Multi-Fandom Oneshots

Let Go- Tony Stark

word count: 998

•✧•

Six months.

That's how long it's been since the left side of your bed lost the warmth that's been present for six years.

The house feels so bare without his plans and formulas littering the living room. You used to complain about the mess, but you never were annoyed. Sure it made the house look messy, but it brought a sense of chaotic comfort. You're still adjusting to the silence, so used to the sound of pencil frantically scribbling on paper before he lost his thought.

You trudge to the bathroom, the haze of sleep still muddling your mind. You start brushing your teeth, your eyes falling where Tony would keep his toothbrush. The bathroom isn't any better than the living room. He used a lot of self-care products, convinced it would make him look eternally young. You always assured him that he looked hot no matter how old he looked, and he would mock laugh.

"Tony, I've told you time and time again to utilize the storage bins I got you for your face masks," you call, cleaning off the bathroom counter.

"They aren't face masks," Tony replies, his voice growing louder as he walks to the bathroom. You feel his arms wrap around your waist, and you scowl.

"I'm lenient about the papers all over the floor, but I at least want the bathroom in order," you complain.

"Sorry," he winces. "I gotta keep looking young for you."

"You're hot no matter how old you look," you tease. He scrunches up his nose, and you giggle.

"I don't look old," he protests. You gaze up at him, pretending to scrutinize his face.

"I don't know. I see a wrinkle there," you muse, poking his cheek. He scowls and captures your lips with his, causing a squeak of surprise to emit from your lips. He pulls away, smirking.

"Now you have wrinkles."

"Not sure it works that way," you reply, breathless.

"We'll see," he muses, kissing you once again.

You would be lying if you said you didn't miss those moments of playfulness. You long to feel it again, but you can't.

Not anymore.

You get dressed and leave your apartment, not allowing yourself to wallow in self-pity. You have a job to do, friends to keep up with. You can't shut out the world around you as much as you want to.

The world doesn't stop spinning after a breakup.

You stop at the small cafe, your mouth practically watering at the promise of a blueberry muffin. That's actually how you and Tony met: blueberry muffins.

"One blueberry muffin, please," you tell the barista.

"One for me, too. On me," a voice speaks up from behind you. You turn around, meeting the starling handsome face of Tony Stark.

"Oh, no, you don't have to," you protest. He smiles, handing the barista his card.

"I insist. Finding a beautiful woman who also loves blueberry muffins is hard enough as it is, even in New York."

"Thank you, Mr. Stark," you blush. His grin turns into a genuine smile.

"Call me Tony."

You pick at your muffin, sipping your coffee between bites. The chair across from you scrapes across the floor, and you don't even have to look up to know who it is. You do anyway, wanting to see his sarcastic brown eyes.

"Tony," you smile, your shoulders relaxing at his small smile.

"(Y/N). It's good to see you," he replies honestly. You return his smile, examining the minimal changes since he closed the door behind him six months ago.

Your adoration for him never faded, even after your romance fizzled. By the look in his eyes, his for you never left, either.

Before you know it, you and Tony are reminiscing about old times. Times you both knew you can never get back and will never have again but look back on fondly all the same. Laughter fills the small cafe, your blueberry muffins gone, the coffee cold.

"I'll never forgive you for ruining that shirt," you laugh, clutching your stomach.

"I apologized I don't know how many times," Tony chuckles, his eyes meeting yours again. Your laughter dies slowly, leaving the both of you in comfortable silence.

You knew you'd see him again; you thought it would hurt, but it doesn't. Not really. Part of you will always love him; you know that much, but you also know that holding onto what you had is useless.

You wouldn't trade those six years for anything. Tony taught you what it means to love and be loved.

But it was time to let go.

You look down at the ring shining on your left hand. You don't know why you still wear it. Every time you take it off, it feels like something is missing. You thought maybe he'd come back, and you could try again.

But the truth is, some people don't find their way back to each other.

It's time to stop reliving and start living again. You can't hang onto the memories because that's exactly what they are: memories.

Finally, you take a deep breath and slide it off, laying it on the table in front of Tony. You expected the emptiness to consume you as it had the other times you'd taken it off, but all you feel is a weight being lifted off your shoulders.

You meet his eyes, warm and homey. But he's your home anymore, just as you aren't his.

You stand, and Tony follows, fixing the knitted cap on your head.

"I'm going to miss you," Tony admits truthfully, a small smile still present on his lips.

"Me, too," you answer, straightening his tie for the last time. "Goodbye, Tony." This time, your voice doesn't shake.

It's not sad. It's life.

You turn and leave the cafe, never once looking back.

•✧•

Everything that's broke

Leave it to the breeze

Why don't you be you,

And I'll be me?

— Let It Go by James Bay —