𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞
──── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────

MJ wore an unamused expression on her face, and Y/n mirrored her. Although she felt anxious, her face easily masked her feelings. Y/n knows MJ doesn't sugar coat her words when she tells the truth. So she already expects that she was gonna hit her with hard cold facts and slap a thick-ass slab of truth in her face.

"I'm guessing Peter told you about it, huh?" She raised a brow.

"That, and I had a hunch about it." Y/n rolled her eyes inwardly. Of course she did.

She turned away from her and continued preparing herself for the surgery. "Look, if you're here to make me change my mind about this, don't even bother. You're just gonna get the same answer if you try MJ, so I suggest you just leave."

"I'm not here to stop you."

She froze, surprised at the tanned girl's nonchalant answer. Y/n eyed her with suspicion. Is she being for real right now? "You're not." And she shook her head. "Then why are you here?"

Michelle took a sure step towards her bed and sat beside her, bodies facing towards each other. "I'm here to fully give you my support. I'm not gonna fight you with a decision you've already made. You chose to do this, so maybe it'll be the best for you. I'm not gonna lie though, I'm not too keen about your surgery. But I'm your friend, so I'm gonna support you."

A small smile resurfaces on her lips. She didn't expect MJ to say that, in all honesty. She's a strong force to be reckoned with, just like Y/n. That was the reason why she respected her so much. But hearing her being supportive was a fresh breath of air. "Thanks MJ. I-I really needed that." She pulled her in for a hug. A short but reassuring hug that made the tension in the room go away. When they pulled back she has a tight smile on her lip, and she can tell that her friend still has something to say.

"There's something else, is there?"

MJ rubbed her hands. "We... We have to talk about Peter." And just like that, the tension instantly came back. Y/n can talk to Michelle about anything, she was an open book. But talking to her about Peter was a thread she doesn't want to pull. If Michelle knew about the Hanahaki, then she knows about Y/n's feelings about her boyfriend. Along with the tension, Y/n's temper rose as she was reminded again about the kiss.

"I really don't wanna talk about him MJ." She mumbled.

"Why? Because I know how you feel for him?" Yes. "Let's put that aside Y/n. I don't care about that. What I care about right now is your relationship with Peter."

"There's nothing else to tell, MJ. We talked, we fought, and I kicked him out of my room. End of story."

MJ eyed her suspiciously. She didn't know what went down between Peter and Y/n, but she knew the two were in a bad place, and that she wasn't on speaking terms with him. It must've been really bad if Y/n wasn't talking to him.

She sighed, "He was only being a friend, you know. Sure what he might've said or might've done pissed you off, but you have to know he did it for the best intentions." A scowl made its way on Y/n lips. "Best intentions" my ass. Easy for you to say, you weren't there.

"Did he tell you what happened? What made me so pissed at him?"

"All he said was that he suggested this idea of learning to love you and that you fought."

"And do you think it's a good idea?" She raised a brow. MJ kept silent for a moment. She was deciding on what to say, and the silence only made Y/n impatient. "Well? Do you, MJ?"

The girl bit her lip. "If it'll save you and has a higher chance at doing so, then yes."

Y/n lets out a dry laugh and shook her head. Disappointed. Just when she thought MJ already had her back on the choice she already made. "Unbelievable. I thought you supported me."

"I am."

"Then why are you taking his side?!"

"Y/n, I'm not taking any sides. I do support you, really I do. But you have to know that Peter gave an option that's best for you. Because he thought it's what'll heal you better than the surgery." MJ explained calmly. Fighting Y/n with the same energy would do nothing. She learned that once in debate class.

"The best for me? Forcing himself to learn to love me and giving you up is 'what's best for me'?" she said, sarcasm laced in her tone.

"You can't blame him, Y/n. What else was he supposed to do? His best friend is dying, so he thought of a way to save her. Wouldn't you have done the same if the roles were reversed?" Her words echoed in Y/n's brain, and for a minute she contemplated. MJ huffed and places a reassuring hand on Y/n's lap. "Look, you and Peter, have gone through a lot of shit together. Hell, you two probably got the whole school beat with what you've went through both as superheroes and teens. But maybe you should give the idea one more chance; think about it. And whatever you choose, I will fully support you. But you don't have to be facing this alone, Y/n. The two of you have faced a lot, more than any other teenager. So why not go through this with Peter. That's how you two have always done it, right?"

Y/n pursed her lips and processed everything. She scanned MJ's eyes to see if there was anything more that she was holding back. A question formed in her head, one that's been sitting at the back of her mind ever since Peter brought up the idea. "But what about you? What about you and Peter?"

A smile formed on MJ's lips, but she knew it was forced. A sad one. But her eyes reflected honesty as she spoke, "I'd rather have you here with us."

***

When Wanda came down, Peter's head perked up at the sounds of the footsteps, assuming it was already Y/n. He had been waiting patiently for her ever since Wanda had brought MJ up to her room to talk with Y/n in hopes of changing her mind. The restlessness was evident on Peter's face and the anxiety on the bobbing of his knee. Wanda sat down with him on the couch to keep him company.

"You think you will be able to change her mind? You know she's very hard headed." Peter laughed at Wanda's remark. "Very much like her father." It was true. In so many ways, Y/n was like her father, just like Morgan. But you can still somehow distinguish the difference between her and Tony. Like how she would be a bit more sassy, childish in her ways, and mature in some parts of her way of life/

"Yeah. She is." Peter smiled absentmindedly, but this didn't go unnoticed by Wanda.

She shifted in her seat and faced towards Peter, a more serious look in her face. "You're a good kid Peter. I know you're trying to do right by Y/n, but you don't have to force yourself to do this. What you are trying, planning to do with Y/n is risky. Much more than the surgery, Pete."

The young boy looks at Wanda confusedly. "What do you mean?" He had thought this through, for the past few days, this idea was the only thing that gone through his head. He knew it was full-proof. So why would Wanda say it was risky?

"I know that this friend you've brought with you is more than just your friend. I can see the way you look at her Peter, the eyes never lie." Peter shifted in his seat, guilty. "Learning to love someone isn't the same as falling for them, Peter. They are two completely different things. You are already in love. And learning to love another while your heart is already taken is both a risk to your relationship with Y/n and her disease."

Peter kept silent as Wanda continued. He knew how much Wanda cared for Y/n. How she loved her as a sister and would do almost anything for her well-being. She didn't care if she was a Stark, she didn't care that she was Tony's daughter. Because unlike her relationship with Tony, Y/n was closer to her. And Tony took that as an advantage to get through with Wanda, and build a civil relationship with her. She already lost Nat, Vision, and Steve. If she were to lose Y/n too, she wouldn't know what would happen.

"I know that you care so much about her Peter. But I don't expect you to fall in love with her instantly. She was your friend first after all. I just hope, in time, you will love her for who she is, and not just out of obligation. Because that what she deserves, Peter." The sincerity and sadness in Wanda's voice pierced through his heart. Peter couldn't form words with all of the witch's emotions and words washing him like a wave. Fear took place in his body. Y/n's life was in his hands. If something were to happen to her, Peter would be the one to blame. The thought of this made him more determined.

I won't let anything happen to her.

He could hear footsteps descending from the stairs and hushed voices speaking. Two heartbeats; He recognized the first one beating calmly and at a normal pace, while the other one was faint and weaker. MJ appeared from the stairs, followed by a sickly looking Y/n. She froze from where she stood, and he noticed her fingers curl into a grip on the metal railing. The lingering stare and shock in her eyes already told him that she was not expecting his presence. Truthfully, Y/n wasn't ready to see him at all.

MJ turned towards her and gave her a soft reassuring smile, hugging her before she tells her, "You know what to do." The girl holds her hand tightly before slipping away and walking towards Peter. She gave him a small pat on his shoulder when he stood, and they nodded at each other before she left. The sight of them made Y/n want to choke again on a petal. But she keeps it to herself. Breathe in, breathe out.

She walks a few steps towards the couch. Wanda meets her mid-way, and a teasing smile was on her lips. Y/n had an unamused expression, "You told me he wasn't here."

"It must've slipped my mind." She chuckled mischievously, successfully annoying the teenager even more. The brunette witch nudged her shoulder and nodded her head towards Peter. "Go talk to him. I'll be in my room." And she left the room without another glance.

As soon as Wanda made her way to the stairs, the tension in the air became thick. Peter suddenly felt his throat become dry. This was the first time in days he'll be talking to her again, seeing her again. Unlike before, when she was shutting herself from their friend group, Y/n had managed to reply to his messages—even if it was short. But this week, Peter felt like he had been talking to a ghost. And being with her, alone in the room, felt different to him.

Y/n was the first to make a move. She took hesitant steps towards him, hands shoved in the pockets of her hoodie that were a bit too long for her stature. She clears her throat once she was already at arm's length. "Hey."

"H-Hey..." He greeted, lips smiling in a thin line, hands in his pockets as he swayed back on forth on his heels. There was an awkward silence between them as her eyes trailed around the room, she wringed her hands inside her pocket to let out the pent-up cumbersome feeling.

"We should sit down for this." She suggested, to which Peter nodded in reply. They sat in a moment of silence before Y/n drew in a long breath. "First off, I'm sorry for ignoring you for the past few days... And shutting you and our friends out. That was a really dick move."

Peter straightened up. "I just thought, maybe if I kept you out of the light, it would be easier to just... get rid of it. If you knew, it'll just mess things up and get more complicated—which, it did. But I realized, you were gonna find out sooner or later anyway. Before or even after I take the surgery." Y/n sighed through her nose as she faced her body towards Peter, lifting her hand to rest her head on her palms. Peter mirrored her position but kept his hands on his lap, listening intently to everything she says. "I was planning to hide it from you guys for the rest of the summer. And just—I don't know... Not talk about it when we go back to school. I'm sorry Pete."

He nodded. "I'm sorry too. For prying, for being an asshole, and..." he gulped. "And the kiss, that was uncalled for. Peter face flushed at the memory of it. Up until now he could still feel the tingle and the sensation of feeling Y/n's lips on his. He would be lying if he told himself he didn't like it. Truth be told, he liked the feeling of her lips on his. How she tasted of that lip scrub she always used; the honey flavored one. How soft it was when he pressed against it. He would love to have that feeling on him again.

"I-uh, talked to MJ about the whole thing. Told me she was gonna support me with whatever I choose to do." Peter became more attentive, moving closer without knowing. "But she reminded me about how we've always gone through everything together, no matter what. And that maybe... We should do it again." She pulled out her hands from her pockets and picked at the lint on her hoodie. "I'm scared, Pete. I know that you're willing to do this, but I'm still not sure about the whole idea. I don't want anything to change what we have now."

His heart pangs at her honesty. He could see her slowly become undone, and the hesitance in her voice showed how she feared this idea she would be getting into. Peter didn't know, but there were other things she feared if she were to agree with him. What if he won't learn how to love her? What if it won't work out? What if it'll only become worse?

What if he still loved MJ? And still wants her?

Either the surgery or this, Y/n would still be on the path to death. She was cornered. Truly, it was inevitable.

Peter reached for her hand and held onto it. A thousand thoughts were running through her brain, and he can tell that all of it were starting to get through her. His thumbs rubbed the roof of her hand soothingly to calm her down. "Nothing is gonna change between us, Y/n. Y-yeah there might be a few things that'll change. But I'll still be the Peter you snuck out with to Barcelona. You don't have to fully give your heart to me while we do this. Just let me lear-.... Let me fall in love with you."

He didn't notice how close he already was to her. Heck, he didn't even know how he got so close to her! The proximity was the same as when they stood in the middle of her room. Close enough that he could count her lashes, close enough that she could trace out the line of his slightly crooked nose. He could feel her heart beat at a calm pace, but it was livelier than before.

She pursed her lips as he looked into his brown irises. Slowly she nodded, "Alright." And it was enough for Peter feel relief wash over him. The corners of his mouth turned upward into a gentle smile and he nodded too. Somehow, Peter couldn't seem to pull away from where he already was. His body told him to stay, and so was hers.

The feeling of wanting to kiss her came back, and he gulped at that thought. Looking at her lips, he was already tempted to close in the space. But he had to ask her first. They were just starting out, he wanted her to trust him, her consent if she would allow him to catch her lips in his. He hoped she would.

"C-can I kiss you?" he asked gently, afraid he might scare her away.

At this point Y/n was like a fawn; innocent, fragile, and easily scared. Her heart was screaming 'Yes! Just go for it already!'. But her mind told her to pull back the reigns. It wouldn't be the right time, and her emotions were all over the place. Kissing Peter would only make her cloud her judgement and easily give up the remaining pieces of her heart. His lips ghosted over hers and if she leaned in, she'd already be closing the gap.

Y/n shook her head and sucked in a breath. "I don't think we should, Pete." She inched away from his face, but bodies were still as close as ever. "We can, but not now. This is a new territory for us, Peter. And we're only testing out the waters so... Maybe not yet."

She saw how his shoulders slouched and disappointment clear in his eyes. Nevertheless, he nodded. "Yeah... You're right." His eyes trained on her hand as he continued the gesture he had been doing earlier. Peter didn't notice until now, but Y/n's hands were calloused. It was a perfect fit in his, but it was different from holding MJ's.

A few of MJ's fingers were rough, but it couldn't compare to Y/n's. Her calloused hands must've been from all the training and inventing she had been doing after all those years she had been living with the Avengers. Peter wondered how soft her hands would be had she not been building suits and machines with Tony, or trained with Natasha, Steve and Clint. Were there times were she'd cut herself while doing a project with her Dad? Or maybe sprained her wrist and break her arm while in combat? He didn't know why but Peter felt the need to just give the affection she deserves. She wouldn't let him kiss her lips, so she opted for her hand instead.

The gesture made the heat run up to her cheeks, but she didn't pull away. Peter continued peppering kisses on the roof her hand, her fingers, then a long one on her knuckles. He pulled his head up and she was greeted by his lopsided grin that she had grown fond off. "W-what the hell was that for?"

"Well, you wouldn't let me kiss you." He shrugged. "So until you let me, this'll be our thing." He pulled in her hand again to place soft kiss on top. The gesture made the butterflies flutter in her stomach. They were only just beginning, but Y/n can already see the changes between their relationship. Where they stand, wasn't already at one side, but in the middle of everything.

She smirked and raised a brow. "I don't know. I think bear hugs are more of our thing."

A chuckle escapes his lips upon hearing the teasing tone in her voice. It reassured him. With just a mischievous glint and smirk, Peter knew that they were finally back on track. Maybe having this with Y/n wouldn't be so bad after all.

"It can be both of our things."

***

Y/n Stark doesn't get scared when going on dates.

Not often, really. But somehow her first date with Peter got through her head. It wasn't anything special, to be honest. They've done it a lot of times already. Sometimes including Ned and their other friends at Peter's apartment, or at Betty's since she loves hosting their little get-togethers. But a night-in movie date in her room, alone with Peter, made her palms sweat.

It had already been a few days since they've established the new relationship. Peter swung by the Compound and would spend the rest of the day with her and the team. Most of the time, it was just the two of them making new updates for their suits or playing Morgan to keep her company. It hit Peter that day that they haven't had their first date.

So that morning, he went to the Compound and bought down a plate of omelettes, toast, peanut butter and jam. The lab was booming with music when he entered. He settled the plates down on one of the empty tables. Y/n's back faced him and was oblivious of Peter's presence in the room. Quietly he walked towards her and tapped her shoulder. She beamed at the sight of him. "Hey."

"I brought breakfast. Pepper said you were up early and didn't bother to go up. So, I bought them down for you."

"Aww thanks." She cooed. "But you didn't have to, you know. I'm not that hungry anyway."

"Nope. Nuh-uh. You are not gonna skip the most important meal of the day." He easily picked her up from her chair and she thrashed her legs around. Stupid superhuman strength.

"What the fuck? Peter put me down!"

He dropped her on one of the metal stools and took one for him, sitting beside her. She glared at him picking up the fork to pick at her omelette. "I can get brunch later, you know."

"I doubt that." He quipped as he prepared a PB&J. When the music changed his feet started tapping and hummed to the riff of the guitar. "Oh God I love Led Zeppelin!"

Y/n gave him an incredulous look. "You know that's Back in Black, right?"

"Yeah?"

"Dude. That's AC/DC."

He blinked. "...It is?" Peter half-shrugged. Not caring at all as he happily ate his sandwich. "Well, people make mistakes."

"You're such a loser." She chuckled, eating her own breakfast. Peter didn't mind answering her back. He loved having their little fights, but he was hungry as hell. The music filled the space so it wasn't silent. Y/n occasionally hummed to the tune while scrolling through her phone. "So, what are you doing here today? I thought you were gonna patrol the city then come back later in the afternoon."

"Oh yeah! I'm still gonna patrol the city. Just came by to have breakfast and play with Morgan. Where is Morgan by the way?"

"Asleep. She had too many juice pops last night." He hummed, satisfied with her answer. But the constant tapping on the desk told her that there was something else on his mind. Peter had always been a fidgeter. He always gets this way when there was something on his mind but was too nervous to ask about it. "Pete." He hummed and lifts his chin up. "What's on your mind?"

The brunette stopped chewing, puffing out the small amount of air he had been holding. Even though he already had numerous dates with MJ and one with Liz, asking someone out wasn't Peter's forte. It was just Y/n, she'll probably say Yes. She was his girlfriend after all. But what if she has other things to do? Or she wants to take things a bit more slow? Damn it Parker. Just man up!

"I-uhm... Well, I just realized that we haven't had our first date yet. Like, an official date- just the two of us. A-And I was wondering if we can have a movie marathon in your room for our... first date."

Y/n almost choked on the food she was chewing. That's what I get for even asking.

She thought they were already past that. Peter had already been in the Compound a number of times and hung out with her in the lab, and bonded with her and Morgan every time the child demanded to play with her. Weren't those already considered as dates? Then again, those dates were mostly just her making updates on her suit, playing with Morgan, and helping Peter with his suit.

"Y/n?"

"Mhm?" She blinked at him. For a moment she was lost in her own thoughts.

Peter stuttered with his words. Maybe she doesn't want to do it? "If you d-don't wanna do it, it's fine. I can understand if you're busy or if you just-"

"No!" she immediately cuts him off. "No. We... We can do it. Are you gonna be sleeping over?"

Peter always slept at the Compound whenever they had their traditional movie marathon. And most of the time, Peter was the first to doze off if there weren't enough snacks and drinks to keep him awake. So it always resulted to Peter sleeping in Y/n's room rather than the one he had at the other end of the hall.

He nodded, a bit too excited. "Yeah, yeah I'll be sleeping over."

"Okay. I'll tell prepare your room, just in case you wanna sleep there later." Peter frowned a bit at that. He didn't want to sleep in his room. He wanted to sleep beside her, just like old times. But he kept quiet and didn't protest. Baby steps, Peter.

"Sure. I'll come at around... 9? Or 10-ish."

Y/n rolled her eyes. Knowing full well that he'll come late as always. "Come by at 11 and if you're late, I'm locking you out of my room."

A soft chuckle escapes his lips as he started cleaning up the table once he finished his sandwich. "I'll make sure I won't. I gotta go now. See you later?"

"Yeah. See ya."

Peter quickly reached for her hand and placed a soft kiss, running out of the lab quickly after. The lab then felt empty. Y/n was left alone with her playlist, tools, and nervous thoughts about the planned date.

She already set everything needed for the marathon: laptop, charger, junk food, candy, and a shit ton of sodas and iced coffees. If they were gonna have a movie marathon, they were gonna do it right. It was already ten minutes to 11, and Peter still hadn't arrived. She waited until the clock struck 11, and that consisted of mostly scrolling on her phone and idly laid on her bed, staring at the white ceiling. A tap on her window pulls her from her thoughts and the glass slid to the side.

Peter entered her room, masked tucked in his backpack, while he stood before her in his suit. "Hi." He greeted warmly. But Y/n eyed him with half-lidded eyes and a frown on her face.

Her arms were crossed when she sat up from her bed. She stated with a flat tone, "You're late."

"I've got twenty seconds to spare! You gotta cut me some slack, Hun."

Y/n only rolled her eyes at him. She stood up from her bed and examined his face, face in between her palms. "So, were you hurt? Do you need me to patch you up?"

"I could use a kiss. I heard kisses makes the pain go away." A bold smirk grows on his face. She pushed his shoulders hard but in a joking manner, making Peter laugh at her reaction.

"Cheeky bastard. Go and take a shower, Dork! You fucking stink."

Peter raised his arms in defeat, walking towards the bathroom with his backpack. "Don't start the movie without me. And don't finish the snacks!" The boy definitely took his time in the shower. He was playing music while the water was running and sometimes, she could even hear him singing to the lyrics of Elton John, which was definitely off-tune.

"Amaaazing concert! Didn't knew you were into Elton John."

Peter rolled his eyes playfully as he stepped out of the bathroom, drying his hair with a towel and now dressed in sweatpants and grey shirt. "Your playlist got stuck in my head. So yeah, thanks for that."

"The man's got glam, rock, and pop all rolled into one." She half shrugged and a smirk grew on her face. "Dude, you were singing to Don't Go Breaking My Heart. Just admit that I've already influenced good music taste in your earbuds."

"I don't wanna make your head any bigger than it already is, but I'll admit, you have adequate music taste."

"Meh. I'll take what I can." She pats the empty side on her bed and Peter runs up to the cushion, bouncing on the mattress he rips open the pack of chips. She giggles at his antics. "You're such a dweeb."

Peter munches on his snack. "First, you call me a Cheeky Bastard. Then you call me a Dork, and now I'm a Dweeb? Just pick one Y/n geez."

"I don't need to pick one, Parker. You're all of them."

She managed to make him groan in annoyance, which made him tilt his head back. It was moments like these where Y/n truly felt happy with him. Sure, she liked being around him with their other friends, but she liked the little moments she had together with Peter. The connection where no one else had to witness it except for the two of them. But at the start of their friendship, Peter and Y/n didn't flirt as much as they did now. Y/n had felt the change, and it was moving fast.

The marathon started off with a Star Wars movie, courtesy of one Peter Parker, of course. Y/n would try and sneak in a few snide comments to piss Peter off or spoil the following scenes just to see him make the cute face he did whenever he was annoyed. One of the reasons why Y/n always loved teasing him whenever she could.

The next movie was Y/n's pick, a favorite of hers since she was a child. Pepper used to watch it with her on late nights whenever she insisted on waiting up for her Dad. She didn't know why out of all the Disney Classics her favorite movie was the one that had a flying nanny instead of princesses, prince, and talking animals.

Maybe it was because of the show tunes, or how she was so fascinated by the story. Now that she was older, Y/n had realized, her childhood wasn't that different from the movie. Her Dad was always out of the house and had no time for her, while Pepper and Rhodey were mostly the ones to keep her in check back at Malibu. Maybe that's why, she related herself to the Banks Children. But Y/n digresses. The future turned out to be great. Her Dad become more affectionate and started caring more for her. The future had different plans, but Y/n didn't regret the childhood she had, because Tony made up for it.

"Y/n?" Peter tapped her shoulder and she turned her head to see worry in her eyes. "You're crying." He had pointed out. She only noticed once a tear ran down her cheek and dropped on her hoodie. She quickly wipes it away with her sleeve and waves it off.

"I'm fine. I just remembered something about Dad, don't worry about it." She sniffed.

Peter didn't say anything, only stared at her. He doesn't what exactly was running through her mind right now, but all he knows is that the movie reminded her of Tony. Just looking at her, he could tell that it was still hurting, but at peace with everything. She didn't sob like how she used to every time a memory of Tony triggered her, only silently crying. Y/n was independent, even when handling her emotions. Nevertheless, this didn't stop Peter from being the shoulder she could lean on.

Without a word, he circles his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in close. He placed her hands around his torso and her head on his chest, directly where his heart is. She could feel the beating of the little organ and it gradually increases in pace and thumping more loudly in her ears. Y/n wasn't sure if was her heartbeat that she was hearing in her ears or his because both were beating at a common rhythm. Peter might've already known, but she doesn't bring it up, only teasing him to ease the tension.

"It's beating fast. Haven't cuddled a girl before, Parker?" she smirks.

"Not really. I'm usually the little spoon. But I don't mind the change, I actually quite like it. "And there it was again, the adorable grin.

"Don't enjoy too much. I'm kicking your balls later for taking advantage of the situation." A hearty laugh bounced around the walls and it was like music to her ears. Y/n wondered what he meant by the "change" he mentioned. Was he referring to the cuddle positions or the change in their relationship? You numbskull, of course he was referring to the cuddle positions. Don't look into it much. She secretly hoped it was the latter

The movie continued and not one of them had moved from the comfortable position, only when they needed to drink or eat some snacks. At the last song of the movie, Y/n found herself singing to the tune quietly to herself. But considering the closeness of her face to Peter's, he heard the quiet singing, and he found it quite endearing. So he joined in, singing with her as he held her close.

"Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height!
Let's go fly a kite and send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let's go fly a kite!"

The credits rolled as the movie ended. She still hadn't move from his chest, only listened to his stable breathing. It was calming to hear and feel the falls and rises. Peter was the same. His arms were still around her and gently rubbing her forearm with his thumb. He had never been this intimate with Y/n before. Besides the times when she laid her head on his shoulder or held his hand when pulling him somewhere, or when he hugged his torso. But out of all of those things, this intimate moment was Peter's favorite so far.

"You know, back in London, I never really got to see any of those Cherry Trees. And I thought I could've gotten a little break while we were there, but I guess Beck had to just ruin everything, huh?" She chuckled dryly."

Peter looked down at her, which made her pull away from his chest, staring at him with innocent and curious eyes. "You know, Steve mentioned to me before that Brooklyn has a botanical garden. He went for a walk there one day in Spring, and they got this amazing row of Cherry Blossoms. I can take you there, if you want."

"Really?" she said, excitement in her tone.

He nodded. "Yeah. We can go for a walk and take pictures using my camera. But we have to go there during Spring, it's more beautiful in the Spring, Steve says."

Y/n prompted herself up on her elbows, her infamous smirk evident again. "Question is: Will we still be together until next Spring?"

"I'll make sure that we'll do." He replied, confident than ever.

She smiled at him. Hearing him so confident at something that they weren't even sure yet, it gave Y/n hope. Maybe this could work. Even if it's just baby steps, maybe there could be something good out of this. "Alright. On a Spring day it is, then."

His lips mirrored her smile. And by impulse, he placed a kiss on her cheek. Which, in result, made her face beet red. She looked like an apple— a tomato, in fact. Peter had never seen her flush so red in embarrassment, only in seething anger.

"Now what did you do that for?" she said, flustered.

"Oh come on, that wasn't even on the lips! And why do I need to have a reason to kiss you? We're dating, Y/n." he replied, stating the obvious.

"I know that, dumbass. It's just... It caught me by surprise, is all. And I told you that we should take it slow, didn't I?"

Peter looked down. "Yeah, sorry. It kind of just— felt right?"

"No, no it's alright. It felt... nice. Just give me a heads-up next time, yeah?"

The smile immediately returns, and he didn't hesitate to give her another peck on the cheek. "Okay, yeah. I'll give you a heads-up next time." He giggled goofily.

She raised a brow while letting out a chuckle. "Guess that's another one to add to our list of 'things'."

"And there'll be a whole lot more."

They continued their movie marathon after that. It was peaceful most of the time, except for the times when Y/n would poke fun at Peter for crying at the animated movies, but that was it. She never left his chest for the rest of the marathon, and Peter never stopped rubbing small circles on her arm, sometimes even drawing little shapes just because. It was a serene moment for the both of them, and it was something they wish to treasure for a lifetime. Y/n had hoped this first date would be the first of many. But for now, she let herself enjoy everything. The simple, cheap, yet thrilling she was sharing with Peter. It was nice. Everything was nice. And for the first time, taking the risk with him wasn't that bad.

It wasn't that bad at all.