Chapter Text
Tony thought for sure when this day came that he would be more put together. The past nine months should have been enough time for him to prepare for his son’s arrival, but now as he waits in the medbay for his son to make his grand entrance, it felt as if all of his preparations had gone out the window.
Steve is the calmer of the two. No surprise there. He seems content. Tony wishes Steve would share some of that calmness with him. While Steve rests, Tony is restless, pacing the floor of the private room and trying to find a way to calm his nerves.
Tony takes a deep breath to calm himself and plops down in one of the chairs near Steve’s bedside. Steve is still asleep, enjoying the bit of comfort he has before the contractions are too strong for sleep.
Tony is careful when he takes Steve’s hand, not wanting to wake him from the only good sleep he’s going to have for a while. He soothingly smoothes his thumb over Steve’s knuckles, his fingers then gliding over the spot where he plans to put a gold band one day.
“You need to relax,” Steve mumbles, and Tony glances up, finding his eyes still closed.
“I am relaxing. I’ve never felt more relaxed.”
Steve huffs out a small laugh and his eyes flutter open. “You’re a terrible liar. I could hear you pacing for thirty minutes.”
“You’ve been awake all along?” Tony tsks and shakes his head. “You’ll never get to sleep again after this and you wasted it on me.”
Steve smiles softly and yawns. “You’re never a waste. And if it helps, I’m nervous too.”
“You? Please. I’ve never seen you so calm. It’s making me jealous.”
“I’m terrified. I thought having Dodger would help, but caring for a dog and a baby are completely different.”
“Hey.” Tony squeezes Steve’s hand reassuringly. “You’re wonderful with Dodger and I know you’ll be even more wonderful with Peter.”
“Yeah?” Steve smiles. “I know Peter is going to love you. Look how much Dodger loves you.”
“That dog is crazy.” Tony chuckles.
Steve nods, his smile faltering. “I do miss him though. He’s very cuddly.”
“If I could I’d have him in here, but I don’t think the doctor would be happy.”
Steve chuckles and curls up against Tony, his eyes falling shut. It’s not long before he’s drifting off to sleep again.
After a long, excruciating twenty hours, Peter Benjamin Stark is born. He weighs a little over seven pounds and all ten fingers and ten toes are accounted for. He’s beautiful in every sense of the word.
And when he opens his eyes for the first time, Tony is in love.
All of the fear and anxiety seems to vanish the second his son is in his arms. There’s a hint of it that still lingers, but the love and devotion he feels for his son outweighs everything else. He’d do anything for his son.
Tony cradles his son close, smiling every time Peter does something simple as yawning or stretching. Steve is already on the verge of sleep, his eyelids struggling to stay open.
“I got him, honey,” Tony assures when he catches Steve’s eyes drooping again.
“I’m fine. I just want to stare at him for a bit,” Steve says, another yawn creeping up on him, and no matter how hard he tries to stifle it, he fails miserably.
Tony chuckles. “I think someone needs a nap, and it’s not this little guy.”
Steve smiles and hums in response. “Just for a few minutes.”
“Take all the time you need. Pretty soon this room is going to be full of rowdy Avengers demanding they hold the baby. Fights are going to break out. My money is on Widow.”
Steve chuckles softly. “You’re probably right. Hey, Tony? Do you think Dodger will be okay?”
“With Pete? Yeah. Look how great he was when you were pregnant. That dog won’t let anything happen to this kid. I know it.”
“Yeah.” Steve agrees with another yawn. His eyes shut again and he mumbles sleepily, “He’s a good dog.”
Tony nods and glances down at his son, chuckling when he finds Peter alert and staring at him. “Guess you’re awake now, huh? Papa is asleep so it’s just you and me, kiddo. Wait until you meet the rest of the family. Especially Dodger. You’re going to love him. But be careful because he drools.”
Peter yawns and stretches again. Tony smiles and adjusts the blanket he’s wrapped in, making sure his son is comfortable for the long night ahead.
“You can sleep now, Pete,” Tony whispers and softly kisses the top of Peter’s head. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”
The day Peter is brought home, Tony is giddy with excitement. He couldn’t wait to show Peter the nursery he spent months preparing, and then of course there was meeting Dodger for the first time.
Dodger is excited when Steve enters the apartment first. He rushes over to properly greet him with slobbery kisses. Steve laughs when Dodger jumps up to try and lick along his face.
“Someone’s happy.” Steve smiles and scratches Dodger’s head.
Dodger’s attention is grabbed the second Tony comes through with Peter in tow. Much to Tony’s relief, Dodger doesn’t jump or bark.
Tony brings the car seat over to the sofa so that Dodger can meet the newest family member. Peter is stirred from his sleep when Dodger comes over to sniff him.
Dodger cocks his head to the side when Peter emits a tiny whimper. Steve is quick to swoop in and take Peter from the car seat and into his arms. He lowers himself onto the couch and works on getting Peter calm.
Being the curious dog that he is, Dodger comes closer to sniff Peter’s sock covered feet.
“This is Peter, Dodge,” Steve explains, “don’t worry. He won’t hurt you.”
“Yet.” Tony chuckles as he takes the car seat away to pack it up until they need it again. “Babies love to pull and chew on things. Dodger will be slobbered on, no doubt about it.”
“I don’t think Dodger will mind. Will you?” Steve smiles and frees one arm from around Peter to pat the dog’s head.
Dodger woofs in response, his tail wagging happily. He places both of his front legs on the couch cushion and leans in close to sniff and lick along Peter’s face. Peter’s face contorts and a loud wail escapes his pouty lips. Dodger ignores the shrill cry and continues to lick Peter’s face.
Tony steps in to intervene, only to pause when Peter stops crying. Both parents watch in amazement as Dodger calms the fussy newborn.
“Guess we were right. I have a feeling these two are going to be best friends,” Tony says.
Dodger ends up becoming more than Peter’s best friend. He becomes a brother.
When Peter is fussy and screaming at the top of his lungs, Dodger is there to comfort him with gentle licks. The first time Peter giggles is when Dodger makes him laugh by licking the bottom of his feet. It’s Dodger who’s there to clean up the mess Peter leaves behind after every meal, and he’s there to cuddle up with Peter for bed.
When Peter starts walking, Dodger becomes Peter’s support. And when Peter starts talking, Dodger’s name pops up in most of his conversations.
Dodger is there for all of Peter’s high and low moments. He’s there to offer warmth and comfort when Peter is sick or scared. He’s there to make Peter laugh, and he’s there to run around and play.
Eventually the penthouse becomes too small, and it’s Tony’s idea to move his family somewhere with open space and privacy. Retiring from the team was bound to happen sooner or later, and it was the birth of their son that gave Steve and Tony that final push.
They settle in their new home when Peter is around five. The large, secluded property is the perfect place to raise a family. With a lake and vast landscape, it was easy for Peter and Dodger to spend hours playing.
Tony finds his son hiding out in his tent one afternoon, and he’s not surprised to find Dodger inside with him. Tony pulls back the flap and pokes his head inside, immediately greeted with a happy bark from Dodger.
“What’s going on here?” Tony raises a brow at the abundance of toys and comic books.
Peter giggles. “I’m reading Dodger a story!”
“Sounds fun. Can I hear it too?”
“No, Daddy! You won’t fit.”
“I won’t?” Tony asks, even though he knows his son was right. That doesn’t stop him from trying to get inside the small tent. Peter giggles when Tony falls over and Dodger rushes to Tony to comfort him with kisses. “I’m okay, Dodge. I guess Petey-Pie was right.”
“I told you!” Peter giggles.
Tony huffs and pulls himself to his feet. “I guess you’d rather stay in there instead of having some of the delicious lunch Papa made.”
Peter gasps and quickly scurries out of the tent, taking Tony’s hand and dragging him toward the direction of their home. “Come on, Daddy! I’m hungry.”
Tony chuckles and allows himself to be led away. They barely make it to the porch before Steve is coming out to meet them, a bright smile on his face. Peter and Dodger abandon Tony to greet Steve with their own versions of kisses.
“My turn,” Tony says, pushing his way through and pecks Steve on the lips. “Sorry we’re late for lunch. Someone wasn’t fast enough.”
Peter frowns. “I was fast! Super fast!”
“Super fast, huh?” Steve smiles and ruffles Peter’s hair. “I want to see more of that speed tonight when you’re brushing your teeth.”
“I can brush fast, Papa!”
“And clean your room?” Tony asks.
“Yep! Dodger can help me.” Peter throws his arms around Dodger’s neck, giggling when he’s given slobbery kisses.
“Well now that you’re all here…” Steve trails off, the smile on his face growing brighter. “I have a surprise.”
“Ice cream?” Peter asks, only to grow disappointed when Steve shakes his head.
“I think you’ll like it better than ice cream,” Steve says and takes one of Peter’s tiny hands, placing it over his belly. “You’re going to be a big brother.”
Peter gasps and his eyes widen in shock. He’s not the only one left speechless, Tony is pretty sure his mouth is hanging open.
“You’re pregnant?” Tony asks and Steve nods. “Oh my God. Steve! We’re having another baby!”
Sensing the excitement Dodger begins barking and wagging his tail.
“We’re going to be brothers, Dodger!” Peter exclaims and hugs his best friend.
Peter jumps up and down excitedly, and Dodger joins in by barking and chasing the little boy around playfully.
Tony smiles and brings Steve in close. “So another baby, huh? That is a surprise.”
“But a good one, right?” Steve peers at Tony, a bit worrisome.
“Are you kidding? I can’t wait to have another baby. Peter and Dodger are going to be amazing big brothers.”
Steve hums in agreement. “Yeah. I guess taking in a dirty mutt from off the streets was a good idea, huh?”
“Obviously. He’s a good dog.”
Tony places a hand over the spot where their newest family member was growing, already picturing Dodger meeting them and protecting them like he did with Peter.
“Welcome to the family, Squirt. You’re going to love it.”