Stark Tower – Living Room – Early Evening
The soft glow of the television lit the dim room as Ratatouille played in the background. Harry was curled on the couch, his legs tucked under him, nursing a cup of hot cocoa with extra marshmallows courtesy of Pepper. Tony sprawled on the other side of the couch, tossing popcorn in the air and catching it with the kind of smug flair only he could pull off.
Pepper sat nearby on an armchair, skimming her tablet — until the sound of Tony clearing his throat very theatrically pulled her attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he announced, turning toward Harry with a dramatic flair, "let me tell you about the greatest gathering of innovation, imagination, and over-the-top fireworks in human history: the Stark Expo."
Harry looked up from the cocoa, tilting his head curiously. "What's an Stark Expo?"
Tony sat up a little, clearly pleased. "Ah, my dear magical brother-person, the Stark Expo is a celebration of science, tech, and very expensive egos all packed into a few months of jaw-dropping booths, robot dogs, lasers, and the occasional billionaire in a flying suit."
Harry blinked. "…So like a wizarding fair but for Muggles?"
Tony grinned. "Exactly! But flashier. And with more lawsuits."
Pepper gave him a warning look over her tablet. "Tony…"
"Okay, okay, fewer lawsuits. Some. Maybe." He leaned toward Harry. "It's something my dad, Howard Stark — the other brilliant Stark before me — started way back in the day. Think of it as showing the future to the world."
Harry's eyes lit up a little. "Our dad started it?"
Tony's smile wavered for a second — the kind of barely-there flicker Harry caught but didn't mention — and then he smirked again. "Yup. Big shoes. I made jet boosters instead of filling them."
To be honest, Tony is surprised Harry is acknowledging Howard as a father figure. It's not like Harry knew Howard like Tony did. Well, He make sure to keep the dark stuff from him then.
Pepper gave Harry a warm smile. "It's opening again this week. Tony's been working on it for months — though his idea of planning involves mostly winging it and last-minute brilliance."
Harry giggled.
Tony puffed up. "You wound me, Potts. I am the picture of responsibility."
Jarvis's voice cut in calmly, "Sir, shall I pull up the folder titled 'Tony's Last-Minute Expo Crisis Plan 3.0 – Help Me, Jarvis'?"
Tony threw a cushion at the nearest speaker. "You see what I live with?"
Harry laughed harder, the sound light and genuine. "Do we get to go?"
Tony smirked. "Oh, you're coming with me. VIP passes, full Stark entourage. Just stay out of the press line — can't let them know you exist yet. For now, you're my 'personal assistant in training.'"
"Do I get a badge?"
Pepper smiled. "We'll make you one."
Tony nodded firmly. "And goggles. Everyone takes you more seriously with goggles."
Harry sipped his cocoa, his smile still lingering. "You guys are really weird."
"Thank you," Tony said proudly. "That means it's working."
TONY'S PRIVATE LAB...
The soft whir of arc reactors filled the background as various holo-screens flickered around Tony. He leaned back in his chair, booting up schematics of the Stark Expo grounds. Pepper stood nearby, flipping through her digital planner, visibly more relaxed than usual — a rare sight.
"You know," she said, smiling, "I wasn't expecting him to be excited about the Expo. I thought it might overwhelm him."
Tony glanced at her, a smirk tugging at his lips. "That's why I talked about it in front of him."
Pepper looked up. "You wanted him to ask to come?"
Tony leaned forward, resting his elbows on the workbench. "Pep, the kid's spent years locked up in a cupboard. Literally. I figured showing him something full of life and innovation — something fun — might light a spark. And it worked."
Pepper's expression softened. "It really did. He hasn't stopped asking me questions since."
Tony chuckled. "Which is why Happy's going with us. Not as my driver — as his bodyguard. He'll stay out of press view and stick close to Harry."
"You're being very… responsible about this."
"I'm growing," Tony said with mock modesty, then winked. "But don't get used to it."
Just then, JARVIS's voice chimed in smoothly "Sir, young Mr. Potter is on his way down to the lab."
Tony perked up. "Perfect timing."
The lab doors slid open a moment later and Harry walked in, his eyes flicking around with fascination at the glowing gadgets and floating holograms.
"Hey, kiddo," Tony greeted. "Ready to learn how to make a glorified toaster that shoots lasers?"
Harry grinned, stepping closer. "You're not serious."
Tony clicked a button and a nearby toaster-armature unfolded with a hum, glowing faintly. "Say that again."
Harry blinked. "Okay, you are serious."
Pepper laughed, gathering her tablet. "I'll leave you two geniuses to it. I've got a hundred things to do for the Expo—guest lists, security checks, venue setup—"
"I've got drinks covered," Tony added casually. "Music too. Maybe a holographic Elvis."
Pepper narrowed her eyes. "And Harry?"
Tony smirked. "Got it covered. Juice boxes for days. Organic."
Pepper gave him the I swear, Stark look, but she couldn't stop the smile tugging at her lips. She leaned down and kissed Tony lightly on the cheek. "Behave."
"No promises."
Pepper looks at Harry. "Remember, Doctors order. We need to make sure you get nutrition and healthy food. No more fast food until you are better"
Harry nodded. "Yes ma'am"
She chuckled, giving him a kiss on the cheek before heading out. Harry still wasn't used to affection yet, he blush when she kiss his cheek and Tony bit his lip not to laugh at the shy boy. He's gonna train him into fully Stark proof! It should be his baby brother making other shy not other way around.
Although if Pepper knew, she skin him alive. Nah, he do it when she doesn't sees him.
As she left, Tony turned to Harry and gestured to the nearest table covered in bits of tech, tiny glowing circuits, and open schematics.
"Alright, lesson one. This is a screwdriver. Lesson two—don't stick your hand in anything unless you know if it's going to explode. Which is most of the stuff in this room."
Harry laughed and moved closer, eyes already studying the strange tools. "This is going to be way better than potions class."
Tony gave him a sideways grin. "Welcome to Stark Tech 101, Potter. Class is officially in session."