Marvel Oneshots

Age gap trope

Tony:

Y/n had admired Tony Stark's work long before they met in person. Fresh out of grad school, she'd been one of the youngest recruits in his lab—a feat that had earned her a brief, uninterested glance from Stark himself before he moved on. In her eyes, he was a giant, the kind of man whose brilliance cast everyone else into shadow. Yet, she quickly learned that being around him wasn't just intimidating; it was electrifying.

Their relationship started innocently enough. Y/n's enthusiasm and sharp mind caught Tony's attention in a way he hadn't expected. He began inviting her to stay later after hours to work on experimental projects, and over time, she became more than just an assistant; she was a confidante, someone he trusted to challenge him. The age difference—nearly two decades—lingered as an unspoken boundary, one they both consciously avoided.

But everything changed one evening when she was struggling with a particularly challenging algorithm. Tony had come over to check on her, his hand brushing against hers as he reached for her tablet. The touch was brief, but it lingered between them, and she found herself staring up at him, her heart pounding.

"Don't look at me like that," he'd said softly, his voice both a warning and an invitation.

"Like what?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"Like I'm the only person in the room."

She held her breath, but neither moved, the silence stretching between them until he finally, tentatively, leaned in.

From that night on, everything was different. Their connection was thrilling but undeniably risky, and both of them knew the implications. They kept it a secret, carefully maintaining professional boundaries in public, but the thrill of stolen moments made it all the more intense.

When Pepper walked in on them late one night, Tony expected her reaction to be severe. But she surprised him, taking Y/n aside and giving her a word of caution rather than a reprimand. "Tony cares about you, maybe more than he realizes," Pepper said gently. "Just be sure you know what you're getting into."

It was the first taste of acceptance, and for Y/n, it meant the world. With Pepper's silent approval, they continued, quietly but confidently, cherishing what they had despite the whispers that inevitably followed.

Steve:

Y/n had always had a fascination with the past, so working alongside Captain America felt like stepping into her favorite history book. Steve was more than a legend to her; he was an embodiment of principles she deeply respected. Their bond grew slowly over cups of coffee after long missions, each one revealing more of his vulnerability and leaving her with a sense of protectiveness she didn't expect.

Steve, on the other hand, was hesitant. He was over a century old in spirit, and the age gap between them felt monumental to him, a line he didn't want to cross. But Y/n had a way of making him feel seen, as if he were more than just a symbol. She listened to his stories, laughed at his dated jokes, and looked at him with admiration that felt sincere.

One rainy evening, after a particularly rough mission, they'd found themselves sharing a quiet moment in his apartment. Y/n was rambling about something, her hand on his arm, her eyes bright, and he couldn't help himself—he kissed her, soft and tentative, as if testing the waters.

From then on, the relationship blossomed in quiet corners, stolen moments in the midst of chaos. They both agreed to keep it quiet, fearing the judgment that might follow. But that was shattered one day when Sam and Bucky spotted them at a café, hands entwined and laughter bright between them.