FIC Lessons All Around
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shanachie_quillTitle: Lessons All Around
Characters: Clint Barton, Ariana Barton, Tony Stark, Phil Coulson, Happy Hogan, various OCs
Fandom: Avengers 2012
Series: Assassin Baby
Written For:
Prompt: Ariana starts school
Summary: Clint’s little girl is growing up and he’s got to begin letting go; but he’s still able to exert some control over her life.
Rating: PG
Spoilers: for the rest of the series
Warnings: Clint’s baby girl, Tony tries to be the best uncle
Disclaimer: No one recognizable belongs to me, not making any money off this. Not even Ariana belongs to me; she is absolutely Daddy’s Girl.
Author's Note: The first of three new stories finished! I’ve got a couple more done, but they’re waiting to be checked over so it’ll be a couple more days or so before they’re ready. Enjoy! Thanks to whogeek for looking this over. And to chrismouse for cracking me up with the title suggestion of "Putting the Loco in 'In Loco Parentis'". It just didn’t fit with the whole story. :-(
One Year and a Few Months After the Attempted Chitauri Invasion
Clint took a knee in front of his daughter, brushing her red hair back from her face. “Now if you need something, you can tell the teacher to call me or Mommy. Or even Uncle Coulson. Normally it wouldn’t be allowed, but they’re making some exceptions, okay?”
“Daaaddy,” Ariana drew out his name. “I can do this by myself.”
“I know you can because you’re my big girl. But just in case…”
Ariana rolled her eyes. “I can do it, Daddy. Can I go in now?”
“Give Daddy a kiss,” Clint responded. Ariana threw her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his cheek before starting to dart away. “Hey. One last thing.” She sighed but stopped, looking at him attentively. “No matter what, you don’t leave school with anyone other than me or Mommy; got it?”
“Or Uncle Coulson?”
“Yes. Or Uncle Coulson. You cannot leave with Unca Tony or Greenie or anyone else.”
“Yes, Daddy. I promise.”
“Good girl.” Clint squeezed her tightly and reluctantly let her go, allowing her to run into the classroom.
“It’s hard to let your baby go on her first day,” another parent commented. “Only child? Single father?”
Clint straightened up, waving at Ariana as she looked back. “Only child yes. But no, not a single father.”
“Divorced then? And you have custody?”
“Huh?” Clint turned his attention more fully to the other parent, realizing he was going to have to test the cover story they’d established. “Oh. No. Her mother had an unavoidable business trip. She should be back in a couple of days.”
“Oh, well, it’s a shame she had to miss your daughter’s first day,” the woman said.
“Yeah, she was devastated,” Clint replied. “I should get going before Ariana decides she can’t do this.”
“Mr. Barton?” the teacher called as Clint turned to leave. “I need to speak with you for just a moment.”
“Is something wrong already?” Clint asked, immediately searching for Ariana. He relaxed when he saw her playing happily with two other students.
“No. Everything’s fine. I just wanted to check something with you. There was a notation on your daughter’s paperwork on who could pick her up. Only those three people? No one else? Even if they bring in a note from one of you?”
“It’s just better that way,” Clint replied. “We might send someone in to sit with her from time to time, but no one but us can remove her from the grounds. And believe me, Ariana will know if it isn’t us. And she knows not to go with anyone else.”
The teacher nodded. “Don’t worry, Mr. Barton. This isn’t the oddest request we’ve had from a parent. We’ll take care of her.”
Clint nodded. If someone tried to remove Ariana; she had a panic button and she knew to use it, but it was good to have contingency plans. “Thank you, ma’am.” He allowed himself one last glance into the classroom to make sure Ariana was still playing happily. Seeing that she was engaged in a game, he forced himself to turn and leave the building. He knew it was good for her, but he still didn’t want to leave her. He’d much rather be scooping her up and taking her back to the Tower for the day or, if she had to stay, spending the day in the air vents watching her. He just wasn’t ready for his little girl to grow up.
Assassin Baby Assassin Baby Assassin Baby Assassin Baby Assassin Baby
Tony dropped down next to Clint, carefully staying away from the edge of the roof. “What’s up, Legolas?” he asked. “Please tell me you aren’t contemplating seeing if you can bounce. Cause I don’t want to see your fledgling cry. Her tears are irresistible. And I think your woman might break me if I let you try.”
Clint rolled his eyes, turning away from his contemplation of the city. “I’m not going to jump, Stark.” He tugged on a tether that Tony hadn’t noticed. “It would devastate Ariana. Besides Tasha would resurrect me and kill me again. I’m crazy, not suicidal.”
“So why are you sitting on the roof?”
“Just not used to having my whole day free,” Clint answered.
“Aw, do you miss your fledgling?” Tony asked. He ducked when Clint mimed throwing something at him. “Sorry. So go…I don’t know, shoot something or something.”
“It doesn’t work that way, Stark.” Clint turned to look out across the city again. “What are you doing up here anyway?”
“It’s my building. Do I need a reason?”
“You don’t need one, but I’d feel safer if you had one.” Before Clint could insist on an answer, his cell rang. Finishing it out of his jeans’ pocket, he stood up as he answered it, “Barton.” After listening for a minute, he replied, “Yes, sir.” Shoving the phone back in his pocket, he glanced down at the ground as if considering his options.
“I thought you said you weren’t going to jump!” Tony yelped.
“Stark, if you give yourself heart trouble, Pepper’ll have my head. I was just checking traffic. I need to go in to grab my go bag.” Whistling, he headed for the access door, pulling his phone back out and thumbing the speed dial. “Coulson, I need a favor. I just got a callout,” Tony heard before the door cut off the rest of the conversation.
For a minute, Tony considered the door Clint had disappeared through, then snapping his fingers as he came to a decision, he spoke aloud, “JARVIS? Get Happy for me. Or better yet? Tell him I want a car ready. And have him make sure there’s a car seat or whatever it is that Ariana needs.”
“Yes, sir,” JARVIS replied. “He’ll be ready in five minutes.”
Happy was waiting when Tony reached the street, holding the door to the car he’d pulled up. “Where are we going, sir?”
“To the school.” Tony settled into the car. “To get the fledgling,” he clarified when Happy looked confused. “Barton got called in by SHIELD.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Happy asked. “And do you want to change?”
Tony waved off his concerns. “It’ll be fine. And what’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
“Not a thing, sir. Just there’s a…grease stain. On the right side.”
Tony twisted around, as if that would let him see it. “What? Engh. That’s nothing new. And not a big deal. I’m sure Barton’s been in worse shape when he’s picked her up.”
Wisely Happy decided not to comment on that.
Assassin Baby Assassin Baby Assassin Baby Assassin Baby Assassin Baby
Tony strode into the school like he owned the place, which given how much money he’d anonymously donated since Ariana started attending probably wasn’t far wrong. Entering the main office, he leaned against the desk and smiled at the secretary. “Hello, gorgeous. I need a favor. My niece is a student here and I need to pick her up. Her dad got called into work.”
The woman considered him. “Unless you’re on the approved list, you can’t take your niece, whether her father got called in or not. We just don’t allow anyone to take children.”
“I’m sorry, but do you know who I am?”
“Do you understand that we’re responsible for the children left in our care?”
“Of course I understand that. But since you won’t let me take Ariana. You’ll let me see her, right?”
“You can’t…you can’t just…you can’t just…Excuse me!” She stood up as he spun around, clearly intending to go in search of what he wanted. “You can’t just go wandering through the school.”
“Of course I can. I’m Tony Stark.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Now. Are you going to tell me where Ariana is? Or am I going to disrupt your entire school?”
“This is highly irregular.”
“This is staying calm. Where’s my niece?” Tony pulled his palm computer from his pocket. “Or do I have to find her myself?”
“She’s in Mrs. Bailey’s room. You may not remove her. I’ll have someone escort you.”
“No need. I can find it.” Tony waved his computer. “I’ve got a map. Thanks so much.” Heading out of the office, he consulted the map and turned left, heading up the stairs towards the room marked by Ariana’s GPS signal. Both of the transmitters were coming in loud and clear so he had no worries that she wasn’t safe inside the building. “JARVIS, is she okay?”
“Everything seems normal, sir,” the AI replied.
“Good.” Tony tucked the small computer away and used his knuckles to rap on the door, swinging it open. “Sorry to interrupt, but I think you have…” He grinned as Ariana’s head whipped around. “You do. Hey, Fledgling.”
“Unca Tony!” Ariana exclaimed, leaping up and flinging herself at him. “Is Daddy okay? Is Mommy? Why are you here?”
Tony caught her against his legs, hastening to reassure her, “They’re all fine. I promise you.”
Big gray eyes looked up at him as she demanded, “Up!”
Swinging her up into his arms, Tony settled her on his hip. “And who made you the boss, little lady?”
“Mommy says that I’m the boss when she’s not around. Where is Daddy?”
“He got called into work. And I thought I’d come get you, but since I’m not allowed, if it’s okay with your teacher, I’ll just hang out here for a bit.” He glanced over at the older woman as he spoke.
“This is highly irregular, Mr. Stark,” the woman protested.
“Duh,” Ariana answered. “He’s Unca Tony.”
“Hey.” Tony jostled her. “I know your mom taught you better manners. No clue about your dad.” He looked around the room. “So what are you supposed to be doing? You have somewhere I can sit?”
Ariana turned to her teacher. “Can he stay? Please?”
The teacher looked torn for a minute, but finally agreed, “All right.”
Ariana wiggled until Tony set her down, grabbing his hand as soon as her feet hit the ground. “Come on. You can sit by me. And, Unca Tony. No ‘splosions.”
“What? No, of course not,” Tony quickly answered.
She stopped and looked up at him, putting her hands on her hips. “I mean it. Swear. On JARVIS and Aunty Pepper. No ‘splosions.”
“I swear,” he said solemnly. “You’re a scary little girl at times.”
Ariana grinned up at him before grabbing his hand and tugging him towards her desk. He stood next to it as she went and fetched a chair, setting it carefully next to her desk. “You sit there,” she informed him.
“Yes. Okay then. What are you doing?” he asked as he attempted to fold himself down far enough to sit in the chair. When he got himself situated, he ended up with his knees almost touching his chin. “This. Is not going to work. How do you sit in these things? These. Uncomfortable. Things.” He stood up, pushed the chair away, and folded himself up so he was sitting cross-legged on the floor. “Much better. So what are you doing?”
“Math, Unca Tony. Mrs. Bailey’s gonna make you leave if you’re not quiet,” Ariana answered softly.
“Yes, well.” Tony looked over her paper. “That one’s wrong. And that one. And…are you sure you don’t want me to correct this for you?”
“Un-ca Ton-ny.” Ariana pulled her paper to the other side of her desk. “I know. I’m correcting it!”
“Not sure what you’re…” Tony trailed off. “That’s wrooo…” He tilted his head as Ariana fixed her addition. “Hey, that’s pretty good, Fledgling.”
“Why do you call her ‘Fledgling’?” one of the other students at the table asked.
“It’s a… a nickname,” Tony answered. “Her dad.” He glanced at Ariana. “Her dad’s nickname is a bird so since she’s his kid; she’s a baby bird. But fledgling was cuter.”
The student looked at him in confusion and Ariana said, “Yeah. He gets like that.” She shrugged. “It’s not the worst nickname I’ve had.”
“Class, it’s time to put your math away. If you’ve finished with your corrections, put them in the bin. Otherwise please finish them for homework. You have fifteen minutes of free time until we begin cleaning up for dismissal,” Mrs. Bailey announced.
Tony winced as the children jumped up from their seats, scattering to different points in the classroom. A few moments later, Ariana ran back with a game clutched tightly in her hands. She tilted the box so Tony could see it. “Will you play with me?”
“Isn’t that the game you play with Barton?” Tony questioned.
Ariana shook her head. “Not this one. I play a different one with Daddy. It’s just chutes and ladders, Unca Tony.” She turned her big grey eyes on him. “Please, Unca Tony?”
Tony sighed, motioning for her to set the game up on the desk. “Lethal eyes,” he muttered as she grinned and did as he indicated. “You have the most lethal eyes.”
“Daddy says I can con a prince out of his crown,” Ariana replied as she hopped back into her chair. “We roll to see who goes first,” she explained.
“Of course we do,” Tony replied as he accepted one of the dice. He rolled, watching Ariana’s nimble fingers do the same. “Ha! I got a six!”
Ariana looked at him crossly. “Be nice about it.”
Tony winced at her chastisement. “Ariana, I get enough of that from your Aunty Pepper. You don’t need to tell me how to behave.”
“Then you need to listen to her,” Ariana replied logically.
“I need to lis…” Tony stopped. “Why am I arguing with a five year old?” He handed the die over to her. “Just. Roll.” Ariana grinned and bounced in her seat as she followed his directions. “Did you just…? You did! You just manipulated me!” He grinned at her. “I’m so proud of you, Fledgling!”
The little girl rolled her eyes as she moved her game piece. “You’re too easy, Unca Tony.”
“I’m not sure if I should be offended or proud that you think that,” Tony said as he took his own turn.
A shrug was the answer this time as Ariana studied the board with all the concentration of a military battle plan. Finally she rolled the dice and moved her piece again, carefully using the ladder to climb higher. “Where did Daddy go?” she asked quietly.
“I don’t know,” Tony answered as quietly as he was able. “But he’ll be back as soon as he can just like always. He didn’t tell me how long, but that normally means he’s not gone long.”
“He won’t be gone long at all,” a new voice said.
“Uncle Coulson!” Ariana spun around, throwing herself out of her chair and into her godfather’s arms.
The SHIELD agent caught her easily and lifted her as he straightened back to his full height. “What are you doing here, Stark?” he asked as he cuddled Ariana against his shoulder.
“Well, I thought I could do Barton a favor,” Tony replied, as he untangled his legs and got to his feet, “but then I got here and I found out I’m not allowed to take her.”
“It’s nothing against you,” Coulson responded. He shifted Ariana so he could sign the paper that Mrs. Bailey presented him with. “Could you go get your backpack, please?” he requested. When Ariana ran off, he turned his attention back to Tony. “It’s a security measure.”
The little girl came skipping back as Tony said, “I guess I can understand that. But what would you expect would happen if I took her?”
“Do you really want me to answer that?” Coulson replied dryly. He turned to Ariana. “Are you ready to go, Ari?”
“Yes, Uncle Coulson. Am I going to your apartment?” she questioned.
“No, by the time we get to the Tower, Natasha should be there.” Coulson offered his hand to her and allowed her to tug on it as she started towards the door. “Ariana, manners.”
“Good-bye, Mrs. Bailey! See you tomorrow,” she called, waving over her shoulder. “Come on, Unca Tony!”
Coulson let a small sigh escape. “Not exactly what I meant.”
Tony slipped his sunglasses on as he followed the two of them down the stairs. “I’m not riding in your Men in Black car. So I’ll see you two back at the Tower. Do you need a seat for Ariana?”
“No. We’re fine. Ariana!” Coulson called as Ariana broke away to run over to Happy. The chauffer/bodyguard blocked her from running any farther, but she was clearly aiming for him as she grabbed hold of him. Coulson breathed a sigh of relief as the other man picked her up, removing her from the flow of pedestrians. “You are not supposed to run off,” he scolded gently when they caught up to her.
“But it’s Mr. Happy,” Ariana replied, a hint of confusion in her voice.
“We can’t keep you safe if you don’t follow the rules, Miss Ariana,” Happy reminded her. “You don’t want to make your daddy or mommy sad, do you?”
Ariana shook her head. “No,” she answered in a small voice. “Are you mad at me?”
“We were all scared and worried,” Coulson replied. He took her hand as Happy set her back on her feet. “You have rules for a reason. Are you ready to go home now?”
“Yes, sir,” she said, in the same small voice.
“Ariana?” Coulson waited until she looked up at him. “No one is mad at you. Just at your behavior. We make the rules to keep you safe. But you wouldn’t be Clint’s daughter if you didn’t break them once in a while. Just try to think first.”
“Yes, Uncle Coulson.”
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “That’s my girl. Let’s go home now.”
Characters: Clint Barton, Ariana Barton, Tony Stark, Phil Coulson, Happy Hogan, various OCs
Fandom: Avengers 2012
Series: Assassin Baby
Written For:
Prompt: Ariana starts school
Summary: Clint’s little girl is growing up and he’s got to begin letting go; but he’s still able to exert some control over her life.
Rating: PG
Spoilers: for the rest of the series
Warnings: Clint’s baby girl, Tony tries to be the best uncle
Disclaimer: No one recognizable belongs to me, not making any money off this. Not even Ariana belongs to me; she is absolutely Daddy’s Girl.
Author's Note: The first of three new stories finished! I’ve got a couple more done, but they’re waiting to be checked over so it’ll be a couple more days or so before they’re ready. Enjoy! Thanks to whogeek for looking this over. And to chrismouse for cracking me up with the title suggestion of "Putting the Loco in 'In Loco Parentis'". It just didn’t fit with the whole story. :-(
One Year and a Few Months After the Attempted Chitauri Invasion
Clint took a knee in front of his daughter, brushing her red hair back from her face. “Now if you need something, you can tell the teacher to call me or Mommy. Or even Uncle Coulson. Normally it wouldn’t be allowed, but they’re making some exceptions, okay?”
“Daaaddy,” Ariana drew out his name. “I can do this by myself.”
“I know you can because you’re my big girl. But just in case…”
Ariana rolled her eyes. “I can do it, Daddy. Can I go in now?”
“Give Daddy a kiss,” Clint responded. Ariana threw her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his cheek before starting to dart away. “Hey. One last thing.” She sighed but stopped, looking at him attentively. “No matter what, you don’t leave school with anyone other than me or Mommy; got it?”
“Or Uncle Coulson?”
“Yes. Or Uncle Coulson. You cannot leave with Unca Tony or Greenie or anyone else.”
“Yes, Daddy. I promise.”
“Good girl.” Clint squeezed her tightly and reluctantly let her go, allowing her to run into the classroom.
“It’s hard to let your baby go on her first day,” another parent commented. “Only child? Single father?”
Clint straightened up, waving at Ariana as she looked back. “Only child yes. But no, not a single father.”
“Divorced then? And you have custody?”
“Huh?” Clint turned his attention more fully to the other parent, realizing he was going to have to test the cover story they’d established. “Oh. No. Her mother had an unavoidable business trip. She should be back in a couple of days.”
“Oh, well, it’s a shame she had to miss your daughter’s first day,” the woman said.
“Yeah, she was devastated,” Clint replied. “I should get going before Ariana decides she can’t do this.”
“Mr. Barton?” the teacher called as Clint turned to leave. “I need to speak with you for just a moment.”
“Is something wrong already?” Clint asked, immediately searching for Ariana. He relaxed when he saw her playing happily with two other students.
“No. Everything’s fine. I just wanted to check something with you. There was a notation on your daughter’s paperwork on who could pick her up. Only those three people? No one else? Even if they bring in a note from one of you?”
“It’s just better that way,” Clint replied. “We might send someone in to sit with her from time to time, but no one but us can remove her from the grounds. And believe me, Ariana will know if it isn’t us. And she knows not to go with anyone else.”
The teacher nodded. “Don’t worry, Mr. Barton. This isn’t the oddest request we’ve had from a parent. We’ll take care of her.”
Clint nodded. If someone tried to remove Ariana; she had a panic button and she knew to use it, but it was good to have contingency plans. “Thank you, ma’am.” He allowed himself one last glance into the classroom to make sure Ariana was still playing happily. Seeing that she was engaged in a game, he forced himself to turn and leave the building. He knew it was good for her, but he still didn’t want to leave her. He’d much rather be scooping her up and taking her back to the Tower for the day or, if she had to stay, spending the day in the air vents watching her. He just wasn’t ready for his little girl to grow up.
Tony dropped down next to Clint, carefully staying away from the edge of the roof. “What’s up, Legolas?” he asked. “Please tell me you aren’t contemplating seeing if you can bounce. Cause I don’t want to see your fledgling cry. Her tears are irresistible. And I think your woman might break me if I let you try.”
Clint rolled his eyes, turning away from his contemplation of the city. “I’m not going to jump, Stark.” He tugged on a tether that Tony hadn’t noticed. “It would devastate Ariana. Besides Tasha would resurrect me and kill me again. I’m crazy, not suicidal.”
“So why are you sitting on the roof?”
“Just not used to having my whole day free,” Clint answered.
“Aw, do you miss your fledgling?” Tony asked. He ducked when Clint mimed throwing something at him. “Sorry. So go…I don’t know, shoot something or something.”
“It doesn’t work that way, Stark.” Clint turned to look out across the city again. “What are you doing up here anyway?”
“It’s my building. Do I need a reason?”
“You don’t need one, but I’d feel safer if you had one.” Before Clint could insist on an answer, his cell rang. Finishing it out of his jeans’ pocket, he stood up as he answered it, “Barton.” After listening for a minute, he replied, “Yes, sir.” Shoving the phone back in his pocket, he glanced down at the ground as if considering his options.
“I thought you said you weren’t going to jump!” Tony yelped.
“Stark, if you give yourself heart trouble, Pepper’ll have my head. I was just checking traffic. I need to go in to grab my go bag.” Whistling, he headed for the access door, pulling his phone back out and thumbing the speed dial. “Coulson, I need a favor. I just got a callout,” Tony heard before the door cut off the rest of the conversation.
For a minute, Tony considered the door Clint had disappeared through, then snapping his fingers as he came to a decision, he spoke aloud, “JARVIS? Get Happy for me. Or better yet? Tell him I want a car ready. And have him make sure there’s a car seat or whatever it is that Ariana needs.”
“Yes, sir,” JARVIS replied. “He’ll be ready in five minutes.”
Happy was waiting when Tony reached the street, holding the door to the car he’d pulled up. “Where are we going, sir?”
“To the school.” Tony settled into the car. “To get the fledgling,” he clarified when Happy looked confused. “Barton got called in by SHIELD.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Happy asked. “And do you want to change?”
Tony waved off his concerns. “It’ll be fine. And what’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
“Not a thing, sir. Just there’s a…grease stain. On the right side.”
Tony twisted around, as if that would let him see it. “What? Engh. That’s nothing new. And not a big deal. I’m sure Barton’s been in worse shape when he’s picked her up.”
Wisely Happy decided not to comment on that.
Tony strode into the school like he owned the place, which given how much money he’d anonymously donated since Ariana started attending probably wasn’t far wrong. Entering the main office, he leaned against the desk and smiled at the secretary. “Hello, gorgeous. I need a favor. My niece is a student here and I need to pick her up. Her dad got called into work.”
The woman considered him. “Unless you’re on the approved list, you can’t take your niece, whether her father got called in or not. We just don’t allow anyone to take children.”
“I’m sorry, but do you know who I am?”
“Do you understand that we’re responsible for the children left in our care?”
“Of course I understand that. But since you won’t let me take Ariana. You’ll let me see her, right?”
“You can’t…you can’t just…you can’t just…Excuse me!” She stood up as he spun around, clearly intending to go in search of what he wanted. “You can’t just go wandering through the school.”
“Of course I can. I’m Tony Stark.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Now. Are you going to tell me where Ariana is? Or am I going to disrupt your entire school?”
“This is highly irregular.”
“This is staying calm. Where’s my niece?” Tony pulled his palm computer from his pocket. “Or do I have to find her myself?”
“She’s in Mrs. Bailey’s room. You may not remove her. I’ll have someone escort you.”
“No need. I can find it.” Tony waved his computer. “I’ve got a map. Thanks so much.” Heading out of the office, he consulted the map and turned left, heading up the stairs towards the room marked by Ariana’s GPS signal. Both of the transmitters were coming in loud and clear so he had no worries that she wasn’t safe inside the building. “JARVIS, is she okay?”
“Everything seems normal, sir,” the AI replied.
“Good.” Tony tucked the small computer away and used his knuckles to rap on the door, swinging it open. “Sorry to interrupt, but I think you have…” He grinned as Ariana’s head whipped around. “You do. Hey, Fledgling.”
“Unca Tony!” Ariana exclaimed, leaping up and flinging herself at him. “Is Daddy okay? Is Mommy? Why are you here?”
Tony caught her against his legs, hastening to reassure her, “They’re all fine. I promise you.”
Big gray eyes looked up at him as she demanded, “Up!”
Swinging her up into his arms, Tony settled her on his hip. “And who made you the boss, little lady?”
“Mommy says that I’m the boss when she’s not around. Where is Daddy?”
“He got called into work. And I thought I’d come get you, but since I’m not allowed, if it’s okay with your teacher, I’ll just hang out here for a bit.” He glanced over at the older woman as he spoke.
“This is highly irregular, Mr. Stark,” the woman protested.
“Duh,” Ariana answered. “He’s Unca Tony.”
“Hey.” Tony jostled her. “I know your mom taught you better manners. No clue about your dad.” He looked around the room. “So what are you supposed to be doing? You have somewhere I can sit?”
Ariana turned to her teacher. “Can he stay? Please?”
The teacher looked torn for a minute, but finally agreed, “All right.”
Ariana wiggled until Tony set her down, grabbing his hand as soon as her feet hit the ground. “Come on. You can sit by me. And, Unca Tony. No ‘splosions.”
“What? No, of course not,” Tony quickly answered.
She stopped and looked up at him, putting her hands on her hips. “I mean it. Swear. On JARVIS and Aunty Pepper. No ‘splosions.”
“I swear,” he said solemnly. “You’re a scary little girl at times.”
Ariana grinned up at him before grabbing his hand and tugging him towards her desk. He stood next to it as she went and fetched a chair, setting it carefully next to her desk. “You sit there,” she informed him.
“Yes. Okay then. What are you doing?” he asked as he attempted to fold himself down far enough to sit in the chair. When he got himself situated, he ended up with his knees almost touching his chin. “This. Is not going to work. How do you sit in these things? These. Uncomfortable. Things.” He stood up, pushed the chair away, and folded himself up so he was sitting cross-legged on the floor. “Much better. So what are you doing?”
“Math, Unca Tony. Mrs. Bailey’s gonna make you leave if you’re not quiet,” Ariana answered softly.
“Yes, well.” Tony looked over her paper. “That one’s wrong. And that one. And…are you sure you don’t want me to correct this for you?”
“Un-ca Ton-ny.” Ariana pulled her paper to the other side of her desk. “I know. I’m correcting it!”
“Not sure what you’re…” Tony trailed off. “That’s wrooo…” He tilted his head as Ariana fixed her addition. “Hey, that’s pretty good, Fledgling.”
“Why do you call her ‘Fledgling’?” one of the other students at the table asked.
“It’s a… a nickname,” Tony answered. “Her dad.” He glanced at Ariana. “Her dad’s nickname is a bird so since she’s his kid; she’s a baby bird. But fledgling was cuter.”
The student looked at him in confusion and Ariana said, “Yeah. He gets like that.” She shrugged. “It’s not the worst nickname I’ve had.”
“Class, it’s time to put your math away. If you’ve finished with your corrections, put them in the bin. Otherwise please finish them for homework. You have fifteen minutes of free time until we begin cleaning up for dismissal,” Mrs. Bailey announced.
Tony winced as the children jumped up from their seats, scattering to different points in the classroom. A few moments later, Ariana ran back with a game clutched tightly in her hands. She tilted the box so Tony could see it. “Will you play with me?”
“Isn’t that the game you play with Barton?” Tony questioned.
Ariana shook her head. “Not this one. I play a different one with Daddy. It’s just chutes and ladders, Unca Tony.” She turned her big grey eyes on him. “Please, Unca Tony?”
Tony sighed, motioning for her to set the game up on the desk. “Lethal eyes,” he muttered as she grinned and did as he indicated. “You have the most lethal eyes.”
“Daddy says I can con a prince out of his crown,” Ariana replied as she hopped back into her chair. “We roll to see who goes first,” she explained.
“Of course we do,” Tony replied as he accepted one of the dice. He rolled, watching Ariana’s nimble fingers do the same. “Ha! I got a six!”
Ariana looked at him crossly. “Be nice about it.”
Tony winced at her chastisement. “Ariana, I get enough of that from your Aunty Pepper. You don’t need to tell me how to behave.”
“Then you need to listen to her,” Ariana replied logically.
“I need to lis…” Tony stopped. “Why am I arguing with a five year old?” He handed the die over to her. “Just. Roll.” Ariana grinned and bounced in her seat as she followed his directions. “Did you just…? You did! You just manipulated me!” He grinned at her. “I’m so proud of you, Fledgling!”
The little girl rolled her eyes as she moved her game piece. “You’re too easy, Unca Tony.”
“I’m not sure if I should be offended or proud that you think that,” Tony said as he took his own turn.
A shrug was the answer this time as Ariana studied the board with all the concentration of a military battle plan. Finally she rolled the dice and moved her piece again, carefully using the ladder to climb higher. “Where did Daddy go?” she asked quietly.
“I don’t know,” Tony answered as quietly as he was able. “But he’ll be back as soon as he can just like always. He didn’t tell me how long, but that normally means he’s not gone long.”
“He won’t be gone long at all,” a new voice said.
“Uncle Coulson!” Ariana spun around, throwing herself out of her chair and into her godfather’s arms.
The SHIELD agent caught her easily and lifted her as he straightened back to his full height. “What are you doing here, Stark?” he asked as he cuddled Ariana against his shoulder.
“Well, I thought I could do Barton a favor,” Tony replied, as he untangled his legs and got to his feet, “but then I got here and I found out I’m not allowed to take her.”
“It’s nothing against you,” Coulson responded. He shifted Ariana so he could sign the paper that Mrs. Bailey presented him with. “Could you go get your backpack, please?” he requested. When Ariana ran off, he turned his attention back to Tony. “It’s a security measure.”
The little girl came skipping back as Tony said, “I guess I can understand that. But what would you expect would happen if I took her?”
“Do you really want me to answer that?” Coulson replied dryly. He turned to Ariana. “Are you ready to go, Ari?”
“Yes, Uncle Coulson. Am I going to your apartment?” she questioned.
“No, by the time we get to the Tower, Natasha should be there.” Coulson offered his hand to her and allowed her to tug on it as she started towards the door. “Ariana, manners.”
“Good-bye, Mrs. Bailey! See you tomorrow,” she called, waving over her shoulder. “Come on, Unca Tony!”
Coulson let a small sigh escape. “Not exactly what I meant.”
Tony slipped his sunglasses on as he followed the two of them down the stairs. “I’m not riding in your Men in Black car. So I’ll see you two back at the Tower. Do you need a seat for Ariana?”
“No. We’re fine. Ariana!” Coulson called as Ariana broke away to run over to Happy. The chauffer/bodyguard blocked her from running any farther, but she was clearly aiming for him as she grabbed hold of him. Coulson breathed a sigh of relief as the other man picked her up, removing her from the flow of pedestrians. “You are not supposed to run off,” he scolded gently when they caught up to her.
“But it’s Mr. Happy,” Ariana replied, a hint of confusion in her voice.
“We can’t keep you safe if you don’t follow the rules, Miss Ariana,” Happy reminded her. “You don’t want to make your daddy or mommy sad, do you?”
Ariana shook her head. “No,” she answered in a small voice. “Are you mad at me?”
“We were all scared and worried,” Coulson replied. He took her hand as Happy set her back on her feet. “You have rules for a reason. Are you ready to go home now?”
“Yes, sir,” she said, in the same small voice.
“Ariana?” Coulson waited until she looked up at him. “No one is mad at you. Just at your behavior. We make the rules to keep you safe. But you wouldn’t be Clint’s daughter if you didn’t break them once in a while. Just try to think first.”
“Yes, Uncle Coulson.”
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “That’s my girl. Let’s go home now.”
