Out Of Time

twenty-three

"Meeting with an old friend, huh?" Tony jabbed once he was in front of Y/N.

"I did meet with him. Then we parted ways."

"Were you always planning on coming here?"

"Not until this morning. And I didn't know it was a Stark Industries event until I saw Obadiah out front."

"Of course. Let's dance." Tony slipped his arm through Y/N's and led them into the crowd. "Does Pepper know you're here?"

"Yes. We actually came together."

"Huh... Have I told you that you look stunning tonight?"

"Not yet."

"Well you do."

"Thank you, sir."

"No 'sirs' or 'Mr. Stark's' here. This isn't work."

"I am still watching you though. And it is a Stark Industries event."

"Yeah. But this is different. You're watching the handsome gentleman dancing with you, not your handsome boss."

Y/N chuckled. "Well technically you're not my boss. Pepper and Stark Industries is. You're just the kid I have to babysit."

"Kid, huh?"

"Yep. Especially after that suit incident."

"Incident? It wasn't an incident. I was testing it out."

"You were being stupid. And I want to tell you not to do it again, but I know you won't listen."

"Oh you know me so well. How about a little air?"

"That would be nice."

Tony grabbed Y/N's scarred hand, and pulled her out onto the balcony. They walked over to the ledge, looking out at Los Angeles. Tony's thumb began to rub the back of Y/N's hand.

"Why do you do that?" Y/N whispered, not looking at Tony.

"Do what?" Tony questioned, looking at Y/N curiously.

"Grab that hand... Rub your fingers along it... Doesn't it... Doesn't it feel weird to hold it?"

"Doesn't my hand feel weird? It's all hard and calloused."

"I can't... I don't have much feeling inside that hand. I can feel that you're holding it, but not much else..."

Tony lifted her hand up. "Can you feel this?" He pressed a kiss to the palm of her hand.

"I.. uh... I never asked, how did you sleep last night?" Y/N finally turned to look at Tony.

"Better than I have in months."

"Same."

"I guess we've found away to make our nightmares go away." Tony stepped closer to Y/N, their noses barely brushing.

"Tony... I can't... I'm suppose to be watching you."

"And you would be. Where's a better place to watch me than being with me?"

"Rules. There would have to be rules."

"Yeah. That'd be smart."

"Cuddling is okay. But no kissing, no sex, no touching in inappropriate places."

Tony let out a little groan. "You're killing me here, Y/N."

"I'm here for your protection not enjoyment." Tony moved so that their lips were almost touching. "Plus I haven't drunk enough to even think about letting you kiss me."