They make it out. Aaron drives them to his safe house. Can't go home, Vanessa will be sending people there.
Aaron hides his bike and leads Miles and Gwen down an abandoned subway tunnel, bare and filthy. Then Aaron goes to a wall, reveals the hidden keypad and types in the password.
The wall opens to a space bigger than his actual place, lights turning on in strategic order. There's all the things a safe house needs, monitors to watch the perimeter, enough food to lay low for as long as it takes, enough stuff to keep from going crazy during that time, and enough firepower to ruin even a super's day.
There's no intruders. The lights and shadows show that.
"Whoa."
Any other time, Miles would have been all he'd cared about. As it is, Gwen holds most of his concern. The cuts and bruises ain't fading as they should, her breathing still has a rattle, her left leg is broken at best, and she's got her arms wrapped around her ribs like it's the only thing keeping them in place. He really hopes their escape didn't worsen things. Too much that is.
Gwen limps inside without looking at him. Miles follows, spinning around as he takes it all in. Aaron ain't surprised to see him check out weapons and art both.
After getting rid of their tracks, Aaron enters too, locks the door and goes to the servers that keep the whole place running. Powering off his gauntlets and keeping half an eye on Miles as he wanders around and half on Gwen as she sits down the couch, Aaron puts down his gloves, turns on the monitors and engages the security system, checking all sensors and cameras. Then he grabs the nearest medical kit. Super or not, Gwen's injuries need to be looked at.
The problem. When he nears Gwen, she looks at him with—betrayal—murder.
"Don't," she says, voice low and furious and so familiar. She's turned off her voice modulator. Aaron is about to lift his hands in a calming manner when he realizes just how bad that would land. He picks a different route, shifting his stance to something more business like.
"Need to clean your wounds," he says in a voice as carefully chosen as the rest of him. And only realizes his modulator makes the effort useless after he's already spoken. He's way off his game.
Part of him keeps track of Miles as his nephew tries and fails to be casual in his eavesdropping, but most of him is busy with getting a hold of himself. The problem, Gwen is angry and hurt. That ain't a good combination for keeping his cool even at the best of times.
Gwen informs him it's gonna be worse than ever.
"Take one more step and I'm going to kick your ass."
He'd deserve it. But she still needs medical attention.
"Gwen—"
"Don't you dare call me that."
Aaron clenches his jaw and closes his eyes, taking advantage of the cover of his mask. She's got a right to be mad, hell, she's got a right to beat the shit out of him. But she also needs her damage checked, and she needs it now. The rattle to her breath has him scared for her lungs. So, how to get her to agree?
"I didn't know," he says. Gwen's disgust tells him he chose the wrong approach.
"You've known for months."
He has. And he's been struggling with it since.
Gwen only just found out. When he first learned the truth, he weren't thinking straight either.
None of that changes the damn need to have her injuries checked. Shit, she hasn't let go of her ribs even once.
Gwen lets out a breathless laugh that turns into a coughing fit and Aaron is moving closer before he can help it.
A look of rage is the only warning he gets before her unbroken leg lashes out, a ballet slipper flying at his stomach. He jumps out of the way, getting out of her range. Part of him notes how bad she's been slowed down but most of him is struggling to keep it together as Gwen let out a pained sound and curls in on herself. She hurt herself with that and shit, she needs to let him look her over, needs to let him assess the damage!
He needs to find a way to get that done.
Gwen informs him it's not happening.
"Stay away from me, Prowler."
The near hatred hurts as nothing ever has. Then Gwen gets off the couch and limps to the door leading to the bathroom.
It takes everything he has to let her go. The bathroom contains medical supplies too. With any luck, Gwen will give herself the care she needs without him there. And there's no vents big enough to fit into. She can't slip out without him noticing.
When the door closes behind her, Aaron walks to where the punching bag is set up, putting down the medical kit along the way.
He kicks as hard as he can, does it again when the bag comes swinging back but the armor means it don't hurt and fuck! Gwen is hurt and refusing help and all of it is his own damn fault!
He looks around for something he can afford to break, needing to rage. Then his eyes land on Miles.
Miles jumps back and almost knocks over a spotlight, startled and scared. He's scared of him.
No. Miles is scared of the Prowler.
For a moment, plans on how to keep his nephew in the dark run through his mind. Then real thought takes over.
He can't keep Miles in the dark. Not when the Black Queen is out for his head.
Aaron takes a deep breath and catches the still swinging punching bag. Having that thing move won't set the right mood. Then Aaron loosens his shoulders, puts on a stance that's calm and inviting, before he turns off his visor and takes off his mask.
Miles gapes.
"Uncle Aaron?"
"Hey, Miles," Aaron says with a faint smile, warm and comforting and no different from usual.
For a long ass moment, Miles stays shocked. Then it makes way for desperate relief.
Miles runs to him and Aaron is there to catch him with a hug. Part of him notes Miles ain't too strong this time, wasn't too fast either, but most of him can only hold his nephew close, all the fear he'd been keeping a lid on now bursting free. Miles is here, he's fine, he's too tall and he's safe.
But is he fine for real?
"You okay, man?" he asks, moving his hands over head, neck, spine, ribs. Feeling for wounds. Yeah, he'd been keeping a close eye on Miles during their escape, on the lookout for any sign of damage. But while Miles looking and moving alright was enough to keep it together then, now that they're safe, the need to give his nephew a real check takes over.
To his relief, there's no flinching or pulling away. Sure, Miles is breathing hard and shaking some, but it's caused by a release of tension, not pain.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
Aaron closes his eyes, damn near dizzy. Miles is fine. Miles is safe.
Miles has got a lot of explaining to do.
"Uncle Aaron, what's going on?"
Something close to humor rises. He'd almost forgotten Miles ain't the only one who's gotta come clean.
Taking a deep breath, Aaron meets his nephew's gaze and, calm and steady, he explains what's going on.
"I'm the Prowler." Something that should be obvious, what with the armor and cape he still got on. But the shock Miles shows tells him he made the right call in saying it out loud.
"How?" Miles asks, not embarrassed by the crack in his voice only cause he's got bigger things to worry about. Like his uncle being a supervillain.
Damn, it sounds bad when put like that.
"It's my job, man," Aaron says with a smile, acting like it's all good and showing enough tension for it to read to read more real than false. Not fair to Miles, his nephew ain't old enough yet to spot when he's being played. But the thought of being blunt about this, of telling it to Miles straight and seeing the betrayal...
"Being the Prowler is your job," Miles says just like Jeff does when he can't believe something is happening for real. It makes real humor rise but that fades when Miles shakes his head, shock making way for confusion. For denial. For a real understanding of what his job means.
"But the Prowler... he's not a good guy."
And you are.
Yeah, that one hurts.
"Everyone's got secrets, Miles," he says softly.
The way Miles keeps looking at him, the loss of faith he can see happening, breaks him fast.
"But I'm out now. No more Prowler." And ain't it funny how easy it is to say that and mean it? All these years of telling himself he'd never be able to give up the rush, and all it takes is one look from his nephew to prove him a liar. If he'd done this even half a year ago, he wouldn't be in this mess.
If he'd done this half a year ago, he wouldn't have lost Gwen.
She's still not moving. He kept the wall to the bathroom thin on purpose, if she were moving, he'd hear. But there's nothing. If that don't change soon, he's gonna need to check on her.
Miles frowns, loss of faith making way for a new round of confusion. It's a huge relief.
"Just like that?" Miles asks. Aaron nods.
"Just like that." Though he'll have to kill Vanessa first. Tombstone and some others too loyal for their own good too. Miles won't be safe till they're dead. But after that, he's done. No more hits, he'll stick to robbing rich assholes, doing the whole Robin Hood thing. Will give him the rush he needs without losing his nephew's respect.
He really should have done this sooner. Should have done this for Gwen.
Miles relaxes. Aaron's got no words for how that makes him feel. Miles still trusts him.
He don't deserve that trust. Only reason Miles is willing to forgive him is cause he hasn't given the Prowler thing real thought yet. Hasn't thought of the blood staining his uncle's hands.
If Aaron has his way, Miles ain't gonna be thinking of that for a long while yet. Which means it's time to change the subject.
Aaron puts a hand on his nephew's shoulder and guides him to the couch.
"Come on, let's grab a seat so we can talk."
But not, Aaron realizes way too late, on the couch. Gwen's blood is on it. Will need to clean that up.
Aaron turns Miles around so they're walking to the kitchen table, acting like that was his plan all along.
He's damn glad Miles follows with ease. Even better, Miles ain't thinking of anything he'd rather not. The excitement his nephew is showing makes that clear.
Water starts running in the bathroom. Can hear cabinets being opened too. Thank fuck.
"So this is like your lair?" Miles asks. Aaron feels a real smile grow. The topic might be dangerous but that don't change how cute his nephew is.
"You could say that."
"That's so dope."
Only cause Miles hasn't given real thought to why he'd need a place like this.
They take a seat. Miles pulls up a leg and wraps an arm around it, before putting it down and tapping the table. Lingering nerves from the action he went through. The sight reminds him Miles needs to eat. He burned through a lot of energy tonight.
"You hungry?" he asks while getting up.
"Starving."
No surprise there. Now that Aaron's been reminded of it himself, his stomach is making itself known too.
Aaron grabs some of the better canned goods. Pasta. Carbs are what they need now. Spicy, cause Miles likes it that way.
Aaron keeps his voice light.
"So how about you tell me how you ended up in that place?"
Miles freezes before he does a bad job at being casual.
"Oh, you know, was in the neighborhood. Thought I'd check out the sights."
Normally Aaron would play along but this is no joking matter. He gives Miles a look that tells his nephew just that.
Miles loses the act, slumping down. His eyes dart to him before settling on the hand still tapping the table.
"...You remember when we went painting?"
Ain't nothing that could make him forget. Every time is a treasure he hoards close.
Miles means the painting they did yesterday. Funny how that feels like a lifetime ago.
"I remember," he says, gentle and with no push. Will make Miles feel more at ease. Same for continuing to prep their food.
Miles shoves his hands into his jacket, still finding it hard to look at him.
"When we left, I got bitten by a spider. I don't think it was a normal one."
The pieces drop into place. The speed, the strength, the three inches Miles has somehow shot up in a single day.
Aaron realizes he's frozen in a stare when Miles gives him an uncertain look. Gotta put him at ease.
Aaron shakes his head and lets out a low whistle.
"That's gotta been tough, man."
Miles lets out a soul deep sigh. Picked the right approach.
"You've got no idea."
Aaron listens with shock and growing fear as Miles talks about shrunk pants and too loud thoughts and hands that wouldn't stop sticking. He's grateful he's got to heat their meal. Lets him move around instead of staring at Miles like a dumbass.
"I tried calling but you didn't pick up."
Fuck.
"So you went back to the tunnels?" he asks while stirring the pot he dropped the sauce into. Keep it together, get all the info.
Miles tried to call him. And he didn't pick up. His nephew needed him and he wasn't there.
"Yeah, I just... it's stupid but I wanted to see the spider was normal, you know?"
Miles don't need him to say it wasn't stupid at all before launching into the next part of what's a nightmare come to life. For real, he dreamed something damn close to this after finding out about Gwen.
"But it wasn't, it did this weird glitching thing, and then my head went crazy and next thing I know, I'm stuck in a fight between Spider-Woman and the Green Goblin! Man, that guy is huge."
Was huge. Goblin's dead now.
Don't tell Miles that. And don't freak out over Miles getting caught up in a battle between supers. Don't matter how easy his nephew could have been killed, he survived and he's safe now.
"It was insane, I thought I was gonna die!"
Aaron somehow manages to grab juice and glasses instead of punching something. He's grateful Miles is so caught up in his tale, hands moving around as he talks. Would have noticed how big an act Aaron is putting on otherwise.
"But then Spider-Woman caught me!"
Aaron's never been more grateful for Spider-Woman's soft heart. Gwen's soft heart.
The water in the bathroom is still running. She using the bath?
"It was amazing, she caught me like it was nothing and then we went like this."
Miles uses both arms to mimic how badass the swing was and gives him an excited grin. Aaron smiles back on habit and hopes Miles is too distracted to notice how fake it is.
Miles ain't too distracted. Aaron changes that by putting a bowl of pasta in front of him and encouraging his nephew to keep getting it all off his chest.
"Then what happened?" he asks like he ain't freaking out inside. Miles gives him a searching look but soon concludes the show is real. Or he's willing to play along at least. Probably the latter. Kid's getting older.
He could have stopped getting older today. Could have died so many times.
Miles fiddles with his fork, a frown growing. Having trouble finding the right words. Aaron grabs his own bowl and sits down. He drinks some juice but don't eat yet. Too much risk of throwing up if his nephew drops another bombshell.
"It was... I mean, she told me I shouldn't be there, but then..."
Don't push. Let him find the words on his own.
"It was weird. My head went crazy again, but it was different. Like..."
Miles makes a face and wiggles a hand next to his head. Aaron has just figured out why Miles is having so much trouble with this when his nephew keeps going.
"And I knew. She's like me."
Aaron has to close his eyes, his grip on the glass too tight. He'd figured it out already but hearing it out loud makes it more real. It's even worse cause it came with a reminder that Spider-Woman's powers ain't limited to physical, she's a psychic too. And now, so is Miles.
Jeff is gonna get a major headache.
Rubbing a hand over his head, Aaron gets up and goes to grab a painkiller. Both cause he needs to move and cause he's gonna need it to keep his own headache at bay. Or keep it from growing too bad at least.
"You okay, uncle Aaron?"
No he ain't.
"Yeah, man, I'm good," he says in a comforting way. He keeps his back to Miles though. No way his face can sell the act right now. "Just need a minute to process." Need at least a week. And he needs that cause his nephew is a super. No small fry either, oh no, Miles is one of the big guns. How the hell is he gonna deal with that?
A worry for later. Solve the more pressing problems first.
The main problem is Vanessa. But that ain't something he can solve today either, need a good night's rest before tackling that mess. So, before going to sleep, what's gotta get done?
Aaron makes a list, orders it and gets to work. Easier to keep it together when he's got a plan to follow.
Returning to Miles, he tells his nephew to eat up and sets a good example by doing just that. Miles is hesitant at first, but it only takes one bite for him to start scarfing down the entire thing. Aaron pops the painkiller without Miles noticing.
Miles finishes before him. Aaron starts thinking of ways to steer the conversation to safe waters.
Disgust hits hard. His nephew is the only one he ain't ever played, not for his own ends that is, yet it only takes one bad break for that to change? Fuck, but he's a bastard.
To his relief, Miles is oblivious to his thoughts. Too busy trying to get his game on. There's something his nephew wants known, and he wants it bad.
"So what's up with you and Spider-Woman?"
Aaron hesitates. He's got no desire to talk about him and Gwen. But this ain't about what he wants. Miles comes first.
It still takes a lot of work to get the words out.
"We used to date."
"Wait, what?"
Any other time, Aaron would have been amused. As it is, it's a struggle to keep looking even somewhat relaxed.
The water in the bathroom has stopped running.
"You and Spider-Woman used to date?"
Miles delivers the question like saying it out loud will get the words to make sense. When it don't, his nephew's hands come up to help with the next attempt.
"Spider-Woman and you dated? You went on dates with Spider-Woman?"
"It was casual."
The lie is out before he can help it.
Miles calls bullshit.
"Seriously, uncle Aaron?"
Aaron bites back another reflexive lie. Gotta stay honest. Miles deserves that.
Miles ain't making it easy.
"That didn't look casual to me."
And just how many girls has your scrawny ass been with?
Aaron rubs a hand over his head, drinks the last of his juice and gets up. Gwen needs food too. Though he's gonna need to be careful in what he offers. If he makes her something nice, there's too much risk of having it thrown at his head.
Shakes will be best. Will deliver the nutrients the fastest. And the shit taste will work in his favour here. He hopes.
"It's complicated," he tells Miles while grabbing what he needs.
"Cause you didn't know she was Spider-Woman?"
Cause he's a selfish bastard.
"Something like that," Aaron says before moving to another cabinet. It's got Gwen's favorite candy, and for some dumbass reason, him having stashed her favourites in his safe house hits hard.
"That's gotta be tough, man."
Nice throw back. No joke, that was smooth.
"Wasn't fun, I'll tell you that much," he says and keeps Miles from prying some more by putting all the goods in front of him and pointing at them. "Sport water. Full of vitamins and shit. Protein shakes. Tastes like crap but it's got all you need to heal. Salted caramel. Will get rid of the taste." Here's to hoping Gwen won't throw out that last. The water and shakes she should accept though. Spider-Woman is practical like that.
"Am I supposed to drink all that?" Miles asks, distracted as intended.
Ah hell. Here he goes again, playing his nephew. Gotta do better. But for now, Aaron keeps going. They're on a schedule here.
"You're supposed to give it to Spider-Woman." Gwen won't accept it from him.
"Me? Why not you?"
Miles realizes how dumb a question that is all on his own. Aaron gives him a smile more real than not.
"Hang on, she needs clothes too," he says and walks the closet, glad to have an excuse to move. After grabbing hoodie, boxers and sweatpants, he grabs a thermal blanket, before deciding to go for some pillows as well. Most likely, Gwen is gonna stay inside the bathroom till she feels fit enough to sneak out.
He'll offer three pillows. Enough to keep her leg lifted but not enough to keep comfortable. With any luck, she'll be offended by that and get Miles to get her more stuff. Wish he could offer a bedroll without tricks but then she'd definitely throw it out. The clothes and pillows are a big enough risk as it is. For once, Gwen's contrary streak is working against him.
Miles gathers the bottles and candy and follows after him, shifting in place as Aaron digs out too few pillows. Aaron really hopes Gwen is gonna be pretty about this.
"What do I say to her?"
"Say you don't want her to bleed out." Will make Gwen feel like she's gotta show she's fine, meaning she's gonna give her injuries real thought and care. It's a precaution, Spider-Woman hasn't lived as long as she has by being stupid. But better safe than sorry.
"She could bleed out?"
The real fear draws all of his concern. Then Aaron realizes just how bad a response that was.
"Figure of speech, man," he says with a smile. He's glad it succeeds in calming down Miles. Now, stop acting like a dumbass and get back in the game.
They're near enough to the bathroom for Gwen to pick up on their talk. Gotta be careful with what he says.
"But she's hurt pretty bad," Aaron continues smoothly. "Would be a good idea to check on her."
"She's going to be fine though, right? I mean, she's Spider-Woman."
"Course she is," Aaron says like he's got no doubt 'bout that. "She's gotten through way worse than this."
She hasn't. This is one lie he don't mind telling Miles though. And if Gwen is listening in, this is gonna land better than a guilt trip.
It's still gonna land bad.
Balancing clothes and bedding, Aaron gently bumps his hips against his nephew's side and softens his voice. Miles will think he's doing it for him, and while that ain't wrong, Aaron is hoping it will keep Gwen from overhearing too.
"Just ask her if she's alright, and tell her you've got some stuff that will help. That's all you gotta say."
"Ask if she's alright and tell her I've got stuff to help," Miles repeats to himself, nervous in that cute as shit way of his. Then his nephew clears his throat and tries to be smooth. "Right, I can do that. Just walk up to Spider-Woman and say that. No problem, I got this, man."
Aaron feels a real smile grow. Miles is gonna mess up for sure.
Gwen will find it cute. He hopes.
"Do I call her Gwen?" Miles asks, and hearing Gwen's name come from his nephew raises a whole new ache. Makes it hit home just how much he wants Miles and Gwen to get along.
"Not unless she says you can," Aaron says, showing no sign of the thoughts running through his head. Then he hesitates. Given how pissed Gwen is, there's a good chance she's gonna talk shit about him. He wouldn't mind that with anyone else, but with Miles...
Aaron kneels down and puts down the bedding so he can place a hand on his nephew's shoulder.
Miles looks at him with a trust he's desperate not to lose.
"She might say some bad stuff about me." All of it true. "But Miles, you gotta know. There ain't nothing that could make me hurt you."
Miles frowns.
"Yeah, I know," he says like Aaron is a dumbass for needing to spell that out. The relief hits hard.
It lessens as his nephew's eyes dart down his suit and his confusion makes way for awkward understanding. Aaron gets things back on track by squeezing his shoulder, before handing over the bedding for Miles to carry.
Miles struggles to keep everything balanced, meaning his nephew's got no room left to think about his uncle being a supervillain.
Shit, he did it again. This is gonna grate fast.
"Ready?" Aaron asks. Miles nods, doing his best to look like a man and not a boy in way over his head. Aaron acts like Miles is nailing it and gestures at him to get going.
Miles walks to the bathroom. Aaron moves so he'll be out of Gwen's line of sight when she opens the door. Things will go smoother that way.
Miles shifts in place and glances at him. Nervous and looking for encouragement. Aaron smiles and leans against the wall, looking like he's got no doubt over his nephew's ability to pull this off. Ain't an act, he knows Miles can do this. Won't go as smooth as his nephew is hoping for though.
The confidence boost makes Miles straighten his back. He clears his throat.
"Spider-Woman? It's Miles. Uhm, the kid from the collider?"
Miles closes his eyes with a wince. Embarrassed at calling himself a kid. He shakes it off pretty well though.
"Are you alright? I've got some stuff to help."
It's hella cute how pleased Miles is with getting it right. But his nephew's nerves return when the door stays closed. Gwen don't speak either. No sounds of her moving around too. Aaron keeps a lid on the fear trying to take over.
Did she pass out? Does she need real surgery? Did she somehow manage to slip out?
If she don't respond soon, he's gonna check the bathroom cameras.
"Spider-Woman?" Miles asks, worried.
There's a shuffling sound and then the door opens. Takes a lot of effort not to sigh with relief. Too much risk of Gwen hearing.
He wishes he could see her. And is glad he can't at the same time, cause seeing her broken and battered would derail him all over again. Can't afford that now.
Miles gives him a last look before going inside.
The moment the door closes behind him, Aaron drops the act, slumping hard and bringing up his hands to sigh into. What a fucking mess.
He's about to make things even harder on himself. Not looking forward to that. Gotta do it though.
After allowing himself a few more moments to freak, Aaron pulls it together.
He's got a call to make.