Another Chance

Miguel groaned while walking through the portal with Jesse and Peter following behind with a few bruises and cuts but nothing major thankfully.

Miguel deactivated his mask and spoke into his watch gizmo. “Spider Byte Are the 3 anomalies all accounted for, and secure down near the go home machine.” After a moment he got a reply from Margo aka spider byte “yep all accounted for boss, I’ll send them off to their home dimension later today with some other spider peoples help.” Miguel nodded to himself and then sighed. “Great thank you, Spider Byte report to me if anything changes.”

“Of course Sir, Spider Byte out!” And with that Margo disconnect the call. Miguel took a big sigh pushing his hands through his hair to get it out of his face before walking over to his work station platform where all his screens were already starting to boot up so he could get work done to figure out why there was so many anomalies at one location.

“Miguel we need to talk.” He slightly turned around to see a tired and annoyed Jesse and also a tired Peter.

Miguel closed his eyes for a moment to compose himself. “About today correct?” Jesse nodded slightly glaring at him. Miguel turned back to his screens already scrolling through them trying to get information from what they had managed to gather from todays mission.

“Yes I’m very aware about today. If I had known the mission would have turned out like that, with that many anomalies I would’ve planned it better in advance with more Spider people to help. If I’m being honest I don’t know why there’s been such a major increase in anomalies lately. They are popping up more frequently in almost every dimension and more in one dimension like we had today I’m trying to get to the bottom of it, so just-“

“That wasn’t our issue about today Miguel”

Miguel paused his searching through his screens before turning to stare at Peter with a confused look, and then back at Jesse who also had an unimpressed look. “If that wasn’t the issue. Then what was?” Miguel swear he could see Jesses eye twitch in irritation, before she walked her way over to the platform where Miguel stood.

“What is our issue? What our issue is, was not only about today but also what has been happening frequently over the last couple of years! Do you seriously have no idea why we are frustrated!?” Miguel looked back at Jesse and then back at Peter to see if they would give him a hint Peter just looked Tired and slightly upset but gave no further indication about what the issue was.

Miguel rubbed the back of his neck feeling slightly uncomfortable. “..no?” Jesse eyes widened before throwing her hands up in the air and turning around in a fit of rage. “UNBELIEVABLE!” Miguel was about to reach out and ask what was going on when Peter walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

“Big guy, What we mean about today and the last couple of years is you randomly keep having to disappear with a sudden urgency. And it’s not only you it’s Lyla as well. We could be out on dangerous missions and you both could just disappear on us. It started when you finally got back to work full time especially in the last year when the anomalies have picked up in numbers recently for what ever reason, it’s hard not to notice when you just disappear on us with no explanation.”

Miguel was about to say something when Jesse cut in.

“We have been trying to be understanding Miguel especially after everything you went through, we thought at first you were avoiding coming back to this life of keeping the multiverse safe or that it was to traumatic for you to come back. But yet you seem fine happy almost and yet you keep dipping on us in dangerous missions getting us! To risk our life’s when we have no idea what you are doing! You disappearing fine we can maybe manage even though you are one of the strongest and smartest but Lyla? She’s the only one that can correctly scan anomalies across dimensions with her code, for missions like today we need her and she’s not available it’s unreliable!”

Peter took a deep breath before continuing.

“All we are saying is, is that missions and being partners on those missions is built on trust. And right now we put all our trust in you, but you seem to never put your trust in us we’ve given you so many opportunities to explain why you keep having to leave us even when we are just having normal conversations but you never want to tell us or open up and we are trying to be here for you Miguel.”

Miguel looked back at Peter who he now understood why he looked upset it was because he thought Miguel didn’t trust him anymore or that they weren’t friends and Jesse was mad as she was trying to also be a friend and be understanding but kept getting pushed back.

Miguel took a deep breath before turning to the both of them. “You’re right I’m sorry.” Peter and Jesse whipped their heads around quickly to stare at him.
“What?”
“Huh?”

Miguel dragged a hand down his face feeling a slight headache come on. “I know you two heard me, and you’re right. I keep telling all the younger spider people that are coming through and doing missions that it’s all built on trust. And right now I’ve shown no trust or help in any recent missions and had this been any other Spider Person there be in massive trouble. And I should hold myself to the same standard and for that I’m sorry.”

Peter and Jesse just blinked in shock for a moment. “Well damn you were right Jesse that did go better than i expected, he even apologized!” Peter said still in slight shock, Miguel furrowed his brows now in slight confusion himself “qué?” Jesse hummed before smirking. “You’re right it even went better than i expected, didn’t even bare his fangs or growl at us.” Miguel looked at them both shocked before looking at them in slight irritation.

“What did you think I was going to do!? Bare my fangs and claws and what? Like bight your heads off?”
“Yes”
“Absolutely”

Miguel wanted to growl at them but didn’t wanna prove their stupid point so he just turned around and went back to his screens. Which Jesse and Peter gave a slight chuckle at. “In all seriousness though you do seem a lot happier. I’m proud of you. We would love to know what’s going on but you still don’t have to tell us anything, when you feel like you wanna tell us what it is we will be here for you though.”

Miguel stopped what he was doing and turned around again pausing. “It’s not that I don’t want to tell you two I do. I’m just… afraid? I don’t know if that’s the right word maybe not ready even though it has been a few years. I honestly thought I was keeping it reasonably well hidden but by the sounds of it I haven’t been a great job at all.”

Jesse shook her head with a small laugh. “Absolutely not, we noticed it since 2 almost 3 years ago? you were terrible at hiding it and so was Lyla we know you two have been hiding something. I mean with dipping off and talking about topics where you’d actually never say the actual topic it was painfully obvious.” Jesse and Peter both laughed after Jesse finished teasing Miguel

Miguel groaned knowing he wasn’t gonna live it down. “Hay wait talking about Lyla. Didn’t she disappear again near the end of the battle when we were wrapping up the last guy? Where even is she?”

Back with Lyla and Miles they had finally gotten on the last bus to get as close to Spider society as they could before walking 8 minutes by foot to finally reach the incredibly tall and futuristic building. “Woah… is this really where you and Papá work? And where all the other Spider people get to hang out? It’s super big!”

Lyla laughed with a nod to her head. “Yep this is where your people hang out. Cool huh? Okay remember what we planned on the bus ride over here okay? Repeat it back to me so I KNOW, you understand what you have to do, we can’t afford to make mistakes unless we wanna get in trouble.”

Miles turns to Lyla and nods determinedly “alright! First I have to stay invisible the whole time, which we have been practicing in secret in case of em- emer… danger. Second I follow you without trying to bump into anyone and no speaking as all spider variations have super hearing. And You’ll be able to tell where I am because I’m hot.”

Lyla laughed. “Yes I’ll be able to tell where you are because I can switch my glasses to see infrared which basically means I can see anything with body heat so yes I’ll be able to see you even if your invisible cause your hot. But remember if you wanna ask me something just type on your watch okay? And I’ll reply straight away or try to find a way out as quick as possible if it becomes to much. Alright?”

Miles nodded again. “Okay! I’m ready Auntie Lyla! Come on, come on! I want to see spider society let’s go! Let’s go!” Lyla rolled her eyes playfully and walked to the door that opened into spider society lobby once there they met their first road block. “Oh yea I forgot about this, as usually Miguel and I just teleport straight to his brooding lab”

“Why is it upside down?”

Indeed the floor of the elevator that takes them up into spider society was upside down. Lyla sighed, “it was Miguel’s stupid idea to make it incredibly difficult for non spider people to get into spider society. All you need to do is stick to the roof or I guess floor in this situation, of the elevator which will take you straight up to the spider society area. Which is a stupid idea because even Miguel himself can’t stick to walls or ceiling he needs to use claws or webs to stick to them so really this is just a bad design.”

Miles looked back at the elevator and then back at his backpack with a frown. “Uhh I don’t know if I can climb or be upside down with something on my back yet. When I practiced there was no extras weight or things moving around…. How high does the elevator go up?”

Lyla hummed before looking up. “Uhh it goes, uh well pretty high just don’t look down towards the ground okay? Just look forward at the window or look towards your feet. As for your bag? Uhhhh I’m sure we can just leave it here and then come collect it later, I’m sure it’s fine.”

Miles nodded hesitantly and took his red backpack off his back and walked over to a corner to put it in a corner out of the way before zipping up his hoodie jacket and putting up his hoodie before slowly making his way over to the elevator looking at the roof.. floor???

“So um how do I do it? Do I just climb onto it?” Lyla nodded “mhm yep! And it’ll sense that there’s a weight on it before taking you up to the top floor remember don’t look back once you’re on it I don’t want you to freak out okay? Just take deep breaths and trust your spidey powers to keep you stuck okay?”

Miles looked unsure but nodded non the less and slowly made his way to the side wall before slowly sticking to it and crawling onto the upside down plate form where he stayed crouched taking deep breaths. “Okay? This isn’t to bad- whoa” as Miles said that the platform started moving fast upwards towards the top Miles closed his eyes briefly before he could feel the sun on his skin warm and comforting before he opened his eyes slightly to see the view.

“Whoa… it’s so… pretty.” Miles was in awe of the view he could see the whole of Nueva York and it looked breath taking. “Pretty cool view huh?” Lyla was beside Miles smirking softly at him. Miles gave a soft laugh “it’s so cool! And all the Spider People get to see this every day?” Lyla shrugged her shoulders.

“Some do, some don’t. Most just go straight to the center of Spider society to get work done but I know a few that take this elevator cause they don’t have clearance for that or they do genuinely like the view.”

Miles hummed listening still but admiring the view still. After a few more seconds of just being in peaceful silence Lyla spoke up again. “Uh Miles?” Miles turned to her again with a tilted head in a questioning manner. “Ninja ,incognito time?” Miles looked at her confused for a moment before aiding his eyes in realization.

“Oh yeah! Sorry, just give me a moment.” Miles closed his eyes and tried concentrating on being calm and imagining himself as being transparent. And after a second he opened his eyes to look down at his hand seeing it was invisible and then turned back to Lyla. “Did it work?” Lyla nodded before her glasses instead of being pink turned to a deep red. “Yep indeed it did Miles! Good job little man! Now remember no speaking all these Spider variations have ridiculous heightened hearing just like you. We have 13 seconds till we reach the top any other questions?”

Miles shook his head. Lyla nodded with a smile. “Alright then. With no further questions, welcome to Spider society Miles.”

Once the elevator reached the top Miles stared in complete amazement at all the different costumes and different styles of all the different Spider people from different universes. Lyla then whistled to get Miles attention. Miles quickly followed her lead and waddled and slowly crawled off the elevator floor, roof and onto the wall before safely lowering himself to the floor he slowly turned in a circle in absolute fascination at everything. Lyla gave a slight chuckle. “And this is only to lobby pretty neat huh? It’s been a long process in the making but it’s cool, it all coming together, like one big happy family”

Miles nodded, so Lyla continued “so let’s take a little tour on the way to Miguel’s lab. Miles furrowed his eyebrows in confusion before getting his watch stabiliser out that did have a contact option only for Lyla and Miguel and it could only message not call.

‘Won’t people look at you like your silly’ Miles messaged

Lyla pulled up a small screen and laughed. “Nah. People here already think I’m insane and don’t bother to question me anymore most of the Spider variants don’t even understand how I exist cause where they come from that kind of technology doesn’t even exist yet or will not exist.”

‘If you say so’ Miles messaged back.

Lyla crossed her arms playfully. “I do say so. Now let’s get going with the tour.”

They started walking around a bit with Miles trying to stay as close to Lyla as possible it was so cool to see other Spider variants but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t intimidated, there were heaps of them and they all basically toward over him in pure height and strength and there was one in a giant robot suit and a T-Rex spider? Super wired and cool all at the same time but that didn’t mean Miles couldn't be slightly nervous there was only 2 he had managed to pass that were smaller than him which was a cat spider and a Lego spider? Weird.

There were a few times a lot of spider people that gave Lyla odd looks but ultimately didn’t say anything. A few times Miles also got cut off from Lyla while she was giving the tour and every time Lyla would always stop and wait for Miles to get through the crowd of Spider people to join her again. Which Miles greatly appreciated.

“And over there is where we have a semi automatic kitchen area with its own spider chef, as well just has great food there don’t ask how I can tell I just can. We also recently added a burger with Miguel’s Spider man mask on it, it’s been 2 months and he still hasn’t noticed it’s hilarious and over there-“

“Wait! Is that the place where Papá gets the yummy empanadas?”

Lyla quickly shushed him waving her hands around frantically, Miles immediately shut up looking around anxiously to see if anyone was looking his direction which didn’t seem to be the case. Lyla sighed. “Yes it is. But remember our deal yea? Not getting caught, is our aim here.”

Miles nodded before getting his watch back out to type a message. ‘Can we get an empanada for Papá’

Lyla looked around unsure. “I don’t know little guy. We can’t just wonder in and get one, I can’t grab it cause it’ll just phase through me, and you can’t grab it cause then we will just have a floating box with an empanada in it. What will we tell them that there’s a ghost? Most of these spider people would see straight through that. Or what we just tell them that I have some new high tech floating device- …. Actually that could work?”

Miles looked at her confused. “You know what? Yea! Screw it let’s do it, I haven’t caused a little chaos in a while and most of these Spiders don’t come from futuristic places they’d totally believe it.”

Lyla slowly started floating away towards the cafeteria which Miles quickly followed behind her running slightly. Once there, there wasn’t to much of a line up thankfully cause it was still early morning thankfully.

The spider chef then looked over and smiled under the mask. “Ah Lyla. Good to see you again waiting for Miguel to meet you here again?” Lyla laughed and then shook her head. “Nah just me picking up some food for Miguel. But he isn’t coming her to pick it up” Lyla said with a confident smile.

Spider chef then looked back at her really confused. “Um I hope I’m not being rude but how? Like how will you pick it up? From my understanding you can’t touch anything that’s not also a hologram.” Lyla shook her head putting her hands on her hips with a confident smile.

“No offence taken my spider fellow. I’ve recently gotten an upgrade from the big man himself and I can now pick up very specific light and small objects pretty neat huh?”

Spider chef looked at Lyla with skepticism before nodding slowly. “Righttt. So um one empanada I’m guessing?” Lyla nodded with a smile. “Yes please chef!” The chef slowly walked away to make the order with a few other orders thankfully Spider chef had already started making some Empanadas before Lyla and Miles had arrived so they didn’t need to wait long at all before Lyla was called over which Miles obviously followed along being close behind her.

“One empanada for the boss Lyla… are you sure you can actually magically pick this up?” Lyla nodded with a chaotic smirk. “Oh I know I can. I’ll just pick it up right now” after 2 seconds nothing happened to the box that was holding the empanadas. And the chef spider was about to speak up when all of a sudden they seem to be lifted up out of thin air. Chef Spider immediately jumped back in surprise into a table behind him.

“OH MY GOODNESS” Lyla laughed hands on her stomach while Miles was trying his best to not burst out laughing himself. “See~ I told you I’d be able to pick it up. Now thank you good sir for the lovely food I’ll see you later! Have a great day”

Spider Chef slowly nodded looking at the floating box in utter horror and confusion “uh huh uhhh have a g-great day?”

Lyla gave a quick laugh again at the reaction before giving a slight wave goodbye and turning around the floating box following her. Out of the cafeteria there were a few of other Spider people eating a late breakfast or a early lunch who were also staring in utter horror and confusion some dropping there forks and knifes and other utensils and even food or even slightly swearing in confusion. Lyla really hoped Miles didn’t ask or repeat anything he heard just then.

Miles was slightly giving an evil little cackle at the fun he was having at seeing supposedly high level superheroes be completely confused by their little harmless prank. All sneaky ness going out the window now that there was a literal floating empanada box. Lyla was recording the whole thing in utter glee.

Well that was before he saw a newspaper comic outline on a person she quickly widened her eyes before turning to Miles. “Quickly drop the box of empanadas” Miles looked at her in confusion about to ask why when she quickly repeated herself in a quick rushed whisper. “Just drop it trust me.” Miles did as he was told and immediately dropping the box making a thump sound as it landed on the floor.

Not a second or two later 3 teenagers turned up 2 boys 1 girl. Miles noted the girl had turquoise ballet shoes and a black and white suit with a hood on it. The other boy had incredible hair with a red and blue suit with gold accents. And the third boy was throwing Miles off slightly ,he was extremely tall and had really cool big hair and piercings but that wasn’t what was throwing Miles off it was that he kept changing colour slightly and had a wired outline to him.

Miles remembers his Papá explaining that there were different universes where they look completely different to a lot of other dimensions not by body but by entire style. The easiest way Miguel found to explain it to Miles was art Styles and how there were all different, he didn’t understand at the time but her sure does now.

“Hi Lyla it’s great to see you. Sorry to disturb you we know you are probably very busy especially at the moment but do you know where Miguel is?” The girl with the Ballet shoes said.

“Oh! I love the new colour change on the glasses! They are so stylish! They totally suit you.” The boy with the nice hair said.

The boy with the cool piercings was about to say something as well which Miles was curious to hear what he was going to say but before the boy could speak the girl cut him off. “No stop getting us off topic the both of you. We are trying to figure out where Miguel is not to get into other topics… though the glasses are lovely Lyla.”

Lyla laughed awkwardly and glanced sideways at where Miles was standing and rubbed the back of her neck. “Oh uh well thank you Gwen and Pavitr. Yes I just thought I should you know change it up a bit. But yes let’s get back on topic I am sadly very busy so I haven’t seen Miguel. Is there an issue?”

The girl now Gwen Miles figured out sighed and was about to answer the question when the last boy who hadn’t been introduced finally spoke.

“Ya Mr grumpy was supposed to help with da Uncle Bob ya feel me? But he a no show. So we decided to wonder off ya catch my drift.”

Miles stared in complete confusion with the most outrageous face of confusion. ‘What was that!?’ Miles thought.

Lyla looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “Soooo what I’ve gotten from that was. Miguel was supposed to help you 3 with work or workout. But he never turned up so you decided to leave to either find him or just not waste your time waiting for him? That about right Mr cockney?”

The boy gave a slight smirk. “Ya that bout right.” Gwen shook her head. “Hobie stop messing around, we’ve been waiting for this training session with Miguel for ages it’s our first one and I don’t want to mess it up!” Hobie rolled his eyes obviously not having the same form of excitement as Gwen about the situation but stayed quite non the less.

Gwen then took a step forward closer to the empanada box on the ground which they for some reason hadn’t noticed which both Lyla and Miles had glanced down at as she got closer to it. “Uh maybe just don’t take another st-“ Lyla started but didn’t get to finish before Gwen interrupted her.

“So sorry about them but yea have you seen him we’d really appreciate it if you could tell us where he is or if you could tell him we are all ready for him please?” Lyla nodded glancing at her and the box by her looking both Hobie and Pav were watching where she was looking and saw the box Hobie raised an eyebrow at the random food box where Pav went to warn Gwen that it was there but sadly couldn't get a word in as Gwen was rambling a little. “Uh excuse me Gwen?” Gwen politely turned around. “Sorry just a moment Pav”

And when Gwen turns back around she decides to take that one fateful step forward that would’ve crushed the box with the empanada in it and Pav and Lyla was already cringing in anticipation with what was about to happen while Hobie was watching with some form of glee.

When all of a sudden it was no longer under Gwen’s foot but in the air. Everyone stopped what they were doing staring in utter shock and confusion.

In that moment of confusion Lyla quickly made a split second decision and quickly yelled.

“RUN!!”

And with that Lyla was quickly floating through the air passing the 3 teenagers who were still standing there in shock while a floating empanada jolting up and down in the air following Lyla.

“… okay I’m just gonna say it. what the FUCK. Was that!”
“I ain’t even got a scooby doo mate”

“Language!! But no that was super spooky maybe a ghost?”

Back with Miguel it had been a peaceful rest of the day so far especially considering the day had started off so suddenly. It was nice working and solving issues with Jesse and Peter in the Lab it was nice to get their help every once in a while… not that Miguel would admit it though not out loud at least. Though he still didn’t know where Lyla was usually she would’ve checked in to annoy him by now or remind him of something he had to do later in the day but she had not appeared yet. And if there was truly an issue she would’ve notified him by now so everything was most likely fine.

“Hay Miguel another mission report came in do you want to look at it or do you want me to look after it?” He turned to Peter with a thoughtful look before sighing. “I’m sorry do you mind looking after it? I think I’ve almost gotten something here and if I have it may explain the issue of why there’s so many anomalies popping up recently.” Peter Smiled before nodding.

“No problem big guy I wouldn't have offered if I wasn’t okay with doing it… I’m proud of you Miguel you’ve really been doing a lot better with managing work loads in the last year or two allowing people to help you out is a big achievement for you!” Miguel turned back to his screen grumbling in embarrassment.

Jesse and Peter both gave a good natured laugh to that and Jesse was about to say something when they heard the lab door open from the hallway with fast approaching running steps and huffing and puffing sound. Meaning whoever was running had been in a rush to get here.

All 3 spider adults perked up in alarm at that and Miguel jumped off his platform with his screens on it so he could be ready in case of an emergency cause why else would someone be running like that to get to his office?

“WE ARE ALMOST THERE YOU CAN DO IT KEEP RUNNING!”

All 3 spider adults now were just confused was that… Lyla? They all looked at each other completely baffled on what she could be talking about or who she could be talking to.

“JUST AROUND THIS CORNER AND WE ARE- a-are…. Oh… OH YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!”

Lyla was now in sight of Peter, Jesse and Miguel who looked slightly frustrated at seeing one of them or as it turns out two of them. “What are you two doing here wasn’t it just supposed to be Miguel!?”

Jesse looked at her ignoring the rude comment. “We are here to help Miguel with the work load from the recent influx of anomalies- no hang on where were you? You haven’t been here all day!”

Miguel was staring at Lyla as the two argued a bit more while Peter also just watched on in complete confusion still focusing on what Lyla had said when she had wondered into the room. “Hay Lyla, who were you talking to, I don’t see anyone here with you.”

Lyla then blanked and put her hands behind her back. “Uhh no one. Absolutely no one.” Jesse looked at her with a glare. “Well I’m calling bullsh-“
“Okay why don’t we all calm down!” Peter butted in again.

As Miguel was trying to figure out what was going on he felt a slight tap on his leg and looked down to see a box from the cafeteria just floating in thin air. Miguel looked in slight confusion before it all clicked and he widened his eyes incredibly wide with his jaw also opening in utter shock he quickly and quietly looked back at the 3 arguing well more like 2 arguing 1 trying to defuse the situation. And slowly pulled the floating food box which he now knows is Miles behind his leg trying to hide him and slowly walk backwards with him which thankfully Miles just followed his lead without question, but before he could get very far Jesse brought him into the argument.

“You agree with me right Miguel?!”

Everyone turned to him waiting for his answer, but then looked at him in confusion as he wasn’t in the same place he was before and was further back and looking extremely awkward. “I uhh y-yea?”

Jesse looked slightly angry and confused still and was about to say something else when Peters eyes widened and pointed a finger at Miguel or rather behind Miguel.

“WHAT THE- IS THAT A FLYING BOX!?!?”
“Huh?”

Jesse also then looked down slightly and saw it as well and also took a slight step back in shock. And sure enough when Miguel looked down sure enough Miles seems to have stuck his body out from behind his leg to see what was going on and in such the box was also sticking out. Miguel looked back at Jesse and Peter before groaning and rubbing a hand down his face.

“Okay you both have to promise not to freak out.”

“Freak out? FREAK OUT! How are we not supposed to freak out! Theres a floating box!” Peter practically screamed which made Miles flinch and hide behind Miguel’s leg again.

“OMG IT MOVED!” Miguel groaned again. “For the ever loving shock just shut up and listen to me for 5 minutes okay! Dios mío, no debería haber aparecido en el trabajo hoy. (my god I should not have showed up at work today)”

Jesse and Peter slowly nodded still trying to keep an eye on what was behind Miguel’s leg. Miguel sighed knowing it was going to be a really long conversation that was bound to happen at some point.

“Do you two remember the thing that I wanted to tell you but I wasn’t ready to talk to you about it that I was to nervous to?”

They both nodded slowly intently listening.

“Well it’s also the same reason that Lyla and myself have had to leave all of a sudden at random times.”

There was a pause before Peter spoke up. “So you’ve needed to leave cause you can make things float? or cause of the floating thing the box”

Miguel looked at Peter like he was an idiot in utter astonishment at that’s what he came up with. “What? No. Why was that the thing you came up with!?” Peter was about to defend himself when Jesse cut in.

“Miguel we promise not to judge what ever it is that’s the issue we promise you could tell us anything… please continue we are here for you no matter what” Miguel nodded before turning around to face the ‘floating box’ “hey niño? Can you turn back to normal for me I promise it’s safe here and these people would love to meet you.”

Miguel heard a slight comment from Peter saying ‘what’s a nino?’

After a second Miles turned back to normal no longer invisible. With a slight guilty look on his face. “I’m sorry Papá I know you said not to come here unless it’s an emergency but I just wanted to be with the rest of you and not be left out… I’m a Spider-Man to right? I just didn’t want to be left behind” Miguel softened even more.

“Oh niño I’m so sorry please forgive me. Nunca quise hacerte daño (I never meant to hurt you.) I promise from now on you will be able to come here more often, like once or twice a week… I was just scared that you could get hurt. Even though this is one of the safest places it can also be one of the most dangerous and I never want to see you hurt.” Miles sniffled and had slight tears in his eyes before nodding and dropping the box of food and jumping into his dad to give him a big hug.

“ I know and I’m sorry I snuck in here without telling you.” Miguel patted Miles head softly before he furrowed his brows before pulling away slightly. “Wait hang on why are you here and not at school. Never mind that how did you even get to the lab-“

“Not that this isn’t touching it really is but um. MIND EXPLAINING WHATS GOING ON? PAPA?? What’s going on Miguel!”

Miguel slightly cringed at having to explain, even though he had gone through this scenario a thousand times before it never made him not nervous. He quickly brought Miles in for a hug to pick him and turn around to face Jesse and Peter Lyla was no where to be found and when he looked around she was actually just beside him giving an apologetic smile but also a very slight thumbs up basically saying good luck.

Miguel glared at her with a deadpan expression not impressed with her currently. He sighed which felt like for the hundredth time today he’s done that before looking back at his other two spider friends.

“Well this is my son… Miles ,Morales, O’Hara. He’s 4 years old and he’s a Spider-Man variant just like all of us.”

Jesse nodded while Peter looked confused before he was deep in thought. Jesse then took a step forward with a friendly smile on her face even though she was still slightly in shock she wanted to put the kids nerves at ease as well as Miguel’s. “well that certainly would explain the disappearing act, now wouldn’t it? But that doesn’t quite explain the floating box? Is that some kind of power of his? I’ve never met a spider man that could make stuff float?”

Miguel chuckled. “He wasn’t making it float, he was just invisible and holding the box of food which thank you Miles for the food that was very sweet of you, but you don’t need to bring me food I imagine you made a lot of heads turn.”

Jesse started laughing and was about to ask more questions what Peter finally came deep out of thought.

“4 years old?… Miguel that’s about the same time as the incident.and a spider man variant? Miguel what did you do” Jesse stopped smiling and turned back to Miguel with a confused questioning look also going through the maths in her head and also realising that Peter was indeed correct.

“Miguel? Please tell me you didn’t.” Miguel looked away guiltily.

“I.. I did get Miles around the same time yes but it’s not what you think I promise. Just please let me explain. Yes the time match up but I didn’t just take a baby because of my grief. Miles circumstances were completely out of my control he needed help and I took him in, you’ve got to understand I didn’t I couldn't leave him alone not after I had to leave Gabby…”

“Why are we talking about hermana mayor, Papá”

Peter and Jesse looked confused before turning back to Miguel. “What does hermana mayor mean Miguel?”

Miguel looked away not wanting to answer. Miles answered for himself though. “It means big sister. That’s what Gabby is to me she’s my hermana mayor.” Peter looked at Miguel sadly.

“Miguel you can’t not tell Miles what he is. He deserves to know.” Jesse said. Miguel looked back at her confused. “Miguel Peter and I have spent enough time around you to know what a cell stabiliser looks like we know he isn’t from here and the spider DNA confirms it.” Peter looked at Jesse slightly shocked that she put it so bluntly. Lyla looked at both of them angrily about to speak up and defend Miguel when again Miles spoke up.

“I know what I am!” Jesse and Peter looked at Miles in confusion. “Papá has been very honest since I’ve been born about my past and where I came from. I had a mama and dad from a different place called 1610 they sadly were too unwell to care for me and Papá came just in time to save me. Without Papá I wouldn't be here right now! I don’t understand everything Papá says to me but im trying to… I don’t remember my old family all I remember is Papá raising me and being there for me I know 2 spider people can’t live in the same place so I know I’m not from here but that doesn’t mean you can tell me what to do! I’m staying here with Papá and you can’t take me away from him!”

Miles eyes started glowing a slight light blue and Miguel could feel a slight buzz from Miles skin. Miguel quickly snapped out of his shock and immediately tried to calm Miles down. “Miles! It’s okay you aren’t going to be taken away I’d never let that happen I’d fight a Million battles to keep you by my side okay? Just calm down I don’t want you to accidentally shock your watch so please calm down.”

Miles immediately saw what was a too happen and tried to calm down taking deep breaths just like his Papá had told him to do in situations like this. While this was happening Lyla spoke up.

“We’ve been completely honest about Miles origins since the beginning. Even though it was hard to explain that to a toddler and then barely a child we discussed between us that we thought it was better to tell Miles sooner rather than later especially being forced to wear a watch everyday that keeps him alive and safe until we can find a safer way to keep his cells and atoms stabilised without it.”

Jesse and Peter nodded slowly taking in the information.Peter then spoke up again “So what other alternatives have you been able to come up with.” Lyla looked at Peter with a slight raised eyebrow before sighing and answering. “A chip it’s 98.7% compatible but we want it at least up to 99.8% at least! Until he put it in over the past months it’s sadly had to take a back seat because of all the anomalies.”

Peter and Jesse nodded again. Thankfully Miguel had managed to get Miles to calm down enough that he wasn’t about to shock the watch again.

“The reason I kept Miles a secret wasn’t because I was ashamed of what I had done I think Miles is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. No I was scared of how everyone would react and treat Miles. I was scared of him getting hurt, of being mistreated because…”

“Because I’m an anomaly?”

Miguel looked back in shock at Miles. “W- What no your not who said that?” Miles shook his head with a smile. “No one! But when you explained what anomalies are you said. ‘They are things that don’t belong or are stuck in a different place where they shouldn’t be and you help them that’s what the spider society is for.’ That’s what you said and one day I realised that, that’s what I was as well!” Miles smiled happily.

Miguel frowned “I don’t see you as an anomaly… as one of the bad guys I hope you know that.” Miles giggled. Miguel looked at Miles confused.

“Papá for how smart you say you are you’re pretty dumb” Miguel heard a faint ‘HA!’ From Lyla who he was tempted to glare at. When Miles continued.

“I don’t think anomalies are bad. Anyone could get stuck somewhere they don’t belong I mean I am one but I’d like to think I’m pretty nice I think anomalies are just… not understood. Maybe an anomaly is just what you need to fix and save everything!” Miles smiled at Miguel.

Miguel felt like he was going to cry in such parent proudness as it seems that his kid is already gonna be a better version of himself and isn’t that what all parents want for there kids to be better than they were to be able to think of new and better ideas for the world?

Miguel then turned back to Jesse and Peter with a slight smile. “I promise to the both of you that I will explain the full story of what happened later when I get time. Could you just give me that little bit more time?”

Jesse and Peter smiled back at Miguel in understanding probably not wanting to explain the full gruesome story of what happened that fateful day in front of Miles. “Well if you insist, I guess we will just have to make time.” Peter said with a smile Jesse nodded in agreement. “Though you better make good on that promise Miguel. But yes we will always give you as much time as you need.”

Miguel smiled grateful a nodded at the both of them. “Thank you the both of you really. I really appreciate it” Miles also finally smiled at the both of them finally feeling comfortable and safe around the two of them.

After a slight moment of comfortable silence Jesse put her hand out making a grabby hand motion with a smirk on her face. Peter groaned pulled out his wallet and handed $300 dollars to Jesse without a word with Jesse smiling triumphantly.

Miguel looked on in utter shock. “No- hang on what was that!” Miguel pointed at the exchange.

Jesse grinned before glancing over at Peter “come on the other end of the bet was that you also had to explain what it was about cause it was your stupid idea Peter B.” Miguel now even more confused and slightly annoyed.

“Bet! What bet! Explain right now!”

Peter groaned into his hands in embarrassment, before reluctantly starting to talk. “About a year ago Jesse and I made a bet about what your secret was cause we knew something was up and I said my guess and Jesse said there’s no way it’s that and and I said I totally was and she said absolutely not she’d bet money on it. So I SAID what if we make a bet if it turns out to be my thing then Jesse pays me $300 dollars plus she have to explain that she was wrong and dumb and I was super smart and superior. And she said if it’s literally anything else then she wins $300 dollars and I have to explain the whole bet and how stupid my idea was.”

Miguel blinked in utter shock at the stupidity of it all. And then turned to Jesse for confirmation. Which she indeed did nod. “In all honesty I had no idea it was going to be that you had a kid but I knew Peters idea was just super stupid and was incredibly unlikely, so easy $300 dollars ain’t to bad huh? Even if I had to wait a year for it.”

Peter groaned annoyed. “I honestly thought you would've forgotten by now!” Jesse laughed loudly. “And miss out on you admitting you’re wrong and getting a free $300 dollars no way.”

Miguel’s eye twitched in annoyance Miles was smiling cheekily at the situation with Lyla Miguel glared half heartedly at them “you’ve spent way too much time with Lyla kid” before turning back to the adult children in actual annoyance.

“What was Peters guess on what it was”

Peter froze and Jesse laughed out even more clutching her stomach in a fit of laughs.

“Uhh well you see my guess was is that you were ducking out so much cause you got a new …super hot girlfriend or boyfriend..?”

Miguel stared in utter disbelief. “WHAT!?”

Peter shrugged putting his hands up. “I don’t know it just seemed like that so obvious why else would you be ducking out man I thought everybody would think that in that situation it was so obvious to me!”

Miguel growled out. “WHAT EVEN GAVE YOU THAT IDEA!?!”

“I DONT KNOW OKAY!! IM SORRY!”

“Ah yes there will never be any peace again.” Lyla said with a smirk “this will be so fun to watch happen”