Who: Adrian Battye and Tony Stark When: Dinner - Monday 14 December Where: Professor Stark's Office What: Dinner and holiday discussions Rating/Warnings: pretty low Status: Closed/Complete
Tony had honestly been a bit pleased when Adrian suggested an earlier dinner. He sometimes wondered if the boy enjoyed them, or if he was just enduring. This was a good sign- he would have never asked for an extra meal with Howard when he was younger, and actually he did his best to avoid time with his own father. He made sure, as always, that some of the boy’s favorite foods were featured at the meal, and while he had a few bits of parchment he had been examining out, the area in which they ate had become progressively cleaner.
“It's good to see you, Adrian.” He spoke as soon as Jarvis opened the door for the young man. It was true. He was coming to care for his son a great deal, more than he had expected, and he was grateful to have found the boy.
"It's good you were able to make extra time." Adrian echoed the slight formality. They weren't totally comfortable still, though things were starting to get more familiar between them. Tony was right though that Adrian didn't mind their dinners - or dread them. Not the way he'd felt when he first learned Tony was his father at least. Adrian hadn't ever thought about his father - had never expected he would ever know him. Nothing this year happened as he'd thought it would.
“You're my son.” Because that was more than reason enough. If he would make room in his schedule for Bruce, how much more would he want to do so for his own child- even if he hadn't known in the past that he had one. He poured himself some water and then offered the pitcher to Adrian with a small smile. He knew that Jarvis would bring in their first course soon, and having beverages first would be a good thing.
Adrian might be, but they still didn't know each other all that well. Nevermind that Adrian had learned very early in his life that being someone's son was no guarantee of anything. "It doesn't change my statement," he admitted just a fraction of what was to him fact. He did appreciate it. There was a lot that he wanted to talk to the older man about after all.
“It isn't extra time. I think you underestimate how very little I need this job, and how very unlikely it is that I'll be removed from my position.” Considering that he very nearly donated his time to the school, it was unlikely they would take his classes from him. “I'm worth billions. I have very little need for extra income. This is for enjoyment.”
Professor Stark's confidence didn't actually reassure Adrian. The reminder of just how important the man was just made clear to him just how unimportant Adrian was in the grand scheme of things. This though Adrian did not voice. He just nodded a neutral kind of agreement. He wondered too if he was being presumptuous in fact with the things he wanted to ask Tony about. "Fortuitous.," he offered.
Tony nodded slightly, motioning Jarvis to bring them the first course. He figured warmer foods were a good idea, so soup instead of salad was presented this time around. With the cold- even enough to bring snow recently- it seemed about right. “It is. It allows me time to set aside for whatever I need or want, when it's necessary.”
"Are you busy over the break with Stark Industries?" Adrian asked, deciding to at least try to sound out the older man a little before making his offer - request.
“It's usually all I do for the holiday.” Tony shrugged. “It's not so much that I'm busy as I have nothing else to do outside of that and grading.” Because prior to now he had no family to spend any time with, and usually Jarvis or Pepper made sure he was fed on the holiday proper.
Adrian nodded as though he understood but more just accepting that was how it was. Since the other man had mentioned the holiday - it gave Adrian his opening, he hoped. "Would you be interested in spending Christmas with me and the rest of my family?"
Tony was actually legitimately surprised at the offer, though he didn't allow that to register on his face. He took another sip of his water, permitting himself a moment to think before he responded. “I…” A momentary pause and he glanced to Jarvis, thoughtful. “I think it has been...over two decades since I had family to spend a holiday with.” Not quite an answer, but half-hinting at one.
It wasn't a yes. Adrian nodded again. "It will probably be awkward since Wallace will be there so it makes sense that you wouldn't want to." Adrian offered, at once giving Tony an excuse, but also making clear Adrian didn't necessarily expect a positive response. He never did. But it had just felt appropriate since the other man was his biological father.
“I didn't say no.” Tony took another drink of his water. Wallace being there could make things tense, though he had handled the woman well enough prior to this point. She was well paid to not ask for more from him. He looked at his food, still thoughtful, and then to Adrian. “I'd be happy to come for dinner, if you think your parents would want that.”
"Dad suggested it." Adrian spoke before thinking about exactly how he was phasing it - mentioning his dad - the man who'd raised him to his biological father. But then, that was the awkwardness that was Adrian's life. "So you are welcome to join us."
“I will, then.” Tony nodded. He could very easily put together gifts (or in some cases, arrange for them - he would get something personal for his son but the others he could get Jarvis to buy.) “That's why you wanted to come for dinner earlier?” Because it was a nice offer.
Adrian nodded. "Yes, sir. In part. Plus well with the upcoming break we won't have the usual opportunities to meet up." There were other things too going on in his life - with Jackson's admission about getting his first acceptance, and then mentioning art history programs for Adrian. He needed to figure out what he was going to do now that it seemed professional play seemed unlikely. 'Unless you have another healer you want me to meet with."
“You're always welcome at Stark Tower.” Because it was true. Adrian was his son, he would gladly make time for the boy if he came there. “I imagine it will be more difficult next year, with me here, unless you intend to visit Hogsmeade often.” Which would be a problem he would have to look into getting around. “I don't have any more currently. They're all saying the same.” Not that he was giving up but he knew he had to be patient.
Adrian was actually a little relieved. He hated healers. That wasn't accurate. He had no problems with healers… he just didn't like being treated by them. He knew he was a terrible patient. "Jackson got his first acceptance. He brought up the idea of me studying art history like you'd suggested. Suppose it's something to actually consider now."
Tony looked at Adrian curiously, then nodded again. “What schools were you looking at?” Because there were ways to arrange a guaranteed admittance, even though he doubted the boy would need it. He was clever and his grades reflected that he worked hard too. “If you want to take over what your mom does, or open a branch in some other city, it would be a good field to study.”
"None. It's… just as you said it makes sense. It's not something that had necessarily been an idea before. Probably makes sense to look at schools near where Jackson is applying. He's talking about WADA now." Adrian had pushed for that one this summer since it was both a wizard school and a music school. "Don't know how exactly to start otherwise," Adrian admitted.
“So, the U.K. then.” Tony nodded. “There are a number of top schools there.” A smile as he took a bit of his soup and he motioned to Jarvis. “We can get you some applications to send off. Is there any particular schools that have priority in your mind?”
Adrian shook his head. He didn't even know what schools were good… or what kinds of NEWTs he needed. "It's not… that far along yet. It's not even clear what kinds of OWLs or NEWTs I would even need…" He'd taken what he wanted to, not having to worry since what he'd thought he was going to do didn't require particular OWL or NEWTs.
“I'll get brochures then too. You can compare and see what strikes you as the best for what you want.” Because it would make things easier that way, he was sure. “I'll also speak to the headmaster about how grades will transfer, with transcripts and all. It wasn't something I had to worry about, but it shouldn't be too hard.”
Adrian nodded, trusting Professor Stark. It was part of why he'd wanted to talk to the other man about this all. Adrian didn't actually know anything about the muggle world - least of all colleges.