Chapter 1
Hobie and Miles will never work out, that's the unfortunate truth. Oftentimes when he thinks about Hobie the memory of what Gwen said rang through his mind. At the time Miles told Gwen that he was in love with her as a result of Ganke's endless teasing, and she rejected him. She told him, "No matter what we want we can't risk the canon, or else both our universes could be destroyed." So when Miles thought about Hobie he had to remind himself that no matter what, he can't be with him.
It was crushing actually, Miles rarely ever talks to the group anymore because of it. Instead he focused on his own universe and made sure everything was safe and sound. That and exam week was coming up, so that gave him an excuse.
"Are you still avoiding them?" Ganke asked, Miles was sitting on the top bunk reading over some of his previous work.
"I'm not avoiding anything," Miles defended. "I've just been busy."
Ganke sighed. "You'll have to talk to them eventually."
"And when I have to... I will." Miles focused back on his work. "I just can't right now, too much is going on and I need to be prepared for the exams." Ganke rolled his eyes, not that Miles would be able to see it from where he's sitting even if he was paying attention to Ganke.
"Sure, whatever makes you feel better." Miles didn't really want to see his friends currently. He knew the heartache that would follow if he had to see Hobie or Gwen. Instead he studied into the night, taking breaks to hydrate and swing around the city to think about a question if it was confusing him too much. Eventually Miles had to sleep, so he put his books away and got some rest. The next day was just like the last, at this point days were flying by and blending into each other. Miles studied when he got to his dorm, stayed on top of his class work and did Spider-Man stuff in between.
Two days have passed since he had that conversation with Ganke, exams would start tomorrow. The time where he would have to talk to his friends is rapidly approaching and he wasn't prepared in the slightest. School had just ended and Miles decided to head to the library to do some studying away from Ganke for a bit. He had his headphones on and sat alone quietly. There weren't that many students in the library today, meaning he'd get some good time in.
He honestly wasn't expecting what happened next, or rather who he'd see. It was a tap on his shoulder that caught his attention. He took his headphones and looked up to see... Hobie?
No, his hair was different. He had long dreadlocks, some of them were gathered at the back of his head for a lazy, fluffy looking bun. And framing his face was a single white lock of hair that fell in between his face.
And his colors weren't shifting. He didn't shift to pink, or grey, or anything. He was one color and stayed that way, as if he was from this universe. Did Miles have Hobie in his universe? Was this Miles' Hobie? He had the school uniform on and everything.
"Are you super busy?" The way he spoke was different as well, he didn't have a lot of slang in his words but the british accent was still there. If only barely.
"No, uh, not really." Miles finally uttered out.
"Sorry, you're just the only other person in the library and I'm new here." God, his accent... and that voice. Miles could listen to it for hours on repeat.
"New? Exams are starting tomorrow, why are you getting in now?" Miles asked. Hobie(?) chuckled softly, it had an odd warmth to it.
"Not exactly my choice, luv. I just moved here." That made sense. "I was just wonderin' if you could help me find a book, is all. You probably know the library better than I do, yea?" Miles didn't, but like hell was he going to pass this up. Who is this kid anyways?
"Yeah, what are you looking for?" Miles stood up from where he was sitting, this kid was taller than he was by a long shot. He had to look up just to see his eyes. They were a dark brown, but oddly enough his right eye had a few splotches of blue in it. He seemed to have noticed Miles looking at his eye, since he gently brushed his hair with his fingers to get it to fall in front of it.
"Just a history book, it doesn't matter which one." He said simply. Miles nodded and helped him to the history section of the library, leaving his own stuff at the table he was studying at.
"Here, there should be plenty of history books over here so uhm, take your pick." Miles smiled softly.
"Thanks, luv." He smiled. He turned to get a book before suddenly turning back to Miles. "Oh, I didn't catch your name, did I? Sorry bout that, mate."
"No worries," Miles reassured. "I'm Miles Morales. How about you? I mean- What's your name?" Miles cursed himself for fumbling with his words, but the other student just laughed it off.
"Names Hobart J Brown." I knew it! Miles smiled.
"Nice to meet you, Hobart. I'll see you around?" Hobart nodded before turning back to get his books. His hair was really long, wasn't it? It faded to white at the ends too, was that a choice? It had to be. Miles decided not to dwell on it for too long. He simply went back to his work station and began cleaning up. He's thankful that Hobart came to interrupt him or else he would've gone past his patrol time.
Miles didn't see Hobart for a few days, at least not until after exams. The first day of the new semester he saw Hobart in his first class, spanish. He wasn't expecting to see him again at all, they sit next to each other too. When the bell rang Hobart even spoke to him. "Miles, right?" Miles jumped slightly, not expecting Hobart to speak to him. It caused a small laugh to surface from the other.
"What's up?" Miles asked as casual to his ability, Hobart smiled. That was a good sign.
"I know you probably don't remember me, but I wanted to thank you for your help in the library." Miles nodded.
"Yeah, no problem. And I do remember you, Hobart. I don't think anyone could forget you with that appearance." That was not the right thing to say, Miles knew that the second Hobart frowned. "Not that that's a bad thing- I mean you look beautiful! I mean- pretty- I mean nice!-" Miles fumbled, trying to correct himself. Hobart laughed at Miles' struggle, smiling softly after.
"It's alright, thanks, luv." Miles chuckled awkwardly.
"Hey uh, Hobie?" Hobart's full attention was suddenly on Miles, eyes slightly wide and he looked a little flustered. Shit, right. Miles cleared his throat. "Hobart-"
"No no, it's fine, luv. You can call me Hobie if you want." Hobart continued. "What do you need, Miles?" He turned his whole body to look at Miles.
"I was just wondering if, y'know, you're cool with it- I could have your number? That way we can talk or hang out if you want." Hobart smiled.
"Yeah, that works. Gotta phone?" Miles nodded, he unlocked his phone and turned it to contacts before handing it to Hobart. He took the phone and added his contact in it, then texted himself and handed it back to Miles. "There, call me after school, yeah?"
"Alright, cool." Miles cringed at how flustered he sounded, no doubt he was blushing too. Hobart smiled at him before the two went their seperate ways.