┌─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───┐
During the months of Tony's absence, life for Ava and her makeshift family underwent a profound transformation. Pepper took on more responsibility at Stark Industries, her determination and strength shining through as she juggled her duties and her commitment to Ava's well-being. Meanwhile, Rhodey stepped back into the role of a devoted caregiver, moving into the mansion to be a constant presence in Ava's life.
With each passing day, Ava would ask hopefully if there was any news on her dad's whereabouts, but the response remained constant - they were still searching for him. The news weighed heavily on Ava, a persistent reminder of the void in her life without Tony's familiar presence. She often found herself feeling adrift and melancholic, yearning for the days when her father would embrace her with love and laughter.
Despite the ache in her heart, Rhodey and Pepper worked tirelessly to create a supportive and loving environment for Ava. They would embark on thrilling adventures around the city, filling her days with excitement and wonder. Together, they played games that brought joy to her young heart, and they continued the tradition of making pancakes on Mom's special day, even though the absence of Tony's laughter made the day bittersweet.
In the quiet moments, when Ava would gaze at the stars before bedtime, she clung to the memories of her dad. His warmth, the feeling of his arms around her, and the sound of his comforting voice lingered in her heart. Despite the pain of his absence, she held onto the unwavering hope that he was out there somewhere, safe and waiting to come back to her.
Every night, Ava would send her prayers to the heavens, a hopeful plea for her dad's safe return. Her makeshift family was a source of love and support, but nothing could replace the bond she shared with her father. She knew that he was her hero, and she longed for the day when he would walk through the door, embracing her with a love that was uniquely his.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of waiting, the moment they had prayed for arrived. Tony was found and brought back home. As he stepped through the door, Ava's heart soared with joy, and tears streamed down her cheeks.
With a beaming smile, she rushed into his arms, feeling the familiar warmth and comfort she had missed so much. Tony embraced her tightly, holding her close as if he would never let go, whispering reassuring words that made her heart swell with love.
"I missed you so much, Daddy,"
"I missed you too, sweetheart," Tony replied, his voice catching with emotion. He gazed into her eyes, his heart overflowing with love for his daughter. "You have no idea how much I longed to be back with you."
Ava's eyes shone with happiness and unwavering trust. "I knew you would come back, Daddy," she said, her voice brimming with confidence. "I never stopped believing in you."
Tony's smile widened, and he gently brushed a hand over Ava's cheek. "And I never stopped thinking about you, my brave little girl," he said, his voice filled with pride. "You are my strength, and you kept me going through the toughest of times."
Hugging him even tighter, Ava felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and love. The pain of their separation was replaced by the pure joy of being together again. In that moment, everything felt right.
"I love you, Daddy," Ava whispered, her voice full of affection.
"I love you too, Ava," Tony replied, his voice soft and sincere. "More than words can express."
As the heart-warming reunion unfolded, Pepper watched from a distance, tears of happiness and relief glistening in her eyes. "Don't squeeze him too hard, Ava. Daddy is still a little hurt," she chimed in with a gentle smile.
Ava immediately loosened her grip on Tony, her eyes filled with concern. She stepped back, studying her father's face for any signs of pain. Tony reassured her with a warm smile, appreciating her care and empathy.
"It's alright, sweetheart," Tony said, gently rubbing his daughter's shoulder. "I'm getting better every day, thanks to the amazing people who took care of me."
Ava turned to Pepper, her eyes expressing gratitude. "Thank you, Pepper," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "Thank you for taking care of Daddy and bringing him back to me."
Pepper's eyes welled up with more tears, and she walked over to Ava, kneeling down to her level. "You're welcome, Ava," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "Your dad means the world to me, and I'm glad I could help bring him back to you."
Ava nodded, a small smile forming on her face. She understood the importance of the people who had supported her father during his absence. She knew that they were all a part of her extended family, watching out for each other.
"Can we watch my favourite movie and eat cheeseburgers now, Daddy?" Ava asked, her eyes filled with excitement once again.
Tony chuckled and ruffled Ava's hair affectionately. "Of course, sweetie," he said. "Anything for you."
As they made their way to the living room, Ava held Tony's hand tightly, grateful for his presence and the love that surrounded them. They settled on the couch, snuggled together, and pressed play on Ava's favourite movie. Laughter and the scent of cheeseburgers filled the room, creating a sense of comfort and happiness as they embraced the precious moments of being reunited as a family.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ
After her father's return, Ava noticed a change in his behaviour. He seemed preoccupied, often immersing himself in his workshop, lost in a world of inventing and creating. The once lively and playful Tony Stark now appeared more focused and determined, as if he had a newfound sense of purpose driving him.
Curiosity tugged at Ava's heart, and she couldn't resist the allure of her father's workshop. Sneaking down the stairs and tiptoeing across the sleek floors, she would approach the glass doors, hoping for a glimpse of the man she adored, deep in thought among his machines and gadgets. The room was alive with the symphony of whirring gears and the scent of metal, creating an atmosphere of creativity and innovation that filled her with wonder.
"Daddy, what are you working on?" Ava would ask, her voice a mix of excitement and curiosity.
Tony would look up from his workbench, a soft smile playing on his lips. His eyes held a mixture of excitement and exhaustion, betraying the tireless effort he poured into his latest project. "Oh, just something big, sweetheart," he would reply, his voice tinged with a hint of secrecy. "Something that will change the world."
Ava's eyes would widen, her imagination running wild with possibilities. She loved that her father had this passion for making a difference, and she admired his dedication to using his brilliant mind to create something extraordinary. Even though she didn't fully understand the technical details of his inventions, she could feel the importance of his work through the way he spoke about it.
As days turned into weeks, Tony's workshop became a sanctuary of innovation and dreams. Ava would often find herself perched on a stool, watching in awe as her father's hands moved deftly, assembling and disassembling intricate parts. She marvelled at the sparks that flew, the sound of his tools, and the sparks of inspiration that seemed to dance in his eyes.
Sometimes, Tony would take a break from his work and invite Ava to sit beside him. With patience and enthusiasm, he would explain some of the basic concepts behind his inventions, sparking a love for science and engineering in his young daughter's heart.
Even though Tony still spent the majority of his time in his workshop, he tried to make a conscious effort to spend quality time with Ava. They would have occasional movie nights, where they would curl up on the couch and watch her favourite films. He would also take breaks from his work to join her for meals, engaging in heartfelt conversations and listening attentively to her stories.
Yet, despite these precious moments, Ava couldn't shake the feeling that her father's mind was always somewhere else, constantly consumed by his work and the weight of his responsibilities. She understood that he had a bigger purpose to fulfil, but at times, she longed for his undivided attention and presence.
One evening, as Tony was deeply engrossed in a complex design on his computer, Ava approached him with a drawing she had made. "Daddy, look what I drew," she said, holding up her artwork with excitement.
Tony glanced at the drawing, his eyes flickering with a mixture of pride and distraction. "That's amazing, Ava," he replied absentmindedly. "You're so talented."
Ava beamed at her father's praise, but her excitement soon turned into a hopeful request. "Can you colour with me tomorrow, daddy?" she asked, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Tony paused for a moment, torn between his work and his daughter's desire for his company. He knew he had been preoccupied lately, and the thought of spending quality time with Ava warmed his heart. "Of course, sweetie," he said, his voice softening with genuine affection. "Tomorrow, we'll have our own colouring adventure. Just you and me."
Ava's face lit up with joy, and she hugged her drawing close to her chest. "Yay! I can't wait!" she exclaimed, feeling a rush of excitement at the prospect of spending time with her father.
Tony reached out and tousled her hair affectionately. "It's a promise, Ava," he said, a twinkle in his eye. "I wouldn't miss our colouring time for anything."
The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow across Ava's room as she eagerly awaited the day ahead. The anticipation of spending time with her father, Tony, coloured her every thought. Yesterday, he had promised to spend the afternoon colouring with her, but as the hours passed, Ava's excitement began to mix with disappointment.
As the clock ticked closer to the promised time, Ava grew more restless. Finally, she couldn't wait any longer and decided to find her father in his workshop. With her box of colourful markers in hand, she ventured downstairs, the echo of her bunny slippers filling the quiet mansion.
Pushing open the heavy door of the workshop, Ava's eyes searched for her father. Tony was busy at his workbench, engrossed in a holographic blueprint that hovered before him. The clinking of tools filled the air, but the smile Ava had worn earlier faded, replaced by a sense of longing.
"Daddy?" Ava called out, her voice small yet hopeful.
Tony turned to face her, and for a moment, his eyes met hers with a hint of surprise. "Hey, sweetie," he said, his attention momentarily pulled away from his work.
Ava stepped inside, clutching the markers closer to her chest. "You promised we'd colour today," she said, trying to keep her voice steady, but her disappointment was evident.
Tony sighed, his expression tinged with regret. "I know, Ava, and I'm sorry," he replied, feeling the weight of his broken promise. "I got caught up with some urgent work, and I lost track of time."
Tears welled up in Ava's eyes, and she fought to hold them back, but the frustration and hurt were too overwhelming. "But you said we'd colour together!" she shouted, a sudden outburst of anger.
Tony's heart sank as he saw the pain he had caused his daughter. He knelt down to her level, trying to reach out and comfort her. "I know, sweetheart, and I really wanted to colour with you," he said, his voice filled with remorse. "I'm truly sorry for letting you down."
Ava sniffled, her emotions still raw and turbulent. "You always promise, but you never have time for me!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with hurt.
Tony took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to explain. "I know it seems that way, and I understand why you're upset," he said gently, wiping away a tear from her cheek. "But please believe me when I say that I love you more than anything, and I never want to let you down intentionally."
Ava looked at her father, her anger starting to wane, but the disappointment remained in her eyes. "Then why do you keep breaking your promises?" she asked, her voice softer now.
Tony took her hand in his, looking into her eyes with sincerity. "Sometimes, grown-ups have to deal with unexpected things, and it's not easy for us either," he explained. "But I promise you, from now on, I'll try my best to be there for you, to keep my promises, and to make more time for us to do things together."
Ava's anger began to subside, replaced by a glimmer of hope. She wanted to believe her father's words, but she needed to see action too. "You really mean it?" she asked, her voice tinged with doubt.
"I really do," Tony said, his voice unwavering. "You're the most important person in my life, and I want you to know that you can always count on me."
Ava nodded, still feeling hurt but willing to give her father another chance. "Okay, but you have to pinky promise," she said, holding out her little finger.
Tony smiled, touched by his daughter's request. He wrapped his own little finger around hers, sealing the pinky promise. "I pinky promise, Ava," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.
As they locked their pinkies together, Ava felt a glimmer of trust returning. Tony stopped working on his suit and made his way upstairs with Ava. They walked into her room, where the walls were adorned with colourful drawings and her favourite stuffed animals sat neatly on the bed.
"Let's colour together now, Daddy," Ava said, her voice softening as she looked at her father with hopeful eyes.
Tony smiled warmly, realizing that this was a chance to make up for his broken promise and strengthen their bond. He sat down beside her at the small table covered with art supplies and colouring books.
"Absolutely, sweetie," Tony replied, his voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. "What would you like to colour today?"
Ava beamed with joy, feeling a sense of excitement and relief. "How about this one?" she said, picking up a colouring book filled with illustrations of magical creatures.
"Great choice," Tony said, flipping through the pages until they found the picture of a majestic dragon. He picked out a set of markers, and they both started colouring the dragon together.
As they coloured side by side, Ava felt her heart swell with happiness. She cherished this moment with her father, cherishing the feeling of being truly seen and valued. Tony, too, was fully present, letting go of the distractions that had consumed him earlier.
"Daddy, can you make the dragon's wings purple like my favourite dress?" Ava asked, showing him her purple dress that was hanging on her bedroom door.
"Absolutely," Tony replied with a smile, using the purple marker to colour the dragon's wings. "There you go, just like your dress."
They continued to colour together, their creativity flowing freely as they brought the dragon to life with vibrant colours. Ava felt a sense of connection and love that she had missed, and she knew that her father was making a genuine effort to be there for her.
"Thank you, Daddy," Ava said, leaning against Tony's side as they finished colouring. "This is so much fun."
Tony wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. "I'm glad you're having fun, sweetheart," he said, placing a kiss on her forehead. "I promise you, we'll have more moments like this, just you and me."
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ
Ava sat at her small wooden table, engrossed in colouring a picture of her family. Her crayons glided across the paper with the care and dedication of an artist, each stroke reflecting the love and affection she felt for her parents. She smiled as she added vibrant hues to her mother's hair and her father's new light-up chest. The picture was coming together beautifully, and a sense of warmth and nostalgia filled the room.
Suddenly, a deafening crash jolted Ava from her creative world. The walls trembled, and her crayons scattered across the table. Wide-eyed and startled, she looked around, trying to make sense of the sudden chaos.
"Daddy?" she called out, her voice quivering with fear, but there was no response.
Determined to find her father, Ava clutched Mr. Snuggles tightly and raced downstairs towards his workshop. With every step, her heart pounded in her chest. The workshop door was slightly ajar, and she hesitated for a moment before pushing it open.
There, amidst scattered tools and machinery, lay her father, Tony Stark, next to a discarded metal suit. Concern and confusion filled her young eyes as she approached him cautiously.
"Daddy?" she called out softly, reaching out to touch his hand.
Tony stirred, his eyes flickering open as he tried to focus on Ava's worried face.
"Ava?" he said, his voice groggy. "What are you doing down here? It's not safe."
Tears welled up in Ava's eyes as she saw her father's bruised and weary state. Ignoring his words, she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
"I was scared, Daddy," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I heard the crash, and I couldn't find you."
Tony's heart melted at the sound of his daughter's vulnerable voice. He wrapped his arms around her, returning the embrace with all the love he had.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart," he murmured, his voice filled with remorse. "I didn't mean to worry you. Something went wrong, but I'm here now. I promise to always protect you."
Ava sniffled, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. She looked into her father's eyes, searching for reassurance.
"What happened, Daddy? Why were you down here?"
Tony took a deep breath, his eyes filled with a mixture of exhaustion and determination.
"I was working on a suit, Ava," he explained, his voice gentle. "But something went wrong, and it caused the crash. Don't worry, though. I'll fix it. And I'll make sure you're always safe."
"A suit?"
Tony chuckled softly at Ava's innocent enthusiasm. He brushed a strand of hair away from her face and looked at her with a mixture of love and amusement.
"Yes, sweetheart," he replied, his voice filled with affection. "A suit that allows me to do incredible things, like flying up high in the air. But right now, it needs some fixing."
Ava's eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement as she gazed at the discarded metal suit beside them. She couldn't help but imagine her father soaring through the sky, like a real-life superhero.
"Daddy, can I try it on too?" Ava asked, her voice filled with anticipation. "I want to fly like you!"
Tony smiled, his heart swelling with both pride and caution. He knelt down to Ava's level and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Sweetheart, the suit is not meant for little girls like you," he explained, his voice filled with love. "It's designed to keep me safe so I can go out there protecting people. But one day, when you're older, you'll have the chance to create your own amazing things."
Ava's face fell slightly, but she understood. She knew her father wanted to keep her safe, just like he did for everyone else. Still, her imagination couldn't help but wander into the realm of possibilities.
"What colour is your suit going to be?"
Tony smiled at Ava's question, happy to see her enthusiasm. He sat up and ran a hand through his hair, looking thoughtful.
"I'm not sure yet," he replied. "What do you think, Ava? What colour do you think my suit should be?"
Ava thought for a moment, scrunching up her face in concentration. "Hmm, let me think. Maybe...red and gold!!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.
Tony chuckled at Ava's suggestion. "Red and gold, huh? That's a great idea, Ava. Maybe I'll consider it."
Ava grinned, feeling proud of her contribution to her father's superhero suit. She couldn't wait to see what it would look like once it was fixed.
└─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───┘