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Peter stumbled into the penthouse, blinking every few seconds in a bid to keep his eyes open. He looked around, hoping to find Tony since he was always at home on a Monday night. ‘Nothing good happens on Mondays, Pete ’, he’d say, holed up in his lab. That’s why Peter often came over even if his suit didn’t need working on, he just liked being in the man's company.
It wasn’t surprising Tony wasn’t in the living area, realistically he should have asked Friday to take him straight to Tony’s lab, but all he could think about was the comfy lounge sofas.
“Friday, where’s Mr Stark?” Peter asked with a yawn, shuffling lazily towards the sofa.
“Boss is currently out for dinner with Ms Potts.”
Peter frowned. What happened to spending Mondays at home? “When will they be back?” He asked, collapsing onto the sofa and letting himself melt into the soft cushions.
“Unclear. The reservation was for 7:30pm, so I expect they’ll be home any time after 9pm.”
Peter hummed, tugging out the throw that covered the back of the sofa so he could cocoon himself in the Mongolian Cashmere. He remembered the first time he’d fallen asleep in it mid mid-movie marathon and Tony had jokingly scolded him for drooling on his $5000 blanket. Peter had been scared to touch it again since that one throw cost more than all of his belongings, but right now he couldn’t bring himself to care. It was like wrapping himself up in clouds. Not the rain kind though, the soft white ones that rolled along blue skies on a summer's day.
He let his eyes slip closed once he curled himself into a comfortable position, imagining he probably resembled a cat in front of a fireplace. He wished he was that warm. For some reason he’d felt cold all day, and not just ‘New York in February’ kind of cold. He’d even worn his spidey suit under his clothes to school to use the heaters but he still felt a chill. It also turned into a learning curve when the suit ran out of battery mid patrol, which was why he’d come to the tower in the first place. Who knew using the heaters for nine hours would drain the suit?
Peter also fell asleep whilst swinging through the streets during said patrol, only to wake up seconds before becoming a sidewalk pancake - another reason he’d decided to call it a day. Not that Tony would ever find out. He’d caught himself in time, no harm done.
He couldn’t understand why he was so tired, and cold. So cold. He thought perhaps he was getting sick, but he didn’t think that was possible anymore thanks to the spider-bite. All he knew was he wanted to rest..
Letting out a yawn, he buried his face into the cashmere throw, finally welcoming the sleep that had been threatening to overcome him all day.
“Why can’t I wear the suit? Just for a few minutes.” Tony whined, stepping out of the elevator behind Pepper in his dinner suit.
He’d treat her to dinner at her favourite restaurant in the city for Valentine’s Day where he’d also hired the pianist she loved to play there too. Apparently he was getting better at gifts since the giant bunny fiasco.
The CEO playfully glared, crossing her arms. “Tony, you are not wearing that thing in the house, let alone the bedroom.”
“So I’ve heard, but I’m not hearing actual reasons against it. I could list the pros. Number one, it-“
Pepper shut him off by putting a finger on his lips which would have been romantic if she wasn’t looking away from him.
“What?” He mumbled over her finger, following her line of sight to the bundle on the sofa.
Frowning, he brought his hand up to pull Peppers down to her side, “Pete?” He asked, jogging over to the boy curled up on the sofa.
Only his hair was visible, poking out of the top of the cashmere cocoon he’d wrapped himself into.
“Kid?” He tried again, pulling the blanket down so he could see his face. Peter appeared to be sleeping, features relaxed into a childlike peacefulness. Tony smiled fondly at the sight, but fear crept in when he cupped the boy’s cheek. He was freezing.
“Is he okay?” Pepper asked, crouching down next to him.
“I don’t know.” Tony muttered, moving the back of his hand to Peter’s forehead. “Friday, stats.”
“Heart rate 38 bpm, core temperature 89°F.”
“What?!” Tony exclaimed, frantically scanning the teen.
“What the hell happened, Fri? Why didn’t you alert me?”
“Peter came into the penthouse 1.6 hours ago and fell asleep. You specifically asked to not be disturbed.”
“That doesn’t count for Peter, you know that! He’s the exception.” The billionaire scolded, pulling Peter into his arms.
“I’m sorry boss, you did not make that clear.”
Tony cursed, tapping at the boy's cheek. “Come on, bud. Time to wake up.”
Peter still didn’t stir, head falling to the side like a rag doll when Tony moved his supporting arm.
Pepper gasped at the sight, covering her mouth with both hands.
“Is he hurt?” He asked, not wanting to take the blanket off the kid’s cold form.
“No injuries detected.” Friday responded.
“So why won’t he wake up?!”
“Unknown. Medical attention recommended.“
Tony huffed. “No shit. Tell Helen I’m bringing Peter down.” He instructed, pulling Peter closer to his chest and getting to his feet.
“Helen is currently away, boss. The medbay is working on minimal staff because of the holiday.” The AI responded regretfully.
“Well get her here! Give her a raise. I don't care, Peter needs her.” Tony ordered, running to the lift with the unconscious boy.
Pepper slipped in next to him just before the doors slid shut. “I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation, Tony. He might just be sound asleep.”
“With a heart rate that low? He’s not sleeping, Pep. Something’s wrong and I wasn’t there to help him.”
Pepper sighed, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Tony, you can’t blame yourself. You didn’t even know he was here.”
“But I should have! He’s my kid, Pep. I…” words failed him when he glanced down at Peter who looked younger than ever.
“He’s going to be okay, Helens going to help.” Pepper promised.
Tony nodded, holding Peter a little tighter. The kid's cheek was currently squished against his chest, paler than usual, but he looked fine. As if he was sleeping.
“Helen will be arriving in fifteen minutes.” Friday announced right before the elevator doors opened, revealing a very quiet medbay.
“Nurse!” Tony called, quickly striding over to a woman standing by reception.
She clearly wasn’t expecting the billionaire and CEO rushing in at this time of night on Valentine’s Day, dressed to the nines and carrying an unconscious child, but neither did they.
“Sir? Is everything okay?” She asked, looking wide eyed at the teen.
“Peter’s heart rate is too low and he’s freezing. Helens on her way but he needs help.” Pepper explained, “is there anywhere we can take him?”
The blonde haired woman nodded, gesturing to follow her before rushing off down a corridor.
They arrived at a private room where she started prepping numerous machines. “Do you know what caused his condition?”
Tony shook his head, internally kicking himself. He should know, but he was too busy enjoying a five-course meal.
She flashed the pair a sympathetic smile, “can I take the blanket off?”
“He’s freezing, can’t he keep it?” Tony asked quickly, hating the thought of Peter getting colder than he already was.
“I need to run some tests, he can have it on loosely, I just need access to his arms and chest.”
Tony nodded reluctantly, helping her untangle the spider-ling. He was wearing a shirt and his blue Midtown hoodie which the nurse took off too.
Tony could hardly watch. He knew how cold the kid was and all the nurse was doing was making it worse. “He really can’t keep the jumper?”
“I need to check his blood pressure.” The nurse explained, wrapping the device around his bicep and clipping a heart rate monitor on his index finger.
The nurse made a concerned face at the readings on the screen, making the couple even more on edge.
“What’s wrong?” Pepper asked, rubbing a hand on Peter’s bare arm to try and warm him up.
“His blood pressure is too low.”
“What does that mean?” Tony questioned.
“I don’t know, I’ve never seen anything like this. Physically he seems fine.”
“He clearly isn’t fine.” The billionaire snapped, giving into instinct and tucking the throw around Peter.
“I know, I-“
Before the poor nurse could come up with an excuse, Helen burst in, StarkPad in hand.
Tony sagged in relief. “Helen, thank God you’re here.”
The doctor gave an easy smile. “It’s fine, my date was a downer and who could say no to a raise?”
“Fix him and I’ll give you however much you want.” Tony promised, only half joking.
Helen gave him a small smile before thanking the nurse and ushering her out.
“So what do we know? Friday said he came here after patrol and fell asleep.”
“That’s all we know.” Pepper said, taking Tony’s hand in hers.
Helen checked the monitors, frowning and putting a hand under Peter’s nose. “He’s hardly breathing.” She muttered, making the billionaire's heart skip a beat.
“ What?”
“I think I know what’s happening.” She said, grabbing an oxygen mask and slipping it over the kids face.
“What’s wrong with him?” Pepper asked desperately, squeezing Tony’s hand.
Once the doctor was happy with Peter’s condition, she turned her attention to Tony and Pepper who almost rivalled Peter with how pale they looked.
“This is probably going to come as a shock, but I think Peter’s hibernating.”
Tony’s eyes widened, taking in a sharp breath. “What? How is that possible?”
“All the signs are there. Decreased core temperature, low heart rate, some animals also stop breathing for almost hours at a time.”
“But he’s not an animal.” He countered firmly as if she was implying otherwise.
Helen gave an apologetic look, nodding in agreement. “You’re right, but his DNA is half arachnid.”
“Spiders hibernate?” Pepper asked.
“Not usually, but his mutated DNA might cause different reactions to things such as cold temperatures.”
“He was out patrolling all weekend.” The CEO commented, “it’s been freezing out there.”
Tony clenched his eyes shut, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Dammit, Pete.”
“Has he been feeling cold today?” Helen asked, tapping at her tablet.
“I don’t know... Shit, I didn’t even check in with him this morning.”
“Don’t beat yourself up, Tones. You’ve been busy.”
“I should never be too busy for him.” Tony grumbled, looking like the epitome of guilt.
Pepper sighed, giving him a sad smile which he couldn’t bring himself to return.
“So how do we wake him up?” Tony asked, unable to find comfort in Helen’s uneasy look.
“We’re in uncharted territory here. Usually animals wake up when their core body temperature rises back to normal levels signalling to them it’s spring, but waking them up early can sometimes be dangerous.”
“Dangerous how?” Pepper asked.
“Often the flight or fight response can be triggered, which you can imagine isn't good when waking up a bear, for example. There’s also concerns over energy levels, but since he’s only been asleep for a few hours that shouldn’t be an issue.”
“I hardly imagine he’ll respond like a grizzly bear either.” Tony huffed, leaning over so he could run and hand through the kid’s curls.
“I don’t know, I’ve woken him up before school a few times.” Pepper joked, earning a chuckle from the other two.
“I’m going to up the room temperature ten degrees and if you keep talking to him hopefully it’ll be enough to wake him.”
“And if it isn't?” Tony asked pessimistically.
“Then we figure something else out.”
The billionaire sighed, nodding. “Thanks for your help, doc.”
“Don’t mention it. I’ll be in my office, shout if you need me.”
Pepper walked around the bed so she could sit on the other side to Tony, slipping her Louis Vuitton heels off.
Tony bit his lip, watching her brush an eyelash from the kids cheek. “I’m sorry this wasn’t the night you were expecting.”
Pepper looked up, face instantly softening. “Tony, I had a wonderful evening. And yeah, I didn’t expect to be sitting in Medbay with our troublesome teen, but that’s what families do.”
Tony felt his chest tighten at the admission. “Careful, May might fight you for him. Shit, she’ll be so worried, I should have called-“
Pepper put a hand over his. “She’s fine, she’s on a date tonight.”
Tony frowned. “I didn’t know she was seeing anyone. How do you know?”
“It's a secret.” She brushed off.
“No way, don’t play that card with me. I tell you everything, it’s only fair you do the same.”
Pepper laughed, “you really want to know?”
“Of course I do!“
“It’s Harold.”
The billionaire's jaw dropped. “Happy? Peter’s aunt is on a date with Happy?”
Pepper nodded, unable to stop laughing at Tony’s shocked face.
“Oh my god. We’re going to have to adopt Roos.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because if they get married, Happy will be his Uncle and that means he’d have more of a right to him than me.” Tony explained, looking genuinely concerned.
Pepper shook her head grinning. “You’re over protective, you know that?”
“I am not.” He grumped, lacing a hand in the kid's hair. “Hurry up, Pete. I’m supposed to be getting laid right now.”
Pepper laughed, elbowing Tony playfully.
The room fell into silence for a moment, the pair watching the mask covering Peter’s mouth cloud up on every exhale. He was definitely breathing more and his heart rate had increased too.
“Look, Pep.” He nodded to the monitor, reading 52bpm.
She smiled, taking Peter’s hand. “He’s getting better.”
“Hey, kiddo if you wake up in the next five minutes I’ll buy you an ice cream factory.”
“Absolutely not. He hibernates from the cold and you want to buy him ice cream ?” Pepper asked incredulously.
“Valid point. Okay, I’ll get you a holiday somewhere hot. You pick and all three of us can go.”
“As long as it’s scheduled around my business trips.” The CEO added.
“Yeah, as long as you schedule it in the two days a year Pepper is free.” Tony teased, leaning over to kiss her.
She smiled into it, wrapping an arm around his neck.
“Ew gross.” Peter muffled through the mask, causing the pair to quickly break apart.
“Peter! You’re awake!” Tony exclaimed, pulling the kid into a tight hug. “Are you alright?” Tony demanded once he pulled him back to arms length.
He nodded, trying to take his mask off, but Tony quickly stopped him.
“Nu-uh. Mask stays on, Roos.”
Peter whined, but didn’t try again. “What happened? Why are you guys so dressed up?”
“Oh we were having a very expensive evening, Michelin Star dinner, you name it. This lovely lady let me take her home, but what do I find on the sofa upon our return? Ah yes, my hibernating spider-baby.”
Peter's eyes blew comically wide. “Hibernating?”
Tony huffed. “Yep. You scared the shit out of me, kid.”
Peter looked down at his hand in Pepper’s “‘M sorry, I just thought I was tired.”
The billionaire sighed, unable to stay annoyed at those doe eyes. “It’s not your fault, Pete. We’re just glad you’re okay.”
“We’ll need to take extra precautions when it’s cold weather in future.” Pepper added, giving him a caring smile.
“Sorry for ruining Valentine's Day.” He apologised, looking almost as guilty as Tony had been before.
“Hey, none of that. You didn’t ruin anything, Valentine’s Day is for spending time with people you love, right?”
Peter frowned. “Yeah?”
“So it makes sense we’re all together.” Pepper said, making the kid melt.
“Really?”
The CEO smiled, leaning over to press a kiss on his forehead. “Happy Valentines, Peter.”
“Or happy Hibernation Day, as this day will now be remembered as.” The billionaire quipped with a grin.
Peter laughed, letting Tony ruffle his hair. “So… when can we go to Europe?”