Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Harley sat cross-legged on the ground by the lake, staring out at the water and watching the arc reactor sink slowly.

Everyone had gone inside, except him. He couldn't bring himself to.

He stared at the little gift box that had his name written on it in a familiar scrawl, a gift from Tony. 

The only positive male role model in his life, Tony had given him so many opportunities, he'd believed that Harley could do amazing things if only he was given the chance. And he was given the chance. He'd spent summers in New York, helping Tony in the lab, eager to learn and eager to build. 

After the snap, Tony had looked for him, finding the 15 year old kneeling in his kitchen, staring numbly at the ashes of his mother and sister. Tony had grabbed him, yanked him to his feet and hugged him like he couldn't believe he was alive.

Harley had cried. Someone had cared enough to come find him, someone cared enough about him to let him lean on them. And that someone was Tony. And it hadn't stopped there. 

Tony had brought him back to New York, like he had for so many summers before, and introduced him to Pepper and Rhodey.

Harley had been there when Tony and Pepper got married, he was the fourth person to hold little Morgan when she was born. He'd sworn to protect Morgan like he'd protected Abby, his little sister. And he tried.

He'd sat with Morgan during the end, the fight against Thanos, instead of joining the fight. He'd held her and told her it would be okay, that Mommy and Daddy were going to save the world, and then they'd be together again. Only, they weren't together now. Tony had died. He'd died to save everyone.

Harley blinked back tears, his nails digging into his palms. Why couldn't it be anyone else? Why did it have to be Tony who died, sacrificing himself to save the universe?

Tony, who had so much to live for, who had been the best father that Harley knew, to Morgan of course, not him. He was just a kid that Tony had met in one of his darkest moments, but Tony had chosen to keep in touch. Harley had nothing to live for, and then all of a sudden he did, because Tony had given him that. And now he was gone. And Harley had no idea what to do.

He stared at the gift box, then unwrapped it with shaky fingers. The lid came off, and Harley's heart stopped for a second. A gold and red metal wristband. Tony had given him his armor?

Harley's fingers shook even more, but he managed to put the band on. The familiar gold and red started covering him, until Harley was wearing the Iron Man armor, Tony's armor.

"Hey kid." Harley recoiled at the familiar voice. He saw Tony, recording a message for him apparently, in the corner of his eye. 

"If you're watching this, I guess I'm not there to tell you all this myself, and that means the world is going to need a new Iron Man." Harley swallowed around a lump in his throat.

"I was going to give this to you one day anyway. First of all, yes, this particular suit has retro-reflectors." Harley couldn't help but laugh at that, tears in his eyes. "You know, when I met you, a scrawny brat kid who threatened me with a freaking potato gun, I didn't think I'd get so attached that I'd wind up thinking of you as family. That I'd be calling you my kid."

Harley choked on a sob. "I trust you, Harley. I know you can do anything you set your mind to, and you have the makings of a hero."

Harley knew he was trembling. He hated losing people. His dad, then his mom and Abby, and now Tony.

The recording of Tony let out a sigh. "I know this sucks, Harley. I know that. Believe me, I wish I had another choice. I wish I didn't have to scar you and Morgan more than I already have. And I don't want you to stay in the shadows forever. You're meant for so much more than that. We're connected, remember? I'm proud of you." And with that, the message clicked off.

Harley sobbed, the armor melting away. He hid his face in his hands.

A hand on his shoulder made him flinch, and he looked up to see the girl that had stood with Hawkeye's family, Hawkeye's daughter, he guessed, looking down at him worriedly.

"Hey." She greeted softly.

"Hi." He whispered, wiping at his eyes.

She sat on the ground beside him, and he took solace in the quiet companionship. "Sounds like Mr Stark thought the world of you." She whispered eventually.

"He was the closest thing I had to a dad." Harley agreed.

"Do you want to be Iron Man?" She asked.

And wasn't that the big question? Did Harley want to be Iron Man?

"The world needs Iron Man." he shrugged.

She shook her head. "Forget the world for a minute. Do you want to be Iron Man?" 

He didn't know how to answer that. They sat in silence, before he was able to answer. "Before this? If Tony asked me to be Iron Man? I wouldn't hesitate. I used to dream about it. But now... now that he's gone..."

She nodded. "It's harder to take up the mantle now that he's not here with you." 

He wiped his eyes again with his sleeve. "I'm Harley, by the way." He realized they didn't know each other's names, despite having such a deep discussion.

"Lila." She smiled. 

He swallowed. "I think... I don't think I can be Iron Man. Not yet at least. But... I want to make Tony proud." 

"So don't be Iron Man. Be yourself." She shrugged. "Iron Boy?"

He laughed, surprising himself. He hadn't felt like laughing half an hour ago. "Oh hell no. Not Iron Boy. Maybe... Iron Lad."

"Nice."

Chapter Text

Harry curled up in a fetal position, laying on the bathroom floor. Norman hovered over him, gently pressing a cool cloth to Harry's forehead.

"It's getting worse." Harry whispered shakily.

"Hush, son. I'm going to fix this." Norman promised.

Almost on cue, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He answered it, still watching Harry. "Tell me you have something." He snapped in greeting.

Harry couldn't make out what was said, trying instead to shift onto his back.

Norman's eyes lit up, evidently relieved. "We'll be right there." He hung up.

"Dad?" Harry rasped.

"It's going to be alright." Norman assured him, helping him up off the floor. 

Harry leaned against his father, looking around in confusion.

The LIFE foundation, owned by Carlton Drake, one of his dad's business partners, was the last place he thought they'd be going.

The two of them made their way to the labs, and Drake himself greeted them, looking worriedly at Harry.

"It's a new development." He said to Norman, leading them down the halls. "Several specimen were retrieved. Only one has shown the potential that Harry will need."

Norman nodded absentmindedly. "Have they been tested?" He demanded.

"Two of the males have successfully bonded to hosts. The females are a bit more...volatile." Drake winced. "We have a third male for Harry to bond with."

They stopped in front of a glass wall, and Harry saw a small green blob in a tank, moving and... playing? He would have laughed if his lungs didn't hurt so badly.

"This is Lasher." Drake said proudly. "He's young, but he's shown promise."

Harry glanced at Drake. He sounded like Norman did when Harry did something worth being proud of.

"How does the bonding process work?" Norman inquired curiously.

"Simple. Let them interact."

It sounds like they're arranging a playdate, Harry thought. "Alright." Norman ruffled his son's hair.

"Be bold. They respond better to that." Drake advised, unlocking the door.

Harry stepped into the sterile room, his eyes on the tank. The blob chirped, and he had a feeling it was watching him. He reached out a hand and the blob climbed out of the tank, perching on the edge.

"Hey there." Harry crooned, slowly walking closer. Another chirp. He forced himself to remain calm, offering his hand palm up.

The little alien creature inched closer. Harry blinked, going still. Lasher, he remembered. Drake had said the creature's name was Lasher. "Hi Lasher." he whispered.

Lasher chirped again and freaking yeeted himself at Harry. Harry laughed, letting the dark green blob inspect him.

Drake was grinning, while Norman watched the interaction with wary eyes.

Harry shuddered when Lasher suddenly latched onto him and slowly sank into Harry's skin. "Alright. The bond has been initiated." Drake muttered, looking delighted.

"Now what?" Harry asked, straightening up and turning to look at them.

"Now, Lasher can heal you from the inside out. He's like his father and siblings, quite the miracle worker." Drake replied fondly. "How many are there?" Norman inquired. "Lasher is one of nine."

Harry tuned them out, feeling his energy spike. He felt good. For the first time in his life, he didn't feel weak. 

"Harry!" Norman called up the stairs, growing impatient.

Harry had been bonded with Drake's symbiote for almost a week, and Norman had noticed how Harry had changed in that one week. Often spending his time outside, skipping classes, getting into a fight with a Eugene Thompson at school.

Norman knew Harry was still recovering from being "dusted", but he was usually so well behaved. He tried his hardest to blend in, to stay out of the spotlight and avoid making lasting relationships, but this sudden personality change was worrying.

Harry slid down the banister, grinning, and landed on his feet beside Norman.

"I'm going out Dad." Harry said, reaching for his jacket.

"I thought we could have dinner tonight." Norman tried to protest without being as overprotective as he felt.

"I'll be back in an hour." Harry frowned, a hand on the doorknob.

Norman softened. "One hour. Be safe." He watched his son smile and run out the door.

"He'll be back. He's not going anywhere." He muttered to himself. But it still stung just a little, in an irrational way.

Harry was just making up for lost time, now that he wasn't on the brink of death. 

"Mask." Harry grinned, ducking into an alleyway not far from Oscorp.

Copy. The voice in his head sounded like he was also grinning, and Lasher manifested in his full form.

What are we looking for, Harry? Lasher inquired, using their shared mind to communicate.

There's something going on with the company. Harry mused. The partnership with the LIFE foundation proves that. We need to find solid proof.

Lasher hummed in agreement. Are you sure about doing this? If your father finds out...

Harry cut him off. If my father finds out, he's probably a bad guy.

Lasher was quiet, but then grinned. So you could say we're...lashing out?

Harry groaned, but couldn't help laughing. That was terrible. 

Chapter Text

"Almost..." Cassie muttered, her eyes on the small, glowing blue disk in front of her. She held a pair of delicate tweezers in her hand, her hair pulled back from her face and her old tee shirt covered in oil and dirt.

The garage was a warzone, but the teen couldn't bring herself to care right now, not when she was so close to fulfilling her goal, the one that had kept her going for five years when her world had gone to shit.

"You got this, Cass. Careful... careful..." The last piece clicked into place and she whooped. "YES!"

The device crackled, glitching, and her face fell.

"Shit." She muttered, just as an explosion rocked the house.

Cassie screamed, falling back onto the ground. 

Scott and Maggie sat in the living room, both of them awkward and unsure of how to act or what to do.

Cassie, their precious little girl, had been living on her own in their house for 5 years. She had no one to help her, just her own survival skills and resources.

She'd grown up, leaving behind the 9 year old her parents knew and grown into the level-headed and intelligent 15 year old she was now. The house was always paid for, the fridge stocked and the rooms as clean as Maggie would have had it.

Scott had glimpsed the garage briefly, and that was like looking into another world. The chaos and tables covered in metal and tools and high tech pieces looked like something Stark would have made. 

Now, the parents were clueless and hesitant of what they should do. Cassie had evidently survived on her own and they didn't know this girl anymore. They had no idea how to help her and fit back into the roles of Mom and Dad. 

The sound of an explosion made both of them jump, and Scott leapt to his feet, prepared for an attack. He looked at Maggie, his heart in his throat.

"Cassie." They both whispered in horror, before bolting to the garage. 

Cassie wasn't sure of how long she'd been out.

When she came to, all she saw were bright lights and the white ceiling. She could hear the beeping of a heart monitor somewhere beside her, and vaguely registered voices.

"Cassie? Cassie, baby can you hear me?" That voice was very familiar, but it took her a minute to realize that it was her dad. He sounded worried. She tried to turn her head, but her limbs weren't responding to her.

"It's okay, honey, don't try to move. You've been out for a while." There was her dad again, trying to reassure her that everything was gonna be okay. "One of your experiments went wrong, do you remember that?" He paused, before realizing she wouldn't be able to answer him. "I'm so sorry honey."

Only, she wasn't sure what he was sorry for. It couldn't have gone that wrong, could it?

Chapter Text

Lila groaned, pulling her shoes off and kicking them under the bed. "I am never wearing heels again." She declared, pulling back her long brown hair from her face.

After Tony Stark's funeral, she'd returned to the hotel with her brothers and parents, making an excuse to go to bed.

She remembered the boy that she'd met at the funeral, the one who'd stayed out at the lake all alone. Harley. She pulled out her phone and smiled half-heartedly at the text he'd sent when they exchanged numbers.

She hoped he’d be alright. 

A week later, Lila had grown frustrated. Her dad was hovering all the time, especially after the funeral of Iron Man. If he wasn’t hovering, he was locked in his room crying.

Aunt Nat was dead. Lila still couldn’t wrap her head around that. Nat was her best friend, a second mom and a big sister all at once. Lila had thought she was indestructible.

This was one of the days when Clint wasn’t hovering. Lila was out in the stables, pampering her horse when she got the feeling she was being watched. She set down the grooming brush and reached for her bow, which was hidden in the stables so Clint and Laura wouldn’t confiscate it. She notched an arrow to the string, raising it slowly.

Lila moved towards the door, but someone grabbed her from behind. She whirled to see a blond ponytail and a cocky smirk.

“Aunt Yelena!” Lila scolded, glaring at her aunt. Yelena laughed, taking her bow away. “Good reflexes there, little one.” She praised, ruffling Lila’s hair.

“I almost shot you.” Lila deadpanned.

“You wish.” Yelena scoffed. “Penny for your thoughts?” She perched on a stack of hay bales, her eyes soft and serious.

Lila bit her lip, turning her head away. “What do you mean? I’m fine.” She shrugged.

“Bull.” Yelena raised her eyebrows. “I met a guy.” Lila blurted out.

Maybe it was because Yelena was just like Aunt Nat, she would always keep anything they talked about confidential, Lila felt compelled to share what was bothering her.

Yelena raised her eyebrows again, starting to grin. “Not like that!” Lila blushed furiously. “Ew no. His name is Harley.”

Yelena tilted her head. “Go on.” She prompted.

Lila started pacing. “He knew Tony Stark.”

Yelena hummed, nodding. “Ah, the Stark legacy. A heavy burden for three young ones.”

Lila nodded too. “It’s not just the Stark Legacy. It’s the Avengers. Harley’s not the only one with a hero’s burden.” Lila glanced at her bow. She was a legacy too, just like Harley . “Doesn’t Aunt Nat deserve someone to carry on her legacy?” She whispered, almost to herself.

Yelena heard it though, being enhanced. She softened. “It’s not what you might think. But you’re right. As an avenger, as a hero, as Natasha, she deserves someone like you to keep her alive.” Yelena knelt before Lila, brushing away a stray tear. Lila hadn’t known she was crying.

“Do you have Harley’s number?” Yelena’s brain was whirling. There was so much potential here. These poor kids had been through hell and it had just made them kind. She couldn’t say the same for herself.

Lila nodded again.

”Call him.” Yelena urged her. “Reclaim your legacies.”

Lila had never loved her aunt more in that moment.