/
Tony was a nervous wreck. He’d already had a panic attack over there being too many choices of what to wear; Winter picked for him. And he was well on his way to another. Breakfast had been a quiet affair but the kids were still excited. But Tony was a mess. He was staring off into space and his hands kept on moving as though he trying to do find something to do.
It was Winter that sat him down afterwards and tried to talk to him, but he was too far gone inside his own head.
“HE NEEDS TO FIX SOMETHING!” Amadeus exclaimed.
Well, he wasn’t wrong.
“SOMEONE BREAK SOMETHING!”
Winter reared back at that and held up his hand. “Do. Not. Break. Something.” He said calmly, and Peter put the vase down immediately.
“But he’s not wrong.” He turned to T’Challa. “When he get’s like this he needs to fix something, or create. It’s the only thing that makes sense to him when he gets stressed like this. He needs to fix something, and you have to be specific about it. Don’t make him make decisions, it’ll make it worse.”
Shuri got up but T’Challa was already vaulting over the couch and sprinting towards his personal lab. They heard the distinct sound of something crashing and shattering, followed by the sound of a cart being raced down the hall. Shuri raised an eyebrow at the broken tablet on the cart, but kept her mouth shut.
The pups moved out of the way for the cart to be placed in front of their Boba. T’Challa knelt down next to Tony and said. “Fix this. Make it better. Improve the memory capacity and the screen brightness. Use what tools are here to improve this device.” He ordered plainly.
Tony nodded and picked up the tablet and pried off the rest of the screen. His eyes raked over the circuitry before taking his pointer finger to a circuit and flicking aside. “Don’t need that.” He muttered. “Don’t need that.” He flicked another. “Don’t know what that does.” He flicked again. Shuri and T’Challa watched in shock as Tony flicked some hundreds of dollars worth of processing off as though it were nothing. Tony turned to the cart as though it contained all the answers in the world and dove in.
The siblings looked at each other in shock. There was more to this man that meets the eye and that was becoming more evident with each passing moment.
“Does this happen often?” Shuri quietly asked Winter.
Winter sighed heavily. “Not as often as it used too, but yeah. Every once in awhile he gets overwhelmed with choices and possibilities and fixing things and creating things is the only thing that makes sense.” He shook his head sadly. “It’s a coping mechanism that started when things were at it’s worst after he had first arrived… but after they took him away” he screwed his eyes shut and shook his head sharply.
Shuri nodded in understanding.
“They were vicious. They didn’t let him a moments rest. When they weren’t testing his limits physically and trying to break what was left of his spirit, they were testing his limits mentally. They started giving him too many orders, too many options and not enough solid direction and he hadn’t made a choice for himself in years. They had pounded it into his head that he didn’t have a choice, that what they said was law. His thoughts were nothing. They controlled everything. They gave him exact orders and he followed them to the T or faced punished for it. And then when they backtracked on it they apparently didn’t understand the consequences of mental conditioning via physical torture.” He huffed. “When they had given him too many possibilities and choices previously there had always been someone,” the name went unspoken again, “to make decisions for him, to put him on the right path. But then I started having to be the one that gave him direction. I didn’t know what I was doing half the time honestly. I just tried to keep it simple and point him in the right direction.”
“As time went on it started happening less. Then Petey happened and all his anxiety for everything else was pushed aside because he had that to concentrate on keeping his pup alive and healthy. But yeah, it happens when he gets overwhelmed. We deal with it the best we can.”
Shuri nodded and turned to watch once more.
For the next couple of hours the pups, Winter and the siblings watched intently as Tony worked on the broken tablet. Tony was methodic and precise. T’Challa watched as a fellow engineer as he was intrigued by what Tony was doing and how it would work in the end.
It wasn’t long after that that Tony grabbed a new glass interface and carefully presented it to T’Challa.
As he handed it to T’Challa his eyes widened. “It happened again…” he turned to Winter. “I.. I’m…”
Winter shook his head. “It’s okay. We dealt with it, just like we always deal with it.”
Tony turned to T’Challa, his face gone grey. “It’s probably worthless.”
T’Challa shook his head as he and Shuri turned the device on. Shuri smiled and T’Challa could not help but smirk. “This is… a work of art. The screen… it will reduce eye strain. The interface is simple enough for a novice and yet can be augmented for programmer.” He whispered in awe.
“And he did it all without an interface.” Shuri muttered.
“Unbelievable.” They said together.
T’Challa looked up over the device, his eyes alight. “This is remarkable. And if I am not overstepping my bounds, I would like to turn it over to the patent office so that it might be patented in your name.”
Winter and Tony both reared back. “What?”
“It’s a work of art.”
“Remarkable.”
“Inovative.”
Tony swallowed hard. “You’re not just feeding me a line to make me feel better about my panic--”
“Never.” They said at once.
“Well I--” Tony glanced at Winter, who gave the briefest nod. “I don’t see why not.”
“Excellent.”
Shuri took the device and left the room.
T’Challa looked at his watch and cursed.
“Perhaps it would be time to take our places. Our guests should be here in a few short hours.”
Tony gulped. “Already?” He turned to Winter. “I’m not ready. This is happening to quickly.” Help me.
“I’m going to be right there next to you. No one is going to harm you. On my life. No one is going to hurt you or the pups.”
Tony nodded, his frame relaxing minimally. “Okay… okay… okay.” But they could tell he was anything but okay.
-----
They were less hour out and that was generally speaking about the time that J.A.R.V.I.S., one of Tony’s last four creations, took a small place in the mainframe of the Wakandan Palace. But this time was different.
“J, what’s going on?”
“There seems to be a block on my normal port.”
“Have you tried to get in contact with the Palace?”
“Yes, they have been specifically to not allow my presence until our arrival.”
Rhodey screwed up his face.
“Is there a problem?” Fury asked from across the room.
Rhodey spun his seat around. “No… no. I… I don’t really know. They aren't allowing J.A.R.V.I.S. his normal access. It might be a fluke, or they might be having a serious problem. I’m not going to make assumptions at this point.”
Fury raised an eyebrow. “Keep an eye on it.” He turned to the cockpit. “ETA?”
“Air space won’t be open for about two and half hours. We’re slowing down a bit so that we aren’t hovering ominously over the Wakandan Palace.
Thor stood suddenly. “Would it be against protocol to open the bay door? We’ve been on this vessel over long and I wish a breath of fresh air.”
Natasha and Clint shrugged at each other and looked to Fury.
“It shouldn’t matter. It’s not like we’re invading. Go ahead.”
Bruce stood up suddenly. “I think I’ll join you on the ramp. I need some fresh air too.”
Thor smiled and both men walked towards the back of the quinjet as the ramp was lowered.
-------
They were on the balcony facing the direction that the quinjet would be arriving and Amadeus was practically vibrating.
Balcony was more like a patio, but it was a safe place. They could see what was coming from a good vantage point without giving themselves away. Tony and Winter didn’t want the pups to be the first thing the Avengers saw. They needed to talk to them first, have a discussion and explanation first. But their safety was paramount. But that didn’t mean he didn’t want his pups to have a good look at the Alpha’s as they arrived.
They had just gotten done singing Happy Birthday to Amadeus. T’Challa and Shuri had given him a Hulk-proof tank top to go with the shorts he was wearing. “There will be a more appropriate gift later.” Shuri promised.
Amadeus blushed. “This is enough. Gosh, thanks.”
“Best. Birthday. Ever.” He whispered for the 100th time.
Tony reluctantly took off bracelets and pulled him into a hug and then pulled away. “Out of curiosity… you said that the Hulk can smell you. What do you smell like.
Amadeus smiled fondly. “Honeysuckle, cantaloupe, and just a hint of spearmint.”
As they stood there a strong gust of wind blew by them just as they quinjet came over the horizon.
“They are early.” T’Challa muttered. A half an hour early, but by the Panther Gods, that was a half an hour he wanted to give Tony…
They all gasped as the quinjet listed to one side.
-------
Thor and Bruce were sitting on the ramp when Ellen came up and cuddled against Bruce.
“Beautiful place, Wakanda.” Thor noted inhaling deeply.
Banner inhaled deeply as well as a gust of air wafted a certain scent through the air.
Honeysuckle
Cantaloupe
And just a hint of---
“Y--” Bruce’s words were caught in his throat as he inhaled deeply.
“Puny close.” Hulk roared. “PUNY CLOSE!!!”
Bruce jumped to his feet only to notice everyone was on their feet and staring at him. Apparently he hadn’t been the only one to hear what he had thought had been an internal observation. He turned to Fury his nose flaring. For once, he didn’t smell of deceit.
Thor pulled Ellen away as the transformation took over and Bruce jumped out of the quinjet which caused the quinjet to list to one side.
“BRUUUUCE!” Ellen called out.
“I shall calm him!” Thor promised, but Ellen grabbed him by the shoulder.
“No! I wanted him to take me with him!!!”
Thor’s eyes grew wide but he nodded. “Then I shall take thee too him!” He grabbed her around the waist, summoned Mjolnir, and took to the sky.
“WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?” Fury demanded as everyone in the Quinjet struggled to stay upright.
Rhodey was holding onto his seat for dear life. “J, run a scan of palace! Tell me the identity of everyone you see! NOW!”
There was a long pause.
“Hello, J? Are you--”
“I’m sorry sir. I’m having… I’m finding his Majesty, his sister, the Dora Milaje, six unidentifiable pups, and…”
“And… don’t leave hanging J!”
“Three peoples that I do not want to cause alarm over.”
“TELL ME DAMMIT!!”
“Wolfgang Amadeus Banner-Cho, Sir, and one James Buchanan Barnes.”
Steve was at his side in an instant and both men had the same reaction. “WHAT!?”
“LAND THIS GODDAMNED BIRD CLOSE TO THE PALACE!! READY YOUR WEAPONS! HOPE! LANG! GET IN THE AIR, PROVIDE ME WITH WHATEVER INTEL YOU CAN!! PIETRO TAKE WANDA RUN LIKE THE WIND AND GET BETWEEN HULK AND THE PALACE! WANDA PUT A THE STRONGEST SHIELD YOU CAN! PIETRO, WARN THEM THAT ONE VERY ANGRY HULK IS ON HIS WAY! SAM! GET YOUR WINGS AND FLY! HULK IS GOING TO RAMPAGE IF HE CAN’T FIND THAT KID!!!”
----
“Oh God. Oh God. Oh God.”
“I have to go.” Amadeus said as he ran towards the balcony.
“Oh God. Oh God. Oh God.”
“That’s the Hulk!?”
“HE SO BIIIIG!”
Tony came out of his momentary stupor just in time to see Amadeus jump off the balcony bannister. “NO!!” He screamed as he bolted towards the bannister.
Winter turned to T’Challa. “Stay with them. I have to go and save him!!”
T’Challa wanted to protest. To tell them that his Panther suit would keep him safe as he ran after the hysterical Omega. But it was like his voice had been stolen from him. He could only nod as the other man ran after the first.
------
Hulk roared when he landed on the ground. ‘Puny here! Puny CLOSE!’ He said to himself as he ran across the desert. ‘NO ONE KEEP ME FROM MY PUNY!!!’
-----
Amadeus roared as his body transformed. He could hear him! He could hear his Hulk!!
-----
‘Too big. Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. He’s too big to be stopped by Deus!’ Was all Tony could think as he ran after his young ward.
------
‘IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT! THIS IS NOT HOW THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!’ Winter thought to himself as he raced after his Tony.
------
Suddenly the scent as so close he could taste it. His Puny. So close. He was going to smash everything in their way.
He let out another primal roar and heard a much smaller one in reply.
And then he felt it. It was like a pillow had hit him in the midsection. But the pillow was climbing up him.
“HULK!! HULK!!” The pillow sobbed.
Not pillow, Puny, his puny.
Hulk grabbed his Puny and pulled him up into the air so that he could see him. He dangled from Hulks finger tips as though he were nothing. Puny Hulk was smiling. It was like the dream. Puny, so close.
“Puny Hulk. Hulk find his Puny. Hulk look for his Puny.”
“I know Hulk. I know.”
“Hulk miss his Puny.”
“I’ve missed you too Hulk.”
“Hulk smash for his Puny.” He said calmly.
“No Hulk. I need my Hulk. Hulk no smash.”
“Hulk smash people who took his Puny.”
“Later Hulk. I want to hug my Hulk.”
“Hulk hug his Puny.” And he did. He pulled Amadeus as close as he could, dropped to his knees and hugged him tight.
“Puny Ellen miss Puny Hulk.”
Amadeus chuckled tearfully. “I missed her too.”
“Puny cry. Hulk smash who made Puny Cry.”
“No Hulk. I'm happy. They aren’t sad tears.”
Suddenly Amadeus pulled away and looked deeply into his eyes. “Hulk?”
“Yes, Puny?”
“I missed my dad too.”
Hulks brow furrowed with sadness. “Puny no miss Hulk?”
“Puny missed his Hulk so much. I want to catch up with Hulk. But my dad… can I see my daddy too?”
Hulk blinked.
“We talk. Hulk to Puny later?” He asked softly.
“Of course. But I want to talk to my dad too.”
“Puny Banner. Puny Banner missed Puny Hulk too.”
Amadeus eyes filled with tears. “And I missed him too.”
Amadeus looked into his eyes and could see the iris’s shuddering flickering green to grey.
“I love you, Hulk.” Amadeus whispered.
“Hulk love Puny.”
And slowly the massive form of Hulk started to shrink and as he shrunk Amadeus forced him to shrink as well. The only thing that did not change was the embrace, the desperate embrace of a father having long missed his son.
“Amadeus.” Bruce whispered in disbelief. “My baby.”
“Daddy.” Amadeus sobbed as he wrapped his arms around his neck. “I missed you so much!”
There was a small thud nearby and the clamoring of feet. He looked up to see the strange blonde man from the laptop letting his mother to her feet.
“Momma?” He whispered and she lunged at them with all her might.
The blonde nodded to him before taking to the air. And he didn’t care what else happened because he had his parents and that was all that mattered.
Best. Birthday. Ever.
---------
He knew he fucked up when some black guy with fucking WINGS flew into the air.
He knew he fucked up when a red and blue blur whizzed by him.
He knew he fucked up when the jet landed off to the side of him.
He knew he fucked up when he heard the cock of a gun, turned and saw a pistol in his face.
Of all the ways to die. His best friend shooting him in the head was NOT how he thought he’d go.
-------
“Who the fuck are you?”
“Tony. I’m Tony Stark.”
“The fuck you are. You know how many imposters I’ve come across? Bullshit. Who are you?”
“I am. I swear.”
“Then say something to me. Say something to me that only my Tony would know.”
His lip trembled. He had to think. He had to think to before. He’d been trained to never think about that. Thinking about his past, his family, his friends.... even the slightest glimmer of him recalling something in his eye was punishable by a 'lesson' a 'reminder' or just being beaten so hard he swore he'd never look beyond the present. But he shoved through the horrors of the conditioning and searched for it. For something that would prove that he was his Tony.
His eyes opened and he smiled sadly. “What, no hug? I missed you too, huggy bear.”
Rhodes could have been knocked over with a feather. He put the safety on the gun and threw it to the side before pulling Tony into his arms and engulfing him in a hug.
“It’s you… Oh God. It’s you.”
Tony gasped, some of his wounds still tender, but even then he had no words. Every time he opened his mouth another sob came out.
Rhodey, his Rhodey.
If there was nothing in this world that could prove that it was finally over, it was his Rhodey.
Rhodey tried to let go, to get a good look at him but Tony seemed to melt.
“Legs… legs…” Tony whispered. “My legs… No so great right now…” Tony looked over his shoulder and said “Win---” but was struck by the visual before him.
Fearless, strong, ever his protector Winter was backing away from some blonde dressed in red white and blue with his arm held out like he was trying to ward him off while the other held a pocket knife. (Where the hell did he get the pocket knife?)
“Bucky?”
“Wh-who the hell is Bucky?”
“Winter?” He called out weakly.
Winter looked over and bolted for him.
Any other conversation was cut off by the sound of multiple sand gliders approaching. When they arrived Shuri was at the helm. “Good morning friends. My brother would have met you but there were other concerns that needed his attentions. We thought it best to bring you to the castle with haste.” She looked at them knowingly. “We have much to discuss.”
“No shit?” Fury fumed.
Shuri was unphased by his outburst.
“We have brought you transport. Are all those present in need?”
“Yeah, I think we are.” Sam said as he tried to pull Steve away from going after Winter.
“Uhh… You think you got some people that could drag our quinjet to their hangar? Ours seems to have had a fender bender with a Hulk.”
“Uh… woops.” Banner stammered as he and his family slowly walked up to the scene. Thor was behind them shepherding them forward as the only attention they were paying to anything was each other.
Clint shook his head. “I think we can forgive it this time. Welcome back, kid.”
Amadeus blushed furiously. “Uh… thanks.” Ellen leaned over and smothered his cheek with kisses, but he made no move to protest it.
“Yes, we will have our best mechanics look into fixing it immediately.”
“Thanks, we’ll take that ride, if it’s okay.”
“Hop on the back.” She gestured over her shoulder.
“I believe I shall take the skies if permitted?”
“Permission granted, friend.”
Thor turned to make sure that the Banner family was sitting safely on the back of a sand glider before taking to the air.
“Yeah, we’ll take a lift.” Rhodey started to guide Tony to one of the gliders only to realize that they were being followed. He guided Tony to the back of the sand glider and saw that there was a fin like contraption behind it that sat on the desert sand with a slope up the back of the sand glider. It had a cloth roof, netting on the side and a sturdy canvas bottom. There was room the three of them, and as much as he wanted unvarnished Tony-time, he wasn’t going to try and tell a man with a metal arm and a pocket knife to back off.
Once Tony was settled he sat close to him, knee to knee and gripped his hand with all his might. “It’s you. It’s really really you.” He whispered softly as the sand gliders took off and knocked their knees together.
Rhodey reached up and wiped the tears from his cheek with the pad of his thumb before cupping his cheek with his hand. Tony leaned his face into the hand, his chin trembling, forehead crinkling and his eyes closing as though he were trying absorb this moment into his very soul.
“I’ve missed you so much,” Tony whispered softly, his voice stuck in his throat. “God, I’ve missed you so much.”
“The feelings mutual.” He whispered adamantly. “I’m not letting you out of my sight for a while, you got me?”
Tony chuckled softly, nodding his head. “Missed you so much, Huggy Bear.”
“Never thought I’d hear that ridiculous nickname again… God, it feels so good to hear it again.” He whispered as he pulled him close and kissed his cheek. As he held his nearest and dearest close to his heart he looked over and saw the piercing ocean blue eyes of their silent companion.
He pulled away reluctantly, still keeping on hand on the back of his friends neck. “So… who’s your friend?” He asked softly.
Rhodey heard a voice in his ear and pulled away suddenly.
“Oh, here here, someone wants to talk to you.”
Tony went grey in the face. He wasn’t ready for other people to know. He wasn’t…
Rhodey took something out of his ear and put it his.
“H-hello?”
There was a short pause before. “Voice signature identity confirmed,” chimed in his ear with an all too familiar voice. “Good morning, sir. It is so good to hear your voice again.”
Tony’s chin trembled. “J-Jarvis…” He looked at Rhodey with so much love and affection. “You k-kept Jarvis.”
“It wasn’t so much a matter of keeping me, sir. It was more of a: he wouldn’t allow anyone else to know about me.”
Tony felt tears trickle down his face as he closed his eyes and nodded. Of course. J.A.R.V.I.S. had been his secret. He’d been his little helper and distraction when he missed his late butler too much. He’d never meant for J.A.R.V.I.S. to be got public consumption. Just a companion when he was lonely, a secretary to keep him on track when he got too deep in an engineering binge.
“It’s so good to hear your voice.” He looked over his shoulder and Winter was giving him the most quizzical look. “J, I- I want you to meet my friend. His name is Winter.” He pulled the device out of his ear, turned to look at Winter; who nodded, and placed the device in his ear.
“H-hello?”
“Voice identity recognized as Winter.” The voice said. “Good day, Mr. Winter. I cannot thank you enough for taking care of Sir whilst I was unable too.”
“Y-you’re welcome, I think. I’m glad that I was able to help him.” He turned to Tony. “Who is this? Is this one of your friends?”
Tony smiled, tears still streaming down his face. Rhodey had moved to sit next to him and pulled him close. One arm was slung around his waist and Tony’s head was resting against his shoulder.
“He’s one of my inventions from…” he winced a little. “From before… He’s an artificial intelligence. I… I made him so that…” He started to stutter and Winter rushed to calm him.
“It’s a good invention. Sounds like a real person. What’s your name again?” Winter asked the voice.
“Jarvis. Just A Really Very Intelligent System. Or Jarvis for short.” Jarvis explained.
“That’s swell. Never talked to a system before. Uh… I'm gonna give you back to Tony now.”
“Thank you, Mr. Winter. And again, we appreciate all that you have done for Sir in our stead.”
“No, no problem. I… Yeah… you’re welcome. Okay,” he pulled the device out. “Here.” He handed it back to Tony. Tony looked at Rhodey and Rhodey was confused at first. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the other man, Winter mouthing. ‘You have to tell him it’s okay to keep it.’
“You keep it, Tones.” He whispered, closing Tony’s fingers around the ear piece. “I have an extra in my bag on the quinjet.”
Tony looked like he swallowed a large lump in his throat before putting the earpiece back in his ear.
Tony smiled up at him and turned to Winter. “C’mere… I want you to meet my best friend.” Tony beckoned him.
Winter, albeit reluctantly, scooted across the sand glider. (It felt like they were deliberately taking the long route.)
“Rhodey, meet Winter. Winter, meet Rhodey.”
Winter offered his right hand to shake; which Rhodes would be forever grateful for.
“Hi. I’m Winter, T’nice to meet you. He… sometimes he talked about you. Nothing but good stuff, I promise.” It wasn't a lie. Though they had tortured, beat, and conditioned him to not think about the past, sometimes something would trigger memories: happy memories, and he'd share them. But he was always afraid to think about it overlong. Because even though they knew that the probability of one of the Ten Rings being a mind reader were infinitesimal, that didn't mean that it wasn't something in the forefront of Tony's mind. He tried to keep his head bowed and eyes downcast whenever in his 'Master's' presence because fear of re-conditioning was real and as tangible as the whip the Ten Rings insisted be mounted on the wall in their living space, lab, and every other room in the catacombs.
“James Rhodes, you can call me Rhodes. He’s the only one allowed to call me Rhodey. Nice to meet you.”
They shook hands for overlong before pulling away. “So… you’ve been…”
“It’s… it’s complicated.” Tony whispered softly.
Rhodey nodded. “Whatever it is… you do have my thanks.” He turned his head and kissed Tony on his forehead. “I’ve missed my boy.” He whispered, more for Tony to hear than anyone else. “Never stopped looking for you.” He whispered ardently.
Winter looked away from the obviously private moment and looked outside the mesh door. The glider was making a wide turn so that the back was facing the palace. (So maybe Shuri did take the long way after all.) As they were the last to arrive.
He could make out the Prince having an animated conversation with the bald headed black man, a young couple talking to another young couple off to the side, and just away from him were the two people that whizzed by him as he ran after Tony talking the to the flying blonde. How one person could run that fast was beyond him, not to mention flight. It made his head hurt just thinking about flight. And on the other side of the Prince was the man that had tried to grab him talking to another black man. Further off to the side was Amadeus and his family on the step to the stairwell that led to the balcony. Oh gods, don’t lead them up there just yet, Deus. He prayed as the glider stopped and Shuri opened the door.
He could hear the raised voices as they exited the fin of the sand glider and felt Tony stiffen next to him.
This is going to be a long day.
NINE PAGES YALL. IMA GET ON THE NEXT CHAPTER RN