Chapter 11
She has many things to think about. To say that the powers she has bother her is not the full truth. She likes them. It makes things a bit quicker sometimes and the power is useful. She’s just afraid that one day she doesn’t have the full control over it and hurts somebody. That scares her. But what scares her the most is the possibility that she could hurt Bucky. Surly he will pull through if he’s big, but as a child? “Y/N!” The voice rips her out of her thoughts and as she looks up, she sees Wanda run up to her. “You have to come. Quick!”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“It’s Steve. Hurry up!”
“What’s wrong with him?” Y/N runs after Wanda but doesn’t get an answer. Thousand and one thing pop in her mind of what could have happened. One worse than the other. Some are quite funny and some… aren’t. They skitter around until they run into the common room. Bucky is in Natasha’s arms. “Steve!” He shouts and cries and desperately tries to get to the blonde. Y/N looks around and sees him. Steve is on his knees, bowed over. “Steve.” Y/N breaths it out as a whisper but Steve hears her. He looks up and his eyes are filled with fear. “Y/N.” He gasps and closes his eyes. She runs over to him and pulls him in her arms. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Steve just shakes his head but doesn’t answers her questions. She looks around frightened. “What happens to him?”
“I think… I think he... drops. Like Bucky.” Clint points at the brunette in Natasha’s arms but looks concerned at the same time. Steve gasps again and grabs Y/N’s hand. Then suddenly he’s smaller. Y/N doesn’t know what to do, so she stares at him and lays her free hand on his back for support. The blonde gets smaller and smaller and soon he’s the size of a small child. A small and skinny child. He looks like the kid from Brooklyn that he was in the 40s. “Steve?” She whispers as the child looks around. He seems to be confused and almost drowns in the clothes that fitted him well just mere second ago. His eyes land on Bucky and they fill with tears and he stands up, shrugs of his clothes and runs up to Natasha who sets the squirming child on her arms down. No one says a word as Bucky hugs the naked and crying blonde in his arms. Y/N sees the brunette whisper something into his ear’s and Steve’s head whips around to her. He chokes on a sob and runs right back over to her and jumps in her arms.
“Mommy!” He cries it out and soon his tears start to seep through her shirt. She’s a bit overwhelmed. Does she have two kids to care for now? And both of them think she’s their mommy? Reluctant, she wraps one arm around Steve and holing the other out for Bucky who still stands on the spot next to Nat and watches her and Steve. The bigger boy runs up to her and hugs her and Steve. It’s a few minutes later that she picks up Steve in her arms and takes Bucky’s hand. They walk over to the nearest couch and cuddle together. Clint picks up Steve’s big clothes and gives his shirt to Y/N. She helps Steve in it and manages to tie it like a makeshift jumpsuit. Steve is quick to settle back against her and just as the doors to the common room open, he falls asleep. Bucky is not far behind, his eyes are closed, too be he just doses.
“No Bruce, seriously. I meant it.”
“Tony, that not possible. There are too many variables we can’t know the end of.”
“But just imagine-“
“Shh! Someone’s asleep. Keep it down.” Both men stop and look at Y/N. The room is filled with silent laughter as Tony sees the small blonde bundle on her lap. His mouth opens and closes and he just stares and points at her. “What?!”
“Uncle Tony! Stevie is sleeping. Shh.” Bucky climbs down from the couch, runs up to him and holds his finger to his lips to get Tony to quiet down. Tony raises his eyebrows and picks the boy up before he stares at Bruce. The scientist just looks at Y/N before he makes his way over and whispers silent questions to her which she nods or shakes her head to. “Uncle Tony!”
“Yes?”
“Why is Steve not big anymore?” Unsure of what to say he looks through the room but is met with puzzled looks and shrugging shoulders. “Ah, well… It’s like with you, you know?”
“Me?” Bucky looks confused at the man. Tony dawns that he doesn’t know what he’s talking about and sighs. “Okay. So. You’re actually a hero, just like Steve. You’re a big grown up who fights with us against all the bad guys out there. But you have something in your blood and when you’re stressed then your body gets you to be small. Just like now. And Steve has it, too.”
“But I’m not big. I want to be big.” Bucky pouts and makes Tony smirk. “Oh, I can imagine that. But it seems you’re a bit too stressed so your small. But you can still be a hero, you know.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” Tony grins at him. Out of the corners of his eye he sees the others lounge around and watch him with fond smiles. “You know we’re all heroes, right?”
“Yes!” Bucky’s eyes start literal sparkling and he bounces in Tony’s arms. “Good. See, heroes need some help from time to time and I’m sure you’re a big help if we need you. What do you think?”
“Tony!” Y/N glares a bit at him. She really doesn’t want him to take Bucky down in his lab and experiment with some dangerous tools and she really doesn’t want him to get Bucky to develop some dangerous ideas as well. Tony just smiles and winks at her. “You think you can help?”
“Yes. I want to be a hero. What can I do?”
“Before you do anything, we have to eat lunch young man.” Y/N comes up to them with Steve still in her arms. “But mommy…”
“No buts, Bucky.” Bucky throws a pleading look at Tony but he just shrugs. “Sorry Bucky. Your Mom is the only person I can’t fight.”
“Why?” Bucky whispers with wide eyes. “Because she scares me.” Tony whispers back and Bucky gasps before he giggles. “No! Mommy is nice.”
“Really? She looks like she wants to eat me any second.”
“And I will. Get your hands washed you two.”
“See.” Tony shrieks as Y/N slaps him playfully on the arm and runs out of the room with a laughing and squealing Bucky on his arms. Y/N laughs a bit, too. “He’s cute with him. Who would have thought?” Nat says it with a smirk on her face and a glance to Clint. “Oh, no, Nat. Please. Leave him alone.”
“Why? I didn’t say anything.”
“No, but Clint has this sparkle in his eyes that tells me you’re using this for blackmailing him.”
“Fine. But I don’t promise anything.” She smiles at Y/N before she makes her way over to the kitchen isle and helps Wanda to prepare the sandwiches for everybody. Y/N walks back over to Bruce who is still sitting on the couch. “Do you think he’s okay?”
“It seems so. You know I’m not that kind of a doctor. How about you come down with the boys later and I get Helen to look over them with me?”
“Okay, I’ll watch out for that. We’ll come down before bedtime.” She looks down at Steve who sighs in her arms and turns his head to hide in the crook of her neck. “He’s a cute kid. What do you think how old he is?” Bruce looks at him a bit closer before he shrugs. “If I consider his small frame and how he used to look back in his time I would say he’s probably… two and a half? Three? Bucky resembles a kid of four years and the two are just one year apart so he’s probably closer to three years.” Y/N sighs and looks at Steve a bit closer. “He’s so small. Do you think he has all the things he had back then?”
“I think it’s possible that he has asthma. But I can’t tell right away. For all the disease like he had back then I wouldn’t put my hand in the fire. I tell Helen to check it over. See you later, Y/N.” With that he stands up and leaves the room. Y/N looks after him as Tony comes back in with Bucky on his hand who talks excitedly to the genius. Bucky soon let’s go of Tony’s hand and walks over to Nat who sits him down on one of the stools before giving him a sandwich. Tony looks at him for a second before he walks over to Y/N. “So, how is mini Capsicle doing?”
“Fine so far. I think. This dropping seems to be exhausting.”
“Hmm.” Tony hums at that before he starts to think. “He needs clothes and we need a second bed. Oh, and he likes drawing right? Should put something in the room for that. And-”
“Tony.”
“Hm?”
“Thank you. But let’s not overthink it too much, okay? Let’s just buy some pencils and a bed. I’ll go into town with them later and buy some thinks.”
“Y/N, really? I could order anything and would not even need to leave the house. What’s with all these people who probably recognize you any moment?” Y/N frowns for a second before she nods. “Okay. You’re right. But I still take them out tomorrow. They can’t stay in here all the time and Bucky already asked me to go to a playground twice yesterday. And I would like if they can at least decide on some things they want to have. Like… like a plush animal or something.” Before Tony answers a cry lets them look down. Steve’s eyes are open and wide and tears stream down his cheek while silent sobs wreck his small form. “Hey, hey. What’s wrong all of a sudden?” Steve shakes his head vehemently and buries his face back against her shoulder. The crying increases and gets louder. “Stevie? Look at me. Mommy is here.” But he shakes his head and continuous. She looks around helplessly until her eyes meet Bucky’s. The small brunette looks concerned at her and reaches out for her. Tony follows her gaze and picks the brunette up. “Hey, Stevie. Do you want to go to Bucky? Yeah?” The nod is barely noticeable but she sees it. She exchanges a quick glance with Tony before she walks over to him. Bucky immediately stats to pat Steve’s back and the boy looks up at him. Steve’s breath is a bit shallow and Y/N sees his struggle to take in the air. “Tony? I think the asthma point is confirmed. Would you tell Bruce?”
“Sure.”
“Come on, Stevie. Nice, slow and deep breath. I’m here and Bucky is here and we’re not going anywhere.” She continuous to whisper to Steve until he calms down again. Bucky’s hand falls limp to his side as he yawns and Steve copies it. Y/N strokes Steve’s back a bit longer until he goes back to sleep. She glances over to Bucky who’s almost limp in Tony’s arms despite being full of life just minutes ago. “Y/N? We need to talk about taking care of-”
“Don’t say it.” She holds up a hand and silences Tony. “I know what you want to say. You want me to take care of them. And… It’s okay. I mean they already have a room in our apartment and they say I’m they’re mommy. I don’t mind much. But I need your help.” She looks around to study the others in the room. “It’s a bit much from my mid-twenties and no kids to my mid-twenties with suddenly two kids.”
“Yeah sure.” Wanda and Nat nod and even Clint nods with his mouth full. Tony nods too and to they’re surprise he smiles down at Bucky and strokes a gentle hand through his hair. “I’m going to arrange everything for Steve’s bed and stuff. And while I’m at it I’ll get him to sleep. Okay?” He looks at Y/N as if she would argue about it. “Do as you please. But! No experiment, no workshop and no stupid stuff. Understood?”
“Yes ma’am.” Tony smiles and walks out with Bucky asleep on his arms. Y/N’s gaze flickers down to Steve as a gentle hand lays on her shoulder. “Are you sure about that?”
“What?”
“Taking care of them.” Nat points at Steve. “I’m not saying you don’t manage and I think you’re knowing both of them better than we do but… It is a lot.”
“Yeah. I’m not so sure myself if I can manage that but I did take care of my brothers after my parent… died. So, I’ll try. I still have you to help me out. That more than I had back then.”
* * *
After the boys woke up, Y/N gets them to eat something and walks down to Bruce’s lab. Tony is already in her apartment and set up the bed for Steve and some other thing he brought even after Y/N asked him not to. Both boys are actually very talkative and active in general. They jump and run around while talking. But they never let go of each other’s hand.
Bruce greets them and shows Y/N a makeshift stretcher where she can set the boy’s on. Helen is behind him and smiles kindly at the kids. Y/N feels quickly that the kids are uncomfortable in the room. Not because Bruce or Helen are strange or something but because they know that something is up. Steve lets Bruce check him over without much of a fuss. Y/N thinks it has something to do with the fact that he lived half his life in hospitals back in the 40s and is used to doctors checking him over and poking him with things. A sad feeling crosses her and she feels sorry for her friend. Bucky is a total other chapter. He twitches each time Bruce comes near him and has he has a needle to get some blood he’s suddenly really afraid and angry. He starts crying and kicking and not even Steve can calm him. Helen takes Steve down from the makeshift stretcher so that he won’t fall down while Bucky trashes around and the boy hides behind Y/Ns legs. Y/N looks down at Steve and pats his head. “It’s okay, Steve.”
Somehow, they manage to calm Bucky long enough to get some blood samples from him. Then Y/N helps him out of his shirt so Bruce can look over his shoulder and metal arm. As soon as the Shirt vanishes Bucky starts screaming and trashing again. This time it’s worse than before. Steve whines and clings to Y/N’s leg so she turns to him once again. “It’s okay Stevie. We’re nearly finished and then we go home.” She looks back at Bucky and sees his hand raised to hit at Bruce. She quickly grabs it and holds it in a firm grip. “Bucky, we don’t hit people.”
“No. mommy.”
“Hey, stop that.” Bucky struggles to get free but Y/N still has a firm grip in him. “Tell me what’s wrong, Buck. What is it that makes you so afraid?” Bucky shakes his head and tries to hold the new tears at bay. “Bucky, come on. Tell me. It’s okay.”
“M-my a-arm. Wh-why is it dif’rent.” For a second Y/N stares at Bruce. The arm wasn’t a topic the days before. “You’re scared of your arm? But you were fine yesterday.” Again, Bucky shakes his head. “Boy aren’t scared. Boys don’t cry.”
“No, Bucky. That’s wrong.” Y/n releases his arms, she picks up Steve and sits down next to Bucky. She slings an arm around him and rubs his arm while hugging him to her side. “It’s okay to be afraid. And you can cry. It doesn’t matter if you’re a boy or a girl. And it doesn’t matter if it’s something big or small you’re scared about. You’re allowed to feel and you’re allowed to show it. Okay?” Bucky nods shakily and accepts a tissue from Bruce. He and Helen retreat to a table at the end of the room to give Y/N and the boys some space. “You want to tell me why you’re arm scares you?”
“I-I don’t know why it looks s-so different.” Bucky still sniffles and Y/N sighs. How do you explain a child that he got tortured seventy years ago? Y/N lets go of his side and sets Steve next to Bucky as she stands up. Then she takes both his hands in hers. “You know. You were an adult. I know uncle Tony told you that, right?” Bucky nods shakily, still sniffling. “Okay.” She smiles at him and at Steve for a moment. “You had an accident and lost your arm. But a nice man named T’Challa gave you a new one. And this arm”, she squeezes his metal hand. “this arm decides to go small when you do. But it doesn’t make you any different, Bucky. IT’s an arm like your other. It’s even a bit stringer. And it looks cooler.” Bucky giggles a bit. “Whatever it is you’re scared of; you don’t need to be because we all love you.” She leans in and give the boy a kiss to his forehead. “We love you.” Steve says and leans in himself but instead of kissing Bucky he bumps his head into Bucky’s hard as he tries to hug him. They let go immediately and clutch their head. “Ow.” Y/N laughs and gives both of a kiss. It’s then that Bruce manages to quickly look at Bucky’s arm. And before they leave each of them gets a package of gummy bears because they were really brave and Y/N allows them to eat it before bed time.