Special episode fanfic title: As the title says...
A/N: Don't click the song yet! *btw, find YouTube and find the song, it's the same as the title.
ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴇᴠɪᴏᴜꜱ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ...
As soon as Mia Lightwood and Tony Stark exited the S.H.I.E.L.D.'s RAFT detention center, the first thing that the billionaire did was call JARVIS to bring his Iron Man suit so he could fly them out of the boat, which hid the secret entrance of the place.
Tony confidently thanked his AI as he began putting on his Iron Man suit after it arrived. However, Mia appeared lost in deep thought, and Tony couldn't help but notice her focused expression.
Curiosity about the art supplies she was carrying crossed his mind, but he decided to take charge of the situation.
He assertively informed her that he would carry them for her.
Mia snapped out of her thoughts, humming in confusion, until she realized what he said. She explained that she was worried about her art supplies becoming heavy while she flew. Tony waved this concern away, dismissing it with the confidence that it couldn't be that heavy.
This made Mia hesitate before she sighed and pointed out, "If you ever feel like your suit is overloaded, don't say I didn't warn you."
As it turned out, the moment Tony lifted her off her feet into his arms, without any struggle with the art supplies she had in her arms, and prepared to blast them away in one swoop, they flew toward the wreckage from that morning.
While flying, Mia couldn't help but question Tony about his flying skills.
"Do you even have a license for this?"
Tony smirked beneath his iron mask, "Billionaire, remember? I don't need a license." He then challenged her, "So? Better than being rescued?"
Mia laughs.
"Not impressed."
"Liar." Tony retorted. "You're just pretending you weren't totally awed when I caught you mid-air like a damn action hero." Mia tried to hold back her smirk but failed as soon as they reached the wreckage of the destroyed containers.
When Tony put her down, her legs wobbled slightly, and he quickly caught her.
"You good?"
"Fantastic," Mia deadpanned. Now standing properly, they began walking together to find the parking lot, where a sleek red Lamborghini Aventador was parked without a single scratch.
She gasped silently before asking, "How—and when—did you park that Aventador here?"
Tony looked surprised. "You know cars?"
Mia nods and begins touching the hood of it like it was delicate, "I read. A lot. Just for fun." She shrugged before whispering conspiratorially, "Plus, the brand is excellent in driving on smooth concrete roads, not bumpy ones. Also, I'm a Transformers fan. Don't judge me."
Tony paused, then burst out laughing, which earned him a glare from her, "Seriously? A kids' show?" Mia scowled. "Excuse you, the comics are peak literature." After sharing a laugh, Tony and she got into the car.
As they drove, Tony confidently outlined his plan to ensure her comfort throughout the night.
"You're staying at Stark Tower tonight. But first, shopping spree. My treat." He glanced at her. "Anything you want, just say the word."
Mia hummed in acknowledgment, but Tony kept stealing glances at her.
He couldn't help it.
After reading her file—multiple times—he'd been equal parts furious and sympathetic. The idea that SHIELD had experimented on her, that she'd 'volunteered' for money... it didn't sit right with him.
His grip on the steering wheel tightened at the details of it.
Mia noticed.
"You're strangling that wheel like it personally offended you," she remarked.
Tony snapped out of his thoughts. "I'm fine."
Silence echoed throughout the car as tension grew louder, Mia studied him for a moment before finally speaking up, "You read my file, didn't you?" This made Tony stiffen in his seat, and glance at her for a split second before he then, unexpectedly, vented out his anger about it.
"Nobody should have paid you to be a lab rat, and you shouldn't have agreed. And no one should have left you for dead." His voice, sharp and uncharacteristically heated, cut through the silence: "You deserve better."
Mia blinked, stunned by the unexpected intensity. She never expected such words, especially from Tony Stark. 'He's really that pissed after reading my file? This is a whole new level of behind the scenes...and it's actually sweet of him.'
Then, slowly, she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Tony." Her voice was calm, "What's done is done. You can't change it. But you—the guy who just yelled at the idea of me being hurt—that's the hero people need. Someone who gives them hope to look up to."
Inside Mia's thoughts, 'Oh. My. Primus! Did I really just give a heroic, gentle speech to Iron Man?' She takes a good look at him before concluding: 'Yup, I did, and I'm still surprised by his unexpected words from earlier.' Tony exhaled sharply, his grip loosening.
At the next red light, he turned to her.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither spoke.
His expression softened, a flicker of vulnerability replacing the characteristic Stark arrogance. "Hope, huh?" He seemed to mull it over, the weight of the world briefly settling on his shoulders. "That's a heavy burden, even for me."
The light turned green, and he eased his foot back on the accelerator. The Lamborghini purred, resuming its smooth glide through the city streets. The silence returned, but it was different now.
Less tense, more... thoughtful.
Mia withdrew her hand but continued to study Tony's profile—the sharp angles of his jaw, the lines around his eyes, and his furrowed brow. He was a complicated man emotionally, but in his professional and heroic duties, he was simply serious, and full of himself.
However, there was this secret soft spot he had for damsels in distress, even if that damsel could probably hold her own in a fight. Then Tony snapped her out by clearing his throat, as he finally found the location he wanted to take her, and parked abruptly in front of a high-end mall.
"Air conditioning's busted," he muttered, deflecting. "Get out. We're getting you clothes." Mia recognized the deflection—he wasn't used to kindness, to care about emotions or feelings, nor being comforted by someone.
Instead of pushing, she smirked. "Only if you come with me."
Tony snorted. "I'll meet you inside, then. Burger King?"
"I'd always pick Carl's Jr. over anything else, but yeah, fine," Mia said as she pushed the car door open and stepped out of the car. Tony watched her silhouette as she moved further away from the vehicle, and he felt the need to add one last thing.
He raised his voice slightly, calling out with a playful tone, "And remember, no Transformers merchandise!" Without even bothering to turn her head or break her stride, Mia casually flipped him off and rolled her eyes playfully.
As she continued towards the entrance of the establishment. The glass doors slid open, and she disappeared inside, leaving Tony alone in the car with his thoughts and the lingering image of her gesture: 'Damn it, what was that?'
He sighs tiredly as he moves the front of his bangs from his face, when the slight repeat of the image of Mia's concern and genuine comfort left him feeling... more than confused.
'Alright, Stark, no thinking about that. Just focus on the mission: Operation Distract Mia from SHIELD Trauma via Retail Therapy, got it.' He gets it parked after he finds a valet and heads inside, mentally steeling himself for the inevitable onslaught of high-end fashion.
Entering the mall, Tony expected to find Mia already exploring somewhere, but saw her sitting on a bench nearby, seemingly waiting.
"You didn't go exploring?" he asked, surprised.
Mia stood up and replied, "I was waiting for you." Tony raises an eyebrow at her. She continues: "Plus...this is the first time I've ever been to a mall."
Tony didn't know what to say after that.
With a sigh, he motions her to follow him, while walking, the whole mall was already half empty, but there were still stores open for them, because who wouldn't want the richest billionaire, Tony Stark, to come to their store?
"Alright, newbie mall-goer, let's get you acquainted with the finer things in life. Starting with... clothes that don't look like they were issued by the orphanage or being a prisoner," Tony quipped, leading her into the nearest boutique with a name he couldn't pronounce.
In the middle of the mall, a faint background song of Shania Twain's "That Don't Impress me Much" caught Mia's attention, prompting her to snap her head around to see where it was coming from. She smiled as it led her to one of the clothing stores.
(Click the song now!)
Tony seemed to notice her staring at the clothes store, thinking that she was interested in clothes, and asked, "Wanna go in?" "Sure, but it's because the store is playing one of my favorite songs!"
Mia couldn't contain her excitement as she grabbed him by the wrist, almost making him stumble, as they were met with racks of clothes in every color imaginable, and the faint scent of expensive perfume filled the air.
It was sensory overload.
"Wow," she breathed.
A saleswoman, clearly spotting Tony Stark from a mile away, practically glided towards them, a practiced smile plastered on her face before blushing, "Mr. Stark, what a pleasure! How can I assist you today?"
Tony, ever the showman, threw an arm around Mia's shoulders.
"We need a complete wardrobe overhaul. Something that says 'I'm not a lab rat anymore, I'm a freakin' fashion icon.'" The saleswoman's smile widened, if that was even possible. "Of course, Mr. Stark. We have just the collection. And who is this lovely young lady?"
"This is Mia," Tony said casually. "She's... uh... an associate."
Mia subtly elbowed him in the ribs. "Associate? Seriously?"
Tony shrugged. "What? Friend? Damsel I rescued from a government conspiracy? It's complicated." He turned back to the saleswoman. "Just make her look amazing, okay? I'm trusting your professional judgment."
"Oh? So you don't trust me with my fashion choices?" Mia, clearly offended by him.
The saleswoman giggled, clearly amused by their banter. "Don't worry, dear. We'll find something that expresses your unique style. And Mr. Stark," she winked, "we won't let him anywhere near the fitting room."
Tony feigned offense, clutching his chest. "Rude! I have excellent taste!"
"Sure, you do," Mia said dryly. "If I remember correctly~ you wore your Iron Man suit while getting drunk."
Tony winced, "Okay, bad example. But still, I have opinions! Strong opinions!"
The saleswoman, sensing an opportunity to make a serious sale, expertly steered Mia toward a rack of dresses. "Why don't we start here? These are our latest arrivals, perfect for any occasion." Mia hesitantly ran her fingers over the fabrics, her eyes wide with wonder.
She softly tells the saleswoman, "They're... beautiful."
"Go on, try something on," Tony urged. "Live a little! Embrace the retail therapy!"
With a shy smile, Mia selected a few clothes and disappeared into the racks of clothes, leaving Tony to fend off the saleswoman's attempts to sell him a "stylish" hat.
"Relax," he calls her out, making her turn around to find the source of his voice, "Just try stuff on. If you don't like it, we'll burn it. Metaphorically, of course. Though I'm not opposed to a little fashion bonfire later."
Mia snorts with a small smile playing on her lips. She wandered the aisles, gazing at the clothes. Back in her world, she began to recall her mother's lessons on quality fabrics and the princess treatment she'd receive if she found true love.
But doesn't believe in it, thought now, in this world that's fictional, Mia never thought she would be treated like a princess by a character who comes from a kids' TV show, and to be honest, she secretly loves it.
Thought, Mia won't admit it, because if she did, she would feel ashamed.
She grabbed a few items that caught her eye, then walked up to him and said, "Okay, let's do this," Heading towards the dressing rooms. In the changing room, Tony sat in front of the door where Mia was changing into the outfit she had secretly picked.
"Why did you take only 4 clothes?"
He glanced over his shoulder as she closed the curtain. Mia, who had already placed them on a stool and sarcastically replied, "Because, unlike other women, Mr. Stark," She peeks from the curtain to meet him and comments: "I don't go ballistic when it comes to shopping."
He hummed in agreement.
"Fair enough," Tony said, then waited patiently while the workers offered him whiskey.
After thanking them, he takes a sip, turns back to where Mia entered the changing room, and asks her out loud: "When are you coming out?" "Have patience, Tony," she replied through the curtain: "I'm just a little worried about how I look in it."
"Oh, please, whatever you wear is fine..."
His voice trailed off, eyes slowly widening at the sight before him as Mia finally emerges from the changing room, her long, dark brown hair being let down over her shoulders while wearing a black long-sleeved sweater layered under a beige fuzzy tee, paired with black jeans.
"So uh, what do you think?" Mia scratches the side of her cheek, awkwardly waiting for his response. However, for the first time in Tony's life, he was speechless. Sure, he has bought women's clothes many times before and complimented them afterward.
But with Mia, it felt different.
In a good way.
"Wow...You look beautiful."
Mia widened her eyes in shock at his response, clearly taken aback, and Tony instantly realized what he had just said, and quickly cleared his throat: "I mean—You look good! Try another one." "O-Oh, sure! I'll go change."
Once she entered the Tony sat on the plush boutique bench, whiskey forgotten in his hand, staring blankly at the dressing room curtain Mia had disappeared behind moments ago. His mind was racing, replaying the way she'd looked in that outfit—casual yet effortlessly striking.
Beautiful.
The word had slipped out before he could stop it. And now, he was paying the price for his uncharacteristic lack of filter. He dragged a hand down his face, fingers tugging at his hair in frustration.
'Since when do I get flustered over a woman trying on clothes?'
"Tony?"
A finger poked his cheek.
He startled, nearly spilling his drink as Mia leaned into his line of sight, her dark brown eyes filled with amused concern. "You still with us, Stark? Or did JARVIS accidentally upload you to the cloud?"
Tony blinked.
"What? No. I'm—" He cleared his throat, straightening. "I'm fine. Just... plotting world domination. The usual." Mia gave him a slow, knowing smirk. "Uh-huh. Sure." She twirled once, showing off her next outfit—a sleek red dress that hugged her curves before flaring at the knees.
"So? Thoughts?"
Tony's mouth went dry.
He was a genius, a billionaire, a superhero. He'd faced down bad guys, terrorists, and H.Y.D.R.A. soldiers without breaking a sweat. Yet here he was, struggling to form a coherent sentence because of a damn dress.
"You, uh—" He gestured vaguely with his glass, "It's... good. Great. Very... red."
Mia arched an eyebrow, "Wow. Such eloquence, Mr. Stark." She flirtatiously teases him: "Truly, the poet of our generation." Tony scowled. "Look, I've done this a million times. Bought clothes for women, complimented them—hell, I've designed clothes for women."
"Nothing surprises me anymore." He takes a sip of his drink with his eyes closed, earning a glint of amusement in her eyes, "Except me, apparently," Mia teased, leaning in just enough to make his pulse jump.
Tony opened his mouth to retort, but she was already retreating, tossing a playful wink over her shoulder as she slipped back into the dressing room. "Last two, I promise!" He exhaled sharply, downing the rest of his whiskey in one go.
'This was ridiculous.'
By the time Mia emerged again—this time in the soft green sweater, dark grey jeans, and dark green boots she'd liked—Tony had mostly regained his composure.
Mostly.
The next one was the last one that Mia loved the most.
She emerges once more to reveal herself, wearing a black turtle neck tucked under her black jeans, a matching belt, and a black leather jacket to go with it.
"Mia, you're killing me," Tony said, flirting, "But this is something I wouldn't mind seeing you in." Mia gave him a deadpan look. "Har har, keep dreaming, playboy." She walked away with a proud smile despite her sarcastic tone.
After she changed into the nice soft green sweater outfit, Mia came out: "Alright, I'm done," she announced, holding up the few items she'd chosen. "These are the ones I want. Oh, and the outfit I'm wearing, I'm gonna wear it right now."
"Of course, I'll get them in a bag." The saleswoman takes them and gets them in a bag, while Tony frowned at Mia, "That's it? Four things?" Mia shrugs, not caring about his reaction at this point, "I don't need a whole wardrobe. Just something comfortable."
He stared at her.
"Mia, I was prepared to buy out the store for you."
She laughed, shaking her head.
"And that's exactly why I didn't let you. I don't like taking advantage of people, Tony. Even if they're billionaires with questionable taste in hats and suits." She nodded toward the saleswoman, who was still holding the ridiculous fedora she'd tried to sell him earlier.
Tony opened his mouth, then closed it.
No one had ever refused his money before.
Mia, oblivious to his internal crisis, was given a bag with the chosen clothes by the saleswoman, and she politely thanked her, "Thank you very much for your hospitality." "You're very welcome." With that, the two exited the clothes store.
As they began walking around more, Tony watched her, feeling something warm and unfamiliar settling in his chest: 'She was... different.'
And he wasn't sure what to do with that.
Later, at 11:45 pm, the mall had already closed.
Mia, pleased with her purchases, stowed the clothes, sneakers, boots, leftover burger, and a box brimming with books. Tony, puzzled by her favoring books over clothes, asked, "You'd rather buy a box of random books than a bunch of clothes?"
Mia smiled. "It's better than lugging a bag with only four items," she replied, glancing at the box in his arms as he loaded it into the car trunk along with the shopping bags. "At least you only have one box to carry."
"Oh yeah," He nods, closing the trunk, slightly annoyed: "That weighs like 40 POUNDS! Jesus, that was clearly heavy, y'know."
She walks away to lean on the car door, "So? It's worth it. And you get more muscles for it!"
"I seriously hate you." Tony glares.
Scene changes to Tony driving Mia to his penthouse, she turned on classical music to calm her nerves, which made her sleep; Mia was already asleep when they got to the penthouse. Tony sighed, looking over at her peaceful face.
'Classical music always knocked her out.' He thought before carefully unbuckling her seatbelt, trying not to wake her. "Mia," he murmured, gently shaking her shoulder. "We're here." She stirred, blinking sleepily. "Hmm? Oh already? I was just getting cozy."
"Well, you can get cozy tonight at the penthouse, c'mon." Tony exits the car, and she follows him. Bringing the stuff to the elevator was easy, both the billionaire and now, liaison began waiting to get to the top floor.
Sure enough, once the elevator doors open, the penthouse was exactly as Mia had imagined—sleek, futuristic, and expensive. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of New York's skyline, and the faint hum of JARVIS's systems filled the air.
Tony tossed her a StarkPad.
"Here. Customize your room however you want. Temperature, lighting, music—JARVIS will handle it."
Mia caught the tablet, scrolling through the options with wide eyes. "You're serious?"
Tony smirked.
"What, you thought I'd stick you in a broom closet?"
Mia ignored him, too busy exploring the controls. "JARVIS, can you play Shania Twain 'That Don't Impress me Much'?"
"Certainly, Miss Lightwood." The opening synth beats of Shania Twain filled the room, earning a tired groan from Tony: "Really?" "You said I could pick the music." Mia grinned, flopping onto the couch.
Tony tries his best not to pinch the bridge of his nose. "I regret everything."
Mia laughed, "Too late, Stark. You're stuck with me now."
Tony watched her for a moment, the city lights reflecting in her dark eyes as she hummed along to the music: 'At least she's happy...Just hope tomorrow she and the others will say the same about the Mansion.'