Talkative

It takes another five minutes after Phil arrives and dims the lights for Tony to actually pull down the blanket again in another attempt. He keeps it down thanks to the dimmed lights, and Phil's visit is soon over anyway. He saw and checked everything he needed to, and things at work were picking up quite a bit, so his time was stretched quite thin. As long as there are no visible or brought-up issues, Phil sees no need to stick around and hang back longer.

"Finally," Clint almost laughs as Tony stretches a bit; Bucky assures them Tony is back to normal and there is no need to worry.

"You drugged me," Tony grumbles, still groggy as he squints up at Bucky, unhappy.

"That would have been quieter and easier," Bucky huffs, and Steve throws a pillow at him for the comment.

"Anyway, you feeling any better?" Natasha asks him it's soft, but she's babying him, so he lets it slide

"I would like to say no," Tony grumbles but can't deny it.

"Well, chalk another up for Bucky then," Sam says, as it seems Bucky has managed to do the impossible.

"Hey, Buck?" Bruce says a little suddenly, but Bucky looks at him. "Hold your hand out, please?" Bruce asks him and motions to do it over Tony

"Why?" Bucky asks him, confused, but does it anyway

"That's why," Bruce laughs a little when Tony takes it.

It shocks them all when Tony reaches up and grabs Bucky's sleeve-covered wrist and uses it to sit himself up. He lets Bucky's wrist, which he's still holding, rest on his shoulder as it takes a minute for the fog to clear a little. Bruce, who had been watching as Bucky moved around talking with his hand above Tony. Being the only one to see them as a pair, though still not knowing, he found something out. He saw Tony watch Bucky's hand moving around, mildly annoyed and confused. Still, it seemed like he was waiting for something to happen. So, given it had to do with Bucky's hand, Bruce figured Tony wanted help sitting up but just didn't want to vocalize it. That's something else Bucky takes note of. Tony doesn't seem to mind when someone grabs his clothes to pull him around, but he doesn't like to be touched unless he's doing so, but that bit is still unclear. Even though he is out of it, Tony knows that Bucky has found something new to test out. It's fair, annoying but fair, and he's more shocked by the fact he slept, let alone around them. As Tony starts to let go, Bucky takes back his arm, and Tony shakes out his head a bit before getting up with a stretch and leaving to shower and find his phone. Deal with his hand that's starting to ache and bleed again.

"Wow, way to go, Bruce," Steve says, impressed by the easy catch.

"Certainly proving Tony right, eh?" Natasha huffs, but she's smiling

"It just seemed like he wanted a hand and just didn't want to say it," Bruce shrugs, but he's happy he got it right.

"He never wants to say anything," Sam grumbles, rolling his eyes and chin in his hand.

"True," Clint agrees easily.

"Well, he thinks we're out to get him, so," Bucky replays like it's nothing.

"Right," Bruce sighs.

"Fair enough," Steve says. They really need to work on that.

It's not purely their problem, either. Tony is dead set on this not working out. Even if he's opening up, they all have the feeling this is going to be a problem over and over, no matter how close they get. Tony drags his feet. He's still conflicted, but he's calmed down, at least. But for some reason he just can't not try with them for some reason. He doesn't know why, and it's not like he hates it hates it. It's just, you know, new and weird and something he's never had to do. Honestly, he feels it's a little underhanded how and why he's got no clue.

Meanwhile, Clint remembers SHIELD had a database of everyone in clips, almost like a social media platform. If there was a camera around and with SHIELD, there always is, so it's on the platform for anyone in SHIELD to view. So he pulls out his phone and starts to look something up. Abandoning his game with Sam to do this, but Sam needs a break anyway. If Bruce was right and Bucky's muted idea face was right, Clint has an idea it has to do with touching and Tony, so that's what he's looking for. It takes him a while, but he eventually finds some pretty clear videos and piles them up to show the others.

"What are you doing?" Sam finally asks him

"I think I figured out what Bucky just figured out, and I have proof." Clint beams proudly, his phones nustled to his chest

"Oh?" Bucky says, crossing his arms, interested as he smiles

"Watch this," Clint says to them.

Clint has a total of six videos he found that are the most conclusive of Tony's time in SHIELD throughout the years, but they all have one thing in common. No one touches Tony, but Tony touches everyone. Just like he's doing here and what they've been seeing more and more as Tony interacts with them.

The first clip is younger, maybe when he first entered the program, and he's guided through the front doors. Tony's wearing an agent's jacket, and it swamps his tiny frame. One of the two agents has a hand on his, but he doesn't actually touch Tony. It just hovers. It's only after they've gone through the glass doors and they've shut that something changes. Tony stops short, looks up at the agent to his right, and reaches out, grabbing her hand. It must have been for the woman's attention because he seems to say something as the agents share a look over his head. Probably about the fact he touched them and might have reacted very badly before that. The second clip is a little older; maybe his first ban fits. So it couldn't have been long between the first clip and this one. He's wearing clothes that fit him but still looks too young and small. Healing cuts and bruises litter his little frame, and he has the same dead-blank look that Tony still has. It's just much, much worse. Tony is sitting on a workbench as an agent explains the ban to him, Tony watches with disinterest, but he won't look away from the ban. When the agent reaches to touch his knee to see if he's paying attention, Tony's eyes snap to him, and his face twists in anger, much like they've seen recently. The agent swallows and steps back before placing the ban on the table next to Tony. Tony waits before reaching for it and studies it before turning to the agent for the next steps. The agent nervously explains, and Tony puts it on, but it seems adjustments are going to be very difficult.

The third clip is a little later. He looks better and wearing the first ban they had just seen. Someone is guiding him through the halls, but again, the hand hovers over him instead of actually touching him. The closest they get is his clothing. So far, only one clip has shown skin-to-skin, and Tony was the one to initiate it. Foruth's video shows him an older but not quite his current age. Tony seems to be trying to get Frost's attention, but since he's wearing the ban and she's talking to Phil, she must be ignoring him a little. Tony gets annoyed and grabs her hand, pulling so she has to look at him. She seems a little surprised but tugs him closer and spins him around gently. Once his back is to her, she pulls him close and puts her arms over his shoulders. Again clothed. But Tony holds her hands as he looks up at them, talking over his head.

The fifth video is of him in his current ban or at least the latest backup ban, they guess. He's with Fury as they're walking through one of the halls in SHIELD, who seems like his normal self. Fury shows no signs of needing to guide or herd Tony along with him. This time, it's all Tony. In three steps, Tony gets in front of Fury and starts walking backwards, all while pulling down the ban to talk, and his other hand hooks onto Fury's fingers. The Sixth video is the last one purely because it was so interesting. This time, it happens when someone doesn't seem to know about Tony's rule. He looks angry and roughly grabs Tony by the arm and pulls like he wants Tony to face him. Tony had been in a tee, which meant the man grabbed him skin to skin. Luckily, Fury had been right there because he started barking orders as he grabbed Tony before he could fully spin around. That same murderous look on his face as Fury grabs Tony and pulls Tony against him and away from the agent. Fury grabs him by the fabric on his shoulder and the jeans on his hips, not adding to Tony's stress of skin-on-skin. Fury seems to be yelling at the agent. After a few moments, Tony appears to reassure Fury he won't do anything by putting his hand over Fury's hip and gently brushing it off. Fury seems to understand and let's go, only to grab Tony by the collar and storm off, taking Tony with him, who double-aggressively flips off the agent as he's hauled off.

"Woah," Bruce says. He didn't realize just how young this started or Tony's anger.

"Kind of wanted to see what would have happened if Fury hadn't stopped him at the end," Clint hums devilishly.

"Me too," Natasha adds in thought of just how he would react to something like that.

"Even Fury," Steve notes it's big since they've seen him touch Tony before. His head is already in work mode, and it's clear on his face to the others that he is analyzing some sort of sports play.

"I think it depends. He can read Tony well enough to know when and when not to touch him," Bruce says, and they have to agree.

"Phil, too," Natasha says. "It's only ever over clothes unless he offers and Tony takes him up," Natasha adds to her thought.

"So what's so special about Fury?" Bucky hums, his brain already working with his arms crossed over his chest

"Still, it checks out," Bucky sighs. At least it's consistent, and he was right to think it.

It gives them something to think about when they look back and catch a glimpse of it or something like it. And they've never once seen someone touch Tony, but for now, they put it away and let it all sink in. After a half hour, Tony comes back, but he doesn't stay long, just long enough to eat and leave again. They can only guess that he's going back to bed, seeing as he still looks dead tired. At least it means the morning should be much better now that he's slept it all off. Like Tony, they're getting used to it all, too. After all like, it's been said this has never gotten this far with Tony. But Clint can't get the what if out of his head and keeps digging for a time when someone fucked up, and no one was able to stop Tony. And by lunch, Clint finds what he calls a fuck around and find out video.

"Ooh! I found one!" Clint shouts, jumping up excited

"Found one what?" Sam asks him, startled

"A fuck around and find out," Clint preens proudly, liking his little leg up on the bet

"A what?" Tony grumbles, coming back and clearly out of the loop. He must have given up trying to sleep or saving it so he could actually sleep tonight.

"About that." Bruce winces a little; this could be a more sensitive subject, after all

"We noticed the whole touch thing, and Clint dug some mindless digging, but we didn't see what happened when no one stopped you," Natasha admits she doesn't feel guilty in the slightest.

"Oh," Tony says unbothered and moves to sit on the chair next to Bucky again.

"I guess put it on Clint," Steve says, seeing as Tony doesn't seem to care.

Clint gets up quickly, excited to see what will happen. He'd paused it once he realized no one would stop Tony so he could react with everyone else. Once it's loaded up, they watch Tony leave an office in SHIELD. This looks to be a few months before the whole you're a team now meeting. Tony looks to have been training, so he was in the usual SHIELD issues tactical pants, some boots and a navy t-shirt. The ban is firmly in place, and it seems Phil and Frost have just left alone for a moment to do something. They must have been assumed to be gone for only a minute, but that's all the time this incident needed. They watch as an agent storms up to Tony, who blatantly ignores him, and the agent grabs his arm to stop Tony from walking away. Tony loses it on him. Tony spins around in one swift and fluid move, freeing his arm and planting his free hand over the agent's face. Hand on the man's face, and using momentum and way too much force, Tony slams the agent's head into a nearby wall. It must have been loud, too, because people begin to quickly appear to see what's going on. Phil shows up quickly, rounding the corner just as Tony slams the man's head into the wall a second time. This time, it seems like he's left a dent in the wall. Looks like he got lucky. That's all Tony did to him since he was bound to be stopped soon. Phil quickly pulls him off, but again, he touches Tony over his clothes and almost has to drag Tony away from the scene. Most likely, take him to Fury or somewhere else to calm down enough to be seen by someone. Tony vaguely remembers this but not much after, and he doesn't care now or then, so that's probably why.

"Holy fucking shit, my dude," Clint says, pumped and a little in awe.

"Stronger than you look," Sam tells him, impressed, and Tony can't blame them. He doesn't look as strong as he is

"I have an image to maintain," Tony tuts, rolling his eyes, but he's almost playful, at least the kind they've started to see

"My bad," Sam laughs a little, shaking his head.

"Good to know, though," Steve says as he puts that info away for later.

"You really have been letting us do it," Natasha says she figured, and Bucky already figured it out too, but still, there was a chance he wasn't

"Like I said. You're not a threat, just a bunch of dumbasses," Tony huffs as he checks his phone

"Thanks," Bruce says, taking it as a compliment, though he can't really be sure.

"What did the guy even want?" Clint asks him over the initial adrenaline and is curious about what sparked Tony to react besides the grab

"Fuck if I know. I wasn't listening to him," Tony says disinterestedly.

"Yeah, that tracks," Steve huffs, making a few laughs.

"Does it happen often?" Natasha asks if this could be important later

"Enough," Tony says. He doesn't care unless it sets him off, and by then, well, they've seen now.

"He's not special," Tony says, interrupting Bruce's little muttering that no one else was paying any mind to

"Huh?" Bruce says, surprised.

"He's not special; he's a jackass," Tony says, pointing over his shoulder to Bucky, annoyed.

"But," Bruce says, getting flustered, and Bucky rolls his eyes lightly.

"Making me get up and shit," Tony grinds out as he gets out of the chair, leaving his phone on the seat.

"What? Why me!?" Sam says as Tony walks over to him, not sure what's happening, and holds up his hands in case something happens

"Look. See? It's nothing," Tony says, making his point by putting his foot on Sam's leg covered by his jeans. He ain't touching them yet, but it's close enough, just like Bucky.

"I uh," Sam says as Tony takes his foot back.

"Then," Bruce says

"He pulls me around like a fucking dog toy all on his own; he happens to be a handy mother fucker apparently and the only one who doesn't care and gets close enough to it no matter how much I tell him to fuck off," Tony growls barking the last part at Bucky angrily.

"I'm socializing you," Bucky snarks back with a smirk.

"My ass, that's bullshit, and you know it," Tony snaps, throwing a pillow at Bucky.

"I mean, he's got a point kinda," Clint says, having fun watching Tony get messed with

"He's certainly a bull in your china shop," Natasha laughs lightly.

"Take him back," Tony orders Steve, highly annoyed.

"Oh fuck no, you can happily keep him" Steve chuckles, glad to have someone else Bucky messes with

"That hurts Stevie," Bucky grinds out and chucks a pillow at him, but he's playful enough.

"Right back at ya," Steve grumbles after being beaned in the face with the pillow.

"Like I said, he's not special; he's just- don't you dare," Tony says, walking back to his chair, but Bucky shifts as he gets closer and stops mid-step, holding up a warning finger.

"No, you started this, and I'm just doing what they wanted, doll face," Bucky says, grabbing the fabric on Tony's hip before Tony can back peddle

"No! Barnes! For fucks sake!" Tony yells as he gets yanked around like a dog toy before being yanked onto the loveseat and sitting with Bucky half-hazard

"I mean, this is why they stuck you with us, right" Sam laughs.

"I don't think they meant this," Steve says, unsure but trying to be helpful somehow.

"No, no, I think they meant this," Clint laughs, joining Sam. They set Tony up because he was alone, and no one wanted to be around him, so they needed kids who could handle him, and they just happened to be on his level of trouble.

"Still, this could be an exaggeration," Bruce settles for with a grin.

"But hey, it's working, so why try something else" Natasha adds with a knowing look, meaning this was going to be the new course.

"I will forever dispute that," Tony growls defiantly.

Nothing really happens or changes over the next two weeks, but the team settles into a flow of sorts. It's good in the aspect of them getting along and getting closer, but Tony will still only participate a little. It's true, though; whatever Bucky is doing is working. The question to them is, why is all this? If anything, it should be making things worse, but they're all still bored and having trouble keeping themselves entertained. Bruce is reading late at night after everyone has gone back to their rooms, leaving him in the common room. That is until Tony comes back, wandering in with wet hair and the M.V., and sits in his new normal chair. So when, a few minutes later, Bruce jumps, hearing his voice after forgetting Bucky was in the kitchen. Luckily, Bucky seems focused on Tony, so he hasn't missed anything but glances up to see what's happening. Most of it is bickering, the usual kind, so he doesn't pay too much attention as it usually ends up in circles anyway. No one mentions the sudden rasp in Tony's voice, and putting it together, Bruce assumes Tony's lungs are congested. This explains the wet hair from a late-night steaming shower and the M.V. to try and open up a little more.

"You are!" Tony barks, annoyed, having to seemingly been arguing his point for a while now, making Bruce pay more attention

"Am not. Ask anyone," Bucky huffs, turning to face Tony and crossing his arms.

"Maybe to them," Tony grinds out, taking out the M.V.

"Now you can't tell me you don't like being special," Bucky drawls and Tony rolls his eyes.

"I am," Tony snarks back, glaring a little

"That you are," Bucky says calmly, but it's a little teasing.

"You have to admit it's weird," Tony says, slumping a little more in his chair so he can sit properly.

"They set you up, Stark. What did you expect?" Bucky huffs, rolling his eyes

"Not fucking this!" Tony barks, gesturing to Bucky as he starts making his way over

"Yeah, well. I don't know either, but it's working so tough shit," Bucky shrugs bluntly.

"No," Tony actually whines, annoyed, as he puts the M.V. back in his mouth and sticks out a foot to stop Bucky from getting any closer, even placing it on Bucky's hip.

"What's going on with you anyway?" Bucky hums, testing the waters, and brings up a hand, resting it under Tony's calf of the leg braced against him

"Piss off," Tony grinds out around the M.V., glaring lightly.

"Bruce?" Bucky asks, going over Tony's head for answers

"Probably a flare-up? You know, congestion in his lungs," Bruce says, thinking it over with a slight shrug but smiling at them.

"It's so different," Tony sighs a little. He seems cooler but almost grateful.

"What?" Bruce asks him with a little laugh

"You haven't noticed, so I'm not saying anything," Tony says, using his foot to push Bucky away some more.

"Isn't he annoying" Bucky tsks, but he moves back and away from Tony easily.

"I don't know," Bruce says cheekily, making Tony and Bucky smile.

The three of them chat a little more throughout the night, on and off until the others start coming down. By then, Bruce mustered up the courage to ask Tony about something that had been bugging him. Even before and after the attacks, Bruce has been pondering this idea. Nobody has mentioned anything, and he doesn't expect Tony to tell them or answer, but he did think Phil might. They would have mentioned something or if they even knew what could happen with Tony, but nope, nothing. They have to know just about everything about Tony, his condition, and the side effects, so why not warn them or mention it at all?

"Do you have any chronic issues left from oxygen deprivation, Tony?" Bruce finally asks before nervously biting his lip a bit

"What?" Sam says for everyone they're all caught off guard as some are still coming down

"You don't have to answer," Bruce adds quickly, realizing it might be too much as Tony takes a long, calculated drag, glancing between Bruce and Bucky a little

"I do," Tony says slowly as he lets go of the vapours, deciding he might as well give them something to feed off of

"Like what?" Steve asks, leaning on the counter with a tea towel over his shoulder. It's a little worrying, after all.

"You got a pen and paper?" Tony says, half joking

"Course," Natasha says, and Tony ponders it another second before sighing a little, rubbing his forehead, and then nods.

"Numbness, it's mostly in my hands, but it can be anywhere else. I get lightheaded or dizzy and get lots of headaches. Sometimes, a decreased reaction time. Pins and needles. Impaired judgment. And this shit goes through stages of being inflamed and congested or just being shitty airways," Tony rambles, gesturing to his chest at the end of it all.

"And your mood?" Bruce asks. He knows it is the leading question, but since Tony is answering, it can't be that bad to ask, right?

"Mood swings," Tony huffs with a roll of his eyes. It has a lot to do with his temper at times, too, but he doesn't like to admit any of it, mostly that.

"Joy," Clint says blandly, but he keeps the information tucked away carefully, and Tony smirks a little

"Well, let's eat then," Steve says, clapping his hands as he straightens off the counter.

Tony has to wonder a little at how Bruce hasn't figured anything out because clearly, or at least to him, it feels pretty clear. Bruce is smart; it seems clear that Bruce does things differently, which should give him the advantage, but he keeps it fair and doesn't say anything. By lunch, Tony has to put away the M.V. He doesn't have so many issues right now to need it being used. He can blame the move, stress, and everything else, but it's only a change, and he's done it more than most. And while progress is good, Tony still keeps them at arms reach for the most part. Of course, Bucky continues to invade his space a bit but usually respects it and only does it when he feels Tony will allow it.

Bucky has been trying to understand everything, but it's just weird and off. Usually, he has to give up for a time before he can try again, but he still doesn't seem to make any progress even after a few tries. There's another big issue as well, Tony's huge communication problem. He still refuses to communicate things to others, no matter how big or small. If it is or isn't important. So yes, his answering Bruce is a good thing, but it comes off as reluctant and, maybe, just to keep them busy. Have them stop asking or focusing on whatever he told them instead of bothering Tony or paying him any attention. Tony spends more time in his room over the next couple of days but comes out for periods at a time. This also includes the ass crack of dawn, where he's stumbling on Bucky baking? He doesn't seem the type, but he doesn't really know the teen so.

Bucky must not have started yet, but soon as he has everything out and ready. Tony hesitates in the doorway for a moment but creeps in any way, just a little, testing the waters. Bucky is wound up tight and obviously not in the most welcoming mood and not feeling himself, let's say. However, when Bucky puts something down a little too hard, Tony can't help but jump and make a little sound, which makes Bucky snap around to face him, and Tony can't help but flinch back when he does. Bucky rounds. He's still upset, and on guard from his nightmare and some personal stuff, he's currently going through. So when something makes a noise, he snaps around expecting a fight or something, but he just ends up feeling like shit instead. Tony looks like a deer in headlights, a bit like a scolded child watching him cautiously, his arms brought up to his chest and holding his shoulders both calming and defensive. He's got on foot already behind him, ready to leave, but hesitant, unsure what to do without making it worse for himself somehow. Given the baggy hoodie and too-big P.J. pants, Tony must not feel all that much better.

"My bad," Bucky sighs harshly as he holds up a hand and hangs it a bit.

"It's okay," Tony says slowly and quietly.

"It's just a bad night, I'm good," Bucky tells him. He doesn't want Tony to be afraid of him or hyper-aware

"Okay," Tony says, hesitant to believe him but relaxing a little

'Yeah," Bucky says tightly and turns back to what he was doing.

"You gave up easy," Tony notes quietly, and Bucky pauses in the middle of wiping off the counters.

"Yeah, well," Bucky growls before resuming the task at hand

Tony hesitates for another minute, but for the first time, even reluctant Tony doesn't retreat. In fact, Bucky listens to the soft pads coming closer and closer ever so slowly. It just shows how uncomfortable Tony is with this whole thing. Bucky can feel Tony jump a little when he gets close enough, and Bucky puts his hand behind his back. Bucky leans over a recipe on the counter while playing with the back of his shirt before fixing it. But Tony keeps coming and somehow ends up sitting on the island watching Bucky. He's close enough that Bucky doesn't feel so alone with his thoughts but is given enough space to not make him claustrophobic. It helps Tony, he notes, because Bucky starts to relax and figures having someone around in case something happens, if not just to validate his jumpiness. Either way, Tony doesn't dwell or care, so he brushes it all away. Tony watches Bucky, and at some point, while he's baking, Tony becomes his lab rat. Bucky starts getting him sweets or something like he's trying to feed Tony and sue him. Tony goes along with him. Okay, he's got a couple reasons, and hey, this much is fine, and he was a little hungry.

"Nope. You want it; you take it out of my hand." Clint hears as he comes down, drawn in by the smell of Bucky's amazing skills and the sound of the radio playing softly

"Why?" Tony groans in a way that tells Clint whatever is going on has been going on for a long time

"It ain't gonna bite you," Bucky huffs at him.

"I don't care how many times you tell me that. It makes no difference," Tony snaps at him, and Clint sneaks closer to see what's going on.

Peeking into the room, Clint can see Tony sitting on the island counter, hugging one knee to his chest. Tony also has a sucker in his mouth held in his cheek, and Bucky is in front of him holding out his hand that has a few blueberries on it. They knew Bucky was having a tough time this last week, but it seems like it might be over. He definitely looks better, more himself and maybe even warmer, thanks to being amused by Tony.

"Would you just take them already?" Bucky huffs with a smirk and pushes them closer

"Back," Tony says, bringing up his other foot and again putting it on Bucky to stop him from coming closer.

"Again?" Bucky says, keeping the smirk as he glances down at the foot on him

"Worked well enough last time," Tony grumbles. He looks damn near pouting.

"Last chance, sweetheart," Bucky says, only seeming more amused.

"You so much as twitch, and I'll kick you clear across this damn room," Tony grinds out gently, glaring at him.

"Scouts honour," Bucky says, rolling his eyes.

Very carefully and hesitantly, Tony reaches out and picks one up, expecting Bucky to do something clearly. But when Bucky does nothing under Tony's intense watch, he dares to take another and another until he's taken all the blueberries from Bucky. Tony looks a little confused as to why Bucky has kept his word but says nothing; he just looks at it and also like he's suspicious of Bucky. Clint smiles a little. It's cute, sure, but his heart does sink a little at what it means. When Tony lashed out and told them his dad was abusive, and so there must be a link between him and the way Tony continues to act. The reason Tony doesn't like to be touched, is scared to take anything handed to him even if he does catch them, but that might be the difference too. Clint steps out, not wanting to creep on them anymore, acting like he hadn't been watching them. While Tony didn't seem to have noticed as he was too focused on Bucky, Bucky seems to have been aware of it like he always is.