Chapter Text
Harley never hated his mother. Even when living in the same house as her became more than difficult. They used to argue every single day,slammed doors and too many words that never should've been said.
Eventually, one afternoon, the fights simply stopped. No more yelling,no more arguments. They just stopped talking altogether, like two strangers living under the same roof.The house became so quiet Harley could barely convince himself it was peace. No. It was just empty.
A few weeks later, Tony called.
Harley had been sitting at a bus stop, not really waiting for a bus. Just waiting for time to pass.
Peak entertainment in a small town.
"Harls?" Tony's voice came through the phone, oddly cautious.
The school had emailed Harley's embarrassingly red report card directly to Tony. Just like every important detail about Harley's academic life somehow got sent straight to him.
Tony didn't need many details. A few questions and a couple seconds of silence gave him all the answers he needed "Pack your stuff" he said "You're coming to New York."
....
The following Saturday, Harley felt something strange settle inside him the second he stepped off the plane, like all the weight he'd been carrying back in Tennessee had been left behind on the runway.
Tony was waiting for him in the airport lobby. The genius pulled off his sunglasses the moment he spotted the mess of blond hair and broke into one of his huge smiles, softer than usual.
Only then did Harley realize how badly he'd needed that. The anxiety of starting an entirely new life in New York already felt smaller. Almost manageable.
That brief sense of peace lasted exactly until Tony started talking.
"I can't wait for you to meet Peter. You guys are gonna get along great, Harls. You're gonna love him."
...Shit.
Harley forced a polite smile.
Tony's giant grumpy bodyguard grabbed the suitcases while they headed toward the car.
The drive through the city was impressive, even with Tony talking about Peter the entire way there. Peter's projects. Peter being amazing. Peter this, Peter that. Honestly, Harley barely listened.
New York blurred past the windows like a movie. There were so many people, so many buildings.Jesus, so many lights. They even drove past Midtown, where Harley would start school on Monday.
That made everything suddenly feel real. This was his life now.
Tony noticed Harley staring out the window for a little too long and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"Things are gonna be better from now on, Harls." The kiss pressed against his temple caught Harley off guard. He didn't complain, though.
When they arrived at the Tower, Harley had to hurry to keep up with Tony through the lobby. The place was enormous and absolutely everything screamed expensive and way too futuristic. Scientists in lab coats and people in suits rushed past constantly like every second inside the building mattered.
Harley probably would've started running too if Tony wasn't walking around like he was taking a relaxing stroll through a flower garden.
"The back elevators we usually use are broken" Tony commented once the doors closed behind them, clearly noticing Harley's discomfort with the chaos downstairs "I'll fix it. You won't have to walk through that mess every time you leave or come back."
Harley nodded with a quiet, heartfelt, 'Thank God'
When the elevator dinged and the penthouse doors finally opened, Harley stepped out, then froze. A short laugh escaped him.
Tony frowned behind him "What?"
Harley didn't answer immediately. He walked a few steps into the massive living room, glancing around like he was trying to solve a puzzle.
Blankets tossed over the couch, a forgotten mug on the coffee table, picture frames lined across the shelves.
Harley swore the place somehow looked sunnier than outside. Slowly, he turned back toward Tony"Since when?"
Tony leaned one shoulder against the wall, confused "Since when what?"
Harley gestured vaguely at everything.
"This." He paused "It looks like a normal person's house."
Tony raised an eyebrow, visibly trying not to laugh "I'm gonna pretend that wasn't an insult."
Harley wandered farther into the room with a bewildered grin "I'm just saying, last time I was here it looked like a giant laboratory."
"That was minimalist design."
"That was depressing."
Tony narrowed his eyes before suddenly grabbing Harley and pulling him down the hallway.
"You're exaggerating."
Harley huffed while being dragged along. Somewhere along the way he relaxed a little. The argument definitely wasn't over,not even close,but he let it go when Tony stopped in front of a door and opened it. The bedroom was huge. A large bed sat perfectly made in the center of the room. The walls were mostly empty except for a bookshelf and an armchair by the window.
Harley walked slowly toward the floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the city. The skyline practically consumed the entire wall, and with the sun beginning to set, New York looked like it was on fire.
"I figured I'd let you decorate however you want" Tony said behind him "So the room's kinda... empty. Hope you don't mind."
Harley turned to look at him like he'd just said the dumbest thing imaginable.
"We'll get furniture and whatever else you want this week" Tony continued, tapping his fingers against the doorknob "Anything you want."
"It's perfect, Dad" The sincerity in Harley's voice was so simple and immediate that Tony stopped talking entirely.
And there it was again.
That paternal look.
It was still something new between them. Harley definitely wasn't gonna complain about it.
Tony pointed toward the suitcases on the floor "I'll let you get settled. Friday'll let you know when dinner's ready."
He winked before leaving and closing the door behind him.
....
Harley took a quick shower, the hot water washing away some of the exhaustion from the trip. While looking around, he couldn't help noticing there wasn't a single mint product in the bathroom anymore. Not even the mint shampoo Tony used to love.
When he got out, he spent a few minutes just staring out at the city while the lights slowly flickered on below.
After that, he unpacked half his clothes onto the armchair, some onto the bed, and a few directly onto the floor. He'd deal with the mess tomorrow.
Right now, he just needed something to wear to dinner.
Things were going way too well to be true.
So well Harley had almost forgotten about the other kid.
Tony had mentioned him during phone calls before. Peter was a little younger than Harley and had apparently been Tony's intern for a while before something happened and the kid ended up living with him. Tony never explained much more than that.
Harley knew they'd have to live together, and that wasn't changing anytime soon, so he tried not to form assumptions too quickly. Maybe the kid wouldn't be that bad.
Things were gonna work out. Harley had already planned everything out in his head. They'd meet, talk, maybe even have stuff in common.
It wouldn't be that hard.
Harley built this entire mental plan while walking down the hallway and turning into the kitchen. Then immediately spotted the kid.
Peter.
He was sitting on the kitchen counter, legs swinging in socked feet while rambling nonstop about something Harley couldn't even understand because all of Peter's attention was focused on Tony.
And Tony-
Tony was looking at him like Peter was the most precious, fluffy puppy in the world.
Something strange settled in Harley's chest at that exact moment. And it wasn't jealousy. Definitely not.
Harley cleared his throat softly to announce himself.
Tony looked up immediately "Harls!" He broke into a huge grin "C'mere." he crossed the kitchen, grabbed Harley by the shoulder, and practically dragged him over to the counter
"Peter, this is Harley."
Harley had seen his face before in one of the picture frames on the shelf.
But in person, it was different.
Peter was small. Big brown eyes, almost like a startled deer, and a T-shirt with some stupid science pun on it. Everything about him screamed nerd.
Harley shrugged lightly as he approached, keeping an easy smile on his face while making direct eye contact.
Tony barely noticed the tension that appeared within seconds.
They hadn't even exchanged a single word yet, but Peter noticed.
Harley was sure of it.
Peter's smile slowly faded into something polite. Polite enough.
At least he wasn't stupid.
....
The dinner started quietly.
Harley pushed food around his plate with his fork while trying to decide where exactly he was supposed to look.
Tony seemed completely relaxed, like there was absolutely nothing weird happening.
Peter, on the other hand, looked like he was trying very hard to disappear into his chair.
Tony spoke first, attempting to bring some life back to the table "Peter loves robotics, Harls."
Harley slowly looked up and nodded, pretending to care "Cool."
Peter hesitated for a second before added, with carefully restrained enthusiasm "Chemical engineering too."
Harley nodded once "Hm." and immediately looked back down at his plate.
For a second Harley thought Peter was gonna keep talking. He didn't.
The silence stretched on.
Harley finally broke it. "You're cooking suspiciously well" he commented toward Tony. "I was honestly scared we'd survive entirely on fast food here."
Tony laughed immediately "Excuse you." He pointed his fork at Harley "Nobody in this house has gotten food poisoning in at least three months."
Harley raised an eyebrow "Nothing's stopping you from poisoning me in the next few months."
Tony burst out laughing.
Peter quietly poked at his food, glancing sideways at the way Tony laughed so loudly.
"I just hope you give me enough time to explore the city first" Harley continued.
"I'll think about it." Tony took a sip of juice. "By the way... you and Peter are going to the same school."
Harley's fork hit the plate with a soft clink. He looked up immediately "Oh... seriously?"
Tony kept talking like he'd just delivered incredible news "Yep. He's a few grades ahead." He gestured toward Peter with his fork "I think you two might even end up sharing some classes."
Harley nodded slowly.
Peter kept his attention fixed on his plate like something fascinating was happening there, but he still caught the brief grimace that flashed across Harley's face and disappeared just as quickly.
"I was actually thinking maybe you guys could leave early Monday" Tony continued, sounding more like he was asking Peter than telling him "Peter could show you around. Introduce you to some of his friends maybe..."
Peter looked up, mildly surprised to suddenly be dragged into the conversation "Uh- yeah, sure." He glanced quickly toward Harley, who was smiling pleasantly at Tony "We can leave early."
"Dad?" Harley asked, sounding suddenly eager.
Tony hummed in interest for him to continue.
"I was thinking... it's been forever since we worked on something together. Maybe we could go down to the lab tomorrow?"
Tony immediately looked interested-
But Peter interrupted before he could answer.
"But-" Peter sounded confused, and Tony instantly seemed to realize something he'd forgotten.
"Oh. Right. Your appointment." He leaned his head back with a sigh. "You mind if we push it a little later, Roo? Harley and I have a lot to catch up on."
Peter bit the inside of his cheek before quietly mumbling "That's fine"
Harley frowned slightly "Appointment? Are you sick?" There was a trace of concern in his voice.
Tony answered before Peter could.
"No, nothing like that. We just need to pick up some supplements... Vitamins and stuff." He reached over absentmindedly and ruffled Peter's hair. Peter went completely still beneath the touch while Harley watched "Gotta keep this rebellious hair soft and shiny somehow."
"Oh." Harley murmured it while holding Peter's gaze for a few seconds longer than necessary.
He really is spoiled.
Harley thought before finally looking back at Tony "So? Just you and me tomorrow?"
"Of course" Tony answered easily before standing and carrying the plates to the sink.
Peter shifted uncomfortably in his chair the second Tony turned his back, a stare burned against him immediately. He looked up and found Harley watching him, watching for way too long to be normal.
Peter felt strange suddenly, like he was supposed to apologize for something.
Should he?
Things were getting weird very quickly.
...
By the time Sunday morning arrived, Harley practically dragged Tony down to the lab before breakfast was even finished.
He didn't leave room for hesitation. Not even a second. If Tony had time to think, he might remember to invite Peter.
The lab turned out to be exactly what Harley needed. The familiar smell of oil and electronics relaxed him more effectively than therapy probably ever could. They worked for hours.
Tony went through old sketches Harley had abandoned months ago, projects he'd never managed to finish because he lacked parts. Or motivation.
Now the whole thing felt almost ridiculous. Tony had everything.
"This is still a good idea" Tony commented while flipping through one of the pages. He grabbed a pen and scribbled notes into the corner of the design.
Tony talked about the Avengers staying permanently at the Tower and how everyone was slowly learning to tolerate each other better. They had so much to talk about Harley barely had to hear Peter's name more than once or twice.
Eventually, an entire folder had been split into two piles, "This could take months" And "We'll finish this in one night"
Tony set down the piece he'd been adjusting and wiped grease off his hands with a rag "Alright, peanut."
He pointed at Harley
"Go upstairs and wash all that oil off."
Tony grabbed a blond strand of Harley's hair that was now completely black with grease. "Especially this part."
Harley tried pushing his hand away.
"And I'm taking Peter down to the medbay to get the vitamins he needs."
Harley's shoulders immediately dropped. He looked at Tony like the man had just flushed his goldfish down the toilet "Do we have to go up already?"
The disappointment in his voice was painfully obvious. Sure, they'd already been down there for hours, but Harley felt like they could stay twice as long and it still wouldn't be enough.
Tony tilted his head and smiled at him
"We've got all the time in the world, kid. Don't you wanna save some fun for later?"
"No. Not really."
Tony snorted, completely used to this by now "Yeah, you definitely do."
He stood and headed toward the elevator, already feeling Harley trailing behind him like a shadow.
....
When they got back to the penthouse, the TV was on. Some dumb renovation show played across the screen, kitchen remodels or something equally boring.
Peter was stretched across the couch like he'd melted into it, one arm thrown over his eyes.
Harley slowed for a second at the sight. He looked way too comfortable here.
Peter lifted his head when he heard the elevator open.
Tony crossed the room without slowing down at all, like there was an invisible schedule running inside his brain. "Parker."
Peter raised one eyebrow lazily from the couch "Hm?"
Tony jerked a thumb toward the elevator.
He passed Harley and gave him a quick pat on the top of the head almost absentmindedly. "Shower."
Harley opened his mouth to complain but the elevator doors were already closing again with Peter inside.
Harley let out a small sigh and ran a hand through his oil-covered hair.