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“Steve Leliphant Munson, get your butt back here.”
Wrangling Steve into the bath was never easy; he was slipperier than an eel and had a skill of evading Eddie at every turn. Currently his little Leliphant was running naked through the house, giggling at high pitch and squealing whenever Eddie got close.
This was clearly not working so Eddie had to switch gears. A little bit of reverse psychology could be just the right thing.
“Oh, Leliphant.” Eddie cooed, smiling when the sound of scurrying slowed to a stop. “I guess you don’t want the new toy I got you.” Steve was completely quiet now. “It’s ok, I think I might have a bath and play by myself.” Eddie turned and started to walk up the stairs just as Steve peeked his head out from the kitchen.
“New toy?” he asked, sucking his lip between his teeth.
“Yup, too bad I’ll have to put them away until Christmas.”
“Daddy, no!” Steve exclaimed, coming into the hall his eyes wide and his bottom lip already trembling. “I could have a bath if you’re there too.” he was looking anywhere but Eddie, toeing the carpet, knowing full well Eddie was always there for bath time.
Eddie could tease this out but Steve looked sorry for himself, and his ruse to get him in the bath had clearly worked. He held his hand out for Steve to take and led him to the bathroom. He began to fill the tub. Sitting on the toilet lid Steve began to shiver, with only his socks and after all that running around he was getting cold.
Eddie held a large fluffy towel out for Steve, “come here, baby. Daddy wants a cuddle.” Steve smiled wide and jumped into Eddie’s arms as he wrapped the towel around him. “You’re adorable do you know that?” Eddie whispered into Steve’s hair.
“Yup.” Steve answered.
Eddie softly flicked his ear, “cheeky monkey.” he kissed the little shocked look off his face. The room was steaming up fast and the tub was full and covered in bubbles. “Ready to get in?” Eddie asked.
Steve looked ready to say no, his body tensing to make a run for it before he seemed to remember the new toy and nodded solemnly, holding a hand out for Eddie to help him in. With his foot poised just above the water he turned to Eddie. “hot?”
Eddie smiled softly then put his hand into the water splashing a bit on Steve's foot. “Perfect for my baby’s bottom.”
Steve giggled and lowered his foot into the water. He was instantly splashing his hand into the bubbles, spitting them in half and giggling in delight as they flew up in the air. Eddie grabbed a handful of bubbles and placed them on Steve’s head, quickly molding them into a mohawk. He grabbed the shaving mirror and held it up.
“What do you think?”
“Punk!” Steve exclaimed. Little Steve loved sitting in Eddie’s music room and pointing out all the things in Eddie’s posters. He particularly liked the one with a man who had a huge pink mohawk.
He placed the mirror aside and gathered more bubbles splatting them onto Steve’s face then fashioning a beard. “Look how grown up my Leliphant is now.” he showed Steve again and this time he couldn’t hold back the giggles, falling backwards and causing a wave of water to go over the edge.
Steve went still, eyes wide. “Sorry, Daddy.”
It still broke his heart every time Steve thought he’d get in trouble for little accidents. He promised himself that he’d always make sure his baby knew he was safe and loved and nothing bad would happen. Not on his watch.
“Just an accident, Leliphant.” he soothed, running a hand over Steve’s back until he relaxed.
Steve took a deep breath, centering himself then there was a glint in his eye. “Can I have my new toy now, please?” he asked.
“That was very good manners, baby.” Eddie praised, and smiled when Steve shuffled and puffed up his chest. He opened a drawer and pulled it out, hiding it behind his back. “Ready?” he asked. Steve nodded quickly and held out his hands. Eddie deposited a box of crayons which Steve looked at with a creased forehead.
“But it’s too wet for colouring, Daddy.” Steve said earnestly.
Eddie’s smile grew wide, Steve was so adorable like this, well he was adorable all the time but each time was the most adorable all over again. He pulled one crayon from the packet and leaned over to the tiled wall and made a squiggly line. Steve slapped a hand over his mouth as he gasped.
“Daddy!” he shrieked, “we aren’t allowed to draw on the walls. You saided so.”
“My sweet little Leliphant, these are special crayons, look” he took the face cloth and whipped the crayon away. “Just for bath time.”
Steve took out an orange stick and tentatively started to draw on the wall, when Eddie didn’t say anything he relaxed and was instantly lost to colouring. Eddie was able to soap up and clean Steve while he was distracted making the whole event a lot quicker without a fussy Leliphant.
Eddie sunk his hand into the water to find it lukewarm and he saw goosebumps up Steve’s back. He was currently drawing a dragon flying over his castle with a dark haired man on top of it.
“Look, that’s you, Daddy.” Steve pointed to the man, “and that,” he pointed at the dragon, “is me. Like your dragon game. I’ll save you.”
Eddie laughed, “You’re very clever and I love it very much.” Steve beamed up at him, “but it’s time to get out. You’re turning into a prune.” Eddie said, picking up one of Steve’s hands and showing him his fingers. “You’re getting cold.”
Steve’s lip started to wobble, tears threatening to fall. Eddie saw how Steve wanted to fight it but suddenly his mouth opened into a wide yawn.
“Ok, I think little Leliphants need their naps.” He was surprised when Steve didn’t fight him and took his hand getting out of the bath and into the embrace of the huge soft towel Eddie held out for him. Steve leaned heavily into Eddie’s side as they walked to Steve’s toy room. They were lucky to have enough rooms that they could dedicate one to Steve’s little self. It had a car shaped bed, buckets of toys everywhere and a change table covered in a blanket and used only for the rare drops when Steve was very young.
Steve was very sleepy so Eddie decided to put him into pull ups. Big Steve didn’t mind the pull ups especially so he didn’t wake up wet. That was one thing that caused him distress and messed with his confidence and fast to turn into self loathing. He dressed Steve in his favourite car pajamas and tucked him into bed.
“Story?” he asked. Steve nodded, his thumb already in his mouth. Eddie reached for the paci on the side table and replaced his thumb. Steve’s face relaxed and his breath turned heavy quickly. Eddie picked up a small book and started to read, continuing even after Steve’s little snores filled the air. Eddie took a moment to look at Steve, his heart couldn’t be fuller. He gently brushed his hair out of his eyes and leaned in to place a kiss on Steve’s nose.
“Sweet dreams, Leliphant. Love you to the moon and back.”
~~~~
“Eddie.”
Eddie heard Steve call out from the top of the stairs. “Steve?”
“Yeah, yeah it’s me.” Steve replied, and Eddie could hear the sigh that followed.
He put his book down and made his way up the stairs, taking Steve in his arms for a big hug. “It’s okay, darling. You were so good and sweet, I am so proud of you for trusting me.”
Steve let out another sigh and relaxed into the hug. “Thanks, Eds.” he pulled back and kissed Eddie softly on the lips. “I love my new toy.” Steve added and laughed, kissing Eddie again.
You know I'm gonna draw dicks everywhere next time I take a bath.” Eddie said, delighting in the way Steve’s face broke into a smile, the wonky kind reserved just for Eddie.
“You’re so immature.” Steve poked Eddie in the ribs, “right, I gotta get out of these pull ups. Go start making dinner, I’m starving.”
It was as easy as that. Eddie smacked Steve on the ass as he walked away, cackling at the indignant sound Steve made.