disclaimer: do not own mcu or their characters
restart my heart
the plan
time frame; september — same day
midtown school of science
He can't help but stare at her when she walks by. She's slowly becoming more alive with each passing day. Gaining a personality that is turning more and more into a gentle version of her father's, his idol. The man that sparked his dream of breaking into the tech industry. Created the opportunity for him to make a difference to those in need. Inspired him to be a better version of everything Tony is and was.
Tony and therefore Sophia by proxy is the entire reason he discovered his passion. Found what he was good at. Helped him realize he could make a difference in this crazy world of evil robots, mysterious aliens, and superpowered humans working in secret societies. Tony taught him the tech and business and the do's and dont's of the new world. Sophie taught him the social aspect and the heart needed to persevere this new world. The more he learned — the more he became involved with this society he never thought for a second in the past he would have a hand in, the more determined he was to want that better life not just for himself but for everyone else who suffered like him. To build a safe, fair future for generations to come.
Sophia Maria Stark made his world brighter and his vision for the future sharper.
Every time she's in his vicinity his eyes become glued to her figure until she disappears around a corner or into a classroom. Always stuck watching her from afar. He had become so pushed aside, so far away in fact that he is no longer considered her shadow or "joined at the hip" as Pepper would once say.
Despite the fact his position has been replaced without so much as a two week notice, he still watches over her. She's still a part of the plan, after all.
She's the key to achieving his dreams and cementing himself into the fast lane to guaranteed success. Everyday she's so close but still just out of his grasp.
Close enough to admire her smile but far away enough that she forgets he's standing there. Unable to see or acknowledge him in the vast crowd of people. He is especially ignored now that there is a new, small group of people that have been granted a rare opportunity by her.
To be allowed a part of the Stark inner circle.
A very rare and prestigious title to have indeed. Only given to those that are truly worthy. People the Avenger's and Co say are good influences. People Tony would lay down and die for. People Pepper will shower in lavish gifts and attention. People Sophia would declare trustworthy of all her secrets if worst comes to worst.
A rare position that he himself has never been given the full benefits of. No matter how long he's known her and them and everyone that's ever been in the highly coveted inner circle of the Stark family. Something he longed for and had thought it was so close he could taste it. Standing just right at the outskirts.
He was able to be invited into their home and lab and bring close friends with Sophia was a plus. Tony had even granted him the gift of being able to tinker on the old, albeit the 'non-dangerous', projects. The ones he couldn't use for his plans. Ones that couldn't be turned into weapons.
But all of those privileges didn't hide the fact that access was highly restricted. He had to be escorted from room to room with Happy. Blueprints and holograms and phone calls would swiftly disappear and come to a halt the second his presence entered the vicinity. The message was clear.
Harley Keener wasn't trusted. Not yet.
He knew if he got into that inner circle, allowed to be part of something bigger, everything would fall into place. A spot right next to Sophia Stark that he just knew she was leaving open for him. The open, empty place to her meant for the best.
Something she once held sacred. Never letting anyone but himself even be considered to be a part of. Even if just a small portion of that sacred spot. Now she has clearly lowered the standards to that title and as a consequence Harley just stands off to the side, alone and resentful, while he watches the tall, lanky brunette of a boy pass by with Sophia Stark.
The one who grabbed the spot, those benefits, the privileges, the everything without even trying. Seemingly coming from absolutely nowhere yet has been given so much grace, attention, and perks more than Harley himself has ever received or could even dream of being on the receiving end of.
In return, Peter Parker seems to take his newly appointed (stolen) role very seriously. Hiding Sophia away from the big, bad world and all the people in it.
She's always safely and carefully tucked away into his side. Face hidden from onlookers because he oh so conveniently hides her behind his shoulder. She's never alone anymore. Hardly even visible.
The babysitter got upgraded to bodyguard.
They arrive at school together and leave together. Attend half their classes together and, Harley suspects, her weekends are booked to see him. He can barely get her to put some time aside for facetime calls with him but when she does, Peter Parker is always in the background.
Hovering. Listening. Interfering.
If Sophia and Harley didn't share a first period together he was pretty positive they would have gone the last three weeks without saying a word to one another. It was as if class was the only reminder she had that he exists. Which barely even helped him worm his way back into her life since he now sits behind her instead of next to her. Forced to play nice with Parker's best friend; Ned Leeds.
Peter Parker has taken his place at her side since the first day of school when she forced him out into the hall. Not realizing we were supposed to be choosing our partners for the year at that time and leaving with Parker unfortunately led to the chain of events of Harley continuously being pushed to the side. Starting with the teacher assuming the two would be year long partners which led to Harley's only option: Ned.
Peter Parker quickly became the bane to his existence.
There was a plan. A solid plan that was working without a hitch. Sophia, daughter of the hero, billionaire philanthropist, was — is a part of that plan. The entire plans revolved around her. Wouldn't and could not work without her in his life.
To be his best friend and help him rise to the top through her connections. Tony, Dr. Banner, Dr. Cho, and the rest of the Avengers. Learn the in's and outs of government secrets. SHIELD and SWORD. Marry Sophia, change his last name to Stark, and become head of Stark Industries and change the world by making more weapons. Making more heroes. Giving more power to those in need. Making them into their own weapons to fight against unjust violence and crime. From within our planet and beyond.
Why only rely on a select few people to fight against a Thano's or an Ultron? Especially now, with half the Avenger's dead or retired, or disbanded. Now they have no one. The world needs someone to take the mantle Iron Man and Captain America left empty. The world needs more, deserves more.
The more heroes, the more people with potential, the safer the world could be. No one would have to be lost to a war or crime or poverty again. All he would need to start this venture is Stark Industries and the key to the company relies solely on Sophia Stark's hands.
He knows Tony has left a mountain of tech behind in Sophia's name. A multi-billion dollar industry of techs and weapons just sitting and waiting for Sophia to step forward and take it. An opportunity anyone would fight for, kill for, and, without a doubt, die for. Life changing tech that could give generations of multiple families so much wealth.
Tech she's claimed she never wants to lay eyes on when he asks. She didn't have the heart to look at it or even go through it to give him some projects to work on. The only thing she was willing to part with was her mothers busted helmet at her moms attempt to placate the two teens. Pepper claimed she was never going to use it again. To his annoyance, it's all Pepper Potts would part with. A helmet would not go nowhere near as far in activating his goals as he would like.
Letting all that beautiful technology and weaponry go to waste. It's selfish. Careless.
He cares for Sophia Stark greatly. Deeply. Pre-blimp she was once positive, confident, and always said what was on her mind. Whether it be an insult or to give love. Highly intelligent and innovative. She had just lacked passion. Preferring to watch Tony and himself work on their projects while she read. Smart enough to throw in helpful suggestions or ideas, fast enough to keep up, but never truly being involved.
Which was fine. It meant he could take the reins. In their friendship, relationship, and in the future of the company. He knew she had no interest in taking full control of Stark Industries or the Avengers Compound. Instead, she would rather focus on philanthropy and social justices.
She would take care of the little details. The legality of making the world better while he would work in the shadows. Pulling strings and aiding the poor with weapons and power. To finally create equal footing in this world for all.
When she suggested going to a real school for a normal life, he thought she was ridiculous. That it might be a childish whim. Why go to a school, even if it's a STEM school, when she has the best professors in their fields to guide her?
But then she invited, begged, and bribed him to come. Convinced Pepper to help pay for expenses and offer his mom a remote job. He got to be closer to Sophia and accelerate his plan. He would be a fool to turn it down. No more occasional summer visits. They'd see each other everyday. By the time they graduated high school and got into their first year of college he would have it all. Have Sophia and Stark Industries in three years. Married and on his way to take control of the company. It was finally coming together.
That was the plan.
Post blimp, Sophia has become a low-spirited hermit. Withdrawn from everyone around her, keeping to herself more than usual with no interest in her previous hobbies. A shell of what she used to be. Harder to work with but still possible. Moldable. Might even be easier. He could work on her restoring her to her formy glory after he accomplished what needed to be done.
The plan was still viable. Even without Tony as a possible mentor, part of the avengers gone, and Sophia dragging her feet through life, Harley knew he could still make the world better and end up where he needed to be. He was still Sophia's only friend and contact to the outside world. He didn't see a possible future where they didn't end up together.
He did not, however, expect a former babysitter to swoop in and take her right from underneath his nose. The dynamic shifted as soon as they left their shared first period class together on the first day of school. Harley didn't think much of it at that moment. Simply assuming she would yell at Parker for distance and independence before coming right back to his side like the loyal dog he trained her to be.
As the minutes ticked by with her absence the more unease he felt. She never returned. Harley clenches his fists in his pockets. Teeth grinding. She hasn't returned. Three weeks later and the spot by his side is still empty.
If she wasn't going to come willingly then, he decided, he was going to go get her himself.
The very second the last bell of the day rang, Harley went on the hunt. Waiting impatiently by her locker for a solid twenty minutes before he realized she wasn't coming. She broke her promise. Again.
Roaming every hall, the gymnasium, library, and courtyard. Constantly calling her phone as the minutes go by. Slowly being driven into madness with every phone call and text she misses and ignores.
"It didn't use to be this hard." Harley mutters under his breath. Lapping back around to the corridor facing the courtyard behind the school. Where the extra curricular classes are lined up.
Most of the students are long gone. The only few handful that are left are ones involved in after school clubs — all based in STEM of course. Leaving Harley to easily spot her if he ran into her.
He just didn't anticipate Peter to be able to hide her so well in plain sight. It was almost as if he knew when Harley was near and was able to redirect. A constant game of keep away.
Probability speaking, after his third lap around he should have at least some inkling of where she could be. But he didn't. Not once having run into her or the group of people she now calls her friends.
"I just don't think it's a good idea. I've already caused such an uproar by being a student here. I'm not sure joining your club will be the safest decision."
Sophia's voice bounces off the walls in the hallway. Harley grins. I finally found you.
"Trust me, I doubt any of these dweebs would lay a hand on you. It's not like we have any jocks wandering around. The worst we have is Flash. This is a STEM school."
"Actually, you might have to watch out for Flash, though. He's a huge fanboy of yours. But if you need to distract him just bring up Spider-Man. Dude is obsessed. To an uncomfortable degree."
Harley rounds the corner of the hall and stops in place. Four teenagers standing in a circle in the back of the hallway. Sun radiating down on from the windows behind them. Little Sophia Stark standing in the middle with, of course, Peter Parker standing right at her side. Close enough her shoulders occasionally brush his arms as she rocks back and forth in contemplation.
"As nice and helpful as that is, I was talking more about their safety than mine."
"It will be fine. What's the worst that can happen? You do a few interviews about how we're the best, sign a couple of autographs, take some photos, make your way to the podium and answer math-y, science-y questions then we all go home. Boom. Bam. Done. Italy, here we come."
"I think what Ned means to say is," Peter adjusts the grip on his backpack, straightening his back. "That most of the club's time is here on school grounds. We practice here and regionals are held here. Where there's high security due to location and well, of course, you. If we can get past that with no issues then we'll do another team meeting on what we'll do from there."
Harley rolls his eyes. Of course Parker would think it would be that simple. He's too naive.
"You already said you would join if I approved and I approve so it's case closed."
"Yeah but now that I'm here all I can think of is what could go wrong. I don't want to put you guys through any more news articles." Sophia groans.
"I personally think it's really cool when I see myself on tv. You know how many girls have come up to me because I know you? I have street cred now." Harley can't help but scoff when the shorter male puffs out his chest.
"Like MJ said, case closed! You wanted normal and joining a club at school is normal. Stop over thinking." Peter tells them.
"Or," Harley strolls forward. Stopping a few feet away from the friend group. Eyes never leaving Peter's. "She can stay here where she's safe. In turn keeping her classmates safe. We don't know what's going to happen now that the Avengers are gone. Sophia and I of course can cheer you guys on from the sidelines. Best to play it smart, don't you agree?"
Harley narrows his eyes, taking in how Peter shifts slightly to cover Sophia from view. Half her face peeking out from around him with wide blue eyes. Always safely tucked away from me, Harley thought with a hiss.
Taking a deep breath, Harley tries to force the ballooning feeling of anger and frustration. To try and put on a face of sincerity.
"I think Harley is right. As much as I hate to say this, dad made a lot of enemies and so did the rest of the Avengers. We don't know who will rise now that they're gone and me being a known associate, well…" Sophia trails off.
Peter doesn't look back at her. Instead looking forward towards him with a scrunched up face. Almost as if he's confused. Trying to solve a difficult math equation that he's just on the cusp of solving. "I would tell you if I didn't think I could handle it." He says slowly.
Harley laughs. "Handle it? What could you do? These aren't everyday robbers or school bullies. The type of people the Avengers dealt with are power hungry criminals. They could obliterate you in a second."
The feelings float back up. Urging to burst out and lash against his classmates. They're foolish and naive. Not understanding that Harley is doing them a favor for the future. That Peter stands in the way of a better tomorrow. Not through his strength but through his annoying insistence of helping Sophia pursue her childish fantasies. Pretending he could protect her and let her have it all. Selling a fantasy.
As if Peter could even throw a proper punch. Harley has no doubt that he could beat Peter in any mental or physical fight. Sophia made a poor decision in choosing her new bodyguard. If she would just come back to his side he could easily show her. She's better than these scrawny outcasts. Meant for bigger and better.
She's an elite. Above the elites of society even. Not an everyday civilian.
"Peter is just saying we got a game plan. It's not like she'll leave the school grounds, man. More than half the year is just hanging out here after school which is where she'll be anyway." Ned says, eyes darting back and forth between the two.
"It might actually be safer if she stays late occasionally. She's already here,with less people around, and the paparazzi will get tired of waiting for her and leave." Michelle-Jones adds. "And if we happen to be wrong, she can always leave. It's not like she's signing a contract sentencing her for life."
"You're also basing this off of if someone targets her. There's no guarantee someone will pop up with a vendetta against her." Peter continues.
Harley barks out a laugh of disbelief. "She's the daughter of Iron Man and God Daughter of Captain America with Hulk as an honorary uncle. Someone will rise up. The chaos and damage that could happen wouldn't be worth it just to look at flash cards together."
Harley crosses his arms against his chest. "It's less of a risk if she comes back home with me. She could still watch just from a distance."
Sophia moves her way out from Peter's protection. Standing closer to himself. Harley couldn't help but smile. She's coming back to his side, looking back at Peter with a fire in her eyes. It just took a little persuasion.
Everything will be as it should be.
"Peter, I don't need anyone talking for me or making decisions for me. You're my friend, not my babysitter." She says sternly. "However, Harley," She turns to look at him with her big blue eyes.
He sees Peter tense with every step she takes away from him. Harley's grin gets wider. Ready to be told he's right. Ready to take her hand in his and leave the three behind in a cloud of dust.
He is never going to give her back.
"They make some good points. I'm already here. There's no field trips for months. I want to be normal, Harley. I'm only going to try it for a few weeks. If it causes more harm than good then of course I'll drop out."
A hard knot started to form in the pit of his stomach. Shoulders tight. He raises his hands up to take through his hair and moves them down to rub his neck. "Sophia," He breathes out. "Stop being stupid. You aren't normal."
"The only thing not normal about me is my dad's career path. I am not him. I want to be me. Sophia Stark. An average high schooler." Sophia rebutts. Her eyebrows furrowed and arms limp. So desperately wanting to be heard and understood.
Childish.
The balloon floats back up and pops. The blast of the balloon being ear deafening to himself.
"You are a heiress to a multi-billion dollar company. Future leader of the New Avengers. Tony did not die just for you to run around to play house and ignore the legacy he left. Make his death actually mean something and get your head out of the sand. You weren't meant for this." Harley is ruthless. Hoping his words cut deep and inflict pain. That it leads her to reason.
"You're meant for more than this."He is just being honest. It's something Sophia obviously needs to be berated for. Leaving a legacy that Tony put blood, sweat, tears — his life into and to walk away from it as if it meant nothing is nothing short of disrespect.
"Ooof. He did not just go there." Ned whispers to MJ. "Did you hear that? You heard that right?"
Harley ignores him. He will soon be a forgotten background character. Instead Harley takes a step towards his friend. Hand outstretched for her to grab. "Let's go back to the life you were supposed to live. The tower, industries. It was better that way. Safer for you and them."
She just needs to take his hand. Everything could go back to normal. Just see reason, take his hand, and walk away with him. Let this become a bump in their history they can laugh at.
"I'm done living that way, Harley." Sophia looks to the floor. Huddled into herself. Nothing like the Sophia he knew.
He could feel her slipping further away. Their friendship, their future, and plans for the world. All fading away with just one conversation. Years of effort just crumbling away to dust.
"Let's take a break from this. I think it's time we go our separate ways." Peter makes a move to step forward. Harley's heart leaps into his throat. He's not done yet. She hasn't opened her eyes. She has to see what he does.
In a panic Harley rushes towards Sophia first. Taking his hands to grab her forearms. Resisting the temptation to literally shake sense into her and instead settling to squeeze her arms in a desperate state for her to understand. "Sophia, listen to me. This isn't you."
"Hey! Dont touch her like that." Peter's hand wraps around Harley's wrist and gives a tight squeeze.
"Or what, Parker?" Harley bites down on his tongue, fighting the urge to flinch at the unexpected pain. Refusing to let his opponent know his grip made his hand throb.
"I think you've done enough damage here, Kenner. Let go before you do something you regret." Michelle-Jone's mouth twists to the side and her arms cross over her chest. Walking to the other side of Sophia.
Sophia tears herself away from his grip and causes Peter's hand to fall. She takes several steps back. Right back into the safety of Peter Parker's shadow.
"You need to go Harley. We're finished here." She looks him up and down in distaste, head held high. Lips flattened in a line. Her expression is stern and unforgiving. As if he's nothing more to her that dirt under her shoe in this very moment.
"You are no longer wanted and you are wasting my time." Sophia's words are like venom. Mouth pursued in disgust and annoyance.
Harley smiles. Suddenly feeling hopeful.
"Okay. I'll admit when I'm beat." Harley moves backwards and waves. "I'll call you later when we've both calmed down, Sophia."
She doesn't respond. She simply turns to the classroom door on her left, hair whipping behind her. Ignoring him. Back rigid but a fire in her eyes.
Turning on his heels, Harley makes his way down the hallway and out of the school. A new plan formulating. He saw a glimpse of the old Sophia. The defiant Sophia. The 'I am the Sophia Stark and you are nothing' Sophia. He just has to dig deeper to bring it out is all.
When pushed into a corner, when things aren't going her way, she reverts. Harley can't help but smirk at the thought. Not all is lost. Peter Parker doesn't know the true Sophia but he does. He can revive her.
Harley just needs to coax out the original Sophia. She isn't gone, just lost and misguided due to her overbearing babysitter. No — bodyguard. Harley's tongue is still stinging from how hard he had to bite down when Parker grabbed him. The intensity, the threat, was unexpected from someone as scrawny as Peter Parker.
Walking down the steps outside the school, Harley moves to pick his phone out of his pocket only to stop at a sharp throbbing pain coming from his wrist. Hissing, he pulls his hoodie sleeve up.
"I guess he does have some fight in him." Harley mumbles. Inspecting the faint bruises that look suspiciously like fingerprints. "Good to know."
end of: the plan
word count; 4.414