"Tony?"
There's a gentle nudging on his shoulder, but he doesn't give the familiar voice the satisfaction of a reaction. He's tired, and he knows it couldn't have been very long since he literally talked himself to sleep with JARVIS.
"Tones, come on. Pepper is here."
He gives a listless grunt, figuring that Pepper was worth at least some form of acknowledgement, but still makes no effort to move.
"Fine. You leave me no choice, then." The voice replies to his groan, bundling up the end of the comforter he had cocooned around himself and pulling it off the bed, taking him with it. He nearly has the wind knocked out of him when he hits the floor, but continues to lay in a sleepy daze atop the blanket.
"Really, Tony? You're really going to do this?"
He responds with a sleepy nod and can't help the small smile that tugs at his lips when he feels himself being dragged across the ground. Well, actually, it's more like Rhodey pulling the comforter out of his room while he continues to lounge on it. He hasn't opened his eyes yet, but he knows that his best friend has literally dragged his drowsy ass into the elevator; he can feel the shift in momentum as the lift brings them down to the common floor.
By this point, he has reluctantly pried open his eyes, but made no move to get up off the blanket. Rhodey gives an exasperated sigh, giving in and dragging him into the common living room, where Steve and Pepper are engaged in some casual conversation.
"Good morning, Miss Potts," He smirks from where Rhodey had finally abandoned him on the floor, pulling her from her discussion and earning him an eye roll as she looks down at him.
"Good morning, Mr. Stark," Her tone is serious but Tony can see the smile beginning to show on her face; it's a beautiful thing, really. Pepper was always fascinating to him.
Meanwhile, Steve is just staring at him, most likely wondering how Tony had made his fortune, and how he was ever deemed mature enough to be an Avenger in the first place, before finally giving a small grin of his own. He's only distracted from the billionaire, who was now re-wrapping himself in the blankets and dozing off again, when a hand is held in front of him. He looks up to see the owner of the gesture, also the man who had dragged Tony out of bed, and gives it a firm shake.
"Colonel Rhodes, but you can just call me Rhodey," Rhodey gives him a toothy smile when Steve instantly connects the dots upon hearing the nickname; Tony's best friend.
"Don't be so modest, sour patch." Tony mumbles sleepily against the blanket, almost completely engulfed in the cover.
"Steve Rogers, it's nice to finally meet you." He returns the slight smile, ignoring the mechanic's comment. He had a deep respect for a man in uniform, even if Rhodes currently wasn't wearing it.
"Likewise."
"Rhodeyyyy"
Steve can't help but chuckle at the death look the Colonel gives as he turns to his friend. He can't help but wonder how he's put up with the mechanic all these years.
"Rhodey, Honey bear, I want pancakes," Tony whined, obviously proud of himself for ruining the formal meeting between the two soldiers.
"Tell you what. You get your ass off the floor and I'll make you as many pancakes as you want, deal?"
Tony seemed to consider this for a moment, and it seemed as though he had chosen the option of sleep, until Pepper bent down and grabbed him by the ear. She was dressed in business attire, as she always was whenever Steve saw her. Her black pencil skirt, white button up, and high heels made her look very professional, and slightly intimidating. Steve would hate to be on her bad side.
"Ow! Ow okay! Okay!" Tony playfully swatted her hand away, allowing her to help him off the floor when she held it out for him instead. Once standing, she straightened out his clothes and ruffled his hair, her hand lingering for a moment as she seemed to be considering something.
"You need a haircut." She states firmly, pulling the strands of hair straight to reveal their true length.
He yawned and shook his head, causing her to drop her hand back to her side, "No I don't; I'm beautiful." He gave his best shit-eating grin, earning yet another eye roll from the CEO.
"Yes, but it wouldn't hurt to clean it up a bit for tonight." When he raised a questioning eyebrow she sighed and elaborated, "The Gala."
He looked dumbfounded for a moment before addressing his AI, "That today, J?"
"Indeed, Sir. Also, good morning, Miss Potts."
"Good morning, Jarvis." Pepper's glare never once left the billionaire as she spoke. After a moment, the woman raised an expectant eyebrow.
God damn it; she's giving him the look.
"Fine." He concedes.
"Come on." She grins when she gets her way, grabbing his arm and leading him to the kitchen table, pulling out a chair and making him sit down, "Stay." She walks away and disappears into the half bath down the hall, and emerges a moment later holding a haircutting cape, a comb, and a pair of scissors. She gingerly drapes the cape over his shoulders and begins combing through his bed head.
"You cut his hair?" Steve questioned, slightly impressed with the woman and her many talents.
"Just trim it, yes. He's too stubborn-"
"Hey- ow!" He immediately shuts up when she gives his hair a tug and continues.
"-to actually leave his workshop and go to a real stylist unless something really important is coming up."
Steve gives her a knowing nod and she returns to her work, kneading her fingers through his unkempt hair.
Tony closes his eyes, habitually leaning into the touch. Pepper used to love playing with his hair when they were still together, and he would be lying if he said he didn't miss it. He almost brings his hand up to hers to keep her from pulling it away, but immediately thinks better of it. Instead, he sits still and waits patiently as she begins snipping away.
It doesn't take her long; only about 5 minutes, since it was only a trim. She ruffles his hair one more time before leaving to discard of the bits of hair she cut off, taking the cape and other supplies back to the bathroom.
"Okay," He turns to Rhodey now, who was actually making him his pancakes, "On a scale of Barton to Stark, how do I look?" he says, knowing Clint is lurking from above.
"Hey!" The archer jumps out of the air vent in the ceiling upon hearing his name.
"And big bird leaves his nest." Tony teases as he takes a seat at the counter where Rhodey has placed a mound of blueberry pancakes.
"We're going to be late. She's going to kill us; and it's all your fault." Rhodey speaks to the billionaire through the closed bedroom door, tapping his foot impatiently and checking his watch. Steve is leaning against the wall opposite of the door, clad in a well tailored navy blue suit. He doesn't know how he let Tony rope him into this, but here he was; dressed and ready for the Gala.
Rhodey seemed to be able to read minds, or maybe he's just good after being friends with Tony for so long, because he chuckles a bit and raises an eyebrow at the nervous soldier.
"You don't need to go if you don't want to, man. It's really not that big of a deal."
"No, it's fine. I've just never been to one of these things; I don't know how I let him talk me into going." He gave a small laugh too, before checking his own watch.
He's about to step forward and knock, but draws back as the doors swings open, revealing the one and only Tony Stark.
He was dressed in a single breasted black suit jacket, with the pants to match Around his neck hangs a red and gold striped tie (of course), tucked neatly beneath where the suit has been buttoned. His hair is clean and neatly groomed, as well as his signature beard. He's fiddling with his cuff links as he closes the door behind him; Steve can't help but notice the silver band around his wrist, but it's quickly covered once he's satisfied with the cuffs.
To say the least, Tony Stark cleans up nice.
Rhodey studies his friend for a moment, giving an approving whistle, causing a small smile to pull at the billionaire's features.
"I'm driving." He says as they pool into the elevator, all dressed and groomed and ready to go.
"Not a scratch," The genius states as he hands the valet the keys to his Audi R8. Rhodey pulls up behind them in another one of Tony's cars, since there was no room for all three of them in the Audi, and Steve had never been in such an expensive car.
The Colonel joins them and they enter the Gala, soon joined by Pepper, who had been waiting for them just inside the entrance. Steve greets her with a "Ma'm," before taking in his surroundings for the first time. There are people everywhere, all dressed in their best clothing. Steve's actually glad he let Tony buy him a nice suit for the occasion, otherwise he would feel even more out of place than he already does. When Colonel Rhodes and Pepper wander off after spotting an old friend, he sticks close to the billionaire, not wanting to get caught up in a swarm of reporters; he trusts that Stark knows how to deal with them.
He follows Tony to the bar, where he orders a scotch for each of them. Steve takes the glass, but doesn't bother drinking from it. He's never had a taste for liquor, and with the serum it's just pointless.
"You gonna finish that, Spangles?" Tony makes grabby hands for the glass once he's finished his own, which Steve hesitantly gives to him. He'll cut him off if he drinks too much.
"Hey, Tony!" A female voice causes the genius to whirl around, swishing the ice in his cup. He studies the woman for a moment, obviously recognizing her but having trouble recalling her name.
"Oh, hey! Um… Mand-"
"Marissa," She corrects him, oblivious to the fact that the billionaire doesn't remember much about her at all. She steps close to him, a little too close, and it's making Steve a bit uncomfortable. He clears his throat but it goes unnoticed by the woman, who now has her hands all over Tony's chest. He flinches a bit when it comes too close to the arc reactor, and backs up a bit, but she only steps closer, leaning in and planting a firm kiss to his lips.
"Remember me now?" She inquires, licking her lips.
"Sure don't." He deadpans and walks away, scotch in hand, with Steve not far behind.
"Who was that?" Steve has caught up to him by this point, an eyebrow raised as he's realizing how differently Tony acts in public to maintain his media reputation.
"Playboy, remember? Well, I guess not much anymore. It's not important-"
He's cut off by a crowd of reporters with flashing cameras and microphones, asking so many questions at once that it's nearly impossible to even make out what they're asking. One woman slides to the front of the group, a man with a camera following.
"Can we get a picture, Mr. Stark?" She seems to notice Steve standing there for the first time, because she quickly adds, "With Captain America?"
"Sure, yeah, why not? Come on, Captain Spangles." Tony waves him closer, handing off his scotch to a passing waiter. Steve reluctantly moves to stand next to him, where they each put their arms around each other's back. They stand there for a moment, letting the greedy reporters take their pictures and ask their questions that were completely ignored.
"Thank you, Mr. Stark, Captain America."
They nod and walk off, the reporters deciding to finally give them space for a bit.
"That's what you have to deal with every day?" Steve couldn't help but ask; he was curious.
"Every day I go out, yeah, pretty much. It's not a big deal, I'm used to it." He shrugs, leaning against the wall they found off to the side.
"Sounds exhausting."
The corner of the billionaire's mouth quirks up then settles back into a firm line. He raises a hand to tap against his chest, where the light of the arc reactor is hidden behind his red and gold tie. Steve notices the silver band again; it's definitely not a watch, because he's wearing one on his other wrist and there's no clock on it, just a subtle red light.
"What's that?"
"Hm?" Tony stops his tapping, but his hand remains over his chest as he looks at the soldier.
"On your wrist, that silver thing." Steve elaborates as Tony rolls his sleeve down a bit further.
"This? It's for the suit. It helps it lock on to my location when there's an unexpected emergency and I don't have time to properly suit up. It's actually a lot more complicated than it sounds, but I dumbed it down a bit. Why?"
"Well, I just, I don't know. Why do you need it for a gala?"
"Well, in case you haven't noticed there's an angry Demi-God out for my head. I actually wear them a lot; I'm surprised you haven't noticed yet. Saved my life when Loki threw me out the damn window."
"Out the window? When was this?" Steve's voice showed a hint of alarm, but he was beginning to slip into his Captain America voice.
"During the invasion. I uh, may or may not have threatened him? He didn't take very kindly to it, I think. Whatever. JARVIS still has the video, I'm sure." He waves his hand nonchalantly as if were something that happened every day. When Steve crossed his arms over his chest, Tony regretted ever bringing this up. He was fine! They all lived, so everything is fine. "I can show you if you're really that interested, but it's really not a big deal Cap. Я в порядке."
"What?" Steve just looks confused now, rather than angry.
"Nothing, it's Russian." Tony waves his hand dismissively again.
"You speak Russian?"
"You'd be surprised what you pick up on after spending three months in a cave in Afghanistan."
Steve sighed and uncrossed his arms, obviously not in the mood to argue with the man, or deal with his diversion tactics. "This discussion is not over."
"Kinda feels like it is." Tony smirks, but holds his hands up in a placating gesture when Steve shoots him a glare. "Or, maybe it isn't. That's okay too."
"Mhm."