Chapter 1
Hobie would be the first to admit his dimension wasn't the friendliest place. He knew that, they all did. The things he had done to save others, the risks he had taken. While Gwen has been there, even going as far to stay the night, several nights, in fact. She was willing to leave stuff behind, her way of saying, ‘I’ll be back.’
Pav had as well. He knew.
But Miles Morales? He was the last person Hobie wanted to ever set foot in earth-138. He couldn't bring himself to admit the lifestyle he lived to Miles. The rioting, the concerts, the protesting.
Life wasn't easy. And he knew it. He could handle it, having grown up the way he did. Homeless, hungry. Desperate for some kind of justice to be brought to his world. But Miles? Who grew up in home with two loving parents, a sturdy roof and food on his plate every night? He wouldn't even begin to comprehend what it was like for Hobie.
But he wasn't about to tell him. That's not a lifestyle suited for Miles Morales. It’s a lifestyle he had grown to adapt to.
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Miles Morales sat down, getting comfortable while Gwen, Pavitr and Hobie took the other seats. He adjusted, listening to them discuss their latest plans. HQ was their current location, Miles who had only gotten there because of Gwen bringing him, fiddled with his day pass. It had become more than that, where Miles would be put to the test to see if he could gain himself a watch. So far, it wasn't going so hot. Nothing he did ever seemed to please the man on top. His accidental slip ups seemed to amuse Hobie more than anything, because he deemed it 'taking a crap on the establishment.' While that was far from Miles' intentions, he couldn't deny he liked the way Hobie seemed to beam at him while Miguel's distaste grew. It left a bad taste in his mouth, how hard he desperately tried to prove himself only to fail. It hurt.
"I'm thinking we go to 1610. It's mostly calm. Plus, it’s got a good view.” Gwen offered, Pav leaning forward.
"Yes! I agree, I haven't been to Miles' place yet. And you won't have to wear the day pass!" Miles mirrored Pav’s grin, ignoring the way his gut twisted. What a rub in the face, that Pav had been Spiderman for a less amount of time than him, and he had gotten a watch. Even after the events regarding Spot, Miles feared he would never be able to be what they were. Accepted.
"Before we do, I think we should all go pop back home, make sure everything's okay." Gwen butted in, Hobie nodding.
“So that’s it? We all take a peek at our dimensions, then skip over to Miles’?” They nodded, Miles getting up after them.
“How about I go with one of you? If we’re gonna be in my dimension anyway, might as well wait with you.” He smiled, bouncing on the balls of his feet and giving the most innocent look, but not missing the way that Gwen and Hobie looked at each other, as if silently discussing it.
“Ah, I would take you to mine but we’re still repairing it. Plus, being Spiderman is so easy, there’s barely anything to do.” Miles hummed. After the events a year ago, Miles understood Pav not wanting to be in his dimension. He turned to Gwen, waiting for her exc- reason.
“Well, it would just be hard to explain to my dad, ya know, and I really don’t think you wanna be in mine either.” Miles furrowed his brow. He turned to Hobie, getting promptly ignored as he typed into his watch. Pav and Gwen typed up their locations and quickly stepped in, not before promising to see them soon. Miles wasn’t so sure. He turned to Hobie, desperate to not be left behind.
“Cheer up, mate. It’s not all bad.” Hobie called, stepping in. Miles stared after, watching the portal. It was honestly mesmerizing. He didn’t think he would ever get used to it. And it seemed they had forgotten Miles had no way of getting home without them. He wasn’t about to try the Go Home machine. Not only was the experience terrifying with Miguel clawing at it to get him out, but it had sent him to the wrong Earth, and nearly cost him his life. He looked at Hobie’s portal again. Hobie could send him home. Theoretically, any spider could. But Hobie could, and he could go be with him at the same time. Miles shook his head, stepped back, and launched himself through the portal before he could change his mind, the portal shutting behind him.
Miles would have never guessed where Hobie was living. One thing he knew though, was that his landings sucked. He went catapulting directly into a wall, grunting and landing on the ground, feeling pain spike directly in his back. He groaned, picking himself up and brushing off. He was glad he had brought his bag, pulling out his Jordan’s and shorts, sliding them on, along with a jacket. He wasn’t sure how this place felt about Spiderman, and he knew that it wasn’t up to him to go parading as Spider-Man. He tucked his mask into his pocket, sliding his bag onto his back. If he knew anything about Hobie’s dimension, it was something along the lines of constant controlled chaos. If Hobie had time to be a model, clearly it wasn’t too bad. Miles could see the difference between the two, Hobie’s world feeling like he was stepping into a comic, a newspaper. He peeked out of the alleyway he was currently placed in. It sure looked like New York. He felt foreign. Knowing this wasn’t his dimension, and that things were simply different here. He walked down the street, shoving his hands in his pockets. He knew to look busy and walk fast or risk the anger of the commuters, but he couldn’t help but to stop and stare at things. Occasionally he would see torn papers on the ground or on the lamp posts, but they were often faded and illegible. Miles walked, checking his wrist for his web shooters. He wasn’t sure what he would encounter. But he knew one thing, that finding Hobie was his best bet.
Miles isn’t sure how long he walked for, but he paused, coming to a park area where it seems a big event was being held. He stepped in the gate, being shoved aside by people eager to get in. He stumbled back, hitting the fence. The spider grunted, being shoved again before his spider sense went off, dodging the arm grabbing at him. He stared at the offender, being surprised when he was met with an equally surprised gaze.
“Hey!” The figure shouted. Miles strained to hear him over the crowd.
“Hello?! Who are you, dude?! Why are you grabbing at me?!” He shouted, watching him motion for him to follow. He shoved through the crowd, almost as if he was fighting waves. Once they reached the edge, they exited the park, standing by the gate to catch their breath.
“Hey, man, I saw you looking a little stuck. Are you okay?” He asked, wiping off his shirt as if he has gotten it dirty. Miles shrugged, standing upright. He could feel his spine tingle, something wasn’t right.
“Uh, well, I’m kinda new here.. to.. the city. I’m looking for a friend of mine. I can’t seem to find him, I completely forgot how disorienting new places could be.” Miles mentally cheered at how easy it slipped out. He wasn’t necessarily lying, or telling the truth.
“Ah, that’s alright. What’s your name? I’m Harry.” He extended a hand and Miles shook it, giving him a grin.
“Miles.” They shook hands, Harry giving him an award winning smile. He was about the same height, with fair skin and a charm to him Miles had only ever seen in one other person. Hobie.
“So, you can’t find your friend. What about you hang with me and my friends?” Miles brightened, then faltered. Should he really stray from finding Hobie? He was his ticket home.
“Well, I probably shouldn’t.” Harry give a sniff, rubbing his nose a bit.
“Well, you should. We’re about to go hang out. And since you can’t find yours, why not make new ones?” He grinned, giving Miles’ shoulders a shake. He shrugged, his spine tingling again.
“I don’t think so.” He stepped back, watching Harry furrow his brows. Rejection wasn’t something he was used to, is what Miles would guess when his face changed.
“I’m not asking anymore, Miles.” There the tingling became buzzing. He backed up, turning and sprinting in the opposite direction. He could hear his own footsteps, and Harry’s following. His speed was surprising. Miles was concerned about the idea of using his enhanced abilities. He was terrified of breaking canon in Hobie’s world, risking everything. Miles would have to tough it out. He slowed about a block away, panting and shaking it off. He still felt unease creeping at his spine, ringing in his ears and feeling his head buzz. He leaned against a wall, his own mistake, feeling a rush of senses signaling danger from both directions. He turned to the more prominent side, being faced off with Harry running towards him, then feeling something slam into him, yanking him backwards and up. He yelped, turning and was met with a very furious vigilante, none other than Hobie Brown.
“Hobie! Oh my god, I-”
“Shut it.” He barked, accent thick with his anger, grabbing his waist and shooting a web at Harry to stick him to the ground, leaving him no choice but to wrap his arms around his neck and hold on tight. Hobie aimed, shooting a web to a building and swinging off. He now knew how it felt to be on the free dangling end of swinging, and why so many civilians seemed to gasp and scream in terror. Swinging normally was second nature, but swinging holding onto Hobie? His spikes jammed into Miles’ arms and side where his studded bracelet dug in, making him wince, but he refused to let go, considering the fact he was being held just as tightly, and could barely move.
“Let me swing! Hobie!” He tried to pull back, Hobie’s grip tightening and making him gasp. He wiggled, Hobie hissing a ‘knock it off’ on his ear and promptly making him stop his squirms. He turned, focusing on the direction they were going.
“Woah! Hobie! Building!” He clung tighter, wrapping a leg around him as he just barely missed a building, Miles’ heart in his throat. He had a strong arm around his waist, using the other to swing them higher, landing on a seemingly abandoned warehouse. Miles let go slowly, stumbling a bit and pulling at the web stuck to his jacket. Hobie ripped his mask off, furious.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing here?!” He snapped, startling Miles. He felt his own anger bubble up.
“No, what do you think you’re doing?! You guys left me behind!”
“To go home! Not to follow me like some kind of lost dog!” Miles felt his rage boil, his gut twisting.
“Excuse you! I literally cannot go home without someone to make the portal! I don’t have a watch!” He snapped, ripping off the day pass and throwing it at him. His own mistake, Hobie catching it just in time to watch Miles’ body began to contort and glitch.
“Miles!” He grabbed him, sliding it back down his wrist and sticking it down with a web. He groaned, tugging at it to make sure it was secure.
“What were you thinking?” He growled, shaking Miles’ wrist, the smaller staring up at him, hurt reflecting in his eyes. He looked small, and scared. Hobie had made him don this expression, had made him look small and as if he were scared of the man before him. His face softened, loosening his grip on him. He slammed into him, pulling him into a tight hug.
“I just don’t want you getting hurt here, man. It’s not safe..” he whispered, embracing him like a lifeline. Miles blanched, the change in his tone and emotion was like the flip of a switch. He had never seen Hobie be gentle. He leaned into it, returning the embrace. He was shaken up about how fast things had turned.
“I never wanted you to be here. Not because I don’t like you, but because I do like you, Miles. You’re too good for this world, and I mean it.” Miles frowned, biting the inside of his cheek. His stomach twisted, guilt eating away at him.
“I didn’t intend to freak you out, Hobes, really. I just.. I don’t have what you have. I can’t, I can’t go places as freely as you. I’m trapped in my own dimension, and the only way I can see you guys is when you come to see me first. And the weeks we go without contact? I’m the one who can’t reach out.” He pulled away, examining the smaller’s face. Miles had pain written on his face, pouring his heart out for Hobie to pick up.
“I didn’t realize you felt that way..” he whispered, watching Miles slump into himself. He could see how hurt he was. It was reflected clearly into his face, and Hobie had helped cause that.
“Let’s make a deal.” Miles perked up. Hobie shifted, thinking carefully.
“I’ll come visit you once a week, for a full night, take you anywhere in the universe ya wanna go. But, you have to promise to never, ever, do this again.” Miles nodded, offering his pinkie up. Hobie tilted his head, raising a brow.
“Come on, man. Pinkie swear.” Hobie snorted, linking their pinkies. Miles grinned, heart fluttering.
He never had to know about Hobie’s spare watch.