so like...tony loves kids. tony is good with kids. tony, in his heart of hearts, and as much as he might like to play it off, has literally always wanted the whole spouse, two point five kids, and a dog picket fence life. maybe not exactly the way the average joe might see it, maybe not exactly in perfect picturesque americana, but still some version of it for himself. the early half of iron man’s existence was spent first lamenting the fact that he was dying, and therefor had to let go of that dream for himself because it would be unfair to put that burden on someone else, and the other half of the early years was spent watching others squander it when he himself wanted it more than just about anything. considered giving up iron man entirely more than once to have it. he’s as much as told reed and black bolt that he’d kill to have what they’ve had. basically, tony’s chased the dream of having a family of his own the way he chases the future.
but it’s not just the want of a family, you know, he just...thinks kids are neat. thinks they’re worth investing time and care into because they are the future. doesn’t talk down to them, you know, doesn’t treat them like little idiots, and instead like little adults who are fully capable of rational thought (because they are). ends up a mentor or an uncle or something like that to every baby superhero he crosses paths with. he’s patient with them, he’s kind. he’s protective. he’s supportive. he’s not perfect at it, because he’s not a perfect person, but he tries very hard to leave a positive impact on their lives. at this point it’s not about having his own kids, no, but he does a lot to try to make positive impacts with the kids he crosses paths with. the orphanges he funds, for example, and the babies he spends time with in those orphanages to give them them close contact and bonding they need from being held. the multitude of stuff he funds in general, especially the scholarship programs for the interdimensional / alien / mutant kids that generally get overlooked in their special circumstances. the heroes he, in particular, mentors and spends one on one time with, like sam and kamala and miles and riri. the ones he absolutely considers family like cassie. like!!! he just has a huge soft spot for kids, period, and he gets attached very easily.
