"Why money?" Peter asked, looking thoroughly confused.
I grinned, pointing my fork directly at MJ, who was currently watching Peter squirm with a look of amusement.
"Now you have a girlfriend," I pointed out. "Are you planning to take her on dates funded entirely by the spare change you find in the sofa cushions?"
Peter panicked, his eyes darting to MJ. "No! I mean, I can get a job!"
Wanda, who had been silently eating her shrimp, finally intervened. She reached out and lightly slapped my shoulder.
"Stop lecturing him, Aryan," Wanda scolded softly, her eyes filled with fond exasperation. "He is just a teenager. I think he still has a lot to learn. When he grows up, he will probably be smarter than you."
I placed a hand over my heart, looking utterly offended. "Do not underestimate me, Woman. I am a fountain of practical wisdom."
"Then can you also make something like a web fluid launcher?" she challenged, raising an eyebrow.
"Well," I hesitated, rubbing my chin. "I can treat a patient with a complex myocardial infarction. Can his web fluid do that?"
Wanda rolled her eyes, spearing a garlic soaked shrimp from the platter.
"Eat this," she commanded, holding the fork up to my mouth.
I obediently opened my mouth, accepting the shrimp.
Peter watched our exchange.
"So," Peter asked. "Do you think what I am doing... is wrong? As Spider Man?"
I finished chewing, shaking my head. "No, Peter. Not at all. I am not saying whatever you are doing as Spider Man is wrong. What I am saying is, by being Spider Man, you can only help a few people at a time. But by being a politician, you can help millions."
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table.
"If you become Mayor, and you replace all the fire department equipment that hasn't been updated in ten years due to corruption, you can do it with a single signature. In that way, if there's a fire in five different places simultaneously, the fire department can handle it because they have the modern technology they need. If you replace the police equipment and make them high tech, one squad will be enough to handle an entire heavily armed gang. Because at the end of the day, all the gangs are just human."
"So what about my role as Spider Man?" Peter asked softly.
"Remember what you said earlier? With great power comes great responsibility," I reminded him. "I think your responsibility isn't doing civilian police work. Your responsibility is doing the great work. Defending the planet from aliens. Stepping in when humanity is simply not capable of winning the fight. But when you constantly interfere in manageable human conflicts, you are actually slowing down our societal progress."
Peter looked down at his hands. The weight of his choices was clearly crashing down on him.
"Hey," I said, my voice softening considerably. I didn't want to break the kid's spirit. "Don't take my words as gospel. I'm just saying these are my opinions. It doesn't mean you have to follow my path. But remember, you also have a personal life. You must manage your personal life and your heroic life differently. Otherwise, you are just going to mess up everything. You can't be Spider Man 24/7 and expect to be a good partner to MJ."
Wanda nodded in agreement, and offered Peter a comforting smile.
"He is right, Peter," Wanda said gently. "There are already many departments from the government designed to handle these things. Nick Fury must have formed another agency somewhere in hiding. They will be the ones to take responsibility for enhanced individuals. You do not have to take the weight of the entire world on your own shoulders."
"I think you don't fully understand the consequences of your heroic actions yet, Peter," I added quietly. "For example, if you arrest an enhanced individual, and they are sent to a high security prison. After they eventually break out… because they always break out… the first person they will target is you. And if they know your identity... they will target your loved ones. From their perspective, you ruined their entire life. They will want revenge. Have you ever thought that because of your actions, the people around you could face fatal consequences?"
Peter swallowed hard, his eyes flicking toward MJ.
"I... I have," Peter admitted, his voice trembling slightly. "It's why I try so hard to keep the mask on. I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me."
I sighed, leaning back in my chair.
We finished the rest of the meal in a more thoughtful silence.
I reached out and pressed a small silver button embedded into the edge of the dining table.
Less than a minute later, the doors opened and the waiter entered.
"What can I do for you, sir?" the waiter asked politely.
I looked around the table. "Does anyone want anything else?"
Wanda, Peter, and MJ all shook their heads.
"The bill, please," I told the waiter. "And bring us one scoop of gelato for each of us. What flavor does everyone want?"
"Strawberry," MJ said instantly.
"Vanilla," Peter said.
"Dark chocolate," Wanda smiled.
"Make it two dark chocolates," I told the waiter.
"Yes, sir," the waiter bowed and exited the room.
A few minutes later, the waiter returned carrying a silver tray with four small porcelain bowls of gelato and a black leather billfold.
He set the desserts down and placed the folder next to my elbow.
We ate the gelato in a much lighter atmosphere, the cold sweetness lifting the heavy mood.
Peter and MJ bickered good naturedly about the architectural merits of Venice versus New York.
I opened the leather folder, glancing at the bill. It was exorbitant, as expected.
I pulled my wallet from my blazer, extracting a stack of euro notes that completely covered the total and added a very generous tip, sliding it back into the folder.
"Alright," I announced, standing up from my chair and extending my hand to Wanda. "Let's go."
Peter and MJ stood up as well.
"Thank you for the lunch, Dr. Spencer," Peter said. "We will be going back before Mr. Harrington starts to search the canals for us."
"You're welcome, Peter," I said, shaking his hand. "Take care of yourself out there."
"Take care, Peter. MJ," Wanda smiled warmly.
"Bye. Take care too," Peter and MJ echoed, turning and walking out of the private dining room.
I wrapped my arm around Wanda's waist as we walked out into the bright Italian afternoon.
"So," Wanda asked, looking at me. "What is our next itinerary?"
"Let's go," I grinned, leading her toward the parking lot where I had left the car. "I will show you a famous place nearby."
[Perspective: Nick Fury, S.A.B.E.R. Space Station]
Nick Fury sat in the dimly lit command center of the S.A.B.E.R. station, staring out at the massive viewport at the curve of the Earth.
The doors hissed open.
Talos, currently wearing his natural green Skrull form, walked into the room, looking incredibly uncomfortable.
"Report," Fury ordered without turning around.
Talos cleared his throat.
"I have the summary of the Prague incident, Nick," Talos began.
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