Avengers Imagines

She Will Come Back

Tony woke up with a faint smile playing on his lips. The sheets were soft, the breeze was fresh and the view was absolutely stunning. Slowing stretching his limbs, he lifted himself off the bed. There were preparations left to be done. He could not afford to be tardy - you were coming back.

How long had it been since he last saw you? Two days? Three? He still remembered the first time he had seen you - the day you had joined the team. In keeping with his playboy reputation, Tony tried a couple lines on you and you had flirted right back; so hard that Tony had involuntary blushed. That was the day he swore to do the same to you.

Thus began a game of flirting back and forth, a front for something deeper, something better for the both of you. Eventually he did succeed in making you blush when he had laid a rose petal trail from the tower to your favorite restaurant where, of course, he had a seat at the chef's table. He had gone out on a limb and kissed you under the moonlight. Indeed, your cheeks developed a pink tint.

One look at your face, your bright smile and sparkly eyes brought Tony to a sudden realization - he was in love with you. You had been a happy couple ever since.

Tony's smile grew bigger as he reveled in the memory. He jerked himself back into reality rather quickly. He had no time to waste. You were coming back. It was supposed to happen today, right? You had no reason not to. You would be coming back.

He quickly grabbed himself a shower and clean clothes. He had to look his best for you. You were coming back. Every agonizing second passed by, inflicting it's own level of pain. Unbearably restless, Tony ran to the nearest flower shop and purchased a bunch of your favorite flowers. Deciding to facetime you, he arranged the flowers in the background and tentatively pressed the call button.

No answer. You must be busy. He loved that about you - your dedication to work. He did not press the button again. You were coming back today anyway. Instead, he decided to text you.

'I love you.'

No answer, again. He forgot, you must be busy. The lack of response did not bring his spirits down. You were coming back today. He just had to wait until sundown. Sundown? How did he get across that specific piece of information? Had you told him? No, he had not talked to you in days. That didn't matter anyway. You were coming back.

A tune played on his lips. Was it your favorite song? It must have been. Tony didn't realize when he left your room and walked into the living room. He only noticed his change in location when his eyes landed on Steve and Natasha. They looked sad. Why were they sad?

Didn't matter. Tony was happy enough for the three of them. He a clapped Steve on the back and winked at Natasha, still humming the tune. Then he walked away his merry way.

"He's doing it again." Natasha remarked in a dismal tone. Steve's eyes followed Tony's retreating form. He could only sigh.

-

Candles. Flowers. Champagne. What else? There was nothing more that Tony could do to increase the grandeur of your welcome. Nothing else to occupy his mind. It was dark already. Where were you?

"Tony?" Someone called from the doorway. Could it be you? No, your voice was more melodious, all healing, full of hope. Tony turned around. It was Natasha. "Tony, are you alright?" She asked again.

He did not answer. Instead, he slowly moved his head back toward the wall. "Tony, honey, are you waiting for (Y/N) to come back?" Natasha cooed gently, sitting next to him on the bed.

Tony's eyes brightened for a bit. "Yes. Why, did she tell you something?" Natasha's heart clenched. This was the third time she had to do this and it did not get any easier. "Tony, do you..." Her voice faltered, grief overpowering all emotions, "...do you remember that mission in Siberia one week ago? (Y/N)...she was standing on a ramp...you tried...we all did."

"No!" Tony was no longer with Natasha. His mind had already fled back to Siberia. You were precariously perched on the edge of a ramp, it was a construction site. Everything else was blurry. His hand was out for you to take but you were always just out of reach. His clenched his fist aimlessly. He wanted to save you and if not, be dead with you. The sight of your head hitting the concrete was the last thing he saw before everything went black.

"Tony?" Natasha called from the darkness. Tony came to with a faint smile playing on his lips. There was a dull thumping in his head, preventing him from straining to think, from providing access inside his deeper memory.

"Tony, are you okay?" Natasha called yet again. Tony hummed off-handedly in response. He picked up your picture from the bedside table and ran his finger over your face. Your smile lulled him into serenity. "I will be. She's coming back tomorrow, right?"