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[Well. Now he's given her more concern, but she manages to keep it to herself.]

Until your leg heals, I am going to drop by with food and anything else. I don't want you to move. [So much for not acting concerned.]

Of course they would render the phones useless inside the bloody fog. [Bela sighs before she switches her focus to the topic of the other Peter.]

Admittedly, it was strange to see him so young, but he seems smart. Full of questions, which I was happy to answer. I told him I wouldn't tell anybody his identity - I saw the suit from a distance so initially, I thought it was you.

[He laughs. It's so strange to see Bela go into Nurse Mode, but heartwarming at the same time.]

I told you, it'll be a day or two at most. The bone's already healed, but the bruising makes it look worse than it really is.

[And now his smile turns a bit sad. Young, smart, full of questions. That makes him feel like he doesn't quite fit into that mold anymore, which is terrifying in its own right. But he shoves it aside and nods at her points.]

The design is a bit different than my suit, but I've had a number of costume changes through the years and it doesn't weird me out too much. He's only been at this a couple years, so I kind of feel like I get put in Mentor Mode whenever we see each other.

[If it were the other way around, he'd be bringing her soup and making sure that she was taken care of.]

I'm still not going to let you strain yourself.

[Her tone is firm, but her expression softens when she notices how his smile changes. Bela shifts a little closer, prepared to offer some comfort if he wanted it.]

Who better to mentor him than someone who has the same abilities and similar experiences? He really seems to have taken a shine to you, based on our conversation. I think you'd be a great mentor, Peter. [After a moment.] Any significant changes to the suit?

[He could probably make some sort of innuendo out of that, but his brain was failing him at the moment. Another downside to being laid up.

He does reach out to brush his fingers against her cheek, though. Nothing sexual, not right now. It was just nice to have physical contact.]

Well, I'm glad he likes me, at least. I've tried the mentor thing before, but it's hard when you have Imposter Syndrome half the time.

Most of my suits are the standard red and blue, like you saw. But his looks almost red and black. Or a very dark blue, at least. And the logo on the chest is smaller. The spider looks shorter and more square. It's not bad, just different.

[She does appreciate the fingers against her cheek, lifting her hand to cover them. Her other hand runs gently through his hair before she pulls it back again.]

Now that you mention it, the colours of his suit were different. Perhaps it's just an aesthetic thing for him? Whatever materials he had to hand? I don't know, I'm just throwing it out there.

[Bela wants to address the other thing he said, and it makes her frown.]

I never knew about the Imposter Syndrome - I suppose you've hidden it well. Is there anything in particular that sets it off?

There's a ton of us, so I learned long ago to stop questioning style choices. At least it's recognizable. It definitely looks high tech, so either he's more of a prodigy than I was, or he has a wealthy benefactor.

[Wouldn't that be funny, a Spider-Man with money?]

If only you could hear my internal monologues, you'd be sick of all my self-doubt. I know it's just me trying to take on all the world's problems and do everything myself. That's when it all comes crashing down.

[He shrugs.] But I know you didn't come here to listen to me psychoanalyze myself. How have you been? I know you were in the suburbs the whole time, but was it safe? Nothing came out from the fog to attack anybody?

You can't shoulder the world's problems.

[Bela replies softly, giving his fingers a squeeze. But she will leave it at that if he wants to talk about something else instead.]

It was completely safe. No fog monsters of any kind roaming the streets. In fact, the past two weeks have probably been the first time where I haven't felt on edge. Scared about what was going to happen. The only thing I was ever really worried about was you, Peter.

[She could even describe it as a vacation of sorts.]

I have been fine. I spent my time playing card games, talking to other Hellburbia residents and reading. Putting together packages of supplies, which I mentioned before.

[And he squeezes back. Peter knows that he'll never be able to follow that advice, but he appreciates her giving it anyway.]

I'm glad you were safe. It was so chaotic in there that I barely had time to think, but I did wonder if things were okay outside the fog.

Did you meet anyone interesting? New friends?

[She takes her hand away after that, remaining close.]

Met a few interesting people, but I don't know them well enough just yet. [There's a shrug.] Who knows? Maybe friendship will come out of it if I talk to them more.

Our friendship didn't exactly develop overnight. [Bela's smile is soft.]

[He remembers. She hadn't trusted the strange man assigned as her roommate, and he'd kept his distance for her comfort. They'd shared each other's trauma at the hospital, and then been victims of some altered liquor. But he didn't regret their relationship, even if he felt guilty about his relationship back home. Bela was a constant in this place, and helped keep him sane.]

I think you can use as many friends as you can down here. [He coughs.] I mean you in general, not you, Bela.

Anyone would be lucky to be your friend.

[If someone had asked her months ago if she would make any friends, Bela would have laughed.

But their friendship was different. Peter is one of the few people here who had gone to bat for her several times, despite not knowing her so well in the beginning. She couldn't have survived this place without him.]

I know what you meant. And I think you're right.

[When he says that next part, she can feel emotion bubbling in her chest, thought she does her best to hide it.]

Thank you, Peter. I really don't know what to say to that, but it means a lot.

[They were getting dangerously close to things they weren't supposed to be talking about, so he knows another subject change is in order.]

I met up with a few people in the fog. I don't know if you've seen any of them, but I was just hoping that everyone made it out okay. The Other Me, a woman named Peggy Carter, and a guy named Tony Stark. You wouldn't happen to have heard from any of them, would you?

[That bubble remains in her chest, unable to let it go. She is able to keep it contained, focusing on what Peter had to say next.]

I have not heard from any of them, and I only know the other Peter out of the three. If you made it out then surely they have as well - maybe they are just taking it easy for a while. Like you are. [Like he's supposed to.] I hope they are alright in any case.

Have you tried sending them a message?

Got it. I didn't think so, but it was worth a shot.

I haven't messaged anyone. [He's been too busy wallowing in self-pity.] Usually when someone disappears, another person makes a post about it. So maybe no news is good news?

[He's having a difficult time coming up with other things to say. His mind is turning to more physical things, but it's not a good idea with his injury. Instead, he offers her a smile.]

Thanks again for coming over and talking to me. I feel a little more motivated now, which is a lot better than sitting around and moping like I have been.

What kind of friend would I be if I didn't try to make you feel better, Peter? [Read: not a very good one.] You're welcome though, I'm glad you have some motivation.

[Although Bela doesn't blame him for feeling the way he did. She's had plenty of low points in this place and it took the company of a friend to lift her out of it.]

I have an idea for when you're back on your feet. Remember that delicious yet bad for us fried food we got a while ago? I think we should do that again.

[Talking about food was one way to get him excited. He sits up a little more at the mention of fried things and gives a grateful nod.]

That sounds amazing. As long as it's actual food and not a trap disguised as a deep-fried heart attack.

[It makes her happy to see his mood lift at her suggestion. She doesn't know if there will be anything else but fried food, but Bela will try.]

Okay. I'll do my best to get some delicious and healthier food if possible. What's your opinion on pasta?

Pasta? Delicious but not remotely healthy if done right.

[He shifts his position again, moving his leg just a little bit to keep it from getting stiff. The soup has really revived him, and he feels like he has more energy already.]

I am up for whatever junk food shenanigans you want to get into. I mean, honestly, what I wouldn't give for a night of Chinese takeout and trashy reality shows on the couch right now.

Then I'll have a look around in the kitchens and wherever serves food to put something together. The junkier, the better.

[She will make it happen somehow.]

Chinese takeout sounds amazing right now, but it all depends on the reality shows for me. Maybe I could find a movie or something to watch on the couch together?

My hero.

[Heroine? That word always sounded too much like the drug.]

Oh anything where people are screaming at each other over brunch is a winner in my mind. Movies work too, but I don't think Hell has that great of a collection.

Don't worry, I'll be back to my villainous ways in no time.

[It's a tease of course.]

Rich people yelling at each other can be amusing. Suppose I'll have to hunt for a film that isn't too close to reality down here. I like a good classical horror film. [Her head rests against his shoulder as she continues to talk.] Maybe Hell has an equivalent of a reality show? 'Real Housewives of Hellburbia' or something like it.

Thank you for taking a break from being a devious villainess until I can recover.

[Since she's leaning against him now, that gives him an excuse to wrap an arm around her and keep her close.]

I would think that HellTV would show nothing but terrible reality shows. Or horribly unfunny sitcoms with obnoxious laugh tracks.

[Bela settles against him easily after his arm slips around her.]

Ugh, I can't stand sitcoms like that. [Not that she watches much television.] Suppose they have to be on brand with the whole torture thing. If I can't find anything decent to watch, we can just exchange stories and eat snacks until we fall asleep.

How does that sound?

[This is cozy, and he feels more at ease, even a bit sleepy as her body heat blends with his own.]

Stories? What kind do you want to hear?

[Her arm drapes loosely across his middle, tucking herself as close as possible. Bela feels a little sleepy too.]

Like how you saved the whole of New York or something.

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