Spider-Man: Black and Blue (AU) Chapter 17: Family Discussion

[Third Person's PoV] 


Damon sat at the dining table with his family, munching on a piece of waffle. It was a peaceful, typical morning — eggs sizzling on the stove, the scent of coffee in the air, and idle chatter about weekend plans. 


Everything was normal… until Danielle broke the silence.


She set her phone down with a light tap on the wooden table and glanced around, eyebrows raised with interest. “So, what do you guys think of Spider-Man?” she asked casually.


The room stilled. Utensils paused mid-motion, and even the sizzling on the stove seemed to fade into the background.


“Who?” Daphne asked, furrowing her brows in confusion.


Danielle let out a dramatic sigh, rolling her eyes. “Seriously? This guy,” she said, flipping her phone around to show a blurry image of a figure in white and blue clinging to the side of a building. “The vigilante who's been stopping crimes all across the city.”


Damon coughed, nearly choking on his orange juice. He thumped his chest and leaned forward, trying to clear his throat. Daphne reached over and patted his back with concern.


“Spider-Man?” Damon rasped, his voice hoarse but steady.


“Yeah,” Danielle nodded, warming up to her explanation. “That’s what people started calling him after some cranky news guy went on a rant about him. Called him a menace and coined the name Spider-Man. It just… stuck. Now everyone’s calling him that.”


Their mother, Lori, let out a laugh from across the table as she stirred her coffee.

“Spider-Man, huh? That’s a cute name. Sounds like something out of a comic book.”


‘Oh my god, no…’ Damon inwardly groaned, sinking in his seat.


Danielle leaned back in her chair, now clearly enjoying herself. “So what do you guys actually think about him? I mean, he’s literally swinging from buildings and taking down criminals. What’s your opinion, Dad?” she asked, shifting her gaze to Dylan at the head of the table. “You know, since you’re a detective and all.”


Dylan sighed, resting his fork down and folding his hands in front of him. His expression was unreadable — the face of a man who had thought long and hard about this topic.


“We’ve heard of this… Spider-Man,” he said slowly. “And let’s just say the opinions at work are pretty divided.”


Everyone perked up, curiosity stirring. But no one looked more interested than Damon, who was staring at his father with intense anticipation.


“On one hand,” Dylan began, “he’s taken justice into his own hands. He’s intervening in situations that should be handled by trained officers and professionals. What he’s doing is technically illegal. Vigilantism is against the law, and for good reason. No one should be above the law, no matter how well-intentioned.”


He paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing, “But on the other hand, in just the past week, according to the reports I’ve read, he’s stopped over 50 criminals — muggers, thieves, even armed assailants. He’s saved multiple lives in the process. So it’s… complicated.”


“That’s incredible!” Daphne gasped, her eyes wide with admiration.


“Yeah,” Damon said, leaning forward. “But what do you think of him personally? Not as a cop — as a person.”


Dylan frowned and shook his head, exhaling slowly. “Personally? I think what he’s doing is foolish. Admirable, maybe, but foolish nonetheless.”


“Foolish?” Damon repeated in disbelief, his voice rising with incredulity.


Danielle blinked in confusion, sharing her brother’s shock. “Wait, seriously?”


“Yes, foolish,” Dylan said, leaning forward now. “Look, I won’t pretend he hasn’t done good. His actions have undoubtedly helped people. But that doesn't change the fact that he’s playing a dangerous game. He’s most likely untrained. He’s not authorized. And most importantly, he’s putting himself and others at serious risk. If he keeps this up, someone’s going to get hurt — maybe even killed. And that’s not heroism. That’s recklessness.”


“But Dad!” Danielle protested, her voice passionate. “He has freaking superpowers! He can lift cars, shoot webs from his wrists — he’s like a real-life superhero. He can make a difference, and he is making one! Doesn’t that count for something?”


“So what if he has powers?” Dylan snapped. “Just because someone develops unnatural abilities doesn’t give them free rein to do as they please. There are systems in place. Laws. If we allow him to run around unchecked, then what’s to stop others from doing the same? That’s how chaos starts. If he keeps going like this, others will follow, thinking they’re above the law too.”


Damon slammed his hands on the table and stood up, his chair screeching against the floor. “So what’s he supposed to do, then? Sit on his hands and do nothing while people suffer? While he knows he could help?”


“There are other ways to help, Damon,” Dylan said firmly. “Ways that don’t involve endangering lives or breaking the law.”


“What is with you and the law?!” Damon shot back, his voice rising. “Maybe the law isn’t everything! What if breaking a few rules is the only way to save someone’s life? Are you telling me you’d let someone die just because the law says you can’t intervene?”


“I’m with Damon on this!” Danielle jumped in, raising her voice too. “So what if he breaks a few rules? If his heart’s in the right place and he’s doing good, why should that matter? Why should he be punished for helping people?”


“This—this is exactly the mentality I’m afraid of!” Dylan thundered, slapping his palm against the table. “This idea that the law is optional if your intentions are good. There are consequences to that thinking. The moment one person decides they can break the law and get away with it, others will follow. It’s a slippery slope. He needs to be stopped — not because he’s evil, but because he’s dangerous. He has to be made an example before this gets out of control.”


“Okay, okay—whoa! What is happening?!” Daphne blurted out, glancing frantically between everyone at the table. “Why is everyone suddenly getting so heated over a guy in spandex?”


Lori’s tone turned sharp as she placed her coffee cup down with a firm clink. “Both of you, sit down. And there’s no need to be raising your voices at each other over breakfast.”


Damon let out a frustrated huff but lowered himself back into his chair with a reluctant grunt. Danielle followed suit, her earlier confidence replaced with sheepishness.


“Sorry…” Damon muttered, eyes cast downward as he pushed his eggs around with his fork, too embarrassed to look anyone in the eye.


“Yeah, sorry, Daddy,” Danielle said softly, her voice small, her cheeks tinged with red.


Dylan let out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah… I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have raised my voice like that.”


“There we go,” Lori said with a gentle nod, her voice back to its calm, nurturing tone. “Much better.”


Daphne leaned back in her seat and tilted her head toward Damon with a teasing grin. “You know… this is the first time I’ve ever seen you so passionate about something. You yelled at Dad. Like, actually yelled!”


“Please stop…” Damon groaned, dropping his forehead into one palm as if trying to hide.


“She’s got a point,” Lori chimed in with a playful smile. “Who knew you had such strong feelings about superheroes? I guess boys will be boys after all.”


Damon’s face turned beet red, and he slouched lower in his chair, wishing he could disappear under the table. His family’s soft laughter filled the room, lightening the mood again.


“You know,” Danielle said, turning to Lori with genuine curiosity, “I never got your opinion on all this. What do you think about Spider-Man?”


Lori gently shook her head and offered a half-smile. “I think I’ll refrain. The last thing we need is another argument before 9 a.m.”


That response hit Damon like a silent slap. His smile faded. ‘Yup… that means she’s probably against him too.’ He winced internally, barely resisting the urge to thump his forehead against the table.


Danielle, unfazed, turned to Daphne with a raised eyebrow. “And you?”


Daphne shrugged thoughtfully. “Hmm… it’s tough. If he’s actually helping people and not getting in the way of real police work, I guess I’d say… more power to him. But only to a point. There’s a balance, you know? I’m kinda split down the middle. I see the good he’s doing, but I also see the risks.”


Dylan exhaled dramatically. “Just what has our world come to that we’re talking about superheroes like it’s completely normal?”


“You’re right,” Lori muttered, her expression twisting into a strange frown. “Now that I really think about it, it’s… bizarre. Feels unnatural.”


‘Fantastic,’ Damon thought bitterly. ‘Dad wants me arrested, and Mom thinks I’m a walking freak show. Just great.’ 


“I don’t know,” Danielle added quietly, smiling to herself, “I think that’s why I like him. He’s weird, he’s out of place… but with someone like him out there, it feels like anything’s possible. Like the world isn’t just stuck in one way of being anymore. I think that’s exciting.”


Damon, hiding behind his fork, allowed himself the smallest smile. 


Lori tilted her head, her tone softening. “You know… when you put it like that, I suppose it doesn’t sound so bad after all.”


Dylan grumbled. “Great. My daughter’s a fan. Just what I needed.”


The whole table chuckled again, the tension all but dissolved.


Damon nudged Danielle with his elbow. “Hey… can you send me that video? The one you mentioned. The news guy ranting about Spider-Man?”


“Sure thing.” Danielle grabbed her phone and, with a few quick taps, sent it over. “Done.”


After breakfast, the family went their separate ways to begin their day. Damon retreated to his room, phone in hand, watching the video from his bed. He leaned forward as the footage played, his expression sharpening.


“What the hell is this guy’s problem…?” he muttered, brows furrowed—until the news anchor shouted:


> “The Daily Bugle is officially offering a reward of $1,000 to anyone who can capture a clear, high-quality photograph of this so-called Spider-Man”


Damon’s eyes widened like saucers. He sat bolt upright in bed, the metaphorical sound of a cash register ding! echoing in his mind.

“A thousand bucks?”


Without hesitation, he forwarded the video to Richard with one word:


Dude!!


A minute later, Richard responded with the exact same word, followed by a string of shocked-face and money-bag emojis.


Richard: We can buy some sick equipment with that kind of money! I’ll go grab my dad’s camera!


Damon didn’t even hesitate. He jumped up, grabbed his backpack—already packed with his suit and mask—and practically flew out the door without another word.


Opportunity was knocking. And Spider-Man was about to answer.