The sunlight rays flicker on the ground, playing hide and seek with the curtains. Nora peeked inside, opening the door with her ankle, a plate filled with pancakes and coffee resting on her hands, their aroma mixing in the air.

"Tony, come on, wake up," she said, setting the plate on the side table, opening the black curtains. Tony cursed under his breath saying something along, 'kill the sun' before turning around in sleep.

She adjusted her jacket, as she kneeled down next to his sleeping form, her cheek resting on her hand as she stared at the face of the man, who had burrowed his way in her heart. Her eyes traced the contour of his face, how his brown hair fell on his eyes, the lush eyelashes framing his eyes. A sharp jawline that seems to cut through her defenses, and those beautiful, oh-so-kissable, lips.

She bit her tongue realizing where her thoughts were going, before a smile came to her lips, it was true when he mentioned, he could make her do things she normally wouldn't, seem like that includes thoughts too.

Her fingers gently removed some hairs that were falling on his eyes, completely forgetting for some moments that she was here to wake him up, not to stare at his handsome face. She let out a gasp, as she was pulled closer by her wrist, her face a few inches away from his.

"No need to be shy, sweetheart, you can stare when I am awake too, this man is all yours," he said, his eyes half lidded, lips curved into a half smirk that was somewhere between amusement and arrogance.

She freed her hand out of his grasp, cheeks tinted red, "Finally, I thought you were going to sleep through the day," she mumbled, standing up dusting her jeans, avoiding his gaze.

Good god! She was acting like a shy teenager with a crush.

"I have brought you, breakfast," she said, finally feeling composed enough to not blush like a strawberry while looking at him, she forwarded him the tray which was stacked with pancakes and maple syrup, a warm cup of coffee– a stark contrast to the snow that was covering the scenery outside–and a single pink rose without any thorns, freshly picked.

Tony took the plate silently, not because he felt it was over the board or corny, because simply he didn't find any words– he had girlfriends in the past, though it was true that no one ever tugged at his heartstrings like she do, neither do he got lost in their eyes, choosing and liking to spend time with them in the bed rather than...well in any other way– he was not used to being cared for, or frankly putting being cared for enough to get breakfast in bed, it might be a small gesture, it might mean nothing to someone else, but for him it did, it did matter pretty damn much.

He could remember getting denied breakfast or sometime even lunch in his childhood, when his mother was out for some work and he would be alone with his father, that according to Howard was because of the need to learn discipline— that was one of the reason that even in his adulthood, he had no problems skipping meals.

His birthdays were the only days when he got breakfast in his bed, and he cherished those days more than he ever mentioned. The last time it was his twenty-first birthday, and it was pancakes with maple syrup. Maybe that was the reason why this gesture made him struggle to form words.

"I thought, boyfriends are supposed to bring breakfast for their girl in bed," he commented, trying to show his usual bravado, but Nora didn't miss the hint of vulnerability, though choosing not to mention it.

"Oh come on, don't be sexist, Stark," she huffed jokingly, before ruffling his hair, "eat it and get ready fast, you promised me that we would decorate the christmas tree together,"

─── · 。ﾟ

Nora extended her hand, her fingers making a grabbing sign, as Tony handed her a golden ornament, himself sitting on the floor assorting the ornaments colorwise.

"It is looking alright, right?" she asked, dangling the ornament on one of the leaf.

"Hmm, it is looking beautiful, sweetheart," he said, as he glanced up, almost half of the tree was decorated in the past hour, ornaments of silver and gold dangle around the lower branches mingling with the small stars and flickering fairy lights.

His lips curved into a genuine smile, after seeing her face alight with joy as she examined the tree standing some steps away, a silver ball in her hands, her eyes twinkled more than the fairy lights on the tree and her smile seemed to brighten the room for him, more than anything.

"You know, you look like a child having their first christmas," he teased, his voice filled with amusement and adoration.

She laughed, shaking her head getting back to the work–or rather the ornaments in the hands–and diverting her attention to the christmas tree, that for a brief moment got diverted to him (or rather how handsome he was looking in that blue jacket, white tee and black trousers, blue tinted glasses resting on the front pocket of his jacket), "well, it is pretty much my first time, I didn't really got the chance before,"

Tony's eyes softened almost immediately, feeling his heart constrict a bit in his chest. Seeing her always smiling and being shy or being sarcastic and amused almost made him forget just how much the woman in front of him had endured, having her in his life feel like a piece of heaven and sometimes it overshadowed the fact that she had gone through hell.

His eyes briefly flickered to the small scar on her neck, just near her carotid artery, he didn't need words to know that it was a sign of her escape from that hell. He sometimes wondered how she managed to smile and get through the world, after suffering so much. She was more resilient than anyone he had ever known, and not just because she had endured years in the clutches of demons and escaped from there, still having kindness filled in her heart. But also, how she fought with her inner demons almost everyday.

He might not have mentioned it in words, but he had seen how sometimes her eyes would hold a far-away look, her shoulders curved inward when she stared at the horizon or how she would not be able to look in the eyes of people who resembled the one she had been forced to kill. She never said, but her eyes always say it all, just how much guilt weighs her down, crushing her under its weight.

"Well, than we have to make this your favorite one too,"

She hid her smile by her forearm, attaching the ornament, "I doubt it would be difficult with you," she mumbled, not thinking he would hear but he did anyway.

"Can you place this one on the top, I can't reac–hey!"

Nora was surprised when she felt warm hands on her waist moments before her feets were lifted of the ground. Her cheeks flushed, his cologne tickling her senses.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her one hand resting on his shoulder for support, the other on his hand on her waist.

"Helping you," he said with such innocent eyes, that could have fooled anyone, but the smirk on his face gave away just how much he was enjoying this, knowing the effect he had on her. Bastard.

Nora forced out a breath, keeping the golden star on the top of the tree. Before her feets touched the ground, "Thank you," she said, stepping out of his grasp, admiring the now shiny and decorated tree, "It is looking beautiful," she whispered under her breath, feeling her heart blooming with happiness.

"Sure is," he said leaning on the chair, his eyes on her.

─── · 。ﾟ

Clink

Two half-filled champagne glasses were clinked, before getting connected with their lips, the cool liquid soothing down their throats.

The Christmas tree twinkle in the background, the aroma of cookies stirring the air. Nora and Tony had opted to celebrate Christmas in the peace of their villa, rather than a crowded restaurant. Content with just each other presence and a few bottles of champagne.

They both stood near the all-wall window overlooking the neon light pulsing through Vegas, Christmas decoration crowding the streets, and the occasional laughter of childrens.

Tony kept his glass on the table, adjusting his coat before forwarding a hand to her, his face etched with a handsome smirk, "Can I get the pleasure of a dance?"

Nora smiled warmly, keeping her glass too on the side table, grasping his hand with a fake curtesy, "why not, monsieur?"

Tony didn't need to be told twice, he pulled her closer by waist one hand entwining with her hand, the other tracing circles on her waist. JARVIS begin playing the endless melody of waltz and they swayed, Nora's eyes sparkled like the star atop the tree, her delicate fingers rested in Tony's strong hand. They swayed gracefully, their steps unchoreographed but synchronized– just like their heartbeats.

The waltz carried them across the floor, and Nora's dress billowed like snowdrifts. Tony 's eyes never left hers, and he spun her with gentle precision. The room seemed to shrink, leaving only the two of them in a timeless embrace.

Outside, snow continued to fall, blanketing the world in white. Inside, they twirled and dipped, their laughter mingling with the lilting music. Nora's laughter was like silver bells, and Tony's smile held promises of forever.

As the final notes played, Tony pulled her closer, her form crashing on his robust chest, she held her breath, her hands slipping across his neck while his rested on her waist. Her eyes were filled with the haze of such emotions that were unexplainable to both of them and for that fleeting moment, they were the only souls in existence. The snowflakes danced beyond the windows, mirroring their steps, the surrounding fading into oblivion. The only sound she was sure she could hear was his heartbeat, and the only scent that reached her heart was the minty scent of his cologne.

Tony wasn't into any other state too, he felt the need to remind himself to breathe, seeing her looking so breathtaking into the navy-blue dress of her's, her emerald pools filled with joy and adoration, twinkling with innocence, her lips curved into a soft small smile.

"May I have this dance forever?" Tony whispered; his breath warm against Nora's ear.

"Only if you promise, to be there on every christmas," she whispered.

The scent of pine and the faint trace of his cologne enveloped her before their lips met—a slow, achingly sweet collision. Nora tasted the remnants of mulled wine and the warmth of the fire. Tony's kiss was a revelation—a blend of vulnerability and desire. His lips moved against hers, exploring, memorizing.

All the air seemed to have left her lungs, and her legs nearly collapsed from under her. The kiss was gentle and tender, yet firm and slightly possessive. She melted into his arms, the feel of his lips against hers, the way his arms were wrapped around her, made all rational thought leave her brain. All that was left was a feeling of pure ecstasy.And if she could've formed any coherent thought at that moment, she'd be certain that she was falling in love with this man right here and now.

He felt her body go limp in his arms as she melted into the kiss, and it made him want to cheer. He had to suppress a moan, holding her even closer. Time ceased to exist. They were suspended in this kiss, Nora's fingers tangled in Tony's hair, pulling him closer. His other arm encircled her waist, drawing her into the shelter of his body.

Their breaths mingled, and Nora felt the rhythm of his heartbeat. The world outside—the snow, the stars—melted away. There was only this room, this kiss, this man who held her as if she were the rarest treasure.

a/n- finally! they kissed, woo-hoo! i was waiting for this moment for so long ❤️god keep my sweeties happy forever ^^