Stark was genuinely envious.
It wasn't just about the power Polaris had. No, what really ate at him was how Henry—cool, calm, and annoyingly mysterious—had somehow found himself a young, obedient, and incredibly powerful "housekeeper."
How was that even fair?
"Henry," Stark said with mock seriousness, leaning back on the couch with one arm thrown lazily over the backrest, "I think our relationship's pretty solid, right? You wouldn't turn down a small request from a good friend, would you?"
Henry raised an eyebrow, amused. "Depends on the request."
"I want a housekeeper like yours," Stark said bluntly, eyes twinkling. "Smart, good-looking, polite—and can open soda cans with magnetic waves. Come on, man. Share the secret."
Henry let out a short laugh. "Tony, you're making this really difficult."
Stark grinned. "Difficult? Please. Just ask Polaris if she has any friends. Preferably ones who are into part-time domestic work and casual heroism. I mean, if she's that amazing, surely her circle can't be that far behind."
Henry paused to consider it. "That's assuming her friends are… available. And more importantly, safe to be around. Polaris isn't exactly your average citizen."
"Special circumstances?" Stark asked, leaning forward now with curiosity.
Henry nodded. "She's a mutant."
Stark blinked. "Oh, mutants. Yeah… I've heard a little about them."
Mutants weren't exactly a new term. Stark, ever the information sponge, had certainly come across the word in the news and government reports. He remembered headlines and broadcasts—especially the infamous Magneto incident.
"I heard they're genetically mutated humans with powers, right? But most of them are dangerous. Caused quite a bit of damage, like that whole bridge incident a while back?" Stark said, trying to recall the media frenzy.
Henry frowned slightly, then shook his head. "Not all mutants are dangerous. That's just a narrative being pushed. They're just like anyone else—some good, some bad. The only real difference is that they're born with powers instead of building suits or studying spellbooks."
Stark actually nodded in agreement. "Hey, I get that. Believe it or not, I've never fully trusted government propaganda. You know how those politicians are. Back when I first unveiled the Iron Man suit, they called me a threat to national security."
"Exactly," Henry said. "Mutants get the same treatment, except worse—far worse."
Tony could see it now. He might've been on the receiving end of congressional complaints, but that was nothing compared to the full-blown systemic persecution mutants endured.
Henry continued, his voice calm but firm. "Hiring someone like Polaris isn't just about trust. It's about protecting her. She's been labeled a 'wanted criminal'—and not because she did anything wrong. Just because she's a mutant."
Stark's eyes widened. "They've actually put a bounty on her?"
Henry nodded. "The X-Men showed up not long ago trying to take her back. Apparently, she's on a national watchlist."
Tony slammed his palm against the couch. "That's outrageous! She hasn't done anything! Just having powers gets you blacklisted now?"
"That's the reality mutants live with," Henry replied. "And that's why I said it's not easy to hire one as a 'housekeeper.' Trouble tends to follow."
Stark, who had originally asked out of playful jealousy, now looked more serious. "So, you stood up to the X-Men? Told them to get lost?"
Henry nodded with a smirk. "Exactly. Politely… but firmly."
"Ha!" Stark laughed, impressed. "I would've loved to see that."
He leaned back again, thoughtful this time. "You're right, though. With that 'wanted' label hanging over her head, more people will come knocking—probably with less patience than Xavier."
"That's what I'm worried about," Henry said. "Do you have any ideas, Tony? I mean, if someone like you hired Polaris, it might be spun into a story about progress. If I do it, it just makes me a target."
Tony didn't answer immediately. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Fixing human-mutant relations? That's above my pay grade. But fixing Polaris's records? That I can do."
Henry glanced at him. "How?"
"Simple," Stark said. "Nick Fury owes me a few favors. I helped him assemble the Avengers, covered up a few scandals, and saved his one good eye—figuratively speaking."
"Fury?" Henry echoed, intrigued.
"Yep. Fury's got access to the highest clearance databases. If anyone can reclassify Polaris's status or scrub the 'wanted' label quietly, it's him. And since she's your housekeeper, and Fury's been trying to court you into working with S.H.I.E.L.D., he'll do it in a heartbeat."
Henry's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "That might actually work."
Tony waved him off. "Don't even mention it. What are friends for if not solving highly classified legal problems?"
Henry laughed. "Well, thanks. Otherwise, I might have to ward my front door like it's a battlefield."
"You'd turn your porch into a death trap," Tony joked. "Speaking of which, I didn't just come here to talk mutants. I actually came to thank you."
"Oh?"
Tony leaned forward again. "It's about the poisoning. Remember the whole palladium-core-in-the-chest issue?"
Henry nodded. "I do. So you figured it out?"
Tony smiled. "Yeah. You were right. I found the answer through my father's old work. He left behind a clue I never noticed before. Turns out, he did love me in his own way."
He sighed, eyes briefly distant.
"I always thought my dad didn't care. He was cold, distant, obsessed with work. I resented him for that. But the video he left behind… it showed me that he wasn't ignoring me. He just didn't know how to be there."
Henry didn't interrupt. He listened, quietly supportive.
Tony looked up again. "You helped me see that. Helped me survive long enough to realize it."
Henry gave a small, genuine smile. "I'm glad you're okay, Tony."
Tony grinned. "Don't get me wrong—I'm still the same genius billionaire playboy philanthropist. But I've had time to think lately. And lately… I've been feeling anxious. Uneasy."
Henry blinked. "You? Anxious?"
"Crazy, right?" Tony chuckled, but his voice had a more somber undertone. "But seriously… I've been fighting all these threats. Loki. Vanko. That green rage monster. Now I see mutants with powers like Polaris. Then there's you—Mr. Multiversal Traveler."
He gestured around. "I'm just a guy in a suit. What if one day, the enemies we face aren't just terrorists or super soldiers? What if they're gods? Aliens? Or worse?"
Henry nodded slowly. "You're not wrong to be worried. Earth isn't as isolated as it used to be."
"I know," Stark sighed. "And I hate it. I hate not knowing if I'll be strong enough to protect everything I care about."
Henry was quiet for a beat before speaking. "So that's why you're here. Not just to talk about housekeepers or pay thanks. You're scared."
Tony didn't deny it. "I guess I just wanted to talk to someone who doesn't panic when facing the unknown. You're calm, composed. You make the impossible look casual."
Henry raised an eyebrow. "Is this your roundabout way of saying I'm your new therapist?"
Tony laughed. "No, no! Just… your presence gives me perspective. And yeah, maybe a little security. So if you ever consider taking up spiritual mentoring, I'd recommend you."
Henry groaned. "This is why I prefer working alone."
"Don't be like that," Tony said, nudging him with an elbow. "You're already halfway to being a guru."
Henry shook his head but couldn't help smiling.
It was strange.
First, he was just helping Polaris survive. Now he was calming down a man in a flying suit of armor having an existential crisis.
At this rate, people might really start thinking of him as the "mentor of heroes."
And honestly?
He wasn't sure how he felt about that.
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