Harry Meets the Avengers
CHAPTER 11: HARRY MEETS THE AVENGERS
A red object fell down from the sky.
That son of a bitch. Thought Steve with a smile.
"He's not stopping," Natasha noticed. They went into position, ready to catch the man when Hulk lept from a building to grab him.
The Avengers ran to where Hulk dropped Tony and took off his mask. He wasn't breathing.
Captain America stood and looked up. Tony Stark might be the most arrogant, pompous asshole he ever had the misfortune of meeting but he's a damn good man.
Pop.
"Daddy!" A small voice screeched from behind Steve.
A sobbing Harry ran towards his father as fast as his legs can. Before even reaching the man in the iron suit, a strong set of arms wrapped around his middle.
"Hey, kid. You need to breathe," Steve tried to stop. Harry kicked and screamed and put up a good fight.
"No! Let me go! Daddy! You promised!"
Like a prayer answered, Tony instantly gasped for air. Steve finally let the boy go and he quickly went to throw himself over his dad, not caring about the hard metal separating them.
Tony breathed in his son's hair, thankful for little miracles.
The boy had fat tears rolling on his pinkish cheeks as he continuously hit his father's hard chest with his little fists, "You promised!" He accused. "You promised you'd be alright! You promised me you'd come home!"
He sat up and gently cradled the weeping boy in his armored arms, "I know. I'm sorry, baby. I'm fine, see? Hush, now. Everything's alright. Daddy's here now."
The four-year-old still kept hitting him but with less vigor. Harry didn't seem to mind the hardness and coldness of the metal as much as he did. He thought he was going to die and leave his son alone. He needed to feel him on his skin. He needed to hug his son without the suit.
But first, "Hare-bear. How did you get here? Where's Happy?"
The crying gradually ceased, "I apparated, Daddy. I saw you on the news. You went inside the hole in the sky! You promised me you'd come home and I had to make sure. I knew I could do it. I thought so hard to be with you and then it happened." Harry explained in between hiccups.
"And Happy? Did he see you?" Tony asked.
"No. I went to my room."
Tony sighed. He'd have to call Happy or else the guy will have a full-blown panic attack. "Alright. Can you let daddy go for a little while? I want a hug without a suit."
Meanwhile, the rest of the team were staring at the man both in curiosity and disbelief. They already knew Tony was a father and that his son was apparently the most important person in his world. But knowing and seeing are two different things. He's like an entirely new person.
The kid was also likely British based form the lingering accent.
And they had no idea what apparating was. Maybe it's some sort of meditating technique or whatever shit Tony seems to be teaching his son.
"I believe we can take this somewhere more private," Steve suggested. "We still need to deal with Loki."
The Avengers plus Harry went back to the tower. After informing Happy of Harry's recent magical display, the man contacted Pepper (who was also shitting mad at Tony) immediately dealt with the possible repercussions. No one appeared to be around the area where Harry apparated. The media hadn't got hold of any information of a child being cradled by Tony Stark.
Tony left Harry with Barton as they deal with Loki. They thought Clint shouldn't see the one who controlled his mind until he was done with therapy. They had a feeling Loki was controlled as well. Tony remembered his eyes flashed blue when he confronted him in the penthouse.
But Harry wouldn't let Tony go until Barton reassured Loki can't hurt them anymore. Of course, it wasn't true. Clint knew Loki can still do damage even without the staff but he wasn't going to worry the child more than he already is.
"So, you're Stark's son," Clint smirked at the boy.
"Yes, sir. My name is Harry," Harry held out his little hand which Clint instantly accepted with a shit-eating grin.
"None of that sir. My name is Clint. It's nice to meet you, Harry."
"How do you know my daddy, Mr. Clint?" Harry peered up at him questioningly, looking very adorable with his tiny glasses, green shirt, and white overalls. He couldn't help but coo.
"I helped your daddy fight those aliens."
"Oh," Harry exclaimed softly. "Thank you, Mr. Clint." He smiled at him sweetly, hands fiddling together at his back, and sneakers-covered feet rubbing each other.
Clint ruffled the child's hair and merely gave him a smile, "You're very welcome, Harry."
"I see you got caught in his charm," Tony commented as he walked in the room.
"Daddy!" The boy cried out and ran directly towards Tony who immediately knelt to catch his son. He lifted Harry up and placed him on his hip.
"Harry, I'd like you to meet the rest of the team." He gestured towards the group of ash-covered individuals. "You've met Legolas aka Hawkeye who likes to go by the name Clint. That's Natasha the triple imposter, Steve the Capsicle, Thor the God of Thunder, or as I like to call him, point break, and Bruce Banner the one who wrote that article I once read to you at bedtime who also turns into a green giant."
A chorus of 'hey!' was thrown across the room. Harry only giggled and asked to be put down.
"It's nice to meet you. My name is Harry. Daddy likes to call me names too. Thank you for helping my daddy."
Clint muttered in the background, loud enough for Tony to hear but not Harry, "I'm pretty sure it's not the same."
The four-year-old then went to shake all their hands making the adults' jaw drop. Manners from a Stark? Wonders never cease.
Tony stepped in and waved his arms dramatically, "Alright, alright. Show's over." He turned and pointed a hand towards Harry, "You, young man, is in dire need of food. Don't think Happy didn't tell me you refused to eat lunch."
Harry only nodded and went to wrap his arms around his father's leg causing Tony's and everyone else's hearts to melt.
"Yeah, so Shawarma? Tony asked the group.
"I'm serious. Stay here for the meantime. In fact, you can stay here all the time. I'll clear out a whole floor or two."
"We don't want to impose. This is your home." Steve responded.
Tony waved a hand dismissively. "Nonsense. Bruce already agreed to stay. I'll have the floors ready by tomorrow."
The rest minus Thor who needed to go back to Asgard with Loki conceded. Natasha and Clint didn't actually have a problem with staying at Stark Tower but Steve was all about propriety.
"Good. There's only one rule. Don't be a bad influence on my son. And yes I am talking to you, Barton. He's too much of a sweetheart for you to taint."
Clint reacted, "Hey! I'll be the best role model for Harry."
They all rolled their eyes at him knowing exactly what kind of role model he will be. "Yeah, you'll eat your shit when he calls me uncle first." He smirked.
"Yes, a good role model indeed." Natasha sarcastically drawled, amused at her friend's shenanigans.
Barton, realizing his mistake, quickly backpedaled, "It's not on yet! The kid isn't here."
They ignored him and went to their temporary rooms, leaving Barton huffing.
Harry was always good at adapting. He did well when he first arrived at the orphanage. He had no memories of his life before being found in a cupboard but he managed to get on his feet.
Harry adjusted well with Tony when he adopted him. It took him a very short time to get used to calling him, daddy.
When Tony took him to America, he adapted to the new lifestyle with ease, again. He memorized the house plan easily, followed his schedule without a problem, and even stopped having those awful nightmares he could never seem to remember in the morning.
And then he had school. Yes, he was scared at first but still, he adjusted. He even made friends and enjoyed Exeton very much.
With school came moving to Princeton, and then to New York City. The culture of California, Philadelphia, and New York was too different yet Harry came out fine.
Now, he needed to adjust to living with four new people and one who will visit from time to time. He found he had no problem with it very quickly. Just thinking about all the games he could play with them got him giddy with excitement. He wouldn't need to bother his dad all the time because there will be other people around he could ask help from.
He liked his Uncle Clint the best. He's always up for a game of laser tag. Aunt Natasha joins sometimes but she gets called by SHIELD all the time. He did like her hugs the most. It was all warm and fuzzy.
Uncle Steve was very funny, or so Harry liked to think. They especially liked to watch classic films together, reenact the dialogue, and eat popcorn and ice cream on the couch. Uncle Steve also liked to draw. He even offered to teach him.
Uncle Bruce was so smart. Harry comes to him when his daddy's busy and he needs help with his schoolwork. He teaches so well. Uncle Bruce also liked to play the violin. He told him no one else knew: it used to keep the big guy calm, and that if Tony allowed, he will be teaching him a few songs. It was their little secret.
Uncle Thor visits every fortnight. He always brings him Asgardian sweets. Harry liked those very much. He also talks funny that made Harry laugh all the time. He particularly liked how he ruffles his hair.
And daddy. Daddy was still the best of all. Daddy got jealous once. He never told Harry but Harry knew. It was always just the two of them. And now he had to share his baby with five new people.
Harry soon banished the thoughts from Tony. Every other night, he would creep into his father's bed and cuddle. Though he liked playing with Uncle Clint, playing with daddy was still his favorite.
Even though Aunt Natasha gives the best hugs, his daddy's hugs were the only ones that can keep bad dreams away.
Uncle Steve was funny but his daddy still made him laugh the most.
Uncle Bruce might be really smart but Harry still thinks his daddy was the smartest in the world.
And Uncle Thor might bring him the best sweets but Harry still loved the turkey and cheese sandwiches his daddy makes for him the most.
And Harry made sure his daddy knew that. He didn't want him sad. He wants him happy and smiling all the time.
Harry is always good at adapting.
Harry's fifth birthday came just a month after the battle.
Tony was finally able to convince his son for a party. He wanted to rent the best party place he could find but Harry begged him to do it at the tower instead.
So it was.
Everybody came. The Avengers (who had no reason not to come as they lived in the building, not that they'd miss it for the world. The boy quickly carved his place in their hearts.), Aunt Pepper, Uncle James, Uncle Happy, Nicholas, Aunt Stella, Uncle Julian, and even Mr. Pirate and Uncle Phil (who Tony still made him call Uncle Agent).
Selene was still in England but she sent him a gift and a very long letter.
The only thing that bothered Harry about having the people he loved on his birthday was the increasing number of gifts. His daddy was no longer alone in trying to spoil him.
Well, at least I could donate more this Christmas.
His birthday party wasn't animal-themed this year. He still loved his animals very much but he also found love in anything magical.
Now, not all of them knew of Harry's ability. Nick Fury, Agent Coulson, Nicholas, and Aunt Stella didn't. They could not tell them because they do not live with Harry or at least considered family for Aunt Pepper and Uncle James' case.
So Tony compromised. They continued with a Magic-themed birthday party without using actual magic. It didn't deter his son. He still loved it very much and thanked his father a hundred times.
Even if everything turned out wrong, or that his party had no decorations and games whatsoever, Harry would still thank his father profoundly. He's just like that.
Fate looked down on Earth. Her chosen one was now five for the second time.
She smiled. The one to guide him will arrive very soon. They will meet once again.