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PurpleSong - I like possesive Steve too. Don't worry, I'm going overboard with it. Bectoriaaa (It was so nice to read your review!),RinkishiMekito, Maejirase, jack2724, Tbird2290, lollyg17, the-ice-cold-alchemist, x0xalexis8, Dragon-Bowl and one Guest - YOU'RE ALL GREAT. Thank you so much. You keep me going!
CHAPTER 8
It was rare for Steve to sleep well, and practically impossible to sleep longer than four hours. This was the first time since forties that he had been awaken by an alarm clock. The sound was soft, coming from his wrist watch. Luckily it was weak enough to not wake Tony.
God-freaking-damn it! He had fallen asleep ON top of Tony Stark!
Now, he needed to very carefully remove himself from the sleeping billionaire and take a cold shower. Very cold.
Steve lifted himself up on one arm and slowly started to pull his left leg from underneath Tony's right. Somehow they were totally tangled together. Steve woke up lying still on his side, between Stark and the back of the couch, but his face was on Tony's chest. It meant that the older man had turned himself to his back at some point and Steve partially crawled on top of him.
Slowly, gently... one leg, than the other one. How on earth Tony didn't wake up from Steve's erection poking into his side was beyond reason. But then again Tony really was exhausted the night before. Probably only JARVIS knows how long the man had been up and working. Days, most probably.
He moved his body over Tony's and finally put one foot on the ground. Then he moved further, the distinct bulge in his pants slightly brushing over Tony's stomach. He gasped shocked by the pleasure that came from such a small contact and quickly moved his other foot to the floor.
Tony was breathing slowly and looked so peaceful and calm... It was so unlike him. After a moment he must've felt cold or something because his hand moved, seeking Steve's warmth in an empty space where the blond soldier had been lying.
Covering him with a thick soft blanket was the least Steve could do for his comfort before he left. He didn't have much time to waste, and he needed a shower. In the elevator he felt his stomach rumble. He didn't have dinner last night... Sucking feeling in his stomach made him forget about arousal for a moment and he decided to grab something to eat first. He practically ran to the kitchen area, missing all the curious and surprised looks of other Avengers.
He took the milk out of the fridge and poured himself a huge glass of white liquid. Gulping it down like he was just back from the jog through a desert he felt someone's eyes on him and slowed down. When he put down the glass and looked around.
It was the very first and most probably the last time he saw Natasha with her jaw dropped. Clint had a toast still hanging from his mouth while Banner slowly stood up from the table, took off his glasses, cleaned them with his shirt and then put them back on, only to stare at Steve some more.
"Say, Captain, did you sleep well?"
Steve couldn't stop that completely idiotic smile that spread over his face. He just couldn't.
"Yes, Doctor, as a matter of fact I did."
The toast hanging from Clint's mouth dropped to the floor with a splashing sound but neither of them even blink.
Natasha cleared her throat. "Steve... And how about Tony. Did he sleep well too?"
Steve felt the blood rushing to his cheeks. What should he say to that?! He couldn't admit that he had just spent the night in Tony's arms. NEVER!
"H- how... How would I know...?" And of course he was hopeless with lying. So hopeless that it wasn't even funny. It was so pitiful it made him want to cry!
Finally Clint regained the power to rule his body and snorted.
"Oh, for fuck's sake, Cap! You have an arc reactor imprinted on your cheek! Looks to me like long hours of pressing your face to his heart... Some crazy scientist could steal you as a blueprint now!" It was meant as a joke, as teasing, but Steve paled in an instant. He touched his right cheek and traced the round shape of the engraving. He had every detail impressed on his face.
"It's... not what you think."
"And what do I think, Cap?" Clint crossed his arms over his chest.
"It's nothing... I just... fell asleep in his lab..."
"On him?"
"Well... kind of... "
"I'm far from being a homophobe, but PLEASE don't tell me that Iron Man just fucked Captain America, because it's just ... Come on, it's too fucked up, even for Stark!"
The sound of the elevator stopped Steve from answering.
Tony looked all ruffled up and tired. His hair was a mess and his clothes rumpled. He was frowning. He clearly wasn't a morning person.
Even Natasha had to smile at the endearing view.
"Tony! Did YOU sleep well?"
He didn't even glanced her way making a beeline to the coffee maker.
"Remember my last birthday party, when I was dying from palladium, drunk myself senseless, ruined the house in Malibu, fought War Machine and fell asleep in my Iron Man suit after falling down two floors?"
"And the house almost tumbling down on you? Yea, I think it rings a bell. SO, that bad?"
"No, not exactly... Maybe that, minus the hangover. I fell asleep on the couch in my lab... I think my neck is broken..."
Steve's face was almost bleeding. He was slowly walking backward to the elevator.
"See you later, guys! I don't want to be late..."
And he was gone.
Only hours later he realised that his escape was a proof of his bond with the team. He didn't know why but he was sure that they wouldn't tell Tony who crushed him in his sleep. He trusted them like that.
"So, Stark, are you sure the couch was the reason of your discomfort?" Clint was grinning.
"Well... yea, I don't think it could be a blanket..." Tony rubbed his still sleepy eyes and took the cup of his beloved caffeine.
"A blanket?"
"Yea I... Oh, right... Steve was in the lab last night. He probably threw a blanket over me. He should've waken me up."
Bruce seeing that Clint is going to say too much interrupted him quickly. "I'm sure he was afraid that you wouldn't go to sleep, but go back to work. "
Tony considered it for a moment and finally nodded. "You're right. Good old Cap always has good intentions..." And then he rubbed his arc reactor absentmindedly, feeling suddenly warm and giddy. Steve was just trying to take care of him. He was so sweet sometimes (always).
"Oh fuck, and I said all those things about feeling like crap... I'm sure he left so soon because he was pissed... Or worse, he felt guilty. He always does that..."
"I'm sure he'll be fine. Just drop it." Natasha concluded and started to pull Clint out and away from the kitchen.
Pretty soon Tony was back to his work, but he had trouble concentrating. It wasn't the same to sit there when Steve was not around. And the memory of his hands massaging and touching... of his words being so bold and confusing, of his weight on Tony's back... It was all so... so consuming!
Tony was unable to think about anything else. This damn brat was so irritating. He was such a cock tease. He was always like that but until yesterday Tony believed he did it unconsciously. Now, he wasn't so sure anymore. After all he DID say that Tony is attractive, and then during the massage he asked if he turns Tony on. It was... shocking! It really made Tony loose his wit for a moment there.
Tony cursed himself for his irrational reactions. Steve was 22. It was like twenty years too early for him to try and tease Tony Stark! Well, ok, maybe saying that Steve Rogers is too early for anything would be a little overboard, but still, no one teased Tony since grade school! It was Tony teasing! Always!
Was Steve really trying to piss him off?
Damn, he was confused.
But tormenting himself by trying to work when he clearly was in no mood for that would be a waste of time. He needed to get out. If Steve really wanted to play this game with him, then Tony would gladly show him who's better. He needed sexy clothes. Tight but not too tight jeans, nice shirt with few buttons undone and a leather jacket. Yup, he looked great, casual, like he didn't try but smoking hot. From his collection of designer shades, that was at least twice as big as Elton John's and Bono's put together, he chose the simplest pair. It would do. Steve appreciated elegance but also liked practical stuff. He didn't get what was cool and probably thought that the word means something bad anyway...
Soon, Tony was ripping the streets in his Infinite and only when he was already in U. S. Army training grounds did he realise that he had no idea what to say to Steve. Maybe he acted too quick. Maybe he needed to calm down. Without further delay he went straight to Rhodey to tease him in front of his soldiers again.
Steve was leading a group of new recruits. Since he missed the breakfast this morning now he was really keen on taking the fastest route to the canteen for lunch. The fastest route being through the hangars. He used this way countless times already and never thought anything about it. Now he almost tripped.
First he heard all too familiar laughter. It was a bit forced but good natured and amused. The person who caught his attention was of course Tony Stark. He had his back to Steve but it was unmistakably him. Steve would recognize him no matter what simply because it always took his breath away. Tony was joking and laughing with the pilots. He looked like a supermodel, tall, devilishly handsome and radiating with charm that made Steve want to fall to his knees... It made him feel like he was in high school again, seeing his wet dream on the basketball court. Made him feel small and weak but also... He wanted to be swept off his feet by that man.
His abrupt stop startled the soldiers but they didn't ask what happened. They followed his gaze and Steve suspected that they felt exactly the same judging from their faces. No surprise here. Seeing Tony Stark was after all really something, wasn't it? But still, he hated the way they looked at Tony and was suddenly very happy to be in charge of their training. He would show them later!
Finally Steve moved forward and his soldiers followed, eager to see the famous engineer up close.
"Tony...?"
Tony turned his head toward Steve and smirked giving him a blatant once over.
"A uniform? Nice. I thought you would be wearing your Captain America outfit."
"Tony, don't be ridiculous. What are you doing here?"
Steve wanted to do something; to hug Tony or... maybe even kiss his cheek, like the billionaire did in SHIELD's HQ. He knew that back then Tony was just trying to rile him up but who said that Steve couldn't do the same? He was getting closer and closer to Tony only to finally end up way too close. He felt as Tony tensed uncomfortably and his bold plan was falling apart in a fraction of second. He couldn't do it. He overestimated his abilities, but... His hands were still bold enough to rest entwined on Tony's right shoulder. It made him feel like a king of the world. Well, almost. His hands were sweating and his heart was trying to jump out of his chest, but he would make it. He just needed to fight down the stupid blush for once.
One of the young pilots, a short brunette with an irritating set of pearly whites, was talking to Tony with a bright smile on his pretty face. When Steve hung himself on the genius' shoulder the smile died on his lips and he choked on air, getting Steve's attention. He was short but still very handsome, full of boyish charm and charisma rivalling Johnny's. Tony was smiling back at him... Of course, he probably found him attractive. Surely he preferred shorter guys, who would not crush him during sleep like a collapsed building! Damn it... Maybe Tony would prefer Steve in his pre-serum state? Maybe the serum ruined his chances with the older man?!
Actually, if not for the serum Steve would probably died in that crash and never met Tony at all.
Also, if faced with the choice, he would probably still choose serum and helping people, over Tony... yes, he surely would... probably for sure.
Tony, who came here to tease Steve, was instead once again falling victim of such treatment. Steve was touching him in a way that was not quite casual. Or maybe it was, and only Tony was freaking out for no real reason...? Rhodes was looking at them strangely...
He should probably remove Capsicle from his shoulder... but it felt so freaking good and Tony didn't really want to. He was more keen on putting his own hand on the small of Steve's back and pulling him closer. What to do?
Soldiers swarming around helped him with the decision. He turned to greet the group and even shook hands with two or three of them, unknowingly pointing those poor individuals as subjects for Steve's extensive training later.
"So, tell me guys, how does it feel to be trained by a living legend?"
Some soldiers chuckled, others just tensed.
"It's really great, Sir."
"Does he push you hard?"
"A bit. Mr. Stark, could I ask a question?" Steve was glaring daggers at the guy who dared to be so bold.
"Go ahead!"
"Is it true you went 12 for with last year's Maxim cover models?"
Tony laughed. Some things rarely changed. He did so many awesome things but most of guys was always asking about THAT.
"I hear this question a lot. The answer is yes and no..."
Steve could stand a lot, but Tony bragging about his sex affairs was definitely not on the list. He stepped behind the billionaire, sneaked his arms around him and covered his mouth with one hand.
"Don't spoil my soldiers' minds, Tony."
All soldiers, pilots included, protested fervently. They really wanted to hear the answer.
"Captain! Please, don't do that!"
Steve didn't let go. Tony felt too good in his hold. He wasn't even struggling. Maybe he enjoyed it a bit too. He pulled the other man closer to his chest. Their faces were slightly touching, or more like Tony's ear was touching the side of Steve's neck. If they turned their faces just slightly then... Oh gods, it was so tempting...
"Yes, Captain, please, let go of Mr. Stark!" The brunette pilot's tone was irritatingly demanding.
"Lieut. Mitchell!" Steve's on the other hand was pretty scary. "I think you should be ashamed of yourself. ALL OF YOU! You have the greatest engineer of this century right in front of you and you ask him about his affairs?"
And then something painfully slapped his right ass cheek from the side.
All soldiers stared. Rhodey cleared his throat. "Tony!"
It was harder than Tony thought to slap someone's ass when you were standing before them! But it worked. Steve instantly released his mouth.
"So I was saying that, yes and no. Me and March had a..."
This time Steve grabbed his hand and turned him around.
"Shut up, Tony, or I'll wipe your mouth with soap!"
Steve's baby blue eyes were smiling, full of sheer amusement with a glint of mischief. Tony loved when the Cap was like that, so carefree and... approachable. Tony was teasing and Steve was fooling around with him, not caring about what people say.
"I wasn't going to say anything dirty, Cap."
"I don't want to listen about this either way." Those words, along with Steve's sweet mysterious smile shut Tony better than any gag. He hardly even remembered what he was going to say.
"Captain Rogers..." Rhodes joined his hands in front of himself in an almost pleading gesture. "Please, forgive Tony. He's impossible. Last year he told my soldiers that I slept with a transvestite and I still can't hear the end of it... He's just..."
Steve's smile was gorgeous but his voice kind of cold. "I think it's hardly your place, Colonel, to apologise for Tony. Besides I certainly don't mind. I'm well used to his antics and I think you should get use to it too since we don't really want him to ever change, do we?"
Steve's soldiers took it as a warning and stepped back. Tony tried to do the same, Steve's fights with Johnny still vivid in his mind, but the Captain held onto his hand...
"Hey, Cap! Thanks for taking my side but, listen! Guys said that it's your lunch time! Let me take you out. I know this really great restaurant nearby..."
Was Tony asking him out? It was too good to be true...
"Why don't you join us in a canteen, Mr. Stark?"
Now, this time Steve didn't see who was the suicidal fool.
"Mr. Stark won't eat in a canteen. All of you, dismiss! Come on, Tony, let's go..."
Steve pulled on his hand, but Tony didn't budge.
"You know , Steve, I've never been in soldiers' canteen before. I want to try it."
Steve recognized it as a shawarma –syndrome: I've never tried it so I MUST do it now. No doubt, Tony would be stupidly stubborn about it.
"First you ask me out and now you try to ditch me? Not very grntlemanly of you."
That raised a choir of cat calls and whistles.
"Oh, don't be like that, pumpkin. You make me look like I'm whipped. We can have a dinner-date later. Now let's see what kind of crap the government is feeding our dear soldier boys to make them fit and strong!"
And so they went to the canteen together, surrounded with Rhodes' pilots and Steve's new recruits. Captain's arm was draped over Tony's shoulders, and Tony's over his back. It could easily pass as casual and friendly. Scratch that. It WAS casual and friendly.
Of course, appearing of such a famous ex weapon developer in a long line for fat hamburgers with fries caused quite a ruckus. Tony posed to more pictures that day than in a whole year. Dozens of soldiers shook his hand and patted his shoulders. Steve hoped they would all get diarrhoea from the crappy food and finally leave Tony alone. Alone with him.
Lieut. Mitchell sat on the other side of Tony but almost immediately some tall blond pilot forcibly pulled him up and dragged to the other table. Surprisingly there was no struggle whatsoever and Steve wondered what it meant. The short brunette was feisty and stubborn, but didn't mind the guy manhandling him. Could it be that the two of them were... Steve blushed at the thought. It was an army after all... They could get caught but it looked like wasn't an issue here. They looked comfortable.
"So, Mr. Stark, why did you stop making weapons?"
"To make the long story short: because there are people who will sell it to our enemies. I can't give away the weapon to people who don't know what to do with it. I've been blown up with the missile that I created. It literally blown to my face. I learned the hard way the responsibility for what I create."
"Yea, but... our enemies... like those who had shot you recently with something... I read about it... we need to be able to defend ourselves and we can't do it with Justin Hammer's crap."
"Soldiers win battles, not weapons. And we have the best soldiers." Steve caught Tony's gaze. The billionaire smiled and winked. It was obvious for the both of them that he meant Steve, but right then and there every single one of all the soldiers gathered at the canteen felt special.
"So we deserve the best weapon." Added some quiet voice, somewhere at another table. And Tony understood perfectly but still knew he did the right thing. He could not do something he would be unable to control. He stopped eating. It was a difficult subject. The thing from his arm was in his lab. He could make a weapon based on that thing, but the technology was still beyond his grasp. He didn't have means to recreate it. Just like others were unable to miniaturize arc reactor... But still, even if he could, he wanted to use it for something that doesn't kill. If he could make it bigger than maybe he could use it to build time machine for Steve... His heart clenched.
And then thoughts came one by one followed by an unstoppable torrent of many others... Making arc reactor smaller, making 'the thing' in his lab bigger... But if he changed reactor's core system and used 'the thing' instead... then maybe it would actually suffice as the power source for the time machine.
"Tony... Tony, are you there?" Steve was shaking his shoulder. He had a concerned expression on his face.
"Sure... I just..."
"You spaced out."
"I have an idea! I've got to go. Thanks a lot guys! The food wasn't actually that bad! See ya later!"
He slapped Steve's shoulder and practically ran out.
"Hats off for the genius, gentlemen." Murmured Steve. He was, and always would be, in awe of Tony's brilliant mind, but he still wasn't too thrilled by his hasty leave. He didn't even ask Tony why was he even there, at the station, in the first place. Did he come specifically to see Steve or maybe he had some business with Colonel Rhodes? Who knows...?
Just as Steve expected Tony had forgotten about their date and let himself to get completely lost in his new project. Steve had no idea what it was, but Tony 'redecorated' three floors to make all the apparatus work for that purpose, so it was something big.
Steve didn't mind. Much...
...or maybe he was devastated.
