Hello everyone, we are here with the last chapter in this fic. A huge thank you to everyone who commented, you made writing this fic fun! So, I hope you all enjoy this chapter, read on!

Into the Spiderverse is the property of Marvel and Sony

X

Rio has always loved Miles, from the moment she first held him in her arms, loved his smile, how she can see Jeff in his nose and his ears and a bit of herself too, his creativity, his kindness, she loves everything about her son, even his ability to see spirits. She had hoped that he wouldn't get the curse, but there's nothing to do once she notices the wandering gaze, the head above the clouds, and the conversation with her (deceased) father at the breakfast table.

Miles is good though, really truly good and when she tells him about it, he promises to do good, and that's all she can ask for.

After everything with Spiderman (and the other Spider-people) is over, Rio notices a difference in her son's life, a difference in Miles. It's a collection of little and big things that click together one day when she's folding the laundry. It's not hard to miss when Rio has known Miles all his life, and also her son is not a good liar.

She says hello to Aaron as he follows Miles home, they've never been particularly close, but Rio respects his relationship with Miles and some part of her is happy to see him watching over Miles. Later, Rio leans against his doorway, listens to him speak to a spirit about the city, when she peeks through the doorway she pauses in shock because sitting in the desk chair is Peter Parker, half transparent in the sunlight and still cloaked in his suit.

Rio leans away from the door and pauses with her fingers on the bridge of her nose, she wonders how they even know each other. It brings to mind that night after the earthquake. Miles had been so scared, all wide eyes and harsh breaths, and she wonders. She's a mother, of course, she wonders.

Sometimes, her son isn't in his bed, it's three in the morning and she returns from an early shift (or late depending on perspective) and his bed will be empty. Her son eats more, part of Rio idly contemplates it being puberty, but regardless her son can eat and eat with barely a breath in between. There are calls from the school about Miles skipping class or not being in her dorm room and it concerns her and Jeff. He has bruises, he limps down the hallway, or flinches sometimes when she rests a hand on his shoulder, that's what worries her the most.

She corners Aaron one evening, plants her hands on her hips and stares hard into the man's eyes. He swallows and Rio idly thinks her son's gift is likely stronger than her, he could probably do so much more. She's lucky if a spirit talks to her for more than five minutes, Miles has full on conversations. She doesn't mention it because he has enough on his plate.

"I know something is going on with Miles, now you can tell me before he gets hurt and I have to find out when you can do nothing because you're a ghost. Or you can tell me."

Aaron grimaces and shakes his head, he opens his mouth to speak but thinks better of it and with an apologetic grin (that isn't very apologetic) dematerialises. Rio curses and slides down the wall and places her head in her hands, she doesn't want to think about it, want to think it might be true. That her son is out there every night saving people but fighting against people twice his age with way more experience, with guns.

Rio doesn't talk to Jeff about it, she wants to be sure. But she knows her husband has his own suspicions. They're on the same page regardless. They both don't want to be right.

She does the laundry, tries to wash away the moans of a ghost when they can't save her husband and the little girl who watches over everyone and doesn't quite understand. It's the morning or it's the evening and she can't quite tell but she does the laundry.

That's when she sees the suit, it's folded underneath a pile of clothing, but the black is stark against pale grey and baby blue. With her hands shaking she pulls out the suit, it's small in her hands and just Miles' size.

Aaron leans against the doorway with an apology slumped throughout his form. Rio has a moment to decide, whether she lets Miles know she knows, or to wait for her son to tell her. Rio folds the suit and slips it carefully into the laundry pile where it won't be seen.

Rio trusts her son, and she trusts Aaron and even Peter Parker. If he's in danger, he won't be alone.

X

Miles dodges under the punch, it cuts through the air above his head and he drops to the ground and swings his leg out, it passes through Peter's leg, but he mimics dropping to the ground. He flips into the air and is back on his feet a moment later, his breath heaves out of his chest and he offers a hand to Peter who grins at him and stands up.

"That was good Miles, though you need less dramatics, you don't need to flip so don't."

"I personally think a bit of flare is a very good idea."

"Oh yeah and how did that help when I punched you mid-flip huh?"

"Hmm hard to say but I still think the flare can strike fear into the hearts of one's enemies."

Miles listens to the two squabble and argue as he grabs his water bottle and a snack Aunt May had left for him (stay hydrated dear, I don't know how many times Peter forgot to eat) and plops onto the floor to listen to them.

Having Peter and Aaron to help mentor him is nice, they tell him when his form is off, what's the best way to disarm a guy with a gun, how criminals think, and all the rest. It's nice, even though they argue a lot. He just kind of wishes he had someone to train with physically, he can't learn how to control his strength when you're fighting against air, and it's hard to correct your stance when they keep yelling, "To you left, adjust your right. No, no your other right."

And so, on and so forth.

Peter's hand swings into view and with a sigh Miles grasps (not really) it and pulls himself to his feet shaking off the chill that seeps into his skin anytime he touches a spirit. He drops into a stance and Peter charges, he blocks punches and dodges under blows, his spider-sense doesn't really work on ghosts so it's all instinct and trying to read ahead (or at least that's what his uncle says).

Miles ducks to the side of an uppercut and swings a roundhouse kick into Peter's side, his leg passes through Peter with a shiver of pins and needles, but he can't focus on that and is forced to duck under a punch, he tries to reverse the manoeuvre and grasps Peter's arm prepared to flip him over his shoulder.

Except, Miles' hand doesn't pass through Peter's it's solid beneath his hand, cold like ice but solid. He takes a step back and Peter's next punch passes through his head, it's disorienting but not as much as the fact that he just held Peter's arm(!) it shouldn't even be possible.

"Everything okay?"

Peter asks and he's staring at Miles with concerned blue eyes, for a moment Miles can't respond, can't even really think. Eventually, he nods because maybe he's just tired, he probably just imagined it. If it happens again then Miles will be concerned.

He settles into a stance across from Peter and with a nod he springs forward. He throws a flip in for good measure.

X

The supervillain is almost comical, with a great sweeping black cloak patterned with indistinct grey blobs and a sort of invisible man vibe going on. Miles flips onto the pavement across from the dude and waits for the monologue, there's always a monologue. New York moves around him, uncaring of the supervillain in their midst; it's typical.

"So, who are you?"

Miles questions and the dude whips around (his cape totally does a cool flare thing) and stares at him before with a strike of a dramatic pose he says, "I am the Operator, I commune with the spirits of the dead and they obey my wishes. Together we shall conquer the city and bring a new age of the undead!"

"Okay but like where are your spirits? I'm not seeing any."

Miles asks peering around the street, there's a ghost staring at a display of chocolate with a forlorn look, and that's about it, not even Peter or Aaron are nearby, they're off doing whatever ghosts do.

The Operator (man what kind of name is that?) pauses to stare down at him, which is kind of rude and squints at him before he says, "Fool minded child, not anyone can see the spirits of the undead. Watch now as I summon them."

Miles crosses his arms and waits, a wind blows through the air, it's a bit gusty. Is that all? Miles glances around, nothing, not even a particularly bad-tempered spirit. Shrugging he stares at the villain who is in the middle of an evil villain laugh™ and replied, "Dude there's nothing, I mean like can you even see spirits? The most I'm guessing here is like wind manipulation."

The Operator's arms slide down from their dramatic positioning and Miles has a moment to think he should probably listen to his uncle's advice about Not antagonizing his future opponent. Oh well.

The fight ends quickly, Miles was right he did have wind manipulation, but his ability to stick to things (on command!) sort of countered that. The police load the Operator into the van and Miles waves at the villain as the doors slam shut.

Miles turns and his dad is there, crap with a serving of double crap. Miles panics for a moment but he feels a tap on top of his head, and he responds in a deep voice, "Hello officer."

"Man, the villains in this city just keep getting stranger. Is it something in the air?"

His dad says conversationally as the van drives off, Miles chokes out a laugh and wonders how this is his life as he responds, "Must be."

"So, this guy? Said he could see spirits?"

The question comes suddenly and Miles silently thanks Aaron standing behind him like a wall of support and nods. His dad probably needs to write a report so it's only logical to ask questions, right?

"I have a son who sees spirits. Doubt this guy could see a dead ladybug if he wanted to."

His dad jokes, and okay this has officially become one of the weirdest days of his life. Miles snorts anyways only to pause as his Spider-sense hums at the back of his mind, coughing Miles says, "Have to go, officer, crime to stop, webs to spin. Later!"

Before his dad can reply Miles swings into the air, as he lets gravity pull him down and away, he can't help the absurd the laughter that spills through the air. Miles life is strange and weird, and he loves it.

X

Gwen is sitting on her bed (her room is a clashing mix of soft colours and sharp lines, it's cool), she's tapping a drumstick against her thigh and studying the comforter with a determined air. Miles squishes himself further into the desk chair uncomfortable and nervous, unsure of how to proceed.

He can see Peter, her Peter, young, with floppy hair and he looks like a teenager, looks their age. It hurts, seeing another Peter's ghost, he has to wonder how many universes there are where Peter dies, or someone he loves dies (like Gwen). Peter is also uncomfortable shifting where he hovers by the door, he looks like he's going to fade through the archway at any moment.

Gwen glances at Miles, her expression is all sharp lines, but it softens slightly when she sees him. With a huff she rises from her bed, crosses over to a stereo and presses play, music fills the room, it's filled with guitars and drums but it's not heavy or too loud. Miles is pretty sure they don't have that band in his universe.

"They used to be our favourite."

She says and the words are like stones sinking into his gut. This is bad, Miles thinks, but not as bad as communicating with Peni's dead father or trying to communicate with all the people Noir has lost (so many, too many).

"We used to sit on the roof and drink milkshakes from the corner store listening to them."

Peter says, and it's the first thing Miles has heard him say, he relates the words to Gwen slowly and quietly. Her gaze whips around the room but she can't see Peter and eventually her gaze centres on Miles.

"Can you tell him… I'm sorry, it was my fault that every-everything happened."

The words are shaky and hesitant. Miles nods and turns to Peter, he's frowning, and the expression is familiar but also different from the Peter(s) he knows. Peter drifts across the room until he's seated beside Gwen, she can't feel it.

"It's not your fault. I-I was jealous of you Gwen, of everything you had, how perfect you were. It was my choice. You saved me."

Peter says and Miles repeats the words, they're heavy on his tongue, lingering behind his teeth and he can't quite look into her eyes.

"I killed you!"

Gwen protests and she's crying and her voice breaks on the second word. Miles feels frozen, stuck in the chair, unable to move, only able to watch as his friend cries in front of him. This is always the words part, he can do this for strangers, it's easier when you don't know them. But his family? Miles takes a breath and moves onto the bed, slinging an arm around her shoulder. They're his family, he has to help them. If there is any possible way to help them he will.

"No! I was the one who made that choice. Don't you ever think you killed me, Gwen Stacy."

The words are sharp, and she flinches, her hand slips into Miles with an iron grip and he lets her, strokes his thumb gently over her hand. She hiccups and angrily wipes away the tears trailing down her cheeks.

"But…but I..."

Peter places his hands on her cheeks, and her eyes widen as the words hit the air like a sledgehammer, "I don't blame you."

For a second, Peter is tangible, faint in the light but there, oh so there. Then he's gone. Gwen turns her face into Miles' shoulder and cries, he wraps his arms around his friend and lets her sob, he runs a hand in circles on her back and hums somewhere in his chest.

Later, in between that time that you can't quantify that slips one way or the other, Gwen pulls back and looks at Miles. Her hands brush lightly over his cheeks and she says softly, "Thanks. I think… I think Peter would be happy that you're my friend Miles."

He blushes and nods because that's all he can do at the words, the words that he'll probably replay in his mind for the rest of the night. Gwen laughs (supposedly at his face) and flicks him on the forehead with a fond, "Dork."

Miles just grins and replied, "Yeah, yeah that's totally not a chemistry poster on your wall."

She laughs and everything is good again.

X

Miles lands on the top of a building with a roof entrance, it's stubby sort of building with old red brick, he pants for a moment and catches his breath, looks around him and listens to the unconcerned thrum of his Spider-sense. With a sigh, Miles plops on the ledge of the building and swings his legs out, he looks at Brooklyn spread out below him and feels speechless, it always makes the words catch in his throat. That's the city he protects, and it's gorgeous.

"What's that kiddo?"

Peter questions standing behind Miles, he turns and sees that Peter's pointing at a brightly coloured lunch bag(?) nestled against the wall. Miles listens to his Spider-sense and when nothing shrills in warning, he picks up the lunch bag. It's Spiderman, the kind you can find in any grocery store now for a few bucks, red and blue with the emblem in the centre. Miles traces his finger over the spider for a moment before he opens the lunch bag; to check who it belongs to of course.

There's a note on the inside and it reads, "To the new Spidey: stay hydrated!"

Miles quirks a brow but tucks the note aside, inside the lunch bag is a juice box and an apple. No. No way is Miles eating the juice box (the same brand his mom buys). He turns to Peter who looks at the interior of the lunch bag with wide eyes, he says idly, "Huh that's different, usually they throw food at me. Must be because you're so small."

Miles pouts, he is not small, he is a perfectly normal size for his age (which is the problem). He lifts the juice box up with a shrug in question and turns to Peter who says, "Go ahead. They're right, whoever they are, with our metabolism, snacks are never a bad idea."

"It could be poisoned."

Miles' uncle interjects with a raised brow, but his voice suggests that he doesn't really believe that. Miles opens the juice box (he has no trouble whatsoever with the straw) and sips at the juice, it's sweet and it quenches a thirst he doesn't know he's been harbouring. He wonders if there are other lunch bags scattered on fire escapes and balconies. The thought warms his chest.

A ghost drifts from the fire exit, they're wearing a costume of some kind, like something from a musical, all sweeping sleeves and tight pants, there's even a mask. Miles puts the juice box down and tugs his mask back on as he walks towards the ghost.

"There is a robbery on 42nd, they have guns with alien technology."

The ghost informs him with a nod, his eyes stare at Miles for a long moment before he fades away. Miles smiles in thanks, he can feel his Spider-sense beginning to act up at the back of his mind.

"Ready to go kiddo?"

"No lasers in the back this time alright?"

Aaron and Peter say as Miles stand on the ledge and adjusts his web-shooters. He slaps a sticker on a nearby vent and with a grin at the two of them he steps off the ledge. For a moment, there's just the fall, gravity rushing past him, pulling at his body. Miles whoops and fires a web arcing into a swing that throws him up into the air. Brooklyn spreads out before him and Miles laughs as he makes his way to the bank.

X

Thank you all for reading! This fic was super fun to write and I really enjoyed exploring this AU. A huge thank you to everyone who commented, y'all are amazing! I know some people wanted to see more of this fic, but for now, this is all I can really write for this AU. If I ever get an idea, I'll write another chapter. But for now, it's finished. Thank you all for reading, reviews/comments are always appreciated!