Peter waved to his friends and continued away from the school. He was excited for the next week, May had agreed he could spend part of his holiday with Tony and by extension the Avengers. All he had left was the walk to the tower, a walk he insisted on rather than let any one pick him up. Peter was amazed he'd managed to survive the school year without someone finding out he knew the Avengers and didn't want it to be a big deal especially not on the last day.
A soft breeze tugged at his hair as he turned the corner, reminding him of his forgotten hat and the mittens that would be with the hat beside his front door. He wasn't going to cave and call for a ride though, no he pulled his hood back up and shoved his hands in his pockets. He just needed to make it to the subway and hopefully take a seat near a heater. Soft fluffy snowflakes landed on his head until his hood was covered. Snow continued to cling to his jacket, melted on his face, and flew through the cracks to melt on his neck or his shirt.
Peter knew he should be shivering, even went so far as to shake his shoulders trying to replicate the action. His body just wouldn't make the motion on it's own. Only a few more blocks to go.
"C'mon Peter almost there."
He couldn't want to get to the tower. He knows Tony wanted to go straight to the lab, but Peter was starting to think a nap would be a good idea first. Maybe he could convince Tony for a movie. The common room was always warm and there was always at least three blankets laying around.
"Watch where you're going?!"
Peter startled and stepped to the side, mumbling an apology. He glanced around and blew out a foggy sigh when he realized he hadn't walked very far while thinking. Risking the cold he pulled his hand out and checked his watch. Over ten minutes longer than he usually took to walk to the station and it was still a few blocks. He'd already missed this train and he'd miss another unless he ran.
Running sounded like a terrible idea. Peter shoved his hand back into his pocket and trudged on, dragging his feet, trying to move faster through the snowy sidewalk. The afternoon rush shuffled around him, turning the snow to mush.
The stairs, even icy, were a relief to see. He hurried down, pulling his hand out only long enough to swipe his pass. The platform was nearly empty, just a family down the way and an old lady with a safety vest.
Upon spotting him she walked over, "Sorry, there's issues on the track. If you need this line it'll be another twenty minutes. Can I help you find another way?"
Peter shook his head, "I'm heading to the Avenger's tower."
She nodded, "Sorry, kid. I could call a taxi for you?"
He shook his head, "I'll wait."
She nodded and walked away to talk to another passenger. Peter sank onto the nearest bench and leant back. He didn't care how dirty it probably was or how far he'd usually stay away from it. He was tired and cold, could barely feel his legs from the walk and no matter how deep into his pockets his hands were they were too cold to move. Maybe he could close his eyes and and take a quick nap here.
Peter closed his eyes and settled in.
"Hey, kid, train's here," The lady said shaking his shoulder.
He blinked, spidey sense completely silent in the presence of the stranger. It took a moment for him to realize what she'd said and to notice the train behind her giving it's last warning. He shot up, "Thank you!" The doors closed as he rushed in and began moving before he had taken his seat.
His head leant back on the window and his eyes fell shut again. His head jerked a minute later, trying to stay awake to hear his stop. Sleep pulled him under and he missed a few stops, barely awake to hear his stop and stumble to his feet.
The platform is empty, but the station is bustling with the after work rush. The rush of people propel him from the station and through the street right to the tower's doors. It's a struggle to get inside, but once he does it's warm and silent.
Muscle memory brings him through security, eyes almost closed, and into the elevator. "How was your day Peter?" Friday called as the elevator began to move.
"Gooh," He mumbled settling heavily against the side of the elevator.
"Boss was pulled into a meeting an hour ago. Your requirements are food and homework before you can go to the lab. I'm bringing you to the common floor."
The elevator dinged open and he stumbled out. Exhausted and ready to sleep he dropped his bag and shuffled to the kitchen to find something to eat, food sounding amazing. He didn't notice the chill of the fridge, zeroing in on a plate of leftovers. It was set in the microwave and he pulled out a protein shake, drinking while he watched the plate spin.
The beep startled him and he opened his eyes not knowing when they closed. He stood in the kitchen inhaling the food and finishing the shake. "Hungry?" Clint asked with a chuckle. He walked over to the fridge, gear from mission still on, and pulled out a bottle. "Where's Tony?"
Peter shrugged and shuffled to the couch. "Boss is in a meeting," Friday answered. "Peter, you need to complete your homework before you can go to the lab."
He mumbled something back. The four blankets landed in his arms as he walked past the couch, an extra fuzzy one he had seen Natasha with earlier this week added to his pile. Clint called him, but he had warm food and there was nothing standing between him and sleep. His shoes slipped off and he crawled up, webbing up the corner to crawl into. The blankets were placed on the bottom and he curled up, tugging the fuzzy one closer before letting his eyes close.
"Friday, what just happened?" Clint asked confused.
"I am unsure, though Peter's lack of responses have triggered Babysitter protocol. Boss is on his way."
Clint walked across the room to get a better look at Peter, but he was hidden under the blankets and webbing. When the elevator dinged a few minutes later he glanced back expecting Tony. Instead Natasha raised a brow. Clint pointed to the webbing, "Something's up with Pete."
Her brows pulled together and she walked under the webs, "Peter?"
No sooner had she looked around to find some way to reach him had the elevators dinged and let Tony into the living room. "Where is he?"
"Up there," Clint called.
"Friday, give me a full reading," Tony said staring wide eyed at the webs.
"Peter has no injuries. He appears to be asleep, though his heart rate is low. He consumed Steve's left overs and a protein shake before resting," Friday stated.
"Get me a suit and have it bring up some web be gone."
"Really? That's what you named it?" Clint said rolling his eyes.
Tony simply nodded, not in the mood to joke.
"Hey guys," Steve called, walking straight for the kitchen with Bucky in tow.
"Oh good, one of you get over here," Tony said not bothering to look while he waved at them.
Bucky rolled his eyes and walked over, "What?"
Tony startled and glared for a moment. "I need you to lift me up," He said and tugged Bucky underneath the web.
"Something wrong with Peter?" He asked already bending down.
"Friday's worried which makes me worried and Pete's acting weird." Natasha moved to steady him as he stepped onto Bucky's shoulders and they stood. He was just able to reach the edge of the web, close enough that Peter would usually be sticking his head out. "Underoos? Don't make me call Aunt hottie to say something's wrong."
"Tony get down," Steve called rushing over as they began to wobble. "I can lift Buck. You're going to fall."
"Back off Steve, that's my kid," Tony grumbled.
"No, he's right," Bucky said and began lowering him. "I'll pull him out and hand him to you." Before Tony could argue he was climbing onto Steve's shoulders and reaching into the pile of blankets. "Shit he's cold. One second." He pulled his arms out and fiddled with the prosthetic for a moment.
"What are you doing?"
"Shuri added a heater in the arm," Bucky explained muffled by the webs as he reached back in. He pulled back the blankets enough to find Peter again. The bundle moved towards him and he scooped Peter and blankets up. Peter cuddled closer, grabbing onto his heated arm and encasing it in the blankets.
"Hand him over," Tony said holding out his arms.
Steve lowered Bucky and waited, "Bucky?"
"He's stuck to my arm."
"I thought you said it was a heater?" Tony demanded.
"It is," Bucky replied calmly. He adjusted the boy in his arms. "I think he picked up on the heat and stuck to it cause he's holding on tight."
Tony glared at him and moved closer to them, "Peter? Friday any change?"
"No change," She stated.
"Where's Bruce? Call him and keep calling until he answers."
Bucky moved to the couch, leaving room for Tony to sit beside them. The others gathered around listening to the sound of the call going through. It took three calls before the call was answered. "What?" Bruce mumbled barely awake.
"Something's wrong with Peter!"
"What?" He repeated far more awake than seconds ago. "What happened?"
"Peter's heart rate and body temperature are both concerningly low," Friday answered. "Following his arrival he ate a large meal and collected blankets for a nest on the ceiling."
"Who picked him up?"
"No one. He didn't want to be seen so he insisted on walking again," Tony grumbled.
Bruce sighed, "Warm him up. Treat it like hypothermia. Do it too fast can send him into shock. Call me back when you get him back to regular temperature," He said and sighed.
"Why are you not concerned?" Natasha asked reaching to adjust the blankets and pull them back.
"He said get him warm," Tony complained and pushed her hands away.
"Treat it like hypothermia," She stated meeting his eyes. "Which means skin contact and making sure any clothes he's wearing aren't wet. Friday, did he change when he got in?"
"No, he only removed his shoes."
Natasha continued pulling back the blankets. "Bruce?" She prompted.
"Right," Bruce muttered around a yawn. "Some spiders hibernate. We already knew he couldn't thermoregulate well I just wasn't sure how he'd react to extreme temperatures. Extreme cold followed by a large meal likely gave his body the go ahead to find somewhere warm and safe to sleep until warm. Friday can keep monitoring and compare the process to actual spiders. Keep me updated."
The call ended as Natasha finished removing Peter's jacket and shirt, both wet from the snow. The blankets were wrapped back up and Peter even asleep rushed back to cuddle with Bucky.
Gradual meant Friday instructed them to do nothing more than cuddle until his temperature was almost back to normal. Then they were able to grab the hot water bottles and electric blankets. Supper was ordered and they wondered around the living room keeping an eye on the three, offering to switch out so they could stretch their legs. They both declined, but took the offered food even after Peter stopped sticking to Bucky's arm.
"His temperature has been normal for thirty minutes," Friday announced. "You may attempt to wake him."
"I thought we were supposed to let him wake up?" Bucky asked glancing concerned.
"Dr. Banner has agreed that attempting to wake Peter is safe," Friday answered. "Though he may not stay awake long."
Tony brushed Peter's hair back, "Peter? Underoos, time to get up. Wakey wakey, bud."
It took nearly another half hour of prompting before Peter shifted closer to Bucky, making a noise of complaint. "Peter, look at Tony for a second," Bucky said shaking him lightly.
He complained again, but shifted his head under Bucky's and peeked an eye open, "M'r S-k?"
Tony chuckled and shifted closer, "Wake up for a second bud. You got a little too cold out there. How're you feeling?"
"Tired," He complained not bothering to move away from Bucky.
"Not cold?"
"Warm."
"Friday is he okay to go back to sleep?"
"Dr. Banner says it is to be expected," She replied. "As long as he is kept warm he can return to his bed."
Tony snorted, "I don't think so. Sorry, kid, but you're sticking with someone tonight."
Peter had already let his eyes slide shut, but the blankets began to shift and an arm popped out snagging a hand. "I think he's decided," Bucky said chuckling. "Want your spider kid?"
"Hand him over thief," Tony teased accepting the bundle.
Bucky hovered, helping arrange pillows and blankets as Tony laid down. Then Peter curled between Tony and the back of the couch, resting his head next to the arc reactor. "Need anything?"
Tony shook his head, "Friday, dim the lights and throw on a movie."
Peter sighed, already falling asleep as the opening credits to his favourite Star Wars. The lights dimmed just bright enough so no one would trip as they made their way to the other couches ready to settle in for the night.
"Tony?" Peter stretched and carefully stepped onto the back of the couch when his mentor didn't wake.
"Hey," Natasha called softly. Peter glanced up finding her in the kitchen. He slid over the back and walked over, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. She reached for him and brushed his hair back, checking his temperature before pulling him into a hug. "You're being picked up from now on."
"What? Why?" He grumbled, but returned the hug and relaxed.
"Apparently you don't do well in the cold." She frowned at him.
"I don't like it, but it's fine really."
She raised a brow. "You started hibernating."
"Hibernating?" His brows pulled together and he glanced back to the couch. "I just wanted a nap."
She ran a hand through his hair and shook her head, "A bit more than a nap. Bruce said the cold followed by your large meal and a safe place to sleep caused it. Would've lasted longer if Tony and Bucky didn't act as fast as they did." She checked again that he was still warm before pulling back. "Let's get you food. You missed supper."
"I could eat."
She rolled her eyes at the grin, but turned around and began pulling ingredients for pancakes out. "Friday, call Bucky from the gym."
"He's on his way."
"What about everyone else?"
"Steve was up late and I'm sure Clint and Tony will be up once everything's cooked," Natasha said not admitting that they might need a bit extra sleep. "Go grab a blanket before Bucky sees you."
Peter dashed across the room and went about easing a blanket off the couch without waking Tony. The smiled and wrapped Natasha's fuzzy blanket around him. A hand reached over his shoulder to wrap the blanket under his chin. He glanced up and smiled at Bucky. "How're you feeling?"
"Good."
Bucky raised his brows not believing him, but Peter nodded all wide eyed and sincere. Bucky smirked a moment before he scooped Peter up and walked back to the kitchen. "Bruce said to make sure you stay warm the next few days."
"Okay," He replied and leant closer. They took a seat at the island and watched Natasha cook.
"He's asleep," Natasha whispered as she set the first plate in front of them.
"He needs to eat," Bucky insisted and shook his shoulders. "Breakfast first, Pete."
Peter grumbled, but opened his eyes enough to pull the plate closer and grab a plain pancake. He curled it up and tucked himself back under Bucky's chin while he ate. "Milk?"
"Want anything on those?" Natasha asked already grabbing a cup.
"No thank you, they're good as is."
Natasha warmed up the milk and handed it over with a straw. On the couch Tony was patting around, looking for Peter. "Over here, Tony."
Peter turned to look over Bucky's shoulder, hair all over the place, just in time to see Tony look over the back of the couch. "Peter!"
"Natasha made pancakes," He said holding up the last bit before stuffing it in his mouth.
Peter stared at the snow. The rest of his weekend had passed with a lot of cuddling and eventually some lab time. Aunt May hadn't been impressed and had grounded Peter for the second week of holidays. It wasn't going too bad, until today. He shuffled the pile of blankets again and reached for his phone.
"Karen, can you connect to Friday?"
"Of course, is something wrong?" She asked already connected.
"The power's out and the apartment's getting cold."
"Friday has alerted Tony," Karen assured. "Natasha is closest and will be by in ten minutes. He will call Aunt May to invite her to the tower until the power's back."
With no power or internet Peter pulled up his saved videos and began scrolling. His eyes began feeling heavy, but he knew what it was this time. He didn't think leaving this spot would help, everything in the apartment will have already gone cold even if he added to the pile.
Between blinks Natasha was in front of him, a hand on his face and her mouth moving. "Let Tony know. Hey, Peter, let's get you in the car. Heat's on."
Peter nodded, head lolling to the side. He didn't protest as Natasha helped him to his feet and then decided to just carry him. They paused long enough to grab his phone and lock the door before making their way to the running car. The warmth was amazing.
A belt was clicked around him keeping him sitting up, but there was warm air on his face and feet and even the seat itself. The blankets were loosened replacing the cold apartment air. "Peter," Natasha called. "You can nap when we get to the tower. Twenty minutes tops. Karen, has his temperature dropped to hibernation yet?"
"No," She replied immediately. "While his behavior indicates an approaching hibernation he will likely require a long rest somewhere warm. He can sleep on the ride."
Clint met her in the garage, Tony still talking his way out of another meeting as he flew back, by armor, he didn't have the time to wait around for a jet to get back to him. "Delivery of one spider baby?"
The smile he received was forced, but Natasha opened the back doors and picked Peter back up. "Karen said he's not hibernating."
Clint just shrugged, "Bruce's meeting us in Pete's room anyway. Some heated blankets and whatever else Tony installed since last time."
The elevator was waiting for them and Friday brought them straight up. "Bucky," Natasha greeted walking around him. Bruce waved at the bed and stepped out of their way.
"I want a copy of his readings now before hand," Bruce was quick to request as Bucky moved towards the bed. He crossed his arms and waited for Bruce to get everything he wanted. "Okay. Go ahead."
Bucky switched out the blankets he had for Natasha's fuzzy blanket and a heated one. His arm switched on and he bundled the kid into a hug. He was already much warmer than the last time and he breathed out a relieved sigh.
Tony rushed in two hours later. He knew they were sleeping and stayed quiet, but Bucky's eyes still squinted at him for a few seconds before waving him over and patting the bed on Peter's other side. They were careful not to wake Peter as they settled in to sleep.