Y/N STOOD IN his backyard, hands in his pockets as he stared ahead at his lawn. His garage was to his right, a basketball hoop was to his left, and some toys were scattered on the floor.
He had been there for some time, wearing his all-black funeral attire. The burial had been just a couple of hours ago, and he had been mostly quiet since then.
All he could think about was Felix.
The teenager had been killed a little over two weeks ago. It was a heartbreaking blow not only to Y/N but to the community as well.
Everyone at Midtown offered their condolences and missed him. People in and around Forest Hills and Rego Park were stunned that the kid was shot down and yearned for justice to be served. They were already disgusted at the rising gang activity and drug use among the youth and wanted change.
Y/N believed it as well...but wasn't sure how to fix it himself. In reality, there was no way to fix it alone. Even if he was...Spider-Man.
Or maybe there was a way. Perhaps he was just telling himself that amidst his guilt and inaction. Maybe he was just reeling at his failure, at how he failed in his responsibility toward Felix.
The young man sighed and took off his glasses, looking down at them. His thick-rimmed spectacles weren't even prescription and were just for cosmetics at that point. He had perfect eyesight thanks to the spider bite years ago. Still, he had worn them ever since and acted as if he still had astigmatism.
Plus, it helped hide the fact that he was Spider-Man back when he operated as him. Who would think a blurry-visioned geek like him was a superhero? It was like how Superman hid his identity. Y/N pretty much stole the idea: glasses, shirt-rip, and everything.
Y/N thought back at those years as he continued looking at his glasses, and he somewhat cracked a smile...but it soon fell upon remembering who he lost. Not only before...but recently.
Moments later, another man, the same age as Y/N, approached him. The African American stood beside him and looked ahead at the lawn as well. Y/N cleared his throat and put his glasses back on.
"I figured you'd still be out here." Jefferson Davis said.
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"Yeah." Y/N simply replied.
Jeff looked at the basketball hoop and then at the ball beside it.
"You know, I remember that tryout you and Peter went to..."
Y/N scoffed. "Come on..."
"I'm sorry I blocked the hell out of you." Jeff chuckled. "I had to. Coach was watching and he said not to go easy on the newbies."
Y/N chuckled as well. "Hey, at least that was it for me. Peter got crossed up."
"Right! Jose got him good."
The two shared a laugh as they looked back at those times. It soon got quiet, and it took a moment before Y/N changed the subject and finally asked him what had been on his mind the entire day.
