Chapter 1: A Man Out of Time
Steve was an outsider to the world of the twenty-first century. He had no friends, no family, and no allies. Sure he had the Avengers, but it had become clear that he was not welcome in their circle. Bruce and Stark were science buddies and could speak a language that very few people understood. Clint and Natasha were attached to each other's hips. When Thor wasn't off in Asgard, he was with Jane. So who did he have? No one. So in order to avoid the blaring reality he was forced to face with, he jumped on his motorcycle the moment Loki was off the planet and just drove off towards no where. He had no real destination in mind. None. He just wanted to drive and be free. He needed the space to just be himself. Sure, whenever there was a world crisis that needed the Avengers, he would do his duty and help. But every time things came to an end, Tony would leave with Bruce, Clint with Natasha and if Thor was around he went off to Jane. He was left standing there, wondering what the point was. Sure they were a team but it was like the team was only together when there was an issue. Except for shawarma occasionally, they never did anything together.
It was during a debriefing with Fury that it was brought to his attention that all the Avengers now lived in the renovated Stark Tower. Steve's head shot up and looked at the man in disbelief. They….all lived together? He couldn't believe that they all lived together. All of them except him. He tried to keep his features schooled to be blank, but Fury was not fooled. The man looked at him, stern but there was something sympathetic there. Fury stood and walked to Steve, clasping his shoulder. The man stared at him with his one good eye.
"I know for a fact that Stark set aside an entire floor for each member of the Avengers. You included. Had the griping between the two of you not taken place during your first serious mission together and had you not simply jumped on a motorcycle to ride off into the sunset, I am sure Stark would have forced you to live in the tower as well. Now, are you planning on staying in New York?" He asked as he walked to a file drawer, pulling out a folder.
"Yes Sir. I am planning on finding a place in Brooklyn." He said, keeping his tone professional. He wanted to be close to the place he once called home. Close to the past, if he was honest. Fury gave him a blank look before he shrugged.
"I figured as much, so I got you an apartment for you to stay in. I will send Natasha over tomorrow to help you get more clothes. You need to have a more up to date style so that you blend in better." Fury said easily. Steve knew there was no point in arguing with the man. He stood up and walked out, knowing he was dismissed. He took the folder Fury had and headed to the flight deck. He would be hitching a ride with the other agents who had missions. As he walked through the hall, he heard a very familiar voice.
"Pepper, please. I just finished a mission and…. No I remember the dinner date. Pepper I had a mission…. Pepper….seriously….No, I am sorry. Pepper. Please….Just…..PEPPER!" Steve paused outside the door, hearing Stark curse every now and again. He wasn't sure what he just over heard. It sounded like the end of a relationship. He felt bad for Stark, but the man was an arrogant ass who thought of only himself, nothing that was conducive for a healthy relationship. Stark walked briskly out of the room nearby, pausing when he saw Steve. The other man looked him up and down before snorting.
"Nice outfit Cap, looks like that was in the icicle with you." Stark said with a sneer. Steve stiffened and gave Stark a dark glare. He hated how shallow the supposed Hero was. The man was no hero. He wasn't a team player, rather he was a cocky son of a so and so with a desire to fulfill his own needs instead of the needs of the team. He had enough of how much of an outcast Tony's presence made him feel. He was already a man out of time, he did not need the Man of this Time to make him feel even more like an outsider.
"You are nothing like your father. At least he was a good man" Steve said in turn. Something fluttered across Stark's face before the other man completely shut down. He watched as Stark just walked off and mentally cursed. He couldn't believe that he was once again getting into it with Tony. It was like the first time they were on the Helicarrier all over again. He pushed his hand through his hair and turned around only to stop dead in his tracks. There stood Black Widow and Bruce Banner. Banner's eyes were a light green color, which put Steve on edge. Natasha reached out and grabbed Bruce's arm, squeezing it.
"Banner, relax. He doesn't understand." Natasha said in a cool tone as she reached for her gun, just in case. Bruce looked like he wanted to kill Steve right where he stood. Steve stood up straighter, remembering just how close Bruce and Tony were. Banner jerked his arm from Natasha's hand before he walked towards Rogers, only to walk right passed him. Bruce shouted over his shoulder.
"Then you better inform him Romanoff! The Other guy does not like people hurting Tony. Fix this." He said, rage clear in his tone. The scientist broke into a run, obviously going to go seek out Tony. Steve looked taken back by this before he felt a strong hold on his arm. He jerked and looked at Black Widow and felt fear grip him. Natasha looked like she wanted to make Steve eat the floor of the hallway. Why were Widow and Hulk so upset by what he had said to Stark?
"I will give you this one pass, Rogers. That's it. One of these days Bruce, Pepper and I are going to sit you down and have a long talk about Tony. I can guarantee you once we are finished, you will regret what you have just done. You'll feel like an ass at the end of it. Have a nice time in your apartment." Natasha never raised her voice, just spoke in a clear and even tone. But it scared Steve to his core. He walked slowly towards the flight deck to catch his flight. To say he felt even more like an outsider was an understatement. Everyone was siding with Tony. Everyone was protecting Tony. Where did he fit in if he did not fit in with the Avengers?
Steve sat up straight and rushed out of his room only to stop when he saw what had woke him. Sitting on his couch was Tony Stark. There was a cup of coffee in his hand and one on the table. The other man was looked at Steve, giving him a once over before taking a sip off his coffee.
"Mornin' Cap." The genius said, a saluting with his cup. Steve stared at the other man. It had been a month and a half since their last interaction. They had not even worked on a mission together. Most times Iron Man, Widow and Hawkeye went out on missions together while Thor, Hulk and himself went out on others. This was the first time he had seen the man in person, not in passing, in a while. Not since they had words. Steve had spent a lot of time thinking upon what he had said to Tony and the reactions he got from the other members of his team. Steve walked cautiously into the living area before walking to his door. He found the lock was not broken, but rather skillfully picked. He was not surprised the genius could do such a thing. He crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame of the front door, staring Tony down.
"What are you doing here, Stark?" He asked in a serious tone. Tony was doing something with his phone before he looked up and took another sip off his coffee. He moved his arm in a sweeping motion about the room.
"A little out dated don't you think, Cap?" Tony said, picking fun at the place Steve had started to think about a home. Well...no… it was not home to him. It often just felt like an empty box that he lived in. It made no difference to him really, but the fact that Tony was once again making fun of his choices annoyed him.
"Spit it out Stark, I don't have time for your annoying attitude right now." He snapped sharply. Something about Tony just always rubbed him the wrong way. Tony looked taken back before he smiled cockily at Steve. The blond's brows furrowed together at this, scowling.
"You need to get laid. You are way too stressed. Any way, this is turning into a very expensive little chat. I am here to tell you that your lease is up on this place. You will be moving into Stark Tower by the end of the month. Fury said he doesn't want anyone on the Avengers to be a lone wolf. Which you are playing right now. Oh and I got you coffee" Tony grabbed the other coffee after stuffing his phone into his pocket. He walked up to Steve, holding out the coffee. "It might help you with the morning grumpiness you got~"
Steve's hand shot out and smacked the coffee out of Tony's hand. He was at the end of his rope with all this. The Nightmares, the constant influx of information and all the faces he did't know. He was constantly reminded how alone and out of place he was. Tony was only making it worst. He stood to his full height towering over the man.
"Enough Stark. I am so sick and tired of you. You pretend to be a hero, you pretend you own the world when in reality you are nothing but a guy in a metal suit, just like I said before. If Fury wants me to be in the stupid Tower, fine. But that is the only reason why I would even be in the same area as you. You are just collecting super heros in that tower of yours to make up for the fact that without your suit you are nothing but money and words." Why was he saying these things? Why was he attacking Tony like this? What was going on between them? He watched as Tony stood up straighter and glared at him. He saw Tony's hand flex around his own cup of coffee.
"Hate to inform you of this Cap, but all you are is a Science Experiment. Something my father helped make. You were nothing but a chump who had the right set of genetics and upbringing. That is it. All it takes is a little research and I can undo everything that you have become. Counter act that special serum running through your veins. Fury's orders are that you are to be packed by 0700 Friday. You will be moving in at 1100 that same day. You have your orders, Soldier"
With that Tony pushed passed him and slammed the door behind him. Steve stood there and felt the urge to punch something. He looked at the spilt coffee. He let out a snarl before he collapsed to the floor, grabbing his hair roughly. Why did he snap at Tony when the man went out of his way to tell him what was going on. Instead of an Agent coming by to give him his orders, Tony had come himself to tell him. He felt like crap for what he had just did. Another incident with Tony. Another fight. Another spew of hurtful words. He looked up at the ceiling, knowing very well that the members of his team, particularly Natasha and Bruce, were going to have his head. He looked at the calendar, seeing the word Wednesday in bold mocking letters.