A/N: What? A chapter that's on time? Where did that come from?

Steve ran his hand through Tony's dripping hair. His boyfriend was currently resting against him-chest to back-while his head was nested in the crook of Steve's neck. They were in their too small bathtub with the water quickly cooling. He once again cupped his hand under the water and brought it up to Tony's tilted forehead, letting the liquid run down his hair. "Does your eye feel okay?"

"Mmn-hmm."

"We need to get ice on it after this."

"Alright."

Steve frowned. After Pepper and Rhodey had left, Tony had been eerily calm. The was no snark, no talking back. He had just let Steve pull him into the bathroom and sat on the edge while Rogers had filled the tub.

"Are you sure you're feeling okay?"

"I mean, my eye's a little sore, but yeah, nothing really hurts."

"You seem... off, Tony."

He moved to press a kiss into Steve's jaw line. "I'll be fine."

That's another thing Steve had noticed. Tony never said he was ok. He said he was going to be ok. And that scared Steve shitless. He was pulled out of his thoughts when Tony laughed. In shock, he stared down at him.

Sensing his boyfriend's confusion, Tony explained. "I mean, how surprised are you ? Really?"

"What?"

"Don't tell me you didn't see this coming." Tony looked up at Steve with one eyebrow raised. For a second, Steve though they were talking about something mundane and expected. Then his eyes fell on Tony's partially swollen face.

"Tony... don't-"

"What?"

"Don't say things like that. You're scaring me."

"Well, what else did you expect? I mean, I wasn't a golden child to begin with, and now this. The guy was going to go off the deep end sooner or later."

"But you don't..." Steve licked his lips. "You don't regret this, do you?"

The humor and false spirit quickly left Tony as unexpectedly as it came. He once again faced Steve. "No. No, of course not. Never."

Steve cleared his throat and looked towards the door. "Alright."

"No, Steve, look at me." And he did. "I don't-look. If Howard doesn't like this, than he can go screw himself, alright? That's-whatever. He didn't like me to begin with. I love you and that's all that matters here." He turned around, not seeing Steve's surprised expression. Until it dawned on him. The room seemed 100x quieter. "Shit."

"Tony-"

"I'm going out for a while."

"Tony!" But with speed Steve didn't know was possible, Tony was out the door and grabbing clothes. Once he heard the door close, Steve leased back in the tub. He blew a stream of air up towards the ceiling.

It's been an entire year and he just now admits it, Steve though. He understood that Tony wasn't good with emotions, and he understood why. But he couldn't just wait around for another minute?

"I love you, too."

Tony was currently speeding down towards his favorite bar. Well, it wasn't his favorite, but it was one where no one will ask about the black eye, or why he was around in the first place. He hit a red light and leaned back in his seat.

What are you doing, Stark? Go back and talk to him! But the light turned green, and Tony continued on.

Once he was in the parking lot, he turned off the engine and sat in the car for a few minutes. Unknowingly mirroring what his partner had previously done, Tony huffed at the ceiling. He was resting for five more minutes before someone tapped on the window's glass. He gave them a sideways look before sitting up right.

"Tony! Hey! I knew that was you!" His warm breath fogged up the glass and Tony smiled.

"What's up, Clint?" He opened the door and stepped out into the December air.

"Whoa. What happened to your eye?"

Tony moved his hand to feel the tentative cheek bone. "Um. Past hook-up, y'know? Bumped into her earlier with Steve."

"Oh, he must hate that."

"Yeah, he was pretty pissed. But hey, c'mon. Let's go in. I'll buy you a beer." He jerked his head at the doubled doors advertising happy hour.

Clint bit his lip and looked toward the bar. "Wish I could, but Phil's actually in the car."

He tried not to let his disappointing show. "Oh! Where you guys headed?"

"Well, I'm going to archery range and he's gonna read, I guess."

"Hmm. Don't let me stop you."

"I could stay for just-like-one beer."

"No, seriously, go on. Coulson will kill me if I let you keep him waiting."

"Clint smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "Alright. Just call if you need a ride, kay?"

"Got it." Tony winked and then smiled at Clint until he turned round, then headed up towards the bar.

It was half an hour later that Steve had his phone out in his hands. He'd usually would let Tony cool off and then talk about it at home, but with the days advents, he was worried.

Steve took in a big breath and held it before sighing it out and dialing Tony's number. He held the cell up to his ear, only to receive the beginning of an automated message.

You've reached the voice mail of -Tony Sta- click.

He ran a hand over his face and blew out his cheeks. Time to start calling around, see if anyone's seen him. God, Steve hated phone conversations.

A/N: I'm only a day late, motherfuckers! Woo! I'll try to keep these coming, but keep in mind finals are next week. Please review, tell me how I'm doing! Love you guys!

~Jessi