Chapter 6

"Peter? Buddy? Can you hear me?"

A soft comforting voice was calling to him, as a gentle hand ran through his hair.

Something cool was on his forehead. And it was absolutely silent, apart from the voice. It was nice.

He would say he felt better, if not for the still pounding headache, sore throat, and nausea.

"Peter? Sweetie?" There was another softer voice, following by someone touching his cheek tenderly; "Can you open your eyes please?"

"Hmmm." Peter moaned struggling to open his eyes. They felt like lead, they were so heavy.

"That's it kid." The first voice encouraged.

Finally, Peter managed to blink his eyes open. The room was fairly dark, and cool. And there were two familiar smiling faces looking at him.

"Mom? Dad?" Peter said confused; "Wha..?" The glasses and headphones were gone as his Sensory Overload was no longer an issue.

"You're sick buddy. Remember?" Tony prompted softly, still combing through his hair.

"Oh..." Peter trailed off blinking, he shivered, sniffling. He let out a couple of tiny sneezes which Tony had to resist going aww at.

"How are you feeling honey?" Pepper asked quietly, afraid to speak loudly and upset him.

"Gross." Peter grimaced, his whole body feeling both hot and cold. There was a disgusting taste in his mouth, and he could barely swallow without it feeling like there were knives in his throat. He tried to stay utterly still, in case the nausea came back. He didn't want to throw up again.

Tony snorted and grinned, yep that was Peter. Relief overwhelmed him, that atleast Peter was ok.

"I got some super pills that are going to make you better ok bud?" Tony said as he held up his palm revealing a round white pill, as Pepper held a glass of water; "I need you to take it now ok Peter?"

Peter frowned as he looked at it warily; "Wha..? Super pills?" He looked dubiously at his dad.

Tony shrugged smirking; "Captain America and the Hulk take them when they're sick, and it makes them all better. So...have to be good right?"

"Come on sweetie. Let's sit you up." Pepper murmured as she cautiously touched Peter's shoulder to help him up.

Peter groaned, his whole body feeling so heavy, his limbs crying out for getting moved. But finally he was sitting up against the headboard. His head spinning and pounding, making him want to just lie down and sleep again.

"Hey no kid stay awake." Tony said panicked, cupping his face. Peter instantly leant into his dad's cool touch.

"Come on Underoo help me out here." Tony prompted, and sighed in relief when Peter opened his eyes again; "Ok good buddy here." He placed the pill into Peter's shaking hand, as Pepper tried to get him to take the water.

It took some effort for Peter to get the pill into his mouth, and more to keep the water steady as he went to sip it. Pepper helping him.

He took a little sip and went to hand it back to Pepper, but she shook her head; "You need to drink more Peter. You have to stay hydrated honey."

Peter scrunched his face up. It was bad enough trying to get the pill down. The mere thought of more water made him want to throw up. And he didn't want to do that again.

"The pill will kick in soon buddy." Tony said quickly; "It will help with the nausea. But you have to drink and eat kid. Do it for me ok?" He pleaded. He didn't want to have to call Dr Cho to force an IV bag in his arm.

That did it. Peter looked at his dad sadly for a moment before nodding. Taking the water, Peter took some more slow sips until he was finally able to take some larger ones. Almost drinking all the glass. And it actually did made his throat feel a little better. As he let Pepper take back the glass, he was relieved when his stomach didn't decide to bring it back up again.

"Good work honey." Pepper said gently rubbing a hand over his cheek, and forehead worriedly; "We just want you to get better. Now if you can stay awake a little longer, I'll get you some soup and crackers ok? Do you think you can keep that down?"

Peter shrugged but nodded, wanting to try. So touched by Pepper being so nice to him, and wanting to help him feel better. He also saw how worried they looked. And his stomach was grumbling. He hadn't eaten since last night. And then to throw it all up this morning it meant he probably needed more food than usual.

Pepper grinned pleased, leaning to kiss Peter's forehead; "Ok I'll be right back sweetie." She turned, but Peter reached out to grab her hand, and she stopped immediately. Looking briefly at Tony before back at Peter concerned; "Peter? What is it?"

"I love you mom." Peter said gulping.

Pepper's eyes watered, and she smiled warmly at him, taking his hand and squeezing it; "I love you too baby. I'll be right back ok. I promise." Then she touched Tony's shoulder before heading out.

Tony just watched in awe. His son was truly something.

Peter's eyes flickered back to him, and Tony softened, moving from running through his curls to touch his forehead and cheek, not liking that he still felt too warm.

"We need to get you into some clean clothes so you going to be ok on your own?" Tony said pulling out some of his older clothes for Peter. An old band t-shirt that was a little small for him now, but should be baggy enough for Peter to curl into, some baggy pants too, some warm fluffy socks and his favourite MIT hoodie. It always made him feel better to wear it when he was feeling down or sick. He'd leant it to Peter once when he was at the Tower and saw how happy it had made him. He wanted that now.

Peter nodded sniffling, and Tony waited outside whilst Peter changed. Coming back in when Peter was ready. Tony saw the hoodie was baggy on Pete like he thought, which was good. It swaddled him, the sleeves coming down to his hands, and warm inside to keep Peter from getting chilly.

"There we go. Perfect fit. Looks good on you." Tony said honestly, ruffling Peter's curls. It made Peter grin, which made Tony happy to see that.

"Really?" Peter said so sweetly, so innocently. It made Tony want to cry.

"Yeah buddy." Tony said smiling as he helped Peter to get into his bed, and pulled the duvet over his legs; "There we go. Isn't that better? Fresh clothes. Anything to help my spider baby feel better."

His dad was being so sweet, it made Peter cry. And being surrounded in his dad's clothes, his scent, it made him feel so loved.

"Oh no buddy what's wrong?" Tony said his smile dropping panicked; "Are you in pain? Feel sick? What do you need kid?"

Peter just sat forward and wrapped his arms around his dad's neck. Burying his head in his shoulder. Just feeling better having his dad there; "I love you dad."

Tony's eyes watered, as he hugged Peter back, gently rubbing his back; "I love you too buddy." Putting his other hand to the back of Peter's head, he gently rocked him to try and make him feel better. It may seem silly, Peter wasn't a baby or a little kid, but Tony was acting on instinct just to comfort his son.

But for Peter it worked. He did feel better, and loved. The warmth from his body made him stop shivering, and his senses calmed, until all he could hear was his dad's soothing voice, the smell of his aftershave, and feel his warm reassuring touch. It made him feel like everything was going to be ok.

0o0o00o0SPIDERMAN0o0o0ooo

When Pepper returned to Peter's room with the tray of soup, crackers and some more water, she stopped in the doorway. Speechless at seeing Tony and Peter hugging. A moment as father and son.

She waited until Tony pulled back to help Peter sit back against the headboard, before she walked into the room announcing her presence.

"Here you go honey." Pepper said smiling warmly as she reached Peter, setting the trap over his lap, and then moving to sit beside Tony on the bed. He wrapped an arm around her waist, kissing her cheek lovingly.

"It's chicken soup." Pepper explained to Peter, as he sniffled and looked hesitantly at the large bowl, and crackers; "If you're up to it. If not, I thought the crackers might be nice for you stomach."

"Thanks." Peter mumbled shyly, a little overwhelmed with all of this. How nice they were being, everything they were doing for him. If he had been back at the apartment, he would have just stayed in bed all day, trying to sleep. Not eating or drinking anyway. He was so happy that May had called his dad, and that he was here with them. Being taken care of. It was nice. He just hoped his dad didn't find out how he got sick, because then he wouldn't be so nice, and would just be mad.

He hesitated, shivering, so he pulled the sleeves down to cover his hands, before reaching out to take the spoon. His still felt nauseas, but he was also hungry, and wanted to try and atleast eat a little, because Pepper went to so much effort to make it for him.

Taking a small sip, his eyes widened.

"Is it ok?" Pepper asked worriedly, furrowing her brow.

"Hmm." Peter nodded, already going for another spoonful; "It's good. Really good." He murmured, finding although it was warm it actually did help his throat a little, and damn it was delicious.

Pepper's smile broadened; "Oh I'm pleased you like it."

Tony was happy Peter was actually eating something. He needed to keep his strength up.

They watched as he managed to eat half the bowl, some crackers, and finished the water.

Tony was very proud of Peter. And he could see the kids eyes were now drooping. His shivering intensifying again, as the pressure in his head was increasing. Exhaustion overwhelmed him.

"Ok time for spider baby's bedtime." Tony said cheerfully, standing to set the tray aside onto Peter's desk for a moment. Then he and Pepper moved to tuck Peter in, making sure he was settled in ok.

Peter laid down, his eyes closing as he smiled at his parents.

"Just get some rest kiddo." Tony said leaning over Peter to comb through his hair, and kissed the top of his head. "We'll be nearby if you need us. FRIDAY is going to monitor you as well."

"You'll feel better soon." Pepper added in reassurance, moving some curls from his face and kissing his cheek; "But if you need anything let us know. We've left a bucket by your bed if you need it."

With that, Peter closed his eyes with a smile on his face. He still felt awful, but it didn't all seem so bad with them there.

As Pepper and Tony left, slowly closing Peter's door. Tony turned to her sighing; "Thank you for everything you did for him." Tony cupped her face to kiss her; "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Of course honey." Pepper just smiled; "I love Peter like my own son. I'd do anything for him you know that. I want to see him better as much as you do." As they headed into the kitchen to clean up, Pepper pulled out her phone; "I'll call May to reassure her he's doing ok. She's probably worried sick."

Tony just nodded as he moved to put some bowls and cups into the sink.

"He's going to be ok Tony." Pepper said softly causing him to turn to her again, and she was looking at him worriedly.

Smiling he nodded in gratitude; "I know. I just..."

"Worry." Pepper finished in understanding; "Well I'm sure Peter will be back on his feet in no time, and you'll be bustling back down the lab together before you know it." She finished before turning to call May.

Tony just hoped she was right. He wouldn't stop worrying until Peter was better. It may just be the flu, but knowing Peter he didn't do anything easy. This was going to be rough on him, and Tony was worried it may get worse before it gets better.