Archive of Our Own ^beta

Peter snuck down to the living room in the middle of the night. Lack of sleep was something he had grown accustomed to since coming home from the snap. He was surprised to find Morgan already downstairs, though. “What are you doing awake, little miss?”

“I don’t feel good. Going to watch Elsa.” Morgan’s lip quivered.

Peter picked up his baby sister and cuddled her close. He felt his hand against her forehead, “You are a bit warm. What hurts? Your tummy?”

“My head and my tummy.” Morgan’s big brown eyes teared up. 

Peter, still holding his sister, made his way to the kitchen, got her a cup of water, and got some kids' Tylenol for her. “Try this. It should help.”

Morgan took the medication before resting her head against Peter’s shoulder, “Thanks, Petey.”

“Welcome,” Peter said softly, feeling her start to relax again. He was hoping she would fall back asleep. He rocked the five-year-old until she was asleep and went to lay her in her bed upstairs. He wouldn’t be going back to sleep, but if Morgan was sick, she needed all the sleep she could get. 

~

Tony came downstairs early that morning with a one-track mind—coffee. He was interrupted in his quest when he saw curly brown hair on the couch. He changed directions to the living room. Peter was awake with bloodshot eyes, staring blankly at the screen in front of him, “You can’t keep doing this, Roo.”

Peter glanced at him like he hadn’t realized Tony was in the room, which was odd with his enhanced hearing. Peter ignored the remark and went back to watching TV. 

“Friday, turn the TV off.” Tony picked up the dirty plate and cup, “I’m glad to see you ate, if you’re going to avoid sleep, but you need both to survive. Go lie down.” 

Peter glared at his father, “I was watching that.”

“Tell me what you were watching and I’ll turn it back on. I doubt you know with the zombie stare you have going on.” Tony sat down next to 

Peter, forgetting about coffee. It’s funny what being a parent does to your priorities. You suddenly put the needs of your tiny humans well above your own. 

Peter just shrugged.

“Come here.” Tony lifted his arm, and Peter snuggled against his chest. 

“Just close your eyes for a bit.”

“When I start to fall asleep. It’s like I can feel myself dusting away again. It’s terrifying.”

Tony forced himself to stay relaxed. He hated the memory of the day 

Peter dusted in his arms, all the while crying, he didn’t want to go. Tony had been helpless to stop it, though. Five long years without this wonderful teenager, he had come to love like his own flesh and blood. 

“You’re safe now. Nothing bad like that will happen to you ever again. I promise.”

Peter closed his eyes before mumbling, “Morgan is sick too.”

“So I’ll have two clingy children today.” Tony teased, “My favorite.”

~

Pepper walked into the lake house after a long flight home. It was like stepping into chaos. She stepped over a couple of towels that were covering something questionable on the floor and made her way 

upstairs.

Peter was lying in their bed, “Hi, Mama.”

“Hi, baby.” Pepper kissed the top of his head, “What’s going on?”

“Morgan is sick. Dad says he’s handling it.”

“Looks handled to me.” Pepper glanced at the amount of tissues lying around their room, not properly discarded. “You think he needs my help?”

“Most definitely.” 

Pepper found her husband in Morgan’s room, and his eyes showed his relief. “How can I help?”

“Peter refuses to sleep. Morgan’s thrown up multiple times. The house is a mess. I don’t think I’ve had coffee today.” 

Pepper gave a look of sympathy, “I’ll take care of little miss. You go rest.” 

“The house—“

“—Will still be a mess tomorrow,” Pepper reassured, “And we can hire a cleaner.”

“I love you.”

~

“Dad?” Peter shook Tony awake. 

He blinked his eyes open, “Want time is it?”

“I think like 2 a.m. You’ve been asleep for a while.” Peter whispered to try to avoid waking his mom.

“What’s wrong?” Tony sat up, stretching his arms over his head. He was getting too old to wake up in the middle of the night.

“My stomach hurts.” Peter’s eyes watered, “I might throw up.”

Tony opened his arms and Peter sat down on the bed to accept the hug his dad offered, “Alright. You may have to just let it happen so you feel better.”

“No. I hate throwing up.” Peter whined, “Can’t my body just get better?”

“Maybe. I hope so.” Tony yawned.

Peter stood up, “You can go back to sleep.” 

“No. I’m awake. Let’s go downstairs and watch a movie and see if you feel better in a bit.” 

~

“He okay?” Pepper asked, coming downstairs and finding Tony on his tablet while Peter slept against him. 

“Threw up multiple times and cried each time.” Tony locked the tablet, 

“Here’s hoping they are both on the mend today.”

Pepper sat on the couch by Tony and lay against him, “I hope so too. Do you want me to cancel my meetings today?”

“No. Go to work. I can take care of the kids.” Tony reassured. 

“But who will take care of you?” Pepper teased with a glint in her eyes.

“You can take care of me later.” Tony leaned forward, and Pepper met him for a kiss.

~

“Daddy!” Morgan came into the kitchen after him with her blanket in hand, trailing behind her, “Petey turned off my movie, but I was watching it.”

Peter came into the kitchen coughing, “No. It ended and I can’t handle any more Bluey today.”

“How about we all take a nap?” Tony suggested.

“Noooooo,” Morgan whined.

“Dad—“ Peter rolled his eyes.

“I’m going to retire, I think.” Tony mused while he got the right dose of 

Tylenol for Morgan in the little cup the medicine came with. 

“From Stark Industries?” Peter’s face crinkled in confusion.

“From being a dad.” He corrected.

“Don’t joke.” Peter rolled his eyes, “You aren’t funny.” 

“If we can watch Bluey, you’re hilarious.” Morgan chimed in.