Chapter Text
Miguel smiles good-naturedly at Peter. He has never smiled like that at anyone but his daughter. I have to admit, it's a very nice smile.
- Are you sure Mary Jane will appreciate it? - Miguel squints, Peter's wife was a beautiful woman, finding out about her husband's infidelity Jane was surprised. Peter himself begged for forgiveness on his knees, was even willing to give her Mayday. What was his surprise when the woman said that she felt warm friendly feelings for Benjamin. "We have always loved each other and will continue to love each other, of course I am angry that you hid the affair from me, but I myself could not admit to you that I no longer love you as I used to," she said, kissing Peter on the forehead.
Several weeks had passed since then, and Parker had wanted to visit Mary for a long time, but the constant clashes with new and new anomalies prevented him from doing so. Mayday also needed attention, Miguel needed a constant assistant, Miles, Hobie, Gwen and Pavitre hardly bothered him. But if they did, there was an incommensurate stream of quarrels that eventually ended in reconciliation.
But how much labour Benjamin put into this "reconciliation". Nerves, strength, all this was mixed in one pile, only meetings with Mary could bring him back to normal, the girl was happy to see him, with her was calm and happy. The girl did not like conflicts, she helped Peter to find ways to solve this or that problem.
Today Peter could finally afford a long-awaited holiday. Leaving the baby Gwen and Hobie, the man was preparing for a meeting with Mary Jane.
Today, however, Peter is not going to Mary's house alone.
- She will be glad to meet you, - Peter smiled, now he was wearing a wide pink T-shirt and a beige bomber, the wide black trousers that they had recently bought looked great on Peter.
Miguel on the other hand was frowning, he looked mundane now, Benjamin had rarely seen the man in normal human clothes. O'Hara was combing his hair near the mirror hanging next to the wardrobe where the outerwear was.
- Do I look all right? - Peter eyed the pale pink t-shirt, asking Miguel for help.
- 'Sure, what kind of question is that? - Miguel pulls away from the mirror, one glance is enough for him - Benjamin looks awesome. - Compared to your usual outfit, this is a masterpiece," Miguel grinned, and received a weak kick in the ribs.
- What?" the man asked naively, arching an eyebrow.
- Nothing, leave me alone," Peter mumbled, turning away.
- At least I'm telling the truth," Miguel's words contradict his actions, the man's voice seeming firm and commanding, but O'Hara wraps Peter in a hug. - I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," Miguel mumbled, biting down on Parker's neck.
- Ow, Miguel, not now! - Benjamin's face changes in an instant, the man turns all red, even his ears turn scarlet.
- Mm, why? - Miguel chuckles, watching the man's emotions.
- We're going to be late," Parker explained briefly, but admittedly he had a good-natured smile on his face.
- But you're so sweet," Miguel grinned, putting his arm around Parker's waist and tilting his head to the side, O'Hara kissed Benjamin's eyebrow, then his nose, lips, chin. And Peter has no choice but to smile, accepting his partner's caresses.
- You're apologising in a way I don't understand," he asks, his hands touching Miguel's cheeks.
- Maybe," Miguel squinted, kissing Benjamin one last time, "let's go or we'll really be late," he said, taking Peter's hand with a smile.
Miguel's hair was a mess, I must say, and he'd done it for nothing.
Mary smiled good-naturedly when she heard the doorbell ring. When she opened the door, she saw Benjamin and his partner, Miguel. The man had said that Miguel was his boss, and Mary Jane could agree with that statement.
Miguel was a tall, pumped up man, yet somehow Mary didn't feel threatened. Miguel didn't seem angry, but he could give that impression.
- Come in," the girl opened the door wider, allowing the two men to enter her home.
- Thank you Mary, - Benjamin hugged his friend.
- Hello, - Miguel looked worried, Jane was even more surprised - O'Hara is so worried about her? Really? He looks so strong and serious, but he's worried.
- Don't be afraid, I don't bite," Mary tried to joke. Miguel raised an eyebrow.
- Of course," he said.
- He has a very refined sense of humour, Mary, don't worry," Parker intervened, turning his attention to himself. - Also, we brought biscuits and tea straight from India! - The man continued, pulling out gifts from his bag.
- When did you get to India? - Mary laughed, to which Benjamin hesitated for a moment.
- One of our employees is from there, recently his parents sent him some presents and he shared them with us, - Miguel said good-naturedly, allowing Peter to catch his breath. The man did tense up, he couldn't say that it was all given to them by an acquaintance of his from the 50101-B multiverse.
- Wow, that's really cool," Mary smiled as Miguel took Peter's hand during his speech. - Well, now I have some lovely Indian tea to go with my apple pie," the girl pointed towards the living room, letting the men go forward.
The kitchen was small, but could seat three people comfortably, Mary switched off the oven.
- It smells delicious," Peter said smiling.
- Yes, Mary smells incredible, can you tell me the recipe? - Miguel smiled too, when it came to cooking, the man changed dramatically. Jane nodded to Miguel with a smile:
- 'Now, I have a cookbook,' Mary pulled a small gloss covered book from the shelf. The recipes are very simple, even I can manage," the woman smiled as she handed the book to O'Hara. The man accepted it with a smile, he didn't care about the stains or flour on the pages - this book was used and loved, which was more important than its appearance.
It was dusk outside the window, the lamp was lit, and the two men and the woman talked and talked. When it was time to leave, Mary Jane hugged Miguel and Benjamin. They wished her good night, smiling, the men walked silently down the street.
- Mary Jane is delightful," Miguel said softly.
- Yes, you're right, she is a beautiful woman. - Benjamin smiled, but not meeting his partner's usual condescending smile, he frowned. - Is something wrong? - He asked, squeezing the fingers of Miguel's hands.
- Nothing's wrong," Miguel said dryly, averting his gaze.
- It's a lie," Peter insisted, trying to meet Miguel's gaze.
- Get off," Miguel said, but he didn't pull his hand away.
- Are you upset about something? What's wrong? - Parker could not settle down.
- Everything is fine, - continued to insist Miguel.
- Miguel, stop, - Peter stood in front of the man, spreading his arms in all directions, - listen, if you lie about your feelings, I can not help you, please, tell the truth. - Almost pleaded Benjamin.
- Okay, - Peter didn't expect Miguel to say anything. Rather, he expected to get punched in the face.
O'Hara sat down on the nearest bench, head tilted up to the sky.
- Why did you leave her? - He asked quietly, not looking at Peter.
- Because I love you," Peter said confidently, crossing his arms over his chest.
- No, I saw how happy you were with her, why did you leave her, why did you leave such a beautiful girl for someone like me? - Miguel's voice seemed metallic, deafening, but like a gnashing sound it echoed in the mind.
- Being her friend is enough for me to be happy, but it's different with you, you know? - Miguel looked at Benjamin incomprehensibly, waiting for him to continue. - With her I'm calm, I'm in control, I'm like in a cocoon that I can't get out of. She's fun, but with her I have to, with you I can.
Miguel still didn't really understand, Peter continued:
- With you you never guess, you are incredibly versatile, with you always difficult, but that's what I want, - Parker spread his arms out to the sides, - next to you I never know - whether this fairy tale has a happy ending or not! Next to you I feel that I have the choice to become anything, you give me freedom and that's why you and not Mary Jane, that's why, you know?
Miguel smiled. Sincerely, very embarrassed, he put his arm around Peter's shoulders and pulled him in for a kiss. Then another and another, more and more, more desirable, better, stronger.
And Benjamin smiled again, opening himself up to the kisses.