Chibi Telenine“Mr. Rogers,” she purred, heels clicking on the marble floor as she reached him. “I was pleased to see you would be attending the banquet. Often times the less influential people are the ones that attend.”
“Funding for the Maria Stark foundation is one of my top priorities, ma’am,” he said. When she cocked a brow, he amended, “well, getting funds for a good cause is.” She nodded, appeased.
“I would expect nothing less. Still,” she said, looking him up and down, “you are indeed a sight to behold. On and off the field.”
Wooing the ladies was never a strong suit of Steve’s. Put him in front of a battalion of officers and he could talk for an hour, but in the face of one woman seducing him, he found he would rather be on the frontline. “Well, I-“
“Amelia, darling,” a voice broke out, loud and confident. Tony Stark strode up, all teeth and expensive tailoring, and shot her a smile. “Didn’t I correct you last time? Men like subtlety.”
“Being forward seemed to work for you,” she said with a scowl. Her polite and seductive image was gone, replaced by an angry cat ready to hiss. Tony seemed amused. “Besides, I came here with a full checkbook and an open mind.”
“Darling, I’ve turned down your dirty money before.”
“Good to know the Maria Stark Foundation is choosy about its donors,” she said, all venom, before turning back to Steve. “It was lovely meeting you, Mr. Rogers. It’s a shame we were interrupted.”
Steve took her shift in demeanor in stride. “Have a good night, ma’am.”
She walked away, hips swishing, and Tony scoffed. “That woman comes to every event, looking for ways to get under my skin. I’m actually surprised she tried to get to you.” He looked over at Steve, a brow raised. “Then again, you’re quite the catch. She’s always been a high roller.”
Steve resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “Thanks, Tony.”
“Don’t mention it.”
They stood in a mildly uncomfortable silence for a moment, Steve risking a glance over at his teammate. He was watching the floor, as if looking for something. Dainty music played in the background, aiding the illusion that this was a party. He sighed.
“Are you standing at parade rest?” Tony asked, sounding incredulous. Steve stiffened slightly, feeling as if he should be defensive. But Tony simply looked amused. “I wonder what it feels like, being that perfect.”
Steve opened his mouth to retort, but someone was walking forward; an older woman, delicate but cheerful. Tony smiled, a real smile for once, and greeted her. Steve smiled and nodded to her before turning away. He wanted to find someone to talk to that felt more, well, real. He didn’t mind glitzy parties, but Tony was the only one he knew, and he shared nothing in common with these people. They had money in droves, and that was something Steve didn’t think he’d ever get used to.
He found an empty balcony and leaned against the railing, staring out at the Manhattan skyline. Different from Brooklyn, different from the 60s, different from everything he was used to. It wasn’t crushing, like many thought; he was quick to learn, and even quicker to adapt. That didn’t mean he liked feeling like a man out of time. It was getting better – being on a team helped a lot – but it sometimes felt like it wasn’t enough.
He stared at the glowing buildings below, the chatter from the charity event a buzzing at his back. “Not a fan of the spotlight I assume?” a voice interrupted. He didn’t jump; he’d heard the footfalls. He was relieve to hear it was only Tony. He was swirling a glass of whiskey and offered it out to Steve, who shook his head.
“Thanks though. Never really liked being under the magnifying glass. Big parties like this don’t feel much different.”
“I feel you there,” Tony said, sipping at his drink.
Steve nodded and turned back to the view, the lights dancing on the horizon. “It’s beautiful, in its own way,” Steve said. And it was. He wasn’t sure how he felt about such a modern time, but it wasn’t all bad. He couldn’t deny the beauty in the tall buildings, clamoring to touch the sky.
Tony chuckled. “In the second conversation I had with you, you called my building big and ugly,” he said.
Steve had the grace to look apologetic. “Yeah, well, it’s grown on me.”
Tony chuckled and turned to the skyline, staring out at the city they’d fought so hard to protect just a few short months ago. A surprisingly strong rush of pride filled his chest. He might have been thrown into a time that wasn’t his own, but he was more than willing to fight for it. The thought brought a smile to his lips.
“That’s a better look for you,” Tony said out of nowhere before finishing his drink. He walked off the balcony, and Steve watched him go, that little bubble of pride shining strong in his chest.
---
The lines began to form, the scratching of charcoal the only sound in the large room. His bangs had fallen slightly into his face, but it didn’t obscure his vision, so he didn’t bother with fixing it. Sketching was always a relaxing practice for him. He rarely really drew anymore, but he sketched whenever he got a chance. Right now it was Natasha and Clint, back to back, faces fierce as the pointed their weapons at the viewer.
He ran his index fingers over Clint’s chest, smudging the shading of the design on his vest, when he heard footfalls. “Come on, Tony. If you won’t sleep, at least eat.” Bruce was walking, glasses at the tip of his nose, looking amused. Tony followed behind, circles under his eyes the color of bruises, glaring at everything in the room.
“I don’t need food, I need coffee, and I need the damn quinjet to stop being a stubborn brat,” he grumbled, immediately going to the coffee machine.
“Tony, it’s movie night, try not to fall asleep,” Bruce said with a laugh. Tony stared defiantly at the coffee machine. Steve chuckled, rising from the table. “Where are the others?”
“Present,” Clint said from seemingly nowhere. Steve jumped a little, and Bruce looked around in surprise, but Tony jumped so hard his elbow smacked the counter. “Jesus!” he yelled, and Clint laughed from the ceiling.
“Sorry,” he said in a tone that showed he wasn’t sorry in the slightest. They heard a rattling and his head popped out from the air duct above Steve’s head. Steve grinned up at him as he smirked down, eyeing everyone in the kitchen. “Jesus, someone tell Stark to go to bed.”
He muttered something about coffee and movies. Steve laughed, shutting his sketchbook as Natasha walked in. “Clint, get out of the ventilation, Steve, that is a lovely sketch, you’ll have to let me see it when it’s done, and for god sakes, Tony, sleep more or else I’ll start calling you a liability.”
Steve flushed slightly at the mention of the sketch, and she shot him a small smile before turning to Clint. Tony was sputtering. “I’ll show you a liab-“ he started.
"That's hilarious, you're hilarious," Peter said, strolling into the kitchen. "Face it, Tony, we're never gonna stop badgering you. Besides, you said you'd help me with my homework. Senior in college here, studying is kinda hard these days."
Tony sighed. "Tomorrow night, we'll finish that project. Besides, there's something I need your help with."
Peter's face brightened. The moment was interrupted, however, by a loud thud resonating through the room. Thor strode quickly, grinning from ear to ear. “I have just left the lady Jane’s hotel room! What have we decided on for a film, my friends?” He must have noticed that Tony seemed the most agitated because he was the first one he pulled into a one-armed hug. “Let us commence with the making of popcorn so we can sit and relax and enjoy one another’s company!”
Fifteen minutes later found them all in the living room, Jarvis booting up Princess Bride. Clint and Tony had both insisted it was high time Steve saw it. Tony was on Steve’s right, and Clint on Tony’s other side. Natasha had joined Thor on the floor and was leaning against Clint’s legs. Bruce was in the recliner to Steve’s left. Peter was laying along on the top of the sofa, lithe as a cat.
“See, isn't he just so charming?” Clint said, watching with wide eyes. Steve smiled and nodded, even though the other man’s attention hadn’t left the screen. It was actually quite adorable, and, while the acting wasn’t superb, he could see what had made it a classic. A love story with numerous sides, all revolving around a simple message. No one could say no to that.
He felt a pressure on his shoulder and looked over to see a shock of messy dark hair. Tony’s head was leaning against his shoulder, his heavy breathing indicating he’d fallen asleep. Steve watched him for a moment, surprised, before smiling, being careful not to move him. He turned back to the movie, though he would glance at Tony every once in a while, pleased the other man finally felt comfortable in his presence.
He missed Natasha’s amused stare.
---
“Thor, up above, pin those four!” Steve shouted through the rattling sound of gunfire. Concrete crumbled, and he raised his shield, rocks of various sizes bounding off the vibranium surface and jarring his arm. He ran, looking above, to his sides, all around, ticking off the location of each of his teammates, listening over the comm. for any signs of distress, and assessing the situation while watching the enemy.
The enemy being a large horde of Doombots. Steve scowled, watching the skies. There was Clint, crouched on a rooftop, arrows whizzing from quiver to bow to bot. Two more were flanking him, but Thor zoomed in, knocking them into one another with Mjolnir. Steve continued to run, comm. filled with chatter and tinny explosions happening around the blocks of the Brooklyn streets. He saw a flash of green, and spotted Hulk on top of an overturned car, smashing one of the bots into the grill. It sparked and crumbled, spewing jargon before its eyes dimmed.
A shot rang by his face and he ducked, throwing up his shield to block another. He turned and threw the shield with a glance, trajectory proving true. It thudded into the bot’s face and stuck there, right below its eye panels. It fidgeted for a while before yanking it out and tossing it at the ground, taking two steps at Steve before its head sparked and it collapsed. Steve resumed his run, spotting Natasha a ways off down the road, crouched on one of the bot’s heads, wrist-deep in the cords in its neck. She backflipped off of it just as it fell to the ground.
He heard a ‘thwip’ and Spider-Man swished by, flipping and landing atop an airborne Doombot. He steered it down to the Hulk, who brought up a fist and slammed it into the bot as Spider-Man leaped off. Most of the team accounted for; he wasn’t worried about Wolverine; Logan could take care of himself.
He looked up at the sound of repulsors and watched Iron Man zip overhead, targeting a bot that was flying towards Clint. A well-aimed beam shot it out of the sky. Three more machines flanked Natasha, and Steve shouted her codename before jumping to her aid, muscles burning with adrenaline. He was all business, but he couldn’t deny he felt at home on the field. This he could do. Hitting the bad guy, punishing those intending on causing god people harm - this was timeless.
Natasha nodded, nudging her chin. “Go search the third zone, we don’t know if there are civilians.” Steve nodded and ran, boots thudding on concrete as he jumped over cracks in the road. It was Manhattan all over again. His heart bled for the broken buildings, for the destruction, but they would rebuild. They always did.
He heard a cry and ran faster. A bookstore was half covered with debris, and silhouetted in the display window was two teenagers, both crying out. He waved his shield, indicating for them to duck, and ran up to the window, breaking it with his shield. “Hey, it’s okay,” he said calmly, holding out a hand. “Come on, we need to go. I can take you to safer ground.”
“Wait,” the boy said, pointing. “They’re coming!”
Steve looked up to see five bots flying at them; he waved his shield. “Come here,” he said, covering them with the shield. He had only a second to duck before lasers were thudding against the shield. He fell to a knee, and the teens were forced down with him, shouting.
Just as quickly as they’d been fired upon, it ceased. When he heard a repulsor, he looked up. Tony had engaged the five, all six machines flying in articulate maneuvers in the air, beams flying everywhere. “Go!” He shouted, and Steve didn’t need to be told twice. He ran, the teens in tow. As soon as they were out of range, Steve pointed them to where Natasha was and turned back.
“Iron Man,” he called, and turned just in time to see two of the bots grabbed Ton’s foot and throw him to the ground. A missile flew from its shoulder, Tony was buried in an explosion. “Tony!” he shouted, and threw his shield at the Doombot that had shot at him. It knocked it from the sky, and a repulsor flew from the small crater and took out the last one.
Steve leaned back, craning his neck back. “Team, report.”
“Ow,” Tony supplied.
“The Hulk, Thor, and Woverine have the bodies of the machines gathered. Hawkeye is with me, suffering from a broken wrist. Spider-Man is with us as well. I do not know Wolverine’s location,” Natasha supplied, all business.
Steve breathed, letting his body sag. He stared down at the shield clutched in his hand, watching the sun shine from its flawless surface. He walked over to Iron Man, holding a hand out for him to grab. His team was safe.
---
Steve was just short of livid. His fists were clenched, his stomach a pit of writhing snakes. He barely realized how fast he was walking, his thick boots thudding against the polished SHIELD floor. People were scooting out of his way quickly, looking mildly alarmed. He was sure he didn’t look happy.
He walked into the hangar, and spotted the source of his anger. He clenched his teeth. “Tony.”
Said man was currently trying to take off a gauntlet, but looked to be struggling. “Maybe if you didn’t let your armor get half melted while you were still in it, you wouldn’t be having any trouble,” Steve said with a scowl. Tony turned to him, eyes shining in annoyance. Steve didn’t let him speak. “Last week with the Doombots, and this week with Mysterio – do you have a death wish?”
“You didn’t see them, I had no other choice,” Tony said, voice surprisingly small for a man that thought himself larger than life.
Steve made himself taller, eyes narrowed. He walked forward, eyes on Tony’s. “I would have had it covered. Diving in front of a blast like that,” he paused, breathing hard through his nose. “This is getting ridiculous.”
Tony glared and stepped forward. “Sorry, Captain,” he said coolly, “but we’ve passed the point where you can get pissy about the shit I do.”
Steve stepped forward again, realizing that what was happening was immature, and didn’t really care. Tony shifted, and Steve glanced down and saw that the reactor didn’t seem as bright. Tony looked down with him and stood his ground, glare hardening. Steve clenched his teeth.
“You’re too stubborn for your own good!”
“Jesus, talk about pots and kettles!”
“You couldn’t gotten yourself killed!”
“Am I supposed to back down when I see a teammate in danger?!”
“No, but purposefully putting yourself in danger for me is-“
He stumbled back, bracing himself with a hand against the wall as Tony’s mouth pressed harshly to his. He made a noise, and his head spun, but as soon as it had started, it was over, and Tony practically jumped away from him. He looked, for once, speechless.
Everything seemed to freeze. Tony stared at him, and Steve stared back, mind racing and small details of the past year clicking into place. It all melted into him, like a good shot of whiskey, a sip of cocoa in a blizzard. It wasn’t a sledgehammer, because no, it made sense. His eyes widened, and Tony must have taken his silence the wrong way, cause he opened his mouth, stared, then pivoted and walked in the opposite direction. Steve was rooted to the spot, thoughts sluggish, feeling the ice settle again, and no, this wasn’t right.
He jerked forward and grabbed the gauntlet quickly, jerking it back with a ferocity that surprised even him. Tony made a noise, and Steve pushed forward, mouth slamming into Tony’s. It hurt, for a moment, Tony’s rigidity versus Steve’s insistence, and then Tony just melted. He wrapped his arms around Steve’s back and seemed to sag, mouth limp against his. Steve smiled into the kiss – because yeah, it was no longer a battle, but an actual kiss.
"Well have a looksie here. Mom and dad finally decided to seal the marriage! Took you long enough."
Steve jumped and Tony looked up, looking groggy. "Peter," Steve said, trying to sound admonishing. Apparently it didn't work, because Peter merely laughed.
"I was sick of seeing all of the flirting and the avoidance. Now we're a family! Who has the doves? I wanted to release doves! Have you found a ring yet?"
Tony rolled his eyes but was smiling. Steve grinned and pulled Tony forward, their waists colliding. Tony gave what sounded like a very uncharacteristic squeak. "Not yet, Peter. We'll meet you at the mansion, okay? Mom and dad need some alone time."
Peter snickered before firing a web and flinging himself up and out of the hangar.
“Just so we're clear, you're totally the mom,” Tony said, and Steve laughed, loud and bright.
Credits:
Layout by
Charles and STARK, coding by Charles. Overlay by
Folara.Story by
STARK.
