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Peter kicked off his shoes and slumped into the sofa. It had been a long day, and he wanted nothing more than to cuddle with his husband and watch TV until it was time to watch the ball drop at midnight. Tony was already on the sofa, and he lifted his arm to tug Peter into his side. Peter rested his head on Tony’s chest and his eyes slipped closed with a small sigh. This was what he needed; Tony’s heartbeat in his ear, Tony’s hand carding through his hair, and the rumble of Tony’s voice as he asked about Peter’s day.
“It was fine, just busy, y’know?” Peter said, snuggling closer.
Tony hummed and bent down to press a kiss to the top of Peter’s head. They sat quietly for a while, the TV on more as background noise than actual entertainment. Peter was slipping into sleep when the phone rang, jarring him. He sat up and looked around, groaning and trying to find his phone. Finally, Tony grabbed it out of the pocket of Peter’s jacket and swiped his finger across the screen to answer the call.
“Hello?” Tony said into the phone. “No, you did, I just answered. Yeah. Really?”
Peter raised his eyebrow, sitting back and watching the expressions play across Tony’s face. A smile pulled at the edges of his lips and Tony told the caller to hang on.
“Baby, it’s Maria from social services,” Tony said. This caused Peter to sit up straighter, focusing more intently. “She said they just got a little boy in. His parents were in an accident and he had no other relatives. They’re asking if we want to take him in, as a foster to start.”
“Really? How old is he? What’s his name? Do we have everything we need?” Peter asked, dropping his feet to the floor and standing.
“He’s three, his name is Benjamin, and we have everything we need, baby,” Tony answered.
Benjamin. Tears sprang to Peter’s eyes, and he nodded, sniffling and swiping his fingers under his eyes. This was perfect.
“Okay, yeah, do we need to come down and get him or are they bringing him over?” Peter asked, already reaching for his shoes.
Tony asked and then relayed the answer to Peter, “She said they can bring him by within the hour.”
“Okay,” Peter said, dropping his shoes. “Okay, good. I’m gonna go make sure the bedroom is all set up.”
Turning on his heel, Peter padded down the hallway to one of the rooms they had set aside specifically for fostering. There was a small toddler bed pushed into one corner, a dresser and several toys. Never knowing if they would get a little boy or a little girl, Tony and Peter decorated the room in neutral colors. There were splashes of yellow and orange, some red and blue, and even a touch of pink. Mostly, though, it was browns and creams.
Peter entered the en suite bathroom and made sure there were toiletries available. They only ever kept sample sizes, preferring to take any children they fostered shopping for their own things. But for the first night, it was best to make sure they had the essentials.
Satisfied, Peter turned to head into the kitchen. He went straight to the pantry and pulled out a few small snacks, hoping Benjamin wasn’t too picky - or if he was, that they had something he wanted. His excitement grew as he prepared the snacks, anticipation and nerves all rolled into one.
Tony pressed up behind him, wrapping his arms around Peter’s waist and resting his head on Peter’s shoulder. He didn’t speak, and Peter didn’t either, instead leaning back against his husband and sighing softly. This wasn’t their first foster kid, but he was hoping this one would be the first they adopted. They both agreed they were ready for a new permanent addition.
They stayed like that until the doorbell rang and Tony pulled away. Peter joined him in the entry as Tony pulled the door open and greeted their social worker. Maria looked harried, bun sloppy and makeup smudged. Peter’s heart ached for her, knowing the stress she was under.
“Maria, hey,” Peter greeted with a smile. He pulled her into a hug and looked down at the little boy standing beside her. “And you must be Benjamin.”
The little boy stared up at Peter with huge brown eyes and nodded. Peter crouched down to be at his level and smiled, holding out his hand for the little boy to shake.
“I’m Peter,” Peter said, glancing behind himself. “And this is Tony. You’re gonna stay with us, at least for a little while. Is that okay?”
Benjamin nodded, looking between all three adults. Peter could sense how scared he was, and did his best to make himself appear small and non-threatening. Benjamin finally reached forward and took hold of Peter’s hand. Peter, knowing the boy didn’t understand handshakes yet, squeezed the small hand clasped in his own and pulled lightly to bring him inside.
“I’m so sorry to call so late, Mr. St-” Maria started, fumbling with the bags she held.
“How many times have I asked you to call me ‘Tony’?” Tony asked, raising an eyebrow.
Maria huffed a laugh, but nodded. “Right, well, I’m sorry Tony - and Peter. I know it’s almost midnight, but we needed urgent placement.”
“Of course, Maria,” Peter said, leading the group into the kitchen. “You know we’re always open to a call. If we weren’t able to take him we’d have told you.”
“Yes, yes, I know,” Maria said. “This is his bag, and his paperwork.”
She handed Peter a black trash bag which he scrunched his nose at. She smiled sympathetically, but they both knew it was standard for almost all children who came through the system. He knew they’d be shopping soon, but for now he took the bag and set it aside. Tony picked up the paperwork Maria had set on the counter and looked through it. Peter trusted his husband to read the documents and would sign once Tony had.
“Is this for sure temporary, or is there the possibility of -” Peter glanced at Benjamin and raised his eyebrow. The boy was old enough that he might understand some of what they were saying, but Peter couldn’t be sure how much. He didn’t want to get any of their hopes up at this early stage.
“There’s the possibility for a more permanent placement, Peter,” Maria said, also glancing down at the little boy.
Benjamin was staring around the kitchen, taking in every detail. Peter noticed he was munching on one of the cookies he’d laid out and shot a smile to Tony. He looked back at Maria and nodded, understanding that they had to see where the future took them.
“Okay,” Peter said. “Thank you for bringing him over.”
“Thank you for taking him, both of you,” Maria insisted as Peter walked her to the door. “Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year,” Peter replied, smiling and closing the door behind her.
He returned to the kitchen to find Tony had lifted Benjamin up onto a bar stool and was showing him how to twist the oreo to eat the cream inside. Peter shook his head fondly, leaning against the wall. Tony glanced up and shot him a grin before going back to Benjamin.
This is the perfect start to a new year, Peter thought, humming happily.
“Happy New Year,” Peter said softly and Tony glanced back up, eyes crinkling with his smile.
“Happy New Year, baby,” Tony replied as the fireworks went off in the distance and the clock struck twelve.
