Growing Up

19 Years Old

Ned couldn't pin down an exact date, but he knew that sometime during the past week, Peter and Michelle had definitely gotten closer. Before, they had never sat that close before or forgot about him sometimes when they talked. Well, sometimes they did, but now it happened more before, so yeah, Ned was pretty sure something was up. He just wasn't sure how to ask about it and right at the end of their day at the beach didn't seem like a great time.

"We should have a movie night tonight," Peter suggested, turning to toss his beach bag into the car. The sunburn across his shoulders was glaringly bright, but to Ned's surprise, Michelle had said she had aloe in her bag. Something about knowing he would forget sunscreen again (again? The last time they went to the beach Peter had so much sunscreen on he looked like a walking ice cube!).

"Sorry, guys," Ned said, tossing his bag in the backseat then crawling in after it. "My mom wants me to actually be home for dinner before I leave again. Maybe tomorrow, though,"

As Peter agreed, Michelle slipped into the passenger seat and pulled her phone out of the glovebox. With a grimace, Peter carefully climbed into the driver's seat and started the car.

After leaving the beach, Ned's house was their first stop despite the fact that Michelle's was closer.

"See you guys later!" Ned said, clambering out of the car.

Peter and Michelle waved goodbye, waiting until Ned entered his apartment building before driving off.

"Movie night?" Peter asked Michelle.

"Of course," she answered, "Star Trek?"

"Obviously."

* * * * *

They had perfected the art of movie night a while ago, but since Ned was usually around, they needed to make some slight adjustments. While Michelle made the popcorn (the only one who didn't seem to burn it), Peter laid in the living room and searched the TV for Star Trek. Although he'd used Michelle's sunburn gel right away, his shoulders were still red and sore, so he was left lying shirtless on his stomach.

As Michelle walked into the living room with the popcorn bowl, she found Tony talking with Peter. He hardly blinked at her as she took a seat beside Peter and reached for the sunburn gel sitting on the nearby coffee table.

"I'm going to the Compound for a few hours," Tony said, "Bruce wanted me to go check something out and apparently it couldn't wait until tomorrow morning."

"Mkay," Peter hummed, glancing at Michelle before turning back to his dad. "Will you be back tonight?"

"Don't know," Tony said with a shrug.

He stole a handful of popcorn, watching as MJ shook the aloe vera before applying it to Peter's blistered back. As soon as the cold gel touched his back, Peter yelped and twisted around to glare at Michelle.

"You deserve that!" Tony said, pointing at Peter.

"Whatever," Peter mumbled, dropping his chin down onto his arms and staring up at the screen.

"If I'm not back by tonight, I'll be back late morning sometime," Tony said, "Either way, no funny business!"

"Dad!" Peter yelled. Michelle snorted. "Just leave!"

Tony chuckled but walked out of the living room and into the lift as he said, "I love you, kid!"

"Love you too!"

As soon as Tony was gone, Peter hit play on Star Trek and told FRIDAY to turn off the remaining lights.

* * * * *

Okay, so maybe Ned had lied about his mom a bit. Yes, she wanted him home for dinner, but she wouldn't have kept him from going out for a movie night. he had just wanted to see what would happen if he arrived unexpectedly at Stark Tower. Maybe he would find Peter and Tony marathoning Lord of the Rings, but he had a feeling he would find Michelle there instead.

Even though the tower was technically closed, Ned was able to get in with his key card. It hadn't been difficult convincing Tony to give both him and Michelle one and up until now, Ned had never actually used it. It was "for emergencies" and for lack of a term, Ned was considering this an emergency.

When the lift doors opened to the penthouse, he was met with a completely dark room. He frowned, stumbling into the living room where he saw the TV playing Star Trek. There were blankets on the floor, but he couldn't make out anyone watching.

"FRIDAY, lights," Ned whispered. The living room lights flickered on and Ned wasn't the only one that screamed.

"What are you doing here?" Peter yelled, letting go of Michelle who had previously been kissing him.

"What was that?" Ned yelled back, his voice many octaves higher than usual.

Michelle rolled her eyes.

"What does it look like, brainiac?" she replied as Ned looked between the two of them in shock.

"You were kissing!"

Peter gave him an awkward smile and nodded while Michelle looked unamused.

"You were half naked and kissing!"

At that, Peter and Michelle both jumped to correct him.

"My back is sunburned—"

"We weren't—"

"—so I can't wear a shirt or it burns like—"

"You really think we would do that in the living room?"

"Shut up," Ned interrupted. Michelle and Peter both stopped talking and looked at Ned. "How long have you two been, you know, together?" he asked awkwardly, waving his hands at the two of them.

Peter glanced at Michelle who shrugged.

"Two or three weeks," Peter replied. Ned stared at them for a little while longer before nodding.

"Okay," he said. Pointing back at the lift, Ned said, "I'm just gonna go now. Have fun with Star Trek."

He hurried back into the lift, both Peter and Michelle watching as the doors shut and carried Ned back downstairs.

"Well, now we don't have to worry about how to tell Ned," Peter mumbled, making Michelle snort.