Steve P.O.V

After crying for a few minutes, I finish getting ready and walk to the kitchen. Everyone is outside by the limo. Two pieces of peanut butter toast are on a plate on the counter so I grab them and join the others.

Callie squeals and runs to me. "Goo' monin, Uncle! You a-wake." She jumps. I hold the toast above my head, using my free hand to catch her.

"Good morning to you too." I kiss her nose.

"I missted you." She pushes her face against mine, so I rub our foreheads together.

"I missed you too."  Resting her against my hip, I take a bite of my toast. She opens her mouth like a baby bird and claps her hands when I let her have a bite. "I love you. You love Uncle?" It embarrasses me to have to ask, but I need to hear it. I need to know that someone does. When Tony punishes me, I feel lonely, unlovable.

"I love Uncle," she whispers, grabbing my face and kissing my lips, peanut butter crumbs smearing between us. We finish the rest of my toast and watch the other adults pack the car.

"Callie, come play," Cooper yells from the playground.

"You want to go play?" I gesture to the boy.

Callie shakes her head and her lip pops out. "Coopa call me baby."

"That's not very nice." I kiss her head and call to Cooper. "She doesn't want to play right now, sorry."

He pouts and walks to the swings, glaring at me.

Callie's fingers are playing in my freshly done hair, but I don't stop her. Instead, I lower, resting my forehead on her shoulder to give her access to my entire scalp, which she takes full advantage of.

"Hi, Steve, how are you?" The proximity of Laura's voice surprises me, her hand rubbing my back. How did she sneak up on us without me noticing?

"Hey, I'm okay." I shrug and give her a one armed hug.

She moves to kiss my cheek and pauses, eyes widening. "What happened to you?" Gentle fingers prod where Tony's fingers had been.

I push her away. "Nothing. It's fine."

"Clint, come look at this." Laura calls, grabbing my arm.

I groan. "Laura, it's nothing."

Clint comes out of the limo. "What's up, babe?"

"Look at Steve's face."

He frowns and leans towards me. I look away but he grabs my chin. "Yeah, I see. What happened here?"

"Stop. It's fine."

"Dada thmack Uncle," Callie says, nodding sagely. "Dada say if Uncle be a angwy boy, he need thmack. Dat make Uncle sad. I don't wike dat." She snuggles into me, a loving hand stroking my hair.

She's remembering a separate incident from several days earlier. Tony had disciplined Callie and I lost it, gaining me a swift slap. He'd gripped my shirt collar and dragged me to my room where I cried myself to sleep. She shouldn't have witnessed that, I should have kept my mouth shut until we were alone, but I couldn't. The baby spent days sulking at Tony, I'm still not sure if she's forgiven him.

"Tony hit you?" Laura grasps my arm.

"This isn't a hit," Clint says. His fingers pressing over Tony's bruises.

"Oh my god. Clint, you have to do something." Laura looks like she's going to cry.

I look away and slap Clint's hand. "Just stop. I deserved it."

"Steven—"

"Leave me alone." Tightening my hold on Callie, I stomp across the driveway to where Tony is getting the car seat out of his vehicle.

"There you are. Wanna help me with this?"

I nod despite the tightness in my throat, and trade Callie for the seat. As I'm buckling it in beside where I plan to sit, a chorus of harsh whispers breaks out behind me. Peeking over my shoulder, I see Clint, with a hold on Tony's arm, pointing at his cheeks and shaking his head. Tony looks up at me, and I swiftly turn back to my task, my stomach dropping to my toes. In the brief look, I couldn't tell if he was angry or remorseful. I didn't tell on him, but Tony doesn't always take time to listen. The last strap clicks into place and I back out of the limo and turn to the house. I'll just do a double check for Callie's belongings, and maybe when I'm back the moment will have diffused.

"Stevie, where are you going?" Tony calls.

"I'm just checking for Callie's blankie and teddy."

He hands the baby to Clint and jogs after me, so I pick up my pace. "It's already in the car."

"I-I just want to check--"

"Stop." He grabs my shoulder and yanks me back. "Let me see you."

I cringe as I turn, but his face is soft and concerned. His fingers trace my cheeks. "That was a little hard, hey?"

Eyes averted, I shrug. "I got mad."

"You did." He snakes a hand around my neck and pulls me to his shoulder. "I didn't mean to be that rough. I'm sorry." A kiss is planted to my cheek. "I expect you to behave on this trip. Do you understand me?" I nod. "Steven."

"Yes. I'll be good." He kisses me again and ruffles my hair before stalking back to the car. That wasn't what Clint had intended, I'm sure of it. The threat of further punishment if I step out of line has my insides squirming. It's one thing to be slapped or shoved in my room, but we're going to be in tight quarters for the next week. Even if we have privacy, everyone in the suite will hear it. Anxiety twists my stomach, and I find it hard to breathe. A tear slips out and I swipe it away. Inhale, exhale. It will be okay. I'll keep it in check. I can do that.

"Alright, everybody ready?" Tony bellows. My trajectory stays the same. I genuinely wanted to make sure we had everything for the baby. "Steven!" The irritation in his voice makes my balls crawl up into my gut.

"I want to make sure we have everything." It comes out as a whine and I notice Laura and Clint exchanging a look.

"Like what?"

"Like Callie's bottles and formula."

"We have it. Get your ass in the car, now."

"But, Tony, I--"

"For the love of god, get in the fucking car or we're leaving you here."

Callie begins to wail. "No leave Uncle! Uncle come!"

I growl, but refrain from stomping my foot, snatch the baby out of Clint's arms, and climb into the limo. When Callie is secure in her seat, I sit beside her and cross my arms, keeping my gaze pinned over the baby's head. Until Thor sits there and I want to smash his smug face, so I look down at her instead.

He pats my shoulder. "He's just grumpy cause he wanted to leave earlier than this."

"Don't touch me."

"Steve, remember what we talked about." Tony says as he sits down beside me and grips the back of my head, pulling my hair.

Eyes welling. "I know but--"

"But nothing. Shut up and be a good boy."

Natasha and Bruce find their seats, Callie's diaper bag in hand. "You forgot this."

"Ah, thanks." Tony's hand stays gripped in my hair.

"You said we had everything."

"We had the bottles. This is on you. It was your job to pack for her. You forgot the fucking diaper bag, not me." He twists his fist.

"Stop it." I cough out a sob and push against him.

"You're fine." He lets go and rubs my back.

"Why is he crying?" Natasha asks, her voice accusing.

"Just dealing with some attitude. He's fine."

"Tony, you can't--" Bruce begins but is cut off by the Bartons climbing into the vehicle. They start clipping their kids into carseats, which is a noisy ordeal.

Callie leans against me, hugging my arm. I lean down and kiss her, trying to stifle my whining into her hair. "Dada make Uncle sad." Her big eyes move between Tony and I, looking ready to spill over.

Tony grabs me and forces me off Callie and onto himself. Even with the urge to shove him away, I desperately want, need his love. I hug his middle and bury myself into his shoulder. He shushes me and massages my scalp. "You're okay. Stop crying now."

"I'm sorry," I whisper.

"It's okay." He kisses my head.

"I love you." It slipped out, but I need to hear it.

The blood is pounding in my ears so loud I barely hear it when he says, "I love you too. You're a good boy."

"Everything okay?" Clint's in his own seat now. If he was looking at me the way he's looking at Tony, I'd probably get out of the car.

But Tony is anything but fearful. No one is going to tell him off. He looks Clint square in the face and shrugs. "Yep! Everything's great! Let's go, Happy."

The car starts and I wipe my tears away and turn to the baby. "Uncle o-tay?" She pats my thigh.

"Yeah, Uncle's okay. Are you okay?"

"Uh huh."

"Good. Are you excited to see the beach?"

"I seein da bitch!"

The vehicle bursts out laughing. I hold her hand and grin. This is going to be fun.