The Avengers' Spiderling

The Avengers Meet Spider Baby (2/3)

{Warning: There's a described sensory overload but I'm unsure if it's very described or not(I get sensory overload stuff so unfortunately, I may have described part of my own experience). It happens in the last section.

Group Chat Names for that Section(All Tony's Doing):

Petro(Quickie), Scott(ANTS!), Thor(PointBreak), Loki(MischiefGod), Wanda(RobotLover), T'challa(KittyKitty), Rhodey(HoneyBear), Carol(SpaceFace), Stephen(YerASorcerer), Bruce(AngryGreenGiant), Clint(Merida) }

The morning of Day Two, after the Spider-Baby Protocol was developed and activated, was stressful for Dad.

Pepper-mom— Peter was still trying to figure out what made more sense to call her —had an early meeting so Dad was left getting two kids ready for the day, even with the grumbling Peter did, since Peter "needed to keep a routine" or something.

First challenge was getting them up which wasn't too difficult, despite Peter's clear dislike for mornings at the moment.

Morgan was sleepy from staying up past her bedtime, but got out of bed without much of a fuss while Peter was a lot more fussy about being woken up until Tony promised to make a delicious breakfast— to the best of his abilities —and bring him down to the lab to see DUM-E. It went against the protocol, but it worked.

The second challenge was to get them both changed which proved to be a bit more difficult than expected.

Now, Morgan was a bit easier to get dressed since she could dress herself with little trouble, only ever needing help with her shoelaces— Dad and Pepper-mom were working on that —or belts. Dad only had to pull out some clothes, of her choosing, to wear and she could pull them on easily.

Peter, however, had to be helped into new clothes after he managed to remove his pajamas on his own. He did try to get dressed by himself, but he managed to get stuck...in the t-shirt. Honestly, the fastest part of the whole process was probably when Dad let him choose his clothes with how quickly he chose the science pun shirt and Avengers pants with matching socks.

Getting them both fed before Morgan had to go to school was the third challenge, but that was easily solved by making a bunch of scrambled eggs and bacon with some fruit. He liked the blueberries the best, even if Dad made faces at him eating them mixed with his eggs.

It was much easier from there despite how much Peter needed to eat (he couldn't help laughing at Dad grumbling about how lucky he was to be rich to feed all the super appetites around him). All Dad had to do was make sure Morgan's homework and lunch was packed in her bag and her shoes tied by the time it was ready for her to leave for school...which led to a new problem.

"Alright." Dad clapped his hands once he finished tying Morgan's shoes. "Now we just have to get down to the garage and-"

"Her school is over twenty minutes away in one direction, boss. You can't leave Peter alone in the penthouse.", FRIDAY chimed in, pulling up a map of their usual route.

"Crap. You're right. I can't, but Happy isn't on drop-off duty today, and Pep is busy with a meeting."

"May I suggest bringing him with you or leaving him with someone you trust for the time being?"

Peter's eyes widened at the last option. There was no way he was being left alone with someone who wasn't Dad while Pepper-mom is busy so he couldn't help but blurt out, "Bwing me with you!"

"Are you sure, Bambino? It'll probably be fifty minutes in a car and you can't bring your pacifier with you.", Dad said, trying to reason with him but Peter could see his eyes flicking to the clock.

"Don't wanna be alone with anyone else.", he pushed, not seeing FRIDAY showing Dad his increased heart rate behind him.

He smiled when Dad held up his hands with a sigh. "Alright...alright, Pete. Let's just get your shoes on and get you dressed for the weather, you little menace."

Getting dressed for the cold was easier than getting dressed in general given all the open spots...though he was sure he could hide his pacifier behind the scarf wrapped around his face and neck. Nobody would even see it.

He didn't get a chance to even try before he and Morgan were pulled into the elevator, Dad pulling on his jacket as FRIDAY had them go down to the garage.

It was easy to choose a car, the windows tinted to the point of barely seeing inside unless you got real close, and get both kids buckled in. It was slightly difficult for Dad to pull out of the building because of traffic from the mild snow, but the trip to Morgan's school barely took more than twenty-five minutes and she wasn't even late!

The trip back, unfortunately, took longer as it started to snow more. FRIDAY told them that it was "just a quick few inches of snow in the morning" and that the school is "unlikely to close over such mild conditions" when asked about the weather.

Her opinion seemed to help Dad relax, but he didn't seem happy about being slowed down. It was a bit funny to see him glaring at the slower cars and muttering about how they should know how to drive in snow if they live in New York.

They managed to arrive back to the tower after almost forty-five minutes of traffic, both feeling antsy from the delay.

Despite this, Dad still grabbed his diaper bag— something he didn't think he needed but Dad just put his Hulk pacifier in his mouth when he tried to say anything, not that he minded —from his room with a couple kits and got him into "lab-appropriate" shoes before getting back in the elevator with him.

"Lab time?", Peter asked around the pacifier, holding Dad's hand with a smile. His head was still fuzzy about a lot, but he knew lab time with Dad was the best!...even if he blew stuff up a lot and Dad kept drinking DUM-E's oil smoothies.

"Lab time, kiddo." Dad smiled down at him before telling FRIDAY to bring them down to his lab.

"According to Spider-Baby Protocol, Boss-"

"I know, but he's not going down alone." Dad ruffled his hair, getting a whine. Why did he always mess with his hair? "He can't use any of the tools or mess with anything without my override so I got it all covered, FRI. Sound good?"

FRIDAY was silent for a moment before the elevator started to go down. "Override granted. I will make sure anything dangerous in the lab is inaccessible to him."

"Thanks, FRI. I know you adore the kid."

He didn't get a reply, but Peter thinks she was unhappy about Dad letting him up into the lab. It made sense since most kids would get hurt easily, but he'll be careful! He won't even touch anything Dad does unless he says it's okay.

Peter didn't get a chance to tell Dad this by the time the doors were opening to the lab, letting Dad lead him over to a workstation— his workstation —and set his bag down next to it.

"I brought a few things for you to do while I work on something over at my station over there." Dad tilted his head to his messy table, the broken weapon that hurt/didn't hurt him seen attached to a lot of wires. "Now, what do you want to do? There's a couple STEM kits, some coloring books, some-"

"Kits! The kits!" He wasn't about to color while in the lab! It was a place for making this!

"Alright, alright. Let me get them out for you to choose." Dad laughed as he pulled out the two kits and set them in front of Peter. One was for ro-bot-ics and had a robot that looked like DUM-E's sibling if they were less advanced while the other was...also ro-bot-ics with colorful robots that didn't look like robots he knew. "Oh come on, kid. Stop giving it the stink eye. It's meant as an intro to robots for little-little kids. Had to be responsible somewhere."

"DUM-E twin.", he said, pulling said kit away from what he could only consider as an abomination.

(He really didn't mind it. He just didn't like that the robots looked so weird compared to Dad's and was still grumpy from the long car ride without Hoppy or his pacifier.)

"You sure you don't wanna give the...Kid's First kit a chance first? It'll have easier pieces for you to hold onto and-"

"DUM-E. Twin."

Dad held up his hands and set the colorful kit off to the corner of his work table, unfortunately still in sight, before opening the box Peter chose and helping him sort out all the pieces, booklet included. "It's okay if you change your mind, Bambino. Just call me ov-"

"It fine. I can do it.", Peter said, cutting Dad off despite knowing how rude it was. He tried not to shrink when Dad squinted at him like he was trying to figure out a difficult problem. He knew he was being a bit bratty, and over something like a weird-looking kit, but he really didn't know why.

Thankfully, the man just sighs and shakes his head. "Alright, alright. I get it. Let me know if you need any help and I'll right over."

"...okay."

"We'll talk about this...behavior later." Dad walked over to his station after pushing his pacifier back into his mouth— when did that fall out —and giving him a kiss on his head.

He watched him pull up a holoscreen with a lot of words, almost like notes, before turning to work on his mini DUM-E...only to realize it was too complicated for him to start with. He stubbornly refused to ask for help from Dad, though.

'Maybe...maybe thewe's a fiwst bot?', thought Peter. He remembered flipping through the booklet to get to the claw bot and seeing a smaller bot so maybe..."KAWEN?"

"Yes, Peter?"

"Would...would it be bettew to stawt on the fiwst wobot?" Peter made sure he was quiet with his question and hoped she followed suit, fiddling with his pacifier anxiously.

"I believe most STEM kits have levels in which you complete them as to build your skills, and that the first project is often the easiest.", KAREN whispered.

"...mm." He was starting to think he should've just gone for the colorful robots instead, but then he'd have to call Dad over to open the box.

KAREN, as if sensing his thoughts, spoke up, "I can assist you, if you'd like."

"Yes, please."

From there, they began to carefully put together the first bot in the instructions. The pieces weren't so small that they were too difficult to grasp and hold for Peter, but they were made out of weak enough material— anything short of vi-bray-ti-um would be breakable —that he had to be careful with them.

Halfway through his bot, Dad checked up on him with a whole pizza just for him, making him feel bad about being bratty earlier. He mumbled his apology through dough, ham, pineapple, and cheese.

He didn't get a punishment or a lecture for his behavior, just a smile. "It's fine, Underoos. Figured it was just you being hangry, but maybe you shouldn't take it out on others."

"I'm sowwy..." Peter looked at his pizza, sniffing.

"I know, kid. I understood you through the pizza." A napkin wiped at his mouth. "Aunt Hottie is gonna be so mad I'm not lecturing you about man-"

"Tony?"

Uncle Steve was standing by the elevator when the two looked over, eyes flicking between them— Dad hadn't stopped cleaning his mouth —and his work station. He had a weird expression on his face. Like he had eaten something nasty.

"Whatcha need, Capsicle?", asked Dad as he threw the napkin into the box and handed Peter a sippy cup, hilariously a Captain America one, filled with his favorite soda.

"That's...Tony. You know that Pete is seventeen, right?" He looked offended at the twin eyerolls as Peter took the sippy cup and started to drink.

"No sh-shoot, Rogers. I know the kid is seventeen." Dad sighed. "Unfortunately, he's also a trouble magnet and he got himself regressed to when he was five or six."

"Most five and six year olds can drink out of an open cup with a straw..." Uncle Steve hesitantly walks over only to pause when he sees the Hulk pacifier on Peter's table. "and don't need a pacifier. What's actually going on?"

"To get all technical, he's mentally deaged to five or six with most of his recent memories intact, but Pete at this age was..." Dad struggled to find the words to describe what's going on in his head so he tried to help.

"The doctow Aunt May and Uncle Ben took me to said I'm wegwessed because of...what happened." He shook his head to not think about any of the deaths. "She said it was a...a...stwess wesponse, but I'll be de-vel-op-ing mowe slow than othews fow a while."

"Which means Pete needs more attention than most five or six year olds typically would and needs more...items meant for kids younger.", Dad explained further, making sure he was still eating.

"Oh...what caused him to be deaged mentally?", asked Uncle Steve only to be pointed to the visibly broken weapon. "Jesus."

"Yep. Villain shot the kid in the head and got webbed up with a broken weapon for it." Dad took a bite of his salad— Pepper-mom would be happy —with a grimace. "Saw it happen myself. It takes about thirty minutes to start working, but over ten hours to fully deage someone's mind...I think. Can't exactly read Peter's notes well and he didn't tell me much before so I'm going off of his reaction."

Uncle Steve raised an eyebrow. "Really? Hasn't he been your intern for three years?"

"I don't read his notes, he reads mine. And the other interns'. And Brucie's though I have no clue how when not even FRIDAY can decipher his handwriting." Peter saw Dad roll his eyes. "Honestly, it's like they have the...same...wait a minute! Steve, you actually can help!"

"What did I do?", asked Uncle Steve with his eyebrows scrunched together in confusion, much like Peter's.

"You, my ancient cryogenic man, helped me figure out that I've been going about this all wrong." He turned and headed to his table. "I need Brucie to help decipher Peter's notes, since they're always looking at each other's notes. I will need a babysitter though."

"What babysitter will watch over a teenager who's temporarily living in the tower?" Uncle Steve seemed confused still. He'll figure it out eventually.

"You, of course.", said Dad bluntly as he had FRIDAY send a message to Uncle Bruce.

"What? Why me?! I get that kids like me but-" "Message sent." "-I've never babysat anyone before! The closest I've gotten was when Peter managed to get sick and I was one of the few people who couldn't get his sickness! Even then, he was mentally a teen-ager, Tony."

"Oh pbbth." Dad blew a raspberry with a wave of his hand, smiling when Peter laughed at the sound. "You'll be fine...if you have Barnes with you. He's great with Underoos! Plus, if you're stuck, all you'll have to do is ask KAREN or FRIDAY for help."

"Tony. I'm not going to be a good babysitter. I've never taken care of a child and I'm bad at technology!", Uncle Steve argued.

"Come o~on, Cap. It's Pete, the little menace that you all think of as a sweetheart. Just keep him fed so he's not all gwumpy," He pulled Peter close and pat his head. "treat him like you would any other kid, and make sure he has protection on if he takes any naps. Easy."

"Easy for the father of one five year old already. What even is the protection he needs for naps? Is it a stuffed animal?"

"He'll wear it and it protects whatever he's sleeping on.", Dad said without explaining further, neither noticing that Uncle Bruce had arrived despite FRIDAY's announcement.

Uncle Bruce easily made his way over to Peter and sat down in the chair Dad had been using, watching the two like he had been since they started. He didn't look impressed.

"Hey, Pete."

"Hi, Uncle Bwuce.", Peter replied, sipping on his soda.

He tilted his head to Uncle Steve and Dad. "How long have they been arguing for this time?"

"I dunno. Uncle Steve is...upset about Dad having him babysit me while you help wead teenagew me's notes."

"Ah..." It wasn't hard to see Uncle Bruce look at what he's been making. "How old are you if you're not a teenager?"

" 'm five...or six. I'm not suwre." He looked at his workstation and perked up at the sight of his Hulk pacifier, happily picking it up to show Uncle Bruce. "Look! It's you! Well, sort of you!"

"Oh...I didn't know I had children's merchandise.", he mumbled quietly enough that nobody but Peter or a super soldier could hear.

"Mhm! Dad helped me find a lot of stuff with all of you on it. I think I have a sippy cup with you on it."

"Huh." He cleared his throat with an odd look on his face after looking at his table. "Pete, do you mind if I look at the kit the uh...parts on the table came from?"

Peter pointed the box out from where he had set it, having been using it as a book holder.

"Thanks, Pete." Uncle Bruce turned the box to look at the front, frowning at what he saw, "Hmm. Tony, this kit is for ten and up. Peter is five right now. What if he eats a piece?"

"H-!" The pacifier was placed into his mouth with a subtle wink. Why do they keep doing that?...and why was it so effective?

Dad turned to face them with a confused expression before looking at the table behind them. "Oh. Yeah. I didn't want him to be bored and I gave him the option of a more age appropriate kit, but he gave it the stink eye. He demanded the "DUM-E Twin" or whatever and looked ready to throw a fit...or throw the box at my head."

Peter squinted his eyes as he looked between the two. What are they doing?

"There's reasons for age limits on these things, Tony. He's not a normal five year old, sure, but it's better he throws a fit than be endangered by an inappropriate kit."

"He has super strength, Brucie. I'm not suited to deal with what type of tantrum would come with it.", Dad said as he turned away from Uncle Steve.

Uncle Bruce waved his hand around. "Well, that's why you have reinforced everything in your lab."

Dad pointed at the worktable with an exasperated expression. "Kid dented the reinforced table you're sitting at."

"That's why we have super soldiers who can handle a punch from the kid.", Uncle Bruce reasoned despite Uncle Steve looking unhappy about that.

Super Soldiers who can...Oh! They're trying to get Uncle Steve to babysit him. Maybe...maybe he could help?

"I like being with Uncle Bucky bettew than twying to wead or Dad fowgetting to eat again. He lets me stick magnets to him and play with his haiw.", Peter said once he took the pacifier out, taking another sip of his drink. "Dad doesn't have a lot of haiw and magnets wouldn't be good fow him."

He sees Dad wave his hand at him with a grin as he looks at Uncle Steve who...just looked tired. Maybe they could nap together later.

"And Uncle Bucky can cawwy me awound without-"

Uncle Steve ran his hand down his face with a heavy sigh. "Fine...fine, okay. I give. I'll babysit him, but I better not hear any complaints about me and Bucky making mistakes."

"All complaints are filtered through Pete and he's brutally honest." Dad grabbed his bag and walked over to Steve once Uncle Bruce made sure nothing important was left. "Good luck."

"Oh joy."

Peter giggled at the expression on his face, getting up from his chair to walk over to Uncle Steve. "Up?"

"Up?" Uncle Steve looked at Dad who rolled his eyes.

"He wants you to pick him up. I can't really carry him on my hip without the suit helping despite how light he is."

"Oh, uh...Alright." Uncle Steve picked him up awkwardly, like he was more of a barrel than a person. He really hadn't picked up any kids, has he?

The uncomfortable position made him wiggle around until he was comfortably sitting on his hip where Uncle Steve had one arm under his butt and one hand holding his leg up despite not needing it. His bag was resting comfortably on his knees.

Dad pat the blond man's back. "Good luck, Capsicle. I'll have FRI remind you to ask her questions once you get back."

"Are you not gonna tell Buck that we're both babysitting?"

"Nope. That's all on you." Dad pushed them into the elevator.

"I hate you sometimes.", Uncle Steve said as he turned to face him, Peter resting his head on his shoulder sleepily.

"Love you too! Remember the protection!"

The doors closed before he could reply, Peter barely registering the elevator moving. It left Uncle Steve with only one choice of person to ask besides FRIDAY.

"Hey, Pete."

"Mmm?"

"What protection is he talking about?"

"Diapews."

"...fu-"

FRIDAY cuts him off. "Sensitive Baby Ears protocol is Active. Please do not swear in the vicinity of either baby."

⊹₊ (·:•, ,•:·)⊹

Uncle Bucky and Uncle Sam were in the living room when they arrived, arguing about which person on TV is better for the other (Peter wasn't sure if they were serious or not). The scent of soap and food floated in the air so they must've worked out recently.

'They don't seem tiwed...', Peter thought, eyes drooping as he felt Uncle Steve sigh.

"Guys. Stark demanded we help him with uh...something important. Well, technically just Bucky, but we might need you too, Sam." Neither looked over, but the TV volume was lowered as they stopped arguing and had their heads tilted back, listening.

Uncle Sam waved the remote. "Mind telling us what this important thing is, our oh so mighty leader?"

Peter smiled at the teasing despite the frown on Uncle Steve's face.

"Babysitting duty."

Those two words had them whipping their heads around to look at the sad-looking Uncle Steve, shocked, wide eyes soon narrowing when they looked at him.

"Funny, Rogers. How'd he rope you into..." Uncle Sam waved his hand at Peter. He wasn't sure why, but maybe it's the pacifier? He doesn't think Dad put extra hero ones in the bag since he had so few of them. "this little prank?"

"Not a prank, Sam. Pete is...how did he describe it?"

"Mentally five wight now.", Peter chimed in around the pacifier before yawning, letting Uncle Steve pluck it from his mouth. "Dad and Uncle Bwuce can't...can't watch me while doing hewo stuff."

"Dad?", asked Uncle Bucky as Uncle Sam said, "Should we mention the messed up Rs or..."

"Tony. He...he knows none of us are related by blood so don't worry.", Uncle Steve said as he walked over to the couch. "I don't know how much he knows, but he was building something meant for ten year olds."

"KAWEN helped." He rubbed his eyes.

"And Bruce said you shouldn't be allowed to be working on stuff meant for ten year olds while unsupervised." Uncle Steve was right, but he didn't know it was said to get him to babysit. "Anyways, I was forced to babysit him while they tried to decipher his old notes."

"So...not a joke then.", Uncle Sam mumbled as he got up from the couch and walked around to look at him. "I don't think either of you would go this far for a prank or joke."

"Why would it...nevermind. Buck? Do you know how do diapers?"

Uncle Bucky shrugs. "Can't be that hard. Does he...need a diaper?"

"When he goes to sleep and based on how much he's leaning on me and rubbing his eyes, we're...gonna need that diaper, Buck."

"Alright." The one armed man stood up and turned to them. "Hand over the kid. Does the bag have any?"

"I don't need to do diapers, right?", asked Uncle Sam as he dug through the bag, easily finding the diapers and Hoppy. He didn't know Dad packed her in there!

"Hoppy...", Peter mumbled at the sight of his green stuffie.

Uncle Bucky took him from Uncle Steve and held him much more comfortably than he did, his metal arm easily supporting his weight. "Want to have uh...Hoppy with you while I get you ready for nap time, kid?"

He just nodded as sleepiness was starting to get to him, his eyelids starting to fall. "Hoppy."

With a nod, he was carried to the bathroom and held a bit tightly while a towel was laid down before he himself was laid down on said towel.

Uncle Bucky, like the trained soldier he was, got him out of his underwear and into one of the diapers with quick efficiency. He only hesitated when moving to put his pants back on. Even then, he quickly decided that Peter needed nap clothes and carried him to his and Uncle Steve's room.

There, he pulled out a couple shirts— t-shirts —before deciding on one of his long sleeved shirts and long shorts, easily helping Peter get changed like he was simply used to helping someone do so. (Maybe Uncle Steve needed help when he was younger too.)

Uncle Bucky looked at the sleepy Peter as he held Hoppy, the boy rubbing his eyes. "Comfortable?"

"Mhm. It smells nice..."

"That might be Stevie's cologne. Uh...is it warm enough?"

"Mmm...little cold."

Easily, he grabbed one of their blankets and wrapped him up. "Your body isn't the same as your mind right now so you'll need blankets, Pete."

"Wawm.", Peter mumbled as his eyes finally slipped closed despite his fighting.

"Let's get you settled in a comfortable area to sleep where we can watch you.", Uncle Bucky whispered before picking him up and carrying him out of the room. It was only by sound that he knew they were heading back to the living room.

He was fast asleep by the time he was laid down on one of the couches, pacifier resting on the table nearby.

It was because he was asleep that he didn't hear Uncle Bucky tell them about how young he acted for a five year old, how easy it was for him to fall asleep once tired and how easy it was to change his clothes.

He didn't hear Uncle Sam tell Uncle Bucky that they found spare pacifiers in the pockets of the diaper bag along with the other usual diaper bag items: spare clothes, diapers, wipes, diaper cream, sippy cup (it still had soda in it from earlier), books (a mix of children's and abridged advanced chemistry ones), more toys, and two small bags.

Or Uncle Steve explaining what Dad told him with FRIDAY's input to further explain the situation along with the protocols in place and what their duties are while babysitting.

He didn't see the dawning realization on all three of their faces that he had drank a lot of soda before falling asleep— they silently cursed Dad for not warning them —and had the possibility of an accident happening.

By the time Peter woke up from his nap, and subsequently changed out of his diaper by Uncle Bucky despite sleepily arguing that he could change it himself("No more drinks before naps", Uncle Bucky told him once he was changed but he didn't get quieted by his pacifier), everything about what happened to him was explained and/or talked about. It helped them understand why a supposedly five year old needed a sippy cup and pacifier and why he might act differently from the other smart five year old they currently knew.

It did not help them when it came to entertaining him, however, as he got bored quickly with the kid's shows— he heard Uncle Sam saying he could "practically see" his eyes glazing over —and the books weren't keeping his interest like they hoped despite Uncle Steve's best attempts at reading.

Heck, not even FRIDAY's displays that allowed him to build and take apart anything he wanted kept his attention very long, leaving a partially taken apart Ironman helmet when he swiped away.

He wasn't really...bored, like they were saying. He just didn't want to do any of the things they tried.

"I'm pretty sure an under-stimulated kid is a bad thing, right? Especially if they're like five?", Uncle Sam whispered behind him. "And it's obvious he's still pretty smart, just...more like a very talkative toddler."

"Pretty sure he said his doctor called it regression." Uncle Steve sounded tired. His reflection when Peter looked up showed him staring at the ceiling. "FRIDAY said it has a lot of different types and Pete just has the age one...I think."

"So we continue to treat him like a very intelligent five year old with some extra support needs...Right?"

"That's how Tony is doing it." Uncle Steve sighed, shifting on the couch. Adults seemed to do that a lot around him. Sighing. He didn't know why.

Neither could figure out what to do to keep him entertained, Peter able to hear Uncle Sam and Uncle Steve mumbling about things to do as he bounced Hoppy around on the coffee table in front of them with a hum he's heard Dad do before.

He didn't fully register that Uncle Bucky had yet to say anything until someone sat down next to him, metal arm slightly cold through the long sleeves.

Looking up, he found him just watching him play with Hoppy. Not judging, not scowling, not interrupting, just...passively watching Hoppy be bounced around the table.

Curiously, Peter held the frog up to him. "This is Hoppy."

"They seem to do a lot of hopping.", Uncle Bucky said with a blank face and monotone voice, but he could see he was trying not to smile.

It made Peter smile before giving his best Dad impression as he rolled his eyes and bluntly stated, "She's a fwog. Fwogs hop."

"Do you know the food chain, Pete?", asked Uncle Bucky, face blank despite fighting a smile like Peter was fighting back laughter as he nodded with his best blank expression(it wasn't very good). "Well, frogs are considered both predators and prey. They're predators because they can eat insects, but also birds, reptiles, and even mammals."

"Why are they pwey?", he asked curiously, head tilted.

Neither noticed the audience of two watching them— mostly Uncle Bucky —suspiciously. It was obvious the man was planning something.

"Great question. They are prey because many things can eat a frog, even a spider if the spider is big enough. But." Uncle Bucky gently picked Hoppy up. "Mammals like to eat them too."

"Buck...", Uncle Steve warned despite Peter's rapt attention.

Peter ignored him, eyes wide in curiosity. "Like what, Uncle Bucky?"

"Like humans-" "Yuck!" "-and foxes and raccoons and even weasels. But wanna know what else eats frogs?" He excitedly nodded, having long since left his impression of Dad behind. Uncle Bucky finally smiled, grinning with all teeth. "Wolves."

"Wolves?" That was disappointing. It sounded like he was building up to something excit...wait...He looked at Uncle Bucky— The White Wolf —with wide eyes. "No!"

"Yes. And I guess I'm awfully hungry right now." Uncle Bucky was holding Hoppy like he was gonna try.

"Not Hoppy!"

"Hmmm..." He looked at the stuffie, like he was thinking about whether or not to eat it, before setting her down. "I suppose there aren't any frogs worth eating here."

Peter let out a sigh of relief.

"But there is a baby spider perfect for eating here."

Not relief!

"Guess I'm eating-"

Quickly, he stood and bolted away from the table, hearing Uncle Bucky giving chase after a second. They both heard Uncle Steve yelling at them for running around the living room when they had a gym for that, but neither listened as they played their game of chase.

Peter knew he could outrun Uncle Bucky, but getting to crawl on the ceiling was too much fun to pass up...and Uncle Steve would yell at them for going full speed inside.

Neither paid any mind to Uncle Sam ordering a bunch of food for all of them and then some nor did they notice how Uncle Steve managed to move items out of the way during the chase(when Peter was on the ground).

He couldn't help the peels of laughter that escaped him at every "threat" of being eaten Uncle Bucky made during the chase, not even noticing he lost his pacifier some time during the chase.

His laughter didn't stop when the chase came to an end, Uncle Bucky still playing the part of "a hungry wolf" as he had Peter on the ground and was "eating him" i.e. tickling him and blowing raspberries on his stomach between "om nom nom"s.

Neither noticed the elevator climbing in floors until it opened on their floor, still engrossed in their game.

"No..ha ha ha ha...no more, Uncle Bucky! Hahahaha." Peter's cheeks and stomach were starting to hurt from laughing so much, his bare feet kicking out at Uncle Bucky with barely restrained strength.

"But the wolf is hungry.", came Uncle Bucky's reply though he did pause, both actually out of breath.

He pointed at Uncle Sam from where he was watching with a smile...until he noticed the shaky point. "Wh-what about...ha ha ha...a Falcon? He-he's biggew!"

"Woah! Hey! Wolves don't eat falcons!...I think.", argued Uncle Sam. "Back me up, Steve! Wolves don't eat Falcons, right?...Steve?"

"Uh...we have company." Uncle Steve pointed to the elevator.

Peter looked over at the elevator curiously, not bothering to sit up as Uncle Bucky quickly fixed his shirt. He waved when he saw it was just Aunt Natasha and Uncle Clint. "H-hi."

Aunt Natasha waved back as Uncle Clint stared at him and Uncle Bucky. Was he upset that he didn't get to play too?...no. Uncle Clint was bad at running like Uncle Bucky and wouldn't have been able to catch him.

It was only as Uncle Bucky sat him up that Uncle Clint spoke up. "What was that? What did we just walk into? Like...I get that you're close with the kid, Barnes, but...raspberries on the stomach is something done on babies and like...toddlers, not fu-"

"Sensitive Baby Ears protocol is Active. Please do not swear in the vicinity of either baby.", FRIDAY interrupted, startling Uncle Clint.

"Baby? Morgan isn't here, is she?" Uncle Clint actually looked around.

"No...Peter is sort of the other baby she mentioned. Because he counts at the moment.", Uncle Steve explained badly as Uncle Bucky picked him up off the floor.

"You'we bettew at picking me up than Uncle Steve." Peter wrapped his arms around Uncle Bucky's neck, settled on his hip. "It was uncomfortable when he did it."

"Wha- Hey!"

Uncle Bucky stuck his tongue out at Uncle Steve with a smirk. "Kid likes me more, Stevie."

"Just because you're better at kid stuff than I am."

"What can I say? I've dealt with you most of my life."

"Hey!"

Uncle Bucky laughed at Uncle Steve— who gave him his freshly washed pacifier —as Uncle Sam explained what happened and what was going on with him for the millionth time, making him groan.

"What's wrong, Pete? Hungry?", asked Uncle Steve.

"Too m'ch explaining.", he grumbled around his pacifier into Uncle Bucky's neck, getting a small laugh. He almost huffed when a hand started to rub his back.

"Yeah. I know the feeling, but it's important they know what's going on so they can act as they should.", Uncle Steve said. He had this gooey-soft look in his eyes when Peter looked up, like he was remembering something nice from the past.

Peter still grumbled, "I don't like it."

"I know. It's annoying to hear it over and over again, especially when you're right there. If you want, we can send a summary to the Avengers group chat so all your uh...aunts and uncles know what's going on and you might get more people to play with who don't need an explanation before."

He thinks for a moment, swinging his feet a little, before nodding, his response a bit muffled. "Yes. I wanna play with Loki though. He can't play chase, but has magic."

"I'm being dethroned as the best Uncle over magic?", Uncle Bucky whispered jokingly, a smile seen as he fiddled with his shirt.

"Not Uncle."

"What?" They seemed confused.

"Not Uncle." His pacifier was gently taken by Uncle Steve so he could easily talk. "Loki isn't my uncle, Uncle Bucky. He doesn't act like one."

"Then...what is he if not an uncle?", asked Uncle Clint.

"He's mowe like a big bwothew or a cousin.", he tried to explain with a smile, not understanding why it was so confusing. "He calls me Little Bwothew sometimes and Thow does too."

"Huh..." Uncle Clint takes his head with his hand on his chin. "I think I've heard them doing that, but I thought it was just like...a royal Asgard thing."

"Don't let them hear you say that.", Aunt Natasha said.

She was the first to walk over, running her fingers through his hair and smiling at him. "Hello, маленький паук."

"Hi, Мама-паук.", Peter replied with a smile.

"I see you're giving Uncle Bucky something to do for the day instead of being a boring, old man."

He laughed and nodded.

"So...what were you two doing earlier?", she asked.

"Uncle Bucky told me about what fwogs eat and what eats fwogs, but said that since thewe wewe no fwogs to eat, because Hoppy isn't food, he would eat a spidew and chased me around. Uncle Steve didn't like it."

"I had to move things out of the way during their little game of chase...when Pete was on the floor, that is." Uncle Steve shook his head and gave him back his pacifier.

Uncle Clint looked around the open parts of the floor. "I don't see any webs so I'm guessing he was crawling around on the walls?"

"And ceiling." A finger was pointed at the ceiling where some scuffs were seen.

"Must've given him quite a chase.", Aunt Natasha commented, looking amused about the situation and Uncle Steve's worrying.

"Would you like to see the recording, Miss Romanov?", asked FRIDAY.

"You read my mind, FRIDAY."

FRIDAY, as she pulled up the chase for Aunt Natasha and Uncle Clint to watch, took control on Uncle Steve's phone and began messaging the team about Peter's situation.

⊹₊ (·:•, ,•:·)⊹

_______________________________

Avengers(and Friends)! Assemble!

Don'tDoDrugs: Hello. This is FRIDAY. I am temporarily taking control of Steve Roger's phone as to notify you all of the current situation in regards to Peter as I have been given permission.

Don'tDoDrugs: Two days ago, while investigating the increase in violent crimes, Peter— as Spider-Man —found the main culprit. The culprit had a weapon of unknown origins that, when used on an individual, regresses said individual back to a previous state of mind temporarily and forces that state up, as Boss would say, "by several notches". The individual either forgets what has happened once the effects wear off or have vague memories.

Don'tDoDrugs: Upon confronting the culprit, he was shot as Boss arrived but managed to web the criminal down despite the hit. Unfortunately, due to the effects of the weapon beginning to work, Peter was unable to control his strength for a moment and destroyed the weapon.

Don'tDoDrugs: Boss retrieved both the weapon and Peter, taking them back to the tower where the effects became known.

Don'tDoDrugs: As previously stated, the weapon causes the victim to regress to an exaggerated, previous state of mind. As such, Peter was mentally regressed to around five years in age but needs more support than most at that age.

Don'tDoDrugs: Please note, however, that his current state of mind is what it would have been at that time mixed with various memories he's had since. Treat him as you would a child of that age.

Don'tDoDrugs: Any questions?

YerASorcerer: Is the weapon magical in nature?

Don'tDoDrugs: Not according to my scans, Dr.Strange. Its origin is unknown and its means of regression are odd, to say the least.

YerASorcerer: Good. I don't want to waste a portal going there.

ANTS!: Can you be less of a prick?

YerASorcerer: No

ANTS!: Where's Merida when you need him? Or AngryGreenGiant?

Don'tDoDrugs: Currently, Boss and Dr.Banner are in Boss's lab, attempting to decipher Peter's notes while Capsicle, Barnes, Falcon, Widow, and Merida are all babysitting Peter.

SpaceFace: Awww. I'm sure he's just a precious kid, no matter how sassy he gets with Stark

HoneyBear: I would say Tony doesn't deserve it but...we all know that man adores the kid and probably needs someone to quip with when Pep isn't around.

Don'tDoDrugs: Would you like to see the game Bucky placed with Peter that I could only call "Hungry Wolf"?

ANTS!: Yes!!!!

Quickie: Hell yeah!

HoneyBear: I so wanna see this

SpaceFace: Ooooh! Yes! Send it!

RobotLover: I just read the messages and I'm now very curious about this game.

Don'tDoDrugs: HungryWolfGame.STARKVID

ANTS!: Oh my god. That was...not what I was expecting for a game called Hungry Wolf. It WAS hilarious watching Steve pulling things out of the way of destruction though!

Quickie: Who knew Barnes was so good with kids?

HoneyBear: Well, he adores Pete enough to let him put magnets on his arm and braid his hair when he's mentally a teenager

SpaceFace: Was Peter wearing Bucky's clothes?

ANTS!: With a pacifier that he lost near the beginning? Yep.

HoneyBear: No one's gonna mention the fact that he called him "Uncle" Bucky??? Because I was pretty sure I was the only Uncle here.

RobotLover: Jealousy doesn't look good on you, Rhodey. Leave the green to Bruce.

HoneyBear: Ha ha

Don'tDoDrugs: Would you like a list of all the names we know Peter calls you all?

HoneyBear: Yes

Don'tDoDrugs: Dad refers to Tony. His uncles, so far, are known as the following: Steve, Bucky, Sam, Clint, Rhodey, and Bruce. The only Aunts he's referred to are May and Natasha.

Don'tDoDrugs: Much to the shock of the present uncles, he refers to Thor and Loki as his brothers.

MischiefGod: While little brother has some... questionable tastes in uncles, Bucky notwithstanding, I can not say his choice in an Aunt is necessarily poor.

ANTS!: My, My, Loki. I'd say that was almost a *gasp* compliment towards Nat

MischiefGod: She is the most respectable.

RobotLover: Really now.

MischiefGod: Relax, Lover of Vision. It was a comment in response to the current names my little brother has for you all.

MischiefGod: I may pay him a visit soon

Don'tDoDrugs: Peter has stated that he would like that

PointBreak: THEN WE SHALL BE THERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH SOME TOYS!

ANTS!: Remember that Midgardian children, no matter how smart, are still impulsive and will attempt to chew things they shouldn't.

PointBreak: OF COURSE!

MischiefGod: I'll make sure he doesn't grab anything that would harm him

HoneyBear: Thanks, Loki. I'm sure the kid will love your visit. Wish I could get there sooner

SpaceFace: Don't we all

Unknown to those actively chatting, T'challa(unfortunately named KittyKitty in the chat)— and a bored Shuri(banned from the chat) —was silently watching the tower footage FRIDAY had sent once they skimmed the summary of Peter's accident. They may be able to assist in helping.

"Huh...reminds me of a game we used to play when I was younger, brother.", Shuri said, a smile on her lips from Peter's laughter echoing from the speakers.

"Yes, though you were much more quiet when you were younger, sister." T'challa sighed as he sent a message to Tony, asking if they could help. "I wonder what happened."

She punched his shoulder. "I'm gonna go pack. I wanna see my fiancé in person while he's like this."

"Do refrain from calling him that when you arrive."

Shuri let out a loud groan as she left the room. "You're so boring, brother."

Hopefully they can't cause too much chaos if one is mentally a child...at least, that's what T'challa hoped. Based on the video, however, Peter seemed quite capable of other types of chaos.

⊹₊ (·:•, ,•:·)⊹

Dad and Uncle Bruce were almost finished with rewriting Peter's notes when Loki and Thor arrived in the common area to the smell of food.

"Hello, friends!", Thor boomed, excitedly walking over to the couches where everyone was with Loki close behind. "Stark's tower has informed us of Starkson's state and we have brought some items for him! As a show of acceptance of our new brother!"

"Great...she told you that too?", grumbled Uncle Sam as Peter curiously looked up from his second large serving of something he couldn't pronounce, sauce smeared on his mouth.

Loki looked disgusted at the sight— he did that over a lot of things so he wasn't offended —but he still grabbed a couple napkins and carefully began to wipe his mouth, holding his chin with two fingers. "You're lucky I like you, little spider."

"I'm youw bwothew. You have to like me.", Peter stated, reaching for his sippy cup filled with juice.

"Only because I chose you as mine, now hold still."

Peter pouted but did as he was asked, letting Loki finish cleaning his face. It was then that he realized people were still talking around them, having been focusing on just his brother.

"I didn't know Loki had such a...caring side to him.", mumbled Uncle Clint. "It's so weird."

"Loki has always had a good heart! Just...he mostly likes to focus on what he claims as his, like his pets or his people or his items." Thor sounded like he was smiling. "It's so nice to see him-"

"Continue talking, brother, and I will go back to showing my love in more...nostalgic methods.", Loki stated as he dropped the napkins in the trash pile. His cheeks were pink.

Peter didn't say anything about it, however, as he was finally able to grab his juice and drink. "Wanna see Hoppy?"

"The...frog stuffie?", asked Loki hesitantly.

"Mhm! Uncle Bucky had to wash it. Because I dwopped my sauce on it."

He had that weird look on his face again, like he couldn't believe what he was hearing even as he snapped his fingers to retrieve the stuffie. "You shouldn't eat with it to avoid future accidents."

"I knoooow." Peter leaned into the man's side. "Uncle Steve and Uncle Bucky alweady told me."

"Good...you should finish eating then."

Like before, he did as Loki asked— much to the exasperation of everyone who's been watching him, except for Uncle Bucky and Aunt Natasha —and finished his food, even if that meant he had face wiped again.

He excitedly told Loki about what's been happening, mostly the funny things Dad did— like putting his diaper on backwards last night and getting offended by FRIDAY correcting him, and how Dad pretended to be upset that he got more Hulk stuff than Ironman —and his new toys, of which there were...a lot.

FRIDAY showed them his workstation in Dad's lab, which still had everything he had been building on it, and the other kit he was a bit curious about now.

"Uh...does that kit say ten plus on it or am I misreading it?", asked Uncle Clint as he leaned forward.

"Nope.", Uncle Steve confirmed, rubbing his face. "It says ages ten plus. Bruce read it out."

"Aaaand the kid with the pacifier was in the middle of building a bot from it?" Uncle Clint sounded like he was skeptical, looking at him with squinted eyes. Peter smiled at them when he noticed the eyes on him. "...yeah. That tracks. Are we really sure he's not Tony's bio kid?"

"Nope, but he's also not fully a five year old, Clint." Uncle Sam ruffled his hair. "If he gets deaged to the point he doesn't truly know anything past five, that's when we'll know."

"What do you mean he's not truly deaged?", asked Loki, looking up from where he had Hoppy in his lap.

"Well. He remembers all of us and he knows a lot of what's happened since he was five, to a certain point, so despite being mentally the same as when he was five, we don't know how he was at five."

"Actually, Mr.Wilson.", FRIDAY chimed in. "Based on analysis of all the data we have of Peter's behavior in his teens and the data we have of his current behavior, for all intents and purposes, he is just a child right now. There are no remnants of his true age."

"Some testing is needed for more accurate data but here's my results thus far." The holoscreen was changed to a list that he didn't try to read. "While before Peter could match Boss in the inventions category, even surpass him on several instances, his current state has made, what should've taken a teenaged Peter maybe five minutes to make all the bots, take approximately thirty minutes to complete part of the beginning bot with KAREN's help."

"What?" They seemed more confused than Loki and Peter were, the two finding it made sense since Peter wasn't a teenager right now. Of course he couldn't match Dad in building robots.

"Wait. What about when he was taking apart the virtual uh...thing? That looked a lot more complicated than a kit bot.", Uncle Steve said.

"He broke over half the parts he took out and did not have the attention span to repair them before wandering off." Uncle Bucky sighed as FRIDAY pulled up his pushed aside work, holographic bits and pieces covering the tabletop. Jagged edges easily seen on the solid pieces.

"Why are you all still treating him like he's a teenager after I chased him around and blew raspberries on his stomach?", asked Uncle Bucky.

Uncle Clint made a weird expression, his face scrunching like he ate a lemon. "It's just...hard to look at Pete and think child, you know? Even with the uh...pacifier and everything."

Uncle Sam and Uncle Steve both nodded while Aunt Natasha looked disappointed in them.

Thor just looked confused as he sat down next to Peter. "Would you like Loki to illusion him to look like a child?"

"You would still feel that he's not a tiny child when you pick him up or otherwise touch him, but he'll look like one.", Loki explained, waving his hand to remove the holoscreen from the table. He smiled when Peter clapped.

"Can you...even do that?", questioned Uncle Clint.

"Of course I can. It's rather simple."

"Can't Uncle Scott just make me small?", Peter complained. He didn't like being all...big.

"I don't believe his technology is safe to use for the long term, at least not for what you want to use it for." Loki patted down his messy curls, Peter letting out a big sigh as Loki's magic— a very nice green —shimmered over him like a cold breeze. "There. Now you should have no trouble remembering that he is a child and should be treated as such. The illusion won't necessarily hold up if you try to hold him, however."

"This is gonna be so weird.", mumbled Uncle Sam, despite agreeing to it. His other uncles, minus Uncle Bucky, agreed but they still focused on remembering that he was little and not big.

Uncle Bucky focused on cleaning up the take-out boxes and refilling Peter's sippy cup while Thor showed him the toys they brought for him, the illusion shimmering a bit as he hugged the Alligator Loki toy with a big smile.

By the time Dad and Uncle Bruce rewrote his notes— to help Dad —and figured out that the effects of the weapon would only last a week, his uncles were much more used to him being little. They still acted like he was big though, annoyingly.

Of course, the illusion was removed when Dad came to retrieve him for dinner, not that either minded. It didn't look like Dad even noticed he had had an illusion on him when he arrived, not even batting an eye when it fell or at Peter's new outfit as he thanked Uncle Steve and Uncle Bucky for watching him.

It was nice that Dad saw him as being little without needing an illusion, like Loki and Thor and Uncle Bucky and Aunt Natasha.

He smiled at the thought of being little in his eyes, no matter how big he got.

⊹₊ (·:•, ,•:·)⊹

Days Three, Four, and Five went by similar to Day Two albeit a lot less stressful now that the others knew Peter was little and not big. It meant Dad could leave him with one of them when he couldn't bring him somewhere, like bringing Morgan to school or a boring meeting. (The military guys were always so mean).

Uncle Bucky and Aunt Natasha were the best to hang out with, when he could be left with them.

Uncle Bucky wasn't scared to play with him— Hungry Wolf was still his favorite, but Uncle Steve banned it to the Gym, which had lots more room to run around —and liked to ob-serve him to figure out what to do next. He also knew how to hold him.

Aunt Natasha, while unable to carry him, treated him like the kid he was, not the teenager they see, and made sure he was rarely bored. They had their own games to play, like Ambush, and she was fine sitting quietly with him when he got hyperfocused on a show FRIDAY on.

Peter wasn't a big fan of Uncle Clint, mostly because he couldn't play a lot of the games he wanted to play and he struggled getting him ready for naptime(despite having kids too).

It was pretty fun playing Ambush when more of the Avengers were in one place.

It was on Day five during one such game— Uncle Clint had only spotted him once out of ten times —that they gained a visitor.

He was crawling towards Uncle Bucky on the ceiling, one of the few people who could handle him dropping on them from that height, moving as slowly and silently as he could with his eyes locked on the man when a shout— "Where's the boy?!" —startled him. He dropped from the ceiling sooner than he expected...into a very unamused Uncle Steve's arms.

"Did you have to shout?", asked Uncle Steve as they both looked over at-

"Hawley! Shuwi!" Peter scrambled out of his arms and over to the two, practically jumping into Harley's arms.

"What? No hug for me?", asked Shuri with a fake pout. He happily let go of Harley and gave her a hug as well, not so much climbing into people's arms this time.

"Not that we aren't glad you two are here-" "All lies, but continue." "-but one of you has school right now and the other is a princess. What are you doing here?", asked Uncle Bucky, marking his book.

"Well. I wanted to see what Shuri was talkin' about when she said Pete was a kid." Harley looked down at him, dressed in his naptime clothes still, before talking like a concerned big brother. "Is he dressed like this all the time? Seems pretty chilly, especially for him."

"He woke up from a nap half an hour ago and we've been trying to catch him to get him changed.", Uncle Steve said with a heavy sigh. "I don't know why he's fighting us on it. He's the one who picked out the clothes."

"Hmm..." Harley put his hand on Peter's head, getting him to look up. "Did you just want to play, darlin'?"

"Mhm! I wanted to play Ambush and Uncle Clint was leaving."

"He likes startling him.", Uncle Bucky explains with a shrug as he walks over, finally able to pick Peter up. "Clint's reactions are pretty funny, but he definitely isn't pleased with being the target of this menace."

Peter giggled at the nickname Dad often used for him. "Aunt Natasha says it helps with his...his uh...weflexes and uh...sen-sat-ion-al awaweness."

"Situational awareness, not sensational. Two different words.", corrected Uncle Bucky, absent-mindedly patting his butt to check for an accident— he didn't have one —and making the diaper crinkle.

The action, and sound, did not go unnoticed by his friends. They weren't able to ask, however, as Peter spoke up.

"Wight...Uh...potty?"

"Crap. Right." Uncle Bucky looked at Harley and Shuri. "Wait here if you two want to play with a kid Pete. He's gotta get changed and uh...use the bathroom first."

He didn't wait for a response before he was quickly carrying him down the hallway to the bathroom.

It didn't take too long, but when they came back, Shuri and Harley were in the living room with Uncle Steve trying to discourage them from letting Peter join in on any "scientific chaos" as usual.

"He's only five...ish right now, you two. He can't build or help with anything you are used to."

"But Pete's very smart. I'm sure even as a kid, he-"

Uncle Steve cut Harley off. "Trust me, we've...tried, against FRIDAY's advice, and it just ended up with broken parts and an overwhelmed Pete. You don't want an overwhelmed Pete."

"Is that why the table is brand new?", asked Shuri, sounding amused at the thought.

"Yes." He gave a heavy sigh, only noticing Peter was back when Uncle Bucky chuckled. "Laugh it up, Buck, but if these two are paired with Peter while he's like this, Tony will be revoking our penthouse privileges and giving them over to Nat."

Uncle Bucky set him down on the couch next to Harley, handing him Hoppy on habit. "I'm sure they can find less damaging ways to play with him, right, kids?" He looked over when he didn't get a reply. "Keener? Princess?"

"...I'm very confused right now. How old is Peter right now?", Harley asked as he nodded at being shown Hoppy.

"He's five, Keener. Keep up." Shuri gently took Hoppy and looked her over. "Just a regular plushie. Boring, but very cute. Did you name it? I used to name all of mine."

"Hew name is Hoppy..." Peter took out his pacifier— it was a simple red one —when he answered, hesitating for a moment before continuing. "Some spidews sometimes keep fwogs as pets to keep theiw web safe fwom bad bugs that could hawm it. The fwogs get food and pwotection and the spidew gets pwotection."

"Huh. Never knew spiders could have pets. When did you learn that?"

"Dad looked up spidew habits days ago." He itched at the bracelets around his wrists. "Because I...act mowe like a spidew?"

"Or you're better at controlling it when you're older.", Harley said as he reached over and got the bracelets off, despite being urged not to.

"Are the holes supposed to be like that?", asked Shuri, pointing at his slightly irritated spinnerette.

Uncle Steve looked panicked as he shook his head, making Peter stiffen. "Nope. Definitely not. Bucky! Get the hot cloth!"

"You forgot to take the bracelets off, didn't you?", Uncle Bucky said.

"Just help!", Uncle Steve said as he picked Peter up and rushed him to the kitchen in a panic.

⊹₊ (·:•, ,•:·)⊹

The coffee table was covered in art supplies— and a box —once Peter calmed down enough to be brought back, Uncle Steve's panicking having caused him to panic despite knowing he was okay.

Crayons, paints, glue, paper, tape, everything that counted as an art supply that they had was on the table...plus some socks, for some reason.

"What's all that for?", asked Uncle Steve as he turned the TV on to Peter's favorite channel. The volume was low enough not to disrupt the conversation but loud enough for the super soldiers and Peter to hear easily.

Harley waved his arms over the table like he's showing off a product. "Figured we'd do some arts 'n crafts that I used to do as a kid and show Shuri what some American children from small towns did when bored."

"Awts 'n cwafts?", asked Peter.

"Yep! Ya know...finger paintin', crown makin', mask makin', sock puppets, that type of stuff. Wanna join us?"

"Um..." He remembered that he used to get in trouble a lot for painting on the walls, even with someone watching him(he was a fast kid). But now that he could climb walls and get around faster..."I pwomise I won't paint the walls or ceilings?"

"...can you fit in this box?", asked Harley, confusing the three who were listening.

It soon became clear why he asked as Peter was allowed to make as big of a mess as he wanted while they made and decorated their paper masks so long as it stayed inside the box. It was easier said than done— Peter was really good at making a mess —but no paint got on the ceiling or walls and only some got on the carpet.

Neither of the three teenagers— regressed or otherwise —or Uncle Sam, the designated babysitter while food was cooked, cared. It was washable and Dad could help get it cleaned.

Uncle Sam moved their masks— Peter made Dad's Ironman mask since Uncle Bruce would look weird as a mask —to a different table to dry as Harley moved onto showing them how to make paper crowns.

He did all the cutting, using scissors older kids could, and helped measure each of their heads. It didn't matter that Shuri had a crown already, one made of metal that's all shiny and pretty and not made of paper.

Despite the lack of mess from when they were making their masks, Uncle Bucky said it was getting too smelly from the paint— it was sort of giving Peter a headache —and had to open the windows. They were made to use crayons and markers on the paper crowns while bundled up in blankets, dry paint on their clothes and on Peter's...everything.

Their crowns, all colored differently, were finished in time for dinner, Shuri happily sending photos of her "brand new crown" to T'challa and Harley declaring himself king only for Peter to argue that he's king while they ate.

It wasn't the weirdest dinner they've had, where an actual princess is gleefully recording two non-royals arguing over who's "king"(of what, neither have said or explained) to send to her king of a brother, not by a long shot. Honestly, Peter would say it was one of the more normal dinners.

Harley showed them how to make sock puppets after dinner, having to use markers to color them how they wanted and using glue to add eyes.

Peter had wanted to make one of his friends who weren't heroes, but he didn't want them to look weird so went with Daredevil. He used a lot of red and had Harley help him make tiny cones and tubes of paper to glue on. Daredevil the Sock Puppet didn't get the googly eyes but two buttons Uncle Steve found in the sewing kit.

He was really proud of it, even thinking Matt would like it too once he was shown it...would the marker smell be too much?

Unfortunately, however, even playdates had to end for little kings.

When Dad arrived, he took one look at him— paint splattered on his face and arms and clothes and even hair with red marker all over his hands —and declared he was getting a bath when they got back up to the penthouse.

"With bubbles?", asked Peter, not minding a bath.

"Yes. With lots of bubbles."

"Wanna see what I made before we go?" He was excited to show it off.

"Sure, kid. Go get them as long as it's dry.", said Dad with a smile.

Excitedly, Peter grabbed the paper Ironman mask— it looked darker dry —and Daredevil the Sock Puppet before showing them to Dad with a big smile. "Hawley helped with Matt's horns and uh...weapon thingy! I think Shuwi made T'challa."

"These look great, Pete." He was looking over his shoulder as he said that, a frown on a fade. "Really, Harley? You just had to add googly eyes?"

"Wha~at? I think Sock Puppet Tony turned out amazing. Don't you think, darlin'?", asked Harley as he showed him the puppet.

"Dad looks funny as a puppet.", was all he could say, giggling.

"He looks funny all the time, but I'll take it."

"Don't encourage him, Keener. He's a menace without your help...but there were no fires, right? Or explosions? Or damage to the building?", Dad asked as he absent-mindedly tugged the diaper bag onto his shoulder when Uncle Steve handed it to him.

"Nope. Minus some paint on the carpet, most stayed in the box we put him in. He had fun." Harley ruffled his hair, getting a squawk of annoyance. Flakes of paint fell out. "Gonna miss this adorable side of him when he's back to normal."

"There was a small issue with his spinnerets," Uncle Steve said. "But we fixed it."

"They got itchy.", Peter explained, letting Dad take his arm to look at one. "Uncle Bucky helped make them not itch."

Dad just nodded as his shoulders slumped, seemingly no longer worried. "Right. Well. We better get going if you wanna get a bath and watch a movie with Morgan before bed."

Perking up at the mention of a movie, he excitedly said goodbye and headed to the elevator with his crafts in his arms where he impatiently waited for Dad to finish saying his own goodbyes.

It didn't take long for him to finish up the goodbyes— Dad wanted to know how he was while Harley, Shuri, and Peter played together —and head up to the penthouse nor did it take long for Dad to explain to Morgan that she already had a bath and didn't need to take one again with Peter.

("Maybe if he becomes small like this physically, you can like siblings who are the same age.", Dad tried explaining.

Morgan sighs. "But you get to take baths with him."

"Well, I have to help him wash up since I'm bigger and the dad." He's tried explaining that he doesn't take baths with Peter to no avail many times.

"What about mommy?"

"She's not used to cleaning boys and Pete prefers me to help." He leans in to fake whisper with a pout. "I think he likes that FRIDAY makes fun of me."

His kids giggle.)

Dad, now used to helping him bathe, got him into the bath— with lots of bubbles, as promised —and washed up with ease.

Gentle fingers work dried paint out of curls as Peter played with the bubbles and bath toys, calluses barely scraping while tilting his head back to rinse the shampoo out of his hair. A soft cloth carefully scrubbed the dried paint off his arms and face and neck, making sure he closed his eyes as water washed over them.

It was easier to clean up the rest of him once the paint was off, not that he's really been allowed outside since the incident apart from that one car ride to Morgan's school. The most he's ever been dirty all week was when he accidentally tumbled into a bunch of gym chalk. Uncle Clint laughed at him then did the same thing.

Once clean, Dad let the bath drain and dried him off with a fluffy towel, letting Peter try and use the hairdryer by himself while he grabbed his pajamas. He's gotten a lot better at holding and aiming it.

"Good job, gattino-" "I'm a spidew, not a kitten." "-but let's get your hair fully dried before we get you dressed."

He didn't see the way Dad looked at him— almost like he was watching something that's going to disappear soon —when he managed to get his shirt on by himself, but did see him smile when he helped him into his diaper and pajama pants.

He didn't notice how Dad was more helpful than usual as he watched the movie with Morgan— making sure he had his pacifier and Hoppy nearby, tucking the two close to his sides, checking to see if they were cold —or see how Dad looked at him when tucking him, a sleeping Morgan on his hip.

"Night, Bambino...", Dad mumbled as he kissed his forehead, his voice sounding weird, like he was breathing strangely.

Peter snuggled into his blankets with Hoppy held close. "Night-night...Dad."

⊹₊ (·:•, ,•:·)⊹

Despite how great the day before had ended and how excited he was to play with Harley and Shuri again, it seemed like using paint— no matter how fun it was —had been a bad idea.

He hadn't even noticed the mild pressure behind his eyes at first, or that everything had a weird fuzz around it. Sure, he was slightly snappier, but Dad figured he was just having an off morning and simply helped him choose some clothes for the day.

It was when Dad accidentally knocked some dishes over in the dish rack when making breakfast— causing loud clacking of porcelain and glass when they hit one another —that it happened.

Peter curled in on himself as he clamped his hands over his ears, the mild pressure behind his eyes suddenly exploding in what felt like Hulk squeezing his head. It was like his senses suddenly exploded, becoming too much too fast.

The lights which were mildly annoying before were practically blinding even with his eyes clenched shut. His clothes felt like sandpaper scraping against his skin, even his soft shirt, with each ragged breath. His own breathing— his speeding heartbeat —felt like someone was beating his eardrums like a death metal band.

It was because of the latter that he didn't notice Dad was moving and talking to someone until calloused hands gently pulled at his wrists, the familiar scent of motor oil that's practically stuck to most of Dad's shirts and faded fancy body wash.

Hesitantly, he opened his eyes a little and winced at what little light there was, body held stiff. He only relaxed once something— sunglasses, he belatedly realized —was pushed onto his face, dimming the light more than it was.

"There we go, there we go.", Dad whispered, smiling softly at him despite the visible worry in eyes.

Peter could feel how wet his cheeks were, tears still falling. "H-h...h-huwts."

"I know. Let's...let's see if I can find you a quieter, darker place, Piccolino."

This was how Day Six went for Peter: curled up in Dad's and Pepper-mom's bed, partially dressed in Dad's clothes(as they were the softest), with partially eaten food sat on the bedside as he was barely able to stomach much food, simply sleeping most of the day with medicine being taken infrequently to try and help some of the pain.

At least Pepper-mom was able to watch him when Dad had to go to an important meeting, quietly doing her work and keeping him company. Heck, he was even able to be awake without pain by dinner.

But despite all the sleeping he did, he was visibly exhausted when he was dropped off with Uncle Steve the next day, leaning into Dad's side so he didn't fall over.

Uncle Steve must've had an odd look on his face because Dad started rambling. "Don't give me that look. I...I don't want to leave him while he's so...like this, but me and Pep have meetings practically all day that apparently need both of us or one of us at the same time and I normally would avoid these, even Pep wants to, but you know how those military guys are and-"

"Tony." Uncle Steve held up a hand with a soft smile, cutting him off. "It's fine. If he needs a nap already, I'm sure Harley and Shuri won't mind. I don't even think they're awake yet. Get to your meetings. He's in safe hands."

"Right...right...uh...remind them that there's absolutely no painting today without ventilation, or any painting. Give the kid's senses more of a break."

"We already have some non-arts and crafts stuff planned out for today, if he's up to some of them."

"Thanks..." Dad hesitated before kissing his head and handing him over to Uncle Steve, Peter letting out a small yawn. "Bye, Bambino. I'll be back late, but I'll try to get home sooner."

Peter just nods, leaning against Uncle Steve.

"He's already prepared for a nap so-"

"Just go before you're late, Tony. He'll be okay." He placed a hand on the sleepy boy's head. "He's in good hands."

"Right, right..." Dad hesitated at the elevator, looking back at them, before leaving.

It was only once he was out of sight that Peter was scooped up, his head resting comfortably on the supersoldier's shoulder as he held Hoppy close. "Tiwed..."

"Yeah. Heard you had a rough day yesterday." Uncle Steve got a small nod. "Wanna take a nap for a little bit or do you wanna see what Harley has planned?...Peter?"

When he looked down, the boy was already fast asleep, mouth hanging open like he was going to answer and the eyebags underneath his eyes rather prominent in the hallway lights.

Peter hadn't even realized he'd fallen asleep. One second, he was listening to Uncle Steve talk and the next, he was waking up in Uncle Steve's and Uncle Bucky's room with the sound of people talking outside.

"Uncle Bucky?", mumbled Peter as he sleepily sat up and saw the man reading nearby.

"Don't worry. It's just Keener and Shuri trying to see when you'll be awake." Uncle Bucky set his book down and got up, easily picking him up with a pat to his butt to check. No accidents. They've been happening less and less. "Want to go and show them you're awake or do you want to sleep for a bit longer?"

He looked between the comfortable bed and the door for a moment before deciding. "Wanna see Hawley and Shuri."

"Stevie let them know it's a quiet day so playtime should be quiet."

Peter just nodded with a small yawn, "Where's Hoppy?"

"Hmmm...ah." Uncle Bucky reached down with Peter still on his hip, getting a small giggle, and picked up the plushie. "She just fell out of bed. Clint does that all the time."

"For a biwd, he's bad at balancing."

"And for a wolf, I'm great at balancing.", he replied as he opened the door to the sight of Harley glaring up at Uncle Steve, hands on his hips with a frown, and Shuri doing the same.

Peter giggled at the sight, getting their attention, "Hi, Harley. Hi, Shuri."

"Parker! You're finally awake!", Harley said with an exasperated groan. "What do you think of a blanket fort and movie marathon night?"

"Me and Aunt May and Uncle Ben used to do that!", Peter said excitedly, smiling. "Awe we gonna have snacks?"

"Of course. What kind of movie marathon doesn't have snacks?"

Uncle Bucky let him climb down to go with Harley. He held the other boy's hand— Hoppy was held securely in his other arm —as they walked down to the living room to start building their blanket fort for the movie marathon.

All the materials— blankets, sheets, pillows, clothespins, string, etc —were already gathered so they didn't have to waste any time in building their fort, not that Peter knew it had been prepared since the day before.

It was easy to get the living room prepared for their fort. The coffee table was simply pushed so it was flush against the TV stand while the armchairs were pushed close to the couch to form an angular half-circle along with a couple chairs from the kitchen. Each chair faced inward.

They began to build once the preparation of the room was complete.

Light blankets were draped over furniture gathered around in a half circle, easily tugged tighter to be tied around the legs so the "ceiling" of their fort wasn't sinking. Two sheets were then clipped to the front with some clothespins to act as a doorway while another was draped on the inside, the edges tucked into the cushions of the various pieces of furniture.

A couple thick blankets were laid inside by Harley— for comfort, he said —before all the pillows were scattered around the sides and the floor. They added some lights that Shuri had found and modified as to make it feel cozy and filled the inside with snacks, extra blankets, and some toys from Peter's bag.

It was big enough for all three of them once the fort was finished albeit a bit more snug than planned(not that either minded with how physical they all were, in general).

Peter was happy with the cuddle pile they ended up in by the time they began their movie marathon, nobody seeming to mind that the TV was hoarded by the three geniuses, but Uncle Steve did make them leave the fort to eat dinner.

It wasn't supposed to be a sleepover, Dad having supposed to pick him up halfway through movie four, but none of the three minded, having dressed in comfortable clothes for the marathon anyways. It wasn't hard to shuffle around until they were all lying down, comfortably watching the characters on the screen moving about.

Still, despite being around such energetic friends, he ended up falling up by the fifth movie despite trying his best to fight off sleep, cuddled up against Harley's side and loosely holding Shuri's hand with his pacifier set near the snacks.

It felt...familiar, almost, in how his mind started to slowly fog over and exhaustion took over his mind. His head had felt weird since that morning, almost like his mind was split in two— how he had felt both embarrassed at being dressed by Dad because I'm not a little kid. I don't need Tony dressing me, but also happy Dad was helping him because he is just a little kid, feeling uncomfortable in a diaper because what if someone from school finds out? I don't need one! but preferring it because he does need one —in a disorienting way.

It wasn't until later that night, a familiar old man snore heard nearby, that his mind was finally calm...and his bladder was screaming at him.

With a small yawn, Peter carefully climbed out of the pile of limbs that were his friends and quietly made his way past a sleeping, snoring Tony— after tucking a blanket around him —to the bathroom, rubbing his eyes.

He didn't notice how odd his underwear felt until after he did business and went to pull them up, the sight of a diaper nestled in his pants.

The sight made him freeze.

"Okay, Peter. Don't panic. You're just wearing a...a diaper right now." He quickly pulled his pants up, wincing at the crinkling sound but knew he didn't have any underwear to change into and didn't want to go commando, and moved to wash his hands in the sink. "Just...think about why."

He tries to think back when he could've possibly put it on, but it was like he got glimpses of a busted video that kept skipping around and was heavily corrupted. However, some memories got through albeit fuzzy.

Him curling up in a pile of stuffed animals, probably in bed with how he recognized his bedroom, where Tony was leaning over a railing of sorts, something in his hand that he was holding out.

Bucky reaching off to the side as Peter was laying on his back while holding a green frog plush in front of himself, moving it around like he was talking to it while playing said frog. The two seemed to be in the bathroom.

Him bouncing the frog plush on various pieces of furniture and people, mainly laps.

Him looking down at Clint from the ceiling as the archer was distracted by a smirking Natasha.

Tony holding an Ironman rubber ducky out to meet his Captain America one with a soft expression on his face. They were clearly in the bathroom and Peter was definitely in the filled bathtub.

Bucky catching him after he appeared to have fallen or dropped from the ceiling onto him, the man looking like he was laughing.

Glimpses of coloring books and pacifiers flashed by, but never long enough.

And plenty more confusing, out-of-context memories.

Unfortunately, it quickly became obvious he had no idea of what happened after he fell asleep that fateful night— who just shoots a local vigilante with a weapon that could make them attack you? Some criminals, man. —and something has obviously happened.

Where even was he?

At first, when he had woken up, he thought he was in the penthouse and that they had all fallen asleep watching a movie. It doesn't make sense, in hindsight, but give him a break. He had just woken up and Tony had been snoring in a nearby chair.

Now, however, he wasn't so sure as he looked around the bathroom he was in. It's obvious he's still in the tower, all the familiar sounds he's come to expect from the inhabitants very much there.

It was a pretty standard bathroom...for Tony, Overly big for what was probably meant for two people but capable of fitting five, an oversized tub big enough for Steve and Bucky to sit in together with Thor, a fancy sink with plenty of counter space, shelves for towels, and a nice mirror that was large enough for Hulk to see all of himself in. He had made sure everyone had the same layout back when he had the floors made for the others that could be decorated as they saw fit.

It was the decorations part that helped Peter figure out which floor he was on...or at least who's bathroom he took.

Good news was that he was in Steve and Bucky's bathroom, which had way too much hair product for just two people and Steve's odd decor tastes scattered everywhere.

Bad news was that he remembered falling asleep in the penthouse, not on Steve and Bucky's floor.

"F-FRIDAY? What day is it?", asked Peter as he sat down on the toilet, rubbing his wrists anxiously. "How...how long has it been since I came to the tower?"

"It's been approximately nine days. However, you only just entered day nine.", came FRIDAY's calm voice. "Would you like me to disable the Spider-Baby Protocol?"

"What's...What's the Spider-Baby Protocol? What's happened since..." He ran his hands through his hair, taking deep breaths to stay calm. "P-please...explain what's happened since I arrived, including that protocol."

"Of course, Underoos. Disabling Spider-Baby Protocol." Once disabled, FRIDAY began to explain what happened after he arrived at the tower over a week ago— which, holy shit. He's missed so much school! —, how the team helped Tony where they could, and what the new protocol was.

Peter's face was bright red by the end, embarrassed by what he put them all through, even if a couple parts were funny.

Diapers looked pretty easy to put on. How could two parents struggle more than a childless supersoldier?...wait a minute. Doesn't that mean that they saw...His eyes widened.

Oh God. "How am I ever gonna look Bucky in the eye again? Or Clint? Or Mr.Stark? Mr.Stark bathed me and- and dressed me and...ch-cha-changed my diaper."

"Boss seemed to enjoy taking care of you, despite how limited your time together was some days.", FRIDAY chimed in. "He was...a bit shocked to have you calling him Dad but he was visibly happy when you said it."

"FRIDAY!", Peter hissed, glaring at the ceiling despite knowing no cameras were in the bathrooms on the Avengers floors(or any floor but the penthouse. Peter called it Elderly Watch in case Tony fell). "I'm a teenager. He still saw me naked and bathed me. He changed my diaper."

"Yes. He's also bathed Baby Stark and has helped his teammates when injured."

"That's different. I...I wasn't really injured. I just wasn't a..." He gulped, rubbing his eyes. "Fuck. Does Harley and Shuri know that Mr.Stark has been my caretaker?"

"I believe so, however, they were much more accepting of your temporary condition than some of the other Avengers.", FRIDAY stated bluntly.

"What? What do you mean?"

"Chew Toy, Merida, and Falcon had difficulty seeing you as a five year old, Falcon even claiming that your mostly blocked memories of anything past five meant you're not truly a five year old. I had to "set the record", as Boss would say, and Loki had to illusion you to appear as a child a few times for it to stick." FRIDAY sounded as irritated as her vocal program would let her. He should fix that for her. "You stated your preference of being made smaller with Pym tech. Multiple times."

"Ugh...that's-" Peter jumped as the bathroom door was suddenly opened by a sleepy Bucky who blinked at him a few times. Barely there memories of the man changing him made him look away with hot cheeks.

"Pete?" He looked down the hall for a moment, obviously hearing Tony's snoring, then looked back at him. "What...aren't you supposed to be down in the living room?"

"I...had to go to the bathroom.", he mumbled, hesitantly standing up to move around him.

"Mmm...let's get you back before Tony wakes up and freaks out.", Bucky said, gentle as he picked him up— oh god, he didn't notice yet...comfortable though —and carried him back to the living room where only Shuri seemed to be noticing Peter was missing.

"Bucky? Have you seen Peter?", she sleepily asked.

"Yeah." Peter was sat down inside the blanket fort— he so did not remember making it but being inside settled something instinctive —between Shuri and Harley. "I found him in our bathroom. Figured I'd return him before anyone panicked."

"Seems to be a trend with him..."

"Keeps us old geezers young.", Bucky said with a yawn as he reached inside the blanket fort, over Harley's head. Before Peter could turn his head to see, exhaustion starting to tug at him again, a frog plush was pushed into Peter's arms and guided into laying down. "Can't forget Hoppy..."

The tired man tugged a blanket over the three teens before leaving, Shuri already falling back to sleep with an arm over Peter's side— same as Harley —as Peter looks at the frog plush with lidded eyes. He has a name for it now.

'Hoppy...yeah, kid me would name you that...'

[Translations(I have so many Italian nicknames for children):

gattino: Kitten

Bambino: Baby Boy, Child, etc

Piccolino: Little-Little One]