Symbiotic Tendencies

Peter woke up to the sound of a camera flashing.

"Oh, don't mind me," Felicia teased as Peter opened his eyes. "I'm just taking thus cute picture of you two lovebirds."

Felicia turned her phone to show Peter the picture she took.

"You canNOT show that to anyone else," Peter said after a second.

"Relax," Felicia said with a grin. "I'll just keep it between anyone you fucked."

Anne yawned loudly as she woke up. "Morning, Spider."

Peter stared at her in confusion, then the dots clicked. "You used to have sex with other me."

Anne fully woke up, then she sighed. "I guess the cat is out of the bag."

"Eh, I wasn't in a bag in the first place," Felicia said.

"Shut up, Cat," Anne said, but it sounded defeated rather than hostile. "Yeah, Peter and I had a thing at one point. That's why I wanted it rough, that was how we did it."

Peter looked away, while Felicia seemed intrigued.

"Wait, so were you two together?" Felicia asked.

"No, we were fuckbuddies, I guess," Anne said. "After more than ten years of fighting each other and fighting with each other, I guess it kinda happened. I left to San Fran after Peter told me we couldn't continue doing this."

"Wait, why did I say that?" Peter asked, reinvested.

"It was about two things," Anne admitted. "Firstly, we were just taking out our anger on each other, but we weren't really healing. Secondly, you're not the type to not want labels. We hated each other, but we fucked, then we didn't hate each other, but we didn't like each other either, so it was just fucking, and whenever you tried to fix things, I swung away, until one night you said no to me, and I begged for us to fix things, then you said you offered that before, and I moved to SF."

200 Dollars Earned: Patrol Completed: Tell Peter Parker about your intercourse with his counterpart!

"So, you're a solo act," Felicia realized. "You want companionship, but you're so used to it just being you and Venom, you can't let yourself drop back on someone else, even though this picture clearly shows how much you subconsciously want it."

Peter and Anne stared at Felicia.

"What?" Felicia said. "I can be intelligent too, goddamnit."

"You're not wrong," Anne said. "I guess I realized that while living in San Francisco, but I don't know how to change, y'know?"

"How about this," Peter suggested. "Felicia and I will be here to help you. Be our... Whatever we are, and we'll tell you when you're pulling too far back."

"I can do that, Peter," Anne said after a few seconds.

"I will help!" Venom said. "She is too problematic, we need to fix that!"

Anne rolled her eyes at Venom's statement, but she was still smiling.

"Alright, you two need to get rid of that morning breath of yours if you want a kiss," Felicia said, waving her hand in exaggerated disgust. "That's the first step to a better Anne."

"Alright, I get it," Anne laughed as she headed to the bathroom.

---

Twenty minutes later, everyone was seated at the dining table, and Edith began her typical announcements.

"Good morning, everyone," Edith said through the speakers. "It seems like Ms. Weying has put her hat back in the game, thanks to Ms. Hardy and Mr. Parker! Unfortunately, Web Rankings has changed, but it hasn't changed as much as I anticipated, but here is the leaderboard nonetheless."

Web Rankings, Day 8

1. Emma Frost (16 Webs)
2. Felicia Hardy (10 Webs)
3. Ava Ayala (6 Webs)
4. Olivia Octavius (5 Webs)
5. Anne Weying (1 Web)
6. Maybelle Parker (0 Webs)
7. Mary Jane Watson (0 Webs)
8. Natasha Romanoff (0 Webs)

"As usual, I wish Mr. Parker and Ms. Watson an enjoyable date, and I am available at any given moment," Edith said.

"From Peter's mental feelings, I can judge the three of you had a very fruitful night?" Emma teased.

"Please," Natasha said. "Emma, you were constantly playing with yourself the whole time, don't act innocent."

"I wasn't," Emma said in her prim tone. "I was merely having a fruitful conversation."

"Let's keep everyone's nightly activities out of the breakfast discussion, please," May requested.

"Apologies, May," Emma said.

"Don't do it again, and it'll be like it never happened," May said firmly but kindly.

"Yes, May," Emma said, visibly chastised.

Felicia looked at Ava. "Hey, Ava how is the tail and ears?"

"What do you mean?" Ava asked.

"I mean, how does it feel?" Felicia asked.

"Why do you care?" Ava asked with a hostile expression.

"Look, we got off on the wrong foot," Felicia said. "Both of us were understandably scared and angry the first few days, and we're still kind of scared. We didn't understand each other, but now I know that you were going under the impression that I was a thief. Is it so hard to think I just want us to be friends?"

"You are a thief," Ava said, but she sounded less hostile and more teasing.

Felicia rolled her eyes. "We went over this yesterday, I'm not a kleptomaniac, I just take advantage of my situations."

"Clearly," Ava loudly sniffed the air with a grin.

Emma choked on her food as she laughed.

Felicia looked confused. "What's so funny about that?"

I can't risk your aunt's anger, or I'd explain, Emma thought. You explain it, Peter.

No, you laughed! Peter exclaimed mentally. I'm not risking this!

"Uh, hello?" Felicia asked. "Can I get an explanation instead of you two talking to each other in your brains?"

Olivia sighed. "Parker, Ayala, Watson, and I all have highly sensitive noses."

"Ava," May chided as she understood the joke.

"Sorry, Aunt May," Ava said apologetically but unrepentantly. "The joke was right there."

"I understand, but I also expect you to be mature," May said.

"You're right," Ava said, now sounding regretful.

"I still don't get it," Felicia said.

"Fucking hell, woman," Anne said with a slight blush. "They can smell how fucked we are."

"Oh," Felicia said, then she blushed. "Well, I guess I'll proudly carry the banner of how hard I got railed—"

"Felicia!" May exclaimed, her face red with both embarrassment and a little anger.

"Oh, right," Felicia meekly looked down. "Sorry, Aunt May."

May sighed deeply. "I expect better of all of you, you're heroes, models for society, teachers!"

"May, we are still human, and we have needs," Emma pointed out. "I cannot speak for Ms. Ayala, but as teachers in my school, we'd speak of all manner of things in our private moments. Obviously, we would control ourselves if students were present, but they currently aren't."

"Look, even though that's true, my aunt doesn't need to be hearing about anything of what I'm doing, if we're being honest," Peter said. "It makes things awkward."

"Ah," Emma said. "Nevermind then, I realize the issue."

"Anyways," Felicia said. "Are we cool, Ava?"

"Sure, we're cool," Ava said. "I still don't like other you."

"Like Anne would say, she doesn't matter," Felicia said. "I'm a better Felicia, and you're a better Ava, even though I don't know any you from my universe. So, about the tail, how is it?"

"I've gotten used to balancing and sitting with it," Ava admitted. "It's honestly more instinctive now, especially with how my amulet would make me have a tiger tail and tiger tails if I didn't control it. The only problem is that I still have to just keep my pants nearly halfway down."

"You don't have enough money to buy clothes from the Shop?" Felicia asked.

"Nope," Ava said, a hint of anger showing. "The hijos de puta (translates to sons of bitches in Spanish (Ava is Latina)) Directors chose to make clothes more expensive than even buying TFs! Edith tried selling me some bullshit about the clothes being long lasting, but it's pretty obvious they just want to play games."

"Hmm," Felicia hummed. "So, what do you need the most, and how much does it cost?"

"Well, underwear," Ava blushed. "But it costs 200 Dollars for 3 random ones."

"How many Dollars do you have?" Felicia asked.

Everyone was silent as they observed the conversation.

"I have 150," Ava said.

"And what do you need second most?" Felicia asked.

"Any pants, preferably the pajamas and the sweatpants," Ava said confusedly. "Why are you asking?"

"How about we do each other a favor?" Felicia asked. "I honestly find the idea of cat ears and tails really sexy, and I want some. So, you buy me my Nekomusume TF, and I'll buy you your underwear and two pairs of pants of your choice."

"Why won't you just buy it for yourself?" Ava asked. "If you have enough money to do all that for me, you could spend it all on yourself instead."

"Sure I could," Felicia said. "But if I'm going to be honest, you might not be telling me the truth when you say we're cool. Or, you might be, but a future TF makes you want to be the only girl with a cat motif in Peter's harem, so you're going to want me out. Either way, it's safer for me if you have less Dollars. Or, I can buy the clothes for you, and the TF for myself, in exchange for three favors I can call in at anytime."

"I'm not sure whether to take back us being cool or to take lessons from you," Ava said in an impressed voice. "I'll take the first offer."

"Why was that necessary?" Peter asked. "Couldn't you just work together?"

"This was us working together," Ava said. "Felicia wasn't wrong, the TFs can definitely possibly put us against each other, look at Ms. Romanoff's second Transformation after all, no offense meant."

1 Web Earned: Push Peter Parker 1 step forward to accepting the nature of the Show!

"None taken," Natasha calmly said.

"Along with that, the Directors made our Dollar worth hidden for a reason," Felicia said. "Everyone's objective is to hold more money, while staying cautious of everyone else's money. I like Ava, I really do, even if I don't know her well, but I'm also aware of the danger. I was frank, because if I wasn't, she might figure out somehow that I tricked her, and then she'll gun for me. I chose the middle path between conniving and friendship."

1 Web Earned: Push Peter Parker 1 step forward to accepting the nature of the Show!

"It makes sense," Peter said after a few seconds of processing what Felicia said.

"Well, I think it's weird," MJ said. "But you guys do you. Peter, wanna go on our Date at 6 PM?"

"I'll be there," Peter promised. "Anne, how about we spend some time after lunch?"

"Sounds like a plan," Anne said.

"What are you two doing?" MJ asked curiously.

"Well, our date went to shit, we're trying to see if we can fix things," Anne said. "So, well just have some coffee, talk a little, try again, you know?"

"Oh," MJ said. "Well, I hope you enjoy it!"

"Thanks," Anne said.

Peter turned to Natasha. "Nat, can we do that training again, please? I feel like it helped me a lot."

"Sure," Natasha said. "Meet me at the gym in an hour, you'll need to get your food down before you train."

---

An hour after breakfast, Peter went down to the gym, where Natasha was waiting for him.

"You're ready to train?" Natasha asked.

"Yeah, but before we start, I had a question," Peter said. "Is it possible for you to help me win?"

"I'm already doing that," Natasha said confusedly.

"No, I mean by winning yourself," Peter explained. "I like your attitude, honestly. And I understand why you were my confidant in your universe, so I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'd like to go further with you?"

4 Webs Earned: Get Peter Parker to a point where he thinks he can fall in love with you.

Natasha smiled at Peter. "I appreciate it, I really do, but I'm hardwired not to want to win, Peter. I do appreciate your attempt, but it's unfortunately pointless."

I wish I chose a better option, Emma thought. I... Destroyed her.

You did, Peter thought sadly, hiding his expression from Natasha. "Well, Natasha, let's get to the point where you beat me up!"

---

After a few hours of grueling training, Peter was able to last for thirty seconds of constant attacks from Natasha while blindfolded, before he was **** out of the circle.

"I can really feel the difference," Peter gushed as they entered the elevator. "You're an amazing teacher, Nat."

"I'm just using someone else's techniques," Natasha humbly said.

Peter and Natasha entered the dining hall, finding everyone seated except for Ava and Felicia.

"Take a seat, you two," May said warmly. "Ava and Felicia were just dealing with their new clothing situation, they should be here shortly."

"Wait, so Felicia went forward with that?" Peter asked.

"Why don't you take a look for yourself?" Felicia asked in a teasing tone.

Peter turned around and saw Felicia and Ava with opposite colored ears and tails.

"You guys look amazing," Peter said genuinely.

"Felicia, where's your bra?" May admonished.

"Aunt May, I thought about what you said this morning, and I heavily disagree," Felicia said firmly as she sat down. "You're right, you're technically Peter's aunt, so all this is weird. But haven't you realized that the moment you get Eliminated, you almost definitely become a part of this anyways?"

May looked torn between embarrassment and idignition. "I'm not normalizing this for me!"

"May, I might disagree with Felicia's method, but she isn't wrong," Emma said. "Now, we don't need to always be lewd or such, but either we have a polyamorous relationship when we leave this Hotel, or we turn into slaves for a demon."

"I won't play the games of a demon," May insisted. "Now, if you could drop this conversation, I'd appreciate it."

---

After lunch, Peter and Anne were sitting together in the coffee nook.

"So, let's talk," Anne said, then she facepalmed. "I'm making it worse, aren't I?"

"A little bit," Peter said amusedly as he took a sip of his coffee. "It's... Cute though."

Anne rolled her eyes. "Don't sound so hesitant about it."

"I'm not!" Peter said. "I was just looking for the right word."

"I'm host to an ancient being, and I've killed countless people, but you describe me as cute," Anne said amusedly. "The world is full of surprises."

"You kill people?" Peter asked.

"Yeah," Anne said. "It's obviously not a daily thing, but murderers and rapists, I'm never sparing them. I've also killed a few crime bosses. Um, will that be a problem?"

"In the long run, maybe?" Peter said thoughtfully. "I don't kill. I understand that some heroes kill, and I understand why, it just hasn't been something I'm overly comfortable with."

"Well, would you stop me from killing some scum of the earth, like a crime boss?" Anne asked.

"No, I don't think I would," Peter said. "Obviously, I'd expect you to make sure you know that he's that dangerous before you do that, but while I'd prefer us heroes leaving them to get arrested, I know it can't always work like that."

"That's remarkably more mature than I expected of you," Anne said. "Felicia made it seem like you didn't have that many villains, nor did you have as many notable events?"

"Well, her world actually seems to have more people than mine," Peter admitted. "But in our worlds, Iron Man used a nuke on some aliens, and Captain America publicly killed a lot of Hydra agents and directors, so I guess it's something I've come to accept in my world?"

"That's interesting," Anne said. "Anyways, I'm curious, how do you feel about the argument that Felicia and Emma were having with May?"

Peter sighed. "I don't know who to agree with, or who not to, it's just so complicated."

"I agree," Anne said. "I think we all need to realize that everyone can make their own choices, and we shouldn't have a problem with it unless it directly affects us."

"That's the problem," Peter said. "All of us are part of this show, and what we each do directly affects all of us, especially considering the end goal."

"Fair point," Anne conceded. "Anyways, I had an idea to get to know each other better, if we're done with all the important topics."

"Just about done," Peter said. "What's your idea?"

"Let's take turns listing our closest heroes, or villains," Anne suggested. "It can be a mentor, recurring villain, anything, it's just so we can know each other."

"That's a smart idea," Peter said. "I'll have to steal it for the future."

"Go right ahead," Anne grinned. "I'll start. I already told you about my world's Spider-Man, so I'll skip him and go straight to Hawkeye."

"Hawkeye?" Peter asked. "How'd that happen?"

"He's the leader of the West Coast Avengers in my world," Anne explained. "Fight alongside each other a couple times, then you start going for sandwiches after a good fight, then you become friends."

"That's pretty cool," Peter said. "Is he Clint Barton in your world as well?"

"Yeah," Anne said. "Well, it's your turn."

"Iron Man," Peter said without hesitation.

"Felicia said that you two are close," Anne said. "How does that work? I mean, he's not really about that street level work like you are."

"He was... well, I guess he was my mentor," Peter said softly. "He made me a suit when I was swinging around the city in a hoodie, then he nearly made me an Avenger, then we went to space, then he made me an Avenger, then he fought Thanos, and it didn't end well."

"I'm sorry for your loss," Anne said simply.

Peter sighed. "Loss is part of life, I guess. I'm thankful for the time I had with him."

"I agree," Anne said, then she moved the conversation forward. "Well, my next person is going to have to be Agent Anti-Venom."

"Huh, are they an enemy of yours?" Peter asked.

"Well, not really," Anne said. "You see, she was an enemy of mine at first, but then when her symbiote calmed down..."