Starkation
CHAPTER 24: STARKATION
“Harry asked if we could go to the beach someday,” said Tony randomly as he crawled under the covers next to the Super Soldier.
Steve took his eyes off the book he was reading, one he picked from Tony’s bookshelves about the life of Nikola Tesla, to raise a brow at his boyfriend. He wasn’t stupid not to realize where the conversation was going. “Where and when?”
Tony beamed happily and tackled the man to a kiss. “So, Harry’s got a long weekend next week because of some interschool sports tournament. He can skip school on the 24th, we’ll spend 4 days minimum on the beach. I’m thinking Hawaii or somewhere in the Caribbean.”
The blond man nodded agreeably and returned the kiss, though much more chaste than was given. “That sounds nice, sweetheart. We’ll get to celebrate your birthday too.”
The older superhero waved his hand dismissively, not really used to celebrating his birthday recently but a little pleased that Steve remembered. “Great thinking, Capsicle. We should invite the team as well. Pepper won’t come, but I’ll ask regardless. She hates the beach. I’m pretty sure Rhodey would live in one if he can get away with it.”
“Bucky will love that,” mused Steve with a smile. “We used to spend afternoons in Coney Island beach as teenagers.”
“It’s settled then,” said Tony enthusiastically, clapping his hands together loudly.
And because Tony was an overgrown child and gets excited by the little things, he made Steve grab his notebook from the bedside table and list all the stuff they needed to prepare for—nevermind that JARVIS was listening and making a better, complete list himself. It wasn’t until one in the morning that Tony finally stopped his word vomit and finally let Steve sleep. In a span of three hours, they were able to decide on Hawaii just because Steve wanted to visit Pearl Harbor on Memorial Day, agree on the room arrangements, list down the activities they must try, and even compromise on the expenses. Tony gets to pay for the hotel and the transportation but Steve demands to cover their food expenses. Considering the whole team eats like a village, the soldier with a 70-year back pay from the military thinks it’s fair.
When they announced their plans over dinner the next day, everyone was ecstatic. Rhodey wasn’t around for dinner but Tony already informed him that morning. The Air Force Colonel squealed, no matter how much he denied the allegation. Still, none were more excited than Harry, who burst out sobbing in happiness mumbling about swimming with dolphins and drinking pineapple juice from a pineapple. Tony was stuck between laughing at his son’s reaction and fussing over him for crying. Steve ended up doing both.
Unfortunately, Phil couldn’t join them, and Natasha and Clint can only come after the 26th. Happy couldn’t join as well, though Tony believes he just wouldn’t want to babysit a group of superheroes more than he has to.
Even so, it didn’t deter everyone from being excited, especially when Harry started pulling out books from his shelf and showing the team pictures of the beaches and the volcanoes they have in Hawaii. All listened in rapt attention as the 6-year-old read them fun facts about the different endemic marine life in the islands. They even cooed when Harry stuttered over the name of their state fish. Amazingly though, it only took Harry three tries before getting it perfect. Sam gave up on his tenth.
Hours later, when Harry was tucked into bed, Sam and Clint were found huddled on the side, scrolling on Clint’s tablet and ordering the weirdest and most colorful beach shorts they could find on Amazon. Bucky, Tony, and Bruce were busy discussing some of the activities and deciding on which they should do first, while Steve, Nat, and Phil went on to strategize their security measures.
Their upcoming vacation was far from the first one they had, but everyone considered it the most special since for once, they were going as a team. Not to mention, it was Harry’s first time. That alone would make it particularly noteworthy.
**
Honestly, Tony had not realized how hard it was to hustle five adults and a child on a jet on time. He expected that with a Colonel, a Captain, and two Sergeants in their group, the chances of them being late was close to none. As it turns out, military punctuality had also taken their own vacations. Funnily enough, it was Tony who ended up having to wait for the others in the garage; Harry tucked on his side looking so adorable in a matching leaf-patterned short-sleeved summer shirt, white thigh-length shorts, and brown beach sandals.
To be fair, he had Steve carry all their luggage so that might have caused the younger (or older? It gets confusing) man some delay. The same couldn’t be said for the others, as they have absolutely no excuse being more than five minutes late.
The elevator dinged open, revealing an unfairly un-disheveled Super Soldier hauling three separate suitcases. Steve flashed him a smug smile and dropped them graciously on the floor beside the billionaire before leaning in for a quick kiss.
“Where are the others?” Steve asked as he reached over and ruffled Harry’s already messy hair.
“JARIVS?”
“Sergeant Barnes and Wilson are heading down, and Dr. Banner has made a pit stop in the common floor kitchen to refill his thermos,” the British voice answered.
“I texted Rhodey. He’s still in his house but it’s only a five-minute drive from the airport so we’ll likely be there around the same time,” added Tony.
Steve hummed in acknowledgment. “So, who’s riding with us?”
“No one,” came his best friend’s flat tone behind him. “I’d rather not spend a whole car ride watching the two of you flirt.”
“We do not!” Tony exclaimed, affronted by the accusation.
Bucky raised his eyebrow and silently conveyed his disbelief, then turned to the child between the two offended men. “What’ya say, champ, wanna ride with me and your uncles?”
Harry giggled but shook his head. “I’ll stay with Daddy and Papa. Maybe when we get back, I’ll come ride with you!”
“We’ll hold you to that, kid,” Sam grinned at the boy.
Bruce apparently agreed with Bucky’s accusation since he opted to carpool with the two sergeants in the SHIELD-issued SUV. Frankly, Tony doesn’t mind not sharing Steve and Harry with the rest of the team—even if it was only a 20-minute car ride. In fact, he prefers it.
True to his word, they all, including Rhodey, arrived at the airport at the same time. Happy was already on the tarmac, getting the flight crew and the pilots ready. Though he won’t be joining them for the trip, he’s still Head of Security.
When all was cleared, Tony wasn’t sure who was more excited to hop on the plane, Harry or Bucky. It would be his son’s second time on the jet, but the idea that none of the others apart from Rhodey had been inside had Harry want to be the one to show them to their seats. The adults simply humored the child and made sure to present surprised and amazed expressions at the right moments. It wasn’t difficult since Tony’s private jet really does deserve a bit of admiration. None of the Avengers are particularly wealthy, military backpay withstanding, to afford their own plane.
“Your seatbelt buckle is atrocious,” commented Sam with an amused grin, pointing at the piece of metal with the letter S engraved on it. “And you are one narcissistic son of a bit—ter man.”
“Nice save,” Bucky called from the other end of the jet where he and Rhodey were making final safety precaution plans.
Tony smirked and shrugged. “It’s mine. I can do whatever I want with it.”
Sam shook his head, grin not vanishing from his face as he manhandled Harry to show him the rest of the plane. Steve also shook his head but with more exasperation than amusement, then followed the two towards the only bedroom inside the jet.
By the time the air traffic control okay-ed them for take-off, Steve had steered the wayward child and birdbrain back to their seats. Harry still hated the uncomfortable feeling of pressure in his ears during the ascend, but at least there were no tears. Tony had given his son a lollipop to ease the pain. As soon as the pilots turned off the seatbelt sign, Harry untangled himself from his booster seat and threw his small form onto his dad’s lap, mumbling about jets and air pressure.
“You okay, bubby?” Steve asked, apparently moving out of his seat as well and crouching next to Tony’s to rub Harry’s back.
“Uh-huh. I just don’t like the ears part.”
Steve leaned and kissed the child at the back of his head. “I don’t like them, too.”
The flight to Maui lasted nine hours, but because they didn’t take a commercial flight, they weren’t as exhausted as they should be. Tony shuddered just imagining Clint and Natasha taking one in two days. He made a mental note to upgrade their seats to business class and admonished himself for not thinking of it before.
Because they arrived at noon, the first thing everyone noticed when they stepped out of the jet was the scorching heat and the strong breeze. Tony immediately unbuttoned his shirt and did it to Harry’s as well, not wanting his son to feel any sort of discomfort. Steve also grabbed Harry’s sunhat from the child’s backpack and placed it on him. Neither noticed the rest of their friends behind them giggling at their fussing.
Tony rented two Jeep Wranglers for their group. Unlike on the way to the airport, Bruce chose to carpool with Tony and Steve. The scientist admitted in the car that Sam and Bucky played too much rock and party music for his taste. “The amount of testosterones in that tiny space,” chuckled Bruce mildly while shaking his head.
It took them roughly half an hour to reach their hotel in Wailea-Makena. They weren’t even checked-in yet, but Harry had already dragged his nearest uncle, in this case, Bruce, to look at the courtyard pool. Of course, Bucky, Rhodey, and Sam followed suit, leaving Tony and Steve to deal with their rooms. They only needed to check-in anyway since Tony already paid for their suites beforehand. The billionaire handed Bruce his own key for a suite he’ll be sharing with Nat and Clint, much to the scientist’s delight that he’ll have the whole place for himself for two days. Rhodey received a key as well for a suite he’ll share with the two Sergeants. Naturally, Tony booked the Presidential Suite for him, Steve, and Harry.
To say that money buys comfort was an understatement. Their rooms were majestic, and the view of the ocean was something straight out of a picture. Steve was already itching to sit on the balcony and draw the scene. He’s glad he brought with him his sketchpad and color pencils.
Tony had Harry help him unpack while Steve did a sweep on the room as well as Bruce’s, just to make sure no one bugged them or left anything dangerous. It’s not that they don’t trust the hotel staff, it’s just that… they don’t trust the hotel staff that much. Anyway, it’s routine whenever they stay someplace that wasn’t the tower. Twenty minutes later, when all their luggage were taken care of and their rooms declared safe, the trio headed down to the beach. Though crowded, it was still easy to spot their friends. How can they not be when it wasn’t exactly normal to find three grown men huddled under a tiny umbrella.
“Are you all seriously staying in the shade for the whole trip?” Steve asked in disbelief. Harry and Tony were snorting beside him. “And where’s Bruce?”
Bucky glared at his best friend but mulishly answered while pointing at Rhodey, “This one forgot to bring sunscreen. I ain’t letting my skin burn. Do you even know how expensive moisturizing lotions and facial cleansers are?”
The accused man raised both hands in surrender and sported an injured look. “How is that my fault? We both know you need it the most.”
“Bruce said he’ll come down later. Wants to check the gourmet market first,” shrugged Sam, ignoring his two companions.
Steve sighed like he’s already worn-out even though they barely spent the first day of their vacation yet. “Is it so hard to just head back to your rooms to grab— you know what? Nevermind.” He took the red beach bag from Tony and fished for the sunscreen, handing it to Sam with an exhausted but amused eye roll. “Here. Don’t spend it all. Harry and I need it more than any of you schmucks.”
He turned before anybody could say another word, lifted Harry to perch on his shoulders, and took his boyfriend’s hand, dragging him towards the free parasol. Tony didn’t bother stifling his chuckles, but did choke when Steve placed Harry back on the sand to take off his shirt.
Oh, he’s seen his boyfriend’s naked body about a thousand times before. Still, the mouthwatering 6-pack on full display on a public beach has its appeal. Tony was totally aware more than half the people around them, if not all, were staring—whether or not they’re unapologetic about it. Hell, he sees it every day and he still gets starstruck.
“Are we gonna go to the water now, Papa?” Harry peered at the Super Soldier, oblivious of the effect his father had on the people around him, including his dad.
“Just a sec, bub,” said Steve with a gentle smile, taking out a shark-themed kiddie life vest from the bag. Tony swore he heard someone literally swoon somewhere behind him. When Steve placed the vest around Harry, some may have even started hyperventilating. Hot dads might be a kink Tony shared with a great number of people.
Harry beamed and thanked Steve. He looked so adorable in his life vest. It has an actual fin on the back! “You coming, daddy?” asked the child.
Tony blinked twice then shook his head. “Uh, I’ll stay here, sharky. You go do your thing with Papa.”
“It’s called swimming, Honey,” Steve rolled his eyes.
“Eugh.” Tony made a face then moved exaggeratingly towards the sunlounger, earning a laugh from the child and a snort from the blond hunk. Truly though, Tony’s a fan of looking at the beach. Not so much on the swimming part—and that was before Afghanistan happened. He’s good with a pool, probably because there’s less chances of drowning since it doesn’t actually pull him into the ocean or crash huge waves straight to his face.
Plus, sea monsters. Icky little sea monsters that touch his legs and brush their scales on his skin.
No matter. Someone needs to stay and watch their stuff anyway. They have like ten million worth of personal belongings with them— mostly Tony’s, though, because he couldn’t not bring his armor with him. It’s only the bracelet but hey, that alone costs a few millions.
He lets the boys play on the beach, glancing at his son once in a while to check if he’s still clutching for life on any of his guardians. Bruce finally came to sit with him half an hour later, drinking a fucking Pina Colada and eating seaweed-flavored Lays. Tony does not even want to know what those taste like together.
It wasn’t long until Harry returned, all wet and smiling, and told Tony they’re going to the pool. By the sound of it, he didn’t exactly have a choice. So, Tony groaned, internally grieved the wonderful, relaxing position he was in, grabbed their stuff, and followed his wired 6-year-old. Steve was standing by the boardwalk, waiting for him and Bruce while Harry caught up with his uncles.
“Hey, Bruce, are you joining us?” The blue-eyed Super Soldier asked when they reached hearing range, pointing his thumb to the sound of pool splashing.
“Maybe later,” responded the scientist with a half-smile. “I’m quite enjoying the other stuff right now.”
“He means the girly drinks, darling,” quipped Tony. “And possibly the weird flavored chips.”
“They taste wonderful,” was Bruce’s only defense.
Steve sighed and smiled at the two geniuses before taking Tony’s hand in his still wet ones. “Come on, before any of them decides it’s fine to hog the slide.”
Tony had rented an actual sailboat to sail them around the islands of Hawaii late that afternoon up until dinner when they were served a grand meal of burgers and fries on deck. By the time they reached their hotel rooms, it took them barely a minute to pass out in bed, much to Tony’s displeasure come morning. He really wanted hotel room sex with his boyfriend, especially with how hot Steve had been the whole day. Still, it didn’t stop him from enjoying an early morning walk with Harry and Steve on the boardwalk before breakfast.
Sam and Rhodey tried surfing after breakfast. They weren’t the best at it considering how many times they fell off their board, but it didn’t stop them from trying to face the waves. Harry even asked his father if he could try as well. Tony wasn’t as keen letting his 6-year-old risk drowning than he did his best friend. It could also be because Harry doesn’t exactly know how to swim without his vest.
Which brought them to another activity: teaching Harry how to swim. Honestly, Tony could probably do it himself, but everyone else decided to join them instead. It was funny seeing the world’s mightiest heroes in a 3-foot pool, cheering loudly as they watched a little boy go back and forth from Steve to Tony, looking so much like a gasping seal.
An adorable gasping seal, though.
A lot of people recognized them and asked for photographs and selfies but after the first day, they all seem to have gotten used to their presence. Anyway, most only recognize Tony and Steve. And since it’s not exactly summer until at least a week, there really weren’t that many guests in the resort.
When Natasha and Clint finally arrived, they hadn’t expected Phil to come with them, seeing as the SHIELD Agent told them he’ll be busy. Phil only shrugged and gave them his pleased smile, prompting Clint to happily regale how Fury literally closed the door on Phil’s face after telling him to fuck off and get his damn vacation while it’s free.
True to Steve’s plans, the whole group went to visit multiple sites on Memorial Day, including the still-active naval base, Pearl Harbor. It was obvious from Bucky and Steve’s somber expressions how much the site meant to them. It didn’t take long for Steve to admit the bombing was the final straw as to why he was so adamant in joining the military. They grew up with some of the people that died during the attack, went to school with them, and bumped shoulders on the streets.
They attended the Lantern Floating Festival in Honolulu. The beach was packed with people of all ages, carrying lanterns with their messages written on them. They even met a 95-year-old man whose grandson told them his grandfather served and survived the actual Pearl Harbor bombing. The smile on the elderly veteran’s face when Steve and Bucky introduced themselves was heartwarming. Tony couldn’t even joke about his boyfriend finally meeting someone his age because he was trying not to cry from all the emotions around him.
Harry didn’t really understand the fuss considering he’s still six, but he knew enough to know the day was important to almost everyone in his family. His own lantern was burning brightly in the palm of his hands and he thought about how different his life would have been if his Papa and Uncle Bucky died in the big war.
That night, Harry made sure to give them the biggest and warmest hug ever and told them he loves them very much. If the Super-Soldiers cried, well, no one was stupid enough to mention it.
**
“Happy Birthday, Daddy!”
Tony grunted when a weight flopped onto his stomach. He could hear his boyfriend chuckling from the other end of the room but as much as he wanted to flip him off, Harry’s presence was a bit of an obstruction. Not a moment later, before Tony could actually pay attention to his kid, Harry was lifted off of his front.
“Good morning, Tony.” The billionaire felt warm lips over his cheek and he couldn’t not open his eyes. The sight of Steve leaning above him and Harry draped along his back, sporting a wide grin had him smile dopily. “Happy birthday,” whispered Steve.
“Best birthday ever,” declared Tony happily.
Of course, a birthday wouldn’t be complete without birthday pancakes, and his two boys were definitely not joking around when it comes to pancakes. They actually woke up too early in the morning and charmed the hotel chefs to let him and Harry make pancakes in their kitchen. Tony was presented with a stack of them, topped with whipped cream and bananas and served with all sorts of fruits on the side. Steve and Harry ate most of them, but Tony felt like he’d never tasted better pancakes in his life.
Their friends didn’t bother them all morning, giving Tony the chance to spend his day first with his family. Truth be told, Tony rarely does celebrate his birthday. Most of the time, he spends it locking himself in his lab. Even before he became Iron Man, parties like the one he organized the year he thought he was going to die weren't exactly his choice of celebration.
This year though, he spent the first few hours of it in bed, cuddling with his son and boyfriend, eating fluffy pancakes and laughing at the stories they shared. They strolled for a bit in the shopping center until lunch time, actually buying nothing for a change, but simply enjoying a walk for what it was. Tony almost cried again when he realized his boyfriend had reserved a private lunch date for the three of them in the gardens. They ate under a gazebo overlooking the beach, soft 40s music playing in the background. To his further surprise, Steve even pulled him in for a slow dance. He didn’t realize until minutes later that their son was recording the whole thing with an actual video camera, probably on Steve’s instructions.
For the first time in his life, Tony Stark finally had someone go to lengths for him.