Chapter Text
Peter and Tony were staying in the city at the tower. Steve, Bucky, Natasha, and Rhodey were there. They were about to call it a night. Peter had realized a while ago that his stomach hadn’t really agreed with the take out they’d gotten from that taco truck. Tony had argued that it looked like no one cleaned anything, but Peter had insisted. Now he wished he’d gone with Tony’s gut.
Natasha stood up suddenly, “Guys, I don’t know what we ate but it was bad news.” She disappeared for a bathroom.
Peter stood up when his stomach started to gurgle, “I’m willing to admit in this situation that I made a huge mistake.”
“LISTEN, I CALL THE BATHROOM WITH THE TV!” Rhodey yelled.
Steve didn’t say a word just ran off down the hall.
Tony was out of the room next.
Bucky grabbed another taco and kept eating.
~
Rhodey came to the kitchen for Ginger Ale later and found Peter laying on the floor. “Pete?”
“I’m dying.” The teenager mumbled.
“He’s not dying.” Bucky yelled from the couch.
“Shut up, Mr. I feel fine.” Peter yelled back.
“Oh, he’s mean when he’s sick.” Rhodey laughed and then clutched his stomach.
“Seriously, how are you not sick?” Steve asked coming into the open area with the kitchen, dining room, and living room.
“I’ve got a tough stomach.” Bucky shrugged.
“Guys…” Peter’s voice cracked, “I want my dad.”
Rhodey, Steve and Bucky hadn’t heard Tony referred as his dad before. Steve sat down by the boy and Peter put his head on his leg.
Steve reached a hand up, “Ginger Ale, please?”
“Me too.” Peter mumbled and Rhodey passed them both drinks.
“Fri? Can you get Tony for the Spider-Kid?” Bucky asked.
“Right away.” Friday agreed.
Minutes later Tony came and sat on the floor next to them, “It’s 2am. Why is my kid crying? What did you guys do?”
“No one can sleep. Everyone is sick. We didn’t do anything.” Steve argued.
Natasha came in the kitchen, “Everyone is as miserable as I am?”
Nods all around.
Bucky came into the kitchen and sat on the floor by everyone simply because he didn’t want to be alone.
Peter had shifted to lay on Tony’s chest so Steve was free to crawl over and lay his head against Bucky’s shoulder.
“Call mom.” Peter mumbled.
“Mom can’t fix this, Bub.” Tony ruffled his hair.
“Mom can fix everything. Call mom!” Peter said more loudly.
“Bubba, it’s so late. Let’s just wait this out until morning and you’ll feel better.” Tony tried to reason.
“No, I want mom now.” Peter started to cry.
That was it. Tony hated to see his kids cry, “Fri. You heard the kid. Call Pepper.”
The ringing phone filled the kitchen.
“Tony? It’s so late.” Pepper answered sleepily.
“Mom? Dad tried to kill us. Come help!” Peter told her.
“Did not! The place we ate at was Peter’s idea!” Tony argued.
“Yeah, but the kid’s got a point. You were the adult there. You saw how bad the place looked and still said yes.” Rhodey shrugged.
“I think I’m going to be sick, but I’m so tired.” Natasha mumbled with her head leaning against the cabinets, eyes closed. Forehead dotted in sweat.
“Here.” Rhodey passed her the trash can from under the sink just in case.
“I don’t know how much I can help.” Pepper finally cut in.
“Please? You always know what to do.” Peter begged.
“Clearly I’m not good enough.” Tony rolled his eyes.
“I’ll be there soon. I have to call Happy to come sit with Morgan.” Pepper hung up.
Pepper got to the tower and found everyone in the kitchen. Natasha was retching into a trash can. Rhodey laid face down on the floor. Steve was half asleep against Bucky. Bucky was eating a plum. Peter was shaking where he laid against Tony.
“Hi Pep.” Tony offered as greeting.
“Okay! Everyone is going to their rooms!” Pepper announced.
Rhodey groaned, “Please don’t make us leave the kitchen.”
“It’s accepted us as it’s own.” Natasha answered putting the trash can to the side.
“Nope. You all need to sleep this off. Steve’s half asleep already. Peter’s shaking from being so cold. Tony looks half dead. Rhodey—Why are you laying face down on the floor?” Pepper shook her head.
“It feels nice.” He mumbled against the floor.
“Peter, go to bed. I’ll come make sure you’re okay in a few minutes.” Pepper told the boy as she brushed the hair out of his eyes.
“Will you rub my stomach?” Peter asked.
“If you go right now.” Pepper agreed. Peter stumbled to his feet and down the hall.
“Whose next?” Pepper reached a hand out to Tony who accepted the help to his feet.
“I want a belly rub too.” He winked as he disappeared down the hall where Peter had gone.
“I’ve got this one.” Bucky told Pepper as he helped a sleepy Steve to his feet.
“Someone carry me.” Natasha opened her eyes and Pepper held out a hand.
By the time Pepper came back from helping Natasha to bed Rhodey was looking pale, “Stop fighting it. You’re body needs to get rid of the bad stuff for you to feel better.”
Rhodey groaned and reached for the trash can Natasha had left behind. Pepper cringed and rubbed his back. Once he was done he put the trash can aside, “Just leave me here to die.”
“Earth’s mightiest heroes?” Pepper raised a brow.
“This is our toughest villain yet.” Rhodey teased.
~
It was 6am before Pepper made it to bed herself. She was convinced that everyone was finally asleep. She had just closed her eyes when Peter wandered in, “Tony said I’d feel better in the morning.”
“Pete. Everyone has been awake all night. Can you just try to sleep?” Pepper asked opening her eyes again.
“Bubba, come lay by me and let Pep sleep for a little while.” Tony lifted his head that still felt heavy from the pillow.
Peter climbed into bed by Tony and laid his head on his chest, “What do you think we’ll eat for breakfast?”
“You just implied you weren’t feeling well!” Tony argued.
“I know, but I’m thinking in a few hours I’m going to be starved.” Peter closed his eyes that were watering from being overtired.
“I never want food again.”
“Fine. I’ll ask Bucky later.”
“That guy can eat anything.” Tony groaned.
“Go to sleep or I’m going to sleep in the guest room.” Pepper threatened.
“Shhh. You’re keeping her awake.” Peter told Tony.
Tony rolled his eyes but did quiet down.
~
May walked into the tower and was surprised that it was quiet at 9:30am. She was supposed to be picking up Peter, “Fri? Was I supposed to pick Peter up at the lake house?”
“Peter’s currently asleep at the tower.” Friday responded.
“It’s nearly 10am!” May raised a brow.
“No one slept.” Bucky responded coming into the living area.
“Because?” May asked.
“Tacos.” Bucky shrugged.
Steve came into the living room behind Bucky, “Evil tacos.”