Work Text:
1.
The first glimpse of James Antonio Stark that the world had was on his mother's personal Instagram account.
Sam nearly dropped the tablet T'Challa had graced them with in shock. The picture showed the small (incredibly small, almost too small) newborn in his crib, which was filled with soft, silky looking blankets that Sam would later find out were Asgardian.
The one rub, however, was that the little guy was wearing an Iron Man onesie. But Sam could hardly be surprised - Honey was her father's daughter.
The boy had one arm stretched forward in a way reminiscent of the eldest Stark when in his armour. Honey had obviously seen the likeness as well, because she'd captioned the photo: "Little Jaime is ready for action. Saving the world must run in the family ;)" with a bunch of hashtags that became increasingly more obscure.
He'll probably be forced to fight thanks to his grandda Sam thought uncharitably.
Sam didn't mention the photo to any of the others. Mentioning any of the Starks set Wanda and Barton off and nobody wanted a reminder of what they'd left behind.
2.
"Why on Earth would they do that?" Steve asked, clearly perplexed.
Wanda was, secretly, just as shocked. The reporters on the news had just informed the world that the name 'James Stark' had been registered with a trademark under Stark Industries. The woman had just asked whether or not there were any plans to sell products under the baby boy's name.
"It's highly doubtful, Diane, seeing as none of the other Starks have anything sold in their names. But it's possibly been done to prevent anyone else from doing the same thing. After all, there is also said to be a trademark for his mother's name - and Howard Stark once took a small company to court for using his son's name without permission."
Wanda snorted. Of course Stark would be that vain, thinking that his name was that important.
"It isn't unusual though." Lang piped up, "Other celebrities have been known to do it - Beyoncé and Jay-Z did it for their little girl."
"Why Stark though?" Barton asked before Steve could question who Beyoncé was, "He's obviously Cap's son so why isn't she calling him Rogers?"
It is just like Stark, to take what is not his Wanda thought. She willingly voiced it, smiling at Barton's approving nod and the straightening of Steve' spine.
3.
Two years after the signing of the Accords, a reporter by the name of Christine Everhart was allowed into the private part of the Avengers Compound. Whilst the main, public area of the Compound was run by UN staff and was considered neutral ground for all heroes and villains, the private area was still owned by Stark Industries, and the Starks and a few of the Avengers lived.
T'Challa had pressed a copy of Vanity Fair into Scott's hands one day, saying that he would be interested in the cover article.
Scott flicked through it in the privacy of his room (Clint did not respond well to Vanity Fair after seeing his ex-wife on the front cover.) He past over most of the article - not really interested in the privileged life of the Stark family (although there was a lack of servants) until one image in particular caught his eye.
It was of Honey Stark and her son surrounded by a bunch of pre-teens and another toddler in one of the elder girls arms but what captivated him the most was...
Cassie.
His little girl was by Honey Stark's side, her hair in pigtails. She was holding the female Stark's hand and looked up at her as if she had hung the sun.
He turned his attention to the actual words now.
"Another interesting addition to the trail of children following Stark is the young Cassandra Lang. No one in her family had any contact with Stark until her father's rash decision to join Mr. Rogers' side in the so-called Civil War two years ago now.
Despite such an antagonistic meeting, Stark willingly took the young Miss Lang, her mother and step-father into his protection. Miss Lang's mother now works as Pepper Potts' PA whilst Jim Paxton (her step-father) is now working under Happy Hogan in SI's security detail.
When asked about her life now, Miss Lang happily gushed about her life in the Compound.
"Everyone is so incredibly nice! I can call my mom whenever I want and I see her and Jim every weekend and Jaime and Nate and everyone are like the siblings I've never had!" "
There was a cut away picture set against those last words. It showed Cassie reading a book to the littlest Stark. They both looked incredibly happy, despite being basically fatherless.
That kid doesn't deserve any of this Scott thought glumly, regretting his life choices once again, none of them do.
4.
Clint scowled at the television.
He was fed up of seeing his wife (and fuck off Lang she was still his wife, those divorce papers were complete bullshit) being pawed at by Stark at every given opportunity. It was pathetic that Stark thought he would win by seducing Laura away from her lawful husband.
This particular news channel was showing his family in Central Park with the Stark's and Wanda's twin - who was probably being blackmailed or something - on a spring morning.
A snarl ripped from his throat as Stark pressed a kiss to Laura's temple, but he was quickly distracted by the images of his kids playing on the green grass. They seemed happy...
Jaime Stark was there. Dressed in clothes that were definitely worth more than the common folk made in a year.
That kid is doubtless a spoiled brat the dark part of Clint's mind (a remnant of Loki) whispered after all, Stark spoils everything he touches.
+1.
Bucky (James-Barnes-Soldat) felt uncomfortable in the Compound. Most of the staff skittered away from him and the others, almost as if they'd be attacked if they came too close...well, he wouldn't discount that as a possibility.
The group was tense as well. Barton was itching for a fight after his family had all but rejected him in front of everyone. Maximoff had a dark look in her eye, clearly seeing her brother so well loved didn't make her feel any better. Lang was morose and Wilson (the bird-brain) wasn't much better. And Stevie...Stevie was clearly feeling self-righteous about something, but James (The Asset) couldn't figure out what.
They're all sat in the common room of the space they've been given. It was a bit low tech compared to the rest of the place, but the quartermaster had insisted it was the only space available and no amount of threats (even though they weren't threats Buck) could change that. In the silence, it was easy to hear the thud of a soft toy and the faint 'oh no' drifting from the vent.
Steve snapped into action so quickly it made the Soldier snarl inside his mind. Marching over to the vent, Steve shocked them all when he pulled a small (too small too skinny must protect if only from himself) red headed boy out by the arm.
"Hey let him go!" Another voice shouted and to Bucky's amusement a slightly larger sandy blonde haired boy launched himself out of the vent at Steve - who clearly wasn't expecting it because he dropped the smaller boy to the floor. The redhead started coughing, his small frame shaking from the effort.
"Jaime!" The other boy stopped his attack and jumped to the floor, crouching over him and pulling out an inhaler.
"I'm fine Nate." 'Jaime' wheezed, a slight blush on his face. 'Nate' frowned.
"FRI-JACOSTA, can you please tell Hawkeye and Quicksilver to come to where the Rogues are kept please?"
"Of course Master Nathaniel." The neutral tone of the Compund's second AI (the quartermaster told them that FRIDAY, the previous AI, now only operated in the labs and the private area of the Compound) replied, sending a shiver through Bucky's spine. The lack of emotion got to him sometimes.
"What were you even doing in the vents?" Steve asked impatiently, "It's reckless and irresponsible and-"
"We just wanted to see if you were worth all the fuss our parents had to deal with," Nate interrupted, heading back over to the vent to pick up what had fallen on the floor, "Clearly you weren't."
The former Avengers (and Lang) all puffed up in response, but before they could act a silver blur entered the room.
"I swear to God, Quicksilver, warn a girl before you do that," A girl (clearly the 'Hawkeye' Nate had requested) groaned as she was set back on her feet, "I'm not the one magically linked up to you remember?"
The Quicksilver guy grinned but seeing the two boys got rid of that fast enough.
"Detenysh, what happened?" He asked, kneeling down next to Jaime.
"It was my fault Pietro I accidentally knocked him-"
"N-no it's my fault I dropped-"
"And then Rogers grabbed him and then dropped him and-"
"What did you drop detenysh?" 'Pietro' asked Jaime. The boy seemed to blush even more.
"I dropped my Bucky Bear." He whispered, as if it was shameful to still have a teddy bear at...four? Five years old? 'Pietro' smiled and scooped the boy up and carried him out of the room, not even looking at the others. James (Buck-Soldat-) felt quite warmed knowing that the kid had a teddy bear named after him.
The Hawkeye chick rounded on the other boy.
"Go to Tony's lab, Aunt Laura will want to speak with you." She said. Nate sighed but stomped off none the less.
"And you." Hawkeye rounded on Steve, "Don't think that I forgot what Nate said. You go near that boy again and I'll put an arrow in your ass."
And at that she flounced off.
Looks like Stevie isn't needed as a dad he mused in the stunned silence this is not going to go well...