I'm so sorry! I just disappeared there! So, so, sorry for the long wait. It's that job of mine, taking all my time. And motivation, I just lost it. It disappeared. Ha, just like I did to you guys lol. (To soon?)

After this long break, I kind of forgot how to write? So that's weird, I just have to find my rhythm again.

Thank you so much for reading! I can't say sorry enough for the wait. I do have the next chapter but that's it. I'm trying to write more but I'm still low on motivation. (Reviews help tremendously) I love knowing that you guys are enjoying, what your thinking. Thoughts and theories. Anything at all, I love reading your reviews!

Enjoy!

Words: 1,342

You guys play Among Us?

That odd stage between awake and asleep is the next time Ada becomes aware. She hadn't even realized she'd fallen asleep. The position she's in isn't the most comfortable but she still doesn't want to move, hoping if she doesn't, she'll be able to fall back to sleep.

When many minutes pass and that doesn't happen, the teenager slowly sits up, rolling her neck and shoulders. She's still on the couch, the tv casting a faint glow over the room. The movie is long over but it's still on, the time displayed. 2:46 a.m.

Sighing, Ada rubs her eyes and looks to where she'd been lying to see Mr. Stark still asleep. She winces at the way his head lies against the back of the couch. That can't be comfortable but he does look peaceful other than that. She doesn't want to wake him but his neck will probably ache for days if she doesn't.

On top of everything she's done tonight, waking him adds to the weight sitting on her heart. But she reasons that she's saving him from future neck problems.

"Mr. Stark," She says quietly and gently shakes his shoulder. She's not sure why she's whispering if she's trying to wake him up. But it does the trick, a second later, the man's eyes are fluttering open. "Sorry," She mumbles when he sits up, wincing and rubbing the back of his neck. "But that didn't look too comfortable."

"Not so much," He shakes his head slowly. "Thanks, kid."

"You can go to bed, I'm fine."

"Then why are you awake?" Tony questions, raising an eyebrow at the girl who shrugs. "I get it, insomnia is a bitch."

"Language," Ada mutters, smiling a little when Tony rolls his eyes.

"You've been spending way to much time with Steve," He points to her but she only shrugs again. Rubbing a hand down his face, Tony releases a small sigh. "You think you can go back to sleep?" Opening her mouth to answer, Ada stops when he holds up a finger. "Don't lie." He can hear her teeth clicking together at the force she uses to close her mouth. She shakes her head. "Alright, that's fine. Do you want to watch another movie?"

"Mr. Stark, you don't hav-"

"I know I don't," He cuts her off gently. "I want to. Come on, I didn't by comfortable furniture to not spend at least one entire night on it."

Ada snorts and gives him a weird look but doesn't argue. Though she finds it hard to believe he hasn't slept on the couch before. "You pick this time," She mumbles and pushes herself into the back of the couch, grabbing the blanket over her lap. She pulls the fabric to her chin and closes her eyes.

Ada keeps her eyes closed, even when she hears the soft volume from the speakers, signaling the movie has started. She keeps them closed when she feels Mr. Stark shift beside her. She keeps them closed when it feels like hours have passed. When she hears music, she opens her eyes to see credits rolling down the screen. She still hasn't managed to fall asleep. And with a glance to her left, she sees she's the only one. Tony is once again sleeping, but this time in a much more comfortable way.

Lying on the opposite end of the couch, Ada pulls out her phone and scrolls through different apps until the sun starts to rise. She sets the device down on the table and quietly walks onto the balcony to watch.

When she hears the doors slide open behind her, Ada doesn't move to acknowledged Tony, nor when he sits next to her. "You ever manage to get back to sleep?" She shakes her head to his questions, eyes still glued to the rising sun. That's probably not healthy.

Tony doesn't say anything more for a moment. He instead looks out at the view with her until eventually sighing. "I'm going to make some breakfast, then we'll talk." It's not a question, Ada knows. So, she nods, watching from the corner of her eye as Tony stands and walks back inside.

With a deep, calming breath - that doesn't work very well - Ada pushes herself to her feet. The smell of waffles hits her when she opens the glass door leading inside. Her lips twitch into a small smile but it falls quickly.

Instead of sitting at the counter, Tony places breakfast on the table. Ada fidgets while she takes her seat, sipping her orange juice just to busy her hands. Mr. Stark motions for her to eat and Ada tries, she really does, but she only manages two bites before she has to stop.

Sipping his own drink, Tony sets his fork down as he watches Ada picking at her food. Sighing, the man wipes his mouth before pushing his plate away from him.

"I started drinking when I was about your age," Ada looks over at Tony when he starts speaking. His eyes are glued to the table in front of him. "It wasn't much at first, or so I thought. But a little turned into a lot and then...after my parents, a lot turned into, well," He shrugs, gesturing to nothing. It's no secret, how he used to live, the things he used to do. "I do understand." He says softly, brown eyes lifting to meet her.

Ada nods and looks away, fingers picking at the edge of the table. "The headaches, they weren't so bad at first but then I couldn't sleep because of the nightmares and now...I just can't," Confession time, she guesses. "It was the only thing that helped," Her eyes flicker over to the coffee table where the hat was the night before. She's not sure where it is now. "I could sleep again. Sometimes with the dreams but I forget them by the end of the day. At least I'm not always so tired." She shrugs weakly, ducking her head when her eyes sting. "I just want everything to stop hurting so much." Her voice cracks and a tear falls down her cheek and she immediately wipes it away.

"I know, I know," Tony whispers and wraps an arm around her shoulders. Ada instantly leans into him. And he does know, he does understand exactly what she was thinking, how she was feeling. That makes it so much worse because he didn't see it. It was right in front of him and he didn't even notice. How could he not see it? "I'm sorry, kid." There have been many times in his life that he's felt like a failure, but never more than he does right now. "That's on me."

"What?" Ada pulls back and rubs her eyes, confusion taking over her features.

"You made some bad decisions, there's no question about that," He says, his words soft. "But the reason you made those decisions, that's not your fault. You were dealt a bad hand and you did the best you could. It's on me for not being there more, helping you when you needed it."

Ada continues to wipe her cheeks when more tears fall and she takes a shuddering breath. Despite everything, she feels a little relief. Relief that he doesn't hate her, that he's not mad. She'd been so scared that would've happened. That maybe he and Pepper wouldn't want her anymore.

"But I'm here and I am going to help you through this, I promise." Ada nods her head and leans forward again, wrapping her arms around his neck. She lets out a deep breath as a weight lifts off her shoulders.

I wrote this chapter a while ago and didn't reread it so, sorry for...anything, idk man, I'm tired lol.

But Tony is a great dad, he's trying his best. We will see more of mom Pepper in later bits. If you guys want, at least. And other characters. I hate human interaction in real life but love forcing my characters (And the MCU characters) into being with each other lol.

Thank you so much for reading! I'm sorry for the short chapter. I'll try to get more written so I can post again soon. I'd love to know what you guys think of this chapter! Or anything. How's your day been? How's it going? Stressed about something? Feel free to just vent to me, that's great too.

Teasers: The handle is cold to the touch but she grasps it tightly and twists. / An unreadable look flashes across Mr. Stark's face but it's gone quickly and he nods. / "Long time no see." / "If I'd known you were just going to insult me, I wouldn't have come in here." / "Just worried about her." / "I think I should go find her." / "Did you seriously just ask that?" / While rubbing her eyes, a hand lands on her ankle, causing Ada to jump. / "Wait, what?" / "Holy shit,"../ There are just so many good ones, I couldn't choose. So I put them all.

Until next time, friends!

'-'