Work Text:
Tony startled at the kid in his lab. He was pretty sure he had sent Peter home a couple hours ago and then he went ahead and took an hour nap. Or did he imagine that? He can never be too sure what he does when he hasn't slept in 3 days. He really hopes he didn't just leave the kid in here. Peter was bent over a desk(the kid's personal desk, the kid doesn't know this but Tony never lets anyone else use it) writing on a piece of blueprint paper. Tony stared for a moment longer before hesitantly making his way over.
"Peter?..."
Peter whips his head up and then smiles brightly, "Mr. Stark! How was your nap?"
"Uh, pretty good. Didn't I send you home or did I dream that?"
Peter shakes his head very fast, "No, Mr. Stark, it happened. I just got this amazing idea and couldn't sleep so I just webbed here! The window was open so I just crawled in."
Tony always kept that window open for Peter.
"Okay, kid. I wish you would've told me though. Does your Aunt know?"
Peter hummed and looked back at the paper, "I think so? I don't remember."
"You…don't remember?"
Peter looked back up at him, "She had a night shift, I think?"
"Okay…let me text her."
Peter nodded and went back to work.
Tony softly shook his head in bewilderment and grabbed his phone from his desk. He found 'Aunt Hottie' in his contacts. He was surprised at the amount of missing calls and unread texts from her. They were all variants of 'have you seen peter'. Okay, so she didn't have a night shift. Peter usually remembered this stuff. He scrolled all the way up and apparently the kid just crashed through the window–open window–talking about how he had this brilliant idea. Weird.
He sent a quick text letting her know where Peter is and looked back over at said kid. Peter was bent over, still drawing and had his tongue poking out. It was adorably cute and Tony had to look away for a second. He walked back over.
"Hey, kid. What you working on?"
Peter grinned at him and scooted the paper over. Tony blinked. It was a bunch of random shapes. The kid had been drawing random shapes for probably an hour.
He spoke with fake enthusiasm, "This is really good!"
"Aw, thanks, Mr. Stark. I love it when you compliment me."
Toyn faltered. The kid has never been this direct before. I mean, Tony already knew that. How could he not? Anytime he simply said good job, the kid turned into a tomato.
"You're welcome. Now, apparently you just vaulted out your window and came straight here. Your Aunt was very worried. What is that about?"
Peter frowned, "I didn't mean for her to worry. I just had to put this idea down."
Tony didn't know what this 'idea' was considering it was a bunch of scribbles but he still felt bad for the kid. He shouldn't be ribbing him, he's not Peter's dad.
"Yeah, I get that. But next time, why don't you let me or May know, okay? You know you're welcome here whenever you want but I would appreciate a heads up."
"Yeah, yeah, of course. Oh! Speaking of appreciate, I saw this really cute dog the other day. It was with this little girl. I was about to pet it but then someone robbed the dollar store across the street."
How did the kid get that from the word appreciate?
"Sounds interesting," he looked at the clock, "It's almost twelve, why don't you head home?"
"But Mr. Stark, I need to finish. It'll only take me 10 minutes, I promise."
Tony sighed, "Alright. But no longer than ten minutes," he looked around the workshop, "I'll…clean or something."
Peter nodded enthusiastically.
Tony cleaned for the next ten minutes, periodically checking on the kid and each time he was still writing incessantly on the paper. He couldn't help but be a little concerned. This was so unlike Peter. He has always been a little weird but…he doesn't seem like he's even thinking straight. I mean seriously, what's up with the blueprint?
FRIDAY let him know when the time was up. He really loves his baby girl. He didn't even tell her to say anything.
He approached the kid, "Peter, time to go. Come on."
Peter looked sadly at his work and then sighed, "Alright, Mr. Stark."
Peter got up and immediately stumbled. Tony grabbed him by the armpits before he could take a swan dive into the lab floor.
Peter grinned at him, "Thanks for catching me."
"Yeah, okay. Just…be careful."
Tony hesitantly let go and Peter started to move before collapsing. Tony once again caught him. He settled down on the floor with Peter in his lap.
Tony breathed out, "Jesus, kid. I'm gonna get gray hairs."
Peter didn't answer. Tony freaked out because he could clearly see the kid was awake and everyone knows Peter never stops talking.
"FRIDAY, what's wrong with him?"
There was a pause and then, "Peter is severely sleep deprived and is experiencing delirium. Sleep should help remedy it and give him water and food when he wakes up."
Toyn was wide eyed, "The kid is acting like this because he didn't sleep? Wow, do I act like that?"
"You do experience similar symptoms. You both tend to not think straight. While Peter makes questionable designs, you end up testing tech and then proceed to injure yourself."
Tony rolled his eyes, "That was rhetorical."
"I suggest you bring Peter up to bed. I have already contacted May Parker."
"Oh. Yeah, thanks, Fri."
Tony gathered Peter in his arms, making it so the kid's head rested on his shoulder and stood up, grunting as he did so. He might be getting a little old.
Peter became aware of himself at the sudden change in height, "Woah. Where am I going?"
Tony carried Peter to the elevator, " We are going to bed."
"Oh, okay."
Tony was a little surprised at Peter's nonchalance about this.
He entered the elevator and he stopped and asked, "Could you connect Karen to the elevator for a sec, FRI?"
"One moment, Boss."
A pause.
"Hello, Mr. Stark."
He laughed, "I'm pretty sure I did not tell you to call me that. Did you get that from Peter?"
"Peter has been influential in my personality."
"Good, good. Speaking of Peter, did…something happen? He hasn't been sleeping."
Karen hesitated, "He would not like me to tell but he has been having trouble with Flash lately."
"You mean that bully? He's still bothering Peter?"
"Yes. They have ruined all his schoolwork so he has to do it after patrol. Then when he does lie down, he is plagued by thoughts of what they said. He has spent many nights talking to me about it."
He sighed, "Thanks. I'll talk to Aunt. We'll figure something out. I'm glad he has you."
"Of course. I'm glad he has you too."
FRIDAY chimed back in, "Ready for bed, Boss?"
"Yep, let's go."
The short elevator ride was spent in silence and Tony even found he didn't mind carrying Peter (it was really messing up his back though). The kid was really light and it was comforting to hear him breathe. That way Tony knew Peter didn't spontaneously die (he's had nightmares about that).
They came to a stop at his personal floor. Tony debated telling FRIDAY off for not bringing him to the guest floor but thought better of it. At least this way he knew Peter would be safe. He entered one of the many guest rooms and set Peter down but to his surprise, Peter had latched on using his stickiness.
"Hey, kid. You need to let go, I can't stay here with you."
Peter grumbled, "Why not?"
"For starters, I don't think Aunt Hottie would want a 40 year old man sleeping in the same bed as you."
Peter still didn't let go, "May won't mind. She already knows I think of you as a dad."
Tony let out a strangled noise at the admission but Peter didn't seem to notice. He started to drag Tony into the bed with him. Tony went with reluctantly. Peter instantly snuggled into the man, sticking his face in his neck.
"Night, Mr. Stark."
Tony huffed, "Goodnight, Pete."
They would have a lot to talk about tomorrow but for now, Tony allowed himself to sleep.