! What am I going to do with 500 photos of the snack table? - MJ
“It wasn’t five-hundred photos.” Peter mumbled. Sighing he resigned himself to his fate and joined the other paparazzi-like photographers who were all taking photos of the Human Touch who was doing his signature poses and dramatically showing off his powers. Peter started taking a few as well and felt MJ stop beside him. “Figure anything out?” He asked quietly, the barrage of compliments from other paparazzi easily covering his own voice.
“Not really. At least I’m not sure. I think I know how they’re going to spin the article so that’s a plus.” MJ frowned while watching all the photographers take their photos. Peter knew how MJ felt. None of these photos were going to look any different than any of the other papers and their information wasn’t going to be any different.
“I could have gotten us better photos in a sewer.” Peter muttered just a little too loudly. While Peter looked down at another posed photo MJ watched with a little bit of surprise as the Human Torch perked up a little bit and looked over towards them. A small smirk crossed her face as an idea came to her, she winked at the Human Torch who seemed to catch on and move towards them a little bit.
“What you gonna follow Spider-Man around in them, fanboy?” Peter could feel she was baiting him, but he really couldn’t help himself. If Peter didn’t defend Spider-Man who was going to?
“You’ve loved every single photo I’ve ever taken in the sewers and Spider-Man does not live in a sewer. I’m sure he has a reasonable place to sleep if he has time considering he’s very busy making sure weird mutant things don’t make people go splat.”
“Eloquent, Parker.” MJ shot back. Peter groaned. “Still means you’re crawling around sewers.”
“Not like this place isn’t full of the same stuff.” Peter mumbled mostly to himself.
“Well, that’s an interesting take for a Journalist.” Peter looked back towards where the Human Torch had been only to find him a lot closer than he had been before.
“I’m not really a journalist.” Peter said before he could think of what he was saying. Johnny just hummed quietly and turned his attention to MJ.
“You must be Mary Jane Watson, always nice to meet someone from the Bugle.” The Torch said holding his hand out to MJ.
“Always nice to meet someone who can read a press pass.” Peter accidentally mumbled out loud drawing everyone's attention to him. He stopped and gaped a little. He really, really needed more sleep so he didn’t keep doing that. A loud laughter broke the awkward silence relaxing everyone as they began milling around again. Johnny waved to most of the photographers and staff who decided they should get ready for the next part of the interview. The other press people sighed and went to go rob the snack table and take some photos from a bit further back.
“I have to grab lunch, care to tag along?” Johnny asked.
“We’d love to!” MJ quickly intervened before Peter could say something stupid again that would get them fired from the internship she’d just gotten them.
“Great! And maybe I can know your adorably grumpy friend’s name as well?”
“You can’t read my press pass?” Peter said before he could stop himself. MJ punched him in the arm making him wince, he still had a bruise there from yesterday. Thankfully for his arm, Johnny laughed again.
“Wouldn’t you rather tell me?” Johnny said with a smirk. Peter sighed.
“Peter Parker.” He held out his hand and quickly had it grasped by the other man.
“Human Torch, of the Fantastic Four - named for my hotness. This years Hottest Hero under the year, in more ways than one. I also go by Johnny, Johnny Storm.” He winked as he continued to hold onto Peter’s hand.
“So you’re not called the Human Torch because you literally turn into a giant flame then?” Peter practically heard MJ face palm beside him. Probably more to her relief than his, Johnny laughed again.
“Maybe it’s more because of that.” Johnny smiled. “I know a great place follow me.” He said wrapping his arm around Peter’s shoulder and dragging him along. Peter turned his head and sent a panicked look back towards MJ only to find her laughing at him as she followed along.
___
Johnny talked almost non-stop as they walked towards the diner across the way. It apparently had the most amazing cherries jubilee, the Human Torch was un-ironically a massive fan of all flaming desserts. Peter tried to remain grumpy, he really did but somehow Johnny just seemed really genuinely nice.
“Ugh, teas never hot enough.” Johnny sighed heating it up with his hand before drinking it. Peter watched in a little bit of fascination.
“So literally nothing burns you?” He asked before he could stop himself.
“Why does that put a damper on your BDSM plans with me?” Johnny winked. Peter gaped back and turned bright red as MJ laughed.
“I was just wondering about the extent of it.” Peter stuttered “You know, chemical burns and…burns ugh never mind.” MJ kept laughing
“No, I don’t burn” Johnny smiled “That was one of Cosmo’s questions actually. How does Johnny Storm remain so perfectly sun kissed when he can’t burn but my dashing good looks are just one part of my power I’m not ready to reveal to the world.” Sensing an opening for questions MJ jumped in.
“So what were you ready to reveal?”
“Almost anything, it really just depends on how good the question is and how many gag orders there are on the information.” Johnny smiled. “And of course, who's asking it.” He winked at Peter who just looked back at him confused.
“So what do you want Peter to ask you?” Johnny smiled at MJ in appreciation while Peter frowned.
“How about what you think of other Superhero's?” Peter cut in before this could go anywhere else.
“Wow, you’re really no fun.” Johnny smiled leaning forwards towards Peter.
“I know right? He’s absolutely no fun!” MJ explained feeling someone finally understood.
“Well, I did meet Spider-Man last night. He was a little caught up fighting this weird moth thing seemed like a nice enough guy though. Kind of a nice figure.” Johnny said as if deep in thought. Great, Peter thought sarcastically, that’s my lasting impression. “He kind of has a bad reputation though, doesn’t he? I wonder why…” Peter’s Spidey sense started tingling. He looked around curiously which caught MJ’s attention.
“Pete? What’s up?”
“Umm…just gotta-“ Peter said as he started to stand up.
“Get down!” He heard Johnny yell as he suddenly felt weight push him down to the ground. Peter blinked and looked up to see the Human Torch above him. “Not exactly how I wanted to get on top of you.” Johnny winked. Peter sputtered a bit until he heard a buzzing and looked behind Johnny to see another of the weird giant moth things. Johnny pulled Peter’s attention back to him. “Stay down okay? I’m going to take care of this and be right back. If you need to take MJ and go towards the building where the photo shoot was, it actually has crazy good security.” Johnny stood up. “Flame on!” Peter watched as he walked towards the moth which quickly started to flee from him. Man those things really hated fire. Peter kind of lay on the floor still until he heard more buzzing. Great, he thought, there was an army of them.
“I knew I should have skipped this and gone to the sewers” Peter mumbled to himself.
“Pete we have to get out of here!” MJ shouted as people screamed and started hiding and running from the giant moths that were starting to fly beside the building.
“Umm, yeah…let’s head back to the studio.” Peter said while also trying to think of how he could ditch MJ while getting her to safety so he could slip into Spidey-mode. A moth burst through the glass just in time for Peter to grab a well-timed photo of it, how could JJJ not like that? “Now’s probably good!” Peter said a little strained as it started coming towards him. What was with all these moth’s and him? It’s like they had an appetite for spiders or something.