"How is he doing?"
Stephen looked up from the book he was reading at the soft question and saw Wong standing in the doorway to Peter's room, leaning against it with Nutmeg tucked into one arm. The Cloak of Levitation was hovering beside Wong, watching as well. He looked at the boy sleeping in the bed, and closed the book with an almost inaudible snap and brushed a gentle hand against Peter's forehead, careful not to wake him.
"He's sleeping comfortably," Strange replied, getting up and stretching before walking over to the door and brushing his fingers along the top of the kitten's head, smiling at the almost instant purr of approval. "He's still fevered, but it isn't getting any worse."
Those were his two biggest concerns, just then. If Peter's sleep was troubled with bad dreams or night terrors, they'd have to worry about sleepwalking – or the teleportation rock making an appearance as the boy's subconscious mind tried to find an escape. One of the reasons that Strange had magicked himself a chair and was monitoring Peter so carefully while he slept. One of the reasons, but not the only one, of course.
The other concern was, of course, the fever. If it spiked, it could set off the nightmares, or could cause serious problems, and perhaps be an indicator that the doctor had been wrong, and it wasn't a simple cold, after all. Thus far, however, it was looking like he'd been spot on. Which was a relief.
"You're going to stay with him, tonight?"
"Yes. Just to make sure."
And because Peter was his responsibility, just then.
"Have you spoken with Tony and Pepper?"
"Yes. They're fine."
"Well, I'm going to go to bed. I'll keep the kitten – so he isn't in the way. Call if you – or he – needs anything."
"I will. Goodnight."
The cloak remained with Strange when Wong left, and settled on the magician's shoulder while he walked back to his chair and reclaimed it. It wasn't allowed to cuddle up to Peter, just then, in order to allow Strange a control on the fever Peter was dealing with. Once he was sure what he was dealing with, then it could resume its preferred position. Until then, it was a bystander, like the rest of them.
When Tony and Pepper had left, Strange had given Peter a light dinner. More soup, and some crackers. Then he'd sat with the boy and kept him company, talking about unimportant things, for the most part, until he'd fallen asleep once more. The dinner tray had vanished, along with the remains of the meal, and the doctor had tucked the blankets around the boy, warmly, smiling tenderly when he found the Ironman doll tangled in the bedding where Peter had hidden it. He settled it beside Peter and drew the blankets up over them both before finding his chair once more and summoning a book to keep himself occupied.
He sighed, stretching once more before reaching for the book again. A chair wasn't the most comfortable thing to spend the night in, but it wouldn't be the first time by any means, and he wanted to be right where he was, for the time being. Besides, he was sure Tony or Pepper would call him to see how Peter was doing – again – and he'd be able to honestly say that he was right there beside him and he was sleeping.
With another glance at the boy, he opened his book and went back to what he was reading.
OOOOOO
Sunshine was filtering into the room through the gossamer curtains that protected the window in Peter's room when they boy woke. He did so slowly, opening his eyes and stretching a little and then looking around to get his bearings.
"Good morning," Stephen told him, watching him from a chair beside his bed.
The cloak was also there, seeming to be watching him, as well, from its spot on the sorcerer's shoulder.
"Hey."
"How are you feeling?"
The question was asked as the doctor reached out and brushed his palm against Peter's forehead.
"Tired. Hot."
"So, basically like you're sick?"
The boy smiled, wryly.
"Yeah." He needed to get up, though. His bladder didn't care that he wasn't feeling well, after all. "I need up for a minute, though."
Strange nodded.
"Don't take too long, alright? I don't want to worry that you collapsed or something on the way."
Peter nodded and got himself out of the bed while Strange watched, looking for any sign of unusual weakness or dizziness. The boy did fine, though; he was a little unsteady for the first couple of steps, but then left his room with sure footsteps.
"Go keep an eye on him for me," he told the cloak, which didn't hesitate to do just that.
While they were gone, Strange picked up the boy's doll off the bed and then with a thought the bedding was gone, then replaced by fresh ones. It was a lot easier than having to do it by hand, and much quicker, and with the fever the boy was running, he didn't want him sleeping in sweat-damp sheets. A single comforter was all that was needed, even though the room was chilly, and he got up to turn the blanket down and then put the doll on the pillow to allow Peter to decide if he cuddled with the thing or not.
When the boy returned – the cloak hovering, protectively beside him – he smiled and picked up the doll as he got back into bed.
"I'm a little old for it, I know…"
"The toddler makes his presence known, sometimes?" Strange asked, fairly certain that was the case.
The little guy was Peter, after all, and a part of him. He had lost most of the side-effects of the whole ordeal, but Natasha had told him that on rare occasions she was certain she could see the little guy in something Peter was doing, or would say. Usually when the teen was tired, or distracted, and wasn't as able to maintain his own dominance over those actions.
"Yeah. Sometimes," Peter admitted. "But I haven't groped anyone in a while, so that's a start."
Stephen smiled, amused, and glad that Peter wasn't frustrated by his small setbacks.
"I'm sure MJ appreciates that."
Peter blushed, hotly – as Strange had known he would – and got more comfortable in his bed, correctly assuming that the doctor wasn't going to let him out of it that day.
"Her parents, too, I suppose."
"Are you up for some breakfast?"
Which would be a test to see how the boy's appetite was, and if he was feeling any nausea. Again, any way to make sure it was just a cold, and nothing more serious.
"Sure. Oatmeal?"
A tray appeared, with the requested cereal and a plate with some sausages and toast, as well. Along with another glass of the liquid Wong made for Peter to combat any dehydration. They'd been plying the boy with it since the fever had begun – probably the main reason his bladder had been so insistent.
"Eat, and then get some sleep, alright?"
"Where's Nutmeg?"
"Wong has him, to keep him out of the way."
The boy smiled, bringing the tray over his lap to make it easier to eat without spilling all over himself.
"Am I going to have to battle him for custody when I'm healthier?"
Strange was amused.
"Normally I'd say you're safe, but he's an endearing little fellow, so you never know."
"I'd let him have him – if he wanted him that much."
Which made the magician smile, because he knew that Peter would. He was a good guy like that, and selfless – most of the time. Which was one of the reasons that Strange liked him. He shook his head, though.
"Cat's – and kittens – are notorious for the fact that they like knocking things off shelves. We have a lot of things on shelves, here, in case you've forgotten. The idea of a sanctum kitten is all well and good, but Wong and I would be run ragged every day picking ancient relics off the floor behind him. Not to mention that some of them might not appreciate the abuse, and could retaliate and possibly hurt him."
"I didn't think of that."
"Look it up on YouTube," Strange suggested. "It's pretty amusing, really. And it'll give you something to do if you can't sleep."
"I will." He hesitated. "You've talked to Tony and Pepper?"
"I'm going to give them a call while you're eating," he said, getting up. "And then I expect that they'll call you, to make sure you're being well taken care of and feeling better. You're staying in bed, today – and tomorrow. I'll tell them that, and you can, too, and then we'll see how you're doing."
"Thanks," Peter told him, sincerely, feeling lucky to have such good people around him.
"You're welcome. Need anything?"
"No. I have everything I need."
And then some.