Work Text:
Peter had a problem. A massive, flaming problem. And said problem was hovering over him, their hot breath on his neck.
Johnathan Storm.
Johnny had started showing up at Peter’s work nearly a month ago now. He had just appeared one day and refused to leave.
And Peter? Peter was annoyed to say the least.
It wasn't that Peter didn't like Johnny. It was quite the opposite in fact. Peter was head over heels in love with Johnny. So yeah, having his crush literally breathing down his neck was quite distracting for Peter.
Johnny let out a low whine, his head falling against Peter's shoulder.
“Could your work be any more boring?” He groaned, voice muffled by Peter's shirt.
He was editing through another person's article about the echinacea plant and its effects on venomous bites. It wasn't the most interesting article, but Peter still found it cool, even if most people couldn't care less (Johnny being one of them). And if Peter had chosen to do this out of all of his more exciting work just to annoy Johnny? Well… no one had to know.
“Why would you want to look at that boring stuff when you have the hottest person in the world right here?” Johnny asked.
Peter sighed, glaring to his left at Johnny who was still slumped against his shoulder. “You are many things Storm but you definitely aren't the hottest in this room.”
At that Johnny's head snapped up and he stared indignantly. “How could anything be hotter than me? Plus I literally have fire powers.”
“Well, the toaster for starters…”
“You did not just say that,” Johnny gasped dramatically, his hand slapping over his heart.
“I said what I said,” Peter shrugged, sending a smirk Johnny's way before returning to his work.
To be honest, Peter had already finished it. He just really wanted to annoy Johnny.
“Ughhhh, can we go somewhere else please,” Johnny pleaded, sending Peter over-exaggerated puppy dog eyes. They didn't work. Johnny could probably convince Peter to do anything by simply existing. But that ugly expression… it really did nothing for him other than make him want to punch him. And he felt like that all the time so…
Peter raised an unimpressed eyebrow.
“Please! I will literally do anything.” Anything?
“Okay.”
“Pl- wait, okay? Really? Just like that?” Johnny asked, surprised.
“Yeah, I finished my work, like, half an hour ago. I was just seeing how long it would take you to break.” He grinned. “And now you owe me.”
“Damnit Parker!” Johnny exclaimed, drawing the attention of a few of his coworkers before they quickly lost interest. They were used to Johnny's random visits by now. “Alright, what do you want?”
Peter just smiled and grabbed his jacket and scarf, putting them on. He could feel as Johnny watched him slip on a hat and gloves.
Snow crunched under his foot as he and Johnny walked through the streets. While Peter was wrapped up in multiple thick layers yet still shivering, Johnny was only wearing a shirt, jeans and hoodie. It was unfair how he was stuck with the spider powers and lack of thermoregulation while Johnny barely even felt the cold.
Peter honestly didn't know where he was taking Johnny. He just started walking, letting his Spidey-sense pull him somewhere.
But as they treaded through the snow and chatted, Peter found himself subconsciously drifting closer to Johnny. He was warm and smelled like motor oil and smoke. It was weirdly enticing.
“-arker? Parker?” Peter snapped out of his thoughts.
“Huh?” He responded dumbly.
“I was asking where we're going,” Johnny explained.
“Oh, uhh,” he froze. Then, like some god sent miracle, he spotted the place right in front of him. “Here.”
Johnny followed Peter’s gaze and furrowed his brows. “Here? Seriously?” he asked incredulously.
“Hey, don't dis it till you try it.”
The bell dinged softly as Peter pushed the door open and the pair entered the shop.
“Hey Mr Delmar,” Peter greeted the man at the counter.
“Hiya Pete,” Mr Delmar responded. “You want the usual?”
“Yes please.”
“And for your friend?” He gestured towards Johnny.
“Oh, uh, I'll have the same as him,” Johnny answered.
“Alright, they'll be ready in a minute.”
Peter idly stroked Murph as they waited. The cat purred softly as he scratched behind his ears.
They got their sandwiches (Johnny paid of course) and strolled over to a nearby bench. Johnny used his powers to dry it up before they sat down. So unfair how Johnny got the good powers and he was freezing to death.
Peter sat close to Johnny, trying to get as much warmth as possible. Their legs touched and Peter could feel the heat radiating off of Johnny.
“So what's actually in this sandwich?” Johnny implored as he inspected it.
“Why don't you find out?” Peter answered, taking a bite of his own.
Johnny bit into it and hummed in approval. “Not bad,” he admitted. “But did you seriously waste your anything-favor on a sandwich?”
“So what if I did? A guy's gotta eat,” Peter shrugged.
“I would've gotten you one if you had just asked.”
“But where's the fun in that?”
“Well, since that was stupid, I'm not counting it,” he announced. “You get another anything-favor.”
“Anything?” Peter raised his eyebrow.
“Not anything, I know you want a piece of this Parker, but that's just desperate,” Johnny smirked.
“Says the one who's been showing up at my work for the last month,” Peter retorted, rolling his eyes. “Keep that up and I'll start thinking you like me or something.”
Johnny fell silent. His forget-me-not blue eyes lingered on Peter. He was looking at him like he was the sun. Which didn't make any sense. Because Johnny was the sun. He was the sun, the stars, the moon, the sky. He was everything. He shone so brightly and all Peter could do was stare into it, even if it meant he went blind. It would be worth it to just look at Johnny.
“Hm, I think I know what I want for my favor now,” he murmured, leaning closer to Johnny.
Johnny's eyes widened as he realised what Peter was doing. But he didn't move back. His gaze was transfixed onto Peter’s lips.
“Is this okay?” Peter cupped his jaw. Their noses were brushing and he could feel Johnny's warm breath against his face.
Johnny nodded and that was all it took for Peter to close the gap.
Johnny's lips were soft. That was Peter's first thought. They were slightly chapped and tasted of pickles but God was it nice. Peter's next thought was Holy Thor, he was kissing Johnny Storm, and Johnny was kissing him back!
They parted, foreheads leaning against each other as they gazed into each other's eyes. Johnny was breathing hard, his warm breath fogging in the cold air. His cheeks were flushed a pretty pink colour. He wished he could see Johnny blush all the time.
Neither of them spoke, both afraid to shatter the delicate moment. Both scared that the other would come to their senses and scramble back. But neither did.
“That just happened," Johnny whispered.
Peter smiled. “Yeah, yeah it did.”
“Good.”
The next day, Johnny showed up at Peter's work again. But this time he came carrying two hot chocolates and sandwiches. And for once, Johnny didn't complain about Peter's work, and Peter didn't question why Johnny was there.
It was nice.