Chapter Text
Age: 1 week
The first time Steve held a squirming Tony in his arms, he fell in love.
Howard had looked for him, had never stopped searching, firmly believing their soldier would have a proper burial, one a hero deserved.
(On one memorable moment, after they argued about Howard not doing the same for Bucky’s body after the war, after Steve had asked if Howard didn’t think Bucky deserved a proper burial, he’s more of a hero than I ever could be, Howard, the brunet had confessed to believing Steve would still be alive because of the serum.
They didn’t speak for two full weeks but they have become actual friends after.
Steve wasn’t ashamed to admit it was because of Peggy that he and Howard had reconciled)
Peggy had been married when he woke up. It had hurt, true, but expecting a woman as amazing as her to wait for a practically dead man was simply cruel and selfish. It took a while, knowing the woman he could have fallen in love with had moved on, but he had accepted the fact and was happy for her.
Howard has married as well, to a smart and beautiful woman named Maria. Steve can see the intelligence hiding behind her warm blue eyes, sparkling softly and then blazing when needed. He could see why Howard would marry her—Howard has always liked a woman who was smart over anything else, her physical beauty, along with her kind and mischievous heart, was simply a bonus.
He helped S.H.I.E.L.D. every now and then but he was not on active field duty. He trained the new recruits and was trained by, and trained with, the more seasoned agents. He was only called when the situation was too dangerous for agents who weren’t enhanced like he was.
(S.H.I.E.L.D., led by Howard, has been trying to recreate the super soldier serum, just enough to enhance a human’s healing and strength—not quite to Steve’s level of enhancement but enough to give some of their soldiers and their agents an advantage.
Steve would not find out about this until the early eighties, the consequence of his body being found was to give Howard that missing part of the equation to recreate the serum faster.)
Years passed and within what felt like a blink of an eye, it has been five years since he was taken from the ice. His aging has slowed but only by a miniscule amount, not entirely noticeable unless you were looking for it. Along with the discovery of his aging was the announcement of Maria’s pregnancy.
The couple has been trying for a child for a while now and the announcement of the pregnancy was welcomed with great enthusiasm. Most of their friends have been fussing over the pregnant woman, even when she wasn’t showing yet. It was quite a difficult pregnancy, seeing as Maria wasn’t young anymore, even if she was younger than Howard.
Finally, on May 29, 1976, Anthony Edward Stark was born.
He was away on a mission when Anthony was born, so he wasn’t able to visit the new parents until a week later. After debrief, he went straight to the Stark manor—stealth suit and all. Maria was still on bedrest, limited only to the same floor where her and Howard’s room was.
When Steve arrived, Edwin was the one who welcomed him, seeing as Howard was at work.
(As it turned out, even when he has his firstborn, Howard couldn’t take a break from Stark Industries.)
He was filled with nerves, meeting his godson for the first time, and he knew Edwin was aware of this but the other man was kind enough not to say anything. When they reached the nursery, Maria’s voice filled his ears. He slows his pace until he came to a stop, halting Edwin along with him as he listened to the song.
“Not even a month old and you’re already spoiling him.” Steve said with a smirk when Maria finished the song, pushing the door open. She didn’t even flinch upon their entrance, giving Steve the assurance the new mother knew they were there.
“I’ll give the world to my little darling.” Maria cooed at her son, brushing her nose gently against the infant’s nose, making him gurgle. Steve felt his chest constrict at the sound. “Do you want to hold him?” Maria asked, finally taking her attention from her son which the boy didn’t seem to like. Only a week old and he was already a mama’s boy.
Before Steve could respond, Maria was there, guiding him on how to position his arms. Maria made sure the infant was placed high on his chest, “He can’t see that far yet.” She whispered, just as enraptured as he was by the wide amber eyes.
(As Tony grew older, Steve will realize the boy’s eyes were actually heterochromatic, colours changing constantly, playing along with the light depending on the environment.)
He cradled the infant gently in his large arms, making sure he would not drop the boy. He was certain the wonder in his eyes was obvious but he couldn’t care less. He was holding his godson, this tiny little being who already had Steve wrapped around his tiny little fingers.
“Hello, Anthony.” He whispered, moving so he can let his finger feel the baby’s soft cheek. “I’m your uncle Steve.” He glanced at Maria for a moment, but Anthony demanded attention without even trying. “I will protect you with my life, I swear.”
“You’ll be the most protected little boy, won’t you, love?” Steve saw Maria glance behind him, probably at Edwin, before flitting her gaze to him and back to her son.
As if he could already understand what they were saying, Anthony waved his arms widely, eyes squinting.
Not even a year old yet and already, Steve was in love with this little boy.