🫧 mcu/nikke || ❝ is this the love that i've been searching for? ❞

[bubblesong]

[ Little Mermaid slips quietly down the stairs into the glass doors of the workshop. Golden colored eyes scan the workshop, realizing that the lights are off. That alone is unusual for the ungodly early hours of the morning when it comes to the Malibu mansion, but also because there is no music.

Or sounds.

She can account for every car being in it's place from where she stands.

Her hand raises to unlock the door and she slips inside. Since the room is already quiet, she decides to not make any jarring noises if possible. Both hands quietly ease the door shut and she practically tiptoes through the usually loud and bustling workshop. Her hair is braided in an attempt to keep it from dragging on the floor, but yet it still manages to touch it with the ends regardless. ]

Uhmm... ooo.

[ The nervous hushed sounds come from her as she continues her tiptoeing search through the workshop. She's nervous to call out to the man she's looking for in case it startles him.

Everyone is aware that things haven't been the same since they returned from New York City those months ago. Little Mermaid had been overjoyed to return to the Malibu mansion, but made sure to keep the emotions to herself. Especially at seeing how rattled Tony Stark had been. Of course, he had been his usual abrasive, sarcastic, funny self, but they could all tell something was different. Rhodey tried to help when he could, but was brushed off. Pepper does what she can when she stops by after being at Stark Industries all day, but generally the conversations always break down into work and what not to do or what to do with the direction of the company.

She's wanted to help too. She's always wanted to help.

But, does someone like Tony Stark need her help? Does a hero like Iron Man who can fight along side people from other realities, spies, massive shapeshifting men, and even the original super soldier need her help? She's was designed to be a support not an attacker to her squad. The squad that was deemed such a failure it caused the Goddess of Victory project to come to a close. The squad that had been forced apart in their mission that was supposed to redeem them and rewrite their ending. She couldn't even take the hand of her dearest friend when her friend needed it the most. How could someone like Tony ever really need her help in anything?

That was why the comments from the interviewer had rattled her so much. She doesn't want to be a failure or just another woman that Pepper takes out of the house one day. She wants to be helpful, to have a place she belongs, to be more the failure she had been labeled. She wants to be special like Pepper is to him. Not the exact same, as one can never truly replace another, but she wants to be apart of his life.

Maybe one day she can truly earn the title of "Goddess of Victory" to someone.

Tony doesn't need a Goddess of Victory. He's his own maker of victories.

Little Mermaid stops at one of the work tables.

Then, she leans over it slightly.

Tony is sitting on the floor, pressed against the work table, breathing heavily and shaking.

She bites her lip to keep from saying his name in relief that she found him. Instead, she carefully and quietly, tiptoes around the side of the work table. Then, she moves down to be on her knees. She hasn't moved to be exactly next to him. There is still plenty of space to give him room. Her eyes drop to his shaking hands before looking back up at his face in what she can make out in the darkness. The light from his arc reactor is dimmed through his shirts, but she can at least make the outline out in the darkness.

Slowly, one hand reaches out to rest beside him. She hesitates with her fingers curling slightly. He hasn't reached out to her--should she even reach out to him first? ]

... Tony? [ Little Mermaid speaks in a whisper as to try and not startle him.

The notion isn't hard. There had been a time when that was all she could speak in. ]

Comments

[bubblesong]

[ The small tug does catch her by surprise, but Little Mermaid follows his silent request. She can uniquely understand what people mean without words. Not a super power, just a byproduct of a time when she couldn't speak at all. Expressions, body motions, looks, sounds. She's figured out what most of Tony's mean over their near year together. It's how she knows that what he needs most at the moment is rest, and someone to make the offer that it is alright if he simply stops for a few hours.

Ah... that's it, isn't it? Why he pushes himself without sleep ever since New York.

She not only sits beside him on the impromptu bubble mattress, but she lays down beside him on her side. Her head rests against his arm. A quietness takes over her as she asks his questions and rambles on about a lost experience from his childhood. A hand slowly raises and rests on the top of his chest. The tips of her fingers barely press against the fabric that thinly covers his arc reactor. ]

Of course I'll sleep beside you. [ As, she figures that is what he is truly asking for just with different words. ] We're magnets, aren't we? Whenever you want me to? Just let me know.

[ Then, her tone changes. Something more serious but holding that gentleness she somehow always has. ] Tony. It's okay if you stop for a few hours.

We're safe now. [ Her head tilts further against his arm and makes certain not to break eye contact. ] I'm safe. Right here, with you, in the workshop.

[ She could continue on about how JARVIS would let them know if something was wrong. Though, now she realizes the AI has been rather silent this whole time. She could mention how the portal closed and how there's been nothing to come from space since New York. Those words would be pointless to share as it would water down the point she is trying to make to him. ]

[doesntpaint]

[ Most people have white noise machines, sound machines, music playing on a timer. That stuff doesn't work for Tony. Either he sleeps normally or he goes 72 hours without even thinking about sleep. And hell, maybe he won't even sleep with Little Mermaid next to him, but just having her next to him is the important thing here.

In his mind, it's a little embarrassing how quickly he relaxes as soon as she sits beside him and then lies down next to him, resting her head on his arm. He's never been interested in sentimental things like security blankets or stuffed animals from when he was a kid, and of course, Little Mermaid is a person, not an object. She's not a security blanket, and Tony doesn't need her to fall asleep (at least that's what he tells himself), but he can't pretend he doesn't feel calmer when she's around. ]

Okay, so... It's not "my bed" anymore. It's "our bed", and anytime you want to use it, it's there. [ As in, I always want you to sleep beside me, but I don't know exactly how to say it. ]

Is it okay, though? [ His expression turns serious and that familiar tension in his jaw returns. ] Threats don't go away on a schedule. They don't wait for us to be ready to deal with them. We need to... I need to be ready, and- [ He scrubs his face with his free hand. ]

I'm not even close. [ She's already seen more of him than most have, having seen the things he tries so hard to keep locked up beneath the exterior of being confident and collected and prepared. But right now, he feels like he's anything but prepared. He's anything but confident. If anything, he's scared. ]

I need to do more to make sure you stay safe.

[bubblesong]

[ "Our bed.".

It hangs in the air for a moment before she responds by leaning against him futher. She hadn't expected it to impact her as it did. He said they were a couple during their first (and only) dance. She thought maybe he was humoring her or that it was only for his birthday, but, now she is realizing how serious he meant the comment then.

The tension comes to his jaw and that is the sign for her that the assumption had been correct. He's scared, and doesn't feel safe, and feels like he can't stop until he feels safe again. He needs not only comfort and to feel safe, but, she needs to do more to show him she can fight if needed. Her bubbles are also a weapon and she has combat skills. She can fight beside him if he needs her too.

His sincerity is also obvious for her to see. He doesn't want to keep her safe because she's incapable...he cares.

She raises her hand, gently guiding his head to turn and look at her. Little Mermaid pushes herself up on her arm in order to hover over him slightly, hair cascading almost like a waterfall around them. Enough to hide them from the world, the suits, anything else that might try to look in on them. ]

Then, I'll help make sure you're ready. We'll make your suits better and work with your teammates to be ready. [ She gives him a smile. ] You're not alone, Tony... we're a couple.

[ She presses a kiss to the top of his head again, expecting him to brush her off. ]

[doesntpaint]

[ He's actually not going to brush her off at all. In fact, he's certain he'd never brush her off, not for anything. He's been brushed off more than once and he's still not a fan of it. Not that he'd ever say it. ]

Yeah, we're a couple. Which- [ Look, sometimes he does his best thinking when he's trying to not think about something else. ] About that... I'm thinking it's about time we make it official, 'cause, correct me if I'm wrong here, but you're not ready for it to be public knowledge, are you? That's totally fine, by the way. I don't mind. Besides, isn't it more special if it's just our secret for awhile longer?

[ He smiles for the first time in awhile, and it's an actual genuine smile. ]

It's our secret, and the world has no idea about it. It's ours, something that belongs to only us. I was thinking the other day about it: rings. That's a couple thing, right? And I figure you don't even have to put it on your finger if you don't want to.

[ He eyes her carefully, consideringly. ] How about a ring on a chain? Easily hidden under clothes. I'm still plotting out designs, but I think I've got a good idea.

[bubblesong]

[ She smiles the moment he begins on another tangent. In her mind it shows that Tony is feeling better and more like himself. She knows he listens even if he doesn't comment on things she says. Most people might think he ignores her and is simply self absorbed, but, she knows he files things way for later. He brings them up when it's the right moment. If he takes her offer then he'll show it by asking for her help with his new suits--even if it's just asking about a paint job.

Her smile widens at the sight of his. It's his real smile--not the charming one he gives to the public and press. The one that is truly Tony Stark.

Then, his questions fully register in her mind. ]

Aoou... I-I thought you would want it to be a secret because of everything else the press sees... [ Though, if he had wanted it to be public? She wouldn't mind. The public doesn't really know her, but, they would know that Tony is with her. Then, maybe, people like Vanity Fair... ] Ah! Rings?

[ Rings...

Like, being engaged?

Are they? If they're sharing a room now...

A ring for Tony...

An idea comes to mind. It is one of those that takes root and won't let go. Rings. She could make a ring for him. Something unique and not like any other ring in a store or a shop. A design that would be just for Iron Man. ]

Oooh.... [ She blinks a few times. ] I'd wear it on my finger. If we go out and people see it? They don't need to know! It'd still be our secret.

You would really want to give me a ring?

[doesntpaint]

[ Going off on a tangent really shouldn't be that easy for Tony, but it's one of the things he does best. Most people hate that about him, but it's just the way his mind works, even when, just moments ago, he was in the middle of a pretty bad anxiety attack.

Tony would just wave his hand and blow off what just happened, but not around Little Mermaid. ]

The press? [ He shakes his head. ] If they want to find something out, they're going to. But- [ He grins a little wider now, as if something is amusing him. ] If I don't want them finding out something, I have some tricks up my sleeve, believe it or not. The point is, if you don't want them knowing about us, we can keep it that way.

[ Just because Tony knows how to schmooze the press and play their stupid games doesn't mean Little Mermaid needs to be caught up in it too. ]

But yeah, rings. I know, this isn't how people usually do it. [ What's "it", anyway? Engagement? A promise of commitment? He's pretty well committed to her and he knows it. If it was an engagement ring, he wouldn't have just sprung it casually on her, or would he? ]

Really? I guess I thought that you'd want to keep it out of the public eye, but you know what? I'm kind of glad to hear that you don't. Really. Look, I really don't think I'm being a braggart when I say that I want the world to know about us. Well, maybe not the whole world, maybe just this city. But the point is, I want people to know you let me be with you.

[ Because as far as he's concerned, he's lucky. More than lucky, really. Little Mermaid could've said no to his advances, but here they are, together. ]

[bubblesong]

[ Her hands cup his head, fingers brushing through the hair on the back of his head. She's not certain if he will be able to build without having the panic attacks; it building will cause the memories of New York to surface. So, having his mind focus on something else entirely is the better option right now. He'll work through it as he always does. How long it will take is another thing.

She gives a nervous smile. Of course she is nervous of having the public eye on her. Even though S.H.I.E.L.D. has yet to try and take her away? It doesn't change the fear and worry that they will. If she puts herself out there more... what if it increases the odds that Natasha and Clint will show up at the door when Tony is gone and take her away? It doesn't make the most logical sense, but, fears are usually irrational. ]

O-okay. [ She nods, clearly trying to push herself out of her comfort zone. ] How... how did you want to announce it to everyone in the city?

[ The press and the public is part of being with Tony. He is a public figure, super hero or the face of Stark Industries. She will have to get used to the idea of being scrutinized or being theorized about. Just like everyone does to him.

The nervous smile remains even as she kisses the top of his head again. He hasn't turned down the motion yet, so... ]

[doesntpaint]

[ Honestly, he's not sure if he can build without having panic attacks either, but one thing he is sure of is the fact that having Little Mermaid there calms him down a lot. All she has to do is brush her fingers through his hair or hold his hand and even though he might still be scared or rattled or what the hell ever, just feeling her touch and knowing she's there reminds him that it's okay to just breathe. The sky isn't falling, aliens aren't coming (yet), and- and he's not even going to think about that particular word. All he's thinking about is how he feels safe with her there.

The thought's been knocking itself around in his mind, but it's gradually taking shape into an idea: if he has to leave for any reason and Little Mermaid stays behind, he'll set up security details so that no one can just walk into the house and take her away. JARVIS is already a good first line of defense; it won't take much tinkering for Tony to get the security settings to how he wants them so that Little Mermaid can feel safe in their house. ]

Well, I wasn't going to call up a reporter, if that's what you mean. There's always functions happening, and people who are looking for a charitable donation from Stark Industries. We could easily show up at some fancy dinner wearing shoes that pinch and announce it that way.

There's always people hanging around those things looking for stories to write about. Tony Stark's latest flame, except you're more than that. You're not someone here for one night only.

[bubblesong]

[ She wouldn't think the idea is impossible coming from Tony--but how could you stop something like S.H.I.E.L.D? Even the Avengers are technically part of the sphere. Which is another reason she has done her best to hide away inside the mansion as soon as they returned home. While it may not be under lock and key? The perception of safety and security is enough for the moment. The notion she could wake up and either find Tony at work in the workshop or moving around the mansion arguing with Pepper or Rhodey as long time friends. A sense of normalcy that quickly became familiar and her normal.

While she's not certain about the shoes and pinching? The idea of announcing it at a dinner or charity lights her eyes up. While not small by any means, it is far better than the red carpet affairs or the large parties for the high class socialite. It's something more personal to the things in the city and their direct loves versus being a superhero.

Then, the comment of being more than the latest flame of Tony Stark.

He always says he notices her, and she wonders then if he had noticed how much the questions and prodding from Christine at Vanity Fair had undermined her. She had thought Tony hadn't picked up on it given everything he has been dealing with. Maybe he had noticed it to simply file away commenting on it when the moment was right.

One hand slips from the back of his head down his shoulder and chest. Her fingers rest comfortably against the arc reactor. The tips gently move along the fabric that creates the thin barrier. A small touch to try and connect directly to him and through all the thoughts and paths his mind takes at any moment. ]

It couldn't be "our bed" if I was only here for one night. [ Her humor is nowhere near as witty or sharp as his, but, she feels as if she can navigate a similar path now. ] I like the idea of going to a party with you and telling everyone that way.

[ Then, one of her customary sounds slips out. ] Oooh! It's Christmas soon. There might be a lot of parties!

[ Her smile spreads into that fond loving one she gives. The one that she hopes communicates how deeply she truly loves him. She'd tell him if she thought he wouldn't rebuke the notion. She would kiss him if she didn't think it would be the wrong time--even if she truly wishes to make the motion.

Instead, she pulls him closer wirh the hand still at the back of his head.

I love you, Tony. ]

[doesntpaint]

[ Honestly, Tony's not really sure exactly how he would stop S.H.I.E.L.D., but he knows that if there's a way to make this place their sanctuary, a place that's just there's, he'd put a million years into researching just how to do that. Little Mermaid deserves to feel safe, and she can't do that if she's scared that S.H.I.E.L.D. will come one day and take her away. If that means he has to put locks on all the doors, both physical and digital and every other way that he can think of, then that's what he's going to do.

It's just how he'll do that that he's still figuring out. ]

You know what, good point. [ He grins widely at her, both because what she said makes perfect sense and also because he definitely wants her here for every night, as long as she wants to be here. ] So how about it? This is your home too now. [ And the thought occurs to him that she might want to decorate, or go shopping for clothes or toiletries or anything she needs to feel at home. ]

Yeah, it's almost Christmas. There's bound to be parties popping up all the time, and the odds are good that invites will start coming in. [ Probably. Assuming that people still want Tony Stark showing up at their events. He can't imagine why that would abruptly change, unless of course they think he wouldn't bother showing up at all. But still, if things remain as they have been, he expects the usual Christmas fundraisers and charity galas to still be on the schedule right up till Christmas and going on during New Year's. ]

We're gonna need to find you a nice dress. [ But then she smiles fondly and he can see how she's looking at him even as she pulls him closer to her.

Well, she's got me hook, line, and sinker, and I don't have a problem with that at all.

And, as if to further illustrate how little of a problem he has with this, he angles himself just slightly so that he can lean in to attempt brushing a kiss against the side of her face. ]

[bubblesong]

[ Their sanctuary. A concept that would be. She sees the mansion as that to a degree--even more after New York. It's not only away from S.H.I.E.L.D., but their demands and requirements they would have of Tony as a member of the Avengers. Little Mermaid is not about to tell him not to be apart of his team or to never see them again. She simply likes the idea of having a place to go away to that they can just focus on each other.

Besides, the mansion has been her home for months now. JARVIS and the mechanical arms, Pepper and Rhodey when they stop by. They are all apart of the life and home that make up Tony's mansion. A life she feels eternally grateful to even have after the life she has led so far. She has people around her who see her as a person and not just a NIKKE. A place to call home. Hopefully... if her squad is still alive... they have lives like this too. ]

Okay! I'll move everything in the morning. [ If they're sharing a room her clothes should be in the same closet. Right? Unless he only wants to share the bed. Really, all she has is the clothes. ] Wherever you want me to put them. It was your room to start with! I don't want to push you out...

Mmm. Christmas... [ A thoughtful expression crosses her face then. A rare look inside of the parts she keeps hidden away from everyone. She was trapped for at least forty years. She missed so many Christmases. How different is it now? ] You should pick the party we go to! I don't really know anyone or which ones would be good outside of the obvious ones like supporting local law enforcement...

I can ask Pepper to help if she has time after work! That way it's a surprise. [ Her tone implies this is exactly what she is going to be doing. ] And, I need to get you a present too.

[ She already has an idea on what she wants to do--his ring. Now, it's trying to get him out of the workshop to make it. She feels as if any ring in a shop just won't do. It won't fit Tony because he's so unlike anyone else in the world. At least, that is how she feels.

Her inner thoughts come to a stop once he kisses the side of her face. She instantly turns a slight shade of pink. He's not much of a person who shows affection physically, unless the mood strikes him or he can show off to some degree. It's why she never really moves to kiss him or do more than hugging him and holding his hand.

Her characteristic aoou slips out with a fond embarrassment slipping into her voice. Then, a soft giggle follows. She turns enough in order to give him a quick but fond kiss on the lips. ]

[doesntpaint]

[ Tony knows quite well that he's not really the best when it comes to planning; sometimes his plans are great, and they have a beginning, middle, and end. Other times, he's flying by the seat of his pants and his so-called planning could be called reckless at best and completely foolish at worst. Still, Mermaid deserves to feel safe. Maybe Tony isn't the best person to make a place where she can feel safe, but he feels strongly about this, and when Tony feels strongly about something, he finds a way to make it happen.

Besides, he can see how comfortable she is here, and how easily she's fit in with everyone from JARVIS and the robots to Pepper and Rhodey too. As far as he's concerned, she belongs here. This is her home now. ]

Are you kidding me? Push me out? [ He shakes his head but it's light and he's smiling. ] There's no way you'd push me out. Besides, there's plenty of room.

Okay, we'll figure that out together. [ He's never really been great at picking where to make an appearance, mainly because he's the type to just spontaneously make a decision, but he's already decided to make an effort because she asked. In a way, it surprises him how he's already shifting and adapting because she's here, but he's finding out that it's not a bad thing. ]

I promise not to be nosy and try to find out what it is. [ He smiles at her, wider this time, and when she returns his kiss with another one pressed to his lips, almost immediately, he's leaning in to deepen the gesture. One arm circles around her pulling her in a little closer while the other one tangles itself lightly in her long hair. ]

[bubblesong]

Ahh. [ She nods in return.

She doesn't want to take up space or be a nuisance, or makes him feel he has no space or time to himself. It's why she always waits a while to come down into the workshop. Helping does need to always have her around! ]

I thought you'd know the best parties... and that way you can also chose the place to announce it. [ A shy smile comes to her face then.

She knows he is a show off and that he loves a stage when making an announcement. This way, he can have control over all of that. Especially when he probably doesn't feel he has any control when his anxiety takes over him. Little Mermaid's smile slips slightly only when she wonders how many panic attacks he has had and hidden away from everyone. She should have done something sooner. It couldn't have taken until now to get this bad... ]

I know where to hide it where you'd never find it! And, I'll make sure JARVIS doesn't tell you either. [ A playful and also melody tone comes to her voice almost like a song. A tease. She knows plenty of places Tony never goes in the mansion. Though, now she realizes the dress really needs to be stand out if she's teasing and making it almost a challenge.

Then, her tone softens again. ] I'm going to make sure it's the best Christmas for you.

[ She would go as far to say that he loved his birthday earlier in the year. Bubbles, bad cake, dance and all. Recreating it for Christmas won't work. She needs to do something different. Especially now that he struggles so much with panic attacks and the trauma in New York. She needs to do something to make him smile and be farthest away from the bad memories and images his mind throws at him. Something that will make it so he doesn't feel like he's still trying to get out of a cave...

Part of her wants to do something about it this moment. He said she helped him, but she wants to do more for him. Whatever that looks like.

Little Mermaid moves with his pull, settling herself as close as he wants her. Her hand can't bury itself in his new haircut, so instead, it slides down the back of his neck and underneath his collar. The other presses gently against the arc reactor before sliding shyly around his waist.

She does love kissing him--she just doesn't want to make him uncomfortable. He is a physical person, when the mood strikes him, otherwise he's not much of a touchy person. It's why she stays to resting her head against him, or holding his hand, or hugging him. But... he invited the motion now. Which means she is going to take the moment for all she can.

She tilts her head slightly into the kiss and leans slightly into the bubble mattress underneath them. A quiet invitation if he is not only interested, but if he feels he wants to after his anxiety attack. ]

[doesntpaint]

[ He would keep talking, either about parties or about Christmas and what he'll be getting for her (once he figures that out...), but when she's kissing him, he finds it's really hard for him to do much more than kiss her back and just drift and not think or talk at all.

As far as he's concerned, his birthday was the best he's ever had, and this Christmas is already shaping up to be the best Christmas he's ever had. She already knows what most of his birthdays have been like, and well, most of his Christmases are spent alone with a steak and a drink... maybe even several drinks. Sometimes company in the form of a leggy blonde has been there, but a lot of the time, it's just him and JARVIS and the robotic arms. He told himself that's the way he liked it.

They're both lying down now, on top of the bubble mattress that she made, and Tony keeps pulling her in closer, knowing they're already pretty close to each other. He just wants her with him, with no space between them at all. Maybe he's too much into her personal space, so he loosens his hold on her slightly, but he doesn't move because there's nowhere for him to really go (not that he's complaining), beyond kissing her mouth again and then angling his head so that he can press kisses down the side of her neck.

For now, he's forgotten all about his anxiety attack. It might come back to him later, but for right now, all he's thinking about is kissing her. ]

[bubblesong]

[ He loosens his hold on her, but Little Mermaid simply pushes herself into him. She doesn't mind that he is in her space entirely. She prefers it. Even if she might not be a great kisser as other women he's known. Even if she still falls back onto sounds and not words. Her space is something she wants to share with him in it's entirety. While her captivity may have ended almost a year ago now? Sometimes it feels as if that deep loneliness will never go away. Having him with her in her space reminds her she isn't alone anymore. Someone cares about her again.

She isn't alone anymore.

She just... has to tell herself that sometimes.

And, Tony isn't alone anymore either.

He kisses down her neck and suddenly she feels a shot of electricity up her spine. She shivers, feeling an almost tingling feeling. No one has ever touched her neck like this... but for some reason everything in her is telling her it feels nice. Good. ]

Oh, [ Little Mermaid doesn't make a customary sounds. A statement of excitement, but also pleasure. Her hands curl into him and his shirt slightly.

They don't need to keep kissing. She wanted a kiss (or several). She won't complain if he wants to keep going. This just simply needs to be what he wants and what will make him happy. Whatever keeps his mind from New York. ]

[doesntpaint]

[ Well, now that he's started, he knows he doesn't want to stop. He doesn't want to stop kissing her or stop touching her; it's not simply because this stops him from thinking about New York. He wants to do this; he wants to show her that he actually cares about her, hoping she understands that and doesn't think he's treating her like another one night stand. To him, this feels different, but what if she doesn't think it is? What if she thinks he's not treating her any differently?

He knows he can talk a lot about technology and inventions and everything in between, but when it comes to talking about his feelings, he's really not good at that at all. Is physical expression enough for her? He frowns slightly because he's not used to having thoughts like this; whenever he's done things like this before, he just let himself go with the momentum and the thrill of it all. Now, he finds himself worrying about if this is what she wants, if it's good enough for her.

Driven by that feeling, he presses his lips against her neck again with just a little desperation behind the gesture. Maybe it's desperation to prove himself. Maybe that's a silly thought. But like it or not, he feels a certain drive to give her what she needs. Maybe then she won't leave like all the rest did: heading home when it gets light out and leaving with a wink and a smile, not intending to come back.

That's how it's supposed to be, right? But this, with Little Mermaid, isn't like that. It feels like it's something that's not supposed to end. Tony himself knows he doesn't want it to end, and that's why he places another kiss against her lips. ]

[bubblesong]

[ Thankfully for Tony, he has somehow managed to find perhaps the one person in the world that uses unconventional methods to speak. Someone who has had to find ways to communicate without words, and has become a person that can understand emotions through actions. Or, perhaps, she had been that way even as a human and simply being what she is now made that even more prevalent.

A small giggle escapes at the other kiss to her neck. That, however, is when she realizes the tone of the actions has changed. Maybe it is better to say that the emotions behind them have changed? Almost a desperation, worry. It catches her off guard, but she doesn't pull away or push him away from her. At first she wonders if she had done something to cause the emotions she believes she's picking up from him.

Her hands slide from around his neck and his hips. Before he can even worry that he has done something wrong? One moves to his hand and presses it to where her core rests. The other rests against his arc reactor. She smiles at him, the one that's filled with endearment, love, and a little bit of awe. ]

Tony, [ she gives him a quick kiss to his lips in return, ] would it be better if it was our bed?

[ Little Mermaid sees nothing wrong with the position they're in, or the fact that it's on a bubble mattress in the middle of his workshop. What she is trying to communicate is that sense of security and in some ways, safety. "Ours" implies an ownership between both of them, which then would mean there is no other place for her to go, especially as this is her home. Her acknowledging that ownership is also a quiet agreement that they space they share will be just that--shared.

She would have no reason to leave.

Her fingers gently brush along his hand and the fabric that covers the arc reactor. She loves him. Of course she wants to do what couples would do. She wants to help him in the workshop and with anything else that he would need help with in their home. He might roll his eyes at how she tries to make the point of connection between their hearts. She sees it as the physical representation of what ties them together and makes them unique for one another out of anyone else in the world. It's sentimental.

Little Mermaid's smile grows.

She doesn't mind being the sentimental one out of the two of them. ]

[doesntpaint]

[ He stills when she moves his hand, pressing it to her and resting her hand over the arc reactor. He knows what she's saying without words; she's pointing to the similarity between them, how the same thing powers both of them, and keeps both of them alive. He hadn't made that realization until she pointed it out, and she reminds him of it from time to time: it's the thing that makes them similar and connects them both. ]

Our bed? [ Didn't they talk about that once already? Maybe he forgot about it because kissing her makes his head spin in a good way. His voice has deepened somewhat, maybe because of how kissing her makes him feel: in love, head over heels, and just really wanting more of her touches and her kisses.

He glances around at the workshop, at the suits, the wires, the chaos that's just background noise to him and he laughs quietly. ]

How do you do that? You always seem to say exactly what I need to hear, whether I've realized I need to hear it or not.

You really want this to be yours? All of it? The workshop of insanity, the snark, the nightmares with a side of coffee addiction... You know people are going to think you're nuts for wanting to be around me. For even putting up with me.

If you're really sure, it's yours. All of it.

[ He pauses for a second, and then he grins. ]

But you still have to deal with me muttering at 3 AM because DUM-E woke up and started sweeping the shelving around for no apparent reason other than that's what robots do at 3 in the morning. Shared bed comes with shared insanity. No refunds.

Speaking of 3 AM, and as great as kissing you as much as I want is, we should probably do something about getting to 3 AM, shouldn't we?

[ He knows he doesn't sleep well most times, but maybe he'll get lucky and having Little Mermaid next to him will help. Maybe. ]

[bubblesong]

[ A small giggle, then: ] Yes! Our bed.

[ She doubts he had forgotten the earlier conversation. It was his idea and Tony rarely forgets his own ideas. Most likely the concept is truly settling on him that she agrees with his proposal. Both of them.

Her fingers gently brush along his on the hand resting against her chest. He breathing hitches slightly at the deeper tone of his voice. It makes something in her react. Something that wants to claim and be claimed. The feeling--instinct--is a little frightening in a way. She's never felt that feeling before, but it seems to go hand-in-hand just how much she loves him.

As to his first question her answer is simple: ] I notice when you need to hear something. I can tell. Then, it's just understanding what is making you unhappy or upset.

[ Levi had been similar in that regard. Someone who never really shared why she was upset and would put up walls. Little Mermaid took some time to figure it out, but, would also extend her hand metaphorically and physically. The easiest way to open Levi up was food: the small act of caring enough to prepare a meal.

Tony, on the other hand, seems to need to feel a connection to someone. Someone that can understand what he is saying when he uses different words or what he doesn't say at all. She's wanted to be that someone for months. His someone. His magnet. The one he smiles at when he comes home from his company or being a superhero.

Because, she loves him. ]

Yes! [ She answers with a smile. ] I don't mind if all of that comes with it. It's all apart of you!

[ A laugh--not a giggle--comes out at his continued relationship with the robotic arm. She sits up, gently pushing against him to move upwards as well. Then, she presses a loving kiss to his lips. In case he thought maybe she didn't want to keep kissing him at all. She does! Now just doesn't seem to be the time and that's okay. He needs to rest after his panic attack. ]

Okay. Let's get to bed. Then, we can have breakfast in the morning, and come back to work. [ A nod follows with an aou following. She has made up her mind. ] I'll help clean up the workshop.

[ She slips away from him, leaving a kiss to his temple, before heading over to the door of the workshop. ]

[doesntpaint]

[ Tony watches her stand, his heart doing something complicated and a little stupid in his chest that he's totally not talking about or even going to define. He doesn't do feelings, right? Right. Totally. But he can't completely ignore the feeling either. She's said yes twice now. First to him, and then to everything that comes with him. All the mess. All the insanity that would drive anyone else away.

And she still smiles like he's someone worth staying around for.

He gets up slower, joints creaking in protest from the way he’d been sitting, holding onto her like she might vanish if he lets go. ]

Alright, let's go see if our bed still remembers us. Betting it's got some jealousy about Mr. Bubbles over here. [ He grins at her as they both get moving. ]

Breakfast and workshop cleanup is a little more of a normal plan than I'm used to, but I'll take it.

[ When they arrive in the master bedroom and get settled, all Tony can hear is the sound of Mermaid's laughs, and it's those laughs that follow him into sleep.

Unfortunately for Tony, soon the laughs are replaced by something else: a dream that's more like a nightmare.

He’s falling, and then he's flying into the wormhole. He’s got the nuke, he’s got maybe seconds at best, and suddenly he's alone as JARVIS's connection is cut off. A rapid burst of thoughts enter his mind, echoing what he thought when he was actually flying through the wormhole: he’s alone, and God, what if it doesn’t go off, what if it does, what if he dies, what if he lives...

And then he's falling again, and next to Little Mermaid, he jolts suddenly, one hand roughly curling into the sheets as he relives falling out of the wormhole again.

Tony's still asleep, so he doesn't hear the clank clank clank of something making its way up the stairs. If he knew, he'd stop it in his tracks, but he has no idea something is coming, about to interrupt thier sleep. ]