I'm sorry these chapters are so short. I feel like I should be doing more, but unfortunately I don't have a lot of time to write during the week. And I just get so excited about updating that I cut my plans short. (This chapter was suppose to be double in length. and I got too excited so you're just getting what I wrote so far.) I'm sure I'll be one of those fics that has like 40 chapters. RIP me. (okay, maybe not 40) - Anyways, enjoy!
Steve cracked his eyes open to see Tony standing over him, shaking his shoulder as he spoke. The soldier's mind raced as he tried to remember why Tony was there, and then everything came rushing back. Right he had called him there.
"Come on Spangles, the Jet is here," Tony said as he hit Steve's shoulder with his stack of files. "I want to get out of here as much as the others do. You're the only one tying us down." Tony said. - He had come back to the living quarters with Peter only to find Steve passed out in the chair. He figured the man needed some sleep, so he left him to snooze as he directed his crew to lead the others out to the plane. Honestly, he was shocked that Steven didn't wake up, he was usually a light sleeper.
Steve propped himself up in the chair he was in and looked around. Tony was the only one in front of him, but upon further observation, he noticed Bailey standing a few feet behind Tony with Peter who was holding her hand. "Where is everyone else?" he asked as he let out a yawn before stretching his arms.
"In the jet, like I said before. C'mon Sleeping Beauty, you can rest once we take off. The kiddies want to go," Tony said before turning and motioning for Bailey to move.
"N-No, that's okay. I'm awake now," Steve said as he stood up in one fluid movement and strode the door.
"Good," Tony replied as he patted Steve's shoulder, pushing him towards the front of the group. "Then you can go with the kids, I'm going to make sure I have everything. I would prefer not to come back here," Tony said with a unhappy huff. "I'll meet you up top. My team will be waiting for you," Tony instructed, to witch Steve simply nodded.
"How long was I out?" Steve asked almost apologetically as he approached Bailey who was waiting for him outside the door.
"Sorry, but I don't know," Bailey said with a small shake of her head. "I fell asleep when your friends were still here. And suddenly Mr. Stark was waking me up," With that the small group began to ascend the stairs. "I didn't know you and Mr. Stark had patched things up since the Accords," She said.
"We haven't. Well, not really. But we're working on it," Steve said as he felt the warmness of embarrassment creep up his neck.
"Good. I don't like to see mom and dad fight," Bailey said with a labored laugh as she continued up the steps.
"Mom and Dad?" Steve asked, slightly amused by her statement.
"Yeah. Mom and Dad, of the Avengers," Bailey said as if it was common knowledge. Steve was so taken back by the statement that he could only let out a nervous laugh before the fell silent. "You called because of him didn't you," Bailey said. At the same time she turned her head to look at Steve before looking down at Peter who was simply holding onto her hand and looking at the steps.
"Yeah," Steve admitted not really sure what else to say. This girl definitely was a sharp one.
The three finally reached the top to find two paramedics waiting for them, along with the Iron Man suit standing protectively at the mouth of the building.
"Hi Miss," one of the paramedics said when Bailey approached. He was young, mid to late twenties, and he seemed to be too happy for the situation. "Can we help you out to the Jet? You seem a bit winded," he said as he held out an arm. Bailey eyed the man before looking back at Steve.
"Um Sure," She said as she took the man's arm. The other medic was quick to join and Bailey quickly looked down at Peter. "These nice people are going to help me outside, is that okay Peter?" She asked, giving the boy's hand a tight squeeze.
Peter looked up at the girl with large eyes. It was obvious that the boy was uneasy, and the thought of leaving the one person he felt comfortable with petrified him. His breathing increased in speed and tears began to well up in his eyes but he timidly nodded his head.
"It's okay Peter, I'll be right here with you," Steve said as he noticed how uneasy the boy was.
"Thanks Cap," Bailey said over her shoulder as the two medics began to lead her out of the building and soon it was just Steve and Peter standing in the small hut
"Alright Petey, let's go, huh?" Steve asked asked as he took Peter's hand. The two moved a few feet towards the exit, but as soon as they hit the threshold of the door, Peter stopped dead in his tracks. "Hey, what's wrong?" Steve asked as he let go of Peter's hand and turned so he could get a good look at the boy.
Peter was frozen in place as his chest heaved up and down, and it was growing in speed. Tears trailed down his cheeks as he stared out at the landscape before him. Steve opened his mouth to say something but before he could, Peter began to shake uncontrollably. It started in his legs and moved up his body. Peter may have been a young boy, but Steve could identify a panic attack when he saw one.
"Hey bud," Steve said as he crouched down in front of him. "It's okay. Nothing's going to hurt you. We're just going to take you somewhere safe okay?" Steve said. He could easily pick up the boy, but he didn't want to move him against his will unless he absolutely had to.
"I-I-I've n-never been out s-side," Peter said, his already small voice going up a few octaves. "M' scared."
"Oh Peter," Steve said, his heart breaking as he pulled the boy into a hug, holding him against his shoulder. "It's okay. I know it's scary, but you will be fine. I'll be right there with you," Steve said reassuringly. Peter continued to look straightforward but didn't indicate that he had heard Steve's words. Steve waited a moment before taking Peter's hand and trying to lead him away, but the boy wouldn't budge. He just continued to shake and cry. He could handle panic attacks in adults. He knew what to do there. But a child? Well, Steven didn't have a lot of experience with them. "Hey look at me. We're going to take one big step together, okay? Just one step and-"
"Come on Sleeping Beauty, move aside," Tony's voice suddenly sounded from behind them. Peter turned at the sound of the voice and looked up at Tony with desperation as he reached up for him with his small arms. Even though Tony was a little taken back by the state of Peter, he didn't show it. He simply scooped up the shaking boy in his arms and proceeded to walk out of the door. "Close the door behind you!" Tony said over his shoulder as the Iron Man suit followed him out.
Steven was in shock at the way Peter responded to Tony and all he could do was stand there for a moment in confusion. Had something happened between the two while he was asleep? The super soldier tried to shake it off and proceeded to follow the father and son. But not before closing the door as he was instructed.
"Hey Peter, You're doing great," Tony said to the still shaking boy as they walked towards the Jet. Peter looked at their surroundings with large eyes but quickly stuck his head into the crook of Tony's neck when the man lost his footing and stumbled. "Sorry Peter," Tony muttered as he adjusted his grip and continued on. Soon he felt a wetness on his neck from Peter's tears, followed by a warmth that grew around his midsection. It was clear that both Peter and Tony would need a change of clothes. And Tony tried to not think about the fact that they would have to wait the entire flight back to the compound to change clothes. It wasn't like the child meant to pee on him...right?
"Almost there," Tony said as he approached the ramp that lead into the jet. He could see the others now. Bailey was in a reclining position in a chair, as well as the other girl, while the two other children were strapped in and ready to go. "Okay Peter, we're going into my airplane now. It's going to be loud for a little bit, and maybe even a bit scary, but I know you can handle it." Tony said. He wasn't even sure if Peter was listening...but maybe this was more for his sake anyways.
Tony slowly ducked into the jet and took a seat closest to the cockpit, but chose not to sit in the co-pilot seat. He figured he wouldn't be getting Peter off of him anytime soon. Turning his head he saw Steve board the plane and with that he gave the signal to close up and take off.
As soon as the jet made a move for takeoff, all of the children began to cry loudly, including Peter, who leaned his head even harder into Tony. The inventor's eyes widened and he let out a small huff as he was forced back into the seat. Peter wailed as he body continued to shake and Tony put a steady hand on Peter's back for reassurance. The boy was heaving heavy breaths in and out and honestly, it was scaring Tony.
"Peter. Peter," Tony said as he gently tapped the boy's back. You need to breathe with me, okay? Just match my breaths." Tony said as he began to exaggerate his breathing. There was a little bit of a gray moment where Peter didn't seem to listen to the inventor, but slowly, the boy's chest began to fall in sync with Tony's.
"I told ya' kid. You're the bravest boy I know," Tony said as he gave a comforting pat to Peter's back. The only reply that Peter gave was a small cough.
"You're really good with him," Steve said and honestly, he was impressed.
"Nah," Tony said as his face scrunched together. "I honestly have no idea what I'm doing," He admitted. "I'm just imitating what I see on TV, you know," The inventor said as he began to rub circles on Peter's back.
"I'm serious Tony," Steve said. He was honestly impressed. "You're a natural."
"Not possible. Not with my upbringing," Tony said. That statement seemed to strike a chord in Steve and he dropped the subject after that.
Tony sat in silence as he watched his med team check everyone out and make sure they were comfortable. The other two children had quieted down once the jet was at a steady altitude and the two teenagers seemed to be doing fine. Peter on the other hand continued to let out coughs and hiccup noises. At first Tony just thought he was having a hard time calming down, but suddenly Steve spoke up.
"Tony...he has asthma, right?" the blonde asked as he stood up and closed the four foot gap between them. "I think he's having an attack," Steve explained as he held his arms out for Peter.
Tony only nodded as he looked up at Steve with wide eyes. He felt so dumb because of course something wasn't right. Tony should have seen that. And it kind of pissed him off because of course Steve would be the one to notice something was wrong. The guy was a sick individual before he became Captain America. He would definitely know symptoms for something like this.
"Here," Tony said as he adjusted Peter so Steve could take him. To his surprise, though, Steve simply turned Peter around so that he was sitting on Tony's lap, his back up against his chest.
"It's easier for him to breath like this," Steve explained as he wiped his hands on his pants, trying to ignore the wet spot he had just touched. From there he turned towards the group of medics, "Excuse me," he said, his voice becoming a bit louder. "Can we get some help over here?" He asked as all of the medics turned their heads to look at the three.
A woman was the first to respond and she quickly shuffled over at Steve's command. She had heard the boy cough, but thought nothing of it. Now that she saw him, though, she knew the problem. "Asthma?" She asked as she kneeled down in front of Tony and Peter.
"I think?" Tony said, feeling like a fish out of water in this kind of situation. "Rita, please tell me you have some albuterol on this jet," Tony said, his throat feeling tight.
"We have some, don't worry Mr. Stark," Rita said with a reassuring smile as she stood and moved to retrieve it.
"Sc-Sca-Sc-Scared," Peter stated tugged on his shirt collar. "Can't b-breathe," he gasped as he tried to turn to look at Tony.
"I know you're scared. Me too. But you're going to be brave and Rita is going to do her job and help you because she's damn good at it," Tony said as he looked down at Peter.
"Tony," Steve hissed under his breath. "Watch your language, especially in front of him," Steve said as he eyed Peter.
"Oh calm your tits Mr. America!" Tony said, his voice growing in volume. He was clearly perturbed.
"Mr. America?" Steve stammered as Rita came back with a handheld breathing machine and a mask.
"Hey there," Rita said with a kind smile as she knelt in front of Tony and Peter. "My name is Rita, I work for Mr. Stark. And you are.." The woman trailed off and looked at Tony for some sort of answer.
"Peter," Tony said, supplying an answer. "Peter this is Rita, she is going to help you breath," Tony explained.
"That's right," Rita chimed in. "So I'm going to put this mask on you, okay? And this mist is going to come out of it. It might look scary, but I need you to breath as much as you can in. It's medicine," She explained.
The small boy wearily eyed the woman but nodded as she held up the breathing mask. "O-o-okay," he wined, closing his eyes so he wouldn't have to see what was happening.
Both Tony and Steve seemed to hold their breath as they watched Peter taken in the medicine, and slowly his breathing began to even out. A little bit longer and Peter was beginning to doze on Tony's chest.
"Thank you Rita. Remind me to give you a raise when we get back to the compound," Tony quietly said as the medic gently took the mask off of the now sleeping boy.
"I'm just doing my job Mr. Stark," She said with a kind smile as she stood up and began to go back to her earlier position, but not before stalling next to Steve. "It's good to see you again Captain," She said timidly before moving on.
"Well, that was terrifying," Tony said on a shaky breath as he leaned against the headrest.
"Yeah," Steve simply agreed. "You think you want to sign up for this? Face these problems and take on the responsibility?" He asked. He wasn't trying to be rude, but it was a serious question.
"I-" Tony said as he seriously thought about his answer. He thought he had a good reply, but now he was questioning if it was the right one. "I don't think so," Tony muttered, biting his lip. It's not the answer he wanted to give, but it was the most honest. "I'm not dad material. Especially since I didn't have a good example. And Peter's going to need help, and a lot of nurturing. If...If he is my son, I want what's best for him. If that means giving him to someone else that is better equipped...I'll do it."
"Are you sure you want to make that decision? What if you regret it?" Steve asked, his brow knitting together.
"This isn't about me Steve. This is about Peter. I'll be whatever he needs me to be. If I need to stay as Tony Stark, the Mechanic who fixes things...that's what I'll be. If I need to be a friend, I'll be that. And if-" Tony paused, looking out the window. "If Peter needs me to just stay on the sidelines and watch, I'll do that too."