Spider-Man | Stranger Things AU

Chapter 15

Mike's head is pounding and his body is aching. The only thing he is able to hear is a high-pitched ringing in his ears.

After a few moments, someone speaks, "What are we going to do with him?" Mike hears a voice ask.

"I'll figure it out. You two get back to the station." A man, who Mike thinks is Hopper, responds. The next sound is of a door closing.

'Wait a minute...' Mike opens his eyes and is met with the sight of a ceiling. He just now realizes that he is laying on a couch.

"Are you awake?" Hopper asks him.

Spider-Man sits up quickly and checks to see if his mask is on his face, and he is relieved when it is.

"Whoa, relax." Hopper calms him.

"W-Why am I here?"

"You've been knocked out for a few hours. I figured you didn't want to go to a hospital, so I brought you here." Hopper explains.

"What time is it?"

"A little after midnight." Hopper responds.

'Oh man, my mom is gonna kill me.'

Spider-Man stands up and is met by a great amount of pain. He winces audibly and sits back down.

"Take it easy, kid."

"Why do you call me that?" Mike asks in an annoyed voice as he clutches his side.

Hopper chuckles, "What, are you not a kid? Because if you aren't, then it's pretty odd how young you sound."

Spider-Man just huffs and doesn't respond.

Hopper then turns serious, and sits down in his recliner, "Look kid, you need to listen to me."

Mike doesn't know what he's going to say, but he knows he's not going to like it, if his tone of voice is anything to go by.

"I get what you're trying to do, I really do. You're trying to help and make a difference. And I'm not even going to ask how you do what you do." Hopper shakes his head, still puzzled by how Spider-Man has the powers of a literal spider.

"But?" Mike asks, knowing there's more that Hopper has to say.

Hopper sighs, "But... what you're doing is dangerous."

"Yeah, I know."

"So you know you've got to stop, right?" Hopper asks.

Mike scoffs, "Yeah, that's not happening."

"You're going to get yourself killed."

"I'll be fine."

Hopper huffs, "Look kid, I don't think you understand. This city is dangerous. I can't protect you from everything."

Spider-Man scoffs, "Protection? I don't need your protection."

Hopper is taken aback for a moment, before he takes a deep breath, "Look, I'm just trying to help you. I've been doing this for long enough, get out while you still can."

Mike knows he came across as too harsh, and his expression softens, "I appreciate it Captain, I really do. But, I've been given these powers." He looks down at his glove-covered hands, "I've got to do something with them."

Hopper just looks at him, surprised by what he's hearing. A kid his age shouldn't sound this wise.
He sighs, "Fine kid, fine. If you want to risk your life, then go ahead. I'll protect you the best I can from Branden and the psycho's on his squad. I'll even protect you from the commissioner. But, I won't be able to protect you from Kline."