Mending Broken Relationships
Peter started when he heard loud blaring in the room. He shrieked, falling on his back in an epic seizure, throwing off his blanket and trying to scramble to his feet.
The alarm stopped, and Peter turned towards the near hysterical laughter filling the room. Tony was hunched over, trying and failing to stop his laughter. "What the hell, man?" Peter groaned, rubbing his eyes.
"Sorry, it was just too good to resist," Tony chuckled, helping Peter to his feet. "There's breakfast out on the counter, then you have a couple people who want to meet with you."
"What?" Peter asked nervously.
"Yeah," Tony said, seemingly oblivious to Peter's nerves. "I'd hope you remember Ned."
"Ned?!" Peter jumped on the chance, immediately faking a huge excited smile. "What kind of moron do you think I am? Don't answer that," Peter hastily tacked on at the cocked eyebrow Tony shot him.
"They're stopping by at noon," Tony said, brushing Peter's bangs out of his face.
Peter grumbled and pushed his hands away. "I'm a grown ass man, Dad, I can do it myself."
Tony smirked. "Say that to the pout on your face."
"I'm not pouting!" Peter exclaimed, his lip jutting out further. Tony rolled his eyes turned around. "I'm not!" Peter yelled indignantly.
"Sure you're not," Tony called back. In all his amusement, Tony hadn't noticed that some of his fondness was genuine.
oOo
"Morning, Momo," Peter said, sliding next to Morgan.
She scowled at him. "Your hair's a mess."
"Hey, I took hours to get it this way," Peter said indignantly. "Y'know what they say about the rolled out of bed look is actual bullshit. My bedhead is godawful."
Morgan's scowl deepened as she turned away, but Peter caught the softening in her eyes before she looked away. "You'll love me, Momo," Peter called at her, falling dramatically.
"Don't call me that," Morgan said in lieu of answering.
"Alrighty, Morgie," Peter answered. She huffed and stormed away, but Peter caught the small quirk of her lips.
"She'll love me one day," Peter informed Pepper when she came out.
Pepper smiled at him fondly. "I'm sure she will."
"Hey, when do you get off today?" Peter asked her.
"About four, why?" Pepper asked, curiosity flashing in her eyes.
"Wanna get manicures?" Peter asked eagerly, wriggling his fingers at her.
Pepper looked shocked. "You're not homophobic, right?" Peter asked.
"Of course not, baby," Pepper said, running a hand through his hair. "You just surprised me."
"Oh, good, because I'm as bi as it gets, and I listen to Britney Spears, so it would be kinda awkward if you were," Peter rambled.
"Don't worry, Harls," Pepper said. "I'll love you no matter what."
"Glad to hear it," Peter grinned. "I have some polish if you're interested."
"I'd love to, dear," Pepper said, smiling.
"Bring Morgan, too," Peter said, not noticing the surprised look on her face. "I do pretty cool nail art, if I do say so myself."
oOo
Ned was nervous when he stepped into the elevator of Stark Tower. He remembered that faithful night, the screaming, the anger, the truck. . .
He needed to see that Harley was still alive. Ned needed to know that he wasn't a killer. When the elevator stopped, Ned walked in to see the living room pretty much empty.
He rounded to the room to see Harley sitting on the counter, his hand shoved into a box of Lucky Charms. Harley was on his phone, scrolling idly.
Ned couldn't believe it. He could've swore Harley died that night, but here he was, alive and well. "Harley," Ned choked out, trying not to burst into tears.
Harley jumped, almost falling off the counter. "Ned?" Harley said, putting the cereal down and approaching him slowly. Harley smiled cautiously and put a hand on his shoulder. Ned immediately launched himself at Harley. Harley stumbled back, awkwardly patting Ned's back while he cried into Ned's shirt. "There, there," he said awkwardly. "It's okay."
"I thought you died," Ned sobbed, clutching Harley tighter. "When I shoved you onto the truck, I thought you died!"
"Well, I'm fine, bud," Harley said, squirming out of his grasp and twirling. "See, perfectly healthy."
"Your hair's a different color," Ned blurted out.
Harley froze. "Really?"
"Yeah, it used to be blonde."
"How blonde? Like platinum?"
"Not too blonde, I guess. Maybe it was just the light," Ned muttered.
Harley grinned at him. "Love the shirt, by the way. You wanna rewatch the Star Wars and see how many easter eggs we can spot?"
And Ned felt his suspicion return. Harley never missed a chance to insult Ned for liking Star Wars. "Sure," Ned said, trying not to sound too suspicious.
oOo
"Alright, gimme your hand and don't squirm too much," Peter said cheerfully to Pepper. She looked at him dubiously, but held her hand out in the end. Peter held it gently and started applying the grey to her hands cautiously. Peter liked doing nails. Harry teased him for it, but it was normally after Peter had painted unicorns on his toes.
Peter and Pepper sat in relative silence. When Peter finished, he sat back and smiled while Pepper admired her sparkly grey nails.
"Did he mess them up too much?" a snide voice called from behind them.
Pepper shot Morgan a disapproving look, but Peter grinned wider and ran over, scooping her up bridal style and spinning. She shrieked and batted his chest, but Peter didn't let go. "I'll have you know that I could've worked at a salon if I wanted, you adorable little gremlin."
Peter finally set Morgan down, ruffling her hair fondly. He'd always wanted a sibling, so he'd have as much fun with Morgan that he could before he beat it. "Alrighty, hands out, Morgie." Peter wriggled his fingers at her.
She huffed, but held her hand out begrudgingly. "I know how to this thing with glitter and slightly neon colors," Peter started as he started to pull out different colors. "It creates a sort of cosmic effect. Thought you might like it."
"It does sound cool," Morgan allowed.
"Awesome," Peter cheered, hopping down.
Peter was so caught up in his excitement that he didn't notice the sad looks Pepper shot him from behind.