All The Stars Align

“Not the blue track pants.” Peter pushed the track pants out of Tony’s hands when he tried to give it to Peter.

“What ones then?” Tony asked, exhausted. He knew Peter was capable of getting dressed without putting up a fuss but apparently since he had to go to school, he liked to make it as difficult as possible.

“I want the grey ones.” Peter kicked his dresser and waited for Tony to grab it, which Tony did. “Here. Did you brush your teeth?”

“Yes. In our bathroom.” Peter told him with a pout.

Tony found it funny how Peter always said ‘our room’ when referring to his bedroom. “Alright. Finish getting dressed.”

“Not the white top.” Peter tossed the top away from him so Tony just stared at him. He was trying not to lose his patience.

Pepper knocked on Peter’s bedroom door that was already open. “I was just coming in to say good morning but it doesn’t seem like the right time.”

Tony turned to look at Pepper. “You’ll never find the right time. This is an everyday thing.”

“I’m not going to school today. Nothing fits me.” Peter tossed another pair of pants at Tony who just caught it and looked at Peter without saying anything.

“Alright. You have fun. I’ll see you later.” Pepper left the room after that and Tony wanted to beg her not to leave but he stayed silent.

Peter looked over at Tony who was sitting across from him on the other side of the room. “Stop looking at me.”

“I’m watching you act like a baby. Get your pants on, take off your pyjama shirt and get dressed.” Tony simply said. His legs were outstretched in front of him and were crossed with his arm supporting him.

“I can’t go to school.” Peter cried out but there were no tears. Yet.

“Why?” Tony asked.

Peter laid down and kicked his dresser. “Because I can’t today.”

“Stop kicking your dresser.” Tony told him and Peter immediately stopped.

He groaned and rolled onto his stomach so he could put his head on the floor and pull his legs up to his chest so he was in a ball. Tony wondered how long they could stay there for if he didn’t initiate anything.

After about three minutes, Tony knew that if he didn’t do anything then they could easily stay here all day. “Okay. Uncurl from your ball and get your pants on.”

Peter ignored him so Tony stood up and leaned over Peter to pick him up but Peter stayed curled in the ball. “Stand up.”

“I’m not going to school.”

“Yes you are.” Tony managed to get Peter to stand up but when he let him go, Peter sank right back down. Tony grabbed a pair of grey track pants and a grey sweater from Peter’s dresser and dropped it on top of Peter. “I’m gonna go downstairs for ten minutes, if I come back up and you’re still not dressed, I will get you dressed myself and I won’t be happy.”

Tony left Peter’s bedroom and went downstairs only to find Pepper standing there. “I thought you left.”

“Why are you telling him that you’re gonna get him dressed? Even I know that now he’s gonna sit there for a whole ten minutes until you go up and dress him.” Pepper crossed her arms.

“What? You were listening?” Tony asked, not even mad at the fact.

“Yes. I was listening. And why are you being so rude to him, I thought I told you not to get mad at him for acting the way he does. He doesn’t know any better.” Pepper followed Tony into the kitchen but Tony didn’t want to hear it.

It wasn’t even eight in the morning yet. “I know. It’s just frustrating for me.”

“Maybe he should stay home today.” Pepper suggested.

“I have a meeting at ten till at least two so I was hoping school would be his babysitter for the day.” Tony poured himself a cup of coffee and took a big sip.

“I could stay with him until you leave. I don’t really have anything important to do today. I’d have to take him to my office for about twenty minutes but that’s it.” Pepper offered.

“Oh.” Tony thought about it. That would work. It would be bad since it let Peter know just how far he has to go before he gave in but that was a problem for a different day. “Are you sure? The whole team is on a mission so it’ll just be you and he can get difficult.”

“Yeah, I’m sure. I’d love to spend some more time with him anyways.” Pepper was set on it.

Tony took another sip of his coffee. “Alright. Let me go tell him but I don’t leave till about nine forty-five so I’ll be here till then.”

Tony made his way upstairs and walked into Peter bedroom where he was still lying on the floor undressed. He wasn’t surprised and Pepper was right.

Peter looked up at Tony when he walked into the room. “Dad. No, are you mad?”

Tony turned Peter over so he could smack him on the butt once but that caused Peter to start whimpering. “I told you I wasn’t going to be happy. You are making this really hard for me. Peter. I’m trying but you have to try too.”

Peter was dramatically holding his butt but Tony didn’t even hit him that hard. Hard enough to let Peter know he was being serious. “That hurt.”

“I’m sorry. Can you please get dressed now?” Tony pleaded with him.

Peter shook his head so Tony sighed. “You hit my butt and it hurt.”

Tony nodded. He’s never done that before but it just felt like the right thing to do. His mom used to do it to him all the time when he was misbehaving and Peter was misbehaving so he’s surprised he hasn’t done it before.

“I’m sorry but you’re not listening.”

Peter whimpered and wiped the one tear that left his eye. “Are you gonna do it again?”

“Are you gonna get dressed?”

Peter nodded and sat up which made Tony want to cry out of happiness. He sat there and waited for Peter to get dressed and then Peter was holding his arms out for him and hugging his dad.

“I’m sorry. I should have listened but I didn’t like that.” Peter hugged Tony around his neck and played with the hairs on the back of Tony’s neck.

“Okay. Well now you know to listen to your dad.” Tony hugged Peter tightly then pulled away.

“So, bud,” Tony started. “you don’t want to go to school today?”

Peter sat up and tried to sit on Tony’s knee but Tony patted the floor, signalling Peter to sit there.

“No. I don’t want to. I’m gonna miss you.”

“Well, what if you stayed home today then? Do you wanna stay home?” Tony asked and Peter was already bouncing on the balls of his feet

“Yeah! Yes! I do. Can I?” Peter grabbed onto Tony’s legs and leaned forward to see if his dad was serious or not.

“You can. But just for today. Tomorrow and Friday you have to go.” Tony told him seriously but he knew that it would be another day like today no matter what.

Peter shook his head but stood up anyways. “Time for breakfast.”

Tony grabbed his hand. “Wait. Come sit back down. I want to talk to you for a sec.”

Peter sat down in front of Tony and looked at him with wide eyes. “What?”

“Today at ten, I have to go to a meeting and I won’t be back until a little bit later.” Tony explained to Peter.

Peter looked down and chewed on his lip. “Oh. Can I come?”

“No. Pepper is gonna stay here with you until I get back.”

Peter reached forward to grab onto Tony’s hand and played with his ring. “When will you be back?”

Tony watched Peter’s fingers move around his ring as he answered. “I’ll be back around two.”

Peter thought over a few things for a few seconds. “Oh. Well, is Pepper gonna stay with me for the whole time?”

“Yeah. She’ll be here.” Tony reached forward to run his thumb along Peter’s cheek.

Peter moved his face away from Tony and stood up. “I’m hungry. Can we go downstairs now?”

Tony stood up as well, “Yeah. Lead the way.”

Tony knew Peter was okay with it right now but later on, when the time came, he wouldn’t be.

Well, Tony was right. It was just past 9:30am and Tony had to go upstairs to get changed and ready to leave but Peter was grabbing onto him.

“You said ten. It’s not ten yet. Stay.” Peter grabbed onto Tony’s arms and made him stay seated on the couch.

“Pete, I have to get ready and be down there for ten. I have to go get ready.” Tony explained to Peter and pulled his arms out of Peter’s grasp so he could stand up.

“But… don’t go. Please. I don’t want to stay here with Pepper.” Peter cried out and held onto Tony’s arm again.

Tony looked over at Pepper who was watching the full thing from the couch. Both adults knew that Peter didn’t mean it since it was obvious that Peter liked Pepper but still, she wasn’t Tony.

“I’ll be back later and then we can do whatever we want together.” Tony told Peter and pulled out of his grip to go upstairs but Peter chased after him.

“No, dad.” Peter cried out so Tony sighed.

“You can come with me to get ready, okay?” Tony asked and Peter nodded so the two of them went upstairs and into Tony’s closet.

“When I leave, I don’t want you to give Pepper a hard time. You know that I’ll be back so be nice to her.” Tony hoped that Peter wouldn’t force Pepper to have to drag Peter away from him when he left.

He knew Peter was light and that Pepper could probably carry him if it came down to it but it wouldn’t be something that she would do unlike himself or Steve.

Peter pulled down a pair of Tony’s shoes off his shelf. “Are you gonna wear these?”

Tony looked down at Peter. “Did you hear what I said?”

“Yes. Did you hear what I asked?” Peter said with attitude, testing Tony.

Tony put down his suit jacket and walked over to Peter, grabbing him by the arm. “Get up.” He ignored Peter’s protests and sat him down on the window seat. “You sit here until I’m done. Do you understand me?”

Peter swatted Tony’s hands away from him. “No. I didn’t do anything!”

“Stop yelling. You are giving me attitude and you’re making things really hard for me so sit here until I say so.” Tony spoke firmly and bent down so he was closer to Peter’s face more in hopes that Peter got the message.

Tony stood back up fully and walked back to his closet but Peter was standing up and following him so Tony stopped and pointed to the seat. “Sit. I’m not telling you again.”

“I’m not sitting. You’re putting me in timeout and timeouts are for babies so no.” Peter looked up at his dad, trying to decide if Tony was serious or not.

“Well right now you’re acting like a baby. And you have been all day so sit down.” Tony warned him once again but Peter didn’t move so he grabbed Peter and forced him into the seat. “If you don’t stay here then I won’t come home tonight. I’ll go to the Compound without you.”

Tony regretted saying that as soon as it was out of his mouth because he knew that was the whole reason they were having this fight. Peter immediately started crying and threw himself down on the seat but Tony couldn’t take it back now so he walked into his closet and finished getting ready.

When he was done, he walked over to the seat and sat down next to Peter’s head. “Can you sit up?”

Peter pushed on his thigh with his hands. “No. Go away!”

Tony sighed. He checked the time and saw that it was 10:03am. He was already late so he had to go now. “Pete, I’m sorry for what I said but I have to go. Be good for Pepper. Please. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

Tony got up and left after that, leaving Peter crying.

He ran down the stairs and walked past the living room. “I’m late. I’m sorry but it looks like you got your hands full. Fill up some apple juice in his water bottle on the counter, it helps calm him down.”

Pepper watched Tony leave then stood up to grab the water bottle. As she walked upstairs, she could hear Peter crying in Tony’s bedroom and found him lying on the window seat.

“Hi Peter. Look what I have.” Pepper held up the water bottle and Peter reached out for it. Pepper sat down by Peter’s feet and watched him for a few seconds. “When you’re feeling better, do you want to do something together?”

Peter shook his head and pulled his water bottle from his mouth. “No. Tell dad to come back.”

Pepper shook her head sadly. “He’ll be back later. Until then, we should do something fun together.”

Peter went back to drinking and wiped the stray tears from his eyes then shook his head again. He stood up and climbed onto the bed so he could grab his teddy bear and lay down.

“Put on Craig of the Creek, FRIDAY.” Peter said and got comfortable so he could watch his cartoon.

Pepper sat on the bed herself and watched the tv for a few seconds. She recognized the voices from when she would call Tony and hear it on in the background.

“Can I watch an episode with you?” Pepper asked Peter who had his head on a teddy bear.

Peter nodded his head without saying anything so Pepper sat up on the bed in what she assumed was Tony’s side. Once she was seated, Peter made his way over to her and put his head on her lap, holding his bear in his arms.

Pepper melted at the action. She couldn’t wait to tell Tony.

The two of them stayed like that for two episodes and then Pepper had an idea.

“Hey, Peter,” Pepper said, tapping him on the back. “what do you say we go to a special dessert place for lunch? They have all sorts of pastries.”

Peter lifted his head off Peter’s lap and smiled. “Yeah. Do they have donuts there?”

“Yeah, they have everything, I’m pretty sure.” Pepper answered him. She looked at his face and smiled. He was such a cute kid. “You’re so cute, Pete.”

Peter blushed. “That’s what dad says. Can we go now?”

Pepper nodded her head but she had to ask Tony before she took his kid out of the tower. “We can. I just have to run to the bathroom, okay?”

Peter nodded his head and lied back down on the bed while he watched Pepper leave.

Pepper walked down the hall and went into her bedroom. She was going to call Tony but she didn’t want to scare him and make him think something was wrong so she texted him.

Pepper: Peter’s in a better mood. Can I take him to Don’s Bakery?

Tony’s reply came back immediately so Pepper knew that he wasn’t paying attention.

Tony: The one on Fifth Street?

Pepper: Yeah, that one. I already told him we could go

Tony's reply took a little longer to come back this time.

Tony: Take Happy with you guys then you can go. I’d prefer if he’s there

Pepper smiled to herself.

Pepper: Okay! I’ll call him

Tony: No need. I just texted him. He should be up in five min. Make sure Peter wears his boots, hat, and sweater under his jacket

Pepper: Will do daddy stark

Pepper smiled and put her phone in her pocket then went to go get Peter. He was still lying on the bed and drinking his water bottle but she knew he drank it all during the first episode. “You ready to go?”

Peter sat up and slid off the bed. “Is it a far drive?”

“No. Do you need to go pee first?” Pepper asked and waited for Peter to suddenly realize his need and rushed off into the bathroom.

Pepper left Tony’s bedroom and walked into Peter’s room to grab a sweater from his closet then met Peter in the hallway.

“Sometimes at nighttime, well… not anymore but me and dad used to race to see who can get ready for bed faster.” Peter said to Pepper while they walked down the stairs.

“Oh, that sounds like fun. Why don’t you guys do it anymore?” Pepper asked and handed Peter his sweater to put on.

“Um, because I shower with dad now.” Peter answered and went to grab his shoes.

Pepper was surprised for a second. “What? You shower with your dad?”

“No. I mean in his shower.” Peter sat down to get his shoes on but Pepper grabbed them away and placed his boots in front of him. “No. I need my shoes.”

It made more sense what Peter meant but she didn’t respond because she knew Tony wanted Peter to wear his boots. She didn’t even know why he had them out there where Peter would obviously grab them.

“There’s snow outside and it’s cold so you have to wear these.” Pepper grabbed the shoes and put them on the shelf in the room.

Peter went to grab them but Pepper stopped him. “Dad let’s me. He wants me to wear my shoes and not my boots.”

“Nice try, Peter. I was here last night. Put your boots on or we’re staying inside.” Pepper warned him and Peter’s eyes went wide before he started to put his boots on.

Pepper began putting her own stuff on, wondering what Tony has to put up with on a daily basis when trying to get Peter to do something. She knew that no matter what, Peter wasn’t going to have a full on meltdown with her since she isn’t Tony and Peter feels most comfortable with him. Well, she thinks so at least.

The two of them finish getting ready and Pepper handed Peter a hat but he put it back on the shelf. “I don’t like hats.”

“I know, but it’s cold so you have to wear one.” Pepper put it on Peter’s head for him but Peter took it off.

“No. I don’t need it.”

Pepper sighed. She didn’t understand why it was always something. It was as if Peter liked to test everyone’s limits or he truly just didn’t want the hat.

“Okay. I’m gonna bring it with us and you’re gonna wear it once we get outside.” Pepper told him but the elevator doors were opening so Peter didn’t respond.

“Hi Happy. Are you coming with us to the donut place?” Peter asked, running over to the man and looking up at him.

“Yeah, I’m keeping a distance though so don’t expect me to talk to you.” Happy grumbled.

Pepper rolled her eyes at Happys miserable attitude but she knew he cared about Peter a lot. He just wasn’t very good with talking to him.

The two of them wanted to walk there since it was only two blocks away so Happy followed behind the two of them down the street.

“Do you like the ones with the red stuff in it?” Peter asked.

They were talking about their favourite kinds of donuts and Pepper smiled because Tony was right, Peter was fun to talk to since his conversations switched every minute it seemed like.

“Yeah. Those ones are my favourite actually.”

Peter scrunched his face up. “Yuck. Those are the worst. I like chocolate and honey dip.”

The two continued talking until they arrived at the bakery so Peter ran inside and took a huge sniff. “Mm! It smells so good.”

“Go look at the menu and see what you want.” Pepper told him then the two walked over to it while Happy stood near them.

Peter ended up getting two donuts, chocolate glaze and honey dip, a mini apple pie, and a vanilla cupcake with chocolate milk. Pepper got a mini apple pie as well with two strawberry fritters and a tea.

Happy sat at the table across from them with a coffee and donut. He always did that so he gave Tony or whoever he was with their space but still be close and keep an eye on things.

Pepper took a picture of Peter holding up his donut and sent it off to Tony to keep him updated but also so he could see his kid since he couldn’t be there in person.

Peter took a bite of his donut. “Mmm! It’s yummy.”

“It looks good.” Pepper commented.

Peter held the donut out for her. “Do you want a bite?”

“No thank you, Peter. You eat.”

Peter wrapped his apple pie up in a napkin. “I’m gonna save this for dad.”

“That’s a good idea, Peter. He’ll like that.” Pepper couldn't get over how precious Peter was. She knew already that Peter was an amazing little kid both from her own experience and from what Tony would tell her but it was nice to see him and get to interact with him one on one.

“So, Peter, how is school going?” Pepper asked to see what Peter would say but Peter’s mood fell.

Peter was sitting up on his knees and looked around the bakery. “Um… I just don’t like school.”

“I know. It’s important you go though.” Pepper picked off a piece of her food and ate it.

Peter shook his head. “No, I’m not going today or the rest of the week because I’m staying home with my dad.”

Pepper nodded, knowing that that isn’t going to happen. “Are you giving your dad a hard time?”

Peter didn’t answer and decided to pick apart his donut.

“Sometimes?” Pepper added, curious as to what Peter would say.

“Hmm… sometimes I guess. Maybe like in the nighttime.” Peter answered but he was done talking about that now so he changed the subject. “Is dad coming soon? What time is it?”

“We’ll see him soon- oh, don’t lick that off the table, Peter.” Pepper watched Peter lick the spilt chocolate milk off the table and cringed.

Peter licked his lips and smiled at Pepper cheekily. “What? I can’t waste it.”

Pepper rolled her eyes. “You silly boy. Does your dad ever tell you that?”

Peter smiled proudly and nodded his head.

Pepper felt her phone vibrate and looked at the text from Tony.

Tony: That’s my baby. Take more pics for me. I’ll see you guys soon

Pepper: He’s licking the table. What do you teach your son

Pepper held up her phone to take more pictures of Peter eating his donut and sent them off to Tony.

After they were done eating, they left the bakery to go walk in the park that was across the street. Happy had to grab onto Peter’s arm since he had a problem on roads and never looked where he was going.

“Ow. You’re holding me too hard.” Peter tried to pull his arm out of Happy’s grass but it was no use.

“Then maybe you should learn how to cross roads.” Happy said as he held Peter until they made it across the road.

He let go of Peter once it was safe to do so and went back to following the two of them.

“I want to go on the swings with you, Pepper.” Peter said excitedly and pointed to the swings at the park that was empty since it was so cold out.

“Oh, I don’t know if I’ll fit. It’s not for adults.” Pepper hadn’t been on a swing for years.

The two of them made their way over to the park but Peter took a detour once his eyes landed on the inclusive swing seat. “Push me on this one!”

Peter brushed the show off then climbed onto the swing and pushed the bar between his legs until he heard a click. “Pepper! Push me!”

Pepper couldn’t help but take some pictures first which made Peter get impatient. “Hurry!”

“Okay. I’m coming. I’m coming.” Pepper put her phone into her pocket and pushed the swing but it was hard to do since the thing was heavy.

Either way, Peter was having fun because his laughing could be heard for miles.

Peter kicked his legs out to signal Pepper to stop. “I want off now. Make it stop.”

Pepper tried to stop the swing but it was too big and bulky so Happy came over to help. He grabbed onto the front piece and stopped it for Peter.

“Thanks, Happy.” Peter waited for Happy to open the bar for him so he could get out and go over to the rest of the park but Happy stopped him.

“Wait Peter. I think the park is closed.” Happy looked around the park, confused. There were always people at the park but there weren’t any now which was a bit odd, even in the weather.

Peter didn’t listen and climbed up the steps but then Pepper saw the sign that said that the park was temporarily closed due to extreme weather conditions.

“Oh, you’re right, Happy.” Pepper pointed to the sign and said. She then walked over to Peter who was about to go down the slide. “Come down. The park is closed, Peter.”

“Parks don’t close.” Peter said and was about to go down but Happy walked over and held his arm out to block him.

“It is closed. If you go down the slide then I’ll have to call the police on you since it’s illegal.” Happy lied about calling the police on Peter.

Peter hesitated. He wasn’t sure if Happy was telling the truth or not. “Fine. I’ll get down.”

He butt scooted down to the stairs and jumped onto the snow bank.

“Come see the sign, Peter.” Pepper pointed to the sign that said the park was closed so Peter walked over to it curiously and read it.

“Oh. But why is it closed?” Peter asked and turned to look at the park sadly.

Happy rolled his eyes. “Because it is.”

Pepper smacked him then turned to Peter. “It’s closed because the cold, icy weather makes it dangerous.”

“But will it open soon?” Peter asked. He wanted to come back once it did open.

“Maybe next week.” Pepper said to him and then she heard a familiar voice from behind them.

“You better wipe that snow off your butt before it melts.” Tony said as he got closer to his family.

Peter felt his face break off into a huge smile. He quickly turned around because he knew that voice anywhere. “Dad! You came!”

Peter ran towards his dad and jumped into his arms so Tony picked him up and held him just to get his cuddles in. “Hi baby. I missed you. How was Pepper? Were you good?”

Peter nodded against his dad’s shoulder but then Tony was putting him back on his feet and wiping the snow off his butt while Pepper and Happy walked over to them.

“How was he?” Tony asked Pepper. She didn’t look stressed at all so that was a good sign.

“He was good. We watched some show for a bit after you left then we got ready to leave and walked to the bakery then we came here.” Pepper explained to Tony, knowing that he would want to know details later on.

Tony smiled. He was so happy when he got that text from Pepper earlier on saying that Peter was in a better mood.

“That’s so good, bud. I’m so proud of you.” Tony pressed a kiss to Peter’s cold, rosy cheek and reached out to wipe the snot that was dripping from his nose.

“And the park is closed.” Peter pointed over to the park and went to go show Tony the sign. “See.”

“Oh yeah. It’s because of all the snow.” Tony told him and hugged Peter against his side.

“And Happy said he was going to call the police on me.” Peter told on the bodyguard to his dad.

Tony chuckled. “Why did he say that?”

Happy spoke up. “Because he wasn’t listening. And teach your kid to look both ways before he crosses the road.”

Tony knew that that was a huge problem with Peter. Both of those things. He was scared whenever they had to cross a road since Peter simply wouldn’t care and just walk out, not paying attention.

He turned to look at Pepper. “I thought you said he was good.”

She smiled at him sadly. “He was good. It was just now. Plus he refused to wear his hat.”

“Yeah, I noticed that.” Tony said. Peter was leaning against his body so Tony pushed his head back and moved his hair off his forehead. “I told you to be good.”

“I was. The park is closed though.” Peter pointed over to the park again and Tony sighed.

“I can see that. You ready to head home?” Tony asked him and Peter nodded.

“Can we go in the hot tub?” Peter asked, suddenly excited to go home.

“Yeah. We can do whatever you want.”

Peter suddenly remembered what he saved his dad. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the wrapped up apple pie. “Here, dad. I saved this for you. I know you like apple pie and I wanted to get it for you so you can eat it when you want to eat it.”

Tony felt his heart melt. “Aw, Petey. You’re so cute. Thank you so much. Hmm it smells so good.”

Peter smiled, happy that his dad liked it and then he tapped his dad on the arm. “Can I go in the snow now?”

Tony knew that Peter was going to ask that so he nodded. “Go ahead.”

“Yay!” Peter ran off into the fresh snow on the field and sat down in it.

“Tony, we have to walk back.” Pepper told him, annoyed.

“You think I walked here? I brought my car.” Tony told her and watched Peter with a proud smile on his face. He loved his kid so much.

“How did you know we were here?” Pepper asked although with Tony, she couldn’t be surprised.

“I tracked Peter’s watch.” Tony told her. He then put his hands in his pocket and watched Peter in the snow. He knew that Peter was never able to play in the snow that much as a kid since no one ever had the time to take him and New York was busy so it was first come first served when it came to playing in the snow.

It was getting too long though since Peter was only in his track pants and a jacket which wasn’t warm enough for him to be rolling in the snow like a dog. “Okay, all done now. Let’s go home and go into the hot tub.”

Peter stood up and walked over to Tony to show him the snow he had in his hands. “Look, dad.”

“Don’t you dare throw that at me.” Tony warned him but then Peter got his mischievous grin on his face and he was throwing the snow at Tony. “You little bugger.”

Peter went to run away but Tony grabbed his arm and pulled him back so he could lift Peter into his arms. “Dad!” Peter laughed at the position he was being carried in since he was practically upside down now.

“What did you say?” Tony teased as he carried Peter upside down towards his car.

Peter kicked his legs out and laughed. “I’m upside down!”

“Yeah you are.” Tony laughed but he put Peter back on the ground before he got a leg to his face.

Peter dramatically fell to the ground and held his head but Tony rolled his eyes at him and pretended to step on him until Peter stood up.

“What’s with you, you hyper child?” Tony asked him but then he remembered the picture Pepper sent him with Peter eating all that sugar.

Peter didn’t answer him and went to go get in the car that he spotted across the street but Tony quickly grabbed onto his arm. “Wait for Happy and Pepper.”

“I wanna walk.” Peter tried to pull himself away from Tony’s hand but Tony held him tightly.

“No, we’re driving back. It’s too cold out and it’s gonna start snowing soon.” Tony waited for the two adults to catch up to them while Peter pulled on his arm.

He handed the keys to Happy so he could sit in the back with his kid. “You wanna drive, Hap?”

“Yep.” Happy took the keys from him and then they all crossed the road and got into the car.

Pepper sat up front with Happy and Tony sat in the back with Peter who was being difficult. “I like it when you sit with me, dad. The backseat is fun.”

“Yeah, put your seatbelt on, bud.” Tony pulled the seatbelt over Peter since he wasn’t doing it himself. “Are you hungry? Do you want some food before we go in the hot tub?”

Peter shook his head. “No. My legs are itchy. Itchy. Itchy.”

“That’s because they’re all wet now. We’ll be home soon, buddy.” Tony touched Peter’s pants and cringed. He should have told Pepper to put on his snow pants.

Tony had never sat in the backseat of this vehicle before. It was weird for him to sit back there but it was interesting because he got to see everything that Peter saw when he sat back there which wasn’t often since he just bought the suv.

“Oh look, you can control your own heat back here.” Tony turned on the heat and aimed it at Peter.

Peter looked at what his dad was doing and reached for it. “And it can go cold too. Like this.”

“Don’t put the air conditioning on. It’s freezing outside.” Tony pushed Peter’s hands away and then Pepper was leaning back to look at them.

“You sound like a kid, Tony.” Pepper shook her head, amused at him.

Tony rolled her eyes at her and took his seatbelt off since they were arriving at the tower. Peter copied his dad and took it off as well. “Hot tub time.” Peter cheered and climbed over Tony’s lap to get out.

Tony got out after Peter and shut the door. “Are you guys coming?”

“I’ll come.” Pepper said and joined Peter in the elevator but Happy was going in the other direction and waving bye to everyone so Tony took that as a no.

After they were changed and ready to go in the hot tub, Peter placed the towels down on the floor just outside the back door and danced on the spot. “Open it! Open it!”

“I’m coming, Pete. Is Pepper ready?” Tony looked up at the stairs but he didn’t see her coming just yet. He had no idea how both him and Peter got changed and beat her out.

“I don’t know. Maybe she’s getting her bathing suit on.” Peter smacked on the glass door as if that would open it for him.

Tony rolled his eyes at his kid's answer. “Oh you think.”

“Open! I want out.” Peter smacked on the door again so Tony typed in the code and opened the door.

Peter ran out but it was snowing and freezing so Tony shut the door and quickly opened up the hot tub so they could get in. “Don’t go in the middle because you can’t reach the bottom.”

Peter climbed into the hot tub and squatted down one one of the seats so he was covered. Tony climbed in after him and melted into the heat. He definitely needed this after a long and tiring day.

“And don’t get your hair wet because it’ll make you cold and sick.” Tony warned Peter but he knew Peter was bound to go under eventually.

“All the snowflakes that pass by us, we’re gonna see them first before everyone on the ground sees them.” Peter pointed out and Tony nodded. Typical Peter chats.

The door was opening and Pepper walked out dressed in a bikini. Tony felt his heart skip a beat and his jaw drop. He knew he was being obvious but he didn’t care.

Peter turned to Pepper. “Dad said don’t let your hair get wet.”

Pepper smiled at him and went to go sit next to Tony. “Thanks for letting me know, Peter. I’ll be sure not to dip my head under.”

Peter saw her sitting next to his dad so he crawled over the seats and sat on his dad. Tony put his hands on Peter’s stomach without even thinking about it, it was just a reaction that he had whenever Peter sat on him.

There were a bunch of snowflakes falling in Peter’s hair so Tony wiped them away but immediately regretted that because he just wet Peter’s hair.

Peter turned around on Tony’s lap and smiled then did the same to Tony. “I’m gonna give you a mohawk.”

Tony pushed Peter’s hands off of him. “No, get away. Go sit on your own seat.”

Peter shook his head and laid his head on his dad’s chest. “No. I love you.”

Tony rubbed Peter’s back. “I love you too.”

Peter pulled away from Tony and smiled at him then wrapped his arms around his neck so he could hug his dad again. Pepper was watching the two of them interact and then Peter was pulling away again and sliding off of his dad's lap to crawl on the seats over to the far seats.

Pepper and Tony began talking about nothing important really, just enjoying each other’s company. Tony would glance over at Peter every so often to make sure he was still okay.

Peter crawled back over on the seats in the water and stood on his dad's feet so he could stand in the water. Tony wasn’t phased by Peter’s actions and even held his hands out so Peter could hold onto for support.

It was when Peter slipped under the water that Tony decided it was time to go inside. He grabbed Peter by the arm and pulled him onto the seat next to him then wiped the water off his face for him. “You good?”

Peter nodded his head. “Uh huh. I got water in my mouth.”

“Spit it out then.”

“I swallowed it.” Peter said then went to swim away again but Tony stopped him by his bathing suit waistband.

“Time to go inside now. It’s almost dinner.” Tony pulled Peter closer to him and let go of his swim shorts. “Are you hungry?”

Peter nodded his head. “Yeah.”

“Okay, good. Let’s go in.” Tony ran a hand through his hair and got out of the hot tub since it was freezing and he wanted to get inside as soon as possible.

He grabbed the towels from inside and wrapped one around himself then passed the other one to Pepper who was getting out.

“Come, Pete. It’s freezing.” Tony held the towel out for Peter but Peter shook his head.

“I want to do what I did last time again.” Peter told Tony and Tony knew that meant taking off his bath suit and immediately getting wrapped in the towel so it was warmer.

“Okay, Pep, can you just turn around for a sec.” Tony told Pepper and she understood what was happening right away so he turned around as Peter stripped from his bathing suit like last time and immediately got wrapped in the towel.

Tony held him with one arm holding onto Peter while he pulled the hot tub cover over it and then walked inside with Pepper.

Pepper looked over at Peter bundled up in his dad’s arms and cooed at him. “You look very comfortable, Peter.”

Peter laid his head on his dad's shoulder. The heat from the hot tub was trapped in the towel and Tony was holding him which made him feel really safe and relaxed. “I am.”

“We’ll be done after we shower and change so we’ll see you soon.” Tony told Pepper and went upstairs with Peter.

Later that night, after showering and an early dinner, the three of them watched a movie but it was already nine so Tony patted Peter’s knee. “Time for bed. You have school tomorrow.”

Peter shook his head and slid off the couch so he was half on and half off now. “Not tomorrow. I want it to be the weekend.”

Tony wanted that too. He stood up and pulled Peter up by his arms. “Say goodnight to Pepper.”

Peter threw his head back and let out a fake cry. “No! One more day at home!”

Pepper gave Tony a sad look but Tony shook his head because he knew this was an every night thing. “I’m gonna put him to bed and come down so we can talk. I’ll be like an hour though.”

“I’ll be here. Take your time with him.” Pepper switched the tv on and started flipping through the channels but that caught Peter eye so he tried to reach for the remote.

“Give it! I’m going to watch my show now.” Peter tried to grab the remote but Tony had to grab it from Pepper to put it away. She mouthed sorry to Tony but Tony waved her off. “I get to watch one show tonight.”

Tony shook his head. He knew by the time he got Peter in bed then it would be too late for a show. “Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow night.”

“I need to watch it tonight. Dad!” Peter begged Tony but Tony shook his head again. “I’m gonna watch it.”

“No you’re not. Stand up.” Tony pulled Peter to his feet but Peter threw his weight down so Tony picked him up and held him like a sack of potatoes under his arm as he listened to Peter start crying while he carried him up the stairs and into his bedroom.

Tony dumped Peter on his bed, extremely grateful that Peter was already in his pyjamas and showered. He knew Peter was going to brush his teeth tonight so he didn’t bother with that.

Peter sat up and tried to grab the remote that wasn’t on the nightstand table. “Where is it?! I need it!”

“You don’t need it, Peter. Please.” Tony begged but it went on deaf ears because Peter was way too emotional now. This wasn’t working for them.

Peter picked up one of the pillows and threw it at Tony weakly but Tony caught it and went to go put it back. He sat down on the edge of the bed and stared at Peter. Nothing was working. Being firm and strict with Peter wasn’t working, taking his legos away. Nothing. He didn’t know what to do.

“Can you lie down?” Tony asked, calmly while Peter cried for absolutely no reason.

“No! I’m not g-goin’ to sleep ‘cause I’m not going to school tomorrow!” Peter cried out and threw himself down onto the bed face first.

Tony reached out to rub Peter’s back but Peter rolled away from him. “Don’t touch me!”

Tony moved his hand back onto his lap and sat there, wondering how they got like this.

Night times were always hard but recently they’ve just been harder and they seem to be getting harder and harder. Tony finds himself giving in a lot just because he can’t take the crying because it hurts him so badly to listen to his baby hurt like this.

Tony put his head in his hand and looked over at Peter who was lying on his back and crying up at the ceiling. Tony knew he was exhausted and now he was tiring himself out even more.

Tony stood up and left the bedroom to grab Peter’s water bottle so he could fill it up with some melatonin. He knew it was awful of him to secretly give that to Peter but he couldn’t sit there all night like that.

Pepper looked up at him when he walked downstairs. “What’s going on up there? It sounds like you’re hurting him.”

“I’m not even touching him. This is every night, Pepper.” Tony filled Peter’s water bottle up with water and grabbed the melatonin. “This is every fucking night and I can’t do this anymore.”

Tony filled the bottle up and went back upstairs, leaving Pepper.

When he got to his bedroom, Peter was still crying but now he was sitting up in bed. He saw his water bottle and reached out for it but Tony didn’t hand it to him just yet.

“Nope. Lie down under the blankets with your head on the pillow.” Tony told him and as simple as it was, Peter didn’t do it because he was being emotional right now.

Instead, Peter face planted onto the bed again and flapped around like a fish out of water. Tony watched him for a few seconds then he grabbed Peter by his arm and leg and pulled him up on the bed then covered the blankets over him.

He laid down next to Peter and handed him his water bottle and the teddy bear that was on the floor. Peter cuddled the bear to his chest as if his life depended on it.

“What’s wrong, Peter? Why is bedtime so hard for us?” Tony didn’t think Peter was going to respond and when he didn’t, Tony wasn’t surprised. He couldn’t be surprised because Peter was quiet now and trying to relax.

Tony brushed the curls from his face that were now wet from all his tears. Peter let go of his bear to point out for the tv but Tony shook his head. “Not tonight. Close your eyes.”

“Not tired.” Peter lied so Tony reached out and placed his hand over Peter’s eyes to force them to shut.

He stayed like that for a few minutes until the melatonin was starting to take effect and put Peter to sleep.

After a long forty minutes, Tony slowly got off the bed and shut the lamp off. Peter was sleeping but it didn’t look like he was in a deep sleep so Tony just hoped that Peter didn’t wake up while he was gone.

He went downstairs and sat down on the couch across from Pepper. He sighed loudly because he did it, Peter was asleep but it took so freaking much out of the both of them.

“You weren’t kidding when you said it takes an hour.” Pepper said but she wasn’t joking.

Tony nodded. He could feel his eyes start to burn but he didn’t know why he wanted to cry. He was just done. “I can’t live like this anymore.”

Pepper was silent so Tony continued. “Peter and I… we can’t keep doing this. He’s crying because he’s in so much emotional pain because he’s terrified of going to school and… I just can’t. This just isn’t working and it’s getting worse.”

Tony put his face in his hands and started to silently cry. “I can’t do this. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.”

Pepper stood up and crossed the distance between the two. She sat down next to Tony and rubbed his back. “You’re not doing anything wrong, Tony. I see you with him, you’re an amazing father and I can tell he adores you so much.”

“I’m failing him.” Tony admitted quietly.

“You’re not.” Pepper reassured him. “He’s only fourteen years old and he’s already been through way too much in his little life so it’s hard for him.”

Tony shook his head but he knew that. It was just hard and he was struggling a lot. “This just can’t continue. He’s miserable. I’m miserable. I dread bedtime so much and I hate that I do. I gave up on trying to get him into his own bed because it just… it’s not gonna happen.”

Pepper continued on rubbing his back as Tony cried silently and wiped his tears just as quickly as they came. “I know it’s hard, Tony, but you can’t give up. Peter needs you to be patient with him.”

“I know.” Tony whispered. He was trying to be patient but even that wasn’t working. “It’s just so hard to listen to him cry like that every night and then every morning.”

Tony sat back on the couch and looked at Pepper with red eyes. She smiled weakly at him. “Maybe homeschooling is an option. I knew it was bad but not this bad. It’s bad, Tony.”

Tony laughed with no humour behind it. “Yeah. I know. That’s not the only thing he needs. I want to get him a therapist but… I don’t know how that’ll go.”

“Why are you having doubts?” Pepper asked patiently.

“Uh… I don’t know. I know I’ll have to tell them that Peter is Spider-Man and that scares me. It also scares me that Peter is Spider-Man so there’s that too.” Tony admitted. He hated that Peter was Spider-Man and he contemplated taking his suit away from him until he was at least twenty-one.

“If you do this, you’ll get someone that you and Peter can trust so it’ll be okay. Also, take Spider-Man away from him if you hate it so much.” Pepper told him and Tony looked at her in surprise. “I’m serious. He’s clearly not mature enough for that and you’re his dad so take the suit.”

Tony knew he couldn’t just take Peter’s suit. He was more concerned about Peter potentially hating him for it.

“I can’t do that.”

“Yeah you can. You are his father. You can tell him to do anything, within reason of course.”

Tony had to think long and hard about that one but one thing at a time. He already spoke to Peter about potentially getting a therapist so now all he had to do was some intense research.

“Yeah. I’ll save that for another day. I want to think more about taking him out of school.” Tony paused. “I really think it’ll help him because right now, what we’re doing every night and every morning just isn’t working anymore.”

“You should talk to him about it.” Pepper suggested but Tony shook his head.

“No. Not yet. I know he’ll say yes but I need to make sure that I’m okay with it. It’ll be like if I put a piece of chocolate in front of him and say ‘what would you do if I offered you this’, he’s obviously going to eat it so I have to be sure I’m not teasing him. I brought it up once in Miami but we were just talking.” Tony put his head in his hands. He had so much on his plate.

“Take one thing at a time-”

Pepper was cut off by the sound of crying coming from down the stairs. Both adults looked over and saw Peter making his way down the stairs with his bear tight against his chest.

Peter ran into the living room, crying. “You left me!”

Tony held his arms out for Peter and lifted him onto his lap. “Shh, it’s okay.”

Peter shook his head and cried harder. He mumbled something that Tony couldn’t understand.

“Why is tonight so hard for you, baby?” Tony asked Peter and lifted him a bit up on his lap so he could put his hands under him.

Peter shook his head into his neck. “I don’ Wanna go to school.”

Tony looked over at Pepper. He didn’t say anything but he wanted her to hear that so she could understand what nighttime at the Stark tower was like.

He stood up with Peter and hoisted him in his arms a bit so he could bring him back upstairs. “I’m taking him up then I’m gonna stay with him so I’ll see you tomorrow before you leave, right?”

“Yeah. Tomorrow.” Pepper nodded and watched the two of them leave.

Once Tony got upstairs with Peter, he laid him back down and covered him with the blankets. “Let me go change then I’ll come sleep with you.”

Peter didn’t say anything as Tony went into the bathroom to brush his teeth and change into his pyjamas then he joined Peter in the bed. He was exhausted both mentally and physically and was not looking forward to tomorrow.