Work Text:
"Hey kid!" Tony greeted, clapping Peter on the back. "Ready to get some science done?"
Peter gave a halfhearted cheer.
Tony paused, "What's wrong? You love science."
Peter looked down at his feet. "No, I'm fine, Mr Stark. It's just been… a bit of a busy morning."
He watched Peter carefully, before deciding to leave him alone for now. Tony was sure that if the kid wanted to talk, he would say something. Especially if any distraction put his experiments at risk!
"Alright, kid. Well," he clapped his hands together, "What do you wanna work on today?"
Peter perked up. "Can we work on the formula for my web fluid? 'Cause I was thinking, what if we-"
Tony hid a smile as Peter started talking, glad he was happier now.
By the end of the day, they were both absolutely exhausted. Tony was almost tempted to bundle Peter up in a blanket and put him on the couch in the lab, but he figured that the kid could probably make it to the guest room before he passed out.
And if he couldn't, FRIDAY could always let him know which hallway Peter had collapsed in.
Tony sighed, setting down the last of his tools and pushing his plastic goggles up over his forehead. "Hey kid, you want to go home or sleep upstairs? It's pretty late, but Happy's probably still here - I could carry you in the suit, but I don't think you'd like that–" Tony froze.
Peter was curled over the cleared workbench, head rested on his arm with his eyes closed. If he wasn't asleep, he was about to be!
He moved forwards a few steps, speaking evenly. "Kid? You good?"
A moment later, Peter snapped awake. His head flung back and he responded: "Yes, Mr Stark! I'm fine, sorry! I'll probably, uh, head home then…"
Tony was going to accept this until he saw Peter side-eye him. Peter clearly wanted to stay, but why wasn't he saying anything?
Tony decided to just come out and say it. "Alright, what's wrong?"
"No, it's-"
"It's nothing?" Tony interrupted, "Pull the other one. Why don't you want to go home? Is someone bothering you?"
Peter's shoulders drooped. "...More like everyone," he sighed, "it's all so loud. All the time. I can hear sirens, phone calls, footsteps from across the street! And you know New York, it never sleeps, it's constant. "
"Aw, kid…" Tony considered, "why don't you stay here? It's gotta be quieter, we're 30 floors up from the street."
Peter hesitated, "Thanks, Mr Stark, but… I don't think that would do much, there aren't any bunk beds here and I feel safer when I'm high up."
Tony smirked at him, "You're a spider, aren't you? Stick yourself to the ceiling!"
Peter shook his head, before laughing at a thought: "Or - ha! I mean, I could always just use my new webs to make a bed. Attach a hammock or sling or something to the ceiling, freak out anybody who comes through in the morning!" Peter giggles, clearly teasing.
"You know what? Great idea, kid. Why don't we set you up over here? That way you can make Barton jump when he tries to sneak through the vents again!"
"Wait– really?!" Peter gasped in shock.
"Yup." Tony grabbed him by the hoodie and gently steered him towards the intended spot. "This work?"
"...Yeah. Thank you!" Peter smiled, and Tony left him to it with relief. Maybe now he'll get enough sleep… better call May though, she'll kill me if nobody lets her know first.