Harley gazed out the window as Happy, Tony's former bodyguard, drove them through the blaring New York streets. His leg bounced in anticipation and nerves that he would never admit to. He has the right to be nervous, however, as, save for their weekly calls or facetime, Harley hasn't seen Tony since the Mandarin incident. Tony had invited Harley over for the Summer to New York to check out colleges and help him find his next step. He still couldn't quite seem to be able to shake off that spark in his chest at the prospect that Tony cared enough to do this for him. Dreaming of long hours with Tony in the lab and finally having someone care for him rather than his constant responsibility to care for his mother and sister, Harley vaguely took in the mesmerizing tower that now stood before him.
A gruff voice pierced through Harley's daze, "we're here. Come on, out of the car."
Jerking in surprise, Harley then proceeded to unbuckle his seatbelt and open the car door as slowly as humanly possible, if only to grate his grumpy driver's patience even further.
Finally stepping onto the pavement, Harley watched as employees just beyond the grand, glass doors rushed about, briefcases on hand and high heels and leather shoes clacking against the sparkling, marble floors.
Hearing a low grunt from beside him, Harley found Happy motioning him forwards towards the doors. Happy, laden with Harley's suitcase, began crossing the floor, not making eye contact with anyone and with an air of importance. Harley quickly mimicked him, his head held high as he tried to refrain from gawking at the beauty of the lobby. Quickly and efficiently, the duo skipped security and reached the elevators on the other side. The corner of Harley's mouth quirked slightly as he noticed that the elevators they were using were clearly private.
"I'm getting off here, you go to floor 98," came Happy's commands from Harley's right.
The elevator doors then swung open and Happy briskly strode off muttering about chauffeuring all of Tony's teenagers, leaving a slightly confused Harley with his suitcase, bag in the empty, unnecessarily large and expensive-looking elevator. Soon, however, the elevator opened up again at what a strangely human-like voice announced as floor 98. Hesitantly stepping out, Harley took in the room before him. Contrasting from the pristine and professional-looking lobby, the room Harley stood in felt warmer and homey with a soft couch covered by crumpled blankets, take-out containers adorning the kitchen table and what seemed like muddy footprints on the walls. However, what drew Harley's attention was the half-finished mess of homework sheets, high school textbooks, and bag slumped haphazardly on one of the chairs. Taking a step further to take a closer look, Harley froze as he heard footsteps rounding the corner.
"Harley!" came the voice accompanying the footsteps.
Harley responded, "Hey there, old man!" Whistling dramatically, he continued, "look at all your gray hair!"
"Well, you have the kid to thank for that!" Tony quipped.
Harley's bantering mood quickly shifted to confusion. "Kid?" he asked.
Just then, a crash could be heard down the hall. Sounds of shattering glass, heavy thumps, and childish curses echoed.
Tony immediately went rigid. Cursing, he turned on his heel and sprinted towards where the sounds presumably came from. Confused and alarmed, Harley quickly unfroze and made a move to follow.
However, before he could take a step forwards, Tony's voice stopped him, "Stay here."
Unwilling but not wanting to disobey the first orders Tony has given him after being so generous with his offer to let Harley stay with him, Harley resignedly stayed behind and watched as Tony nearly hit the wall in his hurry.