Growing Up

4 Years Old

Happy Peter was something Tony could deal with. Keeping Peter happy was easy and he was easy to entertain. Scared Peter he was okay with; cuddle him, promise everything will be okay, and he's fine! Screaming, angry Peter was a whole different story. Tony had never seen this side of Peter and after asking JARVIS what the actual hell was going on, he was informed Peter was having his first temper tantrum.

"First?" Tony breathed, "You mean there's gonna be more?"

He didn't have time to listen to JARVIS's response as Peter hit his knee and screamed again.

"Meanie!"

Tony sighed and squatted down to look at the kid. With tears streaming down his face and a permanent frown, it was no secret that Peter was upset.

"Peter, you have to calm down, buddy," Tony said.

Peter screamed at him and Tony closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before opening them again.

"Use your words, please."

"No!" Peter screeched right as the lift dinged, alerting Tony that Pepper had (finally) arrived to help him out.

Hurrying over to them, Pepper took a seat on the couch beside Peter and didn't even look at Tony.

"Hey, whats going on, Peter?" she asked softly. Peter glared at Tony and crossed his arms, turning his back to his dad.

"Daddy's being a butt head," Peter grumbled. At that, Pepper glanced at Tony, looking slightly amused at Peter's choice of insult.

"How so?" she asked as Peter sniffled.

"He's making me go to bed because I'm sick," he answered.

Pepper sighed and looked at Tony who nodded, confirming Peter's story. Picking Peter up, Pepper put him on her lap and grabbed a tissue to wipe his nose with.

"Would it make you feel better if you got to sleep in the living room until Daddy and I go to bed?" she asked. Peter thought for a moment then nodded. "Okay," Pepper said as she stood up, "Let's go get your blankets and pillows then change into some jammies."

As Pepper walked down the hall with Peter, Tony cleaned up the living room from Peter's tantrum. In Peter's room, Pepper helped him change into his Iron Man onesie and grab the blankets off his bed. Once Peter had grabbed Jeffery, his stuffed koala, along with his pillow, he followed Pepper back into the living room.

Setting up a small bed in the living room wasn't difficult and once Peter was tucked under the blankets, Pepper handed him Jeffery and looked down at him.

"Now, you have to go to sleep or we'll take you back to your room," she told him and Peter nodded quickly.

As Peter closed his eyes, Pepper ran her fingers through his hair until she was sure he was asleep. Getting up from the couch very carefully, she joined Tony in the kitchen and smirked when she saw him drinking coffee.

"It's all about compromise, Tony."

"Yeah, yeah," he said, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Have I ever told you how amazing you are?"

"Once or twice," Pepper replied, "But I wouldn't mind hearing it again."