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Word Count: 541

Personal Paintings

"Are you going somewhere?" Steve asked, frowning at the suitcases by the elevator.

Tony looked up from his phone long enough to shake his head. "No, why would you think that?"

Steve gestured to the suitcases.

"Oh. No, it's for charity. We do an auction every year to raise money for the children's Santa Scheme. Every kid deserves Christmas presents, you know?"

Steve stared at him for a long moment and then smiled softly, shaking his head as he tugged Tony into his arms. "Everytime I think I can't love you more, you prove me wrong. Is it a personal mission?"

Tony chuckled. "It's just a thing we've been doing for a few years, Steve. Not a big deal."

"I expect it's a huge deal to those children, Tones."

"Well yeah, but…" Tony shrugged. "I have so much money, and some people have nothing and it's just… I just want to close the gap a little, you know?"

"You skim thirty percent of your personal wealth for charity, Tones. You're doing a lot more than most people in your position. This though," Steve gestured again to the suitcases. "This I like. Maybe all the Avengers could donate?"

Tony's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Sure, Tones. I'm sure the others would love to."

…

The Auction was underway. The Avengers had their own table, shared with Pepper and Rhodey of course, who never missed the event.

Steve had been correct that the others would be happy to donate things, and so far, their items had had the highest bids by a mile.

Only a few items were left, and one of them was a portrait of Tony, painted by Steve. Tony had so many of them, all kept in a special book with protective coverings, but he still didn't love the idea of one of them going out into the world.

It was just so… personal to him and Steve, and the more he'd thought about it, the more he hadn't liked it, but he hadn't been sure how to tell Steve, who'd seemed so excited by the idea.

As the last lot—the painting—was announced, Tony stiffened in his chair. Steve, sitting beside him, glanced at him with questioning eyes, but Tony just shook his head, his eyes on the auctioneer.

The price was going up for the painting, one hundred thousand, two hundred thousand, 250 thousand…

"Going once," the auctioneer said, smiling widely at the crowd. "Going twice…"

"Five hundred thousand," Tony called, holding his paddle in the air.

Nat snorted, while Clint and Thor both chuckled. Rhodey rolled his eyes but smirked and Pepper giggled.

Steve just stared at Tony.

"Sold! To Tony Stark!"

Tony put his paddle down and looked at his boyfriend with a sheepish expression on his face.

"You have that exact painting at home," Steve said, shaking his head.

Tony bit his lip. "I know but… I just didn't want someone else to have it. You make those for me, for us, and I know it's entitled and—"

"I was regretting it too," Steve admitted softly. "It's fine. Though, you know, you could have done three hundred thousand, Tones. You didn't have to double the bid."

Tony grinned, leaning forward to press his lips to Steve's. "Worth it."

Written for:

Auction: Day 22, Auction 3: (Fandom) MCU

365: 63. Suitcase