Miguel O' Hara (Across The Spiderverse)

Chapter 4

A sense of calm has settled.

You're getting better in your training. The first mission you were cleared to work on Miguel joined. He'd mentally prepared for just about anything to happen, but as it turns out you'd been fairly vigilant, especially since you'd stopped a truck from crashing right into an industrial plant. Your feet had halted just a few feet ahead of said building and within seconds Peter and Gwen were subduing the menace of an anomaly.

Miguel had made it to your side moments after and one by one they were all joining in the middle as the authorities came to deal with the damage.

When the others praised you, he saw it, that proud expression that just made him secretly happy. 

He wouldn't voice that of course.

The entirety of that week you'd been getting praised by other spider colleagues. Your cheeks would heat up bashfully. He knew he shouldn't have stared at you for so long, but he couldn't help it. Whenever you smiled, it felt like a crime not to try to get just a peek.

That's why he thought it was a figment of his imagination.

There were times he'd find himself sneaking a glance at you, only for your gaze to already be set in his direction. He couldn't put into words how it felt. It made his stomach twist in a way that was completely unfamiliar. His heart raced in unexpected ways. He briefly wondered if he was developing a heart condition.

It had to be, because what else could it be?

He needed to run some tests.

~Dining Hall~

"What's the deal with you and Miguel?"

You were humming when Gwen brought up the question. You paused mid bite, because now everyone seated at the table was interested.

"W-What deal?"

She was casually sipping at her drink as she waved her hand around.

"He keeps staring at you, did you do something to piss him off?"

As far as you knew, you didn't.

"I don't think so. Peter said I did pretty good on my last mission."

"You did!" Peter insisted with a mouthful of burger. You feel more at ease hearing his confirmation.

Gwen shrugged.

"Maybe I'm imagining it then. Don't worry about it."

Except now you were worried.

Miguel was usually very vocal with his displeasures, so you were certain if you did something to piss him off he would have said so. The thought of him being mad at you made your heart hurt. Maybe that's why the very next day you confronted him.

"I-I'm sorry if I messed up on the last mission! I'll do better next time I promise."

With a tablet in hand, he raised a brow, that frown forever set on his face.

"What are you talking about?"

He looked generally lost and now you were shifting in place.

"I just thought that maybe I might have done something wrong on our last assignment."

"Your work was exceptional given how terrible you were at the start."

You weren't sure if that was a compliment or any insult.

"Thank you?"

He was standing right in front of you, somewhat towering. For some reason you felt like a mouse next to a lion. Everything about him was intimidating, from his stature to his personality.