Chapter Text
The message came when he least expected it.
Tony had been in South Korea presenting the newest tech to the military base there, when his phone rang.
“Meet me at my place, 7pm, it’s important-, Mi-yeong“
Tony knew the former k Pop idol from back on his young days when he went to a concert with Rhodey. He got them back stage passes to the Sunlight Sisters and the two plus happy interacted with them. It was specially fun to try to see Rhodey flirt with one of them.
Tony then personally got to spend time with Mi Yeong, and developed a friendship with her. They kept contact from time to time.
Then he heard the sunlight sisters suddenly broke up, and he was unable to contact his friend…until Joe.
Which is why this message was so concerning. It was so…secretive.
Still, he was already here, he might as well answer the call.
“This can’t be the place.” Tony mumbled, as he stepped in a small house in the middle of nowhere.
He knocked the door, and it was soon opened.
“Anthony !” Mi Yeong said. “Come inside quickly.”
Tony went inside quickly.
“Hey what in the world is happening ! I heard the sisters broke up ! Why are you here, and where is”
“Wah !”
A baby’s cries stopped Tony as he realized..they weren’t alone.
Mi Yeong went to held the baby.
“Anthony, this is my daughter, Rumi.”
Tony was left speachless.
“You have…a daughter !”
“Yes…and I must ask you one very important thing. I need you to take Rumi with you.”
“What !”
Mi Yeong held her daughter.
“Rumi is…she’s special. She’s the product of a love that many will see as a mistake. They won’t understand her…love her. But I know you Tony, I know despite your personality, your heart is giant. I know you can love Rumi.”
“But you clearly adore her, why can’t she stay with her mom !”
“She…won’t be safe with me.”
She had never told him of the secrets of the demons, Gi Wa, Celine who hadn’t accepted the child, called her a mistake.
She didn’t tell him that as Death’s Merchat, he’s the only human Gwi Ma is scared of. That he’s the only one that can keep Rumi safe.
“Here.” She handled him a journal. “This has all the answers you need. I wish I could tell you in person everything thing…but time is running out.”
“I…I don’t know. I’m not the…child caring type…”
“Anthony…”
Suddenly Mi Yeong stood still.
“They’re here.”
She held Rumi close.
“Farewell my love. I wish I could see you grow…you’ll be in good hands. I love you.”
With that she held her arms painfully, telling him to get ahold of the baby.
Tony was still stunned. But something deep inside him told him….to do this.
So with slow hesitation, he grabbed the sleeping baby girl.
As soon as he held her, he felt warmth in his body. Unlike he ever felt before.
“Now go. Get…get her out of here.”
“Mi.. “
“Go ! Now !”
With one final look. Tony turned back and ran. The crying Rumi on his arms.
Back at his home in LA Tony sat there watching the sleeping baby Rumi.
He had finally got her to sleep. She only slept two hours of the plane ride.
As soon as he landed, JARVIS gave him the news. Mi Yeong..was dead.
She was wound dead at her home.
She had to have know…something was about to happen. To give him her daughter like this, just before her death.
She entrusted him with something so precious..
“JARVIS.”
“Yes Sir ?”
“You think I can do this….i can take care of something so precious. So delicate when..I’m such a mess.”
“I think you can do anything when you want Sir.”
….
“I want you to throw away every single bottle of alcohol in this house, and cancel all parties. From now on only the most trusted can enter the house. Tell Rhodey if he can come tomorrow. We will only tell him for now. And order everything a baby might need.”
“Yes sir….Im proud of you.”
Tony walked to the sleeping Rumi.
“I’m not the dad you deserve little one…but I will become him little one. I promise.”
He sat beside the crib and began reading what Mi Yeong left for him, determined to get this right.
That day, the story of Rumi Ryu Stark, began.
That day, her father changed for the better. And it would all lead to a different outcome for both of them.