"Tony!" Steve manhandled people out of his way, spotting the inventor as he strapped on his helmet "Tony! What the hell are you doing?"
Tony's eyes were the only thing visible through the helmet, crinkled at the edges like he was grinning. He flashed the soldier the peace sign before slipping into his car, disappearing among the crew that swarmed around him. Steve couldn't get to him fast enough, and soon enough the track was blocked off by a wall of people as the set-up started.
Steve got to the railing, bracing his hands on it and leaning over, "Tony! You can't do this! Get out of that car!"
Tony looked to him once more, giving him the thumbs up.
Steve's heart was in his throat, "Miss. Potts is going to kill me for letting you do this!"
The lights were flashing, and in moments the cars shot off down the track.
"Rats" Steve cursed, turning around and looking from face to face "Alright. Who let Mr. Stark do this?"
"Sir, do you think we let Mr. Stark do anything?" the leader of the crew replied, looking haggard "He just showed up with a suit and kicked our driver out of the way. I'm sorry, we couldn't stop him."
The soldier scrubbed a hand over his face, "I know, I know. Just...can we stop the car? He can't do this."
"There's no way to get him out of there unless he stops it himself" the leader looked apologetic.
"Fine" Steve turned back to the track "But if he stops for fuel or whatever these cars stop for, pull him out. He's too valuable."
The man nodded, the authoritative tone in soldier's voice commanding attention. Steve pursed his lips, fingers wrapping so hard across the border he nearly bent the metal. He watched the track carefully, quick eyes following every single one of them when they came back around a few minutes later. He spotted Tony's blue and white vehicle, his blood boiling.
What in the hell was Tony thinking?
A few yards from him, one of the border doors opened and a man stepped out. He looked like one of the rival crew members, covered in an orange jump suit. Steve watched him carefully, people starting to chirp and chatter about the fact that someone was going out onto the track. The man tossed off his helmet, dropping his arms to reveal silver rods.
Steve's brows furrowed before shooting up into his hairline, whip-like extenders flowing from the metal rods. Electricity flowed over them like fire, burning up his orange suit from the inside out. A metal contraption was strapped across his chest, a glowing circle in the middle that reminded the super soldier of Tony's own arc reactor.
Steve spotted the car coming around the corner a moment before the man on the track did, a red beacon on the grey track. The man roared, reeling back before slashing forward. The soldier jolted when the extension sliced the car in two pieces, the hunks of metal and the poor driver flying around and through the air above the man. They skidded and crashed across the track, taking out the wall on the other side.
The people reacted instantly, starting to scream and swarm. The police there, stunned, started blindly herding the hysterical crowd to the exits. No one was going onto the track, no one was daring to confront the triumphant electrically-weaponed man. Someone needed to step in.
Steve lifted his eyes to the sky, giving a prayer for strength, before he vaulted over the wall.
So much for waiting to reveal Captain America.
He ate up the distance of the track at a run, heading straight to the broken car. In seconds he was grabbing the side of the race car and flipping it right-side-up. The man was unconscious, head hanging limp in his seat.
"Sir? Sir!" Steve ripped the seat belts off their hinges, picking the man up under the arms and lifting him out of the seat. He swept the slighter man up bridle style, carrying him a few feet away and laying him down next to one of the doors to the opposite wall in hopes the med team would get there soon. He carefully removed the man's helmet, checking his pulse to find it strong.
The man groaned, eyes barely open, "Un ange? Suis-je dans le ciel?"
Steve smiled, holding his hand palm down to indicate he stay still, "Sir, stay here. Don't move. You may be injured more than I can see. Someone will come for you."
The man just stared at him in awe, nodding a little to indicate he understood most of it. Steve got up and walked boldly toward the man on the track, keeping one eye on the road while he unbuttoned his shirt. The material was too constricting, he had no chance of taking this man in a fight with it on. He tossed it aside to reveal the simple white t-shirt underneath. He made a mental note to ask Tony to get him some sort of case to carry his shield and suit in at all times, it would really come in handy right now.
"Sir, you're causing quite a commotion" it was Captain America who addressed him, not Steve "I'm going to have to ask you to surrender yourself to the authorities for destruction of property, assault, and disturbing the peace."
"Not much peace to disturb" the man didn't even turn to look at him, eyes glued to the track as if looking for someone in particular. Steve kept his distance but didn't dare falter, his guard up.
"Sir!" Steve barked "You need to get off the track before someone gets hurt."
The man roared, raising his arms to strike. But Steve was quicker, ducking and rolling to the side in time to avoid the strike. The extension slammed across the ground where he once stood, another quick roll and he avoided the other as well.
"You're fast!" the man laughed heartily.
Steve stood, chin up and shoulders squared fearlessly. It had been a while since he'd stood up to a real bully, his adrenaline was hot and thrilling in his veins. He didn't dare let it cloud his judgment, his head clear and his muscles poised to strike or flee. They both saw it at the same time, the blue and white of the Stark Industries car.
"No" Steve growled, the man turned to completely face the track "Don't you dare!"
Steve knew in an instant he couldn't stop him, not with those extensions. Those things cut through cars, only his shield would help him now. His mind worked fast, sharp like one of Tony's computers and just as efficient. Steve worked out the distance and backed up, bracing his feet as firmly on the ground as he could. If he couldn't stop it, he sure as Hell was going to save Tony.
The bastard reared back and struck cleanly, slicing off the front half of the Stark car. Steve ignored the first part of the car, watching in horror as the section that held his potential lover fly over the villain's head and in the air.
Steve grit his teeth and did the inhuman, putting every drop of his serum to the ultimate test. He caught the vehicle head-on, digging his hands into the metal and ending up wrist-deep in in car. He felt the soles of his shoes burn beneath his heels as the momentum took him back several dozen feet. He earned every bit of glory his name came with when he managed to hold up the car, setting it down rather safely beside him. He looked to see if Tony was alright, the man seemed jarred but was conscious.
The soldier turned his attention back to the villain, eyes ablaze.
"What should I call you?" Steve inquired, making a slow walk toward the other section of the Stark car.
"You? You can call me Whiplash, if you like" the man called back, still yards away.
"Well, Whiplash, you've caught my attention" Steve grabbed the chunk of car, ripping off a piece of metal siding like a shield. More cars came around the corner, swerving to avoid the debris and people on the roads. At the high speeds, the good captain could only watch as the cars were destroyed by running into the wall and over one another.
Fire...there was so much fire, scrap going everywhere.
"Those are civilians!" Steve couldn't believe this heartless man, the one who was going toward the Stark car "Don't go near him."
Whiplash grinned but didn't stop. The soldier glanced at the car, finding the genius struggling with his seat belts and unable to get out. Steve didn't hesitate, he slung the metal with ease. He didn't need to watch to know where it went, he could hear the man slicing it in mid-air. Steve tore off another piece, heaving it at Whiplash before dodging. He judged it right, he avoided the second extension.
Tony pushed off his helmet, jerking at the seat belts that pinned him there. He watched helplessly as Steve put whoever the fuck that man with the electrical extensions was on the defensive. He could see the reactor in the man's chest, powering that little set up he had strapped to him. He was still kind of breathless from the fact that Captain America had just caught him mid-air and set him down like he was a bag of flour.
Steve was fighting like he did it everyday, not like it was the first time in seventy years. Tony pushed his helmet off, gasping in fresh hair jus as the soldier did a rather graceful flip to avoid an electric swipe. The whole thing was making him shake, he practically ripped the belts off to free himself. He lifted out just in time to avoid a downward slice that split his car in two more pieces, destroying the cockpit. He could feel the crackle of energy beneath the soles of his feet, reminding him just how close he was to death.
Steve could see the crews swarming the other cars, killing the fires and getting to the drivers.
"Hey!" Tony shouted, getting the man's attention. The super soldier heaved a chunk of broken door at the man, striking him across the head and throwing him for a loop.
"What are you doing?" Steve yelled, taking another chunk out of the Stark car door.
"What am I doing?" Tony countered "What the hell did you do to him?"
The soldier could feel a panic attack coming on, "What did I do to him? He's after you!"
Tony stopped, deadpan, "Say what?"
Whiplash struck out at him, the inventor lost his footing and skidded on the pavement. The next strike was aimed at Steve's hands, knocking the sheet of metal from his hands. He grunted and tucked his fists into his stomach, the skin across his palms burned from the sparks on the extensions. Whiplash turned back on Stark with a grin, aiming to slice the playboy apart. Tony was fast, rolling and crab-crawling just enough distance to keep the lashes from landing.
Tony managed to get to his feet, feet skidding on the pavement for just a moment before they caught momentum. He didn't have time to get very far before one of the extensions swiped at the back of his legs, sending him flying into the nearest car. He slammed his head on the siding, falling back to the asphalt with a groan. His vision swam and his arms were suddenly numb, his face wet.
"Tony?" he could hear the crunch of gravel in front of him, he could see all the new stains across his soldier's white pants. Broad hands hot with new burns skimmed across his neck, feeling his pulse and checking his head wound. It gave the billionaire a moment of clarity, his eyes focused in hard on the gasoline spilling from the car.
Steve's eyes were on the approaching villain but his attention was completely for his lover, "Are you alright?"
"Fuel" Tony whispered, the soldier nodded.
"How much?" Steve lowered his head, keeping his voice low.
"Not enough" the genius scowled "On three."
The barely had time to mentally count off before they sprung away, launching themselves over and past the car right before Whiplash struck. The car combusted when heat met fuel, setting off a veritable ball of fire. The pair of heroes managed to get themselves to their feet, glaring at the man through the flames. They startled when they saw some of the fire had stayed with them.
"Fuck! I'm on fire!"
Steve started patting down his lover's flailing arm, "Stop it! You're barely on fire."
"Why are you yelling at me?" Tony gestured with his other arm toward the dark skinned man "He's the one fucking up this track!"
"I'm not yelling!"
"Yes you are!"
The super soldier's eyes flickered to the road for only a moment before he grabbed the genius, pulling him toward the fence. Tony saw it almost a moment too late. The two of them flung themselves over the barrier and onto the protective fence, the super soldier barely feeling anything when the metal curls cut into palms and fingers. They'd barely gotten a grip before a car slammed into Whiplash, smashing him against the railing.
The two of them leapt down, Tony stalked to the side window.
"We're you aiming for me or him?" Tony barked, glaring at his driver "Because I couldn't tell! You could've killed me!"
"I was trying for him" Happy countered.
"Maybe not Steve, but you could've crushed me!"
"What was I supposed to do?" Happy gestured "Let him zap you in half?"
Tony got to the back window, finding his CEO hyperventilating, "And you-"
"Are you out of your mind?" Pepper was hysterical, screaming at him "Get in this car!"
"You dropped the ball on security!" he pointed accusingly "I was attacked, Pep! I told you to buff security and you didn't listen!"
"Shut up and get in the car!"
"You're the CEO! You need to get better security!"
"GET IN THIS CAR!"
"God, it's embarrassing" Tony circled around the car, still grumbling "First vacation in two years-"
"Tony!"
"What?" Tony barely let go of the door handle before the door was sliced in two in front of him. Whiplash was awake and charged. Happy threw the car in reverse before slamming forward, hitting the guy again. Steve watched in horror as Happy used the car as a battering ram, the CEO still inside.
"Whoa! Whoa!" Steve held out his hands but the driver didn't stop "Hey! She's still in there! Miss. Potts, you can't be here right now!"
But the rest of Team Stark was too busy screaming at each other, something about that brief case that Pepper was clutching to her chest. He recognized the color, it was pure metal and looked a lot like...oh! It was the portable suit Tony had finished working on weeks ago. Whiplash struck, slicing off a side of the car. That was it, something inside Steve took over and before he could stop himself he was pushing Tony out of the way.
The super soldier reached inside and yanked the suitcase out of Pepper's hands, yelling an apology before he acted. He pushed the car away with all the strength he could muster, managing to keep the momentum low enough not to flip the vehicle with his friends inside. He turned, ready to confront Whiplash, but found an electrified extension soaring at his feet. He dropped the suitcase, jumping back, but it wasn't enough.
Tony couldn't get up enough breath to call out a warning. He could only watch as that bastard struck the chunk of car he'd sliced off, sending it flying at the soldier in four pieces. Steve could only dodge so many without proper footing, and two of them hit the target.
Steve hissed and grunted when a shard embedded itself in his shoulder, cutting through the muscle and lodging deep. The second piece shocked him, sending a paralyzing pain through his abdomen. He could feel the hot splash of his own blood down his side, the piece cutting through his body and skidding somewhere behind him.
The man got closer, aiming to cut him open.
Steve grabbed the nearest hunk of metal, what was left of another car's hood, and held it in front of him like a shield. The strike sent him flying, electricity shooting through him and seizing up his muscles. He collapsed in a groaning heap two yards back, tense and bleeding. His vision was blurry, asphalt and gravel cutting into his cheeks and arms.
Steve tried to get up, to keep fighting, but that shock had hurt a little more than he thought it would. He collapsed back onto the ground, clutching his shirt to his wound and hoping the serum healed him faster than his blood was spilling.
Tony watched his lover's blood flow over his hand, cherry red and too quick for his liking. Icy fingers gripped his heart, setting him in motion. He kicked the case on the ground, activating the sequence.
Steve could feel himself about to pass out, throat closing up and head going light. He managed to pick his head up enough to see form-fitting crimson and silver metal crawling up the man's body, the suit revealing itself and encasing him flawlessly.
"Hey jackass!" he heard Tony call, his eyes sliding shut "Quit breaking my stuff!"
Steve's head dropped back to the road, out like a light.
xXx
Minutes.
That's what his mind supplied him when he opened his eyes again, gasping roughly.
He'd only been out a few minutes.
Steve ripped the hunk of metal out of his shoulder, tossing it away. He couldn't quite sit up but at least he wasn't gushing blood anymore, every muscle still sore and stuff. He could still see Tony, wrapped up in Whiplash's extensions and surging with power. Steve clenched his eyes shut, gathering his wits, and by the time he opened them again Tony had the bastard pinned to the ground.
Iron Man ripped the reactor from the man's device, looking at it long enough to identify the technology before crushing it. The authorities and the med teams poured onto the track, the police swarming to take up the assailant and drag him away. The man was laughing and spitting insults with blood, but Iron Man didn't even bother to look at him.
Steve's arms trembled when he tried to sit up, half from nerve rather than actual pain. The sight of that sleek suit wrapped around the man's fit body...the power he held, the way he walked toward him...it made his heart pound in his chest. He sometimes forgot that Tony was more than a scientist, more than an inventor, more than Howard had been...he was a super hero. It was like he was a whole other person, the smart mouth exchanged for a solemn exterior.
Iron Man towered over him and he looked up with eyes full of reverence, swallowing thickly at the sight of the other hero against the sun. Like a choir boy to God, like a priest to an angel...a type of worship that came with love. The suit knelt down in front of him, silent as he scanned every inch of the soldier. Iron Man leaned in, reaching out and carefully pushing up the blonde's shirt. Steve hissed and looked down, the slice there was dried up and healing but still an open wound. Cool metal fingers touched the skin around it, careful but insistent.
Steve felt himself grow hard despite the ache in his bones, lust flushing his system.
Iron Man's hand came up from his waist to his arm, cupping his shoulder and pulling down the collar of his shirt to see the other heavy gash. It was still wet but it wasn't bleeding, a gaping hole that washed away most of the lust with blunt pain.
"You have to be more careful" the voice was Tony's but deeper, run through the mask's filter.
"I was" Steve couldn't quite catch his breath "He just...caught me...Tony..."
Metal fingers slid over his jaw, the warmth of the flight stabilizer flooding his cheek. Steve pushed into the touch, eyes falling shut as he allowed himself to enjoy it. He would remember this next time he tried to jump into a fight. Tony was Iron Man, a hero in his own right.
"You don't have to be Captain America all the time" there was affection in that deep tone "Especially when you're in over your head."
Steve nodded, eyes fluttering open in time to see the silver face plate flip up. He smiled when he saw warm brown eyes, wrinkled at the corners from the man's own brilliant smile.
"You were awesome" Tony's voice was clear and smug "Not as awesome as me, though. Did you see me take him down?"
"Missed some of it" Steve raised his arm, glancing down at his wound pointedly "But I got the highlights. Pretty decent for a man who flies around in a tin can."
Tony hesitated just a moment before he pulled the captain into his arm, hugging him tightly despite both their wounds and the suit. He planted a kiss on his temple, the metal of his helmet scraping across the soldier's skin. It had to hurt but Steve hugged him back, the weight of it assuring the playboy.
"You okay?"
Steve noted Tony's serious tone and nodded, "I just need some bandages,, I'll be healed by tomorrow."
The genius tightened his grip, Steve pulled back enough to place a proper kiss on his mouth. They both tasted like blood but they didn't care, taking a moment to feel one another so close and alive.
"Don't worry" Steve assured him, eyes tracking the squad that was taking Whiplash into custody "I want to be there."
Tony realized his lover had caught onto his plan, "No way."
"I just want to be in the room" the soldier pulled away "Let me get patched up and come with you. I'm not down for the count. If he tries anything-"
A metal thumb covered his lips, cutting off his protests, "Fine. But none of that band-aid crap, let them do their job."
Steve nodded, and at his agreement Tony stood up. He backed off a few feet, shooting a glare as Happy and Pepper approached before putting his arms out.
"JARVIS, stationary mode."
The suit started to collapse into itself, unhinging around his head and folding back into the body. It rolled up his arms, unhooking from his back, slowly but surely releasing every inch of his body. His legs were free first, and before he knew it Tony was bending over and putting the thing back on the ground. It released his fists and gave a low whirr, clicking back in place and becoming a suitcase once more. It left behind a roughed up billionaire, blood caking the side of his face.
"Are you okay?" Steve asked, managing to stand up with only a little help from the other.
"Peachy" Tony whipped around, going straight up to a still-stunned Pepper "You and I need to have a talk about security in foreign countries."
She opened her mouth, gesturing between the two of them, but the only thing that came out of her was a high-pitched squeak. Steve came up to her, touching her shoulder and looking her over carefully for any sign of injury.
"Pepper?" Steve tilted her head to the side, scanning her hair for any sign of blood "Are you hurt? Did you knock your head?"
"Steve!" the soldier found her thin arms around his neck, her face in his chest as she gave him the biggest hug a woman of her size could give "You were so brave! You just – I can't – how can you do that? You're perfect! And you're hurt! Oh God!"
Pepper pulled back, almost crying as she looked at his wound, "Look at this! This is all your fault, Tony! If you hadn't gotten into that damn car this would've never happened. God, you're covered in blood."
Happy called for a medic, two of the blue-uniformed men breaking off and coming over to them.
Steve grabbed the woman by the shoulders, leaning down until she was forced to look at him, "Pepper, please calm down. I'm promise I'll be fine. You have to concentrate on yourself and your company right now. Someone just intentionally attacked Tony."
"Intentionally?" Pepper rasped, palming under her eyes for tears that hadn't quite made it down her cheeks "That, that...that jackass did this on purpose?"
Steve nodded, moving back to let the medics look him over.
"Quickly, please" Steve informed them "Clean and wrap it up."
"Sir, these injuries-"
"Trust me" the blonde smiled "I'll walk it off."
"Take your time, fellas" Tony called, brushing at his suit "I need to change."
xXx
Steve followed Tony closely, his brown leather jacket slid over his fresh white shirt. He wanted to express a united front so when he saw his lover in black leather, he grabbed the only thing he'd packed close to it. He kept his head high and his shoulders squared, every speck of dirt and blood scrubbed clean from his skin. He'd even brushed his hair back in place. If he learned anything in his brief stint as an officer it was that if he looked calm, his subordinates stayed calm. Tony seemed to have the same idea, cleaned up head to toe to look every inch the badass he thought himself to be. The cut on his head had been cleaned up, smaller than it had originally looked.
Though the men spoke only to Tony, they looked upon him with respect and even a little fear. Everyone had seen him take on Whiplash (or whatever his real name was) bare handed and unsuited, and he'd done very well if the praise from the other officers and the crowd were anything to go by.
The officers here spoke in French, he couldn't understand one word of it.
"They've got nothing on his ID" Tony supplied as they founded the corner "He hasn't said anything."
"Are we going to make him talk?" Steve inquired, a smile quirking his full lips "A good old fashioned interrogation."
"I'm going to make him talk" the genius shot a glare over his shoulders "I don't want you more than two feet in the room. You're injured."
"I'm fine."
"You look fine" Tony corrected him once more "But we're going to use that. Try to be less pretty and more intimidating. We kicked his guy's ass, but technically he took you down."
Steve clenched his jaw, "If I had my suit and shield I would've been fine."
"Everyone knows that" Tony scoffed, tapping the head officer's shoulder "You know that, don't you? Captain America always needs his shield."
The officer's step faltered, he turned and looked at the super soldier with wide eyes, "Capitaine Amérique?"
Steve smiled, speaking through his teeth, "Tony, isn't that kind of a secret right now?"
"They're going to find out eventually if you keep lifting cars over you head" Tony gave a small chuckle "Hopefully I'm not in it next time. Much more impressive if I'm actually watching it happen."
Whispers of his name in French starting drifting back from behind them, officer to officer.
"For goodness sake" the soldier muttered to himself, but they'd stopped at the door. They slipped back into French, the door opening for them. The head officer seemed to give Tony a warning of sorts, but the inventor wasn't listening anymore. They slipped inside, the door slamming behind them. Tony had this fierce look on his face, the same one Steve was sure he got when he slipped into 'captain' mode.
This was 'Iron Man' mode, the one he had witnessed earlier.
Steve had to admit it was kind of hot.
Whiplash was sitting on a bench across the room in nothing but his undergarments, handcuffed hands resting between his legs. He had a litany of scars decorating his dark body, tattoos littering the flesh as well. His hair was streaked with grey, his muscle thick and imposing. Not so much for Steve, he easily had height and age on the man.
Well, maybe not age.
Tony nodded to the wall, mouthing the word 'stay' before shoving his hands into his pockets and striding further into the room. Steve leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, hoping his mere presence would be enough. But from Tony's calm tone and imposing figure as he scolded Whiplash on his arc reactor, the other hero had that covered.
Tony eased down onto the bench, a few feet from the other, "I don't get get it. A little fine tuning and you could've made yourself a solid paycheck. You could've sold it to North Korea, China, Iran...or gone straight to the black market. You look like you've got friends in low places."
"You come from a family of thieves and butchers" the man's accent was thick, his voice just as calm as Tony's but with a layer of amusement "And just like an old guilty man...you try to re-write your own history. And you forget all the lives the Stark family has destroyed."
Steve wasn't surprised that the man knew about Tony and his past. The way he'd targeted the genius on the track was enough to show he knew what he was doing. Steve had come to terms months ago with the new Stark name, no longer simply futuristic but blood-soaked. Tony was changing that but it was slow process, the lives of many on his conscious.
"Speaking of thieves" Tony was unfazed "Where did you get this design?"
"My father, Anton Vanko" there was a flash of sadness across the man's face.
"There's a proper name" Tony couldn't remember anyone with that name "Never heard of him."
"He's the reason you're alive" the his small smile came back "As for fathers..."
Vanko turned his head, eyes falling on the soldier by the door, "How is your shoulder, captain?"
"Just fine" Steve replied, face neutral.
"You move very quickly" Vanko's smile grew to a grin "For a man your age."
Steve's lips twitched in a tight smile of his own, "I could say the same for you."
"Don't look at him" Tony snapped, getting the dark skinned man's attention "Your fight is with me. It has nothing to do with him."
"Of course it does" Vanko's chuckle was low and throaty "He is Stark Industries greatest weapon, is he not? Do not tell me you have grown...fondness for your father's experiment?"
The brunette grit his teeth to keep himself from snapping again, "He's not an experiment."
"He is from a bottle" Vanko scoffed lightly "You've inherited one of the greatest biological weapons of the last hundred years. I can see why your pride shows on him."
It wasn't a compliment, there was bitter resentment in the man's face.
"You will never forget his true purpose."
Tony's smile wrinkled up his nose, faux-joviality in his voice, "Enlighten me, prison-britches."
"All Stark weapons are made to annihilate and burn" Vanko looked back over his shoulder "He is no different. I must admit, he protects your life with great efficiency. His healing rate is higher than I thought. Though he too is stolen work, he is a very impressive piece."
"The reason I'm alive is because you took a shot, on both of us and you missed" Tony hissed, blood boiling at the way the man spoke about his soldier.
"Did I?" Vanko leaned in just an inch closer "If you can make God bleed, then people will cease to believe in him."
Tony pursed his lips, the man seemed pleased.
"There will be blood in the water" that tone with that thick accent sent a shiver up Steve's spine, but he managed not to show it "And the sharks will come. All I have to do is sit here and watch...as the world will consume you."
Vanko shifted back, eyes flickering briefly to the captain once more, "And everything you love will crumble to ash at your feet."
"And where will you be watching all this consuming and crumbling from?" Tony made a show of thinking, then ticked his tongue "Oh yeah, a prison cell. I'll send you a bar of soap."
"Did you know..." Vanko spoke idly, knowing the billionaire was still listening "...that pallidium poisoning is one of the most painful ways to die?"
Tony stopped halfway to the door, fists clenching at his sides.
"Really?" the genius sounded mildly intrigued "Well how about that?"
Tony continued after a moment, raising a fist to knock at the door.
"Captain?"
Steve pushed off the wall, his lover put a hand on his chest and shook his head. Don't he mouthed, putting pressure on his chest as a warning before he knocked at the door.
"You must be very skilled at losing those closest to you" Vanko turned a little more, flashing the gold of his teeth in a smug grin.
"It happens" Steve replied against his lover's judgment "I've grown accustomed."
"And your companion?" the man pushed.
Steve wasn't sure how to reply. He took in a slow breath, meeting the man's eyes with all the reserve he could muster. The man's grin grew, he could sense the soldier's nerves.
"Whatever game you're playing...you won't win" Steve was glad to hear steel in his voice "I believe in Tony Stark."
"Ah, Tony" Vanko turned back around, shoulders shaking in silent laughter "Your boy's heart is soft. He will weep buckets over your corpse."
Steve paled, looking to Tony with wide eyes. The genius scowled and grabbed his arm, pulling him out the door and letting it slam shut behind them. He had a quick word with the head guard but didn't stop, keeping the soldier right behind him. His heart was clenching painfully in his chest, he had to get the hell out of here.
That bastard, Vanko or whatever, fuck that guy. How the hell did he know so much about his reactor? And why the fuck did he have to say it in front of Steve? He'd wanted to spare his soldier of the knowledge, but at this rate-
"Tony-"
"Not now, Spangles" Tony shot over his shoulders, feet quick along the concrete.
Steve yanked his arm out of the man's grip, "I'm not a child. What was that man talking about? What's 'palladium'?"
"You wouldn't know if I told you."
Steve reached out the genius, touching his shoulder, "Tony, please..."
Tony spun on him, a scowl on his face, "NOT NOW!"
The bark was loud and harsh, freezing the hall. The other officers gaped at him, all eyes on the couple. The super soldier took his hand back, looking surprised and even a little hurt. He drew to his full height, shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his coat.
"You don't have to raise your voice" Steve spoke softly, lowering his eyes "I can hear you perfectly."
"Then act like it and move your ass!"
Tony stalked away, only glancing back once to make sure the blonde was following him.
Steve followed obediently, keeping his mouth shut.
Hope you liked it! I had a lot of fun writing it. It takes me FOREVER to re-write movies for some reason. I've been more distracted lately, having a little trouble sleeping and my head's giving me some trouble. But! That doesn't mean crap, because I have the document for the next chapter up as I type. So I'm going to be working on that tonight.
Your lovely reviews feed my ego and make me super happy. I could have the next chapter out tomorrow night if I get enough reviews.
Okay, that sounded a lot like begging. You know I love you guys