We're Going Home
CHAPTER TWO: WE'RE GOING HOME
"Do I hafta pack now?" Harry looked over to Molly then back to Tony.
It was surreal. A father. Him. At the end of the week, Tony Stark will be a father to a three-year-old adorable little boy. As scary as the whole thing was, Tony can't bring himself to regret it. At least not yet. Hopefully never. "Why don't you bring your new daddy to your room to help you pack, dear?" Molly suggested. With a shy nod, Harry turned to Tony and asked if it was alright.
Such good manners for a kid his age, thought Tony. There was definitely something else going on with it but he pushed the issue to a later date. For now, he would be helping his new son pack up so he could take him to his London home as soon as possible.
Tony lifted Harry from the chair and immediately noticed him stiffen.
"It's alright, buddy. I just think it'll be easier if I carry you so you won't have a hard time climbing those stairs." He spoke softly. A moment later, Harry began to relax and lean closer to Tony placing his head on his new daddy's shoulder. Tony subconsciously pulled him close to his chest and slowly rubbed the boy's back.
"I'll have someone send in a check. Build a bigger library or add more rooms. You've done well with the place. We'll come back here before we leave."
"Thank you, Mr. Stark." She offered him a genuine smile. "I'll see you both later." And with that, the two stepped out of the office to head up to Harry's room.
Tony will have to buy a whole new wardrobe and toys for his little boy while in Britain. Harry only owned about 4 sets of clothes, a coat too large for a toddler, an old children's book about animals, a worn-out baby blanket, and a stuffed snake. Not nearly enough for a child, especially for his child. He reminded himself to send Happy out to purchase everything before he picks them up.
"Do you have everything packed, Harry?" Tony bent down and helped the boy put on his coat and backpack, and lifted him up into his arms.
Harry snuggled closer to Tony, relishing in the warmth of the hug.
"Yes, daddy," he whispered sleepily.
Tony stilled for a moment before sporting the biggest, most genuine smile he ever had on his face at being called daddy. He was too engrossed with his emotions he barely even noticed Harry falling asleep on his arms.
Finally snapping back into reality, Tony kissed Harry's forehead and headed back to the office, dealt with the transfer of funds, promised donations, and bid farewell all while cradling a sleeping boy.
It took a week and a half before Harry officially became Harry Anthony Stark. He went through issues with the Social Services believing he wasn't capable of taking care of a child. He volunteered to have a psychologist look at him which was very shocking considering his past experiences with them. In the end, he got custody but an agent would have to follow up every month for half a year. As much as it annoyed Tony, he agreed to do anything short of murder to have Harry but paid a ton of money to keep the adoption quiet. It would not do Harry great if the media or God forbid SHIELD got ahold of his new status as a parent. He would not allow Harry to be a target for those who want to take him down nor would he allow anyone to use Harry as leverage against him. Even Pepper was surprised by his utter devotion towards the boy. She immediately had Harry's room decorated by the best interior designers and was excited to meet the little boy who managed to straighten up his boss in a matter of hours. Not that it stopped Tony from being well, Tony, but it did prove that he was capable of responsibility. Tony was completely different around Harry. He didn't have to hide behind his egotistical persona the world knew of. Only Pepper, Rhodey, Happy, and now Harry saw Tony as exactly who he was before life fucked him up. But only with Harry was he a softie marshmallow.
It was amazing how easily Harry opened up to Tony. He's been told that the boy was usually distant and had a hard time connecting with people. Yet he'd let Tony carry him around (which Tony secretly loved) stiffening only a few times but would relax right away. Harry now also called him daddy all the time. No more Mr. Tony or sir. He was glad he met Harry while still young. The older he gets, the more difficult it would be to connect with him. At least now, no matter how smart and empathic Harry is, he still has an impressionable mind. There were still lingering issues from his unknown past to work on but Tony would make sure he'd get through it.
Harry currently has trouble asking for anything. He won't ask for food, toys, clothes, pets... anything. The only thing he ever asked was permission to go to the toilet and even then he had difficulty voicing it out. When Tony showed him the clothes and toys he bought, Harry was overwhelmed. He kept on saying he didn't need anything else. That he already gave him a daddy and that's enough. Tony was this close to crying at his son's words.
"It's too many daddy. You don't hafta give me anything. You already gave me a daddy. I'm happy with just a daddy."
So Tony made sure Harry understood that he would love to spend for him and he deserves the world. He also made sure Harry eats enough and on time. He'd taken Harry for a check-up right away and found that his son was malnourished and had a very weak immune system which was why he had immediately hired him a nutritionist to track down Harry's diet and vitamin intake. There were no signs of physical abuse though and it took a heavy weight on Tony's chest. He would also be needing glasses very soon and Tony already set up an appointment with the best optometrist America has to offer. As soon as they settle back in Malibu, he would take him to the eye doctor.
And then there were the nightmares.
Since Harry's room inside the London home wasn't finished yet, Tony decided he sleep in his own bed with him. It might also be because Tony can't bring himself to separate from Harry at the moment. Which turned out to be a good idea as Harry's nightmares are worrisome.
flashback
Tony felt the little boy frantically shifting in bed. Remembering Harry's nightmares, he immediately sat up and gathered Harry in his arms. He was sweating like hell. At first, the boy was not crying or screaming but it was clear he was distressed. It was like he was suppressing sobs. Just occasional gasps and sniffles until a gut-wrenching scream escaped.
"Shh, it's alright baby. I got you. Daddy's got you." Tony murmured repeatedly in his ear.
Eyelids slowly fluttered open then Tony was greeted by those green orbs. "Daddy?"
"Hey champ, you worried me for a while back there." He murmured. "Do you want to talk about it?"
The boy shook his head. "Sorry, daddy. Didn't mean to wake you" Harry stifled a sob, wrapped his tiny arms around Tony's neck, and buried his head on its crook.
He sighed. "It's alright baby. I'm glad you woke me up." He heard Harry mumbled 'not a baby' which made him laugh inwardly. Oh, he will always be a baby in Tony's eyes. "Do you think you can go back to sleep now or would you like me to read you a story? I remember my nanny used to read me bedtime stories when I was a little boy like you."
"A story?" Harry replied quietly and beamed shyly at Tony. "Yes please."
Tony already had Jarvis look for any information on Harry. Those nightmares were not normal for a three-year-old. The doctor said he might be suppressing memories of his past or that the child had a concussion before prompting him to forget. However, no signs of either situation were recorded. Tony hoped Harry would get through them as he grows. Both he and the child psychologist who looked at Harry thinks the nightmares would lessen when his mind advances. Him connecting with Tony at the rate it's going is already a good sign. He'd be able to live a relatively normal life soon.
Tony had Harry strapped in his car seat as they made their way to the airport. After another troubling albeit less terrifying nightmare last night, the boy was already trying to keep himself awake even before the drive. He soon fell asleep halfway to Heathrow which made Tony snicker. His son was so adorable with sleepy eyes clutching his trusted Snakey on one hand and a stuffed penguin on another.
When they arrived, Harry was still deep in slumber so Tony carefully lifted him into his arms and pressed a soft kiss on his son's messy hair. Their private jet was ready to take off and he'd want nothing else than to get back home as soon as possible. When he tried to place Harry on his built-in customized plane seat, the little boy woke halfway and wouldn't let go of Tony and only managed to burrow himself closer. With a fond sigh, Tony sat with a sleepy toddler in his lap.
"Alright buddy. You can sit with daddy."
Happy, his driver-slash-sometimes-personal-assistant, handed him the stuffed snake and penguin that fell.
"I believe you're the official seat now, sir."
Tony dramatically gasped. "Such an expensive seat for a small child!" Then moaned softly, "I guess there are worse things to become."
Having a top-speed luxurious jet definitely helped. They arrived at the airport only an hour after Harry woke up. Security was much more imposed than usual given that Tony planned on keeping his son away from the media for a while. He held Harry's small hand tightly as they made their way to the car. The boy was clearly both mesmerized and terrified by all the people in black suits around him but bravely clutched his daddy's hand in one hand and his stuffed animals in his other arm.
He was then lifted by his daddy into another black car and strapped in a car seat. His daddy sat next to him, still holding his hand and gently rubbing circles on it.
"Daddy?" Tony glanced towards Harry from his phone and sent him a small smile.
"Yes, bud?"
"Where we goin'?"
"We're headed to Malibu, baby. Remember when I told you about my house near the ocean?" Harry nods. "That will be our home now."