BECAUSE HE WANTS TO STARE AT STEVE~! (for like_a_gerbil)

[legacyofiron]

The urge to laugh bubbled up inside of him like a caged bird flapping its wings against the cage. Honestly, the fact he tamped down a smile proved how much self-restraint he could have... because why wouldn't he want to laugh at Steve Rogers schooling Rhodey? The worship and adoration that his long time friend seemed to speak with in regards to Steve almost made him smug when he got the chance to watch them spar... and Rhodey fall on his face.

What? He was allowed to enjoy that a little. Especially after some of the shit Rhodey put him through in the past.

But that wasn't why he didn't announce his arrival. The sensors for the Avengers compound didn't register him because he wasn't a 'threat'... so no one knew he came to visit. After flying out to the middle of nowhere that one time to save Steve from his strange desire to get his ass kicked... he'd been fighting that nagging impulse to just show up. Not that he felt like he should be there. Tony even pointedly didn't look at Wanda in one corner of the work out area to avoid the gnawing guilt in his stomach and the fear of what he'd seen...

Instead, he kept his eyes on Steve. The broad shoulders and the UnderArmour shirt that hugged every single curve and muscle the blonde had in his body. Damn sinful and he'd be damned if he looked away. Not that it was the main reason he wanted to just... watch. Steve had a certain grace to him. A confidence in combat, but when he talked and laughed it almost seemed shy. Never quite giving everything to his teammates. At least not when he compared the smiles to the one he got in New York when Tony felt certain he was dead.

"JARVIS always wondered why you watched and never approached." Tony felt like his heart might explode in his chest as he nearly jumped out of his skin. The god damn android didn't even make a sound as his feet touched the ground. A hand reflexively went to his heart and he tried not to let his stomach wrench at the sound of that familiar voice. "Forgive me... I startled you."

"No shit." He muttered the words softly and rubbed at his face, fingertips tangling in his hair... that he actually tried to make look nice before he came. Why... he didn't really know. Okay. He did. But who was asking?!

"Why do you?"

"Why do I what?" He rubbed his face more, frustration creasing his brow.

"Watch Captain Rogers from far away." Tony peered over his fingers at Steve and he felt that same fluttering feeling in his chest. "I believe he misses your presence. I should inform him you have arrived..."

"Vision!" He turned to tell the other know, but all he caught was a fluttering of cape before The Vision floated weightlessly down to the training room floor. Great... all he needed was for Steve to know he was standing there staring like a teenage girl...

Comments

[like_a_gerbil]

He was probably being a little more aggressive than he should be. Not that he wasn't careful. He always was when he was sparring unless it was with Thor or Tony in his armor. Yeah, that was not something he should think about. But he was still pulling his punches, taking care not to hurt Rhodey while still giving him a chance to try to try different tactics against someone who was stronger.

It was good practice. It was also a chance for Steve to relieve some of his own frustration.

Helping Rhodey to his feet, he gave his teammate a sheepish smile. Steve began explaining what had happened and started to show Rhodey a move that would have kept him from being dumped to the floor when he realized that Vision was floating toward them.

At least now he was used to the familiar voice coming from someone physical even if it did make his chest ache slightly. JARVIS had been a friend even if he hadn't existed in the normal sense. He still was a friend even if the circumstances had changed.

Actually, Vision had helped Steve with his frustrations with the old team, or one member of it, than anyone else. He'd listened to Steve grumble and complain, asking rhetorical questions about why Tony had rescued him when he was done with the Avengers. Even if he wasn't quite JARVIS, Vision understood Tony better than most people. It'd helped but it still hadn't given him answers.

Rhodey clapped him on the shoulder and said he'd go spar with Sam, giving the two of them privacy. "Mr. Stark is here." Vision nodded slightly in the direction where Tony was standing above them.

Why would Tony be here? He was done with the Avengers. He was supposed to be back in New York.

Schooling his features into something that he hoped looked professional, he asked if Vision knew what was going on but as expected, the answer was vague with a hint of the amusement that he'd sometimes noticed in Tony's AI. "You could go upstairs and ask."

Knowing that Vision was right, Steve glanced up at Tony, trying to figure out what was going on before heading upstairs to meet Tony. "Did you want to see me?"

[legacyofiron]

Biting into his lower lip, he watched Rhodey clear out of Steve's space as Vision landed beside him. Nothing ever prepared him for the tremor that always ricocheted down his spine when Steve looked at him. God, but he wanted Steve to look at him and not look at him and just stop giving him all the freaking feels. Tony hated the rush of emotions as much as he loved them. Being an adrenaline junkie made it ridiculously hard to quit the desire for the Steve Rogers effect.

Not that Steve gave him anything to work with... the look he got only left him humming with a false high and a little self-hate. Leaning on the railing that overlooked the room below, he lowered his chin down onto his arms. Yeah. Maybe this was a bad idea.

His eyes caught Vision's gaze and they held a moment. Part of him wondered if the other looked... sad? Like he wanted to talk to him but didn't come closer? Tony floundered, letting that take precedence for a moment before he gave the new creation a small smile. It seemed to shock the other before he attempted an unpracticed attempt at smiling back. That made Tony grin... until Steve's voice broke through his thoughts.

Lifting his head, he blinked at the blonde and well... maybe the fact he wasn't prepared had him talking without thinking. "Who wouldn't?" A hand rose and he waved the lame pick-up line aside almost physically. "You told me I could come by..." He just hoped that offer still stood.

Resting his hip against the rail, he turned to face Steve. "Bad time? I can leave... no point getting in the way if I'm not wanted here..."

[like_a_gerbil]

Things should not be this complicated. Tony had rescued him so obviously he did care in some way or he would have let Steve figure his own way out of the situation he'd found himself in. But that didn't mean that they were really friends anymore or that the save hadn't just been professional courtesy. It could be anything and everything and...

Why was everything with Tony so complicated?

He'd thought Tony trusted him. They were supposed to be a team. Steve had thought that they were more than that since Tony had been one of the few people who actually seemed to give a damn about how Steve coped with the modern world.

Then Ultron and the visions and Steve was suddenly locked out of his best friend's life. Which was his choice and Steve wasn't going to push.

But that didn't mean he didn't look a little bit hopeful when Tony turned and started with his usual flirting. "Yeah, I did. You can visit anytime."

Then his expression faltered when Tony started getting defensive before Steve had really had a chance to say anything. "Who said you weren't wanted?" Before he could stop himself, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "Quit trying to pick a fight with me when I don't want to fight with you."

Huh... maybe he should have said that sooner and maybe things would have worked out different.

[legacyofiron]

So... maybe his hands started moving. Like he was trying to pick words out of the air and put them in easily definable boxes in a futile effort. And maybe it looked a little ridiculous so he tucked his hands under his arms and felt the heat dusting over his neck and cheeks. Damn Steve for being able to make him utterly inarticulate and surprising him with straightforward authority. (Why was that so damn hot anyway?!)

Pressing his lips together, he finally managed to find his voice. "I wasn't trying to pick a fight." Well, he wasn't. He was just... insecure. That word made him a little nauseated, but it was exactly what he felt.

Finally thinking his hands might not embarrass him any more, he let them free and one moved to card sharply through his hair as he looked at the floor. Could he just really outright say 'oh hey, I missed you!'. Well... why not? "You're here." Which should be the reason he stayed away, but it really was the reason he couldn't stay away and that made his life hell.

In the end, he moved to Steve in a fit of 'I will not be shy!' and curled his fingers about Steve's wrist and pulled him. He did not want to be there where Vision and Wanda could look up at them. Tony just... wanted Steve's undivided attention. Yeah. Just a little selfish. And he had no idea where he was taking Steve. Maybe he intended to kidnap him? Imagine that reaction from the team....

When they got to a dead end for one of the many halls, he stopped and stared at the wall and used his free hand to rub the back of his neck. "I don't know where I'm going..." And that deflated his ego to admit that. And he looked over his shoulder looking for all the world like he de-aged a few decades. "I think I'm lost." In more ways than one.

[like_a_gerbil]

If it was anyone else but Tony, Steve would think that he was nervous. But that couldn't be right. Tony could stand in front of hundreds of people and improvise a speech that would charm everyone. He didn't do nervous gestures unless...

Unless whatever he said really mattered and wasn't for show.

"It's kind of picking a fight when you say you're not wanted when I've barely had a chance to say hello." It was probably petty and childish but it was also true. Tony was expecting him to throw him out without giving Steve a chance to show him that he was welcome at the new facility.

Blinking at Tony he tried to figure out where 'you're here' fit in. Was that the reason why he wouldn't be welcome. Did Tony really think that he didn't want him around. Before he could ask, Tony caught his wrist and they were headed down one of the hallways.

Looking around, he gave Tony a wry smile, hoping to take away some of the strangeness of what was going on. "I'm not sure I know where we're going." But Steve knew that Tony hadn't meant the hallways. He'd meant something more. "We're both lost. We lost our way awhile ago."

[legacyofiron]

"No... that's me freaking out cause I don't know if I should've come." Tony waved it off flippantly. No one needed to know he was so screwed up in the 'do I even belong?' category. No, he just needed to be in the same air space as Steve Rogers and it was driving him insane. No amount of affection for Pepper made her like freaking oxygen he needed to breathe.

Steve had that cornered on the market.

Not releasing the other, he dropped back against the wall, his head thudding on the metal as he dropped it there. Tilting it just so, he caught Steve's eyes and held them. His hand relaxed about Steve's wrist and soon his fingertips drifted down the inside of the soldier's palm. As a strange twist of courage hit him, his hand turned and his fingers pressed through Steve's to clasp their hands together, palm to palm.

Finally breaking eye contact, he glanced around at the walls trying to remember the schematics for the base and if there were any cameras... but then found he was too tired to care. Not enough sleep and sitting in the dark for hours on end... and the nightmares. He just didn't care. "Have you ever met someone... you would do anything to see... anything to be close to... then realize you couldn't have either of those things if you want to keep them safe?"

Sometimes he hated when he talked out of his head without thinking. "I never told you that Pepper and I split... Figured you didn't need to worry about that. But I feel like that's important to note... right now."

[like_a_gerbil]

"There's no reason to freak out, Tony." Did Tony really think he wasn't welcome? Had someone on the team implied it? Steve had thought he'd made it clear that Tony was still an Avenger even if he was no longer Iron Man. "You can come here any time you want. You're still part of the team." Pausing he wasn't sure if he should say anything else, then continued before he changed his mind. "You're still my friend."

Glancing sideways at the elder, his heart stuttered when Tony's fingers tangled with his. This wasn't normal for them. This was too intimate, especially after the frustrating mess that Tony had walked away from. This was... Warm and steady and something he'd missed without ever having it before.

He kept watching Tony even after his friend looked away. There was something about what he was asking that caused his stomach to lurch painfully, thinking of all the times Peggy had charged into battle beside him. All the times his heart had stopped when he'd lost sight of bright red armor and wondered if the enemy had finally outsmarted Tony.

"No, I never realized that because the person - the people - who meant that much to me went into danger willingly. I respected their choice too much to take it away from them." Sighing, he couldn't help getting lost in memories, both from the war and during the past year. "They wouldn't be the person I loved if they didn't want to be beside me during the best and worst."

For a few seconds, he didn't know what to say. Actually even when Steve gathered his thoughts, he still didn't know what to say. Nothing could make that easier. He knew how much Tony loved Pepper and the breakup couldn't be easy. "I'm sorry. I know it's hard... You should have told me. You shouldn't go through that alone."

[legacyofiron]

Squeezing his hand tighter, he returned his eyes to Steve looking a bit frustrated. If anything, being his 'friend' still meant forgiveness... but it made any hope he had feel like a painful glimmer. Sighing a little, he tugged at the blonde to get him to step closer to him.

"You've always been a better person than me." Always making the right choices, putting the world first. Tony knew he'd be selfish if he had to chose. He would chose keeping Steve safe first and the world be damned. It played into his decision to leave. Fighting wasn't for the right reasons, not anymore. Everything would be poured into how to keep Steve alive and safe instead of saving the world.

Thunking his head against the wall again, he tried to pull his focus back into the moment. "It wasn't as hard as you'd think." He said it with remarkable ease as he stared at the ceiling. "Hell, I felt like an asshole for not missing her much when she stopped coming around. But we both knew it wasn't working... especially when we both realized I had a thing for someone else that came out of left field and beaned me in the head."

They made better friends. Pepper told him to stop staring at Steve's ass and say something. He laughed at her then... maybe he should have taken her seriously. "I couldn't tell you cause well..." He waved his other hand around in wide gesticulation that honestly meant nothing at all. Finally he sighed. "So I'm kind of in love with you and it's kind of killing me." Yep. He'll just... shrink into the wall now.

[like_a_gerbil]

Moving closer, he watched Tony, trying to figure out what was going on. This wasn't normal for them. Not even after Ultron and the tension that had caused. Still unsure about what was going on, he brushed his thumb along Tony's hand, trying to reassure him that things would be all right.

"It's not a contest. I'm not better than you or anyone else." Their motives were different but that didn't mean that Tony was a bad person. "We just... things got out of hand. We both should have done things differently." They should have trusted each other and Steve shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. "I should have listened to you and tried to understand what was going on after the visions."

But there was more to what was going on than whatever Maximoff had shown Tony or whatever trust issues they hadn't resolved. Why wouldn't it be difficult for Tony to lose Pepper? Everyone knew how important she was to Tony. "Everyone deals with it..."

The words vanished when Tony said he had feelings for someone else. That was... Wait... Him? He was the one that Tony had fallen for? Half the time he thought Tony disliked him. "Why couldn't you tell me?"

His heart did some strange thing that made it feel like it was about to stop and was beating too fast. All the time he'd spent caring for Tony, trying to tell himself it was just friendship. That he wasn't slowly falling for the one person who seemed to care in the way he needed and...

"It's killing you?" His voice sounded strangled and his chest ached the way it did before one of his asthma attacks. "Then - then why are you here?"

[legacyofiron]

"Not a contest... more a hope to be worthy." He could forgive himself for not picking up mjolnir. But the look of sheer disappointment for his mistake with Ultron... that he couldn't quite shake. Or the vision. The hand not clasping Steve's rose to rub his eyes.

Yet his nerves tingled at the soft brush of Steve's thumb and god he felt like he was on fire.

He gave a little self-deprecating laugh at the question before lowering his hand to give Steve a sad smile. "I thought I really had it planned out, ya know? Slow and steady wins the race. Do something right for a change... I figured the best things in life are worth waiting for." God he really didn't feel right asking anything like this of Steve.

"Then I get sucked into the one recurring nightmare I can't take. The one mistake I can't live with..." Burn down the world, but keep Steve safe. But then, Steve died in that vision. "What I saw... what it showed I did... I can't live with it." Not a world where Steve was gone. "I could feel it... your pulse stopping under my fingers. Being told it was my fault."

Shaking his head. "They all hate me. Well, Rhodey just has this resigned sigh he reserves for me. Maybe Vision likes me. The rest... I don't know. Between that and feeling like just breathing the same air as you might get you killed... I thought I was doing the right thing. But it's seriously killing me staying away." From Steve. "What am I supposed to do, Steve? Tell me what I'm supposed to do..."

[like_a_gerbil]

Was that how Tony saw him? He was someone that Tony had be be worthy of to spend time with? The thought caused cold to slide down his spine, making him almost sick. "Tony, you've always been worthy."

None of it made any sense. Tony said he was in love with him but it sounded painful not like something he should want. It felt like he should apologize but he hadn't really done anything wrong. Steve hadn't forced Tony to fall in love with him and when he was being honest with himself, he'd been falling for Tony.

The vision had ruined everything, twisting around his feelings for Peggy and the daydreams he'd had during the war. It's thrown him off balance, caused him to question his feelings and his team when he should have trusted them. "What mistake? What did you do?"

The vision. That had to be it. Squeezing Tony's hand, he tried to prove that it wasn't real. He was right beside him. "Tony, whatever you saw didn't happen. She preyed on our worst fears and showed them to us. You didn't make that mistake. I'm alive. I'm right here. I didn't die."

Tugging on Tony's hand he pulled him close, wrapping an arm around his shoulders while still keeping his fingers tangled with Tony's. "They don't hate you and even if they did, it doesn't matter. We're not talking about them. We're talking about us." Later, he'd talk to Tony about Vision. "What you do depends on what you want. If being around me hurts that much then..." He didn't want to say it but Steve knew he couldn't be selfish. "I can't ask you to stay if I remind you of that."

[legacyofiron]

His brow furrowed as his mind grabbed onto those words. Always been worthy? Did Steve know what he was saying? Tony never saw himself even remotely good enough for Steve, but he damn well wanted to try to be. He didn't give up that easily... not when he felt like this and knew it was something he would never shake.

Breathing in slowly, he let himself press into Steve's chest. Moving his free hand, he splayed his fingers over the planes of the younger's chest and just felt his heart beating. Something felt like it might snap in his chest. He needed this more than he wanted to admit. Needed to feel Steve's heartbeat and prove that it was strong.

But Steve had it all backwards. "Us..." he let the word out on a breath. "God, no, Steve... It's killing me not to be around you." Which was why he was pressed against Steve and clinging to his shirt and putting way too much of his weight on the other.

Moving his hand from Steve's chest, he moved to wrap his arm about the blonde's neck and hold him tight. Lifting up on his toes just a little, he pressed his face into the line of Steve's neck. "I just don't ever want to live in a world where you don't exist... If you die, you sure as hell better take me with you."

[like_a_gerbil]

It wasn't right to want this. To want Tony close, his hand over his heart. Whatever the vision had done to Tony made it painful for him to be near Steve so he shouldn't enjoy this no matter how much he'd missed his friend. Or because of the other feelings he'd had for Tony.

"Yes. Us?" This time it sounded more like a question since he wasn't certain if he should have said it at all. Maybe he was misjudging everything. It wasn't as if he had any real experience with relationships. Maybe with Peggy but that was it. Nothing that would help with whatever was going on with Tony.

"If it's killing you then stop running away." It was probably the wrong thing to say and a hint of the frustration and hurt he felt had crept into his voice. But he couldn't help it. Tony had given him a home and then taken it away. It was still painful knowing that his chance at normal, surrounded by the people who made him happy, had been stripped away from him.

"You were going to force me to live in that world. One without you." It didn't matter that Tony was in New York. It felt like it was a world away from where Steve was now.

But that was petty. Tony was confessing that he was in love with him. Steve couldn't focus on old hurts. Not when Tony was admitting things that he'd considered once he realized he was starting to fall for his best friend. "I always thought that was how it'd happen. You were always beside me. Never thought one of us would last longer than the other except... to make sure that whoever did it paid for it before..."

[legacyofiron]

He huffed a relieved laugh at that. "So... I'm not an idiot for thinking I might have a chance with you?" Why did that simple thought make him feel a million times lighter all of a sudden? Even if the lack of sleep and pained existence from being miles apart didn't go away... Steve caring about him as more than a friend? It just made everything bearable.

Releasing Steve's hand, he wrapped his other arm about the blonde, pressing flush against him. One hand tangled into the soft blonde hair and he almost shook as he exhaled against his neck. "Steve..." He panted the name as he closed his eyes tightly. "I didn't know what to do..."

Shaking his head, the motion was hard being so melded into the younger man. "I can't run anymore." God if they could just die together, it didn't matter. If Steve knew just how far he would go for him, he may not want him. "I would bring hell to anyone that dared..." And that was putting it lightly.

"Sorry... So sorry..." Hugging the blonde tighter, he finally pulled back to find Steve's eyes. "Got enough second chances in you to let me have a do-over?"

[like_a_gerbil]

"You're an idiot but not because you think you have a chance with me." He had to tease. It was so rare that Tony would give him an opening like that, especially after Ultron, that he had to try for the banter they'd had before. "You always had a chance. I cared for a long time. You were the one that got through to me when I was lost."

It'd been Tony who had made him think and react instead of passively accepting the world around him. It hadn't been easy and he'd backslid into depression at times, but once the team reformed... He'd finally found his place and wanted to be with someone.

For a few seconds, Steve couldn't think. He knew that Tony was falling apart, but he was so close, clinging to him like that... Which was completely inappropriate considering the things Tony had confessed to him.

Sliding his arms around Tony's waist, he shivered slightly as Tony spoke. "We'll figure it out. You don't have to run. It'll be all right." They'd make it that way somehow.

Pulling away slightly, he gave Tony a weak smile. "You don't think I'd do the same if you died?" He might not actually die in that battle but what made him Steve Rogers would. He'd follow Tony soon afterward once he knew the world was safe. "We're supposed to be together."

Brushing a hand through Tony's hair, his smile steadied while he tried not to show how shocked he was by the apology. Tony hadn't said he was sorry about any of the killer robots or the lies. But for this, he'd tell Steve he was sorry. "If you'll give me one, then yeah, I do. I want a second chance."

[legacyofiron]

"Yeah, well, I can't be a genius at everything so you need to pick up the slack somewhere." He snorted softly at that, just happy to hear a little of what he missed in Steve's voice. "I'd pick you every time." He didn't know why he said it... but he needed to say it. He did care about Pepper, but he'd chose Steve if given the chance again. He would chose him every time.

Breathing in slowly, he memorized the younger's sent and how ridiculously warm he felt in his amrs. He didn't want to forget anything. Tony wanted to remember it all, including the way Steve's arm felt about his waist. It stole his breath and caused it to hitch in his chest. "Better be... God, I've missed you." Like he was dying of thirst and Steve was the only one that could quench it. And seriously, the metaphors were getting cliche... he must have it bad.

Moving one hand around, he let his fingertips trace the smile and seriously wished to see the one Steve tended to keep on reserve for him. But he wouldn't complain. "I don't think you realize what I'd do for you... but I never want you to go that far for me." He would come back and haunt the world if they left Steve completely broken for him dying. "I'll just have to work pretty damn hard at staying alive to take care of you."

Considering how much Steve did for him, it was only fair. Leaning into the hand in his hair, his eyes half closed. A smile pulled at his lips as he felt himself melting into the touch. "I'll give you my life time of chances." And he meant it. Never meant anything more...

Lifting both of his hands, he slipped them over Steve's cheeks before cupping his face. "I kinda really love you." Pulling the soldier down, he lifted up more on his toes. "Hope that's okay with you. Cause I really want to kiss you right now."

[like_a_gerbil]

"I didn't think you'd like me like that so I didn't know there was slack." Steve wasn't quite sure it had sunk in yet. He'd cared for Tony for years. Working as a team evolving into friendship and then something deeper that he hadn't really allowed himself to think of. Tony had been with Pepper. He'd been off limits. And Steve needed a friend more than anything else.

There had been wistful moments of 'what if' but those were common since he'd lost so much so it was easy to push aside. Now he didn't have to and it still didn't seem real. Tony loved him and it was okay for Steve to return those feelings. There wouldn't be any guilt or feeling like he was trying to take Tony away from Pepper. They really had a chance... "I didn't want you to have to pick. It wouldn't have been right so I ignored it."

Holding Tony felt new ans like it was something that they had been doing forever. He fit in a way that Steve hadn't expected even when he'd let himself wonder what it'd be like if Tony did feel the same way. "I missed you too. I thought..." He almost didn't want to finish but keeping things from each other hadn't ever worked before. It would work now. "I thought I was being left behind again."

That had hurt worse than he'd admitted to anyone. It'd been part of the reason for his actions in the field and why Tony had had to swoop in and rescue him.

"I think maybe I do." It was too soon to joke about killer robots but it did give him a frame of reference. If that was what Tony would do that because of a vision of Steve dying, the world wouldn't survive what would happen if Tony was left alive without him. "I'd go as far as necessary and then find you again."

Realizing what Tony had suggested about staying alive, Steve's smile turned teasing. "If you're going to work on staying alive to take care of me that means you're going to have listen when I tell you to eat and sleep." Did it also mean that Tony was going to stay so that he could take care of Steve?

"You'll always get another chance, Tony." Heart stuttering as he leaned in closer, giving him a bright grin. "I kinda really love you too." Maybe that was why he'd been doing all those stupid things. He'd lost the people who had been his home and his heart had been breaking. "I'm going to be disappointed if you don't kiss me."

[legacyofiron]

"Yeah. Guess not." He let out a light sigh and closed his eyes. Resting his head against Steve's shoulder, he focused on the beat of the younger's heart and let it calm him. Funny... nothing ever really calmed him like that before in his life. "You never made me pick so don't worry about that. My decision... she agreed with me. We're still friends." He and Pepper were always better friends. He just thought that friendship could be more.

"And I thought I was doing the right thing." The right thing really felt ridiculously elusive to him. It had for years... why should any of it suddenly get easy now? Hugging Steve a bit tired, he turned his head to press his nose against Steve's neck. "I obviously got it wrong again..."

Something about thinking Steve might go too far for him, made him uncomfortable. The idea of it, of Steve possibly being tainted by him felt utterly wrong. But then... his instincts had been pretty worthless so far. Maybe he needed to just see where it went for now. If Steve thought he was not going to destroy his life, maybe he wouldn't.

"That's cheating, Rogers." Snorting, he lifted his head to send him a narrowed look. "I just really get into whatever I'm working on, you know." The commute for work was going to be hell on him. But maybe he could pull it off. He honestly didn't feel right around the new team... any of the team. Maybe Rhodey... but the rest...

His body loosened up at the promise of another chance, not really believing he'd always get one, but he like the sentiment. He knew he had a penchant for ruining things he shouldn't. And hey... how could he think about that when Steve gave him permission to kiss him? A small, amused smile pulled at the corner of his lips as he drew the blonde down to him. "I really aim to never disappoint if at all possible."

Grinning just a touch more, he lifted up a bit more on his toes and pressed his lips to Steve's. Kissing him soft and sweet, he felt like the heat spilled down his spine like warm water. Shivering at the taste, he let one hand drift into Steve's hair and braced the back of his head softly.

[like_a_gerbil]

"I'm glad it was mutual and that you're still friends. She's good for you that way." Steve hadn't been sure if that was true when Tony and Pepper were dating but that hadn't been his business. He'd told himself that it was jealousy or wistfulness that he would never have someone to share his life with in that way. It'd never occurred to him that Tony might have feelings other than friendship for him.

"Tony, just because I felt that way doesn't mean it was the wrong decision. It was right at the time." Even if it'd hurt and caused Steve to start to lose what progress he'd made, he was going to believe that it was right. "If you hadn't, you wouldn't be here now." Which was more important than the pain Steve had felt watching Tony leave them.

Chuckling softly, he ruffled Tony's hair. "No one said that Captain America was above cheating." The elder should really know that Steve didn't match the 40s era comic book character. "I know you get involved which is why I make sure that you eat and sleep occasionally."

Even as he told Tony that he could kiss him, Steve wasn't sure if this was real. Yes, Tony was here with him. He wasn't hallucinating or having some kind of vision like he had about Peggy. But there was still a hint of doubt in the back of his mind that Tony would change his mind and leave them - leave him - again. Leaning in, he ignored that fear, telling himself to focus on now instead of the future.

The kiss was gentler than he expected. Sweet like he'd imagined first kisses when he was younger. Warmth slipped through him, desire and something steadier sliding along his nerves. Something Steve had been waiting for but hadn't known what it would feel or taste like until Tony kissed him.

Humming softly, he parted his lips while lifting Tony up slightly to get a better angle. Not enough that the elder would complain but enough that he wouldn't have to stretch so much as Steve stole another kiss. Licking and teasing Tony's lips, he pulled away so Tony could breathe. "I guess now you don't mind if an Avenger kisses you?"

[legacyofiron]

"She keeps me from being a total hermit. Or well.. the fridge stocked because I don't like just anyone in the lab." She did do that when Friday told her that he was being stubborn. And he had been obnoxiously stubborn since Ultron. Tony had to admit he didn't even like talking to Friday. Nothing against her... she just wasn't Jarvis. "I think she was more frustrated that you weren't there to badger me anymore. Flying home to stock a fridge must be pretty tedious."

The thought made him smirk a little, not that Steve could see it with him pressed so close. But honestly, he recalled Steve's name a few times in her grumbling while putting things in the fridge. "S'not what I meant..." He pressed his face into Steve's shoulder, his brow furrowing. He wasn't sorry for trying to save Steve by making Ultron. Maybe sorry it turned out to be a killer robot army, but not sorry he put everything into the act of saving Steve."I'm sorry I left."

That he regretted. He came to terms with the loss of Jarvis to save them. He felt like everything he lost was worth it in the end. Hell.. if Vision had any type of attachment to Tony, he would beg him to transfer it to Steve. At least that way someone could keep an eye on the stubborn man. "You're lucky you're so damn cute when you're sneaky." The smile came through in his tone as he finally lifted his head again. "I think you have more sway than you think you do with me."

Especially after that kiss. It told him just how bad he had it for Steve Rogers. Tony knew kissing him would be VERY problematic should Steve realize he didn't want to go that far. But instead, he pushed that all aside and licked his lips to chase the taste of the younger on them.

Though, he'd not expected to be picked up. That sent a lurch in his heart that burst into a flutter of butterflies in his chest. A little unexpected sound got lost in the touch of lips. His arms curled more securely about the other's neck. God, he might melt all over the floor when Steve licked and teased at his lips like that.

He likely looked like a stunned idiot when he finally found it in him to open his eyes. A flash of confusion mirrored in his eyes before he arched a brow at him. "Psh. I would slap Thor and Natasha is my least favorite after she stole my company and my CEO. No forgiveness for her. Nope. Bruce... that's just weird. Ew. Wanda may stab me before that happens and think how poor Vision would feel if he had to do that. It would fry his logic center. Then there's Clint. He'd likely put his drooly baby in my face. I don't know what's worse... him or the baby. I don't know your bird friend and Rhodey would be like incest." Yeah. He was rambling, but earth shattering emotional breakthroughs did that to Tony Stark. "But I'd kiss Captain America any day. Only if it's okay with Steve Rogers. Cause that's the guy I'd actually be willing to do that corny farm life gig with."

[like_a_gerbil]

"I'll have to send her flowers to thank her for keeping you from becoming a hermit." It sounded teasing but Steve really was grateful. He had worried about his friend, knowing that after everything that had happened Tony probably wouldn't take care of himself the way he should. He was absentminded at best but alone he would fall into his work without realizing he had normal, human needs like food and sleep.

He had kept in contact with Friday but it wasn't the same. JARVIS would side with him, giving away information carefully even when Tony had told him not to. Friday was too literal, obeying Tony's orders even if they meant the genius was harming himself by forgetting to eat or sleep.

"I'm sorry too." For more than just Tony being gone. That they'd fought and Tony hadn't trusted him. Steve had tried but it hadn't been enough. "I should have done things differently." Maybe then they would still be at the Tower, watching movies and seeing how red Bruce would turn when Natasha flirted with him. "But I know that you needed to get away for awhile." Maybe they both had needed it even if it had hurt.

"I need every advantage I can get." Lightly playing with the hair at the back of Tony's neck, he smiled shyly. Yeah, he was going to need the advantage if Tony kept looking at him like that. If not, he'd completely forget why he was supposed to be sneaky even if it was for Tony's good. "I was thinking the same about you."

For a few seconds, he thought Tony would protest being lifted. Actually he expected to be swatted for it but the kiss caused him to forget that Tony might not like to be manhandled. Making a soft sound of approval when Tony returned the kiss and held him closer, he hoped that Tony didn't mind being picked up since Steve was probably going to do it regularly so that they could kiss easily.

Fighting back a smile as Tony registered what he said, his heart fluttered when the elder described the reactions the other Avengers would get for an attempted kiss. And he really shouldn't think that the way Tony was rambling was cute. Even if it really was. "Captain America wants to kiss you every day that he can. I don't know about the farm though. I'm kind of afraid of what you'd do to the tractor and you'd probably build armor for the cows..." Yes, he was being ridiculous it was something he'd missed with Tony. He was the only one that Steve could joke like that with and he couldn't help teasing his... friend? Boyfriend? What were they now?

[legacyofiron]

"So formal. No wonder she approves of you. Include a handwritten note and you will be her new best friend. No talking about me behind my back unless it's nice things though." Smirking a little, he knew that Pepper liked Steve. It was likely why she didn't react much to his sudden fascination to Steve Rogers. He was likely the only person Pepper Potts would have stared at too long herself if she didn't have a moral code. He liked that about her. Tony had no code when it came to staring at Steve's ass and shoulders. Sorry, Steve. But not really sorry at all.

"I honestly claim temporary brain damage. Who knows what was scrambled back there." Arching a brow at Steve, he offered a tiny smile. A real one, that felt warm on the inside as he touched their noses. Because honestly... maybe he did need to realize that living without Steve was more like slowly dying away.

His head spun and the word blurred into lines in his peripherals as he dealt with the rush of that kiss and just how easily Steve lifted him. Moving one hand, he slipped it over the side of Steve's face almost as though afraid the other would disappear if he held too tightly. One corner of his lips rose in a lopsided grin as dark eyes drifted to Steve's lips. "How about Steve Rogers. Is he okay with daily kisses, too?"

Then Steve just had to make his brain wrap about ALL the possibilities with a tractor he could do. "That is an excellent idea. I could revolutionize the tractor industry..." Grinning widely, he paused at the cow part and scrunched his nose. "Not big on defacing my armor to put it on cows.. but the barn cat might look cool."

Smoothing his fingertips over Steve's cheek he smirked a little. "I'd buy you an island... hell.. I'd buy the Dodgers and move them back to Brooklyn if I thought that would make you smile."

[like_a_gerbil]

"I was planning on sending a card." That was what was polite even if it might not be traditional now. "I'd send her a pair of shoes but I doubt I could afford the type she likes." Also that was a little too personal even if he really was grateful that she had kept an eye on Tony. "I won't talk behind your back. That's rude." But he might plot with her to keep Tony from retreating to the workshop and not coming out.

Steve almost tells him that nothing was scrambled but maybe it was true. There might not have been physical damage but it had done something to them all that they were all struggling to heal. "As long as it's getting scrambled back the way it was before."

That smile caused his breath to stutter as he realized how much he'd missed it. It had always been rare but Steve had thought he'd never see it again. That things were too broken for Tony to ever be that happy around him again.

Nuzzling Tony's hand, he grinned at the elder. "Steve Rogers is going to demand kisses daily. He's not as polite as the guy in the uniform." Watching his friend, he chuckled softly as he realized that Tony was probably trying to figure out all the ways to add technology to a farm. "You could. It's probably something the world needs."

Even though he knew Tony would probably be annoyed, he couldn't resist kissing the end of his nose. "Armored cat would be a bad idea. How would we clean up after it?

"You don't have to buy me anything. I want you not an island or the Dodgers." For a moment his expression faltered and he looked young and unsure. "Just don't leave again. That's what I really want."

[legacyofiron]

"Such a gentleman." That made him smile beautifully. Only Steve Rogers could be that much of a gentleman. "Careful... she might take shoes as a marriage proposal." He only got off cause he gave her his credit card and told her to go crazy for her birthday or Christmas. She never liked anything he bought her anyway.

Humming a soft sound, he moved to softly brush through Steve's hair curiously. He liked it better longer, but it still looked great. Steve always looked great. "I just want to be close to you from now on. So... that's a lot like before but a little more pushy." After kissing Steve, he'd be a helluva lot more pushy.

"So it's good that Steve will be demanding. I think I'll really like this side of him..." Especially considering how much he liked being picked up.

Everything felt ridiculously warm as he watched Steve. His eyes softened as he leaned in to kiss him softly against on the lips after that kiss to his nose. "I could work on farm equipment... and maybe just a robotic cat?"

His heart clenched up in his chest as Steve said that. To be quite honest, that had to be the most well... romantic thing he'd ever heard. And he felt wanted. That was certainly not expected. Taking a slow, deep breath, Tony leaned in till their lips nearly touched. "Just tell me what you want and I will do it." Even if it meant staying in a bunker of super heroes that didn't think him so much a hero anymore.

[like_a_gerbil]

"Then I'll have to send flowers instead. I wouldn't want her to get the wrong idea." Especially if... "She knew? And she didn't mind?" He couldn't help wondering if Pepper had noticed how he'd reacted to Tony. Had she realized that he cared and somehow approved of it all? She'd been kinder to him than most and there had been a few odd looks that Steve hadn't understood.

"Tony, you're always pushy." He tried to sound serious but he was too happy for it really be more than gentle teasing. "I want that too. I didn't realize how much I needed you around until you were gone."

Being demanding was odd for Steve. He usually focused on others instead of himself but this time he had a chance for the happiness the vision had said could never be his. "You might see it more often than you think if it means you want to be with me."

Returning the kiss, he chuckled at how Tony was already considering the 'hows' of new inventions. "Yes to working on farm equipment. Only one robot cat. Real cats need homes so no selling them or giving them away."

Realizing what he said and how it must have sounded, Steve tried to fight back a blush. It wasn't what Captain America should say. Or even something Steve Rogers would normally admit to. Brushing his lips against Tony's he tried to think of something to say but there wasn't anything he wanted more than Tony to be with him. "I want you with me. Stay tonight at least?"

[legacyofiron]

Tony's expression shifted to something more thoughtful as he hummed a thought. "Pepper knew I wasn't dedicated to her as she wanted when I answered your call to fight with the Avengers. After I rebuilt a suit, she told me it was not going to work... I kept saying one more mission." Tony shrugged a little. "I thought at first it was because I couldn't stay away from it. The Avengers... then I realized I couldn't stay away from you. I think she figured it out at the same time I did. Because she left soon after we talked." Talked... like normal human beings. Really, the end of their relationship didn't feel as climactic as he expected it to. Not really.

Snorting softly, he grinned at the younger man and angled his head playfully. "I am. But now I know I can kiss you and that is goign to be your downfall, Steve Rogers." Smirking in mock evilness, he tipped his head back to let his eyes skim over Steve's face. "Absence made the heart grow fonder? Did it take me trying to be all stupidly selfless to keep you safe before this could happen?" Maybe his ridiculous decision did help in some way...

Tony laughed. Full out laughed, his face lighting up and the corners of his eyes crinkled with the signs of true laughter. "Will I now? Is that a promise? I will hold you to that, Captain Rogers. Relentlessly."

Still grinning, he carded his fingers through Steve's hair. "Only one. I swear. Cross my heart." Teasing playfully, he held his right hand up like he was swearing.

God, how did this man look so gorgeous when he blushed? How did he get Steve to blush? Taking a steadying breath, he hugged the younger closer and kissed under his ear. "If you want me here... I'll stay here." He'd worry about murderous and angry Avengers later... he would face them all down if that was what Steve wanted. "But since I have no place here, you're just going to have to let me stay with you tonight."

Okay. So maybe he said that a little too smugly. "I swear to uphold your honor until you state I am allowed to molest you utterly and completely." Yep. Sometimes he really could kill the mood.

[like_a_gerbil]

He couldn't apologize for that. There really wasn't anything that any of them had done wrong. Tony and Pepper had tried and Steve hadn't really been in the picture then. But he could see how even without that lost dedication, would cause everything to fall apart. Tony was Iron Man. He was a hero. It wasn't right to try to stop Tony from doing something that was so important to him.

"I was glad that you said yes. I knew you were the one that would keep me in line. You'd force me to ask the right questions." Just like he had when they were fighting Loki. If Tony hadn't forced him to start thinking for himself he probably would still be working for a SHIELD that had HYDRA manipulating them all. "I'd hoped we could be friends but I didn't know that I'd... I didn't expect this."

Rolling his eyes, he brushed his lips against Tony's jaw. "Kissing you is never going to be my downfall." A temptation at times when Steve should be thinking of other things but never his downfall. "I was always fond of you. I just didn't think you'd ever feel the same way." Friendship yes, but love? That was something Steve hadn't thought was possible. Not in the way he hoped for.

"Yes, it's a promise. I will demand kisses every day that we're together." And not think about Tony not being with him because that would lead to the type of things that had ate at him after the vision of Peggy.

Grinning over the promise, he had the feeling that this time Tony would do what Steve asked when it related to robots. "Good. I do not want our robot cat to have robot kittens."

Shivering at the kiss, he had to remember how to breathe. "I - uh - I do." Why could he think clearly in the middle of a fight but not when Tony was kissing his ear? "I was kinda hoping you would stay. With me." Mentally, he wanted to bang his head against a wall. He sounded like he had years ago when he tried to talk to the dates that Bucky set him up. Tony telling him that he loved him should not make Steve stammer like this.

"No one's ever molested me before." The blush brightened and slowly Steve realized that they were in a hallway and someone might walk in on them. Carefully setting Tony down, Steve stole another kiss before tugging him toward his quarters. "We probably shouldn't talk about it here."

It didn't take long for Steve to lead Tony to his room. Once they were inside and the door was locked, he cupped the back of the elder's neck, smiling shyly. "Never really kissed anyone till today."

[legacyofiron]

"Keep you in line?" He laughed a little, his eyes lowering a bit as he considered how wrong that seemed. Tony was anything but a moral compass. "And here I thought you were my Jiminey Cricket." Smiling softer, he looked up at Steve quietly. "Surprise, right? I honestly never thought you'd even look at me twice... so I guess surprise to both of us. A good one though."

Snickering, he arched a brow at the blonde. "Oh Steve... I don't mean that way. But I promise you, you'll see what I mean eventually." His voice took on a deeper soft tone. "You make me feel a lot of things I didn't think possible." Smoothing his fingers down Steve's neck he leaned in to kiss the curve of his neck. He honestly never thought he'd love like this.

"Good man, my captain." This time he kissed just behind his ear then nuzzled behind his ear. As ridiculously funny as it would be to make robot kittens just to make Steve flail, he rather not. He liked seeing Steve happy like this... and stammering like what he did actually affected the younger. "I am going to stay... hope you don't mind sharing a bed. Neither of us needs to sleep on a couch or floor."

For a moment he thought that he might be too forward. That is, until Steve posed that notion as though he wanted to fix that lack of experience. Tony's breath hitched and he closed his eyes. "Yeah... not here. Here isn't so good..." Now it was his turn to go inarticulate.

He barely registered he was back on his feet and being pulled to Steve's room. In fact, he spent the walk watching those beautifully broad shoulders. Breathing in slowly, he nearly melted as Steve's hand moved to the back of his neck. Leaning in closer, he let his fingers drift along the line of his arm. "You definitely took my breath away, soldier." He smiled lightly and reached up to trace his jaw.

[like_a_gerbil]

Steve wasn't quite sure how much of what Tony had said was serious but he knew better than to not assume that everything was possible. The promise that he'd understand eventually and regular kisses. Even the farm even though he couldn't really imagine Tony on a farm. He could imagine robot cats and kittens but not a lifetime spent on a farm.

Grinning at the elder, he stole another kiss to help keep Tony from noticing that he was blushing. "I was hoping that you'd want to share the bed." He wasn't sure how far things would go but now that Tony had said that this was possible, Steve didn't want to spend the night apart. Sleeping in the same bed, tangled up together, was more than he'd thought would ever be possible.

For a moment, he stared at Tony, surprised that his friend seemed to be at a loss for words. He hadn't thought that he'd be able to do that to Tony just by suggesting that they might do more than just sleep tonight.

Gently rubbing the back of Tony's neck, he focused on that instead of the jittery feeling in his chest. Tony wanted to stay with him. There was no reason to be nervous. "Does that mean we shouldn't practice?" Nuzzling Tony's hand, he gave up on trying to hide his blush. "I was told that practicing was important." It hadn't been important then but he didn't want Tony to be disappointed.

[legacyofiron]

Yep. He could totally get used to those kisses. Steve had full permission to kiss him whenever he felt the need. No really, he would insist on this. Because each kiss sent a rush of electricity through his limbs that left him feeling like he might be able to fly without the armor. He did love flying. "If you weren't against it, I wouldn't mind foregoing making my own room here and just moving in with you. But I don't want to be too forward."

Tony meant it when he said he didn't have to have sex. Just the idea of being in the same bed with Steve made his head swim with warmth and something deliciously like euphoria. Strange. He'd not even really experienced it yet. Granted, he partially blamed that feeling on Steve putting some extremely decadent ideas and images in his head of what he'd like to do to the younger.

Leaning into the hand rubbing at his neck, his eyes fell half closed. "Never rule out practice. I say we practice. A lot. I need to learn all the things that make you feel amazing and memorize them and make it better and honestly, gorgeous, it's an art form..." That he's never really done before. He knew about the ideas of being in love and spending endless nights memorizing a person. But now he actually wanted to spend every night for as long as he lived spent on Steve...

Letting his hands skim down Steve's chest, he finally caught his hips and walked backward toward the bed pulling the taller along. "I say we start practicing in a horizontal position... don't you?" He wanted to feel Steve over him, holding him down like nothing he'd ever wanted before. It should frighten him... He hated people taking control of him... but with Steve, he wanted nothing more.

Funny what utter trust could do for someone.

[like_a_gerbil]

Resting his forehead against Tony's he gave his friend a wry smile. "Why would I be against it? We basically were living together for the past year." They'd had different quarters - a whole floor that still seemed like too much to Steve - but they'd gravitated toward each other so much that they'd always been in each other's space.

Maybe that should have told him that things weren't the way that he had assumed between Tony and Pepper.

Steve wasn't sure how far things would go. He knew he wanted Tony and he thought that Tony wanted him but that didn't mean that they'd have sex. In the back of his mind there was a faint voice that warned that he shouldn't wait. Waiting might mean losing what he wanted again but he didn't want to rush things. He wanted to enjoy being with Tony and all the steps of being with someone that he'd never experienced before.

"You aren't the only one that needs to practice." His skin felt too warm, embarrassment and desire clashing so Steve wasn't sure which one was causing him to flush. "I haven't... There wasn't really a chance to... I don't want to disappoint you." Especially when Tony compared it to an art. Hopefully Tony wouldn't be too disappointed while they were practicing.

The thought left him too focused on the 'what if's that he easily moved with Tony, letting out an undignified sound when he lost his footing and they both toppled onto the bed. Managing to keep his weight from falling onto Tony, he gave the elder a nervous smile. "Sorry, I - uh - this wasn't how I planned on us getting horizontal."

[legacyofiron]

"I think it's slightly different, Steve." A lot different. Asking a person to be in the same bed together can go one of two extreme ways. Either you love that person, or they are so friendzoned they are family. And this was the first of the two.

Grinning softly at the worry over practice, Tony gave a soft laugh as he reached up to cup Steve's face. Brushing his thumbs over Steve's cheeks, he arched a brow at him. "I will never be disappointed in you. Not in that. Practice means you'll mess up. Hey, I slammed myself into the ceiling more than once learning how to fly the suit. I'm sure there will be times it's not 100% perfect till we get it right." That didn't bother him even a little bit.

Still smiling widely, he squirmed on the bed to rise up on his elbows and kiss Steve sweetly. "Sometimes the best plans aren't plans at all. Loosen up, darling." Nuzzling his cheek, he curled a leg up and rested his knee against Steve's side. "If there is anything at all you want to do right now... do it. I am open to anything from you."

Drawing his nose along Steve's jaw, he nipped there adoringly. "I got you, Steve... promise."

[like_a_gerbil]

"Maybe but I'm not going to say no. I've lost too much because I waited." He wasn't going to lose Tony because convention said that there were certain steps that were supposed to be followed in a relationship.

His eyes drifted half closed as he tried to focus on Tony and not the jittery feeling in his chest. When had he felt this young and nervous? The first few times he'd been on stage? Even with those worries, he chuckled softly at the mental image of Tony's initial flight tests. "At least there won't be any risk of anything like that happening."

Returning the kiss, some of his nervousness began to fade. "It's not fair asking me that when I've only had the internet for reference." And what he'd seen there... "That wasn't - lot of it wasn't -" Some of it had been interesting, more than interesting, but he felt more than lust for Tony. "Not what I feel for you."

Humming softly, he tipped his head for Tony, shivering at the feeling of teeth against his skin. "I know. You always did."

[legacyofiron]

Tony's eyes settled on Steve's, taking in those words. Not regretting it, huh? Tony regretted a lot in his life. He thought maybe if he put everything at half speed or less, Steve would be grateful. He hadn't considered that the younger needed more. "Don't plan on making you wait... or letting you lose a moment."

Carding his hand through Steve's hair, he grinned just a little. "I appreciate that. Not that I'm against wall sex. You couldn't possibly push me against the wall hard enough to emulate that sensation." Maybe if he literally threw him... but that wasn't for sex. That was more him pissing Steve off and getting thrown into a wall.

Dropping his head back, he looked up at him curiously, turning the thought over in his mind. "Well then... learn to go with what just feels right in the moment. Or just feels right with how you want to touch me..."

Slowly sitting up, he pressed a hand softly to Steve's chest. When they were both sitting up, he curled both hands around the hem of Steve's shirt. "Sometimes... it's about exploring." Pushing the fabric up, he release it to press his hands over Steve's sides. He took his time to trace him, just learn each curve and rise in his musculature. At the same time, he softly nuzzled at Steve's neck, leaving a trail of soft kisses down to the collar of his shirt. "Take it off for me?"

His voice was soft and gentle, his heart fluttering in his chest at simply feeling Steve under his hands. How could anything feel more amazing than this? Being close to Steve and touching him. Tipping his head up, he let their noses brush and rested their foreheads together. "Promise I'll take the jacket off and the shirt in return." Only thing bad about suits... too many layers.

[like_a_gerbil]

"You're going to move in when you can?" Steve knew that Tony had a life in New York and that couldn't be ignored just because they'd finally confessed their feelings. Tony had responsibilities that had to be dealt with. And they'd need to set up someplace for Tony to work that he'd approve of. He wasn't sure how long that would take but Steve hoped that it wouldn't take months. "I kind of had an area set aside for you when we were setting up."

It hadn't seemed right not to have the start of a room and workshop for Tony. Not when he had promised to help with their tech and he'd given them entire floors of the Tower. "A place for you to work at least. Never was sure if you'd stay unless you had to."

Looking down at Tony, the chuckle became a laugh. "Good to know that you're not into that kind of rough stuff. 'Cause I don't ever want to hurt you." He sometimes worried about his strength, but Steve knew he wouldn't intentionally hurt Tony when they were together like this. "Wouldn't mind trying the wall sex sometime."

He knew he probably wasn't explaining things right. He wanted Tony. He didn't want the elder to think he didn't want to be with him. "I want to touch you. I know the basics. It just seemed - " For a moment, he tried to think of the right way to describe it. Some of what he'd saw had caught his imagination but the rest. "It was too mechanical. I want it to be like you said, learning what makes both of us feel amazing."

Sitting back, he watched Tony, wondering if he'd said the wrong thing until Tony's hands slid over his skin. Shivering, he whimpered softly at the kisses, managing to catch his breath when Tony asked about the shirt.

Smiling softly, he brushed his lips against Tony's as the last of the jitters disappeared. Tony wasn't expecting him to know everything. They'd both explore and learn. "Okay, but I didn't know we were making deals." Reluctantly pulling away, he pulled off his t-shirt before grinning at Tony. "What I do for you, you'll do for me?"

[legacyofiron]

"I'll have what I need shipped in." He said it almost automatically. Why think about it? He needed Steve and hell would freeze over before he left him again. A small, tiny smile pulled at his lips as Steve mentioned saving him a spot... and he had to take Steve's hand and pull it to his lips to kiss the palm. "Thanks..."

Yeah. He'd stay. God, but he wanted to be close to Steve more than ever. It felt almost ridiculous how much. So if that meant living in a very complicated environment, it was worth it. But then, he couldn't stay serious when Steve commented on his tastes.

Dropping his head, he laughed softly before looking up at Steve, eyes lit up. "I trust you regardless." Even if he were into that kind of stuff, Steve would take care of him. That much he knew for sure. But the admission about wall sex? That shot right up his spine and lit all his nerves on fire with need. Breathing in sharply, Tony's eyes fluttered closed. "Yeah... yeah, wall sex is totally on the table whenever you want it."

Pushing up, he slipped into Steve's lap, straddling it easily as he smoothed his hands over the younger's stomach. "I plan to take a lot of time learning you..." Leaning in, he pressed another kiss to the corner of Steve's lips. Tony gave him space, arching a brow as Steve mentioned making deals. "Well, we could do that..."

His eyes drifted over Steve's chest, and yes, he's seen it before, but never because the younger wanted him to look. Honestly, it was hard not to keep his hands all over Steve. Instead, he pulled his hands away to grab Steve's. "Here..." Lifting them he placed them on his tie to remove it as he shrugged his jacket off.

Tossing it off the bed, he smirked softly at the other. "Want me to work at the buttons or would you like to do that?"

[like_a_gerbil]

The idea that Tony was in that much of a rush was flattering but he didn't want Pepper hunting his boyfriend down because Tony hadn't dealt with the business side of moving. "Isn't there more to it than just shipping your things here?"

His heart stuttered at the kiss and Steve wondered if it was so rare for someone to think of Tony. He was a friend and had been an Avenger. Why wouldn't he have a place with them? Brushing his fingers against Tony's cheek, he smiled softly. "You're welcome."

Pretending to be annoyed, he tried to scowl at Tony but instead, could only grin. "Someone once accused me of liking to get beat up so it could have been something you were into." But it was a relief to know that Tony wouldn't ask him to get close to that line.

Wall sex was something that he'd occasionally thought about. An illicit fantasy that Steve knew he shouldn't have about a friend. Or shouldn't until now. His breath stuttered, eyes turning dark at the idea of Tony wanting that fantasy to be real. "Can we try it horizontal first before we try that?"

Settling his hands on Tony's waist, he almost whimpered when his boyfriend moved onto his lap. "I like your plan." Closing the distance Tony had put between them, he kissed him almost chastely. "I have the feeling that if we don't do something like that I won't get a chance to learn what you like." It wouldn't be intentional but Tony was so focused on him that Steve had the feeling that he might not get a chance to please his lover.

Kissing him again, he nibbled lightly on Tony's lips. "I want to make you happy. Figure out what we both like." When he pulled away, he smiled when Tony took his hands. Gently unknotting the tie, he flushed slightly. "I used to think about this." Sliding his fingers over smooth fabric before pulling it free of Tony's collar, he started working at the buttons on Tony's shirt. "I think I can figure them out."