Steve watched as the elevator closed and went down to the workshop taking Tony with it.
"Soooo," Clint drawls out. "anyone else think that was odd?" Natasha just turned her gaze back to the movie muttering something about spidie. Steve sighed, he wished he understood Tony and why he felt the need to hide himself in his workshop. This was one of the rare times that Steve has seen the man for more than a half hour. After there bumpy start Steve felt the need to apologize for saying what he did, but every time he tried to apologize, Tony brushed him off by saying he had work to do or had to call Pepper. Steve knew that Tony was emotionally damaged at the moment, the guy almost died and then his girlfriend tells him that its over.
Steve definitely feels for the man, but he also knows that Tony doesn't want his sympathy because every time he tries to let the man know that he would be there for him, he runs away with an excuse of something else thats important that has to be done or blah blah blah will happen. In fact now that Steve thinks about it, Tony runs away from just about any conversation Steve tries to initiate between the two of them.
A loud boom of thunder shook Steve from his thoughts and returned his attention to the movie. Dracula was rambling on about his bride and how she was a beauty, when Steve's thoughts returned to Tony. He definitely seemed on edge most of the time but tonight even more so than usual. It couldn't have been because Steve sat beside him? He remembered seeing Tony jump and catch his eye and blush. So a blush, maybe he was thinking of Pepper. Steve shouldn't not like Pepper, just because she hurt Tony and now he wouldn't talk to Steve. Wait how is that Peppers fault? Steve sighed again, making Bruce raise an eyebrow at him which he responded with a small smile and tried to return his attention to the movie. It was no use though his mind kept drifting back to Tony.
Why wouldn't the man talk to him. And if not him then anyone, just so Steve would know that he wasn't stuck in his workshop consuming alcohol by the bottles. Steve tried to shake himself, what was wrong with him? He hadn't had his thoughts as consumed by a person since Bucky, and no Steve couldn't go through that again. Not after what happened, no he couldn't, wouldn't ever again. But was he jealous of Pepper? He only met the woman a few times but she seemed like a swell gal. Steve sat quietly through the rest of the movie muddling around in his thoughts of Tony and Pepper and his underlying thoughts on Bucky which he refused to think harder on.
Bucky was his, his best friend and lover and every moment he was alive he had to remember that Bucky was gone. And it was hard, impossibly hard to continue on, to try to be happy and move on. Maybe thats why Steve was so focused on Tony. If he could focus on him and his problems then he wouldn't have to think of his. He wouldn't have to think about Peggy and Howard and Bucky.
Steve could feel eyes on him as the movie ended and the lights came up. Steve stood along with the others.
"That was a uh, interesting movie. Im glad I got to see it." The others stood around awkwardly not really sure what to do next. They simultaneously decided that the awkward tension was enough and went to their rooms. All except Steve who took the elevator to the workshop.
"JARVIS, how is he?" Steve asked tenderly.
"Sir, has managed to fall asleep on the workbench, Captain Rogers." JARVIS responded promptly.
Steve nodded and walked in to the the workshop. Sure enough there was the resident genius passed out in the most uncomfortable looking position. Enough was enough.
"Tony," Steve said gently shaking him awake.
"Whazzut, Stebeeee," Tony replied sleepily. Steve's cheeks turned red and he couldn't help but to think that Tony was adorable. His hair was ruffled everywhere and his pretty brown eyes were staring straight into his blue. Before he could think of the consequences Steve reached down and picked Tony up. Steve carried him out bridal style and took him to the elevator. Steve could feel Tony wiggling around trying to get out of his hold. Before Steve could decide to put him down Tony grabbed onto his shirt and snuggled deeper into his arms. Steve eventually got to Tonys bedroom and made to put him to bed. After finally getting the covers down he lowered Tony to the mattress but Tony wouldn't let go of him.
"Tony, your in bed, I gotta go, " Steve said awkwardly.
"Noooo, I don't, I don't wanna be alone." Steve looked down at Tony. He was just like him. Surrounded by people but at the same time all alone.
"Okay Tony I won't leave."
"Promise?" Tony mumbled, his half lidded eyes dropping.
"Yeah I promise." Steve moved Tony to the other side of his king sized bed and laid down not touching the other man. Tony mumbled something under his breath and rolled over onto Steve and mumbled something about repulsors. Steve huffed blowing Tonys hair out of his face. So much for never again, he could already tell that he was falling, hard.