When the unexpected happened

The apartment was exactly as he'd left it this morning - worn furniture, water stains on the ceiling, and his mom's nursing scrubs hanging over a kitchen chair to dry. The only difference was Nick Fury, Director of SHIELD, sitting at their small kitchen table like he belonged there.

"I think I'm grounded, Antivenom," the boy whispered to his partner as he climbed through the window. The symbiote rippled nervously around his shoulders.

"Funny," Fury said, his one eye fixed on them with laser intensity. "Here I was thinking the same thing." He gestured to the empty chair across from him. "Sit down, son. We need to talk."

The symbiote started to retract, but Fury held up a hand. "Both of you. This concerns both of you."

The boy sat down, the symbiote forming a sort of protective collar around his shoulders. The kitchen clock ticked loudly in the silence. A siren wailed somewhere in the distance.

"So," Fury began, "let me get this straight. You united the Avengers, the Defenders, the Fantastic Four, and half of New York's most wanted list. You coordinated a ground defense that would make military strategists weep with joy. You saved this city." He leaned forward. "And you haven't even started high school yet."

The boy shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "I'm actually a freshman, sir."

"Oh, well that makes all the difference," Fury replied dryly. "Does your mother know?"

"About the freshman part? Yeah, she was there for registration-"

"About the part where her son is swinging around New York in an alien symbiote playing general to the superhero community?"

The boy looked down at his hands. "No, sir. She... she works so hard. Three jobs. I didn't want to worry her."

Fury's expression softened slightly. "She's at Metropolitan Hospital right now. Night shift in the ER. They're treating people you helped save today."

The symbiote spoke up, its voice a mix of protective and respectful. *We keep him safe. Always.*

"I can see that," Fury nodded. "You two make quite a team. Which is why I'm here."

He pulled out a folder and placed it on the table. "Your grades are excellent. Your attendance record, less so. But what interests me is this." He slid over a series of photographs showing Antivenom helping people across the city - stopping robberies, rescuing cats from trees, helping elderly people with their groceries.

"You've been busy. Even before today."

"Someone has to look out for the little guy," the boy said quietly. "The Avengers can't be everywhere."

"No," Fury agreed. "They can't." He studied them both for a long moment. "How old were you when you found the symbiote?"

"Thirteen. It was scared. Hurt. Like me." The boy placed a hand on the symbiote. "We helped each other."

Fury nodded slowly. "SHIELD has a program. For gifted youngsters-"

"No," both boy and symbiote said simultaneously.

"You didn't let me finish."

"We're not leaving New York," the boy said firmly. "Or my mom. Or our neighborhood. People here need us."

A ghost of a smile crossed Fury's face. "Who said anything about leaving? I'm talking about training. Support. Resources." He gestured around the apartment. "Maybe help with the bills so your mother doesn't have to work three jobs."

The symbiote rippled suspiciously. *What's the catch?*

"The catch is you two need guidance. Structure. Someone to watch your back." Fury stood up. "And maybe someone to explain to your mother why her son is going to be featured in tomorrow's Daily Bugle as New York's newest hero."

The color drained from the boy's face. "Oh no."

"Oh yes." Fury headed for the door. "You've got about four hours until her shift ends. I suggest you figure out what you're going to say." He paused at the threshold. "And kid? Good job today. Both of you."

As the door closed behind him, the boy slumped in his chair. "So... any ideas on how to tell Mom her son helped save New York?"

The symbiote formed a small face beside his. *We could make her breakfast?*

"Breakfast doesn't exactly make up for finding out your kid's been secretly fighting crime with an alien partner."

*We could make REALLY good breakfast?*

The boy couldn't help but laugh, even as he heard his mom's key in the lock four hours earlier than expected. The symbiote quickly retracted into his clothes as the door opened.

"Honey?" his mom called out, holding up a copy of the evening edition of the Daily Bugle. "Is there something you want to tell me about where you were during the alien invasion today?"

The boy and the hidden symbiote shared a mental groan. So much for four hours to prepare.

"Um... would you believe I was at the library?"

His mother's raised eyebrow said it all. This was going to be a long night.