Author's Note: I began writing this story in 2010 right before Iron Man 2 was coming out. I have used my own characterizations for nearly all the characters except for Tony, Pepper and Rhodey since I had no idea what versions would be used for Iron Man 2 or the Avengers. From here on out, it's mostly what I've picked up from twelve years of reading comics.

There was something about him.

When he'd agreed to this, Fury had told him it was a group dynamic, that they'd all get to contribute and once Tony had walked through the doors of SHIELD headquarters he'd set his eyes on the others in the room with him and known he'd be the last person they asked for anything but mechanical ideas.

Especially when he encountered Steve.

The man looked younger than him, smiled warmer than he'd ever been able to smile in his lifetime, but he was the leader, that much was obvious. They all knew it, you could see the adoration on the faces of everyone in the room when he passed and Tony hated it.

He was used to getting more attention and he found himself purposely baiting Steve into fighting with him to no results. Nick had taken him aside finally almost a month into the whole "Avengers" thing, and called him on it.

The SHIELD headquarters had provided them with their own "mansion" though Tony had wanted to offer one of his own he'd been denied. Another thing no one asked him about or even explained, it was just simply to be.

He was sitting in his room, staring at the ceiling and avoiding resting after the debacle with Red Skull and the newest thorn in his side, Justin Hammer. They'd fucked that up good and he was embarrassed enough that he'd be the main cause but Steve hadn't even yelled at him.

He'd hoped Captain America could throw a tantrum like normal people, but of course not. The guy was perfect.

The door opened and he didn't turn to look.

"So, I see we're still the same spoiled rich kid as always. Your dad assumed you'd grow out of that."

He didn't flinch or answer, just continuing to stare.

"I knew your dad, Tony."

"You never told me that."

Nick laughed. "I never thought I'd have to. He'd be ashamed of you now, treating Steve like this. He's…"

Tony looked at him. "How old is this guy anyway? My dad died twenty years ago and you look like you're barely forty. And the way the two of you drop hints about World War two it seems like…"

Nick smiled. "I'm older than I look, so is Steve. That's not what this is about."

He sighed. "I don't like him. He's too…nice."

"Sorry to disappoint you, I could find more bastards to put in the group but there aren't that many freelance superheroes around. The Fantastic Four are already their own group and Spider-Man declined."

Tony laughed. "I…"

"Steve is the most sincere person I've ever met and that's the truth. You have never spoken more than five words to him the entire month you've been involved in this project. If you don't want to be a part of this, just say so and I'll find your replacement; I hear Ant-Man is pretty good with his hands."

Tony Stark, international playboy millionaire, was suddenly truly contrite. "No, I want to stay. I'll…I'll try not to do it anymore. I'll talk to him."

Nick held out his hand and they shook. "Good. Start right away, before I make you share a room."

He left and Tony hoped he was kidding, though assumed he was not.

It was nearly midnight when he finally got up and decided to talk to Steve. Hell, it wouldn't be his fault the guy might be asleep when he did it, it was just a coincidence.

Of course when he walked into the Avengers room there was Steve, sitting at the head of the table going through battle plans and watching the video screen like it was life or death.

Tony started to say something when he froze and saw what it was that Steve was watching.

The video was in black and white, and there was Steve laughing with Nick and some kid who didn't look much younger than the two of them did but it wasn't someone Tony had seen before. They were talking and he heard Steve say, "Do you need something Tony?" before the screen suddenly went black.

He swallowed. "Um, I was just…I wanted to talk to you."

Steve indicated the chair beside him and Tony sat down, trying not to get self-conscious with those blue eyes on him.

"I realize I've been pretty annoying since I started all this and I wanted to apologize. I've never been in this kind of situation before and I don't know how to…"

"Deal with not being the center of attention?" Steve finished, humor in his voice.

Tony looked up, surprised. He laughed. "Yeah."

Steve clapped him on the shoulder. "It's okay, really. I get it. I know a lot more about you than you would think and I admire you, Tony. I really do. The things you've done…"

"Thanks, I guess." Tony mumbled.

Steve took his hand back and sighed. "As much as I'd like to continue talking to you, I'm trying to put together a short list of potentials for Nick."

"New members? Can I see?" Tony asked.

That was how they ended up staying up till four in the morning and Tony Stark found himself in bed the next morning not knowing how he ended up there.

He left that next morning for his regular life and spent the remainder of the week dwelling on it before finally satisfied his own curiosity, hacking into the Avengers mansion video feeds and finding the answer.

Steve had carried him to bed.

The very idea made his mind go into a million different directions. He sat in front of his computer terminal, his head in his hands, staring at the video baffled.

"Something interesting?" Pepper asked from behind him, startling him.

He tried to close the screen before she could see but it was too late.

Pepper looked at the video, which he'd had on repeat, then at him. She blushed a bit and grinned. "New friend?"

He closed the screen, trying not to blush and knowing he failed.

This wasn't like him.

"It's nothing."

"Is that Captain America? He's a lot better looking than you said he was. You never mention him unless I ask."

Tony was quiet, typing and working up the specs for the Mark VI, purposely ignoring her.

"Is this why you stopped flirting with me?"

He looked up. "What?"

She smiled. "Flirting. I've said no enough but now you don't even try. Is this why?"

"NO! I just…"

She sat on the desk beside him. "He's pretty interesting actually. I've seen him on TV, talking about his life and how he's adapted to life now."

"Where is this going?"

"Just tell me you don't have a man-crush on him and I'll leave you alone."

Tony looked at the computer screen again. "I'm not gay."

"Doesn't mean you can't have a crush on a man. You had that crush on Nick Fury for a whole month before he cut you down to size and punched you."

Tony sighed. "It's not like that. Steve is just, he's nice. I don't do nice."

"Right. You never like nice people, only bimbos and assholes. I forgot." Pepper said coldly, jumping off the desk and walking away. Before she walked up the stairs she called out, "By the way, your friend Natasha? She asked about him the last we spoke."

Tony froze. "About Steve? Why?"

"I dunno. But she did. I told her you barely knew him and she seemed quite pleased with that," she smiled, "But since you don't care either way next time she asks I'll make sure to tell her he's free game."

Pepper went to leave and he called out, "Wait."

She turned. "Yes."

Tony took a deep breath. "Nothing."

Pepper frowned and walked back up the stairs.

Tony took out his phone and dialed, fingers tapping on the desk. When she answered Natasha's voice was perfectly purring in his ear. "Tony Stark, oh how I missed you."

"Quit the shit, Pepper said you asked about Captain America."

"Yes," she said simply.

"Stay away from him. I mean that."

She laughed. "Why Tony, are you claiming him? Because I do not think he knows of this. We have spoken recently."

"You called him?"

"I have been intimate with him."

Tony nearly snapped the phone in half. "Oh, I see."

"It was only once, many years ago, after we both suffered a loss. Not in this lifetime."

He sighed, afraid to think about why he was relieved.

"But I see you want to claim him, yes?" she asked.

He paused. "I don't know."

Natasha laughed. "Please do so. I have not had a decent fantasy in years and that one would give me lifetimes."

Tony laughed. "I'll try to be accommodating."

"It was nice to speak with you, Tony."

"Yes, it was. Thank you," he whispered.

"You are quite welcome," came the soft reply before the phone went silent.

Tony flipped off his earpiece and put it on the table. Then he put his hands over his face and groaned. "I knew it," came the voice suddenly.

He didn't even flinch. "I know," he mumbled.

Pepper came up from behind and hugged his neck. "Look at it this way; it will be a new experience for you."

"Being bisexual?"

"Rejection," she said, laughing.

He banged his head on the table. It was going to be a long two weeks till he saw Steve again.

As it turned out he didn't have to wait that long because Steve came to see him not two days later.

He'd spent the whole afternoon at Stark Tower, fighting about a new project and how the board of directors still wanted more weapons and how they were missing out on revenue, even as the latest projects were making them more money than ever. No one was ever satisfied.

Tony walked into his house and found Rhodey sitting on his couch laughing with someone.

Steve.

He stopped dead in his doorway, blinking.

"Tony! There you are!" Rhodey said loudly.

Steve smiled and Tony shook himself mentally putting on his best grin and declaring, "Rhodey, you breakin' into my house again?"

His friend laughed, clapping him on the back. "Nah, just checking out the new specs of the suit. I was about to leave when Jarvis announced that Steve was here so I let him in."

"You making the rounds, Cap?" he asked, laughing nervously.

Steve shook his head. "You told me I should come and see you if I needed someone to look over the list again and Nick told me where you lived. I have a new applicant."

Rhodey backed away from them. "Well I see that the superhero stuff is going on," he began.

"You're one of those now too," Tony quickly added, hoping his friend would stick around as a buffer.

His friend grinned wickedly. "Nope, not yet. I ain't a part of your big club so I am out of here. Have fun," he said and just as Steve shook his head he turned to leave, looking back once to wink at Tony.

Tony imagined all the ways he was going to kill Pepper.

He sat down beside Steve who pushed a folder that was lying on the table towards Tony who looked at warily before flipping it open.

Quickly he closed it again, shaking his head. "Absolutely not," he said, shoving the folder back at Steve.

Steve frowned. "Why? He has skill, he's been operating on the up and up for quite some time now and…"

Tony sighed. "He's an ass, Steve. I've met the guy once and I never want to…"

Steve's eyes narrowed. "I've met guys who come off as assholes before and changed my mind, why can't you?"

Tony swallowed, paling a bit. "Well…"

Steve stood, pulling out the photo he'd had and declaring, "I've met him too Tony! Clint Barton is a great guy, he's just…I thought that…maybe you would believe in second chances. No matter, I have final say and come next week, Hawkeye will be a part of the Avengers."

Tony stood till they were close enough he could feel Steve's breath on his face. He swallowed and whispered, "Then I won't be."

"You can be replaced."

Steve turned and left, storming out and slamming the door behind him.

Tony sighed, banging his head against the wall.

He was an idiot.