In Time Everyone Heals
Summary: 5 times Tony was there to comfort Peter, 1 time Peter was there to comfort Tony
Chapter One
It wasn't the first time that Tony had witnessed the kid having a nightmare, it wasn't the first time that he ended up sleeping in the same bed as the kid, it wasn't the first time that he had to feel the kid's tight grip on his tank top as he had lulled the kid back to sleep with stories. They were terrible stories but they had managed to work for the kid.
Tonight was one of those nights, it had only been a couple of days since Peter and the rest of the fallen Avengers had come back from the soul stone, Tony made sure that everyone who needed a place to stay for a while were welcome at the Compound, but he had made sure especially to keep Peter there, knowing that the kid would need someone during the night in case if he had woken up with a terrible dream.
Tony was currently working in his work shop, it was rare for him to sleep these days, after having been lost in space for months, losing those close to him, he just thought that the thought of sleeping sounded too much of a luxury for him, and besides, someone needed to be awake just in case.
After placing his tablet down, he let out a tired sigh, glancing down at his now empty mug that was once full of coffee, he wrinkled his nose, of course he would have to get up and get another cup, seeing as there was no sleep for him tonight, or any time soon, he survived off of coffee. Of course he would always get scolded by Steve saying it wasn't a healthy option, but he honestly didn't care.
"Friday.." Tony called to his AI as he moved to stand up from his stool, he stretched his back and neck out, letting out a groan.
"Yes sir?" He paused before taking his mug into his hands. "How's the kid doing?" Honestly, he hoped that the kid finally was going to get peaceful nights rest, but knowing from previous nights, it didn't seem likely.
"Mr. Parker is awake, he seems to be in a little bit of distress, but other than that, everything seems to be fine with him sir, there's nothing wrong with his vitals from what I can tell." Tony glanced down at the mug in his hands before he placed it back down next to his tablet.
"Thanks Fri." Tony murmured as he headed out of the workshop, he had made sure that Peter had a room close to his, just in case if the kid needed him during the night.
Once he made it too the kid's room, he saw Peter sitting on the edge of the bed, a frown formed on his lips at the sight. "Hey Pete..Can't sleep?." Tony asked as he went to sit down next to the teenager, he saw Peter tense up at the sudden closeness. He reached out to place his hand on the kid's shoulder.
"Pete?, hey..It's me kid." Tony gave his shoulder a light squeeze. "Mr. Stark..?" Tony gave a small chuckle.
"Remember, how many times have told you to call me Tony, kid...but..I suppose I can leave that as a conversation for another time."Tony murmured. "Did you have a nightmare?" The teenager nodded.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Peter shook his head, he could feel tears forming in his eyes. "I'm sorry Mr. Stark."He whispered.
"Kid, I've told you this before, you have nothing to be sorry for."Tony said firmly. "But I do Mr. Stark, if I had gone back home like you said.."Tony pursed his lips. "Kid, Peter, look at me."Tony wasn't surprised to see tears in the kid's eyes.
"I'm not upset at you for staying on that spaceship, If I didn't have you there, then things would have gotten worse for Strange. You saved him, I'm not upset at you one bit, so you have nothing to be sorry for."He said gently.
"But.." Tony heard the kid sniffle, he shook his head before he wrapped his arms around the teenager, he rested his head on top of Peter's.
"No, no buts Peter, I am so proud of you, you have come a long way since the first time I met you." He murmured as he ran his hand down the kid's back, he felt Peter grip onto his shirt, "I remember how small you were, and how determined you were to be an Avenger, to prove your loyalty. Pete, you're growing up to be a wonderful human being. Better than I."He let out a soft chuckle.
"Is..Is that true Mr. Stark?" Peter asked in a small voice as his fingers gripped even tighter onto his mentor's shirt, he heard the billionaire laugh.
"Of course it's true Pete, I don't lie." Tony murmured. "Come on, we should get some sleep, you have school in the morning." Tony heard Peter groan again, the kids face buried into his chest.
"Can't I just stay here with you Mr. Stark?," Peter asked in a muffled voice, A smile formed on Tony's lips. "I wish kid, but May will kill me if you don't go back to school, it's been almost a week. I know things are tough for you right now but..I'm only a phone call away if you need me, or Happy or Pepper to come pick you up yeah?" Peter let out a shaky breath.
"Okay..can..can you stay with me?" Peter asked, not wanting the billionaire to leave. "Of course Pete, I'm always here." He murmured to the kid as the two of them laid down on the full sized bed.
"Go to sleep kid.. I'll be here when you wake up." Tony said softly into the kids ear as he ran his hand down the kids back gently. He let out a breath a few minutes after he felt Peter's steady breathing, knowing the kid was sleeping.
"Love you Pete."Tony murmured, he was sure that he wouldn't be going to bed anytime soon, just in case if Peter needed him during the night.