Forever

chapter thirteen

"That's just it," he cried, throwing his arms up. "You're too controlling. And... and I don't deserve to be treated like that. I want to feel loved, Nico, not scared and that's how you make me feel."

"Maybe I get mad sometimes, but you have to try to help me. I love you, though. You can't just throw that away. I love you, Peter, come on."

And though he tried, he couldn't help the stray tears that fell. "No, you don't. You don't love me." Peter watched as his face morphed into one of anger and before he knew it, Nico had shoved him. "This" Peter continued, motioning between the two of them, "isn't love. Don't you get it?"

Nico tried to hit him, but Peter blocked it, catching his fist. To hell with hiding his strength, this was worth it. He struggled against Peter's hold, trying to pry his fist away.

"This is what I'm talking about. I don't want this anymore. I don't want to be with you anymore, Nico."

"I love you, Peter." he practically growled, stilling in Peter's grasp. "Where else do you think you'll find that? You're really gonna leave the only person who loves you behind?"

"That's not true."

Nico swung and hit him in the face before Peter could focus again. It was a blur of hits and struggling and trying to defend himself without hurting Nico. When he slammed the door shut having finally left, he heard a glass shatter on the door.

He rushed out and got in Harley's car, glassy eyes with red spots dotted across his face and arms. Peter didn't look at him, but could practically feel anger radiating off of him. Everything was a blur. Before he knew it, Harley was out of the car, door hanging open, running up to his house. Peter watched his shirt ripple in the wind behind him as he ran.

Peter grabbed his door, closed it, and quickly followed. The door to Nico's house was left open too, and when Peter ran in, Harley was on top of Nico, fists bloody.

"Harley! Harley, stop! Come on." Peter finally pulled Harley off of Nico, trying to avoid looking at his bloody, bruised face. Harley was breathing hard and disheveled but went with him.

When they got in the car it was quiet. The drive home was much longer. Neither said anything until they were back at the tower and Harley parked his car. Before Peter could get out, Harley stopped him.

"Peter, wait." When Peter sat back down, closing the door, he continued. "Sorry, I ran in there. I hope you're not mad at me about that, I just lost my temper a bit."

"No, it's okay," he said truthfully.

"So I take it he didn't handle the news well?" Peter just looked over at him, as though it wasn't already clear. "Sorry," Harley continued. "How're you feeling? Are you okay? You're not hurt bad, are you?"

He sighed. "No, I'm not hurt. And... I don't know. I probably should be glad that I don't have to see him anymore, but I'm just upset. I don't know, I don't want to talk about it right now."

"That's okay, Darlin'. For the record, it is a good thing you broke up with him." Harley softly smiled at him for a moment, before sighing and opening the door. "So, wanna go play Mario Kart?"

For the rest of the day, he hung out with Peter. Even when Peter didn't want to leave his room once they finally got there, he stayed. He brought dinner to Peter's room and brought the plates out afterward. He stayed and they talked until Peter had fallen asleep lying next to him.