Saturday // Peterick Oneshots

18. Practice

Peterick middle school au based on a prompt. They're both fourteen, so imagine them however you like. :P

"I can't believe we're going to be high schoolers in a few months," Pete thought aloud. He was at Patrick's house for the night, and the two of them had just finished watching The Breakfast Club for the millionth time. Now they were laying side by side on the floor, staring at the dark ceiling and talking about the future. They were going to be freshmen in four months. Both of them were excited, but the thought was daunting.

"Me neither." Patrick sighed, turning his head to look at Pete. "Any fears?" he asked softly.

Losing you, Pete thought. He and Patrick had been friends since elementary school, and even though the chances were slim, lately it seemed more and more probable that Patrick would leave him behind. He shrugged, not meeting Patrick's eye. "Not really. Why? Do you?"

"Dating."

Pete frowned. "Really? Why?" He turned his head to see Patrick still watching him.

Patrick bit his lip. "I don't know. It's scary to think about."

Pete went back to staring at the ceiling. "Yeah, I guess so. Maybe you just need to go into it with someone you trust."

"What do you mean?"

"Like, date someone you're friends with. Someone... someone who knows the words to all your favorite songs, and likes getting ice cream with you." Pete knew he was basically describing himself, but he thought he was doing it in a vague enough way that Patrick wouldn't notice. He'd had a crush on his friend for almost two years, and he wasn't about to risk Patrick reacting adversely.

"Gotcha." Patrick nodded. "Still, I'm kind of scared my kissing's going to suck."

Pete's eyes widened. "What?" He turned to look at Patrick again. Patrick had a gleam in his eyes that made Pete's heart skip a beat.

"Yeah." Patrick laughed a bit. "It's dumb, I know, but still."

Pete nodded. "No, no, I get that." He paused for a moment. "I wish I could help you not be afraid," he added softly.

Patrick smiled, then let out a shaky breath. "Actually, um." He shifted a bit so he was propped on his elbow. "Would you, you know, practice with me?"

Pete's breath hitched.

"You don't have to, obviously, I just figured it wouldn't hurt to ask, since we've know each other forever and it wouldn't have to change anything, but if you don't want to, that's fine," Patrick rambled, finally deciding to stare at the carpet.

Pete thought for a moment. It wasn't that he didn't want to kiss Patrick; he didn't want to take advantage of him. Then again, Patrick was asking him, so it didn't count, did it?

"No no, I'll practice with you," he said with a small smile. It dawned on him that this would be both his and Patrick's first kiss and butterflies filled his stomach.

Patrick beamed, and suddenly the room didn't seem as dark. "Okay, so, how should we do this?" he asked, sitting up.

Pete sat up in front of Patrick, turning so that they were facing different directions. "Like this?" He shrugged. "I don't know Trick, I'm just as lost as you are." They both laughed a bit.

Patrick moved a bit closer so their hips touched. He reached up and put one hand on Pete's cheek and the other on his side. "Is this okay?"

Pete nodded, leaning into Patrick's touch. His palms were damp with sweat, but Pete didn't blame him in the slightest. He wrapped his arms around Patrick's neck. "So, does one of us need to lead, or...?"

"I think? I can, since this was my idea." Patrick leaned forward until their foreheads were touching. "By the way, I'm glad that you're going to be my first kiss," he whispered, smiling sheepishly.

"Yeah," Pete said with a sigh, letting his eyes fall closed. "Same here."

"Can I...?"

"Yes."

It was nice, to say the least. Clumsy, yes, but every bump of their noses only reminded Pete that they were in this together, and Patrick's lips were soft against his, so he had nothing to complain about. He tilted his head a bit, sank deeper into the kiss, and played with Patrick's hair. Their chests brushed, and Patrick squeezed his side gently. The hand on his cheek moved to stroke his jaw.

Patrick pulled away first, Pete chasing after him so their foreheads knocked together. They both giggled, out of breath.

"How was that on your end?" Patrick asked, still rubbing Pete's jaw. Pete could see the anxiety in his eyes.

"Okay," he said with a small smile. "We might have to do it again though. To sharpen our technique."

Patrick laughed. "Makes sense." The gleam in his eyes was back, and he continued. "You know, I thought of something else you could do to help me not be afraid."

"What's that?"

Patrick bit his lip. "You could. Um. Date me."

Pete watched Patrick's face flush crimson, and all he found himself able to do was lean in and kiss him again. When he pulled back he whispered, "I'd be honored."