Those Who Fall: Falling Series 3 (Modern Domestic Stucky AU)

Thirty-Six

Perhaps Steve should've had a more level head, but he couldn't help it. He tightly held Ethan's hand and hurried the little boy out of the office. Not wanting Brock to know which classroom the six year old was in, Steve led the way up to the second story of the building, where it'd be easier to hide. Plus, he didn't feel comfortable leaving Sophia there with that psycho lurking around.

"Papa, what's wrong?" Ethan asked as they rushed down the hallway to Laura's classroom.

Coming to his senses, Steve slowed to a stop. Crouching down, Steve wiped under Ethan's bent glasses to stop his new tears. Steve's own unshed tears were building in his eyes and he falsely reassured, "Nothing honey. Nothing's wrong."

"Are you mad I was in a fight?" Ethan's lower lip quivered.

Bringing the little boy close, he said, "Of course, not sweetie." Rubbing his back, Steve half-joked, "Just don't do it again."

"Okay," Ethan nodded and sniffled. "Can I still go trick or treating?"

"Of course," Steve chuckled, kissing Ethan's temple while holding him a little closer before letting go. Smiling, Steve fixed the -- now -- distressed Rapunzel dress and said, "Everyone needs to see just how pretty your dress is."

Ethan smiled, showing that he had, in fact, only lost one tooth and that was the one he lost at home. Looking over Ethan's body further, he was glad to see that there was only minimal injuries. A couple of scratches and spots already bruising. Nothing that Steve couldn't take care of, and he felt a little better.

Standing, Steve glanced down the hallway towards the stairs, just to make sure that Brock hadn't followed them. When he didn't see anyone, he stood there for a moment longer because Brock could be hiding behind a wall or in the restroom or something. He could in one of the classrooms. He could be anywhere.

And now really wasn't the time for Kindergarten Cop to be going through his mind.

Steve tried to not think about the man for the majority of the last seventeen years. When he had to get the restraining order twelve years ago, Steve had been stupid enough to assume that they'd never see each other again.

Hands shaking, Steve reached for Ethan's and led the little boy over to the classroom. Occasionally glancing over his shoulder before knocking on the door. Smiling, Laura opened it and started, "I thought you weren't coming until --" Cutting herself off once she noticed the terrified look on Steve's face and the disgruntled way Ethan looked, she lowered her voice and stepped further into the hallway, "What's wrong?"

"I need to take Sophia home," Steve explained, those pesky tears building in his eyes again.

"Okay," Laura nodded, rubbing over her protruding abdomen as she questioned, "Do you need me to call Buck? Or have Clint come and help out?"

Steve shook his head and peeked his head into the classroom. Everyone was having such a fun time, and Steve hated doing this. But there was no fucking way that Steve was going to let her stay there when Brock could still be. Leaning back, Steve took in a deep, grounding breath, hoping that the tears would dissipate.

Laura rubbed his arm and stepped back into the room. While the class continued working on their fun activities, Laura sweetly called out, "Sophia."

The eight year old lifted her head from her work and pushed her bangs off her face. Steve stepped into the room and her face lit up. Making sure that Ethan remained out of sight, Steve gestured for her to join them. And Sophia didn't even hesitate as she climbed out of her seat, grabbed her project, and ran across the room.

"Look at what I made!" Sophia greeted, showing the mummy project as she excitedly clarified, "It's just like me!"

"It sure is," Steve fixed a smile on his face, "I guess it's a good thing you picked that costume, huh?"

Sophia nodded, noticing Ethan, and her expression changes to one of concern. Before she can question it, Steve told her, "How about you get your stuff, and we can go home and get ready for trick or treating, yeah?"

A bit more somber, Sophia nodded and went over to her cubby to get her things. Some students asked where she was going and others wanted Steve to come see their projects. All the while, Steve stood there, trying not to have a meltdown in front of a bunch of eight year olds.

As Sophia shrugged into her coat, Laura walked her back over to Steve at the door. Steve took her hand, too, and Laura softly requested, "Text me, yeah?"

"Yeah, okay," Steve nodded his confirmation and led them down the hallway towards the back staircase.

"Papa, what happened to Ethan?" Sophia asked, tugging on his hand.

Eyes roaming around to make sure that Brock wasn't anywhere, Steve dismissively said, "He got into a fight, baby."

"Is that why we're going home?"

Pausing at the landing, Steve lied, "Yes."

Because Steve definitely didn't want to worry them. Especially not when Ethan was still sniffling. Once they reached the ground floor, Steve glanced around before leading the kids over to Hildy's classroom. Trying not to disrupt the kindergartners too much, he gestured for Hildy.

Casually, Hildy crossed the room and paused at her desk to grab Ethan's things that she had already gathered. As she handed them to Steve, Hildy leaned closer and lowered her voice, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Steve lied and hurried to get Ethan's coat on over his purple, pink, and sparkly Rapunzel dress. As he straightened, Steve assured her, "I'll text you."

Reaching over to give his forearm a squeeze, Hildy smiled and walked back into the classroom. Steve closed the door and led the kids back down the hallway. Wanting to hold both of their hands while Sophia tried to pull away as she whined, "I'm a big girl, papa! I don't have to hold hands inside!"

"Sweetie," Steve sighed, exasperated. Looking down at the kids, Steve realized that Ethan's face was still a mess. So, Steve led the kids over to the bathroom. Checking to see if anyone else was in there, Steve didn't find anyone, so he led the kids into the restroom. Once at the sinks, Steve let go of their hands.

"This is the boys' room," Sophia complained, pinching her nose as she scrunched her face in disgust.

"It's fine," Steve assured as he took some paper towels and wetted them. Crouching, he tenderly wiped the damp towels over Ethan's face. Since the six year old was still sniffling, Steve asked, "You okay, honey?"

Nodding, Ethan said, "My glasses are broken."

"It's okay, we'll fix them," Steve promised, with a smile. Once all the blood and dirt was wiped off Ethan's face, Steve stood. Throwing the paper towels away, Steve took Ethan's hand, and then took Sophia's, and led them out of the restroom.

Briefly, Steve popped into the office and said, "We'll see you Monday."

"Happy Halloween, doll," Jennifer smiled and waved at the three of them.

Steve hoped that it still could be. But right now, he was paranoid and poorly holding himself together. Being extra cautious as he led the children through the parking lot, and making sure that no vehicle he didn't recognize was lingering. Then, he finally walked them over to the van and stood there protectively as they climbed in and buckled up.

As soon as Steve hopped into the driver's seat, he locked the doors. Letting himself take a breath, he buckled and started the engine. Glancing out of his mirrors more than usual as he drove around. After all, he wasn't going to go straight home in case Brock was following him.

His nerves were still in a bundle in his gut like his intestines had been tied together. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to calm down at home, Steve drove towards the interstate. Glancing at the kids in the rearview mirror, he asked, "Who wants to visit daddy?"

"ME!" Both kids yelled enthusiastically.

To help keep them happy, Steve turned up the Monster Mash. Strumming his thumbs on the steering wheel as he attempted to practice his breathing exercises. All the while, Steve drove towards the one person that had always been able to make him feel better.