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Peter tried his best not to glare at the woman currently monopolizing Johnny's attention. Every single time Peter attempted to hang out with him, it was the same; a constant parade of flirtatious women vying for even an ounce of Johnny's attention, and Johnny did nothing to waylay them, even seemed to encourage their behavior.
The evening was supposed to be relaxing, a low key event at a restaurant's grand opening. Of course, Johnny had been recognized immediately, subsequently ruining Peter's best efforts to have a conversation with his friend.
It wasn't the first time Peter felt alone in Johnny's presence, and he wondered why he continued making the effort. Of course, no one gave Peter a second glance. He wasn't the movie star, and no one really fawned over a special effects artist, no matter how many awards he had.
He almost interrupted Johnny to tell him he was heading to the bathroom. Almost. He didn't need to actually relieve himself, not in that sense at least, he simply needed to escape before he said something he would regret. It was easy enough to slink away from their table, he doubted Johnny would even notice his absence.
The bathroom was on the other side of the restaurant, giving him plenty of time to think. Why was he even still there? It was obvious Johnny wasn't interested in his company, and he had been a fool for ever thinking there was a chance he would be the subject of his flirtations. Yet, there he was, at a fancy restaurant because Johnny asked him to come, once again setting himself up for disappointment.
He detoured away from the bathrooms and made towards the doors, his appetite completely gone. The air outside was warm, too warm, and Peter found himself missing New York's brisk spring nights. He stood outside the restaurant, unsure what to do next. It wasn't too late, most people were still out enjoying their Friday evening, there shouldn't be a long wait for an uber. There was no way he could ask Johnny for a ride, not after ditching him.
But, who really ditched who?
"Pete!" Johnny's call was unexpected, but not wholly unwelcome. He looked at Peter with a guarded expression. To anyone else he was smiling, but Peter knew better. "What's up? Did you get an emergency call or something?"
Peter looked away, ashamed for trying to run away. "I needed some air."
"Oh, why didn't you say so?"
Peter shrugged, "I didn't think you'd notice."
"I-" Johnny stopped himself and shifted his weight. "I'm sorry."
Well, that was certainly something. Johnny wasn't exactly the king of owning up to his mistakes.
"Don't worry about it. Go. Enjoy yourself."
"Peter." Johnny slid an arm around his shoulders. "Come back, have dinner. I've been talking you up to that brunette with the-"
"For the millionth time," Peter shook off Johnny's arm, "I'm not interested in being set up with one of your fangirls."
"What the hell is your problem with? You complain about being alone all the time, yet you won't even let me try to set you up!"
"Is that why you invited me out? Because you felt sorry for me? Well, you suck at it. And for the record, I felt more alone tonight than I have in months." He tried to walk away, before he said anything worse, anything he would truly regret.
"Damn it!" Johnny yanked him by his shoulder, forcing Peter to face him. "You're a real ungrateful shit, sometimes!"
"And you're fucking oblivious! I don't want you, of all people, to try and set me up!"
"Why the fuck not? I'm great at it!"
"Newsflash asshole, I've been in love with you since we were 15!" Peter snapped his jaw closed. He didn't mean to say that.
Johnny didn't remove his hand from where he held Peter's shoulder. "I- you- what?"
Peter swiped Johnny's hand away, "Forget it. Nothing."
"Peter…" Before Peter could react, Johnny was surging forward, his hand cradling Peter's cheek as he pressed the ghost of a kiss against Peter's lips.
"Johnny, " Peter mumbled against his lips. "People will see."
"Let them see. If you want, we can continue back at my place.:
Peter returned the kiss for the briefest of moments before pulling out of Johnny's reach. "You can't even have dinner with me… this… wouldn't actually mean anything to you, would it?"
Johnny had a reputation for a reason, his longest relationship lasted a whole three months. And that was back in highschool. Of course, he would seize the opportunity for a quick lay.
"What? No, Peter! Shit." He looked around at the crowded sidewalk. "Do you… can we go somewhere and talk?"
Peter shook his head. "I think… it's best if we forget what I said."
"But, Pete." Johnny sighed.
"Go back to what's their names at the restaurant. They won't mind a quick fuck."
"I don't want… Fine. I won't… call me if you want to talk?"
"Sure," Peter said before walking away, not daring to look back.