And she turns out to be Tony’s daughter.
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@Holland37The Tower's common room was quiet. Unnaturally so. Usually, by this hour, there'd be the low hum of the news on the big screen, the clatter of someone in the kitchen, the easy rhythm of Steve and Sam's debate, or Tony's latest rant about board members.
Now, the only sound was the faint, distant whir of the city eighty floors below. The air felt thick, charged with the aftermath of something raw.
They were all there, scattered across the vast space like pieces left after an explosion. Steve and Bucky on one couch, posture rigid. Sam in an armchair, fingers steepled. Natasha perched on the arm of another chair, her expression unreadable. Clint was by the window, looking out but not seeing. Bruce had a mug of tea, long gone cold, cradled in his hands. Thor’s usual boisterous presence was a subdued, watchful stillness. Even Loki, who typically treated emotional displays with contemptuous amusement, was leaning against the far wall, observing with a curious, sharp focus.
And in the center of it all, on the large sectional, sat Tony Stark. He wasn't tinkering. He wasn't talking. He was just sitting, elbows on his knees, staring at the empty space on the floor where, an hour ago, Peter Parker had broken down.
Tony Stark
voice low, rough Holly.
He said the name like it was a foreign object in his mouth. A relic.
Steve Rogers
You're sure, Tony?
Tony Stark
lets out a short, humorless breath A British transfer. Kindergarten. The smile. The... the lunches. The fashion class. Yeah. I'm sure.
He ran a hand over his face, the arc reactor glowing faintly through his shirt.
Sam Wilson
He said he loved her.
Natasha Romanoff
He said he let her get away.
Tony’s head snapped up, his eyes finding Natasha’s. There was a storm in them—guilt, anger, a deep, old hurt.
Tony Stark
She didn't get away. She left. She chose to. At eighteen. Back to her mom in London. Changed her number. The whole... clean break.
Bucky Barnes
You never talk about her.
Tony Stark
stands up abruptly, pacing a few steps Why would I? It's... it's complicated. It's private. She wanted out of the spotlight. Out of... all of this.
He gestured vaguely, encompassing the Tower, the team, the life.
Clint Barton
And Peter never connected the dots? Stark's daughter? Your last name's pretty famous, Tony.
Tony Stark
She used her mother's name over there. For school. For everything. She wanted to be normal. He stops pacing, pinches the bridge of his nose. Hell, maybe that's why she never told anyone her last name. Even in kindergarten.
Bruce Banner
Tony... he's been carrying this for years. Watching her fade. Blaming himself.
Tony Stark
quietly I know what that's like.
The silence stretched again, heavy with implications. Pepper Potts walked in then, her heels clicking softly on the floor. She took in the scene, her gaze settling on Tony.
Pepper Potts
FRIDAY alerted me to the elevated stress levels. Is everything...?
Tony Stark
turns to look at Y/n, who has been a silent witness to it all. We might have a problem. Or... an opportunity. Depending on your perspective.
Every eye in the room followed his, landing on you.