The audacity! Margo Kess/Prowler Earth-42

Who would?

--

The smile on his own face shattered. He was just joking. He didn't mean or would ever hurt Miles. Aaron's legs on the couch rapidly touched the ground as he sat up straight, searching for his nephew's eyes.

"Miles.." Aaron spoke softly, understanding how his words might have affected the boy, who was now changing his clothes.

"We have a Mission today, remember?" Miles whispered weakly. He was desperately trying to change the conversation. That was fine with Aaron, but the glance full of sadness Miles sent his unc as he was speaking caused him to stand up.

Once again, "Miles..." Aaron unconsciously whispered the boy's name into the night as if he were a precious piece of glass that would break if he were any louder.

He wasn't, fortunately for Aaron, because if he had been, Aaron would have already broken him.

Damn it! His hand found its way to his hair, which he clutched tightly. As he thought about his actions and words. Why didn't he just go buy his own damn fries? He scolded himself.

Miles spent months trying to make that damn watch. He failed quite a few times but didn't give up because he wanted to see her, and now, with just some simple words, Aaron had made that conviction disappear.

Shit!!

He knew Morales. Since the death of his father. The boy had a huge burden on his shoulder and had since then emotionally walled himself off unless he was with someone he cared a lot about, and seeing the wounded expression in Miles' eyes, Aaron couldn't help but realize that he genuinely cared for that girl.

....despite only knowing her for a day, that was a fact, but remembering that Miles was still just a teenager and was finally acting Like one by doing dumb shit.

Aaron smiled, and for a second, he forgot their situation. Their reality. He forgot about the burden on his shoulders and the one on Miles's small ones and saw him as a dumb teenager in love.

But that image of him didn't last long, for he had just destroyed it with his own hands.

His guilt reflected on his face. Miles is the last person in the world-dumb shit or not-that he would want to hurt.

He reached out.

"Miles-"

"Let's roll unc." Miles was already by the window, ready to jump out. He did everything but meet his uncle's eyes. Aaron lowered his hand. Miles was someone who would not go over his words so if he placed the watch down he wasn't gonna pick it up.

Damn it.

He lowered his head, a single phrase escaping his lips.

"I'm sorry."

Miles looked at him, scratching the back of his neck. Unable to deal with his uncle's apology. He smiled-tried to.

"Don't sweat it."

Aaron raised his head to look at him.

"Plus-" Miles wasn't doing it on purpose, but the smile on his face was melancholy. "She probably doesn't want to see me. I mean, " he hesitated, pondering, plainly uneasy with his following words as he spoke them. "Let's be real. Who would?" With a shrug, he jumped.

Now, that utterly broke Aaron. His dear nephew's words echoed through his brain. Why would he ever say-no, think something like that?

The thought of taking the watch and using it himself to find Margo and beat the shit out of the boy she was with if she was with one coursed through him, but he couldn't. For if something were to happen to him, Miles and his mother would be all alone.

He couldn't risk that.