Fated Marks

“You want to tell me what’s going on?” Tony asked.

After I basically wrapped my arms around Tony and refused to let go he moved us to the couch where he held me as we watched a movie that neither of us were paying any attention to.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” I said.

“Okay.” He said surprising me. It was quiet for a while until the end credits started rolling. “Last week I had a meeting with the head of a tech start up. He was looking for investor’s for a fusion rector to power cars and increase speed. The science was sound and the meeting was boring like always but I promised I’d go so I did. It was all good until he had to take a call and started speaking Farsi. Then it was like I was back in that cave.” Tony said shivering.

“I’m sorry.” I said.

“I’m the one that should be apologizing to the intern I snapped at.” Tony said.

“They’re used to it by now.” I said. “I think they prefer it to being ignored.”

It was quiet for a bit before Jarvis started the next movie on my queue.

“I saw Jack.” I said and Tony paused the movie.

“Jack as in…” Tony started.

“My mom’s ex boyfriend who beat me to the point of landing me in the hospital when I was three yes that Jack.” I said.

“Where is he?” Tony said sitting up.

“Rebekah thought that when her guy told her our middle man’s name it was Jacque, French for Jack.” I said. “Course I had no idea so when we walked in and I saw a middle aged guy at a tapas bar I didn’t really think much of it. Until he came up to me and started talking and flirting. I got a real close look at his tattoo and that’s when I knew it was him. He used the same pick up line he used on my mom. We talked and then he led us out to his car…”

“Wait you went with him?” Tony said.

“At the time we thought we had it handled.” I said.

“You have to stop saying that.” Tony said.

“He was an old middle aged perve and Rebekah’s always packing. So he takes out a gun and tells us to get in his car when a van pulls up and armed goons come up and put hoods over our head and zip tie our hands behind us before throwing all three of us in the van.” I said.

“You got kidnapped?” Tony said.

“Technically yes but they weren’t after us just douchebag Jack. He owed a Spanish mob boss money and he didn’t pay up. They drove us to some vineyard in Catalonia and they had it set up. Jack tried to sell us, guess that’s where mom got the idea. Of course as it turns out the head honcho and my mom worked together back in the day, so much that my mom left me with his wife for six months when I was around two. Course then they told us Delilah had been there but headed toward Romania or at least that’s what she told them so I’m back to having no leads. Then they…” I said freezing as I flashed back to Jack getting his brains splattered.

“Then they what Hayley?” Tony asked.

“They shot Jack in the head. Blood and brain splattered everywhere.” I said.

“Hayley…” Tony started with a tone that knew he was going to tell me I had to stop.

“It wasn’t the first time I’ve seen someone die it’s just… been a while and I knew he deserved it, I mean he tried to sell Rebekah and I but I… I don’t know. Knowing and actually being there getting brain splattered all over you…” I said tearing up.

“Hey, It’s not on you.” He said pulling me into a hug. “If it wasn’t them it would have been someone else. He had it coming.”

“Then why do I feel so guilty?” I asked.

“Because you’re a good person Hales.” Tony said.

“It doesn’t feel like it.” I said.

Tony didn’t say anything he just held onto me.

The Next Morning-

I couldn’t sleep most of the night so I waited until Tony fell asleep before tip toeing out of the bedroom and getting back to work. I looked through Hadrian’s phone and saw that he had checked Romania but considering the blood bath he left there the last time he showed up he hadn’t gone back. He had a contact in the area check it out and he had taken him at his word.

Romania was the next stop. But this time I wasn’t going in blind.

“You’re supposed to be in bed.” Tony said.

“Couldn’t sleep.” I said. “I’m glad you actually slept, and more than four hours that’s close to normal.” Well as close to normal as Tony gets.

“Yeah, I actually listen to Jarvis so I can keep a schedule.” He said.

“When’s the jet picking you up?” I asked.

“Uh… I didn’t actually take the jet here.” Tony said.

“Then how did you… Tony!” I said realizing what he did. “Do you have any idea how risky that is? How many times has Rhodey warned you they could shoot you down is they mistake you with…”

“They won’t I hacked into their systems. I had it handled.” He said using my line against me.

I sighed. “What am I going to do with you?” I asked.

“Let me help.” Tony said.

“No.” I said.

“You don’t have this handled.” Tony said. “So don’t even say it.”

“I made a mistake, I’m rusty it won’t happen again.” I said.

“Hayley.” Tony started.

“I’m taking some time off. To focus on midterms and to rethink things. Next time I’ll be ready.” I said.

“Why are you so stubborn?” He said annoyed.

“Because I have to be.” I said standing up and going to hug him.

“I’m worried about you.” Tony said.

“Don’t. I’m exactly where I need to be right now. It’s a rough patch. Not the first time and I seriously doubt it’ll be the last time.” I said.

“That isn’t really reassuring.” Tony said.

“It wasn’t supposed to be. I said I wasn’t going to lie anymore, this is me being honest.” I said.

“I don’t if I liked it better when you lied and pretended everything was okay or knowing everything that’s going on.” Tony said.

“Honesty’s hard.” I said.

“Yeah it’s tricky.” Tony said.

“Should I go back to lying?” I asked.

“Nah, it’s too late for that. Besides I think it’s brought us closer together.” Tony said.

“That is true.” I said.

“Come on, I could use a few more hours of sleep.” He said pulling me with him.

“But.” I started before Tony kissed me.

“Sleep.” He said.

“Fine.” I went to close the laptop before following Tony back to bed.

A Few Hours Later-

I woke up hugging a body pillow and Tony wasn’t in bed. The room smelled like something was burning.

“Oh no.” I said jumping out of bed and running to the kitchen. Sure enough the kitchen with filled with smoke and there was a fire.

“Fire extinguisher! Fire extinguisher!” Tony cried out. I quickly moved to grab the fire extinguisher from under the sink and quickly put out the fire. “I could have done that.” He said.

“Sure.” I said coughing. “I thought we agreed you weren’t allowed in any kitchen until the end of time.”

“I was trying to make you breakfast.” Tony said.

“You know I love cereal.” I said.

“I’ll remember that next time.” Tony said.

“Please do.” I said. “I could go for a steak pie and chips.”

“Well it’s past noon so fish and chips are good too.” Tony said.

“I’ll go get dressed.” I said. “You should probably change too. Try to look a little less like… you.”

“I forgot to pack my hoodie.” Tony said.

“You can borrow mine.” I said.

“Hales I don’t think we’re the same size.” Tony said.

“I may have borrowed one of yours and forgotten to give it back.” I said tossing him a hoodie.

“My Black Sabbath hoodie, I’ve been looking for that one.” Tony said.

“It got mixed in with my things when I did laundry.” I said. That was a complete lie, it was really warm and perfect for when I pulled an all nighter in the library.

“Uhuh.” He said not buying it.

I slipped into some beige high waisted shorts and a white tee shirt with some white sandals.

“What happened to low profile?” Tony said.

“It’s sunny.” I said.

“Okay I’m ditching the hoodie.” Tony said.

“You’re going to draw a crowd.” I said.

“And?” He said.

“Low profile?” I said.

“Maybe I want to show off my hot younger girlfriend.” Tony said.

“Maybe your hot younger girlfriend isn’t ready for the spotlight, not to mention she’s kind of going undercover on the weekends.” I reminded him.

“Right.” He said sounding disappointed.

“Don’t do that.” I said.

“Don’t do what?” Tony said playing innocent.

“That adorable pout that makes me melt inside.” I said.

He started laughing at that. “I pout and it does what?” He said laughing.

“Uh Tony.” I groaned.

“Okay Okay, I’ll stop.” He said before turning to give me an exaggerated pout with a trembling lip.

“Damn it.” I said laughing.

“I couldn’t help it that time.” He said. “I love hearing you laugh.”

“My cheeks hurt.” I said in between laughter.

“I’ll wear the hoodie but Hales you have to dress down too, it makes no sense for someone who looks like an intern at a tech start up to score a date with a model.” Tony said.

“Dude, where have you been the past couple of years? Nerds are the new jocks.” I said.

“Please.” He said giving me the pout.

“Uh fine.” I said going back into the room. I pulled out an oversized shirtdress with some short buckle booties and a black hat before pairing it with some sunglasses. This was something I’d expect Tess to try to wear not me.

“Better?” I said coming out of the room.

“Way more in my league.” Tony said.

“You just don’t want other people checking me out.” I said realizing what was going on.

“You know how you were freaking out about us being older and thinking we could never want you?” Tony started.

“Right, thanks for that reminder.” I said.

“Well it goes both ways.” Tony said. “Why would someone so young and beautiful with their whole life ahead of them want to settle for me?”

“Well maybe its because underneath all the ego and swagger there’s a sweet and charming guy who can make me smile even on my worst days. He’s also crazy enough to fly in a suit of armor across the world just to make sure I’m okay. And he happens to be one of my best friends just don’t tell Will because I lied and told him that title’s exclusively his.” I said.

“I love you.” He said.

“I know.” I said kissing him.

“I’m going to get you to say it back one day.” Tony said.

“One day.” I said smiling back at him before my stomach started growling.

“Let’s go before you get hangry.” Tony said.

“I don’t get hangry.” I said argued.

“Yes you do.” He said taking my hand and leading me out.

“I don’t.” I said.

“I can call in a tie breaker if you want.” He said. “There’s a reason there’s always cookie dough protein bars in the lab. Seriously you’re like a mini hulk when your blood sugar drops. You already know why there’s always peanut butter cups everywhere.”

“Coming from the guy that whines when he doesn’t get his hourly dose of caffeine?” I asked.

“Coffee’s a necessity.” Tony said.

“Some would argue food is too.” I said.

“Oh no it’s starting we need some fries in you stat, you’re coding!” He shouted making me laugh.

I love this goofball.