AN: If what I write about the places and distances is full of crap then blame google maps. I've never been to USA.
HUGE THANKS FOR REVIEWERS: Maejirase and reckless is a wreck.
CHAPTER 3
They got back to their table and enjoyed the delicious meal with some quite entertaining conversation about fighting styles, movies and things they liked. Then somehow they started to talk about politics and got into a huge fight, even calling each other names! Of course in Steve's case the 'names' were: irresponsible, mindless, ignorant or (Tony's absolute favourite) vulgar; while Tony called him a dick, an asshole, conservative idiot and (just for kicks) a troglodyte.
Steve didn't really mind. He knew his views were a bit old fashioned. He even found it interesting to listen to Tony's opinions but he was also very distracted. What happened behind the bar was so strange. First some people attacked Tony – who turned out to be really good in hand to hand combat - and Steve thought they just tried to rob him. But there were more of them waiting in the alley, like they knew he would be there. Besides Steve still wasn't sure what had happened with about half of them at some point. It was like they were disappearing mysteriously in the shadows one by one while Steve fought with the rest. Could it be that someone was after Tony's life? And then again, was there someone else trying to prevent it? Some invisible ninja, maybe? It was just so weird! And who was Tony anyway? He didn't really know much about him, did he?
Then they were in the speeding car once again; both sulking and pretending to be mad at the other one but in reality they were quite content. With their stomachs full and after a good fist fight they were almost completely happy.
Tony loosened his tie and undid the top buttons of his white shirt. The fair fabric was a stark contrast to the tanned olive skin. Tony had very nice hands with long fingers. His neck was also long and currently exposed very nicely, drawing Steve's attention away from the road. When he looked up again it was already too late. He had no idea why but the car jumped slightly, making Tony hit his head on the ceiling and then the steering wheel was out of Steve's grip. He pushed the break into the floor but the car was spinning. When it finally stopped he panicked.
"TONY! Are you alright? You're bleeding!"
"I'm... fine. I guess... It's just a split lip. What the fuck was that?"
Steve was still unable to look away from the black haired man. He had his hands on Tony's shoulders and was brushing the unruly locks from his forehead. When brown eyes met his he froze and felt like his breath turned back to his lungs, and to his stomach, and even further down to his lower belly... It was weird. He felt sick.
"Steve... "
"Yes, Tony?"
"Don't throw up on me."
Steve blinked and took his hand away from Tony. He tried to unfasten the seatbelt but his hands were shaking too much and the damn device wasn't working.
Tanned manicured hands were suddenly on his pale, shaken ones. Tony released him from the damn belt and cracked an unconvincing smile.
"Calm down, soldier. Just breath. We need to check what that was, alright?"
"Yes sir... I mean, Tony."
Tony chuckled and left the car praying for that thing they've just hit to be a dog or something. Steve was young, and was a good boy. He was idealistic and even though Tony would always make fun of naivety he didn't want Steve to lose it just yet. Or ever. It was strangely refreshing to interact with someone so... different than Tony himself.
It wasn't a dog.
Steve was stumbling out of the car with tears in his blue, innocent eyes. He fell down on his knees and wept beside the unmoving body of a bloodied man.
The Starkphone in Tony's hand burned. He should call the police, but shit... Steve didn't deserve to go to jail. He didn't want that to happen. He didn't want Steve to get in trouble. If he only turned off that fucking phone back then on the plane, they wouldn't be here and THIS would've never happen. The man on the road would be still alive and Steve would made it to his mother's funeral. Tony shouldn't let him drive in that state in the first place! The kid was emotionally exhausted and depressed and... It was all Tony's fault!
"Get in the car. We're leaving."
"What?" Tears were falling down Steve's face like waterfalls. Tony needed to do something to stop it and never see this tears again. He hated when people cried. It was like bleeding – it shouldn't happen.
"Get in the car. From now on I'm driving."
"Tony... We can't. We need to wait for the police." Tony had enough of police for one day and he was in a hurry. Besides he didn't want to see the police anywhere near that silly, idealistic blond!
"They will arrest you. I won't let that happen."
Steve stood up and wiped his face with a sleeve. He looked like an oversized kid. Tony was not amused by the thought of what would happen to him in jail.
"No. I won't leave. I won't run. You should've known that much about me by now." Tony gritted his teeth. This was not the time to be stupidly righteous!
"Steve, this isn't a fight in a school yard. This may ruin your life!"
"Then so be it. I must answer for what I did."
Tony wanted to punch him, to knock him out and take away from this place, far from trouble. He could tie him up and...
"I'm serious, Tony. Call the police."
Tony sighed. There was no room for arguments here. Apparently this was all that Steve Rogers was. All prim and proper, doing the fucking right things. Tony took the phone and dialled the number already planning which one of his lawyers would be the best to lead Steve's defence.
"What have I done...?"
For the first time in his life Tony felt bad for someone. An hour earlier he wanted to crush Steve's ideals and laugh at his optimism. Now the wheel of fortune seemed to be rubbing it in his face.
"I'm sorry Tony. I may not be able to keep my promise after all."
"What?"
"I promised I would take you to New York for the baby-"
"Benjamin!" Tony wanted to lift the atmosphere a bit.
"Yea... little Banjamin and-"
"STEVE! Just... shut up. I have the best lawyers in the fucking world. I'll get you out of this, you hear me?" Tony stepped closer. He really wanted to assure Steve with something more than just words.
"Thank you, Tony. But it's too late. He's dead... And it's my fault."
"It wasn't your fault! What the fuck was he doing in the middle of the road anyway? This is crazy! It wasn't your fault!"
Steve knew it wasn't true. He wasn't paying attention to the road; at all! It was his fault and he would take responsibility for what he had done.
His mother was dead and he was going to jail.
He felt a hand sneaking into his bigger palm. It wasn't as soft as he thought it would be, but Steve only found it even more assuring. Tony was strong and Steve liked strong people.
He looked up at the clear blue sky. So this was what laid ahead for him... It was kind of ironic. You never know what life has in store for you. Steve always thought he would fight and die for his country but in the end he became a margin of his dear beloved society.
At least he was able to meet Tony. He squeezed his hand tighter.
It made him happy but there was also this stabbing pain in his guts. He wished he had a time to get to know him better. He just knew that there was more to Tony than what the man showed. He was mysterious and somehow he was able to calm Steve down by just being there. Even though Steve knew that his situation was hopeless he still found some consolation in the older man's words; and his touch. He wanted to believe him. He wanted to... Without thinking he pulled the brunette closer and suddenly there was no space left between their bodies. They were standing there in the middle of a road hugging like a pair of miraculously reunited lovers.
Tony was surprised when his chin rested so easily on Steve's shoulder. He thought the man was much taller than him but the difference wasn't really that significant. Apparently he just looked really dashing in the uniform. He felt Steve's wet cheek pressing to his and nose nuzzling slightly his ear made him hum in content. He closed his eyes and tightened his embrace around Steve's waist. He didn't mind an epaulet stabbing his chin because having Steve in his arms was better than anything.
When they heard sirens Steve could only think about Tony's hands and his smell. He didn't want to let go. He would lost Tony forever pretty soon and this... this was probably their last moments together. He buried his face in Tony's neck and gasped feeling him shiver in his arms.
When the police came Tony was talking a lot, but Steve didn't pay attention. He felt dizzy. Someone died because of him and Tony was about to disappear from his life for good.
There were police cars and an ambulance. Tony was holding his hand the whole time. Then some other cars appeared. There were a lot of people talking and shouting. Tony was shouting a lot at everyone. Then he talked to someone who called himself Agent Burton and suddenly he was dragging Steve along with him to their rented car.
"What...? What are you doing, Tony?"
"Didn't you hear them? The guy was dead! We called the police, we did the right thing, but he was fucking dead for almost two hours! You didn't kill him, Steve. They can't do shit to you and won't even try. They know my lawyers would eat them alive."
"You mean... I'm free...?"
Steve was staring at Tony still not catching. Could this really be true? A moment ago his life was officially over and now it wasn't? How? He didn't kill anyone? And Tony was still with him.
"No offence Cap, but now I'm driving!"
Tony was smirking but his eyes held raw emotions, some traces of fear and relief but Steve couldn't really tell just yet. The man was a mystery. He was mean and offending to Steve so many times, but when Steve needed help - Tony was there, ready for anything. Hell, he was ready to help Steve escape the law! And when Steve refused he still stayed with him, offering his lawyers, explaining the situation, talking to and even threatening the police. He may have acted like a total asshole most of times, but when Steve needed him, he did everything to fix the situation. And he did great! He played the cool, cynical and uncaring guy, but in the end proved to be something quite opposite. It wasn't just interesting anymore. It was amazing.
Tony really was something.
TBC.
