Opposites
"You don't understand! Anarchy'll be the best thing for us!" "Yeah, if you're looking for a lawless society. Get over yourself, Hobie. Anarchy kills." You spoke, eyes looking past your 'comrade' as he stood in front of you, arms crossed. "Hey, what's all the f-" "Shhh. They're about to kiss, I can tell." "No, Pav." Gwen shook her head at Pavitr's theory, putting a hand on his shoulder and tugging him towards her. "They would rather die by Osborn's hands than even think about doing anything besides arguing."
Hobie didn't know what it was about you that made your views so..different. Your universes were almost identical to one another, you even had a Hobie who you got along with from your own Earth! You both took a liking to similar clothing, music, and past times. You even agreed that Osborn was a pig who had nothing better to do than spread propaganda, so why? Why did you fight against the mere concept of anarchy, going as far as to say it's a means to the end? Hobie's seen the positives of anarchy, the positives of fighting violence with violence, and the positives of starting riots that end with most of the abandoned buildings becoming rubble and ash. So why couldn't you?
Miguel had suggested you take some time to yourself. Something you thought was weird. Regardless, you found out why he was suggesting it. "Keep watch of this anomaly." He 'asked'. "Bring Gwen with you, too. Oh, and Hobie's coming along."
You didn't mind other people in your universe, other than Hobie. Earth-138 already had enough of anarcist Spider-Men. "Welcome to my home. Might want to avoid that." You pointed to a busted radio near your wall, which was a nice shade of grey. Gwen only stared outside, the windows showing fire and people rioting for change as you opened your fridge. "Fancy something? We got.." You listed off the choices as Hobie looked around, plucking a stray pin off your coffee table. "Swanky place you got here, love." He spoke, his tone almost diving into condescending territory. "Uh, I'll take water, thank you." Gwen spoke, rubbing her bare arms as she shuddered. "The town would do good with some anarchy." "Don't even suggest that bullshit." You growl, handing Gwen a glass of water, your expression changing as she offers you a soft 'thank you' in response and gingerly starts to sit from it. You don't even look at Hobie as you settle down with a familiar glass in your hand, an action that makes him feel..weird. "Hey, I'm gonna be staying over tonight. I..want to get a feel for this universe, I guess?" "There's nothing to 'feel', Gwen. This blokes universe is just as crummy as mine is, 'cept it's slowly rebuilding itself." "My universe is fine. you're welcome to stay over anytime, Gwen. Most of my bigger shirts are still intact, so..I think those'll be fine." Hobie only shook his head at your generosity being granted to Gwen without a second thought. It really made him wonder just what your problem was.
Gwen had clocked out early, finding herself snuggled in your bed, holding a stuffie that had seen needles and stitches far too many times to count. You looked at her with a fond expression before closing the door, turning to Hobie, fondness replaced for bitter dislike. "You can help yourself to anything you like." He didn't need to be told that, already snooping through your pantry and digging out a half-empty bottles of beer. "Mighty fine bottle you got 'ere. Thought you'd be more of a wine girl, though." He mumbled, giving half a glance at the mostly bare door of the fridge. The only thing that caught his attention was a small Polaroid photo of you and someone familiar. Without a second thought, he plucked it off the door and began to walk to the couch. "Hey. I didn't say help yourself to everything! Put that down, or I swear to God-" It didn't take you even more than a second to notice the picture in his hand, hissing at him for even thinking that he was close enough to touch something as sentimental as that. "Woah, woah. Calm down there, love. Just got a bit curious, that's all."
The rest of the visit continued in silence, save for the noises of loud music that kept your eyes from closing shut. "Who was that bloke in the picture? You looked awful chummy with 'im." You didn't say anything, looking at your window in a daze. "He..was my Hobie." You muttered through a sniffle, rubbing your eyes as you went silent, much to Hobie's dismay. "Yeah? He looks..cool. Where is he?" "He's dead. His dumb talks of anarchy and starving the government of power got him killed. I told-..it doesn't matter. I-I shouldn't even be fucking talking about it with you of all people!" Your words hurt him more than he wanted to admit. "'M goin' home. Take care of Gwen, alright?"
Hobie should've stopped thinking about that. About you, about that dumb Polaroid picture, and about the way you broke down when you saw it again, but he can't. Not when you run away from him, either being by the side of the Spider-Men or out in one of the many universes, working for the Big Man. "What do you mean I have to work with him! You know he doesn't like me!" "Our job is to protect the multiverse and the people who belong to it, not to worry about one of our Spider-Men not liking another one. You think I need more stuff on my plate?" "..No." Hobie peeked into the room that Miguel was chewing you out in. "Great, just who I wanted to see. Spider-Punk,-" "Hobie." "..Spider-Punk, you and..[Y/N] have a job. I heard that there's a currently rampant anomaly in Earth-138 again." "Damn! Is there always a fucking anomaly just hanging around in my universe?" "Language, and yes. Usually because someone couldn't catch it the first time and now we're playing a damn game of tag with it." "..Whatever."
"Out of every Spider-Man in this Spider Society, why'd he even choose us?" "Dunno, just how the Big Man works." "I wasn't talking to you." Hobie let himself lag back at your words, eventually bringing himself to a halt, making you turn around with a bothered expression. "What?" "D'ya hate me?" "..What? God, we don't have time for this! We-" "Answer the question, love." Your arms drop to your side as you shake your head. "I don-..I don't hate you. You're just.." "I'm Hobie?" You go silent again, feet shifting, and you nod once more. "You're not my Hobie, you'll never be him, but I-I..I can't look at you without feeling like it's a possibility. Without feeling like you're a redo of him and that you'll die just like him! I didn't want to get my hopes up, I didn't want to think anything would be different." Your voice quivered and your eyes glistened, following with pricks of tears. Hobie took a step forward, then another once he noticed you were covering your eyes. "Hey. It's alright."
Things were not alright. After that moment you two shared, it felt like you both couldn't get away from one another. It's not that Hobie minded, but you did. You'd brush past him while going to talk to Miguel, give him a nervous smile only after you hugged Gwen, and even dropped all conversation with him. If you didn't hate him before, it was obvious you hated him now. "Hobie! How are things between you and [Y/N]? I haven't heard you guys having anymore lover quarrels." "Weren't lover quarrels, Pav, and we're doing alright." "Really? Last time I checked, they've been very persistent in avoiding you." Hobie rolled his eyes at Pavitr's questions, sitting next to him. "Is it because she already has a Hobie?" "Had." Gwen corrected, seemingly appearing out of nowhere with a bottle of water, walking over to join the conversation. "Hey, I missed you, Gwendy!" "Sure you did."
"I'm going home. You coming with?" "Oh, no. Staying over at [Y/N]'s." He only nodded in acknowledgment, leaving through the portal he summoned with his watch. When he found himself in his apartment, he also found you, standing near the couch. "Oh- Christ! Give a bloke a warnin' next time." "I'm sorry. I just..I just didn't know to talk to you in private. You know how suspicious that'd look to Pavitr." "Yeah, so you just ignore me to give me hints, yeah?" You chew your lip and look at the couch. "I'm sorry but I didn't know how to talk to you. So..I waited here so we could." "You're bloody stupid, but alright. Go on."
"I told you they would kiss!" "What?" "I could sense it from a mile away..and I saw lipstick marks on [Y/N]'s face." Gwen jumps up in pure shock, getting ready to talk before she feels a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, good morning, Gwen." It was you, and Pavitr was right. Gwen could barely contain her laughter as she greeted you back, watching with squinted eyes as you waved to Pavitr, too.