Tony stood there, happy to hold onto the immortal for as long as she needed; he having no desire to be anywhere else than stood with (Y/n) in his arms.

He couldn't help but think on what his father had said, about her having a sadness behind the smile; and mulling it over now, as he combed his fingers through her hair, doing his best to reassure her that he wasn't going anywhere, he realised that he had seen that sadness while she had been sat on the plane. That he had seen it in her eyes, as they made their way home. There a melancholy that she hid so well; unknown years of having to pretend, to perhaps make it seem as though nothing affected her, making her more of an expert at concealing the truth, than any of the spies that Fury had working for him.

"I'm sorry, Tony.........." (Y/n) finally said, as she pulled away just enough so she could look at him. The billionaire raising his hand and gently pushing the last of her tears from her cheek; sure, that the immortal was the most beautiful crier that he had ever seen.

"For what..........?"

"For crying........you would think after all the people I have lost, all the people I have seen die, I would be used to it by now; that I would be immune to loss. And it isn't like I didn't know Howard wasn't dead. It's just seeing him like that.......it made it feel as though he had only passed yesterday. That him standing on my doorstep of that old farmhouse, was just a few days ago. You know, he always told me I could be slightly sentimental; doesn't seem like I've improved any over the years, does it.........?" (Y/n) explained, a soft chuckle leaving her lips as she looked into his eyes; eyes that reminded her of walks through autumn forests, as acorns and horse chestnuts littered the floor. Of nights sat by a roaring fire as she sipped on a mug of creamy hot chocolate, and the look of good soil after a rainstorm. Her eyes closing, and her heart picking up its pace, as his warm hand lingered on her cheek, for a moment longer.

It really had been such a long time since she had been touched by a man; since she had experienced something that felt as intimate as this moment. The immortal having done her best to avoid men as much as possible, not wanting to give her heart another chance to break, after Howard had sent her away. (Y/n) knowing that he had done it in hopes of protecting her; but that didn't mean it hurt any less. It didn't mean that she didn't know that their relationship was now over, and sooner or later he would find someone else. His plans for her to stay in Switzerland not lasting long, as after a few days, she had done what she told him she would and managed to get to England: spending the rest of the war helping the efforts, there. Able to work for the Special Operations Executive, thanks to some people that she had met through Project Rebirth. Yet now, after denying herself for so long, she had found her thoughts were once again leading her to the notion of letting someone new in. Allowing him to know her in ways that only a special few had, over all her years of life. Tony having this way about him, that made it easy to want to be with him; that made him easy to love. And the way that he touched her.......she had to admit that it would send chills down her spine even if his fingers so much as ghosted over her skin.

"There's nothing to apologise for, (Y/n). There is nothing wrong with crying, and I think only a cold, cruel, unfeeling person would ever grow used to losing people; would ever be immune to the death of people they care about. And you are neither of those things." Tony replied. Smiling as she stood before him; her eyes closed while he let his hand linger just a few moments longer on her cheek. The billionaire wanting nothing more than to lean in and kiss her. To feel the softness of her lips and taste her mouth.

"So........" The immortal slowly opening her eyes and looking at him once again.

"What did dear old dad have to tell you in the film.......? Anything interesting.........Or was it all boys own stuff..........?" She continued. Tony cursing slightly at himself for waiting too long and losing the moment.

"Oh, you know.....wanted to tell me to keep my eye on a certain immortal because she was really good at causing trouble. That, and if she had had her way, Rogers would have been half bug.......though Captain Cockroach does have a certain ring to it I must admit........." Tony laughing as she swatted his arm.

"Stop it. Howard told you no such thing. And the only one that was good at causing trouble, was your father. So, I know where you get it from. I swear that you have the same mischievous glint in your eyes, whenever you think up something........So, I think that it is me who is going to have to keep an eye on you.......Mister Stark......." She retorted, before punching the top of his arm. Laughing as he acted as though they have just gone ten rounds in the ring, and he had lost. Shaking her head as he finally smiled back at her and put his arm around her shoulder.

"I have no problem with that at all, sweetheart. Now.......have I told you that I know of this great shawarma place.........?" He replied, as he slowly led her back into the compound.