Resolution

"Hmmm..." Steve said, swiping a finger against his bottom lip as he drug his eyes over Tony's body, imaging everything he'd like to do to it and then up swept them back up, melding with stunned brown eyes as he flashed the other man an inviting smile. "Let me know when you want to resolve that."

And then with a quick quirk of lips, he turned on his heel, blatantly ignoring the strangled breath and eyes boring into his back as he walked out the elevator doors, barely quelling a chuckle at the muffled cursing that followed as they slid shut. Let him chew on that for awhile.

Rolling his shoulders, Steve stared at the common room area, wondering what to do now. When they left the helicarrier, Steve had intended to go up to his apartment, change into his sweats and get a little training time in; but then he and Tony had gotten into that ridiculous argument and he'd hit the wrong button in his distraction.

He supposed he could just call the elevator back, but he was no longer in the mood for sparring or a run. Not with the images that Tony had seared into his brain running a continuous loop, teasing with everything he'd fantasized about and more. The cheeky bastard.

And speaking of elevators, Steve turned, raising a brow when he realized that the car had yet to resume its destination to the labs or up to the penthouse.

"JARVIS, is something wrong?" Steve asked, reflexively looking towards the ceiling despite knowing that JARVIS didn't actually reside there.

"Sir has yet to ask for a new destination, and indeed, seems to be torn on what to do next," the AI replied, an undercurrent of amusement running through the words.

"Really?"

Steve hummed under his breath, studying the doors with renewed interest. He hadn't really expected Tony to act so soon, if that were the case. Typically, when confronted with anything he didn't understand or expect, one could expect Tony to hole up in his labs for hours, if not days, trying to reach a decision or understanding. That he hadn't...well, Steve couldn't help but wonder at that.

Curiosity had always been his downfall.

"Perhaps, I'll just wait here then," Steve said, slouching against the wall.

"I wholeheartedly approve of that action, Captain."

Steve gave a low chuckle at that comment, having long come to appreciate the artificial intelligence's manner. He and JARVIS had reached a mutual accord within weeks of Steve's moving into the tower when it became apparent that Steve was an ally in keeping his master alive and well. Since then, JARVIS has been happy to go along with Steve's schemes as long as they benefited Tony.

And it seemed he had approval in this as well.

Leaning further into the wall, Steve couldn't help thinking back to what brought everything to a head in the first place.

"So, let's see if I'm getting this right," Steve pursed his lips thoughtfully, "I put in a good word for you, and you'll help me with my...how did you put it..." Steve paused for a moment as he tried to recall Sharon's exact wording. "Oh, yes; my 'Stark problem.'"

"You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours," Sharon said with a shrug.

"But seriously, Natasha?" Steve studied Sharon a bit apprehensively. Not because he thought they wouldn't be a good match - actually, he thought they were well suited for each other - but it was Natasha, who terrified him on her best days.

But to get help with Tony...it just might be worth it. They had been doing this weird dancing around each other for weeks now, with Tony stubbornly resisting every opportunity to take things to the next level; likely because he was worried about the impact on the team or some other disaster he'd built up in that genius, but, frankly, ridiculous mind of his.

Not to mention, if things weren't resolved soon, he was certain it would result in a not-so-pleasant team intervention. The last time they had one of their little sparring-slash-bantering slash-flirting-but-not-quite-flirting things, he'd heard Clint muttering viciously under his breath about 'stubborn asses' and 'unresolved sexual tension' and how he was just going to 'shoot one of them in the ass Cupid-style if this shit doesn't end soon.'

He wasn't too keen on that.

"Have you seen what she can do with a bobby pin? I swear even Fury was practically whimpering by the end of that exercise. It was even more impressive than Phil and the paperclip."

"Point," Steve conceded, still feeling a bit hesitant, but he really was at a loss as to how to get through to Tony. The man seemed determined to keep his blinders on no matter the evidence thrown at him. "All right, I'm in; when do we start."

"Oh, but Captain, we already have," Sharon replied, a brief smirk flitting across her face before her features softened, taking on a slightly giddy expression. Steve arched a brow at that answer, prompting Sharon to place a hand on Steve's arm and raise up on tiptoe to whisper in his ear. "Your boy is just down the hall."

Steve flicked his eyes down the hall, and sure enough, Tony was hovering in the shadows, a dark scowl on his face. Looking back at Sharon with smile, he continued to watch Tony from the corner of his eye, laughing internally at the other man's antics. Tony was slouching against the wall, phone in hand, studying it with a fierce frown, and stabbing at the buttons occasionally, all on the pretense that he was preoccupied by whatever was on the screen.

But Steve knew better; knew Tony better than that.

He knew all of Tony's tells, and the man in question was most definitely not paying attention to his phone; and, in fact, his focus was all for the conversation taking place between he and Sharon. And judging by the scalding looks Tony darted their way - well, actually more like Sharon's way - he was not happy in the least.

"You are a terrifying woman," Steve said, grinning down into her upturned face, adding a flirtatious edge to it just to play up his part. He hadn't even noticed that Tony had joined them, enhanced hearing and all. He didn't even want to know how she knew he was there. "Wonderful, but completely terrifying. I'm not sure if I want to unleash this kind of madness on the world. Between you and Tasha..."

"You have no idea," Sharon purred, sliding her fingers over his arm, a mischievous twinkle in her eye, and Steve just barely bit back a chuckle when an indignant snort sounded down the hall. "And if you did..."

"You'd have to kill me," Steve finished ruefully, and then lowered his lashes so that he was studying her through them. Laughter danced in her eyes as she knew what he was doing, and he couldn't help a darting another glance Tony's way.

Tony looked murderous. He looked like he was trying to burn Sharon alive with his thoughts alone and Steve couldn't help but feel grateful that he didn't have that power. Glancing back at Sharon, he knew he was just asking for trouble, fanning the flames so to speak, but he couldn't resist. Much as he liked him, Tony could be a real idiot, and utterly oblivious to what was going on right in front of his face, sometimes.

"You know us so well," Sharon said, amusement lacing her tone as she leaned further into his personal space. "You do realize that Stark's currently staring daggers at me. I mean, really Steve; if looks could kill, I would be splattered all over the floor right now."

Steve hummed in agreement and leaned in as well, and wow the heat of Tony's wrath was near blistering, his glare scorching over his skin as he did so. He could practically hear Tony's teeth grinding together from here; not to mention that, Steve was surprised (and impressed) that Tony hadn't shattered his screen with the way he was beating on the poor thing.

"Subtlety has never been Tony's thing."

"I would have never guessed," Sharon deadpanned.

"Well, he is just so..." Steve began, but paused when Tony cleared his throat loudly. Biting back a chuckle again, Steve looked up with a questioning smile as Tony stalked toward them.

"Steve," Tony said, his voice tight as he greeted him, and then chilling, cold as an Arctic winter, when he addressed Sharon. "Agent."

"Oh, hey Tony," Steve said, smiling his best 'I am Captain America and I would never troll my friends' smile. "I didn't know you were still here."

"Yes, well you would have hardly noticed now would you?" Tony muttered snidely. Steve knew he wasn't meant to hear that part, but super soldier hearing.

"What?" Steve asked, his face the picture of perfect innocence, knowing that it would both grate on Tony's nerves and he wouldn't see past it in his current mood.

Honestly, Steve really didn't understand why people fell for it. He had been through one of the worst wars in history. He grew up in the slums in Brooklyn. Hell, Bucky Barnes was his best friend, and if that didn't clue people into his lack of naiveté, he didn't know what would.

"Nothing," Tony said, an insincere smile stretching across his face, even as he continued to burn holes into the fingers gently clasping his wrist. "I was tasked with getting you home; Avengers business, you know."

"But I thought..." Steve trailed off when Tony's eyes snapped away from Sharon's hand, and pinned him place. And God, were they gorgeous, glowing a brilliant bronze in his suppressed fury. It sent a shiver tripping down his spine, and all he could think was, 'I want.'

"You thought wrong," Tony replied, his tone clipped as he gestured between the two of them. "So, if you're quite done here."

"Sure," Steve said easily, and then turned to Sharon with a warm smile, knowing that he should get Tony out of here before he caused an even bigger scene. He liked playing with fire, but he's fairly certain Fury would kill him he unleashed the inferno known as Tony Stark on his helicarrier. He wasn't that brave. "I guess I need to go; it was great talking to you, Sharon. We'll finish this later...?"

"Sure thing, Steve," Sharon said as she squeezed his arm, her eyes dancing with laughter through a coy sweep of lashes. "Call me?"

"Definitely," Steve agreed, placing a hand over hers and giving it a tiny squeeze.

"Talk to you later then," Sharon said, pressing a chaste kiss against his cheek, and he swore one of Tony's teeth cracked. Or maybe that had finally been the poor phone that he had a death grip on. Pulling away, Sharon nodded at Tony as she turned to walk away. "Stark."

"Agent," Tony bit out, glowering at her back for a moment before turning back to him.

"After you," Steve offered, gesturing towards the hall with his hand. Tony merely pressed his lips together and walked down the hall in front of him, giving Steve one last chance to turn around and catch Sharon's eye over his shoulder.

'You owe me,' Sharon mouthed with a smirk. Steve winked and gave a little wave before quickly following Tony out the door.

Steve couldn't really remember most of the conversation after they'd left; most of it had been nonsensical due to Tony's seething jealous streak (which he found oddly attractive). He should feel bad about tricking Tony; he really shouldn't have played him like that, but if it got him results, he wasn't going to complain.

Yawning, Steve stretched and then let his arms fall back down, crossed them back over his chest and slumped against the wall just in time for the elevator door to swish open, spewing forth a testy brunet.

"You want resolution? I'll show you resolution, Captain Sassypants," Tony muttered under his breath, storming out of the elevator in high dudgeon, and then froze when he spotted Steve, the venomous tirade dying on his tongue.

They stared at each other for a long moment; Steve waiting Tony out to see if he was going to follow through with that muttered threat, and Tony likely because he hadn't expected Steve to be waiting for him and now didn't know what to do with it. Finally, when it became obvious Tony still wasn't going to make a move, Steve sighed internally and smiled placidly.

"Need something, Tony?" Steve asked, arching a brow in challenge.

And that seemed to snap the other man out of his fugue.

"Do I need...you...I..." Tony spluttered and stared at him incredulously for another long drawn out moment, apparently wondering if Steve had lost his mind. And then something shifted. Tony's lips pursed, eyes sharpened, and the ire visibly drained from his expression as he tried to puzzle something out. And then his spine straightened, and his gaze narrowed, a suspicious light dawning as he studied Steve's face.

"You played me."

And honest to God, he couldn't have sounded more betrayed by that realization; but whether it was due to Steve's actions or just the simple fact that he'd fallen for it, was up for grabs.

"Did I?" Steve smirked; and decided to stay right where he was and let the other man come to him for once. God knows that Steve has spent a lot of time chasing Tony down with little result these past few weeks.

Tony just gaped, obviously dumbstruck by the idea that he'd fallen so neatly into Steve's trap.

He'd known Tony would eventually figure it out. Tony could be a bit oblivious at times, but he wasn't a stupid man. Quite the opposite actually, and Steve knew he had given quite a lot of the game away when he'd challenged Tony in the elevator. He'd known Tony would see through his act once he'd calmed enough to think things through.

But damned if it wasn't satisfying to watch nonetheless.

"You unspeakable bastard, you played me," Tony reiterated, a bit awed now; and Steve could practically see Tony putting all the pieces together in his head.

"Someone wasn't taking a hint," Steve stated calmly.

"I can't believe you played me," Tony said, his indignation growing once more as he stalked over to Steve and pressed into Steve's personal space. "You...you can't do that! This...this is unacceptable. You are Captain America! You're supposed to be the pinnacle of all that is wholesome and righteous and guileless and pure and honest. And...and...wholesome! Not some sly, sneaky, devious thing. You..."

Steve internally rolled his eyes, letting Tony's tirade roll over him, intent on letting him wind down before he even attempted to talk sense to the other man; but Tony just kept blathering on, working himself into a fine snit until Steve finally leaned in and pressed his lips to Tony's, cutting off the flow of words.

The kiss wasn't anything like what he'd expected. Up until that moment, if someone had asked, he would have said that Tony Stark kissed like he did everything else - fast, hot and furious, with an intensity that left you gasping for air by the time he was done. But this kiss was oddly hesitant, as if Tony couldn't quite believe it was happening.

And it was a contradiction of textures - soft, warm lips met with the harsher rasp of facial hair, the slick, languid slide of tongue a counterpoint to the sharp nip of teeth. Steve hummed against Tony's lips, deepening the kiss when Tony's breath hitched and his lips parted on a confused sound. Steve licked into Tony's mouth, a swirl of tongue that teased along the other man's and stroked, tangled with Tony's until the man all but melted against him.

Drawing away to drag in a breath, Steve slit his eyes, a spike of lust jolting down his spine at the sight of Tony - eyes closed, thick lashes trembling against flushed cheeks and a wet, kiss bitten mouth slightly parted - and he couldn't think of anything but 'I want.' Butting his nose against Tony's, Steve nudged the other man's head into a better position before sinking back into his mouth, his blood sizzling when a low groan spilled down his throat.

Sliding his fingers into the short curls at the nape of Tony's neck, Steve tugged, smirking when the motion was met with a choked cry and then...then Tony was all action, obviously done with playing a passive part. And this time it was Steve that moaned as impatient hands slid over his shoulders, down his torso, and over his hips, and fingers dug into them, dragging him closer, until sweat-dampened cloth all but melded together.

And that's when Tony's kiss became the hard, fiery thing that Steve imagined - all hungry kisses and sharp nips, and a fight for dominance, flavored with the sharp taste of Scotch and metal and a hint of coconut, making him ache for a deeper taste.

Flicking the top buttons of Tony's shirt opened, Steve chased his fingers with his lips, pressing hot, wet kisses along the column of Tony's neck, down to the juncture of it and an olive-toned collarbone, and sunk his teeth into the meat before flicking his tongue over it, drawing an incoherent string of babble from Tony.

Glancing over at the elevator, Steve came to a swift decision and palmed Tony's ass, cupping and lifting as he wrapped Tony's legs around his waist and headed towards the still open doors.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck..." Tony mumbled, his lips sliding over any patch of bared skin they could reach, his legs and arms cinching around Steve as they moved. "That...that should not be so hot. This should not be a turn on because I am a big boy and I can get there on my own two feet, Steve; but Jesus fucking Christ. What are you even..."

Steve pressed Tony against the back wall of the elevator car when they entered, equally torn between lust as their cocks ground against each other, sending flames licking over his nerves and fond exasperation because Tony just would not shut up.

"Tony?" Steve said, cutting through the other man's rambling.

"Hmmmm?" And it came out as a low desperate hum that just made Steve want to pin Tony to the wall and fuck him right then and there. But bed.

"Shut up," he demanded before turning to look over his shoulder at the hidden camera that was certain to be there. "Penthouse, JARVIS."