Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tony is working in the lab, and Bruce is looking through the drawers for a damaged tube. Tony's upper body is inside his robot, repairing something. J.A.R.V.I.D. is busy informing them of the stranger at the tower door. Bruce gets up to check the cameras. The only thing he sees is a young man, arms behind his back, a wide smile on his face, staring directly at the camera.

"I want to see Anthony Stark!" he says, smiling in a way that suggests this person doesn't have bad intentions.

Tony jumps at the voice and bangs his head on his suit before looking at the camera. He hits his hip until the headache disappears before leaving the lab. He's about to open the door and have to deal with this spoiled brat who thinks he can get away with anything. He reaches the door and finds himself face to face with the younger man.

"What do you want... Arlo?" Tony muttered. "Shouldn't you be whining to Howard to pay for your DEP? Or something?"

Arlo glared at him and held up his hand to Tony. "You owe me money! I helped you make that stupid, lame hero costume!"

"You didn't help at all! You made one blueprint that didn't work, and I improved it!"

"Come on! As if an idiot like you could do that! You were rubbish when we were kids, and you still are. You're a fraud who steals my thunder! You refuse to admit that I'm smarter than you!"

Tony sighed before preparing to leave. "It's been years now. I'm more competent in robotics."

"Sure... You'll be disappointed, and you'll give up like you did with everything you were obsessed with." Arlo said, almost pouting. "You can't just give me everything because we both know where this is going to end. You lose your obsession with your hero, robotic whatchamacallit, and I'll take it back! It's always the same. No need to beat around the bush, just give me the tower, Anthony."

Footsteps sounded behind Tony, making him jump. The two brothers turned toward the newcomer. Steve was behind them, arms crossed. "Tony, who is this? And where have you dug yourself into now?"

Arlo receives a message and then groans. "I have to go, you're going to regret this... Anthony."

"It's Tony, asshole!" he mutters and heads back into the tower.

Steve gives him a sideways glance, sighs, and goes off to do his own thing.

Tony is at the table, his face buried in his arms, which doesn't surprise the team. Bruce approaches to check on him.

"Tony? You've been acting strangely since that other guy came in."

He grumbles into his arms. With one hand, he rubs his hair, trying to calm himself. In vain, of course. He hates him! Why is that spoiled brat back and thinking he can take all the credit for his sacrifices?! It's absurd. He already destroyed his child at birth…

Bruce shakes him, trying to understand, but Tony simply orders him to leave.

Tony gets up and disappears into the lab. Bruce tries to follow him, but the door is locked. Bruce knocks on the door, but no one answers. He sighs and goes back to the tower's living room and sits down on the sofa.

Natasha looks at the doctor, then at the lab where Tony has locked himself in. This is unusual, since he normally always acts like he's the best, even in his moments of weakness... so seeing him lock himself in is quite strange. This person must have really angered him.

Chapter Text

Tony leans against the door, hearing people knocking, hoping to talk to him. Even Peter has come to see if he can get him to talk, but he doesn't answer anyone.

Tony looks at the wooden car in his hands. It's not straight at all, and you can just see the hot glue that's trying to escape. His thumb moves over the name engraved inside. 'Matteo' is the name framed within. A name Tony thinks he'll never hear in his entire life. He bangs his head against the door, trying to chase away the thought. A memory that makes his weak heart tremble.

"Tony!" says a soft voice, a little chuckle at the end.

Tony closes his eyes, wondering who that voice belongs to.

The boy, startled, turns around, surprised to see a mop of hair rushing towards him, pinning him to the ground.

Only a grunt escapes him, but he doesn't push him away. "Tony!! I have a surprise for you!" he says, much too excited for the child in his arms.

After finally letting him breathe and gently pushing himself away, he looks at him to show he's ready to find out what this thing is, which must surely be a worm or a frog like last time. "If I don't have to touch any other insect or forest animal near your house..."

Matteo pouts at the lack of trust Anthony is showing him. "Trust me and close your eyes!" he says, with a look that's a little more proud.

The younger boy grunts and holds up his hands before closing his eyes, hoping it's not a texture he hates.

Then he feels a material that resembles wood. Opening one eye, he sees it's a wooden car. He looks at Matteo with surprise. "I-it's..."

"Yes!" the older boy replies. "You told me your father destroyed your favorite toy, so I decided to remake it with the memories I had! Well... it's not as straight as when you made it with your father before he became obsessed with your little brother... BUT! There's always a light that comes on when you put too much pressure on it! I had to watch like 5 or 6 videos to get it working! It's probably less sensitive than the old one, but it works the same... right...?" he mutters, a hint of hope in his voice.

Tony looks at the toy, his eyes hidden by his hair. This stresses the curly-haired boy, who doesn't know if he likes his gift. Then he hands him the toy. "How long did it take you?"

The boy rubs the back of his head before giving a silly smile. "Three days... I was a little hesitant because your birthday was coming up fast, and then-"

"You didn't sleep during those three days, did you?" he asks in a low voice. "You ruined your health for me again?"

Matteo is stressed, his hands flailing around because he doesn't know what to say or do. "I mean... maybe, but I made this for you... don't you like it?" "I can make you another one if you want. No need to cry!"

Anthony shook his head. The car light came on from the pressure. "N-no... I really like it... I don't want you to ruin your health for me." Tears rolled down his cheeks, falling onto the little wooden car. "That's bad for you."

The taller boy looked at him before laughing and wiping away his tears. "Don't cry... I'm fine! I probably haven't really eaten much, but it's not like my parents make me eat anyway... and it makes me happy to make you happy, Tony! Happy birthday, Wimpy"

A smile appeared on his face, then his gaze fell on the light coming from the windows of the little car. "It still works..."

His pressure disappeared, then the light went out. When the pressure returned, the light came back on.

"Yeah... you're even running better. Time has made you even weaker... like the old one. It's perfect."