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“Are you sure you don't want kids of your own someday?”
Bob barely lifted his face from John's chest, frowning.
“What do you mean?” he said. “I already have a kid.”
He and John had been together for five years, an infinite amount of time considering his previous relationships,and they had been the best five years of his life.
For a guy who didn't even know if he'd make it to 30 alive and well, he wasn't doing so badly.
Before John, his longest relationship had lasted four months. He was a nice guy, but it ended when they locked him up in rehab, one of many, and he never saw him again when he got out.
Bob wished he could turn back time and hug himself. He wanted to tell him to hold on, that a beautiful light awaits him at the end of the tunnel.
At the end of the tunnel there was John, his hugs, his kisses, and him being so damn good for him.
At the end of the tunnel there were his powers, which, even though he'd always had a conflictual relationship with them, had still allowed him to become an Avenger and make a difference in the world. To do something more concrete with his life.
At the end of the tunnel were Yelena and Ava, his best friends, his sisters. Much more than any family he could ever have wanted.
And at the end of the tunnel were Olivia and little Liam.
Bob truly believed he wouldn't live to his 30, and he certainly never would have considered becoming a father.
Or rather, a stepfather.
Liam's parents were John and Olivia, and he'd always been very good at not getting in the way of them.
He was Bobby, Dad's new, funny partner who could fly and who read him stories in funny voices, or who made him eat sweets even when he wasn't supposed to, and that was fine.
Bobby couldn't help but think that, deep down, Liam was also a little bit his too.
"It's so sweet that you think of Liam as yours, honey," John said, stroking his hair. "He loves you too. God, he even looks for you before he says hi to me when he comes to visit. I mean, a child on your own. You and me."
"Oh my God, that's a weird way to tell me you're pregnant, baby," Bobby said, chuckling.
"You're so stupid," John said, chuckling. “What I mean is that my life is with you now, and I couldn't ask for anything better. Sometimes I think I threw Liam into your arms when he was only three without even asking. You know, most people would never get together with someone who's been married or has kids.”
“You didn't force me to do anything,” Bob said. “I adore Olivia, and I'm the gayest person in the world, but I have a crush on her too. And Liam… Liam is my baby. I like being a stepdad. It's much less stressful, and I don't have to say no to everything. That's your job.”
“Okay, I get it,” John said. “I just think you'd be a great dad if you wanted to.”
“Liam is the easiest kid in the world,” Bob said. “That's also why I love him. He's not a good match.”
“A little girl with my blonde hair and your blue eyes wouldn't be bad,” John said.
“I'm starting to think you really are pregnant,” Bob said, chuckling, getting a pat on the shoulder.
“Last time I checked, we're both men, honey,” John said.
“Hey, you just have to want it,” Bob said. “Until one of us gets pregnant, I'm enjoying my baby, who's already born and who I didn't have to give birth to.”
Bob fell asleep like that. Thinking of Liam and those five years of being a “parent,”
///
It's never easy dealing with his mental health issues. Depressive states followed manic ones, kept under control by an inordinate amount of medication.
But sometimes even they failed.
"I'll ask Olivia if she can take Liam tomorrow, when you're feeling better," John said, kissing his forehead as he got out of bed.
"No," Bob said, almost in a whimper. "I don't want you to give up your baby because of me."
They had been together for two years, and had always managed to keep this "negative" side of him hidden from Liam.
Olivia and Liam had moved to New York when Olivia lost her job. They had seized the opportunity of a new job in the Big Apple (with Mel's help) to get closer to John and make his life a little easier.
The first year of their relationship had been punctuated by monthly trips to Georgia, which Bob went to a couple of times before they joined them.
Liam was already platonically in love with him by then.
He was five years old and one of the smartest kids Bob had ever known. Luckily for Bob, he had inherited only John's best qualities, like his sweetness, his desire to protect and help others, and Olivia's boundless empathy.
It was John's turn to have Liam for the weekend.
"Olivia's going away for the weekend with that guy she met at the gym, remember?" Bob said. "You can't back out. I don't want her to hate me."
"Honey, she loves you more than she's ever loved me, and we've been married for 14 years," John said. "Are you sure?"
“Yes, he's a smart boy,” Bob said. “Tell him I'm not well, that I have a fever.”
“Okay,” John said. “But he'll have questions, you know.”
“You'll make up something, Dad,” Bob said. “Don't let him come here tho, I don't want him to see me like this.”
“I'll come check on you every now and then, and when I'm with him, I'll send Yelena, okay? I don't want to leave you alone,” John said.
Bob stayed locked in his little cocoon of blankets all day.
As John had predicted, Liam asked questions.
“But why can't I go to Bobby, Dad?”
“You'll catch a fever,” John said. “You know, Mom will kill us both if you get sick.”
But Liam was far too smart for his age.
He was just about to fall asleep, the monotonous sound of laughter from some sitcom playing in the background, when he heard the door open slightly and the faint sound of footsteps approaching the bed.
“Lena?” he asked. “John sent you, didn’t he?”
“Daddy’s cooking dinner,” Liam said.
He jumped onto the bed with a thud, sending Bob into a panic.
“No,” he said. “No, honey, you can’t stay here.”
“No,” Liam said. “Daddy said you have a fever, but I don’t buy it. You’re indestructible, like him. And he never gets sick.”
“No, I’m very sick. You have to go back to Daddy before you catch something,” Bob said.
He even pretended to cough, but that didn’t impress Liam.
“Mom would send you to school anyway,” Liam said. “Believe me, I tried.”
Bob gave up. It was impossible to beat a five-year-old at his own game.
“okay, I don't have a fever,” he said. “I'm a little sad, and I want to be alone. Sometimes that happens, but tomorrow morning I'll be in the kitchen eating pancakes with you. I promise.”
“Can I stay here with you tho?” Liam asked, his big blue eyes so much like his father's.
Bob could never say no. He pulled back the covers with a sigh, watching Liam crawl under them happily.
“Come here” Liam said, taking his face in his little hands. He kissed his forehead tenderly, as John had done a thousand times with him.
“Mommy always does that when I'm sad,” he said. “Three kisses. One from her, one from Daddy, and one from you.”
“That's very sweet of you, honey,” Bob said.
“Three kisses to take away the bad thoughts and sadness,” Liam said resolutely. “Are you feeling better now?”
“Now that you're here, yes,” Bob said, chuckling.
When John opened the door with the tray in hand, he found them both asleep. Bob seemed calmer, his face relaxed and a protective hand on his son's back.
“My boys,” he said, smiling, letting them sleep a little longer.
///
Liam was six years old when they were invited to his school as part of one of Valentina's marketing stunts.
They showed up in their costumes, the others scattered around the other classrooms, while he and John were obviously assigned to Liam's class.
He was surrounded by his classmates when they entered, but his little face lit up as soon as he saw them.
"All right, kids. Please sit down," said Liam's teacher, Miss Kelly. "Good. We're very honored to have two Avengers with us today. I think you already know Mr. Walker, Liam's dad, but we're also very pleased to have Mr. Reynolds with us."
They were bombarded with questions, from the most "normal" to the most absurd, like "Who would win in a fight between you and the Hulk?" and even "My older sister says Bucky is the cutest of the bunch."
"Yes, Kevin, do you have any questions?" asked Miss Kelly.
“Liam said his dad could fly, but I don't believe him,” he said.
Liam had definitely picked up a certain temper from John.
“No, Kevin,” Liam said. “My other dad can fly. I have two dads, I told you. Bobby, can you please show him? He won't leave me alone otherwise”
What had he called him? It wasn't the first time Liam had mentioned it; he had already started asking questions, but it was definitely the first time he had called him that in public.
Thankfully, John answered before he could completely panic.
“How about Bob and I take you out for a demonstration?”
The children ran out into the small courtyard, Kevin last in line, almost bored.
That expression changed to one of amazement as Bob rose into the air above them.
“Dad, can you show him how you throw the shield?” Liam then asked, “Kevin doesn't think you can lift a whole truck.”
After their little demonstration with John lifting the school bus (it wasn't much, it was pretty small), John and Bob found themselves in a corner of the schoolyard, watching Liam run and play with his classmates.
“Today we mostly helped Liam look good with the kids,” John said, chuckling.
But Bob was still lost in thought.
“Bobby? Are you okay, honey?”
“Did he really call me Dad?” Bob asked. “In front of his classmates?”
“And to the kid I think is the class bully,” John said. “I don't think he wants to waste time with him now, with two dads like us,” John said.
“He just has to try,” Bob said. “No one touches my baby.”
“Our baby,” John said. “We need to discuss this with Olivia first, though.”
When they kissed, very quickly, Liam appeared before them with a disgusted look on his face.
“Please no,” he said. “It’s embarrassing to see your dads kissing. I’ll tell Aunt Lena!”
And John and Bob couldn' t help but smile.
///
Bob struggled to get up from the couch when he heard the elevator doors of their tower apartment open and the sound of an argument going on.
As everyone knew by now, even Bob didn't fully understand the extent of his powers.
One of them was the manipulation of matter, space, and time. He must have really loved being Liam's stepfather because, surprise, he was now the one pregnant.
At seven months pregnant, he felt huge like a house.
He at least hoped that their little girl (because yes, of course he and John were supposed to be girl dads), Alice, was blonde with deep blue eyes like John wanted.
He waddled across the living room of their tower apartment, just in time before Liam and an exasperated Olivia exited the elevator.
"I was just trying to help you, young man," Olivia said as the doors opened. "Don't talk to your mother like that."
"What did I miss?" Bob asked as Liam wrapped his arms around his waist as best he could, his large eyes so similar to John's looking up at him.
At 10, Liam was in his preteen era. He already insisted on doing many things on his own, saying he was old enough to do things like ride the subway to school alone and so on. And he was starting to talk back to his parents in overly sarcastic ways.
Everyone, except Bob.
Bob tried to be his friend, to listen to him, to talk to him.
He was the youngest of the three, even though both Olivia and John were only a few years older.
And Liam, strangely, listened to him.
Now he had been married to his father for a year and a half, he was legally his stepfather, and being called "Papa" by him was now normal for Bob.
After all, in two months he would also give him a little sister.
“Someone has their first crush,” Olivia said with a wink.
“And Mom’s making a big deal out of it,” Liam said. “Please, Papa, it’s so embarrassing.”
“Everything’s embarrassing for them at that age,” Olivia said. “I just suggested taking her to the movies, and this is what happened.”
“Yes, because you want to come too and sit a few rows back so you can keep an eye on us,” Liam said.
“Someone has to go with you,” Olivia said.
At that moment, the elevator doors opened again, revealing a tired John after yet another meeting with Valentina.
“I heard you two talking from the elevator,” he said “What’s going on?”
“We were discussing your son’s first crush,” Olivia said.
John almost looked the most surprised, sitting down on one of the kitchen stools.
“Crush?” He said, “I didn't think you were old enough to think about girls like that.”
“I'm turning 11 this summer,Dad, ” Liam said, rolling his eyes.
“I had the crazy idea of suggesting we take her to the movies, and this is what happened,” Olivia said.
“Yes, because she wants to come too and sit behind us,” Liam said.
“That doesn't sound like a bad idea,” John said.
“Papa, please. At least give me a hand,” Liam said, still hugging Bob.
“My baby” Bob said, “when I think you were only three when you first came to the tower.”
Liam barely raised a hand to wipe his eyes, while Bob smiled.
“Sorry,” he said softly.
“Pregnancy hormones are the worst,” Olivia said. “I cried at every commercial when I was pregnant with him.”
“The toilet paper one,” John said, smiling. “I have to say, that puppy was adorable.”
“We’re digressing,” Liam said. “Can we get back to my problem?”
“If it's any consolation to you, your dad already said your sister can't date until she's at least 30,” Bob said, sitting on the stool next to John. John's hand immediately landed on his stomach, receiving a little kick in response.
“Thank God we never had a daughter,” Olivia said.
“No, I didn't say that,” John said. “But I might be hiding in some bushes when that happens.”
“Can I come with you?” Liam said. “She's my little sister, too, after all.”
“Well, I have a stakeout buddy now,” John said.
“Please, Liv, I need someone to hold these two back when Alice comes home with her first crush,” Bob said, chuckling.
“You can count on me,” Olivia said. “I owe you after you added another woman to this family. I felt outnumbered.”
“Hey, I have an idea,” Bob said. “Maybe Dad and I could go with you, but we can go see a movie in another room. Or you could invite her here, to the Movie Room. You'll be in a controlled environment, so Mom is more relaxed, too, and you can show off to her the beauties of the tower.”
“Okay,” Liam said. “But only because your popcorn machine is better than the one in the theater. And she's a fan of Aunt Lena's, do you think I could introduce her to her?”
“I don't think Aunt Lena has anything to say about that, but you can go downstairs and ask her later,” John said.
“Is that okay with you, Mom?” Bob asked, smiling.
“Yeah, you can go,” Olivia said, looking at her watch. “I have to meet David downtown in 20 minutes. We still have plans for ladies night on Friday, right, Bobby?”
“Sure,” Bob said. “The girls have everything planned, and the boys have the game to watch.”
“You’re a man, too,” Liam said, chuckling. “Pregnant, but still a man.”
“A man who doesn’t like football, that’s what I am,” Bob said, chuckling.
“Oh, before I forget,” Olivia said, “David asks if he should bring anything. Beer?”
“We have plenty,” John said.
“Not if I drink it all,” Liam said, making his father roll his eyes.
“Okay, Romeo, don't overdo it,” John said. “Just apple juice for you.”
“Okay, I really have to go,” Olivia said, kissing everyone before going. “And, honey, your…”
“…inhaler is in my backpack, help Daddy with the housework and behave. And above all, let Papa rest and don't disturb him. And help him if he needs it,” Liam recited from memory. “I know, Mom.”
“Am I that boring?” Olivia asked. “Bye, all four of you, I love you.”
“You can disturb me as much as you want, sweetheart,” Bob said with a wink, as Liam knelt in front of him and lifted his shirt.
“Ally, don't listen to them,” he said, kissing his stomach. “You have your big brother here.”
He chuckled slightly when he received a kick right the nose. “She always kicks when you talk to her,” Bob said. “Right on my bladder, most of the time.”
“How’s your back?” John asked instead, his hand behind Bob’s back, drawing circles. “Does it still hurt today?”
“A little less since the girls got me that new pillow,” Bob said, smiling at his husband.
“So, my little man has a crush,” John asked, sighing. “What’s she like?”
“She has olive skin like mine,” Liam said, getting to his feet. “But she has the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. At least as dark as Papa’s, Daddy. And she’s nice, we like the same things, and she’s not stupid like the other girls in my class. She’s Cool. ”
“Oh, you’re really down bad for her, honey,” Bob said, smiling.
“I just don't know if she likes me,” said Liam. “They usually all go after Brian or Daniel.”
“Unfortunately, I can't help you,” said Bob. “I've been gay all my life, and I've never thought of a girl that way, not even at that age. But if I know anything, I know that your dad and mom gave you their best qualities, thankfully. There's nothing you don't have less than those two boys."
"First of all, I want to say that we'll love you no matter what," said John. "Whether you like girls, or boys, or both like me."
"But if you liked girls, it would still be very boring," said Bob. "Not under my roof."
"What I'm saying is, be yourself, don't try to impress her. And behave, compliment her and stuff like that.”
“And above all, don't call her Patient Zero, like your father did with me,” said Bob.
“In my defense, I’ve just met you,” said John. “But I know how beautiful a pair of sea-blue eyes can be.”
He stood up and kissed him on the mouth, Liam's usual moan in the background.
“I just realized we have to talk to him about the birds and the bees sometime,” said John.
“Don't you think it's a little early?” asked Bob.
“Definitely too early,” said Liam, blushing.
“And besides, I don't feel qualified, pregnant as I am,” said Bob, rubbing his belly.
“Okay,” said John, changing the subject. “I'm taking suggestions for dinner. Bob? Any cravings to indulge?”
“Anything's fine, as long as it's strawberries and chocolate for dessert,” Bob said.
“Strawberries and chocolate?” John asked.
“That's what your daughter wants,” Bob said, shrugging.
“I'll get something out,” John said.
“Honey, can you help me?” Bob asked Liam. “Your sister's been sitting on my bladder for the past ten minutes, I can't take it anymore.”
Liam laughed, taking his hands.
“Do you need more help , Papa?” he asked, setting him on his feet.
"No, go help Dad," Bob said. "I'll be right back."
Bob paused to watch them for a second before going to the bathroom.
He watched as John started humming something while cleaning the strawberries he'd requested, making Liam smile too.
"My boys," Bob said. "I get it, missy, no need to kick me."
He was almost 40 and he had surpassed all his own expectations.
He was a husband and a father, something he never thought could happen.
And it was all damn wonderful