This is Me Trying
Chapter One: ‘Cause I Haven’t Moved in Years
Pairings: Harley Keener/Peter Parker
Summary: Peter is struggling after losing everyone closest to him-- May, Tony, Ned, and MJ. Harley is struggling with where he came from and the parts of his past he never healed from. Harley needs a roommate and Peter is getting evicted.
Read Ch. 2 here
…
Peter Parker isn’t a bitter person– or at least he doesn’t think so. After all of the detrimental events that have taken place in his life, he’s not bitter. He refuses to believe he’s bitter.
Sure, he’s living alone in one of the worst apartment complexes in Queens, works two jobs just to afford rent and the bare essentials of life all whilst attending Queensborough community college. In the midst of all of this, he patrols every night, only getting a couple hours of sleep a night. And it’s only been a month since he watched his aunt die and the whole world forget him— including the people he loved most.
He misses May with everything in him. The grief bubbles up his throat more often than not and sometimes it’s all encompassing and doesn’t let him breathe. He could’ve done more– done better and saved her. Sometimes when he washes his hands he can still see her blood on them. He barely sleeps because he’s plagued by the memories of her death replaying over and over and over and over…
MJ and Ned live on without him and he’s unbelievably happy for them. Sometimes he’ll spot them walking the streets near the coffee shop MJ works at. Sometimes Peter is selfish and even though rent is late and the coffee shop is twenty minutes away, he goes there anyway, just to make sure she’s still okay. Of course she is; he’s not there to screw up her life.
Ned is the same. He’s still Ned, but not his best friend Ned. It’s odd to think of how people change whenever you’re no longer a lasting impact on them or a constant in their life. Peter misses the sleepovers, building legos, the lab experiments, and the patrolling with Ned as his guy in the chair and it makes his heart ache.
Another wound that Peter harbors is the death of Tony. When Peter had come back to life from the snap the first thing he had thought to do was find Tony. Nothing else had mattered in that moment. He had found him amidst the chaos of the battlefield and they had hugged and Peter was whole. Not even five minutes later he would be the shell of the person he was. The tears had dried out and nothing was left but numbness. He remembers Mr. Stark’s half-alive eyes and the way his charred skin burned his nostrils. It had been too much. He still has yet to get over that first loss and he hasn’t. He doesn’t know where to start.
He patrols more– all that he can. He saves everyone he can and stays up at night due to the ones he can’t. He gets a bit more reckless, having to stitch himself up more often that he would be willing to admit. Peter is hurting and all he knows is to push it down. Push it down as far as he can and swallow the bitterness because that’s what he isn’t.
Life could certainly be better, but Peter believes he isn’t bitter.
Harley Keener is a bitter person. He’s grown up bitter and angry and spiteful and he’s well aware. He doesn’t hide it, either– refuses to. If there’s two things Harley is it’s most certainly bitter and honest.
He’s bitter at the fact that he remembers the sounds of his dad beating his ma. He’s bitter that sometimes he would be the one getting beaten instead. He’s bitter at the fact that his dad left when he and Abbie were just kids. He’s bitter that his ma had to pick up two jobs just to support the three of them and that he couldn’t do anything but watch for so long. He’s bitter that he was forced to grow up entirely way too soon. He’s bitter because Tony was one of the only good things in his life and just like everything else it got ripped from him.
He had moved to New York not too long after Tony’s death. Pepper had reached out to him the weekend of Tony’s funeral and had disclosed that there was a large sum stashed away for Harley. Included in that was a suit made specially for Harley as well as a lab that was to be shared with someone named Peter Parker.
Pepper had tried to remember any mention of the boy, but she would always end up drawing a blank. It also didn’t help that the kid was practically untraceable.
Harley had bought a nice apartment just outside of Queens in Manhattan and spent his time working through his classes at ESU, doing some contracting work for neighbors or others around the area, and helping save the citizens of New York as his secret identity of Iron Lad.
He’s bitter and angry and resentful at the world he’s grown accustomed to and he’s well aware of it.
…
“Harley, honey, how are classes going?” Harley rushed to press the phone against his ear, almost missing what Pepper says as he walks into his apartment, kicks off his shoes, and locks the door.
“They’re going fine, ma’am. Midterms are keeping me on my toes, though.” Harley walks further into the apartment, setting his keys down on the kitchen counter and bending down to lean his elbows against the marble.
“How many times do I have to tell you to just call me Pepper?” He hears her sigh from across the phone line.
“I’m afraid you’ll have to tell me plenty more.” Harley feels the ghost of a smile pull at his lips.
“How’s the search for a roommate going? I’m sure there’s plenty of applicants.” Pepper changes the subject and Harley stands up straight now, moving to the living room and eyeing the stack of applications on the coffee table.
“Sure are. All seem like a bunch of stuck ups, though. No one’s caught my eye.” Harley’s honest with her, picking up a few papers and tossing them back down half haphazardly.
“That’s a shame. I know how lonely it can be living by yourself. Another person would do you good, Harley.” Pepper knows Harley is struggling, no matter how much he covers it up with jokes, hard work, or just being plain mean. Harley knows she sees right through him.
“Yeah, I know. I’m working on it, Pepper.” He sighs, sitting down on the couch and switching the phone from his right ear to his left. The thing is though, Harley doesn’t necessarily want a roommate, but Pepper’s been on his ass for the last couple months. He knows she’s only worried about him, but Harley’s doing fine. He’s fine.
“I know you are. I have to get going, Morgan has gymnastics and she’s been reminding me about it all day,” she laughs and Harley musters a smile. He can imagine Morgan’s pouty face and her puppy dog eyes.
“Yes ma’am. Can’t keep Mo waiting,” Harley’s smile turns sad as he remembers how long it’s been since he’s seen the two.
“Bye, Harley. Don’t be afraid to call.” Pepper and Harley don’t say ‘I love you’ well, they say it in different ways. They both understand, though.
Before Harley gets a chance to respond she’s hung up and he’s left in his own silence. His shoulders slump and tilts his head back, closing his eyes and thinking about what he has to do tonight.
He decides to go through new applications first, hoping to ease Pepper’s worry. He stands and heads for the front door, quickly finding the mailbox attached to his door. He opens it and a hefty stack of papers await him. He groans, dreading going through all of these applications. He makes his way to the dining table and stacks them neatly in front of him as he sits down.
He’s about a third of the way through the stack when a familiar name catches his eye. “Peter Parker…” He says aloud, grabbing the paper from out of the stack and examining it carefully.
“Nineteen years old, goes to Queensburough, works two jobs, lives alone…” Harley rattles off, eyebrows furrowing the more he reads. “Fallen on hard times and it’s become hard to afford an apartment alone.” He finishes. He re-reads the application more, observing the way that Peter had described himself and how he is studying in engineering. “Peter Parker…” Harley mumbles again. He knows that name. He makes a mental note to text Pepper about the name and ask her if that name is familiar. He’s almost certain he had heard Pepper say his name before.
His eyes find the phone number on the top of the page and he pulls his phone out of his pocket, typing in the number. It rings once, twice, three times, then goes to voicemail.
“This is Peter! I’m sorry I couldn’t answer your call, I’ll get back with you as soon as I can, thank you!” Harley is slightly annoyed and surprised by the cheery voice that filters through the speaker. The dial tone beeps and Harley blinks, kind of caught off guard.
“Hi Peter, I got your application for sharing the apartment and I’d like to meet with you to discuss further options. Thank ya much, Harley Keener.” He hits the end call button and sets his phone down on the table, continuing to go through the applications.
…
Peter stops in front of the door of his apartment, getting slapped in the face with the bright yellow paper stuck to his door that reads, ‘60 day eviction notice’. He swallows down the lump in his throat as someone clears their throat from behind him.
“Rent has been late the last four months, Mr. Parker. I’ve given you multiple chances and it just isn’t working out.” Peter turns on his heel and is met with Mr. Hall. He wears a deep frown, almost like he doesn’t want to kick Peter out, but has no choice. The guy clearly has a choice, though; he’s been doing just fine with Peter’s late rent. Someone’s probably offered the guy more money for the place that Peter doesn’t have.
“I know and I’m so sorry Mr. Hall, I’ve been trying really hard. It’s just–” Peter’s cut off by Mr. Hall finishing his sentence.
“You work two jobs and you’re going to college? I know Mr. Parker and I’m very sorry, but I can no longer tolerate this. I’ve been patient these last few months but I have a family to feed.” Peter knows it’s bullshit, but forces a smile for him instead.
“Okay, I understand.” Peter is short and he quickly turns around, ripping the note off his door and swallowing down the lump in his throat. He shuts the door behind him and grits his teeth, setting his backpack on the floor so he can run his hands through his hair.
He had filled out multiple applications for people looking for roommates in the area and only one had gotten back with him so far, but the rules were entirely too strict for Peter. There was no way he was going to be able to be SpiderMan and live under the same roof as the guy.
He threw the eviction notice onto the counter and picked his backpack up, carrying it to the small desk in the corner to finish his homework. By the time he was done, the sky had gone dark and the city streets became just a bit quieter.
Peter breathes out, placing all of his finished work back into its assigned folder and stood, stretching out the stiffness that came with sitting in a poorly made, wooden chair. He chances a glance out of the one window in his one room apartment and decides to turn the police scanner on, getting ready for patrol and putting on his SpiderMan suit. He was itching to get out of the cramped space he called ‘home’.
…
Harley fiddled with the hot sleeve on his coffee cup as he waited for Peter to arrive. The guy was already ten minutes late and Harley was about to finally get up and leave, accepting he’d been blown off, but the dinging of the front door bell stopped him.
He looked up and his eyes met with a boys' brown ones. Harley immediately recognized the boy across the coffee shop as Peter, recalling the photo from his application. Peter looked impossibly better in person. His brown hair curled at the ends, but it wasn’t necessarily messy, his eyes were a deep brown, but shone in the sunlight that streamed through the many windows in the shop. He was dressed in a baggy sweater that looked like a lucky, vintage find in a thrift store and some dark-washed jeans. His tennis shoes were teetering on the edge of falling apart and he had a navy blue backpack slung over his shoulder.
“Are you Harley?” Harley blinked and found that Peter was standing right in front of him now, eyebrows pulled together and hands nervously gripping the straps of his backpack.
“Y-yeah, go ahead and sit down. Ya know you’re late?” Harley gestured towards the chair across from him, motioning for Peter to sit down.
“Yeah, I’m really sorry about that. You know how awful it can be to get around in the city sometimes.” Peter flashed Harley an apologetic smile, sitting down in the chair and setting his bag on the floor next to him.
“I understand. So, Peter, tell me about yourself.” Harley was intrigued by Peter. The moment he watched him walk through the door he had wanted to know more about him.
“There’s not much to say other than what was already on my application,” Peter shrugged, fingers picking at the skin around his nails.
“Well there wasn’t a lot about you on the application. I know you attend Queenburough and have two jobs, but that’s about it.” Harley quirks an eyebrow, elbows leaning on the table in front of him.
“I’m majoring in engineering and minoring in psychology. I live in a one room apartment that smells like a dumpster because it’s all I can afford– or was. I like photography, but I haven't had much time to get into it again, though.” Peter shrugged, eyes meeting Harley’s every now and again.
“Got any family that lives ‘round here?” Harley leans forward as he studies Peter. The hurt that flashes across Peter’s face is only there for a split second, then it’s gone again.
“No.” He answers simply and Harley furrows his eyebrows. It’s obvious his question had been a surprise and touchy subject for Peter.
“They live out of state?” Harley assumed Peter’s situation could be similar to his. He misses his ma and Abbie and makes a mental note to call them at some point this week.
“Uh, no. I don’t really have any family left.” Peter shifted uncomfortably in his seat, eyes avoiding Harley’s. The pieces fell into place and Harley lets out a small ‘oh’ at Peter’s words.
“Shit, I’m sorry.” Harley’s mouth is dry– he doesn’t know what else to say, really.
“It’s alright. I think I’m slowly coming to terms with it.” Peter dares to meet Harley’s gaze. His stomach turns at the look of pity on Harley’s face.
“Ya shouldn’t have to. Look, I’m gonna be honest– I could really use a roommate. The woman that’s practically my second mother has been on my ass about not living alone. And it seems like you could use some company yourself, so, when can you move in?” There’s a few steps Harley skips in the interviewing process, throwing caution to the wind. He’s drawn to Peter and he doesn’t particularly know why, but he wants to.
“That’s it?” Peter’s jaw is dropped, eyebrows raised.
“Well, yeah.” Harley shrugs. He figured Peter would be eager at his offer.
“How much is rent?” Peter asks before he dives head first into what the blonde is offering him.
“$150 a month. I’m pretty well off, honestly, and I would really just need you to pay for utilities and groceries.” Peter has to stop his jaw from hitting the table.
“Any rules I should know about up front?” Peter believes this is too good to be true.
“I would prefer if you kept your dirty shoes off the rug, don’t forget to clean up after yourself, and shower everyday. Don’t need ya stinkin up the place.” Harley rattles off. “If you let me do me, I’ll let ya do you. Simple as that.”
“Well of course I’m gonna shower everyday who do you think I am?” Peter rolls his eyes, arms crossing over his chest.
“I don’t know your life, Parker.” Harley pops the ‘p’ if Peters last name in a satisfying and annoying way.
“Well, what if I was a murderer? And-and you just let me move in with you on a whim?” Peter gaped, hands motioning wildly. Harley blinked at the boy.
“Well are you?” Peter paused, staring back at the blonde.
“Am I a murderer?” Peter re-affirmed, voice hushed as to not alarm the other patrons enjoying their coffee.
“Yeah, are you?” Harley challenged, arms crossed against his chest. He already knew the answer.
“No! Of course not–” Harley cuts Peter off by standing, the legs of his chair scraping against the tile floor.
“Then it’s settled. You’re moving in with me.” Harley won’t take no for an answer.
…
It’s a week later and Peter has packed all of his life into a total of four boxes. Harley is supposed to pick him up and help him move, but now that Peter is all packed, he realizes there’s not much help to be had.
A knock at his door snaps him out of his trance and he moves to open it. On the other side, there’s Harley who looks like he’s just seen a homeless man piss into a bottle at Central Park and throw it in the kids playground. “You weren’t joking about the dumpster smell, Pete.” Harley pushed past Peter and into the small, empty apartment.
“I’m all packed up.” Peter says, choosing to ignore Harley’s comment. Harley places his hands on his hips and surveys the room, his eyes landing on the four boxes stacked neatly across the room.
“Only four boxes?” Harley turns around, head tilted like a confused puppy.
Peter nods back at him, “to be fair, when I first moved here there was only one.”
Harley can’t decide whether to laugh or frown, so he settles on pulling his lips into a thin line. “Well let’s get a move on, Parker.”
It takes them one whole trip for the both of them to take the four boxes downstairs to Harley’s car. Peter knows he should be at least a bit embarrassed, but he can’t find it in himself to care. He doesn’t think Harley cares that much either; it just makes the process a whole lot easier anyhow.
Peter’s honestly impressed that Harley even has a car. New Yorkers don’t really own cars and when they do they have money.
“You drive?” Peter breaks the silence that has fallen over the two on the drive to Harley’s apartment.
“Good observation, sweetheart.” Harley smirks and Peter fumbles on his next words.
“No-no like— I know of maybe two people that own cars and live in the thick of New York,” Peter clarifies and Harley hums.
“Well I’m not from around here. I moved up from Tennessee for college and in Tennessee you can’t really walk anywhere too quickly. Had to learn how to drive to get around and get a half decent job– although that’s a joke when it comes to Rose Hill.” Harley explains. Peter mentally notes Harley’s accent. Makes sense.
“Do you like it here?” Peter keeps the topic focused on Harley. Harley doesn’t need to know about Peter. Peter is solely moving in with Harley because he can no longer afford to live on his own and there was no way that he could’ve passed up the deal he was offered. After losing May, MJ, and Ned he’s decided and determined to keep everyone at arms length.
“Not really, no. The city stinks all the time, people are downright rude, and traffic constantly bites you in the ass.” Harley complains, fingers drumming impatiently along the steering wheel as they sit in traffic. “What about you? Have you always lived here?”
“Yeah. Born and raised in Queens.” Peter’s reply is short and strained, making it obvious he doesn’t want to talk about himself any further. Harley doesn’t get the memo and continues with his questions.
“Ah, so you’re a true New Yorkian.” Harley’s fingers now drum along the wheel to the faint beat of the song that’s playing through the speakers instead of impatiently.
“That is not a real term.” Peter points out and Harley rolls his eyes, turning for just a moment to face Peter.
“It is now. I’ve just decided.” And Peter groans, elbow leaning on the console between them and hiding his face in his palm.
“You shouldn’t be allowed to make decisions like that. They don’t seem like they’re good ones,” Peter looks up and is met with Harley’s right profile. He’s staring at the car ahead, just now moving forward.
“How would you know? You’ve only known me for a week.” Harley shoots back and Peter snorts.
“Exactly. And now I’m moving in with you.” Harley is silent and Peter thinks he’s finally won the argument, but then–
“You agreed. I didn’t kidnap you; you came willingly.” Peter can’t really argue with that one.
Harley: 1, Peter: 0.
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