Chapter Text
Tony usually hated having to hold one of the older ones’ hands. It meant he couldn’t run and play like he usually was able to, having to walk at a boring pace.
Now, he didn’t care at all, clutching on to Steve’s hand with both of his as a man walked by, a little too close for Tony’s tastes. He kind of wanted to cuddle into Steve’s leg, but he was a big boy and big boys didn’t do that. What he would have loved was to be picked up, but big boys most definitely did not ask for that, especially in public.
His chest felt tight and it was kind of hard to get in the amount of breath he wanted. It was like he was continually running when he wasn’t. He didn’t like it at all and found it unnerving.
When two men went racing past, he did grab on to Steve’s pant leg. That was all right though because Steve always said to stay close in public so he was just listening to what he had been told to do. He wasn’t clinging on to Steve’s clothes because he was scared.
‘How are you doing, kiddo?’
Tony leaned his head back to see Steve smiling down at him, face enshrouded in dusky orange and yellow light from the sun as it went down and it kind of made Steve’s smile look softer. Tony decided he liked it.
He simply nodded in reply because he didn’t want to talk. Talking made it even harder to breathe at the moment. And, if he talked, the people looked at him more and he didn’t like that. Some people, especially ladies, would smile at him, but he didn’t like that either, because he didn’t know them so he didn’t like them noticing him.
A large hand brushed over his hair and he liked that, especially because Steve was really gentle when he did it. Obadiah used to do it to him in public a lot, but the bearded man used to do it really rough and it hurt his neck.
Steve didn’t though because Steve was awesome and gentle and kind and told Tony that he was good and said it like it was true. Tony liked that a lot too.
The oldest was looking down at him still and his blue eyes were as soft as his smile. ‘It’s a bit of a long day, isn’t it, baby?’
Now, Tony kind of wanted to protest the nickname because he wasn’t a baby and Steve had just said it in public, it’s not meant to be said in public, Steve, so it might confuse people into thinking he was a baby. But the words were so true. It had been such a long day even though Steve had said they would only go out for an hour before it got too dark.
But Tony didn’t want to be out here. He wanted to be home, with his baby and then they could play before dinner and—he held back a shiver—baths. But, no, instead, he was out here and he didn’t like it. There were too many people and they were big and the buildings looked really big too while everyone was just talking so loud and boots clomped by making him kind of want to cry.
But because Steve was amazing and just knew everything, the teenager reached down and suddenly, Tony was exactly where he wanted to be, cuddled deep within Steve’s arms. It was officially one of the best places in the world. Steve always held him just right, more to the front of the teenager’s body then at the hip so both arms were wrapped firmly around him and Tony felt like he was just enveloped by all sides, safe and protected. The blonde teenager always had a certain smell about him, earthy and real. Tony couldn’t bring to mind what to call it when Steve held him, but all he knew was it was the best.
Steve was also very good at protecting. He promised he would not let anyone get that close to Tony again like that horrible man did at the water park and this was why they were taking a quick walk today to show Tony that everything would be all right.
It was the first time Tony had been out since it had all happened. While nothing was going wrong, Tony felt like his heart was beating just that little too fast and kind of wanted to crawl into a corner where all these strange people couldn’t see him anymore. He felt like his eyes were burning more and more and he definitely didn’t want to cry in front of these strangers because then he would really be taken for a baby.
He snuggled into the crook of Steve’s neck, bringing his hand up to his left cheek so less people could see his face while he used his right arm to cuddle Steve’s neck. Just in case the oldest got some sort of silly idea to put him down. Because even though Steve was awesome, he was still kind of an adult and adults did some dumb things sometimes, like insisting on bedtimes and eating vegetables.
People might think he was a wimp for staying in Steve’s arms, but it was Steve who had picked him up, he hadn’t asked, so there. That made it okay and he was very prepared to explain it to any dope who didn’t understand that in the first place.
He peeked out from his very good hiding place and saw Clint walking behind both him and Steve.
The older boy saw him looking and made a silly face, but unlike usually, Tony couldn’t find it funny. Didn’t Clint realise he was walking too far away from them? That when Clint got too far away he could get lost again?
He shivered at the thought and really felt the tears welling up this time.
However, Clint was suddenly beside him and stroking a hand through his hair, pushing back the strands falling into his face, smiling a really nice smile. Tony didn’t like how Clint could sometimes look when they were out. His grey eyes became hard and when he smiled, it was cutting and scary. But now, he was like the Clint at home, which was enough for Tony to give a weak grin.
Clint smiled back, but it looked kind of sad, like he was upset Tony had been, which confused the little boy. Clint didn’t have to be sad because he was.
The grey-eyed boy made a soft shushing sound which Tony found very calming.
‘I think someone’s had enough, Steve,’ he said, only for the three of them to hear.
Tony blinked at that. Was Clint talking about him? He was fine! So what if he currently felt like curling up into a little ball? He was tough. He could so take ten more hours out here.
Then, he felt Steve pressing a kiss to his temple which the blonde did all the time now to him, so gentle, and the oldest teenager would always follow it by giving his hair a gentle brush back.
‘I think so. What do you say we take you back home, baby?’
Tony knew that wasn’t really a question. It was one of those questions Steve asked a lot like ‘What do you say to a bath, buddy?’ or ‘How does nap time sound, sweeties?’
They were kind of non-negotiable, because Tony had most certainly tried (hell had he tried), but there was no wriggle room there in those seeming questions. Which wasn’t really fair because it was kind of a trick to make it look like a question when it actually wasn’t.
This time though, Tony didn’t want to try to find a compromise and was quite happy for Steve to say a statement which sounded like a question and make it happen. Home sounded like a really great idea.
Steve began to move through the crowds with more purpose and Clint stayed close enough so Tony didn’t feel the need to whimper at the distance even though he wasn’t a fan at how Clint just wasn’t in reach all the time.
People brushed past them, disappearing into the shops or the dusky light while the monstrous buildings didn’t allow any sunshine to grace Tony’s skin. It didn’t feel exactly cold, but the world in general did and Tony shivered again.
Steve tightened his grip, which, yes, thank you, made it a lot better. Tony tried to bury himself deeper, which made Steve’s body vibrate as he chuckled silently. The little boy blinked at that. What was so funny?
Shrugging to himself, he leaned his head on Steve’s shoulder, watching the passersby, zeroing in on a boy who would have been about ten walking next to a tall man. The child had just handed the man a card and Tony was guessing it was the kid’s father who broke into the hugest grin at the gift.
It didn’t look like much to Tony, but it brought to mind a terrible memory. A lot, when Tony did something really useful, like create a weapon or gadget Obadiah really wanted, the man used to treat him lovely. It used to be amazing but the longer it went on when Tony didn’t do something useful, Obadiah slowly became hateful again to the point where the chocolaty-haired boy wanted to run. Even Howard used to do the same when he actually saw Tony, trying to teach him how to take over Stark Industries and carry on the Stark name properly, not like some pansy or wimp. If Tony did well in the workshop, Howard was kind of nice. If he didn’t, well … Tony just wished he was invisible again rather than being the target of all those hateful words which were sometimes punctuated by a sharp slap here and there.
What if … what if Steve and the others hadn’t run out of their niceness yet, but were leading up to it? Especially Steve because Tony knew who was asking for things a lot more lately from the oldest teenager. Wouldn’t that get too much really quickly if Tony didn’t do something useful? And soon because Tony had been with them for a really long time now so they would soon be realising that he just hadn’t done anything smart at all.
Would they actually do that? Be like that? Jarvis wasn’t, but not everyone was as wonderful as Jarvis. Jarvis had never gotten sick of him. Ever. But … could … they? Could Steve? The whole group had been just so wonderful since what happened at the water park, especially Steve, who gave the best hugs and had the most beautiful words to say to him. The oldest said them in just the right way, a way that Tony couldn’t not believe him. Steve had even called Tony his special boy. Like … like Steve was claiming him, rather than trying to forget his existence, like Howard had always seemed to try to do.
But … but maybe … maybe that meant not only Steve’s, but everyone’s niceness would run out quicker than it was going to before. Because they were using it up on him so quickly.
Tony’s chest tightened even more and he whimpered softly. Steve automatically rubbed his back and he curled into the touch, feeling a more sickened kind of scared that he hadn’t felt in a while. He didn’t want this to go. It … it couldn’t. He liked the hugs … he liked the kisses … he liked the kind words that made him feel like the space he took up was important. But would Steve realise it wasn’t that important if he didn’t do something useful in that space, like make a weapon? That always made Obadiah and Howard happy, filling up their niceness for a while so Tony could be near them without hating every moment.
His fingers clutched into Steve’s jacket. He didn’t want Steve’s niceness for him to deplete. He didn’t … he didn’t … how would he take it if he put his arms up and Steve didn’t … didn’t take him? Left him there with his arms up, grabbing at the empty air?
He felt his breath stutter slightly, chest tightening a bit more again. It felt like not only all his air had been knocked out of him, but his happiness as well. He felt so heavy, shoulders slumping down, weighed down with these horror scenarios filling his head.
A woman leaning against the boxes which contained all the newspapers distracted Tony from his distressing thoughts. She had straggly blonde hair and was taking a sip from a thermos. Smiling as soon as she saw him, she called out.
‘You’ve got a cute mug, eh?’
Tony froze at the strange voice. Addressing him. Why was she talking to him? Why was she noticing him? Strangers noticing him was a bad thing. Really, really bad and on top of that, he didn’t like her, her with her creepy smile and rows of yellowing teeth.
He didn’t know he was crying, these tiny, hitching breaths, until Clint began shushing him again while Steve called something out to the woman. Then, before he knew it, they were in an alleyway and all he could see was Steve as the oldest cuddled him close, cradling the back of his head with that massive hand.
‘Shush, my sweeties, she’s gone now. She wasn’t going to do anything. Not with Steve and Clint with you, hmm? It’s okay, baby, deep breaths. I know, baby, such a long day. Such a long and hard day, but you have done so well and Steve is so, so proud of you.’
Tony hiccupped as he tried to breathe properly around his cries. He was vaguely aware that Steve was talking to him like he was a really little kid, but what Steve was saying was so true. It had been a really long and hard day. He didn’t just think so, Steve did too so that must have been right.
But he was still crying though and had done it in front of that lady. Brave boys didn’t do that and sooner or later, Steve was going to stop being so nice about how Tony wanted hugs a lot more now and was crying a lot more easier than before. They all were, but Steve most of all because Tony kind of wanted a lot of attention from Steve and Tony wasn’t giving anything back. Which was why Steve might stop being nice. Obadiah always did, if it had been a long time since he had ‘expressed his inner genius, pushing past his innate stupidity’, as the older man always said. Howard always used to be better too, especially when Tony followed exactly how his dad showed him to make a weapon. Howard used to get really angry when he didn’t, but when he did, that was awesome.
Tony felt his eyes filling with tears again, feeling overwhelmed with all these thoughts and horrible feelings. He didn’t want this to stop. He didn’t want to wait until Steve became grumpy with him. It was a really horrible feeling and made him feel just so miserable and yucky inside which was sometimes why he would behave really naughty.
‘Oh, sweeties, what’s the matter? She’s gone, I promise, she’s gone. Why are there still tears?’
All Tony could do was shake his head, overcome with louder sobs. He just couldn’t control them, no matter how much he wanted to. And he couldn’t tell Steve what he just thought of because then it might draw all their attention to how he wasn’t really giving anything back in return for how kind they were treating him and the amount of hugs he was getting. He had even gotten a bedtime story every night since the water park incident. And what had he done in return?
His wails picked up more when he realised he’d done nothing and he couldn’t stop crying and he had hated that lady and he wanted to be home with Bubba and he didn’t want to remember Obadiah saying mean things to him anymore and Howard and wanted Jarvis to be there to give him a hug … and … and …
He cried out his frustrations into Steve’s neck, cuddling in tight. Things got a little better when Steve began to bounce him. It felt better again when his backside was gently patted, a soothing rhythm Tony thought only babies were really meant to like but Jarvis used to do the exact same thing and anything Jarvis did was good and perfect so Tony really couldn’t bring himself to think there was something wrong with it.
After a while, he settled to just sniffling, feeling gross inside and out, from the miserable feelings flooding him while his nose was all runny and his face felt sticky.
Tony squeaked in surprise when Steve shifted him so he was no longer hidden against his neck and lifted his jacket, using it to wipe away at the little boy’s face. He blinked wide eyes at Steve. Howard used to shout how that was absolutely disgusting when Tony had once rubbed his nose on his own shirt when he had a cold. Howard said clothes were not meant for that and what would people do if they saw him do it in public? And here was Steve doing it like it was no big deal.
Steve’s smile was so gentle and seemed to have something else there too as the oldest boy looked down at him. ‘I think it will be bath time, snack and nap time, in that order, buddy.’
There was only one option which sounded acceptable to Tony in that sentence and he buried his face back into Steve’s shoulder to cry out his frustration. Steve hadn’t even asked that one as a question, showing there really was no space to negotiate at all, which was just so sad.
The tears didn’t last very long, because Tony didn’t think he could keep up the energy to do them anymore. On top of it, Clint began to do this really funny walk behind them then walked normally whenever Steve turned around to look as well, which was one of the most hilarious things Tony had ever seen. Because Steve didn’t know how funny it looked and Clint was pretending he wasn’t being crazy, which just made it even better!
Those fears began to ease a bit and he found himself giving a soft giggle when Clint began to dance, swinging his hips so hard from side to side.
‘Is Clint being silly?’ Steve asked him, voice soft and really warm in a way that made Tony feel better again, like there was a smile in every word he said. His hand patted the little boy on the backside, continuing a comforting pattern.
Tony nodded shyly, thumb running along the bottom of his lip. It would be really nice to suck on it at the moment, but he had already cried too much today so he couldn’t suck his thumb on top of it all.
They continued down a maze of alleyways, Tony outright laughing as Clint began to skip high, an exaggerated, ditzy smile on his face.
The light brown-haired teenager paused, grey eyes glittering with happiness. ‘Now we’ve got some smiles happening!’
Shifting shyly at the exclamation, a little unsure why both Clint and Steve seemed so happy to have him happy again, his eyes darted away.
And landed on an old, rusty car to the far left of a really large alley they had just turned into.
He gasped, suddenly hit with the best idea ever. That was how he would make everyone stay happy with him! He could make something! He was really good at that, even Obadiah had said so! Howard said he could make weapons when he put his mind to it and that had always made his dad pleased, even talk to him without rage or reluctance, like Tony simply wasn’t worth the time. Well, he obviously wasn’t if he wasn’t doing something useful.
And this was the something useful he could do! He could make something, maybe a weapon like Obadiah and Howard said was so important and then Steve and everyone else would keep on being so happy and nice and, and he could keep getting cuddles, maybe even cry without anyone getting sick of him quicker! This was just the best idea ever!
‘Steve!’ He cried, already struggling to get down.
But the oldest wouldn’t let go and instead, held him tighter, not allowing him to escape Steve’s arms. How rude. He was beginning to remember why he didn’t like holding hands. Looks like being held could be added to that list. But only sometimes.
‘What is it, kiddo?’ Steve turned and spotted immediately the object of Tony’s attention. ‘The car?’
Tony nodded vigorously, renewing his attempts to escape, but Steve didn’t appear to even find it harder to keep hold of him. How very, very rude.
Clint chuckled. ‘What are you wanting to do with it, cheeky? Scrap it for parts?’
That was exactly what Tony wanted to do with it, but he couldn’t let them know. He used to hate Obadiah or Howard when his dad did take the time to show him something, hovering over his shoulder, making him nervous or yelling horrible things when his hands shook so much that he couldn’t pick up the pieces. While he couldn’t imagine any of the group doing it, he really didn’t know any other way it worked so it was just better to keep everything as a surprise for now.
‘I need stuff from it,’ he said, now pushing his hands against Steve’s chest.
Steve raised his eyebrows, not showing any change in his stance whatsoever. ‘What for, kiddo?’
‘It’s a secret!’ Tony gave up pushing with a frustrated cry and stared up at Steve with a pleading expression. ‘Steve, down,’ he whimpered. ‘Please.’
The blonde’s expression became regretful. ‘Baby, I don’t know. The car’s all yucky and you’ll get filthy getting stuff from it.’
Tony’s face dropped. Steve wasn’t going to let him do something for the oldest? That meant he wouldn’t be allowed to make something useful and Steve wouldn’t pick him up anymore. His bottom lip trembled at the thought.
‘Ah, come on, Steve,’ Clint beckoned them over, already going towards the car. ‘When does he get anything to tinker with? Let’s let him have some fun. You said yourself he’s going to be getting a bath anyway.’
Steve’s gaze flickered from Clint to Tony, clearly torn. Then, he gave a sigh, crouching to place Tony on his feet. ‘Mind your hands then please.’
The child’s mouth fell open. He was free? He was free!
‘Yeah!’ He cheered, going to run away, but paused, glancing back at Steve, remembering how Jarvis said he should always use his manners. He didn’t think he always should but now seemed like a pretty good time. ‘Thank you, Steve!’
Steve chuckled, leaning down and gave his backside a playful swat to send him on his way. ‘You’re welcome, my sweet boy.’
Tony blushed a little at the affection, feeling all warm and shy at once in his tummy, but it was a really good combination. He raced over to where Clint was already propping the bonnet of the old Ford open and kicked his legs excitedly when the older boy lifted him around the waist so he was able to reach in.
‘So, what are we after, you little mechanic?’
Tony’s eyes gleamed at all the wires, cylinders, cogs and hoses. It had been ages since he had so many parts and he could create. This was just going to be so awesome!
‘Those wires,’ he said, leaning out as far as he could go, fingers deft and quick as he unhooked them without any need of tools.
‘Careful of your hands,’ Steve cautioned again, leaning on the other side of the car.
Tony paused, glancing over. While the words were serious, Steve was kind of smiling so he really didn’t think it was all that dire. He tried his best charming smile, the one that often worked with Jarvis, because Steve was more like Jarvis than anyone he knew.
The reaction was the right one. Steve broke into a grin, shaking his head from side to side. Even Clint laughed, ruffling his hair.
‘You’re a bit of a character, aren’t you?’
‘Yeah,’ Tony agreed absently, already spying a little box that had so many tinier parts within it in the hood of the car and reached forward to pry that from its holdings. It was a bit greasy, but he didn’t really take any notice until he was holding it. Only then did he realise it was full of grease and oil because it spilled all over him.
He froze and stared up at Steve.
The oldest’s mouth had dropped open. ‘Oh my,’ he murmured, though it was like he was finding it a bit hard to talk.
Tony shrunk down, glancing slowly up at Clint. Was he mad or working his way up to being mad, like he was pretty sure Steve was?
The other teenager’s mouth was pressed firmly together while his cheeks were slightly puffed up, trying to hold in his laughter.
Tony blinked. Did Clint … find it funny he had made a mess? But that usually made everyone mad.
When Clint met his eyes, something changed in the teenager. A bit of concern flittered across his face, but before Tony could figure out why, Clint plucked the container from Tony’s hands and chucked the rest of the oil all over Steve.
Tony squeaked as Steve jumped back with a yell, followed by, ‘What the hell, Clint?’ But … he didn’t really sound mad. Instead, it sounded like there was a smile in his words again.
‘Look!’ Clint exclaimed, holding one arm out wide while still keeping a grasp on the frozen little boy. ‘Now you match!’
A spark glittered in Steve’s eyes and he dipped his hand into the bonnet before deftly smearing a grease-stained palm across Clint’s cheek, gaining an indignant squawk. ‘Match my foot, troublemaker!’
Tony frowned in confusion, but then brightened. Was this … was this one of those times where a mess could be a game? Like Jarvis used to do when he spilled flour? He’d always thought it was onnly Jarvis who had that rule but apparently not.
It was cemented when Steve reached forward and snatched him out of Clint’s grasp. ‘Come on, Tony, we need to get more ammunition!’
Tony squealed with excitement. Steve was playing! He wasn’t mad at all, he was playing and best of all, Tony was on his team!
‘On it!’ He exclaimed, easily slipping under the car to grab a hose connected to the engine, pulling it loose and letting its contents spray all over Clint.
‘Traitor!’ Clint yelped and went to grab him, but Steve had pried some hard muck from the inside of the hood and chucked it in the other boy’s hair, distracting him and allowing Tony to take refuge between Steve’s legs.
The game went on for ages until Tony had black marks smeared all over his cheeks and even across his tummy of when Clint got close enough to lift his shirt and tickle him until he was gasping for air in the good way. It was starting to get dark when Steve said it was time to move on and Tony was happy to. He didn’t like being outside when it was dark at all. Though it was easier to hide, it was harder to see other people hiding as well.
He spent the rest of the trip tucked back in Steve’s arms, pile of car parts cradled to his chest.
Clint reached forward and used all the grease in his chocolaty hair to spike it up.
‘Majorly trendy, Tony,’ he smiled.
Tony grinned widely back. Clint was really cool and he loved it when he got a compliment from the older boy. It meant Tony was cool as well, which he loved the thought of.
Tony fell into giggles when Clint sniffed himself and promptly gagged.
‘You stink,’ he crowed.
‘You stink more,’ Clint shot back, making a funny face again.
‘No, you stink more.’
‘Nope, totally you.’
‘You.’
‘You.’
Tony could feel Steve laughing silently again, which made the little boy curl into the oldest a bit more as he continued to playfully argue with Clint all the way back home.
As Steve slipped through the broken window they climbed through to their home, Tony forgot about proving who smelled more with Clint as his eyes scoured the lounge area. He could show Baby his car parts and maybe even Baby could help if Tony showed him how to, but gentle, not like how Howard showed him how to do things. It was going to be a lot of fun.
However, he could see in the solar light on in the apartment that Bruce wasn’t there. Only Thor, who smiled immediately upon seeing them then looked again, bursting out in laughter.
‘You all look to have partaken in some grand fun.’
Tony nodded eagerly. Thor would have been great to have on his and Steve’s team as well. The biggest teenager could have lifted him above everybody so no one could touch him.
‘I got important stuff and spilled, um, grease and, and then Clint threw it at Steve then Steve threw it at Clint and, and then I got Clint good and me and Steve won!’
He received a really big kiss on the temple from Steve after he finished talking and Steve was smiling really hard at him. Tony didn’t understand why. He had just told the story. But then again, adults could be very strange sometimes
‘My, that does sound exciting,’ Thor laughed again, over Clint’s grumbled, ‘I was double-teamed. Unfair advantage.’
‘And this one did really well for his first time out,’ Steve said, giving him a bounce.
Tony lost interest in that line of conversation pretty fast, sensing grown-up talk. He wriggled to get down and this time, Steve let him slide down, only letting go when Tony had his feet.
He waited for a few moments until all three male teenagers fell into conversation, talking about things like clothes, food and stuff that Tony found very boring. Besides, he needed to go find Bubba and show him the parts from the car. Bruce would love them, he was sure of it!
Glancing up, satisfied they were pretty deep in conversation, Tony slipped away and down the hallway. Bruce might have just been put down for a late nap, but maybe he was awake now?
Peeking into the bedrooms, he realised the bathroom area was cordoned off and could hear the sound of running water. Their second solar light was on, dim, but Tony was used to it by now, able to see perfectly in the dullness.
The hitching breath of his baby could just be heard over the shower.
‘Bubba?’ He called softly, making his way to the cot in the middle of the room, abandoning his treasures on the floor. Even though he was pretty short, he could make out the curls peeking over the pillows that made the rails to keep Bruce from rolling off because he had some very bad nightmares sometimes.
The cry picked up, followed by a whimpered, ‘Bwother.’
Tony didn’t waste any time. He raced over to the cot and pulled away the pillows, not taking any notice of the black marks he was leaving on them.
Bruce’s teary face greeted him and the toddler immediately made grabby hands when Tony came into view.
‘Bwother,’ he cried again, word getting lost in pitiful sobs.
Tony felt like he couldn’t breathe in the bad way again. He really hated it when Bruce cried, but he straightened up, trying to look big so Bruce would feel safe with him. He reached out, wrapping his arms around Bruce’s waist, and gently pulled him down from the cot so he could give his baby a proper hug. Bruce was a little heavy for him, but he didn’t have to hold the baby long before he could put the toddler on the ground so that was okay.
As soon as Tony had his arms around Bruce, the baby settled immediately, sniffling as his little hands clutched on to Tony’s shirt. The little boy loved it when his baby did that. There was something so special about it and never failed to make him feel wonderful.
‘It’s okay, baby,’ Tony tried to make his voice soft and soothing like Steve sounded when the oldest talked to both of them. ‘It was just a bad dream. I’ve got you now and everything’s okay.’
Bruce hiccupped and detached one stumpy hand to point at the cot. ‘Don’t want to s’eep,’ he cried, looking beggingly at his older brother.
Tony nodded firmly. ‘I won’t let you go back there by yourself. Promise.’
The promise settled Bruce even more and he went to cuddle into Tony, but noticed the state of his big brother for the first time. Still sniffling, he tentatively pointed at Tony’s face.
‘Paint?’
Tony grinned at that, his fingers brushing his cheek. ‘Kind of, I guess?’ A paints’ purpose was to make marks so grease was kind of like that, right? Besides he didn’t really want to say Bruce was wrong, especially when he was still sad.
Immediately, the honeyed brown eyes brightened. ‘I paint?’ he asked, pudgy lips twitching hopefully.
Tony grinned, glad he could involve Bruce in the games he had with Clint and Steve. It wasn’t fair he got all the fun and Bruce stayed back because he was still too scared to go out.
In reply, he simply rubbed his fingers along his face, getting some more grease on his fingertips, before he swiped his index finger down Bruce’s face all the way to the tip of his nose. As he knew it would, Bruce’s eyes crossed trying to track the movement then broke into a watery smile when Tony gave his nose a playful poke.
‘Paint!’ he squealed, reaching forward to rub his hands along Tony’s blackened shirt then began drawing a random pattern on his own long-sleeved shirt. The dark smear stood out against the faded red.
Tony puffed up at Bruce’s happiness. He had cheered up his little brother all by himself! Though there were still tears on the baby’s face.
Remembering what Steve always did, he rubbed his thumbs underneath Bruce’s eyes. It wiped away the tears, but left behind another two black marks.
Bruce blinked up at him, distracted from his drawing. The mark down his face and now crossways on his cheeks gave Tony an idea.
‘Stay still, okay, baby?’
He leaned over and began drawing line after line on either side of Bruce’s face. The toddler stayed obediently still, only his little nose screwing up now and then when the smell hit his senses.
Finishing quickly, Tony grabbed Bruce’s hand and led his little brother over to the cracked mirror which Steve had said was left in the apartment when the old owners left. It leaned over in Natasha’s area, but her curtain was drawn back so it was okay to go in.
‘Look, Bubba!’ Tony held on to Bruce as he pointed at the toddler in the mirror.
Bruce looked at his image and gasped, fingers brushing reverently across Tony’s artwork. ‘Tiger?’
‘Yep!’ Tony nodded, smiling down at his baby. ‘You like it?’
Bruce didn’t reply for a few seconds, turning his face this way and that. Then, he threw his arms around Tony’s waist, burrowing into the higher part of his tummy.
‘Thank you, bwother!’ He exclaimed, looking up, smile absolutely adoring.
Tony swelled, returning the hug just as eagerly. When Bruce smiled at him like that, it made all those horrible words not real at all and memories of those slaps not sting near as much.
‘What … in … the … world?’
Tony quickly looked over, automatically placing himself a little bit in front of Bruce, just in case.
Natasha stood a few feet away, one hand buried in her limp, wet hair, other hand on her hip. She looked like she wanted to have her mouth dropped open, but Natasha didn’t do large expressions like that.
Tony squirmed nervously. He really knew he shouldn’t have painted Baby because you weren’t meant to make babies dirty. But he was just trying to make Bruce happy again.
Bruce simply smiled brightly at Natasha. ‘Sestrichka,’ he said, putting both hands up on either side of his face, curving the fingers like claws, frowning his face a little to try to look like he was roaring. ‘Tiger!’
The whole stance softened and Natasha cocked her head to the side, regarding them both with a soft smile. ‘Did big brother paint your face, malysh?’
The toddler nodded. ‘He’s very cwev … clever.’
Natasha sighed, but she didn’t seem angry. ‘Yes, he is.’
Tony scuffed the heel of his right foot back and forth, not really sure what to make of that response. He understood why she wasn’t mad at Bruce, but was she upset with him? He kind of wanted to show her his treasures and explain how he would make it all better soon, but for once, he felt a little lost for words.
The tension only rose for Tony as Clint came in. He stopped dead once he spotted the children then glanced at Natasha. The red-head simply stared back, looking the filthy teenager up and down.
Upon seeing the brown-haired teenager, Bruce waved shyly then pointed to his face. Tony was very grateful the toddler hadn’t gone running to Clint like he usually did when he or Natasha got back because Tony suddenly really wanted his little brother right with him.
‘Hello, Cw … Clint,’ the toddler sang. ‘Look! Tiger!’
Clint broke into the largest grin immediately and strode forward, scooping the baby up. Tony only just held back a whimper at the loss of contact with his little brother.
‘Wow, you’re the best tiger I’ve ever seen,’ the older boy praised, already putting the baby into a cradle, swaying from side to side. He didn’t bother trying to protect the toddler from his filthy clothes because Bruce was already completely covered from when Tony had helped him down from the cot.
Tony’s bottom lip trembled. He was going to get in trouble, wasn’t he? He wasn’t even going to have a chance to make them stay happy with him because they would probably take away the parts as punishment for making Bruce dirty.
He couldn’t help, but shudder when Natasha came closer.
The red-head paused immediately, gaze steady but Tony knew she was reading him and he shrunk back, heart racing a little too quickly while his tummy churned with the sick-scared feeling.
A sad smile quirked at the corner of her mouth and she crouched down. ‘Where is my kiss hello, solnyshko?’
Tony immediately perked up at the name. She wasn’t mad at him?
He pointed at Bruce. ‘He was crying and I was trying to make him happy,’ he explained softly.
Natasha’s smile grew and Tony relaxed at the gentleness in it. It was warm like Steve’s was when he was comforting him and Tony liked that very much.
‘And you did a very good job,’ she said.
Tony smiled immediately at that. She thought so too? ‘He was very upset,’ he confirmed, just in case Natasha didn’t realise.
Natasha nodded, expression serious, which was very good to see because it meant she understood Tony was very serious.
‘I can imagine. We’ve been trying to put malysh down for a nap, but he’s been getting too upset to sleep. And then you’ve really helped me by settling him down because I’ve been finding it so hard.’
Tony puffed up at that, his tummy settling down while his heart beat easier. They were all saying how much he had been helping with Baby, which just made him feel so wonderful and important. That was a great feeling. To feel he had done things right when so often he had been told he did them wrong. So much better than the bad feeling in his stomach like he had an ache.
‘Kiss?’ Tony asked softly. Not because he wanted one just to make sure Natasha was happy with him, but because Natasha had asked and he didn’t want Natasha to feel lonely.
Natasha had the loveliest smile when she did it big and large, which she did now. She leaned forward, and gave him a gentle kiss then leaned back on her haunches, and smiled. Tony returned it, albeit shyly, suddenly really wanting to be able to bury his gaze in someone’s shoulders.
Steve sounded like a good candidate.
‘Okay,’ Clint broke into his thoughts, carefully setting Bruce back down. The toddler didn’t whine at all, smiling at being put at Tony’s side and Tony immediately grabbed his hand. He liked the feeling of the tiny one in his. It made him feel so huge and like he could protect Bruce from anything. ‘Here’s the deal. You two can keep on playing in the grease while I have a shower. Then it’s goodbye filth, hello bath. Deal?’
Bruce simply smiled back while Tony shook his head, grumbling softly. He really didn’t feel like a bath tonight and couldn’t they just leave it until tomorrow? Or for another couple of days? Really, why did they have to wash every day?
Clint gently nicked him underneath the chin. ‘Sorry, terror. Non-negotiable.’
‘All of your deals are,’ Tony complained, but his stellar point was only met with amused chuckles.
Really, what was it with adults and these non-compromising terms? Jarvis never used to budge either, no matter how many brilliant points Tony made.
‘Do you mind taking care of the pillows and tell Steve he can have his in ten?’ Clint asked Natasha.
The redhead gave a thumbs up in return, expressing no shock whatsoever Steve was in the same state as Clint.
Clint gave another thumbs up back before heading to the bathing area and pulling the curtain back in place around the shower cubicle.
Natasha smirked and shook her head then turned to the two of them, expression morphing into a kind smile. ‘Paint on each other, nothing else. Yes?’
‘Yes,’ Tony said. It was a fair deal; he could work with that one.
‘Yes,’ Bruce echoed him, which made Tony swing their arms back and forth together, chest filling with happiness at being copied. It wasn’t tight like it had been before and felt better the longer time he stayed with Bruce.
She grinned then turned to the hallway, grabbing the now stained pillows on her way.
Tony let Bruce make pictures on his face then. Bruce said it was a puppy dog he was trying to make him look like. Tony couldn’t really see it, but he said it was wonderful all the same because he knew Bruce was just a baby and couldn’t do things as well as all the older ones, which must have been very frustrating for his little brother.
Tony could relate. It was sometimes really hard how he still wasn’t big enough to be able to dress himself, always getting caught up on his shirt then crying because it was annoying … and maybe a bit scary.
So, because he wanted to be a good older brother, he showed Bruce how to hold his hand steadier and let the baby make pictures on his shirt until Bruce drew a car Tony actually recognised without it having to be explained to him.
All too soon, Clint came out of the shower in baggy tracksuit pants and no shirt. It was probably so he could pick them up without having to worry about staining another shirt with grime, announcing it was bath time with a clap of his hands.
Bruce looked disappointed, but never argued with anything. He simply raised his arms, allowing Clint to scoop him up and carry him over to the large sink, which was already filled with water.
‘Come on, darlin’,’ Clint waved for Tony to follow. ‘You too.’
‘No,’ Tony whined, crossing his arms protectively over his chest. He didn’t want a bath. At the moment, he kind of felt too tired for it and suddenly, he really wanted Steve.
Clint glanced over and Tony was expecting some angry words at least, time out at worst. Because he knew in the back of his mind he wasn’t behaving very nicely but he couldn’t help it. His chest felt all fluttery, but in a really foul way.
Instead though, Clint looked him over then gave a fond sigh.
‘I forgot that you’re a tired bub, huh?’
Tony blinked at that. It was the first time Clint had ever referred to him as a bub and the look he was giving was just so understanding. No anger or anything. Just … warmth.
He didn’t know why, but he felt tears well up. Yes, he was tired and he really didn’t know quite what to do about it. Why couldn’t he just curl up like he was? Actually, that was a pretty good idea.
Going to plop down, he squeaked when gentle, large hands scooped him up and he was suddenly in warm arms.
‘I think someone is about ready to collapse where he is, hmm?’
Tony loved how Steve ended sentences a lot with a soft hum. And how he sometimes had this drawl which the oldest said was a Brooklyn accent. There was something so soothing about it and the tears dried pretty quickly as Tony curled into the increasingly familiar hold. He did whine though as he realised Steve was taking him to Clint and the bath. He watched, fingers curled into Steve’s grotty brown jacket, as Clint undressed Bruce and lowered him into the sink. The toddler whined but Clint soothed him with a soft shush, scooping some of the water and easing it over Bruce’s body before the teenager immersed him more. Bruce sometimes seemed to have sensitive skin and would react to different stimuli quite strongly. Tony thought it sometimes had something to do with the marks on him, but he was scared to ask any of the older ones.
Once Clint was sure Bruce was settled, he turned his attention to Tony and the little boy whined as Steve turned him around so he rested back against the oldest’s chest, one arm wrapped around his waist while the other arm was underneath him, forming a seat. Tony knew what all this meant; it meant bath time and he didn’t want a bath. Why weren’t they listening?
He whined in frustration as Clint slipped his shirt off, getting it quickly over his head. Steve bounced and rocked from side to side, murmuring all these words Tony couldn’t quite understand but he liked the sound of them so quietened down to hear Steve better. So, when Clint stripped him of the rest of his clothing, he didn’t really take too much notice, but he definitely did take notice when Steve began to lower him into the bath next to his baby brother.
Crying out because he thought that meant Steve was leaving, he gripped on to Steve’s jacket.
Steve smiled sadly at him and placed a kiss on his forehead even though Tony knew he was all dirty on the face. ‘It’s okay, sweeties. I’ll stay for your bath, okay? Then I’ll have a quick shower and put you to bed.’
Tony blinked teary eyes at Steve, not quite believing he was actually getting his way. But when Clint gently pried his hands away from Steve to scrub at his fingers and Steve didn’t move away at all, simply leaning on the edge of the sink, chatting to Bruce about the cool markings on his face, Tony finally relaxed. The promise looked like it was going to be kept and he felt like he could breathe properly again, chest loosening.
The bath lasted forever. Bruce cried when Clint washed his hair and Tony kind of wanted to cry when his was washed too, but he held it in, wanting to be brave for his little brother. Steve gave him another kiss on the forehead, which made it a bit better.
Finally, Clint scooped Bruce out of the water and wrapped the baby in a threadbare towel, which absolutely enveloped Bruce. Gently drying him off, Clint kept him wrapped in the towel as he laid the toddler down on the cot, promising to be right back and to stay there.
Then, Tony was suddenly being picked up and leaned against Clint’s chest even though he was soaking wet. He shivered at the temperature change because despite not wanting a bath, it had been nice and warm.
A towel was draped over him, followed by the soft words of, ‘Just having a quick shower then I’ll be right back, my baby.’
Tony wasn’t worried this time. Steve didn’t break his promise before so he wouldn’t break it now. The little boy was sure of it.
He allowed Clint to dry him off, laying his head on the older teenager’s shoulder. He hummed in contentment as Clint scrubbed the towel through his hair because it felt really, really good.
Clint pressed a kiss into his shaggy hair and Tony gave a contented sigh. Maybe baths weren’t so bad.
Carefully laid down at the other end of the cot, Tony grumbled softly as Clint unwrapped him from the towel. Couldn’t he just stay like that? It was very cosy.
His gaze brightened though when he saw Clint had grabbed his favourite shirt, the one which used to be Clint’s, that had I’m Not Perfect But I’m So Close It Scares Me on the front. He smiled up at the other boy for that.
‘Yeah, you like this one, don’t you, darlin’?’ Clint cooed, talking to him like he did to Bruce and Tony soaked it up because it was actually really nice. Even if he wasn’t a baby.
Clint was once again really quick getting the shirt over his head and Tony smiled at him again for that. However, when he shook out a pair of underwear, Tony firmly shook his head.
‘Boxers,’ he said because that was what big boys wore.
Natasha had said so. Clint, whenever it was hot, would wander around in just boxers and a t-shirt. At first, Tony had thought they were just really shiny and silky shorts but Natasha had said with a smirk that they were boxers, which was what older boys wore instead of underwear. Her words caused Clint to make a lazy face at her before shamelessly continuing on his way.
Tony insisted on them ever since when he was napping because he was a big boy.
Clint chuckled at him and simply went away to come back with a pair of his own because they didn’t have any money to buy stuff like boxers in Tony’s size. He slipped them on Tony then followed that with a pair of grey pants to hold the boxers up. It was awkward and a little uncomfortable to have such a large piece of clothing under something that fit but Tony didn’t care. He was a big boy.
Clint turned his attention over to Bruce so Tony curled on to his side. He wasn’t there for long before Steve was suddenly there, smiling down at him, all warm and gentle. Tony didn’t even think as he held out his arms; it was okay if he was asking for things now because he was going to give something back really, really soon.
Steve complied immediately, picking him up and sitting back down, resting Tony against his chest. Soothing circles were rubbed into his back and Tony sighed softly, cuddling into Steve’s neck, enjoying the fresh, non-descript smell of soap rather than the dizzying one of grease and oil.
‘You don’t want a snack before naptime?’ Steve asked softly, making the words soothing and not startling in the silence which wasn’t oppressing at all.
Tony was kind of hungry but he was far too comfortable where he was so he just shook his head. His eyes drooped shut, the last thing he saw being Clint rocking his baby brother while feeding him from the sippy cup. Bruce looked happy and sleepy so Tony thought it was okay for him to close his eyes because he would open them again if Bruce did need him.
The gentle kiss brushing over his hair banished every last thought of this trying day to the back of his mind and he went to sleep dreaming of surprising Steve, Clint, Thor and Natasha of the creation he was going to make them.