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Yeeter @Parkour
Anyone want to take ‘couples counselling’ and see at what point the therapist realises we don’t know each other?
Always Confused @WhatIsHappening
This is genius, how did you come up with it and how can I join.
Dylan can step on me @Starkid4ever
Where do I sign up!
Potato Boi @TheMechanic
Interesting
ACAB @AvengersAreCool
Please, I really want to. Where do you live?
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Yeeter @Parkour
So my tweet got a lot of attention? I was kind of joking but let’s do it! NewYork (Queens) based people HMU!
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Private DM’ s: @TheMechanic to @Parkour.
TheMechanic: Hey Darlin’
TheMechanic: Saw your tweet, I’m temporarily staying near Queens in three days.
TheMechanic: Thought if you wanted to do this with no strings attached, I’d be the guy for the job.
TheMehanic: That is if you’re cool with me being a guy of course.
Parkour: OMG please
Parkour: you’re like the only one that can actually make it work
Parkour: and yea man no problem, I’m Bi so that’s all fine!
TheMechanic: Cool. So do we prepare for this?
TheMechanic: How much do we get to know each other beforehand?
Parkour: Good one. I guess I do want to have this ‘improv’ effect but it does need to be believable enough so we don’t get sent away in the first 5 minutes.
Parkour: How old are you btw? Not sure this’ll work if you’re like, 30 years older than me.
TheMechanic: I’m 17 sunshine, hbu?
TheMechanic: Maybe share general info about us? Just the basic facts you'd use to introduce yourself to any stranger.
Parkour: Great! I’m 16 so that works.
Parkour: Peter Parker, Science Nerd at MidtownTech and StarWars Geek.
TheMechanic: Harley Keener, inventor/mechanic. Apprenticeship instead of schooling.
***
Closing the Twitter app Peter looks back at his lunch tray, which is still untouched. He unexpectedly spent half his lunch period on twitter after his joking idea turned into an actual plan with this guy he just met, Harley Keener apparently.
Today is Pizza day and the conversations around him serve as a great distraction from the soggy piece of dough with pepperonis, but as hunger begins to rear its head he's forced to turn his attention to his lunch. The joys of having a superhuman metabolism.
Picking up the piece he grimaces at the way the slice just loses its shape, and lifts it hesitantly to his mouth, looking up from the offending piece of food as he does. His eyes lock onto Ned’s, who looks at him with a questioning expression. Eyebrows raised and all.
“What?” He mumbles from around the admittedly not bad tasting meal.
“You have been ignoring me for like twenty minutes already man. What is so interesting on your phone?” He asks with an almost whining tone before visibly perking up. “Is it Spidey business? Did one of the Avengers message you? Was it IronMan?”
Slightly chuckling at the enthusiasm his friend has for his ‘double’ life he swallows his bite before replying. “No Ned. Nothing like that. I just met someone on Twitter. Remember that random idea I had? He is willing to actually try it with me.”
Ned’s mouth falls open for a split second before he recovers himself and goes back to his rapid fire questioning mode. “Really? You can trust this guy right? He isn’t some kind of fifty-four year old paedophile tricking you into this. Or maybe a ten year old looking for a good laugh?” Peter is momentarily flabbergasted by Ned's ludicrous thought process but quickly shrugs it off. He knows his friend by now, and even though they're both a bit weird, they have each other's best interests at heart. Ned would think of every possible thing, no matter how weird, if it means he can make sure Peter will be okay.
“Again, No Ned. He seems cool. Seventeen by the way, so no worries.”
“Okay, cool. But Peter, aren’t most couples doing this around 40? Or at least married.”
Understanding flashes through Peter before he replies, an easy smile placed on his face. “Yea usually. But when I came up with the idea I went ahead and researched if any places do ‘young relationships’ and there are. There even is one about twenty minutes from here, literally on the way to the Avengers compound.” he says, watching Ned's thought process as he seems to connect what Peter's saying.
“Oh. So you can go there before your internship maybe.”
Swiftly finishing his last bite Peter grins before standing up and pocketing his phone. “That's the plan, yeah. More convenient travel wise and if push comes to shove and it does turn out to be a forty year old guy with a weird kink for minors on twitter then I'm only just a few minutes away from all of the Avengers to save me from my own stupid decisions." He says grinning, showing that he isn't too worried that'll be the case. "Now let’s move, Mr. Harrington won't wait forever.” He stands up to take away his and Ned's empty lunch trays just as the bell rings signifying the start of their next class.
***
TheMechanic: Boarding now!
Parkour: Fly safe!
Peter sits back on his bed with a sigh. It’s getting pretty real now. He and Harley had been getting to know each other a bit for the past three days. Just a bit though. He knows that Harley lives in Tennessee with his mom and little sister, Abby, for example. He returned the information about his aunt, both giving no background info on how they ended up with missing family members. More small bits were exchanged like favourite subjects and foods, but it quite ends there.
That is the whole idea of this after all.
Talking to a stranger, as if you've known them like no one else. No strategic planning or deep conversations. Neither are scrolling down the other's twitter feed for more info, or even googling names. Just opening up about feelings and stories that you've never experienced with someone you haven't met before to a licensed professional. It should scare Peter, but for now he can only be excited.
Harley had stated to have gotten a better internship and so he would pay for the meetings if Peter was the one to set everything up. He objected for a bit but quickly learned Harley is as stubborn as one can get, and could miss the money for the joke. So here Peter was, three days later with a lot of previous DM’s, some phone calls and a confirmation email that they were expected at the building at 14.30 on wednesday.
Despite the nerves that only just started to appear, he manages to let a smile grace his face. The confirmation that this was officially going to happen let a bit of reality sink in, but it also readied his mind to prepare for this new adventure. He isn't only excited for whatever stunts he can pull during this. Plans form rapidly in his mind, vines, jokes and every cheesy pick-up line he can think of. He isn’t called a mischievous little shit by Mr. Stark weekly for nothing. Perhaps he barely has to put on a character.
The most funny part to him however, is that he is going into this blind, they hadn’t exchanged any selfies or anything, meaning that he does not know who he is looking for. And it can literally be anyone. Who knows, maybe he will get a new friend out of this.
***
Isabella Bennet’s schedule for the day is a calm one. A free morning, then a one hour session with the couple she has been working with for the past six months just before her structurally planned lunch break. The couple in question are near the end stages and everything seems to be going well, so afterwards she went to eat her turkey sandwich with high spirits and a happy heart, which can't be said as an experience with all other clients she deals with.
So she had a good lunch break before any new appointments, luckily, the Overland couple for example, wasn’t on the schedule today to take any good spirits away from her. They tend to stay overtime, and easily hit some heated arguments that keep Isabella in her office longer than she originally hoped for, waiting out the yelling while keeping her temper in check so she won't feel the need to yell back.
All there is to possibly overthrow her peaceful day is the next–and last appointment she has today.
Mr. Parker had called two days ago saying he and his boyfriend, Mr. Keener, needed someone to help with their ongoing relationship. The relationship had been long distance for a while now but since Mr. Keener was coming back to New York the appointment was made quickly to aid them in the change from long distance to short distance, and to help them with the current struggles they apparently already had.
If she's allowed to be honest, she doesn’t have much hope for this to begin with. Two minors with barely any experience so far who were already having trouble, so much that they deemed it fit to contact a counsellor, didn't seem worth it to put so much energy into.
Didn’t they have a parent growing up who told them that most first relationships don’t last anyways? But no matter what her first thoughts are, she is going to help them as much as she can, and pray for herself that everything will go smoothly. After all, she remembers well enough how special high school love can feel, and how lost you can be without it. So in a way, she can imagine the big step these two boys are willing to take, as fruitless as it seems.
Clearing her head from these thoughts, she takes a sip of her freshly made latté and makes way to her office again to meet her new clients.
She doesn’t have to wait long. After waiting for not even five minutes and sipping away the last of her latté, two boys are led into the room by secretary Mrs. Hofferson. Her brown eyes roam over them for a moment as they take seats. One is short, with tousled brown curls which lay unruly on his head. He has big brown eyes that are nervously looking around, not looking at the same spot for longer than two seconds. His back is as straight as can be, maybe even overdone because his shoulders are raised slightly higher than should be normal. It might have been to look confident, and put together. In reality, it makes the boy look very nervous, but steadfast to do this. She can admire that.
The other is about a head taller, and quite a bit buffer too. With blond hair, freckles and piercing blue eyes that are looking at her with a sense of authority in them. His head is held high, slowly moving as he takes in the room like he owns the place. There's a twitch in his hand however, signifying that he might be concealing some nerves of his own. But his expression stays steady, a wall put in place to expect the unexpected. They sit down, the short boy in the chair closest to the door, and the other on the love couch, gladly taking up as much space as he could. She quickly notices how they didn’t even think to sit next to each other.
Most long distance couples couldn’t wait to see each other and were usually inseparable once united. Which absolutely isn't the case here. This seems to either be more of a challenge than hoped, or would only last a few appointments before they realised they don’t have much of a connection anymore. Whichever it'll be, she will do her very best job to make this come to a healthy conclusion, whether that be united or apart.
“Gentlemen, thank you for joining me today” Isabella begins, clearing her throat minutely before starting her script. “I’m Isabella Bennett, you can call me however you please. If you would like to introduce yourselves and say one thing you like about your partner.”
“Umh, I’m Peter. Parker. And what I really like about Harley is how much he cares for the people he is close to.”
Isabella observes him for a bit, noting how he looked down as he said the compliment. Almost as if he's afraid to say it. Was this relationship even a healthy one? Before she could analyse it too much and let her thoughts spiral, the other boy, presumably Mr. Keener, decides to speak up.
“Obviously I’m Harley Keener and what I like about Pete here is how cute he is when he wakes up all drooling and blinking up at me like a baby bird who missed his mother.”
Oh. Can't say she was expecting that.
***
GuyInTheChair: Goodluck Peter! Let’s hope he isn’t ugly. Or annoying
Parkour: wow Ned, thanks
Parkour: honestly I’m more worried about being kicked out in the first 5 minutes
Parkour: but you have your priorities for this, i'll have mine. ‘Kay?
GuyInTheChair: No but think about it. What if he looks like Jar Jar Binks lost cousin. Or doesn't know what a comb is since the day he was born.
Parkour: Honestly, idk. I met him on twitter of all places, I don't have too high hopes to begin with.
Parkour: plus, he probably shares some vine energy humour if he's willing to do this. That counts more than looks.
GuyInTheChair: Well in that case…have fun and use protection ;)
Groaning Peter quickly turns off his phone before taking a good look at the building he had just arrived at. He's still across the street from it so he can have a solid moment for himself before stepping into what seems to be more like doom with every minute that passes.
He notices the light that is shining through the window of the third floor, which is a bit odd as it’s quite a sunny day and concludes that it must be Mrs. Bennet’s office.
There's no sign of a seventeen year old boy yet so he goes over his self made plan again. Just as he's recapping all the information he received from Harley and Mrs. Bennett a figure appears near the entrance of the building.
For a moment Ned's words get into his head. What if this guy was really weird looking. He doesn't have anything against it, on the contrary, it always fascinates him. How faces and bodies can look so different and unexpected. But he doesn't want to scare away a stranger by staring at them while he tries to figure out their features. And that definitely wouldn't make sense if they're supposed to be dating. But he quickly shakes that off and switches to acting mode. Peter is about to meet with Harley, his boyfriend so he knows exactly what he looks like. Knows him so well, he can picture his face in his dreams, or at least he should be able to do so and so he looks up and studies the teenager that just arrived.
He appears to be tall, with blond hair that reflects the sunlight quite nicely. From the distance it's hard to tell what his face looks like exactly but he can spot a good pair of eyebrows and a strong nose, as well as a plump lips that he decides not to linger on too long, instead inspecting the other's sharp jawline. The boy also seems to be looking around just like Peter was moments before. Which helps him confirm that it has to be Harley.
Carefully he crosses the street and approaches the building, and with that the boy too. The second his foot makes contact with the steps in front of the building, the other guy’s head shoots up and looks him straight in the eye. Only to watch as 'Parker luck' shows itself and his foot stumbles against the curb, effectively tripping him over. He's lucky two strong hands grab ahold of his own and keep him upright before gravity would allow his face to meet the ground.
They look at each other for a few seconds before a sly smile graces the other boy’s features and he lets go to open the door for Peter. They haven't spoken a word yet but Peter is already sure that this is Harley. Another thing he is sure of is that he definitely is doomed. The guy is as handsome as you can get, and their first real meeting is already less than desired. Maybe he has been overly confident in his ability to do this.
As soon as they're inside they are greeted by an older woman, whose hair has turned grey, however you could still tell that it had been a golden blond once. She smiles sweetly for a moment before speaking.
“Are you here for the 14.30 appointment with Mrs. Bennet?” she questions, looking at both of them.
“Yes Ma'am. I’m Peter, and this is Harley. My boyfriend. Yes.”
They have been inside for not even two minutes and he is already messing this up. Is it too late to go back? Harley releases a snort of laughter from beside him. It's kind of low and rumbles in his throat, but it's not unwelcome despite its teasing nature. Unbothered by it all, the woman who greeted them spins on her heel and starts walking, clearly expecting them to follow.
“I’m Samantha Hofferson, whenever you have an appointment please come to the desk and check in with me. This one time I will show you around and bring you to Mrs. Bennett personally, she is already expecting you two.” She spoke friendly but short. No nonsense but kind and Peter was sure she would have great stories to tell if you sat down with her for a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Before they know it they are led inside and took their seats in the white room they had just entered. Mrs. Bennett also seems to be a woman who is straight to the point, as she introduces herself the moment they sit down, a rhythmic clicking of heels echoing in the background. She even gives them their first task already when they're not even three sentences in. But she also looks kind and calculating. Professional and experienced, while being heartfelt and passionate. Peter could work with that. Try to be factly, while telling touchy stories and make up cute romance stuff. They can pull this off.
He quickly introduces himself and states an on the spot made up fact about Harley, that might have been true based on how the guy had talked about his sister. He truly cared for her. He has his head down as he is thinking of what to expect from Harley, and what possible response the therapist might give. Just planning ahead as one does at therapy.
That all goes down the drain though as Harley speaks, revealing a true southern accent. A chill runs down Peter’s spine as he takes in the accent that is spat so easily from the other’s tongue, until the words fully register.
“Obviously I’m Harley Keener and what I like about Pete here is how cute he is when he wakes up all drooling and blinking up at me like a baby bird who missed his mother.”
Peter’s head shoots up and looks Harley straight in the eye. He takes a split second to admire the guy. He truly is handsome. Blue eyes he has never seen before, freckles that adorn most of his face and lips that are carefully formed into a smirk.
A blush covers his face, which mixes with the blush from the words the other boy had said. Peter had thought they would take it slow, build up and get to know each other at the same time as the therapist. But obviously Harley has other plans. He is here for the funny aspect of it and Peter can definitely work with that.
He slowly lets himself fall back into the chair until his back hits the backrest of the chair, his expression taking on the same smirk as Harley’s, although maybe a bit held back to not make it too obvious to Mrs. Bennett.
“Yes, well you sleep with a stuffed bunny instead of me, so I don’t know why you expect me to not miss you when I wake up.”
Game on.