The villa was quiet under the blanket of night, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant hum of wildlife from the surrounding woods. Inside, most of the family had finally drifted off to sleep, their earlier fear now soothed by exhaustion and the comfort of being together.
Steve sat outside on the porch, the cool mountain air brushing against his face. He held a mug of tea, its warmth seeping into his hands as he stared at the stars above. It was a rare moment of solitude, one he cherished after the chaotic day they’d had.
“Pops?”
The soft voice startled him slightly, and he turned to see Morgan standing at the doorway. She was wrapped in a blanket, her expression a mix of hesitation and determination.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Steve said, setting his mug down and gesturing for her to come closer. “What are you doing up? Couldn’t sleep?”
Morgan shook her head, stepping out onto the porch and sitting beside him. “Not really. Too much on my mind.”
Steve wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. “What’s on your mind, baby girl? You can talk to me.”
Morgan hesitated for a moment, fiddling with the edge of her blanket. “It’s… kind of embarrassing.”
Steve smiled gently. “I don’t think there’s anything you could tell me that would embarrass me. You know that, right?”
She nodded, taking a deep breath before looking up at him. “I… I think I kinda love someone.”
Steve blinked, his surprise quickly giving way to a warm smile. “Oh? Well, that’s not embarrassing at all. It’s wonderful.”
Morgan’s cheeks flushed, and she looked down at her lap. “I don’t know if it is. I mean, I don’t even know if they feel the same way. And what if they don’t? What if I’m just being silly?”
Steve’s expression softened, and he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Loving someone isn’t silly, Morgan. It’s one of the bravest things you can do. And it’s okay to feel unsure—it’s a big step. But the fact that you’re thinking about it means it’s important to you.”
Morgan looked up at him, her eyes searching his for reassurance. “Have you ever felt like this before?”
Steve chuckled softly. “Oh, more times than I can count. I spent a long time wondering if your dad felt the same way about me before I told him how I felt. It was scary, but it was worth it.”
Morgan smiled a little at that. “What if they don’t like me back? What do I do then?”
Steve considered her question for a moment before answering. “Then you hold your head high and keep moving forward. Loving someone doesn’t mean they have to feel the same way, but it doesn’t make your feelings any less real or important. And if they don’t feel the same, it just means the right person for you is still out there.”
Morgan nodded, his words sinking in. After a moment, she leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. “Thanks, Pops. You always know what to say.”
Steve smiled, pressing a kiss to her hair. “That’s what I’m here for, sweetheart. You’re an amazing young woman, and whoever you love is lucky to have you in their life—whether it’s as a friend or something more.”
They sat in silence for a while, the stars twinkling above them. For the first time that night, Morgan felt a little less scared, a little more hopeful.
“Pops?” she said softly after a while.
“Yeah?”
“I think I’m ready to tell you who it is.”
Steve turned to look at her, his expression patient and encouraging. “Whenever you’re ready, I’m all ears.”
Morgan hesitated for a moment, then whispered a name, her cheeks flushing as she did.
Steve listened carefully, his heart swelling with love for his daughter and pride in her courage. “Well,” he said with a smile, “sounds like we’ve got a lot to talk about.”
And under the quiet glow of the stars, they did.
YOU ARE READING
His Protective Dad (Starker FF) Completed ✓
FanfictieA story of Peter Parker (Stark) and his sweet, dangerous yet loving dad Tony Stark. A story where a 16 yrs old boy loves his father dearly, who can do to make his son smile. But what happened when his dad found out about him (peter) getting bullied...
