Being scarce isn't necessarily fitting in. (for like_a_gerbil)

[legacyofiron]

So, staying worked out in a lot of ways. It let him see Steve everyday and well, no one really mentioned that they hadn't really gotten him a room yet. No one really mentioned how close they were. But then, Tony only really sometimes talked to Rhodey and tried awkwardly to start a friendship with Vision. The voice was comforting when he finally started to let the other sit and actually talk. Vision carefully chose to talk about projects for now and sometimes Steve. But he never brought up Jarvis or more personal things unless Tony did it first. Which was rare.

Tony didn't go out with the Avengers except to fly the quinjet... and well, the quinjet kept taking a beating because sometimes the new Avengers were not as cohesive as they should be. Something Tony didn't talk about and simply drove the bus and fixed things when they were broken. After retooling Romanoff's cuffs after being shorted out, he fixed Falcon's pierced wing. Then he moved on to routine maintenance on War Machine because Rhodey was quite literally a soldier that neglected his armor in favor of working more. Tony did take a minute to point out the bad things Rhodey did to his piece of art before working on through the night.

Vision found him the next morning hammering out the metal plating from the quinjet so he could work on the stealth net only to stop as the other purposely pulled the hammer out of his hand mid swing. If he'd not been so exhausted and hyped on coffee, he probably wouldn't have let it go so easily. Instead he cut a narrowed look at the other. "You should sleep, Mr. Stark. I believe I can finish this for you. If... that is alright."

Arching a brow at him, he brushed his hands on his pants. "What time is it?"

"Close to three in the morning. I had thought you would stop after repairing Colonel Rhodes armor." Tony caught that twist to the word 'thought' and knew he meant 'hoped'. The only reason he didn't argue was because he didn't actually mean to stay up that late.

"You're right." And he did far too much in a short period of time for people he really didn't even talk to anymore. Holding his hands up, he moved to the work bench and pushed the tablet toward Vision. "It's all here... if you haven't already looked." Glancing up at him, he caught the vaguest of smiles that told him Vision already looked. It caused him to smile just a little. "See you later then."

"I'm sure Captain Rogers will be happy you are returning to bed." Tony snorted and kept going out of the room. He looked a mess. He smelled like the workshop and his gray pants looked like they were supposed to be black marble by the time he was done. Not that it stopped him. A hot shower sounded a little like heaven as he very slowly walked down the hall careful not to run into any of the other Avengers if he could help it.

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[legacyofiron]

The thought of Steve watching him while he worked and enjoying it really sent a warm thrill up his spine. Shivering a little, he smiled just a bit, happy with that thought in his mind. "I like your eyes on me." More than he really wanted to admit. He needed and wanted Steve to look at him. It made him feel alive... wanted.

His back arched slightly, unexpected. The thought of Steve Rogers thinking such things about his armor? Tony thought his brains may be melting out of his ears. Closing his eyes for a moment, he took a slow even breath. "You know if I did that... that's a whole new step of trust in the relationship..." Not that he would ever in his wildest dreams hurt Steve. But he also knew that was asking a lot of trust from Steve. "But God I'd love that... if you want it."

It made that look over his shoulder almost smoldering in heat as his lips parted for another breath. "I don't see anything we do as inappropriate, Steve..." Winking at him, he leaned over the tub to adjust the temperature of the water. He kind of hated the stock form of the rooms and plumbing in this place... but it had Steve and that was enough.

Reaching out and letting the water run over his fingers, he grinned. "Good to know." Flicking the shower on, he finally turned to face Steve and lifted a hand to beckon him. "Come here?"

[like_a_gerbil]

"If I spent more time in the workshop, would you get anything done?" He knew that Tony could become focused on a project but they were still new. There were times when both of them seemed to forget everything around them and just stare or want to touch. Which wasn't always the best considering the kinds of things Tony worked on. Steve didn't want to be the cause of an accident just because he wanted to stare at Tony for a few hours.

"It might also mean we shock the team." Everyone knew but that didn't mean they wanted to walk in on them making out in public areas.

"No it wouldn't. I trust you to be careful every time we go on missions together." Even if Tony hadn't went with them as Iron Man lately, he could change to past tense. He didn't want Tony thinking that trust had been broken just because Steve was referring to the past. Cupping Tony's cheek, he grinned almost shyly. "Yeah, I want it. When you're ready." He wouldn't push when he wasn't sure how Tony felt about the armor.

Padding into the bathroom, he fought back a smile when Tony winked at him. Steve hadn't really expected that when they got together that Tony would be able to get him turned on and put him at ease all the time. The first couple of times he'd been nervous but he'd realized that there wasn't any reason to feel that way with Tony.

"After all the jokes about 'language' I'm being more careful about what I say." Not that his boyfriend would tease him about that when they were naked. He'd probably like it if Steve talked dirty.

Walking over to the shower, he caught Tony's hand and kissed his palm, waiting to see what his lover had in mind.

[legacyofiron]

"That is a good question. Would I?" Chuckling softly, he hummed a soft sound after it in thought. "I think I would have to find out. I've never really attached your looks to anything more than curiosity in the past... Now I know that it could be more. That could be problematic." Nodding sagely, he huffed a tiny laugh and sent the man he was so crazy in love with a small smile.

"True. Making out in public is not conducive to your team." Maybe that would keep him in line. The smile faltered as he considered that it being him would be the real reason...

Not now. He wouldn't worry about that now. "I promise you... I will never hurt you. Not like that." Never in bed and never with that kind of trust. He didn't want any future he had to raise his hand against Steve, but he knew for a fact he could make that promise. "I'll see what I can do, darlin'... I just need to get some things shipped in. We'll see." He winked at Steve and grinned.

Rolling his eyes at the 'language' comment, he mused that he would rather like to hear if Steve could talk dirty. That... would be an astounding moment to experience.

Turning at Steve's approach, he watched Steve kiss his palm and exhaled slowly. His fingers curled a little about Steve's before he stepped closer into his space and pressed his other hand to his chest. Splaying his fingers over Steve's skin, he lowered his eyes to watch as his hand smoothed down the younger's chest and over his abdomen. "Sometimes I just want to spend hours touching and kissing every inch of you..."

[like_a_gerbil]

"It wasn't always like that. I tried to hide it since I thought you weren't available." It still felt odd talking about that aspect of Tony's relationship with Pepper. He was grateful that his boyfriend had her in his life but it didn't seem right to discuss the unrequited love he'd felt for Tony when Steve had thought they were a couple. "But now it might be distracting. We'll have to try and see." It might work out or they might end up having sex in the workshop. Neither choice seemed like a bad option...

He knew that Tony had doubts, ones that Steve doubted he'd completely understand but he'd do everything he could to try to lessen them. "Our team." Tony might not officially be an Avenger but his work kept them safe. That meant he was part of the team even if he never wore the armor again. "And they'd probably freak out if they saw us. It'd be like walking in on their parents."

Butterflies caught in his chest when Tony agreed to have the armor - or something approximating it - brought in. That act was just as much a gesture of trust as Steve letting Tony manhandle him with the armor. He knew that Tony was trying to distance himself from Iron Man but he was still willing to indulge that fantasy for him. "I know you'll figure it out. Even if we just pretend, it's the idea of it." He'd like to be able to let go completely but even the illusion of it would be erotic.

Looking down at his boyfriend, he smiled softly, muscles twitching slightly beneath Tony's fingers. "Then you should." He could still make sure that Tony felt good while Tony drove him crazy. Leaning in, he kissed Tony deeply, licking into his mouth just long enough to leave his boyfriend dazed before gently tugging him into the shower. "Before we run out of hot water."