Chapter Text
Very silently, his bedroom window slit open, allowing a wave of cool air to wash in. If it wasn't for the fact that he'd only just gone to bed, he might not even have noticed it at all. His digital alarm clock showed the time; 2:06 AM. Following the sliding sound, there were two light taps on the floor, before there was only silence. Miles knew what that meant.
Gwen still wasn't sure if she'd made the right choice that night. Miles and her weren't exactly on good terms. Ever since they saved his father from dying to his Canon events, Miles had decided he wanted nothing else to do with the multiverse. He wanted only his own Universe. It broke the blonde's heart, but she'd respected his wishes. Until now.
Gently, while she awaited any form of response, she wrapped her arms around her body. It brought no comfort. Part of her considered leaving again, feeling like going to Earth 1610 was a mistake. But before she could turn back around, a quiet voice caused for her to freeze.
"What are you doing here." There was anger behind his tone. He wasn't asking a question at all, he was pointing out a mistake, she could feel it. After he'd asked it, he sat up in his bed. Gwen felt a shiver run down her spine. Half of her was already back outside, but the other half wasn't done trying.
"Miles, please." Her voice was void of everything that sounded like an emotion. She was past emotions. A broken, empty shell of what she'd been the last time these two met up. "All I ask for is one night." Desperation had snuck behind her words, putting emphasis on the 'one'.
Miles looked at her now. The billboards outside illuminated his room with a dark hue of blue. Her slim figure blocked some of that light, which was why he could see her. His room was, furthermore, completely dark. The mess he'd made during the past few weeks still coated the floor. His mother always asked him to clean but he hadn't taken the time yet.
Miles couldn't read her face, but he could tell she wasn't looking at him. Her eyes were pointed at the floor. But even in the dark, empty night, he watched her figure shake and shiver. Something was really wrong. Beyond their problems kind of wrong.
"I should go." Her voice made Miles realize he'd never said anything to her. Now, she wanted to leave, probably taking his silence as a negative. It seemed so easy to let her walk now. He couldn't. Not after months of wondering what their next interaction would be like. If their next interaction would ever come. He had a lot of pride, but he'd never deny missing the friends that he'd previously banned from his life. It was a stupid decision, admittedly, because from there he had no possible way to come back on his words. Miguel hadn't exactly left him with a dimension-traveling device and he'd been the one to turn down Hobie's homemade one. If it wasn't for Gwen now, he'd likely be waiting an eternity to set that mistake straight.
"Wait." His voice was clear. He was no longer looking at her, instead staring ahead at the wall. Gwen hopefully turned her head towards Miles. "Come here." Miles sighed, but Gwen knew not to let him wait this time.
It became even more apparent to Miles that she was doing terribly when she walked into a pair of shoes he had laying around between her and his bed. Did her spider senses not warn her? Was she ignoring them? Was she not hearing them? Miles' attitude changed from annoyed to confused, maybe even concerned, and he got comfortable sitting up, gently petting the bed to show her she could sit down.
The last time she sat there, she was smiling. Her smile was brighter than anything, he remembered it clearly, even now. Her posture had been relaxed, open, her attitude curious and enthusiastic. None of those things were left that day.
Her body moved as if she were made out of wood. Her legs moved on their own, her upper body stayed still. Instead of comfortably taking a seat, she sat on the edge of the bed, straight up, with her eyes on the wall. Her breathing promptly stopped.
"Gwen, breathe." Miles didn't understand, but at least she took a breath. Her posture didn't change. She didn't even blink. "What's wrong?" He now moved to sit down next to her, knowing that whatever he'd tell her, it'd change things. It was much bigger than them and their issues, it had to be.
It took her a while, her eyes still focusing, unblinking, on the wall in front of her. Her hands nervously gripped the edge of Miles' wooden bed frame. It was a nervous tick, Miles knew. "My universe." She managed to throw out, before a tear rolled down her cheek, quickly followed by many more. Finally, she blinked, before she sobbed and folded. Her hands covered her face.
"It's gone, Miles." She managed between sobs. Miles' eyes grew large, suddenly engaged. He leaned forward. "W-What do you mea-" "It's gone! It crumbled right before my eyes, there was nothing I-" Miles placed a hand on Gwen's back, which abruptly stopped her from speaking. She'd felt so on edge, so aware, the simple touch broke her focus. "It's all gone." She cried before Miles opened his arms for her. Within seconds, the two were finally hugging, Gwen now sobbing into Miles' shoulder.
Without her universe, Gwen, too, fell apart. Miles had no ability to calm her, comfort her or even understand her. All he could do was be there for her. "Hey.. you're safe here. I'm so sorry." Was all he could say, to which she cried more. Her home, her dad, everything she owned. It was gone forever, and why? She hadn't stopped a Canon event, not really. Gwen couldn't make sense of what had brought her this fate.
"One night. Please. I could sleep in a bathtub, or on a rug, it doesn't matter. Hobie is unavailable, I have nowhere to go." She cried, now gently rubbing her cheek against his shoulder while looking up at him. Usually, when she needed somewhere to stay, Hobie's universe was available. For some reason, she couldn't reach him though, and being alone didn't seem right in that moment. She'd only brought it up to emphasize to Miles that she'd tried not to bother him, but she was running out of options. Miles sighed. "Stay here, Gwen. Forget that one night." For now, neither of them moved.
It was impressive to Miles how Gwen was looking for somewhere to be. Even now that her universe was gone, she was trying to look out for herself. It made it clear to Miles that, no matter how alone she'd be, how lost, she always knew how to take care of herself. Like she'd never done it any other way at all. And maybe part of that was true.
But she'd done it. And she'd taken the initiative for the two of them to reconnect, even if it wasn't over something happy. "And forget about going to Hobie. You're welcome here. I'm glad you came to me. I can help you." Miles held onto her a bit tighter while gently rubbing her back. Help her how? He didn't know. But positive things to say were all he could really think of to comfort her at that moment. He didn't know what else to offer her. "We'll fix this. I don't know how, but we will."