REMINDER THAT PETER AND HARLEY HANG OUT DAILY THIS JUST COVERS THE IMPORTANT MOMENTS
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Pt. 2

~July 9th~

Harley POV

"So the royal family of Wakanda is stayin' here for a week?"I asked, summarizing what I had just heard.

"Yes, their looking for someone, we're the closest to the town where he used to live," the old man explained as we walked towards the front gates to greet them.

"Why not just stay with the knight who runs the town?"

"Apparently, he's a huge ass," He said.

"Makes sense," I agreed.

Soon enough, three horses came into view. Slowing as they reached the gate.

"Sir Stark," King T'challa adressed, hopping off his horse, "Thank you for having us on such short notice,"

"It's no problem your majesty, if there's anything we can assist you with, please just let us know," Tony said, Boeing slightly.

"You can't start by helping us find a boy named Peter Parker, he lived 20 miles west in a town called Midtown. He never would have left unless he was forced to!" Princess Shuri Exclaimed, leaping off of her horse.

The old man and I looked at eachother. No doubt they meant Peter Parker our current Stable Boy. Which is almost comical.

"Of course, bring y'alls horses this way though. They'll be in good hands," I talk before the old man could, motioning for the siblings and their guard to follow me.

"Stable Boy!" I yelled, it had become a running joke between Peter and I, so every time I was "summoning" him, I'd call him stable boy.

"Oh haha," He said emerging from inside the stable area, "what can I help you-,"a

"PETER PARKER THERE BETTER BE A DAMN GOOD REASON YOU HAVE NOT WRITTEN!" Shuri yelled, running and tackling the poor boy.

"Shuri!!! oh goodness what are you doing here?" He asked, hugging back.

"Looking for you, you moron! We went to stop by the shop only to find that it's now a weird tavern run by Flash," Shuri sounded discussed as the last part left her mouth.

"Of course he did," Peter scoffed, "But let's not worry about that, I'm super happy to see you!"

"Obviously, I am happy to see you too. Brother was worried, even though he'd never admit it," Shuri giggled.

"I was reasonably concerned," T'challa shrugged.

"Nice to see you too T'challa," Peter laughed.

"Are you ready to marry my sister yet?" He asked jokingly.

"Not now or ever," Peter laughed.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, then got confused as to why I was holding it in the first place. I quickly shrugged it off though, it was probably nothing.

"Besides, we would annoy you too much," Shuri added on.

"That is very true," T'challa smiled.

"Well now that thats solved, why don't we have dinner. Peter, you can join us if you'd like," Tony offered.

"Oh, that's alright Mr. Stark. I'll just eat out here-,"

"Oh you are coming with us to dinner, you have no choice," Shuri cut him off, hauling him to his feet.

"Cmon Pete, it'll be fun," I encouraged.

"Fine,"

~July 16~

Peter POV

Shuri and I had a great time, I was really really happy to see her, but I also felt bad for making her worry.

She told me about how Flash not only tore down my home, but him and his goons defaced Ben and Mays graves on "accident" during construction.

We shead tears together over her death.

But soon enough a week passed and the next thing I knew I was seeing her off at the front gate.

"Peter, why don't you come with us!" Shuri exclaimed, "we'll buy that horse you love so much, then you can come live with us!"

"I would not be opposed to the idea," T'challa added.

I thought about it, it wouldn't actually be that bad. I could work for them like I do here. Plus I would get to see Shuri every day, and that would be awesome.

Then my eyes flicked over to Harley, who looked over to me and smiled.

I gave him a smile back, then came to my decision.

"I'm sorry," I say, eyes drifting back to Shuri, "You both have always been too kind to me. You offer is generious, but I have friends here now. I like working with the people here. If I go with you guys, I'll have to start all over again."

Shuri looked to the side, then smirked.

"Ahh. Do not worry about it. Just know that you are always welcome in Wakanda,"

"Of course, and I promise that it'll be less than 6 months till we see each other again,"

"Obviously," she rolled her eyes and pulled me in for a hug.

After all of us said our goodbyes, I watched them ride off down the road.

"What was that about?" Harley asked, appring next to me.

"Just saying goodbye, they wanted me to go with them," I turned to look at him.

"And ya didn't?" He asked, sounding surprised.

"Nah, I like it here."

Harley let out a soft laugh.

"Well I'm glad ya didn't go, who else would saddle my horse?"

"You could learn to do it yourself," I said, laughing.

"Mmh hmm. Wanna go riding?"

"Sure," I say, smiling.

I think I made the right choice.

~July 22nd~

Harley POV

"Hey Pete!" I yelled, walking into the stables.

This small lord and his son where coming. Tony sent me down to make sure we had stables for their horses. Not that I was complaining, it was an excuse to say hi to Peter.

"Hey Harles! What's up?" He set down the saddle he was carrying and dues ted off his hands.

"Tony told me to ask ya if we had two stalls available. This small town lord and his son are coming by soon to discuss maybe selling us some of their land. He wants to make sure we have somewhere to put the horses," I explained.

"Oh yeah, I'll just move Stella to the field," He picked up a rag and some stirrups to clean them, "where are they from?"

"I think it's called Midtown? I-"

I cut myself off when I saw Peters expression, it was one of pure fear. I felt a pang in my heart when I saw it.

The stirrup and rag fell to the ground, slipping from his grip. He stumbled sideways, and I dashed forward to make sure he would fall.

"Woah Peter, are you ok!?" I exclaimed concerned.

"Y-yeah," he said, voice shaking as much as his hands, "how long till he gets here?"

"A few minutes? Peter what's wrong?"

"I- I have to go, I can't-" he ran a hand through his hair, gripping it tightly, "I can't be here when he gets here. I have to leave, if I go out the back maybe I can avoid him."

"Pete, calm down. What's going on?" I try asking again, but at this point he's hyperventilating.

"I c-an't I-if Flash is here I can't," He sunk down to the floor, hugging his knees to his chest.

I followed in suit, kneeling down on the ground next to him.

"What's going on here?"

The voice of Natasha rang out as she walked in.

"I don't know!" I exclaimed as she kneeled beside me, "He started panickin' when I mention the lord n his son that are comin' here from Midtown,"

I saw her eyes harden, she turned to Peter and rested a hand on his shoulder.

"Peter, you from Midtown, correct?" She asked in a soft voice.

He nodded, which surprised me. He never told me where he came from, just that his was wandering after his aunt died.

"How many times has he hurt you?"

My eyes widened in surprise. Surely no one would actually hurt him right? There had to be another reson...right?

"Wh-what m-makes yo-ou think that he h-hurt me?" Peter stuttered out.

Natasha raised an eyebrow at him.

"I-I've lost count. Couple days a week since I was thirteen," Peter admitted in a small voice.

"Peter you fifteen!" I exclaimed in outrage, how dare this bastard hurt him! Could he not see how amazing Peter was?!

"It's the son, Flash. He has his parents wrapped around his finger. He got me kicked out ten minutes after May died. After I left he defaced their graves," Peter looked like he was about to cry.

Anger built up inside of me. Judging by Natasha's face, she felt the same.

"Don't worry Pete, well send them away as soon as they arrive. You won't even have to see him," I reassure Peter.

"Kid! Where are you we have to go-. What happened here?" The old man walked in.

"Harley, why don't you stay with Peter. I fill in Tony," Natasha said, standing up.

"Good plan," I said, watching the while they walked out.

"S-sorry, I didn't mean to cause a scene," Peter said, wiping his eyes as he stood up.

"It's not a problem," I say, standing up and brushing myself off, "it's best we don't do business with people like that anyway,"

"I should probably get back to work," he said, jabbing a thumb at a pile of stirrups.

"Take the rest of the day off, that's an order cuz I know ya won't listen to me other wise," I joke with the last bit.

"Really!" He exclaimed, face lighting up with a smile.

I felt myself break into a grin as I nod.

"Thank you!"

And with that he skipped back into his little shack.

~August 1st~

Peter POV

I've never been the biggest fan of my birthday. But watching Harley hang out with this girl he was supposed to be courting, definitely sunk it to an all new low.

"Do you like this ring?" She asked, shoving her hand in his face, "my daddy bought it for me from the northern kingdom!"

"It's......nice," He said, brushing her hand away from his face.

Gods he looked so uncomfortable! Does she not understand personal space?

"Stable boy!" Harley exclaimed, walking towards me.

"Hey Harley, what can I do for you?" I asked, laughing slightly.

The girl scoffed.

"I was thinking about taking Genevieve here riding," He said, tilting his head to the side.

"Alright, I'll saddle up two horse's for you and-,"

"I want to ride this one," The girl demanded, pointing to Stella.

"Oh, no one can ride her. She isn't broke yet," I explained, reaching for Harleys saddle.

Until I heard a familiar whinny of protest.

I whipped around and saw that this girl was trying to put a halter on Stella.

"Move!" I exclaimed, pushing her to the side.

Just in time too, because Stella reared up, stomping the ground where she had stood just a second ago.

After a few moments, I managed to calm her down enough to back her into her stall and latch it.

Just as I sighed in relief, I felt the back of a hand collide with my face.

"HOW DARE YOU LAY A HAND ON ME! YOU INSOLENT SERVANT BOY, I'LL HAVE YOU FIRED!" She screamed, tasing her hand to strike me again.

I closed my eyes and braces myself to get hit again.

But it never came.

I opened my eyes to see that Harley had stepped infront of me, blocking her path.

"You need to leave. Now," Harley sounded more than a little pissed off.

"You- you cant do that!!" She protested "your supposed to marry me! This isn't how this was supposed to happen!!"

"You raise a hand against one of my friends, and expect me to wanna marry ya? You're insane," Harley scoffed.

"This is all your fault!" She screeched, pointing at me.

"It's time for you to leave, before I call the guards," Harley said.

She stomped her foot and marched off, muttering about how she would "be back" and how "he will marry me".

"Are ya alright?" Harley asked, turning to face me.

"Yeah I'm fine," I said, rubbing my cheek.

He leaned forward, grabbing my chin with one hand, turning me face so he could see where she hit me better.

"Oh god's," Harley gasped, "I'm so sorry, I just wanted her to shut up, I didn't think she would hit ya!"

I was painfully aware of how close his face was to mine. It made me feel weird, like not in a bad way, but not a good way either. It's so hard to describe because I've never felt this way before.

"I'm fine Harles," I say, taking a step back, "I've dealt with worse,"

That obviously wasn't the right thing to say, because his frown deepened.

"I'm sure Mr. Stark is going to wonder what's going on right now. You should probably go explain what happened,"I say, trying to switch the topic.

"Yeah, I'll see ya tomorrow?"

"Absolutely!" I smile at him.

He spared me a grin before turning and walking out of the stables.

I walked back to my little....house? shack? I don't know I just call it a cottage.

I walked back in and thought, long and hard. For some reason this weird pang I keep getting in my chest, I don't understand it. Like my heart decides to be its happiest and saddest whenever Harley is around.

I must have been thinking for a bit, because when I snapped out of my thoughts the sun was setting. That and Ned was opening my door.

"Hey buddy! I heard what happened are you ok?" He closed the door and walked to my small table, sitting down.

"Fantastic, now that's spreading around," I groaned, falling back into my bed.

"Yeah, Harley is furious," Ned said.

"You know, my birthday has always sucked but this one really just....." I trailed off, making a waving gesture with my hand to convey whatever I was trying to say.

"Wait! Today's your birthday!?" Ned exclaimed, I could hear the chair sliding, signaling that he sat up.

"Yeah," I said, getting up and walking to the table, "Happy birthday to me,"

"Dude, Harleys gonna flip his lid! He loves celebrating friends birthdays," Ned exclaimed.

"NO! I-I mean do tell him. Please,"

Ned looked at me, really confused.

"Why don't you want him to know? Did Harley do something to make you upset? This-"

"No, no he didn't do anything I just-," I started pacing, unsure of what to say, "I don't like celebrating my birthday. Personal preference or whatever. Just don't tell anyone else please,"

"Of course!"