15 | that's the deal

Hope

"Tony, what makes you think it's a good idea for me to attend a college reunion?"

I have my arms crossed and my gaze as uninterested as possible as I sat in the living room with Tony convincing me to be his date to his fancy college reunion. My dad isn't here since he told me he needed to take care of some business out of town. So, I don't have him to talk Tony out of bringing me to this stupid event.

"It'll just be for a quick hour then we'll leave." He said, basically pleading to me.

"I don't know, Tony." I said, not knowing if attending a college reunion is something that I wanna squeeze into my tight schedule of trying to find a way back home.

"Okay, those four words are starting to annoy me." He responded.

Yeah, about that...

When he asked me yesterday if I could go out with him, I said the exact same words. 'I don't know, Tony'.

Because I really don't know! It's not like I don't want to. It's simply because the whole situation is complicated. I actually want to, but what's the point of going out with him if at the end of the day, I'm still from a different timeline and it's only a matter of time before I find a way back? And when that time comes, then what of the relationship we built?

We'd just hurt ourselves. I've got enough pain already to last me a lifetime.

So, I said I don't know.

"Fine." I sighed. "I'll go."

"Finally!"

"But, I'll go shopping with you. I don't trust you anymore after the last time you went dress shopping for me." I said, recalling the dresses that barely covered anything.

"Fine." Tony said.

—

I know I said I should be the one to pick my own dress, but when it comes to these kinds of stuff, I usually have Lizzie to back me up. She makes sure that I won't be a walking fashion disaster. Normally, I wouldn't mind if I was a walking fashion disaster...but I'll be going with Tony.

I don't exactly know if I don't want him to be embarrassed by me in front of other people, or I don't want myself to be embarrassed in front of him. Goddammit, since when do I care about how I look when it comes to Tony?

"How about this?" He asked, holding up what I can say is what's left of the dress.

"You're kidding, right?" I said with a raised eyebrow.

"Sorta." He answered before returning the dress to one of the racks.

He stayed quiet and behaved as he followed me around the store, like he was thinking about something. And his thoughts were revealed when he finally spoke up.

"You know what would make this day better?" He asked.

"What?" I asked while browsing through the dresses in front of me.

"If you and I are dating." He smoothly answered.

I sighed and shot him a look that said 'seriously?'. He threw his hands up and chuckled softly.

"It's just a suggestion." He smiled charmingly.

He's got to stop smiling like that. I kind of miss his teasing and smug grins. This smile of his...it's driving me insane.

"I mean, imagine this. Dress shopping now...sexy lingerie later–"

I whipped around before he could gather himself. He was startled by my sudden action that he slightly jumped and cursed under his breath.

"You're always inappropriate. Which is why it's hard to take you seriously." I said before turning around and began to walk again.

It didn't take long before he held my arm to stop me and turn me around. Now, he just looks worked up.

"Wait, are you saying if I'm a complete gentleman to you...you'd consider going out with me?" He asked.

Do I really want to go down this road? Won't I regret it later on?

"You won't even last a day, but sure." I said.

He stared at me, rather surprised and fidgety, like he was almost panicking but in a good way. A very good way.

"So, if I make it through the day without any inappropriate innuendo, you'll go out with me?" He repeated, probably making sure if I was actually agreeing to this or he's just hearing things.

And personally, I'm wondering the same thing.

"That's the deal." I answered.

It would probably be the stupidest deal I've ever made, but when it comes to Tony, I can't seem to think rationally.

"This way, milady." He said, as he guided me through the hall of dresses.

"Okay, now you're creeping me out. Stop that."

"But that's me being a gentleman."

"No, that's just you."

Tony glanced at me with an unamused look on his face, bordering on pouting. We then proceeded to browse through various styles of dresses before I finally narrowed it down to three.

Tony was waiting outside the fitting room when I tried on the dresses. He probably expects me to come out every time I try on each dress to ask for his opinion, but the last thing I need is to do a fashion show around him. Although, that would've been hilarious because I just know that he'd be struggling to keep his thoughts to himself.

When I stepped out of the dressing room holding the two of the dresses in my left hand and the one I finally chose in my right hand, Tony stood up from his cozy chair, his face already set for an argument.

"I didn't see you with the dresses on!" He complained.

He followed me as I returned the two dresses back to their original racks before turning around to face him.

"It's a surprise." I simply said.

I watched as his face lit up when he thought of something. His lips curled into an excited grin and he opened his mouth in an attempt to say something but I already have a feeling that it will be something inappropriate.

I cocked an eyebrow at him while tugging a taunting smirk on my face, subtly reminding him of the deal we made just an hour ago.

When he noticed the suspicious expression on my face, the smile on his face suddenly vanished and was replaced by a pout.

"Damn it." He muttered under his breath.

I couldn't hold back the soft giggle that escaped my lips and I internally cringed by how girly it was. I don't have anything against girly giggles, but the fact that that abomination of a sound left my mouth when I have not even done that once in my entire life, almost made me shudder.

He kept sulking even after we've already paid for the dress and have made it out in the parking lot. He was holding the shopping bags in both hands when he suddenly spoke.

"Wait!" He stopped me from approaching his car. The pouting on his face finally disappeared and was replaced by a really proud one when he ran to the car and opened the passenger's seat for me.

A classic gentleman move.

"Not bad." I said, an approved smile lingering on my face as I approached him and the car.

He casually shrugged, trying to be as humble as he can. "No biggie."

I simply rolled my eyes and shook my head before climbing into the passenger's seat. He went to the trunk of the car to put the shopping bags there then walked towards the driver's seat and got in.

"Seatbelt" He pointed out.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I'm a tribrid."

"I'm not—" he cut himself off and sighed in frustration, like he already foresaw the end of this conversation and just decided to stop himself before it happens. "Never mind. Let's go home?"

Home...his definition of home and my definition is drastically different. Suddenly, I was slapped by reality and I realized how stupid I was being. I'm from 2033 and he's from here. Ever since I got stuck here, my goal has always been to get back home. That never changed, even if I am developing feelings for him.

I have no future with Tony. I have no future with him because I doubt he's still even alive in 2033. And even if he is, we're not exactly a match anymore.

"Sure." I just answered.

-—

"Jarvis?" I called.

I'm standing in front of a full-sized mirror in my newly bought dress and a pair of heels that are weirdly comfortable. The dress is a mesmerizing black one with a flower-embroidered top that has a mesh sweetheart neckline and a tulle skirt that ended past my knees with a slit at the front.

My hair fell in auburn waves across my back and ai just added a few clips at one side.

"Yes, Ms. Andrea? Is there something I can help you with?" Jarvis responded.

I drew a few deep breaths as I continued to stare at my reflection in the mirror before replying.

"Yeah." I said. "How do I look?"

I'm aware that I'm asking an AI. But I don't exactly have anyone else who's not Tony to ask that.

"You look ravishing, Ms. Andrea. The goddesses would be envious of you." Said Jarvis.

I smiled at his answer. "I should date you instead." I joked.

"I'm not sure Mr. Stark would approve." He answered.

The laugh escaped my lips before I could make any attempt to hold it back.

After I finally declared myself looking rather decent, I went to the living room thinking that Tony was already done. Apparently, not.

I waited for him while I stood in the living room. My mind was then drowned by anxious thoughts. And I know I shouldn't be this way. Tony asking me to be his date to his college reunion is not an official date. It's a college reunion for God's sake, there's nothing romantic about that.

"Hey." I failed to notice Tony's presence while I was so deep in my thoughts. If it weren't for him calling me, I wouldn't have noticed him for another couple of minutes.

I looked around and saw him clad in his elegant black tuxedo. His dark brown eyes looked so soft, I had to clasp my hands together to stop myself from reaching out and touching it. And his eyes. Goddammit, his eyes would be the death of me.

"You look absolutely amazing." Tony said, his gaze not faltering.

I hadn't realized that I have not said a single word since he made his presence known. I'm honestly surprised that he didn't comment on how awestruck I looked. It's either he didn't notice, or he did, but decided not to point it out. I'm hoping it's the former because the last thing I want is to boost this man's enormous ego.

"Thanks. You cleaned up well yourself, Snarky." I replied, trying to act as normal as possible.

"I know, right? Aren't I the most handsome gentleman you have ever seen?" He said, a not-so-humble smirk planted on his plump lips.

...did I just say 'plump lips'?

Tony approached me and offered me his arm, urging me to link mine around it and I did after I finally gathered myself.

"Shall we?" Tony asked.

When I felt his arm against mine, I suddenly thought of the times he was in the basement with only his tank top on. The way his muscles would flex while he played around with his mechanic toys.

I couldn't help but swallow hard before pushing the memory away. Get yourself together, Hope.

"As long as I get to have no communication with any of them whatsoever." I responded, planting a smile on my lips to hide the fact that I internally admired his arms.

Tony furrowed his eyebrows slightly when he looked at me. "Well, that shouldn't be too hard." He simply said.

That's the last thing he said before we made our way to one of the many cars in his garage.

—

I'm weirded out.

I'm a college student and I'm at a college reunion. That's weird, right? I can't believe Tony went to MIT at 15 and got his master's degree at the age of 20. 20! I've barely even survived college yet and I'm already 21! Well, I'm not mostly to blame for that. Malivore and Salvatore Boarding School drama.

Just by looking at the outside of the venue, I already knew that the MIT has invested a lot in making this reunion as fancy and as big a deal as possible. I can only guess that one of the reasons why is Anthony Edward Stark.

Of course, Tony doesn't go on any special occasion without the paparazzi crawling the place. Upon our arrival, the paparazzi went wild, flashing their cameras at our car that just pulled up in front of them and I could hear Tony's sigh in frustration.

"Sorry about all that." Tony turned to me.

I looked away from the window, wincing at the once again blinding flashes of their cameras before I shook my head. "It's fine. You're important. I get it."

"A little too important, I'm afraid." Tony said.

I glanced at him with my face scrunched up in mild confusion and teasing.

"I thought you like the attention, Mr. Egotistical?" I joked.

Tony turned to me before he spoke. "First of all, you're not good with nicknames, so leave that to me. Second, you don't like all the attention. I don't want you feeling uncomfortable."

He looked away from me when he said the last one. The universe has to be kidding me. Did Tony Stark actually become shy? If only I had a camera of my own, I would've taken a photo of this moment and tease him with this forever.

I wanted to point that out. But it seemed too special of a moment for me to ruin.

We stayed in the car for a few more minutes to let the guards surrounding the venue handle the paparazzi before it was safe for us to go out.

"No, no, no. I'll get it." Tony said when I was about to open the door. "Gentleman, remember?"

I held up my hands and led back to my seat as I watched him put on his shades and climb out of the car. The way he adjusts the coat of his tuxedo while he walks around the car was a scene that I'm pretty sure would have me weak in the knees if I was standing.

I'm simply sitting right here and I could still feel my legs weakening a bit.

Okay, since when have I become this attracted to Tony?

Tony finally opened the door to my side and the flashes once again rendered me sightless for a couple of seconds, only seeing spots. And it only stopped when Tony stood in front of me, blocking most of the bright lights and giving me a light of his own.

His charming smile.

"Am I going to do that thing I did in the charity gala again, Spunky?" he said with his smile still on.

I parted my lips when I remembered what he was talking about. Now that I think about it, he really was showing signs that he was falling for me. I was just too dumb to realize that sooner.

When Tony noticed that I stiffened in my seat, he narrowed his eyes at me before sighing and crouching down to meet my gaze.

"Andrea," he started, looking straight into my blue eyes. "You look badass." He said.

I furrowed my brows as my lips broke into a playful grin. "Badass? Really? That's all you have to say?"

"What? It's true. Go on, Jarvis, tell her." Tony said and the AI actually obeyed.

"What Mr. Stark is trying to say is that you look marvelous, Ms. Andrea." Jarvis responded.

"That's one way to put it." Tony said.

I rolled my eyes at him and turned to where I heard Jarvis speak, which I think came from the stereo.

"That's so sweet. Thank you, Jarvis." I said.

When I turned to look back at Tony, he already had his eyebrows furrowed at me. "Hey, I said that. Not him." He said.

"Oh, don't get jealous, Snarky. Come on, we have a reunion to get to." I teased as ai lightly tapped his cheek with my right hand.

I could see him blink his eyes rapidly behind the shades he was wearing, all flustered. Well, that's another rare occurrence. Tony Stark, looking flustered.

"Jealous? Me? As if. I don't do jealousy, Spunky." He said, offering his hand in front of me once again as he straightened his posture.

"Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night." I simply said before accepting his hand and stepping out of the car.

I tried my best to not look directly at any camera or any of the paparazzis. One, because they hurt my eyes. Two, they might mistake my direct eye contact as permission to ask for more pictures. And three...I just don't want to.

Walking down that carpet took a lot quicker than when we were at the charity gala, much to my relief.

When we reached the inside of the venue, I found out that I was right. MIT really did spend a lot to make this reunion the fanciest ever. The place was already filled with gentlemen wearing their luxurious tuxedos and ladies wearing their cocktail dresses. The place is enormous and elegant. Though I can't help but imagine Lizzie ranting about some things she doesn't like about how everything looked, making me laugh softly and earning a look from Tony..

"What's so funny?" he asked.

I looked at him and shook my head once.

"Oh, nothing. I just remembered something." I replied.

I knew Tony wanted to ask more about what I just remembered when he opened his mouth to say something, but his friend came and interrupted him. Rhodes, I believe?

"Tony! Thank God you showed up." Rhodey said as he approached Tony and I. "You would not believe the number of questions I've received tonight asking where you are. It sucks."

Rhodes' gaze then averted to me and he simply smiled at me before looking back at Tony.

"Do you normally bring your trainers to a reunion?" Rhodes said.

I thought I'd be offended. But I honestly found it funny that I had to push my mouth into a thin line to prevent the smile from curling in my lips because I just know that a laugh wouldn't be too far behind.

"It's Andrea, right?" Rhodes asked.

"Yeah. Mr. Rhodes?" I said.

"Call me Rhodey." He answered.

I smile politely at him. "Rhodey."

Rhodey nodded and looked at me from head to toe. "Wow. You look incredible." He said with a smile. "If you don't mind, can I ask you to dance?" He asked politely, holding out his hand towards me.

I cocked an eyebrow at him, amused at how fast he was. At first, I didn't want to because I made it clear to Tony that I don't want to talk to anyone. But Rhodey being his friend, the feminine urge to ask him as many questions about Tony as I can was pushing me to say yes.

And I would've...if Tony hadn't slapped Rhodey's hand away.

Rhodey and I couldn't help but turn to Tony with a bewildered expression plastered across our faces before the two of them exchanged whispers that I could perfectly hear.

"Did you just slap my hand?"

"No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did."

"No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did."

Then the rest were inaudible to me when my attention was caught by an odd man by the bar, his head slightly turned as if to acknowledge my presence. His face was hidden but he seemed weirdly familiar.

I pushed past the people to get to that strange man but when I finally got to the bar, the seat was left empty.

I couldn't help but overthink. Who was that?

"Why don't I remember you?" I turned to look at who said that and I saw an unfamiliar man standing before me holding a glass of whiskey.

And I know that's whiskey because he reeked of it. Didn't the event just start? Why has he already raided the bar?

"I wasn't a student at MIT." I simply said before attempting to walk away but he spoke up.

"Oh, well, I still hope you're enjoying yourself." He said in an attempt to keep me in his company. "I'm—"

"In desperate need of a shower." Tony appeared out of nowhere and in just a few seconds, he had already insulted the man in front of me. "What did you do, carry the whole mini bar with you? Walk away, Whiskey Breath."

The man simply shot Tony with a glare before turning around and walking away.

I glanced at Tony with a raised eyebrow, questioning his sudden hostility towards the man who, despite reeking of alcohol, has done nothing wrong.

"And you said you don't do jealousy." I joked.

He shrugged. "I don't."

I just rolled my eyes and so missed the topic because I know, with his stubbornness, we could go on and on about this.

"Come on, let's go home." He said.

I whipped my gaze back to him at his statement, an absurd expression plastered across my face.

"We just got here." I pointed out.

We haven't even made it to ten minutes since we arrived and he wants to go home. Not that I don't want to, of course. I'd be more than willing to get out of here. But it is kind of suspicious.

"Exactly. We just got here and a lot of people are already pissing me off." Tony said as he looked around the venue.

"Not to sound like a girl, but I got all dressed up just for a five-minute event?" I said.

He opened up his mouth to say something, but I guess it's another inappropriate thought because he once again shut his mouth and closed his eyes before exhaling in frustration.

"Just kidding." I said. I'm actually relieved that we're going. I don't think I could take another second of this reunion. "Come on, let's go."

—

"So, let me get this straight...you rented the whole movie theater?"

Tony and I are outside a movie theater right now with still his tuxedo and my dress on as I waited for him here earlier to buy us tickets. At least, that's what I thought. Little did I know that he was actually renting the whole fucking theater.

"Yep." He simply answered.

I narrowed my eyes at him, waiting for him to realize where I was going with this but he seemed so proud of himself.

"Why can't we just buy tickets and watch the movie like normal people?"

"I don't want to!"

I cast him an unamused look with my arms crossed against my torso. He held my gaze for a few seconds before sighing.

"You said you hate people—" I cut him off before he could finish.

"Technically, I just said I hate talking to them." I corrected.

He just stared at me, as if waiting for me to finally calm down. I was calm. I'm just a bit surprised, I guess.

"Can we just watch the movie?" He asked, his head tilted to the side a bit with a charming smile tugging on his lips.

What is he doing? Why is he doing that? He needs to stop that. He needs to stop that or I'll—

"What movie did you ask them to play?"

Goddammit, Hope.

—

I sat through almost three hours of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone with Tony constantly making comparisons between me and the freaking wizards. Once again, I'm utterly amazed by my own self control. I really thought I was going to smack Tony's head one time.

It was ten minutes before midnight and I suddenly remembered the deal we made.

If he got through the whole day without making any sexual innuendos, I will go out with him. The further we go into the night, the more real it gets.

"Do you want some coffee?" I asked him as I pulled my hair up into a ponytail. I was looking at the kitchen when I didn't hear an answer from Tony.

I turned around to see what he was doing and all that he was doing was staring at me. My arms dropped to my sides after tying my hair up and I furrowed my eyebrows at him in confusion.

"What?" I asked.

He closed his eyes and sighed as he lowered his head and turned his back on me.

"Goddammit, Andrea, you're killing me." He muttered under his breath.

That just made me even more confused. The last time I checked, I was just standing here.

"What did I do now?" I asked.

"That!" He turned around and pointed to my hair. "Y-You did that!"

"What, tie my hair?" I don't think we're thinking straight right now because I do not know what he's talking about and I'm pretty sure he's malfunctioning right now.

"Yes! It exposes your neck!"

Yep, he's malfunctioning.

"What, are you also a vampire?" I joked.

"I might as well be, because all I want to do right now is bite you." He said rather quickly.

My eyes widened at his statement. Not because I was embarrassed by what he just said...although, I am bit embarrassed, too...but because eight minutes before midnight, he said a sexual innuendo.

"Well, I guess the deal's off." He said before collapsing to the couch behind him, looking all defeated.

I couldn't help but tilt my head and watch him as he sulked. A smile formed on my lips because upon Tony's revelation of one of his inappropriate thought, I realized something.

"Let's date." I said.

He glanced at me, his sulking face vanishing and we are placed by a stunned one.

"Say what now?" He said.

I laughed softly. "I said let's date."

I think I broke him. He stared at me for what felt like hours. But it was only a couple of seconds before he finally spoke again.

"You're joking."

"I'm not."

"But I didn't make it through the whole day like our deal said."

I smiled at him and walked around the coffee table, sitting down beside him on the couch before placing a hand softly against his cheek. His deep brown eyes were just as deep in my eyes as mine were in his.

"Exactly. I don't want you to change." I whispered, though loud enough for him to hear, "Turns out, I really do like you and your inappropriate innuendos."

I overthink too much. And for the first time in a long time, I actually did something that doesn't involve me worrying about what the future would be. I'm in 1994 with Tony Stark. I don't know if I'll be able to come home to my own year again, but I do know that while I'm here, I should make the most of it with the people I care about.

"You're really going to be the death of me, Hope Andrea Mikaelson." He muttered.

I shrugged. "Then I'd die first and hold the gates of heaven open for you...just in case they shut you out, which they're likely to do."

He narrowed his eyes at me. "And what makes you think you'll get to heaven, you little devil."

"I have my ways." I teased.

He simply laughed and I laughed with him. That whole night, we just sat and talked, drinking coffee 'til the sun rose up. And I've never done that with anyone.

It's official.

I'm in love with Anthony Edward Stark.

—

Okay, now I can sleep kssksksk.