"What do you mean?"
"When I tried to analyze your DNA, the genome was completely unreadable." Susan gritted her teeth, the smell of scorched copper in the air growing stronger. "It's like an encrypted computer. I can't access the gene segments that changed at all. Your DNA seems to come with its own password, and I can't crack it!"
"How is that possible?"
Susan slumped against the lab bench. "The surface of your genes is covered in a special protective enzyme that prevents anyone from analyzing their true structure. It shares an origin with your spider-bite adaptation mechanism. It assimilated the spider abilities, and now it's stopping me from looking inside your genes. We normally use enzymes for gene cutting, but whenever I introduce any enzyme, that protective membrane of yours blocks it."
Peter thought for a moment. "So this password you mentioned..."
"I need a specific enzyme that can cut into your genetic material without being absorbed or destroyed."
Peter rubbed his temples. "Goddammit."
"Tell me about it." Susan sighed.
"But look on the bright side." Peter chuckled. "At least nobody can use my blood to clone an army now."
Susan raised an eyebrow. "You always come up with the strangest ideas, Peter."
"Come on, you think those lunatics out there wouldn't get ideas like that? S.H.I.E.L.D. probably already has samples of my DNA. Hopefully they can't crack this lock either."
"Hopefully." Susan smiled helplessly. "Sorry, Peter. It doesn't look like I was much help today."
"Don't say that. You helped a lot. At least you confirmed I'm not going to die. That's important."
Susan rolled her eyes. "Fine. I just wish I could figure out exactly what changed in you."
"Whatever it is, I'll figure it out soon." Peter patted her shoulder and said goodbye to Susan.
Susan thoughtfully helped him get permission from Aunt May and Uncle Ben to stay out, saying he was just working late at the lab.
The next day, Peter went to school as though nothing had happened.
During English class, Natasha Romanoff cast wary glances at him from time to time. Peter returned them with an easy smile, mouthing assurances that everything was fine and that if he needed help, he certainly wouldn't hesitate to ask.
After school, Peter, Felicia, and Mary Jane went to their usual coffee shop for tutoring, just as they always did.
As soon as Peter sat down, his body felt a little heavy. Had I eaten too much? Or were the aftereffects of that gas still acting up?
"Are you okay, tiger?" Mary Jane took out her physics textbook and looked at him with concern. "You don't look so good."
"I'm fine." Peter sighed. "Got home too late last night. Too much work."
"Working for the Fantastic Four?" Felicia sat down beside him and raised an eyebrow.
"No, working for a 'client.'" Peter gave her a look, their code for referring to Spider-Man missions.
"Hmm, are you sure you're okay?" Felicia reached out to feel his forehead. "No fever."
"I just feel a little drained."
"Oh, sweetheart, do you need a kiss to make you feel better?" Felicia leaned closer.
Peter smiled. "That would be perfect."
Felicia leaned in and kissed him on the lips. In an instant, that warm maple syrup scent assaulted Peter's nose again.
Lust. Thank God. If it were some other emotion, this would be way too weird.
"Do you still have the energy to teach?" Mary Jane opened her book helplessly as she watched the two kiss as though no one else was there.
Peter let go of Felicia and turned to Mary Jane. "No problem, I just... need to use the restroom. Be right back."
He stood up, and his stomach suddenly churned violently.
"Peter?" Felicia called worriedly.
"I'm fine, I promise." Peter hurried toward the restroom.
"Do you think he caught some kind of virus?" Mary Jane asked.
Felicia shook her head. "Impossible. If it were a virus, I'd have caught it already."
Mary Jane's cheeks reddened slightly. "Because you two... have a lot of physical contact."
Felicia grinned. "You can just say we kiss a lot, Xiaohong."
"Right, right." Mary Jane stammered. "I didn't realize you'd already... gotten that far."
"A long time ago." Felicia nodded. "What about you and Harry?"
"No." Mary Jane pursed her lips. "He's pushing pretty hard, but the way he treats me... I don't think things are going to work out between us."
"Tell me, what's that Osborn boy like?" Felicia took a sip of her drink. "Is he a good kisser?"
"Um..." Mary Jane blushed. "He's okay. I enjoy kissing him, but he's always too eager. He always ruins the mood, you know, trying to move too fast."
Felicia nodded. "I get it. Before Peter, I met men like that too. But you'll find the right person. You just need to find yourself someone like Peter."
Mary Jane sighed. "Maybe. So, what's Peter actually like?"
"Perfect." Felicia smiled like a cat that had stolen the cream. "He's like a different person. He can be very domineering sometimes, but he's not the kind of person who's only interested in your body."
"What do you mean? How is that not rough?"
"Let's put it this way: he demands that your mind, body, and soul all focus on him." Felicia chuckled. "It's actually pretty cute. But at a time like that, the thought of saying no doesn't even enter your head."
Mary Jane froze for a moment. "Oh, well, congratulations."
"Thanks. I'm so lucky. Most men like him are incredibly arrogant. They think that just because they're well-endowed, they can demand everything without giving anything back. So I'm really glad..."
"Wait, what?!" Mary Jane suddenly shrieked. Everyone in the coffee shop turned to look at her, and she hurriedly leaned toward Felicia's ear, blushing and lowering her voice. "What do you mean?!"
"What?" Felicia looked utterly innocent.
"What do you mean, well-endowed? You two have already... done it?!"
Felicia feigned surprise. "Yes. Did you think I was only talking about kissing?"
"Yes!"
"Ha! You're so innocent, Xiaohong." Felicia burst out laughing.
"How did it happen? When?!"
"The night of your play." Felicia shrugged. "It felt right. I wanted it, he wanted it, and we felt especially close that night." Remembering the night she had discovered Peter's secret and Peter had accepted hers, she still found it utterly wonderful.
"But..." Mary Jane gaped. "Wow."
"That was my reaction too," Felicia teased.
"So when you said he was domineering..."
"Oh, yes. Very intense, but not enough to hurt you." Felicia recalled the slight pain of her first night. "Okay, maybe it hurt just a tiny bit."
Mary Jane's eyes lit up. "Felicia. Details. Now."
Felicia shrugged and began vividly describing her first time, leaving nothing vague where detail was needed.
Meanwhile, Peter was braced against the restroom sink, dry heaving.
He raised his head. His reflection was pale and haggard. He turned on the faucet and washed his face. Maybe I should give S.H.I.E.L.D. a call?
But suddenly, his body stopped trembling. The discomfort in his stomach vanished in an instant, and everything returned to normal.
What was going on?
Then his hands began twitching uncontrollably. He could feel energy surging inside his palms, growing stronger and stronger. His muscles twitched. Out of curiosity, he didn't suppress the sensation, but tried to guide the energy instead.
Slowly, his arms began to give off a dim blue glow.
Peter's pupils abruptly contracted, and the hairs on his arms stood on end from the static electricity. The energy kept compressing and expanding within his arms until it reached a critical point-
Boom!