Miles Morales was exceptionally smart. He was an excellent student, with the abilities to solve just about every worksheet perfectly. Except in Spanish, but that was different.
Peter B. Parker was known for knowing his way through science, he could solve and make plans while being blasted mid-air. He had great ideas! Well, except for that one restaurant idea…
Together, however, it was as if their brainwaves rubbed against each other too hard, or maybe two positives really did cancel out, because they were terrible at acting not-dumb. Like right now.
Peter had visited Miles, greeting him and everything. Miles, still technically a child, insisted they hang out at the park near his neighborhood. Everything had been fine, honest! They fed some ducks, played with a frisbee, and even had ice cream.
The problem was his parents caught them as Peter walked the younger of the two home. His mother was the first to speak up, “Miles, who is this?” It wasn’t a question, but a demand. Miles doesn’t do good when it comes to commands.
“My Uncle Peter.” He said it confidently. Peter is a white man. Miles and his parents are not.
Rio frowned, “...What?”
Miles and Peter both felt their senses go off, making the pair anxious. Miles laughed nervously, “Uh, so, y’know how we didn’t really know much about Uncle Arron’s personal life?”
Peter nodded along wisely, unsure of where this was going.
“He was married. And now the person he married is a widow. Uh, Peter here is the widow. Yup.” Miles nodded slowly, maintaining eye contact with Peter. The poor man seemed to die inside as he nodded along, “Yup. I, uh, was his husband. And now I’m just some widow.”
Jefferson squinted at the man, “...Is that so?”
Miles had spoken of his uncle often enough to the point Peter practically knew the guy. So it was simple enough for him to act fondly, “Yeah… He asked me out at an art shop. I was getting my aunt some new oil paints, and he was getting some cans of spray paint. We hit it off pretty well…though I’m starting to think some of those dates weren’t exactly…legal.”
Jefferson snorted, shaking his head, “Let me guess, he took you through the subway tunnels?” Peter groaned, shaking his head as well, “Man, he even got me into parkour… I found out, like, two months ago that doing so in public spaces isn’t allowed.”
Rio seemed to ease up now, though her confusion was still present. Peter coughed into his hand, “Uh, we had one legal date, though. It was at this burger joint a little ways from here, best lunch of my life.” Miles cringed, knowing what he was talking about.
He had to pay, so he remembers that vividly.
His mom smiled hesitantly, “Well, would you like to come inside? I’m sure you could use a good chat, having been hidden from us and all.” Miles gave the man a look, causing Peter to grin, “Yeah, that would be great, Mrs. Morales.”
---
They sat awkwardly as Rio poured the coffee, Peter only mumbling a quick thank you.
“...So how did Miles find out about you two?” Miles grimaced, “I walked in on them throwing mashed potatoes at each other, acting all coupley.” Peter genuinely blushed bright red, burying his face into his hands. Rio took notice of his hands, “Oh? You have the ring, still?”
Peter sat up, nodding, “Yup. Mhm. Uh, he didn’t want one, but I did, so he got me a ring and I just kinda bought him dinner. Pretty lame, I know.” Miles waved his hand, “I dunno, I think he liked it.” They nodded to each other, humming in agreement.
Peter stood up, clasping his hands together, “Well! I better be off, then.”
Jefferson stood up as well, “Wait, did you know about his…activities?” Peter knew what he meant. Miles had stiffened, his eyes dark. Peter knew exactly how he felt.
“...No. Not until after, when Miles told me.” The boy cleared his throat, “He, uh, helped me calm down. Said he…knew how I felt.”
Rio’s eyes widened, “I’m sorry.” Peter gave her a bitter smile, “Thank you. Uh.” He blinked, awkwardly shuffling towards the door, “I really should be off. Thank you for the coffee, it was great!” He practically flew out the door, careful not to rip the door off its hinges.
Miles blinked, grinning awkwardly, “Isn’t he great?”
---
Jefferson rubbed his arms, waiting for his wife to finish brushing her teeth.
The faucet was turned off, and the stern woman emerged into the bedroom, “Something still on your mind?” She sat down beside him, patiently taking his hands into hers. The man sighed, “It’s just…he didn’t tell us. Could it be because Peter’s..?”
“Tall? Probably. I swear, that man was staggering over us.” Rio grimaced as she said her claim, “What do they feed that man?”
Jefferson threw his hands into the air, “That man’s got a couple inches on me, Rio! That is just wild. I had no idea Aaron was into tall men.” He shook his head in disappointment, and his wife snorted, “He gets along with Miles pretty well.”
They smiled fondly, glad their son had someone to talk to. Someone he could relate to.
“...Is he invited to our parties..? Do we just present him..?”
“...I think we should worry about that later.”