A.N- I attempted to write the smut, but I just couldn't do it in a way I liked, sorry. I had actually intended to just move the story ahead and continue with the plot and then I started thinking and realizing that Skye and Tony need a 'morning after' scene and I hope I'm doing an ok job establishing the connection between them.

Chapter Ten

"We need to get out of bed at some point." Skye told Tony the next afternoon.

They had spent the night and the morning and now part of the afternoon, exploring each other's bodies. Skye was impressed by Tony's stamina, but then he was in fantastic shape for a man approaching 50 and it showed in every way. She couldn't help but running one hand over his chest, even as she made her comment.

"Why?" Tony asked, running a hand threw her hair. "JARVIS can order us food." He changed position so that he could lean down and kiss her. "It's not wrong to take this time for ourselves, Skye."

"Everyone will know what we're doing." Skye pointed out with a blush.

"So?" Tony asked, unconcerned. "Once Bucky was found and their trio was complete, he, Sharon and Steve didn't come out of their apartment for days. Sam and Pepper went away on a vacation to be alone. Darcy and your friend Fitz have been spending a fair bit of time in their quarters, if you haven't noticed. It's perfect normal for soulmates to need some time to get to know each other."

Skye knew he had a point and it wasn't like all their time in bed had been spent having sex, they had also spent a lot of time talking and sharing personal stories. They had done a bit of that in the previous two weeks, but somehow it was easier to open up in a more intimate setting.

"We have a lot to discuss," Tony talked about, "including what we see for our future. If you really want to join the others, though, we can."

"No." Skye admitted, "You're right, it is nice to be able to get to know each other in private." She was just always self-conscious about being the object of attention and speculation.

"Why don't we go have some lunch then?" Tony suggested. "I can get JARVIS to order something or we can make do with what's in the fridge."

"The fridge is fine." Skye said as she climbed out of the giant bed. In addition to being the largest bed she had ever seen, it was also tall and since she was short, climbing out was a little bit like jumping.

Tony reached out a hand to steady her and then he got out as well.

Skye admired his form as he headed towards the dresser. He was gorgeous. And he was hers. It was pretty hard to believe. Even after the night and morning she'd just experienced.

As Tony slipped on a pair of boxers and a tank top, Skye suddenly realized that she was very naked and that the only clothes she had were the ones she'd discarded the night before. Which were still somewhere in the living room.

Tony must have sensed her dilemma, because he turned around and grinned. "Check the other closet."

Intrigued, Skye headed towards the second closet and was surprised to see that, while it wasn't full by any means, there were several items of clothing for her to choose from, all in her size.

"I was optimistic." Tony told her. "When I first asked JARVIS to order some things for, I had a few put away here."

Skye knew that the gesture was typical of Tony. He had lots of money and liked to spend it. She could roll her eyes on the fact that he had been counting on her spending the night, but she found it sweet that he had thought ahead.

She grabbed a tank top and a pair of lounge pants and quickly got dressed.

As soon as she was clothed, she wrapped her arms around Tony. "Thank you."

"For not keeping you naked?" He teased. "I mean, don't get me wrong, that sounds like a great plan, but…"

Skye rolled her eyes and dropped her arms "Do you make every sentimental moment a joke?"

"Yes, actually." Tony admitted. He looked her in the eye. "I have a hard time with emotions, Skye. Maybe it comes from my childhood and my relationship with my parents or maybe it's just who I am, but I'm not good with deep emotions. I tend to use humour as a deflection. For a long time, Pepper and Rhodey were the only people I let close to me."

"I can understand that." Skye told him softly, putting her hand on his face. "I know what it's like to build a shell around yourself. If you make everything a wisecrack, then no one can see you hurting."

She and Tony came from such different backgrounds, but they had more in common than she'd originally thought. They both knew what it was like to feel alone and unhappy.

"The first time I ever felt like I belonged, was with Coulson's team." Skye continued quietly, "and then after San Juan, that changed. I mean, I know they still love me, but…"

"You belong here," Tony told her softly, "not just with me, but with the Avengers. Your powers, I know they scare you, but they're amazing." He put his hand on top of hers. "And you and I? Maybe we can help each other with those defence mechanisms."

Skye liked that Tony wasn't promising her a future of sunshine and rainbows, because that wasn't possible. Instead, he was promising to work with her, which was much better, because it was more real.

"Why don't you feed me and then we can go back to baring our souls?" Skye quipped after a moment, dropping her hand.

Tony grinned and took her hand in his. "Anything for my girl, but if we're talking about baring things after we eat, our souls are not my first choice."

Skye rolled her eyes, but giggled anyway and then followed Tony into the kitchen. She was sure there would be a lot bore baring, of both souls and bodies, going on later, but there would also be a lot of snark and she wouldn't have it any other way.