So far, age sixteen has definitely been kinder to Harry than fifteen was. While he still has days where he struggles to force himself out of bed, he continues to find reasons for his new found happiness in life. He has the best boyfriend in the world, a father who supports him in every aspect of life, a mum who always knows exactly how to make him feel better, a new baby brother on the way, and a godfather who is the reason that he has any of this at all. Without Sirius sending Harry across an ocean and into the arms of Tony Stark, there is no telling where Harry would be now. Continuing to fight a losing war most likely. Possibly with both legs attached to his body. But, would he trade being a big brother for his leg? Dad did make him an awesome replacement limb…
These are the thoughts that plague him as he sits beside Peter on a rumbling school bus, watching people through the windows as his boyfriend talks animatedly with their friend, Gwen. He’s not completely sure what he’s doing on the bus at all. He’s never been on a fieldtrip before and this seems like a rubbish one to start with. Of course, the majority of the other students on the bus would vehemently disagree with him. The chatter around them grows even louder and more excited as they pull into an underground parking garage. Mr. Harrington is almost crushed in the stampede of students leaving the vehicle. The bus driver watches them in amusement. Harry is the last off of the bus, taking Peter’s hand once his feet are on the ground.
“If I could have your attention?” Sticking his free hand in his pocket, Harry can’t help the smirk that tugs at his lips as he makes eye contact with Happy Hogan, his pseudo uncle and apparently the member of security that drew the short straw today. He can’t imagine any other reason Happy would willingly be greeting an energized group of twenty high school sophomores. “You will all follow me to the lobby where you will proceed through security measures before meeting with your tour guide for the day.” Happy glances at Mr. Harrington. “This all the kids?”
His teacher seems to do a quick head count, mouthing numbers to himself before nodding emphatically. Happy sighs, looking at Harry once more with a an almost imperceptible pout and leads the class out of the garage. Peter snorts beside him, causing Harry to let out a chuckle of his own.
“Did you know Happy would be meeting us?” Pete leans down to whisper in his ear, his breath causing Harry’s hair to tickle his neck. He shakes his head, still smirking.
Gwen sticks close to the two of them as all of the students go through the metal detectors and have any personal items searched. By the time their group is gathered and waiting on their guide, his friend has prattled off almost the entire history of Stark Industries. Harry gives her a dry look, wondering if Gwen has happened to forget exactly who he is.
“Oh, shut up. It’s not as if you could actually tell me anything I just told you.” Gwen rolls her eyes. Harry shrugs, she’s not exactly wrong about that. Despite the fact that he is the current heir to the company and lived in the tower their currently in for the majority of a year, he would be hard pressed to give the history lesson the other girl just had.
“Welcome to Stark Industries!” The familiar voice echoes through the lobby and Harry grits his teeth, squeezing his eyes shut. There is no way that this is happening. He counts to ten before opening his eyes once more, hoping against hope that the man before their class will have suddenly disappeared. At the sight of his father still smugly standing, arms wide and smirk wider, Harry considers portalling the man to Tokyo. If he knew that Mum wouldn’t be against the idea, he actually might.
Dad meets his gaze then with a sharp grin, amusement dancing in his eyes. Just one little portal would do it, he’s sure.
-
The tour is… interesting. While his dad, unsurprisingly, takes every opportunity possible to embarrass him, Harry does find himself enjoying seeing the behind the scenes of his family’s company. He especially loves when the tour group just so happens to run into his mum, who very obviously had been under the impression that the group was being led by an intern, not Tony Stark himself. If the look she gave his father is any indication, Dad almost certainly blew off some other duties in order to lead the tour. Ha. At least the universe saw fit to dole out some form of karma for the absolute atrocity Tony’s tour commentary had been. Honestly, Harry had been ready to melt into the floor when his dad had begun to tell stories about him that correlated to different parts of the tower they visited. Maybe he should have portalled himself to Tokyo.
By the time the tour ends back in the tower lobby, Harry is red faced and Peter has laughed more than Harry has appreciated. If his boyfriend wasn’t Spider-Man, he’s sure that he would have bruised ribs from Harry's elbow making their repeated acquaintance throughout the tour. At least Gwen had a productive trip, interrogating not only his dad, but almost every Stark Industries employee the group came across and his mum. You would think that she’s forgotten that she works at the tower as an intern with how many questions she’s asked. He’s almost sure that her number of inquiries exceeded the total number of the rest of the students’ twice over!
Happy is in the lobby waiting for them, ready to lead the class back to the school bus that is waiting in the garage. A hand lands on Harry’s shoulder before he can follow. A glance up finds his father’s smiling face. He scowls, still not ready to forgive the man for his rather descriptive explanation of Harry and Peter’s paint fight last year. Flash had teased the two of them mercilessly the entire way back down the elevator.
“Hey, teach!”
Mr. Harrington looks up from his clipboard where he must be taking count of his students once again. “Y-Yes, Dr. Stark?”
“Harry will be remaining behind.” Dad’s tone makes it obvious that he’s making a statement, not a request. Harry’s teacher gives a jerky nod, as if surprised that the billionaire is speaking directly to him.
“Oh, of course, Dr. Stark.” Mr. Harrington fumbles with his clipboard before gesturing for the rest of the class to follow him.
Peter squeezes Harry’s hand, leaning over and pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. Harry flushes. “I’ll call you later, Bright Eyes.”
Harry waves the other boy off and Peter jogs to catch up with Gwen. Once his classmates are out of sight, his dad tugs him into his side.
“Enjoy the tour?”
Without pulling away, he scowls up at the man once more. “I think I’ll enjoy Mum chewing you out for missing a board meeting much more.”
Dad blanches before shaking his head. “Nah. I’ll just show her something new I bought for the baby.”
Harry raises a brow. “And what’s that?”
His dad throws him a smirk. “Not sure yet, but I’m sure if we hurry, we can find something and be home before her with dinner from that Thai place she’s been craving?”
Without drawing attention to it, he puts a hand behind his back and creates a small portal. Cool metal falls into his waiting hand with a jingling sound. He quickly pulls away, carefully walking backwards toward the garage entrance. He holds up his dad’s keys, wiggling them in sync with his brows. “Only if I get to drive.”
“Wh-” Dad pats his pockets with a surprised expression. “You little shit.” His laughter takes the edge off the words as he chases after Harry.
They end up with a table full of Thai food, several baby books, and enough toys to fill three nurseries. Mum still tears Dad a new one after finishing her food.
Fin.