A/N: Thank you to all those who reviewed the last chapter! You guys are the motivation behind my continuing on with the fic!


Despite the strange tension Harry knew for sure existed between the two, the two boys continued to spend quite a bit of time together. For the most part, Peter took Harry to all the wonderful hidden eateries scattered around New York, but sometimes, Harry would go over to Peter's place to play some video games or watch a movie. Aunt May loved him, and he made sure to buy flowers and chocolate for her every time he visited.

Today was another movie night, and the two were in Peter's room, trying to find a movie to watch. Harry knew from past experiences that Peter took forever choosing a movie, so he kept himself busy browsing through a copy of Top Gear lying around. He wasn't much of a car geek (he liked speeding with expensive luxury cars though), but Peter seemed to be a big fan enough. He wondered for a brief moment how Peter would react if he got him a car. Probably not a good idea. Not yet, anyway.

"OK, I know this is probably a bad idea," Peter begin after about half an hour of futile searching. "but I think we should watch something scary."

"I thought you hated horror flicks," Harry replied, not even looking up from the magazine.

"I do, but you know how there's some movies that people always talk about how it scared the shit out of them?"

"Yeah."

"I'm kinda curious."

"I strongly advise you against it," Harry suggested, remembering how Peter had reacted to watching a trailer for some Asian horror flick. Peter freaked out and spent the next few days texting Harry that he was sure that someone or something was watching him. And the texts continued throughout the night, keeping Harry from getting his well-deserved good night's sleep.

Now, Harry was quite fond of Peter. That wasn't even up for debate. But he really, really needed his sleep, and he wasn't about to risk another row of texts at 3 in the morning. .

"Come on! Please! Or are you telling me you're too scared."

Harry gave the other a pointed look. Harry Osborn didn't get scared, especially of movies, and that was already proven. He had watched countless supposedly scary movies, but each had him yawning till the very end. He was just too realistic. He knew the ghosts and bloods were fake. He knew they were all actors. He knew no one actually died. There was also the possibility that he was just dead inside, but whatever. That' wasn't the point.

Harry opened his mouth to protest but stopped when he found himself staring at Peter watching him with those huge, brown puppy eyes. Harry knew he was in trouble. He was horrible at saying no when it came to Peter and his goddamn puppy-dog look.

"Fine. I guess I get to say I told you so later."

"Sweet." Peter did a fist pump and returned to his computer.

"So what are we watching?"

"Paranorm-"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because you're going to regret it."

"Oh come on."

"Fine, your call," Harry mumbled as he hopped onto Peter's bed as usual. Peter looked like a child given a bag of candy as he started the movie and joined him on the bed.

"This is gonna be good," Peter flashed Harry a wide grin and turned to the screen.

Harry knew that Peter was going to be freaking out a few times throughout the movie, but what he didn't know was that Peter also got clingy when things got scary. And considering how much taller Peter was, Harry found himself slowly crushing under the weight.

Harry tried to push the other away, but things only got worse as the movie progressed. Peter was halfway out of it, his eyes as wide as saucers, his hands gripping Harry's arms with a bit more force than the young CEO found comfortable. Peter had a really, really strong grip, and Harry was sure that it was going to leave bruises.

"Holy shit!" Peter shouted as he flung himself onto Harry, his long arms wrapped around the smaller man's shoulders. Harry wanted to be annoyed. He wanted to get angry at Peter for unintentionally assaulting him, but instead, he found himself frozen still. Peter was breathing heavily against his neck, his arms wrapped tightly around him.

Harry had never been fond of physical contact. He never had anyone touch him unless it was sexual. His parents didn't exactly coddle him, and he spent most of his time alone by choice. So it made sense that he wouldn't know what to do when Peter was clinging to him like this.

Harry remained still, trying to ignore the heat from Peter's body. The way Peter's muscles moved every time he flinched, the rapid pace at with Peter's heart was beating. There was a distinct scent that was Peter, amplified to a degree that it made Harry almost dizzy.

It was torture. It felt as if the movie was going on forever and ever.

Harry remained still. So still that all the muscles in his body began to ache. He still didn't know what to do. Should he push the other off of him? Politely ask him to remove himself? Was this a normal thing to expect when watching a movie with a friend? How the hell was he supposed to know? No one had him prepared for this.

Harry grimaced at his lack of experience and groaned internally when he realized that Peter was completely unaware of his state. So he waited. Waited patiently for the movie to finally end.

"Oh shit, sorry," Peter apologized immediately once he realized that he was halfway suffocating the other. "Shit, that was insane," he continued as he peeled himself from Harry with an impressive blush. He hadn't realized that he was practically trying to fuse with Harry throughout the movie and now he just felt equal parts guilty and embarrassed.

"Remind me to never watch a horror flick with you," Harry mumbled in his attempt to hide his nervousness. He didn't know why, but he felt...awkward. Like he was doing something wrong. He couldn't bring himself to face Peter so he pretended to keep himself busy by stretching his muscles.

"Sorry, man. Even I didn't know I do that," Peter replied sheepishly. "I gotta watch something funny to erase that from my memory."

"I don't think any amount of 21 Jump Street is going to delete that from your brain."

"How did you-"

"You're kinda predictable when it comes to movies."

"Can we watch it?" Peter asked, his eyes doing the whole puppy dog thing again. Harry groaned internally, knowing that it was already getting quite late. It was Saturday night, so having to wake up early was not an issue, but...

"It's already past midnight."

"You can sleep over."

"I didn't bring anything."

"Oh come on, you can just wear some of my stuff. And you know you want Aunt May's pancakes for breakfast."

"Damn you."

"Aww yisss," Peter continued gleefully and started the movie. He hopped onto the bed next to Harry again and watched the movie, laughing as if it was the first time watching it. Harry always found it interesting that Peter laughed and smiled so easily and so naturally. It was as it Peter was perpetually happy and couldn't help but be in a good mood.

Harry glanced away from the screen and found himself staring at the way Peter's mouth opened wide, the way his eyes practically twinkled in mirth. The young CEO swallowed hard as he returned his focus back to the movie. What was with him today? He felt...nervous. Antsy. Uncomfortable. It was very rare that he'd feel those things around Peter. He was supposed to be feeling at complete ease, and they were just only a funny movie together, but clearly something had changed.

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Peter suddenly realized that it was too quiet.

Harry wasn't a very vocal movie-watcher to begin with, but he usually had a snarky comment or two, or a disproving snort to offer, but it was too quiet. Peter turned to see that his friend had fallen asleep, with his arms crossed in front of him.

Peter couldn't help but notice how small and vulnerable Harry looked that very moment. In a state of trance, Peter leaned in closer to the other until their faces were only inches apart. A faint trace of the sweet scent that was Harry tickled his nose, making him inhale sharply. From so close, Peter could make out Harry's long lashes, see the small scar right above Harry's left eye. He wondered how he could've missed it.

And there were Harry's lips. They were both delicate and strong. Always flushed pink and pouting. Peter's eyes continued to roam, scanning every inch of the other's face. There was a certain beauty to Harry that Peter didn't bother denying or ignoring. Peter moved forward tentatively, drawn by an invisible force that he didn't have the energy to fight against.

...What?

Peter jerked back, horrified.

He felt like a complete asshole.

Harry trusted him completely to be just a good friend, but he almost ruined everything. This was so wrong. Peter wasn't stupid enough to now know that he was attracted to the Harry. How could he not? Harry was perfect. He was beautiful, he was interesting, always so smart and witty. He saw it coming, yet he hadn't made a strong enough effort to fight it.

Harry was a friend. A friend and nothing more.

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"Is Jake still in New York?"

Gwen stopped playing with the half empty cup of coffee and stared at her friend. Peter hadn't mentioned Jake since that one date, but here he was, asking if he was still in New York.

"Uh yeah, he sort of lives here," Gwen answered slowly, unsure of where this was all going.

"Do you think he'd be interested in another date with me?"

"I'm a bit confused. What's happening."

"Can you just answer my question."

"I...guess. He did think you were really cute and sweet, and unless he hasn't told me yet, he's still single...but why are you asking me this all of a sudden?" she asked with an impressive frown.

"I may or may not want to go on another date with him?" Peter replied uncertainly, scrunching up his face as usual. Gwen put the cup down and leaned forward, her big green eyes making her look almost vicious.

"What the hell is going on."

"What? You said I should get myself a boyfriend and this is me trying!"

"You weren't even interested in Jake! And what happened to Harry!"

"Oh jeez, how many times do I have to say this! Harry's straight and we're just good friends. I mean, sorta good friends. Co-workers with good outside-of-work relationship? I don't know, whatever."

"Peter," Gwen began, her expression hard. "What. Happened."

"Nothing! Jake's cute and nice and I think I'm ready for a relationship so..."

"Did something happened between you and Harry? And don't you dare tell me nothing, because I know you, Peter Parker. You can't lie for shit. Like seriously."

"Can't a guy just want to go on a date?"

Gwen only raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms.

"OK, OK! It's just...I may or may not like him, and I can't have that going on. I really, really need a proper, gay relationship to get me out of this."

"That's your reason for wanting to go on a date with Jake?" she asked incredulously, and the way she said the words made him feel like a complete, utter jackass.

"See, when you put it that way, it sounds horrible."

"Because that is horrible, Peter. You're my best friend, but Jake is my friend, too, and I'm not going to set you guys up again just so you can use him!"

"I wouldn't be using him! I mean, what if I got to know him better and I end up really liking him? You know I wouldn't do something so horrible to anyone! Gwen, come on!"

"That's really, incredibly messed up," she continued, shaking her head. "Peter, you know I love and I really care about you, but I'm not going to talk to Jake just so that you can solve this weird thing between you and Harry. OK?"

"Fine, fine," Peter replied with a pout. Gwen took a sip with a final pointed look.

"Well, I gotta go, but I'll talk to you later," she continued, getting up and grabbing her bag. She leaned over and placed a quick kiss on his cheek before marching out the coffee shop.

Peter waved her goodbye with a sigh. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he was messing things up really badly. What was he going to do now? He couldn't just avoid Harry, because he really did like Harry as a friend, but how was he going to get over this crush? It was so typical of him to go for a straight guy. Of course he couldn't fall for a nice, gay guy that would reciprocate his feelings.

"Hey."

Peter looked up from his empty cup and came face to face with a man with a messy mop of dirty blond hair and soft, ice pale blue eyes. He was standing where Gwen was sitting, holding a cup of coffee in one hand, with the other hand shoved into his pocket.

"Uh, hey," Peter greeted back uncertainly. The man looked to be in his early twenties, with an air of confidence that was undeniably attractive.

"Don't mean to sound like a creep, but I saw you from over there and I had to come and say hello," the mystery man continued and flashed Peter a toothy grin. Peter wasn't naive enough to not know where this was going. He just hoped that he didn't look as nervous as he was actually feeling. But what do you really say to that?

Peter just laughed awkwardly.

He was already sucking at this.

"May I?" The man asked, pointing at the empty chair.

"Yeah, yeah, go ahead."

"I'm Adrian," the man introduced him with a charming smile.

"Peter."

"So Peter, would you be willing to go for another cup of coffee? On me, of course."

"Um..yeah, I guess," Peter answered, shaking his empty cup.

"What would you like?"

"Something super sweet."

"Sweet tooth, I like that. Alright, coming right up," the man replied and made his way towards the counter, leaving Peter trying to take in the whole thing in. A man was actually making a move on him. Holy crap. Just when he wanted to go into the whole dating scene, voila, Adrian comes out of nowhere and buys him coffee.

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