"Hey," Nora said stepping into Tony's lab. Her eyes glance toward the other desks where Bruce usually works, exhaling a relieved sigh after not seeing him there. 

"Can't wait till night to see me, sweetheart," Tony remarked with a smirk on his handsome face, making Nora raise an eyebrow. 

"Still as egoistic as ever, I see," Nora quipped, her finger drum against her thigh, as she exhaled. She hoped she was making the right choice. "Tony, can I ask you for a favor?" 

Tony glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "A favor? What's in it for me?"

Nora hesitated. She knew Tony well enough to expect this response. "I need to search for a name on your computer. It's crucial. You know your system contains data on practically everyone in the world."

Tony smirked. "Sure, sweetheart. But you owe me."

Nora sighed. "What do you want?"

Tony leaned back, steepling his fingers. "A night of yours," his voice flirtatious, and she definitely knew what he was referring to. 

Nora gave him an unimpressed look, "Forget I ever asked."

Tony's smirk widened. "A date, then?"

"No."

"A kiss?"

Nora crossed her arms. "Not happening."

Tony sighed dramatically. "Fine, a dance. This bargain isn't going any lower."

Rolling her eyes but with a hint of amusement, Nora agreed. "Fine, a dance."

Tony nodded, satisfied. "You can search for whoever you want. I'll even give you some privacy."

Nora's brow furrowed. "Alright, that will be appreciated... but what about the dance?"

"Oh, for that, you'll be accompanying me to a party tonight," Tony said, already moving towards the door. "Wear something nice."

What the f- we talked about a dance, not a date!

Before Nora could protest, Tony was gone, leaving her alone with the vast database of the world at her fingertips. 

She sighed, placing a hand on her face, but then a small smile blossomed. Despite the unconventional terms, she was looking forward to the evening. 

'Erica Reyes, January 21, 1979.' she typed on the search bar, her fingers nervously drumming against the wooden table. She wants the search to come up with something, anything. 

The birthday was right she knew that, after sneaking in around files there. However, the name she was not that sure about that. 

Erica, that's something they all called her back in that place, so she assumes that was her real name. Although Nora was the name, she gave herself after coming out of that hell, partly because she does not want to be associated with that name anymore. The other reason, she finds it comforting and familiar, why? she doesn't know. 

No results found

She heaved a sigh in disappointment, if she has to search about all the girls that were born at that date, that will be too much data to analyze. 

So, is there really no way to found out about her? 

"Miss Reyes, Mr. Stark have sent you the details of the party you will be going in," Jarvis voice pulled her out of her thoughts, as she hummed.

"Hmm, okay, thanks, Jarvis." 

"You're welcome, Miss."

She shut down the database moving out of his lab, past was something she can search for afterwards too, it was not going anywhere.

But present is, and she do not want to miss out a chance to go to that party with him, not when it will be the first party, she will be going in by her own free will. And not as some pawn or for assassination.

 And dancing with him does not sound that bad at this time. 

─── · 。ﾟ

Nora stood before her closet, deliberating over what to wear. Tony had specified "something nice," which left her torn between practicality and elegance. 

In the end, she settled for a — black dress with long sleeves. The fabric clung to her frame, its modest neckline hinting at mystery. It reaches just above her knees while the net around it unfurls and gracefully slide to her ankles, she paired it with black heels and some studs.

Was that enough though? she thought, as now insecurity gripped her over. She does not hold many jewelries or even a few at all. One reason, she did not get any ever, the second, she did not usually go anywhere fancy. 

Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself down, why was she panicking, he was the one who invited her, it's not like she insisted or something. 

As she descended the grand staircase of the Avengers Tower, Nora wondered what kind of party awaited her. Tony's parties ranged from extravagant galas to intimate gatherings of influential minds. 

And there, at the center of the hall, stood Tony Stark—the maestro of this soirée. His tuxedo was impeccable, the bowtie slightly askew as if he'd hastily thrown it on. When he spotted Nora, his eyes crinkled in genuine delight.

"Well, well," Tony said, striding toward her. "Look who cleans up nicely."

Nora smirked, hiding her insecurities or nervousness, "I aim to surprise."

"You look gorgeous, hot, beautiful," he said, his eyes glancing all over her form before he looked in her eyes, "- ravishing, even."

"You look good yourself too, and shut up." she said, crossing her arms. 

"Sure, whatever you say sweetheart... now turn around, will ya?" he said.

"What, why?" she said, hesitation visible in her voice.

"Trust me, just turn around," he insisted. 

Sighing, she turns around knowing that he was not going to budge. She heard his steps shuffling closer.

"Tony," she warningly said, when she felt him removing her hairs from her back, over her shoulder. 

"I am not going to do anything, sweetheart, relax, I don't want a hospital visit after all," he joked to which she rolled her eyes. 

Her eyebrows furrowed, as cold metal touch her neck while Tony fasten the clasp, around her neck. "What are y-" she started but stopped as her gaze fall to the delicate jewelry that hung on her neck. 

Nora's breath hitched. It was a stunning diamond necklace—a cascade of glittering brilliance that seemed to defy reason. The pendant was an intricate design, the facets catching the light like a thousand tiny stars.

"Tony," she whispered before turning around her, "This... why? this-this is too much,"

"Nonsense, I saw this on one shop, I thought it will look good on you, so I bought it." he said, dismissing it with a casual wave. "And don't worry—I've got more money than I know what to do with."

"But you should not waste it, not...not on me most importantly," she blurted out, as her hands with the slightest tremble touched it. 

This was too much for her, she had to control her emotions at that time. This was the first ever gift she got from anyone in her entire life, and she did not know, how she will pay him back. 

"Sweetheart, you know I am kind of offended," he said, with a dramatic pout "you can buy ten or even fifty such pieces and it will not hurt my bank account,"

"But--"

"Save it," he said. "We've got a dance to attend."

He offered his arm, and heaving a sigh, she took it, their steps falling into sync as they walked toward the Lamborghini, they will be going in. 

─── · 。ﾟ

The sleek Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 gleamed under the moonlight, its angular lines cutting through the night like a blade.

"Finally, you are late you know tha--" the feminine voice was cut off as Tony gestured to stop.

"Pepper, chill relax," he said, with a dismissive wave, before looking at Nora, "sweetheart, this is Pepper Potts, my assistant."

"You mean the women who keep you in check," Nora quipped, hiding the emotions she was feeling before forwarding a hand to Pepper, "Nora Reyes, a pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure to meet you too, Ms. Reyes,"

"Oh no, please call me just Nora... I am not too fond of my surname, you see,"

"Well, alright, Nora."

"Sweetheart, get seated, we have a party to attend," Tony interrupted, impatiently taping the door handle, opening the door for Nora.

Pepper raised an eyebrow, her expression a perfect blend of amusement and exasperation her gaze at the car, "Tony, you realize we're attending a party, not a race, right?"

Tony winked, "Pepper, my dear, life is too short for practical choices. Besides, Nora here appreciates the finer things."

"Woah, woah, woah, do not drag me in your choices, Stark." Nora said with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, whatever,"

With an amused look, Nora sat in the back seat with Tony, while Pepper sat on the passenger seat, Happy in the driver seat.

And with that, the car boomed to life.