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Challenges listed at the bottom.
Word Count: 870
Treasure Hunt
"So," Rhodey said, leaning forward in his chair. "Let me get this straight. You're planning a treasure hunt for Steve so that he'll realise you love him and you're going to use it to ask him on a date?"
Tony nodded. "Exactly."
"This has disaster written all over it," Pepper said, shaking her head. "Have you planned anything for it."
Pulling a piece of paper from his pocket, Tony held it in front of her face victoriously. "I have a list!"
She looked at him for a moment and then laughed. "Of course you do."
"You know, you could just… tell him?" Rhodey offered, shaking his head. "I don't think this is entirely necessary since, honestly, Tones, the two of you have been dating for months."
Tony scowled. "Why are you two my best friends? We haven't been dating, Sour Patch, I've told you this many times. I would know if I was dating Captain America."
"Uh huh," Pepper said, unimpressed. "But would you? Because you're a confirmed genius, Tones, but you're also the most oblivious person on the planet when it comes to relationships."
"I hate both of you."
…
Steve wasn't sure what to make of the note he'd found on his bed. A treasure hunt? For what purpose, he wondered, and mores to the point, from who.
He twisted his lips in thought. What if it was a trap? Should he tell the others, maybe have them come with him just in case?
…
Tony worked his way down his list—with the help of Pepper and Rhodey, who might be asshole friends, but they were helpful asshole friends—to get everything in place.
Steve would have found the first letter by now, and Tony was worried, but excited, the two emotions battling inside of him.
He was pretty sure he'd managed to remember all of their favourite places—though admittedly they were more Tony's favourites, since Steve was often too polite to tell Tony when he didn't like something.
"Okay, I think that's it," Tony said, showing Pepper the list with many ticks. "Just the last step now, and I can do that myself."
Pepper nodded and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "You'll be great—but don't be surprised when Steve tells you that you've been dating for months."
Tony rolled his eyes, balling the list up and throwing it at Rhodey when he laughed.
"It's not gonna happen; but thanks. I'll call you both later."
…
Steve was glad that he hadn't called the team in. By the third spot on his 'treasure hunt', he'd realised that it was Tony at work; and that the idiot had forgotten to sign his name on the first letter.
Bless his heart, Steve loved Tony to death, but he was an idiot at times.
Still, this was the sweetest thing and Steve was smiling widely when he got to central park and found the fourth letter.
Maybe Tony was going to ask Steve to be his boyfriend. They'd been on enough dates that it was possible.
Maybe he'd actually get to kiss him now.
…
Tony tapped his fingers against the balcony railing. He was eagerly awaiting Steve, though the butterflies in his stomach were still present.
He really shouldn't be this nervous; it was just Steve.
They spent time together all the time.
The sound of a throat clearing behind him made him turn, and he found himself face to face with his favourite Super-Soldier.
"Hey," he said, grinning, when he saw the smile on Steve's face.
"Hey yourself," Steve replied, looking at the table Tony had set up on the balcony. It was small—intimate—and Steve seemed charmed by it.
"I, uh, didn't cook," Tony admitted, as he pulled out a chair for Steve to sit. "I ordered in because serum or not, I would have poisoned you."
Steve chuckled. "I'm sure you're not—"
"I can burn water," Tony interrupted. "Cooking is not a good idea for me. So, uh, I ordered from that little Italian we went to the first time we ate out together? You said you liked the food from there so."
"Sounds perfect."
As if to prove to himself—or more that he could crow at Pepper—that he could, Tony behaved impeccably. They ate, and once they were filled with delicious food, Tony had JARVIS play music out onto the balcony.
"I, uh… I was hoping that you uh, would maybe like to date me?" Tony offered, cursing himself for being so awkward.
Steve blinked and then tilted his head, reaching out to take Tony's hand. "Sweetheart, we've been dating for weeks."
Tony froze and then groaned. Steve looked at him worriedly.
"What is it?"
"Fuck Rhodey for being right."
…
Steve smiled to himself, glancing at the top of Tony's head where he was laying on Steve's chest. After he'd gotten over the shock of not realising they were actually dating, he'd decided that the fact that they'd been dating and hadn't kissed was deplorable and had set about making up for lost time.
Steve couldn't say he was mad about that.
Regardless of the confusion, Steve had finished up his treasure hunt with the best treasure he could have possibly gained.
Tony Stark; his boyfriend.
Written for:
Auction: Day 5, Plot 1: Treasure Hunt/Scavenger Hunt
Character Appreciation: 19. Prove
Record Collection: Back To Black: 4. Just Friends: (genre) friendship
Bingo: 4. Found a prompt list - Write about someone writing or using a list
Book Club: Finn: Best Friends / Treasure hunt / Worried
Elizabeth's Empire: 13. Didn't know they were dating
Film Festival: 1. Friendship
TV Spree: 12. A trio of friends
Forecast: 3. Excitement
EnTitled: 7. The One Where Ross Finds Out - Write about a secret crush/love being revealed
Treasure Hunting: 18. Eager