Tony's (not so) Little Girl

15: The Surprise

"It will be fine, he'll get over it," Artemis said as we stood in the corner after a long night of socialising "My father barely reacted. Stark will be fine."
"What's fine?" Came a very Bruce sounding voice from the darkness
"Tony will be," I explained, still tense from it all
"Why?" Bruce asked, clearly worried for his friend "Why wouldn't he be?"
"Because this I'm kind of dating the daughter of his enemy," I explained with a sigh, wanting nothing more then to just slouch against the wall "Bruce meet Artemis Hammer, Artemis meet Bruce Banner."
"A pleasure to meet you," Artemis regarded
"Yeah. You too. Listen, let me talk to Tony. I might be able to get through to him," explained Bruce, turning on his heel and walking in the direction he must have seen Tony
"Look, I know what will calm you down," Artemis suggested when he left, offering me her hand as she moved to stand in front of me "May I have this dance?"
"Of course," I said with a small smile

From the moment I clasped her hand I began to untense. There may have still been a layer of fabric between us because of my gloves but her very touvh calmed me. It always had. As we made it to the dance floor, surrounded by other couples and what not I leaned into her. One of each of our hands were vlasped together, but my other hand sat on her shoulder and her other hand on my waist. The first time that we danced together and it wasn't me playing the role of the male partner I was surprised, but I guessed that old habbits dyed hard and I just lwt it be.

Now, I leaned into her as we shuffled and swayed about, not a care in the world. I could feel other people staring but I didn't care anymore. People always stared, and for various reasons. Sometimes it was because I dressed out of the norm or joked about murder in public, other times it was because of ehat was happening right then, I was acring all lovey dovey with a fellow female.

I didn't care, Artemis didn't care, but clearly those that cared for us cared about the odd looks. Pepper left Tony's side for one of the first times all evening when Natasha pulled her to the dance floor. Tony, seeing what was going on, reached out to Bruce and the two zof them came over. Clint, the cheeky shit that he was, or at least, that Bruce and Natasha had told me that he was, all but dragged Steve over with him. I could do noting but lean more into Artemis as the two of us beamed at the protective group that had surrounded us from the judging eyes.

As much as I didn't care about the judging, I was greatful to learn that the group I had come over with cared enough to even think that it might have made me even the slightest bit uncomfortable.

And I told them all that when it got to the end of the evening and people started leaving. When it was just Artemis, Justin Hammer, the Avengers and I I made sure to express my appreciation.

"Okay, kid, we get it," laughed Clint when I had thanked them all a million times "Do you always do this?"
"Overly apologise or overly thank because it's the only time people really recognised me when I was younger leading to deep emotional trauma and mixed up neural pathways?" I asked rhetorically
"The answer is yes. Yes, she does," Artemis said "Stop being over dramatic, you tired ball of emotions."

I knew that that last jab was aimed at me but I just shrugged and wound my arm around her waist once again, leaning into her side when she put her arm around my shoulders. Turning to Justin and Tony, who were being weirdly civil, I put on my best puppydog face possible.

"Can Artemis stayyyyyy?" I asked dragging out the word "Please? I promise no shenaniganssssss..."
"Yes, I guess she can stay," Tony sighed, turning to Justin "If it's okay with you I suppose."
"We knew that this would happen, didn't we, Artemis?" Justin asked rhetorically "Of course she can say. Artemis, come and lets get you things from the car."

Internally, deep, deep internally where I wasnt so tired, I was jumping for joy I was sure. Outwardly all I could get out was a mumbled, dragged out yay that sent some of the others chuckling. Speaking of others whilst they all dispersed with belated goodnights I stayed in place and waited for Artemis to get back.

When she did get back I leaned on her heavily as we rose the, now silent, elevator upwards. When we got to the right floor and entered my bedroom I immediately dug around for pajaymas and started getting changed. As I did so so did Artemis and we chatted the whole way through.

"Lils," said Artemis gently as she tugged at her pajayma pants "You'll want to sit down for this. There's something I want to show you."

Too tired to do anything else I sat on the end of the bed and kept my eyes glued to Artemis'. Blinking just to stay awake.

"You have to promise not to freak out," she continued
"Freak out good or freak out bad?" I tiredly mumbled
"Ah... both?" She said, and when I nodded she tugged dowm her pants "Surprise?"

It took me a moment to realise what she was showing me but then it clicked and I suddenly didn't feel so tired anymore. Flinging myself upwards I practically rammed myself into my girlfriend, kissing her hard on the mouth. This... this was exciting stuff and I was so, so proud of her.

"No dick," I mumured when I pulled away
"No dick," she confirmed with a slight laugh that sounded very weak and stressed "Good or bad?"
"Whatever makes you happiest. You know that I don't care what you are so long as you're happy and you're, well, you," I explained with a laugh of disbelief, knowing why she was concerned but trying hard to express that it was okay "Is this why you havent said anything to me for the last few weeks?"
"I was too afraid that I would say something," Artemis confessed "I wanted it to be a surprise."
"You wanted yourself to be a... oh hun..." I sighed, instantly moving to kiss her again "I... no you know what? Screw it. I love you, Artemis. I don't care what gender you are. I love you for you and nothing can change that. You waited for me, waited for it to be legal. I can never, never do something that spectacular to proove it but I do, I love you so fucking much."

Artemis just laughed and this time it was her turn to kiss me. She had wanted gender reassignment surgery for as long as I knew her and I was so, so proud of her for taking that leap. Especially if she was now her truest self.

"I have wanted to hear those words for so long," Artemis said, voice breathy when we finally pulled apart "I was to scared of being the first to say it. I love you so much..."
"It's about tine one of us said it," I agreed "I've wanted to say it for so long but I didn't know if you were..."
"If I was there yet?" Artemis said as she tugged her pajayma pants back on "I have been in love with you from the day we met, Lillith."

And we were happy, and together, and that's all either of us could have ever asked for. To be happy and together.