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Peter was sweating bullets. He couldn’t believe after four lonely, grueling years he was finally doing this. The opportunity was right in front of him, all he had to do was muster up the courage to walk up to him and find the words.
That opportunity being Ned; the now confident, mature, dashing Ned Leeds sitting at the small table of the shop eating chips while watching something on his phone. Completely unaware of his surroundings and in his own little world.
Peter can’t fuck this up. He can’t.
So, with the very small ounce of courage he has in his system, he walked nervously towards the man in question.
Once he was in front of him, Ned looked up. It pained Peter so much to see absolutely no recognition in those eyes. Just like MJ when they talked in Frank's hideout.
Nevertheless, Peter gave him an awkward, nervous smile as he rubbed the bag of his neck to hide the tremor in them.
“Hi,” he said weakly.
He watched as Ned looked him over, as if trying to judge what he’s seeing exactly and– honestly? Peter can understand. It’s not everyday a random guy with flowers and visible sweat tries to greet you.
Despite the fact that he probably already embarrassed himself, he pushed forward. He stuck his hand out for a handshake.
“I’m Peter…”
After saying that, Ned’s face lit up…not with happiness or anger or surprise, but recognition. The dead flame in Peter's hope lit just a little…
Maybe…
Just maybe…!
“You’re the dude from the party! I thought your name was Maynard?”
Just like that, Peter's flame burnt out once more and it didn’t take effort to see Peter visibly deflate a little in disappointment from the question. Despite that, he was still nervous speaking to Ned.
“Oh…yeah I um…kinda said the wrong name…sorry I was just nervous,” Peter stammered, taking his hanging hand back to rub his neck once more.
Ned just watched him as he talked, getting a bigger smile each time he stuttered. Peter could feel his face flush. No doubt his face was beet red.
Ned laughed, “no worries! It happens…”
“R-Right…” Peter stammered, shuffling awkwardly on his feet. He tried keeping the flowers he was holding from rustling in his grip. Ned simply just kept giving him a warm smile.
“Um–”
“You’re cute, you know that?”
“W-What?” Peter squeaked out, face burning hotter. His mouth opened a little in shock, eyes wide. Did he just hear that right? Did Ned just call him…cute?
“You’re kinda adorable,” Ned just stated, like it was fact. The sky is blue, the grass is green, and Ned just called Peter adorable. Could his face get any more redder.
“I mean– not to sound patronizing in any way. I just think you’re super cute and honestly, I was kind of hoping to get your number during the party,” Ned kept saying, further confusing Peter into a jumbled mess.
“You…wanted my number?”
“Yeah, I was hoping I could ask you out but well, you beat me to the punch,” Ned laughed. The laughter was muffled in Peter's ears as he tried to comprehend the situation. How could it have skewed so thoroughly…
“Oh…” Peter meekly uttered.
“I honestly can’t believe someone so hot like you was into me, but hey–! I’m not complaining at all, Let me write down my number for you,” Ned rambled as he scavenged through his bag to search for paper.
Peter just watched him, face still burning and thoughts a little clearer. He couldn’t believe how this situation turned out.
And if he was being honest, he…didn’t really mind it all that much.
He and MJ have now moved on officially, no more wondering if she’ll remember him and their time together again. No more wondering if she’d ever forgive him. After their conversation, the gaping hole in his chest lightened up every so much.
It didn’t heal completely, but now he could say that he was fine and actually mean it somewhat. It still lingered, but it wasn’t swallowing him anymore.
And with Ned…he’s always been close to Ned. They were best friends since what seemed like forever ago. Ned was once his guy in the chair! They did everything together. Ned may not remember Peter, but those feelings and memories still lingered with Peter.
Would…dating Ned be so bad?
Peter thought that…no. Maybe it wouldn’t.
“Here,” Ned said, taking Peter out of his mind fog. He looked down at a folded piece of paper, which held Ned’s phone number in his hand, waiting for him to take it.
If he does take it, then this changes their dynamic that they once had. It changes Peter’s life. It uproots Ned’s idea of him. It makes them closer than they probably ever were.
Peter takes the paper from Ned’s hand and gives him a small sun-filled smile.
“Are those for me?” Ned asked as he finally gave the bouquet of flowers a notice. Peter also realized he still had the flowers in his hands and in an effort to not embarrass himself further he nodded.
“Yeah, these are for you,” Peter answers as he hands him the bouquet. Ned’s smile widens into a big grin and Peter can’t help but think that he really wishes to keep that smile on his face forever.
“Thanks, these are almost as beautiful as you,” Ned flirts. Peter couldn’t help but give a light airy chuckle at the cheesy pickup line. Ned laughed along with him and the air around them seemed to ease.
“Well, just text me and we can figure out a place and time for our date,” Ned said as he gently took Peter’s hand in his. Peter could intimately feel the warmth from Ned’s hand seep into his skin.
“Ok, will do,” Peter replied, a little breathless from the overwhelming amount of emotion that suddenly rushed through him. Ned just smiled gently at him.
“God, you’re so cute.”
Before Peter knew it, Ned had kissed his cheek. Peter could feel the lingering sensation on his cheek when Ned pulled away, that welcoming, fluffy warmth that was felt everywhere. His face, his heart, his chest.
“I’ll see you soon, Peter,” Ned said before walking past him and exiting the store. Peter just stood there for a little, recalibrating.
He would bet his face is a strawberry now. His heart was pounding in his chest and he felt bubbly.
Peter could get use to this…
Peter couldn’t wait to text him back. Couldn’t wait to plan their date. Couldn’t wait to see where this might head. He also couldn’t wait to hold Ned’s hand and have him kiss his cheek again.
Time couldn’t go by any slower.
But first…
He has to pay for the flowers Ned took with him.