#daughter!reader

Mom! La Toya who cried on your first day of kindergarten. She thought she wouldn’t, she was excited for you to go to school for the first time. Letting you help her make your lunch and pick out a small pair of pink and white overalls to wear. But as she watched your father walk you to the car, some tears did fall. After your father came back, he found La Toya sniffling quietly on the couch, while looking at a baby photo of you.

Mom! La Toya who brought you to the studio with her when recording her self titled album. Your uncle, Michael, who was producing the album, wasn’t expecting La Toya to bring her baby daughter along. But he didn’t mind one bit, caring for babies was one of his specialties. Between tracks, he would gently bounce you on his lap while showing you the soundboard. “And that’s the equalizer, and there’s the gain, and the pad switch.“ Michael pointing to each twist and knob while you chewed on his untied bow tie. “Are you listening Honey? This is very important business.” He said, in a playfully serious voice, which made you giggle.

Mom! La Toya who hated when you had to move into your own room as a baby. She knew you were gonna cry your first night away from mama and daddy, but she didn’t know it’d be this much. She sat up in her bed, looking at her door as you cried. Tears were welling up in her eyes as well, she couldn’t stand hearing you sad. “Damn it.” She thought as she stood up and walked towards your room, she didn’t care what the parenting books said, she wasn’t just going to let you cry all by yourself. So she held you for the entire night, which is how your father found the two of you fast asleep on the rocking chair.

Mom! La Toya who wouldn’t have assumed her little baby had favorite uncles and aunts. Sure, you loved playing with Michael, Janet and Rebbie loved taking you out on your birthday. But they weren’t your favorite, you loved all your aunts and uncles equally…except one.

It was at a family gathering, La Toya carried you through Hayvenhurst, letting you say hi to your uncles and aunts. Everything was going smoothly…until you got to Jermaine. “There she is! Hi Honey!” Jermaine exclaimed, extending his arms to give you a hug. You looked at him, looked at his arm, before gently pushing it away. The way La Toya laughed was like a dam bursting, shoulders shaking, tear producing laughs escaped her and your other aunts and uncles while you were trying to figure out what was funny.

Mom! La Toya who is also your voice teacher. The talent for music truly did run in the family. The two of you would practice in her study for two hours a day. Solfege, sight reading, music games. The two of you did it all together, the two of you sung show tunes, gospel, pop, almost everything.

Mom! La Toya who bought her first camcorder to record your big role in your school’s musical. Her and your father found their seats in the elementary school’s auditorium. Tonight, your school was putting on You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, with you as Lucy van Pelt. By the end of the night, La Toya had gone through 10 tapes recording every song you were in. But she didn’t care, memories were more expensive than the tapes.

Mom! La Toya who always started from the front when braiding your hair. She knew you didn’t like the parting or the tugging of styling your hair, you hadn’t since you were a baby. So she came up with a solution. Never start at the back when braiding, start at the front. Whenever you let out your inevitable “Mama, I’m tired”, or “Mama, I don’t wanna do it anymore,” you could still do a half up half down style and look adorable.

Mom! La Toya who loved crafting with you. Piles of paper, bottles of glue, and little safety scissors would cover the living room table. Cutting out little hearts and stars, and spelling your name with stickers. When your dad got home from work, he stopped in his tracks at the sight of the mess. “I guess I’m cleaning that up.” He said playfully, as you and La Toya nodded your heads in sync. Later, your parents swept the paper off the floor while you put away the supplies.

Mom! La Toya who baked with you every Friday. It was a different dessert or pastry every week. Chocolate chip cookies, pain au chocolat, croissants, macarons, etc. if it was in the cookbook, the two of you have made it. Of course La Toya had to supervise you to make sure there was no mess, but that didn’t mean you two didn’t have fun. Sometimes, when she wasn’t looking, you’d blow flour onto her hair, making her gasp in surprise. “Honey!” La Toya exclaimed, but there was no malice in her voice, just overwhelming laughter as she smudged a bit of frosting on your cheek. Which is how the plan to not make a mess…totally failed.

You don't even get one sentence in.

"Don't 'hi dad' me— get inside right now." Your dad snaps, opening the door wider so you could step in. You head straight to the kitchen knowing that you were going to get the lecture of a lifetime and to even attempt to go anywhere else in the house would result in more snapped words and glares.

"Have you been out all night?" 

You shake your head, "I was just on a run, decided to get it down before the sun came up and it got too hot."

Your dad looks you up and down and gives you a raised brow, "In those?"

You look down at yourself and sigh at the jeans you wore. When you chose them yesterday it was because it matched the cute top you were wearing but now they were exposing your lies.

"Okay, yes. I was out all night." You admit.

"When was the last time you were home? Did you even go to school yesterday?"

"Yesterday morning before school, and yes I did go to school."

It wasn't rare to not see your dad at all for a day, when he was working, sometimes even longer. His twelve hour night shifts overlap with your school schedule but you text each other frequently, keeping updated with everything going on. By the time he arrives home from work you've already left for school and your after school clubs keep you behind long enough to miss him when he leaves for work.

You didn't stay out all night often, usually you just went home and did your evening routine, especially on school nights but when your friend who recently got their own car suggested a night of driving around the city, you couldn't refuse. 

"Where did you go? Who were you with? Did you drink alcohol?" Your dad asks in rapid succession, leaning close to see if he could smell any alcohol on you.

"Aaron recently got a car so we went driving around with Lucy. No alcohol, we didn't  do anything like that," You answered all of his questions, "I was good."

You saw your dads shoulders relax a fraction but he was still annoyed at your actions. He takes a deep breath before he sits opposite you at the table.

"Listen, I know you're sixteen now and you're growing up and you want to do all these new things and push boundaries but for me, your safety is paramount," Your dad sighs, "You want to hang out with your friends? Sure, go ahead but let me know first. You want to spend the night driving around? Sure but your curfew is one am. This isn't me punishing you but I go to work comforted by the fact that you're safe at home and I don't want to be caught off guard if you're brought in suddenly."

You suddenly feel very guilty. You initially saw no harm in what you were doing, only focused on the fun you were having with your friends but your dad's perspective gave you a better understanding that your actions don't exist in a bubble. Your dad wasn't being unreasonable either, he was letting you do things you wanted to do and all you had to do was keep him updated.

"I'm sorry." You apologize, "I didn't really think about my actions and what could come from it. I was being selfish."

Your dad lets out a huffed laugh as he stands up, "You're sixteen, of course you are. That's what being a teenager is all about."

You stand up as well and quickly stretch forward and hug him, tucking your head in his neck as you wrap your arms around his torso.

"I'm sorry."

Your dad returned your hug, squeezing you tight as he pressed a kiss to your head, "It's okay."

"Why are you home now anyway?" You asked, "You don't usually get home until gone eight."

"We're short staffed this week, most people are pulling an extra half shift just so we have enough cover. Last night was quiet enough plus there was me, Shen, Parker and Henderson, we didn't need all of us."

You nod in understanding as you finally pull away from him, scooping down to pick up your bag that you haphazardly dumped on the ground, "I'm going to take a shower then go to bed, I'm exhausted."

You were rapidly approaching a full twenty-fours of being awake.

"Ah ah ah,  not so fast young lady—" Your dad reaches out and grabs you before you can walk past him, pulling you back slightly so you are back in your original position, "Once you've showered and gotten changed, you're coming back down here."

"What?" You gape at him, confused.

Your dad checks his watch, "You've got thirty minutes. I'll make you breakfast."

Your shoulders are slumped as you follow your dad into the ED, the bright lights already burning your eyes. You had no idea what his plan was when he ushered you into his truck after breakfast earlier that morning and you were so exhausted that you fell asleep only moments after getting in, only waking once you arrived in the parking lot.

At first you thought he just brought you here so he could keep an eye on you whilst you slept in one of the unused rooms the hospital had but then you saw your hefty backpack, filled with a whole weekend's worth of homework sitting on his shoulder. You had thought you had left it at home but he must have picked up when you weren't looking.

"What's happening here?" Dana asks curiously as you walk past the nurse station. Her words catch the attention of Robby, Langdon, Santos and Javadi. All of their eyes flicked to you.

Your dad grasps your shoulder, giving you a wiggle as he smiled at his colleagues, "Someone decided it was a good idea to spend all night out on the streets with her friends without telling her dad and she wouldn't have told me at all if I didn't catch her coming back home this morning."

A series of 'oohs' echoed around from everyone that was close enough to overhear making you roll your eyes.

"She sent me a text at eleven saying she was going to bed and she's a light sleeper so I didn't check on her when I got home at twelve, because as a wonderful, loving father, I didn't want to wake her up. Little did I know that she wasn't even in bed or even the house!"

"Roll your eyes any harder and they'll get stuck like that," Robby teased as he watched you roll your eyes once again at your dads words.

"She also tried to lie and say she was out for an early morning jog, of course forgetting that she was wearing jeans." Your dad revealed, making your shoulders hunch in embarrassment.

Santos lets out a whistle of disbelief, shaking her head as a small grin appeared on her lips, "Damn girl…"

"So what's the punishment?" Langdon asks.

"Homework in the break room," Your dad says, passing you your bag which you take with an unamused grunt.

"Go on," Your dad grabs your shoulders again but this time he turns you around and pushes you towards the staff room, "And don't you dare think about asking anyone for help!"

"Are you really gonna make her do homework for the next twelve hours?" Javadi asks, slightly concerned.

Jack shakes his head, "Maybe for an hour or two. Wake her up when she drifts but I'll let her sleep properly afterwards."

"You're evil," Santos grins.

Jack simply smirks as he heads to the lockers.

Every time you drifted off, even for a second, someone barged into the room to wake you. It wasn't just your dad, you had Santos, Princess, Whitaker and Langdon doing his dirty work too. Mel also woke you up once but you believed that was a genuine mistake based on how apologetic she was once she realised she woke you up.

Five minutes after Princess left, your dad entered with his arms crossed across his chest but his eyes were soft as he looked at you.

"I'm up," You tell him, "Doing my homework, just like you told me to do."

"Pack it away, I want to take you somewhere."

"Home?" You ask as you pack away your books.

"Not quite."

You follow him out from the staff room and to the elevator that takes you a few up a few floors to one of the empty floors.

"This is a part of your punishment. You don't get to sleep in your nice comfortable bed, you get the uncomfortable hospital bed to sleep in." Your dad says as he opens a door to a room empty of everything bar a bed.

"Is..is it clean?" You ask hesitantly.

Your dad rolls his eyes, "Yes it's clean. Fresh sheets and everything."

It won't be comfortable but at least it'll be quiet.

"If you wake up before my shift ends, you come straight downstairs, You understand?"

"Sir yes sir," You nod, just about holding back on saluting him.

"Go to sleep," Your dad huffs fondly, kissing your forehead before he leaves you alone. 

The multiverse rift shimmered like a bad hangover in the middle of Tony’s Malibu workshop—except this workshop looked like it had been designed by a futurist with a god complex and zero impulse control. Which, to be fair, described both of them.

Comic Tony Stark stepped through first, red-and-gold armor gleaming under dramatic comic-book lighting that somehow followed him. He looked... sharper. More angular. The kind of man who’d survived alien invasions, corporate takeovers, and at least three different evil ex-girlfriends with better one-liners than the movies ever gave him.

Behind him trailed a small figure: a kid, maybe eight years old, with messy dark hair, a tiny arc reactor night-light clipped to their hoodie, and the unmistakable Stark resting-bitch-face already forming. Let’s call her [Name] for now—Comic Tony’s daughter from one of those timelines where he actually tried the whole “settle down” thing before it inevitably exploded.

MCU Tony (post-blip, post-peace, post-everything) looked up from his holographic workbench, whiskey glass halfway to his lips.

“Well, well,” MCU Tony drawled, smirking. “If it isn’t me, but with better hair and worse life choices. And... mini-me?”

Comic Tony’s eyes narrowed. “This is [Name]. My daughter. Touch her and I’ll repulsor your smug face into next week.”

[Name] stared at MCU Tony with open fascination. “You’re shorter than Dad said you’d be.”

MCU Tony clutched his chest like he’d been shot. “Ouch. Right in the ego. I like her.”

What started as cautious multiversal diplomacy quickly devolved. The two Tonys did what any two versions of the same narcissistic genius would do: they started showing off. Armor specs. Drink recipes. Who had the better sarcastic quip about Thanos. Comic Tony bragged about fighting Doom in Latveria. MCU Tony countered with “I died, came back, and still had time to coach my kid’s softball team.”

[Name], bored of the dick-measuring contest (metaphorical, thankfully), wandered over to MCU Tony’s side of the workshop.

“You have Legos?” she asked, eyes lighting up at the massive bin of custom Stark-themed bricks he kept for Morgan.

“Kid, I have everything.” MCU Tony grinned, the same trouble-making grin that had launched a thousand bad decisions. “Wanna build a suit? I’ve got spare arc reactors.”

Comic Tony’s head snapped around. “[Name], no. We talked about this. No building powered armor until you’re twelve.”

“Fifteen,” MCU Tony corrected smoothly, already kneeling to help her sort pieces. “Safety first. Or at least safety-adjacent.”

Within twenty minutes, [Name] was giggling uncontrollably as MCU Tony helped her assemble a tiny Mark XLII-style gauntlet that actually sparked (safely). He was doing the voices. The full Pepper-potts-scolding voice, the Happy Hogan “I’m disappointed in you” voice. She was hooked.

Comic Tony watched from across the room, arms crossed, jaw tight.

He was jealous.

Not the “I want to fight him” kind—though that was simmering too—but the quiet, ugly kind that crept in when you saw someone else effortlessly click with your own kid. [Name] hadn’t laughed like that with him in weeks. Between board meetings, armor repairs, and the constant low-level paranoia that came with being Tony Stark in the comics, quality time had been... sparse.

MCU Tony caught him staring and raised an eyebrow. “Relax, Shellhead. I’m not stealing your kid. I’ve got my own rugrat. Morgan would kick my ass if I brought home a new sister without asking.”

But even as he said it, he was letting [Name] “fly” around the room on a low-powered hover rig, her laughter echoing.

Comic Tony muttered, “You’re doing the thing. The charming, absent-cool-dad thing. I invented that.”

“Yeah, well, I perfected it,” MCU Tony shot back, softer than usual. He glanced at [Name], who was now showing off her gauntlet to FRIDAY’s interface. “She’s a good kid. Smart. Got your eyes and apparently my lack of volume control. You’re doing fine.”

Comic Tony exhaled, armor plates shifting as he forced himself to unclench. “She deserves better than ‘fine.’”

The two Tonys stood shoulder-to-shoulder for a moment—same man, different scars—watching the little girl who somehow existed in both their worlds.

Eventually, MCU Tony nudged him. “Take her to the beach next week. No armor. No holograms. Just you, her, and terrible dad jokes. Trust me, it works. I’ve got the data.”

[Name] ran back over and grabbed Comic Tony’s hand. “Dad, can we come back and visit Uncle Tony? He said he’d show me how to make Dum-E do the robot dance.”

Comic Tony looked down at her, then at his multiversal counterpart. A reluctant, tiny smile cracked through.

“Yeah,” he said. “Maybe we will.”

As the rift began to close, MCU Tony called after them, “Bring better scotch next time! And tell your universe’s Pepper I said hi—she probably has better taste than mine.”

[Name] waved the tiny gauntlet. “Bye, Other Dad!”

Comic Tony’s jealousy didn’t fully vanish. But as they stepped back into their reality, [Name] leaning tiredly against his leg, he felt something loosen in his chest.

He’d fight a hundred Dooms to keep that smile on her face.

Even if it meant sharing her with the version of himself who somehow got the lighter timeline.

⋆.˚ 𓇼𓂃 ོ⋆☀︎𓂃ᨒོ 𓆉

After a stormy night, you’re nuzzled against JJ because a loud thunder had jolted you awake at some point and ended up crawling into his bed in search of the safety he always provides you.

Now you get woken up by a ray of light that shines directly on your face, sitting up with your pacifier almost falling out of your mouth as you let out a squeaky yawn, stretching your short arms and prop yourself up on your knees, turning to see your father still deep asleep, laying on his back with his hair all over the place.

You giggle and move to sit on his chest, poking his cheek. "Daddyyyy." You whine, trying to open his eyelids with your fingers, squealing in surprise when his hands shoot up to tickle your sides, your paci falling out from all the laughing.

"Yeah, didn't expect this huh?" He mocks as he continues to wriggle his fingers at your most ticklish spots.

After both of you are a bit more awake, he scoops you up into his arms, carrying you downstairs and right outside when he sees John B already up as well.

As they stand next to each other JJ nods towards the flags, all of them flapping widely from the wind. The boys give each other a knowing look, excitement growing on their faces as they immediately know what it means.

"We're going to the beach!" JJ cheers, throwing you up in the air one time and effortlessly catches you again, going back inside to wake the others. "Wakey, wakey, everybody! You go and put on your swimsuit, kiddo."

Slowly but surely everybody got out of bed to prepare for the beach, not wanting to pass the chance of a good and well deserved surfing time.

Kie is showing you how to wax your small board properly, John B and Sarah are sitting nearby, and JJ is on his phone. "Yeah, baby, now that's a perfect swell. It's probably the best of the year." He says, putting his phone away to grab his own board.

"Come on. Are you guys seriously surfing today?" Pope questions as he walks past you all.

"Oh don't. Don't." John B warns him.

"As opposed to what?" Kie asks and you join in with cheered 'yeah'.

"Well, I don't wanna sell the million dollars I have in my hand for 50k, so I'm gonna look into this." He explains, holding up the shiny amulet your father and Kie got during their recent dangerous dive.

"Wait. Pope, you just heard me, right? I said it's a perfect swell day, and my kid is finally gonna learn to surf." JJ says, reaching to his right to ruffle your hair as you keep focusing on Kie and the way she waxes your board.

"Yeah, and there'll be other swell days." Pope answers determinedly while the others can't believe what their friend is saying right now.

"That's like saying there's other pizza to eat, all right." JJ complains, putting his board back down to go over to you and tie your hair in a small bun. "Like, c'mon. Are you serious?"

"Listen to your Earth Mother, Pope." Kie tells him, handing you the wax and guides your hand over the board. "She's, like, begging you to surf."

"I think, my Earth Mother is telling me to maximize our Intel." He interjects.

"Mine's telling me to maximize the swell." She responds, patting your head at how good you're doing after she showed you the tricks.

As they all continue to say what they want to maximize and Pope deciding to actually not go with you guys, they start to get everything ready for an amazing trip to the beach.

Now you’re all piled up in the Twinkie, with you sitting on Sarah’s lap in the passenger seat and bounce in excitement at seeing the beach getting closer.

"Look at those waves, cupcake." JJ‘s head pops up beside you, tickling your side to hear you giggle. "Papa's gonna show you all the tricks."

"And make big castle?" You ask excitedly, pressing your hands together.

"Hell yeah!" He cheers, pecking your cheek despite your squeal of protest. "Kie made sure to pack your shovel set."

You clap your hands with a adorable 'yay!' while the others smile at your cuteness. Once John B has found a nice spot to park, JJ steps out of the already open door of the Twinkie, stretching his limps as he gazes out at the ocean before he moves to take you from Sarah and twirls you around.

The moment you’re being set down on the sand, you jump happily, watching your father and your aunts and Uncle B set up their space with chairs, an umbrella, the cooler with some beer and apple juice boxes for you, and most importantly your beach toy set.

JJ ruffles your hair as you plop down on the ground, watching you fill a bucket full with sand before announcing. "Let’s get those boards off!"

"Oh boy." John B observe three jeeps coming closer their way, no doubt that inside those are the least people that they want to see today.

Just as the pogues assume, Topper and the rest of the kooks stop their vehicles right beside them with only a few feet of distance separating them.

"Oh, you’re joking. Of course they stop here." Kiara complains, the others just as annoyed at the clear provocation. "Why wouldn’t they? When there’s an entire beach."

You watch the kooks making themselves comfortable, seeing a few of the girls looking at you before laughing to each other and let out a huff, shoveling more sand into your bucket.

"Kie, don’t worry." JJ assures her as he starts to loosen the boards from on top of the Twinkie, specifically talking about Rafe. "He ain’t getting near you. I guarantee that. Hey, y’all. John B. Sunshine’s coming. What do you think he wants?" He nods towards Topper approaching you guys.

As John B shifts to meet him you whine for him in concern, standing up on your knees. "Bee…"

"Be right back, bubba. Don’t worry. Your uncle B got this." He winks at you, turning to walk towards Topper.

JJ then comes to crouch beside you and before you can react, he starts to smear your face with sun-cream as you sputter in surprise, whining again. "Yeah, yeah. I know, I’m mean. The less you squirm the faster I’m done, kiddo." When he’s eventually done tormenting you, he pats your head apologetically. "For disclaimer, Sarah forced me to do this."

"It’s for protection!" Sarah defends herself with a smile, her board tucked under her arm.

Your father chuckles, meeting your cute little glare. "Wipe this look of your face and follow your old man." He says and lets your small board drop in front of you, adding teasingly. "Unless you’re scared?"

You gasp out in outrage, quickly getting up to your feet and pick the board up from the ground with determination. "I surf! Like daddy!"

"That’s what we like to hear. Whoo!" JJ cheers, wrapping the surfboard leash around your ankle before grabbing his own board. "Let’s hit 'em waves!"

You’ve been spending some time in the water now, the pogues taking turns in staying close with you while the others surf, each of them giving you their own advice for your first wave but JJ is definitely gonna be the one to help you with it.

That’s how he finds himself in the more shallow water with you, keeping a hold on you as you try to balance on the board.

"Just like that. Okay, remember, it’s okay if you fall off. Don’t panic if you do. I’m gonna be right there then, okay? Just keep looking at uncle B over there on the beach. He’s gonna be there to catch you." JJ assures you, looking for the perfect wave for you and when it’s finally time he smiles at you. "Alright! There it is, baby. You got this!"

You squeal the second he lets go off you, keeping your arms up in an airplane motion as the wave takes you towards John B.

The distance wasn’t so far obviously and the wave not that high but JJ still cheers loudly with pride behind you. He’s been waiting for this moment ever since you were born and he can feel a single tear sliding down his cheek, blaming it at the saltwater.

John B lifts you off the board once you’re close enough and hoists you onto his shoulders in one smooth motion, taking off the surfboard leash from around your ankle and then holds your hands in his as he dances with you on the beach while the others rush out of the water to you both.

You smile widely as JJ takes you from John B, placing your tiny hands against his wet cheeks and giggle loudly. "Daddy you see me? I surf!"

"Yes! I’m so proud of you!" He tells you honestly, resting his forehead against yours with a laugh. "My tough little cupcake."

Some time later, the sun is getting lower and your once excited self is slowly getting tired, now seated in JJ‘s beach chair with a light sweater covering you as you sip your juice box.

"She’s all tuckered out." Kiara comments with a soft smile, helping JJ lift the last board on the Twinkie.

"You bet she is." He chuckles, taking a glance at you who’s trying to hide a yawn. "10 bucks she’ll conk out the second she’s in the van."

Kiara suddenly gasps. "Guys, there’s a turtle hatch!"

"What?" JJ fastens the board, turning to where she runs off to and smiles when he sees the turtles start to reveal themselves, calling out to you. "Come here. Take a look at those babies."

You quickly toddle over to him, taking his outstretched hand and look to where’s he’s pointing at, gasping at seeing the small turtles. "Ohh, turtles!"

JJ crouches behind you, keeping an arm around your body to keep you from getting to close. "Look at them go."

"Wook. No touchy!" You remember Kiara telling you once when you watched a documentary with her about turtles.

"That’s right, kiddo." Your father rubs your belly and Kiara gives you a proud look. "But we can make them a path to the water! Come on, guys."

"Yeah, yeah! Let’s go." John B agrees, him and Sarah already getting to work.

You help where you can, careful of giving the turtles enough space and don’t touch any with all the restraint you have on yourself even though it’s very tempting, kneeling beside JJ with a big smile on your face.

"Hey, stop! There’s a hatch!" You hear aunt Kie yell out at one point and lift your head from where you’re smoothing out the sand.

One of the kooks jeeps is driving directly towards you and the pogues, all of them starting to scream at them to stop in a desperate attempt to protect the freshly hatched turtles.

As the jeep keeps on picking up speed, JJ realizes that they are not going to stop and quickly snatches you off the ground to jump to the side just as the vehicle rushes past you all.

His hold on you is tight, keeping you pressed against him as the shock runs through his body, murmuring into your ear. "I got you…you’re okay. You’re okay-" He chokes, feeling you tremble in his arms.

He turns to the others, making sure his friends and girlfriend are alright as well. "You guys okay?"

"I’m fine." Kiara mutters furiously.

You feel John B place his hand on the back of your head, giving you and JJ a once-over. "You both alright?"

"We’re good." JJ exhales, trying to get a look of your face but you keep it tucked into his neck, sniffling softly.

They barley have a moment to breath as the jeep turns and barrels towards them a second time, but JJ stays off to the side this time for your protection alone while the others still try to stop the jeep. He sure as hell ain’t gonna let something happen to his kid.

When you hear the loud engine drive past again and eventually become quieter, you finally lift your head, your bottom lip wobbling as JJ approaches Kiara, who’s now covered in some kind of liquid and panting softly.

You can hear the kooks laugh and cheer in the distance, your grip on JJ‘s shirt tightening further as you cry quietly and watch Kie pick up one of turtles with trembling hands.

It’s shell is cracked and you whimper when you don’t see it moving anymore but your father is quick to hush you, turning his body slightly so you can’t see it. "Shh, don’t look, baby. Papa’s got you. It’s okay."

"Stay here." Kiara says firmly, marching off towards the kooks and JJ's eyes widen.

"Kie. Kie, wait- damn. John B, take her for a moment." JJ tries to hand you over to him but you whimper again.

"No! Don' go, daddy!" You cry out, holding onto him with all the strength you’ve still got, not wanting to let him go with how scared you are. "Pwease…no go."

JJ sighs, contemplating with himself on what to do. He obviously wants to make sure his girlfriend is alright when confronting the kooks, but he also can’t just hand you off when you are so distraught.

"I’ll go with Kie." John B then offers, patting his shoulder. "You stay with your kid."

"Thanks man." JJ nods, watching John B walk off to catch up with Kiara before he turns his attention back to you, bouncing you gently. "Hey…dry those tears. I’m not gonna leave you."

You sniffle again, letting him wipe the tears of your cheeks and hiccup as he presses a soft kiss against one of them before nuzzling your face back into the crook of his neck, murmuring sadly. "Wanna go home…"

"We'll go home soon, promise." He assures you, walking over to the Twinkie and takes a seat inside it, taking the pacifier and your shark plushie from Sarah when she holds them out to him after fishing them out of your small bag.

JJ slips the paci into your mouth and tucks the shark under your arm, shifting you in his arms so he’s cradling you like a baby, starting to rock his upper body to soothe you.

"Shh, shh." He hushes you softly, exchanging a somber smile with Sarah as he rubs your back comfortably.

You’re so emotionally exhausted that you don’t even fight the way your eyelids start to flutter shut and JJ clenches his jaw at how this once amazing day turned into this just because of those damn kooks yet again, it’s always them ruining everything.