Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last conversation. You are all fabulous. A little programming notes: because of a break in proofreading, I am switching to a once every three-week updating schedule for the foreseeable future. At least until more chapters are banked. However, I am accepting volunteers for more proofreaders. Currently, I have just Ursula. Who is fabulous but I write a lot. I've actually already moved two of my stories to AI proofreading only.

As a reminder, you're not going to see every text message going on between our protagonists, only the important ones. If you saw every message, the story will end up a good 1000+ chapters. I know some of you would be perfectly okay with that, but that's a lot of chapters to dictate. Let's be honest; a lot of them would probably be Avenger dinner orders. It takes a lot of takeout to feed the multiple Avengers squads.

I kept going back and forth on if this chapter should be classified as an in-person conversation or a text message chapter because it's a hybrid. However, since I want to keep in-person conversation chapters to a minimum, I decided to classify this as a text message conversation. Although it is the longest chapter in the story so far. It's necessary because it's a crucial chapter.

Number one May is May Parker Riley. Incidentally, Melinda May is not May number two in Peter's address book but just Agent May. Really he has no imagination. Obviously, P Parker is Peter. This is his personal cell phone, after all, not the Avenger line. Also, because this isn't the Avenger line, the names of the under 18 are not being redacted. Although if a mention of their superpowers pops up, that would be edited. Tony and the princes are trying not to be Big Brother. Sometimes they overstepped their boundaries anyway.

Conversation 18: Why Did You Send That to My Aunt?

Number one May: When Tony asked me if I could take care of Miles for the weekend, he said that you would all be doing science stuff at the Lighthouse. However, I just saw him giving a press conference with the President from the rose garden officially pardoning Capt. America.

P Parker: We were, but because the Mumbai agreement was ratified yesterday, the president called him in. I think they wanted to get the pardon out of the way, so they could get to wedding planning. Although I don't believe they are doing the wedding on April 28 anymore.

P Parker: Afia didn't even know until this morning. Tony didn't even know. Other May dragged him out of bed at like 4 AM.

Number one May: Are there any adults there with you? Olivia is coming over to do a home date since we have Miles, but I don't mind coming up to the Lighthouse.

P Parker: There are two adults in the room with me right now. We are fine, May.

Number one May: Despite being over 18 now, I don't count Flash as an adult. He has another year of high school. Especially because Afia sent me a picture of you in bed together shirtless this morning.

P Parker: It wasn't like that. The room was too hot, and we were just sleeping. Flash broke up with his boyfriend yesterday because he's a prick. The Princess is here as well as Fitzsimmons and FitzHunter. Along with a bunch of other agents and Wakanda security force members. I promise we are adequately supervised.

Number one May: Good.

Number one May: I mean the breakup with the boyfriend. Something was wrong about that guy. As well as there being adults there.

P Parker: He cheated on Flash, so definitely something wrong there. Idiot.

Number one May: Don't get me wrong, I like Flash now that he's aware of the pulling pigtail syndrome, but he might be in a vulnerable place after what happened.

P Parker: I know that. Nothing happened last night.

Number one May: But could it eventually?

P Parker: I'm working on a research project with the Princess, so I need to go.

Number one May: Just promise me you'll use condoms and lots of lube. And he will have to come over for dinner.

Number one May: Michelle should be there too. Have you three negotiated yet?

XXXX

Peter is 99% sure that if he was not Spider-Man, he would've dropped his phone. Although his mortified look led to Flash and MJ looking over his shoulder to see what he was reading.

"That was private." He admonished both.

"You are freaking out again. The last time you freaked out during this research exercise, you discovered that your aunt was dusted in the other timeline. I had to check." MJ told him from his left.

"Be glad you have a parent that cares if you're using protection. I could text her back and tell her that I promise to follow her rules. Although if we do dinner with your aunt, we should bring groceries and cook ourselves for her." Flash joked.

"Or bring takeout. I adore your aunt, but she can't cook at all," MJ added. The whole exchange made Peter even more mortified. They were not freaked out at all about his mom… Aunt mentioning condom usage. Also, what did she mean by "negotiationed"? What were they supposed to be negotiating?

"Of course, I was mortified. Other Aunt May was dating Happy at the time of her dusting instead of Olivia, and I thought Olivia was strange. You know the guy that hates me. Also, don't even think about texting her back." That would just be even more mortifying for reasons he's not ready to examine just yet.

"Happy doesn't hate you," Afia tells him. "He just gets a little jealous of anybody else that has dad's attention. He was dad's second friend ever, so he has trouble playing with others. He is my dad's Ned."

"You may be right," Peter said, remembering all the fights between Flash and Ned. There's some jealousy going on. He is still trying to figure out how to explain to Ned that they are in distinct categories.

"What did May say that has you blushing so much?" Afia asked. Flash tried to answer, but Peter quickly placed his hand over Flash's mouth. Peter was not going to think about the fact that his entire body started to tingle at the touch of his lips against his fingers. He wasn't going to think about it at all because then Flash licked his hand. That caused him to let go.

"You two are so hopeless. Flirt later." MJ said, grinning at the two from his other side. "Afia, has your dad got back to you about letting me access Daisy's suit cam and rapid Avenger reports? I can't wait to let Daisy know that her suit records everything, despite having to do written reports."

"She knows. Dad just got back to me probably because he is no longer with the President getting his boyfriend pardoned. He says that he'll let you watch the footage of Daisy's suit cam as well as read her rapid reports when he returns." Afia told the group as Peter tried to stop blushing. It wasn't helping that MJ was now leaning into him closer. Then there was also the fact that Flash was half sitting on top of him. It was the only way the three of them could sit on the loveseat together. Because of course, the Princess' suite had two loveseats instead of any regular size couches.

"And when exactly will your dad get back from DC?" There was a hint of worry in MJ's voice that just made Peter place an arm around her. He knew she was scared.

"Not tonight because they have a few interviews tonight. They will do the talk show circuit in the morning since they're already in DC. Selling the Avengers again is not an easy task, and it might be necessary with what's to come." Afia explained.

"So, tomorrow evening?" MJ asked.

"Probably." At those words, Flash reached across Peter to squeeze MJ's hand. Peter ignores how close they are to him or tries to. The spider senses are working on overload, picking up their increased heartbeat and the smell of the perfume that MJ's wearing and Flash's cologne. His body feels on edge.

"On the bright side, dad has convinced your mom to let you take a personal day Monday. He says he's calling May next." At her words, Peter looks at the text message that just popped up on his phone.

XXXX

Number one May: Okay, now I really want to know what is happening. Tony asked if it's okay if you stay home from school Monday. He also wants to send Miles and me to his secluded island until at least mid-May. Is this an Avenger thing? Are aliens invading again?

P Parker: Maybe you should talk to Dr. Stark-Rogers or use the other channel that we created on your phone.

XXXXX

"What about school?" MJ asked because, of course, MJ asked.

"Our teachers are being told will be out for a SI intern project, but there's a 50% chance dad told our principal the truth. He knows that Laura and I are ATCU." Afia explained.

"Well, he would have to with Laura missing," Flash told the group. "Stark can't cover that up."

"According to Twitter, the general died in a car accident last night. So yes, he could," MJ added.

"But our principal is former Shield and the grandson of a Howling Commando. Lying won't work." Afia pointed out, and her cousin nodded behind her in agreement.

"Point. I'm so glad I don't have Olivia's class Monday. I feel like I'm starting to get a headache." Peter said just as he looked at his phone again.

XXXX

Number one May: Laura is missing? Coulson got kidnapped by [redacted]. I never trusted the general—that poor Ruby.

Number one May: Why didn't you tell me any of this? You know, I worry.

XXXXX

"You still get headaches?" Flash asked, giving him a sympathetic look. Obviously, he read the last message.

"Not for a long time until today," Peter answered before typing his response to his aunt.

XXXX

P Parker: I know you worry.

P Parker: I'm sorry I didn't tell you what was happening. I wasn't sure what I could say, and I figured Tony would brief you. I assumed this was one of those things I should leave for the adults.

XXXX

"I have a headache from reading these reports. I know stuff is missing. We only have a readout from someone named Nebula regarding what happened to Peter Prime." Afia told the group.

"Which was bad enough," Peter mumbled under his breath, which resulted in both Flash and MJ putting an arm around him. Everybody was unsettled about that. All of them ended up dust in the other timeline — even Ned. Of his wider circle of school friends, only Cindy Moon and Cecily O'Reilly survived the decimation. (Liz survived too, but she is more Flash's friend because she's never going to forgive him for his part in her dad getting arrested.) Although in the other timeline, Cecily was still going by Seymour at the time of the decimation. Maybe it took longer for her to come out as transgender in the other timeline.

"I can understand why your father wouldn't want to write about me dying in his arms. I don't think I want to read an account of me dying in his arms." Peter tells the group, trying not to think about the other timeline, but it was hard.

"I completely agree," MJ said from beside him, almost sounding like she was near tears. "It was bad enough reading about my cousin being dusted in Wakanda." He felt her shiver. It was apparent she wasn't okay. None of them were.

"Although now we know that Robin's drawings were a version of one future," Shuri said from across.

"Hopefully, not ours," Flash mumbled from beside him.

"Which is why we're reading these reports trying to figure out where things went wrong," MJ spoke.

"I think the biggest thing was Shield being in pieces and The Avengers not being on speaking terms. We've already fixed that. We actually have almost triple the number of Avengers along with the Puerto Rico squad." Afia told everyone.

"This Thanos guy that's coming literally ripped Yo Yo's arms off, and she bled to death during the chaos in Mack's arms before he was dusted. Thanos killed Loki. The guy responsible for the chaos that was New York and this purple ass hole just broke his neck. How are we going to win against this?" Peter could hear the worry in Flash's voice as he spoke. He responded by pulling closer to him. They all needed the contact right now.

"By not doing what they did." The Princess answered matter-of-factly.

"We're ahead of where they were right now. We already managed to get the stone out of Vision's head." Afia told them.

"So, at least here I won't be trying to do that during the middle of a battle," Shuri added.

"Wait, you guys already did that?" MJ asked, surprised.

"I guess we never told you guys what we did last summer in Wakanda?" Afia asked the group. They all shook their head no.

"It's safe in a pocket dimension. So instead of being ripped out of Vision's head in front of Wanda after she's forced to destroy the stone, we can just keep it secure in a top-secret location. I don't even know where my cousin stashed it." Afia explained.

"Which is for your own safety because if you knew, Thanos would stop at nothing to get that information from you." The Princess answered solemnly.

"Why didn't you just destroy the Infinity stone?" Flash asked. "If it's gone, the purple ass hole can't use it to wipe us all out. We know that Wanda can destroy it. She did so in the other timeline before the purple one reversed it."

"Robin told us not to," Afia answered.

.

"So, you do everything a six-year-old tells you to do?" MJ asked.

"A six-year-old that can see the pathways of the future." The Princess added.

"Although it's kind of Star Wars-ish. The future is always in motion." Afia told the group.

"Or at the whim of the writer," MJ mumbled under breath.

"It's more like the director." Flash corrected before Ana interrupted.

"You should know that Agent FitzSimmons is currently in the elevator asking for access to this floor." The AI told the group.

"You know they're always allowed in here." The Princess answered, and at that, Ana opened the elevator. Although instead of seeing Fitz or Simmons exit the elevator, Peter saw their alternate timeline guest.

"You are not the Agent Fitzsimons I was expecting." The Princess spoke aloud.

"So, this is where all the cool people are." The man remarked.

"Is there something that you need?" Afia asked.

"Ana said this is where I could find food and not have to interact with my grandparents or step-grandparent. This morning was weird enough. Simmons invited me to their anniversary party after the Lighthouse tour. I can't deal with that again right now." Everyone looked at him very strangely.

"Yes, I'm older than my grandparents. Time travel is weird, especially when you do it again and get trapped in a different alternate timeline." The visitor told them.

"Extremely weird, Agent Fitzsimmons. You can help yourself to the kitchen down here." Shuri pointed to a room down the hall.

"I can completely understand wanting to avoid problematic family members," Flash mumbled under his breath as Deke went to grab some leftover pizza from the kitchen. There was plenty left because no one really felt like eating as they started to study what happened in the other timeline.

"Or perspective step-parents. My aunt is currently dating my professor right now, which is weird." He can't explain it, but Olivia makes his body tingle and not in a safe way like Flash and MJ. He has no idea why.

"I can't believe your aunt is dating Professor Octavius," MJ added.

"Neither can I. I think this might be her rebound. God, I hope so." Honestly, he would've preferred Happy even though it kind of freaked him out a little bit. Happy never made his whole-body tingle.

"See, I knew there would be people down here that would understand." The man said, coming back in with chips, two slices of cold pizza, and a soda. Apparently, he heard their conversation from the kitchen. "Also, stop with the agent stuff. Just call me Deke. I'm not actually an agent. I am a consultant from Stark Industries."

"And she is the heir apparent of Stark Industries, so I think we're good," Flash answered flippantly, pointing to Afia. "Does that kinda make you his boss or him, my boss?"

"Maybe not in this timeline, and I'm just one of the heirs. Peter is also an SI heir along with the Fitz Brothers. I'm sure Flash has a trust fund with a lot of SI stock in it. Also, I think Pepper is grooming him for something big at the company. She's already planning to take him to look at various business schools." Afia joked. Although not really because Peter knew he was an actual heir apparent to Stark industries. He still couldn't believe that.

"As long as I stay sober, it matures when I turn 25," Flash tells the group.

"How long have you been sober?" Deke asked, curious.

"10 months. We are immensely proud." MJ said as she squeezed Flash's hand again. Peter is just going to ignore the fact that his cheeks are getting red again with the additional contact. You think the spider bite would give him the power to keep that from happening.

"That's good. What program did you use? AA? Or did you go to a rehab center? Do you have a sponsor?" Deke asked, and Flash just kind of sputtered for a moment, not sure how to respond.

"It's probably rude to ask those questions. However, I've been trying to find a program for my Nana. She hasn't been the same since my Grandpa Bobo died. Although he didn't really die. He was just bounced back to the past, created a new timeline, and is now sleeping with Hunter. Because of course, the guy couldn't just be a twig in the stream."

"That must be hard on you," Afia said sympathetically.

"Very hard, and it's worse now seeing the happy version of her," Deke told the group. "I'm not even mad at Bobo because if you find yourself in a strange time, you survive by whatever means necessary. I just don't need to see that survival right now."

"Which is why you are coming down here for food," MJ suggested just as Peter's phone beeped again with another message from May.

XXXX

Number one May: Since I now know some of what's going on, I'm going with Miles and the Khans to the Malta house for a while. The Barton children may join us if Tony can work it out with their dad. I'm happy I took the job at the Stark foundation now so I can disappear for a month without having to clear it with the boss.

Number one May: Tony and Steve are in charge. Do what they say. Stay safe.

Peter P: We will.

Number one May: Don't forget to use protection. I don't need grandbabies yet, and nobody wants chlamydia. Trust me.

XXXX

Of course, when Peter looked up from his phone, everybody, especially Deke, was staring at him.

"Sorry, my aunt texted, and I had to respond. Tony convinced her to relocate to the Malta compound for a while."

"Which is good because Thanos and his factions managed to destroy several blocks anywhere near an Avenger in the other timeline," MJ remarked, looking up from her Stark pad.

"I totally understand wanting to text your family. I wish I could talk to my Nana right now. I'm just so worried about her. She probably went right to the wine when I disappeared. It's her answer for everything."

"What if you could?" Shuri asked.

"What?" Deke looked at her, puzzled as he spoke.

"I've been studying how Friday 2023 managed to transmit all the data to us, along with your research. Although I think we would need the Pym particles that we don't have to send you back, I think we can send a message without them." The Princess explained.

"So, I'll be able to check up on my Nana?" Deke asked, hopeful.

"Yes, but I need time to finish working on it." Shuri cautioned.

"I could help. I am actually the chief creative officer." Deke told the group.

"I thought it was Head of R&D?" MJ asked for clarification.

"It changes periodically depending on what mood Tony is in. HR hates it." Deke remarks.

"He's probably doing it just to mess with them. Some things are universal," Afia mumbled under breath.

"That would be useful because I have some questions about your notes. However, there are some other things we need clarification on." Shuri said before turning things over to Afia.

"We know in your timeline that Thanos shows up in a month and kicks everybody's ass. We don't want that to happen, so we're trying to figure out what went wrong, and it feels like we're still missing some things." Afia explained.

"I thought you said Friday's sent you everything?" Deke asked, puzzled.

"Yes, but we don't understand why the reports about what happened in Asgard are from someone named the Valkyrie and Bruce Banner of all people. What was he doing in Asgard? I don't know because I'm not even allowed to look at the reports. Why isn't there anything from Thor?" MJ asked. He knew MJ was most concerned with what happened in Asgard because her cousin was now involved.

"Nobody wants to talk about their sister killing most of their people and then their brother subsequently getting his neck snapped by Thanos not that long after that."

"What the hell happened in the other timeline?" Flash asked as he turned his attention to MJ. She was not okay at all.

"A lot," Deke answered.

"We'll figure out how to do things differently here." He whispered to MJ. Flash got up from the couch, motioning for Peter to scoot over. MJ followed so that Flash could sit beside her on the other side so he could wrap an arm around her.

"Why is she so upset?"

"Her cousin Daisy is with Thor and Loki right now. So, we are concerned." The Princess explained.

"I didn't know Daisy had other family outside of her dad."

"We didn't either until about a year ago. I just want to know what's going on with my cousin. Can you help with that?" MJ asked.

"Anything for a Daisy." Deke readily agreed to help.

To be continued

Original A/N written April 2022: In Spider-Man Homecoming, Seymour O'Reilly is played by Josie Totah before she publicly identified as transgender. I decided to write this into my story. So, by this point in my story, Seymour is now Cecily O'Reilly. In the comic books, O'Reilly is part of Flash's group. Here she is another ally of Flash and one of the few that knows the truth about him.

Also, for those of you not familiar with Agents of Shield, Deke had a ridiculous crush on Daisy in season five. Even though it's been five years, there's still some feelings there and a lot of regrets.

Updated A/N: The actions Deke takes in season seven of AOS really validated the choices I made for him in this story. In this story and in cannon, he becomes the caretaker of a depressed and mourning alcoholic. When we get to the chapters written post-AOS, I'll explain more about what I'll be doing with season seven AOS elements.