Chapter 2
It’s sometime after three in the morning. Steve’s pretty sure he’s only had a total of two hours of sleep. Tony had accidentally woken up when he came to bed late, then Peter woke him up next demanding to be fed. Steve had nearly lost it on Tony, but he understood his husband needed some time for himself. But didn’t he understand Steve needed some time too?
Steve wanders around the dimly lit nursery, trying his hardest to get Peter calm. Peter was the type of baby that demanded to be held. Steve didn’t mind at first and he was fine soaking up all the cuddles, but the late-night feedings became difficult because of Peter’s clingy attitude. It was bad enough Steve was struggling with lack of sleep, and now he had to deal with not being able to put his son down.
There was no reason for Peter to be this upset. He ate okay, he had a fresh diaper, and miraculously no leaks through his pajamas. And yet he still refused to settle down.
“Come on, Petey,” Steve says, his voice full of desperation. All he wants to do is crawl back into bed and sleep for days. He hates to admit it, but he’s taken being in the ice for granted.
Peter continues to wail, his high-pitched cries probably loud enough to wake the whole tower. He wonders if they should have soundproof walls installed just to save their friends from these kinds of nights.
Steve makes a noise of frustration and decides to move to the rocking chair, hoping the gentle back and forth motion would soothe his fussy son.
By some miracle it works and Peter starts to quiet down, his loud cries tapering down into soft whimpers. Steve breathes out a sigh of relief and he tilts his head back against the chair, his eyes falling shut for a moment. He only means to rest his eyes, but with the heavy exhaustion he feels, it’s easy to drift off to sleep.
Steve jolts awake with a gasp when he feels someone shaking his shoulder. Tony is in the room now, standing beside him with a look of concern on his face.
“What happened?” Steve asks and he glances down, finding Peter still asleep in his arms.
“You fell asleep. Honey, why didn’t you wake me? You could’ve dropped him,” Tony says, and Steve doesn’t miss the hint of disappointment in his voice.
“You were asleep.”
“So? I could’ve gotten up.”
“You hate early mornings. And you went to bed late.”
“Yeah, that was dumb.” Tony chuckles and he makes an attempt to reach for Peter, but Steve pulls back.
“Please don’t. He’s actually calm for once,” Steve says.
“You can’t camp out here all night.”
“It might be easier.” Steve frowns and peers down at his son, thankful he’s still undisturbed.
“Let me help, hon. He’s my kid too and I don’t want you to think you have to do this alone.”
“I don't think that.”
“You’re a terrible liar.”
Steve rolls his eyes. Tony could always see through him. He knew him better than anyone.
Steve heaves out a sigh and looks up at Tony. “Fine. Maybe I do think I have to do this alone. I’m the one who has to be up for the feedings and—”
“I can feed him. We had a pretty good system down the other night. And if I’m not waking up enough then please smack me with a pillow.”
Steve smiles. “Noted.”
“Hey,” Tony says softly, but his tone still holds a level of firmness to it. “I’m here to help. It takes two to tango, right? You don’t have to do this alone and no one expects you to.”
“Thank you. I guess I’ve been in my head a little bit. This is a lot.”
Tony nods. “Yeah. Good thing we’re a team. Now can I take the little guy so you can sleep?”
Steve makes a face, the idea of waking their son dampening his mood all over again. “If he wakes up—”
“Then I got him,” Tony assures. Then once Steve gives in, he gently takes Peter out of Steve’s arms. Peter stirs and they both freeze, a look of panic crossing over their faces. “Don’t move. Nobody speak,” Tony whispers.
“You’re speaking,” Steve whispers harshly.
Peter yawns and stretches his little arms, then he begins to drift off again and they’re able to breathe.
“That was close,” Tony says softly, careful not to be too loud and risk a meltdown. “You go back to bed. I got it. I’m used to being up.”
“Tony—”
“Get out of here, Cap before he senses you or something. If I need anything I’ll wake you.”
Steve gives in, maybe a little easier than he’d like to admit. Maybe it was the comfort of his own bed calling him back, or maybe it was the fact that he wouldn’t be near his son for a while. He loved Peter more than anything in the entire universe. But right now he wanted to be alone. He needed some peace.