And we're all just going to ignore all the continuity mistakes with the Tower and all that. We're all just going to roll with it, right? Right
Forgive the spelling mistakes, I'm pretty sure it's ready to post
Tony woke up with blonde hair in his face and large hand covering his reactor, gentle puffs of breath tickling his neck. The soldier was fast asleep and half on top of him, oblivious to the world and glad of it. Those nightmares had wrecked Steve into the ground. His cheeks and eyes were still slightly puffy and red from crying, the serum taking it's sweet time to fix the man up again.
But there were some things the serum couldn't fix, and that's what Tony was there for.
Tony slipped out from beneath the soldier with a whisper of comfort, easing the man back beneath the covers and kissing his head. He would deny the domestic-aspect of it later. He crept out of the room and to the elevator, his destination the lab.
He had to do this, he couldn't put it off anymore. Steve's words from later in the night curled through his mind, making him shiver and prick in goosebumps.
There was blood pouring from your mouth, it was choking you...and then I knew it was the poison.
This had to stop.
Tony adorned the Mark III with a solemn expression, knowing it would be the last time he'd wear an Iron Man suit for a while. There was no point in trying to be careful now.
Where he was going...he was either going to get his cure or his death.
"JARVIS, call Director Fury."
xXx
Tony knew Fury was already here the moment he landed in the suspiciously empty doughnut store parking lot. He probably had the whole block cut off from the public, the big show off. He released his full helmet and tucked it under his arm, slipping his sunglasses out of his suit pocket and pushing them on his face.
Of course Fury was inside, taking a booth near one of the wide windows. He walked over and plopped down opposite the man without a word, taking one of the doughnuts out of the box and shoving it in his face. The rush of sugar was nice, taking the second coffee on the table for himself.
"Well if it isn't Mr. Tony Stark, all dressed up" Fury had his cheek rested on his fist, gazing at the suited man with an air of surprise "To be honest, I didn't think you'd actually show. The last time we had a chat, you mentioned something about fellatio and hellfire."
"Well I'm not joining your super secret boy band, if that's what you're hinting at" Tony devoured the rest of treat, taking another one. His nerves were making him hungry, it was better to fill his belly with doughnuts than butterflies. He didn't want to show any weakness but his pride felt like nails in his throat.
"I remember" Fury commented, dropping his fist back to the table to grab his own coffee "You do everything yourself. How's that working out for you, Stark?"
Fury chuckled to himself, raising the cup to his lips. Tony mumbled and stuttered under his breath, biting back any sarcasm but unable to tell the truth. The director lowered the cup before he took a drink, surprised at the genius's strange response. Tony looked away, revealing the long line of his neck.
Fury reached out and touched the skin, making a face, "That's not looking too good."
"Tell me something I don't know" Tony snarked.
"How about you tell me how the good captain is taking this whole deal?" the director inquired "I assume you told him by now? I was informed you've been stubborn about the whole thing."
Tony bit the side of his mouth, "You've been watching me."
"Of course we have" the older man grinned, flashing white teeth "We're always watching, Stark. Especially when one of our rogue heroes is infected with the very thing that's keeping him alive."
Tony took a drink of the dark coffee, sneering at the bitter taste, "I told you I'd take care of Rogers and I am. He's practically a 21st century man...except for that whole 'he's crushed the last three phones I've tried to give him' thing."
Fury gave him a knowing look, "Yeah, but I didn't realize incorporating him back into society involved falling in love with him."
"Whoa! Hold your anchor, One-Eyed Jack" Tony snapped, pointing at the man and glaring at him over the rim of his sunglasses "There's no falling in love going on. Don't push that mushy crap on me, Fury, I'm not in the mood for it."
There was a click of heels coming toward them, "That's not what I've seen."
Tony looked up to find Natalie there, clad in leather from head to toe. She looked dangerous, her eyes sharper than he could remember seeing. He knew something had been off about her but he wouldn't have guessed she worked for S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Natalie?"
"It's Natasha, actually" the red head smirked, then turned to her boss "We've secured the perimeter but I don't think we should hold up for too much longer."
Tony couldn't stop staring at the woman as she sat down beside Fury, he shucked off his sunglasses and tossed them on them on the table. How did this get past him? How did it get past Pepper? Oh man, Pep...his friend had been fretting and blushing all over this woman for weeks. And it had all been a lie. Pepper would be devastated.
"Huh" he ran his tongue over his teeth "You're so fired."
Natasha raised an eyebrow, "That's not up to you."
"Tony" Fury put an arm around the woman "Meet Agent Romanov."
"Hi" Stark threw out off-handedly, scrubbing his hand across his rough cheek.
"I'm a S.H.I.E.L.D. shadow" Natasha informed him "Once we knew you were ill, I was tossed in by Director Fury."
"So you were just – what? Throwing me off the scent by seducing my CEO?" Tony grit his teeth "That's a real classy government move."
The cat-like eyes hardened into daggers, "Don't you dare bring her into this."
"Oh, that's your soft spot" Tony snarled "But telling Fury all about my life is okay in your book. Tricking me, Pepper, Steve, and everyone else is totally okay."
The man's brow furrowed as he realized something, "Except Steve. You didn't fool him for a moment, did you?"
"Not even a second" she shot back "He's smarter than you give him credit for."
"I suggest you apologize to Pepper, but not too soon" Tony hissed through his teeth "Because I don't want to be around when you break her heart."
"The way you tried to break Steve's?" Natasha growled, not one to back down from an obvious jab at her heart.
"Speaking of Rogers, he's been a concern of mine as well" Fury retracted his arm, leaning back into seat with an exasperated look "You dying isn't going to help me keep my Captain America happy. And if he's not happy, the world doesn't get saved."
"Uh, your Captain America?" Tony asked, tongue in cheek "He's mine."
Fury rolled his eye, "Oh I'm sorry, do you want to draw up papers for joint custody? How about I take him on weekends and every other holiday?"
Tony gave a brief fake laugh, then glared when the woman got up from the table, "He's a person, Cyclops, not just a soldier. Like, he does the living, breathing, feeling, human things. Weird, right?"
"I hear you've been doing things too, Stark. You've been keeping yourself pretty busy" Fury leaned forward, bracing his elbows on the table "You made that pretty girl of yours CEO, you've been giving away all your stuff, and you almost let your friend fly away with your suit."
"I didn't let him do anything" Tony countered "I fought him on it."
"Yeah, and if it wasn't for Rogers he'd have it."
"He took it, okay?" the genius scoffed "What the hell was I supposed to do? He got in my lab and he stole it."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. He took it? Hold up" Fury was was just drilling in the point "You're Iron Man, and he just stole one of your suits? The little brotha' walked in there, kicked your ass, and took your suit."
"He didn't get it, did he?" Tony whined.
Fury tisked, "Only because Captain America swooped in and saved 'yo ass."
The genius flexed his fingers in the suit, letting the metal scratch the table. He couldn't protest that fact. Without Steve, Rhodey would have one of his suits by now...the military would have one of suits. That was something he couldn't let happen, but he'd been too drunk and sick to take Rhodey down. He'd felt like shit the whole party, he'd been in no condition to fight.
Fury gaze narrowed, his true expression half-hidden by the eyepatch, "Why did you call me now? Why not before?"
"The captain's more than just a pretty face" Tony tried to joke "He's persuasive as hell."
The man didn't look convinced.
"And I'm in over my head" Stark's voice dropped lower than a whisper "I can barely get out of bed in the morning. I need..."
Tony closed his eyes, filling his head with Steve. Blue eyes shining so brightly, lips trembling and begging him to stay alive. He had to think of his soldier, he had to push past his ego for just a second.
"I need help" Tony rasped, the words bitter on his tongue.
Fury cracked a smile, snapping his fingers, "Hit him."
The genius only had a moment to look confused before a bolt of pain shot through his neck, followed by an icy relief that spread quickly through his body. Natasha was beside him, retracting a needle before grabbing his face to get a good look at his neck.
"Oh God! What..." Tony gasped, face twisted up in pain as he glared at the woman "What are you going to do? Steal my kidney and sell it?"
Natasha smirked, pleased as she watched the lines retract from the man's handsome jaw line. She sat down beside him, ignoring his hateful stare.
"Could you please not do anything completely awful for five seconds? Thanks" Tony turned to look at Fury, rolling his shoulders and easing the hissing sensation away "What did she just do to me?"
"What did we just do for you?" Fury corrected him "That's lithium dioxide. It's gonna take the edge off. It's what you wanted, isn't it?"
Tony's head felt fuzzy, "Give me a few boxes of that and I'll be right as rain."
"It's not a cure" Natasha didn't exactly sound happy "It just abates the symptoms."
Fury leaned in closer, examining the inventor's neck, "And it doesn't look like it's going to be an easy fix."
"Trust me, I know, I'm good at this stuff" Tony replied with a heavy dose of bitterness "I've been looking for a suitable replacement for palladium. I've tried ever combination, every permutation, of every known element."
Fury's lips curled in a smile, "Well I'm here to tell you you haven't tried them all."
Tony's brow furrowed, opening his mouth to ask him what the hell he was talking about.
"I think you should head back for right now" Fury suggested, sliding out of the booth rather easily "I think Rogers is blowing up Coulson's phone and I'm not going to have an angry super hero busting through S.H.I.E.L.D.'s walls again."
"I told you, that whole thing wouldn't have happened if you'd just been up front with him in the first place" Stark rubbed at his neck, the ache in his chest easing slowly but surely "I should've been there. But that was your power-play, not mine."
"And I told you: S.H.I.E.L.D. ships are just as fast and well-geared as Stark ships" Fury held out his hand, helping Natasha out of the booth "We took over the search because it nearly drove your father crazy, we didn't want you fueling false hope with booze like he did. You needed to concentrate on other things, especially after Afghanistan."
Tony winced, the phantom taste of sand and blood staining his mouth at the mere mention of the incident.
Fury patted his shoulder, "Let's get you home."
xXx
Tony arrived at the Tower to find agents swarming the building. From JARVIS's report it seemed as if they were cutting off the business floors from his personal floors, breaking off communication from them and the outside world all together. He landed smoothly and let the machines pick apart his suit, taking the bits away to be analyzed and reassembled back in it's proper case.
God, he still had so much work to do on the Mark V and Mark IV...there wasn't enough time.
Tony turned around on the platform, wondering how long he had before Fury was in his living room. He froze when he saw him. The super soldier was standing at his full height, eyes as sharp as daggers while his thick arms crossed over his chest.
"Anthony Stark" Steve growled through his teeth "Where have you been?"
"Uh" Tony puffed out his cheeks, searching for an answer as he stepped down off the pedestal "Well, that's a funny story."
"You snuck out of bed on me" Steve's stony expression was crumbling, some of the hurt shining through "Did...did I do something wrong? I know I was hysterical last night, and I apologize, but I didn't think I made you angry."
Tony pulled the soldier into a firm hug, kissing away the words with determination.
"You shut your pretty mouth" he laced his fingers through blonde hair and pulled hard enough to make him pay attention "You told me to fix things and I am."
"There are agents swarming the building" Steve's reply was breathless "I didn't know what to do, you were gone and JARVIS wasn't stopping them. He told me was not to worry and not to call Pepper, and to wait down here for you."
"Yeah, about that" Tony pulled a face "I wanted to tell you myself. S.H.I.E.L.D. is here. Fury's probably in the living room right now."
"Why?"
"I called him" Tony admitted "You said so yourself: I let this get out of hand. So I called in some back-up. They gave me a little something and now, hopefully, Fury's gonna tell me how to fix it."
"Do you really think he knows?" Steve still sounded soft, unsure of his place in all this.
"Maybe" Tony let his hands slide down, grabbing both of the other man's palms and letting their fingers mingle "But he knows more than I do and that's good enough for me."
There was a long pause, he wet his lips, "Come up with me."
Steve frowned, "I don't know what good I'll do up there."
"I need you with me right now" Tony grasped his hands more firmly "Don't make me beg."
The blonde nodded, a small smile creeping over his face, "I know how bad you are at begging."
Tony smirked, getting into the man's personal space. He brushed his lips across Steve's jaw, feeling the man shiver just beneath his fingertips.
"Once all this is over, I'll show how nicely I can beg" Tony whispered, pulling away very slowly "That is, if you earn it."
"Jeez" Steve breathed, prying his eyes back open "You're mean, you know that?"
Stark smiled, "Cyclops is waiting."
xXx
The living room was thankfully untouched by his face-off with Rhodey, one of the bots had cleared it of any spare rubble earlier this morning. On the other hand the gym, two of the halls, and the main bar room were completely wrecked. Tony changed into a spare set of clothes from the lab before they'd gone up the stairs, settling into a worn band t-shirt and a pair of jeans that were getting ratty at the knees. The suit had made him sweat, a new occurrence that he wrote off to the poison.
The moment he saw the man Steve rushed forward and offered his hand, "Director Fury"
"Captain Rogers" Fury shook his hand firmly, staying seated on the couch "I've heard you're coming along into the new century rather nicely. I've seen you in the news" he cocked his head "And the gossip mags."
Steve felt his cheeks warm up, "Those things can be deceiving, Director."
"Mm-hmm" Fury didn't believe that for a second "Just so we're clear, boys. Fraternization is discouraged but not uncommon. And technically Tony is rogue, so any incriminating photos of the two of you floating around are none of my business."
Fury looked down at his nails, making a point, "Some things I don't see, you know?"
Steve smiled, backing up to stand beside the couch, "I understand, sir."
"But when Captain America makes a real comeback here in the states, I want you to realize the backlash it could have" the director shook his finger at the soldier "If your identity comes out, if they get one good look at your face, you're outed as Tony Stark's latest boy toy. You understand that, soldier?"
"Yes, sir" the blonde nodded, hands folding at the base of his back like a good captain.
"Well at least you got someone as bold and stupid as you, Stark" Fury sat back, watching the genius sit a bottle of fancy imported water on the table. He poured them both a glass, taking a seat on the second couch. They stared off for a moment, then Steve cleared his throat.
"Tony, please" Steve insisted "You brought him all the way here, you don't need to glare at him."
"I know how to treat a guest, Nanny" Tony teased, getting the soldier to smile and duck his head.
"You know, Stark" Fury tried to ignore the love dancing between the two, wondering how one of Howard's biggest obsessions became he love of his son's life "That thing in your chest is based on unfinished technology."
"Not, it was finished" Tony countered, drawing back his glare to keep his soldier happy "It's just never been particularly effective until I miniaturized it and put it in my-"
He tapped his chest, eyebrows raised.
"No, Howard said the arc reactor was a stepping stone to something" Nick informed him "He was about to kick off an energy race that was going to dwarf the arms race. He was onto something big, something so big that it was going to nuclear reactor look like a AAA battery."
Steve's smile was bright, "That sounds like Howard. He was brilliant. He wanted to change the world."
The director's smile was less bright but could be seen as indulgent, "And he did his damnedest."
"Was it just my old man?" Stark swirled the water in his glass thoughtfully "Or was Anton Vanko involved?"
"Anton Vanko was on the opposite side of that coin" Fury pursed his lips, remembering just how bloody the whole ordeal had gotten "Anton saw it as a way to get rich. When your father found out he got him deported. When the Russians found out Anton couldn't deliver, he had his ass shipped off to Siberia. He spent the next twenty years in a Vodka fueled rage."
Fury grinned around the rim of his glass, "Not the best environment to raise a kid in. The son you had the misfortune to cross paths with in Monaco."
Tony gave him a wry look, the director set his glass down on the table.
"Speaking of Monaco" Fury turned his head, finding the soldier tense "You did well, Rogers. I suppose that little display proves you're ready to return to the world as Captain America."
"Almost, sir" Steve replied honestly "Not until Tony is back on his feet."
"Of course not" the man leaned back into the leather sofa "I have a feeling you two are going to be stubborn when it comes to this 'keeping you together' thing. I hope you'll be able to do solo missions, captain? The military still needs you, you know."
The soldier dropped his head again, hiding his expression.
"Oh, I see" Fury was more amused than annoyed "It's going to be like bending steel. I get it. You just have to come in first at everything, don't you Stark?"
"Can we not talk about my love life and start concentrating on my chest?" Tony hissed, taking the attention away from his squirming solder "You told me I hadn't tried everything. What do you mean I haven't tried everything? What haven't I tried?"
Fury gave him a nod, "Howard said you were the only person with the means and knowledge to finish what he started."
Stark's eyebrows nearly shot into his hairline, "What?"
"I told you" Steve whispered under his breath, the genius shot him a filthy look.
"What was that, Spangles?"
Blue eyes rolled, "Nothing."
"He said that?" Tony asked the director.
"Mm-hmm. Are you that guy? Hm?" Fury sat forward, insistent "Are you? Cause if you are...then you can solve the riddle of your heart."
Tony choked on his disbelief, turning his head away to get away from that piercing stare.
"That's very romantic of you, Director Fury" Steve spoke up, teasing lightly "But if Howard left something like that behind, why hasn't Tony already found it already?"
Fury shot him a look that told him to be patient, he made a show of shutting his trap.
"I...I don't know where you're getting your information, but Howard wasn't exactly my biggest fan" Tony bit down on the swell of his lip, eyes skirting back to his soldier. He didn't want to bash his dad too much and make Steve uncomfortable, the subject was still touchy between them. They'd resolved most of the tension but there were still strings keeping them apart, his father being one of them.
"You really think that, huh?" Nick pursed his lips "What do you remember about your dad?"
Steve shifted his stance, staring at the wall and suddenly wishing he wasn't here. He didn't know what to do with himself. His feet took him behind the couch before he could stop himself, one hand falling onto the genius's shoulder and squeezing softly. Tony reached up and covered the man's fingers with his own, squeezing back and letting the man bring him down. He tilted his head back and looked into serious blue eyes, getting a small nod.
"He was cold, he was calculating" Tony looked back to the director, the blonde's fingers digging into his shoulder just a bit "He never told me he loved me, he never even told me he liked me. So it's a little tough for me to digest that he said the whole future was riding on me and he's passing it down – I don't get that."
Tony scoffed, voice rough as he tried to choke down all those old feelings of rejection, "We're talking about a man who's happiest day was when he shipped me off to boarding school."
"That's not true" Fury's gaze shifted to the super soldier "Howard had a great many happy moments. Seeing you or anyone else leave him were not among them."
Steve's other hand fell onto his shoulder, fingers rubbing soothing circles across the man's tense muscles. Tony slowly relaxed again, sensing the unease in his lover.
Fury tried to keep his "Rogers, what do you remember about Howard Stark?"
"Howard was..." Steve hesitated, fingers creeping across the brunette's shoulders almost thoughtfully "He was upfront about what he wanted and what he thought was right. He was charismatic and sharp, but more than anything else...he was brilliant."
Tony started to drop his head but the soldier grabbed him by his hair and forced him to look at him, "And I think his son has surpassed him. If anyone could figure this out, it's Tony."
Tony batted his hand away, though there was no malice in the gesture, "I keep telling you – if I'm so fucking brilliant, why haven't I found a combination that works yet?"
"Your dad left the answer for you" Fury promised "And he was confidant you'll find it. I tend to believe him."
"Well then you clearly knew my dad better than I did" Tony snarked, taking a gulp of cool water to soothe his throat. The constant sour that came with the poison was gone for the moment but he knew it would return, his renewed strength and breath were just a brief blessing.
"In fact, I did" Fury replied flippantly, looking down at his watch. Two agents came around the corner, where the elevators hulking a silver case between the two of them. They set it at the edge of one of the step-down ledges in the floor then walked away rather briskly.
Fury glanced up for just a moment, "He was one of the founding members of S.H.I.E.L.D."
Tony felt his stomach drop out, "Wait, what?"
"I got a two o' clock" Fury stood, still looking at his watch.
"Wait! Wait, wait, wait" Tony stood as well, looking between the case and the director "What's this?"
"Okay, you're good, right?" Nick pointed to the case "You got this?"
"Got what?" Stark face was twisted in angry confusion "I don't even know what I'm supposed to get."
The director put his coat back on, the leather sliding across him rather smoothly, "Here's how it's going to be. Natasha will remain a floater at Stark Industries with her cover intact. And you remember Agent Couslon, right?"
Tony glanced over to the glass doors that led out to the helicopter deck, said agent had slipped in when he hadn't been paying attention, "Oh joy."
Fury passed the couches, holding out his hand to the soldier, "Captain."
"Director" Steve shook his hand firmly.
"I'll be seeing you soon."
Steve managed a smile, "Not too soon I hope."
Fury grinned, "Sooner than you think, I'm afraid."
The blonde sighed as the director started to walk away. He should've known it wouldn't be that easy.
Fury reached the door and paused, turning back, "Oh, and Tony?"
Stark barely suppressed the urge to stick his tongue out at the man.
"Remember...I got my eye on you."
They shared a hard stare, the older man not giving an inch. Tony huffed and tossed up his hands as he gave up, letting the man have his dramatic exit. He rolled his neck, tilting his head back to glare at Agent Romanov.
"What?" he snapped.
Her hands were on her hips, a smile curling her ruby red lips, "We've disabled all communications. No contact with the outside world. Good luck."
Natasha turned on the points of her heels, taking her leave. Tony gave in and pulled a face at her retreating back, getting a hard look from the soldier. He shrugged and mouthed, 'What do you want from me?'
Collusion cleared his throat, getting his attention.
"Please" Tony whined sarcastically "Don't give me that look. If you're here to fawn all over Cap, you can save it."
A flash of embarrassment swept the agent's face, but was soon replaced with his usual cool facade.
"I'm not here for that" Coulson corrected him "I've been authorized by Director Fury to keep you on the premises by any means necessary. If you attempt to leave or play any games, I will taze you and watch Supernanny while you drool into the carpet."
Tony's eyebrows shot up, he turned and gestured between the agent and his lover, "Is he for real? Are you just going to stand there and let him talk to me like that."
"I'm sorry, people keep telling me I'm not in the 40's anymore. Should I defend your honor?" Steve smiled good-naturedly "He's just trying to help, Tony. You know how difficult you can be."
"You wouldn't let him-" Tony cut himself off, the soldier's smile didn't falter "You totally would, wouldn't you? That's called mutiny, you know?"
Stark looked between the two, rolling his eyes. He knew when he'd been beat, the two of them were on the same side. He should've known calling Fury would invoke this.
"Fine, sure, whatever" Tony took the agent's hand and gave it a firm shake "I think I got it."
"Great" Coulson smiled "Enjoy tonight's entertainment."
Coulson started to walk away as well, aiming for the elevators, but Steve followed him. He caught the agent around the corner, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Captain" Phil smiled, looking up at him "Is there anything I can get for you?"
"No, thank you, Agent" Steve glanced over his shoulder, making sure Tony wasn't listening "Will you be staying here in the Tower?"
"I'm not sure-"
"Please" Steve bit down on his lip, trying to keeping the desperate plea from his voice "Stay. For me, at least. I know you, and with all these agents in the building and Tony being so vulnerable...I would just prefer to have a friendly face. If you don't mind."
"Not for a moment" Phil glanced at the hand on his shoulder, looking ten years younger "I'll be here the whole time."
"Thank you" Steve visibly relaxed "I do appreciate this, Agent."
"Any time."
The soldier clapped a hand on the slighter man's shoulder once more, then made his way back to the living room. Once Steve was out of sight the agent jolted and started to dig through his pockets, cursing under his breath when he realized he'd left his trading cards in his locker again. Every time! If he wasn't choking back praises and worship he was forgetting to bring the cards so the soldier could sign them.
Damn.
Steve came back to the living room to find his caretaker circling the silver crate, a serious expression on his face. The soldier walked over to read the case, surprised to see the stenciled words Property of H. Stark printed on it.
"What in it?" he asked.
"I don't know" Tony wrinkled up his nose, eyes never leaving the case "That's kind of the point of a lid, Cap, to hide what's inside."
Steve frowned but didn't say anything.
"Did you know about Natasha?" Tony inquired lightly.
Steve's brow knitted, speaking without thinking, "Is that Natalie's real name?"
Tony looked over, catching the guilty look cross the soldier's face, "So you did know?"
"From the first time I met her" Steve tried to explain "She carried herself like a soldier. I was in the military for a while, Tony, you'd have to get up pretty early in the morning to pull an undercover operation past me."
"You should've told me I had a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent in my home" Tony touched the case, fingers skimming over the clasps "Especially one who looks like that."
"She's just doing her job" the blonde sighed, arms crossed over his chest "Once this is over, I'm going to take up a position as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent...wouldn't you want me to do the same on an assignment?"
Tony didn't reply.
"They knew you were sick and they wanted to help" Steve balled up his fists "It's more than I did."
"You didn't know."
"I would've done the same" Steve insisted "If I had been in charge I would've slipped a pretty woman through your door to watch your every move too."
Tony pursed his lips, silently conceding, "Grab this case, will you? Let's see what's inside."
xXx
The pair settled down in the lab, setting the case down in the "chilling out" section in front of the television. Tony had flipped it open to reveal a roll of blueprints for an arc reactor, paper clippings of Anton Vanko, notebooks, an old movie player, and a few sealed rolls of film.
Steve set up the machine with the reels, reminiscing about the few times he'd gotten to see a movie. He talked about how Bucky and himself had worked at a movie theater for a summer, he'd helped one of the older men fix a machine just like this one once. It wasn't too different, he explained as he tightened up the reels.
At the moment Tony had hunkered down into his favorite chair with a notebook open on his lap and a datapad in his palm, taking down significant notes and equations as he came across them. Steve was perched on the edge of the low white leather seat, fingers laced in front of his mouth as he watched the film closely. It was so strange to see Howard like this, the time lapse almost making him dizzy. So many years danced between the Howard he had known, the Howard he was seeing, and the Howard that was now in the ground.
It hurt his heart.
"Everything you could need in the future is right here."
Howard stopped talking on screen and retraced his steps, starting again from the top. A boy popped up from beneath the table, grinning mischievously and plucking one of the props off the table. He was dark haired and pale, looking ready to smash the model.
Steve raised an eyebrow, "Is that...?"
"Tony!" Howard barked on screen, frightening the boy "What are you doing?"
A bit of affection crept into the man's voice, "Tony...what is that? What have you got? Put it back."
The boy sat the piece down, face pulled in a frown.
"Get him out of here" Howard sighed "Maria! Maria, come get this kid."
Steve brow furrowed, seeing the stress on Howard's face and the steel in his voice was new.
"Did he always talk to you like that?" Steve inquired.
"Always" Tony replied without looking up.
On screen, little Tony was picked up by one of the crew and taken off-camera. The film cut to another scene of him pacing and trying fix his hair, repeating a few lines to himself.
Though he had a good idea, the soldier asked anyway, "Who's Maria?"
"My mother" Tony ran his fingers over a drawing in the book, a series of squares that looked like a suspended cube "Huh, looks like a power source..."
"Oh" Steve felt his cheeks warm, remember Howard's kiss "What was she like?"
Tony let his gaze rise to the ceiling, brow crinkled in thought for a few long moments, "Faded."
The decisive tone surprised the soldier, "What do you mean?"
"She always looked like she was phasing between worlds" Tony caught a glimpse of the man's expression and realized he didn't understand that, he went back to the datapad "She seemed to be on the edge, stuck in perpetual limbo, whatever you want to call it. It was like she wasn't there. Like...pieces of her were missing."
Steve remembered what he had told his lover about his own mom, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be" the other catalogued a string of symbols "She tried her best."
The film flickered brightly for a moment, drawing Steve's eyes back to the screen. Howard seemed so nervous, so tense, it was almost hard to watch. He kept forgetting his lines and stuttering, very unlike the man he used to know.
"I met your father at a world fair" Steve was almost talking to himself "An invention of his failed but he only faltered for a moment. He looked so unapproachable, like silk and steel on the stage. If I hadn't seen that look of hurt, that chink in his armor...I wouldn't have had the nerve to talk to him. And if I hadn't spoken to him after that show...I wouldn't have gotten into the super soldier program."
Tony raised his head, giving the man his full attention, "Are you serious?"
"Mm-hmm" the soldier nodded "He was the one who gave me the doctor's name. Without Howard Stark there would be no Captain America."
"Great, I'm in more debt to him" Tony muttered to himself, going back to the notebook.
Steve raised his chin and put it atop his folded hands, "He looks so..."
"Old, yeah" the other's voice was distant again, mind slipping back into the pages of his father's writing "Normal people do that when they age."
"I was going to say tired" Steve looked over the man in the film, wishing yet again he hadn't taken that plane into the ocean "At least compared to how he used to be."
Tony scoffed harshly, "Whatever. The man had anything he wanted whenever he wanted it. He had no reason to be depressed. The world was practically in his palm."
In the film Howard took a long drink of whiskey from a glass with ice, holding up a finger to indicate he needed a moment.
"You look sad too" Steve turned his head, giving the confused genius a sweet smile "When you think no one's watching."
Tony turned his head away, closing the notebook and tossing it back onto the table between them. Steve accepted the man's denial and looked back to the film, knowing he was right. There was a deep sadness in the Stark genes, the burden of genius he supposed.
"Tony" the serious tone caught them by surprise, they both looked to screen to find Howard leaning against his desk and staring at the camera "You're too young to understand this right now, so I thought I would put it on film for you."
Both men stared with wide eyes, unsure if they were sharing a hallucination or not.
"I built this for you" Howard gestured behind him to the Expo layout board "And someday you'll realize it represents a lot more than just people's inventions."
Tony moved to the edge of the seat, scrubbing his palms across the goosebump covered flesh of his arms.
"It represents my life's work" images flashed on screen of the centerpiece on the Expo board, the reactor model, scanning along the lines of the fake roads "This is the key to the future."
Steve looked over to find Stark's eyes were narrowing, that brilliant mind already flexing and wrapping around everything he was seeing. Tony was so bright, just as Howard had been. Everything was a puzzle, everything meant something. Every piece could fit if only you knew how to put it into the grand scheme of things. Stark men were great for that...finding the big picture and what not.
"I'm limited by the technology of my time, but one day you'll figure this out" Howard promised, dropping his head for a moment to let a bitter laugh shake his chest "A good man once told me that I would change the world. Well, Tony...once you solve all this, it will be you who changes it."
Steve could feel a pressure welling up in his chest and he swore those weren't tears starting to wet his eyes. He bit down on the edge of his thumb, remembering how he had told Howard all that time ago that he was "crazy smart" and the "living end". It all seemed so far away now. Like a dream.
If any man was made solely to grace someone's dreams, it was Howard Stark.
If any man was made solely to keep you in the present and dizzy, it was his son Anthony.
The Howard on screen sighed deeply, like the world was sitting on his chest, "I have helped make two amazing things in my life, and they've made it worth living. The first...I lost in the ocean, and it broke my heart. But then I had you, Tony, and you changed everything. What is and what always will be my greatest creation...is you."
The film lasted just a few more seconds, enough to capture the man's sad smile. Then it fizzled out, the film flipping in the machine to show it was over. Tony eyes were wet when they found the soldier, a small smile curling his lips when he saw the man's pale cheeks wet with his own tears.
"You were wrong about being all that's left, Cap" Tony teased, surprised at the rough edge of his voice "It's you, that shield, and me."
Steve gave a broken laugh, using the bottom of his shirt to wipe the evidence from his face. Stark got up and walked over, dropping to his knees between the man's legs. The soldier tried to say something but he caught his mouth, the words garbling into a low moan. The kiss was all teeth and sloppy but it was what they needed, two sets of hands grasping for control in clothes and hair.
Tony was the first to break away, breath coming quick now, "I need to go see Pep. I need to talk to her, try to tell her...I just..."
"Do what you have to" Steve fisted dark hair between his fingers, pulling him in for another quick kiss "I'll distract Coulson. Whatever you need."
Tony brushed their cheeks, kissing away the last drops of anguish off the blonde's face, "I'll be back. I promise."
"You better be" Steve's chuckle was weak "I'll be right here."
Tony looked around, moving to stand, "Let me clean this up-"
"No" Steve pushed him to his feet, their hands grasping desperately as if they'd fly away without the touch "Go. Do what you need to do. Let me take care of this."
Tony nodded, bending down and taking another kiss. He nibbled hard at the soldier's lower lip, getting another sweet sound out of the man. With a heavy heart he let go of Steve's hands and walked away, deciding a quick change was in order before he saw the woman.
Pepper was in another Stark Industries building, he had a drive ahead of him.
xXx
Only thirty minutes after Steve had asked JARVIS to contact the agent, Couslon appeared at the base of the stairs to the lab. Steve had managed to clear his face of tears and removed the reel from the machine, busying himself laying the notebooks out on the table and packing up the film they'd already watched. He looked up and smiled when Couslon approached, deciding to be honest.
"Agent" Steve nodded "You know...I'd like us to be friends."
Phil seemed rather pleased with that, "I would like that as well, Captain."
"Then I'm afraid to tell you Tony's left for an hour or two" Steve still smiled "And I can't let you go after him. I can promise you he'll be back."
"You don't give my men enough credit" Phil was good-natured "We saw him slip through. As long as he watched the reels, then I'm sure he got what he needed."
"Well then, Agent Coulson, we're lucky to have you" Steve flipped open one of the notebooks, realizing very quickly he wasn't going to understand one bit of it "You're welcome to join our little family, you know. Me, Tony, JARVIS, Pepper, Natasha..."
Phil raised an eyebrow, "I didn't know Tasha was trying to start a family."
"You know her?" then the man scoffed at his own ignorance "Of course you know her. You all seem to know each other."
"I'm her handler" Coulson replied honestly, then thought a moment "I mostly manage her missions and an agent we like to call Hawkeye. The two of them consume my life."
Steve was curious, "Like children?"
Phil huffed a laugh, "More than you can ever imagine."
"I understand. Maybe we're all beyond the definition of normal" the soldier shrugged, heading back over to the white leather seat he favored "But we're not exactly trying to drum up a traditional family, now are we?"
"An AI, three super heroes, and the leading role model for women of the 21st century" Phil rattled off "No, not really."
"We try" Steve shrugged, settling comfortably "Why don't you sit with me?"
Coulson barely suppressed his smile, he couldn't believe his luck. His childhood hero was asking him to just sit and chat, and damn it his cards were still in his locker. The heavy weight in his pocket reminded him why he had been told to stay until Tony had made his escape, the reel Fury had personally handed to him and told him to guard.
"Actually, Captain-"
"It's 'Steve'."
"-Steve, then" Phil pulled a sealed reel of film out from inside his jacket "There's something else. Something Howard made that was just for you."
"What?" Steve sat up, turning to give the agent a confused look "How did he know I was alive?"
"I was told it was made on hope" Phil walked over to the machine, slipping it in easily and setting up "I assume you want to watch it?"
"Yes of course" Steve turned back, hands folded up on his lap "I can't imagine what it is. I was still-"
The soldier bit off the rest, a jolt of pain dancing across his chest at the thought.
"I know" Coulson's voice was soft, flicking the switch that started up the process "Do you want me to leave and give you some privacy?"
"It's fine" the blonde gestured "Sit."
Coulson took a stance behind the soldier's seat, "I'm fine right here."
The film was grainy and out of focus at first, it seemed to be after the Expo shot was done. Howard had shed his coat and tie and it looked like he'd run his fingers through his hair a few times. He appeared less nervous but his business facade was gone, he looked more like he did back then.
"Steve" Howard slumped on the Expo board "I don't know if this will reach you. And right now I don't even know if you're still alive. I've instructed Nick to give this to you if you're ever found. I hope...God, I hope you're okay."
Steve could feel his tears coming back already, his heart starting to bleed into his chest.
"By now you've met my son, and I'm sure you two are getting along" Howard's smile came back, stronger than the fake one he'd put on for the Expo shoot "I told him all about you. You've become a bit of a...of an obsession of mine, I'm afraid to say."
On screen Howard wet his lips, sitting back a little, "I think you know why."
Steve smiled into his curled fist, "You're both impossible, Howard. You and your son...I swear."
"Tony's interest in you reminds me of my own, back in the day" Howard confessed, hands braced on the table "So I hope you two will become close friends...maybe more, if the times allow it. He'll grow into a good man...good enough for you, I'm sure."
The soldier sat back, crossing his arms over his chest, "I knew you were brilliant but didn't know you were a psychic."
"The world needs Captain America" Howard assured him "Above all else, Tony needs you. I've been a terrible father, as I'm sure he'll tell you. I hope you're there for him like I wasn't. His life won't be easy, but whose is?"
Howard shifted uneasily, shaking off years worth of grief, "This will be the last time we speak, Steve...maybe not even that. But I have to say it."
Steve bit his lip, heart skipping a beat or two at the man's words.
"I'm sorry" Howard admitted, pride shattered from the look on his face "I'm sorry for not talking to you. I'm sorry for not apologizing sooner, I'm sorry for Barnes...I'm sorry you lost so many people and so much time."
The older man smiled slightly, more vulnerable and open than he had ever been, "But I'm not sorry for kissing you."
Steve flushed darkly, "Damn it, Howard..."
"Goodbye, Captain" Howard gave a weak wave, as if every movement hurt "I leave you in Tony's capable hands."
The picture cut out, the reel spinning idly on the machine.
Phil gently removed the reel and placed it back in it's case. He set it on the table in front of the soldier, giving the man a minute to compose himself.
"Thank you, Agent" Steve cleared his throat "I...I appreciate it."
"It was no problem" Phil stepped back, giving the man his space "Captain...could I speak freely for a moment?"
Steve's smile regained some of it's warmth, "You are hardly my subordinate, Agent Coulson."
"I just wanted to say...that you are very beloved" Coulson kept his voice steady, trying not to betray his true feelings on the matter "And that just because you had a relationship with his dad and he currently provides you a home doesn't mean you have to...engage with Stark."
Steve raised an eyebrow, "You mean I don't have to sleep with him?"
"Yes" Phil's voice had an edge "If Stark is pressuring you into something, I'll gladly-"
"Please" he held up a broad palm, cutting him off effectively "Tony isn't pressuring me into anything."
The agent looked doubtful, "I know Stark can be persuasive and charming."
"I can handle myself against that Stark charm, Phil" Steve assured him "I've had plenty of practice."
"Isn't it strange, though?" Coulson inquired "When you're with him, don't you see Howard in his face? They look so much alike at that age."
The soldier sighed, remembering a time when that was true.
"When I look into his face..." Steve scraped his nails across the back of his hand "All I can see is him. That charm, that persona, even Howard's eyes...they don't matter."
He looked up to find the agent giving him a look of surprise, he smiled nervously.
"I can handle myself against Tony Stark, Agent Coulson" Steve put some steel in his voice "That I promise you."
xXx
Steve had just managed to collapse the projector when JARVIS spoke up.
"Captain. There's a call from Master Stark for you."
"Put him through, thank you."
"Steve!" Tony was yelling.
Steve was patient, "Yes, I can hear you. I'm right here."
"Did you know Pep is allergic to strawberries?" he sounded frustrated.
"Yes" Steve replied honestly "It's the only thing she's-"
"-allergic to. Yeah, I got the memo. I'm bringing the Expo to you, pretty boy, so get your muscle up to the elevator" there was a scuffling sound "Fuck, they barely fit in here. It's gonna be a squeeze. I need you to lug these down to the lab."
Within the hour, Steve had brought down the pieces and they'd set up the Expo table. It was just like it had been in the film, though a bit dustier and a few bits of paint were scuffed away.
"JARVIS" Tony looked the board over carefully "Would you kindly execute a digital wire frame. I need a manipulatible projection. Steve watched with wide eyes while a blue film ran over the model, copying and downloading every curve and inch of it. Tony was quiet, hands flicking and snapping over one another in that busy/thoughtful way the genius had perfected.
"1974 Stark Expo scan complete, sir" JARVIS reported after only a few seconds.
Tony tapped the soldier's chest, "Stand back, babe."
"Oh, I am hardly your 'babe' " Steve countered, but obeyed nonetheless. Tony picked up the projection and carried it over to the middle of the room.
"How many buildings are there, JARVIS?"
"Am I to include the Belgian waffle stands?"
"Rhetorical" Tony muttered "Just show me."
The other went over to grab a chair, Steve took his place in front of the blue virtual board. The soldier looked it over carefully, then tilted it so it hovered on it's side. The layout made more sense length-wise, creating a sort of shape he was sure he'd seen before.
"Hey!" Tony rolled over, pushing the blonde out of the way before looking the model over himself "Good. Better this way. Thanks."
Steve smiled to himself and crossed his arms over his chest, stepping behind the other to give him room to work. Tony looked it over carefully, fingers twitching in mid-air as he seemed to run through calculations in his mind.
"What does that look like to you?" Tony asked out loud, eyes on the central center of the display.
"It looks like a core" Steve answered, unsure if it was rhetorical.
Tony tilted his head, "Hm."
"Like a cell?" Steve offered "Building blocks of the body and all that?"
"Close enough" Tony started to reach up "It looks to me like an atom. Which means this would be the nucleus."
He touched the center part, "Highlight the endosphere."
It glowed a soft gold, Tony pulled his hand back and gave it a whirl. He brought the endosphere out and expanded it in front of his face, the globe slowly rotating in mid-air.
Steve was starting to catch up, brow furrowed, "JARVIS, remove the footpaths."
"What is it you are trying to achieve, sir?"
Tony swiped the paths away, eyes still on the globe, "I think I'm discovering a new element."
"Rediscovering" Steve corrected "Get rid of the landscape and the shrubbery too, JARVIS. Thanks."
The green dots and figures vanished.
Tony started breaking and flicking more images away, "Parking lots. Exits. Entrances. Structure the protons and neutrons using the pavilions. Show me framework."
The countries on the globe faded until it was bare, the structures minimizing and collapsing onto the structure. Tony scrubbed his hand over his face, soon enough the globe had become structured. He threw his hands out, the figure exploded and expanded until they were surrounded by little glowing blue spheres that represented so much more than discovery.
Steve gave a little gasp but recovered from the sudden movement, staring up at the new element in wonder. He spun around, gaping mouth slowly curling into a smile. Tony was just as awestruck, swiveling around in his chair to get a look at it all.
"Your father was brilliant" Steve breathed, amazed that a man of Howard's time had managed to do this all by himself.
"Dead almost twenty years...still taking me to school" Tony grinned suddenly, laughing "Do you know what this means?"
"Life" Steve beamed "Your life."
"Our lives" Tony corrected, slamming his hands together and collapsing the model "Come here."
Steve knelt down beside him, both bathed in azure light from the little structure between the genius's fingers. He held it up between their faces, the element's stats glittering around it while it pulsed.
"The proposed element should serve as a viable replacement for palladium" JARVIS announced.
"Thanks, Dad" Tony whispered, eyes glued to the miracle.
"Unfortunately, it is impossible to synthesize."
Nearby, DUM-E raised it's pincers and hummed.
"I agree" Steve touched the element, the buzz of electricity against his finger pleasant "Nothing is impossible if you're Tony Stark."
Tony let go of the element and stood, pulling the soldier close and snagging a harsh kiss.
"Challenge accepted" Tony pulled away, grabbing his comms ear piece of out of his pocket and slipping it on "Get ready for a major remodel, boys, we're back in hardware mode."
xXx
The first Tony did was push a pair of silver-colored safety glasses on his face and lay a sledgehammer in his hands, showing him just where to hit. He took out a few sections of wall and some of the floor upstairs, giving the genius free reign to the power supply. Stark helped him haul down crates of parts that S.H.I.E.L.D. had brought, though they managed it in one trip with the soldier showing off and carrying four crates down at once.
One of the DUM-E's trailed behind him most of the time, brandishing different floor plans for the Tower to show where all the major bits were.
At one point Steve was standing ankle-deep in rubble, waiting patiently for Tony to drop down the main power line wires.
"Waiting on you, princess!" Steve called, tilting his head back to get a face full of wires. They coiled and clung to his body, curling at his feet. He went to yell but found his vision black, soft cotton covering his eyes and mouth. He ripped the fabric off his face to discover it was Tony's shirt, he cautiously looked up to the hole in the ceiling.
Tony was grinning down at him, crimson/gold safety glasses doing nothing to hide the mischievous gleam in his eyes. That flimsy tank-top revealed the curve of his arms and the glow of his reactor, showing off the body that the soldier coveted.
Steve raised an eyebrow, "If you throw down anymore clothes, I'm coming up there."
"Is that a threat or a promise, Cap?" Tony waggled his eyebrows "Because I could get into both."
"Cheeky" Steve teased, waving the shirt "Can you keep it in your pants until after we get this element up and running?"
"Synthesize, Cap" Tony called, disappearing "It's called 'synthesizing'."
"It's called: Get your ass in gear, you big ol' lounge lizard."
Steve winced as soon as he said it, Tony's face appeared back over the hole.
"What the hell is a 'lounge lizard'?"
"It's, uh..." Steve sighed, tossing aside the shirt "Just hurry you, will you?"
When they finally cracked open the crates, Steve was surprised to find them full of pipes.
"They're gonna go around" Tony gestured, giving the basic layout "From the outlet in the wall, then just about through there. We'll need some things to pile up, they need to be braced and perfectly level. I'm thinking books and cords, chairs, anything you can stack. Get on that."
Tony lifted one of the pipes, putting it up on his shoulder with a harsh breath. He braced himself as best he could but he found it slipped out his hands, his strength not holding up. That dose of lithium dioxide was starting wear off, he could feel the ache in his chest returning.
"Whoa, I got you" Steve took the heavy pipe away with one hand, holding it above his head while the other curled around the other's waist. He kept Tony tucked tight against him, letting the man get his footing and his breath back.
"Sorry" Tony muttered, holding onto the soldier's shoulder with a hint of desperation "I'm not really running on all cylinders."
"Not yet" Steve promised, lips brushing the man's temple "You can do this. Just let me do all the heavy lifting. You worry about all this...tech."
"Yes, sir" Tony stood on his own "I think I got it now, soldier."
"Good" Steve lowered the pipe, eyebrows practically in his hairline "Uh...where does this go?"
He crooked his finger, "Follow me."
xXx
Steve was buried beneath a thick length of pipe (trying to brace it up with milk crates and a few books) when he heard someone enter the lab.
"I heard you broke the perimeter" it was Coulson.
"Uh, yeah, that was like three years ago" Tony snarked "Where have you been?"
"I was doing some stuff" Coulson walked in, starting to look around.
"So was I" Tony waved his wrench through the air "And it worked."
Phil peeked into a crate, "Where's Rogers?"
"Over here" Steve called, buckling the books hard onto the crate "Almost done."
Tony whipped out his balance stick, laying it across the pipe in front of him, "I can't get this thing level. See if you can find me something...I don't know, small. It doesn't need much."
The soldier's nose wrinkled up, "I think we're out of small things."
"Of course we are" Tony spat, taking off the leveler "Hey, I'm playing for the home team, Coulson. You and all your fabulous super-secret sneaky brothers. Now are you going to let me work or are you gonna break my balls?"
Coulson reached into one of the crates, shoving some of the packaging and spare parts aside to grab onto something else. It wobbled a little like aluminum but was strong. Tony didn't even look up, busy shucking off the wrapper to a piece he needed and examining it closely.
"What's this doing in here?" Coulson asked, eyes wide as he held it up for the genius to see. Tony looked up and grit his teeth in a grimace, glancing over at his soldier to find him still busy. The piece Coulson was brandishing like a shield was colored like the captain's suit, the thing was obvious an old prototype of the man's shield.
"Give me that" Tony walked over to the pipe and held out his hands, lowering his voice to a whisper "Quick. Before he sees it and makes me keep it."
"Do you know what this is?" Coulson needled, holding onto the piece.
Tony glared, "You want to be the one to take it away from him? He can make these puppy eyes that will seriously break your heart. Give it."
Tony took the prototype, looking it over briefly, "Lift the coil."
Phil hesitantly obeyed, putting his arms underneath and lifting it up as best he could.
"Go, go, put your knees in it" Tony started to wedge the shield underneath "Careful, careful – watch your hand. Okay, drop it."
Phil gave an 'oof', letting the coil fall back where it was. Tony whipped out his balance and set it atop the rings again, grinning.
"There. Perfectly level" he concluded, taking it off once more to look at the agent "I'm busy, what do you want?"
"Nothing, I came down to say goodbye" Phil announced "I've been reassigned. Director Fury wants me in New Mexico."
"Fantastic" Tony felt a little pang of loss, he had just been getting used to the meddling agent "Land of enchantment."
"So I'm told."
"Secret stuff?"
"Something like that."
Tony grinned, looking back down at the pipe briefly, "You won't be back then?"
"I'm always around, Stark" Coulson replied smoothly "Good luck."
"Bye" the inventor took the offered hand "Thanks."
"We need you" the agent admitted.
Tony chuckled low in his throat, "More than you know."
"Not that much" Coulson countered sharply, pulling the man closer by the hand "You take good care of him, Stark."
Tony raised an eyebrow, "Jealous, Agent?"
"He deserves better, that's all" Coulson's grip tightened for just a moment before he let go "You're a good man, Stark, you have a lot to prove before you deserve him."
"We'll see" Tony watched the agent leave "Hey, pretty boy, get your pert ass over here – it's show time."
xXx
Tony put on thicker scarlet colored safety goggles, handing his soldier a matching pair in silver. Steve took off the other pair and put on these new shades, eyes quickly adjusting.
"It's going to get brighter" was the man's only explanation.
Steve looked around at their handiwork, "This is really going to work?"
"Well I hope so" Tony stuck the crystal piece into the coil, locking it in place before giving it a few small adjustments "Because if it doesn't...well, let's just say – you'll die a virgin, Cap."
Blue eyes cut him in a sharp glare, "Tony-"
"What?" Tony whined, putting the lid back "Unless-" his eyes went wide "Have you been holding out on me, soldier? Did someone else get into those star-spangled panties?"
It was an obvious tease but there was an underlying tone of jealousy, hoping it was nothing.
Steve's cheeks burned hot, "You know I haven't."
"Good" the brunette pointed over to the circle of metal with a little triangle held inside, suspended and independent "Because if this thing goes wrong, I will haunt you until you keel over and I promise you'll never get laid."
"You would" Steve tried to keep it light-hearted, rubbing his hands together "Alright, what should I do?"
"This thing is going to be strong" Tony explained "I'm not exactly sure about the rest of it, but I know it's going to be kind of violent. So just stand back and get ready to grab something if I tell you. And no matter how shiny it gets, don't touch it."
"I'm not a child."
"Not the point" Tony knelt down and brandished a key "Brace yourself."
He activated the panel, the whir of power starting to fill the room.
"Initializing accelerator."
What looked to Steve like pure blue light shot through the pipes, catching on the crystal and magnetizing. The glow was already growing brighter by th emoment, the hum increasing along with it. He could feel the crackle of electricity in the air and it made his hair stand up. Tony was cool headed about it, stepping forward to grab the round valve on top of the main coil. With a grunt he started to turn it but it wouldn't budge.
"Approaching maximum power" JARVIS announced.
"Damn it" Tony muttered, grabbing his largest wrench and locking it onto the rim of the valve. He finally got it moving, gritting his teeth when the laser cut through the wall. Fire ate at the paint and plaster, gaping holes left behind. It started to get away from him though, slicing through bookshelves and crates until it hit th e device that held his new core.
"Little help?" he called, and in a moment his solider was pressed behind him and grabbing the wrench on either side of his hands "Stop it right on the edge of the core!"
Steve obeyed, forcing the valve still as the beam hit the triangle. The coils and wrench were beginning to shake almost violently, their bodies shuddering under the force. The room was filled with azure light, bathing their bodies and pulsing from the new core.
"Steady" Tony winced when the core radiated so harshly it almost cut through their protective shades "Just a little bit more."
After just a few moments, with the timing only someone like Tony could have, the genius surged forward and shut the power off. The core almost purred as it faded. Tony panted lightly, relaxing into the soldier's body. Steve let go of the wrench and let his hands fall to the man's waist, dropping his head onto his shoulder in relief.
Tony reached up and threaded his fingers in the other's blonde hair, knowing anything he said would be empty in comparison to having this new element actually work. Steve picked up his head and started toward the element, ducking almost painfully to get over the pipes. Tony followed and plopped down on the stool in front of the new core, both of them tossing their shades on the table.
"It's beautiful" Steve said before he could stop himself, kneeling down and peering at the triangle.
"Kind of wicked looking, very Dark Side of the Moon, don't you think?" Tony picked up a pair of specialized pliers, ignoring the blonde's confused glance "It's a music thing. Soon, Cap, soon."
Tony held up the core. Neither of them could stop gawking at it, the power of it humming in their ears and casting them in contrast.
"Congratulations sir, you have created a new element."
"Get the new reactor" it was a request, and Steve obliged. He got up and retrieved it from the other side of the table, bringing it over to the little holder they had set up earlier for it. The device was different from the one Tony had in his chest at the moment, the circle-core middle now cut into a shape to match the new core. Steve gave it a kiss, tossing a wink at the genius.
Once the reactor was secure Tony carefully set the core down into the device. The protective glass closed over it and dragged the core down further, locking it in place. It swirled and blinked, giving little beeps that slowly increased until it became something of techno heartbeat.
"Sir, the reactor has accepted the modified core. I will begin running diagnostics."
"I can't believe it" Steve whispered, voice slowly rising "Tony...Tony, you did it!"
Tony found himself taken into a bear hug. He latched onto the soldier and squeezed back, grinning widely.
"We did it" Tony admitted, for once not caring that he was sharing credit "Me, you, and Dad. This is insane, you realize that?"
Tony pulled away, "Seriously, this is crazy. We just...made a new element? This is, like, one of the most impressive things I've ever done. Iron Man, then this. Fuck, what do we even call it?"
"I have no idea" Steve looked to the reactor "But I'm sure you'll think of something real keen. But then you'll just name it after yourself."
Tony grabbed the blonde's jaw, tilting his head up for a kiss, "That sounds about right, doll-baby."
The tease was light, bringing a smile to both their faces.
Sorry you had to wait a week. But it's super long and that makes up for something, right?
We had the most fantastic nerd-grill-cook-out thing. We all got together and ate loads of vegetables, hamburgers, brownies, vegan burgers, and sweet tea. It was real keen, let me tell you, super swanky. We talked about comic books and movies, music, we had card-readings, it was a total blast.
Yeah, I have a life, and it's kind of cool.
PS: *is still laughing* There was a sentence in here that had Fury leaning on a table three times and it looked hilarious. I almost kept it. It's all fixed now