Chapter Text
Tony Stark was born into the best life imaginable. He had a trust fund so large it could easily last three generations without putting any spending stipulations in place. He was set to be the heir of a will be multi-billion dollar company before he was even born. And just about everything in his life was ready to be directly handed to him whether he decided to put in any effort or not. But with all the good, life has to give some bad. So sure he may have everything available at the snap of his fingers, but that everything does not include his parents.
Howard Stark. Scientist. Engineer. Founder of Stark Industries. A man from a humble background who was able to take over the world with his intellect as well as machinery. Through his accomplishments, however, parenting did not make the top 100 on a good day. From constant hours in the lab or traveling to show off his life work, it seemed that his actual baby offspring was nothing in comparison to the baby he spent every waking moment perfecting. Maria Stark, his wife of whom he cherished, tried to take on the role of both parents, but with needing to keep up publicity with her husband she also seemed to fall short on winning Mother of the Year.
All in all, though, Howard and Maria loved Tony and would do anything and everything for him.
Except all chances of being able to do everything for him were thrown out the window when they were killed in a car crash just before Tony’s 7th birthday.
The day the news broke of the Stark’s death, the world mourned. They mourned over the man who provided their country with security, but also for the young, brilliant mind that was barely able to scratch the surface of his potential. Tony mourned more personally. He mourned for the missed hugs and kisses. He mourned over the idea of no longer waking up on Sunday mornings to find his parents home from their business trip. But most importantly he mourned over the thought that he wasn’t in the car with his parents because now he’s all alone.
However, he wasn’t totally alone. Howard and Maria would not go out of the world without knowing that Tony would be safe, hence why just mere hours after finding out about his parent’s death Tony finds himself settling down into his Uncle Obadiah’s house. Tony’s known the man from as far back as he can remember even though he’s never actually talked to the man. Sure he’s been to his house for Christmas parties and he’s sat by his shoes under his dad’s lab table, but he’s never actually spoken to him like he knows most kids do with their uncles. One thing Tony was certain about though was the fact that his parents wanted nothing but the best for their child, so he knew he’d be fine living with Obadiah Stane...even if the man did look a bit mean and made him feel on edge. This was something Tony was certain about.
Except he shouldn’t have been so certain.
The boy was living with his uncle– in his own home as per his parent’s request in their will– for just over two months when things started to change. No longer was Tony able to go down to the labs to sit around or look at Obadiah’s latest creations, and when he did step foot into the lab he should expect to be yelled at. Then there was the times Obadiah would have guests over. Tony was expected to stay quiet in his room, however, sometimes he got hungry or bored and would venture out which would result in more yelling from his uncle. The yelling only lasted a couple of months, though, because soon enough the slaps started. And then slaps turned to hits. And hits turned to punches. And don’t forget about the constant verbal berating he would receive on the daily for doing absolutely nothing.
Yup, Tony was born into the best life imaginable, however, within under a year one could say he was living in an absolute nightmare.
It was now a random Wednesday a couple months shy of the two year anniversary of his parent’s death, and Tony had to make his way down to the lab to get Obadiah because he had guest at the door. He knows he had clear instructions not to enter today, however, he assumed this would be the one exception.
He assumed wrong.
“ What did I tell you?!” Obadiah shouted as the boy approached him.
“But you have-” Tony started to say only to be cut off as he was pushed onto the ground.
“I said do not come down here. Under no circumstances! But you can’t listen, you never listen! God, your father used to always say he’s a genius, gonna be the greatest boy wonder but you know what I don’t see it. All I see is some pathetic, stupid kid who cries over a dropped pen and will never amount to anything.”
Only thing is Tony can only hear bits and pieces of this because the entire time his “uncle” is shouting he is only kicking the young boy. In the ribs. The head. Arms. Legs. Back. Everywhere. Tony is trying to curl in on himself to protect his stomach and head, however, his attempts are futile and potentially could just be causing him more harm than good.
One thing Tony has begun to pride himself in since the abuse started, however, is how he’s learned to control his pleads. For the most part he can go an entire beating without shouting out once. There are the occasional ones, though, that are just too much for him. This beating being one of those cases. In what he would say is his defense he was keeping up a strong front all until he had his elbow stepped on as he heard the crunch. The boy kicked out and screamed in pain just as he felt the same searing pain go through his ankle. Before he could scream though he received one last blow to the head in which would end up knocking him completely out.
Tony doesn’t know how long he was out or how bad his injuries were, but all he knows is that when he finally opens his eyes he is no longer in the basement of his home. Instead he is in the back of an ambulance with a paramedic frantically assessing his injuries while also trying to get the boy to hear him. In a distant manner Tony can hear the man, but everything is too fuzzy to form an actual response so he just looks at the man in confusion but also semi-alertness. The paramedic smiles as he continues to treat some of the boy’s more manageable injuries when Tony feels a light squeeze on his hand. As he turns, he feels the corners of his lips twist into the smallest of smiles as he lays eyes on the one stable person in his life. Jarvis. The elderly man has tears in his eyes as he kisses the boy’s hand.
“I love you,” Tony hopes his whispers in an audible way.
“I love you, too, little sir,” Jarvis replies just as they pull into the hospital.
Tony must have passed out again at one or another because one moment he remembers being rushed into the ER and the next he’s waking up in what he can only assume is a recovery room on the pediatric floor based on the cartoon drawings covering the walls– Tony’s room theme being pirate themed based on the ships and marine life surrounding him. As confused as Tony was about the entire day, his fear seemed to consume him even more because aside from the machines constant beeping and the small chattering coming from outside his door, all Tony can hear is his own crying. Before he can think to do anything, however, a doctor, nurse, and one other lady enter into his room and immediately frown at the site.
“Hey, champ, it’s alright. I know you’ve had a rough day, but there’s no need to be scared,” the female doctor says as she gently approaches the boy’s bed. “I’m Dr. Serra, do you remember me from when you came in?”
Tony can’t tell if the tears have stopped or if he’s just calmed down enough to not be sobbing anymore, but he manages to shake his head ever so slightly.
“That’s alright, it was quite crazy when you first got in. I was the doctor that had to treat your injuries, and I had to perform surgery on you as well,” Dr. Serra states gently. “You were not looking too good when you first came in, do you know what happened?”
“I-I got hurt,” Tony mumbles because one thing he has not forgotten from his parents was that adults should be treated with respect and verbal responses was more respectful than head gestures.
“Yeah you did, bud, quite a bit, too. We had to place a couple of pins in your ankle to reset the bones. Your right arm need to be reset as well, though, that didn’t require pins. And then we’ve got some broken ribs, major internal bruising, and a welt on the side of your head that I’m not too thrilled about,” the doctor listed off with a frown on her face.
“I’m sorry,” Tony says a bit louder this time.
“There’s no need to be sorry, you didn’t do this, but I’d actually like to know who did. See that lady back there next to Nurse Lou?” She asks as she gestures to the woman dressed in a flowery blouse. “She’s a social worker, and she wants to ask you a couple of questions. Would you mind if she did that?”
This time Tony can’t get himself to verbally answer, but instead nods his head. The doctor as well as social worker smile as the two trade places.
“Hi Tony, my names Carli, it’s nice to meet you,” Carli smiles as she sticks her hand out for Tony to shake which he hesitantly does. “Like Dr. Serra said, I just have a few questions for you to see how you got all these ouchies, okay?”
Once Tony nods the questions begin. At first they’re easy. They start with his name, birthday, parents, guardians, school, and so forth to get the background. However, then things get more personal and the boy can’t help but wring his hands around in a nervous manner.
“Tony, who was down in the lab with you when you got hurt?” Carli asks.
“Obadiah,” the boy is able to answer after a minute or so.
“And was he the one that hurt you?”
“Y-yeah, but it’s okay- it’s okay. I deserved it,” Tony rushes out.
“No sweetie, you didn’t. You were seriously hurt, and no one deserves to be hurt like you were. Was this the first time Mr. Stane has hit you?”
“Are you going to take me away from him?”
“Tony-” Carli starts only to be cut off.
“I won’t answer any more questions ‘till you answer mine,” Tony states firmly.
“Well I guess that’s a fair enough request,” Carli states as she puts down her pen for a moment. “Mr. Stane’s guardianship has already been revoked, Tony, so yes you are going to be taken away from him. But it’s okay. We have a very nice family lined up who’s ready and excited to bring you in.”
For a couple of moments the room is absolutely silent. Tony doesn’t know if he should cry more or rejoice because his parents chose for him to stay with Obadiah. They wanted him with him. But they also wanted Tony safe, and he was not safe there. The boy has too many conflicting thoughts going on in his head that he doesn’t even register himself answering Carli’s question of no this was not the first time he was beaten .
The questions wrap up fairly quickly from there and then Tony is left alone in the room after the nurse and doctor did one final look over.
As Tony once again finds himself waking up in a daze, he can’t tell if it’s late at night or the next morning. What he does know is that there’s a couple people talking at his door as well as the fact that he is in some excruciating pain. So much that he’s not able to hold in the whimper which alerts all four adults standing by his door.
“Oh, Tony, morning, bud. Are you in pain? I think it’s about time we give you your new pain med dosage,” Dr. Serra coos as she approaches the boy.
Following her also brings Carli into the room along with two men that Tony does not recognize. Tony doesn’t answer the doctor as he whimpers again which causes the two men to coo yet also frown as they lean over to ask something of Carli.
“I know, I know, babe, it should kick in soon,” the doctor coos as she watches Tony’s face turn to relief. “There we go, morning, bud, sleep well?”
“D-don’t remember it,” Tony mumbles as he tries to think back on his dream because he was expecting one of his usual nightmares.
“You were on some pretty heavy pain medication last night, so that’s not surprising, don’t worry,” She says with a smile before looking to Carli. “Shall I leave you to it?”
“Yeah, sounds good,” Carli says with a smile as she walks closer to Tony. “Tony, remember how I said I already had a family for you? Well, I’d like you to meet Clint and Phil. They’re going to be taking you in for awhile.”
The two men smile and wave at the boy as Tony is able to get a closer look at them. The Phil man is dressed in entire similar to what he always remembered his father wearing, whereas Clint was dressed more casually. Both however looked very nice and even caring if that is something one is able to express through a mere glance over.
“Hi, bud, it’s nice to finally meet you. I feel like you’ve all we’ve been hearing about these past few days,” Clint says as he takes a step closer.
“S’nice to meet you,” Tony mumbles as his hands cover his mouth a bit.
“Now Tony, we need to monitor you another 24 hours but then you’re gonna go home with these guys. I’ll be coming to visit a couple times to make sure you’re settling in and I may be here at the hospital when you come for evaluations, but I promise everything will be alright. Are you okay?” Carli asks and once again Tony only nods.
The adults in the room talk a bit more amongst themselves and Tony can only bring himself to half pay attention. He half dozes off and half allows his eyes to wander around the room, pausing momentarily when he glances over Phil or Clint as the men send him a small wave and smile.
Those next 24 hours seems to zoom by just at the first 48 hours did, and soon enough Tony finds himself being wheeled out to an awaiting car. Tony allows Phil to lift him into the car as Clint folds up the wheelchair and places it in the trunk along with a set of crutches which will not be able to be used for quite a bit of time. The boy gets a final glance at his doctor and social worker before Clint is pulling out of the hospital and onto the road.
“Alright, so bud, we live a pretty distance away from the city, so make yourself comfy back there. Let us know if you get hungry or need to go potty at all, and we’ll stop, alright?” Phil asks the boy who immediately nods. “Also let us know if you’re starting to feel dizzy. We’ll crank up the air or pull over. Whatever needs to be done. You can nap for a bit if you want.”
“M’not too tired,” Tony mumbles as he looks around the car while also tugging at the seat belt that is digging into his neck.
“Is the seat belt bothering you, hun?” Clint asks as he notices the squirming in the backseat.
“A little,” Tony whispers but stops squirming in case the men find it to be annoying.
“Do we still have the boys’ booster seat? Or maybe we should get a carseat?” Phil says as he looks back to examine Tony a bit further.
I don’t- I don’t need a carseat,” Tony mumbles as he finds himself once again twisting his hands.
“S’not a bad thing, bud,” Phil coos with a smile. “When you drive around are you normally just in the seat like that or do you sit on something? I need you to be honest.”
“Had a booster seat, just passed the carseat regulations rule.”
“Thank you for being honest, bud, I appreciate that,” Phil smiles as he turns back to his husband. “I think we may have given the booster to Nat and Bruce for Rhodey back when Bucky grew out of it, but I don’t think he uses it anymore.”
“Yeah that sounds good. We can go one drive without proper safety devices,” Clint replies as he smiles back at the boy.
For the most part from there the rest of the car ride is pretty quiet. Clint has put on an old rock station and occasionally they would hear Tony mumble the words, but aside from that it was a peaceful ride. As they made it onto the farm property, though, they finally took the time to inform the boy a little bit about their family.
“So we’ve got three other boys,” Phil says, rolling his eyes as Clint calls them Tasmanian devils. “There’s James who’s 14, but don’t call him James. He goes by Bucky, and has claimed me and Clint are the only ones who can call him James. He’s a bit quiet at first and does give off an initial hard stare, but he’s very sweet. Then we have Steve who is also 14. He is also very friendly, but he does have a short temper at times so if he says anything mean just let us know and know he doesn’t mean it. And finally we have Arthur who’s 17, but like Bucky do not call him Arthur. I think his football stardom has gone to his head because he to refer to himself as anything other than Thor. We don’t get it either, but we’ve chosen not to question it. And, though, he’s a jock he’s the biggest teddy bear of all the boys.”
Just as Phil finished introducing the boys they pulled up to the farm house which Tony looks at with wide eyes having never seen so much greenery. The only thing that’s able to shake him from his trance is Clint opening his door with his wheelchair popped open in front as he gives the boy a soft smile.
“Ready?” Clint asks as he extends his arms forward to help the boy.
Rather than replying though, Tony just leans into the arms as he’s lifted out and placed into the seat which he will become very familiar with. The lift up the steps and walk to the door comes quicker than Tony expected and soon enough he’s being wheeled into the house in which he can only describe as “homey”. He hears Phil shout that they’re home before a small heard of feet begin to approach the front door area.
“Boys, meet Tony. Tony, meet the boys!”