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***
13 June, 2013. 20:30
New York.
Peter Parker.
After saying goodbye to Daredevil and Elektra, I headed home. The distance from Hell's Kitchen to North Central is not that great, and yet I was ungodly late.
However, I couldn't, for all that, not be happy. The completion of the story and my new trophy.
"To be honest, I admire your skill, Bearer. To so gracefully carry on a conversation with a psychopath as if you truly believe in his insane ramblings, I repeat, I admire," the symbiote murmured.
"Em....da, thank you Raj," let the clintarian think so. - "You know how the geek lifestyle helps with conversations like this."
I reach the building of my house and start crawling up the wall.
Once on the roof, I give my partner the command to organise a disguise. The katanas make it harder, but not by much.
I descend the stairs and walk to my flat.
I knock.
A couple of minutes later, the door unlocks.
- You're late," MJ stands in the doorway, frowning, arms folded under her chest.
She's wearing a homemade tank top and one strap is trying to slip off her shoulder. Wide pink pyjama trousers and bunny slippers making my girl look incredibly cute. My girl was clearly getting ready for a spontaneous sleepover.
- And you're beautiful," is all I can reply.
Mary snorts and goes inside.
I follow, closing the door behind me.
There's a pizza box and a bottle of Pepsi on the table.
- Where's Fey? - I notice Cat's absence, taking off my costume top and mask.
Carefully I toss the katanas back into the bedroom while MJ turns away.
- 'Miss Hardy won't be able to attend with us tonight as her mum's been harnessed about company business,' Watson replies nonchalantly, putting away her glasses.
And then I realised. Carrot-top's upset because we've both, you might say, ditched her.
- You know that Mrs Hardy is opening the first Hardy Consolidated office in July, and Felicia is very busy right now, don't you?
- So are you," he said, his tone unruffled.
I step closer and hug the girl from behind. To my surprise, Mary tries to pull away, but I hold on tight. Really hurt.
- Baby, I'm sorry," I kiss the girl's neck, "I really wanted to get back as soon as possible, it's just that Daredevil needed help right away," I burrow into Carrot-top's hair.
- I know," the green-eyed girl sighs a little and turns around, hugging me back. - I know. It's just that I've been so busy lately: studying, theatre, working part-time at the atelier, and for the first time I had a free evening and wanted to spend it together.
Mary lifts her eyes to me and tenderness floods my gut.
- I'm sorry, I have no right to be offended, you've had so much on your plate lately: studying, work, exams, helping Aunt May, Dr Connors, and I'm not talking about all your heroic days.
I interrupt the flow of babbling of my beloved with a kiss.
Carrot just savours it for a while, then responds confidently.
- There's no need to apologise, sweetheart," I said, stroking the cheek of my freckled wonder, "you have every right to want to spend as much time together as possible. I'm such an idiot myself, spending so little time with you because of all the fuss. When was the last time we went on a proper date?
- Relatively recently, Tiger. And don't be so hard on yourself, you're a great bloke and I love you very much.
Mary's bringing us back together in a kiss.
- So be it, but I'll definitely take you out on a date.
- And Kitty.
- And Kitty, too.
I'm putting my arm round the girl's waist.
- In the meantime, here's what I see. We got pizza, soda, and an unwatched film. How about we have a movie night marathon? - I wink playfully.
Mary smiles gently back at me.
We sit down on the couch.
For a few hours we eat pizza, watch a film, and discuss trivia.
- How are the Todds doing? - I ask a question while sipping a Coke.
- They're enjoying the beauty of Boston. Mum's fine, Gail says she's looking a lot better since Dad left," Watson looks at me, "thanks to you.
Twirling a lock of MJ's hair around my finger.
- You know I'd do anything for you.
- I love you," Mary said, resting her head on my shoulder.
- I love you too," I pull her closer to me.
- Timmy is cranky. Jason even asked me to send you on a visit to calm my nephew down," MJ chuckled.
Yeah, Jason Todd. I remember when I heard Gail's last name, I couldn't help but laugh. I even thought about looking up Gotham on a map. But Jay had nothing in common with the Red Hood, blond and brown-eyed, with a sense of humour, and little resemblance to a guy with a dark past who'd been beaten to death with a crowbar and possibly resurrected. Although the fact that his son's name is Tim is equally amusing.
- Do you want to go see your folks? - I'm gonna ask you a question in return.
- Honestly? Not really. I think Auntie Anne's visit is enough, and I'm still not very reactive to Mum's disguised accusations against me.
- Mrs Watson is a very.... devoted wife.
Although I'd say an intimidating idiot.
- But my father doesn't deserve an ounce of that loyalty.
I'm wondering how to broach such a slippery subject.
- You're not mad at Kitten, are you? It's really important for Fey to do well on her mother's assignments.
- I know," Mary sighed a little, "and Felicia said herself that she'll definitely take a long holiday after integrating their family company here.
- It's interesting how the threads of our lives are spliced together, isn't it? - I'm getting a little philosophical. - Could we have thought a year ago that Felicia would be the third in our relationship? And not an unnecessary one," I sip my soda again.
- You certainly did, Mr Planner," Carrot snaps me cheerfully on the nose. - But yeah. It's great how it all worked out in the end. There's such harmony between us, not without petty squabbles, of course, and there are plenty of fights, especially when Cat uses my shampoo.
- I was just blabbing a little too much about how crazy I am about your scent," I blush involuntarily.
Mary only laughs in response.
She has such a beautiful laugh.
- She does. Anyway, I'm happy. Are you?
- How can I be unhappy with you two," I intertwine our fingers, "with you?
MJ moves closer to me and kisses me, rubbing his beautiful, delicate nose against mine at the same time.
And I realise I don't want to keep any secrets from her.
- Mary, remember when we called, I told you there was something we needed to discuss?
- I remember," the redhead looks at me carefully.
- Well, he'll wait.
I sigh deeply.
- Carrot-top, tell me, how would you feel about the news that I'm...not really me?
I freeze, waiting for an answer.
- What do you mean? - Mary frowns perplexed.
- For example, hypothetically, I'm one half the same Peter Parker, the nerd you've known since childhood, and the other half, let's say, a reborn from another world. How would you feel about that?
Carrot-top only laughed in response.
- If I didn't know you, I'd think you'd been drinking.
- MJ," I grabbed the girl's hand, "I'm serious.
-Serious, huh?
I nod.
- Then I'm serious," the redhead puts her palms on my cheeks, "I know for a fact that you're Peter Benjamin Parker, a kid who grew up very early because of what happened in your life. The man I fell madly in love with and want to spend my life with. Someone I saw the best in when he was a six-year-old boy wanting to save a cat from a tree," Mary smiles, "so cut the crap, Peter, I love you and that's not going to change.
And all I do is smile. I won't bore her with this topic. Some things shouldn't be voiced. The past is the past. I'm Peter Parker. And that's more than enough for me.
- Thank you," I hug the girl.
- So what else did you want to talk about?
- I think that list is growing. I guess I'll start with the part I lied about.
- I'm listening," Carrot-top squinted at me after the lie.
"Raj, can you take the form I showed you?"
"Does it have to be, Bearer? I look like a worm in it."
"Sacrifices have to be made, brother."
"Eh, okay," the Clintarian sighed sorrowfully.
- Remember when you and Fey marvelled at the capabilities of my black suit and I said it was a clever material I'd developed in the lab?
- I remember," the girl nods, "I'm still in shock that you were able to invent such a thing.
- Yeah, that's the point, I didn't invent it.
I sigh.
- Mary, just don't scream, okay.
- Um...okay," I see the redhead tense up a little.
- Okay, meet Raj, a symbiotic life form, an alien from the Klyntarian race.
After the announcement, my partner materialises from my hand in the manner of Venom from the Sony films.
- 'Hello Miss Watson, it's a pleasure to meet the female of my Host,' Raj rustles.
Awesome.
Of course, Mary immediately cringes.
- Did I say something wrong?
- I'd like to blame the reaction on your address, but the proverbial "female" has nothing to do with it.
- You like it when I say that, Peter.
- No, I don't.
- Yes, I do.
- No, I don't.
- Yes, I do.
- I'm sorry to interrupt, but I'm still here," Mary sarcastically reminds me.
My girl.
- Are you back with us again, Miss Watson?
- Um...yes, Raj, right?
- Yes, ma'am.
Carrot-top was staring at me, clearly demanding a detailed explanation.
- Basically, I fought Kraven the Hunter and he outplayed me. At that moment, I obviously thought too much of myself, relaxed and fell into a trap. It doesn't matter. The point is, Mr Leopard Tights threw me off the Washington Bridge. I almost died.
- WHAT?! - Mary jumps up and starts examining me.
Oh that's right, I also tactfully left that episode out.
- Honey, that was over six months ago.
- Why didn't you tell me? - tears welled up in those beautiful emerald pools.
- I just know you're worried sick about me and Fey, so I didn't want to give you a reason to remind me of what could happen at my job," I wiped the moisture from my beloved's cheeks.
- But don't worry, Miss Watson, I'm keeping the Bearer safe, and he hasn't been in a single near-death situation since.
Raj, you fucking truth-teller.
- Um, thank you," Mary nods to the symbiote. - So you're an alien, huh?
- That's right, Miss Watson, a symbiotic organism fused with Peter.
- Fused? - A questioning look in my direction.
- Symbiotes choose Carriers for survival, it's in their nature. Clintarians feed on the emotions and energy of their host's body, giving their host increased physical strength and more in return.
MJ is silent for a while, obviously thinking about something.
- So we've had an alien living with us for about six months that you haven't told us anything about?
- Raj is harmless," I rushed to explain, "and he kind of prefers to spend time in my head rather than interacting with people.
- I'm actually quite fond of socialising and would love to have more contact with other sentient beings.
- Thank you very much, tentacle, but now we need to act as a united front," I pointed at myself and my partner in turn, "so go back, you're just in the way.
Raj only snorted in response and sank back into my body.
- I see you never get bored, do you? - The redhead said, still a little dazed.
- Yeah, that's right," I sighed, "so are you okay?
- I hope that's all the news for today?
- And if I wanted to tell you more you wouldn't be ready?
Mary sighs.
- Peter, if you've decided to tell me all your secrets today, you know it's better to serve something like this," an obvious hint to Raj, "portioned, right?
- I know, it's just," I get up from the couch and walk across the room, "we've been talking so well, cuddling, I'm relaxed, and honestly, it's been so long since we've spent time together, even without Kitten, I've just, I don't know, lost my head.
Sigh.
- I'm sorry.
Mary gets up from the couch and walks over to me.
- Don't apologise," the girl takes my palm and intertwines our fingers, "it's just a lot, for one day.
- I know, I'm sorry. I should have started with the basics.
- I take it your sudden flatmate isn't something you wanted to discuss.
I shake my head negatively.
M.J. brings us back to the couch.
- Okay, tell me about it.
Carrot looks at me confidently, clearly supportive, and I just squeeze her palms tighter.
- You've been close to Gwen lately, right? Did she tell you anything about Professor Miles Warren?
- Something like that. He's supposedly a scientist from your university, and there's rumours that he molested female students, right?
- The bare facts, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Gathering my thoughts.
- I had a bit of a power problem and went to a famous geneticist, Dr Maria Crawford - I grit my teeth at her name - and Miles stole a sample of my blood from her lab. He was a genetic scientist, a cloning expert.
- Peter, you said "was," and now you're not? - as always, my redheaded detective is right on the money.
- A few days ago I felt a call, my Spidey-sense kicked in, it led me to a secret underground lab where I met Warren," I sigh, "he used my blood, Mary, and created clones.
There is silence for a while and I give my girlfriend time to realise what I've said.
- Wait, clones? You mean like in the film, copies of you?
- That's about right.
- Are you saying that this scientist created clones out of your blood, like in the film?
- That's exactly what I'm saying.
- Wow.
- You don't say.
- I mean, wow! That's crazy. It sounds unreal," Mary jumps up from her seat.
- Yeah, I was freaking out, too.
- I'm sorry," the redhead sits down again, "please continue.
- As you realise, to say I was pissed off is to say nothing. That cowardly jackal created my genetic copies, found out thanks to it the secret of my identity, - now I can't stand it and get up from the sofa, - you should have seen his face, Carrot-top, that arrogant confidence in his superiority, pathetic arrogance. Never in my life have I been so disgusted with anyone as I was with him at that moment. And he kept bullying and threatening," I clench my hands into fists.
I'm so absorbed in the memories that I don't notice Mary standing beside me, lifting my head up by the chin and looking into my eyes.
- What happened after that, Pete?
Taking Mary's palms in my own.
- He kept gloating, his nasty little voice, and I thought about what to do in that situation, how not to cross the line and be prepared for the consequences. Put him in the darkest cell the Shield could find or blackmail him, but deep down I knew the Jackal would destroy my life.
Deep sigh.
- So I killed him. Broke his neck.
I stare at the floor, waiting for a reaction. Tearing arms, screaming, hysterics, but we're still standing in our living room.
- Did you kill him?
- Yes," I look up, "and I'd do it again if I had to. I don't regret that bastard's death one bit," I try to look firm, but I feel the fear of rejection inside me.
- Tiger cub," Mary hugs me, "I can't imagine how bad it must have been for you.
I stiffen, but then I hold her close, letting go of all the pain.
We stay on the floor, Mary tousling my hair, and I cling to her like a lifeline.
- I don't know anything about this Warren except what Gwen has told me and what you've mentioned at times," MJ begins after a while, "but I know you're the kindest, most selfless person I know. You always think of others first and then yourself, that's what I'm sure of, the rest doesn't matter.
- I'm not like that at all, Mary," I chuckled bitterly.
- Sometimes you don't see it in yourself, Tiger, but I do.
I look into my angel's eyes and imagine all the things I'd like to tell her-about the accident, the visions, my mutation-but I realise that even for my light, which MJ has become, it's too much. Too much for one day.
So I just kiss her. The time for talking has passed.
Mary wraps her arms around my neck.
I get up and, lifting Carrot in my arms, carry her into the bedroom.
I almost trip over the katanas at the door, but my spider sense of balance comes to the rescue.
I lay Mary on the bed and start kissing her neck. The redhead pulls off my t-shirt, and I relieve her of her tank top. I fall down on her aureoles, eliciting my first moan of the night.
Once again I hover over the girl, squeezing her palm in mine.
- I love you, Peter Benjamin Parker," the redhead says as soon as I break the kiss.
- And I love you, Mary Jane Watson.
- Parker.
- What?
- Swear that one day I'll be Mary Jane Parker.
- I swear," I say, unable to contain my smile.
And we kiss again.