<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ff99">Bucky waited until a moment when they were alone to tug Steve into a tight hug.  No matter that their relationship wasn't a secret anymore, it was habit not to be physically demonstrative around other people.  "I know he'll be fine, and so will you.  Don't think I didn't see that wince, punk."  Bucky buffeted Steve on the shoulder with rough affection.  "If you need to talk about your ma or Pegs or -- the rest... I'm all ears, Stevie."  He'd seen before how Steve internalized grief -- reminded of his own, he'd push it aside and refuse to acknowledge it, focusing instead on helping others.  Stubborn punk.<br/>
<br/>
* ~ *<br/>
<br/>
"You are not a bother, Peter."  It was rare for Phil to use a casual name like that -- he leaned towards formality now as a sign of affection -- and the use of Peter's first name was calculated to get the boy's attention.  "Never a bother -- and you don't have to be okay.  Bruce and Tony are right.  You've done nothing wrong -- and you don't need to hide your emotions around your family."  The agent gave him a very small smile before returning to his baking. <br/>
<br/>
Tony rubbed Peter's back a moment longer before watching him walk to the elevator.  When he was out of earshot, Tony murmured, "JARVIS... keep an eye on him, would you?"<br/>
<br/>
"Certainly, Sir."<br/>
<br/>
That handled, Tony turned to Bruce and held open his arms.  "My turn."  Tony's voice was casual, almost playful -- but there was pain in his eyes when they met Bruce's.  Phil and Natasha had seen him at his worst before, back during the whole dying-of-palladium-poisoning thing, so he didn't bother trying to hide from them.  "I could really use one of your big hugs too, jolly green -- because my heart's breaking for the kid and -- and I don't know what the hell I'm doing, and I am fucking terrified of fucking this up."</span></span>