Chapter Text
December the 25th.
The temperature was just cold enough to bite, transforming each breath from Gwen’s lips billowing into a smokey cloud of steam. Her right hand was clenched around the poorly wrapped gift box as she swung; She was lucky that she had gotten good at one handed swinging during her earlier days of vigilantism, otherwise the very fragile gift would have taken a tumble the moment she started swinging.
Her phone vibrates, a possible text back from Prowler saying where he wanted to meet at. With a flick of her wrist, Gwen flings herself upwards, landing on top of a rooftop with ease. Maybe it was cheesy to be wearing an armband that held her phone, but it was a gift from her dad and it was certainly a lot better than holding your phone while you’re trying to swing.
The text notification blinked on her screen, begging to be opened while Gwen shifts her grip on the present.
“Abandoned church on third.”
It’s simple, to the point, and yet Gwen finds herself hesitating. With a sigh, the blonde glances back down at her phone, nervously shuffling from foot to foot before shooting back a quick reply. The church was only a block away from her, which gave her some time to think about what exactly she was going to say to Miles when she saw him. Gwen had no problem shouting out a quick quip or string of insults to her enemies, but with Miles-- Her brain always felt like mush and she’d end up stumbling over her words like she’s giving a presentation in Health class.
Maybe she’d ask him if he wanted to come over tonight. It’s not like her dad was going to be home, not with the double shift he decided to pick up. They could order some chinese or pizza, whatever Miles wanted, as long as they got brownies with it. They could watch a movie or two, one of those ones about superheroes or that one show about the batguy with his burglar girlfriend. Or maybe they could just relax around the city, enjoy the peace and quiet of people staying in their homes for the holiday.
Gwen’s phone dings again.
“Dragging your feet, Araña?”
The purple prowler icon flashes on the screen, the three dots that pulsed at the bottom of the chat box making her heart race.
“And here I thought you’d make it here before me. ;)”
Gwen closes out of the app, not bothering to text back before sliding her phone back into the pocket. Her wrist flexes and she’s off again, swinging between the snow covered buildings.
The sun is still high in the sky, the pale yellow beams falling onto the streets below. The church is covered in the streams of sunlight and the mush of traveled through snow lines the front steps; The cold and wet feeling seeps through the soles of her costume and Gwen cringes, shaking off the clumps of snow on her feet before pushing open the church doors.
It’s dim inside the church, the thin slices of sunlight piercing through the stained glass windows. Without a word, the blonde makes her way further inside, her footsteps light and silent. A creak sounds and moments later a strong tingling crawls up the back of her skull. Gwen whirls around, hands raised to defend herself from whoever decided to sneak up behind her.
“Mierda, Araña! Trying to take my head off before we can talk?” Miles questions with a raise of his hands. He’s dressed in his normal Prowler attire, save for the thicker coat he’s wearing and the change in shoes. Damn, why didn’t she come dressed warmly?
“Don’t sneak up on me and your head will remain on your neck.” She snarks back as she picks up the gift. It had fallen the moment she had raised her hands, having been forgotten the secondt Gwen thought she was in danger. The box was dented but it didn’t smell like any of the cans inside had busted open. “So...you busy today? I mean, with Christmas and everything...and you know….food or whatever..”
“Busy? Always.” Miles replies with a shrug before leaning against one of the church pews. “Though, I’d make time for you.”
“Uh huh. So that means you’re gonna help me with my calculus homework, right?”
Miles physically recoils with the suggestion but a few seconds later, he nods.
“Course I will, I didn’t say it wouldn’t cost you, though.”
Gwen laughs at the comment, but doesn’t press it further.. If the “cost” was takeout and sitting on a rooftop together, she definitely did not mind, especially considering how Miles’ help was exponentially raising her grades.
“Right, right, so what’s this meeting gonna cost me?” The blonde asks as she leans against a pew as well. This was cool, right? She could only hope that she looked cool, smooth, and not a total mess that was five seconds away from passing out in embarrassment. She never understood how Em could make flirting look so easy ; Whenever she tried to come up with something similar to what Em suggested, Gwen would end up feeling like a stupid clown instead. It always felt like Miles could see through her entire act, like he knew that she liked him before she even realized it herself.
“Free of charge today. Consider it a Christmas special.” He replies as he leans over, reaching behind Gwen and pulling out a just as badly wrapped present. “Relax, Araña, I bought this with money.”
“Turning over a new leaf?” Gwen asks as her gaze flickers down to the present before landing back onto Miles. A soft smile spreads onto her lips from behind the mask and her face feels unbearably hot. “Should I be worried you’re coming for my job next?”
“ That was a one time thing, Gwen.” He pauses before gesturing to the gift. “You gonna open it?”
Her finger tips graze upon the edge of the wrapping, not wanting to open the package just yet.
“Not yet. I got you a gift too-- I was looking at some new shoes, but uh…wasn’t sure if you had the pair already so-” The blonde forcibly shuts her mouth as she hands over the gift instead to save herself from further embarrassment. If she could barely talk to him about a gift, then how the hell was she supposed to talk to Miles about her feelings? “I’ve seen your work on the street sometimes. Looks dope. So...even though I’m not supposed to be encouraging illegal activities, I thought it’d...be a nice gift.”
Miles looks down at the wrapping, a chuckle leaving his lips at the yellow ducks that lined the paper.
“Didn’t have any Christmas themed ones?” He teases as he peels back the wrapping. “Or did you just run out after giving all your friends gifts?”
“Nah, you’re the only one I got a gift for… Friend wise, I mean, Dad gets his usual ‘Christmas tie’.”
The comment makes Miles pause mid rip, his gaze flickering up towards the reposing hero in muted curiosity. The box opens with another rip of tape and Miles pulls out the first can of spray paint.
“You know what brand I use?”
“How could I not?” Gwen shrugs, nonchalant, trying to downplay the fact that she had practically memorized it the first time she saw Miles shoving cans into his bag. “Your bag is almost always open when I see you, probably ‘cause it’s too full.”
“...Thanks.”
“No sweat...Guess I should open this now, huh?” She asks. “I’m half expecting it to be a mini first-aid kit.”
The first thing she spots is the black box hidden underneath the wrapping, her name written in bold and bright colors on the front. The design is absolutely gorgeous, from the webs that clung to the edges of the box to the spider that sat in the middle of the E in her name.
“You remembered my symbol on my first suit?” She asks. It feels hotter in the church-- Was she blushing?
“Yeah. Thought it looked cool.”
His answer is laid back but it still makes Gwen’s heart soar. Maybe she’d bring back the symbol just because of that .
“That’s not the only part of the gift, you know.” Miles teases, watching as she pulls open the box. Inside was a simple USB stick with a string hooked through it. It almost looked like a necklace. “Saw some of the stuff you were listening to on the stakeout that one time. Thought you might want some new music recs.”
“Miles, I--” The hero is at a loss for words, so she decides to express them instead by pulling Miles into a tight hug. “It’s perfect…..thank you.”
Gwen’s phone rings, piercing the warm moment.
“You should probably get that.”
“Uh-- Yeah, just….one sec.” She picks up the phone and mumbles out a quick greeting. “Hey, dad, everything okay?”
“Hey Gwennie, just wanted to check on you. I left some cash on the coffee table in case you wanted to order some pizza...your gift is there too…” The man on the line pauses, sighing deeply before continuing. “I’ll see you when my shift ends, alright? Stats are saying there’s gonna be a spike in crime around one AM, so don’t stay up too late, we got it.”
The line drops before Gwen can reply.
“So...my house is free. Wanna have a movie marathon? We could watch those super dumb Christmas romance movies if you want-- Pizza included.” The blonde offers, her voice wavering towards the end.
“Only if you get a deep dish with pepperoni.”
Gwen smiles, knowing that she’d get Miles anything as long as they got to spend time together.
“Deep dish with pepperoni. Got it. I’ll pick it up and send you the deets to my place?”
With two fingers raised, Miles gives off a mock salute before turning towards the back of the church, leaving out the way he had come.
“See ya then, Gwen.”