Here's to the good times
Four months had passed.
It was May 30th now, a day you'd never really found much joy in. The day that you were born.
It just reminded you that you never got to meet your mother, that your birth was the reason she died. And you never really got a decent celebration. Sure, you had the money and the mansion to organize a party, but you never had the friends. And, of course, your dad was always too busy to be there.
Birthdays just weren't fun in the Stark household.
As you entered your lab, you let out a heavy sigh and put down an untouched cup of coffee, thinking about what you could possibly do to occupy yourself for the day. Most of your projects were complete and you didn't feel like starting from scratch just yet.
You did have a little side project that was almost finished. It was your own little experiment called Test Eco in which you made your own environment in a glass box from samples of earth's minerals. It needed a test or two so you grabbed one of the many notebooks littered around and approached the box.
"FRIDAY?" You called.
"Yes, miss?" The AI greeted.
"How are we doing on Test Eco?"
"My data suggests the potential for a copper deposit, dropping at fifteen. I also found coltan, cobalt, and silicon."
"Huh..." You peered at the box, impressed by what you could accomplish sometimes. "All of those can be used and processed?"
"In a virtual environment such as this, I'm afraid not. But if presented with real Earth conditions, possibly. However, the most important are the iron and bauxite deposits I detected."
"Construction materials?" You questioned, intrigued.
"Aluminum, and everything needed to repair existing equipment as it ages."
"And the soil?"
"Light on nitrates."
"Nothing I can't compensate for. What about the water sample?"
"There is some salinisation and minimal microbial concentrations."
"Easily eliminated with purification and filtration processes."
"Cleaner than here."
You nodded and smiled, noting down everything. "Thanks, FRIDAY."
"My pleasure, miss."
You once again praised yourself for creating something as amazing as that and were about to do some more tests when you heard a knock on the door of your lab. You turned and saw Fury.
"What did I do now?" You mumbled.
Putting on a smile, you set everything down and went over to let him in.
"Campbell." He greeted in the usual business-like tone.
You nodded once. "Hey, Director."
"You're in early."
"I got bored."
"Hmm."
You stood there, a little awkward. "So can I help with anything, or...?"
Fury entered the lab and closed the door so you'd have more privacy. He looked around, seemingly impressed by some of the things you had created, and then turned to you.
"It's your day off." He stated.
You raised a brow. "Since when do you complain about extra hours?"
"I don't. But today is a 'special occasion'."
"Is it?"
"Happy birthday."
You almost laughed at how strange it sounded coming from someone like him, especially since it seemed so painful for him to say the words, but you kept a neutral expression.
"Thanks, but I think I'll work it off." You said.
"Campbell, you've worked with more dedication and the assiduous nature of half my agents in the time you've been here. SHIELD won't collapse if you take a day off."
"Famous last words."
"Take it as an order."
You crossed your arms. "You're ordering me to take a day off and celebrate?"
He nodded. "Yes."
"I hate you."
"I'm sure you do."
Knowing you couldn't win, you rolled your eyes and shrugged. "Fine. I'll take a day."
"Good." He reached into his jacket and withdrew what looked like a card. "Go crazy."
You smirked, amused. "If this ain't favoritism I don't know what is. How much?"
"Limitless."
"Holy shit." With a grin, you accepted the gift. "You're a softie really, aren't you? Director Furry."
He did not look amused.
"Agent Hill has left you a car outside. It's all yours."
Actually feeling like today could be better than you anticipated, you smiled. "Tell her I said thanks. I'll be back in tomorrow."
He nodded once more. "As expected. Have fun, Campbell."
"Oh, I will."
With a smile and your new gift tucked away safely, the two of you parted ways and you checked everything in the lab before leaving yourself. A few agents and scientists you were friendly with said hi and you waved back.
The car outside was much more impressive than you anticipated. A 2006 Dodge Challenger. Agent Hill certainly knew your tastes.
There was another agent waiting with the keys and he tossed you them when you approached, not saying a word. Most agents didn't anyway, it was normal to be ignored. In fact, you were certain 'grumpy' and 'mute' were part of the pass criteria.
But, God, did that car feel fantastic as you drove.
The roar of the engine, the smooth touch of the wheel, and the leather seats... It was like heaven.
-
After celebrating your birthday with a not so cheap meal and a Starbucks, you decided it was time to head home.
It was only the afternoon and you didn't expect many people to be out on the streets. However, as you parked the new car beside the sidewalk, you noticed a commotion at the end of the road. You didn't bother driving over since there were too many people but you did walk to investigate.
The people were apparently shouting and cheering for something, huddled around two people you couldn't see from your current position.
But then the crowd parted slightly and you felt like your heart dropped in your chest.
It was your dad.
Clint Barton was there as well and the two seemed to be making fun of each other and being general idiots as the adoring public reached out with things to be signed. You could barely breathe.
It was your dad.
He was so close. After all this time...
When you saw him talking to people, you accidently called out. It didn't mean much since the overlapping voices drowned your own and no one noticed you.
You wanted nothing more than to reach out, to let him know you were okay and you were there, but you couldn't. You couldn't without bringing attention to yourself. The threat, now years old, still hung like a shadow and you forced yourself to walk away with tears in your eyes.
It felt like the ghost of Obadiah was strangling you.
Then you just ran.
You ran as far as you could, straight to your apartment. Once there, you slammed the bathroom door and simply broke down as everything overwhelmed you.
You wouldn't get to see him ever again.
Suddenly it didn't seem to matter if he ignored you or you were rude to him, you just wanted a dad again. With no mother or siblings, he was all you had. And you wouldn't ever get the chance to tell him you loved him despite all the estrangement between you.
You fell to the floor and pulled your knees close to your chest as you sobbed. Breathing felt like trying to swallow sandpaper and even if air did make it through it was foreign and unnatural, causing your breakdown to become more severe and messy.
"Ellen?" There was a knock at the door and you looked up, everything blurred and fuzzy.
You left the front door open in your rush but the voice was Ben's so you knew you were safe. You wanted to say something but nothing would leave your mouth. You only lost more air by trying to speak.
"(Y/n)?" He asked more quietly.
You had a hand over your chest as you panicked and fumbled for the bathroom door. There was a click as you unlocked it but then fell back again.
Ben was immediately at your side, his hands on your arms as you fought to breathe. "(Y/n)? Hey, you okay?"
Your body shook and you cried and cried. He didn't want to scare you further and carefully pulled you in for a hug, whispering words of assurance.
Thanks to him your breathing started to get back to normal, your heart no longer as loud. You could finally catch air instead of nothingness. You curled up into the smallest ball you could muster and clutched Ben's arm as he held you, the tears still streaming down your face.
"You're okay, (Y/n)." He said, keeping you close and comforted.
"I nearly talked to him." You spoke up with a broken voice. "My dad."
"Tony?"
You nodded. "He was - He was right there. I-I couldn't - It was-"
"Hey, it's okay. You're okay."
You tried to focus and explain it all, and were thankful he just waited patiently for you to process. After you settled, you moved to your living room and sat down.
"I just can't believe he's really a superhero." You whispered.
"It's a big job." Ben agreed. "I saw him when those things invaded the city. He saved my guys and me. He's a good man."
"A lot of power." You sighed. "All those people he needs to help... With great power comes great responsibility."
Ben studied you carefully and by now he'd known you long enough to realize it wasn't just the superhero status and tough past that made you miss Tony. It was simply just a daughter missing her father.
"He hasn't forgotten, you know." He said.
You looked up, bottom lip still trembling from the earlier panic attack. "What?"
"Tony. He loves you."
"I don't... I don't know."
"(Y/n), he does. A parent never stops loving a child. I'll love Peter until the day I die and even beyond that. Your old man is the same."
You closed your eyes and shook your head. "It's been too long."
"Not for him. Trust me."
You wanted to argue, to insist he was wrong, but you just didn't have the energy. What started off as a decent birthday for once had quickly turned sour. You needed to sleep.
"I'm gonna take five." You decided.
Ben nodded. "Alright. I'm next door if you need me, kid."
"Thanks."
He smiled sadly and wrapped his arms around you one more time. You melted into the hug and took the moment to breathe, wishing you could stay like that forever.
"Happy birthday." He then said, placing a kiss on the top of your head.
-
You woke up about an hour later to a light weight on your middle. You weren't too sure on what it was until a little boy's giggle followed.
"Peter Benjamin Parker, what are you doing?" You grumbled, eyes still closed.
"Morning, Ellen." You heard his cheery tone greet back. "I want to show you something."
"Go away, I'm dead."
"No, you're just lazy."
"Peter!" A new voice scolded.
You opened your eyes at that, realizing two more people accompanied him. "May? Ben?"
You were surprised.
May held a birthday cake lit with candles, and Ben held a bag that looked filled to the brim with all kinds of snacks and candy. Peter was standing next to the bed with half of his body on top of yours and an adorable child-like grin on his face.
"What's the occasion?" You joked.
Peter rolled his eyes and poked your cheek. "Don't play dumb. It's song time."
"No, thanks. I like my windows in one piece."
He stuck out his tongue. "Shut up and listen."
"Peter." May scolded again while Ben simply laughed.
"Sorry." He mumbled, standing straight.
Then, on the count of three, Ben initiated the singing.
"Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday to Ellen... Happy birthday to you!" The three of them sang.
During the song, Peter sent a not-so-subtle wink when your alias was named which made you laugh.
"Thank you." You then said with a smile. "Really."
"Aren't you, like, ancient now?" Peter teased.
You playfully glared, then looked at his aunt and uncle. "Are you sure you two raised him?"
They laughed and May shrugged. "I think it's your influence, Ellen."
You faked a gasp. "I am insulted!"
"And I'm hungry." Peter complained, taking your hand and dragging you out of bed. "Come on!"
And for the rest of the afternoon the four of you had a mini party.
You had pizza and cake and watched some random TV in the background. The Parkers had even gotten you a gift. It was a homemade lava lamp in your favorite color. It was a simple gift, but it meant the world.
For the first time, your birthday was genuine fun. Save for the incident earlier on, you felt truly appreciated and loved. You couldn't help but remember celebrating all your other birthdays alone since you never got along with your dad.
Even after Parkers left - May for work and Peter to study - you had a smile on your face. However, thinking back on your life also made you also think forwards, and you realized there was something you needed to take care of.
The warehouse in Upstate.
You hadn't visited in a while since it was mostly just storage for you now. It was collecting a ton of dust but it still felt like home, bearing in mind it was for a few months when you were homeless.
The inside was tall and looming, shrouded in darkness. Even asking FRIDAY to illuminate the place didn't do much. Still, it wasn't too difficult to navigate.
"Hey, FRIDAY?" You called softly.
"Yes, miss?" She replied.
You looked at the clear space ahead of you and took a breath. "Show me Protocol Waterlight."
"Are you sure, miss?"
"Nope, but go ahead."
Even FRIDAY hesitated, but finally did bring up the image.
It seemed so innocent at first, just a calming lake with a distant sunset. It was in the form of a hologram, meaning the water rippled and glistened in the dusk light. However, that sunset was simply the promise of a future sunrise, a light to eventually emerge from the coming darkness.
Time went on, and little waterlights began to appear, floating on the surface of the lake. Their candles made the water appear like a night sky filtered with stars, beacons so far away and yet seemingly so close. It resembled a tribute almost.
As you watched, the orange glare reflected in your eyes, you focused on each individual lantern, remembering little bits of your past and the stories you created as you grew up.
One of your very first memories was sneaking into your dad's workshop and watching him take apart one of his cars. You took mental notes and tried to do the same with another car the next week but he had only gotten annoyed.
You remembered one of your birthdays in which Pepper, Happy, and Rhodey tried to celebrate with you. They had made you a beautiful cake and bought you so many amazing presents but the first thing you asked was where your dad was. You could see the looks of uncertainty on their faces even now.
You remembered high school, with so many people wanting to be your friend solely because of your last name. They would ask what it was like to be rich and live in a mansion with such a famous father but when you had no amazing stories to tell they simply started to act as if you didn't exist anymore.
You remembered running away. That fear and coldness, the thought of leaving everything behind, it haunted you even now. That shadow might never lift, and you didn't know how much longer you could live with it.
You remembered everything as you watched the waterlights. From childhood to the present, things were as clear as day.
And when you thought of your dad...
Instead of feeling rage and hate and malice, you smiled tearfully. Thinking of him was the easy part, you did it every day. But missing him? That hurt like hell. Even in the darkest days, when you felt inadequate and unworthy, you found yourself remembering who you were. You remembered whose daughter you were.
You were (Y/n) Stark, and it was about time you came to terms with that.