Chapter Text
Tony had been living with them for two weeks before they finally got to video chat with Bucky and Steve. They had talked to Natasha, who was with a separate unit, a few days before. Steve and Bucky had been out on a mission the last time they had tried to call and everyone was thrilled to speak with them again.
“Hey Babe,” said Clint when Bucky’s face filled the computer screen. “Where’s Steve?”
“He’s finishing his shower,” said Bucky. “But I couldn’t wait, so I went ahead and called. How’s it going?”
“Great!” said Sam, pulling Clint back so he wasn’t taking up the entire screen. “Rhodey! Bucky’s on.”
Rhodey entered and sat down next to Sam.
“Hey Bucky,” said Rhodey. “How’s it going?”
“Fine,” said Bucky with a grin.
“I have someone I want you to meet,” said Rhodey, shifting so Tony was more in the frame. “Tony, this is Bucky. Remember, I told you that he lives with us but right now he’s away protecting us from the bad people.”
“Hey Tony,” said Bucky, a pleased but confused smile on his face. “Rhodey, what’s with the kid?”
“Phil dropped him off a couple weeks ago,” said Rhodey, kissing the top of Tony’s head. “He lives with us now. Tony is three. He doesn’t speak much but he likes making cookies and cuddling and we’re going to the park later today with everyone.”
“Sounds like fun,” said Bucky. “Hey Tony. I’m Bucky. That’s a nice bird you have there.”
Tony looked down at his purple bird.
“Boes,” said Tony softly, holding it up to show Bucky better.
“He’s named the bird Bones,” said Sam.
“Like from Star Trek?” laughed Bucky.
“No,” said Clint.
“Boes!” squealed Tony, leaning forward in Rhodey’s grasp. “Doco dammit!”
Bucky roared with laughter while Sam and Bruce spluttered at hearing Tony curse. The kid had said a total of seven different words in his time with them – yes, no, please, Bones, oh, sorry, and Rhodey – though he didn’t pronounce most of the words correctly.
“What’s so funny?” said Steve, entering the frame next to Bucky.
“We’ve got ourselves a little Star Trek fan,” said Bucky, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes. “I love this kid, Stevie.”
“Whatever you say, James,” said Steve, rolling his eyes, not noticing the three year old his lover was holding.
“Bucky’s real names is James,” explained Rhodey, bouncing Tony gently. “But everyone seems to call him Bucky.”
Tony frowned slightly.
“Wait, who’s the kid?” said Steve, catching sight of Tony for the first time.
“This is Tony,” said Rhodey. “He’s living with us right now. Say hi, Tony.”
Tony held up Bones, hiding safely behind his stuffy and in Rhodey’s arms. Bruce was hoping they could get Tony comfortable around new people but so far it seemed the little boy hadn’t had much interaction with other humans. He was touch starved and reliant on his stuffy but Bruce and Sam had been talking and they thought they could work with him to bring out that mischievous personality they could see sparkling just under the surface of insecurity.
“That’s a nice stuffy,” complimented Steve.
“His name is Bones,” said Bucky. “Like, James T. Kirk’s best friend.”
“Dames!” squealed Tony, pointing at Bucky.
“No, honey, that’s Bucky,” corrected Clint.
Tony frowned and pointed again at Bucky on the screen, this time looking up at Rhodey.
“Dames,” said Tony.
“If you want to call me James, that’s fine with me, kid,” said Bucky with a shrug. “But hey, we’ve got to go. We’ll call you guys later.”
“Love you,” chorused the crowd. “Be safe.”
“Love you,” said Steve and Bucky.
The screen went black as the video chat ended.
“Bye-bye,” whispered Tony, waving at the empty computer.
“Hey kiddo, let’s get going to the park,” said Rhodey, hoping to bring that little frown off of Tony’s face. “Bruce and Clint packed a picnic basket. It’s going to be fun.”
The park was only a few blocks from their house and it was a brisk fall day, so the walk was pleasant. Tony rode in a stroller, wearing a red hooded jacket and jeans over his diaper. He finally had shoes that fit and his feet had healed nicely but he couldn’t handle long walks yet. He had started eating little snacks between meals – meals which mostly consisted of nutritional shakes because that was what his stomach could handle. He was starting to put on weight and look slightly less starved but it would be a slow process. The stroller also allowed them to bring all the things they would need for a simple outing with a toddler – which was way more than they had anticipated originally.
The park was mostly empty, but they still parked their stroller under a tree. While Bruce and Rhodey unpacked the picnic, Thor and Sam took Tony to the play toy while Clint climbed the tree (because he was actually just an overgrown child). Rhodey wanted to go with Tony but he also knew it was important for the boy to bond with his partners.
Thor set Tony on the top of the slide. Tony stared at him like he was crazy and started to crawl away.
“No, no, you slide down the slide,” said Thor with a chuckle. “Here, likes try together.”
Thor climbed up easily and pulled Tony securely into his lap. Together, they sat at the top of the slide, Sam sitting on the ground at the bottom, smiling up at them.
“Now, we’re going to slide down together,” explained Thor. “But you don’t have to be afraid, little one, because I will be holding onto you firmly and Sam is at the end waiting to catch you. Okay?”
Tony nodded, hugging Bones to his chest with one arm and Thor’s hand with the other. With a happy bellow, Thor and Tony slid down the slide. They toppled gently to the ground, Thor pecking a quick kiss to Sam’s lips, Tony giggling from where he was cradled between the two men. The toddler wiggled out and toddled back to the toy, clumsily climbing until he reached the top.
“Ah!” squealed Tony, waving his arms.
“I’ve got you, baby,” said Sam, pushing Thor off of him so he could be ready for Tony.
After just a moments hesitation, Tony scooted forward and slid down, happily screaming the entire time. Sam scooped him up at the end before he could hit the ground and swung him around. From the side, Rhodey leaned against Bruce, smiling at the members of their family who were playing. They were missing three of their partners but somehow, Rhodey knew their family was complete, that giggling little boy being tickled by Thor and Sam proof.