Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Challenges listed at the bottom.
Word Count: 1181
AN: Female Tony Stark
Ask Me On A Date (I'll Say Yes)
"We should put it to a vote," Natasha suggested, looking around at the team—her family—with a small smirk on her face.
"No," Toni replied, shaking her head. "I never do well with votes. I always get the short straw."
"How else are we going to decide?" Clint asked, a devious smile on his face.
"If you make me go to this thing, I will mutiny," Toni said, folding her arms as she sat back in her seat.
"But you're the best at them, Doll," Bucky pointed out sweetly, and Toni smiled at him a little before she scowled again.
"Don't you try and sweet talk me, Snowflake."
"We're voting," Natasha said, grinning outright now. "And my vote is for Steve and Toni."
"Of course it is. I thought you loved me, Itsy?"
"I vote for Steve and Toni," Clint said, Sam, and Bucky repeating the same thing, all three of them with matching smirks.
"I hate all of you."
"Steve? What's your vote?" Natasha asked sweetly.
Steve shook his head. "Doesn't matter now, does it?"
Toni pressed her head against Steve's bicep. "Can we sack them all?"
"Can't sack family, sweetheart," Steve replied with a chuckle. "But we're not bringing them anything shiny back."
"But—"
Toni glared at Clint, hard enough that the archer rethought his protest.
Natasha grinned cheerfully. It couldn't have gone better.
…
Toni stared mournfully at the flask in her bedside table before she closed the drawer decisively. She'd been actively trying not to drink so much lately, and it seemed to be going well for her.
That, and she knew Steve didn't like it when she got drunk. He was such a mother hen about it, and if they were being forced to attend this thing, she didn't want to make him worry the whole night about her.
"Need any help?" Natasha asked, as she ambled into Toni's room, flopping down atop the brown covers of her bed.
"I'm good," Toni replied, nodding to the dress bag hanging on the wardrobe. "Pep's already done the hard bits."
"What colour are you wearing?"
"Silver. Pep already sent Steve a waistcoat in the same colour, so we're good to go. I'm still salty at you, Itsy."
"Aww, come on, Tones," Natasha cajoled. "You know you're going to have fun with Steve, I was being helpful."
"Helpful," Toni repeated doubtfully.
"Yes. Helpful. Maybe you'll both actually get your heads out of your asses and get together. It can be all romantic."
Toni snorted.
"Romantic? Really? At a politician filled ball?"
"You'll have a good time, Toni," Natasha practically ordered.
"You're so bossy," Toni complained, but she climbed on the bed and cuddled into Nat's side anyway. "You could totally go in my place. They wouldn't even notice."
"Not even I can pull off your particular brand of awesome, Tones."
"Aww. You say the sweetest things."
…
"I'll call reception," Steve said with a sigh, eyeing the king size bed. The only bed.
Toni snorted. "Good luck. This place is battered top to bottom because of the ball, they probably don't even have a store room to offer us."
"I can sleep on the floor?" Steve offered.
"It's fine, Steve. It's not like it'll be the first time we've shared a sleep space. How many times have I fallen asleep on you, at home?"
Steve grinned. "True."
They pottered around one another, getting ready for the ball.
"You're not taking a bag?" Steve asked, when Toni declared herself ready.
She shook her head. "Not tonight."
"No flask?"
"Not tonight," Toni repeated with a small smile. "I know you don't like it. You'll have to keep me going strong instead of me relying on copious amounts of alcohol."
"I can do that," Steve promised, offering her his arm.
"I'm also definitely going to steal your tux jacket later," Toni added conversationally as they left their room. "Pepper has impeccable taste in dresses, but she always forgets how easily I get cold."
Steve chuckled. He'd already known that he'd be giving up his jacket; it happened at every single event the two of them attended, after all. Besides, it may be the caveman in him, but he really liked it when Toni wore his clothes.
…
"Dance with me?" Steve asked, holding his hand out for Toni.
She took it immediately, grateful for the reprieve of making nice with the politicians, and ecstatic for a reason to be in Steve's arms.
Steve led her to the dancefloor and took her in his arms. They'd been to enough of these things to know each other well on the dancefloor, and it was as easy as breathing.
Toni lay her head on Steve's chest when a slower song started, and his arms tightened around her slightly.
"Shall we ditch this place and go find somewhere that sells real food?" Toni asked, after an interminable time on the dance floor. Even over the music, she was close enough to hear Steve's stomach growling.
"Sounds perfect."
…
Toni fell into a plant pot.
She couldn't even blame it on alcohol—she'd had three glasses of champagne the whole night, and they'd since filled up on burgers and fries.
Steve held it for a few seconds before he started laughing, a beautiful belly laugh that made Toni join in.
"Well, that went well," she said, as he helped her up. "Why is there a plant pot right outside the elevator anyway? It's dangerous!"
She flicked at the plant leaves, scowling.
Steve, still laughing, shook his head, and with his arm around her waist, led her down the corridor to their room.
Toni stole the shower first, stripping from her formal wear with glee. When she came out of the bathroom—accompanied by a plume of steam—she was wearing shorts and a tank top and feeling entirely more comfortable.
"Are you knitting?" she asked, staring at Steve, who was sitting on the bed with his back to the headboard.
"Gotta do something while I'm waiting, right?" he offered, though his cheeks were flushed.
Toni grinned. "That's adorable. Will you make me a scarf for winter? In red and gold, obviously."
Rolling his eyes, Steve got up from the bed, and when he passed her, pressed a soft kiss to her temple. "Of course I will."
By the time Steve rejoined her from the bathroom, Toni was already dozing on her side of the bed. She wasn't completely asleep, and she blinked her eyes open when he climbed into bed.
She waited for him to settle, and then looked at him pointedly until he chuckled, raising his arm so she could sneak forward and cuddle into his side.
She was almost asleep, when Steve murmured, "I love you, you know."
"I know."
"Toni… I mean—"
"I know, Steve. I'm not blind. I love you too."
Steve turned on his side, facing her, and pulled her closer. "Yeah?"
"Uh huh." She pushed against him, pressing her face against his collarbone. "You should take me on a date when we go home."
Chuckling, Steve kissed her temple and closed his eyes. "I will."
Written For:
Showtime: 15. Dancing
Elizabeth's Empire: 4. Found Family
Lizzy's Loft: 4. Putting something to a vote
Scamander's Case: 24. Making a promise
Film Festival: 17. Flask
Lyric Alley: 16. Keep me going strong
Forecast: 22. "Well, that went well."
Monster Petting Zoo: Dusty, 1: Silver
Murder Mystery: Weapon 10. Plant
Hot Air Balloons: 17. Bossy
Trick Or Treating: House 3. 10. Goodie Bag: Knitting
Apple Bobbing: Apple 11: Sharing a bed
Costume Party: 11. Mary: Helpful
Leaf Picking: Orange 3: Gratitude
Spooky Playlist: 1. Thriller: Dancing
Pop Figures: Disney: 80. Sven: Brown
Stickers: Hungarian Horntail: Dangerous