Chapter Text
Tony frowned as the sound of a baby crying rang out from beneath him. He hadn't been living here long (won't be living here much longer, just another month or two before his renovations are complete at his tower.) and he was already used to being woken up all hours by a screaming child.
From the sound of it, it was in the apartments the floor under him, the baby was still itty bitty, and frankly his heart hurt for the parents if their baby was always screaming like that.
Finally he couldn't take it anymore, heading for the elevators outside of his door and taking it one floor down. He would follow the noise until he got to the apartment it was coming from and he'll knock. Maybe he could help.
It was 2am, Peter checked the time again, yep, 2am. He didn’t just hear a knock at the door. His daughter was screaming, he’d tried everything, he’d even pleaded with his two month old to please calm down and go back to sleep. Obviously I didn’t work but he’d tried. And now he’s hallucinating knocks at the door because who in the world would be knocking on his door at this time of night?
Then he heard another, louder knock and oh, it was t a hallucination. He got up from where he’d sank down to the floor and placed Luna back into her crib and oh she hadn’t liked that one bit but he needed to answer the door and didn’t want to be holding a baby in case there was any trouble.
Peter opened the door slowly, he was sure he looked like death warmed over but he was exhausted and really didn’t care.
Tony sucked in a breath at the sight that opened the door. He looked exhausted, frankly like he would keel over any minute. And he was also gorgeous.
"Hi, I'm Tony." he stuck out a hand automatically. "And I know it's late, but I heard your baby and...well...would you like some help? I'm told that I'm really good with babies."
Peter blinked at the hand then back up at the man, his brain was taking a minute to catch up with the conversation. “Uh...what?” He asked dumbly. “I mean, do you just come randomly offer help to people you don’t know?” He rambled.
"If I think they need it, yeah, I'm a very helpful person." Tony smiled. Oddly the question didn't make him upset, it was oddly comforting how much this man was exhausted but still wary and aware of his surroundings.
"But I've heard the poor baby every night the past month and I know you've got to be exhausted"
Peter chewed on his bottom lip a moment, bad habit really, before shaking his head “N-no...I think we’re okay...” he said, trailing off as he looked over his shoulder thoughtfully, trying to decide what to do before turning back to Tony with a tired smile, wincing at a particularly shrill cry that came from his daughter.
Peter pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh.. "I just want to help, I promise. Nothing in return, just knowing you get 5 minutes of silence would be enough."
Peter sighed, stepping back “o-okay” Peter said, finally breaking and inviting this stranger inside. Tony smiled softly, stepping inside the apartment. "What would be the most help right now?"
Peter closed the door “I don’t even know.” He said sadly, hand going to rub the back of his neck. “I need to calm her down, but nothing is working “ he said in a defeated tone, leading the way to the still screaming child.
"Colic maybe?" he offered, his eyes lighting up at the sight. "Ah, she's gorgeous." he cooed softly, glancing at Peter for permission before scooping her up, cradling her close.
“Thank you.” Peter murmured, nodding for Tony to go ahead, wiping his eyes with the sleeve of oversized sweatshirt that had slipped over his hand and stifling a yawn with his other hand.
"There there lil love." he murmured, nuzzling into her head as he soothed her softly, smiling as the cries steadily quietened. Peter pouted lightly “Now see, that’s not even fair” he complained.
Tony chuckled. "Told you, my people think I'm magic"
“I believe it.” Peter murmured, giving his baby girl a soft smile as she drifted off. "Relax." Tony murmured
Peter blinked “I’m relaxed” he said with a yawn. "Do you think you could sleep?' Tony asked.
“Probably not” he sighed “She will probably sleep for a few hours now, so I can shower and clean a little. You can just lay her in the crib. She should be fine”
"Sleep." Tony murmured. “I’m fine” Peter said shaking his head.
"You're exhausted." he pointed out. Peter laughed softly “I am aware” he said, another yawn. “I can’t leave my daughter with a stranger while I nap.” He laughed “Ill be fine, promise” he said, giving Tony a smile.
"As long as you get some sleep soon” Tony said. “Promise” Peter replied softly.
Tony nodded smiling softly as he bent to lay the baby down. “Thank you again, Tony. I appreciate it” Peter said, walking Tony to the door, holding it open for him and holding his hand out to shake Tony’s. Tony nodded, shaking Peters hand. "I hope she sleeps for you now"
“Fingers crossed” Peter laughed, holding the hand shake a beat too long, but he’d blame it on sleep deprivation.
Tony looked him up and down, smiling widely. "Get some sleep." he murmured before walking out of the door. Peter just smiled, shutting the door. He ended up asleep on the couch, probably before Tony made it back to his apartment.. Tony smiled, enjoying the peace for the four hours it lasted.
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Peter startled at the first cry and all but tumbled off the couch and scrambled to his feet, on high alert now. He took a deep breath and made his way calmly to Luna's room to get her. “Good morning princess” he cooed to the small baby.
Tony stirred, humming softly as he sat up, hearing the crying cut off decently quickly.
Peter got her changed, fed and dressed, just going along with his normal day. He sat at the kitchen table, nibbling on some toast and scanning the classifieds as Luna lay happily in her bassinet next to him.
___
The next night Tony could hear the screaming again. He let it go for an hour or two before hurrying down.
Peter had rocked, sang, fed, changed and begged but she once again kept crying, but the time he heard the knock at his door, Peter was fighting back tears of his own.
He took a deep breath, standing and placing his daughter in her crib before going to answer the door. Tony gave him a small smile. "Hi."
“Hi.” Peter replied, opening the door more and stepping out of the way. “Sorry.” He sighed. "Don't be sorry." Tony murmured. "Are you okay?" he whispered, seeing the tears. Peter waved him off “I’m fine, just tired”
"You look like you're going to cry." Tony replied. Peter just shook his head “ don’t worry m’ fine”
Tony frowned, tilting his head. “I’m just exhausted “ he tried again “Just , please help?”
"Of course." Tony murmured. "C'mon, I'll help." he promised. Peter nodded, leading the way once again to the crying baby. “I tried everything, I swear” he groaned. "It's okay." he soothed, picking her up and cuddling her close as he swayed. Peter ran a hand down his face , sighing when she started to calm down.
"There we go little luv" Tony cooed at the baby. “Thank you.” Peter sighed, slumping against the wall. "It's not a problem I promise." Tony said. Peter shook his head “I definitely owe you.”
"It's fine." he shook his head, smiling as he started swaying. Peter let his head fall back against the wall with a soft thud, yawning
"Get some sleep." Tony tried again. “I’m okay” Peter said through a yawn.
"You're exhausted" Tony sighed.
“I am “ Peter agreed.
"Please, get some sleep." Tony all but begged. "Look, if it's because you're nervous about me being in your space, that's fine, come up to mine. But it looks like you're going to fall apart at a breezes whisper."
“Really? I look that put together?” Peter mused, because he felt even worse than he looked. “But, you don’t have a crib or bassinet I’m sure...”
"I have a travel bassinet that a friend had left with me last I saw her." He murmured. "Or if you have a playpen that would work too." He smiled at Peter, patting the babies back. "And I've a guest room that I could set you up in. Let you get some sleep for once."
“That’s all too much Tony. You don’t even know us” Peter reasoned.
"No, but I know exactly how taxing a little one can be. My friend that left the bassinet? Shes a single mom, and I've seen exactly how far someone goes before breaking completely, and I know what it looks like. Please. Just let me help." Tony begged.
Peter chewed on his lip, thinking before nodded “O-okay” he said softly, giving in. “I need to get some of her things” he said, going to grab the Diaper bag. "Of course" Tony gave him a relieved smile. "Anything you need."
Peter gathered up one diapers, wipes, a few outfits and her formula. “I think I got everything” he said, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, come on, make sure you have your phone" Tony urged softly. "And your keys."
Peter thought for a moment before going to grab his phone and charger. “Got it.” He said with a smile “I can take her” he offered, holding his arms out. "And I'll take your diaper bag" he smiled, carefully trading the baby for the diaper bag.
“Come on , Luna, come to daddy” he said softly, taking her from Tony and handing over the bag. "Beautiful name" Tony murmured, leading them from the apartment.
Peter flushed “Thank you” he said, following Tony up to his apartment. Tony exited the elevator, walking up to the lone door on this floor, opening it for Peter. Peter blinked “The penthouse?” He asked slowly
"Hmm? Oh, yeah" Tony smiled widely, gesturing for Peter to go before him.
It took Peter a minute to move, walking through the door. “Wow. This is huge” he breathed out, turning in a circle. Tony grinned. "You should see my actual place" he mused, setting the diaper bag on the couch, turning to grab the travel bassinet from the hall closet
“Your actual place?” He asked curiously, head tilted to the side in question. "Yeah, I'm here until the renovations are done in a couple of months" Tony answered.
“Oh?” Peter said, finally taking a good look at Tony, he looked familiar. Tony...Tony...Tony..To...”Tony Stark?” He asked, in shock.
Tony blinked, grinning widely. "Yes. Hi!" He set up the bassinet quickly, making sure it was clean.
Peter was shocked, Tony was a billionaire and he was now inside this man’s penthouse and not even his actual penthouse. Was he hallucinating. “I’m hallucinating from sleep deprivation” he mused with a sigh. "Mmm, not about this anyway" Tony grinned. "Here, get Luna settled and then I'll get you settled"
“She can sleep in the room with me.” Peter attempted, not wanting to leave any responsibilities.
"It'll be fine" Tony promised. "You need rest."
Peter sighed “She’s my responsibility”
"Yes, but needing help isn't a bad thing. And if you push yourself too far you'll make yourself sick. You gotta take care of you to take care of her."
Peter ran a hand though his hair, moving to lay Luna in the bassinet. “I-I guess you’re right” he sighed. "I know you barely know me. Hell I dent even know your name. But I would never hurt you or Luna. I just want to help and you look like you're one puff from completely shattering" Tony promised
“Look that good Huh?” He asked with a laugh. “I’m Peter, Peter Parker” he offered, stifling a yawn. "You look like you could use food, long shower or bath, and sleep. Not in that order" he grinned. "C'mon I'll show you to the bed"
Peter leaned down, pressing a kiss to Luna’s head, careful not to wake her. “Okay, thank you.” He sighed with a tired smile. Tony smiled softly, leading him to the guest room. "There is an en suite with extra toiletries, feel free to take a bath or shower if you'd like once you wake up."
“Thank you so much, Tony” he said, turning and hugging the man quickly. He was a hugger, sue him. Tony blinked, chuckling as he hugged Peter back. "You're welcome, Peter. Get some rest, ok?"
Peter flushed as he pulled back, nodding “Just promise to wake me up if you need anything”
"I will. But I'll be fine. Once Luna luv wakes up I'll feed her and keep her occupied. How many ounces do I need to mix?” Tony asked. Peter smiled “Four” he said with another yawn.
"Alright. To sleep with you" he chuckled as he turned to go back to the living room. Peter nodded, finally just giving in completely and plopping down on top of the covers and cuddling down. Tony glanced back before he shut the door, smiling and the already dozing Peter.
He spent time tinkering on his tablet before Luna started fussing. He cooed to her in soft tones, feeding her quickly.