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David worked with careful hands, gently dabbing at the cut along Exer’s jawline with a damp cotton swab. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of traffic outside, broken only by the occasional hiss of pain from Exer. David smirked, tossing him a pointed look.
“Big, brave Spider-Man scared of a little antiseptic?” he teased, his tone light but laced with affection.
“Not scared,” Exer muttered, flinching slightly. “Just surprised. You have a heavy hand, Doc.”
David rolled his eyes but didn’t reply. Instead, he focused on the task at hand, his fingers brushing Exer’s skin as he applied a bandage to the cut. There was something grounding about this, taking care of Exer, making sure he was okay.
It had only been a few months since Exer had come clean to their small circle of friends about being Spider-Man. The secret had hung between them for years, unspoken but always there, like an itch David couldn’t quite scratch. He’d suspected something, how could he not, with Exer’s sudden disappearances and cryptic excuses? But hearing it confirmed had been overwhelming.
At first, David had been angry, at the lies, at the danger he put himself in every night. Then came the fear, the gut-wrenching terror of imagining a world where Exer didn’t come back. But through it all, there was also pride. Because of course it was Exer, brave, selfless Exer, risking everything to keep their city safe. And honestly, basking in the attention wasn’t all that out of character for him either.
“You’re staring,” Exer said, pulling David from his thoughts. His voice was soft, teasing, but there was a flicker of nervousness in his eyes.
David blinked and set the swab down, crossing his arms. “You look like you’ve been through a meat grinder, Ex. Of course I’m staring. You’re a mess.”
Exer grinned, the kind of boyish, lopsided grin that always made David’s heart stumble. “A charming mess, though, right?”
David snorted, shaking his head. “Sure, if charming means you can barely stand without wobbling.”
“I’m not wobbling,” Exer protested, standing up to prove his point. He wobbled immediately, his knees buckling slightly. David shot forward, catching him before he could fall, his hands steadying Exer by the shoulders.
“See? This is exactly why I worry about you,” David said, his voice sharper than he intended. His grip tightened just a fraction before he let go, stepping back.
Exer’s grin faded, replaced by a softer, almost apologetic expression. “I know you do,” he said, his voice quiet. “And I’m sorry, David. I really am. But you know I can’t stop.”
David sighed, running a hand through his hair. He knew. He’d always known. Exer wasn’t the kind of person who could stand by and do nothing, not when he had the power to make a difference.
“I don’t want you to stop,” David admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I just want you to be careful. I don’t… I don’t want to lose you, Exer.”
Exer’s gaze softened, and he reached out, his fingers brushing against David’s. “You won’t,” he said firmly. “I promise.”
David wanted to believe him. He really did. But promises didn’t stop bullets or collapsing buildings or any of the other countless dangers Exer faced every night.
Still, he nodded, squeezing Exer’s hand before pulling away. “Okay,” he said, his voice steadier now. “But if you come back like this again, I’m locking you in your room for a week. Spider-Man can take a vacation.”
Exer laughed. “I’d like to see you try,” he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
David rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at his lips. “Don’t tempt me,” he muttered, shoving the first aid kit back into the cabinet.
As Exer leaned back against the cushions, his shoulders relaxing for the first time that night, David sat beside him, their knees brushing. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence between them comfortable and familiar.
“Thanks for patching me up,” Exer said eventually, his voice soft.
David glanced at him, his lips quirking into a smirk. “Someone has to. You’re lucky you have me.”
Exer tilted his head, a playful smile on his lips. “Lucky, huh?”
“Yeah,” David said, his voice dropping to something quieter, more serious. “You are.”
Exer’s smile faltered for just a second before it softened, his gaze lingering on David’s face. He reached out, his fingers brushing against David’s hand.
“Yeah,” Exer said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I am.”