Steve approached Kate with a gentle determination, ready to lift the sleeping Y/N, who at sixteen, was sprawled across Kate's lap. "I'll put him to bed," Steve offered, his voice soft but firm.
Kate tightened her hold on Y/N, her eyes flashing with protective resolve. "No, the baby is sick, don't move him," she insisted.
Steve sighed, a hint of exasperation in his tone. "He's sixteen."
"Yes, exactly... a baby," Kate retorted, her expression unwavering.
Steve rolled his eyes but couldn't help a small smile at Kate's fierce maternal instinct. With a resigned shrug, he turned away, leaving Kate to her vigil.
As the night deepened, everyone else headed to bed. Kate settled on the couch, Y/N still nestled on top of her, his breathing steady and soft. Before they left, Wanda, Nat, and Yelena each bent down to place a gentle kiss on Y/N's forehead, their affection a silent promise of care and protection.
The house grew quiet, the only sound the rhythmic breathing of the sleeping pair, a testament to the love and warmth that filled their home.
The next morning, Peter tiptoed into the common area, where Kate and Y/N were still asleep. Y/N's colour had returned, and he looked much better. Peter reached for the cloth on the coffee table to dab Y/N's forehead and check his temperature, but in his haste, he knocked the TV remote to the floor with a clatter.
Kate stirred immediately, her eyes snapping open. "Sorry, Kate," Peter whispered, wincing at the noise. Y/N, a heavy sleeper, remained blissfully unaware, his breathing deep and even.
A few minutes later, Y/N began to wake, stretching and blinking sleepily. He looked much improved, his face no longer pale. Peter smiled at him. "Morning, Y/N. You need to shower, brush your teeth, and get dressed. You're going back to school today."
Y/N groaned, sitting up reluctantly. "What? No, I don't wanna go to school. Kate, tell him I don't have to go to school," he whined, turning to Kate for support.
Kate glanced at Peter, then back at Y/N. "He has to go to school," she said firmly.
Y/N's face lit up with a triumphant grin. "Ha, see, I don't—" He paused, realizing what she had actually said. "Wait, what?" he exclaimed, his expression shifting to one of betrayal.
Kate gave him a sympathetic smile. "Sorry, Y/N, but you need to go. You'll be fine."
Peter chuckled softly at the exchange, shaking his head. "Come on, Y/N. Let's get you ready."
With a resigned sigh, Y/N got up, knowing he was outnumbered. The day was just beginning, and it was time to face it head-on.
Y/N groaned dramatically as he walked away from Kate and Peter, muttering under his breath, "Oh sure, go get ready for school, like it's the best thing ever. Meh meh meh."
Kate's ears perked up. "What was that?" she called after him.
"Nothing!" Y/N shouted back, quickly disappearing up the stairs to his room. He headed straight into his bathroom, closing the door behind him with a sigh.
Still half-asleep, Y/N's hair was a wild mess. He grabbed the toothpaste, but in his tired state, he squeezed too hard, and a large glob squirted out onto the bathroom mirror. He stared at it for a moment before scraping it off with his toothbrush.
As he turned on the tap, the head came off in his hand, sending water spraying everywhere. Panicking, he tried to grab the towel rack to stop the water, but it came off the wall too. He used it to cover the tap, but the water continued to spray around it.
