The Arachnoids [A Starker Rock Band AU]

4: Coffee Confusion

"Goodmorning to our new rock star!"
Peter groans when May flips the light switch. The brightness stings his eyes and he grabs the blankets to cover his face.
"Morning," he says groggily. He doesn't want to leave his aunt standing there so he lowers the sheets after all and peeks at her. "Hi."
"Scoot over," she orders him. "You gotta tell me everything ." Peter does as she asks and moves a little closer to the wall to create space for her.

May had been very upset that she wouldn't be able to attend the show. She'd already signed up to help out in the local homeless shelter on New Year's Eve. As much as she hated that she'd miss Peter's first big set, she couldn't bail on that.
"Well?" She asks, her eyes shimmering with pride. Peter chuckles and enthusiastically tells her all the juicy details. About the huge stage, great crowd and how he still feels that none of it is real. He drops a quick remark about Tony too, but he doesn't want to spend too much attention talking about the man. Tony's simply not worth it.
"...And we stayed for three more hours having a good time with some crew members. Gosh, May, it's been... I don't even know how to describe it!" He chuckles in amazement. "It's insane, like, what even?!"
"I'm so, so proud of you Peter," May says quietly and leans in for a tight hug. "Alsooo, did you know you made the news?"
"What?!"
"The reviews about the show are off the charts! And The Arachnoids are mentioned more than once, here lemme show you."

Peter turns to sit upright and he stares at May's phone to read the article she's talking about. His eyes widen at seeing the headline.

The Arachnoids: Will these talented youngsters make it to The Avengers' World Tour?

Peter huffs.
"As if! There are way more qualified bands than us."
"Yet they asked you for this show."
"Mh," Peter responds, his lips pressing together. It's slowly starting to be a little overwhelming. The attention, the praise, the success. When they started The Arachnoids for a high school project four years ago they never thought any of this was possible.
"We'll see," he says eventually. May nods understandingly and ruffles through his hair.

"If you go see your friends today, could you maybe hop by the shelter? I forgot my bag there last night."
"Of course," Peter smiles.
"Thank you. You hungry? I made breakfast!" Peter frowns.
"What did you make?"
"Oh, don't be so suspicious. I know how to make waffles, thank you very much."

Peter chuckles.

-

"Peter! Hi!"
Peter waves at his friends and walks over to the small table they're seated at. He takes off his thick coat, carefully draping it on the backrest of the chair. He slumps into the seat.
"So, how are my famous friends, mh?" He grins and wiggles his eyebrows. MJ laughs and shoves an extra large caramel latte his way.
"Not that famous, no one in the shop knows who we are."
"Except for Brad, of course," Ned chuckles and waves at the barista. Brad's face lights up and he nods his head at them. MJ shrinks in her seat.

"Hey, you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm fine," she murmurs. Peter sighs and puts his hand on top of hers. She looks up.
"Em, we can find a different coffee shop if you want."
"Yes," Ned joins in. "I'm sorry- For a second I forgot about... Y'know. I'm sorry MJ."

The girl shakes her head and presses her lips together. Her eyes clearly show that Brad is still a sore spot for her.
"No, I'm alright. Really. I don't want to change my life just because of the breakup. I like this place, and if he's a part of it... So be it. Can we, uhm, talk about something else?"

Instantly, Ned starts rambling on about this new Netflix series he and MJ are both watching and Peter smiles. Ned is sweet, knowing exactly what to say to distract her. Peter still feels bad for their friend. MJ and Brad made a cute couple.
She'd told Brad that she's demisexual and how she needed more time to figure out her feelings for him. Just as she started to realize that maybe she did like him like that ; he got impatient and left.

It's been nearly a year now, but it's clear it still hurts her. Peter wishes he could do something to take her sadness and insecurities away. She's so scared to meet someone new- scared they might dismiss her for her sexuality as well. That's why he'd been so thrilled to see her interact with Harley last night. Of course, she doesn't know the roadie even a tiny bit so any attraction is out of the question. It's a step in the right direction, though.
"Peter, have you started watching it yet?"
"No, not yet, I-"

MJ's phone buzzes and she frowns.
"I'm sorry, let me check real quick." She opens the message and Peter cocks his head curiously. She never checks on her messages in the midst of a conversation. MJ giggles and quickly starts typing back, shaking her head lightly. After she sends her message, she puts her phone down and eyes the boys.
"What?"
"You know what!" Ned teases. "Do tell?"
"Guys! It's just- It's just, uhm, Harley? He sent us a couple of pictures from our show last night. Didn't you get them?" Peter forces himself to not smile too broadly.
"I didn't check yet."
"Me neither," Ned adds. "Can we see them?" He reaches for her phone, but MJ quickly puts her hand over it, sliding it towards herself. She smiles at them sheepishly, knowing damn well they aren't stupid.

"It's nothing ," she stresses. "I swear. Y'know I don't... Yeah. He wanted my number just in case. He's actually in a discussion with the managers now, lobbying for our band to be the support act on their new world tour."

"World tour? Wait, so, the press wasn't just saying things?" Peter is so confused right now. "Does Harley think we're that good?"
"Not just Harley, Pete. Everyone loved us."
"Except for Stark," Ned scoffs. "He'll die of a heart attack if we join them."
"He hates everyone so I don't think it matters that much who the support act is," MJ sighs. Peter swallows, thinking back on his short talk with the man yesterday.

"He... He likes us though. He, eh, told me."
"He what?"
"Peter! What happened?!" Peter sighs and wraps his hands around his large coffee mug. He shakes his head.
"Honestly, not that much. When I went to get the van I ran into him outside. He... Said we're unique and that he was having a shitty day. After that he went all asshole again, but... I dunno. I think there's more to his behavior than we thought."

MJ and Ned are quiet for a good second and Peter takes the opportunity to finally sip from his drink. The sweet and bitter mixture fills his mouth and he hums quietly to himself. This will forever be his favorite drink.
"Most assholes are assholes for a reason," Ned finally adds to it. "But it doesn't make them any less shitty."
"Oh no, for sure," Peter agrees. "I told him he should get himself sorted out." MJ laughs and pats him on his back. Peter grins proudly.

Just when he wants to take another sip from his drink, MJ's phone buzzes again. She stoically ignores it, clearly trying to evade more teasing. Peter cocks an eyebrow at her.
"You can look, don't worry. We were joking, but we'd never judge you, I promise. Harley's nice and it's sweet that he wants to help us."
"Exactly," Ned smiles. "You know we love you. Completely."
MJ casts her eyes down, but she can't hide the happy, yet fragile smile on her face. Peter hates how her sexuality makes her question herself so often. He makes a mental note to not tease her about Harley anymore. Not until she brings it up again.

Slowly she takes her phone and reads the message she received. MJ gasps, eyes widening.
"Holy shit, I'm-"
This time, she shoves her phone toward the middle of the table. Peter and Ned immediately lean forward to read whatever is on there.

Good news!!!😱😱 I talked to Happy & Bruce and they're gonna contact you, possibly tonight!! Ofc, nothing's set yet, but they're super excited! If you wanna rock the world girl, take this chance! 💫🥁🎸

Peter leans back against his chair, utterly dumbfounded. Until yesterday, they never even played for more than 400 people at once. Now they're invited for a world tour , in front of huge crowds . He bites onto his lower lip.
"I-I'm gonna have to discuss this with May," he whispers quietly. "Do you... Do you guys want to do this? If we get the chance?"

"I think we all need to think about this," Ned mumbles. "My first reaction is yes, of course! But God, I'm absolutely terrified."
"Yeah," MJ sighs. "It's a lot. What if we go home, think about it, and meet each other at my place for dinner?"
"I think that's a good idea," Peter breathes and he looks into his cup. The brown liquid is no longer steaming. He brings the mug towards his lips and chugs it down in one go.

He's got some thinking to do.