Chapter Text
When Tony and some other Avengers find themselves in a back seat of a Lamborghini moving to a kids' hospital somewhere in Queens one beautiful Saturday morning, he thinks most of them including himself are questioning their life choices that lead to this moment. Because he sorts of did and wouldn't want to be alone in this depressing process.
Now, don't get this wrong, the task itself is not as atrocious as it could be, even though Tony is not fond of pretentious adults, children or diseases, let alone the combination of those three. It was just too early (he didn't sleep until 4 AM because he thought he discovered a new law of motion, which he didn't but is certain was close to), and he felt like a mess, and the car was too hot even with AC on because the cool wind didn't reach him, and he didn't get his coffee, and he most certainly didn't want to spend his alone time in a hoard of loud, hypocritical, mostly stupid or arrogant as fuck people. There was nothing more he won't do to simply stop time and return to this when he was ready (perhaps that's why Pepper didn't let him plan it, for the task will be left forgotten for the next few weeks, or maybe months). Everything was annoying to a concerning extent, and he had to act like Steve for the next 3 hours to pretend he was a mentally capable adult who kids can look up to. Magnificent. Truly magnificent.
- JARVIS, how long do we have before we arrive? - he asked, a bit whiny, receiving a pointy look from Steve. Come on, who can blame him for just wanting to get it done?
- Approximately 3 minutes left, sir. I would advise you to check the suit before you step out if you haven't yet.
The man sighed. He had made sure it was tailored and flawlessly accurate for the occasion just the previous night and was almost offended at the fact that his very own AI would suggest he forgot. He wasn't that irresponsible, now, was he?
- No need. Just speed up the process if you can
With that in mind, they reached the final destination in a minute, instantly spotting the other half of the team that had arrived on another car. Natasha, Thor, Loki and Bruce had already waited for them at the doors of the hospital. The building itself looked small and didn't get the vibe of a well-eqipped facility if Tony could judge, but he wisely didn't say anything for now.
- There you guys are, - Nat remarked - We thought you died
- Not today, Pepper won't approve - the other smirked at her
- My, my, Stark, after getting married you really started to lose your independence - Loki chimed in, unprompted, doing nothing to improve the man's shitty morning - What a weird force love is, don't you think?
Since Tony is the mature adult in this weird relationship, he only flipped the young god off with the flashiest smile that still conveyed his "Fuck off" message. Bruce and Steve, who were actually mature in the Avengers'... Family? What were they? Intervened before the fighting escalated or before any kids that may notice them didn't learn any gestures they should not practice in front of adults and without emergency, or in case there's any paparazzi hiding nearby, both are equally plausible. Nat and Bucky had to suppress laughter to appear as if they were unfazed while Rhodey only deeply exhaled and announced he's going to tell the hospital staff they arrived. Thank God Pepper wasn't there, otherwise the other attendants of the event would see their heroes really beaten up, which might not be the best image for the public
Either way, now that they're all more or less collected, the team entered the St. Elizabeth's Children's Hospital.
Tony had underestimated the place. It looked well-staffed, equipped with everything that the waiting people may need, and from what he could observe, professionally made and perfectly conditioned machines. The only visible disadvantage was a slightly dirty floor, but they all could get over it. Not like an alien invasion (side eye to a certain someone in this room.) is less disturbing than some germs.
They were immediately greeted by a receptionist, Tina, if the tag was anything to go by. She looked a bit flustered at the sight of Earth's mighty heroes, and a bit awkward. Upon noticing, Tony quickly pulled on a pretty sncere-looking smile.
- The Avengers! - the lady started talking - It's such an honor to meet you. We thank you so, so much for agreeing to attend the event. It's- something... We never thought...
Stark did want to mention that they were never actually asked, but it would not be good manners, and he does need to be not a jackass at least to hospital workforce. The woman looked like she was about to short-circuit, and he just could not find it not funny, allowing himself to smile a bit at the thought. Nat, of course, noticed the way his expression changed and easily uncoded the meaning behind it, the Natasha Romanov she is, and painfully kicked him in the shin. Thankfully, Tina didn't notice anything, and if she did, she didn't address it. Tony already liked the place more than he thought he would.
- Would you mind guiding us to the gala space? - the spy asked politely
- Oh- yes! Right, of course. But before we move, you all need to wear masks. Some of our kids wanted to present you the projects they made, and a few of them have very contagious or easily aggravated diseases, so it's in everyone's best interests to wear them.
Tony felt shivers run down his spine as Tina passed out white and black medical masks. The reminder of what those kids went are going through made the temperature in the lobby drop by a few degrees, or at least that's what the man himself felt.
As the team walked down the halls, silence fell, only interrupted by side chatter from other workers and occasional beeping from open ward doors. Tony didn't like it - made him feel so awkward - but he, for once, didn't know how to start the conversation. The usual topics he would typically go with were severely inappropriate for the occasion, but the talk of weather didn't seem like a good way to de-charge the atmosphere that settled on the small crowd.
- So, Tina? - Steve started, and Stark instantly, albeit a tad bit begrudgingly, shot him a wordless "thank-you-my-lord-and-savior-you-have-no-idea-how-much-nerve-cells-you-have-rescued-for-me" look that was previously reserved for Pepper - Mind if I ask what should we expect to see from the children?
- Hey, don't spoil the surprise! - Clint chimed in, getting a laugh from the nurse
- Well... The kids here are quite artistic, and sometimes even we are not really sure what to expect from their passions, but I am sure that there's going to be some poetry, drawing, a violin piece and a science experiment, but that's all that I know of, there should be more. The little ones are really eager to give this show something from their hearts. - she chuckled fondly - And, so sorry for the confusion, but I'm not Tina- looks like I took the wrong badge by accident. There was quite a rush this night... But thank you for pointing it out! I'm Aubrey, if you would need to call me. We have arrived, by the way. The other guests should start arriving soon, but from my rough estimate you have approximately 15 minutes to look around
Stark took a moment to look around, not noticing the lady quietly abandoning them to return to her duties. It was clear that the space was quickly decorated and cleaned up to resemble a proper gala hall, but it did look decent, even compared to other richer events Tony had the misfortune of getting dragged into, especially for a relatively small hospital in Queens.
What was he supposed to do when waiting?
Typically, if he were to attend a fancy gathering of ass-smiles billionaires, he would effortlessly stroll in 20 minutes late with flashes following behind him and stand in the center until he would finally get to leave. Actually following etiquette felt funnily weird, and although Tony knew what was expected of a proper man's ethics, the expectations set for him were always exceptional. Well, he did hate expectations anyways, so why not passionately smash them while he's at it?
- I'm going for a walk; my joints don't appreciate sitting for an hour and a half up straight - the man announced, stretching his arms
- Tony, wait, - Steve called out to him, but that only made Stark walk faster away from the group - Ugh... Just don't get lost and come back when you're supposed to, okay?
- Sure, mom. - he snickered before disappearing in the hallway that they just walked through
The first thing that caught his senses was that the place, unlike most hospitals he had the displeasure of being at, wasn't too bad in itself. Sure, antiseptics probably outnumbered the bacteria in the air, and the beeping of the machines certainly set an atmosphere but all in all - better than a ditch. At least it wasn't freezing.
Another thing was the pair footsteps echoing through the nearby hall - an adult and a child, most likely. Tony could hear the end of the conversation he assumes they were having
- I can walk by myself, I'm not that tired anymore. You can't see it, it's a surprise!
- Are you sure?
- Yes!
- One hundred percent?
- And one on top! Please?
- I really don't know...
- Pretty please?
- ...Fine. But I am waiting for you here, alright?
Then, the lighter footsteps increased in pace and volume, signaling that whatever the kid was looking for was in his direction. Stark stopped walking, curious to see what this evening had planned for him. Soon enough, a boy with a mask appeared in his vision. Tony deduced that he would be one of the children performing tonight, so he tried to guess what this one will do. The kid looked like he wasn't older than 8, so the man didn't think it would be a science project. Perhaps some interesting math trick, maybe an artist. Yeah, his guess was art.
- Hey, kiddo. Trying to beat Flash? - he called out jokingly
The child instantly stopped, like a cartoon character, and proceeded to stare at Tony for a solid 20 seconds. Then, it looked like he smiled - judging by the brown Bambi eyes, since his mouth was hidden by the mask
- Are you the real Tony Stark? - he asked, full of entertaining wonder
- Unless you have encountered my doppelganger, yes
- Holy Lucky Charms! - the kid squealed, and Tony couldn't help the laugh that escaped him - I- I'm Peter. Peter Parker