Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

June, 2024. Queens, New York, Earth-914.

‘Y’know, at some point I’m gonna get used to this place.’ A 15 year old Peter Parker thought to himself as he hung his head back, staring up at the ceiling of the local police station, mostly because he was trying to stop a nosebleed. ‘Not now, though. Still some other shit I’m getting used to.’

He tried to scratch at his bandages but was stopped by the fact that his right hand was handcuffed to Captain Stacy’s desk. ‘Crap, right.’

Off to the side, Aunt May was talking to the Captain himself who, at this point, was already very familiar with the two Parkers.

First, after Uncle Ben’s death last year, then repeatedly after Peter’s… incidents.

“May, you gotta understand.”

“I know, George.”

“I’m not gonna be able to keep him out of juvie for long. This is the fifth fight this week alone, not to mention in the past year, and at some point, the ‘self defense’ excuse isn't gonna cut it.”

“It’s the truth, though.” Peter interjects.

“Zip it, troublemaker.”

“He needs help, George, he really does. He’s always had a bit of a temper but it's never been to this extent.” Aunt May pleaded with the man.

“I understand that. I know it’s been hard on you two since Ben passed, especially on Peter but we can’t keep doing this.”

“Is there really nothing else you can do?” Aunt May pleaded with him.

Captain Stacy sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Maybe I can get him a counselor or something, a therapist even.”

“Would you be up to that, Peter?” Aunt May turned to him and asked.

“Huh? Uh, yeah. Sure. Whatever. Can I go now?”

Captain Stacy turns over to Peter, glares at him and says “You’re lucky my daughter thinks you're cute.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m adorable. Can we get this over with?” He said sarcastically, raising his handcuffed hand up. “I got places to be.”

“Where exactly?” Aunt May asked suspiciously. “You’ve all but flunked out of school and I know you don't exactly have many friends.”

‘...Ouch. That actually kind of hurt. Damn.’

“Would you believe me if I said I had a date?” Peter asked as Captain Stacy uncuffed him.

“I’m sorry but no.”

“Too bad, it's the truth.” He said as he got to his feet and walked to the door.

“I didn’t hear anything from Gwen about a date.” Captain Stacy said, sounding confused.

“Wasn’t Gwen who asked me out.”

“Then who?” Aunt May asked.

“No one, I asked Carlie out.”

“ Cooper ?” They actually both asked in sync.

“No, Rae Jepsen.” Peter responded sarcastically. “Of course I’m talking about Carlie Cooper.”

“Oh, boy. Gwen isn't gonna like that.”

“Please, it’s a crush. It’ll pass.” Peter said before finally walking out the office.

‘Thank god, didn't think I’d ever get out of there. I mean, seriously, I love Aunt May but do I really need therapy? I’m perfectly fine other than getting into the occasional fistfight or pickpocketing wallets… Okay, she doesn't know about the second one but still. I am perfectly well adjusted.’

Immediately after finishing that though, he accidentally crashed into someone, making them drop a pile of files and folders onto the floor.

“Crap, sorry.” Peter apologized, getting down to help pick up the dropped paperwork.

“It’s okay, Don't worry about it.” They said.

Peter looked up to hand some papers to them but was pleasantly surprised to see who it was.

“Oh! Hey, Carlie.” He said with a smile.

“Hey, Pete.” She responded, smiling back.

“Helping your dad down in the lab?”

“More or less. You?”

“Can’t tell from the…” He trailed off, pointing at the bruises and bandages on his smirking face.

“Didn’t notice, I was too enamored by your eyes.” She said jokingly.

“Hey, hey. I’m the flirty one here.” Peter responded lightheartedly, pointing a finger at her.

Carlie gave a small laugh which was apparently contagious as Peter started laughing too.

“Anyway, I should get these to Detective DeWolff.” 

“Yeah, sure. Go ahead.” Peter said, getting out of her way. “We still up for dinner?”

“Not if you’re dressed like that.” Carlie joked as she walked passed him.

“Like a cool guy?”

“Like an e-boy.”

‘E-boy!?’ Peter thought, offended as he walked into the elevator, looking down at his clothes.

Black and white Converse sneakers, black socks, black ripped jeans held up by a black leather belt, black My Hero Academia shirt that he actually did get from Hot Topic, and a few chains here and there.

The fact that he buys from Hot Topic probably should've been enough.

‘Crap, I am dressed like an e-boy.’ He realized. ‘All I’m missing is a fuck ass haircut.’ He thought as he combed his fingers through his hair. Though, his hair was already naturally curly. All he would've needed to get was an undercut.

2 Hours Later, Mall.

‘Nope, nope, nope, definitely not, nope…” Peter repeated in his head as he sifted through the clearance bin of a clothing store. ‘These are definitely here for a reason.’

“Pete?” Someone called out to him from the side, garnering his attention.

“Hey, Gwen.” He greeted her before going back to sifting through clothes.

“What are you doing?”

“Carlie said I dress like an e-boy so I’m getting some new clothes.”

“That wasn’t intentional?” She wasn't being sarcastic with that question, she genuinely thought that. “You were the one that told me I dressed like an e-girl.”

“You were going through a phase.”

“You think you’re not going through a phase?”

“Phase? What ‘phase’?”

“I mean, you’ve been ditching school, getting into fights, and you’ve grown a habit of randomly disappearing out of nowhere. Hell, Flash still carries a bat around in case you” and she used air quotes here. “Ever showed his nerdy mug around here ever again.”

That actually got Peter to stop and think about it for a moment. ‘Crap, am I going through a phase?’

“Okay, even if I am going through a phase then it’ll pass, right? I’d eventually grow out of it.”

“If you wanna graduate then you better grow out of it fast, Pete.”

“Please, I’m still top of the class, aren’t I?” He asked arrogantly.

“Not since I took over that spot.” She responded proudly.

“Wha- Seriously?! When?!” Peter asked in complete shock, turning back to her.

“This morning.”

“Oh, no, no, no, no, no. I’m not letting you beat me.”

“Whatever you say, second place.” She said with an eye roll before turning around and walking away.

Peter gave a chuckle before looking down and realizing he still had to get new clothes.

“Crap. Hey, wait a minute! Gwen! Help me out here!” He yelled, jogging towards her.

2 And A Half Hours Later, Parker Household.

For the past while, Peter’s been trying out different outfits in front of a mirror with the help of Gwen.

First, they decided to go ‘old-school’, so to speak. Brown loafers, blue slacks, a white button up under a black vest, a red bowtie, and even his old square framed glasses.

“You look like a nerd.”

“More or less than you do?”

“I look like a nerd?”

“Crap, you didn’t know?”

Gwen glared at him for a moment before giving her answer. “More, I guess.”

“That’s a no go, then.”

“I didn’t say it was bad. It actually looks pretty good.”

“Yeah but I’m not going back to being a nerd.”

Second, something more casual. The same loafers, blue jeans, and a green and white polo shirt with a blue line across the middle.

“I think I’ve seen a picture of my dad in an outfit like this once.”

“He dressed nicely, then.”

“Not feeling this one, though.”

“Too bad.”

Currently, something a little more comfortable. Black and white sneakers, brown pants, and a gray long sleeve shirt under a blue T-shirt.

“So…?” Peter asked, standing in front of Gwen with a set of new clothes he bought earlier.

Okay, technically Gwen paid for them but he’ll pay her back.

Eventually.

Maybe in a few years.

Probably.

“Hmmm…” Gwen, sat on his bed, hummed in thought, looking him up and down, trying to make her judgment. “It’s… not bad.”

“But not good either.”

“No, it’s just kinda boring. What was wrong with what you usually wear?” 

“I already told you, Carlie said I looked like an e-boy.”

“What's wrong with that?”

“I dunno, just felt kinda wrong.”

“So you’re not going back to that look?”

“Nah.”

“Shame, I kind of liked it.”

“You sure you’re out of your goth phase?” Peter asked sarcastically as he looked at himself in the mirror, Gwen just smiling and rolling her eyes at him.

“What are we even picking outfits for, exactly?”

Peter froze at the question. Probably not the best idea to tell her about the date. ‘Crap, I gotta think of something fast.’

“I got a date.”

‘FUCK.’

“Wait, seriously? With who!?”

Peter sighed as he pressed his head against his mirror, dreading whatever type of reaction Gwen would have. “Uh, Carlie. I'm going out with Carlie.”

“Oh.”

…

Silence.

Just a solid thirty or so seconds of complete and utter and kind of awkward silence.

Peter turned back to her, his confusion completely evident on his face.

“What?” She asked.

“Nothing, just expected a bigger reaction.”

“Why?”

“I dunno, I just thought you had a thing for me.”

Gwen’s eyes widened with surprise as she flew off his bed onto her feet. “YOU KNEW!?” She yelled, loud enough to make Peter flinch.

“Uh, yeah?” He responded nervously.

“You knew I was into you and you still asked Carlie out!?” She asked, furious at him.

“I-I mean, it’s just a crush, right?

“Oh, don't give me that crap. You’re smarter than I am, Peter.”

‘Oh, craaaaaaap. She only calls me Peter when she's mad.’ He thought to himself. “I didn't think it was that big of a big deal.”

“It was to me! I’ve been in love with you for years!”

“Seriousl-Wait, in love?”

“Yes, you dumbass!”

“And what do you mean by ‘years’? We met last year.”

And the next thing he knew, Gwen slapped him in the face, hard enough to leave a red, stinging mark.

After that, they were just frozen. They went quiet again. No words, not even any actions.

After that, Gwen grabbed her bag and stormed out but not without saying “Good luck with your date.” with great pain in her voice.

After she left, Peter stayed frozen, still quiet, not even any thoughts going through his head.

He brings his hand up to where Gwen slapped him, feeling how warm it was and how much it still hurt.

He eventually broke the silence with just five words.

“I’m a piece of shit.”

An hour later, Ditko’s Diner.

“You okay, Pete?” Carlie asked the clearly distracted Peter, who had settled on the first outfit but without the glasses, bowtie, and with the sleeves rolled up.

“Hm? Yeah, why?” He answered, putting his attention on her.

“You’ve been staring at that box of napkins for the past five minutes so either something's up with you or that's a really interesting box.”

Peter looked at the aforementioned box of tissues with a raised brow, picked it up and looked around it, sarcastically saying “It is actually a very nice box.”

It got a small laugh from Carlie but she immediately went back to being serious and back on topic. “Seriously, Pete. If something's up, you can tell me.”

Peter placed the box back down and clicked his tongue. “Nothing gets past you, does it.”

“Not in a million years, no.” It was Peter’s turn to laugh this time. “Spill, what's up?”

Peter brought his hands together and rested his head on them by his forehead, like he was praying. “It’s Gwen.”

“Oh, God. What happened?” Carlie asked worriedly.

“I kinda let it slip that we were going out…”

“And?”

“...And that I knew that she was into me.”

“Oh crap, Peter.” She said sympathetically. “She didn’t take it well, did she?”

“No, no she did not.”

“Did you apologize at least?”

“No, she stormed out when I tried to explain myself.”

“Oh, no.”

“After she slapped me.”

“Oh God, no.”

“And telling me that she was actually ‘in love’ with me.”

“Oh dear God, no.”

“And that it was for years, apparently.”

“Oh dear fucking God, no.”

“Yeah, things are not looking good.”

“They really, really aren’t.”

“God, what do I do?” He said in a desperate tone.

“Start by actually apologizing.”

“I feel like I’m gonna make things worse.”

“You might.”

“You gonna help me?”

“Of course.”

“Might get awkward.’

“Very but I’ve dealt with worse.”

“You’ve dealt with something worse than teenage drama?”

“My dad once thought it was a good idea to bring a seven year old me to the police morgue.”

“Jesus.”

“Yeah, he got an earful from mom.”

“You had fun, at least?”

“Surprisingly, other than the smell, yeah. It was pretty fun.”

“Still think it’ll be better than what we’ll have to face?”

“Could be.”

“We should do it as soon as possible.”

“Tomorrow, though. We’re still on a date.”

“Yeah, of course.”

Chapter Text

June, 2024. Queens, New York.

‘Why is everyone staring?’ Peter thought to himself as he stood out at the front entrances of Midtown High, waiting for Gwen to arrive.

For the past like, five or so minutes, people have been staring at him and giving him weird looks while they walked into school. Some with curiosity, others with hostility, the rest just didn't give a shit.

‘Is it my clothes?’ No, he was dressed casually. A bit like a hipster with the Converse sneakers, blue jeans, a white shirt under red flannel, and his glasses but nothing that would really stick out.

‘My face, then?’ No, he got the bandages removed last night after his date with Carlie.

‘Maybe it’s the fact that I’ve been gone for like, three weeks after busting Flash’s nose.’

…

Dumbass.

Speaking of which.

“PARKER!” Flash yelled as he swung a metal bat at Peter’s head, only missing and hitting the wall behind him after he ducked under it.

“Okay, now that just seems a tad bit excessive.” Peter said nonchalantly as he backed away a few steps.

“SHUT UP!” Flash screamed as he just kept swinging (missing) at Peter, the latter just dodging each hit without a care in the world.

“Right, but before I do, have you seen Gwen around? I kind of got into a little fight with her and I’m trying to apologize.”

“I SAID SHUT UP!” Flash didn't listen or care about what Peter said, he just kept on swinging his bat.

“Okay, why do you even have that? You’re a football player. I guess a football would've been less threatening to wave around. A little stupider though, which does fit your style.”

Unbeknownst to either of the two, a crowd had formed around to watch them… I wouldn't say fight, just kind of flailing around aimlessly on Flash’s end while Peter was fucking with him.

However, two members of that crowd were teachers.

They did absolutely nothing to ease the situation.

Pretty typical for a public school in New York, though,

“Parker’s back?” Mr. Romita asked his co-worker before taking a sip of his coffee.

“Seems like it.” Mr. Kane answered, sounding a little uninterested.

“Who started the fight this time?”

“Thompson.”

“Makes sense. Parker really gave him the business last time.”

“Yeah.” Mr. Kane said with a laugh. “I still watch that video every now and then.”

“You think it's odd we think about our students like this?”

“Yes but I also think it's odd that we work at a school named ‘Midtown High’ in Forest Hills, Queens.”

“Fair enough.”

Back to the actual… again, not really a fight, Flash was beginning to slow down while Peter still got a pep in his step.

“We should really get going before we’re late.” Peter told the heaving jock.

“Hah! Not- Hah!- Not yet, P-Puny Parker.” Flash said through his tired panting.

“Y’know what.” Peter said before patting Flash on the back. “You do you. I’m going in.”

“This- Jesus, I can't breathe- This isn't over!”

“Sure it’s not.” Peter said sarcastically as he walked away and entered the school. “See you around, Eugene!" That final statement got a few chuckles from the other students.

Not even a few steps into the school, the PA system goes off.

“Mr. Parker, please report to the principal's office. I repeat, Mr. Parker, please report to the principal's office.”

And to that, Peter only had one reaction.

“FUCK!”

“I heard that.”

Thankfully, the door to the principal's office was literally right next to him, close to the entrance.

Peter walked in and was met with the school principal, Mr. Lowe.

No duy, of course he’d see him there.

“Mr. Parker, nice of you to finally come to class.” He said with a hint of sarcasm.

“Technically haven't been to class yet since you called me in here.” Peter responded as he took a seat.

“True but you might not be going to class today… or ever again.”

“Shit, am I getting expelled.”

“Depends. Do you plan on skipping class for another month?”

“Well, it hasn't really been a whole month and I didn't really plan on skipping school.”

“Parker.”

“Right, sorry.”

“So, would you like to keep coming here or not?”

“Don't you also need to talk to my aunt about this?”

“I already did, two weeks ago.”

“How did that go?”

“Answer my damn question, Parker. Are you in or are you out?”

“You sound like you’re trying to recruit me into something.”

“Parker!” Mr. Lowe yelled, making Peter flinch a bit.

Pussy.

“Jeez, fine. Yeah, I’m staying in school.”

“Good. Now, get to class.”

“Shouldn't I be punished or something? I did just miss three weeks of school.”

“You already have been, you’ve been scored a zero on every test given while you were gone.”

“...Y’know, I was actually sick on some of those days-”

“Get to fucking class.”

“Fine.”

Damn, that was quick. Don’t think even a couple minutes have passed.

And it's a small school so it didn't take long to get to the classroom.

“Mr. Parker, nice of you to show up.” Their homeroom teacher, Mrs. Pichelli, greeted him.

“Uh-huh.” Was his only response before heading to his seat next to Gwen- Shit, hey. He found her. “Sup, nerd?” He greeted her as if last night didn't happen, only to get nothing in response.

God, this is gonna be a long day.

5 Hours Later, Midtown High Cafeteria.

Y’know, that actually wasn’t half bad.

I mean, it was boring as hell but it wasn't terrible.

Now, it’s lunch, most kids’ favorite time at school.

Not Peter, though. As much of a delinquent he's turned to, he’s still a nerd at heart.

After getting a tray of what honestly should be legally considered biohazard the school board somehow masked to look like a slice of pizza, fries, and a hotdog, he scanned the area and searched for a table.

He would've been fine with an empty one but as fate would have it, there were none.

Gwen, though, was sitting alone.

Taking his chance, he walked over and sat down right across from her.

“Before you say anything, there are literally no other tables.”

“What about that one?” She asked, gesturing to the gross table across the room.

“I’d rather fall into a vat of live spiders than sit there.”

“That would probably be safer too.” She joked, the both of them giving a small laugh.

“Okay, what was that? What is this?”

“What?”

“You gave me the silent treatment a few hours ago and now we're all buddy-buddy again.”

“Sorry, man. I was still processing.”

“Okay.” Peter said before taking a bite of his pizza. “You still processing or are you stuck and need a reboot?”

“Are you calling me a robot or a computer?”

“Either one works as long as your cooling system’s working.” He said, Gwen just looking at him confused. “I’m asking if you’ve cooled down.”

“Oh, yeah. I have.”

“Good, cuz I’d rather not walk around with another slap print on my face.” He joked but she just cringed.

Not at the joke, she cringed at the slap.

“God, I’m really sorry about that.”

“Don’t be, I deserved it. I should be the one apologizing.”

“No, I completely overreacted.”

“I mean, you did overreact but you were right to be angry.”

“People normally disagree when someone says they overreacted.”

“I’m not gonna lie to my best friend and, like I said, you were in the right.”

“That’s some conflicting logic there but really, I should've been happy about you and Carlie. How was the date, by the way?”

“It was great but do you really wanna hear about it?”

“Yeah, why wouldn't I?”

“Cuz it sounds a little cuck-y.” He said jokingly.

“It’s not cuck-y.” She said defensively.

“You’re asking your crush to tell you about his hot date, it sounds pretty cuck-y.”

“Did things actually get hot?”

“Do you hear yourself?”

“No, yeah. I’m hearing it back in my head. It did sound a little cuck-y.”

While they were talking and without any sort of warning, someone suddenly decided to rest and lean on Peter’s head.

“You two sound like you're having a really interesting conversation.” Liz Allan said.

“‘Interesting’ how?”

“Depends. You two fuck yet?”

At that, Gwen blushed while Peter just made a face.

“Ew.” Was his reaction.

“”Ew”?” Was Gwen’s.

Shit.

Realizing his mistake, Peter started to panic and ramble. “Not fucking you, I mean. That wouldn’t be gross at all. You’re very beautiful, gorgeous even. I’d do it in a heartbeat.” Okay, now that just made it worse. “NOT that I actually would, obviously. I have a girlfriend and we’re not dating or anything despite your feelings-” Now he's just being a dumbass. “Y’know what? Why don't I start over?” He reaches his hand forward for a handshake. “Hey, I’m Nice. Peter to meet you- Fuck!”

Liz, still on Peter's head, started to laugh. “Hahahahahaha! Oh, I miss this.” She said, wiping away a tear.

“Anything else you wanted to tell us?” Gwen asked, still a little red from Liz's question.

“Yeah. Remember my brother?” She said, sitting down next to Peter and steaking some his fries.

“The gambling addict?”

“Peter.” Gwen said in a scolding tone.

“Nah, he's right. My brother has a problem.”

“Okay, what about him?” Peter asked.

“He actually managed to win something last night but it was 3 tickets to Reed Richards’ new science fest or whatever it was.” She said, pulling them out of her pocket. “You two want them?”

“There a catch?”

“I’m giving all three so you have to find a plus 1.”

Peter and Gwen quickly gave eachother a look of a greement before turning back to Liz.

“Deal.” They said in unison.

“Sweet.” Liz said as Peter grabbed the tickets from her hands and stuffing them into his pockets. “See you two dorks around.”

“Correction, we're nerds. Not dorks.”

“I thought you relinquished your nerd title.”

“Shit, right. Make that a nerd and a dickhead.”

“At least you're self aware.”