He was reading Ian a story, the tot curled up in his lap, when he noticed it.
He sighed resignedly as he looked over his fingers, metal overtaking them like ink leaching across a cloth.
He hugged the hatchling tight before it overtook too much of him, enjoying the sensation while he still could. keeping his voice steady as he could as he continued reading. Cringing internally as his joints stiffened, his voice regained its curious lilt, and his heartbeat gave way to the whine of a green matter core.
One last lung full of air and it was over, when he exhaled steam came with it from a boiler and bellows. It was over, he was an automaton again. It was nice while it lasted.
Ian snuggled against him, not one bit perturbed by the sudden change. It hadn't seemed to hurt his uncle, so why worry?
"Unca Sam can we go ou'side?" He asked innocently.
Sam smiled, setting the book aside and getting up from the couch with a creak of rusted bronze joints, offering him a hand to hold.
"Sure kiddo, lets go."
"YAY!"
On their way they ran into a rather exhausted looking Peter Walter the fifth, who non the less brightened up when he spotted the pair.
"Oh good, just who I was looking for!"
"Do you need a hand with something Mr. Walter?"
Sam was met with a pleased smirk.
"It's finished."