Chapter Text
Bruce hired contractors to begin work on the mansion the following morning, while the work was being completed the family chose to stay at the compound as it was closer to the sanctuary in New York where Tony went to speak with Strange and many of the other sorcerers daily. As he had achieved the impossible and killed a first born demon they wanted as much information as possible, they also worked together to create a vessel to hold the ashes of the demon and buried it with mystical safe guards to secure it so that no one could attempt to bring the demon back from oblivion.
Being in the compound of course meant that Tony and Bruce were around Steve which led to several tense silences and awkward interactions until Tony sat down with Steve, Bruce, and Sam to act as mediator.
“Obviously this cannot continue.” Tony said, “We can’t keep on ignoring each-other or avoid each-other, its stupid and childish and we need to get past it.”
Steve clenched his jaw and folded his arms over his chest, lifting his chin and gave Bruce a defiant look as the older man scowled at him.
“Okay,” Tony said, “If you two want to hate each-other fine, but I am not being dragged in between your pissing contest, and I expect the both of you to behave like adults, not start fighting and trashing the places we’re living.”
“That happened once!” Bruce protested,
“And once is more than enough.” Tony said,
“You just let a demon trash your home.” Steve snidely threw in,
“Watch your mouth.” Bruce snarled,
“Or what?” Steve goaded,
“Enough!” Sam cut in with a wave of his hands, “This discussion is about your attitude to one another, not about Tony’s plan to defeat the demon, which, if you recall, worked.”
“And I am working with Bruce on more openness between us.” Tony said with a smile to Bruce; he hadn’t been given a get-out-of-jail-free-card over his decision to tackle Abalam alone, Bruce had been understanding, given the position Tony had been in, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t angry too; they had several lengthy discussions over Tony’s choices and were working to get past any lingering resentments relating to this, to Bruce’s decision to going back to being Batman, and Tony’s decision to continue the pregnancy, all in all they had a lot to work through, but were doing so and both were certain they would put all of it behind them given enough time.
“That’s good.” Sam said, “But lets keep our focus on the topic at hand.”
“Agreed” Bruce said,
“Alright then, if I can maybe suggest we talking about feelings, specifically what you were feeling and do feel in regards to Tony’s decision to remain with Bruce and salvage his marriage.” This was directed at Steve who scowled,
“Used.” He grunted,
“Used,” Sam repeated, “can you elaborate on that?”
Steve shrugged, “I put myself out for Tony’s benefit, I acted as a father to his children, took care of him when he needed me too, and was given nothing but contempt in return.”
Bruce scoffed, “What did you expect when you’d built an elaborate fantasy in your head about the two of you?”
“Bruce, please.” Sam said holding up a hand, the older man shrugged,
“I was prepared to be a husband and father.” Steve said, looking to Tony, “Not just of Morgan and Damian, but of the triplets too.”
“You know I didn’t ask you to do that, Steve, I didn’t expect anything from you.” Tony said, “Neither did I give you any reason to think that I would leave Bruce for you, at least not consciously.”
“But you…,” Steve broke off and shook his head, “I love you.” He said, “I would be better for you than him.”
Bruce growled menacingly but Tony held up a hand to stop him reacting further, “I believe you think that, and that you have feelings for me is flattering, but Steve, we’re wrong for each-other. We come from very different worlds with different expectations and outlooks on life. It could never work for us, and I…,” he smiled, “I have been in love with Bruce since we first met, over thirty years ago. Yes we’ve had ups and downs, blazing rows, told ourselves we’ve hated each-other at times, but no matter what we’ve always come back to each-other in the end.”
“And always will.” Bruce said, giving Tony a small smile, Tony reached for his hand and Bruce clasped it into his own, “Contrary to what you might think, I do not resent you having feelings for Tony.” He said to Steve, “What I resent is your intention to act upon them and usurp my place in his and our childrens lives.”
“A place you willingly gave up to go back to being a vigilante.” Steve said,
Bruce exhaled loudly, “I made mistakes, I admit it. I was foolish, and I handled things badly, but I would never have abandoned my family, not even if Tony and I had divorced. I would have been there for him and our children no matter what.”
“I never meant to hurt you, Steve, or lead you think that there could ever be anything between us.” Tony said, “I’m sorry if you believed other-wise.”
Steve remained silent, staring at his feet until Sam prompted him, “You didn’t.” he said eventually, “I’ve seen you flirt, I’ve seen you act seductive, you didn’t do anything like that with me.” He shrugged his shoulders, “I just wanted to believe that…that for once I could have a happy ending.”
“Who says you can’t?” Sam said, “You are still young, you can still find someone.”
“Hey if that asshole Strange is going to become a Father, then you can definitely find love!” Tony said making Steve huff a small laugh while Bruce growled low in his throat, he still wasn’t completely over the fact that Strange’s future child was going to seduce one of his children.
“I suppose there is that.” He said, then he sighed heavily, “I’m sorry, you didn’t deserve me treating you badly because you don’t return my feelings.”
“Thank you.” Tony said, “And I forgive you.”
“I don’t.” Bruce grumbled, wincing when Tony kicked his ankle, “Fine, your forgiven.” He grudgingly said.
Steve nodded and looked to Sam, “So what should I do?” he asked him,
“The best thing you can do is get yourself out and about more.” Sam said, “Maybe take art classes at college, volunteer somewhere, start meeting people and building a life outside of being Captain America.”
Steve nodded, “That sounds like something I could maybe try.” He agreed.
“Excellent.” Sam said with a broad smile, “I think we can call this session a success.”
“Does that mean we can stop talking about feelings?” Tony asked, at Sam’s nod he sagged, “Thank god, I’m getting hives!”
Sam rolled his eyes and Bruce snorted, “Anyway, I need to head to the Sanctuary, Wong is watching the kids and they keep setting things on fire.” Tony said,
“You do know arson in childhood is a sign of psychopathy.” Sam said,
“Rubbish, Natasha and I set lots of things on fire as children.” Tony said and gave Sam a grin,
“Lunatics,” Sam sighed, “I am surrounded by lunatics.”
“Yeah, but look on the bright side.” Steve said, “At least you are never bored.”
******
Several months later
As this was a mystical pregnancy Tony had decided to give birth at the sanctuary with Strange as his doctor again and several sorcerers on hand in case anything went wrong.
The rest of his pregnancy had progressed remarkably well considering all the trouble he’d been through in the earliest weeks, perhaps it was just good luck or maybe it was magic, but he had sailed through the rest of the pregnancy suffering nothing more than normal pregnancy discomfort, not even requiring bed rest until the last few weeks.
Strange refused to allow the entire Bat family and Avengers family to camp out at the compound while Tony was in labour, but he did allow them to have video calls so everyone was kept apprised of the situation.
Morgan and Damian insisted on being present, and through a combination of both their magics eased Tony through the lengthy hours of his labour, dulling most of the pain, and helping him to easily transition into active labour, where they gripped one of his hands while Bruce gripped the other.
Unlike the birth of the twins, Tony felt none of the exhaustion or intense pain this time, he felt pressure, a lot of pressure, but nothing worse than it. In fact he would almost describe it as easy to push the triplets into the world, each exactly fifteen minutes after the other.
Two girls, and a boy.
Once Tony was cleaned up and the triplets were cleaned and wrapped up, Strange allowed the bat family to come and meet the triplets while holding up a tablet for the Avengers to see the new babies via video call.
Tony was sat up in bed, Morgan and Damian on either side of him, the triplets in his lap while Bruce perched on the end of the bed looking both awed and astonished by what he and Tony had created.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” Tony said, “I’d like to introduce you to Rosalia Arla, Marianna Zara, and Thomas Finn.”
“They’re beautiful.” Natasha said,
“Bet they’ll be as much trouble as those two nightmares!” Jason teased getting a stuck out tongue from Damian,
“How are you doing, Bruce?” Alfred asked,
“I’m, dazed and happy.” Bruce said, beaming down at his family, “Happier than I thought possible.”
Tony smiled down at their children, in awe of what they had created together and hopeful of the future they would have together.