Chapter 10

Peter had wanted to talk to May, so whilst he called her to speak to her later that morning in the living room, Tony and Pepper cleaned up the kitchen and moved to their bedroom to get dressed.

As Tony came out the shower, running a towel over his head, he lowered it and smiled at Pepper. She was sitting at her make up table in some new causal clothes, flicking through her phone.

As he was watching her, she suddenly stopped and turned to him. Her lips going up as her eyes narrowed; "Are you checking me out Mr Stark?"

"Maybe." Tony said smugly, sauntering over her, and leaning in to kiss her.

She flushed letting him kiss her for a moment before pushed him away grimacing; "Ugh you're all wet." She said chuckling.

"I love you Pep."

Pausing, she looked up at him warmly; "I love you too." Kissing him again quickly she then shoved him away laughing.

As he changed, he looked at her again and sighed; "Sorry I wasn't there when the new fridge came. Or the clean up the mess."

Pepper just shook her head; "Oh don't worry about it. The guys installed it fairly quickly, and it didn't take me long to clean up the mess. It's fine really. Besides, the two of you huddled together in Peter's room just looked too cute to disturb. FRIDAY has sent us both the photos, and May by the way."

"Oh right ok." He chuckled nervously at May seeing the photos.

Pepper turned to him fully; "I spoke to her for a bit when she was here."

"Hmm?" Tony murmured as he was pulling some socks on.

"I mentioned to her that we should all sit down at some point, to discuss a more permanent solution for Peter."

Tony stilled as he was pulling the second sock on, and turned to her wide eyed.

"You did?"

"Yeah." Pepper sighed, getting up and moving to sit beside him, taking his hand; "I know it may seem like an overstep on my part, but I wanted to help, and well...I think I understand how you've been feeling."

Tony silently raised an eyebrow at her.

Closing her eyes, Pepper continued; "May said she's coming to take Peter home tomorrow. If he's better."

Tony said nothing, but his hand clenched around Pepper's; "Oh." He finally murmured; "Right of course."

"Well when she did. It hurt...and I felt sad. I mean this is his home too. He's family. I see him as my son now. He is." Pepper insisted, making Tony form a small stunned smile in awe; "I miss him when he's not here. And I know you're feeling ten times what I'm feeling, I knew I had to do something." She finished looking at him tenderly, reaching to caress his cheek.

In response he pulled her in for a kiss, leaning his forehead against her; "You really are amazing you know that."

Pepper quirked a smile; "I do."

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For accepting him as your son like that."

Pepper just grinned at him; "He's extraordinary Tony. How could I not love him as my own?"

God he loved this woman.

Caressing her hand he looked at her for a moment, before clearing his throat remembering what she said; "So what did she say?"

Nodding Pepper replied; "Well I said that at the moment this isn't really good for any of us. Including Peter, having to travel back and forth. And she agreed."

"Really?" Tony said hopefully.

"She agreed to sit down with us and talk." Pepper clarified, and Tony had a feeling of dread as Pepper's face became serious; "She was adamant that whatever we decided Peter comes first, and he doesn't get hurt in any way."

"She doesn't want the world to know he's my son, does she?"

"She didn't say that Tony." Pepper said quickly.

Tony narrowed his eyes; "What did she say?"

"She said that she didn't want the press to hound Peter, that she didn't want to put him through that."

Nodding, Tony stood up to pace. Feeling a wave of anger. And sadness.

"Are you ok?"

For a moment, Tony just continued pacing, trying to get a handle on his thoughts.

"I know you're mad Tony. You have every right to be."

"He's my son." Tony stopped and rounded on her; "He's my son! And I can't tell anyone! I can't even take him out outside in fear that someone will find out! It's not right Pepper. It's not fair. I can't even be seen in public with my own son. He deserves more than that."

"I know. I know." Pepper stood and wrapped her arms around Tony. He dropped his head to her shoulder, closing his eyes as he hugged her.

After a moment he sighed; "She's right though." He said finally pulling back; "It's not fair to subject the press on Peter like that. If the world knew, they'd never leave him alone. They'd drag him through the mud as my illegitimate love child, they'd go after his mother, after May. His friends. His old life would be over. Spider Man!" Tony groaned and moved to the bed, falling backwards on it covering his face; "He'd have to stop being Spider Man, for a while, maybe forever. I'd be taking that away from him. And he loves being Spider Man more than anything."

"He loves you more." Pepper murmured laying down beside him facing him.

"Maybe." Tony scoffed. Staring at the ceiling he glared; "I had the press around me my whole life. Whatever I did, they were there to take photos, to write articles. Every stupid little thing I did was out there for the world to see. I was a stupid kid who did a lot of stupid things so they loved it. But Peter, he's a good kid. He's honest, sweet, smart, selfless. They'd do whatever they could to ruin him. And he'll get hurt. I can handle whatever they say, but... I don't think he could. It would break him. I can't do that to him just so I can be his dad out there." He waved his hand at the window; "It's selfish. May's right. Peter has to come first. I won't hurt him. I couldn't bear it if he got hurt. So maybe..." Tony gulped closing his eyes, shuddering at the realisation; "Maybe it's better if the world doesn't know. I'm still his dad in here, and in here I can protect him. Maybe we wait until he's 18. When he goes to college. He'll be an adult, he can decide. But he's just a kid..." Tony groaned trailing off, feeling utterly sick at the thoughts raging in his head.

Pepper looked at him for a moment before moving closer, resting her head on his chest and hugging him. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her hair.

"That's a really mature selfless decision Tony." Pepper said after a moment; "And really brave. I know how much this has to hurt. What you're sacrificing."

"Peter's needs come before mine." Tony replied numbly; "I'd do anything for him, to keep him happy. If this is what it takes then fine...as much as it kills me to do it. Sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

"Well...he's your son now too."

Pepper just smiled, shifting up to rest her face next to his; "I couldn't do that to him either Tony. I don't want him hurt just as much as you do. Like you said we're his parents in here. Maybe that'll have to be enough for now."

It felt like someone was driving a knife into his heart, but he had no choice. He had to keep Peter safe. No matter what.

He sighed closing his eyes, hugging Pepper for a moment.

"Boss." FRIDAY said loudly; "Peter has finished his call to May Parker."

"Our son needs us." Tony murmured into Pepper's hair.

"Yes he does." Pepper chuckled sighing as she sat up, and looked down at Tony lovingly; "We don't have to decide anything today. Let's just be with our son."

"That I can agree with us." Tony said instantly jumping up making Pepper chuckle as they headed out to Peter.

0o0o0oSPIDERMAN0o0ooo

Peter felt happier having talked to May. It felt strange not speaking to her or seeing her for a while. And catching up with her, talking about her day, it made him feel better.

Sitting on the sofa, with a blanket, as soon as he hung up the phone with May, he shivered. His whole boy feeling cold. He pulled his legs up, and the blanket up to his face. Snuggling against the end of the sofa, he pressed his face against the back, closing his eyes for a moment. His nose felt especially cold, like a dog's.

Groaning, he let out a few pathetic coughs, and curled in on himself.

A moment later, or maybe it was hours later, he wasn't sure if he had fallen asleep or not, he suddenly felt a warm comforting hand running through his hair.

"Hmm." Peter murmured on contentment, leaning into their touch. Blinking his eyes open sluggishly.

"Hey buddy." Tony muttered softly, perched on the back of the sofa, smiling down at him; "How are you feeling?" He frowned at how tired, and pale Peter was. Moving his hand from Peter's hair to his cheek. Smirking as he grazed over Peter's nose, feeling how cold it was.

"M'ok." Peter murmured quietly; "Just cold."

"Yeah I see that." Tony replied smiling, and then look at him sadly. He looked so miserable, and so small. All hunched up shivering; "FRIDAY. Turn the heat up."

"I'll make you some nice hot cocoa." Pepper offered.

"With marshmallows?" Peter said in a small voice.

Pepper smiled as Tony rolled his eyes.

"Marshmallows it is." Pepper agreed heading into the kitchen.

"Come here spider baby." Tony murmured climbing over the back of the couch, and flopped down beside Peter. He opened his arms, and Peter eagerly shuffled into them, snuggling against him. He let out a content sigh, closing his eyes.

Tony just scoffed, ruffling Peter's hair. He was beginning to get the impression that this was going to become a habit now. The hugging. And Tony didn't mind in the slightest. Maybe the old Tony Stark would have, the one adverse to any kind of emotion, but the new Tony Stark. Hugs were good. Hugs with his son even better.

"So what do you wanna do now Underoos?"

"Dunno..." Peter said tiredly, closing his eyes. He didn't feel like getting up at this point.

Tony just snorted; "You using me as a pillow again kid? You gonna get some more sleep? Hmm." Maybe sleep would do Peter some good right now.

"Not sleeping." Peter said weakly; "Just resting my eyes. Getting warm."

"Ah. So you're leeching off my body heat. Good to know I'm useful for something."

Peter chuckled, smiling broadly, lifting his head to look up at his dad; "Something like that."

They stayed like that for a little while, waiting for Pepper to return, and allowing Peter some time to rest.

But Tony was worried when he continued to feel Peter's body trembling. When he let out some raspy coughs, and buried more into him, Tony was downright concerned.

"Bud you still cold?" Tony asked panicked, pushing his hair from his face, and feeling his forehead.

Peter let out a sad murmur, that sounded more like a whimper, which was accompanied by a deep shiver.

He was drifting between being awake and asleep. Everything was hazy, and all he knew was the cold. It was everywhere, deep within his body. He just couldn't get warm. Meanwhile, his chest and throat were burning something fierce.

"Peter?" Tony said quietly peering at his face, seeing the pained expression.

"FRIDAY? What's his temp?"

"97 degree Fahrenheit boss. His body temperature has dropped." Tony vaguely knew the normal body temperature was around 98, so Peter really was cold.

Just great. Before they were worried about him being too hot, now he was too cold.

"Aw come here spider baby." Tony shifted Peter, pulling him into his lap, so he could wrap both arms around him. Hoping his body heat would help warm him. He rubbed his hands over his back and arm to get some blood flowing, terrified how the kid felt like an icicle.

Pepper thankfully came back with a tray of three cups.

"Oh everything ok?" Pepper furrowed her brow as she approached, only able to see the top of Peter's head underneath the blanket, and his head buried in Tony's chest.

"He's a little cold." Tony said grimacing.

"Aww sweetie here." Pepper slowly sat down beside them, and held out one of the cups to Peter; "This will warm you up."

Peter slowly turned his head curiously, and perked up seeing the steaming cup.

It took some effort to get his arms to work, but he shakily reached out for the cup. Eagerly wrapping his cold hands around the hot cup.

"Careful." Tony warned, not wanting either of them to get burnt if he spilled it, reaching out to steady his hands.

Peter brought it to his mouth, feeling like he wanted to cry at seeing the little marshmallows inside. Pepper was so sweet. He took some slow sips first, even though he didn't feel nauseas, he was worried about his burning his already sore throat.

Surprisingly, it didn't make his throat worse. The taste was amazing, and feeling the hot liquid go through his body, it already helped him warm up a little.

"Thanks mom." Peter said smiling at her; "I'm already feeling warmer."

"Good I'm glad." Pepper said squeezing his shoulder. Then she sidled up beside Tony, and pulled Peter's feet into her lap, so he was laying across both of them. And Pepper grabbed another large thick fluffy blanket from the back of the sofa, to wrap around him; "There we go."

Tony was getting hot now, with the heaters blaring, two blankets, and two people beside him. So he hoped Peter was too.

As Pepper and Tony sipped their hot cocoa's as well, Tony finally realised Peter had stopped shaking.

Peter was in fact lovely and toasty now. Feeling immensely better. But he didn't want to get up if it meant getting cold again.

"So what do you feel like Peter?" Pepper asked gently, pulling her knees up to turn to him; "A movie?"

Peter hesitated, he did like the idea of a movie, but from his current position laying on his dad's lap, he couldn't see the screen. And he didn't want to move.

"Um maybe." Peter said shyly.

Tony could practically read Peter's thoughts, and was touched how Peter would rather stay like this with him. Then he was suddenly hit with a genius idea.

"Hey buddy I had an idea."

Peter looked at him expectantly.

"It's a surprise though." Tony added, and Pepper tilted her head at him frowning, he just winked at her. She caught on, seeing the glint in his eyes, he wasn't to do something nice for Peter.

"Oh?" Peter felt excited at the idea.

"Do you think you can keep Pepper company for a bit? I won't be long."

Peter hesitated, not wanting to let his dad go, but eventually nodded.

"Good." Tony ruffled Peter's hair, and kissed the top of his head; "You'll love this I promise." Reluctantly, Peter shifted off Tony so he could get up. Snuggling into the sofa.

As Tony got up, he made sure Peter was still covered up with the blankets and then rushed off. Wanting to be quick to get back to Peter.

Pepper turned to Peter watching as his expression fell when Tony left.

"Come here honey." Pepper said opening her arms to him. She wasn't his dad, but she hoped she was atleast a suitable replacement for the time being.

She felt overjoyed when Peter smiled, and scooted towards her, and sidled up to her.

"So what do you want to do until your dad gets back? We could watch some TV, we could...have a look on the internet...play some games...have something to eat..."

"Can we make cupcakes again?" Peter really liked making them with Tony before, it was fun. And he remembered how much Pepper loved them when they surprised her with them that night she worked late.

Grinning, Pepper nodded; "That's a great idea. You going to be ok to get up though? I don't want you getting cold."

Bobbing his head, he sat up; "I'm already warming up. That cocoa really helped." He said before sniffling.

"Alright sweetie. Let's surprise your dad with some cupcakes." She winked at Peter, taking his hand, and getting up.

Peter excitedly got up to follow, keeping one of the blankets wrapped around him, still holding Pepper's hand as they rushed into the kitchen eagerly.