Earth 42

“You…What?” 

Gwen could feel the amber gaze of her mentor peering down into her, practically burning a hole into her head. She shrunk back, trying to make herself as small as possible, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t escape that piercing gaze and what it meant. 

Jessica Drew was PISSED. 

People usually think Miguel is the scary one, but they have no idea. 

They never have to see Jessica like this, they aren’t Gwen. 

Most of the other spider people didn’t fuck up so bad that they had to see the rage of a exhausted, six-month pregnant, muscular and very much pissed woman. 

“It was an honest mistake!! They were quick! I couldn't have stopped it!!” 

That was a lie and she knew it. Gwen totally could’ve. She just hesitated a second too long and over what?? A pretty face!? She sees pretty faces all day–Like right now! Though, granted, an angry pretty face is much more unpleasant than the one of victory she had seen prior. 

She sucked on her teeth, crossing her arms and focusing on the woman before her rather than on those thoughts. 

“I–” Jessica let out a laugh. One of those appalled laughs where you know you fucked up and the other person was just THAT blown away by the audacity. “I’m sorry?? Did they just waltz right in and take them from you like a Quicksilver?? Do you know how dumb you sound right now? You’re GHOST-SPIDER! They were just some villain of the week! Nothing should’ve stopped you from beating them!” 

Gwen fell silent, her head hanging low with wisps of blonde to pink hair falling over her eyes in an attempt to hide her shame. She didn’t say anything. She couldn’t even if she wanted to. It was better than trying to argue and getting sent back home. She couldn’t handle that right now. Not with the way her dad was. 

“I’m sorry…I’ll do better. This was just a one time thing, okay??” 

After what felt like forever, Gwen spoke up with a defeated and apologetic tone. Her voice was raspy and hoarse from the screaming and the fight she had gotten into just hours prior. She mustered the courage to look up at Jessica, her blue eyes locking with the older woman's hazel ones. 

"...It's whatever. We aren't in too deep shit. At least they have a watch so we can track their location and send the nearest Spiderman to come collect them." The venomous tone vanished, leaving behind only exhaustion and disappointment. Jessica raised up her own watch, allowing her fingers to effortlessly glide across the smooth screen, entering herself into the watch's trackers. "I am going to kill that little rat when they catch 'em. I'll give the Spiderman access to this tracker too if this villain really is as tough as you say they are." She looked over her shoulder to shoot Gwen a disbelieving look, judging her credibility on how tough this villain was. 

She then pinched at her temple, messaging the tension out of it as if it were an annoyance or pain at Gwen standing there, 'Like a kicked puppy' as she would describe it. "...You're so goddamn lucky I have another mission for you and I stuck out my neck for you to even be here, otherwise I would not be this nice." With that, she tossed something at Gwen, which the young girl caught rather quickly, thanks to spider-senses. It was another watch. Another chance, more like it. 

Gwen smiled. She could work with this. "Thank you!! Thank you so, so much! I swear you won't regret this!! I'll--" 

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. You better not, you hear me?? It took a lot to get you in this dumb little club, Gwen. Don't let some dumb C class villain be the reason you got taken out of it." Jessica spoke sternly and with no ounce of lightness in her tone as she cut Gwen off, not all that interested in hearing her words of gratitude. "There's another anomaly. Earth 1610. You think you can handle it??" 

Gwen almost immediately nodded, agreeing before she even really knew what she was agreeing to. "Of course!! Of course I can handle it!" She could feel a pitch rise in her voice as the request really sunk in. Earth 1610?? Like THE Earth 1610? 

She couldn't help but feel the stirring of excitement burn in her at that number. 

Not because that Earth was anything special or noteworthy, but because she knew a certain someone existed there. 

And that certain someone was especially special and noteworthy. 

She bit down on her lip, swallowing her excitement as she fiddled with her watch, clicking it on her wrist. 

“Hey–I see that look on your face there, Gwen. Don’t get any dumb ideas, okay?? You’re already on thin ice with this whole villain fiasco.” Jessica warned, giving a pointed look at Gwen that made the younger girl shrink back further. 

"Leave that little friend of yours alone. Don't even let him know you're there. He's done enough for us and he'll only get you into more trouble. Got it?" 

Gwen was silent. She couldn't help but feel anger brewing inside of her, upset at the words Jessica had to say for Miles. She knew the woman had her reasons, but wasn't Gwen and Peter just as guilty for causing all this universe mania?? What about Spider-Noir, Peni, or even Spider-Ham?? They were all equally as guilty as Miles. He was just in the wrong place, at the wrong time. 

...

But, that's not what Jessica meant, and she knew it. They didn't hate him because of the same reasons they hate them.

They hate him because he's different, 'Not supposed to be', an oddity. 

....

An anomaly, if you will. 

"I...Got it..I--" Gwen paused, the weight of her thoughts making her head hang low, her eyes gluing on the ground. She felt disgusting just following orders, not sticking up for Mils. But, it would do more harm than good to defend her friend who wasn't even here right now. The trouble she would get into would far outweigh the good it would do. It's not like she could change Jessica's mind. 

"I won't see Miles.." 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

...

...

Where do you think you'd end up if you had just leapt through a random glowing portal in the middle of a city?? 

Do you think it'd be Wonderland? Narnia? Asgard? Space even?

In all those guesses, would you ever assume you'd wind up in Mumbai India??

Well, (Y/N) certainly didn't, so imagine their surprise when they came crashing down face first into the hot asphalt of India's busy roads, and then immediately almost getting run over...then cussing out in Hindi. 

"Gaay-chehara bootalikar!!" is what they called them, but (Y/N) won't even pretend to know what that means. 

(Y/N) was very much out of breath. They'd be the first to admit, they might have gotten more bruised and beaten in that fight than they had shown. They never really had gotten this hurt when collecting debts and fulfilling little favors for Aaron. It was strange, new, and they didn't care for it. They hated how human they felt, how easily they were reminded of being able to bruise and die as they hovered their hand over their nose, collecting their blood like droplets of rain in their palm as they limped to take ownership of a nearby alley to dress their wounds. 

"Fuckin' hell," (Y/N) hissed, just barely underneath their breath. Sweat clung onto their skin like pollen on a flower, drenching it and filling their senses with a different smell other than their blood, though it wasn't that much pleasant. They sneered, sharp piercing cuspids on full display as they wiped away their bloody nose, smearing it on their palm. If they had their mask, they easily could've used it as a tissue instead. But...It was ripped off in their efforts to leave. A fair trade for the watch, they suppose. 

Speaking of the watch...

The leaned backwards, resting against the cool walls of the alley-way that was really just a dumpster wedged against two shops--Too wide to really fall under the classification of alleyway. Their head rolled back, hair scuffled by the rough bricks as their hand rose, the watch held tightly in it with the hand's knuckles white from how tightly they clung onto it. They did not want it being taken from them. "What...What the hell are you??" (Y/N)'s chest rose and fell with labored breaths, their voice rough and hoarse when they spoke in a harsh whisper. They twirled the metallic object in their hand, analyzing it closely. 

It was a cool silver metal, with a reddish orange screen on it, displaying a ton of numbers and letters that looked like absolute gibberish to them. There was one that they were able to register as a sentence though, that, of course, being 'Location: Earth 50101, India, Mumbattan City'. 

"Mumbattan?? What in god's name is Mumbattan?" (Y/N)'s brows knitted together, creating a crease on their forehead. What an annoyance. Not only were they nowhere near their New York City, they were in a completely made up place at that--Well, made up in the sense of the name at least. 

"God, what a pain.." (Y/N) groaned, running a hand through their sweaty hair before lowering it to rub at their temples massaging away the dull throbbing pain that was starting to grow in their cranium. They needed a break...That or a drink. 

....

"Headache??" 

"Oh, you don't even know the half of i--" (Y/N) paused, their words dying in their throat as their eyes snapped open, being met with a upside down masked face with thick, curly wisps of raven black hair falling out of it, hanging in the air. A yell left their lips as they tried to jump back, only to be reminded of the wall that they had been leaning on. God damn it. Stupid buildings. First a face in it, now a back. 

"So, you're the little fella' they made a big stink about?? I was expecting something...beefier." The masked figure spoke, breaking whatever he was using to hold himself upside down before flipping so he landed on his feet right in front of (Y/N). He moved agile and quick, like a spider, and he had the same type of mask and suit that the girl earlier did, except he clearly was more colorful and had more culture behind it, as well as his eyes being more angular. How curious. 

"What, are you supposed to be one of the good guys? A hero as well??" (Y/N) sneered, baring teeth like an irritated animal. They were quick on the defense. Their hands acted quick, assuming the worst and slipping the watch over their right wrist, making it harder for this person to take it from them if that were his intention. He clearly was associated with the person they took it from. 

"One of the best." The boy beamed, the eyes in his mask squinting like how an actual person's eyes would crinkle in delight. It was cute, but it begged the question on how a mask could be that animated. "And I'm assuming you're one of the bad guys?? You look the part, very on the nose there pal--Way to go on copying the spider aesthetic, by the way." He gestured down, referring to (Y/N)'s suit. 

"What an ego. Don't like it?? Get it trademarked, bud. You don't own bug themed heroes." (Y/N) retorted, snark lacing their tone as they crossed their arms, glaring down at this...Spider man. Who's he anyway??

"Woah!! No need to get angry, Yaar!" The spider man raised his hands up passively. "I only wanted to compliment ya'. Is that a crime?" He said slyly. (Y/N) paused for a few moments, a bit confused at the name he gave them, as it sounded like a pirates war cry, but they were able to make out it must be a culture thing in the way his accent flowed naturally through it. Their eyelids lowered in an unamused glare as they stared at him. They was no shrinking violet, they were stubborn and they knew he was just buttering them up to make whatever he wanted to do easier. 

“I’m sorry–Is it like, protocol or something for every weird spider dressed person to be as annoying as possible?? Let me guess, your little friend got angry that I took her dumb watch so she sent you to come fetch me cause she can’t get it back herself??” 

A low, drawn out whistle escaped the masked boy, along with a laugh. (Y/N) squinted their eyes, internally questioning how he could even whistle. Doesn’t the mask block the air needed to do that?? Whatever, they weren’t gonna question the logistics. “Way off, dude!! You think this is about some watch? No, you’re like an anomaly and we have to take you in or something.” He was very relaxed and chill, considering what he was talking about. Some might find it endearing, but (Y/N) didn’t. It was naive and stupid too be so relaxed and confident in yourself, it leaves room for fuck-ups and mistakes. They’d know.  

“Oh, yeah?” (Y/N) decided to entertain a conversation with the stranger, if only for a few minutes as they let their mind wander on possible escape routes now that they knew why he was here. See, that’s their exact reasoning on why he shouldn’t get too comfortable: He’ll mess up and let something slip out of him that shouldn't've. “I think that spidergirl said something about that too.” (Y/N) sneered, flashing their teeth at the man. Why?? Like hell if they knew. Maybe it was an instinct thing or something. “Well?? Why aren’t you taking me in? Are you that incompetent?” 

“Weell, I wanted to see what the big buzz was about first, get to know you kinda.” This dude rolled with the punches, not really all that bothered by (Y/N)’s attitude. He was strong in that aspect, they’d give him that much.

“Well? Are you satisfied?” (Y/N) folded their arms across their chest, looking down with a smug smirk playing around their lips. They had no idea what they had done exactly to create a "big buzz", but whatever it was, they were proud of it. 

“I have yet to complain.” The man spoke with a simple and effortless shrug. (Y/N) didn't have to see his face to tell there was a smile sprawled on his lips. They didn't know what it was that made this man so relaxed and easygoing, but if they were quite honest, they were jealous of it. They wish they could just give that small amount of fucks. 

Actually-- (Y/N) can't just go around calling this guy 'the man' or anything, that sounds dumb. They should give him a name. A good one. 

....

They got it. 

Ben Dover. 

Hehe...Get it?? Like...Bend over...? 

... 

No, they aren't childish, you are!!

"Wish i could say the same." (Y/N) responded to Ben and with a roll of their shoulders, they lifted themself off the brick wall, leaning forwards. They bounced a little on their heels, preparing themself for what they knew would come. "Weell, I'd love to just sit here and chat, but I got ligma or whatever's in nowadays, sooo...Gotta bounce." 

"Hey, hey, wait a minu--!!" 

(Y/N), as a matter of fact, did not wait a minute. In fact, they even went so far as to kick Ben in his gut, the force of which shoved him all the way to the other side of the alley that was really not an alley. Once they got that distance between the two, (Y/N) took off sprinting with a speed that could rival Usain Bolt. They were prepared for it, thanks to using the conversation as a way to distract Ben Dover so it was an easy straight shot out of the alleyway for them. 

They had the advantage and they were going to use it.

“Shit--! Wait up!” (Y/N) heard the voice of the man called out, strained and with a rasp to it. They must've kicked harder than they anticipated. Oh well, it’s not like they had much incentive to be gentle with these spider people. 

“Fuck you!!” (Y/N) called out, whipping their head back for a second, just to check if Ben was on their tail. The cursed a bit at the confirmation that, yes, yes he was. They hoped they had a couple more seconds to pick up speed before he started chasing. Whatever, that’s fine. They can roll with the punches. “You really think I'm just gonna let you turn me in, Ben?? Nah, that ain't my style!" 

...

"...Who's Ben?" 

Oh, right. That’s not his actual name. Whoopsie. 

Sprinting off down the hot sidewalk, (Y/N) leapt over the railed steps leading into a shop–A bakery, they believe. They hoisted themself over the railing with their left arm, using their momentum to launch themselves over it and throw them on the other side, landing back on the sidewalk. They continued on, keeping their arms close to their figure so the wind had less of a chance to drag them down. If they planned everything right, then Ben shouldn’t be able to follow, as he didn’t have as much of a running start as them nor the same amount of momentum to fling himself over the stairs. Good. That should get some distance between them since he’ll have to run around if. 

‘FWOOP’ 

…Oor he could just web himself over it. Great. (Y/N) forgot they could do that. Fucking dandy. 

They continued sprinting ahead of their pursuer, who was catching up quickly. Their mind was a mess, a million ideas on how to escape running through it per second, and none of which was satisfying (Y/N). They sneered, a growl of annoyance ripping out of their throat. What good is a brain if it just refuses to work when you need it most?! 

Suddenly, they felt their body being yanked back harshly by their back, as if something sticky latched itself onto their suit. A yell of defiance escaped their lips and they thrashed, gripping on whatever was near them to fight back against the force. Their efforts were rewarded, because after enough resistance, they were able to rip the web that had yanked them back. The pressure was released and they were sent hurling forwards, almost falling flat on their face. 

"Seriously!? Can't you stay still?? You're really not making this easy on me, y'know!!" Ben groaned, as if this were just a game or something and (Y/N) was playing unfairly. They didn't like his confidence. It felt like he knew something they didn't or had an upper hand that he didn't show. They ignored him as they stumbled to their feet, wiping some of the dust and grime off of their clothes. They couldn't let him catch up, they had to keep moving forward! 

"Good!! You think I want it to be easy on you?! Honestly, are you stupid, or just naive?!" (Y/N) shouted back at him, continuing to push forwards and keep their pace. Their hands clawed at the air, pushing it back as if it were a physical item or object, forcing themself to pick up and gain speed despite the struggle they had to regain it after stumbling forwards and having to stagger to a stop to avoid getting a face full of cement. They weren't about to lose to the likes of him.

 He wasn't important.

"This whole angry criminal cliche is a bit tiring, bro, won't you agree?? I mean, we were having a nice little convo but you had to ruin it!" A white blur of a string shot over (Y/N)'s head, latching onto the roof of a passing building, meaning he was probably going to use that to fling himself over to (Y/N). 

Oh no he won't. (Y/N) bit on the inside of their cheek, quickly reaching up to grab the strange webbing then yanking it down, breaking its connection to the building. Ew, it's sticky. (Y/N) cringed at the texture, biting back a gag. They were not the strongest when it came to sensory stuff like that. Y'know that feeling of disgust that you get when you touch something mushy?? That’s what they were feeling. 

The force they had used must’ve been stronger than they had intended though, because when they broke it, they not only sent the web shot crashing down to the ground, but the owner, Ben, as well. He put too much trust on the webbing, leading him to slam face first down into the harsh, brutal sidewalk. A yell left him that sounded more like a yelp than anything and one of his hands shot up to his face, clutching at where his nose would be if not obscured by his mask. 

Now, call (Y/N) dumb or something, but they couldn’t help but feel a tinge of guilt slap them dead in the face. They had just gotten their own nose busted up, so they knew that shit just had to hurt. They may be a bit morally dark, but they weren’t a complete asshole, they could feel pity or sympathy. 

“Oh, shit!! Uhh…You good there, dude?” (Y/N) asked, cautiously stepping forwards while still trying to keep distance in case this was a trick. Ben stayed still, in a curled up position that hid his face, but even with it hidden, (Y/N) could still tell he was in pain. So, what did they do?? 

Apologize?? Pat him on his back? Ask if he was okay? 

…

Nudge him with their foot, obviously. 

They leaned a bit before hesitantly tapping his back with their foot, then his shoulder when he was unresponsive. 

Nudge, nudge. “Uhhh…There, There??” Nudge, nudge. They weren’t the best at consolation, if you couldn’t tell. “You…didn’t break anything, did ya’, man??” 

 Another tap with their foot. Nothing. Still nothing.

Granted, they probably wouldn't want to talk with the person who was lightly kicking them either. 

"Get up, dude. You're gonna make me feel bad." 

....

"You should, you should feel bad." Ben finally spoke up, peeking up at (Y/N) like how someone would peek when doing crocodile tears to see if the other was feeling bad. 

Well...At least they finally got a response. Albeit, an annoying one.

(Y/N) sighed, pinching the bridge of their nose, pinching on it a tad too harshly, making their body quickly remind themself of their own banged up nose. They hissed in pain, their face scrunching up at the stinging feeling. "Aren't you a hero? Don't you get tossed around everyday?? I didn't even hit you, i just dropped you." They hissed, a bit more annoyed than sympathetic now.

"Oh, I know!! I was just stalling to get you close enough for a sneak attack!~" Ben spoke--Or rather purred out, as if he was so proud of himself. 

"Wait, wha--" 

"SNEAK ATTACK!!" 

The sneak attack was, in fact, not all that sneaky. 

(Y/N) wouldn't really describe a Yo-Yo to the face as being a sneak attack but--Hey!! What would they know!? They've only been fighting for--What? Fifteen years??

(Y/N) yelped, leaping back, stunned for only a second, but it was enough time for Ben to leap up. It was a blur, everything was moving so fast, but they could see his hand flying up and then in a blink of an eye, their arms hugged their figure tightly, as if stuck to their chest. A bad sensation rang down their spine, a cringe taking over their features as they noticed the silk that they were now wrapped in was that familiar, sticky webbing. They gagged, but their expression of disgust didn't last long. You see, when bound up, balance is a very hard thing to maintain. So, it was no surprise that they went crashing backwards, landing on the same sidewalk, despite what their dazed expression would lead you to believe. 

The impact was painful, and (Y/N) winced as they writhed, trying to escape the webbing. Though, their wiggling ceased when a foot placed itself on their chest, pushing down on it and making their head roll back as a hiss of pain left them. 

What's with spider people putting their grippers on people?? Ya' nasties. 

"Well, another easy adventure for Spider-man done!! Piece of cake!!" Ben boasted with the tone of one who knew that he had won, and (Y/N) despised it. They are suddenly reminded as to why they were told to never show sympathy. 

"Get off of me!! I'll fucking maim you! You think this is how you treat a--" They were cut short when the air was tore through, a faint but ever so present and distinct noise of two people screaming tore through the air, making Ben tense up, his head snapping up towards the noise as if he had a sixth sense telling him exactly what was going off. 

"Gotta go!! Stay put, villain bro! Byyee!~" Ben leapt up, his speed quick and swift, jumping over (Y/N) before webbing himself to a building to gain momentum and fling himself through the air. 

Even as he left, the screams rang prominent in (Y/N)'s ears, clouding their brain and thoughts. It was so...familiar. They knew it was two voices, but one in particular clung onto their skin, as if it were trying to rip under it and enter their brain, accessing their memories to find out why it was so familiar. 

Why WAS it so familiar...??

...

"MILES!!" 

(Y/N)'s eyes widened, their pupils constricting into terrified little slits at their realization. Terror set in to them, along with adrenaline. They could feel their heart pounding against their chest, threatening to rip right out of their rib cage. They thrashed, their nails and teeth gnawing, ripping and clawing at the webs that bound them tightly. They felt like an animal, unaware of their actions and only acting on desire, the primal need to protect their friend. Their body was numb, their nerves were numb, the only thought in their head that made them move was the one of protecting Miles. 

They ripped themself free, stumbling to their feet and rushing forward, their movement's jerky and frantic. their ears rung, the sound of their heartbeat heavy in them as they clawed through the air, rushing to follow after Ben. In their peripheral vision, they caught the slightest glimpse of rope, bound tightly to a red tarp, protecting a store cart from potential rain. They grabbed at it, tugging at it harshly and ripping it off, sending the tarp crumbling in on the cart as they sprinted, finally getting Ben in their line of sight. 

He was in the air, a familiar white and black spider-person in his hands while another black and red figure was seen in the air, just barely out of Ben's grasp. (Y/N) squinted, unable to recognize them until they heard that familiar voice, that familiar scream rip out of his throat. The cry pierced through (Y/N)'s ear drums, urging them to act. Their head whipped around, desperate to find something to help them out here, their eyes landing on a sign, long, heavy and firm with Hindi writing on it. It'd be good enough. Their grip tightened on the uncomfortable, prickly threading of the rope, a shaky breath escaping their lips. They never had to SAVE anyone before, they never really had to be in a position where someone they cared about was completely reliant on them and it terrified them. They were used to hurting people, that's their specialty, that's what they were trained in. But avoiding just that?? It wasn't their strongest skill. 

With a leap of faith, they flung the rope up, using the same tactics they had seen Ben and Gwen use before, and much to their surprise, it successfully wrapped around the pole of the sign. With a tight tug, they secured it on the pole before tying a loop around the end. If they can get this right, maybe they can latch it around one of Miles' limbs?? Worth a shot. But they only had one..

One chance.

"Miles!! Hold still, don't flail!" (Y/N) yelled out, warning the man before winding their arm back. They ignored the other two's looks, the obvious judgment and bewilderment from them. They didn't matter. (Y/N) couldn't give less of a shit about Gwen and whats-his-face. All they cared about was making sure Miles was safe. With a good throw, the ropes looped end flung through the air, latching onto Miles' wrist before his eight now tied to it tugged him down harder. 

"What the h--" (Y/N) could just barely hear him say before grabbing at the harsh prickly threading of the rope, tugging it towards them so he'd fall in their arms instead of the harsh concrete where he'd most certainly get injured. 

The warmth of his figure in their arms flushed against their skin and before they knew it, they were hugging him. Tightly. Their face was buried in his neck, hiding their worry. He still had the same scent of his mia’s cooking and candles that she tended to collect. It was homely, like wood, and quite honestly they didn’t know what they would do if they had failed and it was the scent of his blood pervading their senses instead. “Miles, have you lost your mind!? Dios bueno, why were you even in the air!? And why are you wearing that dumb suit with these guys?! You know you look better in purp–” 

“Uhm…Do i know you..?” 

…

What??

(Y/N) pulled back their pupils little black cat-like slit’s as they looked Miles up and down before flickering over to Ben, who had landed on the ground next to them. He had let go of Gwen, who was staring at (Y/N), her mask's eyes wide and filled with emotion. 

(Y/N) felt something drop in their gut, creating a pit that made them feel sick, undeniably so. “You…You’re not Miles, are you??” At least not their Miles. It couldn’t be. 

…

They had just saved someone. 

Not Miles, just a random person. 

They felt sick, swindled, deceived. They genuinely had felt fear, the terror in their eyes wasn’t an act, and it wasn’t even their Miles who they had saved? 

They. Were. Pissed. 

“You!!” Gwen growled out, stepping forwards to (Y/N) who took a step back in return, their hands moving behind their back, quickly fidgeting and fiddling with the watch for an out. “You stole my watch!! You got my ass chewed out! Do you have any idea what damage you have done!? Do you know the damage you COULD do with that thing!?” She snarled. She was equally pissed, if not more so. "Well!? What do you have to say for yourself?" 

"Uhh...Adios?" (Y/N) suggested, making the masked face of Gwen contort to one of confusion before turning to one of dread as the familiar colors of orange and red illuminated (Y/N)'s figure as they had finally gotten the watch to work--Though they really didn't know how they did it. 

"Wait, no, no, NO!! Not ag--" 

(Y/N) jumped back, just barely avoiding the grabbing hands of Gwen as they sucked themself into the portal, leaving it to zip shut, destroying the light it illuminated in its wake. 

"Again..." Gwen faltered, visibly deflating at yet another failure. God fucking damn it. 

....

....

"Sooo, New guy..." Pavitr--Or, well, Ben if you ask (Y/N), decided to break the silence. 

"You know them?"