the chemistry project

sycamore

y/n fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, feet shuffling along the path to the old sycamore, hidden in the back of the botanical gardens, away from the prying eyes of passer-by's. she had asked peter to meet her there just to hang out. nothing scandalous or anything, she just wanted to be with him. it was nearing 6 as she walked up the hill and through all the trees to the very back where a large sycamore was resting, the sun behind it making it glow with beauty. she stood at its thick roots, taking in its glory and smiling at the way the leaves rustled lightly, creating a soft sound that pleased her ears. she walked around to a low laying branch and sat on it, back against the trunk as she waited for him.

peter anxiously walked along the path towards the back of the gardens, heart racing with anticipation at seeing y/n again. he knew things were different now. it was all going to become more dangerous; feelings and emotions and potentially getting hurt, it was a lot to grasp but he wouldn't change a thing. he couldn't contain his smile as he neared the sycamore tree, feet anxiously walking up the grassy hill and arms holding back branches as he walked through what was almost like a small forest to get to the large tree. he stood for just a second and took a deep breath as he stood in front of the tree. he could see her feet dangling from a branch but that was all and as he approached, he heard her sweet voice, humming along to the song that was playing at the party that night. peter hadn't stopped listening to it since the party. he found the strings and cinematics of it soothing and peaceful, especially in the dead of night when she danced through his mind, twirling and swaying with those angel wings perched gracefully on her back.

y/n heard the snap of some twigs and she poked her head around the trunk of the tree, a smile entering her face as she saw peter standing there, staring up at the tree. it was a pretty sight; his head angled up, curls loose and his hands in his pockets, a small smile on his face as he watched the leaves rustle and glow. she watched his adam's apple bob as he swallowed and his head slowly lowered. she watched his eyes go to the tree to where she was sat and when their eyes interlocked for a few seconds, she hid back behind the tree, biting her lip and awaited his arrival. she was looking down when she noticed his shoes in front of her and gazed up, only to be met with a look of pure softness on his face as he kept his eyes on her face.

'you made it.' she said simply and softly, making peter chuckles lightly. he kicked around some of the leaves on the ground and shook his head. 'of course. i would never pass up the opportunity to see you.' He said quietly and semi-sarcastically despite meaning every single word. y/n hopped down off of the branch and leaned into peter, head against his chest. he wrapped his arms around her, and she felt the safest she had felt in her entire life. she moved her head and looked up at him, on her toes and she pecked him on the lips before resting her forehead against his, closing her eyes. peter felt calm yet he also felt those butterflies in his heart, telling him that this felt right. he closed his eyes and slowly leaned in, ghosting over her lips. peter heard her breath hitch as his lips brushed against hers before he leant in and gave her the sweetest, softest kiss he could muster. the girl he had always had a soft spot for, had grown so fond of him that it made his heart flutter. 

y/n felt warmth spread throughout her body and she couldn't help but melt into his touch, feeling as if their bodies had combined into one being. his hands found her hips once more, squeezing gently. this wasn't ever going to be the same again. it was something new and exciting for the both of them but it terrified y/n. she didn't want to screw everything up with peter. peter walked y/n over to the tree, resting her back against it gently, lips never separating. peter pulled away, resting his forehead against hers, sighing peacefully and smiling. y/n smiled back, a soft laugh coming from her lips.

hours of laughter, conversation and sweet smiles, along with a few kisses and a hickey or two, y/n and peter stood up and leant into each other. one last kiss was shared between them but before y/n could walk in the direction of her house, peter's hand lightly gripped her wrist and tugged her gently towards him. 'promise me that you'll always be there.' he stared into her eyes, she could see a slight sadness behind them, guessing he had been left behind before. y/n nodded and smiled. 'i promise.' she whispered and cupped his cheek, looking into his eyes, reassuring him she was always going to be there. peter leant in and kissed her gently before they headed off in different directions, both with a feeling of wholeness in their hearts.

Despite knowing peter for many years, y/n couldn't help but feel so perplexed at how she ever discarded him as a love interest. he was soft and sweet yet protective and fierce. hell, they weren't even dating and he cared so deeply for her. it made her head spin. but y/n felt like she could trust peter with her entire heart; every secret, every lie she's ever had to tell, every story from her childhood. she would tell him all of that. he made her feel safe. peter felt the same, almost biting his tongue as to not spill the stress of having a secret identity. he trusted y/n more than she could ever know but having her in his life was dangerous. at any moment, his entire identity could be revealed and she could be hurt and the thought of that made peter scared.