#i was surprised to find out Tony canonically comes from a family of bakers

[anonymous-tals]

Okay, I’ve posted about my ideas for Tony becoming the Gay Magician before but I’ve had a better idea and I think it makes more sense with the show, honestly.

Part of my idea of what happened has stayed pretty much the same: So I feel like Tony was probably a rebellious teen. And with what he mentions in his magic show, his dad seems to be quite critical of him and compared him to his brother. And specifically, in reaction to him being gay(well, bi, as I interpret him) his dad says he doesn’t want to look at him and for Tony to get back to work. Now, as I said, I imagine Tony as kinda rebellious. So in an act of rebellion against his dad who also didn’t approve of his magician lifestyle, I picture that during the work day at the family bakery, they’re arguing or whatever and Tony, in a moment of anger, comes out to his dad as bi or gay(ya know, depending on where he was in his self discovery journey at the time). His dad says the thing about him not wanting to look at him and telling him to get back to work, wishing Tony was more like his brother, and Tony just sort of shuts up and does that, regretting his decision to reveal that to his dad. The fact that Tony said that, I think, is known among the family(most likely believed to be a phase among some), but it’s never brought up again. Tony resumes “being straight” like nothing had ever been said at all.

Time has passed and Tony becomes a magician, 1. because he likes it and 2. to spite his dad and show him that he can be a successful magician. Because his self worth is tied so directly to his career and proving his worth to his dad, it’s natural he would become a bit obsessive about becoming as successful as possible and staying as successful as possible. And as we see in the show, Tony is a very profit-driven guy. And ya know, it works. He’s successful.

(Here’s where things change from my original idea)

Tony hasn’t kept much contact with his family or at the very least, he hasn’t spoken at all with his dad. But I think in general, he’s sort of lost contact with them. Sparse contact if anything. He’s dating Sally Sitwell at this time and maybe he mentions getting an invite to some “stupid family event” and maybe she encourages him to go. So after thinking about it some more, he eventually decides to go. This is the first time he’s seen or talked to his dad in forever. His dad is very typical him, being rude and disrespectful of Tony’s choices and still goes and compares Tony to his brother, who is dead so it’s even worse, and Tony is regretting coming, just sitting there angrily and waiting for it all to be over. Then later on, something about gay people is brought up and Tony’s dad says something homophobic and that was just the final straw and Tony leaves with a plan. He goes to Sally and convinces her that he needs her to help him rebrand as the gay magician. And, ya know, just in case it crossed her mind, he clarifies that he’s not gay, he’s very straight, doesn’t like men at all, obviously, but it’ll be a great business move and will totally make them rich. Really, it’s to prove to his dad that he could not only be successful as a magician but a gay magician too(once again, not that he likes guys, he’s totally, definitely straight, it’s just to prove to him that he could if he was, which he isn’t, to clarify); although, if he didn’t think it was a safe enough move, he probably wouldn’t do this. From Sally’s perspective, the idea is a little weird, given them dating and all, and he’s clarifying that he doesn’t actually like guys a little too much for her to not think something was up but hey, she, a business, profit-driven person herself, thinks that, given how being gay was becoming more of an inspiration rather than something taboo, it could be a perfect way to revamp his image since making him a gay icon would propel his career even further and make him even more famous and make both of them even more rich. And thus, the Gay Magician persona was born and blah, blah, blah, the Gay Mafia gets him for “pretending to be gay”, you watched the show.

Let’s see how long it takes me to rewrite this whole thing again and claim I’ve “finally found the perfect idea that makes way more sense”.

[nitholites]

Marinette Stark Chapter 1

(Assuming Tim is end game. Ages are as follows:

Alfred: immortal

Bruce: 48

Tony: 38

Jagged Stone: 37

Penny: 36

Pepper: 36

Dick: 34

Jason: 25

Tim: 22

Marinette: 21 (14 in canon)

Harley: 18

Peter: 17 (turning 18)

Damian: 11

Morgan: 3)

Marinette sighed, crossing her arms for warmth as she glanced around the street, cursing her luck as she was only a block from her destination. It was a rainy day, chilly and damp, and she was completely unprepared for the sudden downpour.

She smiled, her mind going back to a day similar to now, yet a million years ago. Thoughts of the sunshine boy ran around her mind, trying to remind her why she fell in love so stupidly all that time ago. Thoughts about him soon turned to thoughts about her class, and with those came the pain and a certain lying Italian.

Lila Rossi. AKA, the bane of Marinette's existence.

Chloe left only a year after Lila got bad, the bullying getting far too much for the blond. She went with her mother, actually, their relationship becoming much healthier and stronger than ever before. And while Marinette insisted she didn't owe her anything, the blonde didn't listen, determined to repay the bi-racial girl.

Which is how Chloe found herself on the other end of the phone, two years after Hawkmoth started terrorizing Paris as Marinette bawled and let her emotions fly out of her mouth. Chloe has never felt such rage as that night, anger for the sweet angel of a girl bubbling to the forefront of her mind.

That night, she swore if Lila ever showed herself in front of the blonde again, she wouldn't hold back.

After that night, Chloe convinced her mother to rethink taking Marinette as a student, convincing her to give the sweet girl another chance.

This time, Marinette took it.

Her parents, having learned about the mistreatment of their daughter, agreed that it would be for the best. At least while their lawsuits went through. Penny helped bring light to the situation, having sent the family the contact information for her and Jagged's lawyers and swore she'd help them through the process.

Anything for their niece, and the godmother for their future children.

The only drawback in Marinette's mind was Ladybug. Alas, that was taken care of thanks to Ryuuko, Viperion, and Master Fu. The old man had lent her Kaalki so she could come back for Akuma, and she'd made the two heros full-time back when Chat Noir started getting worse.

Marinette didn't like thinking about her ex-partner at all. The selfish kitty didn't know what 'no' meant, harassing her as Ladybug to go out with him. Then, when she shut him down, he came and complained to Marinette, one time even breaking into her room when she denied him access.

He didn't remain Chat Noir for long after that, and she wasn't even surprised to find Adrien under the mask. No one else was as spineless as he was, after all. She was only dissappointed at his behavior.

The only relief she got was when the kwamis explained how he wasn't her true Black Cat. She had a pure Creation soul, while Adrien was simply the next best option.

As the next Guardian, Marinette was allowed the responsibility to find her true Black Cat, and to give him the Miraculous.

All this, and Hawkmoth wasn't exactly getting any closer to a jail cell. No one in the Miraculous team had any kind of detective abilities, so Marinette took it upon herself (after getting agreements from her team) to find someone who did. She originally wanted to convince Batman to her cause, but the Bourgeois wouldn't be going to Gotham for a few months, at least. So, she decided to wait and put it on the back-burner for the moment and to plan for when she found the bat.

As Chloe (who knew her identity) said: "You need some girl time and self-help time. The fact you haven't got any yet is ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!"

So, for the past few months, Marinette worked up her brand and got help. Professional help, once she was in the States.

Which brought her to the present, under a bus awning as the rain poured around her. Tony Stark had commissioned her to make the outfits for himself, his wife, Pepper, their two adopted sons, Peter and Harley, and their daughter, Morgan. It was a birthday party for Peter, the middle child.

On her way to their first meeting in Stark Industries, Marinette was caught by the rain and forced to seek shelter under the awning, minimal water on her or her stuff, thankfully.

She brought with her a bag half the size of herself, rolling on the ground, filled with her journals, swaths of fabric, thread, pens, pencils, and a measuring tape. Everything she'd usually bring to a first meeting.

Her eyes glanced at the ally way opening to her right and behind her, her senses screaming danger. She focused on her hearing, frowning as she picked up an erratic heartbeat and scuffling she associated with a mugging.

She internally sighed, mourning her favorite soon-to-be drenched blouse and silently stepped towards the dark ally. Her heels didn't make a sound as she rounded the corner, internally groaning at the cliché scene in front of her. Shady, lanky dude trying to rob a decent-looking young man.

She silently crept behind the mugger, signalling for the young man to stay silent as she ended up right behind the mugger.

Without a peep, she leapt up, bringing her elbow down hard in the middle of his neck and knocking him unconscious. She silently landed, turning to the young man with a small smile. "Are you alright?"

Big, innocent, brown eyes looked up at her, relief and excitement shining in them as he nodded, brown curls bobbing with his head. "Yeah! Thank you, Miss. That was really cool!"

"It was nothing," she replied with a subtle French accent, turning back to the entrance of the ally as the man followed behind her. "Anyone would have done the same."

"That's not really true, Miss."

As they reached the awning once more, Marinette turned to him. "Enough of the 'Miss' business. My name is Marinette."

"I'm Peter. Parker, I mean."

As they made their way to SI, they talked, their conversation drowning out the sounds of rain around them. A few moments later, they walked into SI, a feminine voice making Marinette jump. "Welcome, Peter. Mr. Stark and Mr. Keener are waiting for you in the lab."

As Marinette composed herself, Peter replied, looking up with a smile. "Thanks, FRIDAY. Will you ask Mr. Stark if I can bring my new friend with me?"

"Of course."

Marinette looked at Peter, curiosity in her eyes. "Who's that?"

"That's FRIDAY, Mr. Stark's AI. She and Mrs. Potts are the only ones who can keep Mr. Stark semi-under control."

"Thank you, Peter. I will let Mrs. Stark know you think so highly of her." As Marinette giggled at FRIDAY's words, Peter blushed and hid his face in his hands. "Mr. Stark also said your guest may come up."

Within a moment, the two teens stood in the doorway of the lab, two other figures already in the high-tech room. The two men in the lab turned towards the elevator, grins on their faces, as Peter and Marinette stepped into the room- Peter with much more confidence and familiarity than Marinette. "Pete, thank God you're here. Will you please tell this inexperienced, back-water country boy that-"

Marinette zoned out, taking this chance to look around the lab. Half-finished projects littered the various desks, Iron Man parts were strewn about almost halfhazirdly, tools and stains and singe marks on a few walls and sections of the ceiling, plus a few dents on said walls, ceiling, and desks, showed this lab was lived in, not just for show. The empty soda bottles, ramen packets, and plates on a very specific desk in the center of the lab said so, too.

"-and I'm gonna shut up now."

Marinette blinked, realizing Peter had talked through all of her observations for the past 10 minutes. She brought a hand to her face, covering the light laughter coming from her chest. That caused three sets of eyes to turn towards her, one in laughter as well and two in... Well, Marinette wanted to call it confusion, but there was something more. Analysis?

"Who's the chick?"

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I'm here for Mr. Stark's commission, but got held up by the rain."

Eyebrows rose, but Tony's the one with the smile, walking towards the group with a hand out. "So you're MDC. Can't say I was expecting this. How old are you, Tinker Bell?"

"I know I don't look it, but I'm 21."

Eyes widened, jaws dropped, and the men froze. "What."

She nodded, keeping from crossing her arms. "Yeah. I can legally drink."

Tony snorted, straightening up. "I'm guessing you'd still rather not. You don't seem like the type to get black-out drunk regularly."

She shrugged, a small smile on her face. "I haven't had time, for one. And it's hard to design when drunk or hungover. Plus, I'm pretty sure that if I tried Uncle Jagged would try and join in." She could hear his voice now... "Mari, my favorite niece! Stop growin' up. Where's the time gone? So not rock n' roll of it. Next time invite me, yeah?"

She shook her head, returning to the present. "Anyway, about that commission..."

They had a very productive session- at least on Marinette's end. She got their measurements, and the lab offered nearly limitless inspiration while giving her insight to the three science nerds, giving her a taste of their likes and passions. Following sessions had her meeting most of the Avengers and growing closer to everyone in the tower, especially after she brought a few baked goodies from her apartment.

("Kid, you have a talent. Become my baker and I'll pay you half of whatever SI makes in a year." "Tony, you can't do that. I'm the CEO." "And I like designing, Mister Stark. Baking is a hobby now." Tony pouted for a month after that, the pout lessening for every treat Marinette brought. Morgan didn't take long to adopt 'Auntie Mari' into the family.)

Soon, the designs were complete and the Gala was only a day away.

Welcome to the first chapter of my fic, based on my HCs posted on this blog. This is the first chapter of (hopefully) many more, and the first multi-chapter fic I'm posting on here! Hopefully not the last, but we'll see. There's no BatFam stuff yet, but there should be an introduction next chapter! From there, I'm not sure where it'll lead, and I hope you help educate me when I make mistakes about someone's character or backstory- I'm not as knowledgeable about the DC universe as the Marvel or MLB universe, so I'd appreciate the help!