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Peter Benjamin Parker was not a lucky man, nor was he particularly delighted about his current situation. Ned, his best friend, had ditched him for the last half hour in favour of eating dinner with his grandmother, leaving Peter alone while he waited for the villain of the day to show up.
Peter and Ned had been friends for what felt like forever and it had been ‘complicated’ since they got to high school, he'd always known he felt something more for Ned than what was normal for a friend. Peter felt like a pervert for it, he loved sleepovers, loved lying awake next to his best friend while he slept to listen to his heartbeat slowing into a steady rhythm, to watch the rise and fall of his chest craving to be so close that they melt into one never being able to separate.
He sat over the city, his mask up to his nose eating a soft pretzel, watching the streets for a criminal he didn't care about, thinking about a boy he wishes he didn't love.
He was an idiot.
He was an idiot for being jealous over his grandmother taking Ned's time.
He was an idiot for being in love with his best friend.
He was an idiot for being distracted on a stakeout because of a crush.
Peter was Spider-Man, god dammit. He shouldn't be feeling this way, he should be confident, suave, anything other than whatever mess he is now, sitting there watching the minutes go by in self-loathing. He should just go home and sleep it off. He was spiralling just because he missed his best friend.
Maybe MJ had been right, maybe he was too intense about these things, it's why she had broken up with him in the first place, well that and she could tell she was always going to come second to Ned.
“Peter!” he had practically jumped at the sound of his own name being too lost in his own thoughts to pay attention to anything else “God, Peter, I've been trying to get your attention for the past minute. What's up with you?”
“Shit sorry Ned i was just too zoned in on getting this guy, i must've blocked everything out” he tried to sound casual, like he wasn't lying through his teeth.
“Dude, you couldn't have been that focused, the guy got away ages ago!” Ned had said it like it was obvious it was like the universe needed to prove Peter wrong “Peter, i've been worried. MJ has been to… well not really. she thinks you're just being stupid, which is probably right. shes usually right”
Peter swallowed
He couldn't just tell Ned that he's been in love with him for years That it had just gotten too much to handle tonight so he instead slowly made his way to Ned’s apartment
“I'm fine man, just a headache” he paused "we'll talk about it when i get there” then he switched his comms off. He needed to think of something and would accept something he wouldn't question. Anything but the truth.
Ned always knew when he was lying, and Peter knew Ned would never shame him for something like this, he was way too kind for that. Maybe he could tell the truth, well not the whole truth just that he has a crush, someone Ned knew, he'd just have to act way too embarrassed to say who.
He could totally do that.
it was practically the perfect lie.
Seeing Ned in person was a different story, Peter had spotted him through the window pacing in his room, biting his nails like he always did when he was stressed. Peter climbed in without a sound.
“Ned?” he said softly “Im fine, i swear just thinking too hard”
“About what?” he came close to peters face trying to look intimidating though he just came off more terrified himself.
“Just… girls I swear.” Neds expression fell looking more disappointed by his answer then anything
“Sure, Peter" Ned said quietly, just loud enough for Peter’s spider-sense to catch it. “maybe you should go to bed, eat real food”
Peter nodded tightly and slipped out the window to make his way home
“Love you, man”
Peter couldn't say anything as he left, throat closed tight holding back tears.