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Tony, watched the T.V screen, anxiously pacing back and forth, in the waiting room as Rhodes, stood at the podium looking sternly into the cameras. In front of him, a couple dozen reporters took pictures and notes. Shouting questions away, faster than he could answer.
It was always the same with these people, they didn’t care what Rhodes, was saying in the slightest. They just want to get any kind of intonation they can out of him. Vultures… that’s what they are. The thought of media makes Tony’s stomach turn into knots.
Suddenly the room quieted down. Tony, realised Rhodes, was getting to the last part of his speech and was ready getting to bring Tony out. He took a deep breath, shaking off any last nerves he had, he couldn’t back out of this now! This was his idea… take the power away from the media, announce the adoption. Own it. This is for his babies… he could do this!
Babies… he still can’t believe it. he, took a breath another deep breath.
He had never been nervous for a press conference before. Not like this anyway, his hands where practically trembling. But this was different, because this isn’t about Stark industries - or Iron man or even the Avengers.
This was about something much more, his children. He and Steve, had adopted peter with his twin sister Leila a week ago. Steve and Tony had really tired hard to keep the adoption from the public.
They wanted to give Peter and Leila time to settle in first. Get them used to having Tony and Steve, has their parents… well that was Steve reasoning anyway, for Tony it is more about giving him time to adjust to being parents.
Which, was something Tony, really wanted… He still couldn’t wrap his head around it. He was a dad now, and that terrified him more than anything else in his life.
But it didn’t matter what Tony wanted… because the social media, wanted different.
Before they had even gotten the kids home to the tower, there was photos of Tony and Steve helping Peter and Leila into the car. Luckily it was only of the back of their heads keeping, their faces out of the media.
Within hours it had spread across the Internet like wildfire. With all these ridiculous Rumours going around. About Steve having a Secret family - with children and a wife. Or that Tony had Secret love children – which Steve said didn’t sound so ridiculous with Tony, past love life. Or the most infuriating ones, is that they are grooming the children to become the next Iron Man and Captain America.
As the week went on Tony got more and more frustrated, feeling like he had no Control over the situation. Or what people were saying about his family. He ended up telling Steve he was calling a press conference to end it once and for all.
Steve hated the idea, he begged him not to do it, they, argued over it for days. It was the last thing they wanted, to be at each other throats, when they had just become parents. It was supposed to be one of the happiest times in their life’s.
of Course, the arguing made Peter and Leila uncomfortable to, Leia is still very nervous and shy around them. Tony and Steve had managed to make slow progress with Peter. Who would now call them daddy and papa.
Even cuddle with them and talk with ease. But Leila was a different story. She is very shy and clings to Peter where ever they go. She had been there a week, with them but Tony had hardly even been able to hold her hand, let alone cuddle her, like he would do with peter.
It was the same for Steve, even though he didn’t show it. Tony, knew it hurt him when she would pull away from them.
It didn’t surprise Tony that she wasn’t warming up to them has fast has Peter did. She is a smart girl and after losing her parents and what happened with her auntie and uncle. She more hesitant to trust people.
Especially after what the social workers tried to do, when Peter and Leila, first went into care. They tried to separate the two of them, they thought Peter would have a better chance of getting adopted without his sister. So, when Tony and Steven decided to meet Peter, they didn’t even mention he had a twin sister. If it wasn’t for Peter, asking where Leila was at the last second, they would have done something terrible and adopted him without her.
Tony still feels awful about it…
Of course, she doesn’t trust them, in her mind Tony and Steve are the bad men who tried to take her brother away from her, her last family member. So, they know it’s going to take time and they don’t mind that. But first things first, Tony wants his own say in his family. He needs shut up all these stupid articles and news reports about his children.
He adjusts his tie getting ready to walk out those doors and to face the hungry vultures.
"Now Mr. Stark, has prepared a statement. For, the events that have transpired around him and his husband, Steve Rogers this last week. He will only be taking questions if people are respectful, and quiet while he is talking" Rhodes, finishes with a sharp tone. The doors open giving a slow reveal,
Tony, walks through with ease and confidence on full show. Owning the room has everyone goes quiet. Watching has he makes his away to the podium and takes his place behind it, flashing Rhodes, a thankful smile for being here today with him.
He turns to the eagerly waiting reporters, flashing his "I'm Iron man" grin at them. Opening his mouth loving the away they all sit on the edge of their seats, as they wait to hear him talk. To then only then roll their eyes or look disappointed. Has he takes a slip of his water. Rhodes, gives him a look saying "really Tony," he just smirks.
Taking a deep breath…
"Well it's been a while since I have had to stand here, in front of you all. But I think it's about time. You all hear the truth about this last week." He keeps his voice firm, professional.
"The truth is me and my husband Steve Rogers, have adopted two children. Their names are being kept from the public for safety reasons. Until they are older enough that they can handle being in the media and Public eye. We will not be posting photos or videos of our children, for the media to use to their own entertainment. Our, family is not something that is going to used, for this big gossip talk. We are asking you to respect our children's lives and privacy. This is the only warning, I'm giving to all the Reports, News channels and any types of media entertainment.
If you Report anymore lies about my children! Or ridiculous rumours there will be legal action taken against the company! And I think we all know here, how that is going to end." He finishes with a cool smile. Like it’s a casual thing for him to threaten the media on a daily basis.
Which for him, it kind of is…
He Looks at all the horrified faces in front of him, with a hint of amusement... Well he did just threaten all of them with their jobs.
He just smiles more slyly to the room. "Okay, now the serious stuff is out the way. I will be more than happy to answer questions." His voice now at its usual smugness.
Hands fly into the air desperately wanting to get their questions, out there. He slowly moves his hand around the room landing on a middle age man in the middle row. "You with the glasses."
"Mr. Stark, there have been photos of a small brown-haired boy, with a little blonde-haired girl. With you and your husband this past week. Can you confirm these are the children you have adopted?” The man has the bland voice, of a professional over paid reporter.
Tony rolls his eyes from such a stupid question "Yes. The photos that where taken are, of my children. If that's all..." Tony goes to move onto another person, when the man speaks again.
"One more question, Mr Stark, there has been a lot of concern about you and your husband adopting. Such young children, when your line of work isn’t the safest, aren’t you worried by having these children in your care, you and your husband are putting a target on their back?" The room goes deadly silent after that.
Tony feels his forehead switch in frustration, well… that didn’t take long. He can't lie, that hit a nerve in him. Especially, because it's something his being asking himself over and over. But of course, he doesn't let it show.
"Well first of all. My babies are twins, they are 5 years old. So yes they are young, so of course, it's crossed my mind. That someone might be targeted them to get to us…” He pauses, to take a breath the thought of that happening, sends him into a terror like on other.
“I’m sure all parents worry about their children safety. It comes with being a parent! Also, me and my husband have spoken about this many times and it’s something we both take very seriously" his voice is deadly.
"But I am Iron man! My husband is captain America!” He growls, his protectiveness for his family now taking over all thought or logic.
“Does anyone really think that we would let anything, close enough to even touch our children let alone harm them?” He jokes quite, sarcastically and aggressive.
“Their aunts and uncles are the Avengers! Out of every child alive. I think I can say with full confidence. That my children are very far from harm." He tries to make his voice more calming.
Taking a breath, he knew talking about his kid’s safety would easily get to him.
Even thinking about it does. It’s just another thing to keep him up at night, with his anxiety and worry. He will never let anything happen to Peter or Leila. He would let the world burn to ash if it kept them safe.
"Okay next question.” He quickly moves on, not wanting this particular topic to linger.“...Mmm you the blonde, in the front row," he points to a young, attractive woman. Her cheeks reddened, at suddenly being put on the spot.
"Mr. stark, what do you have to say to the people who think you shouldn't be trusted to raise children." her voice is stuck up, with just a hint of slyness, making herself clearly one of those people.
Tony just flashes a cocky grin her way, “I totally agree with them,” He laughs. Moving onto the next person before, she can speak up again.
“you” pointing randomly. To someone far in the back.
“Not everyone thinks that way Mr. Stark, lots of people are happy for you and your husband and would love to know more about your family.”
Not exactly a question but Tony, was happy for something a little more positive.
“Well both me and my husband are happy for all of the support from people, and we don’t completely hate all the attention. From the media because we are used to it.” He comments and continues.
“But we don’t want that for our children. They shouldn’t have to deal with that kind of stress at such a young age. They need time to settle into their new life’s and the whole world doesn’t need to know about it.” He keeps his voice at a professional level.
“Aren’t your children settling…” Tony cuts them off before they can even start.
“Don’t twist my words or this press conference will be over!” He deadly threatens. They can go to hell if they think the next big thing in the papers is going to be…
“STARKS, KIDS NOT HAPPY AT THEIR NEW HOME!”
The room goes quite for a moment, everyone slowly lifting their hands thinking carefully, of what to say. The last thing they want is for Tony, to end the Press conference and he knows it. The room stays silent for a couple of moments. Tony can feel the tension in the room rising has people get more and more frustrated answers and the half ass ones Tony has been feeding them.
“Where are the children’s birth parents.” Someone shouts out, now people getting a little more desperate for answers to give them some sort of dirt to write about.
“No comment.” Tony simply says.
“Are there any other members of family, they are still in contact with by blood.” Another person shouts.
“No comment.”
“Did you and your husband pick the children or did they pick to you.”
“No comment…” a bit of hesitant answer… because well. That got a little messy there.
“When can they be interviewed!” A lot of people shout at the same time
“Their five years old!” Tony shouts back frustrated slamming his hand down. These people are just vultures looking for their next meal to rip apart. Like hell was Tony, going to let them anywhere near his babies.
“What do you have to say to all the future boys who will want to date your daughter!” A question that makes everyone laugh, lighting the mood again. Tony swears he even saw Rhody, let a smile slip.
“Well…To all the boys or… girls” He pauses and corrects with another smirk
“who might date my children – don’t forget who their fathers are. Or that I have a great head shot.” still grinning cockily.
“But my husband aim is way better.” Tony smirks, knowing Steve is probably screaming at the T.V, at home. He puts a hand up at this point to stop everyone talking. Knowing he has said enough at this point.
“Okay well, I’ll say one last thing before I get out of here, and back to my family,” leaving no room for argument in his voice.
“This you can put in all your little note pads, I am very happy with my babies. Me and my husband can’t believe how lucky we are to have adopted two beautiful smart, amazing kids. We are looking forward to our future has a family. Nothing more, nothing less” with that Tony leaves the stage.
Easily walking through the room has the cameras flashed away and recorders are being push into his face. Has they tried desperately try to get more info out of him, Rhody is right by his side helping get him out the room with out to much trouble.
He can’t really blame them. He has given them nothing at all but the simple fact that he and Steve have adopted. Peter and Leila are five years old and twins. They don’t need to know any more than that. At the moment, not that he doesn’t think they will soon.
Even if Steve really wants to keep everything hidden. Tony, knows better and if they want info, it will come out sooner or later.
Happy, drives him home and on the way, he can’t really think of anything else but his kids, it’s around dinner time. So, no doubt will they have been fed, and picking a movie to watch with nap time. Peter, will always pick a Disney movie.
Steve, has try every day to get Leila to pick one instead. But she will just shake head and smile. Its very rare we can get her to talk to us. She won’t even tell us what foods she likes. She just eats whatever is put in front of her.
Never complaining or speaking up about anything. Which some people may say is amazing to have such a well-behaved kid. But really, it’s just more stressful. We don’t even know if she is happy or not because of it…
Peter, isn’t a bad kid either, like at all… honesty it’s a little weird how well behaved they are. Steve thinks it’s because their still worried about getting sent back into care.
With Peter it was hard to get him to open up at first, eventually Steve and Tony where be able to get him to crack. Just the other day peter was running around the towner playing with Leila. It made both them smile, it was the first time they had been comfortable enough to just run around the tower, laughing and just being normal kids.
Unfortunately, it didn’t end to well, has they both ended up falling over and getting hurt. Steve was already pulling a crying peter into his arms before Tony, had chance to move. When Steve went to pull Leila up has well, she scrambled away from him.
Tears clearly in her eyes threating, to fall. But she rubbed them away. Not letting herself cry in front of them.
she gave Steve a croaked “Sorry.” Before than bolting to her room.
Tony, could see it hurt Steve that she wouldn’t even cry in front of them when she was clearly hurt, and the added fact she wouldn’t let them comfort her was even worse, it took a while to calm Peter down. In the end, he fell asleep with Steve on the sofa. Tony waited a little longer, before he just had to check on Leila. He walked in to see a small little girl with puffy red eyes. Clearly, she had waited to be behind closed doors to let herself cry. Tony, couldn’t deny it stung a little that she felt like
she couldn’t show herself hurting it front of them. It took a while but eventually she let him check her. And like Peter she had a couple of bruises on her arms. Tony felt awful for the rest of the night seeing, Peter cry and Leila reject them, it was another wake-up call.
That parenting was hard…