Chapter Text
“So, come around here often?”
You turn towards the voice to your right, and smile, “Hey, Harry. Glad you finally decided to show up.”
You and Harry had been friends for years. You, a child of the famous Stark line, have been used to a life of luxury and having to attend boring gallas with the rich snobs of the world ever since you were young. That was where you had met Harry. Neither the Osborns or the Starks were happy with the friendship, but with the circles you ran in, it was bound to happen.
“Sorry, I got caught up back there with a positively scintillating conversation about how the funding of cryogenics could help ‘further my company’s success.’” You chuckle as he rolls his eyes and takes the bar seat next to you.
You’re both at a Stark event for the “Community Showing of the Modern Technology of Today,” A.K.A a bunch of corporate nerds show off how their toy’s bigger than your toy. Being the relative closest to Tony Stark, you attend as good faith. Also, if anything happened to him or Pepper (god forbid,) you would inherit everything. That makes you an important investment to current partners in business.
“Well, I see your cryogenic boredom and raise you one ‘opportunity to ensure this countries safety,’” you snort, “basically saying that I’ll give them the rights to the Iron Man suit if anything happened to Tony.”
“At least that one includes flying suits and explosions,” Harry points an accusing figure at you, “mine has runny noses and frostbite.”
You laugh, raising your glass, “Well, here’s to boring offers that we shouldn’t even have to deal with.”
“Cheers.”
With a clink of glasses, you both down a sip, and smile at one another. Rolling his glass between his palms, he smirks, “Looks like your cousin is coming over here, I wonder why?”
You smile, “To protect me from your charming yet lethal advances, you harlot.”
He gasps indignantly, putting a hand over his heart, “I would never seduce a woman with such impressionable morals.”
You feel offended, “Hey, I’m not impressionable!”
“You’re as impressionable as they come, honey,” he looks behind you, “Hello, Mr. Stark.”
“Osborn Jr.”
It’s no secret that Tony hates Harry, partly because he’s an Osborn, and partly because he’s so close to you. In his words, ‘(y/n), as a former teenager myself, I’m going to give you some advice. Never trust a boy, never trust an Osborn, and never trust a mix of the two.’
“So, have you come to charm my little cousin here,” Tony smiles pleasantly, taking a sip of his brandy. His hand is on your shoulder, keeping you closer to him than to Harry.
Harry smiles right back, “No sir, just exchanging business tales.”
“I’m sure,” Tony responds sarcastically, “(y/n), help me get Pepper away from the head of Smith Pharmaceuticals, would you? He’s tried to cop a feel twice so far, and I’m not particularly fond of trying to explain why I’ve punched another company executive.”
You laugh, and with an “Aye aye, captain,” you go off in the direction of one very uncomfortable ginger.
They both watch you walk away, one with a stare that is less-than-innocent.
Tony slides into your seat once you’ve left, turning to Harry. Harry scratches his cheek. Tony continues to stare at him.
With a slight cough, Harry starts to speak, “Well, as fun as this has been, I see a mini hotdog that’s calling my name.” He starts to stand up, but Tony grabs his arm,
“Hold on there Sparky, I have words.”
Harry sits back down, a little disconcerted but too cocky to show it.
“Alright, I’m all ears.”
“Look, we both know (y/n)’s a great gal. Pretty, intelligent, one of the only sparkling stars on the billionaire family tree.”
“I agree,” Harry replied and looked in your direction. At the current moment, you were smiling at a very drunk Mr. Smith as Pepper made her escape to the bathroom. He catches your eye, and you smile at him. Smiling back, he’s brought back to his conversation with your cousin as Tony snaps his fingers in front of his face.
“Yo, Romeo, bring it back here.” Harry looks back at your cousin’s direction.
Tony sighs, “see, this,” he waves his hand at Harry, “is not good. This is not what I have in mind for my baby cousin. She is pure, Osborn Jr., good. She doesn’t need any of your rich kid nonsense.”
Harry smirks, “My ‘rich kid nonsense,’ huh? I think you’re forgetting Stark, she’s also full of rich kid nonsense. And another important thing is that, hey, we’re just friends.”
“Oh please,” Tony scoffs, “I see you’re dirty little eyes on her. That ain’t friendship, little man.”
Harry’s expression turns innocent, “What, a guy can’t appreciate a beautiful woman?”
It was true, you were gorgeous. Beautiful (h/c) hair, (e/c) eyes, and (s/c) skin that a man could just--well, you get the point. Tonight was no exception. Your gown of black and gold made sure no eye was anywhere but on you, and your face was glowing in the dim light of the skyline behind them.
“No, not when she’s my cousin, you little weasel. And if you ever so much as breathe on her with your drooling corporal mouth I’ll-“
“Make a habit of threatening my son, Stark?”
An ‘oh, great’ escapes Tony’s mouth, then he turns his head to look up.
“Well, if it isn’t Osborn Sr. himself. I thought you weren’t coming here tonight, that’s why you sent El Guapo over here,” he gestures towards Harry.
Norman Osborn smiles tightly, “Well, what kind of business man would I be if I didn’t come to one of the big technology events of the year.”
Tony smiled right back, “Well, I’m sure you and Jr. here will have all sorts of neato gadgets to show off that will keep this crowd happy.”
Norman Osborn was not amused, “I think you staying out of my son’s personal business would make me happier.”
Tony stood up, “I think you and I both know that when it comes to Stark-Osborne relations, nothing is really personal.”
Harry interjected, “Dad, I-“
“Not now Harry,”
Harry frowned. This was his conversation with Stark, not his dads.
“So junior, you gonna let your dad keep talking for you? I’ll tell you right now, (y/n) prefers a man who doesn’t have to have his daddy speak for him.” Tony taunts.
“Oh please, Stark,” Norman scoffs, “here you are, talking for (y/n) like she’s still in the third grade. She’s a big girl, I’m sure whatever her and Harry are….involved in is none of your business.”
Tony’s nostrils flare in anger, “Look here, you big pile of-“
“Mr. Osborne, so nice to see you again!”
You interrupt just in time.
“(y/n,) always a pleasure,” Mr. Osborne’s eye crinkle, a charming smile lighting his face, “I was just talking to your cousin about the Stark-Osborne legacy you and my son are carrying.”
You laugh, “Well, I certainly hope it’ll be a long time before either of us have to carry it on our own.”
Tony scoffs out a “hopefully sooner than later” under his breath and you shoot him a glare before saying, “could I get you a drink Mr. Osborne?”
“No, I’m quite alright (y/n), thank you. And I must say, you look stunning tonight.”
Harry whispers a “hell yeah she does,” under his breath, which only Tony catches.
“Oh, god. I need another drink. Bartender!” Tony waves his drink over the edge of the counter, and a man comes up and takes his drink order.
“Well, as much as I’d love to stay and chat, I’m afraid I have to pull Tony away for a moment to discuss some business.”
“Of course (y/n.) Always so responsible, keeping your rowdy cousin in line,” Norman laughs.
“Yes, she does doesn’t she,” Tony replies, “I guess she’s had a lot of practice keeping egotistical billionaires in their place.” He locks eyes with Harry.
“Aaand we’re leaving!” You laugh nervously, tugging on Tony’s arm, “a pleasure, always.”
Both of the Osbornes wave as you leave with your sauntering cousin in tow.
“Quite a family, the Starks, don’t you think?” Norman asks his son.
“Yeah, they’re something.” Harry responds, watching you cuff Tony behind the ear for his behavior.
“That (y/n)’s grown up to be quite the young lady as well. Who would’ve guessed it.”
“Yeah, who would’ve guessed,” Harry mutters.