Author's Note: So, I'm back. From outerspace.

No, but seriously, this fic, which started it all, is so darn difficult to write because I'm a perfectionist with my first born. I've been working on this chapter literally for a year and finally just said heck with it and clicked publish. I hope to have quicker updates than a year and a half for the next chapter. Thank you to all who have patiently waited for an update.

Also, just to state again - I NEVER ABANDON MY FICS. I may take hella long to update, but as long as there is a breath in my body, I will finish the suckers at some point.

Love you all, Insie

Chapter 15

The next few weeks went by quickly. Harry and Tony continued to get to know one another, both enjoying each other's company. They kept mostly to the penthouse and the workshop but also took some fieldtrips around NYC, all in disguise.

Harry had the most fun in his life during those expeditions. They put on wigs and all manner of dress in their disguises, and Tony had him cracking up, acting out their parts with style and flair. They took a boat to Ellis Island and climbed up into the Statue of Liberty, travelled to the top of the Empire State Building, enjoyed to a Yankees Game in the nosebleed seats with only minor grumbling from Tony ("When we're public, I'll get seats right behind homeplate"), and took a boat out into the harbor.

More than anything, the best part of those adventures for Harry was the feeling of his dad's hand on his shoulder and the proudness in the man's voice when he asked for tickets, "One for me, and one for my son."

Son. He was someone's son. How wonderful was that?

*HP*HP*HP*

At home, Harry got to know Bruce more. Whereas Tony was high energy at all times, Bruce was more mild-mannered and calm. They were yin to each other's yang, and Harry enjoyed listening to their conversations, although most of it went over Harry's head. Bruce was quick to notice.

"What subjects did you take at your school?" Bruce asked, after another scientific conversation where Harry was left confused.

"My focus was in dance," Harry replied, averting his gaze from the older man and looking down at the motor he was working on. More and more, Bruce reminded Harry of Remus. Gentle yet sharp in his thinking. He caught on more than he let and didn't let you know it until you were caught up in your own web. Harry made sure he was careful.

"You did other subjects, though?" Bruce asked, raising an eyebrow. "I was under the impression that British schools specialize to three or four."

"Well, most do," Harry replied. "But mine – since it's an arts school – we focus on one area and are tutored in the basics of the others. The goal is to get into the art and drama uni's or the industry."

"How did you get into that school?" Bruce asked, eyes still keen.

"Well, I did pretty poorly in the other subjects, but excelled in phys. ed. when we did dancing, etc." Harry replied, remembering the history he and Balderdash had come up with. "So, the teacher nominated me to audition for the arts schools, and I was accepted to a boarding school in Scotland."

"Was that difficult, leaving your family for boarding school?" Bruce asked, calm as ever.

"No," Harry replied immediately, then realized that answer was wrong when it came to normal people. People who didn't live with the Dursley family. He quickly tried to explain. "I mean, of course I missed them, but I was happy to be going to a special school."

"Of course," Bruce repeated, his eyes flashing. Harry had the awful feeling that the man was going to call him out on the lie, but then the man changed the subject. "Have you danced since you came here, then?"

"Uh, no not really," Harry answered, and before he could say more, he was interrupted.

"Shit!" Tony cursed, and Harry looked up quickly at his father to see him looking at Harry with a pained expression. "I should have thought of that!"

"What -?" Harry started asking, confused at what his father was going on about.

"You don't have a place to dance here!" Tony exclaimed, starting to look frazzled. "Or in the new tower! I didn't include a studio! Once you told me your interests, I should have started amending the designs – instead I'm making you working on what interests me –"

"But I like doing this!" Harry countered, wanting to calm the man down. "You're not making me do anything! Really – it's fine. I enjoy spending time with you and Bruce and working on these things."

"But –" Tony started, only to have Bruce hush him.

"Harry, why don't you go out and call Happy to come pick us up?" Bruce asked. "It's time we should go back to the apartment for dinner. We'll meet you downstairs in just a minute."

Harry wasn't stupid. He knew he was being dismissed so the 'adults' could talk.

"But –" Harry started, only for Bruce to also hush him.

"Please, Harry, it'll only be a moment," Bruce said, with a calm tone of finality, eyes flashing. It was strange. The man didn't scare Harry or make him feel threatened, but at the same time, Harry felt obliged to follow his instruction. He still felt a swirl of rebellion in his chest, but he took a breath and nodded, leaving the workshop and his father and Bruce behind.

*HP*HP*HP*

"Why did you cut me off?" Tony asked once Harry left the room. "Why did you send Harry away? I was only saying –"

"Tony, what were your thoughts when Harry said he hasn't danced while he's been here?" Bruce asked, calm as ever when interrupting his friend.

Tony looked at Bruce as if he was stupid.

"Exactly what I said," Tony said slowly, not understanding why Bruce was suddenly dense. "I should have thought about that. I knew Harry danced before he came here, but all I've done with him is push him into what I wanted. I just can't believe I've become my – nevermind."

"No, finish your thought, Tony," Bruce encouraged, setting a hand on Tony's arm. "Became your father?"

"I thought you weren't that kind of doctor," Tony snapped, pulling his arm away.

"Tony, be honest with me," Bruce asked, his voice as kind as ever.

"Yeah, so what?" Tony replied, turning away and staring at the motor his son had been working on. For knowing nothing about anything mechanical before moving here, Harry was a natural with the machines, even though he insisted on wearing those gloves all the time. It always made Tony's chest puff with pride – until realizing her had pushed it on his son made it pop and deflate.

"The reason I stopped you, was because I thought you were about to fall into your anxious-depressive spiral, Tone," Bruce said gently, and Tony turned his head sharply back to face Bruce, his breath caught in his throat. "Was I wrong?"

"... No," Tony whispered, looking away. How could Bruce know – when even he didn't realize that was about to start?

"It's OK, Tony, I understand, but," and at this, Bruce moved until he was facing Tony and held onto his shoulders, "we need to talk about Harry."

AN:So, Tony will learn of magic. EVENTUALLY! It's not what Bruce plans to talk about. Just to make clear.

Hope you enjoyed.

Merry Christmas/Festive Season!

Love, Insie