He always preferred being alone.

That's what Tony Stark tried telling himself as he sat alone in his workshop, nursing a bottle of scotch and staring at the wedding invitation in front of him.

Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Rhodes

cordially invite you to

the wedding of

their son

James Jonathan Rhodes

To

Virginia Diane Potts

He took a swig, wiping his mouth as he set the invite down before leaning back and closing his eyes.

The wedding shouldn't have been a surprise. He knew Pepper and Rhodey were dating, had been since he'd gotten involved in the invasion the year before and joined SHIELD's Avengers, trying to save the world but only causing Pepper to feel so alone she turned to his best friend.

Still, learning it from a piece of paper instead of from the bride or groom hurt more than he thought it would as he stared at the words laid out in front of him.

"You've been drinking," came a voice from behind him, making Tony smile but not open his eyes.

"As always, Steve, you're quite observant," Tony said, sighing.

He felt the other man walk to his left and lift the bottle before putting it back down. Then Steve picked up the wedding invite and sighed. "Pepper," he whispered.

Tony turned and looked at him with a grin, though even he knew it probably looked forced. "Yep, as always I will remain alone in my castle. As it should be."

Steve sat down on the edge of Tony's desk and said, "You're not alone. I'm here," he said softly.

Tony took the bottle in his hands again and said, "You know what I mean," before bringing it to his mouth.

Steve's hand on the bottle stopped him and he lowered it. "Yeah, I do. Tony, this isn't…healthy. I know what it's like to be alone. I'm the master of being alone since everyone I knew are dead and buried. But I don't…"

Tony pulled his hand off and took the swig before banging the bottle down. "That's where we differ, Cap, I do."

Steve put a hand on his and said, "You don't have to be this. I thought you were when we met and we…had our differences but I learned just how good a man you are. Pepper knew that but she wasn't the one for you, she didn't…understand."

Tony laughed and pushed his hand away. "I don't have to be THIS? I'M ALWAYS THIS, STEVE! This IS me! And you were right to hate me, I don't even know why you stopped and if she wasn't then WHO IS? And if she didn't understand, when she knew EVERYTHING who WILL?"

Steve hesitantly put a hand on Tony's face and swallowed. "Me."

Tony blinked at him, his eyes a bit bloodshot and not exactly focusing. "What?"

Steve leaned in and kissed Tony softly at first, testing the waters. Tony froze, not completely sure what to make of what was happening and when he didn't reciprocate Steve pulled back. "I'm sorry. I…I didn't mean to…"

He got up from the table and tried to move past but Tony stopped him, a hand on Steve's shirt.

"Why did you kiss me?"

Steve was breathing heavily and Tony saw his cheeks were bright red. "I didn't mean to. That's not why I came here I…I just wanted to…I didn't…"

"Steve, tell me."

Steve let out a breath shakily and whispered, "I've been…feeling for the first time in almost a year. I haven't felt this much since 1943 and I apologize for taking advantage but I couldn't…I can't watch you suffer and not try to comfort you."

Tony let go of his arm. "So this is pity, then?"

Steve hurriedly put his hands on Tony's shoulders and shook his head. "No, no! I didn't mean…it's just that…I have feelings for you, Tony. They're very difficult to feel because I know you don't have the same feelings for me and I know that a man being in love with another man is…"

Tony swallowed. "Love?"

Steve stepped back and said quickly, "I didn't mean, I have…I'll go," he said, nearly running out of the room in his rush.

Tony stared after him, touching his face where Steve had touched it and then touching his lips.

"Love."

He'd never been in love before. He realized that now that he'd seen and felt it for real in Steve's eyes and his kiss.

A small smile came across his face and he picked up his phone, dialing a number.

"Yes, this is Tony Stark and I'm RSVPing to the wedding. Damn right I'll be bringing a plus one."

Steve Rogers drove away from Tony Stark's home, his mind blank as he stared at the cars in front of him.

He'd ruined everything.

When he'd gone to Tony's house tonight the only thing he'd wanted to do was see the man. It had been nearly a month since the last time the Avengers had come together and he found himself missing Tony more than he should, though after the last few months it should not have come as much of a surprise.

He drove slower now, taking side streets and not really going anywhere but desperate to get as far away from his shame as possible.

"Stupid," he whispered, tears in his eyes.

Steve had walked into the workshop, surprised the code hadn't changed since the last time he'd been to Tony's home though he strongly suspected Tony used separate codes for separate people. When he'd been hit with the strong smell of scotch he was instantly concerned and when he saw Tony slumped over his desk he'd hurt to see Tony in so much pain.

He'd only wanted to show Tony he wasn't alone.

Now he had probably lost Tony's trust forever and would never be able to be alone with the man ever again.

Steve pulled the car over and parked, his hands shaking and tears falling freely as he let the revelation sink in. He'd spent the last year struggling to acclimate to his new surroundings, trying to fit in and feel at home when everyone and everything were foreign to him.

Tony had been a huge help, though he doubted the man knew just how much.

When he heard something heavy land on top of his car he instantly jumped to alert, his muscles tensing. He reached across the car to open the glove compartment and grab his gun when he saw the first metal foot step down off of his roof, followed by the second.

Steve swallowed and his stomach was in knots as Iron Man stepped down off of his car and stood on the sidewalk, his arms folded.

His throat was dry and he didn't move.

Then Iron Man knocked on the window and Steve rolled it down.

Tony lifted his face shield and he did not look amused. "Are you gonna come out and talk to me or do I have to stand here looking like an idiot?"

Steve shook his head. "Why are you here?"

"I can stand here all night if I have to."

He sighed. "Go away, Tony. People are staring."

Tony looked over his shoulder and waved as pedestrians walked by, some holding up their cell phones to take pictures. He then turned back to the car window. "I can do this for as long as I have to, Steve. Come out and talk to me."

"Why did you follow me?"

"You know why."

Steve swallowed. "You made your disgust pretty apart back there, I didn't think there was anything else to say."

Tony frowned. "I didn't…"

Steve looked away when a woman came up to Tony and asked for his autograph and the man signed with a smile. "I can't talk about this with…all of these people here."

Tony smiled. "Then let's go somewhere where they aren't. We can go back to my place."

Steve shook his head.

"I can take you for a ride."

Steve didn't want to even think about spending time in Tony's arms if even for just a few minutes. "No."

He rolled up the window and pulled the car away from the curb driving as far as possible until he saw no one, pulling over and parking. They were at the edge of Marvel Woods, which were close to a high school but he doubted they would be disturbed here.

Steve took a deep breath before he saw Tony land not far from the car, and then he opened the door and got out. He sat on the hood of the car and waited.

Tony walked over to him and crossed his arms again. "Tell me why you came over. Did you know about the wedding?" he asked.

Steve shook his head. "I was just…coming over."

Tony cocked his head to the side, looking skeptical. "Why?"

Steve felt his face redden when he looked away and whispered, "To see you."

"Did you miss me, Steve?" Tony asked softly, making Steve look at him again.

"Yes."

Tony smiled warmer than Steve expected. "Are you in love with me, Steve?"

Steve swallowed. "I…I don't…"

Tony walked over to him, the metal in his suit making loud noise on the asphalt. He put his metal fingers under Steve's chin and lifted his face up so the other man had no choice but to meet Tony's eyes.

"Tell me."

"Why do you care? You…you didn't…you don't want this. We'll just pretend it didn't happen. Just forget it, okay?" Steve said, his voice almost pleading.

Tony stared at him quietly regarding before he said, "I called to respond to the wedding invite after you left."

Steve blinked. "You're going?"

Tony took his hand out from under Steve's chin and he let go, stepping back with a smile. "It was a little late for Rhodey's parents, but they were pretty happy I'm coming. I offered to pay for the caterer."

Steve smiled. "That's probably why Pepper and Jim didn't tell you about the wedding in the first place."

Tony nodded, staring up at the sky. "Probably," he said thoughtfully stroking his beard in thought before turning to look at Steve again, "I want you to come with me."

Steve gaped at him, not sure what to say.

"Don't get all excited at once now," Tony said with a laugh.

Steve shook his head. "Why? You're not into this, Tony, I don't understand why you…unless this is just for moral support, which is fine, I don't…"

Tony shrugged. "I just want you to come. As friends, of course. It's in a few weeks anyway."

Steve looked at him. "That's why you flew after me? To invite me to a wedding? You could have used a phone."

Tony grinned. "I guess. I just…didn't want you to think we're not…that I don't want to know you anymore. I can always use another person who likes me. Don't have many of those left."

Steve frowned, blushing. "Oh."

Tony walked over to him again and reached out to touch his face, this time retracting the metal. His fingers grazed Steve's cheek and Steve shivered, "Plus I can't see that look on your face over the phone."

The blonde frowned, confused.

"You're not into this, I know it," he whispered.

Tony leaned in close and he could feel the other man's breath across his lips. "Do you?" Tony asked, before turning and grinning. "I'll see you later, Cap," he said before lowering his face shield and taking off.

Steve stared after Tony with a frown, his mind and emotions more tangled up than before.

He strongly suspected that was exactly how Tony wanted him to feel.