Chapter 1
"Do you have your backpack?" May asked.
Peter nodded.
"A change of clothes?"
"Yes, Aunt May."
"Your homework?"
"Yes, Aunt May."
"Your school books?"
"Yes, Aunt May," Peter said exasperatedly.
"I just want to make sure you have everything," May said indignantly.
"I have everything," Peter promised. "I have to go or I'll be late."
May pulled him into a brief hug. "Now go have fun!"
Yeah, sure, Peter thought tiredly as he raced out the door, fun. That totally describes a prison.
Peter jumped on the bus and sat down in the back, pulling out his math book. His mind wandered to the previous summer.
Mr. Stark -- gosh, he was so much braver than Peter -- had told everyone that he was dating Loki Friggason. Peter had been relieved to know that Mr. Stark wasn't homophobic, and neither were any of his close friends. He had been trying to muster up courage to tell everyone his own secret, but he wasn't brave at all.
Peter was gay.
He was pretty sure his aunt didn't support the LGBTQ+ community. She'd never talked about it, but every time they saw a same-sex couple walking around, she would wrinkle her nose and guide Peter in a different direction.
He knew Ned wasn't homophobic -- Ned had a cousin who was bi, and he'd shown interest in the LGBTQ+ community -- so he was planning to tell Ned today. Peter wasn't sure about MJ, though.
He hoped she would just react like she normally did -- "That's nice, weirdo" -- but with his luck she would hate him.
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Peter had barely been through the front doors for two seconds when someone shoved him, sending him to the floor and his backpack flying.
"Hey, P**** Parker!" Flash shouted. "Nice acrobatic skills!"
So unoriginal, Peter thought as Flash's friends laughed, staggering back to his feet and retrieving his backpack. "Hi, Flash."
"Did you have fun with your Stark Internship?" Flash mocked, following Peter up the stairs.
"Yeah, I did, it was great," Peter agreed, finding his locker. Flash slammed it shut. Only with Peter's spider-senses did he manage to get his fingers out of the way before they were smashed.
"I'm talking to you, Parker," Flash snapped. "It's rude to ignore people."
It's also rude to treat people like trash, Peter thought. "I'm trying to get to class, Flash..." The boy was still in front of his locker.
"Petey!"
Oh, gosh, not now... Peter thought, feeling a whole range of emotions at once: alarm, excitement, embarrassment, glee, longing. He turned and smiled weakly. "Hey, Wade."
The hottest boy in the school (in Peter's opinion, which was slightly biased) grinned at him, completely ignoring Flash. "How was your summer?"
"It was great, thanks." For the most part. "How was yours?"
"Awesome!" Wade said brightly. The bell rang, and he towered Flash, a slightly deadly expression on his face. "Why don't you let Petey get his things in his locker, Flash? Will that take too much effort?"
Flash, who, while he was the tallest of his friends and one of the tallest in the school, was a foot shorter than Wade and had a lot less muscles, said quickly, "Oh, yeah, right." He and his friends quickly backed away, and Flash hissed, "You're lucky you have your boyfriend to defend you this time, Parker, but you won't be as lucky."
Peter wished Wade was his boyfriend.
"Thanks," he said quietly to the boy, opening his locker again.
Wade's blue eyes were full of concern, but he said nothing but, "No prob. See you in Spanish!" He bro-punched Peter's shoulder gently, then darted off.
Peter sighed longingly, then realized he was late for English. Quickly, he pulled his books out of his backpack, shoved it in his locker and shot down the hall.
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"Join me as we build my new Lego Death Star," Ned said in a dramatically deep voice.
"Really?" Peter exclaimed eagerly. "How many pieces is it?"
"Three thousand, eight hundred and three," Ned replied.
"Whoa," Peter said happily.
"Hey, so I was wondering if I could come over after school and we could build it together," Ned said hopefully.
"I can't, I have the Stark Internship," Peter reminded him quietly, wishing he could spend time with Ned instead.
"Oh, well, we can..."
Ned was still talking, but Peter was immediately distracted by Wade, who was talking to Mr. Orville. Wade had to repeatedly brush his beautiful raven hair out of his eyes because he was standing underneath the vent, and Peter was thoroughly disappointed when Mr. Orville nodded and led Wade down the hall.
"...is that okay?" Ned asked.
"...uh... yeah, sure," Peter said distractedly, staring after Wade. "I... um... there's something I should tell you. At lunch, so no one hears."
"Sure, Peter," Ned agreed. "Do you want to tell MJ, too?"
"I guess," Peter said nervously. "Um. Do you know what she feels about... about," he lowered his voice, "homosexuals?"
Ned gave him a puzzled look. "As far as I know, she's incredibly supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. Why?"
"I'll tell you at lunch," Peter said softly.
"Ok. So anyway..."
Peter let Ned prattle on, letting his friend's voice soothe him. He was still a bit nervous about coming out, but he knew Ned would be cool about it.
As long as Flash didn't find out....
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"Hey, losers," MJ said fondly as she sat down.
"Hey, MJ," Ned and Peter said.
"You said you wanted to tell us something?" MJ asked.
Peter took a breath. "I... I found out last year, when Wade -- Wade Wilson -- transferred. Um..." he swallowed. Just say it, idiot. "I'm gay," he blurted out quietly. He held his breath, bracing himself for scathing disgust.
"Same," MJ grinned, raising her hand for a high-five. Ned looked amused. Peter, rather dazed, gave her a high-five. "Welcome to the gay club, nerd."
"Thanks," Peter said softly, blushing. "What's so funny, Ned?"
"I already knew you were gay, or at least bi," Ned explained, smirking. "The dreamy, longing look on your face whenever Wilson is nearby-" he mock swooned, and MJ snickered.
"I do not!" Peter squeaked, blushing even harder. "You can't tell him," he insisted. He'd be mortified and Wade would hate him.
"No way!" Ned exclaimed. "It's your secret."
"We won't tell a soul," MJ promised, nodding solemnly. "Are you going to eat your carrots?"
With that, the conversation turned to a much happier subject, as if Peter's coming out was just normal routine.
Peter's friends were awesome.
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"Hey P**** Parker!"
Peter groaned. He'd been about to head out as Spider-Man, but no, Flash had to have the last word. "Yeah, Flash?" he asked politely, turning. "I have to get home soon."
Flash sneered. "I knew you were a nerd, which is bad enough, but I guess you had to be worse -- a nerd f****t!"
Peter flinched as Flash's friends laughed. How had he found out?! He'd worked so hard to keep it hidden!
"Oh, touched a nerve!" Flash sniggered. He pushed Peter's shoulder, sending Peter stumbling backwards. He was on the top of the stairs now. "You have trouble learning your place, Parker. Guess you need more lessons." He shoved him, sending Peter flying down the stairs.
Massive pain.
Darkness.