Chapter Text
Everyone close to Tony had a soulmark. All but one had already found, what they referred to as, their soulmates. They tried to convince him it was a good thing, but he didn’t believe in any of it.
He was one of the few that didn’t receive a mark. He was perfectly happy about it because he didn’t want one. His destiny was his own to create.
Brenna, his best friend and personal assistant teased him about it often. “You want one and you know it. Ooh imagine if I was your soulmate.”
He shuddered and made an ick face. “You’re my best friend, Brenna. Wouldn’t that be weird?” He grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and started chugging it.
She shrugged her shoulders. “Wouldn’t change anything. I mean we already sleep together.”
Tony choked, water sprayed out of his mouth as he coughed and sputtered. She cackled as she patted his back. Once he had calmed he gave her the stink eye. “Not like that we don’t.” His voice came out rough as he said it.
“I know that. But seriously, Tony. Why are you so hell bent on not having a soulmate? You could randomly get one you know. The oldest recorded person developing one later in life was sixty-five.”
Tony vehemently shook his head. “Hell no! No, I’m one of the lucky few who did not, and will not get one.”
She frowned, but quickly recovered before he noticed. “You might be surprised.” Her voice was soft as she responded so he didn’t hear her. “Fate and destiny is mine to control,” he continued. “No one tells me who I can and cannot fall in love with.”
“No one is telling you who to fall in love with, Tony.” Steve Rogers said as he walked into the kitchen. “You’re being blessed with a perfect mate. I would think you’d be happy about that, and would want it.”
Tony laughed. “I don’t remember asking you Captain perfect hair.”
Steve playfully glared at him. They were friends now, but Tony still teased him sometimes. “Everyone I know, who has found their mates, are happy.”
“Not everyone has been happy. I mean, look at my parents. They had each others soulmarks and still despised each other.”
Brenna had never heard Tony mention that before. She had to think that’s why he didn’t want one. He was afraid he would wind up like them. “That’s very rare, Tony.”
He walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her, resting his cheek against her hair. Her arms came up, wrapping around his waist. Tony didn’t want a soulmate, but he did want someone who would be affectionate with him. Brenna got to be that person.“I don’t need a soulmate, Bren. I’ve got you.”
Brenna pulled away and smiled up at him. “You do, and I get to tell you what to do.” She poked him in the side making him jump and yelp. He ran out of the kitchen followed by Steve who was laughing.
Brenna chuckled as she pulled what she needed from the fridge to make homemade chicken noodle soup. Natasha walked in looking tired. She leaned back against the counter watching as her friend cut up the carrots and celery. “Making that for me?”
Brenna nodded. “You know it. I always make this after you’ve had a rough mission.” This made Natasha smile a bit. “You’re too good to all of us. You need someone to take care of you sometimes. When are you going to tell your soulmate about your mark?”
The knife Brenna was holding clattered onto the cutting board. She shot the red headed assassin a warning look. “No one is telling him, Tasha.”
“He needs to know.” Natasha knew she was pushing her friend, but someone had too. They were all tired of her being alone.
“He’s not ready,” and she knew this with 100% certainty.
Tony walked back into the kitchen to find the two women glaring at each other. “Woah! I thought we were all friends here,” he said as he motioned between them all.
Brenna picked up the knife and continued chopping the vegetables. “We are. Just having a difference of opinion. No big deal.”
Tony eyed Natasha. She simply nodded before walking away. He took her place against the counter, waiting for Brenna to look at him. “You wanna tell me what that was all about?”
She sighed and set the knife back down. “Everyone thinks I should tell my soulmate about my mark.”
Tony grabbed her arm and made her turn towards him. “Why haven’t you?”
She threw her hands up in the air. “Same reason as always.”
Tony frowned. “You shouldn’t have to be alone anymore if you can have your mate, you know.” She scoffed at his words. “That’s rich coming from you of all people.”
He started to walk away, but stopped when he saw the tears fall from her eyes. “Just because I don’t believe in it, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be happy. If it will work for you go for it.”
She laughed, but it sounded more like a sob. “I can’t tell him because he won’t want me.”
He wiped her tears away. A sad look coming over his face. “Why would you say that?”
She turned back to cutting up the celery. “Because he told me.”