Reborn as Miles Morales with a Custom Stand

Happenings of the time skip

After Rick's death, Phin threw herself into her work at Roxxon, her grief manifesting as anger and determination. But underneath her hardened exterior, she felt more alone than ever. Deon noticed the toll Rick's death had taken on her and started being more present in her life. He didn't push her to open up immediately, knowing that grief is a slow burn, and Phin appreciated that. It was in the small moments that Deon truly showed his care—checking in after work, dropping by to share a meal, or simply being there when she didn't want to talk.

Slowly, as Deon continued to support her, Phin began to lean on him more. It wasn't a sudden revelation, but rather a gradual thawing of the walls she had built around herself. One night, after a particularly grueling day, Phin found herself breaking down in front of him. The mix of exhaustion and lingering guilt over Rick's death overwhelmed her, and Deon quietly held her, his arms a comforting presence as she sobbed.

Their connection deepened in the weeks following that breakdown. Phin found herself feeling something more than just friendship as she saw how dedicated Deon was to helping her through the darkest time in her life. His touch lingered a little longer when he comforted her, and their conversations, which had once been about missions and grief, now drifted to deeper, more personal topics. Phin felt her pulse quicken whenever he was near, and she began to notice the way his eyes lingered on her. She knew she wasn't the only one feeling the shift.

Deon, for his part, sensed the growing intimacy between them but didn't rush it. He could see Phin's vulnerability and knew that trust was key. Slowly, their proximity became more charged—his hand would brush against hers when they were working together, and the long evenings they spent together became tinged with an unspoken tension. It was only a matter of time before that trust and mutual understanding blossomed into something more.

Rio was struggling with the pressure of her political campaign and the emotional toll of Jefferson's absence. At first, Deon helped her in the way any son might—helping with campaign duties, keeping the house in order, and making sure she took care of herself. But as the months went on, their dynamic shifted in subtle ways. Rio wasn't blind to the fact that Deon had grown—not just as Spider-Man, but as a man who exuded confidence and quiet strength. She began to look at him differently, admiring the maturity he had developed in the face of so much loss.

At first, the shift in their relationship was innocuous. Deon would linger a little longer when they hugged, his touch firm and comforting in a way that sent a warmth through her. Rio told herself it was just the comfort of family, but soon those moments began to feel different—more intimate. When Deon would come home late from patrol, Rio would find herself waiting up for him, offering a drink or just talking in the kitchen long after the world had gone to sleep. The late-night conversations became more charged, filled with lingering looks and soft touches that neither of them fully acknowledged at first.

As Deon continued to help her with the campaign, offering his unwavering support, Rio began to notice her own feelings deepening. One evening, after a particularly heated debate, Deon came home to find her still in the campaign office, staring blankly at her speech notes. He offered to help her unwind, and they shared a bottle of wine together. As the night wore on, the tension between them grew palpable. Their usual hugs grew longer, lingering just a bit too long, and when Deon's hand brushed Rio's arm, she felt a spark that she hadn't felt in years.

From that night forward, the air between them became electric. Rio couldn't deny that there was something more between them, something that went beyond the typical bond of a mother and son. The stolen glances, the way Deon's hand would linger on her waist when they embraced—it all pointed to the fact that their relationship was evolving into something far more complex, something they were both on the edge of acknowledging but hesitant to fully embrace.