Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.

Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count - 465.

Of Science and Spinach Puffs

"Oh no, he's hot," Tony whispered, eyes on the man approaching them. "He wasn't supposed to be hot, Rhodey!"

Rhodey snorted, perching himself on the wall surrounding the fountain. "You heard what Fury said. No seducing the newbie."

"But he's hot though," Tony complained. "Fury shouldn't make me agree to things before I know all the facts, it's not fair."

"I mean… he didn't say anything about the newbie seducing you, did he?" Rhodey offered, eyes gleaming with mischief. "So if you make a good impression…"

"You're an actual genius," Tony muttered, before he stood, smiling charmingly at the awkward blond that had finally reached them. "Steve Rogers? I'm Tony Stark."

…

Steve was stubborn, or just oblivious, Tony couldn't decide.

Tony had tried everything to show his interest without outright stating that he would very much like to do the horizontal tango with him. Or vertical tango. Or even a tango against the wall—you understand the idea.

He'd tried every subtle thing he could think of, but the problem was, Tony was not subtle. Ever. About anything. It just wasn't in his blood.

"Maybe you just need to count this one as a loss," Rhodey suggested, a few weeks after their first meeting.

Tony arched his eyebrow and gave Rhodey a significant look. "When do I ever give up on anything?"

"All the time," Rhodey replied. "When you get bored, which is practically every five minutes."

"Why do you gotta hurt me this way, Honeybear?"

"Don't sulk. I fancy spinach puffs. You want some? I know you love them."

Tony looked away, sulking. "I never liked your spinach puffs."

…

"So… Rhodey said you like me."

Tony blinked at Steve. He'd just come off of a thirty hour science binge, and he probably wasn't at his best.

"Uh?"

"But he said that you promised Fury that you wouldn't try and seduce me while I became acclimatised to the twenty first century."

"Um."

"But, I uh… I like you too. So… I thought maybe you could, we could… go out. For dinner. Or something."

"That… sounds like a good plan. A great plan. Um. now?"

"I think you should probably sleep first, Tony," Steve murmured, smiling fondly. "Tomorrow?"

"I am fine," Tony replied stubbornly. "Honest. Fine."

"You're swaying on your feet."

"And there are two of you," Tony agreed. "Not necessarily a bad thing, but probably not… great? Okay sleep first. Then date, yes?"

Steve nodded.

Tony smiled widely. "Okay. Um. I'm gonna… bed. But if you see my Honeybear, tell him he's the best friend ever, and I was lying when I said I didn't like his spinach puffs. Kay?"

Chuckling, Steve nodded. "Sure, Tony. I'll tell him. Go and get some sleep."

"Right. Sleep. I… I can do that. G'night, Steve."

"G'night, Tony."

Written for:

Angel's Archive - 3. "Oh no, he's hot."

Film Festival - 30. "I never liked your spinach puffs."

Wacky Wandmakers - English Oak (Friendship) / Kelpie Hair (Significant)

Game Night - Stubborn

365. 253. Fountain