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After the shooting, Steve and Captain decided to take time off of the base to spend quality time with their son, Pico. The son they once knew died that day, and they needed to get to know their new son better. Gone were the days of a curious boy who loved to pull pranks and play outside. Now more than anything, Pico was scared and quiet.
Steve was walking home with Pico from school, carrying his bag and lunch box for him. Pico didn’t like small talk anymore; he only answered his dad’s questions with a nod or a quiet grumble. One question got Pico talking though.
“What do you want to be when you grow up, kiddo?”
Pico didn’t hesitate. “Army man like you and dad.”
Aw that’s kinda sweet-
“So I can kill people with my gun.”
Steve stumbled a little bit. Hoooo boy.
“Pico,” Steve starts as he stops his son from walking and gets down on his level. “Being in the army isn’t about killing people-“
“But dad says in war people die.” Pico interrupts.
“I mean yeah it happens but there’s more to it than that! There’s other jobs like engineering, technology, and map making and if I’m being completely honest I don’t ever want to see you holding another gun.” Steve said quickly.
“But I already have one-“
“YOU WHAT” Steve blurted.
Pico nods. “‘Keep it under my pillow in case someone comes into my room.”
“Pico where did you get it?”
“Dad’s safe.”
“It wasn’t locked?!”
“Nuh-uh.”
“That dumb son of a bitch-“
“What?”
“Nothing, l-let’s just get home.” Steve says as he takes Pico’s hand and begins to walk faster.
***
Once they arrive home, Pico immediately rushes to the living room to catch his favorite after school show. Steve sets his son’s bags next to the door and sighs. He makes his way to the kitchen to have a talk with his partner.
“Hey, darl,” John starts as he continues to eat his lunch, “how’s Pico doing?”
Steve doesn’t answer and gestures for John to follow him.
John gets up from his place at the table and begins to follow Steve to Pico’s bedroom.
Once they arrive, Steve walks to his bed and lifts his pillow. He reveals a revolver and shows it to John.
“Where the fuck did he get that from?!”
Steve walks towards him with an unimpressed expression and drops the gun in his hands.
“Your safe.”
“But I always keep it locked!”
“No you don’t dumbass, you keep it unlocked because you forget the code most of the time.”
John lowers his head. “Oh yeah that’s right.” He pauses before pushing out the revolver's cylinder to check if it was loaded. He breathes a sigh of relief to see that it’s empty.
“From now on the safe needs to stay locked. We’ll set a new code you’ll remember or something.”
John nods in agreement and places the gun in his back pocket.
“Did he tell you why he got it?” John asks.
“He wanted to have a gun so he could protect himself in case anyone came into his room at night.”
John pauses again before speaking. “Maybe we should let him have it.”
“What.” Steve deadpans.
“He’s been through so much, Steve. So if this makes him feel safe why shouldn’t he have it?”
“He told me when he wants to grow up he wants to be an army man and kill people! What if he wants to start now? What if he hurts someone on accident?” Steve worries out loud.
John places a hand on Steve’s shoulder and sighs. “I get it. How about this. What if we got him a toy gun, like a Nerf or something. One that could still shoot if that’s the part makes him feel better. Maybe we can get him a real one when he’s sixteen.”
“I don’t think I ever want him to have a gun, John.”
“I don’t think he’s going to live without one.”