Watching Morgan grow up was harder than Tony once thought it’d be. After he narrowly dodged death in the Battle of Earth, he finally decided it was time to retire and stop taking his small family for granted. He took his role as the protective father with pride and left his old life behind, jokingly quoting ‘no boys till you’re 18’ as Morgan became a teenager. She was only 15, it wasn’t time for her to get her heart broken by some stupid boy. Tony had been leaving a trail of broken hearts since he was around 12, so he knew what those disgusting teenagers were like. Furthermore, it wasn’t time for her to metaphorically ‘leave the nest’, Tony hadn’t had the best upbringing, and he wanted to ensure that Morgan did, and above all didn’t end up hating his guts.
However, these past few months she had been distant, almost every conversation would turn into an argument because, according to Morgan, Tony ‘didn’t understand’ or ‘take anything seriously’, she was only half right. Tony assumed it was a boy, and that pained him, but he knew he had to leave it alone for now, maybe he would break up with her and Morgan would come running back to Tony.
As the months passed, Tony saw no improvement in their relationship, and he really was trying to understand. Morgan didn’t respond to his behaviour and lied about ‘study groups’ at least three times a week. He internally cursed himself for not sending her to an all-girls school. It pissed him off, she didn’t even have the decency to tell him. So, one day whilst Pepper was at work and Morgan was up in her room listening to music far too loudly, he decided to confront her.
He stormed up to her room, knocking twice before just letting himself in. The sight he saw made him pause, and question if he even really knew his daughter. His daughter, his baby girl, kissing another girl that Tony didn’t know on her bed. He paused, blinking as he processed what he was seeing as Morgan realised he was there and started panicking, immediately pulling away and staring at her father, wide eyed. Tony just turned and left, walking back to the kitchen and pouring himself some juice as he thought the situation over. He heard the music shut off and occasional panicked shuffle from his daughter’s room but ignored it.
A few minutes later, Morgan entered the kitchen, wearing an expression of shame? This just made Tony feel worse. There was an awkward silence until Tony spoke.
“Is she still here?” Morgan nodded, avoiding his gaze and Tony sipped his drink. “I’m not mad.” Morgan looked up at this, clearly a little confused. “If anything, I should’ve been more specific, no girls or guys until you’re 18.” He tried to lighten the mood, but his joke fell flat. “I’m just pissed that you didn’t tell me.”
“I’m sorry.” Morgan muttered, looking back to the ground again.
Tony rolled his eyes; he wasn’t saying the right thing. “No, I’m sorry.” Morgan gave him a look of confusion again; Tony wasn’t exactly known for apologising. “You didn’t feel like you could tell me and that’s my fault, not yours.” When he heard a slight sniffle he felt a pang of guilt in his heart, and approached Morgan, lifting her head with his hands and cupping her cheeks. “No, Maguna, no tears.” She chuckled at the pet name and Tony wiped a stray tear that was rolling down her cheek. Then, she wrapped her arms around Tony, catching him by surprise, but he welcomed it, embracing her tightly as she nuzzled her head into his shoulder. He missed this.
After a few moments passed, she pulled away, no longer teary eyed, which Tony smiled at. “So, is she your girlfriend?” He teased.
Morgan rolled her eyes and sighed, hiding her small smile. “Yes. 3 months.”
“Ooo, so real serious then? When do I meet her?” He continued teasing, a grin on his face.
Morgan scoffed, another trait she had received from her father. “Never.” She shook her head.
Tony gasped and put his hand on his heart in mock offence. “Thing is, FRIDAYs ordering 3 cheeseburgers and if she doesn’t come down, I’m gonna have to eat them all.” He shrugged, his grin returning.
Morgan scowled and thought for a moment. “Fine.” She couldn’t deny her favourite food. “You can meet her.” She said, trying and failing to hide her growing smile. She went back to her room and soon reappeared with the girl.
The three ate burgers together and Tony got to know the girl. He found out she was quite bright, and confident, which Tony admired.
