Tony Stark, despite popular opinion, was very self-aware. He knew exactly who he was as a person from his strengths to his weaknesses and he had crafted a persona that hid those weaknesses in a cloak of arrogance and showmanship; and it was flawless. The thing with a persona such as one Tony showed the world is that it had to have enough of his actual person in there or it would eventually be seen through and he'd be caught out.
Tony very well knew he was an arrogant bastard at the best of times, being a genius and a rich one at that allowed him that much as most of the things he said were things he could back up and if he couldn't do so immediately then he would eventually. That's how Dum-E was created after all. Don't even tell Tony Stark something wasn't possible because he would go out of his way to prove you wrong if only to see the look on your face when he did so and hell yes you can expect him to brag about it.
He was also a showman at heart. Tony had learned how to manage a crowd at his mother's knee and he shitty relationship with his father or not, the man had showed him exactly how to present things to the world with all the bells and whistles that were expected of a Stark. There was always the thrill of capturing the attention of thousands of people, having them hang on your every word and putting on a show that amazes everyone; and he was good at it. Tony refused to be ashamed of that, and it wasn't just because of his ego – you can fuck yourself Romanoff – he enjoyed being on stage, there were millions of other people just like him because if their weren't there would be no such thing as entertainment.
He knew he was frivolous with his money, he liked buying things, he liked spending money, but he also donated more money to charities and organisations than any other person in the US as well as running a plethora of his own. He especially like buying things for people he cared about and had been known to throw obscene amounts of money towards extravagant gifts for his people. Sometimes it made them uncomfortable because Tony always lived on excess, but the best of them knew how to manage his weird quirks; which is why Rhodey, Pepper and Happy were the best.
It didn't land so well the with the OG Avengers but Rhodey and Pepper assured him that they were just shitty people and it wasn't a reflection of him but their inability to look past their own selfish needs. They were much better at people than he was so he trusted their word. Tony said he was a showman, he knew how to deal with crowds, not so much with individuals and he knew he was a lot.
He could also be very intense, it was one of the first things Rhodey had told him back when they met in college, once he locked on to something he would throw everything at it be it a project, an idea or a person. It was why he didn't attempt relationships when he was younger – if Stone and Bane weren't enough to put him off for life – because he expected back as much as he put in and it was a big ask that very few people were capable of keeping up.
Tony was an only child and didn't learn how to share anything until Rhodey had taught him when he was 15, so he knew he could be weirdly possessive and needy and with how intense he was it could be a lot for someone to be the receiver of Tony's brand of attention and affection. Sex was easy, there was no attachment, no focus on anything of substance and over in a night. And there was always a willing body when you were as famous as Tony was.
Pre-Afghanistan Tony was a simple creature and Obadiah, who had seen him grow up and had definitely aided his less than stellar behaviour traits, was rather brilliant in his manipulations. As an actual genius Tony's mind was always moving, he was always developing ideas, talking apart theories and discovering new things; it was an endless cycle. The only times he got a break from it was when he was flat drunk, high as a kite or deep in science where everything his brain created could be made real. He loved doing things, he loved creation and destruction on equal measure and while he had been a successful CEO – he did make SI a multi-billion dollar international company after all – he had hated it.
Obadiah covered more of the paperwork allowing Tony to create things that would help protect his Platypus while he was out serving his country, he couldn't have his Rhodey bear out there with subpar equipment when Tony could make thing a million times better after all. Afghanistan may have opened his eyes to the destruction his creations were doing in the wrong hands, and it may have made him wake up to sort the worst of his actions out, but it hadn't changed everything fundamentally him.
He still hated being CEO, he had been planning on giving that to Pepper long before the Palladium became a problem, and he still threw himself wholeheartedly into things but instead of bombs it was Iron Man and technology. Better communications, better protections, clean energy, anything and everything his mind could create he breathed it into the world and became bigger than he ever was before. As a protector it gave him the ability to do more for the world and so he did. He had thrown his all into the Avengers because he had thought people on a super hero team in place to save the world would share his thought on bettering the world and not just think of the fight to protect it, but it had backfired rather spectacularly for Tony.
But this time, unlike with arming the US, he wasn't horrified and sickened by the implosion, no, Tony was enraged. He was long used to insults and negative comments about his person, there were very few things he hadn't heard so didn't really pay attention to the thing the Avengers would say as they didn't really come across harsh and they were friends he had though; Rhodey called him an arrogant dick at least once per visit. Being left for dead after finding out Rogers had been hiding his parents fucking murder drove home that no, they really were not friends.
It was pure spite that kept him alive long enough for Helen to jack him up with his perfected version of Extremis because he refused to die due to Captain Sanctimonious' actions. He was going to live and he was going to better than he ever was. He knew he couldn't wipe him off the face of the earth which had been his first thought, him and the rest of the self-satisfied group he called a team, because he was well aware that something was coming for the earth and he could always use cannon fodder.
But he would make it so they were an afterthought. He'd leave them to stew and when they would finally come back there would be no welcome for them, there only to strictly do as they were told or be left to rot. And that was exactly what he did. 5 days after being injected Tony immerged a new man and his first focus had been fixing his Honey Bear.
"You don't need to do this, Tony." Rhodey had told him and Tony had scoffed.
"You honestly expect me to sit around and let you be paralysed?" He thrown right back and Rhodey shook his head.
"You know this isn't your fault, right?" Rhodey asked him, and Tony sighed.
"Normally I'd be all for the guilt, but even if I hadn't agreed you would have been there anyway." Tony relented, half of him still having trouble reconciling that fact.
"Good, and you're right." Rhodey assured him, "I know how hard you tried to get those selfish idiots to take their heads out of their asses; you are not responsible for the actions of others."
"You know I'm still not going to leave you like this." Tony clarified and his Platypus had scoffed.
"You wouldn't be Tony if you just took things as they are. I just don't want you working yourself to death – enhancements notwithstanding – trying to fix something that isn't on you to fix."
"Sour Patch you could have been injured in a combat mission that I didn't know about and I'd still do the same." Tony told him.
"Yeah, I know, Tones."
And so he set to work; at first he had created braces so Rhodey could keep his muscles active. They had turned out to be of a huge interest with the rest of the medical community and so Tony had thrown them over to SI so they could try and make them more public friendly, and it expanded the company to have its own medical branch.
But for Rhodey he would never not go above and beyond and so he had reworked Extremis once again to completely heal his spine but without the glaring enhancements. Rhodey didn't want to be super, but the healing aspect was a grateful addition given his occupation. It may not be as good as Tony's healing, or even Rogers, but it would only take a week or so to heal a broken bone now in comparison.
He'd also finally had an actual adult conversation with Pepper about the state of their relationship, and he had said that it wasn't fair to either of them to be continuing their current status quo; they weren't ever going to be enough for the other without changing themselves to the point of losing who they were.
"Who are you and what have you done with Tony Stark?" Pepper had joked wiping her eyes with the tissue Tony handed her even as she smiled and Tony had laughed.
"I love you, Pepper Potts, and I never want us to ever be those ex's who have worn each other down so much that they hate everything they used to love about each other." Tony explained holding her hand gently in her own.
"Oh Tony, you are one of my dearest friends. I wouldn't know how to function without you in my life." She had replied.
"Just promise me, when you eventually get married, I'm the one that gives you away."
Pepper had laughed at that and assured him that the spot was reserved for him. It really was the best thing for the both of them. Tony could never give up being Iron Man and Pepper needed some stability, but they needed to be in each other's lives. Whoever finally caught her eye would be the luckiest guy in the world and Tony would make sure they treasured the absolute gift that she was or he would wipe them off the face of the earth.
One of the most difficult things he had to do was sort things with the kid; got him to tell his Aunt he was Spider-Man and, after a lot of screaming, secured him actual training as well as a real internship with SI. In the midst of this, Harley Keener had turned up the same snarky genius that he had been when Tony had first met him, he hadn't seen the kid in person in years, there usual communications were a mix of video chats and random emails and texts. But he arrived, pissed off and scared as Tony had seemingly vanished from the public eye and the only thing he knew was the reactor had been destroyed.
"How the hell do you even know about that?" Tony demanded baffled, and the teen had dug into his pocket pulling out the Starkphone Tony had made him for his last birthday handing it over.
"Here."
"This is the phone I made you." Tony stated still confused, eyeing him like he was mad and discovering Harley had a brilliant bitch face.
"No shit."
"I feel like I should be calling you on your language because I'm the adult here." Tony mused getting a scoff in return before the teen turned to the phone.
"Will you talk to him you utter troll."
Tony opened his mouth to ask if the brat had hit his head on the trip over when he was interrupted.
"Hello sir."
It was only because he now had Extremis and Harley's surprisingly quick reaction that allowed him to catch himself before he hit the floor as his legs gave out from underneath him at the sound of that voice. He hadn't been prepared. Tony could hear his blood rushing in his ears and he suddenly couldn't breath because that voice, he had begged and screamed and crying over missing that voice, spent days, weeks, months trying to fix what had been broken and been unsuccessful each time.
There was always something missing, despite all the backups and all the contingencies Tony had put in place to prevent permanent damage it had seemed he had failed when he had needed to be his best. Jarvis had remained lost to him, except now apparently he wasn't. He had slowly come back to himself with Harley holding his hand against his own chest while holding the phone up to Tony's ear while Jarvis recited his usual unimportant trivia in his soothing tone.
"Jarvis?" His voice was cracked and breaking but he couldn't have cared less. "Is that you, buddy?"
"I am here, sir." His precious AI had assured and Tony may or may not have burst into tears instantly. Between Jarvis and Harley Tony had received the full explanation on how the miracle had occurred but it had been summerised as apparently in the rush to protect himself from Ultron Jarvis had sent his backup data packets to the only place Ultron hadn't been blocking; a small, hidden linkup that Harley had managed to slip though in response to the challenge Tony had issued him years ago.
Jarvis had ended up falling dormant in the depths of Harley's own serves and without outside influence he had been unable to leave. It was why Tony was struggling so much in putting his precious AI back together – he didn't have the right parts. However, the destruction of the Arc Reactor had been written into his primary protocol by Jarvis himself so it had overwritten the restrictions enough for him to make his presence known to Harley, who had brought him back to Tony post haste. It was a very emotional reunion all round.
Tony was slightly embarrassed at falling apart in front of a teenager but Harley's no bullshit attitude was a balm.
"It's not the first time I've helped you through a panic attack and I'm sure it won't be the last." He had shrugged.
"So what you are saying is that I'm a mess." Tony said not sure if he should be offended or not.
"You're human; it's what makes you the best superhero."
"Thanks kid."
"If anyone asks I'll deny every saying that."
With Jarvis back, Tony felt like he was on top of the world and so he did what he always did; he threw himself into project. He rebuilt the Avengers, he fixed the accords and he became the darling to the world; he was the people's champion and everyone knew it. The old Avengers became a horrible spot in history, used in black humour or a playbook at what not to do with powers and abilities. In all of his thoughts and plans however, Tony had failed to account for one James Barnes.
It hadn't taken long for him to recognise that he hadn't been responsible for murdering his parents, and with Jarvis digging up everything he could find on the Winter Soldier Tony was more familiar with exactly what Hydra had done to the war hero to break him. It had taken 3 months of torture for Tony to throw everything behind a wild plan because he knew he wouldn't be able to hold out much longer, Barnes had faced years of torture and even then they had to burn away the very fabric of his person before their methods stuck.
So he had calibrated his BARF tech and made a replacement arm for the one that was blown off, and sent it to Wakanda – did they honestly think he didn't know where they were? Friday had found them before Tony had been retrieved from Siberia – figuring they were square on both sides. Genius though he may be, he hadn't expected for Barnes to reach out to him to thank him for his efforts. He hadn't quite known what to make of it; he had told the Princess not to tell Barnes who had sent the tech figuring team Crap would have informed the ex-assassin that he was the actual Devil by that point. Apparently, while his predictions were true, Barnes hadn't cared much for their words and they had become friends over email.
Barnes was funny, engaging and an enigma in ways very few people were to Tony and he found himself looking forward to the multiple emails they were throw back and forth throughout the day. It was strange and Tony didn't know what to make of it. By the time Thor, Loki, Bruce and the Asgardians and alerted them of the upcoming threat, Tony found himself nervous to meet Bucky Barnes in person. He couldn't even remember the last time he had been nervous to meet a person. It turned out it wasn't nerves he had to worry about; Tony had not been prepared for how viscerally attractive Barnes was.
He moved like he was out to hurt someone, dangerous and sure, and the way he had instantly reacted to Maximoff was as arousing as it was telling. Tony found himself watching the exchange between the Rogues and Barnes, who had already long ago disassociated, with keen eyes, looking at the tension between them all but especially him and Rogers, and it was all to obvious when Bucky clearly separated himself from the rest of the group. Shuri had already told him that Barnes had avoided the Rogues like the plague but it was another thing to see it.
Tony couldn't help but tease the soldier – he had always been a little petty – and by Tesla did he get the surprise of his life when Barnes openly teased him back with a smirk that the genius wanted to see repeatedly. Tony was gone. Barnes was officially one of his people and he was keeping him. He remembered looking at Rhodey, who had been monitoring all communications between his best friend and the ex-assassin like the over-protective mother bear he secretly was, and Rhodey nodded so Tony led Barnes off; the Winter Soldier didn't have the same conditions as everyone else anyway. Or he tried to, but of course Rogers had to step in so Tony had cut that shit off right away not having the mental capacity do deal with their usual BS; he had already mentally moved on.
Bucky had been as easy to talk to in person as he had been over e-mail and he was delightfully curious about everything, it was incredible merging the man's natural danger aura with his almost childlike curiosity. He wanted to know and experience everything about the future. Tony had a very brief wonder what things would have been like if Rogers had been the same but immediately squashed the thought; nostalgia wasn't his ballgame. The genuine awe and gratitude for the rooms Tony had painstakingly designed using bits and pieces Bucky had told him over e-mail was almost too much. Tony knew himself enough to know that he'd be doing more things to garner that reaction again.
And Bucky just fit. He got on with all the New Avengers, he was an asset to the team with his help with training plans and drills, he was an excellent if frustrating security consultant (Tony was still kinda mad about how a man his size was able to use a vent that small to break his security), he indulged the kids and would try anything and everything thrown at him. He looked at the world as it was now and threw himself into it. Tony adored it.
"I didn't want to like him." Rhodey admitted, when Tony had asked him his thoughts on the ex-assassin. "I wanted him to be exactly like Rogers, and I wanted to know I was justified in wishing he that he had never been rediscovered."
"Harsh, Honey Bear." Tony had replied surprised, and Rhodey scowled.
"I know, but what Rogers did in his name still boils my blood." Rhodey stated and then he grimaced, "and then I realised that I was doing the exact thing people always do to you in regards to Howard and Stane."
"What do you mean?"
"Barnes never asked for Rogers to trample all over the world for him, actually, the only thing Barnes ever did was lay low in the place that Hydra didn't have a hold on and protect himself. It said a lot about him as a person that as soon as he was in safety he put himself back in Cryo despite the trauma he must have surrounding it." Rhodey explained and Tony hummed thoughtfully.
"Yeah I had that thought; I also read the reports from Shuri over his mental state during the who Civil War shitshow and it was basically that he couldn't be held mentally responsible for his actions." Tony told him, "A German taskforce sent after a head fucked WW2 vet while his old buddy with a very similar uniform on turns up probably sent him into a PTSD episode causing him to run."
Rhodey winced.
"I hadn't even thought about that aspect. And then everything after that had just been another shitshow after the other."
"You saw the Winter Soldier packet I gave you when you took over the Avengers, with everything its actually pretty incredible how well he's adapted." Tony mused and Rhodey nodded in agreement.
"He's been nothing but an bonus to the New Avengers and I'm glad to have him; his insights have him invaluable." And then Rhodey gave him an epic side eye, "I've got a good feeling about Barnes so you can go ahead and get attached."
"I don't know what you are talking about, Sour Patch." Tony denied instantly. His best friend shot him such a look of disbelief that Tony was offended on principle even if it was justified.
"You do realise you stare at Barnes to the point where Strange has noted it."
Tony winced at that. Stephen Strange didn't do people even less than Tony himself so for him to have noticed it must be pretty bad, still, Tony had a reputation to maintain.
(Who was he kidding? He hadn't had a reputation to maintain with Rhodey since they had been in college.)
"I'm just making sure he's settling in okay."
"Uhuh,"
"It's an adjustment."
"Yeah, okay."
"He's fascinating!"
"There it is."
Tony had ending up huffing and skulking off because he was still a child at heart, but Rhodey wasn't wrong about the staring. He noted everything about Barnes to the point it was probably a bit creepy, but he couldn't help himself. Bucky Barnes was his latest addiction. The man had the biggest sweet tooth Tony had ever seen, he fascinated by technology and would spend hours down in the shop either playing with his bots – which had Tony weak he wasn't going to lie – or watching him build things.
Barnes was a bit of a paradox, he loved weapons but at the same time adored soft things, he was violence in motion yet would curl up like a cat under a blanket, he liked to keep himself busy but at the same would spend hours in the bath doing absolutely nothing. Tony wanted to keep discovering more and more and more. He had been busy watching Barnes, showing him the future and making him things so he could watch the ex-assassin use them – that might not have been his smartest plan, watching the hottest person in existence who already wore Tony's tech on his body in the form of an arm that Tony was vaguely attracted to anyway decimate training simulations using stuff Tony had built for him had him so turned on he'd thought he'd end up coming in his pants like a teenager.
Bucky Barnes had been the fuel of his fantasies almost from the day he returned and it was only getting worse. Tony had been so busy watching Barnes that it took him an almost embarrassing time to realise Barnes was watching him back; actually it was Loki of all people who had pointed it out. The God, who Tony refused to admit was his friend until the Trickster did first, had mentioned one day when Tony had come down to supervise the kids training that he was going to get a full work out as Barnes would be showing off for Tony. And what a show it was. The ex-assassin was the personification of danger and Tony was weak for it.
Tony didn't know when or what it was but something changed between them. The day he came back to the 'shop with Barnes in full Winter Soldier gear casually cleaning his gear was the day that stood out the most. It showed how much the ex-assassin had been watching Tony because it was obviously a calculated move that the billionaire wasn't even remotely ashamed to say worked. The smirk Bucky shot him looking up through his eyelashes looking both deadly and coy went straight to his groin.
Tony hadn't been able to stop himself telling the man to sit there looking pretty for him and the cheeky little shit had played a long. Stretching out languidly along the sofa using every inch of his body for maximum affect, flexing the metal arm and tilting his head enticingly to expose his neck smirking all the while showing he knew exactly what he was doing. And he just stayed there for Tony to look at whenever he wanted, moving the plates on the arm or switching positions slightly whenever he felt Tony hadn't looked over in too long. Tony had been helpless against such a show and he'd stand by his words no matter how many times his Honey Bear scoffed at them.
It turned into a game between them. Bucky had a bit of an advantage as he had obviously pegged Tony's weaknesses involving pretty much everything the other man did so Tony had to play catch up for a bit. But once he started noticing things it was hard to stop. Bucky loved science but he really loved Tony doing science more, he had a weird thing about the genius being a vicious bastard whenever one of the Rogues confronted him, and he seemed to get a kick out of the Iron Man suit.
Bucky also seemed to have a thing for Tony's attentions, the genius noticed it more and more that Barnes would specifically do things to wind the engineer up just so he could have Tony stare at him. If he hadn't paid any attention to the ex-assassin that day the man was more than likely to appear in his leathers laid out all enticing simply because he knew Tony was weak for it; he had nearly blown them all up thanks to Barnes' surprise appearance when he had been sciencing with the kidlets all day. Tony found it amusing for the most part, and the other half of it was only drawn in more because he was very similar with his people; he was a needy brat and if he was with someone he wanted to be their sole focus.
But more importantly, and it was the thing Tony had taken the longest to notice, Bucky seemed to really like Tony being Tony Fucking Stark. Normally, Tony Fucking Stark came out when he was on TV so he wouldn't have seen Barnes' reaction to it but there had been one time where he'd been drawn in to an emergency video call because something had gone wrong with one of SI's sister companies and they were insisting that only he could deal with it. Tony Fucking Stark had come out, the showman and the powerful owner of Stark Industries all in one, and he hadn't thought much about it until he had turned around to speak to Barnes and found the man staring at him as if he wanted to pounce on him there an then. It was such a different reaction that what Tony was used to that he didn't really know what to make of it, oh it didn't stop him using it to his advantage he wasn't an idiot, his brain just didn't quite get it.
Seeing Barnes in the bath was a grave error in judgement Tony thought, a wet Bucky Barnes almost did him in right there, and he'd never been so thankful for Harley's reckless disregard for safety rules in his life. Of course, he couldn't just let Barnes get away with his actions and he knew the ex-assassin had yet to see him train out of the suit. Tony was well aware he was attractive, and the nanoparticle body-suit he formed for his training out of the suit made him look great, so he made sure to wear that for the hand-to-hand training instead of something more relaxed. Bucky's reaction had been gratifying, he was too far away to hear the exchange between him and Carol but the look she shot him was highly amusing.
Barnes' eyes hardly left him through the entire training session and Tony was literally doing nothing. Other than being Rhodey's back up and tormenting Barnes, there was another reason Tony had wanted to come to this training session so much. He knew the Rogues would be unable to leave the fact that he hadn't trained alone, and he knew their ridiculous belief that he couldn't handle himself outside of the suit, so he only had to wait for his plan to come in to play. As predicted the Rogues, Barton especially, wanted Tony to demonstrate that he could fight, and deliberately Tony had asked Bucky to spar with him knowing Rogers would be unable to allow that to happen.
Though Bucky looked pissed he was unable to do so, the man had been nodding in agreement before Tony had finished asking only it didn't look like Barnes wanted to fight when he got his hands on him. Tony had been itching to physically fight Rogers since the sanctimonious asshole had returned from Wakanda. Extremis had put them on even footing without the suit and Tony had been training with the likes of Carol, the Defenders and Loki for almost a year and just once he wanted to be precious perfect Steve Rogers at something he was "superior" at; with a formula he had perfected with work he had done himself. It was petty, it was childish, it was unnecessary, but Tony had never claimed he wasn't any of these things.
Oh and didn't it feel good to fight him and win. Rogers may not have expected his enhancements but if he had bothered to keep up with the Accords, something Tony knew he didn't even now he was working under them, he would have known Tony was registered as physically enhanced now. Tony hadn't thought that would have been what had done it, but the look on Bucky's face after the fight shot the last of Tony's tenuous control. Barnes had a high flush on his cheeks and his usually icy blue eyes had pupils blown so wide they swallowed any colour that had been there, his lips were parted and looked about a second away from dropping to his knees and begging Tony to fuck him.
When their tension finally exploded it was more than Tony could have imagines and believe him when he says he had imagined it numerous times. Bucky was so responsive and there was something about having a man that dangerous, that physically capable come undone under his hands that Tony knew he wouldn't give up without a fight. The ex-assassin was also, somehow, unbelievably adorable. Barnes was more dangerous than he knew. Rhodey had jokingly said the man was like Tony bait but he was spot on. Tony had no plans on hiding that he was with Bucky now, and the ex-assassin was obviously in the same mind because the little shit went right back to teasing him but he was being an even bigger brat about it.
Walking into the kitchen proudly showing off his neck, dressed in tight clothes, arm on display and Tony's color? Rhodey could stop his judgements thank you very much. None of the East wing residents were even remotely surprised that they had finally gotten together, apparently they had been doing their heads in with their UST. Well that wasn't going to be a problem. Being with Bucky wasn't like anything Tony had ever experienced before.
The ex-assassin was as intense as Tony was, he was equally needy and demanding, and he seemed to embrace and even encourage some of Tony's weirder tendencies. Even Pepper and Rhodey had to tap out of somethings; Tony still thought Rhodey deserved that island but his Sourpatch was boring; Bucky knew what he would do with an Island; Tony banked that for an anniversary gift. They still kept up their games only now they could follow through and it was glorious. They kept finding more things out about each other; Bucky's underlying submissive traits made Tony lose control often and the sly little shit wasn't above using it to get something he wanted – which was often Tony's full attention on him.
It finally became apparent exactly what it was about Tony Fucking Stark Bucky got off on; it was the power of his name and how Tony wielded it. The day when Bucky had come to SI and witnessed a Board meeting illustrated that very clearly. He had finally managed to dismiss the overreaching blowhards so he could head to his office so he could get the rest of his SI work sorted before going back to compound keeping Pepper happy and the company running. Bucky had been unusually silent behind him until he had shut the doors of his office, thrown himself behind his obnoxiously large desk in front of the floor to ceiling windows and had gone to take his tie off.
"Leave it on," Bucky had ordered voice rough.
Tony raised an eyebrow and he was going to ask why when he looked over to the other man and saw very clearly why. Bucky was frozen in the middle of the office, pupils blown wide and his breathing uneven as he trailed his eyes over Tony's person.
"See something you like, Snowflake?"
Bucky had to swallow twice before he even attempted to speak much to Tony's gratification.
"You are so powerful." He had breathed out shakily, "And so good at using it."
A slow smirk had come to the billionaire's face and he raised one finger to beckon the ex-assassin forward. As soon as the other man was close enough Tony pulled him down to straddle his lap and Bucky was kissing him like a starving man, only pulling away when air was desperately needed, head falling back gasping for breath as Tony focused on his neck.
"I-I need-,"
"Tell me what you need, Prezioso." (Precious) Tony ordered, and Bucky had squeezed his eyes shut shaking his head sucking in a sharp breath. The billionaire gripped his chin and made him look at him. "Well?
"You're desk," Bucky finally managed to gasp out, "you needa fuck me over your desk."
Tony wasn't completely sure what his face did at that request but Bucky had smirked at him and the genius had stood so suddenly the other man yelped and locked his legs around his hips so he didn't fall immediately to the floor. Tony swept his desk clear without care and Bucky had been only too happy to fold himself over it; the little shit had even had lube in his pocket. When asked he had cheekily replied he had hoped to make it to the car. So Tony had finally got to fuck someone over his desk in his office.
Despite popular belief he had never slept with someone in SI before, he didn't care to involve his one night stands in his work and Pepper would never of agreed. Bucky had demanded it. Pepper was deeply unimpressed with him, and he tried to say it was Bucky's fault but the cunning ass had an innocent look that could melt hearts; Tony didn't believe it because he knew what he was like but everyone else did. She got a little less impressed with Barnes when he looked like he'd enjoy the giant bunny however. And that was another thing Tony adored. Bucky loved presents.
It didn't matter if it was his obnoxious coffee drink to something stupidly expensive, he loved them, and Tony loved buying things for his people. While Bucky didn't have the means to give Tony things in the same way, he had his own way of giving back. He's make him food while he was working, he would make sure Tony's favourite things were saved when the groceries came, he'd help out with the generic crap around the 'shop when Tony was behind on projects, and he'd let Tony take control over everything when he'd had bad days and nothing had gone right.
He'd give the genius massages, and he'd pick up slack when it came to the young Avengers when Tony got swamped and have to put of training because of yet another deadline, he'd even gone as far as run interference so Tony didn't run into any of the Rogues. Rhodey had told him that Barnes was good for him, apparently the Winter Solider was weird enough to deal with Tony's full on Tonyness and enjoy it all. Tony was well aware that he was giving off lowkey Sugar Daddy vibes when it came to Bucky – he didn't need Harley and Peter's relentless teasing not that they'd cared – but he hadn't even realised he had that kink until he had taken Bucky out to spoil him and the other man had said it. The fact that he hadn't fucked him there in the changing rooms was something Tony was counting as an actual achievement. Also Bucky Barnes in yoga pants was his new favourite thing.
Of course, Captain Asshole had to go and ruin their day with his unwanted opinion. The sheer gall of the man almost impressed the billionaire. The whole of team Cap thought he was the actual devil anyway, there was never going to be a moment where Tony thought getting with Bucky would go over without a confrontation, but he hadn't thought there would be a complete disregard of Barnes as a person. It was disgusting. As much as he wished he was a better person, Tony couldn't help but relish when Bucky chose to walk away with him rather than Rogers; he had never claimed to be a saint. He hated them all just that bit more for how they treated Bucky however, and he hated that Bucky had been so happy when they had got back and was left slumped over and drained because of them.
He refused to let that happen and so he did what he did best; fix things. After his bath, Bucky was all pliant and smiling again, the ended up eating cake and ice cream in bed watching cheesy sci-fi films until they fell asleep; it was one of the best evenings Tony could ever remember having. The show Bucky had put on for him in those yoga pants the next day was something that was going to be burned into his memory for the rest of his life.
With the confrontation with Rogers, Tony had forgotten the fact that they had discovered they were together because of a photo online which is why Pepper almost murdered the both of them for not giving her the heads up when it came to their relationship getting out to the public. Surprisingly, the press, while relentless, weren't as horrible as Tony was expecting them to be, and even better, Bucky handled the sudden upturn in his fame like a champ. It was a lot when you came into Tony Stark's sphere of influence, but if anything Bucky was using it; he wanted everyone to know they were together and for there to be no doubts about that fact. Tony was overjoyed because usually it was him that wanted to shout it from the rooftops.
It wasn't just about showing off their relationship, however. Bucky had confessed that while a bit ridiculous it made him feel secure because now that his face was everywhere he was utterly useless to whatever factions of Hydra remained out there. The Winter Solider had already been active on social media thanks to the kidlets insisting on it, but he had been careful with what photos he posted. As soon as the cat was out of the bag Bucky went to town, his IG was inundated with pictures of them together, something that Tony was only too happy to match, especially if it made Bucky feel good.
They were the new "it" couple; the public thought they were both adorable and scorching hot in equal amounts and quite frankly those who had negative opinions were either the anti-LGBTQA crowd or those who few and far in between team Cap fans that thought Bucky belonged to Rogers. Tony rode the high with glee. The New Avengers were kicking ass, the Accords were exactly how he wanted them, the kids were all doing amazing, his best friends were all happy and healthy, and even SI was at an all time high.
He and Bucky were approaching four months stronger than ever and they were preparing for their first official public appearance. The entirety of the New Avengers, which included the Rogues, were set to attend the annual superhero benefit that the UN had initiated last year when they had started rebuilding the Avengers and the Accords. Thanks to the system in place with the Accords, the Stark Relief fund was no longer the sole charity responsible for paying for repairs, there was an official international charity that would cover damages caused by battle damages and even accidents that happened when people were coming into their powers.
Anyone could donate whenever they wanted, but there was an annual benefit where the rich people of the world would pay and the New Avengers were all expected to be there to do their parts to raise money. This year it was in the US because the Rogues couldn't leave the country and Tony was looking forward to it. The politicians and the wealthy could be hit or miss, but the benefit was also open to the smartest people in the world; many countries wanted their people attached to the New Avengers with their shinny reputation after all, and many scientist wanted the opportunity to work with things they would never be able to dream of otherwise.
The New Avengers had been planning their arrival for weeks, with the amount of people on the team, if only because of their allies, it was set out as if it was a mission. Not only that but if a villain wanted to attack then the Benefit would be the perfect time. Everyone had to be fitted with black tie, had to be assigned a vehicle, had to go through the PR briefings and everything else in between. There had been a few minor issues with the Rogues, unsurprisingly, ranging from not wanting to go – Rogers – to not having anything to wear – Maximoff.
Rogers had been smacked down rather spectacularly by Romanoff, of all people, who had told him to basically suck it up and get on with it. Maximoff had been dealt with easily as there was a supplement taken the allowance all the New Avengers that covered black tie events because there were some that were mandatory and dressing up cost money whether they liked it or no. Bucky, however, couldn't seem to help needling the Witch. Tony didn't know if it was because he generally hated her, because she accused him of being bought when she found out about their relationship or because the ex-assassin liked to flaunt their relationship at every chance he got.
They had all been in the public common room where Rhodey was going through final fittings for the event, Tony had been there to co-ordinate transport as he was organising it due to the fact he was the only one who had enough on retainer to cover everything in one go, and Bucky tended to be wherever Tony was most times. The discussion on clothes had branched out with Maximoff this time complaining about her dress and Bucky had chimed in.
"I want an all-black bespoke tux so it fits like a glove made from that material that feels like silk an' water, with black diamond buttons, those super fancy handmade Italian shoes and an Audemars Piguet watch." He declared, eyes narrowed as he clearly imagined it and there was a collective pause at that before Barton scoffed.
"That's a laugh with the crap they pay us." He sneered, "They ain't gonna cover your sudden fancy tastes, Barnes."
"Well unless you stole a lot more from Hydra than you declared." Romanoff added thoughtfully. "Audemars Piguet watches start at 20k at best."
"Why would you want a watch that expensive?" Rogers demanded horrified and Bucky shrugged carelessly.
"They're real nice watches."
"Yeah well keep dreaming." Barton dismissed. Bucky raised a sardonic eyebrow and smirked before his expression went suggestive and flirtatious as he turned towards Tony, who hadn't taken his eyes off of him since he had starting talking.
"Buy it for me." He demanded bold as brass much to the shock of the Rogues. Tony slowly raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk on his face as he regarded him.
"You want a pure black Guanashina tux with black diamonds, set in gold obviously, which is probably gonna cost around 80 or 90 grand with it being a rush order? Handmade shoes easily another grand, and an Audemars Piguet watch to match which could clear 70k." The billionaire drawled, enjoying as the ex-assassin got more and more flushed the longer he went on. The little shit hadn't backed down though.
"I really really want that outfit. And don't ya think I would look amazing in it? Don't you want to see me all dressed up?" Bucky asked slyly. Tony had to bit his tongue for a second because he very much did want to see Bucky all dressed up and he knew damn well that he would look incredible in such an outfit. They had stared at each other for a few moments and Bucky was all devious and coy and biting his lip and Tony really had no control when it came to the other man.
"Friday ready my jet with a course set to Italy, and call ahead to Gio's to let him know to expect us. You heard moy Solda't, he really wants that tux; we'll hit Audemars Piguet on the way to the airport; they'll open for me."
Bucky's eyes gleamed and he sat back satisfied with himself, Tony pointedly ignored the mocking look he could feel on Rhodey's face next to him as he smirked at his other half.
"What? Throwing that much money away on one night is so wasteful, Stark!" Rogers chided him as if Tony cared what he had to say.
"Why can he have something like that while we're stuck with horrible clothes? You should buy ours too!" Maximoff exclaimed at the same time making the billionaire scoff.
"First, me spending money on my Tesoro is never wasteful; I'd spend billions keeping him happy thank you very much." He stated without shame, before turning a glance of utter disdain on to Maximoff, "Second, I'd honestly rather be back in Afghanistan then do anything that would ever benefit you."
Rhodey's muttered "damn" only added to the joy he felt at seeing the outrage on their faces as he got to his feet and tucked his tablet under his arm.
"Come on, Bucky-babe, we have a plane to catch."
Bucky came over wrapping himself around him and kissing his cheek all affectionate, Tony shot him a side eye but still slid his arm around him.
"I wonder how long Barnes will spend on his knees paying for that." Barton sneered as they were nearly out of the room.
"I've done more for less, Barton." Bucky replied because he was a complete troll at heart, throwing the pissed off archer a kiss as he went. Tony was pretty sure he was in love with the ex-assassin but he kept that to himself for now. As soon as they were in the clear Bucky kissed him deeply, pushing himself as close to Tony as he humanly could.
"You know I don't actually need a tux like that, right?" He said as soon as they parted, "that's an insane amount of money and I just wanted to rub it in their faces because they used to spend your money on whatever they wanted while still spitting your face like the assholes they are. Especially the Witch complaining about your so called 'blood money' as she bought all the designer clothes she could ever want and more."
Tony laughed at that.
"You are such a petty bitch; I love it."
Bucky tried to look offended but he was grinning too much for it to be believable.
"Did'ya see the looks on their faces?"
"Petty, petty, petty."
"You just said you loved it."
"I really do." Tony agreed with him, running his hands up and down his sides. "You know what else I love? The idea of you in that tux."
"Ya can't be serious." Bucky said in disbelief. "Tony I jus' said I don't need a tux like that."
"Oh I know, but do you want one?" Tony questioned and Bucky bit his lip, eyes flicking away for a second before coming back to focus on Tony who pounced on the moment of weakness. "Just imagine it; the softest of materials gliding over your body and it was hug you in all the right places, the watch and the shoes to finish the look all gleaming and sharp. You'd look divine, Prezioso."
"Tony…"
"And when we got home, after you have paraded around all night looking like a damn snack, I could peel you out of it oh so slowly before showing my appreciation of exactly how good you looked."
Bucky eventually caved and Tony really did fly them to Italy so they could go to his favourite tailors for their tuxedos figuring he could get himself a new one while he was there. They had hit the watch store on the way like he had said and picked out Bucky a selection of watches, the prices of which were enough to give the ex-assassin palpitations while being exceptionally turned on at the same time.
Unfortunately for Tony, he had been banned from seeing Bucky's tux beforehand so he hadn't seen the finish product and he hadn't seen Bucky in it either. The little shit had refused to show him and had the audacity of hiding the opaque clothes bag in Loki's pocket dimension just to make absolutely sure Tony never got a glimpse of it. The lead up to the even was a hellish couple of weeks for the billionaire, Bucky teased him relentlessly and Tony was desperate to see him all dressed up for the first time.
Which was why he was currently sat on his bed, leg bouncing up and down, as he waited for Bucky to come out of the dressing room. Tony himself was in what he liked to call rebel traditional; pressed black pants with a crisp white shirt and black bowtie as per tradition, but he had spiced things up with a tux jacket that was such a deep red that it was almost black and it shone bloody under the right light; he had paired it with a black pocket square and black diamond cufflinks.
"Come on, Frosty, you're killing me here." Tony called out impatiently.
"Okay, okay." Bucky's amused voice floated back out to him and Tony huffed.
He opened his mouth to saying something else when Bucky finally stepped out and he froze gaping, because his brain. Did not. Compute. The tux was so black it was almost blue under the lights whereas the shirt was so dark it was absolutely void of any colour whatsoever, because of that the gold that held the black diamond buttons stood out starkly as did the deep red pocket square Bucky wore that matched Tony's own tux jacket.
The tailor had outdone himself with the fitting because the tux clung to Bucky's shoulders and tapered down to his trim waist like liquid while his pants had enough give to no be obscene while still highlighting his excellent thighs. Bucky had brushed all his hair back and put it up in a low bun without a strand out of place to finish the image.
"What'd'ya think?" The ex-assassin asked when Tony failed to speak, starting to look nervous.
"Give me a minute, I need to appreciate-," Tony cut himself off to motion all of Bucky making the other man grin and straighten up proudly.
"Shit this wasn't a good idea." Tony muttered running his hands over his face in an effort not to touch his hair lest he ruin it before even leaving. "How do you look that good? Surely that isn't natural."
Bucky barked out a laugh and walked over to stand in front of the genius offering his hand.
"I understand why Gio is your favourite tailor."
Tony took his hand stood, straightening his own clothes and smirking slightly when Bucky ran an appreciative eye over him when he did so.
"Yeah, and he's about to have an upturn in business because clearly you need many more suits from him."
"So do you." Bucky mused running a finger down one of Tony's lapels. "Is there anything you don't look good in?"
"Not really, I'm gifted like that." Tony replied arrogantly and Bucky laughed at him.
"Well you're not wrong."
"I don't know how I'm going to keep my hands off of you tonight." Tony told him seriously, running his hands along Bucky's waist and pulling him close.
"Who said you had to?" Bucky wondered leaning in for a kiss that Tony was only too happy to give him.
"My Sour Patch has already warned me that if I end up sneaking off with you during this event he'll put me on paper work and clean up duties for the next month." Tony pouted making Bucky snort.
"Wow right for the jugular."
"Right! My Platypus is evil but no one ever sees it."
"You know what you'll have to do instead?" Bucky began, flashing Tony a sly smirk, "you'll just have to plan exactly what you want to do when you peel me out of this later then, won't you?"
"Oh baby I'm sure I can think of many." Tony assured with a smirk of his own.
"Sir, Colonel Rhodes is demanded Sergeant Barnes and your presence immediately." Jarvis cut in and Tony huffed.
"Yeah okay, Jarvis." Rolling his eyes and stepping back from Bucky, he reached for his metal hand as they headed out. "So demanding."
"I think he'd actually kill you if we're late with how much planning he's put into this."
"I don't understand the hurry; we're set to be the last ones to arrive because Rhodey knows we're going to attract the most attention." Tony shrugged, "the Rogues went first for that very same reason."
"Let him have his moment; dealing with the New Avengers is like heardin' cats." Bucky joked and Tony snorted.
"That's an understatement. Did you hear both Loki and Stephen's arguments as to why they should be allowed to use magic to arrive?"
Bucky snickered at that. Loki had wanted to be full dramatic diva and appear in a wave of green smoke and gold sparks but that was shot down before he could finish explaining exactly what he wanted. The Colonel had gave the God such a deeply unimpressed look that Bucky still laughed remembering it.
"Rhodes swears that Loki is the living reason you will never be allowed magic."
"As if I would want it." Tony scoffed.
"I notice you don't deny you'd be equally dramatic as Loki." Bucky pointed out and Tony grinned.
"Please, those are parlour tricks; I'd be worse."
Bucky was still laughing when they arrived in the garage where Rhodey and Carol, who had finally gotten together, were waiting for them with an overjoyed Thor and exasperatedly fond Bruce.
"My friends! Let us depart for an evening of revelry." Thor announced loudly, beaming as soon as they were insight. The God looked incredible in his traditional dress amour, brilliant red cape fluttering fetchingly behind him without wind.
"No no, more courtly event remember." Bruce was quick to correct, the usually rumpled scientist cleaned up in a traditional crisp black tux with a white shirt; he had a red pocket square and golden cufflinks to match Thor. Tony still didn't know how or when those to got together but Bruce was more settled and happier than Tony had ever seen him so he wasn't going to question it.
"Ah yes, we shall conduct ourselves with grace and aplomb to show the greatness of our team of warriors." Thor remembered with a grave nod.
"The only saving this limo is the fact that Loki isn't here." Rhodey grumbled shaking his head as Carol rubbed his shoulder soothingly. He looked sharp in his dress blues, everything pressed to perfection and all his medals and badges shining under the low light. Carol looked resplendent in a shimmering caped dress with her hair slicked up, a light touch of makeup and glittering earrings – a far cry from her usual no nonsense look and Rhodey looked rather besotted.
"I think you mean: thank you Tony for rebuilding one of your favourite cars so it could be driven by Jarvis allowing Stephen to actually get in a car." Tony corrected and Rhodey shot him a look.
"Don't act like you haven't been doing that to all of your cars and just hadn't got around to the Koenigsegg." Rhodey scorned, rolling his eyes at Tony's sniff.
"Lies and slander."
"Get in the limo."
Tony and Bucky were in first as they would be getting out last as arranged, Thor and Bruce were next with the scientist lifting Thor's cape so it could drape over his lap so it didn't crease, and finally the two leaders of the New Avengers, who would be stepping out first. The ride to the plaza was uneventful, Tony spent most of his time reassuring Rhodey that the mess of people they called a team hadn't made a meal of the event already.
"I don't remember you being this much of a worrywart, Honey Bear." Tony said to him with a grin, Rhodey shot him a glare.
"That's because before I was dealing with a single menace to society, now I have a pack of them and these can't be lured in with snacks and a tech problem."
"You are committing all sorts of character assassinations against me tonight, Sour Patch, and I for one am hurt."
"You can be lured in with tech and snacks though." Bucky pointed out reasonably, innocent expression on his face as he waved his metal hand. Tony squawked, looking at him in betrayal.
"Et tu, Frosty?"
"Aye Loki is the same but with magic." Thor added gleefully, "tis why he likes the Wizard."
"I'm offended for both me and Loki." Tony decided, crossing his arms with a huff.
"What if I said I thought it was cute?" Bucky asked kissing his check and Tony sniffed.
"I'm adorable."
"Y'all give me cavities." Rhodey muttered but he was smiling. They finally pulled up the event and it was heaving with press and people, cameras already flashing madly and Tony could just make out Hope and Lang entering the building having been the ones to arrive before them.
"Brace yourselves boys and girls." Tony warned, handing a pair of sunglasses to Bucky.
"Don't spend too much time with your adoring public." Rhodey warned him before fixing a pleasant expression on his face just in time for the limo door to be opened. The Colonel stepped out smoothly holding out a hand for Carol with a smile and the crowds grew louder when they spotted who had arrived. Bruce was looking a little green for non-Hulk related reasons so Tony leaned over and gripped his shoulder.
"Hey Brucie, just smile and hide behind Thor, I'm sure the big guy is more than used to dealing with crowds like this and can draw enough attention to himself." Tony told him and Thor puffed up.
"Indeed beloved! I shall shield you, do not trouble yourself."
"See,"
Bruce took a few deep breaths and nodded, motioning for Thor to move and the God emerged from the car immediately throwing his arms in the air as the crowd erupted at the sight of him. He turned briefly to help Bruce out before turning his attentions to keeping the eyes on him and away from the notoriously shy scientist, and he did an excellent job of it.
"If I hadn't have met him I wouldn't think he was real." Bucky chucked, watching Thor be Thor up the red carpet.
"Tell me about it." Tony agreed, "are you ready?"
"To be your arm candy as you own this red carpet?" Bucky joked with a grin, "damn right I am."
"Well lets not keep the masses waiting." Tony said sliding on his shades. He climbed out of the limo smoothly, Tony Fucking Stark grin on his face and a his famous peace sign at the ready. He paused for just a moment before holding his hand out for Bucky to take as he followed him out and the crowd went wild; it was a wall of noise and white light as every camera turned to snap pictures nearly simultaneously. They began the slow procession down the red carpet, signing autographs and posing for pictures. Tony glanced at Bucky to make sure he was okay but he hadn't needed to worry; the ex-assassin had a mysterious smirk on his face as he dealt with his own autographs and picture requests.
The billionaire wrapped an arm around Bucky's waist so they could pose for a few pictures together, and when they were almost at the end the cheeky little shit pulled Tony in for a toe curling kiss that sent the crowd into a tizzy. When they parted Tony couldn't help but laugh, his expression less Tony Fucking Stark and more besotted but in that very moment he couldn't have cared less. Bucky was looking back as if he was the only person that mattered in the world and Tony realised that yeah, he was in love with Bucky Barnes and he'd do just about anything to keep him.