After dropping a huge bombshell on the group, Shuri and T'Challa left to give the group some space. While Gwen was at work, and Felicia had yet to return from her evening with Emma, Carol had groggily woken and was eating breakfast while skimming over the scrolls T'Challa had left,
As she ate, "yeah. I'm not touching this until everyone is here," but the glare she was giving Peter let him know exactly how this was going down. So far nobody had said anything but nobody seemed happy about it.
Peter sighed, and picked up his phone. Sending out a mass text, he let everyone know,
Family emergency, it's not dangerous, so it can wait until after work but everyone needs to be here.
Followed by a text to May and Curt, and Laura sent one to Logan as well, shit Peter thought, there's a powder keg, even if he was more worried what his mom would say.
As the day slowly turned into evening, and the family started to gather around the table, Peter had made sure that no one who was present said a word, telepathically or not. This wasn't news to be blurred out.
Felicia arrived, with Emma and Elektra. All three looked worn out and tired but she just shook her head "Don't ask, the locals are being assholes," and as she sat Peter put a cup of coffee in front of her and she nodded and grunted in thanks.
"So, I get why they are here, but why me?" Logan asked.
Peter stood at the head of the table, making sure there was nothing behind him, just in case.
"Princess Shuri of Wakanda has made an official request to join the group." and Gwen's face scrunched up,
"That's it? Another one? Shit Pete I've been worrying my ass off all day." but he shook his head,
"Royalty has rules," and he nodded at Liv who handed out copies of the scrolls to everyone,
The room fell silent as they read, several faces had knowing looks, several were angry and several had small, badly hidden smiles.
Logan balled up his paper, "So tell me why I ain't gonna kick your ass up an' down this warehouse for the next day an' a half?" but Laura batted him.
"Bad, no fighting." and he frowned as he looked at her, "No." and she pointed a finger at him,
"Mom." and May put the paper down and sighed.
"I don't think I have the right to speak first. You knew this would happen and yet you still went ahead with it. Personal feelings aside, polygamy is illegal in the US." and a few of the women nodded,
"I'll go first," Felicia stood and stretched. "Get the mats out, no powers, cause you are so fucking dead." and Peter sighed and stood.
As he moved the thick rubber mats out onto the warehouse floor, Felicia began her tirade,
"What the fuck were you thinking? Pete, I'm twenty-three and not getting married, and not to her. Your stupid dumbass, too busy thinking with your dick to see this is a setup."
"Wait, a setup?" Wanda asked, and Felica nodded,
"Provisionally, if Peter agrees he must declare himself to the royal council. A full powers check and compatibility check, financials and everything." and as Gwen raised an eyebrow, "What, you look at records all day and not learn something." and as she laughed Felicia did turn slightly red. "Still stands though, they can come in, run a fine-tooth comb through our lives and then say, oh well, don't fit, bye."
Peter sighed, "So, they got us legally rather than just spying."
"Yeah, but why I'm pissed, is that so far not once have I heard 'yes Felicia this is stupid and I said no'. So you're actually thinking about it. So, ass-kicking, no powers, but no holds barred. Wait, Logan yeah? Matt mentioned you a few times, something about Japan and a rabid healing mutant.'' and as Logan raised an eyebrow. "Dumbshit holds back when it's us, as he figures he might hurt us. Super healing right?" and he nodded, "good, so does he. He can cut loose and so can you." and Logan smiled,
"Yeah, you didn't mention that one." and Peter slumped,
"Cause I know you'd want to fight me," he said exasperated.
"Too late kid, Laura's been sittin' there vibrating and I figure she's okay with it, but I ain't. So Miss?" and Felicia nodded,
"It's Felicia, or Huntress." and he nodded,
"Huntress here says you've got a healing factor. Why don't you let me go first, soften him up a bit, while you ladies discuss just how much trouble he's really in." and as the group looked around, they nodded. "An' ma'am, I promise not to hurt him too much," and as he cracked his knuckles, May nodded,
"As long as he can still talk, I think the rest is open to negotiation," and Peter gave her a look of disbelief at her utter betrayal. "Oh yes young man you are in trouble, and I agree with them so far. You've had your fun and now it's time to make good on your little, family." and as May turned her back and the group settled around the table Logan nodded at the mat.
"No groin or eyes, they heal but takes too long. An' no powers." and Peter sighed,
"My powers are always on, so no armour or weapons?" and Logan nodded.
"Ain't the only one with super abilities, an plus, I got a couple hundred years on you."
"Fine, but even if I lose you have to agree with Laura's decision." but Logan laughed,
"This ain't about her, she's got her own life. I just think you need taken down a peg or two." and Peter smirked and shook his head,
"Couple hundred years? Then bring it on old man," and as Logan laughed they moved onto the floor and Peter shifted his clothing into thinner shorts and t-shirt, "Uh before we begin, hit the air-con," and as Logan frowned. "Pheromone. Uh my mom is here, not testing that theory. Ever," and Logan barked out a laugh.
"Ever tried it on a gay man?" and as Peter stood and he gave Logan a surprised look, Logan dived, rolled, and punched Peter in the gut. "Yeah, talkin' during a fight gets you sucker punched," and as Peter staggered back, holding his stomach he shook his head.
Peter grinned though, the punch had been a surprise but it was also a favourite move of Laura, to gut someone stupid enough to go toe to toe with a clawed Augment. Peter rolled his shoulders and they began, Logan was faster and more agile than Laura and Peter could feel the years of experience rolling off him. Each attack was blocked with perfection and as Peter tried his best to even lay a finger on the man, Logan, with calm precision, took him apart.
Fighting Natasha was nothing like this. She went for killing moves, fast and dangerous but fighting Logan was like fighting water. He would put Peter in a joint lock in one moment or cripple a limb with a nerve strike the next, and it was only Peter's enhanced healing that stopped him from being crippled.
As the group moved from talking to watching the spar Peter began to get into a rhythm. He knew Logan wasn't punishing him, he was trying to teach him, and as he blocked, rolled, kicked, and punched he was showing him that superpowers were a complement to natural and learned ability.
As he slipped under Logan's guard, lifted him and slammed him into the ground, the girls cheered and laughed, "Enough, come talk." and he rolled back and stood, extending a hand to Logan, who smiled and took it. "Good fight kid, I'll be back for more though," and Peter nodded, making a note they needed to make some space in the lab building for a proper training facility and not where they all lived.
"So, uh," and May moved so Peter could sit down. "The adults are done. Mr Logan, may we speak?" and Logan grabbed a towel and nodded. May, Curt, and Logan all moved away from the table.
"We aren't happy. This stinks of a trap but, before we say anything, you need to explain, and we want the truth." Gwen stated and Peter nodded.
Taking a breath, "I'm sorry, we just usually accept what happens, I didn't really think that dating another girl would end up as a huge thing. She just plays by different rules than we do and well, I got caught off guard."
While that was an answer, it apparently wasn't good enough as the women continued to stare at him,
"Is Shuri attractive?" and he paused, "yes. Am I interested, also a yes." and as he slumped back. "Am I worried this is all a huge trap, yeah of course, but if it's not, I can really marry you all. I mean, I know we're all young but, it's kinda nice knowing we can, even if it's years away, right?" and as he looked hesitant at the group they remained blank-faced.
"So, yes, I would marry each of you if I could. Would I marry Shuri to do that" and he looked at the table, "no, and as we agreed, if someone doesn't like this then we send it all back, vibranium rights, offers, the whole lot. I love each and every one of you, but you're not things I own, or chips to bargain with."
Gwen tapped a finger on the table, "Are you sure that's your answer?" and he nodded.
"Good. Shuri will be accepted as a trial until we know she isn't lying to get her hands on the symbiotes." but she shook her head, "but don't you ever, and I mean ever, do something so fucking stupid again, or this" and she motioned to the warehouse "this is over. You don't get to decide something so big without asking first."
Peter nodded and took a breath, "I'm sorry. Shuri sprung this on me, I had no idea royalty would move so fast. We only spoke yesterday."
Emma and Elektra both shared a look, "Felicia, we need to talk, but not until you make a decision," Elektra said and as she and Emma grabbed their bags they headed out.
"See, now Elektra's pissed at me. Pete, this isn't a joke." Felicia said as she sat down in her chair, and popping open a bottle took a swig, "This is relationship ending stuff. What were you thinking?"
Peter shook his head and took a swig of his own bottle, "I wasn't. Who expects 'do you want a date?' to turn into 'we should get married'."
"It's more than that Pete. We agreed, no more," but Peter raised an eyebrow,
"Emma?" and Felicia looked away guiltily, "yeah, that's what I thought." and as he stared at the bottle in his hands, "but I didn't say yes. It's all just ceremony and talk right now. It's just more than we usually have to deal with, no dates are set, and nothing set in stone." and as he looked at the table of women, "plus you know. I get crap for a lot of things, but this time. Talon. Shuri was fine with a bit of flirting until you decided to bond her with Talon, so, shout at them for a bit too."
Laura just shrugged but Wanda at least looked guilty, "how were we to know?" and Liv looked at her,
"Didn't you just go through the same thing? Peter does have a point. We should make sure anyone being bonded with a symbiote is well aware of what effect they can have." In fact Liv was making more than just a small plan to make sure. If any child symbiote produced by Peter or one of the women in the group was going to naturally be attracted to Peter, they needed to make sure they were very careful as to who hosted one. It was all fun and games until someone unsuitable ended up pursuing Peter, especially if it was against their wishes.
Peter nodded, "I can make new symbiotes without any residual memories. Helios was a blank, even when Jean took her, it's everyone else's we need to watch out for. So no sharing without the group." and as he realised Jean was missing, "Uh, where is Jean anyway?"
Liv frowned, "At the mansion." and Peter just rolled his eyes. It was probably another of Charles's attempts to coerce her to come home. He also had the job of explaining to Jean about Shuri, and as she was a lot more forceful these days, she would probably see it as a slight.
Liv saw his expression, and she rolled the scroll back up, "But you are right. After a quick look, you have five years. To prove you are worthy so to speak. Not just physically fit, but mentally and financially too. Every part of your lives, and by default our will be gone through by Wakanda with a very fine tooth comb."
"So we say no?" but Liv shrugged,
"I would say yes. I rather like the idea. So far the only person complaining is Felicia, even Gwen is quietly reading."
Gwen looked up from her scroll, "Oh I'm in, five years is fine." and as they looked over at Laura who was grinning, "and you?"
"BABIES!" she yelled excitedly and even May and the other adults looked over. And as she grinned and nodded, Peter laughed,
"So, just MJ and Nat to speak to, as well. I've not been exploded by Carol or Wanda so." and as he looked over at her,
"I am still thinking. It has only been a short while since we started dating Peter, I am not ready." Wanda admitted, "and while I do not wish for his interference. I think my father may want to have words with you as well. The same kind Logan had." and Peter grinned and shook his head,
"Carol?"
Carol came over and touched his arm, smiling,
If your parents weren't here I would be showing you how much I want this. I am never going to say no to the man I love.
Wanda tutted, that is cheating, how can we say no after that?