disclaimer: i do not own marvel.

chapter 9 road-trip

There was a roast in the oven, its sweet and spicy scented smell lingering in the air could tempt any person into staying for dinner. Besides a good sized chunk of juicy meat there was also a bowl of potato salad made with fresh herbs, in fact you could still notice the scent of recently used parsley. By all means no mortal, or immortal man, should be capable of letting their minds wonder far from cookery and food with such aroma's in the

Everybody except for the cook, Steve was a ball of nerves fretting over the upcoming events. For this was the evening of his date, or Elaine's date it depended in which way you perceived it. At her small but quaint house, were he was currently using her pots, pants and oven to create magic "her words not his." His heart of gold was torn in two, for he could follow the advice of his friend and " get it out of his system". Steve could try, but the thought of doing so felt like betrayal. Or he could follow what his heart told him, head to the tower, to Tony. Steve could confess his feelings, let out the raging turmoil as he spoke, hoping he could feel relief afterwards.

To tell Tony he longed for just one particular stubborn person.

But no matter how hard his brain worked, doing over-hours as it struggled to find the best possible plan for Steve's troubles. No solid idea seemed to satisfy both his heart and mind. There was no middle ground when love was the issue.

"Steve." Said Elaine who looked absolutely beautiful in her flowing red dress, her brown hairs tied together in a neat bun. "A penny for your thoughts."

His blue eyes wandered to her small frame, she wasn't one to judge, if anything Elaine had always welcomed him with open arms. Perhaps he could at least confess and lay bare his emotions to her, hoping she would willingly lend an ear and listen to his struggle. " I." Well so much for a good start, after barely one words he was already losing the rest of his sentence.

" I am not your type."

"Sorry, I wish you were."

She made a comforting gesture." It's ok Steve, I kinda figured you didn't return my feelings. But I wish I was your type as well."

"Sorry."

"Stop apologising and get that roast out of the oven before it burns, I'm hungry you know." A kind smile curved her lips. " And then you can spill the beans."

Steve let out a relieved breath of air, and he inwardly thanked god for a person who would listen to him. His carefully prepared oven dish was ready and nothing but picture perfect, with two big orange oven mittens on he lifted it and brought it down to the table. The other side dishes and potato salad soon followed it, while Elaine poured them a glass of red wine. " Not sure if you drink wine, you look like you're a beer kind of guy."

"I don't really drink alcohol."

A puzzled look appeared on her face. "Why not? Medications you're taking? Or did you used to be a mean drunk and after joining the a.a. you have sworn to never touch a glass again?

"I have never been drunk, alcohol never agreed with me." The medication part held a half a truth, back in the forties his small body wasn't really capable of mixing med's with whatever kind of drink Bucky wanted him to try that night. " But I'd like to try that glass of wine."

"Ok, but don't blame me if you do get drunk, you did this on your own risk."

"Trust me I won't get drunk from this one glass." Steve would not get drunk even if he drank a few bottle's. Not that he ever tried it, much to Tony's dismay who really wanted to see a drinking match between him and Thor.

"So who do you like, if not me."

His blue eyes widened a bit in surprise"How do you..."

"Feminine intuition Steve, never underestimate a woman's powers of simply knowing things. That and it is quite easy to read your expressions."

It was either now or never, so he opened his mouth to just let it all out. "My best friend, Tony."

And he had braced himself for an angry reaction, or perhaps even one of total surprise But not this god's honest smile and hearty laugh coming from Elaine. " I knew it, I knew something like this would happen. You're awfully late though coming out of the closet and all, you should have just said so when i asked you the first time we met."e

"I wasn't gay, I'm still not ... I think. honestly I don't know any more it's all so confusing."

"But you like him."

"Yes."

" And you have liked a woman before."

"Yes..." Sighed Steve not sure were this conversation was going to with all these questions.

"Well that's settles it you just like both, it's as simple as that. So what are you waiting for Mr Puppy dog eyes, go to your best friend and confess your eternal love for him or something like that."

Steve wished he could get drunk sometimes, or just a bit tipsy. "I can't."

"Yes you can Steve, if he's truly your best friend he'll listen. Who knows he might even consider it." Elaine said with noting but positivity in her voice.

"I am afraid of losing him." Said Steve a bit saddened, the thought of losing Tony as a friend hurt. " It is not like he is attracted to men, yeah he flirts and jokes plenty but I've only seen him with women in that way. He is as heterosexual as..."

"An arrow?" Elaine noted.

"What do arrows have to do with one's sexual preference,wait never mind. It is probably a comparison I don't get."

"So?" she noted crossing her arms. "what were you going to compare his straightness with?"

" I was going to say he is as straight as Tony Stark." Because he really could find no other fitting description for his friend,none came as close as just saying Tony's name aloud would. And they wouldn't have been as accurate either.

Elaine nearly choked on her wine after trying to hold in her obvious amused laughter. "Oh god you are dead serious aren't you, come on Steve were living under a rock during the nineties? Tony Stark really?" A snort escaped her. " Well I'd certainly tell your friend the truth if he was Stark." Her honest laughter didn't stop, in fact it all but nearly turned into a giggle. All the while Steve sat there starring at her.

"You mean to tell me that Tony Stark was.. .is, with men."

"Well not lately if we are to believe the gossip, Steve, are you all right?"

"I have to go, really I need to tell Tony."

Faster then the speed of light he headed out of Elaine's house, he barely caught her enthusiastic voice as she yelled a few encouraging words. The ride on his sleek black motorcycle had been over in a flash, driving as fast as he could through the New York traffic, breaking several laws doing so. Fury would get a heart attack if he knew that the ever good and decent Captain America was driving through red lights while speeding. If anybody told the chief of S.H.I.E.L.D. that Steve was going to confess his love for another iron clad hero, then his last eye might pop out. All in all it was still turning out to be a darn good day for Steve after all, Elaine's words had rang with nothing but truth. At some point in his life Tony had dated, or at least had been involved with men.

Steve had just been so absorbed with his own worries that somehow he had refused to see the obvious. Right now he thought himself to be extremely stupid to have missed all those small hints, the teasing, flirting and everything else Tony did with both women and men. It was just a way of playing around or joking, and yeah he probably did make Steve uncomfortable just because the engineer thought it was funny. But those broad smiles aimed at him always had been real.

Gosh Steve you are an idiot.

Strong footsteps resounded in the hallway of Stark tower, ending only when Steve occupied the private elevator to the top floors were The Avengers resided. His resolve burning and strong, all but ready to grab Tony and pull the eccentric engineer into a kiss that would shame all others. In his rush he nearly walked by Bruce, Clint and Natasha all but bumping into the smaller scientist. The red-heads eyes were immediately on him reading him like an open book, finally Clint's "any booty" joke made sense."Were is Tony?"

"Finally! Jesus Cap it took you long enough all those glances you gave that tin can were starting to hurt my eyes. Still i figured Tony's be the first one to crack under his urges, guess that's a bet I lost."

"You knew." Stated the Captain in surprise while a twenty dollar bill made its way towards Bruce his hands. Was he a mockery fit to make a bet off? No these were his friends, they had reasons for holding their silence. "Why didn't you guys step in, why didn't you tell either me or Tony?" Steve hated being left in the dark, a guy needed options, info and tactics in battle. Daily life wasn't that mu different if you thought about it, at least not here in the tower.

Bruce stepped forward before Clint could open his mouth and sprout further nonsense. " Wet thought it would be better if you could figure it out on your own pace, without being pushed. Since you already had a brand new century to get used to as well, certain things are...euhm, quite differe-"

Clint bugged in his growing impatience elevating once he saw on opening in the scientists sentence. "Hey! it's OK to be gay." He said grinning friendly.

"I don't think I'm gay Clint."

Hawkeye put a hand on his shoulder clearly meant to give some kind of comfort, all it really did was make him grow uncomfortable. "No really Cap it is OK now this day and age, and we don't care who you like."

Natasha interjected what was according to her the truth. " I think what the Captain means to say is that he can be attracted to both sexes."

Steve could only nod and agree to her words. " But I only like Tony in that way, nobody else."

"That's all right Steve we figured you were a one girl, or man kind of guy." Noted Bruce who was fumbling anxiously with his old glasses, as if he was nervous or doubting to say something aloud. "The bet was... ok I won, but only because I know Tony. He would never force himself on you Steve, all this time he was holding back and honestly it was... never mind. I tried giving him a push in the right direction but he firmly believes that you can't be anything more then a good friend. That is why lately he's been acting strange, or stranger then usual."

Those words tied a knot of worry inside Captain america, had Tony been struggling and covering up his emotions for this long? He cursed his blindness, if only he had seen it earlier, if only he had really looked at Tony instead of swift glances when he wasn't noticed. "Just tell me Bruce so I can make it right, were is he now?"

A flash of sadness crossed the scientists weary face before he spoke. " He left, or ran, to his house in Malibu set on trying to forget you."

Before anybody could finish their breath or bat an eyelash Steve was gone, making haste towards The Avengers private elevator to the garage dead-set on grabbing his motorcycle an leaving the city behind. With every fibre in his body he wished he'd be on time to stop anything bad from happening, he'd be damned if his chance for love would seep through his finger because if his own foolishness.

A calculation sprang to live in Bruce his hectic but great mind, one solely focused on two of his friends. Tony should have been in the air for about one and a half hour now, assuming his extravagant private jet was ready to leave upon arrival at the airport. A trouble less flight through a cloudless clear blue sky, afterwards the short ride to his luxurious cliff side house. If the journey transpired fluidly then Bruce estimated the time spent travelling from point A to B would be around five and a half hours. Knowing Tony and his odd work habits he'd head straight to his beloved workshop, not that the genius would ever say it aloud or complain about it but that this place was sorely missed sometimes. Surely Tony would spent time working on something inside losing track of time with each twist and turn of a wrench, or so Bruce hoped at least.

Bruce his nimble fingers moved, to a stranger it could be perceived as a sign of being nervous or a man simply feeling out of place. All the scientist really did however was use his hands as a tool to accompany his mind as he calculated how long it would take for a focused man on a fast motorcycle to cross the states. Any normal person needed a healthy dose of sleep and food, Bruce doubted Steve would stop for any of this on his way to Tony. At a regular speed it would take the estimated time of forty-two hours, which would, according to the scientist be a few hours to late. By that time Tony would be up and about roaming a club or simply calling a person he found attractive enough to have intercourse with.

He cursed his hard-headed friends for taking this long to reach a point of realisation, but he also blessed them, for those two could find happiness in each others caring arms. Wishing a swift and speedy journey for Steve the ever brave soldier with a heart of gold, who, if it was up to Bruce, would be rendering every existing traffic law void in his journey. Tickets and fines could be paid later, arriving on time was more important then a few hundred dollars. And if any cop pulling over Captain America was sure to be given a short but stern speech, leaving them filled with guilt for even thinking of giving the greatest hero of ages a fine.

Calling Tony would not solve anything, in his current state he wouldn't even receive any call made unless a bomb went off. Tony, please Tony, just be patient and wait just a little wile longer. Thought Bruce, hoping everything would fall into the place it belonged eventually.

True to Bruce his words Tony spent several long hours in his preferred place of work, not that he would ever admit it when asked, but this spot had been sorely missed by him. And as always he filled his time there admits loud music blaring from speaker installed in the walls, machine's for welding, cutting and the simplest of tools. Modern technology was a thing of priceless beauty and brilliance but nothing could ever compare to the smell of oil, the raw feel of tools in your hands as you worked or the heat and sweat of hard devoted labour. In Tony's eyes all you needed to create the future were uncomplicated tools and the brain of a genius man such as himself. Usually he only stopped when either hunger, thirst or any other basic animal urge became to overwhelming to ignore.

Or in rare cases, like now, the urgent need for a shower to wash away the smell of sweat.

It was during the silence of a bath or shower, without music or the whirring of robotic appliances invading his hearing, that his brain's imagination ran wild on other things then inventing. Hot air,steam and the feeling of water running along his bare chest made him crave and dream of Steve. That brave soldier with blue eyes, intelligent, kind, stubborn, gallant and effortlessly handsome, oh, what Tony would give to run his hands over that sculpted marble like body. To make that man whimper and cry for more under his expert touches, and constant demanding kisses on the most sensitive of places. He imagined Steve asking for it, asking for everything Tony could give and anything he wanted he get. Which was according to his persistent shower fantasies those soft hesitant lips wrapped around his cock, clumsy and inexperienced but eager to learn, like Steve usually was. His god-damn given gift for memorising strategies, maps and explanations would prove it's value in the act of lovemaking. Or in this case wrapping that soldiers tongue in all the good spots as he diligently sucked, it was a vision Tony could stare at all night if he wanted to, blue eyes filled with long ignored lust looking up at him.

No longer satisfied with this burning image created by his cruel mind Tony wrapped a hand around his own hardness, seeking to rid himself of the pressure. He still felt guilt about using his best friend as fodder for jerking off, but not nearly guilty enough to stop now. Moments like this made him feel like a young teenager instead of the well experienced man he truly was, Tony knew all he needed were a few firm swift strokes to end himself. And indeed after a few relentless movements his head was thrown back in extasy, any evidence of his vivid daydream directly being washing away.

Drying and getting dressed took less time then normal, Tony's impatience getting the better of him. Imagination was all fun and games but he truly needed "wanted" the real deal, so he couldn't have Steve, bad luck. He would just have to find another willing male, or several, to fuck until this feeling started to fade. With his tie in place and his hair in a gorgeous mess he left his mansion, as a predator looking for easy prey. Being Tony Stark made virtually any prey he desired easy, so that wouldn't form a problem today either.

It was even easier then he thought, perhaps his absence in Malibu had made them miss him, perhaps they couldn't resist his incredible charisma. Like moths attracted to a flame people looked at him and he wasn't even lifting a finger, just a plain dinner in one of the most expensive restaurants in town had started the talk. Two of the waitresses had shamelessly looked his way, one of them attempted to flirt with him when she inquired if he wanted anything for desert. Tall endless legs and long soft brown hair, a beautiful woman, but not what he was looking for. Without a damper on his words Tony told her he was looking for something else tonight, a disappointed look crossed her face at this rejection.

But the wink he made in the direction of an rather handsome man eating a few table's away was well received, Tony Stark proved again that he could do anything without putting in any effort.

A bill wasn't needed, never had, they all knew were he resided, Jarvis would carry out the payments as soon as they arrived. It was rare for Tony to carry a credit card around anyway, that and small dollar bills. Gracefully he rose from his chair heading towards the exit of the restaurant were hopefully his car would be waiting for him, it irked Tony if they made him wait at a door. Mr tall, blond and cute from the restaurant followed him shortly after his check was paid in cash. His sleek silver lined car was ready at the exit, the younger man who hads introduced himself as Harold ( or Harry, Ronald, Hendrick, or at least something of that sort) seemed eager to go and fully knowing what they would do. It should have been a perfect night, if it hadn't rained. Just his luck,thankfully the hood of his car was down if anything had gotten wet the parking valet deserved a furious scolding. H got in the car and Tony got a good complete view of him, not only did he have a cute face his ass was shown of nicely in those pants. Perhaps this night would turn out to be all right anyway.

The gate of the garage opened automaticly when he reached the driveway, Henry's mouth opening in a silent "oowwh" as he looked over the collection of expensive vehicle's. Being admired was nice even if it was only for such a superficial thing, Tony thought while watching the man looking at his cars with pure affection in his eyes. With a few firm footsteps the engineer made his way over to his "plaything" for the night, effectively pinning the man against one of his cars.

"So you like my collection?" He asked seductively, lips hovering an inch from the other man's ears as Tony leaned in." You know it' been a while since some of them have been out for a ride." The r rolled off his lips sweetly giving Harry the shivers and week knees, there was no doubt of what Tony wanted to do to him right there in the garage. Some things didn't need a bed, and the genius could make due with any surface. If this cute guy liked his cars so much then he could stay right here, that nice ass could look rather appealing when turne...

Any trail of thought ended when a sound infiltrated his field of hearing, the roar of a powerful engine, it was familiar he could almost give it a place. Tony listened and identified the melody of a motorcycle. Suddenly his eyes widened in alarm, there was only one road here and he lived at the end , the driver was riding straight up to his house fast. Jarvis hadn't voiced any alarm or lowered the garage door, who did he know in Malibu that drove an... such an old model judging by the tone it created.

Nobody.

Tony released his hold on the man beneath him.

"Steve."

As soon as the name was spoken aloud the man in question drove straight into the garage, and Tony blessed the motor's well oiled breaks and good as care as it came to a hasted stop. That sleek gorgeous piece of metal had carried Steve here, to Malibu in what? Thirty five hours? The Captain America he knew would never dare to break the laws unless it was an emergency. In any normal situation he could have delved further in the subject, but he was being presented with something irresistible. Whatever made Steve step on the gas, it was urgent enough for him to leave the safety of his leather vest back in New York, leaving him clad in regular boot cut jeans and a white t-shirt. Tony was actually feeling grateful for the raid this instant, for it had left Steve drenched and more achingly handsome than ever.

The helmet Steve wore, because heavens forbid he would not wear one, came of. Revealing soft messy blond hairs and angry deep blue eyes currently aimed towards the stranger he took home with him, the name was already forgotten, something with an H. "Are you Tony's date?" Questioned Steve in a tone filled with authority, demanding instant respect.

the stranger almost stuttered."Y..yes."

"Not any more get out."

Nobody could doubt that voice, that get out or else tone. Frankly it was disturbingly arousing and Tony should not be starring at Steve like this. H made his way out of the garage faster then the speed of light leaving Tony alone with Steve, who's blue eyes had turned to him. By all means he should open his mouth and say a witty remark, something that would make the good old Captain blush till his toes turned red as well. He could roll his eyes and sigh in a dramatic way, complaining about his current loss, maybe crack a " are you his replacement" joke.

But no, his abnormal brain functions caused him to straight up stare and state the obvious. " Steve you are wet."

Idiot.

Again as always that you for being the patient readers you are.

Sexy times are ahead, later then I initially wanted but it just turned out that way.

I find myself unable to do a oneshot, but the one who told me to write it isn't complaining so I guessed, hey I might as well keep going.

Feel free to leave a tasty review for me to consume, if you feel like it.