'There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment.' – Sarah Dessen
Going undercover to find a displaced green goblin in small town reality wasn't an easy one. Since the two that went undercover were Dr. Webb and a magical spider girl, Spinnaną-chan. Sticking to civilian appearances and names for strict security reasons. They had one ally in this small town- like atmosphere upon arrival.
"She is my co- worker," Dr. Webb corrected him, "Not my spouse, girlfriend, or fiancée."
"Just call me Shelob Ito," She introduced herself, "You are?"
This reality version of Dr. Marsh Webb was the newly appointed doctor of his father's practice. He just transferred from the big city after interning and working at private practice. Where he brought his daughter after losing his wife to illness and then burying her.
"Just call me Mars," He pulled out a key, "Let me show you around and help you settle in."
"Gooodie!" Shelob cheered.
She jumped in place rather excited over the tour of the house she was going to stay as his female relative. Skipping through the entrance once the door was open wide enough for them to enter. Just the prying eyes belonging to town's gossips watched the trio. From the side walk on their way to help out with dinner prep at the church that evening. They were chatting between the two of them about the doctor's newest house mates. Stayed with them all when they walked all the way to the church with smiles. Sharing their news about the doctor with the nuns and Father Miguel upon greeting everyone. Bringing up a young woman and man being allowed into his home. Way the girls acted toward him bothered Father Miguel to the point he volunteered to greet them.
"You think she can cook?" One asked the other about the unnamed girl.
"What we pack," Other drew attention to the basket, "She'll be asking for the recipe and advice on how to cook it."
"Ladies." Father Miguel had to remind not to be so judgmental.
They ended up asking Father Miguel about why Mars isn't seen around Church anymore. He points out he attends services every Sunday, when not fulfilling his duty to the community.
"You all know," Father Miguel put on his best smile, "That SUBJECT is between myself, him, and our Lord."
This didn't stop the details from being shared with Mars' visitors when they settled in the living room/ lounge.
"In the parsonage?" Shelob couldn't believe it.
"Right after a conversion I had with him about my confessions to him about being attracted to him," Mars sighed, "We talked about shared fate and how I may now love my wife, but did what was right for her. I need to know I am worthy and he informed me of how he fought his attraction to me. One where he started questioning the teachings was beaten into him. "
"When you two start one sided, make- out turns sexual moment?" Dr. Webb asked them.
"After assuringly we weren't going to hell over a kiss and then started lip locking for five minutes," Mars got up, "He stopped us and spoke about a more private place to show how worthy I am."
He sighed, taking up their plates and silverware not wanting to explain how he was slowly stripped. Honey coated words about how he didn't want to make this uncomfortable for him. How he wanted to show what he came to mean to him with that confident smile.
"I can pretty much fill in the gaps." meant it.
He then leaned forward to tell Shelob the other half the story that made her blush and upset at the same time. She tried not to be too huffy when she pulled away from him just streaming. Crossing her arms while figuring out why a priest would do that and his things ends there.
"Don't," Mars placed the dishes in the kitchen sink, "Let it go as we find what brought you here."
"Sounds fair." looked to Shelob.
She ended up hugging a couch pillow to her chest to try and channel her mood into a crushing hug. Trying her best to not rip the pillow apart out of pure anger she now felt over the story. Which is how she left when Dr. Webb decided to help to do dishes with Mars to talk more privately.
"When that is all over," Dr. Webb offered, "You can come to the society and work in the medical ward. Extra set of hands I can get usually helps things go by more quickly on slow days."
"I will need to think about that." Mars liked that.
Shelob waited until Dr. Webb was done to leave Mars' house with a lantern to go searching the town for displaced green goblin. Trying their best to gain much attention they were spotted by townspeople walking around. Using the excuse they were just on a midnight stroll to clear their head.
"I hear spider cat is a dad," Shelob shared news she heard, "You taking a kitten?"
"Actually I was going to be one of my surprises to Miguel," Dr. Webb informed her, "He's deciding a name."
She excitedly took one of 's arms out of excitement and not paying prying eyes when she shared a list of names. Since a few older women who were returning home saw them. Mistook Dr. Webb for Mars when they saw how close Shelob was with him in the dark.
8*8
Mars stood up from his desk when he noticed the rain beginning to fall outside his lounge's window. Excising himself from his company for a minute to check to see if he closed his windows. Reminding him of that rainy night just weeks ago when he spent time in the church's rectory. Downpour was so bad that he got soaked and couldn't get back home. Left him in Father Migeul's company and tension between them evolved into one of understanding and romance. A memory he played like a black- n- white film film between two budding lovers. Ended when a knock on his front door sent him to answer who ever it was. There Father Miguel stood with a welcomed basket hanging from one of his arms. Wanting to inform Mars of a fiend called himself Green Goblin and riding around town.
"Seems someone has cut the phone lines," Father Miguel spoke of damage to the town's telecommunication wires, "They're down and getting a hold of the company is getting quite difficult."
"Doesn't explain the food?" Mars asked.
"Our parish's way of welcoming your guests," He explained, "Thought I delivered it myself."
"Also this has nothing to do with rumor the town's gossip spread?" He asked.
Having to correct a few people on how he shares the appearance of his male sibling was one thing that morning. Act of incest with his young sister let alone was the most outrageous thing. Which had him stating his siblings were going for a late night walk to explore the town.
"Cariño," Father Miguel stepped toward him, "I would like to explain."
He was stopped when the towns matchmaker stepped into the foyer asking what was taking Mars. When she saw Father Miguel she smiled and asked him to bless her latest match.
"Seems our young doctor has finally agreed to be paired with a new bride," She said, "We were just going over his preferences."
"I thought why not with my siblings taking over the practice," Mars shrugged, "I just wasn't expecting other guests."
The matchmaker kindly gathered her things and outer garments to leave the two alone since she had work to do. Wanting to find the perfect match within the pool of local girls before winter sets in. Not knowing as soon as Father Miguel stepped into Mars' house. Setting down the basket of food on the nearest solid surface with the door closed and secure. Curtains drawn to keep spying from taking place from nosy neighbors and gossip. Mars was scooped up off his feet by Father Miguel carried to his living room. Where he was dumped on the nearest chair to look upward as a concerned face.
"Cariño," Father Miguel tried to not sound hurt, "I have not rejected you nor I am not avoiding you."
"Then what is your problem?" Mars asked not allowing Father Miguel's to touch him.
"I am what you would call a virgin in the sense of never having made love to a man," Father Miguel rested his forehead on Mars's shoulder, "Especially one as worthy as you."
"Really?" Mars blinked out of shock.
All he got was a head nod and signs of a blush coating the priest's face to the point all could do was smile. Finally happy he got an answer from him then complete silence. This time he was the one to reach out to him with a hand and touch him. Which ended up being kissed by Father Miguel with eyes filled with burning desire.
"As I said before," Father Miguel took that offered hand, "I want to show you how worthy you are, my Cariño."
To his lips he places the front of his hand to place a kiss on the center of the palm without breaking contact. Releasing it to slowly trance the outline of his neck from his mouth. Where Mars leaned forward to have his lips captured and held to be released. That was welcomed by Father Miguel when he repeated his endearment for Mars. Forgetting about the outside world and hours that flew by between them. From the door a soaked Shelob ran in as she complained about her confrontation. Dr. Webb tried to not laugh at her when he closed and bolted the door shut behind them. Guiding her to the living room where he swore Mar kept a stack of towels for rainy days.
What he found, had him covering Shelob's eyes as half dressed Father Miguel was in throes of passion with Mars. Pieces of clothing were folded over on the near sofa as to them from getting wrinkled. Soaked bodies with little to no clothing moved together at a steady pace as names were called. Legs of the chair were creaking under their combined weight as the two moved. Discarded foil wrapper that was ripped down the middle lay on a side table.
"What's happening?" Shelob loudly asked.
Didn't really get heard until Father Miguel and Mars came to a finish. Priest welcoming his lover to fall onto his reclined form resting on chair's cushion. Whispering he would do that thousand times with him to prove how much he adored him. Not caring about his state of dress or the eyes of Mars' siblings on them. He placed a kiss on Mars' forehead as Mars tried to catch his breath.
"Did you at least practice safe sex?" Dr. Web asked.
"Yes," Mars spoke with a hoarse voice, "We also made up."
"In more ways than one," Father Miguel cooed, "Cariño. My heart soars."
Loud voice belonging to Shelob pointing out the rain behind why she was completely soaked. She was directed toward the kitchen by Dr. Webb still not uncovering her eyes. Had her also been handed the basket of food to occupy her time, along the way. Not once she was allowed to look back when Father Miguel and Mars disconnected. Allowing them to fix themselves to be more presentable with some distanced.
"How are you two going to get through this?" Dr. Webb had to ask, "Being that what you did is a big no- no."
"What comes," Father Miguel kept his eyes on Mars, "Comes since meeting him has changed me from the man I am no longer."
"You have my blessing," Dr. Webb warned him, "Hurt him in any way, I'll show you how I kill without leaving a mark."
"Stop threatening him." Mars was fixing his sleeves.
Dr. Webb took the hint to leave and make his way to the kitchen where he found Shelob with a fork. She had eaten half the fish casserole that was meant for four people all by herself.
"Reported our progress?" He asked her, "Not with a face full of pie crust and fish."
"Miguel doesn't like the news about damage this green goblin has caused," She swallowed, "Wants us to keep our eyes open."
"Enjoying that casserole?" He asked, amused.
"Need the recipe." She held herself back from finishing.
8*8
Mars and his siblings ended up showing up at the church on a weekday to help out with some of the chores. Shelob took up laundry all by herself with Dr. Webb before assignments were given out. The elder nuns chalked up her enthusiasm to youthful energy in the Webb family. Leaving her alone when she started to sing before she started to sort. Noticing the washer dated back to the 1940s and looked to be on its last leg. Didn't stop her from starting the first load of laundry after tying an apron on to get busy. Not knowing she would end up coming across a piece of Clerical clothing belonging to Father Miguel. His inner vestment had her fighting the urge to giggle at a certain memory.
Kept her amused when she carried her first full basket to the large courtyard where the clothesline was. Where she learned of the lastest trouble that had been stirred up by Green Goblin. Beside the cut telecommunication lines beside the wreckage to a local bridge. Someone tried blowing up their town hall a few nights ago if it wasn't for officers on patrol. They were able to stop the bomb from being detonated and save the historic building. Man in green on a flying board somehow flee away just laughing the whole time.
"Hearing the latest gossip?" Dr. Webb asked her.
"This goblin is confusing," Shelob didn't understand his chaos, "Couldn't destroy a bridge completely, cut off communications, and got scared away trying to burn down town hall."
"His laugh needs to be improved." Dr. Webb shook his hand.
"Forgot you treated half of them," She recalled the way they came back after missions, "You saw them all."
"Medieval version of them varies," He sighed, "Need some help? I get flirted with by village women and match maker bothering me about finding a wife."
"They do know," She tilted her head, "You're bi and I am not ready to be married off before I can get a driver's license?"
He ended up trying to not laugh at her while taking up hanging clothes so she can finish the clothes. Allowing her to give a quick hug while she was on her way back to the laundry area. He waited until she skipped away from him for him to come across Father Miguel's inner vestment.
"Eavesdropping on us isn't a nice thing to do," His 6th sense went off, "Padre."
Sleeves rolled up to his elbow and the scent of dirt told Dr. Webb, who was arranging the flora beds. Hoped he wasn't going to be bothered by his brother and when he was going to settle down.
"Has your brother called off the arrangement with the matchmaker?" Father Miguel asked quietly.
"I don't get involved with my siblings' business," Dr. Webb stated, "Since me having a child out of wedlock is enough to tell you."
"We were at least engaged?" Father Miguel asked.
"More like a hormone driven 16 year old being manipulated by a hot girl," Dr. Webb answered recalling how Gabriella was conceived, "Mi madre helped me raise her while I finished school and went on to college."
Father Miguel quietly went back to his place across the courtyard in shock over Mars' brother. Figuring this is why these siblings were the black sheep Mars never talked about.
8*8
Displaced green goblin finally revealed himself to Dr. Webb mistaking him for Mars one Sunday evening. Instead of getting a easy kill with torture play like he had planned with bloody ending. Exhaust of his glider got gunked up using a single capsule of liquid rope beignets thrown. Leaving Spinnaną-chan to openly ambush him and a minor fight to break out between them. She got the upper hand and caught him in a carefully hidden
laser cage. Allowing the two to throw him and his wreck of a glider through the portal opened by LAYLA.
"I am going to miss this place," Spinnaną-chan liked the cozy press of this reality, "See you on the other side."
Dr. Webb made sure to have LAYLA do the usual scan of the area to make sure nothing was interrupted. Had him being asked if he needed to say goodbye to this reality's version of him. He waved his head side to side knowing Mars was going to be alright without him. Through the portal he walked with LAYLA showing him newest photos of Spider cat's kittens. Going on about how Miguel finally decided on a name for one he picked out.