Wall-Crawling Duo | Closed RP with websnextdoor

[blueberry_bamf]

Kurt was enjoying his day off, doing an aerial acrobatic routine in the Danger Room on a complicated web of bars he had asked Henry to program. He flowed like liquid from one bar to another, flipping and contorting his body around at high speeds. After a solid twenty minutes of constant movement he fell to the ground, landing in a crouch and breathing heavily. That had felt good. Wiping off his forehead, he grabbed his water bottle with his tail, taking a long drink. Ahh... Scooping up his phone, he scrolled through the news with a casual interest. Anything interesting going on in the world? ...Nope. Not a thing.

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[websnextdoor]

Mondays are the worst.

Pop quizzes, the casual bout of verbal bullying, and losing Spanish homework when someone swipes your backpack (again) from its hiding place are all dangers of a school day. Being trapped in his calculus classroom with about ten other students and their teacher because a super powered villain escaped and is now wreaking havoc in the school is way way out of the realm of ordinary bad day material.

Ned's not even here with him. At least then Peter would have an ally in this. Someone who could cause a distraction or just cover him while he grabbed a spare jar of web fluid and got to work. Peter's scrolling through twitter trying to follow the guy's movements--most kids are pretty good at trying to get the word out to keep each other safe. It doesn't sound like anyone's dead yet. But he's stuck here, and the panicked screaming is getting closer.

Send new text: X-Man Nightcrawler
V angry man attacking school. No one's replying to my texts or calls. Please help. 911 has been called but this is a bit out of their depth.
Sent, along with two pictures. One of Peter's classroom and the other of the school front he'd taken a few months back for the school paper.

[blueberry_bamf]

Kurt's phone buzzes. He glances at the text... And teleports to his room, throws on a shirt, grabs his swords, sends word to several other available X-Men, then teleports straight to Peter's classroom. The angle of the picture had thrown off his calculations slightly, which meant he appears a few feet above the floor rather than on it. Landing silently, he speaks with quiet authority.

"Do not be alarmed. I am an X-Man, Nightcrawler. I am here to help. Please, do not scream. The element of surprise is our best weapon, ja?" He knows it can be alarming for a blue "demon" to appear out of thin air wielding two swords, even if said demon is wearing a goofy band t-shirt from Goodwill. Looking around, he spots Peter and slinks over, keeping low. "You live an exciting life, mein freund. What is the situation?" The screams make his fur stand on end, but he knows better than to blindly charge out except as a last resort. Him winding up shot won't help anyone.

[websnextdoor]

He can stop kids from screaming but the hushed murmurs will be harder to stop.

'Parker knows an X-man?' 'Wasn't he interning with Tony Stark?' 'Are we gonna be okay?' 'Why aren't the cops here yet?'

Peter gives a tiny wave from where he's hunched underneath a desk with his knees drawn up to his chest before turning over his phone with Twitter pulled up.

"Everyone's talking about some super strong guy throwing shit and breaking stuff. There's a couple people hurt but if anyone's dead no one's said anything. We need to get to a fire exit and get out." Or at least to a bigger room with more kids around. Somewhere Peter can slip out unnoticed for a while. "I've tried calling Mister Stark and Spider-Man but you're the first one to answer."

[blueberry_bamf]

"I am sure they will be on their way." Kurt nods, flicking through the tweets and scanning for information. "It is not a well known villain then. That could be to our advantage or not..." Still, super strength wasn't the worst thing to go up against. If anything, he was relieved that was all it seemed to be. "I am going to go try and distract him. Peter, keep trying to get in touch with anyone who can help. Other X-Men should be arriving soon. Once I have his attention, all of you get to the nearest exit, understand? Do not be afraid, ja?"

He straightens up, peering out into the hallway. With a puff of smoke he's gone, reappearing on the other side of the door and racing off to find a very muscular, very angry man ripping lockers out of the wall. A terrified girl was crouched in one corner, screaming in fright. Kurt acts instantly, teleporting over to her. "This will make your stomach feel a little funny, I am afraid." With no more warning he takes her hand and teleports her outside before returning to face off against the villain. "Please, mein freund. Calm down; we can talk this over..."

Kurt was forced to teleport again when a locker nearly hit him square in the chest. Okay, so apparently negotiating wasn't going to work...

[websnextdoor]

"Ms. Santos--" Their teacher shakes herself out of the shock at seeing a blue mutant poof into and out of existence in her classroom quickly. These kids are depending on her after all.

"Alright everyone, get up. Left out of the door and head for the double doors. We'll head for the field and wait this out." She counts each and every one of them as they're leaving the classroom. Peter hates causing trouble but he's sure to murmur to the others as soon as they're outside.

"I'm not waiting around here to get a bus thrown at me. You should do the same." He hears people begin to anxiously talk amongst themselves and argue if that's a good idea or not. It's all the distraction he needs to double back and let himself back in through a window he makes sure stays unlocked in the chemistry lab. A quick stop at his locker to grab his suit out of his backpack and meanwhile--

"I ain't talking 'bout shit!" In retrospect, hiding your stolen property on school grounds is maybe not the smartest idea out there. But it was the only safe place to stash the goods the night before. Just, not as safe as he'd thought. His stash is gone now, and someone isn't taking it too well.

[blueberry_bamf]

"If you will talk with me, the authorities will go easier on you--" Kurt ducks under a thrown water fountain, diving to the side as the now-busted water pipe sprays everywhere. That will make things trickier than he would like. What is keeping the other heroes so long? "There is no need to be upset!"

I live, sorry work kind of exploded @_@

[websnextdoor]

"Hey! Easy there, Low Budget Terminator. Funding for public schools ain't what it used to be. Go trash a richer district's school if you're going to throw a temper tantrum."

The next lobbed item gets caught in a quick thwip! of webbing that leaves the desk that had come flying down the hallway dangling harmlessly from the ceiling like some sort of bizarre decoration. Spider-Man crosses his arms over his chest and tries to stand tall despite the fact that he's easily the shortest person in this exchange.

"Nightcrawler." A formal businesslike nod of the head. We're all heroes here let's be polite but we're not on a first name basis that would be silly they've never met before now.

"Get bent Spidertwerp!" Oh dear. Now he's angry(ier) and throwing things. NO time for small talk now!

No worries, I totally understand!

[blueberry_bamf]

"Ah, mein freund, you have wonderful timing." Kurt looks up from where he had been prepared to teleport himself (and the desk if need be) out of harm's way. One more hero, at least, even if it is a relatively newcomer to the field. As the villain yells, he teleports behind him to land a solid blow on the man's neck... Which did basically nothing. Not good.

"Spiderman, I think the best plan will be for us to try and immobilize him, ja?" Nightcrawler called out, ducking under a thrown punch.

[websnextdoor]

Thwip! Thwip!

There's going to be so much damage done to this school already, but Spider-Man still tries to catch the airborn projectiles with his webs. Peter's already inwardly wincing at what all will end up being cut or suffer because of this stupid attack. But at least this time he's safe in the knowledge that no one is here specifically for him. This seems to be more of a bad timing kind of things.

The next slung web catches the chair the villain was trying to throw and sticking it rather awkwardly to his hand. Yeah! Throwing a guy off balance and--or no, now he's just swinging his new chair-club into Nightcrawler.

"Watch out!"

[blueberry_bamf]

"No worries, mein freund!" Kurt dodges the blow, then grabs onto the man. "Come, it is time you get out of this school." Glancing at Spiderman, he grins. "Follow us outside!" With a bamf he teleports himself and the villain outside-- which turned out to not be the smartest idea he's ever had. The man turns out to be significantly more heavy than Kurt had calculated-- the strain of jaunting them both onto the basketball courts nearly knocks him out. Rookie move, Kurt. Thankfully the villain seems stunned as well, but only momentarily.

[websnextdoor]

Well, the good news of going outside is that there's an awful lot less property to damage in the way of throwing things around. The bad news is outside is where most of the kids have evacuated.

Spiderman is quick to follow Nightcrawler and their angry friend out. Quicker still to toss a few webs the guy dodges to keep him from pummeling the prone Kurt into the ground.

"You know, when they say 'stay in school' they're usually talking to kids, buddy. Nothing saying you can't go back, get your GED--"
"Shut up!"
"But they usually frown on violence, so maybe we should tone it down a little?"

Peter's ducking and dodging blows best as he can before hopping up to kick whenever he's got an opening. He's actually not very good at throwing punches, and his technique is very reactionary as opposed to offensive. Frankly, his mouth is the only thing going on the real attack.

[blueberry_bamf]

Thankfully, that mouth is keeping the villain distracted long enough for Kurt to recover. Shaking his head slightly, he leaps back into the fray. "You would do well to listen to my web-slinging friend. This is not the proper way to continue your education..."

Kurt, who has been a hero a good deal longer than Spidey, can use his mouth and fists. Teleporting in and out of existence, he lands blow after blow on the baddie, who is refusing to go down. If anything, he seems to just be getting more annoyed. "Annoying little..." Kurt ducks under a punch, looking around to see what they can use to their advantage...

Tumbling over to Spiderman's side, he says softly in the moment they have between attacks. "Can you immobilize his legs?"

[websnextdoor]

Spiderman's quips, truly saving lives. Or at least one life. By the time Kurt's back on his feet Spidey is stuck in a close quarters duck and weave with the giant of a man compared to his scrawny build. Nightcrawler's bamf-ing blows are much more effective at forcing the criminal into a single minded kind of mindset, where all he can do is blindly attack and try to defend.

Spiderman's nodding ever so slightly to Kurt's question. He just hopes it works on regular big baddies as well as it did on the giant Ant-Man. He's not alone this time though, and Karen is already helpfully pointing out that the ground is too debris filled to really make use of a web grenade. He'll have to make do with his shooters the old fashioned way. When Kurt jumps back into the fray Peter's already moving, shooting a line of web out at the base of the basketball post and fastening it to a nearby fence as a very literal tripwire. The second the baddie trips he'll be right on scene to dart by and web up the guy's legs with a couple of passes around him. It should leave the guy well and rooted to the spot. At least from the knees down.

[blueberry_bamf]

The second the baddie goes down, Kurt leaps forward, putting him in a choke hold. "I am sorry, mein freund. If you had just listened to us, it would not have come to this..." He held... until he felt the other man go limp. In an instant Kurt lets go, taking his pulse. "...Ah, good. He is unconscious but alright..." Looking over at Spiderman, he gives a thumbs ups. "Come, tie his hands. I hear sirens in the background; we can deliver him to the police all wrapped up."

[websnextdoor]

Oh man, oh jeez.

Just getting a look at the state of the school has Peter cringing internally. Cleaning all of this up is going to be a monumental effort as he's well aware, considering the bus-fight he was in during homecoming. This time at least, his secret identity is safe. Nightcrawler's got a good point though. Spider-Man hops over and webs up the crook's hands too behind his back. Just as good as handcuffs, for a couple of hours at least.

"I shouldn't stick around long enough to talk to the cops. I'm not registered under the Sokovia Accords. I was going to ask how you got here quicker than I did, but that teleporting trick explained all that away. Thanks for helping these kids out, Nightcrawler."

[blueberry_bamf]

"Ah, the Accords. I cannot tell you how relieved I am that powers higher and smarter than myself worked out where the X-Men fell under those. I still had to do a nightmare's worth of paperwork, but I will be safe with the police." Assuming, of course, they waited to hear him out before tasing him or calling for backup. Even though the cops should be aware of the X-Men's unique place in the eyes of the law, the fact that Kurt was blue, furry, and sporting a devilish tail tended to override their better judgement. But he was used to it. If things got too hot, Kurt had ways to handle it. He waved Spiderman on. "Of course. I am always more than pleased to lend a hand in taking down a ruffian like this one. And, if I am not mistaken, there are certain funds set aside for just things like this school attack by Herr Stark. Peter's school will be good as new in no time..." Speaking of Peter, Kurt frowned. He hoped the boy had gotten away safely...

[websnextdoor]

"Huh?" Oh hell, that's a thing? Of course it's a thing Mister Stark thinks of everything that's weirdly really touching actually even though it's for the people as a whole and not just Peter. "Oh--right, yeah. I'll catch up with you later."

Timing. It's always a problem with timing. He only gets about two steps before MJ's irritated tight with worry voice is carrying up as kids start heading back inside with it being pretty obvious that the trouble is over.

"Where the hell is Peter? I'm going to shove him into a locker for pulling this disappearing act shit again so he can take pictures--" Oh. Oh no...Spider-Man's not hurrying shut up he's just got places to be suddenly. Places that might be suspiciously back toward the school. He's got to hurry and scramble out of his outfit and back into his far too baggy clothes. Where can he hide that won't be suspicious as hell? MJ's got a good point about the pictures. He didn't even think to take any while they were fighting--

Peter's in a panic just a wee bit.

[blueberry_bamf]

It was probably a PR move on Stark's part, but. Kurt likes to believe the best in people, so he chooses to believe it's out of the kindness of Tony's heart... He perks up slightly upon hearing someone calling out for Peter. Who was missing. And Spiderman is currently rushing away as fast as possible.

It clicks. Kurt almost groans at himself for not having figured it out immediately; the build, the voice, the sense of humor... Of course. It also explains why, for Spiderman at least, keeping his identity a secret is still such a big deal. So many heroes these days were coming out as... well. Themselves. Kurt had never really had the option to hide, given his features-- there was the image inducer early on and still used every now and then, but mostly he was comfortable in his own fur. For an underage hero, though... Kurt frowns slightly. Is Peter a mutant? If so, why didn't he come to Xavier's? Hmm... As the police pull up, he finds his badge to show them that yes, he's licensed to work here and no, he's not a random demon who tore up a school and is now trying to blame it on his buddy.

[websnextdoor]

"Excuse me..."

Mrs. Santos, the teacher who was in the room when Kurt first appeared, is more than willing to quietly speak up in Kurt's defense for him. And after some grabbing and shoving from a worried MJ, Peter himself is stumbling forward and handing over his phone dutifully showing that he'd reached out to the X-Man as well as 911 when all of this started.

He looks the part of a scared, disheveled youth and it's because peter is. He tries not to look at Kurt while he's talking, afraid he'll give something away if he does.

[blueberry_bamf]

The police were, thankfully, understanding and accepted all of the information while telling everyone gathered that they would be contacted later. Since there were minors involved, things were going to be a little tricky. Kurt agrees to go with the police, turning to Peter with a reassuring smile. "We will talk later, ja? Catch up." He gave a little wave before getting into a squad car.

It would be several hours later when Peter gets a text. Hello, Peter. Are you okay? This is Kurt.

[websnextdoor]

Oh jeez. Thank you so, SO much for showing up today. We're fine here just shaken up. I'm sorry they took you away though. Are you okay?

Peter's reply is as swift as any millennial glued to their phone would be. Aunt May had given him the longest and most irate glare when she came to get him and Ned from the school but she thankfully didn't freak out at Peter once they were home. Just made him a sandwich and told him to take an early night.

[blueberry_bamf]

I am fine, my friend. They had a lot of questions that I did not have all the answers to. Then they made me fill out so much paperwork. But I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am glad you reached out to me.

Kurt hesitates. Should he... ask over text? Or at all?

I would have been in real trouble if Spiderman had not shown up.

There. He will see if Peter picks up the conversation and go on from there.

[websnextdoor]

The next reply doesn't come right away. Suspicious enough, really. But Kurt knows why Peter's being so skittish about this. He has something very big to hide.

Well, we woulda been toast without you guys. You especially. He would have hurt a lot of folks before Spider-Man showed up, I'm sure of it.

[blueberry_bamf]

Yes, he does. And Kurt is the last person in the world who would rat out or use Peter's secret against him.

I do not know about that. Spiderman was very helpful. For such a young hero, he is very quick on his feet. I hope he knows that he can trust me to fight by his side any time.

He wants to talk to Peter about it, but... Obviously they aren't there yet. That's okay.

Have you already eaten dinner? I was thinking of getting pizza.

[websnextdoor]

He's definitely not supposed to go out after the day he's had, but that doesn't stop Peter from replying anyway and leaving out his window like he does nearly every night. He'll send Kurt a selfie when he's outside a local pizza shop nearish his place.

Come on over then. Best pizza in Queens.

[blueberry_bamf]

Recognizing the place, Kurt teleports to the rooftop next to the pizza place, then drops down beside Peter. "Best pizza in Queens, huh? I will hold you personally responsible if you are wrong." He's obviously teasing as he leads the way inside. Kurt relaxes as the smells of dough, cheese, and tomato sauce washes over him--followed by his stomach rumbling loudly. "...Ah-hm. It has been a long day."

[websnextdoor]

"Har har. I usually come here because they sell by the slice and they're really generous." When every expense is one that has to be accounted for, you get really good at being frugal. Still, Peter doesn't mind adjusting his budget to treat a guy who saved a bunch of lives to a meal.

"Yeah, it uh. It sure has. I'm just glad it's all over, you know?"

[blueberry_bamf]

"Ah, that is a good reason to consider this the best pizza." Kurt has spent his whole life being frugal--it came from being raised in a circus. Before Peter can even offer to pay, Kurt has his card out and buys them both a beginning slice.

"I do. Although the fight was much easier than expected once Spiderman showed up. We make a good team." Kurt blows on his pizza a bit before taking a bite. "Mmm... This may be, indeed, the best pizza in Queens."

[websnextdoor]

"I can--oh, well. You didn't have to do that you know? But, thanks."

As bad as it makes Peter feel having someone else buy him things after saving him not six hours before, it's not the sort of feeling that can be helped. It's not difficult to let the pie cool down a bit before stuffing his face. Kurt's line of talk has his stomach in knots with nerves.

"Yeah, of course." And why wouldn't they? Peter just needed a distraction so he could slip off and change.

[blueberry_bamf]

"It is not necessarily common for different heroes to get along with one another, especially if they are used to working alone. Although I suppose Spiderman works with the Avengers quite a bit..." Kurt chats casually, hoping that Peter will loosen up slightly.

[websnextdoor]

"Well not all of the Avengers."

Peter gets about halfway through his bite of pizza when he freezes full stop staring directly down at his plate. Parker, you idiot. If he could sweat real bullets he would be.

"I mean, there's not much of the Avengers left these days, so who would h-he work with?" The jig is up, Peter.

[blueberry_bamf]

"That is a good point. Things have been crazy lately for the Avengers... Even by X-Men standards." Kurt smiles at the young man gently. "But he has proven that he is very good at fighting on his own as well. I admit, I am impressed by how well he handles himself."

Peter is obviously uncomfortable, so Kurt changes the subject for now. "What would your school day have been like if a villain had not rudely interrupted?"

[websnextdoor]

"Yeah. They always seem like they're having a real hard time of it."

It stings being complimented as you're lying to someone. Even moreso to be included in a group you actively turned down working for. The lies keep piling up and Peter knows Kurt knows that's what he's doing. He sighs.

"Thank you. For...for coming. I wouldn't have been able to do anything if you hadn't show up."

[blueberry_bamf]

"Of course. I will come whenever you call, if I can." Kurt nods, giving the young man a soft smile before changing the subject. If Peter wants to tell him the truth at some point, he can. "So, what year of high school are you in? And is a regular high school at all like what they show in movies?" Xavier's could hardly be counted as 'regular' even on their best days and Kurt, having been raised in a circus, found the whole idea of high school to be rather mystifying.

[websnextdoor]

"No, I...I mean it. I could have done something back there." He did, even, eventually. But not before putting a bunch of people at risk just to hide his identity. Is that really what a real hero would do? Let someone be hurt just to further their own gains? Peter still has so much to learn.

"I should have done something...before I called you even."

[blueberry_bamf]

"...Mein freund." Kurt says gently, making sure he has Peter's attention. "If you were, say, a superhero, you are still young. You are still in school, still have a curfew, still have homework! It is of vital importance that, if you were a superhero, you keep that life separate from your regular life. If I were in your theoretical shoes... Being able to have a secret identity is a boon. Especially if you have a family that might be targeted, should anyone discover you were a superhero. In theory, of course." He has been speaking softly, just so no one could overhear this highly hypothetical conversation. Lifting his voice again, he adds. "I am jealous, really. I have always wished I could attend a normal high school."

[websnextdoor]

The anxiety and guilt breaks on Peters face as Kurt talks. More and more it's replaced with gratitude and relief. He goes back to eating his food even now that he's not freaking out and tying his own stomach into metaphorical knots over all of this. Yes, Kurt knows. But he's not going to make a big deal out of it. Or tell him to quit.

Or any number of things he'd have every right to do, up to and including turning Peter in.

"You're really not missing much. My life consists of getting pushed into lockers, being called 'Penis Parker' over the school intercom by my 'friends', and being perpetually late for after school activities for...some..strange reason."

[blueberry_bamf]

What right would Kurt have to tell Peter to stop? After all, he had started young as well. A hero couldn't exactly choose when to start or stop helping people. It helps that he teaches at a school filled with young folk just like his webslinging friend. And considering the things that Spiderman has already been through? Maybe they should have him come in as a guest speaker...

"Penis Parker? That is not even clever." Kurt frowns. "If they are going to insult you, they should at least attempt some level of intelligence. Heavens, I have been called better by third-rate villains on a monologing streak!" He's teasing, of course, trying to keep things light. "So things are similar to the movies, then? Surely there are positive things?"