Chapter 6
Across the New York city streets, pedestrians hear the whoops and hollers of a blurred red and black figure flying above their heads. Some smile, happy to see their friendly neighbourhood hero back in town, but some cower and sink into the shadows of alleyways.
Those cowards are the ones that get to welcome back the hyper hero.
Spider-Man is fast and efficient that night, same sassy quips as usual hissing between punches but not a beat passing for the criminals to get a scrap of victory. The joy radiates off him as he bounces from street to street leaving webbed up idiots behind him. The adrenaline throbs in his veins, all of the energy from the month cooped up inside finally getting chance to escape.
He’s practically shaking when he stops to take a break, legs dangling off the roof he’s claimed. He stares at his quivering hands and lets out one breathless huff of a laugh at the obvious excitement before he drops back, resting his head on the grimy ground.
“Karen, what time is it?” He asks the AI, smiling unashamedly at the faint stars above, masked by the clouds in the sky.
“Almost three in the morning Spider-Man.” She responds, making the young hero snap up and huff out another laugh.
“Wow. It’s been 4 hours?” The AI doesn’t respond to the rhetorical question. He stands, adrenaline dropping now he’s stopped fighting, causing him to sway slightly. “Well, best get some sleep.”
Numbly, muscles tingling with the exertion of a good workout, he swings himself back home.
Home.
Memories of the conversation he had just before leaving flash in his mind. He exhales shakily. It’s been a long time since he had a home, or someone who cares.
He blinks the thoughts away, unsure how to process the swell of affection in his chest as he remembers how Harley looked at him. One thing was certain after this month for Peter, and that was that he was most definitely bisexual; there was only so many times Harley could wander through the halls half dressed before he admitted to himself that his roommate was unfairly attractive. He never acknowledged the thought further than that, conscious of the fact that at some point he would likely work up the courage to reach out to MJ now that he was certain an apocalypse wouldn't occur. He doesn’t want to complicate things further. He doesn’t want to risk hurting MJ.
But the way he looked at me.
But nothing. He loves MJ.
The reminder swirls in his head like a mantra as he quietly creeps back in through the living room window, taking off the mask as Karen shuts the window behind him. It continues as he circles the sofa, aiming for a cup of water from the kitchen.
The thoughts pause as he notices blonde hair peeking out of a blanket on said sofa.
Oh Harls… I told you not to wait up.
He ponders what to do before deciding to approach and gently shake the shoulder of his apparently deaf friend.
“Hmpf- what?” Harley’s eyes flutter open, lashes tickling his sleep flushed cheeks as he rolls to face his waker.
“I’m home, dumbass.” Peter teases, unable to contain the fondness that leaks into his tone. Harley looks at him properly then, eyes clearing as a smile grows on his face.
“Good.” He sits up and quickly realises why the suit clad boy sounds so exasperated. “Oh I didn’t mean to- I mean, I fell asleep watching a movie?”
The brunette hums, moving to sit beside the terrible liar. “It’s okay. You waited, don’t lie.”
Harley blushes and Peter can’t help but think it suits him. He cuts off the unwanted apologies that follow by chucking the blanket at his flushed face. Coincidently, this saves him from getting caught up in staring as well as convincing Harley to shut up.
“At least you still slept. I can handle this level of worry, I think.” They laugh together lightly.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Comfortable silence settles between them and Peter finds himself being wrapped in the blanket, an arm curling around him to encourage a soft side hug. The brunette swallows, pulling back politely.
“I’m covered in grime, you do not want to hug me right now.” He keeps his volume low, for some reason not willing to disturb the peace of their little bubble. Harley tuts and pulls him close again anyway.
“I do not care. You’re shaking.” And Peter gives in, letting himself melt into the warm body next to him. He rests his head on the blonde’s broad shoulder, subtly inhaling the familiar scent of the lingering cologne to soothe his still on edge nerves.
They stay that way for a while, soft breaths evening out as they almost drift off against each other. Still aware of the fact he remains in the suit, Peter reluctantly peels himself away once he has stopped shaking.
“I should change. And we should get to bed.” Harley nods his agreement and follows him to the hall before they go their separate ways into their rooms, the worn out crime fighter practically dragging himself to his room for a change of clothes. He shakes off the suit, leaving it crumpled on the floor as he pulls on his favourite pyjama pants and a soft thin cotton shirt.
He crawls into bed, pulling the thick duvet up to his shoulders and willing himself to rest. But rest refuses to come. It starts as a dull buzz, the adrenaline somehow seeping back into his skin and bones despite his exhausted state. The duvet suddenly starts to feel too heavy and he throws it off himself, moving onto his back to stare at the ceiling.
“Peter, are you alright?” Karen’s warm voice asks as his breathing starts to pick up.
“I think- I think I’m having a panic attack.”
In the blink of an eye, it’s as if his lungs are filled with water. He can hear his own heartbeat pounding in his ears along with what feels like every noise from across the next three blocks of the city. He tugs at the collar of his shirt, willing it to feel less constricting as he attempts to follow Karen’s breathing techniques, though he can barely hear her.
He doesn’t register when he stands and stumbles out of the room and across the hall, knocking on and opening the door to Harley’s room at the same time in his panicked haze. He doesn’t register his own breathless voice stuttering out unintelligible explanations. He can’t process anything but the fact he can’t handle this.
Too much! Too much! Loud, bright, itchy, hot-
Harley stands in shock, entirely clueless how to handle the situation seeing as he can’t understand what is happening. That and he is very aware of the fact he is standing in front of his panicked crush in only his boxers, having been getting ready to slip under his covers.
Unprompted, Karen gives a clear but brief explanation. “I think he isn’t handling the adrenaline drop well, he needs to be grounded.”
Harley nods, determined. He walks closer to Peter, palms up to show there is no threat as he keeps a close eye on the focus of the brunette’s gaze. “Darlin’ you have to breathe, okay? Come here.”
He gently takes the younger man’s hand in his and coaxes him towards the bed, helping him to sit down and beginning to rub circles into his wrists where the web shooters usually rest on his skin. “You feel that? Follow the pattern and breathe, alright? Inhale.” He slowly draws a circle with his thumb, noting that although shakily, Peter is following the instruction. “Hold.” He pauses the movement. “Now exhale.” He draws another slow circle into the soft skin, smiling when he realises it’s working.
He repeats the action until Peter’s breathing evens out and he slumps forward, placing his face in his hands in shame.
“Sorry.” He murmurs, all muffled. Harley shakes his head and as gently as he can pulls the hands away.
“None of that, it’s okay. Do you want to talk about it?” Peter gives a wobbly smile and takes his hand, turning it over between them to run his fingers along Harley’s palm as if to distract himself.
“I don’t know what happened. I just started freaking out the moment I was alone. Don’t handle a lack of distraction well after doing so much I guess…” The brunette’s words are a rough mumble, throat hoarse from gasping for breath the last few minutes.
“That explanation would make sense.” Karen offers from above. “After so long without a… safe space after patrols, your body is likely unused to the adrenaline drop.”
Harley purses his lips in thought, remaining quiet as Peter takes in the explanation and shivers in morbid understanding of the repercussions of being alone for so long. Cautiously, he allows himself to just ask the question fluttering about his mind.
“Do you um… want to stay in here tonight? With me?” His heart races, hoping the offer is not weird. The last thing he wants is to make the finally calm man start panicking again.
Peter’s head snaps up, eyes wide. “You- you wouldn’t mind?”
“No, of course not. I wouldn’t have offered it if I did.” Brown eyes droop gratefully and Harley smiles to himself, but his dumb mouth has to ruin the moment. “I should probably put some clothes on though.”
The hands previously holding him abruptly tear themselves away as Peter looks him up and down frantically before meeting his eyes and throwing his gaze to the wall in the opposite direction. “Shit! I’m so sorry!”
Harley can’t hold back the sharp laugh that reaction rips out of his throat. “It’s fine!” He attempts to reassure him, tone full of amusement. He looks at the flustered man in front of him, admiring the bright red in his cheeks and spreading down his neck; the lack of actual concerning level of anxiety in his frame. He smirks. “Not like I’m actually shy, I just thought you’d be uncomfortable. You actually just look a little flustered though, darlin’. Do you like what you see?”
Peter swats at him playfully in retaliation to the question, making Harley laugh again.
“Stop laughing!” Peter pleads, scrambling away to the other side of the bed and pointing to the drawers in the corner. “Put some pants on at least, for God’s sake.”
Not stopping his laughter, the southerner does as requested, pulling on a pair of pants similar to the other man’s but remaining shirtless. “This is the best you’re getting, I get too hot otherwise.”
“I can deal with that.” The brunette decides, eyes flicking between the toned stomach on view and the pillows. Praying to keep some of his dignity, he throws himself at the pillows and curls up on top of the sheets, facing away from Harley.
“You gonna be comfy in what you’re wearing or will it set your senses back off?” Harley questions, sounding like he really doesn’t want to ask, as if the answer scares him. Peter grimaces.
“Ah, the shirt was bothering me actually…” He lets the question linger without actually asking it, refusing to turn and see the possible discomfort on his friend’s face.
“You can take it off then, no bother.” And funnily enough, Harley makes it sound as if there actually is no bother, so nervously he lifts himself up and removes the offending material from his body, trying to ignore the hitch in the other man’s breath. It means nothing. It’s natural to look and admire. Ned’s breath would’ve hitched too and he’s straight.
He lays back down and finally turns to face the man beside him, who is sat bolt upright and staring at the ceiling.
“Harley?” He doesn’t know why he sounds the way he does when the name falls from his lips, almost pleading. Harley gives a full body shiver.
“Fuck, please don’t say my name like that.” He chokes out, voice rough as he runs a hand down his face. Peter flinches back and Harley hisses. “Didn’t mean it like that-”
“No. I get it. Sorry.”
“No Peter, I don’t think you do get it. You didn’t upset me.”
“Oh?”
Harley is quiet for a second so he distracts himself by fiddling with the corner of the pillow his head rests against, waiting for him to speak.
“You could never upset me. I just- my brain crossed some wires and half naked in my bed is not a time where you should sound like you’re begging.” Peter squeaks, flipping onto his front to hide his face in the pillow.
He gives a muffled shout. “Shut up!”
“What?! Not my fault you decided to say my name like a prayer!” The blonde whisper yells back, tension dulling into their usual bickering. Peter just shushes him again, face heating the way it seems to always do around the other nowadays. Harley chuckles and finally lays down beside him, tapping him on the shoulder to encourage him to look at him.
“I’ll drop it. Now come on, I’m tired and want cuddles to help me sleep.” Peter snorts at that.
“Cuddles? Really?” He earns a pout.
“Yes, cuddles… If you’re okay with that?” Harley had honestly suggested it more for Peter’s benefit, knowing the touch will keep him grounded but there is no reason to tell him that. Besides, he’s not opposed to cuddling the very cute guy in his bed.
The brunette huffs and wiggles closer, tucking his head underneath Harley’s chin, hands pressed to his chest. The blonde tries to keep his heart from racing, sliding his arm under Peter’s head and letting the other rest on his side, palm against his back and holding him close.
In sync, they both release a shaky breath.
“This okay?” Peter asks, tone wracked with exhaustion. Harley hums a confirmation, eyes already heavy as all remaining energy seeps out of him from the comfortable position.
“Get some rest, baby.”
Finally calm enough to, Peter drifts off against him before he even registers the pet name. Seconds later, Harley follows.
Morning comes with an unexpected lack of discomfort. The fact that in the night they hadn’t ever moved from the tight embrace left both of them feeling warm. It was perhaps too long for just friends that they remained wrapped up in each other in the morning, both trading off complaints about not wanting to move.
“I have to get ready for work, Peter.” He is immediately shushed, the shorter clinging tighter to him, hooking an ankle over his.
“But I’m so comfy.” He whines making Harley sigh.
“Then stay where you are, but I don’t want Tony to bitch at me.” He tries to pull away, only to be yanked back in with a little more super strength than necessary from Peter, making him yelp.
“Human heater.” The superpowered man mutters with an appreciative hum, nuzzling his face into Harley’s neck. The blonde clears his throat.
“You are acting like a needy cat in heat.” It comes out a bit meaner than he intends but he really needs him to stop touching him, there’s only so long he can ignore the emotions screaming in the back of his mind.
Peter huffs, offended and pushes him away with a hand to the face. “Ruined it.” He turns over and curls back up to himself.
Harley laughs it off and gets up to pick out an outfit for the day, trying to stay quiet as Peter’s breathing switches back to light snores. He gives him one last glance when ready, a soft smile on his face, before closing the bedroom door behind him with a small click.
“Karen, text me if he needs me at any point please.”
“Of course, Harley. Have a good day at work.”
Work, as usual, is a lot of Tony pushing him to give all the details of his personal life. He wants to know if he’s made friends, if he has any favourite places, if he’s hooked up with anyone.
“You’re young, Keener. It’s natural don’t be ashamed.” The billionaire teases, avoiding the younger man’s flailing hands.
“You’re disgusting!” He digs the heels of his palms into his eyes, turning his back on his grinning boss.
“When I was your age-” He’s cut off by an oil stained rag being forcefully shoved into his mouth by a scowling Harley.
“Nope, don’t wanna know.” Tony spits out the rag, heaving at the taste on his tongue.
“I could fire you, don’t forget that.” He threatens, though it’s clear he doesn’t mean it. “Come on, kid. Is there really nobody that’s caught your eye yet? Even just a friend?” His eyes light up with glee when Harley’s skin flushes without his consent at the memory of Peter saying his name the night before.
“Oh ho ho, there is someone! Is he hot?” Harley sucks his teeth, cursing his obviousness.
“Leave it alone, Tony.” He knows it’s useless to ask, but it’s worth a shot.
“Nuh uh, you’re blushing. I have to know everything.” He’s grinning as he says it, Harley gives him an unimpressed glare.
“You sound like a pervert.” This doesn’t deter the man, who just keeps grinning and gestures expectantly. With a fed up sigh, he realises he’s going to have to give Tony something or he won’t let it go. “Fine… yes there’s a guy. It’s complicated. We’re friends, he’s hot, I’m hopeless. But, he’s in love with his ex, so please leave it be.”
Tony grimaces. “Yikes, that’s rough, buddy. Is there no hope at all?” That makes Harley think.
“Uh, I don’t know.” He thinks about how often Peter blushes around him, how he clung to him this morning, and how effortlessly he was able to calm him last night. “We’re close, so I’m scared to take things the wrong way and get my hopes up.”
The older man considers his words for a moment before clearing his throat, clearly about to try and say something his emotionally constipated self isn’t used to. “Right well, if you ever want to talk about it…”
“I’m alright, old man.” He waves off the concern, carrying on his fiddling with their latest project. “Honestly, I’d be happy just to keep him as my friend. It’s just a little crush. Let it go.”
Tony definitely doesn’t believe that but he lets it go, and they move on, finishing up the project and heading upstairs for food.
At times like this, sat eating with the Stark family, Harley can’t help but wish Peter was there. He feels like he’s unintentionally replacing someone the family don’t remember. He pushes the thoughts away and focuses on asking about Pepper and Morgan’s days, picking at the food on his plate already well on his way to full thanks to the mountains of food Tony always insists on.
“My teacher was saved by Spider-Man last night!” Morgan announces, causing him to almost choke on his mouthful of chicken. Her parents look at her with interest, eyes encouraging her to continue the story. “She said some bad men tried to take her purse and Spider-Man came and webbed them to the wall super quick. He’s back!”
Pepper, the amazing mother that she is, exaggerates her amazement to entertain the young girl, letting her keep rambling away as Tony leans over to whisper to Harley. “You think I’d be her favourite hero, but no, it’s this spider guy. She’s been obsessed with him for years. She’s been worried because he hasn’t been seen for a month.”
The young man listens, trying to stay as calm as possible. He doesn’t want to give anything away. “Well, I’m glad he’s turned up again then, if she likes him so much.”
Tony hums. “Between you and me, I didn’t think he’d come back. Last sighting of him, he seemed to be on some kind of date on top of Lady Liberty. I figured his disappearing after that was either super good or super bad, you get what I mean?”
Harley’s throat dries up. A date? Why would it have looked like that? We were just chatting.
“Uh yeah. You thought he was dead or decided to retire for the mystery guy?” He assumes, reading between the lines. Tony tilts his head, eyes squinting.
“How’d you know it was a guy?” Harley tenses. Shit.
“Uh, I didn’t. Guess I forgot people could be straight.” It’s an awful excuse that is clearly not believed if the raised eyebrow and frown he gets in response is anything to go by.
“By any chance is this something I should let go?” The genius guesses. Harley gulps and that’s definitely all of the confirmation Tony needs. Both his eyebrows shoot up into his hairline. “No way!”
His shout causes the girls to look at them, Morgan pouting in childish confusion while Pepper who had been half listening in just looks suspicious. Harley bites the inside of his cheek and looks at the floor.
“Dadddddd, you made him sad!” The small girl whines, moving to climb into his lap protectively, probably trying to cheer him up.
“It’s okay, Morgie. I’m not sad.” He reassures her, only serving to further confuse her. Meanwhile, Pepper seems to be trying to understand what Tony’s opening and closing mouth means in reference to what she overheard in the conversation.
“Then what’s wrong?” She asks, still hugging him. He messes up her hair, a little show of brotherly affection he thinks Peter would do if he were here.
“Nothing you need to worry about, I promise. Now, I think it’s time for bed for you.” He looks at Pepper, hint in his eyes which she picks up on promptly, taking her complaining daughter off to bed after quick goodnights said all around.
“So… you’re the mystery guy?”
“Tony I can explain-”
“Are you in danger?” Harley gapes at him.
“No! God no!”
“He’s just a friend?” He stutters, unable to hold the stern look Tony is trying to give him.
“I- yeah. But-” Once again he’s cut off with another question.
“Do you know his identity?”
And suddenly, all Harley knows about the man in front of him evaporates from his mind, as if whatever spell made everyone forget about Peter made him forget about who Tony is as a person. His eyes turn cold, tone like ice as everything in him switches to immediate distrust, wanting nothing more than to protect Peter. “Why do you want to know?”
Tony must know what’s good for him because he raises his hands in surrender. “Relax! I don’t want to know right now, I just want to know if you know.”
“So you will want to know in the future?” The older man sighs in frustration.
“Harley, for God’s sake I just want to make sure you know what you’re doing. Knowing who he is under the mask could put you in danger.” His solemn tone sobers Harley. He remembers how much of a mess Tony was back when the people he knew kept getting caught up in attacks just because they were around him, and suddenly he understands why he is freaking out.
“I know what I’m doing. I promise. Why do you think I was wearing a mask? He didn’t want me to be in danger either.” Tony bows his head and takes a deep breath.
“Okay. But, I need you to promise me that if anything goes wrong, and I mean anything, you will call me.” Harley shakes his head.
“You’re not Iron Man anymore. You can’t offer that protection.”
They fall quiet. The reality of that reminder sinking in for the worrying ex-hero.
Until, he slowly brings his eyeline back to the young man’s. A spark in his eye that gives the blonde chills.
“Maybe not. But you could be.”
Harley’s stomach flips. “What?”
“You could be Iron Man.” Tony clarifies, but he’s no less confused.
“Yes, I heard you. What I’m not understanding is why you would ever offer that.” He thinks he might be dreaming, his limbs feel numb and tingly. Maybe he’s going into shock.
“I’m offering because- because well, you know! Harley, you’re practically family-” Harley chokes. “-And I want you to be, no I need you to be safe. Please at least consider this.”
He looks at his boss, his mentor, the closest thing he has to a father, and sees just how desperate he is. Call him soft but it’s enough to break anyone. He croaks out a weak, “I’ll think about it.” as Pepper comes back in.
She takes one look at them and just knows. She groans and puts her fingers to the bridge of her nose, pinching. “Please, whatever you’re going to do, be safer than Tony was.”
Attempting to lighten the mood there’s only one thing Harley can think of to say.
“No promises. We’re connected.”
At least Tony laughs.