Oh, Brother

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"J.A.R.V.I.S. rotate the model for me," I pulled off my goggles and squinted at the rotating hologram. My first solo project was almost finished.

It had been two months since I had arrived at Stark Tower. Tony had moved me in that very same day.

The more I spent time with Tony, the more I remembered from my childhood with him. Vaguely remembered smells and sounds that belonged only to him.

He told me the story that first day. We were sitting on his leather couch, our feet propped up and his arm draped around me.

Our mother died soon after I was born. Tony was seven at the time. I spent the first three years of my life being raised by various nannies. The only constants in my life were Tony's presence, and our father's absence.

Our father slowly came to the realization that while Tony would be fine growing up practically alone, I wouldn't. Two days after my third birthday, I was adopted by an older couple from Ohio. Tony had no idea, until he came home from school to an empty house.

According to Tony, that was the breaking point between him and our father. I was the only thing Tony loved more than machines, and taking me away was like losing a part of himself.

The adoption files, of course, were closed, so Tony had to wait until I was old enough to come find him.

I then proceeded to tell him of my uneventful life in a small Ohio town where I always felt out of place, even among my family. My complete lack of a social life allowed me to focus on school, and as such, I graduated college at the age of 18.

The death of my adoptive parents in a car accident soon after my 17th birthday gave me full access to my adoption files. It was three years before I could work up the courage to meet my famous brother.

"How's it coming Ris?" Tony's voice echoed from across the room.

"Nearly done," I turned and replied with a grin.

"Will you finally let me see it once it's done?" He stuck his lower lip out as he spoke, making me laugh before I replied.

"Of course! But not a second sooner."

I had told him that I wanted my first solo project to truly be solo, and he wasn't allowed to see any of it. To my knowledge, he had respected that, which meant more to me than he knew.

He shook his head as I turned back to my project.

"Make sure you eat and sleep, alright, Ris?"

"Double standard, Tony," I answered without looking up. His eating and sleeping habits were ten times worse than mine.

"I know," he chuckled, "but I have rights as your older brother."

"We've had this conversation," I rolled my eyes, "I'm an adult I can take care of myself."

"I'm an adult, too, and I can't take care of myself," I could hear the smirk in his voice, "That's what I have you and Pepper for. Promise you won't stay up all night?"

"I promise," I smiled.

"Thanks, Risa," his footsteps padded away, "Love you."

"Love you, too."