Peter's eyes fluttered open and he yawned widely and stretched himself. He turned on his side, burying himself deeper into his comforter.
He stiffened when he remembered that he hadn't slept in his bed last night. His eyes shot open again and he dared a glance at himself.
His hands were no longer skinny and tiny, the wrist that he'd sprained was completely healed, which could only indicate that his Spidey powers were back.
He ran a hand down his face, relieved to find that his cheeks were no longer chubby.
The antidote had worked. He was sixteen once more.
He was dressed in that same hoodie Mr. Stark had given him on the first day he'd turned into a child and one of his sweatpants. The only explanation was that the man had carried him to his bed and changed him into clothes that would fit.
His ears and neck started to burn as he recalled everything he'd done in the last week. He distinctly remembered the conversation from last night and he couldn't help but feel warm all over.
And had he really tried to thank the Tony Stark by making him a pillow fort? He snorted to himself.
How was he supposed to act now? Did his mentor really mean what he'd said or had it just been a beautiful lie to pacify an insecure child?
Figuring that he would have to eventually go outside and face the man, Peter got out of bed and stretched.
"Hey FRIDAY, where is Mr. Stark?"
"Boss is currently in the kitchen. Would you like me to let him know that you are awake?"
"No thanks. I'll go there myself."
Nervousness churning in his stomach, he brushed his teeth and made his way out to the kitchen. He stopped just at the end of the corridor. From there, he could see Mr. Stark in the kitchen, frying some bacon.
The man hadn't looked up yet so that meant he probably hadn't noticed Peter standing only a few feet away.
He tugged the sleeves of the hoodie over his hands and bit his lip, unsure of how to approach his mentor.
Part of him wished he was a child again, just so he could run to him and get those morning hugs that he'd grown to love. A hand in his hair, a gentle squeeze around his middle, a quick brush of the lips to his forehead; Peter swallowed thickly, trying not to miss all that so soon.
"This bacon isn't gonna eat itself, Underoos. Get your ass in here."
He was startled out of his thoughts by Mr. Stark's voice. How had he noticed Peter?
Peter's eyes locked on the man, only to see those brown eyes crinkle with fond amusement. His hands were itching for that customary morning hug but he contained himself.
He wasn't six years old anymore.
Still feeling anxious, he shuffled into the kitchen and took his usual spot.
Almost immediately, a plate of food was placed in front of him. A familiar hand ruffled his hair before it moved downward to squeeze the back of his neck and he felt warm lips being pressed to his temple. "Morning, kiddo."
Peter ducked his head to hide the smile that was growing wider by the second.
Maybe things wouldn't be so different after all.
"Morning, Mr. Stark," he mumbled, digging into the food. He ate in silence for a bit, enjoying the meal although it was your perfectly ordinary American breakfast.
"So um... what exactly happened?"
"After you took the antidote, you decided to fall asleep on yours truly. I didn't wanna wake you so I carried you to your bedroom since you'd be more comfortable in there once you were back to your cute teenage self. I found the hoodie you'd stashed behind your pillow. I put it on you since it wouldn't be too comfortable waking up in clothes too small for your gangly Spider self. That's about the gist of it."
"Mr. Stark?" Gosh why did he have to sound so unsure?
"Hmm?"
"Last night, did you mean what you said? About how you don't mind being my... dad?" The last word was scarcely above a whisper, like it was something so delicate that it would shatter if not handled as such.
"I meant every word, Underoos." His hero's eyes sparkled with warmth and his lips had quirked into that half smile he reserved only for Peter. He couldn't help but smile back.
"Thanks, Mr. Stark. Not just for the antidote, for everything else too you know."
Tony's eyes softened at the kid's words. "You don't have to thank me kid." His mouth curved into a teasing smirk. "Besides, all those pictures and videos that FRI's recorded of you are gratitude enough. I'll even show it to you later when we're in the lab. Never met a kid who can be so adorable, nerdy, clumsy and sleepy at the same time."
Peter pouted, his features strikingly similar to a kicked puppy. "You're a cruel man, Mr. Stark."
"Never pretended to be otherwise, Petey-pie. I am what you see: handsome, dashing, genius and unbeatably awesome."
"You're also old," Peter pointed out, quickly darting out of the way when Tony swatted him.
"Okay that's it, I can't take this anymore. I've decided that I like the pint sized version of you much better. He was respectful and well behaved. This teenager is the definition of bratty." With a teasing smirk, he pinched the kid's cheek. "Besides, the little guy was a lot cuter too."
Peter shrugged nonchalantly. "If you want, I could always go out and see if there's any dangerous alien tech lying around. I'll meddle a—Hey!"
Peter rubbed the ear Tony had just tweaked and pouted at the man.
"You go fifty miles within any tech even remotely dangerous; I swear to God, you're grounded until you're off to college, capiche?"
Peter nodded vigorously, not at all doubting Mr. Stark's words. There was just no arguing with him when he was like this. It's like he was in full on Dad mode.
But Peter didn't mind, not one bit.
"Just so you know, you're not totally off the hook."
Peter groaned and slumped forward, smashing his nose against his mentor's collarbone.
"I know. I really am sorry, Mr. Stark. I didn't mean for you to worry so much or to have to take care of me."
"Kid, I'm gonna worry about you either way, so you might as well get used to it. Secondly, as I've already told you a bajillion times: I don't have to do anything. I'm Tony Stark and I do what I want."
"Haven't heard that one before," Peter sassed.
"Okay that's it. Only for that, I'm gonna show Rhodey that footage where you got yourself entangled in your own webbing. You've officially earned it."
Peter pulled back to glance at Tony in mock horror. "No!"
"Yes. There's no changing my mind." His expression turned grim once more. "But jokes aside, what happened this time cannot happen again. You cannot keep risking your life this way, Peter."
"I know, Mr. Stark but you've gotta trust m—"
"Pete, of course I trust you. If you think for one second that I feel like you can't handle it out there, you're wrong. I know you've got it covered but sometimes, things get a little too much even for the best of us. In those times, it's okay to ask for help. I learnt that a little too late, but you don't have to make the same mistake. Ask for help. It's okay."
"I know."
"And yet you don't. Kid, I've got your back no matter what. But you can't keep going like this. If it gets a little overwhelming, you've gotta talk to me. I'm team Spidey, remember?"
Turning red, Peter nodded.
"I took the liberty to add some upgrades to your suit yesterday. Curfew on school nights has been shifted to eleven o' clock. Nope, don't even try and argue, you're not winning this."
Peter pouted but obediently closed his mouth.
"On weekends, you're gonna wrap up by one, one thirty if you really wanna stretch it; but that's all. You will check in with me periodically. If there's something else that needs to be taken care of, ask Karen to talk to FRIDAY and I'll send an Iron Man suit to handle it. If there ever is a moment where you feel like you're in over your head, call me."
"Mr. St—"
"Not finished, kid. As I was saying, call me and I'll come. I don't care what time it is or where you are. Your safety comes first. Always. That's non-negotiable."
Mr. Stark sounded like such a dad at that moment. It warmed him right to his toes.
"Okay, I promise."
"I'll be holding you to that, Pete. And lastly for God's sake if you ever get hurt on patrol, tell me. I don't need you passing out on my floor first thing you come over."
"That literally happened once."
"And that's once too many. You tell me directly, honestly and without leaving anything out. I don't care if it's a damn paper cut or God forbid broken bones. If I have to ask FRIDAY to ask Karen if you've recklessly hurt your scrawny ass, you've got a whole another thing coming at you, Peter."
"Okay, okay. I won't do it again."
Peter gulped when Mr. Stark narrowed his eyes at him, assessing to see if he was telling the truth. Gosh that look was scarier than those criminals he encountered every night. His eyes got all intense like he could see right through Peter.
Yup. Definitely the Dad look.
But then his expression softened into that lopsided smile that Peter had grown to love over the past few months.
"Attaboy. Now hurry up and finish your breakfast. Happy's gone to pick up May from the airport and they'll be here in about an hour."
Peter nodded before he froze, understanding the meaning behind the words. "Wait, you mean she's coming here? Now? Why? I thought her flight wasn't due until this evening. Mr. Stark, why didn't you tell me sooner? May's obviously gonna be super mad and you've got—"
"Nope. Gonna stop you right there, Petey-pie. There's no way in hell I'm gonna help you escape May's wrath. You're on your own, kid."
Peter stared at his mentor disbelievingly. "What happened to Team Spidey?"
"Team Aunt Hottie all the way. If May's gonna chew you out, I wanna watch. Preferably with a big ass bowl of popcorn. I'll even give her a few helpful pointers in case she leaves anything out."
Peter glared at the man, although it was clearly halfhearted.
"Traitor."
"SpiderBrat."
"But you still love me."
Tony's smile was almost heartbreakingly indulgent as he bumped his shoulder with Peter's and draped an arm around the kid and tousled his hair.
"Infinitely."
*Drum roll*
And that's a wrap on this one, people. I had a great time writing about adorable kid!Peter and soft dad!Tony. I have a few more one shot/ shot story ideas up my sleeve.
I hope I can find time to write again soon.
Don't forget to review!