Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sunday, out in the warm Arizona desert. Desert that once scared the owner of the home; now made peace with it. Out here was quiet peace that he once would have gone stir-crazy about. Now, it is an old friend. The patio was surrounded by natural plant life. A visiting wild coyote that yipped and yowled. 

The skies are a consistent color of bright blues, moody blues, purple, and pink blues. It was a constant comfort as the owner of the home threw up his curls and coils in a ponytail. A mug full of coffee was still warm as he stepped out. Nose taking in the fresh wildflowers and scents. Birds fluttering around the bird feeder before leaving.

His son, voice echoing through the home sleepily, "Dad... you up?"

Tilting his head back, he knocked on wood hearing Jarvis greet him. The half-broken voice of the retired Ai and Friday chirp voice mixing, "Good morning."

"Where is my dad?"

"Out on the patio in the back... Harley."

Jarvis's voice was broken but warm. A static twang to the British and polite accent. Friday southern Belle twang came a little bit once the job was put away. 

"Okay, tell him we gotta go to the store soon."

Tony, Tony Edward Stark smiled as he leaned against the door frame, taking another sip. With a lip smack, Tony hummed with bliss. Eyes closed as he walked in. Robe loose on Tony's body sweats loose. Hanging on his hips. Breakfast ingredients were already getting taken out to make. 

"Good morning harls."

Coming from the second floor of the solar power home, was a dark desert blonde, the 14-year-old kid rushed down. Harley, whose mom passed suddenly, left Tony as the next of kin. The sudden wave he had an 8-year-old.

The next steps that followed were logical. Tony grinned as the teen poured a cup of grape juice, quick sips as a content hum left the young teen's mouth. To think he was Harley's father for this long. It was a Sunday. The start of summer. 

"So, Harls, what should we plan on doing for the first two weeks of summer vacation?"

Tony asked as he put the next stack of waffles down. Taking his bowl of fruit sitting across from the kid with waffles filling his cheeks. The teen went to speak, swallowed, and continued at the look from Tony.

"How about, we get a tour of those Pueblos in the mountains." That was the first suggestion. Tony nodded with a smile at the four-family trip, "and then, I think we can definitely visit Death Valley. Maybe visit Nan's grave?"

It's been a few months since they have been back to see Maria's grave. It has been months since Tony set foot in the New York state. It's been a while since he last spoke with the team. Honestly, it has been for the best. 

Between everything he has been through, they have, and Harley. Adopting Harley. This was the best decision. It was one he didn't regret as he watched Harley grow up right before his eyes. He wished he could let his mother know but as far as he is aware, he can only hope she is happy. 

In these quiet peaceful moments, Tony did think about the team. He did think about his old life. He thought about them on days he saw the news play. He thought about them as he got a call from Pepper about New York being safe. Yet, despite all that, Tony knows he isn't going to go back and live that life again. 

Even found it in himself to bring the memories to the forefront. It was a lot and really not needed. He apologized; he didn't start a fight. He fussed, yelled, and screamed. He left after that. He couldn't deal with much of it. He felt like his mind was on the verge of collapse. 

Now though, he knows something in him is settled. He watched as his son talked to Friday. Jarvis chimed in when he felt it was necessary. The conversation about the trip is soon to be taken. They need to gather supplies and get ready for the change of noise and scenery. 

"Right, everyone suits up, we are heading out." Tony tapped the table as he heard the sounds of two drones zipping out. Three beeps, "Sorry kiddos, not you. Harls and I gotta get people food."

Sad beeps, Harley's big eyes. Tony sighed as he knew he was going to give in and let the triplets follow on the shopping trip. 

The chaos. The warm nights. The rainy days. Tony watched as Harley grew up to become a young man who was going to change the world. He was going to watch his bots grow with intelligence. He was going to sit back and age gracefully, letting the real heroes do the work. 

He flipped his phone over when he saw an unknown number text him a question. This was his world. Nothing would change it. 

¬

"Hey Mr. Stark, getting ready to leave our humble little town?" An older woman called out behind her cash register. 

Harley hurried through with Dum-e and U as they went straight for the candy aisle. Tony strolled in a little slower with Jarvis on his right shoulder, Butters close behind him and Friday hovering along.

"Hey, Joy. Yeah, it's the annual summer trip." He gave a playful smile as he went further into the little store. "Gotta get supplies, how is everything?"

Joy smiled her silver hair and warm smile never failed to send Tony reminders of Ana, "Oh you know, Arnold is stubborn about his car."

"Remember Joy, I do work on cars." Tony grinned already knowing the older man would thank him but decline the offer. 

Without missing a beat, Joy leaned forward like she had a top-secret mission for him, "Still getting those unknown calls and messages?"

Tony put on the flair of the dramatics, "Alas, my phone stalker has to wait for my reply."

"Oh now, don't be rude to the person. If they keep up with your birthday and once a month text on how you are, I say they are worth a gaggle of fun with."

Tony felt his cheeks redden but he snorted, "Byye Joy. Tell Arnold I said ‘hey’." 

The store was never full of people, in general, everyone knew each other. It was not hard to be known as the man with six kids. Of course, Tony never outright asked Jarvis, both silently let that simmer into the unknown. 

With that, Tony smiled at the other store attendees who greeted them. He tilted his head enough to listen to Harley's voice talking to some of his friends from school. Tony walked to the needed aisles as he thought about this month's text. On how he thought about Harley's complaints about the boring desert. Turned nerd for the wildlife. Surprise, surprise. 

Even then, Tony stopped a little hearing his son's friend's quiet mumbling, "I can't believe your dad was Iron Man. Again, why did he retire?"

"To give me a good life."

"Damn, imagine that. Going to be back in time for the new game launch."

"It's two weeks, not a month," Harley's laugh carried, "see you later Dustin. Tell your folks I said hey."

Tony smiled as he listened to Harley's friend depart, the soft ringing from Jarvis alerted him to the first item. The sound of butter claw grabbing a thing of motor oil, "Down butters." A pbbt sound was heard, and Harley's voice was heard with a cackle.

The gathering of supplies went about as it could. Tony chatted with some distant neighbors. Harley was getting cooed and complimented for growing handsome like Tony. Blood be damned. U getting a new pinwheel. Dum-e receiving a new firefighter helmet. And Butters was being given a new magnet. Tony watched as FRIDAY thanked Joy for a plastic rose, that Harley tied delicately around her drone body. Jarvis stayed close to Tony, who rubbed the warm metal drone chassis. 

Tony eyed the bots, Harley in the front seat, and the drones that sat in his lap, "So... I bought a lot of oil and ordered some tires that are all wheels with treads."

The teen eyes snapped open, staring at Tony before he could say anything. The Bots excited beeping was heard, "You serious?!" 

He caught the excited teen chattering to the bots, "Yes, I made some portal battery chargers for the bots too. They can come along this year if they like too."

Again, the parade of bots cheering through beeping was heard. Tony held a finger up, looking back at them, "BUT that means you need to listen and behave. No pilfering flowers U. No cursing at people, Butters. And Dum-e, no running off bud." 

All three bots stayed silent before beeping on the deal. 

Harley's cheering was heard as he talked to the bots about the upcoming trip. They planned on where they could experience things with their lenses. Tony melted into his life. 

He cooked a good meal with Harley on dessert duty. Brownies baking in the oven. An Arizona dish he learned from joy. Tony hummed with pleased joy as he put the meal down on the table. Harley was already in his seat biting into a cinnamon-flavored roll. Tony settled in his seat as another text pinged on his phone. 

A minute he looked at the text before flipping it over. He might answer it this year. 

"Why do you leave them on read and who is it? It's been what? Six years?"

Tony nodded as he looked at the cell, frowning with a fork in his mouth, "I mean, Harls, what good would it bring to socialize and to prove Joy right?"

Harley snorted as he bit into his fork full of food, "well," he spoke after finishing the bite, "Joy is a gossip we both know this. But, I don't know. Maybe someone besides Aunt Pepper and Uncle Rhodey? You haven't tried to date."

That's a lot of work. Plus, Tony lived a quiet life. He isn't the flashy hero, the glamorous playboy. He was a quiet philanthropist who hid away in the desert. A place he knows people wouldn't find him in. Plus, his hair is longer now, he only had light facial hair, and he keep his entire thing lightly trimmed. Dating a lot now. The bots. His son. 

Plus... civilians and heroes... don't mix well. He should know, "Pep?"

"Dad... really?" Harley huffed at him crossing his arms, "You don't gotta be nice to him."

"How do you know it's a him?" Tony asked with a playful smile even with his nerves on fire. Harley knows him very well. He knew probably longer than his old teammates. 

"Just now. You confirmed it," Harley sassed with a proud smile. 

Snorting, the genius twirled his fork slowly, "Just... what am I gonna say to him? Not like I've really talked to the guy." It went unsaid, between adopting Harley and the hoops and bounds for Tony to retire, the genius remembers the many ways they tried to keep him on. 

He already pulled the plugs from being a hero. This time he is sticking with this. He had an 8-year-old kid relying on him. He had a son that year. He couldn't juggle anymore. He did what he needed to do. He doesn't regret it. 

So, staring at the phone, "You think I should message him back?"

With a nod, Harley leaned forward, "Who is it though? Bruce? Barton? Viz after how many years?!"

Tony shook his head, finally putting a name to the unknown number. A simple WB, "him." 

"Really?" Harley sighed, "Of all people to give you the polite common courtesy, is him?"

Tony can see the irony. It wasn't so much a fight that happened between them but it doesn't change the awkwardness. Again, life was happening fast. Harley was the concern. Tony's mind reasoned faster before he could act. By that time, the helicarriers, his retirement, and the team piled all on at once. It was a lot. 

Tony doesn't regret, even offering his number if the guy needed a tune-up, but the genius never figured the man would text him once a month, once a year on his birthday. It was strange, even when Tony left him on read, the routine persisted. 

Sighing at his kid-judging look, Tony looked at the newest message. 

WB: Is it illegal to own a lynx?

Tony eyebrows shot up, he didn't read this one fully. Often times it was random questions or a lengthy message about a documentary. One time, there was a long rant in a message about the new fantasy movies and shows. Very in-depth and rather hilarious, not that he would admit it. 

Tony: yes it is illegal. Go to sleep.

WB: O.O

When... nope. Tony flipped the phone back, sighing before jutting his chin as the young teen plate as the desert blonde kid laughed, "You perturbed? I mean, why haven't you blocked him?"

The sounds of forks grabbing food, Tony took a moment to think about it. It's not like the man did anything to him directly, but, "We are civilians now, Harls. At this point, it'd be a bigger risk to get involved with someone outside my circle."

Harley's lips pursed before he frowned, "That sucks. I get it, but the deal must suck more for you. And you still haven’t explained why you won’t block the guy."

Nodding, the genius tried for a bright smile, "Eat. We got a long drive tomorrow."

Tony lay in bed after ensuring Bucky was in bed. The bots charging. Fri and Jarv shut down for the night. They needed all the rest they could get. He smiled as he settled in bed, mind supplying. 

This is my life. Nothing will change it. 

The clock struck 2 am, and the sound of the underground lab shook the first floor of the home. Tony's body shot up. The lights flashed on as Jarvis's voice stuttered to life, "Basement... intruder..."

Shit. 

Tony reached for this mobile gauntlet, shuffling it on with a bat in hand. Hand out and bat on defense the genius went down steps hearing Harley's voice, "Dad?"

"Don't worry Harley! Stay in your room!"

There was no response besides the door closing. Tony stepped further down. One foot over the other, waiting for anyone or thing to pop out. 

Over in the far corner, Tony mumbled out a phrase having the lights dim on. Hand aimed, he moved towards moving shadows. Then hands up, as Friday's voice hummed, "Stark replica detected."

"Don't shoot! Please, we need solace."

What the hell? A rose gold gauntlet hands stayed up, then tinier kid-like hands rose up after. Tony's arms went limp, bat clambering against the metal flooring. Tony stared as a young girl with wilder hair than his own and a young boy with braided back hair stepped out. He looked at the two kids. A silver belt around the girl. 

What the hell?

Chapter Text

Tony stood there staring at the two kids, mind whirling for answers as the two kids who looked no older than 8 or 9 and 4 or 5 stood there in front of him. Begging for solace. From what? From who? Why him? He is retired. 

Harley's voice rang out again, "Hold on Harley!" He shouted back while keeping an eye on the two strange children. The girl frowned but she didn't look pensive. The younger boy clung to her leg. Big soft browns looked up at him, with a frown pulling his features.

The older child kept her eyes on him, Tony shifted the gauntlet away back into his watch, hand scrubbing at his face down his neck, “Alright, I have two kids in my house. Amazing…” Blinked for a moment staring at the two kids still there. Yep.

Two strange children. He had so many questions but the oldest child spoke, her voice strong but the tremble there, “Wait, before you ask. We… aren’t of your universe.”

YEP, this is not for a civilian. Mind squealing at the entire thing, Tony breathed through his nose, fingers pressed against his lips, putting at them both with both index fingers, “Alright, amazing. Awesome,” Putting a fist to his mouth, Tony wanted to scream.

What should he do? Call the police? Call Rhodey? Strange? The Avengers… that is fucking weird to say.

“You are going to freak out,” The girl said as she lifted up the younger despite his quiet complaints and whines, “Don’t freak out. You are the only one who doesn’t have a version of us.”

No, not gonna freak out, “Freak out? I am not going to freak out. Yep, I am relaxed,” Tony felt like screaming. He was having an internal battle before blurting out, “I need to call the Avengers.”

“NO, don’t call your team!” The girl shouted, her eyes widening in fear as she held the boy close, “Please our version of you died, we don’t know where else to go. Everyone's other children caring and friendly Tony Stark already has one of us or both of us. Please.”

RIGHT. Don’t call his team but somehow he is supposed to take all this like a turtle in the creek? He is retired. Before he can stop the others, he can hear the triplets rolling in. Harley is already on the steps, “Dad… why are their two kids in the lab?”

The girl looked at the boy, “Oh good, you can say you adopted us.”

The genius stood there for a moment longer, finally taking a seat on the floor, head in his hands. He was supposed to take his kids on a trip in three hours. He was supposed to live a humble life. He was, supposed to keep some parts of extremis under wraps because that was another agreement. All this is becoming insane and nerve-wracking. Not suppose to call the Avengers? Why are they here?

“Who are you two anyway?” Harley's voice washed over the panicking parent.

The oldest girl spoke, “Who are you?”

“I asked you first,” Harley shot back.

“Well, I can’t tell some random person who living with Tony Stark.”

“Okay, I can’t have some random kid trying to strong their way in here. Give me a reason not to call the police to get you two home.” Harley's voice was firm.

Tony looked up at them both, the youngest in front of him as both went back and forth. Why one shouldn’t call and why one should stay here. Safer. Less dangerous. Endangering them both. Tony looked at the youngest human child sitting in front of him.

“Tony…” The kid gave a missing canine teeth grin of a smile. Tony gave a wary smile, “We can stay?”

He… he has no idea if he should. Is this breaking his retirement deal? He should call the Avengers. He can’t be getting caught up in this. He is out. He promised that to himself and to Harley. But if they do need help, “I gotta know why you want to stay. Who you both are,” Groaning, he hefted up the youngest who instantly latched on to him. Already both showed great fondness for him. Confusedly, Harley and the girl stopped arguing. “And why here of all places.”

Harley looked contemplative but also uncomfortable. The girl looked nervous, but assured. Assure of what?

Of that they were staying? He wasn’t sure if this was going to be a permanent thing. He needed to figure out what the hell was happening.

Moving the three kids upstairs, along with the bots, he listened to Jarvis greet him. Friday already having the stove preheating. He put the kettle on the stovetop. Pulled out a pan, and began making breakfast, he kept the youngest on his hip, as he did everything single-handed. He listened to Harley talking to the girl a little bit more.

“You memorized the schematics, That is mark 6 gauntlet design.” 

She nodded, "Yeah, my... my version of Tony gave me these designs willingly." There was somberness to her. 

Harley's voice carried, "Oh... is... did he send you here?"

The girl's voice stayed silent, "Um... not exactly. We had to run. It wasn’t good.”

Tony listened to the conversation change to something less depressing, something he was going to get the full scope because he needed. He isn’t even sure if he is able to keep them or if he should call the heroes to deal with this. He wasn’t a hero but for whatever reason both came here and latched on. The girl talked to Harley as she stared at something she didn’t have in her universe, at least things that seemed a little outdated.

The boy seemed content with hanging around with Tony, he only then realized that he wasn’t initially holding the younger child up anymore. Actually, he stared at the boy who stuck to him with ease, content with staying there. He looked at the child before he registered ‘Spider’ and he felt his entire world getting flipped just in the few hours he woke up and found them.

Getting breakfast was completed, the girl stared excitedly at the food. Her stomach grumbled before she took a hearty bite and sipped at her orange juice. Harley ate slower but he watched with surprise as she ate the food with gusto. Tony took a slower pace with the younger who continued to stay in his arms. The syrup coated his mouth, and Tony hated and loved how he fell into the parent of a toddler, he wasn’t sure if a 4-year-old or 5 is considered a toddler. By all means, his toddler years were yanked from him. Watching this kid eat without fuss was interesting, to say the least.

The meaning of breakfast early was to yank the worms out, "Alright, Harley."

Harley looked at the girl and then the kid sitting on Tony's lap, "I'm Harley Keener-Stark."

The girl looked at Tony, when the youngest spoke, "I' Miles Molares." 

Miles gave the biggest smile, Tony's heart ached wondering if his parents were anywhere or even the girl's parents, "I'm Riri Williams," she answered the mystery. Tony made mental notes on both kids. Miles and Riri. The gentle ping, and nothing. 

No Miles Morales and no Riri Williams. Tony looked at the kid in his lap then at the second oldest in the kitchen. The sun crept over what was supposed the day of the family trip.

"Okay, mind telling me," Tony sat Miles down on the table. The youngest one eating the waffle with both hands happily, "Why do you need solace? How did you get here? Why isn't your... version... of me not here? And what about your parents?"

Riri frowned, shoulders hunching. Eyebrows pinched, the young girl huffed pushing her bangs away, "Mine and Miles's parents died. Some aliens, angry aliens or demons, whatever came down and upon earth. They slaughtered everyone. Our Tony took us in... he... tried. Really hard but... our universe is in big trouble. So he told us to leave. Gave me a teleporter and to find a Tony without a Riri and Miles." Tony nodded to go on, despite his internal fire alarms. 

A universe in danger. A Tony telling them to find a Tony without a Riri and Miles. 

"So, I did. I hid with Miles till I found this universe. H-23917, not sure what that meant... but I guess because you are not white."

Tony snorted pushing his own hair back, Harley's voice snorted out, "Yeah, the majority of Tony's are white or of an ambiguous nature?"

Riri nodded, and Tony really fucking hate his foot-in-mouth syndrome, "you're not that different from other Tony's, besides the evil ones."

This time Harley blurted out with a laugh, even Friday and Jarvis's amused silence filled the air, "My dad, evil. Holy crap," Harley sent a quick apology but snorted again, "like, that guy who does not take safety precautions seriously?"

Tony huffed with a small chuckle watching as Miles watched him, "It was one time Harls."

The 14-year-old snorted at him some more, "Besides an evil Tony, why my dad?"

Riri's smile was there but the young girl sighed pushing her plate to the side, "Because he is without us. We can blend in and stay here. Of course, we can't be alone and I don't want to deal with the Avengers."

Tony sighed, "I'm retired."

Riri nodded, "Okay, so you won't tell them."

He really should, even with Miles's sticky fingers clinging to him once again, "Ahh, I should," Riri was gearing up, he could tell, that defiance he had with Howard, but Howard smacked him for it. Smacked him harder than is what should ever be reasonable, "but... crap, okay, okay," letting Miles hang on his body with fingers rubbing between his brows, "I will let you stay here."

The resounding yes, but Tony timed her out with hands forming a T, "But! We are on summer break. If you are going to stay here. There are rules."

"Ugh..." 

"First off, no flying. If they catch an Iron Man suit in the air, I'm going to be foisted back into the firefight. I spent six years raising Harley." He put on a stern, yet very concerned voice.

"Why not?" Her lips curved into a pout, "You are Tony Stark, why are you listening to them? shield or the government for that matter."

Tony wished he had the bravado back, but he is enjoying the slow life for fuck sake, he wonders if he is making the right choice, "because, if I go back now, it'll be a powder keg and I have to explain how I got two kids. The most I will do is hack and forge some things. Maybe have Pepper be an alibi..."

"Who is Pepper?" Miles asked, curiosity brimming. 

Travesty among travesty, "Pepper is a very dear friend who is going to drag my butt over hot coals."

Miles nodded safely before he went back to clinging to him with a pleased hum. Strange. Riri frowned tapping at the table, "Okay fine... what else?"

Harley beat him to it, "School. I tried to get out of it because he is a bona-fide mega genius."

Riri's mouth dropped, "I have to go to school!! I haven't been to school in 4 months! Why now?"

Tony feared that the world ending to the point of universal destruction would that, "because you need to. You are what? 8? 7?"

A giggle from Miles as he answered over Riri's offended huffing and puffing, "She is 9! I'sh 4!"

14, 9, and 4... great okay. The age differences are insane. Leave it to Tony to get this on his person, "thank you, Miles. But yeah, Riri if you are here, you need to go to school. I work till I pick up Harley. Miles will go to school... unless you find a suitable Tony." 

He was going to fool himself. Riri needs a Tony without a Riri and Miles. At this rate, he is sure she can find one. Especially one that isn't about school all that much. Despite Tony secretly working on a zoology associates. Despite Tony and Harley constantly going to places in the country to learn about the history and tour. Yeah, she might find a Tony who won't have a surplus of rules to go by. But, that is the thing, Tony isn't a hero anymore. He is very much out of the limelight and people sometimes question if he is dead or not.

For a quiet moment, Riri stayed quiet. The wheels turned in her head before she groaned out a frustrated sigh, "Fine, okay. Okay. I don't think I will find another Tony... besides... I'm tired of searching." 

That was that. Tony wasn't going into the why he left. Riri didn't ask. Miles continued to cling, when another question popped up, "how did Miles get powers? I know Peter Parker is Spiderman buut?" He looked at the sleeping child, Tony held him up one of his fingers slipped away till he clung again like a slug on a wall.

Riri held the cup of fresh orange juice close. The sound of the dishes being washed, "Not sure... his mom was Spider Woman I think." 

Oh... awesome. 

"And his dad was like cousins or something electro." 

Oh great!

Tony wondered what that meant. He wonders what exactly that means for abilities. He certainly can't use them at school when he starts. 

That's all he thought about as he watched Miles chase a spider around laughing as it threat-posture at him. He watched as Riri grumped on the patio porch. Harley was lounging in the hammock. Taking a slow sip of coffee, the genius crouched down hearing his cell ring. 

Jarvis's static voice in his head, 'Mr. Strange'.

Strange. Shit. 

Tony stood and walked inside. Slid the door closed and answered his cell, "Hello?"

"Anthony, it's been a few years. I can't believe you actually answer-"

"I didn't want to. But I know your voice, strange. How are you? Why are you calling?" Tony itched. He urged Strange to hang up. Get a sense that the genius didn't want to communicate. 

"I see, but Anthony I have a question. Did you hear any news about an odd earthquake?"

On automatic reply, Tony spat out, "I'm a civilian strange. I can't talk shop."

Pause on the other line before long, rather annoyed (Tony should be annoyed) breath came out, "Tony, please."

"I'm telling you strange, I can't. I won't. If this gets to anyone else, I'm telling them I don't know anything. So please, cut the shit." 

Looked over his shoulder out the back seeing all three watching him, before shuffling back to their spots or Miles still breathing on the glass door.

"Anthony, I don't mean to intrude, we have run-"

"Bye, Strange." With a tap, Tony hung up and spun on his heel out the back with coffee in hand. He needed a nap or an entire day's worth of rest. Miles latched back onto his leg. Riri was still grumped on the patio. Harley's green eyes were full of concern.

He mouthed out hero, and that was it. Harley's eyes rolled hard before falling back in the hammock. Riri looked between them, turning most of her body towards Tony, "Why here? Why not a city? It is desert and a very distant forest..."

Lifting Miles up in one arm, he held his coffee with precision, taking easygoing steps. Even with the posture and act, Tony was reeling still, "because it is peaceful." 

That's all he gave as he took a seat a few inches from her. Riri frowned as she pushed her out of her face. The coils gathered around her head and Tony remembered the first 3 years he was letting his hair grow out. Fingers reaching up, he yanked the ponytail free letting his own coils curls flopped around his head. In a haze of silence, Riri's eyes took a moment to glance eyes flashing back to the desert.

"Never would have thought I see a Tony that chooses to live in..." She made a face that spoke volumes at what an oddball Tony might be. Living in a place that can send rippling back in trauma haze stillness, "you're weird."

"Riri..." Miles's voice was tiny but he puffed up, "Mean."

The genius looked at the 9-year-old, "Don't be mean." He grinned at Miles who grinned back with happiness. Only in the light, did Tony see the missing gaps where the canines are, were tiny little black teeth. Very sharp. Amazing. He needed to figure out a safe way to blend his teeth or at least remind Miles not to bite. He wasn't sure if he had venom glands.

This whole thing is beyond weird. It's beyond common grounds for a civilian. Tony wondered what is his life. 

Chapter Text

Excepting to take in two kids from a different dimension wasn't on his bingo card, but Tony found himself moving out of two rooms. He almost was glad he renovated this old place. Of course, dealing with big ass spiders and bugs wasn't on his list of fun, but Tony found himself smiling when he spotted the three of them looking through a catalog on his laptop. Friday's voice chimed here and there, the genius watched the three choose things for their rooms. Well, he listened to Miles's happy child-like babble, mostly things of a variety of fun colors, from what Tony could decipher. 

Tony sighed as he stretched out his arms and back, before looking at the empty room for Riri. He silently wondered what the hell he was doing still. This entire thing would get him yanked back if he was found out but he was going to try to make sure they weren't found out, to the best of his abilities. Pushing his bangs out of his face, he wiped his hands on his shirt going towards the kids, letting extremis hum softly in the back of his mind. 

Riri was in a tense debate with Harley about something about a workshop desk in her room. Harley mumbled about her being too noisy already. Miles climbed on the counter easily trying to see what they were looking at. Silently, Tony smiled as he walked behind them watching the screen show a nice-looking metal workshop desk. The mouse icon hovers over the price tag, a budget he gave the kids. He put his finger to his lip when Miles spotted him. 

"I am just saying, if I can't fly my own suit, I can at least make drones to spy on my new school." Riri huffed out with a small post.

Harley's eyes rolled hard, "you are in elementary school, no need to jump grades because you want to harass the older kids."

"I never said harassing the older kids, I meant you."

Tony sighed loudly causing them both to jump and miles squealing laughter, "So, got your items chosen? Because I am not returning nothing once you choose." He scooped Miles up as he clung to him happily. The little spiderling squealed happily as Tony held him closer. 

He shouldn't get close to them, because things can go wrong. Besides, Riri will get bored being here, all the rules and stuff and she'll leave. She will leave along with Miles, to where? He has no idea, but that thought makes him more than a little queasy. 

"I know you said I have a budget of at least 3 grand, because that's what you can spare, even though you are rich," she started her negotiation, Tony couldn't help to chuckle under his breath as Harley groaned, "but I need this workbench. It's the best on the market!"

Tony looked at her things, he could see the Wishlist but some of those weren't in the cart, the desk, or a pair of roller skates. Tony looked at the prices, the skates were 250 versus the 500 dollars the desk was, "tell you what, I'll give you my old desk. It is solid oak, with metal alloy table stands. The small voice in his head don't get attached even as he gave her the card to make the final purchase.

"Are you sure?" The card held tight in her hands, the 9-year-old pensive face staring at everything but the screen and card. Harley's eyes softened but his mouth thinned. 

"Yes, I am sure. Buy your room stuff, on express delivery and I'll get my old desk out of the basement." Tony stood up looking at Miles as the young total smiled up at him. "What about you Miles?"

"Blue! Purple!" Miles excitedly shouted. Tony nodded sitting on his hip, as he watched Riri look down at the card even as Harley clicked order. 

The young girl frowned more before sliding off the stool hurrying out the back door on the patio steps. Harley sighed, "What happened?"

The only adult in the house looked at Harley, "It’s sort of like... surprise at being welcome the way she is welcomed. It's something strange," Tony didn’t want to get into it, the small time with the team. 

Harley laid his head on Tony shoulder, "Dad, school is gonna be a nightmare... is Miles going to daycare while you work?"

Tony didn’t think about that, he stared at Miles before the young boy looked up at him with a thumb in his mouth. The almost split pupils that stared at him then the happy crinkled of fat baby cheeks, "nah, not right now. He'll be with me till we know how his abilities work." Tony tried to be confident but he wasn't sure what to do about a spider-powered child. 

What was he supposed to do with two highly intellectual kids and a child that could hang off the ceiling? What is he doing now?

He thought about this as he got Miles settled in for the night. Riri lying on the couch till her things come tomorrow or the day after. Tony frowned as she kept to herself more than anything. The night always got cold out here but Tony looked out at the almost clear skies for the stars. 

 He can feel the weight of a fat baby toddler hand in his shirt, cleaned up from dinner. The kid took to sleeping with him like those mothers and their little babies in the dens. 

He really compared himself to an animal and a mother. He must be getting even more sentimental with age. Closing his eyes tight, Tony knows he is breaching his contractual agreement, but shit, he can't just leave two kids on their own. He can't let strange and they send them back to their dying home. 

No matter if he does or does not believe it, the pain in Riri's eyes, the scowl as she learned she had school to acclimate with other kids if she chose to stay full time. Not one set of parents but multiple. 

Letting out a shaky breath, he tries to say he won't fuck them up. He hasn't with Harley... besides the slimmest of hiccups, but this is terrifying. He looked at the light of his phone. 

Terrifying and lined with yellow caution tape. Red flags were planted around another fucking super soldier. He closed his eyes flopping to his side letting Miles curl up in the soft pudge of his body, the shuffle of a baby, Tony sighed reaching for his bonnet, making a note to get one for Riri and Miles. Their hair texture is more in the Cs, than his own. 

"Jarvis, Mom... give me strength."

In the early morning twilight hours, Tony blinked seeing not only Miles but both Harleg and Riri asleep on his bed. The oldest was sleeping quietly curled up tight, wet tear stains dried, but the puffiness. Riri's scowl in her sleep settles when he smokes both their hair out.

The pang of worry at Harley potentially having a nightmare about him, the Avengers, and the hypotheticals that scared him sick. Tony pressed a gentle kiss on the very top of Harley's head. Harley curled more in the bed and Tony remembered he was only 14. He went through more than a civilian kid should go through.

Squeezing his eyes tight, he laid back down letting the sun remove the night's terror. Wash away the onslaught of dread that is threatening to bring him under and drown him like the sand. Burning heat but... no. Not this sand. This is the sand of the clean desert air. Not faint taste of copper and iron with the grains of death. 

Breathing out through his nose, he gotta make plans. He did it with Harley, they need school to socialize. He can get some homework that can keep them learning and challenged. He doesn't want Riri to test out. Harley could have but he knows that won't be healthy. He lived it for Christ's sake. 

Pausing from biting at his thumb, Tony presses his fingers against his mouth. 

Phase 1, Get Riri and Miles acclimated

Phase 2, get them ready for school with their identities

Phase 3, see if they want to go by Stark or Daw... Stark is easier to power move with but Daw is more under the cover

phase 4, get them through school and raise them as well as he can without getting caught

phase 5, figure out why Bucky is texting him...

Phase 6, avoid fucking SHEILD like the plague

Yep. Prefect. It's totally going to go according to plan. Maybe he can squeeze in a family vacation or two. He knows Harley wants to go to the gaming competition. Actually, exploring the town so people know Riri and Miles will help. 

Clothes. They need clothes. 

Tony huffed as he slid miles next to Riri. He stared for a moment beforehand signing to Friday to take a picture. Jarvis soft and broken in his mind, 'they are curl3d u¿... curled up sir.'

Tony smiled softly, "Want that tune-up Jarv?"

His first ai, (child for him) answered in a soft static noise. Tony hummed rubbing at the walls, "Okay. I'll get started on it after breakfast. I do wish Clint..."

Friday made a questioning beep, "Clint?"

"Ah... yeah, Clint. He has a niece and nephew. I don't talk to him anymore but you know, it'd be good to get advice on young girls and their periods." 

Friday made a noise but a screen showed up, "I believe the time of the month, can come for some girls as early as 9 to the latest of 15. She may be late, due to the change in the time from her universe to this one."

Sighing, Tony started squishing numbers and variables, there was a chance she wouldn't start her period till she was 12 but he wasn't going to hold his breath. That's another thing, "Friday, send all this to me and track any news about the night riri and miles came to the home. I want any traces of it sent to me too. Also... I need to do a DNA scan for miles. And..."

"And boss?"

"An itinerary, sir?" 

Tony nodded snapping his fingers at the wall, "Yep, thank you Jarvis and Friday. An itinerary for the next three days in town. While Harley waits in line for that new game he was waiting for; leaving Riri and Miles are occupied with me. And... shit... make a direct encrypted message to Rhodey and Pepper, the highest level. He'll know how to decode it, and Pepper will get the ping when it it unlocked... or she might solve it. Who knows. Send them the picture and my explanation."

Tony began to explain that after three days and two nights of having the new residents of the home.

*

The day that Riri and Miles's things came, Tony looked at the girl's eyes studying all the objects, he made sure to get the bots and Friday controlled a suit to drag things in. A suit that was only hooked to the main frame. He smiled as Miles's voice babbled about a stuffed bear. Tony pointedly ignored the way the bear was dressed in black and had white fur. 

Nope. Not touching that. 

Looking skyward, he breathed out as he felt Miles climbing up his body and settling on his hip. Tony instinctively hefted the boy up. He went over to check on Riri but he watched from the distance as the young girl looked at the room, cleaned and ready for her things, before looking over her shoulder at him. 

"School?"

"Acclimation too. And meeting some people," he tried to be relaxed about it but he watched her stiffen with a stiffer nod. The young child looked at the night bonnet, finger running along the silk, "thank you."

With a quick wave, Tony made a show of his tight coiled bangs, "I mean Harley has one. So I mean, why not match." He tried, deflected honestly, showing Miles in his, "See but yours is pink, I just got random colors. Miles got baby blue."

Mile a toothy smile but he showed the bear happily. Riri looked at them, she sat on her unmade bed, "Okay. School. Fine."

Alright. That's one thing. Tony left to her leave her to be with her new things. Acclimating.

Tony set up a bed in his room that would attach to his bigger bed. He didn't mention the morning before when all the kids were in his bed. The mutual understanding between himself and Harley was one. He had no idea what the boundaries were with Riri. He didn't know how to talk to her. 

He wasn't sure he was cut out to raise another version of himself, basically. Yet, he felt responsible. So he watched Riri come down as he tried to stop Miles from chasing a spider around outside. Riri sat by Harley who was watching amused, her deep brown eyes, almost Mahogany under the sun, studied the area. 

This was much of an acclimating experience for him. 

For Tony his was new. So when he got the video call, he looked nervous and decently guilty, as both their faces dropped in shock. Eyes glued on Miles who was clinging to Tony's back easily and Riri, who snuck a little tinkering project, froze under the stares. Harley did a jaunty wave before he looked at them all. 

"Hi, Aunt Pepper and Uncle Rhodey."

Pepper said it best, "Holy shit." 

Chapter Text

Tony's fingers pressed together as he tried to pose confidently, but he couldn't stop the rapid-fire tapping as he recounted the last few days. Harley nodded along as he kept Miles preoccupied. The teen, he adored his son, was taking everything in stride despite their entries lives being flipped around. As for the second oldest child in the home, Tony looked a little to his side and down, seeing Riri's hair blocking her face. He looked back up, giving a nervous grin.

"Yep."

Pepper breathed out rubbing his forehead, "Tony..."

"Tones, the contract."

Pulling Miles to his front, he held the small child on his bottom despite not needing to, “I know! I know, but they sort of poof in the basement.” He gave out the explanation, smoothing Miles’s hair back and watching it snap back into place. Maybe he can braid his hair back a little. Yeah? Summers and Winters are going to be weird. Actually, really annoying. He has to figure out their hair products, figuring out Harley’s was a challenge, his scalp was allergic to tea tree oil, however, No wait. Wait.

Harley's voice cuts through his thoughts, “We did and they are insistent on staying.” Harley's leg lifted to avoid the 9-year-old kick, Miles joyful laughter before shoving his hand in his mouth. Tony tugged out the hand gently, he listened to Harley tease Riri, “She is bossy and angry.”

“And you are bossy and rude!” She spouted off. Miles laughed at the noises around him before he focused on Pepper and Rhodey.

With the shocked noises from his two friends, Tony tried for an awkward smile, “Yeah, um I can’t say I adopted them if I can get them identification cards.” He set Miles down even as the kid stayed hanging by his shirt with palms only, the 4-year-old bubbly laughter as Tony tried to get him to detach. Miles's bright smile shined under the living room lights, another strained surprise noise.

“He… has fangs.”

“Yeah,” Tony looked to Rhodey who had his entire face in his hands, “Part spider, like Spiderman.” Grabbing Miles by his feet on the upswing, Tony tried not to smile fondly at him, but he couldn’t really be too close to him in case Riri finds them something better. Not him bound to-

“Your contract Tones,” Rhodey spouted out again, the man's eyes wide with concern, “Are you sure?”

Riri face scowled and Pepper cooed earning her the 9-year wrath of a pout, “Rhodey is right… but,” She looked at her cell, “Their home was destroyed.”

Tony nodded tickling the feet as Miles swung his upper body off earning a peal of laughter. Handing Miles upside down to Harley, “Leftovers, I gotta talk to your Aunt and Uncle.” Harley nodded rounding the other two up, Miles held like a sack of flour earning the little boy to try to flip and roll in his oldest arms. Riri looked at him before she followed the Harley out. Tony watched them before slumping over, burying his face in his hands, "I don't know what I am doing."

Pepper looked up from the paperwork and then back to the information, "You always did have a soft spot for lonely and smart kids." 

He does. He wish he was one of those cruel rich guys who just so happened to adopt a kid because it'd make him look good. The thought of being like Howard or Stane sent shivers down his spine and shoved that line of thinking into an incinerator. Tony looked up at the ceiling, "How do you raise two kids from a different world and not get caught?"

He doesn't want to lose this little life of his. That's why he called Pepper and Rhodey. He needed some kind of advice. Tony took a slow mental check over the itinerary he had planned for Riri and Miles. Acclimation. Right. 

Rhodey's voice brought him out of the rotating thoughts, "I don't want you to get caught, I think it's easier if you have them under Stark."

Pepper smiled as she spotted the boxes that contained Riri's new things. Tony looked at them as well, along with toy boxes that he was suckered into buying for Miles (and Riri, her big eyes on a little Iron Man cat plushie, he didn't even know they make those), "It was NDA, the parents didn't want to be known. They simply wanted their kids safe and secured."

He took the time to understand what they were saying, then he blinked away extremis, a grin pulling his features, "Thanks. I was getting close to floundering." He breathed out, only to catch Riri peeking before she ran away again. He wasn't sure how much she was willing to stay, it was a reason he didn't want to get too attached, she could leave with miles by tomorrow. Despite buying these things... they could up and leave. 

It'll leave him and Harley safer, but he won't stop worrying about them. No matter how much he tells himself, he'd worry. Hell, he worried even if they are with him, he would worry. That worry is what have him saying the next few words in consecutive order, “I can ask them what they would like to go by. I won’t get caught either. I have JARVIS and FRIDAY scanning any news outlets for anything about the day the children popped up in my basement. Pep?”

Pepper smiled leaning against her hand, “Asked them first, we can go from there. Okay?”

Rhodey leaned forward a bit, “But! When you get the chance and once they are all settled in, let us see our new niece and nephew. Might as well establish everything.” Rhodey grinned at Tony and Tony huffed rubbing at his scalp before patting it, “Plus, if she has a wild mane like you, you might as well call me down to help with braiding.”

Grinning a bit to himself, Tony sighed, “The one summer I braided my hair you, Pepper, and Happy practically did a shopping trip. What are we? Teenagers headed to the mall?”

Both adults looked at one another from their equal screens before agreeing that they were. Tony snorted but he knew what he was going to do. Get Riri and Miles acclimated to their home and neighborhood. Get them used to the town they reside in and maybe, with some luck, get them IDs before school comes around again. He also had to think about when Miles may go to daycare. He can’t put off work forever, but he could but he can’t. Technically he could, since he does get paid as part of the board of directors but he also likes… He will worry about it later.

The next part was getting a chance to talk to the second oldest (unless you include the bots and Ais, then probably the third or fourth oldest) child of the household. He cooked steadily, making a light meal, a seafood mix, and a dish that had the seafood substituted with chicken. He looked at the emptiness of the fridge before he sighed. Closing the fridge door, Tony jolted upright seeing said young girl standing there. Riri looked at him with a face that was perturbed and a little miffed about something. Her arms crossed, she nudged a toe gently to the hard tile floor. Hair covering her face, she mulled on whatever was in her thoughts.

Tony steadily stared at her waiting for her to ask or state something. Anything she would need, Tony will wait for her to ask anything she would need of him. Heading back over, he heard her taken in a thing of air, “I like seafood. Just not clams. Clams are gross.”

He smiled as he shuffled some of the clams to another side of the meal that was cooked, “That’s fine, Harley loves clams but he hates shrimp. I love this entire thing.” He answered back easily, but Tony can see the extra questions running amock in her brain. He looked over her head towards Harley who was letting Miles hang off his arm.

“Hey Dad, is Miles sleeping in your room for now?”

Tony looked at Miles, the young kid's big brown eyes blowing up as he grinned happily at the genius, the young child fell down off the teen's arm. An odd mix between clumsy because of baby fat legs and the dexterity of an eight-legged crawler. It was a strange thing to see happen in real time, but Tony smiled as the toddler waddled up to him, falling into his leg and humming out a Tony.

Distracted with Miles, Tony listened to Riri who turned to Harley, “Is your last name Stark?”

“Nah,” Harley's voice was fond as he got the cups and plates down, “Here, help me set the table.” The clanging of porcelain and plastic cups (Tony let Harley choose how they handle dishes, he thinks it is adorable) placed easily on the table, “I go by Daw-Keener. My mom was a Keener, she never took my dad’s last name. Why?”

Tony feigned ignorance for a little bit till he felt the stare from the little girl bore into his back, “I… I heard some things about accl… acclimating… that word,” Harley answered it easily, ‘Acclimating’, “Yeah, and well… something about last names.”

Tony couldn’t stop smiling as he got the serving dishes on the table then the juices. He was so happy he got no-spill tops for Miles, he couldn’t think about the little boy getting the baby blue shirt covered in fruit punch.

“Well, he asked me what I wanted to go by or if I wanted to keep my last name. It's not like being a Stark or Daw is gonna eliminate anything about us.” The dirty blond teen shrugged before looking to Tony, “Are we headed into town?”

Tony nodded setting Miles down on the booster seat, “Yeah. Anyway, I was talking with Pepper and Rhodey, they’ll help us with getting you two somethings.” Tony watched her expression, there was a mouthing of ‘Pepper?’ to a fond distant smile when it was mentioned of Rhodey, to

“Daw? Your last name is Daw and Stark?”

Tony severed the plates, and put some noodles on the youngest of them all plate, “Yeah. My mother, her name was Enass Maria Carbonell-Daw, she went by Maria.” He knows she will have more questions, but he is more focus on getting her and Miles situated, “So, I ask you, do you want to be known as Daw or Stark? I can hyphenate your last name, it is your choice.”

Riri looked at him, then she poked at her food before taking a small bite.  A slow chew, the young genius pushed her hair back, “What does Daw mean?”

“Light.”

¬

Tony looked at the two identification cards, paperwork, social security numbers, birth certificates, and all the nine yards. He wasn’t confident, not completely that this would work out completely, but was willing to make it work. He looked at the docket as JARVIS went over everything they were planning on doing. It was to get Miles and Riri established in the town, and to have them meet the newest editions of the family. Tony knows Joy would be thrilled to see more offspring. He can already hear her teasing dirty jokes. He still wonders how Joy is the most raunchiest but sweetest person in their little town. He will never know.

He thought about all this as he sat in his bedroom and prepped his nightly routine, hair twisted down, slipped under his bonnet and he sighed. He didn’t get another call from the group of heroes and he was happier for it. He also wasn’t paying attention to his phone at all. Signing out slowly, he listened to both JARVIS and FRIDAY send out an affirmative ping. After he slowly got his bed all situated, he paused, JARVIS crackled voice humming out, “No one has gone through anything on our end, sir.”

FRIDAY's voice popped up, “However, the Winter Soldier has sent you another text.” She sounded like she was excited but hesitant to tell him.

That hesitancy was proven to be true, he stared at the text

WB: Hey, hopefully, you are enjoying the season

He is so dorky. Tony stared at the gif of a cat screaming about the summer heat. Tony's thumb twitched before groaning, “I am too old for shit like this…” He tossed his phone on his bed, he tapped his chest, “Fuck, goddamn it.” Flipping on his side, Tony sent out a swift text.

Tony: I am. Stay frosty.

No gif. But fucking hell. Tony was trying to keep his distance and with good reason. He doesn’t need to strike up with the Winter Soldier. Honestly, he needs to be putting distance between them. Tony would, but he is so fucking bad in the end. He sighed again, till he felt Miles roll over close to him, latched to his side.

Right. Despite grunting and grumbling about the man who is determined to be cordial (kind) to him, Tony held Miles close, “Tony…”

Yeah. He has a whole-ass preschooler in his home, with Spider-Man-like powers and a heaping mound of other things. Tony knows exactly how this can end up being and he brushed back some of the coils that left Miles’s bonnet. The little boy curled up in his onesie he somehow fought his way off. Tony looked at the ceiling thinking about how tomorrow would go.

Looking over, he spotted Riri peeking in, her big dark brown eyes staring at him. She watched him before she waved a little hand, to thin (he made a note to feed her more. More than he eats), and left with a mumbled goodnight.

Plus, getting her friends around her age would be good. Also… Tony belatedly wasn’t excited but he would have to have Harley also come with him to look at Pads and period underwear. He might talk to Cho at some point to make a better menstrual product because he looked up types and he was almost about to hyper-research what each of these things do and how authentic they are.

The insanity that his life took. He wasn’t sure what he was excited about. Step one was done and on to the next steps.

Chapter Text

Parking in the community lot, Tony slid up his sunglasses as he watched Harley hop out of the car, gave him a wave, and hurried off to the game store. Tony smiled as he watched Harley catch up with one of his friends before turning to the kids, the youngest who was reaching for him and the other one who looked around the town with an apprehensive glare.

Unbuckling Miles, he whistled out, “Now, that is a mean face. What is wrong?”

Riri's body flinched but her bottom lip jutted out more before she unclipped her seat belt and slid out of the back seat. He noted that mentally they were dressed in the clothes he just washed which means it would be a big shopping day. Hopefully, they will finish by the time Harley gets his new game.

“Where is Harley going?”

Tony looked a the path that his eldest has taken before grabbing Miles under his arm, “He getting a new game he has been looking forward to. Plus he got Bs, so he earned it.” He noted the incredulous face on Riri. He wasn’t expecting to pour his entire childhood issues to her, not that she needed it. He is pretty sure that she and Miles's old Tony would lose it if he put his issues on these two. No need to get all, as Harley says, angst-ridden.

“Okay, so why are we out?” Riri asked even as she stepped closer to him, “Are we gonna secretly look for bad guys?”

Snorting, Tony would eat his entire foot and then some if he was caught dead doing anything that was in reference to his heroic ways. “No. I got a thing with Heroes and I like my retirement very much.” He could tell she had questions, but hefted Miles up a little, “We are here anyway to get you and Miles some new clothes. I figured you wanted to pick some things out for yourself. You are what, 7?” Toyn chuckled under his breath as she stomped her foot pointing to herself.

“I am nine! I am practically an adult.” She had his own kind of bravado. Bigger than life but he knows the tenderness when he sees it. The teasing voice of being a cat snail is ringing in his mind which is suspiciously like Rhodey’s voice.

“Oh, sorry little nine-year-old. May you help an old man find clothes you would like then? I don’t want to choose something like an ‘I love Hawkeye’ shirt.”

This got Miles to giggle and Riri's face to scrunch, he watched her march her way to the store. Her confidence steps stalled as she looked back at him, her body causing the automatic doors to open, partially close, open, and partially closed. Tony hummed as he looked at the time. Enough to establish them in the town and maybe get enough people to help keep them safe.

*

Getting clothes was the easy part. Riri liked shorts, overalls, and pants. The harder part was getting her shirt and sweater. He also was trying to get her shoes that wouldn’t have her feet crying in the desert heat.

“It will get hotter than now, trust me. You don’t want to wear timberlands.”

“But they are so cool.”

Tony smiled despite the argument. They found a compromise with her new dark brown shoes being worn during the wintertime. Riri looked a little bright. Tony smiled as he looked at Miles zip around and meeting the people who worked here. Tony knows his bank account is gonna hurt but it will be worth it. Especially getting their hair products. He bought bottles that were similar to the ones that Riri and Miles used before they came here, at least to the best Riri can describe.

Getting groceries was next but he paused when caught Riri looking at the braiding hair, “You good?”

The nine-year-old looked at him then at his hair before she hurried past him, “I am okay.”

Tony looked at the hair then he looked at Miles, “Winter and Summer are gonna suck, might be easier to keep our hair protected huh?”

Miles chewed on a lollipop before grinning around it, “Yah. Ri, likes her pretty.”

“Miles!” The young girl rushed over to him, cheeks flaring as she was reaching for the younger child but Tony slotted the hair in the cart, “But…”

Showing his hair, down and around his shoulders, he smiled as he worked his hair between ine two tight knots, “Kid, trust me, I know.”

Tony looked at the grocery list on his phone and asked for suggestions on what to get the house for snacks. He added and took away some. He listened to Joy coo at the three of them, “Tony who are these two?”

Smiling, he hoped it didn’t come off way too proud, he didn’t want Riri to fluster, “Ah, I adopted them not too long ago. I didn’t want to overwhelm them.” He eyed Riri only noting her big dark brown eyes staring up at him. Miles laughed happily as he stayed attached to his hip, “This little guy is Miles.”

Miles smiled at Joy, he waved, “Hi.”

Then he looked over his shoulder at Riri who curled up a little behind him, “This is Riri.” Tony held back his own litany of coos, for her big confidence, she was shy as shit. It was way too cute, Tony blinked a quick flash of blue around his eye and grinned a little even as she scowled at him, cheeks blooming red, “Say, ‘Hi’ Riri.”

Still scowling, Riri blushed a little more, finger tightening around his shirt, “Hey.”

Tony listened a little more to Joy cooing over the new additions to the household and he watched how Miles soaked it in. Riri was less receptive to Joy’s grandmotherly antics, but he felt his own cheeks bloom when she mentioned the fellow who likes texting him.

“Ah, I am not going for it, Joy. Got too much happening.”

A tut. Joy waggled a finger at him, “Now, Tony, you are still young, you haven’t deleted his number either.” She grinned as Riri eyed him with suspicion, “Your new dad got a fellow who seems mighty interested in him.”

On cue, Tony waved his farewell, and directed both kids out of the store, “That is Joy. Basically adopted Harley as his grandson because Joy is Joy.” Tony smiled even as he felt Riri questioning eyes on him, as they made their way to the car. Hefting Miles up, Tony smiled even as he watched Riri peeking over the back seats before she turned away knowing that he wasn’t going to say anything about the fellow that he knows who is texting him.

Speaking of calling and texting, Tony slid his phone out as he looked around the town, “Hey Harls.”

“Hey, I just got the game. Chris said hey.”

“Tell Chris not to coax you into doing teenage adventures, trust me. They aren’t as fun as the movies make it.” Tony chuckles hearing Harley's soft ‘Really?’ before the teen is laughing about something, “Anyway, want me to pick you up or are you gonna hang out with Chris for a little bit?”

“Nah, what are you planning on doing with, I guess my new siblings? Are they siblings or estranged cousins?”

Tony looked at the kids before he shrugged to no one but himself, “Ah, that is dependent on the kids I guess. Anyway, ice cream?”

Tony smiled at the cheer from his son. He asked the other two kids he has under his care, Miles excitedly squeals, a small phrase in Spanish rolling off his tongue, and Tony blinked at the sudden use of ice cream in Spanish. He noted to add to refresh himself on speaking Spanish. Maybe, at least get some insight into how much Miles knows Spanish. He made more plans and thoughts, there are things he had to do before they starts school come September and he really wasn’t looking forward to dealing with the school again. Having Harley go to Bradford, Home of the Scorpions, he really wasn’t looking forward to dealing with the new principal.

He also wasn’t going to use his suit and get caught either, just to get Riri and Harley to school on time. Luckily Harley goes to the local high school but damn, Tony really doesn’t want to do with the tightwad of a principal. Shoving that nauseating stream of thought, he made ice cream a first thing.

“Riri, you want ice cream? They also serve Gelato and Frozen Yogurt.”

The nine-year-old looked out clutching a pair of shoes close to her chest before looking at him, “I like frozen yogurt. It is pretty good.”

“Alright, we are going to pick up Harley and we are going to have some ice cream and frozen yogurt.” He looked at the road, playing a rock ballad, and watched as Miles's eyes drooped during the drive. Even as they got Harley, he looked over to see both kids asleep.

“Dad.”

“Yeah, Harls?”

“I don’t have to answer to anyone?”

Looking out at the front window, he knows what this is about, “You don’t. Is that why you keep rejecting Ivan?”

Harley half shrugged, “I mean… I don’t know. But, is it the same way you feel and why do you keep that distance?”

Tony looked at the ice cream place; he ruffled Harley’s hair earning a huff of laughter, “Maybe. But that’s nothing for you to worry about. You don’t have to talk to him.”

Tony pulled his son close, kissing the crown of his head before looking at him, “Told you that fruit oil will do wonders for your head.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Harley snorted as he slid out of the car, he got Riri up with a scream earning an angry girl swatting at him. Miles was nonplussed by the teen antics. Tony got him out as he watched Riri trying to reach Harley's shins, her tiny angry kicks meeting air and nothing solid. He watched the two of them before he let Miles down. The spider kid sprinted up to Harley clinging to his leg. Covering his mouth, Tony let out a huff of amusement as Riri managed to cling to his other leg.

“Now you have to walk us both.”

“Dad help, please. The little parasites are on my legs.”

Miles grinned toothily, “No. You are!”

The genius shoved his hands in his pants before opening the door for the wobbling teen with two kids on his legs. He smiled as other people cooed at the kids' silliness. Tony wasn’t sure what they were going to call themselves. Even as he bought them ice cream and frozen yogurt. He watched them slowly become relaxed around one another. He watched them mingle and tease each other. Even with the guarded walls, Tony understands why those walls Harley has up are so damn high.

He understands. He is letting this be at the pace that is required of them all.

*

The summer vacation passed. Tony dealt with a much more understanding principal and managed to get Riri in the school with ease. He looked at the summer ticking by and he felt that pang of guilt in not being able to do their family trip. He can’t really take it out on the orphans he took into his home (they may leave which is always distressing) but he watched and listened. He paid attention to how everyone interacted with one another.

They were all still so stiff, besides Miles. Miles though even clung to him more than natural. He took the time to introduce Riri and Miles to the bots. One by one, he watched Riri's eyes wide and glow. Especially with the bots responding in their own language. A thorough introduction with FRIDAY and JARVIS, Tony listened to Riri talk about her universe version of Tony. Her Tony had JOCASTA and ANA, they were much like JARVIS and FRIDAY. Tony listened as she expressed concerns when it came to school.

He had to ensure that school would be okay, it's gonna be annoying and maybe even scary but that’s school. It will be probably the worst time of her life or the best time, but going to school is also about socializing and not just learning. Things he wished his dad told him. Tony watched as she took to the patio, quiet and going back into her shell. He watched as he cooked dinner. He listened to Miles and Harley watching television.

Frowning, he heard his phone chime. Mind supplying it might be Winter calling, he looked at the Star 69 number. He stared at it before letting his eyes roll sky-high, “Harls, can you make sure the cake doesn’t drop?”

“I got it. C’mon Miles, let's get Riri to help too.” The teen grinned mischievously, as he followed the four-year-old to the patio.

Tony waited till they all were thoroughly distracted and left for his office. Answering the call, Tony leaned back against his desk, phone held in the crook of his shoulder and head, “Why are you calling my number? Who is this?”

“Stark.” Fury.

Fuck.

“What? Why are you calling me?” He wanted to throw out he was a civilian, thus Tony should hang up. He was going to when Fury's inquiry made him pause

“You know what happened on the night of the 8^th? About a month ago? There was a massive surge of power and its origin is still being pinpointed. Do you-“

“I am a civilian,” he hissed out, glaring at nothing, Tony clenched his fist as he held it back from hitting something, “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

“The fact you like to use-“

“It is because I am a civilian. I am a civilian for 8 years. You have no right to question me. Now, excuse me, I have a bake chicken and cake to attend to.” Without waiting, he pressed the end call button and turned off his cell. He wasn’t going to entertain Fury. Strange. The Avengers.

He has his peace and he will be damned if he loses it because they don’t know how to deal with a little power issue. It's not his job, it will never be his job again. He wasn’t going to let this turn him bitter. He made the right choice and the choice shows. Harley is happy. He is happier and he feels healthier. Now, he somehow ended up helping two kids get out of a life-threatening problem.

His only real issue is making sure kids are happy and fed, that Joy is being a scandalous old lady. Lastly, when dealing with WB, he wasn’t sure if he was going to handle another soldier that isn’t Rhodey. Especially one of that caliber. No. Shaking his head out, he pushed his bangs back before sighing, He refused to let it take him under.

He has three kids now. Three kids. Shit. All so unique.

Looking at the calendar seeing how close Summer is coming a close, he decided another thing. A day trip. “The cake fell!” Tony looked at the stairs at the three voices, all sounding apologetic, and Tony couldn’t help his laughter, while heading downstairs.

Looking at the three kids, Tony put a hand on his waist, “Harls, get the robot kiddos, we are headed to the lake tomorrow morning.” He looked at Miles who was on the counter, fist full of chocolate swirled with vanilla cake, Riri trying to hide the pieces that Miles didn’t eat, and Harley's face lighting up.

The teen fist-pumped the air as he hurried down to the lab and office space to tell the bots. Tony looked at the other two before lifting Miles up and nodded his head down towards the stairs, “The robot kiddos?”

Tony smiled as he led her down the steps, showing three arms waving in what could be read as excitement helper bots. Even with a slurry of teasing from Harley, Tony eyed the wall and pinged softly. A soft ‘no thank you’ from JARVIS and FRIDAY deciding to stay with JARVIS. He watched as Riri took a slow step over to the bots and he thought about if her universe Tony had the helper bots or was it simply the Ais and him.

It was even stranger to know he was thinking about himself as if he was a complete and utter stranger, maybe he was. He practically doesn’t know how he got himself in this kind of hilarity. Hilarity was that he had a WB texting him every other day, simple words, and Tony felt like those parents trying to weigh if dating was even good for him.

He watched Riri laugh as Dume poked her cheek gently before reacting joyously at the sound of Riri’s little happy giggles. Harley talking to U and Butterfingers before they both lifted up Riri by the shirt and leg, as gently as their big metal claws are, Tony watched steadily with something of growing fondness (this is going to bite him in the ass), and he chuckled as he lifted Miles up to face him. The swift movement earned the retired hero a burst of squeaky laughter, a spiderling grinning face, and cheery cheeks, Tony looked at the cake smattered all over Miles's face.

Letting the blue of extremis wash over his eyes, he looked at Miles seeing the tot's face alight with excitement, Riri still encapsulated by the helper bots stared at him too, “My Tony Extremis never did that…”

Oh good, they know about this. That saves the explanations, “But, they don’t change colors like that,” Riri muttered. Miles grinning face as he reached for him, the soft babble of his name.

Harley looked at him, “Do the Mantis Shrimp eyes.”

Snorting, Tony felt light and heavy, he flashed an array of colors for a moment, both new residents of the home eyes stayed focused even when the bots excitedly screeched and beeped about, from what he could gather, the light show. The codes that made those colors, were the hex wheels. Butterfingers setting Riri down gently along with U zoomed to him quickly. Dume happily watched, camera head bobbing up and down, the whirring noise of an elated bot. Harley sitting down by U, looking up.

“Alright, who wants to see something cool?” In a chorus of everyone agreeing, even JARVIS and FRIDAY, Tony smiled setting a sticky tot down and letting the arc blue burn down to his fingertips. Dragging them through the air, He smiled as the digital light show of a dragon formed, then a baby dragon emerging from an egg, “There was Milky Way and her eggling, Polaris.”

*

In the early morning of a late August day, the trip to the lake came. Riri watched everyone getting things together and she wasn’t sure what to do. She was sure what she could do, but she couldn’t jettison them all there by suit. She had to sit there and watch them be normal civilians. It was strange to see a retired Tony Stark but even as she looked at her classroom, Riri wasn’t sure what to do about it all. It… it was overwhelming and she wanted to run.

It was too easy for him to accept anything, two kids dropping in on him and he supposedly already is a father to another semi-brainiac and that makes Riri nervous. Even as she watched Miles trotting along with this Tony, not her Tony. She envied that Miles took to him like a duck to water and she couldn’t be sure if he had an edge or something to gain. Was he gonna turn out evil knowing there were more Tonys out there?

She frowned, even as she climbed into the car, and watched the bots getting fussed at by Tony for trying to pick on each other. U getting scolded for being a little klepto, for whatever reason she has an interest in flowers. Riri looked over at Harley as he was choosing the radio, before she could even ask for the front seat, he slid in teasing her, “Sorry, younger kids sit in the back.”

It was mean but she stuck her tongue at him. Even with everything, the genius girl who had her own suit on the ready and was ready to build a brand new one, was playing domestic. Domestic with a guy who is the greatest mind of them all and all she could wonder is why did he retire and what was the point?

Why did he let them stay? Her stay?

Frowning even to herself, she looked at the only adult manning six kids (she was surprised how much trouble the bots can get into), then to Miles who plopped down next to her.

“Do you,” Pushing her toes in the lake sand, she looked out at the shiny water and the trees that overtook the desert landscape. Laying her chin on top of her knees, she glanced over at the younger child, who she come to see as a family, “Do you like it here Miles?”

Miles looked at her before he licked at his icy, “I like it. Do you Ri?”

Riri looked around, seeing nothing exploding, no dark skies, no laser burning buildings, no Tony dying and sending them away for safety, “I do.”

As if satisfied with her response, the four-year-old ate his ice fruit-colored treat before he sprinted after Harley who was lounging by the lake, kicking water up causing the teen to laugh. She watched the two chase after each other. Looking at the sand, the doodle she made of fighting crime, she wiped the sand away and raced to make her victory known in the sudden splash fight.

Chapter Text

Summer vacation ended and that meant school was returning back to the daily routine. Riri stared at the large gates even as she looked at her phone that Tony gave her, she looked up at the gates again as she watched other students, strangers, enter the school. She looked ahead of herself and frowned at the populace. The ache to have something advance on her person, the young genius breathed in before forcing her legs to walk into the building. 

She said that she could call if she got overwhelmed. Overwhelmed, too much, too fast, and not enough time to adjust. Breath. She rubbed at her backpack straps as she looked at students around her. Get to her class for the year.

The homework will be easy for you but if you want more stimulating we can figure something out later. Harley went through this. If that dork can then she can too. It's part of the agreement for being here. Would he kick her out if she ditched school? He might.

She doesn’t want to get too comfortable. This is the real thing; she doesn’t want to be blindsided by anything. Make it to lunch then call Tony to get her. Yeah. Its only 8:50 am as she sat in class. Shoving a runaway curl back in place, Riri looked around and frowned. 

She'll have a good day. Yeah.

The moment she settled in her seat, and introduced herself as Riri William Daw, she felt an inch of calm starting. Once she saw the basic math problems and answered them almost to fast for the average kid her age. Riri frowned at the giggling from a group of girls and boys. The teacher calmed them down. Riri already can feel it. The pouring rush of annoyance, Riri breathed in and counted up to 50, before tuning back into the lesson she understands.

A good day, the first day of school. Yep.

*

Harley looked at his sophomore class, barely getting a text out to his dad. Everything happened so fast. He knows what Tony gave up and for him. Harley wasn't comfortable with the idea of suddenly getting siblings suddenly, but he knew his dad's bleeding heart. Daw and Carbonells are soft-hearted people. Howard, bastard, tried to wring it out of them. Empathy is the death of man and with that comes the desolation of society. 

Harley looked at his phone, seeing the text of 

Dad: I’m a good kid. Focus on school.

He couldn’t help it. He knows about the winter soldier texting his father. Harley knows about the semi-potential relationship with the blonde version and it pisses him off. He wasn't an anti-hero, and he can't be, his dad despite his retirement status was Iron Man. Is Iron Man. The dirty blonde teen wasn't stupid but he wasn't blind either. 

People loomed, ready to tear their lives down. They’d fake it. They manipulate. It's why he and his dad are so guarded. Maybe that’s why Harley wasn’t so angry about Riri. Birds of a feather flock together. At least for hurt or lost people. 

Harley glared down at his cell before paying attention to the lesson plan for his history class. 

*

Tony was alone with a four year and the first thing he did was get his private doctor. Had Miles do a very basic check and all shots were accounted for. The spiderling grinned happily as Helen gave him a look, "You need a complete genealogy?"

"If it is possible." Tony hummed as he kept Miles entertained, "It is not against my contract."

"I don't work for fury or the avengers," the doctor clicked her light off, "you sure you don't want to ask any of the local spider people?"

Tony mind flashed to a shaggy brown-headed kid with a heart of gold, for people. For people to the point it was the one... no. Tony remembers the day he blew a gasket. No. Not again. 

His phone burned at his hip as he thought about another betrayal. Then it burned all the way to his phone at the small conversation they shared. Tony refused whatever was bubbling. Tony sighed softly as he watched Miles suck on the lollipop.

"Is Miles healthy at least?"

Helen gave him a flat look, "Beyond healthy. He is in peak condition, despite being able to lift things twice his size and hanging off the walls. That's your department."

He was grateful that she could help any way she could, as far as he was concerned, he could handle Miles's powers, whatever that might be. He hasn’t spun any webs yet. Tony noted the x-rays, and the small glands, "if he bites someone, they won't die?"

Helen looked at him, less flat but she waved her hand in an iffy way, "I need to do a toxicology report on his little venom," holding up her hand along with Tony, they both received high fives from the child, "ill let you know in a few days. 

Heating Miles on his hip, letting the child hang there with ease, the little boy curling up without issue. He felt the questioning gaze from Helen but he only smiled, "You are a lifesaver."

Before he can help her to the door, the doctor whipped around on him, "Are you okay?"

"I'm good," he started, the glare he got from the doctor was enough for him to assure, "I’m fine. I've been working and getting everything together."

The slow studying from his close friend and now a family doctor (what is his life), squinting her eyes behind glasses, "You need to get out more without the kids. More friends and sun. How you managed to be pale still is unreal to me."

Laughing, Tony wanted to throw the phone away but he couldn’t. Maybe he got used too talking to WB, Barnes, ugh he said his name, "I’ve been talking to... someone, sort of."

another scrutinizing look, Helen sighed, "Okay. Exercise extremis, you don’t want your subconscious to control some parts of extremis.

that was the first week. Tony watched as they all slowly became adjusted. Riri and Harley getting extra work or activities, if their current homework isn’t challenging enough. Miles was mostly easily occupied on his own, despite being with hip consistently. Tony weighed his options on daycare, despite Miles's venom being a very mild paralysis toxin, he doesn’t want Miles to get caught. He doesn’t want anyone harassing his kid... not his kid but still. 

He found himself re-reading text from Barnes and his conversations. The guy is awkward but funny. There was one time that he saw a call missed from WB, White Wolf, and Tony wasn’t sure what to do with that. All he knows he had to keep most of his walls up, at least as long as he could. He tapped at his desk table as he toyed with the image of White Wolf meeting the kids. Meeting the bots. Meeting JARVIS and FRIDAY. He thought about it and played with the image till he shoved it off the edge. 

Laying his head on the table, he flicked his hand in a quick and precise movement, watching the kids at the kitchen table. Riri eating an apple and holding a bottle of water. Harley crouched on the chair eating a plum and a bowl of blueberries that Miles was eating in content. Tony watched them before he brought up anything about the kids. They were only a few months in when he spotted it. The scrubbing he laced on about a month back...

There. 

Fury can feel his eyebrow twitch at the image of Tony at a small little parade with two new kids. Hosted by Stark Industries. There, he watched Tony smiling down at the kids, holding a child on his hip. The director of SHIELD watched the one team member unaware of the cameras. He was keeping to his deal, his agreement.  Yet, when did he manage to adopt another set of kids?

It's one of the reasons why they are in this predicament now. Tony was insistent, as he signed the contract with a flourish, and walked out. He left. Never to come back. Fury leaned back frowning as the change of the year was fast approaching. How long did he manage to hide them?

*

Tony wasn’t expecting to get a call while he was helping Miles read, "Who dat?"

Jarvis's voice broke out soft, "F...ury."

Bastard. Tony bit on his thumb before scooping Miles up and on his hip, "Put him on a phone call."

“Stark..."

"You are not getting video. Why are you calling a civilian?" 

"I've spoken with Rhodey," Fury's voice was hard-edged, but Tony squared his shoulders, looking at Miles who kept quiet, "He wouldn't confirm anything about your... new kids."

Arching an eyebrow, Tony set Miles down gently. Making a swift cutting motion in the air, he watched the video come to life, "I am a civilian."

"I understand that, but stark you never-"

Jaw clicking closed, Tony sneered as he tapped at his arms, "I. DONT. HAVE. TO. Remember, I am a civilian. You have no jurisdiction. You have no control either if Rhodey is visiting. What he knows he what I told him."

Miles's sweet voice came out with a happy grin, "Who is dat?"

"Chrome dome," Tony spoke sweetly, tilting his head. Tony chuckled low when he heard Fury's angered tone reach his ears. Even with the director looking him in the eyes, Tony titled his enough to look over his shoulder, " Director, if that is all. It's my son's lunchtime."

"Stark!"

Letting Miles do a closed fist, Tony grinned when Jarvis helped him shut it down. This earned Miles to laugh excitedly. Besides Dury being a dick, Tony felt good. He felt invigorated as he watched the seasonal rains come down. He watched as he got Miles strapped in. He watched as he got Harley. He smiled more as Harley held a hug from Chris for a long time; the dirty blonde hoodie up as he sprinted to the car. Tony chuckled as he watched his eldest making Miles laugh in a way that could cure bones. 

Tony was trying to get the bad mood completely gone before picking Riri. He was almost successful when the car door was wrestled open. He watched as Riri's face was drenched with water. Eyes rimmed red, the young girl crossed her arms, "I hate school!"

"What happened?" Harley prodded, never forceful, enough to get her to be honest. 

Riri glowered at the school, "I need Tony to sign my slip, I got detention next week."

Tony stopped completely, "Why?"

"I punched some jerk. She shoved me first! What the heck did I do? I didn’t do anything to her!"

He can see it, the frustration, the shame, the need to get revenge. The nerve of people who pick fights, and yet it is never counted upon. Tony looked at her school, then back to Riri who frowned at nothing but the rain sprinkling down the car windows, “Let me see that slip.”

Harley eyed Tony and Tony knows Harley is remembering the time he tore his teacher down for trying to give Harley half right on a test he properly got right. Called him a cheater. Which, for all that it is, Tony knows Harley. His kid can be a bit mouthy, and a little rude to the right people, but he is honest, sweet, and funny. He looked at Riri as she gave him the slip frowning. Harley looked back at her and then at Tony, “Harley, you guys stay at home tomorrow. I am going to have a chat with some teachers. I think a refresher is needed.”

Riri's eyes snapped up at him, even as Tony folded the slip up neatly, the front of a businessman who never left the limelight got readorned, “Alright, who wants take out?” He noted to himself that it won’t solve everything completely but he sure as hell knew it would make Riri’s year go smoother. Maybe even paved the way for Miles when he starts school too.