"So this is the future?" Miles hung from the building, "Nueva York?"
Mig shrugged, "I didn't name it."
The teen had convinced him to patrol his home turf some, after they finished their snowmen.
"Can we explore more? Or are we just waiting for something interesting?"
Miguel sighed, "I know the idea of exploring the future is cool to you, but this place sucks cock. Cannibals, a ton of cults, and just extreme bull that you haven't seen yet.
"This isn't like some movie. Unless it's Robocop or something. So please, please stay close. If you get hurt or killed, that might be my 13th reason," he shook his head.
Miles stared at him for a moment, "Who taught you about 13 reasons?"
The older spider stared back before smiling, "Anything specific you want to see?"
"Do you have anything cool here? Where's your house?"
"Let's patrol just a bit longer and I'll take you," he led the way.
X
Miles looked around the Penthouse, "This place is huge."
"Let us in please Lyla," Mig walked into the backdoor.
"You got it."
They walked into the house and Miles looked around in a flat awe. The home was big, but it had an air of emptiness to it. He couldn't put his finger on it.
"Why do you have a ball pit here? Is this for Gunner and May?"
"Yeah, they visited a couple months ago, I never took it down," he playfully pushed the teen, "Go ahead, I'm sure you're the right size."
"Haha," he rolled his eyes, "I'm not short, everyone else, especially you, is just tall."
"That sounds exactly like what a short person would say," he made his way to the kitchen, "Thirsty?"
Miles barely heard him as he continued to explore. The house was like a model home. It was furnished in a picturesque manner, but felt so dead. He traversed a bit more, seeing what was there to offer.
He did find his home office and read over some of the paperwork.
"Remember what curiosity did to the cat," Lyla warned him, "Try not to get it mixed up, he's very anal."
"I see," he looked at the books that Mig had on display, "Does he read these, or are they for decoration?"
"He's read them all. Most are from work and stuff. Y'know."
He pulled one book out on genetics and several others on Alchemax, "What's this?"
"It's the business he kinda owns."
"Hmm," he put it back, continuing to explore.
After a short time he figured out why the house felt so sterile. There were no pictures anywhere. No family pictures at least.
"Hey Tio?" he hurried to find wherever 2099 was.
"He's in his room. Next room on the left."
"Right," Miles started, "Hey Miguel?"
"What's up?" He stretched, gathering some clothes.
"Do you have a family or something? You don't have any pictures of anyone."
Mig glanced at him, the corner of mouth twitching some, "Not really. I have a little brother," he heard the front door, "What timing."
"Miguel?" Gabe called, sounding exhausted, "Are you here?"
He walked out of the room, waving.
His concern turned to anger, "Where have you been?! I've been trying to find you for the last two months! Do you know how many times I've called you!?"
Mig walked to his table, putting his phone in the charger. Soon it lit up, displaying all the missed messages and voice-mails, "Looks like a lot."
Gabri glared, beginning a shouting match on how he thought Miguel was dead and demanding to know how he could leave his phone.
"And who is this kid? Why everytime I see you now, do you have some child?" Miguel mostly ignored his questions, shrugging. Gabe was flabbergasted, "What is wrong with you?"
"Is that rhetorical or do you have time for the list?"
His younger brother sighed, glancing at the teenager. Miles sensed his intrusion and stepped into Miguel's room to give them some privacy.
"[I'm sorry about what happened with mom, I shouldn't have made you go.]"
"[No you shouldn't have, you should have listened to me. But when does anyone? But honestly I'm happy you did that. It confirmed exactly why I'm justified in my decision.]"
"[She didn't mean it, Miggy,]" Gabe sighed, "[She's just-]"
"[She didn't mean it? She didn't mean it?! Thirty years of 'she didn't mean it'. she did shocking mean it!]"
Miles listened uncomfortably to the altercation.
"Miggy…"
"[And you're going to make excuses for her, like everyone else, like always! You of all people?!]" He glared, "[She meant it, and I meant what I said! I will see her again at her funeral, to make sure she's dead.]"
Gabri looked at him with shock, "[I know you're mad, but please don't close us off.]"
"[I'm not closing you off. I'm cutting everyone else off,]" he scoffed, "[What have you been looking for me for? As you can see I'm alive.]"
"[It's not just about you being alive. I want to make sure you're OK. You're never home, I have no idea where you are. You're gone for months at a time and I barely get to talk to you.]"
"We hang out like every other month. I've been with my friends."
"Since when have you ever had friends other than me?"
"Since the last couple years of my life. It's been fascinating to see what I've missed out on."
"Are you in a cult or something? Have you been pulled into the Church of Thor? Or that Hulk one?"
"No, I'm not in a cult. You asked me that last time," he attempted to walk past him, getting yanked by the arm.
"Well I don't think I believe you!" He pulled at his clothes, "Prove to me you don't have a brand or a tattoo!"
"I'm not in a cult! The Thorites bother me more than anything," he quickly pulled his shirt down as Gabe inspected his ribs.
"Hate to interrupt this brotherly moment. But you have a call from Virgil."
"Shh," Mig covered his brother's mouth, answering, "Hello."
"Hey kiddo, I know you and your little friend are patrolling, but I would love if you would be home before dinner. Especially since Miles needs to do his homework."
Mig looked into his room at the young Spider-man, "I thought you did your homework."
Miles shrugged, "Most of it."
He rolled his eyes, "What's for dinner?"
"Daddy had a taste for pasta, so we are having fettuccine Alfredo. But I can't decide if I want to make chicken or lamb. What do you think?"
"I want lamb, I haven't had lamb in a real long time," Mig nodded as his brother tried to pull his hand from his mouth.
"Well you chose the protein, ask the other little one if he would prefer salad, broccoli or asparagus?"
"He wants broccoli."
"You didn't even ask."
Mig rolled his eyes and looked to Miles, "What vegetables do you want?"
Miles tapped his chin, smirking in his direction, "Salad."
He glared at him, "He wants salad, even though steamed broccoli would go so much better."
"Got it, if you hurry home you both can help mommy make garlic knots," the holograph encouraged.
"Ok, bye," he hung up, pulling his hand from Gabe with a disgusted expression, "Did you lick me?" He wiped his palm on his pants.
"Who the h3ll was that?"
