[WORD COUNT: 2857!]

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

'she wasn't talking about her hair when she said she cut off her dead ends for growth'
— Sarah Claire

You and Peter fell in sync with each other as you walked side by side on the pavement, slowly making your way through small conversations to keep the silence at bay.

"So, why are you really going to this party?" Peter asked, tucking his hands into his pockets as he handed you the spare headphone. You took it kindly, placing it in your ear and walking shoulder to shoulder with Peter to ensure the headphone would stay in.

"Cause, Ned's an ass hole and he needs to understand I'm not a kid anymore" you overemphasised, changing your footing to the beat of the music. Peter gave you a side glance; "yeah but at the end of the day he is your brother"

"yeah well, brother or not, he had no right to say what he said" you mumbled on a short breath, sidetracking your eyes to the floor as you kicked a loose pebble, sending it into the road. Peter remembered clearly what Ned had addressed at the lunch table, partly because he was the one who defended you after you left.

Peter stopped you suddenly, his arm expanding across your chest. You paused in your spot, looking up to see Peter taking out his headphone. "Y/N, I know you" Peter sighed, turning to face you as his arm dropped back to his side.

"Your point is?"

"I know what you're like. I've known you for almost seven years and I know what you like when something happens that messes with your emotions. You bottle things up a-and release them through pain and things that hurt you because you can't find the time to do it any other way"

"Peter, what are y-"

"Going to this party? Your not one to turn down a good time I know that, but when I saw you yesterday at the table I knew you were doing this because you wanted Ned to feel the way you felt when he said what he said" Peter's voice softened. It's like he was flicking through the pages of your mind, examining your every emotion and memory.

"You know, at times I feel like you know me better than I know myself" you sighed, pulling out the headphone in your ear and handing it to him. "I don't expect anything from anyone accept what I deserve, and when I get something I don't like, I don't make it my mission to hurt them"

"That's not what-"

"I know that's not what you meant, Pete. But sometimes you have to understand that I just handle my problems a little... Differently" You lowered your gaze to his chest as your hands rested themselves on his forearms. It was a lot simpler in your mind, but when the words came off your tongue they stung you like hail on a stormy night. Peter swallowed, allowing you to have a moment in your own silence.

"Whatever it is your going through, you know I'm here for you right?" Peter asked, lifting your head gently with his thumb. Your skin was cold on his shell, sending a numb shiver down his arm.

"Have been since we met" you smiled weakly. Since the day your friendship dawned on you, Peter had been glued to your side. He was there at your every command, which came in the form of a desperate text or phone call at early hours in the morning. Even after finding out he was Spider-Man, you saw him as the goofy, nerd who had a heart of gold.

"C'mon before we start flicking cheesy comments at each other" you gestured your head to the side with a smile. Peter nodded, handing you back the headphone which you gladly took, falling back into sync with the music. Peter knew you were different from other girls. You'd jump at the sight of any opportunity, and neglect the consequences until you were knee-deep in shit. But, that's what he loved about you. You were like a rainbow; there was sun, and rain that came separate, but the rainbow came in between. You were hard to catch and always moved when people got closer but brought a smile to a lot of peoples faces.

Just like what Chloe had mentioned; this party was pretty crazy. To say you were underdressed would be an understatement. There were girls wearing skin-tight dresses, some borderline naked, and there you were in ripped jeans, a turtleneck and sneakers. But, walking to the door you carefully counted your fucks and found non, you were you. Just reaching the driveway you could tell Peter was a nervous wreck, his palms sweating, feet catching themselves as he walked.

"Dude, your gonna be fine, ok?"

"Y/N I don't know about this-"

"Peter you can't bounce out on me now, we're here" You gestured to the door, partially open from the vivid attention span of the reckless teenagers behind it. Peter took a deep breath, which was suddenly caught in his throat when he felt your hand lock with his own.

"You've got me, okay?" you reassured him. He nodded reluctantly, before letting your hand slip out of his grip and watched as you pushed open the door. Chloe wasn't wrong, yet again, when she said that Kyle was going to be there because he was the first person you locked eyes with. It became apparent that Peter had also caught sight of him, as he pulled you to his side. "You ok?"

"Y-yeah, let's go get something to drink" you smiled awkwardly, leading Peter through the crowd and towards a random area, hoping there would be some form of distracting entertainment. Passing the living room, you nudged through numerous crowds, Peter close on your tail.

"Is that Penis Parker I see?" A loud voice filled the room.

Flash.

Peter froze in his place, staring at you with wide eyes. You flared your nose tightly, jaw clenching as you turned to face Flash Thompson, standing in whatever glory he conjectured to own. "And Y/N, too?" He asked sarcastically, gaining more attention to where you were standing.

"Didn't think we'd see you here either, Flash. Don't you have some stalking to be getting on with?" you questioned, folding your arms over your chest. Peter cowered behind you like a cub, wishing the floor would just swallow him up. And in all honesty, you were wishing it too. You felt for Peter because you weren't the one Flash was willing to embarrass.

"Should you be banging Devenshaw by now?" Flash quipped back. You lost your shit there and then, hands bulging into fists as you lunged forward. Peter's grip slipped off your jumper, you being moderately stronger than him. Flash stood with a proud smirk on his face for a moment, that was until you climbed up onto the stage. An arm grabbed you back, tugging your body away before your hand could come into contact with his smug face. He was flinching with your figure just being within a five-meter radius, which was enough to clear you didn't need to hit him for him to be scared of you.

Your head turned to see Harry, which was quite unexpected. You and Harry Osborn had known each other since you were in diapers, and he was initially the one who introduced you to Peter.

"You don't wanna do this" he lowered his voice to you, not letting your hand slip out of his grip. Despite the fact you loved Harry with your heart, there was a moment where he would callously get in the way. You gave a sarcastic smile, pulling your hand from his grip.

"Don't I?" you asked, turning around and punching Flash clean in the nose, knocking him over. The crowd gasped, music blanking out as two strong arms wrapped around your waist, setting you down on the ground off the stage. "Cause that felt pretty good" you tilted your head, Harry grasping your shoulder tightly and walked you through the crowd back to Peter.

"Y/N, you really didn't have to do that-"

"Peter, just shut up" you smiled, shaking your head. Peter was grateful you looked out for him, and yet slightly embarrassed he couldn't do it himself. Harry and Peter exchanged small conversation as they both walked behind you, Harry's hand still on your shoulder, leading you to the kitchen where you could calm down.

"Really didn't expect to see you here, Y/N/N" he smiled, letting you go. You rolled your eyes; "I could say the same thing, Osborn" you propped yourself on the kitchen counter, taking a bottle of white wine and slipping off the cap. Peter moved to stand next to you, his arm resting gently against your leg. Compared to yourself, he was so innocent. At times it made you wonder how you ever got on as kids. He would sit drawing sunflowers while you made mud pies.

"Didn't realise you had quite the right swing" Another familiar voice came into your earshot. You took a long sip raw from the wine bottle, tilting your eye to see Kyle standing beside you. You rolled your eyes, lowering the bottle and swallowing the strong liquid. You really didn't need this bullshit tonight. "Yeah, well now you do, bye" you smirked harshly, jumping down off the counter, pulling Peter and Harry away from him.

"Y/N, hold on a second" Kyle tugged you back gently. You swung around quickly on your heels.

"What?" you asked. You held your hand behind your back on Peter's side. He looked down as you poked him gently, folding his fingers in between yours. It was an inside friendship code that you and Peter had made up when you met. If ever either one of you were stressed, you would ask the other to keep you grounded. Your way of asking was with a poke, to which Peter would respond with holding your hand.

Kyle looked at you, and then to Harry and Peter.

"Can I talk to you? Alone?" he asked, eyes wondering around.

"After what happened last time, how about fuck no" You scowled, sending him a sharp glare. You turned back around, seeing both Peter and Harry looking at you curiously. You shook your head, taking them both by the arms and leading them away from the crowds. You headed into the living room, where teenagers of all sorts were making out, drinking, smoking you name it, it was happening. You groaned, looking around for someplace to sit, but there was nowhere. What were you expecting?

"You still think coming here was a good idea?" Peter asked cautiously. You took a deep breath. Usually, you'd turn around and give Peter a piece of your mind, but after everything that had happened in the space of half an hour, you really couldn't be bothered.

"For your sake entirely, nope" you shrugged, taking a sip from the wine bottle that was held fast in your palm. Peter's eyes wandered around the room, trying to catch someplace he could sit and maybe convince you to leave this hell hole. Despite being Spider-Man, Peter was still an antisocial nerd who only really mixed with people on his own social level. You were particularly not one of them, but then again there was that something about you that held Peter tight in your orbit.

"You kids look bored" Harry reproached the two of you, looking a little lost in the middle of the hormonal chaos. He handed you a shot, which you kindly took, and one to Peter, who was shaking a little as he held the small glass. You downed the shot in one, neglecting both the empty glass and the wine bottle to the table. "Why don't you hook up with someone? Get your mind off Devenshaw" Harry asked tinting his brow, earning a glare from your side.

"Devenshaw is the last person on my mind, Osborn. Besides, he's an asshole and he doesn't deserve the benefit of me even trying"

"Sidetracking on the fact you just had a borderline rant about him, if you're not gonna hook up with someone then let's get Parker with a gal for once" he turned sharply to face Peter, who was discreetly pouring the shot away into another person drink. His head turned at the sound of his name, face perking slightly. You smirked, arm folding over your chest as you leaned against the door frame.

"What?" Peter asked shyly, seeing both of you staring at him.

"I'm in, but who?" you asked, voice trialling as you looked around the room.

"What about Karmen?" Harry poked your side, pointing to the mixed-race girl in the corner of the room. Your lip perked into a squeamish look, shaking your head to the side.

"Uh, guys?" Peter nudged you gently, making your head turn to face him. Peter was squished against the wall, an anonymous girl attacking his neck with her bruised red lipstick. Your hand covered your mouth, holding back a cry of laughter, smacking Harry on the arm repeatedly.

"What?" Harry asked anxiously, turning to see what you were looking at. Harry followed suit, but a little less discreetly than yourself, bursting out into a fit of laughter. This girl was off her rocker drunk, she probably had no idea who she was now grinding up against. Peter's hand refused to even touch her, instead, they were pinned against the wall, eyes watching her as he swallowed harshly.

"A little help!" He mouthed to you. You cried for a few more seconds, before walking over to the girl and slowly drawing her hands off of Peter. She was hesitant at first, and a little violent when you tried to pull her away, but soon relaxed when you handed her to Harry with a smirk. Harry wasn't reluctant, she was a nice looking girl. He was playboy anyways, and you didn't mind because he was never your type, and you weren't his. He sent you a playful wink, before leading her off into a back room, leaving you and Peter standing yet again, alone in the middle of the living room.

"How'd she even-"

"Don't know, don't ask" Peter cut you off, making you giggle slightly, both your eyes still watching Harry waltzer off towards the stairs.

"You wanna get outta here?"

"Way ahead of you" Peter smiled, dashing for the door, you close on his tail.

The walk home was scenic, making your way around some shops that were closing. Eventually, your feet got tired, so you and Peter headed to the local playground where your favourite memories were made. Sitting on the swing brought back so much nostalgia, remembering times you'd swung so high you felt like you were flying, Peter right by your side. You'd made and lost friends here, the same with making mistakes. Looking towards the skater shelter, the memory of your first cigarette was under that roof. And looking over to the slide, was where you shared your first kiss with a kid called Max.

"Hey," you tapped Peter on the shoulder lightly, the alcohol kicking its way through your system. You daren't even start rocking in case you fell off.

"Hm?" Peter hummed gently, looking over at you. God, he was so innocent.

"You know how I said earlier about you dropping your V card?" you asked. Peter turned his head to the ground, looking at the shavings as he kicked them around with his sneakers. He nodded, hands bracing the metal chains as he swung gently.

"Why don't I teach you how to do everything? And then drop your V card to someone who you're actually interested in?" you asked, repositioning yourself to straddle the swing seat, your legs on either side. Peter lifted his head to look at you, the red lipstick still smothered along his neck.

"Elaborate"

You rolled your eyes; "I'll teach you in the ins and outs, you wanted to know how to get a girl to have sex with you, right?" you asked, tilting your head to the side. Peter's cheeks flushed slightly, looking around to make sure no one was looking or listening before nodding.

"Well, I'll teach how the stuff about woman, like what turns us on n' shit" you shoved your hands into your jean pockets, leaning back against the cold metal chain. For you, this was a day to day conversation topic, but for Peter, it was like sitting in a lesson of Sex Education.

"I'll be like a test dummy, you can learn from me, so when you do find someone you want. you can give me the best night of their life" you smirked, sending him a friendly wink. Peter rolled his eyes with a gentle smile, his eyes locking with your own.

"I'm never gonna get another friend like you, am I?" he asked. The question was an open one, but it made you smile.

"Not in a million years, Parker"

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Tysm for reading and apologies for the slow updates!