Nora and Tony, have returned to New York some days ago from their extended visit from Vegas. Emphasis on extended, because Tony Stark was a damn good liar when he wanted to be.

Though it would be a lie if she would say, she didn't prefer staying there. Don't get her wrong, she has started to love the familiarity and care that the team provide, she love the breakfast or dinner time where stories from past would be brought up and laughed at, the occasional food fights between them (it is mostly Tony and an reluctant Steve or Thor, but whatever) but staying in Vegas alone with Tony, was different.

Different in a good way, and even though it was only some days since they had returned. She had started missing all that– the freedom, the spare time, where they would cook in the kitchen, singing mismatched lyrics of songs, laughing and having fork fights (that is a story for a different day) or just being curled up on the couch watching a movie, under a warm blanket basically cuddling.

And though, being back in New York hadn't decreased the affection they share at the slightest bit. They have kissed countless times after Christmas, and being back in New York or even in front of others, doesn't stop him. Tony never misses the chance to sneak one whenever he can.

He had been too busy since the last two days, they only met at breakfast or dinner, or when she brought him and Bruce lunch in their lab. She would have doubted he was ignoring her, or even worse probably getting bored with her, but knowing her birthday was two days away. And he was planning a party, way before they were together. She knew he was probably busy with arrangements.

Shh, don't tell him, he intended to keep it a surprise. He would probably kill Steve if he got to know he told her.

"You are too busy with boys, you know," Natasha quipped as she took a seat next to her, "either with your boyfriend, or in the training room with Clint or talking about god-knows-what with Steve,"

Nora put down her cup of coffee looking at Natasha who had her eyes narrowed, leaning back on her seat and a cup of tea in her own hand, "Why? Is someone missing me?" Nora teased; an eyebrow raised.

Natasha rolled her eyes, her red hair swept over her shoulders, "well, sue me, you are the only other girl in the team, and after we get civil and supposedly become friends, I thought we would be spending time together...this place basically reeks of their mixed colognes,"

Nora couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head, "God, Natasha. Fine, where do you want to go?"

Natasha shrugged, sipping her tea "Some place to eat and shop, definitely shop, you have snatched away the most wanted billionaire, it would be a shame if you would not even use his credit card," she said, a teasing glint in her eyes.

Nora raised her eyebrows, looking somewhere between amused and annoyed, "SHIELD pay me enough to sponsor a shopping for you, thank you very much,"

─── · 。ﾟ
"You are definitely buying that," Natasha said, nodding her hand appreciatively with conviction.

"I thought we were buying things for you," Nora groaned, looking at the dress–or if you can call it a dress even– shaking her head, "and can you stop suggesting such–such...provocative clothes!"

"What? You know, you should buy it. Tony would definitely love it,"

Nora looked at the dress, blinking her eyes before shaking her head, "Oh believe me, I know, I know," she said, looking at the sheer material, golden mesh and lace the only thing that covered the dress, with some silver pearls adorning the hem. She didn't have a single doubt, Tony would love that dress on her, any man would do. But she still had dignity left in her, and she was not going to crush it under her feets.

On the second hand, the dress was basically made for women who are utterly confident in their bodies–she wasn't one of them, neither still is, and she doubted she ever would be.

"And if you like it so much," Nora said, giving a last shuddering look to the dress before turning toward the red head, "go ahead, buy it, I am sure Steve would appreciate it...or wait, that man would probably blush fifty shades of red,"

"There is nothin-"

"Sure, sure, keep telling yourself that,"

But in between their friendly banter and laughs, they had missed the lingering black eyes that assess them– cold like ice.

─── · 。ﾟ

Nora gently patted down her dress, taking some steps back looking in the mirror. She smiled softly, twirling a little. The blue gray silk draped elegantly around her, swaying near her feets, the sweetheart neckline dropped modestly around her shoulders revealing her collarbone, the net fabric of the cape sleeve shimmering in the light. It wasn't every day that Nora felt beautiful, but today somehow, she does.

"Sweetheart the party is about to start, are you rea-"

Tony exhaled loudly, when his eyes found hers feeling his heart skipping a thousand beats. The light blue eyeshadow shimmer around her eyelids that wore a black blanket of mascara, her lips that were twisted into a shy smile covered with light pink lip gloss, her cheeks highlighted.

"God, sweetheart," he whispered, taking a moment too long to look her up and down, "you take pleasure in torturing me, don't you? god, how am I supposed to focus on the party," his thumb gently brushed against her cheek, before he gently let it drop by pulling her closer by waist, connecting their lips into a sweet, short kiss.

'Happy Birthday," he whispered, pulling away.

"Thank you," she said with a smile, her pale cheeks adorned by blush.

The party was extravagant in its finest, the whole floor was decorated with light blue, white and silver balloons, the moonlight filtering through the blue curtains creating a tranquil environment even amongst the liveliness of people.

Avengers mingle with the other SHIELD agents while important names of the business world enjoy their strategic talks and the luxurious wine. Tony had asked her earlier, if she was alright with him inviting partners of Stark industries too, wanting both the speculation from media about their 'supposedly' relationship to end, by confirming them and showing the gem of the woman he has, so finally at least the other women would stop trying.

Tony never really noticed just how many women try to approach him until he starts denying their advances.

Nora didn't have any problem, she had been to his business party before and until he stayed by her side, she didn't think she would have any problem even if he invited the whole New york. His presence ground her, both from the scrutinizing looks of the people, and her own insecure thoughts. He said right that day by the rooftop, he sure built a light and a way to navigate through her darkness.

Plus, he had arranged for a separate hall where the avengers and they can stay and enjoy if they don't want to be there with the business associates.

The night started quite cheerfully, Nora was showered with compliments from everyone, let it be avengers, agents or the businessmen and women there. And Tony was regretting his choice to invite his business partners in some corner of his mind. Nora may ignore the roving glances she was receiving, mingling with others. But Tony couldn't.

He didn't blame them, she was looking exquisite, with her silver hair tied in a bun, some strands falling loosely over her forehead, her emerald eyes shining whenever she smiled. She looked like a perfectly cut blue quartz standing in the moonlight. But still the possessive flare of his heart burns brighter, they should keep their gaze on their woman not his.

"You want to get in the private hall?" she asked, trying hard not to smile. The warm touch on her leg diverting her attention from almost everything else in the room. His hand was resting over her knee carelessly, as if it belonged there, the warmth of his touch seeping through the fabric of her gown too.

Tony didn't waste a second before agreeing, both of them excusing themselves from there and entering the more peaceful and less crowded hall. All the avengers were already there, having excused themselves before and enjoying among each other now.

"Do you want a drink?"

"Yeah please,"

Tony turned his steps toward the bar, asking for a drink for both of them. Meanwhile, Nora finally got the chance to interact with her team members individually and god, was she surprised. Steve had made her a portrait of herself sitting in a tranquil forest, she was sure she was going to get it framed and have it hanged near her bed. Natasha got her a lithe jewel studded dagger, classic. Her hands were fragrant with the ever-blooming flowers that Thor had gifted her bringing them from Asgard while Clint had given her the collection of her most favorite songs.

She wasn't sure she had been this happy before, it was not what they got but rather the thought that they put, it felt weirdly nice to know she was important to these amazing human beings and well–a god.

"Hello," she heard someone clearing their throat before the deep voice reached her ears.

"Hi...James," she was surprised to see him there, Tony had told her that her emotion manipulation had managed to bring James Barnes conscious back considering he was out from ice for a considerable time too. Steve had been with him ever since then, taking him to Brooklyn during the Christmas. SHIELD provided the much-needed therapy needed for him and though the road of recovery was long, he was improving. Steve had thanked her countless times since her return from Vegas for bringing his friend back.

"Happy birthday," he said, awkwardly not knowing exactly how to hold a conversation with a girl he didn't knew after being frozen in time for seventy years, "...Steve told me that you were the one who...brought my conscious back, thank you, really, thanks a lot,"

He forwarded a red velvet box to her which she took with a furrowed eyebrow, wondering what was inside. Before her expression softened seeing a gold bracelet with blue crystals shaped like rain drops, "You didn't need to thank me," she said, with a small smile, "I couldn't leave you there when I know I could have done something...and well, thank you for this, it is beautiful,"

"I am glad," he said, managing a small smile to his savior before he took a step back, "enjoy your night, I don't think Stark is liking me talking to you,"

Bucky had departed to find Steve, before she felt her senses tingling with his familiar cologne as he forwarded her a drink, sipping his, "So what was Barnes doing here?"

"He was wishing me, and thanking me,"

"Hmm,"

"Are you jealous?"

"No, of course not, why would I be?"

"I don't know, you tell me,"

"...well, maybe, you were smiling quite warmly at him,"

"Tony...are you for real? That man is probably traumatized for his life. Of course I would show some sort of assurance!"

"See, that's why I was not telling you, I know you would have said something like this,"

"God, man, stop pouting, and you know your jealousness is without any base, I like you and only you,"

─── · 。ﾟ

"Tony, what is it?" Nora whined, pouting as he had pulled her away from the party finding a scheduled corner near their room.

"Patience sweetheart, patience." he said, as he rummaged through his wardrobe before he pulled out a red velvet box with a grin.

Tony stepped closer, his eyes—those mesmerizing, hazel eyes– gleaming with excitement. "Happy birthday, Nora," he whispered, handing her the box.

Inside, nestled on a bed of satin, lay a delicate necklace. The pendant was a stunning sapphire, the exact shade of Tony's arc reactor that still glimmer underneath his shirt. It shimmered in the dim light, capturing the essence of the comforting soft glow.

"Oh, Tony," she breathed, tears welling up. "It's beautiful,"

"There's more," he said, his voice soft. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a matching bracelet. The bracelet was adorned with emeralds, mirroring the vibrant green of Nora's eyes, "I wanted you to have a piece of me with you always, just as I carry a piece of you with me."

Nora's past with HYDRA had always cast a long shadow over her life. She had been told countless times that she was unworthy of love, that her dark past would forever taint her future. The scars, both visible and hidden, were constant reminders of the pain she had endured.

But in Tony's arms, those whispers of doubt began to fade. As she felt the cool metal of the necklace against her skin, when he fastened it around her neck, a wave of emotions crashed over her. This wasn't just a piece of jewelry; it was a symbol of acceptance, of love that saw beyond her past and embraced her entirely.

Tears escaped her eyes, down her cheeks, not of sadness, but of overwhelming gratitude and relief. She had spent so many nights wondering if she could ever be truly loved, if anyone could look past the darkness and see the light within her, that sometimes even she is not able to. And here was Tony, not only seeing it but celebrating it.

"Tony," she choked out, her voice trembling, "You have no idea what this means to me,"

He cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs gently wiping away her tears. "I do, Nora. I know your past, and I love you all the more for it. You are strong, resilient, and beautiful. This necklace, this bracelet—they're just a small reflection of the love I have for you."

Nora's heart swelled with love. She threw her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace. They pulled back slightly, their foreheads touching, Nora's fingers traced the bracelet on his wrist, and she smiled through her tears. "I love you, Tony,"

Tony's breath hitched. They had exchanged countless "I like you"s, and though somewhere in both of their hearts they knew they had fallen deep for each other they didn't voice it but this was different. This was raw, unfiltered emotion. His eyes searched hers, finding the same vulnerability and hope reflected back at him. "I love you too, Nora," he whispered, capturing her lips in a tender kiss.

And in that moment, surrounded by the soft glow of the moon that illuminates the three red roses kept at the side table, signifying their one-month anniversary too, Nora knew she had found her home. Not in a place, but in a person. Tony was her home, her safe haven, her forever.