Politics are exhausting
Harry stepped into the training hall of the MACUSA Auror Department, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand and an exasperated sigh already on his lips.
Today was going to be a long day—he could feel it.
A dozen fresh-faced recruits stood at attention, their eyes lighting up with excitement as they saw him enter.
Whispers rippled through the group.
"Is that really him?"
"He looks younger than I expected!"
"Do you think he’d teach us that shield spell he used during the War?"
Harry rolled his eyes, suppressing a smirk. He placed his coffee on a nearby desk and clapped his hands together.
"Alright, listen up! I know some of you are thrilled to be trained by me, but if you focus on gawking instead of working, you won’t be thrilled for long. Now, who wants to show me their dueling skills?"
A bold recruit named Thompson stepped forward, eager to prove himself.
The match started well—until he lost control of his stunning spell and sent an entire stack of training dummies flying across the hall.
Harry sighed, dodged a rogue dummy, and flicked his wand to restore order.
"Brilliant. Next time, try aiming where you actually want the spell to go."
Another recruit, Morrison, attempted a Disarming Charm but managed to send her own wand flying instead.
Harry caught it midair and handed it back to her with a raised brow.
"You do realize the goal is to disarm your opponent, not yourself, right?"
By the time the session ended, Harry had fixed at least seven spell mishaps, including an accidental freezing charm on the floor that nearly turned the training hall into an ice rink.
As he walked to Auror Hastings’ office, he grumbled under his breath.
"Why did I sign up to train them again? Oh right, because I’m an idiot."
Hastings chuckled as he greeted him. "Rough morning, Potter?"
"If I have to deflect one more rogue spell, I’m putting myself in early retirement."
(Technically retirement at 16 is called as early retirement right?
Who retires at 16?
Hell a 16 year old shouldn't even be working.
Damn Potter luck or is it Potter and Stark luck?)
"You say that every time," Hastings smirked, pouring them both some tea.
"But you still keep showing up."
Harry groaned, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Yeah, yeah. You know I’m a glutton for punishment."
Later that day, Harry arrived at the private meeting room designated for high-level government discussions.
The President of the United States sat across from him along with his advisors, flanked by his security detail, though they were of little concern to Harry.
"Mr. Potter," the President greeted. "Or should I say, Mr. Evans?"
"Evans will do just fine, sir," Harry replied smoothly, taking a seat. "I understand this meeting is to address my relationship with Tony Stark?"
"Precisely," the President nodded.
"Your presence at Stark Tower has raised a few questions. We want to ensure that national security isn’t at risk. And, of course, whether this means you intend to align yourself with the Avengers."
Harry shook his head.
"I have no intention of joining the Avengers. My responsibilities lie elsewhere, and frankly, I prefer to keep my world and Tony’s as separate as possible. However, given my… situation, I know that full separation isn’t always realistic. That’s why I’ve already met with the necessary magical authorities—MACUSA, the British Ministry. They are aware of my connection to Tony and have agreed to deflect any unnecessary scrutiny."
The President studied him for a moment before nodding.
"So, if I understand correctly, you’re asking us to do the same."
"Yes. I understand the concern, but I assure you, my presence at Stark Tower is strictly personal. If anyone asks, I’m merely an intern to learn more about technology. Nothing more."
The President exchanged glances with his advisors—(advisors who are hydra proof. Magicals take security seriously at least when it comes to statue of secrecy. Veritaserum and legilimency are dead useful in such cases)—before speaking again.
"Very well. We will ensure that any inquiries are handled discreetly. However, should a situation arise where your abilities might aid in a crisis…"
Harry gave a wry smile. "I’ll handle it if it directly affects me, but don’t expect me to suit up and fight aliens though it can be done if my identity is not disclosed and excuse myself as a mutant and I except your full support during such situations, however Like I said, I will not be joining Avengers as it would jeopardize statue of secrecy."
The President chuckled. "Fair enough, Mr. Evans. We appreciate your cooperation."
As the meeting ended, Harry stepped out into the crisp evening air, rubbing his temples.
Politics were exhausting.
But at least now, he’d bought himself a little more peace—and more importantly, protected Tony and the kids from unnecessary scrutiny.
Now, he just had to deal with explaining to Tony that he’d had an official meeting with the President of the United States about their relationship. That would be fun.
Harry adjusted his suit jacket as he stepped out of the President’s office, letting out a quiet breath.
It was tiring, keeping so many things under wraps, but it was better than the alternative.
He barely made it a few steps down the hall when a familiar voice called out.
“Harry?”
Harry turned his head and found himself face to face with none other than Colonel James Rhodes, standing there in his own crisp military dress uniform, eyebrows raised in obvious surprise.
Harry blinked. “Rhodey?.”
Rhodey crossed his arms, studying him for a moment. “Now, I know I didn’t imagine this, but aren’t you supposed to be at work?”
Harry smirked. “I was. Left early for a meeting.” He gestured back toward the President’s office.
Rhodey’s expression didn’t change.
“With the President?”
“Yep.”
There was a pause before Rhodey let out a short laugh, shaking his head.
“You know, I knew you had some serious diplomatic connections, but I wasn’t expecting to run into you here of all places.”
Harry tilted his head, amused. “Why? Didn’t think I was important enough?”
Rhodey scoffed. “Kid, I know you’ve got that fancy knighthood and diplomatic immunity, but I still don’t know what exactly you do that gets you into meetings with the President.”
Harry just smiled. “Let’s just say I have responsibilities that require a certain level of discretion.”
Rhodey gave him a look. “You love being cryptic, don’t you?”
Harry shrugged hiding a smile. “A little.”
Rhodey sighed. “And here I thought Tony was bad with secrets.”
That made Harry chuckle. “Tony’s an open book compared to me.”
Rhodey shook his head in exasperation before glancing at his watch.
“Well, I’d love to stand here and try to get a straight answer out of you, but I’ve got my own meeting to get to.”
Harry nodded. “Of course. Have fun.”
“Yeah, I doubt that,” Rhodey muttered before giving him one last considering look.
“Hey, since you’re free now, you coming back to the Tower?”
Harry thought about it. He could go back. Teddy and Delphi were there.It wasn’t like he had anywhere else to be.
(Goblins: *ahem* There are still things that needs your views lord Potter-Black-Peverill.
Harry: Just Harry please or Mr.Potter none of the lord nonsense.
Goblins:*stares*
Aurors: lord Potter if you will help checking these cases.
Ministry: lord Potter if you will check these laws.
Harry:*throws his arms up and flees*.
Ron:*snorts*Nowhere to be he said , Nothing to do he said.
Hermione and Draco: *Judgemental stare*)
“Yeah,” he decided. “I think I will.”
Rhodey nodded. “Good. I’ll see you there.”
As they parted ways, Harry couldn’t help but smirk to himself.
(Harry:Hurray I have an excuse to skip work.
Ron: you go mate!!
Hermione and Draco:*continued Judgemental stare*)
Rhodey 's POV
Rhodey had expected today to be routine—meetings, reports, discussions he could barely tolerate.
What he hadn’t expected was to step out of the elevator and spot a familiar young man walking out of the President’s office like he belonged there.
Rhodey blinked. “Harry?”
Harry turned, looking completely unbothered, as if bumping into Rhodey outside the Oval Office was the most normal thing in the world.
“Rhodey?.”
Rhodey crossed his arms, studying the younger man.
“Now, I know I didn’t imagine this, but aren’t you supposed to be at work?”
Harry smirked. “I was. Left early for a meeting.”
He gestured back toward the President’s office like it was no big deal.
Rhodey arched a brow. “With the President?”
“Yep.”
Rhodey paused, trying to process that. He knew Harry had diplomatic ties—he wasn’t even questioning how the kid got a meeting with the President.
What got him was why.
“You know,” Rhodey said slowly,
“I knew you had some serious connections, but I wasn’t expecting to run into you here of all places.”
Harry tilted his head slightly.
“Why? Didn’t think I was important enough?”
Rhodey huffed out a laugh. “Kid, I know you’ve got that fancy knighthood and diplomatic immunity, but I still don’t know what exactly you do that gets you into meetings with the President.”
Rhodey had looked into Harry Evans—Potter, technically.
What he found was frustratingly vague.
The kid had enough diplomatic protections that any real details were hidden behind a wall of classified files.
Whatever Harry did, it wasn’t ordinary, and it sure as hell wasn’t simple.
Harry just smiled. “Let’s just say I have responsibilities that require a certain level of discretion.”
Rhodey narrowed his eyes. “You love being cryptic, don’t you?”
“A little.”
Rhodey sighed. “And here I thought Tony was bad with secrets.”
That made Harry chuckle. “Tony’s an open book compared to me.”
Rhodey hummed, watching him carefully.
That was the thing about Harry—he was a walking contradiction.
On one hand, he was ridiculously mature for his age, carrying himself like someone who had seen and done too much.
On the other, he had moments of dry humor and mischief that reminded Rhodey that, yeah, this kid was barely sixteen.
But what mattered most to Rhodey wasn’t the secrets or the mystery—it was the way Tony had changed since meeting Harry.
Rhodey had been worried about Tony for a long time.
The aftermath of everything—New York, Extremis, Ultron, Siberia—had left Tony raw in ways he refused to talk about.
But ever since Harry entered his life, something had shifted.
(And ofcourse Peter too.)
Tony cared again, in a way Rhodey hadn’t seen in years.
It wasn’t just about responsibility—it was personal. Harry and his kids had wormed their way into Tony’s heart, and for the first time in a long while, Tony wasn’t just functioning—he was living.
Rhodey wasn’t about to say it out loud, but… yeah. He liked the kid.
Rhodey shook his head, breaking himself out of his thoughts. “Well, I’d love to stand here and try to get a straight answer out of you, but I’ve got my own meeting to get to.”
Harry nodded. “Of course. Have fun.”
“Yeah, I doubt that,” Rhodey muttered, checking his watch. Then, he glanced back at Harry. “Hey, since you’re free now, you coming back to the Tower?”
Harry hesitated for a fraction of a second, as if debating whether or not to accept the offer. Then, he nodded. “Yeah, I think I will.”
Rhodey smirked. “Good. I’ll see you there.”
As they parted ways, Rhodey allowed himself a small, satisfied grin.
Yeah. He really liked the kid.
Tony deserved someone who looked at him the way Harry did—not just as a billionaire, or a genius, or an Avenger, but as family.
Harry was good for Tony.If anyone tried to mess with that?
Well, they’d have to get through him first.
Besides Harry is his nephew and he will be the greatest uncle ever.
(Happy can fight him but he got dibs on it.)
Babysitting Teddy and Delphine wasn’t exactly what Tony had planned for his afternoon, but when Harry of all people had asked—actually trusted him with his kids—well, there was no way he was saying no.
So now, he, Pepper, and Peter—who got out of school early as it was only decathlon today—were sitting in the penthouse living room while Teddy, ever the energetic storyteller, happily recounted tales he heard from his aunt and uncles about his Daddy.
“So, this one time,” Teddy started, practically bouncing in place, “Daddy fell into this HUGE pit of mud—like really deep—and Uncle Ron and Uncle Draco just stood there laughing while Aunt Hermione tried to help him out!”
Pepper hid a smile behind her hand. “How did that happen?”
Teddy grinned. “Well, Uncle Ron dared him to walk across this big log over a puddle to check his balance, but Daddy didn’t know it was actually a big muddy hole underneath!”
Peter snorted. “Classic.”
Tony smirked. “Wait, wait, let me guess—Harry tried to play it cool, didn’t he?”
Teddy nodded enthusiastically. “Yup! Uncle Ron said He just sat there, completely covered in mud, and said, ‘This is fine. I meant to do this.’ while pouting.”
That was it. Peter lost it, practically falling over laughing. Pepper shook her head fondly, and even Tony let out a genuine chuckle.
“Oh, I wish I had a recording of that,” Tony said, grinning.
“Me too!” Teddy agreed. “Aunt mione was so mad at Uncle Ron for making him do it.”
Pepper chuckled. “Sounds like your dad gets into a lot of trouble.”
“Oh yeah,” Teddy said proudly. “Like this other time? There was this really mean guy who always tried to get Daddy in trouble when he was in school.”
Tony raised a brow. “And what did Harry do?”
Teddy grinned mischievously. “He, uh… well, he accidentally turned the guy’s hair green and then rainbow.”
Peter gasped dramatically. “That’s amazing.”
Pepper looked at Teddy skeptically. “Accidentally?”
Teddy giggled. “That’s what he says! But Uncle Draco told me Daddy knew exactly what he was doing.”
Tony smirked. “Kid’s got style. I like it.”
“Oh! Oh! And there was another time Dada had to wear this fancy dress suit for a big event, but Uncle Ron told him the wrong way to tie a tie, so it choked him instead!”
Peter wheezed. “Oh my god—was he okay?”
Teddy nodded. “Yeah, but Aunt Hermione was so mad! She smacked Uncle Ron with a book.”
“Smart woman,” Pepper said approvingly.
Tony leaned back, shaking his head in amusement. “Man, your dad’s chaotic, huh?”
Teddy beamed and puffed up proudly.
“Yup! Daddy’s the best.”
Delphine, who had been quietly playing with her rattle, suddenly lifted her arms. “Dada best!” she echoed happily.
Teddy was having the best time. Getting to tell stories about his Dada while his new Grandpa Tony, Aunt Pepper, and Big Brother Peter laugh? Awesome.
He kicked his legs excitedly from where he sat on the couch. “Okay, okay, I got another one! This one is so good.”
Tony smirked. “Oh, this better be good, kid. The last one set the bar pretty high.”
Teddy grinned and with a dramatic pause, looking at each of them before continuing.
“So, when Uncle Ron and Uncle Draco dared daddy to eat this super spicy food.”
Peter leaned in. “Oh no.”
Pepper looked suspicious. “How spicy are we talking?”
“Like really spicy,” Teddy emphasized. “The kind that makes big, tough adults cry.”
Tony nodded sagely. “Ah. The bad decisions level of spicy.”
Teddy nodded enthusiastically. "But Daddy didn’t wanna back down, so he ate it all.”
Peter gasped. “No way.”
Teddy held up his tiny hands. “All of it! And then—according to aunt mione— he just sat there, trying so hard to look normal, but his face was so red, and he was sweating so much, and Uncle Draco swears he saw Daddy’s soul leave his body.”
That was it. Peter cackled, falling over onto the couch. Tony actually slapped his knee laughing, and even Pepper shook her head with a hand over her mouth.
“Oh, I need to see this,” Tony wheezed.
Teddy grinned. “Aunt Hermione was so mad. She made him drink like, a gallon of milk.but Daddy was too stubborn to admit defeat, so he just sat there, looking like he was dying but still pretending it was fine."
Peter wiped tears from his eyes. "That is amazing. Harry is too powerful."
Teddy beamed. “I know! Oh! And then there was this time he got stuck in a tree.—(Whomping willow)"
Pepper’s eyebrows shot up. “Wait, what?”
Teddy nodded. “Yeah! There was this cat that wouldn’t come down, so Daddy climbed up to help it.”
Tony smirked. “Lemme guess—cat came down, but he didn’t?”
(Harry: The willow started moving!!)
Teddy giggled. “Yup! And Uncle Ron and Uncle Draco just stood there laughing, not helping him at all. Uncle Nev was soo worried.”
Peter was still grinning. “Please tell me Aunt Hermione yelled at them.”
Teddy laughed. “Oh yeah. She smacked them both on the head with a newspaper and made them get a ladder.”—(after stopping the whomping willow again).
Pepper chuckled.
Just as the laughter started dying down, Delphine, who had been busy waving her plushie around, let out a happy squeal.
She lifted the stuffed toy—a small silver and blue bird (Phoenix)with green eyes —and proudly waved it at the room.
“Dada!” she declared, pointing at the toy.
Tony blinked. “Wait. That’s supposed to be Harry?”
Peter grinned. “That’s kinda adorable.”
Delphine, encouraged by the attention, held up the toy again and beamed at Tony. “Dada!”
Tony chuckled, reaching over to ruffle her tiny curls.
“Nah, kiddo. Your dad’s a little less fluffy and feathery.”
Delphine frowned at him in serious baby concentration, then huffed and bonked Tony’s arm with the plushie.
Pepper covered her mouth, laughing. “I think you just got scolded.”
Peter grinned. “She’s just like Harry.”
Tony, holding up his hands in surrender, looked down at Delphine.
“Alright, alright, you win, princess. Your dad’s a very fluffy bird. Best one ever.”
Delphine gave a satisfied nod and went back to hugging her plushie, while Teddy giggled.
Tony leaned back, shaking his head in amusement.
“Your dad’s got a reputation for being all serious and broody, but somehow I’m starting to suspect he’s just a walking disaster.”
(Harry: *le gasp* How dare you?
Ron: True.*nodding*
Hermione: Definitely.*nodding along*
Draco: Oh yes!
Neville: Please Harry, at this point if you don't get into trouble it's either suspicious or a miracle.
Harry: Not you too Nev!! The betrayal !!)
But Delphine wasn’t done.
Not a minute later, as Tony was mid-sip of his afternoon coffee, Delphine suddenly pointed at his face.
“Poof!” she said happily.
Tony paused. “Poof?”
Pepper sighed dramatically. “She thinks you make things go poof.”
Peter laughed. “I mean… he kinda does.”
Delphine nodded enthusiastically and grabbed the TV remote, pressing random buttons.
“Poof!” she declared again.
“Oh no,” Pepper muttered, realizing what was happening.
And then—
The TV flickered off.
Delphine gasped, eyes wide. She looked at Tony, then the remote, then back at Tony.
And then she SHRIEKED in delight.
“POOF!!” she yelled, flinging the remote straight at Tony’s head.
Tony barely dodged, staring at the toddler in horror. “What the—WHY ARE YOU THROWING THINGS AT ME?!”
Delphine giggled, clearly thrilled by this game. “Poof!”
Tony turned to Pepper and Peter for backup, only to find Peter cry-laughing and Pepper struggling not to grin.
Peter clapped his hands. “Oh, this is so good. She likes you so much.”
“LIKE?!” Tony threw his arms up. “She’s trying to take me out!”
Peter beamed. "She loves you!"
"THIS IS LOVE?!" Tony gestured wildly at the grinning toddler.
Peter, still recovering from laughter, managed, "She picked you as her target. It means you’re special."
Tony squinted. "That feels like a trap."
Delphine, completely unbothered, crawled over to Tony’s lap, patted his cheek, and then happily face planted onto his chest like a tiny, victorious queen.
Peter took a picture. “Oh yeah, I’m saving this one forever.”
Tony sighed dramatically, resting a hand on Delphine’s back.
“This is your fault, Harry,” he muttered. “Your daughter is out for blood.”
Peter beamed. “She’s the best, isn’t she?”
Tony looked down at the tiny, snoozing troublemaker curled up on him.
“…Yeah. Yeah, she is.”
Tony grinned, feeling something warm settle in his chest.
Yeah. He really liked these kids.
INTERLUDE
Tony chuckled, ruffling her little curls. "Nah, princess. Your dad’s got a little less fur."
Delphine stared at him. Then, in slow-motion, she lifted the toy and whacked Tony in the face with it.
Peter wheeze-laughed so hard he fell off the couch.
Pepper sighed, covering her mouth. "I think she’s claiming dominance."
Tony rubbed his forehead, staring at the tiny menace. "Did you just hit me?"
Delphine, completely unbothered, held up the plushie again.
"DADA!" she repeated, as if that explained everything.
Tony groaned. "Harry!!, your daughter is out for blood."
Peter beamed. "She loves you!"
"THIS IS LOVE?!" Tony gestured wildly at the grinning toddler.
Peter, still recovering from laughter, managed, "She picked you as her target. It means you’re special."
Tony squinted. "That feels like a trap."
Delphine, deciding this game wasn’t over, suddenly spotted the TV remote on the table. With great determination, she lunged for it.
"Oh no," Pepper murmured, already realizing what was about to happen.
Delphine grabbed the remote, pressed random buttons, and—
The TV flickered off.
Delphine gasped, eyes huge. She turned to Tony, then back at the remote.
Then she screamed in delight.
"POOF!" she yelled, flinging the remote straight at Tony's head.
Tony barely dodged, flailing. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"
Teddy clapped his hands. "SHE THINKS YOU HAVE MAGIC POWERS!"
Delphine, now on a roll, spotted Tony’s coffee cup and went for it.
"OH NO, YOU DON'T!" Tony scrambled to grab it first, but Delphine was fast.
She smacked the cup.
Coffee went flying.
Tony yelped.
Peter screamed.
Pepper ducked.
Teddy cheered. "YAY!"
Tony, staring at the mess, groaned. "I swear, Harry, your daughter is—"
But Delphine had no regrets.
She crawled into Tony’s lap, patted his chest like she owned him, and then—faceplanted onto him like a tiny, victorious queen.
Peter, wheezing, snapped a photo. "This is the best day of my life."
Tony looked down at the tiny menace now sleeping peacefully on him.
“…I can’t believe I lost to a baby.”
Pepper smirked. "Get used to it. She’s definitely your granddaughter."
Harry leaned against the wall outside the president’s office, arms crossed as he checked his watch. Rhodey’s meeting was taking a little longer than expected, but he didn’t mind waiting.
A few minutes later, the door opened, and Rhodey walked out, looking mildly exasperated but unsurprised to see Harry standing there.
“You’re still here?” Rhodey asked, raising an eyebrow.
Harry smirked. “Figured I’d wait. Thought we might as well head back together.”
Rhodey gave him a side-eye.
“Did you finish early, or did you pull some secret government strings?”
“Bit of both,” Harry admitted, falling into step beside him as they made their way out of the building.
Rhodey gave him a long look. “Alright, Evans. Spill. Why were you meeting with the president?”
Harry shifted slightly, glancing ahead. “It was about Tony.”
Rhodey frowned. “Tony? You’re gonna have to elaborate, kid.”
Taking a breath, Harry decided to just come clean. “I told him. About us. That I’m Tony’s son.”
Rhodey stopped walking. “W—what?”
Harry turned back, watching Rhodey’s expression shift from shock to something unreadable.
“I know you and Tony wanted to keep it low-key, but I needed to make sure we had someone keeping unnecessary attention away. The president can help with that.”
Rhodey exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Damn.”
Harry shrugged.
“I mean, he was surprised, but he agreed. He’s aware of how much attention Tony already gets. Adding this into the mix would just bring more chaos. He’ll make sure it stays under control.”
Rhodey studied him for a moment, then sighed.
Harry smirked knowingly as if sensing his thoughts.
“Comes with the territory.”
As they reached the Tower, the moment they stepped inside, chaos greeted them.
Teddy was standing on the couch, dramatically reenacting a scene from one of his stories, while Peter was half-laughing, half-trying to catch a wildly excited Delphine, who had somehow climbed onto Tony’s shoulders.
Pepper was standing nearby, arms crossed but clearly amused.
Tony, looking thoroughly done, was holding onto Delphine’s tiny legs to keep her from toppling off him.
“Alright, princess, you win. You have officially conquered Grandpa.”
Delphine giggled triumphantly, waving her little arms like she had just won a kingdom.
Rhodey and Harry stopped in the doorway, took one look at the scene, then turned to each other with identical raised eyebrows.
Then, at the exact same time, they both chuckled.
Tony narrowed his eyes at them.
“Okay, rude. You try dealing with this.”
He gestured vaguely at Delphine, who was now attempting to tug at his hair.
Rhodey smirked. “Nah, you’re doing great, Tones.”
Harry snorted before stepping further into the room.
“Looks like they’ve got you very well handled.”
“Ha ha,” Tony said dryly, finally lifting Delphine off his shoulders and setting her down.
She immediately toddled over to Harry and latched onto his leg.
Teddy grinned when he spotted Harry. “Daddy! You missed the best part! Delphine hit Grandpa Tony twice!”
“Of course she did,” Harry said, scooping her up. “That’s my girl.”
Tony groaned. “Stop encouraging her.”
Rhodey took a seat next to Pepper, shaking his head.
“So, I gotta ask—why exactly did you two come in together?”
Tony turned to them expectantly, arms crossed.
Harry hesitated briefly, rubbing the back of his neck before sighing.
(I fought a war this shouldn't be so hard.
Why am I nervous?)
“I, uh—well, we met outside the president’s office.”
Tony’s eyebrows shot up. “You what?”
Rhodey smirked. “Yeah, that was a surprise.”
Harry shifted slightly. “I… might have told the president about our relationship.”
Silence.
Pepper blinked. “Come again?”
(Come on Harry!)
Harry exhaled, looking Tony in the eye.
“I know you wanted to keep this quiet, but I wanted to make sure you—and my kids—were protected from any unnecessary scrutiny. The president agreed to help keep things under control, making sure people don’t ask too many questions.”
Tony just… stared at him for a moment.
Then he blinked. “Wait. The president of the United States is now part of this whole thing?”
Harry winced slightly. “Yeah… sorry?”
Peter let out a low whistle. “Dude. You have so much more influence than I thought.”
Rhodey leaned back, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Tony, I gotta say—your kid’s got ridiculous foresight. Not a bad move, honestly.”
Tony, still processing, finally exhaled, shaking his head with something suspiciously close to fond exasperation. “…You’re something else, Evans.”
Harry smirked. “So I’ve been told.”
Tony huffed, then, after a moment, ruffled Harry’s hair.
“Good thinking, kid.”
Harry blinked, momentarily thrown off.
Teddy beamed. “Dada’s so smart!”
Delphine, sensing the moment, cheerfully bonked her rattle against Harry’s head.
Peter snorted. “That’s her version of applause.”
Harry sighed. “Well, at least someone appreciates me.”
Tony just chuckled, shaking his head as the chaos resumed.
Maybe, just maybe, this was what family was supposed to feel like.