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Published:
2019-06-10
Updated:
2019-06-21
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10,226
Chapters:
3/?
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Rose-Colored Boy

Summary:

Peter snorted, “You both act like our lives are about to end.”

“They are,” Harley exclaimed dramatically, throwing himself on top of Ned- who huffed, but wrapped his arms around the other boy and pretended to weep, “We’re going to high school. It’s all going to end! It’s all going to hell!”

(HarleyPeter highschool au where Peter accidentally becomes part of a football team?? Maybe.)

Notes:

Sksksks i really hope y’all like this!! I’ve had this idea in my head forever and want to preface it by saying majore time skips are represented through chats. This is not beta read so yeah. They’re about 14 at the start of this fic.

Tw: mentioned child abuse

Might change the tittle low key

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter 1: The Prologue

Chapter Text

Peter snorted, “You both act like our lives are about to end.”

“They are ,” Harley exclaimed dramatically, throwing himself on top of Ned- who huffed, but wrapped his arms around the other boy and pretended to weep, “We’re going to high school. It’s all going to end! It’s all going to hell!”

“You’re ridiculous,” MJ rolled her eyes at the two boys on the bed and turned to Peter, “They’re ridiculous.”

Peter held his hands up, in an ‘I surrender’ gesture, “We been knew that- but still. I don’t really get what the big deal is. It’s just high school-“

“The big deal,” Harley flailed dramatically, “Is that high school is high school!”

“And highschool means new opportunities,” Ned nodded sagely, sitting up and adjusting Harley so that he was sitting on his lap, pouting, “Which means all of us are going to split up and not be friends and-“

“Oh no,” MJ muttered, “The horror.”

He shot her a look, “ And we’re going to dramatically become friends again in the middle of our senior year! And then go on a dramatic road trip where two of us fall in love-“

“My money’s on me and Ned-“

“Thank you Harley, I love you too,” Ned patted his head and shot Peter a grin, the dirty traitor.

See Ned was the only person alive who knew that Peter was madly and desperately in love with Harley. And how could he not be? Harley was… Harley was like an ice cold coke on a summer day. He was amazing and good and awesome. He worked harder than god, and he was just… so… pretty. And Peter was only one boy, one very weak boy, who couldnt resist those blue eyes.

And Ned knew this, the meanie was teasing him.

MJ sighed, “Okay, okay calm down. None of us are falling in love,” She shot Harley a look, and Peter wondered what that was about, “And none of us are going to magically start not being friends.”

“Yeah,” Peter made his way to sit next to Ned, “Were all like best friends. We won’t just break away just because we’re in highschool- though we should try new things.”

“Like,” Harley poked Ned’s ribs, leaning over to grin at Peter, “Ned here should finally ask Betty out.”

“Yes,” MJ snorted, moving to sit on the other side of Ned, which Harley took as an invitation to stretch over her and put his feet in Peters lap, “I’ve been dying to see that.”

Ned was red as a tomato, “She- she wouldn’t say yes!”

“You don’t know that!”

“Yeah, com'on Ned, you’re a catch!”

“Plus,” MJ looked bored, but her eyes were mischievous, “She asked me if I would want to make a debate team with her- meaning that if you also joined you’d have plenty of time and ability to ask her out.”

“Are you using my love life as an excuse to start a debate team?”

“Yes.”

Peter snorted, “Okay-“

“And you’re all joining.”

Harley raised his hand, “I’m going to be working after school so-“

“You’re excused,” MJ lightly hit his face, then turned her attention to the other boys on the bed, “You two however need to promise me to join.”

“I promise-“

“I’ll promise if all three of you promise to help me ask out Betty!” Ned looked mortified but he said it anyway.

Harley let out a laugh covering his face, “Dude! Of course we’ll help!”

“Yeah,” Peter was trying to ignore how his hand was rubbing circles into Harley’s ankles, “You’ve been pinning after her since sixth grade- and I’m pretty sure she likes you too!”

“Duh,” MJ nodded, resting her elbow on Neds shoulder, “Well always help.”

“See but this is what I was talking about,” Harley groaned, looking at Peter through his fingers, “Ned’s getting a girlfriend, MJ’s getting a debate team, you and I are about to be the only sane ones.”

Ned made a noise of protest, but Peter just shrugged, “So we’re branching out.”

“Branching out,” Harley protested, “Branching out would be like you joining the football team Peter.”

A hush fell over the four friends and Peter could see the wheels turning in all three of their heads. MJ’s face was blank but he could see the grin starting to form at the very idea of Peter even attempting to try out. Ned, looked like he could barley contain his laughter at the idea. And Harley- Harley’s face was red as he grinned at Peter, which made every butterfly that he had been trying to beat down come right back up.

Ned spoke first, “I dare you to do it.”

“Fine,” Peter sighed, rolling his eyes, maybe just to break eye contact with Harley, “I won’t make it because I don’t even know how football works, but I’ll do it.”

“Then Harley also has to do something-“

“Nope,” He popped the ‘P’ and rolled off them and onto the floor, “I’m taking a few more shifts at Mel’s and I’m gonna try to get another job at the mall.”

He brushed off his jeans, stretching a bit, unaware of the looks his three friends were sending each other.

Peter knew Harley’s home life wasn’t the best. It wasn’t as bad as it had been in third grade when Peter moved from Queens to the small town of Rosehill in the upstate of New York. Back then, Harley used to come to school with bruises and black eyes and cigarette burns that are still scarred on the back of his freckled arms to this day. But Harley has been his first friend- and even more, he’d been Harley’s. It was through him that Harley had become friends with the rest of their small circle and now going into ninth, they were still friends.

Things got drastically better in the Keener household when Jack Keener left- they had been in sixth grade. Harley hadn’t come to school for a week and they were so nervous but when they saw him again he had a broken arm and a wide grin. He looked like a weight had been lifted off his chest. But…

Harley finished stretching, “Anyway, I’m gonna be late to my shift at Mel’s- I’ll see y’all tomorrow!”

And he walked out. Peter sighed, “Is anyone else worried about him taking too many shifts at the garage?”

“Yeah,” MJ frowned slightly, “Abbie hasn’t said anything but she’s not looking to good these days either.”

“Which is a bad sign- Harley makes sure Abbie is always okay.”

MJ motioned to Ned, as if emphasizing his point, “Exactly.”

“I’m worried about him,” Peter admitted, “I don’t think he gets enough sleep- or eats enough- and I dunno.”

“Normally I’d make fun of you for the obvious crush,” MJ contented to him, making Peter splutter and go red, “But I agree.”

“Speaking of Peters obvious crush,” Ned hesitantly changed the topic, “Since you’re helping me ask out Betty should I try to help set up you and Harley?”

Peter blinked, his face getting warmer by the second, “Harley’s not even into guys!”

MJ looked like she wanted to say something but she must have thought better of it or something because she didn’t do anything but stand up, “Whatever- I’m gonna head out. See you nerds tomorrow- and don’t be late.”

“And then there were two,” Peter muttered as MJ walked out of his room, but he looked at Ned, “Wanna watch Star Wars?”

“Peter,” Ned flopped back, throwing up a thumbs up, “I thought you’d never ask.”




 

Nedward

Okay what should I wear for our first day?

 

The Mechanic

dude since when did u care???

 

Please shut the fuck up

Since Betty posted her schedule on her insta and Ned has six classes out of seven with her.

 

Goblin boy

Never have I ever been more glad that I’m just your internet friend and not someone who’s gonna have to witness that mess

 

Nedward

Why don’t you LOVE me Harry?!

 

Goblin boy

because I only love one boy

Myself.

 

The Mechanic

l i a r

 

There’s a Beee

Can y’all believe that Harry just lied to us like taht?

 

Please shut the fuck up

Smh

 

Nedward

No but seriously what should I wear

 

The Mechanic

if u really wanna impress her wear nothing ;)))))

 

Nedward

NO

 

There’s a Beee

Harley, no!

 

Goblin boy

Harley yes

 

Please shut the fuck up

Harley, yes

 

The Mechanic

;3

 

Nedward

I hate this fucking family

 

There’s a Beee

:(

 

Nedward

I only love one (1) person in this family

 

There’s a Beee

:)

 

Goblin boy

Anyway, while you guys are enjoying school I’ll be in Paris sipping away at some fancy drink and living my best life

 

The Mechanic

arent you in france for school

 

Goblin boy

Stfu

 

The Mechanic

Lmao yeah

also fun fact

peter is joining the football team

 

Goblin boy

Jadbksmdks rip Peters stability

 

There’s a Beee

:(



 

Midtown highschool was a weird place.

For starters, it was the only highschool in Rosehill. That by itself wasn’t so weird but the fact that it had managed to piss off every other Towns high school was weird. For seconds, a highschool of only 400 people, had attracted Tony Stark. Now, he didn’t actually go by Tony Stark and everyone who asked, he would insist that his name was Tony Cornbell, but everyone in Town knew that Tony Cornbell was actually Tony Stark. Why a billionaire boy genius was in a highschool in the middle of nowhere, New York? No one could really say.

What was even more weird is that Tony Stark- again, billionaire boy genius- was the wide receiver of the Midtown techs Avengers, the highschool football team. Which he really didn’t need to be doing- everyone knew Tony Stark had a full ride waiting for him at MIT.

But Peter figured that it wouldn’t be a big deal- he’s probably never interact with the senior. Despite looking up to him for literally every single technology based thing the guy ever did, even Peter knew that the football team kept to their own and even when they weren’t on their own, they were surrounded by everyone else.

Except Tony Stark was currently pacing by the doorway- much to the stares of the one coming freshman.

Harley was hanging off Peter’s shoulders, because they had been bantering about something or another, but he pressed close and whispered, “What’s Tony Stark doing pacing in the doorway?”

“No idea,” Peter was trying not to blush at how close Harley was, and settled for just wrapping an arm around the taller boys waist, “Let’s just roll with it.”

MJ coughed, coming up next to them, “He looks distressed.”

“Yeah,” Ned made his way to the other side of Peter, and Peter did a once over.

“Ned-“

“Dude-“

“Ned,” Harley breathed, silencing his two friends, “You’re the best. Ever. I want you to know this.”

Ned was in an ill fitting white button down, a black fedora, black jeans, and black sneakers. He looked like a mess. He deflated, “Is it that bad?”

“It’s not bad,” Peter shuffled forward with a sympathetic grimanance, “It’s just not…”

“Good. At all,” MJ deadpanned, linking her arm with Harley’s, pulling him away from Peters side. Peter kind of wanted to pout at the lack of warmth but let MJ pull Harley foreword just the same. MJ grinned evilly at him, but said nothing more.

Harley, however, gasped dramatically, “He looks handsome!”

“Which is Harley speak for, ‘everyone else is right and you look horrible but I’m attracted to ugly things’” MJ deadpanned, holding the door open for her friends, “But it's a good thing that Betty and Harley have the same exact taste in people.”

Harley moved so he was walking backwards, facing them, “First of all, me and Betty have- oof!”

“Hey kid,” Tony Stark caught Harleys before he fell, after he just ran into him, with a raised brow, “You should probably watch where you’re going-“

“Oh,” Harley squeaked, “Yep. Sorry.”

MJ raised a brow, patting Harley’s back, “Sorry for Harley- he’s the village idiot.”

“Harley? Keener?”

“Um,” Harley blinked, as Peter and Ned both looked at him like he’d grown a third head because why did Tony Stark know his name, “Yeah?”

“You um,” Tony seemed to think on his words, “You work at Mel’s right?”

He relaxed, “Oh yeah- why?”

“How good are you with cars?”

“Fairly,” Harley made a so-so motion trying to stay nonchalant in front of the teen that he knew had designed cars of his own, “Why?”

Tony shrugged, “The team is trying to get to state, and I need an extra hand fixing up some cars. I can pay you triple what Mel is. You in?”

“Um,” Harley was flabbergasted but didn’t let it show beyond his tell tale red face and fidgeting from foot to foot, “Yes? Hell yes? I’m so in?”

“Oh yeah- speaking of state-“ Ned grinned at Peter and then looked back at Tony, “Our friend Peter here is trying out for football- any advice?”

Tony raised a brow, scanning the shorter boy up and down, “What are you going for?”

“Uh, oh- um,” Peter was panicking so he said the only football thing he knew, “I’m going for quarterback.”

All of his friends were snorting, and Peter felt like strangling each and every one of them, but Tony just smiled, “Good luck then. Tryouts are today after school.”

“Thanks-“

“Anyway,” Tony moved away slightly, “Harley, if you come to try outs with Peter, I’ll give you more details on working with me.”

And Tony Stark- sorry, Cornbell- swaggered away leaving four slightly- majorially- stunned freshman in his wake.

“We should,” MJ broke the silence, “We should probably go to class.”

“Yeah,” Ned nodded, “I hope Betty likes my hat.”

“I bet she will.”

“No, Harley,” Peter shook his head grinning, “I don’t think she will.”

MJ snorted, “Like you would know what she likes- maybe she’s into fedoras.”

“I hate,” Ned was muttering, walking forward, “Everyone in this family.”




 

The Mechanic

ugh eguene is in my first period

 

Goblin boy

Eugene?

 

Please shut the fuck up

A- Harry isn’t it night there

B- gross

C- Eugene = Flash but Harley calls him by his first name because he’s wack

 

Nedward

Gross Flash’s gross

Also!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Betty likes my hat and sat next to me before her friends asked her to move and she apologized and said she wanted to sit with me but she couldn’t I’m!!!!!!

 

There’s a Beee

That’s great!

Well it sucks she moved

But still great!!

Also- Is Flash hitting on you again Harley?

 

The Mechanic

yall know it

 

Goblin boy

Gross but also,,,,,

@MJ shut up you whore

 

Please shut the fuck up

Bitch

 

There’s a Beee

S t o p

 

Nedward

Guys class is about to start

 

The Mechanic

So?

 

Goblin boy

Pay attention in class

 

The Mechanic

Nah

 

There’s a Beee

:(

 

The Mechanic

okay

 

There’s a Beee

:)

 

Please shut the fuck up

Whipped

 

The Mechanic

die



 

Listen, Peter didn’t know how to play football. He did know that you had to like- run and throw the ball and stuff. And not get tackled. He had a feeling that was important.

The actual rules of the game eluded him, and he wasn’t sure exactly what he was trying out for but he knew he was in fact trying out for something. Someone else- he thinks it was Clint Barton- helped him get into shoulder pads, and get the football gear into place. But now that he was out on the field he only had one thought in mind: he couldn’t embarrass himself right now.

Not only because the entire football team seemed to take a particular interest in him, but because Harley  was watching. Which shouldn’t send shivers down his spine- but listen, how was he supposed to concentrate knowing that was routing for him? Even more how was he supposed to concentrate when Flash Thompson  was talking about how he was gonna get Varsity and kept looking over to Harley- who to his credit looked annoyed at Flash’s blatant attempts at flirting.

Which it wasn’t like Flash even had a chance. It’s just that… something about it made Peters blood boil, and his face hot, and an uncomfortable angry feeling settle in his gut. His aunt liked to say he always was a green eyed monster, but he didn’t think it was jealousy. Jealousy wasn’t as deep as the hatred that he felt when Flash Thompson flirted with his crush.

Tony came to rest next to him, eyes narrowing when he saw Flash flexing at Harley’s direction, “Is he always like that?”

“Who Flash?” Peter muttered darkly, feeling insecure in his football pads, “Yeah, pretty much.”

“That’s-“

“Annoying? Aggravating? Enraging? Mind boggling awful? The worst? Not even worth getting mad about but somehow the most infuriating thing?”

Tony's observing eyes turned to him, “You like Harley don’t you?”

“What?” Peter spluttered, face reddening in a different way from the angry red it had been, “What would make you think- why would you-“

“You’re a bit obvious.”

“Oh no,” Peter deflated, “I’ve been told I’m very obvious.”

“Well,” Tony shrugged, looping an arm around the smaller boy, “I think you're doing miles better than this Flash guy. If I were you I’d do everything in my power to keep him away from Harley.”

“Well-“

Tony snapped his fingers as if realizing, “You know what you need?”

“What?”

“To impress him,” Tony caught a ball that one of his team mates- maybe James Barnes- threw in their direction, and shoved it in Peters hands, “Just throw this ball to Steve.”

Peter nodded.

Internally, of course, Peter was panicking. He had never even held a football, let alone threw one. But he kinda now had something to prove.

Luckily he actually did know who Steve was- and Steve was… Steve Rogers, Captain of the Football team, was standing on the complete other side of the field. Peter felt his stomach drop, knowing he would probably fail. He gripped the ball, shuffling back and closing his eyes.

He threw blind.

Harley made a happy noise from the sidelines, and Peter glanced at him, but Harley was starting back at him, giving him a thumbs up. Tony clasped his shoulder, whistling, “Dude if all your throws were that perfect you’ll fly by these tryouts.”

On the other side of the field, Steve Rogers stood, holding a ball. He got ready to throw back.

Peter caught it with an ease he didn’t know he had. He blinked once. Then twice. And threw the ball back in another perfect spiral.

Huh.

The coach blew the whistle, and all those trying out huddled back up. Huh.





 

The Mechanic

Everything I know has been a lie

Peter Parker is a football god.

 

There’s a Beee

Sksksksksks I’m not!

 

Please shut the fuck up

Ooop Harley is using proper capitalization

You must have really impressed him

 

The Mechanic

MJ I’ll kill you

 

Nedward

Wait so he did good??

 

The Mechanic

He was better than Steve fucking Rogers!

 

There’s a Beee

Harley!!! Stop!!! Exadurating!!

 

The Mechanic

It was insane.

I’m betting BIG MONEY that he makes it.

 

Goblin boy

When do you guys find out??

 

There’s a Beee

Friday- I doubt I made it

 

The Mechanic

Bet.




 

Friday morning came in no short time, and Peter felt… actually nervous. These tryouts were just a dare, he had no real stake. Yet…

It was all Harley had been talking about, Peter making the team. He was so excited. He was living for it. Peter hadn’t even known that Harley liked football so much- but he was totally enamored with it. He didn’t even talk about how Tony Stark had asked him to help fix cars starting that weekend- he only talked about how cool and amazing it was that Peter was going to make the team. And he really didn’t wanna disappoint Harley.

At the same time- he had no idea how football worked.

He genuinely didn’t know any of the rules- he didn’t know how to toss or punt or kick or all the things that people said he was so good at. He didn’t feel like he was good at them.

But as he went to the bulletin board Friday morning to check to see if he made it, he found that he had in fact made it.

He, Peter Parker, a freshman who knew absolutely nothing about football or how to play it, got Varsity Quarterback.

He blinked, “What the fu-“