Grow as we Go

New Beginnings

Tony sighed as the sounds of Jarvis' footsteps faded away. The butler had managed to sneak Tony some movies hidden in the blueprints Howard had wanted him to finish. He wasn't allowed to watch movies. It was "too childish" and Tony "didn't need the distraction."

Tony knew that he hadn't had a normal childhood, as for the first 14 years of his life he was taught how to be a businessman rather than normal math at a school. Tony knew he was at the college level for core subjects, but he never focused too much on the fact, as he knew he wouldn't be able to physically go to a school, and that his father would most likely pay for him to go to a respectable college like Harvard.

Tony shook out his thoughts, glancing at the titles. 'The Little Mermaid', 'Iron Man', and 'The Greatest Showman'. Tony stuck the mermaid one in the computer. It seemed to have the happiest cover. As the opening music began to play, he turned towards the blueprints that had come with. Glancing at what it was supposed to be- a gun for the military- he got to work on improving it.

About 15 minutes later, Tony looked up as Ariel began to sing.

"Look at this stuff, isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think my collection's complete? Wouldn't you think I'm the girl, the girl who has everything?"

He looked back at his blueprints but kept listening as the mermaid sang.

"Look at this trove, treasures untold. How many wonders can one cavern hold? Lookin' around here you'd think sure, she's got everything."

Checking his math, Tony turned all his attention to the computer.

"I've got gadgets and gizmos aplenty. I've got whozits and whatzits galore. You want thingamabobs? I got twenty. But who cares? No big deal. I want more."

Tony immediately thought of his own life, those lyrics hitting a little too close to home to be comfortable. He could have everything. Except for the things that really mattered. Taking a deep breath, he ignored the ache in his chest. It was just an animated movie.

"I wanna be where the people are. I wanna see- wanna see 'em dancing. Walking around on those- what do you call 'em? Oh, feet."

Feeling very unsettled, Tony pulled out the next blueprint and ignored the next few lyrics. When he tuned back in, Ariel was still singing.

"Up where they walk, up where they run. Up where they stay all day in the sun! Wanderin' free. Wish I could be part of that world."

Tony stiffened before quickly ejecting the disk and jamming it back in the case. He shoved all three movies towards the door where Jarvis was sure to get them. Howard was right, movies are just distractions for little kids. He was accomplishing nothing but working himself up over nothing.

A few hours later, a soft knock on the door pulled him out of the engineering haze.

"Young Sir? Master Stark requires you in the family room."

Ignoring the sudden knots in his stomach, Tony stood and opened the door. Jarvis gave him a small smile before walking with him to the family room.

Howard's imposing figure stood by the fireplace, setting down the ever-present whiskey glass on the mantel.

"Get your stuff packed boy. You leave tomorrow."

Tony hesitantly asked. "Leave where?"

Shooting Tony an annoyed look, Howard responded. "You're going to a boarding school. If I'm lucky, you'll be there for college as well. I'm tired of having you around my house."

"Boarding school?! But Dad-" Howard shot Tony a sharp look. Tony gulped before amending his sentence.

"Sir! I can't go to a boarding school!"