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Eyes fixated on his screen and a Radiohead song blasting through his headphones, Peter doesn’t notice his roommate trying to get his attention. Until his laptop is taken away from him.
“Hey, I was working on that!” Peter exclaims. “No, you are going out with me,” Johnny says, taking a look at what Peter was so intensely working on. Only to see a half finished essay on some scientific theory.
With midterms coming up Peter hasn’t left the house much, unless it involved going to class or fighting crime. With his nose constantly buried in a book or his laptop he had barely even spoken to Johnny all week. With all the stress Peter was under, Johnny made it his mission to get Peter out of the house and blow off some steam because that's what best friends are for.
“I’m not, I have a paper due.”
“You’ve had one due for the past 21 years. Now get up we are going out, no excuses,” Peter rolls his eyes and sinks deeper into the couch.
He finally takes in Johnny’s appearance. He’s wearing black jeans and a sheer black button up, sleeves rolled up and the top buttons undone. Peter's eye catches the thin silver chain at his throat, and how his hair is so effortlessly messy. Like he just rolled out of bed.
He is squinting at Peter’s laptop, reading whatever he was writing. Peter swallows, trying to find something else to look at and not how he can basically see Johnny’s abs through his sheer button up.
“Absolutley not,” Peter says firmly. Johnny smoothly drops down on the couch, crowding Peter’s space. Heat radiates off of him, like it always does. Peter pretends not to notice it. “You never go out,” Johnny says. “You are 21, not 80. You need some fresh air and some human interaction”
“I fight crime. That includes both fresh air and human interaction.”
“That is not people.”
Peter snorts, “It’s literally all people.” Johnny puts Peter’s laptop down, “You haven’t left the house for something other than school and spiderman stuff in ages. You don’t even leave the house for food, if it wasn't for me being an amazing chef you would starve to death.”
“Amazing is pushing it matchstick,”
“You need to go out, have some fun, and possibly get laid,”
“Or this is a ruse for you to get laid,” The brown haired boy crosses his arms. Johnny can’t help but look at how his biceps flex under his long sleeve shirt. Shaking himself out of it, Johnny leans closer. Peter can feel the warmth all around him. It consumes him. “Pete, please come with me. Just one night,” Johnny says softly in that tone he knows Peter can’t say no to.
“I hate you,” Peter sighs. “You love me,” Johnny grins as he watches Peter get off the couch and walk away.
–
The club is the last place Peter wants to be. The bass pounds through his ribcage, rattling his bones. The humidity hits them hard and the air smells like alcohol and sweat. Lights flashing in blues and purples, briefly showing the dancing crowd. Johnny looks like he belongs here. He practically glows. But Peter can’t help but feel overwhelmed, this was not his scene.
Johnny throws an arm around Peter and leans in to shout over the music, “See? Fun!” Peter nods, because speaking feels impossible. Because Johnny’s mouth is inches from his ear and his breath is warm and Peter is unraveling.
Johnny doesn’t stay long. Peter’s skin tingles from where Johnny’s arm was around his shoulders. He drags Peter, weaving through the crowd with effortless confidence. People turn to look at him, they always do. Peter stays half a step behind as they reach the bar.
Johnny orders two drinks without asking what Peter wants, because he already knows. Peter watches the bartender watch Johnny. Johnny leans across the bar, his fingers brush the bartender’s when he takes the drinks. The bartender says something and Johnny’s laugh cuts through all the noise.
Peter looks away. It's nothing. He tells himself. He tries to convince himself that he doesn't care, that Johnny flirts with everything that breathes. “Loosen up webhead,” Johnny hands him a glass.
“Don’t call me that.”
“Why? It’s cute.”
Johnny grins and Peter’s heart does a traitorous flip. He takes a long sip so he doesn’t have to answer. “Come on Pete, just a few hours and then we go home.” Johnny says, bumping Peter’s shoulder. “Only if you don’t find some girl and go home with her first,”
“That’s mean,” Johnny says, putting on his best ‘I’m hurt’ face. Peter rolls his eyes but can’t help a smile. “I’m sorry, you know large crowds make me…uneasy,” he says.
“That is what the alcohol is for,” Johnny clinks his glass with Peter’s and they take a sip. Peter notices that a guy is eyeing Johnny from across the bar and he waves at him. Johnny nods. Peter turns around back facing the bar, looking at the dance floor trying to avoid whatever interaction was about to happen.
“Keep it in your pants for 5 minutes, Johnny,” Peter mutters. “No need to be jealous Pete, he was actually looking at you,” Peter turns back around and the guy raises his glass. In return, Peter just offers a kind smile. Which draws out a chuckle from Johnny, “You are hopeless,” he says shaking his head.
“It’s been a while, okay?”
“Two years is more than a while, have you forgotten how to flirt Peter?” Johnny says into Peter’s ear. Fuck, Peter thinks. “Uggghhhh,” Peter groans and throws his head back. “You want me dead,”
“Not dead, just want you to have some fun,” Johnny pats the shorter boy’s back. “It’s your time to shine webhead, he’s coming this way,” and with that Johnny left him all alone with this stranger coming over and having no time to mentally prepare.
“How’s it going?” The man says, leaning against the bar. He was tall with dark hair and strikingly handsome. Peter’s brain short circuits as he looks behind him to make sure the tall man was talking to him.
“Good, it's going good,” Peter says with an awkward smile, not knowing what to do with his hands. “You don’t come here often, do you?”
“Oh. Um. I- I mean yeah no, statistically speaking you are correct,” Peter can feel his face turning red. The guy chuckles, charmed by Peter’s awkwardness. “It wasn’t an insult I promise,”
“I know I didn’t assume so- I mean, I did for a second but then reevaluated,” words mumble and jumble in Peter’s mouth all coming out in the wrong order and too quickly, he can hear Johnny chuckle from wherever he’s standing.
“I’m Lin,” the guy says.
“Peter,” and he puts out a hand to shake. Wrong move Pete, this isn’t a business meeting. He can hear Johnny in his head.
“Peter,” Lin repeats, “Are you here with anyone?” Peter can’t help but look around for Johnny, “I’m- I mean, we live toge- but not like that. We friends,”
“So…that's a no?” Lin asks. “Yes a no,” Peter confirms, nodding. “Would you like to dance Peter?”
“Yes,” Peter says too quickly, then backpeddles. “I mean yeah I am open to the idea of dancing,” Lin chuckles and leads them both to the dance floor. It starts off with Peter making it very clear that he has no idea what he’s doing. Lin moves easily like he's been doing this for ages.
Peter attempts at something that might, generously, be considered…rhythm adjacent. He’s stiff, slightly off beat, unsure of what to do with his arms. A foot is stepped on, and an elbow has made contact with Lin’s chin.
“Fuck, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to- Oh my god. I’m so-” Peter starts. “It’s okay, it's fine.” Lin says, holding his chin. “You’re…aborable,” he says, meaning it. “But I think I am going to go grab a drink.”
“Yeah totally, hydration is very important,” Peter says watching the tall man walk away. Leaving Peter all alone in the middle of the dance floor. His hand rubs his face in embarrassment. He turns around looking for Johnny.
Johnny can’t help but laugh as he watches this happen from the bar. He slams his empty glass on the counter, “I’m gonna need another two of these,” he says to the bartender. Peter walks back to Johnny.
“I don’t want to hear it,” Peter says, leaning back against the bar and crossing his arms. Johnny can’t help but laugh. “That was the best thing I’ve seen in forever.” Peter groans. “I can’t do this, my brain just blanks,”
“No, no, you were doing good,”
“I was not,”
“Yeah…you weren’t and then you elbowed him in the face,”
“You are never gonna let this go, are you?” Peter buries his face in his hands. “Never, ever. But it was cute,” Johnny says and Peter peaks out from behind his hands. “Cute?”
“Painfully,” Johnny says, smiling. “It was like watching a baby deer learn to run for the first time,” Peter goes to shove Johnny’s shoulder. “You are the worst,” Johnny catches his wrist, still smiling but there's a different look in his eye.
“You know you don’t have to try so hard,” Johnny leans close, the heat consumes Peter once again. “You are so charming when you are yourself,” Peter can’t help but shiver a little at that, he frees himself from his grip. The drinks finally arrive, and Peter can’t be more eager to down it and forget about the previous embarrassing moment. “Lies, you are speaking lies.”
“Not lying, I’ve seen it first hand.”
“Mhm, when?”
“When you want me to do something for you and you use those big doe eyes of yours to manipulate me into doing whatever you want,” Johnny teases. “But that's different, we live together, we are best friends.”
“It’s not different, but we do need to fix this,”
“Fix what?”
“I am going to teach you how to flirt,” Peter’s stomach flipped when Johnny said that.
“You’re going to make me watch you flirt with people? Because I would rather reveal my identity to the public,” Peter says. “Ha Ha very funny,” Johnny responds dryly. “I don’t think that would be a very good learning experience.”
“Johnny, I really don’t-”
“Nope. You aren’t getting out of this one. I am going to teach you how to flirt and you are going to find someone in this club and use the new moves I teach you and 100% get lucky,” Johnny says with a smile. “Ughhh this is evil,” Peter groans, this earns a chuckle from Johnny.
“Come on, it’s easy I promise,”
“Fine, but I want the record to show that this was all your idea and I didn’t want to do any of this,”
“Yeah yeah whatever,” Johnny turns to face the room, looking around. “Do you see anyone that catches your eye?” Peter looked around, he saw Lin back in a corner with some ice to his face. Which made Peter cringe all over again. “I don’t know Johnny,”
“Choose someone or I’ll choose for you,”
“This feels weird,” Peter says, looking around again. His eyes land on this girl leaning on the wall, nursing a drink. “Maybe her? She seems nice,” Johnny follows Peter’s eyeline.
“Okay, go up to her and ask her what she’s drinking,”
“...But I already know what she’s drinking, it’s a shirley temple,” Johnny turns to Peter in surprise. “Is knowing a drink from across a club a part of your superpowers now?”
“No? I just saw her order it earlier,”
“Creep,”
“Takes one to know one matchstick,” Johnny rolls his eyes at that. “Okay fine you know what it is, go ask her if it's any good,”
“Why would I do that when I already know that they are good?” Johnny gives Peter a look. “I feel like asking a question I already know the answer to is kind of stupid,”
“But it gets you a foot in the door. Just relax, introduce yourself, make some small talk, make her laugh, etc etc,”
“You are a terrible teacher, Storm.”
“Or maybe, you are a terrible learner Parker.”
“That makes no sense.”
“Just go talk to her,” Johnny nudges Peter forward, he stumbles and bit and walks towards the girl. Peter can feel Johnny’s eyes on him, which doesn’t help with any of the nerves.
He reaches where the girl is standing. Peter blanks for a second. “Umm…can I help you?” She says. “What are you uh- drinking?” She gives Peter a look like he’s insane.
“...a shirley temple?”
“Is it good?”
“I mean yeah sure.”
“I uhh, I’m Peter by the way,” Peter sticks out a hand for her to shake.
“I uhhhh don’t care,” She says mockingly. “Oh,” Peter deflates a little when she waves him off, she looks right through him when her face lights up. “Oh my god, is that Johnny Storm?” She pulls out her phone and walks right past Peter and towards Johnny.
“I am going to kill Johnny Storm,” Peter mutters under his breath. Peter turns and walks about half way there, assessing the situation from a far. The Shirley temple girl is suddenly animated and full of life. She's leaning close to Johnny, their faces basically touching, phone angled perfectly for a selfie. Johnny slides into it effortlessly, one arm draping around her shoulders like he’s done it a million times. Which he probably has.
Peter stands there, watching as Johnny smiles at the camera with a peace sign that flickers to life with fire, then says something that makes her laugh. Peter’s jaw tightens. He shouldn’t be surprised. This is how it always goes. Everybody wants Johnny Storm. He shines so bright and people can’t help but look at him in awe. Everyone loves him. He’s so easy to love.
The girl says something, and Johnny shakes his head, laughing and leaning closer so she can hear him better. Peter takes a few steps towards them, fully prepared to drag Johnny away by the collar and end this stupid experiment. But then he slows. Because Johnny’s laughing, but he’s also glancing right past her and right at Peter. It is subtle and quick but Peter notices it.
Johnny says something else to the girl, smiling, but his eyes flick back to Peter again. She is talking excitedly about something and Johnny is nodding politely, playing along. But he doesn’t look invested, he's rather distracted.
Then, as smooth as ever, Johnny gently dismisses himself from the conversation. “It was nice meeting you,” he says kindly and the girl’s face slightly falls. “Wait, you aren’t going to stay?”
“I’m here with someone,” Johnny replies casually, and the girl follows Johnny’s gaze to Peter. “Oh,” she says and Peter straightens up instinctively. Johnny smiles at her one last time. “Have a good night, okay?” And just like that, he’s walking back towards Peter.
Peter tries to keep a neutral expression but fails. “Thank you,” Johnny says as he approaches. “For what?” Peter asks flatly. “For the assist, that was a solid opening.”
“She didn’t care about my opening,” Peter mutters and Johnny grins. “She cared about mine.”
“Well yours involved fire,” Johnny laughs. “You’re so dramatic Parker.”
“I am not,” Peter is walking back towards the bar. Johnny catches up easily, falling into step beside him. “You absolutely are, the most dramatic person I know.”
“Okay, new plan,” Johnny says suddenly.
“No, no. No more plans,” Peter’s protest is quickly dismissed by Johnny. “Why don’t you practice on me instead?”
“What?”
“Practice flirting, dancing, all of it, on me,” Johnny grins and steps in close again, crowding Peter’s space easily. “Johnny-”
“What?” Johnny shrugs casually. “You are terrible with strangers and I am not a stranger,”
“But you are extremely biased,”
“In your favour,” Johnny then hooks his fingers onto Peter’s belt loop and pulls him close. “Come on webhead, let's teach you how to dance first,” Peter’s brain short circuits. “I don’t- I can’t-”
“What? You can fight aliens but you can’t dance?”
“Thats different.”
“Prove it.” He says and pulls Peter into the crowd.
The dance floor is chaos. Bodies pressed together, heat everywhere. Johnny turns to face him, and for a second it’s just them. The light flashes across Johnny’s skin, his shirt clinging in places because of the heat. Peter forgets how to breathe.
Johnny notices how tense Peter is, and steps closer. “Relax,” he says, hands pressing firmly on Peter’s shoulders. “Just follow my lead,” Peter just nods. Johnny’s warm hands find themselves on Peter’s waist. The shorter boy can’t help but relax into his touch. Johnny moves first. His body rolls with the beat and pulls Peter along with him. Guiding him with subtle pressure at his waist.
Peter follows, but is hyperaware of everything. The press of Johnny’s thighs in between his own, the way their chests brush when the crowd moves, how Johnny smells, the heat seeping through the fabric and burning his skin. Johnny’s usual blue and gold eyes are darker, locked onto Peter.
“There,” Johnny says into Peter’s ear. “Safe environment.”
Peter just stares at him. “This is not safe,” Johnny just laughs softly. “You trust me right?”
“Yeah I trust you Storm,” Peter exhales.
“Good.”
Johnny keeps guiding Peter into motion, nothing complicated, just a sway matching the beat. Peter tries to focus on the rhythm but fails. Because it’s hard to think about anything when Johnny’s hand is warm and against his hip. His thumb is moving in mindless circles just above the seam of his jeans. It's hard when the heat radiating off of Johnny is consuming all of Peter’s buzzy brain. And hardest of all because Johnny is looking at him.
Not in the easy or teasing way he usually does. There’s something quieter in it tonight, something focused that Peter can’t name. It makes his thoughts short circuit and all he can think of is…
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny.
“Okay,” The taller boy says, snapping Peter out of whatever trance he was in. Peter glances away automatically, dragging in a breath like he needs it. Trying not to melt under Johnny’s gaze. “Rule one: Eye contact. Sometimes you’re looking for a way out before you even start speaking,” Johnny brings one hand to Peter’s chin and turns his face towards him.
“That's because I usually am,” Peter mutters and Johnny huffs a soft laugh. Then his hand lifts, fingers brushing ever so gently under Peter’s chin.
“Hey,” he says softly. “Stay with me.”
Peter meets his gaze and holds it for about three seconds and looks away. Johnny tilts his head slightly. “See? That wasn’t hard.”
“This feels aggressive,”
“Eye contact isn’t aggressive, it shows interest,” Johnny says, easily. Peter glances up at him again and Johnny’s already watching him. The music shifts and for a moment it feels like the rest of the room fades away. Like there’s only the two of them moving in the small pocket of space they’ve carved out for themselves.
Johnny’s hand tightens slightly on Peter’s hip. Peter’s fingers curl a little deeper into Johnny’s shoulder. Neither of them comment on it. There’s a strange pause that stretches between them, not awkward but just quiet. Like they both suddenly became aware of something neither of them meant to.
Johnny’s gaze drifts down to Peter’s mouth before flicking back up. Peter notices and his heart does a backflip. And for just a second, they both let the thought exist. That this could be something else. That the warmth of Johnny’s hand might be more than just him existing. That the way Peter leans a fraction closer isn’t just balance. The moment hangs there, fragile and full of words they are scared to say outloud.
Then someone bumps into Johnny from behind and the spell instantly snaps. Johnny turns and instinctively steadying the person who collided with him. A blonde girl laughs breathlessly, already apologizing. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry!”
He hands land on Johnny’s shoulder to keep her balance. “It’s fine,” Johnny says automatically. She leans closer to say something in his ear over the music. Johnny grins and Peter sees the shift immediately. It’s subtle, but it's there. That easy charm gliding back into place, the version of Johnny Storm that the entire room seems to gravitate towards.
Johnny angles slightly towards her. And just like that, his hand slips from Peter’s waist. The loss of contact is immediate and cold. Peter steps back before he can think too hard about it, watching as the girl lingers a little too close, her hands sliding down Johnny’s chest as she keeps talking.
Johnny doesn’t stop her. He just laughs again, saying something Peter can’t hear. And maybe that’s easier. Easier than standing there and thinking about what almost happened.
Johnny tells himself that it meant nothing. Peter wouldn’t want him like that. They are just best friends. Best friends dancing in a crowded club and nothing more.
Johnny laughs at something she says again, his head tipping back. That laugh cuts through the loud music and rattles in Peter’s ribcage. Peter can’t help but stare, he knows this dance. He’s seen it a thousand times. Johnny flirting, glowing, being wanted.
Something burns in Peter’s throat, he tells himself he has no claim. Johnny can do whatever he wants, with whoever he wants. Johnny’s eyes flick to Peter and for a split second he thinks there’s something there, something real. But then he turns back to the girl.
Peter’s overwhelmed. All of a sudden everything is too loud, too much. He can feel everything, his clothes on his skin, his collarbones under his skin, the eyes on him as he tries to get out of the crowd. He heads for the bar.
He orders something stronger this time. Peter gets his drink and leans against the bar. With a direct view of where Johnny is dancing with this girl. The glass sweats in his hand as he stares daggers at the blonde boy on the dance floor.
He shouldn’t be surprised, Johnny never said this was a date or anything. Him and Johnny are friends…best friends. Best friends who do late night movie marathons, who steal each other's hoodies, who patch each other up after fights. Best friends who sometimes sleep in the same bed “because it’s easier.” They’ve never said it was anything more, but sometimes the stares, the touches, the words spoken feel like there was something more.
The thoughts twist in his head, because Peter Parker has been in love with Johnny Storm for so long it's all he knows. He doesn't know when it started, maybe back in high school when Johnny first showed up at his window, just because he missed him. Maybe the first time Johnny fell asleep on Peter’s shoulder. Or maybe, it was always there.
Peter takes a long drink, letting the cold liquid slide down his throat. It burns, but it doesn’t quiet the restless knot in his chest. The bass continues to vibrate through the floor. People walk past him constantly, but no one lingers.
Across the dance floor Johnny spins the girl again, she laughs and grabs his arm to steady herself. Johnny’s warm hands are easy at her waist. Peter looks away. He stares down into his glass instead, watching the ice shift slowly as it melts.
He tells himself he’s being ridiculous. Johnny flirts with everyone, Johnny dances with everyone, Johnny is bright and loud and magnetic in a way Peter has never been. Of course people gravitate towards him and of course he gravitates back.
Peter glances up again before he can stop himself. His eyes find where Johnny is, but he's not looking at the girl. He’s looking right at Peter from across the room. Their eyes meet and Johnny’s smile falters slightly. Peter looks away first, taking a sip from the glass that is almost empty.
He stares at his glass for a second, like maybe if he stares hard enough another sip will magically appear. No such luck. Peter exhales through his nose and sets the empty glass on the bar. He tells himself not to look but he can’t help himself. Johnny’s still on the dance floor, still looking perfect as ever.
His chest feels tight, he should leave. He checks the time, it's getting too late. Peter comes up with a plan to just quietly slip out the door, no one will notice. He sets a few bills on the bar.
If Johnny wants to stay, that's fine. Johnny thrives in places like this. Loud rooms and people constantly pulling him into conversation. Peter has never been built for something like that.
He slips into the moving crowd, heading toward the exit. People brush past him, shoulders knocking lightly, but he keeps his head down and keeps walking.
He almost makes it to the door when he hears. “Pete,” The voice that Peter could recognize anywhere. For a second he considers pretending he didn’t hear it but a warm hand closes around his wrist.
“Pete.”
Peter takes a deep breath before turning around slowly. Johnny is slightly out of breath, hair messier than before, a faint sheen of sweat along his temples from the dance floor. Up close, the lights catch the faint glow under his skin that never really goes away.
“You leaving?” Johnny asks, Peter shrugs like it's nothing. “Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Too loud,” Johnny looks unconvinced. “You were fine ten minutes ago,” Peter pulls his wrist free, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Yeah, well things change.”
Johnny studies him carefully. Behind him the crowd keeps moving, people dancing and laughing like nothing in the world is complicated. “You were gonna leave without saying goodbye?”
“You were busy, I didn’t want to disturb you,” Johnny doesn’t answer. Exhaling through his nose, running a hand back through his hair. The movement is restless and a bit frustrating.
“I thought you were gonna come back,” Johnny says motioning to the dance floor.
“Why would I come back?” Peter frowns. Johnny looks at him like the question doesn’t make sense. “Because we came here together,” The words sit heavier than they should.
“I need some air Johnny,” Peter says and turns back around and walks out the door. The cold air hits him hard, sobering him up. Peter takes a deep breath, grateful for fresh air and the quieter street.
The cold air doesn’t last long, as something warmer follows behind him. “You looked like you were having fun,” Peter says after a moment. Johnny huffs out a laugh. “Yeah, I was really living it up,” Peter glances up at him.
Johnny’s expression is tight now, not the easy grin he had on the dance floor. Johnny is studying him. “You’re mad,” he says. Peter scoffs, “I’m not mad.”
“You are,” Johnny insists. “You got this whole-” he gestures vaguely at Peter’s face. “- grumpy thing going on.”
“That is not a thing.”
“It absolutely is a thing.”
Peter shakes his head, slightly turning to make an escape again. “Johnny, I just wanted some air, okay? It's loud in there.”
Johnny steps sideways, blocking him without being obvious about it.
“Pete.”
“What.” Peter sighs sharply. Johnny’s voice softens a bit. “Talk to me.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Bullshit.”
Peter’s head snaps up, “Excuse me?”
“You don’t just bail on your best friend unless something’s wrong,” Johnny says. “So either you’re mad at me or something happened.”
Peter crosses his arms. “Nothing happened, Johnny.”
Johnny watches him carefully trying to read past the answer. “Did someone bother you?” he asks. “Back at the bar or something?” Peter blinks.
“No,”
“You sure?”
“Yes, Johnny. Now will you stop interrogating me? Don’t you have a girl to entertain?” Peter says clearly annoyed.
“I’m not interrogating you,” Johnny says. “I’m checking on you.”
Peter laughs under his breath, but it comes out sharper than he means it to. “I promise you, I’m fine.”
“Did I push it with the dancing thing?” Johnny asks quietly, scared of what Peter might say.
“You can dance with whoever you want,” the words leave Peter’s mouth a little too fast. Johnny goes still.
“Oh,” he says slowly. And Peter immediately regrets opening his mouth. But it’s too late now. Johnny’s eyes narrow slightly, something clicking into place. “Okay” he says. “Now we’re getting somewhere,” Peter groans.
“We are not getting anywhere.”
Johnny folds his arms. “You were jealous of me with that girl,” Peter’s head snaps up again.
“I was not.”
“You absolutely were.”
Peter shakes his head, already turning towards the street. “This conversation is over.” Johnny catches his arm before he can walk away.
“Hey, hey,” Johnny says quickly. Peter stops but doesn’t turn back. Johnny’s hand is still grabbing Peter’s arm, the warmth seeps through his sleeve instantly, familiar and frustrating all at once.
The street behind them hums with late night noise, cars passing and some chatter, but the space between them feels strangely quiet.
“What,” Peter snaps, his chest tight, everything is buzzing under his skin.”You can dance with whoever you want, flirt with whoever you want. I don’t care,” Peter says quickly. Johnny just stares at him.
“Pete,” Peter looks up at him. “You clearly do care,” Johnny says.
“I don’t.”
“You left the club.”
“Because it was loud and overwhelming!”
Johnny runs a hand through his hair in frustration. “Okay, but you’re still mad and I’m just trying to figure out why,” Johnny pushes.
Peter scoffs. “I don’t know Johnny, maybe because you dragged me here in the first place. Maybe because you made me embarrass myself in front of two different people tonight.”
“That was not my fault,” Johnny says defensively. “You elbowed that guy.”
“I was nervous! And then you made me go talk to that girl-”
“I was trying to help,” Johnny interrupts. “Well you did a great job, didn’t you?”
Johnny frowns. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means she didn’t even look at me,” Peter says, gesturing vaguely toward the club. “She looked straight past me and went to you.”
Johnny’s brows pull together.
“Pete, that’s not-”
“And then suddenly you’re the center of attention again,” Peter continues, words spilling faster now. “Like always,” Johnny stiffens slightly.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Peter looks at him. “You know what it means.”
Johnny’s voice lowers. “No Peter, I don’t.”
Peter lets out a frustrated breath. “It means everybody wants you, Johnny,” he says. The words come out rougher than he meant them to. Johnny goes quiet.
“And that’s fine,” Peter continues quickly. “That’s how it’s always been. You walk into a room and people just gravitate towards you,” Johnny is watching him carefully.
“But you don’t get to act surprised when I don’t want a front row seat to it. You wanted me to loosen up tonight, right? Congratulations, Storm. Mission fucking accomplished.”
The silence stretches between them. Johnny shifts his weight slightly from one foot to another, somewhat anxiously.
“That’s not fair,” he says quietly. Peter laughs under his breath. “Yeah, well.”
“You think I was ignoring you in there?”
“I don’t know what you were doing.”
“I was dancing.”
“With someone else,” Peter mutters. Johnny exhales sharply. “It was just dancing.”
“Sure it was,” Johnny watches him for another second before asking carefully. “Why does that bother you so much?”
Peter freezes, the answer sitting right there in his throat, heavy and impossible. Because saying it out loud could ruin everything.
“Pete, what’s going on?” Johnny says, softer this time. Peter squeezes his eyes shut for a second. When he opens them again, Johnny is still looking at him like he’s trying to solve a puzzle. And suddenly Peter is exhausted.
Exhausted from pretending, exhausted from watching Johnny flirt with people and pretending it doesn’t feel like something is twisting inside his chest. Exhausted from being the only one who feels this way. Something snaps inside him and the words “Because I’m in love with you,” leave Peter’s mouth before he can stop them.
Everything goes completely still. Johnny blinks.
“What?”
Peter laughs weakly, rubbing his hand over his face, regretting his words.
“Yeah,” he says quietly. Johnny is staring at him like he just spoke another language. Peter has already mentally started saying goodbye to this friendship and everything that came with it.
“You’re what?”
Peter looks at the ground, unable to look at Johnny. “I’m in love with you,” he repeats. The silence that follows is unbearable. Peter forces a shrug even though his chest feels like it's collapsing inward. Johnny still hasn’t moved.
“I figured it would be easier if I just went home and pretended none of this happened,” Peter continues. “Because obviously you didn’t ask for this and it's not fair to dump this on you and-”
“Peter,” Peter stops talking. Johnny is still staring at him.
“You’re serious?” Peter lets out a quiet laugh.
“Unfortunatley,” Johnny opens his mouth, then closes it. Then scratches the back of his neck like his brain just rebooted.
“You’re…in love with me?” Peter nods once, not looking up. Another long silence stretches.
“Since when?” Johnny asks quietly. Peter hesitates. “I don’t know,” he admits. “A while,” Johnny huffs out a breath, half disbelieving.
“Jesus, Parker.”
“Yeah,” Peter mutters. “That’s about the reaction I expected.” Johnny looks at him again, expression unreadable. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
Peter finally meets his eyes. “Because you’re Johnny Storm.” Johnny frowns.
“That doesn’t answer the question.”
“Yes it does,” Peter says softly.
Johnny goes still. And for the first time all night, he doesn’t have something quick or clever to say. They just stand there in the cold air, the music from the club muffled behind the door. Johnny looks at Peter like he’s seeing him for the first time.
Peter immediately regrets everything.
“Okay,” he says quickly, voice a little too quick and high pitched. “So that was a lot and very unexpected, even for me. So maybe we just-”
“Wait,” Johnny steps forward before Peter can finish backing away. Peter stops. Johnny’s expression is different now, it's quieter.
“You’re in love with me,” he says again, like he’s testing how the words sound out loud. Peter groans softly. “You don’t have to keep repeating it.”
“I’m just… processing.”
“Great,” Peter mutters. “Take your time. I’ll just evaporate from embarrassment over here.” Johnny ignores that. “Since when?” he asks again.
Peter shrugs helplessly. “I told you, I don’t know.”
“But like…recently?” Peter hesitates. Johnny watches his face carefully.
“…Not recently,” Peter admits. Johnny’s eyebrows shoot up. “Pete.”
“What?”
“How long?” Peter looks anywhere except Johnny’s face.
“A few years.” Johnny stares at him.
“A few-” He stops himself, blinking rapidly. “You’re telling me you’ve been in love with me for years and just… never said anything?” Peter laughs awkwardly.
“Yeah, well, shockingly that didn’t feel like a great friendship strategy.” Johnny runs both hands through his hair now, pacing once on the sidewalk.
“Holy shit.”
Peter winces. Wondering to himself why he hasn’t run away yet. “That bad, huh?”
Johnny stops pacing. “No,” he says quickly. “No, that’s not-” He cuts himself off again.
Because suddenly things are clicking into place in his head. All the late nights on the couch. The way Peter always leaned into him when they watched movies. The way Peter would get quiet when Johnny talked about dates. The way Peter looked at him earlier on the dance floor. Johnny swallows.
“Pete,” he says slowly. “Why didn’t you think I’d want to know?” Peter stares at him like the answer is obvious.
“Because you’re you.”
Johnny frowns. “What does that mean?”
“It means you could have anyone,” Peter says. The words come out simple, like it was a fact. “You walk into a room and people literally line up to talk to you.” Johnny starts to interrupt but Peter keeps going.
“You flirt with everyone. Everyone flirts back. You thrive in places like that club.” He gestures back toward the door.
“And I’m…” Peter shrugs and Johnny waits.
“I’m me.”
Johnny’s chest tightens unexpectedly. “Pete-”
“So yeah,” Peter says quickly. “I didn’t think confessing my feelings to my extremely attractive, extremely popular best friend who has zero reason to feel the same way was a solid life choice.” Johnny stares at him.
“Zero reason?” he repeats. Peter gestures vaguely between them. “Look at us.” Johnny does.
Peter stands there with his hands shoved into his pockets, hair a mess, eyes guarded like he’s already bracing for rejection. And suddenly Johnny feels something twist hard in his chest. Because that’s not how Peter looks at strangers. That’s how Peter looks when he’s scared.
Johnny exhales slowly. “You really thought I wouldn’t want you?” he asks quietly. Peter lets out a small laugh.
“Johnny.”
“What?”
“Be serious.”
Johnny stares at him for another second, then something shifts. Something big and sudden and obvious in hindsight. Because now that Peter’s said it, now that the idea is actually sitting there in front of him, Johnny can’t stop replaying every moment from tonight.
The dancing. The way Peter looked at him. The way Johnny’s chest tightened when Peter disappeared. The way he chased him outside without even thinking. The way the idea of Peter leaving the club without him made his stomach drop. Johnny exhales slowly.
“Oh,”
“Oh?”
Peter frowns. Johnny fidgets with his hands, looking slightly dazed.
“Okay,” he says.
“Okay what?”
Johnny looks at him again, really looks. And suddenly it feels ridiculously obvious.
“Okay,” Johnny repeats. “I might be an idiot.”
Peter snorts. “Breaking news.” Johnny ignores that.
“No, like… a huge idiot.”
“Johnny-”
“No, wait,” he says, holding up a hand. “I’m thinking.”
Peter sighs. “That’s never reassuring.”
Johnny points at him. “Shh.”
Peter shuts up out of pure confusion. Johnny paces once more, then stops directly in front of him again. “Pete.”
“What.”
“I need to test a theory.” Peter narrows his eyes. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
Johnny grabs the front of Peter’s jacket and pulls him forward. Peter’s brain barely has time to process it before Johnny kisses him. It’s quick, not perfect. More like Johnny proving something to himself. But it’s enough.
Johnny pulls back a second later, Peter chasing after his lips. Peter freezes, brain not functioning anymore.
“Okay,” Johnny says breathlessly, wiping his lip. Peter blinks.
“What just happened.” Johnny stares at him like he’s just solved the world’s most obvious equation.
“Yeah,” he says.
“Yeah what?!” Johnny runs a hand down his face.
“Oh my god.”
“Johnny.”
“I think I’m in love with you too.” Peter’s brain stops functioning again.
“…what.” Johnny laughs a little helplessly.
“I didn’t realize it until literally thirty seconds ago but yeah,” he says. “That explains… a lot.”
Peter just stares at him. “If this is a joke, it's a very cruel one, Johnny.”
“I’m not.”
“And you just figured that out.” Johnny shrugs.
“In my defense, you’re the genius between us.” Peter runs a hand over his face.
“This cannot be how this happens.”
Johnny grins slightly now. “I don’t know, I think it’s pretty on brand.”
Peter is still processing. “You kissed me to test a hypothesis.” Johnny points at him again. “And it worked.” Peter stares at him another second.
Then he grabs Johnny by the collar and kisses him again. This one is much less experimental. Johnny laughs against Peter’s mouth before kissing him back properly this time, hands sliding to Peter’s waist. Slowly guiding Peter against the wall. When they finally pull apart, both of them are breathing a little harder. Johnny bumps his forehead against Peter’s.
“So,” he says softly.
“So,” Peter echoes.
Johnny grins. “You still wanna go home?” Peter snorts. “Yes.”
Johnny laces their fingers together like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“Good,” he says. Behind them the club door swings open again, music spilling onto the street. Neither of them even look back.
–
By the time they get back to the apartment, the city is quieter.
Peter unlocks the door and steps inside first, kicking off his shoes automatically. Johnny follows close behind, warmth trailing in with him like always. For a moment neither of them says anything.
The apartment looks exactly the same as it did when they left. Peter’s half-finished homework on the coffee table, a hoodie draped over the arm of the couch, a mug Johnny definitely forgot to wash sitting by the sink.
It’s strange how normal it feels. Peter sets his keys down on the counter and turns around slowly. Johnny is still standing near the door, watching him.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Peter asks, Johnny shrugs.
“Like what?”
“Like you’re waiting for me to disappear or something.” Johnny huffs a quiet laugh and walks further into the apartment. “I’m just making sure this is real.”
Peter leans back against the counter. “The kiss wasn’t convincing enough?”
Johnny grins. “Oh, it was convincing.” He stops right in front of Peter again, close enough that Peter can feel the familiar heat rolling off him.
“But you just confessed you’ve been in love with me for years,” Johnny says. “I feel like I deserve a minute to process that.”
Peter groans, dragging a hand down his face. “Please never say that sentence out loud again.”
“Why?” Johnny asks, amused. “Because it makes me sound insane.” Johnny tilts his head.
“You might be a little insane.” Peter shoves his shoulder lightly. “You kissed me.”
“Yeah,” Johnny says easily.
“And you apparently only realized you loved me after that.”
Johnny shrugs again. “In my defense, that kiss was extremely persuasive.”
Peter rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling now. Johnny studies his face for a second. Then he says quietly, “You almost left tonight.”
Peter hesitates. “Yeah.”
Johnny nods slowly. “I’m glad I caught you.” Peter glances up at him.
“Me too.”
The words settle between them, softer than everything else that happened tonight.
Johnny reaches out without thinking and hooks his fingers into Peter’s belt loops, tugging him closer the way he’s done a thousand times before. Except this time Peter doesn’t pretend it means nothing.
“You know,” Johnny says after a moment, “we could’ve skipped the club entirely.” Peter snorts.
“Oh yeah? What was your alternative plan, Storm?” Johnny thinks for half a second.
“I don’t know. Movie night. Pizza. Me finally making a move like a normal person.” Peter laughs. “That sounds way less traumatic.” Johnny grins.
“Well, next time we’ll do it that way.” Peter raises an eyebrow. “Next time?” Johnny shrugs like it’s obvious.
“Yeah. You think I’m letting you go now?”
Peter looks at him for a long moment. Then he reaches forward, grabs the front of Johnny’s shirt, and pulls him into another kiss.
Johnny laughs softly against his mouth before kissing him back, arms sliding easily around Peter’s waist. When they pull apart this time, neither of them moves very far. Peter rests his forehead against Johnny’s.
“You know,” he murmurs, “the rumors are true, you are a terrible kisser.”
Johnny hums mockingly.
“Guess you’ll have to try again to be sure,” Peter narrows his eyes slightly and Johnny grins.
“Good,” he says. “Because I am not finished with you yet,”
Peter doesn’t wait, he pulls Johnny in, kissing him with a hunger that’s been building all night. Teeth and lips collide, breath hot and messy, hands tangling in hair and across shoulders. Johnny groans low in his throat, pressing him impossibly close, urging him to keep going.
“You’re trouble,” Johnny murmurs against his lips.
“Only for you,” Peter breathes back.
They break apart just enough to gasp, foreheads resting together, chests pressed tight, the world outside disappears.
And for the first time all night, everything finally feels simple.