When they returned to the table, Peter noticed immediately that Shuri had taken the spot beside Sirah, which was a relief. Just to be safe, however, he handed her the cup of tea that he'd brought for her, nd then went around the table to take the place between Tony and Bruce, instead, figuring he was much better off bracketing himself with males for the moment. From the amused glances that the adults threw his direction, they all knew why he'd done it – although he did wonder why Shuri looked annoyed – and Sirah looked a little as though she were pouting, and she cast a speculative look his direction as they had lunch and he, Tony and Shuri engaged in light conversation with the others until they excused themselves right about the time they were finishing their meal.
"I want you to go back to bed," Tony told Peter as they were enjoying a little quiet time at the table after eating.
"I'm okay."
"I know. You look okay, too. But I told you; I want you looking refreshed when Pepper gets home. That way she can spend some down time with you this evening. Yeah?"
Peter nodded. He was fine with Tony looking out for Pepper like that, even though it meant sending him to bed when he really did feel pretty good.
"A nap wouldn't hurt anything," Alec pointed out. "If that's all it takes to reassure them, might as well."
The boy agreed, although he was a little surprised that his inner tingling that told him something was up was vaguely making themselves felt. Not enough to worry him, however. He looked at Tony and Shuri.
"What are you guys going to do?"
The billionaire smiled.
"I'm going to show your buddy here how well the shield she made worked – and if we have time, I'll show her some of the railguns footage, as well."
Shuri blushed, pleased, and that made Peter smile, too.
"Do you want me to walk with you back to your rooms?" the princess asked.
"No. I'm good." He knew that she was interested in what Tony was going to show her. He was interested in it, too, but he could wait, since it wasn't going anywhere, and neither was he. "Thanks."
"We'll wake you for dinner," Tony told him, waving the boy off.
Peter shook his head; more amused than offended at the dismissal. He got to his feet and left the lounge, but paused at the entrance and raised his wrist to his mouth to tap a button with his lip.
"Karen? Where's Nutmeg?"
The reply was immediate.
"In the command room, still asleep."
Not too surprising, Peter supposed. Despite the longer distance the detour made the walk, he swung by the little secured room and retrieved his kitten before going back to his quarters. Nutmeg snuggled into his sling, easily, and was already dozing off, again, when they reached his bedroom. He kicked off his shoes, but didn't bother changing out of anything else, and eased himself into the bed thinking that it would probably take him a while to go to sleep/
He was wrong, though; and when Tony asked Friday to check on him via Karen less than fifteen minutes later, the AI was able to report that Peter was sleeping soundly, with Nutmeg tucked against his side, purring.
OOOOOOOOO
It was Tony and Stephen who woke Peter. He heard them before he felt someone sit on the edge of his bed and opened his eyes just as Tony reached out to brush his hand against the boy's forehead. Stark smiled down at him.
"Hey, sunshine."
Peter rolled his eyes, but he smiled, still sleepy.
"It's time to get up?"
"If you're feeling up to it, yes. Among other things."
Stephen stepped up to the bed, as well, and Peter noticed, now, that while the doctor was dressed sharply in his usual perfect suit, Tony was dressed somewhat sharper than was the norm for when he was rattling around in the compound. It definitely wasn't the same clothes that he'd been wearing at lunch.
"What things?" Peter asked, curiously, moving when Stephen ge4stured for him to sit on the edge of the bed.
"Secret Avenger things," the billionaire told his son, cheerfully. "Let Stephen here check and make sure you're up for it, and then we'll help you get ready."
"Do you know what he's up to?" Peter asked Alec.
"I do, but I won't ruin his fun by telling you."
Peter turned his attention to what Stephen was doing, answering the questions put to him and then holding still like he was told while Strange checked the bandages protecting his arm and hand.
"He looks good, Tony," Strange told his friend. "How do you feel, Peter? Rested?"
"I'm okay. Is Pepper home, yet?"
"She is," Tony told him. "But she's getting ready. Come on; get up so we can get you ready, too."
He didn't bother to ask what they were getting ready for, again, certain he knew what the answer would be. Instead, he got up and watched as Tony and Stephen walked over to his closet and began a mumbled conversation, with both men occasionally pulling out a shirt, or a pair of slacks, more discussion and then it would go back into the closet and a different article of clothing was debated over.
Eventually the two agreed, and Tony brought over a pair of black slacks, a lavender-colored button down shirt and a jacket that matched the pants.
"Come on, Cinderella," he said with an amused smile. "Let's get you dressed."
"I don't need help."
"I'll bet you twenty dollar that you do," Stephen told him.
Peter rolled his eyes and got up off the bed and found out almost immediately that Strange was, indeed correct. With only one arm, Peter definitely needed help, and the doctor was the one who carefully out Peter's bandaged arm through the sleeve of the shirt – using a little magic to make sure the fit was right, when the arm was a bit larger than the sleeve. The sling went back on to protect him, and Tony put the jacket over his son's shoulders.
"I want that twenty in ones," Strange said, brushing an imaginary speck of dust from his own shoulder as they did a quick check to make sure Peter's hair looked alright.
"I'll give it to you in pennies."
Tony smiled and the two men headed for the door.
"Come on."
"Where are we going?"
"To the gym."
"Why?"
"To play basketball. Come on."
Peter shook his head and walked between the two as they headed down the corridor. Instead of asking – again – what was going on, he asked Stephen what he'd done that day.
"Some research," was the reply. "I'm trying to find out what Nutmeg is."
"Did you?"
The kitten had been sleeping on Peter's bed and showed no inclination to want to move when they had.
"No."
"What did Wong say?"
"He's in China. I'll ask him about it, later."
Before Peter could say anything else, they rounded the corner to the corridor that the gym ended at, and the boy saw that the door was open and it was definitely not looking the way that it usually did. Decorations of silver and gold festooned the place, with lights, and ribbons and moving designs on the walls. It was somewhat dimmer than usual, with tables of food on one side of the room and drinks on the other, with what was clearly a dance floor separating the two. There were tables all around the room and gentle music being piped in – almost certainly by Friday.
Peter stopped at the door, surprised, but before he could say anything the room was suddenly filled with people. All were dressed like he was; nicely. The men in suits and the women wearing dresses. Not so formal as tuxedoes and gowns, but still nicely. He realized in the single glance he had that they were all Avengers or SHIELD agents – as well as the guardians and some of the military people who were still at the compound.
"What-?"
Pepper and Natasha walked up to join them, interrupting. Romanoff was wearing a simple green dress that showed off her figure, with her hair cascading down the side of her neck in artful curls, while Pepper's dress was black and hugged her curves just right. Both women were smiling, looking pleased with themselves.
"Surprise," Pepper said, lightly. "Welcome to your own private homecoming."
Peter smiled, looking around.
"You did this for me?"
"We did," Tony told him, putting an arm around Pepper's waist. "We couldn't invite your friends – except Shuri; they'd be more company than you're really ready for, just yet, but Shuri's here, and Clint brought his kids, so Lila is here, somewhere. You'll have plenty of company and not so much stress that Stephen will get that worried look that he gets, sometimes."
The doctor rolled his eyes, more amused than annoyed. He was used to Tony, after all.
"It was the best we could do," Pepper told him. "We know how disappointed you were about missing your dance."
"It's great," Peter assured her. He hugged her, one-armed. "Thank you."
"We had a lot of help," she told him, holding him close for a moment and then pressing a kiss against his cheek as she released him. "Stephen decorated – with a bit of supervision by Natasha."
"You have two hours," Strange told him, stepping up to put his arm around Natasha. "Enjoy yourself – but don't overdo it."
"Wow."
Peter didn't have a chance to say anything else. Shuri walked over, dressed in a bright yellow dress that was vivid against her darker skin but still wasn't as bright as her smile.
"Peter… isn't it beautiful? Like when Tony and Pepper were married."
"Yeah. It's nice."
She offered him her hand.
"Come dance with me – before Lila finds you and cuts in."