Chapter Text
Peter hadn’t slept in days. He had bags under his eyes that hurt like bruises and he yawned constantly. He took a sip of the coffee in front of him. He had made a pot of coffee when May had gone to work. She didn’t know that he wasn’t sleeping. She didn’t know that almost losing Tony kept him awake. He always died in his dreams and Peter couldn’t think of anything worse than losing another dad. He wasn’t even sure he still had a dad though because he hadn’t seen or heard from Tony recently.
Peter showered in cold water to wake himself up and put on some sweats and a t-shirt. He read a book until he got bored, switched to video games. His eyes still drooped. He was going to have to do something drastic to keep himself awake. He pulled on his Spider-Man suit and swung out of his window. Who could he help today?
~
Tony knew this was a mistake. There was no way that his kid was out as Spider-Man after curfew. And why was he swinging like he was drunk? Tony would kill this kid if he had gotten drunk and tried to superhero at the same time.
“Fri? Patch me through to Karen.” Tony her the AI.
“Peter Parker has rejected the call.” Friday told him.
“Override.”
Tony knew the call had been put through. Peter hadn’t said a word yet, “Peter Parker. Get your butt home right this instant.”
“But Tony—“
“—I don’t want to hear it.” Tony told him.
“I was just trying to do some good while I was awake…”
“And now I gotta hear it!” Tony yelled.
“Well you never hear it lately because you’re never around, so why don’t you go back to what you do best; ignoring me.” Peter shot back.
“Peter, I—“
“No. You don’t get to make excuses.” Peter got to his apartment and took off his suit cutting off the connection between him and Tony.
~
Tony sighed. He hadn’t realized the kid had been feeling neglected at all. He had been trying to give him space to heal and that had clearly been the wrong move. He should have listened to Pepper when she told him to check in more often.
“Pep? I gotta go check on our kid!” Tony yelled grabbing his keys from the hook by the door.
“Tell him I love him tons and tons!” Pepper yelled.
The drive was endless and he finally pulled into May’s parking spot knowing she was at work and took the stair up to their apartment two at a time since the elevator was still broken. It was always broken. He used his key to let himself in.
Peter sat on the couch with a mug in hand sipping slowly. Tony noticed a few things right away. Peter’s hand shook while he brought the cup to his lips. He had bags under his eyes and Peter didn’t seem to realize he was crying.
Tony knelt down in front of him and took the mug cringing when he realized the kid was drinking black coffee to stay awake, “Okay. Nope. We’re not doing that.”
“STOP! You don’t get to tell me what to do!” Peter reached for the mug out of his reach.
“Well then you’re really going to hate me. Go pack a bag. I already texted your aunt.” Tony pointed to Peter’s room.
“I don’t have to listen to you.” Peter pouted.
“Why must you and Morgan be so alike? Should have sent Pepper. No one ever argues with Pepper.” Tony sighed. He wasn’t going to fight with an overtired Peter Parker. It never ended well.
“I’m not like MORGAN! THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE. WE AREN’T RELATED.” Peter got off the couch to walk away from him.
“Well don’t tell her that. You’ll make her cry.” Tony said softly. He watched his words stop Peter in his tracks. He may be mad but he would never do something to intentionally hurt his kid sister.
“Just leave.” Peter told him.
“I will if you do one thing first…” Tony agreed.
“What?” Peter asked hesitantly.
“Tell me how long it’s been since you’ve slept and why?”
“I’ve been sleeping.” Peter couldn’t look at him.
“Now try that again, but more believable this time!” Tony teased.
“You’re an idiot.” Peter walked toward his room and started throwing stuff in an overnight bag. He wouldn’t be able to lie his way out of this and he wasn’t planning to tell the truth either. Might as well accept his fate. Tony wasn’t leaving without him and Peter wasn’t going to fight him on it all night long.
~
The two walked into the cabin and Peter tried to walk up to his room but Pepper stepped in his path. Peter was beyond frustrated at this point.
“Both of you just stop! I just need some space.” Peter threw his hands up in frustration and ran them through his curls.
Pepper didn’t say anything. She just pulled him in for a hug and Peter resisted at first and then finally melted into the hug crying.
“Nightmares? Tony gets them too.” Pepper whispered in his ear.
“How do we make them go away?” Peter cried.
Tony wrapped his arms around the boy and they hugged him together, “Well don’t wait until you call a Iron Man in your sleep and it almost kills someone.”
“I don’t sleep so that won’t be a problem.” Peter snorted.
“You’re sleeping tonight. I promised your aunt that you would get a full eight hours.” Tony ruffled his hair.
“No! I can’t…If I close my eyes you—“ Peter stopped talking worried about upsetting the man bringing up memories of Thanos.
“What happens to me, Pete? You don’t sleep if you don’t talk about this. Don’t worry about me. I can handle it. I’m the adult.” Tony smiled reassuringly.
“You die…He kills you. And then you disappeared on me. You stopped texting and calling. I just—It’s stupid.” Peter whispered as if he’s afraid to voice this though aloud because then it might come true.
“Just tell me. It’s not stupid I’m sure.”
“I’m worried that you don’t want me in your life anymore or that there isn’t room for me anymore. I’m worried that my nightmares will come true, not that you die, but that you leave and forget about me.” Peter felt Pepper’s arms tighten around him never releasing the hug she was holding him in. Projecting safety in the best way she could for her kid.
“Kid, I thought you wanted space and I didn’t want to suffocate you. If you need me to call you daily or text you hourly or visit you at school—You say the word…I’ll be there to embarrass you in a heartbeat because I love you more than you can understand until you have your own kids.”
“Please don’t come to my school.” Peter begged.
“Fine. But you just say the word and I’m there. Whatever you need.” Tony pressed a kiss against the back of his kid’s head.
“I don’t want you to come to my school, but I wouldn’t mind talking every day.” Peter admitted shyly.
“I’m going to send you so many memes.” Tony’s eyes danced with delight and Pepper gave a slight shake of her head.
“Alright, bedtime!” Pepper announced.
“NO—I can’t! Please don’t make me!” Peter pleaded.
“Don’t worry. I have a plan.” Tony reassured.
~
“You’re sure this is okay?” Peter asked quietly in the dark room.
“It’s why it’s there. We got tired of getting kicked in the face when Morgan had nightmares so I built this trundle bed so that she would feel safe being near us but that way everyone got the sleep that they desperately needed.” Tony explained.
“Hmm…K…Night then.” Peter murmured.
“Night, Pete.” Tony and Pepper said.
Tony was almost asleep when he heard a whimper. He knew Peter wasn’t asleep yet. He knew his breathing. Tony reached a hand down and Peter grasped it. He held onto his dad’s hand like it was a lifeline. Tony never let go. He didn’t even let go when he heard Peter’s breathing even on indicating that he was asleep. He hoped Peter would always recognize Tony with safety.