Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Challenges listed at the bottom.
Word Count: 1073
Totally Worth It
"Help," Tony begged, looking at the handsome man handing out fliers. He was absolutely gorgeous, and Tony wanted to run his hands through the man's glorious hair, but that was beside the point at the moment.
"UH?"
"I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend," Tony said, and then laughed, as thought the flier boy had said the funniest thing. "Because my ex is coming over and he's the actual worst and I don't want to deal with him."
"Uh. Ok?"
"What's you're name?"
"Um. Bucky. Uh. James. Either is fine."
Tony grinned. "James it is. You know, my best friend is called—"
"Tony? I thought that was you." Ty approached, his familiar smarmy smile in place. He thought he was charismatic, but he was really just an asshole. Tony knew charismatic—hell, Tony was charismatic. "What are you doing out here?"
"Just dropped by to steal my boyfriend away for lunch," Tony replied. "Ty, meet James. James, Ty."
Ty looked at James and snorted, rolling his eyes. "You expect me to believe you're dating someone who hands out fliers? Really Tony?"
Tony shrugged. "Doesn't matter what you believe, really. Doesn't change the facts."
Ty scoffed. "So I suppose you'll be fetching him to Pepper's wedding then?"
Tony blinked. "What the bloody hell will you be doing at Pep's wedding?"
"Ah, Angelique invited me as he plus one. So… I guess I'll see you there. Both of you."
Ty walked off, and Tony could tell by the set of his shoulders that he was smug that he'd gotten one over on Tony.
Asshole.
"So, uh. Think you'd be up for a date to a wedding?"
…
James, it turned out, was the nicest guy. He'd agreed to go to the wedding with Tony, and a few run up dates too, so they could get to know each other. He was quiet, but inherently kind, and adorably sweet, and Tony couldn't quite believe his luck.
Now, he was sitting outside James' apartment in the back of his car, Happy at the helm, waiting for James to join him. The wedding had finally arrived and Tony was unreasonably nervous.
Mostly because he was hoping that by the end of the night, the fake dating would become real dating and not just a way to stick two fingers up at Ty Stone.
He liked James.
When James stepped out, looking nervous but absolutely gorgeous, Tony whistled.
"Hot damn, you look good," he said, when James climbed into the car, his cheeks already blushing pink.
"You, uh. You too."
Tony smiled. "Let's go, Hap. Pep will never forgive me if I'm late to her wedding, and I really don't want to have to buy her the new Louboutin collection; not yet at least."
…
The wedding was stunning. Tony stood beside James watching his best friends get married, and he smiled to himself.
Across the church, he'd seen Ty walk in, and he'd felt his eyes on his back throughout the ceremony.
Hopefully, the asshole had gotten the message that Tony wasn't interested in getting back together this time.
"You okay?" he asked James, as they left the church. "You're being awfully quiet today; even more so that usual."
James blushed. "Well… when I'm with a guy I like, it's hard for me to say anything cool or, or witty. Or at all. I-I can usually make a few vowel sounds, and then I have to go away."
Tony stared at him for a long moment and then he broke out into a wide smile. "James, you're the most adorable creature, and I'm going to marry you and have your babies."
James blinked at him and then grinned. "I uh, don't think that's how that works, Tony."
Tony snorted. "I'm Tony Stark. I'll make it work."
Except then his foot slipped on the curb, and he was falling, until Bucky's strong arms wrapped around him, holding him up.
"Oops?"
…
"There's something you should know about me, before you, uh… decide if you wanna make this a thing," James said when they got back into the car to be transported to the reception.
"Oh?"
Bucky pulled up the sleeve of the tuxedo to show a glint of silver. Tony blinked.
"Prosthetic?"
James nodded silently.
"Okay? I mean… I can build you a better one but… James, has that ever made a difference to people before? Because if yes, I want their names because those people are cold-hearted bastards and I'm going to ruin their credit."
James blinked and then smiled. "I… really fucking like you, Tony Stark."
"That's good, cause I really fucking like you too."
…
"I see you're continuing your charade," Ty said snidely, stepping up beside Tony at the bar.
Tony rolled his eyes. "Go away, Ty. Seriously, read the room and recognise when you're not wanted."
"You—"
Tony shook his head. "Don't you feel like you're wasting time, chasing someone who has clearly upgraded in every way? I know, I'm great, so you have your reasons, but seriously, take a hint."
Ty flushed slightly, which Tony took as win, because he'd been brought up to hide his embarrassment in much the same way as Tony had, so to get that reaction meant he'd clearly touched a nerve.
James slipped up beside him before Ty could say anything else, his hand resting lightly against Tony's lower back.
"Hey, Sweetheart, I wondered where you'd gotten too."
Tony grinned. "Just waiting on our drinks, Cupcake. You remember Ty?"
"I tried not too," James replied flatly, giving Ty a disinterested once over.
Ty didn't even bother to reply. He got an ugly look on his face for a moment before he stomped off, growling to himself.
Tony cheered quietly, and then grinned at James. "You're my favourite, you know that?"
"I guess I do now."
"So… what time can I steal you away for lunch tomorrow?" Tony asked, accepting the drinks from the barman and handing one off to James. "Since I can actually claim you as mine now and all."
"You're claiming me?"
"I told you I was going to have your babies. Consider yourself mine."
James laughed. "Well, you can pick me up whenever you want. I uh. Kinda lost my job? Ditching the fliers to fake date a hot guy got me in a little hot water."
Tony blinked. "I got you fired?"
"Little bit," James admitted. "But you know what? Totally worth it."
Written For:
Showtime: 4. Wedding
Amber's Attic: 22. Charismatic
Elizabeth's Empire: 3. Fake Dating
Liza Loves: 5. You're on the street corner handing out brochures for something I really honestly couldn't care less about but holy shit I want to run my fingers through your hair so I guess I could stop and listen.
Bex's Basement: 14. Write about falling
Lizzy's Loft: 9. "So you have your reasons."
Angel's Archive: 1. Cold Hearted
Scamander's Case: 6. Kind
Film Festival: 16. Whistle
Marvel Appreciation: 11. Luke Cage 1: Exes
Lyric Alley: 9. Don't you feel like you're wasting time?
TV Spree: 21. "Well... when I'm with a boy I like, it's hard for me to say anything cool, or, or witty. Or at all. I-I can usually make a few vowel sounds, and then I have to go away."
EnTitled: 17. Write about someone losing their job.
Treasure Hunting: Rope: Cheering