Chapter Text
A/N: I know to some the conversation and behavior between Steve and his kid might seem strange and too familiar. That could be the lack of my father’s positive presence in my life responsible, so I’m idealising it. And I’m taking my best friend and her dad as an example. So don’t take anything the way it isn’t!
Another blouse that makes her hands and arms seem skinnier than they are. She sighs and pulls the blouse over her head, throwing it to the ground.
“What is it?” Her father hears the grunt of distress from her and immediately asks what’s the matter through her bathroom door.
“Why did I get your bad genes, dad?” She complains. Steve only laughs, taking the shaving razor away from his neck. “All these new blouses make me look like a skeleton!”
“Baby, don’t say that.” Steve almost begs. He hates his daughter putting herself down, it’s wrong to do so. But he knows it’s hard for her not to. They’ve talked about it before. “You can wear one of my button-ups.”
Now it’s time for Y/N to laugh. And she laughs, loudly, her laughter fading just as soon as it appeared, like a firework. “Yeah, we definitely have the same size.”
Steve sighs, realising his suggestion really is not logical. He finishes shaving and cleans off his face and then moves to the bathroom door. “Can I come out now?” He asks through it and Y/N hums, as consent.
He opens the door and steps into her bedroom. His daughter is sitting down on her bed, in sweater and her denim pencil skirt. The skirt has suspenders, Steve remembers once seeing Y/N wear it with a shirt under the suspenders. Now there’s a sweater over them. And she looks good.
“You can go like this.” He tells her and leans against the door frame, crossing his arms over his chest. A classic dad move. “You look nice, hon.”
“Yeah, I know,” Y/N starts to say, her voice sounding a bit whiny and sad. So Steve goes to sit next to her on the bed, “but I always wear sweaters to your public events. I need to wear a blouse for once.”
“Yes, maybe, but,” Steve disagrees, “sticking to the well-tried classics is good.” Y/N gives her dad an annoyed look and he raises his eyebrows. “What?”
“I should have seen something like that coming from you, who wears this shirt to these kinds of events always.” She says, pointing at her father’s choice of button-up. “I mean, you must have these in every color and color combination! I have seen tens of those shirts.”
They both laugh quietly and then Steve takes her hand. “I think you look lovely, whatever you wear, sweetheart. Everyone will love you either way.” He tells her, and Y/N nods.
“I know, dad.” She says. “I just feel like this event is going to be a bit different and I’m going to regret not wearing something other than a sweater and skirt.”
“Hmm.” Steve hums, understanding her. “You can always wear that red dress you have.”
“You mean the beach dress?” Y/N questions, a suspicious look and a raise of her eyebrow at her father. “Dad, it’s autumn—”
“No, no, the, uh, the Christmas one.” He says and Y/N furrows her eyebrows, not connecting to his suggested dress right away.
“Oh, you mean with the long sleeves and collar?” She asks finally, her eyebrows releasing the tension. Her father nods. Y/N chuckles. “That really is a Christmas dress.”
“Wear it anyway. You love to wear those grocery store sweaters on Christmas, anyway.” Steve says and stands up. Y/N laughs.
“Hey, the sweaters are cute! And funny!” She defends and Steve smiles. “Just like in Christmas movies.”
“I’m not against them.” He says, standing in the doorway of her bedroom’s entrance door. “Wear the dress. It looks real pretty on you, baby.” Steve finally says to his daughter. She nods.
“Alright, I will.” She says and stands up, walking over to her wardrobe. “I’ll be down as soon as I’m ready, dad.”
“Take your time, hon.” Steve says and Y/N nods, smiling at her father before he walks out.
He leaves and Y/N looks into her closet, searching for the dress. And there it is. A deep, blood red tone with a white collar. A true Christmas dress. She’d look like a present. A green ribbon around her waist in a bow and she’d be one.
The dress is on and so are the tights and shoes, her favorite pair, and she’s just finished braiding her hair into two plaits. Now she has to pin them up around her head, in a sort of frontlet of braids. It’s her favorite hairstyle to do. Anytime. Her birthday, her father’s, an event, etc.
She’s always at the events Tony Stark hosts, one of the pros or cons of living at the tower with her father. She has her own room, although right next to dad’s, so she always has her own privacy. Time and space for homework, drawing, being with herself.
But sometimes it gets lonely, not pleasant, that she’s always alone. Up until a point, she was the only kid at all the events and mostly hanged around her father, which for a growing teenager, is not really fitting. But, like mentioned, that was up until a point.
In May 2016 Tony Stark recruited Peter Parker, or Spider-Man, to fight Y/N’s father and his friends. That whole ordeal she wasn’t a part of. She’s not a part of the Avengers in general. But, since Peter Parker joined the Avengers team, Y/N has felt less lonely.
The boy is afraid to talk to her because he actually may be having a small major crush on Y/N. And her dad is Captain America (A guy who’s shield Peter stole, but anxiety makes him forget that sometimes). But when she goes over to him and starts talking, the two have long conversations about everything possible.
Y/N doesn’t really have friends at school, and she’s asked her dad to change her school to the school that Peter attends so that she’d have at least one friend. But her father doesn’t understand why she should change her school in the middle of her high school years. And, it’s the art school she’s always wanted to attend, since she was a kid. A school that is made for her.
Y/N hopes Peter will be at tonight’s event so she could spend some more time with him. And both of them wouldn’t feel as lonely, as the only kids in these events. Also the most talked about teenagers in the party, unfortunately.
“Oh, hey, Y/N,” Peter greets her at the snack table. The girl turns around and smiles once she sees it’s Peter, nervous once again upon seeing her. She’s glad he’s here, justified her hopes.
“Hi, Pete.” She says before turning back to the snacks, collecting a few on her plate. “Would you like some melon and ham?” Y/N asks him. Peter stands next to her, examining what’s on the menu tonight. The boy is wearing a suit, a full-body designer suit, either rented or a gift from Stark. Perhaps, even, to impress the man.
“I… I don’t know, really,” Peter responds, growing nervous already and not really following what he says, “haven’t decided yet.”
Y/N chuckles and finishes stacking her snack pile on the plate, walking a bit off so that others would have space. Peter huffs and still stands by the table, eyes scanning the repertoir. Until a voice disturbs him from that exact activity.
“Hey, big guy,” Tony Stark himself says to Peter and he tenses up even more, eyes widening a little, “what you doing talking to little Y/N there, huh?”
“Nothing! Nothing, Mr. Stark. We were just… We were talking about…” Peter can’t even finish his sentence. He’s so nervous and intimidated he can’t function properly, “melon and ham! Delicious combination, if you ask me. She was offering me some.” He says with a laugh and pauses for a moment. Stark gives him a strange look. This really is one weird kid he’s recruited. “And I’m gonna take some.”
“Don’t try anything, Parker.” Tony says to Peter’s terrified face. “We’re watching you.”
“We’re?” Peter whispers to himself, but watches as Stark walks off and reaches a group of scientists. He smiles at them and says the basic ‘how, how are you?’ phrases to anyone who wants anything from him. Classic Tony.
Peter sighs, grips his plate with the damn melon and ham, and glances from left to right. None of the Avengers in sight. He makes his way over to her, standing alone as often she is at parties. She looks at him when she sees someone coming straight in her direction. It’s Peter again. She smiles.
Y/N notices his plate is stacked with her recommended snack. “Melon and ham,” she says to Peter and he raises the plate a little higher with a sure smile, which makes Y/N smile even wider and even laugh.
“It really is a great combo,” Peter admits, taking another one and swallowing it whole, “I’ve never tried this and I am in love.”
“Oh really? Well I’m glad you like it.” Y/N responds, eating her own melon and ham. “Dad loves it, too. When I’ve sometimes had a bad day, he makes it for me.”
“That’s really sweet of him.” Peter points out. The two teens glance around the room, a silence falling between them. None of them really know what to say. Until Peter got some sort of question. “So, how’s school?”
“It’s okay, thank you for asking. Bit more to do since December is coming, but I like the rush.” Y/N answers. “You’re doing good, too, right? I mean, just asking.” She gives a nervous laugh, and Peter joins in with one himself. Nervous because he’s late to handing in his homeworks and projects and is always stalling and procrastinating.
“Yeah, yeah, it’s all alright.” Peter nods. He’s trying to convince himself and Y/N that it’s all okay. “Superhero stuff has me running and rushing every day, but that’s okay. I like the rush, as well.” He gives Y/N a smile and she returns a shy one. He’s making her blush, so she looks away so Peter wouldn’t see.
Just as Peter meant to ask Y/N if she wants to go somewhere else or get something more to eat, Thor arrives in all his glory including a fashionable suit, his long hair and his wonderful smile. Even Peter couldn’t resist that, turning puppy-eyed if Thor would ask him to stab someone and flash him his wide smile.
“Hey, Thor.” Y/N says to him in a non-chalant way. At the first few times, Peter was surprised she was so comfortable with the gods and heroes walking around. But he realised that she’s been living with them for a long time.
“Hello, Thor.” Peter greets the god as well, quickly after Y/N did. Thor nods and smiles again.
“Greetings, young teens. Having conversations and… fun?” He raises an eyebrow. Peter guesses that maybe the god is drunk, but he stands straight and he doesn’t yet smell. And his glass is full of some sort of beverage.
“Very much so.” Y/N says, smiling. “And yourself?”
“Indeed! I am glad seeing you children spending time together,” Thor starts to say, placing his glass on the table near-by and taking Y/N’s plate out of her hands, which surprised her as much as it did Peter, “but I think me and Y/N need to go for a dance.”
“A dance? Thor—” Y/N can’t finish that sentence because Thor has already practically yanked her away with him, away from Peter, leaving the boy astounded and with big eyes. He couldn’t say anything to protest, either, his Spidey Sense suddenly somehow turned off.
Y/N stumbles a bit, Thor’s feet being much more faster than hers, and she also doesn’t know where Thor is taking her. She grips Thor’s arm hard while they walk, until they stop at what seems the dance floor, and Thor turns fully to Y/N.
“Why would you want to dance with me? I can’t even dance!” She panics.
“Do not fret, lady Y/N. I will dance in your place, you’ll see how it’s done. It’s all mirrored, see?” Thor smiles, and there’s a nervous tone to his voice. He takes a step backwards with his right foot, “Place your left foot forward,” he guides her, and Y/N does as told, “now your right one. See? That’s not so hard.” Thor laughs as they start to dance around the room. Y/N somehow is very good at this sudden waltz lesson.
“Thor, I appreciate you teaching me how to ball-dance,” Y/N starts to say and Thor seems to listen until he speaks up.
“Oh, your father told me about this dance. The waltz, right?”
“Right,” Y/N grows suspicious and squints her eyes at Thor, “but why did you take me away from Peter? We were talking and I really would have liked to stay.”
“Well, you were not talking when I approached you.” Thor says and laughs after a pause. Y/N doesn’t join in.
“Is something wrong?” She asks.
“Oh, no, nothing is wrong. We just—I only—care for you, lady Y/N.” Thor says, his tone growing serious. “I care for you, your health, your heart, your feelings—” Y/N starts to suspect something she really wouldn’t want to, “—and anyone who is a threat to your heart and feelings must be… taken care of differently.”
“What?” Y/N shakes her head and steps away from Thor. “I’m going to go the bathroom.” She makes an excuse and walks away from Thor, the others who are dancing and the crowds around the dance floor. Suddenly she doesn’t want to be at this party at all.
She finds Peter in a corner not far from where he was standing last she saw him. Looking lonely, nervous and a bit scared. She smiles at him and walks over to him quicker.
“Do you maybe want to… ditch the party, go to my room or something? That’s only if you want to, I just feel like not being here.” Y/N rambles a bit to him. Peter looks at her, slightly confused, but glad she proposed such an idea.
“S-Sure, if you want me to come with you.” He responds shakily.
She laughs. “Okay, let’s go. I just gotta let my dad know first.” She says and takes Peter’s wrist in her hand. But her words surprise him and scare him, as well. Tony said not to try anything, now she’s telling her dad she’s about to ditch the party with Peter? Is this Anxiety Factor?
It doesn’t take long for the two to find the fittest man in the room - Captain America. He’s talking to someone, but he turns to Y/N when he spots her coming towards him. Steve looks at her with sincerity, finding a hurry in her posture.
“Hey, dad,” Y/N starts, a bit breathless from walking quicker than usual, “me and Peter are going to my room. I’m… not in the mood for a party anymore.”
“Peter? Oh I haven’t met you tonight.” Steve extends his arm towards Peter and the boy shakes it, completely frozen in his tracks. “How are you doing? How’s school?”
“I'm—I’m great, Mr Rogers. School is alright.” Peter replies and presses a smile on his face.
“Don’t let Tony give you too much pressure, son,” Steve says to Peter, “not always worth it.” Steve shakes his head and Peter nods, not really knowing what to say to those words of 'recommendation’. Steve stands a bit closer to his daughter. “Why are you going with Peter to your room? Is it truthfully only because you’re not in the mood to be here?” He asks in a low whisper. Y/N furrows her eyebrows.
“Yes, dad!” She harshly whispers back. “Why would you think I’m lying to you?” She honestly feels a bit offended by his question.
“No, no, I just… had to make sure.” He shrugs and there’s that comfy smile on his face again. Y/N is a bit comforted by it and huffs. “Be yourself, okay?” Steve asks and that takes Y/N back a few steps. What the hell?
She’s unaware that she’s still holding Peter’s hand and the boy feels his hand being squeezed, the result of Y/N’s confusion. He glances down at it but says nothing.
“Be myself? Dad—” Y/N sighs. “Fine, um, good night. We’re going.” She gives her dad a smile and Steve gives her a kiss goodnight on her forehead, to which Y/N closes her eyes and smiles. “Goodnight, dad.”
“Don’t stay up too late.” He tells Y/N before she leaves with Peter. She only laughs, knowing her own dad often goes to bed from three to six am after these events.
“I apologise for my dad. I love him, and the fact that he’s an old-school sap. “ Y/N says to Peter on their way to the elevator. Peter gives her a smile.
“That’s alright.”
“No, you know, some people, they’re very different from him, so they think it’s a bit strange. Especially everyone my—our age.” Y/N states, but Peter shakes his head. They stand before the elevator, waiting for it to come down.
And again, Peter wants to say something, but the elevator dings, the door opens and Clint Barton steps out of it. Once again, the boy is interrupted and caught off-guard.
“Oh, hey, kids.” He says. “Where you two going? Alone?” He asks, now standing before Y/N and Peter in the hallway.
“Just to Y/N’s room. We got sick of the party since there’s not much to do there.” Peter explains.
“Is Cap okay with that?” Clint asks Y/N and she nods, tired. “Well, I can tell Tony to arrange some activities made for you, teenagers, so you can stay with all of us.”
“Clint, we’re bored and there’s no need. Parties aren’t our thing, anyway.” Y/N says, shaking her head, trying to say anything to get them away faster. Something’s up with everyone tonight.
“Me and Nat could always join you in whatever you wanna do.” Clint non-chalantly suggests and Y/N groans.
“Excuse us.” She says to Clint and, still holding Peter’s hand, pushes past the man and stalks for the stairway, where they will most likely not bump into anyone else who wants to ask questions.
Peter notices the slight agitation in her behavior and while they’re walking up the stairs fast, he tugs at her hand to slow her down a bit. “Is everything alright?” He questions. Y/N huffs and takes the one step down to be on the same step as Peter.
“I just feel like everyone wants to get under our skin tonight.” She says. “What is the big deal of me talking to you or us going to my room? Everyone’s just strange.”
Peter gulps. Do the others know about his crush on Y/N? If it’s that obvious, then he’s in deep trouble. And that could be the reason why Mr Stark approached him at the snack table and warned him not to try anything. But if they don’t know… Well, it’d be one big coincidence.
“Try to forget about it. We’ll be away from the party in your room.” Peter calms her down, unknowingly tracing little circles into her palm with his thumb. “We can do whatever you want there, talk about whatever.”
“Like we always do.” Y/N adds with a warm smile and Peter nods, smiling as well. They restart their journey upstairs, still holding hands, and Peter looks over at Y/N.
“You know, you’re just like your dad.” He points out. Y/N raises her eyebrows.
“Oh, really? In what way?”
“You are, too, an old-school sap.” He says and they both laugh. Their laughter lights up the whole empty, huge stairway of the tower. Echoing off the walls, creating a sort of church feeling and an aura around them. A happy one.
“Well, they do say the genes are strong from the male side.” Y/N admits and they start a long conversation that didn’t end until the latest hours of the night.