The Shower
Stark Tower is bustling with people. Matt can hear them all laughing and drinking around him while they nibble on their plates of buffet food. He knows most of the people in the room, but there’s a couple of extra guests that he can’t quite place yet, which oddly worries him.
Foggy and Karen are busy accepting gifts from people, tearing into wrapping paper, and then describing to Matt what they’ve been given. Most items are baby clothes, however they’ve been gifted a few items for the nursery as well as a stroller made personally by Tony Stark, which is slightly concerning because Matt doesn’t know what hidden technology might be in it. One day, he’ll be walking down the street, and then his baby will propel into space from the jet-pack built into the fabric of the stroller. Tony assured Clint there was no dangerous or untested technology involved, so Matt has to hope he’s being truthful.
Elektra and Natasha have brought a joint present for Matt, which is a robe for labour. It’s made out of silk and has various fastenings to allow for access for doctors, and Matt has been assured that it is in a shade everyone at Stark Tower has dubbed ‘Daredevil red’.
“Hiya, Mr Murdock,” a familiar voice says to him, plonking down on the seat beside him.
“How are you doing, Peter? Things better at school?”
Matt feels Peter shrug, “Kids are kids. I still get called Penis Parker, but I’m getting through it. It’s better now me and MJ are a thing, mainly because most people are scared of her.”
“Good – I’m glad you’ve got someone sticking up for you,” Matt replies, and then he feels a cramping in his stomach, akin to when he used to get cramps on his period. He avoids showing pain, especially since these contractions have been happening for a couple of hours at this point, but he has noticed them becoming more frequent. It might be time to get some help soon.
Matt excuses himself from Peter and hefts himself to his feet. Foggy, while holding a pile of wrapping paper that crinkles as he moves, goes to help Matt, but he simply waves him off.
Matt’s belly is absolutely massive now, and he feels incredibly ungraceful as he makes his way over to a familiar heartbeat. Dr Bruce Banner is sat by the window, munching on a plate of nachos while he chats to his cousin, Jennifer Walters. Her heartbeat is similar to Bruce’s, strong and steady, and she has a similar odour that Matt assumes is from the gamma radiation.
“Bruce,” Matt says to him with a smile, and then he nods his head towards Jennifer, “Jennifer, tank you for the wonderful gift – I’m sure the baby is going to absolutely love the Hulk plushie.”
“I wish you had consulted me about that,” Bruce says with a sigh, but there is a gentle, joking note to his voice.
“Bruce, can I speak with you in private for a moment?” Matt asks, shooting an apologetic smile to Jennifer as he guides Bruce over to a secluded corner.
“What is it, Matt? Is something wrong?”
Matt keeps his voice quiet, not wanting to ruin the baby shower, Q2“My contractions started about two hours ago. They’re around twenty minutes apart, so I think you should call one of your doctor friends in. Please don’t tell anyone yet, though – I just want to enjoy the party for a while.”
Bruce’s heartbeat has sped up, but he the calm of his voice does not betray this, “Of course. I’ll make come calls now. Relax, eat some cake, open some presents, and do not worry.”
Matt thanks him and wanders over to buffet, picking up a slice of cake that Tony had specially ordered from an organic bakery. He grabs another slice for Karen and Foggy, and makes his way back I’ve to his partners
Sitting down, he wordlessly hands the paper plates to his partners. He doesn’t much feel like eating, so he simply listens to the sounds of the party around him, resting his head on the back of the chair. Karen rests her hand on his arm, her fingers tapping softly in a mindless rhythm, and this sensation brings some comfort to Matt. Anything that happens now, Foggy and Karen will be there. His family.
“You alright, Bud?” Foggy asks him, reaching over to stroke a lock of hair from his eyes, as if that matters to Matt.
“All good, Fogs. Just tired,” lies Matt, shifting in the chair. His back is hurting now, a dull ache that it becoming more and more prominent, however his body has been aching a lot recently so he can’t be certain if this is due to labour or just the increased demand on his body.
Foggy nods at this and starts chatting aimlessly with Karen, discussing where in the apartment all these gifts will go. Matt tubes them out, listening further to different conversations.
“You think he should be an Avenger?” Steve asks in a low tone, standing by the water fountain.
Bucky, judging from his gruff tone and mechanical whirring of his prosthetic arm, replies, “Why not?”
“He’s having a baby! And he’s obviously mentally ill – I’ve been reading about this gender dysphoria and it’s a mental condition.”
Bucky sighs, “I’m going to stop you right there, Steve. Why do you get to have a medical treatment to get the body you always wanted and still be an Avenger, but a trans person does the same and their mental competency should be taken into account? You just don’t like Matt because his transness scares you. It’s wrong, however you’re a product of your time – you probably didn’t even know queer people existed until they unfroze you.”
“And yet you’re fine with this? We’re from the same time, Buck,” Steve says.
“Yeah, but I’ve always been queer, Steve. Even back then, I knew something was different about me. I couldn’t be happier to be given the opportunity to live in a time where people like me don’t have to hide, and can actually be fucking heroes.”
Steve’s heartbeat speeds up. “Buck, I...”
“It doesn’t matter. Work on yourself, Steve, and accept that times are changing.” Bucky stalks away from Steve, and Matt actually hears him heading towards him. He pretends like he wasn’t listening, keeping in the same position and not acknowledging the presence of the Winter Soldier.
“Matt, I’m sorry I’ve not really spoken to you yet,” Bucky says, his heart beating nervously. “Congratulations on the baby, and I hope to see you more as part of the Avengers.”
Matt nods and smiles at the older man, “Thanks, Bucky. You’re a good man.”
The stuttering heart beat again. “Actually, um, not really a man. I’m non-binary, and I’m getting more used to people using they/them for me. If you don’t mind.”
“Of course, Bucky,” Matt says, committing it to memory and vowing not to mess this up. “Thanks for trusting me.”
Bucky shrugs their shoulders “Just thought it was time. Enjoy your party.”
Another contraction spears through Matt, and he wonders just how much of the party he’ll get to enjoy before meeting his child.