[Third Person Pov]
David and Melissa arrived at Stark Mansion together just as the sky outside began to darken, the staff already making final preparations for dinner. The mansion itself hummed with its usual quiet efficiency. Earlier, both Tony and Momo had taken the time to wash up and change, a necessity after their… less-than-professional extracurricular activities. By the time they reconvened in the main hall, Tony looked freshly composed, if a little too smug for someone who had nearly died recently.
"Father-in-law, it's been a while since we last spoke," Tony greeted, stepping forward and firmly shaking David's hand, his smile unusually polite.
Melissa blinked in surprise when her eyes landed on Momo. "Momo?" she asked, clearly not expecting to see her there.
"Hello," Momo replied softly, offering a faint, composed smile. Her skin still carried a subtle sheen, as if the light clung to her just a bit longer than it should have.
David's gaze lingered on Tony, his brow slowly furrowing as he studied him from head to toe. "I thought your heart was damaged," he said flatly, "not your brain."
"Wha—where the hell did that come from?!" Tony sputtered, recoiling as if personally offended. "I was just trying to be polite!"
"Exactly," David shot back, eyes narrowing with equal parts confusion and suspicion. "That's what worries me. Since when are you polite?"
'It's because you still doesn't know about Momo and me!' Tony thought frantically, his stomach twisting into knots. 'I'm dead the second he finds out.'
He let out an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of his neck as if hoping humor could save him. "I guess almost dying really puts things into perspective," he said lightly. "Near-death experiences are very… maturing."
Behind them, Momo and Melissa exchanged a glance. A split second later, both women broke into quiet laughter, covering their mouths as they chuckled. They knew Tony far too well to miss the panic simmering just beneath his forced grin.
David didn't laugh. Instead, his expression softened, genuine concern replacing his earlier sarcasm. "Jokes aside," he said carefully, "are you actually okay?"
Despite all their bickering and Tony's endless needling, David had watched him grow up alongside his daughter. Whether he liked to admit it or not, Tony had long since crossed the line from nuisance to family.
"Oh, I'm great," Tony replied cheerfully. "You know, just had a blade shoved through my back, straight through my heart, by a homicidal robot." He flashed an exaggerated okay sign, grinning wide enough to make David visibly uncomfortable at the mental image.
While the men spoke, Melissa's attention had shifted fully to Momo. She slowly scanned her up and down before a knowing smirk tugged at her lips.
Momo stiffened almost immediately, heat creeping up her face as she felt the scrutiny. When she finally couldn't take it anymore, she turned away slightly. "What?" she asked, flustered.
Melissa leaned in closer, lowering her voice so only Momo could hear. Her eyebrows wiggled suggestively. "I can't believe you went and did that in his parents' home," she whispered. "Honestly, you might be naughtier than I am. Even I haven't done that."
Momo's face burned. "It wasn't me," she muttered quickly, refusing to make eye contact. "Tony started it…"
"Oh?" Melissa prompted, clearly enjoying herself. "And did you try to stop him?"
Momo covered her face with both hands, her voice muffled as she admitted, "At first… but he was very convincing."
Melissa burst out laughing, the sound ringing a little too loudly and instantly drawing Tony and David's attention. She waved them off dismissively, still giggling behind her hand.
Momo, meanwhile, didn't dare lift her head.
…
Tony soon found himself seated at the dinner table with everyone else, a full plate set in front of him. Despite the elegance of the meal and the familiar comfort of Stark Mansion, the atmosphere was anything but relaxed. The conversation had inevitably drifted toward the recent events, and with it came a tension so thick it could almost be cut with a knife.
"Japan is the safest country at the moment," David argued firmly, his voice steady but passionate. "Out of every nation affected, it suffered the least in terms of casualties and collateral damage. Their infrastructure held, their response was fast, and their heroes were organized."
"It might be safe for normal civilians," Maria replied coolly, stabbing her fork into her food before lifting it to her mouth, "but not for my stubborn, big-headed child who insists on making himself the center of attention and playing the hero."
"Hey…" Tony cried out in a reprimanding tone, holding his head in his hands. "That was uncalled for, and you know it."
"The number one S-Rank hero in the entire world is teaching the hero course," David countered, unfazed. "There is no better defense than that. Not to mention, he's one of Tony's instructors at U.A."
"Oh yeah?" Maria asked, her tone dropping several degrees. "And where exactly was this number one hero when Tony had a sword shoved straight through his chest?"
The table fell quieter as Maria continued, her voice calm but edged with ice. "As far as I'm aware, he wasn't even present during the summer camp incident. So tell me, David—where was your number one-ranked hero then? Where was he when those children were forced to throw themselves against a threat that was nearly unbeatable?"
She finally lifted her gaze from her plate, her eyes narrowing into something sharp and dangerous. Anyone who met that stare felt an involuntary shiver crawl down their spine.
"Because as far as I'm concerned," Maria continued, "it wasn't All Might who saved everyone. It was Tony. When my son was the one who was supposed to be protected, he was the one doing the protecting. So you can probably understand why I don't hold your reassurances in particularly high regard."
"You're fighting a losing battle, my friend," Howard muttered, shaking his head as he looked at David with something close to pity.
David opened his mouth, then closed it again. For once, he had no argument, no clever retort, no statistic that could counter Maria's words. All he could do was lower his head in quiet concession before turning toward his daughter. "I'm sorry, honey," he said tiredly. "I tried."
"It's fine, Dad," Melissa replied with a weary, knowing grin. "It's totally understandable." Even she knew better than to challenge Maria when she was like this.
At a table filled with super soldiers, the only person without any augmentation sat as the most dominant presence among them all—and every single one of them feared her.
Melissa let out a slow sigh before speaking again. "Then I guess that leaves us with no other choice. Dad, you're going to transfer me to whatever school Tony's going to."
David immediately facepalmed. "Of course," he muttered. "Now tell me why I'm not even remotely surprised. I won't bother trying to change your mind or telling you to think this through—I already know it's pointless."
Momo, who had been quietly listening, felt a sharp ache bloom in her chest. She had known this was coming, yet hearing it aloud still hurt. It meant she would be alone at U.A. Still, she understood Melissa's reasoning. If she were in her position, she would have done the same. Momo knew all too well that her own parents would never allow her to transfer across the world simply because Tony was leaving.
Maria noticed the way Momo's shoulders subtly slumped, the disappointment she was trying—and failing—to hide. She sighed softly. Pregnancy had only amplified her maternal instincts, and she reached across the table, gently taking Momo's hands in her own.
"Momo, dear," Maria said kindly, rubbing her thumb over the back of her hand, "I understand this must be difficult for you. It's only been recently that you and Tony began your relationship—"
Across the table, Tony began frantically swiping a hand across his throat, eyes wide as he silently tried to signal her to stop.
She didn't even look at him.
"—If you'd like," Maria continued calmly, "Howard and I can speak with your parents. We can see if they'd be willing to let you stay with us while you attend school here."
"Really?!" Momo exclaimed, her face lighting up with sudden excitement.
David, meanwhile, slowly turned his head toward Tony, his expression unreadable as he asked in a dangerously quiet voice, "What?"
"Uhh…" Tony started, eyes darting around the table as his brain scrambled for a solution. Finding none, he abruptly pushed his chair back, freed himself from the table, and bolted as fast as his legs could carry him.
The sound of his hurried retreat echoed down the hall.
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