Work Text:
Eddie is so thankful as he helps Christopher back into his bed. It’s day three post op and Chris is in high spirits, even with an extensive surgery this boy continues to amaze him with his resilience.
“Hey dad, do you want to know what I heard from Connor down the hall when we were in the playroom?” Christopher says excitedly as Eddie tucks him in.
“What’s that buddy?”
“We are getting to meet real, live , superheroes today!”
“What? No way!” Eddie responds, with an equal amount of enthusiasm because his kid is worth it.
Christopher’s nurse Irene comes into the room after a knock on the door frame.
“Good morning Christopher, I just have to flush your IVs okay,” she informs him before going about her job. “Are you excited for our activity today?” She asks, her smile almost as big as Christopher’s as she locks off the last of Christopher’s IVs.
“I am so excited! I was telling daddy about the superheroes and everything!”
“Mhmm, I know for sure there is Captain America, Spiderman and get this, even Ironman is taking the day off to visit us today.”
Eddie is even more thankful for the amazing nurses and health care staff that Christopher has had during his stay here at Children’s Hospital of LA. He knows all too well that’s not always the case. Just to see him laughing and smiling at a time when he knows he’s in pain and having a hard time is one weight lifted off his shoulders.
Christopher spends the rest of the morning getting ready for the afternoon, this means eating all his food, taking his meds and having a good nap before the start to make their way to the playroom.
If Eddie were anywhere else he might be annoyed by the sounds of children screaming, and laughing and yelling. But here, in a place that is all too often a place where kids are scared and alone and sick, he’ll take the high energy sounds anyday.
“Okay everyone,” one of the hospital staff starts, “before we start I just want to thank you all for making it down here today, families I know you are busier than you’d like to be and being here isn’t anyone’s favourite thing, but we thank you for coming and I know your kids do too.” Her face is earnest in her thanks, and Eddie can’t quite verbalize how much he wants to thank all the staff that have helped his son through his surgery and recovery.
“Okay, without further ado I think everyone is excited about the guests coming here today.”
Christopher looks up at him with eyes as big as saucers and all of a sudden Eddie is just as excited as him.
Upbeat pop music blasts over speakers in the corner of the room and the first guest comes out. Spider Man pops his head into the room and then makes his entrance with a jump and squat, staying there for a few seconds as he surveys the room. The kids are eating it up, squeals of joy and excitement flooding the room. Next is Thor, someone Eddie wasn’t expecting, but is impressed with how mighty he makes himself in the room, the kids are impressed too, especially when he drops his hammer on the ground only to make a show of strength picking it back up. Ironman is calm, cool and collected as he comes into the room showing off his suit to any kid who asks. What Eddie isn’t expecting is his head to turn and see the most beautiful eyes he’s ever seen when Captain America walks in.
Eddie is taken aback by his beauty, sure he’s always admired men from afar, but this one takes his breath away. The way his hair swoops to the side, or the way his smile lights up anyone he sees, it takes Christopher pulling Eddie’s arm, pointing to spiderman for Eddie to realize there’s more than just him in the room.
Christopher makes his way around all of the superheroes, making sure to ask all of the questions he can think of, about their suits, about all the people they save, and Eddie’s surprised at how patient each and every one of them is. They take the time to make sure that his kid feels special. The pictures alone he knows Christopher will want framed, and he has a sinking feeling that the stories from this day are going to be told time and time again, even once they are discharged home.
The last one they talk to is Captain America, and up close he is even more beautiful. Eddie’s just glad that his son is the one talking because he’s not sure whether words or gibberish would come out of his mouth if he tried.
Christopher spends the most time with Captain America, and the man never falters, never makes him feel like he’s inconveniencing him in any way. He just squats there beside him and they talk and talk. It’s not until the woman who introduced the event makes an announcement letting everyone know that unfortunately these superheroes have incredibly important superhero matters to attend to, that they actually look up and realize how much time has gone by.
The man lets them know, even though they should be heading out right now that there is enough time for a picture. Eddie must take almost twenty photos and each one Christopher is looking up at Captain America with the kind of wonderment in his eyes that only a child could hold.
The nurses and health care aids are guiding the children back to their rooms and Eddie is just about to follow them when he feels a tap on his shoulder. He turns around, only to be met with the same blue eyes and Captain America suit.
“I just wanted to tell you, you have an adorable son.” Eddie looks back at him, and forgets what words are for a moment.
“Uh,” once his brain resets he realizes he should probably answer, “yeah, he’s definitely the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” Captain America is just about to turn around and walk away when Eddie adds, “thank you, for being so great with him.”
“He’s a great kid.”
“Yeah, he is.”
Eddie makes his way back to Christopher’s room and can’t help but daydream. Dream about what it would be like to have a partner beside him everyday; to have someone to drive Christopher to school with, or spend late nights sitting on the couch talking to, most of all he dreams about someone who is content spending time with his son. He knows it’s a lot to ask of a person, and it’s one of the biggest reasons he doesn’t date.
Seeing Captain America with his kid gives him hope that someday someone will come along who checks all his boxes. For now he’s content with cuddling his kid (and getting ready for the new job he starts in a couple of weeks).
When he finally gets back to the room, Christopher is chatting with his incoming evening nurse when he looks up and says, “I know I just met a bunch of superheroes, but you’re my superhero daddy.”