Not really sure people are reading this, which is fine, its a writing exorcise for me. I hope people are reading it. Its really just a fluffy story with the team bonding. Nothing too deep is going to be happening in this story. There maybe smut, but I can't promise it because I suck at it.

Day 4: dating

The night had started with team bonding and a battle for upstate. In the briefing with Fury, which had pretty much been over when Steve came in from his quick shower, they had concluded that the purple blob had belonged to, as of yet, an unknown person. Steve didn't like that they didn't know who was responsible for giant globs of jell-o attacking random cities, but he supposed they'd figure it out eventually. He just hoped it would be sooner rather than later.

The briefing had ended with Fury gruffly stating that they would be keeping an eye on things and would alert the Avengers when they were needed. They had been dismissed. Tony had caught up to Steve just as everyone was leaving.

Tony was still in the Iron Man suit, but Steve had changed into a spare pair of khakis he kept in his S.H.I.E.L.D quarters.

"So, it seems to me, you owe me dinner."

"I'm pretty sure you cheated, I don't think I owe you anything," Steve said, but fell into step with Tony all the same.

"I did not cheat. It's hardly my fault that you have poor reaction time."

Steve rolled his eyes, poor reaction time, thats what caused Steve to get his character killed. Right. It had nothing to do with Tony's lips on his ear, the tickle of the warm air that fanned out across his cheek. It certainly had nothing to do with the feel of his body pressed against Steve's.

"Grab on, I'll fly us home so that I can change."

Steve wasn't sure it was a good idea, the night was cold and he only had a thin leather jacket to keep him warm, but the flight wasn't too bad. Tony had put heat sensors on the armor that had helped keep him warm on the short flight. They were used to traveling in the air, the Iron Man suit had a grip specifically placed so that Steve could be airlifted.

Steve had waited in the living room while Tony had changed out of the suit. It hadn't been a long wait but he had managed to work himself into a ball of nerves. Steve still didn't understand their relationship.

It had shifted after Morrigan had come along and thrown everything into disarray. Steve wasn't really sure where he stood with the brunet. They were still friends, still hung out all the time and Steve was the only one other than Pepper who had infinite access to him, but he still didn't understand what had changed.

Morrigan had picked up on feelings Steve hadn't even realized he had. He wasn't sure what to make of them. He was in love with Tony, that much he knew, but he wasn't sure how Tony felt about him. The idea that the dinner he was taking Tony to could be a date freaked him out.

"Ready?" Tony was standing in front of him in a simple pair of dark jeans and a band tee-shirt. He had learned to like the bands Tony listened to. He still liked the soft tones of the 40s but he had to admit ACDC, Led Zeppelin and a few others had grown on him. He liked the feel of the bass and the guitar in his veins.

"Sure, where are we going?" Steve asked.

"What I have to pick?" They both got into the car that was waiting for them, Tony sparking the engine.

"I'm buying, you're picking. Its only fair." The drive to the pizza place was quiet. Steve was tired. The battle, while not that epic, had sent his adrenaline pumping and when that faded, he was left tired and hungry. The hunger had won out, but in the silent car, he could feel the pull of sleep.

"We're here!" Tony said pulling in the parking space.

The night was cold, but Steve was happy. He and Tony walked through the park, warm coffee in hand.

"So, is this... Is this really...?" Steve's words caught in his throat as he fiddled with the lid to his coffee.

"Is this what?" Tony asked, watching Steve fidget.

Steve cleared his throat, "A date." He said quietly. The night was silent, no one was in the park. Steve's words, though quiet, hung in the air.

"Do you want it to be?" Tony said, stopping in his tracks. Hope bloomed in his chest. He had wanted this. Hoped that Morrigan had been right in her ramblings.

"Ummm..." Steve wasn't sure how to answer the question. He wanted it to be a date, so badly. But he was scared. Scared that Tony didn't feel the same way, scared that they would mess up their friendship or worse, the team.

"Cuz, if you want it to be," Tony said, grabbing Steve by the arm and turning him so they were facing each other. "I would be okay with that."

"Yeah?" Steve said, staring at Tony, a small smile on his face.

"Yeah," Tony said taking Steve's hand and spurring them forward in their walk.

"Well then, its a date." Steve said, squeezing Tony's hand as they continued through the park.

They walked around the park sipping coffee and holding hands. Steve was happy, he didn't mind the silence. Just being with Tony was enough to make him content in the moment. Something cold hit his cheek and he looked up.

"Look, Tony, it's the first snow of the season. Make a wish." Steve stopped them both and held his hand out as the snow fell.

He should hate the snow, hate the cold, but he didn't. Being plunged into the icy water, frozen for 70 years, most people would expect it. Steve loved to show the world just how wrong about him they often were.

The world goes still and silent, if only for the moment. It was something Steve loved about the snow. It reminded him of a simpler time in his life. When he could be excited. Sitting by the fire listening to shows on the radio as the snow fell outside. Stockings hung and the tiny tree lit. He never had a lot of presents but his mom had always made the most things.

Steve closed his eyes as the snow fell silently around him, images of Bucky and his mom singing carols filled his head and he smiled. He missed his old life, but his new life was amazing. The snow was soft and cold against his skin and he shivered.

"We should head home, it's coming down pretty hard. I don't have chains for the Audi." Steve nodded and Tony pulled him back to the car.

"I don't think I realized that you liked the snow." Tony said, driving through the nearly empty streets.

"Reminds me of my mom, of my old life, when I was a boy. I've always loved how the world gets so quiet and still." They pulled into the underground parking space and headed up. The elevator dinged on Steve's level and he moved to get out.

Tony grabbed him before he was out and pulled him in close, their lips met briefly before Tony pulled back. "We should do this again sometime."

Steve stepped off the elevator, the door slid shut before he could respond.

I really had fun with this chapter. I love fluffy stuff. Even if i'm not very good at writing it. 3 anyone that read it.