The Masks We Wear

By Jennifer Collins

Natasha was walking down the main hallway leading to the lobby of S.H.E.I.L.D. headquarters, deep in conversation with Clint when a tall, familiar frame appeared from behind a door, chuckling softly as he closed it behind him.

"Tony! What are you doing here?"

"Natasha, what a pleasant surprise," he said, leaning down to plant a swift kiss on her cheek. "Clint," he nodded to her partner before reaching out to shake hands. "I came for a meeting with Fury."

"And how are you liking New York?" She asked, gazing intently at his features.

He smiled a wide knowing smile. "Much better than last time I was here, that's for sure," he replied with a wink. "Anyway, now that I've got you both here I insist that we must do lunch."

Natasha looked up at Clint. "We are just getting off our shift…"

"Gee, as great as that sounds, I'm afraid I have to get back to that… that thing," Clint said, semi-apologetically. "Ah, work thing."

"No worries, pal," Tony said. "Looks like it's just you and me, darling."

"How about that," Natasha said with a slight laugh, narrowing her eyes at Clint. "I'll catch up with you later, Barton."

Tony offered his arm to her, waving half-heartedly at Clint as he retreated down the hall.

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, she slipped her arm through his, muttering "No shawarma," as they headed at the door.

He laughed and she had to admit that his mirth was contagious as a slow smile started to spread across her lips. "No Shawarma," he promised. "Actually, my limo's right out here. The driver will take us wherever you'd like to go," he added, opening the door for her.

"Limo?" She slid across the seat. "All those cars in your garage and you hired a limo?"

"Hired? This is my personal limousine. I always get driven to meetings," he told her.

She nodded. "Where's Happy?"

Something dark flickered across his expression for a moment before he regained his composure. "Happy has the day off," he said, settling back. "Here we are. Nice and private back here," he said. "How about you sit on my lap?"

"Are you serious?"

"Why not?" He said with a smirk.

"Just when I was starting to change my mind about you," she muttered under her breath. Out loud she said, "You know I could kill you back here, right? Since it's so private."

He laughed. "I like to live dangerously."

She glared at him. "You like to live foolishly. What would Pepper think?"

"You didn't really care about what Pepper would think at my birthday party two years ago," he pointed out.

"Stark! That was…"

He nodded. "You playing a role. But some things you can't fake."

"Don't be an ass."

"Oh, that's right. You were just using me. I almost forgot."

"You can't possibly still be mad at that. After all we've been through with the team? You don't trust me?"

"Well, you don't trust me," he said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Maybe it's because every time I start to think we could be friends, you go and act like this. I don't understand. Why the spoiled rich boy act, Tony? You started to let me see you…"

"Hmph. Little miss spy thinks she knows everything. This is the real me, baby. And you're one to talk with the roleplaying. Do you even know who you are anymore?"

"That's low, Tony. I know exactly who I am. That's why this comes so easy. What mask are you putting on right now?" She peered closer at him when he didn't answer. "Tony? It's Pepper, isn't it?"

He sighed. "She.. broke up with me."

"Oh." She lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry."

He shrugged. "It's alright. Except for the fact that she knows literally everything about me. That's dangerous."

Natasha shook her head. "Pepper would never betray you like that. But I don't think that's what you're worried about."

"You don't know me as well as you think you do, Agent Romanoff."

"Look, Tony. I get it. You're hurt. And I'm sorry she hurt you, but that doesn't mean you have to swear off trusting everyone. Not everyone is out to get you. Sometimes things just don't work out."

He nodded. "Yeah, she said something like that. That we're better off friends, blah blah."

She wrinkled her nose. "You fired her, didn't you?"

"I can't fire her. She's the C.E.O."

Natasha grinned. "Well, at least you didn't mess up that part of your life."

"I didn't mess up any part of my life. I'm fucking Tony Stark."

"That's right. So bounceback."

"Alright…" He placed a firm hand on her knee.

She cringed. "I'm going to let you keep all those fingers intact if you remove your hand within the next five seconds, but only because I know that you're just lashing out because you're in pain."

He smiled coyly. "Playing the role of my friend there, are you?"

She flicked his hand off her lap. "I am your friend."

"But you don't trust me."

"I was learning to," she pointed out. "Do you trust me?"

"Wanna know a secret?" He leaned close. "I don't trust any female," he whispered into her ear.

"That's sexist. And untrue."

"Whatever. So I told you this limo would take you anywhere. Where do you want to go?"

"As far as lunch? I'll let you pick the restaurant. But after that, we're going back to headquarters. And you're going to read my S.H.I.E.L.D. file."

"I've already read your S.H.I.E.L.D. file. I was hoping after lunch we'd go back to my place."

"I was talking about the classified one. It's only fair. I've seen yours. We're going to build trust, right?"

He nodded.

"Then you need to see past the mask you think I wear. And you need to drop the one you think you wear. Is that a deal?"

He shrugged. "You know, shawarma would have been way easier."