Work Text:
it was 7pm and Vegas was still not here.
Pete gripped the spatula in his hand gritting his teeth while stirring the pot of hot soup he decided to make today.
"Your Paa is late again, Venice" Pete said to his son who was seated in a high chair playing with his chew toy. He giggled loudly at Pete's words and Pete let out a small chuckle.
This was the 3rd day in a row Vegas was late. Back in the days when Pete had just started living with him, Vegas would make sure to be on time and would sometimes even skip days just to stay with him and Venice. but now that months have passed and they're over their honeymoon phase, Vegas has started neglecting him.
Pete felt alone. Sure there is venice to take care of and he loves taking care of his son. His entire day and energy is invested towards Venice and Pete doesn't regret a single thing. sometimes Vegas and him would take Venice out for fresh air, somewhere like a park of maybe to the beach.
Venice loved the beach, he would giggle and throw his hands in the air looking at the waves crash against each other. it was such a beautiful sight.
But these past few weeks Vegas hasn't accompanied them to the beach. He tries his best but something comes up and he has to go work.
Pete understood how important it is and that it's not his fault But there are days, like today for instance where he wishes for his presence, his touch. Pete was annoyed at Vegas but more than that, he missed Vegas.
The hot burn against his hand snapped Pete out of his train of thoughts. He had accidentally brought it closert to the boiling soup and now his hand was right red.
"Fuck!" He yelled out loud, startling Venice. Pete dropped the spoon with a hiss and rushed to the sink to cool off his hand. He reminded himself that he had to endure far worse during his training and that the pain was fleeting.
It took him a few moments to feel at ease before he settled down in the dining chair. That was when he heard the sizzle at the stove and decided to turn off the soup before holding out an ice pack on his hand.
"Pete I'm home," He heard Vegas' voice thet startled him. He started to walk towards him but Vegas kept walking straight towards the bedroom. "I'm going to take a shower and join you guys."
Pete was done. Maybe it was the anger from getting burnt or the fact that he wouldn't have if it wasn't for Vegas, he banged the spatula on the table and went to make Venice's food.
Fifteen minutes into feeding Venice, Vegas sneaked up on him and Pete had almost dropped the bowl on their son.
"Are you insane?" he snapped at Vegas, making his smile drop. Pete huffed out a breath and went back to feeding Venice, talking to the kid to make him cheer up and open his mouth.
"Wow you made soup today," Vegas sensed some tension and tried to initiate a conversation but Pete wasn't having it.
"Venice your Paa is here to eat!" He said in his childlike tone that he used to make Venice excited. "and then your Paa will be tired! so your Paa will go sleep!"
It was very petty of Pete but he couldn't help it. Throwing jabs at vegas right now was the only thing keeping him from exploding at the man.
Vegas looked at Pete in panic and confusion. Usually pete wasn't the one sulking in this relationship but when he did, Vegas knew he messed up bad.
"Pete-" Vegas started but Pete cut him off
"The soup is there just fill your bowl and eat. I'm not serving you,"
"but Pete I-"
"Venice we're done! yayyy" Pete placed the bowl and clapped.
He spared a glare at Vegas directing him to clap as well and Vegas hurried to do so. This made Venice start giggling loudly and punching his tiny fists around because he was now starting to associate clapping with a sense of achievement. This gave Pete a sense of satisfaction at parenting.
Pete wiped off the excess from the child's mouth and placed him in his rocking chair so he could play with the hanging toys.
He turned towards the kitchen counter, pouring himself the soup and trying to keep his hand as far away from the hot steam as possible. He sat down opposite Vegas, who was now eyeing his husband nervously, trying to figure out what to say to him.
So, he decided to start speaking about his day.
"I had a great day today by the way," Vegas started. "The Deal was finally closed and we were able to secure another new client"
Pete wanted to cheer for Vegas and smile at him. he knew the pressure and tension he went through just to seal this deal. But Pete wasn't budging today. He needed to show Vegas that two could play this game.
"Macau! come and have dinner!" Pete yelled out, summoning the younger brother out of his Bat cave.
Sometimes Pete wondered how he could survive in his bedroom the entire time with no human interactions. But once they ended up playing a game and both of them ended up dozing off in the chairs at midnight.
"Ho P'Pete who pissed you off today?" Macau asked, whipping out a bowl from the cabinet and pouring himself some soup.
"Why would I be pissed? what is there to be pissed?" Pete sarcastically stated before sipping his soup and eyeing Vegas.
"Trouble in paradise brother?" Macau raised his eyebrow at Vegas and pursed his lips. he decided to let the lover's spat go on and took his dinner back to his bedroom, leaving the three of them alone.
"Pete! What happened here" Vegas scrambled forward and held Pete's hand. he'd finally noticed thr red burn on his hand and panic settled into his eyes. Pete finished the remaining bits in his bowl and snatched his hand back, walking to the sink to wash the bowl.
"It's nothing," he said nonchalantly. it really was nothing. people sometimes got hurt in kitchen and it was fine. But pete wanted to make a statement. "Just me being my clumsy self burning my hand because I kept wondering when my husband will be home,"
Realisation dawned on Vegas. He had in all honesty forgotten that today was his turn to cook. Pete's wouldn't have burnt himself if Vegas was cooking today. And he hated himself for it.
He took a step forward and hugged Pete from behind, setting his chin over Pete's shoulder while pete cleaned the utensils. He put his hand forward and stopped Pete in his work.
"Pete, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I forgot. If it wasn't for this meeting today i would have arrived earlier. Please forgive me."
He thought it was just today? Pete wouldn't have been petty over a one day delay. This had been weeks of accumulated frustration over the lack of consideration from him husband.
He pushed Vegas away and turned to face him. Vegas still took a step forward. Pete glared at him between this tiny space.
"This is not just about today, Vegas. You said you were going to take us out this Saturday but did you? I had to walk through that whole park with Venice strapped to my chest and his essentials in a stroller. I had to call arm and pol for back up-"
-not just this. You hardly even look around yourself these days. You're too tired to even kiss me since yesterday and everytime I spark up a conversation you end up just nodding along. I am not one of your workers Vegas i am your husband!" Pete's eyes welled up and Vegas was taken aback.
He couldn't believe that he made Pete feel so small these few days. He felt a sense of self loathing. He promised to love Pete unconditionally but here was Pete standing In front of him, telling him he didn't receive the love he was promised.
Vegas took a few steps back. he went to find the first aid kit without a word and made Pete settle down in a chair. Pete glanced at Venice's sleeping form and was thankful the child didn't have to see their parents quarrel this way.
Vegas was now attending the burn wound, he cleaned it out well and bent down to kiss the wound, his lips softly brushing over his skin. Pete felt a shiver run through him and there was warmth in his heart.
Vegas continued to apply a burn ointment and rubbed it in while looking at Pete's eyes shining from unshed tears.
He let go of his hand and wiped his fingers with the napkin.
"Thank you," Pete said and was about to get up when Vegas leaned forward and cupped his cheeks. He went ahead and pressed kisses on both his cheeks, moved along his face towards his nose, chin and then finally settled on Pete's soft lips.
Pete melted into his husband's touch. The kiss slowly erasing all his past complaints. Vegas softly kissed him, sucking his bottom lip between his. Pete sighed into the kiss and held Vegas' neck. They broke off the kiss and Pete leaned his forehead against Vegas'
"I'm sorry Pete," Vegas whispered in the space between them. His thumb rubbing against his cheek.
"I'm sorry for making you feel this way. I didn't consider your feelings. I should have done better. But you're not my worker, Pete. You're my husband and I love you the most darling,"
The unshed tears in Pete's eyes started to roll down his cheeks and looking at Pete cry started a chain of reaction, making Vegas cry as well.
"Don't cry baby, Please I'm sorry tell me what to do to make you feel better," Vegas pleaded, wiping Pete's tears.
Pete shook his head at his words. He sniffled and smiled at him.
"I already feel better. I love you too Vegas" Pete said and hugged him tightly. They both were startled when they heard Venice make a cooing sound. He was finally awake.
Pete got up from the chair and approached Venice.
"My Venice, you're awake" Pete squeezed his cheeks and smiled until he heard a song starting to play from the house stereo. He turned confused to see Vegas grinning at him with his hands stretched forward.
"Lets dance Pete," Vegas approached his husband and took his hands into his. He started swaying with him around the kitchen.
"Vegas what are we doing?" Pete tried to suppress his laughter.
"Dancing! like in the movies you watch," Vegas replied and twirled Pete around. The song in the background, a soft indie pop one that Pete had played continuously last week.
"I would never fall in love again until I found her," Vegas started singing with his hands wrapped around Pete's waist while Pete's hands rested on his shoulders, both swaying to the soft music.
The space between them was warm as they gazed into each other's eyes, smiling widely and in love.
"I said, I would never fall unless it's you I fall into" Pete joined him and they both continued singing and dancing.
"I was lost within the darkness, but then I found her"
"I found you...."
The both sighed against each other and Vegas made a point to kiss Pete's burnt wound again.
They snapped out of their daze when they heard Venice's giggles and turned to face their child. Venice was excitedly clapping his hands, happy to see his dad's happy.
Pete broke off and carried Venice out of the chair back to Vegas.
Vegas had never felt so much at peace and love, seeing his family here with him. With his husband and his son, smiling at him like he had hung of the moon for them.
He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on both their cheeks, his eyes averted to Macau approaching them as well with a smile on his face.
"Where is mine?" Macau asked and Vegas kissed his forehead as well letting out a small chuckle in the process.
"So P'Pete forgave you?" Macau questioned and gazed suggestively at Vegas.
"For now," Pete said and glared at Vegas.
"If he ignores me again. I'll leave the house."
"You're not going anywhere," Vegas leaped forward and engulfed Pete while Pete was holding Venice. Pete let out a small chuckle squeezing Venice closer to his chest.
"Yes P'Pete, don't leave me with this man," Macau said and hugged Pete from the other side earning a look of betrayal from Vegas.
Pete let out a laugh, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. If anyone had told him a year ago that he would have such a family to himself that loved him and cherished him, Pete would have laughed in their face.
He was at peace and contented now, with his family. His home.
"Macau can you take care of Venice today," Vegas asked and Pete's eyes widened.
"Shut up Vegas," He smacked Vegas' arm and blushing furiously.
"Only if you buy me that new gamer keyboard I wanted," Macau suggested, suppressing a laugh.
"Deal I'll even buy you five others," Macau grinned wide and took Venice from Pete.
"Hey no-" Pete started to protest but he was cut ahort bt Vegas dragging him towards their room.
"I'm sleepy Pete lets go. Venice will be fine," Vegas smiled and let out an embarrassing giggle.
Today was going to be a long night Pete thought to himself before giving in.