Redemption
It had been a few weeks since Hobie and Miles had promised to meet every week, going to different dimensions, spending time in 1610, and going as far as to drop in with Gwen and Pav from time to time. Hobie had spent his time away from Miles to think about the boy and examine the spare watch he had made. He had made about two watches, one he had given to Gwen, and the other he kept for himself. Gwen had returned her watch, and now Hobie was left with two. Which came to the choice at hand.
Should he give Miles the watch? It seemed reasonable. All he wanted was for free access to visits his friends and new places. And sure, Hobie was supplying it, along with being able to be with Miles more, but at what cost? Technically lying to him, and if Miles were to find out, what would it do to their friendship? He wasn’t sure. He didn’t really want to find out, but something itched and nagged in the back of his mind, screaming at him to just give him the watch and bite the bullet.
Hobie had taken time to think it over, and he knew that he would. On Saturday, he entered Miles’ room, spare watch tucked safely into his pocket. Miles looked up from his desk, grinning and getting up.
“Hobie!” Both smiled, Miles going and giving him a casual punch on the arm. Hobie smirked, giving him a shove.
“Get your suit on, mate. And I’ve got something for ya.” Miles raised his brows, lifting his shirt to show he already had it on underneath his clothes.
‘He was clearly expecting me. Oh this is going to suck..’ Hobie swallowed, his posture never revealing how on the inside his gut was twisting and churning his small dinner he had a few hours prior.
“So, what’s the thing you’ve got for me?” Miles asked, stripping off his shirt and shorts. Hobie hesitated. Maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe was starting to regret ever hiding it, or ever offering it in the first place.
“Well, we’ve been goin’ together for a while now. Figured it was time you had your own.” He shrugged, pulling out the watch that felt as if were burning a hole in his pocket. He had taken off most of the designs, going as far as to put a cut out spider on it. He offered it over, Miles’ entire face lighting up, and the pit of guilt in his stomach growing heavier.
“No way! Hobie, this is awesome!” He beamed, taking it and examining it.
“Does it work?” Hobie nodded, watching Miles turn it over.
“Here, let me help ya.” He reached over, taking the watch. He wanted to take it back, open a portal, throw himself in it, and then officially quit again. Unfortunately anomalies happened, and he would see them occasionally in his own world. So he would take them back, and go home. If he nabbed enough pieces to make watches, that’s his business, isn’t it?
“Hobie? Gonna show me how to put it on?” He blinked, showing him how to put it on and the basic functions. Miles was beaming.
“Where did you get this anyway?” He looked at it. Miles looked into his face, tilting his head ever so slightly at the expression on his face.
“You didn’t steal it, did you?” He rolled his eyes, shrugging.
“Maybe borrowed a piece or two. Doesn’t matter. Point is, you’ve got a watch. Be careful with it.” He nodded, crossing his heart.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“Confidential stuff.”
“Confidential, or ya just won’t tell me. How long did it take you to make it?” He shrugged. He was becoming increasingly more uncomfortable by the second, and he knew Miles could see and feel it.
“Hobes. What aren’t you telling me?” He felt sick. He felt like he was going to throw up all over Miles and his doe eyes.
“I’ve had it. For a long while.” Miles’ brows furrowed, and he tilted his head.
“For a long while? How long?” He stared, shutting his eyes and sighing.
“Since the incident with the Spot. I gave it to Gwen when she was trying to get to you.” Miles frowned.
“So you had a watch this entire time? I told you how much I was hurt, and you never considered giving it to me?”
“I’m sorry, mate. It’s just how it was. And hey, you got to spend time with me.”
“You knew!” Miles backed up, staring at him. He looked down at the watch, then at Hobie’s own.
“How would you feel if you were cut off front your friends?! It’s not fun, Hobie!”
“I know, Miles.”
“You knew!”
“I did. And I knew it was bad to keep it from you. But going with you, every week? Would we have done that, just us, if you had your own watch? I was being selfish, Miles. I was being secretive and selfish, to keep you close.”
“That’s not an excuse.”
“I know. But it’s the truth. I was selfish, Miles. And I’m sorry. Can I make it up to you?” Miles paused, looking at him. He thumbed the watch, looking for any trace of a lie, a joke or a fib. Waiting for him to punch his arm and take it back. Take it all back. Every last bit. But he looked sincere.
“Make it up to me. I would like that. But not now. I would like space for now.” He nodded.
“And our deal is off. And I want to be able to go to see you whenever I please.” Hobie quirked a brow, shrugging.
“If you’re gonna be in there, I want you by my side. Not wonderin’. You understand.”
“Maybe I do.” His eyes narrowed.
“Seriously, I’m not a baby. I’m capable. You know this. It’s nice that you wanna protect me, but it’s a little late for that.”
“I’m sorry, Miles.” He sounded so sincere. So genuine. Miles softened, but straightened up again.
“Off you go. I need my space.” Hobie nodded.
“Do me the honor? Make a portal for me.” Miles hummed, tapping experimentally on his watch. Once he got one to open, Hobie stepped through.
—————————————————————————
Miles had taken a week and counting. Hobie was counting. Seven days so far. It made him feel almost sick, knowing he had done that. Hobie often didn’t have regrets but this was one of them. He swung back to his home, knowing what to expect. Empty. Living alone would take a toll on anyone, but he had grown accustomed to it. He slipped inside, heading right for his room. He opened the door, sensing a tingle and a web smacking into his face. He stepped back, looking at the message carefully threaded into the web.
‘Look up.’ He tensed, slowly looking up, seeing nothing. His shoulders slumped, grumbling about pranks and starting to clear the web carefully when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned, throwing the web directly into Miles’ face.
“Hobie!”
“Miles!” Hobie grabbed the webbing, pulling it off of his face. Miles pulled off his mask, looking at Hobie.
“I take it you weren’t a fan of the note.”
“You weren’t on the ceiling anymore, mate.” Miles grinned, and oh how Hobie missed that smile. Things were starting to go right again.
“Well, Hobart. I’ve decided to forgive you. Mostly. I will keep your due favor until I need it. But, thank you. For the watch.”
“Of course. It’s good to see ya, mate.”