Peter
As soon as the Stark's left Amber turns to Julia, "You have some balls to turn to Iron Man and insult a mutant in his presence when his team if filled with them."
"Mutant's that the government is making him play nice with, how was I to know he actually cares about those monsters," Julia shrugs.
"I would keep those thoughts to yourself and away from Peter if I were you. I don't think either of the Stark's will take kindly to you insulting their soon to be son," Amber glares at her, "I also don't take kindly to you insulting my kind."
"Yes, you are one of those people aren't you. Tell me do they know what you are?"
"You don't even know the extent of what I am, one person knows outside of myself, the other's never live long enough to know. I told them only what they needed to know about me and Peter, so I suggest you keep those thoughts to yourself from now on or I will make it so you have no thoughts at all, am I understood?" Amber glares.
"Is that a threat?"
"No, it is a god damn promise. I can make you disappear and erase any traces that you ever existed so don't cross me."
"You're bluffing, your agency would question if I suddenly wasn't around," Julia says trying to act sure of herself, but the small weaver didn't go unnoticed by Amber.
Amber just looks at her with an evil glint in her eye, they suddenly flash red and a peak of fangs appear when she grins, "what agency?"
"Th-the agency you work for," Julia says fear now evident in her voice.
"You mean my agency that consists of one employee/employer which just happens to be me?"
"What and who the hell are you?"
"That is the question isn't it?" Amber smiles. "Peter will be up from his nap soon, I am going to make him his mid after-noon bottles. I suggest you go back to work, I am doing the walk through tomorrow at the Tower, Peter will be coming with me, and if all goes well he will be out of here on Friday and with that so will I, so just keep to yourself until then act as nothing is wrong and leave Peter alone. If you make him cry during this happy occasion I will end you on the spot do you understand?"
Julia nods her head and watches as Amber leaves to go to the kitchen. She heads back to her office to get some paper work done, she sits down in her chair and just stares as the paper work.
Amber came into the home three months after Peter arrived, with a letter stating that she was going to be his Caregiver until he is adopted and there for will be staying at the house with him. She made a strong presence since she arrived immediately taking control of Peter and scaring the shit out of everyone after she learned what they had done. She made a complaint to head office and she almost got fired.
There is nothing about who she is where she came from or what her past with Little's are, only that she is a Caregiver for mutants so Julia assumed she was a mutant as well, her powers unknown. '
Whatever soon that freak will be gone and so will Amber and then everything can get back to normal, with normal Little's and normal Caregivers.'
~*~
Amber walks from the kitchen with two bottles and heads up the stairs, she stands outside Peter's door a hand on the door handle. 'Stupid bitch, soon I will be out of the hell hole and Peter will be safe.' Amber sigh's and then smiles, 'Peter being safe and happy is all worth it.'
When Amber created her own business as an independent Caregiver for hire, she never thought SHEILD would came to her and ask her to look out for a mutant Little named Peter Parker, until he could get adopted into a nice home; of course she agrees, protecting Little's is her life mission.
Her best friend was a mutant and a Little and it wasn't until her death at the hands of their abusive foster parent that she truly learned what she could do.
In the memory of her best friend/ sister Amber made a promise to protect mutant Little's and make sure that what happened to them would never happen to another Little if she has the power to stop it.
Amber works closely with Dr. Xavier to locate and protect mutants of all kinds but her focus is on Little's and making sure they get the help and homes they deserve.
SHEILD has her number in case they come across one as well, she got in touch with them thanks to the X-Men. So when SHEILD found Peter a mutant Little who was going to be put into the system they called her.
Peter has been a blessing to Amber, he is kind and smart and just so adorable, so much like her sister. Seeing him so afraid of his own Little makes her heart break, when she saw the Stark's she knew Peter was for them.
Tony has a past that had very little love in it, and yet his heart is filled with so much love to give. It isn't cold or closed off like any other person in Tony's shoes would be, it was very easy for her to read.
Pepper Stark as well, she grew up in a loving home and is smart and able to handle anything that comes at her, so her heart is just as open to give love as she received.
Peter has lost so much in his life and feels so scared and alone and doesn't want to be a Little because he sees it as a burden.
Tony and Pepper can change his mind, give him love and reassurance that they love him for who he is and that they will encourage him to be a Little so he can be safe and secure and happy.
A small whimper pulls Amber out of her thoughts and into the present; Peter is waking up.
Turning the handle into the room she enters and sees him stretching his arms and legs, his paci in his mouth, brown eyes blinking lazy up at the ceiling.
"Morning Bambi, how was your nap?" Amber cooes.
Peter stops his stretching to look up at his Caregiver as she makes her way over to him, giving his paci a lazy suck he reaches for her.
Waking up his mind was always in the Littlest he would let it, it isn't often he feels safe to be this Little, but Amber has always made him feel safe enough to go a little bit smaller then normal.
He watches as she put the bottles on the night table and then lowers the rail and picks up him, her hand under his bum giving it a pat feeling that it is wet.
"Well I see someone is having a time waking up, we will get you changed and then how about a mid-afternoon snack eh?" Amber smiles down at him.
Peter just lays in her arms and allows her to take him to his bathroom where the changing table is. Had this been 6 months ago he would be crying and kicking up a fuss, but he has learned to trust and allow Amber to do what needs to be done.
When Peter first arrived he was scared, he didn't know anyone he just lost his aunt and uncle. Then the scary lady came and asked if he was a Little and they didn't know because he was only 11 and he could only get tested at 12 years old.
They assumed because he was small and shy and that after his first night he wet the bed that he was one so they put him in a diaper and made him feed from a bottle and another Caregiver's breast. Forced a pacifier in his mouth and locked him in a crib, they made him act like a Little.
The scary lady said that he has to start being treated as one to prepare and get used to when he is in his headspace when he gets classified as one. When he broke out and tore of the diaper and threw the pacifier across the room, he hid on the ceiling.
When she saw that she lost it, she yelled and called him names and hit him. She punished and threatened him until he had no choice but to do as he was told. He never let himself fall into a headspace of any kind, he didn't allow himself to show any Little tendencies, because if he did and he fell who knows what they would do to him.
He couldn't over power her even though he could because where could he go? He had no one and no where to go, so it was either be humiliated or homeless and hungry and possibly die alone out in the world. Peter knew he was going to be a Little, all Little's know, the signs are all there; a Little on their own never last long.
Three months after he arrived he was laying down in his crib that had a top and a lock on it to stop him from crawling out, his diaper was wet because if it wasn't after his nap he got punished, as that is what is expected of a Little.
Pacifier just sitting in his mouth he was just staring at the ceiling, when he heard a new voice coming up the stairs along with the mean lady. Curling in on himself he let out a small whimper, he felt afraid anytime the mean lady came into his room.
*Flashback*
"And here is his room," he hears the mean lady say.
"Thank you for the tour, I appreciate it. I think I will go in alone and chat him with," the new voice says.
Peter uncurls his body at the new persons voice, it is soft and gentle, and screams safe.
"I don't know if that is a good idea, he could get fussy if a new person goes in without me introducing you," the mean lady Julia says.
"Mrs. Anderson I appreciate that you are concerned with him, but he is 11 years old soon to be 12 in a couple weeks, I am sure I can handle an 11 year old boy," the kind lady says.
"But if he is in his Little headspace he may get scared."
Peter feels something in the air shift as he listens to the two ladies outside the door.
"What do you mean? He shouldn't be in a Little headspace yet, he is only 11. Little's only go into their headspace after they have been classified and that is usually only a week after their birthday."
"Oh we believe that after a Little is brought in here, regardless of age they should act as they are, gets them used to it and all so when they do fall into their headspace they are nice and relaxed and calm."
"I am sorry, are you telling me that there is an 11 year old boy in there that is being forced to be in a Little space?"
"You sound angry at this, let me remind you that this is my house and I do as is needed to make sure that this house runs smoothly, plus he is a mutant and needs to learn his place other wise he could hurt someone."
"I was wondering why all I felt from this room is fear, I too am a mutant and I can feel other's emotions, I will be lodging a formal complain about how you handle your Little's who are different and I promise you that if you make it out with your job, you should count yourself as lucky now leave me with him before I get more angry and do something I will regret."
The kind ladies voice wasn't kind anymore it was angry, but Peter didn't feel afraid, he felt as he heard the words that she was sticking up for him.
"You have some nerve to come into my house and tell me how to run it, who do you think you are?"
"I am someone who has enough power to do a lot of damage in your life, I thought you were a good person until we came upstairs and I felt his fear when you started talking. I am with an agency that comes to places like this, sees what I am seeing and ends people like you, now leave me while I see what damage you have done."
The kind ladies words were a growl.
Peter hears the mean lady huff and leave by stomping down the stair, he then hears the kind lady whisper, 'ya real mature for someone in charge of other human beings.'
Peter couldn't help but smile at her words, he turns over to face the door when he hears the handle turning, his eyes widen at the figure in the door way.
A young woman stands there, her long hair pulled into a pony tail, she is wearing light blue jeans and a red silk blouse. Her blue eyes take in the room before landing on him, he swears they flash red before turning blue and her angry expression turns soft when they meet his, before turning angry again.
"Oh sweet heart, what have they done to you?" She shuts the door and walks over to his crib and kneels down to look a him through the bars. "Hey sweet pea, don't you worry, I am going to get you out," she looks up and her long thin fingers grasp the lock she curls her hand around it and squeezes.
The metal groans and with a short tug it breaks open and clatters to the ground.
Peter's eyes widen when he sees what she does, she then rips off the top breaking it along the way and gentle puts it to the side.
She looks over the side of the crib at him, "can you stand up on your own?"
Peter nods and stands up, the wetness in the diaper makes a squish noise as he does, her eyes flash red again but she doesn't say anything, she just hold out her arms.
Peter watches her for a moment before lifting his arms up.
She picks up him as if he weighs nothing and set him on his feet and kneels in front of him. Peter just watches her, seeing what she does, she brings up a hand towards his face and he flinches, her hand stops when he does and just stays there.
"Can I touch you Peter?"
That is the first time someone gives him a choice since he got here, slowly after a few seconds he nods. Her hand continues forward as if it wasn't just hanging in mid air and she gently runs her fingers down his cheek and in passing of his jaw she removes the pacifier from his lips.
She unclips it and puts it in the crib, her eyes never leaving his.
"Hello sweet heart, my name is Amber Russell and I am going to be your Caregiver until the day you get adopted," the kind lady now known as Amber says. "May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"
"Yo-you already know my name," Peter whispers.
"I know, but knowing your name is not the same as being given your name. It is polite to introduce yourself to new people," Amber smiles.
"So-sorry I-I-I," Peter feels panicked, will get punish him because he talked back to her?
"It's okay sweet heart, don't be upset, I bet this is the first time since you came here that someone has asked you for your name, or gave you a choice on whether or not to give it. I want you to know you don't have to give me your name, I can call you Bambi instead, and when you feel safe you can give me your name," Amber explains.
Peter doesn't know why but he feels safe with her, he feels a calm presence about her, she is kind and he can't explain it, the last time felt like this was with his aunt and uncle.
"Peter... Parker, my name is Peter Parker," Peter whispers.
"Well Peter Parker it is a pleasure to meet you," Amber puts out her hand.
Peter shakes her hand and gives her a small smile back.
"Now first order of business for us, is to get you changed into someone more comfortable, so I am going to ask you, do you need help getting the diaper off and into some other clothes or are you okay to do that on your own," Amber asks.
Peter just stares at her with wide eyes, he is being given a choice to do it alone and by himself, she isn't forcing him, that brings tears to his eyes.
"Oh sweet Bambi, don't cry, can I hug you?"
Peter nods as he rubs his eyes trying to get rid of the tears, in an instant arms are wrapped around him and he is pulled into a tight hug, a hand in his hair smoothing it down.
"Shhh, Bambi it okay, I am here now, that mean lady wont touch you again, I give you my word. You will not get in trouble, I am here now."
That just makes Peter cry harder, he misses his aunt and uncle, he misses being hugged and touched nicely. It is all too much, he lets out all the tears he was holding back and never once during his melt down does Amber let him go or tell him to stop crying or yells at him or hits him, she just holds him and gently starts rocking back and forth in a soothing motion.
After 10 minutes Peter pulls back, sniffling, "I-I'm so-sorry."
"Peter, sweetie look at me," Amber says and puts her hands on his face and waits for him to look at her.
Once he does he sees her smiling softly.
"Never be sorry for your tears, you are such a brave boy. After everything you are allowed to be sad and cry, and I promise you I will never judge you or let you cry alone."
"O-okay, may I go change now?"
"Of course, go get changed into whatever you are comfortable in, you do not need to put on a diaper."
"No diaper?" Peter asks in disbelief.
"Do you need one Peter?"
"Mrs. Anderson says-"
"Peter, I am not asking what she says, I am asking YOU Peter Parker who is 11 years old, do you need a diaper right now?"
"I-I wet the bed sometimes," Peter whispers.
"Is it bed time Peter?"
"Well no."
"Then Peter do you need a diaper?"
"No."
"There you go, good boy, then you don't need a diaper right now, it is the afternoon and nap time is over so go get changed and I will be right here when you are done. If you need help you let me know."
Peter can't believe it, the kind lady, is not making him wear a diaper during the day. He can pick his own clothes, he wants to pinch himself because he feels he might still be dreaming, but when he does it hurts and she is still out there; he hears her moving around the room, her scent is soothing, like nature.
Taking off the wet diaper he throws it out and quickly uses the bathroom before changing into loose pants and a sweater and socks, he wishes he had underwear to put on but the mean lady took them all and only left diapers in his room because that is what he is expected to wear.
Peter comes out of the bathroom and sees Amber sitting in the corner of the room, her back against the wall, she is on her phone. Once he steps out she looks up and smiles at him, she puts her phone away and stands up.
"You comfortable?" Amber asks.
Peter just nods his head.
"Perfect come on, let's go outside," Amber says and heads to the door.
Peter freezes at this, he hasn't been outside in a while and when he was allowed he was forced to be in stroller. Amber has her hand out to him and he knows she feels the fear from him.
"I promise you that whatever you are thinking it isn't going to happen. If you take my hand I promise I will protect you from whatever it is you are scared of, I think you deserve fresh air, and we have a lot to talk about."
Peter hesitates but slowly grabs her hand, the door to his room opens and Amber waits for him to start walking, she is calm and encouraging but doesn't rush him.
Slowly Peter walks forward and when he gets through the threshold of the door he freezes as if waiting to be yelled at; when nothing happens he looks up at Amber who is smiling,
"You are such a brave boy, I am so proud of you."
Peter smiles at this and follows her down the stairs and towards the back yard, unfortunately they have to go through the kitchen to get to the back door and the mean lady is in there. Peter slows down when he sees her and moves so he is standing behind Amber.
The mean lady looks over and sees them and glares at him before he is pulled further behind Amber, he looks up and sees that she is glaring at the mean lady. "What?" Amber asks.
"Where do you think you are taking him?" Julia asks.
"Outside, we have a lot to talk about, also his room will not be available for the next few hours. I have people coming, do not stop them and do not talk to them, they are under my orders and that of the state and if you interfere you will be in more trouble then you already are also all of Peter's stuff that is by law his that is stored here somewhere bring it out and put it in his room, so anything else?"
The mean lady went to speak when Amber spoke again, "Sorry that was rhetorical. Come on Peter," Amber says and leads him outside.
Peter couldn't believe what he just saw, his new Caregiver stood up to the mean lady, yes he heard her before but seeing it was different then just hearing it.
"You stood up to the mean lady," Peter whispers.
Amber leads him over to two swings and sits down in one of them and motions for Peter to sit in the other, "yes I did and I will do it again, so don't be afraid of her, if she does or says anything to you that is hurtful or upsets you, you tell me okay?"
"Okay."
"Now Peter since we are alone and outside let's get to know each other okay?"
"Okay Mrs. Russell."
"So I would like it if you called Amber," Amber smiles.
Peter smiles, "okay Mrs. Amber."
"Smarty pants," Amber smiles.
Peter lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding, that was a little test to see how she would react if he joked around with her and it seems she is okay with it.
Amber's smile soon disappears, "Peter I read your file I know what happened to your parents and your aunt May and uncle Ben. I am sorry for your loss," she says sincerely. "I know how painful it is to lose those you love and I promise you I don't want you to think you have to forget them or never talk about them or not be sad or miss them. If you are having a sad day because you miss them you tell me, if you want to talk about them you tell me, okay?"
Peter looks down when Amber starts talking about knowing his past, when she stops talking he nods. The mean lady never wanted him to talk about it, and if he cried she would blame it on being tired or hungry and force him to breast feed or nap or shove a pacifier in his mouth and placed in his crib.
"Okay, now, I am going to be your Caregiver from today onwards until the day you officially get adopted. You are going to be classified a week after your 12th birthday."
"I am going to be a Little," Peter says tears falling down his face, "I don't want to be a Little!"
Amber jumps off the swing kneels in front of him, "Hey Pete, sweet heart look at me, it is okay."
"No it isn't I don't want to wear a diaper or bottles or or or the other way of feeding, it is humiliating."
Peter started to cry, he started to cry so hard he was having trouble breathing, he is suddenly pulled into a hug. He wraps his arms around Amber and cries into her neck.
"Peter, you need to breath okay? Listen to my heartbeat, feel me breathing and copy me okay?"
Peter tries to focus on her heartbeat but it is hard because he head is getting fuzzy, he feels the pressure of her hand on his back and he can feel the rise and fall of her breathing.
After a few minutes of focusing on her breathing he hears her heartbeat, it is calm and steady, a humming noise reaches his ears and a scent hits his nose, it makes him calm, soon his body relaxes and his crying subsides.
"There you go my brave boy, it is okay, I am here now." Amber picks him up and they go over to the tree that is there, Amber sits down and moves so he is facing her. "I will be there the whole time, and yes I know you will be a Little, most Littles know what they are before they turn 12 because of the signs that show early on. There is nothing wrong with that and there is nothing wrong with you. Did your parents or your aunt or uncle know?"
Peter nods his head, "Aunt May and Uncle Ben knew I was going to be a Little when the time came, because I can't eat normal food."
"And what did they tell you when they said they knew?"
"They said that they love me and would find me the best Caregiver in the world because I deserved it, because I am special."
"You are special, Peter. So you see they didn't say anything was wrong with you, they didn't say that it was bad. They love you and they were excited that you were a Little, because that meant that you would always be taken care of and loved through out your whole life and that I know made them happy."
"You think so?"
"I know so," Amber smiles.
"I am still scared," Peter confesses.
"I know and that mean lady didn't help anything at all, but I promise I will help you. We will take things slow, relearn everything and relearn to get comfortable, we will do everything in your own time just as it should have been from the beginning, okay?"
Peter nods, "thank you."
"Okay now that we are now Team Little Peter, let's talk about Team Big Peter."
Peter looks at her confused, "What do you mean?"
"Well Team Little Peter is where we will sit down and talk about what Little Peter will need and is comfortable with, Team Big Peter is where we talk about Big Peters needs and what you are comfortable with. Every temporary Caregiver has to talk about both so we learn boundaries with each other, I don't want to do anything you are not comfortable with but sometimes I will have to push you out of your comfort zone for your own health and benefit okay?" Peter nods. "Okay, now Peter, I know you are enhanced, tell me about that?"
Peter freezes at the mention of his powers, "I-I what?"
"It is okay, do you want to know a secret?"
Peter stops his panicking thoughts at her question, "What is it?"
"I am a mutant too," Amber smiles. "I am sure you saw me break the lock with my hands, but I can also see into peoples hearts and I can read auras and project mine onto others to help. I am sure you noticed that when you get upset my scent changes and you start to feel calm when you feel me."
"I just thought it was because I felt safe with you, and the lock maybe it was old."
"That is okay Peter, and it is because you feel safe with me, I can only help calm people who are open to wanting the help. I was born with my abilities, were you born with them?"
"No I got mine by accident,' Peter then explains how he got his powers and what his powers are. By the end Peter was laughing when he finished telling Amber about how he scared his aunt and uncle by being upside down on the ceiling because he liked it up there, Amber was laughing too.
"So you like to pull pranks huh?" Amber laughs.
"I wish I knew they were going to catch me because I would have video taped it, it was so funny."
"I bet," Amber smiles. "I would have loved to see that video."
"You look like her," Peter says.
"Like who sweet pea?"
"My Aunt May, a younger version and longer hair but I see similarities."
"Does that bother you? I can do something different if it upsets you."
"No, it feels kind of nice, but I know you are not her."
"That's good, so tell me what else do you like? Tell me what Peter Parker likes to do."
"I like chemistry, and physicals and engineering. I like building things, I like legos and the color blue and red, Iron Man is my favorite superhero." Peter goes on to talk about himself, Amber smiling and nodding alone with him.
Soon Peter pauses when his stomach growls, "I am so sorry Peter, I should have gotten you food once you woke up, and when you told me you need to eat more then normal that should have rung a bell in my brain."
"It is okay, I am used to going without," Peter says.
"Not anymore you are not, I will make sure to work out a feeding schedule so you don't go hungry okay, but you need to help me and tell me when you are hungry."
"I am usually fed three times a day, but I am hungry more then that and they usually don't feed me enough."
"Okay we will fix that right now. Now we are going to go inside and get your milk ready, I am going to put it in a cup for today and grab some mashed up food to help until we get your room done okay?"
"What is going on in my room?"
"It is a surprise," Amber smiles. "Now by the time we are done eating it should be done."
Peter follows Amber inside and she prepares a cup of formula milk for him and mashed up apples for him to eat. They make small talk while he eats and when he is done he asks him if he is full or wants more. Shyly he asks for more and she smiles and gets him more; once he is full her phone makes a noise and she looks at it.
"Perfect your new room is done, let's go," Amber smiles and takes Peter's hand to walk with him upstairs.
Peter doesn't know what to expect when he opens the door to his room, this woman who just came into his life hours before is like a tornado to him, she turned everything around. Where he was scared and humiliated and traumatized, she made him feel brave and safe and cared for.
The room that felt like his prison, it was now nothing like how it was.
Before there was a small box of toys and play mat and a crib, was now plush carpet play mat, a toy box with stuff animals. A crib was in front of the window in the middle of the room, but it was different, the mattress was lower and the side that he was looking at was open, it was a crib that has a sliding side door, no top, fully opened.
On the left was a desk with shelves, a small I pad with keyboard was on top alone with science books, pens paper, coloring books and crayons. on the right side where the door opens was a bed, and actually big boy bed. He did notice it has side rails but they are tucked under the bed, beside the bed is a lamp on a night table with a clock.
Beside the bed and up against the wall is a bean bag and a rocking chair with books for Littles. He is in aww of this room, it isn't just a Little's room, it is a room for Big Peter too.
"Yo-you did all th-this fo-for me?"
"Of course, this is what a proper room for a Little should look like, you are not a Little all the time, you need a Big Boy room too," Amber explains. "Wanna see the best part?"
Peter stares at her in shock, "there is more?"
"Yup go lay down on you bed," Amber points to the big boy bed and Peter runs over and jumps on, noticing that they are red and gold sheets with blue pillows. He lays down and looks over at Amber.
She shuts the door and closes the blinds and goes over to the light switch. "Okay now look up."
Peter looks up and as soon as the lights go out, Iron Man appears on his ceiling, "Whoa!" Peter exclaims. "It is Iron Man!"
"That's right," Amber comes over and points to the night light that is plugged into the wall. "Now Iron Man can watch over you while you sleep," Amber smiles.
"Thank you!" Peter sits up and hugs her, "thank you so much."
"You are welcome Bambi."
Every day since their first meeting, Amber was there for Peter, and Peter is grateful.
They got into a routine where he would sleep in pull ups and have underwear that she bought him during the day, in the morning he would eat breakfast which was formula and smashed fruits, he would have formula 2 hours later and then formula before nap time and then after his nap he got fed again before smashed up vegetables and fruit for lunch and then again 2 hours later and then again at suppertime, he would get a snack before bed and then formula at bedtime.
Amber never forced him to sleep in the crib, or in diapers or with a pacifier. She was there for him when he went into his first sensory overload and was there to celebrate his birthday with him and got him Lego sets and when it was time to get classified she was there and helped him when he was scared of the doctor.
He told her then when he first arrived the mean lady made a doctor do a physical and blood work and that it was scary and it hurt and they had to restrain him and drug him. Amber made the doctor remove his jacket and that helped and which is came time for the needle she helped him through it.
Once his classification came back as Little and is age was categorized as A0 to A2, Amber started helping him get used to being a Little. She would sit with him in his crib and help him through his panic attacks, she allowed him to go back and forth between getting in and getting out until it got easier.
They started off slow, she would have him nap in the crib one day and sleep in his big boy bed that night or reverse it, he would nap in his big bed and sleep over night in his crib.
When he started having accidents during the day and not just at night she was there comforting him telling him it was normal and okay. She got him Iron man pull up underwear, they didn't feel like a diaper but worked as one. He wore those during the day and at night a diaper with Iron Man and the Avengers on them. She said he had to get used it because if he ever went into his headspace he would need to wear diapers. So he agreed, she let him put in on himself at first and then she started doing it helping him through the whole process when he got embarrassed or started to panic.
Amber took everything slow with him, when he was started showing signs of distress from holding back going into his Little space, she was there. Peter learned that if he did Little things he helped hold back his Little headspace. Like allowing her to change him, rock him to sleep, bottle feed him and using a paci while he napped.
Peter was very upset when it came time to bottle feed, but Amber was patient with him; she started off with the paci while they put lego together. He would catch himself with his fingers in his mouth without realizing it, she would then offer the paci, he would freeze and she would wait, allowing him to make the choice, he would then take it and pop it into his mouth. The soothing feeling he got and the praise he received made him smile and not mind the paci.
Once he was okay with the paci she would have him just sit and allow her to rock him while using it, humming a song or reading a book. Then when he was calm she would switch the paci for a bottle, soon his hands would hold hers and he would not look at her, but now he looks and sees the pride in her eyes and listens to the encouraging words and the praise he gets for being brave.
She did the same thing when it came time to breastfeeding, everything was slow. He still isn't comfortable but it is getting better.
They then worked out a time table for when he got bottle fed and when he got breastfed, and soon his anxiety lessened, it is still there but it isn't as bad and it is all thanks to Amber.
As time went on Peter felt more comfortable with Amber and allowed his Little side a little more freedom but only when Amber and him were alone.
That was their deal, around anyone else he can choose to be Big or Little, when they are alone he has to be Little so he doesn't get sick. Sometime he can be big, but only during certain occasions.
*End of Flashback*
Once Peter is changed into a new pull up and his onesie is back on, Amber picks him back up and brings him over to the rocking chair, stopping to grab the bottles on her way.
"Did you have a good nap sweet pea?"
Peter just nods, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and giving his paci a few lazy sucks. His eyes widen when he remembers how how went down for a nap. 'Iron Man was here with Mrs. Stark! I got to meet my hero!' Peter smiles brightly as Amber sits down and puts him into feeding position.
"Someone is happy, did you remember that your favorite hero paid you a visit and was very impressed with you?" Amber smiles down and lets out a small chuckle when his cheeks turn red. She removes the paci from his lips and replaces it with the bottle. "Eat up my brave boy and once you are done I have some interesting news to tell you," Amber smiles.
Peter is confused but happy, he is being fed and he is still riding the buzz from meeting his hero.
Amber begins humming and rocking while he eats and Peter just basks in presence of his Caregiver.
This is his favorite moment through out the day, whether just waking up or about to go to sleep, the slow waking or slow falling asleep, is the same routine, feeding, rocking, humming, and the feeling of safety.
Once both bottles are done and he is more awake, they sit on the floor with the Iron Man lego kit that she just bought him, his paci in his mouth as he looks at the pieces. As he reaches for a piece Amber's hand grabs his, he looks up at her with questioning eyes.
"Pete, sweet heart, I need you to be a Big boy right now, I have some Big Peter things to talk about can you do that for me?" Amber asks.
Peter nods and removes the pacifier from his mouth, he focuses on reasoning with is Little to go down while they talk, making sure to reassure that Little Peter can play with the legos too once they are done talking. "I am big now," Peter says once he feels that he is all the way into his 13 year old headspace.
"Thank you Peter, now," Amber says removing her hand from his and clapping them, "what did you think about meeting Mr. and Mrs. Stark?"
Peter understands now why she wants him in his Big headspace, after every visit she wants his opinion on the couple they meet. "Oh my god Amber it was amazing!" Peter says smiling.
After being with Amber as his Caregiver for over a year, he grew comfortable talking to her normally in his big headspace, it was like he was talking with his aunt all over again and it feels great.
"When I saw them out my window I couldn't believe my eyes, Iron Man was here! I barely stopped myself from jumping in joy!"
Amber laughs at this, "I bet, when I came back from picking up your gift and I saw the SUV and then learned it was THE Starks I had to make sure you met them."
"Thank you Amber, you have done so much for me and have been looking out for me for so long now. I am truly grateful for everything you have done for me. Meeting them was a dream come true, and I was finally able to tell Mr. Stark thank you for saving my life, just as I promised Aunt May and Uncle Ben I would."
"I knew you would be happy to meet them, I would do anything for you Peter, and I gave you my word I would protect and look out for you."
"They said they were here looking for a Little and that they found one to adopt, who is it?"
"Yes they did find a Little to adopt, they almost left before being able to meet the one they want to adopt, thank goodness I came home when I did or they may have left before that could happen," Amber says with an exaggerated sign.
"What? Really? Who did they pick? Come on tell me! I bet it is Edward, he is pretty smart and I am sure Mr. Stark would love to teach Edward things."
"You think? Sorry Pete it isn't Edward, they found a Little who they have a connection with, and someone who is smarter then Edward."
"What? Who is smarter then Edward?"
"I am starting to question your IQ test kid, you are killing me with how dense you are being. Do you seriously think that anyone other then you impressed the Stark's here?"
Peter's jaw drops with shock, "Wh-what?"
"Peter, Bambi, sweet heart, the Stark's they want to adopt you. They picked you," Amber says with a big smile.
Peter couldn't help but just stare at Amber, his Caregiver has never lied to him, ever, but surely she is mistaken. "You're serious?"
"Yup did all the paper work and everything while you napped," Amber says.
Just as the words left her mouth she found herself arms full of her Bambi, who is crying.
"Oh Bambi, it is okay. I told you I would find the perfect family for you, and I never lie," Amber says as she pats his hair and rocks him back in forth allowing him to cry. "I hope these are tears of relief and happiness," Amber whispers. She feels him nod and his arms tighten around her.
Peter feels Amber move and shift him so she is cradling him in her lap, "I-I-I ca-can't be-believe it," Peter hiccups.
"Believe it Pete, it is true. As soon as we reached my office they both said they want to adopt you, that they felt a connection with you and want you as their Little and son. You impressed them not only with how absolutely adorable you are but with your smarts and your powers. They feel that because of all this you are perfect for them and their family."
"Really?"
"Yes Peter, we are going to go tomorrow morning for the walkthrough and spend the day there and then again on Thursday and if you feel good on Friday and want to spend the weekend there you can, you don't have to, the weekend would just be a bonus time with the Stark's. You will be staying with them from Monday onwards for your two week grace period and if all goes well they will adopt you."
Peter freezes at this, since being classified and learning to accept his Little side, he has had only Amber to care for him and take care of his needs. If he is going to be adopted by the Stark's then they will take over that, which means they will feed him and change him and bath him and everything else.
"If they adopt me then they will be the ones to take care of me, not you," Peter states.
"Yes Peter they would become your full time Caregivers and adopted parents, this will be a big change for you I know. That is why I will be there to help them and help you adjust to them taking care of you."
"But they will expect me to fully go into my Little space and what if taking care of me is too much and they don't want to?"
"Peter as a Caregiver I will tell you until I am blue in the face, we want to take care of all your needs that is our purpose in life. If you trust them to fully go into your headspace I am sure they will be over the moon excited, if it takes time then they understand as well. However they will have to change you and feed you while you are in their care, which Peter if you could have seen their face when they were feeding you, it was like you gave them the most precious gift in the whole world. It was a struggle for them to leave you, they wanted to take you home right then and there."
"Really? You think they will let me be Big and Small?"
"Of course Peter, you can't be Little all the time and they would never force you to be. I am positive that when you are Little they will love you and care for you and smother you with so much love you won't know what to do with it, and when you are big they will be just the same. I am sure Mr. Stark is eager to get you into his lab, he was like a little kid at Christmas when you showed him your helmet and what you did to it, like a proud father."
"Do you think that they will accept all of me, the Big the Little and the sassy?" Peter giggles.
"Absolutely, sassy pants," Amber laughs and tickles his belly, causing him to burst out laughing. Amber stops and waits for Peter to come down from his giggle high before she gets him to meet her eyes. "They know about your parents and your aunt and uncle," Amber says. "Part of the paper work is them viewing your file and all the information is in there legally when they apply to adopt you I had to disclose all information relevant to your past and present."
"They know? And still want to adopt me?"
"Yes, you don't have to talk about the bad stuff with them, but they are interested in the learning the good stuff from you about your family," Amber says.
"I don't have to forget them now that I am being adopted?"
"Never, Bambi, they are a part of you and that is something you can never forget and Tony and Pepper know this. They may become your new Dada and Mama but they will never replace the ones you had, the Starks know this and so do your parents and aunt and uncle."
"They won't be mad at me?"
"Never, they would be so happy and proud that you found a loving family to take care of you."
"Okay, I will try, you will be there though right?"
"Yes I will always be there for you Peter. We will take it one step at a time okay?"
"Can I be Big when we do the walkthrough tomorrow?"
"You can but when it comes time to feed you need to be Little okay? That is the deal."
"But what if the Avengers see me?"
"Pete, I will make sure that until you are comfortable it will just be the Starks and myself okay?"
Peter nods against her.
"Okay now how about we build this new lego kit I bought," Amber smiles.
Peter nods and gets off her lap to sit across from her, paci in his mouth as he smiles reaching for the pieces.