#cha0sth0ts

dad!steve harrington x mom!reader

quick blurb! steve and reader are exes who just can't get over eachother! steve really is the best girl dad! implied smut at the end! mommy/daddy kink if you squint

"There you go, sweetheart," Steve hummed as he finished braiding his little girl's hair. He patted her head before passing your mirror over to her to see his handiwork, "What do you think?"

Your toddler gasped in excitement as she looked at herself. The grin that spread across her face spoke volumes, "Perfect! Thank you, daddy!"

As you rounded the corner into your living room, you caught sight of your ex and your daughter spending some quality bonding time together. It was a welcome sight to see after a grueling shift at your serving job. When you entered the room, your daughter's eyes instantly lit up, "Mommy!"

"Hey, lovey," You giggled as she came running towards you as you attempted to remove your coat and settle in for the night. As she clung to your legs and babbled about what she and her dad had done that evening, you watched as Steve tidied the living room while she was distracted. Not just her hairbrush and hair ties. But all of her toys she'd randomly pulled out were placed back into her bins, TV off, dishes washed, and... did he light a candle too?

Despite the ups and downs of your relationship with Steve, it had never failed to make you swoon at how attentive he was.

"Thank you again," You called to him while picking up your little girl, cradling her tired body against your frame, "You were a lifesaver after the babysitter canceled.

Steve waved his hand, a signal that he often used to brush things off, "Don't thank me for spending time with my little girl. I just wish my work schedule lined up like this more often so I could see you two more than twice a week."

Your knees nearly buckled as he mentioned seeing both of you, "Still, it was last-minute and if I had called out... well, y'know how Grant can be a real ass about things."

A little giggle erupted from your daughter, "Ass!"

Both your and Steve's eyes went wide as your daughter repeated after you. He could hardly hold himself back from laughing. You rolled your eyes at his antics, "Don't feed into her and get her riled up before bed."

"Sorry, mama," He chuckled and scratched the back of his neck like he wanted to say more. Your knees buckled at the nickname, and if he noticed, he didn't make it known. Steve took a small step forward, his eyes flicked between you and his little girl, "Why don't I get lilbit to bed while you get yourself settled, alright?"

Before you could protest, Steve pulled your daughter from your arms. The toddler slumped into his chest, sleepiness already taking effect after a surprise playdate with daddy. She lifted her head a little to glance back at you, "Can daddy come over again tomorrow?"

You smiled and took a small step forward. With a gentle hand, you carressed her cherub cheeks, "We'll see. Daddy might be busy, sweetheart."

It was a silent agreement you shared with him - neither of you would make a promise to your little girl that you couldn't keep.

"I'll stop by," Steve easily interjected before his eyes cut over to you, "if mama's got the time for me to."

In your shock, you didn't want to correct him or upset her before bed. Instead, you gave a soft smile and a reassuring pat to her cheek, "We'll see."

"C'mon, lilbit," Steve kissed her cheek and sauntered down the hall with your little girl in his arms.

With your surprise free time, you quickly stripped out of your uniform and into something cozy. And as you headed out of your bedroom to check in on the bedtime routine, Steve was stepping out of your daughter's room, closing the door behind him.

"She out?"

"Like a light," he rasped, "And I guess that's my cue to go too."

Both of you gave each other a polite smile, neither quite knowing how to say goodnight. Steve nodded, choosing to be a gentleman and see himself out. As his figure retreated down the hall, you watched him go and thought over the small picture of domesticity you saw tonight.

Taking a deep breath, you followed behind him with a whisper of his name, "Steve..."

"Yeah?" He glanced back at you from the coat rack by the door. His arms were halfway in one sleeve as he prepared to finish sliding the garment on.

You bit your lip, contemplating the action, but your body followed through without thought. Once you approached him, you helped him take the jacket off again and tossed it back on the coat rack, "I was hoping that I could have my own playdate with daddy..."

Steve smirked at the innuendo and feigned indifference. At the while, one of his arms wrapped around your side and tugged you closer, "Oh, yeah? Did you miss daddy too?"

You rolled your eyes at his teasing statement as you leaned into each other, "Watch it, Harrington--"