His Protective Dad (Starker FF) Completed ✓

A Moment of Peace

The days following the resolution of the Hydra ordeal felt strangely peaceful, as though the world had paused just long enough for everyone to breathe. Steve was back to his old self, and the family was united once more. The tension that had held Stark Tower in its grip for so long seemed to evaporate in the warmth of their shared laughter and the comfort of each other’s presence.

Tony and Steve, their hands intertwined as they walked through the halls of Stark Tower, often exchanged quiet glances, grateful for the return of normalcy. It had been a long, exhausting fight, and now, they could finally let go of some of the burdens they’d been carrying.

But even in the peaceful moments, the reality of their lives as Avengers never truly disappeared. They had been given a brief reprieve, but Tony knew it wouldn’t last forever. The world was always on the brink of chaos, and they had to be ready for whatever came next.

"Hey," Steve said, breaking the comfortable silence between them. "You think things will stay like this for a while?"

Tony paused, considering the question. "I don't know, Steve. It feels like it, but we both know how this life goes. We can have a moment of peace, but it's always just that—a moment."

Steve nodded, squeezing Tony’s hand a little tighter. “Yeah, I know. But for now... let’s enjoy this. We’ve earned it.”

Just as they rounded the corner, they were met with the excited chatter of the kids. Morgan, Peter, Harley, and the others were gathered in the living room, preparing for the family’s long-awaited trip. The group had planned a getaway to a remote mountain resort, far away from any of their usual duties as heroes. The idea was simple: to have fun, reconnect, and forget about everything else, if only for a little while.

"Ready for the trip, kiddo?" Tony asked Morgan, who was busy packing her things with a focused determination.

Morgan looked up and smiled. "I can't wait. It’s going to be so much fun. I’m thinking of trying out some new adventure stuff while we’re there. Maybe some mountain climbing or zip-lining. Who knows, maybe I’ll even try some skiing!"

Peter, who had been sitting on the couch, gave her a playful nudge. “As long as you don’t end up in a tree again, I’m good. Remember last time?”

Morgan rolled her eyes, though there was a smile on her face. “I’m never letting you live that down, Parker.”

The lighthearted banter between the siblings was a welcome distraction from the weight of their past battles. For a few fleeting moments, they were just kids again—free from the responsibilities that came with their extraordinary lives. Tony and Steve watched them, their hearts full of warmth.

“I don’t know how we got so lucky,” Steve murmured to Tony.

Tony smiled, the usual sarcastic edge in his voice softened by the moment. “Yeah, me neither. But I’m not complaining.”

As the kids continued to get ready, Harley pulled Tony aside, a sly grin on his face. “So, Dad, we’ve been thinking. It’s been too long since we’ve had some real fun. What if we did something a little more adventurous this time? I mean, we’re superheroes, right? Shouldn’t we be living on the edge a little?”

Tony raised an eyebrow. “Living on the edge? What exactly do you mean by that?”

Harley smirked. “Skydiving. Bungee jumping. Something that’ll get our adrenaline going. You know, spice things up a bit.”

Peter groaned, sinking further into the couch. “Not the skydiving thing again. Please.”

Tony chuckled, but there was a glint of concern in his eyes. “I don’t know about that. You guys are a handful as it is. We don’t need any more heart attacks while we’re on vacation.”

Steve, overhearing the conversation, walked over with a grin. “Let them have their fun, Tony. We’re supposed to be relaxing, not hovering over them like a bunch of hawks.”

Tony glanced at Steve, a hint of worry in his eyes. “I just don’t want anything going wrong while we’re out there. After everything that’s happened, I want to make sure we’re all safe.”

“I get it,” Steve replied softly, his tone reassuring. “But it’s important for them to have fun. They’re kids, Tony. They need to feel normal, even if just for a little while.”

Tony didn’t respond immediately, lost in his thoughts. He knew Steve was right. They had been through so much, and the kids deserved to have some semblance of a normal childhood. They all did. So, with a heavy but hopeful sigh, Tony relented. “Fine, fine. But if any of you end up in the hospital, I’m holding Harley responsible.”

Harley gave a mock salute. “Aye, aye, Captain Stark.”

With everything packed and plans in motion, the family set off for their mountain resort. The long drive was filled with laughter, music, and excited chatter. The mountains loomed ahead, their snow-capped peaks reflecting the sunlight. It was the perfect setting for an escape from the chaos of their lives.

As they arrived at the resort, the kids immediately ran to explore, eager to get started on their adventure. The adults followed behind, settling into the cozy lodge and making plans for the week. There were no enemies here, no battles to fight. Only peace.

But as night fell and the stars twinkled above, Tony couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that this peace wouldn’t last forever. It never did.

Steve, sensing the shift in his husband’s mood, quietly approached Tony as he stood on the balcony overlooking the mountains. “You okay?”

Tony exhaled slowly, his gaze fixed on the dark horizon. “Yeah. Just... thinking. I can’t help but feel like something’s coming. We’ve had our peace, but we both know it doesn’t last long.”

Steve wrapped an arm around Tony’s shoulder, pulling him close. “Whatever comes, we’ll face it together. We always do.”

Tony’s lips curved into a small smile as he leaned into Steve’s embrace. “Yeah, we will.”

And for the first time in a long while, they allowed themselves to simply enjoy the quiet—the calm before the storm.