I watched the Spiderman Homecoming this week. Teenage high school drama meets superheroes, what's not to like? As soon as the film finished I had the strange urge to write something about Peter Parker. But I should focus on my two ongoing fics for now. Maybe I'll write a scene in this fic about Steve filming those gym and detention videos?
Coming Back to this fic, thank you for all your wonderful reviews. Reading about what you like and what you expect from this story really helps me because I haven't mapped out every little plot detail yet. And since this is the first work I've posted on any site and am getting feedback on if you have anything to say about my writing style - the dialogues, the characters, the detailing, please let me know.
I have two questions for you:
1. Since Pepper is out of the picture and I've started the Iron Man 3 arc in this chapter, who do you think should be kidnapped by Killian? Harry, Teddy or James?
2. Who do you think should be Tony's love interest? When I ended things with Pepper I didn't even think about someone new for him. Maybe George? Or Oliver Wood? Or maybe a woman? Let me know!
I don't own anything.
Chapter 7
Steve woke with a hum, burrowing deeper into the couch. Couch? Oh he had fallen asleep while talking to Harry once the movie had finished. He was pretty sure Harry had fallen asleep too; maybe that was why he had had the first nightmare free sleep since he had woken up. There had been no ice in his dreams, he hadn't woken up cold, so cold and he hadn't seen Red Skull's face. But Harry wasn't here right now. Maybe he had left?
Steve rubbed his eyes and sat up. He saw a note on the coffee table and picked it up.
At Tony's floor. Wanted to wake Jamie up myself. Breakfast at 9 on the common floor.
-Harry
How perfect was this man. He left notes. Steve didn't know if he did it as a force of habit or if he did it to make Steve comfortable but he was thankful. He sure wouldn't have checked his phone as soon as he woke up.
Steve hadn't woken up in time for his daily workout so he decided to take a bath and go have breakfast instead. As he walked into the kitchen he was reminded of the first morning he had seen Harry in the Avengers Tower. The only difference was Tony was sitting on the table and it looked like the boys were talking about something serious.
"Good morning. Everything alright?"
Harry turned to him and gave him a soft smile. Steve wanted to kiss him good morning but didn't know how Tony would react so he just sat down on the stool next to Harry.
"Everything is fine Steve. I was just telling Tony you know about magic."
Tony looked thoroughly disgruntled, "How is it that Capsicle who was stuck in the ice for 70 years knew about magic but me, Tony Stark who can hack any government system didn't?"
"I told you Tony" Harry said rolling his eyes, "It was just a matter of chance. It was war time, secrets come out."
"It's just not fair" Tony was whining now but Steve could see the amusement in his eyes and clearly Harry could too because he just patted his cheek and said, "Poor baby."
"I'm going to go and wake Jamie up now. Tony, get ready to leave in two hours, Daphne is a busy lady and you need to get your robes ready soon."
"I know. I'll be ready. Bet you haven't been to wizarding markets have you Cap? Hah!" Tony smirked, a smug look on his face and sauntered out of the kitchen.
"Wizarding market?"
"Oh I didn't tell you right? Ginny is getting married next month. And wizards wear formal clothes to weddings, even though Ginny's wedding is on the quidditch pitch so I don't know how formal it will be. We still need to be ready."
"Oh. Have fun then."
"Fun? There is nothing fun about robe fittings. Hey why don't you come with us? We'll be going to the Parisian wizard district."
"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to impose."
"Well Tony would probably tease you the whole time but if you can put up with that then come."
"I think I can put up with a little teasing if I get to spend the day with you."
The slight blush on Harry's face and the way his green eyes shined made Steve want to puff out his chest and walk around the room like a peacock.
"You should get ready then" Harry said finally. "Daphne definitely doesn't like waiting."
As Steve fell on the floor with Tony on top of him, his arc reactor squashed uncomfortably against Steve's side he knew he definitely wouldn't be travelling by this means again. Harry was standing, as cool as ever holding Jamie close with a slight smirk on his face.
"Portkeys take a little getting used to."
Tony groaned and stood up. "Yeah I really don't think so. This is 10th time I'm travelling by this and every time you tell me it'll get better. I won't be doing this again Harry."
"Oh shut up. I know you'll use it as many times as I want you to as long as I keep inscribing runes on your suit."
Tony didn't reply and wasn't that a first but he looked thoroughly irritated.
"Runes?" Steve asked as soon as he was up.
"They are like hieroglyphs. They are among the few magical things that can be done around technology and that too because the arc reactor powers Tony's suits and not electricity."
"So what you draw them on his suit?"
"Something like that. I use the ones that can use the ambient magic and don't need me to power them like the protection rune. Come on, let's go in the shop."
Steve had been so focused on the conversation that he hadn't noticed the alley they were walking into. If there was one word Steve could use to describe it, it would be bright. The café's looked similar to the non-magical ones and the atmosphere was just like Paris but everything else was different. The people were wearing long dress-like things. Steve assumed they were what Harry called robes. He couldn't wait to see Tony wear something like that. He might even ask JARVIS to take pictures. With a naughty smile on his face that made Harry raise an eyebrow and Tony look at him in surprise and confusion they walked inside the store.
An extremely good looking blonde woman walked up to Harry and kissed both of his cheeks. She did the same to Tony who gave her a flirtatious smile, a gesture she returned by smacking him on his head. She hugged Jamie and looked at Steve with a curious look on her face.
"Who's the cutie?" the woman said with a slight French accent.
"Gabrielle, this is Steve. Steve this is my friend and Fleur's sister, Gabrielle."
"Oh Harry tell him the truth! I'm the girl Harry would've married had he liked women." Gabrielle said with a teasing lilt to her accented voice.
Harry rolled his eyes and deadpanned, "I was married to Ginny."
"Ah but she was what do they say in America, batting for the home team, no? I would have mended your broken heart and stolen it ma Cherie."
Harry blushed slightly and Steve felt his chest constrict. Only he was allowed to make Harry blush. He was sure he was glaring at Gabrielle and the girl had noticed because she winked at him, took James' hand in her own and walked further into the shop.
"Daphne had to go to the branch in Milan due to some emergency and your robe styles had been decided so she asked me to stay back and take measurements."
Tony whooped and went closer to Gabrielle. "I think you'd be quite impressed with my measurements."
"Oh Tony, if only you were 15 years younger."
"Age is just a number, sweetheart."
"A number you should pay attention to. I can see the wrinkles on your face."
Tony's squeak and haste to get to the mirror had everyone laughing. He looked back at Gabrielle with a pout on his face, "Not fair darling, I look as handsome as ever."
Gabrielle brought out a measuring tape that started roaming all over Jamie and Steve stared in awe as measurements were being written down by a quill by itself. The boy looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there and Harry had a similar expression on his face but Tony was having fun. Steve himself couldn't believe this was real. He had known about magic and wizards but it had always been an idea and truthfully at the time of the war, a nuisance. They had enough problems without adding a wizard with delusions of world domination at that time. But seeing things now, a separate society with its own culture, clothing and completely different ways of doing things Steve couldn't help but wonder how Harry had left all this behind.
Tony got done with his measurements after James and took him to roam around since the boy was getting antsy. Steve wanted to see the rest of the alley too but he figured Harry would show him around when he was done.
"He needs a robe too?" Gabrielle asked pointing to Steve.
Harry didn't answer but looked deep in thought. Then he turned to Steve and grinned, "What do you think? Want to be my date to Ginny's wedding?"
Steve gaped, "What?"
"Well the wedding is next month and I was going stag but I'd really like it if you came. But I should warn you, I have a huge family and a lot of friends who would love to interrogate you." Harry was still grinning but there was a slight apprehension in his eyes.
"Yes of course."
Harry walked up to him and gave him a small kiss. "Great. Thanks."
Gabrielle was beaming in the background. "This is great! I'll take his measurements now and you all can come two weeks later for a final fitting. I'll make sure he matches with you Harry!"
"Whatever Daphne and you think is alright is fine with me. You know I'm no good at all this." Harry said with a slightly deprecating smile.
"Tony doesn't know?" Gabrielle said while taking Steve's measurement.
Harry who was sitting at a chair near them looked up, "What?"
"Tony doesn't know you're dating?"
"Not yet."
Gabrielle looked slightly disapproving, "Tell him soon."
"He's been through a lot recently Gabby."
"And how will he feel when he's the last to know?"
"No one knows. He won't be the last to know." Harry said firmly.
"Actually, Natasha knows." Steve piped in, "She guessed. Or spied on us." He shrugged.
Harry pinched his nose and Steve wondered why Harry was so worried about telling Tony. Would Tony disapprove? Would his disapproval matter?
"See, that girl knows and I know too."
"I'll tell him soon." Harry's tone showed he didn't want to talk about it anymore, Gabrielle mimed her mouth zipped shut.
Harry looked at Steve and smiled. "Come on, I'll show you around. We're meeting the others at a patisserie at the end of the alley."
Steve walked into the Helicarrier and thought about the weekend he had spent around Harry, if not always with him. Once they were done with their robes they had roamed around the magical alley a little bit, Harry pointing to different shops with cauldrons and toads and owls. He talked about a game called Quidditch gesturing wildly the whole time and by the time they reached the patisserie Steve was in a wonderful mood. They had spent some time showing Jamie around non-magical Paris and Harry had told him they would come to Louvre on a date sometime so that he could show Steve famous magical art. Saturday evening had been spent with the rest of the Avengers, Jamie thoroughly enjoying the attention he got from everyone.
Steve had wondered if he would come off as too needy if he asked to spend Sunday with Harry and James but in the end James solved that problem for him. He had wanted to go to the park and all the Avengers had ended up going, feeding ducks and playing ball. A few people had stopped to take Tony's autograph and click pictures with him; thankfully no one had recognised the rest of them in casual clothes. Ideally Steve would have wanted to spend the time alone with Harry, with James and Teddy nearby but he had taken what he could get.
He nodded to Coulson and Hill as he walked and knocked thrice on Fury's door.
"Come in."
"Director."
"Captain" Fury said as he stood up from his chair and gestured Steve to another one.
"I wanted to talk about working for SHIELD."
"Of course. What have you decided?"
"I want to work for you but I don't want to move to DC."
"And how do you suppose this will work?"
"I don't know. If you need my help here or if there is anything else I can do I'm here."
"What is keeping you in New York?"
"I'm used to city. I'm getting to know the people around me. I've made a few friends also. I don't want to lose all this and move to a new city just when I'm starting to enjoy this one."
"A soldier goes wherever he is needed, Captain."
"You forget Director, right now I'm not a soldier and we are not at war."
"You may not be a soldier but these days, we are always at war."
Steve remained silent and waited for Fury to say something else. Exchanging quips wouldn't solve his problem. He wanted to help, to be useful but he couldn't leave the people he knew in New York – Harry, James, Teddy, Natasha even Tony, behind. Natasha he could meet in DC also but the rest of them wouldn't move.
"I'll think of something Captain. I know a guy who might be able to help us."
"An agent?"
"No" Fury snorted "Not even a consultant and not for lack of trying. He just doesn't want to fight."
"Well fighting is not for everyone."
"True. Though I know if we really needed him, he would be here."
"That's good to hear. I'll be looking forward to a call from you Director."
"I'll get back to you within two weeks."
"Yes sir." Steve stood, nodded at Fury and walked out of his room.
He was walking to the exit when he bumped into Clint.
"Visiting Fury?"
"Yes I wanted to talk to him about joining SHIELD."
"Are you joining then?"
"I want to but I don't want to move to DC and he wants me there. He's thinking of something."
"I'm sure he will. Canteen?"
Steve nodded "Lead the way."
Steve ordered a chicken salad while Clint bought a chocolate pudding for himself.
"How's Stark?"
"You were with him yesterday. How do you not know?"
"I haven't seen him today. So how is he?"
"I haven't seen him today either. Must be in his lab."
"Not that one Captain" Clint winked at him, "How is the other Stark?"
"Potter. And you met him yesterday too. He's fine."
"I agree. He is quite fine." Clint leered slightly and Steve narrowed his eyes warily. "How was your date?"
"Did Natasha tell you?"
"Nope" Clint said with a slight smirk and started licking his spoon.
"Buy another one if you like it so much. How did you know I was going on a date?"
Clint looked uncomfortable for the first time. He mumbled something and flushed slightly.
"What?"
"I was in the vents. But I left as soon as you started sucking his face. Who knew you could kiss like that Captain?"
Steve wanted to be angry and to be honest he was slightly irritated but he was mostly relieved. If Clint had left when they kissed then he must not have heard about Harry's past. Small mercies.
"Don't do it again" Steve said firmly.
Steve had called him an hour ago saying he had something important to talk about. Work wasn't that busy since Harry had finalised the China deal and he knew his employees could handle all the day-to-day stuff now. He had invited Steve over for dinner with him and James asking him to meet Harry at a road near his house.
He saw Steve standing a grocery store on the corner from his place and waved at him.
"I hope you didn't have to wait too long. You wouldn't have been able to enter the all-wizard street yourself."
"No I just got here."
"I'll have to leave you alone at home for a while. I've to pick Jamie up from George's shop."
"No problem."
As they reached the wall separating the two worlds, Harry held Steve's hand and walked into the wall. Steve was stiff and his grip on Harry's hand was strong but he didn't let go. The street looked the same as it always did, lined with townhouses on both sides with the richer magical families sharing the neighbourhood. A lot of houses were empty and served as vacation homes for European wizards. The house Harry lived in had once belonged to the Blacks too and Harry had just renovated and made the interior lighter.
Harry added Steve to the wards and they walked in the house. It looked pretty normal but compared to Tony's tower it looked ancient. While Tony was fond of modern interiors with clean cut lines Harry was fond of bright colours and expensive but cozy furniture. He looked at Steve to gauge his reaction and the man had a small smile on his face.
"It suits you" He said in explanation.
"I'll go pick James up and then show you around. Actually he will show you around by dragging you from one room to another. But first -" He walked to Steve and looped his arms around his neck. Steve smiled at him and pulled him close. "We haven't been this close since Friday and you've been around all the time. It wasn't easy to control myself."
"Oh?" Steve said his voice deeper than usual, "and what will you do now that you have me to yourself?"
"This" Harry whispered and fused his lips with Steve's. Steve pulled Harry closer and walked back and sat on the sofa, Harry on his lap. Harry straddled Steve properly and kept kissing him. Harry's suit jacket was off him in a moment and his shirt had ridden up. Steve moved one of his hands from Harry's waist to his butt and used the other hand to draw circles on his exposed skin. Harry moved his hands into Steve's hair and pulled back. He kissed Steve's lips again then his forehead, his eyes, his cheeks, his jaw then opened his eyes.
"Hi" he grinned.
"That is a welcome I could get used to."
"Well, I aim to please."
"I'm very pleased" Steve said and then laid his head on the sofa's backrest. Harry rested his head on Steve's shoulders nuzzling his neck. Steve hummed then said, "I'll tell you what I wanted to talk about since Jamie's not here."
Harry nodded but didn't say anything. Steve was so huge that Harry felt positively tiny in his arms but it did feel good. He just burrowed closer and waited for Steve to say whatever he wanted to say. Steve's arms tightened around him and Harry let out a happy sigh.
"Clint knows about us."
Harry jumped back so fast he felt his head ringing for a second. "What? How?"
"He was hiding in the vents during our date."
Harry's face paled and Steve quickly reassured, "Not about your past. He stayed till we kissed and then left."
"Thank god. Why does everyone know?"
"Because I live with spies." Steve said dryly.
Harry snorted.
"You should tell Tony. I don't know him well but he doesn't like it when he doesn't know stuff."
"I don't know about telling Tony"
"He deserves to know. I don't think he'll have a problem with you dating, you're a divorced father of two."
"It's not about dating." Harry mumbled but Steve heard him.
"So it's about me? Tony is not my best friend but I think we can get along for your sake Harry."
"It's not about that."
"Then will you stop mumbling and tell what it is about?" Steve asked sharply.
Harry flinched slightly and moved to get off Steve's lap but he held him tighter.
"Don't move. I'm sorry." Steve sighed. "Just tell me what the problem is."
Harry hugged Steve but then got off his lap. "I'll tell you after dinner. Jamie's waiting for me." He apparated out without another word.
Dinner had been tense. Harry had tried his best to act normal for Jamie's sake but he knew he had failed. He just couldn't stop thinking about what Steve would say. He wasn't asking for something unreasonable. He worked with Harry's brother so telling Tony was important. Harry had ordered food from an Indian place he loved hoping that good food would improve their mood but no one except James had eaten. Steve was still picking on his roti.
"Come on, I'll tuck you in Jamie" He looked at Steve "I'll be right back."
Steve nodded but didn't say anything.
James walked into the bathroom to take a bath while Harry prepared all his night clothes. 20 minutes later they were on James bed, James tucked into Harry's side.
"Did you and Steve have a fight?"
"No we just had a disagreement. We'll talk about it. Don't worry."
"Eric Walther at my school said his mom fought with her boyfriend and now she cries all the time. Will you cry all the time daddy?" Jamie looked concerned but slightly disgusted so Harry just chuckled and pulled him closer.
"It is not that kind of fight. I won't be crying anytime soon, don't you worry. You should sleep now. I'll be downstairs if you need anything." Harry kissed his forehead.
"Okay dad. Night."
"Goodnight honey."
Harry wondered what he could say to Steve as he walked down the stairs. He would have to tell him something, Steve deserved that. But Tony's problems with Steve and Howard were told to him in confidence; it wasn't Harry's place to tell him. Maybe he could get away with saying the bare minimum and then talking to Tony.
Before he could say anything, Steve stood up as he saw him coming and started speaking, "I'm sorry Harry. We've known each other for a month and gone on one date. If you don't want to tell your family about me yet that is your choice. I shouldn't have pushed you. It's just that you're the first person who caught my attention in this time and you are kind and intelligent and caring and- Harry it's just -" Steve came closer to Harry "This is not a fling." He said seriously.
Harry took Steve's face in his hands. "This is not a fling for me either. You are the first man I've invited to my house that's not family, the first man I've been interested in that has met my children and knows I'm Tony Stark's brother. And I know – trust me I do, how strange this is – thinking about building a life together when you have known each other for such a short time. But I like what I know about you. And you were right - I do need to tell Tony because you're not going anywhere anytime soon."
"I'm not." Steve promised and kissed Harry on top of his head. "Will you tell me why Tony would have a problem with us together?"
"I don't know. It is Tony's secret to tell."
"Okay" Steve sighed "It's just that I've been trying harder to get along with him and I know overtime we will. But there is always this wall. We'll never get along as well I'd hoped we would."
"Howard spent most of his time in the lab or looking for you in the arctic. What little time they spent together, he would talk about you all the time."
Steve closed his eyes, a pained expression on his face. "Oh" he said softly.
"I'll tell him about us soon."
"This is the fifth in the string of bombings seen throughout the globe by the terrorist Mandarin. The intelligence agencies have been left bewildered by the lack of forensic evidence. Experts believe – "
The reporter's voice was blaring on the screen while Tony worked. Harry entered the lab and sat on an empty part of the counter, waiting for Tony to finish whatever he was doing.
"What do you think about this Mandarin guy?"
"What I think about every other terrorist" Harry said. He really wasn't interested in talking about bombings right now.
"He's bombing all major American cities. A lot of people have died."
"Do you think Iron Man is needed?"
"Not yet I think. I asked Rhodey, he said the government is handling it."
"Well I hope they handle it soon. The guy is kind of creepy."
Tony's lips quirked up but he still looked troubled. Was this the right time to tell him? Maybe when he wasn't so stressed? No. No he had to tell him now.
"Tony?" Harry said softly.
Tony hummed.
"I'm seeing someone. It's kind of serious."
Tony immediately put down his tools and looked at Harry with a big smile.
"Way to go kid! I know I am hardly someone who should talk about one night stands but I always knew you deserved better."
Harry smiled faintly.
"So who's the lucky guy?"
"It's Steve."
"Steve? Steve Rogers? Capsicle?"
Harry nodded. Tony's smile immediately fell off his face. He didn't look angry but Tony was a master at hiding how he felt. Harry liked to think he knew Tony inside out but he knew Tony could lie to him if he really wanted to.
Tony let out a bitter laugh. "Great. This is great. If daddy being crazy about the Captain wasn't enough, now my brother loves him too. Am I the only Stark who is not obsessed with him?"
"I don't love him. We've gone on one date."
"And you're serious about him after one date?" Tony asked his eyes wide with disbelief.
"We've spent some time together otherwise too. He's nice, I like him Tony." Harry was feeling like the 18 year old kid who was seeking validation from the only living family that liked him again. He hated it. He knew Tony loved him.
"Of course he's nice. He's freaking Captain America. Virtuous and kind and everything that's right with the world. How is he gay anyway? Doesn't go with the wholesome image."
"He was in the army and he's open minded."
"Absolutely wonderful! He has to be the only guy born in the 1920s who is okay with homosexuality too. Is there anything that's wrong with him?"
"I don't know" Harry tugged at Tony's elbow, "Are you okay with this?"
"Does it matter?" Tony snarked.
"Of course it does. You're my brother Tony."
Tony's expression softened slightly and his shoulders slumped. "Eight years you haven't dated anyone and then you had to fall for him." He said softly.
There was nothing Harry could say to that so he stayed silent.
"I'll see you later Harry. I've got some work to finish."
"Tony – " Harry said but Tony was already blasting music loudly. Harry sighed and walked out of the lab. "JARVIS let me know if he starts drinking."
"Of course sir. And sir?"
"Yes?"
"Congratulations. I'm sure sir will be happy for you too once he has had some time to think about things."
Harry smiled faintly. "Thanks JARVIS. I hope so."
