"Do you trust me?"

Tony wasn't sure how he'd ended up here, by the side of this lake all alone. Whatever the case, he liked the calm, the quiet lapping of the water on the lakeshore. After a bit, Tony's eyes drifted up from the lakeshore, and he nearly fell backwards in shock as he spotted a man, standing in the water.

This man was absolutely gorgeous, unlike any he'd ever seen; his eyes were an oceanic green, and he had long, silky black hair, with a few watery weeds tangled in amongst it. His gaze seemed to be trained on Tony, and he barely seemed to be breathing.

"Who are you?" Tony called. The man made no move to respond, and after a moment, it clicked in Tony's head.

"You're a kelpie, aren't you?"

Again, the man didn't move, but Tony could have sworn his eyes widened a little, and that the water grew a little choppier. Tony just grinned, taking this as the confirmation he needed.

"I'm not in the mood to get eaten today," Tony began slowly. "But I can stay and chat for a while, if you want."

This time, the man did move; the slightest incline of his head. When Tony met his gaze again, he could see the hint of loneliness there.

"Tony Stark, a pleasure to meet you," Tony offered, but he got no response. "Can't talk? Cat got your tongue?"

The man just stared, unblinking, and Tony chuckled to himself. Of course the most attractive man he'd ever met was a kelpie, and one who couldn't, or wouldn't, talk to him.

"Not even a name?" There was still no response, and Tony sighed. "Guess I'll have to do all the talking then, huh?"

Tony may have imagined it, but he could have sworn the kelpie gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. He could have laughed, if it weren't for the hope that seemed to be glistening in the man's expression.

"Alright then. You already know my name... well, I'm 25, and probably the Einstein of our time, though no one seems to recognise my genius at the moment. My friends think I'm an idiot, though- it was the one time that I tried to put ice cream in the oven."

Tony could have sworn he heard the faintest laugh from the kelpie. He smiled at this, encouraged to continue.

"I built bots for myself, for crying out loud. But whatever... I met most of my friends through my education, you know. I went to MIT, and Rhodey, Natasha and Clint were a few of the first people I met there. Thinking about it, it's a wonder Clint got in... he's dumber than a rock most of the time."

Tony was about to continue when his phone began to ring; he grimaced, then shot the kelpie an apologetic look. "I gotta take this."

Pulling out his phone, Tony saw the caller was Pepper; she was his ex, but they were both cool. Still close friends after it all, despite the rocky breakup.

"Yes?"

"You said you'd meet up with us for bowling!"

Tony sucked in a breath between his teeth. He'd forgotten he, Natasha, Rhodey and Pepper had planned to go bowling (Clint was busy with "homework", which was code for spending time with his girlfriend).

"I'll be there soon." Tony hung up the phone, and turned guiltily to the kelpie. "I've gotta go. My friends... I'll come back, okay?"

The man in the water looked saddened, but not surprised. Tony offered him a small smile.

"I will come back. Swear on my life."

*_*_*_*_*_*_*

"Kelpies aren't real, Tones." Rhodey's voice was dismissive, and Tony felt frustration fill him.