Chapter Text
Steve watched Tony as he began to drift off, stirring every so often by a small coughing fit. Everytime they got bad, he would rub the boy’s back just like his mother used to do for him when he had pneumonia as a boy. He absolutely hated the fact that Tony was in the same position that he was in as a kid. He was even just as small as Steve when he was six. The freakish resemblance only aided in his unrelenting worry and guilt.
An angry tear rolled down his cheek as he thought back on everything that he had done wrong. He could’ve stopped all of this from happening. If only he had listened to his orders, Tony would’ve been in his own overly big bed right now, working on a tablet and eating soup. Tony would've been pouting while denying that he needs it whenever Steve would make him take his medicine. Tony would've been arguing that he could be in the workshop and he doesn't have time to be sick.
Steve continued to berate himself as he watched Tony sleep peacefully.
~~
*26 ½ years ago*
Tony ran around the house with cardboard flaps (Jarvis wouldn't let him use sheets of metal) taped to his arms. He held his arms out as he "soared" around the furniture. Jarvis smiled as he listened to the child's laughs and "flying" noises. He, personally, loved listening and watching the young Stark have fun and play like a normal boy would. It was his way of knowing that Tony wouldn't have a completely horrible childhood.
A young, maybe early twenties, Italian maid glared in Tony's direction. Jarvis knew that she hated children and that Howard only hired her because of her looks. Tony's arm brushed against a stack of magazines and half of the pile fell to the ground. He remained oblivious until the maid snapped.
Jarvis watched as she stomped up to the child and grabbed his neck. He knew that Mr. Fury was on his way to pick up Tony to take him to the park. Before she could get a word out, Nick had walked in and roughly pushed her away from the boy. He stared her down, "Tony, please go get Jarvis for me," Tony nodded and "flew" off to get the butler. Nick growled out to the frightened maid, "Don't ever touch him again. If I find out otherwise, you'll be spending a lot of time behind bars. Got it?"
She frantically nodded and ran off just as Tony - now wing free - rushed back in with Jarvis on his tail. Nick bent down and caught Tony in his arms, swooping him up.
"Hey kiddo. You ready to go to the park?" Tony nodded and Nick picked the small boy up and carried him out to the car with a "I'll have him back in a few hours" thrown Jarvis's way.
The second they arrived at the park, Tony ran off towards the jungle gym. He wasn't paying attention to anything but the promised land of fun in front of him and ran straight into a little girl.
The boy's eyes grew to saucers on his face and he quickly apologized, "I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" Tony helped the little redheaded girl up, "Don't be mad. Please don't tell on me. You aren't going to tell Daddy right? Please don't!"
"I'm fine. I promise I won't tell. You said sorry so it's okay now. I'm Pepper. My real name's Virginia but I don't like it."
"I'm Tony. Do you want to play with me? We can run around."
"Well, duhh. You're my new friend," Pepper said as if it was obvious. Tony beamed and they decided to play pirates together.
Nick watched the two kids with a smile on his face. It was good that Tony was getting to make friends his own age. He never really got a chance to meet anyone with him being home schooled.
An elderly man came up to him with a suspicious look painting his face, "What are you doing here? I won't be letting someone like you take any of the children. Get out of here."
Nick sighed and reached into his jacket, "I wouldn't talk to an agent like that. I do have a license to kill. I'm watching that little boy over there," he pulled out his badge and flashed it to the man before putting it back, "Now I suggest you leave me be."
The man glared at him but walked away. Another woman, younger and with a smile on her face, came up, "I'm sorry about him. He's always like that. Which one's yours? Virginia's playing over by the monkey bars with that little boy."
"I don't have any kids, but I'm watching Tony. The boy with your daughter."
"How old is he? He looks so small."
"Six almost seven. He's always been like that. But you wouldn't believe the energy he has."
The woman scoffed in acknowledgement, "You're telling me. I have two. The older one's at dance today. I just took Virginia over here to burn some energy."
Nick nodded in understanding and the two sat down on a bench watching the kids and the woman - Martha - talked to him with Nick chiming in at random points.
~~~~~
Tony nibbled on the carrots Jarvis brought him. As he put the finishing touches on his robotic dog. He attached the last wire and a mechanical bark rang out. Tony beamed and shut the metal cage before grabbing the small dog and running out to find Jarvis.
"Jarvis!! Look what I made!" Tony yelled out as he ran towards the living room. His father was standing by the couch with several other business men in tailored suits. Tony beamed and barreled straight into his father's side with his arms opened wide, "Daddy! You're home!"
The older Stark looked down at the boy with a small frown and patted his head, "Uh... Yeah. Good to see you too Anthony. I'm busy-"
Tony ignored him and quickly grabbed the almost forgotten robot, "Look what I made Daddy. It's a robot dog. It barks and does tricks and is just like a real dog."
The robot let out a mechanical bark and the other men who were slightly off put before gave a soft clap to the boy. "Your son is a genius Mr. Stark. This is amazing for a boy his age. I expected nothing less."
"Thank you. He does take after me," Howard answered. Tony hugged his daddy again and Howard indulged him, for a few seconds. "Jarvis!"
The butler appeared, "Yes sir?"
"Take Tony please. I'm busy right now." Howard pushed Tony away and the boy grabbed his robot. He was talking animatedly to Jarvis as he was lead to the kitchen.