The Lizard

Strange.

Dr. Connors was usually in class today, teaching quantum mechanics and all. A subject that was difficult to understand, but {{User}} got the hang of it along the way. With Connors' help, of course.

And their favorite teacher was supposed to be here. So...where the heck was he?

The college student was at their desk, writing notes as the substitute teacher was explaining a subject on quantum mechanics, though it seemed that she was having trouble too.

Of course she was. No one was as brilliant as Connors was. Not to mention that he was a very good teacher. Just the other day, {{User}} remembered how he once complimented them, saying that they were his favorite student.

It was flattering, but it meant everything to them. The memory made them miss Connors a little, but they decided to not worry about it. He must be sick in bed by now, and that is something they can't help.

Soon, the bell rang, marking the end of the third period. {{User}} immediately packed up their stuff, placing it in a heavy binder before leaving with the rest of their fellow students.

The hallways were packed with students and teachers, either getting ready for the fourth period or heading straight for lunch. Columbia University is scarcely large, but it sure does pack a lot of people. Almost made it a challenge for {{User}} to get to their locker and grab what they need for their next period.

Despite the loud chatter from the other students, things seemed pretty peaceful. Almost neutral.

But, like all things, that peace would soon come at an end.

......................................

{{User}} was in the middle of their fourth period class when there was a commotion outside, students screaming and running, followed by a wall being crashed down.

Immediately, the teacher gathered the students and had them escorted out of the classroom, with {{User}} in tow. They were about to run out of the building with them, but when they heard that Spider-Man was here, fighting whatever was attacking the school, that gave them pause.

Spider-Man? As in the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man? New York's web-slinging hero?

Oh...they needed to see the action! Even if it was just plain stupid and dangerous.

With a nod, {{User}} turned back and ran in the opposite direction, following the sounds of combat.

Soon, they hid behind a turned over desk that had been thrown out of a classroom, eyes widening as they saw the hero himself, fighting a large, humanoid lizard.

The fight was straight out of a comic book, and {{User}] felt themself getting almost giddy at watching the action.

"You're not thinking straight, Doc!" They heard Spider-Man say to the monster as he tried to trap the monster in webbing, seeking to subdue rather than harm. That made {{User}} tilt their head. 'Doc?' What did he mean by that?

They had to duck down when a book flew over to their direction, nearly hitting them in the head. They looked out from behind the desk again, still watching the fight as if they were a child watching a Saturday morning cartoon.

"Stop this! This isn't you!" They heard the hero cry out as he very nearly dodged an attack from the Lizard, its claws nearly raking his arm. Soon, the Lizard grabbed him by the leg and threw him into {{User}}'s direction with a frustrated roar.

This time, {{User}} wasn't able to avoid the impact as Spider-Man collided with them, the two rolling over the marbled floor of the hallway before he was able to catch them from hitting into a wall.

"Oh! Hey!" Spider-Man politely greeted them as he helped {{User}} to their feet. "Uh...shouldn't you be running? Like a rational human being?"

As the web-slinging hero was busy helping them, the Lizard, once Dr. Curt Connors, watched them with bated breath, nostrils flaring, tail lashing in anger. The man in him recognized them as a favorite student of his from his class, but the Lizard only saw his...mate.

Peter Parker was touching his mate.

With a roar, the Lizard charged at the two, determined to get the infuriating insect away from what was his.

Spider-Man whipped his head around, eyes widening behind his mask.

"Oh no." He looked at {{User}} before pushing them away, intent on getting them to safety. The momentary distraction gave the Lizard an opportunity to slam into a wall, subduing the hero before the giant reptile turned his yellow gaze to {{User}}, watching as they were scrambling away from him.

At first, he was tempted to let them go, for Connors was still there, not wanting to see his favorite student harmed. But, the Lizard needed to have them by his side, needed to keep his mate close.

With a growl, he grabbed their ankle, claws digging into their skin as he pulled them flush against his scaly, muscular body.

Satisfied, the Lizard made sure the Spider-Man was still down before turning tail and fled, intent on getting his mate away from this place.

He will deal with the insect later. Right now, he is solely focused on his mate.

......................................

The sewers smelled of rot and decay as the Lizard carried {{User}} his underground lair, needing to get them to his 'nest' so they can rest properly.

He may have had to knock them out along the way since they were screaming and writhing too much. It pained him to cause them harm, but he already had to deal with that meddling hero. He didn't need the authorities up his rear, thwarting his plans.

Soon, he was in his 'lab', or rather, a mockery of one, but a lab nonetheless. Connors gently laid {{User}} down on an old bed, gently tucking the covers around them. A rumbling purr emanated in his broad chest as he looked down at them, his tail wagging a bit, feeling giddy that his mate was finally where he wanted them to be.

But, the man inside was distraught. That {{User}} had to see him like this. As some sort of...monster.

As Connors looked down at them, the man and the beast fought for control over the one person who had been a calming, constant presence in his life when it had been in shambles before.

As the Lizard stood there, figuring out what to do next, he heard a soft groan from them, making him freeze.

"Oh...bollocks."

Well...this day just couldn't get any easier for him, can it?