A/N: This chapter, right here.
Chapter 25: I See You.
It'd been an eventful period of time since the group had arrived, the recent situation with Loki and the adoption, and the non-date at the carnival, which lead to many questions on where they'd gone, and a lament from Clint about how heartbroken he was that neither of them had invited him along.
They had a few more days left before the plane would be taking them back to New York, the time away from the hustle and bustle had brought the group closer together than they'd ever been before.
It was one of their final nights in California, and Steve found himself jolting awake from the sound of thunder, he slowly sat up in bed, gazing out the window and seeing the harsh patter of rain against the glass.
A slow, smile spread across his face as he climbed from the bed, careful not to wake Bucky who mumbled something about nachos and rolled over.
Steve laughed quietly at his friend, dressing quickly and silently leaving the room, then the house altogether. He made his way to the path that lead down to the beach, getting drenched as he went.
When he finally came out on the wet sand he was completely soaked through, hair turning a darker shade of blond and sticking to his head. He glanced around; looking for the figure he knew would be there.
Lightning struck in the distance, illuminating the beach in a flash and there he was standing with raised arms welcoming the rush of warm rain fall.
Tony was dressed in one of his undershirts and pair of shorts, he was bare foot, laughing as the rain dropped down, arms out and spinning wildly, kicking up wet sand as he went.
"Hey!" Steve called over the sounds of the summer storm; Tony stopped his movements and turned to look at Steve who was moving rapidly towards him.
"What are you doing out here?" Tony asked as Steve approached, "thunder woke me up, and I knew you'd be out here so I came down to see you."
Tony laughed, "how about it Captain? Ever danced in the rain?" he asked swinging his hips, enjoying the rain fall. "I told you, the best I can do is hold on and sway" Steve answered watching Tony's movements.
The storm began to taper out, going from full force thunder and lightning to a gentler fall, "Tony" Steve began, as Tony walked back over to him from the distance he'd gone with his movements, Tony looked up at Steve expectantly, privately admiring the view of Steve's wet, white shirt clinging to his body.
"Yes?" Tony answered, moving his gaze back up to Steve's face, "let's try" Steve returned, a bare whisper, "Steve…" Steve shook his head, "what's stopping you Tony?" He asked, grasping Tony's face in his hand, staring into his imploringly.
They remained like that for a long while, "I'm afraid" Tony finally admitted, if a little shamefully, "you don't have to be" Steve responded, gently running his thumb over Tony's cheek, "yes I do" Tony began, "I am terrified, that one day, you'll open your eyes and realize that this isn't what you want, that this was just an experimental phase for you and I don't know how I'll cope with that."
Steve took a moment to allow the words to sink in, "alright" he said releasing Tony's face, and the surprising him be dropping to his knees, "this is my promise to you." Steve started; he reached for Tony's hands, clasping them firmly in his own.
"Take a chance on me, and I promise that I will never hide anything from you, if a day comes where I wake up with doubts about what this is, I promise to talk to you about it. Take a chance on me, and I promise that I will never intentionally hurt you, because let's face it, you said it; we are different people, we are going to butt heads and we are going to fight at times."
Tony laughed, not really sure this was happening, "take a chance on me Tony and I promise that I will always be by your side, that I will never do anything to make you doubt me, just take a chance on me and let's find out together, where this road goes."
How do you say no to that? Tony thought, he nodded, "I promise all of the above to you too" Tony said, and though he shouldn't have been, he was still caught by surprise when Steve stood, grabbing him by the waist and heaving him up into a solid embrace, before placing him back on his feet and then catching in his mouth in a kiss far passionate than any of the others they shared.
They stayed out on the beach until the rain had completely died down, it was barely misting before they made their way back to the house, "floors are going to be a bitch to clean later" Tony commented as he saw the trail of wet sand they dragged into the house behind them, "I'll help" Steve promised, leaning down to press another kiss to Tony's mouth.
"You seem to enjoy doing that" Tony said as they broke apart, "kidding me? I finally got you to say yes, I get to kiss you whenever I want now" Tony laughed, slapping a hand over his mouth as the sound echoed in the silent house.
"See you in the morning," Tony said, dropping his hand from his mouth and standing on the tips of his toes, head tilted expectantly upward, Steve leant down again, pressing a gentle kiss to the waiting mouth.
The others knew immediately something had shifted between them in the morning, when they'd gathered for breakfast, Tony and Steve seemed to be more touchy with each other, exchanging looks that had the others staring at them questionably.
"Shit!" Clint suddenly hollered, nearly dropping his coffee mug, eyes turning to him surprised at his outburst, "its official isn't it? You guys are finally together!"
Heads instantly turned to Steve and Tony, Steve flushed, and Tony grinned, "when did that happen?!" Clint shouted excitedly, "last night" Steve muttered, Rhodey laughed getting up and hugging Tony, "I am so going to be unbearable about this" Tony groaned, "thanks Rhodey," he deadpanned making his friend chuckle.
"Attention everyone!" Bucky called, standing up and shifting to clasp Steve's shoulder in his grasp, "I would just like to take this moment, to say something, months in the making"
Everyone's attention was on Bucky as he held up his coffee mug in a mock toast, "first, we all saw this coming long before either of these two did" Bucky winked at Steve, "so I would just like to say-" Bucky tilted his head to look at Steve.
"Steve…" Bucky gripped Steve's shoulder tightly, giving him a slight shake, "I fucking told you so" everyone burst into laughter as Steve shook his head, "you just couldn't resist could you?" He asked laughing. Bucky grasped his side from the laughter, "nope, could not one bit."
There was a round of good natured laughter, when it settled, Tony fixed his gaze on two of their group "So I've been meaning to ask you guys" Tony started, leaning on the kitchen island and eyeing Bruce and Natasha up, "since we're on the topic of relationships, are you guys banging?"
Bruce ducked his head bashfully, while Natasha simply raised a brow, "fuck me, you guys totally are! That's why you've been practically inseparable this entire trip!" Bucky announced pointing an accusing finger their way.
"Please, don't tell me if you've guys have boned on my couch, because I happen to really like that couch" Tony grumbled pleadingly. "We haven't done anything in any unacceptable places, but you may want to give the recliner in the rec room a wipe down." Natasha smirked.
Tony whined, displeased, "how about you give the recliner a wipe down and we never speak of this again?" he suggested glaring at the red head. Natasha shrugged, "if that's the way you want to play."
The group shared another laugh, enjoying the feeling that came with being with the people you love.
A/N: Finally!