A/N: Just a short one this time :) I wanted to expand on the Gwen/Miles from before, so here you go!

Thank you for reading!

Chapter 9: The Rose

The thing about Miles is that he always knows how to make you laugh.

For instance, take the time when he dropped into Gwen's universe for a multidimensional study session. She had sociology homework, he had economics. They both had to learn about Karl Marx. Gwen had nothing against Karl Marx, but she had everything against the cement block book she was meant to read through. It was hell.

Then Miles asked, "If Karl Marx had a giant battle mech, what do you think he'd call it?"

Gwen looked up from her book, "What…?"

Miles twirled a pencil round his fingers, "I'm just saying, he'd definitely call it 'Red Destiny'."

Gwen snorted, "Red Destiny? Where did that come from? Is that something you and Peni cooked up?"

"It'd have a big destructo laser, like the Death Star, for destroying the bourgeoisie or something. And huge fists!"

She quirked an eyebrow, "Who's he gonna be fighting with all that?"

"Oh they aren't for fighting," he winked, "That's how he seizes the means of production."

Gwen couldn't help but grin, "You should tell your economics teacher that. I'm sure she'll love it."

"Laugh all you want. Marx ain't gonna take no prisoners when he comes knocking!"

She shook her head, trying not to laugh, "Have you even done any of your homework?"

A pause, and then, "No."

"Me neither."

The thing about Miles is that he knows how to say all the wrong things in just the right way.

Swinging down Madison Avenue he told her, "Dang, Gwen! I've never seen you so, so— graceless!"

She almost forgot to shoot her next webline, "Excuse me!?"

"Yeah! You rolled over that guy like a dumpster truck. You crushed him!"

"Like a dumpster truck, huh?"

"That was the ugliest fight I've ever seen. You didn't even need me. You just took him down."

"Miles I swear to—"

"It was awesome!"

Gwen bit her tongue, "Huh…?"

"I mean don't get me wrong," he began as they thwipped round a satellite dish, bringing the glittering East River into view, "I love watching you dance around bad guys. But there's something even more beautiful about watching you just Hulk right through them."

"Uh, thanks?"

"I'm just saying it like it is, Gwen. You make crimefighting an art form."

The thing about Miles is that you can't help but love him. Gwen knew that more than anyone.

She knew it when they saved the world together in his universe. She knew it every time their eyes met in the morning at the spider house, as they brushed their teeth. She knew it from the ache in her chest when she had to leave as a new week began.

She loved him. She knew that for certain. She also knew she was completely incapable of telling him. For now.

"Gwen?"

She was sitting on the couch in the spider house. The TV screen read 'VERTIGO WINS' in bold, red font. One of Peter B's old, old, old games. She didn't realize she'd spaced out till Miles—

Her chest began to flutter. "You got lucky," she said, trying to silence it, and failing, "I'll beat you this time."

Peter B watched on like an emperor at a coliseum, "Don't underestimate him, Gwen. He learned from the best."

Gwen rolled her eyes. Miles smirked, "He's right Gwen. When it comes to ancient dinosaur games, no one can top me."

God she loved him. But also, she was totally gonna wipe that smug look off his face.

"We'll see about that."