Bruce's POV

Bruce took a deep breath as he checked his watch "7:57, three more minutes till a ton of irritating, boring people come flooding into the mansion." he spoke to himself, listening to the ticks of the old grandfather clock in the room.

"Would you please and try to have fun this time, young master." The young boy jumped at the voice that belong to his beloved butler, Alfred.

"How do I have fun when everyone of these are so boring. Even the kids a boring, and they only talk to me because I'm a Wayne they don't even try to get to know me. Why are we even doing another party?" The pleading puppy dog look would have made a lesser man give in, but unfortunately for Bruce, Alfred was certainly not a lesser man.

"Because, he Master Bruce, the winds are very outgoing and caring people that shows that shows that with their parties." Alfred stated while walking towards the front doors of the mansion, "also let you know and remember to have fun in even try to make a friend." He came to the door and opened it as the grandfather clock in the room hit 8 O'clock.

*bong*

As quickly as the doors open, a swarm of rich suits and dresses filled up the huge ballroom. With a miserable sigh he walked into the crowd of greedy piranhas and introduced himself to each and everyone.

After around 30 minutes or so of introducing and dull conversations someone caught his eye. A five or six-year-old wandering and dodging anyone who tried to make conversation or got in his way. But what peaked Bruce's interest wasn't that a kid was walking around, instead it was that he seemed to be determined to get away. Determined to get far away from the troubles that seem to be hunting him, while any other child would be determined to find their parent.

Deciding to follow, Bruce stayed far enough away so the boy wouldn't know he had acquired a temporary stalker. He did stay close enough to watch where the boy was so deemed to take himself.

Following the little brown haired boy through the huge oak doors that passed him into the freezing, December night. The kid finally stopped his stroll on the very edge of a cliff. A cliff that lets you feel as though the gods and the stars and the moon itself was there to protect you and only you. And the best part is the breathtaking view of the moon-reflected waters below that makes you feel as though you were staring into the soul, and beauty of another world. Of course this was Bruce's favorite spot at the whole property.

Hiding behind a tree, he watched with intense curiosity of what he would do all alone, in the middle of some strangers mansion. Bruce was greatly surprised when the boy suddenly fell to the ground in the hyperventilating fit.

Immediately, not knowing what to do, Bruce ran up to the hyperventilating boy, and quickly put his jacket on his shivering form. The next thing he knew, his arms are tightly wrapped around this quivering boys frame in a hug.

"It's ok, it's ok. Just breath, you safe." Bruce muttered hoping it would soothe him. After a while of rubbing his back and rambling, he felt the little boy control his breathing and calm to a stutter. He was shocked out of his relief when he felt movement and before he knew it he was face-to-face with the six-year-old boy with slightly curly brown hair, tear-welled, puffy chestnut eyes, tear-stained, red tinted cheeks, and a confused frown on his face.

"Yeah... yeah, I'm fine kid. What are you doing way up here?" Bruce was pissed. He was not a kid. 'Who did this kid Think he was? Asking where I was here, well he probably does he even know where he is.' He thought with a bit of irritation as he sat next to the boy.

"First of all, I'm not a kid. I might be older than you and secondly, I should be asking you that. Your the one in the middle of a mansion, freezing, and having a panic attack." Bruce stated with a raised brow.

The curly haired boy looked to the ground with his little fists grasping Bruce's jacket till his knuckles were white.

"I just...just had to get away, you know?"Bruce nodded slowly, remembering the determination in his eyes to get out of the mansion. Getting up from the ledge he held a hand out for the younger kid to grab. Once their hands locked he hoisted the brown eyed boy up and found him to be one inch smaller.

Bruce heard an almost in inaudible 'thanks' as they started walking away but stopped in his footsteps once he heard the young voice speak, "Hey, want to go swimming?"

Staring at the younger child like he grew giant mushroom on top of his head. He spoke slowly and matter-of-factly, "You know it's the middle of winter right? And weren't you just freezing to death before I found you." The boy just rolled his brown eyes.

"Not to death, and come one live a little." The six-year-old started running to the edge.

In the moment of panic, Bruce ran after him "KID!" He screamed trying to get the kid to stop. It was too late, he jumped off the edge while yelling back, "I'M NOT A KID!"

Once again, in the panic he jumped off the cliff after him. On the way down the boy's stuck out his small hand while the other held onto the jacket about to fly a small frame.

"TONY STARK!" He screams is the wind. 'Huh, I always knew strokes are crazy. Now I can have first-hand experience in the insane family My parents told me about' Bruce mused taking Tony's hand.

"BRUCE WAYNE!" He screamed as the plunge into the waters.

They both popped their heads out of the freezing waters and took in much-needed oxygen. Bruce felt as though the coldness from the waters sucked out every last bit of breath that they tried and tried to breathe back in.

After what felt like an eternity they finally got to the edge of the pool and hopped out. Right as they hopped out a guest of wind hit their freezing bodies that made them shiver harder at the cold.

Bruce gave an unimpressed look at Tony's cheeky smile. "S-see I-I told y-you, you'd live a l-little." Tony said in a shattering, shivering mess.

"Y-yeah b-but now w-we have hy-hyperthermia, you I-idiot." Greenish-blue eyes locked with chestnut brown ones till they both just suddenly burst into laughter. After letting all their hysterical laughing calm to soft chuckles, Bruce couldn't help but smile at the bright, animated smile on that once tear-stained face.

Looking around, Bruce saw people watching them with curiosity because they must've heard the commotion. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a man walking closer. He was visibly shaking with rage, of red tent that burnt his face and no doubt blinded his calm vision along with the drunken gauze it mixed with. Bruce knew this was Howard Stark from old photos he found in his parents office.

"Anthony." Bruce saw the fear and hatred that sparked into the young boy's eyes when he heard his name hissed with fury.

Tony's father shut his eyes and took a deep breath in. "Go out front and wait, I'll deal with you later." His words were, but still held anger within.

When Tony glanced to Bruce he saw the fear in those big, chestnut eyes before they completely dulled. "Yes father." All emotions he once had: fear, hatred, curiosity, and happiness was all whipped clean leaving a blank, emotionless canvas.

Tony struggled to get up with his limbs still shaking from the freezing water that already crystallized onto Bruce and Tony's clothes and skin. Bruce tried to help, but just got turned down with a mumbled 'sorry'.

Once Tony was up Bruce could only watch as he stumbled in wobbled his way to the front. As he faded into the distance Bruce turn back to the older Stark to find his beloved butler standing with a warm towel and a cup of steaming, hot chocolate. Gladly taking the cup and drinking half of it in a mighty gulp to feel the warm liquid run through his throat warming him up. Finishing the cup Bruce took the help of Alfred to get onto his feet.

"Thanks Alfred." He traded the cup for the towel and dried off best he could.

"I know I told you to have fun and make friends, but I wasn't expecting you to go to the extreme." The middle-age man told the young boy in a amused tone.

Bruce just shrugged up to the older man. "Well, what can you expect from the Starks except for the extreme." He smirked up at his caretaker but it died down as soon he started hearing apologizing and promises. Turning to the noise he found most of the people gone back too the party but Tony's mom and dad were talking to Bruce's parents.

"We should probably get you some new clothes and clean you up." The British voice startle him out of his focus on that other adults. Bruce just nodded in reply and walked back into the mansion.

"I think there's more to him, Alfred. More than what they tell everyone. That light in peoples eyes were dulled to almost nothing in his. I wouldn't even know he had that light if I hadn't seen it for for that split second when he smiled. And that smile it look like he's never smiled before. Like he was surprised that he was actually happy." Bruce ranted to his Butler all the way to his room and while he changed.

"Maybe all he needs is a friend. Maybe he's like you. Spending so much time with people only for him to realize that they see is money and power and never truly sees him for who he truly is." Alfred towed his young sire as they walk down to the kitchen. Bruce thought about it as they walked into said room and quickly took a paper and pen and scribble down his seven digit number.

Looking back, he so Alfred holding another towel and a cup of delicious hot chocolate that could certainly warm anyone up on the coldest day.

Walking to the front of the mansion they found Tony barely standing, hiding in between two trees. Bruce saw him holding up the jacket he borrowed.

'Tony really needs the cheering up, doesn't he?'Bruce took the towel from Alfred and draped it over the younger boys head.

Immediately he squirmed and yanked off the towel and turned to face his is his assaulter and his butler.

"I hope you and young master had fun, but I would recommend that next time you don't freeze yourselves. Alfred Pennyworth, butler and caretaker of the Waynes." He told the young boy and held out the cup of hot liquid that the kid gladly took into his own hands.

"T-Tony Stark and t-thanks." Once Tony took a couple gulps of his drink, he started to fidget. Bruce frowned at that, not knowing what he's done to make it to the other boy couldn't even look him in the face.

Slowly Tony lifted Bruce's soaking, freezing, and ruined jacket up to its owner. Then he started to ramble frantically still keeping his eyes on 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 of his rambling was barely a whisper but it cause Bruce a chuckle. Tony looked up confused but the other boy didn't know why he was so worked up because it was just a jacket. Just a plain, old (expensive) jacket.

"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" Bruce held up the paper he scribbled his number on.

"I hope we can still be friends if your up for it." He stayed a bit teasingly.

Tony look completely shocked for a while then very slowly and hesitantly reached up for it. Pausing for a second before taking the crisp paper causing Bruce to frown and think about how much trust he has for people.

"T-thank you." The curly haired boy stuttered in disbelief.

'What happened to you. You believe something as simple as exchange of information to really happen.' Bruce thought to himself, determine the saw the new Mystery he decided take up.

Tony took the jacket that has been newly redeemed as his close to his chest and quickly whipped away the tears threatening to fall.

Bruce watched as Tony's parents and his own came out of the distance and walked towards their kids.

"I think that there's no harm done here that a nice cup of hot, steaming Cocoa can't fix." Bruce's father said smiling down at the two boys.

"Well, I think my son's pretty tired from his...adventure." Bruce frowned curiously as his father smile faltered when Howard glanced over to Tony." We should probably get going. It was a pleasure being here, and I still hope our deal is on."

Thomas's smile was back but his son could tell it was fake. "Yes, Mr. Stark, the deal is still on and I hope you have a great rest of the night, and come back anytime."

Tony handed the-now wet- towel and mug to Alfred then turned to Bruce and whispered, "I'll be sure to text you whenever I can."

Howard came over and placed a possessive hand on his son shoulder. Bruce's concerning spiked when he saw the falter in Tony smile and the pain look in his eyes.

Both of the Wayne's in Starks gave polite goodbyes as the Starks got into their limo and drove off.

Bruce watch the black car faded into The scenery. His father knelt down to his size and put a hand on his shoulder. "Bruce, please watch over Tony." A pained look crossed his face as he looked to where the limo faded away. "Protect him from anything. Especially if he asks for help. Be his friend and let him trust you. We need to help him, Bruce." He stood and walked inside to host the rest of the Wayne Christmas party.

'Protected from what, from who? How my supposed to do that? What am I supposed to do?' He Took a deep breath in and out and looked determinedly to where the Starks left. 'It doesn't matter. I will protect him and I will solve the mystery that is Tony Stark.'

Bruce turned and walked into the party with Alfred. He looked around at all the people talking about clothes, politics, or wealth. He took another deep breath and let a smile ghost itself onto his lips as an annoying teen eyed his expensive Rolex.

'You really did make this the most extremely fun party, Tony Stark.'