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Peter blinked again for the fourth time in the last two minutes. It was nighttime across the entire United States and yet here he was watching his brother over camera feed. Harley looked a bit more rough than he did three days ago and he wasn't looking at the camera. He didn't know why he bothered hiding the injuries. Harley was in his garage. Lounging across the ratty, old plaid couch. Several blankets laid on the back and there was a pillow underneath his head. Currently, Harley's face was hidden by shadows from the hood. His army green sweatshirt kept him warm and Peter suspected that he was wearing flannel pj bottoms.
" Why aren't you asleep, Bug?" Harley asked. Peter shrugged and turned his body, so it laid flat against the mattress. Harley hummed at the response. Whenever Peter was sleepy, he wasn't all that talkative, unlike his more aware and awake state. There were times though, when Harley or Tony could pry words out of his sleepy head. He was more honest this way. Trying to delay sleep even more, Peter lifted his fist to his eyes and rubbed it.
"Why are you in the garage? Did Heather-"
" Don't worry about it." Harley interrupted, sharpness to his tone, " You need to go to sleep. Dad will have my hide when he finds out you stayed up this late to talk to me."
Peter whimpered, as he curled in on himself. The fear creeping around the edge of the room made him more alert. He heard his brother sigh and his brown eyes darted back to the phone. Harley's brows were furrowed and there was concern in his eyes.
" If dad comes home." Peter murmurs, though he knows that Harley can hear him.
It had been three months. Uncle Rhodey said they were looking for him still. Peter was losing hope that their dad would return to them. Pepper stayed at the house more often and at one point, Peter had asked her what would happen to him. Pepper only gave him a soft smile and caressed his cheek. He wants Harley with him. But Heather said " No," had said that what happened to Tony was what he deserved. Pepper had a field day with her. Having chewed the women out.
And because he couldn't talk to their dad, Peter resorted to speaking to Harley.
" Hey, don't talk like that. Dad will come home. He wouldn't leave us."
Peter looked at Harley, "I overheard Obadiah talking with Pepper. He wants to send me to New York."
Harley blinked, " Why?"
Peter shuffled again, "He said everyone is too busy to take care of me. That I'm better off with Ben and May."
" That doesn't sound suspicious at all. What did Pepper say?"
"She said that he doesn't have a say. Says that it's Rhodey's call and because Rhodey isn't back yet- I'm to stay where I'm at."
" Good ." Harley stated.
"Rhodey might send me to New York."
There was silence between them. Peter squirmed a little as he could feel the calculating look in Harley's eyes. It was hard for sleepy Peter to keep his emotions in check. His fear, concern, and So he burrowed down in the sheets- forcing the tears to stay.
" You aren't going into foster care." Harley promised, " If you did, then I'd come up there, find you and then we would run away together."
Peter sniffled, a dopey smile ticking upward. Harley smiled too.
"Promise?"
" Promise. Now, time for you to sleep."
Peter groaned and turned in his sheets that wrapped around him. Rolling his eyes at his brother's stubbornness, Harley started to hum. He could clearly tell that their dad missing was taking a toll on him. His brown eyes didn't hold much sparkle like it used to and even his skin was paler. The younger boy was dragging. With the lack of sleep- and Harley assumed lack of eating, clearly Peter was keeping his distance from everyone around him. Pepper had called a couple days ago- telling Harley that Peter was locking himself up in the workshop. She mentioned how Peter's excuse was keeping U, Butterfingers, and Dum-E entertained. Her voice was filled with worry and grief. Harley really wished he was there, his brother shouldn't have to face this alone.
Without fully noticing, Peter started to lower his arm. His eyes glazed over with drowsy film and he blinked even more than before. Harley continued to hum. Though it got a little louder each time.
" Hey, Bug," Harley paused, looking at his brother, " Why don't ya lean the phone against the lamp."
Harley watched as Peter rolled across his bed and placed the phone against the lamp on the bedside table. The camera facing him. Smiling Harley started to hum again as Peter started to relax more into the bed. Eye heavy lidded and flickering. Once his eyes closed, Harley started to sing a soft lullaby. Knowing that his voice would cause Peter to fall into sleep faster.
Sure enough, his baby brother's breathing evened out and Harley watched for a few moments.
He then ended the call and he too drifted off to sleep. Not knowing exactly what was planned for tomorrow, but knowing that tomorrow would be better than today.
*****
Peter called him at 9:37 am on the dot. He groaned as his hand had stretched farther than intended. Sleep still clung to him and because he fell asleep on the couch, he was stiff. Just to add on to the soreness from Heather's current boyfriend. When his fingers finally graced the phone he pressed the answer button and hummed.
"This is 'Bad to the Bone,' how can I not be help-"
" HARLEY! Rhodey found him!" Peter broke his opening line and it caused Harley to sit up in a blink of an eye. He winced slightly at the pain, but ignored it in favor of his brother's words. It sounded like Peter was crying, hearing a slight hiccup in the boy's voice.
"What?" Harley's sleep laided brain needed to confirm the words. Especially since he was still waking up from the unconsciousness.
" Dad! Rhodey found him and he's coming home!" Peter repeated, " Harley, he's home!"
When his brain finally registered the words coming from the speaker- his tense body slumped. Tears came down his cheeks, but he didn't care. A lump in his throat formed and he choked on so many emotions. Every fiber of his being screamed to go see his dad. There had to be a way.
"Do-do you think…?"
Suddenly there was a shuffling and a new voice came over the speaker. Harley sniffed.
" Happy is waiting for you outside as we speak." Pepper sounded just as weepy, " Honey, don't worry about Heather."
Harley immediately scrambled upward and headed towards the door of the garage. Throwing the old wooden door open, he looked out and found a familiar black car out the door. Harley- with no extra clothes and his phone ran to the car. Throwing open the car door he slipped in and closed it. He looked up at Happy. The driver gave him a smile: One filled with relief and Harley sent him one back.
" We'll see you soon." And the call ended.
"Hey kid." Happy greeted as he pulled out of the driveway. The car turned left and headed towards a private runway. Neither one spoke, emotions still rolling through them. Harley's bottom lip trembled as his brain processed everything. Then he finally registered that Happy had already been there- which meant-
"They found dad yesterday, didn't they?" Harley asked.
Happy's eyes flickered to his, through the rearview, "Last night. Took him to a hospital in Germany. Rhodey called late last night. Your dad wanted to get home as soon as he could, they're on their way home. Pepper sent me to collect you."
Harley nodded and then looked out the window. They had just got to the airstrip and Harley got out. With Happy behind him, they made it to the plane. Harley took a seat and Happy tipped the pilot off. It didn't take long for his father's plane to take off and soon Harley was staring out the window. Everything was small from what he could see. Little squares like patches on a quilt the old ladies at church would create laid out flat beneath him. He looked up and over at Happy.
The bodyguard gripped the armrests and had his eyes closed. Harley knows it's not the plane ride that has Happy stressed. Ever since the boy's had been born, Happy has taken his job more seriously. Not that Happy would admit that he loves them, but Happy hasn't been this far from Peter, or Tony for that matter, since Peter had been born.
"I'm sure Peter is getting in lots of trouble." Harley said, a smirk pulling at his lips. Happy narrowed his eyes.
"Peter is an angel when he's not around you or Tony."
"Are you saying I'm not an angel?"
Happy rolled his eyes, "He misses you. They both do."
Harley nodded, looking out the window again, "Yeah- I miss him too."
Happy smiled, "We'll see them soon enough."
There was a nod and then silence. Without fully acknowledging it Harley fell asleep. Or at least he had to have- because the next thing he knew he was being shaken awake by Happy.
"Alright kid, we're home."
Harley groaned as he stretched, wincing from some of the bruises. When he looked up, Happy had a somber look cross his features. Harley didn't say anything as he stood up from his chair. Happy waited for Harley to get in front of him and together they walked off the plane. Wincing at the brightness of the sun, it took a moment for Harley to register what he was feeling. The air felt arid compared to Tennessee. Where Tennessee was moist and muggy, California was dry and airy. The sun beat down more here.
"Harley! Harley!" A voice caught his attention and he looked over to see Peter running up to him. The boy's eyes were red, puffy, and tear tracks stained his face. His brown curls were askew, some strands sticking to his forehead. Harley had enough time to brace himself for the little koala bear. The second Peter was a foot away, he leapt into Harley's outstretched arms. He burrowed into the embrace and Harley held him close. For the first time in four days, the bruises covering his skin didn't hurt.
Like a breath of fresh air, the world seemed to right itself at that moment. Everything melted away and it was just Harley and Peter. After a moment, Peter pulled away, fresh tears in his eyes and Harley moved one of his hands to Peter's cheek. His thumb wiping away a tear and gave him a smile.
"Hey, Bubba." Harley greeted.
"You're here! And-and dad's back! And- and now I-I won't have to- to go to New York!"
"You were never going to New York."
Peter shrugged. Before Harley could reiterate what he said, footsteps came forward and Harley looked up. Pepper gave him a watery smile. Even her eyes were red.
"Harley."
"Pepper, thank you-"
She held up a hand to stop him. From speaking, "Your father would want you here."
Harley nodded and pulled away from Peter to give her a hug. She reciprocated and he melted into the gentle touch. After a moment, he pulled away and Pepper dropped her arms. She looked the boy over and then up to Happy.
"Let's get to the Military airstrip." Pepper led the boy's toward the car and Happy followed behind.
Once in the car, seat belts on, Happy drove out of the private airstrip and on the main road. Peter leaned against Harley as Harley leaned his head down against Peter's. Pepper cooed and took a quick picture before letting them be.
It didn't take long before Happy made it to the military base. They sat in the car, until the plane landed. Pepper stepped out and Harley and Peter followed suit. They watched as the latch opened and out came their dad. He had waved away a wheelchair and he made his way down. Both boys were buzzing- wanting to run to him, but they were unsure how he felt. They waited for him to come to them.
They saw him go slack jawed and practically running to them. When he was in front of them, he wrapped them in a hug.
" Boys." Tony murmured. They latched on to him and they hugged. Tony looked up at Pepper, giving her a smile and mouthed, " Thank you."