Breaking The Unbroken

Chapter 9

*1 Month Later*

Pepper's POV

"Let me just get into your scalp." I hummed, helping Lyric wash her hair. She sat in the bathtub wearing a bikini so her clothes wouldn't get wet.

"Does this feel alright? Like I'm not pulling on your hair?" I asked. Lyric smiled and nodded.

"It...erm...feels good." I smiled as I took note of her diction.

"You're getting better and better everyday with your words, Lyr." I praised. I washed the conditioner from her hair and then told her to stand up. I wrapped a towel around her hair and body and took her to her room that she shared with Steve and Bucky.

"Alright, now I'm gonna blow dry your hair." I explained.

"Blow...dry?" Lyric asked. I pulled out the blow dryer and let her hold it.

"Now that your hair is wet, this will dry it by releasing air."

"How?"

"Press the button." Lyric pressed the button with the blow dryer facing her. She giggled as the warm air blasted her face.

"It warm." She commented. I chuckled and started blow drying her hair. It's so curly and beautiful. When Steve first brought her here, I remember we all took time watching videos on how to take care of her hair. It was a bit touch and go and first, but we all have methods that work. I was just finishing up when Bucky came in.

"Dad!" Lyric cheered running over to the metal armed super soldier. She jumped into his arms and he kissed her cheek.

"Hey doll. Thanks for taking care of her hair, Pepper. It's beautiful." Bucky said to me.

"It was my pleasure. She has amazing hair." I smiled. Bucky looked at Lyric who was playing with his hair.

"Doll, miss Potts just spent her free time doing your hair. What do we say?" Bucky smiled. Lyric smiled at me.

"Thank you, Miss Potts." She grinned. I smiled and shook my head.

"It was no problem, beautiful. See you later." I said before leaving the bathroom.

Bucky's POV

"I got these shoes from...um...Pietro, the pants from Wanda, and Tony got me the shirt! It's a cat since we watched The Aristocats last week!" Lyric chattered excitedly. I smiled and kissed her cheek.

"That's great, Doll. I'm real happy for you." I said truthfully. Lyric sat on Steve's side of the bed playing with his pillow as she feel silent. He's been gone for two weeks on mission. He usually the pro at Lyric's hair, but with him being gone Pepper did it. I was not as good as him or Pepper because of my metal arm. Her curls usually got caught in the plates.

"You miss him don't you?" I asked gently. Lyric nodded her head slowly.

"That's okay. Let's go downstairs and see if Tony has any ice cream in the freezer." I suggested.

"Cook-ies n' cream?" Lyric asked.

"Yeah. Come on." She jumped off of the bed and ran down the stairs, not even waiting for the elevator. I chuckled and followed after her. She made it to the living room when I was still in the stairwell, so when I heard her frustrated growl, I picked up the pace.

"Lyr, what's wrong?" I asked in concern.

"Clint! He's eating my cookies and cream!" She pouted. Nat and Clint were sitting in the kitchen tables, and sure enough, Clint had the carton of Cookies n' Cream in front of him.

"Don't be a jerk. Give the kid her ice cream." Nat scoffed, flicking Clint's ear.

"Fine." He muttered, but not before sticking his tongue out at Lyric. She returned the gesture. He gave Lyric the ice cream carton the same time the elevator opened. Steve walked out and she dropped the carton.

"Papa!" She cheered running into Steve's arms. He'd changed out of his uniform already and was wearing a blue t-shirt and jeans.

"Hey Darlin', did ya miss me?" He asked with a smile on his face.

"Yeah." Lyric giggled. Steve walked over to the kitchen area and said a quick hello to everyone.

"Hey punk. Was wonderin when you were comin' home." I smiled.

"I'm home." He said cheekily. I scoffed and rolled my eyes.

"Papa! Look at my shirt! It's a cat like The Aristocats." Lyric said excitedly. Steve smiled and her and ran his fingers through her curls.

"It's real cute Darlin'. Who did your hair?" He asked.

"Um...Miss Potts. She use a blow...blow dryer!" Lyric stumbled. Steve turned to me, looking impressed.

"Maybe we should use those, Buck. Her hair does look awfully pretty. I was just worried about the heat damage." He suggested.

"Well at least it's all done for the party tonight." Natasha said.

"What party?" I asked.

"Tony's. It's a small business get together this time, but knowing Tony he will find a way to mix business with pleasure." Clint explained.

"And why would Lyric be attending?" Steve asked protectively.

"Because she's not Cinderella. You can't just isolate her to seeing only the team. She needs to know there are other people out there." Nat argued.

"But...there might be...boys there." I said fearfully.

"Boys? You're worried about boys?" Steve asked me.

"We were watching that show Once Upon a Time on ABC and she told me that Captain Hook was, very pretty and cute." I whispered. Steve gasped and looked at Lyric who was playing with her hair.

"Steve, I'm going to bring her a dress. She's going to this party." Natasha said before leaving. I turned to Lyric and sighed.

"Well Doll, looks like you're going out tonight." I shrugged.