Miles was chilling in the Spider Cave, back in his civilian clothes, watching Peni create a new flash drive from scratch. She hummed to herself as music played from one of SP//DR's speakers.
He had wanted to see if he could try to pick up on anything but both she and SP//DR were working way too damn fast for him to keep up.
"How'd you learn to do all that?" Miles asked, leaning in to get a closer look.
Hearing his question, Peni's shoulders slumped and SP//DR stopped playing her music. "My father taught me," Peni replied in a solemn voice.
Miles felt like slapping himself for saying that. "Shit, I'm sorry Peni. I shouldn't have said anything."
"No, it's fine." Peni shook her head. She placed a hand on SP//DR. "My father died doing the right thing. In some way, I'm trying my best to follow in his steps."
Miles smiled, "Hey, I'm sure he'd be real proud of you. You're one hell of a Spider-Girl." As he said that he put his fist up.
Peni smiled as she bumped Miles' fist with her own. "Thanks, Miles."
"What about you, SP/DR? Don't leave me hanging." Miles said, looking at the mech. SP//DR beeped before also bumping his fist. "Sweet!"
Peni giggled at their interaction, before staring at SP//DR. "I see you're already making new friends without me." She said with a teasing tone.
SP//DR put her hands up and began to wave them haphazardly.
"You two ain't got to worry. You're both friends in my book." Miles said, before standing up. "Alright, I'll stop bugging you guys. I wanna get a snack or something. You two want anything?"
"Candy!" Peni exclaimed before clearing her throat. "If you want, you can bring me some candy."
"I gotchu," Miles smirked before leaving the two.
Making his way to the living room, Miles saw Noir playing with a Rubix cube and Spider-Pig was reading the newspaper.
"Is this correct?" Noir asked Spider-Pig
Spider-Pig's eyes narrowed as he shook his head. "Not even close, buddy."
Turning to the kitchen, Miles saw Peter talking to Aunt May. The two were clearly having a heartfelt conversation.
Miles walked over to them, letting them know he was there. "Sorry to interrupt, but my suit wouldn't happen to be out of the dryer?"
"You going somewhere?" Peter asked.
"Peni wanted some snacks and I kinda said something that soured the mood." Miles sighed. "I'm trying to make it up to her."
"You're going to be a wonderful boyfriend to some lucky gal," Aunt May smiled, placing a hand on Miles' shoulder. "Your suit should be ready. Just go to the basement and take it out of the dryer."
"Thanks, Auntie. You're the best." Miles gave Aunt May a quick hug before heading over the the basement.
"Kids these days, huh?" Peter smiled, drinking from a cup of coffee beside him.
"Speaking of kids, you have any grandchildren for me?" Aunt May asked.
Peter began to choke on his coffee. "Geez, Aunt May. That came out of left field."
"Don't tell me you haven't thought about having any." Aunt May said, looking over at a picture of her Peter, a melancholic look on her face. "Both Peter and MJ were excited about becoming parents."
Peter sighed, his gaze lowering. "I wish I was as perfect as your Peter."
Aunt May snorted, "Please, Peter was anything but perfect. It was his ability to never give up that made him who he was."
"The years have not been good on me, Aunt May." Peter smiled dejectedly. "MJ and I filed for divorce. She wanted something that I was too afraid to give."
Aunt May went to hug Peter, rubbing her nephew's back. "You may not be from my universe, but you're still my damn nephew. I know that you won't give up. When you go back to your universe, you're going to make up with MJ."
"But I don't think I'm ready."
"You never are. That's why it's called a leap of faith." Aunt May smiled, placing a kiss on Peter's cheek.
"Alright, I'm heading to the store. You guys want anything?" Miles asked, walking past them still in his civilian clothes, but the shit was underneath all of it.
"I'm good, sweetie." Aunt May said
"Peter?"
"Wow, you're treating me?"
"Come on, how am I supposed to let my mentor pay?" Miles said in a joking manner.
"In that case, I'll go for some burgers and fries. Hey, you wouldn't happen to know if Four Star Diner is still open, would you? They had some amazing fries there." Peter said, thinking about the delicious fries.
Miles nodded, "Uh, okay. I was thinking more about snacks but sure, I'll see what I can do. I'll be back in a bit." Miles said with a wave.
The two saw as Miles talked to the other two Spider-People before Aunt May turned to look back at Peter.
"Hell, I think you've been doing a pretty great job."
Peter chuckled, shaking his head. "That kid's something else. I'm sure he would have been fine without my help."
"Don't sell yourself short, Peter. I know you and you'll make a wonderful Father." Aunt May said, before placing a hand on Peter's shoulder. "And you're going to pay that kid back for the money he's going to spend on your food."
"Yes, ma'am."
...
Miles stepped out of the house with a list of stuff to get everyone. Had he known that everyone was going to ask for something he would have stayed quiet.
'Boy that sure bit me in the ass.' Miles sighed, putting the note inside his pocket.
That was when he noticed Gwen sitting outside on the porch. She was wearing some spare clothes that Peter had around which made it look big and baggy on her.
"What are you doing out here?" Miles asked.
"Thinking..." She muttered, not even bothering to look at him. It was obvious that something was bothering her.
"Hey, you can talk to me if you want," Miles said, but Gwen remained silent, looking out toward the street. Miles pursed his lip, thinking about what to do. "I'm about to go out on a snack run and to get some food for Peter. Wanna tag along?"
Gwen nodded, standing up. "Yeah, I could do that. Let me just get my suit from Aunt May."
"Got it."
After a few minutes, Gwen stepped out in her Spider-Woman suit. The suit looked like it was brand new, the rips and tears nowhere to be seen.
"I gotta say, Aunt May is crazy with a needle. Though I thought you'd still be wearing your clothes over your suit."
"Why?"
"Wouldn't want the neighbors seeing Spider-Woman on Aunt May's front porch. Not to mention all the other Spider-People inside."
"Damn, you're right." Gwen clicked her tongue. She just didn't want to be wearing Peter's clothes. It made her feel dirty.
"Let's go before someone sees us," Miles said, putting on his mask.
As the two jumped off, they were oblivious to the figure who was perched behind a rooftop watching over them.
"No...it can't be." Prowler removed his mask, rubbing his head in shock. The revelation was heavy, and Prowler didn't know how to take it. That was when he heard his earpiece ringing.
[Prowler, did you manage to find out where they're hiding?]
"Nah, they managed to get away."
[Grr...Meet me at my tower tonight. The Super Collider is going to be running and I expect these bugs to come and shut it down.]
The call ended and Prowler let out a sigh. "They ain't bugs, dumbass."
Prowler knew that he had a job to finish, but there was something he had to do first. "Dammit, Miles. I don't know what the hell you've gotten yourself into."
Whether he liked it or not, Family came first.