Chapter Text
Pavitr Prabhakar loves being spiderman.
What's there not to love? He has a wonderful group of friends, he gets to be a good person and give back to his community, and he's also got an awesome set of powers!
The others just don't understand him, why seep in a sack of misery? They look at him as if they're waiting for something to happen.
'You don't get it yet, Pav.' They say to him, 'You're too young, too naive.'
So what? What does naivete have to do with his happiness?
He guesses that this is what sets him apart from the rest of the Spider Society. Apart from others like Mr. O'Hara, Gwen, Miles, and even Hobie.
It's okay.
He's okay with that.
Pav's day starts as usual, with him waking up early to brush his teeth, do his skincare routine, and comb coconut oil into his hair.
He hummed bouncing around his room in a cheerful dance.
He leans into the mirror, inspecting his face before giving himself the widest smile he can. He lightly slaps his face twice, before puffing up with excitement.
"Today is going to be a great day!"
Today was not a great day. Gwen realized that as soon as she woke up and rolled out of bed.
To start, her back ached from not stretching enough after a long day of swinging around and no amount of numbing cream could help her. Then, Miguel just HAD to give her and Miles a mission. Together.
Well Peter B. was also there, but that's besides the point.
"Hey- Miles?" She tried, but he just turned away. She sighed.
After everything that happened, she can't exactly say that Miles forgave her and everything is back to normal. How could it? Miles won't even look at her and she can't even blame him.
So there the three of them were, swinging from building to building. It was just a simple patrol around a few universes. It should feel nostalgic, should feel familiar, but it doesn't.
Gwen glanced over to Peter, but he just gave her a pitiful look before pulling down on Mayday's hat and catching up with Miles.
'Great, this day just can't possibly get worse.'
It got worse.
Funnily enough, there is actually a name for this 'phenomenon'. No one really knows where it came from, but some just started using it and it eventually just became the term that everyone used.
The Spider-Man Luck.
What is the Spider-Man Luck? Well, it's apparently the only consistent rule within the entire multiverse! All it means is that if you were bitten by a radioactive spider, then you will be subjected to bad luck for the rest of your life.
Case and point:
"Oh hey you guys!"
Gwen sighed. Did it really have to be the last universe?
There stood The Spot, standing in a stupid stance hunched over seven bags of bagels.
"Spot!" Miles shouted in shock, "What are you doing here?!"
He huffed and stood up straight, dropping his bagels. "It's 'The Spot'! But you know, committing acts of evil, being a villain, trying to live my best life-"
"It was a theoretical question!"
"Okay wow, rude."
Jesus Christ, the Spot has to be her least favorite villain ever!
"We're not here for small chat." Miles narrowed his eyes before swinging forward to attack.
Peter from behind her sighed, holding onto his daughter's straps a little tighter. "So much for a calm patrol.."
She couldn't agree more.
This is bad.
This is really bad.
Gwen and Peter were really beaten up. The Spot was just playing them for fools! Complete and utter fools! "Seriously, what does that stupid villain eat to get stronger?!"
"The souls of the past Spider-Men he's killed?" Peter huffed, out of breath.
"That would not be a surprise- Miles!" She shoots up, "Miles is alone with him- we have to go!"
"Just give me a second! I'm sending Miguel a distress signal-" He wheezed, but she was faster as she dragged the two of them out of the alley.
She looked around, her Spidey senses tingling before she finally spots them.
"You know, this has been really fun, but I think I'm going to end our play date here." The Spot said, holding Miles by the neck tightly as he struggled to move. She watched as his grip got tighter, and tighter, and-
"Miles!" She cried out, swinging up as the Spot narrowed in on him- Wait, she's not going to get there in time!-
BANG!
"Ack!-" Suddenly, the Spot was flung backwards far into the distance!
A web slung around Miles, dragging him to the top of the roof. Gwen and Peter glanced at each other before swinging as fast as they could to where-
"Oh, hey Gwen, Peter; oh wow, you brought little Mayday too!" Pav laughed, snatching the small child up and twirling around.
The two of them stared in shock.
"Pav?! What are you doing here?!"
"Well, Mr. O'Hara said he saw your guys' distress signal," He tosses Mayday up and catches her by the feet. "And I wasn't doing anything, so he sent me!"
"That was quick." Peter took her back quickly, raising an eyebrow. "Wait, sent you?"
"Woah, no need to sound so skeptical! I can help too, you know." His attention shifts when Miles coughed harshly, crouching down and patting him on the back. "Slow, deep breaths, man. Take it easy."
Miles followed his instructions, looking up at him. "...Pavitr?"
"The one and only." His voice was soft as he shifted the injured's body weight so he could sit and lean back. "Perfect timing, right?"
"Couldn't he at least have sent Hobie?" Gwen cried out, as a piece of metal was hurled towards them. The Spot was approaching them again and!-
Pavitr pouted, bangle used to parry the attack. "Wow, you are really hurting my feelings right now."
"How did you even get here so quickly?! It takes time to put in the earth number!"
He shrugged, "I just put in some random number. You know Peter, next time you should really send the universe number too."
"Random number?! There are an infinite number of earths!"
"I got lucky!"
"That is literally impossible!-"
"Okay whatever- enough about it!" Peter screeched, "Pav, are you going to go help or what?"
He huffed, "Not with that attitude I'm not!"
"Pavitr." Peter narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms after securing Mayday again.
"Going now!" He sings, jumping down to where the Spot was approaching. "Man, did you get uglier from the last time I saw you?" His voice slowly got further.
Peter sighed before he shot out a web to go help him, leaving just Gwen and Miles again.
She watched as he caught his breath, pushing himself off the floor.
"Miles, is it really a good idea for you to continue to fight?" She asked, taking a step towards him.
Miles froze her with his glare before he wiped his mouth and jumped off the building.
She sighed.
Well, no use dwelling on it right now.
As much as she hates to admit it, Pavitr's help was much needed.
Maybe it was his positivity, maybe it was just the fact that he was the only one who actually had a weapon. Whatever it was, they were able to tip the scale in their favor.
It was getting increasingly obvious that the Spot was getting more frustrated when he sent several portals everywhere, jumping in one. Gwen and Peter glanced at each other before they landed on a building to try to find them.
"Can you see him?" Gwen's vision has never been the best, but this sucks.
Peter shook his head.
She groaned, "Why did he have to come here? I mean, I get his vendetta against Miles and all, but this is getting ridic-"
"Miles- Pav!" He suddenly shouted, forcing her to turn to see the two spider-men being thrown into a portal.
"Oh crap, where are they?!"
"There's too many portals to be sure-"
"AHHH-"
Gwen turned quickly, only to see Pavitr fall maybe a meter before landing in a soft patch of flowers.
"What the- Okay now that is just unfair."
"Does the Spider-Man luck just… not affect him at all?" Peter B. watched in awe as Pav sat up in a patch of flowers.
"I.. guess so?" Gwen winced when Miles soon followed after, landing on the concrete next to him. "I've never seen him affected by it."
"I- Woah!" Pav squeaks, picking at the flowers. "You know, this might be the most vibrant thing I've seen since I left home. Did I ever mention how dull everything is outside of my universe?" He pushed himself off the floor.
"Ouch.." Miles pushed himself up, holding his head.
"Hey man, you okay?" He led out a hand to help him, pulling off the ground.
Miles just let out a long groan, "I think I might have a concussion.."
Pav patted him on the shoulder sympathetically.
"You should come back to my universe, man! Auntie makes the best chai for things like this, it's how I bounce back so quickly!"
"..Really?" He gave him a questioning look, but he just nodded enthusiastically back.
"For sure!"
"You guys!" Gwen called out as she landed next to them. "Are you okay?!"
"Peachy!" Pav beamed.
Miles rubbed his stomach, "I feel like I cracked a rib.."
"Yeah buddy, that looked like it hurt." Peter nodded sympathetically. "Did he get away?"
Pavitr pouted, "Guess so. The portals just all disappeared so no point in trying to follow."
"Damn it-"
Suddenly, Pavitr's watch started to ring. Everyone looked at him questioning as he jumped in surprise and fidgety with his watch. After a few seconds, the call was answered.
"Hobie!" His eyes glimmer with excitement. He brings his face close to the screen.
"Hobie?"
"'Ey buttercup." The anarchist grinned, flicking two fingers. "Lookin' good. What're you doin'?"
"Buttercup..?" Miles looked confused towards the other two, but they just shrugged.
"You know; having fun, eating a lot, saving the universe- oh! And I'm here with Miles, Gwen, and Peter!" He turned the screen around, revealing Hobie sitting on the top of a building with his mask somewhat off while eating. "Say hi you guys!"
"Hey!"
"Hi Hobie."
"What's up."
"Woah. You guys look.." He paused, looking at the three of them, "...Like shi-"
"Ah ah!" Pav tsked, cutting him off, "There are CHILDREN present!"
Everyone looks towards Mayday, who just cooes and giggles.
Hovie just laughed it off and took another bite of whatever he was eating (Oh dear lord, that food looked so good). "So. Somethin' about a mission? Pav looks great compared to you guys."
Miles sighed exaggeratedly. "It was supposed to just be a patrol. I don't know how you do it, Pav! Do you always look like this after a mission?"
"Pft- Nah, guess I got lucky today!" He smiled widely.
"No, that's the thing! You're not just lucky after you become Spiderman!"
Peter sighed, "There's no point in trying to solve his luck. Trust us, we've tried."
Hobie railed them back, "So Miguel has been getting paranoid again and sending groups of spidermans out to patrol around?"
"You know how he is."
"Man, do I."
All of a sudden, the mood was brought down once more.
Miles is still.. nervous around Miguel. Completely understandable, but it does make any mention of him or the Spider Society tough even if he is somewhat a part of it now. Pavitr tilted his head looking around as everyone avoided eye contact with one another before he brightened with an idea.
"Anyways!" He flipped the screen again, "Look what I got you!"
Quickly and from nowhere, Pav held up a batch of flowers wrapped in web with a bow.
Everyone blinked in surprise before Hobie sighed.
"Man, you know how I feel about gifts-"
"No no, this one's special! See, I stole these!" He puffed up in self importance.
"Stole?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Aren't those the same flowers you fell on?" Gwen raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah!" Everyone could just imagine the large smile he had under the mask.
"Buddy," Peter chuckled, "Did you just pick the flowers in a park?"
"Uh, duh? From another universe! That's stealing. Tell them, Hobie!"
Everyone seemed to have the same mental picture of Pavitr picking flowers while the Spot was getting away.
Hobie's deep rumble of a laugh rang through their ears before he nodded. "Sure, Pav. We'll go with that."
Gwen couldn't help but giggle at how proud he looked for himself. "Oh! That reminds me," Pavitr bounces in excitement, "Aunt Maya wants you guys to come over for dinner."
"Us?" Miles asked, gesturing towards the three spiders.
"Yeah, especially you Miles!"
"Me?"
He nodded, almost nonchalantly, "Oh yeah, big fan of yours."
Miles blinked and Gwen could just see the blush that was definitely rising on his cheek. "W-Well, alright then!"
Peter shifted, unsure. "I don't know.. I have to get Mayday back home and asleep by eight."
"Oh come on," He pouted, "Are you really going to turn down Mumbattan's home-cooked cuisine?"
He didn't even have to think about it when he grinned, "Damn kid, you know where to hit. Yeah, I'll come."
He glanced at Gwen, who was immediately subjected to his puppy eyes. (Pav's friends would soon realize that only a crazy asshole would be able to resist them, and even then it would still be hard.) Slowly, she nodded. "Yes!" He pumped the air.
"She wanted Mr. O'Hara to come too," He continued, "But I'm trying to keep him away from her for as long as possible." He cringes at the thought.
"Oh. Why?" Gwen blinked.
"Uh.." He pushes his hair back, "Let's just say.. she finds him very aesthetically pleasing, haha.."
…
"Your aunt thinks Miguel is hot?!"
"Aiya, don't say it so loud!" He covered his ears. He sighed, dragging his hand down his face. "I think it's some form of divine punishment. I mean, think about it! Imagine your aunt and your boss hooking up; it's gross!"
Gwen stared at him for a moment before breaking into laughter. Peter stared indignant at her, but couldn't hold it in himself and started laughing too.
"Wha- hey! This is a very serious problem! Don't laugh- Miles! Tell them to stop laughing!"
Miles stared at the three of them; two laughing so hard their entire body was shaking and one who looked more and more distressed. Soon, even he started to giggle.
"You guys!" He cried, but it was no use. Even Hobie was laughing at this point.
"Oh my god, you guys are actually the worst. Traitors, all of you! I am never inviting any of you guys over again!" He huffed with a pout before swinging away. "See how you like it when I won't bring you guys food anymore!"
Just before he was out of ear shot, Gwen heard the man on the call gasp, "Wait, does that mean you won't cook for me anymore? Pav, you can't do that-"
"I can and will!"
Before he got too far, Peter sent out a web, looking back with a smile. He gave Gwen a knowing look and jumped after him.
She turned her head toward Miles, who was still laughing a little. "He really is something, isn't he?"
"He is." Miles looked so fondly at their friend who continued to pout away.
They watched silently as Peter in the distance sighed, and unstrapped Mayday and handed her to Pavitr, who lit up and took her. Even after a battle, he was still so full of energy. She doesn't know how he does it, but she guesses it's part of his charm.
"Hey.. Miles." She quietly started, anticipating him to jump away like he did before, but to her shock, he stayed quietly. Though he still doesn't look at her, she can tell he's listening.
She took a shallow, shaky breath while trying to collect herself. "I.. I know that nothing can make up for what I did. I broke your trust. None of this would have happened if I didn't invite you to come with me again.."
It was so weird to see Miles stay so quiet.
"I-I'm sorry- I'm being ridiculous to expect you to forgive me. You don't need to, it's just-"
"I don't think I can ever fully forgive you, Gwen."
"I.." Tears started to gather within her eyes, "I understand.."
She slowly pulls her mask back down, ready to jump after them.
"But.."
Gwen's eyes widened before she turned towards him quickly.
Miles was looking at her. He was looking at her again. "I think we can try."
"I don't.. want to force you to forgive me." She hesitantly says back.
Miles' laugh was tired and almost wistful, yet still made her feel just a little better. "You're not forcing me to do anything. I want to forgive you."
"Are.. you sure?" She asks, taking a step forward.
"If you keep asking, I'm going to start thinking you don't want me to forgive you." He raised an eyebrow.
"No, no- of course!-" Gwen takes another breath, her chest feeling light with happiness. "I'd like that too!"
Wordlessly, he opened his arms. It only took him one step before Gwen crashed into his arms in a tight hug.
Feeling Miles' warmth once again was like being covered by a soft, comforting blanket that was lost to time. It was so familiar, yet the memory could never do the real thing justice. Neither wanted to pull away, but when they did, seeing his smile almost made it worth it.
"Hey you two!"
Suddenly, they jolted to look at Pavitr, who was waving wildly while running from Peter. Little Mayday was giggling with her hat pulled over her face while she rode on the young spider-man's shoulders.
"Pavitr, give my daughter back!"
"Sorry, no can do!" He laughed, swinging even faster.
"Pavitr!"
"If you don't catch up, I might actually think you don't want food!" He, in the distance, called out before swinging to the next building; all while ignoring Peter's incessant screeches about his daughter's safety.
"Pav, get back here right now!"
"Don't let 'em catch you, Buttercup!" Hobie's voice chimed in, though it was clear he was holding in bouts of laughter.
The two looked at each other as Miles gave her a slight smile. "Coming!" He finally jumps after them.
Gwen stares longingly at the three spidermen gathering and laughing together. She doesn't know how long it's been since Miles was able to laugh so freely.
Pavitr may not be the strongest, fastest, or smartest, but there is one thing he can do that she hasn't seen any other Spiderman be able to emulate.
His ability to bring a smile to everyone's faces even in the worst situations.
"Gwen!" Pav jumps to get her attention, "Come on you snail!"
She chuckled to herself before she grinned. "Oh Pav, I know you did not just call me slow!"