Avengers Preferences

Stark ~ Pride

Name: Elizabeth

Age: 35

Time: Pre Iron Man 1 and Post Iron Man 1

Relationships: Never met Tony Stark. Friend to Jane.

(This is based off of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)

(Also I wasn't too confident on the time periods in this movie. I'm wasn't sure how long it had been from the time of his disappearance to him telling the public he's Iron Man. If you know please correct me)

--

Jane, my best friend, invited me to this fancy party to celebrate Tony Stark. Of course, I didn't actually like Tony Stark, but she was invited as a reported and was allowed a plus one.

"Jane, I saw James eyeing you over there," I giggled, touching her shoulder.

"No you didn't, he's probably just looking for someone-"

"Miss Jane?" A voice boomed behind her I saw tilted my head and saw the James Rhodes.

She turned around and stuttered, "Yes?"

I nudged her side slightly, she nudged back to tell me to stop.

"Could I have this dance?"

He held out his and and she took it graciously. 

I walked over to a chair on the side and sat down alone. Watching her dance twice with him, I knew she had finally found a good guy. 

James walked over to the famous Tony Stark. That man sure had a reputation. Not only was he rich, but he made his money by making weapons of destruction. The rumors circulating 24/7 also confirmed his playboy status. He observed the entire dance. I didn't see him try to dance with anyone; He seemed purely unamused.

"That Jane is absolutely breathtaking, don't you think?"

"Sure," I heard Tony respond.

"Why don't you dance with her friend? Elizabeth, I think her name was?"

I felt his eyes hit me as I looked somewhere else in the room. 

"She's ok, not pretty enough to tempt me."

My heart sank for some reason, despite my preconceived aversion to his character. How rude of him it was to make comments towards me without meeting me.

The night went on. I chatted with Jane about her encounters with James. She was totally in love, very quickly rather, but seemed to be concealing it.

"Jane, if you continue to hide it, you might lose him after tonight."

She laughed nervously, "I know nothing of his feelings right now, so I'd rather play it safe."

Rolling my eyes at her, I watched as James and Tony approached us.

"Hi Lady's," James started. "My friend Tony here was wondering if you would like to dance with him." He motioned to me as he spoke.

And I almost said no, but this could be the chance of a lifetime to tell off The Tony Stark. "Of course," I fake smiled.

I took Tony's outstretched hand and followed him onto the dance floor. Turning back, James had just asked Jane to dance again.

I placed my hands on Tony's shoulders as his rested on my waist. "Rhodey really likes your friend."

"I'm aware," I said with a snarky tone. I looked anywhere but him, before stating, "I don't agree with what you create, I don't agree with how you use your money, and I don't think you should determine someone's character before you meet them."

He was unphased, "Oh so you were easdropping, good. I was hoping you were."

I was taken aback, and finally looked at him, "What?"

"Yeah I just made up a bunch of the things I said to see if you were listening. Might want to work on those easdropping skills-"

"Why did you want to know if I was listening?"

He looked me straight in the eye, "Because you are very pretty and I am very tempted by you."

"And why would I be tempted by you?" I spat back.

"Because I'm Tony Stark."

"Is that name supposed to mean something to me, playboy?"

"I think you're beautiful and want to take you home tonight," He said as if he was really wooing me over.

"And I think you're obnoxious and should take another unassuming girl home tonight."

He looked at me astonished. The song ended and I removed his hands from my waist. "Call me when you've changed." I walked off towards Jane. Now THAT felt good. 

--

A year later, I was finally back at the same country club to celebrate Tony Stark, except this time, it was to celebrate his recent announcement to the public. He is Iron Man.

James Rhodes once again asked Jane to dance. They had been together for the last year, she finally admitted her feelings. 

As I sat in the same seat I sat a year earlier, a wave of nostalgia passed over me. Suddenly, a hand tapped on my shoulder.

"You know that Tony Stark guy?" I looked up to see Tony himself. "Yeah, he wants to dance with you, but isn't quite sure you're gonna say yes after dissing him last year."

I smirked at his games. "Well, please let him know that I would say yes."

He held out a hand and I took it. We walked to the dance floor and we found ourselves in the same position as earlier.

"Rhodey really likes your friend," He said, obviously repeating himself.

"I'm aware," I smiled. This time we held eye contact.

"No snarky comments about my character?"

"No, because you judged me before you met me."

"And you judged me before you met me."

We looked at each other in silence. 

He finally spoke up, "I don't want to use my tech for destruction anymore."

"I know, I saw all the press conferences. You're Iron Man for godsakes. How did you survive out there?"

He glanced around before whispering, "Place your hand in the middle of my chest."

I did as he said, and felt a cold, metal structure underneath. "What's that?"

"It's keep shrapnels from reaching my heart. It's keeping me alive."

I removed my hand to prevent any damage and placed it back on his shoulder.

"You're very pretty and I am very tempted by you," he said laughing at his comment.

"And why would I be tempted by you?" I spat back jokingly.

"Because I'm Iron Man."

"Is that name supposed to mean something to me? I'd be more tempted by Tony Stark..."

I felt him chuckle underneath my grasp.

"I think you're beautiful and want to take you home tonight," He said, really wooing me over.

"And I think you're charming and should take me home tonight."