Chapter Text
“Do anything fun today?"
"Just school."
"Alright, Y/n, cut the crap." Tony crosses his arms over his chest, eyebrow raised.
You meet his eyes for what feels like the first time in at least a month. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, you've been doing this for a while, and we're worried. Me, Pep, Happy, Peter, Ted, MJ, hell, even Rhodey has noticed, and he's rarely here. So what's up?"
"Nothing. I'm fine, Dad, really."
Your father frowns. "Alright, looks like you chose the hard way." He moves in front of you to block your attempt to pass him and head to your room, causing you to sigh in frustration. "Bookbag down. Couch. C'mon." He snaps his fingers as you reluctantly comply, rolling your eyes.
"So. What happened? What's wrong?"
"Nothing! I told you!"
"Does FRIDAY know?"
"No."
"So you do admit that there's something wrong."
You glance away, caught. "...Yes."
"But you're not going to tell me."
"Absolutely not."
"It's either me or a therapist, you know." He softens. "You've got us all worried, and... you've got a lot of signs of depression and anxiety. We just want to help you." When there's no response, he adds. "Look, just answer this, truthfully, and you can get to your homework. Are you... are you hurting yourself or thinking of it? If you say yes, you can still get to work, I just need to know."
Your eyes widen in shock and you rapidly shake your head. "No."
Tony deflates, relieved. "Oh, thank God.” He exhaled. “You can… you can go if you want, now, you don't have to stay, I'd like it if we could spend some time together but I get it if you need some space right now."
"Thanks." Another forced smile, your usual modus operandi as of late, and you head back to your room.
And I’ll be left alone again, struggling to breathe.