The Arachnoids [A Starker Rock Band AU]

19: Flight Frights

Even though they're on opposite sides of the plane, Peter can feel the tangible tension between him and Tony rise every single time their gazes meet. It's stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid! He probably should've listened to his friends. He should've had a talk with Tony before the tour. But honestly, he'd been too frightened (and planning the tour had been the perfect excuse to not meet anyone for three days in a row).
"Pete-" Ned grins next to him. "If you want, I can ask him to switch seats? I'm sure he'd jump on my offer without a second thought."
"Just- Just shut up, please," Peter sighs, starting to feel absolutely mortified. He's never really had a lasting crush or love interest before, and he doesn't like how it's starting to shake up his life. He just wishes he had some time to think about it for a while, without the well-meant but pushy comments of his friends. They love him. They only want the best for him. He's very aware of that and he absolutely adores them for it, yet, the only thing he knows for certain is that he can't possibly afford it to rush this one out. He needs time. Tony needs time.

There are so many factors that come into play. It's not as simple as just asking someone out. There are implications for the future and what it might look like. Tony is world-famous , if he's found to be dating a boy so young- yeah, that'd definitely be a step back for the both of them. Does Peter want to risk the growing success of The Arachnoids?

Heck, does he even want to be with someone Tony's age?

"It's confusing," Peter finally continues, staring out of the small airplane window and watches the optical fluffiness of the clouds. "There's a lot at stake." Ned sighs at that.
"Peter, I know that. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel bad about it."
"It's fine," Peter mumbles and turns his gaze back to his best friend. One corner of Ned's mouth tugs up in a hesitant smile.
"What's the worst that could happen?"

Peter scoffs, the question startling him and he nudges Ned playfully.
"That question is supposed to make me feel better, dude, not worse! In this scenario, there actually are so many bad things that could happen!" Peter rambles and groans, dropping his head against the headrest. "What if Tony loses Morgan again? Or what if his mental health crashes, it's still so fragile, really. What if we lose our shot with the band?"
"Okay you are going to hate me for this," Ned sighs. "But this is exactly why you should talk to him. These are things you can discuss and work out together!" Peter's jaw drops, and then he clamps his teeth together, his brows furrowed and he shakes his head.
"I don't think-"
"No, listen. You can't make these decisions just for you. It's 100% clear that Tony's into you. He probably has the same doubts as you do. If you two keep running around in circles then you'll never know."

Peter glances in the man's direction again. Tony isn't looking up this time, busy typing out something on his phone while his head bobs up and down to the tune in his AirPods. Instantly, a soft smile breaks out on Peter's face. Ned chuckles. Peter glares at him.
"I hate that you're right," he grunts.
"Ah, love you too."

The rest of their flight, they don't talk about it again. Peter's thinking, though. How on Earth can he ever build up the courage to do this?

"Harley," he breathes, leaning in to the row of seats in front of him. Harley's flop of hair sticking out above the edge of the seat doesn't move. " Harley! " he hisses again. This time, the boy turns around, peeking through the gap between his seat and MJ's.
"What's up?"

"I need your help."