The Party
Peter stood on the side walk, back against a street lamp as he scrolled through his phone.
Steph and Duke had both said they would pick him up at his location which was nice considering Peter was back to living in his car until the semester started.
It had been crappy sleeping in the boot with the back seats down, it hurt his back and there was this one section in the middle that had a small know sticking up from where the seatbelt usually clicked in. It didn't help that he tended to starfish in his sleep. Something that Peter always use to comically deny when he would squish in between Aunt May and Uncle Ben when he was little.
Even after he grew older, on the hard nights where his brain was filled with nightmares and grief he would see into Aunt May's bed and cuddle up to her like he did when he was a kid. He would then wake up to her running her hands through his hair mumbling about being woken up by a nasty kick to the side. When Peter denied I she would smile and apologise for kicking herself in the ribs while Peter was right there spread out, taking up the whole bed.
It always made tough nights better.
He snapped back to a couple honks before he watches a red sedan.
Despite Steph being in the passenger seat Peter could see her hand on the car horn, she honks one more before yelling out into the cold night. "Get in loser, We're going shopping!"
"No we aren't!" Duke chimes in.
Peter smiles slightly before he jogs to the backseat.
"You know the reference right? I didn't just unintentionally insult you?" Steph asks as she flips open the mirror in the sun visor above her, making eye contact with Peter and letting out a wink as she applies another coat of lip gloss.
Peter rolls his eyes, "Don't worry, I know the reference."
Duke nods. "Good, I would literally ditch this party to watch the movie with you if you didn't."
Duke pulls off the curb.
"We still can." Peter shrugs. However, Steph wiggles her eyebrows in the mirror, still looking at Peter with a cheeky grin. "Nu, uh. I can't get laid in a movie theatre."
Duke scoffs, "Knowing you Steph, you probably could if you tried hard enough."
Steph hums before she slides the mirror shut. "You're right." Then as Duke continues to drive forward, Steph unclicks her seatbelt. Peter listens to it whizz before watching with wide eyes as Steph gets up from her seat and starts to awkwardly climb over the console into the backseat.
"Jesus Christ, Steph!" Duke reprimands as Steph lifts a heel to scurry into the back.
Peter just watches with raised eyebrows, not sure what to do.
A heeled foot suddenly flies towards Duke's face as he changes gears. He bats it away. "You're gonna poke an eye out!"
"Sorry not sorry!" Steph gleams, Duke comes to a sudden stop at a red light, making Dteph fly forward and Peter lean in to grab her before her face flies into the seat. As she finally makes her way to the back-seat, she sighs heavily. “Whoo! Thanks Pete for the save!” Then she sits next to Peter and puts her seatbelt on.
"Hey again, handsome." Steph smirks as she bats her eyelashes teasingly.
Duke sighs. "Steph what are you doing?" He asks from the front seat, making a turn which causes Steph to fly into Peter.
"Getting laid.” “She’s joking!” Duke calls out in a panic. “No I’m not!” Steph responds with a smirk. “Stephanie!” “He hasn’t told me to stop yet so hush and focus on the road." She scolds Duke before turning back to Peter. "Love the jacket. Where did you get it?"
The jacket was made of leather, it was something Mr. Stark's use to wear when working on different suits. He passed it down to Peter after Peter “Achieved what I never could.” Mr Stark had said.
Peter still didn’t know what it was too this day. He probably never will.
"Thanks, it was given to me."
"Whoever they are, I have to send my regards. They have excellent taste." Steph smirks. “Makes you almost mouthwatering.”
"He didn’t. His wife did, but he use to just wear what he wanted.” Peter admits with a sad smile.
It's quiet for a moment in the car, before suddenly Steph says "Welp, at least you're putting it to use, better then in the dude's grave."
Peter's mouth drops meanwhile Duke gasps.
The car awkwardly jolts in the man’s shock.
"STEPH! What the hell?" Duke screeches, absolutly flabbergasted. "We talked about this! That's not Jason!" Then Duke glances at Peter from over his shoulder for barely a second before looking back at the road. "I am so sorry, she tends to get a little too honest after a couple glasses."
Peter shrugs and even though the joke was dark he let's out a small huff of air with a grin. Mr Stark would have agreed with what she had said. Probably would have high fives the stranger. Steph reminds him so much of MJ, it hurts.
"It's fine...she kinda has a point. Can't deprive the world of this style." Then Peter scrunches his face. "Who's Jason?" He asks curiously.
"My step-brother."
"A sexy asshole."
Peter nods at their answers, taking Steph's with a pinch of salt.
"Bloody hell, Steph." Duke sighs, "We really do need to get you laid. He would punch you if he heard you say that."
"For calling him an asshole?" Peter asks, but Duke shakes his head, "For calling him sexy."
She shrugs, "Think he would choke me if I called him daddy?"
"Okay, moving on." Duke calls out. It’s quiet for barely three seconds before Steph blurts out. “Why don’t we ditch the party and just all...like...fuck each other..” “Oh god.” Duke groans, “Not again.” Not again, huh? “Like, lets have a threesome. Check it off the bucket list.” Steph nods as if her idea was groundbreaking. "Just five minutes, Peter. Then I promise you, we will be able to escape this nightmare."
Peter didn’t care, despite Duke’s suffering he was mildly amused. He was learning just how open Steph was and her personality is great.
"You should be begging to spend time with me, praising the ground I walk on." Steph mutters as she flips her blonde curls over her shoulder.
"I don't know, after tonight you might be crawling instead, you have always been a lightweight."
"I know," Steph mutters, annoyed. "I'm working on it."
"No you aren't." Duke says, as if he is dealing with a toddler.
Steph turns to him with a smirk as she leans forward. "Maybe I should call you daddy instead, trying to dominate me, huh."
"Maybe you should drink some water." Duke responds as he opens the middle console and blindly grabs a bottle of water before tossing it towards Steph.
Despite being tipsy, Steph catches it easily before chucking it on the floor. "Can't, it would ruin my vibe."
"This is going to be a long night." Duke mumbles and Peter can't help but agree.
-------
The party is in full swing when the three arrive. Peter was actually surprised with how many people were there.
It was quiet cramped but there was enough room where you could move around and talk in small groups.
There were random cups scattered around along with small things to nibble in the side of the room.
Bright LED lights were hung from the ceiling and walls and people were walking around in different states of dress.
“Aww, they don’t have the paddle pool this year.” Steph sulks.
“Didn’t you tell me someone filled it with whiskey?” Duke asks. Steph nods. “Yeah, it was great, sticky though.
Peter glances at the girl. “You’ve been here before?”
Steph grins. “Yeah, this is basically the party for the start of the year. The opening to college. I’m a second year. So I went last year and snuck in once with my friend.”
Duke raises an eyebrow. “Wasn’t that the same night you got arrested for pissing on someone’s tire?”
Steph shakes her head. “No, that was when I went to the club. I remember that because I found someone’s wallet in the bathroom.”
She turns to Peter. “500 bucks in it with no ID. Best puke I ever had.”
“Bloody hell. I’m getting second hand embarrassment.” Duke says as he rubs his temples.
“Yeah, you feel that. I’m getting a drink.”
Duke watches the woman slip away before grabbing Peters hand, “I’m driving so feel free to join her if you want.” He grins as he tugs Peter along and follows after Steph.
—————
"Oooh, whatcha drinking?" Steph asks a random stranger. She was way past tipsy at this point, laughing at everything. Including the sound the fridge made when she closed it. It takes her a few tries but she eventually grabs the red, solo, cup out of the man’s hand.
Peter goes to grab the cup but Duke stops him by putting a hand on his chest. "She’s fine, trust me."
Peter hesitates but stands back and watches as Steph takes a large gulp from the cup.
She nods her head "Mmm, pure rebel. I would know pure vodka anywhere. What would Dick say?" She chides with a grin as she slaps the man lightly on the chest.
He had a loose black buttoned shirt on, the buttons were undone to the bottom of his sternum, showing some chest and his broad shoulders. A belt was tightly around his slim waist and his black ripped jeans pulled the look together.
The stranger just stared at her blankly, his eyes were a forest green, almost glowing from the party lights and his skin was beautifully golden. The top of his raven, black, hair was slicked back while the sides were cut short to the skull, there were a few stray wisps that framed his defined face and sharp cheekbones that could slit throats.
Peter immediately noticed the piercings all along the man’s ear, including the one in the cuff of the man’s ear that had a silver chain connecting to the second in his lobe.
Peter carefully studies the relationship between the two. Steph was smiling while the man looks as if he would rather be anywhere else.
“I taught him well.” She says to Peter as she takes another gulp of the vodka, the man finally speaks. His tone deep and husky, it caused Peter to bite his lip with a raised eyebrow at how deep it was.
"It's water."
Steph immediately spits the water back into the cup and Duke shouts a laugh. Meanwhile Peter focuses on the small slither of silver he saw on the man’s tongue.
Maybe he can get drunk.
"What the he'll, I failed you! Oh my god! You’re...” her face scrunches, “a party pooper.” She looks on the verge of tears. “I'm going to have to have like...eight shots to make up for this." Steph wails, but before she can reach for another cup, the stranger grabs her wrist. "I agree, eight shots of water coming right up."
He then drags her away while Steph complains about the man ruining her vibe.
Peter leans into Duke, his voice low as he whispers. "Should we go help her?"
Duke shakes his head with a smirk. "Nah, the only danger she is in is a lecture on the dangers of drinking."
Peter hums before he watches the stranger grabs a shot glass before going to the sink to fill it up. Then he passed it to Steph who throws it back while talking animatedly. The man just nods along, continuing to give her shot glass after shot glass of water.
At one stage Steph leans back slightly too much and with out even flinching with reflexes as quick as lighting he reaches over grabs the cuff of Stephanie shirt and drags her forward, saving her and her seat from tumbling.
Then just like before he shoves the shot glass of water back into Steph hand and the process continues.
“Wow.” Peter mutters at the display.
“Yeah, at least we aren’t on babysitting duty anymore.”
“Are you sure?” Peter asks concerned.
Duke nods, “Yeah, he will watch her.” Peter licks his lip before letting Duke tug him away.
He trusts that Duke knows more then him on the situation and if Duke trusts this person around Steph then Peter will too.
Duke drags him over to another group of people sitting in a circle.
“Hey! Bernard! This is Peter!”
The man turns towards Peter.
“Hey! Nice to meet ya.” He calls over the loud music.
Peter nods back. “You also!” He awkwardly days before taking a sip of his drink.
Peter studies Bernard. He had a red cardigan over a white shirt and bright ginger hair with freckles splattered across his cheeks.
His eyeliner was sharp and slightly smudged under his eyes. Peter also noticed a necklace around his neck with a dog tag attached along with a plain, silver ring.
“Remember Tim? The guy I mentioned with the comics?” Duke asks Peter who nods. He vaguely remembers Duke mentioning Tim.
“This is his ex.” Duke smiles, almost proud of the fact.
“Oh geez.” Bernard sighs as he slaps his forehead. “Why do you always introduce me to people like that?” He asks as he rolls his eyes.
Duke laughs. “Steph started it.” Then Duke turns back to Peter. “Steph is also Tim’s ex.”
Bernard rolls his eyes. “Speaking off, where is that girl?”
“Little D has her.” Duke responds as he takes a sip of his lemonade. Peter felt slightly bad about considering he can’t even get drunk.
Bernard cringes. “Poor woman.”
Duke laughs. “She is getting shots of water, he will have her sober in a heartbeat.”
“Hey Bernard! We’re playing truth or dare!” Someone yelled as they grabbed Bernard’s bicep to turn him towards them.
Peter glances at the newcomer, raising an eyebrow when they make eye contact.
The man looks at him curiously. Peter realises that he looks similar to Bernard, short red hair, freckles along his face and sky blue eyes.
All of a sudden the man grins. “Hey! I’m Bart! What’s your name? I’m studying Science and Technology, What are you studying?”
Before Peter can reply, Bart tilts his head. “Are you a freshman? You look like a freshman. I’m a Junior. Want to play truth or dare?”
Then he glances at Duke. “Oh, hi Duke.”
Then he looks back at Peter, his mouth opens again but before he can say anything Peter rushes in. “I’m Peter.”
Bart pauses before speaking again. “Oh yeah! Nice to meet you! I’m Bart. You already knew that though.”
Then he grins “Sorry, I talk a lot, anyway want to play truth or dare?”
Before Peter can speak he is being dragged away by the bright ball of energy.
He looks behind him at Duke and Bernard who are both grinning.
Eventually, Peter was taken to a group of people, some where sitting on the couch while others littered the floor in the form of a messy circle.
“Hey guys! This is Peter!” Bart introduces as he takes a seat in the floor dragging Peter along.
“I also brought Duke and Ber...nard” Bart awkwardly finishes as he looks behind him to see the two of them still talking in the corner. Then he shrugs, “Don’t worry Peter, I’ll take care of you.” He smiles before he flings an arm over Peter’s shoulder.
Peter just nods, completely unconfident in that statement.
Then he looks at the group who start to introduce themselves in a random order.
There is a empty glass bottle in the middle on a table.
“The rules are as always. If you choose truth, you are asked a question. If you choose dare, you are given a challenge.”
“What’s the repercussions of not doing it?”
Bart grins, wide with teeth on display. “You have to send a sext to your ex.”
“I’ll start!” A girl that introduced herself as Sofia says. She spins the bottle, her fake nails long with colourful roses painted on each one.
It lands on a guy with long black hair tied into a ponytail. Who was sitting next to Bart, he was leaning back on his hands with his legs crossed in front of him. “Aye, Alex. Truth or dare.”
Alex tilts his head until he stares at the ceiling before looking at her with a smirk, “Dare.”
Sofia bites her lip in thought before grinning.
“Oh no,” Alex groans.
Bart leans in and whispers quietly. “She’s known for more...sexual choices.”
She leans forward and clasps her hands together. “I dare you to send the link of your favourite spicy video to the most recent group chat on your phone.”
Alex rubs the bridge of his nose. “It’s the family group chat. I know it is.”
Sofia leans back, “You the type to pull out?” She smirks.
Alex shakes his head. A moment later a moan comes from his phone.
“Bloody hell, you got that up quick.” Bart comments.
Alex just shrugs, “She said my favourite.”
Then after another moment he turns the phone towards Sofia who nods her head.
“Completed.” She says as she nods her head with respect. “Good choice by the way.”
“Why, thank you. Hope the fam agrees.” He mutters as he reaches over to spin the bottle. It lands on a guy across from him.
“Sammy, Sammy, Sammy.” Alex repeats happily. His face a menacing grin.
Bart leans over again to Peter. “Sammy made Alex get a Brazilian wax last time and Alex still complains about the pain.”
“Truth or dare buddy?”
“Truth.” Sammy replies.
“Coward!” Bart grins, however Sammy just rolls his eyes and flips Bart of with a laugh.
“I only have so much pride left!” Sammy shoots back.
Alex just smirks, “What happened after the concert last year when you disappeared?”
“Oh Jesus Christ, I thought we agreed to never mention that. I can’t even lie because you’re bloody here.”
Alex shrugs, “The second I felt the skin rip of my nuts I changed my mind.”
“Oh fuck sake.” Sammy starts before he sighs.
A girl named Emily leans forward eagerly while Sofia rests her head on her hands.
“So...” Sammy starts. “Last year some buddies and I went to a concert. It was the middle of summer, hot as hell.”
“Concert was great, it ended around 11pm so we decided to head downtown towards a local bar.”
“We have a couple drinks and eventually I drift away from the group. Next thing I know it’s pitch black and I’m surrounded by bushes. I feel something dripping on my face.” Sammy runs a hand down his face as he sighs in defeat.
“I look up and mutter ‘It’s raining.’ Completely shocked cause again, it’s the middle of summer.”
“I hear a shriek and look over to see a guy with his junk out. Turns out he was taking a piss and didn’t see me.” Sammy goes red. “The splatter was landing all over my face.”
Bart belts out a laugh while Emily cringes.
Meanwhile Sofia covers her mouth, hiding a grin. Peter just raises his eyebrows.
“Crap, that must have sucked.” Emily mutters.
Sammy just nods, then he reaches over to spin the bottle. It lands directly on Peter.
“Peter! Welcome to the group.” He smirks, “Truth or Dare, my guy?”
Peter goes to pick dare but then glances at Alex out of the corner of his eye, remembering the Brazilian wax. “Uh...truth.” He stumbles.
Sammy stares at Peter, lips pushed forward into a pout. He seems to be studying Peter, considering him. Then he finally speaks up. “If you could go back in time, would you?”
“Yes.” Was all Peter said.
Alex whistles, “Wow, answered as fast as Bart.”
Sofia then nudges Sammy with her shoe. “Why such a boring question? You look that up on the wiki?”
Sammy shrugs. “I like to get to know people before I start asking them whether they wipe sitting or standing.” Then he smiles, “Plus, it’s a great question to get to know someone.”
Emily then chimes in. “But that’s so bland. In reality you would have to take other things into consideration.” She starts to list things on her fingers. “How far back can you go? Can you change the past? Do you remember the future? So many considerations.”
“Fine.” Sammy mutters. “Peter, if you could go back two years into the past, can change it but can’t remember the future, would you?”
Peter pauses, thinking. He considers his answers, starts to weigh them in his head.
Before he said yes so quickly, so confidently, but now? With these things to consider?”
“No.” He answers.
“Why not?” Emily asks, intrigued.
However Bart steps in. “Nuh uh. It’s truth or dare. He answered his truth. Next please.”
Bart then pats Peter on the shoulder. “Your turn.”
Peter moves forward and spins the bottle, it lands between where Alex sits on the floor and Emily sits on the couch, before they could debate who should go Duke arrives.
He sits right where the bottle is pointing on the arm of the couch. “Looks like it’s my turn. Gimme it, Peter.”
Peter smiles. “Truth or dare?”
Duke looks at him carefully. “Hypothetically, would my dare require me to stand up?”
“Probably.” Peter answers.
Duke sighs dramatically, “Then truth, I suppose.”
Peter bites his lip, then a single thought comes to his mind. “At the cafe, why were you so open with me?”
Peter didn’t know whether it was out of pity or because of how he was acting. It had bugged at his mind since they had the conversation, how Duke could be so open about something so traumatic with a random guy he just met.
Duke smiles sadly, eyes all knowing at the thoughts swirling in Peter’s brain.
“Honestly?” He asks.
“Honestly.” Peter pleads.
Duke just continues to smile. “You needed someone to be truthful with you. I don’t usually talk about it but I just knew that I could trust you with my words, to consider them and not use it against me.”
He looks Peter straight in the eye. “You needed honesty. True honesty that the world was dark for everyone, but also support and empathy. So that’s why.”
It’s quiet, then suddenly Sofia talks. “Wow. That sounded like the start of a rom-com.”
Duke grins while Bart giggles as he leans forward. Accidentally spilling his drink on his pants and the carpet.
But the whole time, Peter just stares at Duke, and when Duke meets his gaze again...
Peter smiles, truthfully.
—————
Duke and Peter finally find Steph and ‘Little D’ on the sofa.
Steph is passed out with her head in the man’s lap while the man just scrolls through his phone.
“Having fun?” Duke laughs at the two.
The man glares.
Someone with purple hair walks past and spots the two on the couch. “Aww what a lovely couple, taking care of your girlfriend.”
The man’s glare becomes indescribable. Peter can only compare it too death itself.
“She is a friend of the family that I am forced to spend my time with.” He scowls. “I would rather have my intestines pul-“
Duke slams his hand over the man’s mouth as the purple haired person stares.
“We are in public.” Duke scolds.
The man removes Duke’s hand then closes his eyes as if to compose himself. Then taking a deep breath he glances at the person.
“Apologies. I would rather die then date this...” The man glances at Duke out of the corner of his eye as Duke crosses his arms and leans forward, waiting.
“This...lady.”
The purpled haired stranger just nods. “No worries, she barely gets out through a strangled voice before she darts away.
The man looks at Duke, as if waiting for approval.
Duke stares then shrugs. “Eh, could be worse.”
Steph jerks awake, eyes blurry before she grins at the man. “Aww, I knew you cared.”
The man glares. “Watch it or I’ll shove you off.”
Steph laughs before going to stand, slightly woozy. “Wow, I’m really feeling it.”
As Steph wobbles slightly The man stands up to catch her, meanwhile Duke swoops in with quick reflexes.
“Piggyback ride?” Steph asked, already trying to grab Duke’s back but Duke just holds her still with an arm around her waist while he flops hers around his neck.
“No.” Was all he said.
“Lame.” She mumbles.
He then looks at the man, “You coming with us, Little D?”
Peter wasn’t sure if that was a nickname or street name or something. Maybe he just had an unfortunate birth certificate.
The man just barks a laugh at Duke as if he said something mind boggling before walking away back into the party.
“Oh yeah.” Duke reminds himself. “I forgot he can drive now.”
“Legally.” Steph says before giggling to herself as if she said the most funny thing in the world.
“You might need a bit more water before we leave.”
—————
“Don’t puke in my car.” Duke says as he pushes Steph into the back seat.
Steph sits, lazing back against the seats. “I won’t.”
Duke nods. “If you do, you’re paying for car cleaning.”
“We will see.” Steph mumbles as she rests her head under her arm.
Duke sighs, before nodding to the passenger seat. “In you get Peter.”
Peter hops in the front and puts his seatbelt on.
A moment passes before Duke gets in too, he puts his seatbelt on and then puts the key in the engine, the first thing Duke did once the car had started was reaching towards the radio.
“Any particular channel?” Duke asks.
Peter shakes his head, however Steph has other ideas.
“Not that stupid Jazz stuff.” She piped up before sitting straight in the middle seat.
“Ok.” Duke replies before turning on Jazz music.
“You are so annoying.” Steph groans, however Peter sees the faint smile she lets out as she whistles to the beat.
Duke starts to drive out and they just listen to the radio.
A couple minutes in, Steph speaks up. “Imma be sick.”
“No, really?” Duke asks as he frantically looks in the mirror towards where Steph is.
“Mhm Yeah.”
“Out the window!” Duke mutters before he winds down the window.
“What? No! Imagine it hits a windshield or something.” Steph grumbles.
Peter glances around desperately before he finally finds a place. “Uh...here!” He gasps, startled before he cups his hands together and holds it in front of Steph.
Steph looks at his hands, then at Peter before grinning. “You’re so cute.” She reaches out to pinch Peter’s cheek but misses by a mile, pinching the head rest instead. Then she leans back. “It’s fine though, I was joking.”
She smirks at Duke. “I just wanted to stress him out.”
“For fuck sake Steph. You’re so mean.” Duke mutters fondly at the blonde.
Steph rolls her eyes at Duke with a grin. “I’m not mean. You’re being dramatic.”
“You literally wrote ho, ho, ho in my Christmas card with an e at the end of each ho.” (Hoe, hoe, hoe.)
Steph snorts. “I know, I’m a comical genius.”
Then she pauses, “Ok I’m going to puke now.”
And all Peter heard until he was dropped off was Duke crying about the smell in his car and Steph bemoaning about her pain.
When Peter was finally dropped off, Steph day out and stuck her head out the window. “Bye!”
Peter waved with a raised eyebrow. “See ya, Steph, Duke.”
Finally he starts to walk around to his car, still parked right where he left it.
He opens the boot and climbs in, turning on the car light briefly he starts to dig through his bag for his charger.
He had two battery packs that lasted eight hours each. He only ever used to charge his phone, always making sure to re-charge them whenever possible.
He put his phone on charge and proceeded to check the time.
12:47am
He could already feel the exhaustion he was going to end up with in the morning. He had to head to the laundry mat and run errands. It was going to suck.
With one final sigh, he tucked the device down the side of his car so that no one could get to it without waking him.
Even though this was going to mess with his already crazy schedule, he couldn’t regret the night.
After all, He ended up with four new contacts and in a crazy group chat that basically texted non-stop. Lucky ‘Do not disturb’ was a thing.
Finally he turns off the car light and lays down in the boot. He wasn’t sure whether he was feeling content or numb.
It had been so long since he had cared about anything or anyone he couldn’t tell anymore.
Either way, for the first time in awhile he wasn’t dreading waking up the next morning.