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Harmony's POV

Why was I so damn nervous?! I'd gone into battle before. I'd maimed and injured with no remorse. I'd faced death, destruction and cruelty while barely batting an eye. And yet throw a date with Tony Stark into my path and I become a complete, bloody mess! I fiddled with my hair for what felt like the billionth time that day, checking for lipstick on my teeth in the mirror before I stepped back to look at my outfit as a whole. Tonight I had decided to go with a simple summer dress, accompanied by my favourite denim jacket and pink converse runners (or sneakers, depending on which side of the pond you fell on). My hair fell in riotous curls, happy to have its way for once without me trying to tame it. I nodded once at my appearance before grabbing my purse and heading downstairs to grab a drink to pass the time. Before I can even open the fridge, my doorbell rings and my breath is knocked out of me.

I take a deep breath, scolding myself for freaking out. It's just Tony, it's just Tony, I kept repeating to myself as I made my way to the door with my bag. All thought left my mind when I opened the door to see Tony, dressed casually in jeans and a flannel shirt, waiting with a bunch of flowers and a likewise nervous smile. I gave him one of my own as I stepped to the side of the entry.

"Hey there," I said, too enthusiastically I thought. I took a small breath before continuing. "Thank you so much for the flowers. Come inside while I find a vase for them."

Tony stepped through the door, letting me close it before taking my hand and gently kissing it before giving me the flowers. "My absolute pleasure," he said softly. I smelt the flowers in order to hide my smile and blush, turning quickly to walk back to the kitchen but just catching Tony's smile in return before I did.

"So where are we going tonight?" I asked as I set my flowers in their vase with some water. "I'm glad I seem to have dressed correctly for our date."

"I thought I'd keep it casual tonight," Tony replied, hands in pockets. "Bruce doesn't want me to frighten you away."

"Bruce is a smart man, it sounds like," I said laughing, turning back towards Tony to indicate we could go. "But I would've been fine with anything you decided to do tonight. I'm just happy to get to know you."

"Likewise, doll," he said, winking at me and causing me to laugh as I locked my door. We walked down my front path side by side but silent. I noticed that Tony had no driver tonight and was just driving himself.

"Nice car," I commented, identifying it as a recent top of the line sports model. I grinned for the umpteenth time in the last ten minutes when Tony hastened in front of me to open my door. "And he is chivalrous too!"

"For a lady like you? Always," he said, sending me a bone chilling grin. I adjusted myself in the seat to make sure I wasn't flashing anything in this dress and turned slightly to my left to observe Tony when he got in."

"You still haven't told me where we're going," I said.

He shrugged. "I'm taking you to one of my favourite places."

"Well then I'm chuffed," I said, smiling softly, glad to be let in on a part of Tony's life. "So, should we hit the heavy stuff now and keep it light during our meal?"

Tony just laughed. "Sure, why not? I'll even give you five questions – do your worst."

"First question, why am I getting five questions? No offence but you don't seem like the kind of guy to be super open with strangers."

He shrugged again. "Honest answer?"

"Yes please."

"Well, call me crazy, but I can feel that you're different. Not just emotionally or mentally, though I get that feeling too, but I literally feel like there's something else to you. Like there's an energy surrounding you that's different from the norm."

I was shocked, to say the least. "Well, you're correct, there is something different about me. I don't usually tell people about it. In fact, if I ever did tell you, you'd be the first person I'd told that didn't already know the secret."

"I figured you'd tell me if or when you were ready. It's just, you spend enough time with the God of Thunder you start picking up little things like that."

"I guess so," I replied, mulling this not-impossible idea over in my mind. "Alright, next question. What's your fondest, happiest, warmest memory?"

Tony considered this for a moment, stopping at traffic lights while he pondered my question. "It was a Sunday afternoon. I was celebrating my ninth birthday and my father had rented out this huge space. It turned out to be more a function for him, really. Anyway, I heard him arguing with my mother and so I ran off, right out of the building and to the park across the road from the building we were in. I was just sitting there when my Aunt Peggy came out of nowhere and sat with me. She wasn't really my Aunt but she was the closest thing to loving family I had. She and Jarvis were my entire world back then. I thought she'd make me go back to the party but she took me to this really wonderful place and we spent the day together. It's actually where I'm taking you now."

"She sounds like a wonderful woman," I said, my voice a little thick as I tried not to cry.

Tony glanced over at me, frowning briefly before he sent me a small grin. "Hey now, no tears, that was a happy story," he told me, sounding a little choked up himself.

"Alright, no tears," I said, wiping the corners of my eyes nonetheless. "You mentioned JARVIS, but I thought he was your AI?"

"He is," Tony said. "I named JARVIS after my butler Jarvis. He was English actually. He worked for my family for as long as I can remember but in the end he became both my father and my best friend."

"And you've honoured him to this day," I said, smiling again. Despite all suggestions otherwise, Tony was quickly showing himself to be a deeply emotional and intelligent man. This realisation only made me more eager to know more about him.

"You're flying through these questions, by the way," Tony said, chuckling half-heartedly. "Do I get to return fire?"

I immediately looked down, blushing. "Yes, absolutely. I can get a little intense sometimes, so I apologise."

"You shouldn't, it's hot," he said frankly, shrugging him when I blushed and looked at him inquisitively. "What? It is. I like that you're so passion about something as little as asking me questions."

"Learning about you and your life is neither little nor simple, Tony," I replied, enjoying making him blush for once. "Alright then, I'll postpone my questions. Your turn."

He seemed to put a lot of thought and contemplation into deciding on the first question he asked me. "Why did you come to the United States?" he decided on.

I shrugged, wondering how I could answer this. "The honest answer is I don't really know how to tell you," I said, hesitant as I moved forward with my response. "Basically I have this kind of job that has to do with the funny feeling you get from me. I actually had no choice in where or when I went, I just knew I could get assigned anywhere."

"When you went?" he asked, clearly confused.

I chuckled. "Yes, when. And I'm totally counting that as another question. Don't pout at me like that mister!" I took a deep breath, wondering if I should trust Tony with this. I mentioned as much to him, and it was his response to my thoughts that prompted me to tell him.

"Tell me or not, it's alright either way. I just want you to feel comfortable. But just know you can always trust me."

"I can, can't I?" I asked rhetorically, giving him a small smile. "Alright, don't freak out, but I'm a witch."

"What!?" Tony asked, looking at me suddenly before turning back to the road, quickly pulling over. He turned off the engine and turned to look at me. "Okay, maybe that was something you should've waited to tell me."

"You said you were good with weird," I protested.

"No I didn't," he replied, staring at me with nothing short of wonder in his eyes.

I shrugged, rolling my eyes. "Well, not in so many words. But that's basically what you said."

"So, when you say witch, do you mean mixing potions, wart on your double chin type witch?"

"Tony, do I look like I have a wart? I asked, raising one eyebrow and causing him to hold up his hands in surrender.

"Hey, just checking. I know nothing about witches. Though, considering everything else I've seen it isn't that much of a stretch."

I nodded. "I'd imagine so. Just think of Merlin. I'm that kind of witch. I have a magical core that allows me to use the gifts of Mother Magic. I was born in England in 1980 and I arrived in your universe about two years ago."

"You're from another universe?" Tony asked, shocked.

"Yes," I said, nodding. "You know that Death Guardian thing I mentioned a few weeks ago?" At Tony's nod I continued.

"Well, I am a Death Guardian," I said, bracing for a reaction. Which never actually happened, as it turns out.

"Huh," was all Tony said.

"That's it?" I asked, letting out a nervous chuckle.

"Yeah," he said, slowly, shaking his head a little. "I mean I think I've got it all. Magic, powers, guarding the souls of the as-yet-undead."

"You sure you've got a handle on it?" I asked, worried. I knew I should've held off on telling him all of this.

He shook his head, now looking at me directly. "No, really, I'm good. I don't mean to frighten you. You were right when you said I was good with weird, but that's a lot of weird."

I nodded, looking down. "I know, I'm sorry. I'd understand if you wanted to take me back home. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone anyt-" I was interrupted before I could continue.

"Hey, wait, hold on! What do you mean take you back?" Tony said. I still didn't look up at him though.

"It's too much for you and I get it. I shouldn't have even gone there in the first place. I'm sorry for putting that on you," I said, my voice growing quieter and quieter as I kept speaking. By the end of my speech I was almost whispering and I could feel tears burning the back of my eyes.

"Hey, hey, Harmony!" Tony said urgently. When I still didn't look up at him I felt two hands cup the edge of my face and I was forced to look at him. His eyes were wide and his mouth was pressed into a firm line and seeing him look so serious made my heart beat ten times faster. "I don't want to take you home. I mean, I would if you wanted to go. But I don't want you to go. God, I can't even tell you how much I don't want you to go. I know it's crazy and that I'm not meant to be saying this for another four months and you aren't meant to be crying until I forget our six-month anniversary or something. But I'm going to say it anyway."

He took a deep breath and I held mine. I could see the resolve in his eyes as he opened his mouth. "I really, really like you. As in, heart thumping, knees weak, like you. And God, I hope you feel some of that. Because if you don't I'm sitting here making a girl cry for absolutely no reason at all. I mean, not that I want a reason. Or that I want to make you cry at all. I just mean-"

I put my fingers on his mouth, stopping him from saying anything else. Looking at him now, I don't know how I could ever have thought he'd back out like I assumed he was doing. Or that we weren't exactly the same in emotional relationships. Looking at his agitated demeanour and his wide eyes and the way he was breathing so heavily, I only saw myself. I saw myself freaking out, backing off, thinking I wasn't wanted.

"Tony, it's okay, really. I'm so sorry to even bring it up. It's just my own insecurities taking over everything and I'm letting it, like usual."

Tony chuckled, his face relaxing as he brushed his fingers across my cheeks. Slowly he let them fall down, until he was just holding my hand with one of his. "I definitely know what that feels like. How about we leave the questions for now and get back to them later?"

I grinned at him, squeezing his hand. "Sounds good. Will you still take me to your special place?"

"You still want to go?" he asked, eyebrows raised.

"If you're willing to take me," I said, giving him a small smile. He exhaled strongly and smiled at me in return, sitting back in his chair and starting the car. As we pulled back into traffic he took my hand again, giving it a gentle squeeze. With that squeeze, it was as if all my worries faded quietly to the back of my mind. I sighed internally, eager to focus on the date in front of me.

"Tony, this is incredible," I said, looking around the quaint little tea shop he'd brought me to. "It's almost like the places you read about in fairy tales."

Tony sent me a grin from where he was standing next to me. "Come on, let me show you to your seat." He led me through the empty restaurant (which I just realised as I made my way through the empty tables) to a kitchen swing door near the back of the room.

"Tony, what's going on?" I wondered aloud as he indicated I go through the door first.

"I may be good friends with the current owner and I might have called in a favour and gotten him to close the restaurant for the night," he said, following me through and coming to stand next to me as a man came into the kitchen through another door.

"Ah, there you are Tony," he said cheerfully. "Was wondering where you two got to."

I bit my lip to hide my embarrassed smile as Tony chuckled slightly. "Long story. Anyway, Harmony this is Nick Maslow, owner and part-time chef at Alice's Tea House. Nick, this charming young lady is Harmony Potter, my date for the night."

"Pleasure to meet you sir," I said, shaking his hand and giving him a smile, which only widened upon hearing his hearty laugh at my remark.

"Sir? Damn, I didn't think I was there yet," he said, shaking his head. "Well kids, the place is yours for the night. Tony, I just wanted to be here to tell you that I've set up everything you'll need on a table over there." Here he pointed at a small table set with two chairs, some candles and various plates of food and pots.

"When you're done just stack the plates in the sink. I've got a cleaning crew coming through tonight so they'll take care of them when you're done. Here's the key, just lock up when you're done." With that he handed the keys to Tony, clapped him on the back and pulled me in for a gentle hug before departing from the kitchen.

"He seems like a nice man," I said, smiling at Tony (which was all I seemed able to do tonight).

Tony grinned at me, pulling my chair out before sitting opposite me. "He's a good friend. Met him when he was working somewhere else. Then when he took over here it just seemed like we were fated to meet. Now, I've got us all set up with the finest quality this place has to offer, including the best English breakfast tea I've ever had."

"You drink tea?" I asked, watching as he poured some for me and himself.

He smirked slightly. "Only when I come here and I'm in the company of a beautiful British woman."

I laughed. "Good thing we aren't in short supply then," I said dryly.

"On the contrary, I can only attest to having known two in my lifetime. Sandwich?"

I just smiled and blushed, lifting my cup to sip my tea.

"And I kid you not, they flew up, tore off the bars blocking the window and I jumped out of my two storey home, into their flying vehicle," I said animatedly, regaling him with one of many tales from my tumultuous teenage years.

He just shook his head, grinning. "That's insane. At twelve too! At least I didn't start with the theatrics until my twenties."

"Oh, I'm sure you have stories aplenty to rival my own," I said, raising one eyebrow as I popped the last mini quiche into my mouth and chewed slowly, trying to savour the taste of this delicious food.

"Oh, you bet I do. But I've got to keep some things close to my chest. A girl doesn't just give up all her secrets day one," he said, laughing as he leaned back in his chair. "So, you up for continuing our night?"

"Let me guess, you've rented some other place in its entirety?" I asked, amused at the lengths he'd go to to ensure I received an amazing experience.

"What can I say? I like to obey the acceptable boundaries for first dates. Which we are succeeding at tremendously so far, by the way," he said, popping a grape into his mouth as he smirked amusedly at me.

"Well then Mr Stark, let's see what else you've got," I said, grinning as I put my napkin on the table in front of me.

"I was definitely not expecting that," I said breathlessly two hours later as we walked out of the large warehouse.

"What can I say? I'm a daredevil," Tony said, equally as out of breath.

"But running around an obstacle course in giant hamster balls?" I said, grinning as we both started walking towards Tony's car. "By far the craziest first date I've ever had."

"Obviously you haven't had enough dates," Tony said. "You know, I still had three questions left at last count."

"Go right ahead," I prompted him, allowing him to continue.

"What do you miss the most about your world?" he asked softly, almost hesitantly.

I smiled, focusing on the good emotions of my past life instead of the bad. "My family, without a doubt. And my best friend's mother's treacle tart. Merlin that woman could cook!"

"Are you really writing a book about Death Guardians?" he asked curiously.

I laughed. "I am and I'm not. Whenever I get the writing bug I'll put pen to paper but it's more a passion project then anything. I make a decent enough living at the bar and I'm not looking to make a mint as an author anyway. Not that I would, but you get the idea."

He nodded, face serious as he thought of his last question. "Okay, there are many things to ask you, but I'm actually curious about one thing in particular."

"Shoot," I encouraged him.

"How old are you?"

"Well, when I arrived here in 2010 I came here on what would become my twenty eighth birthday. So as of about three weeks ago I'm thirty," I said.

He whistled lowly. "Bit of an age gap then. Not that I mind. I mean, I mind if you mind but I don't really mind about not minding because I don't think there's much to mind."

"Has anyone ever told you that you ramble an awful lot?"

"Yes. Mostly I choose to assume it's charming."

"Oh, it is," I said firmly. "But how old are you?"

"I turned forty-two this year," he said, before looking at me abruptly. "Wait, you turned the big 3-0 without a party?"

I shrugged. "I did a dinner with the guys form the bar and some ladies from yoga that I'm good friends with, but that's about it."

"You've got to let me throw you a party," Tony pleaded with me, eyes lighting up.

I laughed. "Alright, compromise. If we're still seeing each other in a month then you can organise a small party."

"Small, sure, absolutely," Tony said, grinning as we finally made it to the car and paused beside my door.

"And I'm going to send you the definition in large print font, just to make sure that you're fully aware of what I mean."

"A definition I will wilfully ignore," Tony intoned happily.

I just shook my head, trying unsuccessfully to hide my smile. "I do believe you have two more questions Ms Potter," Tony said, holding me by the hips as I leaned back against the side of the car.

"Indeed I do," I murmured distractedly. "Did you have a good time?"

"I had an excellent time," he replied, leaning infinitesimally closer.

"Will you kiss me?" I asked breathlessly, never breaking eye contact with him.

Instead of answering he leaned in and kissed me. After not having been held by anyone so intimately, let alone kissed in such a long time, it was definitely a shock to my system. I placed my arms around his neck, one hand running through the hair at the top of his neck, and I leaned into him. He pulled me firmer against his body as he gently kissed me. It was actually quite lovely and not at all how I thought Tony Stark would kiss me. Then again, none of the date so far seemed anything like what I'd heard about Tony Stark thus far.

"Well," I said as we pulled apart. "Now you definitely owe me a second date."

"Then what're you doing this Saturday?" he asked me.

"I've got close at the bar," I said regretfully, not minding at all that Tony wished to see me so soon after our first date. It encouraged me, if anything.

"Sunday then?" he asked, persisting further.

"Sounds great," I said, smiling. "What do you think we should do?"

Tony hesitated slightly before answering. "Would you…like to come to the tower for dinner? Meet everyone?"

I was genuinely surprised. I never imagined Tony would be so open with me so quickly. "Are you sure?" I asked him. "I mean; would that be okay with your team? I don't want them to think we're moving too fast."

"Trust me, as soon as I tell them about you, they'll be so damn eager to meet the woman whose got me so hyped up."

I laughed, grinning as I traced his jaw with my hand. "Perhaps you could tell them a little about my powers? Just to put them at ease about everything?"

"You sure?" Tony asked seriously, keeping eye contact with me.

"Definitely," I said, smiling. "I think considering where we're going it isn't too early to meet the family."

Tony stilled for a second, before smiling softly. "That's a little cheesy don't you think?"

"Funny, here I was thinking you liked a bit of cheese with your life," I said, leaning in again.

"You know, I think you might be right," he said, leaning in to meet my lips again. I smiled against his mouth as I happily spent the next ten minutes kissing the cute guy who'd asked me out after waking up hungover on my couch, a charming hero in disguise.