Chapter 14

"So what are you working on?" Harry asked, once they arrived at Tony's workshop.

He looked around and found that his first impression of the workshop was reinforced: it was completely and utterly an expensive version of Mr. Weasley's shed. In addition to the Iron Man suit and building layouts he had seen yesterday, there were tables full of bits and pieces of what Harry thought were robots.

"I have a few projects going on," Tony responded and started pointing out everything and explaining what he was doing with the hodgepodge of projects.

Watching his dad gush about his work was fun – even if most of it went over his head. After about half an hour of describing everything in the workshop, Tony finally noticed his lack of understanding.

"And all of that probably just bored you," Tony said, visibly slumping.

"No! No!" Harry reassured him quickly. "Yeah I don't understand most of what you said, but it was cool to hear you're so passionate. You're creating really cool things. I wish I could do that."

"You could – you so could," Tony said, excited again. "We can start with something simple – how about electrical? Here."

Tony picked up a piece of what looked like a gauntlet and slowly explained what each wire did, how they were connected, and what would happen should the connections change. Harry listened, fascinated, soaking up the information.

"Why don't you play with this for a moment, see what you can do with it?" Tony said, handing the gauntlet over to his son.

"Are you sure?" Harry asked, taking the gauntlet with wide eyes. "You only just told me about this – what if I ruin it?"

"You probably will," Tony said with a smile. "But that's OK, because you learn by doing. There's only so much you can learn from books. Engineering is pure trial and error – all of the set-up work you do, research can all go to hell once you are there in the guts of it. I've been working on engine and machines since I was five, and you couldn't begin to count how many wires I fry even still. You usually find out something doesn't work by fire – or at least I do. And hey! You're already safer than your old man with those gloves – which are super cool by the way. Is that alligator skin?"

"Thanks – um, I'm not sure, they were a gift," Harry answered, relieved that his dad was OK with the glove wearing.

Harry then turned his attention to the gauntlet. It hadn't blown up or did anything weird just because he was holding it, which was a point in favor of the gloves. He began to fiddle around with the wires, fascinated by how if he moved them certain ways, the fingers flexed, or if he changed the wiring placement, they would have more or less power.

"This is so cool," Harry said and looked up at his dad, who was beaming.

"It sure is – and you're a natural," Tony said, and at Harry's skeptical look, he insisted. "No, really – most people wouldn't have understood my instructions, let alone been able to take what I said and apply it to something as complex to part of my Iron Man suit."

"What?" Harry yelped in surprise – putting the gauntlet down quickly. "I thought it was something older, maybe, that you were letting me play with – not part of your suit! What if you need it now, and I messed it up?"

"Well, for one thing you didn't mess it up – from what I can tell, you actually improved it," Tony countered, unconcerned. "Two, even if you had, I wouldn't have been upset. Three, most of the current suit is in pieces around here, in need of upgrades, so it would be unusable anyway. And I always have a few spare suits in case of a crisis, so we're good on that end. So, no worries, OK, bud? We're all good."

"Yeah, but still," Harry said, not at all 'good' with it. He felt very uneasy about it. "Why would you let me play around with something that important? I just don't understand."

"As I said, you learn by doing – and why start with unimportant things? Those aren't that fun," Tony replied easily but decided if he wanted to avoid another argument like this morning, he should redirect the conversation. "How about we move on to something else? We can work on this spare engine I have – I can show you the ins and outs of it, so you'll know what I'm taking about when I talk cars – which I do a lot, cause cars are cool – and hey, we can move on later to working on actual cars! But for now, we can work on this one. It's an old thing. I found it when I was moving workshops. I sometimes just play with it when I'm stuck on other projects. It's nothing important, promise, cross my heart." And he actually crossed his heart, making Harry feel better and smile.

"OK," Harry said, agreeing now that he was sure the engine wasn't something every special. His dad was a mystery to him – why he would let Harry play with part of his Iron Man suit, he'll never know. The man seemed to have a lot of faith that Harry wouldn't wreck it, because Harry didn't quite believe Tony when he said that he wouldn't have been upset if the teenager had messed up. Maybe Tony didn't think he wouldn't be, but Harry knew better. Tony would see the screw-up and the destroyed item and would become angry and take it out on Harry.

Best to make sure he dealt with only scraps to avoid that episode.

It was really quite fun, learning all these new skills and working with his hands. It reminded Harry of gardening – using his hands to skillfully create new life, albeit now with lifeless machines. And that he was learning from his father, something he always dreamed about – it was amazing. Once there was lull in conversation – or rather when Tony stopped rambling – Harry decided to ask what he was wondering about.

"You said you've been doing this since you were five," Harry said and then asked, "So, did you do this with your dad, too?"

Tony froze for a moment. He should have realized that Harry would ask about Howard, but with the whirlwind of the past day – he didn't really think about that. Well, Tony wouldn't lie.

"Uh, yeah, I did," Tony answered, continuing to fiddle with the engine. "It was the only time we actually spent together – or rather the only time he would spend time with me. So I learned everything I could to try and impress him."

"Did you?" Harry asked before he could stop himself. He had a bad feeling about the answer, given the sadness coming from his dad. "I'm sorry – I shouldn't have asked."

"No," Tony replied eventually and sighed. He turned both his attention from the engine and his body so he was facing Harry. "I don't want you to feel like you can't ask me questions. My dad – Howard – He was a great industrialist and engineer. He helped create Captain America and worked on the Manhattan Project. After the war, he and Stark Industries helped build the American military industrial complex to what it is today. He was a very important man to America – and the world, really. Those kinds of men don't usually make great fathers.

"He was always too busy for family. I think the only reason he got married and had me was because he was getting older and he wanted to continue his legacy. Howard was older when I was born – much older than the other parents of kids my age. He was either working or drinking, or sometimes both. Never were times to disrupt him, because he had a temper. I grew to hate him, and although I slightly understand why he was the way he was now that I'm older – I don't think I'll ever forgive him for not being there when it mattered.

"And, now that I have you – I am even more angry with him," Tony continued and made sure to catch Harry's eyes. "I never wanted children, because I was afraid I would turn out like him. But now that I know you exist – I don't think I could ever have done what he did. I regret so much, not being there – and if I could turn back time I would – but we're here together now, so I'll be grateful for that at least." Tony pulled Harry into a one-armed hug, which Harry accepted. "I love you kid, and I want you to know that. My old man – he never said it, and I never knew how he felt. I don't want you to feel that way, to wonder where you stand. So I'm going to say it a lot, so much so you may get sick of it. But I need to tell you that I care for you and I love you – you're my blood, you're my son. I can't think of anything that could stop that feeling now that it's been released."

Harry was silent, tears welling up in his eyes. How long had he longed to hear those words? No one had ever said that to him – not even Sirius, although he knew his godfather cared for him. It was just too much.

"And you don't have to say anything back," Tony continued after a moment. "I just want you to know where I stand."

Tony honestly wasn't expecting anything either. God knows he wouldn't have known what to do with those words when he was Harry's age. But, it felt so nice to be able to express them now, especially with his child.

Harry nodded, still unable to say anything. They sat there like for a time until the teenager's stomach growled. Harry blushed, but Tony just laughed and gave his shoulders a squeeze before releasing him and standing.

"How about we go get lunch?" Tony asked, smiling at his son. "I know this little Italian place – it's a little hole in the wall, but it's the best damn pasta outside of Naples. I know the owners, and they're good about letting me in the back and giving me a private booth, so we'll have our privacy. And I can tell you about your grandmother, Maria. She's the most beautiful Italian woman I've ever seen and was an amazing cook – even though we had a chef, she would still insist on making homemade pastas..."

Tony continued to chatter on as they left the workshop, Harry smiling as he listened to his dad's stories about his grandmother. The morning had turned out well, despite the hiccups here and there. After learning more about his father's childhood, he understood the man better and why he was so enthusiastic about having a relationship with him. A part of him believed Tony when he said that there was nothing that would turn him away from Harry, and a voice that sounded an awful lot like Draco whispered that he should reveal his magic and that he would be accepted. But Harry had burned before for far less. No, it was best to wait and follow through with his plan and wait to reveal.

Plus, he was starving and didn't want to ruin lunch with all the shit from his magical life.

AN: Yes, I know it's been forever. But with uni and writer's block, I've been unable to write a word. I'm so glad so many of you love this universe – and your love has motivated me to start writing more on this fic. But, don't expect regular updates. My series "Supernatural Husbands" is what has my writing muse at the moment – check it out, if interested – but I won't ever abandon this fic, or any other. I just ask for patience and hope you continue your interest. Love, Insie