Fated Marks

The next morning I woke up spread out lying on Tony. The first thing I heard was him talking to someone in French. Damn he made ordering breakfast sound hot.

I couldn’t help but smile. When he hung up the phone he put a hand on mine and kissed the top of my head.

“Morning.” He said.

“Morning.” I said looking up.

“Sleep well?” He asked.

“Mhm.” I hummed kissing the scar where his arc reactor used to be. “You?”

“Pretty well considering you were crushing me.” Tony said.

“Oh crap sorry.” I said trying to get off of him but instead he rolled us over and kissed me.

“Joking.” He said snuggling me and kissing my neck “I like having you close, You’re warm.”

“Good to know, also you have really cold feet.” I said.

“Oh really.” He said with a grin as he moved his cold foot up my calf.

“Tony!” I cried out laughing.

“I love seeing you like this.” He said “Smiling and laughing.”

“I like seeing you smile too, not that I don’t like your normal smirk but this is just more… real.” I said.

“It’s only for the people I love, you bring it out in me.” He said before kissing me. I put my arms around his shoulders. “Mh.” He moaned into my mouth as he moved one of my legs over his hip. I rocked against Tony and he thrusted into me.

“Ah.” I moaned.

“Mh.” Tony groaned before starting the steady pace. “Damn…”

“Shit.” I gasped.

“Feels so good baby.” He moaned nuzzling his face into my neck and sucking on just the right spot.

“Tony… uh” I cried out as he hit just the right spot.

“Hayley. Ah… hold on.” Tony said moving my legs higher and slamming into me.

“AH! Tony! Yes!” I shouted.

“Fuck… Hayley!” Tony shouted as we both climaxed.

We laid in bed panting while holding each other when there was a knock at the door.

“That’s probably breakfast.” Tony said.

“Mh… no. Stay a little longer.” I whined.

“Don’t want the food to get cold.” Tony said kissing the top of my head before slipping out of bed. He put on one of the robes the hotel provided and went to open the door.

I got out of bed and went to freshen up a bit before slipping on a robe and going to see what Tony ordered.

“Whoa.” I said. “Big spread.”

“Didn’t know what you were in the mood for so I got a bit of everything.” Tony said. “They have the best breakfast crepes, I get them every time I’m here.”

“Really? Fork them over.” I said and Tony passed a plate. I cup up a piece and took a bite. “Damn those are good.”

“So what do you want to do today?” Tony asked.

“Uh don’t know. We could just stay in.” I said.

“You’re in Paris, the most beautiful city in the world and you want to stay in?” Tony said. “Isn’t it every girl’s dream to…” I gave him a look. “Oh.”

“I mean if you don’t I can always call Rebekah…” I said but before I could say anything Tony had pulled me onto his lap and kissed me.

“As fun as that would be and I will take you up on that offer when we’re back in London, part of the reason you came to Europe was because you wanted to travel and see the sights. You don’t get a lot of normal with us and I’m not going to stop you from experiencing all of this.” Tony said.

“I thought we agreed normal was overrated last night?” I asked.

“Life with us isn’t normal, doesn’t mean we don’t get the chance to do things normal people do, like visit tourist traps.” Tony said. “Come on Hales there must be one thing you’ve always wanted to do while in Paris.”

I thought about it and then looked out at the Eiffel Tower behind Tony.

“There’s one thing, but you can’t laugh. It’s pretty cliché and corny.” I said.

“Whatever you want I’ll make it happen.” Tony said.

“I want a cheesy couple photo of us kissing in front of the Eiffel Tower.” I said.

“That’s it?” Tony asked.

“Yeah, and maybe walk around and see where we end up.” I said.

“Okay, I guess that means we should put some clothes on.” Tony said.

“Well maybe not just yet.” I said. “Eiffel Tower’s not going anywhere.”

“Damn I love you.” Tony said.

After a few days of visiting tourist traps and dates that ended in bed we finally got back to London. I was finally sleeping through the night and felt great. That is until Stark Industries PR team requested a video conference. Tony was going to blow them off but them Pepper insisted we both take the call.

“Pepper seemed concerned.” I said.

“Oh Hales, I have so much to teach you. When pepper gives you that stern and high pitched voice when she’s yelling it’s cause she wants you to do something you don’t want to do.” Tony said.

“Tony that’s ridiculous, she only gives you that voice because it’s the only way you’ll at least pretend to pay attention. She has enough things on her plate without you…” I said as Tony started kissing my neck. “And you’re ignoring me right now aren’t you?”

“No I’m listening. Pep has a lot on her plate.” He said kissing up my neck.

“Which is why we’re going to take this call and if you behave.” I said kissing Tony’s jaw. “I’ll let you see the cute bra set I’m wearing right now.” I whispered into his ear before pulling away.

“No sneak previews?” Tony asked.

“Behave.” I said.

“Okay let’s do this.” Tony said sitting in the living room before starting the conference call. We sat apart from each other keeping things professional.

“Tony you remember Angela from the PR department.” Pepper said after we all greeted each other.

“Hey Hermione.” Tony greeted.

“Mister Stark.” Angela greeted probably used to Tony after all the messes she’s probably had to clean up over the years.

“So what’s up, what’s so urgent you interrupted my vacation?” Tony asked.

“We were recently contacted my a news outlet looking for a statement in regards to this photo taken of the two of you in Paris.” Angela said bringing up a photo. It was blurry and you couldn’t really see me but judging from the sunglasses and the outfits you could tell it was Tony. We were walking down the street hugging and Tony was kissing my forehead while I hid my face in his shoulder as I laughed.

“Oh.” I said and Tony gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

“We can keep them away and deny everything for now but this will just make them keep a closer eye on you.” Angela said.

“What would you suggest?” Pepper asked.

“If Mister Stark were to use his social media accounts not divulging any personal information but just confirming a relationship that should keep them away.” Angela said.

“Or make them go crazy trying to find out who the mystery woman who managed to nab me is.” Tony said.

“It’s the best we can do for now.” Angela said. “We can try to keep them away for as long as we can.”

“Thank you Angela.” Pepper said before Angela logged off. “Tony, Hayley I know the situation isn’t exactly ideal given the fact that there’s a lot more people involved than normal but you had to know this was coming.”

“That’s not the only thing I have to worry about.” I said. “Maybe I should go blonde again.”

“Don’t think it’ll make much of a difference.” Tony said.

“He’s right, just talk it out and do what’s best for you all.” Pepper said. “I’ll help out as best as I can.”

“Thanks Pepper.” I said.

“Thanks Pep.” Tony said before Pepper logged off. “Hales…”

“I can’t believe you were right.” I said. “Like wow now I know what it’s like for you.”

“Well not exactly, normally there’s a lot of yelling.” Tony said pulling me onto his lap. “It’s going to be okay. People will talk until someone releases another sex tape or something.”

“You know they won’t. You’re in the news constantly.” I said kissing his cheek before hugging him.

“I’m sorry.” Tony said.

“Hey, I knew what I signed up for and I’m all in. So things are going to be a lot harder for a while, it wasn’t like they were going well to begin with.” I said.

“I don’t know if that was you being really optimistic or really pessimistic.” Tony said.

“That was me saying we’ll figure it out. But for now…” I said slowly unbuttoning my shirt dress to reveal the red silk and lace bra I was wearing.

“I made you a deal and it’s my turn to keep my end.” I said.

“Fuck.” Tony whispered before pulling me into a kiss and moving me so I was straddling his lap. I quickly started to unbutton his shirt.

“Hales… I… I want to try something.” Tony said.

“Mh.” I hummed kissing up his neck to his ear. “What is it?”

“Uh… new position.” Tony said.

“Yeah?” I asked.

“It’s different just want to burn some energy, try to unwind you a bit.” Tony said.

“Okay tell me what to do.” I said.

“You can say no.” Tony said reassuring me.

“Tony just tell me already.” I said.

“How about you get on all fours and I get behind you?” He said making it sound like a question.

“That’s it?” I asked.

“Yeah?” Tony said watching me.

“Okay, sounds fun.” I said moving off of him and pulling him up off the couch.

“Seriously?” Tony asked.

“Yeah, come on.” I said walking to the bedroom but before I could take another step Tony spun me around to face him and kissed me before carrying me the rest of the way.

A While Later-

“AH!” I shouted holding on to the headboard and Tony thrusted in from behind me and held my hip while his other hand rubbed circles at just the right spot.

“Fuck Hayley AH!” He groaned as we both came. We collapsed on the bed panting and tired out.

“Shit, three times in a row.” I said. “This was a great idea.”

“Well I am a genius.” Tony said making me laugh. “Feeling better?”

“Very relaxed.” I said hugging him. “We need to deal with the elephant in the room.”

“Hales just enjoy the moment.” Tony said hugging me.

“In a minute.” I said taking my phone and looking through the photos from Paris. I found the perfect one and sent it to Tony. He opened the message and looked at me confused.

“They said confirm the relationship but don’t give any personal information. Post that on your social media accounts with some short comment. It’ll get everyone off our backs for a while.” I said.

“They’re going to go crazy.” Tony said.

“Let them.” I said.

The photo was one of us kissing in front of the Eiffel Tower. The way the camera was angled you could only see Tony’s smiling face and my face was hidden. It was a cute photo and similar to one I did plan on having framed but for this it was perfect.

“You sure?” Tony asked.

“Yeah, let’s make it social media official. Happy Anniversary.” I said.

Tony edited the photo and adjusted the filters before typing out a short comment. He showed it to me and I couldn’t help but smile.

One year since I met the love of my life. Looking forward to many more. I love you baby. Happy Anniversary.

“I love you too.” I said.

“No going back now.” Tony said.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I said pressing the post button before shutting the phone off and putting it in the bedside table.

“I feel like we’re forgetting something.” Tony said.

“You’ll remember later.” I said closing my eyes and cuddling into his side.

“Guess you’re right.” He said.  

The Next Morning-

It was just last night that Tony Stark announced to the world that he has been seeing someone for the past year. Has the billionaire notorious for his playboy ways finally decided to settle down?

Tony Stark’s longest lasting relationship was with his former assistant and now current CEO of Stark international Virginia “Pepper” Potts. The two ended their relationship shortly after the Battle of New York on good terms. Stark reportedly attended the CEO’s wedding just a month ago.

Who is the woman who made the billionaire playboy change his way?

Who is the woman in the red dress?

It doesn’t matter what channel I changed it to it was all the same.

“I think we’re trending.” Tony said after he shut off the TV.

“Correction you and mysterious woman in red are trending.” I said taking a sip of my coffee.

“Hales you are the mysterious woman in red.” Tony said.

“I know but they don’t.” I said. “It worked.”

“They’re going to be stalking me. So much for being able to go out without drawing a crowd.” Tony said.

“So not much has changed for you.” I said.

“Nope. I still have that feeling I forgot something.” Tony said.

“Hm.” I hummed and started making mental checklists. I spotted my phone on the coffee table and picked it up. It was dead. “You checked your phone? Mine’s dead.” I said as I plugged it in.

“Uh… left it in the room.” Tony said before getting up to go get it.

“Damn this thing takes forever to turn on.” I said.

“Mine’s dead too. Do you remember where I left the charger?” Tony called from upstairs.

“It’s down here.” I said as my phone finally lit up and then all the messages started pouring in. “Uh, Tony you may want to get down here. I think I just figured out what we forgot to do yesterday.”

“What is it?” Tony asked.

“Well I have over thirty messages on here and half of them are from Pepper.” I said.

“Oh… Forgot to let her know we were going to post that photo. I should probably call her.” Tony said.

“Yeah… I’m going to book an appointment at the salon.” I said.

“Going blonde again?” Tony asked.

“We through them off for now, better safe than sorry. You sure this place is…” I started.

“Off the grid. Shell corporation owned by another shell corporation.” Tony said.

“Well that’s one less thing to worry about.” I said. “Call Pepper. Rebekah’s apparently on her way here. Going to be out for a bit.”

“You sure that’s a good idea?” Tony asked.

“The press is being dealt with.” I said.

“It’s not them I’m worried about.” Tony said.

“He’s been quiet. No news is good news.” I said kissing his cheek before going upstairs. The wearther was cloudy but still a bit groggy so I decided to take my chances and rock shorts for the what was probably the last time this year and a button up top. I topped it all with a tan coat and matching booties.

“I’m heading out.” I said.

“Keep your phone on.” Tony said.

“Will do.” I said before getting in the elevator. “Bracelet’s on.”

I walked downstairs and walked straight to Rebekah’s car.

“Didn’t know you two were going public.” Rebekah said.

“We weren’t but a photographer got a blurry photo of us getting cozy and we decided to throw them off.” I said. “Speaking of did you get an appointment?”

“We did, today’s your lucky day.” Rebekah said. “You sure about this?”

“Not like I have a choice.” I said. “It’s just for a few months. It’s just hair I can dye it back when it’s all over.”

“That’s not what I meant. You and Tony going public is just the beginning.” Rebekah said.

“Beks I’ve been water boarded, beaten, and stabbed along with various forms of psychological torture. I can deal with people talking shit about me and right now it’s the least of my worries.” I said.

“Okay then.” She said before driving off.

A few hours later I was blonde… again.

“Oh cheer up, it’s just hair.” Rebekah said.

“You know it’s not just that.” I said.

“At least now you won’t have to worry about being spotted.” Rebekah said.

“No I just have to be worried about being mistaken for my mother who happened to piss of most of the people that knew her.” I said.

“I’ve got that covered.” Rebekah said handing me glasses.

“Seriously?” I said.

“It worked for Superman. Try them on.” Rebekah said.

I slipped them on and looked in the mirror.

“They’re not horrible.” I said.

“They’re perfect for you.” She said.

“Then call me Supergirl.” I said with a smirk.

“Clark Kent wears the glasses, Superman wears his underwear on top of his pants.” She retorted.

“Scratch that then.” I said as we pulled up to the building.

“Keep me updated if you find anything.” Rebekah said.

“I’ll call you later.” I said.

“Actually I have a date tonight, with John.” Rebekah said.

“Oh really?” I said with a smirk.

“He’s a good man.” She said.

“He is, good under pressure, great bedside manner and he is totally crushing on you. Give him a chance, you deserve to be happy.” I said before getting out of the car.

I made my way upstairs and walked in.

“I’m back.” I called out.

“Hayley?” Steve said.

“Steve? What are you doing here?” I said as I hugged him.

“Hales!” Clint cheered. “Whoa.”

“I knew it was lighter than before but Rebekah said I was being paranoid.” I said walking into the kitchen.

“Whoa.” Tony said.

“Okay you shouldn’t be surprised I did tell you ahead of time.” I said.

“No just uh… you look different.” Tony said.

“Is this about the glasses?” I asked.

“No.” they all said except Natasha.

“yes.” Natasha said.

“SO much for a disguise,” I said.

“Oh it works.” Clint said.

“Almost didn’t recognize you.” Bruce said.

“You look like a hot librarian.” Tony said.

“Okay… Not that I’m not happy to see you all but what are you doing here?” I asked.

“You weren’t answering your phone.” Steve said.

“Then we saw you went public and wanted to check in.” Natasha said. “Nice job diverting the press. They’ll be looking for a brunette not a blonde with glasses.”

“I’m pulling a superman.” I said. “Any news?”

“Nothing. I have some people looking into it but nothing so far.” Natasha asked.

“Shield has nothing either.” Steve said.

“I know, that was the first place I checked.” I said. “I feel like we’re missing something.” That’s when I remembered something.

“Oh I know that look.” Bruce said.

“She’s really pulling off the glasses look.” Tony said.

“Ledgers.” I said going to the study.

“Ledgers?” Clint asked.

I quickly opened the desk and pulled out all the journals where I had rewritten everything from the originals. I must have filled up at least twenty journals. I grabbed them all and dumped them on the kitchen counter.

“Hayley what is all this?” Bruce asked.

“All of my mom’s ledgers. Essentially her not so little black books of business contacts.” I said.

“You kept them all?” Steve asked.

“Course not, you have any idea how many people would kill to make sure none of these saw the light of day? I memorized them months before my mom died when she was prepping for retirement. I rewrote them. Photographic memory remember?” I said picking one up.

“These look like financial statements.” Tony said.

“They’re in code. Merchandise quantity, how many kilos. Serial number, drop off coordinates. Symbols in the margins what terms they parted on. Etc.” I said skimming through them.

“You’ve had this the entire time?” Natasha asked.

“Yeah but it hasn’t really been helpful. Half of the people in here are dead and the other half either wanted her dead, are in prison or retired.” I said switching ledgers. “Madrigal International, Hannover, Germany.”

“Doesn’t ring any bells.” Clint asked.

“Of course it wouldn’t most of these are just shell corporations for tax purposes.” I said. “Schuler, Heinrich. Current status… deceased.”

“Schuler… that sounds familiar.” Natasha asked. “How’d he die?”

“According to the Eulogy, heart attack. Left behind a wife and no kids.” I said.

“Where’s the wife now?” Tony asked.

“Owns a grocery store in Berlin.” I said looking it up and finally it clicked. “The same grocery store that happens to have a post office inside that Javi visited everyday.”

“Bingo.” Tony said.

“So back to Berlin we go.” I said.

“Not so fast.” Steve said. “We’re not going to jump in head first, we don’t know how involved the wife was in her husband’s business.”

“I’ll go.” Natasha said. “I have to meet with a contact in Brussels in a few days anyway.”

“I still have some time off from school I can go with you?” I asked.

“No!” They all shouted at the same time.

“Seriously?” I asked.

“Hayley last time you went after a lead you ended up on a landmine.” Bruce said.

“You got kidnapped twice.” Clint said.

“Honey maybe you should let someone who has a bit more experience with these sort of things take a turn.” Tony said.

“I do have experience dealing with these sort of people.” I said trying to talk my way into going.

“Guys give us a minute.” Natasha said.

“But…” Tony started to argue but Steve and Bruce moved him to walk out with them.

“Nat I can…” I started but she just kissed me instead.

“You’re not going.” Natasha said.

“Natasha this is my job.” I said.

“And ours is to keep you safe which means keeping you as far away from this as possible.” She said.

“It’s just gathering intel.” I said.

“Exactly. I’ll do the field work you just focus on putting the pieces together.” Natasha said.

“Is that supposed to be a consolation prize?” I asked.

“Hayley just do it for us. You scared everyone.” Natasha said.

“You’re worried.” I said realizing what was going on.

“We all are. You got lucky last time, that may not happen again and chances are this may be nothing.” Natasha said.

“Or it could be it.” I said.

“It’s never that easy and if it is…” Natasha started.

“You end up on top of a landmine.” I said.

“I’ll do this and if it turns into something I promise you’ll be my first call.” She said.

“Okay.” I said. “But you call and I’m on the first flight over there.”

“Of course.” She said before kissing me.

“Did it work?” Tony called out.

We broke the kiss and I smiled.

“Yes,” I said.

“Does that mean you’re coming to New York instead?” He asked.

“No, I’m on standby.” I said.

“Didn’t Pepper say you two shouldn’t be spotted together in the next few weeks?” Clint added.

“I think it was more of a suggestion.” Tony said.

“Didn’t sound like it.” Steve said.

“It wasn’t” Bruce said.

“Sorry sweetie, looks like I’m sticking around here for a while.” I said.

“I guess that means I’m moving.” Tony said.

“No.” I said. “And before you ask for a reason, remember the billions of dollars that you talked your investors into spending for a second headquarters.”

“They know I’m good for it.” Tony retorted.

“We’re supposed to be keeping a low profile.” I reminded him.

“I’m sure it was just a suggestion.” Tony said.

“No it wasn’t.” We all answered.