There are many reasons Miles’ universe is the objectively better universe. Peter B. doesn’t mean that in a depressed way, not anymore at least. There’s just something to be said for the less… shitty status of life here.
And there’s plenty to be said for the better restaurants.
“I don’t even think we have a sandwich place here back home.” Peter comments around a mouthful of the best sub he’s ever had. “Pretty sure it’s a bank.”
“Man food in your universe must suck.” Miles points out exactly what Peter is thinking. The older Spiderman can only shrug. He’d love to argue - for unjustified pride if nothing else - but he doesn’t have any arguments.
“What homework you got there?” He asks instead.
“Just some essay for English. The not fun kind.” Miles huffs. “God, I thought the essay at the start of the year was bad. At least that was creative. What the hell am I meant to write about for Frankenstein? I’ve barely even read it.”
“Read sparknotes and then write about it secretly being queer, or something else you’re interested in.” Peter offers. “You like rap right? You could probably argue that rap is treated like a modern Frankenstein’s monster. People are quick to assume it’s evil or whatever without getting to know it.” He takes a sip of his soda, frowning when Miles is silent. “What?”
“You’re telling me to compare Frankenstein's monster and rap?” He clarifies and Peter shrugs again, suddenly feeling self-o of his advice.
“Yeah?” He… confirms? “I mean if it keeps you interested in the topic, right? It’s how I got through my college essays. I just found some queer angle and ran with it. You don’t have to do it if you’re not interested.”
“No, no I’m doing it.” Miles says, the gears already turning in his head. “Dude, this is going to be dope as hell. I’m actually excited to write this essay now.”
“That’s all you need to pass an essay kid.” Peter claims. He rolls his eyes fondly when Miles hugs him, already ranting about the arguments he’s started forming. The kid’s surprisingly tactile. Not that Peter’s touch-starved self is actually complaining.
At least not until someone clears their throat.
“Miles, who’s this?” A man asks, startling both uncostumed Spidermen (Spidermans? Peter’s not sure, he’ll have to ask next time they’re all together. Right now he has bigger problems).
“Uhhh…” Miles’ eyes dart around a moment before lighting up. Okay the kids got this. Thank god. “This is my Uncle Peter.” He claims. It’s a confident lie. A good one even.
Except Peter knows this man is Miles’ father.
“Excuse me?” Jefferson asks, eyebrow raised high. He clearly doesn’t believe Miles, why would he? Which means this is about to get a lot worse for Peter unless he does something.
“Hi!” He greets, a bit louder than necessary. “You’re Jefferson, right? I heard so much about you from Aaron and Miles here.” That startles the suspicion right off of Jefferson’s face. And hopefully distracts him from the wince Miles lets out as he realizes what he’s done.
“From… Aaron?” The cop repeats, sizing Peter up with a very different expression than he had a moment ago. Forcing himself to keep a smile, hoping the strain is mistakable for grief, Peter holds up his ringed hand. It’s technically a promise ring, but it’s on the right finger. He’s pretty sure the kids all assume he just didn’t take it off after the divorce.
“I know you haven’t heard of me.” Peter says, hoping he sounds the right amount of sheepish. “I was still a pretty closest guy when we met and I know you and Aaron didn’t have the best relationship. We were going to tell you but… well… I guess we just pushed it off too long, you know?”
“Yeah, I get it.” Jefferson mutters, looking utterly heartbroken for a moment before he clears throat. “I was just popping in on my lunch break.” He explains, gesturing to the counter.
“Me too.” Peter claims. “I didn’t know this place existed, your kid was holding out on me.” He adds, nudging Miles to encourage the boy to get his jaw off the floor.
“Hey!” Miles shoves him back, finally managing to look like he didn’t just make a very dumb cover story.
“You two are close?” Jefferson asks.
“He’s a good kid.” Peter shrugs. “Apparently terrible at keeping secrets though.”
“I panicked!” Miles protests, shoving Peter again when the spiderman tries to ruffle his hair.
“No, no I’m glad he said something.” Jefferson assures, shaking his head. “This must be a hard time for you, you shouldn’t have to deal with this alone.” Peter chokes on his response, clearing his throat and looking away.
“It is what it is.” He says. “Besides, I’ve got Miles and a couple of good friends.”
“Everyone could always use more family thought.” Jefferson claims, voice betraying a lot more than his words are saying. “I haven’t got a lot of time right now, but how about you come around for dinner?”
“Huh? Uh, it’s fine, really. You don’t have to do that.” Peter says, panic rising. A conversations one thing, but a dinner?
“I insist, really.” Jefferson says. “Rio will want to meet you. I’ll get Miles to text you the details. See you around.” And with that, Jefferson leaves. He didn’t even order his food. For a moment all Peter can do is stare at the spot Jefferson just stood, silent and blinking.
“I am so sorry!” Miles eventually cuts into the silence, eyes wide. “Me and my dumb mouth, oh my god.”
“It’s… it’s fine kid.” Peter says, waving him off.
“It’s not!” Miles argues. “Now you have to pretend to be my uncle!”
“Maybe your dad’ll forget about it?” Peter offers, knowing full well he wouldn’t.
God, this is going to go horribly.
Miles tries to get him to practice a cover story but Peter shoots him down.
“I’ve got this.” He assures Miles, all the while silently dreading the day of the dinner. It’s only a couple of days after his and Jefferson’s meeting. Unfortunately ‘a couple of days’ in Miles’ universe is a couple of weeks in his own.
That had been a fun one to realize when he’d gotten back from his first universe-spanning adventure. And a fun one to math out every time he came to visit.
“Are you sure you don’t want to run through something? Even just quickly?” Miles asks when the night finally comes, standing out the front of the Morales’ apartment building. “I could make you cue cards?”
“Because that wouldn’t be suspicious at all.” Peter teases, forcing himself to keep his tone light. “I’ve come up with a cover story kid, I just don't want us confusing each other okay? Let me handle any questions and you can follow my lead.”
“Okay, okay. Yeah, sure. This is going to be fine.” Miles chants as they make their way up to the apartment.
“Relax.” Peter says when they finally get there. “Stressing out isn’t helping. Take a couple deep breaths.” Miles does and, when he looks a little less like he’s going to explode, Peter knocks on the door. It takes Rio barely a second to open the door, excited grin on her face.
“You must be Peter.” She greets. “Did you and Miles walk together?”
“I’d have gotten lost without him.” Peter claims. “I have a horrible sense of direction.” It’s not even a lie. He used to be so late before he started swinging across the city and cutting out the majority of his commute time.
“He’s hopeless.” Miles carefully agrees. Okay. That’s a bit rude. “Hi ma.”
“Hello sweetheart.” Rio greets her son with eyes full of adoration and Peter can’t help the slight pang in his gut at the sight. God, he misses Aunt May. “Come on in, the both of you.” She says, ushering them inside. “Miles, why don’t you go set the table? Dinner isn’t far off.”
Conversation is light at the Morales’ finish up dinner and Peter stands there feeling like he should be helping. They ask Peter what he’s doing (working in a library, as of a few months ago), what he studied in school (chemistry), and the expected questions about how he got from chemistry to a library (he enjoys reading to kids and helping out. Peter leaves out the part about his first two bosses in the field becoming supervillains and the part about Miles being the reason he likes helping kids specifically).
It’s not until dinner’s served that they start asking the hard questions.
“So,” Rio starts, “how did you and Aaron meet?”
“Ah, it’s a bit of a long story.” Peter claims. “We met while he was… working.” He’s intentionally vague, paying close attention to how the two react. They have to know about Prowler, they tense too quickly to not.
"So you were co-workers then?" Jefferson assumes, voice going cold. Peter pretends not to notice the way Rio kicks her husband's leg under the table.
"Not at all." He days with a laugh. Shit, how is he going to make this story work? "I was a paramedic at the time. He'd gotten injured on the job and I was the first responder. We had heaps of time to chat before we got to the hospital. I'm still pretty sure it was the blood loss talking when he asked me out."
"You were a paramedic?" Rio prompts.
"Not for long. Couldn't handle the stress." It's not even a complete lie. Pete did all the training to become a paramedic, it's probably the most useful Spiderman training he's done. And he did consider making it a career, thankfully MJ talked him out of it. Peter doesn't think anyone can handle that kind of daul stress.
"That's understandable." Rio nods.
"Do you often go out with-" Jeffeson cuts himself off, eyeing Miles. Ah. They don't think he knows. "With people you met at work?" The man tries to recover.
"Not often." Peter assures. "Aaron was... Aaron was special." The sorrow in his tone makes both adults soften.
"You really loved him." Rio comments. Peter shrugs.
"I just... I wish I could of... " He trails off, not sure where he was trying to go anyway.
"You can't think of it like that." Jefferson says, and this time the firmness in his voice is different. "None of us could have saved him." Despite his words, Peter's pretty sure everyone at the table takes a moment to think of the 'what if' - what if I could have saved him?
After that, they keep away from heavier topics. Instead they all learn more about each Of her and what Miles is getting up to at school. When the night is over, Rio makes Peter promise not to be a stranger.
"We're family now." She says, like it is just that simple, before sending him on his way with a tupperware of leftovers.
Despite how well the dinner went, Peter plans to avoid the older members of the Morales family. One conversation and a dinner were natural progressions to keep up Miles' lie and likewise their identity. Anything more than that felt wrong.
Unfortunately, it's not that easy.
Miles doesn't have a lot of free time between school and Spiderman - which Peter of all people gets. What he doesn't get is Miles deciding he can merge Peter hangouts with quality family time.
"What?" The teen in question whines when Peter calls him out on it. "They think you're family, which you practically are anyway. It makes sense."
Peter would be more annoyed with that answer if he didn't enjoy the family dinners and game nights. He's been trying to better his social life ever since the multiverse almost collapsed. MJ meets him for coffee at least once a week now and they're quickly returning to the best friends they once were. He's even making some more casual friends at work. But nothing he does will ever replace what he lost when he lost Aunt May. Especially because he isn't about to insert himself into the life of this universes Aunt May and keep her from grieving her actual nephew.
Still, spending time with the Morales' comes pretty close.
"Only you could have made this mess." Gwen tells Miles when she finds out, still suppressing laughter.
"Hey! It wasn't just me! Peter helped!" Miles argues.
"Helped save your ass." Gwen smirks.
"What can I say, I'm a known ass-saver." Peter claims, sending Gwen into another fit of giggles and Miles into groans. He hasn't spent much time with the spider clad in white. There's too many painful memories when he sees her face. A feeling he's pretty sure she relates to.
Maybe he should check in on her more. Or at least make sure Miles and Peni come by more. It's obvious to his kettle-self that this pot needs more Social interaction in her life.
The next time Rio sends Peter off with leftovers, he makes sure to pop into Gwen's universe the next day for lunch.
"You don't need to do this." She comments the third time Peter stops by with lunch.
"I can stop if you want." Pete shrugs. "But it's really no trouble. As long as you don't tell your parents I'm your secret uncle, that is." That gets Gwen laughing and the next time Peter stops by, she greets him with a grin.
Occasional dinners with Miles, occasional lunches with Gwen. It just makes sense to set aside breakfast for Peni.
Which - more practically - becomes making sure Peni gets some food and some sleep.
"You know kid, your New York might be even more messed up then mine." Pete comments one visit, Staring out the window to SP//DR's main suit. Which is less suit and more actual mecha.
"It's home." Peni shrugs. Peter gets it. He lets Peni work quietly for another two minutes.
"Alright, that was your five minutes, shut off the computer."
"I'm not done yet." Peni argues.
"Yes you are." Peter says. SP//DR, currently in his smaller suit, turns off the computer screen. "Thank you."
" Traitor." Peni huffs, puffing out her cheeks and crossing her arms over her chest.
"Come on kiddo. Break time." Peter says, spinning her chair around.
"You know, you can't just adopt every spider-person you meet." Peni claims.
"I can and I have."
Noir and Spiderham are adults. Peter doesn't feel the need to check on them like the kids. Still, he adds them into his little rotation. Coffee with Noir once every two weeks - an easy enough schedule since their universes move at similar speeds. Their regular card game with Spiderham is a bit harder to keep track of. Peter has no idea how time works in Spiderham's universe.
Peter's life's going pretty well - especially by his standards. He and MJ are friends again, he's made civilian friends, and remade super friends. He has a whole line-up of spider-people he looks after and who look after him, plus a watch so he can see them all without the risk of his atoms pulling themselves apart. Peter's even dealt with most of the issues he'd been putting off for years before he went to Miles' universe.
Which means it's about time something like this happened.
"You don't have to come if you're not ready." Rio assures as Peter goes deathly still. Behind her, Miles looks horrified
"Sorry." Pete tries, weakly, before clearing his throat. "Sorry." He repeats, sounding stronger but sure as hell not feeling it. "I just… I haven't been."
“I suppose it’s hard to feel welcome, with the relationship you had.” Jefferson says but Peter shakes his head.
“It’s not that.” He admits.
“You really don’t have to come, if you’re not up for it.” Miles offers. The concern in his expression is sweet, the misplaced guilt is less so. To Miles, Peter must look like he’s regretting this lie they’ve formed. Like visiting the grave is a line he’s not willing to cross.
God. This is the one thing Peter has still been putting off, despite his bettering life-style.
“No, no I should.” Peter assures. “It’s just…” He tries, and fails, to find the words.
“Hard?” Rio offers, smiling gently. She approaches when he nods, pressing the palm of his hands against his eyes. “That’s normal Peter. If you’re ready, we’ll be right here with you, but don’t push yourself.”
"If I don't go now I don't think I'll ever go." Peter admits as quietly as he can.
"Then let's go. Together." Jefferson says, squeezing his shoulder in support.
The graveyard is quiet when they get there. Graveyards are always quiet. Peter hated that, back when he only had Aunt May to mourn. She hated the quiet, was always off on some adventure. Peter's not sure how to feel about it anymore. May Aaron would've hated the quiet, but Peter thinks anything louder might break him.
He stands behind the Morales family as they pay their respects. They don't question him, don't push him. Miles keeps shooting him confused and concerned looks but Peter ignores them. He'll have to explain before He kid starts making theories of his own, he knows.
But that's a future Peter problem. Current Peter has enough to deal with, staring at the grave of q man he never technically met.
"You three go ahead." Peter says, after three seconds or three hundred years when the others start to pack up. " I just need a minute." Miles looks like he's about to protest but Rio puts a hand on his shoulder.
"Take all the time you need." She says. Peter thanks them, waiting until they're well out of ear shot before turning back to the grave and taking a deep breath.
“Hey Aaron.” He greets, soft and fragile. “You uh, you don’t actually know me. I’m from another universe. The kids call it B’s verse. ‘Cause my name’s Peter B. And this is Miles’ universe. Cause… well, you get it. We’re not uh, we’re not very good at names.” Peter clears his throat as he realizes he’s stalling.
“My point is we never met. But I have an Aaron of my own back home. Had an Aaron. He was older than you and he was still the Prowler. We should not have started dating. I knew that, you knew that. And yet…” He sighs, running a hand over his face. “You died in my universe too. Same way you did here except I was the Spiderman you were protecting. It was… god, it still feels like it happened yesterday.” Peter pauses, unsure for a moment where he’s going with this.
“I miss you.” He finds himself saying. “I hate you, a little. For dying like that, for not listening to me. I hate myself more. I’m getting better but sometimes I just… I think about how you’re never going to get better and it’s like the weight of everything comes crashing back down.” Tears have started to spill down his face and Peter tries to wipe them away. He shouldn’t be crying. It’s not fair to be crying. This isn’t his Aaron. Peter hasn’t had the guts to go visit his Aaron.
None of that stops the tears from pouring. From every word Peter’s held back to come flooding out of him. He’s guilt over Aaron’s death, his fear at seeing his own Miles again, his concern over what he’ll tell this Miles.
How much he kinda understands what Kingpin was doing that day. How desperate he is to see Aaron again, even if he knows he can’t.
Jefferson returns maybe half an hour later, when Peter has run out of tears and given up standing.
“How’re you holding up?” The man asks, settling on the grass next to him.
“Terrible.” Peter admits, choking on a depressing laugh. “Sorry, you shouldn’t have to comfort me. He was your brother.”
“He was your husband.” Jefferson returns. “Besides I’ve… I think I’ve been mourning him for a while now. With his job, with mine, I knew what would happen sooner or later. Just wish it could have happened later.”
“I knew but still.” Peter sighs, leaning his head against his knees. “I keep thinking I could have saved him. Maybe if I’d just been a little more convincing, or tried a little harder I could ha-”
“Don’t do that to yourself Peter.” Jefferson says, shaking his head. “Nothing good comes from what ifs, it’s just more suffering.” All Peter can do in response is hum. He knows he’s only hurting himself. That doesn’t mean he knows how to stop.
“Come on.” Jefferson says, standing and offering Peter a hand. “Rio and Miles are getting ice-cream, we should catch up before they eat it all.”
“Yeah, ice-cream sounds pretty good.” Peter decides, taking one last look at the grave before taking Jefferson’s hand.
It’s not that Peter is avoiding Miles. Peter’s avoiding everyone. It’s been a heavy few weeks. First visiting not-his-Aaron’s grave, and then finally dragging himself to see his Aaron. All Peter wants to do is curl in a ball and cease existing for a few days. Just long enough to get some rest.
Peter knows it’s not healthy. He’s spent the last several months rebuilding the support system he pushed away.
Apparently old habits die hard.
MJ visits him. He can’t force himself to tell her what’s wrong which, of course, tells her exactly what’s wrong.
“I want to help you Peter.” MJ whispers, not meeting his eyes. “But I, I can’t help. Not with this.” They’re friends. They don’t work as lovers.
Peter knows MJ still wishes they did.
“I know MJ.” He assures. “You don’t have to. I’ll be okay.”
He’s not okay.
During the day, Peter drags himself to work. He doesn’t put his hand up to read for the kids like he used to and his coworkers notice. They give him space he craves and despises.
At night, Peter dawns the suit and does what he’s always done. Except without the life he’s regained since meeting the other spider-people. He doesn’t even have the energy to quip right now.
Miles invites him to dinner with the family. Peter makes up a lie about working a case. Gwen asks if he’s free for lunch. Peter says the same bullshit. SP//DR checks on him. All Peter can manage is a request he look after Peni.
He knows he needs to drag himself out of bed.
Peter just can’t manage it.
The Multiverse Hopper 3000 - as Miles and Peni dubbed it - has been sitting on Peter’s bedside table for three days when it goes off. Panic immediately seizes the elder Spiderman. There are only two reasons for the watch to sound an alarm, either someone has entered his universe or someone has called a distress signal.
No one visits Peter’s universe.
Terrified one of the kids has been hurt, Peter moves faster than he has in weeks. It should be a relief to see that it’s not a distress signal. Except that means at least one of the other Spider-people is here. In his universe. Where the public hates Spiderman and the villains are, on average, more dangerous.
Shit.
What the hell are they thinking?
Within minutes, Peter’s got his mask on and is swinging towards the location pinged on his watch.
He’s not surprised to find the kids when he arrives. It would be nice if it were Noir or Ham - aka some Peter didn’t have to worry so much about - but he knew it was the kids the second he saw the alert. Of course it’s the kids.
More surprising is the hero that’s already found them, decked out in black and red and looking very confused.
“You three know you’re not meant to be here.” Peter says as he lands, wincing a little at the pain that echoes in his knees.
“B!” Miles, Gwen, and Peni all shout in greeting, rushing up to him as they speak over each other.
“We were worried!” Peni exclaims.
“You didn’t tell us you got a Miles B.” Gwen comments, trying her best to not seem as emotional as the other two.
“Where have you been man? We’ve been worried sick!” Miles says, already wrapping his arms around Peter’s waist.
“Kids, kids calm down!” Peter orders, wrapping one arm around Miles almost without thinking and raising the other in a pacifying motion to the others. “I can’t hear you when you’re talking all at once.”
“Sure you can’t.” Gwen scoffs. Peni bounces on her feet a moment before deciding to also hug Peter who moves his once free hand to wrap around her.
“You know these guys?” The second black and red Spiderman asks. Peter can see his confusion even under the mask. “They’re like…”
“They’re like us, yeah.” Peter confirms. “It’s a long story.”
“Not really.” Gwen counters. “The multiverse is real, we saved it, now we travel when we want.” Technically that was the short version but Peter thought she was really missing out a lot of details.
“And is that…” The other Spiderman trails off, pointing to Miles who is only just letting go of Peter now.
“Yeah.” Peter confirms again. “Spiderman 2, meet Spiderman 2B.” He says, gesturing from one Miles to the other.
“Spiderman 2?” Miles repeats, face scrunching up beneath his mask.
“It was the media’s idea.” Miles B sighs. “I didn’t mean to steal the name.”
“We don’t know each other's identity.” Peter answers the unasked question in his kids eyes.
“Okay but you do.” Miles points out, completely missing the point. How can this kid be so smart and so dumb at the same time? A question Gwen shares, considering the way she facepalms.
“Well he didn’t know that Miles.” Peter says through clenched teeth, glaring at the teen who’s just realized what he did.
“You… what the hell man?!” Miles B exclaims. “Have you known the whole time?! Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I haven’t known the whole time.” Peter assures, although he hopes Miles B doesn’t ask how long he’s known. Spiderman 2 had only been around a month when Peter got sucked into the other universe. “I didn’t say anything because it was your secret to tell.”
“You already had a Miles?” Qwen asks, surprised.
“My timeline moves faster than yours, remember?” Peter sighs.
“That doesn’t mean you necessarily had a Miles already. I don’t have a Miles.” Peni argues.
“Peni, your timeline is several hundred years in the future.” Peter argues. “Considering how similar my and Miles’ universes are, you all should have guessed that.”
“Is your Miles blonde?” Miles asks. “You know, since you were blonde in my universe.” He adds, when everyone gives him a look for the question.
“No he is not blonde.” Peter says.
“How would you know?” Gwen says. “Have you seen him beneath the mask?”
“I’m not blonde!” Miles B chimes in. “And I’m right here, can you stop talking about me like I’m not?”
“God this is going to be a hell of a conversation.” Peter realizes. It already has been a hell of a conversation.
“If you're not blonde what’s the difference between us?” Miles A frowns, trying to look through the suit to pinpoint some difference.
“I’m clearly taller than you.” Miles B points out. He is. Notably taller even.
“He’s older than you.” Peter says. “Three years older. Don’t ask me why the age difference isn’t consistent, I stopped trying to figure it out.”
“How the hell do you know how old I am?!” Miles B demands, startling back. “Are you stalking me old man? What the fuck?!” Peter takes a deep breath. He does not want to answer that question. Sure, he knows he has to. But he’s going to stall for as long as he can manage.
Unfortunately, despite Miles' tendency to stick his foot in his mouth, he’s a smart kid.
“Wait.” He says, eyes widening with realization. “Wait, is this why you were so messed up at the cemetery? Peter do… do you actually know Uncle Aaron in your universe?”
“Peter?” Miles B whispers, letting out a shaky breath.
“Did, kid.” Peter sighs. “I did know your Uncle Aaron.”
This conversation is going to be a mess.
Gwen manages to herd Peni back to her universe, sensing this is a conversation they need to have without outsiders. Although she doesn’t leave without demanding Peter come by tomorrow, because they’ve both been worried as all hell. Peter, meanwhile, herds the two Miles’ to a nearby diner. One whose clientele is 90% superheroes at the end of a long patrol. It’s a bit early but the waiter takes one look at them and gestures to the back room.
“I’ll bring three of the unusual.” She says, barely raising an eyebrow at the identical Spiderman 2.
“Thanks Stacy!” Peter calls back, leading the boys into the half-staff room half-superhero retreat.
Throughout it all, the Miles’ are silent. Miles B is in shock, all the more so when Peter slips off his mask and confirms everything. Miles A is more contemplative in his silence. Neither seem angry with him. At least Peter hopes not.
“Okay,” He starts when the burgers arrive, “let’s do this one more time.”
“My name is Peter B. Parker. I was bitten by a radioactive spider and for the last 22 years I’ve been Spiderman.
Everything else from before is still true. I saved the city, fell in love, got married. Things went to shit in… well, basically every way possible.
But there was more after that.
Prowler was one of my regular bad guys, but he wasn’t a bad guy. You know? Sure, when he was on the job we fought and bantered, maybe flirted a little. But when he wasn’t… well, we didn’t interact much but there was one time.”
“Not looking great there Spidey.” Peter startled at the voice, turning too fast and wincing as pain rocketed through the bullet would in his shoulder. God, he hated getting shot.
“Is this a mugging?” He asks the slightly blurry figure sharing what he’d hoped was an empty alleyway. “‘Cause gotta warn you, I don’t keep much in the pockets of this suit. Real women’s pants problem, ya know?”
“Good to know you always talk this much.” The figure teases, finally coming close enough that Peter can make out his details. He looks familiar, although Peter can’t place his face. “You should really put pressure on that.”
“Huh? This thing?” Peter asks, shrugging his shot shoulder and immediately regretting it. “It’s fine, I heal fast. ‘Sides, didn’t think to bring the medical web fluid.”
“You’ll heal faster if you’re not bleeding out.” The man claims, rolling his eyes. Peter startles backwards when he raises a hand, hitting the brick wall behind him. The maybe-stranger hesitates a moment before moving again, making his actions more clear as he presses a bundle of fabric to Peter’s wound. “This might help.” He says, softly.
“Thanks.” Peter says, raising his uninjured hand to take the bundle. Maybe-stranger doesn’t let him. “You’ll be stuck here a while if you insist on holding it.”
“Shame.” Maybe-stranger says, sounding like it’s anything but. They spend the hour it takes Peter to heal just… talking. It’s nice.
Peter doesn’t realize it’s the Prowler until the next time they’re fighting and Prowler makes a joke about Peter ruining a second jacket.
"It was a good once. Or maybe I was just really messed up. Probably both. Either way, I said yes when he asked me out. Might also have been the blood-loss. His blood-loss that time. Half expected him to ditch me but nope, Aaron showed up and we toured a new art gallery. I kept a mask on and we didn’t share names, just walked around and talked.
I figured he could have been tricking me. There are a lot of supervillains around here who’d pay to figure out Spiderman’s identity. If that was the plan he was doing a really good job of it.
Still, I kept the mask on. Until one day we were hanging out in his apartment and this kid comes back. His nephew. Aaron didn’t try to kick me out, he let me get to know Miles. Pretty big show of trust so I figured, what the heck?
Things were going really well for a couple of years. Perfect even. Minus the fact Aaron was still Prowler.
Then…”
Peter tries to stay out of Prowler’s jobs. Aaron knows it and tries to take jobs that don’t require Spiderman’s attention. It’s their way of avoiding the argument. Peter doesn’t want Aaron to be Prowler, Aaron thinks it’ll be more dangerous to get out and doesn’t hate the job enough to try. It’s the only thing they really fight about so they both try not to bring it up.
Usually Mysterio isn’t a problem Spiderman needs to solve. The guys D-rank at best.
But he’s desperate to be seen as a real criminal. Aaron underestimates Mysterio’s plans to drug the water supply, doesn’t think it’s serious until Peter steps in.
Doesn’t realize Mysterio’s illusions have gotten better until Peter is crumbled on the ground. Vulnerable, with a gun too close to his head.
The gun goes off.
The bullet hits the sewer wall harmlessly, the noise snapping Peter out of Mysterio’s attack. Aaron and Mysterio are on the ground, wrestling for control of the gun.
It goes off again.
Another missed shot. Aaron slams Mysterio’s helmet against the ground, his head rattling inside that fish bowl of his. The villain goes still.
“Jesus christ.” Peter says, shoulders relaxing. “Who knew Mysterio had it in him to actually be a villain, right?” Aaron lets out a breathless chuckle but, as he tries to stand, his feet buckle. “Aaron?” Peter panics, jumping up to help his partner.
There’s blood pouring out the side of his suit.
“Damn.” Aaron manages. “Lucky shot.”
“You’re going to be okay.” Peter promises, although he knows he doesn’t sound convincing. Damnit. Why doesn’t he keep more of the medical webbing solution on him? His usual stuff isn’t safe for things like this. Fuck.
“It’s okay babe.” Aaron mumbles, leaning heavy against Peter.
“Stay with me.” Peter pleads. “Do not fall asleep.” He picks Aaron up, rushing to the nearest exit. The water plant isn’t anywhere near a hospital. Fuck. Fuck!
“Love you.” Peter barely hears the words Aaron whispers.
He hears when Aaron’s heart stops.
“No!” Peter shouts, frantically moving to give Aaron CPR. It doesn’t work. Peter doesn’t stop trying until he hears footsteps approaching.
“Spiderman! Step away from the-” The cop’s voice falters as he draws close enough to recognize the body on the ground. “Aaron?” He whispers, almost sobbing. Peter looks over and recognizes Jefferson, the brother Aaron had yet to introduce him to.
He goes numb then, barely feeling the tears soaking the inside of his mask. The blood once more coating his hands.
“Do you think we could have done something?” Peter asks, quiet and only half aware he’s talking. “If I’d just said the right thing, pushed hard, he wouldn’t be-” Dead. The word never gets easier to say. No matter how numb he is. How many people he loses.
I don’t have a right to be here, Peter thinks as he takes in the confusion and loss on Jefferson’s face. He rests a bloodied hand over Aaron’s face, shutting his eyelids.
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Peter hears himself say, webbing away. He makes it maybe fifteen minutes before he breaks.
Eventually, Peter makes it to his apartment. The apartment he’s barely been in for almost six months now. They were thinking of moving in together, once Peter’s lease was up. He doesn’t go back to Aaron’s place, not even to get his clothes. He doesn’t respond to Miles’ messages. Peter stares at his ceiling and lets time pass him by.
“When Aaron died I broke down. Shut everyone out. I didn’t think I could look Miles in the eye when I got his Uncle killed. A new Spiderman showed up and I got worse.
Then the Multiverse started breaking. And it turned out the spiderman I was avoiding was Aaron’s nephew. I couldn’t get either Miles’ to stop being involved with dangerous situations. I couldn’t save either Aaron.
I got a bit better after everything but… well I guess I’ve still been avoiding his death.”
Peter finally lets himself breathe, once he finishes his story. He leaves out the stuff not suitable for kids - the gore, the romance, the details of Aaron’s death - but it’s still more talking than he’s managed in… well, since Aaron died.
“It’s not your fault.” Miles A is the first to speak, the tears clear in his voice.
“I know, kid.” Peter says, forcing a smile. It’s not a lie. He knows Aaron’s death isn’t his fault. Just like Gwen’s wasn’t, just like Uncle Ben’s wasn’t. “It’s just hard to believe sometimes.”
“I get it.” And Miles A does, in a way Peter wishes he didn’t. The kid moves from his seat, hugging Peter tight as the tears overcome him. “God, I’m so sorry I made you pretend to be my uncle while you were going through all that.”
“It’s okay, you didn’t know.” Peter assures. “I should have said something.”
“I should have known something was bothering you.” Miles argues. “Heh, I mean, you’re a terrible liar. Those stories were way too good to be fake.” He teases, trying to force some lightness into the situation. Peter manages a laugh.
“Hey! I’m a great liar.” He claims, ruffling Miles’ hair. Swallowing around the lump in his throat, Peter forces himself to meet Miles B’s eyes. “I’m sorry I wasn’t around.”
“It’s, it’s okay. I get it.” Miles B claims, clearing his throat. It hurts to see him like this. Older than the Miles clinging to Peter but more closed off. Peter supposes that’s what happens when you have three more years of a tense relationship with your dad and had to deal with the death of your uncle alone.
“It’s not okay.” Peter argues. “I should of been there for you. It doesn’t make up for the last nine months but… but if you want, I’m here now. And I won’t leave unless you want me to.” Miles B doesn’t manage to answer, giving into his tears. Miles A pulls him into the hug and the three of them finally cry over a villain who was one of the best men in their lives.
The next day, Peter forces himself to get out of bed.
He meets Gwen for lunch and this time she brings the leftovers. They sit and they talk. Peter catches her up on what he told the Miles’ and why he’s been avoiding them.
They talk about the elephant they’ve ignored since the moment they met.
It’s not… nice, exactly. But it’s good, Peter thinks, to talk about Gwen’s death with someone who understands.
When Peter leaves, he promises to come visit no later than a week from now. It’s a promise he plans to keep.
Ham’s the one to suggest a therapist.
“I’ve been seeing this one for years.” He says, talking as casually as if they were discussing the weather.
“Not sure I can see a therapist in your universe Ham.” Peter points out, pushing a couple chocolates into the betting pool.
“Lot of weird stuff happens round here, they don’t ask questions.” Ham shrugs. “‘Sides, means you can be as honest as you want and not have to worry so much. We ever got free healthcare over here.” He adds, calling the bet.
“I’ll think about it.”
Ham wins the round, like he always does.
Peter books his first therapy session a few weeks later.
Peni hugs him tight when he comes to visit, and SP//DR hugs even tighter.
“I’m sorry I worried you.” He says softly, hugging them both back.
“It’s okay.” Peni says, sniffling. “But don’t you ever do that again!” She adds, trying her hardest to look intimidating. She’d do a better job if Peter didn’t know her so well.
Still, he means it when he says, “I promise.”
Life settles into a new normal over the next few weeks.
Peter accepts a dinner invitation at the Morales’ house and apologizes for being radio silent. Rio and Jefferson both brush him off immediately.
He and Gwen meet for lunch at least once a week, usually accompanied by leftovers and lots of shit-taking their villains.
Learning to cook is hard. Learning to cook pancakes is even harder. But it’s worth the look on Peni’s commentary every time he tries, and worth her face every time he improves.
Semi-regular patrols with Miles B become regular patrols. Always interrupted by a midnight snack near the mural Miles B painted of Aaron. On the side of a community center near his apartment, where his mum had suggested it. Jefferson had been hesitant, but Miles B says he cried when he finally saw it.
“I know it might be weird, with the other universe stuff and all,” Miles B starts one night as they snack, “but uh, I was thinking… maybe you could meet my parents?”
“What brought this up?” Peter can’t help but ask. Miles shrugs.
“They know about you.” He admits. “I mean, Uncle Aaron left a lot of his stuff to you in the will. And I think… I don’t know, I think they might want to meet you? Never mind, it was stupid.” Miles quickly tries to backpedal. Peter tries to push the fact Aaron left him stuff to the back of his mind, somewhere he can deal with it after he’s assured Miles.
“I think it’s a good idea.” He says, as though the thought isn’t somehow more terrifying then it’d been meeting Miles A’s family.
“Yeah?” Miles B clarifies, quiet and hopeful.
“Yeah kid.” Peter confirms, wrapping an arm around Miles’ shoulder. “I think I’m finally ready to meet the family.”
He visits his Aaron’s grave, a bouquet of purple roses in hand and a not-so-forced smile on his face.
“I’m sorry it took me this long.” He says, already wiping away a few stray tears. “But geez, I got heaps to tell ya babe.”