Chapter Text
"Hello.", Tony says, a little shy, as he stands the next morning in his doorframe and Steve is on the top step of the staircase. Tony is so incredibly embarrassed that he called Steve yesterday so late and then started crying on top of that.
Steve seems to be at least as uncomfortable as Tony is because he scratches the back of his head and grins a little shaky. Tony takes yet a moment to let his gaze wander over Steves body. Steve is wearing such a tight shirt, that Tony is wondering how it fits him. With a pair of Jeans that look like they are from his grandfather.
"Are the boy already awake?" Asks Steve and Tony nods immediately. It was a pretty rough night, because Clint woke him up a few times. Although he has not spoken to Tony about it, Tony believes Clint had a few bad dreams.
"Clint and Loki are in the kitchen and are trying to eat my uhm.. stuff.", Tony says, and he grins ashamed at that. He knows himself that he can’t cook at all.
"And where is the youngest sweetheart?", asks Steve and he sounds so happy to see the boys that Tony has to grin really wide. Forgotten is the last time when Steve was here and Tony was so serious and kind of a dick. He hopes Steve isn’t still afraid of him.
"In fact he is still asleep, but he is in the living room on the couch. You can let him sleep peacefully, as long as he wants. Otherwise you can do what you want.“, says Tony and Steve nods.
"What about going outside? Allowed?“, ask Steve, as he takes off his jacket and Tony shrugs.
"James is not really happy outside. But Loki loves it like crazy. Clint doesn't care where he gets messy.“ Tony says and he gets a sly smile from Steve.
"Okay, I look what they would like to do. Otherwise, I know everything i need to know.“, says Steve and puts his shoes next to the entrance door. Tony admires that he is so tidy.
"It would be great if they would take bath in the evening. That means Loki can shower if he wants. He also washes himself alone. Clint likes to take a bath, but he would certainly need his toys that he is allowed to take into the water. They are in the blue Box on the top shelf in the bathroom. James hates water, but I'm sure he lets you do it. Best you put him next to Clint, then he is a little distracted. Oh, and James prosthesis is allowed to be in the water with him. I got that developed. But I think I've told you already.“, Tony rattles down, while he fixes his expensive suit and shoes.
He hates that he has to walk all day in a suit. He would rather be lazing around in sweatpants and a sweater on the couch. When Tony looks up, he notices that Steve is smiling at him, incredibly gentle.
"What?" he asks, stroking his beard. He should shave again. Steve shrugs his shoulders.
"You think you're a bad father, but you know exactly what your sons need.", Steve says it like Tony is a really special dad. Tony feels yet a little flattered and feels his cheeks heat up. Before he can say anything else, rushes Loki around the corner.
"Steve!", he says startled, because Tony hasn’t told his boys, who would look after them. Loki's eyes are all dilated and in the next moment, a wide grin adorns his face. Although Tony can understand it even a little bit that he's so happy, he finds it still a little exaggerated.
"Loki, I’m really happy to see you.", says Steve and kneels down. Loki jumps him almost immediately in the arms. Tony is still a few metres away and looks at them.
„Will you stay to play?", asks Loki a bit upset and pulls a little at Steve's shirt. The blond laughs and pulls Loki on his knees. Tony's glad that Steve gives especially Loki's attention, after all, he often gets less than his brothers, since the other two need much more help with the most things.
"Yes, and I'll be even here till tomorrow night!", Steve says and he sounds really excited about that.
It warms Tonys heart. Loki claps happily and this in turn does hurt a bit. Because Loki knows that it actually means that Tony needs to go away, but it doesn't seem to bother him.
"What do you want to do today?", asks Steve and Loki is shaking now in excitement.
"Uh..uhh I want to play football, Yes? Or...or we can play with my cars! And we need to paint together! You said you were painting me!“ Loki say and he talks so quickly that Tony has trouble to follow him. Steve seems to have no problems with that and nods.
"Of course, that we can do all that, cupcake.", says Steve and Loki grins at the nickname.
Not two seconds later, Clint comes around the corner running from, apparently, he has heard Steve and Loki. Tony knew that Clint would eat his breakfast completly, before he would join in. Food is to him more important than anything else.
„Steve!“, he says just as excited as Loki before and he stretches out his hands to him. Steve just laughs and presses a kiss on Lokis cheek, before he sets him down and pulls Clint in his arms.
"Hello my sunshine.", says Steve and Clint giggles again. They seem to really like it when Steve gives him so much attention. Tony sighs softly.
"Missed you!", Clint says then and pouts. Unfortunately, all three really good at pouting with their puppy dog eyes and it makes Tony's heart soften every single time.
"I missed you too. And i already promised Loki that we will do great things together, okay?" says Steve and Clint's frown disappears in an instant.
"Pancakes?", Clint asks, full of hope, and Tony can't believe his son still thinks of Steve's food.
"Uh.. I don't know if I'll make you pancakes, but I'll cook you something yummy yeah?.", Steve says and though that wasn’t what he asked for, Clint nods and hugs Steve. In the case of Tony, he had a screaming fit yesterday when he said he wouldn’t make pancakes. Tony shakes his head.
"So I...", Tony begins, but then they can hear steps again. James appears in the hallway and rubs over his eyes, while he is yawning. Tony holds back a sigh because James looks so cute in his pajamas and with the teddy bear he holds.
"Daddy.", James says and Tony walks over in a hurry and takes his son in his arms.
"I'm here sweetheart.", he whispers in the dark hair of James and snuggles up to him. Tony grins, at least one of his sons appreciates him. But in the next moment, James seems to notice that Steve is there and he starts to struggle in Tony's arms.
"Down.", he says quietly and Tony does, of course, immediately, what his son wants.
James runs over to Steve and even ignores that his bear falls down. Tony picks it up for James and cuddles the bear. Steve looks a little surprised. Although James isn’t hugging him like Clint or Loki did, but he smiles at Steve while he waves to him shyly
"Hi James, did you sleep well?", asks Steve and Tony can see how his son is hiding nervously behind his twin, but he nods.
"Okay, I have to go, now", Tony says and he clears his throat. However, his boys give him no real attention. Instead, Loki excitedly tells his brothers exactly what Steve is goint to to with them the next hours.
"I said I'm going now.", Tony repeats patiently, but he doesn’t get the expected reaction.
What exactly is going on now?
"Steve, come on I gotta show you my new car!", says Loki and pulls Steve by the hand behind him. Steve grins mischievously when Loki pulls him over to the living room. Tony doesn’t even got a glance from Loki. As if Tony is air for him.
His throat tightens and he notices that the knot in his stomach grows a little further. Even Clint seems to be of little interest for him and follows his brother and Steve. He yells loudly and laughs at the same time.
Tony sighs, well, at least his children are happy with Steve. Isn’t that what Tony wanted? He wanted his children to be able not to miss him and even have fun when he is away. But it seems like he forgot that he would still miss his silly boys.
"Daddy!", James says now and Tony breathes relieved out. James thought of him. Of course, because James has so far been the most clingy. Tony kneels down to him and smiles at him.
"Yes love?", he asks and James smiles back at him. Tony is so glad that his son isn’t crying again.
"Didi!", James says then and points to the teddy bear in Tony's arms. Tonys smile breaks.
James just wanted his bear. Tony holds back a snort and gives his son the dark blue bear. James pushes him right to his face and smiles. Tony can't be angry at him.
"James, daddy's going to work now okay?" Tony says, just because he wants to tickle a reaction out of James. The dark-haired looks actually up at him and nods once.
"Okay Daddy.", he says, and Tony wants to break out into tears immediately.
Did his boys stop loving him, since Steve is there, or what? James walks now in the direction of the living room and draggs his bear behind him. Tony can hear the laughter from Steve and his two other sons. He remains still for a moment in the hallway, before he takes a look at his watch and then takes his front door key. Who would have thought that Steve is now more important for the boys than him.
Just as he stands in the front door with his briefcase in the hand, the living room door opens again and James comes out.
"Daddy Bye Bye!", he yells and then blows his daddy a kiss. Tony is so relieved that he could cry, but he is grinning too. He blows a kiss back and James giggles and even waves with the hand of his bear.
"I love you James. Take good care of your brothers and Steve.“, says Tony and James lifts his hand to give his dad the word of honour. Now Clint comes out of the living room, too.
"Love You, Daddy!", Clint says, and then Loki appears with Steve.
"Bye Daddy! See you in the morning.“, Loki says and he smiles so happy. Tony was never so relieved before in his entire life.
"See you tomorrow.", he says and waves his sons, before he goes leaves for work.