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Peter had a feeling that something would go wrong tonight. This time, he didn’t even need his spider-sense to tell him so. Why had he invited Harry to dinner again? What if he hated his dad? What if his dad hated him?
“Hello, Pete,” Harry greeted, his adorable acquired British accent showing off. “Are you okay, darling? You look nervous”.
Harry always had this uncanny ability to know what was going on with Peter. Maybe Peter should be worried that he would find out about Spider-Man, but right now that wasn’t his biggest concern.
“I’m okay,” Peter lied.
Instead of replying out loud, Harry just shot him a look as if saying that he wasn’t amused by his poor attempt at hiding his feelings.
“I was…” Peter stopped, unsure of how to put into words how everything was seeming like a dream in his life lately. His relationship with Tony was better than ever, the two of them openly acknowledging each other and their father/son bond. He had stopped lying to May about his double life. And now Harry was here. Everything was too good to be true and he was afraid something would happen. “I want this to work out,” he said finally.
“You don’t need to be so nervous,” Harry reassured him, grabbing his hand and stroking it slowly. Peter relaxed immediately, his friend always did that when they were little to calm him down. It felt so nice.
“I’m kinda curious to see what Tony Stark is like,” admitted Harry.
“He’s amazing!” Peter said right away. “Tony’s different from the media”.
"Peter, Harry, dinner is ready," Aunt May interrupted them.
No more time to hide away then. Peter forced himself to move and left his room, closely followed by Harry. They all sat at the table and started serving themselves, except for the guest.
"Aren’t we supposed to wait for Stark?" Harry inquired, confused.
"Oh, don't worry. Tony is always late," Peter dismissed. "He always says to start without him."
"Eat up," Aunt May added cheerfully.
"If you are sure…" Harry still seemed a bit hesitant but then followed Peter's example and started putting food on his plate.
May had decided to cook lasagna for them, partly because she knew Harry loved but was never allowed to eat it, and then was something she knew more about how to cook. She wasn’t the most skilled cooker ever, however, she was very familiar with that recipe. Peter thought that it smelled nice enough.
"So, Harry. How was Europe?"
"Boring," he answered right away, as he cut a piece of his lasagna.
"Hum."
"What is it, Parker?"
"I saw some photos of you there, you know. It didn't look boring at all".
Peter had stalked his friend once they had made contact again. All of Harry's friends looked gorgeous and some were indeed models. It had been a little intimidating to see, to be honest. Everyone in his life looked like they were so amazing and then… there was Peter.
"Trust me, it was".
Peter didn’t believe it at all. But Harry was using his stubborn tone and the other knew he wouldn’t drop it any time soon. So, he let it go.
Aunt May continued to fire Harry some questions, apparently excited about having him back. The man didn’t mind at all, easily answering her and sharing stories that made them both and Peter laugh.
Peter wanted to ask Harry so many things and share so many more, but at that moment, he was just so happy to see the two interacting that he was happy to just watch it while he ate (the lasagna turned out well). He was sure that there will be a time to hang out with him more later, anyway.
Then, there was a knock on the door, letting them know that Tony Stark had arrived (the doorman didn’t warn them anymore when it was him, too used to it). Peter had almost forgotten by now that he was also coming.
“I’ll get it,” he said anxiously as he got up.
In minutes, Peter had opened the door and faced Tony, who was showing his arrogant smile. That wasn’t a good sign.
“Hi, Dad,” Peter greeted him cautiously.
“Hi, Kiddo,” Tony greeted back, immediately looking away. His eyes fell on Harry Osborn.
“So, you must be Harry Osborn,” Tony said.
“Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” replied Harry, in a neutral voice.
“You too,” Tony forced himself to let it out. It came out forced.
The room was filled with tension. Peter was too worried that something would go wrong any minute. Tony and Harry were using their media smile. May looked like the one person relaxed there. In fact, she was holding back a laugh.
“Let’s eat!” Peter said in a high tone. It was pathetic but he couldn’t stop himself. This was awkward as hell.
Harry turned his eyes back to him and let out a chuckle.
Tony glared at Harry like he was unsure if the boy was allowed to laugh at his son. But he let it pass, for now.
Everyone went back to the table. This time, it was May who did the most talk. Peter and Harry only focused on their food.
“How long do you know each other?” Tony asked Harry and Peter suddenly.
“I already told you that,” Peter was confused.
“Since we were kids,” Harry answered anyway, with a fond smile. “I actually can’t remember not knowing Peter. He was always the fun part of being stuck at Osborn Industries. Though, he had fun by himself with labs. He was always smarter than everyone”, his tone was smug.
This brought a smile to Peter’s lips. Harry, without fail, was proud of him. Any win that Peter had, always felt like it was Harry’s too. His best friend never missed a chance to brag about him. It was something that amazed him and still does.
“Stop that, it’s embarrassing,” Peter pleaded. “And don’t sell yourself short. You’re pretty smart too, you know”.
“Maybe. But not was as much as you, darling,” there wasn’t a single hurt in his tone.
“Yeah? But I saw the videos of your exhibitions. It was crazy good,” Peter insisted.
This time, it looked like Harry was the one caught off guard. He blushed slightly and avoided looking at him.
“What exhibition?” Tony asked, sounding interested.
Harry hesitated only for a second, before launching himself into an explanation that sounded like he already said one million times. Peter didn’t mind, he had never heard it before and wanted to see Harry’s art through his eyes.
So distracted, Peter didn’t even notice how the mood had improved. Tony and Harry stopped being so reserved and started acting like themselves, May continued to have her fun.
But like everything in his life, Peter’s peace couldn’t last. It was torn down by one casually asked question by Tony:
“So, how long are you two together?”
With only them four there, there was no mistake of who he was talking about. Still, Peter wasn’t prepared for that. Okay, he might have a little (gigantic) crush on Harry, but he was hiding it well!
"What?! We are not together," he denied right away, not wanting some dumb misunderstanding to mess his friendship with Harry. He valued him too much for that.
“Yet,” added Harry.
There was no way that he heard it right. Peter must have been hearing things.
“What did you say?”
Instead of dignifying him with an answer, Harry smirked. It was almost impossible how hot this made him look. Peter thought he would have a heart attack right there. Instead, color flowed to his cheeks.
“Oh, I like him,” confessed Tony.
“Shut up,” Peter muttered, completely embarrassed.
Peter had been waiting all night for his dad’s approval. He hadn’t expected that to come from the mutual need of teasing him, but in hindsight, he should’ve. They both always had taken satisfaction from leaving him flustered.
Thankfully, Aunt May took pity on him and asked Harry about a British singer that was becoming somewhat popular. He knew who she was and even went to a show, making the conversation easy.
However, it wasn’t so easy for Peter. His emotions were all over the place. Could he really be together with Harry? Sure, they stayed apart for so many years, but Peter didn’t need anything to know just how perfect would it be. He was always attracted to him and now that Harry had become so hot, it was only worse.
Peter stole a glance in Harry’s direction. He was laughing right now, with that bright face that seemed to light up everyone too. Something in Peter went warm with the sight.
Tony was the first one to leave the dinner, saying that Pepper was waiting for him to come back home. May agreed, but insisted that he should bring Pepper in the next time. Tony hugged Peter goodbye.
“I guess I should go too,” Harry said, his face neutral.
Peter wanted him to stay. He hadn’t had enough Harry time.
He was afraid of how needy he would sound if he pleaded him to stay. So, he just nodded with a smile and Harry got up from his chair.
“Thank you for receiving me,” Harry said with a smile to May.
“Don’t be silly, you’re welcome here anytime,” she said warmly.
Peter got up. Even if he wasn’t brave enough to ask Harry to stay there a little longer, he would at least lead him to the door.
So, he followed Harry as left the apartment in silence, his thoughts too loud as he tried to think of what to say. Yet …
“Don’t be a stranger,” pleaded Peter suddenly, then let out a shaky laugh. He didn’t know what came over him.
“I won’t, Pete,” promised Harry, his voice dropping more on the last word.
Harry was so adorable. His eyes seemed to be shining, his face totally relaxed. Peter felt drawn to him, unable to look away, even if the other wasn’t doing anything.
“Stop looking at me like that”.
“What?”
“Do you know,” Harry’s voice sounded frustrated and Peter felt apprehension creeping into him, “how hard is it to stop myself?”
Peter was at loss for the words. Harry was someone that had impeccable control of himself, often causing envy for this very reason. What could be that he was battling himself so hard?
“From what?”
“From kissing you,” Harry said, then looked away, as if he was too afraid to deal with the consequences of his reveal.
Peter’s mind stopped working, not knowing how to process it. He just knew that he wanted to kiss Harry too and that he didn’t like the other hiding himself from him. So, he went close and ended the distance between them.
It felt so right, like they always were meant to do that. Peter lost himself on Harry.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” Peter asked breathlessly.
“Yes, you too, darling,” Harry replied with a smile.
Before they could do anything more, though, Harry’s phone buzzed with texts. His face closed off a little as he read it.
“It’s work,” he sighed, unhappy. “I got to go”.
“Yeah, right,” Peter agreed, used to it. Harry was busy all the time. “Maybe we can meet tomorrow?”
“It would be perfect,” Harry answered, his real smile back. “Bye, Pete”.
“Bye, Harry”.