Surprise
After Bucky went to stay in Peter’s room for the night neither woke up with nightmares. The rest of the night was peaceful and nerve wracking at the same time. Would Peter and Bucky have to be in the same room to feel safe from now on? Would they both heal and get better at being apart? What happened at Hydra to make the two so codependent? These any many other questions wracked Tony and Steve’s minds as they both laid in the separate beds wide awake. It was like they both felt they had to stay awake and alert for Bucky and Peter, like they were guarding them. Little did they know that’s how Bucky felt every night at Hydra.
In the morning Steve went on a quick run, not nearly as long as usual as he didn't want Bucky to wake up while he was gone. Tony, during this, was making breakfast for everyone. This meant lots of food, he had himself, two super soldiers, and an enhanced teen to feed. He made waffles, bacon, sausage, eggs, and had coco puffs available since Peter had loved them so much. It was kind of nice using the kitchen he almost never touched, except for the coffee maker, it felt domestic, a feeling he was not used to. He started to get used to it with Peter around, but as soon as he was taken, that dream and feeling of family and domesticity shattered. He locked that feeling away as it was too hard to think about with his son gone, but Peter came back and he was the key to unlocking that feeling again.
He hadn’t spent much time with Peter since he returned, it had been less than a day anyways, but just having the kid the the Penthouse made Tony feel more at ease and open. He couldn’t help but grin when he heard bare feet patter down the hallway to the kitchen. He looked back to see a rested, but still tired, looking Peter rubbing his eyes with his fists and yawning. “Morning kiddo,” Tony said as he turned back to flip the bacon sizzling in the pan, “Breakfast is almost ready.” At the smell and mention of food Peter’s stomach grumbled loudly which made the boy blush.
A moment later Bucky came down the hall at the same second as the elevator doors opened. Bucky’s eyes grew wide and he went to shield Peter, but right before he got to the boy he saw it was Steve and his whole demeanour relaxed. Tony did not miss the gesture though or Peter flinched at the elevator ding. He knew the signs of PTSD well. Tony has it from many events in his life, Afghanistan and the wormhole to name a few. He knew Peter and Bucky already had it from past Hydra captivity, but now it was back at fullforce. Showing in every movement the two made. The tense muscles, the involuntary flinches, the way they both scanned the room for threats, etc.
For now Tony said nothing but he knew it was an important conversation to have later, once the two felt safe in the Tower again. It was hard because the Tower, even with its high security system and every floor being monitored at all times, is where they were taken. Somehow Hydra got in, and took them despite the security system and protocols. Tony has updated the system and replaced the windows that were broken during the kidnapping with bullet and shatter proof glass.
“How did you sleep Buck?” Steve said as he slowly approached. He did not miss the man’s defensive stance right as he came out of the elevator, even though it disappeared the second the two made eye contact.
Bucky gave his boyfriend a small smile, “Good, a lot comfier than the concrete floor.” He meant it as a joke, even though it was entirely true, but it just created some awkwardness in the air.
“Breakfast is served” Tony came to the rescue and they all took a breath. Lined across the centre island were plates of different breakfast foods. Peter looked at it with wide eyes, much like the first time he met the team during their breakfast. Bucky nudged Peter’s shoulder, “You going to grab a plate?”
Peter looked up to him, “I-I don’t know what to take.” Peter had gotten better with his indecisiveness before the kidnapping, but it seems Hydra tried to take away that freedom to choose away from him again.
Tony was about to offer to make a plate for Peter when Bucky beat him to it, “You want me to make you a plate?” Peter nodded at the metal armed man. Bucky gave him a small smile and grabbed two plates from the stack of four on the counter. He started loading food on his and Peter’s. Once he was done he handed Peter his.
“Thanks,” Peter almost whispered.
Steve’s eyebrows furrowed as he looked at Bucky’s plate, “Is that all you're going to eat?”
Bucky looked down at his plate. He didn’t realize it when he was doing it, but he made his potion much smaller than Peter’s. Although he wasn't the one making the food or giving it at Hydra, he got used to it and accepted the fact that we were to always get less. Only enough to sustain him.
Bucky was still looking down at the plate and staring when Steve came over and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. Bucky flinched but then relaxed after a second, “You can eat as much as you want Bucky, you don’t have to ration.” That wasn’t exactly what Bucky was doing, but he didn’t correct Steve. He just nodded and almost mechanically turned around to put more food on his plate.
They all sat around the island, Tony and Steve on one side, Peter and Bucky on the other, and food in the middle. They sat in silence for the most part, Steve and Tony watching how the other two savoured each bite of food. Each burst of flavor that was a stark contrast to the grey tasteless food they were given at Hydra. After they all finished eating Tony brought up an hard topic that needed to be addressed, “Peter,” Peter, who had been looking down at nothing looked up to Tony, “I have to ask you something that may be a bit unpleasant, but it’s really important okay?” He had to be careful with his words.
“Okay.” Peter said, his voice full of anxiety.
Tony already knew the answer, but he had to ask the question, “Did they use trigger words when they used the-” Tony cut himself off once he saw Peter shiver at the question. Everyone knew what his next word was going to be, he didn’t need to say it. Peter was shaking a bit, but he nodded in confirmation. Bucky put his metal arm around the boy’s shoulders which seemed to calm Peter a little. “Okay, I know someone who can make it so they don’t work anymore.” Peter looked at him, his huge brown eyes showing fear, worry, hesitation, and confusion. “It’s the same person that helped us find you when we hit a dead end… Loki.”
Bucky looked at Tony in surprise. He wasn’t there, but he’s heard countless stories from Steve about the Battle of New York and how that’s how the team met. Also how Loki was one of the ones behind it. “We didn’t have a choice,” Steve said when he saw Bucky’s surprise, “without him we might not have-” This time Steve was the one to cut himself off. No one wanted to think what would have happened if Peter and Bucky were still at Hydra. None of the four could fathom that life. A life of captivity. A life devoid of emotion. A life without love. A life without family.
“Can I bring him up?” Tony asked, he could easily see the anxiety building in Peter’s eyes, everyone could, “I’ll be here the whole time and so will Bucky and Steve,” The ‘I promise’ once again got lost in his throat. Although those were the two words that brought Peter back to him he was still too afraid to break any promises he made to Peter. He wants the kid to trust him again, broken promises would do the opposite.
Peter stared, on not saying a word, “Hey,” Bucky said softly, making the boy turn to him, “Shuri got rid of my trigger words and it was okay. This will probably be easier with magic anyways and you won’t have to worry about them again.” Peter looked back at Tony and gave a tiny nod of confirmation.
Tony smiled warmly at him, “Alright, I’ll be right back.” Tony got off his chair and started walking to the elevator, but halfway down the hall, there was something tugging at his sleeve, not something, but someone. Peter was there, away from Bucky. Tony looked at the frightened kid, “I’ll be right back.” He assured.
Peter wrapped his arms around Tony’s torso and the man hugged back. It was a heartwarming pure moment, but then Peter asked a question that had Tony tensing up, “You promise?” He whispered.
Tony froze, he knows he’ll be right back with no problem, but there is always that 1% chance that he won’t. There was a 1% chance that an intruder could get in or get close to the building without him knowing, and it happened, and Peter was taken. That 1% feels like it outweighs the 99%. What if? What if he is longer than he says? What if Loki tries to pull something and hurts Tony? What if he breaks his promise? What if?
After receiving no answer Peter looks up still holding the older man tight. Tony looks down into his kid’s puppy dog eyes and he can’t disappoint Peter. “I promise.” To his surprise he sounds genuine and sincere. He sounds like he believes himself. Peter gives a small nod and lets go. Tony turns and walks down and into the elevator. He turns around once more and watches Peter as the doors close. Peter watches on with trust and that trust feels like a million pounds to Tony. Pounds he cannot drop and let the kid down. “FRI, take me down to the cells and have Thor meet me there.”
“Yes Boss.”
They had kept Loki, to the God’s frustration, down in the cells all day yesterday even when they got Peter back. Tony asked to keep him there since he knew they would have to undo the trigger words. He had hoped Hydra hadn’t gotten that far, but as soon as he looked into his son’s emotionless eyes at the base he knew they would need him to undo what Hydra had done.
When he came out of the elevator he had to wait a minute for the other one to arrive with Thor in it. “Can we let my brother go now?” the bigger man said as he walked out.
“After he does one more favour.”
“He will not be pleased,” Thor said as he shook his head and walked with Tony toward the cells. “What is this favour?”
“I need him to get rid of Peter’s trigger words.” Tony internally cringed at his own wording. They weren’t Peter’s, it wasn't something the kid chose. They were Hydra’s words thrust onto Peter forcefully.
“He won’t want to cooperate,” Thor said matter-of-factly.
“I’m aware, but we need him. If he doesn’t agree we will have to send Peter to Wakanda and I want him here, safe in the tower where I, and my security system, can protect him.”
“I understand that, but how will we make my brother agree?”
“We ask, and if he refuses we put power-damping cuffs on him and take him up anyways,” Tony said like it was simple
“You’re going to force my brother to help you…again.” Thor knows what Loki has done in the past if wrong, but he’s still his brother. He still feels protective over him.
“Listen,” Tony says as he stops and turns to Thor looking up at the God, “I wouldn’t unless it was necessary. I need to make sure no one can use what Hydra did against him.” Tony debated on showing his vulnerable side, but this was for Peter, “I-I can’t handle him being taken away, even if it’s just his mind. I can’t do it.”
Thor looked at Tony’s eyes pleading with him to agree and help. He can't say no, not if it was for Peter. Peter who was so good and worthy. Proven by him literally lifting the the God’s hammer. “Fine, but after this, my brother goes free.”
“Understood,” Tony said as he and Thor started walking once again. Tony stopped along the way to grab the power-dampening cuffs in case.
Once they were in sight of the cell with the clear wall looking in, Loki stood up and stared at the two, “Finally, though you forgot about me. I’m ready to leave this filthy planet now.”
“Sure,” Tony said nonchalantly, “right after one last favour.”
“I did what you wanted, you found your boy, now let me go!” He said malice dripping from his voice.
“Please just do this one thing and then you can go free brother.”
Loki looked at Thor and then back at Tony. It was odd, Tony’s confidence showed like always, but there was also trepidation laying under the veil of confidence. “What would be this gracious favour you want from me?”
“I need you to get rid of the trigger words Hydra implanted in Peter’s mind. Make them powerless…please.” The please also struck Loki. Still Loki wouldn’t be Loki without a fight.
“You,” he looked to Thor, “drag me to Midgard.” He looked to Tony, “Force me to do you a favour. Lock me up all day and night just to ask another favour? I don’t do favours, you're lucky you got one.”
Tony sighed and handed the cuffs to Thor. Tony typed a series of numbers on a keypad next to the cell and the door slid open. Thor walked through, “Sorry brother.” he said as he grabbed on of the green-clothed man’s wrists and locked the cuff around it.
“What the hell are you doing!!” Loki shouted. He tried to use his powers to get away, but Tony was being truthful when he said powers didn’t work down here. He tried to wretch his other hand away, but Thor still grabbed it in time and locked the other cuff. “Get these off of me this instance.”
“We will, once you help Peter.” Tony said determinately.
“I already helped the little brat once!” Tony’s blood boiled at the man’s words, but he knew he didn’t mean it. He had never met Peter, he was just frustrated and mad that he was being kept here.
“Just do this one thing and you’re free,” Thor said again, talking Loki’s arm as he started to walk with him and Tony down the hall. Loki gave a bit of resistance, but not much, he knew he didn’t have a choice.
The three took the elevator up to the penthouse in tense silence. Once the doors opened Tony led the way down the hall into the living room where he found Bucky, Peter, and Steve putting together a Lego set of the Millenium Falcon. As soon as the three came into view Tony saw Bucky protectively move toward Peter and Peter duck his head in, Fear? Worry? Submission? Tony didn't know, but either way it broke his heart. Bucky stayed close to Peter as his eyes landed on Loki, the obvious threat. Loki looked mad and exasperated.
“Pete? Can you come here bud?” Tony asked softly. Peter looked up and gave a small nod and got up. Bucky did too, but he didn;t go all the way over like Peter. He stood closer to Loki than Peter as Loki was the one he had to worry about. “This is Loki, he’s going to help you.” Tony gestured to the man in the cuffs.
Peter looked up at Loki and Loki stared back. Loki took one look at those puppy dog eyes filled with fear and innocence and he broke. No one, especially a child should look this scared and lost. Loki gave the boy a small genuine smile that even surprised him. Peter returned it. “You can take the cuffs off, I won’t leave. I promise.” He said it so casually not realising that he said the two words that immediately made Peter trust and believe him.
Thor looked at Tony who still looked wary. He knew the cuffs hand to come off no matter what for Loki to use his powers to help Peter, but he also couldn't help thinking that Loki would just vanish the second they were off. “It’s okay.” A small voice, Peter, spoke up. “I trust him.” That surprised Tony a lot. Trust was a huge thing, and he would never in a million years trust Loki after what he had done, but his kid did. It was conflicting, but he trusted Peter and his instincts, so he grabbed the key from his pocket. He unlocked the cuffs and was ready to try and grab Loki before he vanished, but Loki made no move.
“Peter, I’m going to go into your mind and rid the words of their power.” Loki paused since that alone was a lot to take in. He watched Peter's reaction carefully and then continued. “You might feel dizzy as I do so, so you might want to sit down.” Loki started moving, and Tony and Bucky were immediately coming closer to him. The God sighed stopping, “I’m just going over to the couch,” He looked at the two, “is that okay?” he asked in an annoyed sarcastic tone.
No one said a word, so Peter went over to the couch first. After that Loki followed, Bucky and Tony right on his heels. Loki knelt down in front of Peter, “This should only take a minute. Ready?” Peter nodded and then Loki put his index and middle fingers on the boy’s temples and closed his eyes as a green glow over took his hands. He sifted through Peter’s mind flinching ever so often when he came across a grim horrific Hydra memory, which was most of the kid’s memories. He felt sorry for the boy as well as admiration for getting through everything they did to him. Memories from the past Hydra captivity and the most recent were shared with the young God. finally he got to the chair memories, there were many of them, from years ago to days ago, but he focused on the first time they ever used it. Peter was around the age of ten, so small and scared as they strapped him into the brainwashing device. He cringed as Peter screamed agonizigly and one of the Hydra agents read out the words. He took those words and made it so no one could use it against the kid again, he took away their power and then let go.
Peter slumped back dizzily and Tony and bucky immediately went to the kid, “Are you okay?” Tony said worriedly.
“What did you do to him?!” Bucky asked angrily, not noticing tears in Loki’s eyes from what he saw.
Peter sat up as he got his bearings again, “I-I’m fine, just got dizzy as he said.” Tony and Bucky took a breath of relief, “Sorry,” Peter whispered and the two protective older men stared at Peter in confusion until they noticed his word was directed at the man on the floor still in front of the boy, tear tracks going down his cheeks.
Loki looked up at Peter and wiped his eyes, he gave a warm smile, “You don’t have to apologize little one.”
“But I know what you saw and I’m sorry you did.” Peter whispered.
“I’m sorry you went through all of that, but I’m glad I could help a little.” Loki couldn't believe what he was saying. He was glad he could help? Who was he? He was even more surprised that me meant what he was saying, something about Peter really made him want to help the kid, made him feel for the boy.
“Thanks,” Peter said as he looked at Loki.
The God gave a nod with a smile and then got up. As soon as he was facing the adults his soft caring demeanour changed into his usually snarky self, “Can I go now?”
“Yes, thank yo-” Tony started but didn’t even get to finish before Loki was gone in a green flash leaving some viridescent fog behind. Tony was shocked for a second, but then quickly righted himself. “Alright,” he said looking at Peter, “I have a surprise for you.” Peter looked at Tony with confusion and a bit of excitement. “You want to see it now or later?” He didn;t want to overwhelm the boy, but he was just so excited for Peter to see his gift.
“Now,” Peter said without thinking. He wanted something to distract him from the memories that were reawoken from Loki’s powers. He ducked his head after he said the word though like he was worried it was the wrong thing.
“You got it!” Tony cheerfully said, easing the kid’s worries. “It’s in my lab, ready?”
Peter nodded and got up taking Bucky’s hand in a wordless way to say, ‘Can you come too, please?’ Bucky gave a nod with a smile to the non verbal question. Steve also got up to follow. He had stayed put for the entire Loki interaction as he didn’t want to be very near Loki or talk to him. He still had a lot of resentment toward the man after the Battle of New York.
The four walked to the elevator and got in taking it to Tony’s lab. “Do you want to close your eyes and I’ll lead you?” Tony asked.
Peter had complete trust in the man so he nodded and closed his eyes. Once the elevator opened Tony steered Peter down the hall with one arm around the kid’s shoulders, “Okay, almost there no peeking.” Peter was still holding Bucky’s hand as they walked down. Both men were leading him and he knew he was safe. Then all four came to a stop. “Alright, ready?” Peter nodded, “Okay, three, two…one!”
Peter opened his eyes which widened at the sight he saw before him.