Chapter Text
Peter is utterly exhausted. He was out all night as Spider-Man because the crime rate in Queens keeps going up, but he still managed to get some good pictures of himself for Mr Jameson.
He walks into his boss's office full of dread, running on a frankly concerning amount of coffee. Peter places the folder on the desk. “Here's the photos you asked for, sir. A whole week early.”
The silence stretches for several minutes as Mr Jameson examines the photos.
“Parker!” He snaps.
Peter almost flinches. “Yes, sir?”
“These photos are phenomenal. I don't know how you do it. You're getting a raise. Now get back to work.”
Peter nods quickly. “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” He leaves the office as quick as is socially acceptable, heading to his desk.
Once seated, Peter spends the majority of his shift completing various homework assignments and adding more photos to his portfolio.
He's been there so long the sun has started setting and he's falling asleep at his desk. He's almost out entirely when Mr Jameson comes over and taps Peter on the shoulder. The young boy jolts awake, looking up in alarm. His breath quickens when he sees his boss staring down at him.
“Sir, I—”
“Relax, Parker,” Mr Jameson's tone is as close to gentle as is possible for the man, “you're not in trouble. I just came by to send you home. You're still in high school and clearly exhausted. Go and get some proper rest now.”
Peter nods slowly, disbelieving. “I will. Thank you, sir.”
Peter heads back to his and May's apartment, stumbling slightly every other step.
Once he reaches the door, he fumbles with the key until he unlocks it, practically collapsing into the apartment.
Peter staggers to his bedroom, toppling on to his bed and falling asleep, still wearing his clothes. For once, his sleep actually revitalizes him.
~
Peter wakes up fully rested to the smell of eggs, sausages, and bacon and the sound of a sizzling pan.
He pulls on a fresh pair of navy sweatpants, an oversized fiery orange cotton t-shirt he probably robbed from Johnny and a yellow worn-in hoodie.
He enters the kitchen to find May sitting at the table sipping a cup of chamomile tea peacefully. Confused as to who's cooking if May is relaxing, Peter looks towards the stove to see none other than the love of his life and the Human Torch, Johnny Storm.
“Good morning, baby. You look very alive for this hour.” Johnny looks up from the food and greets Peter with a picture-perfect smile.
“Hi, Johnny. What brings you to Queens?”
“Just thought I'd come by and help you and your lovely aunt by making breakfast.” Johnny shrugs as if randomly showing up at your boyfriend's house just to make breakfast is totally normal.
“Uh-huh. And it has nothing to do with the fact that the Daily Bugle is going to be at your Fantastic Four press event this afternoon and I'm one of their most requested photographers.” Peter rolls his eyes, taking a seat at the kitchen table as Johnny places a plate of food in front of him.
“Ugh, don't remind me. Sue is already making me wear a suit and tie for that thing. Now I find out that my cute-as-hell boyfriend is going to be there and I won't even be allowed to kiss him.” Johnny complains dramatically.
May laughs at the boys’ antics, glad that her nephew has finally found someone who will love him and take care of him no matter what.
Shortly after breakfast, Peter heads out to go to the office before the press event while Johnny heads back to the Baxter Building to get ready for the same thing.
~
The event itself is a grand affair, almost all of New York's superheroes showing up in their best dressed. Only a handful of superheroes aren't in attendance; Spider-Man and Daredevil being the most popular of the group.
For the entire day, Peter is snapping photos of heroes at all angles.
The Avengers are first—they always make good shots and amazing headlines.
Next is the sorcerers from the Sanctum Sanctorum, Doctor Strange being the most notable of that group. Although, the teenage girl that hovers by his side the entire time sparks several conversations. Peter is decent and makes sure that every photo she's in hides her face since she's clearly uncomfortable with all the attention.
Last but definitely not least is the Fantastic Four. This set of photos is easily Peter's best because each member of the team spots him and makes direct eye contact with him and the camera at some point.
It's killing Peter to not be able to run up to Johnny the moment the event is over. Unfortunately, both have to go back to work.
~
Back in the office, Peter is waiting for all his photos to print which is taking forever. So he decides to text Johnny.
Peter: heyyy. you looked so hot out there tonight (pun intended)
Johnny: i know i did, i saw you blushing when I made eye contact
Peter: shut the fuck up
Johnny: 😮 so hostile. After the breakfast I made you this morning
Peter chuckles as the last of his photos finish printing. He collects them up, putting them in three separate folders, each labeled accordingly; ‘Avengers’, ‘Fantastic 4’, and ‘Sorcerers’.
He brings the folders to Mr Jameson's office, knocking on the door before entering.
“What do you want, Parker?” Mr Jameson barely looks up from his paperwork.
“I have the photos I took at the press event this afternoon, sir. They're separated by group and each folder is labeled.” Peter lays the folders out so that his boss can see that each one is labeled.
“Very good work, Parker. This is why you're my best photographer. You get good pictures, get them printed within twenty-four hours, after actually organize them.”
“Thank you, sir. Now, if it's okay with you, I'm going to clock out. I have a science exam tomorrow.”
“Of course, Parker. Head home. You've done more today than most of my other employees have done in three months.”
~
Once he's outside the office building, Peter decides to pay Johnny a visit since May is still at work and he's not needed at Avengers Tower until next week.
The walk to the Baxter Building isn't too long. Inside, he greets the receptionist. He's been over often enough that she recognizes him and lets him through to the private elevator without ruining his plan to surprise his boyfriend.
Peter navigates the halls with ease, using his enhanced hearing to his advantage and figuring out that Johnny is in the gym a floor up. That gives Peter the perfect opportunity to hide in his boyfriend's bedroom to surprise him.
About an hour passes before Johnny enters his room, hair slightly damp and tussled, skin still steamy from a hot shower, nothing but a towel around his waist. He doesn't even realize Peter is in his room until the brunette starts breathing slightly heavier in an effort to control himself.
Instead of being awkward or embarrassed, Johnny leans into it and starts flirting with Peter just because he can. He barely gets a full sentence out before Peter is kissing him, hands wrapping around the blond's neck.
Yeah, Peter and Johnny both hate press events. But this makes up for it a million times over.