𝒀𝒖𝒂𝒏𝒇𝒆𝒏 | 𝙏𝙤𝙣𝙮 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙠

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝟎.𝟒

Tony Stark could be annoying when he wanted to be, and he particularly enjoyed annoying Iliana. He had a talent for it. Whether it was interrupting her in the middle of a serious conversation or making sarcastic remarks about her favorite books, he always found a way to get under her skin.

Yet, Tony Stark was all cute and sassy when he wanted to make Iliana smile. He had a knack for saying just the right thing to lighten her mood, and his playful antics often left her laughing despite herself.

Tony Stark was also childish when he wanted to be babied by Iliana. He would pout and whine, demanding her attention like a needy child, knowing that she couldn't resist indulging him.

Tony Stark stuck to her side like a leech, a stubborn one at that. Iliana didn't have the heart to get rid of him, even when he was at his most infuriating. Since that New Year's Eve when Tony had forcefully barged into her life, he had become a constant presence, more like a petulant child seeking her attention than the billionaire genius she knew.

Tony had read all of the books Iliana had written. He could even quote from them. He called her in the middle of the night to ask questions about her stories, incessantly demanding spoilers. When Iliana blocked his number in exasperation, he hacked her phone to make sure she picked up his calls. This stunt earned him a one-hour-long lecture from Iliana, but it didn't deter him in the slightest.

Iliana had a very different reason for approaching Tony Stark at her birthday party. Tony was the only person she had ever met who was unaffected by her power of persuasion. It had been ages since she encountered someone like that mysterious man who called himself a "God" and was immune to her influence. She wanted to see if Tony had some hidden powers, but she was proven wrong. The only thing different about him was his genius brain, hard-wired in a way that set him apart from normal humans.

Iliana's favorite color was yellow, but she never wore it. She preferred black, white, dark blue, and purple, colors that helped her maintain a strong facade, an impenetrable armor of sorts. Her favorite flowers were delphiniums, which she occasionally found delivered to her doorstep, courtesy of Tony.

Iliana was not dumb; she understood that the infamous playboy had a crush on her. But she would rather be his friend than another conquest. So, she always brushed off his advances, firmly placing him in the friend zone. However, Tony was undeterred. He was devoted to wooing her, never crossing boundaries.

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It was 2 AM, and Iliana's phone buzzed incessantly. She groggily answered, already knowing who it was.

"Tony, it's the middle of the night," she groaned.

"I know, but I just finished Chapter 12, and I have to know- what connection does Rhys have with this Hope?" he asked eagerly.

"No spoilers, Tony," she replied, half-annoyed, half-amused.

"But it's killing me! Just a hint?" he pleaded.

"No," she said firmly, but she couldn't help but smile at his persistence.

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Iliana stepped outside her apartment one morning to find a bouquet of delphiniums. It was the third time this month.

She picked up the flowers and found a note attached: "For the woman who deserves all the beauty in the world. - Tony"

Shaking her head, she placed them in a vase, unable to suppress the warmth spreading through her chest.

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One glamorous evening at a gala, an event that brought together the city's elite to celebrate innovation and philanthropy. The ballroom glittered with opulence, and the air buzzed with the chatter of influential guests. Tony Stark, as usual, was the life of the party, charming everyone with his wit and charisma. Despite the lively atmosphere, he couldn't keep his eyes off Iliana as she gracefully moved through the crowd, her dark attire making her look both elegant and mysterious.

Tony found himself at the bar when Iliana approached him, her face lighting up with a smile. "Enjoying the gala, Tony?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Absolutely, Butterfly," Tony replied without thinking, his usual confidence slipping into a moment of genuine affection.

Iliana paused, raising an eyebrow. "Butterfly? Where did that come from?"

Tony's mind raced, realizing his slip. He quickly covered it up with his trademark grin. "Oh, you know me, always coming up with nicknames."

Iliana narrowed her eyes playfully. "There's a reason behind it, isn't there? Spill."

Tony just smiled, his eyes locking with hers. He thought to himself, Beautiful, elusive, hard to catch. But instead of saying it out loud, he simply shrugged. "Maybe it's just because you're as intriguing and captivating as a butterfly."

Iliana chuckled, shaking her head. "Alright, Stark. If you say so."

The moment passed, but the nickname stuck. From that day on, Tony called her Butterfly, a term of endearment that held a deeper meaning only he truly understood.

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NOTE- I took that like from Twisted Lies by Ana Huang, because I love that book.