Chapter Text
Harley knew what he had done was wrong.
But the boy was just too adorable for him not to do anything! He loved the way Peter’s curls swept across his face, the way his eyes seemed to light up when he was excited. Harley especially loved the way Peter made even the underworld feel like a beautiful, thriving society.
What he didn’t expect was the boy’s knack for trouble.
Every day for the past week, a different one of Harley’s subjects came to tell him about the young god’s wrongdoing.
“Peter tried to leave the castle.” He heard one day.
“Peter was found on the roof!” He would hear the next. Harley really had no idea how Peter would even make his way up there.
It had gotten to a point where Harley couldn’t wait for Peter to come talk to him, the longer he waited, the more he realized Peter would never willingly do that. Harley had to go talk to Peter himself.
Harley rapped his knuckles on the door of Peter’s room before opening the creaky door. He walked in to find the young god lain against the backboard of the bed, a book propped up in his hands.
“You didn’t have to knock,” Peter said bluntly, without looking up from the book. “I know you would’ve forced your way in here.”
“It’s the nice thing to do, sweetheart.” He drawled.
“When have you ever worried about the nice thing.”
The older boy made his way over to the edge of the bed, and gestured at it. “May I?”
After no response from Peter, Harley turned around and flopped down face up at the foot of his bed.
A few minutes of silence passed before Harley heard the book snap shut and the sounds of shuffling as Peter placed his book to the side.
“What do you want?” Peter questioned.
“You know what I want darlin,” Harley drawled. “I think the real question is what you want, throwing all of my servants for loops, following you to the roof of all places.”
Peter sniffled and drew his legs to his chest, burying his head in his knees. “I’m just so lonely,” he murmured. “Either my mom is with me, or one of the forest dryads. I’ve never truly been alone before, and I hate the feeling. You’re probably too busy to have me follow you around all day like a lost puppy or something.”
Harley’s heart broke at the way Peter’s voice cracked and whimpered. He sat up and made his way to the boy’s side. “It’s okay Peter, whatever you need, you can always come find me. I will never be too busy for you.” Harley said softly, laying a hand on Peter’s shoulder, rubbing soft circles in hopes of comfort.
Unlike a week ago, Peter didn’t run away in fear. He didn’t look up from his knees, but Harley could feel the way he leaned into the touch, unbothered by his previous worries.
After a few moments of silence, Peter looked up at Harley. “Thank you,” he whispered.
“The pleasure’s all mine sweetheart.” Harley whispered back.
As the days went on, Peter learned to appreciate the time spent with Harley, and Harley loved every minute of it. The younger boy would join Harley in meetings he had during the morning, and in the afternoon the two of them bonded by talking about how lonely Harley had been before, and how smothered Peter truly felt with his mother.
Harley hadn’t realized how close Peter must’ve felt with him, until one night.
The door to his room creaked open, and Harley looked up from his work. In the doorway, Peter stood with his hands on his elbows, looking at the floor.
“What’s up sweetheart?” Harley asked.
All he got in response was a sniffle, and that was enough for Harley to jump out of bed and make his way to the younger boy.
“Hey, hey what’s wrong?”
Harley tilted Peter’s chin, forcing him to look at him. There were tears streaming down his cheeks, and Harley placed his hand on the side of his face, absentmindedly brushing his thumb against Peter’s cheekbone.
The gesture didn’t seem to comfort the boy, as he began uncontrollably shaking and sobbing, his eyes shut tight. Harley wrapped his arms around Peter’s shoulders, as Peter buried his head into the god’s chest.
Harley stroked his hands through the boy’s hair, recalling when May would do that to calm him down.
They both stood there as Peter’s breath evened out, the older boy playing with his soft curls and suddenly Harley felt the whole weight of the boy leaning against him. He knew that running his fingers through his hair would calm him down, but he hadn’t realized how tired he was.
He picked the young god up, and in a split second decision, he decided that Peter’s room would be too far to carry him. He set Peter down on one side of his bed, and made his way around to hold Peter close.
It took him ten minutes before he began to drift to sleep as well.