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Nora's surprise at Tony's unexpected invitation to his lab was palpable. She blinked, momentarily taken aback, despite being here for just a few weeks she knew one thing clear as ice, it was the fact that Tony cherished his sanctuary– his lab. Whenever things get a bit stressful or he has to take refuge from the team, that's where he goes.
Sometimes cutting even Bruce access to it. It hadn't happened in front of her, but she had heard Bruce mentioning it once.
"Join you in the lab?" Nora quirked an eyebrow, her skepticism evident in the way she looked around the common room as if expecting this to be a prank, "Is this some sort of elaborate plot to test my sanity or... perhaps an experiment to see how long it takes for me to flee in terror?"
The comment aroused amusement from Tony, he fought back a smile and leaned back on the couch with a shrug– feigning innocence, "Oh, come on. I promise the lab won't bite. Well, not unless you accidentally activate the malfunctioning A.I. prototype or get your hand stuck in the new gauntlet, but that's a minor detail,"
She sighed, the tension easing. "And here I thought you'd be too busy calculating the trajectory of your next world changing invention,"
"Ah, believe me, I am sure this new invention would change this world but I can spare some kindness of my heart by helping a lonely soul–gotta get some good karma, you know," he said, tapping his temple with a lopsided grin, "So, keep me company during the late-night tinkering sessions or you can say the late night world revolutionary sessions?"
Tony had never really invited anyone to his lab except Bruce because it was a place where he could pour his heart out during what he does best-- make things. Or just spent the difficult times of night, when the burden on his heart felt far heavier than the one on his eyes.
But he also couldn't bear seeing her in the common room, her frame looking so out of place and small in the vast setting while she probably dwells in thoughts she wants to forget. Not when, having her in the lab would give him a welcome escape from his thoughts too and maybe...a person he could share things with.
He quickly shook his head at the thought, No, hoping was painful, he had learned that the hard way. If he would expect something from this world, it would only hurt when it would break– once again tearing him apart.
And still...
He couldn't help but look at her emerald pools and wish that this time would be different. Maybe this time someone would be there to look at him and see him.
It was probably a futile hope stemming from the fact that he had seen the fleeting concern in her eyes when he refused food, the reluctance to leave him alone when his eyes do not have the same glow, how there is always fresh food on the plate near his lab when he locks himself in.
God, please.
Nora's lips curved into a wry smile, after she searched his eyes and only find sincerity and mischief, "So, what now? Am I your midnight muse? Should I expect a poetic ode to sleeplessness?"
