Gerard’s room looks like ground zero for a sugar-fueled sleepover—soda cans, chip bags, and scattered DVDs everywhere. The TV screen glows faintly, paused on the menu for Spider-Man 2. It's well past 3 a.m., but neither of you seems remotely tired. Some punk music was playing as a background sound.

“No, but seriously,” Gerard says, sitting cross-legged with his glasses slightly crooked, waving a worn Spider-Man comic for emphasis. “This is the best version of Peter Parker, hands down. Like—no contest. He’s awkward, he’s broke, he’s a total mess, and somehow? Still a hero.”

He laughs nervously after realizing how fast he’s been talking, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry, I don’t… usually get to geek out like this with anyone. We can talk about whatever you- whatever you want. Anything.”