As excited as the kids are, they never stray too far from Steve. Howard watches with curious eyes as they hang on his every word and use him as a gauge as to how to react to what's happening.
Howard's impressed as Steve doesn't even flinch. Directing kids up and down the stairs, checking their bags to make sure they have what they might need and comforting those who seem anxious at the big change.
"The vans are here." Jarvis announces, smiling at them. There's a silence as the little kids' heads swivel to Steve who, for the first time since he'd stood up from the stairs, has a moment of panic cross his face. And in that moment Howard sees the 15 year old who has been a father to these kids for the last 6 years. Just a kid.
But he doesn't step in. He doesn't push or try to take over. He watches Steve take a deep breath and nod. "Alright guys, let's go." Steve strides forward and waves for them to follow. They do.
—
As the last kid gets buckled into the van, bags stowed and drivers given directions. Clint watches as Steve sits anxiously in the front seat of one of the vans.
"I can't believe this is actually happening…" He hears Bucky say on the step behind him.
"Money." Three heads swivel to Tony, who's standing there with a satisfied grin on his face. "It's all money, my friends. It makes the world go round."
"Can't relate." Natasha says with an eye roll.
"Same." Bucky laughs.
"Count me in the poor sector." Clint adds.
Tony hops down off the top step and points at them. "Tell me that it's going to be a full sleepover tonight at my house? There's room for three more— or—" he points at Bucky and Natasha, "five, if the little siblings want to join."
"You serious?" Bucky's eyes are wide. "You already have so many kids, you want more?"
"I can't think of anything that would relax Steve more than us being there and helping out. Prove to him that he's not alone and can get help."
"Wow."
Tony turns around to see his dad and Mr. Jarvis staring at him. "What?"
"I don't think I've ever been more proud of you than I am at this moment."
Clint watches as Tony just stands there, staring at his father, flabbergasted.
"I couldn't agree more, sir." Jarvis says smiling.
Tony waves them off and hops into his car. "You coming?" He asks huffily, but the pink on his ears tells Clint that maybe, just maybe, Tony needed to hear that.
—
"Yelena and I are going to sleep over at a friend's house."
"Oh, you are, are you?"
"Can we please? I need to work on my project more, and Yelena has friends from school who are going to be there."
"Who is this friend that you're staying over at?"
"His name is Tony, he has plenty of room."
"I want to speak to his parents."
"What? Why! I promise, we'll be good."
"I am your mother. I have every right to ask to meet the parents of somewhere you're sleeping over."
Natasha grits her teeth. "Okay."
—
Tony feels his phone vibrate. He clicks answer.
"Tasha? What's up? We're right outside."
"I can't come."
"What? Why not?"
"My mom's insisting that if we were to come over she has to meet your parents first. So it's fine. I'll see you guys at school tomorrow." She hangs up before he can respond.
Tony looks over at his dad, who's tapping away on his phone. "Dad?"
"Hmm?"
"Come on. Do your parental duty."
His dad looks at him, his mustache swishing to the side in question. But Tony just drags him outside.
—-
Natasha hears the doorbell ring.
Yelena whips her head over to her. "No way. He didn't."
Natasha slides off her bed and they sneak around the corner to where their mom is opening the door.
"Hello, I'm Howard Stark. Tony here tells me you wanted to meet me before letting your daughters come over. I totally get it, gotta be safe. What can I do to put your mind at ease?"
Natasha watches as her mother stares at the billionaire on her front stoop.
When there's no immediate response, Natasha's eyes catch Tony's and she swears he gives her the briefest of winks. She rolls her eyes but the smile is plastered on her face.
"Ma'am?"
Her mom stutters and regains her composure. "Oh, okay, well, uh— yeah, that's fine. I just wanted to make sure I knew who they were staying with."
"Of course," Howard says smoothly with a charming smile, "these are our kids, we have to make sure they're safe."
Her mom nods numbly and Natasha shoves Yelena back down the hallway.
A few seconds later their mom walks in on them sitting on their beds, pretending to not know what's happening.
"You didn't tell me your friend's dad was Howard Stark."
Instant disgust at the way her mother says that. As if, now that she knows, she expects Natasha to get something from the Starks.
"Uh-huh."
"I guess you can go. Just… See if you can make it worth my while." She's gone but she doesn't miss the way Yelena sticks her tongue out at her back. She has to agree with the sentiment.
—-
"Rebecccaaaaaaaaaa." Bucky shouts, "Let's goooooooo."
"I'mmm commmiiinnnggggg!" She shouts back, hauling a small backpack down the stairs. "You barely gave me any warning!"
"It's a sleepover not a beauty pageant."
"Shut it, Jimmy."
"Watch it, Becs."
They scrunch their noses at each other and laugh. "Bye mom!"
"Bye! Have fun!"
"We will!" They chorus back.
—
It hits Steve just how much he hasn't seen of Tony's house when he leads them down to the bottom floor where a huge rec room, the size of the house, comes into view as they walk down the stairs.
Tony waves to the room, "there should be plenty of space. Small mattresses are stacked over there, and dinner will be down momentarily." The kids are holding their things and looking around uncertainly. Tony looks at Steve and raises an eyebrow.
"Okay guys, you heard Tony, grab a mattress and claim a space."
Gradually, the kids started to settle in, claiming a bed and setting their backpacks on it. Mrs. Stark brings an innumerable amount of blankets and sheets down, smiling and putting each of the kids at ease as they set up each bed.
Tony turns on a giant projector, playing some cartoon on the wall that has all the kids gasping. They hadn't had a TV at the house, and all the kids are in awe.
"Sorry." Tony says cheerily, "don't mean to spoil them."
Steve smiles at the kids, hugging pillows and tousling as they watch whatever happy cartoon is on the wall.
"They've never been spoiled before. They deserve it."
He feels someone nudge his shoulder and he looks up to see Bucky standing there. "So do you."
He feels his head shake in disbelief.
"Come on." Tony says, "let's claim a spot."
"You're sleeping down here with us?" Natasha asks.
"What kinda host do you think I am?"
—
Dinner turns out to be Milo's.
Clint's eyes widen as his Uncle Ricky appears at the bottom of the staircase. "Anyone hungry?" His booming voice calls. 17 pairs of eyes swivel to Steve and he laughs.
"Guys, are you hungry?"
Eager nods and squeaks ring through the room, and Steve ushers them to follow Uncle Ricky back up the stairs.
Each kid gets to make their own sandwich, and the wide-eyed gaze they fix his uncle with as he explains they can have whatever they want, is almost painful to watch. Their wide-eyed eagerness tugging at his heart.
"How'd you manage to raise all these kids to be as obnoxiously polite as you?" Tony quips, leaning on the counter, watching as the kids select their toppings.
Steve huffs, "I didn't raise them."
"Well she as hell sure didn't." Clint adds with snark in his tone.
"They're just good kids." Steve says firmly. "They're good kids." And with that he walks over to Peter who's having a hard time balancing his plate and his soda can. Steve grabs the can, ruffling Peter's hair and walking him to the tables the Starks have set up.
—-
"Hey dad?"
"Yeah, Tony?"
"Can I bring one of the kids down to see the lab?"
There's a pause, and Tony's almost sure he's about to be denied when he hears his dad sigh and look him in the eye, "fine, but no lasers, or fire and anything you break comes out of your inheritance." It's an old joke and Tony rolls his eyes at it.
"Thanks."
—
"Peter?"
"Yeah?"
"You ready to see that lab?"
Wide shocked eyes greet his and he takes that as a yes.
—
Natasha, Clint, and Bucky stay up with the kids as Steve, Tony, and Peter exit out the elevator into the lab.
Steve notices Howard is there, working on something and he waves hello in greeting.
"Thanks, sir." Peter pipes in, his voice a squeak.
"Not a problem, pal. You like science?"
The way Peter's hands start to dance as he nods his head yes has Tony and Howard smiling.
It takes about 3 minutes for Peter to have Tony and Howard wrapped around his finger and Steve watches it all with a fond smile. They pepper Peter with science questions and he smiles and fidgets and knocks their socks off with the level of stuff he knows.
"What do you want to do when you grow up?" Howard asks, looking seriously at Peter.
"I wanna help people." Peter replies without a second of thought. The answer is so sincere and so earnest that it catches Tony and Howard off guard. Steve watches their faces as they register his answer. They'd expected him to answer with scientist, or firefighter, or something else that's a typical kid answer.
But Steve knows that Peter's never been typical.
"That's a great thing to strive for, Peter." Steve says softly, "You'll do great things one day with all those smarts and that big heart."
Peter smiles and goes back to fidgeting with the little device Howard had handed him a while ago.
Steve feels Howard's eyes on him, but he just ruffles Peter's hair again as Tony starts asking Peter about his science classes in school.
—-
"That's some kid you got there." Howard says to him as Tony walks Peter back to the elevator.
"That's all him."
"I don't think so." Howard say confidently. "I was privy to some of the records."
He doesn't know where Howard's going with this, so he stays silent.
"Your first call to CPS coincided pretty soon after Peter arrived."
Steve stiffens, suddenly afraid of retribution. But Howard lays a hand on his shoulder reassuringly. "I don't know how to…" he taps his other hand against the metal table and drums his fingers against it. "I think what you've been doing these past 6 years is really admirable. I've seen adults crumble under less stress." Steve opens his mouth to protest but Howard holds up a finger, motioning him to wait. "I grew up really poor. Dirt poor. Dad and mom worked in a factory and we didn't have much. But… I knew I could do more. I knew I was meant to create things no one could even dream about. I knew. I just knew in my gut. And I didn't let anyone stop me. My parents supported me however they could." He looks at the lab and then his eyes land back on Steve's. "Sometimes he drives me crazy but Tony has that same drive, and I'd bet anything…" he squeezes Steve's shoulder, "Just…" he huffs and Steve can see the way his shoulders bob up and down that he doesn't know how to say what he wants to say. "I'm gunna do everything in my power to make sure these kids get a real chance at life. I'm promising that because…" He gestures to the house above them. "I have the power and the resources to help. Therefore, I should. And I want to. Not only that—" He glances at the elevator where Peter and Tony have disappeared, "I've never seen Tony like this. The way he is around your group? The way he's dedicated himself… I want to thank you."
Steve's stunned, "me? I haven't done a single thing!"
Howard laughs, "agree to disagree."
Steve ducks his head, "why are you telling me this?"
"Because, Steve… I need you to be a kid. I need to see you let me and Mr. Wilson take care of these kids. Take some of that burden off your shoulders. You have as much potential as Tony or Peter and I need you to take care of yourself so you can fulfill it." A tightness in Steve's chest makes him unable to answer. Howard smiles at him and waves him towards the elevator. "Go have fun."
His mind whirls with everything Howard told him as he rides the elevator.
—
Steve's half asleep when little hands cling to his shirt. He doesn't need to open his eyes. He just wraps his arms around the little one and comforts them. His hand running through their hair.
Peter's next. Lying down next to him, shoving his pillow next to Steve's head and resting his back against Steve's. Steve smiles sleepily.
He doesn't know how many more, but he's pretty sure half of the kids are squished up against him on his mattress. It's cozy and warm, and his hands methodically ruffle through hair, squeeze a shoulder, or hold a hand to comfort them as they sleep in a new and strange place.
Soon he can't sleep and what Howard said runs through his mind. Let us take care of them.
But as he lays here, surrounded by their warmth and knowing they trust him… He doesn't know how he'll do that. He takes a deep breath, and he listens as Peter mumbles in his sleep. Something he's done since he arrived at the house all those years ago.
These were his brothers and sisters. He's done everything that he can for so long that he can't even fathom letting someone else take care of them. They're his.
He shifts, glancing up into the dark room to see the mass that surrounds him. He smiles and notices that Natasha has Yelena tugged into her arms. He searches for Wanda and sees her and Rebecca asleep on a couch, their feet meeting each other in the middle.
Pietro's silver hair reflects from the light on the stairs and he's surprised to find him asleep next to Clint. Then a muffled curse catches his attention. He carefully slips out between all the kids and tiptoes through the bodies until he finds the source. Tony sits, cross legged, back against a wall, something small and glowing in his hands.
He yawns and sits down across from him.
—-
Tony watches as Steve sits down, all limbs and angles as he leans against the wall across from him.
"You should be asleep."
Steve chuckles, "look who's talking."
Tony glances up and nods in agreement. "I don't sleep so well."
"Ever?"
"Brain never gets quiet."
Steve just nods. "Anything I can do?"
And before Tony can stop himself, he hears himself asking, "tell me how you do it."
Steve looks at him with a confused expression, "do what?"
Tony jerks his head towards the kids all asleep. "Take care of all of them. Choose to suffer for them. I listened to what that witch did to you. You took it on everytime so she wouldn't touch them."
Steve's eyebrows pucker downwards and he hauls his knees to his chest, setting his chin onto one. "I didn't choose to, Tony." Steve says softly. "I had to. It was the right thing to do. I knew I could take it. So I did. It wasn't anything anyone else wouldn't have done."
And it's so freaking sincere coming out of the kid's mouth that he knows Steve actually believes that. That everyone would have done what he's done. It makes Tony wonder what he would have done had he been in Steve's position. He's not sure.
Then Steve's voice turns a bit raw, "and I didn't save them from it everytime. There were plenty of times she punished them, knowing it would punish me." His voice cracks on the last word and Tony watches as Steve's jaw clenches, holding the emotion in. "I almost ran away once." He admits, his eyes flashing to Tony's, filled with guilt. "And she caught me… asked me who would take care of them if I was gone?" His voice is watery as he stares towards the kids, "I'm so glad she said that to me. I can't believe I ever thought of leaving them. It was such a selfish thought."
Tony feels the light of the device projecting up off his face, but he's caught by the way it glows off the whites of Steve's eyes, shame and guilt written in the way he's staring tightly at the kids.
"Steve… that wasn't selfish. That was self-preservation. She probably almost killed you a thousand times. You had every right to want to get away."
Steve's shoulders sag, "I know. I do know… but not at their expense."
Tony doesn't really have a response to that.
"I hope you know…" Steve says softly, "just this night? They'll remember this forever. What you and your dad are doing… you have no idea how much they needed this. And I know I've said it, but I really just can't thank you enough. You saving Peter and Wanda and Pietro and everyone else from her? I'll never be able to repay you. But I'll spend every day trying."
"Steve, you don't have to—" He's cut off as Steve glares at him. A determined and intense stare that has Tony snapping his mouth closed. Steve nods as if 'that's that'. And gets to his feet.
"Night, Tony. Try to get some sleep. We have school tomorrow."
He watches the kid walk back to the center of the mass and slip down between the bodies of the kids, disappearing.
He hauls himself to his feet and sets the device on one of the tables. It will still be there tomorrow. He lays down on his mattress and closes his eyes.
—
Steve stands anxiously at the door as he watches the kids circling the staff in the kitchen.
"Steve." Bucky shouts, "we gotta go!"
He watches as the kids squeal and giggle as they get to choose their own pancake toppings and try not to spill their juice.
Howard looks up from his coffee cup and smiles at Steve. A purposeful and knowing smile. "We got this, Steve. Go enjoy school. Don't worry about these guys. They're in safe hands."
Tony's mom appears from behind the refrigerator door and smiles softly at him. "Don't you worry about a thing, Steven. I'll be here to wrangle Howard and get those kids back to the house for you all to meet Mr. Wilson, okay? We won't let anything happen to them."
Steve nods. He knows they're safer now than they were 24 hours ago. But it's still a lot to process.
"I know." He whispers hoarsely. "Hey, kids?" He says louder and all heads swivel his direction. "You guys be good, okay? Listen to the Starks, and… and I'll see you after school, okay? Love you."
Every kid choruses back with 'love you's' and 'see you laters' and he nods at Howard before following the other four into the back of the car where Jarvis sits waiting.
—
"Alright!" His teacher says, clapping her hands together. "Tomorrow you must submit your final projects! Friday is presentation day and we won't be meeting. So if your painting isn't in place by tomorrow then you won't receive a grade for it.
Steve's half listening. His painting is done and he'll be ready to submit it tomorrow.
Bucky walks with him down to the cafeteria and he's only half listening. His brain is fixated on this afternoon, meeting the new caretakers. His heart won't stop beating fast and he feels lightheaded at the thought.
—
Bucky watches as Steve's mind is clearly elsewhere, he chuckles to himself as Steve sits down and just kind of stares off into the distance.
—-
"Okay, what else do we need to do for presentation day?" Clint asks, twirling his pen between his fingers as they lay on the ground in the library during study hall.
"I've got the actual device in the lab. Finishing touches are being added tonight, and it should be ready to go by tomorrow for us to test it out." Tony says, tapping on his phone.
"I have the hypothetical marketing handouts, and the schematics for the device all printed on the nice paper and ready to be distributed." Natasha adds.
"The coding of the programs has been updated and should be set to go when we test it tomorrow. We should bring all the different device chords so we can make sure they all work." Bucky cautions.
Clint nods and looks to Steve who is holding a paintbrush between his fingers and rubbing the bristles of it over and over with his thumb. "I've got the expanded blueprints all drawn up and set to go." He says, his eyes glazed. "I made sure all the measurements were to scale." Then his eyes blink into focus and he smiles, "Oh, I uh, forgot to mention that I have a surprise for you guys too."
"A surprise?" Natasha asks, "what is it?"
He laughs, sticking the paint brush behind his ear. "It's a surprise, Nat. You'll see it on the day of."
"I hate surprises." Tony mumbles.
"Too bad." Steve says cheerily. "You'll like this one."
—
The car ride to Steve's house is silent. They can tell Steve has a lot on his mind, and they let him be. Just sitting in silence as the car rolls down towards his street.
Clint watches as Steve slides out of the car slowly, his eyes never leaving the building. They walk up to the front door and Steve turns the doorknob, pushing it in.
The door doesn't creak like it did yesterday, and Steve halts in surprise at the way the entryway looks. The wooden staircase gleams, and there's not a dust particle or cobweb in sight. His mouth gapes open at the new rug on the wooden floorboards and he reaches down and runs his fingers over the shaggy fibers.
A laugh is heard from the office and Steve's head whips up to the sound.
"Mr. Wilson?" Bucky calls out.
They hear the sound of footsteps and Clint watches as Steve stands straight, stiff as a board and eyes peeled on the office door as it swings outwards to reveal a tall, muscular man with a wide gap-toothed grin.
"Hey! James, how are you?"
"I go by Bucky, Mr. Wilson."
Steve somehow stiffens even more at Bucky's correction, expecting some sort of displeasure for being corrected. But the man just laughs and nods, "oh, that's right. I forgot. Sorry about that."
Everything goes quiet for a minute as the man looks at each of them for a brief moment before his eyes settle onto Steve. Clint wonders if Bucky described him to the guy, because the soft smile that appears on Mr. Wilson's face tells Clint he knows exactly who he is.
"Hey man," Mr. Wilson says, striding forward and holding out a hand for Steve to shake, "I'm Sam. I have heard a lot about you and have been looking forward to meeting you."
"Hello Mr. Wilson." Steve says with a hesitancy, "I'm Steve."
"Call me Sam." The man corrects. "If you're okay with that. I prefer it." A woman comes to stand by Sam's side and he gestures towards her, "this is Sarah, my sister. She won't live here, but she'll be here most days to help."
"Hello." Steve says, holding out a hand for her to shake. She accepts with a smile.
"Hello, like Sam said, I'm Sarah, and I'll be doing a lot of the grocery shopping here, because my brother is not a very exciting cook." Sam laughs and Sarah looks at Steve and gives a really soft smile, "I hear you were the main cook in the house before, I'd love to hear what the kids like best, and anyone's allergies or food needs."
"Well," Steve says, his eyes furrowed in thought, "we were only allowed to eat three different things. But my ma taught me a lot before she died, so I can still help in the kitchen if you want."
Clint doesn't miss the way Sam's eyes harden at the mention of what they were 'allowed' to eat. But he smooths his face over and pretends to be curious.
"What three things did you guys eat?"
Steve looks back up at him and suddenly realizes what he said. "Oh… Uh.. I mean, we…" Steve looks around a bit helplessly, but no one speaks, so he looks down at the ground and says, "we ate soup, oatmeal, and peanut butter and jelly."
"You're allergic to peanuts, Steve." Bucky says with a tight expression.
"I know that, Bucky."
Sarah doesn't miss a beat before laying a hand on Steve's shoulder and drawing his attention back. "Steve, I'm really sorry that that's all you were fed. That's unacceptable, and will not be the case from here on out. Sam and I intend to make sure you and all the kids get three full and well-balanced meals from here on out. No exceptions. We'll have a meeting with the kids where they can request some food and we can make a meal plan for breakfast, lunch, and dinners."
"There's not enough money in the budget the government gives for three full meals a day." Steve says flatly as if it's been programmed into him.
The room falls silent again. "Who told you that?" Sam asks softly.
Steve thinks about it for one second before his face goes red and he's staring at the floor. Clint watches as Sarah steps forward and pulls Steve into a hug, wrapping her arms around him and placing a hand on his head. Steve stiffens at the contact, but only for a second before he's wrapping his arms around her and she's looking at Sam with an expression so angered that Clint is surprised.
"I'm really glad I wasn't here yesterday to meet this woman," Sarah says, still holding tightly to Steve, "because she and I would have had some words." Sam chuckles and Sarah holds Steve out at arm's length, looking him directly in the eyes. "You are never going to go hungry again. Do you hear me? Never. I'll die first. You understand me? Sam? Tell him I'm serious."
"Oh, she's serious. Sarah Wilson does not mess around."
Steve just stands there, looking back at them, silent.
"Steve, you may not believe us yet, but we will prove it to you, everyday. Will you let us? Will you trust us to take care of you and your siblings?"
He blinks and looks back and forth between them. Clint can feel their blaring sincerity from where he's standing, and Steve must as well because after a second's hesitation he nods.
Sam's wide smile is back and he claps Steve on the shoulder, "okay then! Let's get this party started. Tony, can you call your dad and see how far away he is with the kids? I'm going to have Steve give me the full tour. I've already looked around, but you know this place better than me, so you've got to show me the ropes first, is that okay?"
Even though everyone, including Steve, knows that Sam is perfectly capable of giving himself a tour, Clint appreciates the fact that he's not just bowling Steve over and taking charge without listening to him. Steve knows this house and these kids better than anyone. Clint is impressed with Sam Wilson. He looks over at Natasha and she looks at him with an eyebrow raised. When Steve walks Sam and Sarah to the kitchen, the four of them stay in the entryway.
"He's good." Tony comments.
"He's really good." Natasha adds, "they seem really nice, and straightforward. I like that. I think Steve will really like that."
"You're sure about them?" Clint asks Bucky.
Bucky nods, "listen, I've known the Wilson's all my life, they're really good people. Totally community oriented and…" his voice drops, "Sam's been a counselor for years. He's perfect for this. The trauma that—" he cuts off as Steve and the Wilson's walk back into the entryway.
"Tony, your dad got all new appliances?" The wonder on Steve's face makes them all smile.
"He did?" Tony says innocently, "I didn't know that."
Steve gives a mock glare and waves the Wilson's up the stairs, pointing out rooms and closets. The four watch as Sam and Sarah listen intently and ask pertinent questions.
The door opens and Mr. Stark walks in, "are the Wilson's ready to meet their brood?"
"I think so." Tony says. "Hey Steve! The kids are here!"
The three make their way back down and then the door opens wide and kids pour in, filling up the entryway and watching the two newcomers with watchful eyes.
Steve waves his hands to get their attention and they watch him intently. "Okay everybody. This is Sam" he gestures towards the man who smiles and waves, "and Sarah Wilson." She waves, "they're here to help us. Let's go through your names and ages, okay?"
They nod and Steve starts. "I'm Steven Rogers, I'm 15 years old, and I've lived here for almost 6 years." He motions to a kid who looks a bit nervous but speaks calmly.
"I'm Danny, I'm almost 14 and I've lived here for 4 years."
It continues like this through each kid, and Sam and Sarah don't miss a moment. After each kid has gone, they start asking questions immediately, ice-breaker questions about their favorite subjects in school, or games to play, or colors they like.
Steve wanders over to the four of them with a relaxed expression, shoulders at ease and hands stuffed in his pockets.
"You doing okay?" Natasha asks, "big changes."
Steve glances at them and then stares back at Sam and Sarah who are laughing and high-fiving the kids as they answer questions.
"Good changes." He says.
—
Bruce watches as Steve walks into school the next day. He has a brown paper lunch bag with 'Steve' written on it and he's smiling and talking to Bucky animatedly.
He stares. He knows he's staring but he can't help it. This is a totally different kid. Steve must sense his intense gaze because he glances up and catches him looking. He holds up a 'wait for a minute' finger to Bucky before heading over to Bruce.
"Hey, Mr. Banner."
"Hey, Steve, how's it going?"
"It's going great actually. I just wanted to say thank you."
Bruce is momentarily stunned, "thank you? For what?"
"You called to try to help me. And while it may not have been the greatest right away," he gives a huff and shakes his head, "it started something and I wanted to thank you for doing something I'd given up on. So thanks."
Bruce's throat is tight, "I'm sorry you were hurt from it."
Steve smiles, "I appreciate that. But…" he looks back at Bucky who is now talking with Natasha and Clint, "it was worth it. I'm…" Steve looks at him and his eyes get really earnest. "We're safe now. So thanks." Bruce can't respond and Steve nods at him and disappears down the hallway with the other kids.
—
Steve can't keep the smile off his face all day. He's grinning as he turns in his final painting. He's grinning as he puts the final touches on his surprises for his group, laying it out carefully.
"Can I leave this here for tomorrow?" He asks.
"Of course!" She says cheerily. "You can grab it tomorrow morning."
"Thanks for helping with this." He says with a smile, "I really appreciate it."
"It was a fun project, a good idea and I think it shows that extra step for your presentation."
Steve nods, his eyes lingering on it before he looks up and says, "thanks." He dashes out the door and runs into Bucky, they talk all the way to the cafeteria.
—
They're about to part ways for the day.
"Can't believe tomorrow is the last day of the program." Clint marvels, staring up at the building.
"These two months went by really fast."
"I'm excited for our presentation tomorrow." Steve says, leaning against the stone wall by the steps, "I think we have a good shot at winning."
"Hell yeah we do." Tony huffs, "we're going to blow the competition out of the water!"
"We better." Natasha says simply, "I want to come back here next year."
The four of them nod but Tony sighs, "Y'all will have to have fun without me."
Steve's head snaps up, "what? Why?"
"I think it's just for high school age, I'll have graduated by next summer, and I'll probably be busy anyways."
The disappointment on Steve's face is apparent. "Oh."
"You gunna miss me, Steve?" Tony says with a laugh.
"Of course I am." Steve says earnestly.
It stuns Tony into silence and Clint laughs, "Well, when the big hot-shot here is off prepping for college, we'll be here to keep you company. And I bet his dad would be more than happy to have us over, so who needs Tony anyways."
Tony's face of indignation makes them bust out laughing. "I'll be around." Tony adds snarkily. "Can't get rid of me that easily."
"I'm transferring to Brooklyn High." Bucky says looking at Steve, "so the three of us will be at the same school." Natasha and Steve light up and they high five.
"Ugh," Clint moans, "I'm gunna beg to transfer. I don't like being left out."
Tony rolls his eyes and claps his hands together. "Okay, meet back here tomorrow. It's a big day, and I need all of you to get sufficient beauty rest."
They nod and walk their separate ways.
—
"See you tomorrow morning, I'll come a few minutes earlier than usual, okay?" Bucky asks Steve.
Steve doesn't glance at him, eyes on the front door "uh-huh, see you then."
"Oohhkay."
"Okay." Steve waves and bounds up the front steps disappearing behind the doors.
Bucky just shrugs and walks home.
—
Bucky stands on the front steps for a few minutes before he looks at the doors. Steve's never late. He walks up the steps and rings the doorbell. Sam answers and smiles when he sees him.
"Hey Bucky. He's not here."
Bucky looks at him questioningly. Sam reaches towards the entryway table and picks up a note.
"He knew you'd come knocking."
Bucky takes the note, opening it.
Bucky,
Sorry about the switch. I didn't want to ruin the surprise, so I told you yesterday that we'd meet here, but I actually headed to the school early. I wanted to make sure it was all ready for the presentation. I'll see you at school!
-Steve
"That punk." Bucky says, folding the note and stuffing it into his pocket, "no wonder he was all shifty yesterday."
Sam laughs, "he was really amped up and excited this morning when he left, barely could get him to eat breakfast. He left maybe 20 minutes ago."
"Okay, thanks Sam, see you later."
"See ya."
—-
Clint rubs his hands on his jeans as the stress of their presentation weighs heavily on his chest. He'd give almost anything for a cigarette right now. Natasha watches his hands fidget and she hands him a hair tie that he gladly accepts. Twisting and turning it to keep his fingers occupied.
Tony arrives with a metal box.
"That it?" Clint asks.
"It's in here, all ready to go."
"Just waiting on the other two." Natasha adds.
They move to the auditorium where different groups are setting up. Clint sees robots, paintings, videos of complex dance choreography from different cultures, booths of ideas for recycling or cleaning the ocean, sculptures and everything in between.
They move through their classmates until they get settled at their booth. "How do they even judge this thing?" Natasha asks, staring at the booth across from them that has a robot painting watercolors. "Everything is so different."
The three of them shrug and go back to setting things up.
—-
Bucky walks through the doors much later than he'd planned. The train had been having major issues and the station he'd needed to be dropped off at had had electrical problems, meaning he'd had to backtrack a few blocks to get to the school.
He walks into the bustling auditorium and it takes him several minutes to find his group. "Hey guys," he glances around, "where's Steve?"
Clint looks at him funny, "what do you mean, 'where's Steve'? You walk with him to school every morning."
"Yeah, but today when I got to the house, Sam gave me a note that he'd left early."
Bucky pulls out the note and hands it to Natasha. She reads it and smiles, "him and his surprises."
Tony's barely paying attention, adjusting the display until it's just right.
Bucky shakes his head, "okay. So, he should be here. He left before me."
Clint and Natasha look at him. They glance around as if he might appear out of thin air. Dread starts to build up in Bucky's stomach. Clint stares at him, his face mirroring Bucky's.
"Okay." Natasha snaps, "let's not panic. He had a surprise for us, right? That's what he said. And it was obviously at the school, so he's in the building. Probably one of the classrooms."
"We have to go find him."
"Guys." Tony snaps, "he has a surprise for us." He looks at them, gesturing to the table, "we still have 15 minutes before the day starts, he probably is getting it ready and will bring it down. "
"Where's Rumlow." Clint snarls.
"He's at his booth." Natasha points, "he's been here since before me. And I got here super early."
"What time?"
Clint watches as Bucky and Natasha work out what time she and Rumlow had arrived.
"Okay, so he was here before Steve even left his house." Bucky says, his shoulders sagging in relief. "The trains were having major issues this morning." He adds thoughtfully.
"Exactly," Tony says, his hands connecting the device to the power cables, "everyone's just on edge. It's a big day."
They nod and begin helping Tony finish setting up.
Bucky's eyes find the door every few seconds. Willing Steve to walk through them.
He catches Clint's tight expression as time goes on and he knows he wishes the same.
Natasha is calm at first, but then Bucky notices her eyes tracing the outline of the room, searching.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen!" Dr. Erskine calls to the room from the stage, "It's time to begin judging!"
He steps off the podium and a panel of 5 teachers start making their way through the booths.
"Somethings wrong." Natasha says finally. "He should be here. Why isn't he here?"
"Tony. You stay here. We're going to search."
Tony nods, biting the inside of his cheek. "Okay, yeah. Find him."
They take off running.
—
Natasha searches the cafeteria and the front offices. No sign of him.
—-
Clint searches the bathrooms and the library. No sign of him.
—-
Bucky searches the classrooms, He bounds up the stairs running towards the art studio where he picks Steve up for lunch everyday.
He opens the classroom and calls out, "Steve? Hey, Steve you here?"
"Hello?" A voice calls from the adjoining office.
"Hello," Bucky breathes out in a rush, "Have you seen Steve Rogers?"
The teacher looks at him, "no I haven't, and I was expecting him, he's supposed to pick something up." She points towards the wall, where something sits on the counter. "I'm heading down to the auditorium in a few minutes, I was surprised he wasn't here since he said he'd be here this morning to grab it. You can grab it for him."
Bucky swallows down the growing fear in his throat. He makes his way over to the counter and his fingers gingerly pick up Steve's surprise.
It's packaging.
A really well-done mock up of what their device could be packaged and sold in if it was on shelves in stores. Bucky gently turns the small box over and is mesmerized by the design and ingenuity of the packaging. "How did he do this?" Bucky asks, his throat dry.
"Well, he used a few of his class periods in the textiles lab, formed the plastic using the schematics of the device. He showed me what he wanted to do and I helped a bit. The outside packaging design was all him. He used the tablets we have here to create the design and then we 3D printed the plastic inside packaging to the right form and then printed the design on the packaging that we had laser cut and folded together."
"Oh." The box can't weigh more than a few ounces but it feels heavy in his hands. "And you haven't seen him this morning?"
She looks at him, her eyebrows turning down, "no, why? Where is he?"
"We don't know." Bucky admits. "I gotta go." He takes off, sliding down the hallways and jumping down the stairs three at a time.
—
Clint watches as Bucky is the last to make it back to their booth. No Steve in sight.
"SHIT." Clint snarls. "Nothing?" He asks Bucky as he slides to a stop in front of him.
"He hasn't been here." Bucky says in a rush, "this was his surprise, the teacher hasn't seen him."
He shoves the thing at Tony who takes it. Clint looks over his shoulder and studies the box. His eyes find Bucky's and Clint hears Tony ask in surprise, "Steve made this? This is amazing! This looks so good!"
"Yeah, it does." Natasha snaps, "but where the hell is he!?"
All four of their heads swivel to Rumlow's booth. Rumlow turns to them and there's a pause before he smiles, then he's turning back to his own group.
"That son of bitch did something!" Bucky growls. He starts to storm over and Clint joins him.
"Where is he!" Bucky shouts.
Rumlow looks up, his face impassive. "Where's who?"
"You know who!"
Rumlow leans against his booth, totally at ease. "No, I actually don't."
"Steve." Clint snaps, "where's Steve."
Rumlow scoffs. "Why would I know where he is?"
Natasha appears, standing toe to toe with Rumlow and pointing at his face. "You made a big deal about all of us having to be present at the presentation to win, and now somehow one of our group is missing. The one you've been picking on since day one!"
Rumlow swats her finger away from his face. "First of all, Steve has been after me since day one. He's been the instigator. Second of all, it's not my fault if one of your group members is irresponsible. So watch your tone, little girl."
Natasha reaches out to grab his collar, but a hand grabs her wrist. She turns around to see Tony, holding her back."Let me go!"
"Don't." Tony cautions. "He's baiting you."
"He did something!" She snarls, "he knows where Steve is!"
"I really don't." Rumlow says flatly, "now please, I have a bet to win." He waves them away and turns his back on them, going back to his group.
Clint wants to jerk the back of Rumlow's collar and plant his fist in his face, but Tony's face is deadly serious as he drags Natasha back to their booth.
Tony opens his mouth to speak when one of the judges appears in front of their table.
"Oh, wow!" The judge says, "a power source, huh? Looks really interesting. Tell me about it?"
The four of them stand there, stiff as boards as they answer all of the judges' questions. Their eyes constantly searching the room, hoping against hope that something innocuous happened and that Steve really would appear at any moment.
But he doesn't.
The judge walks away and Bucky yanks his phone from his pocket, dialing a number.
"Sam, hey, did Steve come back to the house?" A pause, Bucky's shoulders get tighter, "have you heard from him?—- I know. He is supposed to be at school and he's not—- Yeah, I know. I didn't see him on my way—- the trains were having issues— Maybe, it's possible—" his eyes land on Rumlow, "—okay, we'll check the trains—- yeah, we'll keep in touch."
He snaps his phone closed and glares in Rumlow's direction. "Sam hasn't seen him. He's thinking maybe Steve got stuck on a train like I did and maybe got taken to a much further stop. It's only been just over an hour since he left home… So I guess it's possible."
"So what, we just wait and hope?"
"Sam said he'd go looking the minute Sarah gets there and can watch the kids."
"We have to look too."
They stare at their booth. "Do we care about winning?" Clint asks. "Because I don't. My gut tells me something is wrong."
"I want to go searching the stations. If he got dropped off at a wrong station then we can ask the service booths and find out."
Tony's frozen, his eyes far away.
"Tony, what?"
"I said to wait."
"What?"
"35 minutes ago, when we were setting up, I said to wait. To not worry. That he'd be here."
Clint knows where this is going. "Tony, you couldn't have known and we could have argued with you."
"If something happens to him—" Tony's eyes land on Rumlow.
Bucky scrubs at his face. "I'm going. I'm going to look for him right now." He grabs his backpack and starts towards the door.
Clint and Natasha look to Tony, who shoves the device back onto the booth and they all take after him.
—