Dawn of New Change

PREVIOUSLY ON: Dawn of New Change

Taeyong wakes up in the Infirmary and a lot about his health is suddenly brought to light. There's not a lot you can hide from people (or Tony Stark for that manner) when your medical files tell the brutal truths. Taeyong is set on fluids and then solid foods and eventually gets into physical therapy with Tony helping until he decides to recover on his own.

How to do that? Taeyong decides that enrolling in school, in England, is his best choice. 

Taeyong's packing consisted of trying to bring his robots and other miscellaneous inventions with him. "You won't need a toaster that butters everything for you," Johnny said, with his arms crossed and an amused expression on his face, whilst he watched Taeyong poke around his lab.

"The Brits eat beans on toast, this is basically a truce between them and us," Taeyong explained, now cradling the toaster in his arms.

"What truce?" Johnny asked, walking further into the laboratory.

Taeyong shrugged, "they have beans on toast and we have... peanut butter and jelly. Weird combinations," the younger shuddered.

"Your inability to love PB&J is truly the thinnest line that separates us." Johnny took the toaster out of the younger teens hands and started to look around the inventions. "You gonna bring your suit?" he asked, being careful to not look at Taeyong. Said boy pouted, looking at the display of his suits, all for different uses.

"I don't know," he settled on. He did want to continue his training, not because he wanted to be an Avenger (that dream faded quickly) but it wouldn't be too hard to argue that Taeyong needed the protection. He was still Taeyong Lee-Stark, the son of Tony Stark. The youngest Avenger before his retirement and also, just a celebrity kid in general. Having the suit was like a second skin for Taeyong and training was always fun. It went against the whole 'cold turkey' situation though.

He sighed, "I'm going to bring it..."

"Okay then," Johnny nodded carefully, clapping once and walking back out of the Laboratory. "Time to say goodbye though!"

"Goodbye?" Taeyong asked, tilting his head and jogging over to his friend.

***

Turns out, saying goodbye was never really a thing that Taeyong accounted for. He understood that he would be leaving his dad and the Avengers, all his friends and found family, for a life in England. But he also knew that he was going to come back and it felt odd to say goodbye to people that he was also planning on facetiming every week or so.

Steve hugged him tightly, "send me an email and we can schedule our music and pop culture sessions every other week."

"The Brits call that, a fortnight," Johnny said thoughtfully, reading a book on 'All Things You Must Know About Great Britain' because he apparently hated feeling like a tourist. Taeyong didn't understand that. England and America didn't feel too different in his mind.

"Whatever it is, we need to talk about whatever the hell was going on in the early 2000s," Steve said with a faraway look in his eye, probably still a little bit traumatised from listening to 'Low' by Flo Rida. Taeyong snickered but gave a very resolute nod as he was finally let go and went to the rest of the Avengers.

"You'll tell me if you flag up Bruce right?" Taeyong asked, walking over to Clint and slapping his hand against the Avenger's. Clint pulled him into a sideways hug, and let Taeyong stumble out of it, chuckling. "Anything," he emphasised.

"Any blip, you'll be the first to know," Clint responded. "You better come back at some point kid. Don't want you to forget us."

"How could I?" Taeyong smirked, sidestepped Clint's jab and jumped into Natasha's arms. She let out an oomph sound but swung Taeyong around, before setting him down. "And you Aunt Tasha, wanna give me some radical piece of advice. Got any cool spy stories for me?"

"Tesco's is a scam and limescale is a bitch to clean," she said.

Taeyong blinked, he had no clue what any of that meant. "Okay, then," he chuckled nervously, shooting some finger guns at her before he turned to his dad and took his backpack from the man.

"Wish Thor were here," Taeyong muttered, letting Tony ruffle his hair. Thor had left shortly after Taeyong woke up, he gave the younger one a goodbye whilst he was still in the Infirmary but he couldn't stay on Earth. He was going to try and find out information on the whereabouts of the Infinity Stones. Taeyong just hoped that there were no more surprises waiting for Earth in case the Infinity Stone dibacle turned bigger than any of them originally thought.

So, without saying his goodbyes to Thor, Taeyong and Johnny left quickly to go to the Seo household. There, they found themselves face to face with a puffy eyed Mark, who gave both teens a wobbly smile.

Taeyong pouted, walking over and letting his backpack fall to the ground. He wrapped his arms around Mark's body and squeezed him tightly, the latter returning the gesture ten fold. Taeyong sighed, rubbing the youngers back and looking upwards, where Mrs Seo was standing off to the side. "I'm gonna miss you man," Taeyong sniffed, letting go and wiping his eyes quickly, hoping Mark didn't see.

The younger boy nodded quickly, clutching the end of Taeyong's hoodie, "I'm- I'm gonna miss you too."

"Yeah, but you'll have that fancy new school to go to. It'll take up most of your time anyway," Johnny scoffed goodnaturedly, wrapping an arm around Mark's neck and locking him into a headlock. The younger boy whined, trying to hit his older brother. Taeyong snickered. "Watch him forget us in less than a week."

"I won't," Mark said softly, letting his hands fall and knocking his head into Johnny's chest. Johnny gulped, nodding and manoeuvred his arms so that Mark was hugged instead of strangled. Taeyong walked over to Mrs Seo, letting the brothers have their moment.

"Oh Taeyong-ah," she said, bringing him into a hug. Taeyong rested his chin on her shoulder, letting the older woman sway him from side to side. "You look after him, won't you?"

"Of course," Taeyong promised. "We're brothers, we'll have each other's backs."

She nodded, "I know. I just- I worry."

"... and Mister Seo?" he asked, looking around the flat.

Mrs Seo winced slightly, "he's at work right now. He couldn't make it."

"Yeah well, what's new?" Johnny muttered, ruffling Mark's hair rough enough that the boy groaned, his glasses falling off his nose. "Come on, we're gonna be late." Johnny picked up the rest of his bags, quickly kissing his mother's cheek and nodded at Taeyong. They were really leaving.

***

They were taking Tony's private jet to get to England. Taeyong thought it was a bit of an overkill but Tony insisted. Taeyong watched Johnny practically run into the private jet, all excited. Taeyong let Happy take his bags. "You really don't need to do that," Taeyong gave the man a soft smile, tilting his head to the side. His wide doe-like eyes were glassy as he stared up at the man.

"Happy, I'm gonna miss you," he whispered.

"I'll see you soon boss," Happy replied, voice cracking and he quickly scurried away. Taeyong breathed out shakily, walking over to his other family.

"Pepper," he grinned cheekily, "how's it?"

"Chill," she replied, hands coming out and wrapping themselves around his neck. Her fingers combed through his hair and he smiled a little softer, "when you get back, make sure you're taller than me okay?"

Taeyong nodded quickly, "you can't wear heels then. We'll compare fairly okay?"

She gave a smirk, "or you can wear heels of the same height."

"Yeah, there's that too. I don't think I have the calves for heels though." Taeyong watched mesmerised as she threw her head back and let out a joyous laugh, he leant forward and hugged her tightly. "I'll call you and dad when I land okay?" She gave him a squeeze, not saying another word.

Taeyong turned to Rhodey, rolled his eyes when the man pulled out a chocolate coin from behind his ear. "Okay, that's just lame now," he still took the coin, unwrapping the foil and popping the chocolatey goodness into his mouth. It melted on his tongue instantly.

"Okay that ones lame, but can you still explain it?"

Taeyong narrowed his eyes, swallowing quickly, "I've learnt something!"

"Oh yeah?"

"Mm hmm," he nodded quickly, hair falling over his eyes. "Magic and science do not coincide, they intertwine. Some things you cannot use science to explain, so it's just magic. That's all it ever was."

Rhodey was staring at Taeyong in awe and pride, "magic..." he muttered. "You're right."

Taeyong smirked, "I'm a Stark, of course I am."

Tony called on Taeyong, so with a quick Rhodey-hug the teen went over to his dad, who was also flocked by the two newest Avengers. "Yeah?" he asked, squinting through the sun. Tony took off his sunglasses and gently put them on Taeyong. "Dad?"

"Keep 'em, they look better on you than me anyway." Taeyong was suddenly thankful for the shade the sunglasses brought because his eyes felt a lot more teary. "Anyway, some last minute plans are being put in place. Pietro here, is a New Avenger, but he also wants to go to university."

Taeyong, already understanding what his father was insinuating, turned to the speedster. "In England."

Pietro stared at Taeyong with an impassive face before he shrugged. "For a long time all I had with me was a little picture. It was me, my sister and our revenge. On the Avengers and on your father..." Pietro glanced over at Tony before settling his eyes on Taeyong. "Ultron talked about a bigger picture, the entire world. I don't care for that, I never cared for him or even the Avengers... what I'm trying to say is that-"

"You want to expand your picture," Taeyong said.

"Or maybe pick a new one. All I had was death and your Stark bomb and then HYDRA and Ultron and now the Avengers. I want me, only me."

This was something that Taeyong will eventually get his head around. Living with Pietro Maximoff, someone who wanted to kill him not only a couple weeks ago because of a mistake his father made once by trusting Obadiah Stane? Taeyong was always a little apprehensive but Pietro changed his direction when he realised his mistake. Both he and Wanda did and although Taeyong didn't fully trust either of the twins, not since his mind was invaded and his trauma was brought to his attention, he could at least let them come to terms with their own growth.

So Taeyong nodded, "same... with the 'only me-picture' thing... you're coming with?"

Pietro nodded, "I'm also security as well."

Taeyong rolled his eyes, turning to his dad, who smirked. "You wanna go off galavanting England on your own-"

"I'm with Johnny!"

"-then I get to bring at least one Avenger to help."

Taeyong scowled, turning to Pietro and extending a hand. "Truce?"

Pietro scoffed, "you won't survive a day in England." But, he shook the teens hand.

"What makes you think you will?!" Taeyong shouted, when Pietro walked away.

"I'm European!" he shouted over his shoulder, already walking up the jet's steps.

Taeyong narrowed his eyes- "Don't kill him," Tony said, clapping a hand over his son's shoulder.

"He makes it so easy, you know. He has one of those punchable faces, I swear..."

"Uh huh, well at least give it a month before you shed some blood. Now, the next big thing. I've been thinking about Vision." Tony extended an arm out to the AI, hand clasping his shoulder as well. "You know how you said that Jarvis was like a brother to you?" Taeyong really didn't know where his father was going with this.

"Yes?"

"Well, what if we made this official? Vision is the creation of Ultron, Doctor Banner and myself-"

Taeyong felt a cheeky smirk making its way to his face. "You have a love-child with Doctor Banner? What's Pepper gonna think?"

Tony had a strained smile on his face, looking over Taeyong's shoulder to where Pepper was standing, "that's a discussion for another time. I want to tell you that I'm going to adopt him."

"You can do that?" Taeyong asked. He felt a rush of excitement climb up from his legs and bloom at his chest. Vision was going to be his brother, not like Johnny where they were best friends. But this would be law, in the books, everyone would know.

"If you will have me for a brother," Vision said, trying for a small smile.

"Vis," Taeyong gave a pleasant smile. "You're gonna be my little brother, you excited?"

Vision tilted his head, pondering. "I must admit, I didn't realise that I would be younger, it does make sense though. I am only a couple months old now."

"Brilliant," Taeyong reached forward and wrapped his arms around Vision's middle, catching the AI off-guard. "You can hug me back, you know?" He smiled as Vision's arms wrapped themselves around him.

"I shall await for when you return... from England... big brother."

"...Neat."

***

The flight from America to England on the private jet was more chill than most of the flights that Taeyong had taken from time to time. He used to fly a lot when his dad had conferences around different countries, taking the time to explore different tourist attractions with Happy. Ever since Tony turned into Iron Man though, Taeyong had noticed how their plane rides usually were overshadowed with issuing press statements and patching his dad up.

Taeyong pressed himself against the large lounge chair and gazed out of the window, thinking. Johnny and Pietro got on well enough, both absolutely losing their minds over the expensive jet and taking full advantage of the kid-friendly bar. Taeyong wanted to sleep before they landed, but his thoughts were too much.

*

Tony came close, leaning most of his weight on Taeyong. The younger one just inhaled the scent of his dad, basking in the warmth, "you sure you're okay bud?"

"Yeah," Taeyong answered after a while. "Just cold is all."

"And hungry, I bet."

Taeyong's stomach was a battling force from the inside. It was knotted and a little painful, but the younger one didn't want his father to worry. "Not really actually. I could do with a nap though," he grinned.

Tony nodded, "I'll be right here when you wake up."

*

"He's coming," Taeyong said, letting Rhodey grab him by his underarms and lift him up easily.

"Holy shit- Taeyong you're really light," Rhodey looked back at Tony who frowned, tilting his head as he studied his son. "Like, insanely light."

"I am?" Taeyong said, feeling a flush in his cheeks and heart beat ten times faster. Was he really that light? Was it noticeable? "Like unhealthy?" he asked, turning to look up at his uncle.

Tony patted Taeyong's hair, "not unhealthy, don't worry about it, bud."

*

Taeyong cut into the cake and set the plates up for three when the sound of a repulsor started to buzz in the background. "Dad!" Taeyong grinned, jumping from his barstool and skidding his way to the balcony of the tower—

Johnny patted Taeyong's knee, garnering his attention. Taeyong shifted so that he was half lying on the lounge chair, head pressed against the small plane pillow. Johnny sat on his other side, mimicking his posture and giving Taeyong a small smile. In his hand was a stick of red liquorice that he extended towards Taeyong.

Taeyong simply waved his hand, not really feeling like eating at the moment. Johnny frowned, looking down at the liquorice stick and then at Taeyong, probably trying to decipher whether or not to actually try and force feed him. Johnny, like Pietro, was also aware of Taeyong's rather unhealthy and self-controlling eating habits. But Johnny was also only sixteen years of age and didn't know how to handle such a huge and vulnerable part of Taeyong's life.

Which is why Taeyong was against telling Johnny in the first place. He gave Johnny a strained smile and pushed forward so that he could look over the side of the plane where Pietro was having a conversation with one of the hostesses. Sure that the speedster wouldn't hear their conversation, Taeyong turned back to Johnny. "You don't have to walk on eggshells around me, you know?"

"I know," Johnny said quickly. "I just don't know what to do- the right thing to do."

Taeyong lifted one shoulder and let it drop heavily, "neither. We'll figure it out, we always do. Besides, the nanny that dad bought isn't just taking care of the house for us, he's supposed to take care of my food intake too."

"He? We have a male nanny?" Johnny questioned, scrunching his nose.

Taeyong snorted, "what? Is that so bad?"

"We can survive on our own! I know how to cook and clean, Eomma didn't raise a spoiled brat."

Taeyong pursed his lips, "I don't know how to cook or clean though?"

"Yeah..." Johnny gave a teasing grin, "spoilt brat?"

Taeyong gasped, throwing a pillow in the other boy's direction, choosing to ignore his outrageous laugh.

By the time they landed in England, there was low lighting and all three boys were practically dead on the taxi ride over. They trudged out of the taxi, getting their carry-ons, just thankful enough that their stuff was brought over beforehand because they sludged their way over to the house. "This is it?" Pietro asked, blinking up at the large mansion they were going to be living in for the foreseeable future.

There was a large driveway, having three of the latest Stark cars parked up front and then the door opened. Out walked their nanny, dressed in a pair of black slack trousers, with a white button up and much to Taeyong's immediate amusement, was wearing a light green apron, he stood at the same height as Pietro. His hair was short and wavy, curling around his ears that were glittering with studs and he wore thick, blocky glasses.

"I am Thomas, but you may call me Tommy," the man said, walking over and giving each of them a firm handshake. He was Asain too, Bangladeshi if Taeyong read his file correctly. He had finished university only two years ago and had taken the job to help pay off his student loans whilst he also did a little bit of writing on the side.

"I shall give you a quick tour of the house tomorrow in the morning, but I will show you to your rooms right now. If you will follow me, I have set up everything according to your requirements. Please tell me if anything is out of order."

"Cool," Johnny said, clicking his fingers and already leaving for the rooms.

Taeyong left too, getting situated into his room pretty quickly. It was light and empty, with a couple of science posters pinned just around his open desk space. Taeyong set his carry-on down with his suit cases that were just by the end of his bed. He peered out of his window, overlooking the large garden space and then turned when a knock came from his bedroom door.

Tommy stood by the door, giving a small smile. "Neighbours."

"Neighbours?" asked.

"Yes," he stepped inside the room. "They're downstairs, a small family of boys. The youngest is a... fan of your fathers Sir," Tommy had a sheepish look in his face as he motioned to the corridor. "They've brought over some apple crumble."

"Apple crumble," Taeyong nodded quietly, eventually walking past his nanny and towards the stairs again, where Pietro and Johnny were waiting, both peering down to the door. "Apple crumble?" he hissed, looking at both of them.

"I don't know?" Johnny shrugged, walking downstairs.

Pietro frowned, "I think I might know. Dessert-"

"Yeah no shit," Taeyong elbowed him, running downstairs and getting to the door where Johnny was already taking the dish out of some poor kid's arms.

"Hello," Taeyong said cheerfully, greeting his neighbours. There were three of them, one who looked like he might be a little older than Taeyong, probably Pietro's age if he were honest. Then there was someone that Taeyong thought closely resembled the mischievous glint that Haechan sported all those years ago. Taeyong should really call the boy at some point. And their youngest, a boy with chubby cheeks, came up to Taeyong's waist in height.

"Hello!" the youngest squeaked, waving enthusiastically. "I'm Chenle," he said, before pointing to the other kid. "This is my brother Renjun and then my oldest brother, Doyoung. Doyoung is a lawyer!"

"Chenle," Doyoung clasped a hand over Chenle's mouth. "We just came to give you the crumble. Anyway, welcome to the neighbourhood. Hope you have a pleasant stay-"

"Yeah, pleasant stay," Renjun smirked, eyes tracking the inside of their house from what he could see, his view was partially covered by Taeyong and Pietro, who eventually strode over. "So, what are you doing over here? Last I heard, you were hospi-"

"Christ Junnie," Doyoung placed a hand over Renjun's mouth, twisting him out of the way in a way that made Taeyong's eyes widen. Doyoung looked practically at ease, getting control of both boys and dragging them out of their driveway. "Nice seeing yer!" He shouted over his shoulder, kicking Renjun in the back of his ankle. "Walk, shithead!"

Taeyong blinked, looking back at Pietro, "I'm so glad I'm an only child. Also, Johnny, you figure out what an apple crumble is?" he asked, walking past Pietro and into their open kitchen unit. Johnny was poking the dessert with a knife. It vaguely reminded Taeyong of a peach cobbler, but so much more messy and crumbley- huh, okay so maybe the name was best suited for the dish.

"Yeah, it's whatever-" Johnny started to cut out some pieces for everyone. Eventually Tommy came over and actually started to plate them up all properly, bringing out certain dessert spoons for the occasion. "Fuck- I need to call Mark. Gotta tell him we landed."

"Mark," Pietro muttered, dipping his spoon into the still warm dessert. "He is your youngest?"

Johnny nodded, "going to a cool new science school now that I'm out of the picture." Taeyong frowned, not liking the way Johnny put himself down. "It was pretty far to make two trips but now that I'm here and covered- gotta thank Mister Stark for that, at some point- Mark can go ahead and do his weird science thing. With our own neighbour's friend back home."

"Oh yeah," Taeyong perked up. "What was the kid's name?"

"Xiaojun," Johnny said, with a furrow in his brow. "I think? He said to just call him Dejun, so there's that."

"What school are they attending?" Pietro asked.

This time, Taeyong, with pride in his voice, answered "Midtown High School!"

NEXT TIME: Book 3 is out and it's called 'War Between Worlds'

Taeyong sat back in the passenger side of the main house's car. He was staring out of the window and looking up at the passing trees. "Hey Tommy?" He asked, waiting for the nanny's distinctive humming to stop and indicate that was he was heard. Tommy lowered the radio's volume. "Do you think..." he turned his head inwards, still resting against the car window, "that maybe I'm not cut out to be a hero?"

There was nothing said for a second and Taeyong thought that might just be it. But he eventually answered, "I think anyone is capable of being a hero, they just need to be scared enough." 

"Scared?"