Author's Note: Next chapter! I was working on a complete raunchy one shot, hopefully looking to have that up sometime this week, also have a concept for another multichapter one kicking around in my head, but with the holidays coming up not sure if I'll get time to get going one it. For now enjoy the next installment.
Love Run Cold
Chapter 4 – Second Date
Steve was thinking it was all going rather well as they settled into the theatre, rather excited to be at the cinema. He hadn't been to one since he'd gone to see one of the movies he had starred in. Tony was busy eating popcorn and people watching. Going to a movie was always a great social experiment; his gaze locking on a particularly interesting couple. A girl and boy, probably early twenties, walking close but not holding hands. They seemed shy and embarrassed as they moved up the rows. Opting to sit in their row, aTony nudged Steve, "First date I think going on there," he said chuckling. The blonde glanced to where Tony had gestured, curious, "You think?" the other nodded, "Oh yeah."
The seats filled and the lights dimmed, previews beginning to play, all of them showcasing new upcoming horror movies. Steve found himself jumping in a couple of spots. Trying to vainly to hide his reaction from Tony, the too perceptive man already well aware of what was going on.
Within the first five minutes of the movie Steve was terrified. Slowly slouching in his seat he gripped the arm rests tightly, trying not to close his eyes when he thought it was about to get scary. Tony glanced at the blonde, wondering yet again why on Earth had he picked this movie? "Steve do want to leave?" he leaned in close whispering in his ear, the other man shook his head. "No, no I'm fine," he assured him just as softly, trying to smile bravely, "I-if your scared you can hold my hand," he stuttered eyes darting to the screen. Shaking his head ruefully Tony gently took a big hand in his warm one, holding the cool palm.
Steve leaned into the touch burying his face in Tony's shoulder every so often, the billionaire vainly trying to pretend he was just a friend giving comfort to another friend and noting more. Still having Steve so close to him was playing hell with his emotions. When the movie finally ended, Tony spent the entire way home assuring Steve it wasn't real, despite what they said in the movie. Though the big man insisted he hadn't been scared at all.
The Tower dark and quite when they returned, the others no doubt already in their rooms. "You ummm…heading to the lab?" Steve asked softly, the idea of being along in his dark room currently terrifying, his imagination all ready conjuring up all sorts of scary things. "Nope think I'll turn in," Tony could plainly see Steve was worried, he was wondering if the big man was going to admit to it or not.
They walked quietly up the stairs Steve pausing at his door as Tony headed to his, the soldier standing before the wood indecisive. The billionaire glanced at him hiding his smile, opening his own door he called out casually, "Come on then Spangles room enough in my bed." Eager Steve turned to him, "Really?" he asked hope in those big eyes, chuckling Tony disappeared inside tugging off his shirt the blue glow freed from its cover lighting up the room. "Yes come on." Steve didn't need to be told twice.
-#-#-#-
"Why does Cap look so gloomy?" Natasha leaned against her partner, Clint chuckling, "He's been trying to put the moves on Tony." Auburn brows shot upwards, "You don't say…how's that working?" the archer could barely contain his mirth, "I told Steve to take him to a horror movie." Natasha grinned, "Good one, but I think I can do better," Hawkeye gestured, "By all means; and by the way Capt hasn't admitted its Tony yet." The Russian winked as she entered the training room. "Hey Capt," she called trying to contain her laughter as the Captain turned to her. "What can I do for you?" he asked cordially, she tried to smile winningly at him, "More like what I can do for you." Steve was confused, and a little leery the women was scary at the best of times.
"I hear your working on…umm…how to put this, courting someone?" Steve blushed a little looking away, "Yes." She smiled widely at him, vaguely reminding him of a snake, "The movie thing, cliché way over done. You want something special, something they will remember." Steve was nodding eagerly, this all sounded promising, "Good here's the address." She passed him a slip of paper, "Good luck stud." She called leaving the room and rejoining Clint.
"Where'd you send him?" the wiry man asked curiously, she grinned widely, "The kids Carnival," her smile was pure evil. "You are an evil genius," he muttered beginning to chuckle, Natasha bowed mockingly.
Inside Steve eagerly dug out his phone, last nights movie hadn't gone according to plan per-say, but he did end up sleeping with Tony again. He blushed, he was fast becoming addicted to sleeping in the same bed at the smaller man, Tony was always so warm. The heat and light he gave off were a comfort to him at night. When he woke from the dreams of ice and cold he wasn't alone, he was safe, that steady glow telling him so. Smiling softly he carefully punched in the numbers.
"Stark," came the brisk reply, on the second ring, Steve smiled he sounded professional he must working on something important, "Just me Tony catch you at a bad time?" He heard what sounded like paper rustling, "Nothing I would gladly put off, what can I do you for o'spandex one?" Blushing the big man cleared his throat, "Ummm you busy tonight?" Tony smiled at the other end, "No to my knowledge, why?" there was a brief pause, "Did you want to maybe go somewhere with me?" he ventured, Tony was surprised and little excited another date with Steve, no way he was saying no, "Sure thing, want me to pick you up after work?" They made plans to meet, before hanging up.
Tony looked at his cell curiously, if he didn't know any better he would have thought Steve was trying to work him…but that couldn't be could it? He had already rationalized last night to himself; in the bright light of day clearly Steve was just trying to get a taste for the new era. Tony was just along for the ride. Not that he had minded, he and Steve sharing a bed was by no means a hardship. Steve didn't complain he was to hot, didn't complain about his too bright light. Best of all, the big guy was a cuddlier; his only issue with the arrangement was the raging hard on he woke with. Still waking with Steve pressed against his back a big hand resting firmly on the blue glow in his chest. It was nice…Tony could easily get used to it.
Dark eyes closed, "Dangerous thoughts Stark," he muttered shaking his head to clear it. "Steve is a friend and just because he wants to go out again," sighing he pushed away for his desk returning to Steve's uniform. It was almost completed, few more tweaks, and then a test run. After all he didn't want to set Captain America on fire, just wanted to keep him warm.
Several hours later found Tony showered dressed, and waiting outside SHIELD for his 'date'. Ever prompt Steve didn't keep him waiting, the dark haired man impressed as the broad man approached. He was wearing jeans today, a dark blue button shirt, it was a little old mannish but not as bad as his usual fair. Tony had been dying to try and get him into something a little more modern, really though it didn't matter what he wore; Steve was gorgeous. "Hi Tony, hope I didn't keep you waiting," the billionaire smiled, "Not at all, where we headed?" Steve grinned pulling out a piece of paper; old school, "Here." He looked proud; Tony glanced at the address recognizing it in a heartbeat. Holding back the weary sigh he glanced at the other man, "You sure?" Tony looking steadily into excited blue eyes, folding like a cheap rug, "Alright lets go."
Steve unsure where they where headed, was excited when they approached, it was a Carnival! Natasha had been right this was defiantly better. More then happy he recognized something in this time. Tony wasn't sure why the big guy was so happy this place was cheap, full of children, and the games as crooked as they came…still he supposed they where probably be the same in his time. "Look spun sugar!" he hurried over, Tony hands in pockets could help the twitch of his lips.
They wandered the grounds Steve's eyes everywhere at once, tugging Tony this way and that it was almost like being out with a big six year old. They fit right in as the place crawling with kids, "Tony look!" he yelled pointing towards a game. It was a cheap carnival game, the man running it greasy and unkempt who would shank you as soon as look at you. "What am I looking at?" he asked, Steve pointed, to the stuffed toys, strings of poorly mass produced plushies of Captain America and Iron Man. There was no way he…blue eyes where staring at them with something akin to wonder, "Tony look there are stuffed toys of us, have you ever seen such a thing?" he said softly. The dark haired man sighed, "Steve there are action figures of us, you've had an action figure for years…" he looking at the toys amazed, "Really?"
Tony knew that look; it was the look he had no doubt, was going to be his downfall. "Ok, ok blue eyes," he mumbled. They approached the skeezer running the booth, "What do I have to do to win this?" he asked looking at the milk bottles. "Just have to knock them all down," the man smiled greasily as Tony put his money down. Despite what the others may have thought Tony spent a great deal of time working out, jogging, boxing…it just didn't broadcast the fact. It was a great way to clear his head, especially if he was working on particularly tricky project. So it wasn't surprising when his accurate throw seemed to connect solidly with all three cans. Only two toppled.
"Oh tough luck, try again," Tony was glaring at the carnie, and if looks could kill. "Are you kidding me?" he growled still glaring he leaned towards Steve, "Games rigged, he's got one bottle bolted to the platform." Shocked Steve shot him a look; "Really?" nodding the smaller man glanced at the smarmy booth operator. Steve set his jaw then, walking up to the game handed over his money he picked up the baseball eyeing the cans. His arm came down quickly and the cans flew off the platform, well at least two did, the third shattered leaving behind only the bolted base. The man running the booth looked shocked, and suddenly very worried. Tony grinned, ever ready too rub salt in the wound, he glanced at Steve speaking loudly, "Wow Steve great hit, looks like that last bottle though was attached to the platform." The few families around them having seen the throw where gathering. The slimy man hissed, "Please just leave…" he begged, Tony crossed his sinewy arms, "Not without my prize…"
They walked away then laughing as curios onlookers where yelling at the man in the booth no doubt having been duped out of their money earlier. Tony glanced at the tall man holding the small plushies in his hand, dwarfed in the large palms, "Thanks Tony," he said smiling the other man shrugged, "You did all the hard work Super Soldier, I think he needed to be taught a lesson anyway." Grinning the pair moved on staying away from the other games, but enjoying some greasy fair food, looking at the sideshows, fake and rather dull. They paused near the ferries wheel, "Go for a ride?" Tony asked gesturing.
Tony had never been a fan of carnivals, and this one in particular was rather bad, but today hadn't been all that bad mainly because of Captain America. They sat squeezed together in the small ride, as they began to spin upwards. "I'm sorry," Steve said softly, he looked out gloomily as their cart circled on the wheel. "What for?" Tony asked sitting back rocking the cart a little, Steve moved a little closer to him "This is kind of…" he trailed off, Tony laughed lightly, "Crappy?" he offered Steve half smiled. "It's not all bad," Tony smiled at him winningly, "The company has been nice." Steve laughed then as they looked out across the dark horizon to the lights of the city. They circled around again dropping, the rest of the ride silent each lost in thought.
Steve thinking that once more the date had not going as well as he had hoped, it hadn't been awful but it hadn't been the great time he'd hoped for. Tony was wondering if he would once more be sharing his bed with the big man, seriously toying with the idea of blowing up his bed in some manner. It was full dark when the ride ended, the night growing colder. Steve shivered, Tony glanced at him wanting to laugh, the guy had to be wearing what looked like three solid layers of clothing. "Time to go," Tony said softly, cranking the heat in the car all the way home.
