Thor Visits
CHAPTER 22: THOR VISITS
The thing about the press was that once one reporter tries to get a scoop, all the others will flock right after.
Unfortunately for Tony, it meant having some of them littering around Harry's school, waiting for a story to write or a proper picture to show the world. His son rarely notices them, but when he does, it always leaves Tony furious.
The Stark lawyers already filed three restraining orders since the incident at Coney Island, but the photographers and reporters were getting braver and braver by the day—prompted by the race to whoever gets the first clear photo or an interview of the famous Harry Stark.
There had been incidents when photographers try to enter the school, or some waited outside for hours until Tony, Steve, or Happy comes to pick Harry up. It was getting on everyone's nerves. Harry had come home crying one time when Happy picked him up all because some reckless journalist tried to block the car begging for an interview.
To be honest, it was unusual why the paps were so interested in Harry’s story. When Steve and Tony came out as a couple, it was wild but it wasn’t as wild as them wanting an interview or a photo of a 6-year-old multi-billion-dollar company heir.
"Why don't you just give them a picture?" Sam asked during one of Tony's rants.
Tony glared at the ex-pararescue for even asking, but Pepper beat him to a response. They could do that, and Tony was actually planning to post one soon on his Instagram account. He’s just furious about the lack of respect coming from the paps.
"Harry is a minor. They are not allowed to demand a photo of him. Technically, what they've been doing is illegal. I'm already on it."
Almost everyone in the room shivered at the ferocity of Pepper's words. No one questioned it again when a week later, five photographers and two reporters for a magazine got sanctioned for stalking a minor, three lost their jobs, and one got punched by Captain America. In Steve's defense, finding a man asking Harry details about his neglect while he was playing in the park warranted at least three Super-serumed punches.
Tony was stuck between reprimanding his boyfriend for the violence and kissing him fiercely for punching an asshole. The PR team just wanted to punch anything. Thankfully, the reporter refused to file a lawsuit especially when Captain America scolded him in front of a crowd of parents who were willing to testify against him.
Multiple articles came out talking about Captain America’s outrage. Funnily enough, most news stations and tabloids changed their tune. The general public started writing blogs and sharing their opinion online about the press’ corrupt obsession over a child, prompting a talk about boycotting major news outlets. Editors had to stop their people from following the Stark heir in fear of losing a mass outrage. Not to mention, Tony threatened to stop giving interviews for both Stark Industries and The Avengers altogether. Considering those press conferences usually make up half their annual income, it had stakeholders shaking.
When Tony finally uploaded Harry’s picture (the one taken during his birthday), it officially ended the bidding contest. Tony had taken the mystery out of it.
Harry still does not understand his fame, but like any other child, it wasn’t really important to him. He hates it when strangers ask about his time with the Dursleys or take pictures of him but his family was always there to stop them. As long as he has his family with him, and his friends in school, he knew he was safe and happy.
**
Two weeks after the Captain America-punches-a-reporter-in-central-park incident, the child and the Super Soldier were once again enjoying the late afternoon in the park. Tony unfortunately got stuck in a board meeting Pepper all but cuffed him into staying, which meant Steve had to pick up Harry from school. With Ilvermorny just blocks away from Central Park, Steve usually brings the 6-year-old for a walk or a short break after school.
This time, Steve thought an ice cream treat was what both of them deserved.
“Uncle Steve?” Harry suddenly called his attention.
“What is it?” Steve asked, before taking a napkin from his side and handing it to the child to wipe the chocolate mess off his face.
“Are you and daddy gonna get married?”
It was Steve’s luck that he finished his own ice cream ahead of Harry or else he’d have dropped it on his lap in his shock. Sure, they talked about getting married and all that, but of the months he and Tony dated, Harry never asked anything regarding their relationship. They explained their relationship as best as they could to the child but Harry was young and it wasn’t like he finds these things much more interesting than dragons or dinosaurs.
“Possibly, bubs. But not anytime soon, I think. Why do you ask?” Steve questioned softly, bringing a hand up to comb through Harry’s curls.
Harry shrugged and stared at Steve without an ounce of worry. “The camera people asked b’fore. And Dennis said his mummy said you and daddy are gonna marry. Dennis has two mums.”
“Does he?” Steve asked with raised brows. Although he knew New York allows same-sex union, he hadn’t actually known anyone around him who were married and have a kid together.
“Uh-huh. Dennis calls them mummy and mama.”
Steve smiled at the child’s obvious cluing. Harry was so much like Tony, Steve can’t help but be amused. They both like to play with the hems of their shirts or their sleeves when they’re nervous about asking something. It was easy to guess what Harry wanted to ask, but he wanted it to come from the child.
“That’s very nice, bubby. Dennis is very lucky to have two moms.”
“And me too?” Harry asked quietly, now avoiding Steve’s eyes. “I’m lucky too?”
“Of course, you are. The luckiest kid in the world. You can ask me anything, you know that, right?” Steve placed the pads of his two fingers on the child’s chin and encouraged Harry to look at him. “You have something to ask, yes?”
Harry didn’t outright ask anything directly, but Steve already expected that. Like Tony, Harry’s also not the best at expressing himself through words. He’s so much better now under Tony’s care. When Steve first met the child, Harry couldn’t even string more than a few sentences successively.
“If you… if you marry daddy, does that make you my daddy too?” The 6-year-old’s voice was almost too quiet, and if it weren’t for Steve’s enhanced hearing, he wouldn’t have heard any of it at all. “I asked JARVIS and… and he said kids with two daddies sometimes call the other daddy papa. If you get married, could I, um, call you Papa, too?”
Steve was aware this conversation should include Tony. As much as Steve wants Harry to call him Papa instead of Uncle now, he’s not married to Tony yet. Tony already shared to him his uncertainties about Harry’s stability and what it might mean to the child if they break up. Fat chance at that thought Steve, but he understood the fear. He grew up having a single parent as well, and for some time, the idea that his mother would marry again scared little Steve. He remembers another boy in their building whose father remarried when his mother died. He remembers Arnie telling him he doesn’t ever want to call her mom because she’s likely gonna die too and he didn’t want to lose two moms.
Steve refused to have Harry think similarly.
“If you want to, then, of course, you can, baby, but I think you should talk to your dad about that first,” said the blond super soldier after a moment. Maybe he needs to talk to Tony as well about it later tonight. They skimmed the discussion about him becoming Harry’s second parent legally once or twice. Steve hadn’t asked again, but maybe he should have. There’s not an ounce of doubt in his body that wasn’t willing to adopt Harry if given the chance.
The anxious look on the 6-year-old’s face vanished and in its place was a smile brighter than the sun. Steve felt his heart warm at the pure joy in Harry’s smile, all he could do was wrap an arm around his shoulder.
“Thanks, Uncle Steve.”
Half an hour later, Steve drove them back to the tower. Tony wouldn’t be back until dinner, but Steve was more than fine keeping Harry company. The rest of the team bar Bruce and Clint (who was still recuperating from his most recent injuries), were out on a mission. Steve would have come along. He wanted to come along. But it was espionage. Steve was more of a liability when it comes to those kinds of missions.
So, they left him in New York. Steve found it less insulting and embarrassing than he would have a year ago, mostly because he liked staying at home these days. Sure, he itches to go sometimes, but he’s no longer feeling worthless when he doesn’t. His new therapist had done wonders the past few months. It was more than what he could say about SHIELD’s recommended ones. Tony had been ecstatic when he heard about it. Both the staying home and the new therapist.
Just as Steve was about to call Sam for an update on their mission (because regardless if he wasn’t there, he’s still their team leader), a loud booming sound echoed throughout and vibrated the building.
“What was that?!” Steve cried out, immediately running to the living room where he left Harry. The child was by the glass wall staring down at Iron Man’s landing pad. “Harry!”
The 6-year-old snapped his head and looked at the Super soldier with excited eyes. “Uncle Steve! Is that Thor?!”
Steve, losing some of the panic at the mention of his teammate’s name, still rushed next to the child. “Are you alright? Were you scared?”
Harry grinned and shook his head. “The lights were pretty.”
Steve huffed out a laugh. “I’m sure it was. Come up here,” said the blond hero, pulling Harry up and settling him on his hip. “JARVIS?”
“Everything is well, Captain. I have directed Mr. Odinson to the penthouse.”
Not a minute later, Thor’s equally loud booming voice captured the whole room. “Friends!”
Harry all but bounced in Steve’s arms. He’s been hearing many things about the only Avenger left he hadn’t met so it was understandable he was excited. However, the sight of the Norse god had Harry suddenly shying and hiding his face in Steve’s neck.
So much for excitement.
“Thor, it’s been a while. How’s Asgard?” Steve asked politely, ignoring the huge (tiny) elephant in the room (in his arms).
Thor, who was previously staring at Harry, turned his attention to Steve. “Asgard is well, my friend. I had no knowledge that you have gone and reproduced.”
Chuckling, Steve tapped Harry’s head to face their guests. “This is Harry. He’s Tony’s son,” introduced the captain. Harry smiled softly at Thor but kept his head rested on Steve’s shoulder.
“Marvelous!” beamed Thor jovially. In a calmer voice, he addressed Harry, “You have your father’s dashing looks, Son of Stark. And such wonderful eyes. You remind me of my brother when we were little. He has green eyes as well.”
“Loki?” asked Harry, unusually happy about being compared to a known villain. “Didn’t he send aliens to destroy New York? My friend, Cedie, said it was scary.”
“Aye, young Stark,” answered Thor in a somber tone. “He did. It is why I am here in Midgard. I have vital information to share with your father and our comrades.”
Intrigued, Harry straightened up in Steve’s arms. “What is it?”
Aware that it was time to intervene before Thor can share anything dangerous, Steve spoke up. “It’s only me, Bruce, and Clint here right now. Tony will be home in half an hour. Can the news wait?”
“Of course, Steven. I shall retire to the rooms the Man of Iron provided until then. I came here directly from a long council meeting; I find that it tires me more than a great battle.”
When Thor was out of the penthouse, Harry covered his mouth with a hand and giggled. Steve looked at him curiously, prompting the child to grin. “He talks funny.”
“I suppose he does, bub.”
By the time Tony came home, Harry had not left Steve’s arms. The two ended up in an armchair watching Chowder on YouTube on Steve’s tablet. Tony moved behind them and kissed their heads before sitting on the arm.
“I swear to god if Pepper drags me to another 4-hour meeting, I will truly explode. No exaggeration. I’d really rather go destroy some Neo-Nazis.”
Harry looked at his dad and giggled. “Thor said meetings make him more tired than battles.”
“Thor?” Tony’s brows rose as he caught Steve’s eyes. “Since when do you know what Thor says?”
“Since half an hour ago,” answered Steve. “He said he has something to tell us. He’s in his room right now.”
“Huh. Hey, J, send in Thor, Clint, and Bruce up here. Might as well get it over with.”
At JARVIS’s confirmation, Tony pulled his son off his boyfriend’s lap and carried him limply on his side like a package. Harry was giggling at the weird position but didn’t object when his father carried him to the kitchen. Amazingly, he was handed a juice box even though it was close to dinner. Harry shrugged and took a sip, not wanting his dad to change his mind and take it from him.
“We’ll be having an Avengers meeting right now, kiddo. Are you fine staying in your room for a while?” Tony asked.
Harry shrugged again. He was used to everyone around him attending meetings. “Can I use the tablet?”
Tony hummed and tapped his chin thrice. Harry was only allowed two hours of tablet per day. Granted, his tablet was purposely made for him and only has educational applications but Tony didn’t want his son to turn into some of the kids he sees around with their faces attached to their screens.
“Only for an hour, okay? Don’t think you can ask every day, mister.”
The 6-year-old boy nodded quickly. “I won’t. I just wanna finish a problem. I almost got it but I made an error and forgot the negative sign before the b.”
“Ahh, I see you started on quadratic equations. Common mistake, baby. That’s okay.”
Steve chuckled quietly, probably thinking how bizarre the conversation was. Tony hadn’t even noticed his boyfriend following behind. The billionaire winked at the child on the floor and shooed him off to his room with his juice box.
Not two minutes later, Bruce, Clint, and Thor arrived. Steve had quickly adapted the Captain America persona and asked Thor what his important information was. Thor graciously accepted the invitation to talk and proceeded to regale a tale about his brother’s more than a year-long imprisonment, subsequent health decline, and their healers’ discovery that Loki had been casting an illusion to himself even before he attacked New York. Mages and scholars were called and it was found that the Asgardian Prince had been tortured by an entity called The Other, who was the real mind behind the attack. Loki was simply under the same compulsion Clint and many others had gone through.
Throughout Thor’s retelling, Clint stayed unusually quiet. No one commented on it, respecting his space, especially with what he had to endure from Loki. Tony, Bruce, and Steve asked multiple questions in between like who The Other was, how bad Loki’s health was, and what made them so sure it wasn’t just another trick.
“It’s not a trick,” said Clint suddenly when Steve asked the question. Everyone, including Thor, looked at him in surprise. Out of all people, Clint was the most affected in Loki’s attack so it was definitely shocking to hear him defend the God of Mischief.
“What makes you say that?” Bruce asked gently.
“The Other… I think I’ve seen him. He wears a hood,” answered the archer with furrowed brows as if he’s trying to remember. “I get flashes sometimes of the time Loki had me. He zones out in the middle of talking and comes back full-on flinching in pain. I can still remember those damn blue eyes staring at nothing for hou—"
“Wait, blue?” Thor stood up and moved closer to Clint. “Loki does not have blue eyes. His eyes are green like the Son of Stark.”
“Right. The press even compared Loki to my Harry because of their eyes and accent,” added Tony distractedly.
Clint furrowed his brows even more and shook his head. “No, I know it was blue. I looked at those eyes for hours on end.”
Well, wasn’t that a shock.
“So, Loki really wasn’t behind the Battle?” Bruce clarified after a few moments of silence. “And this Other being, is he still a danger to Earth?”
Thor’s eyes glinted. His words were firm and promising. “Not for long, my friend. The Allfather, despite his neglectful treatment of my brother, does not condone torture, especially towards his son. The Other may be powerful enough to bend Loki against his will, but Odin is stronger.”
Without it being said out loud, Thor's claim that Asgard will deal with the evil alien gave them all some sort of relief.
"Thanks for telling us, Thor." Steve patted the god's shoulder, like the good team leader that he was. It was obvious Thor was distraught by his brother’s suffering. Even Tony felt bad for the Rock of Ages. He can’t imagine what torture Loki must have endured at the hands of the evil hood-wearing alien.
Regardless, Tony had to ask. "He's not coming here, right? I mean, I get that it may not be his fault and we already have a brainwashed soldier with us here so it's not like I have anything against them but putting Loki here right now would be a political shitshow."
"Worry not, Friend Tony, my brother will not visit Midgard anytime soon. He will have to recuperate from his injuries fully before Mother will allow him to leave the palace," said Thor with an ounce of sadness. “I doubt he’ll want to come nonetheless. My brother has never liked mingling. He much prefers the company of books. I daresay he will lock himself in the palace library for quite some time after he heals from his injuries.”
That cleared aside, Tony let out a loud relieved sound. Barnes, he could deal with because he already had SHIELD backing him up and iron-clad proof of his brainwashing. Proving Loki's case to the WSC would be harder. Maybe in a year or two, he can deal with that storm, but definitely not right now.
Tony clapped his hands together loudly. "Anyway, are any of you staying for dinner? It's Taco Tuesday. J, tell Harry he can come out now."
Clint scoffed. "I'm always down for tacos. Phil's not home and I'd rather not eat instant ramen again."
"I am intrigued by this Taco Tuesday, Friend Tony. I will gladly accept your invitation."
Thor didn’t stay for long but promised to visit more often now especially with Loki’s trial officially over. He did, however, spend a whole afternoon indulging Harry after the child’s schooling. Harry, ever the curious child, ended up interviewing the God of Thunder on all Asgardian creatures. They went so far as to pull down the chalkboard and drew numerous terrifying-looking beings. When Tony came to check on them in the playroom, he had to take a second look at the drawings just to make sure he was looking at the right things. Harry proudly informed his father the creature was called bilgesnipe and that Thor said they are big, scaly, and has antlers.
“I shall gift you with a soft version of the ghastly creature when I come visit again, young Harry. I may still have mine when I was just 7 centuries old,” professed Thor earnestly, eliciting a happy squeal from the child.
Tony made a face. “It’s just a stuffed one, right? Please don’t give my son an alien pet.”
Thor grinned brightly and placed a hand on Tony’s shoulder, the strength almost making him fall on his feet. “Ah, you worry so much, Friend Tony. Bligesnipes are not meant to be pets. Aye, I will give merely a toy.”
“Good. That’s good. Whew.”
Still grinning, Thor crouched and lifted Harry with one arm. “Come, let us go find our dear Captain. I believe he has talented hands and may be able to draw us a better picture of the Asgardian creatures.”
Harry giggled and waved his father goodbye. Tony simply rolled his eyes at Thor’s words but smiled at his son nonetheless. Harry always had the capability to make people fall in love with him. It seemed like alien gods weren’t that different after all.
**
A few days later, while Tony was mindlessly scrolling through a project proposal, Harry suddenly appeared in the living room and plopped right onto his lap. He knew his son must be bored as hell, seeing as all his aunts and uncles were out at the moment. Steve had gone running with Sam and Bucky, but would likely be back soon. Clint and Natasha haven’t returned yet from wherever Phil dragged them to, while Bruce went out to consult for SHIELD regarding a potential biological weapon. All hush hush but Tony never pulled JARVIS completely out of their system especially after the whole HYDRA debacle so he always knew what was happening.
“Daddy?”
Tony, while still keeping his eyes on the screen, reached out instinctively to brush his son’s hair. “Yes, baby?”
“Uncle Steve said I can call him Papa if I want to.”
Choking, Tony almost dropped his tablet, saved only because Harry was on his lap. He quickly turned it off and placed it beside him, knowing the conversation needed his full attention. Steve told him about Harry’s question a few nights ago, but he had thought his son wouldn’t ask for at least another few months or so. Truth be told, Tony wanted Harry to call Steve Papa. His heart burst in happiness when Steve admitted liking it as well. They both knew things would end up the same way anyway if… when they get married, but they’ve always assumed that bridge would be crossed when they get there. He should have known Starks are never patient.
So, they both decided to wait until Harry asks again, then they’ll let him decide what he wants.
“He did,” nodded Tony seriously. “Steve did say you asked if you could call him Papa.”
Harry shrugged and turned his head slightly away to avoid his dad’s eyes. “He said I should ask you, though.”
Tony hummed and wrapped his arm around his son’s back to hold him in place. “I would probably tell you to ask him. Confusing, I know. Don’t worry, kiddo, Steve and I talked about it already. If you really want to, you can call him that now instead of waiting for us to get hitched. I, for one, know it would make him so happy.”
Green eyes behind round frames widened in sheer excitement and surprise. “Really?!”
Nodding, Tony pressed a kiss on his temple. “Yes, really. He's as much your dad as I am and he loves you very much. I think calling Steve Papa is perfect.”
The smile on the young boy’s face spoke levels. Tony was suddenly struck by the idea that his son now had two people he can call his parents after living the past four years thinking he had no one.
As if on cue, the elevator door chimed open, revealing Steve in his sweaty running clothes.
Harry didn’t waste a second as he yelled, “Papa!”
Startled, Steve’s head snapped and his eyes widened in disbelief. His gaze landed on Tony, awed and filled with unexplainable emotion. Tony smiled softly at him and nodded, letting his boyfriend know he heard it right.
In a matter of seconds, Steve had moved from the foyer to the living room, pulling Harry off of Tony’s lap and giving him a tight hug. “Oh, bubby,” whispered Steve tearfully, showering Harry’s head with kisses.
“Papa,” the child whispered back. “Papa.”
Tony was content watching the scene unfold, but Steve had other plans as his hand reached over to Tony’s and pulled him up to join the hug. It didn’t matter that Steve’s shirt was drenched in sweat, or that Harry had all but koala-ed his way onto Steve’s chest. He melted instantly into the warmth of his boyfriend and his… their son.