Chapter 36

The next day Peter felt a lot better. After a lie in, he found his concussion was pretty much gone, his arm was almost healed and his ribs didn't hurt much anymore. Starving he headed down for breakfast, which he eagerly ate and managed to keep down.

He spent the day with his family just having fun. The morning had been tense at first, Peter waiting for them to try and get him to talk again. When they didn't he started to relax, thankful they were just being there with him.

Soon they were playing some board games, and building some LEGO sets. It was great. He was having so much fun just spending time with his family, it even made him forget about his worries and nightmares for a while.

Until they ended up in the blanket fort later that evening to watch a movie. It was a Disney movie, Aladdin which May quite liked. He knew they were doing it for his benefit because they knew he needed some extra reassurance right now. Usually he would feel self conscious by that, but this time he just felt loved. Everything they did was to make him happy and feel safe.

"You ok bud?" Tony murmured quietly to him during the film, brushing a hand over his head concerned.

"Yeah just happy." Peter replied snuggling against his dad's chest.

Tony wrapped an arm around Peter, pushing his face into Peter's curls smiling broadly; "Me too spider baby."

They were both saying more with those small words, which they both understood. Conveying how much they loved each other and would do anything for each other.

It made Peter realise how silly he had been dealing with all this stuff alone. He should have just told his dad the truth from the beginning. But he had been scared. With his dad now, he wasn't scared anymore. He was tired of stopping himself from being happy. He deserved to be happy. And he was going to fight for that happiness from now on.

0o0ooSPIDERMAN0o0o0o0o

That night, after being tucked in, Peter couldn't sleep. He was happy they were all there for him, and being patient with him. But he felt unsure how to tell them the truth, or when. Today had been so good, he felt like telling them would just ruin that. But laying here now, he wished he had told them already.

Every time they looked at him, he could see the worry. He wanted to reassure them, but the truth wouldn't do that. The confidence he had earlier in the evening with his dad was wavering. His dad always made him feel safe and happy, and he wanted his dad now.

"FRIDAY? What's the time?"

"It is currently 2:17 am. Are you alright Peter?"

"No. I can't sleep."

"Do you want me to alert one of you parents for you? Or you aunt?"

"Are any of them awake?"

"No but they would like to know you are awake so they can help. I shall wake them."

"No it's ok." Peter said sitting up; "I'll do it. I want to do this myself." He swung his legs from the bed and stood up shuffling towards the door. He wavered for a moment biting his lip.

"You can do it Peter." FRIDAY murmured softly and he smiled at her for the reassurance.

"Thanks FRIDAY." Peter said before spotting the MIT hoodie on the back of the sofa. He grabbed it and slipped it on, breathing in his dad's scent. Smiling he felt a wave of confidence and pushed himself from his bedroom. He walked across the hall to his parents doorway. It was pushed halfway closed. So he slowly pushed it to open fully. The lights flickering in to light up the room.

Peter spotted his parents fast asleep. Pausing on the spot, he pulled his sleeves down to cover his hands nervously.

"Um dad? Mom?"

They stirred instantly.

Pepper scrunched her face up as she blinked her eyes open, spotting him; "Peter?" She sat up looking at him concerned; "Honey what is it?"

"Peter? What?" Tony grumbled as he was sitting up rubbing his face. When he spotted Peter standing he bolted up panicked; "Buddy what's wrong? Are you ok?"

Peter looked down shyly playing with his sleeves; "I couldn't sleep."

"Oh sweetie." Pepper instantly got up and rushed to him, pulling him into a hug.

"Was it a nightmare?" Tony asked crawling across the bed and stood up to face him, squeezing his shoulder; "Another clown one?"

"No..." Peter said in a small voice; "I just can't sleep. Can I..." He paused trying to get the courage to ask; "Can I sleep in here?"

Pepper and Tony shared loving looks.

"Of course honey." Pepper cooed.

"Come on bud." Tony replied fondly, and they all climbed under the covers. Peter in the middle as his parents hugged him on either side.

"Do you want another baby spider bedtime story?" Tony offered so sincerely it made Peter laugh, because he knew his dad would do it. And that made him love him even more.

Hearing Peter laugh was like music to Tony's ears he grinned.

"Ok." Peter said snuggling under the covers more listening intently.

"Ok well once upon a time. There was a baby spider..."

Peter listened as his dad told the story of a baby spider going on a trip to the zoo with his family and found himself drifting off halfway through.

"and then baby spider..."

"Tony." Peter heard Pepper whisper as he was dozing off. She stopped Tony with a smirk, and she gestured down at Peter, running a hand over his head.

Tony looked and softened. Peter was asleep. Or so they thought..

"He's so cute when he's sleeping." Pepper whispered, and Tony made a murmuring sound before kissing Peter's forehead.

"He's cute period. Sweet dreams spider baby. We'll be here when you wake up."

His dad's loving words were the last thing Peter heard before falling asleep.

0o0oo0SPIDERMAN0o0o0oo

The next morning, Peter woke up and stretched. First seeing his dad was still asleep, an arm wrapped tight across him. He smiled watching his dad for a moment, the stress lines were still there, but there weren't as many now. That was good.

He felt Pepper stirring and turned watching as she woke up. Her eyes landing on him and she instantly smiled which made him smile.

"Morning honey."

"Morning."

"Sleep ok?" Pepper asked tugging him into a hug so his head was laying on her chest, allowing her to move her hands through his hair.

"Hmm. With you and dad I always sleep better. I feel safe with you two."

"That's good to hear." Pepper replied; "How you are feeling?"

"Good I think. My head doesn't hurt anymore." He lifted his cast arm and added; "Think my arms healed now. And my ribs don't hurt either. So I think I'm fully recovered now."

"That's great baby." Pepper kissed the top of his head grinning so relieved, especially to see that his black eye had gone too. He looked back to normal again. Tony would be overjoyed to know that.

"Mom?"

"Yes sweetie?"

"Were you and dad mad...when I ran?"

Pepper stilled in her hand movements, a little caught off guard. Then she carried on, looking at him fondly.

"No Peter. We weren't mad. We were worried and sad why you would run from us."

"Oh. I'm sorry. Sorry for everything I put your through."

"You don't have to apologise baby. We're just glad you're ok."

"I never meant to upset or hurt any of you."

"We know that sweetie."

Peter shifted to look at her, and Pepper could see from his eyes that Peter was struggling with a lot of feelings and thoughts.

"Are you ready to talk now Peter?"

"I think so..." Peter said slowly, before his eyes darted to his dad's sleeping form; "But I think I need to talk to dad about it. Alone. If that's ok." He quickly said his eyes widened as he looked at her scared; "I don't want to upset you. I love you so much mom and I don't want you think I don't it's just..."

"It's ok." Pepper cut him off moving her hand to his cheek; "He's your dad Peter. You don't have to explain. I'll always love you and be here for you, even if you only come to me for hugs."

"I do like your hugs mom. They're really warm and cosy. Makes me never want to leave." Peter admitted grinning and it made Pepper chuckle.

"Well I like your hugs too."

Peter just smiled relieved snuggling back up to her as she continued to rub his back. She felt relieved Peter was finally ready to open up. And so would Tony.

Peter was soon back asleep. Which made things easier when Tony woke up. Pepper quietly explained their conversation to him, earning a broad smile from Tony as he heard Peter was finally ready to talk.

With Peter still sleeping, Pepper, May and Happy left the house for they day leaving Tony and Peter alone so they could talk.

Tony felt a lot of responsibility and panic as they were leaving him alone with Peter. This was a key moment, he had to make sure he did this right. Peter needed him. Pepper and May offered him their trust and reassurance that everything would be fine. Having their support helped.

He decided to let Peter sleep a bit longer, watching him for a while after getting dressed.

Finally around 10 Peter stirred.

Setting the Stark pad aside, Tony lay back down beside Peter as he woke up. Catching the moment Peter's eyes locked on his and a smile creased his face.

"Hi dad."

"Hey spider baby." Tony tugged him over for a hug.

As Peter rested his head on Tony's chest, he paused realising he couldn't hear Pepper, May's of Happy's heartbeat. They must have left the house. It didn't take him long to realise that Pepper had obviously told them all what he said, and they all decided to leave him alone with his dad. He appreciated that greatly. He knew he needed to talk to May too, but he was worried about hurting her. Dad would understand, and maybe he could help.

"Mom told you didn't she?" Peter whispered into his chest.

Tony just kissed the top of his head; "She did."

This was it. This was the moment Peter was meant to confess everything. But as he opened his mouth. Nothing came out.

When Peter didn't speak for a moment, Tony added; "How about you tell me when you're ready to talk? In the meantime, are you hungry? Want some breakfast. I'm pretty hungry."

"Can we have breakfast in bed?"

Tony grinned, look at the kid eagerly asking for stuff now without hesitation. This was progress.

"Sounds perfect bud. Want to wait here or come help me?"

"I'll come with you." Peter sat up smiling at him.

Ruffling his hair, Tony slung an arm around him as they stood up and headed downstairs. It was clear Peter didn't some time to relax because he felt ready to talk.

Entering the kitchen, Tony looked up; "Ok FRIDAY play my playlist please darling."

As the music started Tony turned to Peter; "What are you feeling like?"

"Hmmm." Peter tilted his head; "Pancakes!"

"Pancakes it is."

Tony checked on Peter's arm and had FRIDAY confirm he was fully recovered before removing his cast. He had to say seeing all the bruises gone, and Peter back to normal was such a relief.

They spent the next half an hour destroying the kitchen, but laughing as they made breakfast together. Peter was put at ease, and happily bounded back up to the master bedroom with their food.

They settled back down on the bed and put on Lilo and Stitch. Tony hoped they would talk during the movie, and he could see Peter open his mouth a few times, but nothing came out. For whatever reason Peter was still hesitant to talk to him. It did nothing to reassure him that this wasn't a big deal.

As the movie was finishing, Tony realised Peter wasn't going to talk now.

"So what do you want to do now bud huh? Whatever you want you name it."

Peter paused thinking. He wasn't sure, he wanted to talk to his dad but he knew it would burst the bubble. He just wanted to have some fun with his dad beforehand.

"Can we go to the lab for a bit?"

"Of course kid. Why don't you go get dressed and I'll meet you down there?"

Peter did and rushed down to the lab, grinning as DUM-E beeped to greet him. His dad was already tinkering away with something.

"Ok Underoos." Tony saw him and clapped his hands together grinning; "What shall we work on today?"

"What are you working on?"

"Oh it's the new Stark Phone." Tony paused tilting his head at Peter; "Want to help me bud? I'd appreciate a second opinion."

"Yeah I'd love to." Peter brightened, flopping onto a stool beside his dad.

"Great ok." He grabbed Peter's stool and dragged him closer to the holoscreen, sitting down beside him; "Well here's where I'm at."

They worked on that for the next few hours and then stopped for lunch. After Peter was sitting at the holotable going over some code for his dad, whilst Tony was grabbing some more tools.

Finally, Peter's hands fell to his lap and he sighed. It was time. He'd been putting it off long enough. And he needed to talk to his dad now before his mom, May and Happy got home.

"Dad?" Peter said loudly looking at him nervously, gulping.

"Yes bud?" Tony said without turning around, looking down at the tools in his hand.

"Can we talk now?"