Work Text:
Peter had gotten a message from Lyla, telling him that Miguel was feeling a bit stressed and small.
He quickly, practically speed-ran, to Miguel's room.
A bit stressed translated to 'Miguel's overworking himself again'.
Which also translated to a grumpy baby.
A very grumpy baby.
Peter knocked on Miguel's door. Which was quickly answered by a grumpy- Uh, Miguel with a scowl on his face.
"I don't need some babysitter," Miguel said, trying to walk past Peter. Peter stopped him, blocking his way, "Peter-"
"Ah, you and I both know that if Lyla catches you outside your room, someone's getting scolded," Peter said. "How about we hang out inside?"
". . . Fine!" Miguel snapped.
Peter stood near the door, and Miguel started pacing around the room. The atmosphere was . . awkward, to say the least. Miguel seemed grouchy, and scowly.
"Sooooo . . . you feeling tiny-"
"Don't start!" Miguel held up a finger. "I had Lyla on my ass all morning about that."
". . . Well someones grumpy!" Peter huffed. Miguel shot him a glare. "Sorry, not grumpy, 'upset'."
"Listen, Peter, I have a job to do. Let's just sit in here for a little bit, and then go our separate ways," Miguel suggested, stopping his pacing. "It will be good for the both of us."
"Really? Cause I think some tiny time would be really good for the both of us!" Peter argued.
Are you serious? was the look Miguel gave Peter.
"I really just think some small time would do you good-"
"Don't need it!" Miguel shouted, throwing a pillow at Peter.
"Kiddo-"
But it was clear that Miguel wasn't listening.
Miguel stomped his foot, throwing his second pillow at Peter. Peter easily caught it, placing it with the first one, which he set on the ground.
Miguel went to throw another pillow, but there were none.
So instead he grabbed his blanket, chucking it at Peter before flopping onto the bed.
Peter placed the blanket with the pillows before sitting beside him. He gently scratched Miguel's back. Miguel grumbled, but didn't move.
"You having a bad day?"
"'Obie sucks," Miguel huffed.
"Oh? What'd he do?"
"Was being loud, and destructive, and testing my patience," Miguel sniffed slightly. "He was being mean, Papa."
Ah, that'd get Miguel this grouchy.
Hobie liked to bug and tease Miguel, although it was usually just all fun. Big Miguel could easily handle it, rolling his eyes and letting Hobie push his buttons.
But little Miguel? Sometimes Hobie's antics got to him. If Hobie knew, he'd stop. But most times Lyla had to get between them because Miguel wouldn't admit when he felt small.
"So, he was being Hobie?" Peter asked, receiving a small nod. "Hey, how about I lecture him later for making you feel all icky and annoyed?"
Miguel smiled before pouting, "Lyla pulled me away from work!"
"That was so mean of her!" Peter gasped, receiving an upset nod. "But, we're away from it now, so we should have some fun playtime instead."
Miguel didn't like that, doubling his frown.
". . . Look!" Peter gave a fake gasp, standing up and walking to Miguel's closet. There was a box in it, shoved in the back so no one could find it. "I think there's something in there that you'll wanna see!"
This caught Miguel's attention.
Peter got the box out, opening it up. He grabbed out an oversized hoodie. Aka, the hoodie that Miguel usually wore while small. Miguel nodded, rubbing his eyes. He liked his hoodie.
Peter helped Miguel put the hoodie on, then let Miguel sit on his lap while Peter sat on the bed. Miguel tried to fuss, especially since even little Miguel understood that he was big and bulky. But Peter just brush him off, holding his baby closely.
"'M sorry for throwing things, Papa," Miguel looked ashamed. "Know it wasn't right."
"Hey, hey, it's alright," Peter shushed him, rocking him gently. "You were just feeling a bit icky, that's all."
Peter knew Miguel usually had his tantrums alone, and they became much worse than just pillow-throwing. Then he'd turn on some soft music and slowly clean up.
But with Peter here, his tantrum softened very quickly. Maybe because Miguel wanted more small time, or just felt tinier faster. Peter didn't really know, but it didn't matter right now.
Miguel looked a bit teary-eyed, "Not in trouble?"
"No, my baby's too sweet to be in trouble!" Peter said, tickling Miguel's sides, earning a sudden giggle. "But seriously, kiddo, you're not in any trouble. You shouldn't have thrown the pillows, especially at me, but I'm not going to lecture you right now. Next time how about we throw them at the floor?"
"The floor," Miguel pointed to the floor, smiling.
"Right! If we throw them on the floor, then we can still get those icky feelings out. You wanna help me put the pillows back onto the bed?" Peter asked.
Miguel nodded, "I help."
Help apparently meant Peter did most of the work, but it was fine. Peter handed Miguel the pillow, which he would fluff, and then hand back for Peter so Peter could put it away.
Peter didn't feel like arguing with a toddler, so he just ruffled Miguel's hair and put the pillow away.
Peter put his hands on his hips when they were done fixing the bed, and Miguel had his blanket wrapped around him, "How about I get Lyla to make us some hot chocolate? Hot chocolate makes eeeeeeverything better, right?"
Miguel gasped, "Hot chocolate!"
Hot chocolate made everything better.
He then looked a bit . . . sheepish? "And cuddles?"
Peter smiled, ruffling Miguel's hair, "Of course we can cuddle!! It's been such a long day, what's better than cuddles with Papa?"
Cuddles made everything better too.