"Mr. Parker?"

Peter was on his feet in an instant when the doctor called out his name. He was still dressed in scrubs, pulling down his face mask (not a spider mask… it was SO weird yet not that Peter had to mentally clarify that), and Peter found himself trying to focus on anything other than what it might mean that the man had clearly come straight from the operating room.

It only being his years of dealing with suddenly starts and stops while webslinging that allowed him to quickly reach up and cradle Mayday's head so not to snap the baby awake as he rose. She'd fallen asleep about an hour or so ago, remaining in the little baby sling without a care in the world. Honestly she might have been the only person in Nueva York who was able to sleep without any thoughts or worries; everyone else was clearly preoccupied.

Peni had left to do… who knew what. He had no idea where Gwen was. He had considered, very briefly, sending out a call for some of the Society to keep an eye out for her; it was a common thing for the Society to do, if someone suddenly disappeared. Most times it was just someone going out for a hot dog or getting lost playing on their phone in the bathroom. Send out an alert and everyone would keep their eye out.

'But after what happened with Miles?' he thought to himself remembering that terrible moment when Miguel had sent out the command for everyone to stop Miles. Not find. Stop. Like a criminal.

So no. He'd made no move to contact anyone in the Society. Gwen was safer that way. His nightmares would be filled with those he loved being hunted by the Society, he knew it. So yeah, Gwen would be safer left alone. At least until Peter figured out who he could trust.

'And that number is so small you have fingers to spare,' he thought bitterly, realizing that he couldn't even include himself and Gwen on the list of people he could trust. 'MJ I could- god, I need to call her. She's going to wonder where the heck we are.' He was desperately trying to make things work with her this time, to show her that her choice to allow him back into her life was the right one, and that meant being honest with her… well, to a point. He would always deny that he was putting Mayday in danger because he WASN'T putting her in danger… from his point of view, at least. Her's though? Well, that was-

"Mr. Parker," the doctor said again, causing Peter to blink and realize that he'd completely zoned out just standing there.

"I'm sorry," he said, running his fingers through his hair. "I'm not thinking straight."

The doctor (not Doctor Spider, he realized, but someone from Nueva York who had been hired by the Society) merely flashed him a kind smile. "Its fine. I'm used to it… and honestly if you were focused I'd be more worried."

Peter nodded. "Right. Good… good. And you're smiling so I'm guessing that good news?" He tried to think back on all the times he'd been in a hospital before and how the doctors had acted. They'd frowned when letting him know Uncle Ben was dead; Peter had known he was, had watched him die due to his own greed and stupidity, but he'd still held out hope he was wrong. Frowned when Aunt May had suffered her first stroke… and frowned when the second had killed her. Yet on the other hand when Mayday had been born it had been all smiles. Same as when he'd been for sure he'd broken his ribs when the Rhino had hit him only to learn it was just gas…

"Mr. Parker," the doctor said again and Peter groaned.

"I am… so sorry…" He shook his head and gave his cheeks several slaps. "Okay I'm good… I'm good. Focused and good. So… news?"

"News. And good news, all things considered."

"Thank god," Peter sagged with relief. "Miles is okay?"

"I… wouldn't go that far," the doctor admitted, his smile dimming. "The good news is that he's alive and made it out of surgery."

"Which… which is good," Peter said. "Except you said you wouldn't go as far to say he's good. Or even okay. Which is worse than good. So you think he's worse than okay and that isn't good. So-"

The doctor raised his hand, cutting off the rambling. "Peter… we won't know anything until he wakes up. The brain… even nowadays it is something we don't fully understand. Someone could have half their skull blown off and be perfectly fine when they wake up. Someone else just gets a small bump and they are in a coma for the rest of their lives."

Peter swallowed at that. He wasn't for sure he'd be able to go on if he never had a chance to make things up to Miles. If the last thing he had thought was that Peter was against him… well, Peter had a feeling in that case he'd probably toss away the costume for good and crawl into the bottle Miles had yanked him out of once again, with no one able to pull him free. Perhaps Mayday and MJ… but at that point he would be working to drive them away, not wanting to hurt them too.

'Miles doesn't even know how bad it got… what he saved me from.'

Peter had played it up as nothing. Just him letting himself go, eating junk food, crying in the shower.

He didn't even like to THINK about the nights he'd spent so drunk that he hadn't even mustered the energy to go out and webswing. How even Logan and Matt had begun checking in on him, worried.

If Miles was gone… Peter would just…

"But… he will wake up?"

"Mr. Parker," the Doctor said softly, "we're through the dangerous part. He's alive. But… beyond that I don't know."

Peter swallowed and managed to nod at that.

"Would you like to see him?"

"…no," Peter found himself saying even though he'd just spend 3 hours waiting for the chance to see Miles. But the moment the chance came he understood that no, he couldn't go and see Miles.

There were others who deserved that.

~MC~MC~MC~

It was raining when Peter arrived and any concern he might have had about Mayday being upset over getting soaked died the moment she had let out a squeal of delight, ripping off her knitted spider cap and threw her hands into the air. At once her bushy red hair flattened against her head, making her look even more like Mary Jane, and her screams of joy as they began swinging filled the air, lifting his heart.

"Thanks sweetie," he said as they landed on a windowsill, Peter running his hand along her forehead to get rid of some of the droplets of water and checking to make sure her hat was still tucked in the carrier. Mayday just looked up at him and smiled, only to snort when some rain water ended up in her nose. Peter chuckled at that before he hunched over the window, knocking on it.

It was only when he saw the people inside start that he realized that in this universe it might not be common for Spider-Man to knock on windows.

The window opened, revealing a couple who he'd only seen thanks to Miguel's machines and from a distance yet he knew so well. That he felt a connection with even if they'd never met him.

"Mr. and Mrs. Morales?" Peter said giving a small wave. "Can I come in?"

At once Jeff reached for a vase and Peter's spider-sense told him to get inside.

"Hey, could you not do that?" Peter said, firing a bit of webbing to catch Jeff's hand as he slid into the living room. "I'm already dripping water all over the place, there is no need for you to add bits of pottery to the floor. Trust me, I've broken enough of those things."

"Who are you?" Jeff demanded, narrowing his eyes even as he tried to free his hand. "Because you aren't Spider-Man."

"Oh, I'm Spider-Man," Peter assured him, getting ready to launch into the entire Multiverse Story.

Jeff looked Peter up and down, nose crinkling. "Last I checked Spider-Man wasn't some out of shape 50 year old."

Peter stalled out.

"50?!" he cried out. "I am not 50! And while I might have put on a few pounds I can assure you I am in the best shape I've been in!" He paused. "Well, okay, not forever, but the last five years!" He decided not to mention the reason for that was because he had REALLY let himself go after everything that had happened. "Come on, seriously, how can you think I'm 50?!"

"You need to begin explaining yourself," Jeff said darkly, having worked one finger out of the webbing. Peter had to resist not webbing him again… there would be plenty of time for him to do that later when Jeff and Rio learned why they should hate him. "Starting with why you are dressed like Peter Parker."

"Because I am Peter… just not the one you knew," Peter told them. "So okay… remember that whole thing with-"

"I'm sorry but is that a baby?" Rio said, cutting him off.

"Yes, yes, this is my baby. Say hi Mayday!" He grinned at Rio. "She's the greatest, very good with cuddles. In fact I think that might be a new superpower of her's. But-"

Rio plucked Mayday from the baby carrier before Peter had a chance to blink.

"She's going to catch a cold!" Rio complained. "Look at how soaked she is!" The woman began to rock Mayday back and forth, the little girl cooing happily. "Tu padre es un idiota, Hermosa."

Peter raised a finger at that. "Okay, I caught 'idiota' there and I don't think you were talking to Mayday." He moved pass Jeff to follow Rio, who was moving across the room. "Listen, we're not here to talk about my parenting skills which let me assure you are top notch! Everyone says so. I am Peter Parker." He pulled off his mask. "Just not the Peter Parker of this world."

He heard the sound of grinding and turned to find Jeff dragging the table towards them, Peter arching an eyebrow. He was honestly impressed with the man's dedication and saw where Miles…

Miles.

All the good humor and easy banter died instantly.

"I need to talk to you… about so many things."

And that was how, 49 minutes later, Peter found himself sitting on Miles' family couch, Mayday wrapped up in a huge fluffy blanket, laying out every secret that wasn't his to tell but now only had him to speak them.

"…that voice…that stupid voice," Jeff whispered to himself. "How didn't I catch on?"

"Honestly you'd be surprised how many people don't," Peter said. "Spider-Man and Miles are alike but aren't, right?" The man nodded numbly. "Yeah, same with me. Once people figure it out they are at first shocked and deny it and then they just keep asking how they couldn't see it sooner. Honestly it gets… so annoying."

Rio though was glaring at Peter, making him feel like he was suffering from an Aunt May/Mary Jane combo stare down. Honestly it made him a touch worried what would happen if Mayday inherited the ability to make him want to do nothing more than crap himself.

"I'd like to focus on the fact that my baby was nearly KILLED by one of you Spiders."

"Yeah that… that's bad."

"Oh, is it?" Rio said sarcastically before waving at Mayday. "I hope her mother is a genius because she's gonna need ALL the help to fight off your genes!"

"Well, MJ does have more common sense but… okay, I'm gonna be quiet now." Peter cringed as both Jeff and Rio glowered at him.

"No… no no no," Jeff said sternly. "Son, you don't get to pull the silent act now. You just told us our son has been swinging around as Spider-Man, trying to protect all of New York by HIMSELF… and that another version of you nearly killed him."

"Actually Miguel isn't a version of me. It's weird, most Spider-Men are me but-"

"You need to begin speaking more succinctly," Rio warned him.

"Right… right… so Miles is hurt. I'm not denying that. But-"

"You were his mentor," Jeff said. "That's what you told us?"

"Yeah," Peter replied. "When the Peter of this Earth died I got dragged here. That whole Kingpin thing? That was him trying to access the multiverse. I ended up here though and taught him everything he knows!" He smiled, pride shining through his words. Because he was proud of Miles… so very proud of him. He was utterly amazing and Peter was so proud he was a part of that. That he could point to Miles and go "I helped him become so awesome".

Jeff leaned forward, a thick strong finger tapping against the table that separated Peter and Mayday from Miles' parents. "And you told us what happened… that there was some disagreement between Miles and this… Spider Society-"

"It sounds better when you aren't saying the words with utter disgust," Peter admitted. He kept sort on the details about what had happened, letting Rio and Jeff fill in the blanks.

"-and its leader decided the best course of action was to brutally attack a teenager until he submitted. Only he went to far and my son is now in a coma after undergoing surgery." Peter just nodded. "So tell me… where were you during all of this?"

"Uh… me?" Peter said quickly.

"You. You're his mentor… so where were you when Miles was fighting for his life?" He opened his mouth to say… well, he wasn't for sure what… but Jeff just continued on. "You don't have a damn scratch on you so I want to know… Where. Were. You."

Peter dropped his head.

"Hmmm. Thought so," Jeff said, it clear he thought that Peter had abandoned Miles to his fate.

Honestly Peter WISHED that's what he had done.

"Listen," he said softly, refusing to meet their eyes, "I didn't come here for you to accept me or to absolve me. Because… I get it." He glanced at Mayday, who looked up from the remote she was currently fiddling with, flashing him a smile. "If it were her I'd be ready to tear the arms and legs off the person that failed to help her. And I'm not going to stand in your way when you decide to take a swing at me. But I didn't come here for any of that. I came here because what Miles needs now… is you two."

Rio and Jeff shared a look.

"What are you waiting for?" Rio finally said. "I want to see my son."

Peter smiled and pulled out a set of bracelets to keep the two from glitching.

He knew they'd hate him when he told them his part in all the madness. That they would hate him when he revealed WHY Miles had rebelled.

And as he opened the portal back to Nueva York he glanced one last time at Miles' world and prayed he wasn't damning in.

~MC~MC~MC~

Discord

*The Brooklyn Visions Academy Secret Society

v General Discussion

# off-topic-and-other-conversations

Chairless: everyone So remember how we all agreed that we needed to let Miles know that we all… know?

Squirrel Goddess: Are we finally doing it? I can do snacks!

The Totally Awesome One: I am not ready for that conversation.

Wait, you're bringing snacks Doreen?

WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME ABOUT DOREEN SNACKS!

WE COULD HAVE DONE IT SOONER!

Chairless: We aren't doing that.

Squirrel Goddess: :(

The Totally Awesome One: You are dead to me, Ganke.

Chairless: Also, remember when I suggested that we put some bugs in Miles' place, just in case something bad happened?

Squirrel Goddess: And we told you no?

Lunar: I was working on something, what's up with notifying everyone!? You know the rules!

The Totally Awesome One: Ganke, tell me you didn't bug Miles' place.

Lunella, just turn off notifications!

Own fault.

Chairless: I bugged his place.

Lunar: It is not my fault!

Also F in the chat for Ganke.

Squirrel Goddess: F

Lunar: F

Fifth Wheel: F

Also what is going on? I thought we said no more tagging everyone?

Chairless: Miles got hurt!

The Totally Awesome One: F.

Wait

What?

Squirrel Goddess: GANKE

Lunar: Type faster!

Fifth Wheel: What do you mean Miles got hurt?

Lunar: There is nothing on the news.

If this is a prank I'm feeding you to Devil.

Chairless: He got hurt! Some Spider-Man from another universe showed up at his parents' place and said he got attacked by a different Spider-Man… okay, I'm putting the recording in. Listen to it.

ATTACHMENT: ThisIsFuckedUp

Lunar: please be a joke, please be a joke, please be a joke

The Totally Awesome One: Who did this?

Lunar: please be a joke.

Chairless: I don't know but I don't like it.

That's why I wanted to reach out to you guys
Miles is hurt.
Bad.

Lunar: Please… please be a joke.

Squirrel Goddess: There's no Spider-Man…

New York is defenseless.

Fifth Wheel: I'm calling my mom.

Lunar: We have to help him.

Chairless: We are.

Squirrel Goddess: You mean... The "Thing".
And I don't mean Franklin's Uncle.

Chairless: The thing.

The Totally Awesome One: Shit.
But yeah.

But shit.

But yeah (edited)

Chairless: I know.

Squirrel Goddess: I'm in.

Lunar: No question.

Fifth Wheel: Me too. Val is too. And I know everyone else will be when they see this.

The Totally Awesome One: Say the word, Ganke.

Got to make it official.

Chairless: Okay.

everyone

#AvengersInitiative is go.

I, I will be king