Toddler friends
Tony had never been more grateful for Peter needing a nap before.
He always got bored and missed Peter whenever he had to put his kid down and even though sometimes it was nice to have that alone time without someone constantly chasing you around and trying to sit on your lap 24/7, he still missed his kid.
But right now, Tony was glad that Peter needed his two hour nap.
Tony didn’t think he could go downstairs and associate with people without Peter so this was a great way to get away from everyone without using an excuse. He could sit on the bed and go on his phone while he waits for Peter to either wake up and refuse to go back to sleep or after his two hours are up.
Tony answered some emails on his phone for a few minutes then he got bored of that so he started playing a game that Peter had downloaded when he was a teenager. It was weird to think of him sometimes because technically he’s gone but he’s also right there with Tony, napping.
He reached over and ran a hand through Peter’s soft baby curls. Peter had his thumb in his mouth but Tony tried to make Peter use his pacifier instead of his thumb during sleep times just because it was cleaner that way. It was a little hard to do that while they were staying at Peppers friends house though since Tony kept losing the pacifiers.
The two hours were up and just as Tony was about to wake Peter up, two big brown eyes were blinking awake and looking up at Tony.
“Hey, baby.” Tony smiled at Peter and a grin broke out across Peter’s face before he was standing up on the bed and bouncing up and down. “Did you sleep good?”
Peter nodded his head and continued to bounce on the bed. “Let’s change your diaper so we can go back downstairs and play with Arlo.”
Peter fell onto his butt and crawled to the edge of the bed then slid off. “I get it, daddy.”
Tony watched as Peter ran to the corner of the room where a package of his diapers were lying. He pulled two out and ran back to Tony to hand it to him. “Here daddy.”
“Thanks, bud, but you’re forgetting the wipes.” Tony laughed and took the diapers from Peter, holding them in his hand as he watched Peter look around for the baby wipes.
“Oh, I get!” He said before hurrying off again. Peter found the wipes in the same place the diapers were and then handed it to Tony.
Tony lifted Peter on the bed and changed Peter’s diaper then they were headed back downstairs. It would usually be Peter’s lunch time right now but since their whole schedule is a bit off, Tony isn’t so sure what’s going to happen next.
Tony is carrying Peter on his hip all the way downstairs and then he carries him into the kitchen where he immediately spots Pepper. She turns to the two of them and smiles.
“Hi guys. Did you sleep well, Peter?” Pepper asks as she holds out her arms to take Peter into them but Peter shakes his head and holds onto Tony tighter. “Oh I see, you want to stay with your daddy.”
Peter nods his head and looks around curiously then looks at Tony. “Where Arlo?”
Pepper answers for Tony, “Your friend is eating his lunch in the living room. We’re all going to go for a walk in the forest trails in about an hour, are you gonna come?”
Tony thinks about it. If everyone else is going then sure he’ll take Peter but that doesn’t stop him from thinking of the animals and bugs that will be there. “Yeah, I’ll just have to change him into something warmer before we go.”
“He’ll love it. Supposedly there’s apple trees along the path.” Pepper said and then placed a plate of food on a high chair. “Lunch is served.”
Tony didn’t even know what she was doing but he was so grateful for her. “Thanks.”
She responded by kissing him on the cheek and then doing the same with Peter before walking back into the living room.
Tony placed Peter in the high chair and fed him his lunch. After they were done he cleaned the dishes, feeling a bit odd doing that since he always put it in the dishwasher at home but he had to be a good house guest. Tony picked Peter up out of the high chair and put him on his hip but Peter squirmed out of his arms and demanded to be placed on the ground instead so that’s what Tony did.
Peter dashed into the living room before Tony could stop him. Peter laid his eyes on his new friend and immediately ran over to him. “Hi.”
Arlo looked up at Peter from where he was sitting on the floor and picking at his lunch which was some crackers and cut up apple slices. “Pe’er!”
Peter squatted down so that he was closer to the plate of food. “I wan’.” He said and pointed to an apple piece. Tony thought that Arlo was going to be a selfish toddler, like all toddler are, and say no to his kid but then the toddler picked up an apple piece and handed it to Peter.
Tony smiled at the sight then leaned down so that he was closer to their height. “What do you say, Peter?”
Peter sat on his butt with his legs out in front of him as he munched on the apple slice. “T’ank you.”
Tony patted his head. “Good job. Eat quickly though because we have to go get changed after.”
Peter nodded his head and held out his arms for Tony to pick him up so Tony did and was about to make his way back upstairs with Peter until he felt a tug on his pants. He looked down to see Arlo staring up at him.
“I come too.” He said then made grabby hands up to Tony as well.
Tony felt Peter try to reach down as if he was going to be able to pick his new friend up and carry him. He laughed but looked at Arlo's mom who was smiling at the scene in front of her.
“Go ahead. He’s already ready to go so it’s fine.” She said to Tony so then Tony half bent down and picked the toddler.
As he walked up the stairs, Tony thought about how weird it was to have two kids. He was used to holding his one child but now he was holding Peter and another toddler. It was weird.
He thought about what would happen if he had another kid but Tony feels like he would always love Peter more. He would always love Peter the most no matter what so another kid just wasn't an option. Not that it ever was to begin with.
Once Tony got to the top of the stairs, he placed both toddlers on the ground and watched them run down the hallway towards the bedroom. It was adorable to watch Peter play with his friends at this age but he was more grateful for Peter actually having friends since he’s lost all of them once he got de-aged. He still has to ask May about Ned.
“Daddy di’per change?” Peter asks as he tugs on the front of his diaper.
Tony opens the door of the bedroom and shuts it behind them before he sticks his hand down the front of Peter’s pants to feel if he needs a change or not. Feeling that Peter is in fact dry, he shakes his head, “Not now, Pete.”
“‘Kay!” Peter says then walks over to Arlo who is pulling the diapers out of the package of Peter’s diapers. “No. Mine.”
Arlo hands a diaper to Tony. “Me?”
Tony shakes his head. He’s not about to check if the toddler needs a diaper change. That’s not his kid. “No, ask your mommy to change you later.”
Arlo puts the diaper down and then turns to Peter and tries to help him pull his pants down. “T’ank you.” Peter says to the boy and then lifts his arms up for Tony to help him with the rest.
Tony picks his kid up and stands Peter on the bed, quickly taking off his shirt and his pants from around his ankles before dressing him in a long sleeve T-shirt with a thick bear sweater on top along with black track pants. Tony looked down at Arlo who had Peter’s pacifier in his mouth so he sighs and takes it out, making a mental reminder for himself to wash it before letting Peter suck on it.
After Peter is dressed in a warm outfit, Tony brings both boys back downstairs where all the moms are already getting their toddlers ready to go on the walk.
Arlo’s mom spots Tony so she walks over to him and takes Arlo to get him dressed in his jacket and boots while Tony does the same with Peter. Pepper comes up to the two of them and places a hat on Peter’s head but Peter immediately rips it off.
Tony tries to put it on again only for Peter to rip it off of him once again. “Peter, you need to wear a hat so your head stays warm.”
Peter shakes his head. “No. My head no’ cold.”
Tony picked Peter up and put him on his hip then used his free hand to put the hat back on Peter but Peter ripped it off of himself again so Tony sighed. “Guess that’s not staying on.”
“I’ll bring it with us just in case he changes his mind during the walk.” Pepper said and picked the hat up off the ground.
It took a lot longer than Tony would have liked for everyone to get ready and go outside. Parents were getting their toddlers dressed and then having to undress them to go change a diaper. Peter was starting to get impatient and was trying to take off his jacket so Tony kept having to distract him but every minute that was passing meant that Peter was getting even more cranky.
Eventually everyone was ready so they started on their walk. It was chilly out but it was almost perfect weather. Not too cold and not too hot.
Peter was holding Tony’s hand and Pepper was holding his other hand as they walked towards the end of the group together. It was nice to have that time to just themselves as a family.
Peter was silent for the first couple minutes of the walk, taking in the sight of the forest and the occasional small animal that would cross their path. Peter would point excitedly to it and squeal everytime he saw a squirrel or chipmunk.
Eventually he was getting bored of his animal friends so he tugged on Tony’s hand. Tony thought that Peter wanted to be carried so he went to carry him but Peter shook his head. “No. Where Arlo?”
Tony didn’t expect that but he knew he should have. Peter and his new friend had been inseparable all day. It was kinda cute. “I don’t know, bud. You’ll see him when we get back.”
Peter threw himself to the ground, only for Tony to stop him from actually hitting the ground by lifting his arm up. “Woah, Pete.”
“Wan’ Arlo!” Peter whined and went limp so Tony picked him up so that they didn’t hold up the group with their tantrum. Peter tried to throw his head back but Tony stopped him. “Where he?”
“I don’t know, bud.” Tony said honesty. Last time he saw the boy, his mom had taken him to get him dressed. Tony thought of a way to distract the kid and thankfully Peter was two so that wouldn’t be hard. “Hey, Wanna go walk on that log over there?”
Peter looked like he was going to say but the curiously got the better of him and he turned to look over at where Tony was looking at. “Log?”
“Yeah. It’s an old tree that fell down.” Tony explained then held Peter so that one hand was holding his chest and the other was between his legs as he carried Peter like he was flying over to the log.
Pepper laughed along with Peter’s giggles as they made their way over to the log. Tony put Peter down on his feet and held onto his tiny chubby hands to give Peter balance as he walked along the log with a huge smile on his face.
Pepper couldn’t help herself so she pulled out her phone and took a few pictures and videos of the father and son duo. Tony was picking Peter up and standing him on a branch then Peter would jump off and fly into Tony’s arms with the widest smile on his face.
Tony caught Peter one last time before they had to rejoin the group again. This time however, Arlo and his mom had caught up to the group so they started walking together.
“Pe’er!” Arlo said excitedly and then Peter kicked to get out of Tony’s arms before they were running to hug each other. All three adults cooed at the toddlers hugging each other and then they held each other’s hands so they could walk along the path together.
“Daddy, me too!” Peter held out his other hand towards Tony for the man to hold while they continued walking with the group along the path.
It was getting darker and colder out and a lot of the toddlers had become really cranky so they picked some apples off of the trees and walked back.
Tony ended up having to carry Peter the whole way back since he was tired but Tomy knew that Peter was just too lazy to walk. Why walk when you have someone around to carry you at all hours of the day?
Once back at the house, Tony took off Peter’s jacket and boots and put him on his hip to carry him upstairs.
“My friend is going to bring her new baby girl out for everyone to meet her.” Pepper said once they got into the bedroom and Tony had laid Peter on the bed.
“I wouldn’t want all these toddlers around my newborn baby.” Tony said honestly. He didn’t even want anyone around when he changed Peter’s diaper while there were moms changing their kids diapers right out in the open for everyone to see. He knew that it was a safe environment but still.
Tony pulled off Peter’s track pants and his diaper as he listened to Pepper speak. “Well, I guess the mom trusts everyone here and besides, we wouldn’t do anything to hurt her baby.”
Peter looked over at Pepper. “Baby?”
She smiled at him and sat down next to him on the bed. “Yeah, Peter. A really tiny baby. Smaller than you.”
Peter pointed to himself. “I no baby.”
Tony finished putting a new diaper on Peter then picked him up so that he was standing on the bed. “Oh yeah? Then what are you?”
Peter grinned. “I dunno.”
“That’s what I thought.” Tony joked then pulled the thick sweater and shirt off of Peter before dressing him in a bodysuit with long sleeves that had a giraffe on the front.
Tony debated putting pants on Peter but decided not to. He buttoned up the piece between his legs and lifted him off the bed to go downstairs.
It amazed Tony how many times he’s had to change Peter the past few hours and how many times he’s climbed the stairs to go change either Peter’s diaper or outfit or both. It was a whole workout.
Tony dropped Peter off on the playmat when they got downstairs and he immediately started playing with the toys that were there.
“Oh Tony. My friends here with her newborn baby. I want Peter to meet her.” Pepper said excitedly but before Tony even had the chance to respond or grab Peter, Pepper was gently pulling Peter by the arm to go meet the baby.
Pepper sat down next to her friend and pulled Peter onto her lap. Tony sat down on the free spot on the couch next to Pepper and leaned over to see the baby.
The baby girl was wrapped in a pink blanket and had a pink bow on her head. She was awake and looking around with curious eyes and all Tony could think about was how small the baby was.
He always thought of Peter as the smallest little thing ever but Peter was practically his teenage self next to the newborn. It was a weird sight.
“This is my friend and her newborn baby, Peter.” Pepper explained to Peter.
Peter was looking everywhere else but the baby and Tony laughed. There weren't many people in the room right now and Tony thought it was because everyone was getting their kids changed. He was just super fast at it.
Tony tapped Peter’s chubby leg. “Pete, Wanna see the baby?”
Peter turned to Tony and giggled then looked to where Tony was pointing and saw the tiny baby. “Baby.”
“Yeah, Peter. Just like you were at one point.” Peppers friend said to Peter and then held the baby up so that she was sitting up but being supported by the mom.
“I touch.” Peter said then reached a quick hand out to poke the baby on the forehead.
Pepper grabbed his hand back. “You have to be gentle, Peter, because she’s so new.”
Peter nodded his head then reached another hand out and slowly patted the baby on the head. Tony almost melted at the gesture. Peter had always been such a gentle boy.
“Would you like to hold her, Pepper?” The friend asked and held the baby out for Pepper to hold.
“I would love to.” Tony took Peter out of Peppers hands and held his kid on his lap as he watched the women ever so gently place her newborn in Peppers arms.
Peter sat up on Tony’s legs and tried to look at the baby. He pointed to her foot and gently poked it then looked up at Tony. “Foot, daddy.”
All three adults laughed. “Yeah, Pete. She has a tiny foot.” Tony said.
“Would you like to hold her, Tony?” Peppers friend asked him and his first response was to say no but then he kinda wanted to hold the kid. The only thing is that the youngest baby he’s ever held was Peter but it wasn’t like he could toss the newborn in the air like he would to Peter. “Come on, hold out your arms.”
Tony picked Peter up and placed him on the opposite side of him then held out his arms awkwardly. Pepper placed the baby in his arms and then helped him to position his arms a certain way.
It was way different than holding Peter, obviously. Peter fit perfectly in his arms while this kid felt uncomfortable and awkward. Plus Peter was heavy and squirmed a lot but this kid was like holding a warm bag of sugar or something.
Peter sat on his knees and smacked the baby on the stomach but the baby was too bundled up by blankets for it to actually hurt the baby. “No! My daddy!”
“Hey, Peter. No, that’s not nice.” Pepper said but Peter’s bottom lip was trembling and there were tears falling down his cheeks. He looked at Tony desperately.
“My daddy! Wan’ my daddy!” He tried to wiggle his way into Tony’s arms by pushing the newborn out of the way so the mom took her baby back into her arms so Tony could take his baby back.
Once Tony’s arms were free, Peter threw himself onto his lap and stuck his thumb in his mouth to try and calm himself down. “My daddy.”
Tony rubbed Peter’s back but he couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped him. The whole scene was kinda funny and apparently Pepper and her friend thought the same thing.
After a few minutes of Peter being in his dad's arms and being the only baby in his dad's arms, he calmed down enough to slide onto the floor and over to all the toys.
Tony watched him grab a book and sit himself down in one of the baby swings that was definitely meant for a much smaller baby than Peter was. He started reading his book while he swung back and forth with Tony watching him.
It was such a cute and funny scene to witness. Tony made a mental note to buy something similar for Peter once they go back home.
Arlo walked down the stairs with his hands in his moms but he didn’t look happy. He was crying loudly and trying to reach up for his mom with his other hand.
Tony looked over at Peter who had also looked up from his book and over at Arlo at the noise. His face broke into a smile and he was out of his chair and making his way over to Arlo.
“Hi.” Peter said but Arlo didn’t pay any attention to him. Instead, his mom picked the toddler up.
“Arlo’s a bit moody right now, Peter. Once he has his milk you can play with him.” The mom explained then carried her baby over to the opposite side of the couch Tony was sitting on so that it was him, Pepper, Peppers friend and her newborn and then Arlo and his mom.
Peter followed the two and Tony watched Peter as Arlo’s mom pulled down her top, revealing her boob and then Arlo immediately latched on and started to breastfeed.
Peter had his hands on the women’s knees as he watched with wide eyes at what was happening. Tony had seen a lot of breasts in his life but seeing one in this situation was weird and he was thankful that Peter wasn’t a teenager because that would be slightly weirder and inappropriate.
He stood up and walked over to grab Peter without making eye contact with Arlo’s mom. “Pete, stop watching.” Tony said then turned to the mom. “I’m sorry about that.”
She waved him off. “It’s okay, he can stay. I’ll be done soon.”
Tony picked Peter up. “It’s okay. I have to feed him as well.”
He walked away without saying another word. As he looked around the room he could see at least three moms breastfeeding their kids. He had no idea how that works or what age you should stop breastfeeding a kid at but Arlo was older than Peter and still being breastfed meaning that Peter should be too right?
Only it was impossible for Peter to get that from anywhere which was slightly frustrating. He wasn’t able to give Peter what he needed.
Tony brought Peter into the kitchen which was thankfully empty but why would it be full when all the kids were currently snacking on something else.
He placed Peter on the counter and put his hands on either side of him, sighing. Peter was biting on the tip of his thumb. “Wha’ Arlo doin’?”
Tony sighed. How does he explain that to a two year old who’s technically a fifteen year old. “He’s Um, he’s drinking milk.”
“Where my milk?” Peter asked Tony confused but before he could answer, Pepper was walking in the room.
“You know, you can stay out there if you want. There’s nothing sexual about seeing a boob due to breastfeeding.” Pepper said seriously and took a place next to Tony’s side.
“I know. It’s just… weird.” Tony didn’t feel comfortable either way. “Do you think I’m not giving Peter everything he needs just because I can’t give him… that?”
Pepper looked surprised at his question but she thought about it seriously. “No. A lot of moms don’t breastfeed their babies even after birth because they don’t want to, they physically can’t or because they would rather use something else. Peter’s at the age where it’s okay to breastfeed him or not. It’s okay if he’s not getting any breast milk, Tony.”
Tony sighed. He knew that but after seeing Arlo getting it and not Peter just because he doesn’t have access to it makes him feel like he’s failing Peter somehow.
As if Pepper could sense his internal panic, she patted his back and moved towards the fridge. “I made Peter’s milk bottle before we went for our walk. 100% organic soy milk.”
She walked towards them and handed the bottle to Peter who immediately grabbed it from her hands and started sucking on it but he was making grabby hands for Tony with his free hand and Tony knew what he wanted.
It was their milk time ritual. Tony would cradle Peter in his arms while he fed him his milk.
He picked Peter up, doing what he does during every milk feed and then walked out into the living room proudly as he fed Peter his milk a different way than the mothers.
.
.
.
It was their last day there.
Tony was actually sad to be leaving because it was surprisingly fun but he also didn’t want to stay any longer.
Arlo ended up going to bed early since he kept wanting to drink his milk instead of play with Peter so his mom brought him up.
Peter had been sad about it for a total of twenty minutes until he was falling asleep in Tony’s arms so Tony carried him up to bed.
He had to change two poopy diapers throughout the night so the next ones were saved for Pepper. She hadn’t changed a diaper in awhile just because Tony always grabbed Peter before anyone could but he was making sure she changes the next one. Poop or pee.
“We’re leaving in fifteen minutes, Pete.” Tony told Peter who was playing with Arlo before they parted ways.
It was just past 12pm and so far Peter and Arlo has been glued to each other’s side all day. Peter even helped Arlo’s mom change his poopy diaper just a few hours ago.
Pepper made sure to get Arlo’s mommy’s phone number so they set up playdates in the future which actually worked out perfectly because Arlo lives in Queens so it wouldn’t be a far drive.
After the car was packed and ready to go, Pepper was saying goodbye to everyone while Tony went to collect Peter. He kneeled down next to the boys and smiled. “What are you boys playing?”
Peter moved to sit on his lap. “We p’ay cars. Zroom!”
Arlo stood up and showed Tony his red car. “Pe’er play too!”
Tony nodded. “Yeah, he’s playing with you but he has to go now so you guys have to say goodbye.”
Peter who was ready for his nap now which is why Tony and Pepper chose this time to leave, stuck his thumb in his mouth, put his car down and cuddled more into Tony’s lap.
“Give your new friend a hug, bud.” Tony said to Peter.
Peter stood up and the two boys shared one last hug before Peter was demanding to be picked up. Tony picked his baby up, suddenly feeling really excited to go home.
After saying his own goodbyes and planning when to go back, they were in the car and ready to go.
Tony buckled Peter in, double checking that he had RoRo in his arms and then he was getting in himself and driving away.
Peter was asleep instantly in his car seat so Tony turned to Pepper with a smirk. “Next diaper change is on you.”