Y'all I watched ONE EPISODE of The Good Doctor and that's all I've done since. So that's the explanation for my obvious tardiness. I've managed to watch an entire season since we've last met- and I've done nothing productive whatsoever.

But I have here a fluff chapter for you. Should be happy and not too angsty.

Tony could see a flash of red and blue as his son stepped off the window ledge, and he could've sworn his heart stopped.

"No no no no no no no..." he ran to the window, all but falling from the edge himself. Tony saw that same red and blue and heard a yell of excitement as Peter swung away. Tony wasn't exactly sure what he was using to swing- how long has Peter been working on this tech?

And why hadn't Peter told him about it?

When FRIDAY had told them what was going on, that Peter standing on the ledge... It was a fear Tony never wanted to experience again. Ever.

"Where is he." Natasha demands in a panic. Its only then that Tony realizes he and Pepper are the only one who watched Peter swing away.

"He left. He's using tech- I gotta go after him before he gets himself hurt. Or killed."

"We'll help." Steve says. "Is there anyone else who would know where he is?"

"His friends, Ned and MJ, they live in the city. I'll have FRIDAY send their contact information." Tony lifts an arm, summoning a suit. In less than a minute he's suited up in his signature red and gold.  Pepper gives him a quick kiss and tells him to be careful, and then he's gone.

🎶You are my dad, YOU'RE MY DAD! Boogie woogie woogie🎶

The ringtone on Peter's phone plays for about the one hundredth time in the past thirty minutes. He just stares at the phone each time, debating on whether or not to answer before the call ends up going to voicemail.

Peter had stopped on a random apartment building a few miles from the tower, effortlessly scaling to the top. He now sits on the roof, his legs swinging back and forth on the edge.

He felt better, that's for sure. The fall from his window was a lot higher than he'd anticipated, and honestly it was terrifying. But the minute he started swinging, he felt freed. He couldn't explain it, but he loved every minute of it.

He wanted to hear Tony's explanation, because there has to be a story behind this. Peter wouldn't be surprised if Tony did nothing wrong, and was simply blaming himself for a tragedy.

That wasn't what was keeping Peter from answering the dozens of calls.

It was the worry of how upset Tony was going to be with him. How disappointed. He hated disappointing people more than almost anything.

He was trying to think of a plan of action, when the sound of repulsors sounded behind him. The clank of metal as the suit landed.

"I've found him, Pep. We'll be home soon." He could hear Pepper answer him on the other end of the phone, her voice tearful. Stars, he really worried them. He really should've thought this through.

Peter doesn't look in Tony's direction not once. From the moment Tony steps out of the suit to the moment he sits down next to Peter, Peter never looks up. He keeps his gaze locked on the mask in his hands.

"You know Pepper and I thought you would've gone to the park. We know you love it there."

"I was actually going to."

"What happened?"

Peter presses a button on his webshooter, which releases the empty cartridge. He holds it up for Tony to see.

"I ran out of webs."

"Oh that makes sense." Tony answers him as if he's said the most normal thing in the world.

"Tell me what happened?" Peter asks, finally looking over to his dad sitting beside him.

"Kid... I'm so sorry. If I could go back and fix it-"

"Please. Just tell me what happened." The boy asks again. Tony sighs, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

"I was riding in the vehicle with your uncle and two other soldiers. I'd just presented the Jericho missile. All was going great- your uncle even asked for a selfie. No doubt to show you. I heard gunfire and watched those soldiers fall- and then everything exploded. A Stark Industries bomb being the cause of it. I'm the only one from that car who survived."

"I don't understand how you would think you killed him..." Peter answers, thinking over the story.

"I just told you, they were Stark Industries weapons-"

"You said the bomb was Stark Industries. My uncle and those others were shot. By guns that probably didn't come from your weapons inventory. And even if they did, you didn't pull the trigger."

Tony doesn't answer, so Peter continues.

"Imagine this. I'm out deer hunting with my buddy Todd and his dad, and I loan todd my gun-"

"You can shoot?"

"Sir... I'm from Texas." Tony nods in understanding then motions for Peter to continue. Which he does.

"Anyway, Todd has a deer in his sights, and takes his shot. But he misses, and accidentally hits a rabbit instead. Now he's using my gun, but he's the one who hit the rabit."

"So what are you saying?" Tony asks, still trying to follow the story and the logic.

"It ain't the weapon, Mr. Stark, it's the person behind the weapon. Whoever used that weapon to hurt my uncle, they're responsible for his death. You're not. You can't blame yourself for this."

"Can't help it kid. I've hurt a lot of people with Stark Industries, I have to carry the blame."

"Well you've also helped a lotta people, right? You saved New York. You've helped your team- even when you didn't have too. And you helped me. Without you, who knows where I'd be right now."

"I love you, kid. You know that?"

"I love you too, Mr. Stark."

Tony was tearing up, but not because of grief. Or guilt. He loves this kid. More than anything. And it's a relief to know that the kid doesn't hate him. To know his son loves him.

It makes the weight on his shoulders feel just a little lighter.

"Pete... you know Pepper's gonna ground you."

"Yeah I figured."

"I can convince her to go easy on you, but only under one condition."

"What's the condition?" Peter could take a punishment, but let's be honest if there's a better option, he's gonna take it.

"You have to stop calling me 'Mr. Stark'." Tony answers, exasperated. "You've known me almost 4 months. You could at least call me Tony."

Peter nods: "Okay that's fair. Thanks Tony."

"Anytime, Bambi. Now how about we head home?" Peter yawns, before rubbing his eyes sleepily. "I think its past your bedtime anyway."

"I'm 15 years old, Tony. I don't need a bedtime." But Peter knew Tony was right. He was usually in bed asleep by 11:00 at the latest. Now it was past 1 in the morning, and Peter was exhausted.

He yawns again.

"Alright you don't need a bedtime." Tony answers, standing up. "But we've both had a long day. Let's go."

Tony ruffles the boy's hair, before Peter follows his father's lead, standing up and walking along side him as they head to the roof's entrance to the building.

Could Tony fly them home? Yes. But he didn't want the kid to feel awkwardly or anything. Call it paranoia, but he wasn't about to ruin a father/ son moment.

Tony sends the suit back to the tower with the click of a button, call's happy for a ride, and mentally says a small prayer.

God, I don't know if you're really out there, but if you are... thank you.

Quick dedication: I would like to take a moment to honor and dedicate this to the 13 American soldiers that won't be coming home, the 13 who were recently lost in service. I hope they find peace.

And to add to the thirteen, I would like to take a moment for us all to remember and pray for all of those lost in Afghanistan recently. And the people affected by hurricane Ida. It's a tragedy, and I pray for the families and the souls of the fallen.

Thank you.

I love you all my amazing arachnids!!

-Nat