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Challenges listed at the bottom.
Word Count: 996
A Little Bit Of Commitment
"The holidays aren't just about giving gifts, Tony," Pepper said patiently. "I don't think Phil is really going to be that fussed. Wrap a ribbon around yourself, I'm sure he'd appreciate that much more than something you could buy in a shop."
Tony stared at her for a long moment and then snorted. "I've officially ruined you, haven't I?"
She rolled her eyes. "You know exactly what I'm saying. Phil isn't materialistic, just… whatever you do, do it from the heart, okay?"
Twisting his lips, Tony nodded. "Okay, yeah. I can… do that. Maybe."
"He loves you, Tony. Not your bank. Remember that, alright?"
"I know. I do know that, Pep."
"Me on the other hand, I appreciate diamonds."
Tony chuckled. "Already ordered, Miss Potts."
…
Tony was lounging on the sofa, a blanket draped over his legs, when Phil arrived. Tony leant his head back to allow Phil to press a kiss to his temple, before he ran a hand through Tony's hair.
"You're ready for a cut," he murmured, smiling down at Tony when he wrinkled his nose.
"After Christmas," Tony replied. "It's not like we're going out this year, I can be as unkempt as I please."
Phil snorted as he shucked his jacket, rolling the sleeves of his shirt up and loosening his tie as he joined Tony on the sofa. Tony smiled at him. This was 'home' Phil, a wonderful distinction to the man that whirled around SHIELD everyday with an alarming competence.
"What have you been doing today?"
Tony leant into him, tucking himself beneath Phil's raised arm automatically. "Went to see Pepper, checked in on R&D and finished up some gift shopping. That's about it, it's been disgustingly boring."
"Boring is a good look on you," Phil commented. "At least boring isn't going to give me a heart attack every three minutes."
Chuckling, Tony pressed a kiss to Phil's neck. None of them were immortal, but he couldn't deny that he worried about Phil a lot; it was sort of nice to know that the same could be said the other way around.
And of course, Phil didn't throw himself into the line of fire in a tin can every other week, so Tony guessed he could understand why Phil enjoyed boring.
"So, what have you been buying? Have you been your usual generous self?"
"Diamonds for Pep," Tony said, grinning.
"Of course."
"New art supplies—and the worst Christmas jumper ever made, he's going to love it—for Steve."
Phil snorted.
"A new set of throwing knives for Nat, and a bottle of that wine she loves. Uh, Clints new bow is being made as I speak and… oh, I bought Happy a new car."
"The one he was drooling over at the car show?"
"Uh huh."
"I'm sure everyone is going to be very happy."
Tony nodded. "Hope so."
"Anything else?"
Tony grinned up at him. "You'll have to wait and see."
Phil sighed. "It always worries me when you say that."
Nodding, Tony replied, "Yeah, that's probably sensible."
"MISTLETOE!"
Tony startled and then looked up to see Clint grinning happily, hanging mistletoe over their heads.
"You know we don't need a parasitic plant to make us kiss, right?" Phil asked, arching an unimpressed eyebrow at the archer.
Tony chuckled, but pulled Phil in for a kiss anyway. Any excuse was good with him.
…
"Tony, why is that box moving?"
"Open it and find out," Tony prompted, gesturing to the box.
Phil narrowed his eyes but then moved towards it cautiously. The Avengers were all watching on with interest, though Steve and Natasha both knew exactly what it was; Steve because he'd looked after it for Tony overnight, and Nat because she'd helped Tony pick it.
Phil opened the box and then gasped down at the tiny kitten, his mouth opening into a perfect O for a moment before he looked at Tony.
Tony grinned at him. "I thought we were ready for a little bit more commitment, you know?"
"She's perfect," Phil murmured softly, carefully lifting her from the box. "Does she have a name?"
"Not yet. She only just got here yesterday from her mama."
"Pretty little girl," Phil cooed softly, stroking the soft fur on the kitten's head. "I think we'll call you Primrose, hmm?"
Tony smiled, winking at Steve when he gave him a thumbs up.
Phil set Primrose down in his lap, and reached far under the tree for a small box. "I'm glad you're ready for a little more commitment, sweetheart," he said to Tony, handing the box over.
Tony blinked, and then carefully unwrapped the box, his heart beating madly in his chest because if this was what he thought it was then he was the one in danger of a heart attack.
The jewellery box beneath the wrapping was unassuming, almost plain if it wasn't for the beautifully crafted leather. Tony flicked it open to see a white gold ring nestled in the box and he looked at Phil to see him smiling.
"Think you can handle being Tony Coulson-Stark?" Phil asked, his hand still absently stroking Primrose, who was purring up a storm in his lap.
"The name needs some work," Tony replied, tears of happiness welling in his eyes. "But I'm sure we can figure it out. Do I have to put it on myself?"
Phil shook his head and reached out, first for the box, and then for Tony's hand, slipping the ring on. It was a perfect fit, of course, and as Phil pressed his lips to Tony's, their family around them cheered and hollered.
Steve scooped Primrose up and out of the way, and as soon as his path was clear, Tony dove on Phil, pressing kisses all over his face, wherever he could reach.
"I love you," Phil murmured, before he captured Tony's lips with his own.
Tony kissed him back, and then pulled away to reply in kind. "I love you too."
Written for:
Snow Globes: 19. Philosopher's Stone: (word) Immortal
Advent Calendar: Trait: Generous
Naughty or Nice: Nice: 5. (dialogue) "The holidays aren't just about giving gifts, [name]."
12 Days of Shipmas: Your ship exchanges gifts.
Dinner Bash: Meat: Duck: Blanket
Christmas Party: 7. Feliz Navidad - José Feliciano: (object) mistletoe
New Year Resolutions: 7. Learn a new skill: (task) write a character/pairing/setting/au you've never written before