Chapter Text
Peter stood on the balcony under the night sky. He didn’t know how he had missed it. He had loved MJ most of his life but when she had never shown interest in anything beyond friendship he had moved on. He had tried to figure out what life would look like without that idea of what could be because he had been too nervous to lose what they had. Now he was left wondering why he had never taken the risk. The risk now seemed safer compared to the fight that had just happened between MJ and him.
“Kid.” Tony came out and passed him a sweater, “It’s not crazy cold but you don’t regulate temperature.”
“Tony? I still messed it up. You tried to warn me and I made a mess of it all.” Peter didn’t turn to look at his father figure when he admitted that. He just clutches the sweater in his hand and gazed out at the city below the tower.
Tony leaned against the railing next to him, “Remember when you gave Flash a second chance because he had sworn he would change as a teenager?”
Peter nodded slowly, “He only wanted to be friends because he wanted access to the tower and to you. He ended up causing major problems and even broke off Dum-E’s arm. I was terrified you’d be so mad when you got home.”
“Right, but I found you in the lab trying to fix Dum-E. I simply passed you the tool you needed and asked one question. Do you remember what that was?”
“Sometimes we mess up. We’re human. But the real test of character is how we fix it. How do you plan to fix this?” Peter laughed, “And I pointed to Dum-E like as an I’m trying type of deal. You were talking deeper though. You meant how was I going to fix the fact that I had trusted someone I never should have. How was I going to fix the fact that I had brushed my real friends off for weeks. How was I going to re-build trust with you to be in the tower alone.”
Tony wrapped an arm around the young adult that would always be his kid, “So you’ve messed up. That happens. We’re human. How do you plan to fix it?”
Peter shrugged, “Might be too late.”
“I bet you thought it was too late to fix things back then too.” Tony pointed out, “It’s only too late when we stop taking accountability and stop trying to do better.”
Peter leaned into Tony’s side, “Thanks.”
“Yeah. I’ve always got you, Kiddo.”
Peter knew that. He knew it more than anything else. Somehow the universe had seen fit to give him a third father figure and let him keep this one. He was never going to be anything less than grateful for that.
~
Peter knocked at the door in front of him with a shaky hand and cleared his throat what felt like a million times. He was sure his heart was going to beat out of his chest. He was about to walk away when the door in front of him opened and he was face to face with his childhood best friend.
“Peter.” Ned said softly.
“Ned.” Peter’s voice shook, “I messed up so badly, man. I don’t want to lose you.”
“No. It was me. I was dumb.” Ned opened the door wider, “And then I didn’t know what to do to fix it. Can we just start over?”
Peter gave a watery laugh, “We can’t start over completely because I need your help and I don’t have a lot of time to catch you up.”
“I’m in.” Ned smiled. He was just glad for another chance to be the support his best friend needed and deserved.
~
“So I know I’m missing some months but you love MJ still? And you’ve just now decided to tell her?”
“It’s complicated. But I was scared to take the risk for so long because I was scared to lose her and now I’m scared I already did. I just need to fix it.” Peter dialed a number on his car phone. It rang until—
“—Peter?” Rhodey’s voice came through the line, “You’d better not be bleeding and dying somewhere alone. I’m getting older and my heart can’t handle your nonsense anymore.”
Peter laughed, “Okay. okay. I know I put you and Tony through it. I am alive and well though.”
“So you’re just calling to catch up?”
“No.” Peter decided honesty was the best bet, “I need your help.”
“Funny enough I just landed. Tell me where to go and what you need and consider it done.”
~
“Tony. This is dumb. Let me just wallow in my sadness.” MJ sighed when she opened the door to him standing there.
“Yeah. No. I need you to do me a favor.” Tony took the small opening and walked inside MJ’s apartment and looked around, “You live here?”
“Really?” MJ’s eyebrows shot up, “You want to do this now?”
“No. Umm. It’s nice.” Tony lied.
“Thanks for trying there.” MJ rolled her eyes and found her place on the couch under her blanket again, “You can leave though. I’m watching sad movies and eating ice cream for dinner.”
“Hmm.” Tony shocked his head, “Pepper needs your help with an event and I promised to bring you there.”
“She didn’t text me.” MJ frowned.
“Can you just get dressed? She’s not the type we want to keep waiting.” Tony checked his watch knowing they were running on time.
“I don’t really feel up to it.”
“Think of everything Pepper’s done for you.” Tony knew this was mean. But he had one job.
“Fine. But I’m not pretending to be happy.”
“As long as you wear something nice.” Tony easily agreed.
~
“Here’s everything you asked for.” Rhodey passed Peter a bag with a suit in it as well as some odds and ends he needed, “You’re sure about this?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” Peter smiled, “I need to go change. I’ll be right back.”
“Ned.” Rhodey gave him a look, “Don’t think you’re forgiven. You earn that with me and probably Tony too. I don’t know if he’ll even be game to let you live.”
“Damn.” Ned sighed, “Guess it’s good I have an escape route planned.”
“Don’t make a joke about this.” Rhodey held back the smile that was trying to form on his lips, “It’s not funny.”
“Get along.” Peter came out from changing, “What do we think?”
Rhodey smiled, “You look like your dad.”
Peter smiled, “Yeah well. I suppose I look good enough then.”
“Yeah. I think you look great, man.” Ned agreed.
“No one asked you.” Rhodey glared.
“Uncle Rhodey!” Peter rolled his eyes, “Today is about second chances.”
“I never agreed to that.” Rhodey didn’t drop the glare.
~
“Tony? Where are we? It’s dark.” MJ followed him in her green velvet dress she had thrown on assuming they’d be at a large event but from the sounds of it the place didn’t have a big turn out.
“Oh. Yeah. Back way. We don’t want to make a scene.” Tony lied. He knew it was wrong, but it was for Peter so he’d make an exception for it.
Tony finally opened a door and MJ took in the sight. The room was lit with candles and twinkle lights. She looked at Tony and he just gave a soft nod. She walked forward and found Peter waiting for her.
“You came.” Peter smiled.
“He told me Pepper needed me.” MJ explained.
“You look beautiful.” Peter meant it. She had taken his breath away since they were teenagers.
“What are you doing?” MJ gave a nervous laugh when he got down on one knee.
“Michelle Jones. I can’t believe how dumb I was. I was terrified to lose our friendship and I almost missed out on the best thing in my life—Please tell me I almost missed out—That you’ll give me another chance. I’ve loved you since we were teenagers and I want to love you for all of time. Marry me?” Peter opened the ring box on one knee.
MJ felt her heart flutter, “You can have your second chance. Don’t mess it up.”
“Never.” Peter agreed, “So you’ll marry me?”
“I’m not changing my last name.”
“I’d never ask you to do that.”
“Then yes. I will marry you Peter Parker.” MJ agreed.
Peter pulled his fiancé into his arms. He was so grateful for this second chance. He wasn’t going to waste it.
“Wait. Who let him in here?” Tony broke the moment.
“Ope.” Rhodey laughed.
“I think he means you.” Ned told the other man.
“It’s for sure you. I’d use that escape route now.” Rhodey shrugged.
“I have to face him sometime, right?” Ned gave a nervous laugh.
“Your funeral.” Rhodey saw his best friend heading their way, “But keep in mind he loves that kid more than life itself.”
“I’m out.” Ned started walking away.
“DON’T YOU DARE WALK AWAY FROM ME, TED!” Tony yelled.
MJ laughed and Peter felt her breath against his face because she stood so close, “You think you want to explain why he’s here?”
“Second chance.” Peter hoped she’d be on board.
“He won’t get a third.”
“I know.”
“As long as we’re clear.” MJ gestured, “May want to go make sure your dad doesn’t murder him.”
“Yeah.” Peter held onto her hand until he had to let go, “I’ll be back.”
“I know.” MJ was confident Peter Parker would spend the rest of his life swinging home to her.