Caught in the act.
Bruce had been watching Tony, Bucky and Bruce.
He wasn't jelous.
He totally wasn't.
He was.
He'd known he was a little for a while, refused that side to him. Said he didn't need that part of him, he'd lose control too easily and then what? The hulk would just show up and ruin everything. He couldn't let that happen.
He wouldn't.
That's why when he lost control of his head space he freaked out. No, he didn't hulk out but god he wish he did because he couldn't look at his team right now as he sobbed on the floor loudly, in a puddle of his own urine and clung to his own shirt trying to hug him self and calm down. The Hulk made no noise, didn't even stir as he sobbed loudly. Tony's small voice tried to break through. "Bruce? Bruce what's wrong? What's goin' on?" Tony tried, almost slipping him self. He had to have control, his science bro was having some kind of breakdown. Getting up he sniffles and calls out. "Friday, get Bubby or papa!" He asks, soon breaking down with Bruce.
Bruce didn't know how long the two of them cried for, or who picked him up. He did know he cried more when he heard a voice coo at him and try to tell him accident's happen. Bruce just kept sobbing as the hands and people tried to comfort him. At some point he'd sobbed him self to sleep with a soft voice whispering to him gently. "Oh Brucey bear, why didn't you tell us?"
***************
When Bruce woke up he realised two things.
- The first was that he was still incredibly little.
- The second being that he had a diaper on.
Both options terrified him yet the hulk remained silent as he sobbed out. He jumped when Bucky's face appeared in front of him. Bruce could feel his face go bright red as Bucky felt the diaper around his waist and chuckled lightly. "Hey big guy." He mumbles, wiping the tear marks away from Bruce's face. "I know you're feeling real little right now, and I don't want to guess why you didn't tell us but I think you should know that me and Stevie's got you" He whispers, Bruce shook his head anyway a sob escaped him as Bucky lifted him up and hugged him close. "Be little Bruce. We aren't going to do anything. I promise" Bruce gave a heavy sob and clung to Bucky as he cried.
///////
Tony watched from the doorway, a sniffle escaping him as he watched his Science Bro cry his eyes out on his Bubby. He wanted him to be happy. He didn't know why he wasn't happy but he was going to make him happy. Tony let out a soft gasp as Steve lifted him onto his hip and walked to the kitchen. Humming gently to the boy Steve placed him on his lap in the front room, making sure he faced him. "Baby boy, are you ok?" He asks gently.
"Bruce....Bruce sad...an' an' he lie' 'bout being lil. Wanna make 'im happy" Tony mumbles into Steve who just sighs heavily.
"I know big guy" He rubs Tony's back lightly. "I'm sure he has his reasons, I mean...it's Bruce. He doesn't do anything without reason." He mummers softly to Tony who just nods.
"He be happy if....if we let 'im be lil?" He asks gently, Steve nods.
"Yeah bud, he's gonna go on the same schedule as you. Get him some proper little time once we know his age range." He pauses. "I don't think he's this young usually. But if he hasn't been little for a while...." He mumbles and Tony nods tiredly listening to his Papa mumble to him self.
'Let the grown up's handle this one. Bruce will be fine'He thinks to him self as his eyes closed.
************
The next time Bruce woke up, he was feeling a lot bigger then before. He could think better and one thing he was thinking was 'Who the hell is cradling me?' before he pushed away with a grunt.
"Hey, stop that Bruce" Bucky's voice rings above him and Bruce groans in annoyance, pushing against the man again with a second grunt he froze as a sharp swat landed on his rear. "That's a warning Bruce." Bucky said sternly, Bruce glanced up at him, swallowed hard and finally forced his words out.
"Bucky. I'm big" He says seriously, Bucky just snorts and looks at him.
"Yeah? What's an atom do?" He asks and Bruce rolls his eyes at the question.
"They make up everything" He mumbles, Bucky grunts and pulls the man up so he's sitting on his lap. Bruce squirms as he realised he was wearing a soaked diaper."Bucky, I need to get dressed" He complains, Bucky seems to ignore him for a few breaths before making him look into his eyes.
"Bruce Banner." His stern voice made Bruce feel nervous and he squirmed a little trying to look anywhere but Bucky's grey eyes. "You want to explain why you hid your classification? Why you purposely refused your head space for so long you had a crash in the middle of a highly dangerous lab?" Bucky questions, Bruce gulps and closes his eyes. "I'm waiting for an answer Bruce. I can stay here all day." He says casually and Bruce knew he was anything but casual.
"....I was scared" He mumbles, before Bucky could talk he continues. "The Hulk...He can get triggered by some stupid things sometimes....I was scared I'd get up set and...." He sniffled. "I was scared he'd come out" He mumbles, he felt Bucky flinch a little and peaked at him. Bucky looked calm as ever but his hold on Bruce had tightened.
"Did he....did he make any noises when you had your melt down earlier?" He asks softly, watching Bruce shake his head in denial he ponders quietly. "Then who's to say the Hulk doesn't know when you are and aren't in danger." He says matter of factly, Bruce blinks in surprise. "Think about it, he's apart of you right? So he knows your biological needs to a T. If he realises your anger is misplaced because you're little at the time and just lets you go. I don't think you need to worry and if you think the hulk is coming back. Just let us know" Bruce stared at him in silence as Bucky puts this together and Bruce looks away, his eyes tearing up.
"How'd....You're not allowed to figure stuff out that fast! I-I've been trying to figure it out for years and then you come in and-an' an' just -" Bruce didn't realise tears where running down his cheeks, till Bucky's hand catches a few tears and coo's.
"Oh baby boy, you really weren't trying to be naughty where you?" He asks gently, Bruce whimpers and Bucky pulls him closer. "It's ok. Listen, me and Steve will look after you. Tony already wants to meet you but maybe for now you should go to sleep?" He suggests. Bruce tried to argue but found a pacifier being slipped into his mouth. "I know you won't admit it but you know that Littles that push their head spaces away tend to crash to a lot younger ages then their usual space. Right now you need a lot of sleep. And that's what you'll get." He brushes some curls from Bruce's head and smiles lightly. "We'll be here when those honey coloured eyes of yours open" He promises, watching as for the third and last time for the evening Bruce's eyes close.
*******
After ensuring Bruce was safe inside the bed Bucky left to inform Steve what was going on. He almost melted at the sight in front of him. Tony had managed to fall asleep on Steve's chest and had made it near impossible for the man to remove him. So Steve had taken to cleaning up whilst carrying the little as he slept. Bucky crooned a little and walked over with a smile on his face. "Hey you" He whispers to Steve, Steve waves awkwardly and smiles. "Had a chat with Bruce. About hiding and denying his head space." He mummers and Steve instantly looks worried. "He was scared that the big green giant would come out when he was little" Steve winced a little. "I know. Poor guy's been living in fear he'd hurt people, but we've figured out that won't happen. He's going to let us look after him Steve." He says happily. "Tony and Bruce. Our little science boys" He teased and Steve let out a soft chuckle.
Maybe everything would be ok.