It was shopping time, a time where people tend to lose a part of themselves in the rush to get the last of whatever items they so desperately need. It was this reason that you preferred to stay inside and away from the crowds but you hadn't had the chance until now to get out and shop. You put your favorite sweater on and a pair of loose jeans to top off the 'I really don't want to be out here' look. You brushed your hair before putting it up and looking yourself over one last time in a full-body mirror on the closet door.
"Even in that hideous Christmas-y sweater you still look incredible." You scowled narrowing your eyes at him.
"This happens to be my favorite sweater, Stark." You grabbed your bag from your bed and stepped up to the door he now blocked.
"Where are you headed in such a hurry?" He gave you a small grin, one you did not return.
"Heading out to get my shopping done, why? Did you want to tag along?" He stepped aside and you went through and towards the door. He followed suit.
"I didn't know you knew about Christmas." He wasn't really asking more like pondering the statement out loud instead of in his head.
"I'm from England but that doesn't mean I'm an idiot. I know what Christmas is but over there we don't really celebrate it, I mean we had a sort of Christmas where we got together but we didn't really get any gifts." What you said was like blasphemy to his ears.
"No gifts! How did you survive?!" He was being melodramatic as he plopped into your car on the passengers side.
"Stark, Shut up." You rolled your eyes but you couldn't help but laugh.
By the time you made it to the shop you had been cut off twice, almost run off the road and really pretty angry. You grabbed the trolley and sighed tossing your bag onto it without much thought.
"Why'd you come along again?" You asked glancing over at Tony who was looking through some goods that lined the shelves on that particular aisle.
"Can't I spend my day with my girlfriend?" He grinned and you shrugged.
"Here push the trolley while I pick out some things from the shelves." He gave you a strange look and you sighed, "The cart, this damn metal thing I'm pushing around!"
He laughed but you weren't laughing, this was stressful, annoying, and infuriating. The people around here were much more angry than usual and it only made you feel worse. You weren't even half-way done when you started to get a splitting migraine but you couldn't help but enjoy the time with Tony. It was strange because in all the times you've been out shopping like this he never cared to come along but now he did?
"Tony?" You were facing away from him towards a shelf full of miscellaneous items when you called out to him but got no answer.
"Tony?" You looked back and in your face was a very large, very fluffy stuffed Christmas Bear. You had to admit it was adorable, with it's cute little hat and short little arms.
"Do you like it?" His question was so nonchalant that it took you off guard but you nodded slowly.
"I do but you don't have-" He placed the bears fluffy paw on your mouth and you stopped talking.
"No, I don't but I will and I am." He smiled when he watched you hold the large bear in your arms. Your day was certainly getting better now.
Two a half hours of waiting in the check out line and you were heading home, ready to flop on the couch and relax. Tony was chatting away in the passenger seat, talking mostly about new inventions and things him and Bruce had come up with within the last few days. You nodded, listening mostly to him and watching the road when small flakes of snow fluttered down onto your cars windscreen.
"Tony, look, it's snowing!" You loved snow, especially since you've not seen too much of it. Mostly rain, rain and more rain but snow was so much nicer. It made the word look like a wonderland and so calm and serine when it coated the ground.
"It's New York it snow plenty." You pouted at his lack of concern for the snow but you knew he was right. It didn't make it less interesting or lovely for you but for him it was just weather.
"Come on." You groaned dragging all of your now purchased and bagged items into the Stark Tower Elevator before letting it rest on the floor for the trip up.
After putting things away and finally sitting down on the couch in the entertainment room you caught a glimpse of the snow outside. You couldn't resist anymore and you had to go out in it. Grabbing your thickest coat and a pair of boots you stepped out onto the tallest balcony that over-looked the city.
"This is too lovely." You lulled catching a few snow flakes in your hand before they melted due to its heat.
"It's alright, what are you doing out here? It's cold and you'll get sick, you know." Tony said slipping his arms around your waist and resting his head on your shoulder.
"Tony! Don't scare me like that and you know why I came out here, besides, it's not that cold now." You leaned back into him, the warm he gave off comforting your chilled body.
"Hey, come on let's get inside. We can do whatever you want as long as Hot Chocolate's involved and some cuddling~" He purred and you laughed turning around and out of his grip to smack him on the arm.
"Come on, I want some hot chocolate!" You grinned, child-like, in your eagerness to get inside for the drink.
Sitting back down on the couch after removing your damp boots and jacket you waited for Tony to come back from getting your drink, new teddy bear friend on your left. You loved this time of year, all of the snow and, when not shopping, how cheerful people can be. Spending time with Tony, even as little as you do was something you wouldn't change for the world.
"This is wonderful isn't it, buddy?" You patted the bears head.
"Talking to stuffed animals now, what about me? I mean I'm so much better looking and I can actually talk back." He handed you the warm drink and sat next to you.
"I don't know he's pretty darn cute." You placed your cup down on the table in front of you two before grabbing the bear and wiggling it in front of Tony.
"Yeah, yeah whatever."
"Don't pout, you big baby." You laughed setting the bear down and cuddling against Tony's chest.
"I still like you more."
"Good."
The quiet was both good and bad, with Tony. He was either planning something mean or something nice when he stopped talking and you were surely hoping for something nice this time because last time wasn't great and you ended up not talking to him for a week because of it. Why would anyone think that exploding sticky bombs are a good idea inside anyways?
"Babe?"
"Hm?"
"Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Stark."