[TBT] -just a fun idea i had to put into the story later on. Not sure where yet.

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Tony strode into Claire's home, sliding off his jacket as he did and slung his travel bag by the door. He smiled as the scent of homemade pasta wafted into the living room where he was currently standing.

"Tony?" he heard her call from the kitchen.

"Yea it's me babe. Is that Italian I smell?" he asked making his way to stand in the doorframe. He grinned as he leaned against the frame and just stared at her as she continued stirring sauces in the pans. Claire smiled over at him and shook her head.

"See something you like there buddy?" she teased.

"All the time." He told her instantly. Claire chuckled but Tony caught the slight blush that came across her cheeks. He sauntered in and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her on the cheek. Claire smiled as he remained in that position, just leaning his head on her shoulder as he watched her cook.

"You're the best." He told her, breathing in the tantalizing scents of the food.

"Oh I know." She quipped. Tony rolled his eyes.

"Mind if I wash up?" he asked her, already making his way out of the room.

"You know where it is." She told him as he disappeared around the corner. Tony made his way into her room to use her personal bathroom. Personally he liked that one better because it had her scent everywhere…..that and fluffier towels. Once his hands were clean he made his way through her room only to stumbled as his foot caught against a strap of her purse. He cursed silently and bent down to pick up the scattered items. As he did a box caught his eye. With a frown, he reached in and pulled it out, knowing it was wrong to snoop through her bag but he couldn't help it. However, as he read the label, he wished he had never looked. Then again maybe was glad?...The box of pregnancy tests stared back at him like a slap in the face. Was Claire pregnant? She couldn't be…they had always been careful and adamant about not wanting kids. At least not now, their jobs were too demanding and heck they never even talked about marriage. Would this mean Tony would have to marry her? Did they want it? Tony's mind was full of rampant thoughts just at the possibility of being a father. It had to be his right; stupid question Claire wouldn't do that. Tossing that one dark thought aside, he just sat there on the floor of her bedroom.

"Tony?" her voice brought him out of his stupor. Quickly tucking it back into her bag frantically he slowly made his way back into the kitchen. Entering the kitchen once more, Tony froze in the doorway and just stared at her blankly. Claire carried on like normal as she prepared 2 plates of pasta for them. Tony eyed her critically as she did, looking for any miniscule sign of pregnancy. Surely she would have told him right? Then again maybe she didn't want him to know, with his commitment issues and all. He wouldn't blame her if she did. Claire turned around and spotted Tony looking at her with a mildly terrified expression.

"What?" she asked him curiously, pausing in the middle of the room. Tony's eyes shot up to hers nervously and he cleared his throat.

"Nothing, just thinking." He shrugged, obviously lying. Claire rose a brow in confusion but didn't comment. She simply maneuvered to the fridge and pulled out a couple of beers. Immediately Tony's eyes widened comically and he shot forward, grabbing her hands in his.

"What are you doing?" he asked her in alarm. Claire stared at him warily.

"Getting drinks…." She answered slowly. Did he get a concussion that she didn't know about? Tony shook his head.

"No I don't think that's a good idea." he countered sternly. Claire tilted her head slightly, finding his behavior weird but going along with it.

"Ok….wine then?" she asked instead. Tony blocked her path to the glasses. This time Claire stared at him irritably, placing her hands on her hips.

"Tony?"

"Why don't we just have water. Water is healthy right?" he rambled, ushering her to sit at her small dining table. Without another word Tony sped off to grab some glasses full of water for them to drink.

"You hate drinking water." she muttered, not very worried about her boyfriend.

"But I can change, really can." He assured vehemently. As he told her this Tony stared at her attentively.

"Ok?..." she mumbled, watching him carefully.

"Are you trying to tell me something Tony, cause you can just say it." Claire prodded gently as he took his spot across from her.

"No I don't have anything….do you?" he asked curiously.

"No." she shook her head. It may have been a trick of the light but she could have sworn she saw him deflate a little at that statement. They sat there, picking at their food in silence before Tony finally spoke up.

"This is quite domestic isn't it?" he blurted out awkwardly. Claire coughed as she choked on the bit of water she had just swallowed. Where did that come from?! Tony frantically shot forward, patting her back to help her dispel the liquid. Once she could breathe easier he remained next to her, just rubbing her back gently. Claire turned to stare at him skeptically.

"Ok seriously what's wrong with you today?" she asked, attempting to feel his forehead. Maybe he had come down with some disease that caused him to lose his mind.

"Uh…..well I just want you to know that I am here for you with any big thing you'd like to tell me." He told her pointedly, however Claire had no idea what he was hinting at.

"Tony…"

"I saw the box ok? Why didn't you tell me you thought you were pregnant?" he blurted out suddenly. Claire's eyes widened dramatically before she burst into a fit of giggles. Tony eyed her.

"What's so funny?" he asked irritably. Claire cupped his face in her hands and smiled at him in amusement, the occasional giggle slipping out.

"Tony, I'm not pregnant." She assured him. Tony frowned.

"But I saw the box, and I know that I'm not the commitment type but if you're worried I would leave you to go solo I promise I won't do that! I know my father doesn't have a good track record but I can do better, I can change, you don't have to hide this from me…"

"Tony! Breathe." Claire cut him off firmly, watching as Tony took in deep breathes to prevent the panic attack that was bound to happen.

"I'm not pregnant. I picked those tests up for a friend who I'm meeting early tomorrow morning. She didn't have time to pick up her own and she wanted to know ASAP so she could tell her husband when he comes home from his business trip." Claire explained to him. Tony nodded and visibly sagged in relief.

"I'm sorry to have upset you. And all those things you said were sweet but don't worry. I'm not going to push you into anything." She assured. Tony grinned and kissed her. Claire squeaked in surprise at the force of it but soon grinned as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Once they pulled away Tony smiled at her.

"Sorry about my freak out there." He told her sheepishly. Claire chuckled.

"It's ok. I know we aren't ready for any children yet. We should probably work on getting married first." She joked with a grin of her own. Tony smiled at how easily she was able to make those assumptions. It was almost as if she fully expected their relationship to head in that direction. Tony didn't correct her but kissed her once or twice more, secretly thrilled with the ideas. He was not ready for any of that yet…..but it was comforting to know that she was ready when he was.