A subtle yet familiar feeling surfaced in Harry's awareness.
He had felt it when he saved Uncle Ben, Frank's Family, Banner, and Blonsky... even when he rescued those dwarves. But it had been strongest when he saved Uncle Ben.
He had always thought it was merely the sentiment of an "outsider": the plot had changed, and the superheroes' lives had completely veered in a different direction.
He had always assumed that was all it was, but now it seemed it was not so simple.
In front of Harry, Tony fiddled with his Nano Armor and set it on the table.
"I always thought that one day, I'd wear this armor to deal with that Big Purple Potato—but apparently I'm not that kind of person. The self-sacrificing kind." He spoke casually. "I bought some land in Manhattan and plan to build a house there. Studies show that a good environment is very helpful when trying for a baby."
"And now?" Harry picked it up, a feeling rising within him:
He could now understand what Tony Stark understood.
"Now? You weren't lying to me. We have plenty of ways to deal with that threat, and you've accomplished all of them.
"I still remember the first time you brought up the Olympus Plan. Back then, I always thought you were a crazy, arrogant young man."
Harry smiled. "That adjective doesn't sound like it describes me. It sounds like it describes you."
"That's different." Tony flashed a smug grin. "I've always been a genius, but back then, you were young and had nothing to show for it. You hadn't even gotten your degree—have you gotten one now?"
That question really stumped Harry—he had not even finished college, so strictly speaking, he certainly did not have a degree.
But what use was that thing to