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Challenges listed at the bottom.
Word Count: 1381
The Whole Night Through
"Are you going to go and greet them at all today?" Nick asked, tilting his head to look at Tony. He'd been somewhat impressed that he'd even been allowed entry into the lab. "Or just leave them to stew?"
"In my own time," Tony replied, putting the finishing touches to the report he'd been working on for the latest updates R and D had sent for him. "I do have a business to take care of, you know?"
Nick just nodded his head, even though Tony wasn't looking at him. He knew that he couldn't push too hard. He was intelligent enough to know that Tony was being gracious by letting the Avengers return to the Tower given everything that had happened between them all.
"Well, there was talk of a shared meal in about an hour, so… maybe you could find the time to join them."
Tony chuckled softly and turned around. "You're being much less… you than I expected."
"We've all changed over the years, haven't we?"
"True enough," Tony agreed. "Though how much remains to be seen. Seriously, Nick, I'm fine, the team is fine, it's all… fine."
"This is the first time you've all been in the same living space for over two years, Stark. Do you really think it's going to go well?"
"I mean, we fought a big purple ball sack together, and that seemed to go alright, considering we won and all."
Nick snorted. "I think there was more necessity in that than there is now. If you don't think you can host them, I'd rather you tell me now and I'll find somewhere else for them."
Tony leant back in his seat. "What happened to 'you'll do as you're fucking told?'"
Sighing, Nick ran a hand over his bald head. "After everything that happened to you a few years ago… let's just say that I think you deserve to make your own decision about this."
Tony regarded him for a moment. "It's fine. Honestly. Pepper wouldn't have let me have them back if I couldn't handle it, and Rhodey would have put his foot down as well."
Nick nodded because that was definitely a fair point. Neither of them had any loyalties to the Avengers, and full loyalty to Tony, and Tony alone. They protected him from things that he didn't even think he needed protection from.
"And," Tony added softly. "I miss them. I miss him. For better or worse, I'm glad they're back."
"Well, I'll leave you to it then," Nick replied, smiling. "If you need anything, Tony, give me a call, alright?"
Tony nodded. "I… thanks, Nick. For giving a shit enough to give me an out."
…
When Tony finally joined the team in the penthouse, he was pleased to find Rhodey and Pepper had beat him there. He walked over to them immediately, grinning at his best friend as he wrapped his arm around Pepper's shoulders, enjoying the feel of the satin, blush pink dress she was wearing.
"I wasn't expecting either of you today," he said, knowingly. "Strange that you would both show up."
Rhodey just rolled his eyes.
"Not that strange," Pepper replied. "We both care about you."
"Aww, Pep, you're going to make me blush." He glanced over at the team who were all sitting around the table in various shades of awkward. He nodded to them. "Alright?"
There were a few murmurs of confirmation, and Tony chuckled. "This is about as fun as a fart in a lift. You can all relax, I'm not going to call a suit or anything."
Rhodey snorted, and Pepper shook her head. "Subtle as always."
"Did you expect anything different? I'm hungry. Are you staying for dinner?"
Pepper shrugged. "Sure."
Rhodey nodded. "Thai?"
"Eh. Pizza?" Tony offered. He looked at the team. "Thai or pizza?"
"The answer is always both," Clint and Natasha said at the same time.
Tony snorted, because he'd once been the one to say that. He nodded though. "Both it is. Give JARVIS your orders."
"Tony… can we talk for a minute?"
Of course it was Steve. Of course it was. Tony sighed but nodded towards the balcony. "After you. J, order our regulars, would you?"
"Of course, Sir."
Tony followed Steve onto the balcony, curious despite himself. This was sure to be interesting.
…
"I just… I wanted to apologise. Really apologise. I know we had a conversation but… you deserve to know that I'm sorry. I'm deeply, truly sorry that I hid the truth about your parent's death from you, and for that fight in Siberia. I know better—I knew better then—than to fight someone emotionally compromised."
Tony nodded. "It wasn't all on you. I threw the first punch in Siberia. I didn't do as well as I could have with the Accords. It's… it's done, Steve. I forgive you. I'm never going to forget, none of us will, but it's time to move on with life."
Steve nodded, and he smiled, the first real smile Tony had received from him in the longest time.
"It's good to see you, Tony."
"It's good to see you too. Once I got over the blind rage, and then the hurt… I missed you, Cap. Maybe we just need to learn to compromise a little better, huh."
Steve nodded. "I think we can do that."
…
"Oh my god, don't flatter yourself, Barton," Tony said around laughter. "Nobody was looking at you!"
"Of course they were," Clint argued, mock affronted and not holding it well. "I'm a superstar after all."
That sent Tony into fresh laughter. Asshole.
It was amazing and slightly scary how quickly Natasha, Clint and Steve had slotted back into his life like they'd never left. The other members of the team, Sam, Wanda, Bucky… they were a little harder to deal with.
Oddly it was Wanda that Tony was struggling with the most. Sam was the most inoffensive person on the team, so it was just a case of unfamiliarity with the two of them, and Barnes was quiet, almost timid, and Tony didn't exactly plan to be bosom buddies with him.
"What's all the laughter?" Steve asked, stepping into the room with Barnes a step behind him.
"Clint is being a superstar," Tony replied, still chuckling.
"Ohhhkay," Steve said, drawing out the word. "Sure. Well, we were thinking about a movie night if you fancy it?"
His hand fell to Tony's shoulder like it belonged there. Tony had to fight the urge to lean into it.
"Sure. Are we being extravagant and ordering something other than pizza?" he asked, looking up at Steve.
"Chinese?" Steve offered.
Tony grinned. "Sold."
…
Tony fell asleep halfway through the second movie. It wouldn't have been such a big deal if he hadn't fallen asleep on Steve's shoulder. Steve glanced down at him and smiled.
It was like he'd been transported back five years, only this was even better than that, because this… for Tony to trust him enough for this after everything that had happened was practically a miracle.
As everyone else left the room, Steve shifted slightly. Tony woke up as Steve had known he would, just enough to realise they were the only two left.
He glanced at Steve. "Oops?"
"You know I've never minded," Steve told him softly. "Just thought you might want to go to bed."
Tony wrinkled his nose and looked away. Steve wondered about that for a moment. He'd thought Tony was looking tired lately.
"Or we could stay here?"
Tony looked back, and Steve could see the gratitude in his eyes. They moved around on the sofa until eventually, Steve was laid on his back and Tony was splayed out on top of him.
Steve ran a hand up and down Tony's spine in gentle movements.
"I really did miss you, you know," he murmured, burying his face against Tony's hair.
"Hmm, love you," Tony replied, already mostly asleep. Steve froze for a moment and then he smiled.
"I love you too."
There would be conversations, and probably arguments and fear and uncertainty, but Steve had hope now.
Hope for a future he'd dreamed of, but never really believed he could have.
Tony's words echoed in his mind, and he tightened his grip slightly. They both slept the whole night through.
Written for:
Record Collection: Be Here Now, 3: Magic Pie - Dialogue: "In my own time."
Amber's Attic: Tyreese, 9: (dialogue) "I forgive you. I'm never gonna forget."
Film Festival: 13. Compromise
Marvel Appreciation: 7. Intelligent
Shelter Building: 6. Tarp from Counselor Elizabeth's (or Flitwick's) Cabin: (word) extravagant
Getting Artsy: Blush pink / Flatter