My Y/N/N: The dress came. It's beautiful.

My Y/N/N: Thank you

Tony sighed as he read over Y/N's texts again. She had sent them the day before, while he was in the midst of fighting the board about stopping the merge. He had even been honest with them and said that Y/N hadn't approved of the merge. He had been immediately told that he needed to get Y/N on board with it because the head board member of Stark Industries, Obadiah Stane, and the head board member of Y/N's company had already begun talking about it.

After that failed meeting, Tony hadn't left his office. He stayed in it throughout the night, trying to figure out how to either fire the board members or tell Y/N how he had screwed up. Hence why he hadn't answered her yet.

Losing Y/N wasn't option, not again. Now that she was back in his life, Tony knew that he loved her and would wait as long as it took to be able to call her his. But the mistake he had made in promising a merge could completely ruin everything he had and could have with Y/N.

Tony sighed as he set his phone face down on his desk. he sat back in his chair, running a hand down his face. Pepper knocked on his office door before just walking right in.

"Did you spend the night here?" She asked.

"Yes," Tony muttered. "I'm not leaving until I fix the mess I made."

"And how is that going?" Pepper sat down in one of the chairs in front of Tony's desk.

"Failing. Obadiah Stane is an awful piece of shit and I've been trying to figure out a way to kick him off the board all night. My ass of a father, Howard, trusted Stane too much. In Howard's will, he stated that Stane will take his place on the board and will stay there until ten years after Howard's death."

"I'm sure there's away around it."

"I've been on the phone with the lawyers all night. They're looking into it more, but they don't think it's an option."

"And you can't just be honest with Y/N?" Tony stayed silent. "Tony..."

He suddenly stood up. "I'm going to get some coffee."

Tony grabbed his phone from his desk before marching out of his office. Pepper sighed, shaking her head slightly.

~~~

It was the day of the gala when Y/N heard from Tony finally.

Anthony Edward: I'll pick you up at 6 from your hotel room.

She tried not to scoff too much as she rolled her eyes. It was annoying to have not heard from Tony until just now. Pepper was the only one she was in contact with at Stark Industries as Pepper booked her plane tickets and her hotel room.

Y/N sat down on the hotel bed and stared at the dress that was hanging off the room's closet door. It was a gorgeous dress and she had been excited to wear it, but Tony's cold shoulder was changing her mind. It was too late to find a new dress though, so she would just have to deal with it.

Y/N readied herself before slipping the dress on. She hadn't tried in on, but just like she had thought, it fit her perfectly.

"Damn Stark," Y/N muttered, looking at herself in the mirror.

She did some finishing touches to her look before sitting down on the edge of her bed and slipping her shoes on. As she was doing so, a knock sounded at the door.

"Just a second!" She called out, putting her last shoe on.

Y/N got up and opened the door. There, on the other side, stood Tony. He was dressed in a black suit, white dress shirt, and a matching colored tie to Y/N's dress. He stood there, eyes raking down Y/N in awe.

"You look beautiful," he breathed out.

"Thank you," Y/N said curtly. She was still annoyed at him for the cold shoulder.

"You ready?"

"Just let me grab my purse." Y/N turned and grabbed her purse off of the table near the door. Then she stepped out into the hallway and closed the door. "Now I'm ready."

Tony held his arm out for Y/N to take. "My lady."

She rolled her eyes and walked away, heading for the elevator. "I may be your date for the evening Stark, but only in front of the patrons."

Tony hurried after her. "Is everything okay?"

Y/N scoffed. "You've been ignoring me for like a week, what do you think?"

"I can explain." He stepped in front of her as the elevator doors closed behind him.

"Please, do. I'd just love to hear why you decided to be a jackass once again."

"I'm sorry, okay? I was... well... I was... I was... I messed up."

"Damn right you did."

"Wait. You know?"

"Know what?"

"So you don't know?"

"Okay, so now I'm completely lost. I was saying you messed up by ignoring me. But you clearly are talking about something else. What did you do?"

"I... well... I—" The elevator dinged and the doors opened. "Oh look! Let's get to the car." He slipped his arm through Y/N's and pulled her out of the elevator and towards the outside doors.

"Tony." Y/N tripped over her own feet as Tony pulled her along and only didn't fall on her face because of his arm linked with hers. "Tony, slow down and just tell me what you did."

Tony ignored her pleas as he pulled her out of the hotel. Outside, there was a black towns car with a man standing by the door in a black suit.

"Mr. Stark," the man greeted, bowing his head as he opened the door. "Miss L/N."

"Thanks, Hap," Tony responded as he urged Y/N into the car.

Y/N plopped into the car with a little huff and was pushed over when Tony got into the car. The man outside shut the car door before walking around to get in the driver's seat.

"That's Happy," Tony explained. "He's my 'head of security' and driver."

"Tony," Y/N crossed her arms and moved so that her back was against the door behind her and that she was facing Tony. "Tell me."

"And ruin the night already? Can't I at least have one dance?"

Y/N sighed. "Tony..." Her hand moved to rest on his knee. "I thought we were doing better."

"We were—are. I just... one dance, please? I need one dance with you before I tell you."

Y/N studied Tony's face. It was clear something was eating at him and he was desperate to not ruin the night yet. "Okay, Tony. One dance."

Tony pressed out a smile as he gently rested one of his hands on top of the hand Y/N had on his knee. The two stared out their separate windows in silence on the ride over, keeping their hands like that. When they arrived at where the gala was being held, there was a red carpet laid out, guiding everyone to the entrance, with reporters and cameras lining the way. Tony slipped on a pair of sunglasses before jumping out and running over to Y/N's side of the car. He opened the door and helped her out. The crowds, reporters, and cameras began going crazy.

Y/N would never get use to this, even knowing that her company and Tony's company were among the largest in the world and that their families were very well-known, being "famous" was never something Y/N believed would be an issue. She inhaled sharply as she slipped her hand around Tony's arm to be able to grip it.

"Relax," he whispered, lips brushing against her ear. "I've got you. Follow my lead."

Y/N swallowed and nodded, allowing Tony to lead her towards the red carpet. Their names were being shouted by the reporters and cameramen. Tony paused them in the middle for pictures. They posed together, Tony trying his best to make Y/N feel at ease.

"I need to let you go so that they can get individuals of us," Tony whispered. "Are you going to be okay?"

Y/N nodded. "Just don't go too far."

"Never." He kissed her cheek, causing more commotion before stepping a few feet away from her.

The pair posed for a few separate shots before Tony was back at Y/N's side with an arm around her waist. They could both feel Y/N immediately relax.

"You good?" Tony wondered, genuine concern in his voice.

"I'm good," Y/N responded. "Can we go inside now?"

"Let's go."

Tony guided Y/N into the building. It was bustling with people already. There was a small stage on the other end, with decorated round tables in front of it. A small orchestra was on the side of the open back half, where couples were already dancing.

"Thank goodness!" Pepper exclaimed, hurrying over with Wanda. "We were worried."

"Worried?" Y/N repeated.

"You are an hour late," Wanda said.

Y/N side-eyed her date. "Tony—"

"The hosts can be late if they want to," he waved off.

"Come on, Y/N," Wanda said. "There are some people who've been asking about you." Y/N followed Wanda further into the room.

"Have you told her yet?" Pepper asked.

"I will," he replied.

"Tony!"

"I will! Okay? Just give me some time."

"You've had plenty of time." Pepper huffed, looking around the room. "You better hope that no one tells her before you do."

~~~

"Y/N!"

"Rhodey!" Y/N walked over to her friend and embraced him.

"Wow." He pulled back and looked her over. "You're stunning."

"I would have to agree." Another man came from behind Rhodey. "Name's Sargent Barnes," he held a hand out. "But you can call me Bucky."

Y/N shook his hand with a slight chuckle. "Y/N."

"What a beautiful name for a beautiful woman." He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

"Bucky," Rhodey groaned, rolling his eyes. "Stop being a ladies man for like five minutes, will ya? Besides, where are Rogers and Romanoff? I would like to introduce Y/N to some decent people."

"We're right here," another man said, coming up to the small group with a woman at his side. "Hi, I'm Steve."

"And I'm Natasha," the woman added. "We've heard so much about you."

"Oh I'm sorry," Y/N laughed. "I hope it wasn't all bad."

"Just slightly embarrassing," Rhodey admitted.

"How did you all meet Rhodes?"

"The military," Steve responded.

Y/N nodded. "Of course."

"Where's Tony?" Rhodey asked, looking around.

"I don't know," Y/N shrugged. "My assistant pulled me away to meet a few people." She looked around as well.

"If you and your date don't mind, I'd like the chance to dance with you," Bucky said, offering one of his hands.

"I don't mind at all." She smiled as she put her hand in his.

Bucky grinned as he guided her onto the dance floor. He pulled her into him as he lead them around in a small circle.

"Are you and Stark a thing?" Bucky bluntly asked.

Y/N laughed. "No, we are not."

"Then why is he over there glaring at me?"

Bucky turned so that Y/N could see Tony standing on the side with a drink in hand, glaring as the two of them danced.

"He's just... Tony," Y/N excused. "He's always been very protective of me."

"Even when he treats you like shit?" Y/N eyes grew wide in surprise. "Sorry, Rhodes has told us everything."

Y/N rolled her eyes. "Of course he has."

"You deserve someone better than Stark."

"Someone like you, I presume?"

Bucky smirked. "Can't do better than me, doll."

"I guess we'll see about that."

~~~

Bucky let Y/N go make more rounds after two dances. She was kinda of disappointed at Tony the whole time Bucky danced and flirted with her. He was too busy glaring their way to come and interrupt them. She had sort of hoped that he would fight for her, but she guessed that proved that her feelings were one sided. Y/N wandered around the room, mingling with people, before a man stopped her.

"Miss L/N," he greeted. "Obadiah Stane, board member at Stark Industries. How are you?"

"I'm good," she responded.

"This is a wonderful gala you and Tony have put together."

"Well, you should thank our assistants for it. They did all the hard work."

"Indeed. It's a great place to announce the merge."

"Excuse me? Merge? What merge?"

"Haven't you been informed?"

"This gala was set up to announce a merge of your company with Stark Industries."

"I... I'm afraid I wasn't informed."

"My apologizes."

"And who, may I asked, came up with the merge?"

"Why, Tony, of course."

Y/N found Tony across the room. Their eyes met and Tony quickly paled. He excused himself and hurried across the room.

"Thank you for telling me, Mr. Stane," Y/N said. "Excuse me."

Y/N turned around and rushed to the edge of the room and down one of the hallways. She was furious. How could Tony do this to her? Promise her company away like it was his own?

"Y/N!" Tony shouted after her. "Y/N! Stop!"

She picked up speed, running through a door to the outside where it had begun raining. She paused in the middle of the alley.

"Y/N," Tony called from the door way. "Come inside before you get too wet. Please."

"No," she spun around. "Is this what you needed to tell me? Why you've been acting so weird?" Tony looked away, guilty expression across his face. "You promised a merge of our two companies, without even so much as a mention to me. How could you do that to me?" He stayed silent. "How could you do that to Grandmother?"

"It was a mistake." He took a careful step out into the rain, closer to Y/N. "One that I've been trying to right since I made it."

"Is this what it's all been about? You... you coming back into my life? Fighting for my friendship? Just to... just to take my company."

"No!" He shook his head as he came closer to her. "I didn't want this to happen and I didn't want you to find out like this."

"Then why, Tony?" She looked at him with watery eyes. He couldn't tell if her cheeks were wet because of the rain, tears, or both. It was breaking him. "Why did you keep this a secret from me? After everything..."

"Because I love you." Y/N inhaled sharply, heart picking up speed. "I love you, Y/N. And I didn't want to lose you again. I can't lose you again... I made a mistake and I've been working my ass off trying to fix it so that you wouldn't look at me like that... Like you can't trust me..."

"I can't trust you, Tony... you... I don't know if I can believe a single word you've ever told me."

"I know." His hands came up and touched Y/N's arms, running down them until he had a hold of her hands. "And I will never stop apologizing and trying to make up for my mistakes. If there's one thing you choose to believe, believe this: I love you. Ever since we were young and foolish and being teased by mom and Grandmother. I have loved you every agonizing second I have been away from you since the night I scared you away." He tugged her closer before his hands slowly came up to cup her face. "I love you."

Tony leaned forward. His lips captured hers in a kiss and Y/N froze. It took Y/N a moment to realize what was happening and for her to push him away.

"No!" She shouted. "You can't just tell me you love me and kiss me and think it will fix everything! It just makes it hurt worse... do you know how long I've waited to hear those words from you, Tony? When I said those words to you the day of your parents funeral, I meant them. And if I said them right now, I'd mean them too... But I'd just be hurting myself."

"Y/N—" He reached out but his hand arm fell to his side as she stepped away.

"No. Loving you has done nothing but hurt me, Tony... you've done nothing but hurt me."

"I know." He hung his head.

Y/N stared at him as applause rang out to them from the still open doors. Y/N clenched her eyes shut. Her company was no longer hers and she wasn't even able to put up a fight, not like she had much energy to currently.

"I'm going to fix this," Tony promised. "I'll go in there and—"

"It's too late, Tony," Y/N said, opening her eyes to look at the man. "It's been announced. The company's are merging, end of story." She turned around to head out of the alley.

"Where are you going?"

"To clear my head."

"You shouldn't be out in the rain like this. You could catch something. Please, come back."

"I can't look at you right now, Tony... honestly, I don't know if I'll ever be able to look at you again."

Tony stayed where he was as he watched Y/N walk away from him for what felt like the last time.