Chapter 5
Peter was beyond excited to go to the ice cream shop that Harley had promised him the night before. It was the first thing he asked when he woke in his parent’s bed the following day. Papa sighed, looking blearily at the clock on the bedside table, and groaned.
“Petey, it’s six-thirty in the morning. We’re not getting ice cream until the clock is at least at double digits.” He said, pulling a reluctant Peter into his arms to cuddle on his chest while they slept some more. Peter was unwilling to go but quickly settled down. His eyes drooped when Steve began to run his fingers through his curls. Tony was snoring beside them as Peter made him go to bed with him. Steve liked when Harley was here because it was the one time Tony would sleep properly as Peter forced him to cuddle until he fell asleep. Tony usually fell asleep first, though, ensuring he was in bed for the evening. It gave Steve a chance to spend some time with Harley without Tony and Peter around. It was something both of them enjoyed.
Right now, though, it was too early to be up, and Steve wanted to be sure to get a few more hours in before the day started.
***
The next time he woke up, Peter decided to let his Papa sleep some more. For an early riser, he didn’t seem to like waking up. He squirmed out of his light grip and turned to his Mama, still snoring.
“Mama. It’s time to wake up.” He whispered loudly, getting a mumbled response but nothing else. Peter huffed. He didn’t want to sleep anymore. He told Mama and Papa that he should have a later bedtime and he wouldn’t be waking up so early, but they didn’t seem to care. A thought popped into his head. Harley would surely wake up for him.
Peter got off the bed as quietly as possible, watching to ensure they didn’t notice his absence before taking off down to Harley’s room. It was initially a guest room, but after the first time Harley stayed over, Peter demanded he had his own room, so as a surprise, the next time he came, it was decked out for him to personalise how he wanted. Harley was delighted, and so was Peter helping him.
Peter peaked his head into the room now, ignoring the clothes thrown all over the place and focussing on Harley, who was clearly still asleep. Well, there was only one way to solve that.
“Harley!” Peter called, shaking him. Harley startled awake, looking around wildly until his eyes landed on Peter.
“Pete, it’s only seven am. I think we need to sleep a bit longer.” Harley groaned, falling back on his pillow, putting a hand over his eyes.
“No, Harls.” Peter whined, “I’ve been asleep ages! I want to spend time with you without Mama and Papa. Please.” He added quietly, getting another groan from Harley, and Peter smiled, knowing he won. There was no way Harley could say no to him now.
“Alright, alright, let’s get up,” Harley said, sitting up and throwing his legs over the bed as he yawned, smiling at Peter, who was bouncing on his toes impatiently waiting. “What will we do?”
“Swim?” Peter loved swimming, and it would be a great way to wake Harley up. If they turned the tv on, he was sure that Harley would fall back asleep.
Harley gave another groan in response but nodded his head. “Go get your swim trunks, Jarvis. Can you start getting the pool room ready, please?”
“Certainly, Mr Keener,” Jarvis responded while Peter dashed out to get his trunks on. Harley rooted his out and threw them on, meeting Peter in his room as he was pulling his trunks up. Harley rolled his eyes and twisted them so that they were sitting correctly on Peter’s hips. This tended to happen when he got too excited.
“Ready?” He asked, holding his hand out. Peter took it instantly, smiling widely.
“Let’s go!”
***
It was another hour before either Tony or Steve stirred. Tony stretched his arm out, looking for Peter for a morning cuddle and hitting Steve’s arm instead. Tony’s brow furrowed in confusion, opening one eye to see where his kid went and only finding Steve there.
“Steve, where’s Peter?” He asked. Peter always woke one of them when he woke up. Tony’s question had Steve shooting up, looking around.
“Where is he? I can’t see him?!” He said, eyes wide and slightly panicked.
“Jarvis? Where is Peter?” Tony asked, trying to keep calm. It wasn’t like Peter to wander at all.
“Master Peter is in the swimming pool on floor ninety.” Steve and Tony leapt out of bed, rushing for the lift the Jarvis already had open for them. They both knew Peter could swim find, but he never knew when to stop if he was having fun, and often times he exhausted himself in the pool. Only Tony and Steve made him take breaks to prevent him from becoming too tired to move in the pool.
The lift felt like it was going slower than usual, Tony and Steve not saying a word to one another in fear of what they might find. When the doors finally opened, they ran for the pool room. Rushing in and calling Peter’s name as they did. Only coming to a stop when they saw the scene before him.
Peter was perched on a seal floaty while Harley was on the whale one. They were throwing a ball and trying not to fall off their floaties. Peter cocked his head at his parents, who looked like they had leapt out of bed in a rush.
“Are you guys okay?” He asked, getting off the floaty and walking to his parents slowly. When he got in his arms, reach Tony pulled him into his arms. Holding him tightly to him, kissing his wet curls.
“Mama?” He asked, hugging him back. Peter never said no to a cuddle.
Harley got out of the pool and looked on as Steve wrapped his arms around Peter and Tony.
“Seriously, you okay?” They both looked pale when they ran into the room.
“Yes. We’re just glad you were with Peter.” Steve said, pulling Harley into the cuddle when he was close enough.
Peter sighed happily. He wasn’t sure what was happening, but he had his whole family with him. Everything was perfect.