'Man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it.' — George A. Moore
Miguel's private apartment.
View of the city line was breathtaking as soon as you entered the front door. Had an entrance hall and hallway combo with a coat closet. Walked right into the open floor plan that made up the complete living space. All in one area where a lounge and dining room were beside a chef's kitchen. An entrance to a wrap-around balcony that led to a master bedroom. Were filled with basics of furniture that had an industrial appeal to it. Metal and so blah looking material that was used as the upholstered. Went side by side with the retro light fixtures located throughout the area.
Currently occupied by Dr. Web, he was checking in on Miguel after he had him relocated here to recovery. A handful of spider people were lucky to have survived a mission, where an explosion took place. Miguel got away with injuries to the back area of his body from his neck to lower waist. Despite being able to self regenerate the smaller and swallow wounds. Deeper ones and almost second degree burns mixed in were taking longer to mend. Treatment for them was basic first aid and surgical stench work after sterile clean up.
"Your kid has a natural touch," LAYLA took a picture, "I think we should register her as an emotional support person."
"She once asked me about a job as a nurse or a professional caregiver," Dr. Web already knew, "Pastelito?"
He got a simple wave from his daughter from her position on Miguel's bed. One where she was sitting beside a slumbering Miguel with light from the screen of her tablet. Trying to move too much after being a calming presence to get him to calm down. Which worked to the point he was now sleeping soundly facing her.
"You can create a construct to help in times like this?" Dr. Web asked LAYLA.
"A challenge," LAYLA hinted, "A girl can try."
"Good," Dr. Web gestured to his daughter, "Pastelito. Ven aquí."
"Adiós por ahora." Gabriella gently left the bed.
She was careful in running to her father's side so as to not disturb the slumbering person. Slipping her tablet back into her messenger bag as she greeted LAYLA.
"I already wrote a program you can run using his daughter's likeness," Gabriella explained to LAYLA, "You got somewhere we can review it?"
"Following the laser webbing," LAYLA created a path, "Later doc."
Dr. Web saw his daughter off reminding her to call her grandma before lunch. She might get a little star struck by the MANY faces of Spider Society. Unlike times with his ex when she had to spend court appointment time. Those were times for his daughter who was starting to not look forward too.
"Now," He felt hopeless, "What am I going to do with you?"
Off came his white coat when he walked toward the occupied bed in a rather disappointed manner. Leaning up against the nightstand with his coat folded within his arms and a sigh. Looking down at a face that wore an expression he rarely saw. Bouts of frustration or disappointment toward the outcome of a mission. Displays of anger when anomalies weren't caught besides rare smiles he wore in secret. Were all replaced by one of serene Dr. Web needed to ask LAYLA to capture it. Knowing this was going to be a long night for him until Miguel showed signs consciousness. Along with how he had LAYLA keep him up to date on everyone else with certain thankful about undesignated helpers that came flooding in when front door was opened.
"Anybody in?" Peter B called when he walked in.
"In here," Dr. Web hadn't moved, "Please may sure you don't have May with you."
"Got a sitter and wanted to take over watching our sleeping beauty," Peter B thought Dr. Web needed the break, "A few of us thought you don't need to break after what your pulled."
"You know…" He was cut off by Peter B nodding his head.
Out the door he was pushed by Peter B into a forced form of break without being given a chance to speak. Ready to say something if it wasn't for another reminder in the form of noises from living room. Strum of a electric guitar being tuned with familiar giggles of a besides other rustling sounds. Put a smile on his face when he got a usual greeting from a teenage faces when he walked pass.
"We'll make sure to adhere to your rules," Pavitr gave him a thumbs up, "Right everyone?"
Gwen had to elbow Hobie in order to get him agree as she handed May off to Miles to hold her for a while. When Dr. Web asking Miles how everything was going since he informed his parents about being a vigilante hero. Reminding him that he was open to make an appearance and speak with them. Got him a moment of quiet when Miles needed more then a minute to answer. Where a slow head nod when he was told where he was told he could find the doctor.
8*8
Miguel hadn't heard from Dr. Web for what seemed to be a month after they got what would be their first fight a few days after he recovered. Started out with simple comments about a new program for LAYLA to run and the person who created her; besides taking a trip together. Turned into someone not wanting to tell how an ex- lover created LAYLA or his burden about protecting the multiverse. Become a loud yelling match that everyone outside and under Miguel's platform could hear. They went their separate ways with nobody resolving anything, or making weeks afterward.
Left a strange quiet to settle in that Peter B couldn't fill when he dropped in with his daughter to check in. Just each time Miguel wasn't his usual self when May crawled around and Peter talked. He just moved and nodded his head with his eyes on the MANY holo screens before them. His eyes searched for some hint of someone else he liked having around beside Peter B. Usually they bother him about his sleeping patterns or ingesting food beside coffee. Bringing up when news about his daughter's latest robot battle competitions. and when he can attend one. Oddly missed by Miguel when felt little hands on his person.
8*8
"LAYLA," Odd advance of Dr. Web was bothersome,"Where is Marsh?"
"He went home early after being encouraged to go," She showed a video of him talking with Peter B, "Does someone miss playing doctor?"
When he used to be an excuse he was going out to the apartment complex on 43rd Street and 11th Avenue. 3D was the apartment he was once told where Dr. Web called home. Wasn't on the door that he knocked when he landed on the side and searched for faces.
"Papá!" He heard Gabriella's voice and moved by instinct to the source.
What he found was an opened window to the living room he climbed through. Where he saw Gabriella be escorted out the door by casually dressed Marsh. He would have stepped closer if it wasn't for someone clearing their throat. Toward a elderly woman making herself a cup of tea he turned. She didn't seem threatened by his sudden appearance when he came through the window.
"You're a better choice then that Zarina, " This seemed to be addressing Miguel, "Don't be too loud since my shows are on soon and take out menus are next to the phone."
She then held up her hand, not ready to hear what Miguel had to say with her attention on her tea strainer. She gently tapped on the side of her cup as her son was heard closing and securing the door. Placed on the side of the sink pushing a plate of her homemade empanadas toward Miguel.
"Passion fruit and pumpkin," She informed him, "I baked with help from my granddaughter."
"Gracias," Miguel accepted her offer, "Que nieta tan talentosa tienes."
"Welcome ," She watched him remove his mask, "I want Gabriela to be a well rounded person."
"You have done a wonderful job." Miguel had to compliment her attempts.
Their chat came to an end when footsteps heading their way had Miguel's hostess going quiet all the sudden.
"Mamá!" Marsh called to her, "Want me to get you anything from the market? I may go out…."
He wasn't very surprised to see his mother sharing her freshly made empanadas with someone that still upset him. Not like he could do much since she would just object or ignore him. He took a calming breath knowing his mother had an excuse at the ready for allowing Migeul to stay.
"I had to come investigate your absence," Miguel felt he had to say, "LAYLA helped me find that you lived with your Mamá so I could come search for you. I crossed paths with this lovely woman upon entering when I saw the opened window."
"Reminds me of your short lived hero days," Elderly women spoke of their son's past, "I think I still have your suit somewhere."
"Mamá?" Marsh leered at her, "Really?"
Marsh face palmed himself when his mother asked Miguel if he wanted to see her scrapbook of articles and photos. Bragging how she saved every cutout from a newspaper on acid free pages. Going on about the careful cutting and pasting she had put into each bit of news. Going on about how she had planned to show him whenever her son brought him over. Not caring about the disagreement her son and him had when she side glanced at Marsh.
"Your father and I had pointless spats," She picked up a teaspoon, "We always made up over tea and my Oreja more than once. Heck! You were the outcome of a pretty fiery apology."
"Your point?" Marsh asked her.
"Gabriella likes him. I like him," She uncapped the sugar, "Talk things out and clear a few things up."
Into her tea the sugar was stirred before she excused herself from the kitchen pointing out her tunes were on. Suggesting they get started on more grandchildren for her since Gabriella needs a brother.
"Mamá!" Marsh shouted at her, "Lo siento, tenías que escuchar eso."
"Ningún problema," Miguel removed his mask, "I am sensitive about LAYLA… since she was created by an ex and got worried her new program would affect her."
"Then you can test it," Marsh was willing to show him, "Pastelito already wrote half of it."
"What is it?" Migeul asked, wondering.
"Coping mechanism for you," Dr. Web hinted at it, "For when we can't sedate a wounded you or help you manage your pain after a mission."
He would have gone on, if it wasn't for Miguel closing the gap between them and reaching out. Into the air Dr. Web was lifted just enough he would never break eye contact they made. Tension that once existed had vanished, Dr. Web reached out as far as he reached out to Miguel's face. Where the tips of his fingers were welcomed against clammy, cold skin.
"When was the last time you slept?" Dr. Web noticed
"Are you left… " Miguel's hold on him tightened, "I couldn't sleep without …."
"Your bags are worse than mine," Dr. Web didn't like the sight, "Have you been eating properly? Peter's meal plan of donuts and burger combos from the cafeteria don't count."
"Coffee count." Miguel mumbled.
Signs from lack of sleep from drooping eyes and yawning with his fangs being shown started to take effect. Fact their conversation started to become one sided on Miguel's end was a concerning one. Had Dr. Web already made a hard choice while needing to get a hold of LAYLA or Spider Society.
"Come on. I am not taking ANY of your bullshit about needing to stay vigilant. LAYLA's notifications through the watch are enough while Ben and Jess can handle things." Dr. Web was offering his bed to Miguel.
"Me acompañaras?" Miguel asked with his eyes on him, "Por favor mi amor."
"Nosotras veremos." Dr. Web has to lead the way.
To the right of the dining area were the small hallway where the restroom and bedrooms were located. Trying to figure out which door led to which room came with small clues for Miguel to make out. A sign with one with glass knobs was Dr. Web's mom's room, webs and spider stickers was Gabriella's, and the one at the end. Where the door was cracked open to a neatly made room with a parkour trophy shelf. Further opened after Dr. Web had Miguel put him down to shove open the door. Pointing out rust-covered hinges made him put in an effort in entering his own room.
When the door was wide enough for Miguel to walk through with his vanishing strength. Medical related books of all kinds were stacked all around a desk\ bookshelf with a chair. A few about genetics and spiders were mixed in with a frame collection of photos. A few personal touch touches were found here and there. Other pieces of furniture looked like they came from a second hand shop. As a rug under their feet when they step towards the bed. Had Miguel making a mental note as his thought process was slowing down.
"Bed is all yours," Dr. Web pulled back the covers, "I have to take care of a few things before retiring myself."