Tonys POV

I flinched awake when a loud bang came from down stairs and muffled yelling. I glanced over at the clock and sighed it was 6:30. Dad should've gone to work already but I could only guess he found something to be made about.

Pushing myself up I reached for the shirt that was hanging on the chair beside my bed. I got up and looked outside and cringed. Just my luck it's raining.

Immediately I started to get ready for school, packing my bag and shoving extra clothes in there. I know I'll need them. Glancing over at the cloak then at my door I figured no one would realise whether I've left or not.

Heading over to the bathroom connected to my room I quietly shut the door and glanced at myself in the morning. Training slightly at the sight of myself I quickly went through my drawer finding the bad of makeup.

Knowing I didn't have much time I did the best I could to make my appearance look a bit neater and purposely avoided looking at the bruise that rested on my cheek.

I suddenly glared at my sleeve that kept getting into the makeup and quickly pulled it up and froze. There were numbers on my wrist.

Then realisation hit me. It was my 16th today. Excitement grew inside of me. This was the day every kid dreamt off. The day they would get the countdown to when they would meet their soulmate. Some people get extremely lucky and few a couple years or even days.

Most get over 30 years and sometimes won't even survive that long to see who their soulmate was. My excitement was short when the screaming got louder. I chewed my bottom lip nervously. Dad seemed really mad.

Glancing at the bruise on my face I need to get out of here quickly before he can use anything against me like he always does. I knew he had gone out last and drunk but didn't give him an excuse to take out any last anger on me or my mother.

Shouldn't parents love their children to death regardless of who they love and any decisions they make?. Well that's what I was always told and I always did get that type of love and affection until I turned 12 that is.

I had been excited to tell my parents about my first crush and like any parent they listened intently I had gushed about them and when I mentioned it had been a boy the room had turned cold.

My father was staring at me with cold eyes and a blank expression while my mother seemed beyond delighted but was confused by my father's reaction.

Well that had been the day everything changed he insulted me and punished me for liking a guy. My mother had been happy about it and I had listened to them agrue that seemed to go on for hours.

I had grown worried and went to check up on them only to find my mother sitting on the floor clutching the side of her face. My father stood above her with an angry expression. When I had called out to her about heads snapped to my direction, one filled with fear the other with anger.

Then my father went full out yelling at me for my room while he had told me not to come until the next day. Then he went on about how I was a disgrace to this family and how he had been overjoyed to have a son only to find out I had been a mistake.

Of course being the child I had been I yelled back saying I was his child and who cares who I like. Well he didn't like that and had hit me sending me to the floor yelling for me to go back to my room. As my mother started yelling at him and he turned his attention back to her. But all she did was smile warmly at me not wanting me to be down there anymore.

I spent that night listening to everyone my father did to my mother. From that day on things only got worse while money was an issue for us. My father didn't hesitate to abuse that fact. He would constantly regread me as a stranger in the house and treat me as if I was never blood related.

He would always hurt my mom for defending me claiming this was his house and he could do whatever he liked.

I clutched the counter tightly and glared at myself through the mirror. I hated my father for everything he has done but he is the only reason me and my mother had a roof over our head.

So in order to survive we've had to live with what he is going to us. He doesn't do mercy, he doesn't cry if any of us were bleeding out on the floor, he refuses to let us go to the hospital and would simply make us patch ourselves up.

That had led to many weird looking scars across our bodies. I clenched my jaw. I should've known today wouldn't have been different. My father gave up a very long time ago but he knew when you abuse us more and be more violent to us on our birthdays.

It was our birthday gift as he would put it. Sucking in a big breath I could only hope my father wasn't drunk. Walking out of my room with my bag I quietly made my way down the stairs and froze at the sight of my mother.

She is leaning heavily against the wall close to the dolt blood trail coming from the kitchen where she was holding her side tightly. Horror filled my entire being. How was she still standing? Had my father finally had enough and decided today was the day he would kill us?. Surely not getting rid of us would damage his reputation.

She suddenly looked up and the fear immediately left her eyes upon seeing me. She gave a bloodied smile and I stood still.

"Your father is up there, it's best to leave before he comes down" She sounded so exhausted.

"M-Mum you need to go to the hospital" I began to panic and quickly move in front of her not wanting to touch her in case I hurt her even more.

"You know I can't, you know if I do you'll be taken from us and I'll be forced to stay here, stand in court and lie so nothing will happen to us".

"B-but-"

She grabbed the present beside her and pushed into my hands and kissed my forehead.

"You know it's for the best," She whispered sadly. "Happy birthday sweetheart I know today should be exciting, I really did try"

A sob escapes her mouth. Tears immediately swelled up in my eyes. She was right, today was supposed to be exciting. I can find out when my soulmate and I will meet.

"Enjoy your day, maybe tomorrow is away I'll make you a birthday breakfast" She whispered again and I saw tears running down her face.

"I won't leave you" I started firmly. She shook her head and shakily raised a hand to her face to wipe years away. She smiled weakly and sadly. My heart clenched.

"No you need to leave, I wish for your soulmate to see you and that you will find a better life." I shook my head ready to protest but stood at my mother's face.

"Who knows? Maybe today will change your life? After all it's meant to be a joyful day". I swallowed as tears threatened to fall then we both froze when a door slammed.

My mother shot a panicked look up the stairs and with whatever strength she had ripped open the door but that had given my father enough time to catch sight of me.

I took a step back and looked at his face. "There you are" he grinned and I just froze. A hand clasped around my wrist and I was yanked.

"What-" I hit the ground harshly and hissed in pain immediately sitting up. I saw my mother give me a sad smile.

"Go" Then she shut the door and I heard her lock it. I sat in shock. I need to get back in there. As I went to step forward I remembered my mothers words.

I let out a shuddering breath and looked down at my wrist.

36 years, 5 hours, 19 minutes and 55 seconds, 54 seconds....

I grabbed the present tighter, I will open it when I get somewhere safer and then immediately took off down the side of the road.

I can only hope my father goes out tonight and forgets about today. Maybe my soulmate will treat me differently.

-------------------

Well my mother had been corrected. My life did change on my 16th but I couldn't feel as if it was for the better or not. I mean my father is gone, that's good. But I also lost my mother. Their death bad been a mystery and police to this day are still working on it.

But I didn't care anymore. That was 36 years ago, of course I still celebrate my mother's birthday because I never really got the chance when I was teenager.

Glancing down at the suit I couldn't help but smile. I did end up meeting a bunch of amazing people and getting put in a foster home. They were really kind but they were old so they didn't live much longer after taking me in. (Fucking fossils).

I was taken out of my head when a voice yelled. "I'M FINALLY 16 MR. STARK!" and two slender arms wrapped around my waist. I chuckled and put my tools down and patted the younger arm.

"16 already? Time sure flies past" A laugh was his only answer. I was glad he came in a bit later today. I had just finished the suit for him. I turned around and wrapped my arms around his shoulder and felt the grin stretch across my chest.

"Anyways Kiddo you have amazing timing" He looked up in confusion. I wrapped my arms from off his body which in return he did too.

I stepped to the side and his eyes went wide as he took in the suit. He looked at me more than the suit.

"Is this for me?" He looked beyond shocked. I laughed and nodded.

"Spent a good couple months on it because I know your last one got destroyed so I've added more features-" He slammed his body against mine and I stumbled back a bit.

"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you" He chanted and I felt his smile. "This is literally the best birthday present someone as ever gave me and I didn't want to ask you for a new one because I didn't want to feel selfish-"

"kid breath" I pushed him back to look him in the eye. "And no your not being selfish and I always knew you wanted a new one and it was no trouble for me"

His smile didn't lessen up at all and excitedly glance at his suit again and gave me another hug then pulled away.

"I promised a few people was gonna hang with them today but I really wanted to meet you and-"

"It's alright" I couldn't help but laugh. "I have a meeting on 10 minutes anyways"

He gave a nervous laugh. "And yes you can take the suit with you right now" He jumped up and down ripping another snort from me.

Dang this kid really knows to be the beat out of me. After a while of thanks and hugs I watched him bolt out of the room suit tucked in his bag.

Shaking my head with a soft grin I stretched and locked the lan down and headed for a shower. I knew I was on a time limit. I threw a quick 2 -freezing cold- minute shower.

Throwing on the first suit I saw I made myself a bit more presentable and rushed towards the room where the meeting was being held.

Noticing everyone was already here I quickly took my seat after sending Nick Fury my beat charming smile. Letting out a heavy sign as all eyes moved from me I glanced down at my wrist and my breath got caught in my throat.

30 seconds

I began to get nervous and my leg started to jump. I looked around chewing on the inside of my cheek. I gained over at the door. My soulmate was able to walk through those doors. Hopefully they like me.

5 seconds

I shut my eyes. I couldn't bring myself to look at my soulmate and they will know it's me. They'll feel it.

4 seconds.

I heard loud footsteps come toward the door. So not a girl that's alright. Males are always great too.

3 seconds.

I heard Nick Fury's chair scrap across the carpet- how the hell did that make a sound?.

2 seconds

The door opened and 3 pairs of steps entered, two immediately walking back out.

"You've finally arrived Captain" Nick Fury's voice echoed in the silence room. I heard people learn back against the chairs letting out heavy breaths. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes.

1 second

I made eye contact with him. Ocean blue eyes immediately snapped to mine and then I felt it. The spark rushed through me like lightning and I knew he felt it too. How long twitched and I heard Nick fury briefly introduce this man to all of us. My whole attention was on him.

My soulmate

He walked over to me and took the empty seat beside me and as soon as he said down the meeting began.

A large made its way into mine as I welcomed in then from the corner of my eye I saw him lean over.

"Are you ready to spend the rest of your life together with me?" he whispered against my ear.

My lips twitched and I offered a smile without turning my head but leaning a bit closer.

"Waited for 36 years"

A quiet laugh escapes him and I tighten my hold on his hand and he squeezed back. I couldn't contain the large grin that crossed my face this time.

I was glad I wasn't alone and I knew he felt the same way.

Words: 2456

I'm sorry for not posting lately I have been going away a lot but I hope you enjoyed and tanks for 726 reads