The penthouse lights were dim, softened by the glow of Nueva York far below. Rain slid down the massive windows in silver streaks, turning the city into blurred neon colors.
Miguel had finally come home.
You heard him before you saw him — the quiet hiss of the suit retracting, the heavy sound of his boots against the floor. Exhaustion clung to him like a second skin, but the moment his eyes landed on you curled beneath a blanket on the couch, something in his expression melted.
“You waited up,” he said softly.
“Couldn’t sleep without you.”
Miguel exhaled a quiet laugh through his nose, shaking his head like you were impossible. Then he crossed the room toward you, slow and deliberate, like he was drawn to you without choice.
The couch dipped beneath his weight as he sat beside you.
For a second neither of you spoke.
His large hand slid over your thigh, warm and possessive, thumb stroking absentminded circles through the fabric of your sleep shorts. You watched the tension slowly leave his shoulders the closer he got to you.
“You know,” you teased quietly, “most husbands bring flowers home.”
Miguel turned his head, eyes dark and amused. “Flowers die.”
“And what do you bring me?”
He leaned closer until his breath brushed your lips.
“Everything else.”
Your breath caught.
Miguel’s hand moved to your waist, pulling you effortlessly into his lap. The sudden movement made you laugh softly, arms slipping around his neck while he buried his face against yours for a moment like this was the only peace he ever got.
“You have any idea,” he murmured against your skin, “what you do to me?”
“Maybe.”
“Dangerous answer.”
His lips finally met yours — slow at first, almost tender. But Miguel kissed like a man starving. One hand held your waist firmly while the other cradled the back of your neck, keeping you impossibly close as the rain poured harder outside.
The world beyond the apartment disappeared.
No Spider Society.
No missions.
No multiverse.
Just Miguel’s heartbeat beneath your hands and the way he looked at you like loving you was the only thing keeping him human.