[Third Person's PoV]
"You know, if you're going to use me to showcase technological advancements, you might as well tell me what this meeting is actually about," Tony said, raising an eyebrow at the President.
"That seems fair," the President nodded. "It's mostly to reaffirm our alliance against rising quirk-related threats, share advanced technologies, and explore potential quirk research collaborations."
"...That's it?" Tony blinked.
The President tilted his head, confused. "What were you expecting?"
"I don't know, like some secret quirk war brewing in the shadows or maybe a covert alliance to take down China or something as equally… Dangerous"
"When you said 'dangerous,' you really meant 'cool,' didn't you?" Melissa sighed.
"Didn't want to seem insensitive," Tony shrugged.
"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint?" The President looked unsure how to respond.
"The first day here is for rest, so everyone will be in their best shape for tomorrow's meeting. You two have the rest of the day off," Stars and Stripes nodded towards Tony.
Tony's eyebrow twitched. "That would have been nice to know earlier…"
"You can't leave the country and come back though, just to be clear. I know you're fast, but it's still a violation," she warned.
"Never mind, then…" Tony muttered.
They soon arrived at Moscow's most luxurious hotel—a 100-story building practically shimmering in gold. After checking in, Star returned with two keys.
"I don't know how you two do things," she began, handing them the keys, "but I got you a room with two beds. It's close to mine and the President's. Even though you have free time, remember you're representing a nation, so be responsible."
"Look who you're talking to. I'm Tony Stark. My middle name is responsible."
"I thought it was Edward?" Melissa teased.
Tony shot her a slow, incredulous look. "I'm going to pretend you didn't just say that."
Star chuckled. "It's because I know who you are that I'm telling you to be responsible."
"Relax, all I'm going to do is take Melissa out on a date."
"Really?" Melissa asked, surprised and delighted.
Tony shrugged. "Yeah, we haven't been on one in a while, so why not?"
"Well, you kids enjoy yourselves," Stars and Stripes waved them off.
As they left the hotel, their hero suits deactivated, morphing back into their civilian clothes. Tony slipped on his sunglasses, walking with his hands casually in his pockets, while Melissa clung to his arm, resting her head on his shoulder.
"So, are we just going to walk?" Melissa asked.
"You don't want to?"
"No, I do. It's just that we're always flying or moving super fast. It feels nice to just walk... take it slow."
"Speaking of the view," Tony said, glancing around, "we need new clothes."
"Why? What's wrong with what we have?"
"Well, for starters, we're in Moscow. We've got to dress the part, take some photos, and brag to everyone about our fancy trip to Europe while they're stuck wherever they are."
Surrounded by high-end shops, they soon found themselves at one of the largest clothing stores, mannequins displaying stylish outfits and accessories in the windows.
Melissa's excitement spiked, for reasons Tony couldn't quite grasp. "You know, being able to make any clothes I want is one thing, but shopping for them? That's a whole new level of fun!" she said, eyes gleaming as she studied the racks of clothing.
She picked up a pair of fashionable pants, holding them up to her body and turning toward Tony with a hand on her hip. "What do you think?"
"You look good in anything, honey," Tony said with an awkward smile, opting for the safe answer.
Melissa gave him a straight-faced look. "I'm being serious…"
"So was I. You seriously do look good in anything."
Melissa pinched his cheeks. "I appreciate the compliment, but that's not helping me pick out what I want…"
"Alright, fine. Let's see... The beige color matches your skin tone, but that's about it. The blue, on the other hand, will really make your features pop—your green eyes, blonde hair, and overall vibe."
"..."
"Why do I even bother asking…" Melissa's shoulders slumped.
"What did I do? I did exactly what you asked!" Tony said, exasperated.
"That was too much. A simple 'you look good' would've been enough."
"Woman, that's quite literally what I said before!"
Melissa held out her finger, "No, you said I look good in anything I wear. That's totally different from saying if this looks good on me or not."
Tony sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "If I said everything looks good on you, obviously I'm implying that what you're holding will also look good on you."
"See, that's the thing, Tony. I don't want implications. I just want a simple yes or no answer."
"Melissa…"
"Yes?" Melissa asked with a smile, batting her eyelashes at him with an amused expression.
"This is honestly our first shopping trip together, and you're already a pain in the ass."
Melissa just looked proud of herself as she turned around, whipped her hair back, and then looked over her shoulder with a wink. "As your girlfriend, that is simply my job. Nice to see it's working."
Tony looked at her with a straight expression. "I'm leaving," he said, spinning on his heel.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Melissa called out, grabbing his arm and laughing. "I'm being serious now. Let's try on some clothes." She grinned, looking at him with a big smile.
Tony sighed but went along with her.
Melissa picked out a few outfits for them both before pulling Tony outside the changing room. She then began to perform a miniature fashion show for him.
She appeared first, wearing a frilly pink skirt with a black top, spinning around barefoot and holding the hem of her dress.
"So, what do you think?"
"It's alright," Tony shrugged.
Melissa chuckled, noticing Tony rapidly tapping the side of his glasses, secretly taking multiple pictures of her.
She closed the curtain, then reappeared in black dress pants with heels, a white dress shirt, and a black blazer. She leaned back on the door frame, one leg up, winking at Tony before closing the curtain again.
Next, she emerged in baggy black sweatpants, a white crop top, and sunglasses, her hair now tied in a ponytail. She lowered her glasses to her nose, winked, pushed them back up, and disappeared behind the curtain.
"Pfft," Tony stifled a laugh at her antics.
When the curtains opened again, Melissa was dressed in a large black fur coat with mittens and a fuzzy black hat with a red star in the middle. She opened her coat, waddled in a 360-degree turn, then closed the curtains and returned in her original outfit, carrying all the clothes.
"Now go put on a show for me, big boy."
Tony sighed as he stood up. As he walked past her, he scoffed, "I'm about to slay harder than anyone has ever slayed in their lives."
Melissa chuckled as she took his seat. It wasn't long before Tony appeared, wearing black dress pants with small gray stripes and a black shirt, partially unbuttoned to show his chest. His glasses were perched on top of his head as he looked off into the distance.
"Woah!" Melissa cheered, clapping rapidly, almost making Tony break character. He flipped the curtain closed before arrogantly opening it again.
This time, he wore white pants and a light blue shirt, with different, rounder glasses hanging off the tip of his nose. He leaned against the doorframe and looked at Melissa seductively. "Ms. Shield... your piano lessons will begin shortly."
"Oh my..." Melissa muttered, fluttering her eyelashes.
Tony twirled dramatically and closed the curtain. When he opened it again, he was in brown pants, a long brown coat, and a scarf hanging loosely around his shoulders, topped off with a hat. He flipped the scarf over his shoulder and leaned back on the doorframe, holding onto his hat while looking down.
Melissa whistled sharply, then clapped her hands.
By the end, they were both laughing at the ridiculousness of it all.
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