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Miguel frowned, turning towards a screen that had opened itself. ‘Video Call Incoming : URGENT’. His brow furrowed in confusion, it wasn’t like he could get spam on his holographs, but he definitely wasn’t connected to a 3rd party call system and anyone with a watch would call through the system - so who was calling him like this?
“Hey Lyla?” He called out, pointing his finger at the screen, “Trace that call, where’s it coming from?”
“Already tried,” she popped up over his shoulder, “Can’t trace it, can’t even tell what earth it’s from,”
“Hmm,” he growled, hands on his hips, “can’t hurt answering right?”
Lyla shrugged, dipping out with a faint electronic buzz. Miguel weighed his options- pick up and risk being prank called by one of the kids or hacked by some villain, or leave the allegedly urgent message alone. He tapped the screen and it expanded, and the sight on the other side of the camera was one of his worst nightmares come true.
“Miles?”
The teen slowly lifted his head from the desk, right eye blue and a bloody gash on his chin like he’d slid face first on concrete.
“Miguel? Miguel- backup, I need,” he panted, eyes fluttering closed as he winced in pain, “I need back up, 7038,”
“Lyla!” Miguel barked, she hovered over his shoulder a moment before processing the situation.
“I’ll call in the team and prep medical, keep him talking!” She said in a panic before she disappeared.
“Miles, Miles look at the camera for me,” Miguel said gently, anxiety pooling in his chest, “help is on the way Miles, I need you to stay awake,”
“Tired, I’m tired tío,” Miles groaned, head drooping heavily as he wrapped his arms around himself, “everything hurts,”
“Don’t think about that mijo, tell me where you are- what happened?” Miguel tried to keep his voice level, struggling not to panic. An alert popped up on the side, this time someone within the system requesting backup. He quickly dismissed it, sending a random team there before focusing back in on Miles.
“Just a kid, she’s just a little kid. She needs help, like I did. She’s not bad Miguel,” Miles sobbed painfully, burned fingers twisted in the fabric of his suit, “I want to help her tío,”
“And you’re going to, as soon as we get you home and patched up right?”
Another alert came up, a little picture of Gwen buzzed on the screen.
“Tell me about your family Miles, your mom and dad,” he spoke gently before muting the call on his end and shouting as he picked up Gwen’s call, “where are you?!”
“We can’t find him!” She shot back, close to hyperventilating as she sprinted through the construction site, “we can’t find him anywhere Miguel, the locator isn’t working and there’s no sign of him or the villain anywhere!”
Miguel flinched as Miles screamed out in pain, glitching violently before collapsing back onto the table. It’s only then that Miguel sees the broken watch on his wrist.
“I miss my mom, I miss her so bad. She’s the best fucking mom, she loves me so much. And my dad- he’s, he’s fucking amazing. I miss my dad,” he wheezed, “they made me do, hah, that dumb first aid training and look where it got me- didn’t bleed out right?”
Miguel fought back the urge to comfort him, focusing on getting his location as he unmuted himself.
“Mijo, I need to know where you are,” he said gently, “can you tell me what things look like around you?” He muted Miles again, turning back to Gwen who was on the verge of hysterics.
“Listen kid, I know you’re worried- but Miles needs you right now, he needs you level headed and lucid,” he fought to keep calm and speak how Peter did when he was mentoring, “take your deep breaths, calm yourself, and I’ll do what I can,”
Gwen took a shuddering breath, nodding at the camera before disconnecting the call to focus on searching.
“Miles? Where are you?” He repeated worriedly, realizing the teen had gone still, “Mijo? Miles!”
He raised his head slowly, eyes dull and red as he looked up at the camera. He’d been crying.
“Construction site. There’s a uh, little office. And there should be scorch marks around from the kid- she’s fucking amazing Miguel, she’s so cool,”
“Dios Mío,” Miguel sighed quietly, typing out the message to the team and simultaneously sending several more spiders into search. As the message tab closed, his eyes caught on a photo behind it. Miles and Pavitr had gone on their first duo mission and sent him a selfie. He’d never admit that it sat right next to his daughter’s along with several pictures of Mayday, Baby Drew’s 1st christmas photo, and another picture from Hobie and Gwen’s first big concert.
“I don’t think she’d be good friends with Mayday though. Not just because she’s older- she’s just so shy y'know?” Miles chuckled, “but so spirited. I think you'd like- aCK,”
He glitched again, crying out in pain as his body destabilized. Miguel watched in horror as he held his blistered hand up from his side covered in blood.
“That’s what I get for not- ugh- not bringing a first aid kit,” he joked, looking up at the ceiling, “I don’t want to die like this tío,”
“You’re not dying Miles, just talk to me, don’t stop,” he pleaded, “tell me about your friends, Pavitr, Gwen, Hobie,”
“Pav? He’s… he’s the coolest and makes really good flower crowns- And Gayatri? She fucking, she rocks man. That girl can dance , I mean, she’s so talented. They deserve each other- they’re so sweet together,” Miles sniffed, “and Gwen? Gwen’s my best friend. I missed her so badly, and I was so- so mad when I found out that she could’ve come to see me but she just- didn’t. It’s ok now though, I’m over it y'know? We’re here now,
“And Hobie is… fuck. Tío, if I die, you can’t tell anyone this ok?”
“You’re not gonna die Miles,” Miguel said sternly.
“Tío- tío I think I’m in love,” Miles ignored him, “I think I… I should’ve told him before, should’ve told everyone how much they mean to me- fuck I wish I told Peter I could babysit tonight,”
“You will tell him. You’re gonna come back stronger than ever, you’re gonna see your mom and dad, babysit Mayday again, and everything- everything’s gonna be ok kid,”
‘Miles! Hey! Are you here?’
Miguel heard Pavitr somewhere in the background and dialed his watch, watching Miles wobble in his seat like he could pass out any second.
“Miguel?” Pavitr’s voice came through clearly on his end and muffled through Miles’.
“I can hear you on his call Pavitr,” he said hopefully, “have everyone search near you, hurry!”
“Miles? We’re almost to you Mijo, just stay awake,” he paled as Miles slumped over in his chair, eyes glossy and unfocused, “Miles? Miles wake up! Get up Miles!”
He watched the door behind him rattled, once, twice, three times. With Miles out cold, Miguel hung up, quickly punching in Pavitr’s location.
“Move!” he barked, pushing Pavitr to the side before ramming into the door, once, then twice, breaking it into pieces.
“Miles! He’s here! He’s here!” Pavitr called out to the others as he rushed into the room. Miguel watched his eyes widen as he took in the other teen’s bloodied form and Miles wheezed with every breath.
Pavitr looked like he was on the verge of tears as Miguel lifted Miles into his arms gently. He wanted to say something- anything, to tell him that it would be ok, but he turned his back and carried Miles out of the dingy office.
Peter and Jessica rushed through a portal as they walked out the door, Peter going white as a ghost at the sight of him broken and hurt.
Jessica pushed Miguel towards the portal, catching Gwen as she rushed towards them.
“Get him to Medical, now!” She barked, tucking Gwen under her arm. Hobie and Sp//dr swung down from the second floor, both devastated to see Miles, limp as Miguel rushed him through the portal.
—
“Who did this!?” Hobie shouted, shoving Noir back as he took a tentative step towards him, “they’ll fucking pay! I’ll show em what’s what- set em straight! Nobody fucks with Miles Morales!”
“Hobie, you need to calm down,” Jessica crossed her arms, “you can’t be in here yelling,”
Miguel pinched his fingers at the bridge of his nose while Jess and Hobie went back and forth, shifting in the small medbay chair. The larger bench would’ve been more comfortable, but Gwen, Pavitr, and Peni were sharing it- all looking shaken and exhausted.
Margo was curled up in the chair next to him, leg bouncing anxiously as she scrolled through physical therapy guides - “because he will get better,” she insisted.
“Peter,” Everyone looked up as Hobie announced the tired spider’s arrival. He rubbed his eyes, scratching at his stubble nervously.
“He’s gonna make it,” everyone sighed in relief, relaxing for the first time in hours, “he’s in pretty bad shape, they say his vitals are strong though,”
“Why didn’t…” Pav trailed off, anxiously gripping Gwen’s hand in his, “his healing factor? Why was he so… bad?”
“Two fractured ribs, a broken leg, two stab wounds, and second degree burns on his hands. It’s a lot for even our bodies to handle,”
“Burns?” Hobie repeated, brow furrowed in thought before his eyes widened in realization, “it was fucking Magmax, wasn’t it? I’ll fucking kill-” He started punching in 7038 when Jess covered the screen with her hand.
“Hobie, not now,” Jess said sternly, “he needs you here ,”
His face contorted with anger, but as Jess trailed her hands up his arms to his shoulders, he crumbled into her arms. The room was quiet as he sobbed onto her shoulder. The energy from the search finally drained out of them, leaving behind anxiety and fear.
“Can we see him? Even if he’s sleeping?” Gwen whispered, looking up at Peter with tired eyes.
“Yes,” he nodded, “he is sleeping though, so you have to be quiet,”
Margo was the first out of her chair, but Gwen beat her to the door - quietly tiptoeing into the room and perching at the end of the bed. All things considered, he looked fine.
His hands and chin were bandaged up, and with the blanket over him, he looked like he was sleeping. His eye was still bruised, but the swelling had come down and it was splotchy and yellowish instead of deep blue. Margo sat on his other side with Hobie while Pavitr hovered nervously by the door.
“Pav?” Hobie reached out for his hand, “come on,”
Pavitr shook his head, clinging to the doorway. Miguel patted his shoulder, slipping past him to read Garden Spider’s notes on his condition. Jess led Pavitr away to talk to him while the others quietly watched Miles. Peni put her hand on Miles’ chest, breathing deeply as she felt it rise and fall.
“He’s okay,” she sighed, “He’s okay,”
–
“Miguelito,” Peter sang quietly. He bumped his forehead against Miguel’s, pushing a take out box of food into his hands, “Mary Jane made spaghetti, I know it’s not your favorite but you haven’t eaten since yesterday night,” Miguel took the food gratefully, rubbing his tired eyes before digging in.
“Don’t get all conservative about how much you eat either, she heard the kids were camping out in here and she hasn’t left the kitchen since, something about pies and the soul,” he took the seat next to him, eyes softly trailing over Miles, then to the floor across from him where everyone laid in a pile of blankets and limbs.
“Pavitr’s still in the waiting room. He doesn’t want to leave but…” Peter trailed off, sleepy go lucky demeanor sliding off as Miguel fixed him with a hard glare.
“What do you want me to do about it? You’re the feelings one,” Miguel said snarkily. He felt a twinge of guilt- but it wasn’t his fault his therapist hadn’t gotten to emotional intelligence yet.
“Miguel,” Peter groaned, head falling back against the wall, “they still look up to you and you were there . Pavitr doesn’t need me or Jess right now, he doesn’t need softness and space- he needs you ,”
The larger man’s face softened, dropping his head to the crook of Peter’s neck.
“What if I mess it up?”
“You won’t- you being there will say everything,”
-
“Pavitr,”
The young teen looked up at Miguel with puffy eyes, ducking his head in shame. He was curled up in one of the little medbay chairs, his arms wrapped around his legs so he was in a tight ball. Miguel tentatively put a hand on his shoulder, brushing his long hair behind his ear.
“Are you alright?” he asked dumbly, resisting the urge to smack his forehead. Pavitr shook his head slowly, shoulders hunching up like he would burst at any moment. Miguel crossed the room, filling one of the little paper cups with cool water. Pavitr took it gratefully, sipping it slowly.
“I was right there,” he lamented over the lip of the cup, “I was right… I was…”
Miguel took the cup from his shaking hands, setting it on the small table between the seats. No sooner than him sitting the cup down did Pavitr throw himself into his arms. He rubbed his back comfortingly, strong arms wrapped tight around him as the teen sobbed. He was shaking like a leaf, strong hands gripping Miguel so tight it would likely bruise.
“It’s alright, It’s alright,” he murmured, “let it out,”
Miguel was completely out of his depth here. He had only gotten as far as diapers, skinned knees, and best friends moving out of town- most parents don’t get a crash course in how to comfort their teenagers after their best friends almost die in front of them. He didn’t know what else to do than to hold the trembling teen.
-
Margo adjusted Miles’ pillow, gently lying him back down on it. Although she’d fluffed it what felt like a million times, she felt that once the feeling of soft cotton left her fingers, she needed to do more . She brushed her fingers over his brow, lip quivering as she cupped his cheek.
“You have to be ok Miles, you have to,” she whispered, “remember that game we talked about designing? You said that flowers with ninja weapons would be the coolest ever but then we’d just spend hours playing plants vs. zombies,”
Margo smiled at him as tears floated down her cheeks, “I can’t work on it without you Miles, it’s our thing, y’know? You and Pav have food and bad cop movies, you and Gwen have your comics and music, you and Hobie… I don’t even know what to say about that,”
She let out a pained laugh at that, sniffing lightly, “and you- you promised to help me pass level 77 of Pac Man original right? Right?” she cried quietly, hand over her mouth to keep the others from waking up.
Hobie watched from the doorway, face stony and emotionless before he stalked away.
-
“-bie! Hobie!!”
The teen dropped his fists, slowly turning to Jess who had apparently called him many times.
“You’ve been in here for three hours and haven’t had a sip of water,” she said sternly, handing him a bottle, “drink, now,” Hobie took it gratefully, wiping the sweat from his brow and relishing in the cool relief to his dry throat.
He was wearing civvies, just a plain blue shirt and basketball shorts with MHS (Mumbattan High School) printed on the bottom. There were dark circles under his eyes, and he was properly dripping with sweat-
“You look like shit,” Jess frowned. That pulled a laugh out of him as he tossed the empty bottle in the bin.
“Feel like shit,” he admitted, shifting back into a boxing stance. After hours of training in HQ’s gym, the wraps were loose and worn on his hands and damp from sweat.
“Hobie,” Jess called softly, “You should head home, get some real rest,”
“Don’t need it,” he grunted, fists landing on the bag with all the stress he’d built up the past two days.
“Miles isn’t going anywhere and at this rate, when he wakes up you’ll fall over from exhaustion,” she glowered, “at least get out of the gym and come to the cafeteria for lunch with me,”
Hobie laid a barrage of punches on the bag, the last of them ripping through it- leaving the bottom half of the bag hanging by a few strands before hitting the ground with a loud thud .
“I’m gonna visit ‘is parents. Let them know what’s going on,” he muttered, “his family’s good people- even the pig. He’s…”
“Just,” Jess sighed, “Just get something to eat while you’re there? Peter B. swears by their burgers,”
Hobie shrugged his shirt off, throwing the wet and tattered thing into a bag while the shower warmed up. He stood under the stream, letting it spray over his eyes and wet his hair.
‘Let me know when your next wash day is, my tía makes this apple cider vinegar rinse that works wonders,’
Miles’ voice echoed in his head.
‘Make sure you clean that,’ he had murmured, tipping Hobie’s head down by his chin with a frown while he inspected a sluggishly bleeding cut on his forehead, ‘huh, I never realized you had stubble before,’
Hobie rubbed his face where the stubble had grown out a bit more. Maybe he did need to go home- shave, use his own soap, change his clothes.
‘Hobie!’ Miles had pressed his face into the crook of his neck, breathing deeply like he was oxygen in his lungs, ‘I missed you,’
‘I dunno,’ he had looked up at the sky after a night out patrolling, ‘I guess being with you just feels like coming home,’
Hobie couldn’t go home.
Home was right here.
–
“Mrs. Morales sent Empanadas and Plantains, and a couple fucks and shits to Miguel,” Hobie dropped the tote bag on the side table before kneeling by the bed, “where’s everyone?”
“Peter B. herded them to the cafeteria and showers, couldn’t get them to go home,” Margo let go of Miles’ hand, wiping hers on her pant leg, “Do you mind watching him for a bit? I haven’t had more than chips and faygo since yesterday, but I couldn’t…”
“I’ve got him Mangs,”
She nodded, her avatar stretching out with a soft pop before disappearing as she likely took her headset off and left. Hobie sat in the warm spot where she had sat, leaning over to rest his head on Miles’ chest.
“I hear you, when you’re not around,” he admitted quietly, “it’s only been a few days, I’ve gone weeks with just your memory. But now I-,”
He lifted his head and laid his cheek on his chest so he could look up at him.
“Wake up Miles,”
-
“The good thing is that he’s not getting worse. Getting better… that’s another story,” Garden Spider explained softly, “he’s not quite in a coma, but he’s not waking up on his own. We think if we induce a coma and go from there-“
“What’re you saying? You just said he’s not getting worse right?” Gwen asked frantically, “what if the coma makes it worse? What if- what if it hurts him?!”
Miguel stepped between them, holding up a hand on each side, “let’s not do anything drastic, especially in the middle of the night. Let’s sleep on it and have someone talk to his parents first,” Garden Spider nodded, sighing softly as she passed Miles’ door.
“Gwen-“ Miguel started, turning back to her.
“No! I can’t lose him Miguel,” Gwen fumed, “you won’t take him from me again!”
“I’m not taking anyone away Gwen, but if he’s not getting better-“
“But he’s not getting worse!” She cut him off again, “doing this could hurt him- I won’t let you do that,”
“I’m not working against you Gwen,” he said softly, hands put up defensively between them.
“That’s new,” Gwen crossed her arms, glaring up at him.
“His mother is a nurse, and they’re his parents. The end decision is on them alone,” he said diplomatically, but Gwen just shoved him, hot tears flowing as she left the medbay.
Miguel groaned, opening Miles’ door gently. He was surprised to see Hobie draped over him, sleeping at a strange angle - but sleeping for the first time in days. He rubbed his temple, picking up the slightly cold box that smelled of plantains and empanadas and deciding to take MJ up on her offer to spend the night with them.
-
“Another dream?”
Hobie shifted further onto the bed, legs too long to fit from that position- with his head on Miles’ shoulder. His feet dangled off the other side, but his neck was far more comfortable there.
“I really don’t want to wake up from this one,”
‘Sometimes I wonder if I’m dreaming. Things just feel too good to be true y'know? Like dinner at Gwen’s, or Chai on the Mumbattan bridge with Pav. There’s this fucking ace arcade around the corner from Peni’s school,’
‘Fucking ace? Since when do you-’
Miles’ laugh echoes around him.
‘I must be spending too much time with you,’
‘Or maybe not enough,’
Hobie sticks his nose into Miles’ neck, but it doesn’t smell like him. It smells like the generic soap they use in the medbay. Miles’ breath hitches and Hobie-
‘What?’
He sits up quickly, wicks bouncing as he stares wide eyed into dark brown eyes.
“Miles!” He shouts, making the other teen wince, “you’re awake!”
“I am? Is this ano-“ He’s cut off as Hobie presses their lips together, desperately gripping his arms like he’d disappear at any moment. They break apart panting, and Miles looks up at him starry eyed before tilting his head in confusion, “dream Hobie doesn’t have that much stubble,”
“I’ve been kissing you in your dreams?” Hobie jokes, voice smooth although he's beaming down at him ready to cry.
“More than I’d like to admit,” he rasps before falling into a fit of coughs, “water?”
Hobie jumps up, stumbling into the waiting room, hands shaking as he pours Miles a cup of water. He brings it back quickly, unabashedly straddling the shorter teens’ waist while he drinks.
“Thank you,” he smiles softly, setting it aside and wrapping his arms around Hobie’s middle and nuzzling into his chest, “I still don’t believe this isn’t a dream,”
“I’d be so fucking mad if you were still asleep,” Hobie chuckles, “Fuck, should tell everyone you’re up, your mom’s gonna be right pissed when you get home,”
“You told my mom?” Miles frowned up at him, “how long was I out?”
“Fuck love, it’s been five days,”
“Shit,” Miles pressed his face back into Hobie’s chest, “put me back to sleep, I can’t go home they’ll kill me,”
“Ya mum took the news pretty well, just sent me a long message about how if you don’t come home by tomorrowish she’ll come up here herself and show Miguel where he can shove his multiverse,” Hobie chuckled as Miles groaned, the sound vibrating through him, “Everyone’s gonna kill me if I keep you to myself any longer,”
Miles leant up, letting Hobie close the rest of the distance between them, eyes closed tight before Miles backed away giggling.
“I could get used to super stubbly, not a dream Hobie,”
-
“Maybe if you would actually get off your ass and work-”
“Don’t start on me Vannessa!”
Margo stabbed her fork at the almost full plate of food while her parents fought, scrolling through her phone with disinterest. She blinked confusedly as a notif popped up at the top.
“ Vitals for : MMorales have been disconnected,”
She furrowed her brow in confusion. Why would Miles’ vitals be disconnected? She would’ve been notified if his vitals had failed so he definitely hadn’t died- but what else could it be except… Margo jumped up from the table, food and empty spot unnoticed by her parents as she rushed to her room.
She tried to dash her hope just in case it was a false alarm, maybe someone had just bumped the cords. Or maybe…
Margo materialized in the main control room, quickly making her way to Medbay. She got a message as she walked through the doors that would’ve dropped her to her knees if she wasn’t sitting down.
‘Bobie Bown : He’s up’
And there he was, Miles Morales, sitting up in bed and holding Hobie’s hands with that cute embarrassed smile, his ECG and IV disconnected.
“Miles!” she threw her arms around his neck, effectively knocking Hobie off the bed and almost knocking Miles over, “You’re awake!”
“I am! Finally, apparently,” he joked sheepishly. Peni was next, sobbing loudly as she crawled between Margo and Miles to shove her face into his shoulder.
“Jeez, did you guys really miss me that much?” he chuckled, rubbing Peni’s trembling back.
“Just wait till Gwen sees you,” Jess shook her head, followed by Peter who was grinning ear to ear.
“Good to see you awake kid, had us worried there for a bit,” he gave him an awkward side hug from his left side.
“Hey, I’m Miles Morales,” he smirked, pointing to himself, “nothing can keep me down,”
“Is that right?” Miguel chucked, Mayday trying her very best to squirm out of his arms and towards Miles. He looked uncharacteristically soft and Miles fidgeted under his gaze. Miguel sighed, shaking his head and passing Mayday to Peter B, who enthusiastically tossed her in the air before rubbing their noses together cutely.
“No missions for the next month-”
“What!?” Miles exclaimed, “But-”
“Hobie and Gwen will take over 1610 until your grounding is up,”
“You can’t ground me! I’m spiderman!”
“No, you’re right,” Miguel nodded slowly before glaring down at him, “but if I find out you’ve been doing anything more than patrol- if I find out you’re out alone ?”
“You wouldn’t,” Miles’ face dropped, “You wouldn’t!”
“I will not hesitate to involve your mother,” Miguel said with finality. Miles groaned, falling back against his pillow.
“This is so unfair,” he grouched, pouting childishly until the door opened again. Pavitr and Gwen stood in the doorway, the former already in tears and Gwen on the verge.
“Oh geez, don’t cry, then I’ll cry and they’ll cry again,” Peter joked, stepping to the side to give them space to climb onto Miles. Gwen’s arms layered on top of Peni’s as she cried quietly, her forehead bumping against Miles’.
“I’m not letting you out of my sight again,” she sniffled, “you scared the shit out of me,”
“Sorry,” he whispered, reaching out to Pav, “I promise I’ll be more careful and I double promise I will stop calling backup after I’m hurt,”
Pavitr found a small sliver of space between Gwen’s legs and Miles, tucking himself into the warm spot there, “We’re holding you to that,”
-
“Do you think he’ll be home soon? It’s been three days, he should be home now- didn’t that boy say he wasn’t hurt badly? What’s taking so long?” Jefferson rambled, taking out his anxiety on the carrots he was cutting.
“As much as I’m worried too, his friends have kept us up to date so far and-and- Dios mío, mi bebé, ¿está bien? cuando van a…” as Rio started to lose her composure, there was a light knock at the door. They looked at each other with wide eyes before rushing to the front door, both reaching for the lock and recoiling at the same time before Jefferson cleared his throat and Rio stepped back, letting him open the door.
“Hey mom,” Miles shrugged, “I’m home,”
Mr. and Mrs. Morales looked at the group of teens standing outside their door in surprise.
“We’re gonna need more carrots,”
-
Although they’d insisted they just came to see Miles home, Rio was more insistent that they stay for dinner. Miles curled up in the middle of tangled limbs and elbows on the floor, the dimmed light of the tv dancing over their skin.
Everyone found a bit of him to cling to, a hand, a leg, a cheek, something was pressed against him at all times, and he couldn’t find it in himself to complain. Not sitting between Hobie’s legs with Gwen wrapped around his right arm, and Peni curled up between him and Gwen’s legs. Pavitr settled for using his and Hobie’s legs as a pillow, although Miles doubted it was all that comfortable, and Margo was content to lay behind him on the couch. He was sure everyone would be sweating come morning, but couldn’t find it in himself to mind.
Hobie’s lips gently brushed over his cheek as he grumbled lowly, “Rest,” his voice dripping with sleep. Miles snuggled into his warm chest happily, brushing Peni’s bangs off of her face as she pulled her blanket closer around her.
“Thank you for bringing me home,”