A/N: This is partially based on a true story, I (emma, one of two lovely authors of this story) actually have fallen and cut my leg open while skating, and let me tell you, it is the opposite of fun. Anyways, if you're reading this, you should leave a review, we'd really appreciate it! Even if you just leave one word, some feedback would be fantastic :)
Day 7- Ice Skating
"Come on Tony," Steve called from his spot on the ice. "You're the one who wanted to go ice skating in the first place."
"No, I said that I hadn't been ice skating in years, in what way does that imply that I actually wanted to go?" Tony yelled back, crossing his arms and sitting down on a bench with a loud huff. He was not going to embarrass himself today.
"Please Dad!" Peter pleaded, stumbling a bit on the ice, and for a second Tony was afraid he was going to fall, but Steve gripped his hand a little tighter to steady him.
"Not today Pete," Tony replied with a wave of his hand. "maybe some other time. Or never. You and Pops seem to be having fun." Peter and Steve had already been around the ice a few times, Tony didn't understand what they needed him for.
"Daddy," Peter whined, and he definitely did not get that trait from Tony. "You'll have fun, I promise!"
"No thanks buddy." Tony said, feeling a little guilty, because Peter looked like he was going to cry.
"Seriously Tony, come on." Steve said and -oh shit- he actually sounded angry. "Can't you just put your ego aside for one day and do something without throwing a fit first?"
"Somebody ate their bitch flakes this morning." Tony mumbled to himself before raising his voice again. "Steve, I can't."
"What's the problem this time Tony, and don't you dare tell me you have issues with the ice..." Steve trailed off, glaring at Tony.
"No! No, it's nothing like that." Tony said quickly. "It's more of a problem with the skates."
"Oh my god, are you kidding me? You made us stop on the way here to get those stupid red and gold ones, now you're saying you don't like them?"
"Hey, these skates are cool, and I love them. I just-" Tony gestured for Steve to come closer before stepping toward the ice. Steve carefully maneuvered himself and Peter to the very edge of the rink, stopping directly in front of Tony. "I can't skate." he said quietly.
"You can't- didn't you say you've been skating before?" Steve questioned, all traces of anger in his voice replaced by mild skepticism
"Well yeah I've been skating before, I never said I was good. The first and only time I went skating, I made it around the ice once, then fell flat on my face and sliced my leg open with a skate, I mean seriously, who does that? Never again Steve, never again." Tony turned to go sit back on his bench and sulk, but before he could move, he felt something tug at the sleeve of his jacket. He flipped back around and stared down at Peter, who was looking back up at him with understanding eyes.
"Dad, don't feel bad, I couldn't skate either until Pops taught me. We can help you learn!"
"Heck, I couldn't skate well until after the serum, although I never managed to cut myself..." Steve said jokingly. Tony knew he said it just to get a rise out of him, but he smacked Steve on the arm anyways. "Go put your skates on" he laughed, giving Tony a subtle tap on the ass and smirking, and well, the Captain sure did know how to encourage him.
Tony walked back over to the bench, and kicked off his shoes, pulling his awesome, totally not stupid, red and gold skates out of the box and putting them on.
"Make sure you tie them tight around the ankles, if they're too loose you're more likely to fall." Steve advised. Tony made sure they were extra tight before carefully making his way over to the ice, stopping right before he got to the edge.
Gingerly, he put one foot onto the ice, then the other. For a second he lost his balance and nearly tipped backwards, but a large hand on his back caught him. Tony straightened up, feeling a little more reassured with Steve touching him.
"So Mr. Freeze, teach me the ways of your people." Tony said, snapping back into smartass mode.
Steve chuckled at Tony's patented brand of affection. "Okay, you ready?"
Tony nodded, but before they could do anything, Peter yelled "Wait!" The boy let go of Steve's hand, shuffling around the back of the two men before grabbing onto Tony's. " There, now we can both help you."
"Thanks Petey." Tony smiled, and he would have ruffled his son's hair if he hadn't been clinging to him and Steve for dear life.
"Ready now?" Steve asked again.
"Ready as I'll ever be."
Slowly, Steve started to show him the motions of skating. At first, Tony was unsteady, but every time he thought he was going to fall, Steve caught him with an arm around his waist, and Peter looked up at him with encouraging eyes. After a few minutes, (only a few, they didn't call him a genius for nothing) Tony started to get the hang of it.
"I think you're ready to try skating on your own." Steve said, nodding approvingly at Tony's footwork. Tony immediately froze.
"I don't think I can Steve." Tony whispered, hoping he didn't sound as nervous as he felt.
"I know you can." Steve said, giving Tony a quick kiss on the cheek as he let go of his hand. "Peter and I will wait right here, just go around the ice once." Steve took Peter's hand again and guided them closer to the edge of the rink.
"Aye aye, Captain." Tony gulped, suddenly feeling very alone.
"I can't hear you!" Peter yelled from the sidelines.
"Aye aye Captain!" Tony yelled back. "But we're not singing the Spongebob theme song right now. I'm trying to focus."
He heard Peter giggle, and finally worked up the courage to start moving. He nearly tripped at first, but slowly and surely he gained momentum and began to sail around the rink. Tony made it all the way around, not once, not twice, but three times.
"You're doing great!" Steve called, encouraging Tony further.
He raised his arms above his head in victory- and promptly crashed to the ground, landing on his face.
"Tony! Are you okay?" Steve said, skating over to Tony.
"M'fine." Tony replied, lifting his face up off the ice. "It hurts though, you might have to kiss it."
Steve laughed before pulling Tony up, planting a short kiss on his lips. "Better?"
"Much better." Tony said, pulling him in for another.
