Work Text:
Event: Love You To Death
XO 06
Prompt: It's been 4 years since Person A's true love has blipped and they can't stand to spend another year alone on Valentine's Day. Person B also is alone, but they can make the day better for A.
Pairing Options: Hermione Granger/Tony Stark
Tony drove through the gates of the Avengers compound, not that there had been much to avenge after the snap. He knew the compound had been empty for the time being as the surviving team members weren’t there. So when he was alerted that someone had arrived at the compound, he decided to go check things out. Stepping inside it was quiet, but he could see a light on from the upper floor that used to be Hermione’s room. Tony hadn’t seen her since the snap happened, she had returned to England. It had been some time since he had seen her. Walking up the stairs he called out for her.
“Tony?”
He turned to step into her room and he froze, seeing the tears on her face. She had been one of the few Avengers that had been closer to him and he had a good friendship with the witch and even the man she had been with before the snap.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to just show up here-”
“Hey, it’s fine Hermione. This is still your room, your home.” He spoke, calming her down.
“How did you know I was here?”
“Security is still up, also no one is in the compound. So I came up to check everything out.” He paused, looking her over. “What’s going on, everything okay?”
“I couldn’t handle it any more Tony.” She covered her face, crying again. “The looks of pity and sadness because Draco was a part of the snap. Of course, it’s Valentine's Day and no one would even speak about anything around me. So I came back here. I just needed to be away from everyone.”
“I understand that,” Tony sighed, leaning on the door frame. “Pepper left me. I know exactly what you mean.”
“Tony, I am sorry, I didn’t know.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. I honestly knew it was coming, but it is what it is.” Tony just stared at her for a moment. “As miserable as we both are, how would you like to come to the cabin instead of staying here? I have no one to come to have dinner with me.”
“Tony-”
“No pity from me, get off your ass.”
Her mouth dropped open, causing Tony to crack up.
“No pity?”
“No pity.”
“Okay, but I’m cooking.”
“Thank god, because I can only order food.”
“My point exactly.”
Tony smirked, grabbing her bags. They made their way back down to the entrance.
“Friday lock the compound back down.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
Tossing her bag into the back seat, he opened the door for the witch before getting into the driver's side, taking off to his home. The ride was quiet until they arrived at the cabin.
“Welcome home.”
“It’s gorgeous, Tony.”
Stepping in the door, Tony took her things into the spare room for her before they decided to go down to the dock. Hermione waved her wand, placing a warming charm around them. They sat back in the chairs.
“So, for solitude, you come all the way to New York to the compound, and yet, here you sit with me.”
“I blame you.”
“No, I am just convincing.”
They both glanced at each other, not being able to stop the laughter from escaping their lips, before it came to silence again.
“I am sorry about Draco, Hermione. Really I am.” Tony glanced at her. “He would want you to be happy and live your life, Hermione.”
“I know. Logically I know that.” She looked away. “I just miss him too much.”
“I understand that. I am sorry that I never got in contact with you to see how you were doing. I just-”
“We were each dealing with our own problems, Tony. I don’t hold any of that against you. What kind of friend would I be if I did?”
The silence returned between them.
“Do you like ice skating?”
Hermione turned sharply, looking at the man as if he had grown a second head. “Did you just ask me if I like ice skating?”
“Yes,” he said, looking slightly offended. “I can have other interests.”
Hermione actually let out a real laugh, “I didn't say you couldn’t I just- now I am picturing you twirling like a ballerina on skates.”
“That’s it,” Tony stood quickly. “I’m throwing you in the lake.”
“Don’t even try it, Stark!” Hermione smirked as the man noticed her wand in her hand.
“I wasn’t really going to, but I was going to get a couple pairs of skates out.” he scoffed playfully.
He grabbed the skates, handing a pair over to Hermione and a pair for himself. They laced up as Friday scanned the ice to make sure it was safe for them to skate. They both slid out on the ice. The pair glided around for a while, enjoying the temporary freedom from the feelings and losses they had. They came sliding to a stop as she spun around, but ended up running into Tony.
“I’m sorry are you okay?” She gasped, seeing she had actually hit him hard.
“Fine,” he coughed. Clearing his throat, he met her eyes. “It’s good to see you smiling.”
“Same to you as well Tony,” she smirked, “and I am sure you will smile more when I tell you that you need to order dinner. I am freezing and don’t feel like cooking.”
Tony laughed out loud, “Fine, fine. What do you want to eat?”
“You know that answer.”
“Sushi?”
“Absolutely.”
“It’s always sushi with you,” he rolled his eyes.
“Well yes, because it's delicious.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll get you whatever you want.”
“Yes, but this is for you as well.”
“Yeah, come on, the sun’s starting to go down and it’s getting colder,” Tony said, holding out his hand to her.
She took his hand, skating back towards the lake dock. They slowed down as they neared the dock. Tony helped lift her up on the dock. He jumped up after, sitting down beside her.
“Thank you, Tony,” Hermione whispered, glancing over to the man. “Today has been a lot better than it started.
“You’re welcome,” he said, as she rested her head down on his shoulder.