- (George Stacy)

As I opened my daughter's door to let her know there was leftover food in the fridge, I noticed that she had a friend(?) over. But last time I checked… My daughter didn't have any friends. And this friend in particular… Was a boy. How did he get in here without me hearing him for starters.

And no offense to my daughter, but I didn't think she had any other friends! So, who was this boy? Was he dangerous and she didn't wanna introduce me to him? No… My daughter knows she could come to me with stuff like that. I think… And what even is there he could have. Probably nothing and I'm just being paranoid…

They were doing something… Something they shouldn't have been doing. They're trying to play it off, but they're both too still and calm for them to have been conversating before I opened this door… What were they doing?!

- (Gwen Stacy)

Okay, so I was just relaxing, and chilling and what not, then I heard someone call out to me. And at the time I didn't notice that it was freaking Miles, but I found out! Have I mentioned just how nice it is to see him again? He really grew up from a little pipsqueak.

Not something you'll catch me complaining about. I was pleasantly surprised. It was so nice to talk to him again. Someone I can be my full self around. I can tell him about my Spider-Woman stuff and also my life as Gwen. But back to the questions… How did he even get here?

He just came through the ceiling! All nonchalant as if it was normal. Then he hugged me, and… I kinda just lost my entire train of thought.

…

God, I'm so awkward! I just blurted it out without thinking! And that was such a stupid question! Of course, he's still thinking about his freaking uncle! What kinda question was that Gwen!... It made me feel sad for him feeling how he was feeling.

But I also knew how that felt. I was gonna compare the two or make it a competition which hurt more, my loss of peter or his loss of his uncle, comparing the two is plain stupid. It downplays one person's feelings which isn't cool at all. Sorry, I'm totally trauma dumping and complaining a lot now aren't I?

I'm also thinking and pretty much holding a conversation with myself… Get a grip Gwen.

…

I totally forgot my dad was home. I honestly blame Miles for distracting me…. Wait… I never told my dad about Miles did I? Oh boy…

- (Miles Morales)

Shoot. Shoot. Shoot. He didn't see anything, right? That's her dad? He's… Not what I expected when she said he was a cop. Wait… Does he know me? I mean, I told my family about Gwen, but… That doesn't mean she's told her dad about me.

Was there really anything to see though? I mean, it was just an innocent little hug between… friends. Yeah, let's go with that. Did I mention that Gwen looks the same, but… Doesn't look the same at the same time. It doesn't make sense. Either she got more beautiful or…

Or nothing, really. Yeah, I can't think of anything. She looks nice out of her Spider-Suit.

…

Wait, not like that you weirdos. Get ya head out of the gutter! I just meant she dresses nicely as a civilian. Don't make it weird!

- (Back to narration)

George looked at the two, suspicion written all over his face. "Who are you?"

"I'm—" Miles went to introduce himself, but Gwen quickly spoke up and talked over him.

"Dad! This is Miles Morales. My… friend."

"Miles, huh?" He walked over to the two and extended his hand. "I'm George Stacy, her father."

Miles would stand up and smile at George and shake his hand with a firm grip while looking him directly in the eyes. Or at least that's how his father taught him. He always told him to never shake someone's hand while sitting down. "Nice to meet you, sir."

George tried not to show how he was feeling. He couldn't hate the kid because he admired the respect, but this could also be a front and maybe he still is dangerous. "Nice to meet you too, kid."

A moment of silence passed before Gwen cleared her throat and spoke up. "So, dad… What did you want?"

"I came in here to tell you that food was ready if you wanted to eat."

"Oh, um… I'll go eat then."

"Great." George would start walking for the door and as he grabbed the doorknob he stopped to say something. "And, uh… Your boyfriend can eat with us too."

"I—" Gwen went to speak but didn't really know what she'd say to that. Maybe deny it?

"There's no reason to just send him home or somethin'…" George muttered to himself, as he closed the door behind him.

As the door closed, Gwen and Miles exhaled a sigh of relief. But the door immediately opened again. "And no kissing in here! I got my eye on you two! I don't know what you were doin' before I got in here, but… I don't wanna know or see it! No PDA in my house!" He spoke, waving his finger back and forth between the pair. "Got that?"

"Yes, sir."

"Yeah, dad…"

"Good… I'll be watching you." He pointed at his eyes and pointed to Miles' eyes. Then he shut the door behind him. For real this time.

Miles would sigh and fall back down into Gwen's bed.

"That was so embarrassing…!" Gwen said, covering her face with her hands. If you couldn't tell by what she said, she's embarrassed.

"Really? What was embarrassing about it?" Miles chuckled, sitting back up.

"He almost walked in on us..!"

Miles smirked, looking at her. "Walked in on us, doin' what? Hugging? People hug all the time, Gwen."

"Well, yeah. I know that! But like… C'mon Miles, you know what I'm trying to say here!"

"I do. It's just funny seein' you be all embarrassed about the little things." Miles chuckled and stood up.

"Well, it's not fun for me. I hate being embarrassed." She sighed and looked up at Miles.

"No one likes being embarrassed, I don't think."

Gwen nodded. "Yeah." Then she stood up and stretched her back.

"Hey, guys! The food is getting colder by the second!" George called out to them, making sure he was heard even through the wall. Subtly, but also not-so subtly letting them know to hurry up and also reminding them… No kissing.

…

"So… Miles." George spoke up, looking at Miles from across the table.

"Yes, sir?" Miles looked at him, wondering what he was about to ask as he took a bite of his pizza that George made from scratch apparently.

"Do you have any plans for the future? Y'know after you get outta high school and what not."

"Well…" Miles swallowed the food he had in his mouth. "I originally planned to go to Princeton University, but… I'm only a sophomore, so my plans could still change later down the road."

George nodded to himself.

"What about you? What were your plans? Did you always wanna be a cop?"

George nodded again. "Yep. Always knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. Straight outta high school, I aimed for the stars. Even though my shot course was a little bit off, due to me meeting my wonderful wife. And we eventually ended up having Gwen. But yeah. My goal was always the same, be a good cop. I knew if I didn't put my badge on, that someone who shouldn't, will."

"That is…. Really noble of you, sir."

"I do my best." George said, before looking back and forth between Miles and Gwen. "So, how'd you two meet?"

Miles took a bite of his pizza, and looked at Gwen, letting her come up with the lies this time. "We met at Visions Academy."

"Okay. I expected worse."

Gwen cocked an eyebrow at her father's statement. "Where did you think we met at?"

"I dunno, I was thinking out loud. Maybe the subway or something."

"Oh, well… Definitely not. That'd be cliché. We share the same first period together and that's it."

"Mhm. And how long have you known each other?"

"Oh, not long." Miles and Gwen both said at the same time.

George's eyebrows were raised in curiosity, now that they had the exact same answer. "And how long exactly is 'not long'?" He asked.

"Oh, y'know dad, like…. A year…" She muttered under her breath.

Not sure he heard that correctly, George blinked a few times. "I'm sorry? Did you say a year?"

Miles was nodding as Gwen spoke. "Yep. A year."

"A whole year…?" He said to himself, in confusion. "I dunno, if I should be impressed or disappointed I didn't find out sooner."

"Whichever you feel will suffice right now…" Miles trailed off.

"I'll just go with impressed for now. But I have more questions for you, Miles."

"Well, fire away, sir."

"What's your family like?"

"My Mom is a nurse. And my Dad was a police officer as well, but he's taking a break right now."

"Mhm. What is something you're passionate about?"

'Is this a job interview?' Miles thought after hearing the question.

"I like art. Been drawing since I was really young."

"Okay. And what are your intentions with my daughter?" He asked, with a dead serious look on his face.

"Dad!" Gwen shouted in embarrassment, not wanting to hear his answer, even though they both knew the real answer deep down. Those were not words she was quite ready to hear be elicited from him like this.

"I have no harmful intentions with your daughter, sir."

"Mm. Don't break my daughter's heart. As a police officer and a father, I would never threaten you with anything, even jokingly. Just don't hurt my daughter in any way, shape, or form. Got it?"

"Yeah, I got you, sir. Heard you loud and clear."

"Good. I'm gonna go to the bathroom." George would stand up and started heading to the bathroom but quickly turned around to face them. "No funny business while I'm gone. You may have my blessings, but… No funny business." He then disappeared into the bathroom.

Miles waited for the door to shut and allowed his shoulders to relax and drop as he relaxed in his chair. "Whoo!"

Gwen would place a hand on Miles' leg reassuringly, but also to grab his attention. "I'm sorry about my dad, he's just protective. You know how dad's get."

"You don't need to apologize, Gwen. I'm a smart boy, y'know." He smirked. "I am in Visions Academy too."

Gwen smiled and chuckled. "Yeah, you are."

"I can understand the protectiveness from your dad though. I mean, I have never seen a father not terrorize the boy his daughter was talking to."

"He's just making sure that no one's gonna hurt me. He'd do the same to any boy I talked to. Well, besides Peter because we were neighbors and friends. He trusted Peter because he could tell Peter wasn't harmful. Wanna know why? Because Peter was maybe just a little bit, ever-so slightly a nerd." She said with a soft smile, getting more light-hearted at the end to lighten the mood.

"Yeah, I know." Hesitating for a moment, under the table, Miles' hand would find Gwen's hand on his leg. He looked her dead in the eyes, and she looked him in his eyes as well. "You know I'd never hurt you, right?"

Both of their heartbeats started to quicken in their chest, undeniable feelings, her feelings hidden behind walls that were put up so she could keep herself safe. And his feelings out in the open, sometimes too often making him feel like a fool at times. He knows she's there. He knows she feels this as well.

She knows this as well, but she can't help but wonder if he won't like how awkward she is at times. He said it's cute, but cute sounds like pity. She doesn't wanna be pitied.

And the tension that had built up came crashing down when the loud noise of a flushing toilet made them both avert their eyes briefly, both withdrawing their hands.

George came out of the bathroom in a rush. He grabbed his jacket off the back of a chair and grabbed his uniform too. "Uh. There's something happening and I've been called in. You two kids stay safe, alright? I'll be right back!" He then shut the door behind him. Not leaving any room for a response to be said.

Gwen would hop up from her chair, and quickly head over to her room and reach into the back of a penguin plushie to turn on the police radio she had hidden in there.

Miles would rub his face and then hop up out of his chair taking the last bite from his pizza and pulling his mask out of his pocket as he chewed the last slice. He saw the crime notification.

Gwen stepped into the doorway of her room already suited up besides her hood still being down. "Doc Ock and Vulture causing trouble—Oh, you're already masked up."

Miles nodded, taking off the jacket and clothes he was wearing on top of his suit. "Yep."

"Cool… Cool… By the way, uh…. I do know, Miles."

Miles smiled a little under his mask. "Good."

"I just… Might need a little bit longer."

"That's all good." He walked past her and to the window in her room and stepped out onto the fire escape.

Gwen nodded and smiled to herself, glad that all went well.

"You coming?" Miles said, peaking his head back in the window.

Gwen pulled up her hood before stepping out the window onto the fire escape with him. "Ready to save the day again?" She asked, her fist raised for a fist bump.

"Yeah. Let's go. I'll tell you why I'm here afterward." He bumped her first with his then web zipped off, making her have to chase after him.