Your room is lit mostly by the TV screen and the small lamp near your bed, rain tapping softly against the window while the game music loops in the background.

Peter is sitting beside you on the bed, hoodie sleeves pulled over part of his hands while he aggressively presses buttons on the controller.

“No, no, no—that hit you!”

“It literally didn’t,” you laugh, nearly dropping your controller while dodging another attack.

Peter stares at the screen in betrayal.

“This game hates me personally.”

“You say that every round.”

“Because it’s true.”

Ten seconds later you win again.

The screen flashes VICTORY while Peter just sits there looking genuinely offended.

“…Okay,” he says slowly, turning toward you, “you’re cheating.”

You laugh immediately. “I am NOT cheating.”

“There is physically no way you beat me four times in a row naturally.”

“Maybe you’re just bad.”

Peter gasps dramatically. “Wow.”

“You started it!”

“You destroyed my self-esteem!”

You laugh again, letting your controller fall onto the blanket across your lap.

“Oh my god. Then tell me, Parker, how exactly do I prove I’m not cheating?”

Peter opens his mouth immediately. Then pauses.

And suddenly he looks nervous. Actually nervous.

He glances down at the controller in his hands before rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

“Well…” he says carefully, “maybe you could go out with me?”

You stare at him for a second before laughing softly.

“Okay, real smooth, Peter.”

But Peter doesn’t laugh.

Instead he looks even more nervous somehow.

“No, I—I mean it.”

Your smile fades slightly.

“What?”

Peter looks away immediately, face turning red.

“I mean—like—a date,” he says quickly. “An actual date. Not as proof or whatever, I just—” He lets out an awkward breathy laugh. “Wow, this sounded way cooler in my head.”

The room suddenly feels quieter. The game menu music keeps playing softly while Peter avoids eye contact so hard it almost hurts to watch.

“You mean that?” you ask more quietly now.

Peter nods once, still staring at the controller.

“…Yeah.”

Something warm twists in your chest immediately.

Because he sounds completely genuine. Not teasing.

Not joking. Just nervous.

You try not to smile too hard. “Your master plan for asking me out was accusing me of cheating?”

Peter groans and falls backward onto your bed dramatically, covering his face with his sleeve.

“I knew this sounded bad.”

“It sounds terrible.”

“I panicked!”

You laugh softly while he peeks at you from behind his sleeve.

“Oh my god,” he mutters. “You’re laughing. I ruined it.”

“No, you didn’t.”

Peter sits up slightly at that.

“…Really?”

You shrug a little, smiling now. “Maybe.” He narrows his eyes. “You are enjoying this way too much.”

“A little.”

Peter lets out a nervous laugh, still fidgeting with the controller.

“So…” he says carefully, “is that a yes? Or am I about to get rejected in your bedroom after being emotionally destroyed in a video game?”

You pretend to think about it. “Hm.”

Peter points at you dramatically. “See? Evil. Actual villain behavior.” You laugh again before leaning back against the pillows.

“Maybe I’ll consider it.”

Peter stares at you for a second.

“…That’s not a no.” “It’s not.”

The grin that spreads across his face is immediate.

Completely impossible for him to hide. Then he grabs his controller again and sits closer beside you.

“Okay,” he says seriously. “Rematch.”

“You still think you can win?”

“No,” Peter admits honestly. “But maybe if I lose again you’ll feel bad enough to kiss me or something.”

You nearly choke laughing while Peter hides his embarrassed smile behind the controller, ears turning red all over again. Going on a date... with him... slowly... you started to like the idea.