For The Greater Good – Take Me Instead
Summary: Someone is targeted at a press conference
A/N: This is a sacrifice of someone putting themselves in front of the weapon instead of a friend/loved one. Also for those who don't know OG stands for original
Bucky, the once Winter Soldier had been cleared by T'challa, Bruce, and even Tony. It was a rough journey. Tony struggled for a while, eventually coming to terms that it wasn't Bucky, but Hydra. Even though Peter knew there was more to it. It would hard to imagine having to clear the killer of Uncle Ben much less allow him to walk around freely in the Compound.
The only reason Tony hadn't murdered Bucky in cold blood would be because Peter and Bucky had grown close. Something like family even, and as much as it hurt Tony to watch the relationship grow he couldn't deny either of them a friend, especially when it seemed to be helping so much. As the beginning Tony didn't want to have anything to do with the soldier.
"Stay the He*l away from my, kid" Tony said, a dangerous edge to his voice. Bucky looked taken aback.
"It's ok, dad" Peter reassured. It wasn't often he saw his dad at something, or someone.
"No its not" The man had almost growled putting an arm in front of his son blocking the soldier's view of Peter. "He's the only family I got left Barnes, you aren't murdering him too"
"Tony…" Steve walked into the room at that moment.
"Get him out Rogers" Tony demanded, Steve made no move to leave. "NOW!"
"That was cold Tony, he's not like that anymore" Steve protested.
"How should I know that? He killed my parents, no one but him knows if he even knew what he was doing. For all I know he could have just let hydra do that to him"
"I think you're taking this way too far"
"You should stay out of this, Steve" Peter's small voice spoke up.
"What are we listening to a kid now, Stark?" Steve said annoyed, grabbing Bucky's arm and getting ready to leave.
"y'know Steve, that was cold. Almost as cold as that Ice you were frozen in for 70 years" Peter quipped. "and I'm no kid, I'm 16"
Bucky burst out laughing, and Tony couldn't help it he did to. It was just that Cap's face was so red and he was fuming. "That wasn't funny"
"Yeah it was" Bucky said earning an agreeing nod from Tony before Steve cracked a smile.
"You guys are mean" Steve pouted and Bucky punched him in the shoulder. "ow"
"Aren't you supposed to be like super strong or something" Bucky said earning another fit of laughter from his much younger audience.
"You're hilarious, Uncle Bucky" Peter said dying of laughter on the floor. Everyone but Peter noticed what just happened and they smiled warmly at the still laughing teen.
"I'm picking up Chinese, want anything Barnes?" Tony offered with a small smile. If there was anything to bring the two together it was Peter.
Their relationship blossomed even more and even Tony came to accept Barnes as an official Avenger along with many others. Peter couldn't help but feel warmed by the fact that his small superhero family was growing. May was cautious at first too, but when she saw the relationship between the two it was just too sweet to get rid of.
"Hello Avengers" Tony greeted the table. Their small group they liked to call the OG's were gathered around a table along with the newbies. (Assuming Infinity war and endgame basically never happened, team cap was pardoned quicker, and everyone came naturally). "I was thinking we should officially announce the newbies as Avengers to the public"
"Don't they know who we are though" Carol, who Peter later found out was an alien, superhuman, person and also know as the captain marvel said.
"Yeah but this is way funner" Tony said waving off Carol's questioning gaze. "I was thinking it should be at a party"
"You and your parties" Pepper said exasperated holding a fruits and veggies dish in her hand.
"c'mon Pepper, you know you love them" Tony said cheerfully earning a delighted laugh from Pepper.
"Sure we can go with that" She gave in, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before heading out, leaving a very red ironman in her wake.
"Awwww" Peter crooned.
"Shut it or you're fired" Tony shot an empty threat to the spiderling. "Tomorrow at 10am we could do a press conference following a night party at 7"
"That's short notice Tony" Steve said, already going through a different plan in his mind.
"uh huh"
"Well people won't come if they find out less that 24 hours in advance"
"The press is good, trust the presses" Tony quipped, "haha see what I did there"
Peter's eyes started watering, "You told a good joke"
"Oy vey" Tony said face palming, "Just spread the word or whatever"
Everyone left leaving just the OG's in the room. Natasha Romanoff, Bruce Banner, Clint Barton, Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, Thor Odinson, and Peter Parker. Sure he wasn't an og but he wasn't going to just leave when the original earth's mightiest heroes were here. "So I was thinking you guys could each announce one to two or them"
"Sounds good to be" Nat said putting her feet up on the desk, "So what? We just chose someone"
"Sure, also Peter, you'll be the one being announced so this technically doesn't pertain to you."
"Okay, Mr. Stark"
"Jeez kid, ok any questions?" A pause, "No? Ok"
The next day everyone was getting ready. The men were wearing the basic black suit and tie while the women were a bit more creative. Natasha was wearing a bright red ballroom dress, with a sweet heart neckline and it split at the thigh. Pepper was wearing her dress with 'no back,' carol was wearing a golden dress with a halter neckline, and Hope was wearing a short black dress.
"Need help there?" Tony said startling Peter who was currently struggling with his tie.
"Yes please" He said blushing earning a loud laugh from the billionaire. Said billionaire showed the teen how to correctly do the tie before giving him a wink and walking on the stage.
Watching Tony on stage charming the audience always amazed Peter. How he didn't screw up was a power he was sure of it. Tony even persuaded the public into voting against the president and bringing S.H.I.E.L.D back from the spotlight. The once public organization was private again along with all of the inhuman intel.
"I would like to introduce the Avengers, Novice addition" his little joke earned a collective laugh from the audience as the 'novices' walked on stage one by one, every so often the same OG spoke up introducing someone.
"Carol Danvers!"
"Scott Lang"
"Hope Van Dyne"
"Peter Quill"
"Gamora"
"Drax"
"Rocket"
"Mantis"
"Groot"
Etc.…. I also can't remember haha
"And finally…. Bucky Barnes!"
It all happened so quickly, Peter's spider sense went off almost painfully. He glanced around quickly, frantic eyes scanning the crowd before landing on Bucky's nervous figure with a red dot in the center.
"No! Look out!" Peter screamed jumping from his place in line and flinging himself in front of the bullet. He let out a strangled cough when the bullet stuck and lodged itself into his thigh. "Sh- oot, bullets hurt less every time though"
The crowd gasped quickly filing out. Leaving all of the Avengers surrounding the child. "Peter! Wha-" Bucky was kneeling next to the boy. A guilty yet, puzzled look adjoining his features.
"Maybe less talk and more help" Peter rasped clutching his leg in pain his face twisted in agony.
"oh gosh! Yes" Tony said beginning to stress out. Peter set a bloody hand on Tony's arm in an attempt at comfort, obviously it didn't work as he began to stress even more.
"Its ok Tony," He reassured putting the hand back on his leg, "I've had worse"
"And that's supposed to make me feel better?"
Peter winced, "Yes….?"
"Jeez kid, we need to work on your self preservation"
Not very proud of it, but I feel so bad not being consistent.