The Protector's Instinct

As the days went by, Peter found himself growing more and more comfortable around Johnny. They had started to hang out more frequently, grabbing coffee or attending superhero events together. Peter loved listening to Johnny's stories about his adventures with the Fantastic Four, and he was impressed by Johnny's confidence and bravery. But as their friendship deepened, Peter's protective instincts began to kick in. He found himself wanting to shield Johnny from harm, to keep him safe from the dangers that lurked in the shadows. It was a natural response for Peter, who had always felt a strong sense of responsibility to protect those he cared about. At first, Johnny didn't seem to notice Peter's protective behavior. He was too busy being his usual charming self, making friends and acquaintances wherever he went. But as Peter's actions became more pronounced, Johnny started to catch on. One evening, as they were walking out of a coffee shop, Peter instinctively stepped in front of Johnny as a group of rough-looking thugs walked by. Johnny raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Hey, Parker, I think I can handle myself," Johnny said, his voice teasing. Peter smiled, feeling a bit self-conscious. "Sorry, habit," he said, stepping back to Johnny's side. But as they continued on their way, Peter couldn't shake off the feeling that he needed to be vigilant. He kept a close eye on their surroundings, his spider-sense on high alert for any signs of danger. Johnny noticed Peter's behavior and chuckled. "You know, Parker, I'm not exactly a fragile flower," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Peter smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I know, I know. It's just that...I care about you, okay?" Johnny's expression softened, and he reached out to touch Peter's arm. "I care about you too, Parker. But I can take care of myself." As they walked, Peter couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and admiration for Johnny's confidence and independence. He loved that Johnny was strong and capable, but he also loved that Johnny was willing to let Peter be there for him. Their friends and teammates started to notice the chemistry between them, and they couldn't help but tease them good-naturedly. "Hey, Parker, you're spending an awful lot of time with the Human Torch," said Mary Jane, raising an eyebrow. Peter blushed, feeling a bit self-conscious. "We're just friends, MJ," he said, trying to play it cool. But Johnny just grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yeah, and I'm just a friend to Spider-Man," he said, winking at Peter. As they continued to hang out, Peter found himself struggling to balance his desire to protect Johnny with the need to respect his autonomy and agency. He knew that Johnny was capable of taking care of himself, but he also knew that he couldn't help but feel a strong sense of responsibility to keep him safe. As they walked through the city streets, Peter realized that his feelings for Johnny went far beyond friendship. He was falling for the Human Torch, hard. And he wasn't sure if he was ready to admit it, not even to himself. But as he looked over at Johnny, who was walking beside him with a confident stride, Peter knew that he couldn't deny his feelings forever. The flames of attraction were burning brighter with each passing day, and he was starting to realize that he might be willing to do anything to protect the one person who had captured his heart.