The Donuts
Chapter 10: The Donuts
“So let me get this straight. You are telling me that you had a son with Lily and James eighteen years ago, who you only found out about after almost SACRIFICING yourself! He saved your life with his abnormally strong magic powers, according to your new friend, the god, and now he has been FORCED onto the Avenger’s by SHIELD and two separate presidents of different magical communities.”
Pepper was taking this exactly how Tony thought she would. Explosively. She was currently pacing Tony’s bedroom while Rhodey sat in a nearby armchair, nursing a scotch.
In his words, Rhodey didn’t give a damn that it was noon, he deserved a drink after the hell Tony had put him through in the last two days. Yep, apparently the whole Tony diverting a warhead and almost dying on national television was not good for his best friend’s blood pressure.
Tony, on the other hand, finally got his damn cup of coffee.
Eventually, Pepper paused her pacing to stand in front of Tony. She took his hands.
“I’m not going to tell you not to worry Tony, but you are not going to do this alone!” She said, eyes blazing.
God, he was glad she was here. Pepper and him may never be a couple (she had made it very clear he was not her type) but she was his family. She and Rhodey were more his family than his father and Obediah had ever been, similar, he suspected, to the Harry’s trio. Pepper and Rhodey were some of the only people who knew about James and Lily, hell, Rhodey even met them a few times.
Rhodey walked over as well. “You always have us, Tony. If we could stick with you through your smart-ass party boy phase, we can help you through this.”
“Thank you gu….OW!” Tony rubbed his shoulder where Pepper had just punched him. “I thought this was be nice to Tony time!”
“That was for scaring me!” Pepper frowned at him. “Sorry, I didn’t have a chance to do that while you were freaking out about your long-lost kid.”
“Speaking of which, where is my nephew?” Rhodey said, looking around like a Tony mini-me was about to pop out from the closet.
Tony sighed. “He is upstairs.”
Pepper’s eyes narrowed, reading through his hesitation immediately.
“And how is Harry taking all of this?”
Tony looked away.
“Tony, is Harry okay?”
It was Tony’s turn to start pacing. “I don’t know.”
“Tony…”
“He somehow seems too okay and not okay at all.” Tony ran a hand across his eyes, trying to get rid of his building headache.
His throat was tight, stopping him from saying anything more. He didn’t really know how to describe the way Harry seemed to flinch at every noise, how he looked haunted and numb, but how he seemed absolutely fine with throwing himself into danger, confused at the slightest show of care.
He took a deep breath and stopped.
“No, I don’t think he is okay, but I think he hasn’t been okay for a long time.”
Pepper’s eyes softened. Rhodey put down his scotch and clapped Tony on the shoulder with a small smile.
“You know what I think…”
“What?”
“I think we should get donuts.”
Tony paused…
“Now that is the best idea I have heard all day.”
…
Harry was back laying down on his bed. In all the excitement, he forgot that he passed out from exhaustion two days ago now, and he was still bloody tired. Ron and Hermione left to let him get a little sleep, but he wasn’t going to hold his breath. No matter how tired his body was, he just couldn’t get his mind to rest
Not that it mattered much as about 20 minutes later he heard a knock on the door.
“Seriously, Hermione?” Harry called out, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and walking to the door.
“I really am fine, I don’t need a babysitter despite what yo….” Harry froze.
He swung the door open, but to his surprise, it did not reveal familiar bushy brown hair, but instead the smug blonde asshole.
Thor smirked. “No, you do not strike me as an individual who needs to be babysat.”
Harry tried to fight the blush rising in his cheeks. Thor was somehow still in armour, but at this point Harry wondered whether it was welded to his skin. Harry didn’t usually give a damn what he looked like, but he suddenly became aware of the fact that he was still in the same Dudley cast off t-shirt he slept in and he hadn’t showered since waking up. Harry ran a hand over his hair, trying in vain to smooth it down.
“Hi…Did you need something or are you just lurking out here?”
”Hmm…I’ve been accused of many things in my life, but lurking is not one of them.” He said with feigned concern. Ass.
His face turned slightly more serious as he gestured towards the room.
”May I come in?”
”Yeah….sure.” Harry mumbled, stepping aside.
Once they entered the room and Harry sat back down on his bed, Thor crossed to the center of the room, looking much graver than Harry had seen him previously, even in the middle of battle.
“Sorcerer, I….”
“Harry.” He cut in.
“Excuse me..” Thor said, confusion flitting across his face.
Harry met his eyes. “You can call me Harry. You don’t need to keep calling me Sorcerer, I’m not even sure if I am one.”
Thor nodded slowly, “Harry… that is actually what I wished to discuss.”
He took a step closer, “It was wrong of me to discuss the extent of your magic in front of others, especially considering you were not aware of it previously. I offer you an apology.”
Harry looked down. He didn’t think anyone had ever apologized for a breach of his privacy before, and it wasn’t like the god had insulted him or anything.
“You don’t need to apologize, it's fine.” Harry took a deep breath, searching around for the right words. “It’s just that my magic changed pretty ... recently, so I was a little surprised.”
Thor considered him, and Harry fought the urge to look away.
“It must have been an event of much significance…to cause that kind of change.”
Harry’s voice caught in his throat and when he did speak, it came out in a whisper.
“Yes…it was.”
Thor didn’t ask any further questions, able to sense that the conversation had strayed into charged territory. Instead he just stood there, letting Harry pull himself back to the present. Eventually, Harry shook the cloud off of himself and looked back at Goldilocks. After years dealing with the Malfoy’s, Harry didn’t know how he felt about blonde, but the god definitely pulled it off, but Harry had a feeling Thor was already aware of that fact.
“So…how long are you going to stay here on earth? I was surprised you didn’t leave with your brother…”
Thor smiled a little, “I feel the need for a break from family matters at the moment. Also, Midgard appears to be in a period of change, and I thought I would fight alongside these warriors for a while longer…witness what comes to be.”
He cocked his head at Harry, “It seems I will be fighting alongside you as well. It will be an honor.”
At that, Harry lost the fight against his rising blush.
Luckily he was saved by another knock on the door.
“Come in.”
“Hey Harry, I was wondering if you…” Tony walked in, before the sight of Thor stopped him in his tracks. He looked between the two of them in surprise.
“Well hi, Pointbreak, fancy seeing you here.”
Thor walked over and clapped Tony on the shoulder. Harry had to hold back a laugh as he watched Tony stagger slightly.
“You as well, Stark.” Thor said with a smile. “I was just leaving. It was nice talking to you… Harry.”
Harry just nodded as Thor walked out of the room. Tony looked back and forth between Harry and the door.
“Well, I’m glad you’re making friends on your first day at school, although Sparky wouldn’t have been my first choice.”
Harry snorted, unable to hold back a laugh. Tony’s face lifted at Harry’s smile.
“Sooo… were you able to get anything to eat this morning?”
Harry just looked at him.
“Sorry, stupid question, of course not. Political assholes ruin my appetite, too.” Tony gave a little shiver. “Well, the doctor is coming back tonight and he would kill me if I let you go hungry…”
“Wait…doctor?” Harry couldn’t remember seeing a doctor, although he guessed that someone had to be the one to hook him up to all of the room’s contraptions.
“Well… yeah.” Tony’s eyes narrowed. “You were unconscious after flying unprotected out of the atmosphere. Sue me…I was worried.”
Harry’s face became heated in embarrassment. “Oh…well, I truly am fine, I don’t need to see a hea…I mean doctor or anything.”
Tony narrowed his eyes. “Humor me.”
Harry made a mental note to cast a glamour before any appointment. He didn’t want to upset Tony, but he was not about to trust a random person. He had too many injuries that he did not feel like explaining. Harry nodded slowly, and Tony beamed.
“Great! But that still leaves the matter of breakfast…How do you feel about donuts?”
“Donuts?” Harry's eyes widened.
“Well, Pepper and Rhodey arrived and were craving donuts… So are you a sweet or savory breakfast kind of guy?”
Harry stared at Tony. He had never really had much choice in the matter before. Harry didn’t even think he had ever tried donuts, only remembered seeing Dudley bring them home from school every now and then.
“I don’t really know…I’ve never had a donut but I’m not picky.”
“Never had a donut! That is a crime in the first degree. We have to fix this.” Harry almost laughed again at the dismay on Tony’s face.
“Are you up for a road trip or are you still feeling tired?” Tony said, humor morphing into concern.
Harry looked around at the dim room. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to sleep whether he stayed or not. Anyway, he was beginning to get a little restless.
“I’m fine.”
Tony’s concerned look didn’t dissipate. He opened his mouth to say something before obviously changing his mind. “Okay… if you're sure. But don’t be afraid to let me know if you need to come back.”
Harry nodded.
“Let’s let your friends know and grab Rhodey and Pepper. You are going to love them…”
…
Harry placed a steadying hand on the car door, his other hand gripping his seatbelt tightly. He was definitely not used to riding in a car, probably only being in a car a handful of times over the past 7 years, and one of those he spent more time flying uncontrollably and crashing into a tree than on the road. Honestly, he would rather that at the moment than Happy’s driving. Maybe it was because he couldn't see outside that was so disconcerting to him, with Tony's car being a slightly more armored limousine, black out windows and everything.
“Damn!” Happy yelled from the front as Harry felt the car jolt going over another pothole.
“You good up there?” Rhodey called up.
“Trying to be.” Happy said, shaking his head, “Apparently an alien invasion isn’t the best for a smooth drive.”
The car jerked roughly again and Harry felt his stomach turn. Tony smirked a little bit as his hand came up to clutch at the grab handle.
“You can say that again.” Rhodey mumbled, looking a little green. “Maybe we should have just ordered in.”
“Rhodey, come on, just think of the donuts.” Tony said with a shit eating grin.
“Honestly, right now, I’d rather not.” He said, a hand over his stomach, looking like he was going to hurl.
“It was your idea! I said we should fly to Jersey, but no, that's a ‘waste of resources Tony’!”
Pepper rolled her eyes at the two of them while Harry sat quietly, trying to shake the residual feeling of awkwardness and apprehension that hadn't quite left him yet.
Hermione and Ron had stayed at the tower, with Hermione giving him a not so subtle push out the door. Ron even mumbled something about bonding and refused to come, sharing a look with Hermione at the desperation on Harry’s face. So Harry found himself here, between his newly-minted father and Tony’s two long time friends (who scarily reminded him of his own) with no backup and his sweat gluing him to the leather seats.
Harry pulled his eyes away from the grown men bickering in front of him when he heard Pepper clear her throat. She fixed him with a searching look that made him shift slightly.
“So, Harry… Are there lawyers in the wizarding world?”
Harry’s eyes widened and he could see Tony and Rhodey whip their heads towards Pepper.
“I, Um, don’t actually know…” Harry stumbled over his words, surprised both at that being the first question someone asked him about wizards and the fact that he genuinely didn’t know the answer. He should probably know the answer to that, having actually been to a wizarding hearing before, but he didn’t have a lawyer, just Dumbledore.
Pepper’s eyes narrowed at Harry’s surprise.
“Hmm…Don’t worry…I will find out.” Well that sounded ominous. Before Harry could stutter out another word, Rhodey jumped in.
“Come on Pep, let’s not scare the kid off just yet. Plans for world domination can come later.”
“World domination sounds like a lot of work.” Pepper scoffed. “I have enough on my hands with this one already.” She said, pointing a thumb towards Tony. The car jolted again.
“Hey! I almost died, remember! Be nice to me.”
“I rest my case.”
“Don’t worry.” Harry said with a small smile. “I don’t think there is very much that can scare me off at this point. You should never be in the same room with Hermione though…”
He met Tony’s eye in time to see him pale before nodding emphatically.
“Those two together would be a BAAAAD idea.” Tony said, deadly serious. “Throw Nat in there with them, and the world may never recover.”
Pepper glared at him, a smirk spreading across her face. “Well, Hermione sounds like a remarkable young woman. I would love to meet her. Is she staying here as well?”
Harry huffed out a laugh at Tony’s face of dramatic horror.
“Not for much longer, she is going back to school in a couple of weeks.” Harry responded.
Merlin, he really tried not to think about the fact that soon, his friends would leave and he would still be here. He couldn’t ask them to stay, he would never forgive himself if he was the reason Hermione didn’t complete her education. And Ron…well, his family needed him. Especially George. Ron was the only thing keeping that shop afloat right now. It was weird…starting a new chapter without them in it.
Rhodey frowned at him, leaning back in his seat.
“So you lot are still in school, then?”
Harry shrugged. That question opened a can of worms that he didn’t really want to get into during a thirty minute donut run.
“Not really…”
“So your vitally important education won’t be interrupted by all of…this.” Rhodey said, gesturing around vaguely.
At that, Harry started to laugh quietly, almost to the point of tears. The three of them just looked at him, slightly shocked.
“Sorry..I just.” Harry tried to take a deep breath to stop his laughter. “I wouldn't worry about it. My education has been a lost cause for a while now.”
Tony, Pepper and Rhodey performed an impressive three way glance, which Harry tried to ignore, still trying to breathe again.
“Okaaaay…but…”
“We’re here. Your goddamn Boston cream better be worth it!” Happy called out as they felt the car come to a stop.
“Always is, Happy!” Tony yelled up before he swung open the car door.
It seemed like they had successfully driven outside of the impact zone, with Harry noting the lack of rubble when he stepped out of the car. They seemed to be by a gas station on the outskirts of the city, Harry could still see the skyline in the distance over a web of empty highways and the blurred, hot summer air rising from the concrete. The gas station seemed pretty empty, with the exception of a few employees and a guy sitting on the curb, nursing a coffee. Harry looked up, almost taking a step back at a huge, bright pink donut statue on the top of the rundown building. It stuck out like a sore thumb among the grey concrete which seemed to populate his trip to America.
“Well…I guess that's a donut.” Harry said blankly, gesturing towards the giant donut statue.
Tony laughed. “Sure is, they aren't all neon though, I promise.”
The door chimed as the three of them stepped into the small building where a rack of donuts lived behind the checkerboard counter and an old coffee machine bubbled next to it. When the group approached the employee, her eyes widened.
“You’re Tony Stark.” She said, looking like a deer in the headlights. It was nice not to be the one in the group being stared at, but Harry still flattened a hand over his scar out of habit.
“Last time I checked.” Tony said with a smile, while Pepper rolled her eyes at him.
The employee still gaped at him.
“Can..Can I get a picture?”
“Of course, just don't post it on CheaterBuster or something!” Tony leaned over the counter, hand in a peace sign, while the employee brought out her phone and snapped a picture.
When her eyes landed on the rest of them, she paused on Harry's, eyes even wider.
“And you are the flying dude aren’t you, your videos are all over the news.” Harry winced, but nodded. Well, publicity was the plan… right. Hiding in plain sight and all that.
“Are you like Thor? He flies too, right?” She asked, looking at his scrawny frame up and down with a confused look.
Harry just smiled tightly, while Tony’s look grew concerned. “Similar.”
She just nodded, still a bit awestruck.
“Sorry for hounding you guys, what can I get you?”
Tony shook his head a little before bringing his smile back up.
“So, what looks good Harry?”
“Um.” Harry looked around quickly, still feeling a bit rattled. “That plain one seems fine.”
Tony did not seem satisfied with that response.
“I’m going to ignore that.” He said with a huff, turning back to the girl. “We’ll have two dozen glazed for the tower vultures. A dozen boston creme and two of each other types for this otherworldly being to try out.” He ordered, pointing at Harry for the last part.
As the girl shuffled around in the back, getting everything ready, Harry reached into his pocket to bring out the American money he exchanged at Gringotts for the trip.
“Woah woah woah.” Tony said, stopping Harry’s wad of cash from making it to the counter. “You’re not paying.”
“But…”
“Uh uh, come on. I only order an absurd amount of food on my dime, not yours.”
Harry reluctantly put his money away, distinctly uncomfortable. He never felt great when someone bought him something that he could pay for himself. Eventually, they got their donuts and piled into a cracked, red vinyl booth.
“So, speaking of things I am not going to let you pay for.” Tony began after taking a big bite of his donut. “What do you think you are going to need now that you are staying for a while longer? Is there anything you need to pick up or have sent from England?”
Harry paused for a second. He hadn’t really thought about it, not having very much more than he brought for the trip. But he had left some things at Grimmauld, his photo album primarily. He would have to go back for it soon, suddenly missing it more than he ever had before.
He shook himself a little before shrugging.
”I will probably portkey over to England for a couple of things, but I don’t really need much.” He picked at the rainbow sprinkles on his donut, glancing up at Tony. ”You know…I could find an apartment in the area instead of staying at the Tower. I’m stable enough to be comfortable, especially if I find a bank branch here. My pare..James and Lily left me money. You don’t need to worry about me.” Damn, he sounds ungrateful. Harry winced a little as Tony rapidly paled.
“Do you…do you not want to stay at the tower?” Tony said quietly.
Harry shook his head, trying to ignore Rhodey and Pepper watching the two of them with pitying expressions. “No..I just…this happened so fast and…”
Tony looked like he was on the verge of tears.
“Wait, I do want to stay at the tower, I do! I just don’t want to rush you or anything. It’s not like you signed up for this or anything and I feel like you’re being forced to take me on with Fury and all…that. I sort of ambushed you…a bit” Harry wished Hermione was here to stop his awkward rambling that was clearly making things worse.
Rhodey snorted, breaking the somber mood that had fallen. “Oh nephew of mine, I don’t think anyone can force Tony to do anything. Trust me, it would have made my life much easier over the years. If Tony is offering, he means it.”
Harry looked at him wide-eyed. Nephew…huh, that was new. Tony made an aborted gesture to reach across the table.
“Harry, I want you at the tower. I’m not going to force you if you are uncomfortable there but…I would like to get to know you, if you still want that. I don’t want you to feel trapped, but I’m not being forced to do anything. I want you there, you’re not burdening me or anything.”
Harry was stunned. Tony chuckled, a little wetly.
”Besides, I finally convinced the rest of the dream team to stay with me. The slumber parties are going to be…amazing.”
”Okay…I just wanted to make sure you know that, if you want me to move out, I can.”
”Noted. Never going to happen..but noted.”
Pepper clapped her hands. “Great, now that that is settled, two things. First, your donut is not going to eat itself.” She said, fixing Harry with a stern look. Harry felt like he was getting whiplash. “Secondly, I don’t believe for one second there is nothing you need. No offense, but your clothes look like they have seen better days. No nephew of mine will walk around with holes in their shirt, adult or not. So unless you have a upgrade to pick up in England, we have to do something about this”
Again with the nephew. Harry bookmarked that to think about later.
Harry shrugged, looking down at the table. All of his clothes had been through a war with him, and were not in the best condition to start with. He was going to fix that once he felt comfortable leaving Grimmauld for a bit, but it sort of became a lost cause.
Pepper continued, completely unfazed by his lack of reaction and frantically typing on her phone.
“I’m having some basics delivered to the house. You are definitely thinner than Tony,” Harry blushed, “but you guys seem to be the same build, so I’m just going to order you his normal sizes.”
Harry stammered, looking a little trapped. “Ma’am…uh.”
“Pepper.”
“Okay..Pepper…Uh, this really isn’t necessary. I can always get something later, I have enough money and I just …”
“And you will use it on yourself at a later date.” She cut in, not looking up from her phone. “What brand of shampoo do you use?”
Rhodey and Tony took in Harry’s gobsmacked look and burst out laughing.
“Give it up, kid. There’s no escaping Pepper when she is on a warpath,” Rhodey chuckled, “As SHIELD and the wizarding world will soon find out.”
Harry turned towards him, confused. “What?”
“Don’t worry about that, just know we’ve got your back. You’re part of the family now.” Rhodey’s face softened. “I just met you, but I know Lily and James would be proud.”
Harry fought back the urge to break his gaze. “You knew them?”
Rhodey snorted. “Hard not to meet them when my pseudo-brother over here was lovesick for the two of them for years.” Rhodey’s face was still smiling, but there was sadness in his eyes when they met Tony’s.
Tony turned to Harry, eyes wet. “Rhodes is right, you know. They would have been so proud.”
Harry turned back to his donut. “You don’t really know me…yet.”
Tony hesitated, almost as if afraid to overstep, before finally reaching for his hand.
“I know you are a kid who loves his friends, I know you are a young man who is braver than anyone your age has a right to be, and I know you saved the life of a man you had never met and owed nothing to.”
Tony smiled. “But if that's not enough, don’t worry. I can’t wait to learn more.”
Harry coughed a little, not knowing how to respond to that. Tony withdrew his hand and Harry could see Pepper and Rhodey smiling widely in the background. They ate in companiable silence for a few minutes.
“So…How’s the donut?” Tony asked.
“Tastes neon.”
“Damn.”