Marvel Universe
Circa early 1970's
"Anthony you really must put that down and come to sleep." The little boy didn't even look up. "Anthony." She said sternly.
"Come on Mrs I've almost got it."
"Well you can almost have it tomorrow. It's time for bed." He turned to face her with the sole ambition it seemed to intimidate her with his glare, but this was Peggy Carter, she taught him all his tricks. "Fine" he sighed, "but you have to tell me a story."
"Of course my dear which one would you like to hear? One with your father? A war story? Tell me?"
"Not about dad. He doesn't love us." His face fell, a child broken by neglect. Peggy wished she could tell him of all the brave and heroic things his father was doing for international security, all the things he was doing to keep Tony and his mother safe, but alas that would put them in even greater danger so she stayed quiet. "Tell me a story about you. One I haven't heard", he clarifies.
Having brushed his loose teeth and crawling into his little bed Peggy pulled the covers to his chin, sat on the side of his bed and put her arm around him. The little boy instinctively nestled his head against her chest and took a handful of her shirt in his fist, a ritual that had become synonymous with her visits.
"Not long after the 1st war broke out lots of parents sent their children to the country to live with some strangers so that they would be safe. The parents in this story chose to send their two daughters south. The parents who were filled with concerned and who had become consumed by the war promised that the strangers would be nice and that she could come home soon. The war would be over by Christmas. But we both know it went for a lot longer than that." She could feel his breathing getting slower and calmer the more she spoke. Gently stroking his hair she continued. "Well the man of the house wasn't very nice as her parents had said he would be and his wife was scared so much of the time the girls never saw her, she liked to hide from her husband. As the war went on he started to make the elder of the sisters scared too, he'd take her into his room and play games that her sister didn't like. She always emerged with bruises like you get wrestling with Jarvis. That was when I decided to be brave and strong so that the people I love most would never get hurt again." "People like me Mrs?"
"Yes my dear Anthony, people just like you", she refused to go through that pain again. That sinking, gut wrenching pain that accompanies helplessness. "So close your eyes tight my darling and think of me, here beside you. I will always be watching over you to make sure that nobody hurts my little Anthony." He had drifted almost into complete peace, he whispered "I love you Mrs."