And Your Hair Covered In Popcorn
It's been a little over month since Miguel's last emotional breakthrough and it's fair to say that he and Peter had gotten back into the swing of things. Peter finds himself showing up in Miguel's office more often and he finds himself bringing Mayday more often as well.
There's a unspoken understanding between the two that they're okay again and that everything's gone back to what they were but there's something different. Maybe that was because of the prolonged physical contact or meaningful glances. Whatever it was they're both thankful because they missed this.
They're still messes and scared of screwing everything up but they've been through what they consider to be the worst ends of their relationship so they're okay with off days. Peter sometimes has to remind Miguel that he's not going anywhere and Miguel still has to remind Peter that he's over reacting to a disagreement.
But they're insecure eith eachother instead of on their own so it's easier to work through it because they refuse to let go of eachother and the progress they put into their relationship that hasn't even started.
Miguel has started planning for a confession again. And he plans stars and flirting that might not be confused for flirting because after a while he can't hide his feeling from Peter. But he plans it so it's perfect he even made a backup plan for Maydays potiential appearances.
Miguel had run a few ideas by Jessica a few weeks earlier because he was awful at this sort of thing. Jessics wants to say she was shocked when she found out Miguel's crush was Peter but she wasn't. The only thing that shocked her was how well planned out everything was.
She guesses that half a year was enough to change a man a significant amount because he didn't even suggest a card this time around. She's almost impressed because the change in his attitude was noticeable too, though not too obvious. Honestly if you weren't already somewhat close to him you probably notice the slight difference habits.
But she was and so when he comes to her and he's actually asking her for help she can't help but give into the better mannered man.
After the debrief with Jessica Miguel finds himself drafting his first plan. Lyla watches him talk to himself for hours like a proud mother and she doesn't do much else. Because as much as she loves bullying Miguel she knows he deserves this so she leaves him be.
All Miguel knew is that he was going to use the exact same scheme with Peter he had months ago because if it ain't broke. As Miguel finishes up the final details Lyla begins hovering over his shoulder.
"Youre really going all out huh?"
"You never know unless you try."
"And you're telling me that? Alright funny guy."
Lyla gives Miguel a cheek pat that he can't feel and she smiles softly because out of everything she'd watch this man go through she thinks this was her favorite.
The day of his master plan arrives and Miguel is nervous and far to anxious to sit down and since he had taken up a whole thing of self improvement he allowed himself not to. Its a strange sight to see honestly. Miguel O'Hara pacing back and forth whispering in spanglish about, if you only understood English, someone who is so stupid it makes him wanna rip out his insides.
If you knew both languages the full picture was that there was a handsome man that made him wanna rip out his outside. So its not that different but it's an important distinction.
It doesn't take long for Peter to arrive because he always shows up around 7:15 on Wednesday and Miguel loves that about Peter alongside other things.
1. Peter was, simply put, a dumbass but he was a dumbass that manage to worm his way into Miguel's every waking thought.
2. He still had that dimple that Miguel always wanted to plant his finger in
And 3. Miguel just loves him. There's no clear rhyme or reason and if there was Miguel feels like they wouldn't have gone through what they did.
Punctuality was important to Miguel and Peter knew it so he's sure to pop in once again with an empanada and a smile.
"Am I late?"
"You know you're not."
Peter shrugs and slides the box across Miguel's desk like he had done hundreds of times before.
"Thank you."
"Youre welcome buddy."
It feels like seven months ago and they're both relieved Migule more than Peter because any unnecessary drama would've seriously put a damper in his plans. Speaking of the plan it had been near an hour and Miguel decided this would be the perfect time to put it into action. So he turns up the charm by a hundred although it really wasn't needed.
"Hey Peter?"
"Yeah."
"You wanna go-"
Peter cuts him off.
"Nah."
"You can't say nah!"
"Then whyd you ask me?"
Miguel supposes he asked because he didn't think Peter would ever say no.
Once again, going two for two, Miguel has managed to overlook obvious foils in his plan. Peter has said no and Miguel will respect that but how in the heck was he supposed to continue his plan now.
Miguel is there twaddling his thumbs again and Peter is still talking about random things that matter to one else but him and Miguel. But mostly him.
Miguel rushes to find a way to rectify his newly ruined plan and so he missed a decent part of Peters rant. He mostly fills in with head nods and, "Uh huhs." And he avoids eye contact because he knows that Peter would be able to tell that he's not paying attention and he doesn't want to hurt his feelings again.
Miguel does this for ten minutes and he can't think of anything to do to get them back on track so he decides to actually listen to Peter. He forces himself to look him in the eyes because buy doing so he has to pay attention.
"Why not just straight up ask him?" Lyla pops up whispering to Miguel.
Miguel wants to say because he doesn't know what will happen but he's been on a streak of trying without knowing results so he doesnt use the excuse, because right now his glass was half full and he felt almost winded by just the thought.
He's rude and he interrupts Peter but he doesn't think he could've handled it if Peter was just looking at his anticipating words.
"Earlier when I asked you if you wanted to go somewhere. I wasn't asking because I wanted to hangout with you."
It's a sudden and shaky confession because none if this is in line with what he planned and Peter could tear him and his heart apart but he thinks that Peter wouldn't do that.
"Then whyd you ask, are you supposed to be on patrol?"
"No I. I just."
Miguel's quiet and he turns away from Peter and everything's a lot. Every thought he's ever had about Peter in a romantic way, because he knows that word now. Every thought he'd had about this moment although when he imagined it, it was a bit more extravagant and well put together unlike him.
Peter looks at Miguel waiting for him to continue but not in a way that makes Miguek feel any more nervous than he normally does when he's around him.
"I wanted to. Listen for the past few weeks I've been trying to go about this the right way because the last time I did so I was not the best and im still not because once again nothing went to plan and even though I probably should've seen that coming I really thought that I could go along with it all and manage to-"
"Miguel you're rambling!" Peter yells at him now sitting up on his hammock the strings holding his weight as he sits on the edge.
"Right."
"Its okay buddy you can sound it out if you want." Peter teases him and Miguel immediately looses some tension in his shoulders.
"Peter. I have been stupid-"
"Correct."
"And hurtful-"
"True."
"To the both of us. And for the past few months I've tried really hard to not be."
Miguel struggles with his words.
"A dick." Lyla offers and Peter laughs.
"Yes thank you Lyla. I've tried hard to not be a dick and if you're here then that means that I've done something to get better but I couldn't have taken those steps."
Miguel takes a breath and looks at Peter and his eyes are reluctant and happy. Peter almost thinks this is a confession with the way its going but his foots itch reminds him that that couldn't be possible because Miguel has someone in his life who he lobes or at least likes but it's not to late for the 'L' word so Peter chews at his bottom lip.
"Without you. I. Peter I owe so much of myself to you."
It's really sincere and Peter hurts knowing that Miguel's a good friend to him and that's what he is too.
"You did the hard work M-.
"Let me finish."
Miguel is sharp and if Peter hadn't have known him so well he would've though he was being mean.
"Peter I owe that to you because over the few years we've known eachother you've become one of my closest friends and someone that I care for and someone that I love."
Miguel flat out admits it and it takes everything im him not to suffocate on Peter strained expression and the silence that follows.
"I love you too Miguel you're one of my closest friends too."
Miguel's heart almost breaks.
"No. Peter I love. You."
This is not what he'd planned. Confessing his love to Peter with his assistants help in his lab. He couldn't have gotten it farther from right. He feels that way but when Peters face lights up in realization he feels hope and it's warm and it feels like second chances and hands on his face.
"You, love me?"
Peter laughs and Miguel's smile leaves it isn't until he sees tears on Peters face that he feels more than dejection.
"How? What about your mystery girl?"
"Techniclaly if you'd listen you'd have known there wasn't one."
Peter wipes his face dry because emotions are a lot to deal with and he hugs Miguel in a familiar way that warms them both but Miguel's anxieties aren't quelled until he hears Peter whisper into his neck.
"I love you too."
It's a moment so tender that neither can even attempt to joke around. Miguel reciprocates the hug and he begins to shed tears as well. There are fingers leaving tiny kisses on his face where they wipe and he feels warm all over because emotions are overwhelming and they're both a mess but they're both beautiful for it.
They pull away and Peter laughs a bit and Miguel just stares at him his heart pending in his chest and hitting Peters.
"Does this mean we can kiss now?"
Miguel just smiles before pulling Peter in it's not long by any means but its enough to ensure eachother that they were real in this moment.
Lyla waste no time teasing them both something about them crying and being in love. They both snort at her and roll their eyes because embarrassing or not they were finally them again. Just with confirmation this time.
It's an emotional moment and they eventually wind down this time the both of them laying in the hammock which Peter had happily made larger.
"What took you so long?" It's a question that Peter already knows the answer to but it's nice to hear anyways.
"Was scared. I guess. You were just so. Unachievable for me."
"Well I don't really think that's true now."
Peter turns to face Miguel and leans up to kiss him because, by damn it he could and he could do it as many times as he wants without question. As he does so he twist Miguel's hair because he'd always loved how soft it was.
"No. Not now." It's said with a small laugh as Miguel plays with his hair in return. Peter thinks he'll melt away. Before he can do that they both fall asleep the happiest they've been in months.
The sleep good, they sleep so good that they don't notice when Jessica, who is holding Mayday, Gwen, Hobie, Pav, and Miles slip in. It's a shocking scene with varying reactions across tha board.
Jessica rolls her eyes with a smile and Mayday oodles at them. Gwen holds out her hand and both Pav and Miles pout.
"I guess they're kinda cute." Miles says as they leave after snapping a few picture.
"Theyre hair matches. And I cant believe they actually got together!" Pav storms out behind Miles.
"I thought they'd been together the whole time." Hobie says.
Gwen stares at the zoomed in picture of the two before clarifying. "Nah. Peter talked to me a lot about their issues before they were dating."
"Really? He went to a teenager?" Says Jessica who is right behind her as shes pats Mayday on the back attempting to settle the kid down for another nap.
Instead a burp she let's out a happy, "Daddys."
"That's what I said! I think its a wierd codependency thing." Gwen finishes ignoring Maydays outburst.
The groups leaves and both Peter and Miguel continue their well deserved rest. It only takes another hour for Miguel to wake up as his internal clock was driven purely by anxiety. Though when he looks to his side and sees Peter burrowed into his side he makes no move to do anything. He doesn't think of the countless patrols he needs to schedule, he doesnt think of anything outside of the room and so It's deathly quiet in the lab and for the first time Miguel doesn't mind it all that much.
He kisses Peters forehead and Peter reacts barely. Miguel smiles and he smiles wide because he can't wait for what he'll have as long as he can have this.