A.N. My first attempt at something serious Avengers-wise, specifically between two characters. I know it's not as good as some other stories, but I thought I'd still post it anyway. Not meant to be a slash story, but you can view it however you want.
Understanding
Tony Stark sat on the living room floor surrounded by items, such as papers, old micro-film cases, notebooks, and even a few original, sealed Captain America comic books. The gang had said something about them going shopping for food or supplies, or something, but he hadn't been paying much attention to them. It was fine that they were all gone however, because he had something else to do. For today was Howard Stark's birthday.
He had been thinking about growing up with his dad a lot lately, and he wasn't sure why.
'Why now? Why not before aliens and wormholes and Gods? Why not before I was Iron Man? Hell, why not after I became Iron Man?'
Tony wasn't sure why this birthday was so important to him. Was it because it was the first one after what happened in New York that really affected him personally? Did that event bring up all sorts of lessons and advice his father would tell him all throughout his life growing up? That would make a fraction of sense, having a near-death experience and all.
He was so deep in thought that he didn't notice someone entering the Tower until the elevator doors were opened and someone stepped out of them.
Tony looked up in surprise, to see an equally surprised Steve Rogers looking back at him. "What are you doing here? I thought you guys were out shopping or whatever."
Steve nodded. "We were. Then when I heard that advancements in technology were helping people to upgrade their iPhone 6 times, I felt a little dizzy and decided to come back here." Steve glanced at the various items around Tony. Noticing a black and white photo on a glass table, he picked it up. It was a black-and-white picture of himself, Howard Stark, and Bucky. He chuckled, before putting it down, and taking a seat on the sofa.
Upon getting a closer view of the items, Steve noticed that everything around Tony had something to do with Howard. But what really caught his eye was a newspaper clipping of Howard's death being announced in the Daily Excelsior and the obituary underneath it.
"Whatever happened to him?" Steve asked, curiously. "Your father, I mean. I read he died in a file I read, but it didn't say how."
"He died in a plane crash along with my mother when I was 18," Tony blurted out. He didn't know why it just came flying out like that. Maybe the scotch he was drinking had something to do with that.
"Oh," Steve blinked in surprise, unsure of what to say. "I'm sorry Tony. I - "
"Today was his birthday you know," Tony announced.
Steve looked slightly surprised, although it did explain why Tony was doing this. "I didn't realize - "
"When I was a kid, he would never stop talking about you," Tony interrupted. "Always saying how brave you were, how selfless you acted…he always wondered why I couldn't be more like you."
Steve sank back against the cushions, Tony's words sinking in. So this explained Howard's attitude toward Tony growing up. He had heard how Howard was cold to Tony throughout his childhood. He felt guilty for possibly being the reason why that had happened. He never expected anyone to compare him to someone, he was just acting like he was raised. No wonder Tony turned out the way he did, using sharp words to keep people at bay.
Tony noticed the expression Steve made. "I'm not saying this to make you feel guilty or anything, but to emphasize the ideal that he held you at, that quality, that standard he believed we should all live by." Tony finished his scotch, deep in thought. "I never got what he meant, what he truly meant, until New York. That moment… when I grabbed the missile…I did. I was prepared to die to protect the people I care about."
Steve sat in silence, nodding slowly. That was exactly how he felt when he crashed the Valkyrie in the Antarctic. He was beginning to see the Golden Avenger in a new light now. Usually, any interaction between them usually meant they would get into an argument over nothing. Now, they could sit with each other and have an actual conversation. Never did he think he would have anything in common with Tony Stark; New York really had changed everything,
After awhile the somber atmosphere had become too much for either of them.
"I still think you told Widow to close the portal way too early for my liking." He winked at the super soldier, lightening the mood with joke.
Rogers chucked at that remark. "Still, you made it out."
Tony waved him off. "Still, you could've waited a few more seconds."
They settled down, both a little more comfortable with each other now. He noticed Steve couldn't take his eyes off a comic on the table, specifically the first Captain America ever published, with the iconic cover featuring him punching Hitler.
"He always said the comics never did you justice," Tony re-marked, handing Steve the issue.
Steve took it carefully, before inspecting it. "Wow," he said in awe. It was in pristine condition.
Tony nodded. "Darn right 'wow.' It's never been opened. If I submitted it to the CGC, it would get nothing less than a 10."
Steve carefully placed it back on the table. Tony suddenly jumped up from the couch, before putting the items back into the case. "I'm getting antsy just sitting around here. Want to go out and get a pizza or something?"
Steve smiled, getting up. "That sounds like fun."
Tony nodded. "Great, I'll meet you outside." Steve grabbed his coat before heading out the door.
Tony clamped the container shut, glancing around the room. You know, I think I get it now…you were trying to teach me a lesson today, weren't you? He smiled, finally understanding. Thanks Dad.
)()(
After a day of shopping the group returned home to see Tony and Steve asleep on the couch, the T.V. still on with an empty pizza box on the floor. Thor disposed of the box after consuming the leftover cheese, while Natasha shut off the T.V. and Pepper pulled a blanket over them.
On the way to their bedrooms Bruce turned off the lights, leaving the two to sleep in peace, neither aware that Clint had snuck out after the others were asleep, and took multiple pictures of them like that. You never knew when something like that would come in handy.
