#rooftop date

The bell above the café door jingled as Peter stepped inside, but the warmth of the space didn't reach him.

He shouldn't have been here. He shouldn't have followed you.

But he had.

And now, staring at the back of the coffee shop with his hands shoved in his hoodie pockets, Peter watched you laugh - really laugh - across the table from someone who wasn't him. Someone who didn't flake on plans, who didn't vanish for days at a time with nothing but a vague apology and bruised knuckles as an excuse.

You weren't his. He had no claim. He'd never said a word about how he felt. But as he watched you push your hair behind your ear and lean into conversation with a smile he hadn't seen in weeks, something burned in his chest.

Jealousy.

He didn't mean to interrupt - but the moment the guy got up for the restroom, Peter's feet were already moving.

"Didn't know you were seeing someone," he said, trying to sound casual as he approached your table.

Your eyes widened in surprise. "Peter? What are you doing here?"

"Just passing by." A lie. "Didn't realize you were dating."

Your expression shifted, wary. "I was on a date, yeah."

"And?" The question escaped before he could stop it.

You tilted your head. "And what?"

Peter rubbed the back of his neck, guilt already starting to gnaw at him. "You shouldn't be with him."

There was a pause.

"Excuse me?"

"He's not right for you," Peter said quickly, stumbling over his words. "You deserve-"

You cut him off with a quiet, disbelieving laugh. "Are you serious right now?"

"I know I don't have the right to say anything," Peter said, voice tight. "But seeing you with him - seeing anyone with you - I just..."

You crossed your arms. "You just what, Peter?"

He stared at you, heart racing. And then, with a breathless kind of courage, he took the leap.

"I love you."

The silence that followed was deafening.

You blinked. "You don't get to do this."

"What?"

"You don't get to ignore me for weeks, make me feel invisible, and then drop this on me the second I start moving on."

Peter stepped forward. "I didn't mean-"

"Do you even mean it?" you asked, your voice trembling. "Or do you just hate the idea of someone else loving me when you're too scared to?"

"I mean it," he whispered.

You searched his face for the truth. And when you found it - hidden behind guilt and fear and longing - you took a breath and said, "Then prove it."

Peter froze. "I - I don't know how."

"Then figure it out," you snapped. "Because I'm done playing guessing games. Either prove it, or I'm walking away."

Peter's voice cracked. "I know I've screwed up. I know I can't make this easy. But I love you. And I don't want to lose you."

"One condition," you said, your voice soft but stern. "If you want a second chance, you tell me the truth. No more disappearing, no more dodging questions. You want me? Be honest with me."

Peter hesitated - then nodded.

"I'm Spider-Man," he said, the words falling like stones.

You stared at him, stunned. "Peter - why didn't you tell me sooner? You think I can't take care of myself? I live in New York, I've been taking self-defense longer than I've had a driver's license."

He laughed, relieved and still breathless. "Okay, fair point. You're probably tougher than me."

You crossed your arms, but your expression softened. "So, what now?"

He smiled, tentative but hopeful. "Now? Now I take you on a date. And I start making up for every time I let you down."

A short while later, you sat together on a rooftop, sharing a stolen hotdog and the city skyline. The lights of New York shimmered below you, but Peter only had eyes for you.

"So," he asked, nudging your knee, "does this make up for some of the damage?"

You smiled, leaning into his side. "Almost."

He grinned. "Guess that means I've got some wooing to do."

Then, you teased, "Well, you could kiss me. That'd probably seal the deal."

Peter flushed, but leaned in anyway, brushing his lips against yours in a kiss that said all the things he never could. It was warm, tender, and real.

When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against yours. "That was definitely the icing on the cake. Do I get full points now?"

You laughed, your voice soft. "Yeah, Peter. Perfect date."

He beamed. "So... you're still up for dating your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man?"

You nodded. "Trust me, Pete. I'm right here."