DREAM TREAM ➱ MARVEL (1SHOTS)

[01] ❛SHARE FOREVER❜ ( TONY ! )

She had never imagined she'd fall for a man thrice her age. Never mind the fact that he's one the smartest minds alive and, you know, the Iron Man. Why he'd waste his time with her, considering his line of work as a superhero, along with his multiple businesses, never made sense to her. But, she saw something in him no one else had ever seen, a side of him he'd never dare bare in the face of others; except her.
With her, Tony let his guard down, he cried, he professed his love for his family, his friends, his work, the world, and her, most importantly; he told her stories about his inventions, his cause, his genius. And she loved those stories. She would sit cross legged on the couch in front of him, as he stood before her and acted out these stories. Never would you see him so expressive, so full of life, so happy. But it wasn't the story telling that made him so happy. No, it was her. She took an interest in Tony like no one before her and it filled him with a warmth that he wanted to replicate for the rest of his life — to relive this high forever — which is why he's prepared to pop that special question today.
As she sat in his office, fiddling with some of his inventions (which, by the way, would have royally pissed him off if it were anyone else, but he didn't mind if it was her. Tony loves to watch her and the faces she makes when she concentrates. She thinks they're silly, he thinks they're beautiful), he approached her, inhaling her scent — the perfume he had bought for her birthday the year prior, she had worn it everyday since — and he couldn't help but possess a wide grin, the excitement of spending the rest of his life with this one woman, to bear a child, to die happy all waiting mere feet in front of him.
Tony laid a hand on her shoulder, producing a light gasp from her, as she wasn't expecting him home from his mission with the Avengers for a while longer. Although she had believed he was on an mission, he had actually done no such thing. He had been ring shopping and wanted nobody else's opinion on such an investment other than Nat's.
     Natasha was just as stoked as Tony, basically bouncing up and down as they searched for the perfect ring, going store to store for nothing short of the perfect proposal.
"I can't believe you're about to tie yourself down, Tony. I'm happy for you!" Nat said as the two of them sat together on the top floor of the Avenger's tower, he was barely able to retain his enthusiasm, "You're really doing it."
Tony sat silent, twiddling the ring — his new beginning — between his fingers, and he couldn't help but tear up. "Yeah, Nat, this is really happening. But I can't help but feel a little nervous."
"Why? You have nothing to worry about, Tony! She loves you, you love her; you've got nothing to lose!"
Tony continued to stare at the ring, his heart racing faster, his hands beginning to shake; he thought about her.
     Her soft, silky skin sprinkled with freckles.
     Her smooth, glossy, blonde hair.
     Her wide, somewhat toothy grin that never ceases to give him butterflies.
     The way she's changed him. For the better.
     He loves her, more than anything. And he's not afraid to scream it from the rooftops. But, as he stares at the that little ring, he begins to worry. Being in his line of work, he's done his best to keep his love safe, to keep his love life and his alter ego as far from each other as possible. He begins to think that maybe marriage isn't the best decision, that he doesn't want her to get anymore attached. Because, if she got hurt, he'd never forgive himself, no matter how many times she told him she had forgiven him.
"Hey, Nat. I'm starting to think maybe marriage isn't such a great idea-"
"What? Tony! Are you serious?"
"Is it safe for her?"
"You've kept her safe while dating this whole time, how is being married gonna change that?"
"It's just... What if something like New York happens again? What if I can't be there to save her?"
"It won't happen again because we aren't gonna let it. It's what we do."
     Tony couldn't help but smile. "You know what, Nat. You are absolutely right." He placed the ring back in its box, and tucked it away in his coat. "I'm getting married." He said as he stepped away from his seat and left the room, heading out to head back to his flat.
     Back at home, he stood before her, a lump caught in his throat, as his nervous jitters returned with a vengeance.
"Tony, honey, what is it? You're kind of freaking me out." She said with a chuckle. She grazed her hand against his cheek, and his jitters began to fade, as there is no one else to calm such a high strung man.
"I- I have something for you," he reached into his coat, pulling out the aforementioned engagement ring and lowers to one knee. "Would you do me the honor of marrying me? Giving my life the only meaning it needs?"
     She stared at him, shock taking over, as she tried her best to form a sentence. He began to worry, playing the very situation of her saying no and leaving him in his fragile mind. He began to mentally prepare himself for the heart break, but to his surprise, she kissed him.
"Oh, Tony, I've been waiting for this." She looked to Nat, who had just revealed she'd been hiding behind the couch and smiled, "Nat and I both have. We basically already have the wedding planned."
"Nat, you sneaky spy." Tony grinned as he embraced his love in his arms.
     She looked up at him, him standing at 5'10 to her 5'2, resting her chin on his chest. "I will marry you, Tony Stark. I love you."
"I love you, too, sweetie—"he stops himself and quickly clears his throat, "Excuse me, Ms. Stark."
     Natasha almost can't contain herself as she embraced the couple in a hug, "Is it bad that I'm more excited than either of you?"