"Sir. Captain Rogers is here to see you."
It had been almost a week since The Avengers had stopped Loki's attack on New York City. After being debriefed about the fight, Tony had returned to what was left of Stark Tower and began to rebuild. He hadn't been in touch with any of the other Avengers since then, so it was a surprise to have Captain America turn up on his doorstep.
Tony wasn't entirely sure why the good Captain was there, but he certainly wanted to find out. If anything, this would give him the chance to show him some of the designs he had been working on for his shield and uniform.
"Captain."
"Mr. Stark. May I come in?"
"Of course," Tony replied.
Steve stepped inside, his eyes taking in the space. It may not have been as impressive as SHIELD's flying fortress, but the Stark Tower was certainly something to behold.
"So, what brings you here?" Tony asked, shutting the door behind him. "Did we have a mission SHIELD forgot to tell me about or…"
Steve cut him off.
"No. No mission. I…wanted to apologize."
Tony's eyebrows rose in surprise. He gestured for him to continue.
"I don't know you, Mr. Stark. And I made a lot of assumptions about you that I shouldn't have. What you did the other day with that missile…"
He trailed off, eyes glancing up to meet Tony's. "I misjudged you and I was wrong to say the things I did. So, I'm sorry."
Steve looked so sincere, it was impossible for Tony to think of anything to say except, "Thank you. But, you know, you're not the only one who said some things they probably shouldn't have. I'm…sorry as well."
The words felt strange and unfamiliar rolling off his tongue. He wondered if Steve understood that apologies weren't really something that he did. But, he felt he needed to say it in this case. Steve had touched a few nerves with some of his statements, but he couldn't have known the effect they would have and calling him a lab experiment…was probably a bit extreme.
"Thank you, Mr. Stark. I appreciate that," Steve said, drawing Tony out of his reverie.
"Mr. Stark was my father, Captain. Please, call me Tony," he replied.
Tony could see a flicker of emotion pass over the other man's face at the reference to Howard, but it was gone so quickly he almost could have imagined it.
"Only if you call me Steve."
Tony smiled.
"Do you have anywhere to be? Because I've been working on some additions to the Captain America uniform if you're interested in seeing the lab."
"Uh…no. Nowhere to be. I'd be glad to see it."
They spent the rest of the afternoon in the basement, Tony showing Steve his new designs and teaching him some basic computer skills. When he left that night, Tony sent him off with a new tablet (because honestly, he doubted SHIELD gave him any good tech to play with). They still weren't friends, but it was a better start then they had before. And just maybe, in time, they would get there.
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