Chapter Text
It wasn’t unusual for Tony Stark to wander into Harley’s office. Since the CEO training had begun, just over a year and a half ago, the older man had found himself waltzing into Harley’s office in hopes of looking busy to the vultures that were Pepper and The Board.
Most days he would plop himself down on a leather swivel chair and bide his time until the young genius kicked him out for hovering.
So when Harley walked into his office to see Stark already in the room he wasn’t surprised. What did catch him off guard were the four words he was sure he had never heard the man utter in any such order.
“Listen Kid, I’m sorry.”
— — — 3 days earlier — — —
“Yo, Stark.”
“Peter. It’s Thursday, what are you doing here?”
Peter was dressed in a grey RoseHill High zip up hoody, and a pair of wide legged jeans. For it was Thursday; there was no need for the ratty t-shirt and white coat combo. He wasn’t here to work.
“We need to chat.”
“Uh oh. You have your serious face on.”
“Can we sit?”
“Yeah kid, come on.”
Tony led the two to the work bench, that spanned most of the room, where two bench stools sat under the flat surface.
As the men sat down the silence grew thick.
“Do I get a hint? Or are we going to sit here in silence until Pep drags me out of here by the ankle?”
“I don’t know how to begin.”
This made Tony worry. The Peter Parker he knew was brash and unapologetic. Fierce and ready to debate. He hasn't seen the man this meek in years.
“You're just going to have to start Peter. I don’t know what else to tell you.”
Peter grumbled something suspiciously close to the sound of ‘asshole’ under his breath.
“Peter I’ve known you since you were a puberty ridden, smart ass, 15 year old. I’ve seen you at your worst. Spit it out.”
“You’re a fucking dick, Tony.”
“So I’ve heard.” The man smiled.
“A month ago you had a dinner party.”
“Good to see your memory is intact.”
“And at said dinner party, you and my boyfriend had a bit of a falling out.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Stark knew exactly what Peter was talking about.
Since that fateful evening, Stark has been distant. He could tell he had struck a cord with the country coded man but Tony was nothing if not stubborn. And Peter was his kid in all but blood. So, he didn’t really care that the future CEO of his multi-billion dollar company was a little mad at him. You mess with the bull (his kid) you get the horns (the silent treatment).
“Come on Tony, don’t start treating me like I am an idiot. I know you two won't speak to each other. I just want to know why.”
“Do you love him?”
“Don’t ask stupid questions.”
“He has one of the most brilliant minds I have ever met.”
“Yeah I am well–”
“No, just hold on for a second kid. What I am trying to say is that, that man is stubborn and brilliant and knows how to get people to do what he wants. It’s what’s going to make his so fucking perfect for the company.”
“What’s your point, Tony?” Parker sighed.
“While that kind of arrogance is great for keeping the company afloat, it doesn’t make for the kindest boyfriend.”
“Tony–”
“No look. I’ve seen you be taken advantage of by snobby, annoying, brats since your very first boyfriend. I’m not super keen on watching your heart get broken yet again.”
“I’m not 15 anymore, Tony.”
“No, I know that. I just mean–”
“Nope, my turn now. I get the concern, I really do. And I appreciate that you’re looking out for me. But oh my fucking god, you have to stop treating me like a child.”
“Peter I’m not–”
“Listen. I know what it seems like. Especially after the Flashes, and the Jasons, and the Dicks, and the Wades. I get it. I do. I don’t have the greatest track record. But you know Harley, Tony. Like really know him. You’ve known him longer than you’ve known me. He’s a good man. He’s kind and funny, and brilliant just like you said. So what if he can be assertive, is that really so bad? He’s the love of my life. And I need you to get the fuck over it.”
“Are you done?”
“Probably not.”
Tony rolls his eyes, but speaks his truth nonetheless.
“The way he was talking to you at the party. It’s been happening a lot more since then.”
“Yeah. It has.”
“And I don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to like it Tony. You just have to mind your business.”
“Peter.”
“Dad.”
The bearded man scrubs his face with callused hands. Deflated, and tired.
“I want you to be treated the way you deserve, Pete.”
“Don’t you trust me? After all this time. Can’t you say you trust me?”
“I’m just scared for you.”
“We’ve been dating since I was 19.”
“So?”
“You are unbelievable…Look, you don’t have to be scared for me. He’s good for me. I love him.”
‘You’re 22. The fuck do you know about love?”
“Would you please just talk to him? For me? Please?”
“Fine.”
“Thank you. Peter smiles and stretches as he stands up.
“Now on a completely separate note, this has been bothering me since I stepped foot in here. You’re missing a subtraction sign on the third line of your equation.” Peter points to the white board behind Tony, before strutting over and picking up the dry erase marker.
“It’s your day off.”
“So what?” Peter throws his words back at the older man.
— — — Present Day — — —
“You’re…Sorry?” Harley stares at the older man in bewilderment “For what exactly?”
“For pretending like you don’t exist.”
“Huh.” Harley closes the office door behind him and walks towards the window. Deciding to stay standing. Squinting sceptically at the older man, leaning against the pane of glass.
“Yeah, save it, okay? Peter came to talk to me on Thursday."
“Did he now?” Harley already knew this.
“And while I really, really , don’t want to. I promised Peter I would come talk to you.”
“Alright then. Let’s talk.” Harley crosses his arms, relaxing his stature.
“Peter has had a lot of shitty ex-boyfriends.”
“This I know.”
“And I mean, not just like forgetting his birthday type shit. Like really truly terrible people taking advantage of him.”
“Tony, I know.”
“Sometimes I worry that he doesn’t realise that he is deserving of so much more than the shit he is dealt everyday.”
“Look Tony, despite what you might think we do actually talk. I know that Peter struggles with this idea of worthiness. I know. I get it. I’m not this bad guy you’ve got me made out to be.”
“Than why the fuck do you have to talk to him like he doesn’t fucking know what’s good for him? I don’t fucking get it.”
Harley scrubs his face and lets out a long breath. Something he’s seen Tony do countless times before.
“If I'm going to tell you this, you can’t be weird about it. I know it’s futile. You’re weird about literally everything. But, like, I need you to at least try.”
“What the fuck am I supposed to say to that?”
“That you’ll try, Tony.”
“Ok fine whatever.”
Harley took a moment. Mulling the words carefully over in his head. Peter had warned him that Tony was going to come around asking questions but, now that we were actually here, in the moment. He was struggling to figure out how to make this go smoothly. Well as smoothly as he could considering the circumstances.
“Peter and I, we have an arrangement."
Tony squints his eyes at the blond.
“Okay…”
“Where basically, Peter has allowed me to take control over most parts of his day to day and in return I promise to only ever use that power to try and take care of him.”
“What, so having control over a multi-million dollar company wasn’t enough for you? You have to go home and take control over your partner too?” Tony spat out. Frown plastered on his face.
“Tony I…” Harley has to take a breath. He closes his eyes and breaths in, trying to remain in control of his heartrate. “It’s something we both wanted, okay? It wasn’t like I came home one day and was like ‘oh by the way Peter, from now on I’m going to force you to do the laundry and make sure we are eating at reasonable times.’ It started off gradually. He initiated it actually.”
“You make him do your laundry? Like some fucked up house wife?”
“Tony. We’re helping eachother.”
“I don’t understand why he’s letting you do this to him.”
“I’m not doing anything to him, Tony. We’re just. How the fuck do I explain this.”
Harley takes a few steps forward and sits down on the chair next to his boss. Looking him in the eyes. Trying to make his point clear.
“I don’t want to speak for him, or put words in his mouth or anything. But like, we both see how he doesn’t take care of himself. See how sometimes he doesn’t feel worthy of it, care, I mean. But structure has always helped him and I can provide a different type of structure to his life. And I fully understand that what he is gifting me can lead to something dangerous. I know that I get off on power. That having control calms my nerves like nothing else in the world but I love him. More than I’ve ever loved anyone before. All I want to do is take care of him. I just want to help.”
“If you ever hurt him I–”
“I won’t Tony. At least not from this. It’s just a tool to show that I care. That I see him. I won't abuse it.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“I believe you Harley. I do. It’s just…He’s my kid you know? I never–he’s all I got, okay? So, please don’t fuck it up.”
“You don’t know what this means to us Tony.”
“Yeah yeah. Just, I don’t know. Could you tone it down in the tower?”
“No.”
“No?”
“It’s my relationship Tony. I’m not going to dilute it for you.”
Tony sighs but places a hand on the young man's shoulder. A peace offering of sorts.
“Has it really been four years?”
“Yeah.” Harley smiles wide at the man.
“So when the fuck are you going to propose?”
Harley pales at that. Head down murmuring to himself.
“Fucksake Tony, we're not even close to ready for that.”
“I’m just fucking with you kid. It’s good to see you squirm once in a while.”
“Get the fuck out of my office, Tony.”
Tony laughs and stands up. Flicking the cup of pens on the desk over, before leaving the room.
“Asshole.” Harley slumps into his chair, running a hand through his hair. Smile on his face.
This was a good start.