The tower was supposed to have been empty that day.
It seemed that every Avenger had family to visit or a vacation to take, a weapons convention to go to or a research group to join.
Everyone except Steven Rogers.
Having lived in the 1940's and been forced against his will into the 2000's, Steve's social circle had shrunk considerably. So while his teammates went out to visit their friends and family, Steve resigned himself to drinking lots of coffee and catching up on over sixty years of reruns.
Of course after awhile he found himself looking over to the cellphone Tony had bought for him, "just in case". He knew his teammates were busy but he couldn't help but consider sending one of them a message. He had never liked being alone, even before his parents died and all his friends went off to fight the war. Of course once he enlisted he'd never had a lonely day since.
Until he ended up in the wrong time with people that moved too fast for him.
Steve sighed and gave into the temptation, picking up the phone and clumsily attempting to navigate the touch screen.
How are things going, Tony?
He looked at the message, it seemed too polite. Too forties. He sent it anyway. It only took about twenty seconds for Tony to reply.
Giving a demonstration of the armor at the expo. Thanks, you just helped me to show off the voice to text communications. Also I'm fighting robotic dogs. Some poor sonofabitch thought he could take me on. Hence demonstration.
Steve chuckled, imagining the cocky look that was no doubt spreading over Tony's face. He was a chip off the old block, and in some ways even smarter than his father. Though it was good to see that the Stark pride was same as ever.
Steve's phone gave a jaunty beep again as another text came in.
What are you up to, star spangled? If you don't answer with 'picking up hotties at the local bar' I will have to come over there. Even worse, don't tell me you're just sitting around wallowing in loneliness.
"Damn." Steve whistled. He was surprisingly and almost hurtfully spot on.
I don't date anymore. He typed out slowly, having to pause several times to fix spelling errors with a frown.
Bullshit, and a sin. Tony replied, and his replies didn't end there.
You can't keep that fine ass locked up inside.
Did I mention I was giving a demonstration right now? Now everyone at the expo knows about your sweet ass of freedom.
Whoops, the secret is out.
Steve rolled his eyes, and was about to think of something witty and angry to say when the next message came in.
How about you, me, and that new place down the street. My treat. I don't trust you with new prices.
Steve considered it, though a few miles away Tony was regretting sending that last message and hoping that the super soldier might take it as a joke to save his pride. He was also fighting robotic dogs in front of a couple hundred of his fans while flirting out loud with an Avengers teammate but that wasn't as important.
Alright, but I don't think I can trust the billionaire to carry small bills. I'll handle the tip.
Though both men were miles away, at that moment they both smiled.
Awesome. Wear something pretty. Who am I kidding you look good in everything?
Maybe we can make this a regular thing?
You know purely for your sake, you poor old lonely man you.
Hang on, I got distracted talking to you and now the dogs are...
-GET OFF ME FUCKERS.
JARVIS turn off message relay system!