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“Miguel don’t! ”
Gwen was desperately trying to reach the scene as fast as she could.
She hated the fact that she wasn’t fast enough.
She hated the way she could only watch as Miguel was tearing into Miles (metaphorically AND literally) and revealing him the actual reason he’s being chased aside from Canon remaining complete.
Her and Peter were so close yet so far,not close enough to stop Miguel from shattering Miles’ current life,the life of Spiderman which he loved so much.
“You don’t belong here,you never did…” Miguel snarled in Miles’ ear as was fighting to free himself “and I,for one,have my way of dealing with mistakes and anomalies.”
“Miguel stop,please!-” yelled Gwen before being cut off, feeling something splash on her face and fall in her mouth. She brushed her hand against her face and immediately regretted doing so.
It was blood.
Miles’ blood specifically.
At this point she was running on all fours as much as her body allowed her to. She could see that Miguel was still leaning over Miles,whose body was trembling for a bit with a red streak still dripping down the speeding train before falling still,the only thing moving his body being wind and speed they were moving with.
Miguel turned around, holding Miles' lifeless body with one hand while holding onto the train with another. Gush in his throat was slowly drying out with a blank expression on his face.
His eyes,once warm and bright,were misty and hollow.
“Now,look at what you’ve made me do…” growled Miguel slowly as he licked off blood from the corner of his lips before tossing Miles’ body away.
Gwen’s eyes followed as he disappeared below the roaring machine.Her heart screamed to try and catch him,to make SOME attempt to help him and fix the thing she’s ruined but her brain and body were frozen still.She felt as if she were eye to eye with a wild animal and if she moved or God forbid turned around,to try and get away, Miguel would get her immediately.
“I hope you realize this could have easily been avoided if you listened to me, Gwen.” Miguel slowly came back to all fours and started slowly closing distance between them,his voice slow and calm (as calm as it could be in this situation) but they both knew it was a disguise.“I always knew you were a liability…”
“W-what… ” Her head was spinning. She wanted to turn to beg Peter for help only to realize she’s alone.
No Peter,No Miles.
No one else from Spider-Society.
It was just them against each-other.
“And since I’ve already dealt with one obstacle,I might as well take out the other!” Miguel charged at her with a snarl. Before Gwen could somehow defend himself, Miguel’s laser webs violently slammed her body in the train. Grip was very suffocating but strong enough to hold her down,for her to watch Miguel sheath his claws and deal the killing blow.
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Gwen woke up on impact, gasping for air. No longer on the speeding train, but in her bed, in her room,in her universe.
She could feel blood humming in her ears like a rushing river and her heart beating so hard, it felt like it was about to burst through her ribcage and chest altogether. Her vision was blurry with tears and her world was spinning. It wasn't the first time she's had nightmares about this but that most certainly one of the worst ones yet.
In the chaos of the situation Gwen didn't bother to check who or what was currently opening her window and getting in her room, so her first instinct as she heard a soft click behind her back was to grab a web shooter and fire at a now-unknown intruder.
It took her few seconds to realize in shame that her target was just Miles. Her shot landed on his mouth and,startled,he began yanking on it to free himself.
"Holy shit Miles I- I'm sorry, come here. " Gwen whisper-yelled as she rushed towards him to help.
It was raining outside so Miles was completely soaked from head to toe. Thanks to that however, webs came off nearly immediately, revealing his amused grin as he removed his mask after. Gwen couldn't help but smile right back, that was just how he worked on her. His warmth and love were contagious.
"I thought you were an intruder…" she muttered softly,brushing off the remains of webs from his suit, before looking up confused "What are you doing here? It's so late."
"¿Oh qué? Do I need a reason to stop by to see my lovely partner?" Said Miles with almost a purr on word partner as he reached his hand and intertwined his pinkie finger with her. He was looking at her with so much love and warmth as his eyes were like sunsets on the clear sky.
Gwen was beyond grateful that the lights were off and her world was all darker shades of blues and purples that night, so that Miles wouldn't notice heat creeping up from her neck to the very tips of her ears. She didn't know what kind of magic or some other force was it that made his sweet talk work on her so well. She slightly tightened her grip on his pinkie and softly started rocking back and forth.
Even before their now-few-months-old relationship both were very physically affectionate with each other, from hugs to brushing against each other's shoulders or resting on them. However,for whatever reason, holding pinkies like this was one of their favorite and most cherished types of affection.
"Of course not…" she replies,playfully rolling her eyes "It's that most people don't come to see their lovely partners at 4am"
Miles chuckled softly before his face fell a little, his warm eyes dimming with concern "Spidey-link went off… " he stopped for a second, as if hesitating "it was really strong this time, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to check. What's the matter?"
Gwen's smile vanished as she mentally cursed this specific part of their superhero identities. Over a year ago, during the whole disaster with Spot, the two learned that their spidey-senses are connected and therefore they can sense when other is hurt or in distress,even when in different dimensions. They obviously couldn't tell if it went off because of a bad day or because of injuries and risks coming with their line of work, not without seeing but sometimes (and that would be MANY many times) they would come to each other's aid.Nights like these were nothing unusual.
Oh how she sometimes wished this wasn't a thing so Miles wouldn't worry as much.
"¿Algo pasó? Are you hurt?" He asked gently, grabbing her wrist and checking on her arms, while generally eyeing her up and down for any visible injuries.
"No it's… " she sighed heavily. "It was just a stupid nightmare. I'm sorry you felt the need to get here but it's not a big deal, really."
"It didn't feel like "no big deal"…"
Gwen's shoulders slumped as she looked away. He's not coming back home, is he?
She makes her way back to bed and moves to the side before patting the free spot next to her. Silent invitation for Miles to join her, even though his suit was totally soaked and would wet bed sheets and clothes.
He took off his mask and shoes and practically jumped in right next to her. They were laying in silence for a bit. Gwen’s gaze was fixated on a ceiling,looking for potential words for when Miles comes back to the reason why she's awake (because she knows he will) but couldn't focus when feeling Miles' eyes glued to her. She turned to him only to see him lying on his side, looking at her with the most dopey look in his eyes and wide smile from ear to ear.
"What's up?" she smiles back at him
"Just enjoying the view." replied Miles smugly "Y'know some are as beautiful during the day as they are at night."
"Oh my god!-" Gwen couldn't help but laugh out loud before burying her face into his shoulder,unable to stop laughing. Miles joined her shortly after,cuddling up to top of her head. Neither of them could stop themself and Gwen was actually relieved that her dad was out of the house tonight. Because if her surprise-attack on Miles wouldn't potentially wake him, her laughing hysterically in the middle of the night WITH Miles right beside her on his surprise visit most definitely would and after a nightmare she might have failed to coherently explain his presence here, even tho he knew about their relationship.
"What is it?" he asks,struggling to contain himself.
"That was so fucking cheesy."
"Are you complaining?"
"It's a statement not a complaint" said Gwen,catching her breath. It took them both a minute to calm before making each-other comfortable. Miles' head resting on Gwen's while her head was pressed into his neck,their arms and hands tangled with one-another.
"You know you can tell me everything,right?" muttered Miles softly. He feels her nod against his body. "I'm not gonna push you to do anything but… b-but talking seems to work out so maybe you can try it again? Please..?"
Gwen clears her throat awkwardly.
"What was that nightmare?"
No response.
"I think you know what…" she whispered softly.
He knew.
Miles knew.
Miles knew and felt his eyes sting with a few small tears. He quickly blinked them away and pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles before squeezing her hand in sign of support. Gwen raised the same hand and pressed it to her cheek before cuddling in it. Miles felt her now heavier breathing even though his suit.
"That's honestly so weird to me…" she whispered again
"What exactly?" asked Miles
"That it's been over a year and I can't just,I don't know… " annoyance made its way in her tone "push it away?!"
"I think it's reasonable to still think about this."
"He wasn't even after me specifically! I shouldn't think about this as much as I do, right?" She moved to the side a bit, to be able to look up at Miles
"Gwen… "
"I hate this but I still see this Miles… " says Gwen, her voice on edge of panic and pain "I see him sending me away for my death, I see him with you on that train and… and-"
"You don't have to say it if you don't feel like it." he gently lowered their tangled hands a bit lower and wrapped his free arm around her in a comforting embrace
"Mhm" she pressed herself into him, melting in his touch.
"Besides maybe it's just me but I think having your bad situation hanging over your head 24/7 as a blackmail might mess you up… " added Miles with half laugh "just a thought tho"
"There are worse things,Miles…"
Miles realized immediately what she meant and flinched a little at the thought. He knew Gwen meant the entirety of Spider-Society starting a witch hunt after he learned about canon events and his identity as spiderman being much more complicated than he thought and decided to not give in to supposed destiny written for him and write his own story.
Whole situation dug a huge rift between him and Gwen but she wasn't going to give him up. Starting with gathering a rescue party to save him and his family as well as to get rid of Spot,Gwen spent months trying to fix things with Miles.It took a lot to make things easier and better but now here they were, probably closer than they've ever been before.
Defeating Spot also ended up changing a lot about the Spider-Society itself. Starting with canon events and their accuracy being put up to more and more research as well Miguel being stripped of his leadership, which was later on given to Jess.Not long after that he ended up dropping his identity of a "Spider" and leaving a group without a trace.
Where was he now? Not many knew and those who did know that weren't able to learn details. Not that Miles or anyone around him was eager to run into him anytime soon anyway.
"Gwen,don't do that"
"Huh?" She seemed confused
"Don't do that…don't- don't go there okay?" He said firmly with determination in his voice, then added softly "It’s alright"
Gwen let out a shaky breath before letting go of one of Miles' hands and wrapping both their arms around him with full force. The hug felt so hungry and desperate,Miles was certain she'd knock him down if they were sitting up. He spent the next few moments rubbing her back and muttering words of reassurance while Gwen let some silent tears fall on his already wet suit and her bed sheets.
"Do you have any plans for tomorrow?" Gwen finally spoke up
"Uhm…no, not really, why?"
"Could you uhm.. stay here… with me? For tonight?" She mumbled "Or I could come to your place if it works better,maybe? It's fine if you have better things to do-"
"First off all-" he interrupted her "I don't think there's anything better than being around you." this time even in the dark he noticed the blush on her face
"Second off all: I’ll just leave a note for my parents and I'm all yours."