The Never-Ending Why: Chapter 36: Ten Years From Now (Part 1)

Steve ended up carrying Tony after a while. He was up on his back, and currently asleep. Tony had his arms around Steve's shoulders, and he had a bit of his shirt between his teeth.

Steve carried him all the way up to their apartment, and he processed the Stephen thing as best he could. Steve got to the front door, and he tried to get the apartment keys out of his front pocket.

Tony could feel him moving. He was having a yummy dream, and it felt warm in the apartment hallway. Tony kept snoozing, until his arms slipped loose.

Tony almost fell off those shoulders, but Steve leaned forward, and caught his arms. He asked Tony if he was ok, and awake.

Huh? Tony quickly opened his eyes, and he saw where they were. Aw, CRAP. Tony didn't notice that he fell asleep. He cursed himself, and stepped off on his own two feet. He sleepily said that he was fine, then he leaned against the door frame.

Steve had an inward panic attack, because he thought Tony's head was about to crack open on the floor. That feeling subsided as he watched him wipe at his tired eyes.

He thought that Tony looked adorable in that moment. Steve had to step toward him, and show it. He moved in close, and gently gripped one side of Tony's neck. That brunette could heat up faster than anything Steve had ever seen.

Tony's body felt warmer against his hand, as he reeled Tony's up lips to his. The two of them locked up in a pretty tight embrace. Steve knew that he needed to leave, because he had way too much to think about.

Tony welcomed Steve's touch and his yummy kiss. That strong hand on his neck, and the sudden attention, made him feel relaxed. Tony moved from the door frame, and pulled Steve even tighter against him. He had to hold onto the crisp, clean shirt that Steve always wore.

Tony needed it between his fingers, and he hungered for their kiss to continue. Since they were out of the cold air, Tony felt like he was drenched with sweat. He also felt the apartment door behind him, since Steve had him all pressed up against it.

That kiss eventually subsided, and Steve retrieved his keys. He smiled at Tony and unlocked the door. That brunette kept looking at him. He felt a little better about his behavior.

Tony thought that he might have moved on from all his troubles? Maybe? Tony's expression reflected all the questions that he had about it. Steve didn't open the door, but he mentioned that he needed to keep walking.

Tony still held onto that shirt, and he quietly said that Steve didn't need to go. He didn't want him out there sulking, or obsessing over anything. They started kissing again, and Tony quietly told Steve that he loved him.

He really loved him, so there was no reason to head out and think. Steve didn't see it that way, so he slowly looked at Tony's warm face.

"So, if he was here... you'd be doing the same thing?"

That was the part that was tripping Steve up the most. He asked his question out loud, instead of thinking it through on his own. Tony felt like the apartment roof just crashed through the pit of his chest.

His baby heart exploded, or it fell out down the stairs. Tony took that question to heart, and he felt very offended. Steve wasn't understanding him, and he didn't know how to tell him.

Tony tried not to freak out in the hallway, or cry all over his clean shirt.

"I love you both, for different reasons. I don't think I'd be doing the same thing."

What he was "doing" with Steve felt special for him. He enjoyed it, and Stephen didn't even cross his mind. That wasn't what he "loved" about Stephen at all. Tony felt very misunderstood, and upset. He glanced at the apartment door, just as they both heard another door open.

Tony's expression changed, because Bucky fucking Wonder was heading to breakfast. Bucky saw their dramatic little scene, but he kept to himself. Steve stepped back from Tony, and he looked over at his friend.

Bucky locked his apartment door, and he just gave the two of them a simple smile.

"Good morning."

There was a bit of sarcasm in his tone. Bucky intentionally tried to sound all chipper, to hopefully alleviate whatever drama was unfolding.

Tony just opened the apartment door, and he let himself in. He closed the door behind him, and shut out both of them. He decided that Steve really needed that walk...

Tony just stepped forward, and he headed toward his work room. Steve remained in the hallway, and he gave a soft sigh.

"Coffee?"

Bucky didn't know what the hell was going on with those two, and a giant part of him didn't care. He didn't know that Steve was the one causing the drama, but he'd offer him coffee either way.

Steve just gave Bucky a small nod of acknowledgment, and he followed after his friend. It was perfect timing for him, because he really needed to figure out what he was doing.

The blonde was far from perfect, and relationships used to be something that he only fantasized about having.

So, he let his conversation with Tony go. Steve stepped down the stairs, and headed out with Bucky.

Chapter: END

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