Chapter 5
A few weeks passed, and Peter had settled in nicely to WestWood High. He didn’t get lost anymore, he had good grades. Peter was, as most of his teachers said, excelling in all his classes. MJ and Ned were his closest friends now. They were both nerds but for different things; things that Peter was also nerdy for. MJ was a nerd when it came to books are random, seemingly dark facts. Ned was a nerd about video games, movies, and legos. Honestly, Peter really lucked out on finding such awesome people on his first day.
And then, of course, there was Wade.
Wade who still flirted shamelessly with him but never made him feel uncomfortable. He still referred to Peter as ‘baby boy’ and he was actually kind of starting to like the pet name. Not that he would ever admit to it, though. That would give the cocky captain even more ammunition to tease the smaller boy with. He also touched Peter. Like, all the time.
When the two would walk to math together, Wade would casually throw an arm around him, effectively pressing Peter tightly against his side. At first, Peter had been leery about the contact, but Wade would always ask ‘is this okay?’ in such a calm, gentle voice that Peter found himself melting into the casual touch. If they passed ways in the halls, the taller boy would ruffle up his hair or give him a playful noogie that Peter would try to escape from.
Even the captain’s friends were nice to him. Weasel was a weird guy, but he was wickedly intelligent. Even though also severely impatient and cranky most days. He always made Peter feel welcomed in conversations, often asking his opinions. Causing Wade to mutter about how nerdy they were. Peter liked him. Weasel didn’t take any of Wade’s shit and could clap back just as good as the cocky captain himself.
Then there was Vanessa. The girl that Peter had seen pressed against Wade on the first day. Vanessa was a spit fire of a girl. Snarky and witty but she was sweet to Peter and strangely protective of Wade. She told Peter that they’d dated briefly but found out they worked better as friends. Vanessa was the first one Wade had come out to about his bisexuality. And in turn, she had told him about how she thought she was aromantic.
Wade jokingly called the group ‘The Queer Musketeers’ since Weasel didn’t have a preference on anyone so as long as they ‘dug’ him back.
So, yeah. Peter was doing fine and was settling nicely. It helped that Wade’s friends and his got along well, too. All of them usually hung out in the library if the other three weren’t busy with their respective activities.
Peter did regret one thing, however and that was giving Wade Winston Wilson (if you’re nasty) his number.
baby boy. pay attention to meeee
Peter smiled down at the text and rolled his eyes.
Hello, Wade.
hi baby boy :D
Do you need something?
just u 2 love me. U no the usual
Peter laughed softly at the text. Wade was needy sometimes and a huge flirt most the time. He was with everyone which is why Peter found it so easy to flirt back. Friends could flirt, right? Right.
Is that so? Well, I’m busy right now.
Ur never 2 busy 2 love me bb
Laughing, Peter set his phone down. Going back to his homework, he wasn’t shocked when multiple texts came in. Letting out a fond sigh, he grabbed his phone again. Thumbing it open, he smiled stupidly.
Bb!! love me plz
peteypie i need u
y u no love me :(
i just want ur attention
He sent back a heart emoji,
Yay! U love me thts all I needed thnk u
You’re welcome, Wade. Gotta finish homework. Talk later.
nerd
<3
Peter would never admit that Wade’s texts often made his heart flutter. They were friends. Friends that flirted a lot. But friends nonetheless. Even if Wade made butterflies happen in his stomach, they were still just friends.
Just. Friends.
Just as he put the phone down, it started ringing. Looking at the caller id, he answered quickly.
“Hi, MJ! What’s up?” He ruffled his hair and stared down at his homework. He guessed he could use a break and was thinking about what we wanted to eat. Aunt May was working late again but had left him money to order something in.
“Hey, loser,” MJ said plainly, “Ned and I are going out to eat and you’re coming cuz I know you’ve been doing homework for an ungodly amount of time. You nerd.”
Laughing, Peter stood from his desk and stretched. She wasn’t wrong. “Okay, where are we going?”
“The diner outside of town. Be ready in 15.”
“Alright, bye. See you guys soon.”
“Later, nerd.” She hung up. Peter shook his head and laughed. MJ was really a character.
He changed out of his plaid pajama bottoms and into some black jeans. Whipping off his Star Wars T, he shrugged on a simple red V-neck. Heading to the bathroom to brush his teeth, he sent off a quick text to May.
Hey May. Going out to eat with MJ and Ned. Love you.
Alright, Petey. Be safe! Love you.
Looking himself over in the mirror, he shrugged. He could look worse. The red t-shirt just made him look a bit pale is all. He noticed that his dark circles were lessening. They weren’t as prominent as they used to be. Peter’ nightmares had calmed down quite a bit. After spitting out his mouth wash, he gave himself a smile and a thumbs up.
Soon enough, his phone chimed with a text. It was MJ saying they were there. Grabbing his wallet, the money May left, and his house keys, he locked the front door and made his way to MJ’s car. Ned waved from the passenger seat and MJ turned up the radio to ungodly level, making Peter blush and rush into the car so she’d turn it down.
Sliding into the middle, Peter buckled up. MJ’s car was nearly spotless on the inside and it always smelt like off brand Febreze. The smell made him relax and settle more comfortably against the scratchy seat. One of her mixed CD’s was playing from her car radio. Peter hummed along to ‘I Write Sins Not Tragedies’ and stared out the window.
Ned broke the comfortable silence to talk about a new movie that was coming out.
“It’s supposed to be really good!” He said excitedly. “We should all go watch it next weekend!”
“Sure,” MJ shrugged, watching the road. “As long as you help with gas money.”
Nodding, Peter said, “Yeah, I heard about it too. The trailer popped up when I was playing my study playlist. Ryan Reynolds is supposed to be in it playing the big bad. Should be interesting to see that guy as a villain.”
“He’s played a villain before,” MJ said. At Peter and Ned’s blank look, she rolled her brown eyes. “You know, Deadpool? Isn’t he a villain?”
“Not really,” Ned and Peter said at the same time.
“He’s more of a reluctant hero,” Peter told her. “Like, he doesn’t do anything for the good of anyone else. What he does is usually stemmed from revenge. In the comics, he starts being less of a killer when he teams up with Spider-Man but only because Spidey has a ‘no killing’ rule.”
Letting out a sigh, MJ muttered, “Just my luck my two best friends had to be mega nerds.”
“Takes one to know one,” Ned sing-sang, sticking his tongue out and causing Peter to laugh.
Soon, they parked in front of the diner. The atmosphere of the place was always calm and cozy. The food was great, too. All home cooked and delicious. It always filled Peter up. The three came to the place so often that they even had their own both that was in the far corner of the diner. Settling down, Peter had a seat all to himself like always. Ned and MJ always sat together so they could argue over the menu. Peter watched his friends with a soft look.
A throat being cleared made the three teens look up. A handsome older man with salt and pepper hair looked down at them. His beard was well-kept, and his eyes looked vaguely familiar to Peter as did the shape of his face.
“Officer Wilson,” MJ nodded, a smile on her face as she looked up at the stranger.
Wilson? Like, Wade’s last name? Just as Peter thought it, the young man appeared beside the older man, a handsome smile on his face. Butterflies erupted in Peters stomach. They’d never ran into each other outside of school. What if Wade acted different? Peter sat still with his head down, prying that his friend didn’t see him.
“Thought you were gonna grab us a table, pops?” Wade asked, voice teasing. His eyes widened with recognition as he took in Ned and MJ. “Oh, hey guys!” He laughed. He still hadn’t noticed Peter. “What are you up to?”
“We were hungry, and Peter needed a break from studying,” MJ said, pointing to where Peter was doing his best to melt into the seat.
Raising his head to look at the other boy, he smiled, a little unsure. “Hi, Wade.”
“Baby boy!” Wade shrieked before launching himself into his booth and wrapping him in a tight hug. His cheek pressed against the top of Peter’s head. The taller boy nuzzled him a bit. Wide eyed and stiff, Peter awkwardly returned the embrace. Squeezing once and then rubbing the captain’s back for a minute, he pulled back.
“Oh, so you’re Peter,” Wade’s dad smiled kindly. “My boy talks about you a lot. I thank you for making him do his homework. I’m Logan.”
Blushing, Peter responded, “Your son is very smart, Officer Logan Wilson sir,” the older man laughed at the title, Peter blushed harder. “He just needed a little push.” He shrugged, shivering as Wade settled an arm around his shoulders, “no thanks needed.”
“Don’t listen to him, pops,” Wade said, grinning hugely at Peter who looked down at the menu. “He’s amazing.” Again, he rested his cheek against Peter’s hair and exhaled softly.
Logan regarded the pair with a soft look before MJ spoke.
“Why don’t you two join us? You’re more than welcome to pull up a chair, Officer Wilson,” she offered.
Grunting, the older man did just that. “I’m off the clock, kid,” he said, settling down. “Logan is fine.”
Peter listened half-heartedly to their conversation. He was preoccupied by how Wade was still clinging to him. Every so often, the captain would nuzzle at his hair and sigh softly. Occasionally, he’d add to the conversation. Peter was able to feel the vibrations of his voice when he did. He fought hard not to just melt into Wade’s side.
The waitress came and took their order. MJ ordered the club. Ned ordered a burger. Logan ordered a breakfast platter, Wade, the taco special. Peter got a chicken club with a side of sweet potato fries.
When the food came, Wade didn’t remove his arm from Peter. Instead, he ate with his left hand. Peter squinted at this and found himself asking if his friend was left-handed. Wade answered with a smile. He looked like a chipmunk.
“Ambidextrous, Snickerdoodle,” he said after swallowing his food, the table laughed at the new nickname. “I can use both hands equally well, and I do.” He pitched his voice lower and chuckled quietly when Peter shivered.
“He got it from his mother,” Logan added, as he took a bite of his scrambled eggs. “If something were to happen to my right hand, I’d be in a bad place.” He chuckled, shaking his head.
“Only good thing she ever gave me,” Wade muttered lowly, only Peter picking up on the words. Sensing his hurt, he bumped shoulder with him and sent the older boy a smile when he looked at him. Wade grinned back before munching on another taco.
Peter took a bite of his sandwich, moaning happily at the taste. Wade regarded him with a raised eyebrow. Peter blushed. Swallowing his bite, he smiled awkwardly at the other boy.
“Sorry,” he said, bashful, “haven’t eaten all day and it’s really good.”
Frowning, Wade looked at the clock. “It’s 5, Pete. What do you mean you haven’t eaten all day? How long have you been up?” He asked, voice concerned.
Titling his head in thought, Peter answered, “Since 6, I think?” At Wade’s look, he tried to smooth it over. “I wasn’t hungry when I woke up! And then I started studying and kind of…forgot to eat?” He cleared his throat awkwardly.
Clearly displeased, Wade placed a taco on Peter’s plate.
“Eat,” he ordered.
“Wade, I have food,” Peter said, trying to give the taco back.
“Please, just eat it, okay? Your whole plate.” He said, voice firm. Then gently, “It scares me that you forgot to eat, baby boy.”
Melting a bit at the name, Peter took another bite. Making a happy sound, Wade went back to his food. Neither boy noticed the knowing look on Logan’s face or his small smile he had at his son’s concern for the smaller boy. When Peter looked up from his food, Logan winked and smiled. Hesitantly, the boy smiled back.