Imagine another life

A better father

Requested: Nope
Prompt: he knows but he understands (no fucking clue what this is but it's something)
Steve Rogers x !daughter reader, Tony Stark x !god-daughter reader
Word count: 903

Y/n sat at the kitchen table, nervously twirling her fork in her spaghetti. She knew she needed to eat, but her anxiety made it feel nearly impossible. Her dad, Steve, sat across from her, casting worried glances her way.

"You need to eat, kiddo," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "You know that."

Y/n nodded, feeling tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. She hated feeling so out of control, hated the way her body was betraying her. And she especially hated the way her dad always seemed to make things worse with his unnecessary comments.

"It's just hard," she murmured. "I feel sick all the time."

Steve's expression softened. "I know it's hard, sweetheart. But you're doing so well. You're getting better every day."

Y/n fought back a bitter laugh. Getting better? She felt like she was drowning. And her dad's comments about her mental health issues only made it worse.

"It's not that simple, Dad," she said quietly. "It's not just, 'get better.' It's a process."

Steve sighed heavily. "I know, I know. It's just...I worry about you. You're my little girl."

Y/n closed her eyes, trying to push down the wave of frustration rising in her chest. Her dad's concern was sweet, but it felt suffocating. She just wanted to be able to breathe on her own.

"I know you do," she said, her voice shaking a little. "But sometimes...I just wish you would let me handle it on my own. Like I'm capable of taking care of myself."

Steve's brow furrowed. "Of course you're capable, Y/n. But that doesn't mean you have to do it alone. We're a family."

Y/n felt like screaming. They were a family, but that didn't mean she wasn't struggling. And Steve's comments always felt like they were belittling her struggles, making it seem like they weren't a big deal.

"I know," she said, feeling defeated. "I just...I need some space sometimes."

Steve looked like he wanted to say something else, but then there was a sudden commotion from outside. Y/n's heart hammered in her chest as she recognized the sound of Tony Stark's voice.

"Hey, Cap, you home?" Tony called out.

Steve stood up, a puzzled look on his face. Y/n stared at him for a moment before quickly gathering up her plate and rushing out of the kitchen. She felt like she was about to have a panic attack, the way her heart was pounding and her breath was coming in short gasps.

She made it to the front door, desperately fumbling with the lock, when suddenly Tony appeared in front of her.

"Whoa, hey there," he said, reaching out to steady her. "You okay?"

Y/n nodded, feeling tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. Tony looked at her with concern, his expression softening.

"What's wrong?" he asked gently.

Y/n hesitated for a long moment, unsure if she wanted to reveal her struggles to Tony. But something in the way he was looking at her made her feel safe, like she could trust him.

"I...my dad," she said shakily. "He always makes these comments about my mental health, like he thinks it's not a big deal."

Tony's expression darkened. "What kind of comments?"

"Like, when I was having a hard time eating, he would talk about how I was recovering from an eating disorder that he caused," Y/n explained, her voice starting to shake. "And he always makes me feel like my struggles aren't real, like he doesn't take them seriously."

Tony looked furious, his jaw clenching. "That's bullshit," he muttered.

Y/n felt a pang of relief at Tony's reaction. It was reassuring to know that someone else recognized how much her dad's comments were impacting her.

"I was on my way to...have a panic attack," she admitted, feeling a wave of tears coming on. "I just couldn't take it anymore."

Tony's expression softened and he reached out to pull her into a hug. "Hey, hey, it's okay," he murmured. "You don't have to deal with this on your own. I'm here for you."

Y/n clung to him, feeling like she had finally found the safety and comfort she had been seeking for so long. Tony rubbed her back soothingly, murmuring soft reassurances.

"I'm gonna handle this," he said firmly. "You don't have to worry about anything. You're safe with me."

Y/n felt a wave of gratitude for Tony, for his kindness and his protectiveness. It was a strange feeling, to find comfort in someone who was essentially a stranger. But she felt like she had finally found someone who understood, who cared about her wellbeing.

"Thank you," she whispered, feeling like she was finally able to take a deep breath for the first time in months.

Tony pulled back, giving her a small smile. "Come on, let's go sit down and talk. You don't have to be alone right now."

Y/n nodded gratefully, feeling like she was on the verge of a breakthrough. Finally, someone was taking her struggles seriously. Finally, someone was there to be the parent she needed. Not that her actual father isn't good, she loves him with all her heart, he just doesn't understand. Not like Tony does.