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It’s a terrible scene; Gwen is panicking and bleeding from several open wounds. She’s trying her hardest to remain strong, but there’s a sense of panic her body can’t help but react to. She’s already lost a lot of blood but she’s not willing to give into her fears just yet. Her once white and black spider suit is now stained with maroon. It’s horror beyond anything she thought she’d experience; she’s just too young to be causing herself this much stress.
It’s a terrible feeling; Miles is in his own world, trying to convince Gwen that everything’s gonna be okay. He says it all the time, but he still can’t help but feel like he doesn’t say it enough to her. Fingers move across the wet washcloth, burning from the steaming hot water. “Just one sec, I’m almost ready” He says, turning to face the girl with a faint smile. She’s not buying it. One of her hands is tightly gripping onto a wound located on her arm. She’s a bleeding, shaking mess. She can’t verbally respond to Miles, much less smile back at him.
A part of Gwen feels guilty for being here. They’re both locked in Miles’ bathroom, which gives them as much room as a dressing room. She was worried about bleeding onto the floor - which she’s already done - and is now concerned about staining his family’s washcloths. She should be more worried about treating her wounds before they become infected, but Gwen doesn’t care about herself right now. “Miles…” She tries to speak out against what her friend is doing, but he’s not gonna give up so easily. He’s already carried her half-conscious body by himself, it’s not like he’s just gonna let her walk off like nothing happened. “It’s okay, Gwen. You’re gonna be okay.” He says, almost as if he can read the girl’s mind.
After the washcloth is hot and ready to clean, Miles steps from the sink and slowly makes his way towards the girl sitting on his porcelain toilet seat. “Miles, no” Gwen mumbles, trying to hide her injuries from his eyes. She’s in too much pain to do much, yet the girl still tries to fight off her savior. Miles knows she’s overreacting, but doesn’t want to call her out on it. He’ll tease her another day, but right now he’s got bigger things to worry about. Without saying anything else, he presses the wet washcloth onto Gwen’s left cheek. It burns like hell, but this needs to be done. Gwen winces from the sudden heat and stinging sensation, hastily pulling her face away from the moist washcloth. “I’m staining your-” “Gwen, stop” Miles speaks up, his tone stern and stoic. “Look” He says, moving back over to the sink to show the girl his technique; fingers move across the washcloth, massaging her blood right out of the fabric. “You’re not gonna stain anything, okay? All this worrying is gonna make your bleeding worse, so can you please work with me? Just this once?” Miles isn’t even trying to convince her anymore. He’s begging her.
Once his demonstration is complete, Gwen’s eyes widen with understanding and her cheeks flush with a different kind of maroon: a blush of embarrassment.
“Fine…” Gwen sighs deeply, crossing her arms in defeat. Miles wins this one. Now the boy is a little too happy to be treating his friend’s many wounds. He skips back over to the sink and warms up the washcloth before returning to his friend's side. This time, he places his free hand on the back of Gwen’s head for support. “Now you can’t escape” He teases, moving the washcloth along her left cheek. Miles’ attempt to cheer her up is met with an eye roll, but at least Gwen is cooperative. “It’s gonna leave a nasty bruise, but the cut is already scabbed up” The boy explains before returning once more to the sink. After carefully washing out the crimson, Miles returns. “I saw that gash on your arm, Gwen. I’m not letting you leave until you let me clean it.” He says, gesturing with his free hand to Gwen’s right arm. The girl has no choice but to give in.
“Ow!!” Gwen winces, her eyes shutting tightly. All she wants to do is to pull her arm back in retaliation, yet, she trusts Miles. The pain has shot up her arm but with his free hand on her wrist, she feels the pain begin to subdue. Once all her dried up blood has been washed clean, Gwen lets out a quiet sigh. Miles tosses the soiled washrag into the sink and begins to properly sanitize his hands. While this happens, Gwen leans back, finally allowing her body to relax after her wounds have been cleaned up.
Bandaging Gwen up was much more enjoyable; Miles’ hands might be shaky, but he still performs well. “Just one more bandage and then I promise I’ll get out of your hair” He quips with a shy grin, only this time it actually makes the girl laugh. Now she’s really starting to heal. “There you go, good as new!” Miles announces, standing back to give Gwen some much needed space after putting the finishing touches on her gauze. He’s proud of his word and she couldn’t be more grateful. “Thanks, Miles” She says, her voice calm and collected - Just as it should be. It’s only until after she stands up did Miles notice the bloodstains on her suit. “Jeez, you really wanna go home looking like that? I gotta coat that you can borrow" "No, Miles. That’s fi-” But before Gwen can convince her doting friend, he’s already left in search of a jacket.
Miles lets only a few moments pass before returning with a jacket in hand. “Here you go" He says. Gwen refuses to swallow her pride, but Miles’ jacket looks warm. “Thanks” She says, holding onto the jacket and examining it before putting it on. She looks at herself in the small bathroom mirror, unsure of how she should feel about it. The jacket is fashionable and oversized, but it’s not exactly hers to keep. “You look great!” Miles compliments her with a bright smile. There’s a bit of confidence in his voice as he says this. He wouldn’t tell her, but he does like the way the jacket looks on her. “Thanks again. For everything.” Gwen says, stuffing her hands into the pockets of her new jacket. “Don’t mention it. Just promise me you’ll stay a little more safe, okay?” He asks, a blooming grin on his face. “I won’t make a promise I can’t keep, Miles” Gwen answers with a smile of her own.