In which Bucky and Peter meet
Tony could barely sit still as he sat waiting for Peter’s plane to come in. Peter had been gone for so long, to long, ten months was far far to long. Tony twiddled his thumbs impatiently in silent anticipation. How long did it take to land a fricken plane? Tony was so busy being angry and impatient that he almost didn’t see Peter approaching. Peter’s face lit up as soon as they made eye contact; the kid was beaming. Tony felt a smile spread across his own face. A huge ridiculous smile, but he didn’t care. He was so glad to see the kid. Glad was an understatement. Tony was ecstatic. Tony had barely made it to his feet before the kid barreled into him and bear hugged him.
“Hey Mr. Stark!” Peter almost knocked Tony over. The kid must have gotten stronger in the past ten months, either that or Tony was getting older then he thought he was. It was probably the latter, “Oops, sorry Mr. Stark. I didn’t mean to knock you over.”
“Nonsense!” Tony laughed and hugged Peter close to him, “Glad to be home?”
“Oh my gosh YES!” Peter exclaimed dramatically. Tony wished Peter had more then two months of winter break (Peter had opted for doing his classes during the spring summer and fall)
“You have to tell me everything on the way back home, well everything you didn’t tell me when you called every night!”
“It wasn’t everynight,” Peter blushed a little.
“Yes it was,” Tony laughed, “Honestly my favorite part of the night.”
Peter smiled. Tony threw his arm around his shoulder. The kid-- young man had definitely grown since the last Tony had seen him.
Bucky wasn’t sure what he was feeling. He hadn’t ever really met Peter in person, just over the phone, and video chats, but he was really looking forward to meeting the kid. Peter had been inthrolled by him and seemed to really enjoy talking to him. The kid had even gotten in the habit of sending Bucky stickers and magnets in the mail to stick on his arm, ever since Bucky had mentioned that he didn’t like the arm because it reminded him of the dark times in his life. Bucky couldn’t wait to actually meet the kid. He wished he had moved into the compound sooner, but he had very hesitant until the Wakandan doctors had cleared him. Even still he wasn’t entirely comfortable being around large amounts of people.
“Hey! Tony just messaged and said he and Peter just pulled onto the property! We got ten minutes pick it up!” Clint shouted from his perch on the rafters where he was hanging up small welcome home banners. Nat slid into the room with bags of last minute groceries. Bucky hurried and helped Nat set out the snacks that she had just bought.
“Guys! Clint didn’t take into account how fast Tony drives!” Sam shouted panicked.
“Damn it! he’s right!” Thor shouted.
“Places everyone!” Steve said and running into the room.
“Damn Tony and his lead foot!” Scott grumbled and shrunk down to his ant size.
“Alright guys, come on, lets be fair we would have a lead foot if we had Tony’s car,” Rhodey chuckled as he ducked into his hiding place behind the counter.
“That's actually true,” Clint agreed as he shifted into his hiding place on the rafters.
“Come on Buck!” Steve grabbed Bucky and pulled him behind the couch. The lights went off.
Peter stepped inside the compound in front of Tony; all of the lights were off. Why were all the lights off?
"Mr. Stark is there a reason all the lights are off?" Peter asked as he walked slowly down the hallway. Mr. Stark just shrugged and kept walking a little ways behind Peter.
"You want to go into the kitchen and get a drink?" Mr. Stark asked.
"Mr. Stark I'm only 19!" Peter protested, he had promised Aunt May he wouldn't drink until he was 21, " That is illegal!"
"So? I did it," Mr. Stark said with a shrug, "A light bear wouldn't hurt."
"Oh my gosh! I forgot what a bad role model you were!" Peter laughed and clapped Mr. Stark on the back. Mr. Stark slid his hands into his pockets and smiled awkwardly. Why had he suddenly gotten so awkward and stiff? Something was up. Peter walked into the living room/ kitchen area. Suddenly all the lights flashed on and people were jumping out from all the different corners shouting "surprise!" Peter almost jumped out of his skin. Mr. Stark laughed from behind him, and clapped him on the back.
"I was just kidding about the beer! That was to distract you and your spidey senses," Tony laughed as the various Avengers crowded around smiling and laughing.
"You should have seen your face!" Clint sang as he hopped down from the rafters.
"FRIDAY please put that on a loop!" Rhodey laughed and gave Peter a quick hug.
1 hour later...
Peter had not expected to be greeted with a party. He had really wanted to meet Bucky (in person) like as soon as he got back. Bucky had been very interesting to talk to, and Peter had found him quite funny. The party was crazy, awesome, but still crazy. Peter finally managed to pull himself out of his conversation with Bruce and Rhodey and he made his way over to Bucky was sitting down on the couch with his legs propped up, and a beer in his hand.
"Hey, I'm Peter," Peter smiled and hopped over the back of the couch and slumped down next to Bucky. Bucky jumped a little.
"Great to finally meet you," Bucky smiled, his tensed shoulders loosening.
"Hey I brought you something special," Peter said and pulled the bumper sticker he had been saving out of his pocket. Bucky pulled off his jacket and revealed the arm that had probably 20 stickers stuck to it.
"No way thanks!" Bucky said with a laugh, "Here you stick it one."
"Really?" Peter asked he hadn't expected that.
"Yeah! Totally go ahead!"
"The hell are you doing Pete?" Mr. Stark's voice made Peter jump as he was about to stick the sticker to Bucky's arm.
"Um... Sticking a sticker to Mr. Bucky's arm?" Peter said hesitantly.
"Why might I ask are you doing that?" Mr. Stark raised an eyebrow.
"Um... He says it helps him associate his arm with good things and happiness, as opposed to death..." Peter said meekly.
Pfft! Mr. Stark snorted, and some of his drink came out of his nose and mouth.
"Oh my gosh kid!" Mr. Stark choked and pulled Peter off the couch into a hug. Mr. Stark sniffled.
"Are you crying?" Bucky laughed.
"No! I just-- The drink stung nose! okay!" Tony said still making slight choking sounds. He was crying.