Chapter 243 Miles: Bitter Wine Enters the Throat, Heart Aches
"There are a few," Peter responded quickly, noticing the other's gaze.
"I don't know what's going on, but New York City is unusually lively today. If it weren't for Miles, I wouldn't have made it back so quickly."
Seeing Peter say this, even though Peter brought back a Character who hadn't been invited, Shadow Spider didn't say anything. After all, Peter was the Master of this House.
Shadow Spider also greeted Miles upon seeing this, but that was it. If it weren't for Ultimate Peter's sake, he would have taught Miles a Lesson back at Spider Camp already.
"Come on in, everything's pretty much ready." Shadow Spider said, turning and heading into the House first.
Although Shadow Spider was very cold towards Miles, Ultimate Peter and Miles didn't take it to heart. After all, they understood that Shadow Spider was naturally a taciturn person, so they just took it as his usual demeanor.
As soon as Peter entered, he saw his Wife Mary Jane, who was wearing an Apron. The plain Apron clearly showed her slightly rounded Belly, announcing to everyone that a small Life was growing within.
"When I saw Mr. Shadow heading towards the Doorway, I figured it was you coming back." Mary Jane smiled gently, looking every bit the virtuous wife and loving mother.
"Everyone's here, just waiting for you."
"Looks like I really am late." Peter smiled and handed his Coat to Mary Jane. This Scene was a little ritual they had every time he came Home, a small sweet moment. Spider-Man, always busy running around outside fighting Crime, needed his Wife to take his Coat each time, it was kind of like being spoiled.
"I bet they've all seen it too, right?" Peter gently placed his Hand on Mary Jane's Belly, his Face and voice softening, as if he was afraid of startling someone.
"I was originally going to announce it myself."
"Plans never go according to plan." Mary Jane looked very happy, and after hanging the Coat on a Clothes Rack nearby, she took Peter's Hand.
The two of them were all lovey-dovey, completely oblivious to everyone else around them.
"Ahem, ahem!" A cough broke the sweet atmosphere between the Parker couple. Peter looked towards the Direction of the Sound and saw Yang Le leaning against the Doorway, looking at him with a teasing expression.
"You two are so cheesy, good thing you're not my Parents, or I'd be embarrassed."
Despite Yang Le's strange and teasing words, Ultimate Peter wasn't angry; instead, he looked happy, quickly walking over and giving Yang Le a hug.
"Welcome, Habby." After a brief hug, Ultimate Peter said, and it was clear he was genuinely happy. After all, Yang Le had not only saved his Life, but also helped him solve a lot of Trouble.
"Sorry, last time was an Emergency, I didn't even get a chance to talk to you guys properly." Yang Le said with a smile.
"Don't say that." Ultimate Peter said seriously. "If it weren't for your help, we might have lost even more people. If you count that time, you could say you've saved my Life twice."
This wasn't a lie. The Inheritors, with their inherent advantage against Spider-Men, were truly deadly wherever they went, except against a few exceptionally powerful Spider-Men. Even groups of three or five ordinary Spider-Men might not be able to take down a single Inheritor.
"Let's not talk about that anymore." Peter decided the Topic was getting too heavy and changed it. "Where are Gwen and the others?"
"Chatting with Penny." Yang Le pointed towards the Living Room behind him. "Maybe the atmosphere last time wasn't right for lighthearted Topics. Even though it hasn't been that long, they still have tons to talk about."
"Girls are just like that." Mary Jane smiled and walked over. "Aren't you boys the same when you talk about Soccer and Games?"
"You're right." Ultimate Peter agreed, always following Mary Jane's lead, as loyal as a Soldier.
Yang Le could only shake his head helplessly at this and chatted with them for a bit longer before they all headed towards the Living Room.
Miles and the others behind them felt forgotten, and their dislike for Yang Le grew a little more.
"Don't just stand there, Miles." Luckily, not everyone had forgotten Black Spider. Mary Jane turned back and called out, "Come on in, the Party's about to start."
Yang Le had actually noticed Miles a while ago, but because he didn't like this Character, he chose to ignore him. As long as Miles didn't approach him, he would definitely continue to ignore him.
As for Ultimate Peter, he had genuinely forgotten. He apologized to Miles for this, and Miles said he didn't mind before joining everyone inside.
Everyone was in the Living Room. Spider-Ham was sitting on a Child's Chair, swirling a Wine Glass with a touch of childish elegance. Shadow Spider was sitting beside him, building a Card Tower, and Failed Man was sitting next to Shadow Spider, chatting with him.
Penny and Gwen were sitting cross-legged on the Sofa, chatting. They both seemed very interested, especially Penny, who was talking animatedly and was very Cute.
On each of their Shoulders was a Slime-like creature, which was a Shapeshifter Split. There was also a Spider on Penny's head.
"You're back." Gwen noticed Yang Le in the Doorway of the Living Room and greeted him.
"I'm the one who just got back from outside, so why does it seem like you're the one who went out?" Peter seized the Opportunity to return Yang Le's earlier teasing.
Yang Le found him childish and just chuckled, making a friendly Gesture before walking towards Gwen. Ultimate Peter, seeing this, returned a friendly Gesture.
"Peter!"
Hearing that Sound, not just Ultimate Peter, but all the Peters in the Room instinctively shrunk their necks. Everyone turned their Line of Sight, and sure enough, Aunt May was standing in the Doorway with her hands on her hips.
"Did I just see you making a Gesture you shouldn't be making!"
"It's not like that, Aunt May, let me give you an Explanation!"
Watching Ultimate Peter get scolded, the other Peters all breathed a sigh of relief. Good heavens, those buried Memories had suddenly resurfaced.
Yang Le nodded in satisfaction. This warm Scene in front of him was what Peter Parker deserved.
Gwen beside him misunderstood Yang Le's intention, thinking he was gloating because he'd tricked Peter, and lightly nudged Yang Le with her elbow.
'Boss, don't elbow.' Although Yang Le didn't know why he'd been hit, he still gave her a pleading look. Gwen was amused and started rubbing the spot he'd been elbowed, even though she knew she hadn't used any Strength and Yang Le couldn't possibly be in pain.
Penny beside them watched them speechlessly; even the Splinter and Spider seemed to be making speechless Gestures.
Penny wasn't the only one watching Yang Le and Gwen. Miles, who had been trying to look away since he came in, still found his gaze drifting over to them.
Seeing the two of them so sweet, Miles felt an indescribable bitterness. He really wanted to find a Sandbag to vent his frustration right now.
Unfortunately, Peter's Home wasn't a Boxing Gym. With nowhere to vent his frustration, Miles could only grab a Drink from the Table beside him and gulp it down.
(End of chapter)