Steve spent the next two weeks following through on his new plan. He spends hours reading the books that FRIDAY got for him. Each time one is delivered he is overjoyed at seeing the package on the counter and disappears into his room. He takes them with him to see Dr. Field, and together they discuss how things are going and healthy ways to endure grief and loss. It's the best Steve has felt in a long time. He's hardly seen Tony, but that's been okay, mostly. He just focuses on getting to know his team-friends, Dr. Field had said- better.
Peter fell hard onto the training mat at Tony's feet, having been knocked down yet again after going in too hard while they were boxing. Above him he heard Tony say, "Good Peter, again." He huffed from his spot face down on the boxing ring mat before pushing himself up on his gloved hands and knees and standing up once again to take the defensive position he had been taught. "Keep your gloves up Peter, don't put them down just because you think you see a shot. The second that defensive glove comes down, you give me an open floor."
Peter nodded and tried to wipe the sweat off his forehead with his arm. "Alright, gloves up?" Tony asked. Peter nodded and they began to trade jabs again, Peter dancing around Tony and trying to stay light like Happy always kept telling him. From the sidelines he heard Bruce call, "Come on kid, you've got this. Knock him on his ass!" He couldn't help the smile on his face, hearing the scientist whose picture was on the wall of his classroom at school, rooting for him to take down the billionaire in the ring across from him.
"That's enough out of the peanut gallery, thank you very much!" Tony called back, his dark eyes never leaving Peter's.
"Sorry Tony, I happen to be Team Parker today." Bruce yelled back from where he leaned against the wall. Still not breaking concentration, Tony easily blocked one of Peters jabs and called to Bruce, "The day you step in this ring with me is the day you can pick teams, Greenbean!"
Peter leaned in hard with another left jab which Tony easily deflected while he shot out his foot and with one easy swipe took out Peter's legs from under him. Dazed, Peter looked up from the spot he had landed and narrowed his eyes at the smiling billionaire above him.
"Gotta get up earlier than that, kid." Tony goaded.
The sparring continued and both Peter and Tony were so immersed in it that neither of them noticed that many of the other Compound's occupants had filtered in to stand or sit and watch quietly.
Over and over, Tony kept having him come at him, coaching him with every step, giving him pointers and telling him where he was lacking his concentration. Finally, after successfully blocking one of Tony's uppercuts, Peter saw a very brief second where Tony left himself open. Without further thought, he jabbed, his glove connecting squarely with Tony's left cheek, making him stagger for a fraction of a second. He barely registered the cheers coming from the other side of the room before Tony pulled Peter's still extended arm and trapped him in a headlock. He struggled, but Tony's grip was as iron as his suit. Tony's heavy breathing and a chuckle surprised him as he suddenly was released from the hold. Looking up, Tony was smiling at him brightly. He nodded as he held out a glove for Peter to bump. Tiredly, Peter bumped his blue glove against Tony's red one and let himself be pulled into a quick hug. Above him he heard Tony say, "That's what I like to see, kid."
Peter felt his own smile stretch across his face as Tony released him and he heard the others against the wall cheer. He turned toward the noise and saw Bruce, T'Challa, Shuri, James, Steve, and Sam all cheering and clapping for him.
Steve called out, "Nice job, Queens." As he moved forward with Sam and stood at the ropes next to Peter, while James walked to the other corner.
Peter had to try and remind himself that he still wasn't 100% on board with liking Steve, even though Tony had told him that he should try and get to know the man underneath the Captain America costume. It wasn't that he didn't like the guy, he just wasn't sure he knew how to reconcile the man who was smiling at him now from the man that he knew kept Tony up at night in his nightmares.
Mr. Stark had come into his life and completely turned it upside down, in the best way possible. He felt like he had someone he could count on. He could always count on Aunt May, of course, but she didn't understand everything, and she definitely didn't understand why he had to put his costume on and try and help fight the bad guys. Tony did.
When he had tried to communicate to the older man why he did what he did, how if he didn't do anything, the bad things happened because of him, he had seen the understanding in Tony's eyes. He had also seen the sadness and regret. Mr. Stark knew exactly what he meant and not only had he understood, he had extended his own help and resources. Peter watched the news and knew what a lot of people said about Mr. Stark, but in all of the time he had spent with him, he never saw what the news reported on him being. Tony let him see beneath the armor, and if Tony didn't let him see, well, he wasn't a dumb kid, he saw a lot anyways. He knew how hard Tony had fought to come out above what May had called his "inner demons". Tony had become his family, and Peter didn't have a lot of that left anymore.
Peter also wasn't blind or deaf. He knew before Steve Rogers ever arrived that there had been something between the two of them, something that had been broken during the fight at the airport and in Siberia. He watched the same news everyone else did, but he also got to see deeper into Tony's private life, moments that he had come to treasure. Tony wasn't just hurt or betrayed, he was heartbroken. And Steve Rogers is the one who broke that heart.
Tony was Peter's family, and family was everything to him. Rogers had that same family and hadn't appreciated it, in fact, he had thrown Tony away. So excuse him if he wasn't ready to make nice with the Captain.
He gave a tiny nod to Rogers instead of any answer before turning back to find Tony had walked to the opposite corner of the ring to get his water bottle from where James was offering it to him. He watched as Tony lifted the bottle and squirted the water into his open mouth and over his face to cool down. He snuck a look at Rogers, who's smile had been cleanly wiped off his face watching the water drip down Tony's face and chest as he shook his head to clear it from the water and sweat. Rogers looked like he was having trouble even breathing, his adam's apple bobbing and his mouth hanging slightly open at the sight.
For a split second Peter thought about slapping him for so openly ogling Tony, but he saw Shuri leaning against the wall with a sly grin on her face watching the scene. Instead, he leaned on the ropes next to Rogers and whispered lowly, "Do you see something you like, Captain?"
Steve's jaw snapped shut and his cheeks turned red as his wide eyes turned to Peter, incredibly embarrassed at being not only caught, but called out by a teenager. Peter smirked at him as he removed his gloves. Remembering the words that Steve had said in one of the last simulations they had run, he decided to echo them back to him.
"You really ought to watch that, Cap. Out on the field, distractions can get people hurt." He murmured as he gave him a sloppy two finger salute and ducked under the ropes to pass him. Sam was doing a terrible job of covering his snorting laughter at Steve's side.
Peter slung his backpack over his shoulder and left Steve standing by the ring, high fiving Shuri and fist bumping T'Challa on his way out of the training gym.
Steve stood there floored as the sassy kid picked up his book-bag and walked towards the doors. God he was so embarrassed. He wondered if the kid was going to say something to Tony about the way he had practically just leered at him. T'Challa gave the kid a fist bump as he walked by and Steve narrowed his eyes at the King, whose smile only grew as he pushed off the wall and made his way over to where Tony was leaning on the ropes chatting with James. The King continued to stare him down the whole way, obviously delighting in his ability to walk up to Tony while Steve kept his distance.
Steve shot him his best 'disappointed in you' look he could muster, though if anything, it made the King seem even more proud of himself as he sauntered past him.
Rhodes entered the gym then, standing in the doorway for a moment before his eyes found Tony.
"Tones!" he called out. "Channel 7 is breaking the news now!"
The relaxed look that had been on Tony's face slid off as Rhodes words hit him. Turning toward the large screen in the corner of the room he called out to FRIDAY, "FRI, que it up babe."
Instantly, the screen came to life with the news coverage from Channel 7.
"-while the UN Counsel looks into the claims and evidence that has surfaced. The evidence itself was presented today through the lawyers of Stark Industries, written witness testimony coming directly from Tony Stark himself. Due to the highly classified and sensitive nature of much of the dossier, it has been ordered sealed to the public for the present. It is also still unclear how long Stark Industries has had this information. In a quote from the written statement that came from the company, the lawyers said they needed to postpone giving the evidence until such a time that the authorities could handle the situation safely. This also brings up the issues that arose last year with Stark himself and the Avengers. Schematics for what is referred to only as "The Raft" were released and Channel 7 is being told that during the short time that the old Rogue Avengers were held in government custody, they were being held here, by order of Secretary Ross. It is unclear how much, if any, of the evidence incriminates the Secretary himself. He and his people have been unreachable for a comment.
A low sound brought Steve's attention to T'Challa, who was glaring daggers at the television. "That man is nothing but a coward, they will find him responsible." Steve nodded and Tony made a non-comitial sound but said nothing more. It was James who spoke up, saying, "Tony, we need to be careful. Ross is still dangerous until the Counsel reaches a verdict and you just painted a big target on your back." Tony turned and gave James a lopsided grin answering, "I'm a big boy, Snowball, I've been taking care of myself for a long time."
Rhodes did not look impressed. "Taking care of yourself, really, is that what you'd call what you've been doing? Cause I would have to disagree, Tony." Tony looked slightly taken aback by Rhodes tone. "Somethin' you wanna say, Rhodey?"
"Why didn't you tell me that you were going to take on Ross by yourself as yourself? I thought that you were going to release the information anonymously, like the video of your parents and the information on Barnes and the team?"
Tony's eyes grew wide. "Rhodey-" He tried to warn the other man. Steve was just now noticing how absolutely livid Rhodes looked.
"You left out how you've put yourself in danger, again."
Tony sighed heavily and turned away from his friend to focused on removing his gloves instead.
The sound on the broadcast was muted as FRIDAY said, "Boss, you have an incoming call from Miss Potts."
"Alright, put her through FRI." Tony sighed.
There was a pause before the stern voice of Pepper Pott's filled the training room. "Tony, where are you?"
"Hiya Pep, good to hear from you, I'm great, how are you?" Tony said, pointing out her lack of any greeting.
"Don't patronize me Tony. I just saw the news and while I am very upset with you right now, I think I'll let Rhodey handle that. Please tell me that you got my memo so you remember you have a Stark Industries meeting today?"
From the look on Tony's face, Steve would guess that no, he didn't remember in the slightest. He didn't even bother hiding his amused smile as Tony tried to cover it up.
"The memo, oh yes, the memo. Definitely got it. Because I do read your memos, Pep."
"Tony?" She asked. "Yes?" Tony hesitated. "Stop. Just make sure you're here at 3." Tony nodded with a smile and said, "You got it, Potts."
The call ended and Tony moved to exit the ring and go pick up his things. Rhodes walked up to block his way and said, "We aren't done with this conversation, Tony. I'm pretty damn pissed at you right now. Don't forget that we are having team training today too. Shuri has been working on the individualized simulations and she says she's ready."
Tony turned and put a hand on his shoulder. "I know you're pissed, I get it. I'm sorry I didn't fill you in on how this would go down. I'm going to go shower, then I'm going to try not to stab my eyes out with a pen as I suffer through a meeting with the SI Board, and then I'll be back and you can beat your frustration out in the simulation, alright?"
Rhodey softened a tiny bit as he pushed Tony's hand off his shoulder and gave him a gentle shove away from him. "Go on then, get out of here, you stink."
Tony ducked under the ropes and stepped down from the boxing ring. He turned to pick up his duffle bag from where he had left it on the ground but found it gone. Turning, he made eye contact with Rogers, who lifted it up and held it out to him. "I was hoping that you and I could talk for a minute?" Tony lifted an eyebrow at him but took the offered bag. "You have exactly how long it takes me to get to my shower." He answered and began walking away. James made eye contact with him but Tony shook his head. He could do this on his own. He needed to be able to do this on his own.
As he headed for the gym doors he heard Rogers' footsteps following him. He wanted nothing more than to switch their positions so that his back wasn't to the man, but he wasn't going to give the paranoid voice in his head the satisfaction. If he was going to get through the 10 missions with him, he was going to have to be able to turn his back to the other man. Tony had been avoiding Captain Perfect ever since the events in the kitchen that night.
He just didn't know what to do with the information he had. He was usually so good at taking the pieces of an equation and putting them together. He was good at fixing things, he was The Mechanic, after all. But it was like the pieces he had been given didn't fit. They didn't make sense and that just wasn't something knew how to handle.
Steve was sorry but Captain America would probably still have made the same choice if he had to do it over again. Steve cared about him but Captain America only ever saw his flaws. Tony could separate James Barnes from the Winter Soldier, but he couldn't do the same with Steve Rogers and Captain America. He knew why, it came down to choice. James didn't have a choice who he hurt and James hadn't ever meant to hurt Tony. Steve did have a choice and Steve chose to hurt him.
Inside he ached for things to change between them. He wanted the team to be together. They already were doing really well together, in training and out of it. Clint and Natasha were back to talking, maybe not as cozy as before but at least mending things. Sam and Rhodey were getting along well. The team was really starting to build a foundation that was so much more than it had ever been before. Tony wanted it to work, he just didn't see a way that it could work with him in it.
As they exited the gym Tony chose the stairs instead of the elevator. As they began to climb Steve took a deep breath and began. "Tony, I've been trying to learn more about each member of the team, on and off the field. I'd uh. Well. I suppose that I'm trying to ask…" He faltered. Tony's steps slowed and he turned his head to throw his words over his shoulder to Steve as they continued up the stairwell. "Spit it out Rogers." He said shortly.
"Help me learn how to fight with you. I…I don't know as much about your suit as I should. No, not should, you don't owe me, I should say that I don't know as much as I'd like to. I want to be able to support you in the field. In order to do that, its important to know each other's capabilities. I've been out of it for a while, so I'm sure I've missed some upgrades. Sometime, when you aren't busy, would you mind showing me?" Steve finished with an apprehensive air.
"Oh my god, have you been reading Chicken Soup for the Soul or something, Rogers?" Tony scoffed. Steve shrugged slightly as he replied, "I… don't understand that reference. But I have been reading some team building and relationship material. Someone pointed out to me that I haven't been as effective of a team member as I imagined I was. I've been trying to rectify that."
Tony came to an abrupt stop one stair above Steve and turned around to level his gaze at Steve, considering him. Steve did his best to stand still and keep his eyes on Tony. Their faces were nearly level, Tony only a bit above him. All Steve would have to do is lean forward and tilt his head slightly and he would feel Tony's lips against his own. After a few moments passed Tony finally murmured, "You've also been practicing your listening, I see." His eyes flickered to Steve's lips for half a second.
Steve swallowed thickly and tried to ignore it. "Listening is a big part of communication. I…I wish I had been better at listening before now." He glanced downward as he said the last bit, not feeling like he could look in Tony's gorgeous brown eyes as he said it.
"Uh huh." Was Tony's eloquent response. Steve raised his gaze back to Tony's. "I'm trying." He whispered. "I don't want to be team leader by myself, Tony. I don't feel comfortable or confident enough yet to lead alone. I'd like to suggest to the Counsel that the Avengers be lead by two members, not one."
Tony nodded, "Rhodey would do well. Or Natasha."
Steve smiled slightly as he said, "You, Tony. I'd like you to lead this team with me."
Tony turned away from him and resumed walking up the stairs, which to be completely honest, wasn't a bad view for Steve, though he missed their proximity. "You heard what Ross said. You know what I asked for."
Steve hurried after him and tried to focus, saying, "You don't have to be in the field to lead the team with me, you know that. You can lead with me on the ten missions you are on as an active field member and after that you can lead with me from base. You only want to be on ten missions with us, that's fine, but the best can die from one bullet on the easiest mission. You already had a close call on that recon job with Spider-Man the day we came home."
Tony scoffed, "It wasn't a close call, Peter was fine."
"I meant you, Tony."
"In case it escaped your perfect vision Cap, I'm right here." Tony sounded tired as he continued to climb the stairs. Without thinking Steve said, "My perfect vision can definitely appreciate the view right now, Tony. But you almost weren't okay, you scared Peter pretty bad that day. The rest of us too. If you and I are going to lead the team together, even for only 10 missions, we need to be ready."
Tony stopped in his tracks again pivoted on the landing two steps above him. "Did Captain America just admit he was staring at my ass?"
Steve kept his gaze level. He knew he was blushing but to hell with it, he had said it and he had meant it. It's not like Tony didn't know that he was attracted to him. "I-" He cleared his throat. "I did. I mean- I do. I do like the view. Its uh…It's a very nice view." Oh god. Very smooth Steve.
"Right. Try not to get distracted on the field, Rogers. You've got ten missions with this view." He quipped as the left Steve standing in the stairwell alone.
Steve thought he might just die. Not only did he have a conversation with Tony in private, and it had gone well, but they had even engaged in some of the once familiar banter that they used to. He turned to go back down the stairs to the gym, smiling the whole way.