The man out of time looks like he's also in a different world. By all means, he practically is. The technological revolution is in it's prime. Steve went under the ice in an era where technology was just beginning to flourish.
"I'd like to debrief back at SHIELD headquarters, Captain."
Tony scoffs, motioning to Steve's wide, doe-like eyes. "Do you not get the 'deer in headlights' look, Director? Besides," he pauses to gaze deep into those crystal blue hues. "Grandpa here is probably starving. Let me tell you, BeefBurger. Best burgers in Manhattan."
The blonde nods, slowly. The decades will catch up to him, Tony's sure of it. "Food. That– That sounds good. BeefBurger's still around? They were open before I–" He hesitates as if it's too much for him to say. "– I'm glad they're still open."
"They're Burger Heaven, now." Agent Coulson joins the conversation, extending his hand to the waking beauty. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Captain. I mean, it is just an honor to have you here."
Coffee irises roll for perhaps the fifth time today. "Okay, fangirl. The grown-ups are talking. So, Rogers. Treat you to lunch?"
Steve's forehead crinkles into tiny lines. "Sure."
On the way to Manhattan, Tony fits the captain with a beginner's list of all the things he needs to catch up on. This list includes Thai food, Star Wars, Apple, and disco. Plenty of space is left at the bottom for last-minute additions.
"I know this must be insanely difficult for you," Stark says, and it's the first genuine remark he's made in days. "Really, I'm here if you ever need help with this crazy, strange world."
The war hero inhales deeply, gazing out of the train window. He must not even recognize this concrete jungle New York has made of itself. Tony believes that Rogers will think it's destroyed, made ugly by time. He's even more apprehensive because he couldn't disagree more. The world has only grown more wonderful as time has gone on. His face, his inventions are plastered all around this globe. A world of himself is the only one Tony wants to live in.
"Thank you, Tony. I think the strangest part is sitting right beside Howard's son." He smirks, gracing soft features. "What is it you do? Did you follow your old man's legacy?"
"More or less. I took his small, underdeveloped company and turned it into a giant. Stark weapons are around the world, Cap. There isn't a war won without my name in it."
"And you're proud of that?"
"Why wouldn't I be? Dad did the same thing. I do it. I just make more money than he did."
"It's all about the money, huh?"
Tony's lips purse into a line. "I'm sorry. Who just raised your ass from the dead pro-bono?"
Steves raises his hands in innocence, a knowing smile on his lips. "You did. Sorry, I didn't have my insurance card on me."
Burger Heaven has grown into a multi-location, old-fashioned casual diner, or at least that's how Tony knows it. Steve Rogers enters the joint with pleasant surprise covering his face.
"This place really grew up," he comments mid-burger. "Wow, I guess you really don't know what you're missing until it's gone."
Stark raises both his burger and beer in agreement. "Truth, Socrates. Next, I gotta take you to Juniors. Best cheesecake anywhere. Oh, and we have to hit Lombardi's. Maybe even Chinatown. Was Wo-Hop around back in the day?"
His father talked endlessly about the famous Captain America, and now he's talking endlessly to the famous Captain America. It's a strange sensation, being around someone almost as notorious as he. Plus, he's somewhat of a childhood hero.
Howard always advised never to meet his heroes. It spoils the illusion. They're never who you think they are. But Steve Rogers is across the booth and he seems to be everything he'd heard about and more. No one ever mentioned how intoxicating his gaze was.
Steve's smiling. He has been since they boarded the LIRR into Penn Station. Not once has Tony ever gotten tired of it.
"Sounds like we're going to start making a thing of this."
Tony's breath hitches in his throat. "If you want. I don't mind putting it on the weekly schedule."
"Who better than you to introduce me to the future? It seems like you're paving the way for it."
"I like to think so." His lungs release. Easy conversation fills the afternoon. Nothing too deep. Everything stays just shallow enough for Tony's liking. What's the latest fad? Who won the war? What happened to the Tesseract? Is Peggy still around? Those are all questions Tony can answer easily. It's the ones about Howard he has a harder time responding to.
"What happened to him, anyway? Did he ever– Is he still alive?"
"No," Starks says, his own glimmer of joy fading as quickly as it appeared. "No. He died back in the '90s. Car crash."
"I'm sorry, Tony."
The CEO shrugs it off, waving, pretending as if it isn't as big of a deal as he's making it. "It happens. It happened. There's no changing it. I just know that he is rolling in his grave."
"Why?"
"Because I found you before he did. He looked for you until he passed. He had an entire section of his company prioritizing you."
"All for me?"
"You were a legend. America went looking for you. You were– still are a hero."
"Really? People still think about Captain America?"
"Well your costume has been at the top of the popularity list at Party City, so I'd say so."
This feels nice. This feels natural. It feels like talking to an old friend, but not Rhodey. This is something new. Stark sets down his drink and doesn't even remember it exists until they get up to leave.
"I rented out this hotel in Brooklyn for you, just so you don't have to stay at SHIELD if you don't want to."
"I really appreciate it, Tony." He shakes Stark's hand. "I'm just not sure what to do with myself now. There's so much I don't know, anymore."
He sighs, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Take the night to look around. Get a feel for the world. The internet will help a lot. This is your second chance at life, Cap. Live your best one."
"Did Howard teach you that one?"
"He taught me everything. I'll stop by tomorrow for lesson two of the twenty-first century?"
"Can't wait."
