Chapter 1
He’d always figured the red and gold swirl of colour on his wrist would mean he was fated to be with another Gryffindor. He’d figured it was just like his parents and found himself rather pleased him. Yet as time passed and Harry realized he didn’t have a connection with any of his fellow Gryffindors - or any that he’d met in the few years above and below him - he started to lose a bit of hope. Not that he didn’t think he’d find them, after all they were FATED and fate had always had a way of making sure he was where he needed to be in the end. But no - his worry was that if his soulmate was too much younger than him it would only be a platonic bond. Not that that was a problem either really, but he couldn’t help but wish for a romantic bond - though he’d accept and adore whoever and whatever he’d been given.
But time kept passing, and he still hadn’t felt that connection with anyone.
It was 10 years after the war that he was woken out of a dead sleep, wrist burning. He jerked out of bed, shoving his glasses on his face to look at his wrist. He knew what a change to someone’s soulmark could mean - but he could only feel a rush of overwhelming relief that the mark was still there - not faded as it would be if his soulmate had died. Instead, the image had shifted - changed - and Harry could only state. It was no longer just a swirl of colour - now there were bolts of what he wanted to say were electricity cutting through it. It seemed rather fitting really - that his soulmate would have something to do with electricity - what with what were nearly lightning bolts forming on his wrist. He wondered if his own mark on his soulmates wrist looked similar. Then he frowned, staring harder at the mark. It wasn’t just electricity that had changed the mark - it looked - it looked almost like - he paled. Like Death. He pushed out of bed, knowing he’d no longer be able to sleep - and immediately moved towards the fireplace. He needed to talk to Hermione - and he needed to do it soon. Whatever had happened to his soulmate - he’d nearly died. He wondered, with a pang, if upon his own death his soulmate had felt a similar fear - had felt a similar pain at the change that would’ve come. Resolve strengthening, Harry decided that he would never allow his soulmate to be hurt in such a way again. All he has to do was find him.
>>>
“Have you considered the fact that he might be muggle?” Hermione asked tentatively even as she regarded his mark closely, his wrist held gently in her hands. He gave a sharp nod that had her blinking at him in surprise.
“I’m nearly certain he is.” And he wasn’t sure what had brought on the realization except for the fact that the colours on his wrist were more metallic than those of Gryffindor and now with what was obviously a signifier of electricity, it would be nearly impossible for it to be a wizard. Technomancy was still a very small field and he knew everyone involved. None of them were Gryffindors, and none of them had any sort of relationship with electricity that would be able to be strong enough to be represented in a soul mark.
“What do you want to do?” She asked then and Harry gripped his wand tighter. It hasn’t slipped his notice that the elder wand was in his hand, that it had been where his holly wand usually sat - but now wasn’t the time or place to worry about what that meant.
“I’m going to find him. I need your help.” She blinked but nodded, jaw setting in the stubborn look he knew so well.
“I’ll check the internet.” Then she looked at Harry and there was slight suspicion in her gaze. “Just what are you planning on doing then?” And Harry rubbed the back of his head, avoiding her gaze, feeling almost chagrined.
“I figured I’d see if our minds were connected.” He gave a restless shrug. “I hadn’t even considered that he might be muggle - but if I lower my shields I should be able to reach out to him. He wouldn’t have had any oclumency training being a Muggle and all so I should be able to find him.” He stubbornly kept his gaze anywhere but on her so he jumped a little at her coming right into his space, wrapping him in a tight hug.
“All things considered, I think it’s a good idea. Wherever he is, he’s facing death. I think if there were ever a time to break the rules of privacy it would be now.” And Harry just hugged her back just as tightly.
“Right then. I’m going to go harass Draco into letting me use his meditation room. I’ll probably have the best luck reaching the farthest distance from there.” And that wasn’t something Hermione could argue, though she did roll her eyes at the fact that Harry and Draco still enjoyed needling each other despite their surprisingly strong friendship.
“Well go on then. I have research to do.” Harry beamed, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek before apparating away.
>>>
Tony hurt. That was nothing new but it wasn’t pleasant either. He squeezed his eyes shut against the reminder of what he’d see as soon as he opened his eyes. He’d see the car battery with its wires attaching it to his chest - and even the thought of it made him want to throw up in panic. He’d already figured out how to replace the battery with a miniature arc reactor but the last bout of torture had left him weak and shaky and in no way capable of maneuvering tools the way he would need to in order to get all the wires off of him. Even as he had the thought he felt the panic crawling itself back up his throat - in the shake of his fingers that wanted to just claw this thing out of his chest whether it killed him be damned.
The sudden wave of calm that washed over him had him going absolutely still. He could still feel his panic - but it was pushed back by - well he didn’t know what.
“My name is Harry.” A voice murmured - soft - kind - and he couldn’t help but open his eyes now, looking around the space and seeing nobody but Yinsen who was still asleep on his own cot.
“Where are you?”
“England.” The voice told him readily, and the accent matched the information but it still didn’t explain how he could hear him. “Would you believe me if I told you it was magic?” So the voice could hear his thoughts even if he didn’t speak them out loud?
“Yes I can hear you just fine. What’s your name?” He thought of all the things people called him - had called him recently - and grimaced.
“Who are you?” He asked instead, and they both knew he was asking for more than a name.
“I’m your soulmate.” And the voice sounded almost, embarrassed? “I’m sorry I haven’t done this before - but I just assumed you were fine somewhere and that we’d meet naturally.” The voice rambled. “But then the other night I woke up because my mark - well it changed. And I knew I had to find you.” There was steel in the voice now, a strength that belied the previous softness. “Our minds are connected but it still took me days to be able to find you.”
“You know where I am?”
“Not exactly.” And now the voice sounded nervous. “I was hoping you’d be able to tell me, actually.” Tony scoffed at that. He was going crazy. He was so desperate to be rescued that he’d actually started hearing voices.
“While I can’t say for sure whether or not you are otherwise crazy, I assure you, I am very real. And now that I’ve found you I’m going to actually find you. Tell me everything you can.” And well, Tony could think of no real reason not to.
“I’m going to kill every single one of them.” the voice - Harry - growled - and Tony couldn’t help his snort of laughter. Yeah, that’s exactly what he’d expect the voice in his head to say. He could all but hear the voice roll his eyes and he could admit he didn’t expect if he were to go crazy that the voice in his head would sass him this much.
“I’m really not a figment of your imagination. ” then there was a pause. “Now probably isn’t the right time to tell you this, but I’m a wizard.” now Tony knew he was crazy. “Would you stop thinking you’re crazy? I’m really a wizard. My name is Harry Potter and I’m 27 years old. I live in London and went to a wizarding boarding school in Scotland called Hogwarts. How else do you think I’d be able to speak directly into your mind?”
“I figured it was a soulmate thing.” Tony admitted, because part of him couldn’t help but hope beyond hope that Harry really was real. For the first time since the conversation started, Tony glanced down at the bandage tied around his wrist. With careful fingers he pulled it off and stared at the mark on his wrist. When he was younger it had been a lightning bolt that looked like it was on fire. Now, while the lightning bolt was still there it was faded behind a triangle inside which was a circle and a line that cut from the top of the triangle to the bottom.
“Of course the bloody hollows are part of my mark.” Harry muttered. “Bloody self-important bastard can’t even let me have my own soul mark.” the thought that someone else had a hold over Harry had a fresh bout of panic going through Tony - because if he did choose to believe that Harry was real and was really his soulmate, if someone else could control his mark wouldn’t that make them more important to the other man? And then the person who was supposed to be all Tony’s wouldn’t actually be just his? And wasn’t that just typical, and-
“Tony.” Harry cut in firmly, derailing his spiralling thoughts. “You’re mine, and I’m yours.” he couldn’t help the thrill that rushed through him at hearing those words despite the fact that he was trapped in a cave with metal in his chest who even knew where. “The being I was speaking about isn’t a person. It’s - well you’re not really going to believe this - but it’s Death. I’ll explain when we finally meet.” the door to where he was being kept started clanging as his captors started to unlock it and Tony shot to his feet, holding the battery tight to his chest.
“Are you really coming to get me?” he couldn’t help but ask, knowing the question was a weakness.
“Yes.” and there was a near growl to the words. “I’m going to find you and I’m going to kill every single one of them. Until then, do me a favour? Try not to let them hurt you on purpose.” and Tony would argue if he hadn’t known he was doing just that. He kept denying them what they wanted - for him to build them a weapon - but even he knew that they’d only accept that for so long before they killed him.
“I can do that.” he agreed, mind already whirling with a plan.
“I have to go, else I’ll never be able to actually get to you.” Harry admitted, but before he left, he gave a parting shot, amusement lacing his tone. “I can’t wait to see your face when you see that I’m real.” and Tony could actually feel the other man leaving his thoughts. Well then. That certainly helped make it more believable. He faced the terrorists that flooded the room, exchanging a glance with Yinsen who’d since joined him though he was watching him with something akin to curiosity. Tony just gave him a tight smile. He wasn’t about to wait for his soulmate to come save him. If Harry existed, there was no way in hell he was going to let himself die in this cave. He was going to get himself out of there, and then he was going to find Harry.
>>>
It took Harry 48 hours to track down where Tony was. He’d made sure to keep in touch even if it was just a quick brush of minds - an assurance to both of them that they weren’t alone - that there was somebody else there. He got flashes of a plan - flashes of the absolutely brilliant mind that was creating even as it was planning how to escape, working through the figures of math - the growing likelihood that Harry was real - the absolute burning surety that he could get himself out now that he had something to get himself out for. Part of Harry wanted to let him - he knew how important it was to be able to rely on yourself - to know you could manage when nobody else could - but he also knew there was no way in hell he would make Tony go through this alone anymore than he’d already had to. He saw the suit come together - saw with absolute awe the weaponized metal armour - and knew without a certainty of a doubt that his soulmate was brilliant because he didn’t believe for a second anybody else could even come close to managing this, let alone in a cave. He was just checking in, but also marvelling at the genius which had Tony preening - but then he saw through Tony’s eyes as the leader of the group that held him came in - saw how he threatened Tony. He knew, from seeing the lust for power in the man’s eyes, that he couldn’t leave this even a moment longer.
“I’m coming.”
Tony heard the words and did his best to fight the shiver that worked its way down his spine in response. All that bloodlust was to protect him, and he knew that should probably be a little terrifying but all he could feel was an absolute thrill that somebody cared about him enough to feel that. Somebody who hadn’t even really met him - hadn’t had to deal with all his weird quirks. He shook the thought off, knowing if Harry heard it he’d scold him for putting himself down like that - and wasn’t that a kick in the ass? Somebody who saw right through his brazen attitude to the fact that he meant every self-deprecating word he uttered. Somebody who wouldn’t stand for it.
He understood why Harry had sounded so furious - he’d also seen the look in the other man’s eyes - but also the glee at the thought of hurting somebody - of hurting Yinsen until he’d argued for the man’s life. He’d seen it and understood that if he didn’t get out he wouldn’t get another chance.
When Yinsen ran out the door, gun blazing, he knew, deep down that the man wanted to die. When he found him bleeding out by the cave’s exit, he knew that he couldn’t do anything but forgive him. That didn’t stop the burning anger from ripping itself through his chest - like an echo of the pain he’d felt when the man dying beside him had saved his life - allowing him in some twisted way to meet his soulmate.
Even as he made his way to the cave’s entrance, blinding him for a moment, he heard a bang and flinched back, expecting impact. Nothing hit. Instead, another explosion sounded, followed by screams and gunfire. None of it directed at him. Another explosion sounded near by even as he stepped fully out into the sunlight - but nobody saw him - nobody was even facing him. Instead, they were all facing the figure in the middle of the camp, a man with wild black hair and impossibly green eyes wind whipping around him and a stick in his hand - a stick that seemed to be throwing brightly coloured bolts at anyone and everyone who tried to attack him.
“Bombarda Maxima!” the man shouted, exploding some of the crates of weapons and sending everyone near it flying, and oh - oh - Tony knew that voice. As if sensing him, the man - Harry - looked up and met his eyes, even through the mask. Then the asshole smirked before completely disappearing from sight. Tony couldn’t even find it in himself to be surprised when Harry appeared right in front of him, smirk still in place.
“Told you I was real.”
“How about you wait until we get out of here to rub it in?” Tony shot back, but he knew his voice had absolutely no bite in it. He was amazed by what he was witnessing, but not only that humbled. This man, this impossible man, had actually come for him. Even as he had the thought, Harry’s expression softened, and he reached up to brush his fingers against the mask.
“When we get home I’ll teach you how to see my thoughts as well.” he promised, but Tony was stuck on the first half of the sentence - on home. Harry didn’t just want to save him, he wanted to stay. He didn’t even know how to begin explaining what that meant to him - didn’t know if he wanted to, but Harry just gave him one last bright grin before stepping in front of him, wand whipping out in front of them and Tony could actually see the barrier of energy that formed. Then Harry was glancing back at him, mischievous sparkle in his gaze.
“I’d say now’s about time to get out of here.” and Tony, even in the middle of this desert, was delighted.
>>>
Tony was pouting. He knew it was childish, but damnit, he’d worked hard to build that suit.
“I already told you I was sorry.” Harry shot back as they scrambled over a sand dunes under the burning hot sun. He offered his hand to help Tony reach the top and the man latched on instantly, despite his irritation. The moment they made contact it was like an electric shock, but neither of them pulled away. Tony had always been a touchy guy, and no matter how cringy he felt when people reached out towards him after days of torture, he wasn’t about to turn down the chance to reach out to Harry.
“I worked hard on it.” he pouted instead, but he gripped Harry’s hand tight in his own, not letting go even when he didn’t need the help anymore. He didn’t have the energy to hide the slump of relief when Harry just squeezed back and made no other move to dislodge him.
“I know. But it would have been a bit suspicious if we appeared somewhere safe and sound with that metal contraption. This way they’ll think you crash landed and we’ve been wandering looking for help.” and Tony knew it was a valid argument since it was probably exactly what would have happened if Harry hadn’t been there, but it didn’t sting any less to see his creation destroyed. “Plus, help is close.” that perked Tony up.
“Did your magic tell you that?” he asked, eager, and Harry offered him a smile before nodding.
“Before I left I looked for that friend of yours - James Rhodes. He’s been searching tirelessly for you. I couldn’t exactly bring him with me without outing myself as a wizard-”
“Wait is that a secret? The whole magic thing?” when Harry actually winced, Tony began to realize just how much Harry had done for him.
“It’s sort of a criminal offence to tell non-magical folk about magic.” Harry admitted, looking anywhere but at Tony, his jaw set stubbornly. “Punishable by jail and potentially worse.” Tony could all but hear his back teeth grinding together. “But those people hurt you and I-”
“Whoa, hey, no judgment here, green eyes. I just wanted to know how much I could say.” the gratitude in Harry’s gaze when he looked over actually threw him.
“Thank you, Tony. Plus, as my soulmate, you should be exempt from that rule anyways.” there was a spark in Harry’s gaze that said or else. Tony couldn’t help but preen at the fact that that look was for him.
“So what were you saying about Rhodey?” Harry blinked and then nodded, shielding his eyes so he could look into the distance, gaze scanning the barren landscape.
“I put a tracking spell on him. And maybe a little nudge in this direction. I can feel it coming closer. He should be here soon.” the sudden burst of panic that Harry would leave before Rhodey could arrive had Tony gripping his hand tighter and drew Harry’s gaze.
“You’re staying.” and he knew he was being demanding but-
“Of course. I’m not letting you out of my sight.” and the words paired with a bright, but possessive grin, had Tony’s thoughts short circuiting.
“Okay. Good. Right.” and Harry actually had the audacity to laugh at him. Tony shot him a withering glare, starting to walk again. It wasn’t his fault that he wasn’t at his most cohesive and charming when he’d spent the last bit of time hidden away in a cave being tortured by terrorists.
Obviously having heard his thoughts, Harry’s expression sobered, and Tony realized that he actually had no idea how long he’d been there.
“Too long.” Harry said darkly, but Tony couldn’t help but be curious. He knew he’d been severely injured at first, and that he’d probably been unconscious for a fair amount of time before he’d healed enough to be aware of the world around him. On top of that, it had definitely been at least a few days before his brain had been decluttered enough to make sense of what was going on beyond the fact that no he would not build weapons. It wasn’t until then that he’d first spoken to Harry.
“It took almost a month to get through to you.” Harry admitted, brow pinched as his eyes darted between meeting Tony’s own and his chest where the arc reactor now sat. “I couldn’t - I couldn’t reach through to ease your pain.” and Tony could only stare.
“You can do that?” the shrug he got in return was restless.
“Our minds are connected, not to mention our souls.” and Tony knew that was the definition of soulmate really but it still seemed overwhelming to him. “I wouldn’t be able to do it for just anyone. Just you.” Harry admitted.
“Okay,” he drawled, “But how?”
“I could’ve taken some of it myself at least.” Harry muttered, and that drew Tony up short.
“What?” Harry’s gaze was wary but defiant.
“I could’ve taken your pain.”
“You don’t mean just take it away from me. You mean literally. That you would’ve felt it instead.” Tony clarified, speaking slow, and Harry scowled but gave a decisive nod.
“Yes.” For the first time in a long time, Tony’s mind was absolutely blank. Then the reality of what Harry was saying crashed back down and his mind went a mile a minute.
“Why?” Harry’s scowl darkened.
“You’re my soulmate. And I’ve been in your mind. I know you would do the same if you could.” and Tony’s eyes narrowed because rude he had an image of a heartless narcissistic asshole to uphold.
“Doesn’t explain why you’d do it.” Tony shot back instead.
“Is it so hard to believe that I just wouldn’t want you to be in pain?” Harry asked, voice tight.
Tony wasn’t a genius for nothing. He knew people better than people assumed he did - he also just found it easier when they waived him off as the drunk, abrasive, playboy because that at least let him observe those around him in peace. He could see just what Harry wasn’t saying - just why it was no big deal for him to talk about taking Tony’s pain; because it came with a footnote. He didn’t want Tony to be in pain, that he could feel was absolutely true, but what he wasn’t saying was that he knew he could take it. He knew he could take it because he’d felt that sort of pain before. Giving a decisive nod of his own, Tony reached out with his free hand, brushing the tips of his fingers across Harry’s cheek.
“In that case, I’m glad you couldn’t.” and Harry just stared, and stared, and stared. Long enough that Tony worried he’d done or said something wrong. But then the smallest and sweetest of smiles split across Harry’s features, and even in this awful place he knew he’d nightmare about for months to come, he couldn’t help but think of how beautiful he looked.
“I can see why fate put us together.” Harry said then, expression soft with affection Tony didn’t think he deserved yet. “We’re both self-sacrificing idiots. Maybe the hope is that we’ll stop each other from doing anything too reckless.” Tony opened his mouth to ask just what Harry was talking about - but then the soft thwip of helicopter blades cutting through the air caught his attention and he spun around, seeing the approaching vehicle in the distance; a black spot against the impossibly blue sky. The laughter bubbled up despite himself, and with his free hand he waved his arm above his head, shouting they were here despite the fact that he knew they couldn’t hear him. He couldn’t stop himself from running towards them as they landed either, dragging Harry behind him, but the other man kept up easily. It seemed he was almost nervous now because when they stopped, he kept darting glances between Tony and the approaching forms of military men. Tony placed himself in front of the other man now, their fingers entwined behind his back, even as made a clear barrier; that whatever was coming would have to go threw him first. He heard Harry huff out a breath and tossed a smirk over his shoulder.
“Can’t have them scaring you off now, can I sweetheart?” and Harry wrinkled his nose at the pet name but Tony knew he didn’t actually mind if the quirk of his lips and the laughter in his eyes had anything to say about it.
“Tony!” and Tony’s whole body shuddered at the familiar voice. His fingers spazzemed around Harry’s before he was letting go because he needed both his arms to latch onto Rhodey’s form as the man all but barrelled into him, gripping him in a tight hug. They rocked back and forth and Tony didn’t realize he was laughing until the tears started and then all he could do was shake and grip Rhodey’s uniform as tightly as he could. “I got you.” his best friend was murmuring, and Tony just nodded. When he finally pulled back it was to wipe the tears from his cheeks, no doubt smudging dirt and oil around.
“Sourpatch, I want you to meet somebody.” and if it had been anyone else Tony would’ve laughed at the practically laser focus that Rhodey aimed on Harry. Rhodey’s arm tightened around Tony’s shoulder but Tony shifted so he could reach a hand out for Harry, reaching for his left hand. Harry obliged him, and when he reached out to take Tony’s hand he allowed his soul mark to be on full display. Tony delighted in Rhodey’s gasp.
“Gummybear, meet my soulmate, Harry Potter.” and Harry flashed a lightning grin, offering his free hand for Rhodey to shake.
“It’s an honour. I’ve already heard loads about you.” and Rhodey shook his head, slow smile forming, and it crinkled in the corners of his eyes.
“Only you, Tones, would meet your soulmate while kidnapped.” Tony sent him a beaming grin, though he leaned more heavily against his friend. All this heat and everything was really starting to get to him. Rhodey shifted to support his weight even as Harry moved to his other side, keeping him between them.
“Let’s go home.”