I Promise

As Bucky was watching the film he couldn’t help notice the similarities of the Death Star and Hydra. More specifically the Stormtroopers. He did not know enough about them to know whether they were brainwashed, but could see that they were at least taught to obey and kill no matter what. He also made connections between the dark side, Hydra, and the light side, Avengers. Although it made him a bit uncomfortable, since it brought back memories of Hydra, but honestly what didn’t, it was worth it to see the smile on Peter’s face as he was curled into Tony’s side watching the movie play. He wasn’t going to ruin Peter’s happiness just because he can’t separate real world evil from fictional evil.

The credit’s rolled and Peter just kept staring with amazement. “That was awesome! I can’t believe it is over.” He pouted a bit at the second part.

“Well I've got some good news kiddo, they made a bunch of prequels and sequels. Some are truly awful though.” Tony said to ease his sadness.

“I don’t care, I want to see them all!” Peter exclaimed excitedly. Both men laughed. Tony grabbed his phone from the nightstand and checked the time, 2:28pm.

“I think it’s time for lunch, what do you think?” He looked down at Peter who was still slightly curled into his side.

“Sure.” He said with a smile.

“Are you joining us for lunch?” Tony said, looking over Peter to where Bucky sat on his right.

“Steve and I made plans for lunch today, but I would love to come back and talk later or tomorrow if you want.” He smiled down at Peter.

Peter nodded, “Yes please.” Bucky’s heart melted at how precious Peter is. Even though Hydra tried to extinguish good they couldn’t do that with the bright shining light that is Peter Parker. Bucky wished he could have kept that spark, but if anyone was allowed to he was glad it was Peter.

“Alright, I’ll call up our next meal and, if it’s okay I’ll call up Helen since she said she could take the stitches out.”

Peter’s eyes turned fearful. Bucky saw this, “Hey, remember what I said, she’s good. She wouldn't hurt you.” Peter nodded but did not look completely convinced. “Do you want me to stay until she leaves?” Peter nodded forcefully this time. The last few times Helen came in it was just to change his IV bag and/or make sure his surgical site was not infected, she did not touch him. Now she would actually be touching him and this time with something sharp. All he could think of was Hydra and scalpels. “Okay, I’ll stay.” Bucky said with a soft smile.

“Thank you,” Peter whispered. He felt safer with Bucky there, he already felt safe with Tony, but Bucky had been through the medical experiments Hydra just loved to do. He knew what was okay and not when it came to medical procedures and he seemed to trust Helen. Having him there would make him more at ease.

“Of course.”

“Alright, FRI? Can you send up lunch for both Peter and I and ask Helen if she can remove his stitches?”

“Yes Boss,” FRIDAY’s voice rang through the room.

In no time Helen was knocking on the door with lunch, a new IV bag, and medical tools to remove the stiches. As usual Tony looked down at Peter before he went to open the door. Peter gave him a hesitant nod and Tony unwrapped his arm from Peter’s shoulders, got off the bed, and opened the door. Helen gave him a smile and a nod before he stepped aside to let her in. She walked in and gave a smile to Bucky and then to Peter, “Afternoon Peter, how are you feeling?” She asked as she put the tray down on the chest of drawers under the TV facing the bed.

Peter looked up at Bucky who gave him a reassuring nod, he turned back to Helen, “I’m ok.” Peter didn't see it, but Tony looked and felt proud of Peter for actually talking to Helen. He did not miss the exchange between Bucky and Peter and was glad he was seeking reassurance from someone other than himself.

“I’m glad. I’m going to change the IV bag and then take the sutures out, ok?” Peter nodded hesitantly again. Helen noticed Bucky was in the room and knew he was usually not here when she came in, “Would you like Bucky to leave for this part?”

“No,” Peter said it quicker than he meant to, “he can stay.”

She smiled softly, “Alright, no problem.” She came around the side of the bed where Bucky sat and where the IV stand stood.

“Do you need me to move?” Bucky questioned.

“No, not yet, you're alright.” She reached for the empty IV bag, brought it down, and disconnected it from the line. She then cleaned the port with an alcohol wipe before connecting the new bag and hanging it up. While she was doing this Tony had gotten back on the bed on Peter’s left side and put his arm back around him. “Okay,” She said when she finished, “now I will have to have you move so I can get to the surgical site,” she said to Bucky.

Peter looked scared and Bucky reassured him, “I’m not leaving, I’m just moving so Helen has more room.” Still Bucky didn’t know where to stand as he didn’t want to be in the way.

Tony saw this as Bucky just awkwardly stood by the end of the bed after moving from his spot beside Peter. “I have an idea,” Tony spoke up, “can I lift you for a second bud?” Peter nodded. It seemed he still did not want to talk too much around Helen. Tony carefully hooked his hands under Peter's arms and lifted him and slid closer. He rested Peter against his chest. “Now you can come sit over here.” Tony said, tilting his head to the side of the bed. Bucky nodded and came over. He sat on the bed, legs over the side, facing both Peter and Tony.

“Is this okay?” He said to Peter and Helen.

Peter nodded and Helen replied, “Yes that should be fine.” She went back around the bed and collected the supplies she needed as well as laid the empty IV bag on the tray. “Alright, I’m going to clean the site and then cut the sutures. Ready?” Peter nodded hesitantly and kept his eyes on the sharp pair of surgical scissors. Tony tightened his grip on Peter to, one, make sure he did not slip down, two, to keep him steady, and three, to add some comfort.

Helen put the scissor on the bed and opened a packet of the alcohol wipes, she lifted his shirt gently and wiped on and around the area. She then picked up the scissors and wiped them with a new alcohol wipe. She then slowly and carefully brought them towards the stitches. As soon asd Peter felt them touch his skin he reached out to Bucky for confort. He ended up grabbing the man’s metal arm.

Normally Bucky would tear his arm away. He didn’t like anyone touching his metal arm. He hated the things he had done with it, or more accurately the Winter Soldier had done with it. He didn’t even like to look at it himself, not that he had much of a choice. It just so clearly screamed Hydra. He knew when people looked at it they were either disgusted or afraid, or both. But this was Peter. Peter wasn’t disgusted by it. He wasn’t afraid of it. He wasn’t taunting Bucky by grabbing it. He was just seeking comfort. This was the first time ever that Bucky didn't mind someone touching his metal arm other than Steve.

He held out his arm and grasped Peter's hand in a strong grip, but not strong enough to hurt him. He had learned, after trial and error, how much pressure was too much. He had to learn control or else he would hurt others with his inhuman strength. He knew he and Steve would have to teach Peter the same thing.

While this was happening Helen swiftly and carefully snipped at the sutures. She removed them all, cleaned the site again, picked up the used material, and stepped back. “All done.” She announced. Peter did not loosen his grip on Bucky and neither did Bucky. Peter looked down at his stomach and saw the black thread holding his skin together was gone and that his skin was whole again other than a slightly inflamed pink line. He looked up and Bucky gave him a small smile and he returned it and finally let his arm go.

Tony was surprised and delighted for both Peter and Bucky as he watched this entire interaction. Peter was seeking comfort from Bucky and Bucky was doing the same. Tony had never seen anyone other than Steve touch his metal arm without him flipping out or running away. Yet he let Peter grasp it and he looked calm about it.

“You ok?” Bucky asked.

“Yeah,” Peter replied.

“Alright, lunch?” Tony said.

Bucky was getting up from his spot on the bed when Peter said, “Actually,” He didn’t want to overstep, but he needed to do something. “can I talk to Bucky alone?” All the adults froze, not expecting that. Peter rushed to add, “If that’s okay, I mean.”

Tony looked to Bucky, he sat back down, “Sure.” He said it was a smile, but he was nervous. Nervous, he did something wrong.

“Ok, I’ll wait outside until you're done ok?” Peter looked up at him and nodded. Tony lifted him from his chest and sat him down so he was leaning against the headboard. Tony then got off the bed and followed Helen, who was holding the empty IV bag and used supplies in her hand, and walked out the door. Before he closed the door he took one look back at Peter who gave him a soft smile and a reassuring nod that he would be okay. It’s not that he didn’t trust Bucky alone with Peter, it’s just that he didn’t trust anyone alone with Peter. And he didn't want Peter out of his sight. Still he closed the door gently.

Peter wasn’t quite sure how to go about this conversation, but he’s smart and picked a way that could almost not fail. “Do you think I should go to therapy?” He kinda whispered it. Although this start was just a means to an end it was still a very real question and a loaded one at that.

Bucky was taken a bit off guard. He wondered why Peter did not want Tony in the room for this conversation. “Well, that’s up to you, but I do think it would help.”

“You do?” Peter said, looking up at him.

“Yeah I do.”

“Then why won’t you go?” And there it was, Peter’s secret agenda. Peter had not stopped thinking about Tony and Bucky’s conversation from when he was in the bathroom.

Bucky was taken aback, “What?”

Peter explained, “If you think it would be helpful for me to go to therapy after what i've been through, which is similar to what you have been through,” He didn't want to say the same because 5 and 70 years is not the same at all, “then why wouldn’t it be a good thing for you too?” Peter knew he was overstepping, but this was important. He doesn't want to see Bucky suffer in silence, that’s all both of them ever did in Hydra, they didn't have a choice. If he got a punishment for this he didn’t care, it was worth it.

Bucky thought about it. Obviously he knew therapy would probably help, but he was avoiding it. He didn't like to talk about Hydra. Even when he woke up from a nightmare in the middle of the night to Steve calling out his name and then holding him to calm him down he didn't talk about it. Steve would try to get him to open up, but he rarely did. Peter waited patiently while Bucky thought. “I’ll tell you what, if you agree to see a therapist once you're comfortable I’ll see one too.”

Peter wasn’t quite expecting that, he was just doing this to make sure Bucky saw one, not himself. He didn’t want to, he didn’t want to discuss it with a stranger. Now he knew how Bucky felt, but if this got Bucky to see one then, fine, he would too.

He hesitated, but then sighed, “Deal.” Peter extended his hand, the one without the IV, so his left. This forced Bucky to give his metal arm, but again he didn’t mind, it was Peter. They shook hands to seal the deal. As they shook Peter wanted to make sure he wouldn’t try to wriggle out of the deal later, “You promise?”

Bucky laughed a little bit then turned serious, “I promise.” They retracted their hands and sat in comfortable silence for a few seconds before Bucky said, “I can’t believe you tricked me like that.” Peter smirked, but it was a wary smirk. He was worried Bucky was mad at him for overstepping, that is until he said, “Nice job kid.” Peter's smile relaxed. “You want me to get Tony back?”

“Yeah, thanks.” Bucky gave him a smile and a nod, got off the bed, and opened the door.

Tony was waiting on the other side a few feet away, almost looking lost. As soon as Tony saw the door open and Bucky walk through he headed back towards the room. “Careful with that one, he’s sneaky.” Bucky warned Tony as he passed him and looked back at Peter and gave him a wink. Peter giggled and winked back.

Tony was so very confused. He knew he must have missed something. He closed the door behind Bucky, “What was that about?” He said as he raised one eyebrow.

_____

Bucky immediately went down to Steve and started rambling about Peter. About how happy he was that he trusted him and everything that had happened today. Which included his confusion on certain things in Star Wars, although he left out his connection between Star Wars and Hydra. Steve just sat and smiled listening to how excited and happy Bucky was. It warmed his heart. Bucky didn’t get excited about it too much.

Then Bucky told him about the kid’s plan to get him to try therapy and that he agreed as long as Peter went to his own as well. At that point Steve engulfed Bucky into a bone crushing hug. Bucky was surprised, but then reciprocated the gesture, melting into Steve’s touch. Steve had been typing to convince Bucky to go to therapy forever and within just a few meetings Peter had finally gotten him to agree. He was so proud. He had never met Peter, but he already loved him for helping Bucky and making him so happy.

Steve now looked forward, more than ever, to meeting Peter.
_____

Tony brought the tray of food over to the bed. There was a sandwich for him, as usual, and rice and small bits of garlic chicken for Peter. As soon as it came close Peter started to cough a nit and wrinkled his nose. “You okay bud?” Tony was confused why Peter looked so disgusted.

Peter did not want to be rude. Tony had gotten him a nice lunch, he shouldn’t be complaining. But still the smell was too much, he just tried not to breathe through his nose and lied, “Yeah, I’m find.”

Tony noticed the ‘d’ sound Peter made at the end of ‘fine.’ That happens when you're sick and your nose is congested or, in Peter’s case, you are trying not to breathe out of your nose. “Evidently not.” Tony said as he raised an eyebrow, “To quote Ross, ‘When you use a D at the end of fine, you're not find.’” Tony said as he took the tray away.

“Who’s Ross?” Peter asked.

Tony frowed, but then remembered that, one, Peter might be too young to know Friends. And two, he definitely couldn't watch any TV at Hydra so it’s not surprising he wouldn’t know. “Friends is a comedy show that ended about ten years ago.”

“Oh, well, anyway it’s fine Mr. Stark, the lunch looks great.” He wished he could say the same about how it smelled. Luckily since Tony took the tray away he did not use a ‘d’ at the end of the word fine this time.

“Nope, I'm not letting you lie. I’m sending it back so you can get something you’ll like.” Before Peter could argue Tony was talking to FRIDAY, “FRI can you send up a new meal for Peter, and also is there any way to tell which ingredient Peter disliked the smell of?” It was a weird request, but if anyone could know it was FRIDAY.

“A new meal is being sent up now Boss. As to your inquiry, I believe it is the Garlic. Spiders are known to dislike the smell. Since part of Peter’s DNA is Spider he might have an aversion to it.”

‘That made a lot of sense.’ Tony thought and then something else occurred to him, “FRI, have Garlic banned from the Tower along with anything else that spiders dislike or that can hurt them.”

“Mr. Stark, you don't what to do tha-”

“Banning, galic, peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus, vinegar, and citrus.” FRIDAY stated before Peter could continue.

“I know I don't, but I want to. I want you to feel safe and comfortable here, that means there shouldn’t be anything that can irritate or hurt spiders.” He knew he would get some push back from some of the others but they didn’t matter as much as the kid.

Before Peter could reply there was a knock on the door. Although, knock might not be the word, it was more of a bump against the door. Tony looked to Peter, as always, who gave him a nod and a smile, although it was a bit fake. He knew whoever was there was only there because he hated the smell of the meal made just for him. He felt so ungrateful.

Tony walked to the door and opened it to see DUM-E holding a tray with a plate of chicken and rice, this time with no garlic. Peter saw and smiled, this time for real, “Hi DUM-E!” He waved.

DUM-E started to wave his claw, which would have also waved and flipped the tray, but luckily Tony expected this and quickly took the tray out of its claw before it could spill everywhere and make a mess. He shook his head at the robot's antics. He wanted to be mad at it for almost spilling Peter’s lunch, but only smiled. The kid brought out the best in everyone, including machines. Tony put the next tray down on the chest of drawers and transferred his sandwich to the new one along with the drinks. He picked up the old tray with the garlic chicken and walked back to DUM-E. He was about to give it the tray, but then said, “If you want to wave goodbye to Peter, do it now, before I give you the tray.” He said pointedly towards DUM-E.

Peter giggled as he understood what Tony was getting at. He did after all watch what DUM-E had almost done. DUM-E waved its claw at Peter and Peter returned the wave. “Thanks DUM-E, see you later!” Peter called from the bed. Once DUM-E stilled Tony gave the tray over. DUM-E took it and backed out of the doorway, almost hitting the wall. Tony once again shook his head, he was both annoyed and amused at the robot. He then closed the door, grabbed the new tray and brought it over to the bed.

They used the pillow system once again, putting it on Peter's lap so he had a surface to put the plate on. Peter tried it and loved it, even though it was bland. Still it was better than anything he had gotten at Hydra. Tony made sure he chewed carefully since, except for the fruit and the cereal, which had been softened a bit by milk, this was his first fully solid food Peter had had in over a year. During lunch they scrolled through movies and one caught Peter’s eyes. Big Hero Six. he explained that the year before he was taken he wanted to see it at the movies, but the orphanage wouldn’t pay for a ticket.

Tony hated that even before Hydra, he couldn’t do something as simple as see a movie. He again had to remind himself that a lot of people didn’t have that or other luxuries he had, but just never paid much mind to them before. He immediately pressed play on the movie. He knew it would probably be too childish for him, but he didn’t care. Anything he could do to make Peter happy made him happy.

_____

Turns out he really liked it and so did Peter. He wondered why he had not heard much about it. Then he remembered around that time everybody was talking nonstop about the movie Frozen. ‘Sad,’ he thought. It is a great movie that has been overshadowed. When the credits rolled he took the tray of now empty plates and put it back on the chest of draws. He asked Peter if he needed to use that bathroom and he replied “Yes.” Tony disconnected the IV and then picked Peter up once again in the awkward toddler hold and brought him to the bathroom.

Once he heard the small knock a few minutes later, although it was stronger than a few days before, now that Peter was getting his strength back, he opened the door and carried Peter back and put him on the bed. He then redraped the throw blanket over him and reconnected the IV.

“Helen said she would be able to take the splints off today, can I call her up.” Tony had been worried and excited about the prospect of Peter getting the splits off. He was happy it would give Peter more freedom. Freedom that the kid deserved more than anything. But also worried about how hard it would be for him to start walking again and whether Peter would get frustrated or discouraged at not being able to right away.

Peter felt a mix of relief and fear, “Will you stay.”

“Of course, I told you I’m not leaving you alone with anyone unless you specifically want to be. I’m not going anywhere, I promise.” He replied and added the last part out of habit and to calm Peter’s nerves.

“Ok, you can call her up.” Peter said, but his eyes still showed anxiety.

“Thanks,” Tony said before turning his attention to the ceiling, “FRI can you send Helen up?”

“Already done Boss.” FRIDAY replied.

Less than a minute later there was a knock at the door. Tony looked to Peter, as usual, who nodded. Tony opened the door to find Helen sporting her usual gentle smile. “After noon Tony,” She said as he stepped aside to let her in. Once inside she turned her attention to Peter, “Hello Peter, how are you feeling?”

Peter could not just nod to that question so he shyly said, “Fine.”

“Good. FRIDAY has informed me that your bones are 100% healed, ready to get those splints off?” Peter nodded, with a slightly anxious smile. The bottom of his legs and feet were in the hard part of the splints while the top were trapped by straps of velcro to keep them in place. “Can I start undoing them?” Peter looked to Tony who made his way back to the bed and sat near the top to give Helen more room. He then grabbed Peter’s hand for support. Once he had Tony with him he turned back to Helen and nodded. “Ok, this should only be a minute.” Helen took the throw blanket off Peter’s legs. The sudden air made Peter shiver slightly. Helen then started peeling the velcro apart to loosen the splints.

It did not hurt, but Peter flinched at the loud noise of the velcro coming apart. Tony squeezed his hand, “You're doing so well.” He assured. Peter squeezed back, but not hard. He did not want to repeat what had happened when Helen put the IV in.

Helen finished undoing the spraps and paused, “I am going to, as gently as possible, take your legs out, ok?” Peter nodded a bit fearfully. Helen nodded back with a smile and gently took hold of Peter's right leg and lifted it from the splint and moved the contraption out of the way. She then laid his leg back on the bed and did the same with his left leg. “Ok,” she said, putting the splints at the very edge of the bed. “Before you stand, I want to make sure everything is ok. Can you bend your right leg for me?” Peter focused on bending his right leg. It was stiff and felt weird to move, but he was able to bend it. A smile crossed his face and Tony’s as well. “Perfect. Can you try with your left leg?” Peter's happy expression turned to a focused one. After a few seconds he bent his left leg. “Great! Do you want to try and stand?”

Anxiety flashed in Peter's eyes again, but he nodded. “I’ll be by your side the whole time, bud.” Tony said as he squeezed Peter's hand again. Peter nodded again.

Peter started inching his way to the end of the bed, “Hold on one second.” Helen said, stopping him. She went to the other side of the bed and took the IV bag down from where it was hanging. Tony got off the bed and went to Peter's other side and grabbed the bag from Helen from across the bed. Now that he was holding the IV bag next to Peter there was no chance he would accidentally pull it out. “Ok.” Helen said, making her way back around. Peter continued his scooting to the edge of the bed. His legs dropped off the side so he was not sitting at the edge, His feet were just touching the ground.

“Do you want help?” Peter shook his head. Tony still stood right by one hand hovering to be safe. Peter used his arms to push himself off the bed. His legs immediately gave out as he tried to stand. Tony was luckily ready for that scenario and grabbed him before he fell. He steadied him, but did not let go. He and Peter stood that way for a minute as Peter started getting more feeling in his legs. Once Peter felt his legs gain enough strength he looked over at Tony and gave one nod to signal that it was okay to let go. Tony did so, but kept hovering to be safe.

Tony suddenly felt the urge to get his camera out and record this momentous occasion. He almost felt like a proud father watching his baby’s first steps, although he would never admit that. He knew Peter was not a baby, and this was by no means the first time he was going to walk. But still it was the first time in over a year, and it was the first time Tony would see it. “You’ve got this, I’m so proud of you.” Tony said as a small smile appeared on Peter's lips. “I’m right here. I won't let you fall, I promise.” And with that Peter felt a wave of courage, not worrying about falling. Tony would catch him if he did.

Peter put one foot in front of the other and took his first step.