A/N: Hey readers! Thanks so much for the comments/follows/favs! This story will be updated weekly (most likely on Fridays but possibly the weekend). Comments are greatly appreciated! Also, this isn't beta'd so sorry for typos and mistakes. Thanks for reading!
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2
The sound of the lenses capturing the picture made Peter smile. It had been such a long time since he snapped a picture and it delighted him. But this was just the day time, Peter longed for the sun to set so the holiday lights would come on and he could snap pictures of that. It was warming and he loved the way the lights from the decorations danced in the final outcome of the pictures. Some he kept original, when they were brighter than the sun. He let his camera hang on its strap around his neck as he continued walking the rest of the way to school. This morning he had been up bright and early, eager to get out and catch a few morning pictures before the morning buzz filled and blocked the sights.
It was a sure fact that Steve was shocked to see his son up before himself, but he felt proud and delighted and they made breakfast together. Tony had walked down the stairs into the smell of eggs, toast, and bacon. Though he nagged about not smelling coffee, he thanked his family for the meal before heading off to work. Steve had done the same and Peter was last to leave the house. Still, it was a hell of a lot earlier than he was used to. So here he stood now in front of the school to a practically empty parking lot.
Taking up his camera again, Peter stood in the middle of the parking lot and snapped a picture of the school building. It looked eerie this empty so early in the morning. The sun was up, but the clouds covering it gave it a gloom depressed look. Perfect for a high school. Peter smiled at the thought and took a few more shots. There were some soft footsteps behind him but he paid no mind, simply checking his camera, trying not to be caught taking pictures of the school. Others didn't understand photography like him.
The footsteps continued and there was a soft laugh. "Those will have a lot of meaning behind them." A soft voice said.
Peter immediately recognized the voice as Gwen's and he turned around quickly to see her standing just a few steps away from him. He smiled at her and waved a shy hand, letting his camera go so it hung once more. "Morning." He said just above a whisper. He hated his shyness.
Gwen waved in return and smiled. "Morning. You look better." She complimented.
Running a hand over his face quickly, Peter felt no swelling but knew there were still light bruises on his face. "Thanks." He said, this time a little louder. "I also-thank...for yesterday, you know?" He spoke with his hands moving all over the place and quickly shoved them into his pockets. Looking down to the snow covered ground and smiling.
Unable to help it, Gwen laughed and took a few steps closer. "It's no problem. But I wasn't talking about the bruises. You look better. Happier than I've seen you in the last few weeks." She came to a stop just in front of him now.
Looking up, Peter held back his most inner thought. She said the last few weeks. That means she noticed him. Watched him. Probably not as much as he watched her, but she noticed and that was enough to make Peter smile a mile wide at her. "I got my camera back." He felt sheepish as the words came out his mouth. He gave a small laugh and fingered the camera a bit. "Uh, I mean I didn't lose it or anything. I just hadn't really had the muse to take photos lately." He bit his bottom lip.
Nodding her head, Gwen looked at the camera and gave it a poke. "I can see that." She said, placing her hands into her pockets. "The pictures of the school, they'll give off a great sense of gloom. The snow, all the dead trees, the dark clouds. Kinda expresses almost every student's emotions here." Tilting her head to the side, she eyed Peter, waiting for a response.
He was amazed that she understood his world of photographic meaning. He tried to say something, but it ended with just his mouth opening and closing a few times before he smiled and nodded his head a few times. When Gwen nodded her head as well, they both broke out into small laughter. Peter seemed to relax a bit and let his shoulders drop. "Yeah, that's the exact concept I was aiming for." He finally said, all of it coming out smooth and not in a fit of broken words and stutters.
"Well, I'd love to see them when they are developed." Gwen said, kicking at some snow.
Peter nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah of course. You like photography?" He asked. He noticed one of his hands made its way out of his pocket and moved as he spoke. Quickly he shoved it back into his pocket.
"Yeah." Gwen said quickly. "I mean, I've never done any myself. But I've always loved to interpret what others capture." She spoke in a rush and then smiled after, laughing.
That lovely sound of her laughter touched Peter's heart and he just stood there with a smile on his face. An idea hit him and his hands flew out of his pockets. "Hey, I'm going out snapping pictures of the holiday decorations tonight. Do you-" He stopped, his voice suddenly catching in his throat. Was he really just about to ask Gwen Stacy out? What if she rejected him? His face would turn beet red and then he'll be way too embarrassed to even meet her eye to eye.
"I'd love too." Gwen said softly. She looked around and noticed more people had arrived, the front doors now open. "Come on, let's get out of this cold." She intertwined her arm with Peter's and they began walking toward the school.
Peter could not figure out how he wasn't melting into the snow right now, or how his legs were even moving. It sure wasn't on his own because his mind couldn't focus on walking. All he could think about was his arm wrapped with Gwen's own and how fast his heart was beating. He heard the whispers around him, saw the faces turning their way, but he didn't care. If this moment could last forever, he'd capture it on his camera and print it immediately. But it also scared him.
They walked into the building and separated to go to their separate lockers. They weren't far, so Peter quickly shoved his coat and scarf into his locker, taking out the books he'll need and kept his camera around his neck. Slamming his locker a little harder than necessary, Peter half ran over to Gwen's locker, smiling as he leaned on the lockers next to her own.
Gwen took out one last book and closed her locker. "So, where are we going tonight?"
Peter looked up to the ceiling, the smile never leaving his face. It wouldn't even if he tried. "I was thinking around east midtown. They have a bunch of houses there that decorate every year." He looked back down at her, holding his books in one arm and keeping his other firmly in his pocket.
She nodded her head and pursed her lips in approval. "Sounds like a plan."
"Do you like pizza?" Peter asked in a rush. The words escaped his mouth before he could catch them. This definitely wasn't him. Something must have taken over his body to speak so boldly, so clear. Maybe Flash's punches unscrewed something in his head. Gwen nodded and Peter smirked. "There's this great oven baked pizzeria on Second Avenue. We could swing by there after if you wish." The words came out slow and low, but he knew they were even so he felt proud of himself.
The smile that spread across Gwen's face was the brightest he'd had ever seen. "Peter Rogers-Stark, are you asking me out on a date?" She dropped her head a bit and looked up at him from under her eyelashes.
Once more Peter went to say something but nothing came out, his eyebrows raised. He took a deep breath and smiled, shaking his head a bit but not enough to say no. "I didn't-I mean if you want…or there, so-it's up to you really-that place is really nice." He leaned off the lockers and swayed on his heels.
"Yeah, that place." Gwen giggled. She took out a piece of paper and started scribbling something on it and then handing it to Peter. "Here is my number. Give me a call after school around seven and we'll meet up."
Peter took the paper and shoved it in his pocket. "Right, cool." The bell rang loudly over their heads and Peter realized just then that the hallways were filled with many students now all scrambling to get to class on time. "So, seven. Phone. I'll call you."
Gwen nodded her head and took a few steps back. "Yep. Okay, see you later." She turned on her heels and walked away, taking a glance back and smiling at him once more.
0o0o0o
Peter paced in his room, his cell phone in one hand, the paper with Gwen's number in the other. He dialed the number already but had yet to press the call button. It wasn't seven yet. It was five minutes till and he counted down the seconds. His heart pounded, his face hot with nerves. He couldn't help thinking the negatives of what this phone call could bring. Perhaps she'd cancel and then he'll go out to take the pictures alone. He didn't mind going alone, but the thought that Gwen was supposed to be there as well would give him an unsettling feeling in his stomach and he wouldn't enjoy the night.
There was a knock on his door and Peter came to a halt. He hadn't realized anyone else was home. Rushing over to the door, he opened it quickly. "What?" He asked once the door was fully open, regretting it the instant he saw Steve standing there, his eyebrows furrowed and his arms coming up to his chest, crossing over. Peter cleared his throat and swallowed a few times. "I mean, uh…yes, sir?" He asked in a rush of words.
Steve tilted his head to the side and glanced Peter up and down for a moment. "Going somewhere?" He asked, obviously amused.
Nodding, Peter looked down at his clothes. He wore light blue jeans and a button down red shirt, the top two buttons open. He looked back at his father and smiled a bit. "Going out to take pictures." He had to admit his attire said differently, but that actually was the truth.
"Guess we just decided to forget that you left school yesterday and are grounded?" Steve smirked, obviously toying with his son.
Peter felt his heart fall into the pit of his stomach and frowned. "Wait...you guys never said anything about being grounded. You said to do the dishes." He quickly tried to come to his own defense, but anything against Steve was futile.
Steve acted as though he were seriously considering the argument before shrugging and looked around the room. "What's all the noise up here anyway?" Steve finally asked, leaning against the doorframe.
Peter shook his head, confused. He wasn't making noise was he? "Nothing." He spoke softly.
Staying there for a moment longer, Steve straightened up and ruffled Peter's hair. "Just press the call button." With that he walked down the hall and descended the stairs.
Peter looked at the time and closed the door quickly. It was one minute to seven and he decided the last minute shouldn't matter. He pressed the call button and placed the phone to his ear, taking a seat on his bed. His leg continued to shake as the phone rang and Peter had to hold it down. It stopped ringing and he heard her soft voice on the other end. "Hello?" She answered and Peter was stuck for a moment.
He cleared his throat quickly and smiled. "Hey Gwen. It's Peter."
"Peter!" She responded and he was certain she was smiling into the receiver. "Gotta save your number into my phone."
It was like a dream come true. Her number in his phone and his in hers. It just all seemed so cereal. "Um, are we still on?" He found it easier to talk to her on the phone rather than in person where he had to keep himself from blushing.
She giggled on the other end. "Of course. Where are we meeting up?"
Peter already had this planned out. He picked up a piece of paper on his desk and began reading off the directions he wrote. "We can meet up on Thirty-Third Street...Lexington Avenue. We can walk it from there."
"Okay, I'll head out now." She responded and Peter could hear some shuffling and a door close.
"Yeah, okay, so I'll see you in a bit." When she agreed, they said their goodbyes and hung up. Peter shoved his phone into his pocket and grabbed his camera and wallet. He ran down the stairs and quickly got his sneakers on, grabbing his coat and keys.
Tony walked over to where Peter stood and smiled at him. "Be careful out there." He said, taking a sip from his beer bottle.
Nodding, Peter took the beer bottle from him and rushed over to the kitchen to pour its contents out. "The doctor said a month without it dad." He tossed the glass bottle into the trash and then headed back to the door.
Pouting, Tony crossed his arms. "It was just one. Your less cool father said you were going out to take pictures?" When Peter nodded his head, Tony moved into the living room and motioned for Peter to follow. Taking a seat, Tony crossed his arms and eyed his son. "I know it's not by yourself. It's not with him, is it?"
He knew who Tony was referring to. Looking down, Peter shook his head slightly. He hadn't thought about him in a long time. In the last year, Peter chose to focus on school and not pay attention to what had happened. "N-no, dad. He's gone." His words were just loud enough to be heard.
"Who is it with then?" Tony questioned, his tone a little lighter than before.
Peter still wasn't ready to say he was going somewhere with anyone. He knew it was just Tony being protective of him because of what happened. But he didn't want them to put their two sense in. For some reason, it boiled Peter's blood. That's what made shit hit the fan last time. "By myself, dad. I'm going out by myself. Can I go now?"
Tony heard the aggression. It wasn't well hidden and he wasn't too sure Peter was even trying to hide it. Giving a small nod, Tony cleared his throat and stood up. "Okay. You need any money?" He asked as he dug into his pocket and took out his wallet despite Peter's protest. "No, here, take it. It's just twenty bucks."
Peter took the money and thanked his father before leaving the house and speed walking to the train. He didn't want Gwen to get there before him and have to wait in the cold and the dark, plus he needed to cool off before getting there. He was lucky to catch the F train just as he swiped his metrocard and took a seat. Fiddling with his camera, Peter made sure all the settings were correct and snapped a few pictures of the practically empty train. He'll edit the people's faces later.
The train stopped at the 63rd street station in which he transferred to the six train. Peter felt that he was making good timing and within the next twenty minutes he had made it to his destination. Gwen wasn't there yet and he was happy about that, but of course his mind began rummaging through the negatives. Maybe this was a trick and she wasn't going to come. Maybe she would tell everyone how he waited out there in the cold and dark for her and she had no intentions of going in the first place. Just as he began feeling that unsettlement in his stomach, he felt a pat on the back and turned to see Gwen smiling up at him.
He sighed in relief and blushed when she gave him a greeting hug. "Glad you made it." He said, his throat drier than he thought. Quickly he cleared his throat and smiled at her. "This way." He said, pointing in the direction.
They began to walk and soon enough the lined houses came into view. They were decorated practically ground to roof in lights and signs. Peter turned on his camera and began snapping away. Gwen watched him with a smile, she spoke about how she loved the decorations and which were her favorites. "Can you teach me?" She asked suddenly.
Peter looked up from his camera. "How to take a picture?"
Gwen shook her head as she walked up to where Peter stood in front of a blue lit house. "How to be a photographer for the night." She spoke in a whisper.
Goosebumps traveled up Peter's arms and he nodded his head with a crooked smile, taking his camera from around his neck and handing it to Gwen. He faced her toward the house and stood behind her, guiding her hands on the camera and glad she couldn't see the blush on his face, because he knew he was redder than a beet. "You twist this here to zoom in. Twist the second one to get it into focus." He spoke right next to her ear lowly. Peter doesn't know what was coming over him, but he felt this boost of confidence to be this comfortable with Gwen.
She followed everything he said, leaning back to rest her back against his chest. He prayed she couldn't feel his heart pounding. "Like this?" She asked, repeating what he had guided her hands to do.
Peter nodded quickly, guiding her hands to new spots on the camera. "This is to set the mode. This is to shut on and off the flash. And this is to take the picture." He let her go and took a few steps back. "Angle however you want and take the picture when you feel it's right."
Gwen nodded and looked at the house, moving around before finally bringing the camera up to her eyes and taking a picture. She smiled as she walked over to Peter and handed him back the camera. "Let me know how it looks." She said happily.
"I'm sure it looks beautiful." Peter said and then stumbled over his next few words before sighing and giving Gwen a small smile. "May I?" He asked, holding the camera up. Gwen nodded and posed in front of one of the houses. Peter angled his camera a few different ways, taking multiple pictures. When he felt he got the right one, he put the camera back around his neck and they moved to the end of the block.
He let Gwen take a few more pictures, she even took some of him which he didn't mind but he wasn't one for being in pictures. He half smiled in almost all of them and shied away on a few. Gwen stopped in front of a house that had a tree decorated and called Peter over. "Let's take a picture together."
Peter felt his face heat up for the millionth time that night as he walked over to Gwen. They stood close together as he held the camera out in front of them and snapped a picture. They shared a laugh and took a few more on Gwen's command. A funny face picture, a cheesy smile one, a serious one. After that, Peter began leading Gwen to the pizzeria. "Thanks for coming with me. It was really fun." Peter said as he shut off his camera.
Gwen slid her arm into his and giggled. "It was fun for me too. I can't wait to taste this pizza you spoke of."
Nodding, Peter spoke of the first time his father's took him there when he was smaller. Afterwards they would go to the movie theater across the street and Tony would always insist on bringing a pack of Zeppole from the pizzeria in as a snack. Gwen listened and laughed. Peter felt more comfortable than he did earlier with all of his negative thoughts. She was really cool. Way cooler than he had thought. And he was really liking her. Once they made it to the place, Peter ordered two oven baked slices and four Zeppole before he and Gwen took a seat. He felt happy that he could pay for the meal. It showed Gwen, he hoped, that he was a gentlemen and would never let a woman pay for a meal.
The place was hot compared to the outside freezing air so the two took off their coats and scarves. Peter gave Gwen a quick up and down look. She wore her usual knee high boots and tight dark blue jeans with a gorgeous emerald green blouse. His voice caught in his throat and he held his breath for a moment. Finally catching himself, he cleared his throat and smiled when Gwen looked up at him. "You look amazing." He said in a half whisper. Peter cursed himself in his mind, he wanted to say that clear and loud to really let her know. Not to let her know that he was too breath-taken away. He chewed on his bottom lip and looked down, feeling like a wimp.
Gwen chuckled and took his hand, causing him to look up at her. "Thank you, Peter." She whispered in return, smiling. "You look dashing yourself."
Peter continued to curse himself because he couldn't peel his eyes off of Gwen's which means she could definitely see the blush that was playing across his face. He closed his hand in hers and smirked. "Thanks." He still spoke in a whisper and excused himself to go and get their readied pizzas. Upon returning he placed the pizza's down and set the bag with the Zeppole to the side. "Careful, it's hot." He went back to grab their drinks and then sat back down.
The steam from the pizza could be seen and they had a fun moment blowing the steam at one another. Finally when the pizza had cooled down a bit, he and Gwen took a bite. "Oh gosh!" Gwen boasted. "You're right, this pizza is good!"
Laughing, Peter took another bite from his own pizza. "Oven baked really gets the flavor in it." He felt accomplished that Gwen liked the pizza. This was a good thing. She had fun taking pictures and now she was enjoying dinner. Yes, this was really good. They spoke as they ate their pizzas and once they finished Peter pulled over the bag of Zeppole. "These treats are simple but awesome. They are messy though." He handed one to Gwen and took one for himself.
Together they bit into their Zeppole, each getting the white powdered sugar all over their fingers and lips. They laughed as they wiped their mouths with napkins. "It really is delicious." Gwen commented, taking another bite.
Peter gave himself another prop in his mind. Picture fun, good dinner, and delicious snacks. This night was turning out better than he could have ever hoped for. Once they were done, they thanked the chefs and left, arm in arm, back into the cold. They walked back to the train, talking about school and what they had planned for the holidays. They rode the six train together, taking a few more pictures. "What stop do you get off on?" Peter asked her as he placed his camera back around his neck.
"Grand central." She answered, resting her head on Peter's shoulder.
Once again he prayed she couldn't feel his heart pounding. Peter looked to his watch, it was really late. "I'll walk you home. Make sure you get there okay."
Gwen looked up at him and smiled softly. "Thanks Peter." She then rested her head back on his shoulder.
They transferred trains and then rode the second one for a while. Peter stood awake while Gwen fell asleep on his shoulder. He thought the day through and just kept feeling like the luckiest guy in the world. Here he was with the girl he's been crushing on for four years trusting him. Spending a night out with him and sleeping on his shoulder as he took her home. Never in a million years did Peter think this would happen to him. But it is happening. Right here, right now, and he figured he literally was the luckiest guy in the world. If not luckiest, then damn sure he was the happiest. They were rounding her stop and Peter lightly shook her, calling her name softly.
Blinking a few times, Gwen sat up straight and rubbed her eyes. "Sorry, I didn't mean to doze off." She said groggily.
Shaking his head, Peter stood up and helped her up as well. "It's okay." Exiting the train, they walked in a comfortable silence to her apartment building. Peter noticed it was a very tall building at first and looked very classy. The doorman out in front nodded his head to Gwen and smiled as he opened the door and let them in. They took the elevator up to the twentieth floor.
When it opened, Peter held the door as she got out and turned to him. "That's me down there." She pointed to her door and then looked back at him. "Will I get to see all those pictures?" She asked with a smile.
"Of course." Peter answered, returning the smile. "I'll edit them tonight and print them out for you to see at school tomorrow."
"Yeah, I'd like that." She answered. "Thanks for tonight, and for walking me home."
Peter flustered and stammered over his words, deciding just to nod in response. The elevator tried to close, but he held the door open and looked down to the floor. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yes." Gwen replied, biting her bottom lip.
Peter nodded a few times and then looked up at her. "Good night, Gwen."
"Good night, Peter." She gave him a hug before walking down the hall to her apartment.
Letting the door close, Peter rode the elevator back down and went back into the cold, but felt none of it. He got home way past his curfew but didn't care. No one was up when he arrived and he locked himself in his room. He knew he wasn't going to sleep tonight as he turned on his computer and brought up his editing software to fix the pictures. His stomach floated with butterflies when he got to the pictures with Gwen posing. They flew like crazy when he got to the pictures with the two of them. He made a special note to print the pictures she took herself. They really were good shots and he made the lights shine brighter.
The sun was already coming up when he finished his editing and started printing them. As they printed, Peter left to take a shower and wash up, returning to his room and dressing for the school day ahead. The final picture finished printing just as his alarm clock went off. Peter shut his alarm clock off and scooped up the pictures, placing them into a folder and putting the folder carefully into his backpack.