a Moody Tony and His Happy Papa
Tony was being a bad day. Happy had noticed his mood right away. Normally he was a very quiet, but happy baby boy, unless around other people than he would be very shy and nervous. A side effect of Obadiah's “wonderful” time as his caregiver. If you had seen Tony years ago, you wouldn't believe he was the same little. Or a little at all. Out in the public he was forced to act big, when he was alone with Obadiah he had to act big as well. Or he'd be punished. Every childish act he would be punished no matter how big or little. It had taken him years to be comfortable enough to actually act like his little age. It had been a hard few years with many trying times. The first few months Tony had a lot of “bad” days where he would scream, throw fits, destroying things, generally just testing Happy. It took many many talks and promises that no matter how much of a brat, how naughty or whiny he was that he would never leave. But, every now and then he still had a baby day.
Something must have been bothering Tony, of course he was terrible at talking about his feelings when he was feeling little or not. But, sooner or later his baby boy would slip and say something that made Happy understand. While other caretakers would scold their littles for tantrums and such, the older man would never dare. It was progress that he felt safe enough to act cranky and bratty, when in the past he was terrified of doing anything that would upset others. While most the time he WAS still a adorable baby boy with a giant heart who always thought of others before himself, having some days where he was willing to show his papa his frustration made Happy oddly happy. Not that he was happy that his little was upset! He preferred it more when Tony would squeal and babble loudly something he didn't do back in the day ether, way more, but the trust just made his heart so happy.
Tony was threw the block in his hand at Happy. It hit the man on his head, though it was a plush block so it didn't hurt that much. “Hey there you know that's not nice” Happy lightly scolded he huffed crossing his arms. His papa was stupid! Of course he knew he SHOULD just use his words, but words were hard and his papa should already know why he was so mad! Maybe Happy knew and didn't care? What if he didn't want him anymore. The little went from being angry to sobbing. With a sigh and a smile the bodyguard picked him up with ease. “Oh lil Star what's got you acting all silly?” Happy asked for probably the fifth time of the day, Tony didn't answer instead he wrapped his legs and arms around his caretaker tightly crying into his shoulder. Bouncing a little the caregiver cooed and spoke comforting words.
It was a waiting game, it was always a waiting game with Tony. But, Happy didn't mind he would be patient. He would deal with all of his little's moods with a smile on his face and wait until Tony was ready to say enough to get his feelings across. After a couple minutes of comforting the little started to push and squirm. “Down! Down! Down!” He fussed. “Okay okay” Happy said in a silly voice sitting him down on the couch. When he was sit down Tony stomped off, to the corner of the room squirting down to sulk. It wasn't uncommon, he would often put himself in time out as a self punishment and to pout. It was honestly rather adorable.
“Hungweeee” Tony whined tugging on Happy's shirt. “Num nums num nums” He babbled as Happy looked at him. “Lets get you something yummy for your tummy” Happy cheerfully said, he nodded. While Happy made a peanut butter jelly sandwich Tony whined “Toooo sloooow” “Too much nutty buddah” “Mowe jelly papa” It was clear Tony was on the older range of his side, he was normally this vocal (not this whiny) when he was about two years old.
With the sandwich finally done and Happy got him a handful of baby carrots and green grapes he put the plate on the table. “No cawwets” Tony huffed batting at the carrots “They are your favorite veggies, you like carrots buddy” Happy said smiling at his silly silly little boy. The little opened his mouth and then closed it. “Fineeeeeeeee” With that he happily ate his lunch with no more arguments, well besides the one about wanting no sippy cup, and then no juice. In the end Happy managed to get Tony to agree to chocolate milk instead but still in a sippy cup.
Nap time was always hard, Tony hated naps with a burning passion. He tend to suffer nightmares. Most the time he could only but set up for a nap if Happy cuddled him. Even then it was the few things he whined about first, and would often try bargaining, or begging. But, his baby boy needed naps, specially since when he was big he had a habit of having a terrible sleep schedule. Cuddles and many many books later would normally work, but not today. He screamed and sobbed about not wanting a nap and how he's a big boy and doesn't need one. No amount of comforting could sooth the cranky boy. Even if it was clear he was extra exhausted. So Happy agreed no nap, instead they would cuddle on the couch and watch a movie, Tony was given an option of his favorites Robots the 2005 movie or Transformers. He loved machine based cartoon movies, he ended up picking Robots. Happy's trick worked perfectly not even half way into the movie and his baby boy was happily asleep drooling on his chest. Happy didn't mind that his shirt was getting covered in drool. It was kind of nice to have a break from the whining and crying. It was hard to see his baby boy so upset.
Slowly waking up Tony realized Happy had tricked him, but he was still a little too tired to care. He rubbed his face into his caregiver's chest before looking up at him, Happy had fallen asleep too. Yawning he shyly pet his papa's cheek. Slowly the rather tired man woke up. “Hey there lil star” He yawned “uffy” Tony informed his caretaker with a cute smile. “Yea papa forgot to shave this morning so he's all scruffy. Are you feeling a little better baby boy?” Happy asked slowly sitting up, causing the little to squirm and get readjusted. “Papa forgot” Tony started to tear up. “What did Papa forget?” He asked “Todahs when... when Oh O-Obee gone and oo became mah Papa” Stark explained taking shaky breaths as tears fell down his face. Happy smiled twitched multiple times. “My poor silly baby, that's next week” The caretaker had to stop himself from laughing, knowing Tony was sensitive about people laughing at him.
After a couple awkward moments Tony just stared at Happy. “Oh” He finally said his voice so small and shy as he slipped his fingers in his mouth. He thought hard, he had been big for good bit last week, he had a lot of work he had been doing. How many days had passed since he was last little? As if he was a mind reader the other man spoke. “Last time you were little was a week ago” With more humming Tony tilted his head “Nah two?” He held out two saliva covered fingers, since his other hand was clutching Happy's shirt. “Not two weeks baby boy, you just worked lots and lots and didn't sleep a lot. So it felt longer” Happy cooed kissing his little's nose, causing him to burst into giggles.
“Sowwy Papa” Tony said snuggling up to his caregiver. Happy pet the little's head “It's okay because, because what? Can my little star tell me why?” He prompted “Cause Papa wuv mes fowevew and always” The little happily parroted what he had been told many many many! times in the past. “And never forget it”