More Than a Friend
The next night, Scott followed up with his promise of going to Quicksilver with Peter. He tried to play it cool, but was once again excited to see Steve again. They got to the bar about an hour before the show and Peter was the one who bought shots this time.
They were well into dancing when Steve walked in. Peter waved at him and Steve waved back, motioning he was going to the bar. Scott didn’t look surprised but a little wary. Steve then came toward them with drinks. “I got us all some vodka crans,” he said, handing one each to Peter and Scott. “I didn’t know what you liked, Scott. But let me know and I’ll get it next time.”
“It’s cool,” Scott said coolly. “I’ll drink anything.”
“Awesome,” Steve replied.
They continued dancing. Peter sipped on his drink, feeling the music, thinking that the DJ was really good tonight. He looked over to the DJ booth and saw that Hulk was up there in front of a laptop.
“Isn’t she great?” Steve asked.
Peter nodded. He chugged his drink a little too quickly, but he really wanted to move his arms freely without anything in his hand. He put his glass on a counter near the dance floor and moved about freely. Scott and Steve watched him with amusement on their faces.
Hulk grabbed a microphone and announced that the drag show would start soon. Scott told the other two that he’d be back and he headed towards the bar probably to get some singles.
As they continued dancing, Steve grabbed Peter’s hand and pulled him in for a twirl. Peter felt more relaxed with the drink in his system. He wasn’t second guessing himself with Steve. Steve then grabbed his other hand as they danced together along to the music.
The song then changed into something more sexy. It was a bit slower but still danceable. Peter felt compelled to turn around and dance with his back to Steve’s front. He could feel the man against his back and it wasn’t long before Steve had his hands on Peter’s hips. They both moved rhythmically to the music and Peter’s only thought was that he was glad Steve could keep the beat.
Soon, the music lowered and Hulk spoke on the microphone again telling everyone that the show was starting. “That was fun,” Peter told Steve.
“Yeah it was,” Steve said. “Wanna go find seats?” He led the way to the tables near the stage and they saw that Scott was already seated at a table. They joined him.
After the show, Scott reminded Peter that they had to leave in order to catch the train. Peter told him it was fine and that Steve would take them home. Scott nodded but then said that he was going to go because he wanted to get to sleep early. Peter said, “Okay, see you at home,” and Scott left looking a little disappointed.
Peter pulled Steve back onto the dance floor and soon Hulk joined them, telling them softly that she didn’t really need to be up on the booth because she had already made a mix at home and all she needed to do was press play. The three of them danced together until Hulk got tired and went to get a drink.
“You really like to dance, don’t you?” Steve asked him.
Peter nodded. “You lift weights and I dance. We all have our form of exercise.”
Steve laughed, pulling him in for a twirl again and then spinning him out. “Well, I couldn’t lift weights all the time, but I have a feeling you could dance for hours and hours.”
“I gotta get all my energy out, you know? Feeling the music is how I do that. Speaking of music, you should send me a playlist. I wanna know what you listen to.”
“I listen to oldies. Stuff you probably wouldn’t know.”
“Still wanna hear it. Anything’s danceable to.”
“Alright, I’ll send you a playlist.”
“Good.”
When Clint the bartender yelled out, “Last call!” Peter and Steve got ready to leave. They said goodbye to Hulk and then headed out.
“Hey, do you want to go hiking again Tuesday morning?” Steve asked as he drove.
“Yeah, I’d love to,” Peter responded. “Wanna watch a movie again Friday night?”
“Wow, you really just want to take up all my social time, don’t you?”
“Would you hate me if I said yes?” He really did want to spend all his time with Steve. He felt like there was so much he didn’t know about the man and he wanted to know everything.
“I’d only hate you if you said no,” Steve responded, laughing. “But in regards to the movie, I’m in. As long as you buy that candy you got last time. It was delicious.”
“It’s a deal.” And it’s a date, Peter thought. Not officially, but it still counted to him.
That night, Peter pleasured himself to the memory of dancing up close to Steve, backing himself onto the man’s body, with Steve’s hands on his waist, grinding on him.
Tuesday morning came and Peter got up early again, which is to say, he got up right on time to receive a text from Steve asking if he was ready while the sun was still down. The hike was the same, but Peter knew where he was going this time and could playfully stay ahead of Steve. They were comfortable enough around each other to also playfully touch each other.
Peter poked Steve on the side of his belly as he jogged ahead. Then Steve sprinted toward him, grabbing him around the abdomen and picking him up, placing him down behind him. Peter laughed, thinking about how hot it was that Steve could pick him up.
At the top of the mountain, they sat together on the flat rock again, enjoying the view, and Peter had an impulse to grab Steve’s hand. He didn’t, but he wanted to so badly. He wanted to say something. To tell him that he really liked him and loved spending time with him and that he thought they could be a really good couple. But instead he kept his mouth shut and told himself to just enjoy the view.
Back at home, Peter knew he could talk to Scott about it and he did, every opportunity he could get. Especially while they were binge-watching Drag Race and there wasn’t a big plot to keep track of.
“Look, you two obviously get along well,” Scott said, pausing the show. “You seem really close already so the next obvious step is to ask him about it. Ask him how he feels about you. Or let him know how you feel and ask him if he feels the same way.”
“I know…” Peter said. “It’s just...I’ve never told anyone my feelings. It’s scary.”
“Worst case scenario,” Scott replied, “is that he doesn’t feel the same. You can still be friends. Best case scenario, he does feel the same and you get a boyfriend out of it.”
“Right...But it’s still scary!”
On Friday night, Steve picked Peter up and they went to Carter’s again to eat before the movie. They were eating quietly, but Peter’s brain was yelling loudly. “Tell him!” it said. But he forced more food in his mouth so that he didn’t have to say anything.
This time they watched a romantic comedy, which didn’t help things much. Peter still wanted to hold Steve’s hand, especially during the really sappy moments in the movie. And without the jump scares, Steve kept his hands to himself. By the end of the movie, they were both teary eyed.
They sat in Steve’s car as they processed the movie verbally. Steve said, “I don’t usually like romantic comedies, but that one hit home.”
“In what way?” Peter asked curiously.
“I’ll tell you about it another night,” he replied, letting out a sigh.
There were still so many things to learn about Steve, and he wanted the man to open up. But Peter knew that if he wanted Steve to open up, he had to open up himself. He couldn’t just let his feelings stew and expect Steve to do the opposite. He still had a chance to say something in that AMC parking lot. He could put it off until Steve drove him home, or he could even put it off for another day, but Peter knew that the more he put it off, the more he was putting off a possible future with Steve. And he wanted to be with Steve now.
“Hey uh...Steve?” he said nervously.
Steve turned toward him with concern on his face. “What’s up?”
Peter looked down at the dashboard. He couldn’t look up at the man as he spoke. He would crack if he dared look at him. “I just uh...wanted to say that I think you’re really cool and...We’ve been spending a lot of time together and we get along so well.” He paused. He could still back out now and say something other than what he wanted. But he was so close. All he had to do was say the words. “I just wanted to ask you something.”
Steve put his hand on Peter’s shoulder and calmly said, “Anything.”
Peter could feel himself turning red, but he felt a rush of bravery spill forth inside him. “Do you...like me as just a friend...or more than a friend?” He then forced himself to look into Steve’s eyes.
They made eye contact for a second before Steve turned to look at the dashboard. His hand remained on Peter’s shoulder. Peter continued watching as the gears turned in Steve’s head. He almost felt regret as he waited for an answer. Maybe he shouldn’t have said anything. Or he should have waited another week longer. What if it ruined their friendship?
Then Steve turned back to him. “I like you Peter,” he said. “I just need some time. But I do like you and I like your company.”
“Okay,” Peter said, mostly just to say something. But also because he felt awkward and wanted to get the conversation over with as quickly as possible. “Cool.”