AN: Inspired by kalslibrary01, who left a comment requesting this a long time ago. I was rereading some comments for inspiration, and it struck. I hope you enjoy!

November 23, 2017

Thanksgiving.

But this one was different from the last two years.

Tony had been up early, preparing all the classic Thanksgiving foods. Turkey, ham, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, rolls, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and of course, a couple different pies for dessert - apple, pumpkin, and pecan.

Tony couldn't help but reflect on the last two Thanksgivings that they had endured. Peter had disappeared so close to Thanksgiving that first year, that the two almost ran together. And Tony had given up on his sobriety that day. He regretted that decision every day, but today brought that mistake much closer to the surface than it normally was.

"Are you making enough food?" A teasing voice said softly from behind, causing Tony to start. He had been so engrossed in his thoughts that he hadn't heard his husband - though Tony was at a disadvantage now. He was the only one without super hearing.

"The way Peter eats?" Tony snorted, surveying his large undertaking. It was only going to be the three of them today - all of them wanted to just spend some time alone. The team had been around a lot since Peter's return, hovering and concerned.

Steve grimaced. "Yeah, that's a fair point." He murmured, giving Tony a quick kiss.

Peter had lost a lot of weight over his years on the run - his high metabolism and lack of funds meant that he had had a very difficult time keeping weight on.

"What can I do?" Steve asked Tony, turning and washing his hands.

"I think everything is about done. If you want to help me put everything on the table, we can eat."

Peter popped in just a minute later. "It smells good," He said, grabbing a roll from the basket that Tony was taking to the table.

Three years ago, Tony probably would have laughed and hit Peter's hand away and told him to be patient, but now he just shook his head and didn't comment on the stolen food. He placed the basket and the gravy dish on the table, and turned around to go get the last thing, the turkey, but found Peter carrying the large dish instead.

"Be careful, that's heavy." Tony commented.

Peter laughed and set it on the table with ease. "Super strength, Dad. Remember?" He bumped shoulders with Tony, and Tony flushed a bit.

Shaking his head, he laughed too. "Sorry, kiddo. I'm still adjusting."

Peter shrugged. "Me too."

It had not even been a week since Peter had revealed himself to them - that they learned that Spiderman was actually their missing son.

Steve rustled Peter's hair as he moved to sit down, and Peter flinched away, causing Steve's hand to freeze.

"Sorry Papa," Peter said immediately, flushing red. "I just wasn't expecting it."

"Don't apologize." Steve said immediately. "I should ask first, I'm the one who is sorry-"

"No," Peter shook his head, forcing himself under Steve's arm and into a hug. "I really just was surprised. It was reflex, promise. You don't have to ask."

Steve just kissed to top of Peter's head and hugged him tight in response, sharing a look with Tony. Peter had been a bit jumpy since he had come home, and they weren't sure if it was his enhanced senses or his time on the streets that caused it.

They all sat down, not making an big deal out of the reaction, and Steve cleared his throat.

"I just want to say-" He paused, and smiled softly at Peter. "I am so thankful that Peter is home. I didn't know if we would ever have a Thanksgiving together again, and I am so very thankful that we got another one." He exchanged a look with Tony.

"I'm thankful for the years we had with Peter." He continued. "And I'm hopeful that someday we may get more."

Steve was quiet for a moment.

"You really think that? You think there's a possibility that he might just… come home?" Steve asked.

"I don't know if I could function if I didn't hold onto that hope." Tony admitted.

Tony had been the one with hope that they would eventually see Peter again. Hope that Steve hadn't had.

"I'm thankful," Peter cleared his throat, and Tony could tell that he was nervous. "I'm thankful that I'm home too. And I'm thankful that you both have forgiven me and that you love me." Peter ducked his head, blinking quickly.

"I'm thankful for both of my favorite boys." Tony said, reaching out and taking Steve's hand. "I'm thankful, not just that you're home, Peter, but that you are safe." He glanced at Steve. "And I'm thankful that I don't have alcohol."

Steve laughed, shaking his head. They had come far past Tony's last fall of the wagon, and something that was so tender last year was able to be laughed about with ease now.

"I'm thankful for that too," Steve teased.

Peter was looking at Tony with a contemplative expression on his face, before it morphed into understanding.

"No." He shook his head adamantly. "No, did I make you drink? Me disappearing?" Neither answered, and Tony froze, realizing that he should have considered that comment before he made it.

"No, son." He said gently, reaching for Peter. "You aren't responsible for my sobriety, and you know that."

Peter shot out of the seat. "No," He was shaking his head. "I didn't want - I didn't mean for-"

"Peter." Steve said gently, standing too and forcing Peter to turn to him. "Your Dad and I both struggled to cope when you disappeared. It took us a while to find our footing again." He was ignoring the look that Tony was sending his way. "Everyone copes differently. Yes, Dad turned to alcohol." Peter flinched, but Steve didn't let him turn away. "But he also chose to stop drinking. It had to be his choice, and he made it." Peter stared at Steve for a long moment, before finally nodding.

He turned to Tony and before Tony could react, he had an armful of Peter, who was squeezing him tight. "I'm so sorry." He whispered. "But I'm so proud of you too."

Tony felt a weight ease off of his chest. Peter wasn't angry with him. He hadn't failed his son. Instead, Peter was proud of him.

"Don't apologize," Tony soothed. "You're the kid, Pete. I made my own decision. You don't get to blame yourself."

Peter nodded into Tony's chest, still hugging him tight. "Okay." He mumbled.

"Now." Tony said after another moment. "Why don't we eat before my feast gets cold?"

Peter pulled back and laughed a little. "Yeah, okay. I love Thanksgiving." They settled back into their seats, and served themselves food.

"What did you do for the last two Thanksgivings, Pete?" Steve asked suddenly.

Peter flushed again. "Um…" He looked between the two. "Nothing the first year. I just curled up in my apartment. I was… umm… resisting the urge to come home." He glanced between them. "I missed you both so much. But I was angry too. I thought you didn't want me, that you didn't love me." He swallowed. "I wasn't very thankful for anything. And seeing all the people around, happy and thankful and spending time with their families… it made me even angrier." He shrugged. "Last year, I worked on Thanksgiving, kept myself pretty busy so I wouldn't have to think about it."

Tony opened his mouth, but Peter cut him off. "And don't you dare apologize again. I didn't say any of that to make you feel guilty. I'm responsible for my own actions just like you are responsible for yours. I chose to run instead of talking to you." Peter shrugged. "If I don't get to accept blame for you drinking, you can't accept blame for me running."

Tony considered this for a moment before nodding, "Okay, you have a deal."

"I really just tried to treat it like another day." Peter finished with a shrug. "But I'm glad I can celebrate it again."

"We are too, Pete." Steve said, taking another bite of his turkey.

After a few more bites of food and a comfortable silence, Peter turned to Tony and grinned.

"Dad?" He asked.

"Yeah, Pete?" Tony looked up from his plate.

"I'm also thankful that you don't have alcohol." He said, grinning cheekily at him.

"I'm always thankful for you too." Steve whispered. "And I'm also thankful for the fact that you don't have alcohol."

There was a pause before all three burst out laughing, feeling lighter than they had in a long time.