Awesome, got my last chapter written a few days before scheduled, so I can start on this one and most probably have it up on Friday! So glad I seem to be over the whole "Can't write anything for the life of me" thing. I wouldn't call it writers block, it was different than that, for some reason I can't put to words. Oh well, lets get on with it, then. Will try to have a full Steve PoV this time.
"I don't want to be perfect, just alright." Look Away-by Thousand Foot Krutch
As it turned out, the fortunate part of it all was that Asgardians didn't seem to believe in being subtle.
The unfortunate part was that as soon as they found her, she didn't do a damn thing that would give them reason to go after her, so they were forced to sit around and just watch. It was boring, and it would have been so much easier if they didn't have to keep dodging Coulson... after the whole T'Challa thing, for some reason he didn't really trust Tony. Steve snorted a laugh. He guessed he wasn't really surprised. He wasn't happy or comfortable with that for some reason he couldn't put his finger on, but it just irritated him more than anything.
Because, really, as soon as you started looking at it the right way, Tony was a really trustworthy guy. Well, as long as you weren't trusting him to look after his own health... but towards other people, he was probably the one closest to having Steve's trust, he had to admit to himself. He tried not to notice, but he just couldn't help it... the man was always there when he was needed. It was hard not to notice when they had found Amora's location and they all started spending time down in the shop with Tony... who pretended to be irritated at them for taking up space. The slight smile that he tried to hide led them all to ignore his complaints, though.
They never were all down in the shop at the same time, of course... they took turns trying to distract Coulson. It was easier for some than others... easier for him. Coulson followed him around as if he were a shadow, getting irritated when people tried to talk with him when he went jogging, or got coffee while he was out, anything. He didn't enjoy the hero-worship in the normally calm eyes, or the slight strain to the mans voice, but there was no way around that... he hoped that in time it would fade.
In an odd way, it was just relaxing to be around Tony. He treated him like everyone else, teased him and even if sometimes it made his blood start to boil pleasantly, it was a welcome change to the kid gloves most treated him with. It turned out that he teased everyone like that and it was clear from the others' reactions- how the dark man grew more relaxed after someone just laughed off one of his jokes- that that was all they were... he wasn't being malicious, just trying to be friendly.
Sure, it was an odd way to go about it, but at least he was blunt and honest about things, unlike many he had encountered. It almost reminded him more of his time in the Army, when people weren't so keen on hiding everything... and sure, Tony would do that just as much as anyone else in this time... just not when he was around the team. When he had to do an interview for some news station talking about the attack, he was all fake smiles, captivating charm and half-truths that skirted whatever topic they tried to force on him... he played that game well. Really he was just glad that it did seem to only be a game for the genius. It would have been absolutely impossible to deal with if his personality really had been that fake.
Honestly, the only downside to the waiting, really, was that there was nothing much for them to do in Tony's shop while he worked other keeping an eye on the trace they had on the Enchantress, and Jarvis was very capable of doing just that... but no one was willing to just wait for the AI to say anything. So for the first few hours, the grew bored easily. That didn't last very long. The easiest fix there was Bruce: as long as he didn't get in Tony's way, the other man didn't mind sharing lab-space.
Steve considered himself to be pretty easy to occupy as well... he'd shown up in the shop the day after they found her to find a sketchbook and various art supplies stacked by the corner of the couch... he had no doubts that they were intended for him, especially since once he touched them, Dummy whirred happily at him from across the room... Tony had been careful to keep the bots away from them, for the most part. It was really too bad, he didn't mind Dummy, but after the smoothie thing the day before, he could understand. He'd tried to thank Tony for the supplies, but the man hadn't really said anything, just gave him a small, secretive smile before turning back to one of his countless projects. It warmed him in a way he wasn't sure he was comfortable with.
After that, it was pretty hard to even get angry at the man, much less yell at him about anything much.
Natasha and Clint ended up forcing Tony to buy something they called an x-box for them almost immediately after that and played games where they tried to kill one another with rather un-believable characters... Steve had tried to join them, but found it impossible to control the characters on the screen very well, much less to the point the other two were at... And if he practiced at it while the others weren't around to laugh at him, well, they didn't need to know that. Tony complained about the noise the games created, but every once in a while he would stop what he was doing to play a round or two with them. Unsurprisingly, he usually won.
Clint seemed a bit put off and complained that they were trained assassins, they should be better at Assassin's Creed than some Engineer... but Tony just smirked.
"It's Technology... you really think I can't technology better than you?" Ok, so maybe they'd been drinking. Normally Steve would have been disappointed, but this time he really didn't mind. It made watching them play so much more amusing. After that, Clint just accused him of cheating. Which, of course, he denied.
Thor was really the biggest problem out of the bunch... he didn't really have much in the way of Earthly hobbies and he was worse at video games than Steve was... After he'd broken seven controllers and two tvs within the space of half a day, Tony finally had to come up with an easier answer for him... Cartoons, or sometimes "Old" movies... old being old for the rest of them, to Steve they were still new experiences, so he never minded when Thor was in the shop to watch with him, even if some of the movies would cause Natasha to roll her eyes or Clint to whine endlessly.
If Coulson ever wondered what they were keeping from him after that first misstep, Steve never heard about it...it seemed that he was working quite well with them to avoid actively knowing what was going on. Still, without Jarvis to warn them before he could walk in on anything again, it would have been just about impossible. Steve suspected that he had kept his word about not going to Fury about T'Challa since the Director didn't make an appearance...that something that made spending time with the other man a little bit more bearable little bits at a time, at least. If Fury had found out, there would be no hiding what they were doing, seeing as the spy himself would probably be at the Tower yelling at Tony for days on end, and who knew how far Stark's patience ran. Farther than any of them suspected, be guessed. But enough to put up with and angry Fury? Doubtful.
Today, as much as he liked his team, he almost found himself wishing that they would go off and leave him to draw in peace with just Tony around... sure, they still really weren't talking or friendly, nothing like that, but the others were loud in a different way than the scientist was... Tony would constantly be talking, mostly to himself or to Jarvis, or his bots, sometimes to people over the phone... something it always took a few minutes for Steve to figure out. He was always in motion, even standing still, he would twirl a wrench or a pencil through his fingers, mess with his hair absent-mindedly, eyes constantly darting in random directions as he ran his gaze over his work... anything to keep from being still.
But it was a more peaceful type of noise, one that he was used to after being around people like Howard Stark or Dr. Erskine for the time he had. The others, though... they created a more chaotic noise and while it was fun, it was also rather stressful. Always yelling at one another over the Tv, Thor's thunderous laugh or weeping echoing through the room as he watched some show or another... Even Bruce's tense silence screamed through the room if he paid enough attention to it. And when he was on Coulson duty, he always felt obligated to try to keep some kind of conversation going, because of guilt or just awkwardness, he wasn't sure. Nothing really deep or anything, just asking about silly things that had taken over the future... what types of Tv show he enjoyed, movies, cell phone, anything. Most of the time he didn't understand the answers.
Actually, because of what they all started calling guard duty, he'd missed the next time Tony's friend had called and talked with the group... he was more disappointed than he'd expected to be. It felt like the man was very relaxed, calm. He seemed interesting and he imagined they could have very interesting discussions... that is, if Tony wouldn't mind giving up some time with the other man to him. But because of how quickly they had found Amora, Tony had had no reason to call him back up, and Steve would have felt ridiculous asking him to, just so he could talk a bit with him. He had plenty of people to talk with as it was, after all.
He sighed and glanced around the lab. Clint was off on guard duty this time and Natasha and Thor were both enveloped in some movie about monkeys ruling the world that Steve just couldn't get in to however he tried. Bruce had given up trying to work a few hours ago and was now trying to nap off in a corner, not that he was getting much luck with it, most likely due to the noise. Tony, naturally, was hovering over one of his work benches, messing around with some golden chunk of Iron Man armour, the blue glow of hologram designs spread around him, floating aimlessly within arms reach in all directions.
Steve couldn't remember being so lonely in his life, not when his mother had died, or when Bucky had fallen, even when he'd had to crash the plane into the ice...
It was ridiculous. He was surrounded by amazing people, all of whom seemed to genuinely care for him, surrounded by technology that he could only ever dream of as a child... and he was home-sick. It hit him all at once and painfully, a bullet to the stomach without having the decency to let him bleed. He'd thought he'd gotten over this when he'd moved into the Avengers Tower, finally had people around to talk to...
He knew a trip to the gym wouldn't fix anything this time. Before, he had been able to shove it aside with anger and frustration, then exhaust himself. This time, there was nothing to even be frustrated at, not really... he'd accepted that this was what he was stuck with, now. This was where he was meant to be, with or without his permission. It was done, something to move past, and he had been so angry for the past few days that he had all but burnt himself out... his shame for being so angry at Tony just for being himself probably the biggest factor in dousing that to a mere spark, the other being that even knowing Fury was wrong, that they were doing the right thing anyway. He wished he could get angry.
Instead of getting himself worked up over it, he glanced around again and sighed softly to himself. He tried again to watch the movie, but found his eyes drifted off around the room within minutes of setting his eyes on the screen. He could go take over for Clint... the other man would appreciate it and it would give him someone to talk to... but that sounded more stressful than anything. Sure, they could talk, but it all it did was remind Steve that he was out of his depth and alone. With Bruce it was the same problem, even if he could get the man talking.
Natasha would read through why he wanted to talk in a heartbeat and he really didn't her to worry about him and as for Thor... well, other than battle strategies and helping one another try to figure out how things worked, they didn't have too much to talk about with one another about. He liked the God, of course and Thor seem like him, but there just wasn't enough that they had in common to hold the type of conversation that he needed. Which just left Tony.
Normally, he wouldn't have even thought about trying to approach the man. But...
Well. He'd never really had a chance to talk to the man and obviously he had misjudged him from the start... maybe he could actually be of some help. It didn't hurt that when he started thinking about going over and talking to him, the loneliness that was all but threatening to take over died down just a little. Besides, it couldn't hurt to try to get to know him better... they were a team, after all. They should be able to trust one another. How could they trust each other if they never spoke?
And really, what was the worst that could come of it? They'd argue or Tony would send him away and both options gained him something he could use to work off the home-sickness... anger. Not that it was what he wanted- the thought made his stomach tense- but it would patch his heart for a little bit. Long enough to come up with something better to deal with it.
When he stood, no one even glanced his way... they'd all gotten used to one of them standing up every now and then just to stretch their legs. They didn't seem to notice him as he made his way through the shop over to Tony and came to a stop so that he could watch the older man for a few seconds before he reached out, just barely and touched the mans shoulder with two fingers.
Tony's shocked eyes met his own sad ones, knowing full well he was giving puppy dog eyes to the man, pleading with him. 'please don't send me away... I feel less alone right here.' He tried to keep it out of his voice, all the same.
"Sorry to bother you, but I was just curious about what you've been up to, here. Mind if I hang out for a little?" The other man stared into him for a moment longer, then Tony smiled at him, a gentle, small one,just enough to reach his eyes before he moved over enough for Steve to join him at the bench and carefully started to explain what he was doing, pointing in the general direction of different parts every few seconds. Steve just let his voice wash over him, and relaxed for the first time since Thor showed up.
Tony didn't seem to expect him to listen, but he never stopped talking, nothing Steve could understand, but it was enough. Enough to push his home-sickness away. He could feel the others staring a the two of them now, but he found he couldn't care less. There was something so familiar about this, so calming. He hadn't really expected that Tony would be ok with it, much less that he'd be just as happy listening to him just talk.
Tony continued talking, but Steve was more interested in just watching his hands work over wires and metal. He caught himself staring as the man worked, but he didn't bother to look away. He could see how easy it was that Tony could lose track of time like this. It was fascinating, but again familiar. It was something he was used to, he supposed. For once, the thought of Howard didn't bring a painful pang of loss.
He only snapped out of his trace when Jarvis gave a quick warning a few seconds before Clint and Coulson came into the room. He sighed as Tony's voice stopped and they both turned, Steve trying to keep a glare off of his face... Tony didn't seem to mind the one on his, however. Maybe something had happened the other day when he'd had to wait for the Agent to grab his things and the drive back? He didn't doubt it... as torn up that Tony had seemed to be after his death had been announced, he hadn't really seemed to get along with the man before-hand. Then again, knowing now how Tony was with people, being able to look at it from a different angle, he was starting to wonder about his initial understanding about how Tony's relationship with the agent was.
Steve swore he hear Tony sigh before he stood up and was gone from Steve's side leaving the loneliness to rushed back in. He had to stop himself from reaching out to grab him. He hoped it didn't show too much on his face... he wouldn't be able to explain it to the team if he tried. He couldn't explain it to himself.
He bit back a sigh of his own as he stood up and made his way back to the couch with the others. They were now watching some cartoon about a talking dog solving crime... he wasn't so sure how he felt about the show. Thankfully, all he got out of the others already on the couch was a raised eyebrow and hidden half-smile from Natasha and a smile of greeting from Thor. Bruce just stared at him from across the room. Clint looked confused, but didn't really put too much attention into it. Coulson glared back at Tony when the other man paced his way to the other side of his shop to grab some new materials.
He hadn't seemed to need anything before, so Steve figured he just got away to avoid another yelling match with the agent. Steve was thankful for that, really... sure, while Tony's voice seemed to be soothing for him, but he doubted it would be so helpful in that manner. Coulson glanced around, but didn't say anything, a spark lighting in his eyes when they finally came to a rest on him. His stomach sank... he knew that look meant that he would insist on spending time with him, now. He glanced around for help, trying not to look too desperate while doing so.
"Hey, Cap. Get your ass over here, will you? Need you to lift this... must have fallen over and I just haven't had time to lift it back up." Steve relaxed again. Ohh... he owed Tony for this one, whether the other man knew it or not. He jumped back up off of the couch, away from his teams eyes and darted over to Tony's side again. The other man jumped slightly at how quickly he was there, but gave him a look that suggested that he not say anything and gestured to an overturned cabinet. He smiled lightly at the other mans back.
It wasn't heavy... actually, if he had to bet on it, he'd have probably put money down on Tony being able to lift it on his own, even without suiting up... still, he couldn't have been more thankful for the out he'd given him, so he didn't say anything about it. Tony reached down to grab some of the wires that had spilled out under it, but looked up to give him a secretive wink. He had to smile back... maybe he was being too obvious about how stressed he was, if Tony could tell. For now, though...
Whatever, he'd take it. And since Tony didn't seem to mind, all the better.
Thor's booming laugh echoed through the room, turning everyone's head to see Coulson looking slightly uncomfortable as he was pulled down to the couch next to him. He never had been very comfortable around the demigod... well, it would be good for the two of them to spend more time with one another, since it seemed Coulson was now living in the Tower with them, and Thor wasn't about to go back to Asgard any time soon, not with Amora as a potential threat. As long as Thor remembered to keep himself quiet about the whole tracking a potential enemy thing, they really didn't have much to worry about.
But, even if the others constantly forgot it, Thor was the oldest one of them by far, the most experienced, and sure, he might not understand much of Earth customs, or their technology any more than Steve did, but he was a warrior. He wouldn't have been alive so long if he couldn't be smart about planning and keeping those plans to himself and out of prying ears. So, they probably didn't have anything to be worried about with him.
Bruce kept looking nervously over at the two, but Natasha couldn't seem to care less. Clint had collapsed onto the floor and covered his eyes with his arm. Steve smiled slightly over at them, and shook his head.
"Good mood?" His grip slipped on the cabinet for half a second, but he caught it before it slipped. Tony wasn't looking at him, but his voice held a smile. Steve snorted.
"Not overly... just, well, look at them." He nodded over to the group and Tony glanced around him over to the group.
"Hmm. They look comfortable. Must mean something bad is just going to ruin it." Steve glanced back over at him, brows knitting together in confusion.
"What makes you think that?" The other man shrugged.
"Just look back at history. Bad shit always happens and the only time we can clearly see it coming is when there is a moment of calm to look forward." Steve looked back over at the group.
"Not sure I'd look at it that way, but I suppose you're not wrong." Tony coughed to cover a light laugh and Steve found himself smiling again before he could think about why.
"Maybe not. You're not an overly cynical person, after all." Steve shrugged. "Don't worry, I'm cynical enough for the both of us." Steve laughed again and Tony's smile got wider. So strange, they were actually getting along... that wasn't something that he saw coming earlier that day. But then, he hadn't really thought about it and he found once again that he actually didn't mind it. As pleasant as it was to let himself relax a little bit, it was almost as nice to see Tony doing the same. With luck, it wouldn't be just a one time thing.
I know X-Box isn't really many people's favorite console right now, after the whole x-box One announcement, but it's the one I'm more familiar with, and the only one that plays Halo... and come on, Master Chief is like a mix between Cap and Iron-man, what's not to love? Oh well, anyway, at least I got the chapter up on time, hope you guys enjoy.
Chapter slightly shorter than I wanted, but I did say before I was busy, so there's nothing for it. Enjoy you guys.
