His Protective Dad (Starker FF) Completed ✓

A Daughter's Doubts

Morgan sat quietly in her room, the fight replaying over and over in her mind. The image of her father, her uncles, and even Peter battling Steve—no, Captain Hydra—was haunting, but something didn’t sit right with her.

She’d watched her father and Steve spar countless times. She knew their moves, their tactics, and how they fought when things were serious versus when it was all in practice. And while the battle in the main room had been intense, with glass shattering and people dodging hits, it wasn’t… entirely right.

The way Steve—Captain Hydra, she corrected herself—moved, it was like he was pulling his punches. There was a familiarity to his rhythm, as if he was anticipating their moves, almost in sync with them, much like when he was training them. He didn’t attack with the ruthlessness of someone intending to harm; instead, his movements felt calculated, like he was holding back. The thought nagged at her.

The following days passed in an uneasy silence. Her dad was worn and tense, constantly scanning his work and talking to the other Avengers, trying to find any information about Hydra’s influence over Steve. But every time Morgan tried to bring up her suspicions, she felt her words get caught in her throat. What if she was wrong? What if this was just her wishful thinking?

Still, the scenes from the fight wouldn’t leave her alone. She remembered the moment when Steve—Captain Hydra, she reminded herself again—had deflected one of Thor’s attacks, only to let it graze him just enough to appear convincing. And when Tony had hit him with a repulsor blast, Steve could have dodged faster—she knew he could. But he’d taken it, stumbling back just enough to make it look real.

Why would he do that if he were really Captain Hydra? she thought.

As the days went by, Morgan found herself watching her dad, her uncles, and Peter, observing their reactions as well. They were all wary, grieving the man they feared they’d lost forever. But they didn’t notice what she had, and she couldn’t bring herself to shatter their belief yet. She needed proof, something she could point to before stirring up hope that maybe, just maybe, Steve was still in there.

So Morgan kept silent, observing, replaying that night over and over in her mind, keeping her suspicions close to her heart. She would wait, she decided, until she was sure of what she’d seen.

And if she was right, she would find a way to help bring him back.

Morgan kept her doubts to herself, letting them brew quietly as she observed each interaction her family had with Steve—or rather, Captain Hydra. Days passed, and she stayed vigilant, noting every encounter and each fight. She knew she had to be absolutely certain before she acted. Finally, after days of waiting, her opportunity arrived.

Steve—or Captain Hydra, as they all still believed—showed up again one evening, unannounced, launching an attack on the Avengers just as he had before. This time, though, Morgan was ready. She stepped forward, staying calm, watching his every move. As Steve sparred with her dad and the others, she noticed it again—the deliberate way he pulled his punches, the careful way he avoided causing real harm.

Once the fight ended and Steve retreated, everyone was on high alert, their hearts heavy as they processed yet another intense battle. And just as they were trying to gather their thoughts, he returned, this time with no warning at all, showing up at the house five days later. The family quickly fell into defensive positions, preparing for what they thought would be a confrontation.

But before anyone could move, Morgan stepped in front of them, raised her hand, and called out, “Hold on!”

Tony, Natasha, and Peter looked at her, shocked. She turned her attention back to Steve, narrowed her eyes, and crossed her arms. She walked up to him, reaching up and, without warning, twisted his ear like a strict mom scolding her child.

“Will you drop your act now, or do I need to act like your mother?” she scolded, her voice firm but tinged with amusement.

Steve couldn’t hold back anymore. He broke into laughter, a warm, genuine laugh that filled the room. He pulled Morgan into a hug, grinning as he looked down at her with pride.

Everyone else stared in shock, completely thrown off. Tony’s expression was a mix of disbelief and suspicion as he moved closer, hands on his hips, eyeing his husband.

“What the hell is happening here?” Tony demanded, his gaze shifting between Morgan and Steve. “Morgan Stark, care to explain?”

Morgan turned to him, smiling as she patted Steve’s arm. “He’s been acting this whole time, Dad. He’s not under Hydra’s control. Do you really think Pops would ever let them control him? And would he ever betray his family?”

Natasha exhaled in relief, shaking her head. Peter, still wide-eyed, let out a chuckle, finally able to breathe again. “You scared us, Pops!” he said, still catching his breath.

Rogers gave a soft smile to the whole room, his eyes a familiar, reassuring blue once more. “I’m sorry, everyone. I needed to make sure Hydra believed I’d turned, so I could find out what they were planning without risking any of you. I should’ve told you all sooner.”

Morgan hugged her dad, relieved that she’d finally brought her Pops back to his family, and everyone gathered around, relieved to have Steve back in one piece.