"Tony, one month?! Are you kidding me? One week, I can understand, two weeks, alright, but one month, that's-that's too much," she said, shaking her head.

"Sweetheart, didn't I say this topic is not up for discussion, you passed out for two days. There is damage to your organs and optic nerve, you ain't going to any mission for one month," he said, his voice firm arms crossed over his chest as he leaned back on the leather chair. "And for the record Fury did agree with this,"

She sighed, pouting as she looked away from him to the window, the white leather seats comfortably sinking her form in, thirty-five thousand feet beneath them was sprawled the city of New York, while white clouds covered their vision at the altitude, she watched silently as the air hostess again filled their glasses of cocktails, the cool liquid soothing down her throat. "You are insane," she muttered.

"For you, yes," his reply came without wasting a beat, almost as if he was waiting for her to say that. She shook her head with a small smile that she tried hard to surpass.

It felt weirdly nice and made her inside fuzzy knowing someone cares about her, this much.

The hour was spent in small talks, sipping their cocktails, otherwise Nora watching the scenery from the window with a childlike innocence, and Tony gazing at her with a smile.

He felt warm seeing her eyes twinkling as the plane soared through the white clouds, occasional birds that passed by made her smile, her lips curled into a crescent moon which seemed to glimmer.

She had told him with an embarrassed smile, when they were in car traveling to the airport, that this would be the first time she would be traveling in the plane, just for the purpose of traveling, not having her nerves on edge with the planning of next mission, or the uneasiness settling in her stomach that she is going to kill innocents.

He had remembered the shy hug she gave him, in the car, telling him that she was grateful.

Oh, only if she knew, that he should be the one expressing his gratitude for having such an emerald of a person, in his arms, to have the blessing of seeing the shy tug of her lips, or the sparkle in her eyes.

─── · 。ﾟ

"Wow..." she mumbled, looking at the hall which glimmered in the fluorescent lights. The window covered most of the wall, providing a spectacular view of the city of Vegas, its neon veins pulsing with life.

Sleek black couches with golden accents covered the hall, a faux fur rug laid beneath the central table, which had a glass vase filled with water, moon flowers blooming in them. In front was a firehall, providing a cozy look to the otherwise sophisticated house.

To the right, was an open bar, lined with bottles of champagne and wine, while taking the doorway to its left, the hall sprawled in a lobby, two rooms on either side that contain a guest bedroom and a vanity.

To the left, the hall split in two ways, one which led to a kitchen, and balcony that was filled with the fragrance of flowers. And the other which led to a row of rooms with interconnected bathrooms, black curtains covered the windows of the room, their golden lace shimmering even in the low light.

"You liked it?" Tony asked, his lips curled into a self-assured smirk, seeing her awe expression.

"Like it? I loved it!" she said, her hand brushing across the moon flowers in the vase that decorate the side table of one of the master bedrooms, a queen size bed in the middle, with white fluffy sheets and black duvet. The headboard was lined with golden pearls.

The petals were soft in her fingers, the fresh fragrance stirring the air in the room. She knew these flowers were not native to Vegas, and it would be a lie of she would say, it didn't make her fall for him a bit more, seeing that he not only remembered her preference but also went out of the way to have those exotic flowers here. "I didn't know you had a house in Vegas too,"

He shrugged, while the servants kept her suitcase in the room, tidying the mirror that sat there, before leaving, "have been here once or twice, it's a nice place, especially to clear one's mind, so figured out it is worth to have a place, here,"

She draws the curtains, tying them with the golden rope that was on either side, the whole wall was covered with slid-open windows, that open to a balcony, her eyes immediately twinkled when she saw the various potted plants, and a swing, a soft smile grazing her lips, "It is amazing,"

"Well, for you, it has to be,"

She felt her breath hitch, when she felt his words on her ears, hot breath fanning over her neck. She was surprised that she didn't detect his footsteps approaching closer, but then again, she was so engrossed in the warm and cozy balcony... and she knew her mind or heart wouldn't detect him as a threat. His presence was her comfort, how can she get alerted by it?

She was glad she was not facing him, because she could feel the warmth on her cheeks, knowing they must be rose-tinted by now.

He kept his hands on either side of her, trapping her frame between him and the window.

A shiver ran down her spine, when he rested his head on the juncture between her neck and shoulder, his subtle grazing her skin, "The sunset is looking beautiful, isn't it?" he whispered.

The sky was painted with the hues of red and yellow, some pink clouds scattered around, while some birds made their way across the sun, its warm hues lighting up the city in winter.

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Physical touch was something new for her...well at least, the loving one was. Her body was used to consider any touch, as something that will bring harm, her scars burning as if they were new. When anyone in SHIELD used to give her a hug, during a party or something, she would pull away almost immediately.

But with him, just like everything, this was also different, her body did tense up for a second but relaxed just immediately after that. His presence, words, touch everything feel oddly comforting to her.

She felt safe with him, and she wasn't exactly sure if she ever felt safe with someone before.

"At a loss of words, sweetheart?" he asked, a smirk curled upon his lips.

"Shut up," she mumbled, her cheeks tinted red.

He chuckled, before pulling away, taking a step back and letting his hands fall to his side, to let his shy girlfriend breath.

His girlfriend, it made his insides churn in such a way– whenever he realized that this was reality, that she is his girlfriend– that he couldn't describe...maybe this was what people call butterflies.

He couldn't believe that this beautiful, strong and the woman with the kindest heart was now finally someone he can call his...his girl.

He watched as she turned around, tugging her hair back, her eyes didn't meet his as she tried to act normal but that didn't mean he couldn't see her cheeks tinted red, and the smile that she tried hard not to show.

"Well, sweetheart," he murmured, tilting her chin up with a fond smile, "let yourself get ready, we have almost one and a half hour, before the reservation,"

His leisure steps took him to the wall, where the mirror stood. "Also, our rooms are interconnected," he said, gesturing to a black door that was almost camouflaged in the walls. "Soo, lock it if you need, because knocking is not my style and you wouldn't want me to walk in and see something I couldn't unsee...yet,"

He tilted the lock entering his room, narrowly dodging the pillow that was thrown at him.

With a chuckle he closed the door, running a hand through his hair.

Cute.

─── · 。ﾟ

Nora gently placed the incarnate piece of jewelry on her neck, the same one he bought her on...well, when she first realized that she might be treading on something dangerous with him.

That something dangerous, turned out to be something beautiful for her,

She took a step back, taking her form in the mirror. She was clad in a blush halter top and a knee length black skirt, the elegant piece of jewel resting on her neck, as she slipped in her Louboutins, draping herself with a black fur coat. She had kept her makeup a natural look, lips in a pastel shade of pink, and a shimmering eyeshadow.

"Wow,"

She turned around, when she heard his voice, his words a breathless whisper. She blushed, her cheeks matching the color of her top, when she felt his eyes taking her in slowly, his gaze roaming over her.

Tony always thought she was beautiful, no matter if she was in her casual clothes, or a dress, but it was something special seeing her standing there, with the necklace glittering over her neck, looking so painfully beautiful, knowing that it was for him. The blush on her cheeks, the beautiful style of her hair, all.

"You look beautiful," he said, a dreamy smile on his lips, as he walked closer pressing a chaste kiss on her temples, "so painfully beautiful, that I want to just stay here, sweetheart, with you, here, in our house, alone,"

She blinked up at him, before taking her hand back, raising an eyebrow, "No, we are going, this is supposed to be our first date,"

The night was spent blissfully. Tony had made a reservation in one of the most famous restaurants there, where he knew they served her favorites, they talked over meals, laughing when no one was seeing, or rating other's outfit like they were the hosts of a fashion show.

After dinner, and several glasses of champagne later, Tony found himself walking on the streets with her, after she insisted that she wanted to explore at night and walk to their house later. He watched with a smile, as her cheeks were flushed with exhilaration. Her gaze would occasionally settle at some piece of art or handiwork, which Tony made a mental note of deciding to take her to the shops when they would shop tomorrow.

Snowflakes flutter through the winds, slowly falling on the landscape, making the atmosphere even more romantic. Nora's smile widened as she looked upward, snow crystals falling on her forehead, she twirled laughing, the champagne making her easier than she normally is.

She had even bought some flower crowns from a girl who was managed by a little girl. Handing her more dollars than it was worth, ruffling her hairs, before she placed one on hers, and despite his protests placed one on his too, saying that he looks good with flowers.

The night ended with them walking in the house, and a sweet kiss just beside his lips, before she hugged him going to her room.

He was left standing there blinking, lifting a hand he touched the spot she just kissed, her lips were so near, so painfully near.

"She is going to be the death of me," he muttered under his breath.