Spidey Tot

Keep You Warm, Keep You Safe

Wow! Funny seeing you all here for another Friday update! What a coincidence! This is the chapter you've all been waiting for...that's all I'm going to say about it😇

HOWEVER there are quite a few people asking about where this story is on the MCU timeline, so I updated the tags and I'll give you some info: this takes place in 2005 (Peter was born in 2001 and he's 4 yrs old) which is three years before the events of Afghanistan and the Ten Rings (2008), Iron Man will happen but not in this story, Spider-Man will happen but not in this story, this is NOT a non-powered AU, and yes there will be a sequel. The sequel won't be ANYTIME SOON due to me working on the sequel to Pain Will Always Come Back to Haunt You, but eventually it will happen.

Have fun and stay safe! I'm eagerly awaiting your reactions for this one❤🧡💛💚💙💜

Keep You Warm, Keep You Safe

The next three days are spent either at one of the parks or inside the Finding Nemo hotel room. When it's time to go home, Peter almost throws a complete fit. Luckily, Tony manages to avoid the full on tantrum by getting him a Captain America onesie, which Peter wears on the flight home. Pepper takes pictures of the two as Peter lounges on Tony like a giant pillow. Needless to say, most of the pictures have Tony glaring at the camera.

By the time they land, it's almost 9:00pm and Peter is half asleep. Tony carries him off the plane, Pepper close behind, while Happy works on gathering the luggage. Even though Tony wants to cradle Peter the whole ride home, Pepper makes sure the toddler is safely strapped into his car seat. When they get to the mansion, Peter is sound asleep and Tony has to carefully unbuckle him as to not wake him up.

"Are you sure you can carry him and the suitcase?" Pepper asks warily, her eyes glancing down. Tony walks inside nonetheless, holding Peter tight with one arm and the suitcase with the other.

"Yep, we're good," Tony assures as he lowers the suitcase. Peter's head rests on Tony's shoulder as the kid continues to sleep.

"Will you be able to put him in his own room?" Pepper questions with that knowing smile.

"Of course I can," Tony scoffs. "After three nights of sleeping with this rascal in the middle of us, I'm ready for a good night's sleep." It's the truth, he hasn't gotten much sleep with Peter's tossing and turning, but he doesn't really mind it. He knows he can't keep getting attached like this, though. Maybe he could... "Hey, Pep?" At his sudden shift in tone, Pepper's smile fades.

"Yeah?"

"What do you think about..." Tony looks down at the sleeping Peter in his arms, "keeping him a while longer?" Pepper's smile slowly returns, but it's much more genuine.

"And how much longer is 'a while?'" she asks for clarification. She knows what Tony means, but she wants to hear him say it. Tony chuckles, though there's little humor behind it.

"Would I be insane to say forever?" he quietly responds. "I just, the thought of losing him after all this is...I can't. I don't want to give him back. He's...he's my kid." He sighs, afraid that saying the words out loud will cause an imaginary curse to be set in motion. A protective anxiety floods his system and screams at him to keep Peter safe.

"I know. He has been for a while." Pepper smiles reassuringly and places a comforting yet firm hand on his shoulder.

"What am I gonna do?" Tony almost pleads barely above a whisper. His jaw is clenched in an effort to hold back the emotions.

"Love him." Pepper's proposition is so simple. He wants to agree, to give in on the spot. He doesn't.

"I'll put him in his room and come to bed in a second." He slowly starts to walk to the hall, but slows to a stop. "Do you think he'll hate me if I keep him here?" Pepper raises a curious eyebrow.