Since Mark had been dating Peter, he has noticed things that others don't. When the news of his boyfriend being accused of being Spider-man, widened his view of both Peter and the Spider as well as the world around them. Do not own Spectacular Spider-man…

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At the Allan Residence…

Spider-man Identity Exposed?

That is what the paper said that morning as Mark and Liz got up for school. Apparently, some guy named Venom came to the Bugle where Peter worked, after John Jameson was brought to a mental institution and accused Peter of being Spider-man. Already, everyone was blabbing and gossiping that Peter is the Spider. The word was getting around fast as reporters wanted to know the truth about the photographer who took the pics and the hero who happened to be photographed. It was kind of hard to wrap around the thought that such a peaceful and kind-hearted boy would be busting the heads of the worst of the worst.

"Jeez, can you believe that people really think that Peter is Spider-man? Pete's a tiny thing and I highly doubt he would put himself in danger against the worst New York has to offer." Lizz voiced as she didn't believe her friend and teacher would be capable of being a super vigilante and fighting off bad guys.

Mark chuckled a bit but then looked at the photo of his Pete. Peter was a charming thing, a good person, well-rounded, always so patient, and gentle. But there were times that Mark often wondered about him, the boy was so secretive and would disappear for long periods. When asked where he went off to, he would claim that he was at his job. There would often be times when Peter would be covered in bruises, limping, and even covered in gunk.

Now, Mark was one with secrets himself, but he was curious about Petey.

Him being Spider-man could explain some things. But Mark won't speculate, he'll give Peter the benefit of the doubt unless there is concrete evidence. Besides, it's like his sister said, it didn't seem like Peter would be into the hero gig.


At the Midtown High…

Mark figured he could help take Petey to school without being hounded by the press.

He was thankful to the principal for keeping them from school grounds as it looked like Peter could use a breather from all this attention.

"Thanks for walking me to school, Mark. I could use a little space from all the craziness." Peter breathed as they were holding hands.

"It's cool, you like you needed to breathe. Can't believes those blood-sucking leeches were swarming you like that." Mark grinned, still a little agitated about how Peter's privacy meant little to them.

"I'm technically a blood-sucking leech myself." Peter chuckled a bit.

"Yeah, kind of… but you're cute so you get a pass. They are not as pretty as you to get away with that." Mark joked as Peter blushed a bit.

"I'm not that cute."

"Plus, you care about people and know when to leave people be. You shouldn't have to deal with this right now." Mark added, "Why did this Venom guy call you Spider-man? Is he like… your ex-boyfriend or something trying to get back at you?"

"No, no! I don't really know why he's accusing me. Maybe he saw me in that Halloween outfit or something." Peter laughed a little, Mark feeling like he knew more than he was letting on.

"Oh, did you dress up as Spider-man or something?"

"Yeah."

"Well, it's a shame to miss that. You must've really filled out."

"Yeah, um Liz, MJ, and Gwen told me that."

Mark then got his books from his locker while Peter his backpack away. Just as he was getting his things, Peter's best buddy, Harry, came by.

"Hey, Pete. Some news reporter came over to my house and asked my dad if you were Spider-man. I mean, what is that about?" Harry asked as Peter looked nervous and quickly shut his locker.

As Mark was about to wonder what that was about, Seymour decided to pop up.

"Yo, can you believe Peter is Spider-man?" Seymour excitedly glimmered as he tried to get past Mark and get Peter's autograph.

"Woah, woah. He's only being accused of being Spider-man. It doesn't mean he is, and I don't want anyone to bother him about this." Mark advised as he was acting as Peter's personal groupie and reporter's shield.

"Come on, don't tell me you're not curious either! I mean, think about it. You would be dating Spider-man. Spider-man!" Seymour was tempted but Mark wasn't buying.

"Well, I am dating Peter Parker and who knows if the guy is accusing him was even telling the truth or being fully sane. His name is Venom after all. Now, leave Petey be."

"Come on, twenty bucks if you let me talk to him."

"Leave Petey be."

Mark then watched the boy leave, knowing that this would be a long day.


In an interview after school…

Ned spotted Mark Allan, boyfriend of Peter Parker, who was carrying his backpack he had forgotten at school, and thought he could have any answers.

He was ready with questions as he cornered the high school boy with a recorder.

"Mark Allan, isn't it true that you are dating Peter Parker at this time?" Ned questioned as Mark was annoyed with another muckraker.

"I don't see how that is any of your business." He sneered at the nosy guy.

"But you must have noticed something or been disclosed by anything with Peter. Do you think that he is Spider-man or not?"

"Don't know, don't care and you guys should be ashamed of yourselves for what you're doing. Thanks to your and your publicity, Petey's being harassed twenty-four/seven." Mark scolded.

"Woah, woah. We didn't mean any harm-."

"Don't give me that. Your boss is a total piece of work for doing this to his employees, let alone without any evidence. If something happens to Pete because of you guys, you will regret it."

Then Mark left in a huff, going to ESU to make sure Petey was okay.


At the ESU campus…

Mark was looking for Peter to return his bag after losing it as he wanted to be sure no more reporters, fans, or crazy Spider-hater stalkers were anywhere near this place.

"So… you must be Mark Allan, recently released juvenile delinquent."

Mark turned around to see a large blond college student with creepy energy around him.

"Eddie Brock?"

"Oh good, you remember me. I can probably suspect my bro not talking about us-me anymore." Eddie smirked as Mark narrowed his eyes.

"What's going on, Brock? Why is Petey being hounded as being Spider-Man?" Mark demanded from the blond.

"Oh, how would I know?"

"Drop the act. It's painfully clear that you were the one who started this. Your grin alone proves how much you're involved. Pretending to be a villain, claiming that you believe Petey is Spider-man… Yeah, I talk to Ned about that. For what? Did he reject you?" Mark questioned.

"Oh, something like that."

"Then get it through your thick head! Leave Petey be and get a life!"

"You're Petey's Boy Toy and yet you're not even slightly interested in what he's been up to when he's not around?"

"No!"

Eddie scoffed.

"No?"

"I don't. Even if Peter was Spider-man, I would still be there for him. Because he's strong, because he's kind because he's a better human being than you or me. If you ever loved him, you would have been there as a shoulder, not trying to tear him down." Mark sneered, "Now, leave Petey be."

Mark then left as Eddie watched him.

"Oh, don't worry. We will once everyone knows, and we will enjoy Petey suffering as he loses everyone he loves, starting with you…"


At ESU…

It was hard to find Pete as the news reporters were everywhere.

Mark was hoping to locate him soon and get him to safety when he tripped and spilled the contents of Petey's bag onto the concrete. The boy was quick to stuff everything back into his bag when he spotted something, an opened journal with a page drawn of a lizard man.

"The Lizard? Why would Pete draw-?"

He then noticed the notes, origins, weaknesses, strengths, and cure. Mark was quick to hide as he wanted to read more into it. There was Doc Ock, Electro, Rhino, and so many bad guys and how to deal with them. There was even a page on Colonel Jupiter just in case it happened again. Then Mark found the page on Spider-man.

"Pete… Oh, man."

He then spotted the reporters and quickly stuffed the journal back into the backpack and hid. After he got to a secluded place, he looked into the journal and spotted the page on Venom. Mark has never felt angrier than at this moment.

"Brock, you are so going down."

Mark then returned to school to get ready for the play and be prepared for when Venom decides to rear his ugly head.


At school…

Mark made sure Petey got his bag, and who was happy that nothing happened to it.

"I should have been more careful." Peter sighed and then hugged his boyfriend.

"Nah, it's fine, Pete. You have a lot on your mind. I got your back, Muy pequeño." Mark flirted with the boy.

"Itsy Bitsy?"

"It made me think of you."

Peter blushed as he was surprised that they were in the pet's name level.

Mark smiled and kissed Peter on the cheek.


Inside the Theater Auditorium…

Mark was adjusting the light as everyone was getting ready to practice when the commotion began!

Screaming, running, people yelling in terror!

Looks like Venom decided to make his move. He quickly pulled out a bat as he rushed to find Venom and there, he found him, be the locker trying to strangle Spider-man. Ugh, he was even more disgusting than how Peter described him in the journal.

"Hey!" Mark called out as Liz and Sally saw Mark with a bat.

"Mark, what are you doing? We have to run!" Liz pleaded.

"I got this, sis. Just get out of here as fast as you can!"

Venom laughed at Mark trying to look like a hero. Sally forced Liz to run and leave her brother behind!

"Well, if it isn't the Boy Toy." Venom laughed at the glaring student.

"No-urk! M-Mark, you need to run… He'll kill you." Spider-man pleaded.

"Yeah, Boy Toy. I could kill you and maybe we should… I will be enjoyable."

"ENJOY THIS!"

Mark then began to bang on the lockers the sound caused the symbiote to recoil in pain!

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO US!"

"I did my homework, Bolsa de limo! I know you can't stand loud sounds, so let's rock out!" Mark declared as he kept banging on the lockers!

Venom had enough and snatched the bat from his hands before destroying it!

"We thought you were just insnared by his web, but it seemed that we were wrong! You are just as bad as he is!" Venom sneered as he was about to attack when Spider-man interfered!

"Run, Mark! I got this!" Spider-man ordered the young man!

"Slug him once for me, Muy pequeño." Mark shouted before leaving, knowing that he and Spider-man would have a talk.


The aftermath of the attack…

Eddie was being wheeled to Ravencroft as Mark felt the satisfaction of such a jerk getting his comeuppance.

Speaking of…

"What were you thinking?" Liz scolded as she was tugging on her brother's ear, "That monster could have killed you and you decided to put yourself in the line of fire just like that!?"

"That was what I was wondering, too." Peter chimed in, grabbing the other ear, "Venom could have torn your limb from limb! What were you thinking, getting involved like that?"

"Spider-man would have died if I did nothing."

You would have died if I did nothing.

That was unsaid but Peter knew that was what he meant. He knew who and what he was but kept it a secret from him.

"Maybe he wouldn't. He's tough, he's taken down guys bigger than him all the time." Liz continued as she was given her brother an earful.

It seemed that Liz and Peter would be keeping a close eye on him to be sure he didn't do anything foolish. Gambling was one thing, but going up against super-powered beings with nothing but a bat was completely crazy.


At the Church's Belltower…

Very few hardly go there, and it would be perfect to talk without any interruptions.

"So… how long did you know?" Peter wondered as the two had a picnic.

"I thought about it… but when I was trying to give back your backpack after leaving it behind. Your journal fell out and I saw a page on one of the bad guys. That's how I knew how to take down Venom, still can't believe that Ed betrayed you." Mark answered.

"Yeah, thanks again. But that was extremely dangerous. The life I live, there are reasons for my secret."

"Want me to tell you, my secret?"

Peter then looked at Mark as he was surprised by the sudden questioning.

"As you know… I went to Juvie for stealing cars and trying to sell them."

"Yeah, it was because of gambling, right?"

"Yeah, but did you know when I started?"

Mark then told the story of his uncle, Mark Raxton his namesake on his mother's side. A man who loved to take risks and earned much from it. He wanted Mark to have the same thing at a young age and decided to teach him his secrets behind his parent's backs. He would take him to the tracks, the gambling pallor's, taught him all the tricks and schemes to get rich. But eventually, his parents found out, and Mark Raxton was kicked out of the house and out of their lives.

"The last thing he said before he left was 'When you want big, you gotta go all in.' That was the last thing he said to me."

"So, that's why you gamble, to feel closer to your uncle?"

"Yeah."

"Then… I guessed that I am on the same boat."

Peter and Mark then talked about their uncles and the happy memories they had of them, two who share a secret and bonded by love.