Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was truly unexpected what happened.

Despite all he’d done, fighting himself, fighting the spot, jumping from dimension to dimension, they still couldn’t save his dad in time.

The kicker was that an hour before him, Rio had come in contact with a patient that had a venom symbiote. While police were shooting to kill the alien that was destroying the hospital, a bullet ricocheted and hit his mother.

It severed an artery in her arm, and she bled out before anyone could get to her.

When he came back, he was met with family members and police telling him the news.

He was never ok with losing his Dad and he never will be ok with it. But losing his mom on the same day, it was too much for him.

So, as Miles watched both of his parents lowered into the earth, no tears could come out.

Flowers upon flowers were laid on both of their graves by Rio’s side of the family, candles, and favors peppered the recently laid dirt.

Everybody was waiting for the other shoe to drop as they watched Miles watch his parents be laid to rest.

Miguel couldn’t say anything to him, and if Miles could think, he’d tell him to never show his face to him ever again.

He doesn’t know why he bothered to show up.

His friends set their versions of objects on their graves, which Miles half appreciated.

Peter B brought a Puerto Rican flag for Rio and a pair of sunglasses for Jefferson.

Peni laid out a mechanical piece shaped like a heart.

Spider Noir had a bouquet of gray roses while SpiderHam brought goofy gag glasses.

(His universe didn’t have much that wasn’t hilarious since people don’t die traditionally)

Hobie, who had worn different color shoelaces out of respect for Miles, put down a candle with one of his lucky guitar strings wrapped around.

Pav brought a small statue that sat between their graves.

Gwen gave them one of her favorite drumsticks and a picture of Miles she had taken.

Margo couldn’t bring anything since she wasn’t there.

Ganke bowed twice to his mother and father, and once to him.

People tried talking to him, sobbing family and friends from all over the city and even further comforting him, his comrades trying to give their best condolences, but he really couldn’t care less about all that right now.

He tore off the tie he had hastily knotted and failed at doing so because he couldn’t quite remember the way Dad showed him because he was.. numb.

His fingers were numb as threw his tie on the ground.

His head was numb to thoughts that weren’t his parents.

Maybe a glitch will come and undo all this as if it had never happened.

But the multiverse was fixed for the most part.

The probability of things like that happening...

..Zero to none.

He wanted to scream.

What hurt most than being an orphan in just one hour, was that he never got the chance to say he loved them one last time.

He touches his freckled cheeks, the ones his mother gave him, as he breathed a heavy sigh through the lips he got from his father.

Miles plopped down between their two graves, being careful of the stuff people had laid down.

“I never got to tell you guys the biggest secret of them all.” He whispered, “I’m Spider-Man.”

At first, something bubbled in his gut. A warm feeling of.. laughter.

It started as a scoff that led to a chuckle, then a full-bodied laugh came over as he fell backward in tears.

“The biggest fucking thing I was worried about was you abandoning me because of that, and I guess it came true!” Hot globs of anguish flowed down his cheeks, as his laugh grew manic and loud.

He didn’t stop until someone stood over him.

“Miles, you’re hysterical. You need to take a deep breath.” Miguel reached a hand out to try and pick him up, but Miles grabbed his wrist.

With all his Spider-Man strength, he squeezed it and as he looked up into the eyes devoid of much emotion, he had a single thought as his mouth abruptly clamped shut to end his howls.

“ It should’ve been you. ” He didn’t dare voice it even if at that moment, he wish it would happen just for a second.

(He nearly forgets that a form of himself has already died before)

He didn’t voice that very real expression of anger, but he did say something a little less harsh.

“I’m allowed to be whatever the fuck I want to be right now.” He lets go of Miguel’s wrist, letting his hand fall limp on the grass.

He didn’t even feel like laughing anymore, just laying there lax, his eyes taking in the oddly clear blue day. If he thought hard enough, this is what it would feel like to be dead.

But there’s no light in a deadman’s eyes, only darkness.

So he closed his own.

He pondered the last seconds original Peter had  before his chest caved in by King Pin.

He briefly wondered what his Uncle saw right before he died.

If anyone tried to save his mom as she felt her organs shut down from the lack of blood.

What his dad thought about right before that fatal shot to the head.

After a few moments, someone picked him up as they sat on the grass near his body, putting his head in their lap.

He could smell who it was before he opened his eyes, Tía Daniela always smelled like fresh-cut roses.

It didn’t help that she looked so similar to her big sister, just a little more soft and huggable. Even with that, he could still see his mom.

“Let it out, mi amol.” She put a warm hand on his chest, his heart thudding against his sternum, trying to get out from whatever he was keeping in.

He took a sharp, stuttering breath as he sobbed loudly into her skirt, gripping the fabric between his sticky hands. She cradled him against her as if shielding him away from everything.

He didn’t care if all of Brooklyn heard him, he didn’t give a single, solitary shit.

He hoped he was loud enough to wake the dead.

Miles cried until his chest felt it would cave in, something sitting heavy in his chest that wouldn’t get up no matter how much he begged.

“I want.. I want them back. I’d give up my own life just for that to be.”

Daniela cupped his cheek with one manicured hand, “Don’t you dare say that, boy. You know your parents would say the same if you took their place.”

Even in the face of her grief, losing one of her big sisters, here she was comforting Miles.

She appreciated her so much, more than he could voice at the moment.

“We’re gonna take care of you, I promise you that. You’re one of our babies.” She smiled down at him with tears in her eyes, “Oh, I wish I could take this pain away from you.”

Somewhere in between her saying that, and some other family members coming over, he must’ve fallen asleep.

That must’ve been what happened or else he wouldn’t have woken up.. wherever he is.

He’s sure as hell not home or with family, no matter how cozy the bed feels or how comforting the decor is, he doesn’t know where he’s been taken.

His wrists were empty of his webs.

And he wasn’t wearing the suit from the funeral.

Shit.

Hearing voices downstairs, he decided to start there. Miles turned on his invisible, planning to get the jump on whoever it was that kidnapped him.

Who the hell kidnaps a kid at their parent's funeral anyways?

They’ve gotta be sick.

His shoeless feet allowed him to walk on the wall of the stairs, stepping over what looked like family photos.

The voices became clearer as he was in view of the living room next to the stairs.

“Don’t you think someone should’ve stayed with him so he doesn’t freak out?”

That was Hobie’s voice.

“Why would he freak out?”

Miguel. (Ugh.)

“Oh I don’t know, imagine waking up in a house you’ve never been in, undressed by unknown people plus you took his webs.”

“I should go check on him.”

Tía Daniela is here too? But.. that would mean...

He stood on the stairs, looking over the railing, everyone sitting on homey-looking couches. He looked back at the photos he stepped over, they were mostly of Mayday.

Must be Peter and MJ’s house.

Speaking of which, the little girl seemingly looked up at him and pointed. Everybody brought their gaze to where she was giggling and staring, and Miles decided there was no point in hiding.

He unclaimed himself, everybody gained that same pitied look people gave him when his Uncle Aaron had passed.

Except for Hobie, but he didn’t mind. He just had a natural resting bitch face.

“Miles, hey buddy..” Peter was beckoning him to come down with a few swings of his hand.

“Are you feeling hungry?” Mj asked as she made a space on the couch between Daniela and herself for him.

Miles shook his head, “How’d I even get here? What did you tell my Tía?”

“I carried you here through a portal.” Daniela explained, “Peter told me.. everything. He trusted me with such a secret and I’m very grateful. I’m able to better understand what’s going on, even if I don’t quite get what it means to be Spider-Man or ‘canon events’.”

“We brought you here because bringing you to your actual apartment would’ve been too much. Were we wrong about that?” Peni asked, Miles nodded wordlessly.

“Sorry that your folks answered the last roll call, kid. “ Spider-Noir’s wording for their death nearly made him chuckle.

Miles shrugged, not having a clue what to say.

“I know you must not know what to do now, man.” Ganke adjusted his glasses, “My parents would be happy to have you as their kid.”

Miles half smiled, “Thanks, dude.”

“You could come live with one of us. You know any of your family members would be more than happy to take you, Papi.” Daniela wrapped an arm around his shoulder, kissing his forehead.

He was filled with gratitude that everyone was opening their homes up to him, however.. he wished so badly that he could go home to his parents.

Make his dad stand still for a sketch or help Mami with cooking.

But that wasn’t possible now, not in this lifetime at least.

“Actually, and smack me if this crazy-“ Peter felt a tiny smack from Mayday, who he playfully pouted at, “-you could always stay here with us. This is just a suggestion. You’d be able to still go to school, and of course, visit family and friends in Brooklyn anytime. I know you’re in a tough position, and I’d never ask you to make a choice now but-“

“I’ll have to think about it. I’m still pretty.. tired and it just feels.. so strange.”

“Of course, Miles. You got all the time in the world.” Daniela hugged him close.

Chapter Text

Tía Daniela’s hugs had to be some kind of magic because when Miles opened his eyes, he was back in bed. He hadn’t realized he fell asleep again.

Not just any bed, his own. He recognized his bedspread anywhere.

He sat up quickly, a cold sweat coming over him.

Why was he home?

Was it.. was it all a nightmare?

He tore the covers off himself, nearly tearing the door off its hinges with his spider strength trying to get out of his room.

He made a beeline for the kitchen, where he smelled something incredibly tasty cooking.

Miles slowed his quick steps to a slow and deliberate stride, trying to act as cool as possible.

He peaked his head into the kitchen, seeing his mother dressed up in her usual nurse's uniform, a small beat of something familiar hummed from her lips.

“Mami?” He didn’t even wait for her to turn around before he was hugging her, a confused squawk coming for her, “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Nene, are you alright? Did you have a nightmare?” She wrapped her cold, thin arms around his torso, “Tell me what’s up?”

(Why was she so cold and boney? His Mami was always warm, and she had muscles from work)

“Yeah, I think I did. It was so crazy, Man! you and dad-“ He leaned back a little just to look at her face, struggling to breathe when he saw that.. she had none.

Where her face should be, was just a black hole.

Miles's breathing increased, blinking rapidly to see if it was just remnants of his recent nightmares about Spot.

Rio turned her head to the side, still asking him what was wrong as he tentatively touched her face with his hand.

It went straight through.

Heavy footsteps came down the hall, he turned to see his father in his police uniform. Miles watched in horror as his father, usually a strong and strapping man was emaciated and withered to the point his clothes were practically falling off of him.

“Hey, Miles! How’s it going, kid? Rio, honey! You look as beautiful as ever.” His “face” came near Rio’s, his emptiness touching her forehead as if to kiss her.

“How would you know? She doesn’t have a f-face!” Miles pushed his Mom away from her, scrambling on long legs to put distance between himself and them. His back hit the hallway wall hard, as his eyes desperately tried to fill in the blanks where flashiness and faces should.

Maybe he was sick?

His hand went straight through her head. That wouldn’t happen even if he had the plague, he would’ve facepalmed her.

“ Miles, You’re hysterical. You need to take a deep breath .” His gaunt father moved towards him like he was some kind of wild animal, reaching out a hand to his person.

(That wasn’t his father’s voice)

“Don’t touch me!” Miles screeched, clambering his feet as he bolted down the hallway to his room. He slammed the door shut, locking it.

He put his back against the door, sliding down onto his butt hard.

“Miles?” His mother pounded on the door with a strong fist, splintering the wood, “Miles!”

He put his hands over his ears, ignoring his nearly bursting heart and his sweat-clad face.

“You’re not my parents! I don’t know who you are! Get the fuck away from me!” He screamed at the top of his lungs, but he could barely hear himself over the snapping and cracking of wood.

He felt the back of his shirt be snatched, his mother’s nearly decayed fingers reached for his face as his father’s equally rotting ones held right to the back of his shirt.

(Why were they decomposing?)

“MILES!” His mother’s deteriorating hands touched his skin as he scrunched his eyes shut and shrieked-

“Miles! Wake up!” He opened his eyes to see... Peter.

He wasn’t in his regular bed, he was back in Peter’s house.

MJ was at his side, a fearful look on her face as she gripped his sweaty hand between her hands.

Miles scanned the room, finding nothing out of the ordinary.

“What-“

“Miles, you were screaming bloody murder.” Peter B. stated, his eyes wide and distressed.

Miles touched his throat, no wonder his throat felt so scratchy.

“Would you.. like to talk about it?” MJ rubbed her thumb on his tacky palms, he noticed they were covered in tattered pieces of sheets.

“I can’t remember what they look like.” He whispered, his voice breaking to pieces.

“Who?” Peter inquired.

“M-My parents!“ He hoped it was just a dream, but looking back on any instance with them, “Their faces are gone. They look like.. Spot.”

Peter swallowed hard, exchanging looks with his wife.

When they didn’t say anything, Miles continued. “They were rotting practically falling apart. They started to grab me and-and..”

“That sounds horrible, Miles. I’m so sorry.” Mj’s hug was much different from the freezing darkness he had experienced from hugging his nightmare.

It was cozy and snug, and she smelled comforting, like a warm cinnamon roll.

He melted into her arms, a soothing hand on his drenched back.

“I know right, Mj’s hugs are the best.” Peter chuckled softly, “Let me get in on that. Seems like you could use it, flash.”

Peter joined the hug, bringing a whole new level of relief. He smelled like a baby, a scent he couldn’t quite put his finger on definitively, but a peaceful one nonetheless.

It didn’t feel like his parents crushing hugs, it was different. A good difference. Those hugs couldn’t compare to any other, but this one would do.

Chapter Text

The next morning brought a bright, sunny day. Miles hated that even with all this happening, the weather had some nerve to be beautiful.

But he knew the world couldn’t stop revolving, no matter how much it felt like it did when he heard the news.

He would’ve stayed in bed for a little bit, but he was starving after not eating for a few days.

He got up and planted his feet on the floor, the floorboards shocking him with ice.

He took a deep breath, stood up, about to stretch when he sees a note on the bedside. He scans it, getting the gist that Peter and MJ went out for groceries and would be back in a bit.

But, if that were the case, why was his Spider-sense going off like crazy?

Going invisible, Miles bolted downstairs, ready for anything even without his webs, only to stop in his tracks when he saw it was... Miguel.

Lyla, an A.I. he never got to fully meet, whistled, alerting Miguel of his presence as he sat at the empty dinner table.

He looked odd without his suit on, he was in casual civilian clothes. A red shirt with blue shorts (yeah, that won’t raise any flags) and a pair of off-white sneakers.

“Hey, Morales.” Miguel greeted, knocking his knuckles against the tabletop.

“Hi.” He awkwardly waved, making a face he hoped was polite. In reality, he was cool with never seeing Miguel for the rest of his life.

The fear, nightmares and not to mention bodily harm that Miguel had subjected him to was enough to put him off the man for however long he had on this earth.

“Peter pestered me into coming to watch you.” Miguel made a groan similar to what a sinking ship would sound like, “Make sure you didn’t wake up alone.”

“Man, that’s crazy.” Miles started picking away at the remnants of the bedsheets still on his hands. “Well, you can go home now. I’m fine on my own.”

“Your memories have been altered and your mental state is deteriorating. I’m not going anywhere.”

Miles's heartbeat spiked.

“Jeez, kid. You’re way too young and physically healthy to have a heart attack yet your heartbeat is through the roof. You should sit down, little dude.” Lyla warned, sitting on Miguel’s shoulder.

“I’m good, thanks. Um, how’d you know that?”

“Second one was an accurate guess considering you have no immediate family as of now. The first one was Lyla, she did a scan of your brain when you first came back and noticed something was off.”

Lyla nodded, “Your hippocampus is in shambles, man. Plus, your blood sugar right now is low.”

Ok, that was a lot to take in on a Saturday morning.

“Awesome, great! That’s just so.. awesome! Perfect, even!” Miles chuckled hollowly, “As if life couldn’t get any better!”

“Miles.” Miguel stood up, the chair screeching as it was pushed back, “You need to-“

“-Take a deep breath? Calm down? You sound like a broken record! But let’s see, how would I go about doing that? My parents always help me figure stuff out, oh.. wait, I can’t do that now, can I?” Miles, through his ragged breathing, laughed, “Uncle Aaron could give me some adv- No, he’s buried right next to them! Hm, what about the original Peter from my universe, he was the first one to believe I could fucking do this! Oh, how stupid of me, man! I watched King Pin cave in his ribcage with his bare hands with one swing!”

“Miguel, he’s gonna pass out. Catch him.”

“WHAT?!” Miguel whipped his head incredulously at her.

Miguel turned back to Miles just in time to see him fall forward, catching him just in time.

“Call an-“

“They’re already here.” Lyla pointed to a forming portal, several Spider-Man with lab coats on and equipment looking around.

Chapter Text

“Miles. Wake up, mi bebo.”

Miles opened his eyes, a figure was standing over him with a bright smile on her face. She had a warm hand on his tummy.

Miles looked at her with wide eyes, waving his small arms excitedly when he recognized it was someone he liked.

He didn’t quite know her as “Mami” yet, but it was someone who gave him food, big hugs and kisses.

“How’s my little man doing?” A man, with an equally bright grin, leaned over the crib. The stuff on his chin was itchy when he kissed him, but Miles still liked him too. He kicked his legs.

Not recognized as “Dad” just yet, but he was close to the revelation.

“Did you have a nice nap? ¿Dormiste un bueno siesta?” She prodded his tummy with her fingers, and Miles giggled.

“There should be a law against you being that cute, boy.” His dad pinched his chubby cheek.

He didn’t quite know what they were saying, but he was getting close.

Miles yawned, he would love to stay and look at them both but he was still feeling a little tired.

“Still sleepy? Don’t worry, we’ll be here when you wake up again, Mi Bebo.”

“We’ll be right here with you.”

Miles felt a familiar large hand grab his tiny one, and he instinctively wrapped his hand around one of the fingers.

“We love you, Miles.” They said in unison as Miles’s vision went blurry, his eyes fluttering shut.

Before he fully drifted off into unconsciousness, two pairs of lips kissed his forehead.

He smiled.

Chapter Text

Miles sat up with a gasp, several people pushed him back to the ground gently but firmly.

“Slow down, kid.”

“You’ll hurt yourself.”

“xaler tsuJ!”

Miles covered his face from the bright lights that we’re currently shining his face from various masked Spider-People with headlamps.

“Oh, sorry, mate. Didn’t mean to blind ya.”

The lights were turned off, and Miles could finally see again.

Memories came flooding back of what he was doing before. Miguel was here, he was yelling and screaming… then everything when black.

“What happened?” He asked slowly, trying to get his groggy voice to cooperate.

“Fainted. You had a Hypoglycemic episode caused by incredibly low blood sugar. Does your family have a history of this or Diabetes type 1?” A Spider-Person with a holographic suit on was looking at a mobile heart monitor, the beeps being rhythmic and normal.

Miles shakes his head.

“Well, I’d ask your parents if-“

The one with a strong Australian accent whispered into their ear, their eye inserts widening.

“My apologies, Mr. Morales, but as it stands, this could happen again without proper treatment.”

“Uh.. ok.” Miles nodded, planning to get up from.. the couch.. they had placed him on the couch.

“You should probably stay laying down. You’re sugar levels are still adjusting.”

“flesrouy truh annaw t’nod uoY.”

Miles looked at the Spider-Person closest to him, the one with Cross-eyed looking inserts.

“I’m sorry, I can’t understand a word you’re saying.” Miles shook his head.

“Yeah, his dimension is a bit… backward.” The Aussie whispered, “But once you unscramble it, he’s a quite competent doctor.”

“Wait, wait. Can say “I put my thang down, flip it and reverse it?” Miles’s cracked a small smile.

“Ti esrever dna ti pilf, nwod gnaht ym tup I?”

Miles chuckled, “That’s pretty awesome. I needed that.”

Nobody seemed to get the reference as Miles looked around at their confused glances towards each other.

“Y’all don’t have Missy Elliot in your universe?”

“Nope.”

“yrroS.”

“Who?”

Miles wasn’t gonna take that blast to the heart too heavily, “Anyways, Where’s Miguel?”

“He went back to HQ. Bloke looked ready to pass out himself.”

“Oh.” He doesn’t know if he should be thrilled Miguel left or be a little hurt that he didn’t stay to make sure he didn’t die.

The front door was promptly kicked in, scaring Miles enough that he jumped on the ceiling like a frightened cat. He wasn’t scared, no, his Spidey-Sense would’ve warned if a threat was coming, but he couldn’t deny that he was startled like hell.

“Miles! Are you- oh?” Peter walked into the house with MayDay in her usual carrier, gazing up at him. “Why is he on the ceiling?”

MJ was hot on his heels, a frown on her face. “Maybe because you kicked in the door like you were the SWAT team, Benjamin. You scared him half to death!”

“Right, sorry. Miles, you wanna come down?”

Miles slowly unstuck himself from the ceiling, the Spider-Doctors guiding him back onto the couch.

“Luckily, the boy’s heart did jump too much from the sudden exertion. He should be in the clear for now but you should be watching your blood sugar. Skipping meals isn’t healthy for you.” The Spider speaking changed from Silver to purple in just one movement.

“I’m sorry, I for-real didn’t mean to. It’s just the whole thing with parents and stuff, I can barely think about eating.” Miles sighed.

“I can't speak for your own parents, but as a parent myself, I wanna see you healthy. I know it's hard to even think right now but we’ll do it together. You're not alone, Miles.” Peter put a firm hand on his shoulder.

Mayday climbed out of her carrier and crawled onto Miles, getting up onto his shoulder and resting her head on his.

“See, MayDay wants that too.” Peter smiled.

“So do I. We’ll be here.” MJ sat down on the couch, taking Miles’s hand in hers.

With everyone looking at him expectantly, Miles sighs, he really is grateful.

“Ok.” He nods.

“Wait, where’s Miguel?” Peter whipped his head around.

“He’s-“

A portal opened next to the scene, a tired-looking Miguel walking through it with something hiding behind his back.

He wordlessly put a stuffed animal in his lap, a chameleon to be exact.

Miles picked up the plushie, mumbling a thank you. “I love Chameleons.”

“Figured.” Miguel scoffed, “Anyways, I’m sorry I left. It was.. selfish of me but I couldn’t handle seeing you like that.”

“Man, don’t sweat it. It’s cool.” Miles had his attention focused on the awesome-looking Chameleon rather than what Miguel was trying to do.

“No,It wasn’t at all but… whatever you say, kid.”

Chapter Text

After the doctors gave the clean bill of health, whilst sticking Miles with a CGM to monitor his blood sugar for tests on their end, it was quiet once again.

Until Miles stomach growled, the boy trying to cover up the noise with a cough.

“A lo bien, Miles, please go eat something. We’ll start bringing groceries in.” MJ instructed, helping Miles off the couch.

“No, I can help with -”

MJ whipped her head around and gave him a look, a stare very similar to his mother’s. The one where you know it's best to just do as she says instead of digging yourself into a deeper hole.

“-getting something to eat, just like you said!” Miles nodded, MJ gave him a kiss on his forehead.

“Good.” She followed Peter outside, presumably to where the car is.

“You are really bad at self-care, Miles.”

“Man, you look one good breeze away from turning to dust.” Miles rolled his eyes.

“You little-” Miguel sneered.

“MIGUEL!” Peter calls from outside. Miguel jolts at the unexpected, authoritative voice coming from the normally laid back man, his teeth clacking shut.

Miles snickers at him, but gets a move on eating something, before he felt MJ’s motherly wrath.

—-

His stomach was full for the first time in days, and it felt pretty odd having it coexist with another darker, colder feeling.

Like the warm, humid blaze of the summer and the frigid winter mixed to create a heated blizzard.

That’s the only way he could describe it.

MJ sat at the table, watching him like a hawk as she held MayDay in her arms. She didn’t look satisfied until she saw him eat every last bite.

“Now that you’ve finally eaten something, you should go shower. I can smell you from here.” MJ pointed her lips towards the stairs, Miles sighed.

“Yeah, you’re right. Thanks, Mam- Mrs. Parker. Mrs. Mary Jane Parker to be formal. Um-” Miles made a beeline for the stairs, forgoing them entirely and just running on the wall to get upstairs faster.

“I have a Spider-Baby and I’ll never get used to seeing that.” MJ looked down to see MayDay was gone, having somehow climbed on Miguel’s head, a hand in her mouth.

____

Actually eating something and taking a long shower did wonders for the shattered soul.

Plus, when he got into his guest room, there was a pair of pajamas on his bed. He looked at the outfit with glee, it was modeled to look like the Black Ranger suit from Power Rangers.

How they knew he liked Power Rangers, let alone the black one was a mystery.

(Spoiler: Gwen)

He put on the pajamas after moisturizing, finding the pants fit him perfectly. It’s been a long time since he could find clothes that were the right length after his spider growth spurt. Good thing too, his ankles were getting cold.

Miles came down the stairs feeling brand-new,    seeing that Peter, MJ and Miguel were sitting at the dinner table.

Peter smiled, “Hey Miles. I see you found the pajamas.”

“Yeah, thanks. I like them a whole lot. Reminds me of my pajamas at home, Mami had bought me every color for my birthday. Can’t fit them anymore but I still kept them.” Miles felt a pang in chest, he was rambling, “Eh, anyways, it looks like you guys wanna talk but that may just be me.”

“Yes, actually.” MJ sighed, “Speaking of home, that’s what we wanted to talk about.”

“We wanted to know if you had any choice on where to stay.” Peter leaned forward on folded arms, knocking his fist a few times against the wood. “If you don't, that's ok, we don't wanna rush you.”

“Miguel even offered up his own home as an option,” MJ added.

“Yeah, just a suggestion.” Miguel looked to the side.

“No thanks.” Miles stated politely as possible, “That’s a recipe for disaster.”

Miguel didn’t disagree.

“Ah, well even still. I’m not sure if you talked to any family this morning, or friends, but we’re more than willing to covert the guest room into your own room.” MJ played with her necklace, a smile on her freckled face.

Miles hadn't given it much thought, considering that more than anything, he wished he didn't have to move at all.

He wished they were still here.

But Miles had a decision to make.

As much as he loved his family, both sides, he had to admit that living with already such large households would probably stress Miles out on top of school.

Besides, Peter has already felt like a father to him, even before all this. MJ as well, even if he only met her fewer times.

“I wanna stay.. with you.”

MJ and Peter somehow looked relieved hearing that.

“You hear that MayDay, you’re getting a big brother! May-” Peter didn’t see the little girl in her carrier on his chest, and got up quickly.

MJ put a firm hand on his shoulder to sit him back down, “Nap Time.”

“Huh? Oh! Right, right. Forgot about that.” Peter blushed.

“Oh, that reminds me. I’d like to visit Brooklyn tomorrow, do some patrolling. Family, Ganke, that kinda stuff. Make sure everyone’s ok.” Miles pulled out a chair, sitting back casually.

“Do you think you’d be ok to do that?”

“Honestly, no.” Miles shook his head, “This heaviness I feel in my chest is unbearable. Like, I think I’m still in the denial process all over again. I just think if I go home right now, I’ll be able to hear my mom humming while making dinner or join my dad in playing cards or something but...”

“I know, son. It feels like you’re just in this constant state of..” Peter whirled his hands around, as if trying to grab a word, “..consciousness. Like all you gotta do is keep living like a thoughtless zombie to make it through the day.”

“Yeah. Exactly.” Miles pursed his lips, “...but I gotta keep going. Crime stops for nobody.”

“It doesn't, you're right. You have access to other spider people who'd be more than willing to help you, like me. I wanna help you, son.”