Archive of Our Own

The winter formal has kind of always been a deal at Bayview High. Themed decorations, fancy outfits, and good music. Or so Peter has heard. He didn’t go last year. 

Mostly because he was too worried about not having anyone to hang out with, especially because Steve and Bucky both had separate dates. Steve took Peggy, of course, and Bucky went with a girl in the drama club named Wanda. He said it was a fun time but they were too different. He never went into details but it didn’t surprise Peter that much. Wanda’s always seemed very complicated.

Either way, he didn’t see the point in going as a freshman and didn’t want to get in the way. Peter wasn’t even originally planning on going to the dance this year but that all changed because of Harry.

Harry Osborn is the first real friend Peter has made at Bayview High since, well, ever. It’s a real friend because Peter made this one all on his own. Harry isn’t someone who was only friends with him because of Steve and Bucky. That’s what Peter liked most. He didn’t feel like the weird little tagalong when he was with Harry.

And Harry seemed to actually be cool. He ended up at Bayview at this time of year because he got kicked out of every Manhattan prep school (and Exeter, for that matter) and his father sent him to live in the boonies with his Canadian uncle. Peter asked how he got kicked out of the multiple schools and Harry started listing off things like they were goals and achievements. He apparently had sex in the headmaster’s office at his last school. Peter isn’t sure if that’s really true but he’s never met anyone like Harry before.

Because Harry also likes Kanuto Kross and Minecraft. Peter didn’t think anyone like Harry would like those things but the guy knows just as much about Kanuto as Peter (if not maybe just a little more but Peter won't admit that) and his Minecraft creations are like works of art. He’s very good at creating breathtaking architecture out of the little cubes. Peter thinks he should make a portfolio out of them to send to architecture schools but Harry said it sounded too nerdy.

Harry seemed to get a kick out of the nerdy things Peter tends to say. And from watching Peter gawk at all his private school stories. Peter couldn’t help it. He thought all the things Harry was describing only happened in movies starring Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillipe. Peter also thought the first time Harry sat down with him at lunch would be the last but now it’s a normal thing. They’ve sat together for the past couple of weeks now.

“So do people finally put the pedal to the metal for this so-called formal?” Harry asked with his nose buried deep in his phone screen. 

“What do you mean?” Peter answered. 

“I mean, will something interesting finally happen?” Harry snarked, looking up from his phone to perk his eyebrow up at Peter. 

“I think there was a fight over the formal queen crown but I’d have to ask Steve or Bucky. It might have been one of the other big dances,” Peter answered. He felt embarrassed that he was so obviously showing off the fact that he was too chicken to step foot in a school dance.

“That sounds kinda interesting,” Harry noted before he placed his nose back in his screen. He looked as if he was trying to inspect it now. “Hey, Pete. Do you think this arm belongs to Aleksei Sytsevich?’

“Uh… who?”

“Fuck. It’s totally him,” Harry shook his head, convinced. He didn’t need or want the validation at all. Peter just laughed out loud at that, which made Harry smirk.

“Who is he?” Peter asked, trying to get another look at the screen so that he could get another look at the centimeter of private school blazer and wrist that Harry is convinced belongs to this Aleksei character.

“He’s been trying to get with Felicia for ages and, of course, right after she dumps me, there’s he is. Suddenly on her story,” Harry grimaced, closing the photo on his phone with a roll of eyes. “As if she thinks I wouldn’t figure out it’s him. Unless… she wanted me to see this.”

Peter was unsure of what to say, considering he had no experience dealing with exes but he couldn’t help but think that maybe Harry might have it wrong. From everything he’s said about Felicia, she’s never seemed like she’s been interested in a long-distance relationship. Especially with someone five hours from the US border.

“You know, if she wants to play her game maybe it’s time that I play mine,” Harry said somewhat devilishly. Peter wondered what the heck that meant.

“Let’s look for a moment…” Harry said, tapping his finger on his chin as he peered around the cafeteria. What he was looking for, Peter had no idea. He let out a large sigh after about thirty seconds. “This place is such a crapshoot. It’s useless.”

“What do you mean?” Peter asked. That didn’t seem like it would be very hard to do to Peter. Harry’s popular, which is partly why Peter sometimes has a hard time keeping up with him. He has thousands of followers on his TikTok account where he lip-syncs with famous movie quotes with his shirt off. He’s been dubbed by the internet to be a ‘true bi king.’ He should, theoretically, be able to have his pick of someone to date at Bayview.

“None of these people would ever make Felicia jealous. Probably just make things worse,” Harry slumps and groans. “This place sucks ass.”

“You’re gonna make her jealous?” Peter asked. Again, he’s never dated anyone before but this can’t be normal.

“It’s the game, Peter,” Harry said as if it was supposed to be completely obvious. “She does something like this and I…” Harry stops to think for a moment. “I take someone hot to the dance. Only there’s no one hot.”

“There’s no one you can take?” Peter asked, still surprised. He knew the town was slim pickings but it never seemed that bad. Harry was from a different world, though.

“Most of these girls wouldn’t even make Felicia raise an eyebrow. No boys to pick from either," Harry said dejectedly before he fixed his gaze on Peter. “Wait a damn minute.”

“What?” Peter asked, looking around and behind him in an attempt to figure out why Harry was staring so adamantly in his direction.

“Peter. Do you wanna go to the winter formal with me?” Harry asked, with a smirk on his face.

“Me?”

“As friends, of course. But honestly, Pete. We could do your hair right, get you in one of my old suits with some nice cufflinks. I think I have an old Tom Ford one that would be your size, actually. I can see it already…”

Peter chuckled nervously and shook his head. “Harry, that’s crazy,” he said.

Harry nodded in response. “Crazy enough to work,” he answered as cool as a cucumber. “Is that at yes? You can keep the suit. And the cufflinks.”

There’s no way anyone could make fun of him if it was with Harry. Everyone is way too obsessed with him. He also really wanted to wear one of Harry’s fancy suits.

“Okay, fine,” Peter relented.

“That’s my boy. We really gotta sell it for socials but when we’re not doing that shit we can just chill. Maybe I’ll get us some liquor, too. Make it worth our while.”

Peter was nervous to drink at a school dance but still nodded nonetheless. He couldn’t have Harry thinking he was that much of a loser. Harry rubbed his hands together, looking almost comically like a supervillain.

“This is gonna be sweet,” he said. 

***

After school ended, Harry wouldn’t stop sending him memes of what he hypothesized Felicia’s reaction was going to be. Peter found it hard to believe that a gorgeous Manhattan heiress would ever find a reason to be jealous of him but it was fun to go along with it. And the Kermit memes Harry was sending were pretty damn funny. Peter couldn’t help but let the chuckles escape him from the back of Bucky’s truck. 

“What’s going on back there?” Bucky asked, with his eyes now on Peter for a brief moment in the rearview mirror.

Peter shook his head. “Nothing. Harry just sent a funny meme,” Peter answered, trying to keep his tone as casual as possible. It wasn’t a secret that Bucky didn’t care much for Harry so Peter tried his best to keep anything about him to himself. Harry sort of embodied everything Bucky hated, even though Peter would argue that Harry rose above the rich, handsome asshole stereotype.

“Oh, yeah? What is it?” Bucky asked, sounding more aggressive than Peter thought the situation demanded.

“Uh… Kermit. ” Peter answered, spinning his phone around to show a completely ridiculous but innocuous photo of Kermit the Frog. “What? I don’t know what the big deal is.” Bucky barely looked at it before he answered.

“I just think you should be careful with that kid,” he said sternly. Peter has been used to Steve and Bucky being a certain level of protective but this time it seems to just be Bucky. Steve actually likes Harry. But Steve is always trying to be on everyone’s good side. 

“He likes Minecraft and Kanuto Kross like me, Bucky. He can’t be that bad.”

“Yeah, well, I just hope he doesn’t turn out to be a Celestica,” Bucky answered haughtily before turning his gaze back to Peter in the rearview mirror again. “For your sake.”

Peter nearly gasped. Both because Bucky was making an incredible Kanuto reference and also because he was naming the single biggest traitor in the book series thus far. He can’t believe he just compared Harry to Celestica. Celestica was pure evil.

“Hey!” Peter objected. “That’s not fair, Bucky. You don’t even know him!”

“I know enough,” Bucky said curtly and with a little bit of a huff.

Bucky didn’t know a thing. The only time Peter had actually watched him interact with Harry is when he had Harry over at their house. They were in Peter’s room when Bucky came in (without even bothering knocking on the door, mind you) and interrupted their Minecraft session. Harry was making an attempt at a replica version of the Eiffel Tower and succeeding. Peter said he couldn’t make it in under an hour and it looked like he was going to finish with time to spare.

Bucky didn’t seem to be impressed by Harry’s talents. He actually seemed annoyed that Peter had company. Instead of trying to make a conversation when Peter introduced them, he grumbled after saying hello and left the room.

“You spoke to him once and you did your grumbly thing the whole time!” Peter said, remembering back on the memory.

Bucky grumbled, yet again, and became more exasperated. He turned his direction to Steve, desperate for backup. “Stevie, what do you think?”

“Sorry, bud. I’m with Peter, here. Harry’s a nice enough kid. We should let Peter have his own friends.”

“Oh ya, bud? You’re going to be singing another tune when this asshole’s colors change. Like a chameleon. I swear it,” Bucky said matter of factly. Peter couldn’t help but think he was being a know it all that doesn’t know anything.  

“Don’t you think we should give him the benefit of the doubt?” Steve answered. Peter was very happy that he was being the voice of reason but he also knew it was because Steve just wanted everyone to get along. No matter what.

“I’m not giving that kid shit,” Bucky huffed, turning his truck into the Parker driveway.

It wasn’t long after walking in the door that Aunt May urged Bucky to stay for dinner because she knew he’d otherwise be eating a Hungry Man TV dinner with his dad. She didn’t even have to ask to know. Bucky, as always, obliged.

Dinner wasn’t anything noteworthy. Aunt May made Shepard’s pie and spicy broccoli which is what she normally did on one of the days that started with a T. There was a certain rotation to how May moved through recipes. Tacos could also only be served on a day beginning with a T.

The topic of the winter formal dance came up. Aunt May asked all about the details of what Steve and Peggy were doing. What the color scheme was. What Steve was thinking of the corsage. She starts to note that they should find him some new shoes. This made Peter want to say something because he needed new fancy shoes too.

“Hey, May,” Peter interrupted, pulling all the attention in the room onto him.

“What’s up, sweetie?” May asked, now directing her gaze toward Peter. She looked a little worried for a moment.

“Do you think we could get some nice shoes for me, too? I’m kind of… also going to the dance,”

Aunt May nearly screeched with glee. “Peter! How exciting!” She exclaimed. “Of course we can find you some nice shoes. You’ve definitely grown out of those last ones. Maybe we can find something in Uncle Ben’s old things for your suit.”

“Oh. So I actually already have the suit figured out. I’m wearing one of Harry’s. We’re actually going together…” Peter said, his eyes darting nervously around the table to gauge reaction to his words. “Just as friends, though.” 

“That’s so sweet!” Aunt May said simply. “We’ll all go this weekend to get you both some nice shoes!” She seemed super excited at the prospect of both boys going to the dance. Peter could only imagine the onslaught of pictures she was going to take when the day finally came. 

He looked over to Bucky and it looked like the older boy was grimacing. Completely pissed. He knew he hated Harry but this was crazy. He did his best to ignore the look on his face, mostly because he couldn’t figure out what it was that had him so pissed off.

After dinner, they helped May clean up the dishes and moved over to the living room so they could play video games. They fired up the X-Box and played a couple rounds of Halo. By then, Bucky seemed like he was back to normal. Or something like normal, he didn’t look so pissed off anymore but he also wasn’t playing very well.

Actually, he was playing terribly. And Steve was only half paying attention because it seemed like his phone was blowing up. Peter was zooming around and getting way more kills than the other two. 

He seldom wins Halo. Street Fighter and the Dungeon Masters games, sure. But usually, Peter couldn’t keep up with the older boys when it came to Halo, so this was a momentous occasion. The moment the game ended, and Peter won by a landslide, he couldn’t help but jump to his feet and clap his hands together.

“Ha!” Peter boasted. “You should watch out, Bucky. I think you’re getting bad this game.” Peter turns back to the screen to look at Bucky’s score, which wasn’t great and then tossed a cocky grin at the older boy.

“What’s that?” Bucky asked, getting up from his spot on the couch. Peter’s eyes widened and he instinctively started backing away but it was no use. Bucky pounced before he could get himself out of the way. 

“Aw, Buck. Give him a break,” Steve scolded but it didn’t matter to Bucky.

In less than a couple seconds, Bucky had Peter in a headlock and was rustling the boy back and forth. Peter’s face was smushed into Bucky’s side and he struggled to release himself from Bucky’s vice grip. This wasn’t the first time Bucky’s put him in a headlock, but this one was rather relentless.

“Say that again,” Bucky growled, though Peter could tell he wasn’t actually mad. He probably had a grin on his face. Not that Peter could see. 

“Bucky, come on! I just ate!” Peter whined as Bucky jostled him around. Peter couldn’t help but think about how good Bucky smelled. It was just the usual Old Spice deodorant that he wore but it was comforting. The closeness to Bucky also made Peter a little bit excited downstairs. He hoped that Bucky wouldn’t see. 

“Say that I’m the better at Halo than you,” Bucky demanded. It didn’t seem like he was noticing.

“You just lost,” Peter muffled into Bucky’s t-shirt, with a small chuckle.

Bucky jostled him again. “Say it, Pete.”

“Steve!” Peter whined out but he could practically hear him shaking his head. 

“You know it’s better to just say it, Peter,” Steve said. Some help he was. 

Peter finally huffed. “Fine! You’re better at Halo than me,” Peter bleated, regretfully. Once he said the words, Bucky released him. Peter broke away and grabbed a couch pillow, trying his best to hide the bottom half of his body.

“Can we get back to the game?” Steve asked, unbothered and unimpressed with what just went down. Peter was relieved that he took the attention away from him and took his usual spot on the beanbag and sighed. This crush on Bucky was going to kill him. 

***

The next week, the week of the dance, the school already has signed up about voting for Winter Formal king and queen and everyone’s buzzing around talking nonstop about the dance. What they’re going to wear. Who they’re going to bring. What mischief they’re going to get up to. 

Bucky, Steve, and Peter walked into the school building, as they did normally every morning. AS they entered the hallway, Peter noticed Harry at the Winter Formal table next to the front office, bent over the table and scribbling on a clipboard someone from the formal committee had just handed him.

“Hey Harry,” Peter said, garnering the attention of his new friend. Harry smiled at him, finished off his scribble, and handed the clipboard back to one of the committee girls.

“Hey Pete,” Harry said, turning his attention to Peter and the older boys. “Was just putting my name in the pool for formal king.”

Peter couldn’t be too surprised. It would probably be child’s play for Harry to be able to garner enough votes. Did this mean he would have to go on stage if he won, though? Is that what you were supposed to do if your date won Winter Formal king? Seemed like too much pressure for Peter.

“You remember Steve and Bucky, right?” Peter asked, nodding to the older boys behind him.

“Yeah, sure. What’s up, guys?” Harry said as he offered them a warm wave.

“Dreading a biology quiz I have in five,” Steve said. “But it’s good to see ya again, bud,” Steve gave Harry one of his classic golden boy smiles.

“You too,” Harry replied, returning with a similar smile. “You should try and have Peter take the quiz for you. Just get him a blond wig or something.”

“If only,” Steve remarked with a chuckle. Harry returned it. Peter had to hand it to Harry, as much as he hated this town, he was still fairly polite to most people.

Bucky, however, seemed to have lost his manners regarding all things Harry. He tossed Harry a glare after watching the interaction with Steve. 

“I got my eye on you, Prince Harry,” Bucky threatened with his eyes squinted. He knocked on Harry’s shoulder with his own as he walked by. Harry looked surprised but more humoured by it than anything. Steve simply shook his head and followed Bucky down the hall. 

“Sorry about him,” Peter said after Steve and Bucky had gotten a considerable distance away. The two began to walk in the direction of their lockers. 

“It’s cool,” Harry answered with a shrug of the shoulders. “Kinda like being called Prince Harry. Way better than Prince William. Though he does know how to throw it back...” Peter always wished he could be as carefree as Harry is. 

“So how long has the Bucky guy been in love with you?” Harry said, rather casually. Like it was common knowledge. 

Peter’s head has never whipped around so fast. “What did you say?”

“He’s in love with you, isn’t he?” Harry repeated. Unable to see why this had Peter confused.

“Uh… No. I mean. No. I don’t think he likes me like that,” Peter answers, unable to fight the intense blush growing on his cheeks. Harry’s eyes grew two sizes. 

“Whoa. You like him too! And you didn’t know!” Harry trilled, Peter wasn’t sure he had ever seen him so excited. “Damn. You’ve been playing the jealousy game this whole time, like a pro may I add, and didn’t even realize it.”  

“I’m not playing the jealousy game!” Peter yelped. 

“But you like Bucky, don’t you?” Harry asked with his angular eyebrow raised. He stared Peter down intently. Like he was peering into his soul. He would no doubt be able to tell if Peter was lying. 

Peter gulped and felt his palms sweat involuntarily. No one had ever asked Peter the question point-blank before. He was beginning to think that if he didn’t talk about it then it would go away. He realized he felt that way because he never thought there was a chance that Bucky would be into him. But here was Harry saying that Bucky was in love with him.

“Yeah, um. Kinda. Yeah,” Peter answered, only now he was looking down at his beat-up black converse. 

“Looks like we’ve got some work to do, then,” Harry said, clapping a hand on Peter’s back. Peter raised his gaze to catch that his mischievous smile was back. He wasn’t sure how he felt about the context. 

“What does that mean?” 

“Well, you already started playing the jealousy game, whether you meant to or not. Might as well finish it.” Harry said as he spun the lock on his locker without even looking at the combination. Peter didn’t understand how he did it so easily, it took Peter almost his entire freshman year to open his locker properly on the first try. 

“But I don’t want to be playing the jealousy game,” Peter interjected. 

“So you want to just tell him, then?” Harry brought his attention out of the book bag he was putting in his locker and raised an eyebrow at Peter. 

Peter shook his head immediately. “Well, no. Not that. We don’t know that he likes me for sure.” 

“Oh, he’s in love with you.” Harry chuckled. “Dead ass.” 

It still was hard for Peter to believe. If Bucky really was as in love with Peter as Harry said, wouldn’t he have given him some sort of sign by now? Maybe he has. 

“Either way, we still have my jealousy game to play. So take this,” Harry said as he pulled a garment bag out of his locker. He placed it into Peter’s confused arms. He was still trying to process the conversation that just happened. 

“Let me know how it fits. I still have to find you some cufflinks. Maybe we should get ones with your initials…” Harry trailed, getting lost in his own mind yet again. 

Peter scratched his head. “I don’t know, Harry. How much are cufflinks?” Peter didn’t even understand why a suit needed cufflinks in the first place. He was already worried that the shoes he got with May and Steve this week wouldn’t match the insanely fancy suit that he had in his hand right now. He was scared to even unzip the garment bag at school

Harry rolled his eyes in response. “Oh, Peter. Please. My dad didn’t freeze my black card. Stop worrying.” 

***

Peter spent all day thinking about what Harry had said about Bucky. He’s glad his affection for the older boy wasn’t instantly obvious to everyone but did other people also know that Bucky was into him? Did Steve know? Better yet, did Aunt May know? 

Peter pondered it all throughout his classes. He wondered what he was supposed to do if it was indeed true. And then he wondered what happened at the end of this jealousy game. Maybe Harry was just imagining things. He very much had an overactive imagination and it was clear that he wanted something interesting to happen in this town.

Peter stayed quiet as Bucky drove him and Steve home from school. He actually spent most of the time looking out the window at the wide-open spaces covered in snow. He had never given much thought to how barren Bayville was until Harry showed up. Now he noticed all of the nothingness. He still liked it, though. 

Bucky tried to give him a dig about the garment bag but Peter just shrugged it off without saying anything or pushing any further. He was too afraid to say more than two words to Bucky now, for fear of saying something that he would regret later. 

“You find a date yet?” Steve asked Bucky offhandedly. Bucky had the radio turned up fairly loud the moment he got in the car but Peter could still hear everything going on in the front seat. 

Bucky remained silent for a moment before answering. “Yeah, going with Sharon,” His tone was fairly deadpan. He didn’t sound particularly enthusiastic about it but he’s also never been known to fawn over anyone.

Didn’t Bucky already tell Peter that he wasn’t into Sharon last month? Why would he want to take her to the winter formal? The mere idea of it made Peter extremely envious but he didn’t want to show it. He had to prepare for the fact that he was probably going to have to witness it. 

“Hmph. That should be interesting, eh?” Steve jeered as he gave Bucky a grin and a nudge. It seemed like Steve knew something Peter didn’t. 

Bucky rolled his eyes. “Man, shut up. It’s not that big of a deal.” Peter caught Bucky looking in the rearview mirror at him, but it was only for a split second.  

“Probably is to her,” Steve chuckled. It was obvious Sharon was very into Bucky. He wasn’t sure why Bucky would agree to go to the winter formal with her but maybe Bucky changed his mind about her.  

Then it dawned on Peter. Perhaps Bucky was using the same technique that Harry was with Felicia. And maybe it was working. He shuffled uncomfortably in his seat and turned his attention back out the window. 

Peter scurried to his room once they all got home. Partly because he didn’t know how to talk to Bucky right now but also because he was itching to check out the suit that Harry gave him. Once he unzipped it, he realized he was in over his head. It had to cost more than anything he’s ever owned. It just oozed fancy. 

He carefully removed it from the garment bag and then got out his own white button-down. Harry made sure to include everything else, even a tie. Peter was never very good at tying a tie so he put the rest of the suit on without it. 

It fit fairly well, maybe a bit long on the sleeves and a little weird at the shoulders but once Peter caught his reflection, he actually liked what he saw. That was kind of a first. 

With the swift sound of a knock, Bucky, of all people, opened Peter’s door. Peter was relieved that he wasn’t changing when he burst in. 

“Knock first!” Peter yelped. He had the urge to cover up what he was wearing but there was no use. The fancy suit was kind of… everywhere. 

“I did,” Bucky said plainly before looking the younger boy up and down. “May told me to come get you. Dinner’s ready,” He squared his shoulders back and cleared his throat. 

“You look good,” he said simply before shutting the door again and leaving Peter alone. 

Peter looked back at himself in the mirror and gave himself a smile. He did think he looked good. And he liked the fact that Bucky thought so, too. Maybe he was playing the jealousy game. Whether he liked it or not. Is it bad that he kind of liked it? 

***

The dance came faster than Peter thought it would. He was equal parts dreading and excited. Harry had everything planned out, he had actually already started planning the TikTok he was going to post. At lunch, he couldn’t stop laughing at the robotic woman saying ‘going to winter formal in my bumfuck shit town.’ 

Harry gave Peter a play-by-play of the social media plan. He already had angles and Instagram posts in mind. Peter didn’t know how he felt about the impending attention he was about to get from being front and center on Harry’s TikTok. He had so many followers. 

Harry made him change his name from ‘user49577329’ to ‘peterparker67’ and he also wanted Peter to post some video so that no one would think he was some sort of ‘trap account.’ Peter had tried all week to come up with something good to post but was too self-conscious to actually do it. 

Harry didn’t seem to mind, he said his plan would probably work regardless.

Harry got to Peter’s house fairly early after school to help Peter get ready. He also supplied Peter with some very nice-looking sterling silver cufflinks that had his initials on them. Peter tried to tell him it was too nice to accept but Harry just shrugged it off and put them on him. 

Both he and Harry changed into their attire in Peter’s room. Peter felt quite good in his suit but seeing Harry in his was something else entirely. His was finely tailored to his body and the material was similar to velvet in a forest green color. It suited him well. He’s probably going to be the best-dressed person at the dance. 

Harry also somehow managed to tame the curls on Peter’s head. Peter figured that’s probably what happens when you use fancy, expensive hair products. Things just get easier. Once they were both gussied up, Harry snapped a picture of them. Peter did his best not to smile like a complete dork, but there wasn’t much he could do. 

Harry chuckled as he reviewed the photo over. “Okay, Peter, don’t take this the wrong way but please don’t look like you’re being held hostage.” 

“Just relax. You look good,” Harry assured before holding the phone up again to take another photo. 

Peter shook his head for a moment before trying another smile. One that was a little more confident. He caught Harry’s smile grow even bigger on the phone screen.

“There we go!” Harry exclaimed, snapping as many pictures as possible as to not lose the moment. “Those ones were good,” he remarked to Peter after a quick review. 

Outside Peter’s door, they head Aunt May expel what could only be described as a squeal. Peggy had probably finally arrived. Peter was dreading all of the pictures that Aunt May was going to be taking but also thought about how nice it was to not be on the couch watching everything happen out of the corner of his eye. 

“You think we should go see what Aunt May’s squealing about?” Harry asked, Peter could tell that he was getting filled with excitement. He really must love this formal stuff. 

Peter nodded. “Sure.” 

Once they walked into the living room they saw Steve and Peggy putting corsages on each other. Steve was in a navy blue suit that seemed to accentuate his physique well. Peggy was in a simple but beautiful black gown. She pinned a red rose carefully to Steve’s lapel while he tucked a corsage carefully onto her wrist.

“I ain’t wearing that,” Peter heard Bucky say to Sharon when she held up a yellow rose. Which matched the corsage and the dress she was wearing. Bucky was wearing a black blazer, grey slacks and his tie was hanging down on his unbuttoned white shirt. While he didn’t look particularly well put together, Peter still thought he looked good. 

“First you make me buy my own corsage and now you won’t wear the one I got for you?” Sharon questioned, a fair amount of peeved. Peter did his best not to snicker but one definitely escaped his mouth. He couldn’t help it. He looked over to Harry, smirking as hard as ever. This was the kind of drama and excitement he had been waiting for all year, it seemed.

After Bucky and Sharon’s ordeal was over, the attention was directed onto Peter and Harry. 

“Oh, Peter!” May nearly gasped. “What a suit! You look great, dear.” With that, Aunt May planted an embarrassing kiss onto Peter’s cheek. It made him flush, especially in front of Harry and the girls. “Wait, I’ve gotta get some pictures.”

“You do look wonderful, Peter,” Peggy said, nudging him with a warm smile. As dicey as Peggy and Steve always were together, he did enjoy her company and she had always made an effort to be nice to him. Even at school. “Nice date, too.” 

“Thanks, Peggy,” Peter answered sheepishly. “We’re just friends, though.” 

“Even so, it’s nice to see you having fun.” 

“Enough chit chat, Peter. Harry’s already posing.” Peter looked over to Harry, basically in a model pose next to the fireplace. He almost rolled his eyes but decided against it. Harry was just having fun. Once Peter joined him, Aunt May started snapping away with her phone. 

Peter didn’t miss the look that Bucky was giving him. He could practically hear him grumbling inside. Harry must have seen it too because he wrapped his arms around Peter, daring the typical and cliche prom date pose. Peter could have sworn he saw steam rising from above Bucky’s head at that moment. He couldn’t believe Harry’s plan was working, maybe not with the intended subject but working nonetheless. 

“Okay, now one with my boys!” Aunt May announced, doing her best to rouse Steve and Bucky into the frame. Steve walked over and put his arm around Peter and squeezed him in close while Bucky decided to simply hover next to them. Peter didn’t look, but he was certain Bucky was giving the camera a death glare. Or something like it. 

“Well, I… Guess that works!” Aunt May said with a crease in her eyebrows, probably at Bucky’s expression, but did her best to hide what she was really thinking and keep her cheery exterior going. 

After Aunt May finished taking copious amounts of photos before she finally let all of them get going. Harry had originally wanted to get a limo to take them to the formal until he realized that the closest limo company in the vicinity of the town was two hours away. Instead, he borrowed his uncle’s car. It wasn’t super fancy or anything but Peter was happy enough with it.

He also didn’t want to squeeze into Bucky’s truck with the other two couples. As they exited the front door, Peter listened as Bucky and Sharon bickered about how Sharon was supposed to get into Bucky’s truck wearing her gown. And with all the snow. 

“You’re the one that decided to wear some huge, frilly gown, Sharon. I don’t know,” Bucky answered gruffly, walking straight ahead to his truck. 

Sharon looked at Peter and gave him something in between a glare and an eye roll. As if this was Peter’s fault. It’s not his fault Bucky said yes even though he didn’t want to go with her. Why would she be so pissed with him? 

“Pete, come on. Let’s get going,” Harry said, rustling Peter out of the depths of his own mind and nodding over to his uncle's car. Peter nodded and followed, watching as Bucky and the others drove away in the truck. 

***

The winter formal was more intricate than Peter was expecting. He’s not sure where Bayview High found the budget for such intricate, beautiful decorations but the gym was barely recognizable. It almost looked like the inside of a snow globe. Lots of fake icicles on all the tables, beautiful white lights everywhere. The DJ even seemed like they knew what they were doing. 

Peter and Harry found their seats at their table and Harry mentioned he wanted to do some rounds to ensure some votes toward his kingdom. 

Peter stood near the punch bowl and watched as Harry fluttered around and greeted some other classmates of theirs. People Peter isn’t friends with and has usually been too nervous to talk to. They’re all obsessed with him. He doesn’t know how Harry can be so effortlessly affable. Maybe it’s all of the etiquette training he got from private school or maybe it was just part of his personality. 

“Having fun, Pete?” It’s Steve. He’s has some punch in his hand and his lips were curled into a smile. “You look like you’re having fun with Harry.” 

“Yeah, he’s really funny,” Peter said. 

“It’s totally fine if you’re not just friends, by the way,” Steve said, the earnest tone of his words caught Peter off guard. He turned to look directly at Steve to see how serious he looked, doing his best to give off the hint. “All good with me”

While Peter appreciated it, he wasn’t sure that Steve would approve of the person he was actually into. Regardless of gender. 

“Thanks, Steve. But, uh, we’re really just friends. We’re kind of doing this plan Harry cooked up?” 

Steve chuckled. “What kind of plan?”

“Sorry to interrupt, Peter.” Peggy said, before placing her hand on Steve’s shoulder. “There’s finally no line for pictures,” she basically whispered in his ear. They were always so annoyingly intimate but Peter would be lying if he didn’t want something similar. 

Steve and Peggy rushed their way over to the photography station, effectively leaving Peter alone next to the punch bowl. This is what he was afraid of. Being the loser at the winter formal that no one wanted to talk to. 

His fears quelled the moment he heard Harry’s voice. 

“Wanna dance?” he asked from behind him. Peter spun around to see that he was, pointing over to the crowd.  

Peter smiled and nodded. “Sure.” He was worried about looking like an idiot while dancing but he had a feeling all the eyes would be on Harry anyway. 

On their way to the dance floor, they passed by Sharon and Bucky. Sharon looked pissed. Her arms were folded across her chest and she had a frown on. 

“So first no corsage and now you can’t even keep your tie on?” Sharon snapped. 

“Never promised to keep the tie on,” Bucky said as he took a swig from a flask. It’s the one that he stole from his father a long time ago. 

“Might as well see if Sam wants to dance or something, god,” Sharon groaned, before turning around. Once she did, she was basically face-to-face with Peter. She huffed and glared at him before looking back at Bucky and shaking her head. 

Bucky’s gaze shot away as soon as he realized the person in his eye line was Peter and he took yet another sip from the flask. Harry hummed with approval. 

“This is good shit,” Harry laughed heartily. “It’s totally working.” 

It made Peter feel strange that Bucky wouldn’t look at him. Like he was doing something wrong. He didn’t like it and he kind of felt bad for Bucky. 

He didn’t have much time to dwell on it, though, because Harry’s hand was already wrapped around his own and dragging him into the middle of the dance floor. Harry shimmied along to the pop music with ease and did his best to encourage Peter to move his body more. 

He even put his hands on Peter’s hips, trying to help him get a little bit looser. After he deemed that Peter’s movements were fluid enough, he grabbed his phone and started taking a video. Something for Instagram or TikTok or Snapchat or something. Peter couldn’t keep up anymore. He just tried to look as natural as possible.

Harry convinced Peter to have a little bit of the spiked punch concoction he had made. It wasn’t extremely strong but it was enough that Peter could tell he was drinking alcohol. It made him feel warm and a little more relaxed. 

The DJ spun more pop songs for a while until it was time to name winter formal royalty. All of the contenders made their way to the stage as Principal Fury begrudgingly read out the winners to the gymnasium. The title of winter formal queen ended up going to Wanda, Bucky’s date from last year. Peter was a little surprised by the result but it seemed that. having the support of the entire theatre community of Bayview had its perks. 

Harry did his best to feign surprise when his name was called for winter formal king but nearly everyone knew that the crown was his. He waved to the crowd with a slight glimmer in his eyes. Peter wondered if that meant he wasn’t so bored anymore. 

It was customary after the crowning that the royals danced with their dates in front of everyone, so when Harry stepped off the stage, Peter approached him gingerly so they could start. Harry put his hands on Peter's hips and Peter put his own over his shoulders. It felt like too much attention was on him but he just kept reminding himself that everyone was more interested in Harry than him. They swayed through the slow song, Harry drinking in all the attention he could. Peter was just grateful the song wasn't extremely long. 

After they were done, Peter looked into the crowd and saw Bucky. He was still firmly planted in the same seat as before and he looked to be fuming. He spun around and made a beeline out of the gym doors, letting them slam behind him. The sound gave Peter a pit in his stomach. He felt like maybe he went too far but he wasn’t even trying to do anything! 

“You’re gonna go follow him, right?” Harry asked from behind him. Peter jumps a bit because he was so wrapped up thinking about Bucky that he forgot Harry was there. 

“You think I should?” 

“Peter, now’s the time,” Harry emphasized, bulging his eyes with the word. “You need to go.” 

Peter nodded before taking a deep breath and then heading in the same direction that Bucky disappeared. 

When he finally found him in the halls, Bucky's back was turned to him and he was simply staring down at the ground. 

“Um. Bucky?” Peter said, causing the older boy to jump. He had never seen Bucky so unnerved before. He spun around to look at Peter. 

“What are you doing out here?” Bucky asked, craning his neck up. Peter couldn’t pinpoint what emotion was on Bucky’s face but there was some ounce of confusion in the expression. 

“I wanted to see if you were good.” 

“I’m fine, Peter. You don’t need to worry about me,” Bucky answered, he sounded cold and peeved. The look on his face almost made Peter too intimidated to actually say what he had left the gym to say. 

“I also wanted to…” God, looking at Bucky’s face was making this so difficult. He gulped down as much fear as he could manage and tried again. 

“You know how you said that if I told you my crush that you would tell me yours?” Peter asked, doing his hardest to keep his gaze on Bucky, who was avoiding making full eye contact with him.  

“Uh. Yeah,” Bucky answered, finally looking him right in the eyes. 

“Is that still true?” Peter asked.

Bucky sighed. “I guess so. Why?” 

“Because,” Peter said carefully, before taking a deep breath. He’d never had to summon so much bravery in his life. “Because you’re my crush, Bucky.” 

Peter watched as Bucky’s expression changed from angry to elated. Elated and confused. 

“Wha—“ Bucky blurted. It was rare for Peter to watch Bucky stumble over his words. “What the— what about Harry and that shit you guys were just doing?” 

Peter sighed. “Harry is just trying to make his ex in New York jealous,” Peter explained, watching as Bucky processed the info. It made him look relieved. “But also, that’s not how this works. You have to tell me your crush now.”

Bucky groaned in response. “You, Pete! It’s you. It’s been driving me insane,” Bucky admitted. He slumped his shoulders and exhaled, it looked like he had just taken a big load off. Peter admittedly felt the same way. 

His mouth gaped open in response to hearing the actual truth. Of course, Harry had been saying it this whole time but here it was. Said right in front of him. He needed to hear it again. 

“So you actually… like-like me?” Peter asked, desperate for more assurance. 

“Yes, Pete. I like-like you,” Bucky chuckled. “How many ways do you need me to say —“ 

Peter was not thinking when he kissed Bucky. It just felt like the moment might pass and he knew that he would probably regret not doing anything. Peter didn’t have much experience in the kissing department but he had kissed Gwen Stacey a couple times in grade seven so he wasn’t completely without practice. 

Kissing Bucky was miles different than kissing Gwen. Peter could (finally) feel Bucky’s stubble on his own face and it didn’t tickle nor burn. It was kind of prickly but not in a bad way. It was an interesting sensation. He tasted like whatever dark liquor he had been sipping on from that flask all night, too, but Peter didn’t really care. Bucky was also, a very good kisser, kissing Peter deeper than the younger boy had ever witnessed before. That more than made up for the burning taste. 

Once they finally broke apart, Bucky looked at Peter with a look of awe. It was like he couldn’t believe what just happened. Peter couldn’t really either. The look on Bucky’s face made Peter afraid he had jumped the gun.

“Was that—“ 

“Awesome? Yeah,” Bucky answered, quick and succinctly. He wasn’t leaving room for any doubt in this scenario, which Peter appreciated. “But what, uh, are we supposed to tell Steve? And May for that matter.” 

“Oh. Right,” Peter answered, taking a step back from Bucky without thinking about it. He almost forgot about both Steve and May. He wasn’t really thinking about what was going to happen after he admitted his feelings to Bucky. He didn’t even think he would get this far! 

“It could always be our little secret,” Bucky grinned, his pearly white smile almost enough to convince Peter of anything. 

“Are you sure you want to do that?” Peter asked, he was worried it wouldn’t be worth it to the older boy. Especially when there are tons of other people at school that Bucky could be with, without all the weird red tape. 

“God, Pete. It’s all I want,” Bucky responded, making Peter’s cheeks hot. He was flattered and shocked that Bucky so adamantly wanted to be with him. 

Peter couldn’t resist moving in to kiss Bucky again. He also couldn’t believe that it was something he could just do now. The kiss was shorter than the last but by no means lacked depth or passion. 

“Our little secret,’ Peter repeated Bucky’s words after they broke off the kiss. Bucky nodded in response.

“Yeah, just for a bit,” Bucky answered. “Until we figure out what to tell everyone,” he stated before giving Peter another peck on the cheek. God, Peter was so smitten already. 

“I should probably go back in. Harry’s probably waiting to hear what happened.”

“Harry?” Bucky asked with a cocked eyebrow. 

“Yeah, he’s kinda been rooting for us to get together this whole time,” Peter explained. 

“I really had this kid wrong, didn’t I?” Bucky answered as he shook his head. It seemed like he was still trying to sort out the reality of the situation. 

Peter smirked. “I told you so,” he snarked before leading the way toward the gym.

Harry was nearly on top of him the moment Peter stepped foot back into the dance. “Well?” he asked impatiently. 

“We, uh,” Peter stammered for a moment, they were supposed to be keeping this a secret after all. 

“Should be thanking you, it seems, Osborn,” Bucky answered, walking in behind him. He was still trying to do his intimidating tough guy thing. His shoulders were straight and his face was back to a hardened look but his words sounded earnest. 

Harry grinned at the sight of the two together. “I knew it would work out,” he answered, sounding a little like a know it all, but Peter didn’t mind. He kind of did know it all. Before Peter could say anything else, it seemed like a thought popped into his head. “In fact, I think both of us are in luck.” 

Harry dug into his pocket to retrieve his phone. He pulled up something on the screen before turning it to Peter. It was a text message. From Felicia. 

     From: Felicia Hardy
     Um, Harry what the fuck????? Who the fuck is this????????????

     Attachment: 1 Image

It was a picture of Harry and Peter cheesing together in their suits that Harry had posted on his Instagram story. Harry let out a cackle as he watched Peter realize. 

“Jealousy game works every time,” Harry laughed, stuffing the phone back into his pocket. “I’m gonna go get some more punch, don’t get into too much trouble, tiger.” Harry punched Peter’s arm playfully before turning on his heel, the tiny jewels on his crown glimmered as he sauntered away. 

Peter watched as Bucky’s eyes scanned the room, he let out one of his signature grumbles, probably because Sharon was looking at the two of them right now. 

Bucky turned his attention to Peter. “You wanna get out of here?” 

Now that he and Harry’s plan was done, he didn’t really need to be at the dance. He didn’t really want to be at the dance, actually. All he wanted to do was kiss Bucky again. 

“What about Sharon? And everyone else?” Peter asked. 

“Fuck ‘em,” Bucky shrugged. “They’re all going to the afterparty at Sam’s. I’m sure they can find their way back.”

“If you think its okay,” Peter nodded. 

Bucky nudged his head backward before making his way out of the gym’s double doors. Bucky grabbed his hand once they were far enough away from the gym. There wasn’t anyone else around so it seemed safe enough.

They kissed again once they got into Bucky’s truck. Peter would never get sick of it.

“Tims?” Bucky asked with a smile after starting up the car. 

“Let’s do it,” Peter agreed.

Once they got onto the road, Bucky placed his hand on top of his thigh and butterflies filled Peter’s stomach. It made it feel real. He had to keep reminding himself that he wasn’t in a dream. He might actually have to pinch himself. 

“You good?” Bucky asked, no doubt noticing Peter’s moment in his head.

A slight blush spread on Peter’s cheeks. He’s glad he didn’t actually pinch himself in front of Bucky. “Yeah. I’m just… happy?”

“Me too, Pete,” Bucky answered, clapping Peter’s thigh with his hand. “Me too.”