Spider-Man. The House Of Venom

Several low plastic tables had been purchased, and they were very handy in the pool. Gwen and MJ had bought inflatable tables, to sit drinks and food on while they floated in the pool. Nobody said anything about the three extra guests, only smiled and grinned. With the party in full swing, everyone was talking and chatting and not splashing around.

“Curt is recovering nicely, and May was happy to send him home. He did look a little lost at having a missing arm again, it was a shame the Formula wasn't stable enough to keep it.” Liv said. 

Curt had visibly shrunk as the Formula was cleaned from his system and grasped his arm in pain. As it atrophied, he could only watch in horror as it crumpled and withered into dust.

The energy and cellular repair of the Formula faded once it was out of a person's system. It was the reason unbonding someone was so painful. 

The Formula worked by stimulating the dormant X-gene. When it was removed, the body suffered from small amounts of genetic damage. The longer the person was Enhanced, the worse the damage was. Add in the worse the Formula was, the worse the damage was, and it was a disaster. Liv had tested the remains of Curts's regrown arm and was not happy. It was full of cancerous legions, and she had it incinerated. The Formula was an amazing drug, but the more Gwen and Liv researched, the more horrifying they found it to be. It was almost as if removing the Formula piled on the damage the person had healed during its use.

After Curt, they were now worried that with Alexei’s alcohol abuse, that depowering him might kill him.

“I’ll set him up with an implant tomorrow. Can you deal with Nakia, Cindy, and Yelena until then? Then we can move on to Alexei and Melina. They might need more time and more care.” Peter said while sitting with Carol on one side. He was picking at some fries, with Natasha on the other, who was glaring at her sister, floating on her back in the pool.

Natasha hissed at him, keeping her eyes on her sister, “I thought I said my sister was off-limits?” He laughed and kissed and nibbled her neck, “Why is she naked in the pool?”

“She is naked, nothing more, and she and Nakia were both uncomfortable with your dad’s behaviour.”

“Mom likes threeways,” Yelena shouted. At the other end of the pool, she had a plastic beer bottle balanced on her stomach with a long straw in it. As she drank, she was happily kicking her legs and gliding back and forth across the deeper end of the pool.

Natasha sat bolt upright and spluttered, “What?”

Peter patted her back. “You got it from somewhere right? It seems that at least one household is getting on the poly bandwagon.”

Natasha huffed.

“Thinks that’s bad. I get that crap at work too,” Gwen complained as she slid into the pool. She was not shy about staring in appreciation at both Nakia and Yelena. “Uh, are they off-limits for us as well?” Natasha just glowered at Gwen who laughed and raised her hands in mock surrender. “At work, there are three camps. The ‘does it really work’ types. The ‘it’s fine but I wouldn't types,’ and the ‘you're a whore and you’ll burn in hell’ types. Oh, and the ‘snort snort harem’ assholes who can't get it around their stupid skulls that poly isn't harem. I mean those fucking cartoons have a lot to answer for.”

Peter laughed, “It's anime, and it's art.”

“It's crap, and I'm sick of it.” she retorted. “All those damn tentacles, I mean, come on Pete, do you really like that?”

Peter looked at her confused, and it was Liv who gently coughed, “The uh, hentai is mine.” Gwen stared at her and chuckled as she shook her head.

Peter shrugged, “It's still fine. Nakia, Cindy, and Yelena are guests and that's it. Nobody expects anything except them using the pool, and movie night I guess, but that's not naked.” Natasha laughed. “It's not supposed to be naked,” Peter said while laughing and kissing her again.

“Still, no sister. Not crossing some lines and I will beat your asses.” The group nodded. It was all fun and games until Natasha pulled you onto the mat, and then even Laura behaved. “Good, now. Widow, give her back.”

Yelena pouted and swam away. “Nope, she has not finished telling me all the juicy parts. I'm up to finally admitting that you like girls, and what a girl's night that was, eh?” Natasha turned and smiled at Peter who released her from his embrace, lifting both hands up.

“Yeah, that's on you Yelena,” he said, as he leaned over and grabbed a few fries. “Probably should grab our drinks and move,” he joked. Natasha nodded and dived into the water. it was why he split the other pool in two. One for swimming and fooling around in, with a high-ish wall separating off the seating area. In this one, they would have to move, or risk being splashed as Natasha wrestled with her sister.

Cindy stood and sat on the edge of the pool, her eyes were transfixed on the pair. "I'm uh, good here."

Peter chuckled but said nothing. The others moved their food and drinks and waited until it was safe. Hosts weren't subjected to the cold, but Peter handed out fluffy towels to sit on.

It gave them a chance to bond, and Peter was happy enough to actually get some pizza. “Mixed veg and tofu for you,” and he slid over a box towards Nakia, while Felicia looked guiltily at the ceiling. “Sorry, she’s incorrigible.”

As the lid was lifted, and the missing quarters were spotted, Felica shrugged. “I thought it was one of those weird tofu pizzas.”

“It is tofu, and yet you ate three slices?” Nakia said with a small grin, “Maybe I should follow Natasha’s lead and take this to the mat.” A predatory smile crossed Felicia’s face,

“You know I've trained as well, and out of everyone, after Nat, I’m the most experienced.”

“Yeah at stealing food, damn thieving cat,” Gwen said while pulling her won pizza box back towards her. Felicia laughed and slid over. 

“Aww, my honey bun hates me,” she fake pouted. But as Gwen turned her head to kiss Felicia, she leant forward and instead took a bite from Gwen's slice. She laughed as Gwen paused and sighed.

“Yup, thieving cat. Nakia, I think I’ll take you up on that, maybe she’ll learn some manners.”

Felicia laughed, “Thank you for the food,” she leaned in and gave Gwen a kiss, “It’s delicious.”

Gwen tutted and kissed her back, and the group sat and ate their pizza. They sat and chatted, ignoring the cries and squeals from behind them.

With the edge of the pool higher than the water, to let people sit at the edge, there was no danger of splashing. The only one who could see what was going on was Cindy.

"Hey Cindy, having fun," Peter asked her

She didn't even look as she nodded, "Uh huh." He bit her bottom lip and sighed as she took a sip of her drink.

"You know, I'm sure if you asked, you could go join in."

Cindy bit her lip as her eyes never left the pair, "Oh, I'm good." Her tongue licked her lips, "yeah, it's good."

Peter was going to say more but Gwen shook her head. it was hard enough for Cindy sometimes, and even Gwen didn't tease her about being gay. Peter had no clue what she had been through, so he trusted Gwen and left it alone.

"And we're done." Cindy sighed, finished her drink and stood, pointed at a pizza box, and as Peter nodded, took a slice.

Widow swam back, and Natasha looked up at him. She motioned him forward. “Once, just this once, to calm her, but, and I swear Pete, no more than that. It’s weird enough sometimes and I don't want to be getting off on my sister.”

In the pool was another Symbiote. This one's armour was white, in the same style as Yelena’s widow armour. He figured that Widow must have spawned, creating a bond between the pair.

“You know we’re not related right?” Yelena said as the newly born symbiote slid back. “But, no, it is really weird, oh, it’s Vonya, and she is calm.”

Peter shrugged but Natasha half shrugged. “One-time deal, take it or leave it.” 

Yelena looked over at her sister, “Really? I might joke, but I do actually prefer girls.” 

Peter just shrugged. “Okay, who wants the newbie cute Russian blonde’s first bonded time? Nat says it's okay,” he joked and Natasha batted him.

“I said it was okay for you, asshole.”

He laughed. “I was joking, overprotective sibling much?” He grinned as he flicked some water at her.

“Did, did you just flick me? And yes, from a pack of pussy hungry she-devils, yes damn right.” While she only dipped a finger into the pool, Widow stretched out under it and cupped more water. When Natasha flicked the water at him, Widow sent a squirt out as well, hitting him in the face.

“Hear that ladies, apparently you’re pussy hungry she-devils.” He was replied by a chorus of approvals.

“Forgot cock hungry as well,” Gwen shouted back, but Natasha laughed. “So, no sister then?” 

Natasha shrugged. “Nope, she’s off-limits again.” She was greeted by another chorus, of awws and boos. “You all had your chances,” she laughed as she shook her head, “you too Pete.”

He just shrugged and moved back into the water.

Nakia watched in amazement as the group of women surrounded her, laughed, kissed and ate. “Is it always like this?” she asked Gwen, who shrugged.

“This is quiet, Pete wasn't joking when he said movie night isn't supposed to be naked, but what about you?”

Nakia frowned. “Me?”

Gwen nodded. "We know Cindy is gay, and that's totally okay," she raised her glass and Cindy ducked her head and hid a small blush. “You might have noticed there is a certain type Pete likes, and some of us share that. So, my tall drink of hot chocolate, do you like girls or am I chasing the wrong cat?” 

Nakia furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, “I am unsure how to take that. I suppose that amongst a group as pale you that must need sunglasses when the sun shines on you. That my skin would be considered alluring, but surely you wish to know me better and not judge me on my skin?”

Gwen shrugged, “Most relationships are based on first-glance attraction. Eyes, hair, chest, legs, hand, and skin.”  She took a breath. “Studying the effects of Symbiotes on unhosted individuals meant studying psychology. I needed to be able to document personality changes. Should you be offended I'm attracted to your skin colour? If you are, then that's your problem. I find it, the dark brown of your eyes, the toned muscles of your stomach, and the curve of your thighs hot as hell. I don't care if you were white or any colour. You are beautiful, end of discussion.”

“Then, I am sorry to say that I do not. I prefer the company of men.”

Gwen shrugged. “And that's the end of that. Still gonna admire you though, Petes not the only one who likes the ladies.”

Liv nodded. “And if anyone makes you uncomfortable then just smack her. I think Natasha's idea of taking things to the mat might have merit. Especially when dealing with house guests. Gwendolyn.” Gwen grinned but mouthed sorry at Nakia.

“With Curt recovering, we can do your treatments tomorrow if you want, Nakia. Drinking or overeating won't affect the treatment. Or if you wish to have another day off, I can start with Cindy or Yelena.” Liv asked her.

Nakia lifted the last slice of pizza and folded it. “No, I am not used to lazing around. Tomorrow will let me get used to the new Formula. And Liv, I do not mind Gwen's advances, there is no need to admonish her. I am just not used to them.”

It was strange. She missed the camaraderie while sharing quarters with the other Dora Milaje. New York was so different to Wakanda, but the atmosphere here reminded her more of home than she cared to admit. 

She knew this group would be as close, and knew they would understand. “I was betrothed, all my life, and it fell through. I lived in the royal palace and trained and learned etiquette. I ate at set times, and I trained with the other Dora. I am, simply, unused to this atmosphere.” As she waved the slice. “This food.” She motioned to Peter and sat with Yelena on one side, laughing as she ate fries, while Natasha cuddled his arm. Even Cindy, who was now sitting next to Liv, talking and trying, and failing, not to stare at her chest. “This level of bonding, even with people you are not involved with. I will take some time to adjust, but I think I will like it here, even if I must suffer being called hot chocolate,”

“Oh, another one. Oh no, an attractive young woman likes you. The horror,” Liv said rolling her eyes. “You’ll get used to it, dear.”

Nakia could only shrug. These people were definitely strange. Even being raised with the notion of being one amongst many and sharing a husband she was not prepared for this. She would have had sister-wives, not sister-lovers. “I probably shall,” she said and raised her glass and winked at Liv, who currently had a hand on Cindy's thigh. “I probably shall.”

Half listening in, Peter cleared his throat. “There is also Shuri." That got a few raised eyebrows, "No, not her personally, but um, wives yes, but she brought up mistresses. A few of your old friends want to become mistresses. What do I tell her?”

“Shuri agreed?” Felicia asked and Peter nodded as she leaned over to see what food was left, “and she really doesn't mind?”

“As long as we agree on a few ground rules. So there are no misunderstandings.”

As Felicia looked around at the huge gathering. “Yeah, 'cause really, we have enough drama without more.” 

As she spied a lone slice of pizza Huntress shot out a tendril to snag it. A scowling Gwen turned around and frowned at her. “Yup, One is bad enough.” 

Felicia shrugged and stuffed the slice into her mouth.