Chapter 1
The first thing Bucky notices about Tony is the huge Lego Star Wars box under his arm.
Steve and Bucky get out of their car. Tony is waiting to greet them, standing in front of his own. Bucky barely refrains from whistling – the Stark mansion is really royalty-worthy. Unlike Steve, he's here for the first time. Looks like Tony even has a good chunk of forest behind his fence.
"Trying to sweeten the pill?" Next to Bucky, Steve nods to the large box, chuckling.
Tony rolls his eyes.
"As if my boy isn't spoiled enough." He grins in anticipation though, clearly excited for how his present is going to be met.
"And the pill is me, huh?" Bucky quirks his brow, making both of them snort.
Tony waves his hand.
"Nah. I'm pretty sure he's gonna love hanging out with you. After getting over the fact of me being away, that is. You, on the other hand," he points at Bucky, lowering his sunglasses to emphasize the message. "Need to be prepared to handle him. Peter…"
"Peter is a terror." Steve supplies helpfully.
Bucky looks at Tony, expecting him to snap, but he just chuckles.
"My terror though. The cutest one in the world."
He's about to continue, but one of Stark's men is running up to them.
"Boss!" The guy is clearly out of breath. "We can't find him anywhere or the dogs-"
Tony cuts him off, tossing the Lego box back in the car and swearing.
"Little brat – follow me, I have an idea."
***
Stark's pool is gorgeous – marble tiles, sunbeds looking as fluffy as clouds, a large rectangular body of water with a transparent teal color. There are three swimmers inside. Two dobermans, one human.
"Peter! Dum-E, Mark," Tony barks, sounding tired. "Out."
The dobermans jump out of water and right on Tony, nearly toppling him over.
"Fucks sake, yeah, yeah, good boys," Tony groans, petting them and trying to peel them off himself. "Sit! Sit!"
The dogs sit down, ears perked, tongues out, excited glances to Steve and Bucky.
"Guard dogs?" Bucky looks at Tony. He has no fear of dogs, but he's a stranger to these ones, and if they decide he's a threat…
"These two? Yeah, will lick you to death." Tony rolls his eyes and barks to the pool again. "Peter! What did I say?"
Steve gets something out of his pocket – the package says 'Dog cookies', and both dobermans attack him with cuddles. Pushing each other out of the way for pets and 'who's a good boy' and treats.
"Daddy!!!" There’s a happy chirping from the water, and next moment Tony gets an armful of a very excited boy. "I missed you!"
Peter wraps his slim arms and legs around Tony, koala-style, ruining his suit completely. Tony obviously doesn't mind – especially after getting a sloppy kiss planted on his lips.
"Stevie!" The boy greets Steve with a dazzling smile. Only then he notices an unfamiliar face. His expression turns a bit shy, then curious. "Hi?"
Bucky nods in response. It's the first time he sees the kid in the flesh, after hearing countless rumors and tales about Tony's little thing . Technically, everyone knows Peter is legal and is considered a young adult, but he looks like a teenager and acts like a toddler. Yeah… it's impossible to call him anything other than kid .
He's dripping pool water all over, brown hair and sun-kissed skin, clad only in a pair of black soaked Calvins. Tony grabs his ass possessively, patting it.
"Missed you too, my sweet love. Now, refresh my memory, are you allowed to swim alone?"
The boy lets out a little whine.
"I was with Mark and Dum-E!"
"Yeah, and now we have to clean the pool." Tony sets him down on the tiles, tilting the boy's chin up with two fingers and making him keep eye contact. "Pete."
The kid sighs, shifting from foot to foot and crossing his arms petulantly.
"..No..."
"Mhhmm, that's what I thought." Tony nods, a mix of stern and fondness in his tone. "We'll address this issue before bedtime. Understood?"
Bucky has zero idea what the hell that's supposed to mean, but Peter blushes and shoots a quick glare his and Steve's way. Then mumbles:
"Yes, Daddy."
Tony nods, satisfied, planting a little kiss to his head.
"Good boy."
Bucky looks at stuff scattered around the pool. A bunch of comic books thrown on the sunbed, a soccer ball, a couple of neon-colored water guns. To top it all, there's a huge unicorn-shaped floatie in the water, rainbow tail, glitter wings and all. It's mind blowing to even imagine all of these are in Tony Stark's backyard.
One of the dobermans – Dum-E, considering the goofy expression, sticks a cold nose into Bucky's palm.
"No cookies, buddy, sorry."
The doberman pins him with an unimpressed look, full of judgment, and jogs back to Steve.
"Will you swim with me?" Peter looks up at Tony, but not without glancing at Steve and Bucky too. "Please, please, Daddy, I wanna jump off your shoulders, and-"
"Not now, baby." Tony smiles at the kid's pout and pets his hair. "We have guests over as you see, so go put on something and come to the patio."
"But I thought you loved seeing me like this, Daddy!" Peter gives him a cheeky smirk, making the older man roll his eyes again and smack his ass.
"C'mon, puppy. Scoot."
Peter giggles and takes off towards the house. Both dobermans racing after him, barking up a storm.
"Hope you don't mind growing some gray hairs over the weekend." Tony hums at Bucky, sounding dead-ass serious. "So let's feed you first."
***
Whatever terror the kid is, it's totally worth it. Bucky decides that in the first couple of minutes of the dinner. If they keep feeding him like this, he'll babysit for the whole week if needed.
They're sitting around the massive wooden table outside, getting served traditional Italian dishes – Tony lives up to his heritage. The patio is shaded with wild grapes, and the world seems rich green from here.
"I'll up all security, of course." Tony speaks in a hushed voice, pouring red wine in their glasses. "We'll check it together, you'll be given the whole tour beforehand. And you're not to leave the mansion."
Bucky nods. Steve's jaw is set, as always when they're discussing things like this. Bucky loves this look on him.
"With me and Steve nipping the issue in the butt in NYC, and you watching over him here…"
"I'll keep him safe, Tony." Bucky looks the man in the eyes, making sure his determination is seen. "Promise."
"Buck is the best for the job," Steve nods, giving Bucky a small warm smile.
"I know," Tony nods and takes a generous sip from his glass. "Wouldn't expect anything less."
Steve opens his mouth to add something, but Peter finally comes to the table, and they immediately change the topic.
"Breaking the pool rules and then being late for dinner?" Tony tsks and beckons the kid closer.
"You told me to change, Daddy!" Peter prances to Tony's chair and clings to him. "So if anything, it's kinda your fault."
Bucky snorts out loud. Besides him, Steve is doing the same, trying to hide it behind a napkin. The nerve of this kid.
Before Tony can actually reply, Peter nuzzles into him immediately, rubbing his cheek over the older man's beard.
"Little shit," Tony shakes his head a bit. "Peter, this is Bucky Barnes. Pretty sure Steve told you about him."
"Multiple times" Peter smirks, making Steve choke on his pasta and grow as red as the sauce.
Very intriguing… The kid's eyes glint with interest.
"You're the Winter Soldier!"
Bucky tries really hard not to clench his teeth.
"They don't call me that anymore."
Peter nods solemnly, as if processing information.
"Do you really have the metal arm?" Peter asks.
It's gloved right now, because Bucky naively thought it would traumatize the kid. How stupid of him. He nods.
"Can I touch it, please?"
He doesn't even manage to reply to this wide-eyed curiosity, because Tony scolds the boy lightly.
"Peter, where are your manners?"
"Uhh, sorry. Nice to meet you, Mr. Bucky." The kid smiles a bit shyly and reaches out to shake his hand. The poster boy of good manners, styled hair and expensive set of shorts and a button-up.
"Same, kid." Bucky squeezes the hand as gently as possible. "Just Bucky, no sirs or misters here."
"Now, sit down and eat your dinner." Tony pulls the kid down next to himself and gives him a forkful of pasta.
For a while they're just enjoying good food. Warm sunlight is pouring through the wild grape leafy vines, soaking everything in soft gold.
With Peter at the table, the weekend discussion is on pause. Steve starts retelling some incredibly confusing action movie plot at some point. Tony gets surprisingly hooked into it, asking questions and commenting on characters, only getting distracted to feed Peter a spoonful from time to time, clearly enjoying it.
The kid keeps quiet, but wouldn't sit still for a moment. He listens to Steve's detailed retelling (seriously, Tony should just hire the guy for bedtime stories), munches on pasta, obediently opens up his mouth when Tony pulls himself from the conversation to feed him. Squirms into a hundred different poses in his chair, stares at the sunlight streaming through the vines, reaches out to touch the leaves, pets the dobermans when they come and sit nearby, types something on his phone – this action though is cut off abruptly after just one look from Tony.
Steve is in the middle of a (super boring) explanation on the antagonist not actually being dead like everyone thought (surprise), because the shots he got from the main character turned out to be only wounds.
"Why didn't he go straight for the head?" Peter comments without looking up from his plate, all casual like. "Leaving big odds of your enemy surviving, so unprofessional. No person, no problem, and you can sleep at night."
He says it all while playing with the remaining food on his plate, stacking it into different arrangements.
"Peter," Tony hums in an authoritative tone. "Eat your veggies."
"But Daddy!" The kid whines, dropping his fork. "I don't want broccoli!"
Tony quirks his brow, completely unfazed.
"Do you want to be allowed to eat dessert tonight?"
"Duh!"
"Then you want broccoli." Tony shrugs and give an 'end of discussion' like look.
Peter glares and pouts into his plate, then sighs and starts shoving all the greens in his mouth.
Bucky watches this, kinda speechless. What even is this weird mix of pure childlike innocence and mob prince-slash-assassin instincts? As if Tony just went and asked whatever power was making this kid for his personal perfection in all the right proportions. Shaken, not stirred. Knowing Tony, it might have very well been exactly like that…
They have cannoli for dessert.
"They're my favorite, Daddy!" Peter squeals and rolls his eyes from pleasure, clearly relieved he made the right choice about veggies.
After trying one, Bucky completely agrees with him.
"Well look at that, they are !" Tony smirks, faking a shocked gasp, much to the kid's delight.
"Going out of your way, huh?" Steve chuckles in a hushed voice, and Tony flashes him with stern eyes.
Bucky takes off his leather jacket. Thinks a bit and peels off his glove, finger by finger. By the time he finishes, Peter's eyes are glued to the metal arm. He even squirms like an impatient puppy.
"May I?.." He points to the arm and glances between Bucky and Tony, as if confused who's permission he needs.
Bucky just rolls his eyes and rests his arm on the table for the kid to touch. Peter glides his fingertips over the cool metal – so gentle that Bucky kinda has to swallow over a lump in his throat.
"Woooah…" The kid breathes out, eyes widened in excitement. "Is it strong? Can you lift me up with it?"
Bucky looks at Tony. The older man nods, but with a clear 'be careful' stare. Bucky stands up, dragging his chair from the table. Peter scrambles from his seat in a matter of seconds, before Bucky even stretches out his left arm.
"Hang on it."
The kid does exactly as he's told, grabbing the metal forearm and hanging off it like a little monkey. Bucky lifts his arm up, pulling the boy up in the air.
"Oh my God!!!" Peter's eyes grow comically wide, mouth hanging open. "Daddy, do you see it?! He lifted me up!"
"Look at you!" Tony gives him a warm smile and opens his arms.
Bucky has a feeling he's gonna be doing a lot of this during the weekend. He sets the kid back to the ground, to run into his Daddy's embrace. Tony immediately pulls Peter into his lap, chin in the crook of the kid's neck. As if he's feeling territorial that someone touched his boy.
"Daddy, he's like Luke Skywalker…well, and Anakin too. Bucky, you're like from Star Wars!"
"Thanks? I guess." Bucky scratches the back of his head, feeling utterly dumbfounded.
Fear, pity, or acceptance were all he usually got. No one has ever referred to his metal arm as something that makes him cool , of all things. No one has ever touched his arm with such softness. Not even Steve, because it's not a lover's touch. It's just something so pure and innocent. Bucky has no idea how Peter can be this way while belonging to one of the most dangerous mob clans this side of the country. Going on about shooting people in the head and then be so angelic… but he just is .
"Tell you what, Bucky hasn't ever seen a single Star Wars movie." Tony whisper-yells to the kid, making him audibly gasp and stare in horror.
Steve lets out a soft laugh, mouth full of sweet ricotta.
"How about you educate him, sweetheart?" Tony's voice is full of exaggerated enthusiasm. "While building…this!"
He pulls out the Lego box – Bucky doesn't even understand where it was hidden all this time. Peter lets out a bones-chilling shriek, grabbing the box.
"Oh my God!!! The Death Star!!! Daddy, thank you!!!" He peppers the man's face with kisses, then focuses on the box again. "Oh my God, Ned will flip when I tell him!"
Tony's grin is reminiscent of a very content wolf. He nuzzles into the boy's neck, planting a kiss there.
"You think you'd get this monstrosity finished in a weekend?"
"A weekend?" Peter frowns and squints his eyes suspiciously. He lowers the box and cranes his neck to look at Tony.
Steve and Bucky exchange glances. The moment of truth…
"Mhmmm." Apparently, Tony's strategy is to play it cool. Like, no biggie. "While Daddy and Stevie are out of the city."
It feels like everyone around the table is holding their breath.
"For the whole weekend?!" The kid gasps and whines.
"I know, my love, I know." Tony pulls him closer, wrapping tanned arms tightly around the boy's slim body.
"Nooo!"
Bucky honestly expects Peter to stomp his foot in a tantrum. And the kid doesn't disappoint – only instead of stomping on the ground he kicks Tony's shin.
"Peter." The man's tone grows sterner. "It's not up for discussion, my love. I don't want to do it, believe me. But things need to be done, and you're going to stay with Bucky-"
"No."
"...Listen to him and obey all the rules that we're going to set. Is that clear, mister?"
Bucky looks at Peter's face. Lips set in a pout, eyes glaring daggers. If there's a picture in the dictionary next to the word 'brat', it should be this image of him right now.
"M' not going to obey any stupid rules."
He just said… what ? To whom? To Stark ? Bucky stares at the couple with something akin to true fear for this crazy kid. Next to him, Steve groans in a here we go again manner, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Okay, kid." Tony's voice drops to a dangerous level. Apparently, the boy is sensing it too, flinching, making himself smaller, eyes growing all wide, innocent and timid.
Tony's fingers find the back of his neck, scruffing him, while he continues to speak.
"We can do it a different way. I return this to the store…" His other hand snatches the Lego box away, making Peter whimper. "And tonight, I make sure your ass is too red and too sore to even think about doing anything bold for the next few days, let alone sit or even walk. Do I make myself clear?"
For a moment, it's silent around the table. Bucky stares at Tony, then at Steve. Wondering if he heard and understood everything correctly. Although he's never had any complaints about his hearing before, thank you very much. Steve just shrugs, nodding, barely noticeable. One look at Peter confirms everything. The kid's cheeks and ears are tomato red. He's not taking his eyes off the floor, squirming, as if Tony's already carried out his threat.
"Peter," there's such a bite in Stark's tone that Bucky nearly flinches himself. "I won't repeat myself."
Yeah. As soft and doting as he is with Peter, it's still Tony Stark. And now it's showing.
"Clear…" The boy lets out a whine and mumbles something else, but Stark's hand only scruffs him tighter.
"What was that?"
"It's-it's clear, Daddy!"
"Oh, is it now?" Tony makes an unimpressed sound. "And what are you going to do this weekend?"
"Stay with Bucky…" Peter glances up timidly, eyes like those of a scared puppy. "And, and listen to you and him…and your rules…"
Tony nods at that, his whole demeanor still remaining stern though.
"Good. Don't you think you owe an apology to me, Steve and Bucky for this little stunt?"
"Yes, sir." Peter's voice is barely audible, and something in Tony suddenly softens. He releases the scruffing grip, giving the kid little head scratches instead.
"I'm-I'm sorry." Peter sniffs his nose, shooting a quick glance up at all three men, eyes wide and uncertain.
Bucky kinda feels bad for him. But everyone knows Tony is big on discipline. So his baby boy definitely would be aware of it the most of all. Stark's eyes are on them now, and Bucky realizes they need to reply.
"It's okay, kid," Steve gives his signature soft smile.
"Yeah, buddy, you're fine." Bucky adds clumsily, feeling totally out of place.
Tony plants a kiss on top of Peter's head. The kid immediately curls up into him, hiding his red face in the crook of Tony's neck and clinging with his whole body.
"It's okay, baby, my good boy, you did so well." The man holds him close, rubbing his back comfortingly and whispering into his ear. "Daddy's so proud of you. It's okay, everything's forgiven, my love. I've got you."
***
Peter stays like this for the rest of the evening. They watch some 90s family movie. Despite all his job specifics , Tony apparently is more into some chick-flicks or comedies instead of some gangster sagas you would expect. The kid giggles to a few funny moments, but otherwise stays cuddled into Tony's strong frame. Peeking out only to munch on some popcorn – because of course, they're watching the movie in a literal private cinema with a full ass wall for the screen. There's a projector, cherry plush couches and striped buckets with popcorn of any flavor. Peter only eats the plain salty kind, giggling about how his lips are all covered in salt now, prompting Tony to get a taste. While Steve doesn't even let Bucky sneak a kiss. Ridiculous.
Peter doesn't argue when Tony says it's bedtime – which is, according to Steve's surprised look, apparently a shock.
"I'll get him upstairs and come back." Tony gives them a 'and we will discuss everything' look.
Bucky nods and then literally has to pick his jaw from the floor, because Tony scoops Peter up and carries him to the bedroom. Like a parent would a toddler. Whispering something into his soft curls.
"Don't tell Tony I said this, but they're cute, right?" Steve slides closer to Bucky, their knees brushing together.
"Shockingly so." Bucky squeezes Steve's thigh and leaves his palm there. He can feel strong muscles under rough jeans and licks his lips. "The kid is something else though."
"I'll book us a spa day" Steve breathes out softly. "After this weekend, you'll need it."
"Shut it, punk," Bucky smacks that thigh and squeezes it tighter.
"Ease up on the PDA, boys." Tony's voice makes them both jump. "We have business to talk about."
***
"Toomes' threats surfaced a week ago. Technically, no one should know about our trip, but better be prepared for everything." Tony has a hologram model of the mansion pulled up in front of them. Showing Bucky all the ins and outs, the hideaways and corners. Tomorrow they will inspect everything in person.
"And you're sure those threats were targeting Peter specifically?" Steve frowns. "Just making sure in case we need to take care of anything else."
"He made it clear." Tony nods darkly. "Peter is the most important involved, anyways."
"Do we need to get more people?" Bucky looks at the hologram thoughtfully, figuring out the best strategy. "For the perimeter?"
"I gathered everyone trustworthy, you have them under your command." He nods, fingers spinning the hologram. "This is a family business, Buck, only for us to know about."
Bucky feels his stomach doing somersaults. Family business?…Is he implying…
"What about the-" Steve's voice cuts off as he's staring at something behind Tony's back. Both Tony and Bucky follow his look. For a moment all Bucky's muscles tense, ready to pounce, and then…
"Fucks sake, kid!"
"M' I in danger?" Peter asks hoarsely, rubbing his eyes and yawning. There's a pink imprint of his pillow on his cheek.
Steve ducks his head and shakes it, making weird sounds – clearly under the impression that he's masking his laugh well. Dumbass.
Stark blinks a couple of times, as if having a hard time believing his own eyes.
The kid's sporting the fluffiest case of bedhead, pj's shorts that are too big for him and an old t-shirt even bigger, both clearly Tony's.
"Yes," Tony finally bites out. "You're in very obvious danger of getting a pretty damn hard punishment, kid. Which you've clearly been begging for the whole day."
He gets up from the couch.
"You know how I feel about disobedience, Peter?"
The boy looks up at him, hands fiddling with the hem of his loose shirt.
"I had a nightmare, Daddy. Needed you."
Stark covers his face, groaning. Bucky just knows he's rolling his eyes right now.
"It's just a dream, baby boy." Tony sighs and pulls the kid into himself, holding him close and petting his back soothingly. "I'm here, always gonna keep you safe."
"Like now from Toomes?" It looks like Peter's clinging a bit tighter, and Tony growls, holding him.
"He's gonna regret being born, baby boy. Don't you worry your pretty little head over it. Frankly, you weren't supposed to hear any of this conversation."
"M' good at that," the kid agrees easily. "Doing what I'm not supposed to."
Steve makes his coughing-snorting-actually-laughing noise again.
Tony releases the kid, obviously planning to send him back to sleep. But Peter plops on the couch instead and grabs a bottle of water from the little table.
"Excuse me?" Stark quirks his eyebrow.
"Apology accepted," The kid shoots a cheeky retort and starts drinking.
This time even Bucky is unable to hold a chuckle.
"You know you're on thin ice right now, mister."
"Daddy," Peter looks up at Tony with big puppy eyes. "I'm thirsty."
"We have water in our bedroom."
"Yeah, but," he pats the couch and then just pulls Tony down, making him sit. "You are here ."
He curls up, laying his head on Stark's lap.
"I already know everything, right?" He yawns, squirming to get cozy. "And if anything, it's better for me to know what I gotta be protected from, innit?"
"The kid has a point." Bucky hums and shrugs when Tony flares his nostrils at him. "Just sayin'."
"Great. I'm just wrapped around this brat's little finger, and you're taking his side." Tony grumbles, but it's still too fond to be serious.
"Gotta be a team since they're gonna hangout together." Steve adds some fuel to the fire, grinning warmly. "Right, kid?"
"Mmhhhmm," Peter agrees sleepily, most likely not even understanding to what exactly.
His eyes are shut already, face relaxed where he's propped on Tony's lap like on a pillow.
Steve reaches out to the fluffy plaid blanket that's thrown around the armchair nearby and gives it to Tony.
"Thanks." Stark nods, covering the kid with it, and starts whispering. "Okay, back to business. We'll check the territory in the morning, and-"
There's a drum of claws interrupting his speech. The next moment one side of the couch is occupied by Mark, curled up by Peter's feet, and the other is taken over by Dum-E, squeezing his ass in between Tony and the armrest and sitting upright like a human.
The man just silently throws his head back, obviously holding up the curses. All while both Steve and Bucky are trying their hardest not to wake the kid up with their laugh.
Peter squirms a bit, humming, and suddenly smiles in his sleep. Tony's arm is curled up around the kid's frame protectively – seemingly by instinct.
Bucky feels this weird pang in his heart, like when you see something beautiful and pure, where you would've never expected to. One thing he knows for sure. He will protect this kid and whatever they have with Tony with every ounce of his life.