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Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count: 677


Chance Meeting ( I Missed You)


"Steve's here," Tony muttered to Pepper.

Pepper winced, glancing over Tony's shoulder to see the broad expanse of Steve's shoulders. He was staring at Tony's back as though he wanted to pull him over by magnetic power or something.

"I didn't realise he'd be here," she admitted. "I wouldn't have asked you to come if I'd known, I swear."

Tony sighed. "I know, I know. I don't blame you, Pep. I should have checked with Sam."

Pepper blinked. "Is that how you've been avoiding him?"

Nodding, Tony took a sip from his wine glass, wrinkling his nose at the taste. He didn't really like wine, but he was trying to not drink too much whiskey; it never ended well for him when he did.

"Sam thinks we should talk, but he also acknowledges that we can't do that until we're both ready and I guess… I guess he knows i'm not ready."

"The way Steve is looking at you, I think you need to be ready, Tones," she pointed out.

"Not if I can get out of here without him catching me," Tony pointed out, but he made no move to leave. He didn't want to feel like he was being chased out, after all. He was stronger than that—or that was what he told himself.

"It'll be fine," she said, reaching out to squeeze his hand. "Stick with me, okay?"

"Tony."

Tony bit his lip for a moment, heaving in a fortifying breath before he turned around to see Steve in all of his muscled glory. God, but he missed him.

"You look as amazing as always," Steve said softly.

"Backatcha," Tony replied, forcing himself not to pay too much attention to the way the black and white tuxedo was clinging to every inch of Steve.

While he preferred to wear more unique suits, there was always something to be said for the classics, he couldn't help but think.

"Do you have time for a chat?" Steve asked, nodding to the balcony, set just slightly off the large ballroom.

"I uh," Tony swallowed hard. "I really can't stay. Sorry, Steve but—"

"I want things to go back to the way they used to be," Steve interrupted Tony's excuse—which was probably a good thing, since Tony didn't have a clue what he was going to say. "I want you back, Tony. We should have never broken up in the first place."

Tony sniffed, looking away. "We didn't work, Steve. I don't see what would be different this time than last."

"I've learnt my lesson, Tones. I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have listened to the gossip, and I know I messed up. Just… please. One more chance. We were amazing together, you know we were."

And they had been. Tony had never been happier than when he was with Steve, but being who he was, Tony was never going to escape the press, the rumours, the vicious gossip that would shadow him regardless of whether he was doing good things or bad.

"Steve—"

"Tell me you don't miss me," Steve said, his eyes bright and begging. "Tell me you don't still love me, and I swear to you, Tony, I'll leave you alone."

"I—" Tony choked on the words that refused to leave him. He'd never been able to lie to Steve.

Steve tentatively reached out and gripped Tony's hand in his own. "Just… let me try again? A date? We can take it as slow as you want, just… give me a chance, Tony."

Looking down at their clasped hands, Tony nodded. "I… yeah, okay. A date?"

"I'll pick you up on Tuesday?" Steve offered. "Seven o'clock?"

Thinking briefly of his schedule for the week, and then realising that he'd rearrange whatever he needed to for Steve, he nodded again.

"I'll be ready."

Steve lifted their hands and pressed a kiss to the back of Tony's. "Thank you. I love you, Tony. I really do."

Tony smiled slightly and pushed up on his tiptoes to press a kiss against Steve's cheek. "I love you too."


Written for:

Advent: Relationship: Exes

Holiday Crackers: Trinket: Wine glass

Stocking: 5. Travel-sized Chess: (colour) black

Big Dinner Bash: Broccoli: "I want things to go back to the way they used to be."

Christmas Party: 6. "I really can't stay."

Insane: 97. Wine Glass