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Chapter Text

Wade's hand fumbled for Peter's head, checking that he was okay. His sword stuck out of the corpse of the man who had attacked them. Peter was normally so good at dodging the bad guys! He had his spidey-sense! Yet tonight, for some reason, that had failed. He'd taken the baseball bat hard. Wade swore that he'd heard a crack as the omega fell to the ground.

"Baby boy? Webs? Can you hear me?" The merc called as he cradled him. He shot a look over his shoulder, staying on high alert just in case that guy had brought friends. A part of Wade hoped he had. He wanted revenge still- but that man's spirit had already left his body. There was no point slicing and dicing him now.

Spidey didn't respond. His chest rose and fell but other than that... nothing.

And that was when Wade felt a warm wetness soaking into his gloves. His friend was bleeding.

Fuck.

He had two options. Take him home. Or take him to a hospital. But then there was the problem of carrying him in there in his fucking Spidey suit! The merc reached out to cradle the other in his arms and he stood, deciding the first would be the best option to at least get him changed into civilian clothes!

-

The mask had to come off.

Wade hovered over Spider-Man, knowing that this was the moment that he'd get to see his face. It wasn't ideal though! It was a total breach of trust! In his fantasies he'd imagined the omega pulling his own mask up to show him himself. He'd also imagined a whole load of other things happening in that moment too- but Deadpool really should keep his thoughts clean right now!

Wade tugged at the material, pulling it higher, ruffling the young man’s thick brown hair as he tugged it off. Then his eyes locked onto a bruise on his neck. The skin was rough but faded. It was red around the edges, almost like a scold on the skin- but in two large indented crescent shapes. Wade inhaled sharply.

It wasn’t a bruise. It was a mating bite.

The mercenary's hands shook as he tried to peel the rest of the suit off, leaving him in nothing but his underwear. His heart raced. Everything just felt too much. This was why Spidey was always so distant with him.

"Sorry, baby boy... but I gotta get you changed..." He whispered. The hoody and sweatpants that he'd laid out next to them would have to do. They'd probably only change him into one of those shitty gowns when he got to the hospital anyway.

-

Wade didn't know his friend's name. He didn't know anything about him- so that's what he told the receptionist and doctors when he carried him into the emergency room. He'd laid Spidey on a stretcher and had resigned himself to erratically pacing around the waiting room for the next few hours. The clock on the wall ticked by slowly. Wade felt enraged that he couldn't go to see him. He wasn't his alpha. Yet he still clung to the hope that one of the nurses would tell him that the stranger he'd saved was okay.

He shot a look at the other people in the waiting room. Yeah, he knew he looked grotesque. Most of the time he didn't care if he was being stared at, but tonight his anxiety was at an all-time high. He couldn't cause a scene though. They'd kick him out!

Another forty minutes passed before a man in a suit came in. He walked briskly across to the reception desk and asked about a Peter Parker. An omega that had been brought in.

He was told that his mate had taken a blow to the head and had a serious concussion. He wasn't awake yet.

Wade stared at the stranger. He was tall with swept-back dark hair. He was handsome- but young. He looked incredibly rich too, something that Wade had never assumed Spider-Man was. His friend had once told him that he grew up in Queens. This guy reeked of upper Manhattan wealth and had the sleazy trust fund look to go along with it.

The mercenary knew that he had to act along here. He moved closer to the desk to engage the newcomer. If he was his baby boy's mate then he couldn't be a bad person. He gave the alpha an awkward smile, hoping that he wouldn't sneer at him because of how ugly he looked. He had to give this man the benefit of the doubt.

"Are you asking about the guy I brought in with the bleeding head? I found him in an alley. He had nothing on him so I assume he'd been mugged."

The alpha slowly turned to address him. He tugged at his suit and puffed his chest out confidently.

"You found him? Great work. I've been looking for him for days." The man plucked his wallet out of his pocket and handed Wade a few hundred dollar notes, as though he was rewarding him for finding a lost pet.

Wade felt his stomach drop as he stared down at the money. His gut was telling him that something was wrong and he wanted to express concern. The alpha was smiling, as though Peter Parker's return was much more important than his health. Before he could debate giving the money back, a hand was offered to him.

"Harry Osborne."

The mercenary quickly pocketed the cash and reached to accept the handshake.

"Wade Wilson."

Okay... Maybe he shouldn't have given his real name. Anonymous 101. But this guy would probably forget about him after tonight anyway! Regardless, he was going to push his luck.

"Would you mind if I stayed? I'm going to worry about him if I go home. I feel like I need to know the outcome here."

Harry surveyed him carefully. Wade leaned against the reception desk as though it was a bar, trying to make his frame appear smaller. Weaker. Body language was everything to alphas and he wanted the other man to feel dominant.

"I don't see why not."

Wade smiled and nodded. Perfect. He wouldn't stick around long. He just wanted to see if his spider would pull through.


-

"I don't know how to tell you this, Mr. Osborne... but he lost the baby, possibly a few days ago."

Wade felt his stomach drop. His scarred face paled. It was as though someone had pulled the rug from underneath his feet. He was falling. How had he not known? Peter wasn't showing but surely he would have smelt something? Did his suit have blockers? He’d been with him the last couple of nights and yes he’d seemed distracted- but he’d never imagined it could be over something like this.

Harry swore. Blood rushed to his face and his fists clenched as he steadied himself. Wade didn't like how his features darkened as he cast a glance at his unconscious mate.

"Well he can try again."

The nurse stayed silent. A strong tension held in the air between all of them. Wade wanted to scream at him. He knew Spidey- but he still had to act like a civilian. He reluctantly swallowed his own anger at the alpha down. It was the nurse that broke the silence.

"I know it's not my place... but according to his records, this will be the fifth one this year. I think... I'm not an obstetrician but maybe-“

"No, you're right. You're not an obstetrician." Harry cut the woman off sharply. He knew what she was about to suggest. Peter was stressed. He needed to be in a more comfortable environment. Well, if he wasn't roaming the streets at night doing god knows what maybe he would be.

Wade grabbed the nesting pack that had been left out for them, instinctively wanting to wrap his baby boy up. This Harry Osborne should have done it the second he got in here. He should be kissing Peter’s bruised head. Stroking his face. Whispering soft, sweet words to him in the hope that he could hear him. Wade began to unload the extra bed covers, not caring if doing this would get the other alpha's back up or not. He just felt so protective of his friend right now.

"It's not my place either." The mercenary started, focusing only on Peter as he padded the covers around him. "But my mate couldn't carry for a while either. We had to stop trying for a few months."

And Wade swore that Vanessa would have carried to term, had she not been killed. The pregnancy had been going so well that last time. The sadness of losing both of them had left a hole in his heart that, if he was honest, had never really healed.

Harry's eyes narrowed. "I think it's time you left too." The abrupt tone could cut like a knife. His demeanor had completely changed from the pleasant man that Wade had met in the reception. That had clearly been faked.

Wade stood and gritted his teeth. He was going to slice this man up the second Spidey gave him the okay to do it. He didn't like him. He had a terrible feeling that Peter probably didn't either. They were too different. How had he even met this guy? There was no way in this universe that the omega would have chosen him… was there?

Wade pulled out the hundred-dollar bills that he’d been given and laid them on the bedside table.

"You know what? You can keep the fucking money."

He cast one last glance at the omega before forcing himself to walk out of the room. Peter was going to be hospitalized for a few days probably. They’d stabilized him but it was still a nasty injury.  

In the meantime, Wade was absolutely going to follow this bastard home.

Chapter Text

The drive home was a long one. Peter pressed his head against the cool window of the car, wishing that it would stop pounding. The medication that he'd been given only did so much and he knew that his mate would unleash his rant as soon as they were out of earshot of the driver.

Or maybe he wouldn't.

It was hard to tell with Harry these days. He was so hot and cold. One minute he could be the most caring, loving alpha in the world- but the next he could be cold, distant and even a little cruel with his words. Peter knew that he wasn't the perfect omega. He didn't want to dress up fancy like many of them did in high society. Nor did he want to be treated like a prissy little pet like how Norman expected him to be.

He could remember the man's words a few days after Harry had claimed him. The Oscorp CEO had noticed the mark on his neck and how close his son was stood next to him and had made a comment about how he was going to have trouble domesticating a stray to their kind of life.

And by that, he meant an omega boy of working class.

Peter was snapped back to reality when the car stopped. He reached to unfasten his seatbelt.

"Okay. Get out of the car.” His mate ordered.

Peter looked up at their apartment building and groggily moved to open his side of the car. Before he could get out, Harry had stalked his way around the vehicle to help him. The hand that clamped down on his arm wasn't out of kindness- it was a reminder that he was to do exactly as he was told until they were behind closed doors.

They walked quietly through the entrance and even in the lift up to the penthouse the alpha held the silence.

Harry hadn't always been this way. When they'd been boys Peter had adored how cheeky he'd been. He probably even channeled his mate's quick witty comebacks when he was Spider-Man. They'd been fairly carefree then. Loved-up and happy. But then came the pressures of perfection. Harry was heir to Oscorp. He had a camera in his face at every important event. That meant that Peter also had to be the sweet, docile little omega with good manners. He could just about handle that.

But what he couldn't handle was being treated like a baby machine.



-



"You reek of him."

Harry threw a bag of clothing down at his feet as soon as they entered the apartment. He'd kept it by the door purposefully, wanting this to be the first thing they spoke about. It had been gnawing at him for days.

Peter stared down in confusion. He had no recollection of seeing the clothes before. He reached down to pick the pieces up and noticed how large they were. He brought them to his face to inhale. Wade. The mercenary must have dressed him before taking him to the hospital. His stomach dropped, knowing what this looked like.

"I- I know what you're thinking okay... but I'm not seeing anyone like that."

Harry wrinkled his nose and turned away. He ran a hand through his already swept-back hair. Peter was lying. You didn't just wake up in hospital in another alpha's clothing! He whipped back around, hating how he just couldn't stop himself from exploding.

"I got you that photography job at The Bugle and you spat in my face. Who else are you fucking? Someone at Oscorp too? Is that why you keep miscarrying? Have you got that much alpha seed swimming around in there that even your own body is rejecting it!?"

Peter felt like he'd been slapped. Harry's words hit him harder than any physical blow ever could and his eyes began to water. He crossed his arms, holding Wade's clothes close to his chest, needing something to comfort him.

"So who is he? Because I've got a pretty good fucking theory. Come on. Pray tell!"

Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. He wouldn't lash out- at least not physically. He wasn't his father. He was hurting and that was okay. He just had to keep it under control. He loved Peter. He loved him so much that he was considering keeping him under lock and key from now on.

And he could do that. Norman had even given him the damn paperwork from their lawyers. Legalities came easy to the Osborns. Twisting them a little did too. Harry brought a hand up to rub at his face and he looked at the other man who was now standing there in silent tears.

He couldn't do that to Peter though. His heart ached for him. He deflated, suddenly feeling terrible for making him cry.

The alpha took a step forward. Then another. He crossed the room until he was stood in front of him and reached up to stroke his cheek, being gentle so that he didn't hurt his aching head.

"I don't know where you go when you run away, Pete... and if I'm honest I don't know why you run away at all."

Was it the miscarriages? Was it the endless streams of lovers that Harry was convinced his omega had? Was it because he had tired of him? Or had he tired of this life? What was it?

"Talk to me. Please."

Peter looked down, keeping his gaze fixed firmly on Harry's chest. He had to lie- but he didn't want to stretch it too much. He bit his lip and shrugged. A mating bite was a mating bite. It wasn't like he could reverse time and get out of this situation. He just had to find ways to make Harry happy.

"That man I was with... I wasn't doing anything like that with him. He's my middle man. I know him through taking photos of Spider-Man. He comes to tell me the locations."

Peter swallowed, knowing he needed to continue.

"And when we got there, it was supposed to be a simple shoot. But there were a bunch of thugs nearby. They hit me on the head before Spidey could stop them and that's the last thing I can remember."

That didn't explain the change of clothing. If anything it just confirmed the alpha's suspicions. Harry shrugged and shook his head in disbelief, trying to keep his cool.

"It's not like you even need these jobs for the money. And all this photography with Spider-Man? It's a silly little hobby that turned into infidelity. I get it."

It was the reason Peter went out at night, wasn't it? It was the reason he sometimes came home smelling of the same alpha. It was the reason he was hurt and the reason he ended up in the emergency room in another man's clothes. Harry pointed to the baggy tracksuit on the ground.

"Those are his."

"Who's?" Peter frowned.

"Spider-Man's. You're fucking Spider-Man. The guy that brought you in was probably him."

"I'm not fucking anyone, Harry. Spidey's an omega."

Harry scoffed. He was so done with arguing and losing sleep over this. He needed some kind of result. He needed his omega in line or he would go crazy. He turned to walk into the large living room. The glass window was as tall as the ceiling and it covered an entire wall. He stared out at the city, imagining crushing the web-crawler himself. He could feel Peter hovering behind him, clearly not feeling comfortable in his own home.

"Sit down. The doctors were insistent on you still getting some rest for at least a week."

Peter moved to sit in the chair that was the furthest away from his mate and pulled his legs up. He still hadn't let go of Wade's clothes, cradling them to him like a child that he'd just saved from a house fire. He could feel that Harry was gearing up for something big and stayed quiet.

"We have three options. One is that you stop going out at night doing whatever you do." Harry turned his attention back to his mate and tried his hardest to keep a neutral expression, despite how upset he was feeling.

"The second is that I fill in the paperwork for what is known as a mated house arrest." He moved over to his desk and slid a sheet of paper loudly as he picked it up. He walked back to Peter and handed it to him. He'd summarise:

"If your mate is pregnant and you are either royalty or the sole heir to say, a multi-million dollar business you are by law allowed to take reasonable measures to make sure they are well enough to carry to term."

He watched Peter turn pale as he read it himself. Harry wondered what had hit harder. The fact that 'the omega' was referred to as property or that Norman Osborn had already given a witness of support signature, almost egging his son on to pick up his own pen.

"I don't want this." Peter looked up at his mate with teary eyes. His hands had started to shake. Harry took the paper away and folded it up. He sighed.

"Neither do I, but we're not left with many options here."

The third was something that Harry really didn't want to do and he grimaced at the thought. It wasn't unheard of in high society and despite the media making him out to be somewhat of a playboy in his teens, he was quite the opposite. He was monogamous.

"The last is that I open my doors to the idea of forming a pack... my father can pick me another mate of his choosing- and then you can do whatever the fuck you please because the future of the Osborn legacy won't count on you anymore."

Peter would initially be free but he'd have to learn to share. Then again, that's all Harry had been doing recently. Sharing with another ugly man. No wonder the fucker wore that suit.

Harry moved to sit in the chair opposite the other and pulled out his phone. He felt overwhelmed but not as shell-shocked as Peter looked. His whole world was starting to crumble. He’d always imagined it would be the two of them, happy, until the end.

"You can sleep on it. But I really hope you pick option one."

Harry loved his mate. Really, he did.

He'd loved him throughout high school. He'd loved him so much that when Peter had talked about going away to college, he'd claimed him that very night. The omega had never been popular and that's how Harry had liked it- because it meant that he'd only been his.

And if he ever came face to face with this other alpha again, he was going to castrate him for touching what rightfully belong to him.

Chapter Text

Peter felt the mattress sink down next to him and he kept his eyes closed, pretending to be asleep. Harry's arm snaked its way around his waist and pulled him closer. The omega both loved and hated being held. It was his instinct to snuggle into his mate, but when he turned over, he could smell the whisky on Harry's breath. He'd been drinking- a habit that had started just over a year ago.

Peter felt a little kiss be pressed to his forehead and in the darkened room he gave Harry a sad little smile. They'd squabbled before- but not like this. It was nice to know that he still wanted to hold him though. Peter had assumed the other would spend the night in the spare bedroom. His hand came up to brush some of his alpha's dark curls back.

"I'm sorry, Pete." He heard Harry whisper.

The omega had fallen to sleep with the curtains open and the city's lights illuminated his mate's face. Harry's eyes looked red. He'd been crying. Seeing him like this was like a punch to the gut. Things between them weren't okay but he had to make the right decision here.

"Option one," Peter whispered.

Peter would never allow himself to be placed under house arrest and he didn't want Harry taking another mate either. Not if he could help it.

So he'd just have to rein his nighttime adventures in a little. Go out less- but be a bit sneakier if he was really needed. It was all about prioritizing. New York had survived crime before Spider-Man... It could go a little longer without him if he took a hiatus.

Peter felt Harry's shoulders relax as though a weight had been lifted from them. The man gave a long, relieved sigh. He leaned forward to press their foreheads together.

The omega swallowed, trying to clear the lump in his throat. Both of his hands found Harry's cheeks. He had to also address the elephant in the room.

"Or option three. Things haven't been good for a while. And we have to realize that maybe I just don't work."

It wasn't that Peter hadn't wanted a baby. It was just that the pain of losing them was starting to get too much to process. The first time he'd gotten pregnant, he and Harry had been so incredibly happy. And then he'd fallen down three stories as Spider-Man, his stomach smashing hard into the ledge of a building.

The rest he'd lost for no reason whatsoever. So, maybe it was his fault. Maybe he'd damaged his womb in a way that couldn't be repaired.

"If you take another mate, you won't regret claiming me."

Peter felt Harry's jaw clench under his hands. He could feel him holding his breath. Their brown eyes locked and the omega felt a chill go down his spine.

"I'll never regret you, Pete. Never. Don't ever think that.”

The alpha's hand rested against his neck and his thumb brushed over the roughness of the bond mark. Then wet lips were leaning in to kiss and nip at it. Peter knew what he meant by this. Harry was silently reminding him that he was his.

He didn't stop the other when he felt his form shifting on top of him. Sometimes it was easier to just go along with what his alpha wanted. Peter didn't exactly oppose it, but tonight with a rather painful head, he had hoped that he'd get a break.

"-Harry!" He inhaled quickly as he felt the man enter him. He reached up to grip his hair. Whisky kisses peppered over his mouth and jaw. He felt like he was drowning in confusion as his mate began to move. Peter's legs came up to wrap around his waist and he let his alpha's strong hands pin him to the mattress. He hissed at the stretch.

So much for resting for a week.

Despite his biology and the alpha's pheromones, Peter could feel himself getting sore. He wasn't nearly aroused enough for sex tonight. He closed his eyes, gritted his teeth and prayed for it to be over quickly.


-


As soon as Peter heard Harry breathing peacefully in the midst of sleep, he slid out from under the sheets and quietly made his way into the bathroom. He grabbed a robe to pull around himself and stared at his reflection in the mirror. He looked so tired and broken. His backside burned and his limbs hurt. There was no way he was conceiving again any time soon when his body was rejecting his mate. But he had to try... didn’t he? He had no choice.

He needed some air. The omega walked through to the study and opened the doors to the balcony. He moved to stand outside, overlooking the city. How could he give up being Spider-Man?

And what if he did and he couldn't have a baby anyway? Then he'd let everyone down. His new family. His city. Himself. Peter felt like everything weighed on this decision- like it reflected his worth.

"Y'know... normally when someone tells me to stop, I stop."

Peter jumped and spun around to search for the familiar voice. Once again his senses hadn't alerted him to a potential threat. What was going on with him? First, the thug had caught him off guard in the alley and now a night-time visitor had managed to hide from him in the shadows of his own roof.

Deadpool.

Peter suddenly felt sick seeing the mercenary stood here. It wasn't that he didn't trust him. It just meant that his home life was no longer private.

Wade knew he was mated now- and that meant he'd treat him differently. A part of Peter had loved the attention the man had given him, despite feeling guilty about it afterward. He made him feel wanted.

"What...?" He frowned.

"I said 'normally when someone tells me to stop, I stop-' I'm just criticizing Mr. Osborn for his very bad bedtime manners."

Wade reached out to pass the other a bag. Peter peaked inside and a rush of relief flooded through him at the sight of his red and blue suit. He'd been panicking since waking up in the hospital, wondering what had happened to it.

"I was dry. We had to grab the lube." The omega deflected with a lie. "And why were you listening in on us!?"

Had a window been open? Had Wade been inside the apartment? Maybe Harry's state-of-the-art top-notch security that he liked to brag about wasn't any good at all.

"He raped you."

Peter flinched at the accusation and pulled a face. Yes, Harry had been a bit rough. Yes, his alpha had ignored him and had continued to fuck him, even after Peter had told him he was in discomfort. But that was because he'd been so close to finishing. Wouldn't any other alpha do the same?

"Wade, stop."

"He's a bad person, Webs. I only had to be around the guy for ten minutes to figure that out."

Peter huffed. No one liked Harry- not once they dug under his charming façade. How could he even begin to explain that their relationship was complicated? That Wade shouldn’t be prying?

"Well he's my alpha. I'm supposed to want him like this."

"But you don't."

Peter had no witty comeback for that. He held the bag tighter.

Wade frowned underneath his mask. His fingers twitched, wanting to reach out for the omega. He wanted to take him far away from here. He wanted to show him that there was so much more to life than this fucking asshole alpha who treated him like shit and only wanted him for one thing.

"You've never been in any other relationship, have you?" He dared to ask.

Peter stayed silent and cast a glance back through the doorway and into the study, hoping that Harry was still in a deep sleep. After he'd spent a night on the spirits he usually didn't rise until late morning. He could still taste the bourbon in his mouth.

"You deserve so much more than this, baby boy." Wade crossed the space between them and reached up to stroke a gloved finger across his cheek.

Peter was so pretty, yet looked so worn down. The omega's big doe eyes were searching for his under his mask. Wade wondered how long he'd been mated. If only he could have claimed him first. A waft of his own pheromones slipped from under his suit at the protective, but possessive thought.

Did it even matter to Wade that he was mated when the other alpha was Harry Osborn, rapist supreme?

Peter's breath caught in his throat as the scent hit him and he turned away quickly. He couldn't do this. Not tonight. He had no scent blockers so right now he was an open book. And apparently, Wade didn't care enough to control himself either.

Maybe Harry's accusations had hit him so hard because there was some truth to them. He wasn't sleeping with the other alpha but he was definitely getting flutters in his chest when he was around him. Normally Wade was a breath of fresh air. He was playful and flirty. He teased and complimented him. Peter practically melted when he called him baby boy and it took everything he had not to show it.

Harry hadn't made him purr in a long time- but Wade? Wade only had to put his hands on his waist while they were out together and he was tensing his throat to stop himself from vibrating in happiness.

The last thing the omega wanted to do was encourage the mercenary. Yes, he was excited by being around Wade but he knew it was a dangerous road to go down. But maybe that was why he couldn't stay away from him either.

"Wade, if you're saying what I think you're saying, you need to stop right now."

"Y'know… I never made a move on you because I thought I wasn't good enough for you." The mercenary confessed, staring at his friend's back. "So it doesn't matter to me that you're mated... not when I know I'd take care of you a million times better than he ever could."

Peter inhaled deeply and cast a glance over his shoulder. He'd never heard Wade so serious and his aura was almost scary.

"There's no way to break a bond."

"And again- I don't care."

"He has legal power over me."

"Well I bet your sexy tight ass that my blade is sharper than his pen if he ever dares to sign something like that."

Peter burst into laughter. Trust Wade to say something like that in a tense debate. He grinned down at the floor and thought about how nice it would be to feel like this all the time. Light. Full of joy. The omega felt like he could melt into the other man’s arms. He turned to him again, wanting nothing but that.

"You don't even need to choose me, Petie Pie. You can crash at my place rent-free. No expectations. No nothing. Just get your life back on track.”

Petie Pie. That was new. Peter found that the smile on his face was unable to drop as he fought against it and a red flush came to his cheeks. He shook his head, trying to banish the bashfulness that he was feeling. Why were Wade’s words so much harder to ignore when he wasn’t wearing his suit? He couldn’t just play off how much the alpha affected him.  

“You know where to find me if you need me. And just say the word and I’ll happily make sure he never bothers you again.” Wade reached up to tap the scabbard of his sword for emphasis. He’d take great pleasure in dismembering the other alpha.  

“I’ll… think about it.”

Little did Harry know, he had a fourth option now.

Chapter Text

Peter wasn't sure how he'd ended up being backed into the corner of a room by thirty thugs with nowhere to go, but he zipped himself to the ceiling, trying to stay out of their reach. What had supposed to have been a short visit to see Aunt May had quickly become a nightmare.

On his way over he'd heard the news of a fire. Smoke was coming from a tall warehouse-like building. He'd ducked into an alley, thrown on his suit and had rushed into the factory to save as many people as he could. As soon as he'd stepped over the threshold though, something had just felt off. It was empty. There were no flames. Then the metal door had slammed behind him and locked.

Peter slung a few webs at the men with guns, quickly disarming them and then swung to the other side of the container room. He was sweating in his suit from the race to get here and he desperately wanted to pull his mask off but knew better.

What the fuck was going on!?

This wasn't a coincidence. It was an operation. They were trying to either catch him or kill him. But... how had they known that Spider-Man would have even been in this neighbourhood!? They would have even had to create fake smoke on the roof to lure him in!

Peter whipped his head around, searching for an exit. Windows. Vents. Anything. A smoke bomb was thrown in his direction and he choked on the gas before sprinting over the shipment containers one by one to put some distance between himself and the toxin.

Had he even refilled his web-shooters recently? Harry had been watching him like a hawk. Preparing Spider-Man's gear had been a bit more of an effort compared to normal. He flicked them, praying they wouldn't jam on him.

His eyes locked onto a panel in the ceiling. It was loose. He could get out there. He raised his arms, getting ready to web and jerk it down to make his escape.

A round explosive was thrown at his feet and he was blasted to the ground. The empty shell dropped and rolled in front of him and his head rang as he pulled himself to his feet, still hunched over. The omega coughed and wheezed as he tried to stop his head from spinning.

"Spider-Man."

Peter heard the voice and froze, his legs locked in their squatting position. He looked up, hardly believing what his brain was telling him. This couldn’t be happening.

"It's quite predictable that the day my mate goes to see his Aunt, you're also in the neighbourhood too."

The omega felt a rush of fear flood through him to his very core because of the man who was standing in front of him.

Harry.

This was an ambush. For Spider-Man. Thank god he'd left his mask on. His scent blockers would do their trick. Harry wouldn't be able to tell it was him. He kept his eyes locked on the man as he approached, hating how his ears were ringing and he took a few shaky steps back.

"If you don't leave my mate alone, you'll be finding that there's one more supervillain in this city."

Harry played with another small sphere, delicately turning it and running his finger over the button as he advanced. Something so simple shouldn't scare Peter- but it did. He'd never imagined Harry could be dangerous. He wasn't violent. He wasn't a murderer.

"I've already got a nice glider and a few toys to play with."

Peter snatched up the strange bomb at his feet and flicked his web-shooter at the panel he'd previously noticed, pulling it down. He wanted to shout something back at the other man, but didn't. Harry might recognise his voice. It was better to not linger. Get out as soon as possible. The last thing that he wanted was for the smoke to knock him out.

With a tug of his web, he disappeared through the ceiling and was left to reflect on what the hell had just happened as he crawled his way to the rooftop.

Was Harry really prepared to fight Spider-Man for him?


-


"I'm going to tell him I'm Spider-Man."

"What!? But why!? That's just one more thing he'll be able to hold over you!"

Wade was flabbergasted. He even abandoned making the hot chocolates in the kitchen to walk back over to the omega. Peter was sat on the couch, hugging his legs. He looked so scared.

When Wade had gotten the text asking if he could clean up at his place, he hadn't hesitated on messaging his friend the address. He’d thrown his red and black mask on and had waited anxiously. Peter had turned up with his suit stinking of a strange putrid smoke. It was stained down the side, where the low impact explosion had knocked him to the ground.

"I can't have my own mate hunting Spider-Man down- and what the fuck does he mean he has a glider?"

Better yet, where did he get the bombs from!? Peter rolled the one that he'd snatched in his hands. It was gold with a single button on top to disperse the green toxin. It had a familiar broken circle logo engraved on the side.

Oscorp was clearly working on something that he'd been kept in the dark about. And Harry was heavily involved- or at least using the technology for his own gain. It seemed they both had secrets.

Peter rubbed at his head. He never swore. Cussing was something that his Aunt had taught him never to do, yet right now he felt angry and erratic enough to let loose every bad word that he knew. He dropped the empty bomb on the soft cushion next to him and heaved a sigh.

Then he tore his mask off.

What did it matter? Wade had already seen his face twice now. He smiled at the alpha, noticing how he'd recoiled slightly. He probably assumed that Peter wanted to at least try to remain anonymous. But what was the point?

"It's fine. My identity is out to you already. My names Peter Parker by the way." The omega gave an awkward little wave, as though they were introducing each other for the first time. "But you've probably already figured that out." He’d be an Osborn too in a few months, if the wedding was still on.

He really should have mentioned that he was Spider-Man by now.

The mercenary shrugged. Then he crossed his arms, hoping that his body language didn’t look too guilty. He’d absolutely done a google search.

"Yeah. I kinda followed him home while you were in the hospital. He was giving off evil fucker vibes…”

Wade studied Peter. It was the first time he'd seen him so clearly. Before he'd been asleep and severely hurt. And then last week on the balcony he'd been covered by layers of darkness with only the city colours lighting up his face. Wade noticed that he had a pale complexion with mousey brown hair. He had pretty hazel doe eyes with thick lashes. Peter was beautiful and it was easy to see why a man like Harry Osborn would want him.

Harry probably showed his mate off at his high society parties. He probably dressed him in those pretty omega robes. Peter probably hung off of his arm and looked like a doll in those floaty garments. He probably sat on his lap. He probably purred-

Nope. Nope. He wasn’t going to think about that right now! Bad!

He desired Peter too. Who could blame him?

"How did you meet him?" The alpha dared to ask, desperately trying to change the track of his thoughts. 

"Oh." Peter brightened slightly, not having expected that question. Not all of his memories with Harry were bad. "We went to high school together. We dated for a couple of years and then he claimed me in senior year."

"That's... young."

Peter shrugged. They'd loved each other. It hadn't been during a heat so it wasn't exactly irrational or a mistake. But Aunt May had expressed her concern. She said that on Harry's part it had been calculated.

Wade stood and moved back to his kitchen facilities to finish making the drinks.

“Seriously though, Petie Pie. Don’t tell him you’re Spider-Man. I promise you it won’t end well. Trust me, yeah?”

Peter didn’t reply. He just lay back, resting his head on the arm of the couch. It was getting dark outside. He should have arrived home hours ago. He didn’t want to go. He didn’t want another night of his mate forcing his hands all over him. Last night Harry had purposefully pushed his scent out in an attempt to cloud his mind- and it had fucking worked.

Wade carried the drinks over and noticed his friend’s fatigue. In the last couple of years of knowing Spider-Man, he’d never seen him this burnt out.      

"You can stay here tonight if you want? I'll set up some clean sheets and I've got extra blankets if you wanna... do your thing."

Nesting was personal. Wade still felt like he'd intruded when he'd rushed to build Peter one in the hospital. He had felt Harry's eyes burning into his back then, but the other alpha hadn't cared enough to pass comment. Maybe if he was more attentive and nice he wouldn’t be having these relationship problems.

Peter bit his lip. It would be nice to get away from Harry for a while. But if he didn't go home then things would be so much worse when he got back. He didn't want to push his mate into signing that horrible form. But then again the alternative to having a late-night argument with Harry was spending a fun evening in with Wade…

Screw it. He needed this.

“If you don’t mind.”

Wade grinned and resisted jumping around in excitement. Instead he shook his hips, doing a celebratory dance as he crossed the room to pull out a draw of DVDs. He was so thrilled! Weasel better not miss him at the bar too much tonight!

“That bastard aside, I can’t believe you’ve finally said yes to having a slumber party with me!”


-

Peter knew this part would inevitably happen.

He looked at the bed and turned back to Wade. His stomach tightened with nerves and he wasn't sure if they were good or bad. He liked Wade- but staying over definitely felt transactional. He had to give something to receive this kind of kindness, didn't he? Wade had bought him take-out, they'd watched a movie together, they’d had a couple of beers and now this was what it had all been building up to.

"So... um... how do you want me?"

Once the question was out of his mouth Peter instantly regretted it. He felt sick with shame. He was about to cheat on Harry- and what was even worse was that he was whoring himself out for what? A comfy bed?

He panicked.

"Actually, you know what... I'm gonna go home... I can't do this..."

The omega's eyes began to well up with tears and he moved to push past Wade. He'd just grab his mask and jump out the window. They could both ignore that those words had ever left his mouth. He was better than this.

Wade stalled for a moment, first slapped by the other's forwardness, then confused by his frightened ramblings as he retracted his words. The alpha moved quickly, placing his hands on Peter's shoulders and blocking the doorway.

"Petie? I wasn't suggesting- you don't have to do anything."

Wade bent down, trying to get his friend to look at him. Peter kept his eyes averted. This was a strange trauma response, wasn't it? God, he could feel him trembling. He could hear his breathing quickening in panic. Was this Harry’s tactic? Fucking positive reinforcement conditioning with sex?

Yes, Wade wanted him. He always had and he always would- but not like this. He wanted Peter to give himself willingly; and only because he wanted sex too. The alpha had spent many nights fantasising about sleeping with Spidey, but if he went along with this tonight it would feel forced and not to mention wrong.

Wade took the omega's cheeks in his hands and gently raised his face. He got a whiff of his lovely sweet scent and almost melted.

"The room is yours for the night- or for however long you want it. I'm taking the couch. I'm not getting under them sheets with you, because you don't owe me anything. okay?"

Peter slowly raised his eyes to lock onto Deadpool's mask, wishing he could see his face too. He nodded slowly and then sniffed.

"I don't know why I feel like I need to give you this. I feel like if I don't I..." The man trailed off and shrugged to himself. "I feel awkward. Like this is what I'm expected to do because you've been so good to me and if I don't then... I don't know."

Wade realised that sex was tied to his self-worth. Peter thought that he wouldn't want him anymore if he didn't give it. The mercenary smiled sadly under his mask and reached for Peter's hands, entwining their fingers.

"Tell you what... you build a nest, or you let me build you one. If you want, you can change into some of my clothes. They'll be baggy and cosy. And then you can settle down and I'll give you a little kiss goodnight... and I'll wake you up with pancakes in the morning."

"Okay," Peter murmured, only slightly louder than a whisper. That sounded nice. “Thank you.”

Wade moved over to the closet and grabbed some blankets. His heart ached for the omega. He wanted to wrap him up and keep him here. Protect him. There had to be someone who could help get Peter out of this situation- like a lawyer. Bonds were for life, but separation was possible in certain situations.

They just had to fight for it.

And if there really was no solution then Wade would just make sure Harry’s death look like it was by misadventure. Glider accident, anyone?

Chapter Text

When Peter awoke he leaned into the bed covers, burying his face into them. Despite being in a strange place, this was the best night’s sleep that he'd had in weeks. He'd allowed Wade to build the nest around him and give him a little kiss on the forehead, then the alpha had respectfully retreated to the living room as promised. Peter felt safe and happy. He’d felt loved.

The omega inhaled deeply and let it out. Once. Twice. Three times. Everything smelt so good. He couldn't believe that he'd spent a night in another alpha's bed. Wade's scent was intoxicating and although it had lulled him to sleep while he was tired, it was having a very different effect on him now.

The omega closed his eyes and imagined Wade holding him. He pulled the edge of the nest closer, wanting to feel contained in a way that he hadn't been in months.

He head-butted the pillow, shoving his face against the plush surface. He shouldn't be doing this. He shouldn't be tempting himself this way. He let out a little moan as he mouthed at the material beneath him, pretending it was Wade's lips. His hips ground against the mattress involuntarily. His hole dripped.

The problem with having sex with Harry at least once a day was that his libido never really slowed down. Whether that was conditioning or just who Peter was, he wasn't sure.

His hand squeezed in to tweak at his nipples through Wade’s shirt and he ground down again, trying to find some more friction against his length. What would Harry think if he saw him like this?

What would Wade think?

Peter imagined the alpha climbing on top of him from behind. Sliding into him. Holding him firmly. Rocking against him. Calling him his pretty boy. Maybe he’d tug his hair a little so that he could pepper kisses to his throat. Wade was larger than Harry. His frame was wide and bulky and it made Peter feel so petite when they were next to each other.

Fuck.

The omega's hand moved lower and slipped into his underwear. He needed to feel something. His own scent hit him as he spread his cheeks and he rubbed at his entrance. He slipped a finger inside. Then another. He needed more to clamp down on. The third made his legs tremble. He began to fuck himself gently and bit into the pillow to stifle his moans.

Peter keened at the thought of Wade's knot and then he was spilling all over the sheets. He lay there, dizzy-headed and panting from practically smothering himself in the pillow.

Slick covered his thighs and his cheeks flushed, wondering how the hell he was going to explain this. He'd just fucked his friend's mattress. He'd practically made out with his pillow, trying to drink in his scent. And he'd dripped and came to the thoughts of him filling him up.

Peter would still welcome Wade into the bed even now. His body was still wanting him.

He thought about leaving the sheets as they were. Let the alpha come in here. Smell them. See what a mess he'd made. And Peter could act so coy and sweet. Wade wouldn't be able to resist slipping in with him.

Gods, Peter felt so different from last night. He wanted this.

But no- that would be rude and Wade still might not go for it after his meltdown. Peter awkwardly stumbled out of the nest and made work at stripping all the sheets. He'd even need to do something about these clothes.

The sweatpants were covered. He shimmied out of them and considered taking them to the laundry room too. But no. He was going to leave something behind for the alpha to find unexpectedly one day.

A sign that he was interested.

Before leaving the room, Peter opened the closet and stuffed them in the back.


-


"Hi."

Peter stuffed the last bit of material into the washer before turning to come face to face with another young man. He estimated that he was a couple of years older than him at most. The omega was short and eyed him suspiciously, but still maintained a friendly little smile. He gave him a cute wave as he moved into the laundry room.

"Are you Wade's friend? I... um... it looks like you're wearing his clothes."

He pointed at the oversized sweatpants and shirt that Peter had thrown on.

Peter nodded. He couldn't deny it. He must smell of him right now too. He'd do anything to keep smelling of Wade. He’d even grabbed the spare pants off of the bedroom floor so that he didn’t have to pick out a fresh pair.

"Yeah... I uh... stayed the night."

Who was he? He wasn't sure what he should be feeling. Embarrassment? Shame? He was just glad that his mating mark was covered. The omega would definitely think he was a slut for spending the night at another alpha's house otherwise.

Instead of receiving any judgment, the other brightened instead and moved to pull himself up on one of the washers that weren't being used. He sat on it awkwardly and grinned.

"I love Wade. I moved in next door to him a few months ago and last month I couldn't pay my rent and he found me crying down here and he paid it for me."

Peter's eyebrows raised. He always assumed that the mercenary was living paycheck to paycheck. Why else would he live in this shitty neighborhood? Maybe Wade had more money than he realized. Or maybe he didn't. Maybe he was just very charitable with what he had. It seemed that saving omegas was becoming a running trend with him.

"What's he like? I mean- I know he's sweet. But he keeps turning me down! Says he's in love with another omega." The man pouted cutely. "I guess that would be you."

Peter laughed awkwardly and shook his head. "I don't think so."

"Well, you're the only one he's ever had over... but if you don't want him, please don't mess him around. I'd like him to take me out."

The superhero really wasn't sure what to do with this piece of information. This man was being so nice, yet at the same time he didn't like his interest in the alpha. He could feel jealousy gnawing at him. Peter forced a smile anyway. He wasn't going to be an asshole.

"I'll keep that in mind. Mine and Wade's relationship is a little complicated at the moment."

"Is it because of the scarring? Seriously don't worry about that. He's perfect even with it. Maybe not handsome but you can tell he was good-looking before- and have you seen how big he is?"

Peter pressed the button on the machine. He hadn't even seen the mercenary’s full face yet but he'd caught a glimpse of his chin when they'd been eating. Maybe it was time to ask.

"I think he's just self-conscious about it. And no... I'm not turned off by the scarring. He's kind and sweet and smells really good."

The other man's cheeks flushed and he jumped back down off of the washer, knowing he really shouldn't stay to gossip too much. Peter had to get back up there!

"Okay seriously though... omega to omega... how good is his knot? I bet it’s big. I’d let him stay inside me forever."

Peter felt like he was going to faint.


-


"Baby boy!" Wade was on his feet and pacing between the kitchen and living space when the omega returned. "I thought you'd swung away already!"

He'd thought that Peter had panicked and fled the building. He'd worried that he'd done something wrong. But then he'd noticed that the bed covers had been stripped and his apartment door was unlocked and had put two and two together. Laundry run. He tugged his mask down further, having left it rolled up to drink his coffee. He really didn't need Spidey seeing his ugly mug before breakfast.

"You should have let me handle the bedsheets! I would have washed them after you left!"

Wade absolutely wouldn't have done that. Wade would have rolled around in them, drinking in Peter's scent. He would have unashamedly touched himself while thinking of the cute omega. Who was he trying to kid? He’d been respectful last night- it didn’t mean he’d be respectful once he was gone.

Peter's face flushed and he gave a shrug. Time to be truthful... and to gauge Wade's reaction.

"I... um... had an accident. Of the nice dream kind."

Oh.

OH.

The alpha stood there like a statue. His mind stalled and refused to reboot. The processing just wasn’t working. Peter had been so happy and so relaxed that he’d came in his bed. In his sleep. Or maybe that was a lie. Maybe he’d stroked himself off. Either way, he’d been in that much of a mess that he’d found it important to clean up.

Wade inhaled deeply, hating how his mask blocked a lot of the smells around him. Peter definitely did smell sweeter this morning. He needed to distract himself. He was going to lose it.

"I think I'm gonna make pancakes. You go take a quick shower and they’ll be done in like ten minutes."

He was definitely touching himself when Peter went home.


-

Wade shoved his food in his mouth and looked at the other across the table through his mask. Peter’s hair was much darker when it was wet. He smelled of his shower gel. God, how much he wished the omega lived here with him.

"Y'know... I was thinking we could go and see a lawyer later today maybe? There's gotta be a way to get you out of this... and they'd have the answers!"

Wade didn't have a lot of money- not after paying his rent and helping the sweet omega next door last month. But he did have enough for a bit of advice, surely? And maybe the guy he knew would give him a discount anyway? It wasn't like he and Peter were asking them to represent them in court. It might not even have to come to that if they found some solid legislation to throw in Harry’s face! That's what Wade was hoping for.

"I actually know a lawyer," Peter replied with a little grin, although he was unsure if even he could help them here. Like with Deadpool, he'd worked with this vigilante a few times before- and they’d trusted each other enough to drop identities when one of Peter's friends had needed help.

Matt was a good guy.

"I don't think it's a good idea to take one of Harry's guys on, Petie Pie. He'll probably go running back to him. Slippery fuckers, most lawyers are."

Peter laughed. "No. There's this lawyer in Hell's Kitchen. He's kind of... one of us."

Wade paused.

"I swear to god if you say you know horns too, I'll lose my shit." 

Chapter Text

The alley that was adjacent to Nelson and Murdock’s was empty. Wade took Peter’s arm and pulled him into it. He’d kept his face covered the whole way over, but he knew it wouldn’t be good for people to see a masked man going into the law office. Matt definitely wouldn’t appreciate it.

“Please don’t freak out. It’s just… not normal for me to go in there with it on. And since we want him to help us I figured I better not piss him off.”

The mercenary felt a sickness in the pit of his stomach as he slowly rolled the mask off. Anxiety gnawed at him as he locked eyes with his friend for the first time. He could see the omega searching his face, taking in every little detail.

His fingers twitched, already wanting to put it back on.  

Peter tried not to stare.

Seeing the bottom of Wade's scarred face still hadn't been enough to prepare him for the whole thing. He was completely bald. His scars ran in lined patterns, almost like he was an alien out of a science fiction movie. Peter wanted to run his fingers over his skin and feel just how uneven and rough it was. There was something so unearthly about it.

The omega next door had been right though. It was obvious that the mercenary had been really handsome before. He had a strong nose and jaw, a friendly smile and his eyes- they were a captivating dark amber with little flecks of gold. Peter hated that he'd kept them shielded from him for so long. He felt his cheeks growing a little red.

"See... this is why I never take the mask off around you, baby boy." Wade made a move to stretch the material out to put it back on. "My ugly mug can give cute omegas nightmares."

Peter reached out to grab his arm and pried the mask out of his hands. He wasn’t going to let him do that. His friend shouldn’t be self-conscious. He was too good for that.

"Well, you'll be surprised to know that both me and your next-door neighbor think you're kinda hot... even with the scars." He gave Wade a warm smile.

The way his face fell a little showed that he really wasn't used to this kind of treatment.

The mercenary’s forehead wrinkled and Peter could tell that it was from age. He was twenty-two. Wade had to be in his early thirties. That shouldn't have shocked Peter though. Wade always talked so openly about his multiple life experiences and he seemed to have a depth to him behind the immaturity that Peter just didn’t. He should have known that the man had near enough a decade on him.

Did it matter though? They were just friends. And even if Peter was hypothetically thinking of Wade as something more, then going with an older alpha wasn't entirely unusual. Omegas wanted to feel loved, protected and supported.

It had been he and Harry with no age gap at all that had been considered odd in this society. He could even remember the articles.

Wade broke the awkward silence.

"Don't you start giving me hope, Petie." He joked. His face slowly cracked into a reluctant grin. He looked down, a part of him not believing the other's words. He had a feeling that his friend was probably just being kind. That was what Spidey was, after all. A nice person.

"I'm not... I just wanted you to know that the scars aren't a big deal. The omega I met downstairs was seriously jealous that I'd spent the night."

He wants you, Peter thought to himself, still not comfortable with that knowledge. Deep down he wanted Wade too.

-

"I don't know what I was expecting when I heard your loud mouth ten blocks away, but it wasn't this."

Matt sat at his desk opposite his two new clients. Peter seemed jumpy and scared. Deadpool- or Wade as he'd introduced himself this time was being his usual vulgar self, but strangely without the awful jokes. The blind man wrinkled his nose at the smell of Mexican food and tried not to be irritated by the occasional crunch of a hard-shelled taco.

"So is there any way out of this for him?" The mercenary demanded between mouthfuls.

"It's simple, really." Matt turned his head deliberately so that Peter would know that he was addressing him more. "The first step is that you don't get pregnant again. No positive test, no house arrest. He needs confirmation that you're pregnant before he can sign to detain you. That's the law with those nasty things."

Wade shot a look at the omega. He knew Peter. He was still with Harry. He still lived with him, still spoke to him- and even if he didn't want it, the alpha still pushed himself on him. They had sex and there was nothing he could do about it without decapitating the spoilt little shithead.

"So we get him on birth control." Matt clarifies his thought process.

"What!?" Peter blanched, his arms flying down to wrap protectively around his stomach. The last thing he wanted was pills to mess with his biology.

"All you have to do is go down to a drugstore. Speak to the pharmacist- act extra cute with your alpha." The lawyer waved a hand at Wade. The shops in Hell's Kitchen never asked questions to paying customers. So all they had to do was put on a show. Act natural. "Of course, you didn't get that advice from me."

Peter was turning redder by the second. Wade. His alpha.

"Oh baby boy, this will be the easiest act I've ever had to put on." Wade joked and winked at him. Flirting with Spidey was his specialty, although he'd had to filter himself a bit recently. He was so ready to unleash that side again.

Peter's sharp eyes and flushed cheeks told him to shut up.

"Okay... so me and Wade go get this sorted... then what?"

Matt stood and grabbed his cane and made his way over to a filing cabinet in the corner of the room. He opened the second draw and felt around for what he was searching for. His fingers trailed over the braille of a few documents before settling on one and pulling it out.

He separated the braille copies for himself and the others for Peter and Wade. They crowded together to read it.

"The next step would be a mating emancipation. You'll have to go before a court, explain why you wish to separate from your mate, give evidence of why this is a good idea and also show that you can support yourself. If you win that then your alpha will no longer be allowed any control over you… and you can sue him for breaking any boundaries that you set."

Wade tugged at the hood he was wearing. He had money, but this sounded expensive. Lawyers didn't come cheap and nor did court hearings. That glider accident that he'd been fantasizing about was sounding more and more appealing by the minute. Even all of the voices in his head were in agreement for once! But for Petie? He'd take out a loan if he had to.

"So what's our best approach?" He dared to ask.

"Discrediting his name. The best way to go about that would be a few therapy sessions. Let a psychologist analyze Peter. See if there's any emotional damage that the alpha has done. Then present that as evidence of abuse."

Matt could feel the tension shift in the room at Peter's uneasiness. Still, he continued. It was his job to get results, not to baby them.

"Also do you know if there are any things he's done that we could try to incriminate him for? Legally, of course."

The omega deflated and shrugged his shoulders. He didn't want to stand before a court and cry that Harry had kind of raped him. He didn't want to present weird evidence that was personal to him either.

"How old were you when you mated, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Seventeen. It was senior year. We'd been dating for two though."

"And how old was he?"

"Eighteen... I think."

Matt sat back. "Perfect."

Peter crossed his arms and frowned. He knew what Matt was suggesting they put forward and he wasn't okay with it.

"No. Absolutely not. We're not playing that card. Me and Harry were in the same grade and I wanted him as much as he wanted me. Anyone could see that. There's six fucking months between us."

"If that's enough to get him charged with something, then I'm down with it," Wade commented.

"Well I'm not."

The omega stood and scraped the chair a little to let Matt know that he was wanting to leave. Peter was good. He wasn't going to play dirty by lying or throwing Harry under the bus. He just wanted to walk away from him and be done with it all.

The lawyer picked up his cane, getting ready to walk them to the door.

"There is of course an alternative option to all of this." Matt stood and listened for Wade copying them. The mercenary stayed still though, hanging off his every word. "Joint-pack ownership."

Peter frowned and tilted his head. He felt suspicious. What did that term even mean? Even Wade had a deep frown on his face. A silence hung in the room as they waited for an explanation.

"If he takes another mate, you marry another alpha. An eye for an eye."

-

Peter swung his legs off of the edge of the building they were sitting on.

Apparently marrying another alpha would prevent Harry from signing any paperwork or doing anything without Peter's husband's agreement. It was a crazy idea really- and definitely not one he could use. Matt should have known that he didn't exactly have any suitors lined up. And definitely not any who would be okay with him being Spider-Man.

"I guess the emancipation route is going to be the only sane way to go about this."

The omega stared down at the pack of contraceptive pills in his hands. He couldn't believe he was going to be taking them. Once a day, he'd been told. These could mess with his heats, make him stupidly hormonal and even hurt his chance of having children in the future. The side effects were too much for someone who prided themselves on being logical.

Wade frowned but nodded anyway. He felt sick. He knew what he wanted to suggest but there was no way in hell that Peter would accept his very literal proposal.

"And how are we going to pay for it?"

"I think Matt will do it for a reduced rate if I beg... he owes me a few favors anyway. And I'll offer to babysit for him as much as he likes. From what he tells me, his and Foggy's kids are wild."

Peter smiled, hoping that the horned vigilante would take it in his stride. Winning against Harry Osborn with all that press coverage would be the best kind of attention for Nelson and Murdock Attorneys at Law.

"You're close with him?"

Peter gave a little shrug. He was, but he’d never had much to do with Matt outside of fighting crime or late-night chats. Hanging out with him in the real world just seemed unlikely. How would he have even explained to Harry where he’d met this person had he taken up the alpha’s offers to go out for drinks?

"Not as close as I am with you." He decided to say, not realizing how much that single phrase in his soft tone would spark electricity in the air.

Wade smiled and dared to place his hand on top of where Peter's rested on the roof.

"I wish I'd met you before he had. Like a totally legal, single version of you I mean."

Peter laughed and turned his head to look at his friend. The omega’s eyes flicked from the other’s lips and back up to his amber ones. He couldn’t… he shouldn’t…

"Y'know what? So do I."

Wade’s heart beat faster at his words and he leaned in ever so slowly, only to stop himself. He’d promised himself that he wouldn’t take advantage of his friend’s vulnerable state. He had to go slow.

The mercenary turned his head to overlook the city again and squeezed Peter’s hand, this time picking it up and entwining their fingers. He exhaled deeply and then swallowed, trying to banish the lump in his throat.

“I want you to know that I’ll always be here for you, baby boy. I adore you. So whether that’s just for friendship or a place to go…or… something more eventually, I’ll be happy just having you in my life.”

The omega continued to stare at him. He squeezed back, his heart full of yearning. His chest hurt from how full of love he was feeling. He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on Wade’s cheek before resting his head on his shoulder, nuzzling into his scent.

“Thank you, Wade.”

Peter felt an arm wrap around his waist from behind and he leaned into the embrace. This was the happiest he’d felt in a long time.

Once he was done with Harry, he was going to give Wade a chance.    

Chapter Text

Peter had known that he'd have to come home before long. Staying one night with Wade had been pushing it. He scaled the wall, really not wanting to use the front entrance. What if he ran into Norman? Harry had already gone to his father for advice once and Peter knew what the older alpha thought of him. He also knew that he was encouraging his son to keep him on a tight leash.

The balcony door was unlocked as usual. Peter slid it open and silently slipped inside.

Then the scent hit him.

Another omega.

But not just another omega. The scent was mixed with Harry's, creating a choking atmosphere. He'd brought someone back here. He'd bedded them where Peter was supposed to sleep. He felt his stomach clench in both grief and jealousy. Yes, he'd stayed at Wade's house- but that didn't mean he'd rushed to fuck him.

Peter made his way over to the entrance, acting as though he'd come in that way and flicked the lights on. His cheeks were an angry red and his heart squeezed in a tension that he’d never quite experienced before. Harry and his replacement were both snuggled up in the bedroom and he had to confront them.

He shouldn't be feeling this jealous. He could just go and sleep in the spare room and deal with this drama tomorrow. He stared at the ajar door, daring himself to push it open the full way. His fingers lingered against the wood. Should he shove hard, just to frighten them awake? It’s what they deserved.

"Hello?" An unfamiliar voice called. "Harry?"

The man retracted his hand and stuffed it into his pocket for fear that he’d use it for violence.

"No. It’s Peter."

Even he was surprised by how bitter he sounded. He was even speaking through gritted teeth. He did his best to relax his jaw but no matter how hard he tried, his shoulders stayed tense. There was a rustling of sheets as the stranger climbed out of bed. He could hear him changing in the darkness. Then a brown-haired young man was sticking his head through the door.

"Um... he had to go back to Oscorp. Apparently a Doctor... Octavius had an emergency?"

The omega stated a bit unsurely. Peter was certain that he recognized the boy from somewhere but he couldn't put his finger on where. His eyes drifted to what he was wearing. Harry's shirt- as though he was trying to make a very personal claim to him.

Peter took in a deep, steadying breath. He wasn't going to do anything bad. He was Spider-Man. Spider-Man didn't murder. Spider-Man didn’t think these awful thoughts. His mind sobered a little, clearing as the red fog dispersed.

"Who are you?"

The other omega looked nervous- shy even. He was smaller than Peter but still had undeniably similar features. It seemed Harry had a type after all.

"I'm um... Harley. I'm friends... well... I'm the son of Tony Stark. He adopted me a few years ago."

Ah. So that was it. Harry was taking this opportunity to make quick with forming good relations with Stark Industries- something they'd been trying to do for years now.

Harley awkwardly slid past him and padded across the open plan apartment to the kitchen. He moved slowly, almost as though he was trying not to startle the other omega. He knew that he was the red flag to a very enraged bull. Harley stopped at the fancy coffee machine that Harry had bought only last month. Coffee made everything better, right?

"Do you mind? Harry said I could just help mys-"

"Oh no, you go right ahead." Peter cut him off sharply. He felt prickled by all of this. Was he so easily discarded? What was Harry thinking? This was like the final nail in the coffin to their relationship.

Harley turned back to survey the other man and he ran a hand through his own skewed hair in thought. This was hard for him too. Harry had already claimed a mate- but that didn't mean he couldn't have two! And Peter was almost as gorgeous as the alpha. He bit his lip and his big blue eyes looked up at the other.

He smiled and twisted awkwardly on the spot. He was going to say it.

"I've never wanted just an alpha.” He tilted his head, feeling his heart speed up at Peter's deepening frown. "Harry is so handsome but... I want a friend too. Like y'know... a nestmate."

And there it was. Peter glanced at the door, wondering if he should walk out. Maybe he should just swing away from the balcony and leave this boy as flabbergasted as he felt. He was younger than him. He looked barely legal and that in itself was concerning for what Harry was trying to do. Was Stark allowing this or did he have to worry about a fully suited Iron Dad arriving at the window any minute too?

"I'm monogamous. I don't like sharing. But if me and Harry can't work out our differences then you can have him."

The other omega's eyes widened and he pulled a face in dissatisfaction as the coffee poured.

"But think about it! We don't have to sleep with him at the same time! We can cuddle. And we can go out together and have fun! Think of all the stuff we could do without him. And if either of us come into a heat while he's busy we can kind of help each other through it."

Peter inhaled deeply. Would he have considered this had Harry not been a bastard about everything? Possibly. It had been he who had hypothetically considered option three after all. Harley continued.

“I like science! Harry told me you do too! So we could go on science museum dates… and I could help you in the lab.”

If Harry wanted a goddamn harem, then this guy was going to enable it. He seemed to be absolutely buzzing over the idea.

But then came the reality. Exactly how much of this did Harley know? Had Harry told him about their pregnancy struggles? Had he mentioned that Peter was close to another alpha? Things were too complicated now and as much as he didn't like that this omega had slept with his mate, he couldn't help wanting to warn him.

"Harley?" He tried out the name in his mouth and it hung in the air like lead. Harry and Harley- it sounded so fucking fitting. Perfect, even. Another burst of envy filled him.

"He doesn’t even like you. I don't know what he's told you... but he just wants a spare womb. And I'm sure getting cushy with Stark Industries is just the icing on the cake."

And of course, that sounded bitter. It sounded mean. It sounded like something that any omega would say to try to keep their alpha to themselves.

Peter saw the boy physically deflate as he brought the mug up to his lips, nursing it closely with both hands. His blue eyes seared into Peter's brown ones and he shrugged.

"Well... we can raise our pups together."

"That's... not what I meant. I can't carry to term."

"So you can help me raise mine."

Harley didn’t miss a beat. He wasn't going to be deterred. Peter was about to spit another response but he heard the key card in the door and a familiar beep as it was pushed open.

A tie was in Harry's hands when he walked in, having pulled it off on the elevator up to the penthouse. His dark curls were ruffled and Peter imagined that he hadn't had enough time to check himself before darting off to the lab. Otto Octavius was an incredible man, but one who never had the best timing, considering how he threw himself into his work at all hours.

Harry brightened when he saw him.

"Oh good... you're back. Did you enjoy your time at your aunt's, darling?" The alpha spoke warmly and moved over to wrap his arm around Peter. He kissed him lovingly on the cheek.

Darling.

Yeah, Harry had told Harley nothing.

Peter forced a smile, even though he could feel his mate's fingers digging into his side. The alpha was pissed. He could probably smell Wade all over him. Good. He was a fucking hypocrite if he called him out for spending time with another alpha after bedding his guest.

"You've met Harley already? Isn't he wonderful? He's Stark's boy. He's just graduated high school and has plans to go to MIT next year." Harry spoke with such feigned praise.

Peter's heart sank.

He'd had plans to go to MIT too. Then Harry had bitten him and that dream had dispersed like the smoke from the bomb he’d thrown at him yesterday.

"And he's going to go," Peter said through gritted teeth. He held Harry's eyes, unflinching in his stance. There was no way he was letting this kid's dream slip through his fingers too. He didn't like him, but he kind of saw his younger self in him a bit. A sweet, naive boy who was falling for a terrible alpha’s charms.

"Can we all go back to bed and talk about this in the morning?" Harley interrupted, moving closer to Harry and taking his hand. He was beaming from the attention.

Spider-Man was going to climb to the top of Stark Tower and slip Tony a fucking note. He didn't have a lot to do with the Avengers but god, he wasn't going to let this happen.

"Come on, Pete. Join us after you've had a shower. He's been talking none stop about cuddling his new nest-mate."

Harley reddened but grinned at Peter anyway. He wasn’t going to deny it. He’d already told the other omega that that was what he wanted.

"And tomorrow we can have a conversation about how it's not safe for cute little omegas to stay out too late in such a dangerous city." Harry's eyes flashed. That was a threat.

Peter narrowed his own back at him.

"Think I'll pass, thanks. On both."


-

The spare room felt cold and Peter cuddled lower under the blankets and pulled them tighter. He'd been able to hear the kissing in the next room. Harley's little stifled giggles of excitement still pierced through the walls and it made him feel sick.

Just as the omega began to dose, he felt the sheets be lifted and someone slip into the bed with him. The scent that followed was pleasant enough, despite being coated with Harry's. Peter hated how already his body was adapting to having a plus one in their relationship. The smell definitely wasn’t as repulsive as when he’d first entered the apartment.

"What are you doing?" He mumbled to the other omega.

"Coming to see you."

"Why?"

Harley stayed silent and then Peter felt lips against his mouth and a hand clumsily brushing his face in the darkness. He snapped himself back.

"What the fuck!?"

"Sorry! I just had to try! I want you to like me. I want us to be friends..."

Peter rolled onto his back and rubbed at his face. He should have just gone back to Wade's place as soon as he'd had the chance. This was insanity.

"Omegas don't just kiss other omegas!"

"Pack omegas do."

"Harley, stop."

He inhaled deeply and kept his hands firmly over his face. This wasn’t happening. He wasn’t laid here having this kind of conversation with a kid who thought this was all a bit of fun. Had it even crossed Harley’s mind that he might be home-wrecking and making their situation even worse? Or that it could ruin his life?

Peter let out a long huff as he felt the younger shift closer. He needed to tackle this as diplomatically as possible. He needed to get his point across.

"Look, he's handsome... I get that… but Harry's not who you think he is... he’s bad." He whispered, letting those words hang in the air.

"How so?" Harley breathed back. He could hear the seriousness in the other omega's voice and he stayed quiet to listen.

Good. He had his attention.

"He's not abusive... well maybe he is... but Harry always gets what he wants- at an emotional cost to everyone else around him. I was going to MIT and then he bit me… deliberately… so I couldn't.”

Harley shifted in the bed and reached out to take Peter’s hand. He entwined their fingers as though they were long-time lovers and placed a kiss on his shoulder.

"Please don't fall for it, Harley. Go home. Go to college. If you still want him in four years, then that's fine."

Peter frowned wondering what he could offer the younger in exchange for following his advice. It was a hard one.

"If me and Harry are still together when you get back... then okay. I'll accept you into our pack." Peter felt an arm slip around his waist.

"Promise?" He could hear the hopefulness in Harley’s voice and hated how he cuddled even closer, now resting his head on his shoulder.

"I promise."

Promises, promises.

Peter knew that he and Harry wouldn't be together in four years. At all. So there was no harm in saying this. Maybe in time, the other omega will realize that he’d been manipulated by an older alpha too.

Peter prayed that he wouldn’t want Harry at all.

Chapter Text

Peter sat in the armchair, holding a cup of coffee close and spacing out at the TV in front of him. Harley had already gone home after being fussed over by Harry again and the alpha was now taking a shower. Peter still smelled of Wade but he didn't care. He knew he'd have to wash sooner rather than later but right now the scent was a comfort to him- and an incredibly selfish part of himself wanted Harry to know it.

He was going to be chill about handling their next conversation. He'd already packed some of his belongings; the things that Harry hadn't bought him, and he was going to be as direct as possible. Then he was going to get out. Guilt niggled at Peter’s chest but he knew he had to stay strong. He had to do this.

Steam rose from his cup and he scolded himself when he took another little sip. His heart hammered in his ears and he wasn't sure if it was a relief or not when he heard the shower turn off.

A few long minutes passed before his mate excited the bathroom, dressed in his suit and tie. His curls had been towel-dried but were still yet to regain their usual bounce. Harry looked good like this. Peter forced his eyes back to the TV where a news bulletin was playing.

He wouldn’t break. Even if Harry pushed his scent out to try to control him, he wouldn’t fall for it. He was strong.

"Cute, isn't he?" The alpha spoke up, interrupting his thoughts. He’d noticed how Peter seemed reluctant to talk- or maybe he was just stewing to himself again.

"He's alright." Peter turned his head back to look at him across the room. That horrible tension was back and he resisted putting his cup down so he could hug his legs. "He isn't for us though."

"Come on Pete." Harry laughed. "I stuck my head through your door this morning and you were both snuggled up to each other, purring away like little motors. You love him."

Peter gritted his teeth. Maybe he had warmed to the other omega quicker than he had any other in his life, but that was probably because of his protective nature. Harley was younger than him. He'd wanted to keep him safe. The purring was a lie. He hadn't done that in years. Peter assumed that the box in his throat had just died the day he’d started to feel anxious about Harry.

"I told him to come back in a few years. If he still wants you then, he can have you after he finishes college."

Harry darkened and moved over to the kitchen. Instead of a coffee, he opened the fridge to grab a beer. He uncapped it and took a few glugs. There was no way he was having this conversation without something to calm him down.

"He can go to college here in the city. What’s MIT got that New York hasn’t? If he gets pregnant, he can hire a nanny. You can have a nestmate and not have to even think about that stuff. I can have an heir and two beautiful mates. Everyone is happy."

Peter frowned. It did sound ideal- but there was too much water under the bridge now. Had it been a year ago, the omega knew that he would have said yes, but now? Now he'd seen Harry's sinister nature.

And there was Wade. He knew that an alpha existed out there who would treat him right. He deserved it.

"I'm not happy, Harry." Peter stood and placed his cup on the coffee table. He folded his arms to hide his trembling hands. He moved over to where the other man was leaning against the kitchen counter and hated how he was glaring daggers at him.

"Then what'll make you happy, Pete? All you do is whine these days! You're moody! You can't carry! You're sneaking out at night! You're hanging out with other alphas I don't even know!"

"And none of that is my fault or should be a problem!"

"Not a problem?" Harry sneered. "Some days it makes me regret claiming you!"

A long silence hung in the air. Peter looked down, tears in his eyes and he tried to blink them away. Fuck. That hurt. His chest squeezed and he sniffed. He’d known all along that being Spider-Man would come at a cost. He never imagined that it would lead to his alpha telling him this. Harry continued, not giving him a moment to recover.

"How do you expect me to feel? You come home smelling like you aren't mine anymore."

Peter had tensed up. He knew what he was supposed to say. That he was still Harry's- and then this argument would stop and it would all go away. Yet he refused to let those words leave his lips. Instead, he stayed silent. He stayed strong. He refused to submit or make himself smaller. He grit his teeth, just letting Harry continue his onslaught.

"I just... have so many expectations from my father and the company and you're just not helping! It's not about losing the babies, Pete. It's everything else. Don't you see? We could have it all if only you'd stop disappearing and whoring yourself around!"

Peter swallowed the lump in his throat and forced himself to meet his mate's eyes. It was now or never. Tears spilled down his cheeks.

"I was an emancipation, Harry. We aren't working."

Time seemed to slow and Harry's face twisted an unfamiliar expression. Then it morphed into another. It was like he was warring with himself on which emotion to express first. Then he broke the tension by laughing, mainly in disbelief. He placed the beer bottle on the counter with a heavy thump and walked closer, so that he was less than a few inches away. Peter grew tense.

"No. You will not do that to me and my image. Everyone knows who you are, Pete. Everyone. I can't just get a fucking replacement omega. How does that look."

"You were going to get another anyway!"

"A second omega. For a pack. Where you would still be my number one! That's different. I can't have you leave me!"

The alpha was breathing deeply now, his pupils blown. Peter tried to squeeze away. He'd never seen him look like this before and it was frightening.

"I went to see a lawyer... and I can."

In a split second, the other man pushed him against the nearest wall. Peter glared up at Harry who seemed to be fighting with himself over what to do next. There was a terrible pain in his mate's eyes and Peter felt his own heart breaking as a single tear spilled down Harry's cheek.

"I swear it's like you don't even love me anymore! Why are you trying to hurt me like this!?" The alpha growled.

Peter grabbed his hand, trying to pry him off of him. He clenched down on the sensitive part between Harry's thumb and forefinger, making him let go then shoved him away. Harry hit his back on the fridge hard. He snapped his head up, surprised by his mate’s strength and coughed, trying not to show how winded he was. Everything in the kitchen rattled from the force and a glass on a shelf fell and smashed on the ground.

"I'll always love you, Harry...But I think it's you who doesn't love me."

Peter turned and walked briskly into his bedroom. He grabbed the rucksack that he'd stuffed full last night before he'd settled down to sleep. He was leaving. This was it. He heaved it up and onto his back, the weight feeling like he was going on a weeklong camping trip. He quickly wiped at his face, banishing the tears away before re-entering their main living space.

"-And for the record. I don't like the shady stuff you've been doing recently either. Making bioweapons with Oscorp tech? A fucking glider- or whatever that means? This is stuff you should have told me about. I'm a researcher here too. Don't forget how close I am with Otto."

Harry wrinkled his nose and looked at the bag towering over his omega’s shoulders. So this was it. He really was walking out. The alpha knew that he had very few options now, none of them good. He ran a hand through his hair and decided to just let him go. For now. Peter wasn’t pregnant. He didn’t have that off scent. And there was no positive test, so he couldn’t force him to stay.

Despite everything, his mind focused back on one thing. The glider. There was only one way that Peter could know about that.

"So you are seeing him." He commented. Although he was seething about everything else, there was something calming about Peter confirming his suspicions. He was having an affair with Spider-Man.

"No... Or not in the way you assume. I've not slept with anyone."

"Does it matter? You love him."

Peter shook his head. They'd been together for four years and it was truly amazing how Harry had never paid enough attention to notice who he really was. Not even the injuries or the suit under his clothes had been a giveaway.

Peter had imagined just once that his alpha would have pushed his shirt up to find it but... no. He'd always managed to strip it off before their make-out sessions. That was a perk about them both having very busy lives. It was so easy not to get caught.

"Not Spider-Man. But there is someone that I care about. I won't lie about that. He's been taking care of me. Making sure I'm okay. You've met him."

"That scarred fucker!?"

"The one and only." He mumbled back dryly. "Please don't go after him, Harry. He's a good guy."

"A good guy who steals another man's omega?"

Peter could see that Harry was raging inside again. Him dating a man like Wade, with so many physical flaws was probably a huge blow to his vanity; which was something that Harry took great pride in.

“He can’t steal something that you’ve already lost.” He sassed back.

The man’s face turned red at his words. He inhaled so deeply that Peter could hear it across the room. It looked like he was gearing up to explode.

“I hope you’ve got a very good lawyer, Pete. Because omega infidelity isn’t looked kindly on in court. I will get you on a tighter leash somehow and I’ll sue his ass for ever thinking he can take you from me.”

Harry didn’t know the law; not really. But he knew how to threaten and scare. He was so used to his father and his company suing everyone successfully that he just assumed it would be easy to do so here. Every piece of legislation he’d looked up had referred to his omega as his property. How hard could it be?

He’d even stop Peter’s Osborn family bank card too- then see how quickly he came crawling back. There was no way he was letting his mate pay for a lawyer with Osborn money. 

He’d fire him. He wouldn’t get to assist Otto Octavius anymore. He’d ruin his name at the Daily Bugle too. Harry had helped get him these jobs, after all. He could easily help him lose them. See how far he could get with no income!

His evil thoughts were interrupted when Peter spoke up again.

“See... This is why I don’t want to be with you anymore. Even if there wasn’t another alpha, I would rather be on my own. I’m sick of your threats and I‘m sick of you.”

And that was the truth. As cushy as the omega had it here, He’d much rather go and live with Aunt May again. She’d accept him back, even if he knew she’d nag him about making peace with Harry. Mates didn’t separate, and especially not in her generation.

"See how far you get without me. Just. You. See." Harry goaded.

Peter took one more look at the alpha before walking to the front door and leaving. The elevator ride down felt like an eternity and he prayed that Harry wouldn’t chase after him.

Their wedding in a few months was definitely off.

He fiddled with his web-shooters under his sleeves, getting ready to zip out of there as soon as he was sure he wasn’t being followed. He was thankful that he’d only pushed Harry off of him, instead of webbing him to the fridge.

It could have happened. A little smile tugged at his lips.

Maybe it should have.

Chapter Text

Peter entered Wade's apartment through the window. The place was empty, despite him texting the mercenary a few minutes ago. He had received a cute, excited-looking emoji back though, so he had a feeling that the alpha would be on his way home very soon.

Unless he was working a job.

A job which Peter wanted to know nothing about as usual. Wade was a blurred line- a shade of grey. He did good things and he did terrible things. If Peter was going to open his heart to the man then it was best that some things he never found out; and hopefully he would continue to be a good influence on him.

So far time had proven that he had been.

Unlike with Harry. With Harry, it had been the complete opposite.

Peter moved into the bedroom and was disappointed to see that the bed covers had been straightened back out. He imagined it would be hard to curl up in the nest, given Wade's size. Even Harry had hated when Peter made them. He'd complained that it was too cramped. To an omega, it was a cozy sanctuary- a place that was super comforting.

A piece of checked material was tucked under the pillow and the man reached out to grab it.

Peter looked down at what he was holding and his stomach dropped in shock. Then the feeling turned giddy. Then he got bashful in a way where he was cringing at himself and wishing the floor would swallow him whole.

He was holding the sweatpants that he'd ruined and had deliberately stuffed into the back of the closet for the alpha to find.

But that meant that Wade had not only sniffed them out, but he’d also gone to sleep with them too. He'd snuggled up with them. Had he... touched himself too? Peter's cheeks turned red at the thought and he quickly threw them down and paced back into the living room, shutting the door behind him.

No way. Wade could come back and remove them and he'd pretend he'd never even seen them!

But Peter was curious. He turned, and despite his better judgment, he re-entered the room. He stalked over to the bed and grabbed the pants. They were dry now but he could still smell such a strong scent of Wade.

He had. He'd rubbed himself with these. He'd held them to his nose, breathing Peter's arousal in while he rutted and stroked himself off.

Then he’d cleaned himself with them.

God, Peter was never going to survive. This alpha wanted him so much.

He'd always known it, of course. He only had to think back to all the comments Wade had made about his physique as Spider-Man, long before his friend had even found out that he was mated. He’d flirted with him. He’d admired him.

And he still wanted him now.

An uncontrollable need to wear the sweatpants fired up inside of the omega and before he could even think about not doing it, Peter was stripping his jeans. He pulled them on and felt Wade’s strong scent envelop him.

He felt dirty. He felt sexy.

He felt claimed in an entirely different kind of way. How could something so simple have such a strong effect on him?

He wanted to touch himself in these all over again. He wanted the alpha to touch him. Peter inhaled deeply, trying to clear the fog of arousal from his mind and calm the ache between his legs. He was going to pull himself together.

But he wasn’t taking the sweatpants off.

-

Peter spent the next fifteen minutes rummaging through Wade’s barely stocked fridge and cupboards to find something for them to both eat. He was going to prepare a meal tonight- it was the least he could do for the other man, after all.

He wasn’t sure how long Wade would allow him to stay here before he had to return to his Aunts, but whatever time out of Harry’s reach was appreciated. Peter felt every brush of the baggy pants around his waist and legs as he moved around the kitchen; a reminder that at least while he was wearing them, he belonged to the alpha.

Peter didn’t have an endgame. He didn’t even know what he was doing wearing them still. Maybe he was flirting with temptation. Maybe he just wanted to see if he could get the alpha fired up.

Maybe he really was trying to seduce.

The omega had never had to do that before. Harry had fallen into his lap. Or maybe it had been he who had fallen into his jaws, like a lion snapping up its prey. 

"What's this?"

Peter’s search was interrupted by Wade’s voice and he bumped his head in the cupboard where he was crouched. He pulled some pasta out of the very back and tried to recover his balance.

Wade cocked his head in the doorway. Peter looked back to stare at him with a crooked little smile. He hadn’t heard him come in, which was strange. Wade’s loud voice normally announced his arrival before he appeared and Peter’s spider-sense had never fully recovered. He’d once again been taken by surprise.

“I’m gonna cook us lunch today.” He held up the packet, waving it in the air.

"If you were gonna make food, you should have worn the 'kiss the chef’ apron." The alpha flirted with a little grin.

"You can kiss me anyway."

Wade stalled, his eyes flicking downwards as Peter straightened up and turned to him. Those were his. Those were the pants that the omega had worn. The ones that he’d dirtied and the ones that Wade had pretty much defiled last night.

"What?"

Peter laughed. Maybe ‘the kiss’ comment hadn’t been as smooth as he thought it would have been. But Wade didn’t seem to be focusing on that at all. The man stood there, gawking at his bottom half.

Fuck. Maybe this had been a miscalculation.

The omega blushed and turned back around, gripping the kitchen counter. He wasn’t sure what reaction he’d wanted the other man to give him- but perhaps not knowing was what had excited him the most. Now he was too shy to face him.

“Don’t tease me like this, baby boy. Don’t do it. I don’t think I have the self-control right now.”

Wade stepped forward slowly, terrified that he’d startle him, but terrified that if he didn’t he’d never get this moment again. He heard Peter inhale and exhale, his shoulders lifting and falling as he approached. He could see how his hands tensed on the counter. He wanted this. He just didn’t know how to express it.

The sweatpants were a lure.

An icebreaker that maybe they both needed.

“I thought it was a mistake. That you’d forgot to wash them with the sheets… or that you didn’t know what to do with them… but you left them for me… on purpose, didn’t you?”

Wade’s hand found Peter’s waistline from behind. His heart hammered and he leaned in to place a gentle kiss on the back of the other’s neck. He swore that Peter had never smelt so good before. His scent was welcoming. He wanted to lick and nip at him. He wanted to make him keen in the way that only sweet omegas did.

Peter let out a shaky breath and tilted his head back, wanting more. His eyes were shut and he practically melted into the mercenary’s touch.

Was this real?

“Remember what I said... we don’t have to cross this line.” Wade couldn’t help himself from stroking the other man’s side though, his fingertips kneading against him ever so gently. If Peter said the word- he’d stop.

But god, he didn’t want him to.

He wanted to devour his lips now. He wanted to kiss him in a way he’d never been kissed before. He wanted to show him what it meant to be truly loved.

A little rumble crackled in Peter’s throat and he turned his head, searching for Wade’s lips. His half-lidded eyes made contact with the alpha’s before he was spinning into him and pressing his mouth against the mercenary's.

Wade eased him against the counter as their mouths moved. Both his hands gripped the omega’s waist and a surprising hum escaped his lips when he felt Peter’s hands reach up to cup his cheeks, pulling him even closer.

A burning desire sparked in Wade’s chest as they kissed and he gently bit at the other man’s bottom lip.

Peter chased him for more and he clumsily knocked their teeth together. His mouth tugged into a grin and he let out a breathy laugh.

The alpha pulled back, wanting to get a good look at him. The omega was flushed; his cheeks pink. His doe eyes crinkled in the corners from his smile. His mouth was still open, as though he was expecting more- And more was exactly what Wade was going to give him.

“Fuck… you have no business being this gorgeous, Petie.” He breathed against his lips before diving back in for another three little chaste kisses.

The man let his mouth trail lower. Over his jaw. Down his neck. Over the place where the happy little vibrations were echoing from. He gave the spot a wet kiss- then a little nip, causing the purrs to grow ever louder.

Peter gave a whining moan and his hips ground up involuntarily, trying to knock against the alpha’s. He could smell him. That musky scent was so strong. It was making him dizzy. Needy. Peter leaned up, wanting to kiss Wade back. Their lips collided again.

“I want you, Wade… I really, really want you.” 

“I can honestly say this is the hottest thing I’ve ever came home to…”

The mercenary’s hand drifted down to the sweatpants and he dared to press his hand against the bulge at the front. Peter let out a startled breath as Wade squeezed him through the material.

“…and it would be rude to say no when you’ve gone to such efforts to get my attention.”

The omega wrapped his arms around Wade’s shoulders, trying to stabilize himself or he might literally melt. The sweatpants had definitely worked.

“So…bedroom?”

“Bedroom.”

With one swift motion, Wade hoisted him up and Peter wrapped his legs around his waist instinctively. He let his alpha carry him across the apartment and through the door to the half-ruffled bedsheets. Peter stole another kiss before he was placed down on the mattress.

Wade’s large form climbed on top of him, wanting to stay as close as possible, for fear that somehow this spell of passion would break if they separated. 

“So… what did you think of when you came the other night?”

Peter felt his face grow heated once more. How could Wade ask something so outright? It was personal- but at the same time, it wasn’t. They’d both had fantasies of each other right here, in this very spot.

“I… I imagined you pinned me down. That you took me… from behind.”

“Then I want to give you that.”

“No.” Peter breathed, trying to calm his beating heart. Not this time. Their first time should have more meaning to it than just a primal fuck.

Peter cupped his face, forcing him to look at him.

“I want to look in your eyes.”

Wade swallowed and reached to take one of his hands. He squeezed it and leaned down to peck him again, letting his lips linger. A part of him was self-conscious. Taking Peter from behind was far more agreeable because at least then the omega wouldn’t have to stare at his scarred body. His face was one thing, but seeing it everywhere was kind of a lot to process.  

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I know what you’re thinking… and I’ve told you before that it doesn’t matter to me.” Peter tugged at the other man’s shirt, hinting that he should take it off.

Slowly, Wade peeled it up and threw it off. He was surprised when Peter reached out to run his fingers over his burnt flesh. The soft touches tickled. He was glad that thing stinging had stopped a long time ago.

Peter’s fingers ghosted over his stomach, dipping into the toned indents of his abs. His other hand found his arm, admiring how large his bicep was. Wade had an incredible body, scarring be damned. He would never let something so minor bother him.

“You’re wrong about yourself, Wade. You look incredible.”

The omega leaned in to kiss at his neck and lifted his arms up when he felt the man tugging his shirt up too. Peter was aware of the slick dripping between his legs and how he’d already begun to soak through the sweatpants again.

His length ached for attention and he grabbed at Wade’s hips, awkwardly trying to unfasten alpha’s jeans. His hands fumbled and he was thankful when the other came to help him.

Peter shyly slipped the sweatpants down and shoved them to the side of the bed.

Wade caught the full scent of his arousal and gave a growl. Peter met his eyes and noticed how much his pupils had dilated.

“Lay down… I need to taste you.”

The command made the omega ache and he hurried to obey.

Wade kissed lower and lower, grazing his lips down his chest, trailing his tongue down his stomach and then stopping just below his navel to where Peter’s cock stood erect. He gave the head a lick and watched as it twitched in response.

“What are you-“

Wade took him into his mouth and carefully made his way down to the hilt. Peter tensed at the strange sensation. It felt ridiculously good.

“Nghh... fuck…”

The omega’s head lolled back onto the pillow and he reached out to grip the bedsheets. His toes curled as Wade bobbed his head. Up. Down. Up. Down. Sucking gently as he went.

Harry never did this. It wasn’t a thing that alphas did. Or maybe Peter had just never questioned his mate’s adversity to it. His head span and his loins tightened as the man made quick work of him.

“Wade… fuck… Wade I’m gonna… you gotta pull ba-“

He wasn’t going to last.

The mercenary kept going, not caring about Peter spilling into his mouth. His omega was so wet and ready for him. He slowly circled his hole with his fingers, coating them in his slick before carefully sliding two inside of him.

Peter bucked and cried out as he came hard, his walls spasming around the digits. Wade continued to suck him until he was certain that he’d milked him for all he was worth.

Then he pulled back, licking a long line up his length before giving a kiss to the head.

The omega lay there, chest heaving. His vision behind his eyelids had turned white. He wasn’t sure if he was ever going to recover from this.

He moaned an approval and motioned for Wade to come and kiss him.

“You gotta give me a minute… I’ve never… I’ve never came twice outside of a heat before… I may need time.” 

“Take all the time you need, baby boy.”

Peter tasted himself on the alpha’s lips.

Ten minutes was all it took before Wade had Peter begging for more. He’d teased him. He’d showered him in little nips and kisses and he’d whispered dirty, dirty things into the omega’s ear that made him writhe beneath him.

Seeing Peter’s flushed cheeks and hearing his little purrs of agreement was reward enough for Wade.

He’d promised to knot him good and after hearing a breathy ‘yes’ from the other, he’d carefully eased himself inside of him.

The alpha had rocked his hips, thrusting shallowly at first. He took it steady and kissed Peter, loving how he whimpered against his mouth as he made love to him.

Then his omega had begged for it harder and Wade had slammed into him, loving how the other’s cries of pleasure only encouraged him.

He kept rutting until he felt himself explode into ecstasy.

Then he wrapped his hand around Peter’s cock.

Peter felt Wade’s knot expanding inside of him and he keened at being filled so fully. His walls contracted around it as the alpha pumped him through his own orgasm, his seed splashing against Wade’s stomach.

He kept his legs wrapped around the alpha’s waist, as though he was scared to release him. It wasn’t as though Wade could go anywhere though. They were locked together for at least the next half an hour.

Peter stared into the man’s amber eyes before leaning up for a little kiss. He felt so light. His head was so dizzy. He realized that he was high.

Wade was a hundred times the lover that Harry was. Their sex was mechanical. Basic. Boring.

This was… euphoric.

As cliché as it was, Peter felt like he’d ascended to heaven.

“That was amazing.” He breathed against the alpha’s lips.

“Yeah… you were…” Wade smiled and combed his fingers through Peter’s hair, brushing the front strands back from his face.

The mercenary felt like the luckiest man in the world right now. Nothing could top this. He was almost convinced that Peter would regret sleeping with him in a few hours- but he would treasure their intimacy together for the rest of his life.

He adored Peter and he didn’t care that he was a mated omega.

He loved him.

Wade kissed the other man again, letting his lips linger before resting their foreheads together.

He really would kill Harry Osborn before he let him take his mate back.

Chapter Text

Peter's head was still rested against Wade's chest when he opened his eyes. He could feel the alpha's arms around him, holding him close and he reached up between them to wipe at his eyes.

"I’m sorry..." He mumbled sleepily, knowing how bad this must look.

When they’d finished, Peter had crashed while the alpha's knot was still inflated inside of him. He moved his legs and found that Wade must have slid out a while ago. His hand drifted to his stomach, even though he knew it was almost impossible for a male omega to get pregnant outside of a heat.

Still- he could dream.

How long had he been asleep? He hadn't realized just how exhausted the last few days of stress had made him. He looked at the window and was surprised to see that the sun was now low in the sky.

"Why are you sorry? You were sleepy... so obviously I was going to let you cuddle me…”

Wade’s hands were back up, stroking through Peter’s hair again. He dipped his head to kiss his forehead, letting his lips linger.

“I even didn’t mind the drool.” He teased, his mouth tugging into a grin.

The omega gave his side a little swat. He hated how easily the other could make his face heat up. He could feel himself getting warm already.

“You’re an ass,” Peter replied, although there was no venom in his voice. He let out a long, content sigh and relaxed easily back into the man.

He still felt blissed out and he tilted his head back to kiss the other. Yes, there was a sadness in his chest where he was grieving his lost relationship with Harry, but there was another feeling here too.

He was happy. He felt hope. And above all, he felt loved.

He wanted Wade and he just prayed that the alpha would want him too, despite everything. Peter's hands found his and he entwined their fingers. Taking on an already mated omega was a big thing to do.

"Thank you."

Wade wished that he could tell him that he loved him. But it was too soon, wasn't it? Omegas got scared off by such bold affection sometimes. And Peter had a lot to process. He didn't want to drop the L- bomb on him just yet. Instead, he kissed him back and gave his friend a little smile.

"Any time… you know that baby boy." He promised and grinned when he heard another little crackle in Peter's throat. God, he was enjoying hearing him purr.

"You can stay with me as long as you like. We can do this again, or we don't have to... even though I absolutely would give every single one of my regenerative organs to touch your sweet ass one more time."

Peter laughed and his hand came up to brush up at his neck as the noise came out muffled by the vibrations. He looked down, not sure how to react to the little motor that only seemed to get louder the more Wade flirted with him.

"That's probably the strangest thing anyone has ever said to me."

”And I just want you to know that I’m not an alpha that beds a guy and runs.” Wade reassured and leaned in to steal another kiss.

A phone notification went off in the other room. Then another. Then another. Peter groaned against the other man’s lips. Someone was spamming him. He rolled over, knowing he better at least look at that. It could be Aunt May. It could be MJ.

Or it could be Harry- not that he cared.

Still, his curiosity spiked.

"Want me to fetch it?" Wade was already sitting up.

"Please."

The mercenary untangled their limbs and pulled himself off the bed. He felt light as he wandered through to the kitchen and tried to identify where Peter's misplaced phone was. The notification noises kept coming. He traced it to the kitchen counter and glanced at the screen. It surprisingly wasn't his asshole mate.

"It's someone called Otto." He reported when he handed it over to him and swiftly sank back down onto the mattress.

Fuck making pasta. Wade grabbed his own phone to order them a pizza. If his baby boy wanted to cook, he could do it tomorrow. Tonight was going to be for them.

"Oh... I work with him at Oscorp. I'm his assistant." Peter took his phone gratefully from the man and unlocked it, already feeling a sense of dread hanging over him. Otto never contacted him outside of work. They were friends in the lab and he was going to miss him since he'd pretty much have to quit soon.

But what Peter read made him turn cold.

"They're shutting Otto's research down. E-Everyone is being made redundant. Like... immediately."

Fuck.

This was Harry's way of getting back at him.

All of their hard work would be wasted. All of the progress they'd made- gone. All of Otto's brilliant potential shattered into nothing. He’d been on his way to winning the next Nobel Prize!

Peter instantly started to tear up. His chest tightened. Then he was heaving and sucking in his breaths, feeling like the weight of the world was crashing down onto him. He clenched and unclenched his hands that had started to tremble. He was so used to being in control. He could beat bad guys. He could make New York a better place.

Yet he always messed things up for those closest to him.

If he just went back to Harry then things would be okay.

No.

No.

He wasn't going to do that. He could feel Wade's arms around him. He could hear him speaking, but his voice was distant- nothing more than a ringing in his ears. Peter wasn't going to let Harry win.

He sat up more and took a few deep, steadying breaths.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five.

Oscorp wasn't the only big science company in the city. There were others. They could ask around for employment. Otto Octavius's name proceeded him. He was well known in the science world. Someone would hire him.

Peter began to text back, hoping the older scientist would forgive him for this. He tried to explain as coherently as he could what had happened between him and Harry- then his phone began to ring.

His heart dropped. How could he face talking to him after this? The omega felt so guilty and his finger hovered over the decline button.

He owed Otto an explanation though, so he pressed accepted the call, half expecting to hear a cold 'fuck you' on the other end. He'd messed it all up for him, after all. Instead, he was met with something else entirely.

"You know what, Peter... Fuck him."

Otto sounded annoyed but definitely not rattled at him. Peter swallowed, trying to dislodge the heavy lump in his throat. It clung there like thick syrup, still threatening to block his airways.

"You've done nothing wrong,” Otto reassured. “I did wonder what took you so long to leave him though... was it the job?"

Peter sniffed and moved to sit up more so that he could have a proper conversation. He'd never once suspected that the scientist disliked Harry. That was how professional he was. He was thankful when Wade took his hand and gave it a squeeze.

"I... feel like this is all my fault, Otto."

"Well, it's not. The Osborn's are bastards. The only reason I stuck around was because they paid the bills. I knew he was hurting you somehow. I could tell...”

Peter could hear the strain in the other man’s voice as he trailed off and he suddenly wished he was there to see Otto’s face. He desperately wanted a hug from his mentor. It was at this moment that he realized that the older man actually cared for him.

“…Please forgive me for not helping you."

The omega stiffened and rubbed at his eyes. He’d gotten his friend fired and here he was asking him for forgiveness. He didn’t deserve this kindness.

"It's all not as bad as it sounds... but yes. I left him. And he's done this to punish me… Or he’s hoping that I'll come back begging."

"He's done it to hit you where it hurts- your career. Well, you aren’t going back to him today, dear boy."

"What about our projects? You can't just abandon them?"

"I'll be asking around at different companies. Harry told me to take the stuff with me, or it would be destroyed. So I carted the most important of it out. We can rebuild."

That sounded good. A new start at a company out of Harry's control. Peter could hopefully earn a wage too if Otto vouched for his abilities enough. But he had to be sure-

"We? Are you sure you want me after this?"

Otto chuckled at the question as though Peter had asked something truly ridiculous. He could hear him tinkering with some things in the background.

"I need you, Peter. You're a genius that is the backbone of most of my projects. Never let some spoiled alpha brat put you down or tell you otherwise."

The omega laughed and Wade smiled because he was listening in on the conversation. Things would work out. Harry couldn't win it all.

Peter's eyes narrowed as something struck him.

"I have an idea. Can I call you back tomorrow night?”

-

Wade shoved a slice of pizza in his mouth as he listened to Peter’s story. He was proud of him for walking out on Harry like that, however what interested him most was the story of Harley.

“I don’t know what’s more shocking. The fact that you made out with another omega- or that you chose to seduce me before telling me about it.”

Peter laughed and gave a little shrug. He hadn’t exactly made out with Harley. They’d been in a dark room and the other boy had sprung a surprise kiss on him. Wade however, was definitely happy to twist that information.

“So what does he look like?”

“Like me- just a tiny bit shorter with blue eyes instead of brown.”

“Hot.”

Peter reached out with his foot and kicked him playfully from across the sofa.

“He’s eighteen.”

 “Okay… so he’s cute then.”  

 “God! You alphas are all the same!”

He grabbed another slice and tried not to feel guilty for freeloading. He really needed to get a new job because his Daily Bugle one definitely wouldn’t make enough money to slip Wade for taking him in.

“Look… I can’t say I like Harry fucking Osborn but he has a really good track record of amazing tastes in omegas.” Wade flirted with a little wink. “So whoever he is, he’s gotta be gorgeous.”  

Peter rolled his eyes but grinned at his words anyway.

“The only reason I’m even telling you is because he’s Tony Stark’s son.”

Wade raised an eyebrow, clicking onto what his idea was related to.

“So- maybe if I go to see him he’ll be able to put in a good word with his dad. For me and Otto.”

Tony was probably already aware of Otto’s contributions in science. He just needed it flagged to his attention that the man was looking for employment. Stark Industries was the company with the most money too- so maybe investment in their research would be able to go further than it had ever done at Oscorp. Peter couldn’t help but feel hopeful.

“No way. This is absolutely an excuse for you to go make out with a hot omega, which by the way, I’d be totally into watching.”

Peter kicked him again.

Wade snickered.

Chapter Text

Peter wasn't sure what had made him bold enough to turn up at Stark tower and tell the doorman that he was a friend of Harley's, but it had gotten him a phone call up to the other omega and a hyperactive welcome into the building.

Peter had never been inside the tower himself. He'd only glanced through windows as Spider-Man after he'd gotten a little too curious one night. And even then the outer security sensors had gone off, alerting the whole tower occupants to his whereabouts. He’d never seen the avengers assemble so quickly.

The lobby was clean and spacious but it had a welcoming warmth to it too, in a way that Oscorp never had. Harley had told him to hit number 12 on the first elevator and he looked out at the city as it climbed to his floor. Peter tried to ignore the camera that was pointing at him and hoped that he looked sweet and demure, like how security would expect a visiting omega to be.

He hadn’t dared to wear his suit under his clothes or even bring it along. God knows what little things Stark technology could pick up on.

He wondered if Harley would even be able to help Otto get another job. Stark Industries was the big one out of all the companies that they wanted to pitch to. He knew that his friend would be thrilled if he gave him the news that Tony was interested.

Peter felt nerves niggle at him- and he wasn't sure if it was the thought of meeting Tony Stark himself, or because he had an omega who was like a hyperactive puppy waiting to greet him. He was already bracing himself for Harley’s hugs and kisses.

Wade had thought his interaction with the other boy was funny and all night he'd teased Peter about his interest in him. The alpha had winked and had given him a little pep talk on seducing omegas. He was enthusiastic about it in a weird way.

Maybe deep down all alphas wanted a pack. Or maybe it was just Wade being Wade. Sometimes it was hard to tell.

-


"I can't believe you came to see me!” Harley practically yanked Peter out of the elevator when it pinged open. He was grinning ear to ear and he looked up at the other with hopeful wide eyes.

“Did Harry like me that much!? I'm already thinking of canceling MIT. I know you said not to but-"

"No. Don't cancel!” Peter cut him off and let himself be led through the door to the apartment. The other omega’s hands were all over him, as though he desperately wanted to go in for a hug, but didn't quite dare.

Peter eyed him suspiciously. He was wearing traditional omega robes. They were outdated now, although he'd seen hipsters wearing the material over shirts recently, flowing like flimsy cardigans.

Peter knew that it had something to do with reclaiming their omega femininity. It was a social statement and he wasn't sure how he felt about it.

Alphas liked omega femininity. The robe-like outfits had once been a way to display their secondary gender to the world. It had been a way to control.

Peter had detested when Harry had suggested he dress up for parties. It had even triggered fights between them. The only time the omega was willing to put the pretty silk material on was in the bedroom. To Peter, it was nothing more than a sexualization. He didn't want to feel like an accessory hanging off of his mate's arm- his only function to be shown off to his friends.

So he'd refused to dress like that.

But Harley? Harley was doing this completely of his own free will.

He'd thought the gold flecks in the boy’s shirt the other day had been coincidental. No. It was just him downplaying his style.

Harry had probably loved the little nod to traditionalism.

Peter was led to a sofa in the center of the room and he took a seat. He half expected the omega to offer him a drink but it seemed that Harley was too one-track-minded with buzzing around him right now.

He decided to keep the conversation rolling.

"So… I've left him."

"You've... left him?"

"Yeah... like... we aren't together anymore."

Harley moved to sit next to him, the thin robe dusting his bare thighs as he walked. It hung open loosely at the top and Peter wondered if he always looked so ridiculous in his own room.

But then he noticed that Harley had gone white in the face and a frown creased his forehead. He looked stunned by this news. Heartbroken, even.

"But why?"

The older boy swallowed the lump in his throat. This was suddenly so hard to talk about when the other was looking at him with watery eyes- as if he had been the one who had suffered months of torture instead.

"He's abusive. And incredibly controlling. And I kept... miscarrying and he just... didn't care."

Harley fidgeted. Then shifted. He was silent for a moment, while he held Peter’s gaze, then he flicked his eyes away.

“I believe you. All alphas are like that. I just hoped that he’d be different because you both looked so happy in the photos.”

Harley bit the inside of his cheek and crossed his arms. He leaned back, feeling deflated. There went his plan on settling down with another nice omega and playing house with an alpha.

It would have been so convenient.

“Are you somewhere safe? Because if you aren’t, you can stay with me.”

“I… there’s this guy I know. I like him a lot. I’ve liked him for a couple of years but until now I’ve kept my distance… I’m staying with him.”

Harley raised an eyebrow then moved to sprawl out more, shoving his legs up near Peter. All of this wasn’t Peter’s fault but at the same time, he couldn’t help feeling a bit bitter about it.

“So you’ve been having an affair?”

“No! Oh god… it looks that way, doesn’t it?”

“A bit.”

Peter groaned. He hadn’t cheated on Harry. At least not until the morning he’d left him. Yes, he’d moved quickly- but this tension between him and Wade had been building up for a long time.

“I slept with Wade for the first time yesterday. That’s it. I promise. And Harry is aware of him, but he can’t exactly stop me.”

He looked down, noticing how Harley was playing footsie with his thigh. He smiled at how openly affectionate he was.

“So since you’re safe and Harry is no longer important, can I be in a pack with you and this… Wade?”

Peter’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the other.

Why was he so insistent on this? He’d always assumed that Harley had wanted Harry. That he’d wanted an equal match: Oscorp with Stark Industries. The two company heirs shacking up together. Peter had thought he’d tried to get cozy with him that night as a tactic of winning Harry over.

If that was the case then he’d jump at this chance of being Peter’s replacement.

Yet it seemed he only wanted him. The alpha involved didn’t matter.

“Why do you want me so bad, Harley?” He dared to ask.

The boy’s cheeks flushed and he looked away, his eyes trying to settle on anything that wasn’t Peter. He went back to biting his lip and tugged at his robe, securing it shut. But he wasn’t going to lose this opportunity to tell the other how he felt.

It was just hard.

“I like omegas. I knew you were hot from the photos. And I love that you’re into science too. Not many omegas are… so we’re different.”

“So you’re… attracted to the same secondary gender?”

“It’s not that I don’t like alphas. I’ve been with loads. It’s just that they terrify me...”

Harley’s voice trembled slightly. The words were out and he realized that he couldn’t take them back now. He was opening up, whether it was a good idea or not.

Peter frowned at his words. Something had happened. He could tell that he was embarrassed and even a little scared. He was about to comfort him, but Harley continued.

“…And Tony accepts me for being like this- but he did warn me that dating an omega would be seen as strange. So when the time comes I should consider finding a pack...”

Peter rubbed at his head and wished that he could reach over to take the other’s hand, but with how they were sat, it was difficult. Harley was tense and Peter didn’t want to break the mood while he was opening up and dumping so much information on him. Instead, he placed his hand on his ankle that had now stilled.

“…So being with another omega… in that kind of pack dynamic… helps me feel safe.”

“So you’re bisexual?”

“I suppose. But I just don’t trust alphas anymore. I’d much prefer an omega.”

Something had definitely happened. Peter could see the sadness in his eyes. It was like a light had been switched off. His heart bled for the boy and he shifted ever so closer and pulled him into his arms.

“Come here.”

Peter didn’t know what he’d been through and he wasn’t sure if he should ask. The world was a cruel place for omegas sometimes. Harley was eighteen and apparently, he’d already slept with many- Harry included. It turned Peter’s stomach. The protective side of him wanted to keep him safe forever.

Harley was apprehensive to move closer for a change, his walls quickly rebuilding themselves. But slowly he eased himself into the older boy to take a hug. He sniffed.

“Sorry for offloading. You asked.”

“I did. And now I’m a little worried about you.” Peter hugged him tighter. “Are you safe?”

“Yeah- it all happened a long time ago. And… Tony sorted it.”

Tony Stark wouldn’t tolerate shit. He probably had the alpha put away for the rest of his life. He had connections and his own lawyers. He was Iron Man. It was so surprising to Peter that anyone would dare hurt his adopted son.  

“That’s good.”

He held him close, just letting Harley rest in his arms.

“I feel safe with you, Peter.”

Peter hummed and leaned his head down to inhale the other omega’s scent. It was his usual sweetness, mixed with the fruity smell of his shampoo. It was ambrosial.

He could only imagine how much Wade would love Harley on scent alone.

“My new alpha is a good man. He’s not like most of them. I know it’s easy to disregard them all, but please don’t throw Wade down with the rest of them when you meet him. He’s lovely.”

“When I meet him?” Harley’s smile curled upwards at this news and he sat back to look at Peter eagerly. Peter rolled his eyes hating how his moods shifted so quickly.

“He’s a lot older than you… so it’s a big no to forming a pack straight away... But I’d like us all to be friends.”

Peter wasn’t sure how he felt about creating a closer bond with the other boy, but he knew that friendship was a good place to start. Then they could decide if they wanted to pursue anything later.

“-And my terms are that you stick with going to college. Please. You can see me during holidays.”

Harley nodded and entwined their fingers. If that was the best deal he could get, then he’d take it. He leaned in to give Peter a tiny kiss on the cheek and that’s when he heard a cough.

“So anyone wanna tell me who this guy is?”

Peter snapped himself back and looked over his shoulder at the doorway. Tony Stark was standing there, arms crossed and a displeased expression clouding his face.

He felt his heart drop and his words got lost in his mouth.

“Hey Tony… uh… this is Peter.”  

Peter gave an awkward wave.

Chapter Text

Tony held Peter’s eyes. The older man didn’t blink or show any signs of looking away. They pierced into the boy. It felt threatening. Scary.

Peter knew what this was. It was a power play. The other man was waiting for him to speak first- for him to explain himself. Peter felt like he'd been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. But maybe being caught with his hands around another omega's waist was somehow a million times worse.

If Stark had been listening in on his tech then he would now know that something was wrong. That they were talking of alphas and packs. That Peter had something to do with Harley in a weird romantic sense.

And his son was eighteen.

No wonder he was glaring icily at him from across the room.

It was at this moment that Peter was thankful for his baby face. He could hopefully strip a couple of years off of his age if he wanted to. He looked younger so he could play younger.

He knew he had to talk. And fast. But should he dive straight in with the pitch for Otto? Or should he be more truthful and explain everything from the beginning? It would be hard to pull the wool over Tony's eyes- and honestly, Peter respected the man enough to try not to.

The truth it was.

He glanced at Harley who now looked as awkward as he was feeling. Their hands were still linked and Peter pulled them apart and moved to stand up, brushing the wrinkles in his jeans as though he was trying to appear neater.

"Hello, Mr. Stark. I'm Peter."

That was a start. A start that Harley had already made for him. God, he felt so pathetic right now.

"Peter who? And how exactly do you know my son?"

"Come on, Tony. He's chill. You can see he's an omega. He's not here to molest me."

Peter eyed the other boy who was frowning up at his father figure. He clearly didn't like this intrusion of privacy into his dating life. Maybe Tony didn't give him much space at all. He certainly seemed the overprotective type.

"Well, he looks familiar."

"I'm... Harry Osborn's mate. So I guess that's how I met him."

He heard Harley hiss and the omega leaned forward to slap his leg in protest, very blatantly warning him to shut up. 

Okay. So he didn't want that story to be told. He couldn’t blame him. Peter would miss out a few of the saucier details- especially the one about how he'd found the boy in bed, only hours earlier having slept with his alpha.

"So Harry Osborn sent you... on what? A cutesy little omega date?" Tony's voice dripped with sarcasm. His eyes lowered to settle on Peter’s mating scar.

"Not exactly."

"For god’s sake!" Harley interrupted and pulled himself to his feet, maybe a little too dramatically. He reached to take Peter's hand again, finding strength just from touching him.

"Peter's left Harry now. And we're kind of a thing."

It was Tony's turn to frown. His gaze flicked between both boys. He could see Peter was nervous. Harley's blue eyes held his with a sharp determination and he knew that throwing the newcomer out would trigger the tantrum of a lifetime.

Harley looked sweet but when Tony tried to control him, he definitely had bouts of sulks and rages. So as he'd gotten older, he'd left him to his own devices more.

Maybe that had been both a good and a bad decision. His boy was fiercely independent, but god did he make some terrible choices because of his naivety.

Tony retreated to the doorway.

"Okay... you know what... I'm going to order food and give you one chance to get your stories straight. Then we are going to talk. And then I'm either going to kick you out, call the cops or phone your alpha if I don't like what I hear. Okay?"

Peter wasn't sure which one he'd like less. He just nodded, deciding to hope for the best- that Tony wouldn’t be that harsh.

"Yes Sir."

"Good. You want me to grab you a beer?"

Well... that definitely sounded like a test. Tony was eyeing him suspiciously. If he said yes, it was like admitting he was twenty-one. If he said no, he was playing into being younger. Instead, he shook his head.

It was time for more honesty. It would be far too easy for Tony to do a quick google search on him now. He had names.

"Just a coke, please. I don't drink beer much. It's too bitter."

“Classic omega answer.” He grumbled, before leaving the room.


-

Tony leaned back at the dining room table and stared blankly at his son, then cast his gaze at Peter who was still looking sheepish.

"So you want me to give you my blessing to see Harley on a part-time basis? He goes off to school and then when he comes home he can slip happily into whatever weird pack dynamic you have going on?"

Peter wouldn't have worded it like that, but it was the simplest way to explain their thought process. He picked at his Chinese food, wondering if Tony had slipped poison into it. It would be the easiest way to make him disappear.

"I know I'm a little older but I'd look after him. And Wade is super nice. I know he'd love Harley but be smart enough to keep his distance for a while."

The other omega sat in silence, finally happy that after much squabbling the conversation seemed to have turned in his favor. His dad still sounded sarcastic and sour but Peter was doing a good job of talking him around. He’d stopped raising his voice.

"And you want me to give the Otto Octavius a job... because your real alpha fired him out of revenge?"

"Yes, I owe it to him. He only got fired because-"

"-Harry's a total bastard and used him to try to control you." Harley piped up again and reached across the table for the prawn crackers. He broke one off in his mouth, nibbling at it.

"Can we help Peter with the legal fees too, Dad... if it comes to that?"

Tony raised his hands in exasperation, attitude etched on his face. Why did kids always want so much? He loved Harley but damn had he brought him enough problems over the years while being his ward.

And if Steve ever found out what he'd done to protect him before…

"I suppose. As long as the money is paid as anonymously as possible. I don't want bad blood with Oscorp. Or at least I don't want to make our relationship with them any worse.”

God knows how Norman Osborn would take it when he realized his son’s omegas had formed an alliance against him. And that one of them was the son of his biggest rival company.

“Then it’s settled! I get the best of both worlds. Peter gets him and Otto a new job. And we help with the emancipation thingy.”

Harley leaned in to give Peter another peck on the cheek. He had already decided that he was going to get this Wade guy to love him just as much. As long as it meant that he could be with Peter.  

-

"Does he know?"

"Know what?" Peter stood up a little straighter and felt something off about Tony lowering his voice. He looked at the camera in the elevator, horrifically aware that every conversation they had was being recorded for the man to watch, re-watch and over-scrutinize as soon as he was out of the building.

"Who you really are."

Peter inhaled and tried to keep his poker face. He kept his vision fixed on the city skyline. Of course Tony knew. But how? He wasn't wearing the suit. There was no big giveaway. He bowed his head, waiting for the verbal execution.

"That you don't want omegas like he does."

What?

A nervous bout of laughter escaped from Peter’s mouth. He’d thought for sure that Tony was going to reveal that he knew he was the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. He shook his head.

"I never said I don't like omegas in that way. I don't get it exactly... but I enjoyed cuddling with him. And when Harley kisses me my heart always skips a beat."

Maybe Peter hadn't given himself the chance to explore his own sexuality. He'd always been shackled so tightly to Harry that he hadn’t considered what it would be like to make out with another omega. He’d had crushes on betas before. What was the difference once you took away secondary genders?

Harley was just a person. A really lovely person, who was intelligent and supportive, yet so damn cute. He was likable and Peter found it difficult to believe that anyone wouldn’t fall for him.

His chest felt light when he thought of the other omega and he realized that it was in a similar way to how he felt when he thought of Wade.

"If you hurt him, I'll kill you."

Tony's warning dragged Peter back from his thoughts and he turned to look at him. The man’s face was serious. There wasn't a hint of friendliness in his features. Peter felt a prickle on his skin from the threatening aura.

His spidey sense was back.

"Just because I'm Iron Man, it doesn't automatically make me a good guy. I can and I will do terrible things to keep him safe. Just you and your alpha better remember that."

The lift pinged on the bottom floor and opened to reveal the lobby. The boy stayed, staring at him in shock. His feet were as heavy as lead.

Tony put a hand behind his back, steering him to the front door.

“Now… does he know that you’re Spider-Man?”

Peter was sure he was going to have a heart attack.

-

"Baby boy!"

Wade was grinning when his omega came in through the window. Where was his suit? Had he climbed up the building without it?

"You really went all the way to Stark Tower without your suit? Did you Uber it? Or take the subway?"

Peter rolled his eyes at his excitement. "Subway."

Wade lounged on the sofa, his katana looking suspiciously unsheathed on the coffee table. He was in his red and black suit and Peter realized that he’d gone out to do a job this afternoon.

The alpha ripped his mask off, noticing how his omega’s brow had creased.

“Don’t worry! I didn’t unalive anyone. I swear.” He waved his hands defensively. “They might have a lot of medical bills and trauma though.”

“I’m not sure if I want to know what you get up to, Wade. I know you have bills to pay… but it freaks me out a little sometimes.”

The mercenary pulled himself to his feet and walked over, placing his hands on Peter’s waist. He pulled him closer and bent down a little so he could look him in the eyes.

“I’m trying to be better but sometimes things have to get messy in my line of work.”

“I know. I’m not saying stop. Just to be careful about what you take on.”

Wade placed a soft kiss on his head. He wished that Peter wouldn’t worry so much about him. It wasn’t like he could die. And he’d been doing this kind of work most of his life. He knew which jobs were rotten and which bullets to dodge.

And now he knew that to keep his omega happy he needed to change the subject. He needed to pick the mood back up off the floor because Peter was giving him those big sad doe eyes that broke his heart.

"Okay... so do you and your science mentor guy have a new job?" He tried.

“We do…"

Peter went a bit quiet and Wade noticed how he was finding something difficult to talk about. The young man fidgeted on the spot, not entirely sure how the merc would take this. He peeled himself away and walked into the kitchen.

"And me and you have a new omega... kind of?"

"What?"

"Harley.”

Peter tried not to make the information he was dropping sound like a big deal- but he knew it was.

Wade was nothing like Harry but for once he’d be thankful for some weird misogynistic alpha excitement. It would be confirmation that Wade was cool with this. That he was into it.

“He's not backing down on wanting to be in a pack. And it turns out it wasn't Harry who he was wanting. It was me."

“Oh.”

Wade moved to the fridge and grabbed himself a drink too. He considered pouring it over himself to see if he was dreaming. There was no way that he'd had two omegas fall into his lap in just under a week. It was impossible. Maybe he really had died and gone to heaven.
 
"So… you're telling me that I have another cute baby boy to protect and love? Okay. Sign me up."

How would this dynamic even work? Harley was so much younger than him. It felt almost criminal. And did Peter even like omegas in that way? Wade felt unsure but he’d give it a shot. Peter always got things right. He'd just follow his lead.

"There is one condition though,” Peter spoke up, looking nervous.

“You can't touch him. For... a while. He's eighteen and I think something bad happened to him when he was younger. With an alpha."

Oh. Oh okay. Wade nodded along with his words. He could be respectful. He leaned against the counter and wondered if he should look into getting a two-bedroom apartment. That would cost... but if needs must. It would definitely make things easier.

"I can do that. I'll tuck you both in at night and make sure you're nice and cozy and it'll be good. And I'll look into getting us a bigger place."

Peter smiled and gravitated to Wade again. He wrapped his arms around his neck and leaned in to embrace him. It felt weird because it had been a long time since he’d hugged an alpha. The only time Harry had given him this kind of physical affection had been in bed. He felt the bigger man's arms loop around his waist.

"He won't be staying with us too often. He's going to college. And when he's back he'll probably alternate between us and Stark Tower."

"Is Tony really okay with this?"

"Yeah. I mean he’s a bit cagey about it… but we came to an agreement." Peter's face tugged into a grin.

"And he's going to help cover our legal bills."

Chapter Text

Otto Octavius.

Tony forced a smile as he looked at the scientist across the desk from him. He knew who he was, he knew of his research, yet he'd never actually had a conversation with the man. They'd given a TED Talk at the same event in New York a few years back, but had only brushed shoulders with each other on the day.

Given their field of interest, they now felt like old friends.

"We were working on tech to help people with disabilities before the Osborns shut us down."

Otto brought his cup of tea to his lips and sat back, feeling much more relaxed than he had when he'd first arrived. He'd heard horror stories of Tony Stark. He knew that he could be arrogant and standoffish. Yet, at the same time, the man was considered a hero. He was a technological genius who had created an unlimited power source- much like how Otto had once dreamed of doing.

Otto had a massive amount of respect for the man.

"Yes, I've seen the diagrams of the arms." Tony nodded at his words, prompting him to continue.

"My research was originally in energy- but you beat me to it with the arc reactor." He chuckled. "I admit I was quite salty about it for some time."

Tony raised an eyebrow. That was a backhanded compliment. It said a lot about Otto’s character that he was able to admit he'd been envious.

"So now instead I'm focusing on neurotechnology in prosthetics. Making tech that can be linked to thoughts. It won't be affordable for the average person at first but I'm hoping that one day with your power source and my direction we can have a solution to that."

And there was the pitch.

Tony nodded. It sounded good. His suits and tech still needed verbal commands or taps to activate. Otto was talking about fusion. Becoming one with the tech. That seemed like the next logical step in scientific advancement.

He had to agree to this.

"I'm surprised you took this long to join my company. Stark Industries is much more in line with your vision because we are more electronics-based than Oscorp."

Oscorp was more bio-based these days.

Otto let out a sigh and shrugged his shoulders. "I go back a long way with Norman- which is so surprising why he turned on me so easily."

"Because of Peter?"

Otto nodded and frowned. He hated Harry for how he'd treated his assistant. And he hated his father for cutting him off like he meant nothing.

"Peter is Harry's mate. I take it you know the details?"

"Actually no. I don't."

"Ah."

Otto went a bit quiet and pursed his lips. He'd pieced together bits and pieces over the years of knowing the omega, but it had only been hearing the full story from his lips that he'd realized how horrifically Harry had treated him.

Was it okay to tell Tony these things? Would Peter be okay with this?

To hell with it. Tony knowing might be a good thing.

"Harry has been wanting a child for a while but Peter can't seem to carry to term. He kept miscarrying and that brat kept forcing him into trying again and again and again.”

The scientist went quiet and brought the cup back up to his lips. He felt anxious about telling Tony the next part- but he was going to be man enough to do it. Someone had to be.

"After a few more attempts, Harry decided to introduce another boy to their relationship. I think Pete found him in bed with him... or something along those lines."

Tony felt himself go cold.

Harley.

The boys had let a bit of that slip when they'd had dinner with him last night. He brought a hand up to rub at his head and brushed his hair back. His son was an idiot for jumping into bed with an alpha on their first meeting.

And an idiot for doing so without meeting the other omega beforehand. It seemed that Peter had been really gracious about this. Tony felt sick.

"I'm sure you already know this but that other omega is my son."

The man stood, deciding it was time to end the interview. He felt angry and ashamed by his son’s silly choices. Harley had always struggled with forming healthy relationships but butting in on this kind of trauma had crossed a line.

“Thank you for telling me. Can you start Monday morning?”

He moved to the other side of the desk to shake Otto’s hand and hoped he didn’t look as faint as he was feeling.


-


"Me and you need to talk."

Tony whistled at Harley like he was a dog and pointed, signaling for him to follow him into the lounge. Otto had just left and he felt his son bristle at the harshness of his voice.

The teen placed the blue armor he was working on down at his workbench and pulled himself to his feet in a huff.

Tony could be an asshole when he wanted to be. If he was given reason to be. It was just his cocky nature coming through. Harley wondered what he’d done wrong now. Surely they’d cleared everything up?

He followed him into the other room.

“What is it now?”

“Don’t you dare give me attitude.” The man crossed his arms. “Jumping into bed with another alpha before you’ve gotten to know them? I thought you would have learned from last time!”

Harley cast a glance at the entrance that the scientist had exited. Peter had told Otto and Otto had snitched.

“I can sleep with whoever I want to now.”

“Did you know about Peter’s miscarriages? Did you even care about them? Or did you just not know the facts before you jumped into the sack with his mate?”

Tony could feel his blood boiling.

The younger looked at his feet. So that was what this was about. His father figure was touchy over the subject of miscarriage, even though he pretended not to be. He was old. The only child he and Steve had ever been able to conceive together had been lost because of that.

And deep down Harley knew that was why they’d adopted him.

It was too late for them.

They couldn’t have their own.

His mother dying had been a convenience.

It stung sometimes.

He knew that Tony truly cared for him though, despite it all. Sometimes Harley’s mind just ran away with itself. Anxiety gnawed at him. He folded his arms, hugging himself and pulled his omega robes tighter. He had to banish these horrible thoughts from his mind.

They had a connection. Tony was just worried about him.

“I didn’t know until after I’d slept with Harry. He invited me back. I met Peter and he told me after.”

Tony’s jaw was set and he glanced around the room as if he was looking for some higher power to appear and tell him what to do. It was good to hear that his son hadn’t been deliberately malicious and inconsiderate though. The alpha clearly had left details out to trick him.

“The next time you see Peter you apologize for involving yourself in his life without his consent. Okay? Just turning up and expecting to be let into another omega’s pack isn’t cool.”

The boy shrugged his shoulders and flicked his blue eyes up to meet Tony’s brown. They burned into him and he nodded, knowing he had to agree to make his father simmer down.

“Yeah, okay. He’s totally cool about everything now though.”

“Look kiddo… just think before you do in the future… that’s all I ask.”

Tony exhaled and turned to leave. He needed to lay down. Alcohol was calling him even though he’d kicked that habit long ago.

Harley slinked his way back to his workshop. He loved Tony but god could he be condescending. He’d talk to him later and things would be fine.

But he’d take his advice. He’d go to see Peter and apologize. He’d just have to hack his dad’s computer to find out where he and this ‘Wade’ lived.

The boy picked up the blue armored panel he was working on and went back to fiddling with the electronics.

Now, if only he could get the magnets to work.  


-

Steve looked up from his book when Tony entered their bedroom. His mate didn't say anything, instead heading straight into their en-suite bathroom. The alpha heard the rattle of a pill bottle and knew that he was chugging down his scent and heat suppressants.

Tony was overmedicating again. He always did this when he was anxious. Moods often gave omegas away; their stress hormones somehow out-powering the strength of the drugs. That meant he was trying to overcompensate with a higher dose.

The bathroom sink ran for a few minutes before the omega re-entered the room. His cheeks were red from splashing and scrubbing at them. He looked tired.

Steve shifted more onto his side of the bed, making room for the other to climb in under the sheets. The mattress sank as Tony got himself comfy on his back. He placed his arm over his eyes, dramatically showing that he was bothered by something.

"You want to tell me what's got you in a tizzy today?" Steve placed his book on the bedside table and turned to face his mate.

"No, not really."

"Tony."

The omega sighed and rolled over, putting his back to his mate. Where did he even start? Steve was Harley's Pa, but he wasn't as close to the boy as he was. The other man was old-fashioned too. He had no idea how he would take any of this.

"Harley's got himself in trouble again. Kind of. It's really complicated."

"How so? I'm sure we can just steer him in the right direction. We've done it before."

Tony looked back over his shoulder at the blond, eyeing him to check his expression. Steve looked confident and more annoyingly chilled. Why was he always so calm?

"He likes other omegas. Like... in a weird secondary gender gay way."

Steve lifted his head off the pillow and frowned. He reached out to place a hand on Tony’s form on top of the covers.

"Okay?"

“Okay!? That's all you're going to say? Okay!?"

"I mean... it is what it is. It's not necessarily a bad thing. Not in today's age. Maybe sixty years ago people might have been a bit iffy about it.”

“And here I was thinking you were going to freak out about it.”

Steve smirked at him and raised his eyebrows. Seriously? He was the least judgemental person that Tony knew. He tried not to laugh as he watched the other visibly exhale his tension.

The alpha scooted closer and wrapped his arm around Tony’s middle, spooning him from behind.

“I don’t care as long as he finds someone he loves as much as I love you.”

Tony huffed and rolled his eyes.

"Well since you’re Mr. Romantic Acceptance tonight, I’d just like you to know that he's a manipulative little shit who’s somehow wormed his way into a pack with Spider-Man and Deadpool- and is going to be giving me a headache for the next forever."

"Hey. Language. That's our son.”

"There's no nice way to describe what he's been getting up to.”

“He’s going to be fine. I know you worry about him- but he will be.” Steve leaned over and placed a loving kiss onto Tony’s jaw. Tony hissed at the affection, wanting to reject it out of current temperament.

“And those suppressants are making you mean.” Steve poked him in the side.

Tony reached up to turn the bedside light off, then he was reluctantly rolling over to cuddle into his mate, tucking his head under his chin. He closed his eyes and inhaled Steve’s scent. He never used any kind of blockers. His strong alpha smell made him dizzy.

It made him docile, and that’s exactly what Tony needed right now.

“I’m not getting off of them.”

“Didn’t ask you to…”

Tony huffed again and a smile tugged at his mouth. He leaned up to claim Steve’s lips, kissing him in the darkness. He felt his mate’s hands on his waist, pulling him closer.

“You know how I know Harley will be fine?” Steve whispered as he stroked the omega’s sides, his breath ghosting his lips.

“He’ll be fine because he’s your son. He has your brilliance and your heart. He’s naïve and sweet but he’s calculating and clever- he’ll make the right choices.”

“Oh shut up.”

Tony kissed him again. He kissed him into silence. He kissed him until they were both weak, their chests heaving breathlessly. He leaned against Steve’s chest, listening to his slowing heart. He closed his eyes, feeling himself beginning to lull into a relaxed slumber.

Then the man’s voice pulled him back from his dreams-

“So… tell me which one’s the omega. It has to be Deadpool… right?”

Tony groaned.

“Go to sleep.”

Chapter Text

Harley stared at the computer in front of him and tried not to pout as the usual password rejected him for the second time.

Tony had changed it again. Harley probably had left evidence since he last sneaked on for information and now he was back to stage one- the guessing game.

Guessing was easier than hacking and he began to throw wild attempts into the computer. Each one was met with a violent sounding beep, and one of the multiple sarcastic messages that Tony had set up to mock whoever was making an attempt on his system.

Tony was stupidly clever though. He always went for the obvious. It was like how Happy's password was 'password.' No one would ever think Stark Tech was secured with something so ridiculous.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

“Fuck.”

An idea came into Harley's mind and he tried not to roll his eyes. The number of times his father figure said these words was laughable now. It was practically his catchphrase. He typed it in anyway, as a wild card.

IAMIRONMAN

Ping.

Harley tried not to snicker to himself as the database loaded. Idiot.


-


Peter's arms tightened around Wade's neck and he leaned in to press little pecks to his jaw. They were already fulfilled, the alpha's knot swollen largely inside of him, but Peter wanted more affection.

He couldn't get enough of it.

This was a different kind of love than what he'd felt with Harry. He felt adored and the way that Wade chuckled and dived back in to meet his lips made this feel so lighthearted and fun.

This kind of sex made him happy.

Peter looked up at his alpha and reached for his hands, entwining their fingers. His racing heart hadn't slowed, even after his release and despite the bliss, Peter still felt full of energy. He could go again... maybe.

As soon as Wade was out of him.

"You still seem like you want more. You never told me you were insatiable." Wade teased cornily and leaned down to give him one more kiss. Peter rolled his eyes and hated how his cheeks dusted a soft pink.

He hated blushing. It was so typically omega. They all did it when flirted with by an alpha that they found attractive. He’d given up on trying to stop it from happening a long time ago.

"Do you trust me?" Wade nipped at his neck playfully.

"Why?" Peter asked curiously and tried to keep his composure. It was hard when he had teeth scraping against his skin.

"Because I know another way to make an omega come."

Wade grinned and rocked his hips, his swollen knot knocking against the omega's prostate. Peter let out a shocked breath as another wave of pleasure rolled over him. Was he actually going to do this? Could he take Wade rubbing him there while he was still so full? And what would it achieve exactly?

"O-okay... Fuck...." Peter gave a breathy laugh. He reached down to touch his own length but the mercenary peeled his hands away, instead loosely pinning them to either side of his head.

"No hands." He kissed the omega's nose cheekily. "Trust me. I know what I'm doing- and I'm betting you've never experienced anything like it before..."

Wade snapped his hips one more time, pulling another moan out of Peter. He had to make quick work of this before he deflated. The younger man's legs lifted to wrap around his waist again, submitting himself to Wade's control. The alpha knocked and knocked, over and over again, finding a shallow rhythm as he pushed his swelled knot against him.

Peter keened and threw his head back. His hands squeezed Wade's and he was shocked to find pressure starting to build in the pit of his stomach. His insides squeezed and he moaned.

"Wh-what's happening?" He panted.

"Just go with it..."

Oh god. Oh god. Oh god.

His cock wasn't even hard but he felt like he was about to erupt!

Wade bit him gently again and licked at the sensitive skin. The mercenary could feel the other trembling beneath him. The omega’s legs shook and he knew it wouldn't be long before he could feel his insides spasming around him.

"Wade... fuck... I need to... I don't know what's..."

Peter cried out a loud moan as he felt a strong wave of pleasure flood from his abdomen. The warmth spread through his body. His toes curled. His insides clenched and contracted around the knot once again, ramping up and up and up into an ecstasy that he’d never imagined he could feel.

Slowly, the movement calmed into little flutters. His vision went black and he went limp.

He felt electric.

What had just happened? He breathed heavily, unaware just how much of Wade's actions had made him start to pant. A thin sheen of sweat covered his brow.

His cock was still unaffected.

How? How could he feel so good without shooting his load?

"What was that?" He breathed and cracked an eye open.

The alpha looked pleased with himself and he leaned down to press a soft kiss to his lips again, letting go of his wrists to cup his cheeks with his hands. His baby boy looked so done now and he felt proud.

"An internal orgasm. Only omegas get them- and normally they're only associated with female omegas."

It was far easier to get a male omega off with their length- so that was normally the default for most alphas. Wade was just that good of a lover that he knew all the tricks.

That or he'd watched too much porn.

"I didn't know that was possible. It's like my dick didn't even wake up again."

The alpha chuckled to himself. Peter was tired now. He was talking so sleepily with slurred words. It had really knocked the stuffing out of him.

"You're going to want that every time now." He teased back.

"Hmm..."

The omega closed his eyes and reached down to feel his stomach. Wade felt good inside of him. He could feel the gentle bulge of the knot, although it was much less prominent now. He could pull out any minute.

Then they could nap.

"I really liked that." Peter admitted with a little smile. "And I really liked it earlier when you bent me over the-"

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Wade groaned. Talk about bad timing!

"Ignore it. It's probably a neighbor complaining I dropped a body part in the communal dumpster again."

"What!?"

"Come on, baby boy! Keep talking! This is like being pulled away from the best wet dream ever. I've waited to hear you say things like this for years."

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Peter cast a glance at the door. Wade followed his gaze, as though they could both see through walls. The mood was ruined.

The alpha growled in frustration and huffed. He carefully eased himself out of his lover and reached to snatch his boxers and shirt off of the floor.

"Okay, okay... I'm coming..." He breathed, more to motivate himself to leave the room. Someone was going to get skewered if this wasn't important.

He pulled his clothes on and then skulked out, wondering if he'd somehow accidentally ordered pizza.

It had happened before.


-

When Wade opened the apartment door he found himself staring at a fresh-faced kid. The omega's scent hit him and his eyes trailed over what he was wearing.

Shirt. Jeans. Cardigan.

The cardigan wasn't knitwear though. It was soft, like it was made of silk. Golden flecks and floral patterns stood out on the navy material and it hung open like a tempting invitation. The mercenary frowned. Had someone's omega gotten locked out of their apartment?

"Can I help you?"

"Hi... I'm looking for Pete?"

"One sec."

Wade closed the door, feeling a rush of horror flood through him. Was that Harley? That had to be fucking Harley. He fit the description.

And now he'd seen him without his mask on!

Wade hated himself. He'd wanted to introduce himself to the boy in the most careful way possible. He hadn't wanted the sweet little omega to be horrified by the freakshow that was his skin.

Peter might be okay with it but he was hardy! He was used to seeing ugly-looking bad guys!

The alpha paced over to the armchair where he'd left his mask and grabbed it.

"Petey?" He called, his panic still high. "Not to worry you but there's an omega at the door who frighteningly looks like your new Stark friend."

"What!?"

Peter was out of the bedroom in a matter of seconds, his eyes wide. He scanned the room, then made quick work of shoving his spidey suit under the couch.

"Hide your swords and suit and stuff. And don't put your mask on! He doesn't know we're... y'know."

Wade frowned.

"But what about my face?"

"I promise it won't be a big deal to him."

The omega moved to the door and opened it, coming face to face with Harley, who was now looking a bit unsure. He was clutching his phone and Peter wondered if it was out of anxiety, or if he was considering calling a cab home.

"Well, I'm glad you've met Wade. He's just tidying up a bit. We've just-"

"-had sex? Yeah I can tell."

Peter turned red. The boy in front of him tried to look over his shoulder and he moved his head to block his view. He could hear his lover knocking things over behind him in his attempt to quickly clean the place of their secret identities.

"Just think... if I'd come an hour earlier I would have been able to join in." Harley flirted and reached out to take Peter's hand.

Peter gave an awkward laugh. Yeah. He was sure Wade would have loved that.

He just rolled his eyes. If he told Harley one more time that he wasn’t getting his claws into Wade for a while, he’d start to sound like a broken record.

Would Wade really be able to resist Harley if the boy came onto him alone though? That was a question he wasn’t sure he wanted to be answered.

“Okay baby boy! We’re clean-er!” Wade called enthusiastically. He was proud that he’d managed to even hide the unwashed dishes in the kitchen too. They’d been starting to pile up and first impressions were a must!  

When Peter stepped back from the door to let Harley in, he looked over his shoulder at the alpha. Wade had thrown his hoody on and pulled it up to cover most of his head.

He supposed that was fine. For as long as he’d known him, Wade had been self-conscious about his looks. Peter just wished that he’d taken the time to warn Harley about the scarring. Prepare him. Influence him to be kind.

Not that the other omega wouldn’t be.

But a look of surprise on anyone’s face was enough to knock the alpha’s confidence a little.

“So this is Wade…” Peter introduced, signaling at the mercenary with his hand.

Harley gave a meek smile up at the stranger and he tilted his head. He’d already seen the man’s face at the door- but the records on Tony’s computer had told him why his skin was so mangled.

He was Deadpool.

And Peter was Spider-Man.

It was laughable, really. His whole family and friends were superheroes- and now his love interests were too. He was starting to feel like a main character.

It was no wonder that Tony wasn’t thrilled by their pack-union. He’d hoped that his son would go on to have a more normal life, with normal people. He’d kept him away from the Iron Man business for as long as possible.  

“Nice to meet you.”

“When Petey said you looked a bit like him I was kind of expecting Tom Holland. Or Andrew Garfield. Or maybe with blue eyes, you’d be more like Tobey Maguire… but no. You look like the cutest omega cover model ever.”

Peter frowned, looking at Wade strangely. He’d never heard of these people- but then again there were times where the mercenary rambled and he just had to shrug his shoulders.

Sometimes he wondered if the man really was insane.

“Thank you.” Harley blushed and decided to just take it as a compliment. He walked closer to the alpha to try to get a better look and a discreet smell of him.

The scent was pleasant. He clearly had a nice physique- he’d seen photos of him in his suit after all. He was powerful, which was always exciting. And from what Peter had told him, he was kind. But most importantly, he was willing to give the pack arrangement a go.

Wade took a step back, not trusting either of them to get too close. He felt giddy already.

“So… who wants hot chocolate and marshmallows?”

Peter watched as Harley grinned and followed the alpha into the kitchen. The boy seemed happy enough with Wade and was definitely making the effort to get to know him. He chatted along happily, taking directions on where the cups and ingredients were stored as they hurried to make drinks.

Harley pulled open the wrong draw and the room fell silent.

“Why’s there like a hundred dirty plates in this cupboard- and a Spider-Man mask?” 

Wade howled, bringing his hands up to his head in shock...

But it was too late.  

Chapter Text

"I can understand why you left Harry now."

Harley held the mask up with a cheeky little smile as he teased Peter. They didn't know that he knew their secret identities. He could at least have some fun with this.

He moved towards Wade and held it out to him.

"Don't worry. I'm not gonna tell anyone."

Peter just stood there gawking. Harry thought Wade was Spider-Man and now Harley did too. His eyes connected with the alpha's and for the first time, he wished that they were telepathic.

The clever side of himself wanted to tell the other man to act along. Harley knowing about one superhero was better than him knowing about two.

But Peter had made a promise to himself. He'd never lie to another lover. He'd kept his own mate in the dark over his secret identity- and that had caused so many problems between them.

Maybe if he'd been more open and honest with Harry, then the alpha would have been more understanding.

Or maybe he wouldn't have been.

The omega crossed the room and took the mask from the other boy’s hand so that Wade didn't have to.

"Actually, it's mine."

Harley snickered.

"I'm just messing with you." He winked. "Tony's computer already told me who you both are."

Wade groaned at his words and threw his head back, thanking the gods that this nightmare was over. His heart had dropped through the floor and was now somewhere in the basement of the building.

It wasn’t that he cared about people knowing he was Deadpool. He cared more about how his history of violence would look to a cutesy omega.

"Harley... baby... don't do that to me. I was freaking out for a moment because sticking to the walls would be really hard to fake."

Peter laughed and put one arm up, jumping and sticking his hand to the roof in demonstration. He would have loved to have seen Wade at least try to attempt that! He lifted his feet up next, assuming a crawling pose upside down.

"So... I had a feeling the avengers would know somehow. But no one else does. Just us three."

Harley tilted his head up at him.

"What about the Osborns?"

Peter frowned, knowing he had to confess to never telling his mate. He imagined that would sound strange.

"They don't know. Harry suspects I'm involved with Spidey somehow though. I'm his photographer."

Wade silently went back to making the drinks as the hero had totally captured the other boy’s attention. He watched as Peter dropped back down and led Harley to the couch. His lover was starting to explain how he used his web-shooters and the other omega was excitedly flapping, wanting to see them.

It was cute how easily they seemed to talk with each other. There were a lot of shared interests there. Wade couldn’t keep up with the scientific words when they started going into more depth.

Then a screwdriver was coming out of Peter’s backpack so he could pick apart his gear to give Harley visible examples of his work.

"Hey, Petie?" The alpha called. He cast a glance at the window, seeing that it was a bright day outside. "After drinks, why don't you take a shower, and then you can take Harley out... like on a date?"

Harley looked over the back of the couch at the alpha’s strange suggestion. Was he actually stepping back here? Odd. Very, very odd.

"You can come too if you want?" He offered, tilting his head.

"Nah. I think it would be good for you to get to know each other better. Go to the park and get ice cream or something. Or go for lunch somewhere. I'll pay. And then maybe Petey can swing you around the city. Give you the Spidey-tour from above.”

Wade winked at his lover, silently telling him that it was okay.

Peter raised an eyebrow back at him. He hadn’t expected this and he knew he shouldn’t turn Wade’s openheartedness down.

“Sounds like a plan.”

-

Peter held his ice cream tub close to his chest as they walked further into the park. It was bustling because of the warm weather. Fall was just around the corner and the leaves were starting to turn beautiful shades of reds and browns.

He cast a glance at Harley who was smiling and had been incredibly cheerful since they'd left Wade's apartment. Peter wondered what he was thinking. He wished he could see inside the boy’s head. It would make all of this so much simpler.

"You wanna find a bench?"

He scanned the area and realized that they were all taken. Tourists were everywhere.

"Actually nevermind... Let's just chill on the grass." It hadn't rained recently and Peter didn't care much about grass stains. He shouldn't be fussy. Without Wade, he'd be homeless right now. His fingers grazed Harley's, hinting that he should follow him.

The tree they settled under cast a long shadow and he smiled as a squirrel scurried up the bark. He scooped the last of his ice cream into his mouth and he settled down to relax on his back. Wade had made a good call with pushing them to go on this date.

They’d gone to the New York Hall of Science first where they’d nerded out together- and now here they were. Chilling out.

"I've always loved Central Park. It's normally so peaceful."

Harley nodded and rolled over onto his front so he could look at Peter better. He reached out to stroke some of the other omega's hair out of his face. He was already convinced that he loved him.

The whole Spider-Man thing just made Peter even more attractive to the boy. And the fact that he was so clever and cool just made Harley idolize him. There was no way that he was letting him slip through his fingers.

A small breeze blew and Harley studied Peter’s lips. 

"I know you think I'm going to regret going after you... but I won't."

Peter cracked an eye open. Where had this come from? It seemed like every opportunity Harley had, he wanted to talk about them. He was so infatuated with the idea of a relationship. It was kind of sweet but also a little concerning. Peter wasn't sure what to say. He sat up a little more, balancing on his elbows.

"I think as long as we get along... and as long as we take our time... I won't regret you either."

Hint. Hint. Don't rush.

Harley picked a loose thread out of Peter's sweater and wondered if he should voice his thoughts on another matter.

"I want Wade to like me too. He's so big... but also kind of scary looking. He's really okay though... right? I don't know much about Deadpool."

In fact, Tony's files had been the only thing he knew of the masked mercenary. As far as heroes went, Deadpool was one he hadn't heard of yet.

And Harley had met most of them.

But the alpha didn't sound like he fell into that category. He sounded bad. Not quite a villain but not quite a hero either. He trod a very thin line between.

Peter gave a laugh. That's what he was worried about?

"Wade's fine." He promised with a grin. "He's a big teddy bear. Just... with really big swords and guns and well... other bad stuff that he probably shouldn't have."

Harley poked at his ice cream with a spoon, just stirring the remains around the little pot. He wasn't sure what to say to that. All he wanted was for them to be happy.

"Does he kill?"

Peter swallowed the lump in his throat and reluctantly nodded.

"He has in the past. He's a merc. But he's doing better than when I first met him. He only takes jobs that require intimidation and maiming now."

And oh god didn’t that sound terrible, didn’t it?

"You don't need to worry about him though. He's a total gentleman with omegas."

Harley smiled at that and then rolled over onto his back again. He reached down between them to take Peter's hand and looked up at the clouds.

"You should try again one day... with him."

Peter eyed him sideways, wondering what he was suggesting. Then realization slapped him in the face. He resisted snatching his hand away. Harley wasn’t being malicious. He was just young and naïve. He was just trying to make him feel better about a situation he could probably never fix.

"Nah. Don't think so. I can't go through that again."

"Maybe not now. But you shouldn't give up forever."

“Having a baby as Spider-Man is probably a terrible idea.”

Peter fobbed the topic off. It didn’t matter if he wanted one or not. He wasn’t having this conversation with Wade for a long time.

Peter sighed and turned his head to look at the other boy. He looked tired, like he'd been losing sleep too. This was the first time Peter had seen his expression so neutral. Normally Harley was so animated and smiley like a Cheshire cat and Peter wondered if that was some kind of mask too.

"Are you really okay with having two weird superhero boyfriends?"

"I have two weird superhero dads."

"Okay- Stupid question."

Peter laughed. Harley's expression stayed the same.

"I think the superhero life chose me from the moment I met Tony." The younger boy raised his arm into the sky and peeled back his cardigan sleeve to reveal a blue bangle over his wrist. He tapped at it and the cogs in the mechanics quickly ground away. It expanded and fit around his hand, engulfing it completely.

An Iron Man armpiece.

Peter’s eyes widened.

"I’ve been working on this for a while. Dad blasts and causes destruction. I'm focusing on magnetic energy and repair. Eventually, I'll make a full suit."

"Harley. That's dangerous." Peter gave a breathy laugh from the shock of his reveal.

"Sorry, at what age were you throwing yourself off buildings as Spider-Man?” The other omega sassed him back. He knew the webslinger had been active for at least five or six years.

"Okay. Point taken."

"So we're going to be a superhero boyfriend trio."

Peter just rolled his eyes again but couldn’t help the adoring smile that tugged at his lips. He reached out to take Harley's now ironed hand in his.

"Just so you know, Wade is going to lose his shit when he sees this. He has a thing for making everything cute in his head... and I think an Iron Boy is going to finally make him combust.

-

The tracking device told Harry where Peter would be. He knew where his new apartment was. He knew that he'd been to Stark Tower. He knew that he'd been to the science museum today and was now in Central Park- more than likely alone.

What he wasn't prepared for was seeing him hanging out on the grass with the Stark omega that he'd introduced him to.

The man walked briskly towards them, piece of paper in hand. He could just throw a bomb at both of them and be done with it… but that would be too easy.

Harry wanted a fight. Harry wanted complete domination over his mate.

He felt a jolt of glee when Peter’s eyes widened in fear as he noticed him approaching.

"Hello Pete and... I'm sorry... I forgot your name?"

He hadn't. But it was better to make Harley feel bad about himself than give him another shred of attention. He wasn't going to be getting another chance with this one by the looks of it and as his father once said: Do what you need to with omegas, then broom them fast.

So he chose to ignore the boy as quickly as he’d acknowledged him.

"I've gotten a court order. For you."

The alpha passed the piece of paper to his mate and crossed his arms. His eyes flicked to the metallic hand that Harley was wearing and he tried not to sneer. He wondered if Tony knew he was messing around with Iron Man stuff in public.

Those toys shouldn't be played with by little boys. 

Peter unfolded the paper and frowned, trying to keep his breathing under control. He’d panicked when he’d seen Harry walking towards them across the grass. He’d considered fleeing. He’d considered fighting. He just wasn’t ready to speak with him again.

He tried to read.

Harry was here. Harry was here and none of the words were being processed by his brain. He couldn’t focus. He couldn’t think.

Harley reached out to grab the paper away so that he could have a look. He wasn’t a lawyer but Peter’s head looked like it was starting to burn from the inside.

“If separated, Peter Parker, Harry Osborn’s omega must take residence with a relative until a fair trial is completed.”

Peter glared up at him.

“Fine. I’ll stop with Aunt May.”

The omega knew better than to go against the law.

It didn’t mean that he couldn’t visit Wade. And surely Harry wouldn’t care if he spent time with Harley. He’d get legal advice from Matt about this.

“When I get you back I want you as untouched as possible,” Harry said through grit teeth.

Harley snickered and his smirk didn’t drop when the alpha snapped his head to eye him in annoyance.

“I’d say it’s a little too late for that.” The boy said dryly, then dared to elaborate. “I had to wait a whole ten minutes earlier for Wade to come to the door.”

A moment of silence passed between them all.

Harry's eyes widened. Harley's smirk fell.

Peter moved to stand just as Harry lunged for him. He jumped back, out of the way of his fist. Harley moved quickly too, squeezing in between and putting some distance between the both of them.

He’d never seen an alpha attack an omega like this before. At least not a mated pair.

He pointed his iron arm at the older man, knowing that his friend couldn’t fight him as Peter Parker.

“I think it’s time to call it a day.” The blue metal shone at the alpha threateningly.

Harry’s hand fumbled in his pocket for a bomb.

Chapter Text

When Harry threw the bomb, Harley turned his magnetic suction on. The little golden sphere flew against his iron hand, then he reversed the effect, catapulting it high into the air. It exploded with a loud boom, drawing attention to their standoff.

Green smoke filtered down like fairy dust and all three of them scrambled out from underneath the poisonous mist.

"I didn't know you could do that." Peter coughed, grabbing the other omega's hand and setting off at a sprint. He could hear Harry wheezing nearby, although couldn't see him through the smoke.

If his mate wanted them, then he was going to have to give in to a chase.

He doubted that Harry would. He had too much self-preservation for that. He was all about walking- and at most strutting like he owned a place.

Peter's head thudded. It had only been a couple of weeks since he'd been in the hospital! So much had happened, yet he still wasn't healed completely! He ignored the shooting pain as he pulled the other boy across the park.

He weaved him through the trees, trying to break any view that Harry may still have of them and then they were arriving at the edge of the park.

Down a street. Down another street. Turn. Take the side alley. His brain just had one thought- and that was to put as much distance between them as possible.

"Okay... okay... I'm not wearing my suit. I can't fight him if he comes after us..."

Nor could Peter just swing them away. He glanced down at Harley's arm that was still encompassed in the metal. It glowed an icy blue, as if it was warmed up and ready for round two.

He wanted a fight.

"Then I will."

"No... God no…” Peter protested. “Sometimes running is better than fighting. We don't want attention if we can help it. Someone else might get hurt in the crossfire."

"I want to blast him until he can't get back up again."

The older boy scrunched his eyes shut as another wave of pain seared through his head and his hand clung to the alley wall, thankful that his fingers were extra sticky. So far, as Spider-Man he'd been taking things fairly easy, allowing himself time to recover. Yet, these migraines from his injury always attacked him at really inconvenient times.

Peter theorized that the pain came from overexertion. It was the blood pumping to his head from the run and overwhelming him.

"Harley. Listen to me. Sometimes if you can do something bad, it doesn't mean you should."

Peter felt himself go dizzy and he fumbled in his pocket for his phone.

Fuck. Had he dropped it? He tapped himself in panic.

No. The other pocket.

He pulled it out and held it to the other omega. His vision started going black and he blinked again, and again and again, trying to clear the dark patches.

"Call Wade."

Peter listened to Harley scrambling with the phone to unlock it.

"The password is 020499" -

Which was Harry's fucking birthday. He needed to change that.

-

It took Wade less than fifteen minutes to get to them. He scooped a now unconscious Peter up into his arms and whipped his head around, almost begging that posh fucker to be lingering. He was going to shoot him. One bullet in his brain was all that it would take to end this.

The alpha's blood was boiling and he could see that Harley looked worried but equally as angry.

“Let’s get him home… then I’ll go after him.”

Harley started walking, having to up his pace to a half-jog to keep up with the man’s large strides. He pushed his hair out of his face and wondered if he was as flushed as he was feeling.

“Pete said not to fight.”

“Yeah well, Petey probably didn’t want the attention on him. I don’t care if it’s on me. The whole of Oscorp are gonna see me coming through their front doors tonight.”

The omega felt his own phone vibrating in his pocket. He pulled it out.

Tony.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Rule number one- you don’t ignore Tony Stark. He debated diverting the call to voicemail but thought better of it. He hit answer and began to ramble.

“Hey, Dad. Everything’s totally fine. Yeah, I was near the explosion in Central Park- but y’know… it’s cool. I’m going back to Peter and Wade’s place now so I’ll be home in a few hours… okay… bye!”

He hung up before his father figure could get a word in edgeways.

It was better than Tony thinking he was dead.

And hopefully, now he would leave him alone for a while now.

If Harry had put a tracker on Peter, Harley would find it when they got back to the apartment. It was the only logical way that the man had known where to find them.

If only finding the one Tony had on him was so easy. He knew his dad worried- but he really didn’t have to.

-

Wade laid Peter down in his nest and covered him with the bedsheets. He’d wake up soon. His breathing was steady. He didn’t have any kind of fever. Harry had just taken him by surprise.

He had moments of weakness now from his injury. He’d told Wade that even only yesterday his vision had started to go blurry while he was swinging.

But he’d be fine.

The alpha left a glass of water next to the bed and then moved back into the living room to talk to the other omega. He had no idea what had happened other than that Harry had shown up.

He was seething. Peter was hurting and that bastard had caused even more pain.

"It's just his head, right?” Wade asked, prompting an elaboration. “He's been getting so many concussions recently- from when that thug hit him over the head with the baseball bat."

"Yeah. Harry didn't manage to touch him. He threw a bomb and I flung it away."

Harley picked at a thread on the sofa. He’d noticed from the last time he’d been in the apartment that Wade didn’t have nice furniture. Everything was frayed. Then again, he’d spent the last few years in Stark Tower and fancy hotel rooms. Everything was pristine.

This was nice. It felt homely. Harley preferred this.  

"A bomb!? Are you okay?"

“Yeah just fed up of asshole alphas.” The boys picking turned to the Iron bangle he was wearing. He’d retracted the arm as soon as they’d made it back to the apartment.

Wade had kept giving it funny looks, as though he didn’t quite trust having Stark Tech in his home.

The mercenary looked down at Harley, inspecting him to see if he could see any kind of injury. He circled around him. Surely there would be some cuts? Some kind of shrapnel trace?

A fucking bomb was a big deal- even if it was little.

Harley’s robe pooled loosely around his shoulders and Wade noticed an injury. He reached out to inspect it. His fingers ghosted over the nape of his neck and they fell still on a rough patch.

Was that a burn?

“Look, Iron Baby… I think it caught you here…”

But the mark was so old.

It was...

Harley felt Wade's fingers brush the roughness on his neck and he shrugged his robe higher, tugging it tightly around himself. He flinched back and changed position on the couch so he was facing him.

The alpha pulled away and frowned.

"You're mated."

"I..." Harley started before changing the course of his words. "No. I'm not."

Wade stared at him, wondering if he should push. He could see fear in the omega's eyes and it worried him. He wanted to reach out. Reassure him. Offer his love. He had no idea what this meant but he knew it could hardly be good.

"Sweetie pie, you don't have to talk to me about it but... just let me know if there's anything I can do."

Harley was stiff, his shoulders raised high from tension. He visibly looked uncomfortable by this topic and wanted it to disappear now. No one saw his mark. He normally hid it so well. He glanced back at where Wade was stood and sniffed.

The alpha was just curious. If he told him the bare minimum, his curiosity would be sated. They could move on from the subject and never touch it again.

"It happened when I was fifteen. Tony had just started letting me go to Stark Industry parties and there was a man..."

It was Wade’s turn to tense now. It all made sense. He could see it in Harley's face. His sad eyes flicked away from him and the mercenary moved to kneel in front of him, placing his hands on his knees reassuringly.

"What's his name? I don't know how much Petey has told you about me, but sometimes I do terrible things... so I'm gonna do the world a favor and make him disappear.”

Harley swallowed the lump in his throat and gave a half-hearted shrug. He wasn’t going to cry. He’d cried too much over this in the past.

"You can't. Because Tony already did."

The room fell quiet and Wade slowly nodded.

Stark was a hero. That didn't mean he was sparkly clean. It seemed that even he had a button that would make him explode into a rage of violence. Touching his son must have been like igniting a wildfire that didn't stop spreading until it consumed everything in its path.

"He beat him up. Flew him far out to sea. Held him under the water. Goodbye, mate."

Harley still wasn't sure how he should feel about the matter. He'd stupidly met up with the man a few times. He'd flirted. He'd led him on. He'd slept with him. He hadn't said no.

He'd let it happen.

And then the scene has changed for the worse. The man had flipped him and had taken him from behind. He'd bitten down on him at the base of his neck. Harley had screamed and fought to get him off- but the damage had been done.

Tony said it wasn't his fault. None of it was. The man had claimed him to take a shot at the Stark fame and wealth. He'd used him.

So Harley grew the back of his hair longer. He wore omega robes. He used foundation and concealer makeup on the scar. Turtlenecks were too obvious.

He looked the pretty epitome of innocence, all the while hiding a dirty, shameful secret.

He was already claimed. So no alpha would want him. He assumed that he'd be better in a pack. It was a secondary option for an omega who could never be in a loving relationship.

He didn't want an alpha now anyway.

That’s what he told himself.

"Sweetie... this doesn't change anything. Not to me and Petey. We're gonna love you no matter what, okay?"

The mercenary tilted his head, wishing that the boy would meet his eyes. He had a newfound admiration for Tony Stark. He was going to shake the man's hand the next time he saw him.

"In fact... we're all previously mated in our pack. I lost my mate years ago too. And Peter's is still alive but if we don't win this case, I'm seriously going to unalive him."

Harley gave a little laugh at that. Then he sighed, still feeling a weight in his chest.

"I haven't told Pete yet. I'm not sure how he's going to take it. People are more understanding why I act like an omega slut now- but back then it was all 'it wasn't your fault' or 'he shouldn't have done that to you.'"

Which was fair.

He'd been fifteen.

Harley wished none of it had happened because he swore that that was what had made him how he was today. Over-flirty. Always having to be in control. A tease. Using his body to get the things that he wanted from alphas.

Like how he’d slept with Harry to gain his adoration before even meeting Peter.

Wade reached up to peel the boy’s hands away from his chest. Harley had been hugging himself tightly and it was horrible to see how closed off his body language was right now. He looked so vulnerable.

"Look… when the time comes… I promise that I'll never treat you like that. Or take advantage of you. We're gonna take things so slow and if you don't want me, then that's fine too. I'm okay with you just being with Petey. Don't think you ever have to please me because you wanna be with him.”

Harley's eyes flicked to Wade's and the alpha tried to ignore the pain in his chest when he saw the red beneath them. He was holding back tears.

“C’mere.” Wade opened his arms and the omega willingly moved closer to embrace him. He gave him a little squeeze and turned his head to kiss his cheek. He could feel a wetness on his shoulder from the boy’s tears finally falling.

Harley had only ever wanted Peter. Harry had been a good-looking man. He’d been rich and would have ticked all the boxes on the outside. He was convenient and easy to win.

He would have tried with that relationship as long as he’d been with Peter- another omega.

It would have made being with an alpha feel safe.

But Wade? Wade had a warmth to him. Wade was everything that Peter had said he was. He was kind and sweet and protective- and Harley felt loved.

The boy was willing to try this pack dynamic for both of them.

“Don’t tell Pete until after we deal with Harry. I don’t want to make him worry about me anymore.”

Harley pulled away to look at Wade. His eyes were still wet but he had a hopeful smile on his face.

“Are you really going to go after him tonight?”

Chapter Text

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

Peter awoke, his head feeling groggy. He moved to sit up and looked around, recognizing Wade's bedroom. He'd half expected to be in Harry's apartment, had his mate managed to catch up with them.

Harley had a fire to him, but physically he would be too small to take him on in a fistfight. The alpha could have easily overpowered him.

Peter could hear voices from the living room and he took his time getting out from underneath the covers. The bed had been warm and filled with familiar scents. It had become his safe haven in all of this mess.

And it would be ripped away once again because of that stupid legal document that Harry had thrust at him.

The omega rubbed at his head, happy that the pain was fading and slowly crossed the room to the door. He could hear voices. He honed his senses to try to hear the conversation.

"-Yeah, there was this one time when Rhino hit Petey so hard I thought he was never gonna get back up again. The guy's tough as nails. Don't worry. He'll be awake soon."

"If he isn't up by nightfall, I'm coming with you. In fact, I'm coming with you anyway."

They were talking about him- and something else. They were planning on going somewhere.

Wade laughed and Peter heard the springs in the couch creak like a worn-out mattress as the large man took his usual spot.

"You gotta stay here for Petey. And besides... I can't die. I can literally slice my own arm off and it'll grow back."

Harley snorted.

"God… you're so full of shit."

Wade chuckled again. It seemed that Harley hadn’t delved too deeply into his background. He probably found his address, then backed away from the computer.

“Don’t tell me Stark didn’t have that noted down on his little character sheet?” Wade teased. “I’m the best player in the merc business for that reason.”

Peter heard Harley give a very dramatic, loud sigh and then start banging away at whatever he was doing. Had it been the sharp noise that had dragged him from his sleep?

Tap.

Bang.

SMASH.

"Fucking tracker." The other omega cursed. Who'd have thought that Oscorp tech was more sturdy and indestructible than Stark? 

"C'mere. If we put it in the freezer with an explosive that should do the trick."

"Sounds good."

What!? He felt himself panic. He pushed open the door, ready to intervene with whatever recklessness they were about to carry out. Wade had already made it into the kitchen and was now in the process of pulling what little amount of frozen food he had out of the box.

"Baby boy! You're awake!" The mercenary slammed a bag of peas onto the counter. "We're making that tracker of yours go boom. Then I'm going to pay Harry a visit."

"Don't you dare! That's evidence of him being controlling! Matt said to keep everything!"

The alpha pulled a face in disappointment but reluctantly began to shove the food back inside. He felt in such a destructive mood. Why did Peter always have to reel him in from his fun?

"And we're doing this the legal way. It's not like we have the money problem anymore."

Harley put the hammer down on the coffee table and lifted his legs to stretch out on the sofa, as though he owned it. Wade had said to make himself at home- and he intended to.

"Wade thinks it would be simpler just to kill Harry... and I've got to agree. If you give me his body after, I can get rid of it."

The boy would just copy what Tony had done for him. He’d fly it far out to sea. He’d weigh it down. Then he’d let it go. It'd never be seen again.

No body, no crime.

Peter's eyes flicked between the two of them, hoping they'd crack a smile soon. He needed to know that they were joking. Wade placed the tracker back on the counter and Harley smoothed the sleeves of his robe down.

The silence told him that they weren’t.

“You’re both crazy. We can’t murder someone.”

"Spoilsport," Harley muttered under his breath.

Wade paced back toward the couch and tapped the omega’s leg because he wanted to sit back down. Instead of retracting them, Harley lifted them and lowered them back down onto Wade’s lap when he settled.

He practically glowed when he felt the alpha’s hand massage his ankle.

Peter’s eye caught the movement but he chose not to say anything. It was good that they were becoming closer in what seemed to be a natural way. He just felt like he’d missed some of that development while he’d been unconscious.

And he didn’t want Wade to get too handsy with the boy just yet.

"Also... I can't stay here. Harry delivered a court letter thing saying that I've got to stay with my aunt."

The mercenary pulled another face at that. Peter rolled his eyes because he knew that his lover was sulking.

“Sounds fake if you ask me,” Wade commented.

“You want me to come with you?” Harley perked up. Tony wouldn’t have a problem with him staying at an omega-only house. He’d even be honest about where he was for a change.

“I mean… you can but-“

“-Good! Because I’ve got something to tell you!”

Wade eyed the younger omega suspiciously. It better not be about what he thought this was about. He’d told Harley something in confidence and from what he knew about the boy, he was a motor-mouth.

“Promise to come visit me. Cos’ these murder tendencies aren’t gonna just go away overnight.”

Peter bent down to give him a little kiss and hooped his arms around his neck. It was his turn to tap Harley to make room on the couch.

“I promise.”

-

“Okay- so Wade’s deeply in love with you… right?”

“I… what!? I don’t know? Maybe?”

Peter frowned and dug into the spaghetti that Aunt May had made them. He twirled his fork, winding the long strands around it as he thought about what Harley was getting at.

“And you love him?”

“I-“

Peter froze.

He stared into the other boy’s hopeful eyes, unsure what to say. He cared for the alpha but he didn’t know if it was love just yet. He was reluctant to call it that because the last time he’d loved, it hadn’t turned out to be real at all.

So what did he know about love?

“I care for him, Harley… but we’ve only been seeing each other like this for a couple of weeks. It’s not even been a week since I first had sex with him.”

Harley reached out to grab some breadsticks. He snapped one and nibbled at it.

“Okay- so you care for each other. You’ve supported each other for years. He’s a good guy. He’s everything you told me he was. So why don’t you take the plunge and try to override Harry?”

“What do you mean?”

“Wade told me about the other route you could take. The one your lawyer friend mentioned. Joint pack-ownership?”

 Harley leaned in across the table, as though he was spilling a massive secret.

“Marriage.”

Peter gave a shaky laugh and shook his head. His eyes scanned the room and fixed on the door to the kitchen, praying that Aunt May was out of earshot. It was no secret that she’d disliked Harry ever since he’d bitten him- but even she might not agree with this idea.

It was crazy. Farfetched, even.

His Aunt had always been so supportive of him, but she was hardly about to rally behind this.

“I can’t marry Wade.”

“Why not?”

“Well- for starters it’s a lot to ask of him. And I don’t want him to think I’m using him. Because I’m not. The feelings are genuine. I want our relationship to feel honest and not like I’ve clung onto him out of convenience.”

“He doesn’t think that at all.”

Peter shoved the fork into his mouth, even though he’d lost his appetite for the food now. He’d lost quite a bit of weight recently and he was putting it down to the stress. He was just rarely hungry.

Harley leaned back again and kicked at one of the table legs. The plates rattled and he grimaced, not meaning to have attacked it so hard.

Back to the subject-

“While you were out he said that he’d propose to you in a heartbeat. But he was convinced that you wouldn’t want to be tied to him like that. And he asked me not to bring this up… but I’m an asshole, so I’m going to.”

“He what!?”

Peter felt like he’d dived off a building. The adrenaline was starting to build. That exciting feeling of falling was in the pit of his stomach.

“He loves you, Pete. Like… really loves you and he wants to be with you. I get the impression that he’d die for you.”

Peter went quiet but there was a smile on his face. He fought off rolling his eyes. Instead, he stared down at his plate, wondering what else he could say.

Being with Wade would be nice. Harley was right. They cared for each other. They supported each other. They lusted after each other.

Maybe that was all there really was to love.

He inhaled. He exhaled.

In. Out. In. Out. In. Out.

He tried to calm his racing heart.

And he tried to drag himself back to thinking logically about this.

“What about you?” Peter selflessly asked after a moment of contemplation. He looked back up to meet the boy’s blue eyes.

If they were in a pack then it was only fair that none of them married each other. He didn’t want to risk Harley feeling like a third wheel in the relationship if they were going to do this right.

The other omega shrugged.

“I never planned on marrying. I’m destined to inherit Stark Industries. And after…”

The omega reached up to rub at the back of his neck, knowing he hadn’t told Peter about his mark yet.

“-let’s just say bonds and marriage isn’t a good idea for me. I don’t trust people enough for it… and neither does Tony. I’m happy to be the plus one with you guys.”

The sounds of Aunt May cleaning had turned to silence and Peter nodded at Harley, wanting to wrap the conversation up quickly.

Okay. He’d suggest it to Wade. Maybe.

But first, he had to get a ring… and figure out a place to ask… and then he needed to…

“May I interrupt?”

The boys’ jumped and their heads whipped towards the door.

May stood in the doorway. She walked towards the table and looked down at her nephew. She’d been pottering around the kitchen but her sharp ears had still overheard everything. Yes, she was worried- but she also trusted her boy’s judgment.

“I don’t know who this Wade is… but he sounds much nicer than Harry.”

The last time she’d been in contact with the Oscorp brat had been through a phone call. He’d demanded to know if Peter was there. He’d ranted and raved about her nephew cheating and losing babies and walking out.

Then he’d called her an unkind name when she’d defended him.

Deep down, she hated Harry. The only nice thing he’d ever done for her was paying off her mortgage- and then he always brought it up with a sneer on his face every time he saw her.

She often wondered if Peter was oblivious to his nastiness or if he felt like he was in too deep to get out.

“Maybe you should propose to him?”

May held out her hand and unfolded it, revealing a ring. The band was plain gold and Peter recognized it instantly.

“It was your Uncle Ben’s. He asked me to give it to you if he…” She trailed off and forced a pained smile. “…if he wasn’t here to give it to you himself. I always assumed it would never be good enough for the Osborns but if you ever got engaged to Harry… I would have surrendered it anyway.”

Peter’s eyes focused on the ring and he felt a pain in his chest.

“I can’t take this.”

May grabbed his hand and pressed it into his palm. She folded his fingers and clasped her aging hands over his.

“Yes, you can.”                  

Peter looked down before forcing his watery eyes up to her.

“Thank you.”

“Just promise me one thing.”

The woman reached to cup his cheeks in her hands. She looked at him with love, as though he was her very own son.

“Okay?” Peter swallowed the lump in his throat and turned the ring over. He felt like he was holding the weight of the world in his fingertips.

“Promise me that I’ll like him more than the last one you brought home.”

Chapter Text

Peter rolled over in his childhood bed and pulled the thin covers higher, tucking them over himself and the other boy. He’d expected Harley to go home- but no. The other omega was still stuck to him like glue.

He’d encourage him to leave tomorrow though. Peter needed some alone time with his alpha.

Wade was always wanting a spidey-kiss... right? Peter wondered if he could somehow incorporate that into a proposal.

No. Too corny. He’d just keep this simple. If it went better than expected, then he’d allow himself to get playful. He really had no idea how the mercenary would react to this.

Peter rolled over, trying to get more comfortable. Once again his mind wandered.

He’d always imagined Harry being the one to propose to him.

A fancy sit-down meal with the upper class. All eyes on them. Applause. Everything that would have made him feel uncomfortable.

They'd talked about getting married- hell, they even had a date for a wedding. Yet the alpha had never pulled out an engagement ring.

He’d assumed that Harry was waiting for a longer conception before he popped the question. That would actually make sense. It was all contingent on if there was ever going to be a chance that he could carry to term.

Peter knew that he couldn't make a spectacle out of proposing to Wade. People looking at the mercenary's scars freaked the man out enough. And what omega proposed to an alpha? It would just be seen as scandalous. Weird, even.

Although he doubted that Wade would be that traditional about it.

He'd probably jump for joy.

Maybe.

Peter turned his Uncle's gold ring in his fingers under the sheets. He slipped it back onto his largest finger for safekeeping. He couldn’t believe he was going to give this away to a man he’d only been seeing for two weeks.

But- it felt right. Wade didn’t make him feel anxious like how Harry did. They worked well. The alpha made him feel happy and loved.

Little content rumbles vibrated from Harley's throat and Peter moved to cuddle up to him. He really could get behind the idea of a nest mate now. The bed was always warm. Another omega's scent was soothing. The purring was calming.

And he'd be a liar if he said he didn't find him adorable.

There had been a few moments where he'd been here, laid next to the boy and he could feel his own purr box begin to crackle along with his. Harley was easy to love.

Peter reached out to stroke a loving hand through his hair and then leaned in to kiss his cheek. Harley tried to shuffle closer in his sleep. His old bed was only a double, so they were limited with room as it was.

Then he saw blue eyes staring up at him in the darkness. He hadn't meant to wake him.

"I'm gonna do it tomorrow," Peter whispered.

"What?" The omega boy mumbled sleepily, before dipping his head against Peter's chest. He inhaled his sweet scent and looped an arm around his waist, wanting to fall back into an easy slumber.

"Propose."


-

"I don't want you to freak out."

"About what? The fucking height of this thing?"

Peter climbed further, thankful that the mercenary had agreed to get on his back like the old days. He was pleased that he hadn't started treating him any differently because he was an omega.

Wade could only climb so high without fire escapes or easy platforms to shimmy to. The top of Central Park Tower was somewhere that he couldn't quite reach on his own.

“Just keep looking up.” The webslinger teased as he crawled past apartment after apartment, ascending towards the dark clouds above.

There was something ironic about this spot. Wade was living in one of the worst neighborhoods in New York City, yet here he was taking the alpha up the most expensive apartment blocks along billionaire’s row.

But it would be worth it for the view.

Central Park lit up beautifully at night. As did the whole of Manhattan. In Peter’s opinion, it was a much better view than The Empire State Building had to offer.  

And they were no tourists.

Peter’s hand slipped on a wet window pane and he felt Wade’s arm practically strangle him as he pressed it firmly against a different spot to regain composure.

“Fuck… Webs!” Wade exhaled in shock and tried not to show how fearful he was. “Are you trying to make me shit my pants? Because I’m feeling a little brown down there after that!”

It wasn’t the thought of death- Wade couldn’t die. Still, he had this horrible fear of being dropped a whole one thousand, five hundred and fifty feet to promising agony.

It was the anticipation of it that mattered.

Like the feeling in the pit of your stomach before you are plunged off the edge of a rollercoaster.

Just… with guaranteed pain that might take him days to regenerate from.

Wade’s worry was stripped from him though when he glanced through one of the windows and caught sight of a TV.

“Stop! Stop climbing!” He slapped Peter’s side. “They’re watching porn! Fuck, that looks hot! Think they’d give us the link if we knock and ask nicely?”

Peter clocked the TV too, then turned his head to look back at his lover, tilting his head to silently say, that no, they absolutely were not going to do that- then carried on up the building.

“Baby boy! That was some seriously good alpha-alpha homo-erotica! And you just took that from me!”

“I’ll let you pretend I’m an alpha later if that’s what’s floating your boat tonight,” Peter commented dryly.

“Wait- what!? …Seriously!?”

Spider-Man rolled his eyes for the twelfth time that night.

Then he felt one of Wade’s hands cupping his ass cheek. He swatted at it like a fly.

“That’s going on the roleplay list! I also wanna fuck you in the spidey-suit and pretend I’m a super-villain sometime. Oh, and another time I wanna let you web me up and-“

“Wade! God, I’m trying to not let us fall to our deaths.”

“Sorry! Sorry!”

The omega could feel his cheeks heating up underneath his mask. He could feel himself steadily getting wet in-between his legs too.

As much as he didn’t appreciate being talked dirty to so far up, those ideas weren’t half-bad.                                                                                                

-

Peter breathed a sigh of relief as he reached the upper ledge where they could sit comfortably. He felt Wade scramble to pull himself to safety.

“Thank fuck for that!” The mercenary breathed a long sigh of relief. “Now… why are we up here? Clearly there are no bad guys, other than the sex fiends ten floors down.”

“Okay. Like I said before… no freaking out.”

Peter saw the Deadpool suit’s eyes narrow cartoonishly. He wondered if he could get his own suit to do the same. There seemed to be no mechanics to them- so how?

He was about to reach out to touch the lenses, but then the alpha was reaching up to pull it off, already feeling like this was a serious moment.

Wade wasn’t an idiot. He could tell when something was fishy.

"I won't freak out. Don't care what you say as long as it's not 'I'm going back to Harry Osborn.'"

Peter pulled his mask off too and directed his brown doe eyes into Wade's cool blue ones. He ran a hand through his hair, fluffing it up and settling his legs over the edge of the building.

This had been a ridiculous spot to choose. They looked out at the city lights every night. But then, it was better than a public park in the daytime. Peter wanted this moment to be private. For Wade.

At least Central Park looked pretty. Little colored lights illuminated it, making it look like a fairy grotto beneath them.

"I just... it's a stupid thought really... and I don't want you to think I've gotten this idea just to get me out of trouble..."

"Baby boy, just spit it out." Wade laughed. He tilted his head, inviting him to say whatever he wanted to say.

The alpha felt nervous though. There was some kind of weight to this conversation. He could feel it in the air. It was electric. Peter was doing that slumping thing with his shoulders. He was anxious.

Was he about to get dumped?

"I like you, Wade… and last night I was hypothetically thinking about stuff... like our future together. Like, we can't mate... but marriage could be a thing."

Peter dropped the bomb. He saw Wade's brow wrinkle as his eyebrows shot up in shock.

Marriage!? Ha-ha-ha! The man felt like he’d officially lost it. Was he dreaming? Or was he dead? This couldn’t be real.

Peter continued, elaborating further.

"We've only been like this for two weeks... but we've been friends for a long time. And I can tell that you love me. And I love you, even though everything is just so complicated right now..."

"You love me?" A confused but large smile tugged at Wade's lips. His eyes flicked around, as if he was expecting people to storm the top of the tower and tell him that he was part of some televised prank for MTV.

Peter couldn't love him.

He'd just gotten lucky for a while. The sex was good. He was protection against Harry’s rampage. Wade had never imagined that his feelings would ever be reciprocated on the same level.

‘I love you’ was never supposed to leave Peter’s mouth.

"Baby boy... you don't love me... you can't love me." He rambled, waving an arm. "I'm a merc. I'm not a good person and look at me!" wade's hand spun in front of his scarred face.

Peter grabbed for his hand, pulling it down and holding it between his own.

"I told you before. I don't care about that. And you're not a bad person. If anything, you're the best one I've ever known."

Wade’s eyes flicked down to their gloved hands and he wished their suits could just vanish. He wanted to touch him. Feel him. Know that this was real.

"And you what? You wanna marry me? Petey... that's just…”

The omega swallowed the lump in his throat. He wasn't going to take this as a rejection. He entwined their fingers, holding onto the alpha tightly.

"It doesn't have to be any time soon. You don't even need to say yes. It won't change how I feel. I just figured that... if I intend to stay with you from now on... why shouldn't we?"

Wade shook his head in disbelief. Now he needed to get a ring! And he needed to make sure that Peter wasn't drunk or high or just simply not out of his goddamn mind.

Which he absolutely had to be. No one could want him like this.

"Harley told you that I mentioned this... didn't he?"

Peter bit his lip and shrugged his shoulders. He hated lying. He was a terrible liar. It was easier when he had his mask on but with Wade staring straight into his eyes… he couldn’t deny it.

"Yeah, he said we'd make a cute married couple. And he wouldn't mind either. He apparently doesn't want to marry or mate with anyone."

Wade nodded. He could believe that Harley had said that- especially after what he'd told him. Settling down must seem scary for the boy, considering after all the trauma he’d experienced.

"Okay just... if you’re sure about this… like really sure… you gotta give me time to think of a proper proposal, baby. I can't just get down on one knee right now without a ring... or without any idea what..."

Peter's lips silenced Wade as he leaned in and kissed him.

He felt the man’s breath against his mouth and he reached into his suit to pull out Uncle Ben’s ring.

“Well, it’s a good job you wanted me to be a hot alpha tonight.”

Wade’s eyes widened as the young man moved to stand and then he dropped down onto one knee.

“Okay… so… I guess I brought you up here to ask… will you marry me?”

Wade’s lungs had given out and his brain had stopped processing. The city had fallen silent and the world had stopped spinning. Everything felt too much, yet also not enough.

He blinked. Then he was grasping for the ring, his senses returning to him in an explosion of joy.

“Jesus! Fuck! Yes! Of course! Holy shit!”

Peter laughed and awkwardly slid the ring onto his fiancés gloved hand. They’d fix that later.

Only a second later, the omega was being scooped up into Wade’s large arms. The man peppered kiss after kiss onto his face and they almost tumbled off the tower twice as the alpha backed him against what little wall he could find.

“I have only one complaint.” Wade beamed. “How am I supposed to make sweet love to you all the way up here?”

He’d try it, excruciating fall be damned.

Chapter Text

"I didn't expect you to actually take the marriage suggestion and run with it."

"Yeah... well... it was an easy decision to make. It's Wade… and I love him."

Matt grimaced and leaned back against the alleyway wall. As usual, the city was noisy but his ears were focused solely on Peter. He crossed his arms and wondered why he was here.

The lawyer hadn’t called him to break the news yet.

The court hearing for an emancipation had come through today and was two weeks away from now. Apparently, Mr. Osborn had slipped a lot of money to someone rather high up in the justice system in order to bring the date closer.

He had powerful friends on the inside and that was just what Matt had been fearing.

Harry was going to do whatever he could to get an omega conservatorship over Peter. That was what they were fighting.  

"You're invited by the way. You and Foggy. I mean... I'd invite your kids too but I've got a feeling they'd destroy what little decorations and food we manage to put together."

Matt crossed his arms but wasn't too offended. He could hear the cheeky tone in Peter's voice. There was a warmth there- and honestly even he wouldn't want his kids at his own wedding.

They were little devils that he'd raised straight from hell.

"I take it you didn't enjoy babysitting the other day?" The blind man chuckled. "Don't worry. Nobody does."

"Well... I'm not saying I wouldn't do it again... but I didn’t expect a four-year-old to throw a whole pot of yogurt in my face.” And the kid had had one strong arm as she’d launched it across the room at him.

Even Peter’s Spidey reflexes hadn’t been fast enough to stop it from spilling everywhere.

Matt laughed and pushed his glasses higher up his nose. What was he supposed to say to that?

“She’s… challenging sometimes. It’s completely Foggy’s fault.”

“-But the good thing is I don't even need favors with the legal bills anymore.” Peter moved on quickly. “Tony Stark is covering everything. I can pay you."

The alpha raised an eyebrow at that news. The last time he’d checked, Spider-Man wasn’t close with Iron Man. Had they even worked together before?

"Since when were you best friends with Tony Stark?”

"Since his omega son decided he wanted in on our pack.”

Matt rubbed his head in disbelief. He’d assumed that the two heroes would try to keep things as simple as possible for him while the court process was ongoing.

Apparently not.

“I swear there’s a new weird development in your life every time I meet up with you.”

Peter laughed and shrugged his shoulders, forgetting that his friend couldn’t see his awkward body language. Matt didn’t seem to be judgemental of a pack dynamic though. Maybe more people were comfortable with the idea of them than he’d realized.

“The wedding’s next Tuesday, by the way. 2pm. We’re having a very small ceremony in the Queens City Clerk’s Office. There will be about ten guests. If that.”

The omega tried not to sound too embarrassed about their budget wedding. It was all they could afford and he didn’t want to ask May for money.

He and Wade had talked this through and had decided that the sooner they could tie the knot, the better. It’s what they wanted and the pros were that it would help with so many things.

Matt turned the conversation back to a more serious matter.

“Well, this is very good news… because only an hour ago we got an email saying that the court hearing will be in a fortnight. It will be a benefit that you’re already married.”

Although a little insane.

Peter slapped his pockets until he located his phone, then he opened his email and refreshed the page. As promised, a new one popped up. It was a scary-looking thing, with the official PDF attached.

He noticed a few notifications from Harley and mentally promised to reply to him later.

“So how the hell did this come through so quickly?”

“Harry had to have paid. There’s normally at least a three-month waiting list.”

Peter frowned down at his phone before locking it and crossing his arms to mirror Matt. At least the lawyer didn’t sound worried.

“So he’s done us a favor?”

“I’m not so sure about that. We can only guess at what approach he’s taking.” Matt tapped his walking stick on the ground a couple of times. “Either way, I want you to book in for a few therapy sessions this week. For evidence, if it comes to that.”

Peter nodded. Hopefully Tony Stark would be generous with covering that bill too.

-

Harley was bored.

He’d messaged Peter a few times this afternoon, but he hadn't replied. Maybe he was running errands. Maybe he was being Spider-Man. Or maybe he was out with another friend. Harley didn't know much about Peter's weekend habits or his social life but surely he had enough time to message him back.

But Harley had to acknowledge that the world didn’t revolve around him. Tony had told him that he was way too self-absorbed sometimes. He had to give the other omega a break.

So he tried Wade's phone instead.

Nothing.

He pouted, wondering why he was being ignored.

He tried the apartment. The omega next door had grumpily told him to stop banging after his first few loud rounds of knocks. He tried to look through the peephole, even though he knew it was one-way glass.

They weren't in there.

Peter had probably gone back home to May’s for the evening. And Wade? It was Saturday so Wade would be at his favorite bar down the street. He’d told him that he had good friends in there and that he frequented it most evenings when he was alone.

Harley gave a stubborn little kick to the bottom of the apartment door before making his way back down the stairs of the building.

He’d find him.

The streets around this part of the city never felt safe at night and as he rounded the corner and passed a couple of burly-looking alphas, he puffed his chest out a little more. They still catcalled him and he shot them a glare over his shoulder. His blue omega robes blew in the wind.

Sister Margaret’s.  

That was the name of the bar and it was straight across the street. Harley looked both ways for traffic before jaywalking his way across to the entrance.

Then he pushed open the doors.

Wade was sitting at the bar with his back to him and the bartender shot Harley a look when he realized he wasn’t one of his usual punters.

“You lost sweetheart? This isn’t an omega kind of bar.”

Harley could see that. Biker types were in here. Big, strong-looking alphas. He flashed the men in the corner a flirty little smile and flicked his robe as he walked over to Wade.

The boy plonked himself down on the stool next to his alpha, startling him into twisting towards him. The man’s eyes widened when he realized who had joined him. 

“Weasel! This is the one I’ve been telling you about!” Wade’s hand patted the omega’s back in greeting, smoothing over the silk material.

“Peter?”

“No! Harley! The other one!”

“Thank god. This one looks fetal. You want a coke?”

Harley resisted pulling a face at the stranger. At least Wade was pleased to see him, even if this Weasel guy wasn’t. Or maybe he was just edgy over an underage kid being in his bar.

Harley knew he couldn’t pass for twenty-one. That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to try his luck.

“I want a sex on the beach… because I bet Wade would like that.”   

Wade’s eyebrows shot up and he chugged his beer, mainly because yes, he very much would like to have sex on the beach sometime- but also to give himself a moment to think.

Peter definitely wouldn’t like this. Not. One. Bit. He eyed Weasel, who was eyeing him in return for some kind of reaction.

The alpha had seen the bar owner serve underage guys before- only when he was one hundred percent sure that they hadn’t been sent in by the cops. He knew that he was with him. He’d do it.

Wade looked back at Harley and pulled out his wallet.

“One. You hear me? One drink.” He held a finger up, trying to sound authoritative. “And filter it down a bit, Weasel. He’s just a kid.”

The bartender rolled his eyes and turned his back to them to grab a fancy-looking glass. Just a kid. Wasn’t that the whole point of not serving him?  

Harley’s mouth split into a wide grin and he leaned in to give his alpha a peck on the cheek.

That got a wolf whistle from a guy over at the pool table.

“Oh fuck off, Johnny! Like you weren’t showing off a pretty girl in here the other night.” Wade shot back at the other alpha. He was friendly with most of the guys in here so it was just banter.

Harley reached between the barstools to take Wade’s hand in his and he waited patiently for his cocktail. He dived in for the straw as soon as it was placed in front of him.

“Oi. Drink it slowly or it’ll go to your head- and for fucks sake, Weasel… where’s the little umbrella?”

The man reached behind the bar for one out of a jar and plonked the accessory into the glass. He wasn’t getting an orange slice.

“If you’re going to be this fussy at your wedding over the cute shit, I’ll be calling you a bridezilla.”

Harley looked up at that.

“You’re coming to the wedding?”           

“Like I have a choice.” The bartender replied dryly.

Weasel reached into the fridge to get Wade another beer and placed it in front of him too. He knew he’d ask for one soon. He picked up his friend’s wallet from the bar and helped himself to fifteen dollars for the drinks.

“I asked him to be my best man. And that his speech needs to be clean because Peter’s sweet old Aunt is going to be there.” The mercenary informed with a little grin.

This was interesting. This meant that this Weasel guy was Wade’s best friend. The boy swiveled his head to glance around the bar. The alphas in here looked scary. Maybe it was best that Wade preferred the weedy-looking bartender’s company. He had an unthreatening vibe.

“Who’s Pete’s best man?”

“That Otto guy… I think. Or maybe he’s the one walking him down the aisle. I can’t remember.”  

Harley went back to his cocktail, sucking the straw hard to drink down as much as he could before he was chastised for it again.

He felt Wade’s hand give his a little squeeze as their arms hung limply between the barstools.

He squeezed back.

Being out with him like this felt right. He felt loved. 

-

Harley swung their linked hands as they walked back down the street to Wade’s apartment. After fluttering his eyelashes, one cocktail had turned into three and he felt a little buzzed.

Wade kept glancing at him, checking that he was okay. He didn’t seem drunk. He was tipsy, maybe.

Merry. He’d go with merry.

“Don’t be bragging to Petey about this when you see him or I’ll be in trouble.”

The mercenary smiled. He was glad that he had let Harley have his own way though. The boy was in such a good mood. He was safe with him too. Wade would never let anything bad happen to him.

He was going to put him to bed, tuck him in, give him a little kiss goodnight and then sleep on the couch.

-

It seemed like Harley had other plans though.

As soon as they entered the apartment, the boy was looping his arms around Wade’s neck. He looked up at him, staring into the man’s eyes lovingly as he began to inch them towards the bedroom door.

The alpha felt his breath leave his chest when Harley tiptoed to meet his lips. Wade’s hands reached up to cup his face and it took him a moment to process that the kid he was supposed to be careful with was the one who was kissing him.

Wade kept the kiss slow and controlled before easing himself back. Harley’s striking blue eyes connected with his again, searching for how he was feeling.

The mercenary gave him a little smile and leaned in to give him a final chaste kiss before fully pulling away and untangling himself from his arms.

He wouldn’t. He couldn’t.

He’d made a promise to Peter and it didn’t matter how good the other smelt…. or how much he seemed to want him. He wasn’t going to do a bad.

"Do you even like me like this?" Harley broke the silence when he felt the mood change. He wasn’t drunk enough not to feel the sting of rejection.

"Like what?"

"Like how you like Pete? Y'know..?” He motioned at the bedroom that they were less than a foot away from. “Don’t you want me?"

Wade gave an amused breathy laugh. The things this guy asked. Of course he fucking did. He wouldn’t be a hot-blooded alpha if he didn’t.

“You know I do… but I promised I’d go slowly with you. We all agreed on that.”

The man reached a hand back up to cup Harley’s face and stroked his cheek with his thumb, hoping to weaken the blow of his words a little. He needed to let him down gently.

Wade hated how the voices in his own head seemed to be rioting against each other. One was telling him to just go for it, reminding him that Harley was technically willing and legal. Another was telling him to be responsible- for all of them. The third was telling him to call Petey over for the hottest threesome of his life.

Nope. Nope. Nope. It wasn’t gonna happen.

He was gonna be good.

“You know I’m not a virgin, right?” The boy interrupted his thoughts. “I’ve been with four different alphas already.”

Shocking, but not surprising.

Wade had seen the porno eyes he’d been making at some of the men in the bar, especially while he was mouthing at the straw of his third drink.

He pursed his lips, forcing his mind back out of the gutter. He had to remind himself that as saucy as Harley acted, it was also because he still had an air of immaturity to him too.

And those alphas he spoke of had used that knowledge to take what they wanted from him. He wasn’t going to be like them.

“And each one of those alphas took advantage of you in some kind of way.”

The omega flicked his eyes away and frowned, quickly realizing that he wasn’t about the get his own way again. Wade continued.

“Well, I’m not gonna be the fifth. Not tonight. You’ve had a couple of drinks and you’re a little drunk. You wouldn’t be backing me into the bedroom otherwise.”

“Maybe I just needed a bit of Dutch courage to go for it. I really like you, Wade. I feel comfortable with you. How can I get closer to a guy who keeps thinking I’m too young or inexperienced for everything?”

Wade shook his head and leaned in to kiss him again, this time planting his lips on the boy’s brow. He felt Harley melt against him into a hug, attaching himself against his chest like a limpet, his rejection already partially forgiven.

“Can we talk about this in the morning? Please?” The mercenary begged. 

Harley gave a grumble and pouted, butting his head into his chest in a defeated protest.

“Fine. As long as you agree to at least cuddle me tonight. Because I need some love.”

Wade paused, wondering if that would be a good idea. Maybe he could sleep on top of the covers. There would be no harm in that.

“As long as you promise not to get too handsy with me.”

Harley heaved a sigh. “Deal.”

Wade smoothed his fingers through the back of the omega’s hair. He gave his head another little kiss and rolled his eyes to himself.

So much for sleeping on the couch.

Things just seemed to get harder for him.

Chapter Text

Peter looked at himself in the mirror and pulled a face. Harley stood behind him proudly, smoothing the ripples out of the silk material.

"Y'know what? I think we'll just go for a suit."

"What!? No!" The boy protested and let his finger trail down one of the golden lines in the pattern. "This blue looks so beautiful on you! And don't you think Wade will have the shock of his life when he sees you standing up there like this?"

The young man wondered if he was so averse to the idea of robes because he knew it was what Harry would have wanted. It was traditional for an omega to look like a doll on their wedding day. That's how it worked. Most found it a fun opportunity to dress up and wear something they normally wouldn't in their daily life. A throwback to a past long gone.

Wade might like it- but he was certain that he wouldn't give a shit either way.

"Tell you what... It can be a fancy omega suit. Okay? Just find me something cute with patterns. But make it discreet."

Harley blew out a long puff of air and disappeared to find something more appropriate to Peter’s style.

Peter saw the shopkeeper eyeing him curiously. He flashed her a little smile as he began to unfold the kimono-like outfit away from himself, thankful that his friend hadn’t made him strip completely nude underneath while he was trying things on.

It had looked pretty though. He held it up in his hands, as though the material contained as much weight on his shoulders as his spider-suit did.

Why was he struggling to wear it? He should just do it. It would be a massive ‘fuck you’ to Harry. He’d be yet again denying the alpha something that he wanted but couldn’t have.

And this time- he’d be giving it to Wade instead.

Wade deserved for him to make an effort on the day. And it might even make their wedding night feel special too. His husband would feel like he could unwrap him like a present- which Peter assumed was the point.

Peter pursed his lips and looked back to see the other omega over by a jacket rail, skimming through each hanger at lightning speed.

"Harley? Could we try a red robe instead? I think blue is more your thing. Or maybe a black one… to match Wade’s suit.”

The boy’s eyes brightened at that and he rushed back over to the section he’d previously been browsing.

Peter suited red.

-

Peter put his fork down and used the napkin to wipe at his mouth. He and Harley had finished shopping and had grabbed some lunch on the way home. The waitress came over and refilled their drinks.

“So I have something to ask you.”

Harley tilted his head, having a feeling that this was about the other night.

“Hmm?”

Peter might be finished, but he’d spent too much time pushing his food around his plate. His mouth was still full and his meal only half-finished.

“Wade said you stayed at his the other night… but he was a bit reluctant to share too many details.”

It wasn’t that the young man was jealous. He just was worried that his fiancé wasn’t going to stick to the plan. Wade was an alpha- and Harley was a temptation. Peter had seen how flirty he could be firsthand.

“Um… well... we didn’t have sex.” The boy promised, hoping that Peter would forgive him if he’d overstepped. “I kissed him though. A couple of times. I do like him. I trust him.”

Peter had thought as much. He nodded and reached for his drink. It was totally, one hundred percent fine if that was all that happened. If this was going to work then they had to start somewhere.

“And he refused to go further… because I’d had a drink... and obviously because of his promise to you.”

Harley gave his friend an awkward grin. He put his cutlery down, now done with the meal. Peter was giving him a look and in return, he gave him a light kick under the table.

“Say something then.”

“I don’t know what to say.” Peter laughed. “I’m not mad or upset or anything. It’s good to know you’re both taking this seriously.”

Harley rolled his eyes. Of course he was taking this seriously. He absolutely could have convinced Wade to sleep with him had he been a bit more forward. He could have faked a purr. He could have started to give the alpha playful nips. He could have stripped and presented himself.

But he hadn’t.

And now he was glad- because deep down he wanted to go with Peter first.

Harley directed his eyes to stare back into Peter’s dark ones. The other omega was so handsome and as much as he adored Wade, he’d be lying if he said he didn’t have a preference for the other boy.

It was just who he was. Omegas were soft. He liked soft.

He reached across the table to take his hand, as though they were lovers out for a valentine’s meal.  

“I have an idea. For your wedding night.” He changed the subject to something happier, hoping that would lighten the mood.

Peter looked down at their hands but didn’t pull away. He waited for Harley to continue.

“Why don’t you ask Wade to bite you? Over Harry’s mark.”

The man’s eyebrows flew up at that. He looked around, then back to Harley. He felt shocked. His mouth hung agape and he forced himself to shut it.

Even people whose mates had died never chose to erase their marks. It just was unheard of.

“Harry was a huge part of my life and I can’t just get rid of-“

“He’s a prick. He hurt you.”

“If I don’t win this case, Harley then the best thing I can hope for is joint-omega ownership between him and Wade. That’s joint custody. I’ll be staying at Harry’s in the week and Wade’s on the weekend, most probably.”

Peter brought his hand up to rub at his neck defensively, trailing his finger over the scar.

“I can’t just get rid of his mark.”

The other omega frowned and pulled his hand back from Peter, not liking how he’d been chastised for his suggestion. He was only trying to help! And the only reason the idea had crossed his mind was because he wanted Wade to bite over his own one day.

The conversation had soured and turned to a different, more serious topic- The court case.

“Then we need as much evidence that we can get. Have you been going to those therapy sessions?”

“Yeah.”

“And you still have those stalker-ish messages he kept sending you?”

“They were hardly incriminating or threatening. He wrote them like that on purpose though- to make it sound like he was yearning for me.”

The boy leaned back in his chair and made a popping noise with his mouth in irritation. They needed something else. Something better.

“What about that bomb he threw at you? The one you grabbed when you was Spider-Man? It was the same one he threw at us in the park… right?”

Peter’s eyes narrowed in thought. He’d forgotten about that bomb. Harry had thrown it at him, thinking that Spider-Man was his mate’s secret lover. Back before he’d left him. It was currently sat on Wade’s coffee table, a horrible reminder of what had happened.

But how would he be able to present it in court as evidence when it wasn’t even on Oscorp records?

“We can’t prove it was his. It sounds like a total lie. No one knows Oscorp are making those kinds of things.”

Harley smirked and brought his own drink up to his lips. He’d been thinking of paying Harry a visit for a little while. He wasn’t the only rich kid who could work his charms or use his father’s name to his advantage.

“Bet I could get some evidence.”

Peter pulled his wallet out to pay for the meal. They needed to talk somewhere that was more private. He had a sinking feeling at how cocky Harley was suddenly looking and he wondered what he had in mind.

Probably nothing good.

-

“That’s a crazy idea. And I won’t let you.”

“I’m not asking for your permission.”

Peter stood with his arms crossed, having dragged the other omega down a quiet alleyway by his sleeve. Harley had started rambling about his plan on the busy street, no care in the world that he might be overheard.

“If you go back and start cozying up to him for information, it really won’t end well.”

“It might be useful to have an inside agent.”

Peter threw his head back against the wall he was leaning against. He loved Harley. He really, really did. But he was an idiot sometimes. The boy continued spewing his idea.

“Just think! If I get access to an Oscorp lab I could snoop around. I’ll just tell him that I’ve tried to talk you into going back to him. That I find your new alpha scary… and I can absolutely give him the rich kid bullshit. Level with him that way. ‘I need an alpha that can afford to keep me.’”

Peter shook his head.

“Definitely not a good idea. He’ll expect you to sleep with him- and I’m scared that he’s going to hurt you. I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.”

Harley picked at his robe. He was getting photographic evidence of those bombs- no matter what it took. With or without Peter’s permission.

He’d slept with Harry before and he’d do it again. Sex was easy when no feelings were involved.

“Okay. Well, at least let me try getting into the lab another way then. Because you can’t. He’s probably got cameras with facial recognition that would alert him that you were there in a second.”

Peter swallowed the lump in his throat and shook his head. He’d rather send Wade as Deadpool. The man had done retrieval missions before. He’d told him how he’d broken into facilities. How he’d gotten by security. How he’d scooped up whatever he needed and strutted out completely unscathed.

It was literally what he was trained to do. He could do this.

“I’ll ask Wade to try.”

Harley took a step towards the other omega, his blue eyes locked with his. He wasn’t backing down. If anything he was just getting more fired up. He wanted to do this.

“Why don’t we all work together on this? Spider-Man doesn’t have to go in there. He could cut the power from the rooftop. I could be a distraction so that when security does realize what’s happening, Harry will be too busy to answer his phone. And Wade can get in, then Wade can get out. BOOM.”

The older boy inhaled deeply and let his breath out slowly. It was a plan. And it would probably work. History told him that.

He’d once allowed Felicia to work as a distraction before. The bombshell had gone in and had kept a man busy long enough for him to access files on his computer from the other room.

This was just a slightly bigger operation.

He eyed the other omega, noticing how he looked more excited than nervous.

“Don’t have sex with him- I mean that, Harley. If we do this, just keep him talking. Feed him some bullshit. Whatever you think he’ll want to hear. He’ll drink it up.”

Peter would have to talk this through with Wade too and make sure that the mercenary was on board with the plan. He knew he would be- but he still had to ask.

“And we do this after the wedding. I don’t want anything going wrong this week.”

Harley nodded. He was absolutely going to give Harry a run for his money. The alpha probably thought he was still a sweet, demure little thing.  

“I can’t wait to screw him again.”

“Harley!”

“Chill out Pete… I meant figuratively!”

Chapter Text

Wade stood at the front of the mock-up chapel. His chest was fluttering. Nerves niggled at his stomach. He even felt a little queasy.

He and Peter had picked the smallest hall at the registry office, mainly out of budget, however the venue had decorated up beautifully for them.

They'd asked for a red-themed wedding, even though it wasn't Christmas yet. Tinsel snaked around the arbor arch that Wade waited under and red roses lined the pews that his lover would walk between.

The long strip of white cotton on the floor that led down the center and to the door reminded him of snow.

Harley flashed him a thumbs up from the front row of seats on the groom’s side. The robes he’d chosen were a frosty Alice blue- bordering on white.

Wade only hoped that the boy hadn’t mentally decided that he was the bride today.

Tony Stark and Steve Rogers sat next to him. Tony was wearing his dark shades, clearly not in the mood to be socializing and only here out of necessity but his mate had swiveled around to start chatting with Weasel.

Weasel shot him a disapproving look because he'd been sat in the second row with two of Wade’s bar friends, despite offering to hold the rings.

The wedding was simple, so Wade thought it best just to keep the rings in his pocket.

The alpha turned to survey Peter’s side of the room. He gave May a smile, happy that she'd spoken to him before the ceremony. The woman was sweet and had pulled him into a tight embrace, kissing him on the cheek, despite what he looked like. Most people wouldn’t have. Most people would have avoided him like the plague.

Strangers had thrown comments at him on the street before about how he looked like a disease.

Yet now he was about to marry the most perfect omega in the whole world. Wade felt a sense of pride well up inside of him once again.

Three girls had also come to support Peter. MJ, who had introduced herself as Peter’s childhood best friend and Gwen, Peter’s lab partner from his first and only year at Empire State University and a busty platinum blonde who hadn’t given her name at all.

Matt Murdock and his mate sat behind them and Wade swore he heard Foggy jokingly grumble about how they’d got put in the back row because he was blind.

When the marriage celebrant arrived he knew it wouldn’t be long now and he waited for the music to play.

-

Peter felt like he was going to faint. He hadn't made an appearance yet- and Harley had been fussing over him for the last half an hour before going to join the other guests in the pews. He stood at the door with Otto and let the older man take his arm in his.

"Are you sure about this?” The scientist asked him.

There was no look of concern though. He was just making sure that Peter wasn't having any doubts. It happened on wedding days to a lot of people. Sometimes they needed a bit of a pep talk.

"Yeah... I mean. Of course I've reconsidered not doing this- but I love Wade. So yeah... I’m as sure as I’ll ever be." The omega signaled to the open doorway and tugged him towards it. "Come on."

The walk up the aisle was short, but Peter took slow steps, wanting to drag it out- and also trying to avoid tripping over his long robe. The red trail dragged on the floor behind him and he wondered why he’d ever allowed his nestmate to talk him into something so extravagant.

He’d only rented the outfit- but that in itself had been ridiculously expensive.  

Wade’s mouth dropped when he saw him, very much like how Harley had predicted. His eyes flicked from the omega’s face to the kimono-like outfit, to the red pooling behind him on the floor and back up again.

He’d been expecting a suit. A suit!

How had they sneaked this surprise past him?

Peter tried to bat away the anxiety that he felt as every head turned in his direction. He met May’s eyes and gave her a loving smile. Her wrinkled hands had come up to clasp over her mouth in shock. She looked so proud of him, like she was imploding from happiness.

Felicia gave him a little wink as he passed.

Harley had a hand tucked under his chin, discreetly trying to silence his excited purrs.

His husband-to-be looked like he was tearing up as he got closer. Peter grinned, realizing that there was nothing to be scared of. Everyone here loved him. They supported him.

Otto leaned down to give him a fatherly kiss on the cheek, then Peter was reaching out to take Wade’s hands as he fell into place beside him.

“You look beautiful…” The mercenary mouthed, trying to remain as quiet as possible.

The music faded out. The room fell silent.

Peter could feel his pulse throbbing in his throat. He took a few deep breaths and squeezed his lover’s hand. Wade looked equally as nervous. He could see it in his eyes. He had a dimple in his cheek that wasn’t normally there and he theorized that he was biting it on the inside.

The merc with the mouth was scared that he was going to ruin the moment.

The wedding celebrant stepped up and began her speech and the ceremony began.

Wade felt like he was floating. He stumbled over his vows three times, even with the aid of notes on a piece of paper. He swore twice while telling Peter that he loved him.

It was Peter’s tight grip on his hand that kept him grounded though. It kept him going. Now, for the discreet superhero finish:

“…If you grow weak, I’ll be there to fight your battle for you. I’ll help with your responsibilities, even when you are powerless. I’ll make your problems my own, in order to spread the weight more evenly- and fuck do I vow never to let that bastard touch you ever again.”

Peter laughed at his descent from seriousness to playfulness, although most of the room didn’t find it funny. Maybe they just didn’t get it.

He fumbled for his own piece of paper.

Wade listened to the omega present his own vows and felt his heart soar when he promised to love him forever.

It was all he’d ever wanted to hear.

But then Peter continued:

“I promise to respect, admire and appreciate you for who you are, as well as the person you wish to become. I promise to always strive to meet your needs, not out of obligation, but because it delights me to see you happy… and I promise to show you every day that I know exactly how lucky I am to have you in my life.”

Wade wanted to kiss him now. His throat was tight from trying to hold back tears and when he blinked they spilled down his cheeks.

The celebrant prompted him to get out the rings. The alpha pulled them out of his back pocket and held them in his shaky hands.

He took Peter’s hand in his and slipped a delicate-looking gold band with tiny red gemstones onto his finger. He offered the omega the matching ring so that he could do the same for him.

“May I now present to you, Mr. and Mr. Wilson.” The celebrant finished, holding her hands out to the newlywed couple. “You may now kiss your omega.”

Wade brought his hands up to cup Peter’s face and kissed him, maybe with a bit more ferocity than what was deemed necessary. He felt his husband’s teeth as his mouth split into a grin, unable to keep himself from beaming.

“I love you so much,” Wade whispered, going in for another kiss. He could hear the audience applauding- or maybe that was just the voices in his own head.

What he did know was that he was happy.

Truly happy.

-

Peter knew that they had to leave the building now. They were about to have confetti thrown over them… get in the fancy limo that Otto had insisted he pay for… be driven to the upmarket hotel that Tony had gifted them a couple of nights stay at.

But before that, he and Wade had one more thing to add to the ceremony. He pulled away from his husband and gave him a meaningful look. He was going to start his speech.

Wade clicked on and began to fumble in his pocket for something else.

“So… um… as some of you know, me and Wade recently formed a pack with another omega. His name is Harley and he’s right here.”

Peter smiled down at his nestmate on the front row. The boy looked confused and wary even. His eyes narrowed and he cast them suspiciously around the hall, looking back at the numerous guests who were now staring at him.

The redhead and blonde across the room whispered to each other curiously.

What was Peter playing at?

“So… although me and Wade have married today, we want to welcome him up here to give him something too.”

Harley felt a hand on his back and realized that it was Tony who was pushing him forward. He stood and straightened his robes then paced to the front of the hall to stand with his pack.

His heart was suddenly threatening to jump out of his chest and he had to remind himself that the ‘audience’ was only sixteen people- himself included. It wasn’t that big of a deal.

His eyes flicked to Wade and locked onto his outstretched hand.

“We didn’t want our Iron Baby to feel left out.”

The alpha opened his palm to reveal a third ring that had been fashioned in exactly the same cut as theirs, but had blue gemstones instead of red.

“It’s nothing legally binding, of course. It's just like a promise ring. We just wanna say that we love you and that we want to take everything seriously from now on.”  

“We’re a threesome, not a twosome after all.” Peter joked.

Wade snorted at that, his immaturity once again rising.

“You know I’d love one of those.” He muttered under his breath.

Peter pretended not to hear him. So much for taking things seriously.

The smaller omega allowed Wade to hold his hand and slip the ring on, just like he had done with Peter. He flexed his knuckles as he admired it. The ceremony was cheap but he was willing to bet that these three had cost a pretty penny.

He looked down at Tony and the cocky little smirk said everything. He’d helped with the cost of these too.

“Thank you.” He leaned up onto his tiptoes to steal a little kiss from Wade. Then he was making his way to steal one from Peter too.

His heart ached in an overwhelming way.

It ached because he knew that was loved- but also because he knew he still couldn’t spend the next couple of days with them. He wished he could so badly.

“I love you both. So much…”

“I love you too.” Peter returned his words.

Wade reached out to wrap his arms around Harley’s waist and pulled him back for another little kiss on the cheek.

“And I love you three-thousand.”

Tony made a barfing sound from the pews and moved to stand up.

“Okay kids, weddings over. Doors that way. You’re disgusting me now with this sickly sweet crap.”

Tony clapped his hands, trying to round them out.

In some universe, Wade could tell that he’d hit a nerve.

Chapter Text

Peter’s mouth found Wade’s collarbone and he kissed lower under the sheets.

The alpha tilted his head back against the plush hotel pillows and hummed his approval. He was sleepy. They’d gone a couple of rounds last night, and now this was how he was being woken up.

He felt hands on his waist and then lips mouthing at his hipbone, Peter silently asking him permission to continue. He felt the cold metal of his ring brush against his skin and he shivered from the touch.

“Jesus, baby boy… you’re gonna kill me.”

The mercenary spread his legs a little and lifted his hips up, trying to get some kind of friction on his length. He was hard already. It had only taken the omega a single moment to get his attention flowing back down there.

Wade squeezed his eyes shut again when he felt a tongue lap at him. He inhaled deeply before giving a moan as he felt the other take him into his mouth.

“Fuck… fuck… fuck…”

He blamed the haze from his sleep that made him climax so quickly. That and Peter’s skillful little sucks that came as surprising as an incubus in the night.

Wade reached to grip the other man’s hair as he rode through the waves of pleasure, but found that he was blocked by the bed covers. He scrunched them up into his fists instead.

It seemed that he wasn’t the only one who had tricks up his sleeve to spice up their lovemaking.

The omega nuzzled into his thigh and planted a kiss on it, his wet lips reminding Wade of what they’d just contained.

“C’mere…” Wade panted, his hands fumbling to pull his husband back up to his chest. “I don’t know how you dare do that to me in the middle of the night…”

He wasn’t about to stop him doing it though. Ever.

He leaned down to kiss his omega and noticed how he’d melted back into his arms. Peter had done that for him- without expecting anything in return.

Wade’s heart soared, realizing just how lucky he was.

“I love you…” He whispered into the darkness.

He mentally promised to pay him back for that lovely surprise when the sun came up.

-

Peter sat in the penthouse lounge, nursing a cup of coffee between his hands. He wore an oversized bathrobe and it pooled over his shoulders, flashing all the little red hickeys that his alpha had left on his neck.

They would fade- but god did he love the idea of being marked by Wade.

Just maybe not over Harry’s mark.

A part of him wished that he wasn’t on birth control. He placed the cup on the coffee table and pulled his feet up. He wrapped an arm across his stomach protectively- as though he had something baking in there.

No. He wasn’t going to be one of those omegas who started fantasizing about baby bumps. It would only end in more pain for him.

The only reason he was even thinking about this was because of the amount of mind-blowing sex they’d had in the last twenty-four hours. His alpha was the best lover.

And without a doubt, he knew he’d be the best father too.

Peter’s eyes flicked to the open doorway that the man had emerged through. He shot him a smile and moved up on the couch so that he could join him. Wade hadn’t even bothered to dress. He was wrapped in nothing but a towel from his shower.

Peter instinctively held his hands out to pull him down with him. His husband was so hot and as much as he wanted to go again, they had things to talk about.

Now that they had a quiet moment, he may as well fill the other in on what he was missing.

“So Harley has a plan.”

Wade frowned as he wrapped his arm over the back of the couch. Peter had returned to being serious and it only took him a second to realize where this conversation was going.

Harry fucking Osborn.

He tightened his towel, making sure that he wouldn’t flash him and then gave his husband his full attention.

“For what?” He asked a little dubiously.

“So… we thought that if we could get photo evidence that he was the one making those bombs it would be enough to screw him over… bigtime.”

The alpha nodded along with his words. Now it made sense why Harley had scooped the little sphere into his bag for ‘safekeeping.’ Stark Tower had much better security than his crummy little apartment did. In fact, he had none.

If Harry wanted to retrieve it, he was going to have a hard time getting past Tony and his tech.

“So what do we do? I could try to get in there? I don’t mind taking a few bullets for this. I know Oscorp is armed.”

Peter took his hand in his. He was glad to hear that Wade was with them one hundred percent. He hated asking but… what choice did they have?

“I can’t go in… because I’m worried his tech will recognize me somehow. But I can be Spider-Man on the roof and cut the power to the whole block.”

Wade rubbed at his jaw in thought. No. that was too easy. Harry would be on them. He’d be alerted that something bad was happening and they’d be caught and escorted out before the job was done.

And what was the other omega’s part in all of this? Wade had a sinking feeling in his gut.

“Harley’s gonna be my communications guy… right? Hacking the cameras and checking that the coast is clear?”

Peter grimaced, knowing that Wade wouldn’t like the next part. He wasn’t sure that he did either, because they were literally throwing the boy to the big bad wolf.

“Not exactly. We need to get Harry out of the way. So Harley is going to turn up at his apartment and demand to see him. Spew a load of crap. It doesn’t matter what he says… he just needs to keep his attention… somehow.”

The alpha narrowed his eyes at that. This was Harley. The boy had slept with Harry once before. He probably had seduction on the cards.

Did Peter even realize this?

Wade considered bringing it up. The protective side of him wanted to keep his iron baby out of it- or at least out of reach from the bad guys. And he didn’t want Osborn’s grubby hands all over him again. The thought of it made him feel sick.

But then again, who was he to tell another guy how to do- or not to do his job. This was a mission and Wade had to treat it as such for it to be successful. Harley’s part was just as important in this plan as theirs were.

“Well, Roger that.” The mercenary replied with a frown on his face.

Peter brought his hand up to Wade’s chin to coax him to look into his eyes. He could see that the man was struggling with this idea, very much in the same way that he had. But it was the only way to nail Harry down and expose him.

“It will be okay. We’ve just got to work as fast as possible so that Harley can get out of there…”

Wade nodded and tried to banish all the terrible thoughts from his mind. Well, in for a penny, in for a pound. They may as well go all out.

“Give him a spare pair of your web-shooters. And tell him to lock himself in a room and lower himself to the ground if things get too much.”

The boy would be able to handle that much… surely? All he would have to do was excuse himself and go to the bathroom. Harry’s penthouse had a lot of windows.

Wade looked down again, wondering what else he could say. Their time at the hotel was coming to an end and now he had something else to worry about.

“It’s going to be fine, Wade. I promise.” Peter smiled, hating how quiet he’d gone.

Little did he know that the voices in his alpha’s head were deafening, all trying to shout over each other. Wade had never felt so conflicted in his life.

-

“I can’t believe you both came home early,” Harley commented when Wade opened the door to him.

“My dick’s sore. Petey doesn’t know when enough is enough.” The alpha joked as he stepped aside to let the boy inside.

He could feel his husband’s eyes burning into the back of his head and he tried not to grin. They’d been married less than two days and he was already finding ways to wind him up.

That’s what married couples were supposed to do… right? He’d seen it on TV.

Peter stepped forward and pulled Harley into a tight hug. He kissed his cheek, knowing that he had to start opening his affections up to him a little more. It was the baby steps between jumping into bed with him that were important.

Wade watched as Harley happily embraced the attention and even leaned in again to press his lips against the other omega’s.

Well, now he was feeling left out- even if this was the hottest thing he’d ever seen.

“So Petey told me the plan. As long as you’re okay with seeing Harry again, we’re good to give it a go.”    

Harley’s eyebrows shot up and he looked between Wade and Peter in surprise. They’d talked it through. They were serious. This was actually happening.

“Tonight?” He asked, a little shocked by the news.

He didn’t have his pretty robes with him. He needed a bath to make himself smell nice- and he needed to put pretty waves in his hair. He needed to make himself look as desirable as possible before going to see Harry.

The bastard wanted the most perfect omega and he was going to give him what he wanted- just not in the way that everyone thought he would.

“I’ll go home and get ready. I’ll be at Oscorp by six. He should be on his way home by then… right?”

Peter nodded. Harry was a hard worker. Norman had recently retired so he tended to oversee everything that happened at the company these days. He sometimes didn’t get home until gone seven in the evening.

It was no wonder that he’d never realized that Peter was Spider-Man. He’d been too busy to pay attention a lot of the time.

“Sometimes he gets home later. But there’s always a doorman at the entrance. You can demand to see him. Just kick up a stink. Act overemotional. He’ll phone him.”

“Brilliant,” Harley smirked, more to himself. He loved to be dramatic. And once Harry was aware that he had one of his omegas hanging around his apartment, he’d come racing home.

Wade was biting the inside of his cheek in anxiety again. This still didn’t sit right with him. He reached out for the boy’s hand and very gently removed the blue ring on his finger. All evidence of their closeness had to be hidden.

“Petey will give you a pair of web-shooters. Any sign of trouble, get yourself locked in a room and get out of there- and for god sakes don’t sleep with him.”

Harley frowned and gave a little shrug.

“Wasn’t going to. Maybe.”

Honestly, he’d decided to play the night out as it went. If he had to open his legs for that disgusting asshole, then so be it. It was for the greater good and he’d never have to do it again.

But he had a different plan- one that would interest Harry much more than a quick roll around the bed again.

Peter smiled and reached out to take his now bare hand.

“Okay. Let’s have some dinner first. Then we’ll get into positions.”

Chapter Text

When Harley arrived at the apartment block he stalked up to the doorman and crossed his arms, attitude etched onto his features.

"I need to see Harry. I'm one of his omegas and it's an emergency."

The boy tried to pull at the door, knowing damn well that it wouldn't open- but he had to look desperate. Rain was hammering down and he hoped that that would be enough to sway the burly-looking alpha into letting him inside.

He tugged his robes tight around him and shivered before spinning around to face him again. He'd opted to wear a silk set and now he was deeply regretting it. He looked more like a drowned rat than someone who was meant to be desirable.

"Phone him and tell him I'll wait for him inside… please.”

The man grimaced at his demand and pulled his phone out. Should he? Shouldn't he? He'd only ever seen this boy around here once before and he certainly wasn't Peter.

"I'm not supposed to open the door for anyone who I don't recognize, sweetheart." He tried to be tactful and gave him a sorry smile. He watched as Harley’s lips turned downwards into a pout.

"Tell you what. I'll shoot him a quick text. He'll be home in about an hour... so why don’t you go and get coffee somewhere close by?"

Harley's face softened, deciding to try a different tactic. He reached down to wrap his arms around his stomach protectively. He shouldn't say this- but fuck it. He’d already planned on giving Harry some emotional damage when he saw him.

"He won't be happy, you know? I think leaving his pregnant omega outside to freeze to death would be one of the top things he'd be angry about."

The doorman’s eyebrows shot up and his eyes widened. He blinked a few times as the information was processed.

No. Now that would get him fired. A baby was the one thing that his boss wanted. Everyone who worked for Harry knew about the drama with Peter's miscarriages.

The maids had found plenty of positive pregnancy tests in the trash. A doctor had been called out a few times in the middle of the night. Harry’s driver had overheard bickering between the two of them while he'd been chauffeuring them around the city.

It didn’t take a genius to realize why things were so tense with the mated couple.

"Okay... okay..." The man relented and pulled out a spare key card. He handed it to Harley. How much trouble could a boy get himself into up there?

He was so baby-faced and sweet-looking. He was a bit of a brat- but weren’t all these rich kids?

It was good to see that Harry was moving on from Peter though. As much as the doorman had liked his down-to-earth attitude, he’d always found the omega’s personality very dry. He acted more like a boring beta than a doting omega.

"Just don't touch anything up there. Get yourself dry, make yourself a drink and then wait in the lounge."

Harley grinned at him and took the card, happy that his plan had worked. Now he really did have to go through with this lie.

He watched the doorman phone Harry and was thankful when the man didn’t relay too much information to the alpha. He wanted that honor for himself. Harry had messed with Peter’s head over his pregnancy, now he was going to do the same to him.

The boy thanked the doorman before disappearing into the block of posh apartments and taking the lift to the top floor.

-

Harley slipped out of his soaked robes and rang them out over the bathtub. He hung them on a warm rail, hoping that they would dry by the time he had to leave and shoved the web-shooters into the pockets. Then he padded through the apartment into Harry’s bedroom to find some of Peter’s old clothes.

His search was fruitless though.

Did his friend even own a set of pajamas? What did he sleep in? Nothing?

Sheesh.

He found a pair of boxers and pulled them on and noticed how loose they were. They hung low on his hips and he wondered if they belonged to the alpha. Whatever. Harry might love the idea of him wearing his clothes. He found an oversized work shirt and slipped that on too, deciding that it looked cute.

His eyes locked onto a landline phone on the desk and he moved over to inspect it. A hard tug pulled the cable out of the wall. All he had to do now was take care of Harry’s cell phone when he arrived. Getting his hands on it shouldn’t be too hard.

Now to set the scene. He eyed the bed and then grabbed at the covers.

-

“What are you doing here?”

Harley’s head snapped up from the pillow. He’d spent the last half an hour getting into the mindset of a pregnant omega. He figured that nesting would be a good start. Seeming sleepy and docile, another. And if he managed to trick himself into feeling somber enough, then maybe he’d even be able to squeeze a few tears out when the alpha arrived.

Method acting was easy.

This was what Tony meant when he called him manipulative. This was what he was good at. He’d put on shows for men before by pretending to be a perfect little omega. This was just another performance.

“Hi… um… sorry I got into your bed. I was really tired.”

The room was dark but the light from the hallway flooded into the room. He could see the alpha’s hard eyes glaring at him. He made a move to stand up and wrapped his arms around himself.

“Petey told me not to come.”

Harry frowned as he stared at him. He’d assumed that he was done with Stark’s kid. He hadn’t expected him to turn up at his door again- never mind find him in his bed. The boy was bizarre, that much was clear.

“Again… why are you here?”

Harley looked scared. Even in the dark, he seemed paler than what Harry could remember. The man moved over to him and inhaled. The strong sweet scent was there, but no sign of a heat. He had no reason to seek him out. This wasn’t desperation.

He could smell himself on him though. Was he wearing his shirt?

The omega flicked his eyes away from the alpha as he got closer and sank back against the wall. He’d practiced lines in his head but he’d forgotten them now. Time to wing it.

“I knew something was wrong a week ago. I’ve… I’ve missed my heat. And… I did a test… and…”

Harley sniffed, his head lowering to the floor, as though he was ashamed of his current circumstance. His arms tightened around his waist protectively.

“…and Petey told me not to come here… I haven’t even told my dad yet but…”

Harry’s eyes widened at his little monologue. If he was correct the boy was struggling to spit out that he was pregnant?

He scoffed. That was impossible, surely? Although they’d had sex twice the night that he’d stayed over. Conceiving outside of a heat wasn’t entirely unheard of.

“You don’t just get… like that from a one-night stand.” He ridiculed. “You weren’t even in heat.”

Harley frowned. Harry really was volatile. Here he was, telling him that he was with his child and the bastard was being snarky with him.

The omega sniffed and gave a few hard blinks, doing his best to summon tears to his eyes. He knew that it would look like he was fighting them away instead.

“Well… the test says I’m positive. And I haven’t been with anyone else. The only reason I even slept with you was because I had a crush on you when I was growing up…”

Flattery always worked well with alphas. He doubted Harry was the exception.

“Is this why you was with Pete last week? You met him to ask him for advice?”

The omega boy nodded and tried not to flinch when Harry reached out to bat his arms away from his stomach. He placed his large hand over it- and that’s when Harley knew that he was getting to him. The man was getting invested in his little lie.

“Pretty much. I started feeling queasy in the mornings. Petey said omegas get the sickness much earlier than betas. Then after your little drama in the park, I went home and did a test.”

He wasn’t letting Harry off the hook for throwing that bomb so easily. He glared at him with watery eyes. He saw the alpha’s eyes soften slightly in return.

“I never would have done that had I have known you were…” The word hung in the air. Neither of them wanted to voice it.

Harley moved and slinked away from him. He looked back down at the bed. He’d padded it out with the bed covers. He’d found additional blankets and had stolen cushions from the living room. It looked convincing.

The boy moved to settle back down in the sheets.

“I kind of just want a cuddle.” He mumbled tearfully. “And to talk about what we’re gonna do next… because I still wanna go to college… and I want to travel… and… I want to do everything.”

Harry pulled his jacket off and threw it over the desk chair in the corner of the room. He considered stripping further but he didn’t want to scare the boy by being too forward. He had a lot of making up to do.

If Harley really was pregnant and he carried to term then this baby would be the bridge between Oscorp and Stark Industries.

It really was the best thing he ever could have hoped for.

“Don’t cry. I’m sure we can work something out. Maybe you can have a gap year… and then we can hire nannies. I’m sure your dad would be very proud and supportive of you for having my child.”

It took everything Harley had not to roll his eyes at that comment. He was right. The alpha’s ego was far too big.

Harry placed his phone on the bedside table and sank down next to him. Harley’s eyes locked onto it. Bingo.

“Actually… can you get me a drink first? Something warm? I’m still so cold from being kept outside in the rain.”

“Of course.”

The man leaned over and placed a soft kiss on his forehead before pulling himself back to his feet. He’d pander to this omega for the next nine months if he had to. Anything to get what he wanted. And if he played his cards right they might even end up on good terms.

Harley seemed much more complaint than Peter ever was. Maybe he was the better option. Although Harry would be lying to himself if he said he didn’t want his mate back.

-

Harley had no time to guess at a password for the phone- so he held all the buttons down on the side to start a systems reset. He watched as the screen went blank and then flashed onto the setup screen. No one would be able to contact Harry while it was in this mode.

Once he was satisfied with it, he shoved it under the bed and moved back to the position that he had been in.

No one would be contacting them on the house phone, or his mobile. If someone wanted to alert their boss of the infiltration at Oscorp they’d have to come here themselves. And that was assuming they’d be able to fight their way past the brutish doorman.

A few minutes later he felt the mattress drop under Harry’s weight.

The alpha wrapped an arm around his waist. He spooned him from behind, very much like how he used to with Peter and he kissed at his neck. Harley was thankful that the darkness would hide his faded bond mark.

“The tea is on your bedside table… but if you don’t want it, you can just go to sleep.”

The boy rolled over to face Harry. At least he was handsome. At least he smelt nice. It was easy to see why Peter had fallen for him.

But he wasn’t Wade.

“Do you miss him?” He dared to ask.

Harry frowned, keeping his hand protectively on Harley’s waist. He knew he was asking about Peter and he wasn’t sure if he should be truthful or not.

He could lie. He could say that he didn’t. He could say that he was over his mate. But Harley was clever. He’d know that he wasn’t. If anything the boy was just wanting some kind of validation that he was just as important as the other omega.

“Every day,” Harry admitted with a tiny smile tugging at his lips, thinking of the good times they’d shared. He heaved a sigh. “He’s my mate. We’ve had our struggles but it hurt me deeply when he ran off with another alpha.”

“I still don’t get it. That guy’s ugly… and poor.”

Harry laughed at his words. It was good to know that this omega actually valued the life that he was offering him. Although, maybe he’d gotten that appreciation from being raised by Tony Stark. Good looks and money were everything in this world.

“Well, I’m glad to hear that you would never offend me in such a way.”

Harley hummed, a scratchy sound rumbling from the back of his throat. He was trying to make himself purr- but it was hard. He’d managed to before but unfortunately, it was a difficult thing to fake.

“I kind of wanted a nestmate… want me to try to talk him back?”

Harry’s hand reached up to stroke through his hair.

“I think it might be best that you stay away from him for a while. I’ll probably get him back anyway... I’m taking him to court.”

Harley blinked a few times, pretending that this was the first time he was hearing about that.

“Court?”

The alpha continued to pet him.

“As things stand my lawyers are sure that he doesn’t have a leg to stand on. So when I get him back maybe you could try to smooth things out.”

Harley smiled, pretending that this was good news. Little did Harry know that Peter was going to ruin him. They all were.

The omega leaned in, resting his head in the crook of the other’s neck. He inhaled deeply and hated how the man’s pheromones were so attractive to him. He could feel slick pooling between his legs.

Sleeping with him again wouldn’t hurt… right? This was natural.   

It wasn’t as though Peter or Wade were giving him much sugar. And it was his choice- and not to mention it was for a good cause!

He could use Harry, like how he’d tried to use him.

Harley looked up, his head once again level with Harry’s and he leaned in to kiss him, knowing that if he seemed needy and desperate, the alpha would take advantage of that.

Chapter Text

Wade shoved the earpiece into his ear and pulled his mask back over his head.

"Can you hear me?" He asked, hoping that he'd set the communications device up correctly the first time. He resisted pressing his hand to his ear like he was in one of those super-cool spy movies.

Fuck it.

“Mr. President, I’m gonna need an answer.”

Peter rolled his eyes from the rooftop above as Wade’s joke made him smile. The more time he spent with the mercenary, the more he warmed to his goofy nature. He wondered how it had taken him this long to fall in love with the man. He’d probably only held him at arm’s length because of his loyalties to Harry.

"Yeah. I'm on the roof now. I've found the box. I just need to clip the wires in there somehow."

Wade could head clanking of metal as the omega busied himself. Had he seriously brought a whole toolbox up there with him? He knew Peter liked to tinker with stuff- but really?

"Any time, baby boy. I'm kind of standing out." And it was only a matter of time before someone would notice him- even if he was stood at the back of Oscorp, behind a fence that shielded him from view.

One thing Wade knew was that New York had eyes everywhere.

"One... two... three... got it!"

The lights flickered once before the whole building went black. Wade wasted no time in kicking the door open. He kept his guns holstered, mainly out of request from Peter. There’d be no killing today- if they could help it.

The alpha let Peter direct him and he took a nearby flight of stairs up to the fifteenth floor. He stalled at floor twelve and curiously eyed the sign on the wall.

"I take it you don't have anything to do with the arachnid research?"

"Err...” Peter gave an awkward laugh, realizing where Wade had paused. “Well, they do keep the spiders in there.” 

The man rubbed his head and carried on walking. Peter had once told him that he’d been accidentally bitten and Wade had wondered how a normal spider could do such a thing.

Oscorp super-spiders definitely answered a lot of his questions.

“No offense Webs, but at what point did you start to wonder if you were working for a supervillain company?” He joked as he continued to climb the floors to his destination.

“First you got spidey-powers. Then you had all that trouble with that lizard guy. Then your mate who runs the whole place turns out to be the biggest douchebag on the planet and is making bombs and weird gliders- that we are yet to see.”

Wade pushed open a door and skirted inside as though he was still expecting motion detectors. Sadly there were no cool movie laser beams either.

“What’s next? Is Otto gonna turn on you too?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Peter sighed, wishing he could see where Wade was. “He would never betray me.”

“I dunno man. Those neuro-arm things he’s working on seriously look like they could fuck a guy up. Total supervillain accessory.”

Wade was crazy. Peter moved over to the ledge on the building and squatted, overlooking the street. It was only a matter of time before security in the lobby worked out that this was no normal power cut. They’d be messing with the other generator in the basement now.

He wondered how Harley was doing and prayed that he was still holding Harry’s attention. He had a sick feeling in his stomach, knowing that the boy would probably go down the easier route of seduction, despite them telling him not to.

“Petey?” Wade called him back from his thoughts.

 “Oh… you should be in a weird lobby reception for the department now. And on the right-hand side there should be a large metal door. It’s where they keep the off-limits stuff. I… haven’t been in there for a couple of years.”

And that had been his biggest mistake, hadn’t it? He’d trusted Harry far too much. Just because Peter was a good guy, it didn’t mean that he’d been working for a good company- or good people. He’d been jaded by love.

He tried to picture the door in his mind. There was a key code panel to the right of it. If he remembered correctly it was Norman’s partner’s birthday.

Peter didn’t run into the man often, other than at dinner parties. He was from old money and he’d always hated how he looked down his nose at him from across the table. He got the impression that the omega didn’t like Harry much either, considering how Norman had left the vast majority of his wealth to his son when he’d made his will.

“Try 070477”

Wade punched the numbers in and watched the panel light up green. The door clicked open.

“It worked.”

“I knew it would… so if you go in there and to the back… that’s where the more toxic chemicals are kept,” Peter informed, wracking his brain as he tried to remember what he’d seen the couple of times he’d visited for Dr. Connors.

The alpha entered the room and looked around. Everything looked so sleek, but the place was also littered with files and binders full of research notes. Someone had definitely been working in here recently.

“I’m going on a whim… but I bet this is the stuff that Harry’s been stuffing the bombs with,” Wade mumbled as he passed a container with florescent green fluid inside.

But wasn’t the bombs smoke? It was a gas- not a liquid. Did it turn into a gas when it was dispersed? The mercenary wished he had Peter’s intelligence to work that out.

An alarm sounded on the street and loud voices bellowed from the entrance. Peter leaned over the edge further to see security running around the perimeter of the building. They’d been rumbled.

“Okay Wade… there’s a fuss outside so be quick.”

The mercenary paced around the room, sifting through the files and papers. He threw some to the ground until he came across a folder with detailed designs of what they were looking for.

“Can’t find the bombs- but I’ve got some weird draw-up planning sheets of them... with the Oscorp logo at the top.”

“Try the desk. Or the panels at the top of the cupboards. Or look under the display cases. They’ve got to be in here somewhere.”

Maybe he should have asked Felicia to help them with this. She was a pro at lifting goods- even ones that weren’t precious gemstones. And he knew that the alpha girl had a soft spot for him by the way she flirted.

Wade was more used to assassinations and ass-beatings.

“Try the-“

“-Got em!” Wade grinned to himself as he opened a fancy-looking briefcase that had eight of them on display.

Display was the right word though. They weren’t filled. They were just the golden round shells and were as useless as the one that they had at home.

He heaved a sigh and his smile dropped in disappointment.

“Just the shells. I need to find one that’s juiced up- you don’t think he keeps the made ones at his apartment… do you?”

Wade could hear loud voices coming from the corridor. Moving beams of lights danced on the walls as men with flashlights came his way.

He reached for his gun. He crouched down behind a desk.

He held his breath and hoped the security would pass straight by the highly secured room.

The voices and lights grew fainter.

He let out a long sigh of relief.

“I don’t know, Wade. I never found one while I lived there.”

“Wish there was a way we could check.”

They both fell silent and Peter reached for his phone. He could call Harley right now. Harry had gone into his apartment over an hour ago. If they were still together he could lure the alpha back to Oscorp to get him out of the way.

Then Harley could creep around.

That was a dangerous, not to mention ridiculous plan though. He had no idea how things were going with Harry and the boy.

“Look. I don’t know what this weird green stuff is in this massive test tube I’m looking at… but I’m gonna try to filter some in somehow and hope I don’t get weird radioactive powers from it. You ask Harley if he can… explore.”

Peter nodded.

“Okay. Just hurry up because we’re going to need to distract Harry again.”

-

Harley was dozing when his phone rang. Harry’s knot had slipped out of him a few minutes ago and he’d turned to put his back to the man. The alpha’s arm had snaked around his middle, spooning him and he felt smothered by it.

That hadn’t felt good. He felt horrible inside. Normally sex was just sex to him. He was usually able to zone out if he needed to.

But now his skin was crawling. He felt dirty. He felt guilty.

He shouldn’t have done that… and the feelings intensified when he felt the man kissing lazily at his neck again.

Harry hadn’t bit him- but that didn’t mean he hadn’t tried to. The omega had dipped his chin, blocking access to his neck at the last moment. He’d learned from Peter’s mistake.

He batted Harry away and reached for his phone.

“Leave it.” The alpha commanded.

“It’s probably my Dad.”

The boy’s heart dropped when he saw that it was Peter.

Something had either gone very wrong, or his friend was updating him on the mission. Either way, he needed to answer- and he needed to play it off like he wasn’t expecting the call at all.

“Um…hello..?” He answered the call.

“Hey, it’s me. Can you talk?” The other omega sounded calm enough and Harley rolled onto his back, putting some distance between him and the alpha. He could tell that he was trying to listen in though.

“Hey Petey… I’m actually with Harry… I know you told me not to go to him but I’m kind of spending the night.”

Peter held the phone tightly in his hand and tried not to focus too much on the ‘spending the night’ part. Harry was likely in bed next to him and that meant he couldn’t say too much. His mate was eavesdropping.

But maybe that was a good thing. All he needed was for Harry to hear one little piece of information to get him out of the apartment again.

But first the dramatics!

“You slept with him!?”

Harley blanched and moved to sit up, suddenly tense. It was hard to tell if Peter was acting or not, but he knew it was best to keep the conversation going.

“Yeah… um… you can come and join us if you want to.” He flirted and shot Harry a little smile, hoping that the man would think he really was trying to coax his mate here.

“And I um… I told him about the baby.”

Peter frowned, realizing what kind of lies Harley had made up just to get under the alpha’s skin. He felt sick and his free arm lowered to wrap around his own stomach. At least Harry’s attention would be gripped. This was a mutual trauma.

“I’m not coming over! He’s an asshole- and you shouldn’t have told him!”

“Are you with Wade?”

“No. I’m at Oscorp!”

That was all Peter needed to drop. That’s what he needed Harry to hear.

It took Harley everything he had not to laugh as Harry shot out of the bed faster than Peter could web himself to the ceiling.

“Huh? Why are you at Oscorp?” Harley asked with a frown, keeping the conversation rolling. “If you want to see Harry, he’s here.”

“I already said I don’t want to see him!” Peter’s voice raised angrily down the line. He had to be convincing. “And I’m getting you those pills… you know… the special ones that will make you lose it.”

Peter didn’t like improvising like this but the other boy had left him little choice. If Harry thought he was helping him with an abortion he’d be sprinting back to his company to detain him.

Harley watched as the alpha pulled his suit back on, not caring that it had crumpled on the floor.

“Um… I gotta go Petey… I’ll… we’ll talk another time.”

Before he could hang up, the man snatched the phone out of his hand and shoved it against his ear. He was seething.

“Listen to me Pete- and listen well! I am going to kill you and that ugly fucking excuse of an alpha. Nobody is going to find your bodies. I don’t care if we’ve got a bond. I don’t care if I love or hate you. You. Do. Not. Do. This. To. Me.”

Harry hung up before his mate could respond and he angrily slammed Harley’s phone onto the mattress, keeping his large hand over it as he looked him in the eyes.

“You’re not to see him again. Do you understand?” The man snarled.

The omega nodded his head, suddenly fearful by how furious he’d become. He’d never seen someone turn so quickly.

-

Harry stalked out of the bedroom after having a tantrum over not being able to find his own phone. He was too stressed for an extensive search. Harley kicked it further under the bed and breathed a sigh of relief when he heard him leave the apartment without it.

He flipped his own phone over on the mattress. Peter had sent him a follow-up message. Luring Harry back to Oscorp suddenly made sense.

They couldn’t find evidence.

‘Search for the bombs there - P’

So it was up to him to ransack the apartment.

Chapter Text

Fuck the bombs. Harry was bringing a gun to this fight.

He snatched it out of the drawer and slammed it hard in a temper. The whole desk shook from the force.

He couldn’t find his phone. His new omega was probably panicking in fear from his threatening words. This evening had been going so well until Peter had decided to get involved.

He left the apartment, deciding to make amends with Harley later.

The man checked how many bullets he had loaded as the elevator descended. Ten. That was more than enough to finish the job.

He was sick of feeling empty over having a mate that had deserted him. When he’d gone to his father drunk and in fits of tears one night, Norman had told him that Osborn’s didn’t feel heartbroken. They were supposed to buck it up and carry on and stop being so ridiculous.

But how was he supposed to stop when he just couldn’t let Peter go?

Their bond was too strong.

That’s when he decided that if he couldn’t have him then he was going to have to break it.

Harry’s hands felt sweaty as he placed the weapon back into his pocket. He felt like throwing up but when the doors opened, he pushed on anyway.

Hopefully, he’d find something in Oscorp to help him dispose of the body.

-

Wade’s hands stung from the weird fluorescent liquid that he’d tried to dispense into the empty shell. It splashed on him and fizzled into his skin like acid- but his regenerative healing quickly fought against the burns.

If Harley couldn’t find the real deal in the apartment then he was sure as hell going to have a convincing fake.

The mercenary sealed it and then rolled it around in his hands. His thumb hovered over the button that would no doubt spray the juice into the atmosphere.

These things could do some serious damage. So far Peter had only encountered a blast and smoke bomb. This one- if Harry had intended to make it- seemed much more deadly.

It would definitely burn through their suits.

The alpha pulled out his phone and positioned the bomb nicely on the desk. He began to snap away, making sure to capture the paperwork in the photographs too.

“I think I’ve got it… or at least one that looks like what we’ll describe to the courts… and police.”

“That’s great.” Peter breathed a sigh of relief. His eyes were still fixed on the front entrance, awaiting Harry’s arrival. Anxiety niggled at his stomach. “You should get out of there now. Then we can leave.”

Wade chuckled to himself. This had been easier than taking candy from a baby. Harry was stupid. He let his emotions cloud all logic. They’d sent him on a wild goose chase across the city for nothing.

The only thing he was getting tonight was more frustrated when he realized that he’d been toyed with.

“See ya up there, baby boy.”

Wade was about to spin around when he felt the barrel of a gun press hard between his shoulder blades.

He froze and tensed, reacting as a normal non-regenerative human should. The metallic cold penetrated his suit and he heard the familiar cocking sound as the stranger readied to shoot.

“Who are you and what the hell are you doing in my company?”    

-

As soon as the front door shut, Harley sprang to his feet. He’d already explored the walk-in wardrobe while deciding what to wear. Harry’s dirty secrets weren’t in there.

He could try his office. He’d heard him slamming around in there before leaving.

If he was looking for a weapon, he should try the draws.

That’s where Tony kept his. In the bedside table. Just in case their security failed. Just in case he wasn’t able to suit up in time. Just in case Steve wasn’t home. His father figure thought of everything.

But then again, he did suffer from paranoia- but so did Harry.

The boy wrapped the alpha's shirt tighter around himself and padded through the apartment in that direction. He’d get changed later.

Harry hadn’t even bothered to fully strip him when they’d slept together, instead only choosing to pull his boxers off. The oversized shirt swamped him and Harley already couldn’t wait to slip his own robes back on. He just hoped they’d dried a little by now.

The desk draw in the office was empty. He checked behind it first and then ran his hand under it. Nothing. He turned, scanning the shelves on the walls for easy-to-spot hiding places.

Nothing.

He moved to the large bookcase that covered one wall and began pulling the books out, one by one and letting them thud to the floor.

They were heavy tomes with thick spines and probably had some kind of value to them that only filthy rich people cared about. They all looked unused and were probably nothing more than a display piece for the room. An expensive flex.

There was plenty of storage space behind them as the books only sat on the edge.

Harley tiptoed to grab one from the top row. He flapped his hand behind the gap and scraped his fingers against an unfamiliar feeling at the back.

He or Peter couldn’t reach behind here- but a tall alpha could.

The omega grabbed the desk chair and used it to stand higher. He pulled the books out until he found a leather briefcase stashed away.

Bingo.

It had to be that… right?

He tugged it down and onto the desk, the weight almost knocking him off the chair. He rushed to unzip the case and flung it open. He stared back at his reflection in gold after gold sphere- all green and juiced up with whatever Harry had put in them.

He pulled his phone out of the shirt and grinned. His mission had been a success.

Got them – H

-

One sarcastic comment later and Wade felt a bullet penetrate through his suit. He spluttered, coughing up blood inside his mask. He’d expected at least a conversation before the mystery man got trigger happy.

He would be fine. Totally fine. He would regenerate in a few moments. He just needed to stay level-headed and conscious.

Another shot.

Another.

Another.

Another.

He felt his back split open as bullet after bullet sank into his flesh. He wheezed as one hit his heart. Another, his lung. The pain seared through him and his head spun from the unexpected assault.

Whoever this guy was, he really wanted him out of the picture. He hadn't even given him a chance to explain or defend himself! And the man must assume he was a normal human. He was trying to kill him.

Wade dropped to the ground and coughed more. He clutched at the bottom of his mask and pulled it up over his lips so that he wouldn't drown in the skin-tight material.

He was poked again by the barrel, this time in the back of the head.

He had two choices. Lash out- or play dead until the man disappeared to call for the security team’s assistance.

Fuck it.

He'd been good for far too long! Petey would have to forgive him. It didn't matter who this person was. He was bad. He was standing in the way of their freedom and the alpha took that as a very personal threat.

Wade whipped around and took a couple more bullets to the side as he launched at the aging man. He growled at him through bloody teeth and wrapped his large hands around his throat, pushing him back against the wall.

The man's eyes widened in fear and he squeezed the trigger again and again but was horrified when all he was met with was the metallic clicks of an empty chamber.

"I fuckin' recognize you." Wade snarled, suddenly furious by the intrusion. He didn't even feel like making any sarcastic quips. He was staring at the senior Osborn- the man who had encouraged his son to treat Peter like shit.

It made sense that he was here. If security had been unable to contact Harry, then they would have chosen the next best person.

And Wade was willing to bet that Norman knew about his son’s secret arsenal. That's why he'd rushed straight to this room.

The mercenary squeezed his neck hard and watched as the man balked in agony. The gun clattered to the floor.

"Piece of fuckin' shit you are. Treating omegas like they're toys. Teaching your son to be a trash alpha."

Wade saw red. He could kill him. He should kill him. Peter would be mad- but without guidance, even Harry might derail himself from the court case. The grief of losing his father might be too much.

And this bastard was evil.

Wade never killed for free. Assassination cost a fair bit on his list of services. But his husband's happiness was worth the death of anyone who tried to stand between them.

Norman Osborn was an ant that needed to be exterminated.

The alpha reached for one of his sheathed weapons and in turn pointed it at the other alpha’s stomach. The man wheezed and struggled, one hand fighting the gun and the other trying to pry Wade's hand off his neck.

Wade pulled the trigger- three times in quick succession. The man’s wrinkled face scrunched up in fear before the life faded out of his eyes and his body went limp.

The mercenary let him drop to the floor. He spat out some blood over his corpse.

“See you in hell.”

When the cops got here they'd find this room. They'd see that there was some shady shit being manufactured. The bombs were right here on the desk.

Having the evidence already recorded would go in their favor if they brought it up in court. It would already be logged.

And maybe this incident would even leak to the newspapers too. New York loved a good scandal and Peter was the perfect man to send in a tip-off to The Daily Bugle about the Osborn’s shady affairs.

Maybe he could even do an interview. Go public. Sell a sob story. Everyone knew he was Harry’s omega.

The voices in Wade's head argued with each other and he shushed them, trying to hear Peter's voice coming through over the earpiece. His vision was spinning and he forced himself towards the door.

"Wade! I heard gunshots! Are you good? Do you need me to come in? …Wade?"

Spidey's voice sounded panicked and he moved quickly down the hallway to the stairs he'd previously climbed. He needed to reply but he was dizzy and tired and fuck- his body was trying to repair seven fucking bullet holes at once.

“Shhhh….” He hushed again.

The voices continued and he rubbed at his temples. They always got louder after he’d been hurt. One was saying that he shouldn’t have done that. Another was cheering him on. And another one was… melancholic?

"I'm good... I'm good... that fucker isn't though."

Harry was about to come into big inheritance soon. He’d have legal rights over the whole family. Everything. If he wanted to pour billions into going after Peter then he could.

Wade gripped the railing on the staircase as he descended and nearly fell.

“Wait what!? Who!? What happened!?”

“Baby boy... we gotta talk about this when we get home. I took about seven bullets. Kinda hanging on by a thread here.”

The mercenary’s legs felt like lead as he forced himself forwards, almost tripping again. The flashing emergency lights in the stairway did nothing to stop his head from hammering in pain. At one point he swore he was about to faint and he stalled- doing his best to stay conscious.

A faint voice was in his ear again. Then darkness. Then more flashing. Black spots clouded his vision as his sight fought to stay with him.

Wade felt hands on his arms and he looked up from the floor where his eyes had been locked onto, like a drug addict tripping on acid.

Peter had come to get him.

“Fuck, baby boy… I told you I was good.”

The omega moved swiftly to wrap one of the mercenary’s arms around his shoulders to help carry him out of the building.

“You’ve been ignoring me for the last fifteen minutes. You’re not good.”

Wade grumbled as he let his husband take his weight and guide him out into the night. His own suit was soaked with sweat. He had a fever. Maybe he was experiencing the normal shock that came with getting shot. He hadn’t in years.

He reached into his pocket and pulled his phone out, handing it to Peter.

“I got the pics. Make sure I don’t lose that. Kay?”

The other man nodded and shoved it into his backpack for safekeeping. He could see that Wade was struggling, even if he wouldn't admit it. He'd swing them home if he had to. It was quite a distance- but it was nothing they hadn't done before.

“Come on… let’s get you home.” He coaxed, praying that Harley wouldn't freak out when he saw what a state the alpha was in.

Chapter Text

Harley had caught a cab back to Wade's place and the neighbor had kindly unlocked the door for him. Apparently, the mercenary didn't trust himself with keeping his apartment key safe- so had cut another and had left it in his possession just in case.

The omega man was ridiculously fussy and had gushed over Harley's robes, stroking the damp material with his fingertips as he’d inspected them. Harley hated how the praise niggled at his chest. Familiar giddiness rose up inside of him and he was a blushing mess by the time he'd said goodbye.

Why was Wade surrounded by all these cute omegas? It just shouldn't be legal. And why had he waited so long for Spider-Man when he had this guy next door?

The man had dark features with striking green eyes and they’d honestly made Harley’s stomach flip like he’d been dropped out of an airplane.

It didn’t make sense.

Maybe Wade really had fallen in love with his masked friend long before he’d known anything about his real identity.

Peter was lucky.

And Harley really needed to stop getting stupid crushes on literally every good-looking omega he interacted with. It was always such a high to feel wanted though- but he had to realize that he couldn’t keep doing this.

He was lucky to have both his boyfriends.

The boy headed to the bathroom. A shower was needed. They didn’t want to smell that bastard on him when they got back.

Sleeping with Harry was going to be his last mistake.

-

“Okay… Okay…. Fuck! Ow!”

Wade reached awkwardly to pull himself through the apartment window. He crashed onto the floor and wheezed. Peter climbed in afterward, panting from the exertion of swinging both of them across New York.

Harley shot up off of the sofa to help the mercenary to his feet. He was clearly hurt by how he was cradling his side- but at least they’d made it back!

“Hey… so how’d it go?” The boy reached for Wade’s arm but the alpha batted him away.

“M’ fine. Just need to get the shrapnel out then I’ll be good to go.”

Harley’s eyes sank lower until they locked onto the little holes where his suit had been torn open.

One. Two. Three. Four… Five… six… seven.

If Wade’s suit wasn’t a deep red already he would have noticed the bloodstains as soon as he’d appeared at the window.

Harley paled. He felt like he was falling through space and time as he gaped at him.

“Why didn’t you call an ambulance!? Why are you still walking and talking!? And how… how…”

The omega scrambled for his phone. It was still on the couch. It had to be. He tossed a couple of cushions aside, then turned his attention to the coffee table. Where was it!? He had to call someone!

His dad kind of operated on himself. The reactor in his chest was often taken out to be cleaned. Sometimes he just tinkered with it for fun- much to Steve’s horror.

If they couldn’t go to the hospital then Tony was their best bet. Or Bruce. Bruce might be good for this too! But then again, medical science wasn’t his field.

Strange! Strange used to be a surgeon! But… there was no way to contact him. He didn’t have his number. It wasn’t like he could just call.

Tears were already filling Harley’s eyes as he located his phone and fumbled to unlock it. His fingers suddenly felt alien to his body and he gasped for air, his breaths coming short and fast.

He wasn’t stupid. Bullet wounds were serious. And Wade had seven- maybe more. Realization dawned on him.

He was going to die.

The boy dropped the phone onto the ground with a loud clatter and pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes. He felt helpless, but he had to buck it up for Wade’s final moments. He could cry later. He had to be strong for all of them.

Blue eyes flicked back to the two superheroes resting by the window. Peter had pulled both their masks off and was helping Wade to rip open the front of his suit.  His whole torso was on display now- and so were the terrible bullet wounds that seared deeply through his flesh.

“Harley-bear? Hey… don’t cry.” Wade flashed him a smile and waved his arm towards the kitchen counter. “Can you grab that bag over there? The brown one. It’s got my bullet extractors in there. They’re a bit old-fashioned, but it gets the job done.”

Harley stared between them in shock, his feet still rooted to the spot. Peter was inspecting the wounds, shuffling on his knees and circling Wade from front to back.

“Four went straight through you. I can see the exit wounds. So that’s three stuck in there that we need to pull out.” The omega analyzed- as though he’d done this many times before. 

“Preferably quickly before I start to heal around them.” Wade waved at the kitchen again.” “Harley- the bag.”

Harley moved on autopilot as he forced himself forward. He grabbed the bag and dumped it next to them. Peter instantly reached to open it. He pulled out a set of large metal tongs that made Harley's stomach twist with nausea. They looked medieval.

"Give them here! I'll do it!” The alpha tried to steal them from his husband, only for Peter to hold them out of his reach. “I don't want you doing it, baby boy."

"It's easier when I do it. I can go in from angles you can't."

Wade gave a long puff of air before conceding, clearly too exhausted to protest too much.

"I used to manage just fine without you."

Harley was shell-shocked as he watched his boyfriends squabble over who was going to pry into the alpha's wounds. This was dangerous. What about infection!? What about his chance of survival!? If Wade hadn't had a high mortality rate before, he definitely wouldn’t after this!

“Pete?” Harley choked out. His tongue felt heavy in his mouth, like he could swallow it and suffocate on the spot. His eyes were red from trying not to cry and he sank down to kneel next to them.

“You know he can’t come back from this… right?”

The boy sniffed and tensed, trying his best not to shake. He made eye contact with the mercenary and he placed his hand over his. Wade hadn’t gone into shock yet- but surely he wasn’t so delusional to think that he could survive this?

No one could.

The alpha cracked a grin at his words and then insensitively burst out chuckling. Peter swatted him, prompting another pained noise. He wheezed again, coughing until it passed.

So Harley hadn’t believed him.

"You know how I told you that I have regenerative abilities... and how you told me I was full of shit?" The alpha smirked as he twisted his neck to look at the other. "Well you better eat those words, sweetheart- because I do."

Harley looked to Peter for confirmation. The other omega’s face was serious as he leaned in with the tongs and picked at one of the holes in Wade’s chest. Yet he looked calm… and he wasn't panicking over his husband's imminent demise.

It had to be true.

As if on cue, Peter spoke up.

"He isn't lying. Wade's got this freakish ability that doesn't let him die."

"Hey!"

"You know I meant that as lovingly as I could."

The mercenary was about to retort but instead jolted when Peter poked sharply at a part inside of him.

“That was my fucking spleen, you piece of shit.”

Wade rolled his head back against the armchair in agony and reached up to cover his eyes with his arm. He didn’t mean to snap at his lover. In fact, this was the only time he ever did.

It was a good thing Peter never took his insults seriously. He knew that Wade was salty when he was hurt. He had reacted like this when they’d been friends too.

It was just his way of dealing with the pain.

“Yeah, yeah… stop being a big baby about it.”

Harley could hear the amusement in Peter’s voice. This felt like routine. Like they’d done this many times before. Maybe they had. They’d worked together for a long time.

He felt a sudden relief hit him and he exhaled a long sigh, feeling the pressure deflate from his whole being.

Things seemed crazy- but they were going to be fine.

He reminded himself that regeneration wasn’t completely impossible. Steve had gained super strength from a weird serum, Bruce turned into a giant green man when he was angry and he knew the actual god of thunder.  

Regeneration was nothing.

“How can I help?” Harley found himself asking, suddenly desperate to be useful.

“Err… you can get the first aid kit from the bathroom. We’ll need antiseptic and bandages.”

“Fuck no!” Wade cursed, twisting away from the tongs again. “You aren’t putting any of that stinging shit on me again. I’ll heal naturally.”

Peter rolled his eyes and leaned down to plant a kiss on his jaw. That made his alpha simmer down a little. Wade cracked a smile and lowered his arm from his eyes to look at his husband.

“I think all my bullet wounds are gonna need that kind of lovin’ later too.”

“Call me a piece of shit again and you’ll be getting nothing for a month,” The omega teased back.             

-

Harley watched as Peter finished patching their alpha up.

Wade shakily got to his feet- but he was already looking so much stronger compared to when he’d fallen through the window an hour earlier.

“How long will it take to recover?”

The mercenary shrugged. Normally it would take a few hours to completely heal up, but with Peter’s help he could already feel his cells knitting together in his body. As much as he despised the antiseptic it seriously sped the process up.

“I’ll be good by morning. Seriously, you won’t even be able to see the marks.”

Peter was scrolling through Wade’s phone now, looking at the photos he’d taken. These were good. Perfect, even. The Oscorp logo was on paperwork in the shot and they looked so legitimate.

He’d ask Matt what was best to do with the evidence tomorrow. With Foggy. So that one of them could see them.  

“So who shot you?” Harley asked curiously. He assumed it was a random armed guard. There was no way that Harry would have had enough time to get to Oscorp after that phone call.

“Oh… fucking Norman. You know- the ugly bastard you see on TV sometimes. The smug, wrinkled, smarmy looking fucker that you just wanna punch?”

Peter’s head shot up.

“Norman!?”

“Yes, Norman. They must have contacted him when they couldn’t get a hold of Harry. And he knew exactly where to look. So he was in on this glider-bomb supervillain bullshit.”

The omega frowned as he picked up how Wade stressed the past tense. Or… maybe his ears had misheard?

“Was?”

The mercenary held his arms out, signaling that Peter look at the damage done to him.

“Look… I know you said no killing… but he clearly shot first. Unprovoked. So he really left me no choice.”

Peter held his breath and looked over Wade’s now bandaged body, as though he was analyzing the wounds for the first time. The mercenary was right. The entry points for five of the bullets had been in the back.

He hadn’t even been given a chance to defend himself. If he’d been without his regenerative abilities, he’d be dead.

And Peter had very little love for Norman. If anything, he was the puppet pulling Harry’s strings. Maybe there would be a little less evil in the world with him gone.

His heart stung for his mate though. Norman was still Harry’s father. He was going to be incredibly hurt by this.

“I’m not mad at you. Just… a bit shaken up by all of this.” The omega admitted and heaved a sigh.

Harley nodded along in agreement. He’d had a horrible night too. First, he’d slept with an alpha and ended up feeling dirty afterwards, like he was a total slut. Then he’d had the fright of his life over thinking he was losing Wade. And now he was being told he was a kind-of accomplice to a murder.

He needed a drink. Or he needed to shut the world out.

“Can we go to bed now?” The boy asked meekly. He was tired and he really wanted to cuddle. With both of them.

He knew that Peter and Wade were trying to set boundaries- but surely tonight could be overlooked. All he wanted was to feel close to them. He needed this pack comfort now more than ever.

Wade looked to Peter and shrugged.

“All we’re gonna do is pass out. If we can fit, I don’t see why not?”

Peter nodded an okay. He felt too exhausted to be disagreeing. He wanted to get a good night’s rest before the drama of the next day unfolded; because no doubt it would.

As they retired into the bedroom he couldn’t help thinking that although they had the evidence, tonight didn’t feel like a victory. Wade slept restlessly from his wounds and Harley clung to him like a child that needed consoling.

Peter stared up at the ceiling as guilt consumed him.

Chapter Text

Peter hadn’t heard from Harry in days.

The superhero had been on edge ever since the night they’d raided Oscorp. He’d expected some kind of repercussion for their actions, yet none had come.

The alpha could have bombed their apartment. He could have sent the police their way for questioning. But instead, the days just passed calmly. Silently.

Norman’s demise had spilled into the media, yet no cause of death had been given. It was like Harry had chosen to mysteriously sweep it all under the carpet.

He’d probably paid a lot of people to keep it quiet. Even New York’s finest would turn a blind eye if they were bribed with a large enough amount.

Maybe Harry just wanted space to grieve.

Or maybe he was buying time to plot his revenge.

Harley had barely left Wade’s side. Last night Peter had returned from the Stark lab to find him curled up to their alpha on the couch. A blanket had been pulled over them and his head was leaning on the mercenary’s shoulder, his empty eyes fixed on the TV.

The attack had shook him up more than he was willing to admit. The boy was still his snarky self. He still smiled during conversations. Yet, in the later hours of the day, he grew quiet and reflective.

He got clingy too.

Harley must have pressed a thousand kisses to Wade’s body since he’d been injured. They’d been little fleeting ones peppered to the man’s arm, his shoulder, his chin… but it was enough to show how thankful he was that their alpha was alive.

Wade had done his best to comfort both of his boys. Whereas Harley needed to be held and babied in silence, Peter needed space.

His husband had thrown himself into his work with Otto. He’d patrolled the rooftops as Spider-Man. It was clear that his coping mechanism was to busy himself so much that he didn’t have time to stop and think.

So the alpha took him on a date to the park. They’d had a picnic and an ice cream and they’d talked. And they’d both come to the conclusion that Peter really should go to therapy- and maybe not just for the Harry situation.

It would be good for the court case, but maybe it really would be good for the omega’s mental health too.

Wade had carefully suggested that maybe Harley should go with him as well. He knew his secrets and he knew that he needed it.

-

For once when Peter returned home from the lab he was grateful that Wade was out on a job. He walked into the kitchen and found a note that had been left on the fridge. His husband had batch-cooked some chilli and rice for them tonight.

So it seemed that Harley was staying over again.

He looked over at the boy who was crashed on the sofa. Something was on TV but he didn’t seem to be paying much attention to it. His expression was vacant and his eyes glossed over as he stared into space.

Had he even registered him coming in?

“Hey… Harley?” Peter spoke up with a little smile as he walked over. The omega startled out of his daydream.

Peter thought that it was better to ask now, rather than later. He’d been hyping himself up to start the conversation with their boyfriend all day and now he was feeling nervous.

“I was thinking about doing what Matt suggested. Y’know… going to therapy. And maybe that both of us should go?”

Harley scrunched his nose up and gave an audible groan. He should have seen this coming a mile away.

Wade had snitched. Peter knew about his past.

He picked at the blanket that he was snuggled under. A few pillows had made it into the living room from the bed and he resisted burying his face into one.

Therapy was the last thing that he wanted.

His crestfallen expression took Peter aback but he tried to convince him again anyway.

“I mean… I was just wondering if you’d like to come too? With me, I mean. It might be good for both of us.”

Harley relaxed a little when he realized that this wasn’t an order. It was just a request. He had some wiggle room. He could just say no.

The boy shrugged. He couldn’t see any harm in going, although he highly doubted there would be a benefit. Tony had made him go to a few sessions after the incident and he was still incredibly skeptical that any of it actually worked.

Then again, he’d been a total brat. Sitting in silence for almost an hour and wasting a professional's time had hardly been mature.

He wasn’t that fifteen-year-old boy anymore though and he had to swallow his pride and take accountability for his emotions- and his actions. He had to grow up and accept that he needed some kind of help.

At this point by rejecting it he was self-sabotaging.

Still, the urge to dig his heels in niggled at him.

“Sure. You can go in first. I’ll wait outside.”

And there was Tony’s stubbornness that everyone said he had.

Harley hated how right Peter was all the time though. He glanced at his nestmate and made eye contact with him for a few seconds before quickly averting them again.

The moldy spot on the wall suddenly seemed really interesting.

The older boy laughed at his fieriness and moved to sit next to him. He could feel how tense Harley was, even though he couldn’t see his body for the blankets.

It didn’t take Peter long to work out that Harley was skirting around the idea of opening up. It was like he distrusted the idea somehow. Maybe he’d had a bad experience or maybe he simply didn’t like someone prying into his business.

Either way, he needed a bit of encouragement. That’s what Wade had suggested for some unknown reason.   

“Don’t worry. We’re not going in together. And… you don’t even have to come at all.” Peter reassured. “I just… I was kind of hoping you’d come to support me. And maybe one day I could support you back- if you ever needed it.”

Peter heaved a sigh. This was a big deal for him too. He didn’t like the idea of offloading on a stranger any more than the next guy. But it had to be done for the court case.

And like Wade said- he was just hoping that he’d be able to take something from it too.

Therapy was still a lot of money- even if it was on Tony’s tab. He was going to try to show gratitude to the man for helping them by making the most of these sessions.

Harley shifted and pulled his legs up closer to his chest. His boyfriend was being so warm and kind towards him and here he was being an asshole. His emotions were swirling around inside of him like a hurricane and he didn’t know why.

“Look. I just… I don’t see the point in talking about things that have happened in the past. It’s not going to change anything.”

The boy’s jaw clenched and Peter reached under the covers to search for his hand. He could see he was getting emotional and it scared him how quickly he’d been triggered into this state just at the thought of talking to someone.

“Sometimes talking is the best thing we can do.”

The boy swallowed the lump in his throat. He felt frustrated. There was a sad anger deep down and he wasn’t sure where it came from or where to direct it. At himself? At those closest to him? At Harry?

This all felt like Harry’s fault.

But he knew it hadn’t started with him.

“What I did with Harry the other night… it’s like it opened something up inside of me. I feel dirty. I feel horrible… I keep zoning out and having flashbacks… like how I did back then. And I should be over that by now.”

Peter blinked in confusion and tilted his head. He wasn’t following.

Back when?

What was he referring to? Harley was clearly struggling internally with sleeping with his mate again- but Peter felt like he was missing a part of the puzzle somehow. He had to pry.

He had to at least try to understand the other boy.

“Back when?”

“You mean Wade didn’t tell you?” Harley looked at him with a frown. That was hard to believe.

He knew that their alpha had promised him that he wouldn’t- but he’d assumed that that had been a white lie to make him feel better. They must talk about him when he wasn’t around. Surely.

A part of him wished that Wade had. It would have made this easier.

“Harley… Wade hasn’t mentioned anything to me. So I have no idea what you’re talking about. He just said that therapy might be a good idea for both of us.”

“Figures.”

The boy pulled his hand away from Peter’s and reached up to tug his robe down at the neck. Then he brushed his wavy hair out of the way.

“I got that little souvenir a few years back. Now, whenever I sleep with anyone I either feel really shitty… or I dunno… I feel good in a sick way.”

He definitely didn’t feel loved.

Peter stared at the crescent-shaped scars on his neck. They were faded and looked filtered out by powder. But the make-up was starting to smudge.

Harley’s secret was very much on display. His stomach turned when he realized what this must mean. He’d mated young. Very young.

Harley broke the shocked silence.      

“At least you don’t have to worry about Wade biting me now.” He accused. “It’s fucked up… isn’t it? When an alpha’s mate dies they can claim another omega. Form another bond. Start over. But when ours die we’re still spoiled for life.”

Peter slowly reached out to stroke the mark. Wade claiming Harley had been the last thing on his mind- but he could address that later. It sounded like Harley’s insecurities were at work in his mind. He had a lot of self-doubts.

“So he’s… or she’s dead?” Peter pried, wanting to know more about his real mate.

“Yeah.” The boy confirmed with a little nod. He felt the urge to pull away from his friend’s wandering fingertips but stayed still, letting him explore. “And it was a he. A man… he was one of Tony’s acquaintances.”  

And this was exactly why Peter had told him not to sleep with Harry. Sex wasn’t something to be weaponized or abused. And if Peter had known about the depth of Harley’s mental state he wouldn’t have asked him to infiltrate the alpha’s apartment at all.

Peter already felt like he was walking on eggshells around him. And now he knew why. This explained why Wade wanted them both to go to see a therapist.

He slowly reached out to wrap his arms around his nestmate, pulling him closer. Harley submitted into resting his face against his shoulder and when he exhaled, he felt the tension begin to leave his body.

Maybe Peter was right. Maybe talking did help a little.

He’d felt relieved the day he’d told Wade about this too. He’d cried. He’d let it all out. It had felt good to let the alpha comfort him. He’d felt heard.

“Come to therapy with me, Harley… please. Just talking about this to someone might help you make sense of things. You can start small. I plan on starting with the little things.”

Peter stroked a hand through his hair. The world felt quiet right now. Like they were the only ones in it. He held his breath for a moment. Harley had shared one of his demons, so he’d share his.

“I’ve never spoken about losing my babies so I know how much it hurts to hold things in. Harry drank heavily to block it all out and had me try… and try… and try again. He never wanted to have a conversation. So I stayed quiet.”

He pulled back to lock eyes with the other’s blue ones. They glistened with tears and Peter gave him a smile, trying to make this feel better somehow.

“I understand how it feels to hold pain inside… but I know it can be let out. And that’s why I’m going.”

“But I could only tell them so much.” Harley bit his lip. That was also a big problem, wasn’t it? What had happened could get a lot of people in trouble. Tony. His company. His other acquaintances that had been at that party.

Letting an underage teenager in there to schmooze up to influential men had been a risk- and that risk had backfired big time.

“Then start small. Obscure it a little. I can’t exactly tell them I’m Spider-Man, can I?” Peter joked. “Or anything to do with what happened with Norman.”

“So… only say what you feel comfortable with?”

Peter nodded.

“Just because we’re getting help, it doesn’t mean they have to know everything about us. I’m going to be vague.”

Vague. That sounded better to Harley. It almost sounded reasonable.

“Okay well… maybe. But you’ve got to go first! And if you say it’s awful I’m not doing it.”

Peter huffed and pressed a little kiss to his boyfriend’s forehead, feeling thankful that his mood had perked up a little. Fiery Harley was better than somber Harley. 

“That sounds good to me.” His hand reached up again to stroke the back of the boy’s neck again. He understood why the omega stared at his mark now. Why he’d suggested Wade bite over the same spot Harry had bitten.

Harley wanted Wade to do that for him. 

Chapter Text

"Okay, you’ve talked enough about Wade. I think we need to go back further- maybe to your childhood? Give me your history... briefly."

The woman leaned back in her chair and gave Peter a smile. She'd long ago abandoned taking notes. Like with many of her patients, she could see that the pressure of it all was making the young man feel uncomfortable.

The omega gave a shrug, knowing that she wanted him to describe his parents. His upbringing- which hadn't necessarily been terrible, although maybe a little lonely and unideal.

"My parents left me with my Aunt and Uncle when I was eight. And they never came back… and we never really found out why. So they raised me. That's... really all there is to it."

He thought about elaborating about what happened to Ben, but she hadn’t asked.

"What were you like as a child? Quiet? Confident?"

The omega thought back. Before his parents had disappeared he’d been a fairly adventurous little boy, but for a few years afterward he’d become withdrawn and focused on school instead of forming friendships.

"I was a nerd. I was picked on in middle school and I suppose I was considered a loser in freshmen year too... but then Harry came and things started to get better."

Peter recalled how on the first day that Harry had transferred to their school, he’d looked at him like no one else in the room existed. The alpha had fallen in love with him in a matter of minutes.

The heir had sat next to him. He’d talked and joked with him. Harry had seemed so much more mature and worldly than he was, despite being only six months older- and the attention from an attractive, intelligent alpha had made Peter simply glow.  

The first time he’d purred had been when Harry’s fingers had reached for his in the hallway and later that day he’d tasted the other boy’s lips when he’d pulled him into the locker room.

There suddenly seemed to be hope again.

His grades improved. He took more pride in his appearance because that’s what Harry’s family needed. He became liked. For a while, Harry raised him up.

Peter placed his head in his hands. He felt emotional just reflecting on all of this. It made him yearn for his mate and the good times they’d shared. He rubbed at the bond mark on his neck. It was tingling.

Earlier in the session, the therapist had warned that recovery wasn’t a straight line- and now he could understand why she’d mentioned it.

They were poking at dangerous memories.

"I loved Harry a lot. And for a while, I enjoyed being his mate. If it hadn't been for the miscarriages and pressures to live up to his family’s expectations... I probably would still be with him now."

The woman pursed her lips at that. Peter was honest. That was good. She was glad that he was opening up and taking this seriously. Some of her patients were deceptive with their words and it was hard to get to the root of the problem.

"So why Wade? Why have you chosen him instead of working through this little hiccup with Harry?”

There was a sour sting in Peter’s mouth when she described their break-up so casually. It wasn’t a hiccup. The miscarriages were a fucking storm that had swept any chance of them continuing their loving relationship away.

Peter reached to grab one of the plush cushions off of the sofa, feeling like he needed something to hold. It was so utterly omega but he told himself that was what they were there for.

He chose to ignore the woman’s judgemental tone and press on.

"I was starting to fall for Wade before we broke up. He's kind and loving and supportive. He's gentle. He's... very different to Harry."

"Would you say he's more patient?"

The woman picked up her clipboard just to scribble a few pointers before putting it down again. It was difficult to memorize absolutely everything from the session and she thought that she was onto something.

The young man’s heavy eyes watched her before he continued.

"Yeah... when I first got with Wade I thought he would expect me to sleep with him straight away. I was... bracing myself.”

“So Harry was sexually demanding?”

Peter grimaced. This was the part that he was reluctant to talk about. His sex life. Being the head of Oscorp, Harry was a public figure. Peter hadn’t even dared to gossip with his omega friends about what they did in the bedroom.

It was private. He wanted it to stay private.

“Harry’s Harry.” He ran a hand through his hair and tried to relax. He released his grasp on the cushion, feeling that he was squeezing it a little too tightly. “He’s used to getting what he wants with everything… so saying ‘no’ has never really been an option.”

“Did you feel like you had no choice when you didn’t want to have sex?”

The therapist tilted her head, trying to judge the omega by his expression. Peter was a simple enough case. She suspected he had self-worth issues. Maybe not the worst she’d seen- but they were there.

And after abandonment as a child, Peter would have been desperate to please his mate, thus doing whatever he wanted. She suspected that they had discussed no boundaries and that he’d felt reliant on him.

“At the start… and for the first few years, I wanted to sleep with him. Even on the bad days. He’s my mate. It’s literally impossible not to want him.”

Peter paused and inhaled deeply. The way this conversation was going was messing with his head somehow.

“This really only did start going downhill when I started miscarrying because I was feeling horrible inside and he couldn’t see that- and I had other stuff going on too that was making everything super stressful.”

For example, being Spider-Man. During that year and a half, Peter had dealt with so many threats to the city. He’d not been able to catch a break. The guilt that maybe all of this was his fault was back and it niggled at him. 

“So… did you ever tell him that?”

“No. I mean I couldn’t…”

The woman clapped her hands together, making him jump. The noise echoed through the office and he stared at her with wide eyes. A large smile tugged onto her face and for some reason, Peter felt his stomach drop. It was like she’d decided something.

“Going forward, you need to develop better communication with your mate. Maybe you could bring him along for couple’s therapy? Some people do struggle together sometimes, Peter… but often they’re just little bumps in the road.”

The world went still.

“Excuse me?”

Peter paled. Had she not even listened to a word he’d said at the beginning of their session? He’d chosen Wade. He’d married him. Harry had acted ugly towards him and had hurt him. He didn’t want to be with him anymore and he certainly wasn’t going to try to recuperate their relationship.

Was this victim-blaming?

“Well you said it yourself. Your problem was a lack of communication. Neither of you have acted illegally towards each other. You just haven’t talked things through. You need better boundaries.”

The boy’s stomach churned and he shakily pulled himself to his feet.

“I married Wade. I can’t be with both of them. In fact… I don’t want to be!”

The woman picked her clipboard back up and tapped her pen against the paper. She could see how frustrated he was getting but she had to make him see that breaking away from Harry wasn’t ideal.

Scientific research suggested that being apart from your living mate shorted your lifespan. It wasn’t healthy. 

“You know there’s this thing called joint-omega ownership that you should look into. It works in the same way that custody does. If neither of these alphas want to give you up then it would be best that you apply for that.”

Peter clenched his jaw and let his feet carry him to the door. He could feel the woman’s stunned eyes follow him across the room. She probably thought he was being a typical bratty, dramatic omega.

Maybe for once Peter would play into that stereotype.

“Tell your receptionist to bill Mr. Stark for one session. I won’t be coming back.”

-

"Pete!?” Harley chased after his boyfriend down the street. He had been hyping himself up to go into his own session when the other boy had stormed out of the office.

It had taken Harley completely by surprise.

He’d had almost twenty minutes of time left.

The younger omega reached out to grab at Peter’s sweater sleeve and tugged him back. He came to a halt on the corner and stayed still, his shoulders tensing. He breathed fast and closed his eyes to control the spinning.

Had he really just almost walked out into the road without looking?

“She sided with him.” He breathed, more to himself.

Had Harry paid her off somehow… or was he going crazy?

Had he not been clear enough that they were incompatible? That Harry was inattentive? That he was an ass? That he drank heavily and was neglectful? That their relationship was toxic? That it had damaged him mentally and emotionally?

Tears prickled at the omega’s eyes. He needed this bad report for the courts and his honesty had gotten him nowhere.

Going back for another session with this woman was a terrible idea though. Peter wondered if Tony had any other therapists on call- because this one had been awful. Maybe he should just choose his own or ask Matt for a recommendation.

“Come here. Sit down… you’re shaking.”

Harley guided him to stand outside a shop on the sidewalk. He encouraged him to drop down with him. Passers-by were staring but it didn’t matter.

“Tell me exactly what she said.”

“That I should try to iron things out with Harry. That I should opt for joint-omega ownership since I’m married. She said that we needed to work on our communication skills… and boundaries… because I didn’t tell him no or explain why I was hurting. She made it sound like it was my fault.”

And maybe it was. Peter had continued being Spider-Man while he was pregnant. He’d tried to balance too much.

The other boy’s face soured. He shot an angry, disgusted look in the direction that they’d just fled. He wanted to march back in there and give the psychiatrist a few nasty words.

He definitely wasn’t going to his therapy session now. God knows what the woman would suggest he do.

He’d caught a glimpse of her when she’d called Peter in. She’d been tall, brunette, and wore perfect make-up. She stank of alpha authority. No wonder she’d sided with Harry.

Alphas stuck up for alphas.

“I think she’s wrong… and that joint ownership thing that should be a last resort. Like… only if everything else fails.”

And god help them if it did. Harley doubted that the alpha would just let Peter slide back into his life and be kind towards him. He’d resent him for the death of his father. He’d want to keep trying for a baby. Again… and again… and again.

Harley felt sick.

“Pete? If it comes down to it… I’ll have a baby with him so you don’t have to. Like… for real. And I’ll be his main focus. And he won’t care as much that you spend time with Wade. And we can be happy enough…”

Peter frowned, his eyes flicking up to connect with his boyfriend’s.

“I don’t want you anywhere near him. Can’t you remember the night we met? I warned you against getting involved with him then. I’ll be damned if I let you get caught up with him now.” 

Especially now that Peter cared about Harley. He reached out to take his hand and leaned in for a hug. He turned his head to inhale his scent. There was something so calming about it and he stayed like that for a while.

“Whatever happens just promise me you’ll be there for Wade. He… won’t take this well if we lose.”

And losing was what they had to mentally prepare for.

Peter had a terrible feeling that in a court full of alphas, who were all loyal to their mates, this wasn’t going to go their way.

Chapter Text

Matt smiled widely at the room in front of him as he collected his thoughts. He could feel the eyes of the jury burning into him. Alphas, betas and even omegas sat up on the stands and he knew that they were probably wondering why Peter had chosen to employ a blind man.

He’d had comments about his disability before. People thought it made him somehow inept to work in law. Others said that he truly was an inspiration- but they couldn’t see why he’d choose to pursue the career full time.

He chose never to explain, instead laughing it off and saying that he had a family to provide for.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. Today you came before us to hear that Mr Osborn has requested the court to grant him full conservatorship over his mate, Mr Wilson- formerly Mr Parker. Now it’s my turn to convince you otherwise… and instead why an emancipation is the only just cause of action.”

As always during a speech the room was silent but Matt could feel the tension in the air. A conservatorship was one thing. But an emancipation was practically unheard of.

He hated the doubt that niggled in his mind.

If he couldn’t win this for Peter, then what kind of friend was he?

He pushed the negative thoughts away and continued.

“My client, the omega in question did leave his alpha, despite being bonded to him. He did marry a different man and move into his apartment and form a pack. These accusations are not in dispute. It’s a matter of record. Of fact- that he admits to.”

Matt heard Peter’s breathing hitch, and he knew that the young man had tensed in his seat. He could even hear how his heart rate had accelerated from the fear of his words.

Peter was scared that by the lawyer calling out his actions, it would work against him. But by doing this Matt could nail down his defence.

He could talk about the whys of the situation.

“And although Mr Osborn has put forward an argument saying that by his mating bond he has ownership of Mr Wilson- there is no law that states that an omega cannot do any of those things without their alpha’s consent. That is also a fact.”

Matt paused, driving home what he wanted them to take away. That Peter was a human who had the right to his own autonomy.

Wade’s chair creaked and the lawyer silently wished that the mercenary would stay still. It was distracting.

“What my client has done may be considered morally grey to most, but it is not illegal in the eyes of the law… and therefore it would be unjust to enforce a conservatorship.”

Foggy was holding a piece of paper in his hands as he stared at his mate, hoping that he was making the right call with this approach. It wasn’t often that the jury was swayed by talk of moralities alone.

He scanned a list of the evidence that they’d complied, hoping it would be enough proof once Matt started attacking their opposition once again.

“Now that we have established that Mr Wilson has not acted unlawfully, I’d like to take a moment to clarify the ‘whys’ behind his actions...”

Matt waved his arm in the direction of Harry, knowing that everyone would turn their heads to stare at the CEO.

The pressure was on.

It was a shame that the reporters weren’t allowed in the courtroom. He was willing to bet that the alpha’s expression was reflecting how angry he felt. The lawyer could hear his seething breaths and foot tapping from the other side of the room.

He was riled.

“It is incredibly rare for a mated omega to leave their alpha unprompted. Our law firm and associates have conducted a thorough investigation into this case and have found evidence that proves that Mr Wilson was in an abusive relationship with Mr Osborn.”

Peter gripped Wade’s hand under the table, wishing that this wasn’t going to be brought up so bluntly. A part of him still felt like he hadn’t been abused. It felt like a lie.

Harry snarled, the noise coming out sharp and violent.

He shot Peter a look from where he was sitting.

When he got his mate back he really was going to slap him around a bit and no one would know because Peter was never leaving the penthouse again.

Matt was used to dealing with restless opposition but the sound still made him tense.

But he wasn’t going to back down though. He was going to keep fighting.

“…We have presented an extract that was written by a top New York therapist about the psychological trauma that Mr Wilson has suffered at Mr Osborn’s hands over the years. And also evidence given by a doctor based on his records that Mr Osborn’s intent on breeding him without respite was the cause of his multiple miscarriages.

Omega negligence is, without a doubt, a crime.”

Peter felt tears prick at his eyes and he wrapped his free arm around his stomach. He lowered his head downwards towards the table.

He’d told himself that he wasn’t going to get emotional today. In fact, he genuinely believed that he wouldn’t.

So much for that.

He felt Harley, who was sitting on his other side, place a hand on the top of his back, stroking his thumb in soft circles to try to soothe him. 

“Mr Wilson is a promising young man who had been accepted into Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2018, only for Mr Osborn to deny him that education. Instead, he could only aspire to be a lab assistant at Mr Osborn’s own company.

I’d like you to take a moment to recall Dr Otto Octavius’s witness statement that was given yesterday of not only the repression he has seen Mr Wilson endure, but also the attempts of control- that has even impacted his own career.”

Otto had stood, sworn the oath and had expressed as much as he could. He’d stated how as soon as Peter left Harry, the alpha had gotten straight to sabotaging his career.

His close working friendship with the omega had meant that his own life’s work had been affected too. All of his research. All of his funding. Everything.

And before stepping down he’d declared that he was going to put in a lawsuit at a later date to sue Harry for damages.

Matt knew that a successful alpha vouching for Peter had meant everything and it could really tip the scale on who the jury voted for.

“And lastly, we presented physical and certified evidence to both the police and the courtroom that Mr Osborn has been creating illegal bioweapons at his company.”

Matt paused, going for dramatic effect.

“Although the complexities of that are irrelevant to this case, one such grenade was launched at Mr Wilson when Mr Osborn was… emotionally compromised. Mr Harley Stark was with Mr Parker at this time and you heard his witness statement yesterday. He described the attack as a temper tantrum.”

Harley could feel the eyes on him. It wasn’t often that he was referred to as Stark. Since Tony signed the adoption papers, that had become his name, yet he still introduced himself to most people as Keener. It drew less attention from the average person that way.

He had a feeling he would be reading his name in the papers for a long time to come. This case had blown up.

But Harley was ready to tell each and every reporter that pointed a mic in his face what a bastard Harry was. He was wearing his most feminine baby blue robes today to make himself look extra sweet and innocent.

He was determined to win them over.

“All I ask as you go away to make your final decision is that you review the evidence and witness statements thoroughly. You now know that Mr Wilson has not acted illegally. Putting him under a conservatorship would be unjust- and given the abuse and unpredictable nature of Mr Osborn, it would, quite frankly, be a lifetimes sentence of misery for him if he is not granted emancipation. That is a fact."

-

The court began to filter out and Peter stared at Harry, urging him to stay away from him. He’d asked to be kept separate from his mate, although no additional preparations seemed to have been made for them.

Wade squeezed his hand under the table, reminding him that he’d protect him- no matter what.

Harley glared back at the CEO, almost daring him to come over.

Tony had asked him not to come today, mainly because he didn’t want his son getting wrapped up in the media shit-show that was likely to follow once they left the building.

That’s not to say Tony wasn’t supportive though. He’d forwarded them the money for the legal bills. After the incident with the first therapist, he’d searched and searched and searched to find one that was omega sympathetic.

He’d even paid for a doctor to look into Peter’s miscarriages and get it written on paper that the likely cause of the last three was down to Harry not giving his mate enough time to recover.

That had made Peter cry. Harley hadn’t realised just how much his nestmate had blamed himself for not being able to carry.

And it was proof that it really was all Harry’s fault.

The alpha didn’t take heed of their off-putting looks though. He moved closer, only for a security officer to shuffle to stand between them. He looked over the man’s shoulder at Peter and curled his lip.

“You can spin this whatever way you want, Pete. After hearing my side yesterday, they’ll all know what a little slut you are. Infidelity isn’t looked on kindly, especially when you’re whoring yourself with another alpha behind your mate’s back.”

Peter felt sick but he knew this was just a power play.

Matt had said it wasn’t a crime. He’d done nothing wrong.

It couldn’t be held against him.

Wade pulled himself to his feet and two more security men inched closer in case an all-out brawl started. The mercenary had promised to be on his best behaviour today though.

No fighting. No joking. No crude comments. He just had to sit there and be supportive and not mess this up. Still, his alpha instincts were screaming at him to challenge the other man.

Harley tilted his head and smirked up at Harry from where he was sitting. If no one was going to goad him back, then he was.

“Hey, Harry? Did you know it’s an offence to introduce an omega to a pack if they’re under twenty-one and you haven’t asked their parents' permission first?”

Matt’s lips turned upwards at the boy’s words. It looked like he’d been doing some reading up on the law all on his own. He hadn’t brought this up because Tony Stark sounded like he didn’t want to personally get involved.

Harry snorted and pushed his curls back out of his face. Sweat was stinging his brow and he needed to cool down.

He knew what this brat was doing though. He was just trying to scare him.

He just needed to be callous back.

He knew more about Harley than he’d let on.

“Why? Are you going to tell your Daddy how you jumped into bed with me and begged me to stuff you full with pups?”

The man’s face contorted again, this time resembling Norman’s evil expression. His eyes were wide and fiery as he took another step closer.  

“Or maybe you could tell him how you were a cocksleeve for one of his closest advisors for a good year.”

All colour drained from Harley’s face.

“You’ve been a slut ever since you were fifteen.” Harry mocked, sneering over the guards’ shoulders. “Everyone at that party knew you were fucking Anthony Morris. You followed him around like a little puppy until he took you upstairs- and you came back down reeking of his seed.”  

Wade growled deeply, baring his teeth and took a step forward. Another guard made his way across the room. Peter also stood, grabbing at his alpha’s arm to try to calm him.

“Wade...” He hissed.

They couldn’t lose it now. But even with four security men between them, Harry continued.

“Did Daddy tell you about all the footage they found in Morris’s apartment after he went missing? Rumour has it you begged for his pups too.”

Wade lunged for him.

Chapter Text

"It's not uncommon for two alphas to try to fight each other in the courtroom," Matt reassured with a little smile. "A scuffle won't affect much."

Not to mention the jury had left and missed the action. Wade had allowed himself to be restrained- probably realizing quickly that if he didn’t he could ruin everything for Peter.

It was more of a bravado. As an alpha, he probably felt like he had to swing for Harry to defend his omega. It would look bad to Harley otherwise. His alpha was supposed to protect him.

Or maybe Wade really had been that angry.

Matt decided this if it had been Foggy’s honor in question, he probably would have swung for the man too.

Harley trembled as he crouched in the armchair. He'd never had a panic attack before and his lungs were still aching. The room they’d escaped into was small and decorated in golden shades. It reminded him of their therapist’s office.

He kept his eyes focused on a dent in the wooden mantelpiece as he regulated his breathing.

Peter nodded and stood behind his boyfriend, running his fingers through his brown curls. It had taken a good ten minutes to get Harley to calm down. He was thankful that his meltdown had happened in the courtroom and not outside where all the journalists were.

And he was grateful to the judge who had allowed them to use one of the building's private rooms until the jury came to a decision.

Harley definitely needed a time-out.

“That’s good. I mean… he didn’t actually hit him.”

Wade had been carted off somewhere and Peter was unsure if he’d see him again for the rest of the trial. Harry had been cuffed to the desk that he'd been sitting at as he had to stay.

The alpha had snarled again as they’d left the room, furious at how Wade had made an attempt at his face.

Peter was scared but knew he could handle the rest of the day on his own. Whatever the outcome was, he’d be strong.

"I don't want to go back in there," Harley whispered, hating how his body shook. He couldn’t look Harry in the eyes ever again.

He’d known of his relationship with that man- and he found it amusing. He’d mocked him. He felt ashamed.

"You don't have to. You can stay in here." Peter said softly and slowly moved to stand in front of him. He squatted down, assuming one of his classic Spider-Man poses so that he could be at eye level with the other.

Harley turned his head.

"Harry knew. He'd been there that night. And everyone else knows. And he... and he... Anthony... he recorded me..." His voice pitched and he brought a hand up to his face to shield himself from the world.

Is that why Tony had killed the man? Had his abuser managed to get leverage to use? It was all clicking into place now. If there had been no blackmail, then Tony would have just had him sent to jail.

Had he resorted to murder because that was the only way to protect him?

Harley wiped at his eyes and felt like he was going to throw up as an even worse thought crossed his mind.

Had Tony watched the footage? Another wave of shame washed over him.

"I need to talk to my dad later. I wanna know if he got rid of it... or... or if it's all still out there."

“Once the trial is over I’ll come with you… I promise.” Peter took his nestmate’s hand and ran his thumb over his knuckles. “Or if you’d rather, I could talk to Tony myself.”

It would save Harley from feeling embarrassed. Not that there was anything to feel embarrassed about. Harley had done nothing wrong.

The omega nodded, not sure which would be better. He had time to decide- but there was no way he was going back in that room. He’d rather eat shit than look at Harry Osborn ever again.

And to think he’d slept with him willingly. That had really come back to bite him in the ass.

“Thank you.” He forced himself to make eye contact with Peter. “I really appreciate it.”

-

“The jury has made a decision.”

Peter felt his lungs burning from holding his breath for far too long. Foggy had quietly muttered instructions to help regulate his breathing but he was struggling again. The tension was too much.

His head was spinning. He was going to faint.

He wondered if this had been how Harley had felt only an hour ago when he’d been thrust into a panic attack. He felt Wade’s hand grip his thigh and he was thankful that his alpha had been allowed back into the courtroom.

Peter's eyes locked with Harry's across the room and his mate smirked at him, as though he was certain he was going to win.

He glared back.

The judge picked up the gavel to give the verdict.

“Mr. Wilson is to be granted an emancipation.”

A loud crack echoed the room as the mallet struck the board.

Peter froze as the information seemed to stall in his brain.

Wade whooped loudly and grabbed at his husband, wrapping his arms around him, and pulling him closer. The omega lowered his head into his chest and choked out a sob as the relief finally washed over him.

Emancipation.

Emancipation.

That’s what they’d wanted.

It was over.

Harry snarled from across the room and stood to flip the table. It was nailed down to the ground so he beat on it with his fists instead. His wild eyes shot towards the jury, blaming each and every one of them for his loss.

Then they settled on Peter, who was being cocooned in the other alpha’s arms.

He was going to kill him.

He could kill him.

He could do it right now.

He didn’t have a weapon but he could rip into his throat with his teeth.

He could tear it out, right over the bond mark that he so desperately wanted gone.

Death was what he deserved.

Harry staggered towards them as though he was drunk, only to find a court security officer placing a palm against his chest. Another strong-looking alpha moved across the room to back him in the direction he’d come.

He couldn’t do it here.

But he knew where they lived.

“Mr. Osborn, please control yourself.” The judge lectured and pointed back down at his seat, requesting he take it. She still had to give them a bit of information, although with an aggressive alpha and overemotional omega, she wasn’t sure how much they would take in.

Hopefully, their lawyers would be of some help.

“An emancipation order will come through the post for Mr. Wilson, along with a form detailing further amendments that are available to him- such as a restraining order and a claim to part of Mr. Osborn’s assets if he so desires.”  

Harry bared his teeth at the judge this time. Losing Peter was one thing- but assets? What kind of assets was she talking about!?

His lawyer stood to whisper something in his ear and then he let out an animalistic roar as he lunged for the robed woman behind the bench.

-

“You know, I’ve never seen anyone attack the judge before.” Foggy grinned as they pushed open the front door. A flash went off and he rubbed at his eyes, suddenly envious of how blind his mate was.

Reporters rounded on them and he took Matt’s arm and guided him through the crowd and to the conveniently parked limousine at the front of the building.

Stark had bailed on attending the case- but he had provided absolutely everything they could think of in order to win. Evidence. Funds. Transport.

The man really was a hero.

Foggy opened the door and helped Matt inside and waited for their clients to follow.

Peter didn’t want to face the cameras and was more than happy to play the traumatized omega in Wade’s arms. He hadn’t realized just how momentous this case was until it had started- and honestly, the publicity of it all still scared him.

Before, no one really knew who he was. It was rare that he’d get recognized from photographs where he’d been snapped by Harry’s side. Now it was like the whole city wanted a piece of him.

He ducked out of the way of a microphone and slid past an eager-looking reporter and made a beeline for the limousine.  

In the hours separating him from his boyfriends, Harley had calmed himself. He dallied behind them, shooting looks at the reporters.

His long oriental robe hung open and it dragged behind him as though he’d been walking through the Hogwarts halls instead of a court building. He looked smart though. Tony had made sure of that.

His fitted black suit was a reflection that he came from money.

Just like Harry.

“Harley! Harley!” A woman called his name before scrambling to the front of the growing crowd and pushing a mic in his face. “Can you tell us the verdict?”

The boy stalled, watching the others climb into the car.

He’d never been great with the press but he’d be lying if he said he didn’t like the attention.

And he liked dragging Harry’s name through the mud even more.

He wanted revenge for how shaken the man had made him feel in the courtroom. Anxiety still niggled in his stomach at the thoughts of things to come.

He flashed a meek little smile at the camera, putting on his sweetest omega persona and fluffed his hair up.

“We won.”

The reporter blinked. The news hadn’t broken yet and they’d taken the threesomes’ sullen expressions as they left the building as a loss.

“I think a lot of people watching would expect you and Peter to be ecstatic with that result, given the allegations that have been made against Mr. Osborn.”

Harley twirled his finger through a curl again and gave a little shrug. He was going to lay it on thick. He looked down and sniffed, dragging up some of the real pain that he’d felt earlier.

His watery eyes locked onto the camera lens.

“When you’ve been through what Petey has been through, even smiling can seem hard. I think he’s just in shock. I mean… Harry attacked the judge… so I think the violence of it all gave him flashbacks.”

That part of the trial was going to get out eventually. Harley didn’t mind playing the messenger to the media. He’d be surprised if Peter didn’t get offered a book deal after this.

The woman fell silent again and he could see cogs turning in her head as she processed the juicy piece of gossip.

“How did you get involved in this case? You are Tony Stark’s son… correct?” She decided to throw the topic, choosing something more interesting. So far they could deduce that the alpha was dangerous from Harley’s previous comment. She needed to dig deeper.

The boy bit his lip and threw a nervous look at the limousine for dramatic effect.

“Harry was treating Petey like a broodmare. But when he couldn’t carry to term, Harry introduced me to the pack… not that I knew any of this at the time.” Harley tugged his robes shut, as though he was wrapping himself in a comforting blanket. “He… thought I would be young and impressionable and easy to manipulate.”

There was a look of horror on the woman’s face. Harley could tell that she was an alpha from how she smelt and he reached up to wipe at his eyes. This was too easy. She was already trying to push out a calming scent to soothe him.

“I realized what was going on when Peter left. And I decided to leave to support him too. And- I fell in love with him.”

“Oh, sweetheart.”

The reporter was pushing the camera into her colleague’s hand and then clambering over the barrier to hold him. Harley leaned into her embrace, like how a good omega should. He felt the woman run her fingers through his hair.

“You’ve been through so much. You’re incredibly brave to stand up to him today. But rest assured, you’ll get a happy ending now.”

She flashed a smile at the camera and although she was being kind, he knew it was just an act for their news channel. He looked up at her with adoring big eyes anyway and slowly pulled away.

“Thank you for talking to me. I better go see how my nestmate is now. We need to go home.”   

-

Harley slid into the back of the vehicle and breathed a sigh of relief, unmasking from his cutesy demeanor.

He gave Peter a kiss on the cheek and then shifted to put his seatbelt on. He’d had had a weak moment in court but he felt like he’d redeemed himself now. He’d just dropped enough information for a full story coverage from a point of view that would completely destroy Harry.

The newspapers were going to be interesting tomorrow morning.

“So… what did you tell them?”

He grinned at how proud he felt.

“Everything.”

Chapter Text

When they arrived back at Wade’s apartment, Harley gave his boyfriends quick little kisses on their cheeks. He knew he should give them some time alone to celebrate. It was what they needed- and honestly, he needed time to reflect on what he was going to ask Tony tomorrow.

He was happy for Peter, but a part of Harley didn’t feel like acting overly joyous right now. Despite getting his revenge, he felt flat. Harry’s words had cut deep, even though he’d done his best not to show it.

He rubbed his eyes and gave a yawn. Maybe he was just overtired.

“I think I’m gonna go to bed. I’ve got a really bad headache and I’m sleepy... I think the stress got to me.”

Peter tilted his head and frowned, hating that his nestmate wanted to retreat to their bedroom already, but also understanding why.

Maybe Harley was tired, but he could also tell that he wasn’t himself.

“You want me to come?” The older boy offered.

Peter felt like he wanted to reach out and hold him. He wanted to tell him that everything would be fine- and that he’d never have to be in the same room as Harry again. He wanted him to know that this would be over as soon as they spoke to Tony.

Harley shook his head.

“Nah. Just come in quietly when you get tired. And cuddle me.”

Wade took that as his cue to move closer. He could sense the sadness too. He wrapped his arms around his younger boyfriend’s waist and gave him a lingering smooch on the brow as he held him. He peppered a couple more kisses, this time lower, then he buried his face in his neck, inhaling as though he was irresistible.

“I’m gonna cuddle you so good tonight.” He promised. “Best snuggles of your life.”

Harley’s mouth split into a grin as he leaned into the large man’s affectionate embrace.

All he’d been able to think about all day were bad alphas- But Wade wasn’t one of them. He was an angel. Every single day since meeting the mercenary, he’d fallen deeper and deeper in love with him.

The omega started purring as he felt Wade’s breath ghosting his neck and he squirmed from embarrassment in his arms.

When he left for college- if he left for college- he was going to take as many Wade sweaters with him as he could. He wanted his roommate to see him nesting with them and know that he already had an alpha. He wanted others around campus to smell him on him when he wore them to class.

Wade’s scent was coming with him.

Harley broke away from the older man and hated how hot his face was suddenly feeling. He hadn’t had tingles over an alpha for years, yet there they were- tickling away in his chest.

He’d expected that he’d be comfortable with Wade. That he’d like him. That they’d respect and care for each other, like those in a pack should.

He hadn’t expected an actual crush to develop.

That had been reserved for Peter.

He pulled his robes off and bunched them up in his arms and backed towards the bedroom. Just from that little interaction, he could feel a spark of adrenaline flooding through his body and he didn’t know what to do with it.

He needed to bury his face in the pillow and try to smother the flutters away.

“I’ll… uh… I’ll see you both later then.”

Harley ducked into the room to do exactly that.

-

Peter raised an eyebrow as the door shut in their faces.

“You know… I think you’re his favorite.”

He’d seen how Wade had held him. He’d seen the blush tinting Harley’s cheeks. He’d heard the purrs and watched as the boy practically melted into the alpha’s arms, only to rip himself back out of them when he’d gotten flustered.

Despite Harley’s previous dislike for alphas, it seemed he was warming to Wade.

And as worried as Peter was about Wade moving too fast with him, he was reassured that if they did become intimate sooner rather than later, there would be no evil motives.

This was healthy.

They both adored each other.

And wasn’t that what mattered?

“I don’t know about that. He gets gooey-eyed around you.” The mercenary teased, moving over to this time pull Peter closer and copying the exact same affections he’d given Harley only moments ago. “You’re his hero. I think he’d die for you.” 

The omega beamed and batted Wade away, feeling butterflies erupt from his own chest. Corny. Too corny. But perhaps he had a point.

“Maybe we just all love each other the same. I still have a pretty big crush on you,” Peter joked. Maybe Harley was reacting the exact same way to Wade that he was. That was… nice.

The alpha moved to take a seat on the couch and patted the spot next to him. It was good to know that Harry no longer had a hold over Peter anymore. He was all his.

“So… how are you feeling?”

“Good. Like… really good.” Peter admitted and sat down and leaned into the larger man. He shook his head as though he was still in disbelief.

What had happened to him rarely happened to omegas. Emancipation was just a law term that barely got thrown around- and now it was all over the national news.

“I feel free. And maybe so many others will be in the future because of this case.”

The mercenary wrapped an arm around him and pulled him in close, giving his side a squeeze.

“I bet every omega who’s slightly bristled with their alpha will go running to their lawyer tomorrow. It’ll be chaos.” Wade laughed.

They fell silent and the alpha placed a few more loving smooches to his brow, just enjoying the peace. His chest was warm and he felt light from relief. Nothing could go wrong for them now.

Peter tilted his head to look up at him and grinned when the other placed another kiss on his lips.

“Thank you, Wade. I… don’t think I could have done this without you.” He wondered if he would have even left Harry. Wade had literally been his motivation. He saw a better, happier life with him. He’d fallen for him.

And now he was blushing again.

The alpha cupped his face to gaze into his eyes. They should have had a heart-to-heart a long time ago.

“I know your way of dealing with things is to close up and hide away but… I just want you to know you can always come to me for help. I’ll always be here for you.”

“I should think so.” Peter joked back, trying to keep the mood light. “You’re my husband.”

Wade rolled his eyes and looked up at the stained ceiling. His apartment was trash. Even his appearance was repulsive. It still shocked him that the omega had chosen him.

“Sometimes I can’t believe you want me. You saying ‘yes’ made me the happiest man in the world- because I’ve loved you and wanted you since the day I met you.”

And in a way that was creepy- because knowing Peter’s age now, that meant he’d been lusting after him since he’d been a teenager.

But it’s not like he’d been able to tell! Spidey had never taken his mask off around him! He’d just had him down from his body type as being a really cute omega. If anything, it just proved that alphas were just wired like this- whether they were aware of it or not.

“…And weirdly that makes me feel a little better about loving Harley.”

Peter tilted his head in confusion. “How so?”

“When I met you… you would have been around the same age as he is now. It just makes me feel a little less disgusting at being attracted to him- because I am. How could I not be?”

Peter swatted his side and laughed. Anyone could see that Wade was into Harley. Did the mercenary think that he’d been able to hide that fact? Was he feeling guilty about it? Wade was definitely not a bad guy if he was.

“Well, I’m proof that some things are worth waiting for then.” He teased.

The alpha pouted and Peter laughed again.

Then his phone pinged with a notification.

He shifted in his seat to pull it out of his pocket and glanced at it.

An email from Foggy.

‘Assets.’

Peter paled as he opened it, the mood instantly shifting from playful and flirty to serious. The boy straightened up and moved to cross his legs on the couch. He felt tense as he gave the email his full attention.

“What’s wrong?”

“Foggy’s just- no. This can’t be right.”

Peter’s thumb scrolled down the document that he’d just opened. His eyes skimmed it, then a frown was twisting onto his face as he reread it again. Foggy had summed it up for him at the top of the email- saying that this was almost definitely going to happen.

“I don’t even want it.”

“Want what?” The alpha leaned in and tried to catch a glance. How his husband was acting was scaring him. The jury had made their decision today. They could hardly revoke that. Right...?

“The email says that… the assets will be automatically passed…  and in a few weeks I will own half of Oscorp… what…”

Wade took the phone from him and began to scroll through the message himself. It wasn't that he doubted Peter's intelligence. It was just that the whole thing was hard to believe.

Half of Oscorp? Half of Harry's stocks and shares. Half of the money. Half of everything.

That was a lot of responsibility. And it also meant that maybe Peter wouldn't be as free from Harry as they'd first thought. They’d have to cross paths. The omega would have to see him and agree on the larger company decisions. He'd have to go to the board meetings and be civil with the monster.

Wade’s stomach turned.

"I have an idea... why don't you sell it to Tony? He's the only guy who actually has that kind of money to buy it... and surely he'd want it?" The billionaire would probably be dying to get his hands on Oscorp research. It would be a game-changer for Stark Industries.

Peter crossed his arms. "I... as much as I hate Harry, there's a lot of good people working for Oscorp. I don't want to cause them the upheaval of it all."

Contracts would have to be changed. Work benefits might even be lost. Peter didn't want to be that guy who would ruin lives.

"I think I'm going to decline it. Let Harry keep everything."

Wade's eyes widened and his forehead wrinkled as his brow shot up. "You're seriously gonna turn down becoming a billionaire!?"

Peter shrugged and a ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. "I have everything I need right here."

The alpha's expression softened and he reached out to take his husband's hand. Peter had told him about his aunt and uncle’s financial struggles before. He hadn’t grown up rich- until he’d met Harry. He knew what hardship was, and what it meant to be poor.

"It's not like I need the money either... but think about it. If you ever get sick it'll pay for medical care. If you wanna go back to school, you could. And if we ever decide to start a fam-"

"Wade...” The omega cut his words off quickly, really not wanting to start the topic of children. He knew the man didn’t mean anything by it, he was merely thinking ahead and trying to be responsible- but it still shook him after what his own mate had put him through.

“…You're forgetting that we're in a pack with Harley. Money is hardly going to be short if we run into financial trouble. I wouldn't want to ask him for it- but I'd rather that over taking Harry's. It feels dirty."

Maybe he was right. Wade nodded and looked down at their entwined fingers. He squeezed back, deciding that whatever happened, it was Peter’s call.

"At the end of the day, it's whatever you want, Petey. I'll follow whatever decision you make. Just… do what’s right for you."

And maybe completely cutting ties with Harry would be the right thing. It would show the other alpha that Peter wasn’t reliant on him at all. He didn’t even need to make money off of him from the court case. It was proof to everyone that getting money hadn’t been the omega’s motivation at all.

And the media couldn’t twist it to look that way.

He heard a crackle from Peter’s throat as the omega leaned back into him. Wade kissed his neck where the purr box was and pushed his scent out to calm him.

“Although I wouldn’t say no to someone helping us get a bigger apartment. I… kind of feel embarrassed of the place.” The mercenary admitted.

The moldy walls and stained counters had been good enough for him when he’d been single. But now? Now he had two omegas, both who had experienced the high life. Staying here just didn’t feel right.

“And it’s definitely not a big enough place for three people to live in.”

“It’s good enough, Wade.” Peter smiled, knowing his alpha just wanted the best for them. Maybe if he did mention this to Harley, the boy could help them out with finding a new place. And they could all contribute to the bills one day.

Maybe.

“I love you.” He exhaled happily and leaned up to kiss his alpha, loving how the flutters swarmed inside his chest again.

“I love you too, baby boy.”

Chapter Text

Peter wasn't sure what to say while Tony made the drinks. Wade had shoved his feet up on the coffee table and he slapped them, silently begging the mercenary to put them down. He’d warned him to behave before they’d entered the building but Wade being Wade had quickly forgotten his words.

The man had poked at the artwork that they’d passed in the lobby. As they’d ascended in the elevator he’d flicked all the buttons, causing it to stop on most floors. Peter felt like he could kill him today.

He knew that Wade was just being his usual childish self but there were cameras everywhere.

They needed to stay on good terms with Tony- for Harley. Not to mention The Avengers were useful allies to have.

"I'm just making myself at home. That's what he said to do!" Wade hissed back, but pulled his feet off the table anyway, instead cocking his ankle over his other leg and folding his arms. Peter rolled his eyes.

Now his alpha was doing that cocky sitting pose that all alphas seemed to do.

Maybe he shouldn't have brought him.

Steve quickly re-entered the room with what looked to be a tin of cookies and Peter flashed the alpha an apologetic smile when his husband jumped back up to round on the food.

“Oh sweet! Did Tony make these in his downtime?” He asked. As Wade inspected the biscuit he found that it was soft and even a little warm. He took a bite and hummed as the shortbread hit his taste buds. They were delicious.

Apparently, the question was controversial enough to make Tony stick his head out of the kitchen door and glower at him.

“Wilson, if you think I’m going to make cute little cupcakes to have omega tea parties with, then you’ve got me all wrong!”

Wade held his hands up defensively, as though the man was holding him at gunpoint. “Well I was going to say they’re very nice if you did!”

Steve started to laugh, trying to imagine his highly-strung mate baking. Although, it was an easy assumption to make. After all, Tony was the omega.

“Actually… I did.” He confessed, placing the tin on the table. The blond’s lips tugged at the edges as Wade raided another one before sitting back down. Tony disappeared back into the kitchen.

Peter rolled his eyes and reached to take a cookie for himself. Of course Wade would jump to conclusions. It was omega misogyny- although he could hardly blame him. That kind of thinking was ingrained into society as a whole.  

It was nice to see that Steve was breaking stereotypes himself though.

“Wade likes baking and cooking too. He even has a ‘kiss the cook’ apron. Don’t let him tell you otherwise.”

“Hey! We agreed never to mention that!”

“No… we agreed to never mention it to the guys at the bar.” Peter grinned.

It was easy to tease Wade about his hobbies sometimes. Most of the time the merc couldn’t care less about what people thought of them, but sometimes, especially when he was around unfamiliar alphas, he liked to put on a stereotypical ‘masculine alpha’ facade.

It was just bravado to make him look tough- and in his line of work, he needed to appear intimidating.

Steve reached for a cookie himself and tried not to laugh at the couple in front of him. They were sweet- and he approved of Harley falling into a pack with them. He’d even told Tony so.

Wade was a little unpredictable, but he seemed to have a good heart. Steve was hoping that they could steer him in the right direction a little more.

“Don’t worry, Wade. Your secrets are safe with me. We’re practically family now.”

Peter smiled widely as warmth spread through his chest. Harley’s Pa was giving them his blessing. Steve liked them. The omega knew that he shouldn’t feel so strongly- but it felt nice to be considered an extension of their pack.

A curse from the kitchen interrupted their conversation. Then a smash. Then a growl.

Peter tilted his head at the noise, wondering what had gone wrong. It was weirdly fitting that Tony growled, despite being an omega- although it was scientifically impossible.

Peter assumed that he’d figured out how to manipulate his purr box to sound angry somehow. Maybe being an omega in a stem field had forced Tony to learn to blend in with the alphas around him.

Wade was also glancing at the door with a curious look on his face.

“You know… alpha-alpha relationships are totally cool, Stevey. Personally, I find them hot.” He teased the superhero. Stark acted like an alpha- and now he even sounded like one. Peter swatted his knee again.

Steve laughed and shook his head.

“I’ll be right back. I think he’s fighting with the coffee machine.” The man apologized and stood to head back into the kitchen.

-

The alpha found Tony squatting down at the kitchen counter, eye level with the espresso machine as though he was locked in a deadly staring competition with it. A glass had shattered on the floor, and the larger translucent pieces shimmered like sharp icicles under the light.

Steve bent down to scoop them up carefully into his hands before his mate had a chance to step back onto the shards.

Tony’s jaw was clenched in a stubborn show of going undefeated as he tinkered with the open compartment.

“It’s still not working?”

“It won’t shut now.” The omega admitted and looked around for a tool to use. The expresso machine was in bits in front of him and now, after fixing the problem inside, he couldn’t seem to close it again.

It was jammed. 

“Okay… well… let’s just offer them juice and beer. Keep it simple.” Steve urged. He dumped the shards in the trash and then paused in the doorway. “And definitely no beer for you. You’re too highly strung today and- it’s just not a good idea, is it?”

Tony huffed as he scanned the kitchen for a smaller screwdriver. He was certain he’d left one in the bowl by the fridge. Harley had probably stolen it the last time he’d been home.

“Juice it is.”

Tony Stark- beaten by a kitchen appliance.

Maybe his hormones really were going to his head.

-

“So where’s Harley?” Tony asked when he joined them, sitting on the couch opposite. He knew his boy was safe because of how chilled Peter and Wade were being. Still, it was a little fishy that they weren’t all together.

“He’s at home. Refusing to get out of bed.” Peter forced a smile.

Their nestmate hadn't wanted to come. He'd buried his face under the covers, a last-minute moment of embarrassment washing over him. Peter could understand why though. Tony wasn't his real father. He'd adopted him later in his childhood. It must be terrible to think that his guardian had seen the footage.

He’d said that he felt ashamed.

So Peter had reassured him that he'd deal with it. It would be a hard conversation to have- but he could do it. He didn't know Tony too well, so at least it wouldn't feel personal.

It was just another adult conversation. That’s what he was telling himself.

“Why?” Tony sipped at his water, keeping his dark eyes on Peter. The merc with the mouth had gone strangely quiet too, just swirling his straw around his glass. There were no quick quips now.

They’d entered serious territory and that worried him.

“Harry… um… Harry said something to him during a break period on the trial.” Peter glanced at Steve, wishing that he wasn’t here. According to Harley, his Pa didn’t know anything other than ‘Harley had had a few months fling with an alpha he met at a party.’

Apparently, Tony had majorly downplayed it for him. Steve didn’t even know that he was mated.

“Okay? If he’s calling him names, surely he can just shrug that off?” Tony suggested, although he had a horrible sinking feeling in his gut, like he maybe knew what this was about. He dreaded the day he’d have to have this conversation with his son. They’d talked a little- but most had been left unsaid.

“Harry said that he saw him go upstairs… with an older man. And that the older man apparently… recorded him.”

Steve’s eyebrows shot up at that and he blinked a few times- then his eyes quickly fixed on his mate. He was silent though, hoping that he was going to get more details before he had his own say. He needed context, although he’d already jumped to a conclusion.

Tony inhaled hard through his nostrils and brought his hand up to rub his face. He needed a moment to collect his thoughts- but he didn’t have one to spare.

Everyone was waiting for his response.

“Harley was never supposed to find out about that. I put a report in that I was being blackmailed with it. The cops raided his apartment, found the footage and I hounded the police captain to destroy it after Morris went missing- and he did. So that was the end of that.”

Maybe Tony had gotten lucky. Officer Stacy had an omega daughter of his own. He’d appealed to the man as a father. He hadn’t even had to bribe him with money to get the other alpha to do the right thing.

Still, it seemed that the rumor had gotten around about the incident.

But the evidence was gone. Harley was safe, and that’s what mattered.

Peter breathed a sigh of relief. So it was taken care of. Good. He could go home and reassure his nestmate that no one was ever going to see him like that ever again.

“That’s… perfect, honestly. I think he’ll be happier knowing that.”

Steve was still looking flabbergasted, his eyes flicking back and forth between Tony and the two younger men sitting opposite them on the couch. He couldn’t believe that he’d been kept in the dark about this! Tony had secrets- but none quite as bad as this.

“You didn’t think to tell me about this?” He accused, feeling a little hurt and also worried as to why he hadn’t been informed.

Tony heard the pain in his mate’s voice and instantly got on the defensive. The last thing he wanted was Steve asking questions. He knew he’d be supportive of how he’d handled it. Well- maybe not the 'murdering a man in cold blood' part.

“It’s a modern-day technological thing. I didn’t think you’d understand.”

“You didn’t think I’d want to know that some bad man has recorded our son in the bedroom!?”

Tony scoffed and waved his arms in the air. “I dealt with it, okay? Years ago. He’s never going to see him again. I got rid of the problem and Harley begged me not to tell anyone about him- including you. He was embarrassed. And he’s clearly still so embarrassed about it now because he can’t even come to me himself to talk about it!”

Wade’s lips curled up into a smirk and he cast a knowing glance at Peter. Tony had one hell of a creative way of getting rid of the problem.

He shouldn’t be living for this drama unraveling, but he kind of was. (Did that make him a bad person?)

“So where is he? That man?” Steve pried, not stupid enough to be deterred. Tony was clearly hiding more than he was letting on. “You wouldn’t have just let him get away with it. He should be in jail. How long was this going on for? Is… is this the guy that he was seeing for months, Tony?”

Tony rubbed at his eyes, suddenly feeling incredibly stressed and even a little dizzy. He’d face up to what he’d done with anyone else, just not Steve. He knew he wouldn’t understand- and right now this was the last thing they needed in their relationship at such a tender time.

“Look… Steve… it’s a fucking can of worms, okay? We really don’t want to be opening it. Harley now knows that this wasn’t just a romance with a creepy age difference- and I’m stressed out enough about that. So leave it.”

The alpha’s jaw was set but he could see his mate was upset about this. He didn’t want to push him too hard, especially not while they had guests.

This was something to fight out in private.

“And here I was thinking that the alpha he’d been hanging around with was a kid. Maybe nineteen- or twenty tops.” Steve had expected a bit of an age difference based on the shouting matches that Tony and Harley had had- but nothing too world-shattering.

Wade reached across the table for another cookie, trying to break the tension between the two mates.

“Well Stark, I think you dealt with it splendidly. Couldn’t have done it better myself.”

If looks could kill, Tony would have murdered Wade too.

Chapter Text

There was still tension in the air as they ate dinner. Steve had cooked some lasagne and had made a large salad and fries to dish out too. Peter spooned some of the food eagerly onto his plate. It reminded him a bit of the enchiladas that Wade had made them the other night, only minus the spice.

“Thanks for this. It smells so good.” He praised the chef.

Steve looked pleased and once their guests were served, he began dishing some out for him and Tony.

“No problem. I’m just hoping that it tastes good too.” He joked. “It’s my first time trying to make this one.”

Tony just sat back, watching Peter and Wade. He’d left the room earlier to gather his thoughts, but now he was back- and wondering why they hadn’t disappeared yet. All he wanted to do was nest and it was frustrating that he was having to be longer and longer away from his bed.

They clearly wanted something else.

“So what other bad news do you have for me?” He decided to get straight to the point, whilst also trying to keep his voice inoffensive.

It was hard though. He was still feeling annoyed at Peter for not being more discreet while Steve had been in their presence earlier. Now his mate would start asking questions about the business with Harley.

Peter looked up at him and gave a shy smile.

“Actually… it’s good news. I think.”

Wade grinned as he grabbed a handful of fries that Steve had just set down next to him. He loved this alpha. They shared some of the same hobbies, he laughed at his jokes and he didn’t seem to judge him. For a guy who had been propelled from the 1940s, he was kind of cool.

“Our lawyer says that it’s likely that Petey will get half of everything that Harry owns. Half of his money, half the company, half of his stocks and shares, any additional assets like the penthouse- but he’s wondering just how much to accept.”

Tony reached to grab the salad. He’d had a feeling that if Peter won the case he’d get an interesting pay-out but he’d not expected it to be this big.

“You don’t want to take it?”

Peter gave a shrug. He did, but he also didn’t. He wasn’t sure what to do with that kind of money in the bank. Would he need to hire a financial advisor? Would he need to declare tax somehow? The whole thought of it seemed daunting.

“I don’t want Oscorp. And if I accept the money the journalists might twist things and say that I was just after his money- which I wasn’t. The smart thing to do might be to just take the stocks and shares and live off of them.”

Peter knew that they were worth millions on their own. It was one of the ways that Harry remained a billionaire. He made money and reinvested every chance he got.

Tony could see how taking everything might be a problem- but the thought of Oscorp was what really took his interest. He cast a glance at Steve and his mate shook his head, having already read his mind.

Was he really that transparent?

“I know what you’re thinking Tony, but I think we have a bit too much to worry about in the next few months. You’re going to be busy.”

“But I could offer to buy it from him in the future? Or put someone else in charge for a while?” He gave his alpha a hopeful look. But he reminded himself that it wasn’t Steve’s decision at the end of the day. It was his. There was no backing down on this one.

He flashed Peter a smile and then got straight to business.

“Accept the Oscorp offer- and take the stocks and shares. Leave the money and the penthouse. I’ll employ someone to oversee the business until I can.”

Wade tilted his head, having picked up on the shift in the atmosphere. Things suddenly felt less tense between the couple. In fact, they were both smiling. If Steve had been angry at his omega before, it looked like he’d forgiven him now.

“Okay. What am I missing? Why can’t you oversee the business now?”

Tony stabbed the lasagne and watched the steam rise high into the air from his fork. He blew at it, suddenly feeling pensive.

He knew he shouldn’t tell them before Harley- but he had an idea. Peter and Wade could help him. They’d at least be able to get his son to simmer down when he found out. Tony had a feeling that he might not be overjoyed and that scared him. The last thing he wanted was for this to cause an even larger rift between him and his boy.

"Okay- so I've helped you with a couple of things. Maybe you could help me with something."

Peter frowned, feeling himself being rendered speechless. What could he possibly do to help Tony Stark? The genius had everything. He was rich, clever, and powerful. What could he offer him?

But he’d try, no matter what. He felt like it was his duty now after all this good advice. And he knew he’d only won the case because of the money that Tony had poured into their resources.

"I mean... I'll do my best. Is this an Avengers thing? Because I really don’t think I can see myself as an Avenger. Spider-Man is literally a friendly neighborhood thing. Not a save the world one."

Even Wade was eyeing the older omega, trying to work him out. This was starting to worry him. Stark wasn't a man that should need help from anyone. As amazing as Peter was, he had limited resources.

He too hoped that the man wasn't planning on taking advantage of his superhero influence somehow.

"No… God, no. It’s nothing like that.” Tony laughed, seeing their miserable faces staring back at him. Were thoughts of joining The Avengers really that bad?

Even Steve looked entertained by their reluctance.

Maybe they were just getting old and all the young ones wanted to form their own superhero team? Harley had called him a boomer a couple of years ago and although it had been in jest, he was once again evaluating if this meant he wasn’t cool anymore.

“Okay.... well me and Tony... we're unsure how to break some news to Harley." Steve tried to get the conversation back on track.

"What news?" Peter narrowed his eyes at them suspiciously.

This was starting to sound really shady. They wouldn't kick the boy out or cut him off. Harley was their son. Yet, he found himself wondering where this conversation was leading. He’d seen parents do worse things to their kids over the years- even if it was in the name of independence.

Tony swallowed the lump in his throat and eyed his mate one more time before turning his attention back to their guests.

"I'm pregnant."

Peter’s arms froze in mid-air, his knife and fork coming to a stop on the plate. His eyebrows raised as he stared at the couple sitting opposite them. He couldn’t stop his jaw from dropping.

Oh.

Oh.

“Oh shit.” It was Wade that broke the silence, a gleeful grin spreading across his face. It was like he’d been given the gossip of the century.

Maybe he had.

Peter felt like he’d been rendered speechless. He really hadn’t been expecting this. At all. Tony was old. He had to be in his 50s now- surely? Yet he was expecting?

Steve shifted in his seat, a little uncomfortable with the silence.

"Tony’s never been able to conceive before… and we weren't even trying anymore. He’s been on heat suppressants and scent blockers because we’d given up… but it still happened."

Wade snickered, recovering from the shock much quicker than Peter could.

“Well, that explains why your fancy MIT degree couldn’t help you fix an expresso machine, Stark. You’ve got a dumb omega baby brain now.” He teased, really not intending to be an asshole, but at the same time taking pleasure in goading him a little.

Peter kicked at him under the table. One, for being insensitive and two, for being a pig.

“What Wade means is… congratulations.” The boy grinned.

Tony was thankful when Steve slipped his hand into his because he needed something to squeeze. Wringing the mercenary’s neck was starting to sound appealing. He tried to focus on his point and ignore Wade’s comment.

“I’m worried that Harley is going to feel replaced.” He confessed. “When we’ve fought in the past he’s always dragged up the fact that he’s not my real son. I need you to reassure him that I love him just as much. That I’d never play favorites.”

Peter nodded. He could understand where the omega was coming from. Harley had a bit of imposter syndrome when it came to being the Stark heir. It was probably why he never fully embraced Tony as his father, and instead choose to think of him more as a mentor or a friend.

He simply lived at Stark tower. That didn’t mean he felt like he belonged there.

“Yeah. He has a lot of self-doubts… but I think he’ll be happy for you guys. Don’t worry about it. We’ll make sure he sees it as a good thing.”

Peter’s heartfelt light in his chest. He was truly happy for the couple. And a pup might even mean they could babysit. He wanted that more than anything right now. If he couldn’t have his own, then at least he’d have one in his life to spoil. It really was like he had a whole new family now.

“Do you know what you’re having yet?” He dared to ask. Tony didn’t look like he was far along. He wasn’t showing, but then again he was wearing a comfy-looking sweater today that upon another inspection was baggy. That had been thrown on purposefully.

“It’s a girl… or so they think.” Tony exhaled, feeling tense still. “I’m over four months along. There’s a reason I’ve been overdosing on my medication- it just wasn’t working because I was pregnant and didn’t know it.”

Blockers and suppressants wouldn’t work once a baby was conceived. That was why Tony’s hormones had been all over the place.

Steve rolled his eyes across the table. “And I just thought he was getting a little chubby from all the food I’d been baking.” He teased as kindly as he could. “And the nesting and grouchiness started about four weeks ago and then I just knew something was wrong. Tony doesn’t nest.”

Wade found it hard to imagine the older man curled up and purring in his bed. It just didn’t suit him. It had taken him a long time to believe that he was an omega. Tony had an authoritative air to him. He didn’t feel like his secondary gender.

“So… yeah… I’ll have a kid that’s nineteen soon… and a newborn.” He backtracked quickly, once again turning to the business at hand. “So I may be in no fit state to take on another multi-billion dollar company.”

Peter nodded along with his words, suddenly understanding where he was coming from. It was Steve who put forward an idea first.

“Think Pepper would do it? Or do you think she still hates you?” The alpha asked his mate with a grimace.

Tony’s relationship with the alpha woman had fallen apart not long after meeting Steve, and although she still worked for his company, he worried that she blamed his mate for their break-up. He and Steve hadn’t cheated, but their fiery attraction to each other had been so obvious and had only intensified when The Avengers had formed.

So after a few angry and hurt words, she’d taken the blow and had stepped away.

And after Steve had bitten him- something that he’d never let her do- she’d seen Tony less and less.

The genius gave a stressed-sounding huff and then shrugged. If anyone was a fit for the job, it would be Pepper.

“I suppose it’s worth a try, although I doubt she’ll be happy about it.”

From what Harley had told him about Pepper, Peter knew that she was insanely organized. His nestmate had praised the woman and apparently, they still met up for coffee every week. For a whole year she’d been like a mother to him.

It would be nice to meet her.

“Maybe I could contact her? Or Harley could- since I know they’re close. I know she’s your ex, so I wouldn’t want to make things awkward for you…” He offered with a smile.

Tony nodded, pleased with that idea. If Harley was good at one thing, it was manipulation and he had that woman wrapped around his little finger. He’d be able to talk her into doing it.

Peter felt a buzz in his pocket and reached for his phone to glance at the notification. He knew it was rude but he worried it was Otto needing him in the lab. He pursed his lips together as his eyes scanned the words of the text message he’d just received.

His heart sank and he looked up to meet three pairs of expectant eyes.

“I think Harley’s in trouble.”

Chapter Text

Panic began to set in as Peter reread the text, this time out loud for the others to hear.

"I don't think it's long before I'm going to die."

He felt Wade tense next to him and then the merc was pushing his chair back with a screech and pulling himself to his feet. Peter watched as Tony and Steve exchanged sharp looks, but didn't rush to jump up from the table. The billionaire's cheeks had lost all color. 

Then his phone pinged again with a follow-up text, this time a little longer than the last and thankfully with much more context.

"My stomach won't stop cramping and I'm super warm and I think the stress has pushed me into a heat. Bring me chocolate please... and come cuddle me."

The omega let out a long sigh of relief. Why did Harley have to be so dramatic about everything? He wasn't dying. He was just wanting comfort and attention- and he couldn’t have that while they were here.

Peter's initial reaction had been to be worried. Harry could have shown up. A part of the hero had been expecting the man to arrive at Wade's door eventually. Osborns didn't go down without a fight and he had a feeling that his mate would rather go to jail and do time than let him get away.

He definitely hadn't expected this.

Well, a heat at least meant that Harley wasn't pregnant. That was a small mercy, he reasoned with himself.

“Little shit.” Tony hissed under his breath. 

He felt like his heart was about to give out and he clasped his hand over his reactor, hoping that it was as reliable as it had always been. Shock had just shot through him at thinking that his boy was in real danger and the machine momentarily struggled to regulate the beat.

“He’s going to fucking kill me one of these days.”

Steve patted his mate soothingly on the back. They were used to their son’s theatrics. That didn’t mean that it was any less startling when Harley caught them off guard like this. For Tony, it could be deadly.

“Take a few deep breaths.” He reassured. "He's fine."

Wade felt erratic and was completely oblivious to Tony’s distress. One of the voices in his head was egging him on, demanding that he rush to Harley's side and take him to bed. He was his omega after all- and an alpha’s job was to make him feel good. Another, more responsible voice was reminding the merc that maybe that wasn't a good idea and that he should stay as far away from the boy as possible.

He growled to himself in frustration.

For once he didn't know what to do and he turned to Peter- his voice of reason.

"Well we have to go to him, right? We can't leave him high and dry...” A smirk tugged at Wade’s lips as a dirty thought crossed his mind and he snickered. “…Or high and wet."

Peter shot him a look. He watched as his husband danced from foot to foot from his indecision, and then forced himself to sit back down on his seat. It was obvious to Peter that Wade was at least trying to behave, even if his mouth was running away with itself.

The older couple watched with interest as the merc fought against his instincts and Tony decided enough was enough. He’d calmed a little. He was thinking clearly again.

He’d give Peter his blessing, not that he needed it- but it might ease the tension around the table and he wanted to break this meeting up and retreat to his nest now. He’d had far too much personal stress for one day.

"Wade can stay here if that's what's been decided between you all... regarding Harley's... innocence... or what's left of it." The genius rubbed at his face and forced the words out, hating that he had to even discuss this. He respected them for setting boundaries, but if you asked him, it was perhaps a little too late.

"And maybe you should go to him since you won't be affected as badly by his... scent."

Peter nodded. That sounded like a plan. Harley would smell good to him, but he definitely wouldn’t turn feral like how Wade might.

"Hey, look on the bright side Petie Pie," Wade's mouth stretched into an evil grin, knowing that he was about to drop an evil secret. "All those times you've pretended to be an alpha for me might come in handy now."

The boy felt his face turning red and he cringed. Tony's eyebrows shot up. Steve was smirking in amusement. There was no way his husband was teasing him about this in front of them! It was private!

"Shhhhh!!!" Peter picked a cherry tomato out of his side salad and threw it at Wade's head. It bounced off and rolled unceremoniously back to him on the table.

Wade burst into laughter.

Tony shook his head in bewilderment. “Well… at least you all have your roles figured out.”

As Peter rushed to grab his bag from the other room he heard Steve jokingly say that there was ‘none of this' back in his day, to which Wade replied that ‘Bucky would have probably given him a good dicking if he’d only given him the chance.’

-

When Peter opened the apartment door, the sweet aroma of omega hit him hard. He was thankful that he'd left Wade at the tower now, agreeing that it would be best for him to help Harley alone.

Talking to Tony and Steve about this had left him red-faced and he was going to murder Wade when he got home for his crudeness.

"Harl?" He called out curiously.

He wasn't kept waiting long. The boy wandered out the bedroom door, dragging his feet with a sulky look on his face. A thin sheen of sweat shone on his skin and his hair was stuck to his face. All he was wearing was his boxers and they tented at the front shamelessly.

Why bother hiding what was obvious?

"Did you get the chocolate?" He begged. His eyes were red and puffy and Peter wondered if he'd been crying before the heat had come on. He’d probably been dwelling over the footage still. He’d have to talk to him about that later.

Peter was surprised to see that he didn't look too far gone though. If anything, he just seemed cranky. Maybe this was one of those micro-heats that younger omegas sometimes had. Personally, he'd never experienced one before but he'd had friends who'd had them well into their twenties.

"Yeah. I've got it here." Peter smiled and held out the bar. Harley took it and began to unwrap it. He snapped a few squares off and stuffed them into his mouth.

"Thanks.” He muttered his appreciation. “Where's Wade?"

"I told him to stay with your dads... or y'know... the smell might be unbearable for him." The last thing Peter wanted was for the alpha to get his hands on Harley while he might not be able to fully consent. Alpha nature and omega hormones didn’t mix well sometimes.

He knew that from his experience with Harry.

He eyed the other though. He didn't seem out of it at all.

Harley huffed and placed the rest of the chocolate bar on the table closest to him. He could only stomach a little, but he swore it helped soothe his cramps.

"I looked for toys in his wardrobe and in the trunk at the bottom of the bed but I couldn't find anything." He'd thought for sure that his alpha would be a dildo guy. Wade joked about taking it enough. So why wouldn’t he have one?

“Well… I’m here now.” Peter smiled and took a step closer.

Their eyes connected and they held each other’s gaze.

The younger boy felt a jolt of electricity shoot through him. They’d drawn a line on not having sex for a while... hadn’t they? He wouldn’t mind trying his luck again though, especially since Peter was right in front of him and looked so good.

The other omega’s hair was a little wet from the rain. It flopped down over his ears and Harley reached up to brush his fingers through it, stroking some of the remaining raindrops away.

“I’m going back to bed… and I’d like you to join me… but I understand if you won’t.”

Harley had once suggested that they could help each other through their heats. He was hoping that now his boyfriend would actually agree to it, since he was so desperate.

A small smile tugged at Peter’s lips and his own hand came up to cup Harley’s cheek. Tony was right. They only had three years between them. Harley was hardly inexperienced, and right now this was consensual.

And he loved him. He’d never hurt him in the way that others had. He could trust himself with him.

“Are you sure about this? I’m only going to sleep with you if you’re-“

“-Pete. I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”

Harley leaned up to kiss his nestmate and tried to ignore how giddy he was feeling. The heat was radiating from his body and he tugged at Peter’s damp jacket. He wanted it off.

He needed it all off.

-

“You smell like bubblegum.” Peter breathed against the other boy’s ear and pressed tender kisses over the scent glands on his neck. It was fitting for Harley. Sweet- but also a tiny bit tangy.

He pressed his hands into the mattress, suddenly feeling dizzy.

He hadn’t noticed it before, but maybe that was because he was an omega and Harley’s hormones hadn’t been strong enough. Had Wade?

It suddenly made sense why the alpha was always mouthing at his shoulder and jaw so lovingly when they were relaxing on the couch. Peter had thought his husband was trying to scent him. But no- he’d been trying to drink him in, like he was a fruit punch.

How had he managed to resist him for so long?

Harley arched his back, chasing Peter’s lips as they momentarily separated from his skin. His arms reached up to circle around the other’s neck and pulled him back down into a deep kiss.

He’d never felt so safe and content with anyone before, never mind adored.

Somewhere between the door and the bed, they’d lost their clothes. Peter was thankful for that when his nestmate wrapped his legs around his waist and pulled him down to grind against him. He let out a moan as his length brushed against Harley’s wetness.

“You know I can’t knot you, right?” His hands stroked through the boy’s damp curls. They cupped his cheeks, forcing their eyes to meet once again.

“I don’t care.”

The room was in semi-darkness and Peter was thankful that he could still make the other out, but it was dim enough for his senses to be heightened. He appreciated every hot breath that hit his neck as Harley nipped and mouthed at him. Feeling fingertips stroke down his back made him shiver and arch.

He felt like he was on fire too. There was slick pooling between his own legs and his throat crackled in a purr. God, he wanted him. It wasn’t impossible for an omega to push another into a heat and Peter felt like he was going into a frenzy.

“Just relax for me… I don’t want to hurt you.”

Harley wasn’t Wade. He had to be soft and gentle. He felt his nestmate shift beneath him and lift one leg to help him enter.

“You could never hurt me.”

-

Harley snuggled back against his boyfriend and pulled the duvet higher. The nest he’d made was rumpled and he tried to smooth the edges before reaching for his phone.

“Hey, Pete? Let’s send Wade a selfie.”

Peter couldn’t help the little laugh that escaped his mouth. His arm looped around the younger boy’s waist and he cuddled closer. He felt so content with him. His chest was warm and his mind was still buzzing from their ecstasy and excitement.

“You’re going to kill him.”

He really should stop Harley. His nestmate should have learned from the unsolicited videos of himself in the bedroom- but they were covered to their chests by the bedsheets and even Peter couldn’t help wanting to torment their alpha.

Peter ducked his head to mouth at Harley’s shoulder again and the other boy gave a lopsided grin as he snapped the photo. Their hair was ruffled. Their cheeks flushed. They’d look so sexy to any alpha.

“If you really want to go in for the kill, then tell him we’re missing him… with a little heart,” Peter advised before giving Harley a soft nip. He felt the other shiver and gasp at the sensation.

Silence.

“Nah… I’m gonna tell him that I’m riding you next.”

The hero burst into laughter but stopped when the boy turned his head to smirk at him. Harley was being deadly serious. He rolled his eyes and just let himself grin. Of course he’d want another round.

But Peter was more than happy to comply.

When Harley had come into his life. He’d been terrified that he wouldn’t love him. That they wouldn’t vibe sexually, even though he quickly began to adore him. Peter was happy to find that wasn’t the case. They fit together perfectly. They were two sides of the same coin and it didn't matter which way they were flipped. They'd always be together. 

“Hey, Harl?”

The younger omega looked up from his phone, the message now sent. He twisted to look at him. “Hm?”

Peter smiled, knowing that no lover had ever said this to him before and meant it. He was glad to be the first. 

“I love you.”

Chapter Text

The walls were talking to him.

Harry stared at himself in the mirror and pushed his wavy hair back, and back, and back, tugging at the roots as his fingers clawed their way through the strands. It was like his mind was burning and there was nothing he could do to stop it. His skin crawled. His throat tensed.

All he could think about was Peter and the humiliation that he'd delivered him.

At night reporters hounded him at his penthouse doors. They barked questions, wanting to hear his take on the trial. In the morning they followed him to Oscorp. The company stocks and shares had plummeted thanks to the high-profile court case.

His mate had shat all over him- and for what? So he could run away with an ugly bastard alpha and a camwhore omega.

And now, according to the courts, the traitor would be walking away with half of his family’s wealth.

Harry’s hand stung as it made contact with the mirror and the glass shattered into a million pieces. He stared down at the crimson coating his knuckles and had the urge to paint Peter that same color.

He needed to.

It was what he deserved.

He couldn't just walk away from him.

The feds had raided Oscorp yesterday but nothing incriminating had been found. His bombs, glider and suit had been stashed away securely. He'd finished the modifications and he was ready to go.

But a sharp knife in Peter's chest would be as good as anything.

He yearned to twist it until the boy’s shrieks faded to nothing.

The alpha’s reflection grinned back at him; an almost sinister replica of his father's twisted face. Although he and Norman hadn’t been close, Harry still felt the need to avenge him. The man had been caught up in his mess. It had been chance that he’d been working late at Oscorp that night.

Peter’s little superhero friends hadn’t needed to murder him in cold blood.

Harry would make him pay.

-

Harley rolled over and reached for his lover. His micro-heat had almost faded out and he was feeling much more satisfied.

In between their lovemaking, they’d talked and Peter had given him the fortunate news that the footage had been destroyed. He felt elated.

Peter was sleeping and he tucked his head into the nook of his shoulder, wanting a cuddle.

As predicted, Wade had almost combusted from excitement when he’d received that photo message. He’d sent them an abundance of heart-eyes and flame emojis back. He’d called them hot and cute and his boys. The praise and positive attention had been enough to send warm flutters through Harley’s chest.

He loved feeling wanted and he could tell that Peter enjoyed it just as much.

The boy pressed a few kisses to his nestmate’s shoulder and nipped him playfully, trying to coax him out of sleep. Peter groaned and began to stir.

“It’s morning. You want breakfast?” Harley asked. He felt well rested and was ready to shower but he toyed with the idea of going home first, with a whiff of heat still evident on him.

Let their alpha know he smelled amazing. Let him need him.

Just because Wade couldn’t have him yet, didn’t mean he couldn’t be a tease. He was feeling flirty and light-hearted this morning. Nothing could knock him down now.

Light broke through a crack in the curtains and Peter raised his arm to shield his eyes. He felt like being lazy. He wanted to snuggle down in their nest forever.

Last night had been perfect. Being with Harley had felt right. Peter had felt safe and happy and the afterglow had stuck around for hours. Even now he was feeling so chilled and at ease.    

“I’ll have breakfast- if you’re making.” He mumbled back, a smile growing on his face.

Would Harley be able to cook though? He got the impression that the other omega would rather be pampered instead. Maybe that was because Peter still saw him as a spoiled rich kid. It was silly, really. He knew that Harley was capable, but sometimes it was hard to see past his relationship with Tony Stark and the upbringing he’d had.

He supposed that people could say the same about himself, having clung to Harry for so long. It wasn’t always about money.

He silently chastised himself for thinking such a thing about his nestmate.

“We could just grab toast and juice.” He offered- just in case his assumption was right.

“No! Stay there! I can make omelets if Wade has eggs.” The bed shifted as the boy climbed out and Peter heard Wade’s worn floorboards creak as he hurried through the door.

Peter rolled over to get comfy until he was called.

After going a few rounds last night trying to sate Harley, he’d earned this reward.

-

The omelet presentations were a bit of a mess- but at least he’d tried!

Harley had used two pans, awkwardly switching between each on the gas stove, believing himself to have enough coordination to manage both. He’d grilled bacon beforehand and had cut the rashers finely and mixed them in with the cheese.

“I mean… at least it’ll taste good.” He placed a plate in front of Peter with a grin. He served his own quickly and moved to sit opposite him. “Nothing got burned. It just looks bad.”

Peter laughed at how nervous he seemed. “It smells good. That’s a win in my book.” He teased gently and picked up his knife and fork.

He probably couldn’t have done much better. He cut into it for a taste and hummed as it passed his lips. Harley had added some kind of seasoning too. A pinch of powdered chili… maybe?

“It tastes almost Mexican. God… Wade is going to love your cooking. You’ve got to make him this.”

Harley beamed and began to eat his own. He was enjoying praise far too much recently. It was starting to worry him that things would crash and burn soon, like how they always did. A purr rumbled from his throat and he tried not to choke when he swallowed a piece of his omelet.

He wanted to please his pack. He wanted that more than anything. 

“So I was actually thinking about Wade. We could make his life absolute hell if we get you some cute night-robes.”

Peter stuffed another bite into his mouth and tried to ignore how his cheeks were heating up. He’d worn robes before- for Harry. But he’d hated the notion of it because not long after his mate had suggested that he maybe wear them more often.

It had felt like a ploy to ease him into them full-time.

“I mean… as long as they’re just for the bedroom and only occasionally.” He wasn’t a traditional omega. He had no desire to be one. But he would play into the alpha fantasy if it made Wade happy. He wondered if he was even into it.

The man sure thought Harley was cute.

The boy leaned in with a wide grin.

“Well I look good in blue and you look good in red. Let’s make him drool over us.”

Peter laughed. “We’ll be giving him too much power once we ‘give in.’ I’m not sure if I’m ready to live in a world where Deadpool has that.”

The younger omega pushed his omelet around his plate a little, then scooped a large piece onto his fork.

“Well, with great power comes great responsibility- to take care of us. So I want to make him work for it.” He tilted his head coyly. “Sometimes you’ve just got to tease your alpha and he’ll feel the payoff is better."

Peter felt his body go cold.

He’d zoned out after Harley’s first sentence.

He’d heard those words before. Or maybe… similar ones in a different context. The other seemed oblivious to his philosophical quote though, instead just stuffing his food into his mouth and then going back in for more.

Was he cursed?

Peter reached for his phone, instantly checking to see if Wade had sent them a message. He fired him a quick text, asking if he was okay; and asking him to come home as soon as possible. He suddenly felt like he needed his pack in one place- for protection.

He didn’t want the same thing to happen again.

Ben’s loss had been enough.

But… maybe he was just being paranoid.

This had to be a coincidence- right?

“You okay?” Harley studied him across the table and narrowed his eyes at his cell phone as though it contained the answers. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I- yeah… I’m good.” Peter forced a smile and went back to his omelet, but he no longer felt like eating. His stomach churned and he reached up to feel sweat pricking on his brow.

He needed a timeout. He needed to take a few deep breaths and calm down. This was ridiculous. He was going crazy.

“After this I think we should have a shower. Wade will be coming home soon.”

The boy hummed and leaned back on his chair. A shower sounded good. They could wash and make out some more. He desperately wanted to touch Peter again and the thought of having him under a warm stream of water was just too tempting.

“As long as we have hot water. I went in the other day and the building’s boiler was broken.” Harley pouted.

Peter reached across the table and placed his hand on top of his, wanting to keep him as close as possible now.

“Don’t worry. I got it working.”

-

Peter’s mouth was on the other boy’s throat when he heard the second or third blast.

The building shook. His eyes snapped open and as he stepped out of the water stream they connected with Harley’s frightful ones.

“Stay here.” He ordered, grabbing his boxer shorts and tugging them up, despite still being soaked from the shower. As long as they covered him, he didn’t care.

He opened the bathroom door but stalled when he saw a hole in the living room wall. Smoke poured through the gap and green and gold shrapnel was littering the carpet from the explosion source.

A bomb.

A maniacal laugh pierced through the air, followed by a couple more blasts, shakes and screams from those above. Dust and rubble fell from the apartment ceiling and Peter shielded his head, expecting it to cave- but it didn’t.

What was Harry doing!? Had he completely lost it!? Attacking him was one thing, but the whole building!?

He caught a spec of green whip by the window and he realized that his mate hadn’t been bluffing. The glider was very real.

Harry was doing this to get his attention- or Spider-Man’s.

He still thought he was Wade.

His suspicions were confirmed when he heard a chilling sing-song voice beckoning him from outside. It echoed in his head and made his hairs stand on end.

“Can the Spider-Man come out to play?”