30/10 - Fixed instances where the lines between scenes didn't appear as intended, and sentences as well.
Ten Hours After The Airport Encounter...
"Tony, are you sure you don't want to talk about it?" An unmasked Spider-Man asked from his seat inside the private helicopter he was currently sharing with Tony Stark himself. They were in-route to meet the very people they had just fought and captured not so long ago.
Tony gazed the stormy ocean through the small window besides his shoulder. "I would rather not, Peter."
The Parker nodded and respected the man's wish. He was clearly affected by what happenstance to Rhodes during the unfortunate resolution between all the Avengers, luckily - he had not lost his life, and was currently under medical observation.
In the end, Steve Rogers had escaped with Bucky Barnes, and the whole thing turned out a disaster for both sides.
Peter himself was surprised at the mobility regarding those who had fought alongside Steve Rogers. It didn't take too long for them to be transported to the place they were now heading to, but even Peter himself was not aware of where this place could possibly be located.
"Isn't this where you're supposed to say 'are we there already'? Over and over until I get annoyed?" Tony finally broke the silence.
Peter chuckled, lightly. He shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe later."
"So are we calling a moratorium on bugging me? I mean, I haven't heard you call me boss lately."
Peter narrowed his eyes at his window, noticing there wasn't any land to be seen for quite awhile now. "Really? I haven't even noticed."
Tony noticed how different he seemed lately. "Well... at least we have finally arrived."
Peter turned to look at the Stark, confused. "What do you mean-" He stopped on his words once he heard the loud sound of engines from outside, and before he could even notice, an enormous raft emerged from the ocean.
"Holly f… Jesus."
Tony said, "The end of the road for a lot people." He continued, "Put your mask on. Ross is waiting for us."
Once the helicopter entered the facility through the now open raft, Tony and Peter stepped outside their transport and professionally greeted Ross as he went straight to the point and demanded Tony to extract any useful information from the prisoners who followed Steve until they couldn't anymore.
Now inside the security room and before the particular wing that contained all of the once called Avengers, Peter watched Tony pace around the room, checking every cell that housed the individuals who once formed the group that helped represent the best of the metahuman community. Peter wasn't able to hear anything from his position, he suspected Tony had secretly hacked their systems and blocked anything from eavesdropping on them.
Peter himself was shocked at the whole prison concept. They were locked away from everyone and buried deep inside the ocean, a place where no one could find them, a place to house them for years. Was Tony aware about it all along and never told him? Did he have a say in it?
Those were questions that Peter couldn't stop asking himself. He felt he didn't know the whole picture, and there was much more to it than Tony was actually willing to say. He still hadn't inquired him about the connections with Fisk, instead - he waited for more info to come by, or for the man himself talk about it.
It seemed none of those outcomes would happen, not without a push.
Almost half an hour later, Stark and Spider-Man were back to the landing pad, seeing Ross himself waiting for them in front of the helicopter. The engines were already on. "Stark, did they get you anything on Rogers?!"
The pair walked past him. "They told me to go hell. I'm going back to the compound!" Tony climbed in as Spider-Man followed him inside. He looked around his shoulder and at Ross. "But you can call me anytime, I'll put you on hold - I like to watch the phone blink." He winked and closed the door, allowing them to finally leave the facility.
Tony sat down and asked Peter who had already taken his mask off again, "What did you think of the place? The doors, walls and doors are made with a new kind of synthetic vibranium. It's not as strong as the real one, but when you build it that thick, it doesn't have to be. Each cell is designed to hold its specific occupant."
"The 'occupant' sounds like an hotel, don't you mean prisoner?"
"Just words." Tony shrugged his shoulders. "They treat well. If you had notions of some inhuman method, you were wrong."
"Well, as an interim solution-"
He cocked his head at him. "Interim?
Peter nodded. "Yeah, as in… temporary."
"This isn't temporary, Peter. This isn't interim. This is permanent." Tony affirmed. "Everything changed when Steve and his band of outlaws decided to directly confront the law."
"What are you saying? These people, our friends, will be there for the rest of their lives?"
"Unless they sign the accord."
"But what if they don't-"
"You can't put somebody who flies under house arrest. It's real simple, Peter! They either sign up, or they stay here until they sign!"
Peter replied aghast, clenching the spandex in his hands. "I can't believe you agree to this! You of all people."
"Do you think I like this, Peter? Do you think I worked my whole life to be someone's jailer? No, I despise it. I hate everything about it. I haven't got good night's sleep in days. But we have no choice, we have to follow the law. This is home now."
Peter felt his blood boil as he looked away. He then inquired without making any eye contact, "Did you get anything useful from them?"
"No, unfortunately. We will find another way to get to Steve." He typed some commands in the digital console near the door. "I have something to do in the meantime. Go back to your wife and kids, try to clear out your mind a bit. I will see that no one bothers you. If you can, I would like for you to be present in the charity event I mentioned earlier, it will help the victims affected by the incident, and having the man who knows Spider-Man better than anyone else, can help improve our relations with the public."
"I will consider it."
"And bring Gwen too, I'm sure she will like it." Tony's seat reclined and some now found space behind him gave enough room for the mechanical claws to build his iron suit around him. His now synthesised voice said, "I won't be out for too long." The chair turned him against the ground which quickly opened as he was dropped into the sky.
Peter watched him fly away through the window, suspecting he had indeed, gotten info about Roger's whereabouts, while asking himself, if he was causing more harm than good to his morals, and the people around him.
May 10th - 2031
Gwen stopped under a shadow which was a byproduct of the ceiling placed over the store's main entrance. It was incredibly warm out in the streets, she chose to cool down her body for a moment, and considering she had such a sensitive skin, it was only for the best.
In the showcase behind her, she could see a large collection of Spider-Man toys, ranging from the smallest and biggest variation, and appropriate to determined ages. There were sets where Spider-Man himself was in possession of a customized car, for reasons she couldn't understand, but it was there.
Inside the store, a great amount of children prioritized the city's guardian above anything or anyone else, driving their parents mad as they rushed to see every option possible before they could finally choose one.
She smiled at the window, before playing with the golden ring down her finger. Whenever Peter doubted himself, or the symbol he created over the course of so many years by sacrificing his body and time, she wished he could see this by himself, so that it could remind him of everything he had ever done so far, despite all the critiques from people who still weren't fond of him.
Shouldn't take too long now for him to come back. Gwen said to herself.
She took a deep inhale and slowly let it out once again. She had to hurry back to the building where she had her work stationed, there was still a meeting to attend.
As Gwen crossed the street and arrived in the sidewalk besides the entrance, she could already see the girls chatting and laughing in the other side of the ID gate.
She silently chuckled along to herself once they all harmlessly laughed together, probably gossiping about someone.
Before she could step inside, she felt an intrusive hand gripping her waist from behind and slightly under the acceptable zone. "Excuse me ma'am-"
Gwen immediately turned around and slapped the man's cheek. She saw him. "Oh my god..." She placed her right hand over her mouth in shock. "Peter!"
Peter shook his head and smiled widely at his wife, as if there wasn't anything else that could make him anymore happier than her. Gwen dropped her purse to the ground and jumped towards him, hugging his waist with her left arm while the other moved around his right shoulder and up his back.
They immediately locked lips. Peter snaked his own arm around her neck and the other around her small back, his head tilting to the side without ever releasing her lips. Gwen let go of him and cupped both his cheeks, slowing down the kiss.
They parted not so long after the connection. Peter couldn't hold his grin back.
Gwen said agitated, "Why did you do that?! Did I hurt you?!" She just now noticed her husband couldn't look anymore casual, he wore a pair of blue jeans and a common black shirt that exposed his strong arms.
Peter laughed briefly. "You didn't, I just wanted to surprise you."
Gwen nodded rapidly, ashamed for slapping her lover. She wanted to run away and recompose herself for a moment. She missed him deeply. All her emotions were running high. "So, are you going to ask me for a date or not?!"
Peter smiled widely again, surprised. "I don't know, you still gonna hit me?"
"I don't know - you haven't asked!"
Peter chuckled, happily. "Well, I'm asking you now. Tonight, a movie."
She nodded quickly. "Yes, I want to."
Peter grinned and leaned in for a quick kiss. "But at what time?"
"As soon as I am out of this meeting and mom puts the kids to sleep." He tried to kiss her again but she placed a hand on his chest. "But I still don't like you right now!"
"Yeah?" Peter teased. She was so embarrassed.
"Okay." Gwen desperately turned around and walked towards the gates.
Peter shouted, "I love you!"
Without stopping, Gwen looked over her shoulder and quickly stared at him, "Shhh...!" She walked past the girls who were laughing at the whole scene, before disappearing inside, leaving Peter alone outside as he wore the biggest smile he could.
After a quick talk regarding which of the many projects were the top priority, Gwen was back to her office and found herself already closing the only openable window as the fresh wind began to bother her and her papers that threatened to slip away from the pile she had carefully put together.
She unbuttoned the bottom of her blouse and placed her black headband over he golden hair. She eyed herself through the window, briefly noticing the sun in the horizon was already leaving the city, before looking at her headband.
Hmm... fits Elizabeth better now. Still, lots of good memories. She thought. Especially the ones where he quickly took it off...
Gwen smiled to herself, and decided to take off the headband for good. As much as Elizabeth insisted for her mother to use it once again, Gwen determined that it would be better off in her girl's hair. She stuck with her locks falling over her shoulders.
Taking a quick turnaround, she retrieved the lipstick she earlier left next to the three family photos over her organized desk. The first went back to her graduation, a picture taken by May Parker that showed she and hers , at the time, boyfriend, posing next to each other and in front of the Parker that raised him.
Next to it, she snapped Peter holding their still newborn boys, Aiden and David, in each arm - a few weeks later. He looked down to the curious pair, well - at least David, since his brother was focused in sleeping rather than paying attention to the other three human beings close to him.
Taken at May's garden, the last picture was about a four year old Liz herself, a close up, it was still possible to see her radiant yellow dress, but Peter' intention was to capture every inch of her, from the very few freckles to the depth of her large green eyes.
It was such a good picture - despite Elizabeth cutely fighting her father behind the scenes. She wanted to eat more ice cream than staying still until he was satisfied with the perfect shot.
Gwen chuckled. A few of the many treasured memories she held close to her heart. She could say they both formed a healthy family and were having a good life so far.
Everything was worth it.
She opened the small mirror she took from her pursue and was greeted by a piece of paper placed inside it.
I just got the word that your biggest fan is waiting for you up in the rooftop.
It was his calligraphy, no doubt. Gwen smiled and gently bit her lower lip. He just couldn't wait.
Shortly after reading the message and finishing getting ready to meet him, Gwen walked the stairwell that led to the rooftop's door which was already slightly open for her. She carefully pushed it outside, the fresh wind made contact with her exposed arms and neck.
She took a few steps forward and approached the very edge of the area, leaning in against the handrail. She sighed contently as she felt gentle hands wrapping themselves around her stomach.
"You look stunning, you know?" Peter said lowly to her ear.
"I missed you too." He chuckled as Gwen turned on his grip to face him. She noticed he had cut his hair before coming back without any kind of warning. It was again shorter in the sides, and fluffy above.
"Here," He took her left hand to get her moving and then released it, before excitedly strolling forward to the middle of the rooftop, climbing over a small construction shaped in format of a square which was set besides a higher one of the same format, next to a much bigger antenna.
Peter stood on top of it and placed both hands on his waist, smiling at the sunset.
Gwen laughed a she watched him from the ground. She was having trouble climbing the first obstacle, her arms just weren't as strong to support her. "Okay, you're Spider-Man." She grinned and shook her head, "Can you help me, Peter Benjamin Parker?"
He looked down from above and jumped back to the first square. He crouched and offered his hand. She happily took it. "I can help you, but.. I need something in return."
Gwen frowned, surprised. She giggled, "Like what?"
Peter answered cheekily, "A kiss."
She laughed, not believe what he just said. "Now that's just some cheap blackmail."
"I know, sweetheart." He smiled back. She nodded and got lifted by his powerful arms. They reached together for the taller construction that housed the water pumping room.
Peter now held both her hands once they were simply standing in front of each other. She slowed down her breathing and gazed his lips, slowly leaning in for the lock. "Just a second now, Gwendy."
She retreated and giggled, meeting his eyes. "What?"
"I hope you don't slap me, if I fall I am taking you down with me." He said playfully.
"... kiss me and you will know." She replied, lovingly. Peter took the hint and leaned forward and sideways. She did the same and they engaged in a passionate lip-lock that lasted a few couple of eternal seconds.
Gwen smiled against his lips before they slowly parted, she looked deep into his eyes, blocking her surroundings and only focusing on his presence and smile.
He spoke softly, "I still want to show it to you."
She replied instantly, "Later."
Peter beamed at her reaction, laughing silently as they approached heads once again and embraced each other. Gwen now gently cupped Peter's face and kissed him back. Passion began to take control over them as they constantly changed their stances, everything disappeared as they continued to deepen the kiss while the wind brushed against their clothes and hair.
The last of the sun illuminated their featured figures among the many buildings around them.
The hooded masculine figure stepped inside the now silent and calmer church and stopped to look up to the enormous cathedral and its cravings and countless biblical images.
There was only one person present aside from him, and that person was a bald and old looking priest whose current task was praying in the very first seats further inside.
Spotting the confession cabin, he slowly strolled towards it and ultimately entered the small cabin, sitting down against the window with a tiny opening that separated the two occupants, whilst patiently waiting for the priest. He lowered his chin, so that his face could remain mostly in the dark.
He took the glove off his left hand, and saw the symbiote struggling to cover most his hand. Then he heard calm footsteps getting closer from outside, the priest had entered his side of the cabin and sat down, sighing tiredly while doing so.
"How may I help you, son?" The priest asked weakly. His age was clearly reflected in his tone.
"Father... I..." He struggled with words. It was much harder now that he finally was there. "What if... what if I said I didn't want to die... yet, theoretically, and that I wasn't ready..."
"Are you... expecting to?"
He kept his chin down. "... at this point of life, always... even if I'm not allowed to. Once, I thought I would eventually... go, doing what I like the most, reporting... interviewing, with a few persons with me, like anyone... that would be it." He paused. "Now? Recent... events, that's a life I can never have."
"Why?"
He exhaled deeply. "What do you fight for… when there's nothing to fight for anymore? What the future holds for someone like that?"
"There's always something to fight for, son. Your life has a purpose on Earth, you just not have found it yet."
"I think... perhaps I may have found it now. Maybe... I can take control of my fate for some more time, until I'm finished doing what needs to be done, you know?"
The Priest took even more interest in the case, "What do you mean with that?"
"Father, once you go through something... that radically changes you and your entire life, and people use you - no matter how hard you persist to end just about everything with one single move... there's no going back." He paused. "There's... feelings, people... that I wanted to experience again, but I don't think I could ever again."
"Learning there's more to the universe in your tiny world can be a frightening thought, perhaps that may be your case. You're afraid to... live again, and that you're only here to fulfill a task you haven't choose to pursue by yourself. We all once found ourselves lost in the world after an event, but moving on and discovering the new is part of that process. You have to change the hurt old with something different, while learning from it."
"I... I wish I could do that, father."
They paused for a moment. The priest spoke calmly, "Do you actually believe in God? Because... it can be a comfort."
He slightly turned his head to the window, exposing part of his face in a split second moment. The priest could swear he had just briefly seen the same big white eyes before, and the terrifying teeth. "I believe there is a god, yes." He now turned his head to the opposite direction and continued, "But I don't think he believe in us, not after what we've done..."
The priest controlled his breathing after the horrifying image. He wasn't sure if he was seeing things, or if that had indeed just happened. He cleared his throat and said, "This side of us.. that keeps dragging us back to what we done, is strong... but maybe there's a part of you that wants to give into it, and maybe you have to fight that... maybe part of that powerful force... has to be you..."
The both of them emerged in silence once again. Not long after, the visitor stood up and headed outside. The priest cautiously stepped outside and walked around the cabin to see where he had went, but what he saw instead was the loneliness he found himself back into, with the large main doors open allowing the wind to brush his clothes, and nothing else.
Not long after buying their tickets, the two Parkers sat in the first lines of seats in front of the big screen - besides each other, of course. Peter had lifted the hand support of Gwen's seat that previously separated them and moved his left arm around her shoulders.
Gwen herself held the bowl of some warm popcorn over her lap and gazed at the screen, paying attention to the trailers while calmly eating small chunks of the food. The same couldn't be said about Peter, he watched her with a kind smile, observing her gorgeous face, thankful for being lucky enough to have her with him since they met, and still be around to live small moments like the current one.
Sometimes he thought he gets caught up with the routine of being Spider-Man and failed to find some simple time for his beloved ones.
She quickly turned to look at her husband and winked for him, before eyeing the screen once again. "What?"
He widened his grin. "You're the prettiest woman I have ever seen."
She blushed slightly and bit her lower lip for a moment, before meeting his eyes. "Maybe that's because it's dark."
Peter shook his head. "No, you're just beautiful."
Gwen sighed heartfelt. He always complimented her and made her feel special. She smiled thankfully and leaned up for a grateful kiss. She whispered, "Thank you."
Peter kissed her back gently before they snuggled and began channeling their attention to the screen as the musical movie they picked finally started. He rubbed her shoulder, stroking her delicate skin. He spoke lowly, "I think you would make a great actress."
Gwen giggled to herself. "What makes you say that?" She asked, quietly.
Peter shrugged his shoulders. "I just have a feeling. You're dedicated, talented and determined. Somehow, I got the impression you would be a fantastic one." He watched the scene where people got off their cars in the paralyzed highway to sing and dance all at once.
She looked up to him, smiling. "What's up with you this night?" She ate a single piece of popcorn.
Peter sighed, content. "I... am happy, for being here with you - while you could be anywhere else than besides me."
Gwen replied softly, "Don't say that," She noticed how emotional he seemed. "I love you, you know?"
Peter grinned and looked down at her. He leaned down, "I love you too, always will..."
"That was such a depressing ending, ugh." Gwen complained as they walked in the sidewalk, holding his right arm with her hand. "I may or not have cried."
Peter teased, "You always cry whenever we watch a movie."
"Well, that's true... but still, that one was harsh, don't tell me you felt nothing." She playfully pushed him to the side with her light weight.
He beamed, "Yeah, it was touching, I must say. At least you enjoyed it."
Gwen nodded. "I really did, despite that. Follow your dreams, uh?"
"I followed mine." The pair exchanged a lovely glance. She smiled back.
They eventually reached the end of the avenue and the other side of the street where Stark Tower was located. Making sure they were allowed to cross, Peter and Gwen made their way across the street in each other's arms.
The two security guards that stayed in each side of the Tower's main entrance nodded at them once they're close. "Good evening, Mr and Mrs Parker."
"Hey," Gwen greeted with a kind smile.
Peter was about to do the same but his mind warned him to stay alert as someone in the same sidewalk stumbled against him. He quickly turned to his left side where the clumsy person came from and immediately placed his hand against Gwen's stomach and moved her behind him.
"You're trash, Parker!" The unknown male wearing a shirt that had Captain America's star in the center pulled his gun from behind his jeans and aimed it at Peter. He pressed the trigger but nothing came from it.
Peter held his breath during the split second moment, before releasing his wife from his grip, slapping the gun away and instantly punching the attacker to the ground with his right hand. He let out a deep exhale once the now unconscious man didn't move a limb or anything else.
The agents moved forward to restrain the lunatic while Peter turned on his back and placed both hands on Gwen's shoulders. He asked desperately, "Are you okay, Gwen?!"
She breathed fastly and finally made eye contact with him, moving her glance back and forth between her husband and who almost succeeded at seriously wounding them. "Yes... yes. I'm fine."
Peter now held both side of her head and kissed her forehead, hugging her afterwards.
"Y-you... and Spider-Man... traitors." The man whispered from the ground. Peter proceeded to ignore him and comfort Gwen instead, but he fully comprehended his words.
"Shut up,". The second guard stated after handcuffing him. "I suggest you both get inside. We got it from here."
Peter nodded. "Come on, honey." He moved his hand against her back while keeping her close to his body, leading them inside the Tower.
Crouching next to the already pretty sizeable bed that was clearly made for a couple, Peter kissed the top of his fastly asleep daughter's head, slightly leaning back to move a lock of her shorter blond hair behind her ear. She snuggled with little Olive, that was one thing derived from the bed he considered a plus, Olive could feel safe whenever she wanted. She was already improving as the nightmares ceased.
He slowly caressed Olive's cheek with a proud smile, before silently standing up to head back to the large bedroom's door.
May had departed to her home back in Queens approximately half an hour after they arrived. As much as Peter insisted for her to stay and pass the night with them, the woman was a stubborn one, as usual.
She just couldn't leave her old and charming house alone. And Peter understood her very well.
He was now inside the corridor of the floor Tony had given to them in the meantime, which was quite a large one. It was actually overwhelming, even for a man of his skills. He just couldn't get used to it, but he was thankful for Tony's intentions.
He walked back to the bedroom where he and Gwen where staying for the moment and as he stepped inside, he already took his shirt off and gently closed the door with the back of his foot. It was mostly dark and serene, the lamp besides the bed kept it cozy.
Gwen was sat in the middle of the large and comfy bed, wearing a bathrobe, hair tied up by a black ponytail, and making some notes in her notebook. Aiden was sleeping over her lap, oblivious of basically anything. She stroked his brown and soft hair while occasionally biting the pencil, thinking.
Peter threw his shirt over a puffy chair set next to the door. "Gave up?" He rubbed his shoulder, flexing his arm.
Gwen looked up to him and smiled, showing her white teeth. "Yeah," She moved her hand under his shirt and caressed his back. "We've made ourselves a stubborn little Parker here," She giggled. Peter nodded in agreement.
He approached them and sat besides Gwen. "They're growing so fast. I still remember when I first put on his diaper."
Gwen snickered, "You?"
"You don't remember?" Peter questioned, shocked for a second.
"I'm just teasing you. Of course I do."
"Yeah, right." Peter massaged his son's foot and nodded at her notebook. "What are you writing?"
"Oh, just doing some calculations, our finances basically - you know?" Gwen explained.
He absolutely loved her husky voice. To think she got that from shouting a lot in her childhood. An hysterical baby and child Gwen. That must have been quite the time. He chuckled to himself.
Gwen raised an eyebrow, confused. "What are you laughing about...?"
Peter shook his head in denial. "Nothing, honey. So, we good?"
She narrowed her eyes at him, suspicious. "Yeah... nothing to worry about. The Childhood's House sent me an email asking if we would be renewing our monthly donations for this year again. I told yes."
Peter nodded. "Sounds about right." It was a place that housed orphans. They began to fund it many years ago. "I'm going put our Aiden to bed." He leaned forward and carefully wrapped his arms around his son.
Gwen kissed the top of his head one more time before Peter picked him up. She whispered, "Goodnight, sweetheart." Aiden stirred slightly and rested his head over Peter's shoulder.
The pair left the bedroom.
Alone, Gwen sighed tiredly and stood up. She took the ponytail off her hair, freeing it as it fell back to her shoulders. She loosened a bit the soft belt that kept the bathrobe tight around her frame. She rolled her eyes at his dumped away shirt, and took it in her hands to store her husband's clothes back the provisory wardrobe.
Peter appeared in the door again, now throwing his shoes to the side before Gwen could see them. He sat down in the chair to relax for bit and rested both arms in the armrest. She briefly turned around to ask, "He's out?"
"Yeah, still out." Peter continued, "I didn't ask you before, but are you okay?"
Gwen closed the wardrobe. "Honestly, I went through worse."
"... aren't you a brave gorgeous wife?" He teased.
She giggled and sat down on his lap. "Well, I was scared for a moment, but thankfully nothing bad happened." She laid herself down into his chest and planted soft kisses on his neck.
Peter closed his eyes and sighed. "Seems like Spider-Man's ratings are going down, uh? And Peter Parker has some big red target on him."
Gwen hugged his stomach. "Extremists, you always have dealt with them."
"Not me, not with you by my side. Imagine if we're taking a simple walk in the park with the kids and this had happened? I would never forgive myself. I was told the guy had be seen wandering around for days to spot us. This whole thing is backfiring..."
She exhaled deeply. He had a point.
Peter continued, "We should go back to our home tomorrow. I need to stay away from the spotlight, being here in the Stark Tower isn't helping it."
"Being this close to Tony Stark, you mean?"
Peter rubbed her back with his thumb. He nodded slowly. "Yeah, too much exposed. Both of us. As much as I would like to, I don't think we should attend this charity event he talked about. It pains me, but I don't know...
Gwen straightened her torso and wrapped both arms around his neck. "You would look good in a white tuxedo." He smiled. She was so close to his face. "Isn't there some other way to collaborate with it?"
"I think so, I will look into it." Peter answered. She stroked the back of his hair and slightly tilted her head to the side, capturing his lower lip and sucking it gently.
She parted and asked gently, "How did it go in Germany?"
Peter moved his head back in the seat. "Not very good. We eventually fought, all of us. Steve probably judged me the whole time, and he managed to escape with his friend. Rhodes got severely wounded too."
Gwen pressed her forehead against his. She closed her eyes and whispered, "I'm sorry..."
"I know." Peter sighed again. "The worst thing, despite that, is that the ones we arrested, are all locked in a prison in the middle of the pacific. The same people who helped stop Ultron. I don't know what to make up of this... this isn't what I expected."
"Isn't it temporarily?" Peter shook his head. "Wow... that's… um - I didn't expect that."
He said lowly, "Me neither," He gave her a quick and reassuring peck in the lips. His gaze got lost in the dark room. "I... I am starting to wonder if I'm really... really doing the right thing. It doesn't look like it. How am I supposed to be some inspiration if I can't even follow own my values? A lie?"
Gwen held his chin, gently forcing him to look back at her. She spoke softly, "You are an inspiration to me. And to a lot of other people, including your children. Don't ever get that wrong." She held his hand and moved it through the bathrobe, making him grip her naked waist.
"Thank you," Gwen smiled sympathetically. "I will sort this out, I have to."
"You will," She said reassuringly, cupping his cheeks and looking deep on his eyes. "Harry wanted to talk to you, he called me but you weren't home, it seemed important. I haven't heard of him since then. He wasn't wearing my calls."
"Really? Oh... I will check him out tomorrow, he probably messed with his network." Peter sighed. "Well... I guess I should change." He raised his chest but Gwen gently pushed him back to the chair. She moved her legs besides his hips and sat over his crotch, fully facing him.
"I won't let you go anywhere; tonight was amazing and I don't want it to end. I missed you." Gwen straightened her torso, being taller than him for him.
Peter looked up to her. He moved his hand that once massaged her waist to her back, slightly below her waistline. He whispered playfully, "I don't think I am up to the ask this time around..."
"I can cover most it... just this time." Gwen kissed his lips deeply as he quickly reciprocated it.
Peter let go of her lips, she kept searching for his with her own, eyes closed. "Well then... I guess daddy's home."
Gwen laughed softly. "You're not Barney. You're the only man I want to love me." She leaned in, pressed herself even close to his chest, enjoying the friction while feeling her desire reach even higher levels. "So please… make love to me… now."
Peter picked his wife up and rose from the seat. She wrapped her legs around his waist and moaned lowly against lips, stroking the back of his hair. They parted the kiss and gazed affectionately into each other's eyes.
She spoke softly, "... and you better always come home to me..."
He stood in silence, lips slightly apart, focusing in her green emerald orbs. They locked lips again and fell back to the bed.
Manhattan - Blue Devil's Club
In the alleyway and next to the club's back door, a man wearing a dark leather jacket pushed the young female against the wall after placing both hands on her shoulders,
"Listen, I told you to not get anywhere close to him!"
"It's not your say!' She yelled back.
"It is, you're not screwing this up! You hear me?!" He pressed her harder.
She kept trying to break free from the man, before spotting a random hooded figure standing still and watching them from some distance. "Hey, you! Help me with this idiot!"
"What?" He raised an eyebrow and turned his head over his shoulder without letting go of her. "And who would be you?!"
The visitor tilted his head to the side, his face being hidden by a shadow. "You... are Dennis, aren't you?"
"That's right, and you still haven't answered my question."
"Who's that...? I don't like this, Dennis." The girl stated, alarmed.
He pushed her down to the ground. "Stay quiet, girl." He placed both hands on his waist once he turned to fully face him. "You, speak."
Their intruder briefly looked down to the girl as she sat against the wall and hugged her legs. "Kingpin. Tonight. This alleyway."
Dennis sighed relieved. The guy at least didn't appear to be some drunk looking for trouble. "I see… you're the Venom guy. Yes, I got your text. Would you care answering how you managed to actually find me?"
"Yes." Venom responded, crudely.
Dennis chuckled ironically. "Hmm, I already like your type. Doesn't last much here in the streets, though." He paused. "Do you have it?"
Venom took his left hand out of his hood's stomach pocket and threw a small bag filled with money down to the the ground. "Now where can I find what I'm looking for?"
The girl called, "Brother..."
Dennis snapped, "I said - shut up!" She instantly retreated back to the wall.
Venom exposed hand trembled slightly at the exchange.
He exhaled deeply in annoyance. "You can find Fisk in Night's Kiss, that's where he stays... most of the time. Cops won't dare enter that area. He will have the answers you're looking for. Don't know if you will be able to meet him, I know I don't."
"They won't be expecting someone like me." Venom took one last look at the terrified girl and turned around and began to walk away.
"And who would you be?" Dennis asked again, curious. "Hey, I'm still talking to you!"
Her sister whispered, "Just let him go..."
"I told you.. to shut up!" Dennis kicked her left curled leg.
Venom then stood still once the girl started crying out loud.
Dennis focused back at him, noticing he had stopped on his tracks. "Now, where were we...?" Venom looked over his shoulder and at him, and finally, he could see his face, starting with the big white curly eyes. He took a step back, "Wait, you can't be him..." He moved his hand to the back of his pants.
Venom finally showed his sharp teeth after he turned on his feet and increasingly began heading towards Dennis' direction.
"You are not... stand back!" He pulled his gun and aimed straight at him, personally horrified at the image. Venom ignored his orders.
His hand were already shaking in horror. He pulled the trigger and then - silence took over the ambient. He dropped his gun, and walked backwards, eyes never leaving the beast whose head's had just bounced back due to the impact, and returned to its original posture.
The symbiote now covered his whole body.
"No, please... I-" His speech was interrupted by a loud high pitch scream and the squashy sounds that followed shortly after, then the girl's own scream that echoed the whole alleyway.
It was already seven in the morning and Gwen Stacy slowly stirred next to her husband's chest and to the AC's cozy steady sound. She lazily opened her eyes and yawned afterwards, feeling his powerful arm around her, their legs intertwined.
She looked up to him, he was fastly asleep as usual, but that was probably the first time since he left that managed to sleep well.
Gwen slowly pulled down the thin sheet from his chest down to his waistline. She rested her head over his shoulder and began to search for any bruises, it didn't take too long to accomplish that.
There were a few purple stains on his cage rib and near his stomach, not mentioning the tiny cuts that appeared two weeks ago, and still hadn't fully healed. For someone like him, it was usually a quick process.
It always had been.
Peter Parker was probably the perfect human specimen. He could hardly get sick unless he made quite the effort, he would age slower and naturally - live longer.
But Gwen was alarmed at the sight of those old cuts, they should have been gone by now. She could only guess somehow his system wasn't as effective as it used to be, and if indeed true, he wasn't a person that could go through the absolute worst and quickly walk away as if nothing ever happened.
Not anymore.
Gwen sighed heavily on his chest and caressed his abdomen, before closing her eyes and nuzzling his neck. "Good morning, sleepyhead." She slowly planted many soft kisses in the shaved skin of his neck.
He moaned and went to rub his eyes with his free hand. "... has the vulture broken free again...?"
She giggled against his neck and freed her legs before moving one across the entirety of his hips under the blankets. "You wish."
He yawned, and lowered his chin to take a look at her, gripping her thigh. "Did you sleep well?"
She nodded. "You? Dreams? Egg monster - May Parker returned?"
Peter chuckled. "You still remember that one, uh?"
"I remember everything, honey. Do you?"
He frowned and looked at the ceiling. "Hmm... I recall a certain day in England, there was this library..."
"We won't speak of that for as long as I am alive." Gwen cleared her throat.
"Why? That's counter productive." He teased.
"Don't push me," He turned himself to her side, bringing the sheets along and slightly pinned her against the bed with part of his weight. Gwen laughed, now inches from his face. "That won't change anything."
He moved his left arm around her shoulder and the other across her bare waist to keep her closer. "I'm not sure you know who you're in bed with, Mrs Parker. A very famous invincible person."
"A naked bugboy then?"
He deadpanned. "... you little..."
Gwen grinned proudly. Peter gave up and smiled back, before leaning in to kiss her softly as she caressed the back of his head, playing with his hair. "Hmmm...!" She spoke against his lips, trying to break free.
Peter let go of her and asked, "What?"
"Now that I finally have you free with me... we need to talk about Olive."
He rested his head over her pillow. "What's on your mind?"
"She's getting used to us... I just want to know what's your instance regarding her. I know you love children, and so do I… but can we take care of another one? What do you think?"
Peter sighed. He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand and smiled. "You want to adopt her, don't you?"
Gwen spoke gently, "It's not only about what I want, but what you want and what's best for her. And I'm also not sure, right now, if being with us is the best for her."
He had noticed his wife and the girl were forming a connection. "You have a point. After what happened, though - I just don't know if I could let go of her that easily as well."
"Yeah? I know we weren't really trying for a child in the last years but-"
"Well, we could try harder then..."
Gwen smacked in the chest. "Let me finish, will you?" Peter grunted in protest. "What I am saying is that, if you want to, and so does Olive…"
"We'd need a bigger house." He smiled, happily. Gwen nodded. "What about you?'
"Yes... I would like that very much; I don't have to be her mother if she doesn't want me to, but I wouldn't mind being that to her. Our kids already treat her as of one their own."
"It's settled then, she stays with us for now, we just need to talk to her." Peter continue, "There's so much Olive needs to know..."
"We will talk to her, just the three of us. Give her the space and time to be comfortable and choose whatever she feels like choosing."
Peter nodded and went for a quick kiss. "I love you... forever."
"I love you too..." She kissed him again and used the distraction to quickly roll to the side and away from his arms.
Peter still digested what she just did. "Hey! Where are you going...?" He gawked his wife's uncovered back from behind as she sat in the very edge of the bed.
Gwen tied her hair with the ponytail she got from the bedstand. "It's unreasonable to stay here longer when they all should be waking up soon."
Peter rested his head against the headboard. "Who says we need to be reasonable?"
She slid her ring down her finger and chuckled. "I do, and I'm going to take a shower. You're welcome to tag along."
"Hmph..."
"Have you seen my bra?" She looked around, still sat down.
He rubbed his eyes. "I don't think you wore one last night. Why do you even need to wear one right now...?"
"Because this is Tony's tower and who knows what might be placed in this room." She found it under the bed.
"Well, he has seen quite the show then." He heard the 'tick' of her bra's strap as she looked over her shoulder to stare him briefly, before standing up in her underwear and swaying her hips as she headed for the bathroom.
"Come now."
Peter bit his lower lip for a moment, and rushed out after. Gosh, how I love this woman...
Do not cross...
Peter read the yellow police tape that kept him from easily walking inside Harry Osborn's surprisingly messy apartment. He frowned, standing still in the empty and silent corridor. "What in the..."
He checked his surroundings for any pair of curious eyes, and found nothing. He stretched the tapes in the middle section where once stood a door. He crouched and moved himself through the tape until he was fully standing in the other side.
Now inside, pieces of wood were spread all over the entrance. The furniture and paintings were completely destroyed and trashed in the ground. As for the living room, the couch was now away from its original spot over the rug and placed up against the wall. It seemed the furniture had been violently pushed to the side.
Many police markings of possible criminal evidence were also seen set in the floor.
"What have you gotten yourself into, Harry...?" Peter asked himself, hands on his waist. He now moved his right hand over and down the top of his hair, sighing heavily.
His brown eyes eventually settled at the broken portrait lying down in the kitchen's area of the apartment. It was close to the fridge and surprisingly intact. He walked over and crouched. There was a small stain of dry blood in the ground besides it.
This is recent...
He took the portrait in his hand, seeing the picture that showed them both skipping rocks when they first met again many years ago. He had placed the camera some distance from behind them and set up the timer.
It was a good one, and there was a good chance Harry had somehow sneaked the picture from him when he wasn't paying attention.
Peter gently lowered the portrait next to his foot and raised an eyebrow once he spotted what was under the portrait a few seconds ago.
A hard drive...?
He carefully picked it from the ground, stood up, and held the tiny device between his thumb and indicative finger in front of his left eye, focusing in anything but his recent discovery. It was slightly damaged in the outside, maybe not even functional. It could be a stretch to think otherwise.
He sighed heavily. It was too much of coincidence, this wasn't a casual case like the ones he lived during his time as Spider-Man. The damage done to the apartment came from a powerful source, the portrait and what was hidden by it. Harry missing and possibly badly injured reinforced the feeling he had, but perhaps, he could still find the answers the device might contain.
Hold tight, Harry.
"Ben Reilly, Benjamin Reilly?" Peter insisted to the receptionist .
The female officer wearing her blue police outfit again looked down at the book that registered the occurrences their department had taken care of so far in the month. She frowned. "I'm afraid nobody with that name walked around here, sir."
"Could you check out the hospital's logs for me? He crossed his arms.
She nodded. "I will search his name in the database, one sec."
Peter sighed. It was rough. There weren't any leads to follow, and he was failing at gathering a single one. Absolutely nothing. The police acknowledged they visited Harry's apartment, but the man himself apparently disappeared in the system.
Again.
He didn't want to think of the worst, not yet. They had come a long way since he found Harry again, he wouldn't give up on him. Not after everything.
In the corner of his eye, Peter heard some distinct key words amidst the group of five officers that seemed to be chatting in their coffee break. Spider-Man. Venom. He stealthily turned all the focus of his attention to them.
"It could be him."
"You're joking, right? Spider-Man wouldn't do that. I met the guy before."
"I don't know, the witness keeps mentioning him in the report." The confident officer argued back.
His partner backed him up, "She's just a girl, you know what these teens are up to nowadays."
"Right, but who has the strength to mow someone apart? Remember the docks? And who has big curvy white eyes? I'm not so sure what to think anymore. Maybe the guy finally lost it.
The second cop insisted once again, "Well, she also said something about Venom, black suit, fat spider. Doesn't seem like the Spider-Man we know for years."
Peter frowned at the ground. Venom... black suit? He slowly widened his eyes once the realization kicked in. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, finding hard to believe the notion that there really is someone outside wearing the symbiote again.
Ravencroft Asylum wasn't an one time thing.
Some lunatic was in possession of the thing that once was the cause of so many problems in his life, and using it in the worst way one could choose.
Peter slowly came back to the real world once he noticed the woman was repeatedly calling his name.
"Mr Parker, are you okay?"
"Um? Oh, yes... I'm fine. My bad." He laughed, awkwardly.
She raised an eyebrow. "Right... well, again - I didn't find anything on this Ben Reilly. He's not officially arrested, injured or... dead. That's what I can say for sure."
Peter nodded to himself, slightly disappointed again. He was happy that his friend was not confirmed dead, but unnerved towards the fact that Harry was missing, and not with a broken elbow or something.
Dammit, Harry.
He exhaled deeply. "Well, thanks for the help officer, keep up the good work." He smiled thankfully and turned on his shoulder and walked towards the main door, opening it while whispering to himself, "Someone's else work will have to do it then."
"I have the best nieces ever, don't I?" Gwen held her oldest brother's baby in her arms, standing still inside the living room. She smiled at the little boy whose blue piercing eyes looked back at her. "Well, that's until new ones appear."
Howard teased from the busy kitchen, "Oh, I will tell them that. Their Aunt choose George and Sarah as her favourite, for a time."
Gwen stared him with cold eyes and argued back, "You're taking it out of context!"
"Me?!" Howard closed the fridge after grabbing the vegetables he needed for the salad. "It's exactly what you just said, though."
Gwen rolled her eyes. "Pfffft, whatever." She caught some innocent laughing coming from her old and now open bedroom and figured their kids were mostly making a big stir inside.
Helen spoke from the oven. "You two get older, but this provocation appears more often. Go figure." She teased. "Only God knows if this apartment can still house you two plus yours brothers again."
"Hey, I always behaved." Gwen argued back.
Howard cackled as he cut tomato in many precise slices. "When you were not screaming."
She looked down to her niece. "See? That's your silly father who forgets he used to steal my toys all the time when I wasn't watching. Don't be like him, your sister will get mad at you too."
"Now that's a low blow-" Howard was interrupted once the doorbell rang. "Gwen, your friend is at the door."
"Don't you start on my husband too." Gwen walked over to the door and turned the key around, being greeted by the sight of the man himself wearing a dark blue jacket while carrying a single plastic bag straight out of the food store. "Hey, handsome."
Peter stepped inside and closed the door. "I called you twice," He leaned in and planted a quick peck on her lips. He looked down at the baby in her arms and caressed his short hair, "Hey little guy."
Gwen smiled. "Aiden has it. I would be lucky if it hasn't ran out of battery." She raised an eyebrow and continued, "But hello you too, mister."
He chuckled and placed a hand on her waist. "Yes, I missed you." He kissed her forehead.
"That's much better. How did it go with Harry?" She asked as they headed back inside the apartment.
Peter caressed her back and smiled briefly. "More on that later, okay?"
Gwen noticed how reluctantly he came off. "Alright..."
He stopped by the open wall that separated the kitchen from the living room and placed the bag over the table on the other side. "Got what you asked for, Helen." He walked around the wall and went to kiss her in the kitchen and from behind. "How's the best mother-in-law? And happy birthday."
Helen smiled as she moved around the spoon inside the pan. "Thank you, sweetie. And that's because you only had one!"
"I'm such a lucky guy then." They laughed together. He approached Howard and patted him on the back. "And my third favorite brother in law?" He picked a single slice and ate it and moaned contently.
"Third?!" Howard protested. "Come now, I thought we really had something special."
"Second then." Peter replied while he went back to the same room where Gwen was, taking his jacket off on the way and putting it over one of the fluffy chairs.
"Is May coming too?" Helen questioned.
Peter sat besides Gwen in the main couch. "She will! And I heard she's bringing some homemade dessert too once its done." He turned to his wife. "Figures you have kidnapped the only baby instead of helping with the kitchen."
"Ha-ha, so funny." Gwen narrowed her eyes at him. He moved his right arm around her shoulders. "For the record, I prepared the kitchen before cooking it."
"Oh, nice, honey.' He kissed the side of her hair and whispered next to her ear, "I'm so proud of my beautiful diva material that is my wife."
She giggled and asked playfully, "What do you want?"
"Nothing, just stating facts."
"Yeah, right. I know you and your tactics."
Peter snickered. "Geez, Gwendy." He continued, "Actually, I came here to spend some extra time with you guys before heading off to pick Elizabeth. Just waiting for the call."
"That new photoshoot is really taking too long, isn't it? Mary Jane's ideas..."
"Well, Elizabeth seems to like it, a lot." Peter shrugged his shoulders. "And I really can't say my daughter isn't fit for it."
"With those looks of her..."
Peter took advantage of the brief window, "... that came from yours."
She burst into fits of laughers. "That's actually a good one, if not a bit corny." She gazed the baby, "That's your Uncle Peter on a daily basis."
He smiled happily watching they both interact, thankful for the break he was having. "It's crazy how quickly the time goes, isn't it?" He asked, observing the child. "One second I was freaking out over Elizabeth insisting to come to us in the worst night possible, now we're basically a family of six."
"That means you're old." Gwen teased. "Have you noticed any grey hair yet?"
"In your dreams. I'm Spider-Man, forever young."
She eyed his hair. "You would look so good, though."
"The wishful boo-boo face won't make it come any sooner, though."
Gwen chuckled again. "Fine. I can wait a few more years." She continued, "Do you have anything left to do tonight?"
He sighed. "After picking up Liz, I was thinking of taking a quick detour to the Stark Tower while dinner isn't ready, it's on the way. If you don't mind."
"Okay. Tony called?"
"No, he's not in the city. I think I can extract the contents of this damaged hard-drive I found with one of his computers. I fill you in later." Gwen nodded, she trusted his judgement.
"As long as you don't get late, because there's a horde of children here that won't watch themselves. You are Spider-Man, after all, aren't you?"
It was night out in the city of New York. Loud music blared from a nightclub and lights were rapidly seen changing colours from the windows, showing that there was one huge party going on inside.
Inside his own personal and reserved area above the dance floor in the club, Wilson Fisk found himself sat in a large red colored couch while smoking a cigarette without any hurry.
Two guards wearing black tie were positioned against the door that led inside his area, while another pair watched through the window all the people dancing to the electronic beat outside their very specific location.
The two near the window leaned their face forward once they landed their eyes over the figure that was beating his way through the club, throwing security against walls and violently landing their lives in the most gruesome way possible. All of that was muffled by the music, some weren't even aware of what was going and ignored the intruder that wore some sort of black suit over his skin, somewhat to Spider-Man's suit.
"Trouble."
Fisk looked up to his security and asked calmly, "What is it?"
"We need to get you out here-" He was cut short once the window was shattered into pieces due to the body that had been thrown at it and at the ground next to Fisk's body.
The guards stood paralyzed in shock. Venom jumped through the opening and as the two men turned around, Fisk only saw his hands being moved at their abdomens and them the stain of blood flying at his cheeks.
The other two pulled their guns but before they could do anything, Venom had already shot spikes at them that disabled the last of Fisk's security for good.
Venom looked at the last man alive, hearing the screams of terror coming from outside after his interference was noticed. He jumped over to the table that faced the couch, crouched and leaned his head forward for intimidation.
His rough voice started, "You don't sound scared…"
Fisk continued to smoke his cigarette, looking back to the creature's eye, sometimes paying attention to the large teeth inches from his face. "I know what you are."
"Then you know what I waaant..." He leaned even closer.
"Why?"
"To restore the balance, Mr Fisk." Venom's tongue popped out and wiped the blood from his face. "I know you hid it before going off the radar, do not worry, I took care of all the loose ends by this point."
"What do I gain from this?"
Venom chuckled to himself, a deep and unnerving laugh. "Your worthless existence…?" He grabbed him by the neck.
"Twenty minutes for full recovery." The feminine synthetic voice informed.
"Twenty minutes..." Peter repeated from the chair in front of the main computer inside Stark's labs. He sighed heavily and covered his face with his hand. "Isn't this some sort of super high-end computer shenanigans, Veronica? I have a dinner, you know?"
"The hard-drive was severely damaged, Mr Parker."
He chuckled. "Come on now, cut the formalities. We've talked about this before."
"Should I call you... bugboy then?"
Peter deadpanned. "W-Who... told you that?"
"Mrs Parker, she wanted me to try it once you said that."
He exhaled deeply. "Women..."
Elizabeth questioned from behind, "Who's bugboy, dad?"
Peter cleared his throat, embarrassed. "It's... you know what, ask your mum about-" He turned on his shoulder to look to his daughter, but found no one. "Where... Elizabeth!"
And there she was, standing above him upside-down by the biocable that reached the ceiling. She a hoodie that kept her hair in check, despite a few golden strands obeying the law of physics and sneaking out of the hood.
She beamed, "It's cool, isn't it?"
"Where did you get that old web-shooter from, missy?" Peter rose from the chair and grabbed her by the waist, gently turning her around in the air as she giggled in return.
She was back on her feet and shrugged her shoulders. "Found it." She smiled widely.
Peter crossed his arms. "That's not a toy, Liz. You can't have it."
"Why not?"
"Because your father says so, and you should listen to him." Peter calmly unwrapped the web-shooters from her wrists. "And the last time you wandered around with this you were a baby and webbed the whole apartment. Guess who had to clean it?"
Elizabeth licked her lips as she thought of a rebuttal and eventually smirked proudly, "Well, I'm not a baby anymore. I'm... Spider-Liz."
"Yeah, you will be one once you don't need dad's money for school lunch." He teased, hiding the devices inside his jacket.
"The cheese bread is delicious, though."
Peter nodded in agreement. He sat down again. "I know, I sneaked one out of your lunch bag these days.
"And I thought it was Aiden again..." Elizabeth circled around the chair and teleported herself to her father's lap after a quick flash of a green light. She moved her left leg over the other and paid attention to the big screen above them.
Peter deadpanned again. "Right..." He snaked an arm around her abdomen.
"Why are you not using the armor Uncle Tony gave it to you, dad?" Elizabeth gestured to one of the many chambers in the extreme side of the room that contained many of Stark's inventions, one of them being the said suit. A golden and red design.
"I'm not an Avenger anymore, sweetheart. I don't want to use what's not mine." He explained, kissing the back of her hair, smelling the delicate flower scent she also always felt on Gwen's, product of the same shampoo they used. "Veronica, is it done?"
"I'm afraid the result is not exactly what you might expect. I could only reconstruct frozen frames, instead of the whole video."
"That's something. Please do your thing now." A slideshow of images took place in the middle portion of the screen, one that left the oldest Parker in the room speechless for a moment. "Wait, wait..."
Elizabeth tilted her head to the side. "Who's that? He's quite... scary?"
"That's... I don't believe it." Peter said to himself. "He was involved?"
The VI answered, "It appears this Spider-Man look-alike might have been responsible for the incident."
And Harry knew about this...? He wondered.
"I have found similar logs in the Tower's database, Mr Parker."
Peter frowned, confused. "Here? Are you sure?"
"Yes, though - direct interface is required. I need you to stand in the center of the room and bring your bracelet to the core."
Peter fastly spun seat around so that he could face the whole area, Elizabeth giggling all the way through . "Are you sure you can do this? It feels... as if we're breaking into someone's house."
"That's an accurate description." Peter sighed. "But my duty as a customized architect is to serve you, and only you."
He took a minute to process what he was doing. He could get himself in trouble, but if there was some truth he was being kept away from, there's no other choice left. "Alright then. You mentioned some core?"
A floating blue holographic cube appeared where Veronica described before.
Elizabeth smiled, "Wow, that's cool, isn't it?"
Peter continued, "Tony and his holos addiction, never ceases to impress." His daughter left his lap and whistled to herself, amazed. He stood up and calmly walked closer to the projection.
"Indexing... decryption complete."
Peter's whole figure was covered by the blue lightning, eyes fixed at the bright cube. "Let's see what we have." He slowly raised his right arm that had the bracelet wrapped around his pulse towards the hologram, opening the same hand as it got closer.
Tiny blue dots began to form in the space around his hand, and from them, ramifications from within appeared and trails of blue energy went after the cube.
"I am in, Mr Parker."
Elizabeth said silently to herself and from behind, "Awesome..."
"Subject... male, A-252, codename... Spider-Slayer. Records shows he participated in countless blackout operations, including the assassination of two dictators in the middle west. Physiological profile tells the story of an impulsive agent, yet - successful. Also, he played part in the capture of four unauthorized metahumans."
"You're saying he's... working... with us?"
"Not exactly, even here, information is lacking, but I would say he operates in the dark, but with complete support from specific authorities. No boundaries."
"This is a killer that we are watching, and Tony knew about him...? What's this Spider-Slayer title even about?"
"I believe... it is connected to you, Spider-Man. If the pattern is to be trusted, A-252 might be a containment agent.
Peter narrowed his eyes at the cube. No way this is home, Tony...
He retracted his arm back. "Is there anything else of importance?"
Veronica replied, "Yes, this material is in the same server node that storages blueprints for metahuman prisons, coordinates, logistics and files on most well-know vigilantes who are yet to sign the accord. Should I download them? There might be no other opportunity later."
Peter remained quiet, gathering his thoughts. "... you do that," He approached the console where he was previously sat by. He began to quickly type in the keyboard, "Send them to this address."
And I pray to God this is the right thing.
The holographic projection disappeared and the room went back to its normal light pallette. Peter turned on his shoulder, "Liz, gather your stuff. We will be leaving soon."
Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders. "I only brought my hoodie dad. Is everything alright?" She asked, delicately.
"Not now, baby-girl." He said softly. "I need you to-"
Peter was interrupted once the computer shut down without his input. The only exit was blocked by a metallic gate that slid down the wall and the loud emergency alarm echoed across the room.
"Dad...?" Elizabeth took a step back as she looked around.
"Veronica? Don't keep me on the dark."
"They have detected the breach. A task force has been activated. I'm sending countless false reports about the intruder to buy some time, Mr Parker."
"Dammit." He approached Elizabeth and stood on one knee and placed his both hands on her shoulders. "Liz, it's fine. But I need you to do that teleport thingy dad usually doesn't want you to, you know? Go to Mom."
"I... I don't know if I can... it doesn't work like that."
He sighed. "Look, you're my priority. We will find a way together, alright?" She nodded, reluctantly. "You told me you had to focus on someone with that special sense we share, remember? What if... how about Aiden? Can you try him?"
Elizabeth's gaze drifted away. "Okay... I-I know where he is now, with Dave."
"That's my girl." He smiled, reassuringly . "You should go now."
She instantly looked back to her father. "What about you?"
"I'll come by, don't worry." Peter kissed her forehead. "Now, please... go to your brothers."
They fixated at each other's eyes. She hugged him tightly, and Peter massaged her back, closing his eyes. Seconds later, Peter felt nothing but cold air brushing against him. She wasn't present anymore. He sighed and rose.
"They're here, Mr Parker."
He questioned , "How many years of jail might I get for this?"
"Forty years, approximately. National offense for leaking confidential data."
Peter snapped his fingers. "Well... then let's not get arrested."
Stark Tower - 79th Floor, Living Room
"I thought you were out of town, boss." Spider-Man stated on his typical defensive stance in the ground.
"And I honestly thought I could count on you, Peter." Tony replied, inside his Iron-Man armor. He blocked Spider-Man's path to the play-room with his figure. It was the only place where he had the chance to escape due to the large window.
"Don't make this any harder than it already is." He stood still, his shining red and blue suit being a contrast to Tony's radiant gold pattern.
"Peter, you're acting like a lunatic. What has gotten into you? Let's just... talk."
"I'm leaving the Avengers, or whatever this is, Tony. End of discussion."
Stark took a single step closer, Peter immediately stirred at the movement. "Is this about the shaft? Peter..."
"It is, no doubt. That's not how we treat our friends, Stark. I didn't sign up for this nonsense."
"What do you suggest then?! You think it was an easy decision? It wasn't! I know them for years, just like you do." Tony realized how harsh he was sounding, so he sighed deeply. "They're too special to be left for a normal treatment, it's just no possible. Not in the way things are now. It's a temporary measure, Peter." He had to reason with him, he had already lost too much in one week.
"Then why?"
Tony said calmly, "Because innocent lives are being caught in the battlefield. I'm trying to change that."
"Not like this," He shook his head in disapproval. "I don't want to be part of this. Not anymore."
"I need you by my side, Peter. There's no one else I put that much trust on."
"You say that, but you constantly lie to me. Starting with Wilson Fisk, how can you even be involved with trash like him?'
Tony explained, "It was a deal with the devil. You were aware of his leftovers experiments Oscorp's legacy left. He had critical knowledge of most metahumans out there, including you, knowledge that gave us an edge - countermeasures. We didn't have the time he had to gather so much information." He paused." ...and there's the financial support, we just had to strike a deal. He gave us both, in exchange for a under heavy surveillance type of liberty."
Peter argued back, "Wow, and here I thought politics couldn't get any worse. He should be in prison, not the people who fought to bring him to justice."
"Fisk wasn't responsible for that deadly incident days ago, Peter."
"Yeah, I'm well aware of that. A-252 was, or... Venom, right? Isn't him part of this as well?"
"Where did you hear that?" Tony came off as surprised.
"Your computer. Tincan isn't the best password, by the way." Peter provoked. "You were hiding the symbiote from me, this whole time."
"I was investigating his moves. Yes, I had the symbiote you gave me for a time, until the high-ups forced my hand. His actual existence is beyond my understanding, shouldn't have happened. He doesn't work for me, probably not even for Ross, and I'm not allowed to interfere. He's part of cells I have no control of. But there was no reason in getting you worried."
"Venom is a sociopath, unstable, and a killer in possession of a time-bomb. That's enough to get me worried." Spider-Man insisted, "Just get off my way, Tony. I will deal with him myself."
"How? He's stronger in every way possible. There's no way you can defeat him by yourself."
"I won't say it again..."
"What about Gwen, the kids, and May? Are you really going to get yourself in this much exposition and involving them as well, Peter? Is this what you want for them?"
Spider-Man closed both fists.
The room besides theirs was entered firstly by Tony Stark who quickly crashed inside after Spider-Man's actions helped him get there.
"Don't ever mention them here again. You do anything to them, I will hunt you down." Peter walked carefully through the hole in the wall.
Still lying in the ground, Tony sighed. "I'm disappointed in you, Peter." He raised his hand at him and began firing continuous blasts at the vigilante.
Spider-Man evaded the first one and began to run sideways against the wall and towards the wall that led to the window in the opposite side of the room. "Not as much as I am disappointed with myself!" He jumped towards the glass but failed to break it since it was reinforced. He only managed to slightly crack it before clumsily landing in the ground.
"It's not that easy, Peter." Tony stood up. "Please, don't make this even worse than it already is-"
The wooden wall behind Tony was bursted open by his special and well armed security that stormed the room with guns raised and pointed at Spider-Man.
Stark turned at them, "No, wait…!"
The triggers were pulled and a rain of bullets went after Peter and the glass behind him, managing to finally break it for good as a single bullet landed against Peter's forehead. His masked head tilted backwards and he fell through the open space behind him and into the air outside the building.