Ruby was in the midst of dressing, delicate fingers carefully buttoning up the crisp white blouse that hugged her curves. The soft fabric caressed her skin as she moved, the material whispering against her body. Suddenly, the door to her room burst open, and Tony stumbled in, his eyes widening as he looked at the sight before him.

"Oh, sorry!" Tony squeaked, his face flushing a deep crimson. He froze in the doorway, one hand gripping the handle as he averted his gaze, heat radiating from his cheeks. His heart pounded in his chest, the sound echoing in his ears as an awkward tension filled the air between them.

Ruby instinctively clutched the blouse closed, her own cheeks burning with embarrassment at the unexpected intrusion. She opened her mouth, unsure of how to respond, the words catching in her throat as she struggled to regain her composure.

The moment seemed to stretch on, the silence palpable save for the sound of their ragged breathing. Tony shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting around the room, desperately seeking an escape from the mortifying situation.

Ruby cleared her throat, breaking the awkward silence. "Uh, it's fine, don't worry about it," she said, her voice slightly strained as she quickly buttoned up her blouse. A small, slightly forced smile played on her lips as she looked at Tony.

The fabric of the blouse clung to her figure, accentuating her curves as she moved. Her movements were graceful and precise, betraying a hint of self-consciousness lingering from the unexpected interruption.

Tony's face was still flushed with embarrassment, his cheeks burning a deep crimson. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his gaze darting around the room, unable to meet Ruby's eyes. "I, uh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." he stammered, the words stumbling out in a flustered rush.

Sensing his discomfort, Ruby tried to diffuse the tension. "What can I do for you?" she asked, her tone gentle and reassuring, as she waited for Tony to gather his composure and explain the reason for his unexpected visit.

The air in the room felt thick with unspoken emotions, the brief moment of intimacy and vulnerability now giving way to a palpable sense of awkwardness. Yet, beneath the surface, a subtle undercurrent of curiosity and a hint of something more lingered, hinting at the potential for a deeper connection between the two.

Tony swallowed hard, the lump in his throat bobbing as he struggled to regain his composure. "I'd, uh, I'd like for you to come to the lab, if you don't mind," he managed to get out, his voice a touch unsteady. "We can, um, we can geek out together again."

The words tumbled out of his mouth, a hint of nervousness still lacing his tone. Tony shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his gaze darting around the room, still unable to fully meet Ruby's eyes.

Ruby could sense the lingering discomfort in Tony's demeanor, the remnants of the earlier awkward encounter still palpable in the air. However, a small, genuine smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she recognized the invitation for what it was - a chance to reconnect and indulge in their shared passion for science and technology.

Nodding slightly, Ruby stepped forward, her movements graceful and composed. "I'd love that," she replied, her voice warm and inviting. The blouse she had hastily buttoned up now seemed to fit her frame perfectly, the fabric accentuating the gentle curves of her body.

As she moved closer to Tony, a subtle shift in the atmosphere could be felt. The initial awkwardness slowly gave way to a sense of anticipation, the prospect of delving into their shared interests and engaging in lively discussions igniting a spark of excitement between them.

With a nod, Tony turned and led the way, his steps a bit more confident as he made his way towards the lab, Ruby following close behind, her curiosity piqued and her eagerness to explore the world of science and technology once more growing with each step.

As Tony and Ruby stepped into the common room, they found Bruce and Nat already there, the former intently focused on some project he was working on, while the latter reclined on the couch, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips.

Bruce's eyes immediately drifted towards Ruby's blouse, and a faint blush crept across his cheeks as he took in her appearance. Nat, on the other hand, seemed to pick up on the subtle energy between the two newcomers, her gaze sharpening with a hint of teasing curiosity.

"Where are you two off to?" Nat asked, her tone laced with a playful lilt.

Tony cleared his throat, his own cheeks still faintly tinged with the remnants of his earlier embarrassment. "Uh, we were just, um, heading to the lab," he stammered, his eyes briefly darting towards Ruby before quickly returning to Nat.

Ruby, sensing Tony's discomfort, stepped forward, her posture exuding a sense of poise and confidence. "Tony invited me to join him for some, uh, 'geeking out,'" she explained, a small smile playing on her lips as she glanced at her companion.

Bruce, still slightly flustered, attempted to refocus his attention on the project in front of him, but the brief interaction had not escaped his keen observation. Nat, on the other hand, leaned back into the couch, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

"Well, don't let us keep you," she said, her voice dripping with a playful insinuation. "Have fun, you two."

The air in the room was charged with a subtle tension, a palpable undercurrent of curiosity and anticipation as the four Avengers engaged in this brief exchange. Tony and Ruby, sensing the unspoken implications, exchanged a quick, slightly flustered glance before making their way towards the lab, their steps a touch more hurried than before.

The lab was a haven of technological wonders, filled with an array of cutting-edge equipment and gadgets that seemed to captivate Ruby's senses. As Tony guided her through the various projects and demonstrations, her eyes sparkled with genuine fascination, her fingers deftly manipulating the components as she learned to assemble and program the phones and other devices.

The time flew by in a blur of lively discussion and collaborative exploration, the two of them immersed in their shared passion for science and innovation. The camaraderie between them was palpable, their interactions marked by a comfortable familiarity that belied the earlier awkwardness.

As the session drew to a close, Ruby reached for a nearby water bottle, taking a long, refreshing sip. Tony watched her intently, his gaze lingering on the graceful curve of her neck as she swallowed.

"You know, I haven't really seen any other women since you paid a visit," Tony said, his voice tinged with a hint of wistfulness.

Ruby lowered the bottle, her eyes meeting Tony's with a curious expression. "Oh?" she responded, her tone slightly questioning.

Tony shifted his weight, suddenly feeling a touch self-conscious under her scrutinizing gaze. "I mean, it's just been, you know, the usual guys around here," he explained, a small, almost sheepish smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "It's been nice having you around, a different kind of energy, you know?"

Ruby's lips curved into a warm, understanding smile. "Well, I'm glad to be here," she replied, her voice soft and sincere. "It's been a refreshing change of pace for me as well."

The air between them seemed to crackle with an unspoken connection, a subtle tension that hinted at the potential for something more. Tony held her gaze, a spark of something akin to hope flickering in his eyes, as the two of them savored the moment, their shared passion for science and technology not the only bond that seemed to be forming between them.

Tony reached out, gently placing his hand on Ruby's arm, a warm smile spreading across his face. "How about you stay here for good, huh?" he said, his voice tinged with a note of hopefulness. "I know you've got a whole galaxy to explore, but can't you take a vacation?"

Ruby chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, I'm doing that now, aren't I?" she replied, her tone playful yet laced with a hint of sincerity.

She didn't pull her hand away, instead reveling in the warmth and energy that seemed to radiate from Tony's touch. The connection between them felt palpable, a subtle yet undeniable force that drew them closer together.

Tony's gaze held hers, his expression a mix of surprise and delight. "Does that mean you're considering sticking around?" he asked, his voice low and almost breathless.

Ruby smiled, her hand gently squeezing Tony's in a gesture of reassurance. "Maybe," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've certainly enjoyed my time here so far."

The air between them crackled with a tangible electricity, the unspoken emotions and growing attraction palpable in the charged atmosphere of the lab. Tony's thumb brushed against Ruby's skin, the gentle caress sending a shiver down her spine.

In that moment, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the intensity of the connection that had blossomed between them. The future was uncertain, but the promise of something extraordinary hung in the air, a spark that had been ignited and was now slowly, steadily burning brighter.