The London airport was bustling, though discreet arrangements had been made to avoid any public attention on Harry. While Tony Stark was preparing for the chaos of his own arrival in New York, Harry was handed over into the care of Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes — trusted friend, military man, and unofficial Stark-family babysitter.
"Alright, kid," Rhodey said with a grin as they walked toward the private jet waiting on the tarmac. "You ready to fly in style?"
Harry, still not quite used to all this attention and luxury, nodded shyly. "Yeah. Um… is this all really okay? I mean, me flying on a jet and all?"
Rhodey placed a hand on his shoulder. "Harry, you've been through enough. Consider this overdue payback from the universe."
As the plane took off, Harry stared out the window at the retreating land below. Rhodey didn't push him to talk, but kept the atmosphere light — playing music, bringing snacks, and even pulling out a small box of games and puzzles for the ride.
Some hours later, the mood had relaxed into full fun mode. Harry, surprisingly competitive, beat Rhodey at three rounds of a wizarding chess-style hologame that Tony had installed — not realizing Harry had already played the real magical version at Hogwarts with Ron.
Of course the version Tony had made wasn't like the one of Ron's wizarding chess, His was just for goof and fantasy he wanted Harry to enjoy, The game wasn't even real chess just kinda like Role play game.
Rhodey leaned back, laughing. "Man, you've got hustle, kid! I'm not letting you near a poker table."
Harry grinned — a real, full grin. "Deal."
Rhodey pulled out his phone and started a video call. "Let's show Tony what he's missing."
Tony picked up almost instantly. The screen opened to his face — sunglasses on, hair perfectly styled, and a gaggle of reporters in the distance shouting his name. His jet took him faster to the airport, kinda regret not going with Rohedy and Harry at this point.
"What now, Colonel? Please tell me the kid isn't throwing your luggage out the window."
Rhodey panned the camera to show Harry, laughing and holding a fizzy drink, a streamer party hat on his head. "Just thought you should see how well your little bro's adjusting. He's killing it."
Tony narrowed his eyes. "Are those party lights? Did you seriously decorate the jet?"
"Maybe," Rhodey said smugly.
Harry waved at the screen. "Hi, Tony! Rhodey said I could beat him at chess with my eyes closed."
Tony groaned dramatically. "First betrayal of brotherhood and I haven't even gotten you a Stark suit yet. Et tu, Harry?"
Rhodey leaned into the shot. "He's my copilot now, man. You're old news."
Tony laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, fine. Just make sure he doesn't get used to this much fun. I've got to be the cool one when he lands."
Harry's smile didn't fade, even after the call ended. For the first time, this all felt real — safe, warm, like he actually had people. Family.
Rhodey glanced at him, tone quieter. "Hey, kid… you good?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah. I think I'm really gonna be okay."
Rhodey smiled. "Good. Let's get you home."
The private jet's stairs lowered as Tony Stark descended with practiced ease, sunglasses on and smirk dialed to 11. Flashbulbs popped and reporters shouted from behind the barricades.
Tony flashed peace signs with both hands and walked like he owned the tarmac — which, technically, he might. "Miss me?" he called out with a wink.
"Mr. Stark, where have you been?"
"Was it a business trip?"
"Are you dating someone in London?"
Tony paused dramatically at the base of the stairs. "I was doing critical research," he said solemnly — then grinned. "On the state of London's… adult entertainment sector. It's a hard job but someone's got to raise the bar."
Laughter and more questions followed, but Tony was already sliding into the back of the sleek black Audi where Happy was waiting behind the wheel.
"Let's get outta here, Happy. Before they realize I wasn't kidding."
As the car pulled away, Tony leaned back, tapped his smartwatch, and began scanning the vehicle's interior. His amusement disappeared the moment the alert lit up on his screen — not one, but three discreet surveillance devices hidden in the cabin.
"Really?" he muttered. "This many mosquitoes in one car?"
With a swift motion, he pulled each one from the seat creases, under the dashboard, even one under the armrest. Scowling, he opened the window and tossed them into the street like candy.
Happy glanced at him through the rearview mirror. "What do you mean mosquitoes?"
Tony deadpanned. "Bugs, Happy. Surveillance bugs. You know — the electronic kind, not the kind that ruin picnics."
Happy's face went rigid. He slowed the car, checking his own corners. Sure enough, he found two more — one by the air vents, and one taped behind the sun visor. "What the— I had this car cleared yesterday. Security checked it top to bottom!"
"Apparently not deep enough," Tony said, rubbing his temple. "Either someone's getting lazy, or someone's getting bold."
He leaned his head back against the seat, still processing. "You know who I bet it is? That damn Cyclops from S.H.I.E.L.D. Again."
Happy blinked. "Cyclops? You mean like X-Men?"
"No, Happy. I mean Nick Fury," Tony replied, raising an eyebrow. "Eye patch. All cryptic. Has a habit of showing up when I'm least in the mood. Director of S.H.I.E.L.D."
Happy blinked again. "There's a guy named Fury who runs an organization named Shield?"
Tony gave a dry chuckle. "Yeah. Sounds like a comic book, right?"
He looked out the window, his tone growing slightly more serious. "Whatever it is, someone's keeping tabs. I don't like it."
Happy shifted his grip on the steering wheel. "You think they're after you?"
Tony glanced at his watch, then the sky. "Not just me. I've got someone to protect now."
The weight behind those words was new — and heavier than any suit he'd worn.
"Let's just hope they back off," Tony added. "Otherwise, they'll find out why poking a Stark is a very bad idea."