Chapter Text
Tony floats through the day. It’s a blur to him, the seemingly useless and boring meetings Pepper bullies him into going to have taken more of a toll on him than he would like to admit. When he looks in the mirror his under-eye bags don’t go well with his custom-made suits and it’s really dragging on the whole playboy title he made for himself so many years ago. God, he wanted this thing off his body. It clung to all the wrong places and though it looked nice, it was itchy and hot.
He also fidgeted uncomfortably with his phone, looking at it every few minutes. Usually his ankle-biter of a protege is blowing up his phone with something, whether it’s suit ideas or just funny pictures that Tony can roll his eyes at but secretly save to his camera roll. There were no messages, in fact the kid hadn’t texted him since the man left and that was two days ago. This must be some paternal thing because Tony felt his heart beat abnormally at the thought of Peter being anything but alive and thriving. He’d noticed the contentedness that washes over him when the younger hero is with him, studying under him, giving him a companionship he’d never found beforer. The kid was a genius and sure he had Bruce, but Peter had a youth to him that could only be brought by, well, the youth themselves.
When Tony finally stepped into Avengers Tower, he didn't expected to be bombarded with concerns and questions about said kid. Rhodey clapped him on the shoulder with a face Tony couldn’t pin until his friend actually opened his mouth.
Rhodey cleared his throat awkwardly. “So, there’s-uh, a kid upstairs. Says he’s your intern but looked a little shady. F.R.I.D.A.Y. knew him, said he could go up. He looked wrecked, didn't stop stuttering.”
Tony raised his eyebrows at the older man. “Short teenage boy with curly brown hair, kinda sounds like a girl?”
“Sounds like the one.” Rhodey chuckled right as the elevator dinged, noting that they were now at the penthouse level. “Looked like he was ‘bout to collapse he was so tired.”
All of his own exhaustion was temporarily washed away and he parted with his friend with a small smile. He set off and pushed into his room. The sight was enough to bring any softie to their knees and Tony can’t say he wasn’t swayed a little.
There Peter was, curled into Tony’s bed, textbooks and paper sprawled across his sleeping body. The billionaire chuckled quietly at the pen stuck to his chin from drool. He quickly took a photo with his phone before clearing the area of the work, letting the kid sleep while Tony changed and got ready for bed.
When he came back from the bathroom, Peter was still asleep. Tony had never see him so relaxed, so young-looking. His hair was a mess and there was dried spit on Tony’s pillow from where he was drooling, no doubt something he would be embarrassed about if he were awake. Tony just smiled softly and went to wake him up, guilt playing with his moral compass. There was no real reason for waking Peter up except that Tony missed him and wanted to talk for a bit. Fuck he’d admit it, he missed Peter. It really wasn’t something he was ashamed of because the child before him deserves the world, but Tony is scared of the possible rejection so his mouth stays shut about that. That might not be a problem anymore because Peter had obviously sucked up enough pride to sleep in his mentor’s bed but he decided to keep it to himself anyway.
He gently puts a hand on Peter’s shoulder and shakes until Peter is gasping, his eyes widening before he grabs Tony’s hands and squeeze in a defense.
The billionaire yelps and pulls out of the boy’s grasp. “Hey, hi, it’s me.”
Peer blinks in his sleep-ridden daze before his eyes widen once more, he scrambles away from the man and almost falls from the bed. “Aye, man! Fancy seeing you here.”
It would be funny if he wasn’t heaving and Tony isn’t really sure what to say so he smirks. “When I told you I wanted more men in my bed, this isn’t what I meant, Pete.”
The boy’s nose scrunches up in slight disgust. “Mr. Stark!” He groans.
Tony shrugs and sits against the headboard next to his protege. “Did you have a bad dream?”
“No,” Peter says in earnest. The tension slowly drips away from his body and he lays back down, his forehead nudging Tony’s lower thigh. “Just scared me is all.” He words slurred together from sleeping and voice was raspy and lower than Tony had ever heard
He nods and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Want a ride home, kid? I’ll take you now if you want.”
Tony doesn’t ignore the way Peter shifts uncomfortably, suddenly leaving his leg cold and absent. He scooched away before answering. “May went out and I-I didn’t want to be alone so I came here to do some work but I was so tired and took a nap instead. Sorry Mr. Stark, I’m gonna go to my own room so you can get some rest.”
Tony rolls his eyes and waves his hand at him. “Nonsense, were having a slumber party. I’ll put a movie on and Spider-baby can go to sleep.”
Peter lets out a relieved breath, something that Tony does overlook so he doesn’t get more attached than he already is and picks a movie. It’s a little awkward at first because Peter won’t come near him. He jumps away when they touch accidently and profusely apologizes. Tony watches his drift in and out of consciousness.
Tony is about to fall asleep when the soft weight hits his forearm. Peter’s smooth hands wrap around his calloused ones and he’s snoring soundly. The lull of the movie plays in the background as Tony cards his fingers through the child’s hair for awhile.
Peter doesn’t open his eyes when he whispers, it’s so quiet that Tony doesn’t’ even hear him. “Thanks Misser S’ark.” He mumbles against the man’s arm.
Tony feels a blush creep into his cheeks. “Thank you, Mr. Parker.”
Then he’s asleep again, for Tony to look after him. Peter’s vulnerability right now is a blessing and a curse he thinks. All in all, Tony could stay here for an infinite eternity.