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3 Months...
Peter looked up in surprise to see Stephen suddenly standing in the middle of his living room. “Stephen?” Peter said questioningly, standing unsteadily from the couch. “I’m so sorry to intrude like this Peter, but I need your help.” Stephen was bleeding from a head wound. “Let me get the first aid kit-” Peter started. “There’s no time. An interdimensional rift has opened in Times Square. I need your help in rounding up the creatures-” Peter nodded in understanding, whipping out his phone. “I’ll dispatch Miles there right now,” Peter said, sending the message quickly, as Stephen watched him with a frown. “I need you on this, Peter,” Stephen insisted. “I’m so sorry, Stephen. I won’t be able to-” Peter tried apologetically. “Can’t you put our differences aside?” Stephen questioned harshly. “That’s not why,” Peter said, feeling tears prick at his eyes. Damn his hormones, he thought in frustration. “There’s a crisis, Peter!” Stephen stressed, looking at Peter in disbelief. “I’m sorry that I can’t help, but Miles will more than make up for my absence,” Peter said reassuringly. “You’re unbelievable,” Stephen told him, shaking his head. Peter felt his chest tighten at the remark, before looking down at the new notification on his phone.“He’s on his way. And for the record, I’m not being spiteful. I can’t be Spider-Man right now,” Peter said quietly. “And why not?” Stephen pressed, looking at him bitterly. Peter sighed. “You should probably get going-”“This is about us. You’re punishing me-”“This has nothing to do with us! My doctor told me to take a break, Stephen! I don’t have a choice!” Peter said in a raised voice. “There’s always a choice-” Stephen shot back. “Not with this. It’s too important,” Peter argued, looking visibly upset. “What could possibly be more important than saving peoples' lives, Peter?” Stephen said, their voices getting increasingly louder in volume. “My own baby’s life!” Peter rebuked him. Stephen froze. “What?” Stephen asked quietly. Peter swallowed hard, glaring at the other man. “Leave,” Peter demanded. “What do you mean, Peter?” Stephen repeated. “I said leave, Stephen!” Peter yelled. “This conversation isn’t over,” Stephen told him evenly, as he created a portal. “Oh, it is. Don’t worry, it’s not yours,” Peter spat at him. Stephen looked like Peter had struck him. “Okay, fine,” the sorcerer said, looking at Peter with a pained expression, as the portal closed.
6 Months…
Typing his report for work, Peter paused to take another bite of the protein bar he was eating. He found if he ate smaller meals, more frequently throughout the day that it kept the nausea at bay. There was a sudden knock at the door. Peter frowned, wondering if Wade forgot his phone again. He slowly got up from his position at the kitchen table, his rounded tummy sticking out in front of him. The baggy sweatshirt he was wearing wasn’t hiding his baby bump any longer. So far, no one had commented on his weight gain at work. He thought his colleagues were just being polite though. “What did you forget?” Peter asked, as he opened the door, freezing on the spot. Stephen was standing there in civilian clothing. “Stephen…what are you doing here?” Peter asked in surprise. “Peter, I-” Stephen paused, as his eyes slowly traveled from Peter’s face to his rounded tummy, lingering there. Peter felt his face flush. ‘This isn’t humiliating at all,’ Peter thought sarcastically. “Do you want to come in?” Peter asked, after a moment of awkward silence, opening the door wider to let the other man in. “Sure,” Stephen said, sounding uncertain. Peter winced, as he remembered he’d been in the middle of assembling the crib in the living room, earlier in the day. It was half done, pieces scattered all over the floor. “Sorry about the mess. I wasn’t expecting anyone,” Peter told him. Stephen was looking at the crib. “It’s fine,” Stephen rushed to reassure him, turning back to Peter. “What can I do for you?” Peter asked questioningly. “I came to apologize,” Stephen said, looking down at his baby bump again. Peter sighed. “For which part, exactly? Our breakup or how you unfairly accused me of not wanting to help you, because of said breakup?” Peter questioned, folding his arms, but it no longer had the desired effect that it used to. All it did was accentuate his growing belly, Peter thought moodily. He could tell that Stephen was trying hard to keep his eyes on his face. “All of it,” Stephen said sincerely, eyes searching Peter’s. Peter regarded the other man silently for a moment. “I forgive you,” Peter said, after a beat. “How far along?” Stephen questioned gently, gesturing to Peter’s belly.“6 months,” Peter told him honestly. He knew the other man could calculate that they’d broken up around that time. “How?” Stephen asked, sounding regretful. Peter didn’t want to think too much on the other man’s tone of voice. “I was imprisoned by a mad scientist, who thought it’d be hilarious,” Peter told him bitterly. “Vishanti, Peter. I’m so sorry,” Stephen said brokenly, looking for a moment like he might reach out to the younger man, but then thought better of it. “It’s okay, I’ve come to terms with it,” Peter said truthfully. It was still incredibly hard every day, but he had no intentions of divulging his deepest, darkest feelings to the man that had broken his heart. “Is it?” Stephen couldn’t bring himself to finish the question. Peter sighed, knowing what the older man was trying to ask him.“I wasn’t lying to you. It’s not your baby. It’s uh…Wade’s,” Peter admitted softly. He winced as Stephen’s face twisted with emotion. “We didn’t…I didn’t…he was captured with me. It wasn’t like that,” Peter tried to reassure him. He knew how much Stephen couldn’t stand Wade. It had caused quite a few fights when they were still together. “What now, Peter? You’re obviously going through with the pregnancy,” Stephen said, gesturing to Peter’s rounded belly. Peter tried not to feel insulted. He’d only just begun to show, really.“Dr. Cho is monitoring me. She’ll deliver the baby, when she’s fully developed.” Peter realized, after the fact that he’d just told Stephen the sex of his baby. Stephen didn’t seem to react to this news at all though, as he continued to frown at Peter worriedly. “Dr. Cho is a geneticist, not a surgeon, Peter,” Stephen countered. “I know, but she has a surgeon on her team that can,” Peter defended. “Have they performed a C-section before?” Stephen asked tensely. “Well, no, but-” Peter spluttered. “You need a surgeon with experience, Peter,” Stephen insisted firmly. “To be fair, there are like zero male pregnancies out there. So, no one’s really experienced-”“Let me speak with Dr. Cho,” Stephen asked pleadingly. “What? Why?” Peter asked, looking confused. “Please, Peter,” Stephen implored.“Um, okay. If you really think that's necessary?” Peter questioned him searchingly. “It is,” Stephen said with finality. “Okay. My next appointment is in a week. I can call you from there and put her on the phone?” Peter asked the other man, looking bewildered by his insistence. “Fine. That works, yes,” Stephen agreed, nodding his head. “Okay,” Peter said, worrying his lower lip. “Need any help?” Stephen asked softly, looking at the crib. “Oh. I was almost done. It’s okay,” Peter said. Stephen waved a hand, magicking the rest of the crib together. “Thanks,” Peter said, sounding relieved. He hated to admit it, but he’d taken a break, because the project had left his back aching.“It's going out here?” Stephen questioned.“Oh, no, in the spare bedroom. I was going to build it out here and then move it-”“You’re in no condition to move it. I’ll do it for you,” Stephen said, eyeing Peter’s belly again. The younger man’s cheeks reddened at the attention. "You really don't have to. I was going to ask Miles or Wade for help." Stephen's expression soured again at the mention of the other man's name. “I insist,” Stephen told him firmly. He levitated the crib to the spare bedroom, while Peter looked on. “Where do you want it?” Stephen asked. "Oh, um, probably the wall opposite the window. " Peter said gratefully. Stephen set the crib down gently. "Thank you. That was a big help," Peter said in relief. "Do you need anything else?" Stephen asked. Peter felt lost. They'd had a terrible breakup and here the other man was now trying to be supportive. It was confusing. "No, I think that's it for now," Peter told him. "Nice color," Stephen commented, looking around the room. Peter laughed. "It's princess pink," Peter told him, humorously. "Well, it is a girl," Stephen said with a half-smile. "Yeah, God, help me now, Stephen. I don't know the first thing about girls," Peter said with a sigh. "You'll be fine," Stephen reassured him. "Think so?" Peter said, quirking an eyebrow adorably at the other man. "I know so," Stephen told him certainly. "Thanks for the vote of confidence," Peter said sincerely. He paused for a moment, looking unsure of himself. "Do you, um...want something to drink?" The younger man asked. "Sure," Stephen said, following Peter out of the room.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
7 Months…
Peter nibbled on a chocolate chip cookie, as he typed furiously on his keyboard, writing a virus for S.H.I.E.L.D. His rounded belly sat in his lap, brushing against the kitchen table. Feeling a pair of eyes on him, he looked up suddenly. “What?” Peter asked, taking another bite of his cookie. “Nothing,” Stephen said hurriedly. “Okay, almost done,” Peter promised. He felt Stephen’s eyes on him again but ignored the other man in favor of finishing the code. Stephen tried but couldn’t help but stare at how his ex-lover had changed since he’d last seen him. Peter’s rounded tummy had swelled out further, straining through his once loosely fitted t-shirt. Stephen felt a swirl of emotions at the sight. The younger man sighed, looking up at Stephen again, feeling distracted by the intensity of his gaze. “Sorry, do you want one?” Peter asked, holding out a cookie to him, thinking that was the reason he had the other man’s attention. “No, thank you,” Stephen said quickly, shaking his head. Peter quirked an eyebrow at the other man, before handing him the flash drive to bring to S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters. “This should do it…or at least, I hope it should? Pregnancy brain is very real. The other day, I walked out of the apartment with no shoes on. I didn’t realize, until I was on the sidewalk, true story. Tell Fury to test it first,” Peter warned, rubbing at his face tiredly. “I’m sure it’s fine, Peter,” Stephen reassured him, moving to stand. Peter stood more slowly, stretching out his back, his swollen belly distending outward.“Hopefully or I’ve just screwed us all over,” Peter joked, though his face was tight with pain. Without thinking, Stephen began to rub soothing circles on Peter’s lower back, attempting to alleviate his discomfort. The younger man sighed in relief, not really caring how weird it was that his ex, who he was very much still in love with, was massaging his back for him. “Better?” Stephen asked after a moment, looking at him worriedly. “Yes, thank you,” Peter said appreciatively.“Take care of yourself,” Stephen told him, as he reluctantly pulled away. “Thanks. You too,” Peter replied, smiling at him genuinely. “Are you free on Saturday?” Stephen blurted out suddenly. Peter raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Yeah, why?” Peter questioned. “Dinner?” Stephen asked him, looking at the younger man hopefully. “As long as it’s take-out. I’m not really into going out these days,” Peter said wryly. “You got it. I’ll call you,” Stephen promised, his blue eyes searching deep brown ones. “Yeah, okay. That sounds good,” Peter agreed. Stephen nodded, before disappearing into a portal to S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters. “What the hell am I doing?” Peter whispered to himself furiously, as he rubbed a hand along the curvature of his rounded belly.
8 Months…
One Saturday night turned into two, and before long, Peter was seeing Stephen again every weekend. He didn’t want to read into it though. What could Stephen possibly want from him, aside from friendship? Peter thought that had to be it, as they lounged together on his couch binge-watching a show on Netflix. Stephen had just positioned Peter’s aching feet in his lap, rubbing them gently, when a loud crash came from down the hall, followed by cursing. “Where’s my baby mama at?” Wade called in a booming voice. He’d of course, let himself in through the bedroom window again. Peter rolled his eyes at the joke. Stephen scowled darkly. “In here, Pool,” Peter said loudly, sounding exasperated. Wade walked into the room, stopping short when he saw Stephen. “Aw, did you two finally kiss and makeup?” Peter blushed at the question, keeping his eyes off Stephen. “We’re just hanging out. What’s up?” The younger man responded hurriedly. “Needed your help with a stakeout, Spidey,” Wade told him simply, like Peter wasn’t about to give birth in a month. “You have Miles’ number, right?” Peter asked, looking at the other man in bewilderment. He placed a hand on his pregnant belly, as if to remind him that he was carrying their daughter. “He said he’s tied up with something,” Wade dismissed, folding his muscular arms. “Okay…well, there’s Daredevil too,” Peter suggested with a shrug. “Unavailable,” Wade told him stubbornly. Peter sighed loudly. “Black Cat?” The younger man asked hopefully. “Will only work with you or Morales,” Wade said, sounding bored. “Yeah, I wonder why that is,” Peter told him sarcastically, rubbing at his eyes tiredly. “I’ll do it. Tell me what you need,” Stephen volunteered, looking irritated. “No, Stephen. You don’t need to-” Peter started, realizing how very bad this would be. “Your hot ex-wizard boyfriend will have to do, Webs. You’re too pregnant for the job anyway,” Wade said with a long-drawn-out sigh. “Wow, ‘cause that doesn’t sound like discrimination in the workplace,” Peter muttered, glaring at Wade with his arms folded across the top of his belly. The younger man’s expression suddenly became worried, as he realized that he wouldn’t be there to hold Stephen back from killing Wade. While one part of him was secretly relieved that he was off the hook. The other part was worried as hell. “It’s okay,” Stephen reassured the younger man, as if sensing his thoughts. “We won’t kill each other,” he promised quietly, patting Peter’s leg affectionately, before moving to stand. “So, what’s your deal with Webs?” Wade asked casually, hand underneath his chin. “There’s no deal,” Stephen answered in a clipped tone of voice. “Uh, there’s definitely a deal. You two love birds looked pretty cozy when I walked in,” Wade snorted, shaking his head in disbelief. Stephen remained silent, as he continued to survey the activity below on the docks. “Why’d you break up with him?” Wade questioned after a moment, watching Dr. Strange curiously. Stephen let out a long sigh of frustration. “He broke up with me,” Stephen admitted quietly. Wade paused, as if he hadn’t expected an answer. “Huh. That’s surprising. He’s the clingy one. Get it? Ha!” Wade laughed, elbowing Stephen hard. The ex-Sorcerer Supreme turned to Deadpool with a glare, looking like he wanted to be anywhere other than there with the mercenary. “I wasn’t committed enough for him,” Stephen offered eventually, his jaw clenched tight. “Well, Spidey is a committed kind of guy, so makes sense he cut you loose. I mean, he’s going through with having the baby. If that doesn’t scream, ‘I want commitment in my life,’ then I don’t know what does,” Wade reasoned with a shrug. “How do you feel about all of this?” Stephen questioned suddenly. “Eh, whatever he wants. He’s doing all the work. I’m happy that my sperm is helping him find meaning in his life,” Wade added seriously. Stephen sighed in exasperation, pinching the bridge of his nose, looking sorry he asked. “He refuses to let me name the baby. Won’t even hear any suggestions. Can you believe that?”“Yes.”
9 Months…
Peter felt huge. He couldn’t wait for the C-section in two weeks. No position was comfortable, everything constantly hurt and now, Stephen was making things so much worse. “I’m asking for a second chance, Peter,” Stephen pleaded, hands on the younger man’s upper arms, squeezing gently.“A second chance? Stephen, what could you possibly want with me? I’m a mess!” Peter exclaimed, shaking his head violently at the other man, gesturing at his rounded belly. “Please, consider it, Peter,” Stephen implored him, watching the younger man intently. “Oh, I’m considering it, all right. I’m considering how you’ve completely lost your mind! Why would you even want me still?” Stephen took a step closer at his words. “Why wouldn’t I want you still?” Stephen asked him, titling Peter’s chin to look into his deep brown eyes."Stephen...I'm really, really pregnant and about to become a parent. I just don’t think I seem like dating material, is all,” Peter sighed deeply, looking down to where his belly was pressed against the older man. It had swelled so much in just a few months. “I love you, Peter,” Stephen confessed, leaning down to capture Peter’s lips softly with his own. After a moment of surprise, Peter began to respond, deepening the kiss. He sighed contentedly, lips parting, to allow Stephen’s tongue to stroke the inside of his mouth. As they continued to make out, Stephen cupped Peter’s face tenderly between his scarred hands, while the younger man brought his hands to rest loosely behind the older man’s neck. Peter broke the kiss, feeling out of breath. “Stephen…I love you too. I never stopped, but you can’t be serious about this,” Peter panted. Stephen held him closely, bringing a hand to caress along the curvature of the younger man’s belly. “I am being serious. I can’t be without you, Peter,” Stephen said breathlessly, kissing him again passionately, hands encircling the younger man’s waist. “I can’t be without you either,” Peter admitted, in between fervent kisses, giving into the older man. “Okay…we can try again,” he added softly, gazing into Stephen’s blue eyes. “That’s all I’m asking for,” Stephen told him, regarding the younger man lovingly, as he leaned in for another kiss.The End.