Chapter Text
Peter didn’t know what he was thinking when he accepted that assignment.
“Parker, as my best photographer, I want you to take this job.” Mr Jameson proposed as he reclined back in his chair. “Ever since news of that Deadpool becoming a ‘good guy’ came to our paper, I’ve been getting suspicious of what he’s really getting up to lately. Especially now that he’s always hanging around SPIDER-MAN!”
So now he’s been sent to tail Deadpool (A.K.A. Jameson’s newest hyperfixation), and get pictures of him alone; get him while he wasn’t ‘acting good guy for Spider-Man’. Mr. Jameson thought that surely a good photographer like Peter could catch him slipping somehow, because he was so sure that there was no way a dangerous mercenary like him would just go clean like that.
Peter would hate to have that kind of doubt in Wade, but Jonah insisted. If anything, it’s extra payment.
…and maybe a bit of proof to himself that Wade really has changed.
But since he was meant to catch Wade on a solo mission, he couldn’t use his privileges of… well, being Spider-Man. So for now, he’s just Peter again. It’s been a while since he’s gotten to walk around taking pictures as himself, so he just hoped that he could somewhat match the quality of his usual work.
He snuck around the fire escape of some old condo building, trying to catch sight of Deadpool in a nearby alleyway. Peeking around the corner, he found Wade shooting rubber at a bunch of goons in ski masks carrying sacks of money. Perfect.
Trying to stay as hidden as possible, he positioned himself so that his head and the camera were just peeking out from around the corner of the building.
He took a few good photos before Wade managed to tie up the last goon to a lamppost. He flipped through some great candidates for the paper as he reviewed what he got. If he shows these to Mr. Jameson, it’ll prove that there’s nothing to worry about with Deadpool. He’ll be done with this assignment in no time—
“Hey you, with the big brown eyes!”
“Huh?—”
Peter looked up from his camera, and found Deadpool staring right at him. Then, looking down at his feet, found himself standing fully within the retired mercenary’s line of sight.
Oh god.
Peter almost tried to swing away for a second, awkwardly raising his hand halfway before immediately putting it down and deciding to just book it. He ran behind the building and jumped a story down to the ground— but Deadpool was already waiting for him at the bottom.
He landed right in front of him, in fact. Nearly stumbled backwards from how close they ended up.
“Hey, you’re not going anywhere!”
Wade backed Peter up against a wall, poking at his chest. Trapped under the railings of the fire escape, Peter scrambled for a point of escape. “Umm… uh… crap—”
“Didn’t realize I had a stalker… Well, at least he’s cute,” Deadpool squinted at Peter like he was inspecting him, stroking his chin as he looked him up and down.
“I— wh– huh? A stalker? N-no! No, I’m not a stalker, I’m just… ahh– a photographer…” Peter frantically waved his hands around, shaking his head.
Wade nodded, definitely believing Peter’s words, “Uh-huh? Sure…”
“No, I’m serious! I—” Peter quickly straightened himself, clearing his throat. “I work for the Daily Bugle.”
Deadpool backed away just a little at the mention of the company,”The Bugle, huh?”
“Um… y-yes—”
“Yeah, I’ve seen your new little articles about me.” He continued, poking his gun at Peter’s shoulder. Peter probably should’ve flinched a little, or something, but he was way too used to Wade playing with dangerous weapons around him to even notice at first. “What was it about… ’Deadpool! Redeemed killer?? Or pretend hero???’ I don’t know, but I do remember the shit you guys were spitting about me and my buddy Spidey!” Wade continued, too cheerfully.
Peter winced a little at that, all too familiar with the Bugle’s articles from being their favorite ‘dangerous vigilante’. “Well listen, I’m not the one who writes those, okay? I just take the photos.”
“Ah… yeah, I’m not blaming you.” Wade sighed, putting his gun back in his holster. “Ooh, can I see the pictures, though?”
Wade switched up pretty immediately once he noticed Peter’s camera again. “Oh, uhh, I guess?—” Peter barely finished his sentence before he took it and began to flip through the photos he just took.
“Oooh, this one’s nice! Really got my good side there.” Deadpool commented as he pointed out a particular shot. “What’s this next article gonna be about, huh? ‘Deadpool bravely saves the city from petty crime’?”
He put the camera back in Peter’s hands to act out the headline dramatically. Peter chuckled, “Well, maybe. But nowadays, not all the pictures we take will end up in the paper, so I can’t promise anything.”
“Really?” Deadpool tilted his head, “So were you actually sent here to take pictures of me, or are you saying you were just passing by and saw an opportunity?”
“Uhh… a bit of both?” Peter scratched the back of his neck, contemplating if he should tell him… “Well… my boss.. he kinda wanted me to follow you around. He um, doesn’t really believe that you’re actually a good guy now.”
Wade snapped his fingers, “So you are a stalker! Just, professionally.”
Peter tried to argue, but he didn’t really know what to say. “Well, when you put it like that…”
The other man laughed, “It’s whatever, glasses. I don’t really mind.” He tapped the bridge of Peter’s glasses as he said the nickname. “But your boss is the freak at the Bugle who’s obsessed with my redemption arc then, huh? I can’t say I blame him, I guess.”
“Yeah… but, you seem like a good guy to me. Spider-Man’s been a good influence on you, right~?” Peter leaned in a little, totally not fishing for anything.
“Oh yeah, Bugle’s caught onto that too, huh?” Wade chuckled, almost sounding a little bashful. “Yeah, Spidey’s been keeping me in check, don’t you worry. I mean, he's a pretty big inspiration for me in terms of the whole 'no killing' thing, you know? I couldn't disappoint him.”
Peter couldn’t help but smile softly at that.
“I’ll have you know I am not just performing for him, though! Like, I’m good for real!” Wade pointed an accusing finger at him.
Peter raised his hands by his head jokingly, “I know! I believe you.”
“Yeah. So if your boss is trying to catch me slipping, he’s gonna be looking for a loooong time,” he crossed his arms, sure of it. “...Guess that just means I’ll be seeing you around a lot more then, huh?” Wade smirked under his mask.
“Oh-! Well…” Peter hadn’t thought of the fact, but yeah, he might have to continue this assignment for a while, depending on how stubborn Mr. Jameson is. And… that man was very stubborn. So… “I guess we’ll see,” Peter shrugged.
Wade let out a scoff of a chuckle, “Look forward to it, stalker.”
Peter rolled his eyes, “Sure..”
The sounds of police sirens came up in the distance, bringing their collective attention back to the crime scene in the street outside.
“Ahh, I should probably go check on those robbers… oh, what’s your name? Before I go.”
“Uh– Peter! I’m Peter,” he said with an awkward chuckle, reaching out for a handshake on instinct.
“Wade,” he took Peter’s hand and shook it firmly. Then he ran off.
“Umm— bye–?” Peter didn’t even raise his hand for a proper goodbye wave before Wade was gone.
Then he just stood there. He could still hear the faint sound of police sirens, along with Wade’s voice. He was probably chattering off to officers, knowing him.
He supposed there was nothing left to do but report back to Jameson, so he started walking back to the Daily Bugle building.
.
..
…What the hell was that interaction!? He finally thought to himself.
I mean… at least it went well. He didn’t seem… suspicious.
Oh god, what if he could tell!? Did my voice sound different enough? Was it too obvious when I mentioned Spider-Man?? He was getting really close too…
No… he’d probably point it out the moment he noticed something. He’s Wade, afterall.
Other than that he was surprisingly… cooperative? In the end.. At least I won’t have to worry as much later on.
…If this becomes a long term thing.