The Bet (Avenger's High School AU)

♡ Chapter Twelve ♡

Unfortunately, kissing all night wasn't a logical option for them to decide on, considering the plans Peter already has for the evening and night. He has to visit May, has a load of laundry to do with some quarters he's been collecting off the McDonald's floor, he has a few homework pages to complete for school on Monday, and he has to get enough sleep to convince himself out of bed for his early morning shift tomorrow. Not quite simple enough to just ignore.

That's not to say he doesn't want to. Because he wants to continue living in this wonderful bubble of soft touches and smiles between kisses and bright unfiltered joy at being able to share these happy moments with another person, more than anything.

Too bad he doesn't get to make those kinds of impulse decisions with his current lifestyle.

Nearing five that afternoon, Peter and Wade are still making out in the parked car, parked on the side of a deserted road so they won't get caught.

But Wade's finally pulling away, a dazed grin on his face.

"I should be getting you home... It's almost five and we still have to make the drive," he murmurs, struggling to focus on Peter with his blown pupils.

Peter takes a second to catch his breath, fixing his shirt quickly with a shy smile at Wade.

"Yeah, probably. I missed going all week... Can't miss it again today," Peter breathes, leaning against Wade's chest for a moment to bring himself together quickly before he moves to passenger seat and let's Wade drive him to the hospital.

Peter's unsure about Wade's plans for the rest of the night, but he knows he has his own plans that he needs to focus on. There's a sort of yucky feeling in his chest from what's happened... He's kissed a few guys over the course of the past few months. Probably more than he should've. He just gets caught up in exhilaration and joy and dopamine because he doesn't get it a lot.

The happiness he feels when he's creating a bubble of warmth of just him and one other person is so special that maybe he's addicted to the feeling and not to the people.

Natasha and Thor and Bucky. They're all sweet and nice and funny and makes Peter forget about his everlasting sadness and his constant state of panic. They make it easier to forget everything.

Steve's sweet and nice and does the beautiful gestures like they're living in an old romcom movie. Wade's funny and spontaneous and warm and full of life. And don't even get Peter started on Tony. He's caring and kind, selfless and sarcastic, and he has the biggest heart Peter's ever seen.

And it's not like any of them have really asked Peter out. None of them have asked to be exclusive. None of them have questioned it when he's gone out with other people. It wasn't even specified to him that it was a date. It's not like Peter's cheating. He's just having fun. Right?

That's what high school's about, right?

That's what being a teenager is, right?

*

"Hi, May," Peter murmurs, taking her hand and offering a smile. He's still running on the high of kissing Wade, the wonderful rush of adrenaline and happiness that it brings. It helps to throw on a smile for May. "How are you? I'm sorry I haven't visited in a little while... I've been busy with school and work and I finally have friends which is insane."

Her smile is tired, like it always is, but she squeezes his hand with more energy than normal. "That's fantastic, sweetie. I'm good. Really good."

It's a lie. They both know it's a lie, but Peter won't point it out. It's not going to do any good.