Chapter Text
Miles had always wished to be cool. But the universe had cursed him with lanky arms and limbs too long for his growing body and two left feet. Compared to the others he was probably the least powerful Spider-Man, Miguel was right to call him a mistake. The others were beautifully drawn with a different brush than he, completely on another level.
If he was art he’d be created digitally by a starving art student forced to stay in there drafts, the others would be portraits made from Michaelangelo himself, hung for all to gaze and admire. The teenagers were all punk except Pav who made up for it with glossy model like hair and his exceptionally unique fighting style.
Piercings glittered their ears and faces, it made sense how much Gwen and Hobie got along. They were both stars and beautiful people belonged together. No matter how much Miles tried to push them apart.
His crush on Gwen had dwindled during the months, being beaten and humiliated by his friend’s obvious infatuation for the guitarist. Honestly Miles wished Hobie would find someone better to mess around with than his best friend. Inside his mind he saw what they were doing as toxic, the musician was able to mess around with whoever whenever he wanted with no strings attached and Gwen would sit back arms crossed uncaring till it was her turn. Miles couldn’t understand how as a woman she didn’t feel shame for giving a part of herself to someone who would just do it again with another person but he knew it was just jealousy swallowing him whole.
Hobie was everything he wanted to be and more. He was strong, confident he had the ability to walk with a swagger that made him untouchable. An remarkably he did it all while wearing makeup, something he’d never thought he’d see on an influential black man.
He had flashbacks as a child of walking the New York streets, his father noticing men in skirts or men holding hands with other men. And he described them all as freaks of nature, unnatural. Miles had never been homophobic but being born a black man in America in this universe had made him close minded. Being around Hobie made him feel awkward, wondering how the man could walk with his head held high swishing around in a skirt.
Is this who had to be to get the girl? He wondered. Would he have to push past his boundaries, evolve and change to become the person that Gwen wanted?
The gang were together now in the ruins of Hobie’s flat. Gwen was adding a new color into her hair in the bathroom, while the boys sat smoking watching Cartoon Network.
“Wanna smoke luv?”
Miles was an A + student, the son of a cop he’d never been this close to illegal substances ever.
“Uh I don’t think so, I wouldn’t want my father smelling it on me.”
“There’s no need to be so worried, bruv, the smell of weeds only lingers for an hour and the way we’ve been blowing down around you you’re already gonna smell.”
“You gonna try the blunt Miles?”
Gwen asked as she stepped out the bathroom leaking blue from her head. Hobie looked at him teasingly, marijuana wasn’t that bad right? He didn’t even think his Dad still arrested people for the drug.
“Uh sure sure.”
He tried to match the way they watched them smoke. He put the tip to his mouth and inhaled, he coughed immediately his lungs burning eyes watery as his friends laughed at him. He felt Hobie’s large hand patting him on his back, rubbing circles as he chucked underneath his breath. Miles had the urge to pull away but knew he shouldn’t the musician was just being friendly.
“Inhale slowly next time, like this.” He watched as the older man plucked the blunt from his fingertips, he pursed his lips sucking in slowly. He passed it back and Miles did the same. It felt like manual heartburn. He could feel his virgin lungs scorching. They continued to watch the cartoon passing the blunt back and forth between them.
Miles began to feel light, happy it was like the drugs took away all his bad feelings. The night continued better than all the rest, he wasn’t anxious or stressed out wondering about the things going on in his life. Hobie and Pav had watched over him the entire night, from playing video games to a random karaoke session that he and Gwen had started.
They made sure to keep him well fed while he was dealing with the munchies and he couldn’t help but think life was funner this way. Life was easy if he could feel this all the time. He was free and relaxed, he didn’t even bat an eye when he fell asleep on Hobie’s ratty old couch.
***
When he woke up he was met with black silk sheets and a purple comforter. We’re was he?
“That was probably the best sleep of my life.”
The door to the room opened revealing large freeform locs, sharp eyes and angular jaw.
“Hobie?!” He covered himself with comforter hiding in modesty.
He was missing his usual spiky uniform, in a plain white tank and hello kitty pajama pants that hung dangerously low exposing his v line. He held a tray of food and a small smirk on his face as he sat it down on the bed, looking over at him.
“Good morning sleeping beauty.” He whispered in his soft baritone.
“What’s goin on?” Miles asked looking around the room.
“Ye wos completely knackered last night. Put you to sleep after you fell asleep on my sofa. Pav and Gwanda told me to tell you to call them when you get home.” He explained.
“Oh thank you.” He chirped.
“Now eat! If you want we can do something before you leave.” He waved at the display he placed in front of him, eggs, sausage toast and baked beans. A typical English breakfast Miles chuckled a little at the sight of it.
“Beans and toast? Going hard for the Queen aren’t ya.” He joked.
“I don’t believe in tyranny but you can’t go wrong with beans and toast. If you got complaints you can make breakfast next time ‘round.” He mused.
“I didn’t mean it like that. Sorry if I sound like a dumb American. Thank you for cooking for me.” He blushed taking the plate, the only person who had ever cooked for him was his Mami.
“You’re welcome sweetheart, I’m havin’ tea and biscuits in the living room. Feel free to sit and eat I’ll bring you some.”
“Thank you.” His face burned even more at the nickname as Hobie closed his bedroom door. His stomach grumbled as he brought the food closer and he realized how hungry he really was. He began scarfing the food down, unable to control himself. He didn’t know why his taste buds made everything taste extra good today. Or maybe Hobie was really just that perfect at everything: music, cooking, sex. His eyebrows furrowed angrily as he grumbled and ate his food in record time.
He forced himself to stand up, he was still wearing his yellow sweatshirt and basketball shorts. Miles opened the door revealing the British man’s living room, an open space design that connected to a kitchen. He could see Hobie bathed in sunlight humming along to the radio smoking a spliff as he waited for the water to boil on the stove. His eyes zeroed in on the drug, the feeling of euphoria ripe in his mind. Hobie’s eyes turned toward him, mischievous.
“Can I hit that?” He asked his hands behind his back as he rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet.
“Of course luv.” The Caribbean man beckoned him to come over with a finger as he inhaled the drug again. Then handed it over to him. Miles inhaled enjoying the smoothness of the toxic air that quieted his anxiety, it was easier to smoke than last night. He opened his eyes watching as the man took the teapot off the stove.
“Why are you calling me that? You never called me that before.”
“We’ve never been alone before either.” Blush crept onto the young SpiderMan cheeks and he scratched his neck.
“I don’t know how that relates to you callin me luv and sweetheart.” He challenged.
“Why does it matter? Does it bother you?” He wondered, eyes wide as he scanning him up and down. Like it wasn’t obvious.
“No I just, it confused me. So why?” He passed the blunt back to him, there eyes met and had to look away. Those endless black pools pierced through him as if he was looking into the eyes of a predator. His spidey senses told him he’d be eaten alive.
“Maybe I’m doing it because I want to? Ever thought of that luv?”
“Gwen wouldn’t like you doing that.” He chastised crossing his arms. What would Gwen think of her perfect man coming on to him he wondered.
“Why would I care what she wants? She’s not mine.” He stated slightly annoyed now.
“Yea, yea I know.” Miles thought for a moment another question on his mind.
“Can I ask you something personal?”
He sighed.”Of course.”
“Are you bisexual?” Hobie laughed a big belly laugh that made the others' nerves shake to their core.
“Is that whot I give off bruv?” He chuckled.
“I mean a little.” Miles admitted.
“Well I don’t like labels, that’s society’s business. But I personally don’t mind if the person in my bed has a cock or a vag if that’s what ya wonderin.”
“Oh okay.”
“You got a problem luv?” The British person asked.
“No no problem, you're just the second queer person I’ve met. I'm pretty uneducated about the whole thing.”
“Hmmm well. I'm happy to shatter any gay stereotypes or fears of toxic male masculinity so feel free to ask whatever you want.”
They sat down at Hobie’s modest circle dining room table, Miles nibbled on a biscuit as the other poured the tea.
“Ye have a crush on ol’ Gwanda don’t you Miles?” The air instantly left the young Afro Latinos lungs and punched himself in the chest wheezing as he coughed up the bites of biscuit that got stuck in his throat.
“No, definitely not.”
“Then let me take you out on a date then.”
“What? I’m not- I don’t think- why me?”
“Because I want to, that's why. You're single I’m single. Why not?”
“I’m not interested in boys.”
“I’m not a boy. Well my parts are but I’m non-binary.”
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t identify with either gender. But I don’t have a preference for pronouns. Honestly I think gender is just a social construct built by religion to separate and divide people.”
“Oh. This is the first time I’ve heard of that. That’s quite interesting.”
“So whot do you think? You think ya fancy a date with me?” This was the first time the artist had ever seen the other nervous. Why though? Miles was a nobody.
“I'm sorry, but my answer is no. I hope that doesn't make you mad.” He confessed, he might not be into them but they still were frenimes. Maybe even friends if Hobie learned to stay away from his best friend.
“Why would it make me mad luv? I'm not gonna force ya.”
“Thank you Hobie, you're actually really understanding.” Miles smiled.
“Don’t I know it.” He scratched the back of his head a forced smile on his lips.
“I'm gonna go but thank you for breakfast. I hope we can hang out more.”
“Of course.” They nodded at one another as Miles took his leave.
Portaling to his dimension was like a breath of fresh air, he swung through the streets of Brooklyn waiting for the smell of weed to dissipate. He landed on his window and slipped inside heading straight for the shower. He couldn’t believe his bad luck, why would that man be interested in him of all people? He looked in the mirror seeing nothing out of the ordinary.
He looked like a normal sixteen year old boy. His skin was dark caramel littered with freckles and moles, his eyes were chocolate and his hair was curly on top of his head. His line up was still crisp and his fade was still there; he was still Miles Morales. The same Miles that Gwen didn’t want. His phone rang and he answered.
“Miles you won’t believe just happened!”
“What’s wrong Gwen are you okay?!”
“Yes I’m more than okay! Hobie just asked me out on a date! Can you believe it?” She shouted.
“Oh. Uh good for you Gwen. I'm happy for you.” He wasn’t.
“I’m so happy! I can’t even believe it you have to help me find an outfit this week okay?”
“Yes I got you Gwen.” He sighed.
“Alright I gotta go, I’ll call you later. don’t tell anybody. Love you bye!”
“Love y-.“ The phone hung up, he looked at himself in the mirror furious. He couldn't stop himself as he clicked his contacts to find the number he knew he had.
“Ello didn’t expect you to call me so fast PeterPan.” The British Caribbean person hummed.
He didn’t know how to say it so he forced the words out of him as his face flushed with red. “I changed my mind. Do you still want to go on a date with me?”
“Are you sure luv?” The other questioned.
“100% sure I just needed time to process. I’m ready now.”
“Alright I’ll text you later with the details k?” No wait.
“Ok. Um wait, are you still gonna be seeing other people? While you’re dating me I mean?”
“Do you care if I do?”
He felt like a girl saying it, but he knew what he had say.“Yes…I don’t want you to..date anybody else I mean.”
“Okay you own me now, you happy baby?”
“Yes I’m happy.” He admitted feeling like a needy girlfriend.
Hobie chuckled into the receiver sending electricity to bubble in his stomach.“I'll call you later bye luv.” He purred, hanging up.
The afro-latino looked back into the mirror. What did he just do? Did he just agree to go on a date with the biggest celebrity in the multiverse? Just so his best friend who he has a crush on wouldn’t be able to date him. How was he gonna do this? He had to find a reason to break up with Hobie and he had to make sure Gwen wouldn’t just run back to him after they were done.
Fuck me.