When they knocked on the bulky, tastelessly-painted green door, Steve Rogers answered immediately.
"Tony?" he seemed surprised. Then he saw Natasha and his expression turned guarded. "What's going on?"
"What, am I not allowed to visit you?" Tony said, walking past Steve into the tiny kitchen with the rickety cabinets and aged appliances. Without asking permission, Tony flopped down onto one of the spindly chairs, kicking his feet up and onto the wooden table.
"You never visit me," Steve remarked, shutting the door after Natasha.
Tony waved Steve's comment away, wanting to get right to business. "I needed to speak to you about something."
Steve froze mid-step and shared a look with Natasha, who did not show any sign of cracking. While Natasha might be able to play off an award-winning poker face, Steve on the other hand could not. This, Tony was aware of.
"You look like you're about to burst, Rogers," he commented coolly, folding his hands on his lap.
Steve grit his perfect teeth, his jaw locking into place.
"So," Tony continued, keeping his tone casual, "what are you doing snooping around my facility?"
"I was reading up on things." Steve's excuse was not adequate.
"And by things you mean the Winter Soldier?" Tony pressed.
Tony noticed how Steve momentarily lost his cool, his eyes widening and his arms involuntarily flexing. Tony's accusation had made him squirm.
"You should know that JARVIS is on the look-out 24/7."
Natasha's eyes flickered back and forth between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers. The exuberated tension in the room was almost palpable.
"So I did my own research," Tony continued without missing a beat, "and I found out that you knew him. James Buchanan Barnes, that was his name, wasn't it? His death certificate declares him deceased but he isn't, is he Rogers? He's being used as a tool by Hydra and the United States government is currently on his tail." Tony removed his sunglasses. "So why are you looking for him?"
Before Steve could speak, Tony's cell phone rang, shrill and demanding. It was Pepper.