Hello World
To absolutely no one's surprise, Maria Antonia Stark became the center of everyone's universe. Rhodey and Happy were immediately enthralled by her, refusing to give her back to her parents and jumping at any chance they could get to hold their goddaughter. The Barton's absolutely adored her, Laura cooing and showing everyone how to properly hold her, Lila helping Pepper dress her and Cooper reading to her and his baby brother. Vision was surprisingly nervous and reluctant to hold Maria, and Tony felt his throat tighten up when he heard Vision whisper “Young Miss” into her hair in Jarvis's voice. Peter came by every week and at Peppers insistence brought his Aunt over. May Parker loved Maria like any mother would, bouncing the baby girl in her arms and laughing at her giggles. Tony could only smile and nod as she promised that if they ever needed any help with her she was more than willing to help, after all, they had done so much for her Peter.
Of course, her parents were wrapped around her tiny fingers. They refused to leave Maria alone, whether for their own peace of mind or to keep an eye on her heart they never said but no one blamed them. You would never find Maria without her mother or father. Tony constantly talking to her about every single thing that passed through his mind, waging his hands around excitedly to catch her attention and hear that giggle that made his heart melt. While Pepper was there to make sure they both ate, raking her fingers through Maria's curly light brown hair and counting the freckles that covered her cheeks as she slept.
The King of Wakanda was a curious experience. Tony was surprised to find so many disagreeing voices shouting at him when he asked if they should introduce the king to Maria. Even Vision seemed to want to keep T'challa at arms reach from the Starks. However, with Ross trying every conceivable way to get Tony alone with him or a trail with the UN, they needed an ally and those were hard to find. But they already had the prince in a tight situation and Pepper was sure to make it clear, T'challa was holding criminals in his country and needed Tony's help to bring them back, he'd do whatever they say pretty much unless he wanted them to make it clear where they were and face the UN and disgrace his father's wishes. Tony was almost surprised by how cruel it seemed coming from his lovely Pepper, but watching the way she clutched Maria tightly to her chest as she walked through the tower he knew that she was barely scratching the surface when it came to her ferocity about protecting her family. She was a force to be reckoned with and Tony couldn't help but pity the young king as he got off his helicopter with the Dora's on his heel. He was walking into a trap and Tony didn't even know if the king knew.
Tony was holding Maria close to his chest, bouncing him in his arms as she squirmed feeling the tense atmosphere. Rhodey was standing at Peppers right with Happy on her left, her ever loyal guards. Vision was back with Tony and Laura as they tried to distract Maria from what was about to happen and keep everyone calm. Through Tony knew Pepper put Vision back with Tony and Maria should the king and his Dora's lose their temper. Which was entirely possible if their last meeting said anything.
T'challa was clearly a smart man, he took one look a Pepper, back in her favorite business pencil skirt, and at Tony talking to Maria from the couch and slowed down and waited till Pepper greeted him or let him inside.
“Mrs. Stark, it's a pleasure to see you again. You look wonderful. A good morning to you as, Colonel, Mr. Hogan. I hope the birth was easy, my father told me my own birth was hard on my mother.” T'challa offered bowing his head softly.
Tony saw how Pepper took a deep breath and nodded, “I'm not sure if easy is a word I use but I suppose it could have been worse. Now I'm going to cut to the chase because I'm not going to stand here all day when I could be spending my time with my daughter.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you. Now, I don't trust you. Not at all. I don't know you and I'm more inclined to dislike you. I don't trust you with Rhodey and Vision as Avengers and I most certainly don't trust you with my daughter. Do you understand me? I have several children in this tower including my own now and I will not put them in danger. The only reason you're here today is because Tony is a bleeding heart and is willing to give you a chance, which frankly you don't deserve for offering safety to the people who betrayed and almost killed him. Tony is the only reason you were invited back, he is giving you a chance, he has given to many people chances and they have hurt him. I will not stand by and let it happen again because of you. You need our help, and Tony's asking for yours, don't waste this chance or I'll make you regret it.”
Tony huffed softly into Maria's hair as he shook his head and focused back on his daughter, Pepper could always handle herself anyone who got in her anyways would be destroyed king or no. T'challa paused for a second and looked Pepper in the eye before looking back at Rhodey and Happy before nodding.
“I will not make a mistake of wasting Tony's help, anyone who does is a fool indeed. I will not bring any harm to your family or your guests Mrs. Stark, you have my word.” T'challa swore bowing his head towards the mother as the Dora's did the same behind him.
Appeased a bit, Pepper stood to the side letting the King inside as he shook Rhodey’s and Happy's hands, “It is good to see you walking again Colonel.”
Rhodey smiled as he nodded his head towards Tony, “All thanks to him. Wouldn't be walking without him. And Rhodes is fine.”
“Aww sugar bear, flattery will get you everywhere. Won't it baby girl ?” Tony said smiling as lifted Maria up so she could see everyone.
Maria looked around slowly frowning a bit as she saw some new strangers, before squealing happily as Pepper walked over and sat next to Tony. Pepper took the squealing giddy baby from Tony's arms and bounced her in her arms smiling back. “Hello, my love. Mamas alright see.”
T'challa sits on the couch in front of them with a small table in between them, probably to make everyone feel more at ease at the space between him and Maria. Tony feels Pepper relax softly at his side as Rhodey and Happy take their seats.
“Hello kitty, good to see you again. Anyone will tell you I love showing off my creations and Maria, I couldn't have done any better. She's perfect. I mean obviously, you have eyes you can see her.” Tony grinned as Pepper sat Maria on her lap so T'challa and the Dora's could properly see her.
T'challa openly grinned as he leaned forwards slightly, while the Dora's eyes warmed and their posture relaxed. “She's beautiful, you are truly blessed.”
“Can't argue with you there. Now as much as I'd love nothing more than to gush about my baby girl we have a guest with us. Laura this is King T'challa of Wakanda, T'challa this is Laura Bowman, you know an acquaintance of ours. Laura and her children are staying here at the tower with us.”
Laura nodded her head towards T'challa smiling softly, “Your Highness.”
“ Ms.Bowman, your acquaintance has been asking after you and your family. He's extremely worried about your well being.” T'challa said sitting up to face her properly.
“Oh, now he's worried. He didn't seem very worried when he up and left us for dead.” Laura huffed shaking her head while T'challa frowned pausing to listen to her.
“Did you know your Highness, that without Tony and Pepper letting us move in here my kids and I would have been killed or worse taken by Ross and held hostage. Four days ago, Friday told us that my farm, my children's home was destroyed by Ross.”
T'challa froze, he shaking his head slowly, “I did not. I'm terribly sorry that happened to you and your family. “
“Thank you, but it isn't your fault. It's Clints and Mr. Rogers. My husband could have stayed home and watched as this all passed by, but once Captain America said he needed help he went running. Even abandoning his kids, and look where that landed him. He's a criminal and my kids are going to grow up without a father. Knowing he left us.”
“If I may. You know that our acquaintance is with me. He and another with children have asked me to pass a few things along to you.” T'challa explained motioning for one of his guards to step forwards.
Pepper tensed and leaned back busying herself with Maria as Laura frowned at the king. When he handed her a letter and a telephone, Tony sighed and relaxed against the couch once again.
“He wishes to speak to you and your children if possible. You have obligation to, I'm merely passing the option along. All that I ask is that you consider it.”
Tony rubbed his face as he watched Laura's and Peppers faces. Laura couldn't stay pegged on any emotion while Pepper was glaring daggers at the phone. He had a weak sense of foreboding coming from phones.
“Well then, not that that wasn't important and you should consider it Laura. But T'challa I actually need your help with something. Which is the reason I invited you over.” Tony leaned forwards smiling as the king nodded.
“Of course. What do you need?”
“What I need is whatever information your doctors have in Wakanda about pacemakers. Maria has a murmur and she's going to need one, but I don't like how she needs to have the battery changed every 7 years. The battery itself isn't as sturdy as I'd like either. She's a Stark and that name means trouble. I don't want her getting hurt because some asshole decides they want to try to get money off of me. My whole thing is with technology that could disrupt the battery as well. I'm more than willing to change my stuff around to make it easier for her, but if I can make her a battery where it'll never need changing and where I won't have to worry about all of this stuff messing with the signal. It's the better for everyone.”
T'challa nodded as his eyes drifted to Maria in Peppers arm, “I see.”
Tony raked his hair back and sighed, “Look, this may not be about the world. But this is about my world and I'm trusting you a lot with even telling you about her condition. I wouldn't be asking for your help if I didn't need it. Helen and I are stumped and you wanted a chance to prove yourself right? Well here's your chance, ask Rhodey and Vision and she's already everyone's favorite.”
“Of course. I will gladly help. I'll be sure to get all I can for your daughter Tony if my specialists wish to get in contact with you or Dr. Cho however?”
“I'll give you our numbers and Maria's charts so they'll have all the information and they're not running around blind. The sooner the better though, for now, we have no choice but to use the normal pacemakers. So time is of the essence pussy cat.”
*
Leaving Stark Towers T'challa came to a realization. Everyone figured Tony Stark would be miserable, they thought they had broken him. However as he turned back to look at the smiling man holding his child, while his family sat around him talking amongst themselves, T'challa realized that they couldn't have been more wrong.
He had expected to tread lightly around the man, hearing from the Captain and his team how they left him and what kind of man they believed he was. T'challa believed he would have to mold Tony Stark back into believing in himself, in his team, now he realized one was unnecessary and the other was unwanted.
Tony Stark was not broken, he was not mourning for his team, he was not going in a downward spiral of self-hatred and doubt. He was glowing brightly with a family and team he could actually trust. He had no interest in bringing the Rogue Avengers back, in fact, he seemed to be doing better with them away. Free of headaches and constantly worrying about what they have done this time, now it had all transferred to T'challa.
He was not looking forwards to Barton's reaction to where his wife and children were but they were safe and that was better than any alternative. Nevertheless, T'challa had a job to complete, he had no desire for the Avenged to stay in Wakanda permanently, they belonged in the states where they could actually be of use. In order to do that, however, he needed Tony Stark and the other Avengers help, and it appeared the way to win them over was with his child.
He was not above using a child to help himself, he had a country to run and numerous lives depending on him, not just the Rogue Avengers. No harm would come to Maria Antonia Stark, not if he had a say and that would win him favors with the Starks and his family. Considering how icy everyone was to him, he needed as much help as he could get. So as soon as he landed he summoned all his cardiac surgeons he had available for a consult.
If his surgeons could find a solution to Maria's condition them he may have a chance to win over the Starks.
*
One thing Tony thought about his baby girl, was that she must be psychic. Without fail, every time he would wake up from a nightmare, Maria would start crying. Giving him the perfect distraction and excuse to not fall back asleep.
He would get up and run over to Maria's side, eager to hold her in his arms to feel her weight in his arms to settle his nerves. While she would cry and nuzzle against his chest. Another thing he found out about his baby, was how he found himself spilling everything to her.
Tony would rock her in his arms and spurt out all of his fears and the poison keeping him up at nights. Then right when he was about to fall into a panic attack all he would need to do was look down at her scrunched up face and he could breathe again. Maria could make him do anything. If she was hungry Tony would heat up a bottle to feed her and find out he was hungry himself and make something to eat. The only time he could sleep without nightmares was with Maria in his arms.
The world had flipped its shit upon Peppers Reveal about a new member of the Stark family and with proof, a squealing baby girl in her arms was the icing on the cake. Of course, like most things, people had to start spouting their opinions on the matter and Tony was expecting it. Thousands of strangers telling him how shitty of a father he would be, how irresponsible and unfitted he was to raise a child. Bringing back memories from how reckless and selfish he was pre-Afghanistan. Now some did have some good solid points, and Tony agreed with them. He was terrified of being a terrible father, ruining this beautiful creation he and Pepper made. Maria was his whole world now and he was determined to do right by her.
Which meant that he had to focus back on once again cleaning up after the Avengers. Fixing up the Accords, dealing with Ross and making the UN trust Rhodey and Vision. It was all going smooth enough, T'challa was doing good by their agreement and helping with the Accords and taking the lead with the Avengers. Rhodey and Vision were both a huge help too, Rhodey grabbing the bull by the horns and coming out as the new leader of the Avengers and Vision making amends with the UN.
The only things that seemed to be giving him grief was a spider or spiders.