Work Text:
Holiday Hearts
They agreed to tell Miles about their relationship. That was two months ago.
Christmas was only a few days away. And, with plans on spending the holiday together, Peter and Rio knew they couldn’t keep the secret much longer. They nearly blew it, several times, at Thanksgiving. During Thanksgiving, which was supposed to be a common affair, Peter and Rio made it their mission to keep things neutral and friendly for everyone’s sake. But both of them found themselves unable to help it and stay away from each other. A simple task of keeping things friendly for a day turned into a game of how romantic they could be when they thought, and hoped, no one was watching. Peter would be the first, lightly touching Rio’s hand when he could. This always caused Rio to smile and, later, do the same. They did finally break that rule and held hands, more than once. They even snuck in a kiss or two when they could. That’s to say nothing of the make out session they had after the dinner at Peter’s apartment.
This was getting out of hand. In the best way possible, but it was getting out of hand. They needed to tell Miles. The main concern was his reaction.
Two weeks were left until Christmas. Miles was out of school. Now was as good a time as any.
Rio decided to hold the meeting at hers and Miles’ apartment. They all sat down at the kitchen table; Peter and Rio next to each other with Miles across from them.
Miles looked back and forth between them, “You guys wanted to talk to me?”
“Yeah,” Peter sighed.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No, not at all. But… well… we just… Rio, you wanna take this one?”
“You…!” Rio shot a glare at Peter then looked back at Miles. “Uhh… Miles… mijo, we just… want to tell you something. Something… important. Something… big.”
“Okay,” Miles said, nonchalantly.
“Yes.” Rio swiftly hit Peter with her elbow.
“Uh--yeah!” Peter grunted. “Yeah! It’s… pretty big.”
“Okay,” Miles repeated. “Soooooo, do I get to know what it is? Or are we gonna keep circling the word ‘big’?”
Rio took one more breath then took hold of Peter’s hand, displaying the gesture where Miles could see it. “Peter and I… we’ve been seeing each other for the past few months. It’s pretty serious. And… we want to make it official.”
“But…” Peter shrugged, “we wanted to make sure you’re cool with all this, first.”
“Please, understand, mijo: we’re happy! We… really enjoy being around each other. But… we just want you to be okay with this. We want to be open with honest with you.”
“And, honestly? We… really hope this… doesn’t bother you.”
“Yes, that, too.” Rio paused. “But… if it’s a problem… we want to talk about it. We want to be open and honest and move forward. Like a team.”
After finishing their spiel, Peter and Rio sat nervously, waiting for Miles to respond.
Miles looked back and forth between them. Then stifled a chuckle.
“He doesn’t believe us,” Rio exhaled. “I told you.”
“I know,” Peter sighed. “Miles, look—”
“No, no,” Miles interrupted. “I believe you.” He chuckled, “I just…” he started laughing, “can’t believe it you took this long to tell me!” He nearly fell out of his chair.
“I beg your pardon?!” Rio asked.
“Ma!” Miles sat up straight. “I’ve known since Thanksgiving!”
“What?!”
“How?!” Peter exclaimed.
“Pfft! ‘How’?!” Miles chuckled. “Whadda ya mean, ‘how?!’ Are you kidding me?! You two took every, single, possible opportunity to be alone to flirt. And the number of times you tried to hold hands when you thought no one saw you made it to the high 20s! We counted!”
“‘We’?! Who’s ‘we’?!”
“Me, Ganke, and Hailey. Aaaaaaaaand Uncle Aaron.”
“Oh, my God…” Peter slapped his forehead.
“All that effort,” Rio sighed. “Wasted.”
“Well… was it… that much effort?”
“Well… I mean… not… especially.”
“Guys,” Miles smiled. “I’m really happy for you. I’m glad this happened.”
“You don’t think it’s weird?” Peter asked, hesitantly.
“Sure, it’s weird,” Miles shrugged. “Who cares? Our lives are weird as a whole.” He looked at Peter, “We deal with way weirder on a regular!”
“Can’t argue with that.”
“You two deserve to be happy. More than everybody else. You’ve been through a ton. So, you two matter. Are you both happy?”
“I am,” Rio admitted.
“No doubt about it,” Peter confirmed with a smile.
“Then I’m happy for you!” Miles smiled. “Just… get ready for the jokes. I’ve been building a file.”
“I can still ground you,” Rio warned.
“And give you extra training sessions,” Peter added.
Miles thought it over. “Might be worth it. I thought of some really good jokes.”
“If you value your ability to leave this house and have a social life, you’ll stop right now!” Rio ordered.
Miles laughed. But he stopped then stared at them. “Thanks.”
“What for?” Peter asked.
“I know you guys probably had to worry about me with all this. And I really appreciate how much you both care about me.”
“You matter the most, mijo,” Rio promised.
“Yeah, Miles.” Peter motioned to himself and Rio, “We’re good, but how you feel matters. This doesn’t work if it… makes you uncomfortable or anything.”
“Thanks. But, officially? Stop worrying about me. I’m good. And happy for you both.”
Rio exhaled in relief. “Thank you, Miles.”
“Thanks, man,” Peter nodded.
Miles smiled. “Now, can I go catch up with Ganke and Hailey? I think Hailey won our bet.”
“What bet?!”
“When you two would tell me. We had a over/under on the number of days. I think Hailey got the closest.”
Peter smacked his forehead while throwing his head back.
“Ya know, how exactly have you kept your identity a secret this long?” Miles asked Peter.
Peter looked at Rio, “Can you ground him for me?”
“I’m tempted,” Rio threatened.
“I’m leaving!” Miles laughed.
After Miles was gone, Rio and Peter looked at each other and laughed. Peter put his arm around Rio and she leaned against him.
“Well, that went as best as it could,” Peter noted.
“He’s not angry,” Rio said, relief evident in her voice. “He’s happy for us.”
“He’s a good kid.”
“He is. And he has a good teacher guiding him to stay that way.”
“I’m doing my best,” Peter shrugged.
Rio looked at him, lovingly. “And it’s amazing.”
Peter smiled back at her, then they shared a kiss.
“Dinner?” Rio asked.
“Please,” Peter replied.