Chapter Text
May 29 2000
Cries filled the room, it had been a long night but the child was finally born.
Maria nearly cried herself as they placed her baby, her son, in her arms.
Howard was there having arrived only an hour ago still exhausted from his latest expedition.
“What’s his name?”
“Anthony Edward Stark.”
June 5 2000
Anthony’s birth took the world by storm.
It was on the front pages of magazines.
The name Anthony and variations of it became a popular baby name for the few years.
The world was abuzz with predictions on who he would become when he grew up.
June 30 2004
ANTHONY STARK BUILDS HIS FIRST CIRCUIT BORED
Headlined across the country.
talk show host and blog writers spoke of Anthony ‘Tony’ Stark's potential.
A child protege they called him.
Truly meant to follow in his father’s footsteps.
August 7 2006
ANTHONY STARK BUILDS FIRST ENGINE
Critics raved about him, and people loved him.
“He’ll change the world!” They said “his parents must be so proud.”
They never saw the alcoholism.
Bruises concealed by makeup.
Heard the yelling of a father.
Or the crying of a 6 year old boy behind closed doors.
Stark men are made of Iron never let them see behind the mask.
He never did.
August 15 2011
Its announced that in the next year Tony Stark would start attending MIT.
The world is amazed.
His mother is sad her child is growing up so fast, but proud.
His father seems proud as well.
Jarvis and Anna are concerned about what could happen.
Aunt Peggy hugs him, then teaches him how to defend himself from attackers.
And if some moves aren’t strictly necessary to scare off bullies, well no one has to know.
On the bright side, according to Peggy, he gains an interest in mixed martial arts.
January 30 2012
After a long hard fought battle Anna, Jarvis’ wife dies from cancer.
Tony cries at the funeral, Howard isn't there to see it so who cares.
She had been like an Aunt, and part of his family, if not by blood.
Just like Jarvis.
Just like Aunt Peggy.
August 22 2012
His Mother, Jarvis, and Aunt Peggy all see him off the first day.
Howard isn’t there, he’s off looking for Captain America.
Tony doesn’t care; he is finally free from him.
He meets James Rhodes, his roommate who is shocked by his age, but accepting.
They get along right away.
“I’m going to call you Rhodey.”
“Do you care to tell me why you’re going to call me that.”
“Cause it fits.”
December 16 2012
MARIA STARK KILLED IN TRAGIC ACCIDENT ALONG WITH ONE HOUSE HOLD STAFF.
Tony thinks he might be dying.
Almost wishes he was.
Him mom,
Jarvis
Are dead, taken away by a drunk driver.
He already lost Anna, but the world took them too.
“Don’t let them see you cry.” Uncle Obie says
“We are made of iron Anthony.” Howard tells him a painful grip on his shoulder.
Tony feels numb.
Crying in the dark of his room.
Where the world can't see him.
“Hey Ducky.”
It was Peggy, standing in the doorway. He wipes his tears away, not wanting to look weak.
Not in front of Peggy.
The strongest person he knew.
“Now, none of that now,”
She's pulling in to a fierce hug.
One that only she could give.
“Don’t you listen to your father Ducky, it okay to cry, it is not weak to feel sad."
"It is not a weakness to care.”
September 3 2013
Tony builds his first robot.
He names it Dummy.
Dummy’s followed closely by Butterfingers
And U.
Then JARVIS.
The name is worth the bruises Howard gives him for it.
May 29 2014
Tony graduates top of his class from MIT.
Howard's not there to see it.
Not that it bothers him.
Uncle Obie is there.
So is Aunt Peggy
Along with Virginia ‘Pepper’ Potts
The PR assistant Howard hired for Tony.
She is amazing.
And Happy Hogan his body, guard/personal driver.
Rhodey is there too, of course.
Howard and Obadiah want Tony to make weapons.
He does it for Rhodey and the soldiers they’ll protect.
August 28 2015
15 year old Tony Stark goes missing.
While on a trip to Afghanistan with his father.
He is presumed dead.
The world mourns the death of a young Genius.
November 10 2015
Tony Stark is found in the desert.
After being missing for three months.
The world celebrates.
Until Tony announces to the world that he plans to stop weapons production, once he takes over the company.
Then they call him crazy.
Mentally unstable after his time in Afghanistan
He discovered that Stark industry is double dealing.
And someone he trusted tried to have him killed.
November 30 2015
“Just follow the cards, Anthony.” Howard orders, “S.H.I.E.L.D will take care of the rest.”
Tony nods, gritting his teeth.
He so badly wants to tell the world the truth,
He is Iron Man.
“Then we will discuss your refusal to give up the armor.” Howard hisses in his ear before he walks away.
He mean beat it out of me. Tony thinks bitterly.
Biting the inside of his cheek hard enough to draw blood.
The press is asking questions so fast that Tony can barely keep up.
Howard is telling them some bullshit and announcing that Tony has a statement to make.
He looks at the cards in his hands decision made.
“I am Iron Man.”
It’s worth every bruise.