Two days had passed since Clint had blown up at Tony and then fallen asleep hugging him (there were pictures -plenty of pictures of the latter). Things were better. Apologies had been made and once Tony had gone to bed that night after everything, Natasha and Thor all but ripped Clint and Steve's heads off for the way they treated Tony (both the adult and the child) and to say Clint and Steve were still flinching when Natasha's eyes narrowed at them showed just how scary Dragon Mama Nat could be (they also flinched at the sound of thunder which made Thor smirk as he toyed with his hammer in an obvious threat because Dragon Mama Thor was just as scary when he wanted to be). Bruce, though he said nothing as he rushed by the group once Tony had been found to continue with his work, glared at them with blatant disappointment and some disgust.

Now the team minus Bruce were hanging out with the young boy. Making sure that the abused boy got a better childhood within the next few days before he was cured compared to his real and nonexistent one.

They created a schedule of sorts, nothing official but it fit in with their daily tasks. In the morning, Steve would go for his run and by the time he returned, showered and changed, he'd go to the communal kitchen to make something to drink before waiting an hour for the team to begin to get ready before he would start to make breakfast. Tony would appear about fifteen minutes after the blond was settled on the couch. The two would then draw until the others arrived. Afterwards, Tony would hang out with Thor for a bit, the god was more energetic and physical with the boy so it was more sports and physical fun. Natasha would watch him next and due to being a bit tired from the running and all with Thor, they mostly read and relaxed, but she also took him out to have a wander around the city for a little bit of fresh (or as 'fresh' as polluted air can be) air before returning and taking him to the lab for no more than an hour. In the lab/workshop, Bruce would show Tony all the things Older Tony made along with doing some fun science projects. Of course, the doctor didn't spend much time with the boy due to trying to cure him, but it was still something. Finally, Clint would spend time with the small child, they mostly just had fun in the kitchen or creating stuff.

—LINE BREAK—

"Good morning, Tony." The blond murmured as the small boy wandered into the kitchen the next day, one closed fist rubbing sleepily at an eye whilst the other came up to hide a yawn.

"Mornin' Ste'e." He mumbled and the adult helped him sit in one of the tall chairs that surrounded the kitchen island.

"Want to do some drawing, bud?" That woke the child a bit more as his eyes lit up in excitement,

"Yes, please!" The pair sat at the island, the occasional sip of their drink (Steve's coffee and Tony's apple juice) and the sound of a pencil to paper filling the otherwise silent room. Steve would look over at Tony every so often and smile to himself as he spied the concentration etched on the young boys face. How he was blinded to the boy at the start of the week, he wasn't sure. But he was definitely guilty and regretful of his actions. Tony was surprisingly a good drawer for someone his age. Currently the communal fridge door was covered in drawings Tony made of the team, whereas each individual Avenger had their fridges on their floors covered with pictures Tony made specifically for them.

Steve recalled when Tony first handed out the pictures he drew. Everyone was so happy. When Natasha received a picture of her and Tony laying in bed reading a book, the redhead hadn't cried but the mist in her eyes told them that she was definitely holding her tears back as opposed to not having any as she wrapped her arms around Tony. Clint had been given a picture of them both making cookies and the man had no qualms about crying, he picked the boy up and buried his face in Tony's hair, tears silently trickling down as he hugged Tony. The god's response had been loud as he received a picture of the Thor holding Tony in the air like an aeroplane. Thor had shown his gratitude and immense happiness with a loud cry as he picked Tony up, holding him under the armpits as he grinned at the child, who reciprocated with a smaller, shyer smile. The Super Soldier had reacted similarly to Natasha, though he allowed a tear or two to trickle down his face at the picture of him and Tony drawing together. The doctor too received a picture that had him and Tony working on an experiment together and laughing. Looking closer, Bruce could see a faint green in the image surrounding Bruce's figure on the paper. The older man smiled at Tony and gave him a small hug.

Soon as Tony began to colour in his third drawing, the other Avengers made their way into the kitchen for breakfast.

—LINE BREAK—

After breakfast, Thor helped Tony get dressed and the two messed around for a bit having some fun. Once all the loitering Avengers had disappeared, Thor crouched down.

"Do you want to go flying with me and Mjölnir?" Like earlier, his cinnamon eyes lit up and he nodded rapidly. "But we can't tell the others."

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Tony put on some more layers as the sky would be cold and the two took off. It was incredibly, the young boy was so excited and Thor couldn't help but chuckle at the glee shimmering in his chocolate eyes.

Unfortunate for Thor, a certain protective redhead was standing by the balcony door when they returned. She smiled softly at Tony and told him to go pick out a book, and that she'll be there soon. Once the small boy had disappeared, she spun round on a sheepish looking god. By the end of her telling him off, Thor not only felt like he was an unworthy and minuscule being, but he was also scared of Natasha, who had gotten the whole protective thing down to a notch.

—LINE BREAK—

The pair sat in the living room reading. Tony was curled into her side, looking at the book as she read softly from it. They looked like mother and son. Soon it was Tony's turn to read the words. He was very fluent as he read. Only a few larger words got the better of him. But, Natasha merely smiled and helped him out with said words. Soon, Tony drifted off into the realm of sleep and Natasha dozed alongside him.

Before dinner, Bruce let him go down to the lab where they did some child-friendly experiments, it didn't last as long as Tony wanted but, as it was time for tea and Bruce needed to continue with his work, the child understood. Truthfully, he was just happy that the doctor made time for him no matter how little it was. Adults didn't tend to do that for him so he couldn't be greedy.

—LINE BREAK—

After dinner that evening, Clint and Tony made several batches of cookies. The robot ones that JARVIS used to make him. Once the archer had told the child that, well Tony was so happy he was bouncing on his feet. The cookies were incredible. They didn't last long though. All of the cookies vanished within five minutes. Tony looked on in shock and horror as a single crumb remained on the plate. Turning he spied Thor with chipmunk-like cheeks, which were undoubtedly full of the cookies, Natasha was not so subtly wiping her mouth to get rid of the crumbs that littered her lips, Steve was looking everywhere but Tony's narrowed eyes and Clint, who was holding the last cookie, quickly threw it in his mouth as if to avoid Tony's disappointed gaze.

"I wanted to save some for Doctor Banner." The child pouted before he began to scold the Avengers, it was an amusing sight for said doctor as he walked in to see his adult teammates looking at their laps and apologising to the child, who had crossed his arms. "I am very disappointed in you all." He stated and Bruce could see the others biting their lips to stop their laughter coming out. With a chuckle and a shake of his head, Bruce turned on his heel and walked away.

—LINE BREAK—

This was Tony's last night with them. Well, it was the child's last night with them as by morning, the cure would be ready. As the Avengers sat quietly on the couches that evening watching a movie, Tony silently took in the atmosphere. He could tell that the others were sad that their time with younger him was coming to an end and Tony wasn't sure about how he should feel.

Later that night, when it was time for Tony to get settled in bed, all of the team came to say goodnight. Normally it was just one or two of them. But with all of them appearing, Tony just became more confused with how he should feel. They each placed a kiss on Tony's forehead, smiling down at him and wishing him a good night before they went back to the communal living room to watch a movie or two before it was time for them to get some sleep.

—LINE BREAK—

Young Tony lay there in his bed. Eyes focused on the dark ceiling. One arm wrapped around his big Hulk teddy and his free hand clenched around the 'Because Science' blanket. He waited for ten minutes to make sure the adults had gone away. Mentally counting down the time before speaking to JARVIS.

"JARVIS…"

"Yes, Young Sir? Would you like me to call one of the-"

"No! No, thank you."Tony hastily interrupted, his voice lowered once again, "I was…I was just wondering. Do they like older me?"

"Of course they do." The AI answered but Tony noticed the slight hesitation,

"Are you lying?"

"…It is complicated, Young Sir. It's not that the team dislike older you, in fact, you and Dr Banner are 'science-bros' as you so eloquently named yourselves. It's just sometimes things are a bit difficult. Especially before you became a child. I would not be surprised if they were more welcoming once you revert to your original age."

"…JARVIS…do they like younger me more than older me? Is that why they are sad? Because they would rather I stay and not go?" There was a long silence,

"I am afraid I can not answer your questions, Young Sir." Tony didn't say anything after that comment but the AI whispered a good night to the boy. Tony fell asleep sniffling and crying into his Hulk toy.

—LINE BREAK—

"Good morning, Tony." Bruce said with a small smile, "All you need to do is drink this and you'll go back to normal." The boy grabbed the glass from where he sat with the others around the kitchen island. They'd just finished breakfast when Bruce walked in with the cure. Tony said nothing as he stared at the blue-looking liquid.

"Are you alright, Anthony?" Thor whispered looking at the silent boy,

"…Do you want older me back?"

"Of course we do!" Clint exclaimed, spluttering slightly in shock of the question,

"котенок, what's this about?" Natasha asked looking at him worriedly,

"…No one's been acting like it. You were all sad yesterday and didn't seem happy that older me was returning." The adults shared a look,

"Tony, it's not that we don't want older you back…" Steve started but drifted off and looked to the others for help but they didn't know what to say either.

"You prefer me to older me. That's not nice." Tony mumbled with teary eyes, "Older me would be upset because you've known him longer but like me more and that's mean. It's unfair to him." Tony shouted the last part and glared at them all. He didn't give them a chance to defend their actions because he gulped down the disgusting cure and promptly fell to the floor unconscious and seizing. Thor caught him and they watched as the child changed into an adult. A naked adult. It was sort of like when Bruce turned into the Hulk. All the clothing was stretched and ripped, leaving Tony mostly naked.

Minutes passed before he woke up. Tying the blanket, that had been thrown across him, around his waist like a towel, he stood up.

"Do you…remember anything?" Steve asked hesitantly and Tony shook his head,

"No." That said and done, the man turned on his bare heel and walked to the elevator. Once the doors had closed, he sighed heavily and rubbed at his forehead. He hadn't been lying. He couldn't remember it. Not really. It was like time travel memories, in the sense that Tony could briefly and faintly recall his week and a bit with the Avengers as a four-year-old, but it was very distant and not perfect. It was like trying to remember moments of your childhood when you're much older.

He stayed in his room until it was the evening. JARVIS had been helping him catch up on his spotty week and a bit. Tony watched the footage the AI had of him being a child. It was…interesting and a whole load of weird. He found himself smiling at a lot of it. Yet as he neared the end, he heard his younger self asking JARVIS questions the night before and couldn't help but frown. Had the others preferred him as a child? Had they wanted him to stay like that?

—LINE BREAK—

"It's good to have you back, Tony."

"Is it?" He asked with a raised eyebrow as he stared at Bruce, who had been the one to break through the awkward silence as the team sat around in the living room after they'd eaten dinner that evening,

"Of course it is!" Clint exclaimed,

"You guys preferred the younger me though." His voice was quiet and the vulnerability in it was heartbreaking. No one said anything, but Thor stood up and picked Tony up, placing the smaller man on his lap and hugging him. It was slightly awkward at first but at the same time, Tony couldn't say he didn't like it.

"Anthony, we enjoyed the company of your young self and learned many things about you, yet it does not mean you are not preferred. We all care deeply for you."

"He's right, Tony. You're very important to this team and we all love you." Surprisingly it was Natasha who said it. The other three smiled and nodded, expressing that they agreed. Soon they all came over and joined Tony and Thor on he couch all snuggled up. They chose a movie and settled down, fully expecting and intending to fall asleep there for the night. As a Tony shifted to get more comfortable his honey eyes met Steve's and the blond mouthed an apology, genuine remorse swam in his blue gaze, the genius smiled and nodded, accepting the apology. Clint did the same when their gazes met and Tony forgave him too.

Both Clint and Steve got the warning not to do it again from Tony's eyes. The message sunk in even further at the subtle glances they received from Bruce, Natasha and Thor.

Sleep came easily that night as Thor's snoring drowned out any sounds creating a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere as everyone slept in a messy dog pile of sorts.

Here's my tumblr if you're interested, it also has the story collages: anxious-soul

Anyway,
Thank you for reading,
Hope you enjoyed this,
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Bye~