☆ After a long day, Steve Harrington does what he does best, tucking in his girls.
trigger warnings: baby fever :3
Steve leaned against Emmy’s doorframe for a second before stepping in. Her room was quiet, lights dim, stuffed animals lined up like they were on guard duty. She was already under the covers, book shut but still clutched to her chest.
“Hey, Emmy” he said quietly.
his 6 year old daughter looked up, smiling sleepily. “Daddy.”
He crossed the room and sat on the edge of her bed, smoothing her blanket without even thinking about it. “Good day?”
“Yeah” she nodded. “We played a lot at recess. And… I made a new friend. Her name’s Mia.”
“That so?” he said, genuinely interested. “You gonna tell me all about her tomorrow?”
She nodded sleepily, yawning.
Steve leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead, lingering just a second longer than usual.
he hated how fast his first babygirl was growing.
“goodnight honey” he whispered, pressing another kiss to her forehead.
She smiled, eyes already drifting shut. “Night, Daddy.”
his 4 year old was sprawled sideways in her bed, blanket twisted around her legs, eyes way too awake for someone who was supposedly tired ten minutes ago.
“Daddy” she said immediately, sitting up. “I wanna watch more TV.”
He sighed like he’d been expecting it. “Lily, sweetheart, it’s late.”
She pushed her bottom lip out anyway, eyes going big and hopeful as she hugged her stuffed bear to her chest. Steve felt it hit him right where it always did.
“Daddy pleaseee” she tried again, softer this time.
He shut his eyes for half a second, then opened them, firm but gentle. “Nice try. That face isn’t gonna work on me tonight.”
Her shoulders slumped. “But I’m not sleepy.”
“You are” he said, smoothing her hair back. “You’re just fighting it.”
She huffed, clearly unconvinced. “What if I just watch a little?”
Steve leaned down so they were eye level, voice lowering like it was a secret. “How about this, no TV tonight, but tomorrow we watch E.T. again.”
ever since her aunt robin introduced her to E.T, she’s been addicted to it.
Her eyes lit up instantly. “Really?”
“Really” he said, smiling.
She grinned, satisfied now, and scooted down under the covers. “Okay, Tomorrow.”
He tucked the blanket around her, kissed her forehead, and whispered, “Night, Lils.”
She was out within minutes, like she always was once she stopped pretending she wasn’t tired.
Steve slipped Lily’s door shut gently, listening for a second until he was sure the house had settled back into that familiar nighttime quiet. The kind that only came once all three girls were finally winding down.
He padded down the hall toward the living room, where the soft glow of a lamp spilled over the couch. You were sitting there with 2 year old Robin tucked against your chest, bottle tilted just right, her small hands wrapped around it like it was the most important thing in the world.
“There she is” Steve murmured.
Robin’s eyes flicked toward him immediately, her mouth still working on the bottle. He smiled without even thinking about it and leaned down, brushing a kiss over the top of her head before pressing a kiss to your lips with a soft smile.
“All fed?” he asked quietly.
You nodded, shifting her just enough to settle her better. “She’s almost out.”
Steve reached in, careful and practiced, and lifted Robin from your arms. She let out a tiny noise of protest before immediately relaxing against his chest, cheek squishing into his shirt.
“Hey, hey” he whispered, kissing her chubby cheek. “I’ve got you.”
This was how it always went. Steve put Robin down, you handled dinner. It had become an unspoken routine somewhere between sleepless nights and learning how to juggle three kids without losing your minds.
You stood and headed toward the kitchen while Steve carried Robin down the short hallway to her room. The space was dim and calm, nightlight casting soft shadows over the walls. He closed the door most of the way and began pacing slowly, rocking her like he always did.
“There you go” he murmured, voice low and steady. “Daddy’s got you.”
He pressed another kiss to her cheek, then another, each one slower than the last. Robin’s eyelids fluttered, her grip on his shirt loosening as she drifted off. Steve kept walking even after she was asleep, just to be sure, humming something quiet and half-forgotten.
Once her breathing evened out completely, he lowered her into the crib, tucking the blanket around her small body with careful hands. He stood there for a second longer than necessary, just watching her.
“Goodnight, baby” he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead before leaving.
Back in the kitchen, the microwave hummed softly as you waited, arms folded loosely in front of you. You felt him before you saw him, his presence warm and familiar.
Steve stepped in behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you gently back against his chest. He pressed a kiss to your temple, then rested his chin on your shoulder.
“All three down?” you asked softly.
“Yeah” he said, voice low. “Lily tried to negotiate. Again.”
you laughed “of course she did, what’d she ask for this time?”
“she wanted to watch tv.. god-y/n she gave me that look and I almost gave in, she gets that from you, it’s hard to say no to you two” he says, making you laugh softly, you turn in his grasp to face him.
You smiled up at him, hands settling on his chest. “You survived bedtime negotiations. I’m proud of you.”
He huffed a quiet laugh, but his expression softened as he looked down at you. “Emmy barely needed me tonight” he said, a little more quietly than before. “She was already half asleep. Told me about her new friend and then just… closed her eyes.” He shook his head, smiling, but there was something bittersweet in it. “Feels like she does that more and more lately.”
You reached up and brushed your thumb along his jaw. “She’s growing up” you said gently. “That doesn’t mean she needs you any less.”
“I know” he said. He leaned his forehead against yours for a moment. “It just- it makes me want to freeze time. Or at least slow it down.”
The microwave beeped, breaking the quiet. you turned back to grab the plates, and Steve loosened his hold just enough to let you move, then immediately wrapped his arms around you again, like he couldn’t help himself.
“You’re a good dad” you said, over your shoulder.
He kissed the side of your neck, warm and familiar. “Only because I’ve got you.”
You smiled, leaning back into him as the house stayed quiet around you, three girls asleep down the hall, dinner finally ready, and this small, peaceful moment all to yourselves.
author’s note: I love this so much!! girl-dad Steve is real idc.
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