Chapter Text
Peter could not handle his alcohol as well as he had imagined he could.
Being an outsider for most of high school meant Peter didn’t get to go to all the big house parties that his peers did. It wasn’t until he had met you and started going to the parties you invited him to that Peter finally got a taste of what he had only lived vicariously through in the movies he watched. And in all honesty, he wasn’t the biggest fan. But it seemed to make you happy, and Peter was slowly learning he would do just about anything to make you happy. Even if it meant enduring stuffy college parties instead of being at home working on new improvements to his web shooters.
Peter was also learning that he was probably a lightweight. An embarrassing revelation when he was two drinks in and already clinging to your side, afraid to let go as if you would somehow disappear to one of the many villains he’s faced if he did. It was especially embarrassing when, somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew that the two of you weren’t dating. You were just friends who had met in your Bio 1 class, and he had caught feelings way too quickly. And yet, you didn’t seem to mind him being practically glued to your side. And if you weren’t complaining, then well, who was he to pull himself off of you?
“Are you comfortable there?” You asked through a laugh, handing him a glass of water which he happily took, brushing his fingers against yours and letting them linger for probably longer than he should have.
Peter took a few sips from the glass before nodding his head a few times, a smile playing on his lips. “I’m really comfortable,” he told you, words slightly slurring together as you let out another soft laugh, one that made his stomach feel a little weird. Or maybe that feeling was due to the beer. In all honesty, he couldn’t really tell. “And I’m having a lot of fun,” he said before taking another sip from his glass.
“Yeah, I don’t think you’ll feel the same tomorrow morning,” you tease with a small shrug of your shoulders. You wouldn’t be surprised if Peter didn’t leave his dorm at all tomorrow morning, too busy nursing his growing hangover that you inadvertently caused.
Peter shook his head no at your words, looking at you with all the seriousness he could muster now in his drunken state before telling you softly, “Well I got to be with you, so of course I’m having fun.”
His words, the way he was looking at you, the fact that he had been stuck to your side all night, it was all doing something silly to your already racing heart. But you decided to ignore it for tonight, if only to help keep Peter on his very uncoordinated, very drunken feet.
“I had fun with you too, Pete,” you say through a small laugh, “but we should probably get you back to your dorm soon so you can start catching up on sleep, yeah?”
He mumbles something unintelligible that sounds close to a complaint or some other noise of disapproval, but followsyou anyway, because of course, Peter can’t stand to be very far away from you tonight.
The walk to the dorm hall was a quiet, chilly one, with Peter’s jacket draped over your shoulders due to his insistence and your hand held tightly in his, not that you minded. It was nice. He was nice.
“Thanks for inviting me to the party,” Peter says, looking at you with a happy, dopey smile as his words continue to slur together.
You laugh despite yourself, but nod along to his words with a smile of your own. “Course, Peter, anytime. Just hopefully next time you won’t have to wake up the next morning with a massive hangover.”
Peter nods his head in agreement, but you don’t think he truly understands just how much pain he’ll be in come tomorrow morning.
“You’re really pretty,” Peter mumbles, his hand holding onto yours just a little tighter as a shy smile slowly grows on his face. “I like spending time with you, I like you.” Peter says as the two of you make your way towards the dorm hall, almost making you stop dead in your tracks. Almost, if it weren’t for him gently pulling you into the building.
“How drunk are you right now?” You ask through a laugh.
“I could run a marathon,” is all he replies as the two of you enter the elevator to his floor.
You can’t help but laugh again, a teasing smile on your face as you lead him to his dorm so he can go to bed. “I’m sure,” you murmur, as he fumbles through his keys to unlock the door. “We should talk about this tomorrow when you’re more sober,” you murmur.
Peter only scoffs, as if the idea was ridiculous. “I’m very sober,” he murmurs, words slurring together in a very un-sober manner.
“Then when it’s not nearing 2 am,” you mumble with a soft, sweet smile that is almost enough to make Peter’s knees go weak right then and there. “Goodnight, Peter,” you say with a small laugh.
“Tomorrow,” he mumbles, looking at you as seriously as he can right now, before wishing you a goodnight as well.
Tomorrow was going to be a very interesting day for Peter Parker.