The Arachnoids [A Starker Rock Band AU]

10: Blossoming Bond

Harley chuckles and he turns his head to eye the girl laying next to him. It's basically habit for the two of them now to chill in Harley's bunk bed whenever they have nowhere to be. They chat, take naps together, or watch a bunch of stupid, funny videos. They've been hanging out non-stop since the day they met; be it online or in person. It still surprises him how well they hit off together.

MJ frowns as she taps her screen a couple of times, muttering under her breath when whatever she's trying to do, doesn't seem to work. Harley swallows, staring at her. She's so gorgeous.
He hates how quickly he's fallen for her... But how could he not? MJ's gentle, quirky and brave. He admires her so much.
"Harley, where'd you find that video with the- oh wait, I've got it!" Harley presses his lips together when she nuzzles a little closer into his side. Fuck. Play it cool. He wraps his arm around her shoulders to pull her in even more. MJ easily lets it happen and she lets her head rest on his chest; intently watching the video.

It doesn't matter how hard he tries (and he really does try). He can't focus the slightest bit. Not with MJ's warmth pressing into him like this. Not when her light fragrance fills his nostrils each time she moves.

Had he ever liked someone this much?

Everything about MJ just makes sense to him. Their connection; they click. She feels safe and warm and he doesn't feel like he has to hide who he truly is. Aside from his crush for her, obviously.
Liz told him he should ask her out, and while Harley had laughed it off first, his mind hadn't stopped to plan the perfect date.

A perfect date... but only if he asks today.

Unconsciously, his gaze falls away from the screen and Harley only realizes that he's staring at MJ when she turns her head and blinks a few times.
"Hey, are you OK?" Harley's throat tightens and he takes a deep, shaky breath. MJ frowns and pushes herself up so she can turn around fully and study his face. "What's wrong?"

I want you back in my arms, he thinks. That's what's wrong.

"MJ, I..." he whispers. Harley wants to say it; wants to ask her. Except, somehow, he has a feeling that MJ already knows what his next words are going to be. She leans back slightly, her eyes widening. Harley takes another deep breath.
"I know it's fast but, I really really like you. Fuck, this is hard," Harley rushes out and knows he can't take it back. He has to push through now. "Do you want to go on a date with me?"

MJ nearly lunges herself out of his bunk and stares at him in such horror Harley feels his heart shatter into a thousand pieces. No no no! He sits upright quickly.
"MJ, I-"
"No," she blurts out and Harley freezes. "No, Harley- I..." Without another word, she grabs her coat and makes her way out of the tour bus as fast as she can. Harley closes his eyes and just sits there. His fingers curl into tight fists, knuckles whitening.

He ruined it.

He should've never asked.

-

Harley bites down his bottom lip when he stares at the cables in his hands. Dammit. He got side-tracked again. He sighs and crouches down, trying to figure out where the labels are so he can connect the cables to the right pieces of equipment and not fuck up the entire show tonight.
"What's wrong, Harls? Haven't seen you this way since Tony threatened to fire you," Liz jokes. Harley forces a smile onto his face but he's painfully aware that it probably makes him look even more pathetic. Liz's lips part.
"Oh," she breathes and slowly crouches down next to him. "You asked her, didn't you?" Harley swallows and nods. He's afraid he's going to burst into tears if he even attempts to speak.
"Shit..." Liz mumbles. "I'm so sorry. I really thought... Did she say anything?"