Thanks to everyone who faved, followed, and reviewed this story!
So there is no confusion, this chapter is similar format to the previous one, where it begins in present time, then flashes back to the previous day (where chapter 1 ended). Chapter 3 will also be similar to this format.
Complexity
Chapter 2
x
Steve ducks behind a pillar as he hears the sound of footsteps hurriedly coming near. He doesn't want to be a coward and hide, but reminds himself that he is alone, and there are many men with many weapons hunting him down. He needs to give himself the advantage, and that does not mean running into warfare unprepared. Add onto that, being in an unrecognizable place he has never before stepped foot in, not knowing what lies beyond each corner.
No, it is in his best interest to remain hidden for the time being. He cannot risk getting caught. He cannot risk getting hurt. He has to be at his best if he is going to get out of here.
Get them out of here.
And he will get out of here. Both of them will. There is no other option in Steve's mind.
He does not know where Tony is, and has not seen or heard from him in however long, but he will find him. He has to.
But as Steve darts off to another hiding spot, and the sounds of these men, whoever they are, continue to surround him, Steve can't help but be worried for the man he has grown to care so deeply for.
Because even though he knows logically he has not heard from Tony because all of their commutation systems are down, and realistically he has not seen Tony because they had no other choice than to separate shortly after entering this underground hell, Steve would be lying if he said not a single terrible thought went through his head of what may have happened to Tony. But he knows Tony. He knows what kind of fighter he is. What kind of man he is. Steve knows Tony is searching for him too. Steve knows Tony is just fine.
Because, simply put, there is no other option.
x
By the time the three Avenger teammates left Shield after their meeting with Fury, it was getting quite late in he evening. The men returned to Stark Towers, where Bruce quickly said his goodnights and retired to his room.
Tony had the same idea, except by room he meant lab, and by retire he meant work.
So with a wink and a wave and a "Isn't it past your bedtime, darling?" to Steve, Tony heads in the other direction towards his lab.
Only to be stopped after two short steps.
"You spend far to much time working," Steve says, as he blocks Tony's way. "You need to rest."
"Awe, thanks for the concern, babe, but I'm not tired," Tony states, as he goes to step around Steve.
Only to be blocked again. "Just because you're not tired doesn't mean you can not rest. Come keep me company in the other room. Please?"
And Tony never could resist those eyes, or that face, or that voice.
Which is how he found himself sharing a sofa with Steve. Tony's legs were comfortably stretched out across the sofa, his feet resting against Steve's side, who had his own legs in front of him, feet on the coffee table. The television was on, but only as background noise, since neither man was particularly interested in watching it. Instead they sat mostly silent together, with one of them breaking the silence every once in a while with a comment or question. But mainly, they just relaxed together late into the night, enjoying each other's company.
And it was early the following morning, before the sun itself even rose, when Tony awoke on that same sofa. Steve was still there, sleeping, and Tony took time to reflect on the previous night. Never before had he felt so at ease, so comfortable in the presence of another. The silence between them has not been deafening. The looks shared, whether they be quick glances or long stares, did not leave him feeling bare and uncomfortable. Even during such a vulnerable time, that moment between wake and sleep, Tony did not feel weak. If anything, he felt safe. And he would not admit this out loud, but safe is a feeling he has not truly experienced since before his kidnapping.
But he does feel it now knowing the Captain, his Captain, is there with him.
It was in this moment of reflection when thinking of all the looks, smiles, soft words, and gentle touches of the previous night, that Tony also realized Steve feels the same of him, as he feels for Steve.
And Tony decides then and there, it is time to bring out the big guns.
The full-blown Stark-Charm.
He will plan something big, unforgettable, yet still ridiculously modest (to Stark standards at least), because that's more Steve's style. And long before the night is over, Steve will have no doubt of Tony's intentions and feelings. Because in less than 24 hours, this flirting game between the two of them will end, and they will no longer be stuck in this mid point where they have been hovering.
And finally this bet Jarvis was kind enough to inform him of between the other Team members will be put to an end!
Tony dozes off again with a smirk on his face, thinking about later that night and how he is going to go about getting what he wants.
His Captain doesn't stand a chance.
x
Even though Steve was able to distract him from heading to his lab the night before, Tony really did have a lot of work to do. He still needed to finish repairing the gauntlet of his suit, and, more importantly, he needed to plan what he was now affectionately calling Operation Iron-Man's-Night-To-Court-And-Woo-And-Possibly-Eve n-Seduce-The-Cap. And ok, maybe that isn't quite the best mission name, but he came up with it pre-coffee. Plus, it gets the point across.
So, coffee in hand, Tony heads down to his lab, where he stays engrossed in his work for the rest of the day.
That is, of course, until sometime early evening. While Tony was deciding when the best moment would be to actually leave his lab and put his plan into action, the man occupying most of his thoughts that day enters the room.
"Tony," Steve begins.
"Hey, Hot Stuff, I was just thinking of you!" Tony interrupts, because right now is as good of a time as any for phase one of the plan. "So, I've been holed up in my lab all day, and have consumed nothing but coffee, which I know you are not happy about because you are always telling me I need to eat real food, like solids and shit, even though I can function just fine, even better sometimes I'm sure, without it."
"Tony-"
"But that's beside the point," Tony continues through Steve's interruption, because now that he truly realizes what this means, what he's about to ask, he knows he needs to continue talking or he may not follow through. "I've decided that maybe I should listen to you, and actually eat a full meal today. And last night was great, just the two of us hanging out. And it would be nice if we could continue to have time alone with each other. Because I really enjoy spending time with you, and I think you enjoy spending time with me too, and I would really like to, you know, spend that time. Together, I mean. So would you like to go out with me? For dinner? Tonight?"
Ok, that maybe came out as much more of a ramble than originally intended, but at least he got the question out. And even though Tony barely breathed through his ramble, he still holds his breath while waiting for Steve's response. Steve, who was now silently looking at him.
And after an excruciatingly long moment, Steve says with a shy smile, "You mean, on a date?"
And Tony let out his breath.
"Well, it would be us going out for dinner, enjoying the presence of each others company, hopefully spending some time together afterwards, maybe go for a walk, or come back here and watch a movie, or just sit somewhere and talk."
And then with a smirk Tony adds, "And then I would walk you to your room, wish you a good night, and," then a wink, "maybe I'll even sneak in a goodbye kiss."
Tony's smirk turns into a smile as Steve blushes.
"So all of that appears to be a very date-shaped evening. So, yes Steve, I mean on a date."
"Dinner tonight would be great," but then Steve's smile fades. "Except I just heard from Fury."
Tony can't help but really hate that man.
"The potential terrorists from yesterdays meeting-"
"Wannabe-Villains," Tony mumbles.
"-have issued a threat against us. Bruce is still on the line with Fury getting more details. He's waiting for us in the living room so we can plan our course of action. But Fury did say he wants us to act tonight."
Then Steve's face softens as he looks at Tony.
"But the mission should be quick and simple. I'm sorry we won't be able to have dinner together tonight, but maybe we can still spend some time together later on?"
Tony raises an amused eyebrow, "You want to skip straight through to the goodnight kiss, huh? That can be arranged. And there is no need to be sorry about tonight, it's just another day in the life of a superhero."
And as the two superheroes leave the lab to meet Bruce upstairs to discuss their latest mission, Tony gives a soft sigh while mentally trashing the original version of the evening's more important mission, Operation Iron-Man's-Night-To-Court-And-Woo-And-Possibly-Eve n-Seduce-The-Cap. But like Steve said, it shouldn't take too long to deal with those amateurs. And when they return home, the revised Operation he is already planning will commence.
Tony can't wait.
x
Review?