I'm Right Here

Chapter 6

"I want Mr. Stark," Peter mumbled into Bucky's chest as the man held him. He didn't want to seem ungrateful, but he REALLY wanted Mr. Stark right now. His eyes and nose hurt, his chest ached, and his throat was raw from crying. He was miserable. He had to say, though, Sergeant Barnes and Cap--Steve did give EXCELLENT hugs. He felt safe with whomever was with him, but...they weren't Mr. Stark. The ache in his chest and knot in the pit of his stomach grew when he didn't see his mentor. Tears filled his eyes and he felt so...empty.

"Hey, now, it's okay," Bucky told him, seeing the tears about to fall. He tilted his head down to look at him. "What, my hugs suck because I have a metal arm? Tony has a metal suit."

"N-No, Sergeant Barnes, s-sir. I just--." Bucky cut him off with a chuckle, sitting back up and hugging him tighter with a slight rocking motion.

"The name's Bucky, kiddo. And I'm just jerking your chain. Relax. Tin Can and Steve'll be back in just a bit. Besides, you don't want him anywhere near you yet, guaranteed. Little on the ripe side, if you catch my meaning," Bucky joked. He laughed when Peter gave a shaky chuckle, rubbing his back. "Was that a smile? No way."

"No," Peter replied as he blushed and turned his face into Bucky's chest.

"Uh oh. Hey, who's that?" Bucky asked, giving him a nudge and ceasing the rocking motion. Peter lifted his head weakly and blinked a few times to shake off the double vision, looking where Bucky was staring with a smile as he spoke to their visitor. "He was missing you, man."

"Hey, kid," Tony said, sitting cross-legged in front of them on the mattress and running his hand through Peter's hair. Peter's eyes widened a bit and he released Bucky, throwing himself at Tony. Tony grunted at the impact, but wrapped his arms around the boy's shoulders and cupped the back of his head with one hand, resting his chin on top of it after pulling him into his lap.

"Mr. Stark," Peter breathed. "Y-You were gone. I couldn't find you."

"It's okay. I'm here now. You're all right," Tony whispered, kissing his hair. "Looks like Captain Romania took pretty good care of you, huh?"

"Yes, sir," Peter replied meekly. Bucky squinted his eyes and looked thoughtfully at the ceiling.

"Captain Romania, huh? Not bad. Only one problem. I'm not a captain. I outrank this guy," he said, pointing a thumb at Steve as he sat next to him.

"It's true. But I'd still wipe the floor with your ass," Steve retorted with a chuckle, throwing an arm around Bucky's shoulders.

"You wish," Bucky said, elbowing him in the side.

"Play nice, boys," Natasha said as she and Bruce walked to the front of the ship to get a status update. Bucky made a face at her back, sticking his tongue out. "Saw that, Barnes."

"Saw that, Barnes," he mocked in a high-pitched voice under his breath, making Peter giggle a bit.

"Heard that, too," she called from at least 45 feet away. Bucky looked at Steve, a bit worried. Steve shrugged his shoulders. Tony rolled his eyes at them and turned his attention back to Peter.

"How you hanging in there, buddy?" he asked, pulling back to look at his face. Peter wasn't a fan and let out a short whine, pushing closer to him. "Easy, easy. Calm down. I'm not leaving you."

"Mr. Stark, I don't feel good," Peter moaned, holding his stomach. Steve perked up a bit, ready to run him to the bathroom again. Tony put a hand to his forehead, confused since he didn't have a fever.

"Tony?" Steve asked, worried.

"What's wrong, Pete? Why don't you feel good?"

"Stomach."