It turned out that Happy was a person, a familiar person at that.
"Tony, what's goi- oh hey, it's you!" Happy's face was annoyed, but twisted into confusion when he saw her sitting between the two.
"You've both met?" Tony enquired, a confused finger wriggling between them.
"She was the thing that was more important than you yesterday."
"Wasn't that near the tower? What were you doing there?" He said, looking down at her.
Her face flushed. "W-well, I tried going there to ask for help, but the receptionist kicked me out."
She was just glad Happy didn't mention how upset she was when they met.
"They kicked you out? You know their name?" he asked, his brows drawn.
"Didn't ask," she mumbled, kicking the air with her feet.
"Well, next time, ask, and then I'll fire them," he said, resolvedly. "Especially if they don't work for me," he added as an afterthought.
"I'm not sure that's exactly how it works," Steve butted in, rubbing his head.
"It is for me, you know why?" He waited for a beat for effect. "Because I'm Tony Stark."
They all stared at him.
"Moving on, is anyone going to tell me what's going on and what that creature thing is on the kid's lap?" Happy asked, not looking remotely surprised at the appearance of Theo, most likely numbed to this sort of thing that came with working for Tony Stark.
"Later, Hap, now come on, let's get out of here. What do you say to that?" he asked, looking at Jayden and Theo. They nodded unanimously.
Steve and Tony stood. Jayden balanced Theo on her arm as she followed their lead. Happy turned and led them to the car he had parked outside the park's gates, while Tony grasped her hand a little tighter. Steve walked behind them, keeping an eye out for anyone looking to reattempt another foolish capture with them there.
Luckily, there was no such incident. When they arrived at the car, Jayden took a second to take in the black and sleek machine. It was high-end and safe-looking, but it made her nervous. It was a great metal box that she would have no control over. It was bad enough to see them on the street.
Tony ushered her into the car, and she went with reluctance. Once again, she found herself sitting between him and Steve. The seat was comfortable, and she sank into it, but immediately tensed as Happy started the car. The box around her rumbled with vibration, and she clutched desperately at Theo on her lap, unused to such a sensation.
"What's wrong?" Steve questioned, noticing her posture.
"Never been in a car before."
"Don't you worry. Happy is one of the best drivers I know. You're in safe hands."
"Yeah, sure he-" Tony broke off at the other man's glare. "Yep. What he said. Best driver ever."
Happy grumbled a little, but she could tell he was silently... well, happy at the praise.
"What's your favourite colour, kid?" Steve abruptly asked. She blinked with a confused frown while Tony snorted. "What? You want to be silent for the entire ride?"
"No, just the kindergarten-esque question. I didn't think that would be your jam, Rogers."
"I um- think it's dark blue," Jayden answered, breaking the banter. "What's- what's yours?"
"I've always had a fondness for green."
"The great Captain America's favourite colour isn't from the American flag? The travesty. Is anyone truly patriotic in this day and age?" Tony chortled, looking out the window.
YOU ARE READING
Unforeseen¹
FanfictionJYD2641 had enough. In her seven years, she's only ever known the cruel hands of her doctors, who were determined to make her the next Winter Soldier. All she'd ever known was death, pain, and fear. Instead of a parent's loving embrace, she had the...
