**Hello mums and dads of New York, and welcome to Happy Parent Playgroup. We meet twice a week at Trinity Church on 75 Broadway, and we're open to all creeds of life. Hope to see you soon!**

Peter felt like he really should have thought about this more as he walked up the steps to the church, but it was really too cold to hang around and Sebastian was starting to fuss, pulling on his arm in an attempt to get away. The wind whistled down the back of their necks, and even the inside of the drafty church would be better than out here.

The playgroup was located in the main hall of the church. The group was made up entirely of women and Peter, and honestly, Peter felt a little intimidated by this. For a moment, he seriously thought about going home and calling the whole thing off.

Sebastian didn't really need to socialise…. Right?

Maybe he could hang around in one of the toy stores for a time, bribe Sebastian so that the toddler didn't blab to Aunt May.

"Hello!"

Peter blinked, flushing when he realised that all the other parents were staring right at him.

"Peter, right?" What looked like the leader of the group, "I think you sent me an email a few days ago… Georgina, by the way."

"Er, yeah… nice to meet you."

"Well don't be shy! Come and sit down! What does your son like to play with?"

"Anything that makes a noise really." Finding one chair that was unoccupied, Peter took a seat, frowning when Sebastian refused to let himself be detached, not even when a young girl, who was probably only a year shy from going to school bounded over and eagerly introduced herself as Olivia.

Sebastian just shook his head, not acting like the rambunctious toddler Peter knew and loved.

"What's his name?" Another parent piped up.

"Sebastian… Sebby."

At the mention of his name, Seb just buried his face into the crook of Peter's neck, prompting everyone else to coo.

"You know, we don't see many fathers here." One woman cooed, "Any chance of his meeting Mummy as well?"

"… Papa…. Actually."

"Oh." The mothers looked a little startled for a moment, "Alright."

The room felt a bit tenser and Peter didn't even try to stop Sebastian from clambering onto his lap and clinging onto him. As the conversation continued, Peter pressed the side of his nose against his son's head, gratefully accepting some juice when someone brought it around.

For a moment, he just breathed in Sebastian's scent. Talcum powder, paint from the last art project. It was calming and just what he needed.

"Ignore them."

Peter flinched, turning to a woman who was standing beside him, a sympathetic look on her face.

"They just don't know how to deal with anything that's different." She glanced at Seb, "How old is he?"

"Three."

"Ah, past the terrible twos?"

"Yeah, into the tricky threes." Peter sighed, ruffling his son's hair fondly, "He's got a few behavioural problems."

"Temper tantrums."

"Of a nuclear proportion."

Sebastian huffed sulkily against Peter's chest, clearly disagreeing with the statement, but still refusing to speak up.

"Come on kiddo, why don't you go and play?"

Sebastian shook his head, trying to snuggle even closer.

"No, I'm putting my foot down I'm afraid." Peter pried his sons' arms away from his neck, "Please, just try and get on with the other children."

Sebastian allowed himself to be placed on the ground, but refused to go any further than that, pressing himself up against Peter's legs.

"Alright…" Peter sighed, "… your toys are in the bag."

Huddling as close as he could to his Dad, Seb reached into the bag and pulled out his Captain America figure, along with a random assortment of other figures who served as the evil Hydra.

Soon, they were all locked in a deadly battle, with Sebastian muttering to himself.

So, when the minister confronted his Dad, he could still hear every word that was said.

"I'm very sorry…" the minister sighed, "… but you have been asked to leave."

"Why?" His Dad sounded a little heartbroken, "We're not doing anyone any harm, and he's just playing quietly here."

"Some of the parents feel… uncomfortable!"

"Why! I'm not doing anything wrong!"

"Sir, please don't shout at me."

Sebastian grabbed Captain American and clutched him to his chest, glancing up at the minister, who was looking really uncomfortable.

His Daddy was upset.

Nobody was allowed to upset his Daddy, Papa said so.

Which is how the Captain America figure ended up hitting the minister in the arm.

"Sebastian, no!" Peter immediately scolded, picking the figure off the ground, "I'm sorry, he's not usually- "

"- Hydra! He Hydra!" Sebastian glared at the stunned minister, before turning to his Dad, who was clearly ready to cry, "Hydra!"

"Sir." The minister looked serious, "I think you should leave."

Seconds later, they were storming out of the church and down the street. When they were far enough away, Peter finally slowed down, placing Seb back on the ground, allowing him to walk. When they made it back to the apartment, closing the door behind them, Peter practically collapsed onto the sofa.

"He were bastard."

His eyes shot open, as he turned to Seb. "What?"

"He were bastard!"

There was a brief moment of silence, before Peter laughed wetly, "I shouldn't encourage this…" he leaned over and pulled Sebastian closer, kissing the top of his head, before pulling him onto his lap, "… I love you, you know that right?"

"I know."

"My little hero…. Like Captain America, hmmm?"

"Like 'piderman!"

"Yeah… like Spiderman."