Tony woke up coughing.
He pressed his fist to his mouth, rolling over onto his side and trying to ease the roughness. There was a low burn in his gut, spreading through his abdomen, aggravating his lungs. He removed his fist and flicked his fingers, the lights going on at his silent request.
"Sir?"
"I'm okay" Tony cleared his throat "Can't I just...wake up?"
"You are one for the dramatic."
"Thanks" Tony whistled "Yo, chair me."
One of the smaller bots caught a hold of a rolling chair, bringing it over silently. He stretched and rolled out of the cot, plopping into the chair. He rolled himself over to his desk by the heels of his feet, snapping his fingers and summoning up half his computer screens. He rubbed at his eyes, swallowing back a yawn.
"Time, JARVIS."
"It's six thirty-four."
Tony dropped his hands, "AM?"
"Unfortunately, yes. You only slept four hours."
"Jeez" Tony got up, glancing at and smashing a spare plan for Steve's boots "That's the only things I hate about working late, it always comes back to rocket boots."
He poured himself a cup of coffee, taking in just the smell before taking a gulp. He touched his chest, nose wrinkling up.
"I've got heartburn from hell" Tony grumbled, going back to his seat and collapsing "I think I've caught something. Wonderful."
"Would you like me to run a blood test, sir?"
"Yeah, kick it" Tony flexed his hand, watching one of the small drives on his computer pop open. He grabbed a pen knife out of his drawer and tapped his fingertip, a dollop appearing on the skin. He tossed the blade aside and reached for the extension, pressing his finger into the groove there for a few second before withdrawing. It slid back into place, going straight to the system.
He almost never used that slot for blood, but hey – why use a doctor when you have a JARVIS?
Tony sipped at his coffee and stared at the clock, seething at the time. He liked being up early but not after a long night. He'd started off the night finishing up his portable suit, but the sensors had been off and from there he'd started a blueprint for an underwater suit and then-
"Rocket boots" Tony set down his coffee mug, bringing his hand back to rub at his eyes "It's always rocket boots."
Tony smiled to himself, then started laughing, "Oh, man, JARVIS – can you imagine Steve flying around in his new suit with rocket boots? Just think: What would I come up with if I worked and drank?"
The genius raised his head and paused, "If I worked and drank anymore."
Tony got up for another cup of coffee, he felt the swell of another yawn in his gut. He poured it, still smiling at the thought of his soldier up in the air. Rocket pack, rocket boots...apparently when his mind was sleep-deprived he just wanted to strap a rocket to that man.
"He'll be going on missions soon" that thought was enough to wipe the smile from the billionaire's face.
"Sir..."
"Make a note on that" Tony gestured, pouring his mug into a thermos before emptying the rest of the pot in there as well "I need his suit up and running as soon as possible. I know Coulson's probably chomping at the bit to get back here and take him away."
"Sir, please."
"Do you have any idea how hard I fought to get them off my back?" Tony sat down again "S.H.I.E.L.D is so overprotective...it's like they think they own him or something."
"I really need to-"
"Did you know they wanted to stick him in some apartment in New York?" the genius scoffed "Steve wouldn't do well alone, I know he wouldn't."
"Sir, your blood toxicity level is at 5%."
Tony pauses, thermos to his lips. He sat the cup down, a heavy breath rocking his chest. A sense of dread was boiling in his gut, infectious like the cough had been. He pushed it down, raking a hand through his hair and forcing himself to get a grip. He had a bad feeling about this.
Tony laid a hand over his reactor, forcing his mind to shut up.
"It's too early to worry" he announced, his mind threatening to go into hyperdrive with this new problem "I think I need to unwind for a few minutes, if you know what I mean."
"Sir, I don't think that's the best idea."
"We'll talk about the toxins later" Tony snapped "Bring up the camera 56."
"Captain Rogers is-"
"JARVIS!" Tony snapped, nails digging into the skin around his reactor "Will you just do what I ask? For once...don't argue."
"I'm sorry, sir, of course."
"Thank you" his agitation was clear "Fuck, JARVIS, it's not like this is the first time."
It was true. Since he'd actually started sleeping again his body wasn't sure when it was supposed to be up. When he got up this early he usually started his day with a mug of fresh coffee and about an hour of Steve-watching. He liked to pretend it wasn't creepy to watch the super soldier sleep. When he saw the man stretched out on one of his beds, wrapped in his sheets, wearing his clothes...it satisfied a base desire inside his chest. Steve was so sweet when he slept, all flushed skin and soft sighs. It was in those secret moments that he would daydream himself into that same bed. He would make-believe they were in love and happy...in a different life.
Warm, lazy mornings curled around Steve with fingers in his hair.
That was Tony Stark's great want in this world
The screen came to life before him, crystal clear and adjusted to perfect size. What he didn't expect was the soft moan that crept through the air. He blinked at the screen rather dully, the lip of the thermos resting on his lower lip. Steve was stretched out on his bed, as usual, but this time was a little different. The sheets were kicked down, clinging desperately to his calves as if they could barely stand to let go. The blonde's cheeks and chest was ruddy pleasure, one hand stretched above his head and desperately clutched into the pillow.
Steve's other hand was wrapped tight around his proud flesh, taking his pleasure.
Tony set the mug down, mouth falling open. Steve was masturbating. His mind couldn't keep up with the idea, but it sure as hell could analyze it. Fuck, the way he touching himself combined with the clues of intense pleasure told him that the soldier didn't do this very often. And what a delicious thought that was. Steve had been dreaming of something so hot, so sinful, that he'd resorted to this base act. People back then were just so repressed.
Steve tossed his head, giving keening moan as he worked his own flesh. It was beautiful. There was the faintest sheen of sweat along his hairline but nothing more. His hips were rocking up into his own touch as if overwhelmed, eyes screwed shut. Yes, Steve was thoroughly enjoying himself in there.
Steve's voice filled the room, "Please...oh, please..."
Tony rubbed a palm across the seam of his pants, teeth raking over his lower lip. He was rock hard beneath his jeans, the sight of Steve wriggling in pleasure too much for any one man. Who starred in the captain's fantasies? Who was it who made him beg so?
"I-I can't...give me..." Steve was obviously lost in his fantasy, the muscles in his neck straining under what he was sure was his lover's touch "More."
"That's it" Tony whispered, a dark note in his tone "Beg."
Steve was finishing so quickly. His fingers and toes were curling, his back was bowing...those thick, powerful thighs were positively trembling. Was this Steve's little tick? If someone were to between those thighs, would they tremble just as badly?
And now Tony was picturing himself there, lips wrapped around the blonde's thick cock and hands gripping those shuddering thighs.
Tony bit down on his other hand, muffling his moan so he could hear every noise Steve made as he came. The blonde wasn't exactly raunchy but those low groans and breathless 'hnn-nn' noises escaping his pink lips were enough to bring any man to his knees. How could he not touch himself? He flipped the button open, eyes dancing between Steve's blissed out face and his still-hard cock. That serum must've given him stamina in all the right places.
Tony slowly ran his hand down the length of his cock, leaning back in the chair was Steve started round two. His eyes were still shut tight, mouth curling what seemed to be a name. He'd never been good with lip-reading, especially when his head was filled with cotton. The desperation was still there, lust etched into every inch of the soldier's muscles.
What a body his father helped create.
Tony banished that thought from his mind, focusing only on Steve. This time was a little slower, the build-up that much sweeter. The soldier begged and whispered to his imaginary lover, hand never once pausing on his hard flesh. Tony followed the movements, wishing desperately he could be there.
In that moment, Tony knew he'd do anything for this man – things he'd never done for anyone. He'd get on his knees, on his back, on his hands and knees...whatever the man wanted,d he knew he'd willingly give. If Steve ordered him face-down ass-up, he'd do it in an instant. Fuck! He wanted to go down there and offer his mouth. He could imagine how it'd feel on his tongue, in his throat, and could pretend those little noises the soldier was making were for him.
Steve came again, head thrown back and blonde locks curling across the pillow. His moan was low and drawn out, thighs trembling once more. It was beautiful, to say the least. He spilled over his hand only a few moments before Tony did, teeth digging grooves into the side of his palm. Pleasure flowed through is limbs, so good the tips of his fingers went numb.
Pain shot through his chest, stealing away any bliss he'd found. He hissed and banged his head on the table, impatiently shoving himself back into the pants. He grabbed the pack of wipes DUM-E held out for him, ignoring the fact that he'd just masturbated in front of his robots and JARVIS. That was the cool things about robotic friends, no judgment.
Once the pain faded and his hands were clean, he sat up properly again. The screen was still up. Steve looked like he'd just gotten back from the bathroom, a fresh pair white boxer briefs hugging his body. The soldier plopped down on the bed with a huff, burying his head beneath the pillow.
"I can't believe I did that" the blonde groaned, this time in dismay "Stupid. So stupid..."
Steve sounded miserable. Was he ashamed? Was the person in his daydream from his past? Someone who looked like last must have had at least one or two dames to court.
That gave Tony an idea.
xXxXx
"You have chefs."
"I know" Tony pulled a few of the cartons of fruit out of the fridge, tossing them all on the counter.
"You haven't actually cooked anything in almost a year."
"Again: Stating the obvious" Tony debated between the flavors of yogurt, deciding on strawberry.
"There is the problem with your blood to deal with."
"Later."
"With all due, respect, sir-"
"Where' s the granola?" Tony bumped the door shut with his hip "I'm sure we have some. We have to have some. I put it on a Pepper-list."
"-it's in the cabinet. My point, sir-"
"Good. If she starts ignoring my lists, we'll all starve" Tony fetched it out of the cabinet, along with two bowls "What else is there?"
JARVIS switched tactics, "-is that you don't have to make a breakfast just to impress him."
"And they say I'm insensitive to human feelings" Tony scoffed, throwing everything down on the counter top and looking it over "It's not to impress. It's nice."
The AI was obviously not pleased, "I'd thought you'd forgotten how to do that, sir."
"You're getting sassier in your old age, JARVIS" Tony teased, finding a cutting board hidden behind a rather large pot and a potato-peeling-sling-shot device he'd thrown together last year. He fished a knife out of one of the drawers, nearly nicking his finger.
"Yeah, this'll work" Tony held up the knife "Steve eats these things, doesn't he?"
"I don't know, sir. I'm not the one in love with him."
"That's a low blow and yo u know it" Tony put down a strawberry to slice "This isn't so hard."
"You need to wash those first" JARVIS paused at the genius's glare, adding on a curt "Sir."
"God-fucking-damn it" Tony pulled a face, but didn't even think of stopping.
xXxXx
Steve loves this crap, Tony can't stand looking at it. How is this a meal?
Tony had the tray balanced on one palm, giving it dirty looks once and a while. He could eat all this and still be hungry. But it was what the soldier liked, healthy-and-tasty. He was more of a savory-and-filling kind of guy. The elevator doors slid open soundlessly, revealing the guest floor. Just last year this had been filled with storage and office supplies for the staff, but the moment JARVIS had alerted him to Captain America's return he'd called on the plans for a guest floor. He wasn't letting the soldier leave his side and that meant keeping him as comfortable as possible.
Tony went straight to the bedroom, easing open the door as quietly as he could. He smiled when he saw the soldier fast asleep, having worn himself out earlier. His head was above the pillow now, only half his face visible. The blanket was pulled up across his back, his skin looking warm and soft.
The genius sat the tray on the nearest dresser. He walked over to the bed, slowly sitting down so as not to jolt the hero awake. Steve's brow creased suddenly, a frown marring his features. Tony reached out and pet through the man's hair, reveling in the softness. He tried his best to be soothing and it seemed to work, a contented hum escaping the super soldier. Steve turned on his side, curling the pillow further under his head. Thinking his job done, Tony started to pull his hand away.
"Mmm" Steve grabbed his hand, still dead asleep. Tony's heart started racing, now cupping the soldier's face. Steve was positively snuggling into his palm, holding it tightly as if afraid to let go. He let his fingers curl just under the man's chiseled jaw, the reactor glowing obscenely. He felt his cheeks heat as the azure light flooded the bed, highlighting every angle of Steve's face and arms as well as the shape of his body.
It wasn't even the touch, at least not alone. It was that sweet, innocently happy look on the man's face. He was making his childhood hero smile and hum like this, he was the one chasing away whatever nightmares dared infect him. It was intoxicating.
Steve made a sound that could only be called a satisfied purr, lips brushing against the man's inner wrist. His eyes fluttered open for just a second, long enough for him to see someone was beside him.
"Mmm...Howard?"
The light faded back to a dull glow in his chest, fingers curling into a claw. He pulled his hand away very carefully, keeping his breathing even and shallow. He stood up, smoothing out his t-shirt, then walked to the door. He got out of the bedroom as silently as he could, not wanting to disturb the blonde from his rest. As he walked to the elevator, he felt a few small stings on his palm. He ignored it, pushing the button for his floor.
Tony stood silently, eyes fixed on the floor. He lifted his hands, inspecting the new crescent shaped marks there. A droplet of blood or two hit the floor, but nothing to be worried about. He ran his thumb across the marks, smearing crimson into the lines of his skin. He cleared his throat, keeping his emotions in control for just a little longer.
When it finally spoke, it was at a whisper, "JARVIS?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Lock down the top three floors" Tony commanded, hands curling back into fists "No one gets in...and no one gets out."
"Shall I extend an override to Captain Rogers?"
"Under no circumstances are you to listen to a word he says" Tony spat "He will not leave his room. Do you understand me?"
There was a long pause, the AI reluctant but obedient.
"Lock down commenced."
AN: I know, I know – don't be mad. I promised you something really long and really fulfiling and this is what I gave you. I just didn't want you guys to forget about it :)
I wanted this to be the beginning of the really big chapter, but then it got this long and I decided I needed to feed you guys a little something. I thought this was a good cliffhanger and a good place to stop until this weekend. Class keeps me busy and I actually wrote this is one afternoon.
It was fun to write and I hope you liked it. Thank you for all the glorious reviews, I read them all during my breaks at math class and it made me smile.