"Alright champ, you got your notebook?"
"Yes, Papa."
"Folder?"
"Yes, Papa."
"Steve, you've already done this twice-"
"Is your jacket in your book-bag?"
"Yes, Papa…."
"Steve, hun, he's going to be la-"
"Lunch box?"
"Yes, Papa!"
"Steve, it's his first day of school, he's not backpacking through Europe, come on."
It was Peter's first day of kindergarten and Steve may or may not have been a little nervous.
He may or may not actually be more nervous than Peter.
Tony was having no issue of course. He had been through this once with Peter already before, when he was two. Steve, Natasha, and Clint had been on a SHIELD mission at the time, and Bruce was with Thor visiting Jane in New Mexico. Pepper had told Tony that there were some meetings that he had to attend for Stark Industries, so she had found an expensive and heavily protected daycare and told him to leave Peter there. It was only for a few hours after all.
Tony had one foot out the door before the kid was screaming bloody murder.
Peter was there, in the arms of one of the day care workers, reaching for Tony. He was screaming out "Dada, don't weave me," and "Don't you wuv me, Dada?" Honestly, it had gone straight to his arc reactor. But Tony said he was adamant, and told Peter that for today he had to be a big boy, and that Happy would pick him up and bring him home in a few hours.
Of course, Steve had had to listen to Pepper complain later about Tony being distracted through all the meetings that day by an adorable, giggling toddler.
But Peter was almost five years old now, and it was time for him to 'put on his big boy pants' and go to school like everyone else.
When Steve and Peter arrived at the private school, Peter is all kinds of excited. Standing with his Iron Man backpack and matching lunch box, wearing his purple "HULK SMASH" shirt. He couldn't wait to meet his new teacher, make new friends, and do everything kindergartners did.
When they walked into the classroom, Peter's teacher, Mrs. Potter, introduced herself and sent Peter to his seat. Immediately Peter introduced himself to a boy Steve heard was named Harry. They were laughing already.
Steve said goodbye to the teacher and that he'd be back to pick Peter up at two. He was halfway down the hall when he heard-
"Papa!"
Steve turned to see Peter, shining eyes, running toward him with arms wide open. He jumped up to Steve and he held him as he calmed himself.
"I love you, Papa. You'll pick me up, right?" There was a prickle of fear in his eyes.
"Of course I will," Steve smiled, stroking Peter's hair. "I'll be right back here at two to get you."
Peter nodded and hugged Steve again before going back to his classroom. He turned and waved once more, and then was gone.
Steve smiled as he turned away. His Pete was growing up and moving up in the world, doing new things. And Steve just had to let it happen and hope for the best. It was nice to know that he was still needed though.
Yeah, Peter would be alright.