ST🌟R!

⎊ Introducing your dad to Peter changed everything. Yes, as you grew older, the distance between you and your dad did too. You guys didn't spend much time anymore, and it was like you always bickered.

⎊ Your dad starts spending more time with Peter. Showing him things he never showed you. At first, it was small. Like Peter saying over for dinner. Then, Happy started picking him up from school. Then, your dad knew things like his schedule, his favourite food, and his favourite movies. Things he forgot about you.

⎊ You didn't mind it at first, but it started getting annoying. Your dad would constantly put you down just so Peter would go up.

⎊ You tried making your dad proud. Focusing on the grades he thinks are important, making little tech projects that are wonky but somehow power up. And he doesn't even give you a glance.

⎊ You crumbled when your dad missed your play to have dinner with Peter.

⎊ You didn't wanna talk to anyone after that. Especially not Peter or Tony. You didn't even wanna see them. Pepper would constantly check on you, and so would the other Avengers. Steve was concerned about both you and Tony. Thor gave you daily affirmations meant for a true warrior. Natasha sent you messages every day. Clint would invite you over for dinner at his house, but you always declined.

⎊ Peter? Poor Peter was embarrassed. He was guilty. He felt like he stole your father, and he didn't know how to apologise to you.

⎊ Tony, on the other hand, was broken. He left his own flesh and blood to go hang out with one of her friends. He was barely surviving the lectures Pepper was giving him every single day.

⎊ That's when he decided he would become a better father.

⎊ Your favourite breakfast every day, early pickups from school, random nicknames he never called you like 'sweetie', 'bambi', 'pumpkin'. It was weird. But you could see he was trying.

⎊ He sat you down one night. He talked to you about everything. You two shed a few tears and shared a few hugs. He kept apologising over and over again.

"You're both my kids. I should've never picked one over the other."

⎊ Your father was improving. He's getting there. It's still awkward since you never really shared this many moments with him, but it all fades away when you, Pepper, and your dad sit down for a movie. Stuffing your mouths with popcorn as laughter fills the living room.

⋆.ೃ࿔.𖥔 ݁ ˖*:･༄

"Hey, honey. ." She greeted softly. "I haven't seen you in a while. . You have to stay with me and your uncle Tony for a little bit, okay? Is that alright?"

Uncle Tony. You've never met him. He was way too busy. But you've seen him on TV as Iron-Man, as the genius billionaire, as an avenger. You could only nod.

"Okay, come with me," She led you out of the police station. Heels clacking gently on the floor. Tony was waiting outside. He was having a phone call.

"Tony, we're back." Pepper says.

Tony looked over his shoulder. "Hey, I'm gonna call you back." He tells the person on the phone. Walking over to Pepper.

"It's all done?" He asked, earning a nod from her. He looked at you after. "Hey, kiddo. . How're you feeling?" He asked softly. His expression went from this professional look to this softer one. He took his sunglasses off. Why was he even wearing those? It's like midnight.

"Yeah. ." You mumbled.

He smiled gently. "That's great, kiddo. Come on, let's get back. Are you hungry? Should we get anything?"

You shook your head no.

"You sure?" He asked while glancing at Pepper and then back at you. "It's not a problem."

"I'm fine. ." You murmured.

"She's exhausted, Tony. We should head home and let her rest." Pepper suggests.

He nodded. "Okay, yeah. Sounds good."

⋆.ೃ࿔.𖥔 ݁ ˖*:･༄

It's been a few weeks since you settled. Your aunt has been very kind and gentle with you. Your instincts, however, still thought your mom was here. At night, you'd stay awake, waiting for her to return from the club and yell at you. Pull your hair. Slap you across the face. But nobody came. Just the gentle sounds of Tony's music in the lab. And one night, you got up and walked downstairs. You started watching him work on something that. . Looked really confusing. What the heck was he even working on? The piece of tech started smoking, and he cussed softly. Grabbing a screwdriver to fix it, his tongue slightly poked out of the corner of his lips. He was sweating, and he looked like he hadn't slept. You walked to the kitchen and decided to silently make him coffee. Your hands were shaking. Was this okay? Would he be mad? Would Pepper be mad? Does he even like his coffee like this? You don't know. But you're gonna try because Tony has been amazing to you these past few weeks. He wasn't overwhelming you, he asked if you wanted to go on some 'side quests' of his, and he kept telling you some tech facts.

You held the steaming mug with trembling hands. Feeling nervous. You didn't wanna annoy him. But you wanted to do something nice. You knocked on the door and heard his music pause.

"Who's there?"

You gulped. "Uhm. . Me."

The door opened immediately. Revealing him as he wiped his sweaty forehead with a small cloth.

"Kiddo, why aren't you in bed?" He asked worriedly. "Did you have a nightmare? Pepper told me you had-"

"Uh- no. ." You cut him off gingerly. "I couldn't sleep. . And I saw that you were also awake. And that you're working on something. So, I made you coffee. ." You held the mug up to him.

His expression softened immediately. "Aw, kiddo. . Thank you." He smiled. Taking the mug. "Come in. You can't sleep, I can't sleep. May as well keep each other company. Just don't tell Pep." He walked away to give you some space to walk inside. Closing the door behind you. The lab was filled with all kinds of technology. Even technology you had no idea existed.

"I know, it's really cool." He said. Taking a sip of his coffee.

"What were you working on? Did I stop you?" You ask.

"Stop me? No. It's just a part of my suit. The chest plate. I was being a dumbass and broke it. Now it's pissing me off," He sighed and turned back to you. "But you saved me with this amazing coffee. Seriously, where'd you learn how to make coffee like this?"

You smiled shyly. "I um. . I don't know "

He takes another sip. "Valid." He turned back to the chest plate. "Okay, so. . You doing okay at school?"

You shrugged. "I'm trying, yeah."

"Don't worry. You've been through a lot. It's normal to fall behind a few classes. You'll get back up there."

You nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Stark."

He scoffed. "Okay. . I'm not 'Mr. Stark' to you. You can just call me Tony. Or Iron-Man. The kids call me Iron-Man."

"I think everyone does. ." You mumble.

"Sure," He nodded. "What I mean is, you don't have to be formal, okay? You're my wife's family. My wife's family is my family. So just call me Tony like a normal family member and not 'Mr. Stark' like you owe me money." He joked a bit.

"Are you sure it's okay?" You ask nervously.

"More than okay. Come on, let's hear it." He leaned his face on his palm.

"Tony. ." You say quietly. Almost like testing it.

"Perfect." He praises. "That's better. Now, you're gonna help me clean the mess I made."

"Okay. ."

"Put the toolbox over there, those wire thingies go in that drawer over there and I'll take care of everything else."

⋆.ೃ࿔.𖥔 ݁ ˖*:･༄

After everything was put back into its place, Tony took a look at his lab. Hands on his hips. He nodded.

"Look at that. It's sparkling." He said proudly. "First bump?" He held his fist up towards you.

You looked at his fist balled up in front of you. You had the urge to flinch at the shape of his hand, but something about him felt so safe. So fatherly. Something you've never felt before. Someone you've never had before. You raise your fist and gently bump his.

"There we go. Teamwork makes the dream work." He chuckles. "I'm sorry, that was corny."

You laugh a little. "It was a little funny."

"Oh, look. Someone who appreciates my sense of humour. Take that, Steve. ." He mumbled.

"Who?" You ask curiously.

"Eh, you'll meet him and the others someday." He inhaled air like he's been deprived of it all day. "I think this calls for bed. I'm exhausted, you're exhausted. Let's go, before Pepper grounds us both."

You follow him out of the lab. He turned the lights off and locked the door with a pin code. He stopped in front of your bedroom door after climbing the stairs.

"Well. . I'll see you tomorrow. You want me to drive you to school?" He asked.

"I don't wanna bother you, Mr. Stark-"

"Ah, ah," He lifts a finger. "Tony." He corrects.

"Sorry." You say awkwardly.

"And you won't bother me. I have nothing to do all morning, and I'm probably gonna be bored. Let me drive you to school. Happy can pick you up after." He smiled. "Deal?"

You think about it. He seems hard to convince. So you nodded. "Okay. Deal."

"Great." He tried ruffling your hair, but you flinched slightly. "Oh, I'm sorry-" He stammered. "I should've known. . Pep told me, and I forgot- Let's just. . Stick to fist bumps for now." He sighed.

"It's okay. . It's just. . I dunno, reflex or something." You mumble under your breath.

He didn't exactly hear you, but he nodded anyway. "Mkay, well. . Go to bed, now."

You opened the door and half entered your room before he stopped you. "And hey. Everything's gonna be okay." He says softly.

You nodded. "I know."

"Goodnight, bambi." He walks to his shared bedroom with Pepper. Leaving you there.

"Night. ." You murmur to nobody. Closing the door and collapsing on your bed.

"I hope everything will be okay." You whisper as you fell into a deep sleep for the first time in forever.

♡

⎊ But after his captivity in Afghanistan, he realised you needed a father. It was stupid. But, after meeting Yinsen, he knew he had to be better for you.

⎊ So, little by little, he began to spend time with you. Playing little games, taking you to kindergarten, allowing you to stay in his workshop. .

⎊ He always found it adorable how you would just sit on his desk and go "woahh" whenever he showed you something cool. It made him happier than any party did.

⎊ You would often doze off against his side while he kept pressing at his holograms. This was usually when Tony lost track of time, and he made you stay up past your bedtime. It was something Pepper always nagged him about. But every time he looked at you, it seemed like his side was the only place you'd wanna be against right now.

⎊ Bedtime stories was one of the few things Tony didn't know.

"Uhh. . Once upon a time, a little girl went to sleep, the end."

"Dad, that's a horrible story."

"Come on, that's your favourite story!"

⎊ He knew ageing was natural. He didn't like it. Because what do you mean, one moment, he's taking you to kindergarten, the other, he's driving you to middle school?

⎊ This is also the time when you become more fussy, moody, complicated, and bratty. Tony couldn't handle himself as a pre-teen/teen, and now he has to handle his own.

⎊ You're talking back, you're arguing with him, and he doesn't know what to do. Pepper tells him it's normal. Tony's overthinking skills tell him he failed.

⎊ Sometimes, he hears you crying at night. And it worries him. You keep telling him you were watching sad movies, and at first, he bought it. Sad movies are. . Sad. But when he heard you crying again, he didn't believe a single excuse you said.

⎊ He would pull you into a hug and wait for you to calm down so you could tell him what happened.

⎊ School overwhelmed, friends overwhelmed you, you've experienced a panic attack at school that day and didn't wanna tell anybody.

⎊ His mind would be filled with thousands of things. Why didn't you tell him? Did you not trust him enough? Was he not a good father?

⎊ But all of those thoughts seemed to fade when you pulled him closer. And he stayed there all night.

⎊ He would start monitoring you at school more. Texting you, calling you on your breaks, and he even started writing you those sappy notes people write on lunches.

'Have fun at school! -Dad'

'Don't forget to eat the apples! An apple a day keeps the doctor away ♡ - Dad'

'I love you, my little sunshine - Dad'

⎊ Those notes would motivate you to eat everything he packed. Even the slightly sloppy heart-shaped toast.

⎊ He loves it when it's Friday. He takes you out or stays inside with you to watch movies or work on something new in the workshop.

⎊ He still comes in your room sometimes to kiss your forehead and tuck you in.

"Dad, I don't need you to tuck me in anymore."

"Yes, I know. I need to tuck you in."

"Corny."

"Goodnight, munchkin."

"Night, Iron-Dad."

"That's a new one. ."

⎊ Makes breakfast whenever he can. Usually pancakes, waffles, or a simple sandwich he knows you'd like. Coffee for him, some kinda natural fruit juice for you.

⎊ You're the first person he checks on after missions. Especially if you're also an avenger. If anything happened to you, he'd never forgive himself.

⎊ If you aren't an avenger, he starts looking around the streets for you, trying to identify you in the sea of faces and when he finally spots you, he gets out of the suit and hugs you tightly. Not caring about anything else other than your safety.

⎊ If you were an avenger, he'd spend lots of time and thought into your suit, just to make sure it's exactly the way you like it.

⎊ If not, he loves it when you give him ideas for his next suit.

⎊ Loves hearing about your school drama. If you're classmates with Peter, the three of you sit in his workshop and talk about something that happened at school.

"So, you're telling me. . There's a 'ship' page for two teachers on Instagram."

He's concerned, but he's just happy you guys trust him enough to tell him this stuff.

⎊ You're his greatest creation.

⋆.ೃ࿔.𖥔 ݁ ˖*:･༄

Another hard day at school. Trying to keep up with grades and failing anyway. It's just not as easy as everyone says it is. You haven't been sleeping, eating, drinking, or doing anything other than doomscrolling on your bed and watching movies at 3 AM. Many people say your life is perfect just because your dad is the billionaire, Iron-Man, Tony Stark. The truth is. . Tony wasn't there when you were first born. You were born during his playboy era, and your mom was some random dancer in a nightclub. You don't even know her name or what she looks like. Tony only started seeing you after he came back from being held captive for three months in Afghanistan. He enjoyed listening to your babbles and holding your tiny body in his arms, with your cheek resting against his glowing arc reactor. You used to be so fascinated by it, it was almost funny.

But those were the simple times. The times when you didn't have to worry about grades and you didn't understand your father's work. You two started arguing more after you grew up. He had a tendency to send you to your room but not without talking to you first.

It's currently 9 PM, and you're working on some homework. You feel burned out and tired, but you know that you have to turn it in tomorrow.

Your stepmom, or the only mom you ever knew, really, walked inside your room. "Honey? Your dad asked if you could find his toolbox somewhere. He's working on one of his 'toys' again." She chuckled, leaning on the doorway. "I have to sort some documents out."

You nodded, sighing. "Yeah." You got up from your chair and went to go find his toolbox.

A few minutes later, when you entered the code in order to get into his workshop, there he was. Eyeing a half-done Iron-Man suit in front of him.

"What's that? Like- Mark 25 or somethin'?" You ask. Setting the toolbox down on the floor.

"Something like that." He said. Eyeing the number on the suit, which was probably the furthest from 25. I mean- he had like 40 suits 10 years ago. "Hey, stay here." He waved with his hand. Still not looking at you. "I need you to be artsy."

You tilt your head. "Artsy?"

"Yeah. What colour should the chest plate be? I'm thinking. . Silver, gold, maybe metallic blue. The fans would absolutely love blue."

"Dad, don't you already have a blue suit?"

He scoffed. "Who said I can't have two blue suits?" He laughs. Sitting on a chair, putting one leg over another. "Sit with me, kiddo. I haven't seen you all day." He pat the chair next to him.

"How's stuff?" He asked. Grabbing a pack of nuts he was eating earlier. "Want one?" He extended his arm towards you.

"I'm okay. . Thanks." You say quietly. "Stuff's been. . I dunno. Tiring." You shrugged.

He could only nod. "Yeah, that's high school for ya, kid. You need help with anything? Algebra? Chemistry? I build robotic suits, y'know." He said jokingly.

"Maybe. But, it's not just grades."

"Yeah? What is it, then? Trouble findin' a partner for your little dance coming up next month?" He ruffled your hair, while you squirmed away from him. Suddenly feeling a bit emotional as you were starting to open up to him. It's not something you're used to.

His teasing smile faltered, and he even stopped chewing. "Honey?" He leaned forward. "What is it?" He asked. His voice softer than before.

"It's just-" You covered your face as your cheeks flushed in embarrassment. You can't cry in front of your dad.

"Put 'em down." He gently commanded. His hands gingerly put yours down. "Honey bunny. . What's going on? Something you're not tellin' me?" He brushed your hair away. "You know you can talk to me anytime."

You sniffled softly. "It's so hard, dad. . Grades, people. . The worst thing is. . They think I'm perfect just because I come from a rich family. I can't say anything there. ."

His expression softened. "Oh. . Sweetheart. C'mere, gimme a hug?"

"I don't do hugs, dad. . You know that."

He shrugged. "But it might help. Come on." He opened his arms wide. "You used to hug me all the time."

You contemplated it for a moment. Maybe. . Just maybe. Your dad has never hurt you. Not intentionally. Eventually, you settled right in his arms - sort of. You didn't wrap your arms around him. You just bonked your head on his chest and let him do the rest. "Or you could just do that." He chuckled quietly. His chest vibrating with the sounds of his quiet joy. Joy that you finally hugged him after a few years. His cheek was against your head, lifting it slightly to peck you. Rubbing your back gently.

"You can cry if you want to. You can even scream, I don't care."

"You're so corny, dad. ."

"You loved corn as a baby." He pecked your head again.

"No, I didn't."

"Come on, that was your favourite snack."

"No, it wasn't, dummy. ."

He pointed a finger at you. "Don't call me dummy, I'm your dad."

"You're a dad who's a dummy." You retort.

"You know what, I'll let it slide. Just this once." He hugged you again. "I let everything slide."

"No, you don't. ." You mumbled against his chest.

"Maybe." He laughs. Patting your back.

Tony was about to let go before you wrapped your arms around him. It's the first time in a long time. His eyes widened for a second before settling back against you. "You okay. . ?"

"Yeah." You nod against his chest. Still sniffling.

"Oh, great. Wipe your snot on my shirt. That's perfect." He said sarcastically, which made you laugh a little bit. He could only smirk. Mission accomplished. "You know what? Suit can wait till tomorrow. Go wash your face and meet me upstairs. We're getting shawarma." He kissed your forehead.

"Okay, dad. . Can we just. . Get it to go?" You ask.

He raised an eyebrow. "Why's that?"

"I know a place."

⋆.ೃ࿔.𖥔 ݁ ˖*:･༄

And there you two were. Perched on a rooftop, eating shawarma.

"That's the stuff." Tony mumbled. "You like yours?"

You could only nod since your mouth was full.

"Good. What'd you get to drink? What's that, Pepsi?" He asked.

"Yeah." You responded after swallowing your food. "You like it here?"

He looked down at the city below them. "Not my first time eating on a rooftop." He looked back at you, grinning. "Won't be my last." He said as he nudged you. "You cold?"

"Nope."

"Alright."

You sat there for a moment in comfortable silence, with the occasional rustle of the food wrap and the quiet slurp of Tony drinking his lemonade.

He suddenly spoke. "We should do this more often, you know."

Your eyes were still focused on the city. Nodding. "Yeah. You're fun."

"About time you noticed." He teased.

"Shut up, old man."

"I'll have you know, everywhere I go, people think I'm at least 25." He grins.

You rolled your eyes at that. "Right, right. 25 centuries." You joke.

He gasps, putting a hand over his chest. "You wound me, kid."

You burst out laughing. "Dude! You're so dramatic for no reason."

"What, I used to be a theatre kid."

"No, you weren't."

"No, I wasn't." He started laughing with you. Putting his arm around you and kissing your head for what seemed like the tenth time that day. "You're a good kid. Keep being good." He ruffled your hair gently.

"I love you 3000."