Chapter Text
Harley was on a field trip to MoMA when a giant spaceship that looked like a donut settled over New York City. The reason his attention was brought to it was because his brother whipped his head up quickly from the seat in front of Harley, looking out the window towards the right of the bridge.
“Peter,” he whispered knowing what his brother was about to do. “Don’t do it.” But Peter ignored him and instead started tapping Neds face who was sitting on the seat in front of Peter.
“I need you to cause a distraction.” Peter told Ned once he had his attention. Ned looked behind Peter towards the floating donut in the sky before yelling for the whole bus to hear. “We’re all going to die!” Students started getting up, opening the windows on the right side of the bus to get a better look at the spaceship but Harley kept his eyes on Peter.
“Peter don’t.” He tried again when he saw Peters web shooters form around his wrists.
“Don’t worry Harls, I’ll be fine.” Peter smiled at him before shooting a web to the opposite window of the bus, pulling it open before jumping out of it and swinging towards the ship.
Harley sometimes hated how his brother was Spider-Man. Don’t get him wrong; he’s so proud of Peter and the good he does for New York, especially Queens, but he hates the fact that he feels like it is his responsibility to help everyone.
Harley made his way over to where Ned was standing and pulled him down onto one of the seats on the left side of the bus, away from the window facing the spaceship. “C’mon man.” Harley said, shaking his head.
“What?” Ned tilted his head to the side.
“Why’d you help him?” Harley hissed, keeping his voice low even though everyone was too excited about the spaceship to care.
“Because I’m his guy-in-the-chair.” Ned had a goofy smile on his face as he whispered the last part, not bothered by Harleys annoyance.
“Well I’m his big brother and I would’ve liked him to stay where he’s supposed to be. Here.”
Ned looked confused again. “But you guys are twins.”
“I’m 21 minutes older so therefore I’m his big brother.”
“I don’t think that necessarily counts as being his ‘big brother.’”
“Trust me it does. And as his big brother it is my responsibility to make sure he is safe. And you helping him get off the bus to go fight aliens is not keeping him safe.” Harley raised an eyebrow at Ned. “Understand how this is frustrating for me?”
“But Peter’s Spider-Man. He can help people. Don’t worry he’ll be fine.” Ned didn’t look as confident now, but he didn’t agree with Harley either.
“I’m all for him helping cats out a trees and returning stolen bikes, but he’s still 16.” He sighed, closing his eyes.
“I’m sure your Dads heard about what’s happening and is there now too.” Ned tried for a smile, but it fell short.
“That doesn’t make me feel much better.” He muttered. “But I guess you’re right.” He smiled at him but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
Harley kept his eyes on the spaceship the entire bus ride to MoMA. Through the whole trip the spaceship didn’t move from its position floating just above the buildings and Harley just prayed that Peter was safe. Once the bus had stopped outside of MoMA and everyone started filing out did Harley notice that the spaceship was now rising up, seemingly leaving.
“Do you think they won?” Ned whispered next to him referring to Peter and his Dad.
“I don’t know.” He murmured, thinking that that seemed too easy.
“C’mon everyone. The museums this way.” Mr Harrington tried to direct everyone’s attention away from the flying donut in the sky and back to the reason they were here.
“C’mon losers.” MJ appeared out of nowhere, grabbing on to Ned’s arm. “Wait where’s Peter?” she squinted her eyes, letting go of Ned’s arm and looking between Ned and Harley.
“Uh…” Ned was opening and closing his mouth, trying to think of some excuse as to why Peter suddenly wasn’t here that would be somewhat believable.
“He wasn’t feeling too good so I called Happy to come pick him up. You just missed him.” Harley knew it wasn’t the best excuse, but it was the best he could come up with at the moment and it’s the one he told Mr. Harrington and he believed it. She squinted her eyes again, obviously not believing what Harley said but didn’t question it either. Instead she grabbed on to Ned’s arm and pulled him along, following the rest of the group.
“Hey man.” His friend Harry came up behind him and grabbed onto his shoulders. “Think your Dad helped get rid of that spaceship?” He sounded excited the opposite of what Harley was feeling.
“I don’t know Harry.” He muttered following the rest of the group.
“Spider-Man was spotted fighting an alien with Iron Man!” Flash yelled, showing his phone to anyone that was around him. Harley quickly walked forward and snatched the phone out of his hand. “Hey what the hell –“ Flash started to protest but Harley ignored him. The video was shaky and obviously recorded from a fair distance away, but you could clearly make out Iron Man and Spider-Man. Harley exited the video and scrolled to the one underneath it. This one showed Spider-Man hanging from a web that was attached to what looked like a person, being taken further and further upwards towards the spaceship. “Pete let go.” He muttered knowing it was pointless because this had already happened. The video ended with Spider-Man still attached to the figure. Harley shoved the phone back to Flash and ignored his insults as he walked away to try and call his Dad.
His first three tries he was sent to voice mail so he tried Peter praying to any God out there that he would pick up. This, again, resulted in him being sent to voice mail. “Dammit.”
“Are you trying to call Peter?” he heard Ned ask from behind him. He looked worried now and a part of Harley was happy.
“Yeah, I am, but he isn’t picking up. Neither is Dad.” He scrolled through his contacts until he came across Peppers name. “I’ll try Pepper.” He told Ned before pressing the call button and holding the phone to his ear. “Come on, come on.” He muttered as he listened to the dial tone.
After the sixth ring she picked up. “Harley?”
“Hey Pepper. Please tell me you know what’s happening with that spaceship.” He begged, walking further away from the group.
“Tony’s on the ship.” She sounded worried and tired.
Harleys heart dropped to his stomach, knowing how much his Dad hated space. “And Peter?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t know that he was there.” She sounded more worried now. Harley closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
“Okay thanks Pepper.” He hung up and pocketed his phone.
“Anything?” Ned asked him when he made his way back over.
“Nope. Peppers heard from Dad. He’s on the spaceship but she hasn’t heard from Peter.” Harley set his mouth in a tight line, playing with the strings of his hoodie out of nervousness.
“Can you maybe track his suit? I know Mr. Stark can do that right? Can you?” Ned spoke quickly, his fear that something has happened to Peter showing.
“Uh yeah, yeah I can. Good thinking Ned.” He muttered as he pulled his phone back out. “Friday, where’s Peter’s suit?” he asked quietly so as not to draw attention to himself and Ned.
“The Spider-Man suit cannot be detected at the moment.” She replied.
“What do you mean it can’t be detected at the moment?” He raised his voice a little, fear setting back in. Did he fall when he was hanging onto that figure and the suit was so damaged because of it that it’s gone offline? He doubts it. His Dad put every safety feature into that suit to keep Peter safe. But then again, Peter did fall into that lake when he was going after the Vulture and the parachute that was supposed to save him made matters so much worse. So maybe that is a possibility then.
The fear was increasing now, and it took him a while to realise that Ned was trying to get his attention. “Harley? Dude, are you okay?” Ned was grabbing onto his arm and shaking it a little bit.
“Uh, yeah. Yeah, I’m okay. Uh Friday? Where was the Spider-Man suit last detected?”
“The Spider-Man suit was last detected at 10:41am exiting the Earths atmosphere. I then lost connection with the suit after that.”
“So, he’s on the flying donut with Mr. Stark then?” Ned asked Harley.
“He must be. The suits not online so that’s the only explanation I can think of.” Harley hoped that was the case because then at least he’s with Dad.
“Peter will be okay then right? I mean he’s with Iron Man.” Ned was mostly talking to himself now.
“Yeah. They’ll be fine.” Harley hoped that if he thought it enough it would come true.
They were nearing the end of their field trip when it happened. He heard someone scream and looked over but all he saw was dust falling to the ground. He looked behind him when he heard someone else scream and saw one of the tour guides turn to dust. Dust. He looked around at his class, seeing some of them fade to dust too. He noted Ned was one of them. Mr. Harrington was looking around at his students in shock, his face pale and his mouth opening and closing but no words coming out. The screams were getting louder as more and more people realised what was happening. Cars started crashing into one another and into buildings due to the drivers no longer being there.
“What the fuck is happening?” Harry came up to him, his eyes darting around, looking at the dust scattered around on the ground and the terrified people that had been spared.
“I don’t know.” Harley whispered.
“Well it’s obviously got to do with that spaceship we saw right? Right?” Harry was frantic, eyes blown wide as he looked to Harley for answers.
“I don’t know.” He repeated, trying to process what was happening. This didn’t make any sense.
“Call your dad. He’ll know what’s happening, right? Yeah call him.” Harry started gesturing to Harleys phone.
“You don’t think I’ve tried that already!” He yelled. Harry wasn’t the only one freaking out right now and he was getting on Harleys last nerve. “I’m freaking out too and have no idea what the fuck is going on. I don’t have the answers.” That finally got Harry to back off and Harley turned around and decided to call Pepper.
She picked up straight away. “Harley?”
“Yeah.” He managed to get out. “Oh thank God you’re okay. People just started disappearing.” She sounded close to tears now. “Where are you? I’ll get Happy to come pick you up.”
“Uh, um just outside MoMA.” Harley managed to choke out. He could feel tears starting to prick his eyes, the situation now starting to set in as he hears Pepper try to control her breathing on the other end of the phone.
“He’ll be there soon. Don’t move.” And with that she hung up. Harley took another look around to try and see any other familiar faces. He saw Harry now talking with Mr. Harrington, still freaking out. Mr. Harrington looked like he was about to pass out, vaguely listening to Harry and looking around, presumably to try and find his students.
“Mr. Harrington?” he asked as he made his way over to the man.
“Oh Harley, thank God.” The man gasped, grabbing onto Harleys shoulders. “You’re still here. That’s good. Good. Have you seen anyone else? Your brother?” he asked frantically.
“Uh, Ned didn’t make it and Peter went home sick remember?” He choked out, praying to God that Peter was okay.
“Oh, that’s right yes.” He nodded his head, still looking around for anyone else. Harley doesn’t’ know if he heard him say Ned didn’t make it or not.
“Well I’m getting picked up soon so…” “Okay, yes. Okay.” He nodded his head not looking at Harley. Harley wasn’t sure if he understood what he said but he left anyway. Fifteen minutes later a black Audi pulled up and Happy quickly jumped out and made his way over to Harley. He quickly ran over to the man, closing the distance between and hugging him tightly. “Happy I don’t know what’s happening.” He whispered into the man’s chest, blinking the tears away.
“Yeah me neither kid.” Happy rubbed his back, trying to soothe Harleys trembling body. “Come on, let’s get you home.” He guided Harley to the car which was still running and eased him into the passenger seat. He took off quickly, making his way back to the Tower. Harley just stared out the window as they passed crashed cars and crying people, dust floating in the air and scattered on the ground.
Next thing Harley knew, they were pulling into the parking garage of the Tower and getting out of the car. The two made their way over to the elevator in silence and Friday automatically took them to the Penthouse. The Penthouse was eerily quiet, but that may be due to the fact that Harley knows where his Dad and Peter are right now. If they are still alive. A little voice in the back of his head supplied unhelpfully. He pushed those thoughts down, putting his bag down next to the kitchen counter. “Peppers going to be here soon.” Harley nodded, not taking his eyes off the Physics homework Peter left on the kitchen counter last night. “Sit tight kid. We’ll get this figured out.” Happy didn’t sound too convinced but Harley appreciated the effort. He nodded his head, not trusting himself to speak. The closing of the elevator doors signalled Happy’s departure.
Harley walked over to the couch and sunk into the couch cushions. He didn’t know how long he sat there, his head in his hands, not moving, still trying to piece together what happened and wondering if his Dad and Peter were okay. He was startled from his thoughts by the elevator doors opening followed by the sound of heels, walking quickly down the hall. “Harley?” Peppers voice called out. He stood up quickly and made his way around the couch as Pepper came into view. “Oh thank God.” She whispered once she saw him. She quickly pulled him into a hug and Harley leaned into her touch.
“I don’t know what’s happening.” He whispered. He couldn’t seem to stop saying that.
“I know sweetie, I know.” Pepper soothed, rubbing her hands up and down his back. Harley could hear that she was close to tears. “I’ve talked to Rhodey.” She pulled back to look at him. “He’s in Wakanda at the moment with some of the others. They’re coming back as soon as they can to the Compound. They know more about what has happened. We’re going to meet them up there.” She explained, searching his face for any type of reaction. All she got was a nod in return. “Okay good. We will leave as soon as you are ready okay? Anything you need to bring up there? I think it’s best if we stay up there for the time being. Until we figure this out.” Harley nodded again and Pepper took that as her cue to make her way to her room to gather her own things.
Harley followed her down the hallway shortly after pausing at his room before walking down a little further and into Peters room. The door had been left open, his bed unmade and LEGO pieces from an unfinished Star Wars set (Harley wasn’t sure exactly what set it was) that Peter and Ned had been working on over the weekend, were in the corner near his desk. Above his desk was a collage of pictures. Mostly Peter, Harley, Ned, their Dad, Pepper and the other Avengers. Michelle was in a couple of them too and Harley smiled, knowing how much his brother liked the girl. His smile quickly faded though because he didn’t recall seeing Michelle still there before he left.
“Hey Pepper?” he called out, still standing in the middle of Peters room.
“Yes?” he heard her call back from her and his Dad’s room.
“Do you think I should bring some stuff up for Pete? You know, for when he comes back.” Harley refused to say if. “And maybe some stuff for Dad too.” He could hear footsteps coming down the hallway towards him before Pepper appeared in Peters doorway. She had a pitying look on her face, tears swimming in her eyes and Harley hated it.
“Yeah that’s a good idea. I’ll pack some stuff for Tony.” She smiled sadly and Harley had to turn away before he started crying. He heard the sound of Peppers heels walking back towards her room, leaving Harley alone again. They’re going to be fine. He kept repeating to himself as he walked around Peters room. He didn’t really know why he was doing this. A part of him thought that if he brought some of their things up to the Compound then it would feel like they were going to come back. That they were defiantly meeting them up there.
“Okay.” He sighed. Yeah, he could do this. Just grab things you think Pete would need. He went over to Peters wardrobe and pulled out a spare backpack. He grabbed some of Peters dorky science pun shirts that Harley always makes fun of him for wearing but Peter loves.
Sure, Peter already has clothes and a whole room at the Compound, same as Harley, but all the important stuff is here. So, he continued packing. He grabbed some photos from the collage above his desk, his laptop and his Chemistry homework that was sitting on his desk. Harley knew it was stupid to bring any school work for either of them but by brining it he could pretend that this wasn’t happening. That people didn’t disappear in front of him and that his Dad and brother weren’t in space.
Once he finished packing Peters bag he moved onto his room. Packing his bag was much quicker. He packed some clothes and his laptop, ignoring his school work and placed both bags next to the kitchen counter. He was tempted to turn on the TV while he waited for Pepper, but he knew it would just be full of reports about people turning to dust randomly and the spaceship that was seen over New York this morning. (The one his family was on) and that would go against his method of pretending this wasn’t happening.
So instead he opened his phone (ignoring all social media sites and the internet) and clicked on the first game he saw. He didn’t even know what game he was playing, all he knew was that he needed to stop thinking and the game was helping.
He didn’t know how long he sat there, mindlessly playing on his phone, before Pepper came back into the kitchen with two bags. “Okay, you right to go?” She smiled, but Harley could tell it was forced. Pocketing his phone, he stood up and grabbed the two bags by his feet.
“Yeah.” He slung one over his shoulder and grasped the other one in his hand, following Pepper towards the Elevator.
Harley woke up to someone shaking his shoulder. “We’re here sweetie.” Pepper whispered from where she sat next to him in the back seat of Happys car. Harley didn’t mean to fall asleep but obviously the events of the day had taken its toll on him. He straightened up and rubbed his eyes before getting out of the car. He hadn’t been up to the Compound for a few months and any other day he would be excited to be here but knowing the reasons as to why he’s here he wasn’t excited at all. He took the two bags from the boot and walked into the Compound.
It was so quiet. The person who usually makes the most noise with his non-stop talking wasn’t here and the rest of the Avengers were on their way over meaning that the Compound was empty. Save for himself, Pepper and Happy. He walked numbly to the sleeping quarters, placing Peters bag in his room before going next door to his. He dropped his bag next to his desk before falling back onto the bed. “Friday?” he called after a couple of minutes of lying on his bed and staring at his ceiling.
“Yes Harley?” The AI answered.
“How far out are Rhodey and the others?” he needed answers to what was happening and according to Pepper, Rhodey and the others had some.
“Colonel Rhodes and the other Avengers are scheduled to arrive in one hour and forty-two minutes.”
“Thanks.” He mumbled. He stayed there for a few more minutes before looking around his room, trying to figure out what to do to distract himself. His room was still messy from the last time he had stayed up here, so he decided to try and clean. He wasn’t big on cleaning, but anything was better than sitting in silence. He plugged his headphones in and turned his music up as high as it would go, trying to drown the silence out. Two hours into his cleaning (God, his room was a mess) Pepper appeared in his doorway. He quickly took his headphones out, throwing them onto his bed.
“Rhodey and the others have arrived.” She said, her smile still sad. Harley followed her out and down to the common area where Rhodey, Happy, Bruce, Nat, Steve, Thor and a racoon(?) were all standing.
“Hey Harley.” Rhodey smiled walking over to him and pulling him into a hug.
“Hey Rhodey.” He returned the smile the best he could. “Hey guys.” He gave a little wave to the others, eyes briefly stopping on the racoon. He got small hellos from the others except Thor who had made his way over to the couch and was now sitting down staring ahead blankly.
“Can someone please explain what is happening?” Pepper spoke up, looking towards Steve.
Steve looked over at Thor then Bruce briefly before looking over to Pepper. “Bruce knows more about him than I do.”
“Him?”
“Thanos.” Bruce stepped forward. “He was the one that sent Loki. The attack on New York, that was him.” He then continued to explain who this Thanos guys was, the battle in Wakanda and then what happened when they lost, with input from Steve and Nat.
“He then snapped his fingers with the gauntlet on and people just started disappearing. Bucky…” Steve cleared his throat, eyes glossy. “And then he just disappeared.” The room was silent when he finished. Harley couldn’t wrap his head around what he just heard. Half of humanity gone just like that.
The next few days passed in a blur. No one knew what to do. They were trying to plan how they would get Tony and Peter, but no one knew where they were only that they were in space somewhere most likely.
Steve managed to find what looked like a pager from Nick Fury before he too disappeared and he, Natasha and Bruce were trying to figure out who he messaged with it. They didn’t seem to be having much luck though. Missing person reports have been flooding in, the government, or what’s left of it, were trying to sort out who disappeared and contact their families. Harleys school had been closed until further notice. Harry survived. He knows Ned and Michelle were two of the unlucky ones and he wasn’t looking forward to breaking the news to Peter. Because he refused to believe he died too.
It wasn’t until nearly three weeks after the ‘snap’, as the Avenegrs were calling it, that they got an answer to the pager question.
Captain Marvel. Harley didn’t know the whole story there but apparently, she could fly in space so that was good enough for him. She could find his Dad and Peter. And then once they got here, his Dad would figure out what to do. He would fix it. Him and the other Avenegrs.
They had to.