Steve nodded and shifted more into Peter’s hold, burying his face more into the other’s neck and shoulder, wrapping an arm around his mate and just shaking from the shock of everything still setting in and the pain and grief from all of the losses he’d been dealt. He couldn’t handle anything else tonight. If Peter said the pack would wait, they would wait. Steve would trust that Peter knew best for the time being.
Peter moved to carefully wash Steve off, eventually taking his now soaked clothes off and setting them aside so he could clean them both and then turned the water off. “I have to let you go to get us towels, okay?” he explained, kissing Steve’s temple. “I’ll be right back.” He carefully, slowly released Steve to get out and grab towels, easing one around his waist and moving to pull Steve from the tub and into his arms. “Let me get you dry and in bed. I’ll bring us up some food.” he said, toweling Steve off and moving him to the bed to get some clothes and help him get dressed before doing the same for himself. Pulling at the blankets so that he could get his husband in bed, he carefully guided Steve to lay back against the pillows and covered his legs. “I’ll be back in just a few minutes, okay?” he promised, leaning to kiss Steve gently before leaving to go get their food. As he got to the stairs, he saw Derek and Malia at the bottom of the steps and shook his head. “Don’t.” he said softly so only they would hear.
“Dad, what happened?” Malia asked, concerned. “Where’s Bucky and the others?”
Peter shook his head again as he joined them. “Not now, Malia.” he said, but his voice held the shaky emotion of loss and Malia leaned to hug him, Derek doing the same. Peter took the comfort for a moment before pulling away from his nephew and daughter, looking at them both in turn. “Everyone needs to eat, get some rest. Steve can’t handle it right now. I’m trusting the two of you to take care of everyone while I take care of him. Understood?”
Malia looked at her cousin and after a moment, the two nodded and Peter moved to get two plates made and on a tray and started back up to the bedroom. He moved quietly, focusing on getting Steve fed as he got to their room. “I got your favorite.” he said, setting the tray on the bed and sitting beside Steve. “Can you eat for me, baby?” he asked. “I can feed you if you need me to. Just tell me.”
themusechronicles 