Chapter Text
Over the past couple of years there’s been a lot of changes for Peter. The first big one was being bitten by a radioactive spider and getting powers. Then his uncle being shot. Him becoming Spiderman and meeting Tony stark. Then being mentored by Tony Stark which turned into a father-son type of relationship. Moving into the stark tower (May was happy for him and understood, making sure he would see her multiple times a week). Harley keener, the boy who helped Tony in the mandarin time, moved into the stark tower and soon becoming an older brother to Peter. One of the worst changes for Peter was his new way of coping. His blade.
He knew it wasn’t a good idea when he picked it up the first time but there was something about it that couldn’t quite make him stop. He knew it was bad. Yet he brought it to his wrist anyway. And then it began the cycle.
When he moved into the tower he tried to stop, Friday was there always watching him. But it became to much and he fell harder into the habit then he ever though he would. His arms soon became a canvas of red, pink and white lines. He hid it and he vowed to himself that no one would ever find out. Ever. He told Friday that if it got worst he would tell someone or he would allow her to tell someone, only if he said. Yet through no matter what he never go to the point.
He hated himself for it really but he couldn’t stop. Not now. He was in to deep.
So now after all the changes he was here. In his room at 11:27pm. Blade discarded on his bed and his arms bleeding out. Tears streaming down his cheeks but he couldn’t bring himself to care. He just wanted all the pain to go away. He didn’t know what brought all of this one but he felt like he was suffocating. The weight of his pain crushing him until a single cut could bleed all his suffering out.
“Hey Pete,” Harley called pushing the door open. Peter heart plummeted and he threw his blade under his pillow and pulled his sleeves down. Closing his eyes hoping for the tears to stop. Rubbing his face quickly he smiled and hoped his tears weren’t noticeable.
“Yeah” his voice cracking. This was the first thing in the night that would show that Peter wasn’t okay.
Harley looked up at Peter and stopped.
“I was just wondering if you wanted to watch Brooklyn nine nine seeing as you aren’t sleeping. However are you okay?” Harley asked cautiously. Peter looked away.
“I’m fine.” Peter said curtly. He felt tears pricking his eyes. He screwed his eyes shut hoping it would stop them from falling.
Harley studied his younger brother. Even if they weren’t related Harley was going to be the older brother to Peter who would protect him no matter what. Harley knee Peter have been way to much throughout his 16 years of life. He knew when he wasn’t okay. And he wasn’t okay right now.
“What’s wrong Petey” Harley asked softly moving to sit next to Peter on his bed. Peter felt the bed dipped as Harley sat. He shook his head, he wasn’t going to talk. He was in to far to talk now.
“I can’t help you if you don’t tell me you know” Harley tried again. When he was met with silent, the occasional sniffle breaking it, he reached to touched Peters wrist. The response was almost instant.
Peter whimpered pulling his wrist away from Harley as he jumped off the bed. His eyes wide as they stared at Harley.
“Are you hurt? Peter if you’re hurt I need to see” Harley said sternly. He slowly stood up and looked at Peter. His trembling figure holding his arm close to his chest.
“I’m fine” Peter bit out. He tried to sound strong but there was a sadness to it that overpowered it. Harley stepped towards Peter, trying not to scare him.
“Petey, tell me what’s wrong yeah? I can help.” Harley tried. Peter shook his head gripping his arm. His whimpered as he held it too tightly. Harley quickly wrapped his arms around the shorter boy and pulled him close to his chest. He was confused on why Peter was so worked up over something but he had a faint idea. He really hoped he was wrong.
“Can I see your wrist, Petey pie?” Harley asked gently hoping that Peter wouldn’t resist. He felt his head shake on his chest, no. Peter wouldn’t.
“Please baby” Harley whispered hoping that calling him ‘baby’ would help. He would only call Peter that if he was sad or anxious. It normally helped so he just hoped it would help now.
“I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad. I’m sorry. I’m sorry” Peter sobbed seeming to shake more.
“Hey hey hey. I won’t be mad I just want to help. I love you and I don’t want you to be sad” Harley whispered into Peters hair knowing he would hear it. Peter tears were dampening Harley’s top but he didn’t care he wanted to know why.
Slowly he reached for Peter’s arm, holding gently trying not to hurt him more. He pulled the sleeve up and hoped it wasn’t what he though it was. Once the sleeve was rolled at his elbow Harley let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.
Lines. Lines of different length and colours painted Peters arm. Some white, those must of been from a while ago. Some pink. And some red and a couple still bleeding.
“Oh baby. Pete. It’s okay” Harley tried to comfort. Holding Peter tighter and putting his head into his chest.
“I’m sorry. Don’t hate me please. I’m sorry. Please don’t hate me. I’m sorry” Peter cried out.
“I could never hate you Petey. I love you so much and I don’t want you to hurt anymore. And I’m going to help you now. It’s going to be okay Pete” Harley said gently, stroking Peters hair.
“You can’t tell tony. He will hate me. He will throw me out and take my suit away then I will be nothing. Harley please.” Peter cried into Harley’s chest, shaking more at the idea of his kinda dad finding out.
“No he won’t. He won’t hate you. He will be worried. I’m worried. He will want to help you and he will hug you and he will continue to love you. He needs to know Pete. And you won’t be nothing. You’re never going to be nothing” Harley comforted. Peter shook his head trying to protest.
“He will. He will” he repeated. Harley shushed him, humming under his breath.
“It’s going to be okay, it’s all going to be okay baby. How about you sleep yeah?” Harley tried suggesting. Moving them both to Peters bed. He laid down with Peter half on him and half snuggled into his side.
Shushing Peter, Harley stroked his hair trying to calm him down.
“It’s going to be okay baby. Just sleep now and we will sort it all out and you won’t hurt anymore okay” Harley whispered.
After a while Peter calmed down and felt his eyes closing. He tried to stay awake but he couldn’t. He looked up at Harley who was looking at him attentive gaze.
“It’s okay Petey. Sleep. I’m going to be here when you wake up. I love you. Sleep. It’s okay” Harley said softly. Peter nodded grabbing Harley’s top and felt his eyes closed.
Harley wasn’t sure what he was going to do but he held Peter close to him and let him sleep. One thing Harley knew for sure that nothing else was going to hurt his little brother.