Always Be My Baby

Peter woke up feeling a lot better than he did last night. 

He wasn’t in the best mood last night and his dad knew that and put him to bed early. Peter hated it but he was out in minutes so maybe he was really tired. 

Peter slid off the bed, grabbing his Blankie and teddy bear then he looked over and saw that his dad was still asleep so he decided not to wake him up. 

He stood there, debating if he should wake him up though because he really did want to be with him but Peter knew his dad was tired so he went downstairs. 

His mom was sitting on the couch talking to his grandpa so Peter walked over to them and crawled next to his mom, making himself comfortable beside her. 

“Good morning, baby. Did you sleep well?” Pepper asked, wrapping her arm around him. 

Peter nodded, not in the mood for talking just yet. 

“Is your dad awake yet?” Peter shook his head. “I’m surprised you slept in so long. Everyone is outside in the backyard swimming in the pool.” 

Peter sat up a bit. He wanted to join his siblings. “I go.” 

“How about you wake up a bit first. Then you can go. Do you want milk?” 

“Yeah.” Peter would never say no to that offer. He turned on the couch and watched his mom get up to go into the kitchen, disappearing behind the wall. Peter turned back to his grandpa and looked at him. He had a cup of coffee and Peter smiled. “My daddy drinks coffee too. All the time. Too much.” 

Mike chuckled. “Yep. Your dad’s always loved his coffee. Almost as much as you love your bottles.” 

Peter shyly smiled and turned to kneel on the couch again, looking over it and eagerly waiting for his milk. “Yeah. I like it.” 

“How about you let your mom change your diaper first before you drink anymore liquid. It looks a bit saggy there, Peter.” Mike pointed out, taking another sip of his coffee. 

Peter looked down and tugged on the front then sat down on the couch, turning to face his grandpa. “Moms getting me milk. Can you?” 

“Oh. My diaper changing days are over. Your mom will when she gets back.” Mike refused, drinking the rest of his coffee and putting his feet up on the table. 

“Oh. I wait then.” 

When Pepper walked back, Peter made grabby hands for his bottle of milk and happily started drinking it, his stomach feeling happy and full. 

“Did you fart?” 

Peter shook his head and Pepper looked at her dad. “Don’t look at me. He’s the one in a diaper.” Peter looked between them and then his mom was tugging the back and immediately letting go. 

“Peter. There’s poop. Did you go? Instead of the toilet?” 

Peter just looked at her so Pepper sighed and grabbed a diaper from the box along with wipes and cream. “When did you do this?” 

“Um… I don’t remember.” 

“Alright.” Pepper sighed again. “Lie down on the couch.” 

Peter did as he was told, continuing to drink his milk. He heard someone walking towards them and grinned when he saw who it was. “Daddy. Hi. Look. Milk.” 

Pepper handed Tony a diaper. “Perfect timing. I was just about to change him. He went poop. Have fun.” 

With that, Pepper left and so did Mike so Tony was left alone with Peter, looking down at him. “You what?” 

“Went poop. Not in the toilet.” Peter looked at his dad, trying to see if he was actually angry with him or not. Tony sat down on the couch so Peter pulled his knees to his chest, still looking at him. “Angry?” 

“Baby. I’m not angry but you can’t be doing this. Do I have to put you in underwear?” Peter shook his head immediately. “Then you need to show me that you can use the toilet. Why did you do this?” 

Peter squirmed. It was getting uncomfortable and itchy. “Take it off. It’s pain.” 

“Yeah, that’s what happens.” Tony pulled the straps off and pulled the front down, cringing at the redness. “Oh Peter. When did you do this?” 

“Don’t know.” 

“Baby.” Tony grabbed wipes and began wiping him clean but Peter flinched every time. “Stop moving.” 

“Ow. It hurts. Owww!” 

“I’m trying to be gentle. I’m almost done.” 

Tony wiped over a rather raw spot and Peter screamed then rolled onto his stomach, getting off the couch and crawling away. “No more. It hurts! Owww!” 

“It’ll hurt a lot more if I don’t clean you. This is what happens when you don’t use the toilet.” Tony grabbed a new wipe and stood up, grabbing Peter’s arm. “Almost done.” He laid Peter back down and grabbed the bottle, giving it to him as he finished up. 

“Mmmmmmm!” 

“Okay. Okay. All done.” Tony leaned down to kiss his face. “All better?” 

“Mmmm!” 

“What?” 

“You hurt me.” 

“You can’t be going poop in your diaper. It’s for accidents only. I think I’m gonna put underwear on you.” Tony said, not realizing that by saying that as a punishment, he was making Peter fearful of going back into underwear. 

“No! Noooo! Never.” Peter arched his hips. “Daddy. Put cream.” 

Alice walked in and peeked over the couch. “That looks painful. How do you let it get so bad, Tony?” 

Tony snapped his head at her. “Excuse me? There are multiple adults in this house who can help out with the changes. Including you.” 

Peter shook his head. “No. Just you.” 

“I have and I would if you’d let me. Peter hogger.” 

Tony rolled his eyes, taking a picture of the rashes to compare it to the next change to see if it got better. “Alright. Call me whatever but I am his best friend, right, Pete?” 

Peter nodded, face still looking confused and in pain. 

So Tony dipped his finger into the cream and applied a generous amount. 

Once he was done, Peter ran outside, probably to get away from him after that awful change. Tony threw out the garbage and washed his hands, made himself a coffee then walked outside to join Pepper on a blanket on the floor. “His rash is so bad. What a nice thing to do first thing in the morning. Thanks for that, by the way.” 

She put her book down. “You’re welcome.” She replied with a smirk. “And I’m not surprised. Yesterday we let him go poop in it and now he thinks he can too. I think we should buy a box of pull-ups and put him in those. That way he can pull them up and down to use the toilet and we can send him every twenty minutes or so.” 

Tony ran his hand through his hair. Maybe Pepper was right. This was getting a bit too out of hand now but he didn’t want to put Peter through anymore stress than he was already experiencing. 

“Okay. Maybe that’s a good idea. I can go today to get some and we start tomorrow. But we should talk to him about it today and let him know what’s happening.” 

Pepper was surprised that Tony was giving in so easily. 

“Good idea. We can talk to him after lunch. And hopefully when we go home, he’s at least a bit better with the accidents so he can go to school.” 

Tony didn’t even give school much thought. How was Peter expected to stay dry at school for seven hours when he could barely stay dry at home for half an hour. They had a lot of work to do. 

“I was thinking,” Pepper added. “do you think we put a pull-up on him and send him to school? I would hate for him to wet himself in front of all his classmates.” 

“I don’t want to send him to school in a pull-up. He’ll stay home until he stops wetting himself during the day. There has to be a reason he’s doing it. We figure it out, the daytime wetting stops.” 

“And the nighttime accidents?” 

Tony didn’t have an answer for that. “Oh. I have no idea. I’m not worried about that.” 

Pepper turned to him, confused. “You aren’t worried about his bed wetting?” 

Tony leaned back in his chair. “No. His pediatrician said he’ll likely grow out of it when he starts puberty. And he hasn’t started puberty yet… so I’m not worried. Plus it’s quite common for kids his age, especially with everything he’s been through.” 

“Yeah.” Pepper agreed, mainly because she was tired and wanted to stop talking about it because it stressed her out and she just wanted to put a plan into action and stick to it but it was hard because something always came up or Tony didn’t agree with her. It was hard. 

Tony looked outside and spotted Peter standing there, watching Aiser swim in the pool. He then turned and walked into the house. “Dad?” 

“Yeah?” 

“Aiser’s swimming in the pool by himself. Can you put him in a timeout?” He walked over to Tony, leaning against the couch and Tony noticed the dirt covering his mouth. 

“Are you eating dirt?” 

“No.” Peter backed up. “I just kissed the ground.” 

Tony didn’t question that. “Tell Aiser to come out of the pool.” 

“Then he needs to sit in timeout.” Peter added. He ran outside and stood on the first step of the pool so Tony walked out and crossed his arms at Peter, silently telling him to get out of the pool. 

Peter immediately jumped out. 

“The first step of the pool is still inside the pool. You know the rules.” Tony simply told him and walked over to the edge. “Aiser, out.” 

“Get out! Bad dog!” 

“No, he’s not a bad dog.” Tony backed away so he didn’t get sprayed when their dog shook off. “He didn’t know. How about you go run with him in the grass to dry off.” 

“Can he go in timeout?” 

“No, buddy, he listened when I told him to come out. Go run with him. Burn off some energy.” Tony gently pushed Peter towards the grass so Peter ran off, trying to outrun Aiser but failing misery at it. 

Smiling to himself, Tony sat down on one of the chairs outside to watch Peter and answer some of the more important emails on his phone. They didn’t have an end date as to when they were going back home so he needed to give some responses to his company. 

As much as Tony loved New York and their house, the extra help with Pepper’s parents was really nice and it took a lot of the other responsibilities such as cooking and cleaning and basic house work away from Tony and Pepper so they could focus on their kids more. Mainly Peter. 

Tony sent an email out and looked up to see Peter standing there staring at him. He waved and then Peter squatted down in the grass, pulling out a handful but Tony thought he was doing something else and stood up to see. 

“Are you pooping?” 

“No.” Peter held up the handful of grass. “Look.” 

“Are you going poop?” Tony walked behind him and tapped his back. “Stand up.” 

“I’m not going poo.” Peter stood up, feeling Tony pull his diaper back to check. 

“Do you need to go?” 

“No.” 

“Okay… tell me if you need to.” Tony honestly thought he was going. He ruffled his hair. “Go run some more. Can you do five laps without stopping?” 

Peter grinned and took off running but he only did two laps before he got distracted and squatted down by a rock, sitting in front of it and digging underneath it to try and find the bottom of it, all while Tony sat close by to watch him, the biggest smile on his face that he didn’t even know was there. 

.

.

.

“I think we’re going for a bike ride after this anyways. That was what we were talking about, wasn’t it?” 

Pepper grabbed her shirt and put it on, putting her hair into a ponytail. “Alright. Will Peter and Morgan go at the back of the trailer?” 

“If they want. Do you want to, bud? Or do you want to ride your bike?” 

“Trailer.” 

“Alright.” 

Tony applied a fair amount of cream and wiped his fingers off then secured the diaper onto him and leaned over him, pressing a kiss onto his stomach. “I love you so much. Are you ready for a bike ride?” 

Peter was feeling better. He was kinda feeling a bit down for the past few hours after witnessing his parents having an argument and didn’t like the tension in the room but now he was happy that his dad was happy. 

“Yes.” He giggled and sat up. 

“Can you put on these shorts?” Tony handed him cargo shorts and then grabbed a long sleeve shirt for him, changing him into it. 

.

.

.

Peter ran outside with Aiser, letting go of his leash when the dog was tugging too hard and almost causing Peter to stumble on his face. 

He ran over to his dad’s side and watched him roll his bike out with the trailer on the back. Peter was so excited. It was his favourite way to ride a bike; just to lay there and do nothing but get to feel the wind on his face. 

He had a bottle of milk in one hand and a blanket to cuddle in the other. 

“Can I get in now, dad?” 

“If you want. We still need to wait for everyone else to join us though.” Tony placed a helmet on Peter’s head, making sure it was on properly then looked down at him. “Where did your pants go that I literally just dressed you in?” 

Peter shrugged. “I took them off.” 

Tony wasn’t surprised and it wasn’t chilly out so it wasn’t like it mattered. “Alright. If that’s what you want. Now you can get in.” 

Excitedly, Peter climbed into the trailer and got comfortable, letting his dad do up the buckles. “Morgan!” Peter yelled, way too excited. “Come out now!” 

That was right in Tony’s ear too. Nice. 

Their whole family was ready to go for their bike ride. Tony had Peter and Morgan safely in the trailer, enjoying the view and the ride. Tony loved to hear their occasional giggles. It was cute. 

They made it to the edge of the hiking trail and made the decision to hike it for twenty minutes. Mainly to wear out the young ones. Tony wouldn’t complain about Peter falling asleep early tonight. And easily at least. 

So he agreed on the short hike. 

Peter stood at the start of the trail, whining. “I can’t go in there.” 

“Why not?” Tony stayed back with him. So did Aiser. Tony wondered why Aiser always felt so attached to Peter. Maybe he sensed the hardships Peter’s gone through. Or maybe Aiser sensed the family’s sadness without him and how much brighter Peter made their lives now that he was here. 

Peter sighed. “Because… you says I can’t hike if I wear a diaper. And I am!” 

Damn. Tony did say that. 

Now he felt awful. 

He kneeled down in front of Peter. Now Peter was the one looking down at him. “I know I said that but daddy was just being silly. Okay? I didn’t mean it. You can do anything you want to do. Although I still want you in underwear, I know you’re not ready yet. And that’s okay.” 

Peter stomped his foot. “So I can still hike?” 

“Of course. Hold my hand though.” He wouldn’t stop Peter from running ahead if that’s what he wanted to do but he wanted him to hold his hand for a bit. 

“Not too far everyone. We have no water or snacks. And the sun will set in about thirty minutes.” Pepper made sure everyone knew they weren’t here to hike. 

Peter was holding his bottle in the hand that wasn’t holding his father’s hands. “I have milk.” 

Peter had the kindest heart out of everyone Tony has met in his life, but he knew Peter would not be sharing that milk. Peter cried if a few drops spilt. 

“You do. Don’t drink it all. We don’t have any more for you here.” He lifted his arm up, helping Peter jump over a log and land on his feet. 

“Mom does.” Peter grinned. 

“Not anymore, buddy.” Tony ruffled his hair and caught up to Pepper and Alice but Peter wanted to run ahead with his grandpa. “Pete, be careful. Watch your step please.” 

Peter bumped into Harley on purpose. “Boo! Did I scare you?” 

“Not at all. But now I have to get you back and scare you tonight.” He teased, picking his little brother up and turning him upside down. 

Tony cringed at Peter potentially being dropped on the dirty ground but he held it in and didn’t say anything. 

Once he was placed on his feet, Peter moved to stand next to his grandpa. “Grandpa, you can climb a tree, right? You said you used to pick apples from the old apple tree.” 

Mike patted his grandson's hair. “I guess I could climb trees when I was your age. Not anymore though.” 

“Why?” 

“Because I’m getting old. I suppose I could try to climb a tree.” 

Peter skipped beside him. “Daddy climbed a tree in Bali.” 

“Oh really?” 

Peter smiled at the memory. His dad had climbed a tree and lifted him onto it. He had that picture framed in his bedroom back at home. “Yes. It was so much fun. He like jumped and lifted himself onto a big big branch and then he lifted me up too.” 

“That sounds very interesting. Do you miss Bali? I saw all the pictures from there.” Granted, most of the pictures were of Peter’s naked butt they were sent, but it still didn’t stop them from framing it in their house. 

“Yes. This much.” He held out his arms to show his grandpa just how much he missed their tropical beach house. What he missed the most was just getting to have his family all together at all times, knowing none of them were going to leave him for work or friends. 

“We should head back. It’s almost dark out.” Pepper really didn’t want to get lost or bump into any bears. 

Peter stopped to turn to her then looked at his dad to see what he wanted. 

“Moms right. Let’s head back. We can have hot chocolate and sit outside to look at the stars.” It was boring but Tony loved the idea. He held his hand out for Peter but he was just standing there. “Come, baby boy.” 

Peter looked down at himself. “I’m peeing.” 

Tony should have known. He looked at Mike who was laughing at Peter’s fact. 

“Alright. Thanks for telling me as you’re going.” 

Peter took his dad’s hand once he was done and he tugged on the front. “Change?” 

“When we get home. I didn’t bring any diapers.” 

Peter nodded. “Can you take it off? It’s uncomfortable now.” 

Tony saw how full it was but he couldn’t do anything about that now. “No, baby. When we get home, I’ll change you.” 

Peter nodded since there was nothing that could be done right now. 

It seemed to be taking longer to walk out of the trail than it was going into it. Peter’s legs were getting tired too and it was hard to drink his milk and walk at the same time so he lifted his arms up for his dad. 

“Daddy. Up. I’m tired.” 

Tony scooped him into his arms, thankful that Peter was light. “Lazy bum.” He held him so both his hands were supporting his bum as supposed to Peter on his hip. He kissed his cheek. “Do you ever need a change.” 

Peter leaned his head against his shoulder, smiling shyly. He placed the silicone nipple in his mouth, sucking on it but not drinking any milk. 

Morgan walked up to him. “Dad. I’m tired too. My legs feel so tired. Why is this hike so long?” She whined, wanting to be carried like Peter was. 

“Pete, can you walk for a bit so I can carry your sister?” 

Peter shook his head immediately. “My daddy.” 

“He’s my dad too!” 

Peter shook his head. “My daddy!” 

Tony rolled his eyes at the ridiculousness of their fight. “I’m both your daddy’s. Now stop.” He shifted Peter onto his hip and scooped Morgan onto his other hip. She wasn’t necessarily heavy either, although she was heavier than Peter, but Peter just fit so perfectly in his arms. 

He wasn’t even holding them both for two minutes since they came to the end of the trail so Tony placed Morgan on her feet. “Thanks for the ride.” She skipped over to her bike. 

“If only you could carry Harley too.” Pepper teased. 

“That boy is like 130 pounds. I’m not carrying him and these two.” He laughed. Peter didn’t want to be Harley’s age, he didn’t want his dad to ever stop carrying him so he whined against him. “What, baby?” Tony kissed his temple. “Harley, how much do you weigh?” 

Harley shrugged at the question. “I actually have no idea. Maybe 140.” 

“You are not.” Tony knew he wasn’t. “I’m 190.” 

Pepper looked at Peter and rubbed his back. “You need a change.” He nodded, wanting one. “Tony, Peter needs a change.” 

“I definitely am.” Harley was saying. “Wanna bet?” 

Tony would take that, he knew his son wasn’t 140. He was quite buff but he didn’t have that much muscle. 

Pepper left and grabbed a diaper, cream and wipes from her bag then handed them to her husband. “Change our son.” 

“Where did this come from?” Tony hadn’t expected a random diaper to be handed to him. 

“I brought it. Change him before we leave.” 

Tony placed Peter on the ground, ignoring his whines. He then kneeled down in front of him to see what he was doing. 

“My goal is to get to 150 by the end of next summer.” 

Tony rolled his eyes. “No you won’t. That’s impossible. Set a more accurate goal.” He pulled his phone from his pocket and put his flashlight on. “And aim this here so I can see what I’m doing.” He instructed, pulling the diaper off of him and tossing it on the ground for now. “You need to bulk up then. That’s what I did at your age.” 

Peter chewed on the silicone nipple, looking at his brother. He was a lot bigger than him, but he still wasn’t as big as their dad. Peter looked at Harley’s arms then at his dad’s then at his. He didn’t want to get that big. 

“What were you at my age?” 

Tony had to think about that while he wiped Peter down. “Oh man, I can’t remember. I was a scrawny kid.” He gestured to Peter. “This is where this one gets it from.” He poked his belly. God, he couldn’t imagine Peter bulking up. He didn’t want his baby to get bigger. 

“Yeah, Pete will turn twenty five and just be a huge muscular man.” 

Tony laughed. “Please no.” He dipped his finger into the cream next, applying it at the awkward angle. “You’re gonna stay my baby forever, right?” 

Peter nodded, not wanting to remove his bottle from his mouth. 

“Okay. Just get him on video saying that for when he’s going through puberty.” Harley laughed, knowing how distant he was during puberty. Or maybe it was because his brother was gone… 

Tony didn’t even want to think about that. 

He finished up and grabbed the diaper, sliding it between his legs and securing it onto him. There was no garbage so he’d have to bring the dirty one back with them. Not the first time. 

“You boys ready?” Alice asked. They had been waiting by the bikes for the diaper change to be over. “You got a clean bum, honey?” 

Peter nodded. He felt better. 

“Someone doesn’t want to take his bottle out of his mouth.” Tony ruffled his boy's curls then patted his butt to get him to climb into the trailer. “You need more milk.” Tony observed. Peter had about less than half left and then he would be wanting more. Thankfully they’d be home by then. 

Peter nodded, agreeing. 

He got Peter buckled in and they rode their bikes home. Tony had Aiser riding with him, loving the way Aiser was running in the wind, his tongue flapping out of his mouth. 

They turned the corner to ride up the driveway and Aiser started acting weird. He slowed down and made a whining sound so Tony thought he was hurt. 

He pulled his bike up to the front of the garage and looked down at their dog. “Hey, Aiser. You okay?” 

“Daddy. Out.” 

Tony reached in and unbuckled Peter, letting him climb out. 

“I’m craving hot chocolate.” Morgan skipped over to Tony, jumping up and down excitedly. 

“We better have whipped cream.” Harley spun his sister around when she grabbed his hand. “And marshmallows. Am I right?” 

Peter just wanted milk. He ran towards the front door. “I want milk.” 

Aiser was barking and acting so weird. Tony checked his paws, thinking he stepped on something sharp but he didn’t find anything. “Aiser. What’s up?” He asked, it was like he was trying to tell them something. 

Peter opened up the front door, wanting to get his milk. 

“What’s up with him?” Pepper walked over to see what was wrong with their dog. She kneeled down to look at him. 

“I don’t know.” Tony couldn’t figure it out. Maybe a stomach ache. He was barking and tugging on the leash, something he hasn’t really done before, so he took off his leash and watched Aiser book it towards the house where Peter was. 

Then it hit Tony as he turned and watched Peter run inside the house, followed by a barking Aiser. Aiser doesn’t act like this unless there is danger around, the last time was when Bucky was at the park, trying to kidnap Peter again. 

“Peter! No!” Tony ran towards the house and heard a gun shot go off. “NOOOO!” He screamed, running inside after his son and towards the gun shot. 

Peter wanted milk. He wasn’t waiting for anyone and the door was unlocked so he opened it and ran inside, heading straight for the kitchen. 

Only he stopped in his path, frozen once he saw four men standing there, duffle bags in hand and looking at him. 

They all stared at each other for a few moments. 

Peter was frozen. The men were all looking at him and were wearing all black, had gloves on and were dressed in masks, covering their entire face. 

“Fuck. Fuck.” 

Peter took a step back and one of them raised their gun at him but Aiser ran in, barking and running towards them. Peter couldn’t move. 

The man shot towards Aiser and Peter shut his eyes, not able to do anything but stand there. 

When Tony ran inside the house, he saw two men in black running out the back door that was wide open. He then saw Peter standing there, not moving. 

“Peter.” He was terrified of Peter turning around and seeing a patch of blood spreading across his stomach. “Peter?” Tony held his breath and walked towards him, placing a hand on his shoulder and then Peter screamed, absolutely freaking out. 

“NOOOO! GET AWAY FROM MEEE! NOOO! Please.” He pushed Tony away and fell onto his knees, curling into a fetal position. 

Tony dropped to his knees next to him. “Baby. It’s daddy. Are you okay?” Tony tried to force him to uncurl from himself so he could check him over. 

He didn’t see any blood or anything so he was sure he was fine. Physically. 

Peter began sobbing. They were here to take him again. They were going to take him away from his family again. They knew where he was now. 

Tony picked Peter up just as Pepper and Mike ran in, expecting to find the worst. “What happened?!” Pepper pushed past her father. “Tony?! Is Peter okay?!” 

Tony stood up, holding a crying, shaking and terrified Peter in his arms. “He’s okay. He’s okay, Pepper.” He wasn’t shot.

Pepper let out a huge sigh of relief. 

Harley ran in next, clearly not listening to his mom when she told him to wait outside. “I called the police. Is Peter okay?” He had to see for himself. 

Tony was shaking so badly. 

He really did expect the worst when Peter ran inside that house and he heard the gunshot go off. Fuck. If Peter had been shot… 

If Peter had died… 

Tony didn’t want to live a life without Peter. 

He squeezed him a bit harder. 

“You’re okay. You’re okay.” He said to him, not knowing if he was saying it more for himself or Peter’s sake. Maybe both. “It’s okay. It’s okay.” 

Tony walked outside, wanting to get out of the house just in case there were more people in there. He walked over to Alice and Morgan. “He’s okay.” He said so they weren’t scared. Morgan had her sad eyes looking up at him and Tony hated how she was so young and experienced way too much trauma. 

Fuck. Peter was so young and has been through so much fucking trauma in his short little life. Now this. 

Tony turned Peter around so he was holding him more comfortably in his arms. “Shh shh. You’re okay. I’m here. Daddy’s here.” 

Peter was whimpering sadly in his arms, petrified that he was going to be taken again. 

He clung onto his dad tighter. “Don’t let him take me. Don’t let him take me.” 

“Baby.” Tony rocked him side to side, looking over his shoulder just in case someone was coming for them. Tony was petrified too. “You’re safe. I’ll keep you safe. I promise no one will get to you.” 

Peter either didn’t hear him or didn’t care to listen to his words. 

Tony turned to the sound of police sirens making their way towards them and it was Aiser who ran up to them first, sniffing their German shepherds that they pulled out of the car. 

Tony handed Peter off to Pepper, well, tried to. “Noooo! Don’t go!” 

“Can I have everyone stand over here with me while we search the house. Is everyone here?” Two police officers came up to them, scanning everyone over. 

“Daddy! Stay here! They’ll take me.” He clung onto Tony so tightly that Tony had to remove Peter’s tight arms from choking him. 

“I’ll stay. No ones going to take you. I promise you.” 

Pepper was at their side, rubbing their little boys back. 

“Everyone is here. We just came back from a hike. We weren’t even gone an hour and we come back to two men in our house.” Pepper explained, shaken up and holding Morgan in her arms. 

Peter turned to the police officer. “Four. There are four. And they’re coming to get me!” 

Tony hushed him. “No one is, baby. They weren’t here for you. They were here to rob the house.” Tony thinks so at least. Hopes so. Because if not, then they were here for Peter. But they weren’t. Because they saw him there, they could have easily grabbed him and ran. 

“I need to get a statement from your son.” 

Tony looked at the police officer and back at the house. 

He didn’t want Peter to have to do this and just wanted it to be over. 

Why couldn’t they catch a fucking break? 

It seemed like danger followed them everywhere they went. 

He bounced Peter in his arms a bit. “Peter. Can you answer the police officers' questions?” Peter shook his head so Tony sat down on the bumper of the truck and turned Peter on his lap. “You’re okay.” He nodded at the officer to start. He wanted this to be over with. 

The officer kneeled down in front of them and Tony appreciated that so Peter wouldn’t feel so intimidated. “Can you tell me what happened, Peter?” 

Peter stuck his thumb in his mouth so Tony pulled it out. “I-I walked in… and saw people inside and I got scared. Then they shoot a gun.” 

“Did they try to shoot it at you? Do you know?” 

Peter shrugged. “Maybe… maybe Aiser.” 

“Aiser’s our dog.” Tony clarified. 

“And did you get a good look at their faces?” 

Peter shook his head. 

“Were they young? Old?” 

Peter shrugged and turned to whisper in Tony’s ear. “He says he doesn’t know. He says they were big.” 

The police officer wrote a few words down and stood up, holding his hand out for Tony to shake. Tony thanked him and stood up, hoisting Peter onto his hip. There was one police car left and the house had already been cleared, inside and out. 

“Can you take him inside? I’m going to go talk to them.” Tony placed Peter on his feet, ignoring the protests from him at the action. 

“Come with me, baby. Daddy will come after.” Pepper took her son inside, bringing him into the living room where the rest of their family was. 

She sat down, dragging Peter onto her lap and wrapping her arms around him, rocking him back and forth and hushing his quiet cries. “You’re okay. You’re safe. Daddy will be back soon.” 

Peter had his thumb in his mouth and was sucking on it steadily but he was too emotional to take it out and ask for any other comfort item that he felt he so desperately needed right now. 

He whimpered again and pointed a hand over his shoulder into the kitchen but his mom didn’t see so he tugged on the front of her shirt, putting his hand down it. “Mmm.” 

“Shh, you’re okay. Harley, can you please get him a bottle of milk.” Pepper couldn’t get up with Peter and she was too shaken up to leave. 

People just broke into their house. Her son was almost shot. Her son was literally almost shot. Peter went through way too much trauma in his short little life. He needed a break. Trauma was becoming way too normal for their family. 

Harley returned with a bottle as Tony returned from outside and immediately took Peter from Pepper’s arms, rocking him side to side. “Are you okay?” 

Peter whined, wanting his mom again. 

“What’s wrong?” Tony sat down, watching Peter’s hand fumble into Pepper’s shirt so Tony pulled it out, pushing the bottle past his lips when he began protesting that. “Shh shh. You’re okay, baby. That was scary, I know, but you’re safe and it’s over now.” 

Pepper rubbed Peter’s boney back. “Tony. What did they say?” 

“A patrol car will stay outside the house tonight. They’ll let us know if they find the men. It was likely a randomized robbery gone wrong. Someone will come by tomorrow morning to patch the hole in the wall, fix the doors and upgrade the alarm system.” Tony felt better knowing all that but it was still incredibly terrifying. 

This just happened. 

Peter was almost taken from him, not by Steve, not from a ridiculous accident but from someone breaking into their house. If they couldn’t be safe at home, where could they be safe? 

Tony knew their home back in New York had amazing security and this wouldn’t have happened but he needed this house to be safe too if they were going to be staying here with Peter. 

He pressed a kiss to his head. He just wanted to give Peter a bath to relax (and for himself) then to fall asleep watching a calming cartoon and a bottle of milk for Peter. 

“I’m gonna take him upstairs.” Tony said to everyone but was looking at Pepper. “We’re safe. The doors are locked. The police searched the house. We’re safe.” 

Everyone was all on edge. So was Tony but his kids were looking to him to remain calm so he had to do that even though he was freaking out on the inside. 

He carried Peter upstairs and into their bedroom with Peter clinging onto him desperately and even flinching when Tony shut the bathroom door. “Hey hey. You’re okay. We’re safe.” 

Peter shook his head into his neck. “Not always.” 

“What do you mean, baby?” Asked Tony, sitting down on the closed toilet seat and standing Peter between his legs. “Huh?” 

“Cause… bad people are trying to take me away… from you. And everyone else too.” Peter explained quietly while looking at Tony’s leg, not wanting to look him in the eyes. 

“No, Peter. I promise you that no one will ever take you away from me again. Steve is… gone. And Bucky-” 

“He’s in the forest too?” 

Tony caressed his cheek. “No, Peter. Steve died. He’s in heaven.” Tony wanted to say hell but it was easier to explain it to Peter this way. “Bucky is in prison in a different country.” 

Peter seemed to be deep in thought. He slowly brought his chocolate brown eyes up to look at Tony. “When I die… will I see Steve in heaven?” 

Tony hated this conversation so much. He didn’t want to talk about Peter dying. Not now, not ever. But Peter was asking him so he had to shut down his fears and give him an answer. “Can I ask you something?” 

“Yeah.” 

“Do you want to see him in heaven?” 

Peter looked down for a moment then shook his head, looking back at Tony. “No. I don’t like him. I want him to be dead. He-he took me from you.” 

Tony was relieved to hear that. He knew that right now Peter hated Steve but as he got older and understood what happened to him, what was done to him, that feeling he felt towards his kidnapper may change and that’s okay. Tony pulled him onto his lap. 

“One day, in the far far far far farrrr far far-” 

“Dad.” Peter giggled. 

“Far far far far far far farrrr future,” Tony kissed him. “we will all die. That’s how life works. Trees die, plants die, the most beautiful flowers die, animals die and humans die, but when we die, we become a family again, just somewhere else, somewhere different. So we’ll always be together and always be a family because our love for each other is so sooo strong.” 

Peter listened to every word he said. He leaned his head against his dad’s chest and listened for his heartbeat. “Can I have soother?” 

Tony couldn’t say no to him tonight. He stood up, taking Peter’s hand in his. “Yeah. Come here.” He grabbed one from the nightstand drawer and put it in his mouth, looking down at him and feeling his heart swell. He loved this boy so much. 

Pepper opened the bathroom door a few minutes into Peter’s bath. She walked in and shut the door behind her, sitting on the bathtub ledge like Tony was. “How’s the bath, honey?” 

She didn’t comment on the soother in the boys mouth or the fact that there weren’t any bath toys or water on the floor, only Tony’s hand in the tub, holding a plastic cup of water. 

“S’good.” 

Pepper forced a smile at Tony. He knew she was still shaken up, hell, so was he. “We’re good. How’s Morgan and Harley?” 

“Good. Harley is playing video games with my dad. Morgan was asking to come see Peter but I told her after he’s done with the bath.” 

Tony nodded. “She’ll probably want to sleep with us tonight-” 

There was a tiny knock on the door and Tony already knew who that was. “Come in.” 

Morgan slowly pushed open the door and walked in with Alice behind her who shut the door to keep the warmth in. “Hi. How’s the bath, Peter?” 

Peter nodded, playing with the plastic cup. 

“Hi Petey. We just came to check on you. Do you want me to bring you a diaper for after your bath?” 

Peter nodded so Morgan went to grab one before Tony could stop her. He just decided to let her go. 

“Here, daddy. Can I help you get him ready for bed after?” 

Tony pulled Morgan onto his lap, kissing her cheek. “Thank you for offering but I can do that. Would you want to help me prepare him a bottle later?” 

Morgan nodded and stood up. “I’m gonna go choose what bottle he needs.” She ran off so Tony looked at Alice who was going with her. 

“Make sure it’s a Nuk. Otherwise he gets gassy.” 

Pepper leaned against Tony’s muscular arm. “Thank you.” 

“For what?” 

“For keeping our family safe always. I love you.” She turned to look at him and he pressed a kiss against her lips. 

“It’s my job. I love you guys more than anything.” 

Peter sat up on his knees. “Me too?” 

“Of course you too, buddy. How could I not?” Tony kissed his cheek. “Are you ready to get out and cuddle me?” 

Peter nodded so Tony pulled the plug and grabbed a fluffy towel, standing up and holding it out for Peter to lift him into. “You smell so yummy.” He took a big sniff of his hair and although Tony didn’t wash it or even get it wet, he still smelt like a baby. 

He carried him into the bedroom and laid Peter on the bed, leaning over him and pressing a ton of kisses all over his face. “Are you ready for the tickle monster?” 

“Yeah.” 

“Huh?” 

“Yeah!” 

Tony opened up his towel and blew a raspberry onto his stomach, falling completely in love with Peter’s childish giggles escaping his mouth. He did it one more time and then wrapped him back up tightly in the towel, basically swaddling him up. 

“Do it ‘gain!” 

“The tickle monster is off for the night. He’s tired.” Tony kissed his forehead and turned to open the new box of diapers, pulling one out. “Do you feel like watching some tv before bed?” 

Peter watched him and tried to get his hand out of the towel so he could suck on his thumb but it was stuck at his side and he whined. “Uh daddy.” 

“Do you not want the pacifier anymore?” 

“It fell.” Peter rolled onto his stomach but his hands were still stuck so he started crying. 

“Okay. Here.” Tony unwrapped him from the towel before he could start freaking out. “Lie down quickly and I’ll put a diaper on you then you can cuddle on the bed with me.” 

They both looked at the door when Pepper walked in and when Peter saw the bottle, he reached desperately for it. “It’s like we haven’t fed you in a month.” She teased, handing him the bottle. 

Tony finished with what he was doing and went into the bathroom to wash his hands and go pee but when he walked out, the whole family was in the bedroom and Peter was sitting on Alice’s lap, getting his arm tickled by her. 

“It’s like a party in here.” Tony went to sit on the bed but Aiser jumped on, taking his spot. “Okay then.” 

“We’re just here to say goodnight.” Mike ruffled his grandsons curls. “Let’s go, Alice. Let him sleep.” 

“Oh my baby. I want to squeeze you but I don’t want to break you.” 

Tony felt that. He held his arms out for Peter who immediately accepted and cuddled against Tony. “Say goodnight, Pete. Say I’ll see you tomorrow morning, grandma.” Peter hid his head in Tony’s neck, apparently feeling shy. 

Tony just bounced him in his arms. 

“Are you two sleeping in here with us?” Tony turned to ask his two kids. He knew Harley wouldn’t but maybe Morgan would want to. 

“I’m not. I actually want to sleep tonight.” Harley jumped off the bed, making Peter flinch and turn to see who it was. “See you tomorrow, lil bro.” He ruffled his hair and left. 

“I’m not sleeping here either. Just Petey needs to.” Morgan stood up on the bed, standing on the edge so she was right in front of Tony and Tony couldn’t help but scoop her into his arms, holding both his kids there. 

He knew it wasn’t going to be much longer that he could hold both his kids in his arms so he was going to enjoy every moment of it. 

He stopped holding Harley in his arms like this once he turned ten, maybe it would have been longer but… circumstances changed that. And Morgan just never liked to be held. 

Peter lifted his head up to see his dad also holding Morgan so he whined and tried to push her away. “Mmm. Mhmm.” 

“Yeah, I can hold her too, baby.” 

“No. Don’t.” Peter dropped his bottle and started crying. Tony knew it wasn’t because he was holding Morgan but because he was tired, scared and cranky. 

Sitting down on the bed, Morgan wiggled out of his arms to pick up the bottle for Peter and tried to push it past his lips but he kept turning his head away. 

“Here, I’ll take it, Morgan. He doesn’t want it right now but thank you. You’re so amazing.” Tony caressed her face and then moved Peter into a different position in his arms but he just cried harder. 

“I’ll take him, Tony.” Pepper made sure she was comfortable on the bed then held her arms out for him. Tony honestly expected Peter to refuse but he willingly went into his mom's arms and started to calm down. Huh. Maybe he was upset because Tony was holding Morgan. 

“Dad. Can you tuck me in?” 

“Sure, let’s go, Morg.” Tony followed her into her room down the hallway and stepped on a toy that started singing. “Morgan. This room is a disaster. It looks like a tornado hit it.” 

“It’s called tornado Peter.” 

Tony chuckled. “You two need to clean this up tomorrow. It’s too messy.” 

“Okay, dad.” Morgan, the angel she was, laid down in bed and pulled the blankets up to her chin. “Is Petey okay? It’s just…” She sighed. “he’s always crying at bedtime. Why’s he so sad?” 

Tony laid down in her bed, not wanting to rush this conversation no matter how badly he wanted to get back to his baby. “He’s not sad. Peter just has a really difficult time explaining how he feels and he gets overwhelmed and starts crying. He has really strong emotions and that’s okay.” That wasn’t all Steve, Peter had always been a really emotional child. 

Morgan turned to face her dad. “Oh. But he knows how to talk. He isn’t a baby anymore. Even though he acts like one.” 

“He just acts a bit younger sometimes. Nothing is wrong with that. But just because he knows how to talk doesn’t mean he knows how to communicate that well, Morg. He needs patience.” 

“But I’m a good sister. I help him.” 

“Yes, you do. I’m so proud of you.” 

She smiled at him. “Okay. I’m going to go to bed now. Love you.” 

“I love you too. Sleep well, Morg.” Tony kissed her head and got out of her bed and stood up to go back to his room. He walked in, expecting Peter to be crying but he wasn’t. 

Although he wasn’t sleeping. 

He was sitting up in bed, facing Pepper who looked frustrated with him. “Daddy’s here now. Go to him.” 

Peter looked at him then shook his head, tugging on Pepper’s shirt again. “No. I wanna stay with you.” 

“Then you need to lie down and stop trying to pull my shirt down, baby. Just lie down.” 

Tony took off his own shirt and climbed into bed, turning off his side lamp and tugging Peter’s diaper to pull him away from Pepper. 

“Daddy. Don’t.” 

“Leave your mom alone. Come sleep with me.” He stopped pulling him but kept his hand holding onto the diaper. “Come here my baby boy.” 

“Mom. Milk.” Peter tried again. 

“Baby. I’m giving you your bottle.” 

Peter let out a frustrated scream so Tony grabbed him and laid him on his back next to him, pushing the bottle at his lips. “Time to rest. Do you want to watch tv?” 

Peter spit the bottle out. “Check in the closet?” 

“Why?” 

“Cause. Just in case.” 

Tony sighed. “Oh baby. No one is in the house but us. I promise it’s safe.” 

Peter sat up. “Just check.” 

If that would make Peter feel better, Tony would. He got out of bed and opened up the closet, turning on the light and moving the clothes around. “Nothings in here but clothes and a box of diapers.” 

“But under the bed maybe.” 

Tony shut the light off and checked under the bed, finding a pacifier so he grabbed it and handed it to Peter. “Just this.” 

“Maybe… are the doors open downstairs? Maybe-maybe the bad men will get in and take me. Go check.” 

Tony looked at Pepper then left to go check. He felt so bad how Peter was scared to sleep in his own bed. 

After Tony left the bedroom, Peter turned to his mom and grabbed his bottle. “Can you put the stuff in here so I sleep tonight?” 

That concerned Pepper. “What stuff, baby?” 

“The-the white stuff.” Peter didn’t know what it was called but he always saw Steve put it into his bottles. “The pill stuff. Can you put it in here tonight? I want it.” 

Pepper’s heart sped up. “Oh no, baby. That’s not good. You don’t need to be drugged.” 

Peter groaned. “I do. Just for tonight. Okay? Just put some in here and I’ll go to sleep.” 

Tony walked into the room. “Everything is locked and the alarm is on.” Tony took off his track pants to sleep in his underwear. It was hot. 

“Ask your dad what you asked me, Peter?” Pepper told him so she didn’t have to say it. 

“What is it, baby?” 

Peter turned to Tony and showed him his bottle. “Can you put the special milk in here so I sleep?” 

“Special milk? What’s that?” 

Peter groaned. “The milk that makes me sleep. Put the white stuff in here. The-the-the pills.” 

“The pills?” Tony looked at Pepper then back at Peter. “The drugs that put you to sleep?” 

“Yes. Can you put a little inside tonight so I can sleep? Just a little. I just need three.” 

Tony was so scared. He didn’t know that Peter knew he was drugged like this and he also didn’t know that Peter thought it was so normal and okay. That was scary. 

He shook his head. “No, Peter. Those pills are very dangerous. Drugs are bad. Steve drugged you because he didn’t want you awake to see where you were, do you understand that?” 

“No. He just wanted me to sleep.” Peter moved closer to his dad. “He knows I can sleep with it. And when I’m sick too. Please. Just three little ones.” 

“Baby. Peter.” Tony grabbed his hands. “That’s not okay. Drugs and pills like that are never okay. They can kill you if you aren’t careful. They did almost kill you. Do you remember that, Peter? Do you remember when Steve took you two months ago? Do you remember the ambulance ride to the hospital with me?” 

Tony knew he wouldn’t remember. He was overdosing on the drugs Steve put into his tiny body. 

Peter looked away. “No. But that one wasn’t in a bottle. It was in my arm. It wasn’t white stuff.” Peter slid out of bed and walked to the bedroom door. “Come. I’ll show you.” 

Tony stood up to pull him back into bed. “No, Peter. We don’t have any drugs like that here and we never will. You stay away from that stuff. It’s never ever good. Do you understand that?” He kneeled in front of him, practically begging Peter to understand. 

“Yeah, just to sleep though, dad. Come on.” Peter tried to tug him closer so Tony stood up and lifted Peter up, wanting to cry at the thought of his son overdosing when he’s older. 

“No, Peter. You need to understand how dangerous what Steve did to you was. You almost died.” 

Peter shook his head. 

“Peter. Do you trust him or me?” 

“You.” 

“Then I’m telling you that Steve hurt you. He drugged you because he wanted you to pass out and have no idea of where you were.” 

“No. To sleep.” 

“No. Unconscious.” 

Peter pushed his shoulders. “No. You’re lying.” 

“Peter. I’ll never lie to you. Ever. Steve hurt you. He was unfair to you. He drugged your milk. If you need help sleeping, tell mom and I and we’ll help you. Okay? We’ll never drug your bottles.” 

He placed Peter back down on the bed and sat down with him. “But… just tonight. Put a little bit.” 

Tony looked at Pepper. “We should go home and have him talk to Karen.” 

“Why?” 

“Baby, why do you want mom and I to drug you?” 

Peter sat down, tugging on the strap of his diaper so Tony moved his hands. “Cause… I want to sleep.” 

“But I’ll help you sleep.” He handed him his bottle. “Do you want me to fill it up again?” 

Peter nodded and grabbed the pacifier to put it back in his mouth then laid down and turned onto his stomach. “Can I have two?” 

“I’ll get you more if you want more later.” 

Tony left so Pepper got out of bed and walked into the bathroom to go pee and take off her shirt, getting her bra off and putting on a lace tank top and walking back into the bedroom to find Peter still lying on the bed but in her spot. “Move over.” 

“I like that top.” Peter rolled over, letting her lie down then moving close to her again and touching the fabric. “It’s soft.” 

“Do you want pyjamas like this?” 

Peter nodded. “I like to wear this top.” 

“You can wear it tomorrow night. I’m wearing it tonight.” 

Peter groaned. “Can you take it off?” 

“You’re over tired, baby. Try to sleep when daddy comes back. 

Peter sat up in bed and turned to the door. “Dad.” He held his arms out for him when he walked in and Tony thought he wanted the bottle so he handed that to him but Peter shook his head. “No. You.” 

Lifting him into his arms, Tony held him close. “I love you. You’re safe. Let’s get some sleep.”