Tony Stark was arguably the glue that held the Avengers together. As much as he hated the idea of team work and actually playing nice he had to admit that it felt good. It reminded him of the family he wanted, the large obnoxious family he missed when he was younger. Being the son of Howard Stark and Athena was never going to be a picnic. He knew that, he accepted it, he moved on.
There was just one problem. He wasn't the only son of Howard and Athena.
But, if Howard hadn't had time for Tony, he definitely didn't have time the twins he was gifted with. The two babies showed up on their doorstep two days before Howard and Maria had departed for their annual Christmas celebration at SHIELD in December 1991. Tony had instantly been enamored with the children. Who knew that babies could be so tiny? Who knew that they could hold onto fingers tighter than Howard held onto his drink? Who knew that Tony Stark had a heart?
Unfortunately, within two days Howard and Maria were dead. December 17, 1991 was day which would go down in , in the midst of grieving - by going to every party in a 150 mile radius - realized that the twins were something no one knew about. He reached out to his estranged family. Maria wasn't an only child, no matter what she told the press. She had a younger sister and an older brother. Claudia Stilinski and Fredrick Chase.
The relationship between the three was complicated. They were all immigrants, desperate, and so unhappy with the world. They tried to find happiness in any way they could. Fredrick became even more obsessed with flight. Maria married for both money and love to experience the best kind of living, the kind she had only dreamed about. Claudia struck out west, determined to make a difference somehow.
They all managed to find themselves but they quickly lost touch. They had their own lives. There was no need to cling to each other like children.
The death of Maria changed that.
When Tony reached out to Claudia and Fredrick, their first reaction was disbelief. How was it possible? How was any of what Tony was saying possible? Greek Gods? Maria was dead? Tony wasn't actually her son?
Tony flew them up to the Stark Mansion in upstate New York to answer any and all their questions. By the time he was done with and explanation, it had been hours. The one thing that stuck out to all of them were the twins. Tony had no way of taking care of them. He had no way of keeping them safe.
Claudia hesitantly raised the question, "But, Tony, sweetheart, what are you going to do with the twins? I mean Maria wasn't pregnant and for you to come out with this right after... It would look bad."
Tony grimaced, "Oh I know what it would look like. That's part of the reason that I brought you two up here. I need to hide them. I need them as far away from this family as possible. They can't be around me. They can't be around this life." He flung out his hand. "The only reason that we're alone is because of the fence around this place! There's no telling what the papers are going to say about this. I can't have them here."
Fredrick frowned, "But to show up with a kid after this weekend... What would our explanation be? Where would we live? I have a small apartment in LA but that's not a place that I want a kid to grow up in."
Tony sighed, "Look, I know that this is a lot. This is a lot for me to take in and I've had my entire life to adjust for this. I just want them safe. I don't want to worry about them getting into trouble or something."
Claudia smiled, "Well in that case, I'll take Genim." Tony stared at her. "What, did you think I was going to leave by nephews and nieces hanging? It's not conventional but that's fine. I only have one request."
"Anything." Tony said, blinking back tears.
"My husband gets to know." Tony started to speak, and she held up a hand. "And Fredrick takes Annabeth."
"Why do I always get dragged into you trouble?" Fredrick groaned. "Fine, on one condition."
"What?" She smirked at him, winking at Tony.
"They grow up together. Same town, next door neighbors. They have know that they're related."
Claudia rolled her eyes. "Oh no, whatever shall we do? A family? Living next to each other? How will I cope?" She turned to Tony. "Sweetheart, you're welcome to join us too. You can come and see them any time."
Tony smiled at her. "I'm just grateful that you two are doing this for me." He looked down. "I'll think about it. About visiting. I don't know if I'll have the time or anything with the company..."
"No pressure." Claudia rose. "I'm going to check in on them. Fredrick? Be a dear and come with me." She left swinging the door behind her.
Fredrick smiled at Tony, "That'll be my cue. I know this is hard on you. I know. You're doing the right thing. Maria would be proud." He headed for the door. "Claudia was telling the truth, you know. Come and visit us anytime. I'll leave our numbers in the kitchen."
And with that, the twins were set.