Chapter 9: A Kind of Magic


5:01 PM IN THE PRESENT

Tony headed down the hallway. He was very resentful about what he just heard from the group and now he was pissed off. He could hear someone follow him down the hall and it bugged.

"TONY STOP." Fury called for him but he scoffed and continued to walk.
The older Tony had a cynical and overall pessimistic view when it came to people so he decided it was best if he just walked away to cool himself down.

He didn't expect Fury to actually give a crap and understand why he left.

Tony felt a hand on his arm and his eyes flew open. He turned around and glared as Fury held onto him.
Tony's look was scornful. He was not in the mood so Fury needed to back the fuck up.

"Your last eye is about to get punched if you don't watch it."

"Easy Hollywood. Easy." Fury's voice was calm. He tried to soothe the flames that clearly boiled under Tony's skin. He ripped his arm out of Fury's grasp.

"You wanted to know what the mission was. Well, now you know. We're trying to protect you. Rhodes knew that this would upset you so we decided to keep you in the dark." Fury's bullshit was no comfort for Tony. He didn't care about the stupid mission.

All he cared about was the fact that Steve was there.
He saw Rhodey and Maria walk up behind Fury. Tony started to feel a bit cornered so he backed up.

"WHY STEVE? You could have sent Natasha. Or anyone else. Why did you pick STEVE." That was what bothered him the most.

Tony grit his teeth. He was so mad at them.
Fury looked back confused. He shrugged his shoulders and he looked over at Rhodey.

"What? Why does that matter? Steve Rogers is the best we have. And he's the only one that I deem fit to take care of YOU. Who cares if I sent Steve on this mission? So what?" FURY DID NOT HAVE TIME FOR TONY'S SHIT.

Tony's stare changed completely. Fury had no idea.

"They are dating." Rhodey said to Fury as the older man struggled for breath. Fury choked up he was so stunned by what Rhodey said.

Fury had to hold onto the wall.

"COME AGAIN? What? Since WHEN?" Fury was totally shocked. And Tony was instantly pissed off again.

"WE ARE NOT DATING! ERRUUGHHH." Tony turned away and tried to leave.

"Are you two involved with each other in some way? Is that what you're getting at here?" Fury asked. He tried to clear up any confusion that he clearly had.

Tony stopped in his tracks. The question threw him off. He turned back around.

"YEAH. We are "involved" and now you've just given Steve a front row seat to see all the things I hate about myself. THANKS FOR THAT." Tony was full of rage. The three just stared at him in silence. He laughed about it to himself and just shrugged them off.

What did they care?
"All you care about now is getting BUCKY WONDER under lock and key. Knowing you, you probably knew about Bucky being sent there the entire time BUT I BET you withheld that information from Steve. BYE ASSHOLES."

Tony wouldn't put it past them. It disappointed him to see that Rhodey got swept up into Nick Fury's stupid cat and mouse games.
Tony was just mad.

He summoned his suit and took off. He needed to get away from them and cool down.

2:38 AM IN THE PAST

Steve lost track of the hours. Clint and Tony were still asleep and he was still very upset with himself. Steve wished he could sleep but his mind refused to rest. He was bothered by the last communication he had with Fury.

The adult Tony wouldn't even look in his direction. Steve didn't expect Tony to act that way but he wasn't surprised.

The younger Tony turned over and over in the bed. He ended up tangled up in a mess of blankets. Steve could see that he was still covered in sweat. He needed to sweat out all the drugs that were in his system.

Tony tossed around again and then he sat up. He peeled out of the doctor gown and threw it just like he did with his shirt at Obadiah's house. Tony's body crashed back against the bed and he turned over on his stomach. He was still asleep and only wore his underwear and socks.

Steve smiled at the sight. Tony amused him and he couldn't help it.

He thought Tony was adorable. A just a total mess that clawed around and tried to make himself comfortable.

Now Tony began to shiver because he didn't have any clothes on. STEVE SIGHED. OH man Tony Stark had always been a little monster even after he was all grown up.
He heard him say something in his sleep. Steve just rubbed at the side of his head and thought about getting some sleep himself.

They had a fight on their hands ahead of them. He knew they needed to be well rested and in top form if they were going to take down Bucky.
He heard a pained sigh that came from Tony and he quickly looked in his direction. Tony was in pain and Steve's reaction was immediate.

Tony curled his arms over his stomach and started to breathe hard. He watched him turn around and stretch his arms out.

Tony winced from the pain and he started to cry against the pillow. Steve had to say something.

"Tony? Are you ok?" He asked as he stood up. Steve moved at a slow pace and he sat beside him on the bed. Tony stirred around beside him and eventually he woke up.

Tony looked up at Steve and quietly spoke.

"I miss my mom." Tony shed a few tears after he answered the question. Steve's jaw hung open slightly. Everyone always brought up Tony's father but no one ever really mentioned his mother. Even the adult Tony never talked about his mother. So, for Steve it was the first time he'd ever seen Tony show any emotion about either one of his parents.

It shocked the soldier and he got lost in thought.
Tony lost his parents at too young of an age. His life had accelerated so quickly for him and it was obvious that Tony had no idea what to do with himself. Steve knew how that felt.

"Your mom misses you too. But she wants you safe more than anyone."

"I had a dream they died. I'm never going to see my mom again." Tony looked away and started to wipe his tears that fell at a quicker pace.

"The terminator killed my mom, in my dream. And then he killed me." Tony burst into tears and Steve tried not to look so dazed because of it.

He had never seen Tony cry before. Tony was an expert at hiding how he felt.
But not at this age it seemed. Steve said nothing.

He moved the blanket and he decided to lay down beside him. Steve glanced in Clint's direction. He listened to him breathe. The archer was still asleep. Steve needed to console Tony and he just went with the feeling he had in his gut.

He rest his body against the bed and the two stared at each other. Tony gave Steve more room and he wiped his face a million times.

The Yankee was in his bed. Tony's thoughts jumbled and he wiped his face again.

"It's ok. I'm not going to let the terminator get to you. Ok? That's why I'm here."

Tony took a moment to pull himself together. He noticed that they were in a hotel. He glanced around the room and saw "James Romanov" asleep in the other bed. Then he looked at the clock beside the bed.
He noticed that it was almost 3 in the morning.

Tony moved back a bit and he stared blankly at Steve's clean shirt. He could see where he dirtied it up with his gross sweat filled face.

Steve just smiled at him and wiped the rest of the tears away. Tony looked up at Steve and the two smiled at each other.

He felt better after he heard that. He knew that the Yankee would protect him.

Well wait, he didn't do jack shit when Obidiah had his way with him. But, he still trusted him for some reason.
Tony was reminded of someone but he still couldn't place it.

Tony just knew he would protect him. How did he know? he didn't know, but he knew.

"Don't you sleep?" He whispered to Steve as the two continued to face each other. Eventually, one of them always looked away. This time it was Steve. He had to remind himself that the person in front of him was not that Tony.

He looked at the CHAIR that he needed to go back to. Steve debated and then he decided to talk with Tony for a little longer. He could hear that Clint was still asleep.

"Not when I'm working."
"You need sleep. You've been awake for years." Tony wiped away another tear and it made his eyes red. The skin around his eyes were very tender and they were red and sore from being rubbed so many times.

Tony's nose was also red. Steve thought that he didn't look too good. In fact, he looked worn out.

"I'll sleep as soon as James wakes up." He responded softly as Tony grinned.

"His name is not James. haha you guys are bad liars."
"No, his name is James." Steve smiled. He tried to correct Tony but he couldn't keep a straight face.

"So, you being a terrible liar and all, does that make your job ten times harder or whut." Tony laughed quietly at him and Steve forced himself to keep his mouth shut.

Tony tried to flirt with him and Steve suppressed his reactions.

He didn't want to encourage him, but he preferred to see Tony being playful then being sad.

Steve didn't say anything. He tried to avoid eye contact too. Tony was stubborn of course and made sure that Steve looked him in the eyes. Steve fixed his gaze over at Clint and then he gave in and looked back at Tony.

"Go back to sleep."
"Hmmm I don't wanna." Tony had a tricky little grin on his face. Steve glanced back over at the chair that he sat in earlier and thought it was time to go back over there.

He needed to get back over there quick because Tony had that devious look about him. Steve knew him well enough to know that the brunette had something up his sleeve.

Tony had a bad bad baddddd desire that started to develop in his head.

He felt that deep urge to do something with his hands. The palms of his hands started to itch. Tony needed to, Gahh he needed..

Tony gripped that shirt. He twisted it up in one of his hands.

Steve drew in a breath and his eyes dropped to Tony's lips. He shouldn't have looked.
Tony tipped in his direction and the two started to kiss. Tony saw something in front of him that he wanted and he did what he always did. He pounced.

Steve's shoulders tensed. He knew it was WRONG. Every shade of it was wrong because Tony was seventeen and...
The soldier turned his head and deepened the kiss. After that Tony was the one that tensed up. He didn't expect the Yankee to actually return his advance.

He wanted to steal a kiss from him right after they met. But now that their lips actually touched it freaked him out a little. It sent an intense feeling throughout Tony's body.
It was a sensation in his body that he had never felt before.

What the hell was it about the Yankee? Tony moved closer to Steve. He started to lightly touch and explore his lips with his own. The longer the two kissed, the more intense it got.

Steve knew all of it was wrong but it was hard for him to resist Tony Stark. The confidence he exuded and his charisma was a challenge for him to refuse. Tony had all of the things that Steve felt like he lacked.

There was an intense force, or energetic pull from Tony that he couldn't avoid. SEVENTEEN OR NOT...
He missed Tony. It felt like he craved for him when he wasn't around. Steve gently pulled Tony tight up against him with one hand. It led him to strengthen the kiss that SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

Tony's little heart raced. The Yankee was just as into the kiss as he was. Steve pulled him closer and Tony just about DIED.

Steve snapped out of his daze and he abruptly ended their kiss. What the hell was he doing? The two stared at each other and they both had a wide-eyed expression.
Tony touched his lip and stared at the shirt Steve wore. His eyes seem brighter than before, and his smile was definitely more devilish.

"That should not have happened." Steve looked over in Clint's direction. Luckily for him the archer was still asleep. He went to get up and Tony grabbed his arm.

"But it did. No take backs." Tony's lips pulled into a smile and he tried to hide it.

THIS WAS BAD. VERY BAD Steve couldn't think and he knew he needed to GET UP.
Since he took that dangerous leap and started to sleep with Tony he no longer had to hold back, there was no need for them to restrain themselves.

Steve had gotten used to it. Now there he was with this Tony ...
ERGHhhh It wasn't the same TONY. WAIT, yes it was the same Tony but not the SAME Tony. Jesus. He really needed to beat that concept into his head. He needed to fix the situation right then and there.

"It will not happen again."
"Why? Are you married?" Tony laughed quietly and moved a bit so he could be more comfortable. He put a lot of weight on his arm that had the IV and he winced.

Oh wow. Tony didn't even realize that there was a hole in his arm. He looked at it as Steve processed what had just happened.
Was he married? No. But he felt committed to, someone.

"I'm trying to be with someone. Someone I like very much." Steve confessed quietly as he put some distance between himself and Tony. He did not want that to happen again. Nooooooo way. Tony looked away from his arm with a frown.

"Must not be someone you really care about if you're kissing me." Tony said as he held that disappointed look on his face.
Steve noticed that Tony's cheeks had turned several shades of pink.

He tried to ignore it but he couldn't. If he was attracted to Tony then he knew without a doubt that the Tony in the room was attracted to him.

"He's a lot like you." Steve was full of confessions it seemed. Tony's eyes lit up after Steve said that.
HE'S? The Yankee wanted to be with a guy?! Whoaaa Tony was shocked.

"HE? Ooohh so that's why you keep looking at me like you do?" Tony spoke excitedly but he kept quiet.

He did not want to wake up James Romanov. No way. He didn't want the moment fucked up. He kept his voice low and masked his excitement.

Steve didn't answer. He drew his bottom lip into his mouth and thought about how to respond. Tony's brain was flooded with questions for him. He leaned closer to Steve and started to whisper.

"Is he in space with the other robots?"
"Possibly." Steve still smiled. Tony could be so cute sometimes. He acted like a hyper little kitten. Full of fire and life.
Tony no longer had that look of disappointment on his face. He had a look of innocent curiosity.

"Why won't he be with you? Do you guys just have sex orrr whut?"
That question threw the soldier off balance. Luckily, he was in a hotel bed so he couldn't fall down. He just started to understand why the adult Tony wouldn't be with him. Well, he did his best to fully understand.

He did not know how to answer that.

Clint woke up around the moment he heard Steve say, "He's a lot like you." His back was turned to the two and he couldn't believe what he had heard.
NO. FRIGGEN. WAY. He could not leave Steve ALONE WITH THE YOUNGER TONY.

Holy shit he was shocked.
Clint stayed silent and waited for the perfect moment to BUST them as they spoke all romantically and shit!
Steve finally managed to answer the question.

"I don't think he knows how to be in a relationship. He's quite guarded but he wasn't always that way."
Tony wondered what made the guy so guarded but he didn't ask. He turned his head to the side and thought for a second.

"Hmm. Well, if he's anything like me then he's probably freaking out about losing you more than being in a relationship with you. That's my theory anyway." Tony shrugged his shoulders and Steve got more attentive.

"What? Really?" So, he decided to get some insight about Tony from a younger source. Steve had no shame it seemed.
CLINT WAS GOING TO KICK HIS ASS!

"Well, if I was with you I'd be afraid to lose you. I know I'd fuck it up somehow." Tony confessed as Steve smiled.

OK. CONVERSATION WAS OFFICIALLY OVER.

Clint sat up and he threw his pillow hard against Steve's face.

"YOU TWO DONE WITH YOUR LITTLE CHAT?!" Steve caught the pillow and got up quickly. He had his hand caught in the cookie jar and he had to get out of there ASAP.

Steve got off that bed and he booked it out the door.

"WHERE YOU HEADED BRUCE?!" Clint yelled his head off as Steve went outside. UMM he needed to get out of there.
Tony's eyebrows shot up as he watched the Yankee take off.

Clint stared at Tony. He saw zero clothing. WAS HE NAKED IN THAT BED? Dear God could the mission be anymore shitty and stressful?
Tony turned in Clint's direction. He felt happy to see his other protector so upset.
It brought him so much joy.

"Hi James." Tony laughed and threw the pillow back at him. Clint was beyond angry. He glared at the brat kid.

"You need to behave. GO back to sleep." That was the first demand he gave Tony. The little punk obviously messed with Steve's head and it did not look good.

Clint needed to knock some sense into his fearless leader.

"You stay put. We are having a team meeting ok? you're not invited!" Clint got up and he headed to the door.
He stopped and gave Tony a serious warning.

"If I see this door open or if I see your little head poking around the windows I will hurt you. I will pull that little stunt at the club and knee your cock so damn hard. YOU HEAR ME?" He opened the door quickly and then slammed it shut behind him.

NOW, WHERE THE EFF WAS CAPTAIN CAN'T CONTROL HIMSELF?

Tony just huffed and turned over onto his back. He exhaled noisily, kicked his legs a few dozen times, and then he crossed his arms. Why the hell did HE have to ruin shit. Tony stared up at the ceiling and started to chew on his bottom lip.

He wasn't going to be able to forget that kiss for a long time.

Outside, Steve paced around and wandered away from the hotel. He tried to make sense of what had happened. Clint's voice intruded on his thoughts.

"YO LOVER BOY. Were you actually in BED with him or was I imagining things? You didn't ACTUALLY climb into that bed with him right?"

Steve refused to answer the questions that were just thrown in his direction. Steve realized that the archer slept through the kiss that occurred in that hotel room. Steve was glad for that because punches would have been thrown for sure if Clint knew.

Steve just looked down the street and he grabbed at his bottom lip for, reasons.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT IN THERE?" Clint needed some form of a response. Steve had officially LOST his damn mind. He thought about giving Steve a good punch in the face but, it was Captain America and he valued his life.

Yeah, Clint fought that urge and decided to yell at him instead. Steve stopped pulling on his lip and he sighed.

"Nothing. I got a message from Fury while you were asleep. They eliminated the threat on their end and-"

"CAP cut the crap. Don't act all official now and start telling me some shit about Fury. WHAT WAS THAT I OVERHEARD?" Did Steve not comprehend that what he overheard was a problem?

"Hello?! Anybody home? Are you really that love sick for Tony? ARE YOU that desperate for his affection back home?"

Clint was just baffled and he really failed to recognize Steve at the moment. Steve said nothing and it just pissed Clint off even more.

"You can't keep him safe if all you're thinking about is getting love advice from him ABOUT HIS FUTURE SELF! Think about what you're doing." Clint was pretty loud at that point. He looked back at the hotel. He didn't see any movement coming from the room so he turned back to Steve.

"You are officially not allowed to be alone with him. I can't trust you at this point. Let's just do what we've gotta do AND LEAVE." Clint vented his frustrations with Steve.

He let him have it, and Steve kept quiet and listened.

"Steve, I'm afraid something totally crazy is going to happen. What if you can't leave this Tony behind?"
"That is ridiculous."

OH is it? Clint boiled over with rage.

"WHEN we go to leave are you really going to just send the brat back to Obadiah? UH NO... you're getting too attached to the younger Tony and you need to KNOCK IT OFF."

"I'm not attached." Steve's pulse began to escalate.

"YES. YOU. ARE."

Clint only saw a bad ending for the situation. He could feel it in his gut. Steve tried to remain calm and he changed the subject.

"Our mission has changed. The threat was eliminated on Fury's end and we now have to lure out Bucky. We have an opportunity to get Bucky out of Hydra's grasp." Steve ignored everything Clint said about Tony. He heard it all but he decided to ignore every word.

In his opinion, Clint had officially drowned in a glass of water. He made a mistake and opened up to the Tony in the hotel but Steve was very focused. He planned to take Bucky with him when it was time to leave.

Clint sighed heavily and processed.

"So, OK, let me get this straight. We are going up against the Winter fucking Soldier and you're armed with socks. This is just great! Haha we are going to get our ASSES handed to us. You're going to fall in love with a SEVENTEEN year old Tony Stark and live out the rest of your days in this shitty era and alter the future entirely! I TOOOOTALLY LOVE THIS MISSION!" Clint yelled off into the sky. He hoped for someone above him to strike him down dead.

"Can you relax?" Steve didn't like what Clint said at all and he really didn't like his attitude. Steve devised a plan in his head but he kept getting distracted.

"STEVE we need more manpower to take down Bucky! Think of it this way YOU don't have your shield and I'M not sharing my weapons with you." Clint gave Steve the cold-shoulder and he headed back to the room.

On his way he turned around and voiced his thought.

"DO NOT TALK TO TONY. THAT'S AN ORDER CAP." He gave Captain America an order and then he marched away.

UGH He roughly opened the door and he saw Tony on the bed.

He half-expected the kid to try his luck and escape or something. But, Tony fell back to sleep. Clint took a seat on the chair that was beside the bed.
It was his turn to keep watch and it was STEVE'S turn to stay the hell away from Tony.

As far as Clint was concerned, Steve could act like he knew what the hell he was doing and continue to walk around outside. TCH CLINT WAS DONE.
Sooooo very done.


Notes:
Another chapter bites the dust. haaaaaaaaaa sorry I'm too into my story right now so I'm tossing up chapters left and right.
This one is a bit shorter in the word-count but it's the last one before the big show-down. I'm going to take my time on the next few chapters so just a heads up if you don't see me for a while. Thanks again for reading.
COMMENTS ARE LOVE! (and they encourage the writer)