Chapter 3
Tony took Peter back home only to have an angry May.
"Peter, why were you bothering Mr. Stark instead of being at school? He is an extremely busy man. Not to mention, you left school." May accused.
Tony put a hand out to try to diffuse May, "Ms. Parker, it really was no trouble. Peter, you want to tell her why you left."
Peter shook his head sullenly. Tony went over and whispered something to him. Finally, Peter told her about what happened with Flash.
"I am going to kill that kid." May said angrily.
"No wait, Aunt May please. It is really okay, honest." Peter pleaded.
"Okay but if you have any more trouble with him, you tell me." May wanted to make sure her nephew understood her.
"I will. I promise. Can I go to bed now?" Peter asked hoping to escape this interrogation.
"Yes of course. Love you, bug." May called out.
Tony shot Peter a wounded look for leaving him alone with May. Peter just stuck his tongue out playfully in response. After a few moments, Tony excused himself to go see Peter for a few minutes.
"Really? You left me in there by myself?" Tony complained.
"We aren't dead which is a good thing."
"True, bug." Tony playfully called.
"Hey! Don't call me that, it's just a nickname she gave me when I was little." Peter defended.
"You are literally a bug. You're Spider-Man!" Tony said a little louder than Peter wanted.
Peter jumped up and webbed Tony's mouth on accident. He hadn't meant too but he panicked.
"Oops. Sorry, it was an accident." Peter said.
Tony mumbled. After a few minutes, Peter got the web off of Tony's mouth.
"You owe me a large pizza for that." Tony called out.
"Aye, aye, Captain." Peter teased as he gave a mock salute and quite literally jumped onto his bed.
Tony sat down next to him as Peter opened his Physics book.
"Hey energizer bunny, you can always tell me what's bothering you even if you're not at the tower."
Peter nodded not really listening. He was too absorbed in reading. Tony rolled his eyes when Peter wasn't listening. He grabbed the book gently, closing it, and set it down on the desk.
"I am serious, kid. I am all ears."
"Like Vulcans?"
Tony scoffed, "Now you owe me two large pizzas, web-head."
"Sure thing, Mr. Stark. I will see you tomorrow, okay?" Peter said sleepily.
"Yeah, kiddo. Goodnight." Tony said. Before leaving the room and when he knew Peter was completely out, he took the kid's shoes off, so May wouldn't give Peter a lecture about shoes on the bed.
The next day, Peter came to the tower like his normal self. Happy and full of energy. He decided to sneak up on Tony since he was distracted at his work table. Peter snuck up behind him and yelled "BOO!" at the top of his lungs. Peter immediately broke out in laughter at seeing Tony jump and yell.
"Oh gees, Pete. You scared me out of my mind." Tony said trying to gain his breath back.
Peter just continued to laugh.
"Where are the two pizzas you owe me?" Tony asked with puppy dog eyes.
"Who said I would actually buy them?" Peter asked.
Tony rolled his eyes, "Go do your homework and FRI, order two large pizzas."
Peter went over to the spinning chair to do his homework. When the pizza arrived, Tony and Peter went to the living space connected with the kitchen. Peter hadn't been in this part before.
"Wow! This is huge!" Peter said. He looked out the window and could see the city.
"Dig in, kid. Choose a movie. Tell FRIDAY what you want to watch." Tony called out from the kitchen.
He handed Peter a couple of sodas to drink and a water for himself. Peter chose Star Wars: The Last Jedi, no surprise to Tony. As the movie began to roll credits, he noticed Peter had fallen asleep. Strange? Peter was a night owl. It was only 8 p.m. He hated to wake the kid to send him home. Instead, he called May and asked permission for Peter to spend the night. It was Friday night anyway. May allowed it but wanted Peter home for lunch. Tony let Peter sleep on the couch thinking he might wake up. So, Tony put another movie on and was looking over emails and SI stuff when he felt Peter stir next to him. Tony glanced at the clock and it was 10 p.m.
Peter rubbed his eyes, "Did I fall asleep?"
"Yes, but that's okay."
"What time is it?"
"10 p.m."
Peter panicked, "Mr. Stark, I was supposed to be home an hour ago! May will kill me!"
Tony chuckled, "Slow your roll, kid. She said you could spend the night here."
"Wait. Really? Are you sure? I am high maintenance." Peter argued.
"I know you are high maintenance. I am hungry. Let's go get milkshakes." Tony said changing the subject.
The drive was really nice, but on their way back, it started storming. Tony noticed Peter would jump a little every time there was lightening or thunder.
"Scared of a little lightening and thunder?" Tony teased.
"N-no, its fine."
"You're like a little frog over there."
"Oh. I just- never mind." Peter said.
Tony dropped the subject. When they returned home, they both went to bed. Just as Tony was really falling asleep, he was awoken by FRIDAY. He was informed Peter was crying in his sleep. Tony got up and went to the kid's room.
"Peter, wake up."
Peter jumped a little.
"You okay? FRIDAY said you were crying." Tony asked concerned.
"I am sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's not a big deal at all. Will you be able to go back to sleep?"
Peter nodded but Tony knew that Peter wasn't sure.
"Why are you afraid of the thunder and lightning?" Tony asked.
"It was storming like this when the cops came to tell me that my parents were dead. I just am really nervous now."
Tony sighed deeply feeling really sad for the kid. With no warning, he picked Peter up.
"Mr. Stark, what? Put me down. Where are you taking me?"
Tony put Peter down on his bed.
"You can sleep in here with me tonight. FRIDAY, put the tv on something boring and on low."
"No, it's really okay." Peter argued.
"Go to sleep, bug. If I send you back home with no sleep, you will be crabby apple tomorrow. No one wants Peter to be a crabby apple." Tony teased but had a point.
Peter put his hand over his heart with a wounded look. A few minutes later, Tony looked over to notice Peter sound asleep. He was starting to grow closer to the kid and maybe Peter was wrapped around his finger. Oh well. Peter was totally worth it.
