Chapter 1
Chapter 1: Empanadas
Miguel looked at the screens that surrounded him, sighing in frustration as he clicked through them. Several were open to observe other universes abnormalities that had already been taken care of and left one open to his daughter, Gabbie, open that was showing her and other universe him playing in a park.
Lyla popped up, emitting a soft orange glow on Miguel's shoulder.
“Miguel? Peter is outside your office, he’s asking if you want company?” she said with her usual perky voice. Miguel sighed, rubbing his forehead.
“Does he have his child with him?” Miguel said trying not to groan. Lyla fuzzed, rolling her eyes.
“If he did you wouldn’t let him in would you?” Lyla said annoyed. Miguel grunted a small chuckle. “What do you think?” Lyla fuzzed and laughed.
“I woulda let him in either way.” Lyla said, fuzzing out.
“Miguel?” Peters voice echoed as he entered Miguel’s office. Miguel sighed and turned around. Peter stood in the door way holding a brown paper bag that Miguel assumed was empanadas, Peter always brought those when he visited, and he was wearing his spider suit without the mask. Peter smiled at Miguel, his tired dad eyes lighting up his shadowed face.
“I brought food.”
Miguel grunted a small chuckle. “You always do. And I always tell you I’m not hungry.” Peter shook his head and put the bag of food on the table next to Miguel.
“And yet I never leave with leftovers.” Peter leaned against the desk as Miguel eyed the brown bag of food.
“I don’t always need company Peter, you have a daughter you could be with. Not some sad middle aged guy.” Miguel opened the bag and started to eat the empanada. A small smile crossed Peters face.
“Mayday is with Pavitir and Hobie. She loves them. And it gives me a break.” Peter picks up an empanada from the bag as well. Miguel shakes his head.
“You really trust those two to babysit your kid?” Miguel snorted as he took another bite. Peter snorted.
“Yeah, they love Mayday.” He ran his fingers through his graying hair. “Although last time they watched her she did come back covered in homemade stickers.” Miguel was the one to snort. Miguel stood up and put his hand on Peter shoulder.
“That definitely was the least troubling thing they got into that night.” They both laughed hard when their eyes met. Miguel felt his heart race a little. This happened every time they saw each other.
Miguel's spider sense felt Peter’s heart start to race too, which made him feel embarrassed. He knew Peter liked him, gods he could feel it from a mile away. But Miguel couldn’t. Not after MJ, not when Peter had Mayday and Miguel had the Spider Society. There was just too much in the way.
Miguel quickly removed his hand from Peter’s shoulder.
“Thank you for the food Peter.” Miguel said clearing his throat. Peter smiled with a small chuckle.
“Same time Friday?”
Miguel rolled his eyes and turned back to the monitors. “If I said no would you listen?”
“Nope” Peter said as he cast a web out the door and swung out.