Chapter 3
Steve looks around the living room, a heavy sigh escaping him as he finally acknowledges how disorganized the space is. He’s been ignoring it for a few days, too busy with his son and too exhausted to care about the dishes overflowing in the sink and the clean clothes that have been tossed on the loveseat. He keeps telling himself he’ll get to it, or sometimes Tony will beat him to it and put their laundry away, only for more to end up in the hamper the following day.
Their home never used to look like this. Steve took pride in their space, making sure to keep up with it. It helped to have a clean home with the type of jobs they have. Sometimes they weren’t home for days to maintain the state of their apartment. Now Steve was home all the time and yet he couldn’t bring himself to wash a few dishes or vacuum.
Peter is finally asleep after hours of fussing and screaming his little head off. He’s lying in his swing, the gentle motion soothing him off to dreamland. This would be the perfect time to catch up on some housework, but that’s the last thing on Steve’s mind. He doesn’t dare run the vacuum and disturb the bit of peace he’s had in days. And the thought of loading the dishwasher or washing machine sounds exhausting. All he wants to do is collapse on the couch and sleep.
So he does.
But he’s only able to get twenty minutes of shut eye before he’s awoken by his own body. If he’s not leaking milk and ruining his shirts then he’s leaking blood. This time it’s blood and it’s already seeped into his sweatpants.
With a groan Steve pulls himself off the couch and moves as fast as he can toward the nearest bathroom. Just as he was expecting, the pad he had put on earlier was now drenched in blood.
“Shit,” Steve mutters, and with a huff, he reaches into the little basket beside the toilet for a new one, only to be met with nothing. He glances down and sighs. Just his luck.
“Honey!”
Steve perks up at the sound of his husband's voice, relief washing over him. Tony had promised he was going to be home early since he had a quick meeting with Nick to discuss a potential new mission.
“In here!” Steve calls out. “Don’t touch the baby.”
He can already picture Tony bending down to pick up their son. Tony’s been caught coming home and immediately wanting baby cuddles, only to end up waking up their son and causing him to fuss.
Footsteps echo down the hall, then Tony appears in the doorway of the bathroom. “How did you know?”
Steve doesn’t even shy away, knowing Tony has seen him at his worst. Tony saw him push out another human being just a few days ago. Finding him on the toilet with bloody sweatpants is nothing.
“I just put him down; let him sleep. Can you grab me a pad? I leaked bad.”
“Damn. How long does this go on for again?”
“Six weeks.”
“Shit. I’m sorry I’ve put you through this. I think we have some pads in the freezer. Do you want those? Are you still sore?”
Steve nods. “Yeah. Thanks, dear.”
Tony blows Steve a kiss, then leaves to gather what Steve needs.
A few minutes later, Steve is dressed in fresh clothes and feeling better from the homemade ice pack. Tony helps him to the couch and offers to get started on tidying up so Steve can take it easy.
“We could always hire some extra help,” Tony says as he washes a few dirty bottles.
“Do you think we need it?” Steve replies from his spot on the couch, his eyes on Peter’s sleeping form.
“Maybe? What about asking our friends? I’m sure they wouldn’t mind.”
“Yeah. I just don’t want to steal them away from their lives.”
Tony clicks his tongue and shakes his head. “It takes a village to raise a kid, honey. They’ve offered. You’re just stingy.”
Steve frowns. “I’m not. He’s my baby and it’s my job—”
Tony glances over his shoulder and makes an obnoxious fart noise. Steve frowns.
“Seriously? Very mature, Tones.”
Tony chuckles and finishes washing the dishes. He grabs a dish towel to dry his hands. “I’m just saying you need to let others help when you need it, that’s all.”
“I guess. I’m okay right now. I’m sorry the place is a mess,” Steve says, looking around the room.
“Don’t worry about it.” Tony walks over and ducks down to kiss the top of Steve’s head. “I’ll take care of it. Just take it easy and rest. I know you have the serum but giving birth is still a lot.”
“Tell me about me.” Steve winces and shifts in his spot.
“What hurts?”
“Everything.”
Tony’s expression softens, concern flashing over his face. He crouches down in front of Steve, resting a hand gently over his knee.
“I wish I could take it all away,” Tony says softly. “But since I can’t, I’m gonna do everything else. Laundry, dishes, diapers. You name it.”
Steve gives him a tired smile. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Now lean back and relax. Let me spoil you.”
Tony helps Steve get into a comfortable position, making sure to grab the donut pillow for Steve to sit on. Steve hisses in pain at first and Tony apologizes.
“You okay now? Is it helping?” Tony asks.
Steve exhales slowly, nodding. “Yeah. I feel like my whole body has been through a war.”
“You basically have been. Your body’s been growing a whole new human. That’s hardcore, even for Captain America.”
Steve chuckles softly. “He was worth it though.”
Tony smiles, his gaze drifting over to where their son is sleeping. “He really is. He’s definitely got your stubbornness already. I can tell.”
Steve raises a brow. “Stubborn? Me?”
Tony leans in and kisses the corner of Steve’s mouth. “Yeah, you. But it’s one of my favorite things about you. You’re so strong. You keep going, no matter what.”
“Only because I have you with me.”
“Always. Now close your eyes, soldier. I’ve got everything else covered.”
Steve hums softly, finally letting himself relax.