#Maria stark

[gunsandspaceships]

Tony’s Childhood. Part 1: Identifying facts

In the MCU, Tony sometimes acts like a kid. There is a reason behind every behavior, so I wondered what it was like for him when he was a real kid.

So, the questions of the day: what do we know about Tony's childhood? Did he have one? And, most importantly, how did it affect him?

Let’s first list what we know from the movies:

At age 4 Tony built his first circuit board (IM1)

At age 6 built his first engine (IM1)

Was sent to a boarding school by Howard (IM2)

Cracked the Pentagon’s firewall in high school on a dare (AoU)

Had a nanny until the age of 14 (IM3)

Went to college at 14 (IM1)

Built Dum-E and U when he was there (IM1)

At 17 graduated summa cum laude from MIT (IM1)

Continued his education until his parents’ death (CW)

Tony’s genius gave him two things: the brain and the pain. And by the pain, I mean that instead of interacting and bonding with his parents, enjoying life, playing, having fun, making friends, taking care of pets, and all the other things children do to gradually prepare for adulthood and grow up "healthy", he got this list of achievements. That doesn’t make a person normal.

Parents

We know his relationship with Howard was complicated. Howard loved him in his own way. He had too many things to do to be a good father: SI, S.H.I.E.L.D., scientific projects, trying to build a better future with clean energy, etc. All good, except when you want your child to love you back. Especially if in the tiny amount of time you spend with him, you don’t show him any signs of affection.

What do we know about Maria? Her name, what she looked like, that she played the piano, and died at Winter Soldier’s hand on Dec 16, 1991. That’s it. She didn’t spend much time with Tony either. Remember, he even had a nanny, instead of a mother. Tony's words about her showed that he loved her, but he didn't talk much about her. Because she wasn’t present in his life enough. Why? Because…

School

Howard sent Tony to a boarding school.

Here’s in the S.H.I.E.L.D.s file we have this information about the school:

“Phillips Academy, Andover, MA 1977-1984”

This means he was there from age 7 to 14. Howard sent him to a boarding school when he was SEVEN.

Phillips Academy Andover serves grades 9-12 only (it is a college preparatory school). Thus, either this is a mistake by the creators of the film/file, or Tony, due to his genius, became an exception. Since the early age he was already at school was also mentioned in IM2 tie-in comics, and in Earth-616 that was also 7, we can mark 1977-1984 as valid.

Think about it again: Tony was sent to boarding school in another state when he was 7 years old. He spent another 7 years there, alone, among high school-aged teenagers. No parents around, no peers.

For example, even Hogwarts accepts 11-year-old children, and they live with their peers. Now imagine Harry Potter, at the age of 7, is thrown into a dorm with 7th-year students and locked there. Doesn’t make a person normal either, does it?

Nannies and Jarvis

Since Tony was at the boarding school, there are two options for how he could have a nanny (mentioned in IM3) and spend time with Edwin Jarvis:

1) He was at the boarding school with a nanny. There is almost no possibility that the nanny was Edwin Jarvis because Jarvis was Howard’s butler and had other responsibilities.

2) He had a nanny at home in the summer and during short school breaks. In this case, his parents couldn’t even give him this little of their precious time.

In any case, he could only see Jarvis at home, a few months a year at most.

Note: There is a date error in IM3, stating Tony was 14 in 1983. This is clearly an error and we can omit this detail.

Bullying

Remember this dialog between Tony and Harley in IM3?

0:45:15 – Harley asks him how he knew he was being bullied at school. Tony doesn't answer. He gives him a non-lethal flash thing to "discourage bullying."

We see that Tony knew exactly what was going on with Harley at school. Because that’s exactly what happened to him there. Harley reminded him of himself. Brilliant kid with no friends and practically no parents. He was bullied by 9th-12th graders.

If he had a nanny with him at the school, that probably made things even worse. He would be bullied because he has a nanny, and despite he has one to look after him.

In Part 2 we will discuss how all this affected him. Stay tuned.

[velvet4510]

Probably in the minority here, but I’m positive there’s no way Steve could’ve known with absolute, concrete certainty that Bucky was the one who killed Tony’s parents, prior to Zemo’s reveal.

All he saw was a photo of the headline of Howard’s death included in Zola’s footage. So he knew HYDRA was responsible for the deaths, but I think he was being honest when he told Tony “I didn’t know it was him.” Then he caved and just said “yes” because Tony emphasized “did you know” as in “did you know it wasn’t just an ordinary car accident?”

Steve probably pieced together the likelihood that it was Bucky who did it, but wanted to believe it wasn’t true, that HYDRA had sent someone else to do it. Which explains why he didn’t tell Tony. He had no proof it was true. And he didn’t want it to be true anyway. Why should he say “I think my best friend might’ve killed your parents but it’s just a hunch?” Why would ANYONE want to say that to their friend?

Steve Rogers deserves no hate.

[the-poor-miranha-quotes]

[blackthornluce]

Captain America: Civil War (2016) directed by Anthony and Joe Russo.

That's how I wished it happened. Binarily Augmented Retro-Framing, or BARF. God, I gotta work on that acronym. An extremely costly method of hijacking the hippocampus to... clear traumatic memories. Huh. It doesn't change the fact that they never made it to the airport... or all the things I did to avoid processing my grief, but... Plus, 611 million dollars for my little therapeutic experiment? No one in the right mind would've ever funded it.

[mostly-marvel-musings]

young!Tony would totally be a nervous wreck before his first date with you while Maria watches in amusement and helps him get ready cause he's never been like that because of a date before, so it's funny, but also very very cute! and of course once she & you become besties she's gonna tell you about it!

Amusement

Pairing: Young! Tony x Reader

Warnings: Sassy Maria should be a warning! Lol.

.

“Anthony! Seriously? I think you’re forgetting who your father is! Here I thought you’d have some of his playboy habits passed down..”

Tony’s look of incredulity made his mother laugh as she walked over to the boy’s rescue to help him pick out his shirt and tie for his big date. She had been quite amused watching him prep for it, she knew in an instant this girl was special, given her boy was nervous instead of smug for once.

“What do you have to say about the sass I’ve inherited from you, mothership?” Tony pointed out in the mirror as his mom held out tie options for him.

“Only incredibly proud.”

Hmm. Definitely silk, in case things get steamy.” She murmured, giving him a wink before tying it into a neat knot for him. Tony blushed a deep shade of red, picturing his silky tie around your wrists, perhaps your eyes…

Giving himself a mental shake as his mind wandered, he feigned disgust and pushed Maria away for effect, making her laugh. Laughter, well, genuine laughter in the Stark household was rare. Maria was glad her son had grown up to be the man she wanted him to be. Tony was kind, generous, he was well-mannered—well, almost, but he’d grow out of it, she was sure.

“Did you get her flowers?” She asked, brushing stray lint off of the suit he wore, chuckling as he literally bathed himself in cologne.

“Nobody buys flowers anymore, Mom!”

“Anthony! Nothing says you’re special like flowers, come on! What’re her favourite kind?”

“Tulips.” He answered almost instantly, making her smirk. He had been paying attention whenever you’d point to them all excitedly, your eyes lighting up in the most adorable way.

“Well then?”

“I’ll get them on my way over.” He relented, already picturing your happy smile when you’d see the bouquet he would give you.

“Good luck, my dear boy. Not that you need it.” She smiled, kissing his cheek, laughing as he wiped any chance of a lipstick off of his face, just in case, fixing his hair for the millionth time.

“Oh I need it. She’s really something, Mom. Alright. Bye now!”

This girl was certainly specially, she couldn’t wait to meet her. She only hoped the day would come soon.

.

“Oh Y/N! Did you notice something?” Maria pointed out, tilting her head towards the men who were, for some reason, wearing matching silk ties.

“You know I did.” You giggled, feeling your cheeks heat up as your mind wandered to the time when that same tie had ended up fastened against your hands while Tony had his way with you.

Tony caught up on your conversation, shaking his head as a light brush creeped up on his face as well.

“Honestly! You two need to stay away from each other. Or us. Have your little discussions in private.”

“Fantastic idea. Y/N, dear, you’re welcome to come over any time for a cup of coffee or a martini. I could do with some female energy in his house.” Maria smiled, giving your shoulder a squeeze.

Tony feigned a look of annoyance once more, only on the inside, his heart was singing a happy song at the sight of the two most important women in his life getting along like a house on fire.

[tony-stark-ing]

Well I was NOT prepared for that punch to the heart.

I Am Iron Man issue #3

[waltermis]

"I am Iron Man" Anthony Edward Stark Born: May 29th, 1970 Died: October 17th, 2023. Avengers Compound. Proof that Tony Stark has a heart Parents: Maria Stark, Howard Stark Wife: Pepper Potts Kids: Morgan Stark, Peter Parker

[acepumpkinpatrick]

I have been in the trenches (the PennyWaynes tag) for 2h and I believe that the PennyWaynes would have absolutely Hated Howard Stark.

They only put up with Howard and Maria bc Alfred and Jarvis are old friends, and Bruce and Tony like each other's company.

Martha goes with Alfred to Stark Manor just to see Ana while the boys - Alfred, Jarvis, Bruce & Tony - have a play date.

[magnoliasandarson]

beyond blood

Edwin Jarvis was a man of principles. He had a duty to his friends and employers to serve. The Starks had done him and Ana many a favor over the years, and if they wanted repayment in the form of tending to the young Anthony, he was more than pleased to oblige.

Ana was less enthusiastic about her husband's new role. Her inability to have a child had remained an open wound for nearly twenty years, and the thought of the Starks squandering the opportunity that she would give anything to have... But Ana loved her husband and enjoyed Maria's conversation when the woman was sober, so she accompanied her husband to the nursery ("Why is it so far from the family wing?"). When her eyes locked onto sweet brown ones framed by dark lashes, she felt as if she had been shot (again).

The babe was curious, little hands grasping at the air—reaching for unseen fae dancing through the room. His dark eyes followed the Jarvis's every move throughout his space, babbling nonsense when they got too close or too far. Edwin spent the majority of the day working throughout the household while Ana stayed vigil in the nursery, reading and speaking with Tony. Neither Maria nor Howard were oft seen.

Days turned to weeks turned to months. Little Anthony's babbles turned to shouts of, "Jar-is! A-ah!" never once calling for his mother and father.

Ignoring the ache in her chest and the sting of salt in her eyes, Ana bought stuffed rabbits and bears, sang the songs she remembered from her own childhood, and cared for the boy as best as she could. She moved her and her husband's belongings into the next room over, just in case her aranyos fiú needed her in the night.

A year into this new routine, Howard stumbled into the nursery. Little Anthony awoke from his peaceful slumber and screamed with all of his might at the strange man. Edwin and Ana raced into the room and found Howard cruelly gripping a tiny arm, sneering down at the wailing toddler. Ana snatched her baby away from her husband's employer- gently shushing her boy and smoothing his curls.

If Howard and Maria would not care for little Anthony- fine. Family went beyond blood, and Ana would ensure her boy knew that well.

[marvelsocialmedia]

[gunsandspaceships]

Tony’s behavior: Teenager/Young Adult (21 years old)

In previous episodes (Kid, 16 years old, 17-18 years old) we watched as Tony, from a calm and quiet boy who obeyed his father, began to behave in an atypical manner. But this behavior only appeared after the age of 16. It is not known what the reason was, but I have some ideas which I will share later in another post.

In this post, we take a look at 21-year-old Tony before his parents died.

Captain America: Civil War

It's Christmas time, Tony is back home for winter break after studying abroad (for his PhD). His parents are going on a short vacation to the Bahamas.

Tony just returned home from another country a few hours ago and is now sleeping on the couch in the living room of his parents' mansion. I bet some people thought he was partying and drinking, having a fun night with a girl (as Howard sarcastically suggested). He actually has jet lag, not a hangover. He looks fine and healthy here.

For some reason he is sleeping on the couch in the living room, instead of the bed in his bedroom. Btw, this couch looks like the worst place to sleep. But this is Tony, that's normal. His preferences for comfort are a little unusual.

He is still busy studying. He completed his bachelor's degree, master's degree and is now pursuing his doctorate. This means that he did not waste his life drinking and partying. He was engaged in what we all (usually) consider good and useful - education and science. And his father was still dissatisfied. Why is that?

Here Howard demonstrates his attitude towards Tony. Calling him "homeless person", assuming without evidence that he had a sexual relationship with a girl, telling him that he's wasting his potential. From the "16 Years" post, we know that Tony was interested in robotics and not so much, to put it mildly, in weapons. By "potential" did Howard mean "creating weapons, not robots"? Let's see if we have any other clues here...

This behavior looks strange, doesn't it? Tony doesn't seem to approve "quick stop at the Pentagon". Why? Maybe because he doesn't approve of Howard's business? That's something new! Some would say. But remember what he did in high school - he hacked the Pentagon's firewall. All the evidence suggests that he was not a great fan of the military at the time. Who knows, maybe this was one of the stumbling blocks in their relationship?

Listening to their argument, Maria looks indifferent. She seems to be used to it. So this has been going on for some time. Some years.

Tony definitely had a better relationship with his mother than with his father. Although Tony and Maria are a little awkward around each other. And we know why - they rarely spent time together during these 21 years.

Speaking of interaction, both sides - Tony and his parents - tried to avoid each other. Howard and Maria are heading to the Bahamas without taking their son with them. Tony comes back home just before they leave. Everything tells us that it wasn’t just like that that time, that’s how it usually happened. What was going on? They sent him to boarding school when he was too young, and he lived on campuses for 14 years, moving only from school to MIT to another college overseas. And even when he was back at home for a few days, they went somewhere and he was home alone. And he was not a big fan of their presence too, enjoying being alone, home, but sleeping on the couch. Something was completely f*cked up there.

Maria said Howard misses Tony when he is not there. This comment and the avoidant behavior give me the feeling that Howard was afraid of Tony's presence around. We know he never told Tony what he was really working on - S.H.I.E.L.D., Tesseract-based energy, and the new super soldier serum. Was he afraid that Tony would find out? If so, why? Because of the danger?

Tony's joke about the Pentagon's Christmas menu made me think he was familiar with it. Had Howard taken him to the Pentagon for the holidays before? And only him, without Maria. Maybe it was because there was no one at home to keep Tony company? Unlikely. There were other people around - Jarvis, his wife, nanny, or Maria (As a last resort. Weird, I know). Was this an attempt to introduce Tony to the military then? Sounds even weirder that it happened during holidays. Why would you bring your kid to the Pentagon for the holidays, Howard? He should be at home with his family. Gosh...

[justdealingwithsomeissues]

I don't know if we really have shown how much of an ass Tony's dad was... it is such a common trope across all the heroes that I can't remember which ones we have or have not seen... but anyway, we learn it was Ton'y love of knight stories may have influenced some of his ideas... also it is funny because at this point he has gone back to Camelot like... twice?

[the-poor-miranha-quotes]

I had this idea and I NEEDED to conceive it anyway XD

[why-i-love-comics]

I Am Iron Man #3 - "Best Friend" (2023)

written by Murewa Ayodele art by Dotun Akande

[kjwaikiki]

Stony fic idea:

I’m back on the Avengers train after a YouTube au trailer deep dive and I have a fic idea. I am throwing out the idea of timelines, canon, and pretty much everything.

My big fic idea is that Howard is still alive and Tony is young, maybe early 20s at the oldest, when all the Avengers shenanigans take place. Maybe that means Howard and Maria have Tony even later on in life or maybe they are just younger, I do not know I am disregarding pesky things like timelines.

Now the main point of this fic is that it is Howard who helps with the Avengers and backs them up being sort of like a benefactor. Steve is of course ecstatic to see and work with his old friend again, but he notices something is off about Howard. He asks some questions, does some digging and finds out that Howard had a son. Of course Steve asks Howard (or maybe Maria if she is around) but doesn’t really get a clear answer other than the fact that Tony and Howard had a fight a few years back and Tony hasn’t been in contact since.

Steve tried to do something nice for his friend and tracks Tony down. Eventually he finds him working on sustainable energy sources in some remote lab in a foreign country (or whatever you imagine I am not too clear on this part). Steve introduces himself and tries to convince Tony to go home or at least talk to Howard. Tony is not impressed, Howard has been an emotionally distant father at best and now he has Captain America come to his place of work to drag him home like a stray dog! Needless to say Tony is not impressed and kicks Steve out on his ass.

Steve is stubborn though and continues to bagger Tony throughout his day to day. Tony has carved out a nice little life for himself among the locals and he does not appreciate Steve ruining it for him. Eventually Tony agrees to talk to Steve and explain the fight and why he will not go home. It turns out that for a little while after Tony graduated college he was able to work well with the old man. They collaborated on a lot of projects and seemed to be getting along well. Until the next Stark Expo when Tony found out that all of the inventions Tony had made everything he designed was being patented as a Howard Stark invention, as solely a Howard Stark invention.

Tony was of course hurt and more than a little angry so he decided that his next idea would be one he kept to himself. His next design turned out to be Iron Man (in its infant stages Tony thought of it as combat armor for troops or even remote controlled soldiers) and from the idea of the Iron Man suit came other ideas like the Arc Reactor and J.A.R.V.I.S. until suddenly Tony was sitting on a cache of technology that would change the world.

Unfortunately Howard eventually found out about Tony’s inventions and shut him down. They had a terrible row that basically boiled down to Howard calling Tony a spoiled, selfish child who didn’t know the powers that he was messing with. Tony in response called Howard a hack who hadn’t invented anything worthwhile since the war and was so desperate to stay relevant that he’ll steal ideas from his son. The fight ended with both of the men storming off angry and Tony went back to an apartment he owned in the city to cool down for a few days. Tony figured that he’d give the old man a few days to calm down and then show him the tech he was working on with the clear stipulation that he gets credit for his inventions.

Only Tony’s plan doesn’t work out because when he goes back to Stark headquarters he finds that he has been terminated from his position and locked out of his lab that contains all his inventions and J.A.R.V.I.S. and all his bots. Tony calls up his dad, yells at him a little and then pleads with him to at least let him get his stuff. Tony even tells him he can keep the suits but he wants his bots and J.A.R.V.I.S. Howard says no. Tony threatens to get lawyers involved. Howard asks with what money. It dawns on Tony that Howard has effectively cut him off or at least he thinks he has (Tony has a personal bank account not connected to his father he has been squirreling away money in for years). Tony is angry and hurt and leaves the country and from there he applies for a gets the job he is currently working in. After that he cut off all contact with his father and erased himself from all digital software (Steve found him through luck, good old detective work, and being able to charm the pants off of little old ladies).

Steve is aghast because he never thought Howard could be capable of something like that. Tony brushes him off and tells him he doesn’t want to talk about it anymore. Somehow the idea of drinks is brought up and Steve mentions he can’t get drunk. Tony takes that as a challenge and whips up something in his lab that can actually get Steve drunk. They both get drunk and tumble into bed together.

In the morning Steve is surprised and horrified to find that he slept with his friend’s son (who is a lot younger than him). Tony is understandably hurt by Steve’s reaction and all of Steve’s attempts to explain himself just make it worse. Eventually it culminates in a fight and Tony kicks Steve out. Steve leaves and goes back to the U.S. where he tells Howard he found Tony and confronts him about the fight and how he treated his son. Howard tells Steve that he was just trying to protect Tony.

It turns out that Howard was following Obadiah’s advice for the inventions and didn’t take credit because he wanted all the glory but rather to keep Tony out of the spotlight (Obie worded it in such a way that it made it seem as if people knowing how brilliant Tony was would put him in danger). The fight was because Tony was messing with dangerous substances and even people without Howard’s knowledge (Tony had interested buyers lined up for some of his tech). Steve then brings up Howard cutting Tony off and Howard says he always knew about Tony’s other bank account and that he cut him off because he knew he was safer away. Howard had started to suspect Obie was involved in some shady dealings and had started to investigate him. As Howard dig deeper he uncovered some dangerous secrets and a lot of illegal activities.

Obie knew how brilliant Tony was and Howard knew that if Obie knew he was on to him then Obie would just get rid of him and move on to making Tony his cash cow. Howard pushed Tony away to protect him and fully intended to bring him home after the mess with Obie was over with. The only problem was that once it was all over with Howard couldn’t find Tony and he had no way of contacting him. He hired private investigators but they turned up nothing and eventually he gave up.

The next part of this fic are fuzzy to me but I think eventually Steve brings Howard to Tony and they have a chat. There is a lot of yelling and even some crying before finally they delve into the bigger issues:

Tony: “You are a shitty father.”

Howard: “I know I want to be better.”

Tony: “To be better you have had to actually be something in the first place. You were never there in the first place.”

Howard: “I’m trying Tony.”

Tony: “Why? So you can steal my ideas and pass them off as your? Live out your long gone glory days through me?”

Howard: “Because you’re my son and even though I don’t always show it, I do love you.”

That is the turning point in the fight and Tony and Howard make up with some awkward hugs and even more awkward tears. Tony agrees to go back to the U.S. and give working with his dad another try (with some heavy stipulation) Howard looks ecstatic that he has his son back and that is about where it dons on Steve that he has miscalculated. Because now Steve has to live in close quarters with Tony who he has grown to like and care for in his weeks pestering him to come home. Who Steve has kissed and held and heard moan. Who Steve would very much like to hear moan again. Who is the very young son of his dear friend, Howard. Howard who is looking at Steve in gratitude and has no idea that Steve has slept with his son. Steve is in for a really hard time.

I don’t really know where the fic ends from here. Maybe Howard eventually finds out and goes into overprotective father mode because that is his SON his CHILD who is barely an adult and Steve was alive during the Great Depression! Maybe Steve tries to dance around Tony and their sexual tension as the Avengers watch on amused. Maybe Tony eventually catches on to the fact that Steve is very attracted to him and starts teasing him everywhere, in public, around his dad, when he is working out, in the communal showers, etc. There are endless possibilities and I think it is really fun to imagine them all.

[solidsmax]

Mission report, December 16, 1991