Bonds, Bickering, and Black Cats
Morning – Peter’s Dorm
Peter groaned, throwing an arm over his face as ERIC’s voice rang in his ear.
“Sir, wake up. It is time to resume work on your college project.”
Peter mumbled into his pillow. “You said that yesterday.”
“That was yesterday. Today is a new day.”
Peter sighed, forcing himself to sit up. His body still felt a little sore from last night’s crime-fighting spree, but he wasn’t about to let that slow him down. His college project wasn’t going to complete itself.
Dragging himself to his workstation, he flicked on his laptop, booted up his simulations, and got to work.
A few hours later, Peter arrived at the Baxter Building. He had planned to just head straight to his usual workstation, but Nathaniel intercepted him at the entrance.
“Hey, Parker. Dr. Richards wants to see you in his lab.”
Peter blinked. Reed? Requesting him? That was… unexpected.
With a slight hesitation, he made his way to Reed’s lab, where he found the scientist analyzing some complex data on a holographic screen.
“Dr. Richards?” Peter called out.
Reed turned, adjusting his glasses before offering Peter a small nod. “Ah, Parker. Good, you’re here.”
Peter stepped closer, hands tucked into his hoodie pocket. “So, uh… what’s up?”
Reed glanced at him before returning to his screen. “It’s been a month since your internship started.”
Peter tensed slightly. Was this his evaluation?
“Your performance has been outstanding. I’ve decided to extend your internship indefinitely.”
Peter blinked. “Wait, what?”
Reed nodded, still typing. “Doctor Storm has been quite impressed by your work. As am I.” He turned, giving Peter a considering look. “You and Susan made significant progress in her biochemistry project. The breakthrough you both found? Exceptional.”
Peter immediately turned red. “Oh—uh, well, that was—”
“Oh, sir,” ERIC chimed in his ear. “Your heartbeat has increased significantly. Would you like me to inform Doctor Storm of your overwhelming admiration for her?”
Peter clenched his jaw. “ERIC, shut up.”
Reed raised an eyebrow. “Everything alright?”
Peter coughed. “Yeah! Just, uh—just surprised, that’s all.”
Reed nodded, seemingly satisfied. “Good. Keep up the good work.”
Returning to the lab, Peter settled in beside Susan, who was already deep in her work.
She glanced at him as he set up his station. “Reed wanted to talk to you?”
Peter nodded. “Yeah. Told me my internship’s getting extended.”
Susan smiled. “That’s great! You deserve it.”
Peter shrugged, but a small part of him felt warm at the compliment.
The two worked side by side, continuing their research.
At times, Peter found himself stealing glances at her. The way she chewed her lip when concentrating. How strands of blonde hair framed her face as she leaned over her work.
And each time, Peter forcibly shoved those thoughts away.
No. Not happening. Not with her.
But damn if it wasn’t getting harder to ignore.
About an hour later, Johnny burst into the lab.
“Parker!” Johnny called, making both Peter and Susan look up.
Susan groaned. “Oh God, what do you want now?”
Johnny ignored her, grabbing Peter by the arm. “I need you for something.”
Peter frowned. “Uh, I’m kinda busy—”
Johnny didn’t listen and started dragging him away.
Susan smirked. “Good luck handling him, Parker.”
Peter shot her a deadpan look before grumbling under his breath.
Johnny led Peter to a separate engineering lab, where a half-assembled engine prototype sat on the table.
Peter folded his arms. “Alright. What’s this about?”
Johnny gestured at the engine. “This thing’s pissing me off. I need a second pair of hands.”
Peter raised an eyebrow. “And out of everyone, you picked me?”
Johnny smirked. “Dude, you’re a mechanical engineer. You’ve got that nerdy genius vibe going on. Plus, you work fast.”
Peter sighed, rubbing his temples. “Fine. Let’s see what we’re dealing with.”
Activating ERIC, Peter started analyzing the structure.
Johnny’s eyes widened. “Hold up—you have your own AI?”
Peter shot him a look. “Yeah. Keep it quiet.”
Johnny grinned. “Dude, that’s sick.”
As they worked, they bickered. A lot.
Johnny: “You’re too careful with it, Parker. Just jam it in there.”
Peter: “That’s how things explode, you idiot.”
Peter: “No, Johnny, don’t—”
Johnny: (loud explosion sound) “…Oops.”
Peter: (facepalm)
Despite Peter’s reluctance to get close to anyone, he had to admit—Johnny was fun to be around.
By the time they finished, Johnny was impressed.
“You’re a freaking wizard, man,” Johnny said, wiping his hands.
Peter shrugged. “Just common sense.”
Johnny grinned. “Nah. You’re more than that.”
Peter didn’t respond. But for the first time, he didn’t mind the company.
Later that evening, Peter spotted Susan in the hall.
She raised an eyebrow. “So, how insufferable was my brother?”
Peter chuckled. “Meh. Could’ve been worse.”
Susan laughed, shaking her head. “Well, thanks for helping him.”
Peter nodded, but his heart did that stupid thing again when she smiled at him.
ERIC, in his ear, was not helping.
“Sir, your heart rate has increased. Again.”
Peter gritted his teeth. “ERIC, shut up.”
Susan tilted her head. “What?”
“Nothing! Uh—goodnight!”
Before he could embarrass himself further, he swung away.
Patrol – Encounter with Felicia
Changing into his nanotech suit, Peter hit the city, taking down a few criminals.
At one point, he perched on a rooftop, catching his breath—when he noticed a familiar figure sitting nearby.
Felicia Hardy.
“Well, well,” she purred. “Look who dropped in.”
Peter sighed. “What are you doing here, Felicia?”
She smirked. “Quiet night. Figured I’d tag along.”
Peter frowned. “You? Fighting crime?”
Felicia shrugged. “What can I say? Thought I’d try being good for once.”
The two patrolled together, taking down a few thugs.
Peter was surprised—she was actually helping.
But, of course, she never stopped being flirty.
Felicia: “You know, I think I like playing hero with you.”
Peter: “Yeah? Keep your hands out of people’s pockets and we’ll talk.”
Felicia: “No promises.”
After a while, Felicia stretched. “Well, that was fun. Until next time, Spider.”
She blew him a kiss before vanishing into the night.
Peter sighed. “I swear, that woman is gonna be the death of me.”
On his way home, Peter swung past a billboard.
“SPIDER-MENACE STRIKES AGAIN! THAT MENACE EAS SEEN HELPING OUT THE NOTORIOUS BLACK CAT , THERE IT IS FOLLS PROOF THAT SPIDER-MAN IS A CRIMINAL AND A MENACE AND SHOULD BE BEHIND THE BARS HIS MASK HANGED AND HIM PUNISHED RIGHTFULLY FOR HIS HENIOUS CRIMES! DAILY BUGLE REPORTING EVERYTHING, YOU CANNOT RUN CONTINUING YOUR SHENANIGANS BUG”
J. Jonah Jameson’s voice boomed from the speakers.
Peter groaned. “Oh, for fu—”
“Sir,” ERIC interrupted, “95% of the public disagrees with Jameson.”
Peter sighed. “Thanks, ERIC. But I swear his smear campaign is really never ending I sometimes want to hack into daily bugle servers and mess with him and post his private pictures online editing them as nudes”
” I believe that would not present a good case against Mr. Jameson’s claims of you being a menace Sir, although that would be hilarious on your part”
“Yeah you’re right he isn’t worth it, he is an asshole, one day if he is in trouble and will beg I shall not save him , I promise”
“Very Shakespeare Sir” ERIC mused.
“Also,” ERIC continued, “Doctor Storm seemed quite pleased with your help today.”
Peter groaned.