Is there a point in apologizing? Would you guys accept it?

Every time I sit down to write this story, I just feel bleh. I think it's only lack of motivation. But I'm trying!

Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Words: 1,767

Rolling over less than smoothly in her bed, Ada releases a loud sigh when she reads the time on her alarm clock. 4:27 am. She'd managed to fall asleep at around midnight but since she woke thirty minutes ago, she hasn't been able to manage it again.

Apollo snores peacefully at the end of her bed but Ada can't find it in herself to be jealous. He's just too cute.

Her stomach growls, empty from missing dinner hours ago. But despite this, Ada doesn't feel hungry. She has no energy to get up and find something to eat. Instead, she continues to toss and turn, dozing on and off for a few more hours.

At some point, she thinks she hears a soft whine before a soft voice whispering Apollo's name. The click of her door signals it being closed but Ada doesn't open her eyes. Her mind feels as heavy as her body, her eyelids refusing to open. She curls up further under her blankets, basking in the warmth surrounding her.

An unknown amount of time later, Ada feels pressure on her shoulder. It rouses her from her light sleep and she realizes that someone is sitting on the bed next to her.

"Time to wake up, kiddo," A familiar, gentle voice says quietly. "It's one in the afternoon, you need to eat something."

"Mm, not hungry," Ada mumbles before burying her face further into her pillow.

"I find that hard to believe," Tony tells her. "It's been nearly twenty-four hours since you've eaten. Come on, I'll make you whatever you want."

Ada responds but the pillow muffles her voice beyond recognition and Tony shakes his head with a small smile. "I didn't catch that, kid."

Twisting her head just enough, Ada keeps her eyes closed and repeats herself. "You trying to bribe me?"

"Eh, bribe is such a dirty word," He jokes but his face falls when Ada's lips don't even so much as twitch into a smile. "Come on, honey, you can't stay in bed all day."

"I'm tired," She whispers and Tony grimaces at the pain that shoots through his heart. He can hear it in her voice, that deep exhaustion. Physical and otherwise. He knows that pain personally. Wouldn't wish it upon anyone. Especially not his daughter.

"I know," Tony nods. "I know," Shifting, he moves to rests his back against the headboard, his arm going around Ada's shoulders. "I know how badly you just want to lie here and never get up. Trust me, I understand. And that's exactly why I can't let you."

A small sniff is the only response Tony receives from Ada as the teenager leans into his side. "So," He starts again, hugging her to him. "We'll move to the couch. I'll make whatever you want to eat and we can watch a movie. I won't even be mad if you fall asleep halfway through."

Despite how so tiring and uninteresting that sounds, Ada nods. She figures he's not above dragging her out of bed if she doesn't get up herself. "Alright," Rubbing her shoulder, Tony stands first and waits for Ada who follows, keeping her blanket wrapped around her shoulders. "Apollo's been out. He ran around for a bit. He's taking a nap in the common room." A nap sounds really good to Ada right now. She doesn't tell this to Mr. Stark, she only follows him with a nod instead.

"What do you want to eat?" Tony asks the teenager after she falls onto the couch, curling her legs under her.

"Whatever," She shrugs while staring at the tv screen blankly. Tony releases a sigh and looks around. The others aren't around right now. He'd asked them to leave. Well, he'd told them to get lost. It's a bad day for Ada, he hadn't even had to see her to know. It's odd, he'd woken up that morning and just...known. It was this weird feeling in his gut, telling him his child was feeling worse than normal. He'd let her stay in bed longer than usual but he knows he can't let that continue. She has to get up, and she has to eat.

"Sandwiches good?" He's not going to get a straight answer from her, he knows that much. Continuing to ask will only waste time. She doesn't want to eat right now despite how hungry he's sure she is. She doesn't feel hungry and no matter what she eats, there won't be any flavor.

"Yeah," Ada mumbles and Tony hesitates before turning on the tv and entering the kitchen. He braces his hands on the counter and sags against it, breathing deeply.

Running a hand down his face, Tony grabs the ingredients he needs to make sandwiches and makes a tray with chips, and grabs some water before returning to Ada. He sets the food on the coffee table and sits next to her.

After setting a sandwich in her lap, Ada picks at the food and sips on her water as a movie plays in the background. She doesn't manage much but Tony will take what he can get.

"Come here, kid," Tony lifts his arm in an invitation and Ada moves against his side, leaning her head against his shoulder. He lowers his hand to her head before running his fingers through her hair. It's not long before the teenager is drifting to sleep.

"Seriously?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"I honestly can't tell," Ada shakes her head in answer to Bucky's question, clenching and unclenching her wrapped fists by her side. The man himself stands on one of the gym mats a few feet in front of her, his only flesh hand wrapped like her own.

"Well, I'm not," He says though there's an amused gleam in his eye. "That's your goal. Hit me."

"This feels stupid," Ada continues instead of just doing what he says and Bucky sighs, dropping his head into his metal hand, eyes closed. "You're trying to trick me. I know I'm not going to be able to touch you."

"You haven't even tried," Bucky points out and it's Ada's turn to sigh. It just feels pointless. She knows she won't be able to do it, so why try? "Come on, like I showed you. Arms up," Bucky lifts his own arms, setting his stance and Ada reluctantly does the same. "Good, now, try to punch me."

"That's sounding more and more appealing by the second," Ada mumbles.

"Good," Bucky states loudly. "Then do it!" Finally, Ada moves, throwing her arm out in the way he'd taught her, her fist making contact with his jaw.

"Holy- I'm so sorry," Ada apologizes quickly, her hands hover over her mouth while the soldier rubs his jaw. "But you totally let me do that, don't think I don't know that."

"You got me," He holds his hands up in surrender, smiling down at her. "Your form was good though it felt more like a fly was landing on my face."

"That's not fair, you're like super strong," Ada defends, crossing her arms over her chest, a small pout on her lips.

"Life isn't fair," Bucky shrugs and Ada scoffs.

"Don't I know it," She mutters to herself. "Anyway, I completed my goal, so," The teenager draws the word out and points towards the door while slowly moving towards it.

"Not so fast," Bucky stops her with a light hand on her shoulder. Ada doesn't bother fighting him. "Like you said, I let you have that one."

"And that's your problem, not mine," The teenager pats his arm and once again starts to leave, only to be stopped when the ground disappears out from under her.

Stomach falling, Ada yelps. But before she can hit the ground, an arm around her back is bringing her back onto her legs. Her shaky legs. "What the hell was that!?" She spins around to shout at Bucky who now has his arms crossed over his chest.

He shrugs as an answer, grinning. Ada isn't feeling up to anything these past few days and so - with Tony's permission - he decided to teach her more than just how to throw a decent punch. But there's no enthusiasm there. Not on the surface anyway. He just has to find it. And he wouldn't have let her fallen, head injury, and all that. Old or not, still dangerous when part of your skull is compromised.

"Your teaching methods leave much to be desired," Ada points at him sternly but he merely shrugs again, smirk still firmly in place. "Fine," Sighing loudly, Ada throws her arms out to the side before taking another swing at him. Only this time, he easily dodges. Well, he pushes her arm away without moving his feet as if swatting away a fly.

Stumbling slightly, Ada rights herself before trying again, once again missing. "What's the point of this?" She asks, frustrated. "Other than to make me feel stupid and weak."

"You're not weak," The words are out of Bucky's mouth before he can second guess them. She's one of the strongest kids he knows. Well, people. He doesn't know many kids. "Well, you are, but you aren't."

"That doesn't make any sense," Ada shakes her head with a confused expression.

"Okay, yes, you're not very physically strong," He admits. "That's fine, we can work on that."

"By punching the air?"

"No," Bucky chuckles. "Not entirely, at least."

"Alright," Ada says quietly. "Now what? Because I'm not trying to hit you again unless you're going to let me."

"Where's the challenge in that?"

"Dude, have you seen yourself?" Ada question while gesturing towards him. "You're like a brick wall. Brick walls don't move and punching one of those is a challenge."

"Please don't punch a brick wall," Bucky tells her, his eyebrows furrowed. "Or any wall. Don't punch anything you shouldn't."

"Who's to say what I should and shouldn't punch?"

"Me," Bucky replies quickly. "Now, drop and give me fifty."

"Fifty? Who the hell do you think I am?"

I relate to Ada in the first part of this chapter so much.

Aww, her and Bucky! So cute. He's such a big brother. ALSO, The Falcon and The Winter Solider! SO GOOD! Bruh, it's not even over and I'm already sad lol.

Thanks for reading, I would love to know what you guys thought of this chapter!

Teasers: "Why're you looking at me like that?" / The stone in her gut grows heavier and heavier by the second and by the time she finds Pepper, she's nearly changed her mind. / She'll also be keeping a close eye on her.

'-'