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Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count: 1004

Flirting With Intentions

"This doesn't bode well," Tony said, eyeing Pepper suspiciously. "Why are you looking at me like that."

"We have a new member of staff starting," she said, rolling her eyes. "I want you to train him."

Tony wrinkled his nose. "Ew. Why me? Make Nat do it."

"Bold of you to think I can make Natasha do anything," Pepper said, laughing. "Come on, Tones, I think you'll like him. He's sweet."

"Sweet?"

She nodded.

"I hope you know that I'm going to ruin him. He's going to hate my sarcastic self on sight."

"I expected as much."

…

Steve wasn't really what Tony expected. He was sweet, Pepper had been right about that, but he was also devastatingly gorgeous, and he flirted back with Tony, which none of the other staff did anymore.

Steve indulged him

Tony was in love—except not actually in love because that would be a mistake.

Unfortunately, the more Steve indulged him, the more Tony flirted, to the point where it had spilled out onto the restaurant floor.

Honestly, he was surprised Pepper still put up with him.

He supposed that was the bonus of being friends with the management.

…

"You know what you did wrong?" Tony offered. "You took insignificance as an omen. It's a bad move."

Clint rolled his eyes and was about to reply when large, warm hands landed on Tony's shoulders. Tony leant back into the broad chest of his colleague and smiled up at him.

"Hi, Snookems."

"Hi, Tony," Steve replied. "I have some news."

"No bad news allowed."

"Pepper wants to talk to us."

"What did I just say, Cupcake?" Tony asked, and Steve chuckled.

"I think it's about the customer forms she's been having people fill in. Come on, the sooner we get it done, the sooner we can get to work."

"That's really not the draw you think it is."

…

"We're not—I mean, we—I mean—"

Tony snorted. "We kinda do flirt, Steve. But… it's fun. Nothing—Pep, you know what I'm like. I can stop if—"

"No, that's what I'm trying to tell you," Pepper said, waving the customer questionnaire sheets. "They like it. Part of the reason we have so many regulars is that they enjoy watching the two of you."

Steve blushed prettily and Tony grinned. "Sweet."

"So… keep it up," Pepper said.

"Right. Well, I'm going on my break," Tony said. "If the apocalypse comes, beep me."

…

Clint watched the man walk away from the bar and then turned to look at Tony. "If people think we're twins, does that mean we're attracted to ourselves?"

"Who said I'm attracted to you?" Tony asked, wrinkling his nose. "Also, that guy was wearing glasses thicker than the counter you're leaning against, and he was still clearly blind. Twins."

"It's pandemonium out there," Steve said, appearing with two trays, one in each arm. "Think you can lend a hand, Sweetheart?"

"For you, Darling? Anything."

"And you say there's nothing in it?" Clint asked, as Steve walked off. Tony did the mature thing and flipped Clint off as he followed after the blond like an eager puppy.

…

Steve was being weird.

Ever since Pepper had brought up the customer questionnaires, he'd been awkward and much more blush-y than usual.

Tony hit the button on the radio and turned the music up, bopping around the restaurant and he cleaned tables. His partner in crime was due at any moment, and he was hoping they'd get a minute to talk.

If only so that Tony could get his Steve back.

As he passed the bar, he checked his reflection in the mirror and smiled to himself.

He really was a handsome bastard.

Except… Steve didn't show.

…

"If you ever loved me, you'll let me sulk in peace," Tony said when he caught Pepper watching him. Steve had been out for three days, and Tony wasn't pleased.

"He's coming back in today," she said quietly. "He called this morning. You need to talk to him, you know?"

"I need to do no such thing," Tony replied, wrinkling his nose. "His three day absence speaks volumes."

"Tony—"

Tony just shook his head. "Just leave it, Pep. I'm not in the mood for it today."

She sighed but nodded. "Sure."

…

"Hey, Tony."

Tony glanced over his shoulder, feigning uninterested as he replied, "Hey."

And then he walked into the kitchen under the pretense of doing some work.

That set the tone for the shift, and for the first time in months, he didn't enjoy working.

When the shift was over, Tony grabbed his jacket and walked towards the door. Usually he'd stick around with the others for a while at the end of the evening, but he couldn't bring himself to stay.

While he'd never admit it outloud, he was hurt. If Steve had really had a problem with the way they flirted, couldn't he have just said something?

"Tony? Hey, Tony, have you got a minute?"

Tony sniffed and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "What?"

"I just…" Steve rubbed a hand over his neck. "I just wanted to apologise. I know that I've been weird for the last few days and I just… I guess I didn't realise we were flirting? And then when Miss Potts said about it, it threw me off a little."

Tony looked away. "It's fine, message received."

"No! No, I don't think you… I haven't been weird because I didn't like it. I, uh, I maybe like it a little more than I should? And I wasn't expecting it and it… I wasn't expecting it. But, and so, uh."

"What are you trying to say, Steve?"

"I was hoping that maybe I could take you out? Maybe flirt somewhere other than the restaurant, but with uh… intentions?"

Tony felt his lips tilt up. Flirting with intentions. Steve was adorable.

"I'd like that," he agreed with a nod. "Pick me up tomorrow night?"

Steve grinned. "Seven?"

"It's a date," Tony agreed, and then smiled slyly. "With intentions."

Written For:

Showtime: 1. Radio

Amber's Attic: 12. "If people think we're twins, does that mean we're attracted to ourselves?"

Elizabeth's Empire: 9. Friends to lovers

Liza Loves: 3. The manager says the only reason the restaurant where we work at is popular is because people enjoy eating while watching our relentless flirting with each other, but I swear to god we're not flirting.

Bex's Basement: 10. Pandemonium

Lizzy's Loft: 7. "You took insignificance as omen."

Angel's Archive: 5. Looking in a mirror

Scamander's Case: 5. "This doesn't bode well."

Film Festival: 23. "No bad news allowed."

Lyric Alley: 13. If you ever loved me

TV Spree: 23. "If the apocalypse comes, beep me."

Treasure Hunting: Rope: Sarcastic