After the stressful events of the previous nights, waking up to the not so new, but still stunningly beautiful scenery Steve allowed a large smile to overthrow the sleep from his face. Glancing to his right, Steve was entranced by his attractive and handsome boyfriend and the only thoughts running through his mind were 'How did I get so lucky?' and 'finally, this is what I've waited for and now it's time'. He lowered his face towards Bucky's before planting a soft, but passionate kiss on the plump lips of the man laying below - who was still stuck in a deep sleep.
Steve cautiously moved off the bed before throwing on his usual morning gear, consisting of his tight dark lycra jogging shorts, his red, white and blue specially designed breathable running trainers (Steve loved nothing more than expressing his patriotism for his home country - well except for his family and friends of course) and his thin, black well ventilated running shirt with three white line running adjacent from each other from his left shoulder to his right hip. He was officially ready for his morning routines to begin, as he slowly and carefully left the confines of his room.
He reached the top of the stairs before stopping and debating whether to check if Little Pete - or LP for short - was also awake (he usually awoke at the same time as Steve). In the end, after a five minute internal debate, Steve decided against it. He presumed that last night's incident fully exhausted him and he would need as much rest as possible. Also, he didn't want to take the risk of accidentally waking the boy if he were asleep. Steve walked down the stairs of the lake house and out the door to plod on with him usual morning routine - routine? Yeah right. Steve's commitment to his exercise suggests it's more like his ritual to whatever force dragged him out of his humble abode at six o clock every morning.
~~~~~~~~Time-Skip~~~~~~~~
After completing his dedicated daily exercise schedule, Steve returned to the large wooden structure that screamed home. It bellowed safety and protection. More importantly though, it hollered family and love. This is the start of something new, something fresh, Steve could just feel it deep within.
As he walked through the door, Steve was immediately met with the confused, questioning tones of two of his children. It was difficult to latch on to what they were asking as they both wanted there curiosities to be cured at the same time, with different variations of the same questions.
Peter Quill Carter - or Quill for short - was the youngest of the two brothers at age 23, but at the moment he sounded younger than Little Pete was with his constant barage of questions. He was asking these questions (although he didn't leave Steve any time to answer):
"Pops, who is that kid upstairs?"
"Is he an intruder, should I ring the cops?"
"Should I go wake dad?"
Logan Carter - who was the eldest of Steve's and Bucky's children at age 24 - wasn't really any better, although he did stop with his questions when he noticed how overwhelmed and flustered his Pops was getting. Instead he stopped his brother from continuing by covering his mouth with one of his hands.
"Pete, shut up! God just let Pops speak and explain." Logan demanded. Successfully managing to keep his brother quiet long enough for Steve to form and give a coherent answer.
Steve spoke out with confidence and assured his two older boy's that they needn't be alarmed (as if they would ever need to be alarmed by Little Pete in the slightest anyway). "Okay, well you're father and I were meant to tell you together over breakfast this morning, but considering you both let curiosity get the better of you-" Steve paused giving the boy's a playful glare, in which they both held a nervous grin widely spread across there faces. "I'll tell you now because really it won't make a difference. In fact it may make less awkward. So the child on the bed is in fact your biological brother, as Aunt Peggy was the surrogate for you all. Your brother is called Peter - ". Steve was cut by the whine coming from Quill's direction.
"Really, you had to name him Pete too? God this is going to be annoying and really confusing". The eldest Peter complained and vented his frustration.
"Hey, it was Tony's insistence we called him Peter - oh and that reminds me, just in case I forget. No and I mean none at all - no mentions of Tony Stark in this house, just pretend he never exists. Capiche?" Steve asked awaiting confirmation nods. They both nodded their heads vigorously to show they were listening and didn't think to question the reasoning. "So to put this whole 'Peter' situation to rest considering you have the same Surname and last name, I've come up with nicknames - not creative, but they'll do. Okay Pete, considering you have a middle name we'll address you by that- so you're nickname is Quill. Your brother will be 'Little Pete' or 'LP' for short. So that solves the whole 'Peter' debacle. Now that's in the clear, I'm going to make pancakes for breakfast. Sound good?"
"Yeah Pops that sounds great." Quill said with an eager enthusiasm, that some may mistake for sarcasm with how it was conveyed.
Silence falls over the three as Steve begins to prepare everything he needs to make pancakes. Logan pierces through the noiseless atmosphere with a new question.
"So… Pops… is it alright if we go and introduce ourselves before he comes down himself? We'll be careful not to startle him." Steve at first was considering whether or not to reject the idea, but decided he was all for when he saw the burning curiosity of his eldest boy's. Besides if it means that Peter knew them a little bit by the time breakfast had come, then it might be a little less awkward and intimidating for the youngest of the family unit.
"Okay, but be careful. Stay as quiet and calm as possible. If he starts to panic, shout for me or wake your dad okay?" Steve hoped that it wouldn't come down to a panic attack, that's not how he'd like to start the new beginnings he's dreamed about many times.
The boy's smiles returned again - strikingly similar to that of the Cheshire Cat - as they both proceeded up the stairs to introduce themselves to the newest branch of the evergrowing family tree. There biological brother they had no idea existed until now.
As they entered through the heavy oak door, they were dumbfounded with the sight of nothingness but an empty bed, the sheets were scrunched together at one of the corners of the Queen sized luxury mattress. The room was practically empty (well they had just moved in last night) surrounded by the eerie silence of emptyness. The silence was cut off by the sounds of a wretch, as if someone was choking or vomiting - oh how very little they knew.
They further dispersed into the newly occupied living space to see spats of a red substance leaving a trail leading into the bathroom. Logan and Quill stopped at the door to hear the unpleasant wretches sounding more and more painful by the minute. Slowly, they opened the conjoined door to the sight of a teen much younger than themselves, no taller than five foot six bringing up whatever was still contained in his stomach. The trail of blood also finished at the point of where he resided. It was obvious that the flow began on his face, as there was dried blood around his nose - they wondered if this was a recurring thing, they'd have to ask Pops about this later.
Logan suddenly opened his mouth, although he spoke in a soft, calm tone it had the opposite effect - made obvious when Little Pete flinched away. "Hey bub, you okay?"
As the panic continued to radiate his body, LP relayed his answer with a stammer due to the fear making him even more uncomfortable. "W-who are you a-and what are you d-doing here?" Peter demanded although with his weakened appearance, it didn't look like he was able to take on any of the two other men (it would be the same outcome without the sickness, but hey, he can sure imagine so) who were like giants when compared to him.
"Hey, hey calm down. Pops just said we could come and meet you before breakfast, so it won't be as awkward. I'm -" Quill explained the current situation to try and calm his brother before being interrupted by his hysterical ramblings.
"Where's my Pops, what did you do to him? I swear if you hurt him, I'll kick both your asses!" The brothers couldnt help but letting out a little smirk on there faces, the urgency of his voice as well as his panicking state caused the smirks to completely disappear from the brothers as they moved to surround him. Not in a menacing but a soothing, protective bubble sort of way.
"Come on Little Pete, you need to calm down before you have a panic attack." Quill spoke out. "Pops is downstairs preparing pancakes for breakfast and like we said before, we just want to intro-"
Peter's panicked state seemed to vanish almost immediately as he abruptly intervened the second attempt at Introductions in a confused, passive aggressive way. "Wait, what did you just call me?"
This caused the two brothers to turn towards each other with bewilderment taking over their faces.
"What?" Quill asked curiously.
Peter answered with more aggression and determination, but also confusion mixed with the other feelings. "I said What did you just call me? Or is that too hard for you to understand? Wait a minute, I'll try ask in a more simpler way for you to comprehend." After seeing the shocked faces of those towering above him, Peter cringed at how this mini outburst was so out of character - maybe it was just a sign of one of his conditions.
The other figure surrounding him, Logan, began to laugh uncontrollably at the situation. "Oh my God! This kid just sassed you out Pete. I can't breathe. That is just so funny, I would give my left arm to have a recording of your reaction. Well maybe not an an arm, damn! I hope dad isn't awake and heard that." Logan continously laughed before regaining his composure.
Catching on with the muddled look on the youngest Pete's face, Quill decided it was now to explain who they were. "You'll meet dad at breakfast and then you'll understand the whole arm thing. Right, so I'm Peter and that's Logan. This is just as new to us as it is to you but we're your older brothers." This statement caused the younger Peter to scoff, not in arrogance but in a perplexed surprised kind of way. "Which is how we come down to figuring out what to call one another because we have the same name and surname, which is why you're Little Pete or LP for short." This earned a glare worthy of a thousand daggers from the youngen, although the older two thought it was more adorable than intimidating. "Pops came up with the names not us. Anyway, he said my nickname was Quill, because that's my middle name and it's easier that way. Apart from that I've not really got anything else left to say, so, um, welcome to the family I guess".
"Wait a minute, your telling me that you two are my older brothers that I have never seen or even knew existed?" Peter began to question the likelihood.
"Um, yeah. Pretty much. I mean if you don't believe us - just ask Pops I guess."
"Right…" The conversation was beginning to get awkward.
"Yeah… so get ready and come down for breakfast." Quill and Logan left the uncomfortable aura floating around the room.
~Half an hour later~
After freshening up from this mornings sickness and unpleasant first meetings, Peter knew that his Pops wouldn't allow anyone to leave the table until everyone had eaten. So he decided it was time to advance down to the lower floor - if he was going to be living here with his new 'family' or whoever they were, the last thing he needed was for them to hate him or think that he was a brat… like Tony did.
Cautiously and nervously, he followed the trail his sense of smell set him on - edging closer towards the kitchen, towards new and unfamiliar family. This is when the nerves really began to rub sending his anxiety high - luckily not enough to have an attack, he really didn't need to be deemed needy or weak.
Rounding the corner he was met with the smiles of his Pops (the smile was always enough to reign his nerves back in, but not this time), his new siblings he never knew existed and was definitely not congenial with yet. Then there was the man with the metal arm - 'wait who the hell is that' was the thought running through his mind, and finally he knew what Logan's prolixed rant meant . He hadn't seen this man before, but then again - he was in the same situation with his brothers until this morning. The man with the charcoal black, titanium metal arm had long, dark brown hair that run just below his shoulder blades with pools of chocolate brown for eyes. He was bulkier and slightly taller than his Pops was, his sense of judgement was telling him that the man looked dangerous, aggressive - maybe he was a criminal in a past life. However, the friendly smile on his face said different (even if it did looked forced). Maybe he thought Peter was an inconvenience, that he was just in the way - so he decided on making a mental note 'stay away from the not so friendly looking metal arm dude' before hesitantly making his way to the kitchen bar.
Steve spoke in a gentle, reassuring voice to his youngest child to introduce him to his new family for the third time (third time lucky - hopefully). "So as far as I know, you have already met your brothers Logan and Big Peter - or Quill as we're going to refer to him from now, which is why you're now Little Pete or LP for short." Little Pete rolled his eyes so hard it looked like they were ready to fall from there sockets. "But obviously there's one more important person left for you to meet. Peter, this is my partner James Barnes or you can just call him Bucky for short."
Peter shyly and quietly replied with, "Wait. How do you get the name Bucky from his overall name?" Genuine interest plaguing his mind.
"My full name is James Buchanan Barnes, so Bucky comes from my middle name actually." Bucky spoke with a certain snap that really wasn't his intention. Instead of replying, Peter sunk further back into his seat allowing silence to become the new atmosphere as he revisited and added to his mental note - 'stay away from the not so friendly looking metal arm dude. He definitely doesn't like me and I don't want to bother him further otherwise I might have to leave and return to... no I definitely can't do that!'
Piercing the silence, Quill decided to talk about his and Logan's plans for tonight. "Sooooo… me and Logan are going to a party tonight. Everyone is twenty-one and over there, but Pops if you let us bring Little Pete we can introduce him to more people. If you'd want to do that LP?"
Peter attempted to give his reply, "Um I don't think I wan-" before being cut off by Steve making the deciding choice.
"Yeah Little Pete will - and no you don't have a choice, this is a perfect oppurtunity for you to make some friends. I mean yeah sure they will be at least five years older, but until you start at your new school next semester this will have to do." Peter looked on in a horrified shock, he was being forced against his own free will and choices here, yet he still couldn't find his voice to argue otherwise. Steve thought now would be the perfect time to lay out the rules and guidelines. "Okay so I have some rules that you need to stick to Logan and Quill." Little Pete noticed that he wasn't mentioned during his rule setting. "Okay, here goes:
Rule 1 - You make sure that LP doesn't drink any alcohol or anyone consuming alcohol to harass him. If there's any drugs and I mean any at all, I expect all of you to leave immediately.
Rule 2 - One of you need to ring me or your dad when the party ends to pick you up because we don't want to find out you have been in some car accident caused by intoxication." Quill just waved his hand to get his Pops attention.
"I'm a designated driver, so the only thing I'll be drinking is whatever soda they have to offer, so I can make sure we all get back safe."
"Okay then, looks like me and your father have more time together then." Steve turned to give Bucky a wink, which was returned by a deep, sensual growl from the man in return.
The three children looked between each other with disgust in there eyes before Logan interrupted their little flirt session. "Jeeze, get a room. I don't want to have to go to therapy because I'm traumatised by this unholy sight!" Quill and Little Pete both shook their heads in utter agreement.
"Okay calm yourselves, we're saving it for later anyway."
"TMI! TMI!" they shouted in almost perfect unison. Steve had a sudden onset of confusion at this phrase. So Quill relieved Steve of his thoughts when he informed him of the meaning.
Steve and Bucky shared a hearty chuckle before Steve plodded onwards with his guidelines. "Okay well back to my rules:
Rule 3 - Little Pete is not to be left alone on any circumstances. None at all!" Steve emphasised.
"Yeah 'Little Pete' is also sitting here, like at the same table as you, listening to all the rules you set!" LP spoke with an under enthusiastic, mocking albeit sarcastic tone letting his eyes roll again.
Bucky spoke again, his accidental tone of anger and aggression slipping through the cracks again. "Don't speak to your father like that! Or you won't be going to any party." The fear it instilled into the young boy's brain caused LP to sink into his seat yet again and turn to a lower shade of white.
Steve noticed the tension, but pushed it to the back of his mind. "That's it for the rules for now."
With a mischievous grin on his face, Quill made a sly dig in his Pops direction. "Don't you mean you don't know what else to say?" The table slowly, but surely boomed with laughter from the four eldest, whilst Lil Pete didn't know whether to join in or remain silent to avoid the judgement of his father's boyfriend. This moment also left him dazed. When he made a joke a few moments ago, he was heavily scrutinised - it was definitely a personal vendetta the man had against him and this just confirmed it.
The loneliness began to pull him back down into the dark pit he was trapped in the day previous after the whole drunken Tony incident. The dripping of the tap with each drop getting louder, covering a larger surface area caused him to become agitated in this room. The reminders of him being underwater almost drowning - close to death plagued his mind. He needed to leave and now before Bucky had another chance to add to his list of reasons he hated Peter. Without another word, he stood leaving the table even though he knew that was not allowed until everyone had agreed they were done, but like before he can't show any weakness.
Steve tried to get him to sit back down, but was blanked out instead. "Hey Pete, you know we don't leave the table until everyone is done." No response was spoken just footsteps sounding further and further away. "Pete, seriously sit back down please." The Silence was continued as the youngest in the household walked further away - now reaching the bottom of the staircase. It was at this point he knew something wasn't right. This always happened when Lil Pete was about to have a panic attack or his anxiety is running too high again. Maybe it was his PTSD or depression causing him to blank out. Whatever it was, this is not the usual hyperactive (to an extent) Peter who is usually so well mannered and polite.
The barrier of soundlessness was broken by the sudden screech. It was Bucky kicking his chair out about to dish out the next warnings, as he began his power walk towards the stairs. "Kid! He's speaking to you." Yet again nothing had followed. "You may ignore your pops, but you will not ignore and disrespect me!" As Bucky's pace quickened, Peter began to panic. He was now running instead of solemnly walking, however he wasn't quick enough to escape to the comfort of his room (even if there was nothing there for now) as he felt the tight grasp pull him away from his temporary freedom.
Peter began thrashing in his grip before having his second outburst today. "Get the hell off me, you prick!" Bucky let go in shock, but stood in the boy's way to prevent him from moving.
The teen and the ex-soldier were unaware of the figures stood at the bottom of stairs also unnerved at the events unfolding. Steve stood as this situation opened his eyes. Yep Peter was definitely having an episode, but Steve felt like he could do nothing as he stood, along with Logan and Quill, and continued to watch the heart wrench continue.
"What the hell did you just say to me?" The deep voiced was laced with vex and chagrin. Although Peter was terrified at this moment of time, his mouth would just not stay still.
His voiced cracked as he screamed out the insult for the second time. "I said that you're a prick!"
The current ire caused the wrath building up inside Bucky to rise to new levels. At this moment he didn't care to think of what words to use - meaning he wasn't aware of the new low he was about to strike with. "Do you know what? I never thought I'd agree with Tony frickin Stark…" just the mention of his name caused Peter to internally cringe. "But he's right, you are just a teenage brat! You really need to reconsider how you act kid, otherwise you won't be here for much longer!"
Maybe Tony and Bucky were right. Maybe he was just a brat. If two people said it, then it must be true. Maybe if he stopped interacting with people everything would work out better - it's not as if they needed him anyway, right? He was just a waste of space, not living just existing.
A stream of tears began to fall from the teens face. Those words hurt more than Bucky could ever imagine. If what Tony said and did to the boy was low, then this was indescribable. The words cut so deep causing him to uncontrollably shake.
With the energy he could muster, he pushed Bucky with both arms although this did nothing to Bucky's standing position before walking into his room. He didn't slam the door, but he shut it completely leaving no cracks for anyone to hear his sobs. He leaned against the door before slowly falling to his feet unaware of the world beyond the door.