sharon, 8 years old, showing up at MIT because she's Resourceful as FUCK and she hadn't seen Tony in three months and this is an act of CRUELTY
“Uh, Tones, there’s someone here for you in the living room,” Rhodey says to Tony who was currently dangling on the edge of his bed upside down.
Tony crinkles his nose. “Someone here for me?”
He sits up, closing his eyes and holding his head for a few seconds as the blood rushes back down his body. “Who is it?” he asks once he’s adjusted.
“I think you should see for yourself.”
Tony furrows his brows. “See for myself?” he mumbles out. Tony gets up from his bed and heads to their living room. His eyes widen when he spots a blob of blonde hair launch themselves into his arms.
“TONY!” a girl’s voice yells.
“Sharon? What the fu—heck are you doing here?” Tony wraps his arms around his cousin and hugs her tightly before letting go.
“I missed you!” Sharon says. “I haven’t seen you in three months and that’s not fair! It’s unjust and I wouldn’t stand for it!”
“So, you came here to my apartment?”
“Well, duh,” she replies sassily. Sharon places a hand on her hip, “How else would I see you?” Her bottom lip begins to tremble, “Didn’t you miss me?” She gives Tony one of your classic sad puppy dog eye looks.
Tony knows he shouldn’t fall for that look. He knows damn well that Sharon is just faking, but goddamn it he can’t resist. “Of course I did!”
“Uh, Tony,” Rhodey interrupts from behind them. “Don’t you think you have a more important question to ask her?”
Tony tilts his head, not getting what he should be asking.
“Her parents,” Rhodey replied dryly.
“Oh, right!” Tony snaps his fingers. He turns to Sharon, “Sharon, do your parents know you’re here?”
Sharon looks down to her sparkly light up shoes.
“No,” she meekly says. She stays quiet, wondering if her older cousin was going to scold her. Sensing that he wasn’t too mad she gains some courage. “I came here all by myself!” she admits, proudly.
“And just how did you manage to come all the way from New York to here?” Rhodey asks, his curiosity peaking.
Sharon looks up at Rhodey. “I’m a big kid!” Sharon holds up eight fingers, “I’m eight years old!”
Tony chuckles slightly at his cousin’s response. “Okay, but Sharon how did you know how to get here?”
Sharon motions for Tony to get closer. “It’s a secret,” she whispers into his ear. She pulls back and crosses her arms. “And there’s no way you can get me to tell you!”
Tony and Rhodey exchange looks, nodding at each other, before glancing back at the blonde haired girl.
“Not even for some ice cream? Or a milkshake?” Rhodey asks.
Sharon eyes light up at the mention of dessert. She looks at if she wants to break but decides to hold her ground. “Nope,” Sharon shakes her head. “Not even for that!”
“What about a cheeseburger, fries, and a milkshake?” Tony chimes in, hoping that would get her to break.
The eight-year-old gasps. “Gimme!” she makes a grabby hands motion towards her cousin. “Get me that junk!”
The two college students laugh at her reaction.
Tony holds out his hand for Sharon to take. “You got yourself a deal, kiddo. But first, we gotta call your parents and tell them you’re here.”
“Tonyyyyyyy! Nooooooo!” Sharon whines, stomping her feet.
“Guess we’re not getting burgers then,” Tony says as he pretends to drag Sharon back to the couch.
“No, no, no!” She protests before letting out a groan. “Fine, you can call them.”
Tony ruffles her hair. “I’ve missed you, Share Bear.” Tony’s heart warms when Sharon doesn’t make a disgusted sound or face at the nickname. It makes Tony realize that Sharon must’ve really missed him.
“Okay, I don’t mean to interrupt this cute moment and all, but Tony.” Rhodey motions to their landline.
“Way to ruin a moment, Honey Bear.”