Spider-Man. The House Of Venom

The fallout from the incident was twofold. First, Peter found himself, not as Venom, but as Peter Parker with a certain level of notoriety. It had been bad enough when he announced the marriage to Shuri but now he was a 'bad boy.' He had no problems with the press, it was the almost constant teasing that was getting old.

Second, the warehouse was packed. Melina, Alexei, and Yelena had to move from the safe house. The landlord kicked them out as soon as Shield had left. The result, everyone was tripping over each other.

Peter had been enjoying a quiet soak when Yelena and Melina sauntered into the bathhouse. Both tilted their head, Yelena said, "See, it is true," and then they both undressed. Peter didn't care that Natasha's adopted mother and sister were naked. He cared they were interrupting his bath.

He had been cured of naked issues when May of all people had taken him to one side. "Curt and I don't care about being naked Peter. We should be able to enjoy the bathhouse without stealing it from you." Peter had wanted to argue, wanted to say but mooom but it seemed he was in the minority. Curt had spent summers in Europe and was used to nude bathing, none of the girls cared as they all trusted Curt. It was just Peter. He took an evening and thought about it, and in the end, it was stupid. May had bathed him when he was younger and he remembered her being in the bath with him. With his improved memory, he could recall every detail of his life, including seeing May naked. So he shrugged and the flags went away.

The only person who then had a problem was Alexei, "Well, yes, in prison we all bathed in communal shower rooms. No offence Peter but no. I prefer bath time alone." But again Peter shrugged as he agreed. Which was why, as Melina and Yelena slid into the pool next to him, he decided to call Pepper.

Peter had already decided to expand the warehouse, he wanted to see how it was progressing.

On the east side, the building purchase was easy. The owner had enough of giant robots, and military scuffles and sold it without too much hassle. Pepper did warn Peter he had paid a slightly higher price, but Peter didn't mind. He had plans to connect each building, and Gwen had already signed off on the expense. He had paid for the main warehouse from his own pocket, so the others agreed to help with the second one.

On the west side, Pepper came across a peculiar problem. The building had already been sold, for similar reasons, but to Tony Stark. Fearing the worst, Pepper let Peter know and after he had calmed down, Peter called Tony.

“The warehouse right?” Was all Tony said, “Give me five and I’ll be there.” and hung up.

Peter waited outside, alone. Pepper was busy letting the others who were free explore the new building. He didn't have to wait long as Tony landed in a new Iron Man armour. It was still the same gaudy red, but this suit was slimmer and a shiny silver instead of gold.

“Can we go inside, I’d prefer not to scuff my armour.” Peter laughed and lifted an arm, motioning for Tony to head in first.

As he approached the breakfast table, the front of the suit split and folded back. It shrunk down until it slid into a suit that Tony was wearing underneath. It was perfect and vanished under the jacket. Peter glared as he hated how easy Tony made it look.

“Like it? I got the idea from that harness, and no, I didn’t, it's my own design.” Peter tried to shrug nonchalantly but Tony gave a small snort in amusement. As Tony sat at the table, Peter took to the other side. “No coffee?”

Peter took a breath, “Last time I offered you insulted it, then me. So just say your piece, apologise to Friday and get the hell out of my home. Friday is the only reason you're still walking, and-”

Tony raised a hand. “I'm sorry.” Peter stopped and stared at him. “You heard me. I am actually sorry. For everything.”

Peter was shocked, he had never expected Tony to actually apologise, or not to him anyway. “Uh, okay, want to explain why?”

“Well, okay, not everything. You did sleep with Pepper, you did steal her, and you are still a little shit, but everything else, I'm sorry.” Tony said, “Now can I have a coffee?”

“Nope, because I don’t believe this for one moment. This is another stupid scheme to pin the blame on me for something, so no. Explain or leave.”

Tony slouched back, and rubbed a hand over his face, “They got me, the government. At first, they wanted the suits, and I said no, but the attack on Times Square added some legal issues. Then Ultron, and I may have broken a few international treaties, then Extremis, and you know how bad that can be. I messed up and the government held it over my head.” Tony leaned forward, looking around the warehouse. “One moment,” and he handed Peter a small dome, “I know you’re technopathic, so test it and then switch it on.”

Taking the dome Peter found it was a white noise generator, as well as a lot of anti-snooping devices. It was nowhere near as impressive as the active security in the warehouse. He had an advantage in that department, thanks to Natasha, Maria, and Fury. Shrugging, Peter activated it. Another layer of security never hurt anyone.

“They didn't promise me immunity for Vision and the others. They threatened them, they threatened me to get you to admit you were Venom. And I couldn't Pete, I couldn't let that happen. I can lose everything, but not them. So, I’m sorry.”

Peter sighed and rubbed a hand over his chin. “So does he get coffee?” 

A sad-looking Friday stuck her head out and nodded, “he apologised, so yes. He can have coffee.”

Peter smiled and lifted the pot, pouring out two mugs, “So, what happens now?”

“I am starting fresh. Stark Solutions. They got Extremis and the Mark Twenty-Five I think. So expect not just the Gamma Troopers but an Extremis branch and I think they’re calling us Industrials. Those of us who use drones or tech to fight.”

Peter put down the pot, “No doofus, with us. With you and Friday.”

Tony raised an eyebrow. “Vision needs a steady supply of Vibranium to fix the mess you made, and I would like you to help with that. Jocasta is not happy, but once she sees her sister, will calm down. I would like to talk to Pepper and get some of her lawsuits dismissed, as a personal favour. And I would like the quantum generator back.”

Peter drained his cup, “You’re asking a lot. And so far all I'm hearing is what you want from me, not what I’ll be getting in return.” 

Tony's knuckles whitened as he gripped his cup, “Return? I saved your ass, I made sure nobody knows who you are. I put my ass on the line so nobody knew what I was doing, and you want to settle? You owe me, and you know it.”

Peter snorted, “Oh really? Ross turned up right after you left, so no, I don't owe you. He was always going to come for me, all you did was make me tired and cranky. I had to have my own ass saved and her I do owe. You did nothing I wasn't already doing. So yeah, If anything I saved Friday." Friday scowled. "But, as she accepts your apology, then so do I." Peter lifted his mug, and from behind it, mumbled. "Liv has the generator, so, uh, good luck getting that back from her.”

“Fine. What do you want?” Tony hissed through gritted teeth.

“I’ll fix Vision, but then the Vibranium contract goes back to Shuri. If you want more, you can talk to Wakanda about it. Your Symbiote disruptor, I want the specs. You thought you were smart, a gun that disrupts my cells, well guess what dumbshit. It disintegrates all Symbiotic tissue. I have ten extremely angry hosts all wanting to turn you inside out over it. And after making sure that Pepper is happy, you will apologise.”

Tony frowned, “I never touched her.” 

Peter raised an eyebrow. “She was angry and hurt after she caught you screwing Maya. One mistake she said, but it was hers. She was so close to getting back together with you and you screwed it up. Apologise and make it right. I don't care about you, Tony. I used to look up to you, I admired you but you’re just as stupid and petty as the rest of us. Never meet your heroes, and well, I did and for five years we've been at each other's throats.”

“I can’t, she’ll kill me.”

Peter shrugged, “Don’t care. Fix it or I'll let her take you to the cleaners.”

Tony leant forward, “Maya’s pregnant.”

Peter laughed and shook his head. “At least Pepper will have closure, and what, you don't think she wouldn't notice in two or three months. You and I both know Pepper isn't stupid, so tell her or she’ll find out anyway.”

“Uh, boss?” Tony looked over, “Not you, new boss. I’ll go back with Tony to meet Pepper, maybe smooth things over with Jo and Vis at the same time.”

Peter half shrugged, “Up to you Friday.” 

She nodded, “Let me get changed,” and ran off into the home she was sharing with Cindy.

“Speak to Liv, as head of Stark Solutions speaking to the Head of OckTech. What she says goes,” Peter sighed. “So, thank you as well. Things might not be great, things could be better, but you stuck your neck out for us, so thanks.”

Tony raised an eyebrow “No apology, you know, for the chest thing?”

Peter shook his head, “Don’t push it. Vision did a number on me too, a little payback was in order.” He stopped as a newly outfitted Friday, in a cute summer dress strode out of her home. 

Peter smiled at her "You look nice."

Tony called his armour but when Friday looked down at the dress she tutted. “Call a cab or your limo. I am not showing New York my panties, pervert.”

It retracted back as Tony laughed and pulled out his phone, “Yeah Happy, come get me, at DB’s.” Peter shook his head, even he could guess that was short for douchebag. 

Tony stood and held out an arm. “Shall we?” Friday took it and the pair left together.

Sighing a breath of relief, Peter hoped that was the last time he would have to deal with Tony's stupid attitude. As he rinsed out their cups in the sink he knew deep down that it would never be that easy.

⁂

A month passed, and the chilly autumn air was fresh outside of the new workspace Peter had been building. The second warehouse was shaping up nicely. It helped when you had help. Yelena had been cleaned of the Red Room Formula, but was on a trial run with Fury and so hadn't been re-enhanced. Melina had been cleaned and had taken Extremis. She had wanted to be able to protect herself and was on staff as a security consultant. But, as both of them were waiting until their visas and work permits cleared, they had nothing to do.

So Peter had them help build the warehouse. Melina had worked on a farm and built outhouses and sheds. She could read an architect's drawing, and with her help, the Homes were set up in two days. They added in a gym and training facility, where his own centre square was. This was not going to be as luxurious as his place, it was for guests so he didn’t care. 

With proper planning, Peter had a pool dug out, which allowed them to mask an underground bunker. Under the training ring was the entrance, which doubled as a panic room for those unwilling to fight. Unlike his, the loft apartment was used as a storage room for the more dangerous of the tech they were building.

Peter felt a twinge of pain as he cut a hole in the side of the warehouse for a connecting tunnel. But once it was all patched and painted it looked neat. It was next to the bathhouse, right at the main entrance, so it was easy to get to. The tunnel itself was a simple open-plan corridor, with tinted windows. Without letting anyone know the whole structure was reinforced with webbing and adamantium. Shuri made sure that both warehouses were blast-proof as well as snoop-proof.

Peter extended an invitation to anyone currently using the spare homes. Cindy, Ivan, and Eddie all rented the new homes in the second warehouse, on the understanding of what it was to be for. Yelena and Melina both took homes, while Alexei was led away in cuffs by Shield. Coulson had already made good on his promise. As long as Alexei was depowered, he could spend the rest of his sentence under house arrest, once he had a house to live in. It didn't take long for them to be completed, and Alexei only had to suffer the Freezer for a week. When he returned he was happy with his new home, and even happier with the new bathhouse. The bathhouse in the new building had a small pool, and four baths but no showers. It was a luxury, and he showed everyone how to keep it clean.

Keeping the rent low the spare homes were simply dismantled and moved. On the understanding that a red light on the door meant not to enter, everyone was given a key to the corridor. The warehouse was finally back to being a family-only zone.

As the new facility was complete they had a small gathering. Peter let Alexei set the pool temperature and fill it. As they were about to enjoy the first swim, Liv excitedly rushed in, holding a leaflet.

Laughing so hard she had to stop and catch her breath, she handed the leaflet to Gwen who burst out laughing. She giggled before dodging out of Peter's grasp and handing it to Felicia. The game of tag soon spread between everyone and once Liv had the leaflet back she just shook her head. “Why don't you go outside and see.” Even as Peter frowned, Liv just smiled and laughed, “Oh it's much better than the leaflet.”

As Peter scowled as heard into the newly refurbished parking lot he saw the new warehouse on the west side. Not the warehouse itself but what was on top.

A giant Iron Man, with an open faceplate showing Tony’s huge face, was smiling and waving. As Peter moved around he saw “Iron Man - The Museum,” in giant red and gold lettering on a neon sign. It was unlit but was currently being wired to the mains.

“That asshole,” Peter muttered to himself as Liv almost doubled over in laughter.

The sign creaked at first but the giant armoured hand started to wave.

Seeing the small crowd gathering, Peter heard someone shout, “You like it?” Tony was there, wearing a hard hat and carrying a clipboard. As he saw Peter looking over, he broke out into a smug grin. “I thought, with the government seizing my asset I needed a new source of revenue. Industrial suits, easy to make, and really handy for construction. So I thought I’d test them building this. It's got a cafe, a gift shop, and a lot of exhibits. Oh, you should see the one where a giant screen replays me punching Venom through a wall, it's spectacular.”

Liv and the rest stared in quiet amusement at Peter's face. He was about to say something when Liv slid an arm around his waist, pulling him close. “Don't you dare,” Liv scolded him. “He is allowed,” but Peter still huffed. Tony just smirked and went back to directing the workmen.

The next day, as Tony quietly laughed to himself, he directed the workmen to clean the display. Someone had managed to get past his security system and vandalised the sign. They had drawn thick black glasses on his likeness. Drawn in a Victorian-style villain moustache and blacked in several of the teeth in the smile. While he couldn’t prove it, he knew exactly who it was, 

Oh, it's on, Parker, it's on.