Iron Dad One Shots (mcu)

I Don't Wanna Be Your Friend (I Wanna Kiss Your Lips)

Peter always found Ned Leeds really pretty.

That wasn't weird — not in his eyes. Ned just had a very beautiful face. Ever since they met, Peter would find himself staring at him for prolonged periods of time. Who wouldn't want to stare at a face like that?

A lot of people, apparently.

Ned was bullied a lot for things he couldn't control. His weight, his skin color, his stretch marks. And god, it pissed Peter off. It made his whole body shake with rage when someone would bully his best friend.

Because that was his boy. His Ned. And nobody hurt his Ned if he could help it.

People think the first time Peter threw a fist at Flash was the time he made fun of his dead parents. And yes, Peter had punched him then. But that wasn't the first time.

No, the first time was in second grade, when Flash had pulled up Ned's shirt and made fun of his belly. And all the kids would point and laugh and Ned's flabby belly.

Peter was fuming so much you could almost  see the smoke coming out of his ears. How could anyone find Ned's beautiful body ugly? Ned was the most pretty boy in the entire world. His body was perfect! He marched up to Flash, curled his fist and—

And Ned took the blame. Because that's just who Ned was. Perfect.

Anyway, he was getting off track. Bottom line, Ned was pretty. Beautiful, even. With those soft lips and long lashes... Peter could stare at him, just study his face for hours. When they played with Legos in Peter's room, Peter would lean against Ned's shoulder, cup his cheek when he looked him in the eyes, peck him on the cheek when he was happy. Cuddled him when they slept. (Ned was always the big spoon.)

Because he loved Ned.

Loved him... as a friend, that is.

Tonight, they were alone together. May was out for the night, and Ned had brought some of his mom's wine. One drink turned into two, which quickly turned into too many. They were both drunk and delirious, but it felt so good.

Ned was sitting on the floor, and Peter was lying next to him, just watching. He loved to watch him.

It was just the alcohol, but... suddenly, Peter felt a little bold.

Without thinking, he climbed into Ned's lap, both hands on his shoulders. "Heyyyy..."

Ned smiled and leaned up to look at him. "What's up?"

Peter smiled and pressed their noses together. Ned's nose was so fucking cute. "You smell good."

Ned laughed and put his hands on Peter's hips. Peter fought back a shiver, smiling widely. Woahhh.

"You look good." Ned hummed.

Peter didn't really translate those words in his head. He leaned down and looked at his lips for a moment, then back up into his eyes. "Ned... Neddy..."

Ned burst out into laughter and wrapped his arms around Peter's middle. "Whaaaat?"

Peter's heart picked up speed. Oh man... This was everything. Peter could almost cry from how happy he was.

And it was just the alcohol, but Peter became even more brave. He leaned in and pressed his lips against Ned, kissing him softly.

And — and it was just the alcohol, just... just the alcohol but —

But Ned kissed him back.

***

"And you haven't talked since?" Tony asked, glancing over at him with furrowed eyebrows.

Peter nodded, pulling his legs up to his chest. "We woke up the next morning and he just... left. And he's not answering my texts..."

Tony frowned a bit and stood up, sitting next to him. "Do you... have feelings for Ned?"

Peter blushed. "I..."

He swallowed at the question.

"He's my best friend..."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "Kid, you know how many times I've had a crush on my best friend?"

Peter looked at him in shock. "Steve?"

"Steve? No." His face crumpled up in disgust. "I meant Rhodey. I've... you know, had a lot of crushes."

"Oh... you're gay?"

"Bisexual is the term, I think." He smiled. "But I don't really like labels."

Peter nodded in understanding. "So... it's okay for me to have a crush on Ned?"

Tony shrugged. "I don't care. And anyone who does care is a weirdo. What matters is what you think is right in that little heart of yours." He poked his chest for emphasis.

Peter leaned against him and sighed. "What am I gonna do?"

He sighed and wrapped an arm around Peter's shoulders. "I don't know kid. But... don't be afraid of your feelings, you know? Being gay, or bi or whatever... it's not so bad all the time."

"Right." Peter chuckled. "Just most of the time."

Tony smiled and rubbed his arm. "C'mon, let's have a movie night. Any movie you want."

Peter smiled softly. "Moonlight?"

"Ah, one of my favorites." He hummed and stood up with him. As they were walking, Tony glanced at him and smiled.

"...You know everything's gonna be okay, right?"

Peter sighed. "I... I don't want to lose Ned as a friend."

Tony nodded. "I know... but hey. You always got me." He put on a cheesy smile and pulled him into his side. Peter let out a small laugh, wrapping an arm around him. "Yeah... and what would I do without you?"

***

Ned was...

Well, Ned was scared.

He's had a crush on Peter since before he knew what a crush was. The way his heart beat so quickly every time he defended him, the way they would cuddle together and hold hands and hug and—

Man, Ned was just so in love.

He was so, so scared. He'd taken advantage of his best friend... they were both too drunk to understand what was happening. But Ned would never forget the feeling of Peter's lips on his...

He was too ashamed to say anything to Peter. He was terrified Peter would never want anything to do with him. Yeah, sure, he was in love. So what? If Peter didn't love him back it was over. End of story. Ned would throw himself off a bridge for Peter Parker. Ignoring some deep-rooted feelings... that wasn't too hard.

Until— until now. Until this. Until Ned had taken it too far and ruined everything and—

And his phone was ringing.

He looked at who was calling and his stomach did a flip. God...

He couldn't run away forever.

He put the phone to his ear and took a breath. "Hey Peter..."

"Hey Ned..."

Ned felt tears sting in his eyes. How was he supposed to do this? How? He was so in love. He had been for years.

"Ned—"

"I love you." Ned hiccuped, rubbing at his face.

"Yeah, I... I love you too."

"No—" he sobbed. "You don't get it.. Peter I've been in love with you since we first met... I don't like girls, I like boys... I like— I love you. I'm... in love with you."

He sobbed quietly, shaking furiously. It hurt. It hurt to put himself out there, and it— it terrified him.

"Ned..."

Ned sniffled and blinked his tears away. "Pete?"

"Ned... do you... do you want to be my boyfriend?"