Teenager Tony would be as annoying as adult Tony
In the original, Tony is turned into a bratty 14-year-old that the Avengers have to escort to college classes. Bucky comes to pity him because Tony "had it so hard." But it's not like anyone blackmailed 14-year-old Tony into becoming some war profiteer's child soldier, is it? Tony at 21 was pretty obnoxious--it's likely that as a teenager he was the same or worse.
Note: Set in an AU where Bucky and Steve met at the museum at the end of Winter Soldier.
***
At the far end of the conference room, Clint crossed his arms and said, "I don't understand why WE have to baby-sit him until the spell wears off. He has a whole tower full of staff--make them do it."
Maria Hill shrugged and said, "We tried. He's harassing Pepper and the admins. At least with you guys, I know if Tony tries to pull anything, you'll show him the error of his ways."
Steve frowned from where he sat next to Natasha. He asked, "How are we doing this, in shifts? I really don't want to leave Bucky alone that long. He's still getting settled."
Maria said, "Why not bring him here for a few days? That way you won't have to commute from Brooklyn."
Steve said, "I'm not sure I'm a good choice for this. Apparently Tony has been VERY vocal about how much he hates Captain America."
Natasha said, "That makes you the perfect choice. He'll be so focused on you, he won't make trouble for anyone else."
***
Steve carefully finished slicing the last few vegetables for the salad. It had been a challenging few days, but Steve refused to let Tony's bad attitude get to him.
He shook the bottle of homemade dressing, then carried the bowl to the table in Tony's kitchen, where a plate of roast chicken and a loaf of bread already waited.
He walked down the short corridor to the main living room.
Bucky and Tony were still having their staring contest on the couch. They looked like bookends with their crossed arms and scowling faces.
Steve said, "Lunch is ready."
Bucky stood and said to the teenager, "Considering you already tried to help yourself to the liquor twice, we're not leaving you alone in here. Get moving or I'll haul you to the table."
Tony frowned and said, "You can't force feed me, you know. There are laws about that."
Bucky shrugged and said, "Nobody said you had to eat. Just sit. In the kitchen."
Tony sulked for another minute, but when Bucky moved toward him, Tony jumped up and stomped his way to the kitchen.
He flung himself into a chair and glared at the meal. He said, "I SAID I wanted a burger and fries."
Steve sat down and said, "And I told you that you could have what you wanted if you helped out. You chose not to, so I made what I wanted."
Bucky and Steve served themselves and started eating. Tony shoved his empty plate so it shattered on the tile floor.
Both men paused in their meal. Steve asked, "Why did you do that?"
Tony shrugged and said, "I wanted to. It's all my stuff, right?"
Steve nodded and said, "But now you've got no plate--and a mess to clean up."
Tony smirked and said, "Make me."
Steve and Bucky looked at each other. Steve shrugged and said, "Not right now."
Tony blinked. Then he said, "What, the Star-Spangled Man doesn't have a plan?"
Steve looked straight at Tony and answered, "Actually, I do."
Bucky snorted.
***
Tony found himself forced to take a crash course in kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing pottery with metal-dusted lacquer.
He grumbled at first. (It was repair the plate or be denied access to ANYTHING electronic. So yeah, Tony repaired the plate. Under protest.)
But then he found himself LIKING it. It reminded him of making things in the lab at school. But here he KNEW the right combination to make the pieces fit together.
When he was done, he realized that hours had passed and his mind had calmed.
And somehow, he'd been restored to his fortysomething self.
Tony looked over at Cap--Steve, who was sketching nearby. Tony asked, "So when did I trade in the newer model?"
Steve shrugged and answered, "About an hour ago. I didn't want to disrupt your focus."
Tony looked at the repaired plate. It was...beautiful. And for the first time in a while, Tony felt at peace.
Captain America was still a pain in the ass. But Steve Rogers? Well, yeah, him too. But Steve was also a pretty good guy.
Not that Tony would ever admit it. Or...maybe he would.