Sam showed up right on time for his first date with Peter with picnic supplies tucked neatly into a messenger bag. That had been their deal: Sam would bring blankets, wine, and portable music, and Peter would supply the food.

Peter opened the door for him and Sam waltzed through, doing his best to ignore the butterflies in his tummy. It had been a long time since he had been on a date. And after just the little bit he had talked with Peter at the party a few night prior, Sam knew Peter was going to be different. He was going to be different from all the shitty past relationships he suffered through.

Sam smiled up at Peter, hoping he would be different for Peter too.

Peter closed the door as Sam leaned his skateboard against the wall. "So," he began nervously, "Ham and cheese sandwiches okay with you?"

Sam nodded. "Yea, that's fine. We should probably get going, it looked like it could rain at any time…"

Peter shuffled his feet, "Okay, I just need to finish packing the food up."

As soon as Peter finished speaking, a loud clap of thunder shook the apartment building. They looked towards the window and saw the sky had darkened significantly.

Peter's shoulders sagged, "So much for our date." He ran a hand over the back of his head. "Maybe we could try again another day?"

Sam took in the downturn of Peter's mouth. He wanted nothing more in that moment than to put a smile on his face. "Bull. We still have the food, right?" He walked over to Peter's couch and pulled out a cushion.

Peter raised a hand toward Sam, "What are you doing?"

Sam turn to give him a mischievous grin, "I'm saving our date." He pulled out the remaining cushions and tossed them on the ground. "Unless you'd rather I leave?"

Peter crossed his arms, "Tempting, considering you're tearing up my living room…"

Sam looked up from where he was sitting on the floor. "Dude, your place is already a mess. Besides, when is the last time you made a pillow fort?"

After a little convincing, and a lot of directions, Peter helped Sam create the pillow fort. Complete with secret tunnel entrance. The inside was just large enough for both of them to sit comfortably, and Peter rigged a fan to circulate the air and positioned the lights so enough filtered through the top layer of blankets.

Sam was sitting inside while Peter fetched their lunch. He smiled to himself, they hadn't really talked yet, but they connected so well while building the fort. He wasn't alone long, soon Peter emerged through the tunnel with two plates. He handed one to Sam and took a seat across from him.

"Thank you." Sam let his fingers brush Peter's as he took the plate.

Peter stared at his plate, "You're welcome." He sighed and poked at his sandwich.

Sam frowned. "Dude, you okay? You seem…upset. Have I been too forward? Shit…If you don't want to do this anymore-"

Peter looked up at Sam with a panicked look. "No! Don't go," He reach out and grabbed Sam's hand. "I'm just..nervous. If I wasn't interested I wouldn't have agreed to this date in the first place…."

Sam turned his hand so they were palm to palm and gave Peter's hand a squeeze. "I'm glad you said yes." He couldn't stop his brain from imagining Peter saying yes to a completely different question- and what the heck brain? They hadn't even technically had their first date yet.

Across from him, Peter was blushing.

"Pete, you don't have to be nervous"

"It's just…been a while…" He looked back at his plate and started picking at the chips.

"Yea, me too."

Peter gaped at him, "I find that hard to believe." He sucked in a breath when he realized what he said.

Sam grinned. "Likewise." He let go of Peter's hand and started on his plate of food. "So, where do you work?" He was still bummed he didn't get to talk to Peter very much at his house warming party,

"I work at S.H.I.E.L.D. Labs. I do mostly genetic research, but I do help out in engineering when our projects cross. How about you? Luke didn't mention it when he told me about you."

"Wait- Luke…" Sam threw his head back with a laugh while Peter turned red. "He set us up, didn't he?"

Peter stammered out, "He put the pieces in place and let them fall where they will."

Sam smiled, remembering Luke's prodding at the party. He did more than just set them up. "I'm a cop. Rookie still, but moving to New York should help my career out. I'm hoping to make detective in three years."

Peter frowned, "Isn't that dangerous? Especially in New York!"

Sam shrugged. "It can be. I guess. My dad's a cop, so I guess I just grew up used to it."

"Same. But with the science stuff."

The more they talked, the more Peter relaxed. They quickly found they had a lot in common, including a love of Star Trek (though Peter preferred Star Wars) and key lime pie. Sam desperately wanted to ask Peter who had hurt him so badly in the past to turn him so insecure, but he held his tongue. He knew that was not a first or second, or even third date question- no matter how well they clicked.

Soon their fort became too hot, even with the fan running, and they decided to call it a night. Sam followed Peter into his kitchen to help clean, but was rebuked. "Sam, you're my guest. I'm not letting you clean up."

Sam grabbed a towel. "You wash, I'll dry."

"Sam, you don't have to."

"But I want to. Besides, I really don't want to go yet." He leaned up and gave Peter a peck on the cheek, proud of himself for holding out so long.

Peter blinked down at him. "You…actually…" He rubbed the spot where Sam had kissed him.

Sam smiled, choosing not to comment on Peter's awe. "Come on, the dishes won't wash themselves. You really should get a dishwasher."

There weren't many dishes and they quickly finished. They tackled the living room next, and Sam was sad to see their fort dismantled.

When the last cushion was put back on the couch Peter turned to Sam. "Thank you. This, this was nice. We should do it again. "

Sam was happy Peter was opening up more. "Absolutely." He frowned, "I have newbie orientation the next two weeks. They make the rookies work 15 hour days filled with paperwork and shit runs to learn the area."

"That sucks."

"Yea. So, maybe we can do something after?"

Peter hummed, "You want me to wait two weeks for a second date?" Before Sam could retort he continued. "You could always stop by for a few minutes, I could make you a home cooked meal so you don't starve."

Sam decided in that moment Peter was the one. "That- that would be amazing. Better than fast food…"

He hadn't realized they had slowly drifted closer. Peter's breath ghosted over his nose and Sam tentatively put a hand on his hip. When Peter didn't jump back at the contact he gently pulled him closer.

"Sam…?"

Sam stared into Peter's eyes. They were slightly magnified by his glasses, making Peter appear even more innocent.

"Peter."

"Are you going to kiss me?"

"Only if you want."

Sam wasn't sure which one of them moved first. The kiss was light, barely more than a brush of their lips.

It was the best first kiss he ever had.
It was the best first date he ever had.