Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last set of conversations. You are all wonderful. I appreciate all your encouragement.
Note: Ms. O is Cecil O'Reilly, a.k.a. the character played by Josie Todd in Spider-Man: Homecoming. This is the name I decided to give her in my universe.
I drafted parts of this and the following two chapters before Secret Invasion. However, I didn't return to do significant rewrites until after. This is why the original material was split into three parts, with additional sections added to flush things out.
Conversation 78: Hurry up with the kissing, and win me $300
Ms. O: So, I heard you're safe in another country. How's that going?
Fantastic Flash: I just got out of another virtual AA meeting. Not the best. It's been a rough couple of days.
Ms. O: I heard that we lost our favorite gym teacher. I'm sorry for your loss. Give my condolences to your foster sister and foster dad.
Fantastic Flash: Thank you. I will.
Fantastic Flash: I am surprised that you know about that. We cannot discuss it outside the family until it's publicly announced. That probably won't happen until we finish what's happening here.
Ms. O: And I know better than to ask you about what's happening there after speaking with [redacted] cousin.
Ms. O: Why did the system remove your foster sister's name?
Fantastic Flash: Security measure. Ana doesn't allow the real names of anybody under 18. However, I don't know why she's also doing that with your phone.
Ms. O: Probably increased security because of what happened.
Fantastic Flash: Probably. My foster dad is also worried about me, so I can see him having his AI watch to ensure I don't have a couple of gallons of liquor sent to our room.
Ms. O: This makes sense after the breakup last week.
Ms. O: I thought you were staying at your foster sister's family's house? That feels like a place that doesn't have room service.
Fantastic Flash: Well, there are servants who know not to bring me alcohol, but that's not something we need to discuss.
Fantastic Flash: Also, the fact that I'm here is something that people are not supposed to know. What did the princess tell you?
Ms. O: A lot. She gently broke the news about our gym teacher to me and [redacted] during lunch. She also told us that all of you were safe at her house, and she was on her way there. She also apologized for triggering the wrath of she who will not be named.
Fantastic Flash: The woman is a nightmare. I heard her screaming at him yesterday. I nearly had a flashback.
Ms. O: I'm not surprised. I heard her, too, yesterday, and she was extra nasty. She doesn't like that your foster sister has two dads, and your crush might be getting a new almost stepmom soon. She would be upset about her son having lunch with me this afternoon.
Fantastic Flash: Probably. Although I'm glad you were there. He shouldn't be alone right now.
Ms. O: I thought you didn't like your crush's BFF.
Fantastic Flash: He hasn't told the whole school I'm gay yet, so that is a point in his favor. He hasn't told the entire school yet, has he?
Ms. O: No. Although most of us know and are taking bets on when you will make a move on [redacted].
Ms. O: Your foster father is thorough.
Fantastic Flash: Technically, that was a year ago last weekend. Not that I knew it at the time.
Ms. O: You figured out he's our friendly neighborhood vigilante?
Fantastic Flash: Wait, you figured that out?
Ms. O: Spider-Man keeps showing up at events where your crush is. It was obvious after the wedding rescue last year.
Fantastic Flash: I'm not going to confirm or deny that. Although I think my foster dad will probably send you a new cell phone. One that's encrypted.
Ms. O: He sent me one for my birthday. However, [redacted] name was also on the card. That may explain why specific names were censored earlier.
Fantastic Flash: That seems like something my foster dad would do. He shows his affection with gifts, but unlike my ex-family, there is affection behind the present.
Ms. O: It's an improvement from before. How does it feel to develop a crush on the same person twice? Especially when they've let you down twice.
Fantastic Flash: Not horrible now that I know it was more of a "not you but not then" situation.
Ms. O: ?
Fantastic Flash: You'll have to ask him what he considers his orientation, but I will say I'm an option now that we know each other better.
Ms. O: So, something on the demi-sexual spectrum, perhaps?
Fantastic Flash: I'm not answering that.
Ms. O: You don't have to answer that. It's evident because of all the touching yesterday. Is there anything you want to share? Did you finally try again, or maybe [redacted] finally made a move?
Fantastic Flash: We are sharing a room. With MJ, but still, we are sharing a room.
Ms. O: And there was only one bed?
Fantastic Flash: Yes, but there is another spare room in our apartment.
Ms. O: That none of you are using. Just remember to use condoms.
Fantastic Flash: It's not like that.
Ms. O: [Skeptical emoji]
Fantastic Flash: I broke up with my boyfriend a week ago. I'm unsure if I'm ready to participate in MJ's co-dating scheme.
Ms. O: If we're actually staring down the end of the world, maybe you should go for it. If this is it, why have any regrets? Life is too short as it is. That should be obvious now that we lost our gym teacher to whatever's actually going on.
Fantastic Flash: The potential end of the world is not the best reason to jump into a new relationship. Especially when I am still dealing with the wreckage of the last one. He tried to DM me today.
Ms. O: First, fuck him and block the asshole. You are too good for him. Second, you're supposed to say, "CC, we are not actually dealing with the end of the world. The Avengers have this."
Fantastic Flash: We agreed that we wouldn't lie to each other after you realized my ex-father was beating the shit out of me for just existing. Ana already took care of the blocking. It's been so chaotic this week I forgot.
Ms. O: I should've realized it was that grave because our therapist is MIA, and your foster father dragged you off to the most technologically advanced country in the world for some sort of mission.
Fantastic Flash: It's so much worse than what you know about. And we had to go to school this week and pretend everything was OK. I'm glad we got to skip today.
Ms. O: Do you know where Counselor Laura really is? I am pretty sure the last-minute conference is a lie.
Fantastic Flash: I don't think I'm able to tell you.
Ms. O: I got that impression. Just be safe.
Fantastic Flash: I will. Could you please keep an eye on NL? His mom reminds me too much of my former dad.
Ms. O: Will do. I'll see if he wants to hang out during the break. He can help me pick out new furniture for my room at my aunt's house. I'll see if he wants to join our fucked-up family survival club.
Fantastic Flash: I'm sure he will say yes. Also, I'm so happy you're living with your aunt now.
Ms. O: So am I. I want you to hurry up and kiss Penis already as my housewarming present. I will win $300 if you do it before Sunday. I want that money.
Fantastic Flash: I'm never going to live down that nickname.
Ms. O: It's kind of how I've realized you were head over feet in love with that boy.
Ms. O: Also, more in the closet than I was.
Fantastic Flash: [Annoyed emoji]
Ms. O: I need to get to my next class, but I'll check on you tomorrow.
Fantastic Flash: You don't need to do that. Things are okay-ish right now. We're going to try for a late dinner soon anyway. We are leaving as soon as you know who gets here. Hopefully, that will happen in the next 20 minutes. I'm hungry.
Ms. O: For your crush. Again, kiss the boy.
Fantastic Flash: [Brown middle finger emoji]
XX
Venom: Hey, when do you think you'll be able to leave the lab? There is a restaurant that MJ wants to try near the palace. Do you know if we're allowed to travel outside the compound?
TMNS: Delivery might be better, not just because we should keep a low profile. The Princess's AI can help. We won't be able to leave here for a while. Something came up, and we're now in a meeting.
Venom: I figured that was going to happen, and we will bring dinner to you. I was shocked when we got Tony to leave for lunch.
TMNS: I am too. Unfortunately, the meeting we're having is too sensitive to disrupt. Or for me to talk about in text message form. Although let MJ know that Daisy is back.
The new consultant: You did that yourself. This is a group chat. Is she OK?
TMNS: I don't know if anybody can feel OK after losing their mother figure. I know I wouldn't be OK if my May died.
The new consultant: That is true. Does she look like she's on the verge of tears?
TMNS: She reminds me of me holding it together after Uncle Ben died. I was trying to be as strong as I could for May. I was 30 seconds from crying for most of it. I just knew I couldn't.
TMNS: *Aunt May.
Venom: I am sorry again for being such a dick when your uncle died. You didn't need that back then.
The new consultant: Especially because he was dealing with getting superpowers simultaneously.
Venom: What?
TMNS: How do you know that?
The new consultant: I'm very observant, spider one. Also, I know the ATCU is now investigating Alchemax for illegal animal experimentation under the Mumbai agreement. I feel like that's connected to you and Silk.
Venom: What is she talking about? I am very confused right now.
TMNS: Remember the field trip to Alchemax during the fall of freshman year?
Venom: I remember you and Silk both getting lost and us almost missing lunch because of it.
TMNS: I can't confirm why Silk was late, but I was bit by a spider when I stayed behind to look at a project I know my father worked on before he died.
The new consultant: I'm pretty sure you both were bitten by a spider about two weeks before your uncle died. Both of you were out sick the next day.
TMNS: That was a miserable experience. Anyway, I already had my powers when Uncle Ben was killed. Despite that, I wasn't able to save him. I thought, "What good are my powers when I can't save the person I love the most?" I'm sure Daisy is probably thinking that too.
TMNS: Honestly, I am too right now, and Agent May was mostly a family friend.
The new consultant: I will have to have the martyrdom complex conversation with both of you.
TMNS: Probably.
Venom: Tony and Captain Rogers should join.
The new consultant: [brown thumbs up emoji]
The new consultant: Is Daisy physically OK?
TMNS: She has some cuts and bruises but is still standing. You can tell she's exhausted.
Venom: That's understandable.
TMNS: Dr. Leopold is also avoiding direct eye contact with everybody. She also keeps holding onto Loki.
TMNS: FYI, we are not supposed to call him Loki but Sylvie in front of anybody who doesn't know they are Loki.
The new consultant: Pronouns?
TMNS: All of them. Daisy and Dr. Leopold have mainly used "he" and "they." Loki says that you can call them either goddess or god of stories. Either is preferable, just not Princess of Lies.
Purple Princess: I'm going to interject here and tell you to flirt on your own time.
TMNS: We are not flirting.
Purple Princess: [six exasperated emojis followed by one of a Black woman throwing her hands in the air].
Venom: More eggplant emojis would be involved if flirting actually occurred.
Purple Princess: We should be done in about 30 more minutes. Then we can take a meal break before going back to the lab. We will do the first shift so Dad can get some sleep. I'm sure we've reached the point where Cap Dad will have to carry Iron Dad out of the lab.
Venom: Oh, that's never good. At least he's around to do it now. The last time he went on a science bender, we had to call Pepper.
TMNS: This is true.
Purple Princess: MJ, my cousin wants to know if she can put Daisy in your room? We assume you want to stay in the Flash and Spidey cuddle pile.
Venom: [Glaring emoji followed by Latino man flipping someone off emoji]
The new consultant: It's okay. I would rather have her nearby. This last week with her missing has been horrible.
Purple Princess: I will let my cousin know. It will only be for one night because they'll be on the move tomorrow.
TMNS: It could be for more, depending on how tomorrow goes.
The new consultant: I really wish I knew what was going on.
Venom: They can tell us everything when they get here.
Purple Princess: We can't. It's too sensitive.
Venom: Is this related to the purple asshole?
TMNS: It's probably best not to put that answer in writing.
The new consultant: I'm going to take that as a yes.
Purple Princess: The cousin is having food brought from her favorite nearby restaurants. The kitchen staff has already left for the day.
Venom: Yep, definitely purple asshole related.
To be continued…
Just a reminder in my universe the spider bite(s) happened at Alchemax. I actually decided that before No Way Home came out because I love spider-verse a little too much. It's also why we have Olivia in the story. After finding out there was no Oscorp in the MCU, I'm glad I went with this.