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'Why did I ever let them talk me into this...' Parker sighed deeply but it wasn't audible over the loud bass and terrible singing of the current karaoke contestant. He just wanted to relax after work, it had been a long day in the lab and he wanted to lay back with his new book and drink some wine before bed. But as soon as he got home, Peter and Pete were there to drag him out on the town.
It had only been a few months since the fated "Peter Meet Up", where everyone in the US who has the name Peter Parker was added to a group chat and told to meet up in Central Park on the same day. Even so, he had quickly gotten close to these two specific Peter's.
Pete was the youngest, a junior in college studying astro-physics, while Peter was in his late 30's and was working for a different lab in Boston. When the time came for the meet up, only about 20 or so Peter's actually showed up but those that did still hung out, played some games, and some even went out to dinner as a group after. This was where Parker met Pete and Peter,and where they had decided to call each other their respective nicknames. Parker was chosen for him because he's the oldest, and according to Pete "Old people hear their last name a lot so it should be easy for you", which didn't make a lot of sense to Parker but whatever.
They had still kept in touch after the meet up, due to shared interest and pure willpower on Peter's part, and when Pete was in town visiting his Aunt they often got together. Tonight was a surprise, however.
Normally when the trio hung out it was at a restaurant, or if Pete planned it then an arcade or some outside activity. If it was just Peter and Parker, they tended to just stay at Parker's home. That was a relatively new thing however. Up until a month and a half ago, Parker only saw Peter when it was the three of them together. But then one day he showed up on his doorstep holding a case of beer, explaining it was the anniversary of his friends death and needed a distraction. "And what better distraction than getting wasted with an old guy?" He had said in a faked cheery voice.
Parker was tempted to close the door on him because of the old comment but his heart wouldn't let him, because Peter's normally crooked smile wasn't meeting his eyes. That didnt sit right with him, so he let Peter in, and that was the first of many random visits from him. It got to the point where he'd show up so late that Parker would let him crash on his sofa, claiming it was safer than driving home. But things were going fine, and if his eyes sometimes lingered a bit too long on the younger man it was nobody's business.
Parker is shaken from his memories by Pete and Peter, the two conspirators responsible for his growing migraine, sitting back down across from him with drinks.
"Enjoying the show?" Pete asked with a smirk as he sipped his beverage, probably some vodka creation.
"Oh yes," Parker drawled sarcastically,"my eardrums love bleeding like this." Peter rolled his eyes and pushed a drink towards the older man.
"That's what the alcohol is for!" He laughed before taking a sip of his drink. "Everyone sounds better when you're drunk!" At this point the current singer finished their song and stumbled off the stage. "You might even want to get up and sing!"
"You wouldn't catch me dead up there, I can't carry a tune to save my life," Parker said with a snort. "You two, on the other hand, are young and much braver. Why don't you go up there and I'll just sit and watch?" With a nudge to Parker's ribs, Pete wiggled his eyebrows.
"Bold of you to assume one of us already hasn't signed up!"
As if on cue, the next singer is announced.
"Would Peter Parker please come up onto the stage? Peter Parker, to the stage please."
Parker, not totally surprised, watched as Peter throws him a wink before getting up and making his way to the stage. Pete giggled into his drink and scooted closer to Parker.
"What song did he pick?" He asked Pete before finally taking a sip of his drink. An old fashioned, his favorite. Pete just shrugged but he had a weird, sneaky look on his face.
"You'll see. Just make sure you pay close attention to the lyrics." Pete giggled to himself again and refused to respond to any further questions.
With another sigh, Parker turned his gaze to the stage as he drank more of his old fashioned, and as the lyrics washed over him he decided he wasn't nearly drunk enough for this.
'In the beginning
I never thought it would be you
When we were chillin'
Smiling in the photo booth'
Parker hadn't realized how good Peter could sing. Sure the younger man hummed the odd tune when he was focusing on something, and sang along to whatever musical Parker put on, but this was different. He had his full attention on Parker, and if you didn't know him you wouldn't notice the tense way he stood. Peter was nervous about something.
'Ayy, this could be perfect
But we won't know unless we try
I know you're nervous
So just sit back and let me drive'
The lyrics started to hit Parker, although the way Peter had started dancing on the stage as he sang didn't help either. The older man downed the last of his drink, mouth suddenly dry as his heart decided to try and pound out of his chest. It was very warm inside, he asked Pete if he was warm too but the younger only laughed and gave him a pat on the back.
Parker's eyes were drawn back to the stage like they were magnetized.
'I see that sexy look in your eyes and I know
We ain't friends anymore
If we walk down this road
We'll be lovers for sure
So tonight, kiss me like it's do or die'
It was becoming hard to breathe very quickly. It wasn't like Parker hadn't noticed Peter's gaze on him on different occasions, and it wasn't like he hadn't stolen his own glances from time to time. He just couldn't let himself hope that there could be something more. After his ugly divorce he had found it hard to get back into the dating pool, and for such a young and attractive guy like Peter? There had to be better options out there than himself. Parker is old and boring, while Peter has his whole life ahead of him.
The truth is, Parker's scared. What if they do get together but Peter only wants him for a night? What if he gets bored after awhile? Parker didn't think he could handle it, so he'd rather just keep the friendship they had.
'And take me to the other side
Kiss me like it's do or die
And take me to the other side'
The song came to an end and Peter jumped off the stage, but before he got back to the table Parker mumbled something to Pete about needing air. Then, for lack of a better word, he fled the bar, ignoring his name being called.
He made it outside and stumbled his way to the alley at the side of the bar to lean against the brick wall. But everytime he closed his eyes he saw Peter up there, face flushed and eyes bright with an emotion he was too scared to name. Heaven help Parker but he looked so beautiful up there in the spotlight... His singing voice was hypnotizing, More so than his normal speaking voice.
"Fuck..." Parker cursed under his breath and sighed heavily. "This is ridiculous, what am I scared of? Feelings?" He scoffed to himself. "We're adults, dammit." As he rubbed his face with his hands he heard the bar door open and the sound of footsteps.
"Parker?"
'Of course he'd follow you out, dumbass,' Parker rolled his eyes at himself, 'he basically confessed to you on stage and you ran off like a little bitch.'
"Parker are you out here?" Peter called again, sounding closer than before.
"I'm here Peter." Shoving his hands in the pockets of his jacket, Parker stepped away from the wall so Peter could see him. The younger rounded the corner and his face visibly relaxed.
"Are you alright? You kinda ran off there..." He walked up to Parker, stopping about a foot or so away. A quick glance over revealed how tense the younger was, his shoulders closer to his ears than normal and his face flushed. From the cold or embarrassment, he couldn't tell.
"Y-yeah, it just got a little stuffy in there is all. The cigarette smoke got to me so I needed air." Parker lied with a small smile. He couldn't stare at Peter for very long, so his gaze darted around from his eyes to his feet. "You didn't have to come out, I was going to come back in a minute."
Peter bit his lip and took a small step forward. "I figured, but I just wanted to make sure... I know it's late, and normally you'd be in bed by now." Parker laughed and shook his head.
"It's fine. I'd still be up reading some research notes," he chuckled, noticing Peter take another step closer. He took in a shaky breath and decided to be a little brave, probably due to the old fashioned he drank. "I liked your song. I... didn't know you could sing like that."
"I don't sing around people often, but I wanted to tonight." Another small step. There was hardly any space between them now, and Parker was forced to look up to meet Peter's eyes.
"You should sing more often. I like your voice." Parker took a second before he reached out and grasped the bottom edge of Peter's jacket. 'You won't know unless you try... right?' His mouth is dry and his heart is pounding but he's taking a chance on this. Parker is putting his heart out there, and he's terrified. But he's also tired... he's tired of wanting and not allowing himself to have.
Peter looked surprised and for a moment nothing happened, the pair stared at eachother barely breathing. Then the younger man took reached out and cupped Parker's face, stroking his cheeks with his thumbs, before lowering his face down to connect their lips.
Like a static shock went through Parker's face, his body involuntarily shivered and his eyes closed, relaxing into the kiss. It didn't last very long, and when Peter pulled away he pressed his forehead to Parker's.
"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that..." He whispered and Parker chuckled.
"Probably about as long as I've wanted to..." With a sudden burst of courage, Parker reached up and tugged Peter down for another kiss. This one lingered, and they were so caught up in each other that they didn't notice Pete had come out to check on them. When he saw them he pulled his phone out and snapped a sneaky picture before retreating back into the bar. Parker's hands smoothed down Peter's chest and slid under his jacket to wrap around his middle, and in response Peter nipped at the other's bottom lip before breaking away again.
"This might be a bit backwards, but can I make you dinner some night?" Parker asked breathlessly. The younger man chuckled and pecked him on the lips.
"I would love that, you already know I love your cooking." Peter responded with a smile.
"Then you won't be disappointed with lasagna?"
"Definitely not."