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Peter had always been the one to show physical affection, it was his love language.
Every time he greeted Harley, he kissed him, every time they walked, he held his hand, and when they laid down, he managed to tangle himself around Harley.
Harley had never shown any signs of refusal, he even encouraged it from Peter, he just never felt it was his place to express affection himself.
“And it’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just- something deeper, like-like I don’t deserve to touch him, y’know?” He tried to explain himself, flailing his hands as he spoke, but Tony only groaned at his antics.
“No, kid, I don’t know, please elaborate” he responded sarcastically with a deadpan stare.
The blonde rolled his eyes and continued anyways “It feels like I’m being insecure, but I’m not! I know perfectly well that I’m allowed to be happy with Petey, and since he loves to hold me, I should hold him back, right?” He sat up straight, crossing his arms, looking affirmative.
Tony decided to ignore him, in his best interest, and continue to clean out his garage lab after the kids messed it up when he let them use it after the R&D lab incident.
He might be a genius, but he was stupid to ever let those two work together in an area close to his home residence. Thinking about it now, he should make the kid clean instead of letting him sit and complain, but he knew that the complaining would only get worse if he did.
Throwing down a box of old Christmas decorations from 2016, he let out a heavy sigh “Kid, I’m gonna cut it straight to you, stop thinking about it, because the less you think about it, the less of an issue it becomes, and the easier it becomes to quote unquote touch Peter” he gags at the general idea, but had recently become more accepting of their relationship.
When Tony became Harley’s “parental figure” he took on that role of protecting Harley from teenage things, drinking, drugs, sex, bad social choices, and relationships, meaning he was automatically skeptical of Harley and Peter once they made it official.
Sure, he had known Peter for three years now, and had watched their relationship grow, but that didn’t mean he trusted the spider-kid with his kid after watching him in battle, don’t you know how irresponsible that kid is? But, he could never be the reason they broke up, if they ever do, and so he does try to help.
Harley leans back, and tosses his front bangs aside, he took Tony’s words into consideration, after all he’s held his relationship with Pepper for about twelve years now, he thinks Tony knows what he’s doing; Harley remembers that four out of those twelve years were filled with breaks and arguments, maybe he went to the wrong person about this.
Harley frowns to himself.
He properly sits himself back up, and looks at the old man as he sorts books and robotic parts “Y’know what, since you gave me such wise advice, I’ll get outta yer’ hair now, bye Tones!” He jumped up and ran. This left Tony confused.
“Wise advice?”
He whispered to himself while throwing dum-e’s spare hand to the right box, he eventually shrugged it off and went on with his spring cleaning.
Harley, on the other hand, ran back inside of the cabin and immediately went to search for any adult with a decent relationship to help him.
Before Tony, he went to Google, which led to the pipeline that took him to Tony for advice. Now he needed to think, who in his life was an adult with a healthy, stable, loving relationship?
Pepper was automatically dealt out since she’s with Tony, Natasha is a no “Why not break up? Seems easier”, Steve was another no considering he had no dating experience, Bruce was an instant no as well, fucking science nerd, and that leaves him with Clint.
The more he thought about it, the more he realized Clint probably should’ve been his first option, a wife, three kids, and a retired home-life? He was most likely the best option to go to for anything.
That’s how he ended up pacing around his room, occasionally tripping on his oversized jeans, on a phone call that’s lasted about half an hour now “Then Tony told me some decent advice about not worrying and how that’ll make it easier, but that doesn’t feel quite right so I came to the most responsible and stable avenger, you, in hopes of getting actual helpful advice, got any?” He hears a hum over the analog buzzing, then a pause for a moment
“This sounds like something Tony wouldn’t want me to discuss with you, but if you’re that desperate to come to me, then I guess I can try to help” He does a silent victory fist bump behind the phone, then puts all of his attention back onto Clint’s voice.
“First, you should consult Peter about this, this sounds like something personal but also something that needs to be open between the two of you, remember, there’s always two sides to a relationship. Second, you need to think about what’s okay with you, boundaries are most important so keep in mind what's the line, do you want to restrict where he touches you? Do you want to touch him in certain places?—”
Harley groans, sitting down and rubbing his temples “No- Clint it’s not like that, I wouldn’t go to you for that, this ain’t about us having’—or-or wantin’” he pauses for a quick second “sex! Jesus, I shouldn’t be yelling- okay let me explain, this is about affection in general, not intimate or seductive affection, just, affection, warmth, closure, love, it’s just-“ he lets out a heavy sigh, closing his eyes.
He can feel a headache coming on. Over the line, close to his ear, he hears Clint start up again with a sigh of relief “Okay, thank the lord, I wasn’t ready for that conversation, but back to my points. Anyways, take into consideration what’s comfortable with you, whether it’s yourself being cradled or how you cradle someone else. Never feel pressured to put your hands somewhere you don’t want them, and that’s why I feel compelled to keep telling you, talk to Peter himself, you can’t fix something without all the pieces. Peter’s a good kid, a dumb one, but a good one, he’ll understand if you tell him, which you really should. And, not to quote Stark or anything, but don’t worry too much, Peter can’t blame you for how you’re feeling, you’re young, it’s your first serious relationship, kinda, I mean, Peter’s dated before I think- have you? Wait that’s kinda not my place-“
Harley sighs, looking over to a framed picture of him, Peter, Mj, and Ned in front of Midtown on the first day of Junior year, sitting on his nightstand “No, he’s dated, I haven’t, I was brought up in Tennessee, I wasn’t normal, I wasn’t able to just- go out, find the hottest guy and ask him out, no, there were precautions, mental precautions, it was just so hard to let myself think for a second “I could be happy, I could be in a loving, committed relationship” because I couldn’t back in Rosehill” Letting out a deep sigh, he rolls onto his side on his bed, feeling his chest tighten.
He knew growing up around unsupportive people would affect him, he just didn’t think it’d be in this aspect of his life, and this far down his path.
Clint hummed over the phone, taking his history into consideration now “Sounds like you got a case of first-time jitters” Harley furrows his brows
“What?”
“You know, first relationship jitters, it’s your first relationship so you’re naturally nervous about the little things, and it might not be everything but some things are worth your worry, at least, that’s what I’m thinking.” It’s at this moment he realizes that he might be stupid and Clint might be the genius, because once he says it, it all clicks. Well, he might not understand everything now, but it’s definitely easier now. It wasn’t insecurity or boundaries, it was environmental.
He laid wide eyed, putting two and two together for a moment, then yelling out at Clint “I’ll talk to you later!” Hearing a faint “Please don’t-“ before hurriedly hanging up and pushing himself out of bed, causing a minor dizzy spell.
He felt confident in what he was thinking, and planning, so he didn’t waste another second dwelling on it anymore. He texted Peter, who was running errands for May at the moment, and asked him to come by once he was free, to which he replied with an enthusiastic “Okay!”, as Peter does.
Harley knew Peter wouldn’t be here for another hour, so he had time to dwell on what he was thinking of. He hadn’t necessarily needed to set up anything, but it was tasking emotional preparation, him giving himself the run-through of every possible scenario and their outcomes, very draining.
He could feel his eyes drooping as the minutes passed and he laid in bed on his back. He had previously tried to distract himself with anything in his room, but everything was tainted with the idea of Peter, so every item just led him back to Peter. Now his muscles felt sore.
How much care could he put into someone else’s opinion, specifically about him? It was baffling. He sat up, finally figuring this toll on his mind would end in a psych break, and decided to tinker a bit, for distraction. But that idea was immediately thrown out the window and burnt on the floor once his phone made the special ding he set for Peter, which made his screen glow and reveal a message “Downstairs ^^”.
Harley could feel his throat tickle like soda pop, a feeling he hated. Almost caught in a trance, he waited until the glow dimmed and his phone shut off, it told him he needed to stand up now. With a nervous jitter, he stumbled upwards and started to meet Peter halfway. He knew he would psych himself out and be anxious but damn, he didn’t think he’d shake like a baby lamb, it was an odd feeling he thought.
Slowly, he felt his hand slip down the smooth surface of the wood railing, letting him lean to the side to see Peter, perfect as ever, setting down a grocery bag on the marbled counter. Pepper had started on dinner and Harley assumed Peter grabbed some extra ingredients on his way over, since Pep grabbed a fresh block of mozzarella and thanked Peter with a kiss on the cheek. A simple affirmation that still made Harley’s stomach backflip when Peter did it.
Peter saw Harley, he stood at the top of the staircase, looking at him with a dust of blush under his eyes and a differing look. The brunette couldn’t guess what that look meant, but he still loved seeing the monet blue eyes lingering on him, it was like a bear hug from Harley. Peter’s chapped lips curled into a small smile “Hi Harley, did you want to do anything today?” He asked, curious as to why Harley asked him to come over since he didn’t offer an explanation earlier.
Peter scraped his busted converse over the cleaned wood to look up at Harley from the bottom of the stair case, now getting an answer from him “Hey, just was wanting to see you, c’mon.” A warmer smile appeared on Peter’s face “Sure.”
Harley tucked his head to the side, signaling Peter to come up with him, maybe even to his room. He reciprocated Peter’s smile, but he was far more shy and to Peter’s eyes, more pure. Peter knew Harley better than he knew his own abilities, so he could tell what every little thing meant, and that random text of ‘just wanting to see him’ definitely meant something deeper.
Harley was feeling a certain way and only Peter could fix it, and he found no reason to question that. The blonde had already run back to his room by the time Peter made it up the stairs, but it didn’t matter. Peter was taller, therefore could lean over Harley once he crept up behind him, but he was instead ambushed once he walked close enough to the door frame. Harley had grabbed him.
It wasn’t threatening or controlling, but a simple hug, arms loosely around laying on Peter’s shoulders, his hands interlocked behind messy chocolate curls. Peter had obviously held him back, arms twisted under Harley’s, but was taken aback by this, he usually never initiated their physical contact, but it was nice. He was warm, smaller, and fit perfectly in Peter’s arms so Peter just melted into the comfort.
“What’s this for?” He was at first met with silence, but heard him whisper only on a level Peter could hear “Just felt the need to,” he left his statement open and lifted up his head from the vape of Peter’s bare neck, pushing blonde curls to reveal a more softer look in his eyes now, almost a want shining in them “can I do more?” The question made Peter’s face burn
“Yeah” he paused to snicker “go crazy.”
He ended with a grin. Harley pushed himself onto his toes, getting close enough to plant a kiss to the bridge of Peter’s hooked nose and trail his way to Peter’s thin lips, leaving a lasting kiss. One of Peter’s hands moved to hold onto Harley’s waist, whilst the other snakes up to his neck, keeping him close as he pulls away to look at Harley, eyes half-lidded.
Peter always loved when Harley showed any affection, so him taking some charge today was like seeing the fruits of his labor for the first time. Progress, he thought.
Harley then shifted his arms and completely locked himself onto Peter, he whispered “Can I try something?” Peter liked the way he was talking, so he almost instinctually nodded, giving Harls the go ahead to continue on with his plans. He started by removing his being from Peter, but instantly grabbed his wrist to pull and push him onto Harley’s bed, in the far corner of the room that’s basically made up of stuffed gifts from Peter.
Peter let himself be pushed and molded to Harley’s liking, leaving him to be lying on his back with his legs dangling off the side of the bed. Harley sat next to his body and hovering his face over Peter’s.
Peter wanted to grab Harley’s thigh, as it was so close to him, but Harley raced him and lowered his arm to lay it on Peter’s sweater “Can I—, can you not move? I just want to show you..” he paused, letting his face hover closer until his warm lips met Peter’s dry one’s again.
Peter listened to his unfinished request and left his hands to sit idle on his stomach, while Harley cupped one side of Peter’s face with a hand, the other used to support his lopsided weight. Once Harley pulled his warmth away again, he finished “I just want to be the one to give love, so just let me..” he felt his face falling again, until Peter spoke up
“You give me love everyday, there’s no reason to say you don’t, love isn’t just the kisses we share, but I won’t be mad if we do just make out for the next hour or two.” Peter snickered after the fact, but he was being genuine, Harley could never offer a single kiss again, but he would still love the blonde.
That was just how Peter was wired.
But it didn’t change Harley’s mind. He rubbed his nose against Peter’s “I know, I just- I do love kissing you, and hugging you, and doing- all that other stuff, but sometimes I don’t act like I do, I wanna fix that.” He placed a gentle kiss onto Peter, and lifted his head to talk again
“I just wanna show you how much I love you with physical affection, is that okay?” To Peter, it was way more than okay.
”That is completely fine, just wanted to let you know, Y’know?” Harley hummed with a smile and just dug back into the brunette’s mouth, feeling his bottom lip against his tongue.
Peter was insanely cold all the time, yet his mouth always managed to stay warm, so it felt like a hot mess between the both of them, but Peter loved the burning sensation.
Harley, unmoving his mouth, shifted his balance to sit on-top of Peter, allowing Pete to hold onto his hips, but nothing more. The blonde slid a hand down his chest, using the other to caress Peter’s face, cradling him.
This is the type of warmth Peter offered all the time, Harley found that it was no issue to reciprocate.
Slowly, he lifted his face to gaze into Peter’s eyes “I’m sorry it took so long to realize, but I think I’m a little slow to this relationship affection thing.” Peter moved back up to give him a quick peck.
”It’s okay, I could help you understand more, if you need be.” Peter wore a heavy grin, but it just made Harley giggle.
“I would appreciate it.” Both hands now holding Peter’s face, Harley made sure to keep him close, now that he could declare that it was their space, together.