a spider in the wrong universe

mr. hawks

peter's p.o.v.:
i text mr. hawks and ask him to meet me on top of his pro-hero building. the rooftop was quiet, save for the soft rustling of the wind. the city below was a blur of lights, distant and small from up here.

from behind me i hear hawks land on the rooftop. he send a red feather to playfully hit my back. i turn around and smile at him.

mr. hawks looked over at me with a rare somberness i've only seen a handful of times. his heart was heavy with the weight of the conversation about to unfold. he makes his way and sits on the edge of the rooftop with me.

"so this is it, huh?" i ask, ignoring the crack in my voice.

hawks didn't look at me immediately. instead, his gaze was fixed on the horizon. when he finally spoke, his voice was gentle, but there was a firmness to it.

"yeah...i guess so. you're gonna go back to your world, huh? can't say i'm surprised pete. you've always been one to take the hard road, even when you don't have to."

i let out a nervous laugh, subconsciously rubbing the back of my neck.
"yeah, well... at this point, it's habit."

hawks turned to look at me.
"y'know what makes you a damn good hero, kid? the fact that you don't ever hesitate when you see someone in need. even on your first day in a new, confusing universe, you leapt into action saving citizens without second thought. but you're not just some 'kid' anymore. you've grown. i can't remember a time i've ever seen you take a moment just to breathe."

i remember all the times hawks had been there for me the last couple of months. i remember his kindness in letting me move in, the helping  through my sensory overloads, the calling me out of school for a mental health day. hawks was the one who took me in when i was all alone.

with a faint smile on my lips i say, "you remind me a lot of someone, you know? my mentor, mr. stark. except he's actually more like my dad." i look up at hawks. "you always had my back, even when i didn't ask for it."

hawks looks at me, his eyes softening further, "i'll always be rooting for you, pete. i'm proud of you. you're a hell if a lot more than a kid with spider powers. you're a hero who knows what's right and fights for it, even when it means sacrificing everything. when you're back in your world, i hope you remember that. no matter where you go, don't ever lose that part of you. the world will always need more people like you."

instead of saying anything, i just pulled mr. hawks into a tight hug.

i break the hug and look up at him, "thank you mr. hawks."

hawks smiled, his usual cocky grin returning. "call me keigo, kid."

"thank you, keigo." i smile

his smile widens "any time petey. now get out of here spider-man. you have a whole universe to get back to."