Disclamier: I don't own ANYTHING but if i did then you can count on lots of angst.

Tony and Bruce swam to the edge of the pool and hopped out just in time for a gust of wind to hit them. The brown eyed boy gave a cheeky smile to the greenish eyed one.

"S-see I-I told y-you, you'd live a l-little." Tony said through his chattering teeth.

"Y-yeah b-but now w-we have hy-hyperthermia, you I-idiot." They both stared at each other through their chatters and shivers till they burst into laughter. Once calmed down Tony tried to remember the last time he laughed that hard, or ever. Then he notices something. Something amazing. He has a real smile! Not a fake, forced, or media but a real, happy smile. He just can't help but wonder what that nagging feeling like he forgot-

"Anthony" Howard hissed, seething though his teeth. Once Tony heard his hissed name it hit him like a semi. Stiffly, he turned to face the drunken man that used to be his father. Facing Howard he noticed the red tint on his face, visibly shaking shoulders, and drunken haze in his eyes.

"Go out front and wait, I'll deal with you later." He spoke calmer but his voice still showing the anger bubbling underneath.

Tony's fearful eyes glanced over to Bruce, who was watching the six year-old in sympathy. "Yes father." His weak, shaking limbs struggles to get off the ground. Bruce tried to help but he just shook his head, mumbling sorry. If Bruce helped then Tony would probably do something to make this all worse.

Once he was stable enough to stand he wobble his way to the front of the mansion. As he wobbled he ignored all the people staring and the multiple stumbles and falls he endeared though the trip. The journey to the front of the mansion was over and he found the perfect place to hide and wait for his 'parents'.

While waiting to leave he started thinking about all the trouble he caused for Bruce. How he should just stop trying to make friends. It always just ends up horribly with him, all alone in a dark room with no one to care.

The wind started to pick up so Tony took the wet jacket around his shoulders in a death grip. The jacket was still wet and cold like the rest of him but was oddly comforting. Wait- jacket? Where did the jacket come fro-

Oh

Oooh shit

Immediately he yanked the jacket off and held it arms length to excess the damage. The jacket was still dripping pool water but maybe he could fix it? Taking a good, long look he concluded that it was ruined. Bruce was going to kill him... Really slowly.

'Way to make friends, Tony. Ruin the lives of everyone who tries to help you. Like you ruin everything else.' He thought to himself sadly.

A warm, fluffy white towel caught him by surprise as it suddenly fell on top his head. Reaching up and plucking the towel off his brown hair he turn to see who brought it to him. He saw Bruce standing next to an older man in an expensive suit.

"I hope you and young master had fun, but I would recommend that next time you don't freeze yourselves." His British accent was so welcoming it reminded Tony of Jarvis. He stuck a hand out with hot cocoa in it to the young boy "Alfred Pennyworth, butler and caretaker of the Waynes." Tony took the steaming mug out of the butler's hands "T-Tony Stark and t-thanks." He shook the butler's hand and took a giant gulp to feel the warm liquid run down his throat.

Once he felt warm enough guilt started to fill him up and he squeezed the hand holding Bruce's jacket a little harder. Taking a deep breath he awkwardly lifted up the wet jacket up to face Bruce. Not able to look Bruce in the face yet he stared at the ground.

"I'm so, so, so sorry. I'll buy you a new one. I'll give you one of mine. I'll- I'm just-...sorry." The last word was barely a whisper but still could be heard. Taking every bit of courage he had he looked Bruce in the face expected to see the anger, disappointment, and hatred. What he didn't expect was to see and hear was mirthful amusement and a light-hearted chuckle come from the older boy.

"Oh it's completely fine, I have a ton of jackets. How about you take it home and keep it. It'll be your own souvenir to remember the fun on what would've been a boring event and the day we met. You really made this a great night, Tony" He held out his with a piece of paper in it. " I hope we can still be friends if your up for it."

Tony, standing there gaping like a fish was trying to believe this all was happening. That Bruce still wanted to be friends with him. Him. The ruined of lives. The destroyer of things. The useless thing taking up space and time.

Hesitantly, he took two fingers and went to grab the small folded paper but paused for a second. His hand almost grazing the paper and his heart beating he waited for this to all just 'poof' into smoke or Bruce yanking it back and this all to be some kind of joke. After the second passed and nothing happened, he retreated his hand with the paper firmly in his grasp.

"T-thank you" Tony shuddered, staring at the paper with wide unblinking eyes in disbelief, not able to believe all this was happening.

How and why isn't Bruce mad. He basically ruined the party, probably got him in trouble, and ruined his clothes but instead of getting mad and hitting and screaming. Instead of all that he offered friendship, his own jacket, and even a warm towel. Now Tony was defiantly confused.

Looking over to see Alfred's bright smile let one of his own welcome itself onto his face. Bringing the cold, wet, raven colored jacket and folded, crisp paper to his chest he couldn't help watery tears well up in his eyes. Quickly wiping them away he looked up to see his mother stumbling a bit next to Howard with the Wayne adults walking in front.

"I think that there's no harm done here that a nice cup of hot, steaming Cocoa can't fix." Thomas said in a mirthful tone.

"Well, I think my son's pretty tired from his...adventure." Howard glanced over to Tony," we should probably get going. It was a pleasure being here, and I still hope our deal is on."

"Yes, Mr. Stark, the deal is still on and I hope you have a great rest of the night, and come back anytime."

Tony took the towel off head and took one last sip of the rest of the cocoa and gave them to the butler. After the British butler gave a small nod of thanks the small boy turned to the older one," I'll be sure to text you whenever I can." He whispered and made sure Howard didn't hear and luckily he didn't. However he did make his way over and but his strong hand on Tony's shoulder and gave a tight enough squeeze to leave a bruise.

The whole Stark family gave polite smiles to the Waynes and any one else that looked their way while walking to the car. They walked up to the black-slightly sparkly-limo that pulled up and through the door a raven skinned man held open.

Once they were inside and the door closed with a soft click Howard immediately backhanded Tony across the face.

*smack*

The six year old just face the way his head got smacked and stiffen as he tried his best to ignore the red hot pain and the blaring ringing in his ears. Staying as emotionless as he could, he turned his head to the window enough to watch the trees but not enough to see the red hand print in the reflection.

"I'm dealing with you later. I just- I can't..." He gave a long irritated sigh, "I'm not drunk enough for this." Pinching the bridge of his nose he leaned against his mother, whom past out after they had gotten in the car.

Tony knew it was best to stay quiet so he kept his gaze on the trees flying past. Bruce's jacket was being cradled by his chest he stared down, memorizing the number of his friends 'He'll find out who you really are. Your going to scare him off like everyone else. Then you'll still be Tony stark, the lonely little boy with only machines for a family.' The little voice echoed in his head but he just shook it off because at least now he has a friend. A real person who actually cares.

A small smile ghosted onto his face as he thought about all that happened that night. One thought kept stinging every time it popped into his mind.

'How long will he last'