#styhrk — a mutuals only *& highly selective tony stark // iron man of the marvel universe. heavily mcu *& headcanon based portrayal. minors *& personals dni. written by dee ( ³⁰, she/her, slow activity )

she knows you ///, sees you clearer, reads you better, ; more than you ever could yourself. *& somehow ///, through all your flaws, she found something worth staying. ❝ i wouldn't be who i am now without you... every good part of me, the parts worth keeping, that's because of you, ❞ ///, your gaze drops, touch traces atop her hand. ❝ no honey, you didn't sign up for easy, *& god knows i've given you anything but... *& yet still you stay, even when i don't deserve it, *& that's what i'll spend the rest of my life trying to be worthy of, ❞ ///, your verbal contract signed *& dated, to trade your armor for more shirts in closet,

❝ i'd much rather argue about the truly pressing matters, ❞ ///, momentary pause, just long enough to be theatrical, ; ❝ you know, like what bathing suit you'll be wearing lakeside, ?? something indecently skimpy if i get a vote, ?? ❞ priorities ///, no one can ever say you don't have them, mock-sarcasm clear as day, ; ❝ but vegetables *& chickens are a very close second. ❞ plan already in play ///, brace yourself for what's to come, you're both already aware eccentrics are inevitable. ❝ we'll start modestly, ; the chickens first, then work our way up to an alpaca or two, maybe three, ❞ ///, a careful shift, brows arch in facts, ; ❝ but if you're at three you may as well go for four. no self-respecting eccentric stops at three alpacas, ?? that's just amateur hour. ❞ *& just remember ///, she knows you far too well, knows this isn't a hypothetical,

*& sudden it comes ///, kiss that lands, you savor it shamelessly, ; every goddamn second she offers. ❝ me in jeans *& a flannel, covered in dirt instead of oil, ?? honestly honey, scale from 1 to 10, ?? exactly how turned on are you right now, ?? ❞ ///, overblown exhale punctuates, chest rises high with exaggeration, ; ❝ because truth be told, i'm getting the hots for myself, ❞

that particular dream ///, vivid enough to linger in daylight, perfect enough reality had no choice but to replicate, ; ❝ you mean that silly dream of mine that came true, ?? ❞ flair for performance ///, smirk tugs painfully slow, gaze glues with intent, ; moment all innocence strips clean. ❝ you know it's funny, i was actually just dreaming of a week long sexcapade, you *& me *& zero clothing, ❞ ///, because eccentrics always follow, *& not to theorize but to test, ; ❝ what are the odds fate cashes in on that too, ?? ❞

*& your wedding day to come ///, chance of morgan's subtle appearance, baby bump snug beneath pepper's dress. ❝ as unbelievably cheesy as it sounds, it's just going to make you that much more beautiful, ❞ ///, words slip softer than intended, tumble with absolute vulnerability, ; *& thought of image alone brings happy sting to eyes. but then you're also you ///, so it doesn't last, sincerity always finds its counterbalance in humor, ; ❝ think we can both agree my cheesy one-liners could make for some exceptional hallmark cards. ❞ you may have missed your calling,

your i do's ///, to swap in very moment, you humor thought because how can't you, ?? ; to wed right here *& now. ❝ this right here is your dream venue, ?? vitals machine *& all, ?? ❞ ///, the truth of it, you would in heartbeat, ; not to waste another second. ❝ tell you what, ❞ ///, speech thins, offer she surely can't refuse, ; ❝ give me a few days to recharge the ol' batteries, *& i'll drag you right back into this bed to say our i do's. ❞ signatory banter ///, while not grand wedding once imagined, you'll make it just as special for two, ; far, far, far away from sterile walls. but a secondary truth ///, why i do's need to wait, why vows muse bide their time, ; ❝ i need to take a beat to recover, need the strength to ravish my bride with everything i've got post vows, ; seriously, baby number two will be here before baby number one, after i'm done with you, ❞

your own i missed you ///, it tucks snug behind sarcasm, buries deep beneath a smirk. ❝ c'mon quill, admit it, - you just missed me. you know, you could've just said so without hiding it behind a cosmic emergency, ❞

❝ damn really, ?? cause i have a 54th in me, ❞ ///, it come with promise, locked *& loaded *& ready to go, ; just say when. ❝ here's the deal, we live in a world where texting out, by the way i'm currently engaged in combat *& will respond later, just isn't practical, ❞ ///, but know what else isn't practical, ?? that ancient flip phone of his, ; ❝ so we trim it down to acronyms, ; BTW, BRB, add a fist emojis in there *& you're golden pony boy, ❞

overstayed welcome ///, conversation sans the quips, already lacks stray jabs, ; eccentrics become restless. ❝ besides, you start spelling everything out, your texts are gonna be longer than your wartime love letters, *& no one wants that, ; it's called being efficient, ❞ ///, there's your fifty-fourth, but why not just go for fifty-five, ; ❝ but most importantly, just remember WTF, definitely stands for, well that's fantastic, so be sure to use it on the daily, ❞

your gold band ///, circular symbol of love *& commitment, a weight of a promise, ; something you never thought you'd be lucky enough to have. *& gesture of surrender ///, palms raise with fingers splay, shoulders slump beneath sigh, ; ❝ damn, busted. you got me. ❞ taste for theatrics ///, pause for effect, patented brand of sarcasm follows, ; ❝ my wedding ring is the only barricade between me *& a world of bad decisions *& infidelity, ❞

threats in retreat ///, it brings carefree response, as if ending is old news, ; because it is. ❝ mm-hmm, *& please enlighten me, ❞ ///, grin of amusement pulls, sly sink deeper into couch's embrace, ; ❝ how many times have you tried to quit on me through the years, ?? ❞ cocky in confidence ///, a statement rather than question, subtle dare to contradict obvious. strewn through decades ///, ledger of failed farewells, none which lasted longer than a breath. *& monumental attempt ///, a ceo resignation ending not in goodbye, but with the kiss that started everything. ❝ i think we both know resigning hasn't exactly been your forte hun, ❞ ///, in her defense, you were always a handful, ; correction you are a handful. ❝ not to worry, consider my mistress dead to me, buried deep in your veggie garden, never to be seen again, ❞ ///, playful banter between, always so effortless with her, ; something you've long since perfected,

*& talks of nostalgia ///, shift in your perspective, every memory with her suddenly a lifeline. ❝ used to think nostalgia was a distraction. something that got in the way. but then we became us *& suddenly i'm hit with this wave of sentimentality i can't shake, ❞ ///, brows leap in exaggeration, finger flicks loose in her direction, ; undeniably an accusation. ❝ completely your fault, by the way, you're why i can't part with anything anymore, ❞ ///, boxes pile in garage like monuments, wife blissfully unaware of secret stash of said nostalgia,

triplets ///, while just one word, it lands in threes. ❝ well, you're not wrong, haven't exactly been great at keeping my hands, or anything else, off you lately, ❞ ///, now comes brazen confession, carries with zero apology, ; you're already halfway to trouble *& you intend to see it through. ❝ can you really blame me, ?? you walk in *& every respectable thought i've ever had vanishes, ; only the dirty ones are strong enough to survive, ❞ ///, your stare lingers in anticipation, says more than words ever could, ; *& you already know she's well aware of intent it carries,

*& something shifts ///, room suddenly stills, bravado on back burner at talks of what-ifs. ❝ but if you are, ?? if we were, ?? i don't care how crazy the odds are, we'll handle it like we always do, ❞ ///, hand reaches for hers, thumb brushes in familiar strokes, ; ❝ whatever future comes... we'll figure it out together. ❞ a baby ///, exactly what you're asking for, because you're ready to do it all over again. ❝ yeah, i want another, ❞ ///, words rush out swift *& sure, a certainty even you don't expect. ❝ the sleepless nights, the chaos of messy rooms, the sticky little fingers, ...i want all of it again, ❞ ///, honesty in your words, best thing you've done with life is being a dad, ; ❝ honey, you say the word *& we start again. ❞ a second of pause ///, your trademark bravado makes comeback, though did it ever really leave, ?? ; ❝ *& if making that happen involves you tangled in our sheets, making those sounds that ruin my focus for days, ?? i'm more than ready to do my part, you don't have to ask me twice, ❞

in record breaking time ///, knife to the chest, ego that begins to bleed out, ; call it, it's already flatlined. ( you see this is exactly why you don't have children. ) five seconds in ///, it already takes hard left, standard back *& forth with the kid begins. ❝ couple things, ❞ ///, delivery of utmost dramatic turn, as if you've been personally insulted, ; oh, wait,

stark theatrics ///, like shakespearean tragedy, every fiber screams of betrayal, ; ❝ i bring you here *& your first question is when you can meet a relic, ?? should've just dropped you off at the museum *& called it a day. ❞ save it kid ///, no point in attempts to cut in, you're already being waived off, ; ❝ but no-no-no, it's fine. you're young, impressionable, i get it, the propaganda's got its hooks deep. ❞ such rare silence ///, just enough to make you think it's over, but you both know better, ; you're far from done. ❝ but listen kid, when cap shakes your hand *& hits you with the stay in school *& respect your elders' spiel, ?? just remember, i was the one who brought you here, i'm the one who actually knows how to have fun, ❞

subtlety in threats ///, but still you smirk, as if to call her bluff, ; ❝ good thing i'm loaded *& my lawyers don't blink. ❞ fine line ///, that edge you toe, next calculated push. ❝ but you know, - it's funny, ❞ ///, loose aim of index with vague intent, pause to linger for performance, ; ❝ those sexual harassment threats never came up during our last visit. ❞ every word ///, you choose them carefully, just enough to irritate, ; enough to remind her. ❝ you remember don't you, ?? you moaning my name, ?? ringing any bells, ?? ❞ ///, because irritation is still attention, *& you'll take anything if it means she's looking at you, ; ❝ which, if memory serves, - you started, ❞

infamous strawberry catastrophe ™ ///, forever etches into shared history, chisel it into goddamn tombstone. ❝ wait, - allergic to strawberries, ?? you, ?? ❞ as if brand new ///, with eyes wide, *& faux innocence, ; peak tony stark sarcasm. ❝ honey you really gotta let that go, you bring it up like it's a national holiday, ❞ ///, cocky swig of coffee, as if you have upper hand, ; you don't. then she drops it ///, words catch you off guard, they land mid-sip, ; leaves you to cough. *& talks of date ///, unsure if truth to words, or merely bait to watch you squirm. either way ///, whether the truth, or to get rise from you, ; words hit. ❝ well if this ray-of-sunshine attitude is going with you, he's going to owe me big when your allergy crisis cancels the whole thing, ❞ ///, you snap back with sarcastic line, an attempt to sound unfazed, ; every word decoy, every smirk a shield,

last encounter between ///, mess she was left to clean, an old habit of yours. ❝ right because i'm the asshole, - that it, ?? ❞ ///, single nod of anger, gaze stubbornly fixes everywhere but on her, ; ❝ may as well play the part then. ❞ *& reminder in bold movements ///, straighten of tie, direct step in front of her, ; ❝ let's not forget whose name is on the building. ❞ *& to pull rank ///, card you've kept untouched, never meant to use company matters, ; bedroom was different game. but now ///, the very clear reminder, you who still hold the reigns. ❝ i really didn't wanna pull the boss card, miss potts, - but as your boss, if you plan on remaining ceo of stark international, i am telling you- ❞ ///, an empty threat of replacement, for position always meant for her, ; would only ever be hers,

root of tension ///, just moments prior, her casual talk of date, ; topic you weren't ready to stomach. *& unknown attendance status ///, a possibility of her dating, it only fuels your insistence she go. fear beneath bravado ///, because what if, ?? what if you return to find her in arms of another, ?? ❝ -you're going pepper, ❞ ///, the words snap, because mere thought of her with anyone else, ; it brings out worst of you. ❝ i believe this is the part where you say... ❞ lone step ahead ///, *& final inch of distance disappears, tension with nowhere left to run, ; ❝ -yes mister stark, ❞

*& quick she is ///, to try to take blame off your shoulders, to justify your choices, ; to rewrite the story so you come out clean. ❝ don't- ❞ ///, you mirror her protest, you haven't earned this, ; you don't want forgiveness that comes too easily. ❝ don't let me off the hook that easy pep, ❞ ///, because you already know the truth, whether you'd known about the baby or not, ; weight of what you were protecting would've only pushed you harder. her forgiving touch ///, you hate how easily she forgives, how she comforts you when it should be other way around. ❝ you tried to tell me, i was too busy playing hero to turn around. i should've turned around. i heard the pain in your voice, could practically see the tears in your eyes... ❞ ///, your betrayal, your break of a promise. ❝ *& i still left... because i wanted to, because i wanted to do everything i could to keep you safe, keep whatever was coming our way nowhere near you, ❞

decision made ///, fragile second of thought, pause brief but heavy, ; to retire the suit for the simple life. ❝ yeah, i do, ❞ ///, there's no dramatics here, there's no punchline, ; just the truth. ❝ *& i know it'll take time for you to believe *& that's okay, i'll earn it. not with grand gestures but, just by staying, choosing this every day, ❞ ///, there's no armor or mask, no sarcasm or performance, ; exposed *& real *& raw. ❝ i'm done. that's what i want, that's all i want. you, our baby, this life, -all of it, ❞ ///, kiss you press atop head, slow *& still, ; a quiet promise,

of cabin in question ///, it causes face to crinkle in playful innocence, inwards cant of head to catch her gaze. ❝ -wait, did i say cabin, ?? or did you say cabin *& i just had the good sense to agree with you, ?? ❞ ///, scary the thought is, what would be a change new to both of you, ; a complete opposite of your current life together. ❝ we've done the trademark rich living thing. maybe i'm ready for something different, ?? maybe we're ready for something different, ?? we could give our kid a normal life, ❞

the quiet life ///, *& she's right to wonder, to ask *& have reservations, ; would you survive the silent life, ?? ❝ can i handle the quiet life, ?? probably not, but i think it's time i learned, ❞ ///, truth in your confession, kind of vulnerability that unsettles you, ; ❝ i'd be lying if i said it doesn't scare the hell out me. i've done the iron man routine for so long now i don't know who i am without him. because it means stepping away from everything i've created *& everything i've been. ❞ but you're already certain ///, if you have her by your side, you'll find your way forward. ❝ the suits *& the tech, -all of it fades *& i don't know what part of me is left on the other side. but i'm tired, i'm tired of fighting, thanos won, there's no coming back from that. *& what scares me more is the possibility of losing you to the chaos *& the danger. *& now it's not just you, ❞ ///, baby between, a part of you but more importantly a part of her, ; your greatest creation by far,

❝ this is what i want, ❞ ///, words are out again, *& you'll say them as many times as it takes to make it real. ❝ wrap around porch, some chickens, a swing, you threatening to bury me in the garden if i touch your veggies, -all that domestic bliss, ; i want it, honey i want all of it, ❞

gentle in your approach ///, words soft spoken but certain, fingers trace idle patterns into her arm. ❝ i'm not saying we run from everything. i still need you running the show at stark industries. i'm just suggesting we, ?? -reposition, ?? a change of scenery, ?? build that simple life we never got to have, ❞ ///, a real question, only question that should be on her mind, ; ❝ the question you need to ask yourself miss potts, is if you can handle me in the quiet, ?? no distractions, no suits, just me all day, -every day... ❞ necessary theatrics ///, the pause for effect, you'll let it hang there a moment more, ; ❝ i know, scary thought isn't it, ?? ❞

argument could be made ///, this right to be most scary, life that grows just beneath your palm, ; you're going to be a father. ❝ morgan, huh, ?? ❞ ///, persistent name in your dreams, name she chose without hesitation, ; now she's made it all real. ❝ fantastic name, ❞ ///, a pause just enough to be dramatic, eyes pinch in sarcasm, ; ❝ you come up with that all yourself, ?? ❞ quiet sincerity ///, a kiss to temple, a seal of promise you have no intention to break, ; ❝ the mood swings, the weird cravings, the sleepless nights, ?? i'm here, whatever you need, i got you... ❞

it clings to you ///, remnants of mission, of dirt *& soot *& dried blood, ; all of it. attempts at seclusion ///, away from the team, away from the morale boosters, ; away from the pity. mission debrief ///, such selective attendance, a guest list narrowed down to two, ; yourself *& a bottle of something expensive, ( *& now apparently @b1ckwdcw too, )

*& question comes ///, ask that carries from doorway, type of quiet that demands truth. ❝ always, ❞ ///, delivers like instinct, a performance both inside *& out. your mock-surrender ///, breath drags through teeth, bends into bitter chuckle of sarcasm, ; ❝ no, ?? that obvious, ?? ❞ textbook misdirection ///, your effortless deflection, as smooth as scotch in grip. ❝ come on, thought for sure that was oscar-worthy, ❞ ///, a lazy swig follows, drink throws back as if it talks for you, ; you let the burn fill the silence,

your wedding band ///, light from fireplace catches just right, it glints just a tad brighter than usual. peripheral glance ///, awareness pulls *& stare holds, something has caught @freckledboss' attention. ❝ what, ?? nailed it didn't i, ?? little fifty shades moment going on over there, ?? ❞ ///, calculated follow of gaze, eyes trail to where hers fixate, ; it lands on your ring. ❝ oh yeah, that, ❞ ///, same band it's always been, only now it tells a story. something new ///, while band slightly dulled by years of wear, three diamonds set clean into gold. surprisingly subtle ///, they're quiet *& delicate, meant for only eyes close enough to notice, ; yours *& hers,

❝ had it done the other week, ❞ ///, nonchalant you are, but pause that follows is deliberate, ; you can't help yourself. ❝ seriously, ?? you didn't notice it was gone, ?? not once, ?? ❞ ///, then the words come, all with those top-notch stark theatrics, ; ❝ i lived the scandalous, ringless life for a week, was free from all marital chains. yeah, got into some loads of trouble. frankly i'm shocked you haven't run into my mistress yet, ❞

easy humor fades ///, tone changes without cue, something real replaces. ❝ obviously, ❞ ///, you begin, as if it's already common knowledge, ; ❝ the first one's for you. ❞ a steady display ///, thumb brushes edge of ring, the gentle spin on finger. ❝ second is for our maguna, ❞ ///, you continue, a smile that tucks into words, ; ❝ *& third is me in a totally non-narcissistic way. they're us *& what we made together, ; you, me, morgan, ❞

your further inspection ///, ring that turns this way *& that way, as if to carefully re-examine. ❝ you know, looking at it now, there's plenty of room for more, ❞ ///, slow build of smirk, the look you give isn't exactly subtle, ; did you just ask for another baby, ??

her confidence ///, controlled *& direct, near impossible to ignore, ; who's the dangerous one now tony, ?? ❝ wow, it's scary how good you are at this, most reporters would've flown the coop by now, *& most women would've caved to said cuteness, ❞ ///, genuine amusement parades, how much you enjoy a chase. ❝ but see, ❞ ///, you smirk as if secret is out, acceptance of her unspoken invitation, ; ❝ i'm never one to shrink from a challenge, ❞

time she repeats ///, your loose shrug, unbothered sip of scotch, ; ❝ all right 11 then. ❞ technically it's not a refusal ///, sounds more like she vetoes hour, not the invite itself. she has to know ///, this push *& pull between, it's what you thrive on. ❝ more than i can handle, ?? ❞ ///, she says it like warning, but all you hear is another invitation of challenge. ❝ honey, you do know who you're talking to right, ?? ❞ ///, judgemental squint of scrutiny, chin dips flat against chest,

❝ question you should be asking- ❞ peak performance ///, stare that lingers second too long, a final step forth, ; ❝ can you handle me miss lane, ?? ❞ the thrill of it ///, you're never one to quit, you live for the pursuit. ❝ stick around long enough *& i'll give you something worth printing, ❞ ///, you've baited the hook, you're just waiting on the nibble. ❝ fair warning though, you're chasing something that the world isn't ready for, ❞ ///, truth of iron man, a secret with an expiration date, ; you can't hide forever tony. is this your grand reveal, ?? ///, it masks as banter *& charm, your story to tell before world decides its own,