Chapter 3
When they come downstairs, Peter has a completely different demeanor. His nose is red, eyes wet and his lips a bit puffy. He's clinging to Tony like a shy kitten. Part of Bucky wants to wince in sympathy – Steve, being the softie he is, is doing exactly that. Another part thinks that the kid had it coming. The third part secretly wishes for this effect to last as long as possible on the kid, because, frankly speaking, this Peter seems way easier to babysit.
Tony sits down on the couch in the living room – Peter curled up under his arm – and gestures for Bucky and Steve to land their asses into the armchairs.
“Now that we have our attitude adjusted,” he gives the boy a look, making him blush and look down. “Let me set the rules.”
Bucky leans forward, elbows on his knees, ready to listen. Peter squirms and seems to be paying as much attention as his sore ass allows him to.
"As I've already said, you're not to leave the mansion." Tony looks at Peter. "Which means no asking to go to the mall, arcade, movies or whatever hangout with Ned or anyone else."
The boy nods, not arguing.
"Bucky is in charge. You are to listen to him without any questioning, like you're supposed to listen to me."
"Heard that? I'm the boss." Bucky flashes Steve a smirk, just to see him roll his eyes. Steve doesn't disappoint.
Tony is too busy looking at Peter sternly.
"Which means any disobedience will be punished the same as disobeying me. Or harder, given the special circumstances."
The kid whines, making a pouty face.
"But, Daddy…"
"We're talking about safety, Peter. What's your most important rule?"
Bucky expects something like 'always obey', but the boy sighs out a completely different thing.
"Never putting myself in danger…"
Tony hums in approval.
"Disobeying Bucky will be considered as breaking this rule. Am I being clear? Trust me, you've never been in such trouble as that would entail."
Peter curls up in a tighter ball, nodding timidly.
"Use your words."
"Yes-yes, Daddy, clear."
"Tony, you're scaring him." Steve speaks up quietly.
Bucky rolls his eyes. If Steve was in charge, he'd make the kid even more of a brat with all his coddling. Of course, Peter's already spoiled to no end, but at least Tony keeps him in line with a firm hand.
"Good, I'd rather him be scared of not being able to sit for a week if that's what's gonna make him obey my orders." Tony bites out. "And I mean it. It's not time to play, so the punishment would be hard."
He tightens his hold on Peter though, thumb rubbing soothing circles on the boy's shoulder.
"Staying home. Obeying Bucky. No sneaking out, no attitude, no giving him a hard time when he needs to focus on keeping you safe. Capiche, baby?"
"Capiche…" Peter mumbles, looking down at his hands.
Tony turns to Bucky, eyes serious. Stern manner definitely trying to cover worry pooling deep underneath it.
"Buck, you know the drill. Set whatever rules you feel necessary. You'll get his meal plans and bedtime – yes, Peter, don't give me that pout, I don't want you to get all cranky, we all know how it ends up. And if he acts out…"
Bucky's freezing. Surely Tony won't make him spank the kid?! Peter seems to be thinking the same, staring at them with wide alert eyes.
"You're allowed to put him in a timeout," Tony smirks. "And report to me. I'll take it from there."
"Ugh but I hate timeouts!" Peter whines and turns red, noticing everyone grinning at him. "They're stupid and boring and-"
"Then just be a good boy." Tony shrugs with a chuckle. "Shouldn't be that hard, huh?"
Peter crosses his arms, making both Steve and Tony laugh. Bucky catches the kid's eye, winking.
"Hey. We'll just have a grand ol' time while those schmucks are stuck in the city doing boring things and wishing they were here. Right, buddy?"
Peter looks up at him, and the hesitancy in his eyes is washed out by something terribly familiar, reminding him of trust. Peter's face lights up with a warm smile.
"Right!"
***
Tony and Steve head out in the evening. Bucky has lost count of how many times he heard "behave", "we'll be back soon" and "gonna miss you so much" – the last one by Steve, Peter and Tony alike. Heck, he even growls it out himself – quietly, right into Steve's ear, so no one else can hear.
"Be careful." Steve gives his signature worried stare.
"It's not me who's going into the fire." Bucky squeezes him in a quick hug.
"Debatable." Steve chuckles, but his blue eyes stay serious.
Peter demands both Tony and Steve to say bye to the dobermans, giving them extra head scratches and cookies. Then he clings to Tony like a monkey – eventually, Stark has to set him on the ground, and Bucky wraps his arm around the kid's shoulders.
Tony's dark eyes are boring into Bucky's.
"I'm trusting you with what matters the most, Barnes."
Peter looks up at them both. His hands are fiddling with the hem of his t-shirt.
"You can count on me, boss." Bucky squeezes the kid's shoulder, nodding to Stark. "I'm going to keep him safe and protect him with my life."
"Wouldn't expect anything less." Tony gives him a tight smile and turns to Peter. His whole demeanor changes in less than a second.
"Be good. Go educate Bucky on Star Wars, okay?" He gently holds the boy's face in just palms, and Peter nods, pouting. "Build Legos together, I expect pictures, okay? Think about what present you want me to bring you from the city."
"Just want you." Peter sniffles and goes for a hug, hiding in Tony's chest.
"I know, baby. I know."
Surprisingly, he lets go on his own when Tony and Steve – way overdue – climb into the car and start off.
Bucky still clasps Peter's shoulder, kinda afraid that he would run after the car like a puppy. The gates close, and silence falls over them. Bucky looks around, soaking everything in – the skies bleeding orange into pink, making the dark trees' silhouettes pop, a flock of birds swishing through them, claiming sanctuary for the night. A distant chirping of cicadas in the grass. There's suddenly so much simple beauty in the world when you take the time to look and listen.
He almost flinches when Peter's fingers wrap around his wrist – a gentle, innocent touch. Bucky looks down and finds three pairs of eyes staring at him expectantly – the boy's and two dobermans.
"Okay." He clears his throat, feeling like just being dunked into the depth of the unknown. "Let’s go have fun."