Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Okay, ready or not here I come!" Steve singsongs, opening his eyes.

He hears giggles to his left and knows at least one of the kids is behind the couch. Green socks, just visible beneath it. Theo.

"Hmm. Where could they be." He makes a show of talking to himself, turning slowly around as if looking for clues.

Then walks to his right.

"What about… behind this door!"

Nothing. More giggles. This time from the large chest of toys that he can now see has been propped open just a crack. Gwen.

"Maybe… under here?" He moves around some cushions and a blanket on the couch.

There's an intake of breath and another muffled laugh from Theo.

"Now what was that noise?"

If there's one thing babysitting has been teaching him, it's how to act. Maybe he should join drama, he's sure Robin would love that.

"Could it be a little dragon in hiding?" He drops onto the couch on high knees so he can peer over the top with a smile.

Theo stares up at him, grinning and unbothered about being found. He holds out his arms, wordlessly asking to be picked up and Steve is a sucker so he gives in. The kid is four, but he's heavy to Steve's fifteen year old arms (he's strong okay? He does sports! Kids are just heavier than you'd think) at this angle and he grunts as he pulls the boy up, dropping him with a flop onto the couch much to Theo's delight. Both kids love to be flung around and held upside down but usually their dad is the one to do so, not Steve.

Eddie Munson. HVAC tech, tall and gorgeous, always a little roughed up and dirty from work and almost twice Steve's age. He needs to get a grip.

Steve shakes his head to clear his thoughts. A week into this job and his stupid crush on the man still hasn't gone away.

"Shall we find your sister?" He asks Theo.

The boy nods rapidly and starts running around the room checking every crack and crevice Gwen absolutely could not fit into. Steve chuckles.

"Gwennieee we're gonna find youuu." Theo sings out, shaking some strawberry blonde curls from his face.

He insists on having long hair like his papa, even though he hates brushing it and more often than not it tickles at his cheeks and eyes. Gwen inherited her dad's frizzy curls too, hers dark brown now that she's a little older, but she prefers it short and choppy around her face, held back with yellow star clips.

Speaking of the sweet girl.

"Gotcha." Steve grins, pulling open the toy chest.

As suspected, Guinevere is nestled amongst teddies, puzzle boxes, figurines and fidgets, her bright orange tee doing nothing to help her blend in.

She sighs, world-weary in a way only a six year old can be, before clambering out and joining her brother in running around. Steve shakes his head with a smile.

"Guys, you know we said one last game then bedtime. Your parents will be home any minute and we were gonna show them how good you can be tucked up ready." He tries. It's a long-shot, but he knows Eddie and Chrissy won't mind if they're still up. They made it clear their kids can be a little… free spirited. So not to be too hard on his babysitting abilities if they didn't listen.

They like their routine. And right now, their routine involves their parents tucking them in, not Steve. He's hopeful he'll get them to come around the more they get to know him. For reasons he won't address, he wants to prove how good he can be at this job. How helpful!

Eddie and Chrissy both work hard. They deserve every chance they can get to relax, and he can do something to give them that chance.

He pulls out the big guns.

"If we go brush your teeth and get into bed, how's about I read you a story."

The kids freeze. Gwen narrows her big brown eyes.

"You'll do the voices?" She negotiates and Theo looks at her for a second before copying her stance and squinting eyes.

"I will try my very best." Steve offers.

They cheer, scrambling to climb the stairs to get to the bathroom, Theo lagging a little behind till Gwen grabs his hand to help him along. Steve smiles at the sight. They really are sweet kids. Right now there's not much that they love more than reading.

Gwen is really into Percy Jackson, hence the camp half-blood shirt she wears most days, and little Theo is into anything his sister is so Steve knows what he'll be reading. Some might argue the books are a little too much for kids so young, but Steve is not here to judge and he knows plenty of things go over their heads anyways.

The thing is, Steve isn't the best reader. Sure, since getting his glasses things have become a little easier. But he's pretty sure something's been knocked loose in his brain because it's still not easy. He's tried to avoid reading to the kids in fear of embarrassing himself, but he likes to think he knows them well enough that they might cut him some slack today.

He climbs the stairs, heading to the bathroom to check on the teeth brushing progress (Theo needs a little help but he's determined he can do it himself) and is happy to see they're not rushing. Both kids hum a little song one of their parents must have taught them, timing their brushing so they don't stop too soon. Steve helps direct Theo just a little and then they're washing up and heading to their room.

Pajamas on, the all settle onto Gwen's bed. It's a bit of a squeeze and Steve was more than happy to just perch on the end but the kids insisted he cuddle in properly.

So here he is.

He's just working his way through a particularly confusing bit of dialogue while being sleepily heckled by Gwen for his butchering of the character voices when the sound of the front door opening and closing catches his attention. Two sets of footsteps downstairs, one of them coming up after a moment of muffled conversion.

Steve's heart speeds up, anticipation making it hard to keep reading, and he's ashamed to say he deflates a little when it's Chrissy who peaks her head around the doorframe.

"Mama!" The kids cheer in a kind of half whisper, sleepy smiles directed her way.

She giggles.

"Why am I not surprised to see you bribed Steve into reading you that, hm?" Chrissy teases softly, fully entering the room.

She makes her way to the bed and pats a hand on Steve's head as he shifts off and out of the way. Theo is scooped up after she's bent down to kiss them both on their curls, and she transfers him over to his own bed to tuck him in. Gwen is tucked in too, snug as a bug, as the woman speaks to them both in hushed tones.

"Papa will be up soon to say goodnight, he's just gotta take Steve home."

Steve takes that as his cue to slip out, calling a soft goodnight which is returned, and leaving as Chrissy tells them to sleep if they need to. That their papa's goodnights will reach them in their dreams if they do.

He tries to be quiet down the staircase, and feels a little unmoored when Eddie isn't waiting by the door. He rocks on his feet a little, wondering if he's meant to wait here, before he hears a low voice in the kitchen and decides it better to make himself known.

The man is still in his work gear, coveralls pulled down and tied around his waist leaving only a muddy white tank underneath. He's holding their cat, Smaug - a rescue Eddie found as a kitten under a house he was working on who ended up eyeless and therefore blind due to complications. Usually Chrissy takes animals Eddie finds to the shelter she works at but he's been told they both had too much of a soft spot for the tabby - to his chest and cooing at her quietly.

Steve realises he's been staring as Eddie catches sight of him and turns. His face is probably red but maybe Eddie will think he's just embarrassed about interrupting him or something. Sure.

"Uh h-hi. Sorry, Mr Munson, I can wait for that ride home if you need me too. Or like, call my mom. You just got in from work you're probably tired-"

"How many times, Steve, you can call me Eddie." The man interrupts kindly. His voice is so low and gentle. Soothing. "Mr Munson-"

"Is your dad." Steve finishes with a huff of laughter, trying to shake his nerves. "Sorry, I know."

Eddie hums.

"Exactly. And don't be silly about that ride. You're right, we should get going now so I don't leave the kids waiting too long. You and I both know if I go see them now they won't let me leave until they've had at least three chapters of The Lighting Thief."

He puts the cat down and makes his way towards Steve.

"Nice job getting them tucked in though." He winks, passing by on his way to the door.

Steve smiles as the praise washes over him, proud of himself for being useful.

"I actually read to them myself!" He says, following Eddie out the door to his van on the driveway. "We only got through a chapter before you guys came back but it worked pretty well to get them ready for bed."

He scratches the back of his head a little, avoiding eye contact. They'd only made it through a single chapter because Steve was so slow, trying to unscramble the words as he read. He's slow with most things really. Gets there in the end but…

Well, it's the whole reason he needs a ride to and from the Munson's. He's sixteen soon. Should be able to drive himself by now, but it's taking him longer to wrap his head around things and he's waiting for it to just click still.

"Hey." Eddie says softly, nudging Steve's chin with his hand so he looks up at the man.

They're in the van now, buckled in and ready to go. The star stickers all over the ceiling are emitting a light glow as the sun begins it's decent outside. Steve tries not to let his gaze linger anywhere it isn't supposed to.

"You did a great job tonight, Steve. You've been doing a great job all week. Chris and I are so grateful to have you."

His smile is slow and easy, and Steve's heart pounds so loud he's sure Eddie can hear it.

The tiny uptick of an eyebrow. They haven't moved. Eddie is waiting for something.

"Thank you." Steve breathes, and he earns another smile. Dimpled this time.

"You're very welcome." Eddie nods, finally turning to drive onto the road and begin their journey to Steve's.

Fuck. Steve is so beyond screwed.

Chapter Text

"I was an idiot. Again." Steve sighs, letting himself into Robin's room after a single knock because she'd left the door ajar just enough to let him know she was expecting him.

Predictably, she looks up from her book and snickers, scooching over to make room on the bed. Steve perches on the edge as he speaks.

"I forgot how to talk. And then I took a leaf out of your book and talked too much. And it's like every lesson good old Richard Harrington taught me forces their way back in till I'm all Hello Mr Munson, my apologies Mr Munson." He shakes his head. "He must think I'm so dumb."

"Yikes." Robin audibly winces. "Richard Harrington can rot in hell, you're a Buckley now! No more 'Mr's." She tugs the back of his shirt to pull him closer.

"I know. I just. I think… I like him Robs. And I know he's stupidly unattainable and way too old for me but he's just- UGH" Steve flops back onto the bed, glasses askew and narrowly missing crushing Robin's hand. "Gorgeous. And kind. And hot. So I forget who I am now in front of him and like, revert to factory settings or whatever."

"First of all, ew dingus. I do not need to know what gets your rocks off." Robin's face scrunches in disgust. "Plus you're right, he's literally father to the kids you babysit. He has a wife! Or, at least a girlfriend I don't know I didn't meet them long enough to find out, but the point stands! He's happily in a relationship with a very beautiful lady-"

Steve cuts her off, sitting back up abruptly and pointing a finger at her.

"Hypocrite! You totally have the hots for Chrissy!"

She goes bright red.

"That is besides the point!" Robin insists. "I am not there most weekdays ogling her instead of taking care of her children-"

"I do not ogle-"

"You know, that actual reason you're over there. I hope you're at least doing a good job." She finishes with a raised brow, taking no notice of his attempt to interrupt.

Steve turns, getting more comfortable on the bed as Robin shuffles down to join him. They face each other, and Steve is taken back to his first night here. A sleepover, where they traded gossip and laughter and Steve felt home.

"Eddie says I am." He says with an eyebrow wiggle, laughing as Robin shoves him and pretending that particular compliment hadn't had his stomach swooping. "But really, I like it there. The kids are so smart, Bobs, like you wouldn't believe. And they're kind to. To me and to each other. It's obvious how much love there is in that house."

Robin's face softens, and she wordlessly pulls Steve in for a hug. He knows they're both thinking about what it might have been like. For the two of them to have grown up together from the start. How different things might have been. He was already a teen when the Buckleys took him in, and he was still working through everything that had happened before.

They lie there for a while, just basking in the fact they get to have this, get to be family, before Robin tentatively breaks the silence.

"It's okay." She says. "To like him, you know. You're smart, Steve, you know nothing is gonna happen so." She shrugs as Steve pulls back a little to look at her. "What's the harm? Just be careful not to let it go too far. I don't want you to break your own heart."

Steve nods, holding his hand out with pinkie extended. Robin links her own and they smile. A promise. Steve can be smart, this is just a little crush.

***

The weekend passes in a flash and before he knows it, Steve is back at the Munson's. Apparently, their 'Grandpaw' Wayne had been visiting for the weekend and they'd told him all about Steve.

In turn, Steve gets the whole weekend rundown from the kids as Gwennie sets up a little bracelet-making station for the day. Wayne had taken them to the park, got them ice cream, told them stories and was going to help Eddie build them a climbing frame in their backyard next time he came down if Theo was to be believed. Gwen says their grandpaw has the best voice ever, after their mama and papa of course, and sings them lullabies to sleep.

Steve wonders if this could be Chrissy's dad. He hasn't heard her mention family before, but then again he hasn't been at this job for too long, and every time Eddie insists on Eddie not Mr Munson, he seems pretty set on not being anything like his father. This Wayne guy sounds like he really loves the kids. Maybe he'll be brave enough to ask when Chrissy or Eddie get home. It's normal to be curious after all.

"Can we make bracelets now, Stevie?" Gwen asks.

He smiles, Theo comfortable on his lap.

"Of course! Who are we making them for?"

"Mama and papa. You can help Theo but you have to make your own too." She insists. She's a sweet girl, but when she has a plan there's no changing her mind.

In the end, Gwen is the one that helps Theo the most. She shows him how to braid the different coloured thread together to make a bracelet, the two of them choosing beads and only then asking Steve to help thread them on.

Gwen chose three different shades of pink for Chrissy's, complete with a bunny charm and a few sparkly beads. Theo chose green and white, rainbow beads dotting the braid to finish it off. Those are apparently her favourite colours so Steve figures it's a safe enough bet to make his bracelet pink and green, figuring it'll look nice to blend the other two together. Gwen and Theo look pleased so Steve praises them all for a job well done.

Only next up is Eddie, and Steve is unreasonably nervous to get started on his own bracelet. It's not like he actually has to give these to his employers, he knows that. And either way they're only going to care about the ones their kids made them. But it seems, even on the subject of friendship bracelet making, Steve wants to show Eddie how good he can be.

Gwen is again the first finished, the black and gray bracelet looking almost comical next to Chrissy's pink one. The only thing that offsets it a little is the yellow duck charm she's attached. Apparently Eddie Munson loves "duckies", who would've guessed. Theo chooses white, two shades of blue, and teal for his, which again takes Steve by surprise. The boy is insistent though that his papa likes these colours a lot so Steve shrugs and helps him thread on some teal beads.

The kids have moved on to making bracelets for each other when Steve finally picks out his colours for Eddie. In the end, he goes with yellow, a zigzag of gray down the centre. If Eddie asks (if Steve even gives it to him) he'll say it's to match the duck on Gwen's creation. And it is. It has absolutely nothing to do with the yellow sweatshirt he wore the first time he met the Munson's, and even less to do with the way Eddie had called him sunshine, just the once. Nothing at all.

When the kids have had enough crafting for the day, they play outside. Steve fills up their water bottles to take with them so they don't get lost in playing and forget to drink, and is about to grab himself another glass too when a note on the fridge catches his eye. It's pinned up with one of the many alphabet magnets scattered around, but visibly separate from the grocery lists and colourings and photos.

The magnet, a letter S, is positioned to make the first letter of Steve's name and the note is recognisably in Eddie's loopy handwriting.

Steve. Help yourself to a treat - you deserve it ;)

He blushes. It's just a little note, unsigned and probably from the both of them, not just Eddie, but that is his writing and Steve can't help himself as he slides the note from the fridge and tucks it into his pocket.

He grabs himself a soda, figuring that's enough of a 'treat' that it doesn't look like he ignored the instruction, but not too much that he seems greedy or rude. Then he takes their drinks out to the yard and tries to forget about the note pressing up against the bracelet, burning a hole in his pocket.

It isn't much longer before the front door sounds loud enough for the kids to hurtle past Steve and back inside ready to great whoever it was that just got home.

It's Eddie. Of course it's Eddie.

By the time Steve reaches them, Gwennie has her arms wrapped around her dad's neck and legs around his stomach, clinging on like a koala. Theo dangles like a monkey off one strong arm as they all laugh, and Steve tries really, really hard not to drool. His hair is up, as it often is right after work, and Steve can see vines creeping up his neck in black ink. From the looks of things he managed to change before getting through the door this time and the dark jeans and black henley, sleeves rolled up, make him look softer than Steve usually gets to see him. He basks in it a little.

"You're home early." He says with a smile, trying hard to sound like a normal human being.

Eddie scoops Theo up so he's holding him properly and carries the kids into the kitchen.

"That I am, Steve." He says. "Chris's on her way back too but we'd love for you to stay for dinner."

He should say no. But one look in Eddie's warm brown eyes, crinkled up on a smile like he knows Steve will give in and dimples on full display-

Well.

"I'd love to." Steve agrees and the kids cheer, clambering down from Eddie to run over and hug Steve.

They're in the middle of holding hands and jumping in a circle around him when Theo stops abruptly and Gwen almost trips.

"Presents!" Theo shouts, running into the lounge.

Gwen pauses, before gasping and running to follow. Eddie shakes his head in a laugh.

"I hope they haven't been too crazy for you today." The man says, but he's smiling in a way that says he knows his kids are always a little crazy and that Steve knows it too.

"We had fun." Steve says strategically and Eddie chuckles.

The kids come barrelling back in with their bracelets, proudly presenting them to Eddie much to his delight. He kneels down to take a look at them, putting them both on immediately and complimenting how well made they are. Steve stands watching like a creep and hoping they won't bring up the one he made. He doesn't think he could take the full force of Eddie's attention like that, or worse Eddie making a joke about him making one or trying too hard.

Thankfully, the kids are distracted, and soon make their way back to the lounge to play.

"You don't have to stay in here and keep me company you know." Eddie teases. "But if you would like to escape the ruffians in there and make yourself useful here instead you can chop some veggies."

Needless to stay, Steve stays. But he'll forgive himself because Eddie slide over to make space for him by the counter and what was he supposed to do, say no?

There's music playing and he and Eddie are stood hip to hip, or as close as they can get when Steve is a little shorter, it's comfortable and easy and Steve knows his face is permanently flushed. So of course, the moment is broken by Chrissy's return home. Steve finds himself stepping further away from Eddie, caught out even though they hadn't done anything wrong.

"Eddie, Steve!" She sounds delighted to see them and Steve forces himself to relax.

She pulls Steve and then Eddie into a hug, lingering in Eddie's hold to whisper something to him. Steve decides to give them some time alone, mostly so he doesn't have to stand there and watch.

Gwen and Theo are hanging upside down off the couch pretending to be… bats? He thinks? They ask him if he has any fruit for them and when he says no they 'fly around' chasing him, giggling at he pretends to be overcome by their strength. That's how Chrissy finds them. In a tangled heap on the floor.

"Well it certainly looks like you've had a good day." She giggles, and the kids leap up to greet her and give her their bracelets.

Just like Eddie, she's kind and so grateful and this time, Steve finds himself reaching into his pocket.

"Here, the kids insisted I join in, so." He hands over the bracelet.

"Oh Steve, honey how pretty!" She smiles. "And it goes so beautifully with the other two thank you so much."

Chrissy is such a sweet lady. This family so loving, so complete. Steve's stomach sinks. This crush on Eddie needs to go. Regardless of the fact nothing is ever going to happen between them, Steve feels like a slimy jerk even thinking the thoughts he does about the man. When he's got such a perfect family already right there for him.

They file in for dinner, Steve's plate set out between Gwen and Eddie because the universe hates him apparently. If Eddie notices an extra bracelet on Chrissy's wrist he doesn't say so. The food is good, the company even better, and Steve starts to settle a little again. Something about his feelings has him making rash decisions or jumping to conclusions. He just needs to get out of his head, be more present and be normal. Everything will be okay.

Eddie's knee knocks against his under the table.

"Good?" The man murmurs, only for Steve to hear under the din of the rest of the table.

Does he mean the food? Or had Steve's retreat into his own mind been visible.

"Good." He assures.

Eddie only hums, his lips ticking up, but Steve can feel eyes on him for the rest of the night.

When it's time to leave, Chrissy offers to drop him home but she looks right at Eddie when she does so, challenge in her eyes. Maybe he owes her one for something but she didn't want Steve to think she wouldn't drive him if he wanted?

"No, babe." Eddie smiles. "You know I'm good to take him."

Listen, Steve is only so strong. And if he spares a moment to think about another context in which Eddie could take him well that's his business.

It's getting dark again when they make it to the van. The stars are glowing. Steve smiles at them and Eddie grins.

"I would say those were the kids' doing. But I did in fact put those up myself years before Gwennie." He chuckles.

Steve looks at him, surprised.

"What can I say, I'm a man of hidden, nerdy depths." A pause as he starts driving. "You know some of them map out constellations?"

Steve lets out a surprised laugh.

"No way!"

"Yes way." Eddie nods sagely. Steve giggles again. "I'll have to point them out to you one day. When they real stars are out so you can critique my work."

Steve blushes and messes with his glasses, then his hair.

"Sure, I can do that." He agrees.

"Looking forward to it." Eddie says, voice low and sincere.

Steve's stomach explodes with butterflies and he searches desperately for a way to fill the silence that follows.

"You know, the uh, the kids they" He clears his throat. "they got me making bracelets too."

"Oh yeah?" Eddie sounds sly. He knows.

They pull up outside Steve's and he sees Robin's curtain twitch. Nosy little shit.

"Yeah." He reaches into his pocket and awkwardly pries the bracelet out from where his pants are tight against his skin as he sits. "Here."

Eddie takes the offered gift gently in his hands, smoothing over it and smiling. No mirth, no joke, just easy appreciation.

"Thank you, Steve." He says as he slides the bracelet on. "Such a sweetheart, aren't you."

"I- I wouldn't say-" He tries, but Eddie doesn't let him finish.

"Well I would. Bracelet full of sunshine just like you." His tone is still kind, but leaves no room for argument.

So Steve doesn't argue.

"See you tomorrow?" He manages.

"See you tomorrow, sweetheart."

Steve tries not to fall as he leaves the van, his legs like jelly, stuttering another goodbye. Eddie just brushes a thumb over the yellow bracelet again and watches him leave.