Chapter Text
Ava
I walked back into the Avengers Facility after seeing off Thor, brushing my dark auburn hair behind my ear that had escaped the ponytail, due to the brisk late spring wind.
I smiled warmly while passing a few agents in the hallway heading toward Command Central. Technically I wasn't on duty today, it was my day off, more specifically on vacation, but when a towering God asks you to walk with him as he leaves to summon the bifrost...well, let's just say Thor pouting one time was enough.
Steve and Bucky were leaning over a 3D virtual map as I came up the stairs. Most likely going over schematics of whatever mission they had coming up.
I couldn't help but suppress a laugh at Steve in his Captain America pants and Under Armour steel grey shirt. Like he's ready at a moments notice to suit up and head out to the nearest threat to national security.
I bet his shield is within...yep, there it is sitting against the wall by the window facing out over the air field.
Bucky on the other hand was wearing black jeans and a black Tshirt, his classic look. I bet he probably owns fifty black tshirts.
I actually debated that very thought with Natasha last week. She thinks he only has the one shirt, maybe two, because he'd need a backup and keeps washing it over and over again, because of course he'd be frugal. He's from the forties.
My poor little Emo former Winter Soldier.
FYI, he hates it when I call him that. Emo.
Funnier still was him thinking he was being discreet in pulling out his phone and googling what 'Emo' meant.
Bucky looked up as he saw me approach and gave a smile and nod in greeting.
"Thought you were off?"
Steve looked up at the sound of Bucky speaking and turned to look my way.
"I am. Big guy wanted an escort as he was leaving."
Steve gave a slight smirk, standing with his hands propped on his slender hips.
"I think he might be sweet on you."
I rolled my eyes at even the thought of being with Thor on an intimate level. Not in a million years. Thor was most definitely not my type. Even if I have been going through a dry patch lately and Thor is most definitely hot.
"Yeah, that's just...no, just no. Get that idea right out of your pretty little boy scout brain of yours Rogers. Thor is not sweet or anything on me. We're just friends. Besides he is totally still pinning over Dr Foster. He talks about her all the time."
Steve smiled and shrugged. Bucky couldn't help but poke fun at me, like usual.
Eh, it was our thing.
"You sure about that Doll? What do you think Steve? I think the lady doest protest too much."
He gave me a wink and I returned the favor with a particular middle finger of my right hand.
Bucky laughed off the gesture while Steve gave a disapproving scowl like the old man he is.
"Don't worry Stevie, I'll confess all my sins later. Heck I'll even be in a church this weekend, so might as well give the big guy upstairs something to forgive me for, right?"
Steve just gave me that look of playful annoyance and grunted something at Bucky which made them both begin to concentrate on the map once again.
No matter, they weren't the reason I was here. It just so happened to be the quickest route to get to Tony's lab.
I had a pep to my step as I turned the corner into the hallway that led to the armory and one elevator ride down to the R&D lab.
Clint came out of the armory with his bow and quiver full of freshly stocked arrow tips.
"Thought you were on vacation?"
I smiled and nodded towards the elevator.
"I am on vacation. Just need to go ask Tony a favor."
Clint smirked.
"Pretty sure if you bat your lashes his way he'd do anything for you."
I couldn't help but catch the shit eating grin on his face as I passed him.
"Oh shut up Barton, you're just jealous because I'm his favorite agent now."
I could have swore I heard him mumble back, 'oh you're his favorite alright.'
I turned as I got to the elevator to make a remark only to see him walking away with his back to me. Perhaps I just imagined he'd said it?
The elevator ride was quick and soon I was assaulted with the smell of engine oil and coffee of all things.
Robots tittered here and there and half worked on project and Iron Man suits littered the area in what I can only describe as organized chaos.
I spotted the mop of brown erratic hair poking out of a car engine as he was leaned over it doing God knows what.
I stood in the doorway just watching him for a few moments with a smile plastered to my face. Watching Tony work was truly a sight. To see the way his brain worked out problems was mesmerizing and sometimes extremely comical.
"You know it's rude to stare."
I couldn't help but laugh at being caught.
"Wasn't staring, was.. admiring."
He stood up and grabbed a towel hanging over the edge of car and wiped his hands as he regarded me. A teasing smile on his face.
"And what were you admiring Ava? Do I need to get HR involved? How very inappropriate."
I scoffed and came further into the room.
"Please! You and Steve are pretty much HR, so what, you're going to talk to yourself. Actually, I think you do that already."
He tried to look aghast but failed, nodding in acceptance that he really did talk to himself quite a lot. Personally I found it endearing.
"So, what pray-tell, are you here admiring, when I know for a fact you should be on vacation right now. Don't make me get Steve to give you the talk again."
I sighed and remembered that conversation well. Though he has room to talk, he never takes time off either, the hippocrit.
"Just admiring your handy work Stark. What are you doing anyway? And yeah yeah, I'm on vacation. I just wanted to ask a favor of you before I left."
He threw the rag onto a nearby table and folded his arms over his chest, propping his hip against the grill of the car. A Audi from the looks of it, and brand new if I'm not mistaken.
"I got bored and needed a distraction. Now back to this favor you mentioned. I draw the line at anything involving nudity, unless of course you're offering to be the one nude...then..." His eyebrows rose slightly as he glanced down my body briefly, making me blush a little.
I smacked at his arm, noticing the oil smeared practically up to his elbows.
You know, perhaps this constant teasing and sexual innuendos we do back and forth is the reason for Barton's comment.
"Oh stop, that would be me doing you a favor you dork, not the other way around."
There was a gleam in his eye that made me clear my throat and definitely want to move on from the talk of being naked.
"Well, on with it then, what can Daddy Warbucks do for you today?"
Sometimes I regret telling him my middle name was Annette. Even more so picking Annie as a movie night choice.
I wanted to make a witty comeback telling him he's not my Daddy Warbucks, but the last time I'd said that, he'd got this look in his eye and told me 'ok, then skip the Warbucks'.
I swear this man loves to do and say anything to make me blush. Not to mention he's very good at it.
"I was wondering if I could borrow one of your cars to drive into the city. Preferably one that's a convertible. Maybe a really expensive looking one. I promise to be careful."
I smiled sweetly and God help me I actually batted my eyelashes.
Thank God Clint isn't here right now.
Tony laughed at the look on my face and turned, grabbing a few tools and taking them back to one of his workbenches to put them away.
"No need to flirt to get your way Sunshine, you can borrow one. But I gotta ask, what's wrong with your Jeep?"
I groaned and leaned my hip against the Audi.
"Well, I haven't been home to see my family in years. My family can be...a little judgemental and pushy. Not to mention when I told my Mom about the Jeep when I bought it she asked me if I was Gay. Like seriously!? I mean, ok, yeah I haven't dated anyone in a while, but c'mon! Plus, I'm the oldest and my baby sister is getting married. My job isn't exactly stylish compared to Becky's in their eyes."
"Ah yes, the Dr. I see."
I frowned as I remember the last conversation I had with my mom.
"I mean I get it. My sister's a great Pediatrician and getting married to one of New York's best Orthopedic surgeons. They have this picture perfect life. White picket fence. I would put good money on them popping out a crotch goblin in the next year. Me on the other hand, they think I'm wasting my potential. I guess having a spouse and 2.5 kids equals being a productive citizen to them."
Tony looked at me with a slight knowing sadness in his eyes. We've talked about my family before, just like he's talked to me about his.
"And they don't see your life and choices as picturesque, am I right? Doesn't look good in their family album?"
I nodded and felt uncomfortable with his gaze on me as if he could see right into my very soul.
Tony and I have always had a wonderful and naturally smooth friendship. But sometimes I think when he looks at me, he is the only person in this world who really gets me.
"Yeah you can say that."
He gave a half grunt and growl.
"Do they not see all that you've accomplished? Your military accomodations? You work side by side with some of the worlds best heroes. We couldn't function correctly if you weren't here. Or at least I know I wouldn't. They have no idea how brilliant you truly are. Not to mention not many people can go toe to toe with Natasha and still walk to talk about it later."
We had a moment where are eyes met and a hum seemed to feel the air as the seconds ticked by and neither one looked away.
That is until my phone rang causing the moment to come to a crashing hault.
I pulled my cell out of my back pocket and looked at the screen. I immediately groaned in annoyance.
"Oh for fucks sake.."
I held up my phone and showed Tony who was calling.
He seemed to straighten just a hair and without a word, walked to me and grabbed the phone out of my hand...answering it!
"Tony...what are you..!?"
He held up his finger to silence me as he spoke.
"Your quarter, make it count."
My mouth hung open in shock. I tried to reach for my phone but Tony held me off, keeping it just out of my reach.
I could hear my moms voice but couldn't make out what she was saying, so all I knew was Tony's responses.
"This is Tony Stark...who are you?"
Oh Jesus!
"Yes, THE Tony Stark."
I whispered to him.
"Tony ..I swear to God! Give me my phone!"
"Oh, her mother. So nice to hear your voice."
Tony grinned at whatever my mother was saying.
"I'd be happy to relay a message. Overjoyed even."
One of his eyebrows rose slightly and his jaw tightened.
"Oh really? Is that so?"
Now my interest was very peaked. What the hell were they talking about?
"Oh I'm sure she'd be ok with that."
What is even going on right now?
"She won't even be bothered by it, I'm sure."
I tried again to grab the phone, only for Tony to quickly put a table between us so I couldn't reach him.
"Yes actually. She didn't tell you?"
I'm going to kill him..I swear it on my life!
"Why does that surprise you?"
I ran around the table and he nimbly escaped my grasp.
"That is a wonderful idea actually."
He moved away again as I tried to pull the phone out of his gradp.
"Yes, we'll see you then. I'll let her know. Bye."
He hung up the phone and looked like that cat that caught the canary.
"What the hell did you do Tony!?"
He handed my phone back over to me and grinned mischievously.
"That was your mother by the way...she says hi."
"Tony!"
He walked back around the table toward me.
"She wanted me to tell you that your ex boyfriend, Dick.."
"Richard."
"Same thing..anyway, that your ex will be at the wedding as a last minute add on to the wedding party because your cousin came down with the flu, and he will be the one escorting you down the isle."
I tapped my foot anxiously, my spine going rigid
"The fuck?! Why the hell would she do that? Or my sister for that matter? They know how much I hate that waste of space!"
He gave a flirty wink.
"No clue, but, on a more important note, as your boyfriend, per your mother, I should come to the wedding and spend the weekend getting to know the family. I guess I should pack then shouldn't I? Definitely the dark blue suite you like so well. What do you think, blue or red tie. Red is my color, don't you think?"
He walked past me toward the door and I quickly grabbed his arm and turned him around to face me.
"Tony! What the fuck are you talking about? You're not my boyfriend! And did you seriously get yourself invited to my sister's wedding? What is even happening right now? I just came down here to ask to borrow a car!"
He leaned in close and I purposely held my ground. The air seemed electrified around us. His voice took on a seductive tone that sent chills down my spine.
"Baby, this weekend, I'm all yours."
He quickly turned and left me standing there with my mouth open like a guppy.
Just as he reached the door, I shouted at him.
"Are you really going to waste your entire weekend pretending to be my boyfriend?!"
He half turned and gave a wink.
"Absolutely. Besides, I need a break from all this for a while and shacking up with an extremely sexy agent sounds like a hell of a lot of fun to me."
I knew Tony wasn't about to give. Once he makes his mind up about something, that was it. It was going to happen.
"You do realize this is totally Cliche right? The rich handsome bachelor, awkward weird female counterpart, pretending to date for her family's benefit."
He smirked and gave me a wiggle of his eyebrows.
"Oh I'm aware. Just don't go falling in love with me Agent."
He walked out and it took me a second to voice my comeback.
"Well.. don't you fall in love with me either Tony!"
His voice carried down the hall slightly muffled.
"I make no promises!"
I stood there dumbfounded in Tony's lab for a good five minutes, wondering when my whole.life turned into one giant cliche.
I sighed as I resigned myself to how completely fucked up this weekend is going to go. My only consolation is I won't be alone when I had to face Richard again. Having Tony there would help actually.
But to pretend he's my boyfriend?
I swallowed thickly at the implications of that.
When I finally made it upstairs and was about to pass the two super soldiers, I just happened to glance up and see both of them grinning at me.
"What?"
Bucky looked at Steve first before answering.
"Congratulations on you and Tony. We were starting to wonder when the two of you would get your heads out of your asses."
"Bucky!"
Steve scowled at his friend.
"Ignore Bucky. What he's trying to say is we're happy for you and Tony. Also, have fun this weekend. You both deserve some time away with each other."
I just gawked at them and was sure I'd eventually start catching flies from how many times my mouth has hung open in shock just this morning alone.
When they turned around to go back to their task at hand, I was just too stunned to even respond.
What the actual hell is going on?
They think it's a good idea that Tony and I would be a couple?
I mean I get it...we do flirt, a lot. But that's just how Tony is right? Billionaire playboy. It doesn't matter that Tony is exactly my type. Hot, brilliant and caring. Funny and playful.
He doesn't actually see me that way...does he?
That thought kept circling inside my brain as I went to go finish packing.
Just as I closed my suitcase thirty minutes later, a text came through on my phone.
Tony: All packed Sweetheart, meet me in the garage in Bay 8 when you're ready 😘
Holy shit...Bay 8! That man was undoubtedly trying to melt my panties off. The smug sexy bastard! He KNEW how much I loved that car.
He added insult to injury by sending a picture of said vehicle immediately after. The sleek brand new black Ferrari 812 GTS convertible was just as sexy as I remembered it.
I think my panties just combusted and the emojis he sent afterwards spoke volumes. He was most definitely going to make this a weekend to remember and Tony Stark was not going to pull any of his punches.
Tony: 🔥🤤😎
Ava: U don't play fair. 🥵
Tony: Who's playing? Now get your sweet ass down here.
Lord help me survive this weekend unscathed. Heart and all.