Chapter Text
Tony sat in the doctors office head in his hands.
His week had started off perfectly. He'd woken up on Monday morning with a cup of coffee brought by Pepper. She'd brought him his post too, and then rushed off to one of several meetings she had to attend. That first letter had been from his attorney, and it was the one that had changed his life forever.
To one Sir Anthony Edward Stark, it is with great sorrow that we write to inform you of the death of one Lily Potter- nee Evans and James Potter. As stated in their will, their son Harry was to be left in your care in the event of the death of any other family members. We wish to set up a meeting with you to discuss his custody. Harry's current guardians have been incacerated on several accounts of neglect, attempted murder and child endangerment.
He hadn't read any further than that.
He was aware of his Great Aunt Euphemia her husband Fleamont and their son, but there had been no need for any interaction after his parents' death. Not that they had ever met before that. Howard had wanted nothing to do with his "good for nothing sister"- who he claimed had abandoned their family.
Things had moved pretty quickly after that. He'd met with the lawyers, and signed many papers. His home had been assessed by social services, the people who frequented his home the most were also investigated. In depth background checks were carried out, and Tony hadn't even stood in their way.
The child had already been failed once, social services were keen to ensure he was placed with safe guardians this time.
The child's extensive health issues were finally divulged after Tony had passed the checks. That was where he was now, sat in the doctors office three days after opening that letter.
Tony sat up when the door opened once more. "Are you sure this is right?" He asked, waving the folder around. The doctor- Lee- grimaced. "It is not often Mr Stark that we have patients with a medical file as large as young Harry's. I assure you this is not a mistake."
Tony flung the folder on the table and stood up. "He's four Doctor Lee." The man bowed his head. "And that is why his previous guardians are sharing 230 years of jail time between them." Lee explained. "I agree with you that it is not enough, but justice has been served."
Tony strode over to the water dispenser and refilled his plastic cup. The doctor watched him from his place by the desk. Tony took a deep breath before speaking again. "I found out two days ago that I had a nephew and I was preparing to bring home a boy who was going to play with toys and go to the funfair and you know!" He flung his hands up into the air. "I can barely look after myself, and now I'm going to have to take care of a child who is so severely disabled."
Tony looked down at the folder and rifled through it.
Non-verbal, yet to be potty trained, underdeveloped, autism, disabled leapt off the pages at him. "You even suspect that he has had a stroke from the restrictedness of his harm and leg movements." Tony whirled around to face the doctor. "Mr Stark, when social services came to inspect your home, they were doing more than looking at your babyproofing ability. They were watching your interactions with those who you care about. Three separate officers were sent at various times to monitor these interactions, and every single one of them commented on your devotion. That is your strongest point, your devotion. It will be hard, and yes Harry is very disabled, but you will be able to cultivate a relationship with him, and that level of devotion is all that is necessary."
Lee met Tony's eyes and smiled. "Harry really needs to be shown love and care, and we all think you will be perfect to do that." Tony frowned. "I'm the Iron Man Doctor Lee, I kill and blow up. I don't do nurture." Lee's smile widened. "I think the fact that you are even concerned and dare I say it; scared of making mistakes with Harry shows that you are willing to learn and adapt to his needs. You are going to do just fine, plus, you have a very supportive girlfriend and support system."
Tony scoffed. "I'm not scared." He sniffed haughtily. "I just don't want to end up causing more damage to the kid. I'm good at damaging but not fixing. Don't blame me if he becomes quadriplegic under my care." The doctor rolled his eyes.
"I highly doubt that Mr Stark. Now, Harry has received five star care from our nurses. He's excited to meet you and I'm sure you would love to meet him too. Follow me if your thirst has been adequately quenched." Lee stood up and indicated a side door. Tony downed his third cup of water and moved to follow him.
The lift ride was fairly uneventful, with only a secretary stepping in on the second floor. Tony was led out onto a very quiet corridor. "This is the private paediatric ward." Lee explained, swiping his ID card at the door. They sanitised their hands before stopping at a door three doors down the corridor. Tony looked through the window and saw two nurses conversing with a tiny boy on the bed. Lee put a code into the keypad at the door, and they walked in.
Tony set his eyes on the toddler- Harry he reminded himself.
He was tiny, his head rather large compared to the rest of his body. There was a faint bruise on his cheek, and it was clear from the bandages on both his arms that there were more hidden beneath the wraps. Harry was suckling on a dummy, and wore a cute dungaree vest combo with a duck on the front. He had short black hair that Tony had read had been cropped due to matting from the Dursley's negligence. The boy blinked at Tony asymmetrically, with the left closing a few seconds after the right. Harry's face sagged a bit on the left side, and it was clear to Tony why the doctors had diagnosed him with a stroke. Tony swallowed heavily as the boy rolled over from his lying position. The task was no small feat, and Harry had to try three times before finally propping himself up on unsteady legs.
"Hello Harry." Tony began. "I'm Uncle Tony and you are going to be living with me now." The boy's eyes crinkled as he smiled around the dummy.
The taller man gave a smile back, and Tony knew that it was going to be okay. They'd make it work- somehow.