[TG] The Amazing Spider (Wo)man

Goodbye... for now (END OF PART 1)

Gwen's small apartment in her own dimension was now the meeting place for the reunited group: Miles, Gwen, Peni, and the enigmatic Spider Cat. The cat turned his gaze from Miles to Gwen and back to Miles, his ears twitching in confusion. He let out a questioning meow, prompting SP//DR, the tiny bio-engineered spider, to nod and communicate with subtle, almost inaudible noises.

After listening to SP//DR, Peni translated Spider Cat's inquiry to Gwen and Miles, saying, "He wants to know why there are two of you."

Miles and Gwen, both eager to explain, began speaking simultaneously, their voices overlapping in a jumbled mess. It quickly became clear that no one in the room could understand what they were saying.

Spider Cat, with an unamused expression, stared at them, clearly unimpressed by their cacophonous explanations. Gwen and Miles exchanged an awkward glance, and Gwen suggested, "Why don't you explain it?"

Miles took a deep breath and began, "Look, I'm not really Gwen Stacy. I'm Miles Morales. I'm wearing this... magic Calvin-Klein pocket thing that makes me look and sound exactly like her."

Spider Cat still seemed puzzled. Miles backtracked, "Okay, it's a high-tech suit created by Peni that allows me to look and sound exactly like someone else. This one, in particular, is designed to look like Gwen, and only I can wear it."

Spider Cat issued another questioning meow. Peni was the one to reply, "Yes exactly! It's a shape-shifting gizmo."

Spider Cat nodded and then waved his tail nonchalantly before meowing again. Peni interpreted, "He asks why, though?"

Miles sighed and revealed, "It was a ploy to get me into the Spider Society." He went on to explain that for some unknown reason, Miguel had a strong aversion to the Miles from across the multiverse and didn't want any versions of him in the Society. Miles admitted he didn't know why Miguel held this grudge and that he didn't particularly care; he just wanted to prove he could belong like everyone else.

Spider Cat let out a single meow. Peni translated, "He says that was reckless, dishonest, and dangerous, and that you were letting your insecurities get the better of you."

Miles looked at her with incredulity. "He really said all that?"

Peni shrugged, "I'm paraphrasing," she retorted.

Spider Cat meowed again, prompting Peni to translate, "Now he is demanding milk."

Gwen apologized, "Sorry, we don't have milk. We're kinda short on cash."

Spider Cat seemed unamused yet hardly perturbed. He meowed again, and Peni interpreted, "Now he asks who saved him from the giant Robot Octopus."

Miles proudly admitted that it was him. Spider Cat responded with gratitude, "Thank you, whiny human. I am in debt."

Miles was touched. "Aww, thank-" But another meow interrupted him, "But you have no milk, so now we're even."

Spider Cat stretched lazily, turned around, and opened a portal, beginning to walk towards it. Miles couldn't help but ask, "Wait, you will keep our secret, right?"

Spider Cat meowed, and Peni repeated, "I will. See you later, whiny human."

"My name is Miles," he replied, but Spider Cat seemed uninterested as he disappeared through the portal, leaving the group to ponder the curious encounter.

***

As the summer days melted away, Miles and Gwen had settled into a steady rhythm again, alternating between their roles at the Dollar Dog and their duties as Spider Woman. It was a delicate balance, but it worked. Gwen marveled at the fact that this was the longest she had held a job in a very long time.

Their efforts were gradually paying off: The stability in their income meant that they were finally catching up with rent, although their landlord, Mr. Ditkovich, remained as annoying as ever, making sure they were aware of every peni they still owed.

In between their work and crime-fighting, they found moments to visit Peni and SP//DR in their dimension. One of their favorite pastimes was indulging in chromo-waffles. That silver, metallic food with glowing, neon-colored ice cream on top had become a delectable treat that they couldn't resist.

Surprisingly, the Spider Society called them only once more during that entire summer. It was an urgent mission to stop a literal live-action rhinoceros that had somehow leaped through dimensions. Miles had taken Gwen's place and swung into action alongside other Society members to neutralize the threat. Miguel, as always, remained unaware of Miles's secret, and the mission went off without a hitch.

It had indeed been a wonderful summer, for both Miles and Gwen alike. But, like all good things, it eventually had to come to an end.

***

The day of departure had arrived. Miles stood in the small bathroom of Gwen's apartment, now back in his old male form, solemnly putting on his shirt. Next to him was a pile of clothes: the morph-suit and Gwen's outfit he had been wearing during the day.

Miles adjusted his hair in the mirror, then picked up the morph-suit and Gwen's clothes. With a sigh, he stepped out of the bathroom and into the main room. Gwen was sitting on her bed, distractedly looking at her phone. When she heard the bathroom door open, she set her phone aside and stood up.

Upon seeing Miles, Gwen's expression mirrored his sadness, but she quickly pushed it aside and offered a warm smile.

"Here, your clothes," Miles said, handing her the garments she had lent him.

Gwen hesitated for a moment, then made a decision. "Keep them," she said, surprising Miles. "The morph-suit is yours. You might need them."

Miles raised an eyebrow, a hint of concern in his eyes. "Yeah, about that... are you sure you're okay with lending me your image like that?"

Gwen shook her head. "It's not like I live in your universe, and it's not like anybody else can make use of it. Only you can wear it. If you want it, it's yours."

A genuine smile crossed Miles' face. He placed the morph-suit and her clothes aside and embraced Gwen. At first she was surprised, but then she returned the hug warmly.

"Thank you," Miles said sincerely.

Gwen replied with a playful smirk, "Anytime, Spider-Boy."

With their farewells exchanged, Gwen opened a portal with her dimensional watch. Miles carefully placed the morph-suit and Gwen's clothes into his backpack and began walking toward the swirling portal. But before he entered, he turned around one last time.

"It was nice, having someone to have your back, right?" Miles asked, a touch of sentimentality in his voice.

Gwen's eyes softened as she replied, "Yes, yes it was."

Miles nodded and took a deep breath. "Take care, Gwen," he said, and with that, he stepped through the portal, leaving Gwen's dimension behind and returning to his own life.

END OF PART 1.