Ties (sequel to The Stark Family)

1

"We haven't had a movie night in so long, Mama," Clint commented. Pepper looked at her little 14 year old. He was still more like a little kid than an adult.

"Yeah. I guess that's true," Pepper said. She was finally back home with all of her kids. Just their family. 

Peter and Steve were smushed together in a sofa chair, big brother and little brother messing around. Tony had Bucky next to him and up against a side so that Bucky didn't have to be around 2 people.

Bucky was still fragile. He had cried softly the whole flight back to the States. Pepper, Peter, and Steve were trying to comfort him, but he just curled in on himself and cried into his knees. He trusted Tony, not a lot, but Tony helped him with everything so that he wouldn't be so,wary of everyone.

For some reason, Bucky trusted Carol entirely. Just the night before, Tony had caught them sitting on the vanity in Carol's bathroom, brushing each other's teeth at the same time. Carol demonstrated so much care for him, but she was already asleep, so Bucky sat with Tony.

"Can we watch a Disney movie?" Peter asked. Steve clapped.

"Yeah! Let's do Aladdin," Steve suggested.

"No way, José. That movie makes me cry," Scott said.

"Why? We should watch Star Wars," Loki said.

"Which one?" Tony asked.

"ALL," Loki said, darkly.

-------

"Dad?" 

Tony sat up. He hadn't done this in years. He pushed the hair out of his face.

"Yeah?" He whispered.

"Dad, I can't sleep," Bucky whispered.

"Can we go to your room?" Tony asked.

"Yeah," Bucky agreed. Tony shifted and got out of bed. He started walking behind Bucky as they shuffled out of the room and down the hallway. Bucky kept turning to check and make sure Tony was following him. They sat on Bucky's bed.

"Do you need to talk?" Tony asked.

"Yeah. I'm sorry. Who was that lady in bed with you? I know her face,"

"That's your mom, remember?"

"Oh right. Steven told me about her. That's his mom, too,"

"Yeah. He's your brother,"

"He told me that,"

"He really wants to help you,"

"I know. Sometimes, I think that maybe I can't be helped,"

"Well, maybe not. And if that's the case, then we're going to build new memories,"

"But what if I forget you?"

"Then I'll help you remember again,"

"Is Carol awake?"

"No,"

"Okay. She can remember everything. Can you tell me about me?"

"Well, you're James Buchanan Stark. You're 13 years old. You like potatoes and movies. You lost an arm a year ago, but you have a cool one now made of metal. You take it off before bed. You love your brothers and your sisters. Do you want me to tell you about them?"

"Yeah," Bucky said, tears filling his eyes as he started to put pieces together.

"You have a big sister named Wanda. She's 16 and loves you so much. She used to hold your hand when you got scared after we first adopted you. She's super protective of you and your siblings. She's the oldest of you guys. She can do some really cool magic. And she's a twin.