Dr. Robby having a cousin/relative who's a detective in the NYPD: Detective Elliot Stabler.
Based on the actors ages currently (2025), Det. Stabler is 64. Ten years older than Dr. Robby, whose 54.
Detective Stabler would be 38 in 1999; the year the first season of Law and Order SVU was broadcasted. Making Dr. Robby, 28, and in his second year of residency (if he started undergrad at 18).
Elliot Stabler leaves the force in 2011 and returns a decade later. In 2021 when he joins the Organized Crime unit, he'd be 60 and his cousin Dr. Michale Robinavitch would be 50.
They both struggle with the mental turmoil and trauma that comes with the fields they work in.
I have been rewatching Law and Order SVU. In my opinion, Detective Elliot Stabler played by Christopher Meloni, reminded me of Dr. Robby played by Noah Wyle.
They have similar middle-aged builds, oval long faces, both very vigilant in their jobs. Both characters tend to give everything to their work in helping/saving others but are really the ones who need therapy. They both make tough choices that at times are clouded by emotional biases.
Summary: Stark! Reader and Morgan bond over making some treats for the whole team. With the ulterior motive of buttering up her dad, in hopes of trying to soften the blows after a big fight.
Context: This is an alternative timeline and universe I have had rattling around in my mind for years. It surrounds the adopted daughter of Tony Stark who was born and raised in a S.H.I.E.L.D facility. She is a pyrokinetic, has the ability to control and create fire and heat. One unfortunate side-effect is that, like most kinetics, her emotions can impact her powers immensely and manifest themselves physically.
Relationships/Pairings: Bucky Barnes x Stark! Reader, Dad! Tony Stark x Daughter! Reader (The Bucky I am picturing is somewhere between a combination of CW and after his time in Wakanda but feel no pressure to picture whatever you'd like.)
Warning(s): Use of (Y/N). Swearing. A little bit of angst. I do not think it is much compared to some of the works I have read, but everyone's limits are different. Reader was born female and referred to as She/Her. Age Gap: Reader's established age in this chapter is 25 years old. (While there are no adult themes in this post, I want to be able to write about them freely in the future if I want and for that reason the content should be considered is 18+)
Copyright: None of the characters are mine. All rights for characters are reserved to Marvel/MCU. The alternative universe where I placed said characters was created by me. Please do not copy without my permission.
Authors Note: Long time reader, first time poster. I hope people enjoy this reader character and AU I am building, but if not, that is okay. I created this blog to have a place to indulge myself in a fictional world for funsies. I have a long list of scenes to flush the world and Stark! Reader character out that I am excited to write about.
Disclaimer: While there are no physical descriptions of the reader (i.e., skin color, hair color or texture, height, weight, etc.). In full transparency, I have written the character with an aesthetic in mind. --- Dark painted nails, multiple ear piercings, fashion sense is a little bit of corporate goth/whimsigoth/witchy, similar to Wanda, she has a black cat, music taste, likes and dislikes.
Word Count: Over 6k words
Happy Reading!
After picking up Morgan from the elite private school they insisted she attend, her, being an awesome older sister decided it would be fun to bake some cookies together. Maybe more for herself than anything else. The workday was almost over, and their father would be home soon.
Y/N was not having the best day, since they had a nearly explosive argument that morning. She was nervous about seeing her dad after how they had left things. Maybe it would just blow over, but despite her adoptive status, she still inherited Tony's stubbornness. Her feelings were still bruised.
As her little sister, twenty years her junior, changed out of the uncomfortable school uniform they insisted even the kindergarteners wear, she decided to set the mood.
"Friday can you play 'Tony's workshop playlist', please." She sighed, rolling up the sleeves of her grey zip-up hoodie, and took a meticulous amount of time to wash her hands, making sure to get underneath her dark painted nails.
"My pleasure Miss Stark." And that all too familiar acoustic guitar and drumbeat was blasted over the compound's speakers, as she sang along to Mick Jagger's vocals. (Paint It Black, by The Rolling Stones)
She allowed herself to relax, listening to music, swaying around the luxury kitchen, gathering the materials they would need to bake cookies. Before too long the atmosphere would be shattered by several exhausted, sweaty Avengers all coming down from an adrenaline high.
But the interruption from her little sister running into the room singing along to Freddie Mercury's "Don't. Stop. Me. Now." (Don't Stop me Now, by Queen) out of key was wholeheartedly welcomed. Their hands covered in flour and dough banging on the expensive countertop as they drummed along with the climax of the song.
Y/N's hair and form glowed a warm light from within, her body heat rising, and the biggest smile on her face, all indications of the joy she felt dancing and singing around their shared home with someone she loved. She was there when Morgan was born, and even at twenty she was so excited to have a sibling.
Maybe if their age gap was smaller, Y/N would have found Morgan's presence insufferable, and it's still a possibility that when Morgan got older there would be moments when the two sisters will argue, and fight, and have to reconcile like any family. But for now, it was just nice having someone whose first instincts of her weren't fear, or confusion, or pity, just admiration, trust, and love.
"We have to make enough for everyone! We neeeed moreee coookieess, more cookie dough!" Morgan shouted in her best attempt at a threatening demeanor.
"Oh my gosh, you're so right, they're all gonna come home hungry. You're the sweet one of the two of us M, I was gonna say screw em' and just sneak all the cookies into my room." Y/N joked as the little one giggled, but it was always in her plan to make enough for everyone. Hoping maybe, she could butter up her father into finishing their earlier explosive argument as a simple heated discussion instead.
Y/N opened the oven door and grazed her palm over the grills and on the walls of the appliance, "Yea its pre-heated enough. Let's get these batches into the oven." Morgan passed her older sister all four trays, one at a time.
Sure, she could have more than easily baked the dough right in her hands in a third of the time it took them to bake traditionally, but part of the excitement in baking was getting to watch them in the oven. Y/N began setting a timer when one of their favorite songs blasted through the speakers,
"Alllllll abboooardddd!" They screamed in unison. If they had anything in common it was that they were inevitably passed down their father's taste in music. (Crazy Train, by Ozzy Osbourne)
"Your father is home girls." Friday interrupted the song for a moment, but the two Starks were far too invested in the heavy guitar riffs to notice. Y/N placed Morgan on the countertop, the little girl flailed her arms cycling between air guitar and drums as they both head banged so passionately, they might break and roll off.
Just then Morgan was hoisted off the counter by a familiar pair of arms, followed by her giggles as her father attacked her face with a burst of pecks. Y/N halted, her hair, previously glowing bright and warm like a sunrise began to dim and set as she faced her father. Her hair a tussled mess, her breath heavy, and the anxious pit in her stomach eating her up from the inside.
"Friday, lower the music." Tony commanded. Y/N wasn't sure what kind of mood her father was in, was he still as upset as she was about this morning? The mission must have been successful or else he would have completely shut the party down.
"Ooh something smells good in here." Sam remarked when he entered the kitchen still in tactical gear. More of the team made their way into the designated domestic space of the compound. No fighting was meant to go on here, just living. Showers, rest, movie nights, family dinners, drunken game nights, and the occasional late-night snacking.
Still in her own tactical gear, Natasha made home for herself on a barstool, while Clint slammed his body into the couch cushions. Groaning, as he felt the already forming bruises melting into his muscles. Sam and Steve investigated the delightful smell that wafted around the place, Bucky close behind them simply leaning against the counter closest to the entry way, arms crossed over his chest.
"Oh, you girls were making cookies?" Steve discovered, smiling gently as he maintained eye contact with the pastries through the oven door.
"I hope you made enough for everyone." Sam teased, as he rubbed his hands together, stomach growling. Bucky and Nat may have been the only one's sensing the tension when they walked into the unnecessarily large kitchen.
They each took different approaches, Nat placed herself closer to the family, ready to intervene or comfort, whichever came first. Bucky positioned himself far way, keeping his distance like he promised, and analyzing the situation.
He took in the scene before him, Y/N's light was dimming, flickering almost like a candle close to extinguishing. Her posture supported only by a single tight grip on the countertop, but she struggled to look her father in the eyes. Tony's jaw was tight but not locked, he took a deep breath in and then out, his sight anywhere but her face.
Tony let Morgan fall from his arms, no longer able to contain her wriggling. She was always excitement to see Natasha.
"Auntie Nat!" The redhead beamed down at the youngest Stark, lifting her in the air and removing the little girl from the ticking bomb. Tony finally moved, but instead of giving his first born a hug and a kiss to the temple like he normally would, he simply walked around to grab a crystal rocks glass.
"How was the mission?" Y/N asked the whole room, making eye-contact with them all but really only speaking to her father. At this point, everyone could feel the tension between the two Starks. Steve made his way to her, pity in his eyes hidden behind a tired, small smile.
"It was successful, no casualites, no major injuries, we got the intel we needed. All around good day." The blonde soldier answered when no one else dared to break the heavy atmosphere. He gave Y/N that side hug and a peck on the head, before leaving the room for a much-needed shower. Bucky tried not to let it bother him, but it was hard when her light shined a little brighter thanks to Steve.
"Thanks for asking, let me know when the cookies are done." Sam gave her a pat on the shoulder, as he followed in the Captain's footsteps. Bucky knew he should follow suit; he didn't want to leave without comforting her at least a little, but that would have only made the situation worse. He decided it was best to find her later, where they could talk in private. Instead, their eyes met and he offered a small nod in her direction before departing.
Y/N's grip on the counter eased, her heartbeat relaxed, and she felt herself breath out the painful lump that was forming in her throat. Her feelings for Bucky were always an area of sensitivity between her and her father. She settled for a friendship with him, but it only made those feelings evolve and grow, so maybe that wasn't the wisest choice. She watched until his figure disappeared down the corner, allowing herself a short moment of indulgence.
Soon everyone left to their own devices, and it was just daughter and father standing in the cold kitchen. His face still sprinkled with some debris, some dried blood, a forming bruise under the eye. Warming his inside was the single malt scotch whiskey he had made himself in silence. With one more breath, his daughter turned her attention to him,
"Dad-", she was interrupted by a shake of his head and his raised palm in her direction. A, 'stop talking' motion. Tony took a deep long breath, like his next words were going to be a struggle to get out, so she braced for impact.
"Kid, I'm sorry."
Now, of the many things she expected her father to say to her today, after what happened, that was definitely not one of them. When Tony found out that she had been going on missions secretly, and most of the time alone, without his knowledge, he was beyond furious. Enraged, confused, terrified, so many thoughts racing through his mind. So many of his fears felt like they were coming true, and it made him say things he should not have. He meant them but maybe had not expressed them in the best way.
~~~~~~~
"Dad, I want to do this!" She slammed her fist on the lab table. "You have kept me here and shut me out of any, even-even remote involvement in the team, when I can be such a huge help to you!"
"You're out of your mind Y/N, and you don't get a say here anymore, no-no you lost that right when you LIED to me, you could have gotten yourself killed!"
"I lost my right? You're fucking insane, Dad. You've fought gods, aliens for crying out loud, what I'm doing is barely anything in comparison."
"Don't you fucking understand! You could have been killed Y/N. You could have killed innocent people, you're just a kid, you have no fucking idea what you're doing, t-that's why this is the safest place for you." Tony was starting to shake at this point.
"Oh please! I'm twenty-fucking-five. You have been keeping me trapped here for whole life Dad! I am ready, I have been training, and been trained since I was, mind you, a fucking toddler. I can do this; I have been doing this; I want to keep doing this please."
"No, final word, NO! Your safety and the safety of others is my priority Y/N, it's like my fucking job actually, sweetheart. If you go out there, and-and what if you lost control, hmm? What then? If you lose it and cause an incident, what happens then? You are not ready for the pain and guilt that comes with that. T-That comes with causing that much death." He knew he was projecting, and not well, since of course she knew.
"Wow really? I don't know what it fucking feels like. In case you forgot, I KILLED MY OWN MOTHER! I KILLED HER! I know I'm a monster; I will have to live with that for the rest of my fucking life, but at least I can t-try, to do something better with it. Like you did." At this point she couldn't see him, her eyes were full of tears, each one sizzling into steam as it ran down her face. Her hair was fully aflame, her bare feet melting a layer off the floor of his lab. The temperature of the room rose exponentially. "God you are such a fucking asshole." She spat her words at him, stomping out of the room.
"That's the maturity and control your talking about kid." He winced to himself as the room temperature began to drop again. He knew he should have apologized the second the words left his mouth or just should have kept his mouth shut. But it was one of his worst qualities, --always needed to get that last word in.
~~~~~~~
"W-what?" Her eyes finally met her father's. He took another sip from his glass before continuing.
"I am sorry." He gently stepped towards his daughter. It takes a lot to break apart two people who love each other, but when the bond between them is that strong, it doesn't take much to bring them back together when they're ready.
She slowly wrapped her arms around his torso, resting her head on his shoulder, his head on hers and his hand came to cradle hair. The heat her body emitted was like cuddling with a heated teddy bear, it always comforted Tony, especially in his darkest times. It reminded him of when she was a little girl and had a nightmare, she would come crawling between Pepper and Tony, warming up their entire bed.
"I'm scared, I'm so fucking terrified kid, I don't know what I would do with myself if I lost you. Any of you, Pepper, Morgan, I-I just, I need to keep you safe." He spoke into her hair, as his grip around her tightened, then pulled away when she began to sniffle. They faced each other, tears filling both their eyes.
"I know Dad, a-and I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I just knew you'd tell me I-I couldn't do it. A-and I thought, maybe if I-, if you saw that I was capable of controlling my powers, and keeping everyone safe. I-It would be enough for you to see; I can do this." She struggled but fought against the lump in her throat to finally be transparent.
Tony took in her words, he knew she was capable. It was idiotic to think otherwise, she was raised by S.H.I.E.L.D before he adopted her, and the terms of her adoption meant that training and doctor's visits had to continue throughout her adolescent. Not to mention, her and Wanda were glued at the hip since training their psychic-based abilities together. She had been conditioning herself for the past few years to control her emotions in battle, so that no unnecessary casualites could occur.
She would be a great asset to the team, but she was his daughter. All he saw sometimes was that little girl who would knock all his shit over in the lab out of curiosity, she was the reason he had to read The Hobbit over and over since she refused fall asleep without it, "What a weird little kid", he always thought to himself. He remembered when she broke her leg that one year, he finally let her join the youth soccer team, she cried and burned some of the other girls in the process. The other parents got her kicked off the team, and he agreed maybe that was for the best.
He looked at the now women that little girl grew into. He sighed, he knew he was defeated. As he began to speak, the loud ring of the kitchen timer went off.
"The cookies! I completely forgot." Y/N jumped out of her father's sight and ran to grab the trays out of the oven. Tony would never get used to seeing her bare hand touch a 400 degree pan out of the oven without so much as a drop of discomfort.
She laid out the trays on the stovetop, waiting for them to cool down before plating and announcing to a compound full of hungry Avengers that they were ready. She was already planning to stash a few away for Morgan and Bucky, knowing once the bulls left their pens it was every man for themselves to grab a treat.
"Dad, listen," She turned back to her father with a sigh, "I know your scared, I get it, I mean, I get so fucking worried whenever you guys head out on missions together. I've seen how scared Pepper gets, a-and I may even be more nervous to tell her. But I just, I'm asking for one chance to show you..." She once again stood face to face with him, a determined aura despite the tears that welled in her eyes, "I can do this, just trust me Dad, please."
Tony had already made up his mind before the timer interrupted their heart to heart. He straightened his back, wiped the unshed tears from his eyes, before cupping his daughter's face to do the same. He took an exasperated breath and shook his head before reaching for a still warm cookie and taking a bite. Mouthful, he spoke,
"Fine. One chance young lady." He threatened her with the sweet treat. "You get one shot, I am picking the mission, and I am choosing the team." Her eyes widened to an inhuman possibility at his words, her hair illuminated a bright golden light, the same luminance covered the rest of her body, the ends of her hair ignited with small flames as she squealed like a teenage girl again.
"Oh my god! THANK YOU! I'm not gonna fuck this up I promise." Y/N hugged her father tightly. She was a grown woman, yes, she could have continued to go on solo missions without his verbal 'permission', but this was what she always wanted, to be part of the team he helped build.
~~~~~~~
Y/N looked over the team, watching as they covered her father's expensive marble countertop with cookie crumbs and spilled milk. Just a group of grown children at heart, she thought to herself. Tony sat with Morgan in his lap as she devoured her fifth cookie.
"Okay, alright, I think that is enough sugar for you, little cookie mongrel. I know I'm not the best father, but this is pushing it. Don't you think?" He wrestled the young girl in his arms taking her upstairs to get cleaned up for a real dinner that would be ready soon. He would normally welcome the scolding from Pepper for feeding the girls nothing but junk food with gusto and a quip, but he was exhausted and would rather try to avoid that outcome.
Morgan was bid goodbye with a cacophony of voices and muffled speech. Y/N smiled brightly at her younger sister, scuffing her hair goodbye as they passed her by.
Y/N reached in the cupboard where she had hidden three cookies, one for each: Her, Morgan and Bucky. With Morgan practically in a chocolate chip coma, she felt foolish for getting butterflies in her stomach over something as juvenile as sharing the last cookie with a crush.
Y/N snuck away to the dormitories of the compound to find the missing member of the team, unaware that Wanda's eyes followed her. Wanda and Y/N became psuedo-sisters ever since the young witch joined the Avengers. On one late night, when the two women bumped into each other at two in the morning searching for a snack, Y/N confided in her about her feelings for the centenarian.
~~~~~~~
"I mean being a S.H.I.E.L.D baby and then homeschooled doesn't really leave many opportunities for dating." Y/N popped open one of her father's pricey, to say the least, Domaine Leflaive Montrachet Grand Cru Chardonay bottles, pouring the 16 grand wine into two coffee mugs. He wouldn't miss it.
"That's fair, I mean growing up I guess we both had bigger priorities to worry about than kissing boys." Wanda took a sip of her wine. "Mm but being the daughter of Stark must have meant you got to enjoy some festivities, no? Must've been fun." She winked her way. Y/N only rolled her eyes with an uncontrollable smile creeping its way to her lips as she sipped from her own mug.
"Okay, Okay, well it's not that romantic you know. Most of the time it was pretty boring tech conferences or government dinners. When he had parties at home, all those drunk people, flashing lights and loud music, it was never really my scene. I would try and flirt with some cute guys, sneaking them in to see some cool Stark tech never hurt. But I was like 17, 18? A-and it would always get awkward when I would start, you know," She giggled to herself, the alcohol making her legs begin to tingle, "when I would start glowing, you can imagine the average guy got pretty freaked out."
Wanda sucked her teeth in annoyance, "I'm sorry." However, she couldn't quite fight back a small giggle that came out her mouth, the wine was getting to her as well "no that is awful, but... maybe a little funny."
"Oh, my goodness you are terrible." Y/N gasped at her so-called friend, a faux pained expression on her face. Shoving Wanda gently before they succumbed to their laughing fits.
"Alright, enough about lousy boys of the past." Wanda began, a mischievous glint in her eyes cornering the young Stark where she sat in her tipsy state. "What is happening between you and the Winter Solider?"
Y/N's powers meant she always wore her heart, not even on the sleeve, but on a giant neon sign plastered on her face. Even with that fact, she still denied everything.
"Hmm you mean besides being just friends, if you even want to call it that. We chat on occasion, l-like sometimes if we're both done training at the same time, we might have small talk on the way back to our rooms." She fumbled her speech, taking a nervous sip. She felt the eternal flame inside start to heat up her face the more they spoke about Bucky.
"Uh-huh, and let me ask, do you guys usually always finish training at the same time? Do you ever, hmm let's just say, busy yourself if he is not done so that you can leave at the same time?" Wanda already knew the answer, Y/N and her were training a few times a week together, so yes, she noticed. Y/N pressed her lips together harshly, willing the corners of her mouth to fall back down. She sighed, dropping her head into her hands, mug of wine empty and forgotten on the kitchen island.
"Ugh, am I really that obvious? God, this is so embarrassing, do you think he can tell?" Y/N was never going to be able to set foot in the sparing gym ever again. Wanda was quick to console her friend, but not without another burst of soft laughter.
"No trust me, he is just as oblivious as you. I have watched him do exactly the same thing." She rubbed slow circles along her back. Y/N's head shot up in disbelief. "I swear! Y/N I have watched him do several more laps around the track, or-or beg Sam or Steve to spar one more round with him. One time, I actually watched this old man scroll on his phone for thirty-minutes waiting for us to be complete with our practice."
~~~~~~~
Every door in the compound looks exactly the same from the outside. So, if one doesn't know where they're going, or who they are looking for it can feel like a maze. Fortunately, Y/N knew exactly where she was going. She had been down this corridor before dozens of times after they would walk back together. He always insisted on walking her back to her room first, despite his being closer on their route. Her room was a whole floor above the rest of the Avengers, which meant Bucky gladly took the elevator up and down just to walk her back to her quarters.
~~~~~~~
"Really you don't have to take the trek up with me, I'm sure you're aching for a shower, I know I always am after training." Her hands gripped the strap of her gym bag tighter, her palms sweating.
"No, no trust me, I really don't mind. I can't shake some old habits, and I was always taught, you don't ever let a girl walk to her place alone. You always make sure she gets home safe." They exchanged short, shy smiles. He leaned his head back against the glass wall of the elevator, using every ounce of discipline to not stare in her direction. Regardless she felt exposed in the confined space, wiping her clammy hands on the sleek fabric of her gym shorts. He always maintained a distance, he gave Tony his word he would, but there was only so much he could give in small spaces. So, he used it as an excuse to be closer to her. Maybe that's why he really never minded riding with her in the elevator near daily.
"Uhm, Wanda told me the team is having like a little movie night tonight," She rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet, "Are you thinking of making an appearance?" She mustered up some nerve to look in his direction.
"I mean I wasn't planning to, but Steve's kind of forcing me to, you know, says I gotta start socializing more." Bucky tightened his arms across his chest, instinctively protecting himself. "Uhm, were you planning on going tonight?" He rubbed the back of his neck, his long hair sticking to the sweat. Yeah, he really did need a shower, he thought.
~~~~~~~
Y/N smiled at the memory as her footsteps began to unconsciously speed up towards her destination. The soft, warm glow around her figure meant stealth was never her best attribute. Bucky already knew she was there; he was reading quietly when he felt the room suddenly become just a tad warmer, like any space in her radius did. A small light shined from just outside his doorway, followed by an even softer knock rapping on the metal surface.
"Hey, it's me. I don't know if you're in, I was just checking. Well really, I was just looking for you, since you hadn't come by with the others." Y/N stared down at her feet, maybe he wasn't in? She could wait for him to come back. Maybe? Would that be too odd? Her thoughts were running a mile a minute.
He tapped his fingers nervously against the book, now shut in his lap. Tony's words always hounded Bucky, to keep his distance. The two of them became friends sure, but only because Y/N made the first move. Bucky already got the feeling that he was too much trouble than it might've be worth, and he didn't want to be a rupture in the established social group. He felt like an outsider, but maybe part of that was his fault. She knocked one more time, a little louder this time.
"Bucky?" He shot up at that point, only a few long strides and he was at the door. He could always feel how warm she made the air that surrounded her. When he opened the door, he was greeted by that warmth. He swore it was in his head, but her face shined a little brighter when their eyes met.
"Hi, I'm sorry, I was really into my book, I-I didn't hear you the first time." He cringed internally, for a nearly 100-year-old spy he was a horrible liar, anyone could have seen through him right now.
"It's okay, don't worry about it, I'm sorry I interrupted. I understand, when I'm really immersed in a story, I tend to turn off everything going on around me." Y/N was starting to ramble, her eyes darted around from the loose strands of his hair cascading across his face as he leaned against the frame, then his metal fingertips tucking one of those strands behind his pinkish ears. Then down to her hands where she held the secret cookies. "I, uh, come bearing gifts." She presented. "I knew once everyone came by that they'd all be scarfed down in a flash, sooo I stashed some, f-for us, for you really."
If she had the power to multiply herself instead, she would use it to slap herself. Get a hold of yourself! She thought. Y/N was more than sure her face was practically on fire at this point. All her confidence and nerve were throwing themselves out the window. She was a beautiful, intelligent, powerful women. But in front of him, all she could feel were her insecurities. She was trying to play it cool but instead stumbled her way into flustered mess.
Bucky reached out for her with his right hand, his flesh hand. A light grasp on her fingertips that held the napkin and cookies. His heart thumped a little harder at her consideration for him, and then on top of that, the fact that she made the journey to deliver them personally. That is just the kind of person she is, she's always doing nice things for others. This wasn't out of the ordinary. Bucky reasoned with himself.
"This is really nice, I-uhm. Thank you, Y/N." His voice was soft towards her; he tried his best to be. Looking her in her eyes, he took a bite into one. Then his eyes rolled back with a small groan, "Wow, these are really good. You made these from scratch?"
"Y-yeah, it may come as a surprise but being Tony Stark's daughter meant I spent a lot of time alone, in a big empty house with only a robot to keep me company. Believe it or not, you learn to entertain yourself." Hints of her typical sarcasm returned. Her hands were still cradled in his single palm, as she took the second cookie for herself.
"I'm sure living in a nice fancy house must've been terrible." The sarcasm dripped down his words in response. They were both leaning against the door frame now, an intimate playfulness between them. Hands still cradling the last cookie.
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah I get it, poor little rich girl. Trust me Bucky, you don't even know the half of it." Their eyes met, his ocean blue ones searching through hers. Y/N took a deep breath, dropping her gaze. "Do you wanna split this last one? It was supposed to be for Morgan, but my father basically declared no more sugar for the rest of the year." She took her hands out from his and split the cookie in two mishappened halves.
"Sure," He responded with a small, amused huff, "But only because I don't think I have had something chocolate and so sugary in the past 70 years? So, I think I can indulge."
Who knew eating a cookie could be so attractive, she thought. He dusted the crumbs off his hands, and she wiped the sweat of her palms off on her sides. Neither of them moved, the cookies were finished, the whole point of this visit was over. Y/N had no other reason to be standing at his doorway now.
His arms were now crossed along his chest, and she fiddled with the hem of her worn out hoodie. She was looking for a reason to stay, trying to think of a way to keep the conversation going. They spoke simultaneously:
"So, what book were you reading?"
"What did you and Stark talk about?"
"What?" Her eyes were trained on him now, unwavering, brows furrowed.
Bucky let out a heavy breath, it was his turn to feel embarrassed, and a bit shy. He attempted to speak each word steadily, "When, we came back from the mission today, I noticed, you seemed, you seemed a bit shaken up around y-your dad." His voice sounded like there was gravel in his throat. He felt like he was overstepping an unspoken boundary they had.
"I'm sorry, I asked Steve, but he just said you guys had to talk about something, like family stuff." He ran a hand through his hair and searched for her eyes to see if he should stop and wait for her response or keep going. Her eye contact was steady, but not cold. So, he continued, "Look, I understand if you don't wanna talk about it, i-it's really none of my business. I'm only bringing it up because, I wanted to know if you were alright."
She tried to conceal her smile; he was checking up on her. They were friends, this was normal. On the other hand, she reminded herself of Wanda's anecdote from weeks ago. Y/N exhaled the long breath that she was holding before answering all his questions.
"That's really sweet Bucky," she started. He attempted to shrug off any compliments she threw his way, but the rosiness of his cheeks was untamable. "I'll be completely honest with you; I had kind of a shitty day, but I am much better now!" Bracing her hand on one of his folded forearms, reassuring him that she was okay. "My dad and I got into a huge fight this morning before you all left for the day, it was intense to say the least. So, we were just hashing things out now." She contemplated telling him about the content of the argument, it's cause and effects.
His curiosity not yet satisfied, eyes searching her face for any dishonesty or discomfort. Landing on her lips, watching as she took in another breath, pressing them together before submitting, "I may have been keeping it a secret from him that I've been working with Fury and Agent Hill on solo missions." She winced at her words. Bucky couldn't contain the laughter that ruptured from his chest. It was light and airy, nothing like she thought his laugh would have sounded.
She basked in the sound of it. If she let herself slip any further, if she let her heart continue to race any faster, then the entire floor was going to be burnt to a crisp. What were those lessons she learned again? Right. Take deep-grounding-breaths. Mindfully go through your entire body and relax any muscles that were unconsciously tensing.
"Sorry. I just assumed you had already been doing that this whole time. You train just as much as the rest of us, you're really smart." He cleared his throat, "Your powers are like nothing I've ever seen before. It makes sense to me that you'd been out there just not on any missions I was assigned to."
"Well, you assumed incorrectly, Sergeant Barnes." They mirrored each other now, her arms crossed and attempting to relax herself again. Trying to return to the easy-going energy they had moments before, swinging sarcastic, somewhat flirty comments back and forth. "You know how Tony Stark can be, quite unhealthily protective at the best of times."
His eyes were trained on her now, gentler this time, as at ease as he could be. Patiently waiting for her to share more. "Now, imagine, you're Tony, and you have an emotionally combustible daughter, capable of destroying this entire compound in the blink of an eye if she loses any semblance of control. Killing a couple hundred people at the very least. Would you want her out there?"
So much for keeping it light and breezy.
Bucky's jaw tensed seeing her light dim noticeably, rubbing the back of her neck, avoiding his eye contact. Despite her father reluctantly coming around to the idea, the destructive reality of her abilities always plagued the back of her mind when she went on those solo missions. She pleaded to her father that she was ready, but, damn, what if it turned out she wasn't? That little doubt always spoke to her.
He leaned in closer, only slightly, willing her gaze to meet his again. When she did, he finally opened his mouth.
"Yes." His whisper came out gravely. "If it's you, yeah. Y/N I would, because I trust you." She let out a small, amused hum.
"Thank you." It came out faintly. She blinked the weak tears that started to well in her eyes and took a deep breath before they could grow any bigger.
He cleared his throat once more, "I mean it."
She chuckled, "I know, so do I."
The two of them were planted in that doorway. It wasn't the teasing banter filled tension from before that was present between them now. This was more intimate, transparent, and warm. Neither wanted to be the first to disrupt it. It was nice, peaceful even, just both pairs of eyes slowly trailing each other's features.
He almost let himself lean in when her eyes continuously landed on his mouth. Almost. Alternatively, he cleared his throat hard before answering her original question.
