i hate labels - hobie brown (;spiderpunk) x oc/reader

saturday may 31st 2007 - 12:14am

i blinked a few times, and suddenly, there was Pav. he stood over me looking concerned for a few seconds, before disappearing as quickly as he had appeared. i heard his voice next.

"Hobs! they're awake!"

i groaned. Hobie must've heard.

"good morning to you too! oh sorry, good afternoon, just. 12:14. but hey, you went all topsy-turvy on us for a minute there, Einstein."

i sat up eventually, but not before i shot Hobie a decent glare for that. he just scoffed and ruffled my hair gently. i tried my best not to let a smile slip, but i'm sure he caught that too. looking around, i was in yet another bedroom, though this one was unlike any i'd seen yet today. today? god, i don't know. refer back to my spiel about the effects of dimensional travel. maybe i'm going crazy.

Hobie let me take my time coming to, and i found my way to Pav's kitchen. i pulled on my mask first, obviously. never know. i think my hair's starting to hate me for it though, and despite it being y/h/l (your hair length), it was beginning to protest in the form of loose strands and curling ends. i've been trying my best to ignore it. risk of the job. unfortunately.

the kitchen was, again, beautiful. tucked into the corner was a delicate coffee table, at which Hobie and Pav sat huddled over, looking entirely absorbed by their conversation.

"uh, hey guys."

my fucking voice cracked. perfect. i'm sure Hobie fought every urge to crack a smirk, though i watched as his lip curled slightly regardless.

anyways, i joined them at the table, where Pav spoke first.

"you feeling any better? can i get you anything? water, tea? i make a mean chai!"

his cadence was similar to that of a overjoyed child's, and i smiled at his excitement. i remember shaking my head, though i was secretly enticed by his offer of chai. maybe i'd take him up on that later.

first, i had to talk to Hobie.

"Hobie, can i talk to you alone for a sec?"

there was a beat before Hobie nodded. but Hobie nodded, then followed me back into Pav's room.

there, we both settled on the bed, legs dangling off the side, thighs parallel. i tugged my mask off, feeling somewhat weird being the only one still masked. Hobie found my eyes instantly, and on his face i found that familiar look of concern that i'd seen on Pav, and Gwen.

"you ok?"

he enquired, and i considered this question for a while. was i? my brain still felt scrambled, and things were moving so fast. i trusted Hobie, sure. i had trusted Hobie. but now i was tired and confused and, embarrassingly, wanted to go home. i felt like a kid at a sleepover.

tears welled, and i made no attempt to stop them.

"what the fuck is going on Hobie? you explained, but you didn't really. who are all of these people? who is Pav? who is Gwen? i'm still so confused."

i sighed as i finished, feeling as though i'd burst like a balloon. you'd think i had, based on Hobie's shocked response. he just...sat there, thinking. and he did that for some time. all while i did my best to take some slow, deep breaths. finally, i felt his arm wrap around my shoulder.

"they're...my people. spider-people, yeah. but they're my friends, too. i love 'em. just like i love you, little 'steppa."

he spoke quietly, his chameleon-like bordering pausing as his voice trailed off. it had halted on a warm shade of purple, nearing pink though dampened by streaks of cold blue.

i held onto every word, treasuring the way he'd softened, just slightly. this was far from the Hobie i had come to know, but i wasn't complaining. i settled into their shoulder, before perking up again.

"what about Gwen? you guys seemed..."

i didn't want to finish that sentence, so i didn't. i let it hang there ambiguously, awaiting his answer. he was quick to return to the Hobie i knew.

"y/n...you know i don't like labels."