[That doesn't mean Steve's not nervous. Tony knows this very well. But also- yes. Having a random baby foisted on you while the general public stops to gawk can't be the easiest position to have been in.
Tony would have to agree with him. Some missions seem easier than the thought of this. ...all this.]
I can multitask. I happen to think I'm very good at it. Unless you want me to leave the two of you alone.
Definitely not. I picked you to text for a reason. No one else I want holding my hands through all this.
[ For Steve, this is hard work but he finds it rewarding. He thinks if Tony were here, he'd probably get to reap more of it, having this baby in his arms, snoring away in her wheezy way, little spit bubbles every once in awhile cropping up. ]
Just didn't want to keep you for my sake, since I think the crisis is over. But now I just get to sit here and watch her sleep.
[There's something to that statement. Something that makes him feel somehow uneasy and settled all at the same time. There's more hiding there, beneath the surface, he's sure of it. Except Steve's often not like him, talking behind high walls. He's always been pretty forthright.
The problem is the discussion Tony thinks they're both talking around is one Steve has tried to have with him a few times now and he's always shied away. They've always shelved it.
But...
Steve did pick him. For better or for worse. A single-day baby crisis doesn't make him feel like he's capable of being a parent, but it has awakened a lot of other things in him. Things he might have otherwise been trying to keep out of his head.]
Feel me watching you?
Is that too much? It sounds creepy on second read.
That bodega needs higher quality cameras, by the way. You should tell them to upgrade.
[So he does what he always does. Moves on and jokes around. He'll have a lot to think about tonight.]
[ He thinks it's a good thing Tony doesn't bring it up, maybe he's put it out of his mind for now. He certainly doesn't want Tony dwelling on this thought and overthinking and letting it affect him and not communicate his thoughts to Steve. ]
No. I like knowing you've got my back from miles away.
[ The baby's awake now, and Steve's bouncing her up and down as he waits with her, assuring her gently that mommy's going to be out soon, mommy will be back soon. He gets delighted little squeals in response, so he'll take that as a win. ]
Send them new ones, I'm sure they won't ask about how you even know.
[ He does think that he'd like to have this more regularly, have this on a daily basis, maybe. Someday. If Tony ever decides he's for it, and he's all in, then Steve will do everything that he possibly can to put in the work and make then both happy. ]
Love you, by the way, in case I haven't told you enough today.
[Easy enough to say because it's so true. Whatever Steve needs from him, as long as he gets a say, he'll always be there to provide for him. Even if that's asking FRIDAY for diaper changing videos.]
Alright but only because you said to. Does that count as a good deed?
I love you. And even if you have, I'll take it as many times as you wanna say it. You know I'm greedy.
[ At that point, he hits enter because hears a flush, and the sound of the running tap. When Katherine comes out of the bathroom, she looks tired and embarrassed, so naturally Steve moves his way over to assure her that she's got nothing to be embarrassed about, that he's happy to have watched her kid, that look, she's awake now, fresh diaper, doing great.
Katherine cries in her relief, and Steve just stands there holding her for a bit before explaining the rest of the plan: going home, but dropping by one of the baby stores first to help him with an errand, if that's okay. If she winds up crying over a whole lot of gifts after, then, well, he'll deal with it.
And then he hands Katherine her baby back, easily, but the weight seems to stay on Steve's chest, regardless.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[That doesn't mean Steve's not nervous. Tony knows this very well. But also- yes. Having a random baby foisted on you while the general public stops to gawk can't be the easiest position to have been in.
Tony would have to agree with him. Some missions seem easier than the thought of this. ...all this.]
I can multitask. I happen to think I'm very good at it. Unless you want me to leave the two of you alone.
no subject
[ For Steve, this is hard work but he finds it rewarding. He thinks if Tony were here, he'd probably get to reap more of it, having this baby in his arms, snoring away in her wheezy way, little spit bubbles every once in awhile cropping up. ]
Just didn't want to keep you for my sake, since I think the crisis is over. But now I just get to sit here and watch her sleep.
Is there a feed? Are you watching?
no subject
The problem is the discussion Tony thinks they're both talking around is one Steve has tried to have with him a few times now and he's always shied away. They've always shelved it.
But...
Steve did pick him. For better or for worse. A single-day baby crisis doesn't make him feel like he's capable of being a parent, but it has awakened a lot of other things in him. Things he might have otherwise been trying to keep out of his head.]
Feel me watching you?
Is that too much? It sounds creepy on second read.
That bodega needs higher quality cameras, by the way. You should tell them to upgrade.
[So he does what he always does. Moves on and jokes around. He'll have a lot to think about tonight.]
no subject
No. I like knowing you've got my back from miles away.
[ The baby's awake now, and Steve's bouncing her up and down as he waits with her, assuring her gently that mommy's going to be out soon, mommy will be back soon. He gets delighted little squeals in response, so he'll take that as a win. ]
Send them new ones, I'm sure they won't ask about how you even know.
[ He does think that he'd like to have this more regularly, have this on a daily basis, maybe. Someday. If Tony ever decides he's for it, and he's all in, then Steve will do everything that he possibly can to put in the work and make then both happy. ]
Love you, by the way, in case I haven't told you enough today.
no subject
[Easy enough to say because it's so true. Whatever Steve needs from him, as long as he gets a say, he'll always be there to provide for him. Even if that's asking FRIDAY for diaper changing videos.]
Alright but only because you said to. Does that count as a good deed?
I love you. And even if you have, I'll take it as many times as you wanna say it. You know I'm greedy.
no subject
[ At that point, he hits enter because hears a flush, and the sound of the running tap. When Katherine comes out of the bathroom, she looks tired and embarrassed, so naturally Steve moves his way over to assure her that she's got nothing to be embarrassed about, that he's happy to have watched her kid, that look, she's awake now, fresh diaper, doing great.
Katherine cries in her relief, and Steve just stands there holding her for a bit before explaining the rest of the plan: going home, but dropping by one of the baby stores first to help him with an errand, if that's okay. If she winds up crying over a whole lot of gifts after, then, well, he'll deal with it.
And then he hands Katherine her baby back, easily, but the weight seems to stay on Steve's chest, regardless.
A few minutes later, he texts: ]
Her name's Joy.