𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤

Softest Place

Parings → Peter Parker x Reader

Warnings → Fluff, toddler behavior, clingy child, mama's boy, domestic family moments, soft Peter Parker, humor, parenting, cute overload

Summary → Four-year-old Ben refuses anyone but his mama outside, leaving Peter jealous while you struggle carrying your clingy toddler.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★｡･:*:･ﾟ☆ ｡･:*:･ﾟ★

Ben had mastered one thing in life already.

Making you carry him everywhere.

"Mama up," he'd say instantly the second you stepped outside the apartment building, tiny hands raised, brown eyes so dramatic Peter swore the kid deserved an Oscar already.

And you always cracked.

Always.

Even when you knew your arms were gonna feel like noodles after ten minutes.

Even when Peter was standing right there with enhanced spider strength and fully functioning arms.

Like today.

You were walking through Queens after grocery shopping, the afternoon sun warm against your skin, Ben attached to your hip while you struggled to balance a tote bag on your shoulder too.

Peter looked personally offended.

"Ben," he said patiently, holding his arms out, "buddy, come here. Daddy can carry you."

Ben immediately buried his face into your neck.

"No."

Peter blinked. "Wow. Okay. That hurt my feelings a little."

You snorted, adjusting Ben higher against your hip with visible effort. "Baby, daddy wants to hold you."

"Nooo." Ben tightened his little arms around your neck. "Mama."

Peter pointed at himself. "I'm literally Spider-Man. I can bench press cars."

Ben looked at him with complete seriousness.

"Mama better."

You burst out laughing so hard you nearly lost balance.

Peter gasped dramatically. "Excuse me? Betrayal in my own family."

Ben peeked over your shoulder proudly, tiny cheek squished against you. "Mama soft."

"Oh, now we're ranking texture too?" Peter complained.

The thing was, Ben could walk perfectly fine. At home he zoomed around the apartment like a tiny caffeinated tornado. Climbed furniture. Ran down hallways. Jumped on Peter's back like a feral raccoon.

But outside?

Suddenly he was a baby koala.

Especially with you.

And honestly... you secretly loved it a little.

Even if your back was currently filing legal complaints.

A few more minutes passed before your arm started genuinely dying.

You tried not to show it, but Peter noticed instantly because of course he did.

His expression softened.

"Okay, c'mere," he said gently, reaching for your bag instead. "At least let me take that."

You sighed in relief. "Thank God."

Peter took every single bag with one hand like they weighed nothing while walking beside you.

Meanwhile Ben stayed glued to you like emotional support Velcro.

Peter looked over at him again. "You know daddy loves cuddles too, right?"

Ben thought carefully about this.

Then nodded.

"But mama smells nice."

Peter stopped walking entirely.

You wheezed laughing.

"Oh my God."

Peter looked genuinely wounded now. "What does that even mean? Are you saying I smell bad?"

Ben nodded with brutal toddler honesty. "Sometimes."

"THIS HOUSE IS HOSTILE."

You were laughing so hard now your shoulders shook, which made Ben giggle too because your laughter always triggered his.

Peter stared at both of you like the most betrayed man alive.

"I fight supervillains for this family."

Ben patted your shoulder comfortingly, completely ignoring him.

"Mama's warm."

Peter pointed accusingly. "See? See what I mean? I'm not even part of this conversation anymore."

Eventually you reached the small park near your apartment, and your arm officially gave up on life.

"Peter," you groaned weakly, "I physically cannot feel my arms anymore."

Peter immediately stepped closer. "Ben, mama's tired. Daddy's turn."

Ben frowned hard.

"No."

"Buddy-"

"Nooo."

You kissed Ben's hair softly. "Sweetheart, mama needs a break."

Ben looked conflicted now. Tiny eyebrows scrunched together while he stared at your face.

Because he loved being carried by you.

But he also loved you.

And apparently toddler logic finally decided your wellbeing mattered more.

Slowly, very reluctantly, he reached toward Peter.

Peter looked absurdly triumphant while taking him.

"Yes. Victory."

Ben immediately leaned back toward you though, one hand still grabbing your shirt dramatically like he was being separated forever.

You laughed softly, rubbing his little leg. "I'm still here, clingy bug."

Peter adjusted Ben easily against his chest and smirked. "Wow. My arms don't feel like they're about to detach. Crazy."

"Oh shut up," you muttered.

Peter grinned before kissing your forehead quickly.

"You're cute when you baby him."

"He's four."

"He's your baby though."

That hit a little too hard emotionally for a random grocery trip.

You looked over at your boys - Peter carrying Ben effortlessly while Ben still reached for you every five seconds just to make sure you were close.

And yeah.

Your heart melted a little.

Even if your spine was suffering.

‎∗ ࣪ ˖༺ 𓆩☆𓆪 ༻˖ ࣪ ∗