"Looks like someone was hungry after all," Pete teased, showing Miguel his empty plate.
2099 sipped his milk quietly, watching as his friend gathered the dishes.
"I'll do them."
"No, I'll do them. You are resting. If you want to do something, you can pick out your pjs."
"Why?"
"Because you just got done playing outside. So you need a bath. And you're going to go to bed early."
"I wasn't playing, I was patrolling and dealing with local shenanigans."
"Uh huh, so what you're saying is that you should definitely be nice and tired. So early bedtime is perfect."
"But," he whined, pointing to the office.
"No. No more computer tonight," Peter shook his head, "Now go pick your jammies."
Mig huffed, going to his room.
It was just a few dishes so it didn't take too long before Pete was able to go run a hot bath for his charge with plenty of bubbles.
"Bath time! Bring your clothes."
"Coming," he hurried in, showing off his citrus print pjs and moon phase diaper cover.
"Don't those look nice and comfy?" He set them on the counter, "Can't bath with clothes," he pulled Miguel's shirt over his head prior to helping him remove his pants.
"I told you, these have a capacity limit," the older spider felt how heavy the nappy was, "How long were you in this?"
Miguel responded in an incomprehensible mumble.
Pete glared. He just ended up sighing and tossing it in the wet bag, "This is just proving that you can't be trusted alone."
"I can be trusted alone. I still need to work and maintain my home sometimes," he grumbled.
"Hey, remember when you thought it was gross to use a diaper?" Hot water splashed on Miguel's back, "Now you have a budding rash because you realized you can cut toilet breaks in half and keep working!"
"I don't have a rash and it's not like that!"
"You sound so cute when you prove you're sleepy," Pete smiled, scrubbing his shoulders, "Just listen to that brooding voice. 'I'm not sleepy!' 'I'm not hungry!'."
"'I don't need a break!'" Lyla joined in the teasing.
Miguel blushed at the taunting, slinking into the tower of bubbles.
X
"Did mommy get you this?" Peter held the stuffed white dragon, "He's so cute, what's his name?"
"That's Invierno, Virgil got him for me."
"It's nice to meet you," he shook the dragon's hand, "Fly to your owner."
Miguel hugged the plush to his face.
"I know who gave you this," he smirked, gently pushing the pale red pacifier into his mouth, "I like the little strawberries on it."
Mig blushed, quietly sucking his mouth piece and leaning on Peter's shoulder.
They were snuggled under the blankets, so Peter could sustain his comfort as he read to him. Tonight's story was Sleep, Big Bear, sleep. Jess may have mentioned that the giant liked this series.
Mig hugged his dragon, following the words and pictures. Amused by Pete making different voices for each character. By the end of the book, the Miguelito had finally managed to fall asleep. Pete would pat himself on the back if his arm wasn't pinned. Either way, good job Parker!
X
Mig's red eyes fluttered open, glancing about his dark room. Peter was snoring next to him, he must be real tired. A quick glancd at his phone, 3:05. Ok. It's a new day, he could finish his work now.
He slid from the bed and silently made his way to the office.
"Shouldn't you still be asleep?" Lyla yawned, though never feeling tired.
Mig didn't respond, just checked his emails, did the last bit of his paperwork, and sought to make quadruple sure that everything was going to be sent out in the proper scheduling.
"I already have it set to send three per day, 5 days a week for…3 months now."
"Hmm."
She floated down to him, swatting at his hair, "Stop ignoring me! You are supposed to be in bed! Didn't Peter say no computer?"
"He said 'no more computer tonight'. That was last night, its morning," he pointed out.
"I did say that, huh?"
A wave of ice shot down 2099's back as two hands rested on his shoulders.
"Lyla, does Miguel always sleepwalk? Because regardless of me saying no more computer yesterday, he can't possibly think being on the computer at 3 am is appropriate either? Right?"
"Good question."
"Miguel, are you sleepwalking?" Peter leaned forward to look him in the face, "Hmm?"
Mig stared at the screen silently.
"Hmm?" Pete gently grabbed the top of Miguel's head, shaking it no, "Maybe I need to tuck you in tighter?"
X
Mig bit down on the tip of his thumb as a symphony of muffled blows rained down across his upturned rear.
"When I say no computer, that means no computer. And when I put you in bed you stay in bed," Peter scolded him.
"I only needed to finish three more papers," he whined, holding up three fingers to emphasize.
"And that couldn't have waited until later?"
"It…" Mig relished in the temporary ceasefire, "It was really important and I got it done really fast."
"Those papers are more important than your rest? More important than what I told you to do?"
"I didn't say that," Mig whimpered, pushing at Peter's knee.
"But your actions said it pretty loud. So I guess mine are gonna have to be just as loud now," he began peppering his taller friend with swats.
Mig stifled a yell, biting down on his thumb again.
"It is three in the morning, Miguel. There is no reason you should be out of bed doing work."
2099 gave way to squirming, "S-sorry!"
The other Spider-Man tsked, continuing to spank his diapered bottom, "I'm gonna have to be specific with you, since you certainly have the trademark Spider-Man smart $$ nature. No computer, work or otherwise, before breakfast. Understand?"
"Y-yes!"
"Even if you think it's important or can get it taken care of fast, understand?" He snapped his palm against his left sitspot.
Mig winced, nodding and attempting to push off his lap.
"No," Peter scolded, holding him in position, "I want you to use your words. Do you understand?"
He nodded quickly, still attempting to escape, "Yes, I understand."
"When I say no computer, what does that mean?" A hard slap.
"Nn! No computer!"
"And when I put you to bed, you stay there. Right?" A slap to Miguel's bare thigh.
He gasped, immediately grabbing the point of impact, "Ow!"
"No, your hands don't belong back here," Pete pulled his hand away, swatting him on the back of it twice, "Where should you be when you're put to bed?"
Mig struggled to pull his hand away, "In bed! Please, I'm sorry!"
"Why are you sorry?"
"I'm sorry I got out of bed and did work when you told me not to."
Pete nodded, listening as Miguel lamented his apology, confirming he understood why he got in trouble, "Are you going to get in bed and stay there or do we need to keep going?"
"Want to go to bed," The younger spider-man whimpered.
"Ok," he gave him one more hard swat on his right cheek. With that out of the way he pulled 2099's jammie pants up and guided him back under the blankets, "Now no more of that. It's now 4am and we should be asleep. I'm tired and you should be too."
Pete put Mig's pacifier back in his mouth and gave him Invierno, laying next to him, "You need to sleep so you don't get so stressed again, ok? We want to make sure you're healthy and well."
Miguel leaned into the hug, rubbing his bottom with one hand, "Sorry."
"It's ok, sometimes you have to be reminded," Peter covered a yawn.
"Kiss?"
"Huh? Uh huh," he half asleep kissed his pacifier, "Now it's time to sleep, ok?"
Mig nodded, laying against him. His eyes slowly shutting as he sucked.