"Will you hold still?"
"What's the point of wearing one of these?" Peter complains, hooking two fingers inside his shirt collar to tug at it, desperately trying to loosen it. "I'm wearing a gown over it anyway. Why can't I just wear a t-shirt?"
"Because high school sucks," you say flatly, adjusting the tie around his neck. The fact that he's trying to loosen his collar is making it worse. You swat his hand away lightly. "And because this is the dress code underneath your gown. At least you're not confined to a white dress and nothing else."
Peter, miraculously, stands still as you finish fixing his tie, tightening it just a little bit. "I think you look very pretty in your white dress." he says to you, soft enough that only you can hear it.
"I think you look very handsome in your tie." you whisper back, ignoring the butterflies fluttering in your stomach. You've spent the past nine months with Peter Parker and still he gives you butterflies. Then again, he is your soulmate. "Although, I have to say, you're being pretty obvious."
"Obvious about what?"
"Red and blue tie," you say, poking it. "White shirt. Black pants. Someone's feeling a little extra Spider-y today."
"What can I say?" Peter replies, shrugging innocently. "We're graduating. I'm feeling a little nostalgic. Besides, I met you in the Spider-Man suit, so that automatically makes being Spider-Man a thousand times better."
You can't help the blush that creeps up on your face. "You absolute sap."
He leans forward and kisses your cheek. "What? It's true."
"Are you two ready?" May asks impatiently, walking into Peter's bedroom with her cell phone in her hand. "We should leave for the ceremony soon, and I want to get a couple of pictures in-(Y/N), are your parents meeting us here or at Midtown?"
"Midtown," you answer. "Last I checked in, they were both still setting up."
By setting up, you mean for the small party taking place at your apartment afterwards, consisting of you, Peter and May, MJ, Ned, and their families. Just you, your closest friends, your soulmate, and the people you love. Nothing could be better.
Well, okay-it could be better if your best friend was able to make it out. But she can't, because she's also graduating today, and she's got plans of her own. So you're a little unhappy, but it's definitely all right, because you'll see her again soon. After all, she is going to the same college as you plan to. And although it's a pretty big university, at least you'll be living closer to her than you are right now.
"Okay. Well, let's snap some photos and head on over, yeah?" May smiles at the pair of you. Peter slips his arm around you, pulling you against him as he smiles for his aunt, tapping his fingers on the curve of your hip. He's anxious. Probably just to get to Midtown and graduate already. You know how he feels; you feel the exact same way, actually, but you loop your arm around your soulmate and smile in the direction of the phone.
May lowers her phone, scrolling through the recently-taken pictures, and then she beams, looking back up at the pair of you. "All right! Let's get this show on the road!"
Normally, to get to Midtown, you and Peter would take the train. But in your caps and gowns, May insisted on driving you instead. You don't really mind; driving is faster, and this way you don't have to stand in a crowded train car with a bunch of strangers while you're in your cap and gown.
When you arrive at your high school, Ned and MJ are there, waiting outside near the front doors. Ned recognizes May's car instantly and waves before you or Peter even steps out.
"Okay." May puts her hand on Peter's arm. "Have fun in there. I'll see you when the ceremony starts, okay?"
"Okay." Peter leans forward and kisses his aunt on the cheek. "Love you, May."
"Love you too." May pats his arm and then Peter climbs out of the car. She turns to you, then, looking at you over her shoulder with a smile on her face. "And good luck to you, too, (Y/N). You know how happy I am that you're in his life."
And you do, because May has told you repeatedly, and each time she does, it leaves you with a smile on your face. "Thank you, May." you say, fidgeting with the graduation cap in your hands. "I'll see you in there?"
"Of course."
You climb out of the car and stand beside Peter, watching as his aunt drives away. He takes your hand, lacing your fingers through his, giving your hand a reassuring squeeze. "Ready?" he asks.
"Ready as I'll ever be," you say. Then you and your soulmate walk toward the high school.
-
Your graduation ceremony is short, because the high school wants to get you out of there as quickly as possible, and bittersweet. As you stand in the line, waiting to walk up and receive your diploma, you think back about everything that's happened for you during your senior year.
For starters, meeting your soulmate. To this day, you still think about the first month of school, how everything happened; how Peter had dropped from the top of building right in front of you. How your world exploded into color that same instant; and how, for the next month, you found yourself falling for Peter Parker and Spider-Man at the same time, ironically not knowing that they were the same person.
Then you think about Halloween, when you'd spent the night at a party with your friends. And Thanksgiving, when you had invited Peter and May over to your apartment to share the holidays. And in December, you took Peter to see the new Star Wars movie and found that he was not the only one who couldn't stay still in his seat.
(The other person was you. You might have been more antsy than he was. You also might have cried harder.)
Then it was Christmas. And that...well, that was the best Christmas ever. And almost a week after Christmas was New Years', and even though that kiss with Peter was pretty amazing, you'll still never forget the time you'd kissed in your bedroom for the first time, both of you slightly damp from the pouring rain, Peter in his Spider-Man suit.
February brought Peter's birthday, and then a week later Valentine's Day, and it's absolutely safe to say that MJ and Ned hated the two of you for being so "disgustingly cute," as Ned had called it. March, April, and the first half of May flew by, and then finals stressed you out more than you could have ever imagined. But you did get to cuddle with your boyfriend quite a lot, so you suppose it's all right.
And here you are now, walking across the stage, reaching out to grab your diploma. And the minute it's in your hand, it's like your entire world shifts.
Sure, you know where you're going to college. But college is still scary, and you know that, because there's a tiny pit in your stomach that grows just a little bit whenever you really think about it. You won't be alone, but it's a big step. Things will change. You may lose friends. You'll probably make new ones. You're stepping into a whole new learning dynamic with a major you're somewhat wobbly about and nothing's really for certain.
Except Peter. Peter's for certain. And, actually, that's more than enough for you.
-
You wonder, of course, what your parents would think if you told them your soulmate is Spider-Man.
They know Peter's your soulmate. You told them this about three days after you and Peter officially start dating. They like him quite a lot, because they think he's an incredibly good person, kind, and in their eyes, innocent.
But oh, boy. If they only knew.
You all end up staying in the living room area, because it's the largest and that's also where all of the food is. While most of the adults stay on the couches with the TV playing a movie in the background, you and your friends sit at the table, playing quite possibly the easiest game you could ever think of.
"Go Fish," you tell Peter, who groans and reaches for another card.
"Why are we playing this, again?" MJ questions.
Ned snorts. "You're only saying that because you're losing."
"No, as a matter of fact, I think I'm losing now." Peter corrects, frowning at the cards in his hand. "I hate this. Can we play another game?"
"There's a bunch of other ones in the cabinet, if you want to pick one out, sore loser," you tease.
Peter sets his cards down and rolls his eyes at you, kissing your head soundly. "Sure. I'll be right back."
That's when the doorbell rings.
Frowning, you stand up. "Are we expecting anyone else? Mom?"
"We didn't invite anyone, sweetie," your mom answers from the living room. "See who it is?"
Your hand's on the doorknob as she says that. When you pull the door open, however, one of the last people you possibly expected to ever meet is standing in the hallway.
It's Tony Stark. At your apartment. He's definitely here for Peter, and part of you kind of thought about the possibility of this happening, but you're still surprised. The billionaire raises his hand in greeting. "Hello," he says.
"Uh-Peter?" you call, still standing in the doorway.
"Yeah?" your soulmate calls back, most likely still at the closet.
"You've got a visitor."
Peter comes around the corner and stops, staring at Tony with wide eyes. Peter looks more surprised than you do to see him. "Mr-Mr. Stark!" he exclaims, coming to your side. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard someone graduated." Tony answers, raising his eyebrows at Peter. "Is this your grad party?"
"Uh-uh, no, no, I'm not having an official grad party."
Tony takes his sunglasses off. "That was a trick question. Of course you are. It's next week. Everyone's going to be there."
"Ev-everyone?"
"Sure. It'll be at the facility." Tony pockets his sunglasses and turns to you, extending his hand. "You must be the soulmate," he says. "I've heard a lot-and I mean a lot about you."
"Likewise," you say with a smile, shaking Tony's hand. Peter's face is bright red. "Why don't you, um, come in?"
The only person in the room who really isn't all that shocked to see Tony Stark is May Parker. Your parents look absolutely shell-shocked. Ned's and MJ's do too, for that matter. "Look who decided to stop by." Peter says, gesturing to the billionaire.
"I've just got a little thing I need to discuss with Peter." Tony claps Peter's shoulder. "Nothing major. Oh," he adds, using his free hand to reach into his pocket, "and this."
He hands Peter an envelope. Peter takes one look at it and his eyes grow wide. "I-I can't accept this."
"You don't even know what's in it." Tony reasons.
"Yes, I do, because I know you, Mr. Stark." Peter pushes the envelope back at him. "I can't take that."
"It's yours." Tony pushes it back at him. "Pepper's the one who wrote it, anyway. I don't even know how much it's for. If you won't take it for tuition..." Tony lowers his voice so only Peter and you can hear. "Consider it a salary for the year."
You know exactly what he's talking about.
Peter told you before, than when he was a sophomore, Tony offered him a place to stay at the Avengers' facility upstate. It's not too far away at all, but at the time, he was a sophomore in high school and wasn't really ready to give up his normal life. But things have changed now. About a month ago, Tony offered Peter a place to stay again. With it being college and all, courses are much easier to take online, or even commute, and that way Peter could also focus a little bit more on his Spider-Man life.
But he'd turned it down. That was also the day that the two of you decided you'd live together when you started college.
Sure, you're still young. But you've been together for a year, and Peter is your soulmate, and splitting the cost of an apartment is certainly cheaper than the room and board rates. Plus, you love him, so...it was an easy decision to make.
But Peter is still an Avenger. He's still available for missions if Tony calls. And honestly...it makes more sense for him to live at the facility and take online courses. You know it makes more sense, despite wanting to believe otherwise. And honestly, Peter knows it makes more sense. But you know he'd never choose that over living with you.
(You know that because he told you that.)
"Mr. Stark," Peter says, glancing at you. "Really-"
"Pete, can I steal you for a minute?" you interrupt. Tony turns to look at you. Peter, still holding the check, lowers his hands, watching you carefully. "Just a quick second, Mr. Stark, I promise."
"Of course." Tony tells you. He lets go of Peter's shoulder. You take your soulmate's hand and pull him down the hall, into your bedroom.
"What's going on, (Y/N)?" Peter asks, the moment you close the door behind both of you. "If this is about Tony's offer-"
"Peter," you say. Peter stops talking and turns to look at you, eyebrows furrowing. "You're an Avenger."
Peter watches you carefully. "I am," he agrees slowly. "But I don't see what that has to do with my decision."
You squeeze his free hand. "Peter-listen-I know you said no to Tony, but...are you sure that's what you really want?"
"What?" his eyes widen. "Of course it is. (Y/N), I want to live with you-"
"I know," you say slowly. "But I also know you've always wanted to live with the Avengers."
"You're my soulmate." he points out.
"And you're mine." you return. "Which is why I think we should reconsider where you're living next year."
"(Y/N)-"
"I mean it." you step closer to him. "What if Tony calls you out on a mission and you have to miss a week of classes? Some classes have limitations on absences. I'm really not sure they'd excuse you for being an Avenger."
"We don't know that." Peter points out jokingly. "Maybe they would. 'Sorry I couldn't come to class this week, I was busy fighting an alien-'"
"Peter." you interrupt. Peter's words die on his tongue. "I really mean it."
"Look, It's fine, okay?" Peter promises you. "It's not a big deal. I already said no."
"But it's your dream," you insist. You wouldn't be pushing for it if it weren't. Sure, you'd love to live with Peter, but you can see the gleam in his eyes whenever he talks about the Avengers. Or Tony. You know he's wanted to live there since he was a sophomore. This is the perfect time to.
Gently, Peter lets go of your hand and lifts his own to cradle your face. "You're my dream," he corrects, running his thumb across your cheek.
You stare up at him. "You stole that from Tangled," you accuse.
Peter kisses the tip of your nose. "Well, that is one of your favorite movies."
"And you're one of my favorite people." you remind him, putting your hands over his and pulling them down between the two of you. "Which is why-despite how much I'd love to live with you-I think you should join Tony at the Avengers facility."
"(Y/N)-"
"I'm serious. Look, I can ask Ned and MJ to join me at the apartment. I'm sure they'd love to." Peter opens his mouth to protest, but you continue speaking. "Peter, I know. But I'm just saying, I'd rather you try and live there for a year and test it out. I'm sure that's what Tony would prefer, too. And I can visit, or you can come here." you smile slightly. "I wouldn't mind a few visits from Spider-Man, like old times."
Peter bites his lip. "Are..." he says slowly, clearing his throat. "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure." you tell him, squeezing his hands. "Very sure. And if you decide it's not for you...then we'll talk about it. Again."
He meets your gaze and leans forward, kissing you soundly. "I love you," he says.
You smile, letting go of his hands to wrap your arms around his neck. "I love you too," you reply. Peter's smile makes your heart swell. "So? Let's go tell him the news."
Peter leads you out of your bedroom. When the pair of you reach Tony, Peter takes a deep breath, lacing his fingers through yours, and says, "Okay."
Tony blinks. "Okay?"
"Okay." Peter repeats. He looks at you and he looks absolutely certain. "I'll move to the facility."
Tony spreads his arms. "Great!" he exclaims, placing one hand on Peter's shoulder and the other one yours. "Did the missus finally convince you?"
Your reaction is immediate. You feel the blush heat up your face, looking at Peter as he awkwardly returns the glance. "Oh, I'm not-" you start, just as Peter stammers, "Sh-she's not-"
"I know." Tony says, before either of you can manage to finish your sentences coherently. The billionaire squeezes your shoulder and Peter's. He grins. "I was messing. You guys are cute when you're flustered, y'know? But seriously, it's only a matter of time before you are married." He takes a step back, letting his arms fall, pushing his hands into his pockets. "I'll see you next week, for your party," he says to Peter. "Bring your friends, too, of course."
Tony reaches the door before he says anything else. Putting his hand on the doorknob, he turns to you. "It was nice putting a face to the name, (Y/N)," he says to you. To Peter, he says, "Congrats, kid. I'm proud of you."
When Tony shuts the door behind him, you turn to glance at Peter. He's staring at the door like the best thing ever just happened. And maybe, to Peter, it kind of just did.
"So," you say, giving Peter's hand a squeeze. You look at Ned and MJ, who look as starstruck as your soulmate. You feel a little in awe too, but you have a feeling you'll be seeing Tony again anyway, so there's no use in gawking. Plus, you've just made a huge decision with Peter. That's enough to jar you from anything. "Guys, would you like to be my roommates?"
-
It should be noted that Peter absolutely adores living at the Avengers facility. He's only been there for a week, and you've moved into your on-campus apartment with Ned and MJ. Classes will start for you on Monday, while Peter's are due to start, well, whenever he wants. Having online courses and Tony Stark as your mentor kind of allow you to do that thing.
Still, despite all of the texts and video calls over the last week, you miss him. You can't remember the last time you went more than a couple days actually being away from Peter. Things are changing, of course, and this you knew; but at the beginning, you sort of thought Peter would be one constant in your life that would always stay the same.
Except he will always be the same to you. He's your soulmate. He may be upstate, tens of miles away, but he's in your heart, always. And who knows where the road will take you? Tony joked about the pair of you being married, and yeah, you were embarrassed, but you've talked to Peter about it before. A few times. A few more times, over the summer, on hot summer nights in his bedroom or yours. Occasionally in the park. The idea of marrying Peter makes you happier than you've ever been before. It may take until you've both graduated college, as you've discussed, but you've got forever with your soulmate. You don't care.
It's been a long day. The apartment you have on campus is equipped with three bedrooms. After adding MJ and Ned, you were able to get an apartment with an extra room. Not that you'd mind sharing with MJ; in fact, you were excited to, but after one...unfortunate incident in which your close friend walked in on you and Peter in a compromising position, she requested to have her own room. You accepted almost immediately.
(It wasn't that compromising. All of your clothes were on. Except Peter's shirt. You guess that was enough for her.)
You collapse on your bed with a sigh and reach for your laptop. You should be setting an alarm for tomorrow and making a list of what you need to do in your last few days before classes officially start, but that can always be done tomorrow morning, right? Besides, it's not like you're planning on staying up late tonight.
Except you should know, by now, that any time you say something like that, you end up jinxing yourself. This time, however, you don't mind.
A sharp tap on your window makes your heart leap in your chest. "Gee," you say, loud enough to be heard through the slightly-cracked window, "I wonder who would be at my window at this hour?"
"Some loser, probably," says a muffled voice from the other side of the window. You pull your blinds up and open the window fully, a grin plastered on your face. "Who's absolutely, hopelessly in love."
"What a loser." you agree. Spider-Man grins, the mask stretching around the sides of his face. "Who on earth could he be in love with?"
"Beats me," he says. Lifting the mask over his head, Peter climbs into your room, closing the window and the blinds behind him, because honestly, your neighbors wouldn't want to see what you're about to do next. You even lock your door, just for MJ's sake.
-
An hour later, you lay in your bed with your red-and-blue-spandex-clad soulmate, your head on his shoulder, his arm around your waist, both of your attentions on the laptop screen as you watch A New Hope for what is most likely the hundredth time.
Peter drops a kiss onto your head. "I love you," he says.
The butterflies in your stomach dance. "I love you too," you whisper, and your heart feels light every time you say it to him.
So...you love the universe. You thank the universe. You're sure it's smiling smugly down at you. Can it even smile? Can it be smug? Who cares? You're happy, you're with your soulmate, and that's all that matters.
So...thanks, universe. Guess it doesn't really suck after all.
