As expected, there was security waiting on the other side.

June, while in his spider suit, made sure the mercenaries got arrested, same with Yoongi. The bodyguards and Jimin helped bring the mercenaries over, and June explained the situation. Jin ended up departing  as soon as he could. Something about the dust from the new universe making his face puffy, so June had hugged him goodbye and tried not to cry. He had done enough of that. Maybe. One or two more cry fests couldn't hurt.

Although the mercenaries attempted to argue that June was just as guilty as them, the police didn't care enough to try and arrest a superhero. As much as being feared was not on June's agenda, he found himself thankful for it as the night progressed.

The security team took the victims and promised to return them home, but not before signing heavy-duty NDAs and swearing oaths that would last for life. While June was grateful for the hardcore security, he hoped it wouldn't overwhelm them considering what they had just gone through.

One hour after returning home, June was still in the bank and answering questions with Doctor Jung. Jimin stayed for a little longer than he needed to, but June figured it was because he wanted to see June's version of Hoseok.

"Fascinating," Hoseok said as he took a blood sample. "Your blood is something else, Spiderman."

June winced and averted his eyes from the needle. "I've heard that before."

"Oh yeah? Other doctors give you issues?"

"Ever since I got these abilities, I've avoided doctors. No offense, Doc. Just trying to keep my identity a secret."

"Hm." Hoseok clicked his tongue. "You're doing a pretty terrible job at doing that."

June's eyes widened, and he glanced around to see if security guards were nearby. They were near the vault while June, Jimin, and Hoseok were in the lobby, which meant no one was in earshot.

"You know me?" June asked, and Hoseok laughed.

"Mr. Park, I knew you were Spiderman the moment you told me that bullshit mac and cheese story."

"Mac and cheese...?" Jimin asked, but June cut him off.

"Don't make me relive that, please." June turned his attention to Hoseok. "If you knew, why didn't you say anything?"

"You risked everything to save my life. Why would I do that to a friend?" Hoseok asked. Then, he smiled. "Plus, you make damn good coffee."

June went to laugh, but his face went pale. "Oh God, the diner. I definitely lost my job. How long was I gone?"

"A couple months, but don't worry, I covered that."

"What? How?"

"I knew you went in the portal, so I made arrangements to cover up your disappearance. I didn't want anyone to figure out you're Spiderman. It'd make me feel less intelligent. I told the diner you were on an exclusive retreat for work but still wanted to represent the diner. They said they'd accept you whenever you got back."

"June in a uniform?" Jimin asked with bulging eyes. "Sign. Me. Up. Where does he work?"

"It's a cute vintage diner only a couple blocks away, can't miss it. I'll give you the address-"

"No," June interrupted. "Don't fall for his puppy eyes, he's going back to his universe. They'll get worried if he's gone too long."

"I'm short," Jimin said with a pout. He did, in fact, give puppy eyes. "They won't notice."

June sighed and noticed the security team was packing up. He jutted his finger toward Hoseok. "Don't give him the address."

June went over to the team and discussed the details of the arrest. Although there were no conclusions drawn, it seemed as though the mercenaries and Yoongi would get locked up for a while. No court could charge them for the crimes they committed in another universe, but they committed enough in June's that they would get long sentences. June's heart got stabbed with needles at the thought of Yoongi going away, but he accepted that it was for the best and moved on.

Ten minutes later, June helped the security team pack up, increase security, and leave with the remaining mercenaries. When he got back to the lobby to say goodbye to Jimin, he noticed only Hoseok remained.

"He figured you weren't coming back," Hoseok said with a shrug.

June tried not to let disappointment swirl in his gut, but the feeling overwhelmed any sense of strength he had.

"Oh."

"He said he'll miss you."

June forced a smile. "I'll miss him too. But now's not a good time to think about that. We should get back to the lab."

Hoseok agreed. Together, they went to the lab in Hoseok's car, hiding Spiderman from the public. The ride there was silent minus the news reporter speaking on the radio. June didn't listen to what she had to say.

When they got inside, there was no one around, not even in the lobby. June wanted to ask, but Hoseok didn't let him. He rushed June to the elevators and up into Hoseok's private lab. It was the same as it was when June left.

"Let's analyze these samples," Hoseok said, taking out the vials he used to take June's blood.

"What if I'm not special?"

"Are you kidding? You shoot webs out of your ass."

"Oh for God's sake," June murmured, rubbing his temple with his fingers. "You know what I meant."

"If you think your blood is useless for science, you're mistaken. Even if it doesn't give us a magical solution for certain diseases, it might give us some answers for your backstory."

"I got bit by a spider."

"Have you ever wondered why?"

"Wrong place, wrong time," June said with a hand wave. "It could've happened to anyone."

"Of course, but that's not what I mean. I mean why did the spider exist in the first place? This is unlike anything we've ever seen. If we can replicate that spider and figure out its origin, we could create more superheroes."

"Do we want to?"

"Maybe, maybe not. I personally wouldn't want that. There are no heroes without villains, and granting superpowers to anyone, whether it be the public or just the rich, is a recipe for disaster. But I'm a scientist. It's my duty to unlock the mysteries of the world. Even if I don't like the answer, I need to see it. At least once."

June didn't comment on that. He waited for Hoseok to analyze the samples through methods he didn't recognize. He took the job as a way to monitor Jung Hoseok and Min Yoongi's relationship, but with Yoongi gone, he pondered if it was necessary anymore. Although he had his job at the diner thanks to Hoseok, there was a high chance Hoseok would fire him and encourage him to never work in a lab again.

As if reading his mind, Hoseok picked his head up. "You have a job here if you want it, but not in the same position. I'd like you to be my private security guard. You'll help out in the lab and I'll show you the ropes of science, but your main duty is to protect what we've discovered. The government assigned me as the lead on the multiverse case. Between studying Spiderman and the multiverse, this research is the most valuable thing in the world right now. Can I count on you to protect it?"

"Of course." June paused to chuckle. "You're showing me science? What happened to not being a high school science teacher?"

"Oh no, don't even go there. I'm showing you what I can in my free time, got it? No private lessons, no lectures—free time learning only."

"Sounds like a high school teacher," June mumbled. Hoseok whacked him for that.

Ten minutes later, Hoseok finished looking at one sample. Or, at least, he finished beginning looking at the sample. According to Doctor Jung, analyzing blood like June's would take weeks if not months.

"It was stupid to go into the portal," Hoseok said, and June didn't disagree. Hoseok shifted to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "But I don't blame you. You're a good man, June."

"You can't know that. You don't know me."

Hoseok tucked the vials away and laughed. It was a deep laugh, almost as if Doctor Jung was releasing years of joy in one sound that only lasted a few seconds. Then, he shook his head with his heart-shaped grin still pulling on his lips.

"I do now."

~~~

June had missed the diner.

Being back was like returning home after a long vacation. It was like a warm fire in the middle of winter, and June relished every second. He got a whack and a push from Yejun for leaving her for so long without notice, but he promised he'd make it up to her by taking care of her sister whenever she came around. Yejun was quick to accept his apology after that.

Friday nights were busy, but by nine o'clock, the tables cleared out. June considered going home, but after all he put Yejun through, he decided he'd close.

June wiped down the front counter and glanced around. There were two tables left, and both of them were Yejun's. They were groups of three, which meant they likely wouldn't be there long. Either way, June would finish them off so Yejun could go home early.

Speaking of, Yejun approached him. She used the register to cash out her credit card tips. June watched her the entire time and admired her thick black hair and pursed lips. She had a special lip gloss that made them appear pink and sparkly. And that was without mentioning her sharp eyeliner that emphasized her siren-like eyes.

"You're beautiful," he said without thinking, and she stopped at that.

"Park." She paused to laugh and turn to him. "First day back and you're already flirting with me?"

"I missed you," he said instead of answering the question. "I hope you know that."

She gazed at him, holding a stack of cash in her hand. After a long moment, she leaned up and kissed his cheek. He froze at the sensation he hadn't felt in years. It lasted only a few seconds, but it seemed like an eternity in his mind. The eternity was full of bliss and butterflies that brought him back to his high school days. And when she pulled back, she wiped the gloss off his cheek with her free hand.

"I do."

She left without giving him a chance to respond, and he watched her go, ignoring the rest of the world. She strolled away without so much as casting a look in his direction. The kitchen doors swung open, and her figure disappeared. June grinned like a school girl and laughed to himself, but his moment got interrupted.

"Damn," a male voice said, and he whistled after saying it. "You're more in love with her than I am with Jungkook."

June snapped around, and who he saw was a man with a sharp jawline, perfect plump lips, and puppy eyes that were half-hidden by the long, dark hair he possessed. He had new clothes that hugged his body and showed off his chest. A black turtleneck covered his skin, and matching black pants with a belt squeezed his thin waist.

Park Jimin.

"What the actual fuck are you doing here?"

June managed to keep his voice down, but he couldn't hide the pure rage in his tone. He wasn't mad at Jimin, more the idea that he could get hurt in a place like this.

"Hoseok gave me the address," Jimin replied with a toothy smile.

"You asshole, I'm working."

Jimin scanned June from head to toe. "You look good doing it."

"I'm ignoring that. You need to go home. I'll take you to the bank after work, but holy shit, Jimin. You're so stupid."

"I know, but I couldn't leave without saying goodbye."

"You-" June broke off to groan. "You could've just said goodbye at the bank."

"I wanted to see your home," Jimin said as if it would justify his dumb decision. "You saw mine."

June sighed. "Sit. I'll get you a menu. Anything you order is on me. How are you even here? It's been a few days since the incident."

"I'm rich. I had thousands of United States dollars in won in my wallet. All I had to do was take it to a bank. Got a hotel and waited. I visited diner to look you."

"You visited the diner to look for me," June corrected. He paused. "Oh, sorry. Do you need me to spell out 'for'?" I know f sounds are hard for you."

Jimin soured. "I regret my decision."

June's jaw dropped. "You planned this?"

Jimin reached in his pocket and pulled out his passport along with his wallet. He grinned. "Yes."

"Do the boys know?"

"Jungkook does. He approved."

"Of course he did," June grumbled before taking Jimin to a booth. Jimin ended up getting a grilled cheese and an apple juice. June purposefully gave Jimin a juice box just to watch him drink from a tiny bendy straw.

June's phone worked in his world, so he used it to take pictures when Jimin wasn't looking. He seated Jimin in the corner and away from public eye. Although he wasn't a famous idol in June's world, he didn't want to draw too much attention to him anyway. Especially since Yejun could pop up at any time.

As if on cue, Yejun left the kitchen without her apron on. She came over to June and glanced at Jimin. He was in the middle of drinking his juice, and he had large, puppy eyes as he did so.

"I can't tell if he's twelve or thirty," Yejun said, and June chuckled.

"Twenty-seven, actually."

"You know him?"

Shit, he didn't mean to say that.

June pulled on his collar. "Yeah, he's an old friend from another state. I don't see him much."

"He looks like a toddler."

"Twenty-seven."

June's Jimin was around twenty-four, but the multiverse changed more than just their roles, it changed their ages as well. Jimin was older yet had a similar personality as June's Jimin. The multiverse had changed so much, but the people stayed the same. It was as comforting as it was horrifying.

"Well, you have fun with your friend," Yejun said. "I'll see you tomorrow. Don't be late. Oh, and you're closing for the next month."

"Will you at least buy me banana milk?"

She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Men."

Without another word, she left, which meant June had tables to take care of. He dropped by and refilled their drinks, but they were already eating so there was no need for anything else. He ran by Jimin's table to give him another apple juice, and the man took it with his sleeves pulled up to his palms.

However, before they could speak, the diner doors opened. June turned to greet the new guest, but he stopped as soon as he saw who it was. A doppelgänger walked inside. He had the same face since the last time June had seen him, only more mature. His jawline was more defined, as were his plump lips and cheekbones. He had thick-framed black glasses on, and his hair was bright blonde and down to the lobes of his ears.

The doppelgänger had silver cross earrings and a leather jacket thrown on over a white t-shirt with ripped, light blue jeans. Chelsea boots with small heels clung to his small feet, and his hands donned rings that made him stand out.

He had grown up so much yet so little at the same time. June stumbled and almost fell into the booth behind him. His mind wandered, and he forgot about Jungkook's Jimin, the one sitting behind him. Instead, he focused on the doppelgänger near the front doors; the one who had his eyes searching the diner. The man's gaze stopped on June, and a flare of beauty sparked inside his hickory irises.

Years of memories came crashing down on June all at once. The college days he had pushed down jumped to the front of his mind as he identified the man who had strut through the doors: Park Jimin.

June's Park Jimin.