You had accompanied Peter to the school that day for a very specific reason. His aunt, Aunt May, had scheduled an important meeting with the principal—none other than Mr. Coulson, someone you both knew well. Though your presence wasn't required for the meeting itself, you had decided to be there for Peter, offering him the support and comfort he might need before facing whatever was on the agenda. It wasn't just the usual school stuff—there was always a certain weight to these meetings, and you knew Peter could use someone by his side.

As the two of you walked through the familiar school halls, you caught sight of Aunt May approaching the principal's office. Her posture was calm but purposeful, a slight furrow in her brow suggesting a bit of the tension that surely accompanied these types of meetings. You knew it wasn't anything out of the ordinary for Aunt May, but still, you understood how it could affect Peter.

Once inside the quiet waiting area, the serene atmosphere of the school and the gentle hum of fluorescent lights almost immediately soothed your nerves. You found a comfortable spot in the corner and pulled out a novel you'd been absorbed in for the past few days. The pages practically turned themselves as the world of the book pulled you in, the humdrum of the school fading away around you.

Lost in the story, you barely noticed the approach of footsteps until they grew near enough to draw your attention. Lifting your gaze from the page, you spotted Aunt May entering the room, her presence as warm and welcoming as ever. Her expression softened when she saw you, her eyes lighting up with a smile that was a mixture of relief and gratitude.

"Ah, Y/N," she greeted, her voice a blend of affection and reassurance. "I see you're here to support Peter today. That's very thoughtful of you." Her smile widened, and you could sense the appreciation in the way she looked at you. The bond between the two of you had always been genuine, and seeing her face lit up like that gave you a deep sense of comfort.

You set the book down on the chair beside you, marking your place with a finger as you stood up to greet her. "Yes, Aunt May," you replied, your own voice filled with warmth. "I didn't want him to go through this alone." You stretched your arms over your head, feeling the weight of sitting still for too long lift from your back. "But now that you're here, I'm sure Peter's in good hands," you said, trying to reassure her as much as yourself. "I'll just step out and give you two some space."

Aunt May's smile faltered only for a moment before she quickly waved off your attempt to leave. "There's no need to rush off, Y/N," she insisted. "We're fine, really."

You shook your head lightly, a playful grin pulling at the corner of your lips. "I've got a few errands to run anyway," you said, spinning a quick excuse. "And besides, Peter's in good hands with you."

With one final pat on Peter's back to reassure him, you turned to leave. "Call me if you need anything, okay?" you added, looking back at them before making your exit. Aunt May's hand had already gently covered Peter's, offering the kind of silent comfort only family could provide.

You left the waiting area and stepped into the hall, where the sounds of students and teachers had dimmed significantly. It was a stark contrast to the buzz you'd felt when you first arrived, now replaced by the silence of a school nearing the end of its day. The air outside was crisp, refreshing—almost a physical weight lifting off your chest as you stepped through the doors and into the quiet of the schoolyard.

The school grounds stretched out before you, the last glimmers of afternoon sunlight casting long shadows on the playground. It was a peaceful, ordinary sight, but one that carried a sense of finality. You had done your part today—provided Peter with the support he needed and stepped back when the moment called for it. Family matters were for families to handle, after all.

With a sigh, you made your way towards your next destination, having crafted a quick excuse for yourself to leave. The errands you had mentioned were, in fact, a convenient reason to give Peter and Aunt May some privacy, but they also offered you a mental break. You couldn't shake the feeling that something important was hanging over the meeting, something that had little to do with grades or classes.

Still, you trusted Aunt May to handle things with her usual grace. You weren't worried about Peter—not really. He had been through a lot, but he had a way of pushing through the rough patches, much like the superhero persona he was so good at hiding.

As you moved further from the school, you made a silent vow to check in on Peter later, maybe over the phone. But for now, you were content in knowing you had done what you could. The day was winding down, the school bell ringing in the distance, signaling the end of another school day. And as you quickened your pace, leaving the quiet corridors behind you, you allowed yourself a small smile. Some things might not be so easily solved, but at least Peter wasn't alone in them.

SCENEBREAK

The clock had just struck 8 p.m., and the room was bathed in a soft, dim light when the sharp ring of the telephone startled you from your relaxation. Groggy from your attempt at winding down for the evening, you reached for the receiver, your voice carrying a hint of surprise as you answered. "Peter, is that you?" you mumbled, your words laced with the faint remnants of sleep.

"Yeah, it's me," Peter replied, his voice quick and urgent. Despite the calm of the night, you could hear the distant hum of city noise in the background, the kind of busy chaos that could only mean something was off. "What's going on? It's pretty late for a casual chat, don't you think?" you asked, rubbing your eyes to clear away the remnants of drowsiness.

"I know, I know," Peter said, sounding more tense than usual. "But we've got a situation. A real crisis."

You straightened in your chair, the sleepiness quickly fading as curiosity took over. "A crisis?" you repeated, trying to stifle a yawn. "What are you talking about?"

Peter's voice sped up, the words tumbling out as if he'd been holding them in for hours. "It's about the parent-teacher meeting. Aunt May and Coulson, uh, they hit it off. They decided to go on a date instead of the meeting."

You blinked in surprise, unable to suppress a small laugh at the absurdity of the situation. "Wait, Aunt May and Coulson? Together? On a date?"

"Yeah, exactly! And I need you here. Now," Peter pleaded, a mix of amusement and desperation in his tone.

You chuckled softly. "Is everything okay?"

"It's just weird, you know? Aunt May and Coulson? I didn't see that one coming." Peter's voice was a blend of confusion and discomfort.

Sighing, you set the phone down, a smile tugging at your lips. "Alright, Peter. I'll be there soon. Don't worry, we've got this." You glanced at the clock, knowing there wasn't much time to waste.

Before Peter could say anything else, you heard the familiar hum of your symbiote stirring in response to the call to action. Venom, always ready for anything, enveloped your body, the suit shifting into place as if it had been waiting for this moment. "Venom's coming along too," you added with a smirk, feeling the symbiote settle comfortably against your skin.

"Thanks," Peter said, his voice filled with a hint of relief. There was a brief silence before he added, "And maybe you could, uh, bring your friend with you?"

"You got it," you assured him. With that, you hung up the phone, tossing it back onto the table.

In a single fluid motion, you leaped out the window, the city lights flickering beneath you as the cool night air rushed past your face. The rain had started to fall, a fine mist drifting across the streets, but the symbiote kept you warm, the droplets passing through it effortlessly, leaving you untouched by the cold.

Venom's eyes glowed with quiet anticipation, a hiss of excitement escaping as the two of you soared through the night. You soon spotted Peter on a rooftop just ahead, his figure crouched low against the edge, Spider-Man suit dampened by the rain.

Landing softly beside him, you grinned. "You called, remember?" you teased, watching his eyes widen in a mix of shock and relief.

"Right, I forgot," Peter muttered, still trying to process the fact that you were here. "What are you doing here?"

"Helping out, obviously." You crossed your arms, raising an eyebrow as you surveyed the scene.

Before you could ask what the emergency was, an alarm blared through the night, a shrill sound that pierced the air. The cacophony was followed by the unmistakable sound of screams. You whipped your head around to see a man in a bizarre beetle-themed suit charging into the restaurant below.

"Looks like someone forgot their manners," you quipped, already gearing up for the fight.

Peter let out a resigned sigh. "Guess it's hero time," he muttered.

"Looks like it," you agreed, your tone laced with anticipation. You shot him a reassuring glance before pulling yourself into action. "Let's go, Venom," you whispered, and the symbiote responded with a deep, eager hiss, ready for the chaos that was about to unfold.

The restaurant was in disarray when you and Peter arrived, dishes flying and furniture being tossed aside. Patrons and staff cowered in fear as the beetle-clad villain rampaged through the dining area, sending tables crashing to the floor.

You took a moment to assess the situation, your eyes scanning the room for the best strategy. "Let's not let him ruin anyone's dinner," you said, half-joking but fully focused.

Peter's spider-sense tingled, and in an instant, he swung into action, webs flying to entangle the villain. Venom's tendrils shot out, wrapping around the beetle-man's limbs, while you followed up with a series of precise punches. The restaurant, with its high ceilings and expensive décor, quickly became a battleground as plates shattered and chairs were sent flying.

The beetle-themed villain fought back fiercely, his movements faster than you'd expected. He was more agile than he looked, matching Peter and you blow for blow. Still, the two of you worked seamlessly, every punch, kick, and web perfectly timed as if you'd done this together a hundred times.

Finally, after a relentless exchange, you managed to subdue the villain, binding him in webs while Venom gripped him with a tight hold. The restaurant was left in chaos, but the threat had been neutralized.

Peter wiped his brow, panting slightly. "Thanks for the help," he said, his voice filled with genuine appreciation.

You grinned, the adrenaline still coursing through your veins. "No problem," you replied, reaching out to pat Venom's head, who gave a pleased purr. "It's what friends are for."

Peter rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at his lips. "Just... don't tell anyone about Aunt May and Coulson, okay?"

You snickered. "Your secret's safe with us," you promised, glancing back at the tied-up villain one last time before swinging away into the night. The rain continued to fall, a soft patter against the pavement, as Venom's laughter joined yours, echoing through the city streets.