Chapter 340: Arc Twelve. Chapter Three Hundred Thirty-One. Milestone

Gwen blew the party favour, “Happy Birthday!” she shouted as Peter was led into the breakfast area of the warehouse.

This was his official birthday, his unofficial birthday started last night, as soon as the clock turned midnight, and ten rather amorous women took turns, showing just how much they loved and cared for Peter, and then spend a good few hours cleaning the mess and the smell from the warehouse before they all collapsed in a giant pile, happy, with a tired but content Peter in the middle.

They had spent the day making sure everything was perfect, including barring Peter from helping. It was his thirtieth birthday after all, and he had been shuffled off to spend the day with his mom and Curt while they prepared everything for the party at night.

Laura was busy with Logan, who even though the atmosphere was festive, was comforting a very upset and emotional Cindy. Peter already knew he had found and dealt with Hank, but as that was between Cindy, Rage and Logan he would ask later. Logan had already dumped that particular problem in his lap, as he received several phone calls. Not just from Michael, but from Hope and Hank himself. 

They were interested in joining forces with AIM and had also hinted at maybe helping Hank deal with the still active warrants he had for his involvement in the Symbiote screw-up when they first came to light. That was a conversation with Pepper, the other heads of each company, Cindy, and if everyone agreed, another meeting with Coulson.

He was sure he could get the government off Pym's back, but he really didn’t see why he should. Scott was easygoing enough, and the New Avengers hadn’t posed his team any problems, other than Carol still being salty about her code name being taken, and her one time friend turning her back on her.

It was a problem for another day. Right now, he had presents and guests to deal with.

Curt, sporting a new and improved cybernetic arm, was sitting with May, laughing with Charles and Erik, and discussing what could only be science judging by the attentive but subtly glazed look May had on her face.

Friday was sat with Jocasta, Vision, and Tony, all talking to Pepper and her new boyfriend Matt. Maya had declined, citing pregnancy issues and while Tony still came, Peter wondered if it was more Pepper's presence than anything else. 

That was one can of worms he was not going to get involved with. She had enough issues with Jocasta being a copy of Pepper, and as Vision and Jocasta both still lived at the Tower, Maya was definitely the jealous type, but as she was nursing a newborn, that they had named Morgan, it was to be expected. Tony’s very public history, especially with Pepper was enough to give anyone issues, adding a synthezoid facsimile of her as well, and Peter could only shake his head at the problems it was causing.

Shuri and T’Challa were all sitting, talking to Felica, and he heard the talk of her fight with M’Baku. He had already been given a front-row seat, sharing her memory but she loved to tell the story, especially to those she cited as being responsible for her victory. It had been made official that Ororo and Nakia were dating. She had unfortunately been lumped with Administrative duties so that Eric and Charles could enjoy the small gathering, and had elected to stay on Avalon. Without issue, Nakia had taken the day off and was up there with her, so while he felt bad, he didn’t feel completely bad.

Natasha was with her sister, her mother, Maria, and Fury. All trying their best to look less uncomfortable in civilian clothing. Fury looked almost normal in black trousers and a turtle neck, and Peter made a mental note to forward him a few episodes of a cartoon where the male lead, unsurprisingly also a spy, had his own, very specific ideas about them. 

Scott was off catching up with Jean and the professor, who had brought his own date. A Doctor Moyra Mctaggart and her and Liv plus Gwen were all happily waving glasses and discussing the applications of the and their findings into the x-gene.

He caught Wanda giving her father side glances. She was still upset about him cloning himself, but even after Stephen had given them both the once over, concluded that no, an ancient eldritch entity hadn't in fact taken over the pair and that he was her father, but that manipulating a soul was dangerous and was probably why the machine didn't work on everyone. He had declined Peter's invitation, the Sorcerer Supreme was too busy for mundane parties it seemed.

Felicia and Carol were in bathing suits, enjoying the open pool Peter had inflated in the main area. It could be drained into the smaller pool easily enough and on hot days, even if it was January outside, it was warm enough in the arcstar powered warehouse to be used for today. 

He had even suggested they cheat, and once the pool needed to be emptied simply sling ring it into the ocean to empty and then drag it back once it had deflated, but neither Gwen nor Wanda were amused by his idea and so he made sure the pump was working and that the hose reached the bathhouse.

MJ smiled at him as she wandered over, having said hello to everyone, “Happy birthday tiger.” she said as she sat down on his lap and wrapped her arm over his shoulder, “having fun now you're an old man?”

Peter snorted, “you know Gwen and Felicia both had their birthdays last year”

MJ shrugged, “Liv gave us all a lecture, that women peak as they get older but men decline almost right after puberty.” she teased him, “and we were just worried you’d peaked early, with there being so many of us.”

Peter grinned and shook his head, “bored of me already? Rejected for a younger man, some rich movie star, in his prime ready to be devoured by an insatiable Watson,” and MJ laughed and batted his shoulder with her hand,

Leaning forwards he whispered “ready to be devoured by an insatiable tiger. We all took the next week off, so dessert can take as long as you like.”

Peter smiled and turned his head, meeting MJ's lips and stealing a kiss,

You can unwrap that present later, he was scolded by Jean, save it until we’re all able.

MJ laughed and leaned into him, kissing the side of his face, “so spoiled, and still so housebroken,”

Peter laughed, “it's a torment, and I am so terribly cursed, but I manage, somehow I find the strength to carry on.” MJ kissed his cheek once more.

“Right, we’ve cooked, so we need to set the food up, once everyone is settled, we can start.”

Peter was a little bit worried. In the warehouse, he did most, if not all of the main cooking. MJ, Feleica and Gwen had all done some breakfast dishes, mainly toast or eggs, but nothing majorly fancy. Neither Carol nor Liv hadn't used a stove in years and Laura set herself on fire the first time she used one. Wanda was the next good cook, as she often spend her days helping her mother. Natasha could cook but didn't like it as it was a reminder of the various lessons forced onto her by the Red Room, and Shuri, Shuri laughed if anyone even suggested she go into the kitchen, and putting coffee in the machine was her limit, not helped by the fact it was a Wakandan design and all she had to do was make sure it had coffee and water and switch it on.

The only person who actually enjoyed cooking was Jean, and sometimes it was a sight to watch her telekinetically control several pans at once, using her powers to monitor everything at once. In the mansion, it had been one of the mental exercises she had grown to love, and times in the kitchen, making dishes for the other students to enjoy were some of her happiest memories. It also didn’t help that telekinetically controlling several knives, spoons, pans, and a variety of other utensils was excellent practice.

Yes, I did most of the cooking, Jean told him, everyone helped decorate the cake though.

Everything was Peter's favourite, various hotdogs, pasta, and steak all cooked to perfection, with mashed potatoes and fries of various types. It wasn't the healthiest of meals but everyone sat and waited,

Peter stood, “well Since I turned eighteen it's been a wild ride. I really never expected to find so many loved ones to celebrate twelve years later. Each chapter in my life had been difficult sometimes, but each one brings me great joy, and I am glad to have shared ti it with all of you.” and lifting his glass, “Cheers” and everyone raised their own glass and replied.

As the meal went on, May slid a box over. It was a larger than normal pastry box, As he saw it he smiled. No matter what was going on, Aunt May always made his favourite for his birthday.

“I know the girls made you a cake Peter but-” Peter shook his head and stood to hug his mom,

“They know,” and as he opened the box, inside was a stack of his mom's wonderful wheatcakes. She made them every year for him, without question, and they were his favourite thing in the world.

She leaned forwards and kissed his cheek “happy birthday dear, those will keep for breakfast tomorrow, I made more than enough for everyone.”

Your mom delivered them earlier Pete, they’re in the refrigerator, five boxes. Jean let him know,

“Love you, mom,” he said as he held her tightly. Curt smiled and patted him on the back,

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“Happy birthday Peter.”

Peter hugged his almost step-dad back. The wedding had been set for the spring and had been booked, and paid for and now it was just the laborious tasks of dresses, cakes, catering, venue, and a whole host of other small items that Peter had no idea how anyone could keep track of it.

Which was a laughing point amongst the women, as the day before, Shuri, her brother, and their mother had all turned up to give Peter a final warning.

“You have passed all our tests. You have proven to be the man any mother could wish for our daughter. And, while there have been complaints from the council,” Romanda said, while Shuri rolled her eyes, “I would be proud to have you as a son-in-law.” Peter gave her the Wakandan ceremonial salute. She raised an eyebrow at him.

“Is that how you greet your own mother?” and he looked over at Shuri who spread her arms out and rolled her eyes.

Peter laughed and moved in to hug her, and she laughed and she whispered, “Even if those old fools had said no, Shuri would have burned the capital to the ground. There was never any doubt Peter. I am sorry they were so difficult.”

“It's fine, mom,” he said.

T’Challa raised an eyebrow, “It is not fine, Brother. You a bad influence, and you must address her as Mother.”

Romanda huffed and turned, dragging Peter with her, “oh sush, you are just like your father. Protocol is stuffy and outdated. Allow him to call me whatever he wants.” and he lifted his head and pinched his cheeks, “such a handsome, dutiful boy. Unlike my other son, who ignores me, and travels the world without bringing gifts home.”

T’Challa rolled his eyes and laughed, “Mother, they are important diplomatic missions. I am not sightseeing. I am securing Wakanda's future.” but Romanda waved a hand at him,

“And did you ever bring your mother with you? I see you give Okoye packages, but nothing for me?” Romanda huffed, “Peter installed a portal device in our Royal Quarters, And allows me to use his pool house when we visit.”

T’Challa raised an eyebrow and Peter held his hands up, “I set the flags out, and am not in there.”

T’Challa smiled, “of course, of course. I do think, however, that you and I should follow Nakia, and discuss this next door. About proper boundaries, and my mother’s bathing habits.”

“Oh come on. Shuri?” but Shuri shrugged,

“Mom?” but Romanda shrugged too.

“You know I’m stronger than I look right?” but T’Challa shrugged as well,

“I learned the last time,“ T’Challa said, “and I have been training with Okoye. The new Extremis formula is much better than our own I will admit, and I am looking forwards to testing it.” and T’Challa grinned at him, “Younger brother.”

Malisson

Welcome to the final arc of House of Venom.

In a spoiler so the author’s note isn’t huge.

Arc 12 will post as normal, but the final 6 chapters will be slightly different.

Saturday 9th July

Final Short Story (title withheld due to spoilers) 9 am

First Finale Chapter 3 pm

Second Finale Chapter 9 pm

Sunday 10th July

The same, a chapter at 9 am, 3 pm, and then the last one at 9 pm.

Why?

Mainly as I have run afoul of the anti-cheat system before, posting two chapters close to each other and when the system kicks in it removes both from the front page. It might have been a bug, I don’t know, but it was still annoying.

And rather than leaving the finale spread over a week, and having horrible horrible cliffhangers, I decided a few hours between them lessons that.

Secondly,

Writer's block.

Arc 12, and the final 5 chapters are actually arc 12, arc 13, and a chunk of arc 15. The short was going to be arc 14.

But I just couldn’t get the story to flow properly. What I wanted to write, and what I did write were two entirely different things, and I wasn’t happy.

So, rather than the 450 chapters I had planned, I was left with either taking a hiatus and not posting anything until I resolved it or making small adjustments to the story and posting what I had.

Obviously, I chose to post.

I will make a longer post at the end of the novel, but for now, please enjoy arc twelve, and thanks for reading.

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