Author: Ryna.
Pairing : Tom (Peter Parker) ✘ gn!reader
❝ FROM STRANGERS TO FRIENDS, FRIENDS INTO LOVERS . . . ❞
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★ ★
ᝰ PETER WAS ITCHING THE WHOLE WALK TO THE CAFE. His palms were clammy despite the cold weather and the note that was tightly gripped in his hand ──which has his written introduction── is scrunched up.
He cleared his throat before rehearsing again, “Hi, I’m Peter Parker. You don’t know me─” he stopped and let out a groan in frustration.
Why is this so hard? He thought. I’m just here to meet my friends… that has no memories of me… and probably never will.
No. No. He promised. He promised to find them.
The walk felt short, although Peter took the long way rather than the shortcut. Claiming that it was because he needed time to rehearse. That’s what he told himself.
But the truth is, Peter is scared. No, scratch that, he is terrified.
What if they hate me? What if they never want to see me again? What if we never become friends? What ifs after what ifs.
He tried steadying his breathing. The front door of the cafe was right in front of him, yet he felt like he could do another round of walking from his new apartment to here.
Peter shook his head. It’s now or never. And opened the door.
He was immediately welcomed by the comforting smell of coffee and the sweet scent of donuts. Even though the cafe didn’t provide a lot of mouth watering smells, it felt familiar and that was already enough for him.
Because in the span of just one week Peter had begun his new life. Where no one knew who he was, where Peter Parker is nobody. He always felt this giant hole in his chest, never knowing when it would be filled.
When he looked up and saw MJ waving at him, a flicker of hope went off in his chest.
Does she remember me? Did the spell excluded her? Cause if she remembers than Ned─
Thinking of Ned, that was the person who MJ was actually waving at. Peter deeply missed their Star Wars talks and builds. His best friends who made school bearable, and who had been by his side every step of the way were right in front of him. And they don’t even know who he was. His chest gave out a painful squeeze at the revelation.
MJ was talking to another customer before looking at Peter, “Can I help you?”
Peter stepped closer to her, holding the note in his hand, glancing at it. “Hi. Um, I’m Peter Parker and I-” He paused and stared at MJ for a couple of seconds, “-would like a coffee, please.”
MJ nodded her head, “Okay.” and chuckled, “No problem Peter Parker.”
She walked to the donuts display and took one, bringing it to Ned. “Donut for my fellow engineer.”
Peter’s head snapped up at the mention as a small smile went to his lips. They got in.
“Peter Parker. Peter Parker?”
He got out of his daydream when he heard his name being called and turned around, taking the coffee from MJ’s hand. “Right. Thank you.”
Peter purposely took out his wallet slower. Still lingering on hope that one more person that he’s dying to see show up. But he handed the money to MJ, sending her a warm smile.
“Okay! I’m here!”
That voice. Peter whipped at that sound in a heartbeat not noticing how close the other person was until a body collided with his.
Your footing became off-balanced at the impact and you nearly tripped over, but Peter with his quick reflexes managed to get a hold of your waist all while not spilling the cup of coffee in his hand.
“Oh my god!” you laughed.
That laugh. The one that Peter would spend his life hearing over and over again if he could.
“You okay?” Peter nervously asked, when your eyes met his, he felt his heart stop.
You were still as pretty as ever. With your doe-like eyes staring back at him, and the way your lips look so soft. God– he missed you. He missed running his thumb on the pad of your cheeks, the feeling of your hand in his when you comfort him, the movie nights you would spend where you would always end up cuddling with him, the study dates that Peter couldn’t even focus on cause he was too busy staring at you.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks to you though. You have some quick reflexes.”
It all felt like deja vu to Peter.
You weren’t paying attention to where you’re walking, busy talking to your friends about the latest episode of your favourite show. Peter wasn’t too, he was geeking out with Ned about the new Lego collection that came out.
“I can’t believe that happened! The show was going so good and now─”
Your sentence was cut short when a body crashed with yours. A hand swiftly was tucked behind your waist stopping you from falling and bringing you closer to their chest.
“Oh my god!” you laughed, your hand unconsciously rested on the person’s chest.
“Are you alright?”
When you tilt your head upwards, you are met with the most gorgeous boy with the cutest expression on his face. His brown eyes filled with worry when he asked you the question.
You nodded your head and nervously smiled, “Yeah, I’m good.”
There is a really cute boy and he is holding your waist, and you are so close to him, you could smell his cologne. Of course, you’re good.
Peter nodded in a daze, his eyes looking at your face in such awe that it made butterflies appear in your stomach.
He must’ve noticed the close distance between you too so he dropped his arms to his sides, as you safely landed on your feet. His cheeks tainted with a blush. “Sorry.”
You waved it off with a laugh and it only made the blush on Peter’s face darkened. “It’s fine. You have some quick reflexes.”
And Peter knew from that moment that he was done for. He could try anything and you would still be in his mind. Your pretty smile and kind eyes are already engraved in his brain.
And back to recent events, Peter almost shyly backs away from your pointed gaze. There was a crease between your eyebrows and Peter knows that’s your thinking face.
He backed away from you and you almost miss his warmth. His arms felt safe, it felt like home. It makes you even more confused.
“Do I know you?” you finally asked. He seemed so familiar and his eyes. The way he looked at you was like he had known you forever. You can see the history, the pain, the longing, the familiarity.
Peter’s eyes widened, “What? Pfft─ no of course not.” he scrunched his eyes when he noticed how much higher his voice got.
You smiled at his sudden outburst but didn’t question it. It’s the same smile you always sent him and Peter felt like he’s falling in love all over again. “Well then, I’ll see you around…?”
“Peter. Peter Parker.”
“Y/N.”
You sent him one last smile and walked pass him, going to the table your friends were at. Ned and MJ saw the whole exchange and were hiding their grins behind their hands. “Oh, shut up.” you said, hitting Ned’s arm.
“We didn’t say anything!”
“Nah, I wanna say something.”
“Don’t!”
Peter couldn’t stop staring. He felt like a creep but when he saw his best friends and you, smiling and laughing. He felt peace. He even felt happy. He could feel the water collecting in his eyes just begging to drop onto his cheeks. He was reminded why he asked Dr. Strange to do what he did in the first place. He wants to keep his loved ones safe. Away from danger. Make them live a normal life.
Soon. Peter thought he had found you and he’s going to make you remember, one step at a time.
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★ ★
❝ . . . AND STRANGERS AGAIN. ❞
