3rd POV:
You know how a girl flirts with you, you don't get it, only to get it 7 years later when you are cutting onions? Only that, by that time the girl moved on.
You know how, when you have a great time, your brain just spontaneously goes 'Hey! Hey you! Remember this particularly cringe moment that mortifies you? No? Well, now is the perfect time to recount it.'
You know how you can go for years having the most obvious sign stand in front of you, only for you to be utterly oblivious to it?
You know that feeling?
Yeah.
That was what Bell was feeling right now.
It took 15 years for it to occur that 'You're a reality warper, Harry. I mean Bell!'
Which, don't get Bell wrong, he wasn't complaining. Those were only the most powerful entities in existence after all.
No biggie.
It was just that he now realizes he was kind of, sorta, scammed.
He was a reality warper from craigslist.
He doubted Wanda Maximoff understood the intricacies of wormholes. Or that she ran the calculations in her head. Now, he wasn't calling her dumb. But it was never shown or hinted at how she goes about creating her portals. She just snapped her fingers and wished for something, like an kid on christmas, and voila.
Whereas he was forced to have a good understanding about the various subjects before doing anything.
His ability was nerfed.
Then again, can he really complain?
Bell doubted he would feel so much pride in his accomplishments, if he could just snap his fingers and boom.
Ok. So maybe he wasn't kind of, sorta, scammed.
Fine.
Now he feels kind of silly.
Oh, sure. Let me just complain about my silly little ability called reality warping. Oh, it is so weak. I need to open a book and study.
Oh, the tragedy.
The misery!
Bell sighed.
This was a day of many clarities. Now that he was lying in bed after the whole portal fiasco he could allow himself to think a little bit.
His mind was drifting.
It wasn't quiet a therapy session. But it is surprising how much good saying some of the stuff out loud can be.
How comforting it was.
As if someone came and helped share your burden for but a few moments.
Guess meeting God can do that to you. What a pity some people used God as an excuse to do evil and justifying it in his name, instead of becoming better.
He still felt the guilt and regret of his last life, and he doubted he could ever truly heal, but at least he could find closure now.
It wasn't his fault his compatriots died.
It wasn't his fault the war started.
It wasn't his fault that the politicians did as politicians did.
Those were not his burdens to carry.
Everything else though?
Yeah, he still was trying to come to terms with it. Work and sort through it, in a sense.
While some feeling lightened, others increased.
Particularly shame.
So maybe he didn't deal with his anger and bitterness in the best way possible. And maybe in trying to find some sense of comfort from these feelings, he resorted to terrorizing innocent bystanders with his pranks. People who did him nothing wrong.
Oh, who was he trying to kid? There were no maybes.
He definitely could have handled that better.
His excuses and reasoning would not suffice to justify his behavior.
So what if he was hurting? They were all hurting after the war. He didn't see all the others resorting to this attitude.
Sometimes saying what your are doing out loud, is the only way to drive home about what you are actually doing. Just another way Stan helped him, he supposed.
Well nothing he can do about it now, he concluded. Not like he can go back and apologize. Only thing that is left to do better from here on out. Use the mistakes from his first life to make better choices in his second.
Bell turned side ways in his bed.
Which meant only one thing.
He needed to revision his goals.
Oh, he still wanted to live for the amusement.
But his amusement should not come at the expense of others. Much. Some people however, genuinely, deserved a good prank.
This means some of his plans were scraped.
He had this whole plan about creating a villainous alter ego who murders people in mysterious ways and played catch with the detectives. Always leaving clues intentionally behind and pulled the wool over the enforcements, until one day he disappeared. The murders remaining forevermore unsolved and the case a mystery.
Wooopp!
In the bin with that.
No need to engage in such activities.
A few of his other plans were scraped and new ones were made.
Oh, he still was gonna kill a few of his enemies. Some of them genuinely deserved killing. He had no conniptions with killing after all. But he needed to kill with restraint. It was one thing to kill a lunatic who enjoyed killing others and another to kill a poor sap stealing from an ATM trying to feed his family. He needed to review each persons crimes in gravitas individually and then render judgement accordingly. Was it a more time consuming process? Definitely. But so what?
Oh, he almost forgot. He dissolved the magic in Connors chest, leaving him alone. He wanted to start his villainous arc, of murder mystery, by turning Connors into a makeshift bomb. When someone important would have visited him, like let us say Fisk or Osborn, then kaboom. There was no need for that anymore. He had no need to use a hammer where a scalpel will work much better. Besides, assuming the Green Goblin appears, he can always find him no matter where he hides and deal with him.
There was no need for Connors to pay with his life for his machinations. Yeah, his idiocy killed like 20 people, but he wasn't in control. It was a complicated matter, but ultimately Connors was a good man who did bad things. Things he deeply regretted.
Yeah, that sounded familiar.
A good man who did bad things.
He wasn't that much of a hypocrite that he couldn't look in the mirror.
No need for Connors or his family to pay for something that was, ultimately, just a pacing fancy of Bells.
He continued to scheme a bit more.
Yes, he will discard those. And, oh, how about this? No actually, let's tweak this a bit. There we go, just like this. How about something new? Yes! Yes! Good! Very Good!
Bell continued to scheme well into the night.
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A black bald man with an eye patch and a dark trench coat stood before six individuals.
''Why have you called us sir? Have you found Loki's Scepter? Should we move out?,'' Steve Rogers asked ready to move.
''At ease, Soldier. This is a briefing of what recently happened. I felt it was urgent to bring it to your attention, so you are all kept up to date. Granted Black Widow, Hawkeye and Stark are already on the in, so this is more for the rest of you,'' Nick explained.
''I get why those two know, since they work for S.H.I.E.L.D, but how does Stark know?,'' Rogers asked.
''It is my job to know, Capscicle,'' Tony answered before Nick could, putting a peanut in his mouth.
''It was literally all over the news,'' Clint Barton explained.
''Ah, but what about the confidential stuff,'' Tony argued.
''Stark stop hacking into S.H.I.E.L.D's servers,'' Nick retorted.
''Then don't make it so easy to hack into it,'' Tony replied.
''Remind me again. Have you cracked AFoxyScriptwriter's account? Maybe we should hire him for S.H.I.E.L.D's cyber security,'' Fury decided to hit Tony where it really hurt. His ego.
''Ok. A) There is no one better than me and I'm making great progress and B) For that, you first need to know who he is. And if I can't find out who they are, then you definitely can't,'' Tony confrontationaly engaged, pointing his hand at him.
He kind of walked into that one, Nick admitted. He usually gave better banter.
''Ladies. Ladies. You are both pretty. Can we move on towards the matter at hand,'' natasha intervened trying to calm everything down.
''Why would she say it like that? They are not ladies,'' Thor murmured to himself.
''No. It is a figure of speech,'' Banner murmured back as an explanation.
''Ah, I understand,'' Thor nodded proud of himself for learning something new. A beat of silence passed. ''I don't understand,'' Thor revealed, still confused. Tony rolled his eyes.
Lord, Almighty save him from these people, Nick thought, clenching his fist behind his back.
''Two weeks ago,'' Nick began forcefully grabbing the attention of the group, he started showing the matching photos,''A man named Curt Connors created the lizard serum. Upon taking it he turned into this. He displayed higher endurance, durability and superb regenerative abilities. He tore through the police force eating the bullets like they were nothing. His first appearance was at Midtown High when he attacked it. We don't know why. But The Lizard didn't display only an animalistic impulse. It also display its own intelligence separate from Connors.
We doubt it was a coincidence he attacked Midtown High. But upon questioning the students they either lied or didn't know. We suspect there is an unknown entity running interference.''
''Did Connors work alone? Maybe our unknown person is the one that worked with Connors. Maybe they are trying to save their hide,'' Natasha asked.
''Might be. Might not be. We asked the students. None of them knew that Connors was working on the serum. And Connors has not made a peep since he was imprisoned, so he is a dead end,'' Nick continued.
''What about Connors work? Surely he left clues behind, unless he did everything in his head. Computer, papers, blackboard, anything'' Steve suggested. Tony was really tempted to tell Steve to get with the times. That was so old school.
Fury quickly marched on:'' Nothing. Someone stole everything. The only clue we have is something that we picked up on thanks to the students. There was no investigation about the hole in the wall. Repair construction began immediately. We tried following the money, but hit a dead end,'' Nick revealed.
''You want me to track the money, find out who our mysterious benefactor is?,'' Tony asked hoping for another challenge.
''Yes. Keep me up to date on whatever you find, just remember the Tesseract takes priority.
Continuing on.
The Lizard was going after a boy. Unfortunately here things get murky. None of the cameras captured him at a good angle and everyone else was preoccupied with running away. He is a dead end as well. We are trying to narrow the suspect list down but it is difficult. Same with the girl. Might be, he was working with Connors. Might be, he is the unknown entity. Might be he was one and the same. If he worked for or with Connors he certainly has a motive to hide. We are working on that end to find answers.
Sometime later a person designating himself as Nexus engaged The Lizard. Her is a video taken by a bystander who remained close to the action,'' Nick shared.
''There is always someone like that,'' Barton murmured.
''Unfortunately,'' murmured Banner back.
''I like it. Very futuristic looking. Though I would have made some changes,'' Tony gave a backhanded compliment.
Nick's eye twitched and he carried on:'' Nexus fought The Lizard, here is how it went.
They watched the battle that was picked up by the news helicopter.
''He may be lacking technique, but he seems to make that up with his viciousness. Also a nice use of his environment,'' Barton analyzed.
They watched some more, with Barton and Tony hiding their amusement behind their hand upon seeing what he did to to Captain Stacy. Rogers frowned finding nothing amusing with it.
''His clothes definitely possess enhanced durability, that functions as armor. Though don't let that fool you. Some of the hits he was tanking were pure blunt force and he walked it off relatively fine. We suspect he has his own form of enhanced durability. And with some of the hits he dealt to The Lizard we know he also has super strength. Both of them were about evenly matched in this fight. Keep that in mind, because that is going to be important later.
Later on in the day The Lizard broke into Oscorp and stole the Ganali device,'' Nick recounted.
''What is the Ganali device?,'' Steve asked.
''It is a device designed by Oscorp that shoots an ampule in the air that explodes, spreading gas over the entire city. It was intended to be used as a quick way to fix any possible pandemic forming in the city via aerial intake of the antidote,'' Banner explained to Rogers.
''It was even declared public use for the city,'' added Barton.
''I'm sorry but did it not occur to anyone that such a device could be easily misused,'' demanded Rogers to know.
''For once, you would be right, Capsicle. Oscorp assured that something like this would not come to pass. That the device was in a secure location. Investigators found out it was just lying around in the open somewhere in the lab. Worse they also found out it had no off-switch.
They are currently receiving a lot of criticism both from the public and from our circle,'' tony shared.
''Our circle?,'' Thor asked confused. ''He doesn't mean us. He means the super rich,'' Banner whispered to him making him nod in understanding.
''Rogers is right. The Lizard stole the device intending to use it to turn the city into Lizards like himself. He was engaged by Ghost Spider, as you can see here.
She displayed great acrobatics and durability, but could not match The Lizard in strength, but make no mistake, she also has super strength. She also shot webs from devices at her wrist. Obviously making a play at being a spider themed hero.
The Lizard was about to kill her before being saved by Captain Stacy.
Just when Stacy was about to be killed Nexus appeared. Again he displayed viciousness, but according to Stacy's report no intent to kill.
When The Lizard was about to be cured Nexus restrained him and pulled the spear out so Connors would not die. Notice this? He suddenly displayed greater strength then the Lizard, when just a few hours earlier that day they were evenly matched. We suspect he was either holding back or increased his strength in between either temporarily or permanently,'' Nick briefed.
''Do we have a suspect of who any of them could be?,'' Steve asked Nick.
''Nexus hasn't appeared since his first two sightings. Both times he seemed to appear from thin air and both times he disappeared right back into it. Our guy is camera shy and seems to always know where to not be seen. We have literally nothing on that guy, except what the News helicopter picked up and one other thing.
There was a destroyed panel of glass on the other side of the building he jumped from. We ran the simulations a hundred times and inspected the glass trajectory. The only way that glass would have shattered in the way it did, is by being pulled by a suction cap.
Or a sticky hand.
We suspect he also has spider powers, even if he didn't display the webs.
As for the girl? We have a list of suspects. She wears ballet shoes, we're trying to find someone who did or does ballet and matches her build.
As for our third superpowered individual,'' Nick explained clicking the remote.
A picture of Spider-Man appeared.
''He calls himself Spider-Man. We also have nothing on him. He appeared one week ago displaying all the same skills as Ghost Spider. The female has been regularly active for two weeks with the male one being active for one week. Both of them move to erratically to catch them when they dress back into their civilian clothes.
One spider themed person I can work with. But when we have three of them, then clearly someone is making them,'' Nick accused.
''So someone cracked the code to the super soldier serum?,'' Steve asked.
''At least when it comes to making spider themed super soldiers. We are dedicating a lot of resources to finding out who they are, so we can put a stop to this. The last thing the world needs is every crook getting their hands on this new serum. So far we have been lucky, but all luck eventually runs out,'' Nick answered.
''So do you want us to engage them? Bring them in? Should we treat them as enemies? What do you want from us Patch-Eye?,'' Tony asked starting to get impatient. Most of the stuff he already knew, but then team building exercises and yap yap yap was given as a reason for him to sit in.
''Our first priority is Loki's scepter and finding out who tried to tried to pay hush money about the hole in the wall. I want you on stand by. Anything else is secondary.
Treat these three as cautionary allies. If you go outside and for some reason encounter them, see if you can't ask them questions. Every little thing they give away helps. Whatever you do, don't engage them in battle, unless you think it is absolutely necessary.
Once we solve the issue with the Tesseract we will deal with them,'' Nick ordered.
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Bell slacked in the couch. He dropped his head back.
''You now what I just noticed,'' said Gwen putting down the bag of chips and two glasses.
''What?,'' Peter came after her bringing a bowl, inside a glass and two bottles.
Gwen took a couch pillow and threw it as Bells head, he didn't react. She huffed going back to the kitchen and took a bowl and a few packs of different kinds of biscuits. She came back putting them on the table. Peter took a seat while Gwen opened up the packs of biscuits and dumped them in the bowl. She grabbed the plastic and went back to the kitchen.
She called out:''Any movie featuring a High School setting has High School bullies.''
She came back having thrown the plastic in the trash and sat down on the couch.
''And who do these bullies bully? Always the smart kids, the nerds. And hey, would you look at that. Not only are we smart, but also younger than all the others. But nothing. No bullying for us,'' Gwen continued.
''Yeah, that was a stereotype that formed in the 90's. Have you seen kids nowadays, though? They are vicious. All of them. Bullies no longer have it easy anymore,'' Peter argued.
''No, I disagree with you. Well, not completely. I think everything is fucked now. Economy, climate, infrastructure, no opportunity for social uplifting. Kids are getting aware of these things at increasingly younger years. Then they find themselves increasingly mortified, the more they become aware of how bleak the world is that they will one day enter. Existential dread can be quite demotivating,'' Bell counter argued, raising his head.
''Ok, Mr.Pessimist and Mr.Movie Geek. I have a better argument. They are all too preoccupied with looking at their damn phones,'' Gwen said.
Bell slowly tilted his head in a nod, seeing her point. Peter opened his mouth, but then frowned. Eventually he also nodded.
''Well I'm glad you agree with me. Let me just put on the show. Shame we lost so much time preparing, because SOMEONE wouldn't help us,'' Gwen accused utilizing the remote.
Bell dropped his head back again and mocked:''Meh, meh, meh, mi, mi, mi. Stop complaining already. I'm the guest and you are the host. It is your job to serve me. I'm not gonna help you. If Peter wants to, then good for you. I on the other hand will settle for serving you when you come at my house.''
''I help you when I come over at your house, so what gives?,'' Gwen complained.
''Yes! Because you refuse my refusal to accept your help and then you impose yourself upon me. The worst thing is that mother indulges you. I swear if it weren't for her I would tie you to the chair,'' Bell hotly informed, throwing his hands in the air.
''Oh, yeah? And what about every time you refused to accept our refusal for getting help? Remind me again who came to our house every day and did the chores after my mother died and father had to go to work just so that I can mourn in peace? For two months! Who was it again that went through the trouble of selling his art, just so that the Parkers wouldn't go into debt due to a medical bill after Ben broke his leg. To this day you refuse to let them pay you back!,'' Gwen began ranting
''It was just 472$'', Bell tried calming her down.
''NO! This is where you zip it. I'm talking,'' Gwen tapped the remote into his chest. Peter was feeling a little awkward at the sudden turn of events but nodded along at certain points. This is also something that was bothering him for a while.
Gwen continued:''Who was it that helped us skip 2 grades going through the trouble of cramming three years in one year? Who was it that was the first to offer to help us move? You helped my father in building all the furniture. You put your literal life on the line to save a girl too stupid too move. If it weren't for you I would have died!
Time and time again you helped us, even if we tried to refuse your help. And then you pretended like it was no big deal.
And what did we do? Hm? What did we ever do for you? And no, that stupid tutorship does not count!
You always did this. You NEVER asked us for help. Not once. Always acting as if you have to face everything yourself. And when we have the opportunity to help you, you instantly try to take it away from us. Why,Bell?''
''Sooooo, this is not about me not helping you, is it?,'' Bell asked after a bit.
Gwen looked apoplectic, for one second before closing her eyes and replying with forced calmness:'' No, Bell. I didn't mind at all. I was just trying to tease you a bit. But somehow we arrived at this point. So would you just PLEASE answer the question.''
''It is not that you don't trust us. I know that. But we can't provide the type of help you need. Right? That is why you never ask us for help,'' Peter guessed, his jaw set.
Bell starred slack jawed at them, slowly shaking his head:'' No, no, no, NO! Look I don't know what could have EVER made you feel like this. But I am going to say it very slowly and very concisely.
You. Do. Help. Me. In. Many. Numerous. Ways. You. Just. Can't. See. It. You. And. I. And. Peter. Are. All. Different. Individuals. Dealing. With. Different. Problems. Requiring. Different. Help. My. Help. Is. Unseen. But. It. Is. There. Given. By. You.
You get that? You two ARE helping me. Help doesn't need to be visible to be present. Besides I think you two are underselling your help here, because you are definitely helping me in other ways too.
You just happen to have blinded yourself to it for some reason. So please just abandon this entire thought, about not helping me.''
''How do we know this isn't you playing it off to make us feel better? If we are really helping you then give us an example. Just one,'' Gwen demanded.
Bell thought for a bit before giving Peter a look, and nodding once. Peter starred back confused.
''I told you that tutorship doesn't count. I'm talking about real genuine help here,'' Gwen elaborated.
Bell continued to look at Peter, nodding again.
Gwen switched looking between the two of them.
Peter narrowed his eyes still confused. Bell nodded his head a bit more forcefully and quickly looked to Gwen when she didn't look at him. Peter kept his eyes narrowed for a bit more only to then be suddenly hit by a realization.
Of course. He has almost completely forgotten about the serum. They broke into the school, an illegal activity, so they agreed to never mention it again. He was just glad that Bell caught George in time, before he could leave for the Oscorp tower. Now that he was reminded of it, Peter wondered what lie Bell told about the antidotes origin.
He facepalmed and answered:''Of course. Yeah. I forgot about that.''
''What? What? Peter, what is it?,'' Gwen demanded.
''Sorry, Gwen. It's boy stuff. I really don't feel comfortable telling you,'' Peter replied looking apologetic.
''Oh yeah, that is fine. Just exclude me, why don't you. Bell, I want an answer. Peter helped you. But when did I?,'' Gwen wanted to know.
''You are my emotional support, Gwen,'' Bell hesitantly answered.
''I want a REAL example. When did I help you?,'' Gwen insisted, refusing to become flustered.
Jesus, woman. You are just being unreasonable at this point. Bell tried remembering another point in time she helped him. But came up blank.
The longer the silenced reigned, the more Gwens body slacked. Her expression turned disappointed and she gave a long suffering sigh. She turned back and forced herself to continue typing the shows name. She needed a distraction.
''I mean, there is no reason that can't change in the future. I'm definitely going to come to first things first for help,'' Bell tried to cheer her up.
''No you won't. You'll just deal with it yourself or find someone else to help. Remember how you turned down my help for tutorship and insisted on Peter,'' Gwen told him.
''I didn't want to bother you,'' Bell answered.
''Maybe, I WANTED to be bothered by you,'' Gwen shamefully ignored the part she didn't make much of a fuss when he refused. Yes she wanted to help people. Yes, Peter was more readily available to indulge Bells fancies. Yes she knew full well she would have tutored Bell instead, had Peter refused. She felt all kind of conflicting emotion.
''I ... can't believe you both felt that way. How long did you bottle this up,'' Bell asked.
''I think this started way back before 1st Grade. It is only recently we kind of got to put a name to it,'' Peter explained, rubbing the base of his thumb.
Bell opened his mouth and then closed it starring at them, he began chuckling.
''I'm sorry. I shouldn't laugh. It's just... This came so out of left field field. I can't even begin to comprehend how you arrived to this conclusion, especially since I never even noticed anything remotely indicating this.
Why are we even fighting? Please, just get that stupid notion out of your head. I'm telling you. You DO help me. Both of you. If it really bothers you that much I can ask you for more help.
Guys, please,'' Bell tried to make his case.
A few seconds of silence reigned. The title of the show already typed in. The show ready to be played, but only on click away.
''Alright...
Alright, I believe you. If that is how you truly feel. Just remember, you don't need to be afraid to ask us for help. It's just.... sometimes it's hard to read you. Even for us. And the fact you don't talk all that much about yourself, doesn't help,'' Peter decided to play the peacemaker.
''What do you mean I don't talk about myself. I do,'' Bell refuted.
''But you never take initiative. We always have to ask,'' Peter countered.
Bell scoffed:'' So what you are saying, is that we are all idiots. Because if you wanted me to talk more about myself, you should have just asked.''
''Fair enough,'' Peter hesitantly replied. Seeing an opportunity he nudged Gwen with his thigh.
Gwen released a breath:''Let's just watch the stupid show. It has been a while since we hang out like this.''
''Yup. I specifically didn't watch past the first episode, wanting to binge it with you guys. What about you? Did you watch all episodes,'' Peter continued to try and play peacemaker. God it felt so awkward.
...
...
...
...
Half way though the show tensions have calmed down a bit. Thanks to no small effort on Peters part, who, despite his two friends not talking all that much, awkwardly tried to engage them in analyses of the scenes or discourses about various topics. Sure, Peter also felt the same way about this issue as Gwen did. But not to this intensity and he felt assuaged a bit, because there are examples of how he helped Bell. If nothing else, they all calmed down enough to grab a few bites.
...
...
...
''V: I know. Exactly why I will do one last thing. *Tosses the pills over the edge of the rooftop*''
''Johnny: Ok,lost me.Realize the shit we've been through to get this far?''
''V:*Nods* Sure do.''
''Johnny: To let it all go now? Why?''
''V: Cleanest, least bloody option. We try anything else people'll die.''
''Johnny: People die. It's the way of things.''
''V: Am I worth their sacrifice? Are you?'*Johnny drops his head* 'Sides, it's the only way we'll both be aware.''
''Johnny: Of what? Death?''
''V:*Releases a big breath* Mhm. The moment life escapes.''
''Johnny: *Moves closer to V* Hmm. Never really gave it a thought. Funny how you still manage to surprise me sometimes.''
''V: Might be somethin' I learned from you.''
''Johnny: V, you sure about this?''
''V: Long as you got nothin' against it.''
''Johnny: *Looks to the city* Not how I'da done it, but that's alright.''
''V: Just like that? No pushback?''
''Johnny: Huh, might've learned a little somethin' from you, too. *Long pause* Is it time?''
''V:*Looks around* Y'know, it really is beautiful. *Johnny nods absentmindedly*''
''Johnny: *fumbles slightly with dreadful anticipation* Been nice workin' with ya, V''
''V: Yeah ... With you, too, Johnny...''
*A mournful score starts to play. The camera increasingly pulling back until focusing on the entire Night City. A shot rang out that was immediately buried by the City's noises. The people carrying on like an everyday occurence.
The screen goes black
A new scene appears. Multiple people that were affected by V's life gathered near the gap of a massive canyon. No one talks, but sniffling is heard. Misty steps forward and releases V's ashes in the wind, according to a wish he expressed earlier in the show. The screen shows the ashes being carried high up into the sky by the wind. Panam looks wrathful, betrayed, she slams her fist on the car and drives away. She is shown wiping her tears. Some hug. Some cry. One toasts to V silently. Some remain in solitude in the crowd.
The credits start rolling*
Gwen sniffles wiping her eyes with her sleeves.
''That .... is one way to end the show,'' Peter offered.
Bell remained silent. Back in his first life that was the first ending he picked, besides it was a fitting ending for the Cyberpunk genre. Morbid as it sounded.
''But why? There were options? You shouldn't just give up!,'' Peter exclaimed, being shaken by the ending.
''This is not what this is about, Peter,'' Bell said.
''What? Then what is this about?,'' Peter demanded trying to find an understanding about this...
''Throughout the entire show we have been following a journey. V's journey. We have watched him make choices. Choices that brought him down one path or another. Choices that made him meet people. We have seen him influence those people and they him in turn. We have watched him grow close to them and they close to him. We have watched him and followed him on his journey and so we too grew close to him too. Several philosophical questions were raised, to some were offered possible answers to others nothing. Several plot threads were opened.
You expect a conclusion. For the hero to live or die trying. For the viewer closure.
Instead the author uses it as a plot device to evoke emotions in the audience, letting them feel what the characters would have felt where they real.
No conclusion. No closure. Only a suicide. A loved one suddenly ripped from us, completely out of our control. And behind is only left a deep aching yearning of a void.
Remember, this is first and foremost a work of fiction. It tries to tell a story. Nothing should be taken at face value and instead looked at as a literary device,'' Bell explained.
''How cynical. But let's not look at it like that. Look at it as if there were real stakes. What is your opinion now?,'' Gwen asked bitterly, her voice thick.
Bell thought a bit. For some reason the first thing that popped to mind was that young recruit. He reminded him so much of himself. One day he found him with his brains plastered across the bathroom, gun in hand. A few tears began falling.
''You're right. Sorry. That was insensitive of me. Suicide is wrong, but I guess, some people see it as the only viable alternative,'' Bell forced himself to stop crying and wiped his tears with his palm.
''But WHY? Why see it as the only viable option?,'' Peter drilled.
''Pete. I don't know. For V it was clearly out of love. Otherwise it is depression. I guess.... I guess this is one of those answers you can only receive for yourself, once you experience it on your own. Though I pray it never happens. I rather have you alive,'' Bell tried explaining.
Peter still looked unsatisfied.
''I'm starting to really hate the Cyberpunk genre. It makes you fall in love with the characters and then just rips them from you,'' Gwen complained.
''That is the Cyberpunk genre for you. There are no happy endings in this world. And if there are, at least they are bitter happy endings. Though those are rare.,'' Bell agreed with Gwen.
Peter leaned forward, elbows on his thighs, forehead on his back hand. He looked contemplative and unsatisfied.
''If nothing else, we have seen that its not the dead that are affected by their death. It is the living. Those who are left behind. All they can do, is remember their time together and keep those memories alive. They do say people die two times, after all. Once in death, once in oblivion,'' Bell wondered.
''Yeah,'' Gwen said, not really adding much more to it. It was like he took the words right out of her mouth. It was not surprising. Her mother dead, his father dead. Guess they had that thing in common.
There were still some resentment from earlier. They weren't eager to talk to each other.
''I should go. I can't wrap my head around this. I need to talk to Uncle Ben and Aunt May about this topic See you,'' Peter stood up right and left quickly. Bell was surprised that he was that shaken up by the ending he chose.
''I think you should go too,'' Gwen tried kicking him out. She grabbed all dishes by balancing them on each other and went to the kitchen to clean them up.
No.
Bell followed her, leaned against the door with his hands in the pockets of his hoodie and he observed her.
Gwen could feel him thanks to her senses. She became more agitated in her movements, her wipes harsher. Some of the water landed far on the wall over the ceramic plates.
''Why are you REALLY angry, Gwen? I want to fix our relationship,'' Bell told her.
Gwen let the bowl drop into the sink and grabbed the side leaning against it with her head down between her arms. An entire minute of silence reigned.
''Gwen, I doubt ...,'' Bell began.
''Shut up,'' she bit out.
This time a shorter silence reigned.
''You really want to know why I'm angry?,'' Gwen asked.
''Yes,'' Bell replied.
Gwen took her head from between her arms and looked at the wall.
''Because I'm stupid. I'm not angry with you, just frustrated. No. Who I'm really angry is myself. I ...*swallows thickly* It is ... I look at you and I feel useless.''
''Gwen!''
''No, shut up. When Peters in trouble, assuming you don't help him first, he accepts my help. My father accepts my help. Aunt May accepts my help with apple pies despite coming over as a guest. Even Aunt Melina lets me help when I offer.
I don't expect a reward for that or anything. They are friends and family. But I know they will always help me should I ask.
Yet you... You frustrate me. Every time I offer my help, you decline it, choosing instead to do everything by yourself. When I try to force the issue, you kick up a fuss, violently rejecting my help as if it repulses you. And when you do seek help, it is never from me.
And yet, somehow, you always are willing to give me something. At my smallest issue, you're there offering a helping hand. Why? Why?
It's just... You're giving me the impression that you don't trust me or that I'm useless and can't contribute anything to the solution.
Out of all the people I know ... helping you, would mean the most to me. But you never let me. And it ... it really frustrates me,'' Gwen explained.
A few beats of silence descended.
''Gwen .... I didn't know. And you are not useless and I definitely do trust you. It is just that ...
It sounds silly. But I REALLY like being depended on. To be a steadfast pillar that everyone can lean against as support. I don't really like receiving help unless I ABSOLUTELY need to.
And it is just kind of shameful to ask certain people for help. I guess, what I'm trying to say is, that I don't want to be seen as weak, especially by certain people,' Bell bore his feelings.
Gwen perked up, finally turning to face him.
''So I really want to help you and you really want be independent. Ha! This is comedy gold,' Gwen was saying that, but she only managed a small smile. Bell considered this a massive win.
''Guess we are two peas in a pod, huh?,'' Bell joked, trying to further lighten the mood.
Gwen starred for a bit, her expression turning contemplative.
''Bell ... Why do you find it more shameful to be seen by one person as weak over the other?,'' Gwen asked finally.
...
...
''Why does it mean more to you to help one person out over the other?,'' Bell eventually countered.
...
...
Touche. Gwen didn't answer, she turned back to the sink, disengaging from the confrontation, losing her courage.
Bell looked at her disappointed. He sighed pushing himself up.
''I'm glad we had this talk Gwen. I hope we stop bickering on this issue. And I promise to let you help me more. Have a good night, Gwen,'' Bell told her.
Gwens grip tightened around the sink at his promise. Fully aware of the promises implication. Her cheeks felt warm. Then she immediately tensed when she heard him move towards the exit. She had a choice to make, she will probably never find the courage again.
Bell just finished putting on his shoe and grabbed for the door handle when suddenly *TWIP*
His hand was webbed to the door handle.
He turned around seeing Gwen down the small hallway with her arms outstretched.
She began slowly making her way towards him, giving him ample time to reject what was about to happen. But also because her legs felt like jelly.
She reached him and put up her arms grabbing his face between her fingers. They both starred into each other eyes. Blues meeting winered. She stroked his cheek a bit with her thumb. With how soft she did it it tickled him a bit, causing him to lean a little into it.
''Aren't you gonna say anything,'' she delivered an open ended question.
Bell shrugged good naturedly a fake apologetic look on his look:'' Yeaaaah, sorry. I knew for a while.''
Gwen paid that no mind and developed a dreamy look:''Funny. I should find myself bothered by that.''
''Oh? Does that mean I will be punished?,''' Bell asked lowering his head a bit.
''Yeah,'' she breathed out rising on her tip toes.
''And what will my punishment be?,'' Bell looked into her eyes.
Gwen closed her eyes and went to kiss him, only to be blocked by his hand. She snapped her eyes open looking confused.
''Gwen, since we are already uncovering your secrets, I think you should also tell me about your boyfriend,'' Bell teased.
Gwens processed his request for a bit before turning scarlet red.
''Nexus or Spider-Man?,'' she groaned burying her face in his chest.
''Nexus,'' Bell replied putting his free hand around her lower back and pulled her back in.
''You can be so frustrating sometimes. I hate you,'' Gwen huffed, offering no resistance.
''Yeah. I hate you too,'' their lips connected. He never found someone to love in his old world. But this? He would gladly get lost in this feeling. Her lips were just so soft and ripe.
They parted looking into each other eyes. Gwen leaned against him.
''Did you mean it? When you promised, you'd let me help more?,'' upon his nod she continued on:'' I'm sorry about getting angry. Looking back now, it just feels silly we quarreled anyway.''
''And I definitely could have communicated my issues better. I guess we're both sorry. Let's do better then,'' Bell offered lowering his head.
''Yeah,'' she breathed reciprocating the gesture. Her breath tickled him. It was delightful.
Not how he planned to get together with her. And he definitely planned to enter a relationship with her when she was a little older. But Honestly? This way was much better.