Tony hummed softly as he swung his legs. His thick comforter shifted under his stomach. His tongue darted out, the pink muscle poking his bottom lip. He tapped the eraser of his pencil against his journal, deep in thought. If you solder these wires together, what will happen to the function of the car? How hot can it get before the radiator blows? Tony scanned over the book at his side, brown eyes flitting over the words quickly. His brain processed and categorized every piece of knowledge away for later. The pencil had just barely touched the surface of the paper when loud footsteps sounded from the hallway.

     He jumped, pushing the pencil into the page jerkily. Tony swore under his breath when the graphite snapped. He scrambled to push the idea book under his pillow. Before the door opened, Tony put himself in a relaxed position. He turned the page of the engineering book and looked up casually. "Oh. Hello, Howard."

   Howard - not dad, not anymore - scowled at him. "Anthony."

   Tony fought the urge to roll his eyes. "Do you actually need something, or are you just going to stare? Because I'm kinda busy." He shook the book for emphasis with a tight smile. Howard frowned and strode over to his bed. Tony coughed as he fell back onto his bed. He wiped the wetness from his mouth - tastes like copper - and watched Howard warily. The man wiped his hand on his dress pants.

     "Don't disrespect me, boy," he warned with a finger wag. "I'm feeling generous today. Don't push it."

     "Yes sir," he murmured. Tony grimaced at the smell of the man's breath. That sickly sweet scent of alcohol made his stomach clench and his heart beat erratically.

     Howard patted his cheek. "Get your ass ready for school. Don't do anything stupid." Howard narrowed his eyes and Tony couldn't help the shiver that ran down his spine. The man grunted as he left, slamming the door with his thunderous footsteps echoing behind.

     Tony rubbed his chest at the constant ache that seemed to be there. He coughed harshly into his palm, pushing the heavy book aside and keeping an eye on the door. Tony grabbed the clothes on his dresser and hurried to the bathroom. The steam fogged the room and he shivered at the feeling of a warm hug. He stepped into the glass shower, sighing happily at the hot water falling on his sore body. He wanted to let the water run down his face but... Tony's hand subconsciously landed on the crossing, ribbed scars on his chest. He shook his head. He didn't want to take a long shower anymore.

    Tony curled the sleeves of his sweatshirt over his hands as he traipsed into the kitchen. A drop of water snaked down his back and he ran a hand through his damp hair. His backpack sunk from the weight of library books. He only bothered to bring his backpack to school to carry these books. Schoolwork was - surprise, surprise - too easy, and Howard was always less likely to bother him if he was studying. He read anything he could get his hands on. Anything to fill the time in this cold house. It also paid to be somewhat friends with the local librarian. Somewhere in his bag, he had a book dedicated to CS. After The Mishap, Tony was in the process of making a fully functioning AI. It was a helper bot for his future lab.

     "Breakfast, young sir?" Jarvis frowned when Tony shook his head. "It's the most important meal of the day. For a growing boy like yourself, I believe you should at least take some fruit."

     "Fine," Tony acquiesced. He caught the apple the butler threw to him, rolling it in his hands as he followed Jarvis to the car. He pouted when Jarvis held his shoulders. Tony rolled his eyes until he saw white. "Since when do I follow the rules, J?" Jarvis smoothed Tony's damp hair. He deflated under the soft hands of his friend. Tony took a small bite into his apple. Jarvis gave him a somber smile and they headed to the car. Tony slid into the passenger seat and smirked. "J, don't make that face. I'm a junior. I can sit in the passenger seat."

     Jarvis merely started the car. "You are still fifteen, sir. And very short. You could pass for your actual grade." 

     Tony pulled a face. "Don't joke like that. I went to college and decided it was overrated." Jarvis gave him a knowing look that Tony chose to ignore. "You know what? Consider your speaking privileges revoked until you apologize. Yup, no negotiating."

     Jarvis chuckled gently. Everything he did seemed to be gentle these days. He didn't scrub at the windows until they glittered or threw the ball halfway across the lawn when Tony could make it outside. Tony peeked at him out the corner of his eye. The grey hairs sprinkled throughout Jarvis' hair seemed to stand out now that he was looking. The smile lines around his eyes were deeper and his eyes sparkled a little less. Tony bit his lip and stared fixedly out the window. Jarvis couldn't leave. He would never leave. They were meant to be together forever. Tony didn't want to think that if Jarvis left there would be no one in the world who cared about him (Rhodey doesn't count, he's living his life, his mind supplied). He'd really be alone.

    "Sir, may I request my speaking rights?"

     Tony tilted his head in mock consideration. "Privileges temporarily granted."

     Jarvis dipped his head. "Thank you. I apologize for mixing up your grades," Tony crossed his arms smugly, "but it is hard to keep track when you're shorter than your classmates."

     Tony snorted at the butler's jibe. He stepped onto the curb. "I'll see you after school, J."

     "Your father will be home early, sir."

     Tony frowned. "And why is this important to me? I don't give a..." Jarvis raised a bushy eyebrow. "I don't care," Tony amended.

     Jarvis nodded sagely as he set his hands on the steering wheel. "He's having...difficulties at work so he's decided to take a break. He should be in his lab for most of the night."

     Before Tony could rattle off a curse, Jarvis was closing the door and speeding off. Tony huffed and gripped his backpack's straps. Jarvis was just looking out for him. He knew the old man hated seeing him hurt almost as much as he hated being hurt. If not more. He licked his lips as he trudged toward the front doors of the building. The grey bricks looked dull in the sunlight, black shingles running across the roofs like shadows. Windows placed systematically around the exterior showed him students trickling inside. Tony kept his head down and his shoulders hunched as he walked. He held back his smile when there was no sign of a certain asshole he hated to even think about. Tony twirled the combination into his custom lock - he couldn't be too careful as a Stark - and the locker popped open. He stuffed his books inside, stepping back just in time as the door slammed.

     "You're getting too predictable, Hammer," he teased. "I know I just transferred here, but come on. I'll give you some tips. I know, getting advice from the genius instead of actively trying to steal my notes. It must be a shock to your system. How's that taste? Sweet? Bitter?" Justin Hammer, the resident blockhead of S.H.E.I.L.D. High, scowled down at him. Tony couldn't understand why the guy hated him, but the harassment was a decent pastime. It let him practice his quips. Not that he couldn't handle Hammer. He just didn't want to. Justin's brown eyes flamed as he opened his mouth to speak. Tony held up a finger and tossed his apple into the air. "My advice: mix it up a bit. Do something," Tony held up the apple, "spontaneous. Then get back to me."

     Tony took a large bite into the apple and sauntered away. He snickered around the sweet fruit. Hammer was too much sometimes. The guy was smart, he'd give him that, but he wasn't intelligent. It's a shame he's in line to inherit Hammer Industries. They'll have to be rivals forever. Tony snorted at the thought of being anyone's equal rival. That is why you're alone, you egotistical ass, his mind provided. Tony stopped short before shaking his head and slipping into class.

     "Stark," the teacher drawled, "you're late."

     He tensed for a half-second before flashing a lazy smile. "My bad, sir," he mumbled. Tony sank into his seat by the window as Mr. Vecton droned on about the importance of something or other. It was mind-numbingly boring, and he almost felt bad for his classmates as he pulled out his notebook. Almost. They didn't like him, so they didn't deserve his sympathy ("You're so selfish, Anthony."). His stomach twisted itself into a knot and he couldn't focus on his notebook anymore.

     When the bell rang for the end of class, the boredom that sat like a heavy cloud over all of them seemed to evaporate. Even Tony was glad to leave. He didn't dislike Mr. Vecton, it was just the matter of the subject he taught. If he was the Chemistry or Math teacher then he'd have one more reason to like the guy. But he taught Spanish. Tony was fluent enough in three languages: English, CS, and...Spanish. He took his genius for granted. His other classmates couldn't be helped and he spared the small amount of pity he had to them. They were all idiotic, but no one deserves this lecture. The teachers know to leave him alone in class unless they needed, absolutely needed, him to answer a question. For "participation". He participated in the subjects that counted. Tony couldn't do any better than that and it was wrong to ask more of him.

     He closed his notebook and shuffled out behind the class. He puffed his cheeks as he looked up at the broad shoulders in front of him. He really needs to grow.

     As classes passed and lunch came around, Tony had a nagging feeling drawing him to the canteen. Usually, he avoided it at all costs. If the entire student body hated him, why would he subject himself to the embarrassment of canteen-hierarchy? He was a genius and entirely capable of making good decision. Tony chewed on his hoodie string. He could accurately say he was getting somewhere with the plans. He knew where everything could potentially to go and had a more concrete shape down, all he needed were supplies and a sounding board. Jarvis was always there for bouncing ideas off of and supplies were in the robotics lab, but Howard had better materials. Jarvis said Howard would be home early, so he couldn't steal from the lab today. He frowned at the sketch and bit the eraser. Tony jumped as his notebook was swiped out from under his elbow. He winced at the impact of his nerves on the metal table. The funny bone isn't funny at all.

     "Lookie here, little Stark drawing in his dream journal." Hammer gave him a wolfish grin that made his stomach cramp.

     Tony scowled and reached for his belonging. "Give it back, Hammerhead." His eyes flicked around as more juniors began to watch. He didn't want to make a scene, but everything was in that book. Tony lurched forward, but Hammer held the journal higher. Jumping would result in him falling flat on his behind, but he wasn't growing any taller right now. Tony groaned as he clenched his hands. "Give me the damn notebook."

     Hammer quaked, waving the book around. "I'm shaking in my boots," he said dryly. "You wanted spontaneous; here it is."

     "Kindergarteners steal better than you." Tony's eyes widened minimally as the lunchroom fell into silence. His breath caught in his throat. Causing a scene always got back to Howard. He didn't want to deal with that can of worms today. Tony bit his lip as his knees started to tremble. He dropped his hand. "Keep it."

     Hammer started. He furrowed his brow and lowered the book. "What?"

     Tony winced. He flipped his empty lunch tray over - he'd forgotten to eat again - and swung it into Hammer's face. Everyone jumped in their seats. It was unexpected. Tony and Hammer dish it out, but it's never gotten violent. The metal let out a satisfying twang as Hammer crumpled to the ground, dropping the notebook on his way down. Tony snatched it away and rushed out of the cafeteria. He didn't look back to see Hammer wiping the blood from his cheek or the frowns directed his way from That table. If he had seen the looks from That table, he would've run faster.

     Tony panted and he gripped the notebook tightly. The pages bit into his palm, grounding him as he rubbed his chest. Howard was definitely going to find out. He should've handled that better. He should've called a teacher over. Or steal it back before the end of the day. He'd memorized Hammer's schedule; it would be easy to tail him. Everyone was looking and no doubt more than a few spectators saw him strike first. He shouldn't have hit Hammer. Howard was going to be angry. He fell into the lockers and held his head. He'd just explain it to Howard when he got home. If he told the man he was trying to defend himself, defend the family name, perhaps the punishment would be lighter. He would have to lie on Hammer's name and reveal some of his weaker moments, but he'd do anything to avoid angering Howard. Hammer always took the brunt of his lies when there were bruises he couldn't cover (however rare the occurrence was) and now would be no different. You don't poke a sleeping bear.

     With that half-baked plan, Tony felt like he could breathe. He took a deep breath to steady his trembling body. The bell rang. Students would start to emerge from the canteen now, no doubt spreading what had happened like wildfire. The gossip would be gold: Stark Nobody attacks Golden Justin Hammer unprovoked.

     Tony mentally groaned and headed to class. The student body had had it out for him since he arrived. When they weren't busy ignoring his entire existence, they were determined to "talk" to him. He couldn't recall the last casual conversation he'd had with another junior. Anytime they interacted it was either for help in class or to provoke a reaction from him. He'd started to dread talking to them and always made sure he had an exit. These days Justin seemed like the only person who talked to him outside of class. He usually looked forward to their slight banter, but taking his notebook went too far. Everything was within those pages. It was his safe place. 

     Tony focused on his notebook for the rest of the day. He held it close in case there was another attack from Hammer. He kept a hand on it all times. He didn't leave his seat without it in his hand. He was brimming with paranoia while he walked through the halls. His mind ran in circles and he did his best not to bring attention to himself. He couldn't afford more drama.

     Tony's mouth produced a sound he couldn't describe when he collided with a solid chest. He held his book to his racing chest. Tony glanced up at the head of black hair, but he scurried away before his mind could begin to figure out who it was. He yelped when someone grabbed his collar. Tony moaned in pain as he was pushed into the metal wall.

     "Get out of the way, asshole."

     Get out, you ungrateful child. 

     Tony knitted his brow as the boy snarled. He didn't look familiar, but that could partly be Tony's fault because he wasn't able to think straight at the moment. His healing back was digging uncomfortably into the locks, and he bit his lip as white-hot pain exploded from his backside. He nodded hastily and fell to the found. The boy continued on his way to class while Tony sat shivering on the ground.

     He held back his pained whimpers and rose to his feet. Just a few more hours. Only a few more hours. A few more hours until he could go home to a different kind of hell.