(Y/N) and Peter had been friends since the beginning of middle school. Peter being shyer and interest is unconventional things were more of an outcast but (Y/N) was more social and it came to no surprise to anyone that he became popular. His outgoing and positive energy just really vibed with everyone. Through middle school (Y/N) stuck by Peter making their friendship known. During their middle school experience (Y/N) would try to bring Peter to the dances, so that he too could enjoy the evening with his friend group. Peter being the small nervous bean that he is, he never agreed to attend leaving (Y/N) pouting that he wouldn’t come.
Over time they developed other friendships: Peter with Ned and (Y/N) with his friends. In highschool not much had changed except that now people were coming up to (Y/N) confessing their feelings or asking him out. Boys and girls all over school had thrown their hearts out to him and every time he politely declined to say that they seemed like wonderful people but he just wasn’t looking for a relationship. Peter and (Y/N) still hung out often, reserving every other Saturday was specially reserved for each other. Often spent taking pictures, walking around while discussing everything and nothing. Many of the pictures on (Y/N) Instagram had been taken by Peter himself.
It was during one of these hangouts that Peter realized something about himself. Every time you would laugh his heart would flutter. When you would hug him he would feel nervous butterflies flying around in his stomach and feel his cheeks tint dusty pink. His heart beats two times faster when he sees you wearing a sleeveless tank or a tight-fitting shirt. Peter cherished your guys’ friendship too much to ever think of confessing. You had become too big of a piece in his life to ever let you go. He kept these to himself, doing his best so that no one would ever guess that he felt his way towards his best friend.
Then in their senior year, (Y/N) dutifully asked Peter to come to one of his friend’s house parties, knowing full well that Peters only New Years’ resolution was to talk to people more. Peter couldn’t say no to your cute pouting face when you asked him to please go with you so that he could at least try to fulfill his resolution. The party was in the richer part of town and you popped over to Peter’s house to help him dress up. You had the key, as Aunt May trusted you, and walked yourself into their apartment.
“ Peter ?” You asked.
“ Huh? (Y/N)? Uh yeah, I’m here.”
He was standing in front of this closet trying to decide what to wear.
“ You still haven’t chosen what to wear? Dude’s a casual party, don’t sweat it.”
“ Easy for you to say. You go to these all the time!”
“ Do you want me to help you then? Put my expertise to the test?”
Peter slapped your arm in a joking manner making you laugh.
“ I got you that pair of ripped jeans last year for your birthday. You should wear those. Oh! And that one t-shirt that makes your arms look more buff.”
He stared back at you blankly. Clearly sending the message of ‘I know your saying words but I am just not computing anything. Send help’. (Y/N) sighed gently pushing Peter out of the way to rummage through his closet to find the items he previously mentioned.
“ Pete you need to clean out your closet. You still have clothes from middle school that doesn’t even fit you anymore! C’mon.”
Peter mumbled a ‘sorry’ as he sat down on the bed, pulling out his phone to scroll through Instagram as he waited.
“ Boom! Pete here’s your outfit including socks. I already choose your shoes. While you change I am going to make some enchiladas so that we don’t starve. We don’t know what food there’ll be.”
After changing and eating the two of them hopped into (Y/N)’s car. After driving twenty-something minutes they arrived and Peter slunk into his seat. You put your right hand on his thigh and looked at him straight in the eye.
“ Pete.”
“ Uh-huh?”
“ You look hot and I am confident that you can make it through this party only after having some fun. If you ever feel overwhelmed just come up to me and tug my shirt two times. You won’t even have to say anything. Okay?”
Peter took a deep breath, looking away from your face and instead st your hand, feeling his face warm-up from your gaze and your words.
“ Yeah Okay.”
You beamed back at him and gently squeezed his thigh.
“ Let’s go have some fun.”
Just walking up to the house three people greeted you and you were almost bombarded by people when you walked to the food table. You being you smiled at everyone and, to those you knew better, you exchanged choreographed handshakes. As you being mingling Peter squeaked out some lame excuse to leave the large group to someplace that was less densely populated with people. Awkwardly leaning against a wall, with a cup in his left hand, and his phone in his right.
“ So you came to this lame party too?”
Peter’s head shot up quickly making eye contact with a familiar face.
“ Hey MJ.”
“ This isn’t typically your scene. Shouldn’t you be home playing with your legos?” She joked. Peter knew her well enough to know that she didn’t mean any harm.
“ I let (Y/N) drag me to this party.”
“ Oh? You let him?”
“ Y-yeah.”
MJ leaned on the wall right next to him and looked into the party. More specifically straight at (Y/N).
“ He’s hot.”
“ Yeah, he’s attractive.” Peter let himself agree because he doesn’t spend hours of his day looking over pictures that he has of you that he hasn’t let you see yet. He let himself think about the last time the two of you hung out and began reminiscing the photos he took. While he was zoned out he was unaware that MJ was still talking to him. Until she shook his arm.
“ Peter look there’s a girl clinging onto his arm. Is (Y/N) even straight? I’m pretty sure he’s gay.”
He couldn’t help himself and quickly looked in your direction to see that in fact there was a girl standing a little to close to you for his liking. Peter felt this angry heat slowly fill up his chest thinking ‘ how dare she stay to close to him’ but immediately seeing his negative reaction he took deep breaths to calm himself. ‘ I don’t have any control over him. He can do whatever he wants.’ Then why did he feel like this? The two of you weren’t romantically involved and he was just a friend in your eyes.
“ Peter you look really angry. What is doing on?”
Without even saying anything MJ put two and two together. How is gaze was trained on you and how you were mingling with the other party attendees. MJ was going to open her mouth to say something when suddenly Peter walked away from the wall towards you. As Peter made his way to you another girl started touching your chest.
“ Oh hey, Pete-”
Peter quickly pulled the bottom oh your shirt twice and then started walking outside. (Y/N) said that he needed to go outside quickly and went after Peter. He was waiting for you by where you parked your car.
“ Hey, Pete what’s wrong.”
“I am really angry and it’s totally stupid too.”
“ Pete you are not stupid and your feelings are valid. Just tell me what happened.”
“ I was talking to MJ and then she pointed out how you had girls coming up to all the time and that they were always flirting with you. You’re always letting them touch you. It’s really really frustrating to see you like that. Then I started feeling really angry and I could feel all of this negative energy in my chest. It made me feel like a bomb about to explode. I’m sorry this is stupid I should have let you stay in the party.” Peter rambled.
He stared at his feet as if they were the most interesting thing he’s ever seen. His face felt like it was melting off and the thudding of his heart was almost like a throbbing head ached. He was mentally preparing himself to get told off or even rejected for what hints of a crush that he just gave. Hands clenched to his sides and he just now noticed how his classic plastic red cup is beyond destroyed as he is holding it with a death grip. Noticed how his vision was starting to blur and bring upon arm to wipe what he was desperately hoping are not tears. Without saying anything (Y/N) wrapped his arms around him. Peter instinctively wrapped his arms around your torso bringing you closer, engulfing himself in your familiar scent. At some point, you started to sway and he just followed your rhythm after resting your head on his shoulder/head ( depending on how tall you are).
“ I’m sorry (Y/N)” Peter mumbled into your shirt.
“ I didn’t know you felt that way, Pete.”
“ I didn’t know I could be that angry at someone I don’t know.”
“ Let’s just go home. I don’t really want to be here if it’s making you cry.”
Peter didn’t say anything but he nodded in agreement and the two settled back into the car for the short drive back. There was no more talking but the soft sounds of the jazz radio playing through the radio. Peter wrapped his arms around himself feeling the cold air from the half-opened window. Wordlessly (Y/N) understood and reached in the backseat for his hoodie which he immediately gave to the cold boy. Now having a warm and comforting layer he could enjoy the fresh air from outside and you drove him. After parking your car, you both walked up the stairs to his door. Before he could open the door, you pulled Peter back into another hug.
“ Pete do something nice for yourself and don’t beat yourself up about. Crying is a normal thing for humans to do.” Your voice was soft and gentle with a rhythm that calmed him down. Before letting him go you brought one hand to tuck some of his hair behind his ear.
“ Go to bed at a reasonable time Pete. Do it for me please.”
After kissing him gently on his forehead and turned around for your car.
“ (Y/N)!” Peter whisper-yelled.
“ Yeah, Pete!” You whisper-yelled back as you turned around.
“ You know I kind of confessed to you earlier.”
“ I do.”
And with that, you turned around again for the last time that night and didn’t look back.
