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Freshman year was making Peter nervous. He had tried to get a dorm without a roommate but now he was stuck with one. Some guy named Harley Keener. He was nervous to meet him. What if he gave away his secret that he was Spider-Man? How was he supposed to deal with a unexpecting roommate if an Avenger showed up. Because he was an Avenger-in-training. They were bound to show up eventually. He just didn’t know when they would show up and what would he tell his roommate? That he was the trainee for the Avengers. The baby of the Avengers. Well, besides Iron Boy because Tony had mentioned he was a year younger than Peter and Peter was going to hold that over him when he met the kid who was also in college because he was a year ahead apparently.
“Stop worrying,” May told him. Peter looked up from his seat in the back of Happy’s car, because Happy was dating his aunt and told him that he didn’t mind taking Peter up to campus.
“Sorry, just the roommate thing is driving me insane. What if he hates me?” Peter asked.
“Then you can always ask for a new roommate, but you haven’t met someone that hated you yet,” May told him. “I’m sure he will enjoy you. Plus you said he was an engineering major with a business minor so he has to be interested in similar things. He might be just as into Star Wars as you.” May was right. Peter knew she was right but he was still nervous.
“What about if he finds out about my secret identity?” Peter asked.
“He won’t unless you want him too,” May said.
“Plus Tony can get him to sign a NDA if needed,” Happy reminded him. Peter hated that his roommate could have to deal with that. He just looked out the window, dropping the conversation for now.
~
He was there first so Happy and May helped him move in. He was excited to get up the posters and to make his dorm room his own. Well his half. The other half closer to the door he left for his roommate. He had everything set up when a boy walked in carrying a box. Happy had gone to grab them some food and drinks per May’s request and now May was helping Peter set up his side of the room. The boy set the box down and held out his hand. Peter took it as they introduced and Peter cursed his lucky stars because his roommate was hot. It couldn’t be an easy year.
“Harley, Mom and Tony sent me to see if you found your room,” a girl said, finding them and smirking. “You must be Peter.”
“I am,” Peter said.
“Make sure Harley eats, he likes to forget and it messes with his blood sugar and he will faint,” the girl said. Before running out of the room.
“Sorry about my sister and my mom. They worry about me too much,” Harley said.
“It's cool. May panics about me all the time,” Peter said. May rolled her eyes.
“He likes to get himself in trouble. Make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid,” May asked.
“Of course, Ma’am, now I better help my Ma or she will leave my stuff out on the sidewalk,” Harley said. May and Peter watched Harley leave as May told Peter how sweet his roommate was and that he got luck.
“May,” Happy said entering the room carrying their food and drinks.
“Something happened?” She asked.
“Tony’s other kid is here too. Guess he lives in the dorms and Tony was asked to help him move in. The kid guilt tripped him into helping anyway. I told Tony he would have to come visit Peter before he left,” Happy said.
“Mr. Stark is here?” Peter asked. He didn’t know how he felt about that. He was kinda nervous. Harley came back in and seemed confused as the girl from earlier followed him in seeing Happy and smiled.
“Hey Happy,” she said. Peter now was the confused one. Happy seemed to realize what was going on and his amused smile took over his face.
“Hey Abby, Harley,” Happy said. Peter realized then that Tony’s other kid referred to his roommate. His roommate who was just figuring as much out.
“You’re Happy’s nephew,” Harley said. Peter nodded. “Wow Tony mentioned you were going to MIT but for us to be roommates is incredible. Just wait until Tony finds out.” Harley left to get more stuff as Peter thought about how this was going to change something.
~
Tony was excited that they were roommates. It made them being roommates easier especially when Tony let both of their secret identities slip so now Peter knew that he was rooming with Iron Boy and Harley knew he was rooming with Spider-Man. Which made life easier for them. They started forming a routine making sure to make sure the other ate and had time to sleep. When Peter had a nightmare, Harley was there next to him holding him. When Harley had a nightmare, Peter did the same. Apparently Peter’s superhero life and Harley’s past affected both of them but they both lived with it. Sleeping with the other slowly just became easier as they would be cuddled up to each other. It was nice and definitely platonic not romantic as was the forehead kisses that Harley would give Peter. Totally not romantic. He wasn’t falling for his roommate.
“Hey Peter, want to go grab some coffee,” Harley asked. “Well hot chocolate or tea since you don’t drink coffee.” Peter nodded as he went to get up and grabbed his coat. Harley and Peter left their dorm as they walked to the coffee shop as the usual barista was behind the counter smiling at them.
“Hey boys, usual order,” she asked. Harley said yes before handing her some money as Peter went to object but Harley said he could pay next time. They both got their drinks before heading back to their rooms.
“Ummm… Peter,” Harley said. Peter looked at him confused before he realized he had been holding Harley’s hand.
“How long?” Peter asked, feeling the blush.
“I think since we left because I noticed when we were at the coffee shop,” Harley told him. Peter felt even more embarrassed now.
“Sorry,” Peter said.
“Hey don’t say that. I’m not upset. Just don’t know what it means I guess,” Harley admitted. Peter sat down at a bench and Harley followed.
“I know we are roommates but I kinda have a crush on you and it gets worse the longer I know you,” Peter admitted to him.
Harley smiled at that, “I have a crush on you too.” Peter was surprised by that as Harley moved closer before stopping nervously. “Can I kiss you?” Peter nodded as Harley moved closer and kissed him. It was a slow first kiss unlike the last first kiss Peter had. It was just right and Harley moved away looking at him with his grin.
“I like you a lot, Peter Parker,” Harley said.
“I like you a lot too, Harley Keener,” Peter told him.
“So will you be my boyfriend?” Harley asked. Peter nodded as Harley asked if he could hug him. Peter nodded again not wanting to speak as Harley pulled him into a hug as the two sat there holding each other as boyfriends instead of just roommates.
~
“So you are saying that you are now dating Peter?” Tony asked.
“Yes, Dad,” Harley said.
“I’m just double checking I heard you right,” Tony said.
“Your hearing is going out on you, old man,” Harley jokes. Tony grumbled as he threatened to hang up. Peter entered the room from his last class. He seemed tired as he sat on Harley’s lap and cuddled up to him.
“Tony is on the phone, got anything you want to say,” Harley asked. Peter mumbled a hello. Harley told Tony that Peter said hello and that he had to go. Tony said something about protection before he hung up with Harley. Harley set his phone and pulled his sleeping boyfriend close as he rested on his arms. Harley smiled knowing he had a paper to write for Friday but figuring he would write that on Thursday or Friday night right before it was due. Right now he wanted to just rest in Peter’s arms and take a much needed study break.