"Ты голоден?" (Are you hungry?)
Maxim's stomach growled in response.
Bucky started to look through the cabinets. He asked Maxim if he wanted anything specific, but he just shrugged. He decided on just a regular bologna sandwich. Kid's like bologna, right?
Maxim nearly swallowed it whole. He'd also drank most of the water Bucky had given him. How long was it since the kid eaten?
"Вы хотите еще один?" (Do you want another one?) He asked and Maxim shook his head eagerly.
As he gave him another sandwich, Bucky realize how hungry he was and started making his own. Alpine was standing next to his food bowl meowing. Bucky finished eating and fed Alpine. By the time Bucky was done, Maxim had finished to and was looking at him.
"Я думаю, мы должны пойти встретиться с другими." Bucky says (I guess we should go meet with the others.)
He picks Maxim up off the counter and Maxim immediately latches onto him. "Пойдемте за Стивом." (Lets go get Steve.)
"Bye Alpine, I'll be back."
Alpine meows and continues devouring his food.
He closes the door and crosses the hall to Steve's room. He knocks once and then opens the door. Steve's siting on the couch pulling on a pair of socks and Bucky could see he just got out of the shower from his messy, wet hair.
He plops down beside him, putting Maxim in the middle. Maxim is staring up at Steve and Steve gives him a small smile.
"We should probably start going." Steve said once he put his socks on and got up from the couch.
-0-0-0-
"This is, wow, this is stunning." Tony said looking down at some papers.
They were all sitting around a table. Maxim sat in Bucky's lap, lazily tracing the lines on Bucky's left arm; his eyes slowly closing. He was getting sleepy.
Natasha had saved some files on Hydra's experiments and had F.R.I.D.A.Y. look through them. They found a file on Maxim containing information about him and the experiments they did. Bucky looked down at the printed papers. It reminded him of his own file from his time with Hydra.
Maxim Preobrazhensky
Age: 6 years Height: 49 inches
Hair Color: Blonde Weight: 33 pounds
Eye Color: Blue
According to the papers, Maxim lived in an orphanage and was taken when he was left outside alone. He was four years old. There was a long list of experiments and tests Hydra had done dating as far backs as two years ago when Hydra found him. The latest was just three days ago.
Tony and Bruce were going through the notes from the scientists. There were a bunch of equations and formulas that looked like a different language to Bucky.
"They figured out invisibility." Tony said, sounding impressed.
"Invisibility?" Sam asked looking around the room. "Like turn clear and no one can see, invisibility."
"From what I've seen in the past, it's believable." Clint said spinning his chair left to right.
"It is believable," Wanda said. "Look at what Hydra did with me and my brother."
"I don't know how it works, but he can." Bucky said. "I've seen it."
They all looked towards Maxim. His hand had stilled on Bucky's arm and his eyes were closed, silently falling to sleep. Bucky softly brushed Maxim's blonde hair out of his eyes and Maxim leaned into the touch.
"So what do we do with him now?" Natasha asked.
"We could take him to S.H.I.E.L.D." Sam offered.
"S.H.E.I.L.D. will only want to train him to work for them and use him to copy whatever Hydra did to make more like him." Steve said.
Bucky unconsciously tightened his hold on Maxim at the thought of that. He wasn't going to let Maxim be turned into a weapon or test subject like he had been.
"We can't just give him to social services and say 'here's this kid we found in a terrorist organization base that gave him super human abilities.' Clint cut in. "They'll do the same thing."
"So we keep him."
Everyone looked at Tony. He was staring at Maxim with a mixed look of what Bucky saw as protectiveness and sadness.
"Tony I don't know if that's the best idea." Bruce warned. "The tower isn't exactly the safest place for a child."
Tony looked offended. "Why not? I made the security system myself."
"What if someone targets the tower. He'll be in the middle of a fight."
"So we send him off somewhere like a sitting duck waiting for Hydra when they want their lab rat back?"
The room went silent for a moment.
"His best chance is here." Tony said.
"This is a big responsibility." Sam said. "Kids need a lot of attention and he needs clothes and food and an education. They're expensive and take a lot work."
"I think your forgetting who you're talking to here." Tony said raising an eyebrow.
"Take it from me, kids are not easy." Clint said.
"What do you think Barnes? You've been awfully quiet." Natasha asked and everyone turned to look at him.
Bucky looked up from the table he'd been staring hard at. Honestly he didn't know what to say. Was it really a good idea for the Avengers to adopt a kid? But if they didn't then where would he go? He was an orphan, he doesn't have a family and giving him up to the government or S.H.I.E.L.D. would do more harm then good. But could they do this? Could Bucky do this? He remembered helping his mother take care of his younger sisters and he'd nursed Steve backed to health plenty of times, but he never had done anything like this.
He felt Maxim moving and looked down. Maxim rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and yawned.
"Баки" Maxim whispered. (Bucky)
"Да?" (Yeah?)
"я должен идти в ванную." (I have to go to the bathroom.)
"Хорошо, пойдем." (Okay, lets go.)
Maxim wraps his arms around Bucky's neck as Bucky gets up. He looks at the others, nodding his head to Maxim saying "bathroom". He was grateful for the excuse to leave. Bucky didn't know what to say when Natasha asked him.
Bucky made his way down the hall to the bathroom and stopped just outside the door. Maxim gave him a look and hesitantly slid down to the floor. His hand was on the door knob before he turned around facing Bucky.
"Не уходи ... пожалуйста." (Don't leave...please.)
The pleading tone of his voice was enough to make Bucky's heart drop a little at how nervous he sounded and he thought about how lonely and scared Maxim would be if he left him somewhere and never came back. He didn't want that. Maybe Stark is right. Maxim could stay here. He could have a good life. He would be properly fed and cared for. He'll be around people who care about him. People who are like him with unique abilities. He would be safe. Yes, there is always that possibility some psychotic villain can attack, but Maxim would be safer here with them rather than in some unsecured place if Hydra came back for him. Plus, he was kind of starting to get attached to the little guy.
Bucky kneeled down in front of Maxim, ruffling his hair.
"волнуйся, приятель," (Don't worry buddy,) he said with a smile, "Я никуда не поеду." (I'm not going anywhere.)
-0-0-0-
It was decided for Maxim to live here. Once Bucky and Maxim had gotten back from the bathroom, he'd told them that he thought it would be best for Maxim to stay here. If it didn't work out, then they'll figure something else out.
He was following Steve and the others out the door while carrying Maxim when Tony stopped him.
"Hey Winter Boy."
Though him and Tony made amends, it wasn't that often that they would talk to each other. Only on a handful of times during missions did they speak to each other when it was necessary.
Tony looked at him for second and then shoved something colorful at him.
"Here." He huffed. "Figured no one around here had anything that would fit him." He motioned towards Maxim.
Bucky stared at it for a second until Maxim reached out slowly and took it from Tony.
"It's pajamas. Had Pepper go get some when we brought him back here. I know it's not everything he needs, but it'll work until Pepper can go get him everything else tomorrow."
Bucky finally got his brain working, "Thanks, I was wondering what he was going to wear."
"Well now you don't have to." Tony says and hands him another package. "Here's some underwear to. Pepper wants to bring Maxim when she goes tomorrow. Let him pick out what he likes. So…yeah. One work for you?"
"Yeah."
"Good." Tony nods at Bucky. He looks at Maxim whose studying the pajamas and smiles at him before walking out.
Steve was waiting at the end of the hallway.
"Everything okay? He asked.
"Yeah, Stark just gave Maxim's some clothes is all." Bucky answered shaking the pack of underwear in the air with the hand that wasn't holding Maxim. Maxim seemed to be entranced by the pajamas and kept staring down at them.
"Что это?" (What is it?) Maxim asked, looking up at Bucky.
"Пижама для тебя." (Pajamas, for you.)
"Для меня!" (For me!) Maxim couldn't contain his excitement and both Bucky and Steve grinned at his little outburst. There was so much joy in his voice that Steve didn't have to understand him to know how excited he was.
"Да, приятель, они для тебя." (Yeah buddy, they're for you.) Bucky chuckled.
"What's on them?" Steve asked looking at the pajamas.
The were a bright neon blue with different characters on them. Most of the characters looked like funny looking birds. One was red and had a mad expression on his face. Another was yellow. There was a big, fat, round bird that was also red. The last bird looked like bomb. There was another funny looking animal, a green pig with a crown.
Bucky read the cover of the package, "Angry Birds"
"What's that?" Steve asked. He was still trying to catch up on the present day culture, but he hadn't learned a lot in the kids part.
"I don't know." Bucky said.
"I'll ask Sam or Nat or someone." Steve said. "That red one looks mad. Maybe he's some sort of villain."
Bucky shrugged. "Maybe."
They started walking to their rooms. Maxim was still looking at the pajamas with glee. Bucky told Steve about going to the store with Pepper tomorrow. They talked until eventually they ended up at their rooms.
"Will you stay with him while I go shower?" Bucky asked. He hadn't changed from his mission clothes yet. "I'm afraid he'll freak out if I leave him alone."
"I think he'll freak out anyway when he has to leave your side." Steve said but followed Bucky in his room.
Alpine rubbed their legs in greeting. Steve bended down to pet him and Alpine purred softly. Bucky sat Maxim down on the couch and crouched down in front of him. Alpine rubbed against his legs and Bucky petted him before turning his focus to Maxim. He was still looking at his pajamas.
"Максим" (Maxim.) Bucky said softly and Maxim look up at him.
"Мне нужно, чтобы ты остался здесь со Стивом немного, хорошо?" (I need you to stay here with Steve for a little while, okay?)
Maxim smile quickly melts into a frown and Bucky feels like he was getting stabbed in the gut from seeing it.
"Ты уезжаешь?" (You're leaving?) Maxim's bottom lip begins to wobble a bit and tears are brimming his eyes.
Bucky puts his flesh hand on Maxim's shoulder. "Нет, нет, я просто иду в другую комнату на несколько минут." (No, no I'm just going in the other room for a few minutes.)
He points to the bathroom door and Maxim looks at it and back at Bucky. "Я собираюсь принять душ, пока ты останешься здесь со Стивом. Тогда вы тоже возьмете одну и потом сможете надеть новую пижаму." (I'm going to take a shower while you stay here with Steve. Then you're going to take one too and you can wear your new pajamas afterwards.)
"Так ты вернешься?" (So you'll come back?)
"Я буду, и вы будете со Стивом и Альпайном, когда будете там. Это займет всего несколько минут." (I will, and you'll have Steve and Alpine with you while I'm in there. It'll only be a few minutes.)
"Ладно" (Okay) Maxim says like he's unsure and he looks shyly up at Steve.
"Привет," (Hey) Bucky said and Maxim turned his attention back to Bucky. "Стив большой плюшевый мишка, помнишь?" (Steve's a big teddy bear, remember?)
Maxim smiles a little at that and wipes his eyes.
"Я пойду сейчас, хорошо?" (I'm going to go now, okay?)
"Хорошо ... но поторопись." (Okay… but hurry)
Bucky laughs and ruffles Maxim's hair.
"Я буду." (I will.)
He stands up and starts for the shower, Maxim's eyes follow him all the way until Bucky disappears behind the bathroom door. StAlpine jumps up on the couch beside Maxim and Maxim looks at him for a second than tentatively reaches out to pet him. Alpine, enjoying getting scratched, sits down next to him in the middle Steve sits down also and starts flipping through channels on T.V.
He was watching some documentary about the Egyptians when he noticed Maxim watching him. He was gently petting Alpine and holding the pajamas against his chest. Steve wished he could talk to him, but he can't speak Russian. Instead, he holds the remote out to him.
He looked puzzled for a moment, but then Maxim stopped petting Alpine to grab the remote with both hands. The cat jumped down and walked off after not being petted soon after. Steve scooted a little closer and pointed to the buttons and then the T.V. He pressed the button to change the channel while Maxim watched, subconsciously telling him how to use it despite Maxim not being able to understand. It didn't take long for Maxim to figure it out and he was started going through the channels on his own.
"You learned how to use a remote faster than I did." Steve chuckled.
Bucky came out a few minutes later while they were watching a panda doing some sort of martial arts with other animals. Once Maxim realized Bucky was back, he stood up on the couch and waved the remote in the air.
"Посмотри, что дал мне Стив!" (Bucky look what Steve gave me!)
"Ницца! Что ты смотришь?" (Nice! What are you watching?)
"Я не знаю." (I don't know.) Maxim shrugged his shoulders up high and then looked at Steve. "что мы смотрим?" (what are we watching?)
Steve, after realizing Maxim was speaking to him and waiting for an answer, looked to Bucky for help.
"He asked what are you watching." Bucky said walking towards the couch.
"Oh, uh..." Steve looked at Maxim "I don't know."
"Он сказал, что тоже не знает." (He said he doesn't know either.) Bucky told Maxim. As soon as Bucky got close, Maxim leaped on him and nearly smacked Bucky in the head with the remote.
"Woah!" Bucky dodged the remote and caught Maxim.
"Я скучал по тебе." (I missed you.) Maxim stated. His voice was muffled in Bucky's shirt.
Bucky chuckled but couldn't help but get a little choked up. "Я ушел только на несколько минут, приятель." (I was only gone for a few minutes buddy.)
"Но ты все еще не ушел." (But you were still gone.) Maxim exclaimed.
"Вы правы, я был." (You're right I was.) Bucky admitted. "И я скучал по тебе." (And I missed you to.)
Maxim lifted his head a little up at Bucky grinning. "Я был прав." (I was right.)
"Вы были. Готов пойти принять ванну?" (You were. Ready to go take a bath?) Bucky laughed.
"Могу ли я закончить просмотр со Стивом первым?" (Can I finish watching with Steve first?)
"He wants to watch it with you." Bucky said to Steve.
Maybe Maxim is starting to come out of his shell, Bucky thought.
"Tell him I do to."
"Стив хочет закончить." (Steve wants finish to.) Maxim's expression was pure joy. "Хотя сейчас перерыв, поэтому мы можем быстро принять ванну, и вы будете отсутствовать, когда он снова включится." (It's on a break though so we can take a quick bath and you'll be out when it comes back on.)
"Ладно." (Okay.)
Bucky took the pajamas laying on the couch and took Maxim to the bathroom.
"Я вернусь, Стив." (I'll be back Steve.) Maxim said over Bucky's shoulder.
After Bucky translated, Steve replied happily, "Okay, I'll be here."
Bucky asked Maxim if he wanted to take a shower or a bath. Maxim didn't know what a shower was and Bucky pointed to the shower head.
"Вы стоите под этим, и вода выходит." (You stand under this and water comes out.)
Maxim decided to take a bath. Bucky helped Maxim run the water and told Maxim to tell him when the water was to hot or cold. Once the tub was filled Maxim took off the once white clothes Hydra had given him to wear. They were so filthy they weren't even white anymore but a tan color. Bucky took what he thought were more like rags and threw them in the trash instead of the hamper.
Maxim wouldn't be wearing those anymore.
He helped him wash his hair and Maxim washed the dirt off his skin with a washcloth Bucky had given him.
"Твое мыло пахнет хорошо, Баки." (Your soap smells good, Bucky. I like it.) Maxim said scrubbing his arm.
Bucky laughed at that. "Что ж, спасибо тебе." (Well thank you.)
"Пожалуйста." (Your welcome.)
The water turned to a muddy brown color and Bucky let the water drain once they were done. He wrapped Maxim in the fluffiest towel he had and started taking the underwear and pajamas out of their packaging.
Bucky was drying his hair and Maxim looked up at him with a big smile on his face. Bucky inwardly gushed to himself about how cute he was.
"Давай, Баки, Стив ждет нас." (Come on Bucky, Steve's waiting for us.) Maxim pulled Bucky out of the bathroom and to the couch.
The three of them watched the panda movie until Maxim started falling asleep. He was stretched out on the couch with his head resting on Bucky and his feet on Steve. Alpine had jumped on the top of the couch and was sleeping.
"You never said your opinion." Bucky told Steve.
Steve looked at him. "On what?"
"If he should stay here or not." Bucky said nodding to Maxim's sleeping form.
"It's not like he has anywhere else to go and he seems pretty attached to you."
"Yeah... I don't know why."
"Because you saved him Buck. He feels safe with you."
Bucky didn't say how ironic he thought it was that Maxim would feel safe with him, someone Hydra used as a weapon, of all people. He could already see Steve's sad face looking at him. Instead, he looked down at Maxim. He had a peaceful look on his face.
"Yeah I guess he does."
Steve reached over and put his hand on Bucky's shoulder.
"I should go." He said and dropped his hand as he was standing up. He gently placed Maxim's feet off him and back on the couch. "I'm guessing your not going for a run tomorrow morning."
Bucky shook his head. "No, I don't want to leave Maxim that long just yet."
"I guess I'll just have to outrun Sam by myself then."
Bucky laughed and Steve went to the door.
"Good night."
"Good night."