The Receptionist. Again.
Harry had just gotten back from a week-long business trip.
Which, in reality, meant:
Tracking down and capturing the culprit behind the murders of magical children.
Writing a detailed report for the American Auror Office.
Dealing with a dozen political meetings that made him want to throw people out windows.
- Barely sleeping.
Now, he was back in Queens.
Where he immediately found out that Tony Stark had been looking for him.
Harry sighed.
He should have expected this.
So, before anything else, he left Teddy with May and went straight to Stark Industries.
And, because of course, things did not go smoothly.
Harry walked into Stark Industries, looking like a refined businessman despite his exhaustion.
The receptionist, the same one from last time, glanced up.
Then—
She immediately looked unimpressed.
Harry stopped in front of the desk.
“I’d like to see Tony Stark.”
The receptionist barely reacted.
“Do you have an appointment?”
Harry exhaled slowly.
“No. However Mr.Stark asked for a meeting ".
She smiled, fake and polite.
“Then you can’t see him.”
Harry narrowed his eyes.
Seriously?
He was too damn tired for this.
He had just spent a week tracking a killer.
He had barely slept.
And now he was getting stopped at reception?
Again?!
Harry turned around.
I don’t have time for this.
But before he could leave—
FRIDAY’s voice cut through the lobby.
“Mr. Evans,” the AI said smoothly, “Boss is expecting you.”
Harry paused.
The receptionist froze.
Then—
“Happy will escort you to the meeting room,” FRIDAY continued.
And just like that—
Happy Hogan appeared.
(looking relieved that they didn't loose him to the evil receptionist again)
“C’mon, kid,” he said, waving him over. “Let’s not keep the boss waiting.”
Harry sighed.
The sun streamed through the wide windows of Stark Industries, casting long streaks of light across the sleek, modern office.
Tony Stark sat in his couch, tapping his fingers lightly against the surface. He wasn’t nervous—he didn’t do nervous—but there was an undeniable tension coiling in his chest.
The door slid open, and there he was.
Harry Evans.
Tony Stark had seen a lot in his life—aliens, gods, and world-ending threats—but nothing quite prepared him for this.
His Son
Sixteen? No way.
Not with that sharp gaze, that effortless composure.
He held himself with a refined elegance, even in casual wear, like someone who had been raised in power but carried it without arrogance.
His dark hair was a little messy, but in a way that seemed intentional rather than careless. And his eyes—sharp, observant, and so very familiar.
(Apart from the colour it looks as if Tony is looking into a mirror.
The same eyes filled with pain, trauma and fear.)
Tony clenched his jaw, keeping his emotions in check. He couldn’t afford to scare the kid off. Not when it looks like his kid doesn't want anything from him.
Tony stood up, offering a half-smile. “You know, most kids who want to meet me just send fan mail."
Harry’s lips quirked slightly. “I figured a different approach was more efficient.”
Tony let out a soft chuckle and gestured toward the seating area by the window. “Fair enough. Take a seat. You want anything? Coffee? Water? Something expensive just because you can?”
Harry shook his head as he settled into one of the chairs. “I would like coffee please,I had a long day, thank you.”
(Ron: *snorts* More like a long week.
Neville: understatement of a year
Hermione: *disproving noises*
Harry: shut up, he doesn't need to know)
Polite. Tony could work with polite.
He sat across from Harry, studying him for a moment.
The high-rise office of Stark Industries was as sleek and modern as Tony himself, filled with cutting-edge tech and an open skyline view that would make anyone feel small.
But the sixteen-year-old sitting across from him didn’t seem overwhelmed in the slightest.
Tony had spent a lifetime reading people. He could tell when someone was bluffing, when they were scared, when they wanted something.
But
Harry sat with the kind of self-possession Tony rarely saw outside of boardrooms filled with CEOs twice his age.
Casual, but poised.
Relaxed, but aware of everything around him. He was refined, polite, and calm in a way that didn’t match the teenager he was supposed to be.
And damn if that didn’t raise a thousand questions.
Tony had a million things he wanted to ask, but he knew better than to push too fast.
Tony wasn’t about to screw this up by interrogating him like a suspect.
So instead, he leaned back in his chair, putting on his best easy-going smirk.
“So,” Tony started, leaning back, “tell me about yourself, Harry Evans.”
Harry raised an eyebrow. “That’s a broad request.”
“Yeah, well, I’m a broad kind of guy.” Tony gave a small smirk. “Figured we could start simple before I get into the really pressing questions. Like whether you prefer cheeseburgers or pizza. Y’know, the important stuff.”
Harry huffed out a laugh.But didn't say anything.
A pause.
“Gotta say, you’re a hard guy to find"
Harry met his gaze, his expression unreadable. “That’s intentional.”
Tony huffed out a small laugh. “Yeah, I figured. But still, hell of a way to keep dear old dad on his toes.”
There was a flicker of something in Harry’s eyes—something Tony couldn’t quite pin down. But just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone.
“Didn’t think you were looking,” Harry said smoothly.
(Or would look for me)
Tony swallowed. That one stung.
(Because It ment Harry really doesn't have any expectations.
What happened to his kid?)
“Yeah, well,” he exhaled, running a hand through his hair, “I can’t say I’ve been father of the year material, but I’d have shown up if I knew you were out there.”
(Hope reared it ugly head but Harry quickly stomped it down)
Harry didn’t react much to that, just tilted his head slightly. “And now that you do?”
“Now?” Tony leaned forward, clasping his hands together. “Now, I’d like to get to know you. No pressure. No weird emotional demands. Just… lunch. Or dinner. Whichever you prefer.”
Then, a pause,finally, he said, “Dinner.”
Tony smiled. “Great choice. Let's have a family dinner- you, me and Teddy, I want to meet my grandson"
Harry’s expression didn’t shift, but something in his shoulders eased—just a little.
(Maybe it's not too much to hope that Teddy gets really gets a grandfather)
“…Alright. ”
“So…” Tony leaned back, carefully watching Harry’s every movement. “You’re a ghost. No records, no paper trail, nothing but whispers. You’re either a spy, or you need a really good lawyer. You sure you don’t need help?”
(Peter and Ned: We support the spy theory)
Harry’s lips quirked up slightly, amused but guarded. “I’m not a spy.”
Tony raised a brow. “Uh-huh. That’s exactly what a spy would say.”
(That was soo Teddy like. Harry felt his hope increase, now unable to stop it down.
Maybe he doesn't want to.
Just this once he wants to hope.
If it fails, it would destroy him. Because infront of him is his last blood connection apart from Teddy)
Harry let out a soft chuckle. “I’m a consultant.”
“A consultant. Law enforcement.”
“Yes.”
“And that doesn’t sound just a tiny bit suspicious to you?”
Harry sighed, setting his glass down with deliberate care. “I was involved in the famous terrorist attacks in Britain a few years ago. When I was in school.”
Tony frowned. “You were involved?”
(Everyone knows about the terrorism that happened in Britain and various parts of the world, The Avengers wanted to help when they were still together but Nick Fury declined, saying that it's being handled.
Then Ultron happened with the subsequent mess that broke up the Avengers.
Even now no one knows the identity of the terrorist and how was handled)
“I helped stop them,” Harry corrected, meeting Tony’s gaze directly.
“MI6 took notice. When I graduated early at fifteen, they asked me to consult for them. Since I was already emancipated at thirteen, they considered me a special case.”
Tony inhaled sharply but kept his expression neutral.
Emancipated at thirteen.
That was something for the third meeting. Maybe the fifth.
He wanted to ask why, but he could see it in the way Harry spoke—this was carefully measured. Every word was deliberate.
He wasn’t going to let Tony in easily.
Instead of pushing, Tony shifted gears. “And now you do the same thing here?”
(Tony already knew ofcourse that he works as a consultant for law enforcement)
Harry nodded. “ It’s nothing dangerous. Mostly strategy and intelligence work.”
Tony tilted his head, considering him. “You don’t look like someone who sticks to ‘nothing dangerous.’”
(Considering his involvement with taking down terrorism in Britain 15.
Because holy shit
Harry must be 15 at the time he got involved and helped take them down)
Harry smirked
"Nah, right now I'm sticking to the background"
Tony sighed, running a hand through his hair. This kid—his kid—had clearly been through a lot.
Harry had learned to survive.
(He hopes Harry atleast had someone.
Harry seems to have friends- if what peter said is to be believed -so that's a plus.
At this time, Tony is desperate so he can take anyone over no one.
Just the thought that His kid being alone makes it hard to breathe)
That hurt. More than Tony wanted to admit.
But there was something else, something quiet beneath the cool, composed exterior.
Hope.
Harry wasn’t expecting much, but he wanted something.
Tony could work with that. Whatever it is.
“Alright,” Tony said, switching tactics. “Since I’m apparently not allowed to grill you like a concerned dad, what would you like for dinner, any allergies, what does Teddy like?”
Harry gave a small smile.
Tony counts that as a win.
"Both of us have no allergies in food but Teddy has silver allergy- so no silver utensils, though i would prefer if there is no alcohol- I don't want Teddy anywhere near alcohol and Teddy prefers meat, I hope it's not too much of a request".
Tony grinned. “Awesome. Nonsense it's not much at all .I’ll even be on my best behavior .”
Harry raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “I’ll believe that when I see it.”
Tony laughed. He liked this kid.
There was the faintest trace of a smile.
Tony didn’t know everything about this kid yet. But one thing was certain—he wasn’t letting him go.
And for the first time, he felt like he might actually have a chance to be a part of his life.