Spider-Man Mayhem-Chapter 435: Goodbye X-Men

[Third Person Pov]

"Anyways, why exactly is Lizzy mad at Harry again? I missed it," Peter asked, his mask halfway up to his nose while balancing a plate piled high with meat in his hands, already halfway through chewing as he spoke.

"I’ll send you the video feed," Aria said with a smirk. She didn’t entirely understand why, but she was really starting to enjoy the drama, especially when it involved giving Harry a hard time. There was just something entertaining about watching him dig himself into a hole.

A moment later, the others received the feed as well. One by one, their expressions shifted as they watched the interaction between Harry and Emma play out. It wasn’t anything too shocking at first, just the usual back-and-forth, but the ending made nearly everyone raise a brow.

...

By that point, Harry and the rest of the X-Men had finished evacuating the remaining captured mutants, sending them safely through the portal back to Xavier’s Mansion. One by one they stepped through, some tired, some relieved, but all accounted for. Emma, however, stayed where she was.

"Send me somewhere else, there’s no need to send me with the lot of them," Emma said, arms crossed, her tone casual but deliberate.

"And where do you want to go?" Harry questioned, glancing over at her.

"Mmm... send me to San Francisco," she replied after a brief moment of consideration, like she was choosing a vacation spot rather than a destination.

"Are you going to be fine by yourself?" Harry asked, genuinely concerned.

"Why? Worried about me?" Emma smirked, clearly enjoying herself.

Almost instantly, Harry felt the temperature around him spike. Heat pressed in from all sides, making sweat bead at his temple. He didn’t even bother turning around. He already knew. Lizzy was behind him, and judging by the sudden rise in temperature, she was definitely not pleased. He swallowed hard before forcing out a response. "Nope. I-I’ll open the portal now."

Emma let out a soft laugh, amused by how quickly he folded, and stepped closer as the portal opened beside her. Just before she went through, her eyes shimmered with mischief.

"Say, Mr. Hero, what if I need help again? How will I be able to get into contact with you?"

"Um... we have a website," Harry muttered, his voice noticeably less confident as the heat continued to climb.

"A website, huh," Emma repeated thoughtfully. "I see. That means It’ll be easy to get in contact you with you again."

As she said that, she deliberately turned her gaze toward Lizzy, the provocation obvious. Then, without hesitation, she leaned in and kissed Harry on the cheek. Blue lipstick marked the spot instantly.

"Ciao, don’t be a stranger~" she added with a wink before stepping through the portal.

The second she disappeared, the air practically crackled.

"I’m going to fucking kill her," Lizzy muttered, her jaw clenched tight. Her hair lifted slightly, strands moving like snakes, the ends faintly igniting.

"And you! Why the hell are you blushing?!" Lizzy snapped, rounding on Harry.

Harry immediately started wiping at the blue lipstick on his cheek, clearly flustered. "It’s just really hot right now since you’re raising the temperature," he stammered, trying to sound reasonable despite everything.

Lizzy scoffed sharply and spun on her heel. "We’re going to have a seriously long talk when this is over. Do you understand?"

"Yes, ma’am," Harry replied stiffly, his shoulders straightening on instinct, his tone carrying a hint of dread.

Lizzy began walking away, not even looking back. "’Are you going to be fine by yourself,’ ’We have a website,’ bastard..." she muttered under her breath, mocking him with every step.

"Uh... crud," Harry said quietly, watching her go.

...

Peter had to lift his plate into the air just to keep from spilling everything as he doubled over laughing, eventually dropping to the ground. "Bwahahaha! Poor Nightwing, I almost feel bad for him! Hahahaha!"

The others weren’t much better, though they tried to be more composed. A few chuckles slipped out here and there, some covering their mouths, exchanging amused looks.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, laugh it up," Harry said as he walked over, now holding a piece of corn on the cob like nothing had happened, even though his expression said otherwise.

"I am! Hahaha!" Peter shot back without hesitation, still laughing. If anything, this only made it funnier. After all, nothing said true friendship quite like laughing at your best friend’s misfortune.

"Are you done?" Harry asked with a straight face, completely unamused as he took another bite of his corn, he was trying very hard to ignore everything that had just happened.

"Nope," Peter replied immediately, without even a hint of shame.

Peter then placed a hand over his mouth like he should be concerned, though the grin on his face ruined the effort. "It seems you have a thing for blondes. Should I be worried?"

"You’re such an ass, I hope you know that," Harry grumbled, chewing a bit more aggressively than necessary.

Peter gasped dramatically before grabbing Gwen’s hand and pulling her slightly behind him. "Come, honey, stand behind me. We don’t know what this deviant might try next."

Harry didn’t even bother responding verbally. He held the corn between his teeth and reached behind his back, pulling out his escrima sticks in one smooth motion, his irritation very clear now

That only made things worse.

Peter burst out laughing again and immediately bolted, holding his plate high in the air to keep it safe as he ran. "Someone go warn Johnny not to leave this one alone with his sister!"

Harry went after him, swinging his sticks wildly, not really aiming so much as venting his frustration while trying to catch him.

The rest of the group couldn’t hold it in anymore. Laughter and quiet giggles spread all around as they watched the chaotic chase unfold. Even the X-Men found themselves amused by the scene.

"Are we sure he’s an adult? They behave more like us," Kitty questioned, tilting her head slightly. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t picture someone like Charles or Logan acting like that under a mask.

"That’s a good question," Scott added from near the grill, glancing over at the two still causing a scene. "But that’s not really for us to know, is it?"

"I know, I know," Kitty said quickly, raising her hands defensively. "But you can’t help being curious about these kinds of things. I know I’m not the only one here dying to know what he looks like."

A few heads nodded around her in agreement. After all, Spider-Man’s identity was one of the world’s biggest mysteries, and moments like this only made it more intriguing.

...

Eventually, the night wound down. The sky had darkened completely, and the earlier excitement settled into a calmer atmosphere. It became clear that it was time for Spider-Man and his team to head out.

Peter stepped forward, shaking hands with both Charles and Scott as they exchanged parting words.

"I doubt the mission would have gone so effortlessly without the addition of you and your team, Spider-Man. We are forever in your debt," Charles said, his tone sincere and full of gratitude.

"Think nothing of it, we’re glad to help. Call us anytime the situation demands it," Peter replied easily.

"Likewise," Scott added. "We’ll be sure to return the favor. If you ever need the help of the X-Men, you know where to find us."

Charles nodded. "Our doors are always open to you and your team. Don’t hesitate to stop by, it doesn’t even have to be an emergency."

"I’m glad you said that," Peter said, his tone suddenly more eager. "I was still thinking about becoming a guest lecturer, if you’ll allow it."

That earned a few light laughs.

"Of course," Charles said with a warm smile. "I won’t deny my students the opportunity to learn from you. I’m sure they would all love it."

Off to the side, Johnny stood a step away from the main group, his phone already in hand as he held it out toward Rogue with a raised brow. "Do I even have to ask?"

"Hmm, I don’t know, Johnnyboy," Rogue replied, her tone teasing as she crossed her arms. "I might like hearing you beg for it."

"Now you’re just playing with my heart," Johnny said, placing a hand over his chest like he’d been wounded.

Rogue rolled her eyes but took the phone from him anyway. "You’re lucky you’re cute. But don’t think this means anything."

Johnny bit his lip, clearly pleased with himself, and subtly extended his hand off to the side toward Peter without looking.

Peter caught it, snorted quietly, and gave him a quick slap of acknowledgment before turning away. A portal opened up nearby with a faint shimmer.

"Let’s just go, Johnny. Hopefully Susan doesn’t murder us after this," Peter said casually.

Johnny, who had been enjoying his small victory, immediately stiffened. "You couldn’t just let me enjoy the moment for one minute before reminding me of my impending doom?"

"Nope," Peter replied with a grin.

He began walking backward toward the portal, holding up two peace signs as a casual farewell. "Expect me to become the best professor your institution has ever seen!"

With that, he stepped through. The portal closed shortly after, leaving the grounds quiet again as Spider-Man and his team returned home.

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