The Stark mansion had always been too large, too quiet, too cold.
Not after Alex arrived.
Tony & Alex — Brothers in Chaos
From the very first week, Tony made it his personal mission to spoil his new little brother.
He built Alex a miniature robot—something between a toy and a prototype—named "NIBBLES" because it kept biting Tony's socks. Alex carried it everywhere.
"Tony," Maria sighed one morning, hands on her hips, "did you really give a four-year-old a robot with saw-blade teeth?"
Tony blinked innocently."It's dull. Mostly. And he likes it!"
Alex hugged NIBBLES, nodding.
Maria looked helpless. "Howard, do something."
Howard hid behind his newspaper."Tony, next time make the robot less bitey."
"Sure, Dad. No promises."
Despite his chaotic genius, Tony was protective in his own way.He held Alex's hand when they went outside.He lifted him onto his shoulders during Stark Expo rehearsals.He told him bedtime stories, even though he made half of them up on the spot.He even started wearing socks with reinforced heels.
Alex looked up to him with absolute trust.
And Tony… Tony adored him more than he ever expected.
Howard & Maria — A New Center of Their World
Howard Stark was a hard man—iron-willed, focused, demanding.
But with Alex?
Howard softened in a way Tony had never seen.
He taught Alex how to hold a small wrench.He taught him how to recognize metals by touch.He gave him a tiny Stark Industries ID badge that read:
"Alexander Lionel Stark — Future Genius."
Maria treated him like he'd always been hers.
She tucked him in every night.She kissed his forehead every morning.She brought him to charity events, introducing him proudly as "my younger son."
They filled the house with laughter and warmth, and for the first time in his two lives, Alex felt he had a true family.
Behind it all, the System glowed quietly in his mind:
[Host's emotional stability increasing…][Bond strengthened: Tony Stark, Howard Stark, Maria Stark]
He ignored the power for now.
This happiness mattered more.
Approaching Age 5 — The Hope Before the Storm
The year passed in a blur of love and noise.
On Alex's fifth birthday, Tony threw a ridiculous celebration with laser shows and a cake shaped like a miniature arc reactor prototype.
Howard laughed harder than anyone.Maria hugged Alex until he squeaked.Tony handed him an extravagant gift and whispered:"Stick with me, kid. We're gonna take over the world someday."
It was perfect.
Too perfect.
The Tragedy
Two months later, the world shattered.
Howard and Maria left for a business meeting upstate—a routine drive, nothing special. Tony was scheduled to go with them but stayed behind after Alex clung to him, begging him not to leave that night.
Tony stayed home.
It saved his life.
But not theirs.
When the news came, Tony collapsed. Alex clutched his shirt, crying silently as Tony trembled, hands shaking on Alex's back.
The mansion returned to the cold silence it once knew.
Alex's System chimed faintly:
[Critical Emotional Shock Detected.][Host is advised to stabilize through strong emotional anchor: Tony Stark.]
Tony became that anchor, wrapping Alex in both arms, promising through gritted teeth:
"I'm not leaving you. Ever."
The Will — Stark Legacy Divided
A week after the funeral, the Stark family lawyer arrived with Howard's sealed will.
Tony sat rigid, Alex on his lap, holding his hand.
The lawyer read calmly:
"Howard Anthony Stark bequeaths his direct Stark Industries shares as follows:— 30% to his son, Anthony Edward Stark.— 10% to his adopted son, Alexander Lionel Stark.The remaining shares and company leadership structure follow previously established agreements."
Tony looked down at Alex.
"You hear that, bud?" Tony murmured. "Dad trusted you with part of the company. You're a Stark. Always."
Alex didn't answer. He just hugged Tony tighter.
And Tony hugged him back.
The world had taken their parents.
But Alex still had Tony.
And Tony vowed to raise him with everything he had.