The night wrapped around the evening breeze, gently entwining the breathing of the two.
It was still this secret base, still the two of them.
Wearing his Spider-Man suit, Peter Parker's exposed cheeks flushed a faint red in the night, yet his eyes at this moment seemed even brighter than the distant New York nightscape serving as his backdrop.
He looked at Finn, speaking each word slowly and with a seriousness that was almost pious:
“Actually, I've always wanted to be that special person in your eyes.”
It's not just that Spider-Man is special.
Peter Parker can also be special.
Finn's green eyes trembled slightly. That undeniable, uncontrollable feeling surged through his heart once again. He could no longer stand aside and claim that this was just a mission-driven world; at this moment, his selfishness had swelled to a point that could no longer be ignored.
And the name of that selfishness was "like."
The moment the night breeze gently brushed past, Finn felt as if he heard the sound of countless silver bells chiming once more, shaking his nearly complete soul.
In the gentle night, Peter spoke again, solemnly and clearly:
“I like you.”
Chapter 72 Dating and First Kiss
What do you like about me?
Finn looked at Peter and asked, at this moment, he desperately wanted to know why Peter liked him.
“I.. can't think of any reason not to like you,” Peter said with a candid smile, his tone sincere.
[I remember this sounds like something from a playboy's quotes, a type of gentle trap.]
Finn began to ponder silently in his heart.
[The fact that they couldn't give a reason for liking it means there are no flaws to find for the time being, so they can be together.]
【But the subtext is:】
I just don't hate you; being together is something you've earned; if we break up in the future, it's because I never loved you that much to begin with.
“!!” Spider-Man's mind was already ringing with frantic alarms.
He didn't even know how much useless, nonsensical information Finn had absorbed from those unreliable websites during this time.
—What on earth is this even talking about!? He definitely didn't mean it like that!
“Let me rephrase,” Peter said hurriedly, his tone tinged with a hint of panic, yet incredibly serious.
“I really like you, I have countless reasons for liking you.”
Peter certainly didn't want Finn to misunderstand his sincerity, or to underestimate how much he valued and took this relationship seriously.
“I like how full of life you are, always holding curiosity for the world.”
I love the way you smile; it's as bright as summer, without a single cloud.
I love how sincere, hardworking, enthusiastic you are toward everyone and everything.
I like how you never look down on anyone, that you are willing to listen earnestly and willing to lend a helping hand.
“I love every single one of your drawings—they are clean, healing, beautiful. Every character and every world is so captivating to me.”
Peter especially loved the kind of innocence in Finn that seemed to accept and embrace everything.
I love how you stand on the stage of a high-profile press conference, yet remain calm and composed, confident and dazzling, shining so brightly that no one can take their eyes off you.
You're the first person to say I'm like the sun, but do you know? You've been shining in my sight all along.
Finn stared blankly at Peter, who had been listing his virtues; he truly hadn't expected Peter to be able to blurt out so many, such specific merits about him.
“I like you.. you've made me a better person.” Peter took a deep breath, his voice softening, yet remaining exceptionally firm.
“Not just Spider-Man, not just a hero. It was only after meeting you that I discovered more of the shining qualities of my ordinary self as Peter Parker.”
Moreover, when it comes to reconciling the Osborn brothers, Peter Parker's status as a Peace Ambassador carries far more weight than Spider-Man's words. Although.. once Harry discovers his hidden intentions toward his brother, he likely won't have any say left.
“It was you who showed me a world I had never noticed before, led me to do things I had never even imagined, making me feel so incredibly lucky.”
He was just such a real, vibrant, flamboyant, bright, radiant boy.
Like an unexpected midsummer.
It descended into his life without any warning,
An eighteenth birthday for Peter Parker, shining so brightly.
Even if.. maybe this isn't the real me?" Finn asked, his emerald-green eyes staring calmly at Peter, even carrying a hint of stubbornness, "Have you ever considered that I am not the person you see me to be?
“I started out with the idea of fighting Harry to the bitter end for the family inheritance; I only went to work at the Osborn Group at first just to oppose Harry. It was also true that when I first wanted Andrew to stay by my side, I was intentionally making things difficult for him. Even when I first met you.. I didn't truly have the intention of being your good friend.”
Finn revealed these secrets that only he and System PP should have known—his unknown Misery Plans.
Spider-Man: ".." I know, you treat me as your Life-long Nemesis.
——But in any case, your plan has already become this distorted, hasn't it?
—Then why can't a [Life-long Nemesis] become a [Life-long Love]?
Peter, you are a sun that can shine on everyone," Finn said with a slight frown, feeling an inexplicable, massive gap between himself and Peter, "but as for me, perhaps I am just a planet that only revolves around myself.
“Finn, do you know? Between what one wants to do and what one actually does, the latter is much more important,” Peter said, gazing intently at Finn. “It is you who stands up without hesitation at the exact moment he needs it most every time Harry Osborn faces immense pressure and crisis, it is you who found the way to save Harry.”
"Similarly, you also brought the miracle of resurrection to Max. I know you'll say that Max could have been revived even without you, but you are the one who gave Max the meaning of rebirth. It's the same for Andrew; it's because you kept pulling and pushing him that he could.. become this vibrant version of himself, forced to work hard." Peter continued.
“Vibrant?” Finn couldn't help but recall Andrew's expression of impending doom and asked somewhat skeptically.
“Anyway, I don't think it's a bad thing,” Peter said with a laugh. "Just look at how Andrew and Ned have been secretly plotting my confession behind my back; you can tell he's become very involved now."
“And, for Andrew, his most important family member, his mother, also received the best medical treatment because of this.”
I could give you many more examples; you know, your arrival has brought a lot of people a [Surprise Box] of fate.
And me.." Peter paused, "I have always been watching you.
"You might feel that there are many secrets between us, but I only want to tell you that I, who have always been watching you, am certain—" The young man's tone was so certain, heavily pressing down with an unshakeable, surging passion.
What I see is the truest version of you.
And besides, I truly have countless reasons to like you.
Finn's breath hitched slightly.
For some reason, after meeting Peter's gaze, which was so full of affirmation and acceptance, he even felt as if his little secret had already been seen through by Peter, but how could that possibly be?
The silent night shrouded Peter's eyes in a haze, but it was as if both the faint starlight and the distant lights could be embraced by the pure and quiet night, would not be obscured by the light of the sun.
Finn could no longer ignore the wavering in his heart at this moment.
His little selfishness, his little ego, his little wish.. they were all expanding uncontrollably.
But, he also had a grand goal—
That was the goal he had never changed in all the time he had accompanied every single Host through a hundred worlds.
Finn's momentary hesitation was not enough to make him accept Peter Parker's confession without reservation.
He was afraid that he would ultimately disappoint Peter Parker.
"Can we date for a month?" Peter Parker finally spoke.
“What do you mean?” Finn froze, his eyes widening in shock, “One month?”
“Right, one month.” Peter nodded solemnly; he was afraid his earnest and heavy feelings would become a burden, so he had come up with this plan after his confession to ensure Finn wouldn't feel any psychological pressure. “In our high school parties, there's a type of activity where couples are matched to try dating. We can do that too—just date for one month directly as a couple.”
“We'll date casually, happily, without any psychological burden,” Peter explained patiently, describing the rules of this Dating and First Kiss speed-dating activity. “After one month, we'll grade each other. Twenty-five questions each, two points per question. If the total score is below 80, we'll break up peacefully and just go back to being friends like before.”
Spider-Man tried his best to maintain a relaxed tone as he spoke with a smile, his thoughts clumsy.
"The score could be raised even higher," Peter said after thinking for a moment. After all, as the Young Master of the Osborn family, dating should come with the highest standard of treatment; how could he settle for less?
“Is that really okay?” Finn asked with some surprise. He had never imagined that Peter could actually propose such a perfect solution that met his every desire—dating first and then breaking up peacefully.
Of course it is, it's quite popular among young people," Peter nodded vigorously, trying his best to make the proposal sound perfectly normal. "Give each other a chance, spend a month together, if it doesn't work out, we just part ways without it being awkward or causing any psychological burden. Besides, we are both so young; feelings are naturally.. a person might encounter many people they like in a lifetime, it doesn't mean the first person you like must be the last.
At this moment, in order to ensure Finn didn't feel burdened, Peter was even forcing himself to say things that went completely against his heart.
But, it was indeed like that—
If Finn eventually chooses to go toward the life he wants.
Peter would hope that Finn would meet someone else, someone he likes even more. If it's suitable, that would be for the best; if not.. he would hope that Finn would always meet the person he loves most and who is most suitable for him, bringing him a perfect Happy Ending.
Finn stared fixedly at the seemingly relaxed smile hanging on Peter's face.
But—
[Misery Value increase detected, Misery Value +1%]
The sound of the Misery Value rising still echoed in Finn's mind.
【If, when Peter was saying these things—the Misery Value hadn't gone up, it would be more believable.】Finn thought to himself, his eyes cast down.
He had imagined refusing, imagined backing down, imagined Peter would take things a step further, pushing him even harder.
But he had never imagined that Peter would quietly take all the heavy, unsettling parts upon himself.
Leaving him only the softest, most relaxed, most pressure-free path.
Finn realized enough that Peter had been suppressing his feelings and harboring an open crush on him all along, that it was all just to avoid troubling him.
Finn looked at the nervous and serious youth before him, looking into those eyes that were filled with him, yet were so cautious as to not cause him any trouble, spoke slowly:
“Okay.”
But the young man's sincerity was so heartfelt and unreserved at this moment—
It spoke of love like a rushing warm current, yet felt like a gentle vortex pulling him in.
Finn didn't know what would happen a month from now, but at this moment, he really didn't want to refuse.
“Are you.. really sure it's okay?” When Finn actually agreed, Peter was actually quite surprised.
"I can't think of any reason to refuse, either," Finn said with a smile.