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Miles sat excitedly on his bed, looking around his dorm room. Not only had he asked his roommate to be gone for the night, but he had sunflowers and lit candles sterwn about the room. As his phone buzzed, he peered down at it and smiled.
See you in a sec.
And sure enough, Gwen dropped down from a portal, landing beside Miles with ease.
"Gwen!" Miles proclaimed. The biggest smile tugged at his lips.
"Miles..." She softly said back before nearly jumping into his arms. It had been two weeks since their day in the city together.
Miles happily wrapped his arms around Gwen. She smelled like lavender and her warmth was enough to calm his nerves.
"I missed you." Miles' lips brushed against her ear, causing Gwen to blush a little. She tightened her grip on him ever so slightly.
"Missed you more." Gwen teased.
Miles chuckled. "Oh yeah? Prove it."
He pulled back from their embrace, his hazel eyes staring intently into her blue ones. She knew exactly what he meant and she wasn't afraid to show him.
She grabbed his shoulders, firmly but gently and swooped in, capturing his lips in a kiss. His lips were soft and tasted like coconut, probably from whatever chapstick he used. His hands gently massaged her back and Gwen could feel his fingers working away the aches that swinging around the city brought on. As they pulled apart for air, Gwen said,
"It's nice to be back."
"Back here... or here with me?" Miles scratched the back of his head nervously.
Gwen chuckled. "Do you really have to ask?"
Miles shrugged. Gwen hit him gently on the arm.
"With you." She said, smiling. This caused Miles to smile as well.
"So... what's all this?" Gwen stood up from the bed, looking around curiously.
Miles stood up as well. "I... wanted to ask you something."
He grabbed his sketchbook and flipped through it for a bit. He stopped and handed it to her. Looking down, Gwen's eyes took in a drawing of her wearing a light pink dress and her hair up in a bun with a sunflower peeking out from her bangs. Underneath the drawing, it read,
Will you go to formal with me, Gwanda?
Gwen looked back up at Miles. He was smiling sheepishly.
"Soo... " He trailed off. Gwen sighed, handing the sketchbook back to him.
"When is it?"
"In a week."
"It's really nice of you to ask me, Miles... but..."
"But what?"
Gwen frowned. "... I dunno if I should. The last dance I went to... Peter, he... "
She shook her head. She didn't want to finish that sentence.
Miles could see the sadness in her face. And he knew her friendship with Peter didn't end well, despite not knowing the exact details. He put his sketchbook on his desk and grabbed her hands, holding them with his.
"... You don't have to say anymore. I get it. Forget I asked, okay? We can do something else that night."
Gwen shifted her gaze from the floor to his eyes. "You're sure?"
Miles nodded. "Yeah."
Gwen could see the disappointment in his eyes. It almost seemed to dim the happy glimmer usually present in his orbs.
"It was really nice of you to do all this." Gwen said, lifting his chin with her fingers. Miles smiled a little.
"I... wanted to do something special. For you. You... mean a lot to me."
Gwen leaned in, kissing his cheek. She then let go of his hand and grabbed a lone sunflower, bringing it to her nose and taking a long sniff.
"These are... lovely."
"I'm glad you think so. They... kinda remind me of you."
"Oh? Why's that?"
Miles got on the bed, laying across it comfortably. Gwen did the same, laying her head gently on his chest.
"Well... they're eye catching. They stand out in a crowd. And... they're really pretty."
Gwen smiled, tightening her grip on Miles.
"You... really have a way with words."
Miles chuckled, shrugging against her. "I just speak the truth."
The two of them continued to talk until Miles grew tired enough to pass out. Gwen could hear his breathing slow and as she lifted her head up slowly, she conformed he was aslesp. The sight made her smile. He looked so peaceful... peace wasn't something most Spider people knew much of. So, when they could get it, it meant something.
Gwen sat her body up, slowly pulling away from Miles so she wouldn't wake him. She grabbed his sketchbook, flipping to the drawing he showed her earlier. She frowned. As much as she wanted to go to the dance with him, all she could think of were her last moments with Peter.
She stared down at the watch on her wrist. She needed... advice. She looked at the clock in Miles' room. 11:30pm.
There's a chance he's up...
Gwen didn't waste another second. She put in the coordinates and took one last look at Miles' sleeping figure before warping into another universe.
Gwen landed in Hobie's living room, on the couch across from him.
"Gwendy, what brings you here?"
"Miles, he... asked me to his school dance."
"So he asked you to formal? Good sport, knew he had it in him."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It's pretty obvious he's fond of you, but he's hesitant. Timid cub becoming a bold lion in the wild."
"Huh? Well... he did make his feelings pretty clear when we spent the day together."
"You sayin you didn't have a clue before then? Get your head out of your drums once in a while, Gwen. "
"I actually haven't been able to play since he kissed me."
"He planted one of those on you? Alert and always on guard Gwen, got herself one planted on her lips? Hehe. Atta boy, Miles."
Gwen could feel herself blushing.
"Hobie... my problem is... he drew me in his sketchbook, asking me to formal But... I dunno if I can go with him."
"He drew you? Like a little boat love story. Why're you unsure?"
"Yeah... he's really talented. And well... the last dance I went to... the Peter from my universe, he... took something from the lab. It turned him into a huge lizard. He tried to hurt his school bully and I had to stop him. In the struggle, some debris fell on him... and he died... in my arms."
"Oh. Bit of a rough ending, I'd say. So you're holding onto that memory, yeah?"
"Yeah... I just don't want to go and end up reliving that night. That wouldn't be any fun for Miles. And I realize now that I never really said goodbye to Peter."
"You're letting that memory chain you down. Gotta break your shackles and allow yourself to live, love. Difference between you and Miles is that Miles lets his emotions dictate his action and he goes for what he believes in, sticks up for his cause and dont let nothin deter him from it; proud fighter he is."
"... He really is. I... think I know what I need to do now. Once I do, I'll get a dress and surprise Miles for formal."
"Good on ya. By the way, since youre here; here's ya jumper. And ya toothbrush."
Gwen smiled. "Thanks, Hobie. I appreciate you talking to me about all this."
"I ain't do nothin, all I did was give the truth. Live your life with no regrets, bite the throat of anything tryna keep you down and rip it out and spit it back on the ground, stick it to them however you can."
"Always happy to inspire those to rise against any form of oppression though, even if it's you oppressin yourself." Hobie continued to talk.
Gwen was about to respond when Hobie added,
"Now get on and do what you're needing to do."
"Okay. I've gotta return to my dimension first... say my goodbyes finally. Then go find a pink dress since that's what Miles drew me in, in his sketchbook."
"Now that you've got your " to do" list sorted, get on with it, love, time's tickin on without ya."
"Right." Gwen waved goodbye before putting in the coordinates to her own universe into her watch.
Miles stirred awake, patting his right side. He opened his eyes and saw no sign of Gwen.
"Gwen?" He called out softly. No answer. He frowned.
Guess asking her to formal wasn't such a good idea...
He stood up and grabbed his uniform. Despite how he was feeling, missing more classes wouldn't help.
Throughout the day, all he could think about was Gwen. When he should've been taking notes, he was drawing. As he stared back at the finished product, he sighed.
As if I could ask her now...
"Excuse me... do you have dressing rooms?"
Gwen, in her own dimension, had a dress tucked under her arm.
"Yes. Right this way."
After trying on the dress, Gwen couldn't help but smile. Just like his drawing, she was wearing a light pink gown, the top part was strapless and sleeveless, a silver glitter belt wrapped around the mid section and the tulle skirt flared out to her knees. She already knew she would be pairing this dress with her black leather jacket and black chucks despite not having either of those things in the dressing room. That would make it more her style, while also adhering to Miles' vision of her going to his school dance.
"Everything okay in there?" The store manager asked on the other side of the curtain.
"Yes. I'd like to buy it please. And can I wear it out of the store?"
Gwen was running tight on time. Thankfully, the store managed granted her request and after grabbing her jacket and chucks, she went straight to Miles' dimension.
Gwen landed on Miles' bed, as usual, and smiled when she saw him snoozing on the right side of the bed. She gently reached out and shook him awake.
"Miles... "
She softly called out his name. Miles sat up, eyes widening,
"Gwen? What are... you doing here? Maybe I'm still dreaming."
Miles' voice was slow and groggy. Gwen reached out and cupped his face.
"This is real. I'll prove it to you."
Before he could respond, she closed the gap between them. Miles kissed back and pulled her closer, so she was also laying in bed with him. When she pulled back, Miles smiled,
"You really are here, aren't you?"
Gwen nodded.
"And... you're... wearing a dress. You... look really pretty."
Gwen instantly smiled, feeling his eyes look her up and down in astonishment.
"Well... Miles Morales asked me a week ago to go to formal with him. I was unsure, because of a friend I lost in my dimension. But... I said my goodbyes and I made peace with the situation the best I could. Then I bought a dress that reminded me of the one Miles drew me in... and rushed right over. So, tell me, is Miles still willing to take me to the dance tonight?"
"That depends... is Gwen willing to wait for Miles to get dressed?"
Gwen chuckled. "I think she can manage."
"Okay. Be back asap!"
Miles gave a thumbs up before rushing out of bed and grabbing what he needed before running to the bathrooms of his dorm floor.
"Gwen. Gwen."
Miles' soft voice stirred her from her sleep. Gwen sat up, taking in Miles' formal wear.
Miles was wearing a black tux jacket over a white button up and black tie, black slacks and black dress shoes.
"Wow. You look really nice."
Miles could feel his cheeks burning and knew he was blushing.
"Thanks. Sorry I took so long."
"Trouble with your tie?"
Miles looked down at it, scratching the back of his head nervously.
"... Just a little."
Gwen shook her head, giggling. "Good thing you have me here, then."
She began to loosen his tie and redo it entirely.
"I'm guessing you learned because of your dad?"
Gwen nodded. "Yeah. He never was good at tying a tie and when he had formal events, I was his only hope."
"I'm in good hands then." Miles responded. Gwen chuckled.
"There... much better."
Miles smiled. "Thanks, Gwen. Oh, before we head out..."
He took out a sunflower hair clip from his backpack.
"I hope you like it. Took a few stops to find it."
"Courtsey of Spiderman?" Gwen asked.
Miles deepened his voice for his response.
"Whenever there's a friend in need... Spiderman will be there indeed."
She shook her head, smiling all the while. "Tell him thank you for me."
She took the hair clip and secured it behind her bangs.
"How does it look?"
"This is gonna sound so corny.. but to answer your question, you look just like I dreamed. That sketch I showed you... was from one of my dreams."
Miles' caramel eyes seemed to sparkle a little as he stared at her in a starstruck daze.
"Really?"
Miles nodded. Gwen leaned in to kiss his cheek, which made Miles grin instantly.
"Should we get going?" Gwen asked.
Miles extended his hand for her to take.
The two of them were at the dance in fifteen minutes, courtsey of the cab Miles waved down. The school gym was dark but lit by colorful lights and 90s music could be heard before they entered.
"Can you take a picture of me? My mom wanted some."
Gwen chuckled. "Sure."
After taking a few, Miles took his phone back and took off his tux jacket, loosened his tie and changed from his dress shoes to his favorite paid of black and red Jordan's.
"Much better."
Gwen grinned. "Definitely. You looked nice but... too buttoned up before."
"Yeah... my mom wanted me to dress like that. But... now that that's over... may I have this dance?" Miles asked, smiling shyly before extending a hand for her to take.
Gwen nodded. "You're the whole reason I'm here, after all."
Miles could feel his heartbeat quicken as her words registered with him fully. He had asked her to formal, after fighting his nerves and realizing it was now or never. As the two stepped onto the dance floor, maneuvering past other couples or groups of friends, Miles placed his hand on her waist and Gwen placed hers on his shoulder.
"What perfume do you wear?" Miles asked.
Gwen chuckled. "Why do you ask?"
"Because... no matter what time of day I get close to you, even after swinging around, I smell... lavender. It's amazing, truly, but... what's your secret?"
"It's actually not perfume. It's my shampoo you're smelling."
Miles pulled her in, embracing her closely enough to inhale her.
"Hmm... checks out."
Gwen couldn't help but crack a smile.
Miles continued to dance with her, feeling his excitement and nervousness grow. He needed to ask her eventually. What better time?
"Gwen, I've been thinking... about-"
"Ow. Miles!" Gwen backed up. Miles frowned.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Is your foot okay?" He kneeled down, beginning to cradle her right foot still dressed in a black chuck.
"It's okay. Just... be more careful."
Miles took this as his cue to stand back up.
"Apology punch?" He offered.
"Sure."
Miles walked over to the snacks table as quickly as his legs would allow him. He wiped sweat from his forehead and waved his hand in front of himself in a poor attempt to cool off. As he waited for punch, he couldn't help but think how badly he was screwing this up. Right in the middle of asking her, he steps on her foot. Miles took a deep breath.
Just... breathe. You have the rest of the night to ask.
He grabbed a cup for himself, drank it down quickly, then poured another for Gwen. The punch was chilled, tasted fruity and seemed to cool him down almost immediately which he and his shaky nerves were thankful for. As he returned to Gwen's side, he handed her the cup.
"Thanks." She took a sip from it, feeling a bit hot herself from dancing earlier.
"How's your foot doing? Can it manage another dance or two or should I carry you home?"
Gwen smiled. "It's fine. And no need for that. I've got a couple of dances left in me."
"Cool."
Miles and Gwen resumed their slowdancing positions. At one point, Gwen laid her head on his chest. Miles could smell the lavender from her shampoo even more than before.
"This is really nice." Gwen breathed against him.
"It is... I'm glad you changed your mind, Gwanda."
Gwen smiled.
"There's nowhere else I'd rather be right now."
Miles could feel his heartbeat quicken at her words. He could feel the words practically bubbling in his throat. He wanted to ask her, finally. But as he parted his lips, he was hit with the urge to pee. Not just pee, but pee urgently. Miles shook his head to himself. Of all the times...
"Gwen, will you excuse me? That punch is... kicking in."
Gwen pulled away, nodding in understanding. "Oh, sure. I'll be here."
Miles walked quickly to the bathrooms out in the hall and thanked his lucky stars once he made it to the urinals. Washing his hands, he took a few deep breaths. He wasn't going to let anything get in his way this time. He began to stretch, first his arms, then his legs, then he reached down to touch his toes. A ripping sound could be heard. Miles' hazel eyes widened.
No, no, no...
He stood back up to his full height and turned around to look in the mirror. Sure enough, his nice slacks were ripped right in the butt area, revealing his Spiderman boxers.
He put his face in his hands in embarrassment. He couldn't believe this.
He heard the bathroom door open and froze. But as he heard,
"Miles?"
He lifted his head up to meet their gaze. It was his roommate.
"Ganke?"
"Yeah. You okay? You look... stressed. Well, more than usual, anyway."
Miles sighed. "No, dude I... I went to pee and... did some stretches because I'm super nervous to ask Gwen to be my girlfriend. And... " He trailed off, turning to show his ripped pants.
"Oof. Right down the middle."
Miles turned back around. "What am I supposed to do!? Gwen is in the gymnasium... waiting for me!"
"Your suit came with a jacket, right? Tie it around your waist."
"No, no... Gwen would know something was up. I can't face her like this... I really thought tonight was gonna be the night."
"Go back to the dorm and change real fast?" Ganke suggested.
Miles nodded. "That could work. Can you make sure Gwen doesn't leave?"
Before Ganke could respond, Miles was running out of the bathroom as fast as he could.
Gwen was getting worried the more songs faded out. It wasn't like Miles to just disappear. And if he had spidey buisness to attend to, he could always tell her.
"Gwen!" Ganke ran over.
"Oh... hey, Ganke, right?"
Ganke nodded. "So... Miles, he had to make a quick stop. But he'll be back."
"A quick stop? For what?"
"Oh... you know... guy stuff."
Gwen raised a curious eyebrow. "Oh-kay. I'm gonna go to the snack table."
Miles had reached his dorm via web and was now frantically looking through his drawers for another pair of dress pants. Pairs of basketball shorts and jeans flew over his shoulder. Sweat began to bead at his forehead as he reached the bottom of all three drawers.
None? I have no more dress pants?
"Miles?"
Miles froze. He stood up, turning around slowly.
"Gwen." He could barely look her in the eye. She was sitting in his windowsill. She climbed inside, closing the window behind her.
"Ganke was supposed to stall you..."
"He tried. I was worried about you..."
"So... you... ripped your pants?" Gwen continued on.
Miles bit his lip and sighed. "... Yeah. I could probably die from embarrassment right now."
Gwen stepped closer to him. "Nonsense. It was an accident. I wish you would've told me... instead of handling it on your own."
"Tonight... was supposed to be special. And I messed it all up."
"Messed it up? How?"
"I stepped on your foot while dancing. Ripped my pants and had to leave the dance early. I didn't even get to... " Miles trailed off.
"Get to what?" Gwen asked. She reached out, cradling his cheek.
Miles sighed, shrugging.
"... Grab my sketchbook. Flip to the last page."
Gwen did as he said, and as she landed on that page, complete with a sketch of her and Miles dancing together and underneath it, it read,
Will you be my girlfriend, Gwen?
Gwen looked back up at Miles, her eyes locking with his.
"... You... you want me to be your girlfriend?"
"More than anything." Miles answered back.
"But... I don't expect you to say yes. Especially with how tonight went."
Gwen embraced him, catching him off guard.
"My answer... is yes."
"Really?"
Gwen nodded against him. Miles tightened his grip on her, burying his face into her hair and smiling.