Thank you so much for all the reviews I'm thrilled so many of you are enjoying this fic it means a lot to me.

-EmptyFridges

Peter had been back to his normal age for two weeks and Tony still couldn't help the grin that spread across his face every time the boy called him dad. He had been worried Pete would be embarrassed about how he acted as a toddler and pull away from himself and Pep but it seemed the opposite had happened. The boy had no issue with them running their hands through his hair or pulling him close when they sat watching a film, he also never pulled away when Pepper kissed his head before school every morning. Of course the boy was slightly embarrassed about some of the things he had done as a child but that was totally understandable. But still he was worried. He knew Peter was still having nightmares but he refused to speak about them, May was due home in a few days and he wanted to address the issue before Peter returned to living in Queens half the week. The boy couldn't go on as he was he would run himself into the ground.

Tony decided the best way to get Peter to talk about it was to simply force the issue, the first few times FRIDAY woke him up to tell him Peter was in distress he had left the boy hoping he would come to them but it didn't happen. After that he went to Peter's room and held him close until he stopped crying but the boy still refused to talk and the nightmares continued. Tony knew he rarely fell back to sleep after a nightmare and it was clear to see, the bags under Pete's eyes had bags. It had been two weeks now though and enough was enough he would not let the boy continue to suffer needlessly. Pepper, May, Rhodey and even Nat had tried to speak to him about his obvious exhaustion but he had just shrugged it off and tried to say he was fine. Peter was not fine.

Also Peter's stubbornness over the nightmares was beginning to have a knock on effect, Tony had received an email from Midtown that morning telling him Peter's grades were falling, this could easily be explained away by the days he missed when he was ill and while he was a toddler but the email also mentioned a poor work ethic and disrespectful behaviour in class. He had also been sassing back to both Tony and Pepper much more than usual in the past few days to the point it was bordering on insolence. Similarly, Gregor had reported Peter's internship work wasn't up to his usual standards and Karen had told him Peter was becoming reckless in the suit. So yeah, it was past time he spoke to the kid.

Tony was sitting on the couch waiting for Peter to come home from school, Pep had rearranged her schedule after hearing about the email from Peter's school and would also be back shortly so they could discuss the issue as a family. Tony had asked May if she wanted to be part of the conversation but she had a shift that evening and believed all three of them sitting Peter down to discuss things would probably just make him defensive rather than open with them.

Peter felt uneasy. Usually when he stepped into the elevator FRIDAY would ask what floor he wanted to go to but today he just received a greeting and the elevator began climbing immediately. His spidey sense was quiet so he knew he wasn't in danger so he racked his brains tying to think of anything he had done in the last few days that could get him in trouble, why else would he have to go to the penthouse immediately? He couldn't think of anything in particular though, sure he was slightly short with his dad the evening before but if Tony was going to mention it he would have brought it up straight away, his Spanish grade had dropped to a C- but there was no way his parents could know about that already, he himself only found out today after all. His mind was still racing when the elevator finally stopped at the penthouse and he couldn't help his nervous swallow when he laid eyes on his mum and dad sitting side by side on the couch, the opposite one clearly left for himself.

"Why don't you take a seat Peter?" Peter knew his dad wasn't asking despite how he may have worded it, he did however notice that he wasn't being sent to the office so maybe he wasn't in trouble.

Tony watched as Peter perched himself on the edge of the couch, the boy was clearly nervous and confused with no idea what was going on. "Peter we need to talk about you sleeping habits." He watched as his son's face closed off completely at his words.

"What about them, I'm sleeping fine." Peter said shortly.

Pepper responded to the boy's defensive words without missing a beat. "Peter, there's no need to hide, we know you are having nightmares but you need help if you want them to get better. You need to talk about them. We let it go for the last two weeks and that was a mistake on our part. Your lack of sleep is seeping into the rest of your life."

Peter scoffed and looked at them with challenge in their eyes. "No it isn't. I'm fine, my grades are fine, Spiderman's fine."

Tony arched a brow at the boy's blatant lie and help up a hand to stop him. "Peter. Your grades are falling, your internship work is not to its usual standard, Nat says you've been sloppy in training with her, you're receiving more injuries as Spiderman than usual and your behaviour both at home and school is deteriorating. So before you try to lie to us again think about that." He watched as Peter blanched as his problems were practically shoved in his face. Tony softened his voice as he continued. "Pete, asking for help doesn't make you weak, we are all worried about you. This can't go on, it hurts us to see you like this."

Peter nodded at his dad's words trying to push down the lump in his throat. "I'm sorry about the nightmares."

Pepper sighed and moved across to sit next to her son "Pete…you don't need to apologize for the nightmares, they are not your fault okay, it's normal to have nightmares after a traumatic experience but you have to speak to someone. It's the only way they will get better."

Peter nodded once again and thought for a moment. Who should he speak to? Clearly May was out she would worry too much and probably ban him from being Spiderman for life and there was no way he would speak to a therapist about anything.

Pepper could see the indecision on Peter's face and decided in this situation it was probably best she just chose for him. "Pete speak to Tony, I'll go any get us something sorted for dinner. You will not be going out as Spiderman again until you have got this off your chest, you are putting yourself in danger going out as exhausted as you are."

Peter sighed at her words but couldn't help the small smile that came to his face as she took the decision from his hands, it was much easier to simply be told what to do sometimes.

Tony waited until Pepper left the room before moving to take her place next to Peter and throw his arm round his shoulder. "So Pete, hit me."

"Dad…I don't really know what to say."

Tony sighed, he supposed just straight up asking was a bit easy. "When you were a toddler Pete you woke up screaming but you managed to get back to sleep, do you know why? You didn't tell us what your dreams were about then but you got back to sleep again every night." He hadn't expected a blush to cover Peter's face at his words. The boy had turned red as a tomato and Tony was bewildered.

Ugh this was so embarrassing. This was exactly why he didn't want to talk, "You'll laugh." He mumbled almost too quiet for Tony to hear him.

"Peter. I promise I won't laugh at you, I need you to be able to sleep. I'm worried, we're all worried, whatever it is I'll do my very best to help you." Tony assured the teen.

"I fell asleep because I was in your bed." Peter blurted out after a moments pause studiously avoiding eye contact.

Tony's heart broke at his boy's words. "Peter there's no need to be embarrassed, you are welcome to come into our room if you have a nightmare, it's fine. We encourage it, I would rather you share our bed than not sleep. And when you're at May's call me okay, you know I don't sleep all that much, I can help you get back to sleep. Hell. I'll fly to Queens if I have to Pete. I'd do anything to help you underoos."

Peter nodded still not looking at his dad.

Tony knew Peter was avoiding looking at him and knew he probably wouldn't come to their room of his own initiative, at least at first so was already mentally planning to carry the teen there next time he woke from a nightmare, which would likely be that very night. "Okay, so that will help you get back to sleep, but what are you dreaming about Peter? How long have you been having these dreams?"

"A few months." Peter answered ignoring the first question completely.

"A few months…a few months" Tony mumbled largely to himself. "The Vulture! Is that what you are dreaming about?" The shaky nod he got in response was answer enough.

Peter took a breath and gathered his courage, now his dad knew part of what his nightmares were about he just wanted to tell him everything. "I dream…I dream I'm stuck under that warehouse. And I'm alone and stuck, and no one is there."

Tony paled dramatically as his son's words registered, he had never asked Peter for a full rundown of what happened homecoming night after all, he had heard something about a falling building but he had disregarded the information almost immediately once he had funded the repairs. He pulled the teen tight into his chest and soon felt his t-shirt dampen from Peter's tears. "Shhh…you're fine Peter, I'm here. Daddy's here." He reassured the boy, just as he did when Peter was a toddler he rubbed soothing circles on his back to calm him down. "Pete…you should have told me." He knew nothing more needed to be said on the subject, at least for now and was simply content to hold his son in his arms for a while, even when the tears stopped he continue holding him tight until the boy himself pulled away and looked up at him, a watery smile on his face.

"So I've talked…can I go on patrol now?"

Tony snorted in response and ruffled the boy's hair. "As soon as I see that C- rise to a B kiddo." He laughed at the boy's pout, he was clearly wondering how Tony knew about that. "Nothing gets past me son, now I believe that sounds like Pep setting the table, go get washed up."

ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ

That night Peter lay in bed staring at his ceiling, he was afraid to sleep or well afraid to dream anyway. Despite what Tony had told him mere hours before he was embarrassed. He knew FRIDAY would probably alert his dad if he had a nightmare and there was no way he was sleeping in his parent's bed. What if someone found out? He was Spiderman, he should be able to sleep by himself, what kind of superhero was he if he couldn't even deal with his own dreams? Even if he wasn't Spiderman he was fifteen! What sort of fifteen-year-old needs help to fall asleep? He could just imagine the taunts he would get at school if anyone found out. The fact his dad was Tony Stark would perhaps give him some cool points but that was unlikely to deter people like Flash who seemed to thrive on making his life miserable.

Peter sighed audibly at the thought of Flash. Sure, the boy had stopped hitting him after his suspension but his words could be just as hurtful, they were even worse than before and cut to the bone. He knew he should just tell his dad but that was so embarrassing, he was practically an adult, he should be able to deal with Flash himself. Also, if he told Tony the man might go all Iron Man on Flash, sure Peter didn't like the asshole, but he didn't want to scar him for life, or for his dad to murder a teenager over some schoolyard taunts.

He rolled over in his bed and reached out for his phone sitting on his bedside table. After a few moments of slapping his hand uselessly on the table he managed to grab it, he may have enhanced senses but he definitely didn't have night vision, the fact he was exhausted was probably a factor as well to be honest, his spidey sense hadn't been quite as sharp as usual recently after all, he hadn't mentioned that to his dad though, he was sure the man would ban him from Spiderman otherwise. Although he was banned from Spiderman right now anyway he supposed so it probably didn't matter all that much at the moment. He tapped his phone and blinked several times as it lit up on full brightness almost blinding him.

"Your phone curfew is in place Peter" FRIDAY said almost as soon as Peter tried to unlock it.

He rolled his eyes at the A.I's words. One time, one time he stayed up late the night before a test scrolling through twitter and his mum and dad flipped. Sure he had almost fallen asleep the next day during said test but that was beside the point. Pepper had refused to let him go out as Spiderman that evening so he could get a full night's sleep before his exam and when she found out his exhaustion was because of meme's she had promptly told Tony to hack Peter's phone and make it practically unusable whenever they wanted it to be. From that day onwards Peter was unable to use his phone once he had been sent to his bed, he had tried to hack into Tony's hack but that had just resulted in his phone being confiscated for a few days. Having Tony Stark as a dad was awesome but it was almost impossible to sneak anything past him.

Sighing he threw his phone down perhaps more aggressively than he should have. He was exhausted. He could feel his eyes drooping and it was becoming difficult to stay away as time went on, perhaps just a quick nap would be okay, surely if he only slept for a little while he wouldn't have time to have a nightmare. With that thought in mind he asked FRIDAY to wake him up in an hour and a half. He seemed to fall asleep immediately after.

Tony stared at the ceiling deep in thought. Pepper had practically ordered him to be in bed before two am, she was adamant that if he wanted Peter's sleep to improve he himself should lead by example. But it didn't matter what time he got into bed he was sure he wouldn't be able to sleep anyway, he was too worried about his son, at least in the lab he was able to distract himself, in his bed he had nothing, well he had Pepper she was currently asleep next to him. He envied her ability to sleep so peacefully, even after the mandarin incident she was able to sleep, then again she did go to a therapist after said incident.

His phone beeped and he grabbed it to take a quick look sighing when he saw it was a notification from Peter's phone to tell him the boy had tried to unlock it. He knew how Peter's mind worked and knew he would probably try to avoid sleeping but he was sure the kid would eventually drop off, his two weeks of poor sleeping had to catch up to him eventually after all.

Tony was woken from his dozing less than an hour later by his A.I.

"Peter appears to be in distress boss."

The man practically leapt out of bed ignoring Pepper's mumbled groans as his movements jostled her. He was in his son's room in seconds and his heart broke a little, like it did every time he had to wake Peter from a nightmare, the boy was tangled in his sheets moaning slightly with sweat beading on his forehead.

Tony walked across and perched on the edge of his son's bed as he began to card his fingers through his hair. "Hey Pete, I'm here, it's just a dream Petey, you need to wake up, come on." He had gone through these actions countless times but they were just as difficult now as the first time, he would do anything for this boy, but he was unable to protect him from his own mind, his own nightmares and it broke his heart. Soon Peter's struggles died down a little and he was able to manoeuvre himself so the boy was in his lap, he found Peter calmed down quicker with more body contact. He continued mumbling soothing words into his ear as the teen woke and began to sob into his chest. He tightened his hold on the boy and stood up ignoring his mumbled protests, sometimes you had to do what would help your kid even if they didn't want the help. Despite Peter being Spiderman and very in shape Tony had no difficulty carrying him back to his own room, huh maybe Rogers was onto something when he insisted Tony start exercising more and lifting weights.

By the time he made it back to his own room Pepper was awake and waiting for them with the duvet pulled back so Tony could easily drop their son onto the mattress. Tony was unsurprised when the boy immediately moved towards Pepper and curled up next to her for comfort, he watched as she made herself comfortable and threw her arm over the boy and immediately began to run her fingers through his hair soothingly to help him fall back to sleep. Tony climbed in behind Peter just as he had when the boy was a toddler and put his arm over the boy and Pepper pulling them close as if his presence alone would keep both of them safe in their slumber.

Peter was almost asleep as soon as he was placed down in his parent's giant bed but his last conscious thought was that he couldn't remember the last time he felt so safe.

ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ

Peter was mortified when he first woke up sandwiched between his parents but neither of them mentioned it so he decided he should maybe just do the same. He couldn't deny his sleep had been amazing once he had been taken though to sleep. He got himself up and went back to his own room to shower when his mom got up, leaving his dad asleep in bed. After a quick shower he threw his school things into his bag and looked around his room. May was coming back that night so he wanted to make sure he had everything he needed. He would still be coming back to the tower after school but he would be back in his bed in Queens that evening. Unable to see anything he needed he made his way to the kitchen for breakfast.

ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ

Peter started when an elbow was dug into his ribs sharply. He jerked his head up from his phone to look at his best friend with a scowl.

"Dude, if you keep checking your phone every ten seconds Mr Harrington will definitely catch you, and do you really want detention today?"

Peter sighed, he knew Ned was right, he was just excited and anxious. He had spent the entire day counting down to the end of his final class so he could rush back to the tower. He had attempted to convince his dad to let him take the day off during breakfast but the man was having none of it, especially when he found out Peter had double Spanish. Ugh stupid Spanish, just the thought made him feel ill. Although he had handed in an essay during said class so his grade would probably be back to a B by tomorrow so he could go out as Spiderman.

As much as he was looking forward to seeing his Aunt he couldn't help but worry. Was she really as cool with the whole mom and dad thing as she made out? Would hearing Peter say it in person make her change her mind? And would he struggle to sleep back in Queens? He was worried about going back to Queens, sure his dad said he could phone him but he didn't want to inconvenience him, he had already put up with Peter for two whole months surely he wanted a few days without him?

Another elbow drew him out of his musing and he decided he should probably at least look like he was paying attention, he was sure his parents and May would kill him if he got detention after all.

After what seemed to Peter like hours but was realistically more like thirty minutes the final bell rang and he couldn't have been happier. He grabbed his bag and was one of the first out the classroom as he rushed towards his locker. He quickly grabbed his books and began to make his way out towards the parking lot where Happy would be waiting for him when Flash stopped in front of him.

"Hey Penis. Where are you off to in such a hurry?" The boy demanded rather than asked.

Keeping his head down Peter attempted to shoulder past the boy but his efforts came to no avail as Flash pushed him back. Groaning internally Peter looked up at his tormentor. "Flash, I don't have time for this."

The slightly taller boy ignored him and asked again why he is in such a hurry to leave.

"Flash, I need to go, I don't want to be late." His words were met with another scoff from the other boy. "Flash seriously leave me alone, I have my internship." Peter ended up blurting out in an attempt to get him to leave him alone.

"Sure you do Penis. I don't know why you keep trying to make out you have an internship. Everyone knows Stark Industries only takes on a few college students as interns each year. Why would an idiot like you work there?"

Peter rolled his eyes at the words he's heard from Flash a hundred times before. With a quick glance at his watch he knew it probably wouldn't be long before Happy comes barging into the school to look for him. Realising Flash was still spouting nonsense he decided to let a little of his super strength loose and barged past the boy to sprint towards Happy's car.

"Took your time kid." Happy grumbled in way of a greeting as Peter jumped into the back seats throwing his back down next to him.

"Sorry Happy, I was chatting to Ned." He told the man, he knew if he mentions Flash Happy would tell his dad and he would prefer the man didn't know, he could handle Flash after all it was just words, he was totally fine.

Happy nodded at the boy's words and immediately asked about his day, he knew he may act disinterested but it's sort of become their thing at this point. He let him talk, the kid's non-stop chatter used to irritate him but now he enjoys it, he's easy to chat to. "How's Spanish going kid?" he asked when Peter stopped for breath.

"Ugh, Happy!" The boy responds with a roll of his eyes and exaggerated sigh. "not you as well! Every other sentence is someone asking about my Spanish grade, it was one C-. Even Uncle Rhodey sent me a text about it."

Happy laughed at the teens words. "Pete you are usually a straight A student. A C- is a big change, we only ask because we care."

Peter felt slightly bad for complaining after that statement. "Sorry Happy, I know, it's just annoying. Yeah it's fine…well it will be fine once my essay is marked that should bring up my average."

"Good to hear it kid. So what about MJ is she sitting next to you yet at lunch or still six seats away?"

ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ

In no time at all they pulled up into one of the tower's many garages and Peter hopped out eager to see his aunt. "Peter picked a peck of pickled Pepper" he shouted as he approached the elevator. He usually mumbled it as quietly as he could due to embarrassment but he was just too excited. Plus, it didn't really matter if anyone else heard him security wise, FRIDAY scanned everyone who entered the elevators to make sure it was the correct person, Peter was convinced Tony just added the passwords to mess with people. Huh, he should maybe ask mum what hers was surely she wasn't saying a really embarrassing phrase every time she needed to go anywhere.

To Peter the elevator ride seemed to take forever, he was convinced it didn't usually take this long to get to the penthouse. He tapped his foot impatiently as he waited and couldn't help but groan as the elevator stopped several floors too low to let someone in.

"Great to see you too Pete." Bruce laughed as he walked in.

"I just want to see May" the boy whined in response earning another chuckle from the scientist.

May could hardly contain herself. She had never been away from Peter for such a long time before, video calling was good but it wasn't the same. She was perched on the edge of the couch coffee in hand opposite Pepper, Tony had just nipped away to grab a photo album full from the week Peter was a toddler. A year ago she couldn't have imagined such a situation in her wildest dreams but now it seemed almost normal, they had somehow become sort of strange family, all because of her amazing nephew.

The doors opened a Peter couldn't help but grin widely as he stepped out the elevator with a shouted "I'm home!" As he said the words his eyes connected with his aunts who had stood up as soon as she heard the doors open, he didn't waste a second as he ran over to her arms outstretched.

"Hey baby." She murmured as she pulled the boy in close. After several seconds of just relishing being together again she pulled back and took her nephews face in her hands. "You look better Pete, are you sleeping better?" She grinned widely at his nod "Glad to hear it baby. It's good to be back I've missed you."

Peter nodded in agreement and his eyes widened as he saw Tony re-entering the room with a book in his hand. "Dad!" he groaned. "Nooo, you can't just show everyone that book, it's embarrassing you already have photos of me as a toddler everywhere anyway." He continued gesturing towards the photo frames dotted around the room.

"I'll think you find I can. Why wouldn't I show everyone how cute my son is?" Tony responded laughing at the expression on the teen's face. "Come on sit down, May wants to see them."

With a put upon sigh Peter drops down next to his dad on the couch snuggling in close as he throws an arm over his shoulder and passes the album towards him so May can see from Peter's other side.

Pepper smiled as she watches the three of them sitting opposite her totally absorbed in the album between them. It had been almost half an hour and they were still engrossed. She knew Tony was trying to keep both May and Peter here as long as possible, he had been anxious for several days about Peter leaving even if it was only for two days, he would be back on Wednesday for his internship and dinner with them. She felt the same to be honest, it would be strange not having Peter in the penthouse 24/7, his shoes lying haphazardly in the lounge regardless of how many times he had been told to leave them either in the cupboard next to the elevator or in his bedroom. The boy walking into the kitchen each morning bleary eyed for breakfast would be missed but he would be back in several days and his Aunt hadn't seen him in two months, it was selfish of them to try and keep them here longer to be honest.

ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ-ʘ

Several hours passed and May knew it was time they had to go. It was plain to see Tony had been trying to stop them from leaving but it was getting late. They had stayed for dinner and even a movie but Peter had school tomorrow and she did want to get back to her own bed. "Right Peter come on." She said as she got to her feet, "it's time we got going, we need to get home."

Peter nodded at his Aunt's words standing up himself. He grabbed his school bag from where he had dropped it as he came in and turned to face his mum and dad. "Thanks for letting me stay here, I hope I wasn't too much trouble."

"You're never too much trouble Pete don't worry." Pepper said as she hugged him and kissed his forehead. "We'll see you Wednesday okay, and remember you're staying here for dinner, May has a late shift so you can sleep here." At Peter's nod she walked towards the other woman in the room to give her two boys privacy.

"It's been great having you here kid." Tony said as he also hugged the teen, still holding him close he continued "now remember, if you have any trouble at all I'm just a call away, I don't want you coming in here looking like a zombie on Wednesday okay? Any nightmares and you're to call me, got it?"

"Yes dad." Peter mumbled blushing slightly as he pulled away and walked back to his aunt. The two enter the lift leaving Tony and Pepper in the lounge his arm around her waist.

As the door closed Tony finally lets the sob he has been supressing for the last twenty minutes out. He never thought he would ever have a son but now he has one letting him go even for just two days seemed like the most difficult task in the world.