I'm still around, yay.
My friend is still in the hospital, but everyday get better. I will continue to update when I can.
Thank you for all the comments, they always make me feel better.
I tried to make this chapter longer, and I hope it is as good as the past chapters. I used some more lines from Iron man three, a bit.
You guys know I don't own any part of the Avengers or the characters, right? 'Cause that would be awesome.
Have a good day!
~Bye~
The television played in the background but was drowned out by the mob of people. Tony sat at the bar, straining to hear the announcement while sitting next to Rhodes, and gave a disapproving look. "Iron Patriot, really, why not War machine?"
"It wasn't my choice." Rhodes defended. "They thought 'War machine' was too aggressive and sent the wrong message."
"Alright, fine, I get it but could you at least tell me what is going on with this guy?" Tony was talking about the Mandarin. "You know I could help."
"This isn't superhero business Tony, it's American." Rhodes stood strongly, denying any information to his friend. Tony only rolled his eyes, looking back at the screen. He couldn't stop the smile that spread on his face when Steve appeared on screen, standing next to 'Iron Patriot'. He was fully dressed in the tight spandex only Captain America could wear and get away with.
"Then why does he get to be there?" Tony looked back at Rhodes and pointed to the screen.
"Last I checked, he was a super hero. Is it the name? It is isn't it? You jackasses."
Rhodes just shook his head and sighed, wishing Tony would drop it. "He is a symbol for this country, everyone feels better when they see 'Captain America' on screen."
"So he's just a puppet?" Tony frowned.
"That's not what I said."
"Basically, yeah, it is." He hated the way Shield treated the time traveled hero. He was more than just a fucking statement. So much more. The two had been together for nearly a month and Tony was terrified by this feeling growing inside him. It was like with Pepper, but even stronger.
"Since you started dating him, you've been a real pain." Rhodes half joked, but saw a way to change the subject. "Not getting any?"
"Don't change the subject Rhodey, let me help." He wasn't getting laid, but that didn't bother him as much as he thought. For now anyway. He would do just about anything to make Steve happy. He scoffed softly, what a scary thought that was.
When Rhodes just stared at him silently, Tony huffed. "Fine, but you know I am going to find out eventually."
"Look, I know your not over what happened with Loki-"Rhodes began, and Tony felt his heart clench as images of that day forced their way into his mind. Suddenly he felt hot, and what happened to the oxygen? " "Tony? Tony!" Rhodes saw the man fold forward on himself and gasp for air. "Are you-"
"I-I have to go...I have to..." Tony heart sped up and his words jumbled in his head. What the hell was happening? He stumbled off his stool and pushed through the crowd to get to his suit out front.
"Tony?" Bruce's worried voice cut through the static in his mind and a hand landed on his chest, stopping him from moving forward. "Tony, are you alright?"
He wanted to tell the doctor that he was fine, to just move, but the words wouldn't come out. So he shoved him out of the way, he had to get to his suit. Had to. Something was wrong with his reactor, that had to be it. "Tony!" He heard Bruce shout after him as he disappeared inside the machine.
"Jarvis...check my heart...or..is it the brain?" He tried his best to form a complete sentence but his tongue felt heavy and dry.
"No signs of a cardiac abnormality or unusual brain activity." Jarvis reported back. It only confused Tony more.
"Then what happened?"
"I believe you are experiencing a severe anxiety attack." Jarvis said calmly. Tony wanted to laugh at the thought, but the shots of pain going through his chest wouldn't allow it.
"...Me?"
Bruce placed a hand on his armored shoulder. "Hey, Tony, you're scaring me...What is going on?" He didn't answer, couldn't as he gently pushed the man back and flew off to the safety of his home.
Steve quickly jogged up to Toy's front door, walking in without knocking.
"Good afternoon Steve." Jarvis greeted.
"Hey Jarvis, where is he?" He asked, concern clear. Bruce had called him to tell him about Tony's hasty retreat that morning and he hurried over to check on the genius.
"He has locked himself in his lab with two bottles of whiskey, he asked me not to disturb him."
"Great..." Steve sighed, it was just like Tony to lock himself out of reach when he had a problem. God forbid someone help him.
"Jarvis." Steve crossed his arms and looked at the ceiling, because he felt like he had to look somewhere.
"Sir?"
"I am going into that lab." Steve said firmly,ready to fight through the machine if he had to, not that he'd do any real damage to it...him? It still confused Steve, but he knew how important Jarvis was to Anthony and he'd never damage something the man loved.
"Of course sir." Steve was shocked to hear the locks open to the 'basement' doors.
"...Just like that?" Steve asked.
"Mr. Stark has told me to allow you full access sir." Steve was amazed and a little too happy to hear that.
"...Oh, okay then." He said awkwardly, walking into the lab.
He found Tony sitting in his chair, leaning forward with a bottle of brown liquid in one hand. He looked like he'd been tinkering but threw piece to the ground in a fit. Steve walked over and put a hand on his shoulder gently.
"...Hey." He spoke softly, rubbing his thumb softly but firmly against Anthony's collarbone. "Bruce told me what happened, are you okay?" He was pleasantly surprised to feel two arms snake around his waist, the chair rolling closer to Steve until he was standing between Ton'y's legs, which pressed into either side of his thighs. Tony's head resting on his upper stomach/lower chest area. The billionaire squeezed his tightly for a minute then let his arms loosen slightly.
"I had...an anxiety attack." Anthony nearly scoffed out. Steve couldn't stop the smile at the way the man said it, like it was the most offensive thing to happen to him. He wrapped his arms around him, rubbing his back soothingly.
"Well, when was the last time you slept?"
"...Einstein only slept four hours a year." Tony responded pressing closer to Steve.
"Anthony..." He sighed, trying not to laugh. "You're such a knucklehead. You've lock yourself up in this house since the attack..." Steve felt the man pull him closer at the mention of the alien attack. "...Anyone would be frightened after something like that." He tried to comfort him. "But you can't stay here, drowning in liquor. What about your company? You know Pepper is pretty much running the place right?"
"She does a good job." Tony shrugged.
"But it isn't hers." Steve pointed out. "...Are you afraid to face her?"
"...No." It was a lie, he didn't want to put up with Pepper right now, or the company. He knew Steve didn't buy it though and pushed away from the comforting warmth the man offered to stand up. "What do you want me to say? I just want life to go back to the way it was! When there was just humans and making money, not the realization of life in the universe or unavoidable attacks from god knows fucking where!"
"Anthony." It was amazing how a name Tony hated, calmed him down when coming from the super soldier. "You've proven we can fight 'God knows what', and win." He stepped closer to the man he adored, who crossed his arms, trying to protect himself from feeling so much. "You just keep being the brilliant, billionaire that you are and we he motioned between the two. "Will figure everything else out, okay?"
Tony stared at the ground for a moment, then nodded. "You forgot my undeniable good looks." He smiled weakly, looking up at the other. Steve gave that smile that Anthony was falling hard for and reached out to rub his bicep.
"I didn't think I had to state the obvious." He said back, pulling away.
"...Wi-will you stay here with me tonight?" He realized how that could be taken the wrong way and corrected himself. "Just be here...I don't want to be...alone right now." It took a lot for him to admit that.
Steve didn't respond at first, and his face was hard for Tony to read. "Everyone is worrying about you, so they are coming over tonight." Steve didn't give him a chance to argue, turning to head toward the stairs. Tony swallowed, figuring he was shut down.
"Okay...good."
Steve turned to face him as he reached the middle of the stairs. There was a slight blush on his face, and he had trouble looking the man in the eyes. "So, we should take take a shower and get ready." He offered nervously.
Tony quickly nodded his head, staring up at the beautiful man as his heart jumped with happiness. "Better...Definitely better." He mumbled, relieved, and quickly followed Steve.
The water felt warm and relaxing against his skin, steam rising and almost blocking his view of the undressing Steve in-front of him. He watched the Jeans peel off his shapely legs, followed by his socks. He could have laughed at the underwear the other wore, he still couldn't get over it. He really needed to buy him boxers. Over the month the two had been dating he'd bought him nearly an entirely new wardrobe, which Steve scolded him about. He couldn't help it though, he loved giving everything to him. He would hand him the world if he could. His chest tightened at the thought.
"Anthony?" He was so lost in thought, he didn't realize the other step in with him. He saw goosebumps appear on his arms, he was cold because Tony was currently hogging the water.
Well, that wouldn't do.
Tony turned to press a few buttons on the panel outside the glass doors. Soon water poured from the entire ceiling above their heads, like a gentle rain. Steve grinned in amazement and looked up at the ceiling.
"Well, that is just nifty."
"Isn't it?" Tony smiled for a moment as well, stepping closer to Steve. "God, you are so beautiful..." He spoke softly, touching the other's side gently. Steve reached forward, pulling the Tony closer by his hips. He leaned in to kiss his forehead, running his free hand through the dark hair that was slowly being peppered with grey. "I could say the same about you."
Tony held back a huff of disbelief and stood up straighter to kiss Steve on the lips, water making making him close his eyes. He didn't understand why Steve wanted to be with him. Tony was broken and flawed in so many ways. He smiled when the dirty blonde kissed back, their mouths melting together perfectly. He had gotten better at kissing over the last month, mostly because Tony always found time to practice. He may not be able to sleep with the man yet, but he took what he could get.
When they pulled apart for air, Tony kissed down his neck to his chest. "You know, you never told me how a 20 year old became...well, you." He questioned between kisses.
Steve grunted, apparently not expecting to have to use his brain too much during this encounter. "...Things were...different then." Steve unconsciously pushed closer to the man's mouth. "B-by the time you were 16, you were considered old enough to be accountable for your actions. An-an adult." Unlike now, where it seems people were never accountable for anything, and it was always someone else's fault.
Tony nodded slightly, it made sense. Steve was way more mature than any 20 year old in this time period, so much so people automatically assumed he was older. He let his hands roam down Steve's perfectly sculpted abs until his hands hit soft hairs and a hardening member. He still couldn't get over the size, he really was made to be perfect. He was wondering how much Steve would let him get away with when a pair of hands grabbed his.
Busted.
Tony frowned and looked up into those blue eyes, full of concern. "How are you, really?" Steve's voice made him feel as naked as he was, but on the inside? Did that even make sense. He shrugged, dropping his eyes back to his hands that were held just out of reach of what he wanted. He was good a sex, he understood it. Why did Steve always want to talk about it? That was more uncomfortable than any sex act he could think of.
And he could think of a lot.
"I don't...I don't know." He admitted quietly, leaning his head on the other man's chest to hide his face. "And that is just frustrating...Nothing makes sense anymore and everything I knew was blown out of the water" The hands released his wrists to wrap around him , one hand running up the back of his neck to gently rub his scalp, while the other rested on his lower back and pulled their hips together. He smiled when he heard Steve gasp softly when their hips pressed together. Tony rested a hand on each of Steve's hips, pulling him closer and grunting at the friction it gave his hardening-
"Anthony." Steve warned.
"Oh come on, you couldn't expect me to have you naked in a shower, and not try something." He peeked up at him playfully, water making pieces of his bangs fall into his face. Steve couldn't stop the smile that spread across his face as he brushed the strands out of the way, or the reddening of his ears. It did feel really good, his skin felt alive each time those hips grind against him, and it seem to comfort Tony greatly.
"Maybe...Maybe just a little more wouldn't hurt?" He gave in, anything that would cheer up the stressed hero.
"...Just like that, huh?" Tony whispered out. He knew Steve was nervous, he was new to all of this, but he would gladly let it happen just because Tony wanted it. He didn't deserve to be spoiled like that, and the whole thought was scary. He frowned, everything was just fucking scary nowadays.
Tony looked up at the blond, their eyes meeting, Steve tilted his head slightly. He was confused why Anthony hadn't jumped at the opportunity given obviously, but Tony just stared. He watched water slide down a strong jaw before looking back into those kind, blue eyes. Steve had no idea how wonderful he was, or how much the shorter man loved him.
"Is something wrong?" Steve questioned when Tony's eyes grew wide. It was true, he really loved this man. Like love, loved. The real deal, all of it. That had to be it. Oh god, this definitely wasn't helping his anxiety problem. "Anthony?" Steve's eyes became more concerned, and he cupped the others face. Tony shook his head, smiling, but it faltered and he felt his eyes starting to burn, grabbing Steve's wrist to pull his hand away; he then wrapped his arms around Steve's waist and buried his head into that lovely neck.
"...Just for a little while." He said, trying to hide the rise in his voice and hoping the water would be enough to wash away any evidence of his tears. He didn't know how Steve found out, probably the soft shaking of his shoulders, but he knew the man knew by the way he hugged him tightly and comforted him as the water poured down on them.
"He seems fine to me..." Hawk-eye said, flicking channels on Tony's giant TV while snacking on the chips and dip sitting on the table. Bruce nodded from the bar stool. "You do look a lot better, Tony." He threw in.
"I'm glad I pass approval, now go away." He frowned. The two had arrived earlier than the rest and interrupted the two from their shower. He had to make a note to whine like a helpless babyafter sex, not before. It really cut into his timing...
Steve walked down the stairs, coming from Tony's bedroom no doubt, drying his hair. "Be nice Anthony."
"Niceness comes after I do." He shot back, which caused the super soldier to stumble over himself and hide his face. He sighed out of embarrassment as their friends tried to hide their grins.
His life was heading in a new and unknown direction and it was all because of the man in front of him. This scared the shit out of him, but excited him just a bit more. He also had to sort his feelings out so he could tell the blond.
Yep. Everything was definitely terrifying. A million 'what ifs' floated around in his brain. 'What if he doesn't love me back?', What if Steve decides to leave?', 'What if he fucks everything up by being himself?'. Tony straightened, forcing the thoughts out of his mind, now was not the time.
"Fiiine." He sighed out, playing the part. "But I get to pick the movie."
