Chapter 1: New York Blues
Two weeks ago was officially the day he was finished with being a junior at school. He was moving up the hierarchy rank with the title of sophomore soon to be in his grasps - entering what would be one of his most important years. That's why he was relieved to have the next three months to refresh and prepare for what lay ahead. What he thought was well deserved and would be the perfect time to relax turned extremely sour at a worryingly exponential rate, as the well entitled break was not the fate the universe had in store for Peter Carter, as he was yet to fully discover beyond the first two weeks he managed to survive the fraught.
Last day of Week two, December 31st, Peter's birthday:
What seemed to start off as a perfect day (something that hadn't been possible for the last two weeks) ended on the lowest point of his rest so far. Imagine a metaphorical line. The lowest it can go is the floor - got it? Okay now imagine the pressure of an industrial drill and then times that by a thousand. Think of what you would physically be able to see. What remains after the ground has taken a pounding. The line (as referred to as the ground) is obliterated and left behind is a hole that could rival the world's deepest trenches. The hole represents Peter's life at this current period of time reaching its lowest at what was supposed to be a celebration of the new year, a celebration of Peter living another year totalling his age to 16 was spoiled - not like a fruit left to rot, this was ten times (if not way more) worse.
When Peter awoke, the atmosphere was the same it usually was in the mornings. Calm. Quiet. Serene. It was the days ending he was to be wary of. As expected he was showered with gifts and affection from the two most important men in his life, his father's Steve and Tony Rogers (formerly Stark). Peter Carter (Carter was used to hide his identity as being Tony Rogers' son and what better way than to honour the surrogate who made it possible) felt like he was on cloud nine, absolutely nothing could bring him down today. This was only the first commemoration for his birthday as he always had two separate celebrations, one here in Manhattan and the second would be at the lake house his Grandfather had passed down to his only son Steve (Pops) - this one he would spend with his surrogate he referred to as an Aunt. No one was more awesome than Aunt Peggy - Steve and her had been friends for what seemed like all of time. This meant he could also see his other "aunts" and "uncles", even if they weren't related by blood they were just as important. Peter always insisted that he only ever needed one celebration like everyone else, but his family were different in that aspect - there was no limit for the love they had for their precious Peter. Honestly he even thought the first party to be a bit much, but then again what did he expect - he is the son of billionaire Tony Rogers, so he knew more than to expect something little.
Once the showering of gifts were finished, Peter was allowed to visit his friends Jason's house for a while - this gave his parents the time they needed to set up for the main event - the bigger part of the celebration to come. The events would be cataclysmic.
~~~~~~~~Time-Skip~~~~~~~~
After leaving Jason's house earlier than intended to retrieve his phone from his abode, Peter was twenty seconds away from walking into a battlefield. As he made his way up the drive and to the place that was supposed to be home, the volatile conditions were starting to reveal themselves and the poisonous words were making there way out. He opened the door discretely, but not fully as he knew better than to stand or intervene in the middle of one of his parents arguments. He just wishes that today could've been normal, like how it used to be. What started off as a great birthday was turning out to be the worse.
The piercing confessional words he heard were slurred and spoken drunkenly. This could only mean one thing, his dad (Tony) has been drinking. "… Screw you and screw that little shit!" Peter suddenly looked confused and dazed - who could be the little shit - surely he wasn't referring to him. He wasn't like most children. He knew his limits and he never pushed them. He was doing well in school - in fact he was a straight A student. He even helped out as much as he could (despite his father insistence that's what the workers he hired were for). But who else could this be aimed towards?
Although Peter could only hear patches of the conversation, he continued to listen to The drunken rant. "He isn't even … biologically. We are married, we're meant to trust each other, yet you've been unfaithful and frolicked off with that cyborg lover of yours, you know the true… of your child -". Steve cut his husband off immediately with a harsh tone Peter had never heard him use before.
"What the hell is wrong with you?! That boy is an angel and you know we thought none of us could… And really Tony? You really have the nerves to criticise me for going behind you're back? You're the one that has been having an affair with your PA for years now. The most heartbreaking thing is that not only have you been at it behind my back for years, but the fact that you think it's appropriate to have a k..." Peter leaned in too far causing some shoes to fall from the rack prompting Steve to abruptly stop his response when he caught sight of Peter hovering at the door. "Petey, how long have you been there buddy?" He questioned secretly hoping he had just turned up and missed what was said.
He was definitely not expecting the sudden surge of shifted attention towards him as he was met with the glares of his parents. Peter attempted to speak, but he instead nervously stammered out his answer. "I..I….uh… j-just got h-here". It came out as more of a question than the intended statement.
Tony now decided it was his turn to speak again further darkening the atmosphere. "Let me quickly fill you in, we'll get this over and done with now." Steve had an anxious look that portrayed the warning 'please don't do this, not like this - he deserves better'.
"You're not my kid Petey, so get the hell out of my house! You too Steve!" Steve and Peter stood awestruck by his sudden statement.
"Tony, stop it!" Steve demanded attempting to prevent any more trauma being projected at his boy.
"Dad, please. What did I do?" Peter began to tear up at his sudden shift in attitude. Was he to blame for what seemed to be his parents seperating? (Little did he know of how long this was going on) The thoughts ran through him like a wildfire. The low esteem and anxiety flared all the worse possible thoughts.
"Awh, poor little Peter! Didn't you hear me the first time? God, do you ever fucking listen?" At this point Peter's chest was tight and his breathing was constricted. "You're. Not. My. Child. Do You Understand me?" Tony spoke in a slow, mocking and patronising way leaving Peter feeling utterly devastated and humiliated. "You're pops and I are over, have been for a while now. You need to get a grip. Both of us have moved on with the world and I don't want some peasant brat that isn't mine. I have a kid, my real kid is nine months old. A beautiful young girl with the woman I love. Not some fucking teen who thinks he's all it".
Steve took this oppurtunity to move towards Peter and shield him from the drunken mess that towered above him. Steve walked to Peter and picked up his hyperventilating child to cradle, care and calm down. The sight left Steve absolutely mortified. He knew this moment would come, but why today all of all days.
"Woah kid, you deserve an Oscar for this performance. Fucking get yourself together and kindly get the fuck out of my house! Both of you!" Tony continued to screech at the top of his voice, as Steve's eyes stared at his with so much hatred, if looks could kill then Tony would've been murdered one hundred times over.
"Shut the hell up Tony! You know about Petey's self esteem issue and anxiety. You've got your head shoved so far up your own arse, you don't care who you hurt as long as Tony Stark remains number one. You never realised how good my kid was, but it's your loss and trust me you will regret your actions and decisions. Say goodbye because you won't be seeing him or me again! Were completely through, there's no way we can come back from this!" Tony moved his hand over his chest in mock hurt before guffawing and waving the two away. "Come on Pete, we don't need him anymore, we're going somewhere safe, we'll be fine. Pops is here to protect you now and forever".
Peter didn't put up any hesitation due to exhaustion as a result of his hyperventilation panic episode, so Steve slowly pulled out of the driveway to take on the streets of New York. They didn't take any belongings, any clothes - nothing, just walked away with what was currently on there back or in there pockets - leaving the toxic lifestyle behind him for a fresh start.
The emotional distress and hurt that continued to plague Peter way after his mini panic attack must've exhausted the energy from his small, young body as after only an hour of travelling, he finally allowed himself to fall into a deep slumber. Steve stared at his child - his love and affection for the child being prominent as he continued his eight hour journey taking them far away from the place they once called home. When associating New York with a place 'home', it now felt like nothing but a ridiculous concept of lies and deceit. It felt physically revolting - not New York itself but the people, No PERSON, that lives there.
The next plan was to give Peter the birthday he deserved. Surrounded by the people who loved him most and Steve would not let this birthday turn into another disaster. He would protect him from any harm and danger.
This would be the fresh start they both so desperately needed.
This would be the chance to show Peter what a good life he could lead.
It would be the new year, the start of something new.
That something opening up more potential than ever.
~~~~~~~~Time-Skip~~~~~~~~
After the exhausting ride to the lake house, the place they would now call home, Steve remained in the car looking over to the child peacefully sleeping before pulling out his mobile to ask his partner and other children - Peter's biological brothers - for assistance.
Approximately two minutes later, his partner and two other people arrive to help haul in the luggage. His older sons, Peter - they would have to make nicknames for the two Peter's real soon otherwise everyone will be in a constant state of confusion - and Logan acknowledged there father on the way to take the luggage into the house, but failed to notice there brother they were yet to meet (like Petey they didn't even know the other/s existed).
"Hey Pops." They both said. It was obvious that Bucky forced the poor boys out of bed in order to help. They pulled the luggage stumbling along the way before leaving the suitcases in the living space - they would be dealt with tomorrow morning.
Bucky opened the car door with so much eagerness he nearly tore the car doors off just to get to Steve. He pulled his boyfriend into a warm, loving embrace both kissing like there would be no tomorrow before parting ways to catch breath. He then saw his unaware, unknowing son sleeping in the car. Steve noticed where Bucky's attention was focused.
"This won't be a problem will it Buck? I just can't let him stay with Tony - you should have seen him before we left. The way he treated our son -" Steve was cut off by Bucky.
"Look Steve, this isn't a problem. Of course he's welcome, I mean I do love him to bits - he is our kid. In the morning he will meet his brothers and they will meet him and what not. However, we can't let it slip that he's mine or that his brothers are biological his. So we're just his stepfamily, okay?" Bucky sounded sincere. Of course he loved his kid, but as far as Little Pete (damn Tony's stubbornness on wanting to name him Peter) was aware Steve and Tony were his parents. Maybe they could gradually change that overtime. As for now though, Bucky and his two brothers would just be new additions to his family.
"Okay, Buck. I have One rule though." It wasn't a question, it was definitely a demand. Bucky arched his eyebrow questioning what the rule was going to be. "You and the boys can't refer to him as stepfamily. We're just going to be a family - that's what he needs right now and I don't want to restrict him from that".
Bucky nodded. "Okay Steve we can do that. I do want him to feel welcome and wanted, I just don't want to confuse him. To him, I'm still a stranger."
"One last thing though Buck?" Steve asked. Another one of his commandments was going to be asked (Bucky has a sixth sense about these things).
"Oh come on not another rule. You literally just said there was only one ru -"
"No! Please take him to his room, I'm too exhausted to lift him at the moment." Steve's grin stretched out from ear to ear causing Bucky to do the same. Like a yawn, Steve's smile is just so contagious.
"You're lucky I love you Stevie". Bucky and Steve let out small chuckles so they wouldn't wake the small sleeping child. Slowly they dissipated into the large lake house.
Tomorrow would be a new day. A better day.