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Johnny began down the street from the Baxter building, swiftly making his way towards the studio he was supposed to go to today. He was headed there for some kind of photoshoot, for some “teen heartthrob” sort of tired trope that Johnny admitted to himself he was getting kind of tired of. Being famous was great and all, but after a while it was beginning to feel a little more draining.
Not the saving the city part, Johnny liked to do that just fine. It was the press. The photos. The interviews. He felt like he always had to know what to say, when to say it. Always had to get it right no matter what or how he was feeling. Keeping up whatever image they wanted to see him in.
Johnny shrugged off the thought, however, and walked into the studio. He was greeted by a few of the staff for the building and instructed to head upstairs to meet his photographer. Some guy by the name of Peter Parker. He thought about making a joke about how his soon-to-be photographer’s name was almost stupidly alliterative, but then remembered he has a sister name Sue Storm, and that idea was quickly shut down.
As the elevator doors opened, Johnny was met with an admittedly beautiful smile from a young man with large brown eyes peering through glasses and dark hair, who was holding a camera. Peter. Johnny assumed.
Peter’s smile faded once he got the full picture of who he was looking at.
He turned to the other employee of the studio next to him. “You didn’t tell me it was this guy!” Peter whispered, gesturing to Johnny whilst trying to be too subtle for Johnny to notice. “He’s a total jerk! He acts like he’s better than everyone else. New York has other superheroes too, you know.” Peter exclaimed quietly.
Johnny’s shoulders slumped. He knew Peter didn’t know him personally, and was probably just acting based on what the media says about him. But Johnny also felt a stab of guilt in his chest, feeling that he had sort of just become the person that the magazines said he was because it was easier that way. Easier to act like he was the hottest thing under the sun. In all honesty it was fun, but it wasn't him.
Johnny pretended not to hear Peter’s words and continued up to him.
And as he did, Johnny couldn’t stop thinking about how beautiful Peter was, despite the fact that Peter seemed to hate Johnny’s guts at the moment. God, what’s the matter with you, Johnny? he scolded himself.
“Hi there.” Johnny said to Peter with a wink, effortlessly flirtatious in a way that almost made Johnny mad at himself.
The dark-haired young man looked back at Johnny quizzically, like he couldn’t believe Johnny would try that.
Johnny outstretched a hand out to Peter for a handshake. “I’m Johnny, by the way.”
“I’m familiar.” Peter said, shaking hands with Johnny. “Peter.” he introduced himself. Peter sighed and moved Johnny into position for the photoshoot.
Peter Parker couldn’t help but feel a little bad for Johnny Storm. Partially because he remembered a particular news article from two years ago, in which Johnny, at the height of his newfound fame, was outed as pansexual before he was ready to tell the world. Peter was a teenager himself at the time, and both as a fellow queer person, fellow teenager, and fellow superhero, Peter felt a lot of sympathy for Johnny.
But dear God, why did Johnny have to be so arrogant? Or, at least, why did he always act so arrogant in front of the press? Peter wondered why Johnny always acted like he was such a big deal.
Peter snapped out of his thoughts and positioned his hands on the camera, adjusting the lens.
“Alright, Storm, strike a pose.” Peter said, unenthusiastic. Johnny complied, striking a number of different poses for whatever magazine this was going to be put on when all this was over.
After it was done, Peter walked out, not saying a word to Johnny as he brushed by him. Johnny didn’t know why, but he felt slightly disheartened by all of it. As he exited the studio, he noticed it was beginning to rain. Great, Johnny thought, Just what I needed.
As he contemplated what to do, he caught a glimpse of Peter out of the corner of his eye. Peter had headphones on, listening to music. Johnny made the reckless decision to try and get his attention.
“Hey, Peter, wait up!” Johnny shouted out, forgetting that Peter was wearing headphones. When Johnny finally caught up to him and tapped him on the shoulder, Peter stopped in his tracks, looking at Johnny with confusion in his eyes, both of them standing under Peter’s umbrella. Peter took his headphones off and stared at Johnny, bewildered. Johnny noticed the tune of the song playing faintly in Peter’s headphones. Big Shot. Billy Joel, 1978.
“Billy Joel, huh?” Johnny let out a nervous laugh. “Haven’t heard that song in a while.”
Peter was about to roll his eyes but instead a small smile formed on his lips. “Yeah, the song kind of reminds me of you.” Peter said snarkily, but with almost a hint of fondness.
“Look, Peter, I-I heard what you were saying about me. In the studio.” Johnny stated. Peter gasped but before he could open his mouth to protest, apologize, double down, anything, Johnny interrupted. “I know that’s what you think of me right now. And, I know I do act that way sometimes, but that’s just it. An act.” Johnny continued.
“I want you to know the real me. And well, just, what I mean by that is.” Johnny hesitated, “You know what I’m just gonna say it: do you want to go out on a date with me?” Johnny blurted out quickly and almost unintelligibly. He had his eyes closed and his face was scrunched up like he dreaded that the answer to that question would clearly be “No.”
Johnny opened his eyes again to see Peter staring at him with no truly readable expression on his face. “You know? I just want to get something right for once. I understand if you totally don’t want to, but-“
“Yes.” Peter interrupted him. “I will.” he said, smiling.
Johnny stared at Peter, shocked. “What? I mean- you will? I mean- yes! Yes! Awesome!” Johnny stumbled through his words, but from what Peter could tell, he was definitely happy. And Johnny smiled at Peter from ear to ear. No supermodel stare, a real, genuine smile.
Peter smiled backed and gently said “Now that’s something I’d like to take a picture of.”
“Alright now come on, unless you want to walk home in the rain without an umbrella.” Peter laughed. They started to walk down the street together.
“So you like Billy Joel too?” Peter asked excitedly.
“Yeah, dude, he’s like a total genius!” Johnny exclaimed.
“Oh my god, you’re like my new favorite person.” Peter replied and grabbed Johnny’s hand, “Come on!” Peter said as he dashed through the crowded street, dragging Johnny with him and laughing.