Tony Stark, Out of Time
When Tony Stark realizes he's truly stranded in 1970, he feels an overwhelming wave of frustration and disbelief. Panic swells as he tries and fails to reactivate the Pym Particles that should have taken him back to the future. Alone in the stark, fluorescent-lit hallway of a military base, he quickly stashes his equipment, takes a deep breath, and realizes he's going to have to find another way home.
For the first time in years, Tony Stark is truly alone - no Avengers, no Pepper, no Morgan. He's left in a world that looks familiar yet is devoid of everything he knows. But Tony has always thrived under pressure, and he's determined to get back to his family.
Taking on an Alias
Tony manages to forge an identity for himself as a tech consultant, slipping into Stark Industries under the name "Howard Potts," which lets him work closely enough to gather resources but distant enough to avoid unwanted questions. For weeks, he immerses himself in 1970s technology, trying to replicate his suits with outdated tools. However, the technology gap becomes painfully evident, leaving Tony feeling frustrated and increasingly helpless.
During his time at Stark Industries, he becomes a quiet observer of his father's life, slipping in and out of rooms without Howard even knowing his presence. Each interaction they have is small and inconspicuous, but Tony savors these glimpses into his father's world. He learns that Howard spends long hours at the lab, that he's obsessed with creating the future and finding ways to protect the world from the threats he imagines lurking on the horizon.
Seeing Howard as a Person
One evening, Tony finds Howard in the lab, sitting with a glass of bourbon and staring at blueprints with tired, unfocused eyes. When Tony quietly approaches, Howard looks up, surprised but too worn out to question his presence.
"Potts, isn't it?" Howard says, rubbing his temples. "You're new here, right?"
"Yes, sir," Tony responds, forcing down the urge to say, Dad.
The two share a brief conversation, Howard unwinding a bit as he talks about his vision for the company, and his hopes for its future. Tony listens intently, realizing for the first time how much Howard's drive stemmed not from arrogance, but from a genuine fear for the world's safety. He begins to see his father not as a distant, dismissive man, but as someone fighting his own battles with insecurity and pressure to build something bigger than himself.
Confiding in Each Other
Gradually, Tony starts spending more time with Howard, sometimes under the guise of "consulting" on projects, but other times, just listening as his father talks about the struggles he faces. They discuss technology, philosophy, and Tony listens intently as Howard speaks about fatherhood with a slight edge of fear in his voice.
"I don't know how I'll ever manage it," Howard admits one night, after one too many drinks. "Being a father. The last thing I want is for my son to hate me? to feel like I wasn't there for him." He doesn't look at Tony as he speaks, instead focusing on the half-empty glass in his hands.
Tony's heart aches, hearing the vulnerability in his father's voice, the confessions he never heard growing up. He wants to reach out, to tell him that he did his best, but he holds back. Instead, he says quietly, "Maybe just be there. More than you think you should. Sometimes that's all a kid needs."
Howard nods thoughtfully, seeming to store this piece of advice somewhere deep in his mind.
The Plan to Return
Determined to get back to the future, Tony eventually realizes that he'll need the Tesseract if he has any hope of making it back to his time. But getting close to it won't be easy - it's heavily guarded, and breaking in risks exposing both himself and his father. He decides he'll need Howard's help, but this will mean revealing his true identity.
One night, Tony finds Howard alone and finally shares the truth: "Howard, there's something you need to know. I'm not just? Howard potts. I'm your son, Tony. I came here from the future."
Howard is speechless, looking at Tony with a mixture of awe, disbelief, and an overwhelming sense of pride. Tony explains his mission, the Avengers, and his need to return to save his family.
Without hesitation, Howard agrees to help, pledging his resources and genius to support his son. As they work together to create the device, the two grow closer than Tony ever imagined possible. They spend long nights in the lab, joking, arguing, and exchanging ideas, and Tony begins to feel like he's finally found a father he can relate to.
A Final Goodbye
After weeks of collaboration, they're ready. Standing by the portal, Tony feels a deep ache, knowing he might never see Howard again. Howard reaches out, and for the first time, embraces his son.
"Thank you, Tony. For showing me what it means to? to be a father. And I'm so proud of the man you've become," Howard says, his voice breaking.
Tony nods, tears brimming in his eyes. "Thank you, Dad. I? I get it now."
With one last look, Tony activates the portal, stepping back into the future. He returns to the Avengers, and though the others don't know, Tony's heart is forever changed. When he makes the ultimate sacrifice to save the universe, it's not only for his friends and family but for the man in the past who shaped him.
Aftermath and Legacy
As the dust settles after the final battle, Tony's memory lives on. And back in the 1970s, Howard Stark, now with the knowledge of his son's heroism, vows to become a better man, shaping Stark Industries to prepare for the future that Tony showed him. Inspired by his son, Howard dedicates himself not just to innovation, but to laying the foundation for a legacy that will one day produce Iron Man, the hero who would save the world.
