Lucky Thirteen

"On your left," Steve huffed out as he passed Sam on their morning run before school.

"How the hell?" Sam huffed back. "I had a, what? Two minute start?"

Steve laughed breathlessly as he shortened his stride so Sam could keep up. "I’m just fast."

"No, you're not just fast, you're like…" Sam paused to get his wind back in him. "I don't even think there's a word for it," he said, voice still shaky. "I want to see you race Pietro because somebody needs to knock your ass down a peg, man."

Steve shook his head. "I've seen him run. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't stand a chance. Imagine when he actually gets some technique to go along with that speed."

"Yeah, it'll be awesome," Sam agreed. They ran in silence to the end of their route. Shortly after they rounded back, Sam asked, "So, you nervous about the big game this weekend?"

"A little," Steve admitted. "Everybody's making such a big deal about it. It's not easy on top of being the new guy, you know? That's a lot of pressure."

"Hey, you'll do fine," Sam reassured him. "Or more improbably you'll suck."

Steve barked out a sharp huff of air that was meant to be a laugh. "You never know."

"Less improbably you'll make some stellar game saving play and everyone in the school that's into dudes will be all over you at the dance," Sam offered next, after a few moments of silence.

"I hope not," Steve said with a shake of his head. He then glanced at Sam beside him and added tentatively, "I'd rather have the attention of just one person if it's all the same. So I might need a wing man to beat them all back for me."

Sam laughed this time. "Well, hey, you can count on me for anything. But one person huh? Metaphorically or…?"

"Uh… Maybe literally," Steve hedged.

"Oh. Oh, yeah?" Sam asked, but Steve didn't miss the strange inflection at first. "That girl back in Virginia? Peggy right?"

"Yeah, Peggy, but…" Steve let his sentence trail for a few moments as they neared the house again. "Actually, I haven't really thought one way or another about Peggy lately," he confessed, surprising himself a little at the realization.

"Somebody new then? Okay, well now you know I'm going to be paying attention to see who you're cozying up to at school," Sam teased him. "Wait, oh, please don't tell me you weren't just joking when you asked Skye to Homecoming. Because, dude, she's like my sister so as great you are I wouldn't be okay with that and for another thing your dads would not be okay with that."

They slowed then and began their cool down.

Steve shook his head very firmly. "No, definitely not," he said. "Even if that wasn't entirely out of my realm of comfort, Skye's just a little too young and not quite my type."

"Ah, yes," Sam said and Steve could hear the amusement in his voice. "The elusive Steve type. Sure you're not like your sister?"

"I might be," Steve answered easily.

He'd considered it since her telling them, but he wasn't really focused on figuring it out for certain because he knew without a doubt the only type he had at the moment was Sam. And it was starting to drive him a little crazy. Three months around Sam and he found himself thinking things, saying and doing things, wanting to say and do things that he hadn't in more than three years of crushing on Peggy. He was starting to think he might blurt out his secret at any turn and his jealousy of his own sister had been an embarrassing low point.

"Hey, where'd you go, man?" Sam interrupted his thoughts.

"I was just… thinking about my type," he answered vaguely as they stopped in front of the house and started stretching.

Sam didn't meet his eyes, but he suggested, "You know, if you really need me to be your wing man it might be best if you tell me finally so I can help you out."

Steve bit his lip. "Well, athletic is on the list," he said. He was fairly certain that was a general truth after all. Even Peggy had been able to hold her own against the very best, boy or girl, in a lot of physical activities.

Sam stopped stretching and looked at him studiously for a moment. "See, that wasn't so hard. What else? Light? Dark?"

Steve smiled crookedly. "Dark."

"Okay, see now we're getting somewhere. Um, well… male or female? I mean, I don't want to assume," Sam said as they went into the house for breakfast and to get ready for school.

"Honestly, it doesn’t seem to matter," Steve answered, but then took a breath and decided to take a chance. "But I might be leaning more male… At least at the moment?" Steve stopped when he realized Sam wasn't at his side anymore as they headed toward the kitchen. He turned to see Sam looking at him slightly stunned. "That's… That's not a problem, right? I mean I just assumed…"

Sam quickly stammered out a, "No, no, of course not. Obviously not." Steve tilted his head. "I just. You know." He looked sheepish and ashamed. "I honestly just figured that a guy like you would… well, All American, you know? And you mentioned Peggy so… Yeah, sorry, man. I shouldn't have assumed."

"Well, probably not," Steve said, offering him a playful smile. "But it's okay. It surprised me a little too. But I'm okay with it."

He shrugged and then started for the kitchen again to finish his usual routine of grabbing a protein bar before taking a shower; it was a simple thing that he was glad hadn't changed in spite of the other major changes in his life. Only now he shared the routine… Well, not the shower, he mused with a slight blush and flutter in his stomach.

When he got there his dad and Tony were already awake and laughing over something. Tony had a mug of coffee in his hands because if there was anything they'd learned about the billionaire since moving in with him and his kids it was that he seemed to thrive on coffee like others did water.

"Good morning you two," Tony greeted when he spotted them.

"Have a good run?" Bruce asked.

"Yeah, it was very enlightening," Sam said with a teasing grin, nudging Steve as he reached for a protein bar.

"Okay, this is only my first cup of coffee so I'm just going to assume that was an appropriate response to that question," Tony said tiredly. "By the way, Sam, the birthday fairy told me you should be getting a present delivered sometime today."

Sam snorted. "I'm going to tell dad you called him a fairy."

Tony sighed. "It's too early for teenage sass." Bruce turned and gave him a sympathetic pout before pecking him on the lips.

"And it's too early for you two being all gross and domestic," Sam said with a shudder.

"Don't worry, Sam. You'll find someone to be gross and domestic with one of these days," Tony called after him. "What about you, Steve?"

Tony broke through his thoughts and Steve was suddenly aware he'd been staring after Sam as he left rather than leaving too. "What about what?" He asked, looking over to see Bruce give him a glance and then another one to Tony.

"I feel like you and I haven't really gotten to talk as much as we should. So anyone special? I've heard about a Peggy…" He was clearly baiting him and had what Steve thought was a knowing gleam in his eyes.

"No, not Peggy," Steve answered. "And I know why you're asking. It must be pretty obvious, huh?"

"I don't know about that," Tony said as he filled up his cup with more coffee. "At least, Sam doesn't know. I can tell you that much." He took a drink and then set down his cup to start grabbing down plates.

"Do you want to talk about it, Steve?" Bruce asked him. "You know I'm here to listen or help in any way I can."

"The same offer stands with me," Tony said quickly.

Steve sighed. "What's there to talk about? I like him. A lot," he admitted. "But I get that it's probably not okay since we're both living in the same house and even if we weren't, I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I'm awkward and I don't want to ruin our friendship and…" He sighed again.

"Okay, one, the house thing," Tony said, turning to look at him. "We've discussed it and if anything happens between you, there'll just have to be some rules until Sam goes back to live with his dad in the city. But I can't really help you with the ruined friendship thing."

"It's just one of the risks," Bruce said. "And there's not always a rhyme or reason for when it's right to take that leap." He shrugged.

"You know, with your dad," Tony started, "I was going to settle for just being his friend because of the thirteen kids thing. But then that last night we were together I realized that wasn't really what I wanted so I at least needed to let him know." He looked at him intently. "You'll just need to settle with yourself if friendship is enough for now and if it is then that's fine. But if it's not…" Tony looked at the back of his dad's head with a soft smile. "Well, sometimes it pays off being a little forward. No matter how awkward it may be."

Steve watched for a few seconds as Bruce turned his head quickly, knowingly, to meet Tony's gaze. He then left them to get ready for school, but the entire time he couldn't stop wondering if he could go on with being just friends with Sam.

Steve walked over to the cabinet to find the vanilla extract. He'd forgotten to grab it initially for the very small cakes they had to make in his cooking elective before the end of the period. When he turned back he saw Sam struggling with his own cake preparation. Clint was at the station behind them shaking his head in amused judgment.

"If cooking isn't your thing, why'd you take this class?" Steve asked, unable to keep an entirely neutral tone, as he rejoined him.

Sam shot a glance back at Clint. "All the good electives this semester were filled already so somebody talked me into this one. Something about 'oh it'll be an easy A, man.'"

"Easy for me," Clint said with a shrug. He then gave a smug grin to the Laura girl beside him, which she pointedly ignored.

"Yeah, well, not all of us are cut out to be home bakers. Why can't they teach us how to make the good stuff?" Sam asked as he continued to struggle with his batter. "I mean, would it kill them to show us how to cook a good steak, how to cook up a mean stir fry? Instead they got us making cupcakes and French toast."

Steve laughed and shook his head as he finished folding in all his ingredients and started the task of whisking it. "Well, look at it this way. It's your birthday tomorrow so the whole class is celebrating it a day early."

"Yum," Sam deadpanned. "Nothing says 'happy birthday' like food poisoning."

Steve looked over at Sam's lumpy batter. "Okay, yours might lead to that," he joked. Sam scowled at him. "I'm kidding. You just got to work on your whisking is all. Like this," he demonstrated with his own. "Or you can use the electric blender," he then suggested as he poured his batter into the small cake pan and then walked it over to his assigned oven.

Apparently, it was the wrong suggestion. No sooner had he closed the oven door and set the timer there were a few shrieks followed by riotous laughter. He closed his eyes, knowing what had happened before even turning to see. When he did turn he had to hold in a laugh of his own at the sight of Sam's face, arms and apron covered in cake batter.

"Mistakes happen. Clean up and start over," the teacher clipped after appraising the situation.

Steve grabbed a few paper towels and walked over to help him, secretly glad that his own cake hadn't been ruined in the process. "Here," he handed one to him to clean off with and kept the other to start wiping down the station. He paused, however, and looked at the setting on the mixer and saw that it had been on the highest setting. "Maybe try a softer setting next time," he suggested.

"Nah, next time I'm just sticking with lumpy batter and taking my B with pride," Sam said with a shake of his head as he wiped off his arms.

Before he could register what he was doing, Steve scooped a bit of the batter off of Sam's cheek with one finger and tasted it. He winced at the flavor. "Yeah, probably C. Too much salt." That's when he saw Sam's wide eyes and realized what he had done.

"Did you just eat cake batter off of him?" Clint asked incredulously.

"Uh… I… I guess I did," Steve said before gritting his teeth in a grimace. "Sorry."

Sam wiped off the rest of his face and then looked down at the paper towel in his hand. "It's fine. It was, uh…" He cleared his throat. "It was kind of hot."

Steve blinked in surprise and tried to squash down all of the ways his hormones reacted to that statement. Instead he decided to take it in stride. "It kind of was, wasn't it?" Sam met his eyes in equal surprise before smoothing into a toothy smile. "You know, you should probably get started on your other cake while you still have time," he changed the subject then. "I'll let you know if you're about to use too much salt," he offered.

Sam appeared grateful before walking away to get the few things he needed to start over. Steve watched him go before turning his head to see Clint looking at him knowingly.

"You don't have to say anything," Steve warned him.

"I was just going to say maybe you should offer to give him some private tutoring," Clint said with a shrug, smirk touching his face.

Steve rolled his eyes, but as he started on his icing mixture he couldn't help thinking it wasn't the worst idea in the world.

Steve sighed and immediately stopped his pencil's movements against the sketchpad when he realized he was doing it again. He would come outside to the courtyard during lunch, sit back against one of the trees near the tables and make to sketch the faces of fellow students. Only the faces almost always ended up being the faces of those people he already knew. And while sometimes it was his siblings or the Starks, it seemed lately ninety percent of the time the face he would start drawing was Sam's.

His newest sketchbook was already riddled with drawings of Sam, some of which he would never be able to explain away as friendly if they were seen. Defeated, he erased some of the detailed lines and reworked the new sketch into a slightly more caricatured drawing of Sam. He laughed a little as it took the direction of Sam in his apron and covered with cake batter.

"Funny," Sam said and Steve's heart nearly jumped out of his chest at the unexpected interruption. Trying to hide how flustered he was, he moved to take another bite of his lunch as Sam sat down beside him. "You really got my likeness down. Maybe I should ask you to paint me like you did Skye."

"I could," Steve offered, grateful for an easy change in subject. "If you'd like that for your birthday."

Sam shrugged. "I don't know. I don't…" He paused for a beat. "I don't know what I want for my birthday. But before I forget, thanks for the heads up about the salt. At least I got a B out of that disaster of a cake."

"It wasn't that bad," Steve assured him. "But uh, speaking of birthdays and cakes, wanna share mine?" He took a breath and grabbed the small white pastry box and handed it to Sam.

"Hell, yeah," Sam said definitely. "The teacher looked like she was going to foodgasm over the small bite she took." He set aside his lunch, holding on to his fork, and opened the box. Steve swallowed hard. "What… When did you add that?"

The question was in reference to the piping that said Happy Birthday, Sam. Sam looked at him incredulously, but he had a pleased smile on his face that did nothing to slow the pace of Steve's beating heart.

"After the bell rang. Asked the teacher if I could real quick," Steve answered.

"Thanks," Sam said and then took a bite of the cake. His eyes widened in an appreciative way that Steve found way more rewarding than the teacher's reaction. "Damn. I was prepared to say it's the thought that counts if it was a letdown, but damn."

Sam held it out slightly, gesturing to him to join in any time. Steve grabbed his own fork and took a bite. He hadn't tried it yet, but he had to admit his few additions to the basic recipe they were given was a risk that had paid off. As they shared the cake, Steve wondered if maybe the other risk he wanted to take would pay off.

"You know," Steve started tentatively. "I told you my type. You've never technically told me yours."

Sam snorted. "Here I thought you wouldn't notice. Alright. Fair's fair." He spun his fork like he was deliberating. "Male." Steve nearly choked on his bite of cake. "Surprised?"

"A little, sorry," Steve admitted.

"Then I guess we're even. Athletic is on my list too," Sam said then before taking another bite of cake. "Only I'd say I lean light. At least at the moment," he said. "The guy has to be…" Sam paused, again looking like he was trying to find the right words as he looked at him or past him because as usual Steve couldn't tell. "He has a really warm and inviting personality. It's like… fresh-baked apple pie or something. And his smile is like… It's blinding and disarming both. His eyes are blue and expressive. He's kind of got this old-fashioned charm. And…" Sam suddenly blinks. "And I just realized I'm giving you way more than you gave me," he says in obvious deflection.

"Maybe, but…" Steve didn't know what he wanted to say, or he did even if it hurt a little. "You sounded like you're really crazy about this guy. It was kind of nice listening to you describe him. I…" Steve took a breath. "It kind of made me a little jealous."

Sam cocked his head suddenly and dropped the box of cake, or what little was left of it, startling them both. "Thank goodness it didn't fall out on me," Sam said, laughing nervously. "That was—"

"Hey, is that cake?" Thor interrupted, coming over to them with two empty trays of food.

How he managed to get two trays of food at lunch, Steve would never know. Probably his charm or… His eyes widened.

"Uh, yeah. Not much left. Steve made it. It's delicious. You can have the rest if he says it's okay," Sam offered.

"Your birthday cake to share," Steve said simply so Sam gave Thor the cake and his slightly younger brother thanked them, made small chit chat about football practice and hurried off.

Steve watched him go and then raised his brow at Sam. Sam furrowed his own for a second before realization set in. "Oh, oh no," he said with a laugh. "Thor's a great guy, but no." He stood to his feet, gathering his things with him. "He's not exactly what I meant when I was talking about All-American charm." He shook his head with a smile and walked away.

Steve waved after him, thinking nothing of it until suddenly it struck him what Sam had said. He furrowed his brow and looked down, wondering if it was his imagination or a coincidence or if Sam even knew what he had said. His heart was beating nearly out of his chest when he looked back up and saw Sam had stopped to talk to Coach Hill.

All-American?

Practice for the big Homecoming game was a grueling everyday occurrence. Steve would never admit it, but he liked it when it was over.

He walked over to where Sam was already sat on the bench. "I'm never going to make it to the big game at this rate," he said with a shake of his head as he sat down beside him. "And God help anyone who asks me to dance at Homecoming because I'll step on their feet." He paused and tilted his head. "Then again, that was probably already going to happen anyway."

Sam opened his mouth to respond, but didn't get a chance.

"You're a natural out there, Steve. Between you and me, I think you should be Captain."

"Uh, thanks," Steve said to the boy who'd said it as he passed by.

"Please tell me it's not Rumlow," Sam said with a laugh after the other boy was out of earshot.

"Not even close. Not even the same league. We're talking from here to California," Steve responded earnestly.

"Okay, I'm beginning to think you're just making this guy up," Sam said teasingly. "Because that's some crazy hype."

"I'm not. He's real. He's… And he is on the football team," Steve blurted. He watched Sam look around at who was still on the field. Steve gathered his courage and said, "On your left."

Steve smiled and waited for Sam to stop looking around. When he did, he turned his head left in confusion. "On my…?" His eyes widened and Steve's smile widened with them. "You… And I'm… You mean me?"

"I mean you," Steve answered. "I'm… I guess I should have been level with you from the beginning. I just didn't want you to feel uncomfortable. You're a great friend, Sam, and I don't want to lose that so much as… It's not exactly what I want. And you deserve to know that. I don't want to keep lying to you."

Sam continued to gape at him a little and Steve felt his hope fall. When he didn't say anything, Steve shrugged and stood to his feet. "Now you know," he mumbled and started to head back to the locker room.

"Steve, wait!" Sam suddenly shouted and when Steve turned, the other boy was on his feet. "You're not the only liar here. I lied to you earlier."

Steve wasn't entirely sure what that had to do with what he had just put on the table, but he cocked his head just the same. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. I've known for a while what I want for my birthday," Sam said, coming closer. "I really want the guy I like to ask me to Homecoming." Sam gave him a meaningful look.

Steve couldn't fight the smile, blinding and disarming apparently, that spread across his face and he took a few steps closer as well so that they were standing with only a foot between them. His heart was in his ears, but there was no turning back.

"Sam, will you go to Homecoming with me?"

There was a pregnant pause, but Sam's answer was in his eyes as their faces inched closer together.

"Yes," Sam said firmly before their eyes closed and the space between them disappeared.

The kiss was hesitant and chaste at first. They pulled away just enough after the initial kiss to relish in the sensation, or so it was the case for Steve, before their hands clutched at each other's sides and they kissed more deeply.

It wasn't perfect in the sense that Steve knew exactly what he was doing or was a phenomenal kisser. There was a little uncertainty with what to do with his teeth and tongue or what Sam might think about his kissing skills, but it felt perfect in the sense that Steve knew for certain that this was the more that he had wanted. Kissing Sam felt right and he wanted to go on kissing him. Sam made no moved to break apart as they explored this new intimacy so Steve could only hope that it meant Sam felt the same.

When they finally did break apart it was to catcalls and applause. They turned in sync to see Thor, and Clint and Skye in the bleachers, cheering for them while a few of the others on the football team gave thumbs up.

"For the record," Steve said, shaking his head at the others before looking back at Sam. "I'd like more than just to go to Homecoming with you."

Sam gave him a wide smile that Steve found blinding and disarming as well. "If you're asking me to be your boyfriend then happy birthday to me."

"I am," Steve said with a laugh and then kissed his boyfriend again.

"Okay, dad, I think you've taken enough pictures," Steve protested, but Bruce ignored him in favor of taking more.

"Yeah, I'm with Steve," Clint said, his comment aimed at Tony naturally. "If we keep going at this rate, we'll miss the dance."

"After last night's game I kind of wish I could," Steve mumbled.

Bruce shook his head. "You guys pummeled the other team," he said, taking one more close up of Steve and Sam.

"Yeah, and now everybody's going to be making a big deal about it," Steve countered. "Every cheerleader practically asked me to save a dance for them after the game." Bruce raised his brow at that and looked at Sam. "Then they acted like I'd stolen their puppy when I said I'm saving most of my dances for my boyfriend."

"Most of them?" Sam asked with a playful smirk.

"He promised me one," Clint said with a smirk of his own.

Steve shook his head. "That most certainly was never promised."

"But he did promise me one," Skye chimed in.

"And if you know what's good for your feet, Sam," Natasha said evenly, "you'll let me take his first slow dance so I can teach him a thing or two."

"Stepping on each others' feet at first is half the fun," Tony said in disbelief at that notion and Bruce smiled knowingly at him. "Besides, how are these two going to figure out whose hands should go where hmm?" He asked them, but winked at Bruce.

The teens all shared a confused glance at that, but then shrugged in a strange unison.

The SUV is ready, JARVIS intoned.

"Okay, just a few more," Bruce said quickly.

"How about some with us," Tony suggested and Bruce agreed.

He first took pictures of Tony with Clint, Skye and Sam individually and then one with them altogether. He then took one of Tony with Sam and Steve. Then Tony took a picture of him with Steve, Thor, Loki – who had given in after all – and Natasha individually. Likewise Tony took pictures of him with all of his kids at once as well as with Steve and Sam.

Finally the kids shooed them back and then left the house for their dance.

Bruce smiled at the door and then started looking through some of the pictures. "Time flies. Soon it'll be senior prom and then college."

Tony came up behind him and wrapped his arms around him. "Yeah, but just think. This is only the beginning. They're not all graduating at once. You even get to start the whole high school thing all over again with Jane next year. And you haven't even reached the middle school phase with Peter and Jemma yet." Tony's voice was calm enough in his ear, but Bruce could hear the underlying emotion and could guess he was thinking about his own younger kids now that Clint was a junior and Skye was off to her first high school dance.

Bruce hummed. "I'll probably have a break down when it comes time for Jemma's first high school dance let alone senior prom."

"I hope I'm there to break down with you," Tony said earnestly before craning his neck to place a kiss at Bruce's temple.

Bruce didn't say it out loud, but he was starting to have a hard time imagining a future where Tony wasn't there to share those things with him and they hadn't even been together for six months yet.

"But let's not think about that right now," Tony then said cheerfully as he pulled away. "Because tonight is Homecoming and I'd much prefer it if my date not act like a weepy dad no matter how hard it may be to resist."

Bruce furrowed his brow and turned to see Tony smiling at him in a way that Bruce knew meant he was up to something. "What are you talking about?"

"Right, right. Got ahead of myself and just assumed you would be my date," Tony gabbled. "So, Bruce Banner, will you go to Homecoming with me?"

"Only if you have a time machine somewhere," Bruce answered with a small laugh.

Tony's face practically lit up. "I might have one in the living room. Let's go find out." Tony grabbed his hand then and dragged him along.

Bruce, amused as he was, was about to ask just what Tony was up to when they reached the living room and he was greeted by a gaudy assortment of decorations that screamed late 80s/early 90s. The larger furniture had been pushed out of the way and there was a party table with punch and snacks. The lights were dimmed with colorful strobe lights that Bruce was certain had probably always been programmed into the house's lighting because it was Tony. There was also music from the same general era playing. He looked around in astonishment and then realized all of the remaining kids were already there and dressed in nicer clothes and either eating the snacks or dancing rambunctiously to the music.

"Tony, what… What is this?" He asked even though he could tell.

"It's Homecoming. Figured the kids would get a kick out of having their own little dance party and they were immediately on board when I suggested it." Tony then looked at him intently. "And I never really got a Homecoming since I was already at college and I wasn't sure if you ever went, but I kind of assumed not."

"You assumed correct," Bruce replied as he started to understand.

"I figured you and I were owed a do-over. So, be my date?"

As if he had timed it that way perfectly, or maybe he did or maybe even JARVIS had taken the initiative, the rhythmic first beats of I Wanna Dance With Somebody filled the room and Bruce couldn't help but smile a little.

"Oh I love this song!" Darcy cheered.

"Good pick, JARVIS," Wanda complimented the AI and Tony shot Bruce a quick look that said 'hopefully it's just a phase.'

Even Pietro gave into Jemma tugging on his arm and asking him to dance with her which both amused Bruce and genuinely touched him.

Finally, Bruce answered Tony's question by pulling him onto the makeshift dance floor and letting himself get spirited away by Tony's fun, impromptu dance party with their kids.

Harley heard his name and felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. He groaned a little, but opened his eyes to see Bruce hovering over him with a gentle look on his face.

"How are you feeling this morning?" Bruce asked him and checked his temperature with his hands. "You don't feel too warm, but here's the thermometer just to be sure."

Harley waited as Bruce carefully placed the thermometer on his forehead. The house had come down with a nasty flu and the past week had been pretty miserable. Harley had recently moved to the living room since Peter had started showing symptoms the day before and Bruce was trying to quarantine him. Jane was there too since Darcy was sick. Even Bruce himself – when he wasn't busy caring for sick kids – slept in one of the chairs since Tony had come down with it too.

"Looks like you're fine," Bruce told him as he pulled away the thermometer. Harley groaned slightly again. "I know, but trust me you'd rather go to school than deal with what some of the others are," he said. "You have some clean clothes in the laundry room and breakfast is on the table.

Harley sighed, but got up just the same and went off to get ready for school. Once he was done he went to eat breakfast. It was a little strange because the only ones at the table were himself, Wanda, Jane, Loki, Thor, and Steve. Jemma came bounding in several minutes later, followed by Bruce.

"You guys must be healthier than us," Harley said in observation of the fact that only he and Wanda were still not sick of their family.

"Dad's a bit of a health nut," Jane replied.

"Well, it's a little more complicated than that," Bruce said. "Steve and Loki were sick a lot as kids so they seem to outlast this kind of thing now that they're older. Thor is just very healthy all around. And I have a pretty strong immune system that I think Jane and Jemma might have inherited." Then Bruce knocked on the wooden top of the table when he sat down with his own breakfast; Harley found it amusing.

"But we do…" Steve started, but then suddenly looked a little pale.

"Eww, he's going to blow," Harley said with a laugh, equally grossed out and finding it hilarious.

Steve quickly left the table and Bruce sighed. "I had a feeling he was next."

"Well, Sam was one of the firsts," Loki said and Harley made a face at the implication. He didn't get why anyone would want to date before they were an adult. "Probably took a little longer for it to catch up to Steve."

"That's exactly why I had a feeling he was next," Bruce replied and stood. "If I'm not back before you need to leave for the car, have a good day at school. Wanda, did I sign your field trip slip?"

"Yes," she answered.

"Okay. Wanted to make sure I actually signed it and didn't just mean to sign it. If your teacher has a problem with it, talk to Principal Coulson and have him call me okay?"

"Okay," she said and then he left them.

"Seven little monkeys jumping on the bed. One fell off and bumped his head," Harley sing-songed as he finished his breakfast and Jemma giggled beside him.

Harley didn't realize how much it sucked not having a best friend in class until Peter didn't come to school with him that day. Sure, he got along way better with more of the kids in this year's intermediate class than he did in his fourth grade class the year before, but Peter had become his best friend and having him around made the day go by faster. He didn't mind school work so much when he could partner up with Peter and he had overheard Bruce tell his dad that Peter was much more engaged in school this year than ever so Harley was smart enough to know it was the same reason. He kind of hoped Peter wasn't sick for as long as the others had been so far or that he could get sick too because he'd much rather suffer through that than school without him.

"Hi, Harley!" Jemma waved cheerfully at him when he came out of the school at the end of his super long and not very fun day. She was standing with Wanda and Jane on the lawn of the school waiting for him.

Harley waved back and scanned the line of cars to see if theirs was there yet as he walked toward them. However, he was suddenly ripped back by his backpack. He heard the girls shriek and saw them come running over as he was pushed back and forth between two familiar bullies.

"If it isn't our old friend. We've missed you since you moved to the freak class."

"It's not a freak class," Harley argued as he struggled and tried to push back.

They laughed at him and taunted further. "Look, he thinks he can actually beat us up."

"Give it up, weakling."

"My dad says his dad is gay now."

The two talked back and forth in snide tones as they continued to rough him up.

"My dad is bisexual you bigot," Wanda snapped at them.

"Oh, fancy words. Bet you're just as weak as he is."

"Jemma, go get a teacher," Jane instructed and Harley watched the youngest Banner run off to do so. "And there's nothing wrong with being gay," she then said with a feisty sneer.

"Look he needs these girls to protect him. How about we push them around and see how they like it?"

Harley became furious as the two bullies attempted to circle Jane and Wanda, not caring that they were older. Harley tried to remember the move Thor had shown him and Pietro as he lunged forward and attached himself to the closest bully, tackling him to the ground.

"If you touch my sisters, I'll kill you!" He yelled and began punching and trying to chokehold the bully underneath him until the other started roughly trying to pull him off. He only latched on tighter with determination.

"Break it up!" Principal Coulson's stern voice suddenly called out and quickly they scrambled to their feet.

"Are you okay, Harley?" Jemma asked from where she stood by Coulson.

"Yeah, I'm okay," he said, and readjusted his book back on his shoulders.

"Wanda," Coulson said, "please stay here and when your driver arrives, instruct him or her of the delay."

"Yes, Principal Coulson," Jane replied.

"You three," Coulson snapped his fingers and pointed at Harley and the two bullies, "in my office now. Jane, I'd like for you to come along as a witness. Jemma, you can either tag along with Jane or stay here with Wanda."

Harley followed Principal Coulson toward the office and sat down outside as he waited for his turn to be called in to give his account. When it was finally his turn, going last, he shrugged off his backpack and dragged it in with him. Coulson was on the phone with Bruce when he sat down in the chair across from him.

"I assure you, Dr. Banner that your daughters and Wanda are absolutely fine. Yes, Harley is fine too. He's right here and I'm about to hear his story. No, no, that's not necessary. I realize you have your hands full there. I already have most of the details from the security footage. It's mostly an issue of hearing what the kids will say and if it lines up. Yes, it is usually effective. The driver is still here as are your older kids. I'll send you an email with what comes of everything. And I assure you I will do everything in my power to keep this from happening again. Thank you, Dr. Banner. Yes, have a nice evening and stay well."

As Coulson ended the phone call, Harley wondered if Bruce would be mad at him when he got home or if he would tell his dad. He did ask if he was okay though so maybe it would be okay and maybe he would be happy that he defended Jane and Wanda. Maybe his dad would be happy about that too.

"First things first." Coulson looked at him finally. "You were said to have threatened to kill—"

"That's not what I said!" Harley shouted and Coulson gave him a reprimanding glance at his outburst though he said nothing. "That's not what I said exactly," Harley said more calmly.

"Okay, then what did you say exactly?"

"I said if he touched my sisters I would kill him," Harley answered.

"I see. Harley, you do realize only one is your sister?" Coulson asked.

Harley blinked several times in confusion. "Well, yeah. But… Dad and Bruce said they wanted us to be treated like a family here at school, didn't they?"

Coulson nodded once. "They did."

"And they're kind of like my step-sisters since they're always around now." He shrugged.

"And you seem very okay with this adjustment," Coulson observed calmly. "You're willing to protect them?"

Harley puffed out his cheeks as he thought about it. "Well, at first it was kind of weird. I was afraid it would be annoying. But it's not so bad. It's kind of fun having a bigger family… Well, family-thing?" Coulson gave him a patient nod to let him know he could continue. "Bruce seems to like us and Peter's my best friend. I wouldn't mind if he was my brother too. Is that not okay?"

Coulson smiled. "It's very okay. I just wanted to know how you're adjusting and I'm sure your dad and Dr. Banner would be happy to hear your feelings." Coulson then paused and let out a sigh. "What isn't okay is uttering death threats even under these kinds of circumstances. I know that their threatening your sisters was a very real problem and they will be dealt with and I don't believe you would have actually killed them… Or at least, I trust that you wouldn't have. But the fact remains that even making an empty threat is grounds for suspension. Under the circumstances, I've reduced your suspension to two days and I'd like you to see the guidance counselor for a few weeks to discuss some techniques for keeping your cool in a situation like that and using your words."

Harley sighed, but nodded. "It doesn't seem fair. I just wanted to keep them safe."

"I understand that. And in some circumstances, I wouldn't blame you. But your sisters were relatively safe in that situation. Beating up a fellow student, while still not appropriate, to keep them from touching your sisters is understandable. You got carried away, Harley, and it's best if we find a way to keep that response from being something you rely on, okay?"

"Okay," Harley said, nodding again.

"Now, I'm going to assume that since you shared a class with both of these students last year they're the same two you've dealt with in the past?"

Harley bit his lip, not sure if it was a good idea to snitch or if it would make them angry, but maybe it didn't matter now. "Yes," he admitted.

"Then we'll figure out a way to keep them from targeting you or your family again. Bullies are an unfortunate part of life and I can only do so much, but as long as you're in my school don't hesitate to tell me when there's a problem. I am here to help."

Bruce was waiting for them as soon as they walked through the door. Harley immediately noticed that he looked at him first with a look that was sympathetic before looking at Jane, Wanda, and Jemma. Harley also noticed that he looked very tired.

"Is everyone okay?" He asked, placing a hand on Jemma's head. He then looked down in concern and began moving his hand along Jemma's forehead and cheeks. "You're feeling a little flush, sweetheart. Have you coughed or anything today?" Jemma shook her head. "Could just be the excitement, but let's take your temperature just to be sure." He looked at the rest of them then. "Let me take care of Jemma and then, Jane, Wanda, if you want to talk to me I'll be ready to listen okay? And Harley, I'd like to speak with you."

Harley slumped his shoulders, but followed Bruce and Jemma into the living room while the others headed off elsewhere. He sat down on the couch, setting his backpack beside him and watched as Bruce took Jemma's temperature.

"Am I sick?" Jemma asked when he pulled away the thermometer and looked at it.

"I'm afraid you might be on your way, dear. But maybe if you get plenty of rest we can nip it in the bud so it's not as bad. I want you to go lay down before dinner okay? You can read if you want to or watch a movie, but if you feel the least bit tired you can take a nap too," Bruce told her. She didn't look entirely happy, but scooted off to do as told. "Okay, Harley. So tonight's obviously not going to be the usual Friday night dinner so I thought I'd make an executive decision and let you make the call on what we order in."

Harley hadn't been expecting that. "Really? Didn't Principal Coulson tell you I'm suspended?"

"Yes," Bruce replied. "But he also told me that you were trying to protect your sister and Jane. And I'm okay with that. I think you deserve a little bit of accolade for the effort even if we need to work on how you go about helping them."

Harley looked down at the floor. "I said I would kill them," he admitted.

"I know. Principal Coulson told me your exact words. Did you mean it?" He asked and Harley looked up at him in slight shock.

Harley thought about it long and hard for a moment. "I don't know about kill," he started. "I just said it because I knew if they hurt Wanda and Jane I'd hurt them really bad any way I could. So maybe I meant it?"

"Okay, that's a start," Bruce said and didn't sound angry which confused Harley. "I want to tell you something about myself, Harley. I was bullied very badly as a boy." Harley's eyes widened and he thought Bruce looked like he was taking very deep breaths. He looked not only tired, but now also very sad. "I was bullied by my father at home until I went to live with my aunt and I was bullied at school."

"Your dad was abusive?" Harley asked in disbelief. Bruce always seemed so nice and he couldn't understand why anyone would want to abuse him. He knew some kids were abused, but it was hard to imagine.

Bruce sighed and nodded, frowning as he did. "He was. He was very mean. He drank a lot and he… He was just very cruel. He was so cruel that he did some very bad things and they sent him away to an asylum because he wasn't okay mentally." Harley just remained silent as Bruce took a few more breaths. "I was glad to get away from him, but I couldn't seem to get away from the other bullies. They bullied me for being poor and for being super smart. They bullied me for being a very weak kid. They bullied me for being shy. They bullied me for being gay. So finally I got so tired of being bullied and not having anyone to turn to that I wanted to hurt my bullies very badly."

"Did you?" Harley asked.

Bruce shook his head. "No, but I tried. And I might have had I not gotten lucky." Harley furrowed his brow as to what Bruce meant by that, but didn't ask. He clearly seemed hurt by the memory. "So I know it's very hard to go through what you're going through. But I want you to really listen to your counselor and try to work on those techniques that'll be shared with you. And if you ever need to talk about something, you can come to me because I've been there and I know it sucks."

"It really sucks," Harley said.

"Yeah. But violence isn't the answer unless you really, really need to defend yourself or someone else okay? Those situations are tough, I get it." Bruce paused. "But you're really lucky, Harley. You have a principal who cares and wants to help you with this. And you have a very big support group at home, even bigger now that we've moved in here too. I promise you that all of my older kids don't like bullies because a few of them have been in your shoes too."

"So, am I in trouble?" Harley decided to ask after a few minutes.

"Well, that's probably for your dad to decide," Bruce said in an even tone, but then he smiled. "But I promise to put in a good word for you if you promise me from now on you'll tell somebody you trust like your dad when you're being harassed. How's that sound?"

"I think I can do that," Harley agreed.

"Glad to hear it," Bruce replied and stood up. "Now I've got to make the rounds, but when I'm done let me know what you want for dinner."

Harley suddenly stood up too and gave Bruce a hug. He didn't give hugs to anyone other than his dad unless the other person hugged him first, but he decided Bruce deserved one.

"I'm sorry people were mean to you," he said genuinely. "I wish you had a dad as nice as my dad or you."

Bruce hugged him back strongly. "Thank you, Harley. That's one of the nicest things I've ever heard."

Harley knew people said stuff like that a lot, but he had a feeling Bruce meant it.