Peter was still awake when the movie was over, but only just. He was warm, and comfortable, and so sleepy that he managed to open his eyes when the credits rolled and the lights came on in the living room, but not much more than that.

"Are you awake?" Tony asked, amused.

The boy nodded, and then closed his eyes and melted against Pepper's embrace. He loved to be held at the best of times; all of them knew that – even the avengers were subjected to the boy climbing into a lap at any time when one was presented – and at the moment, he was being nurtured in the best of ways. Even if he didn't understand it in that many terms. Pepper was imprinting on him, and he liked it.

She smiled.

"I think his long day has caught up to him."

"Yeah." Tony moved to get up and reach for him. "I'll put him to bed."

"Don't forget my story," Peter mumbled, not even opening his eyes when he was transferred from Pepper's arms to his father's. "I want nine…"

Stark pressed a kiss against his ear; the action so loving that Pepper felt her eyes sting.

"Nine, huh?" he whispered. "How about eight?"

"Seven."

"Six," Peter countered, sleepily.

Tony winked at Pepper, who stood up to follow them into Peter's room and pull the blankets back on Peter's bed to make it easier to get him tucked in. She smiled at the ongoing negotiations – a definite reminder that she should never try to barter when she was half asleep – especially with Tony.

"Five."

"Four."

"Three…"

The billionaire put his son to bed, pulling the blankets up over him.

"One story, and I'll tuck you in, also."

"Okay."

Peter never opened his eyes – even when Tony's hand came to cup the little boy's cheek.

"There once was a little guy, who was very much loved, and his dad was glad that he was there with him. The end."

Peter sighed, and dozed off, and Pepper rubbed her hand along Tony's shoulder.

"That was amusing…"

He smirked.

"The story? Or taking advantage of a sleepy negotiator?"

"The story was wonderful."

"And nonfiction," he agreed. He looked up at her. "Are you ready for bed?"

"Yes."

He took her hand and led her to the door.

"You got him, JARVIS?"

"Of course."

The billionaire closed the door behind them, and the lights went out.

OOOOOOOOO

He woke with a start, transitioning from asleep to awake instantly, as he often did.

Peter sat up in his bed, looking around.

"JARVIS?"

"I'm here. Everything is fine."

The AI was always quick to reassure in those moments of confusion between asleep and awake – and it worked every time. The boy didn't need the lights on – he could see fairly well in the low lighting – but JARVIS brought the room's lights up, a little, anyway. It would help Peter waken, easier.

"I had a dream."

"A bad one?"

"No." Peter looked around, again. "I think it was just weird."

"Your heart rate is elevated. Take a few deep breaths."

The boy did as he was told.

"Is it snowing?"

"Not here."

Peter pushed the blankets back and climbed to the top bunk without using the ladder. He wasn't very good at using his wall sticking abilities, yet, and Tony and Natasha both had pointed out that there wasn't any real hurry for him to develop that skill too quickly. He liked trying to use it, though, and he could usually manage to get to the top bunk without getting himself stuck, now. If he did find himself unable to ascend any further, he'd simply push himself off the wood surface and allow a fall to the bottom bed so he could start over.

The little boy pushed the blankets back as he reached the top and covered back up even as he moved the curtain aside to look out the window. It was dark, but he could see that there weren't any clouds. A million stars were lighting up the night sky.

"It's cold out, huh?"

He couldn't feel it; his room was warm and the window and walls were well insulated, but it just looked cold. Especially with the fresh snow on the ground. From the view he had, he could even see some of the snowman army that he, Pepper and Tony had made the day before.

"It definitely is," JARVIS agreed. "You should go back to sleep. It's still early."

"Is Tony sleeping?"

"Yes."

Peter wondered if he'd be mad if he went and cuddled up with him. But then he remembered something.

"Is Pepper sleeping, too?"

"Yes."

"With him?"

"Yes."

Oh.

They probably wouldn't want him with them, just then. Peter had learned the hard way that grownups didn't want a little kid in the room when they were doing it – and it didn't matter how bad the nightmare was that had driven him out of his bed in the first place. Peter shivered, drawing his blankets around him a little tighter, but he wasn't upset. He was glad that Pepper was going to be living with them. Even if it meant that he didn't get to sleep with Tony, too.

"Pepper's going to live with us, for good." Peter said. "Did you know?"

"I heard." The AI sounded smug. "A big step for all involved."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you should try to go back to sleep. If Pepper is moving in, then there will be much to do, and tomorrow will be a good time to begin the transition."

"Oh. I didn't think of that." The boy lay down, resting his head on the pillow as the lights went out, once more. He didn't close his eyes, though, too excited, now, about having Pepper living with them. "It's going to be neat."

"Yes. Go to sleep."

"I'm not sleepy."

If an AI could sigh or roll its eyes, there was no doubt that JARVIS might be doing both. But this wasn't new to either of them, really.

"Close your eyes and relax," JARVIS told the boy. "I'll tell you a story."

"An adventure story?" Peter asked, hopefully.

"A love story."

"Ewww."

"Close your eyes and get comfortable."

The AI knew by now that if he told Peter an adventure story, the boy wouldn't go back to sleep any time soon. Through his access to the networks that he had unlimited stories that he could tell, and endless patience to tell them. While Peter shifted, getting himself comfortable as he'd been told, JARVIS accessed a bedtime story for children site and began a story about three dogs who were lost and looking for their way home. Long before the story ended, Peter was asleep, again.

The room went silent, except for the soft breathing of the occupant in the top bunk, and JARVIS was tempted to make himself an arm so he could pat himself on the back.

Things were going well.