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Harley was not the one anyone called when something good happened. When his grandpa died, they called him. When Tony died, they called him. When Professor Banner got placed into the hospital, you can get who they called.
“They told me Spider-Man saved the day,” Bruce told him. He didn’t know what to say. Rhodey had the report of the situation but he was also recovering from another incident. He told him the basics though: an enhanced individual had taken over Bruce’s mind. Bruce Banner had turned into Hulk. He lost control. That was the gist. Whatever else happened was above Harley’s paygrade.
“You remember Peter?” Bruce asked him before he left. He did not know any Peter but the name felt familiar. Harley told Bruce honestly that he knew no Peter and that he would look for this Peter if Bruce wanted him to. Bruce shook his head telling him not to worry. Just a memory, Bruce had said, but more than that he seemed to think more on the name. Who was Peter? Harley tried digging him up but no one popped up. Happy found him groaning in his lab later. Happy was in charge of monitoring Harley. Harley knew that, he doesn’t know why Pepper worried about him so much as if he was another Tony Stark or … Harley froze. Was there someone else who she would compare him to? He couldn’t think of anyone else but he swears there was. He decided it was best to just ignore this mystery person and figure out this Peter guy.
“Happy, does the name Peter mean anything to you?” Harley asked.
“I think I had a classmate in school named Peter,” Happy said.
“No, this is someone who would be connected to Bruce and Tony,” Harley said as he looked through files of employees but none seemed to lead to the answer he wanted. He figured a nice cup of coffee would help. He went to his coffee machine only to find it not working. Damn, Happy and his over worrying. He went to the other labs but the machines were all shut off. He decided to head out to find a coffee. He was at a shop when he heard a name.
“Black coffee for Peter,” the barista said. His head went to the Peter and he froze. The man who grabbed the coffee was much older than when he last saw him, but he would remember those eyes anywhere. He got out of line and went to catch up as Peter walked out of the building. Memories were crashing back of a night in the cabin after the funeral where he held a crying boy who had also lost his mentor.
“Peter Parker,” He called out not able to hold back that pled in his voice to rekindle with the only link he had with Tony Stark left. Peter looked up and saw him as he caught up to him.
“Do I know you?” Peter asked.
“Tony Stark’s cabin,” Harley said. Peter froze at that. He remembered.
“You remember me,” Peter asked.
“When I saw your eyes,” Harley said. “Can we talk somewhere private?” Peter nodded as he led him to a building. They rode the elevator to the top and he opened a place that was like a lab.
“So you probably have a lot of questions,” Peter started.
“Just one,” Harley said. “Do you remember that night?” Peter looked away. He had a slight blush on his face.
“I do, but I got to be honest with you. I’m in love with someone else,” Harley knew he was too close to the sun. He had gotten burned but that was okay.
“I will respect your distance then, but in return, may I ask what really happened to Bruce?” Harley asked. Peter nodded before launching into a whole story about Jean, Bruce, and Frank. Harley just listened. If all he could have was this friendship than he would accept having a friend who he could talk to about science and Tony Stark.