The Arachnoids [A Starker Rock Band AU]

2: Roadie Rush

Author's Note: HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!! <3

-

Peter sips from his hot cocoa and sighs happily. It's so good. With sweet, maple-syrup-covered whipped cream on top of the warm and tasty liquid. He knows he might get a bad case of sugar-rush after this, but god, it tastes too good.
He's glad that there'd been enough time to perform their own soundcheck after all. When The Avengers were done, Tony had disappeared as suddenly as he'd arrived. It still gnaws at Peter. Something... Something about all of it doesn't seem right. It's off-ish. As if some of the pieces don't quite fit the bigger picture. Yet.
Of course, even if something is wrong, it doesn't give the rock star an excuse to be such a pain in the ass to everyone around him.

"I know..." MJ starts and her brows furrow together worriedly, "-that I don't say this often. But jeez, I'm such a nervous wreck right now."
"Not just you," Ned adds with a sigh. "My hands are sweating so badly I might lose my sticks one minute into the show." He chuckles to himself. "Imagine - one of 'em catapulting right at Stark's face."
"Ha! Will do him good," MJ says with a grin. She sits upright and shakes her head. "The man's an ass. But I won't let him sour my mood."
"Exactly," Ned agrees. "Everyone else seems nice. Peter, don't you think Harley's nice?"

Peter blushes a bright red and he instantly shakes his head. Of course, he hadn't missed Harley's charming smile. Or his nice, lean body. Or-
"Just 'cause I'm gay doesn't mean I want to date just any dude I meet."
"But, Harley's nice tho. You know I don't tend to like folks easily, but Harley sure hits the right vibe."
"Ugh," Peter groans, but he can't help the smile on his lips. "Alright, alright , he seems okay enough."
"Just okay?" MJ exclaims and lets herself drop on the couch. She cranes her neck so she can look at him again. "Just you wait- Peter Parker. Just you wait."

Peter cocks an eyebrow, but doesn't comment on it. Instead, he sips on his drink again, enjoying the chocolate taste staining on his tongue. Sure thing, Harley does seem nice. Peter has to admit he'd been too preoccupied with Tony Stark to actually notice the roadie. Actually notice him.

And let's be real, it's not like Peter will ever see him again after this.

-

An hour later, they're all getting ready for the show. They're squeezed together in the little trailer bathroom- Peter smudges the black eyeliner under his eyes, while Ned brushes his teeth and MJ applies silver beads onto her cheekbones. Slowly, she's turning into Venus; her stage persona. A small reference to the planet where actual arachnoids are found.
"Pete- Can you draw the spider web on my face?" Ned asks and hands him the small bottle of liquid eyeliner. Peter nods and mumbles a quick 'sorry' as he switches places with MJ. He grabs the bottle.
"Turn your head," he instructs and Ned obliges. Peter sticks his tongue out when he concentrates on drawing the lines. First, a few straight lines that cross, then the small bendy lines to make it look like an actual web. When he's finished, he gives the eyeliner back to Ned and grins.
"Go ahead. It's my tu-"

There's a soft knock on the trailer door and Peter frowns.
"I'll get it!" MJ rushes and struggles her way out of the bathroom. "-Oh, hey! Harley. Come in!"
Peter doesn't miss the smug expression on Ned's face.
" Nice. " Ned mouths and Peter groans exasperated.
"Nope. Nope. Ned! It's not happening !" Peter shakes his head at the small eyebrow wiggle his friend sends him.

"Hey boys!" Harley peeks into the bathroom from behind the corner and he smiles broadly. "You ready for the show?"
"Almost," MJ laughs. "The boys always take their time transforming into lil' spiders."
"It looks great," Harley says with a wink, and Peter - thanks to all the comments from his bandmates - blushes. "But," the roadie continues, "-Tony requested extra time to change the stage settings in between sets. The Avengers have to end at midnight, so we have to bring your set forward. Do you think you can be backstage in five?"

Peter frowns. Again, Tony Stark is the center of the conversation and he doesn't like it. He nods at Harley, though.
"Yeah, we're nearly done here."
"Good. I'm sorry for not informing you earlier but we just came to this decision like, a minute ago."
"It's alright." MJ grabs her silver strapped heels. "Isn't it, uhm, a runner's job to, well, run everything? You're kinda doing everything today?" She asks curiously. Peter hadn't even noticed and he looks at Harley. The boy shrugs.
"Usually, yeah. But no one wants to work for the Big Boss anymore. So I'm an upgraded allround roadie I guess- doing all the tasks I'm not supposed to do," he jokes. Peter can tell Harley feels bitter about it, so he decides not to dig deeper.

"We'll be there," Peter smiles. "And if we can help you after we play our set, please let us know."
"That's very kind of you, thanks, dude. I think I got it, but I'll keep it in mind." Harley cocks his head and gives Peter a playful bump against his shoulder. "See ya in five, then!"
And with that, Harley's gone again.

Peter can't quite describe what he's feeling right now. Tonight's a huge night for them. The biggest show they've ever played, by far . Peter doesn't feel as excited anymore, though. He hates it. He should be worried about slippery hands, or a string breaking, or stumbling over his feet... Not about how the blond roadie will manage his job tonight.

-

It isn't until Peter grabs his midnight blue guitar and tightens the strap, that he realizes Ned never got to draw the spider web on his face. Ah well, no one will notice. He hopes. He stares at Harley, the boy running around and hastily making sure that everything works properly.
Not even a second later, Harley runs towards them and bounces on the balls of his feet with excitement.
"We're ready, everything's set up! Once you're good to go on, the stage is yours." Harley bites down his lip and smiles at MJ so intently that Peter has to hold himself back from nudging Ned. "After you, Venus."

MJ's eyes widen slightly, clearly taken aback by the charming smile and the sweet tone in Harley's voice. Her lips curl into a smirk though, and she cocks her head to smile back at him.
"Ready for take-off?"
" Always ."
MJ's eyes sparkle in the dimmed backstage lights and she shakes her head slightly. Harley chuckles, low in his throat, and waves in the direction of the stage. MJ nods firmly and eyes both Ned and Peter. No other words are needed from there. Peter grabs the fretboard tightly and takes a deep breath. Ned twirls the drumsticks between his fingers and huffs, only now realizing what they're about to do.

Faking confidence, the young band walks into the stage lights. The audience cheers and Peter gasps when he sees just how immensely huge the open-air area looks from up here. It's... Almost unbelievable. Almost.

"Welcome..." MJ whispers into her microphone once the cheers of the audience die down. She grins. The small silver gems stuck underneath her eyes glimmer in the stage lights. " We are the inner concentric, the outer radial lineament, the spider-like volcano-tectonic structures from Venus. We have come to Earth to give you a hint of the whirling desire that is found on our planet. We are... The Arachnoids! "

Peter's lips curl into a passionate smile as his grip tightens around the fretboard of his guitar. MJ's voice starts out soft. So soft, it's barely audible. Ned lets his drumsticks rain down on his ride cymbal to create a space-like sound; as if stars come raining down from the vastness of space. MJ's voice goes stronger, jumping up two octaves only to break into a sweet, captivating melody. The audience doesn't make a single sound. And then, after a small pause in the song that doesn't even last a second, Peter's fingers naturally find their way onto the strings and he strums fast. Ned goes wild on the drums and MJ howls into her mic. The crowd goes absolutely nuts and Peter has to take a deep breath to control his emotions. They like him! They like their band!

"Yes, New York!!" MJ screams during the small instrumental part. She's bouncing on the stage, dancing and laughing and her enthusiasm sends Peter into a buzzy haze. "Who's ready to party on New Year's Eve?!"