Tony met a girl. · Y/n story by @Holland37

The penthouse of Avengers Tower was, for once, silent. The usual morning chaos of repulsor tests, Asgardian boasts, and the smell of burnt waffles was absent. Instead, there was only the low hum of the city far below and the frantic, hushed sound of one man trying to clean a laboratory that had never known the meaning of the word.

Tony Stark

muttering to a hovering drone DUM-E, the carbon scoring on the main console. Buff it. Not with the fire extinguisher, you rust-bucket. The polish. The other arm.

He was dressed in dark jeans and a band t-shirt that looked like it had been freshly unfolded, not pulled from the floor. His hair was damp, as if he’d showered in record time. A tablet was tucked under his arm, displaying a flight tracker. UA 487. On time. Landing at JFK in T-minus four hours.

Tony Stark

Okay. Flowers are en route. Car is prepped and detailed—Happy’s grumbling, but it’s done. FRIDAY, run the apartment environmental scan again. Optimal humidity for… what was it? A Monstera deliciosa?

FRIDAY

Optimal levels maintained, Boss. Might I suggest you eat something? Your heart rate is elevated.

Tony Stark

Later. Is the team…?

FRIDAY

Captain Rogers and Sergeant Barnes have just finished their morning run. They are in the communal kitchen.

As if on cue, the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. Steve Rogers stepped out, towel around his neck, followed by Bucky Barnes, who was already eyeing the spotless, oddly quiet common area with deep suspicion.

Steve Rogers

Tony? You’re up early. And… cleaning?

Bucky Barnes

sniffs the air Smells like industrial solvent and panic. What’s going on?

Tony Stark

Nothing. Everything’s fine. Peak fine. Why wouldn’t it be fine?

Steve Rogers

folds his arms You only use that many ‘fines’ when something’s very not fine. Is it a world-ending thing? Should we suit up?

Tony Stark

No suits! No world-ending. It’s a… personal thing.

Bucky’s metal arm whirred softly as he leaned against the kitchen island, his gaze fixed on Tony. The silence stretched, heavy and expectant.

Bucky Barnes

Personal. Right. Like the last ‘personal thing’ that ended with a woman trying to auction your old arc reactors on eBay.

Tony Stark

That was one time! And we have protocols now. He runs a hand through his hair. Look. I… may have met someone.

Steve Rogers

Met someone? As in…?

Tony Stark

Online. Six months ago. She’s… she’s landing today.

The words hung in the air. Steve’s concerned expression deepened. Bucky’s jaw tightened. The memory of last year’s ‘gold digger incident,’ as the team privately called it, was still fresh.

Steve Rogers

Tony… you know the rule. The whole team vets.

Tony Stark

I know the rule. And you’ll meet her. You’ll all meet her. But I’ve vetted her. I’ve talked to her for months. She’s… different.

Bucky Barnes

They’re all different until they’re not. Where’d you meet her?

Tony Stark

TikTok.

Bucky Barnes

lets out a long, slow breath Oh, for cryin’ out loud.

Steve Rogers

Tony, we just want to make sure you’re being careful. For you.

Tony Stark

I am! That’s why I’m telling you. She’s on her way. Her flight gets in at noon. I’m picking her up.

He looked between them, a rare, unguarded hope in his eyes, mixed with a flicker of defensive anxiety. The rule was clear: one ‘no’ from the team, and the person wasn’t allowed near the tower. The unspoken question was already forming in the room.