These Little Moments / Ironstrange

12~ Rosy

   "C'mon, Tony, at least give me a hint!" I laughed as my short boyfriend pulled me by my hand through the snow banks. Even through my thick leather gloves, I could still feel his warmth, running into my blood and coursing throughout my body. Truly, it doesn't matter where Tony is taking me; he makes me feel freer than I ever have before.

   I was let out of the hospital about 3 days after Tony broke in to watch the stars with me, thank god. I was just about ready to lose my mind in that place. It's one thing to see it from a doctor's perspective, but from a patient's, it's torture. At least I was out now.

   "No where in particular really," Tony replied, smirking at me. "Just the place with the deepest snow."

    "And then what?"

    Tony grinned slyly. "And then I do this."

THUD

   My body hit the cold ground, snow seeping into my jacket and soaking my clothes. Above me stood a hysterical Tony, doubling over in laughter. He was laughing so hard that he too tumbled into the snow right beside me.

   "PFF Y-You shoulda seen your faaaccceee," he giggled, rolling over to face me. I was on my back, staring into the void, debating whether or not the sentence for murder was worth it...

   "Tony... You're an asshole."

   "I know hun," he quipped as he stumbled to his feet and reached out a hand to help me up. I just glared at him. "Oh c'mon don't be like that."

   "My coat is soaked," I rolled my eyes and got to my feet, without Tony's help. Two delicate hands rested on my shoulders, gently pulling my jacket off and letting it fall to the ground. It was immediately replaced with a dry, albeit slightly smaller, leather jacket. I inhaled and the scent of Tony's cologne entered my nose, radiating off of the coat. I looked to my side to see Tony carrying my jacket over his shoulder, shivering violently. "Tony, you'll freeze."

   "Nah, a hoe never gets cold,"  Tony said, a rosy bloom of heat resting on his cheeks, a byproduct of the biting winds no doubt. I reached up around my neck, undoing the blue knit scarf tied around it with gloved fingers. Kneeling in front of my stupid boyfriend, I wrapped it around his neck the same way I did, pulling it carefully up to his chin.

   "At least wear my scarf, love; it's awfully cold," I stood up, one hand still pulling the scarf tight and the other resting on his cheek as I gently pecked his nose. His flush only worsened, now reaching a cherry red color as he pushed me away.

   "Okay okay fine," he groaned waving a hand at me. "I'll wear it, but only for you."

   I chuckled lightly, taking his hand as we walked through the snow.

~

   "Order for Stephen!"

   "I'll be right back," I said to Tony as I stood up from my chair at the café to retrieve our drinks. My mechanic almost turned into an icicle on our date, so I insisted we sit inside the nearby Stirbucks for some warmth. He begrudgingly agreed and ordered a hot chocolate, while I got a chai latté. I swiftly took the cups from the barista and slipped back into the chair across from Tony.

   "What's that on your cup?" Tony asked, motioning to the label on the styrofoam mug as I lifted it to take a sip. I turned it around to see, just under my name (spelled 'Steven'), a series of numbers.

   "Oh," I took a sip. "Seems the barista is hitting on me."

   "WHAT?!" Tony choked, slamming his cup down.

   "Shame I have a beautiful genius boyfriend, so I'll have to turn her down," I quipped, smirking over my cup.

   "And you're gay."

   "And I'm gay," I agreed, setting my cup down. Tony laughed melodiously, removing the lid and taking a swig of hot chocolate. His eyes fluttered shut as the sweet taste danced over his tongue. I imagine his eyes match that hot chocolate; sweet and warm and gorgeous. When he set his mug down, a bit of frothy hot chocolate rested over his mouth, a small line dribbling down his lips.

   "You got a little..." I motioned to my mouth and he wiped frantically at his moustache with his sleeve. "You missed a spot." He wiped again, completely missing the line. I rolled my eyes and leaned over the table, closing them as I rested my lips on his. My tongue flicked out, licking up the remaining hot chocolate, before I pulled away and rested my forehead on his.

   "That was cliché," he chuckled, warm breath washing over my lips.

   "I just wanted an excuse to kiss you," I breathed, giving him a quick peck.

   "That was also cliché."

   "I know."

~

   A hot cocoa and a chai latté later, we were curled up in the sanctum sitting room in front of the fire. The moment we came through the door, I insisted on getting Tony a warm blanket to wrap himself with and he happily obliged. Luckily, I found a cozy down comforter, large enough to fit the two of us, in one of the sanctum's many closets. When I returned to the sitting room, Tony had already started the fire and was snuggled into the soft upholstery of the couch. Carefully, I set the blanket over his body.

   "Hey baby..." I whispered, tussling his hair. "Are you still awake?"

   He groaned and nodded in response. Reaching out his arms, he beckoned me to join him and I giggled, sitting down behind him and wrapping myself around his shivering form. He instantly pushed further into my chest, pulling the blanket up to his chin and enveloping him in warmth. In response, I wrapped my arms around him, gentle fingers tracing his arc reactor. Soft vibrations emanated from it, confirming its functionality and reminding me of the locket around my neck. Completely content, I leaned down and softly kissed his temple.

   He shifted, turning around to face me and reaching his arms around my neck while my hands fell to his lower back. "This is nice," he mumbled into my shoulder. I chuckled deeply and massaged his lumbar with my thumbs as his soft breaths brushed across my skin. Slowly, we drifted off, the gentle hum of the reactor lulling me to sleep.