"Ok, how many hours do you need me there?" Sam asked, panting some. He had just enjoyed a nice jog before getting a call, "And do you want me at your place again or them at mine?"
"What do you feel more comfortable doing?" Steve signed off on a bit of paperwork and got ready to call it a day.
He shrugged and started to make his way back home,"Doesn't matter to me, whatever you think is best."
"Well maybe Tony's place since that has plenty of stuff to keep them both occupied," he had just got Bucky a nice new toy as well.
"Okie dokie, what time do you need me there?"
"I think James leaves about five am for work, and I have no idea when I'm leaving. Possibly the same time."
"So you want me to be at your place about five?" he shrugged. He was an army guy himself and was use to getting up at derranged times of the night and day so five didn't sound too bad.
"Can you? Please? I'm gonna see about another babysitter and I know this is short notice, but you were the first person I thought of."
"It's no problem. I'm actually kinda happy I stayed with you those few days so there should be no surprises," he smirked.
"Thanks a lot and of course Mama lion will pay you."
"Want me to just come over tonight?" it would save him a lot of time and he wouldn't have to worry about anyone leaving suddenly and him having to rush there.
"That is a great idea," he nodded, "I'll see you soon."
Rhodes constantly watched between both men in the backseat. It was a fight over who got to be in front so he settled it by putting his paperwork in front and his kids in the back. At least he came out smiling, and wasn't that most important?
"I'm hungry," the first ring of complaints came from none other than Tony.
"I'm driving us home, what more do you want?"
"Food would be good," he looked out the window.
"Deer. Deer for dinner, please?" Bucky begged, shifting uncomfortably in the seat.
"I have to go to the store and buy some first, then I promise I will fix us some for dinner, ok Bucky?"
The metal armed man pouted but nodded as there was nothing else to be done.
Thankfully the commute home was pretty good tonight. No accidents on the highway, no delays, just smooth sailing.
"Hey Steve," mama stepped into the house, kiddies tailing him, "How was work?"
"It was work," he commented from the couch, bottle of water on his head, "What about yours?"
"Same thing different day," he shrugged and hung his jacket up, "Kids being little rapscallions. Bucky lied and got himself in more trouble."
A sigh escaped the man's mouth as he heard his kid scurry away. Of course he would have to talk to him about it, and find out what the reason was behind it. But he was sure Rhodes would tell him.
"They left the office for some reason or another. Either way, I'm going for a shower, and the kids are hungry," he waltzed to him and Steve's shared bathroom.
The blond just watched him go, "You know I did just come from work too," he pushed up and went to the kitchen, "Alright, how about some salisbury steak and mashed potatos?" he looked to Tony, the only one there.
"I'd appreciate that," the genius nodded.
"You have no idea how happy I am to hear that," he smiled and got started.
"I aim to please," Tony walked down the steps to his basement, "Daddy's home."
"Welcome back sir. How was work with your mother?"
"Bucky got me in trouble, Jarvis." he grumbled, going to look at his blue prints.
"What happened? Fighting over snacks again?"
While the food cooked Steve went to go see what this was about Bucky lying. He knew he had scurried to his room, probably expecting some extra punishment from the blond. Steve had no interest in giving him any, unless of course he did need it, which he doubted but one never knew.
"Bucky?" the door cracked open after a few knocks, "I want you to come sit in the kitchen while I cook so we can talk."
The slightly older man turned from the window and gave him a sullen look.
"Now, Bucky," the solider left no room for arguement as he walked back to the kitchen.
The man huffed and stamped his foot lightly on the rug before trudging to the kitchen.
He sat at the island with a silent wince and looked to Steve as he molded the meat into patties.
"So, tell me what happened today," he asked without even looking up.
The man shrugged, a lack for words, "I just wanted to look around. I was bored of being in the office and I wanted to see what his base looked like."
Steve nodded, "And what's this about lying?"
That had Bucky ashamed, "I...I don't know. I didn't want you upset at me. I know I shouldn't have. Now Tony is mad at me."
"What did you lie about?"
He started sniffling, "I told mama that leaving was Tony's idea and made it sound like Tony was bad and I was good. But Tony didn't want to go out, he was being good and I was bad," the man began quietly sobbing.
Steve nodded, letting Bucky let out his sobs. He was still adjusting to being allowed to have emotions, these were just the ups and downs he needed to have before being able to balance himself out.
"It was wrong of you to lie," he agreed, "When you do something it is important that you take responcibility for what you've done, understand," he watched the teary man nod, "But I am very happy that you did tell me the truth instead of another lie."
There was that phrase again. 'Proud of you.'
"Now I want you to go tell mama you're sorry for lying to him and tell Tony you're sorry as well."
Steve didn't even have to finish that sentance before Bucky took off to find his mother.
Rhodes had just exited the shower and was getting dressed in more laxed clothes between setting his papers up. His heart flew into his throat when his now oldest child hugged his torso tight.
"What's wrong?" alarmed by his tears he hugged Bucky back hoping he wasn't hurt.
"I'm sorry I lied mama," he sobbed into his shoulder, "Tony was good, I was bad."
Rhodes calmed some hearing that, "It's ok, you made a mistake and learned from it," he rubbed the man's hair back, soothing him, "I forgive you, but I don't want you lying to me again."
"I won't," he shook his head and allowed Mama to wipe away his tears before going to the next person he had wronged.
"Almost got it," Tony looked through the microscope and gingerly brought the tweezers to the item. Suddenly he was picked up from his seat and choked, "No!"
"Sorry I blamed you today Tony," Bucky hugged him tightly from the back.
The man's eye twitched as he watched his tweezers fall under his desk, "All forgiven Bucky," he said while gritting his teeth.