School Boy
CHAPTER 16: SCHOOL BOY
Tony knew this day was coming whether he liked it or not.
And in this case, he definitely does not like it.
“Are you sure you’re ready for school, kiddo? We can hire some tutors and do a whole homeschool system. JARVIS is a good teacher, right, J?” Tony kept smoothing down Harry’s adorable school uniform.
“I am not, sir.”
“Shut up, J. You’re not helping.”
Harry giggled and did a little twirl with his dinosaur backpack. “I wanna go, daddy. They gots a science lab!”
Two weeks ago, he and Harry went on a school tour in a private K-12 institution in the Upper West Side. It had been Pepper’s idea, as most of their administrative staff and the BoD send their children to the same school. She said it’ll build up Harry’s socialization skills and he’ll be able to learn who to trust among his future associates. Tony thinks it’s way too early to worry about that, but what Pepper wants, she usually gets. Especially when she’s backed by Steve, Rhodey, Phil, Bruce, and Natasha.
At least he’s got Clint in his side who also saw the perks of having Harry homeschooled.
Tony would admit, Ilvermorny School is impressive. He kinda wished he went there as a kid instead of the private all-boys boarding school in California. They even have a school dog and Harry likes dogs. They have a very good science and technology program, a lot of afterschool activities, and their School Head wasn’t annoying. It’s just that he worries about Harry. He’s new, and some of his classmates would know each other from kindergarten. He wished he could just keep his son at home for another year.
It's impossible, and generally a bad idea— but a parent could wish, right?
Really, the only two things that got him to say yes was that he can drive Harry personally to and from school, and his son looks painstakingly adorable in their uniform. Nothing like the annoyingly hot blazer over white dress shirt he had to wear as a kid.
“If you’re sure,” Tony grumbled.
“Don’t guilt him into staying, Tony,” scolded Steve from the armchair as he watched the two Starks. He thought he heard the billionaire mutter sarcasms under his breath, but Steve had gotten so used to Tony Stark’s personality, it wasn’t even irritating anymore. “Harry’s gonna be fine. Won’t you, bubby?”
Harry nodded eagerly. “I like school,” he said in all seriousness, that even Tony couldn’t resist smiling.
“I know, kiddo. That’s very good and I am so proud of you. Officially a first grader. Wow,” Tony exclaimed softly, earning him a toothy grin from the child. “You’ve got all your pencils and crayons in your bag?”
“Uh-huh. Uncle Steve said to let others borrow if they want. I have lots.”
“Good. Sharing is good,” nodded Tony just as seriously. “Extra shirt?” Harry nodded. “Hand sanitizer?” Nod. “A list of our numbers?” Nod. “Water bottle?” Nod. “Lunch?” Nod. “Ron?” A nod, then a shake of the head.
“I’m not bringing Ron to school,” refused the child.
“Why?” Tony asked. Harry always brings that lion everywhere unless it’s doctor day in which he brings Poppy.
“No one brings stuffies to school, daddy,” explained Harry as if Tony should have known it already. “And I might lose him.”
“Huh—I wouldn’t know. I kind of skipped elementary. Okay, we’ll just bring Ron for the ride then.”
Naturally, instead of only Tony bringing Harry to school on the first day, everyone went along. Steve rode with the Starks for obvious reasons, Pepper and Rhodey drove with Happy, and the rest of the team carpooled with Phil. They’re all ridiculous since they could have just said goodbye from the tower.
“But we won’t get to see him enter the school doors for the first time!” lamented Clint dramatically. “That’s like, a requirement, right? All the parents in the movies do it.”
“You’re not even his father, dumbass,” Tony responded, albeit warmed at the fact that his team considered Harry their kid.
“I could be. Maybe he’ll get sick of you, and then we’ll go run off together as father-and-son circus duo. Ouch! Phil! Why’d you do that?” Clint turned to his partner with a glare, rubbing on his arm.
“We’ll see you and Harry tomorrow, Tony,” said Phil while ignoring the archer.
Because it’s New York, schools don’t actually have outdoor parking lots and actual driveways like they have in California. Thankfully, not many of the parents stay for long. Some just drop off their kids and head to wherever they have to go so they still got spots to park in.
Harry’s first class doesn’t start until eight-thirty but they made sure to arrive at least thirty minutes earlier so Harry can still acclimate to his surroundings. It’ll also give time for the whole team to get their chance to feel like Harry’s parents for a while and fuss over him outside the school’s door.
After everyone got to hug and wish Harry good luck on his first day (and wave at him goodbye as he entered the building), Tony, Harry, and Steve went to look for Harry’s classroom. Admittedly, Tony felt it was too forward of him to ask Steve to come with them since they haven’t dated very long— but it was Harry who asked Steve, and Steve just looked so honored and excited that Tony couldn’t say no. The two of them looking for his kid’s classroom while the said kid walked between them holding each of their hands felt so domestic, Tony can’t help but feel wanting.
“Here it is, room 214,” announced Steve eagerly. From the outside, it looked like a typical classroom but the inside was nothing but typical. They didn’t have the usual desks, for that matter. Instead, they’ve got round tables on one side near the whiteboard and the screen, while a big carpeted activity area on the other side. There were about seven kids inside already, half of them with parents.
“Ready, baby?” Tony whispered to his son just outside the doorway. Harry nodded, but a little more nervous than before.
“Mr. Stark, Captain Rogers, good morning,” Harry’s teacher greeted them warmly and shook their hands before turning to the child between them. “And you must be Harry. It’s very nice to meet you. My name is Mr. Remus Lupin but I like to be called Mr. Rem. How about you? Do you have a nickname you want us to use?”
“Daddy calls me kiddo,” offered Harry shyly, getting a grin from Mr. Rem.
“Ah, but that’s for your daddy, right? Tell you what, we’ll just call you Harry because that’s an awesome name— like a Prince!”
Harry giggled and nodded. “There’s a Prince Harry where I used to live.”
“I know,” said Mr. Rem with a slight smirk. “I’ve met him once. Fun lad.”
The teacher’s easy-going personality made Harry come out of his shyness, and Tony was thankful for it. He doesn’t know what to do if Harry somehow hates the teacher. Probably pull him out of school, he thinks.
“Now, let’s go find you a seat and maybe say hi to the others,” Mr. Rem guided the three towards the tables. Harry ultimately chose the one with red chairs. Obviously.
While Steve helped Harry take out his stuff and put his bag on the cubby hole, the teacher discussed details with Tony like what specific things he needed to know to be able to care fully for the child in school.
“Harry is generally quiet, Mr. Lupin, it may be harder for him to socialize. He’ll talk a lot when he’s at home but never when we’re out. He didn’t have the best living situation before and might get panic attacks, but he has our number and his therapist’s and pediatrician’s contact info on the tag of his backpack just in case. I worry constantly that he’s being bullied, so I have to ask you to watch out for him,” said Tony.
“I understand, Mr. Stark. We don’t tolerate bullying here—I know all schools say that but don’t actually mean it, but as someone also bullied in my school years, I do take it seriously. Does he have any… triggers I should avoid saying or doing?”
“Well, he’s not comfortable around shouting and fighting. Also, never say he’s being bad. If he misbehaves, use different words like disobedient or naughty, but never say he’s bad.”
The teacher nodded gravely, letting Tony know he took it seriously.
No matter how badly Tony wanted to stay, they had to leave once class started. Harry reluctantly hugged them goodbye when Mr. Rem announced it was time to start the day, and Steve had to pry his boyfriend away just so he could let go of Harry. He also felt sad about leaving Harry in school, but definitely not as sad as Tony. He’s actually taking it harder than they expected.
It only took Tony until they got back to the car to induce an anxiety attack.
“Hey, Tony, breathe with me,” Steve was quick to side, grabbed one of Tony’s hands and placed it above his chest, “That’s it. Follow my breathing. You’re doing so good, sweetheart. So good.”
A few more breathing exercises later and a kiss on his temple, Tony finally calmed down. “I’m sorry,” said the older man shakily.
“It’s okay, Tony. You’re allowed to be sad on your kid’s first day of school,” Steve responded in a soft but firm voice.
“It’s not just— I’m not just sad,” he ground out, one hand instinctively reaching to pull on his own hair. “He’ll be away for a long time. I can’t— I can’t have JARVIS or anyone watch out for him constantly anymore. He’ll be around new people, and I’m not going to be there to protect him. I hadn’t protected him before but I promised I’ll do better. What if he gets hurt again? What if…”
“No.” Steve’s voice vibrated with gravity. “Nothing will hurt him inside that school, Tony. You know that. You checked their security and their staff thoroughly, and you even asked his teacher to keep an eye out for Harry. Don’t think I didn’t see you put that tracker under his collar. Yes, he’s been hurt before, but he’s okay now. He’ll be okay, sweetheart.”
Tony didn’t respond in words, but he did bury his face between his boyfriend’s neck and breathed. It’s irrational—he knows that—to think he can just keep his son locked up in the tower for his protection. He wanted Harry to have a life, and school is a significant factor in it. He’ll just have to deal with not having his son around for five hours a day.
**
Harry suddenly felt scared when his daddy and uncle left. He doesn’t know anyone and he’s never been good at making friends. When he still lived with his relatives and went to preschool, Harry really liked it, not because he had any friends but because the school had a library. He wasn’t sure if he’ll be able to make friends in his new school like all his aunts and uncles were telling him.
There are 12 children in his class including Harry—4 at each table, which means he has to share with three others. He was the first one on the table when they came in, and now three others sat around him. The two girls seemed to be friends already because they kept giggling and whispering at each other. The other boy on his table wouldn’t look up. Harry didn’t know what to do so he waited.
“Good morning, everyone,” Mr. Rem greeted with a happy voice. “It’s your first day in first grade! Who’s excited?”
Everyone’s hands raised up eagerly. Some even chanted Me! Me! again and again. Harry’s excited too. He had been ever since he and his daddy toured the school.
“Awesome! I have such participative and active class this year,” shared their teacher proudly. “Now, since it’s our first day, I’d like for us to start of with introductions. Maybe tell us your name, what you want us to call you, where you’re from, your favorite color, and let’s see—oh, and a fun fact about yourself. I’ll start first. My name is Mr. Remus Lupin, I’d love it if you’ll all call me Mr. Rem. I’m originally from Wisconsin but moved here to New York when I was 14. My favorite color is green, and the fun fact about myself is that my surname, Lupin means wolf in French.”
Harry, like his classmates, giggled when Mr. Rem howled like a wolf at the end. He tried to listen to his other classmates introduce themselves the best he could while also thinking about what he’s gonna say when it was his turn. He knows they’ve got a Justin, a Dennis, a Katie, an Amelia, and a Hannah in class. He couldn’t remember the rest because it was almost his turn and he wanted to practice in his mind.
“Hi! My name is Aurora Vance but I’m called Rory by everyone. I live in West 94th street with my mom and my brother, and sometimes in Florida with my dad. My favorite color is purple and fun fact about myself is I like playing with dollies.” The black-haired girl with a purple headband beside Harry who kept giggling with the blond girl finished talking.
Which meant it was Harry’s turn.
Harry stood shyly from his seat and waved at everyone. “Hi,” he said in a small voice then spoke again louder because maybe they couldn’t hear him and he has to repeat himself all over again later. “Hi, My name is Harry James Stark. Everyone just calls me Harry and I live in uh, 200 Park Avenue with my daddy and lots of aunts and uncles. Oh, and JARVIS. My favorite color is red and uhm, fun fact about myself is I have a hamster named Dobby.”
“Hi, Harry!” everyone echoed the greeting when he was done.
Harry finally breathed in relief when his turn was over. The next boy after him was named Cedric who lives in Hell’s Kitchen (which Harry felt weird about because why would a place be called Hell’s Kitchen. Maybe he should ask his daddy that when he gets home) and would like to be called Cedie. He’s got lighter hair than Harry and blue eyes.
The last one was the blond girl who hadn’t introduced herself yet at Harry’s table. Her name was Gabrielle and her family just moved from France.
When everyone got their turn, Mr. Rem told them about the rainbow color system in his class. Everyone starts at purple then it moves down a color every time they misbehave. Mr. Rem says that if they get to Red then he’ll have to talk to their parents. Harry didn’t want that at all so he promised himself he’s gonna be so behaved.
Their first activity was art. They were supposed to draw their favorite memory of the summer break. He’s really excited about that one because he got to use the color pencils and crayons his Uncle Steve got him.
He was focused on drawing the final part of his memory when the other girl, Rory, poked him on the arm. Harry noticed she’s very bubbly and keeps on moving on her seat.
“Hello, Rory,” Harry said shyly. “Do you need anything?” He heard his dad ask that a lot when someone comes over to them but it’s the first time he ever used that sentence. He felt like a grownup all of a sudden.
Rory grinned widely and nodded. “Can I borrow a dark pink one? I only have the light one and I wanna color my dolly in dark pink.”
Harry immediately looked among the colors in his box if he has a dark pink one. He really wanted to have a dark pink one because he wants to share and make a friend. His Uncle Steve told him sharing is good. He sighed in relief when he found it nestled between two more pinks. “Here you go,” Harry reached forward and handed the color pencil to the girl.
“Yay! Thank you, Harry!” Rory beamed and went back to her drawing, but not before telling him, “We’re friends now!”
Harry shivered in happiness in his seat. He made his first real friend. He really couldn’t wait to tell his daddy and everyone else about it.
After they all finished their drawings, Mr. Rem read them a book called This is a Taco. It was very funny. The other boy, Cedie, even laughed along with them. Harry thinks his Uncle Clint would like the story very much because its got a hawk and lots of tacos. Taco reminds him of Uncle Clint.
“Alright, kids, it’s lunchtime!” announced their teacher. Everyone cheered and began grabbing their lunch boxes and bags. Harry didn’t know if they could actually eat in the classroom because he only had morning class for preschool in his old school in Surrey, but he thinks even the older students in his old school couldn’t eat inside.
He was proven right when the teacher led them all outside and downstairs to the cafeteria. There were a lot of people in the hall but each class has tables reserved for them. Mr. Rem also told them all the bigger kids—Middle and Upper School, he calls them—have separate cafeteria halls. They could also eat anywhere else in the school if they wanted, but if they didn’t bring lunch, their teacher told them they can always use their cards to buy food. Harry already knew that because his daddy placed the card in his bag inside a special wallet that looked like his. His daddy said Harry should use it when he wants to eat or drink something from the cafeteria like a chocolate milk or cookies.
But today, Harry didn’t need it because his daddy and Uncle Steve packed him lunch. He’s got blueberries, raspberries, dinosaur-shaped ham and cheese sandwiches, some broccoli, and a small bag of cool ranch Doritos. All of a sudden, Harry wanted to cry because it was the first time he ever got anything to eat in school. Sometimes, in preschool, he gets so hungry because he didn’t have dinner the night before and wasn’t allowed breakfast. Preschool didn’t have the cards like his new school has that Harry could use to get something to eat. None of the other kids in his class ever shared their snacks with him, too.
“Your sandwich looks very cool,” Cedie whispered next to him, shocking Harry.
“Oh. Thank you,” blinked Harry then shook his head to get his thoughts together. He was just surprised Cedie talked to him. “My Uncle Steve made them. Do you want one? I’ve got two.”
“Can I?” the brown-haired boy asked bashfully. “I can trade you some of my pasta. My mom makes them very yummy.”
Immediately, Harry agreed. Not only because he likes to share, but also because Cedie’s pasta looked really yummy. Harry thinks he might have made another friend.
“Hey, Harry!” one of the other boys in his class—Dennis— called from three seats away. Harry turned to him with a tentative smile. Some of their classmates were looking at them now.
“Hello, Dennis. Do you need something?” Oh, he sounds like his daddy again.
Dennis grinned and pointed at him with a chopstick (Harry knew what it was because his Aunt Pepper uses them when she eats those little rice balls that have fish in them). “Your dad’s Iron Man, right? Was that Iron Man and Captain America with you earlier?”
By then, everyone had their attention on Harry. He squirmed in his seat and turned pink. He didn’t like it when people are staring at him. “Uh, yes. I guess.”
“That’s so cool!” Dennis glowed and exclaimed excitedly. Most of his classmates were nodding and they started asking Harry about lots of things he couldn’t make out.
“Hey!” Rory interrupted loudly from opposite of Harry. “Stop asking him so many questions. You’re making him uncof… uncomfortable.” She wagged her finger like a mum scolding her kid.
Surprisingly, everyone stopped and returned to their lunches. Harry caught Rory’s eyes and quietly thanked her. It’s really nice to have friends.
**
“—and then after lunch.. after lunch we did numbers. Mr. Rem said I’m very good at them. I got finished early and he made me do extra work because he thinks I’ll be bored waiting for the others. It had multipiction and dividision and Mr. Rem said… He said I did it all right.” Harry’s eyes were full of joy and excitement as he told Tony, Steve, and Bruce about his day. They made sure JARVIS had it recorded so the others could hear it as well when they get home.
Nothing shy of pure pride and happiness encompassed Tony. His son did so well on his first day. He made friends and even shared his food. The mathematics didn’t really surprise him anymore because he’s actually seen Harry do them before. What truly baffled Tony’s mind was how kind his son was even after everything that happened to him.
“I think you meant Multiplication and Division, kiddo. But gosh, I’m so proud of you, baby. Aren’t you proud of him, Steve? Bruce?” Tony smothered the boy in kisses, causing Harry to giggle madly at the feel of his goatee.
“So proud, bubby.” Steve agreed with the smile of a similarly proud parent. Bruce nodded just as sincerely beside him. “We’ll make more dinosaur sandwiches next time in case you want to share with the others too.”
Harry’s eager agreement echoed through the room.
Tony had been really scared about his baby’s first day in school, but after hearing how much Harry liked it and how happy he’d been when he made his first-ever friends, Tony couldn’t imagine ever not letting his son experience it.
He’s still afraid. Maybe he’ll always be— and that’s okay, so long as he does everything in his power to make his son safe and happy.