Tony ducked, almost not being able to dodge the glass that Howard had hurled at him. "I'm sorry Dad!" he pleaded, trying his hardest to keep the tears back, he was sixteen for god sakes he didn't cry! "You finally got it right there boy. You are sorry." Howard slurred. "You're good for NOTHING!" He shouted.
Tony had made a slight miscalculation on his latest project that Howard was going to put his own name on. It wasn't on purpose, he was tired, he'd been up for three days by the time the error had occurred. Anyone could have made that mistake!
Tony had had enough of this, if he stayed much longer it would escalate even further and he didn't feel like explaining bruises away. He retreated to his room, locking his door before looking up at his Captain America poster he'd had on his door since he couldn't remember when. "I'm not worthless am I Cap, I'm not nothing right?" he asked in a broken voice, letting his head rest against the poster, that was as close as he thought he'd ever get to his hero.
Boy was he wrong. Let's just say the first time he met Steve; he was a total dick. Tony was, not Steve, the hero was just reacting to the genius' snark. He wasn't quite sure exactly but he remembers clearly that his hero had told him something along the same lines as Howard, they were friends after all. That Tony only hid behind his tech, which wasn't a lie but it still stung. Steve had said, in the heat of arguing with him, that if it wasn't for all of his gadgets, he would be nothing. There was that word again, nothing, another person thinking Tony Stark was nothing.
Tony sighed shaking his head out of the memories that clouded it, going back to working on his latest project. He and Steve had gotten a little closer, they weren't friends per-say but they definitely weren't at each other's throats like they were the first time they met, but Tony was pretty sure Steve still felt the same about him as he did the day they met.
The genius tossed his wrench down and wiped his greasy hands on his already stained jeans that matched his equally stained Metallica t-shirt. He couldn't concentrate without coffee. Tony grabbed his mug and headed up to the kitchen, oh it was morning, there was sunlight, it looked rather early.
By the time he turned the coffee pot on he was graced by the sight up Steve in jogging shorts and a tank, it took all of his willpower not to gape and drool like an invalid. Tony had bought the tower, Avenger Tower, even though he wasn't technically an Avenger, he just built their cool stuff and paid to clean up their messes. They all lived there Steve, Bruce, Nat, Clint, and Thor when he was on world. It had become as close to a real family as any of them had ever had. "Morning Cap." He managed; he will blame it on being up for thirty-six hours now.
"Hey, Tony. You're up early" he paused looking Tony over. "Or rather, not gone to bed yet. Make sure you rest" he admonishedTony shrugged, begging the coffee to finish.
"I'm fine," Tony said, absently waving his hand at Steve. Steve smiled, patting Tony on the back.
"Fine or not, sleeping is important okay?"He responded to which Tony rolled his eyes, ignoring the heat he felt where Steve had touched him.
"Yeah yeah, Cap." he murmured, still willing his coffee to finish.
"How long has it been this time?" Steve asked with a sigh.
"Hmm?" He asked, looking up from his coffee pot "Oh. Um, I'm not sure." He lied.
"It has been 36 hours and counting Captain Rogers," JARVIS said helpfully.
"Tony!" Steve gasped. "You need to sleep!"
Tony groaned "Traitor" up at the ceiling. "No, I need coffee and to finish what I'm working on" He huffed.
"Tony, please. You need food and sleep. The project will still be there."
Tony cheered silently when the coffee was finally done, grabbing his cup and patting Steve on the cheek "I have deadlines Cap" he said, brushing past him towards the elevator.
Steve sighed. "Deadlines mean nothing if you don't take care of yourself."
"I'm fineee," He said in a sing-song voice, waiting for the elevator. He tapped his foot impatiently "C'mon J." He groaned. It took the AI a moment to respond.
"I'm sorry sir, but I believe Captain Rogers is correct." Jarvis finally said.
"Cmon. I'll cook you something, then nap for at least four hours." Steve offered to which Tony pouted.
"I need to finish." He groaned. "I'm almost done" He whined slightly.
"It can wait long enough for food and sleep, Tony. You're more important" he pleaded.
Tony didn't blush, he didn't damnit! The genius sighed and glanced wistfully over his shoulder at the elevator before slumping his shoulders "I guess I could eat." He caved finally.
Steve smiled. "Any requests?"
"You don't have to cook. I can handle a sandwich " Tony said with a shrug.
"I'm already needing food myself, Tony, it's no bother" Steve responded.
"I'll just eat whatever you were going to cook?" He offered.
"I hadn't had any idea yet" Steve shrugged "omelets?" he asked.
Tony nodded "Sure. That sounds fine." He said softly, making his way to sit at the counter. "I can help if you need me to." He offered.
"Nah, you relax for once" he teased, patting his knee. Tony fought down his blush at that time, letting out a small laugh.
"I'll try, no promises" he joked. Steve sent him a crooked grin before starting breakfast. Tony watch as attentive as he could, eyes dropping a bit, in his defense, he shouldn't be standing still and he's sipping coffee instead of gulping it.
Steve smiled softly, making bacon and toast to go with the omelets, making sure Tony's had extra cheese just like he liked it. "Here, Tony" he encouraged.
Tony yawned big, covering his mouth "Thanks Cap" He murmured, taking a bite and moaning at the taste "That's good." He praised after he swallowed
Steve smiled widely. "Thanks. I made sure yours had extra cheese and some of those mushrooms you e been importing from Japan. Enoki?"
Tony just kind of stared at him for a moment "T-thanks." He managed and was definitely blushing now, not very many people knew too much about him
Steve smiled softly, turning to grab a glass, pouring some juice and handed it to Tony. "You're very welcome."
Tony took the drink, taking a sip with a shy smile. It didn't take Tony long to finish off all his food, wow, he was hungry. "Thanks again for the food, Steve." He said, getting up and putting his dishes in the sink. "I really do need to finish my project. I really am almost done, then I'll sleep." He promised.
Steve narrowed his eyes, taking Tony in. "I'll give you 2 hours. Then I'm going to put you to bed." Tony raised his eyebrow challengingly.
"It's a date" he joked with a wink as the elevator opened.
Steve gave him a startled grin. "2 hours, Tony"
"I hear ya." He grumbled, heading down to the lab with a sigh. Longest. Morning. Ever.
Steve watched him go, sighing softly. "Howard if you were here I'd skin you alive" He waited two hours before heading down to the labs.
Tony was covered in grease when he heard his door slide open "J, I thought I said don't disturb" He mumbled, when his AI didn't respond he turned and looked to see Steve standing in the door.
Steve raised an eyebrow "Jarvis also knows it's been 2 hours".
"I was hoping you'd have forgotten." He muttered "Just stay right there for a second. I'm adding the last touches." He said with a sigh.
Steve nodded. "As long as it doesn't take long. I know how your 'almost done' is, Tony"
Tony blushed "Really. I'm just adding the power button on them." He murmured.
"Alright," Steve smiled at the flush, sitting on a stool.
Tony finished up quickly, sighing "There. All done." He declared, standing and stretching before wiping the sweat off his face with the back of his arm, smearing a streak of grease on his forehead, not even realizing it.
"Good job" Steve smiled. "Cmon, shower and bed."
Tony sagged. "Okay." He whined, motioning for Steve to lead the way.
Steve smiled, leading him out of the lab, patting his shoulder. "You did a good job. But you need to take breaks for food and sleep "
Tony stretched and yawned "When I get started I just can't stop, it bugs me until it's done" he explained with a shrug. "I can't sleep well until it's done, so it's a waste of time trying when I can just get it finished and sleep like a baby.
"Yes, but once it hits twenty-four hours, you need to sleep." He sighed softly. "Even a 2-hour nap is better than nothing." Tony just shrugged, ignoring the suggestion as they reached his floor.
"Thanks, Cap. I can take it from here." He said, stepping out of the elevator.
Steve raised an eyebrow. "Sleep well, Tony. Find me when you wake up and I'll cook again"
Tony laughed "Okay Cap." He said as the doors closed and Tony walked towards his bedroom with a sigh. He really did need a shower.
"Jarvis. Please let me know that he actually sleeps" Steve asked the AI.
"Mr. Stark is now in the shower. " Jarvis responded immediately "I will inform you when he has fallen asleep, Captain Rogers" Jarvis responded.
"Thank you, Jarvis." He smiled, heading to the commons.
Tony finished up his shower, pulling on boxers but not bothering with anything else as he trudged to the bed, flopping down on top of the covers and falling asleep easily. "Captain Rogers." Jarvis said, "Mr. Stark is now asleep, he did not even make it under the covers." The AI informed Steve
Steve snorted softly. "Please keep his room a comfortable temperature so he doesn't wake up cold" he instructed Jarvis.
"Of course, Captain." Jarvis agreed.