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Peter Parker had never been one to admit when he was drowning. He'd been through too much — the loss of his parents and his Uncle Ben, the battle with Thanos, being snapped and brought back to life — and it had all piled up. He told himself he was strong enough to handle it, that he had to be strong, for May, for Tony-the man that he though as his dad, for the Avengers, for Ned and MJ, and for his beloved city. But even heroes had their limits.
The world around him felt heavy. His head spun with the weight of it all as he sat in his room, staring blankly at the wall. He felt like he was falling, sinking deeper into himself with every breath. Peter hadn't realized he was crying until Harley sat beside him, quietly taking his hand, lacing their fingers together.
Hold me tight, hug me...
Can you trust me? Can you trust me?
Harley was always there, patient, waiting, knowing that Peter would open up when he was ready. He didn’t push, but his presence was grounding — like an anchor in a storm. When Peter's tears started to fall faster, Harley shifted closer, wrapping his arm around Peter’s shoulder and pulling him into his chest.
“You don’t have to talk, Pete. Just… I’m here, okay?” Harley’s voice was soft, reassuring.
Peter closed his eyes, letting the warmth of Harley’s embrace surround him, and for the first time in what felt like years, Peter let go. He let himself cry. His body shook with sobs he hadn’t even known he was holding in, and all the while, Harley held him tight, rubbing soothing circles on his back, whispering comforting words.
Please, please, please pull me in and hug me
In Harley’s arms, Peter realized just how much he had been holding inside. He had always tried to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders, believing it was his burden alone to bear. But Harley had been there all along, patiently waiting for Peter to lean on him.
"I feel like I’m always losing people, Harley," Peter finally whispered, his voice shaky. "I’m scared… so scared of losing you too."
Harley’s grip on Peter tightened. "I’m not going anywhere, Pete. You’re not going to lose me. I swear."
Peter shifted in Harley’s arms, looking up at him with tear-streaked eyes. Harley gently brushed a thumb across his cheek, wiping away a stray tear.
"You’re not alone, Peter," Harley murmured. "You don’t have to carry all of this by yourself anymore. I’m here. I’ll always be here."
Hold me tight like before, so I can feel you again.
Without you, I can’t breathe, I’m nothing
Peter’s chest ached, but it was a different kind of ache this time — not the crushing loneliness or the overwhelming grief, but the slow realization that maybe, just maybe, Harley was his savior. His lifeline. After everything he had been through, all the hurt, the loss, Harley had been there, waiting with open arms, ready to hold him when he needed it most.
And Peter let himself believe, for once, that it was okay to need someone.
As they sat there, wrapped up in each other, Peter found comfort in Harley’s warmth, in the steady beat of his heart. It was like the world stopped spinning, and all that mattered was that Harley was there.
Hold me once again.
So I can feel you, hold me
Peter closed his eyes, his head resting against Harley’s shoulder, and whispered, “Thank you.”
Harley kissed the top of Peter’s head and held him tighter. “Always, Pete. Always.”
For the first time in a long time, Peter didn’t feel like he had to be Spider-Man, the hero, the one who saved everyone. In Harley’s arms, he could just be Peter. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.