A Slice Of Life, Death And Everything In-Between

Keeping The Monsters Away

A/N: I hope you all enjoy!! ❤️💙❤️💙

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"I thought you didn't like horror movies, bambi?"

Glancing over at Tony from his nest of blankets, Peter reaches out once his father figure gets closer, snagging a handful of popcorn before retreating back into his soft cocoon. He shrugs, the couch sinking under the billionaire's weight as Tony finally sits down.

"I'm Spider-Man," Peter says with an eye-roll, unwrapping half the blanket from around himself and holding it out in Tony's direction. "I went to freaking space and fought a gigantic purple grape-man with a butt chin, I think I can handle watching IT Chapter Two ."

"Okay," Tony rolls his own eyes, taking the offered piece of blanket and gently tugging Peter against his side along with it, settling the spiderling against his shoulder. "Whatever you say, buddy. Just know, I won't judge you if you need to hide under the covers. Morgan does it all the time."

"Yeah, but she's 5."

"Like I said, I won't judge."

Peter scoffs, cuddling closer and kicking his feet up on the couch. "Tony, I'm not a baby."

"You'll always be my Spider-Baby, though."

"Even when I'm 30 and you have a million gray hairs?"

"Yeah, even then." Tony laughs, reaching out to gently flick Peter's button nose, ignoring the boy's startled yelp. "Just shut up and watch the movie, kiddo."

"Fine."

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They've barely made it a quarter of the way through before Peter finally ducks his head under the blanket with a small cry of fright.

Tony chuckles and quickly glances downwards, watching the lump of cloth that is his son's head curl up tighter against his chest. Peter's bright doe eyes, reflected by the harsh blue and red light of the movie screen, peek out from behind his fingers before he clenches them shut again at the next jump scare.

Tony, despite knowing that the threat causing his son to flinch away in fear is only a movie, can't stop the way he gathers the teen closer, practically swaddling Peter in the soft blanket. Peter squirms, face heating in a blush and Tony has to swallow down what he could only describe as a coo.

It helps his own slowly rising anxiety, just knowing that the spiderling is safe in his arms, even from make-believe monsters.

"It's okay, bubba." Tony whispers. "It's just a movie. We can turn it off, if you want?'

Peter blushes harder, his rosy cheeks beet-red through his fingers and he tries to pull away, shaking his head. "N-No, I want to keep watching. I'm sorry--"

"Hey, don't apologize, kid. Everyone gets spooked once and a while." Tony says, leaning down to press a kiss against Peter's forehead, smoothing back the teenager's unruly curls with his free hand. "I'll keep you safe while we watch, bambino ."

"Thanks, Tony." Peter's voice is soft.

"Nothing to thank me for, bug. I'll always look out for you, even from Pennywise the crazy clown."

Peter, after hesitating for a few more seconds, finally sighs, sinking further against the older superhero. One of his own hands comes up, his fingers tangling in the collar of Tony's sleep-shirt. Tony just pulls him closer, feeling his heart melt a bit and he swallows, signaling to Friday to un-pause the movie.

Peter doesn't flinch the whole rest of the film.

A/N: Thank you for reading! 💖🥰