It had been almost 2 weeks since Scream and Spider-Man crossed paths, when she saved his life and identify from getting revealed by Venom. After that incident, Peter was conflicted. New York had seen it's fair share of chaos, but this new symbiote was…different. Unlike Venom, Scream didn't try to confront and attack him or ruin his life. Instead, she had saved him and was being heroic, helping people all over New York. As Spider-Man, Peter asked around and listened to what the people said. They all said the same thing – that a tall, fit, female red and yellow symbiote with sharp claws, sharp teeth, white eyes and long hair-like tendrils was helping people, stopping robberies, muggings and break-ins all over New York.
One evening, Spider-Man was web-slinging around New York when something in an alley caught his eye. He got down there and found a group of thugs with ski masks, unconscious. He looked around and found a crowbar near a door, which was clear evidence of a break-in.
"I know it wasn't me who did this. It's gotta be her, no question" he said.
He examined the thugs for injuries and didn't find a single one dead.
"They're still breathing, so she isn't a lethal protector. That's good news, at least" he said.
Before he can look around a little more, he heard the sound of police sirens approaching.
"And that's my que to leave" he said.
After that, he swung up to the roof and observed from afar. Unaware that the culprit was in the shadows behind him.
"Hello there, little spider" said Scream.
Spider-Man whipped around and saw her sitting on a ledge and looking down at him.
"So, you're what all the fuss is about" said Spider-Man.
"Afraid so" said Scream.
Even though he had a good reason to trust her, Spider-Man was still tensed up. Him and symbiotes don't really get along since the last one tried to ruin his life multiple times.
"I never really said this in person, but…thanks for saving me from Venom a while ago" he said.
"Oh, it's not a problem" said Scream.
"Where exactly did you come from" Spider-Man asked her.
Scream playfully chuckled.
"That, little spider, is our little secret" she said.
Spider-Man grew a little suspicious and his eyes narrowed.
"OK, then" he said.
Scream got up and walked a little before she perched, leaning forward with a smile was equal parts menacing and strangely charming. Peter didn't know where, but that smile looked familiar.
"Tell us…do you trust us" she asked him.
"Considering I've heard nothing but good from the people of New York, I have no other choice" he replied.
She tilted her head to the side and laughed softly.
"You can trust us, little spider. Unlike Venom, we put our talents to good use" she said.
"I've noticed" said Spider-Man.
After that, Scream got up and walked closer to the edge.
"You'll see us in action one day, little spider. Just not today" she said.
She then fell backwards and off the roof. When Spider-Man ran over to see, she was already gone.
"Man, she is fast" he said.
He then swung away in the opposite direction.
The next day…
Peter's school life at Midtown High was alright and everything was the same as it always was…except for one thing. Something or, rather, someone was different. It might have been Peter's mind playing tricks on him after his encounter with Scream, but Mary Jane has been acting different. She was more confident, energetic and either he was crazy or she had her own version of his spider sense. On top of that, things between them had gotten intense…in a good way. Though Mary Jane acted like her usual self around their friends, Peter noticed a subtle shift whenever it was just the two of them – something elusive and almost magnetic. She was much more playful and seductive, which, combined with the other differences he noticed, made him question whether he really knew her at all.
That afternoon, Peter found Mary Jane alone out in the hall, her expression distant. He took a deep breath and walked over, feeling a bit of curiosity.
"Hey" said Peter.
"Hey, Pete" said Mary Jane.
"You know…we've been friends for a while now. I feel like I can tell you almost anything" said Peter.
Mary Jane smiled and raised an eyebrow at that.
"Almost" she asked him.
Peter noticed that there was a mischievous sparkle in her eyes that felt strangely familiar.
"Is there something you're not telling me, Pete" Mary Jane asked him.
At that Peter's heart skipped a beat.
"Uh, I mean…you know, nothing big. Just…some things" he replied.
Mary Jane leaned back against her locker, watching him with a curious look that made him feel both exposed and oddly drawn to her.
"We all have secretes, Pete. I know I do" she said with a knowing smile.
Peter chuckled.
"Well, yours can't be as big as mine" he said.
"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that, tiger" said Mary Jane.
There was the faintest edge of a challenge in her voice. She held his gaze for a moment, her expression unreadable, before looking away with a chuckle.
"So, Spider-uh, I mean, Pete-what else is going on with you" she asked him.
Peter froze, his mind racing. Did he just hear her call him Spider or was he hearing things?
"Did…did you just call me…" he asked her.
Mary Jane smirked and raised an eyebrow, a glimmer of something mischievous in her eyes.
"Did I? Just a slip of the tongue, tiger" she replied.
She casually brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"Sometimes I do wonder what you're hiding, but don't worry, I think I'll figure it out eventually" she said.
Peter felt a slight chill run down his spine, trying his best to brush off her words with a nervous laugh.
"Right. Well…you know, I think we're all a bit mysterious" he said.
"True" said Mary Jane.
She gave him a playful smile, putting a hand on his face in reassurance.
"But don't worry, Pete. I'm just a girl who likes a little mystery" she said.
She then turned around and walked away. He didn't know why or what, but Peter felt like he was on the verge of discovering something big. Little did he know, Mary Jane was already one step ahead. Her own secret was just beneath the surface, waiting for the perfect moment to come out.
"Could she be? No, that's impossible. It can't be her" Peter thought.
He then turned around walked away.
A few days later…
Spider-Man found himself atop a skyscraper, looking out at the rest of the city. As he leaned against the ledge, lost in his thoughts, Scream appeared again and sat down right next to him.
"You always go for the high ground, huh" she asked him.
Spider-Man raised an eyebrow.
"Is that a problem" he asked her.
Scream chuckled.
"Depends on what you're trying to avoid" she said.
They stood in silence for a bit, before Scream broke the silence.
"There's no need to hide it anymore, Pete. We know who you are" she said.
Peter immediately looked over at her, his eyes widening behind his mask.
"Wait, you do" he asked her.
"Of course. Venom knows, so we know" she replied.
Scream telling Peter that she knows who he is was the last thing he expected to hear from her.
"I…wow" Spider-Man uttered.
Scream chuckled and Peter hesitated before pulling off his mask, revealing his face.
"No need for this then, huh" he asked.
He stood still, waiting for her to say something, anything. Instead, Scream tilted her head and her smile widened.
"Well, well, now that's more like it…tiger" she said.
Her voice was now in a warmer and much more familiar tone. Peter blinked, confused and taken aback by that last word.
"Tiger? Wait, the only person I know who calls me that is-" he was cut off.
That was when Scream's face retracted to reveal Mary Jane's face underneath, leaving Peter speechless.
"Surprise" she said.
"H-how? W-when" Peter stammered, still trying to process the revelation.
Mary Jane laughed softly.
"Longer than you think. My symbiote found me after you and Venom fought in the school. It was just a small piece at first, then it bonded with me and the rest is history. We've been doing work around New York since ever" she replied.
Peter's mind was still racing.
"Why didn't you tell me" he asked her.
"I was figuring it all out, Pete. You think waking up with a symbiote bonded to you is something you just tell people about? Especially when you're still trying to get a grip on it" she asked him.
Petter rubbed the back of his neck, still trying to make sense of things.
"You know I would have understood and if you knew the whole time it was me, why didn't you just tell me then" he asked her.
"I wasn't sure how you would react. I didn't want to risk losing you" she replied.
Mary Jane now looked serious, her tone a little more vulnerable. Peter paused, his heart softening.
"MJ, this…is a lot to take in" he said.
"I know, but I'm still me, Pete" she said.
She reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I want to help make a difference. I want to do this. You and me, we can do a lot of good together. Just trust me" she said.
Peter looked into her eyes, smiled and nodded.
"MJ…I trust you" he said.
Mary Jane smiled.
"Thanks, tiger" she said.
Before Peter could say anything more, her hair-like tendrils wrapped around him and pulled him in close.
"Now shut up" she said.
Before Peter could react or say anything, she kissed him. It was sudden and unexpected, but…it felt right. In that moment, everything made sense and the world around them seemed to vanish.
A few days later…
One thing is for certain about Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson – in the past few weeks, their connection has grown stronger than ever. They worked together, not just as allies, but something more. As Spider-Man and Scream, they were a formidable team, but as Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson, they were beginning something new. At Midtown High, they exchanged glances and smiles. Mary Jane was still herself, still the girl Peter knew and loved, but there was an edge to her now, a confidence that came with her being bonded with a symbiote. They both felt a lot better, knowing they didn't need to hide anything from each other.
They had their first real conversation about the future one afternoon, sitting together and looking out at the setting sun.
"I'm still getting used to all of this. But, I don't know… I feel like we've got something special going on. Something that…I don't want to lose" said Peter.
He looked and Mary Jane and smiled. She smiled back at him warmly.
"We won't lose it, Pete. I promise" she said.
They sat in silence for a while, Mary Jane resting her head on Peter's shoulder. Their future was uncertain, but in the best way possible. It wasn't just about protecting New York anymore…it was about protecting each other.
THE END