A?N- This was split into two chapter, and I actually got ahead of myself. I hope you enjoy it. If I get around 10 reviews today, I'll actually post the part two of it tomorrow show some support.
Chapter 6
When Tony woke up the next morning, he groaned softly as he rubbed his little fists to get the crust and gunk out of his eyes. Now that it was daylight he was feeling a tab bit embarrassed on how childish he had been the night before. He shook his head before he scoffed to himself, his body was of a young child and he was allowed to act any way his emotions wanted.
He knew no one else was aware that he still had his adult mind at times, and so he wasn't required to act like his normal self. He was in the body and mind of a little boy and sometimes his emotions did what they wanted to do.
He knew that he never had this the first time around and he was loving that he had people who were willing to fight for him. People who actually wanted him around, who wanted to play with him. Speaking of which, he was could see that he was currently lying on someone's torso area and judging from the bulk of it he knew it couldn't be anyone but Rhodey.
He grinned at the man shyly not all shocked to see the man was awake and quietly watching him. Tony sighed happily, easily pushing his adult mindset in the back and allowing the child one to come forth.
"You stayed!" The tiny tot squealed out happily when it became apparent that the soldier wasn't planning on saying anything first.
"I promised you last night that I would stay until everything was sorted. This is your house Tony and you deserve to comfortable inside of it," Rhodey replied truthfully as he carefully sat up. He didn't want to dislodge the child currently laying on him.
Tony giggled happily at that as he carefully scooted off the man. "Can we haff bweakfast together?" He asked hopefully.
"In the Tower or outside the tower?" Rhodey asked curiously.
"In da Tower, Bwuce cooks weally good bweakfast," Tony said honestly.
"I bet he does, let's go see if he's awake and has some ready," Rhodey replied knowing JARVIS would alert the Doctor and Archer that they were planning on coming down. Because he knew like they did, that in the Penthouse, Tony didn't really have food up here since he preferred to eat downstairs in the common kitchen with his teammates.
Tony nodded happily as he jumped off of the bed before he reached up for the man to pick him up. He had realized that adults got to places faster than his little legs did and he knew being picked up was also fun, and he wanted to enjoy as much as he could in what little time he had to be this age.
"Spoiled thing," Rhodey chuckled out even as he bent down to pick up the tiny tot and headed towards the elevator.
"What we gonna do today?" Tony wanted to know.
"I'm not totally sure, maybe hang out in the tower, and see what we can find to do here. If we can't find anything to do, I'll easily take you out," he promised the child, he wanted him to know that he would not be confined anywhere he didn't want to be.
"What about da Captain and his fwiend?" Tony asked softly, not wanting to breach the topic but knowing he needed to know where everything stood after last nigt.
"Well Hopefully they'll find a place soon, but regardless they will never be alone with you Tony. And they will never hurt you again, I promise you this buddy," Rhodey replied firmly.
"Otay," Tony chirped out, his eyes seeking out Bruce or Clint's the minute they exited the elevator on the common floor.
The little boy could smell some cinnamon yummy goodness and he didn't know what it was, only that he really, really wanted to taste. Glancing around the kitchen, Tony didn't see Steve or the Winter Soldier anywhere and he finally allowed himself to relax. He wiggled in the man's arms, knowing Rhodey would get the silent question and he was rewarded when he was placed on his feet.
"Where are you going to sit Tony?" Clint asked curiously as he set up the child sized utensils and plates and cups that Pepper had gotten for him.
"I don't know, but if I wanna eat bweakfast wiff aww of you," he said pointing out at each of the men.
"That is possible," he said easily, as he gestured to Rhodey to grab some dishes for themselves to set the table.
"And I want juice wiff my bweakfast," Tony demanded out seriously.
"How do we ask Tony?" Bruce asked, his eyes still on the stove and his pan.
"Pwease can I haff juice wiff bweakfast?" He replied without missing a beat.
"Yes you may," the Doctor replied with a sly smirk. This was the only time when he could actually hear Tony Stark say please and thank you and mean it. And it was utterly adorable when the tiny tot said it as well.
Tony squealed happily and moved to climb up into a chair when he felt that uncomfortable pressure building in his tummy. He knew what it was and he didn't want anything to disturb his breakfast time with his friends. He knew what he needed to do.
"I be wight back, I'm going potty," Tony told them because he knew if he didn't state where he was going they would question him and possibly follow him.
Which he didn't mind but he just wanted to eat breakfast and that would delay it. Giggling to himself, he skipped his way out of the kitchen and towards the bathroom on the common room floor just off of the movie room.
He was so focused on his little mission that he didn't notice that someone else had noticed him. Seeing the bathroom at the end of the hall, he smiled brightly only to suddenly freeze when the person stepped into the hall, blocking the toilet door from view.
~*~Line a breaking*~*~*~
Steve had been ecstatic when he had stepped out of the elevator and had seen the small brown haired child skipping down the hallway. He could wager that the boy was probably going to visit the toilet and he was surprised that Rhodey had left him alone like that.
He knew logically that Tony wasn't alone that Jarvis was watching which meant he also had to make this quick. If the little boy in front of him felt afraid the others in the kitchen would know and he would never get to talk to his teammate. He felt awful, lower than low when he thought about but what he had done to the child.
"Tony, buddy can we talk?" Steve asked carefully.
Tony's eyes widened at the man's words, his adult mindset coming forth in an instant. He needed to be smart about this, people did crazy things when they felt that they had no way out. Just what did the Captain think he was doing anyway. "Tawk about what?" He asked softly.
"About why I brought Bucky here. He's my best friend, he's always been there for me and I need to be there for him. If I didn't take him with me, Shield or Hydra would have gotten him and chances are we would be dead or even more brainwashed," Steve replied quickly just trying to get it all out of there and allow the child to try to see it from his point of view.
"What about me though? I know what he did, to daddy. To mommy, why bwing him where I am? Don't you cawe about me wike you said?" He asked plainly.
"Of course I care about you kiddo, I love you. I just, Bucky needed me to be there for him. Can't you understand that Tony? I needed him as well," Steve stressed out seriously.
Tony could admit that the man had a bit of a point, and he felt for Steve he honestly did. Here was someone who had lived and known Steve way back when, it was a piece of his past and he wanted to hold onto to that. As much as Tony could sympathize with the Captain, it didn't change the fact that Steve had just ignored him and brought the person who killed his parents in his tower without even a by your leave.
Who does that? Did Steve really think that low of him? He wasn't ready to forgive the good Captain just yet, and he didn't know if he ever would. He knew logically that Bucky hadn't been himself when he had killed his parents but that didn't change the fact of Steve's part in all of this. The man had discarded him as he was mere trash.
As if he wasn't worth anything, and this was in his child form. Is this really what the man honestly thought of him? He gasped softly, feeling the panic set in, Steve was just another one of those people who used people and discarded then once they had no more use to them.
The little boy started breathing heavily, his emotions getting the better of him, just wanting to be away from the man. Before he could even ask Jarvis to summon one of grown-ups on his side, someone else spoke that had his heart beating even more frantically in his chest.
"Steve, back off of the kid and give him some space. Can't you see we're scaring him and he's panicking because of that," Bucky said firmly from where he was standing on the corner of the hallway.
He didn't go any closer not wanting the child to fully freak out. He had heard their conversations and he had watched the video of himself killing Stark's parents. He didn't know how the man was currently a child but he knew a frightened one when he saw it and the boy was terrified. It was clear that the man didn't have his memories of his adult self, and that the child in front of him was nothing more than just a baby.
Tony gulped out when he heard Bucky defending him. What had happened to the world? In a moment of childishness and he would later blame it on the child mindset of his, Tony found himself speaking to the Winter Soldier himself.
"You don't scawe me, only Stebe does," Tony said seriously.
It was clear the statement threw both of the men for a loop, and Tony found himself unable to look at the kicked puppy look that Steve was now sporting from his words. Instead he focused his gaze on the Soldier's whose expression for the first time was showing clear confusion, which was a lot better than the blank one he usually had.
"Why does Steve scare you and not me?" Bucky asked unable to keep the question inside. He didn't understand this child, nothing he did made sense at all. This was very unusual for him to experience but he welcomed it, anything was better than all of that killing he was started to dwell on.
Tony sighed softly as he truly thought about that question. He knew that Bucky hadn't been in control of his facilities when it was all said and done, but Steve had. Why had the man hid it from him? Why hadn't he discussed it with the team? Why had he lied so? Seeing that the man was actually waiting patiently for an answer, he swallowed thickly and made to answer.
"Stebe has aww da power, and he does anyfing he wants and doesn't cawe who he huwts in da pwocess. Only he can be wight and no one else can, he's just wike daddy, and I hate him for dat," Tony spat out, surprised actually at how hurt and angry his words had been. Now that he had said them, he did feel a bit lighter than he had before.
"What about me? You don't think that of me? I…. I killed…your parents. And I am so sorry about that," Bucky struggled to get all of that out without breaking down, but somehow he managed it. It had been hard to say and he had felt the shame rushing through him at it.
"But you weren't in your wight mind. You couldn't contwol your actions; you were under brain contwol. I fowgive you Bucky, but dere is nuffin to weally fowgive. I know dat if dey hadn't of made you do dat, you wouwdn't haff," Tony said softly, tears burning in his eyes as he said it, but he meant it.
The man was not to blame, Hydra was. It would be so easy to just blame Bucky but looking at his eyes now, he could see the horror in those eyes and remorse and the memories were punishing him even now. He would have to see if he could do something about that once he got older. Bucky didn't deserve any of this.
Steve swallowed thickly, hearing the passionate words coming from the child, a rush of shame hitting him so hard, he stumbled back and hit the wall. He ignored the twin gazes now focused on him in favor of turning and quickly running towards the steps. He needed to clear his head, and going for a run would be the best way to do that. He ran out of the doors and didn't look back, not even realizing that he didn't have any shoes on.
Bucky watched with dark eyes as Steve bolted, turning to look back down at the child apologetically.
"Steve has always been a bit more stubborn than most; its why I think the serum really took for him. He'll be okay, he just needs to clear his head. You'll see, he'll see things your way. I never would have come here had I known that you weren't alright with any of this. He told it me it was safe place for me, but he wasn't being truthful with either of us," Bucky said in a moment of clarity. He didn't feel the least bit safe here, he was constantly on his guard, even when he was sleeping. And the child in front of him was terrified of the situation, so like he said it wasn't safe for either of them.
"Will he come back do you fink?" Tony asked softly.
"He will, he thinks of this place as home, and I know how much having a home means to him," Bucky replied before he frowned. "We've taken up too much of your time, your minders are getting worried," he said before he moved to disappear again. He knew that if he were to still be here when one of the other men came, it would be bad all around.
"Wait, can we tawk again, I wike you," Tony said shyly.
Bucky had to grin then before he gave a quick nod. "I suppose so, see you around Tony," he said before turning around the corner and disappearing from sight.
Which turned out to be a good thing as Clint suddenly appeared a moment later, looking at the little boy in confusion as he saw him standing in the hall.
"What are you doing Tony?" He asked cautiously. "I thought you needed the bathroom?"
"I do, but my stwings awe tiwed up tight. I didn't want to go in dewe and maybe haff an askident because I couldn't get my pants down in time and the potty makes me haff to go worse," the little boy lied easily.
Clint wasn't sure if he believed him and gestured to the child's pajama pants. "Let me see the knot," he requested, knowing this was the moment of truth.
Tony easily showed the man the knot, though that was only a recent development. When he had been talking with Steve, his hands had needed something to do and so he had unintentionally knotted it up quite a bit. He gave an urgent squirm as he was aware of his bladder yet again. He was thankful that he was able to clear the air a bit, but why couldn't Steve wait until after he had used the toilet.
"Can you get it out?" He asked anxiously as he two stepped in place.
"No, come on we need to head to the kitchen to get the scissors," Clint said as he picked up the child and hurried back into the kitchen.
"There you are Tony, we were beginning to think you fell in," Rhodey joked when he saw that the child was unarmed.
"He didn't get a chance to go yet, he couldn't undo the knot in his pants," Clint explained as he set the child on the floor and headed to the drawer to get the scissors.
Tony danced around in place, the running water at the sink nearly doing him in before Bruce finally turned the water off.
"You should have called for help Tony," Rhodey said seriously, knowing Tony hated having to admit a weakness.
"I fought I could do it," he said with a frown as he held himself.
"Clint, just get some scissors, he's 4 remember? He cannot hold it that long," Bruce said as he caught sight of the boy.
"I know that, doesn't anyone ever put anything back in this place," Clint ranted as he opened up another drawer to try to locate the elusive scissors.
Bruce shook his head before he hurried over to the boy, who was all but turning into a pretzel. "Let me see those," he murmured taking the string between both his hands and giving it a firm tug. He noted that it broke easily under his hands as if it had been made of paper before he quickly picked up the desperate child with ease. "We will be back, mind the stove Clint," he called back over his shoulder as he hurried to the bathroom.
Tony was surprised that Bruce had actually picked him up, it was like the man was so afraid of Hulking out he just never gave him the chance. This was his first actual time being carried by the man and he couldn't even fully enjoy it. He grinned widely as he was set on the toilet, relief flooding through his body as he observed the man who was gazing at the ceiling.
"I awe finish Bwuce," Tony said as he reached for the man.
Bruce nodded before he grabbed the child and after righting his clothes, he moved to set the child down on his feet.
"No, I wanna be cawwied, pwease," Tony said quickly, before the man could put him down.
"It's not safe Tony," Bruce replied still bending over in hopes that the boy would let go.
"Yes it is, you just did it. I didn't feel scawed at aww," Tony said truthfully as he clung to the man.
"That was different, that could qualify as an emergency," Bruce pointed out as he tried to put the boy down again.
"Pwease Bwuce," the tiny tot begged out sadly.
Bruce gave in then at the sad sound and adjusted the child on his hip. He turned to look at the child to find the boy's expression was one of contentment. It gave the man a moment of pause as he helped the boy wash his hands. He carried the child back into the kitchen and set him on his chair, his plate appearing in front of Tony a moment later. Bruce took a seat at his own place and started eating, enjoying his time with his friends.
~*~*Line a breaking~*~*~*~
When Steve came back to the tower a few hours later, he was sweaty and grimy but his mind was clear. He had been abashed to realized how he had acted, and what he had done. Before he had found Bucky, he had thought he was making progress in regards to Tony. The little boy had trusted him in a way that the adult Tony never had, or ever will. How could he be so stupid and mess that up?
He didn't even know if the little boy would ever forgive him? This wasn't even his house, this was technically Stark Tower or Avengers Tower, which means he should have discussed this with his teammates. He scoffed to himself, feeling like a shit sandwich. Swallowing thickly to himself he headed in the direction of the voices that he heard. He was disappointed to find that it was a movie being played but no one was there watching it.
"Jarvis, where is everybody?" Steve asked quietly as he looked at the ceiling.
"Mr. Barnes is currently in your quarters, Miss Romanov is in the training room and young sir and his companions are at the pool," Jarvis replied in his crisp tone.
"Is the pool open to me still?" Steve asked carefully.
"Yes, you don't have any restricted access as of yet, except for the penthouse and young sir's labs. What is it you wish to do Captain?" Jarvis asked carefully, wondering if he needed to warn the others. He had been listening earlier when the child had been ambushed in the hallway. He knew that his creator was stubborn and so was the Captain and he hoped that something good had come out of the conversation for the both of them.
"I owe him so much, at the moment I wish to apologize for my behavior," Steve said contritely.
"That is a very good start Captain, I know young sir misses you. And no one is fond of the discord in the team at the moment," Jarvis responded.
"Thank you Jarvis," Steve answered before he turned and headed to the elevator, to head to the level with the pool.
It still amazed him how much money that Tony actually had, who really needed a pool in a tower of all places. But he agreed this was much easier if they wanted to swim, without worrying about the masses of people and photographers who didn't leave them alone. Tony had good ideas sometimes, even if it seemed like it was just a waste of resources. Walking out of the elevator, he let himself into the entrance to the pool room before he could lose his nerve or before he was spotted and they locked the door.
Steve silently headed towards the group, he could hear childish laughter, and his heart swelled at the sound. He missed Tony so much, and hopefully they would be able to repair this friendship that they had. He faltered in his steps when he saw Clint's eyes narrow as he took him in.
He continued his trek to where they were, watching as Tony was tossed into the air by Rhodey and caught by Bruce of all people in the water. This is what he had also meant, the child was changing so much about this without even realizing it.
"Is there something we can help you with Rogers?" Clint asked tightly when the man had come just a bit too close them, then he would have liked.
Steve stopped then, his eyes flickering to Tony who was looking at him in confusion, before he turned back up to Clint. He hated that the man was referring to him with his last name, he knew they were all passed that mostly, and hated it.
"I wanted to apologize to Tony," Steve said quietly, when it became apparent that they were all waiting for him to speak first.
"Apologize for what?" Rhodey asked as he carefully stepped out the pool, leaving Tony in Bruce's arms for the time being.
"For not listening to him, for disregarding him. I let my emotions get the better of me, and I hurt Tony in the process. I was so very wrong for that; I should have spoken with the team. There had to be better suggestions, but I didn't listen to any of them. I am so sorry kiddo, I never meant to make you feel like you were anything less then what you are. You mean so much to me, I just forgot all my common sense when Bucky appeared. And that was so wrong of me," Steve said emotionally, he had remembered the man had given him a home.
Tony gasped softly at the apology, he could feel his stupid kid emotion's tearing up his eyes but he refused to cry. It felt good to hear, it felt good for the man to acknowledge it, and he gave a childish smile.
"Otay, 'pology accepted," he chirped out before he turned back to Bruce for more playing. It was so much harder to stay mad at anything in this body, so he was actually feeling a bit lighter now that the man had apologized.
Steve managed a smile at that, thanking everything that child Tony didn't seem to actually want to hold grudges and was he was grateful for small mercies. However, he noticed just because the child himself forgave him, he still had to deal with Clint and Rhodey, he knew Bruce was all for not fighting so as long as Tony was fine the doctor would be too.
"Be that as it may Captain, you and your friend still aren't staying here," Rhodey replied seriously after a moment had gone by.
"Tony doesn't have a problem with Bucky," Steve pointed out quietly.
"How do you know? When's the last time you talk to him?" Clint bit out, his eyes narrowing as he tried to figure out if there was a hidden plot in all of this.
"What's that matter? Tony told me himself if you must know. He's angry with me not Bucky," Steve said with a sigh.
"Clearly we all need to sit down and have a discussion about this, and where we go from her. Because the other night, Tony was hysterical and now you're telling me, he's okay with the Winter Soldier being here in his house?" Rhodey said skeptically, knowing that made no sense whatsoever.
"I said he's alright with Bucky Barnes, not who he was, which was the Winter Soldier," Steve stressed out.
"You can still trigger the Winter Soldier, he's not cleared for anything because of that. Bucky and the Soldier are the same people at the moment," Clint pointed out.
"No they aren't," Steve bit out in annoyance.
Rhodey opened his mouth to retort only to freeze at the alarm, that suddenly resounded around them and the tower and he winced at the scream that emitted from Tony behind him.
"Jarvis turn it off!" Clint called out, breathing a sigh of relief when the alarm faded out a second later.
"I hate dat!" Tony screamed out, his little ears feeling like they were ringing. He had forgotten how sensitive they were at this age, and it hurt too. He glanced up at wide eyes as he clung to Bruce remembering last time.
"Shit," Rhodey said with a frown before gesturing to Bruce to get out of the pool.
"Dammit, what are we going to do? That was the call to assemble, we can't leave at a time like this," Clint said with a loud sigh.
"We don't have a choice, we have our orders to protect and serve," Steve replied tightly.
"Tony has to stay here, not in the pool area because that's dangerous. But he can't sneak away like last time," Bruce informed them, as he reached forward and grabbed the child's clothes with his free hand.
"That still leaves us like last time, with Thor gone and Tony out, we are yet again down two teammates," Clint reasoned.
"Maybe we won't need the extra numbers anyway, we didn't last time," Steve pointed out thoughtfully.
"Well, if you guys end up needing an extra person, I can fight with you. But only as a last resort," Rhodey said reluctantly.
"Maybe not as a last resort, we don't know what's going on. The situation could be dire, and we might need you," Clint answered honestly.
"It has to be Clint, because contrary to belief I haven't forgotten the tension in this tower. Barnes is still here, if we all leave to fight, that leaves Tony unprotected and there is no way in hell I will ever allow that to happen," Rhodey said dangerously. He would not fail when it came to protecting Tony and making sure he was safe. He knew Pepper would kill him.
Clint paled as he remembered that, his heart stuttering his own chest as he remembered the threat that was inside of the tower thanks to their esteemed Captain.
"Bucky won't hurt Tony," Steve protested at the man's word.
"Say's you, but if he's triggered, he won't know Tony from an enemy. I'm not going to risk his life, on your words," Rhodey said angrily that the man would think otherwise. "If you want me to help you guys in your fight, figure out where Barnes will be during all of this. We know he isn't cleared to fight with us," he said as he turned to dry off the child.
Tony shivered from the cold, not really paying attention to their words. He was feeling warm on the inside, he had hated holding that grudge again Captain America. But since the man apologized he was hoping that Steve would get to cuddle him again.
He loved all sorts of affection from each of his team members, and each one gave cuddles differently. And when Steve hugged him, he hugged him tightly, almost as if he was afraid that Tony would push him away. Which was stupid because the little boy was touched starved and he craved that, so much more in this form.
Steve sighed, seeing that War Machine wouldn't be moved he nodded to himself, wondering what he should do. "Maybe Bucky could fight with us; I don't know where he could go. S.H.E.I.L.D. isn't known to be very accepting of one if they are different. They still don't treat Clint the way that they should and being under control of Loki wasn't in anyway his fault," he said choosing to think out loud, in hopes that one of the other men would get an idea.
Clint winced when his situation was brought up, not wanting to admit that the man had a point. This was why he was never really at S.H.E.I.L.D. anymore, why spend time at a place that was still wary of you? Regardless of the things that he had done for the company.
"Let's just head down to the common area and bounce a few ideas off of each other. We can find out how bad it is downtown and figure out what we need to do then," Clint said quietly, knowing that Natasha would be down there. He had missed his partner quite a lot and after being reminded of his time under mind control, he could use a bit of her support. He knew she would be happy that everything was mostly back okay with the team.
With Tony still bundled up in his towel the group made their way to the elevator and towards the common room. Once there Rhodey looked around to note that the Black Widow was there, but Bucky wasn't which was a small grace as he didn't think he would be comfortable with that intense gaze on them.
As much as he was the Winter Soldier, he was also Bucky Barnes as Tony was quick to remind him. He needed to let the hurt and the fault fall away for now. Maybe when Tones was aged up the feelings would change but for now, he needed to put the blame where it was due and not let his anger at the situation cloud his judgment. He adjusted the child in his arms before he diverted his attention back to the group.
"Did we decide what we can do?" Rhodey asked curiously.
"Decide about what?" Natasha asked carefully as she made her way toward the group.
"We've been called to assemble as you know and we are unsure of what we are going to do with Tony. He knows now not to come with us, or sneak away, however there is still the issue of Barnes being in the Tower with him. We are untrusting of the man as you well know and cannot in good conscience leave Tony here with him, without one of us here as well. And we would be down three teammates then, even with the War Machine helping us," Bruce said carefully. He could feel eyes on the back of his neck, and the Hulk was literally behind his skin and he didn't like it. He knew that the Winter Soldier was clearly listening in.
Natasha nodded, her eyes narrowing as she glanced just passed Bruce's head to where the common room veered off towards a corner. She too felt the gaze and she had actually talked with him. She remembered exactly who she was and he had been truly surprised to see that she was accepted on this team, and they had talked for quite some time. She wasn't going to expose him, because she knew how James Barnes could be.
"Well, if Jarvis initiates lockdown mode for Steve's rooms, Barnes would be confined to those areas without feeling like he was locked in a prison," she stated carefully.
Surprisingly it was Rhodey who nodded in agreement first at her suggestion. "Yes, that will work. With the arsenal that Jarvis has, he would be able to keep the Winter Soldier at bay if something triggered him. He would be able to hold him off and protect Tony at the same time until we came back to subdue him if need be," Rhodey replied quietly even as he tugged the child in his arms closer to him. It wasn't an ideal situation by any means, but beggars couldn't be choosers.
Steve was mostly okay with that plan he just didn't like how Jarvis could react if he felt that the man was getting triggered, especially what he observed since yesterday morning. He wasn't sure how they would take it so he wouldn't be divulging why that was but he could enlighten them to it.
"Bucky has been more at peace these last few days, I don't think that he will be triggered," Steve said nonchalantly as if was no big deal. He knew it was and he was grateful that Tony had been able to help him when even Steve couldn't.
"Again Captain, you'll have to excuse me, I don't trust your judgment. And so we will stick with Natasha's plan," Rhodey said quietly before he turned to look at the dozing child in his arms. However, he knew better, he knew this kid, and what he was capable of. He would never ever, underestimate Tony Stark.
"I know you heard us kiddo, you are not to go looking for trouble. Do not go and try to get onto Steve's floor. Leave Barnes alone, yeah?" Rhodey said bluntly.
Tony looked up at the man in shock and wasn't sure whether he was hurt or surprise or disbelief he was feeling. "Whodey, I wouwdn't do dat!" He said clearly appalled at the whole thing.
Clint chuckled at the affronted reaction on the child's face. "You really would kiddo, we know you. You just wouldn't be able to help yourself," he said with a shake of his head.
Tony pouted refusing to acknowledge Clint. "I won't do dat Whodey, I pwomise," he said seriously.
"You'd better not, as I will have Jarvis monitoring you and he will alert me if you feel some kind of inclination towards that," Rhodey told him seriously.
"Otay," Tony said unhappily, that they clearly didn't trust him. He turned back into the man's chest to go back to his nap, not wanting to think on it any longer.
Rhodey shook his head, and he sat down to get the child dressed, thankful that Bruce had thoughtfully brought the boy's clothes down with them. He quietly got the child dressed as the screen with Director Fury appeared and they could hear what was going on downtown.
~&~&~Breaking the line~&~&~&
On the other side of the common room, where the room veered off into a corner Bucky silently made his retreat back to Steve's rooms. He took the steps stealthily, not wanting to get caught out in the elevator. He was also in the mindset of James Rhodes, who believed that Tony would deviate from the agreement and seek him out.
He didn't want to hurt the child, especially since the boy had forgiven him in his part in his parent's murder. Bucky let himself into Steve's rooms and made his way to the spare bedroom that he had been staying.
"Jarvis, please initiate the lockdown that they agreed on. I don't want Tony to be in danger of me," Bucky stated quietly.
"I've been monitoring your condition since you stepped into my tower and as the Captain has stated, you are the furthest thing from that. I will do as you and they agree, but note that young sir has the power to veto anything at any time. I obey my creator and only my creator," the A.I, said basically warning the man that the tiny boy could overrule anyone if he so chose too. He wanted the man to be aware of that and act accordingly.
"It won't come down to that, Tony promised," Bucky said with a shake of his head. He didn't know the child but from what he had met, the boy had been a breath of honest, fresh air.
J.A.R.V.I.S. stayed silent, because he knew that Tony would do just that. They always underestimated his creator, but people like James Rhodes and Pepper Potts knew much better. They knew what to expect from the anomaly that one would call Tony Stark. For the moment J.A.R.V.I.S. allowed the man to keep his ignorance, knowing it wouldn't last for long. So he quieted, and for the time being he would let the man think otherwise.