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sofiaispunk · 10 months

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The Space Cowboy and his Ladybug - CHAPTER 6

Javier Peña x reader

Summary: You visit Chucho's farm with your husband, Steven, where unexpected tensions and old wounds resurface. Tensions escalate to a boiling point, leaving you with a life-altering decision to make.

Words: 2,7K

Warnings: angst, trust issues, violence, brief mention of past domestic abuse (mentally and physically), insecurity, references to suicide attempt, smut, TRAUMA, slow burn, heartbreak, cheating, unhappy marriage

The gravel beneath the tires of your sleek, black car crunched as you pull into Chucho's familiar driveway. The familiar aroma of hay and livestock filled the air, stirring up a cocktail of nostalgia and anticipation within you. As you looked out of the car window, your eyes are met with the timeless beauty of the farm. The barn stands as tall as ever, its rustic red paint worn yet still vibrant. The old oak tree, your childhood retreat, cast a long, comforting shadow over the familiar scene.

Stepping out of the car, your sandals sank into the soft earth. The landscape looked almost the same, except now, it was bathed in the golden hue of your memories. You recalled the countless hours you spent playing here, always with Chucho ready to tend to your scrapes and comfort you after your father's bouts of anger.

Chucho emerged from the barn wearing his usual cowboy hat and plaid shirt. His face lit up at the sight of you, "Mija!" he called out, pulling you into a big bear hug. You breathed in his familiar scent, a comforting blend of earth and tobacco, and for a moment, you feel like you're thirteen again.

You introduced your husband to Chucho. While Steven shook Chucho's hand, he looked down to check his shoes for dust. You just rolled your eyes to that, how rude.

As you all walked towards the farmhouse, Chucho peppered Steven with questions. However, Steven’s curt responses, which were always mainly centered around his achievements and possessions, slowly erase the initial warmth from Chucho’s face.

You noticed Chucho settin an extra plate at the table, your heart fluttered. "Is Javier joining us?" you asked, trying to keep your voice steady. Steven looked at you, confused, "Who’s Javier?"

The room went silent as Chucho looked up to you, shock evident on his face. "You never told him about Javier?" he asked, disbelief lacing his voice. Steven, however, seems uninterested and casually flicked through his phone, "She never talks about her past."

Chucho’s eyes softened as he turned to you, his understanding gaze seems to read the pain you carried from your past. After a moment's hesitation, you spoke up, "We grew up together. Javier is … was my best friend." Steven gave you a short nod, signalizing he heard you.

As you all sat down at the dinner table, the delicious aroma of the food Chucho prepared envelope the room. The wooden table is set with care, and Chucho sat opposite to you and Steven.

Chucho cleared his throat and begins to engage Steven in conversation. "So, Steven, what do you do for a living? I heard you are a lawyer?" he asked politely.

“Yep, I’m a lawyer,” Steven replied nonchalantly, without looking up from his phone.

“Ah, that’s a noble profession. You must help a lot of people in need. Tell me, what was the last case that made you feel like you’ve made a difference?”

Steven smirked, still not looking up from his damn phone. “Oh, I don’t do that kind of law. I’m a corporate lawyer. My last case got one of the biggest tech companies off the hook. Saved them a fortune and made myself a pretty penny.”

Chucho raised an eyebrow but continued. “I see. Well, providing is important too. How do you two like to spend time together?” Chucho asked, his gaze shifting between you and Steven.

Steven finally glanced up from his phone. “Well, you know, parties, events, the usual. Anything where she can wear one of her fancy dresses. Right, honey?” He chuckled.

You felt your cheeks turning red with embarrassment as Chucho looked at you with concern.

But he continued his inquiry. “Steven, tell me son, what do you think is the most important thing in a marriage?”

Without hesitation, Steven answered, “Well, stability, I guess. And by stability, I mean financial stability. Everything else can be managed.”

There’s a slight frown on Chucho’s face, but he pressed on. “And how about love? Trust? Spending quality time together?”

Steven waved his hand dismissively. “Sure, those are nice bonuses.”

You could see Chucho's face becoming a mix of disappointment and concern.

He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “Steven, this wonderful woman sitting next to you, she is like a daughter to me. Her heart is made of gold. She’s been through enough for a lifetime. What I want to know is, are you going to be the person that makes sure she never has to face a day without love and understanding?”

Steven rolled his eyes to that, “Look, I get it. You care about her. But we have our life, and it’s working just fine. Plus, I don’t need your approval or anything.”

As Steven leaned back, seemingly oblivious to the gravity of his words, something inside you finally snapped. Your voice, firm and resolute, filled the room. “Steven! How dare you speak to Chucho like that? This is the man who was like a father to me when my own wasn't there! Show some respect!”

Chucho placed a comforting hand on your arm, trying to calm you down.

“Mija, it’s okay. I am sure he didn’t mean it like that. Let’s just enjoy the dinner,” he said softly.

But you were struggling to contain the pent up emotions. Before you could say anything else, the sound of a truck pulling up outside caught everyone’s attention.

The door swung open and in walked Javier, wearing a light blue button-up shirt with his signature yellow aviators hanging on his shirt. His hair was slightly tousled, and for a second, you forgot how to breathe. You couldn’t help but think that he looked like the epitome of perfection.

Javier took a seat and gave a curt nod to Steven after Chucho introduced them. There was a distance in his eyes, especially when he looked at you which you immediatelty noticed.

The air was thick with tension. Javier’s presence brought a rush of memories and emotions, making the atmosphere even more charged.

Steven's eyes suddenly narrowed and he leaned back in his chair, smirking. “Oh, so you are the Javier everybody keeps talking about. Weird, she never mentioned your name before,” he said, gesturing towards you.

Javier's face remained unreadable as he coolly replied, “Yeah, we knew each other briefly. Wasn’t too important.”

You felt like his words just cut through you, and you involuntarily gasp. You tried to hide the hurt his comment caused, but you felt the weight of his words pushing down on your chest. You remained silent, biting back the flood of emotions threatening to spill over.

Chucho, always the peacemaker, tried to steer the conversation away, but the damage was already done. Your heart felt heavy, and the room suddenly seems much smaller.

As the dinner progressed, Steven seemed to take an interest in talking about himself again. He started describing one of his latest cases in elaborate detail, mentioning the enormous settlement he managed to secure for his client.

Finally, Steven took a breath and looked at Javier with a somewhat condescending smirk. “So, Javier, what do you do? You said you’re a pilot? What, like for a small airline or something?”

Javier straightend up in his chair. “No,” he said, his voice steady. “I work for the DEA.”

Chucho couldn’t contain his pride and added. “He was in Colombia for years. Took down Escobar, he did!” he beamed excitedly, his eyes twinkling with admiration.

Steven chuckled dryly. “Wow, running around in a poor country playing superhero. I could never do that. Be away from the comfort of my home and, of course, my lovely lady here.” He said this in a tone dripping with sarcasm, pointing to you.

You felt a twinge of annoyance at Steven's condescending attitude but remain silent.

Javier’s jaw clenched, but he maintained his cool demeanor. Steven, meanwhile, continued to prod. “So, are you married, Javier? Got someone waiting for you at home?”

Javier’s eyes flickered briefly towards you before he answered curtly, “No.”

The room fell silent again for the 124524 time. You could almost feel the weight of the unsaid words and emotions between you and Javier. Steven, oblivious to the underlying currents, continued to dig into his meal.

Chucho, sensing the tension, began to talk about the farm and how the harvest has been this year, slowly steering the conversation back to safer ground.

The conversation at the table continued to swirl around you, but you felt your chest tightening. You couldn’t take it anymore – the bickering, the memories, the hurt, all of it was just too much. Without a word, you pushed back your chair and rush out of the room.

You headed towards the stables, where the horses were. This place was your sanctuary when you were a teenager, and everything seemed overwhelming. The soft neighing of the horses and their warm presence always managed to calm your stormy heart.

You buried your face in the mane of one of the horses and allowed the tears to flow. The weight of the years and the emotions that you kept buried for so long seem to finally found release.

After a while, you heared footsteps approaching. You didn’t need to look up to know it’s Chucho. He always knew where to find you.

You both stood there in silence for a while. The night air was cool, and the gentle breeze carried the earthy smell of the fields.

Finally, Chucho broke the silence. His voice was tender but firm. “Mija, why did you marry him? I know, and you know, that he doesn’t deserve you. He’s a total jerk.”

You just shrugged, your eyes welling up again. There were no words that can capture the depth of your emotions right now.

Chucho opened his arms, and you collapsed into his embrace. His warmth and strength enveloped you, and for a moment, you allowed yourself to be that scared teenager again, finding solace in his care.

“I still love him,” you whisper through sobs. “I love him so much it hurts, and I can’t bear it anymore.”

Chucho didn’t need clarification on whom you were talking about. He knew. He’s always known. He simply held you tighter and let you cry.

After what felt like an eternity, you felt a sense of calm. Chucho gently pushed you back, holding your face in his hands, and looked into your eyes.

“Let me tell you something, mija, something you need to know.”

You looked at him attentively, your heart pounding in your chest.

“The day you left Laredo,” Chucho started, “Javier went out of his mind looking for you. He drove around town all night, shouting your name, knocking on doors. It was as if a part of him was ripped out and he couldn’t breathe.”

Chucho’s voice softened. “For weeks, months even, he was looking for you. We all were worried sick about him. He was like a ghost, going through the motions of life but not really living.”

Your breath caught in your throat as Chucho continued.

“And then, the night before his wedding, Lorraine told him the truth. She was drunk, and it slipped out. She told him about the phone call she had with you, how you told her you were hurt by your dad and needed help.”

A single tear rolled down your cheek as you remember the pain of that night, the utter despair.

“Javier,” Chucho’s voice broke a little, “he went wild with anger and guilt. He drove straight to your dad’s house in the middle of the night. He confronted him, and it took five men to pull him off your father.”

Your hand immediately flew to your mouth as you stifle a sob. Chucho’s arm was still around you, his presence strong and comforting.

“And the next day,” Chucho’s voice was now barely above a whisper, “he didn’t show up to his own wedding. He couldn’t marry her, knowing what he knew, knowing that he failed the one person he truly loved.”

The night air was still, and the only sounds were the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft breathing of the horses. You felt like your heart is going to burst from your chest.

Chucho looked at you and smiled tenderly. “Mija, love is a powerful thing. It can break us, but it can also heal us. Don’t let the pain of the past rob you of the joy that could be in your future.”

You took a deep breath and nod.

Chucho continued, his eyes looking now up at the night sky.

“Javier, he’s always been running. After the wedding that never was, he fled to Colombia. Searching for something, anything, to fill the void. He thought that if he could save others, maybe he could save himself,” Chucho’s voice was laden with emotion.

“But no matter how many criminals he caught, no matter how many lives he saved, it never was enough. It couldn’t bring him peace. Because what he was really searching for was not in Colombia or anywhere else in the world.”

Chucho turned back to you, his eyes piercing into yours. “He was looking for you, mija. You are the missing piece in his soul, just as he is yours.”

You felt like your entire world is spinning. All these years, all the pain and loneliness, it all made sense now. You and Javier, two souls lost in the world, looking for the one thing that could make you whole – each other.

As you entered the house again, you found Steven pacing the living room like a caged animal. His face was red, and you could feel the anger radiating off him. The moment he saw you, he stormed over, his fingers biting into your arm as he grabbed you.

"Where have you been?" he snarled, his voice reverberating through the room. "You leave me alone in this place, and you make a scene? What is wrong with you?”

The pain from his grip made you cry out. Your heart was pounding as tears welled up in my eyes.

That’s when you saw a blur of motion from the corner of your eye. Javier had emerged from the kitchen, his face set in stone.

“Get your hands off her,” he thundered. Before you knew what was happening, Javier had Steven by the collar and shoved him up against the wall. His voice was low and menacing as he growled, “If you ever talk to her or touch her like that again, I swear to God you’ll fucking regret it.”

Steven’s eyes were wide with shock and he stuttered, trying to form words but failing.

Javier's gaze didn’t waver. He looked like a man who’d seen too much, and wouldn’t allow another ounce of pain to be inflicted upon someone he cared about.

Suddenly, Chucho appeared in the room, taking in the scene with a calm but stern gaze.

“Javier,” Chucho said firmly. Javier seemed to hear something unspoken in Chucho’s voice, and he released Steven, who crumpled to the floor.

As Javier’s dark eyes bore into Steven, he commanded him, "Leave. Now."

Steven, still panting from the confrontation, replied with a snarl, "Gladly." Then, he reached for your arm and yanked you towards him. His gaze was cold as ice as he looked down at you. "Are you coming or what?"

The room seemed to constrict around you. Your breaths came shallow, and you felt like the walls were closing in on you once again.

You were torn from your thoughts when Javier's voice broke through the tension. "No... wait, Bug, please..Stay.”

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sofiaispunk · 10 months

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Web of Shadow and Light (Part III)

Sequel to Webs of Fate

Miguel O'Hara x SpiderSun Reader

words: 5.2 K

warnings: secret pregnancy trope, swearing, angst, heartbreak, grumpy/sunshine

Part I Part II Part III

The Spider-HQ echo with an unsettling symphony - a child's piercing cries and the hushed whispers of concern from some of the multiverse's bravest Spider heroes. They stand clustered around the smallest yet most powerful disturbance they've ever encountered - a baby boy. His wails have been echoing through the HQ since Miguel left the room, leaving the baby and dozens of Spider-man behind. Each cry is a call for help that pulls at their hearts, demanding attention, challenging their patience.

After much deliberation and coaxing from the rest, Miguel gave his team an ultimatum - they have until dawn to find an alternative solution, before Gabriel has to be eliminated, before the universe collapses on itself. His voice was a cold whisper when he spoke, "Figure out another way by tomorrow morning, or..." Nobody dares to complete the sentence, not even Miguel, the unsaid words hanging heavily in the air. And with that Miguel was gone, and the baby immediately started wailing and hasn’t stopped since.

Now Gwen, with her brows knitted in worry, rocks the baby with desperate gentleness. Her blue eyes are bright with unshed tears, a look of sheer helplessness painting her usually confident face. Beside her Peter B. is attempting to cheer Gabriel up but his efforts as pointless as they are endearing. The usually funny and charming Peter B seems to be losing a battle of wits with a one-year-old. It would've been humorous, had the situation been any different.

The sight of the little baby boy weeping his heart out, oblivious to the chaos his presence is causing tugs at their hearts, binding them in a collective resolution - they must protect this child. The shadows and the light, entwined in this web they’ve all been thrown into. And the clock is ticking.

Hobie scoops up the little boy, cradling him close in an attempt to soothe his relentless tears. "See, the cow says muhhhhh," he coos. His tiny cries falter, curiosity momentarily replacing distress. He gazes at Hobie with wide eyes, intrigued by the cool looking man. "And the butterfly," Hobie pauses dramatically, "well, the butterfly don’t say nothin’." He continues his little game, while rocking the baby gently in his arms. "And the pig says-"

Miles chimes in with an eager grin, "Oink, Oink."

"Nah, bruv," Hobie laughs. “The pig says, ‘You have the right to remain silent!’”

Gabriel’s face scrunches up, and the waterworks start again. Hobie chuckles, "Fair enough, little fella. Cops make me wanna cry too."

Meanwhile Jessica Drew, clad in her black and white Spider-Woman outfit, her dark locks cascading around her shoulders, is leaning against the doorframe, half entering the room, her eyebrows raised. "Well? I assume he didn’t stop crying?“

Beside her Peter B. with his shaggy brown hair and five o’ clock beard just shakes his head.

“This is nuts. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING is working.“ Gwen states.

In the background, the cries of baby Gabriel cotinue, little fists flailing as he continued his tantrum. Jessica, arching an eyebrow, comments, “He’s still going at it?”

Hobie Brown, just gives her a quick nod. “Oh yeah, the kid has got a set of lungs.”

Suddenly, Pavitr Prabhakar, yelps as a makeshift toy, made out of wood and spiderwebs, hit him square in the forehead. "Ow! And one hell of arm throw."

Methodically, Jessica starts running through a mental checklist. “Diaper?”

Peter B. Parker nods. “Clean.”

“Food?” Jessica glances at Miles who holds a baby food jar and a bent spoon.

Miles, in his black and red suit, shrugs. “Kept smacking the spoon out my hand.”

“Nap?” Jessica's questions further.

The entire room answer in unison, clearly frustrated “Literally the first thing we tried.”

Pavitr smirkes at them. “Jinx.” But his joke is short-lived as Gabriels screams become even louder.

Gwen, then takes charge, “Ok, we have to do something,” her eyes flicking around the room with determination. She points to Jess, “You have to talk to Miguel. You’ve been around him the longest, maybe you can get through to him.”

Jess looks hesitant but nods.

“And Peter,” Gwen turns to Peter B who’s still juggling items in his hands, to entertain the baby and stop his crying. “Get Mayday’s toys. Maybe the baby’s just bored.”

Peter gives a thumbs up. “You got it, boss.”

“And Pav, Hobie,” Gwen instructs, her voice steady. “You need to rally the other Spider-people. We need everyone on board to protect this little guy.”

“Margo, you’re with me, girl. We are paying our old friend Lyla a little surprise visit. Something’s a little fishy with her.” Margo nods eagerly.

As everyone scatters into action, Miles stands there, looking slightly lost and raising his hands. "Hey, guys, you forgot about me! What am I supposed to do? How can I help?" he calls out to the rapidly moving group.

Pav whirls around and points at Miles, "You, take care of the little guy, newbie," he says, as Hobie thrusts the still crying baby into Miles' arms.

"Great," Miles grumbles, balancing Gabriel on his hip and looking down at the squirming bundle of tears.

He starts to bounce up and down gently, trying to imitate what he's seen in movies. The baby continues to cry, unfazed by Miles' efforts.

“Alright buddy, let’s figure this out together. I can swing through New York, so how hard can babysitting be?” Miles whispers to the baby.

Hours drag on and Gabriel's relentless cries continue to echo through the HQ. Despite his earnest attempts, Miles, armed with only his spider powers and limited babysitting experience, is unsuccessful in calming the baby. He’s tried everything he can think of – makinf funny faces, telling funny stories in a soothing tone, gently swinging him back and forth with his web-slinging skills, and even humming a little tune (it was Humble by Kendrick Lamar, but the thought counts, right?). At one point, he even tried to entertain the baby by creating animals out of webbing, but that didn’t work either. The baby is relentless, and his cries only seem to get louder.

In the meantime in Miguel’s office, the echoing cries penetrate through the walls. Migel is sitting behind his desk looking at some documents, while Jess stands in front of him.

“Please, Miguel, it’s a baby boy. How did you imagine doing this, huh?” Jess exclaims, her voice rising. “Did you plan to build some sort of machine to just vaporize him? Or did you think of strangling him with your own bare hands? I know you’re not a monster.” But Miguel's face remains stoic, his eyes never leaving the papers on his desk.

“And look,” Jess continues, pointing vaguely in the direction of where the baby’s cries are coming from, “this baby is already older, and nothing has collapsed yet. The universe is still here.”

“I can’t risk any more lives, Jess,”Miguel responds coldly, finally looking up at her.

“But what if there is another way? We haven’t even tried everything. We have brilliant minds here. Let’s...let’s figure something out that doesn’t involve.. that,” Jess pleads, her voice softening.

Miguel looks at her for a long moment but his expression remains unreadable. The cries of the baby continue to fill the air.

Jess then turns her gaze towards Lyla, , who is stationed nearby, her holographic interface flickering with data. “Lyla, what are the kid’s powers? Run a genetics test, a DNA test. We need something to work with.”

Lyla’s synthetic voice answers in an eerily calm tone, "I have already processed the genetic information, Jessica. Thanks very much, genius. As per my findings, the child’s power attributes remain undefined. In regards to the DNA test..."

Lyla hesitates just a fraction of a second, but enough for Miguel to notice. It's an unexpected response from an AI that's programmed to be efficient and direct. A strange tingle rises within him but he pushes it aside, refocusing on the matter at hand.

“is inconclusive.” Jess squints at Lyla. “Inconclusive? What do you mean? Is he an anomaly or not?”

“He’s an anomaly, certainly. However, the DNA analysis is...complicated,” Lyla maintains her composed tone. “Complicated how?” Jess presses on. “Just...unfamiliar and intermingled genetic markers,” Lyla responds vaguely. “The child is an enigma.”

"Miguel, please" she continues, turning back to Miguel, clearly frustrated with Lyla's vague responses that are not helping her case. Her tone is still serious, "this isn't some variation of a monster, this is a baby."

For a moment, Miguel’s gaze flickers, his usual icy aura briefly wavering. "It doesn't matter," he finally grunts, closing his eyes as if to physically shut out the argument. Jessica's voice turns unexpectedly brittle. "I didn't join the Society to kill innocent kids."

Miguel clenches his jaw hard. "We do what we have to do for the greater good. No exceptions." Jessica takes a deep breath, her next words coming out almost in a whisper. "What if there was my Gerald or a version of your-" she begins, but is quickly cut off.

"DON’T. Don't even go there, Jessica" Miguel growls, his hand forming into a tight fist. "And why the hell is it still crying?"

Jessica's gaze softens slightly. "That child, that little boy, probably misses his parents. Parents who are going through hell right now, searching for their baby." Miguel's fist tightens further, a spark of something, maybe regret, guilt, flashing in his eyes. Jessica presses on trying one last time to convince him. "He was found in 586, right? Maybe we can reconnect with Su-"

"No," Miguel interrupts sharply, his voice a final command. “Until tomorrow morning, Jess,” he finally says in a low voice, putting an end to Jess’ outburst. “That’s all. You can leave now.”

There’s a heavy silence, where the only sound is Gabriel’s distant crying.

Jessica looks at Miguel, her gaze piercing. "Think about what you’re doing, Miguel," she whispers and leaves the room, closing the door softly behind her.

In the heart of the HQ, Margo sifts through the labyrinth of Lyla's concealed data. She uncovers a file that captures her attention – the baby's DNA results. "There you are," she mutters to herself, an air of triumph in her voice. As she opens the file, her eyes widen in disbelief, "Oh no…“

"What is it, Margo?" Gwen asks making her way over to Margo.

Margo's voice trembles slightly. "So, while looking through the hidden data, I found the baby's... there was a parental match."

Gwen's heart skips a beat. “I knew something was was off with Lyla. Of course she knows more. Well, who are the little guy's parents?"

Margo hesitates, then blurts out, "Miguel and Sunny."

Gwen stops dead in her tracks, her mind reeling. "I'm sorry, can you repeat that?"

"The baby's mother is Sunny, and the father is Miguel," Margo reiterates, her voice steady.

Gwen eyes widen. "But... are you sure? I know Sunny's baby. I was there when baby Gabriel was born!“

"Yes, I'm sure. There were two parental matches for the baby in the spider DNA logs:Sun Spider and Spider-Man 2099. When was the last time you saw the baby, Gwen? Babies change quickly at that age." Margo confirms.

"Miguel and Sunny? That's not possible... how have we never noticed that there's something going on between those two?" Gwen's mind whirls with confusion.

"Oh, I noticed," Margo's voice holds a hint of smugness, "The way he was sneaking into her room at night? And the way he looked at her every time she set foot in a room, like a lovesick puppy. It was adorable. Wait, nobody else noticed?"

Gwen splutters, taken aback, "What? No, I... well, he's all 'we need to sacrifice ourselves to protect the multiverse. No more traveling for fun'" she imitates Miguel's voice with a teasing lilt, then she adds, "And Sunnys is literally the personification of a warm embrace."

Gwen's mind whirls but she continues, “ Woah, okay lets focus on the important part. I mean, I knew something was wrong with Lyla, but why... why would she do that?"

"There's more, Gwen," Margo says, her voice shaking slightly. "I found another thing in her data. It's... it's about how she's processing information."

Gwen frowns, "What do you mean?"

Margo takes a deep breath before explaining, "In simple terms, Lyla's been teaching herself new things. She's changing, growing beyond her original programming. Her code is self-evolving."

"And the data about the baby?" Gwen asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

Margo sighs, "She's been... twisting it, making the baby seem more dangerous than it actually is."

Gwen's mind reels with this new information, the world around her seeming to tilt. "But why?" she finally manages to ask. "Why would Lyla do this?"

"I don't know, Gwen," Margo admits. "But we need to find out and warn Miguel. And soon."

Meanwhile in Miguels office, the wailing becomes louder, almost as if piercing through the walls, trying to reach something, or someone. Miguel's face betrays his discomfort, as if the cries are tugging at his walls around his heart. There's a weight on his chest, something unidentifiable that makes it hard to breathe.

Suddenly Lyla’s holographic interface hums. She begins to show the outline various strategies for eliminating the child. Her voice, analtytic but almost cheerful, fills the room. “So, we could create a temporal displacement field, effectively erasing the child from existence. Or perhaps expose him to a slow-acting molecular destabilizer..."

"Based on the trial," she continues unfazed by Miguel’s lack of response. "the device should work as intended, wiping out any of its DNA and trace. Be like the anomaly never existed." There's a hint of satisfaction in her words.

Miguel, until now staring blankly at the wall, finally turns towards Lyla, his complexion pale and his eyes wide.

His insides twist painfully, the mere idea of bringing harm to this innocent child becoming now unbearable.

“Stop,” Miguel chokes out.

“Apologies, Miguel. We must consider all options for preserving the multiverse. You out of all people should know that,”Lyla retorts.

But something within Miguel snaps. His ice-cold distant facade crumbles. Rising abruptly, his chair clatters loudly onto the floor.

Without saying another word, he strides out of his office. “Miguel? Are you listening? Where are you going?” Lyla calls after him, but her words are unanswered in the empty room.

Walking down the hallway, Miguel slows down as he passes the room where the infant's cries come from. He pauses when he hears Miles' pleas inside.

“Little dude, if you stop crying promise I’ll get you some cool kicks. Maybe some baby Jordans? Please, please just stop crying,” Miles pleads, his voice sounding desperate and utterly exhausted.

After a moment hesitation, Miguel pushes open the door and steps into the room. His gaze, sterner than ever, as he takes in the scene: Miles looking near defeat, his energy spent trying to soothe the wailing child, his spider suit rumpled and hair disheveled.

"Enough," Miguel comms sharply.

Miles looks up from where he's been pacing with the baby, his eyes wide like he's just been caught stealing cookies from a jar. “You,” Miguel points at Miles, who is holding the still-crying baby. His voice booms with authority. “Put him down”

Miles, slightly dumbfounded, obeys and carefully lays the child down on his makeshift bed. “I need you to return to Earth 586. Get some of his belongings - toys, blankets, anything you can find," he orders, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"But Miguel--" Miles startsbut gets cut off immediately.

"Now," he says, his red eyes flashing dangerously. Miles opens the portal hastily and disspears to your universe.

The crying has subsided to whimpers, and Miguel finds himself kneeling next to the little one, who reaches out for him. As if on autopilot, Miguel’s hands scoop him up abruptly from the bed.

"Quiet, niño. "Miguel growls at him with a low and threatening tone. "I could just... do it right now." His irritation gets the better of him, and he bares his fangs at the little one. This sight shocks Gabriel into silence for a moment, his big, teary eyes widening at the sight.

But then, to Miguel's surprise, the baby breaks into a fit of giggles, the sound infectious and joyous.

Gabriel suddenly mimics Miguel, baring his own little teeth – two tiny milk teeth and the beginnings of baby fangs peeking from his gums, causing Miguel to stiffen in shock.

Caught off guard Miguel's hold slips and Gabriel lands back on the web-shaped bed with a bounce. The baby's laughter ends abruptly and is replaced once more with tears and cries.

Still in shock, Miguel stumbles back a step, but Gabriel's cries soon pull him back into the present. With a sigh, he picks up the little boy yet again andGabriel immediately snuggles into the crook of Miguel’s neck, his tiny arms winding tightly around his throat. Miguel swallows hard, unsure of what to do next.

Then, almost instinctively, he starts to hum a tune he thought he'd long forgotten. "Tú eres mi sol de la mañana, el sol que brilla..." His voice is barely audible, the words shaky. Gabriel's little body relaxes against him, a content sigh escaping his lips followed by a quiet yawn. He nuzzles closer to Miguel, his tiny breaths falling into sync with the rhythm of the song. "...alegra todo, mi corazón," Miguel coninues softly, his mind flooding with memories. He sees a bright, lively girl with the same curious eyes as the boy in his arms.

"Daddy," Gabriella asks, her large eyes bright with curiosity as she looks up at him, "why do you call me your morning sun? I'm not yellow."

Miguel chuckles at her innocence, his fingers gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. He cradles her against his chest, looking into those eyes so full of wonder. "No, mija" he replies, his voice soft with affection "you're not yellow but you are my sunshine."

"But why?" She wrinkles her little nose, her childish curiosity making Miguel's heart fill up with love.

"Because, mijita," he begins, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple, "just like the sun, you light up my world. You chase away the darkness with your laughter and your love. You are warmth, you are joy, and just like the morning sun, you are a new beginning, a promise of a brighter day."

Gabriella blinks up at him, her lips curving into a small, and she hides her smile in the crook of his neck. "I like that, Papi," she whispers, "Sing the song again, please?"

“brilla, conmigo, brilla que brilla, alegrandome esta cancion. Tu eres mi sol de la manana…“

Eyes closed, Miguel draws Gabriel unconsciously closer, his heart full, and for the first time he’s feeling a sense of contentment he hasn't experienced in years.

The moment is shattered by the sound of a throat being cleared, pulling him abruptly out of his peaceful trance.

Peter B is standing in the doorway, arms loaded with various dolls. "Wow, he's finally asleep," he remarks, looking between Miguel and the now sleeping Gabriel with a relieved smile. "I was starting to think that was impossible."

Without responding, or even sparing a glance in Peter's direction, Miguel turns away from the door and heads to the bed. He gently places the sleeping toddler down, pulling a small blanket over him. Once he's confident that Gabriel is settled, Miguel quietly leaves the room, his demeanor as frosty and aloof as ever, making no acknowledgment of Peter's presence.

Peter B is quick on his feet, rushing after Miguel. "I brought him toys from Mayday," he blurts out. "She won't miss them. She's not too good at sharing, but I guess she won’t mind in this case."

Miguel continues his stride, not giving Peter so much as a backward glance. "Que maravilla," he mutters under his breath, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Ignoring the dismissal, Peter B. reaches out and places a hand on Miguel's arm, stopping him in his tracks. Miguel raises an eyebrow and glances back at him half-heartedly, clearly not interested in a conversation.

Peter takes a moment, his gaze intensifying. "Hey, boss," he begins, his voice shaky yet determined. "We can't let anything happen to this boy, right?"

At Peter's words, Miguel closes his eyes and takes a deep, steadying breath.

Back on Earth 586, you're in the throes of a meltdown. Your little boy, Gabriel, is nowhere to be found. You've scoured the whole city of Nea Yorkey, every nook and cranny you can think of, but there's no trace of him anywhere. Desperation gnaws at your insides, and fury bubbles up, hot and fierce. Your mind is in turmoil, swirling with anger and fear, clouding your ability to think straight. One thing is crystal clear though: whoever dared to touch your child will pay dearly for their actions.

You're frantically trying to find a way to contact anyone from the Spider Society, while simultaneously considering every possible avenue to traverse the multiverse yourself. Alchemax - the multinational conglomerate known for its cutting-edge research and technological advancements - seems to be your only hope. As you're about to make your way there, a sound from Gabriel's room stops you in your tracks.

Your Spider senses, already on high alert due to the unexpected circumstances, seem to kick into overdrive. Every instinct within you screams that something is about to happen. Your heart pounds in your chest like a wild drum as you slowly approach the room.

Meanwhile, in Gabriel's room, Miles is having his own share of troubles. In his haste, he stumbles over a toy car that starts making an assortment of noises and brightly lit animations. "Ah, this stupid toy!" he curses under his breath.

A thought suddenly crosses his mind and he wonders aloud, "Wait, does he need a blanket?" Just as he's about to reach for a small bunny stuffed animal that lay discarded on the floor, an intense blast of sonic energy sweeps across the room.

Caught by surprise, Miles finds himself flung across the room, his back hitting the wall with a thud. Before he can even let out a gasp, a spider web shoots out, pinning him securely against the wall. There he hangs, suspended, his eyes wide with shock and confusion. His breath comes in shallow gasps as he attempts to comprehend what just happened. Well its safe to say he didn’t saw that coming.

Miles, still stuck against the wall, manages to blurt out, "Who are you?"

"Who am I?" you echo, incredulity lacing your tone. "You break into my son's room and ask me whoI am?"

Your mind races as Miles stammers, "Wait, your son's room? Wait, are you...are you a Spider-person aswell?"

Ignoring his question, you stride towards him, an aura of threat radiating off you. "Stop talking!" you command, "I ask the questions!" In your hand, a ball of solar energy forms, crackling with power and casting a glow across the room.

"Why are you here? Where is my son?" The words are more of a growl than a question, the motherly instincts in you sending waves of danger rippling across the room. "Your son is okay, please don't hurt me!" Miles pleads with a shaky fear laced voice.

Squirmy and visibly frightened, Miles stammers out his confession, "We-we took him...it was our mission... He's an anomaly...we needed to get him out of this universe, send him to his own, so it wouldn’t collapse and interfere with the multiverse...but he doesn't have one, and I'm so sorry..."

His voice dwindles to a murmur, words tumbling over one another in his haste. Amidst his ramblings, your icy inquiry slices through like a blade, "Who instructed you?"

A sharp wince contorts his face, betraying his fear. "Our boss..." he starts, his voice barely above a whisper, "Miguel... Miguel O'Hara."

The energy in your hand dissipates, leaving only shock in its place. It's almost too much to take in - the idea that Miguel, your Miguel, could have done something like this. "He's okay, we... we didn't know he was the son of a Spider-woman. I'm Miles Morales, by the way." he introduces himself, attempting to inject some normalcy into the situation.

"I'm Spider-Sun," you respond automatically, your voice sounding distant to your own ears.

"Wait … you?" Miles' eyes widen in recognition. "You're Sunny?" When you give a numb nod in response, he continues, "You look more like 'Stormy' if you ask me." Your gaze snaps to Miles, the intensity of your death glare immediately silencing his attempt at humour. "Sorry, sorry," he stammers, raising his hands in surrender. "I just...I've heard Gwen and Peter talk about you."

"They never stop talking about you," Miles continues, trying to regain his composure. "They always say you have such a radiant personality and how much they miss you. They take care of your son, don’t worry. Hes safe for now.”

"What do you mean he's safe 'for now'?" you cut him off abruptly, your voice cold and hard. Miles gulps nervously before responding.

"Eh...we have until morning to find a solution for this...anomaly," he stammers. You interrupt him, seething with a fury that makes him cringe. "My son's name is Gabriel. He is not an 'anomaly'," you spit out the words like they are poison, hating the way they make your sweet little boy sound like some kind of mistake.

"Eh, yes, for Gabriel," Miles corrects hastily, "because, eh... if we don't find an alternative, they need to, eh...eliminate..." He trails off, speaking so quickly and softly that you almost don't catch his last word.

"ELIMINATE?????" You scream and for a split second, Miles is sure he sees your eyes blaze with a terrifying, luminating light.

"We can stop them. We can talk to them and say it's your son," Miles says quickly, desperately hoping to calm you.

"I don't talk. Bring me to my son," you demand. Without wasting another moment, you order him to open the portal. "Y-yes, right away, Sunn... eh, Mrs. Sun, eh... Ma'am," he stammers, visibly trembling under your steely gaze.

It takes him two shaky attempts before he manages to successfully open the portal, his hands still unsteady from the encounter.

Back at the headquarters, Peter chases after Miguel into his office. "Boss, all I'm saying is, what if Lyla is wrong?"

Miguel is pinching the bridge of his nose, a deep sigh escaping his lips. The weight of the situation is quickly becoming too overwhelming and he feels himself teetering dangerously close to his breaking point.

Just at that moment, Gwen, Pav, Margo and Hobie burst into the office, their faces set withdetermination. "Miguel, there’s something you need to know. Please hear us out. Margo and I, we found something.Lyla is - ," Gwen starts but Miguel is quick to silence her with a raised hand.

Just as Miguel is about to speak, the lights flicker, casting an ominous glow throughout the room. Hobie looks around nervously. "Is that eh...normal?"

Peter quirks an eyebrow. "Did you forget to pay the electricity bill?"

The lights flicker even more violently, plunging the room into a dance of shadow and light.

With a violent burst, the door is flung open, and a brilliant surge of light blinds everyone. You stand in the doorway, an ethereal aura glowing around you.

"O'Hara!" Your voice thunders through the room, heavy with wrath and revenge. As Miguel turns around to face the source of the sound, a massive, lightning-tinged sonar blast slams directly into his chest. He's pushed backward, knocked off balance before he can brace himself for the attack. He tries to recoverr, to shift into defense mode but he doesn't get the chance. You're relentless, a solar goddess in human form, hurtling blast after blast at him. Miguel has no time to regain his stance, each attack landing with more force than the last.

Gwen makes to step forward, her instincts screaming at her to intervene, but Peter grabs her arm, pulling her back. "That's Sunny," he says, his voice a mixture of awe and concern. Hobie's eyes widen comically. He cocks his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "Our Sunny, eh? Blimey, I never knew she had it in her. That rebellious firecracker," he mutters, a distinct note of admiration creeping into his typically laid-back British drawl.

Miles bursts into the room, breathless and disheveled. He stumbles towards Gwen, his voice hurried and concerned, "I tried to stop her, but she was...she was furious. Woahhh, I've never seen Miguel get beaten like this before."

And he wasn't exaggerating. Miguel was fighting back, his fangs bared, his claws out and ready but he was no match for your rage-fueled attacks. You were right up in his face, delivering punch after punch at a brutal pace

"Where's my son, O’Hara? What have you done to him?" you demand, your voice cutting through the chaos like a blade.

At your words, Miguel's movements falter. His defense wavers, and he barely manages to gasp out, "Your son?" He doesn't dodge your next blow, doesn't attempt to shield himself or strike back. Instead, he allows you to continue.

Miguel is shocked. His reflexes kick in as he sees the next punch coming and he grabs your wrist, halting your next powerful punch aimed for his face. He locks eyes with you, his gaze holding an emotion you've never seen in him before. Is it fear? No, it's much deeper, more profound.

As he stares at you, your luminescent eyes gradually lose their fiery intensity, shifting back to their human form.

"I... I didn't know," Miguel stammers, his voice a trembling whisper. "Lo – lo siento. I – I didn’t know.”

His breaths are ragged, and you can see a war waging inside him.

"But...how?How didn’t I know?" His voice is choked, your wrist still securely in his grip. “Your son?” Miguel continues,his voice is barely above a whisper. His eyes search yours and all he sees is raw, untamed anger with an aching pain that pierces his soul.

“Yes, MY son!” your voice echoes through the room like a whip. “Did you think that you could just take him from me? That I wouldn't come for him?”

Miguel’s grip on your wrist loosens as he stumbles back. His heart feels like it’s about to explode as realization dawns on him. The dark curls, the small fangs the baby had bared at him –pieces of a puzzle start falling into place. His own blood runs cold.

“Where is he, Miguel? Where’s myGabriel?” your voice breaks as you say the name, and it feels like another punch to Miguel's gut.

“Gabr...” Miguel chokes. “No... no...”

His voice is barely audible, the air knocked out of him by the significance of the name. His knees buckle, and he falls on the floor. "NO."

“You, who I thought would protect any child, wanted to eliminate my – our – flesh and blood!” Tears, full of anger and hurt, stream down your face, but your voice doesn't waver one bit.

Miguel, still on the floor, looks up at you with tear-streaked cheeks. “I didn’t know. I swear on my life, on Gabriella’s memory. I-I wanted to do the right thing. I- I never, -Lo siento.”

There’s a moment of tense silence as you look down at the shattered man before you,the love of your life, the father of your child, who almost made the most horrifying, unforgivable mistake.

Just then, from another room, the faint sound of a baby's cries pierce through the heavy atmosphere. You abruptly yank your wrist out of his grasp and towards the door to leave.

Your heart clenches as you break into a run, following the pitiful cries. You don’t look back.

Miguel remains on his knees. He doenst follow you, he doesn’t dare to move, anchored by the crushing weight of what he's done, as the sounds of Gabriel's cries fade into the background.

"Gabriel," he whispers, the name escaping his lips like a vow. A promise of redemption. And with that single word, Miguel knows he'll move heaven and earth to protect his child.

Part 4 "Webs of Redemption" - coming soon

Hello, you wonderful souls! I want to say a big thank you for your patience and kind words about this series. I really appreciate each of your sweet comments and messages – they mean so much to me. Thank you all for the insightful ideas and suggestions you contributed for part 3. I've incorporated as many of your concepts as I could because they're simply brilliant. I'm eager to hear more of your thoughts, criticisms, and proposals for part 4. I also want to give a special thanks to Jess, @wolfjessedragon . Her inspiration and amazing ideas were the driving force behind Part 3, and I couldn't have written it without her! love you guys, keep being awesome!

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