Yes. Always.

“I-I don’t understand,” you shake your head. “She personally wants to kill me.” You start to pace around. Miguel watches you as you pace back and forward. Lyla blips up to his ear, “uh, are you sure about this? We don’t know much.” Miguel is having an inner battle. On the one hand if he tells you everything then maybe he’d gain your full trust. The downside, Miguel having to tell you about the death of alternate you at the hands of Reign. All he wants to do is to protect you. Maybe this is the way to do it.
Miguel sighs, “I can’t tell you because I don’t know.” You tilt your head in confusion. “You don’t know?” You’re upset. Everything is very overwhelming. The fact that your friends are in danger, there’s a 6’9 man in a spider suit who says he’ll protect you from the other 6 foot tall seemingly spider person and you're still very hungry.
“So what, you have no clue whatsoever!” You yell and cause Miguel and Lyla’s faces to jump with surprise. “It's the truth,” Miguel replies. “You’re hiding something from me, this alternate me, what does it mean?” You lean in closely. “Tell me.” You demand.
“Fine. You want to know everything? Fine!” Miguel has an annoyed expression. Using his wrist band he pops up a screen. “Alternate you was murdered at the hands of Reign.” Miguel shows a photo of alternate you, her hair is lighter and brought up away from her face. “I don’t know why but all I know is that Reign is now after you.” Miguel turns his head to you. Your face is confused and you’re out of words. Miguel continues, “the multiverse,” Miguel opens the multiverse map.
“It’s a giant collection of universes. Different stories, different outcomes. different people. Reign and I come from a different universe.” Miguel scans across the map, “see, this is where i'm from and this,” it takes a few seconds to move to the next universe. “Is where you're from.” Miguel points to your universe. You scan the map and bask in its glory. “How many of me are there?” You turn to look at him. Miguel nods, “you're the only one left.”
Miguel’s voice is low and somber. “And Reign wants to kill you now.” It makes your stomach sink. You're confused, upset and rightfully so. You’ve done nothing wrong. You’ve done nothing wrong, “What did I-she do to Reign? Alternate me?” You point at the picture of alternate you.
“What?” Miguel’s voice is low and serious. “I said, what did she do to Reign?” You answer seemingly confused. “She didn’t do anything.” Miguel furrows his brows. “how do you know? What if Reign has an actual, legitimate reason?” You answer back, annoyed. “She doesn’t.” Miguel answers, more upset. “Well how do you know alternate me wasn’t evil-“ you're interrupted. “She. Wasn't.” Miguel stops you as he’s irritated at the idea.
“This shady Reign person traveled this ‘multiverse’ just to kill me. The last of me. To literally erase me from existence.” You sigh while moving your arms in defeat.
The sun catches your eyes through your curtains. Miguel’s eyeline is to the ground. Seemingly lost in thought. You hold your arms waiting for a response. After the pause Miguel answers, “I knew her personally.” Miguel closes the screen, “We were close.” Miguel rubs his nose bridge. The sun caused his vision to sting slightly.
The daylight peeking from your windows casts along Miguel’s suit. “How close, exactly?” Your voice is low and serious. You watch as Miguel turns to you. He scans you up and down. There’s another pause as if he’s trying to decipher something. Something about the pause fills you in. No way.
“Very, very close.” Miguel finally answers. Your stomach does a flip, “As in…romantically close?” Miguel nods without answering. It all starts to make sense. The way he looks at you. They way he acts around you. How
Protective he is of you.
How he takes care of you.
But something is off. He isn’t doing those things for you. He’s doing them for a ghost. An illusion of you. “Miguel I-,” you bite your lip to hold back your empty words. There’s solace in the air as you bring your hand to your face. Miguel looks at you, examining your stance and body language.
“You’re very different from her.” Miguel breaks the cold silence. You look up at him. Miguel continues, “you’re softer. In a good way.” He walks closer to you, “She also had an interest in animals but in a different way.” You half smile up at him, “yeah?” Miguel nods, “yeah, she- she was a scientist. Animal biology.” You nod, impressed, “really? Ha, who would’ve thought. What else?” Miguel smirks, “She loved spicy food. The two of you seem to share that and the same level of cleanliness.” You blush in embarrassment, “it’s clean, just unorganized.” You look around to avoid eye contact. “She used to say the same thing.” Miguel’s smile line resurfaces. You look back up at him. Something about it makes your heart flutter like crazy. “Yeah?” You say softly. It’s the only thing you can say. Miguel’s heart rate speeds up at the sound of your voice. “Yeah.” His brain can’t muster up any thoughts to continue speaking. The two of you stay like that for a few seconds before you speak up, “how did the two of you meet?” You ask with honest curiosity.
Miguel snaps back, “we were, uh, she was a scientist that had an interest in using animals as a way to advance the human species. Medically.” Miguel stands up a bit straighter, seemingly trying to distance himself without actually doing it. “I, as Spider-Man, really piqued her interest. One day as I was fighting she popped out of nowhere just to ask me a few questions.” Miguel chuckles softly as he remembers. The sound feels like velvet to your ears. “After that I couldn’t get her off my mind.
You smile warmly along with Miguel. It’s sweet to see him like this.
Miguel looks down at you. He looks like he desperately needs something. Someone. You’re still smiling stupidly at this point. The fact that someone is willing to go so far to protect you makes you smile. You feel the warmth of Miguel’s hand meet your cheek. You’re startled by it as ripped you away mid daydream. No daydream was needed anymore. This was actually happening. You sink into the feeling. Your heart filled with warmth as he held your face. Miguel’s eyes were soft as he smiled softly. Whatever this was, you didn’t want it to stop.
His thumb starts rubbing along your cheek. His thumb slowly traces down to your lips.
Your heart is pounding. Miguel can feel your heart rate through the close proximity. He needs you desperately. Your hand moves up to his hand and rests on his wrist. “Miguel,” you look up at him. Even though everything that’s happening is nowhere near normal. You’re still afraid of being hurt. “Yes?” He answers back. Your fingers move up to slightly intertwine with his. The size difference sends a jolt in you.
“I’m not her.” You whisper
That statement feels like a punch to the gut to yourself. You like this, you like what it feels like. You don’t want it to end. You don’t want it to be a lie either.
“I know.” Miguel’s voice is serious yet still soft. His reply sends warmth to your entire being. “Are you sure?” You ask in denial. There’s a slight pause, “I-“ Miguel hesitates. He’s not sure if it’s a good idea. He knows you’re not her. You’re completely different in some aspects yet similar in others. You look the same and sound the same despite having completely different personalities. He came here knowing that you, a look alike, would be here. He came here with the risk of losing you again. No, not you. You’re not her. I never lost you. Miguel’s inner battle is harrowing. I won’t lose you.