Spencers POV
The party did wind down a little bit, even dropping a few of the people to sleep.
But Tony wasn't done.
"Okay, Spence. I do have one more surprise for you."
"Are you trying to outdo her girlfriend, Tony?" Nat asks.
"Of course not. Just trying to help give her the best birthday ever," he says like it's obvious.
"You really didn't have to do any of this let alone anything more. I really appreciate it but.."
"No." Tony sticks up his finger, waving it back and forth for emphasis. "No buts. You have missed a lot of birthdays.."
I go to interject and he sees this, so he keeps going, but louder.
"AND you deserve more than all of this. You have been a great friend not only to me but to everyone in this room. For being a criminal mastermind, you've turned out alright, kid."
Nat scoffs, about to comment.
Once again Tony keeps going, "I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but I remember you making a comment about it a while ago."
He pulls out a smaller box, handing it over to me. "Go on. Open it."
He has a glint in his eye and it makes me suspicious. So I slowly remove the packaging. "If you're trying to propose, Tony, you have some stiff competition." I joke.
Nat squeezes my thigh.
"Don't worry, love. I would definitely choose you. Well, depending on how big this rock is," I push my limits with that one.
I kiss her cheek and whisper, "I love you" against her ear. "Don't worry, I'd just sell the ring to take you on a trip. A really nice one."
The red tint that grows across her cheeks is enough to make my smile bigger.
She has no comment.
Once the box is opened it reveals a watch.
"Oh, cool. Thanks Tony! Can never have too many accessories." I say already going to put it around my wrist, which Nat helps me with.
"You're welcome. But that is no basic watch."
"Do not tell me it has a hologram feature?!" I start looking at the watch a little closer. "Ooh! Or lasers? I mean, it does at least tell time.."
"Spencer."
I look up, "yeah?"
"It's a suit. Though lasers would have been cool."
"A suit?"
"You said you didn't have one. Now you do."
I stiffen. Is he trying to get me to be an avenger? Or is he assuming I am going to since I'm moving in with Nat?
"Um.. should I have gone with lasers?"
"I don't really need a suit.. I'm not an avenger," I say it a little harsher than I really intended.
"I know that. I'm not trying to make you one. But if you ever choose to go out with Nat or Yelena or whatever, you can. Or if you just want to wear it FOR Nat.."
I hold up my hand. "Okay. I get it." Then I share a genuine smile. "Thank you Tony. Means a lot."
I get up and hug him, he actually hugs back.
"You're welcome, kid. Thanks for being apart of this family."
"Thanks for letting me be."
We pull away and I see him wipe some tears. So sentimental.
"I'll try it out tomorrow."
"Perfect, then we can tweak it."
There were a few more gifts to be handed out. Steve and Bucky got me a karaoke machine, to make it official. (I think this was also a hint at when we went on our double date.. but I'm not going to mention it.)
Wanda got me a whole upgraded cooking set paired with a new recipe book from Sokovia. Said she could help me master the recipes.
A few others had some small gifts for me too; hoodies. joggers, things for my motorcycle.
"Thank you. I honestly didn't expect anything. This party with you all was already so much more than I could have hoped for."
"Nonsense. We love you Spence. We're making your birthday special. Remember?" Tony says with some sarcasm.
I just shake my head at him.
Then Melina and Alexei came over with a box of their own.
"From both of us," Alexei says.
I unwrap it carefully. Inside is a brand new tattoo gun with the works. Plus every color ink imaginable.
I look up to them with tears threatening to spill. They have some of their own.
"It's so you can do your dream here. We don't want you to give up on it just because you're moving," Melina says as Alexei wraps an arm around her.
"You're more than welcome to come back to the shop anytime you want. It'll always be your home, too."
I jump up to hug them both.
"Thank you. You both mean so much to me. I'm sorry I'm leaving you.."
"Hey.." Melina starts. "We didn't expect you to stick around there forever. Plus, you are dating our daughter."
I laugh at this, finally pulling away.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
I let out a long breath, not really ready for anything more.
But Yelena comes over to me.
"My turn." She hands me a box and I eagerly open it.
"No fucking way. It's official now!"
"What is it?" Wanda asks.
I hold up the article of clothing, "it's a vest!"
"With all of the pockets," Yelena smiles.
And then I put it on, no intentions of taking it off.
"Thank you, Lena. It means so much," I stand up to hug her, definitely letting a few tears fall.
"You're welcome. But that's not all!" She adds.
I look at her with confusion. She just holds out her hand for me. "Come on," she encourages me.
I sigh, taking her hand and following her and Nat outside.
"Um.."
I am absolutely stunned.
"How.."
Yelena is laughing. "Happy birthday, Spence!" She yells at the same time Nat says, "happy birthday, bub!"
I stand there absolutely dumbfounded, mouth agape, moving like a fish out of water.
"I.. how.. what.."
"I think we broke her, Nat."
"Yup. We broke my girlfriend."
Nat places a hand on my lower back and for some reason I'm able to speak again.
"How did you get a 1974 Ford Bronco roadster with the doors and convertible top?"
Nat throws her head back laughing.
"We know Tony."
That's when Tony walks up besides me.
"Heard this might be your dream car. Did a little digging to find it and then have it the right color, but it was all Nat and Yelena's idea. This is their gift to you."
"No. No way. It's too much. I can't.."
"You can. And you will," Nat says firmly into my ear.
I clear my throat. "Yes ma'am."
I turn to them both and hug them.
"Thank you both so much. I can't believe you actually did this, but thank you. I love you both."
"You're welcome, Spence. You just better drive me around in it," Yelena says firmly.
"Don't have to tell me twice!"
"I get shotgun," Nat calls.
I go to get in the car but Nat calls me back.
"Actually I have another surprise for you."
I put on my best puppy dog face, "but pwease. Just a quick ride around with you and Yelena."
She rolls her eyes but, "fine."
She gives me the keys as I giddily skip over to the vehicle, opening the door for Yelena and Nat before hopping in myself.
I take off into the sunset.
——————
Nat really didn't let me go for too long, wanting to get to my other surprises.
Her excitement for them had me excited.
As I'm about to teleport into her room, she has me close my eyes.
"You really didn't have to get me anything else. This is already too.."
"Not another word."
I gulp loudly but keep my mouth shut.
"Good girl. Now teleport us."
I went weak in the knees but did as she said. Damn, she was right.
I had to keep my eyes closed even when we were in the room. I could hear her moving something around.
"Are you getting into that box? Is that why we had to bring it?"
"Yes."
That's all she would say.
I feel like I've been standing here for forever but I'm sure it's only been like 5 minutes. If that.
Just as I'm starting to wonder if this is a cruel joke.. she tells me to open my eyes.
I blink them a few times to adjust to the lighting.
"Holy shit." Once again my mouth drops open.
"It's hand carved. The guy at the shop said it was the best one out there. Hope it's okay?"
"Are you kidding me? This is the most beautiful violin I've ever seen."
She smiles and visibly relaxes. "Good. I was a little worried. But I know you've been working really hard and you've been sounding a lot better. So I wanted to get you an upgrade."
"This is more than an upgrade. You must have spent a.."
"Nope. That's not important."
I turn to her. "It is. You've given me so much already. I never expected any of this. I never ever expect you to spend.."
"I know. I know you weren't expecting it or asking for it. But you never get yourself anything. And I wanted to do something really special. You deserve the best, Spence."
"I have the best with you." I bring her in for a loving kiss, wanting to deepen it. But she places her hand on my chest and gently pushes back.
"Sorry.." I start.
"No. There's just something else."
"Oh boy."
She hands me a box and I don't wait to see what's inside.
It's a pair of boots.
I look up to her and tilt my head.
"You've been wearing the same boots for as long as I've known you."
"Another upgrade?"
"Yup."
"Thank you." I take them out and try them on. "Okay, these are the most comfortable boots I've ever worn."
"Right! They're like the ones I wear for missions."
I give her a side eye.
"That's not why I bought them."
"Right. An upgrade."
"Exactly."
"Upgraded means of transportation. Upgraded violin. Upgraded boots.."
"Just don't get any ideas on a girlfriend upgrade." She raises an eyebrow at me.
"You are the upgrade. There is no better." And I can't help but think about getting to upgrade the 'girlfriend' part.
This time when I take the kiss a little further, she more than returns it. We start peeling our clothes off, discarding them wherever they land.
That's when I see my last surprise.
"You like?"
"Love."