mun and old muse are grumpy about Spider-Verse (SPOILERS in the comments)

[bedeviledspider]

I teleported in and saved everyone at the last second.

Normally, I don't like to encourage useless little fantasies, but... sure. Let's go with your story. I prefer that version of events.

Comments

[mellowedwithage]

You heard too, huh?

[bedeviledspider]

Of course I heard.

[ It's about her, after all. ]

We should have been there.

[ And he's trying hard to avoid thinking about why they weren't. ]

[mellowedwithage]

Don't you think I know that?!

You should know better than anyone how I feel about the Parker's.

[bedeviledspider]

Complete and utter contempt for the man and everything he stands for?

[ It's not a good joke. He knows it. But what little bit of Spider is still in him is clinging to the sarcasm, because being serious might mean admitting that they...

They failed. ]

Yeah, me too. Loathe the guy to pieces.

[mellowedwithage]

[Glares. While he appreciates the sentiment to lighten the mood, he didn't have the patience right now.]

Then I'm sure you'll enjoy dancing on his grave.

/slides in here

[hungupthewebs]

I'm sure you'd like that, wouldn't you?

[PETER NO]

[mellowedwithage]

[Ew, who invited you, Parker?]

Yes, I want nothing more than for your lovely daughter and precious baby boy to be left without anyone to take care of them.

Then again...

[Small smile.]

Rumpelstiltskin.

[KAINE NO.]

[hungupthewebs]

[If he paid attention to things like being invited places he'd, well, he'd probably still have two legs.]

Didn't have enough of that when you helped Osborn steal May away the first time that you want now Ben too?

[Oh yes he went there.]

[mellowedwithage]

[You still have a properly functioning nervous system. Forgive him if he doesn't feel bad for you.]

I thought I told you, Parker, I wanted everything you had. Just because your son is a new addition doesn't make him any less yours.

[One day he'll stop playing the villain Peter expects him to be.

One day.]

[hungupthewebs]

[It's a circle of hate that probably won't ever stop until someone finally gives it up. They're both too stubborn for that.]

I don't care that May thinks you've reformed, you stay away from my family, Kaine.

[You'd think they'd stop considering how long it's been, or the fact that Kaine's helped May before, but no.]

[bedeviledspider]

Kaine.

[ Translation: "Shut up." ]

[mellowedwithage]

[Waves a dismissing hand at Reilly. This is how they talk, kid.]

[bedeviledspider]

[ Rolling his eyes as hard as he possibly can. Almost like this is a normal conversation. Almost. ]

Why, I'll be the life of the party.

[ Then, in almost a whisper: ] Look, as much as I "love" our usual banter, you don't think Parker's really—

[ He can't bring himself to finish that thought. ]

[mellowedwithage]

Not until I see a body.

...And even then...

[bedeviledspider]

Right.

[ No shakiness in his voice, no way, he definitely wasn't worried about the possibility of Parker getting... hurt... at all! ]

Like what happened with Osborn.

[mellowedwithage]

[Nods. Though he looks calm, his fists are clenched so tightly, were his hands not encased in armor, he'd be drawing blood.]

Or me, when I was younger. A long, long time ago.

[hungupthewebs]

It's a better version of events than what it looks like for now.

[What do you mean, he sounds a bit bitter?]

[bedeviledspider]

[ It's okay. He's used to Parker sounding bitter, at least around him. ]

Appearances can be deceiving.

...though I have to admit, I'm a little surprised you'd accept my help.

[hungupthewebs]

When it comes to my family?

[He can swallow his pride enough to say that. Just not actually admit that part.]

She can use all the help she can get.

[He's sore enough on the fact it doesn't look like he held that brute back to completely save the day.]

[bedeviledspider]

...Family, huh?

[ He doesn't even realize he's smiling at the word. Just a teeny, tiny little smile. To be honest, it's a weird sight. ]

I suppose I can sympathize with that.

[ There's more he wants to say -- wants to tell Peter, if anything, it's his fault for not being there, for not getting them to safety -- but he's already saying too much. ]

[hungupthewebs]

[Definitely weird, but Peter's seen stranger.]

Matt would have.

[It's not entirely uneasily said- it's not like he can forget that initial encounter when Darkdevil gave him that cryptic run around before revealing he knew his name, after all.]

[bedeviledspider]

[ It's no secret, how Peter feels about Darkdevil, but the words still hit Reilly hard. Maybe because, if he's honest with himself, he's worried that Parker's right. ]

I know.

[ The words come out softly. Uncharacteristically humble for the violent vigilante. ]

I'm– I am trying. To do what he would do.

[hungupthewebs]

[The response is a bit of a kick in the teeth- Peter would've easily continued on if it hadn't so obviously deflated the demonic hero. Not exactly something he was expecting. It'd be much easier to stay rallied against him for modeling himself after Matt- considering what happened to the original Daredevil- if he hadn't said that.]

He used to be my friend, before he died.

[It's not exactly an apology.]

[bedeviledspider]

That's what I've heard.

[ Wonderful. He's back to being cryptic again. It's habit, after all, even after what... might have happened to Parker. Reilly doesn't like lying to him - or at least dancing around the details - but it's easier this way.

Who's to say Peter would believe the whole strange story? Even Reilly couldn't quite believe it, sometimes. ]

You are right, about one thing. Murdock was a great man.

[ "And so were you," Reilly thinks, but he'll never say it. ]

[hungupthewebs]

[He's never been a fan of cryptic comments, especially when the other party likes making them habitual.]

I'm going to get an answer out of you someday about how you know all this.

[For the sake of letting Matt's memory rest, if nothing else.]