CHAPTER-3: Ice Cream

"Do I look unapproachable?!" Seth said concious of himself. "Remove your stubble then you'll stop looking like a mafia member." Jon joked. "I'm serious! He opened up to you in a matter of few minutes. What is wrong with me?" Seth blabbered.

"Hey calm down. I think it might be insecurities. I was the same when I first met you. Maybe he just needs time to adjust to you." Seth looked at Jon and decided not to say anything anymore. They were waiting to know what Peter's parents would say. Jon told them about the bucket list and they decided to talk it out with Peter. Jon was pretty nervous. He tried his best to convince them and they probably were but it's best to also ask their son.

Rupert called them in awhile later and when they entered, they saw Peter had the biggest smile on his face.

They allowed!

But there were conditions.

Peter was not to take too much exertion and at the slightest discomfort he had to step down. Those were the said conditions. But he was only allowed to go from tomorrow onwards.

The smile on Peter's face was beautiful. He was beaming. Jon's eyes refused to leave his face, making sure to etch the expression in his memory. "You look adorable when you smile." He said nudging Peter's shoulder. "Such a flirt." Peter joked. Peter was too excited. If he had a choice, he'd bolt out of the room at that moment.

He spent the rest of the day in the company of his parents, Seth and Jon. He got accustomed to both the men and was able to speak freely to them. Both the men thought that the development in his demeanor was very good and hoped for the best.

×××

The next day, Jon reached the hospital to take Peter. Peter was wearing a light blue t-shirt underneath his jeans overcoat. He wore skin fitted black jeans. A grey beanie covered his head. Jon had worn a black turtleneck and checked pants. He had his hair done in a small manbun. "You like dark aesthetic?" Peter questioned. "Mhm. Gives me a cool edge." He said shrugging. "Let's go if you're ready."

Peter was ready to sprint if Jon hadn't stopped him. Jon felt like he was taking an excited pup out for a walk.

Once in the car and onto the road, Peter's eyes never peeled away from the window. It wasn't that he'd never been out but it was because only now he bothered to take in his surroundings. Jon chuckled at Peter's action and Peter 'hmph'ed in response. Peter decided to change the playlist. "Hey hey hey! The driver gets to choose the songs." Jon said with his eyes still trained on the road. "Not this time." Peter played Shiny by Jemaine Clement. He sung along, loudly and awfully which made Jon laugh the heck out.

"I'll never hide; I can't, I'm too

Shiny!

Watch me dazzle like a diamond in the rough

Strut my stuff; my stuff is so

Shiny!

Send your armies but they'll never be enough

My shell's too tough

Maui man, you could try, try, try

But you can't expect a demi-god

To beat a decapod (give it up)

You will die, die, die

Now it's time for me to take apart

Your aching heart"

He sung but it was too out of tune. Jon would join in between and surprisingly he sung much better.

"So where are you taking me?" Peter asked, down from the high and completely exhausted. "A place that sells the best ice cream known to mankind." Jon replied. "We're almost there."

"Cool!" He replied back, excited of course. He was like a boy on a Christmas morning.

Jon parked in a free spot. The both of them walked into a mobile ice cream parlor called iScream. It was a picturesque place. Calm and quiet except for the light chatter of people.

"Have how much ever you want. My treat." Jon offered. Peter quickly ordered two cones of double scooped(chocolate and mango, cotton candy and blueberry) ice cream and a banana split. "Damn. You show no mercy to my wallet." Jon exclaimed, helping Peter hold his cones. He himself ordered a single scoop chocolate and the both of them sat down at a table with their ice creams.

Jon watched as Peter devoured his ice cream with an amused grin. "This is so good! I could drown in it's oh-so-heavenly taste." He said licking the tip of his index finger where the ice cream dripped. Jon handed over a tissue to him before he'd create a mess. "Told ya! Best ice cream known to mankind." He said taking a big bite out of his scoop. Peter was the happiest he had ever been. He wanted to thank Jon but couldn't formulate the words in his head.

"Hey! Wanna check people out?" Jon asked excitedly.

"What? Why?" Peter asked genuinely confused.

"Cause it's fun. And it's also what friends do."

"What friends do...."

"Yes! What friends do!" He said narrowing his eyes. "I am now officially your best friend. We are bound together by your bucket list." Jon said adding a dramatic flair to his voice.

"Okayyy...." Peter said raising his eyebrows

"Check out the girl to my right. Pretty hot, right?" Peter craned his neck to glance at her. She was pretty. Her bright red t-shirt contrasted her dark skin and her hair was done in braids. "Ya, she is pretty." He said now eating his banana split.

"Also the guy on my left." The guy had long blonde curls that reached upto his shoulders. He had feminine features and the outfit he wore complimented those features. Peter nodded in agreement. 

"And the guy infront of me looks so damn cute, no?" Peter turned back to see who he was talking about but saw no one. It was only after three seconds that he realized. "Did you just call me cute?" Jon snickered, "Tubelight!"

"Call me anything but cute. Handsome or whatever. But not cute! I. Am. Not. Cute!" 

"You're just like a cat."

"Am not!"

"Mhm...mhm..."

"Aww! You guys are so sweet together." Jon and Peter looked up at the voice and saw a girl standing there. "I'm sorry to interrupt but...uh...the bill." She said handing out the tab to be paid. Jon smiled politely and took the bill. The girl stood there waiting. She fidgeted with her fingers like she wanted to say something more. Jon handed over the cash. It was then she looked like she had gathered enough courage, "How long have you guys been together? I'm sorry! It's just-- you guys look too adorable."

Peter was surprised, "We're not--" He was rudely interrupted by Jon, "Not long actually. Thank you." He then handed her a polaroid, "Would you mind?..."

"Of course, not." She took the camera from him. Jon draped his arm over Peter's shoulder and pulled him close, "Smile for the camera."

"What? Why?"

"For a picture! Now smile." He said poking at Peter's cheek.

"You guys ready?" The girl asked. "Yep!" Jon said. The button was pressed and the shutter clicked. A 7×5 photo was slowly printed out. She gave the photo to Jon. "Thank you."

"Your welcome. Hope you guys had a great time here." She said returning the polaroid, before walking away.

"Why would you say that?" Peter burst, a heavy blush coating his cheeks.

"It's fun to irritate you." Jon said admiring the photo. He turned the photo to Peter, "Look! It came out great." Peter took the photo. "There is banana split on my chin!"

"Still a good photo."

Peter pouted, "I guess so." He smiled slightly. "Keep it." Jon said. "Hm...Why?" Peter hummed looking up. "You can stick it in your diary." His eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Thank you! That's a great idea." Jon smiled and gave him another tissue to wipe off the ice cream he had smeared on his chin.

"Thank you." Peter said softly. Jon just shrugged his shoulders. "No. I meant for doing all this."

Jon smiled at his shyness, "Don't mention it."

They sat in their seats for awhile longer.

"Let's go back?"

Peter was reluctant to leave but anyway he stood up and followed Jon to the car.