a marvelous story - avengers soulmate au

fountain

After turning back and being very confused, I approached the genius-billionaire-playboy-philanthropist with a small, polite smile. My professor was packing up and leaving so he gestured to the door and said "Follow me."

We walked in silence for a while, the warmth in my chest becoming a bit annoying as he lead me out the doors and into the sunlight of the chilly courtyard that lead to a street. I could see the empire state building from here, looming over everything like a menacing older brother. I pulled my grey jacket tighter over my ratty band tee. The cold was annoying at worst.

My phone buzzed in the pocket of my jeans, ignored both by me and the still-quiet billionaire guest speaker. It was getting too tense, so I stopped in the middle of the courtyard by the gently flowing wishing fountain Helen so liked. She was the best friend any middle-class college kid could ask for. I had a hunch it was Helen messaging me. I had walked by the Starbucks in the student center she so often frequented.

Stark had noticed my sudden stop and turned to face me, his fairly iconic sunglasses on as I sat on the edge of the fountain and gestured for him to have a seat beside me. Most classes were still going on so we had about an hour and a half before all the classes for the weird finals week schedule were released.

"What do you want with me?" I asked suspiciously, arms folded in my lap as I hunched over to stop the cold from reaching my thin t-shirt under the broken-zippered jacket. My eyes squinted up at him against the sun with some curiosity, demanding an explanation.

"What do you think I want to talk to you about?" he answered, slick. I rolled my eyes. Answering a question with a question was such a horrible move. But, it was a move many scientists made.

"I think... Maybe you just wanted some company of actual intelligence? Half the other students in that lecture hall only chose an engineering major because they didn't know what else to pick." I suggested, sitting up slightly and offering an amused smile. Surprisingly, my comment earned a small laugh and a contemplating nod.

"Well, that works too," he said, still nodding. I raised an eyebrow. The warmth in my chest built as my heart rate spiked again, causing me to hold my breath slightly. What else could he possibly have to say? Was this a normal thing? No, it couldn't be normal. I wasn't a medical major, but I knew from my limited high school biology knowledge that a spiked heart rate could mean multiple things. However, an article I'd read at three a.m. last night, more accurately this morning, came back to me. One paragraph included symptoms of proximity to your soulmate the first time. I couldn't believe it. I wouldn't. Not until Stark brought something up.

I sat up, unfolding myself from my huddled form. I looked at him, scrutinizing every detail of his usually smug, now confused and amused, face.

My suspicions were confirmed when, with a laugh, he reached out and touched my shoulder. My lips parted softly and my eyes widened in surprise. My heart rate slowed and the warmth balanced throughout my person. I quickly collected myself and swallowed a slab in my throat. Here I was, sitting with one of the mates I had so stupidly thought as recently as this morning I'd never meet.

"Oh"

A small exclamation was the only thing I managed as I grabbed his hand and gently removed it from my shoulder.

"I'm sorry. Uhm, wow. Can I just-"

I tried to collect myself as my siblings went on before I finally collected myself. With a soft inhale and a sharp exhale, I stood slowly and dusted off my pants. With a gentle smile, I finally collected myself and made an offer.

"Okay. Mr. Stark,"

"Tony."

"Tony." I smiled and felt some comfortable warmth at the name. It felt personal. "I would love to stay but it's a bit too much for me right now. If we could maybe meet up later this week? Maybe Saturday?"