"I don't like this."
"I know. But you're with me, what could go wrong?"
"What could go right?" Tony replied sarcastically, watching as the corner of Clint's mouth twitched slightly.
They reached the toilet and Clint slowly pushed the door open. Tony cowered behind his leg.
"Honestly Tony, it's like you expect Randal to run out and grab you." Tony frowned.
"Would that make you Sulley then?" He smirked.
"Do I look big and blue and spotty to you?" Clint asked, raising an eyebrow as Tony stepped out from behind his leg. Tony surveyed him.
"No.. But you might want to watch it on the 'big' side." Clint opened his mouth in mock indignation.
"That was mean and rude and unnecessary." Tony laughed before they both walked away, heading back to the film.
Then the lights went out.
"What was that?" Tony asked, looking around wildly, Clint felt him hide behind his leg again.
"Not sure.. Jarvis?" Clint asked, he waited a few moments, expecting a response. But it never came. "Jarvis?"
"Clint? What's going on?"
"Jarvis?"
"Clint...?
"Oi! Jarvis!"
"Clint!"
"C'mon Jarvis... Turn the lights on..."
"Clint! Look behind you!" Clint wheeled around, unaware of the tightening grip of Tony on his leg.
Steve was standing in front of them, grinning madly. Clint quickly felt for Tony's shoulders.
"Tony, get behind me."
"I am behind you."
"Well, good. Stay there." Clint slowly started to back away. He didn't think Steve would do anything, but even he couldn't pretend he wasn't slightly freaked out my this sudden turn. Especially after what Tony had just told him.
"Where're you going?" Steve asked, walking slowly towards them as they moved back.
"Back to watch Shrek. Why don't you come? I'm gonna try and get the lights back on and..."
"I just want Tony." Clint heard Tony gulp.
"Why?" Clint asked, tightening his own grip on Tony. What was wrong with Steve?
"Just.. Let me have him."
"No." Clint said defiantly.
"No?"
"Yeah, no. I think you're ill Steve, why don't you go to bed." Clint and Tony were both shocked by what Steve said next.
"Okay. Natasha and Pepper made ice cream. I think I'll go have some." Clint and Tony drew breath as they watched the super-soldier walk past them and out of the room. As he left, the lights flickered back on.
Clint turned around and checked on Tony, who was as white as a sheet.
"You okay?" Clint asked. Tony swayed a little, before tears started pouring from his eyes.
"Clint... I don't wanna go with Steve." Clint pulled him into a hug.
"It's okay.. You won't be."


That night. No one heard from Steve. He retired to his room without giving a good-night to anyone. Clint and Natasha had put Tony and Pepper to bed, but they knew they weren't sleeping. They'd be busy discussing Steve.
It was fast approaching one in the morning now, and Natasha was snuggled up to Clint on the sofa, as they flicked through the channels. Finally resting on an episode of Friends.
"Clint?" Natasha asked, looking up suddenly as the adverts came on. "What do you thinks going on?" Clint shrugged.
"I have no idea."
"What do you thinks gotten into Steve?" She asked, slouching slightly into the sofa even more as Clint tightened up a bit.
"I don't know."
"I don't think I like it."
"I don't like it either."
Just then, they jumped as the door flew open, crashing into the wall.
Turning their heads to peer over the sofa, they saw both Tony's and Pepper's ghostly white face. As though they'd seen a ghost, they both slowly backed away from the room, shutting the door behind them. Clint and Natasha exchanged looks.
"Well that was weird."
"Best go see what's troubling them." Clint said, pushing Natasha off him as they heard two pairs of footsteps running down the corridor outside.


"I- I- I don't want-"
"Shh.. It's okay.. I know.."
"I d-don't know wh- why.."
"C'mon, calm down."
"I'm trying!" Tony said earnestly through throbbing sobs as Pepper rubbed his back.
They were both huddled under an umbrella as the rain pelted down, sitting on top of the massive climbing frame at the local park where they'd run to.
Tony had broken down the moment they had gotten there. Scrunching himself into a ball as Pepper watched on, not knowing what to do.
"Tony.. What's going on with Steve?" Pepper asked, Tony looked up.
"I don't know do I? I'm seven years old!" Pepper frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Look at us Pepper! Loki made us this age again! Did you forget? I'm seven years old! I don't know what to do do I? I want Loki back." He said the last bit so quietly. So, so quietly it was barely audible.
"What..?"
"I want Loki back." Tony looked up at her seriously. Then his protective stance changed into that of curiosity. "Who are you?"
"Who- who am I?" Pepper asked, bewildered.
"Urm, yeah. Sorry." Tony said, looking guilty.
"It's Pepper Tony, Pepper Potts?"
"Oh. Cool. I'm Tony." Tony said, extending a hand and Pepper took it slowly. "Do you know where Loki is?" Pepper shook her head.
"Tony, what happened five minutes ago?" She asked, looking at him as he ran a hand through his hair.
"Urm..." He thought hard. Then his eyes widened. "Oh."
"Tony, what do you remember?" Pepper asked worriedly, scanning his face.
"I don't- Steve." Pepper smiled slightly. "What just happened?"
"I think you just forgot your memory, Tony." Pepper said seriously and Tony frowned.
"If that happens again, punch me." Pepper grinned.


"The effects of the spell aren't going to last forever." Loki said, watching the two children have their discussion from the safety of the climbing frame. "Look, Tony's memories already getting muddled up. We'll have to act soon before anything else happens."
"How long do we have?"
"Not long, they'll both get their memories back in full, and then revert back to adults. We have to act soon." Loki said, looking grim.
"When do we have to act?"
"Now."

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