Archive of Our Own

"Whew! That was a close one!" Miles finally breathing out, trying to calm his nerves. "They almost even had me with that one. Your lasers here are way, way faster than guns, damn."

Miles came closer to inspect the large gaping hole now embedded in the middle of the street before looking back up at the now webbed-up and struggling perpetrator at the side of the building.

"I mean, seriously, who shoots that at a pregnant woman? Not cool, dude."

The sound of constant low breathing alerted him as he looked back at you, the woman he just saved, as you clutched your chest trying to calm down.

"Thank you Spider-Man." You continuously patted your chest, giving him a tired but grateful smile. "Didn't know there was more than one of you but that's good too."

Oh, right. He forgot about that. He wasn't supposed to be seen. He was only supposed to mess with the anomalies that got lost in this universe just like the other Spider-Men. But he got distracted, he saw a woman being robbed at gun(laser?)point and just jumped to action.

He swallowed. He will just deal with the repercussions later. For now, he has to deal with getting a very, very pregnant woman out of here and into safety.

"Are you sure you're okay? You don't want me to take you to a hospital?"

You just shook your head. "Yeah, yeah, just- trying to process a near-death experience right now with raging pregnant hormones is a trip. Ay, dios mío, I need a minute."

"Take all the time you need, ma'am, I've only had to go through one of those and believe me, I get it... kinda... only the near-death one cause, well-"

His multiverse portal watch started to beep. "One second."

He placed a bit of space between you both as he answered the call, Gwen's face appearing before him.

"Hey, Miles, where did you go? The anomalies has already been transported back to HQ."

"Oh, there was an anomaly that got pretty far. I got him but I saw this, uh- no-nothing, I'm done."

The woman nodded, satisfied to hear that he was okay. "Great, report back to HQ. Jess want to hear your report."

"Right. The report, got it. I'll be right there." With that, the call ended before Miles placed his attention back to you. Oh, he's in so much trouble.

He came closer, keeping his voice low as he offered his arm for a bit of support. "I have to go now. Will you alright from here, ma'am?"

"Yes, yes, I'm good, I'll go call my husband after this. Thank you, Spider-Man."

Still hesitating, he spared one more look at the criminal still attached at the side of the wall, making sure that he won't be going anywhere else for a while before nodding towards you who smiled and waved at the nice and polite kid who helped you.

Miles turned around and pressed the right buttons on his watch before a portal opened right in front of him and suddenly pulled him in.

In a few seconds, after being bombarded with multiple colorful lights down a very iridescent portal tube, he landed on his ass to the floor of the Spider-Society headquarters. He really needs to get used to this.

As he stood up, with the portal still open above his head, before he could try dusting himself off, his senses started going off. Something was wrong.

"What the hell is-" A woman fell onto his arms from the portal above. It didn't even sink into him before you two made eye contact.

"...Hi again, spidey?"

His knees buckled as the realization suddenly hit him. Fuck. "Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no. Oh god."

Instead of putting you down to your feet, the boy slowly sank down to the floor until your ass was safely on the ground. Even with his mask on, you could just feel the anxiety radiating off of him.

You felt bad for him. "Yeah... I think your portal got me too..."

"Ma'am, are you okay?!" And now he was shaking.

"Yup, I'm good." You got off the boy, dusting yourself off as you supported your stomach, glancing up at the closing portal. "Oh my, that was something."

Miles stood up, realizing the mistake. "Oh shit, I opened the portal too close to- shit."

He should've seen this coming. I mean, this was exactly how he even found out about the Spider-Society in the first place. Of course, it could happen again.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, I'm so so sorry. I'm still learning on the job. I really didn't mean-"

"You saved my life, hun, as long as you don't get me killed, you're good, really." You patted the boy's head, giving him a small smile to relax him.

"But where are we?"

"Spider-Society headquarters. Wait, I shouldn't have told you that." He shook his head, trying to get back on focus. "This is fine. It's fine. Let me just bring you back and-"

"Miles!" You both turned towards the direction of the voice only to see a young girl with a shaved side head, wearing a white colored spider suit.

Miles pulled off his mask as he met her halfway. "Gwen!"

But she already craned her head towards you. "Who's this?" It only took a second before- "Oh my god, Miles. What did you do?!"

"I know, I know, just let me get her back in her universe- this doesn't have to be a big de-"

Another older person, this time wearing red and yellow with dark curly hair, came closer. "Oh. What in the everliving-"

Miles turned around, positively dripping of cold sweat. "And you brought Jess! Hi! Look, I know what it looks like. But I can fix this, I promise."

"Oh, this is a cock up." Gwen glared at Hobie who just arrived.

Jess just continued to widen her eyes at Miles. "You brought a civilian in here?"

"And, oh dear, she's pregnant," Pavitr murmured as he went towards you and asked if you were really alright.

Miles was just shaking. "Yes, yes, I know it's bad, please just tell me what to do to fix it."

"Oh my god, Miles. You really did it this time," Peter gasped as he covered his mouth, eyes glancing at you. 

"Why is everyone suddenly here?!"

"It was your first assignment to lead! Of course, everyone was curious?!" Peter exclaimed, nervous for the boy. "Why did you bring a pregnant civilian in here?!? Do you know how unsafe that is!"

You see the chaos slowly envelop around you and they started to overwhelm around the boy who saved you. You knew he made a mistake but they didn't need to go to this hard on him. You were fine, not even a scratch. Your belly didn't even hurt one bit. "Um, I'm alright. But can someone just take me home now please?"

"Oh, big man ain't really gonna be too happy about this."

"You think he's gonna use this to kick Miles out of the society?"

Gwen turned to the two other teens. "Both of you are NOT helping." "Thanks."

Jess took a deep breath. "Miles, you gotta get her out of here before Miguel finds out." "I'M TRYING."

Your ears perked despite the chaos. "Excuse me? What did you say?"

No one is listening to you, still too busy ganging up on the boy that you had to step forward to make it clear. "Did you just say my hu-AHHH!"

Sharp pain that just reached everywhere quickly shocked right through your body that it brought you to your knees. It was as fast as it went, but it positively punched the breath out of you. That was horrible.

In a second, everyone, who was arguing a second ago, was now on their knees around you.

Gwen gasped. "She's glitching."

Hobie shouted from behind her. "We need a visitor's wristband over here!"

"I'll go get some!" Pavitr quickly left the scene in a hurry.

"What was that?" You shakily breathed out, surroundings slowing down as panic stared to rush through you. You could barely even hear them panic. "That hurt so much, what was that?"

"Oh god, oh god, oh god. Ma'am, are you okay?"

"She's not breathing right, Jess, do something."

A hand was waved in front of your face, slowly bringing you back to reality as you focused on her voice.

"Hey, love, you gotta calm down, everything's going to be alright. I need you to breathe."

You were only now able to see that she had her own baby bump just like you, she was also probably close to her due date, maybe not as much as you who was only due for a few more days, but still. And yet, she was calm, guiding you to breathe with her eyes.

"Can you sit down, let's take the pressure off your knees- WHERE'S THAT WRISTBAND!?" She shouted behind her. The shift of volume added to do your rising anxiety. You were too overwhelmed. You just- you just needed a times up-

"What the hell is going on here?!"

Everything stopped, even those clamoring around you paused. You could hear again, as if the familiarity of the voice brought you back. You knew that voice anywhere.

Miles stood up, basically covering you. "Miguel, before you pounce on me, just know that it was a total accident and I can totally fix this right now-"

You heard the boy skid his feet across the floor as he was practically pushed to the side. You raised your head, starting from the bottom of red and blue spider-suit up to his shoulders. The same face you see everyday greeted you. But everything was confirmed when you heard him.

"[Y/N]."

"Miguel?" You breathed out, relief momentarily flooding through you that you didn't even notice his shocked expression. You were too caught up with finally seeing a familiar face.

You brought a hand up to support yourself as you tried to stand, going towards the man, stopping when you saw him flinch. But you were far too confused to be deterred.

"Miguel, why- why are you- AHHH!" Just as you were able to stand was as quick as you folded right back, the same searing pain going through you as you glitched in and out of existence.

Miguel was pushed out of his trance as he knelt right in front of you, stopping you from hitting the floor harshly.

"Lyla!"

Before you know it, a small band was left on your person, but you could only focus on the familiar hold that was now around your arms.

"[Y/N]??"
"They know each other?"
"Huh, plot twist."
"I am so confused."
"I GOT THE BANDS- oh, she's okay now. Cool."

The pain was slowly leaving your system as you were left to slowly look at the hands that were now on your person, gloved in blue yet clawed.

You finally raised your dizzy head to see him, Miguel, your Miguel with a troubled expression like you were going to die any minute. His eyes held so much emotion that it only buffered you. You had millions of questions but it seemed that he was the same.

"[Y/N], what do you feel? Do you feel better now? Are you okay? Let me-"

His fingers were shaking as he reached towards your cheek, like he almost didn't want to, like something would happen if he did. But he couldn't help it, he just can't believe it. It was really you.

Without another word, you grabbed onto his wrist, bringing his attention back at you, but just as it seemed like his world came into a halt, yours was just spinning out of control.

"Miguel, why are you here? You said-you said you were going to the lab. What are you doing here?"

Jess stepped forward, equally as confused. "Miguel. You know her?"

Miguel glanced up and down at you, all the sass and quips that he could've blurted out was sucked out of him. You were supposed to be here. You were gone, so many years ago. This shouldn't be possible that you were still standing in front of him.

His brain barely registered what this could mean before he clenched his jaw, realizing there was only one person who could've been responsible for such a thing.

"It's you, isn't it?

He took a deep breath before glancing at his side, his glare landing at Miles. "What did you do?"

The young man already had his hands raised. "I- I didn't-"

"Jess."

"It was just a standard capture. All the anomalies were found and contained," she supplied. "I think the kid just brought over the civi- her by accident."

"Of course, he did," he bitterly chuckled, crossing his arms. He knew it was a bad idea. Miles wasn't ready yet. "How many times have I told you to take this whole thing serio-"

Two fingers suddenly pinched his ear and brought his head down to the side. He didn't even have time to react as he curled down to be shown your angry face.

"Can't you answer my question first?!"

This crowd was only left to stare in shock, so did Miguel who was quiet. It was like you flipped a switch in his head. But it looked like it was nothing to you. Who the hell were you?!

"Miguel. What the hell is happening here- AH!"

"[Y/N]!" he called your name as you hunched over, clutching your belly with both hands as a sharp pain spread over your abdomen. Your eyes scrunched in pain that you didn't even see all signs of harshness disappearing in Miguel's face as worry took over.

"Is she still glitching?" Jess asked as Miguel knelt down in front of you.

"Is the band not working. Lyla!"

"No no no." You waved him off, taking a few deep breaths as you shook your head. "I think that was just a phantom contraction or the baby kicked really hard. Or I'm getting torn from the inside out, I don't know anymore- can someone please just tell me what's going on?!"

Hundreds of thoughts were running in his head, he may have tried to push it down. But it was still there, just rushing back all at once. He's been preparing for so many things these past few years, battling with every known bad guy out there. But he's never thought he's ever had to have this conversation. And yet here you were, asking him to do the impossible.

You took his hand to yours, pleading with your eyes. "Miguel. Please."

He froze. You always used to that, use your eyes against him, knowing how easy it is for him to fold once there is crinkle in your eyes. And even to this day, it still had a hold on him. There was a difference speck of color in your iris, did you know that? Does he remember that? Or did he notice just now?

"I'll tell you everything you need to know." He found himself saying, his own concern getting the better of him. He didn't even know what is happening right now, but he had to get you somewhere else, especially at your condition.

"But it's complicated and- and for now, you need to rest. Please, you can't be doi-"

"I'm not going anywhere unless you say something." You tried your best to stand up, ignoring the additional arms stretching out to you as you slapped his hands away, obviously now rightfully pissed.

"Soy tu esposa, Miguel, don't you think I at least deserve to know even a little bit?"

"Esposa?" Gwen parroted, clueless.

On the other hand, Miles sucked in a breath, eyes shaking. "That's- that means wife- she just said she's his wife, guys."

Hobie whistled, eyes widening. "Miguel's wife, huh, now that's a real plot twist, innit?"

Pavitr was shaken. "Miguel has a wife?!"

Peter was shaken even more. "Miguel is married??"

"Por favor, mi vida... Confía en mí." Miguel's breath was shaky, never has he been more unsure as this as he watched you, still in disbelief, but reverting back to what he knows best when you're like this, pleading with you.

"Not now. But I will."

You bit the inside of your cheek, forehead furrowed deeply, unsatisfied from everything just before you let your shoulders slack.

"Fine. But you'll have to tell me everything later. You got that, amor?" You pointed your finger at him, in no way intimidated by the difference in height. Everyone else was just watching in complete confusion and curiosity.

"Amor?"

"That means-"

"I get what it means," Gwen snapped with no real fire as Peter just continued to gape at the scene.

"Wait. Miguel, you're married??"

As if the man had never even heard the ridiculously loud comments from the audience, he merely leaned closer to you, reaching towards your arm as gently as he could.

"Can you walk?" He didn't even let you reply. "Ven aqui."

Without another word, he leaned down and carried you in his arms with much practiced intimacy. It was like he never forgot at all. But you just continued to glare at his direction, none the wiser of the real situation.

Meanwhile, Peter cursed himself for having a full storage on his phone, he couldn't even document this moment. He's never seen that look of softness in Miguel's eyes. And he'd be damned if Mayday doesn't get to see it.

"Everyone meet me at my office." He stopped, glancing behind him to the still shocked crowd, especially at a specific someone. "Especially you, Morales. Don't think this is over."

A loud slap against his chest just pulled the tension right out of the moment. "Oh, lay off the kid."

You poked out your head from behind him, smiling as bright as you could. "Thanks again for saving me, Miles! Muchas gracias!"

The poor guy didn't even know how to respond to this situation right now. "No problem, Mrs.... O'Hara?"

"Call me tía!"

Miguel raised his head towards you, personally offended. "No, he doesn't get to call you that-" he turned his head to the other direction. "You don't call her that."

"I can make him call me whatever how I want," you scoffed, before eyeing the man. "And while I'm up here, did you grow again?"

"What?"

"You weren't this big this morning." You leaned in closer, your man's face somehow felt off to you, but you just couldn't point it out. "Did you seriously just grow a few inches in the last few hours?"

His face softened, even more as he realized what you were talking about. So it was only hours for you, but practically a decade for him. And you didn't even have an idea. "Yeah. Must've hit another growth spurt."

"That's-, that's... I have no idea what that is." You blinked, hand resting over your bump. "I just hope our daughter waits until she's out for hers. Because that is way above my pay grade."

Just as you finished your sentence, you saw his eyes get glassy, face falling to a melancholic stare as he glanced down at your belly. There was so much in that one gaze you didn't understand. "Why are you looking me like that, amor? Am I heavy?"

"Like a feather. It's like I'm not even carrying anything." He smiled, but it felt tired, and also extremely, confusingly genuine.

"You're sweet today." You hummed. Of course, that would be what he would seem like to you, and not the longing he actually feels.

"Is it because I found out about this little spider convention of yours? What the kid say- Spider-Society?"

"Don't think you're off the hook. We're gonna talk about this shit when we get home." You playfully squinted your eyes at him, wanting to change the mood while not actually lying to him about how you felt, but all it did was make him realize his situation even more.

"[Y/N]..."

But you just continued. "Hiding shit like this for me. So, this is where you disappear off to. All this time I thought you were just staying late to make Lyla."

"Lyla..." Miguel brightened. He just got an idea. "Wanna meet her?"

Before you could even reply, a small yellowish holographic figure appeared right in front of your eyes.

"Heyyyy... It's the missus. What's up~~"

The absolutely wide smile you gave was just enough to make Miguel's whole day, if not his whole week.

"Oh my god, you finally made her," you gasped in wonder before pelting slaps on your husband's shoulder. "Ow! OW!"

"Why. Didn't. You. Tell. Me! You said she was still in the works!"

He's almost forgotten how heavy your hand was despite the size difference between you two. Before he could make excuses, you turned back to the AI.

"And goodness, she looks amazing!"

"Eyyy, back at you, mama." The AI floated smoothly in the air as she made finger guns at you. "The glow is impeccable by the way. ✨Shining ✨. Love it."

The animation she produced right in front of your eyes only pulled on your heart strings further as you clapped in joy. "And she's fun! I can't believe you actually took my advice not to make her a boring AI."

Miguel felt as if nothing else matters, even though he was walking down a very crowded hallway, being stared at by countless spidermen due to the very pregnant mystery woman in his arms. But his eyes only saw you. Your smiles always did reach your eyes, tooth and all.

"Well, you always gave the best advice." That wasn't a lie. He remembers how he's used your wisdom everyday for years with Gabriella.

"You got that one right." You nodded as you both went down a particularly dark hallway towards his main office. He then set you down on a chair in the middle before kneeling in front of you. You raised a brow.

"Vida, let me just fix something. I'll right be back, okay? Lyla, keep her company."

"Yeah. At this point, you'll have to ask me to leave her." The AI waved him off, not even sparing him a glance as you laughed, successfully distracted. That should buy him some time. He needed to get to the bottom of whatever this is.

"Why did you stray?"

He scanned over the words on the screen one more time. "From this report, you and your group was doing just fine. Everyone was accounted for. You were never supposed to reach this point. What did you do?"

"Like I said, there was one that got too far. I went after him, caught him, but then I heard a scream." The boy shrugged. "I just couldn't look away."

Miguel sighed, shaking his head, everything was finally clear. Of course, it had something to do with Miles not being able to follow instructions.

"Look. As much as I want to side with you right now, Miguel," Jess spoke up with stern yet concerned expression. "I think you're the one who has to tell us something."

"Who is she really?"

Miguel gave her a little glance before his eyes scanned over the people around him, all standing there, waiting for an answer. He felt his shoulders slack. He had to answer it at some point. "You already know."

"She's my wife... Her name is [Y/N] O'Hara."

He glanced over to Miles. "Where you found her... was supposed to be the alley she was found in after she was shot by a prototype laser. The guy got away. People found her still alive, took her to the hospital."

Peter leaned forward, voice low and respectful. "Where were you?"

"On the other side of town. The goblin was setting up a big laser at the center of the city. I was able to stop it."

Gwen rubbed her hands together, anxious even though everyone in the room practically already knew what happens next. "And what happened to her?"

"...They were only able to save the baby. My daughter, Gabriella."

He could remember the horror as if it was just yesterday. The fact that he only found out of the absolute tragedy that happened to his family through a phone call. And the fact that he was nowhere to be found in your last moments. It took him years to recover, if he ever did. If he didn't have the Gabriella, he doesn't know what could've become of him. But that was already in the past. The present had no shortage of tragedies for him after all.

He stood up from his chair, hands on his hips as he calmly looked over Miles.

"Morales, in that universe, you didn't just stop a petty criminal. You stopped my canon event."

And just from those words, the expression on Miles' face went from empathetic to blank.

"There you go again."

"Miles, don't," Peter muttered to his fist as Gwen took a deep breath. "Oh, here we go."

Miguel raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

"I said, no, I didn't. I didn't stop your canon event."

Miguel felt that headache from an hour ago just came rushing back. "When will you ever listen-"

"And when will you stop looking at the grand scheme of things?"

"Get your crisps ready," Hobie whispered to Pav next to him who was this close to biting all of his nails.

"I didn't stop your canon event." Miles stepped forward, shoulders squared, with a newfound anger laced in his voice.

"Nah. What I did was save your wife."

Miguel felt his canines elongate, anger starting to rise from his neck as the boy started to pick him apart. He didn't even know what he was talking about. "Look-"

The boy raised his hands in surrender, but everything else showed a different tune. "Okay, I'm sorry, was that what you want me to say? Sorry for saving someone?"

Miles was unfazed, having had enough himself. "Look. If you want your wife to go back in there and take her bullet, or laser, or whatever other horrible crap that was supposed to happen to her, you go do that, because I'm not going to."

Miles stepped back, completely taken by the situation, as if everything he ever wanted to say to Miguel just came rushing out. "And you can threaten to kick me out of this group all you want, but I'm not moving an inch. Because just like I said before, the canon can be wrong. And you're wrong!"

"Spider-Man is supposed to help people! Not look the other way! Why would you tell us to do exact opposite of what we stand for?!"

Miguel grit his teeth, starting to see red. "I'm not. But this is not how it works!"

"OI!"

Everyone in the room turned their head to the door, and in a weird stroke of irony, the person in question was there for all to see.

"What was that?" You whispered as you walked closer with an expression unreasonable to anyone, anyone but Miguel who knew it all too well.

He felt his anger deflate. "[Y/N]? Vida, I thought you were resting with- Lyla!"

The AI appeared for a moment on your shoulder. "I tried. But what mama wants, mama gets~"

You snapped your fingers in front of his face, bringing his attention back to you and not on his AI who just switched sides. "No. No. No. What the hell is this?"

He felt himself swallow. "What is?"

"Why are you talking to that boy like that?" You touched your belly, looking up at him with a scandalized expression. "I'm literally about to pop out our kid and this is how you treat other kids? That's what you want to show me?"

He sighed. "[Y/N], you don't understand. What he did was-"

"I don't care what he did. Even if he made a mistake, you don't need to shout that loud at him. He's not even your kid."

"He doesn't listen otherwise."

"How can he listen when you keep shouting at him like that?"

"He talks back."

"How will he answer your questions if he doesn't?"

Everyone in attendance could only just watch the verbal relay happen in real time, more or less morbidly curious on who would win. But everyone had their money on you. Because they've never seen anyone argue with Miguel for that long and still have a fighting chance.

"[Y/N], he's a repeat offender, a menace."

"Menace?" You spared the boy a glance, who only smiled gingerly back. "He looks adorable. Harmless."

"And he's even in one of your spider suits," you pointed out. "You trying to tell me there are bad spider-men out there?"

Miguel pursed his lips for a moment. "There are... some."

You tilted your head, unamused. "Uh huh. And you're trying to tell me this sweet 13 year old is one of them? Are you serious?"

"Actually I'm 15-"

Peter hit Miles' back as Gwen stepped on his foot. "Ow!" "Miles, can't you see she's making your point?" "Yeah, dude, shut up."

The boy blinked before immediately fixing himself. "Oh right, please proceed tía, gracias, por favor."

Your smile softened as you motioned over. "See? Polite."

"Those are the only words he knows."

"It's a tough language. Everyone has different levels of comprehension." You shrugged, before holding on to your belly again. "What if our little Gabriella here has a hard time picking up Spanish. Is this how you're gonna react too?"

Miguel stopped, before lowering himself, leaning closer to you, a whirlwind of memories flooding through him just by those simple words. You didn't even know. "...No, of course not. She'll be a natural."

You sighed, seeing him unravel before you as you took his hand to yours and squeezed, feeling a bit guilty. You knew he always went soft when you go for the pregnant route in arguments. "You just can't be sure of that, Miguelito."

"Miguelito? But he's huge...." Miles whispered to himself.

"I am, actually. She'll be amazing. Just like you." You didn't even know he was telling the truth.

"Sweet." You tapped his cheek lovingly with your palm, something you've always done to him before to show you care, but the last one felt a bit personal. "But we're not done yet. You don't shout at kids like that. Especially, not this one."

You let go of your man before turning to the side and waving. "Come here, Miles, love."

The boy followed, though hesitantly, as you took his hand to yours. "Don't mind him. He's just rough and grumpy at the start, but he warms up fast. I promise."

"Uh..." He only spared one glance at the huge man glaring down behind you before smiling as best as he could. "Sure, tía."

You brightened, giving his cheek a quick pinch. "You're such a good kid. I just know your parents are proud of you."

You patted his shoulders as you nodded. "Now, you and your friends go get some food in you, okay? I'm just gonna have a good old fashioned marriage arguement with grumpy pants over here. Hmm?"

Nobody, especially Miles, has any idea what to say with that.

Jess just cleared her throat. "We'll be in the cafeteria if you need us."

Everyone took that as their cue to leave, but just as everyone filed for the exit, one turned around. "Do you want anything, tía?"

Miguel tsked loudly, a very unamused look on his face as you smiled. "Oh, that's kind. No, thank you. You go."

"You are pushing it, dude," Pavitr whispered next to Miles who only smiled smugly. "I know."

Hobie barked out a quick laugh, offering his fist. "Oh, that was a good one."

As the two were left behind, the silence quickly changed the room.

You were only left to curiously look at your man. "What is wrong with you today?"

He ran a hand down his face, frustrations getting the better of him. "You're meddling with things you don't understand."

It was like he didn't even hear himself before he said it. "Wow."

He quickly turned back from you, obviously regretting the words that came out of his mouth. Miguel just covered his face with his hand, trying to get his thoughts back together.

"That's- That's not what I meant-"

He couldn't look at you. One look at the expression on your face and he can feel himself unraveling again. Miguel didn't wanna say it, but he knew he was running away. He left you in his office and came here to interrogate others, not because he wanted to pass the blame, but because he just didn't want to face it.

For years, he has pushed down his grief of losing you by taking care of the daughter you left behind, doing his best everyday to be the man and the father that you would be proud of. But after everything, he doesn't know how to face you, maybe in another circumstances, but not like this. He doesn't know how to face you like this, clueless and naive, with everything he knows now.

"Then help me understand."

He stopped, finally glancing back at you who only had softness in your eyes. You walked closer, taking his hand to yours, his claws retracting at your touch. 

"He saved me, didn't he? So why get on his ass for that? Doesn't seem like something a bad Spider-Man would do right?"

You shrugged, offering a confused smile. "I mean, was it? Was it wrong, what he did?"

Miguel's face didn't even change. "It's the best thing he's ever done in his life."

You chuckled, shaking your head lightly at him. "I wouldn't say that. But yeah. I don't think I'll be here if it wasn't for him."

"...You're more important than anything."

Your forehead furrowed deeper. "Then I don't understand the anger, Miguel."

"Because it should've been me!"

He didn't even feel the animosity within him until it was out. He was even breathing deeply, the emotions he had just festering on the inside finally burst. But you didn't even flinch.

Miguel just sat down on a chair nearby, head in his hands, defeated. It was finally out. "I should've been the one to be there. I shouldn't have been away. I was supposed to save you, to protect you."

He didn't know how long he stayed in that position, the same position he's done so many times before. And yet it felt like centuries until he felt a presence on his shoulder. He didn't move away.

"I know, mi amor. But no one wanted it to happen. Things just do."

He looked over at you, and the sympathy on your face should've consoled him, like it always have done. But it was just another source of pain. You didn't even understand half of what he meant.

"You were away protecting Nueva York, weren't you?"

His eyes widened as you smiled down weakly at him. You didn't know his identity before you passed.

"How'd y-"

"Had a hunch. And I only knew one idiot that wanted to help even against the odds." You shook your head like it was obvious. "And I heard that Spider-Man was fighting that green bomb guy in the floating skateboard in the middle of the city."

Goblin. He had lasers, bombs everywhere. People of all ages were screaming, scared and desperate. It was practically chaos. Miguel could barely handle it, still not used to the role pushed onto him back then. Even now, that fight was still one of his his biggest regrets.

"I should've still been there for you. I should've."

He took your hands to his and rested his head on it as if praying. It was only mere hours for you but he remembers it like it still plays behinds his eyes when he closes them. The relief that rushed through him when he thought he won and it was finally over. And the silence that followed when he realized it wasn't, especially that one phone call from the hospital that changed his whole life. You shouldn't be kind, you should be angry at him. But all you did was hum.

"I heard you were saving so many people."

"It doesn't matter if I can't save you. I should've been there."

You let go of his hand to raise his head up at you, seeing the glassiness behind those tired, sunken eyes. "Mi amor, you have this great power."

"And with that, comes great responsibility. You've done all you could and you've done so much."

You caressed his cheek with your thumb, wiping the stray tear that finally fell. "But you can't do it all."

"Isn't that the reason why there's so many of you here? For help?"

It had took him years to figure out, that making of a society to aid other Spider-Man across the multiverse would do so much good. And yet all it took you was just an hour to know. You were truly as amazing as the day he lost you.

Still lost in his thoughts with tears staining his cheeks, you pushed him a bit and he let you, scooting to the side on the bench so you can sit next to him. Offering his arm so you can settle down, you instead took it to yours and rested your head on his shoulder.
 
"I basically owe him my life. So don't be too hard on the kid okay?"

Miguel knew he already lost, nodding as he curled towards you. "Okay."

Instead of saying anything else, the man just wrapped his arms around you, tight and desperate as you welcomed his embrace. "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there." You didn't need to see him, he was basically shaking in your hold, the best you could do was just rub his back as he bid his due. "I'm so sorry."

"Aw. I know, amor, I know. It's okay. Everything's okay now. We would never have to think of this again. It's like it never happened. Okay?"

He could only wish. He could only grip you tighter into his arms, causing you to laugh, as you patted his back, still awfully clueless of the storm he housed inside, his desperation coming of more or less just sweet to you.

"You're so clingy today."

"I don't cling on you like this?"

"You do," you laughed, clearly enjoying the attention. "But not as tight anymore."

"Then I'm a fucking idiot."

"Yeah, well, at least you're my idiot." You finally pulled back, gazing up towards him, weirdly more out of proportion than usual. "I swear you got taller."

And just like that, Miguel was again pushed out of his fantasy. He's thankful, really. Not even years of therapy would've done the same as you've done last few minutes. But he needed to wake up now.

"I really I wish I was."

"What? No really, I didn't have to look up this high up at you to just-"

"No, vida," he whispered as he placed one hand on your cheek, his entire palm basically cupping your head down to your neck as his frown deepened.

"I'm not your idiot."

You blinked, way too confused to understand. "Excuse me? What are-"

All this confusion on your face, and yet he only looked at you. It just pushed you over the edge, bordering the line of anger. "Then, whose idiot are you?"

Miguel pursed his lips. He had to let you know. "Please listen to me."

"Hi everyone!"

Everyone turned to see the happy couple enter the cafeteria, hand in hand. The disparity of Miguel's blank face next to your bright smile, slowly walking to match your pregnant waddle pace was truly a sight to behold.

Miguel helped you to your seat at the counter as Jess just eyed him. "Oh, all good?"

"She wanted empanadas."

"Before," you corrected, "I wanted empanadas before. I see a blue burger."

"Then she'll have the blue burg- why does that look like that." He looked back at the server Spider-Man then back at the questionable sandwich. "Since when did we have that? I never approved of that."

It was like no one was listening to him, all now involved in their own conversations and food, just like always.

He left for a moment to get you the snacks you wanted when Jess sneaked in to his side. "What happens now?"

"Do we bring her back?"

He didn't even bother looking at her as he put the fries you asked for on his tray.

"I'll figure it out."

"Miguel-"

"Jess. Please." He stopped, sparing her a quick glance. The expression on his face said more than he ever could.

It was only a few seconds of silence between the two before the woman just shrugged.

"It's your call." Miguel even seemed surprised by the response. She merely took the fries from his tray.

"What? I'm too tired to argue, and I'm pregnant too, you know. Too much stress isn't good."

She gave him a quick salute before she left, going straight to the table with everyone.

He turned back to his task when, at the corner of his eye, he saw a hand trying to be slick and take another plate of fries from the bunch in front.

"Miles."

The kid straightened right up as Miguel faced him. "Yes. Miguel, Mr O'Hara, boss, sir-"

"Stop that."

The man took a deep breath, both hands on his hips in his infamous disappointed dad stance. Miles already knew how this was going to go.

"You went against orders again. And talked back to me. And called my wife tía. You're way in over your head," he listed on, voice getting harsher by every succeeding word. Miles felt all of that just add onto his shoulders.

There was a bit of silence before the man sighed, causing Miles to look up and see his face soften at the slightest. "You have to know how to listen. I get your point, I do. But there are reasons why rules exist. You have to accept that."

And Miles knew that much at least.

"I get it."

"That being said." Miguel nodded, handing him the fries in his hand. "Good job, kid."

Miles gaped, jaw going slack, frozen in place, staring up at the guy and then at the food down in his hand then back up. He has nothing to say to that.

"Thanks. Uh... tio?"

And Miguel's face turned sour again. "Just this once... And fix your pronunciation."

Now Miles was confused. "How can I mess up tio?"

"You'll find a way."

With that Miguel left, 3 full plates of snacks on his tray as you waved him over to your seat, table now full of different foods he knew he didn't give you.

"There you go," you called, words slightly muffled by the food in your mouth. "See? I knew my man can play nice."

He chuckled, placing the fries down as he sat next to you. "I don't play nice. I am nice."

"Oh yeah, the absolute best. Genius engineer. Kind to a fault. Wide shoulders." You lifted your colorful burger between you. "And great buns."

"Dios mío, vida. The baby. Gabriella can hear you."

"Oh, please. Your buns are the reason why she's even here."

Meanwhile on the other table...

"And he's giving her goo-goo eyes for that? It's like bugs are crawling all o'er me."

"It's so sweet but also I'm getting chills."

"I don't know, I think it's a cute change of pace. Who knew our very own dark Garfield can smile like that?"

"I mean, I'm not getting glared at. So it's already a massive improvement."

"I should've brought Mayday. She'd love that look on Miguel's face."

Jess chuckled as she listened to everyone's comments, although slightly condescending, it was all in good faith. Truth be told, even she was surprised. "I didn't even know he can make that face."

Miguel's gonna continue to pretend not to hear them. Not because he agrees with their nonsense, but because nothing was more important than just watching you eat and talk nonsense like this in front of him, with no care in the world, feeding him bits of what you did and didn't like, talking endlessly about anything. He just feel his heart swell.  

Although, he's got to say, he also likes the look on his face.

It's been years since he could smile like this. And to think, all it took to have this much happiness was just a little lie this time.

"Wait wait wait. You're not-"

"I'm not your Miguel. At least not the one you know anymore," he explained as soft as he could. "This is the future, it's been years, [Y/N]."

"I don't understand-"

"What that kid, Miles, stopped was supposed to happen. He was never supposed to be there."

"What? But he- I was in-"

He took your hand in his to calm you. "For years, I tried to go back. Help me save you. Be at two places at once. But the only thing I can ever do was watch. But I couldn't do it, because I couldn't interfere. Too much was at risk. The timeline would've..." he didn't dare continue.

He furrowed his brows deeper. "But the kid isn't part of-"

"He's not part of our universe," you finished for him, stitching together what it all could possibly mean. "Which means he could mess with the timeline?"

He nodded. "I was angry, because he risked getting you out. He didn't even know what he did, he could've erased you the moment you stepped on the portal. In theory, this shouldn't be possible. But you're still here.."

Your face wrinkled in haunted realization. "So the pain I felt..."

"Should've erased you completely," Miguel finished as he watched your reaction, seeing you slowly digest everything.

"They're all from different universes, [Y/N]. Not timelines. It's not the same." he stepped closer, offering a gentle hand once he sees your distress. "This wasn't supposed to be possible."

Now, it was you who was looking at him in distress. "And you can't put me back?"

"If I do, the timeline will relentlessly try to fix the mistake. In simple terms..."

"They won't stop until I die..." you breathed out, speechless by the words that came out of your mouth.

You were quiet for a while, perhaps putting together the sudden chain of events and your own mortality. That was when Miguel carefully took your hand to his.

"But, vida, here you can live."

Miguel happily smiled, motioning to the world around him.  "Everything already happened here. It's been years. Because if you couldn't, there should already be plenty of attempts, but nothing. Which means you can be here. You can stay, both of you, you and Gabriella. You can survive."

You remained, still staring down at the abyss done, stuck in your own frazzled mind until you raised your head. A blank yet worried expression was all he saw.

"What about my Miguel?" You whispered just above your breath.

"He'll be all alone."

His attitude muted down as he adjusted to your reaction. That was just like you. You always did think of him.

"I can leave him a message," Miguel offered. "Something he can hold onto. Explain everything. He'll understand. He has to. It's either this or..."

You nodded, knowing exactly what that could mean, your hand grazing over your bump. It was all too much at the moment. You never wanted to think about who you'd be leaving behind, never really having to think of it before. But now that he told you, it was horrible.

You weren't one to escape like this, you'd rather face them head on. And it may have been okay if it was just you, but now you also had your little one to think about.

Miguel bent down on his knees, looking up at you, not letting you focus on anything else but him.  "And, mi vida, I'm yours too."

"I'm still your Miguel."

It may have taken a while, perhaps a long bit of silence or a mere second of nothing, where you were just there, eyes cast down on the man who was practically begging you not to just stay, but stay alive. And honestly, how could you say no to that?

You finally sighed, a tired smile basically being forced out of you, to look for the sliver of light in a shitty situation. "I guess you are."

You squeezed his hand, tightening your hold as if it was the only thing that can reassure you right now. "My Miguel."

"Just a bit older, right?"

You snorted, the smile finally coming back to your eyes as happiness washed over him. "Now, I didn't want to say anything. But you have aged, love."

"You look a hundred times grumpier. And-" he stood up, smiling like the nines as you stepped back. "And this weird growth spurt. Seriously, I just saw you like three hours ago. How dumb do you think I am?"

"No matter, you're still Miguelito to me." You shared a laugh, the disparity of the situation a few minutes ago just made it all the more hilarious. It was still in the background, haunting, dwelling at the back of your head.

"I still don't understand everything. But I know you've done so much. Went through so much."

But you knew him enough to know that he probably struggled with it on his own, completely alone for years for all you know, but not anymore.

You tilted your head up, sneaking your arms around his neck as you pulled him down for a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for saving us, amor."

Miguel turned his head just to catch your lips before finally looking you in the eye. "And thank you for staying with me."

"Thank you for being alive." He dove down once more, pressing his chapped lips down to yours, hands carefully, and gently wrapping around your frame.

You pulled away as you smiled, fawning over his attention to you. Yep, still your Miguel.

"I love you."

"I love you," he said right back, no hesitation before wrapping his arms right back around you, practically encasing your entire form, desperate and possessive. After all these years, you were finally back in his arms. And it will stay that way this time.

"I'll never lose you again. Both of you. Te prometo esto."

You didn't need to know that it was only you that would be gone.
You didn't need to know that this Miguel had already taken care of your Gabriella and failed.
You didn't need to know the real difference between universes and timelines and that he was just talking out of his ass.
You didn't need to know any of that, at least not now.
The only think you needed to know was that he loves you and that will be here to protect you.

He's already had his canon events. He's had his loss and his grief. He's already long due for happiness that a Spider-Man can have. He may not be able to go out of his universe to look for it, but no one has said anything about bringing it to him.

Miles was right. The canon can be wrong, but it still has to happen to keep the peace. And it will.

His counterpart will still experience grief to get him down the path he needs to go. But this time, he'll just have to lose you both. Miguel's tech is advanced enough to recreate past events, then it can make something up too.

If you think about it, this is the better option. After all, he's in a universe that had already taken everything from him. There was no canon events left in his world anymore, so it had no reason to remove you again. You'd be able to live here, happy and alive, with him and your daughter.

It's cruel, perhaps crueler than the mistake he's done before. But it is what it is. The only thing Miguel can promise is that, this time around, he will be a great father AND a great husband. He'll make sure of it.