Ever Fallen in Love With Someone?

by Emono

Once Steve thought Howard Stark was the "living end". Now he's been thrown into a future where the only person he can trust completely is Howard's son, Tony. Tony's everything his father wasn't, maybe everything Steve needs. SLASH, Daddy issues, unresolved feelings, past Steve/Howard, Nat/Pep, rewrite Ironman 2 w/ Steve, pre-Avengers. Slow bloom love story, lemon. Ever Fallen Ver

20. Chapter 20

Want to address some things before we get started, since I know you are ALL so eager for th e lemon.

First: You lot must be impossible at Christmas, since you took my mystery man and shook him until you pretty much guessed who he was. Good on you, though

Second: I apologize for past/present/future fight scenes. They will be lame because reading fight scenes is less cool than watching them. I promise to make them quick enough but detailed to satisfy most of you. I'm crap at writing at them. When it's Avengers fight scenes, just watch the movie, it's easier

Third: I'm mostly going off movie-canon (if any canon), just so you know

Fourth: Thanks to all my my positive feedback, there will be no more apologies for my writing style, content, couples, or verb usage.

Enough of that crap, shoo – read the Stony

---

They stayed in each other's arm entirely too long, forgetting that they had obligations to the rest of 'Team Stark'. It was selfish, but what aspect of Tony Stark's life wasn't? Still pressed together, they talked about how in the hell they were going to get back to the Tower.

They settled on Tony carrying him by the waist, flying for them while the captain hung onto the CAP-100 capsule. Steve's weight was fine but with the extra suit it was slowing the ride down. He kept his eyes up on the starry sky, recalling the free-falling feeling of being in his suit.

"Sorry about the suit" Steve apologized "I kind of panicked and overreacted."

"It's okay" it was still strange to look into his lover's face and see Iron Man "Just hold on."

"I love the CAP-100" Steve gripped the handles on the capsule a little harder "It's...badass."

Tony gasped dramatically, "Did Captain America use a swear word outside of anger? I am shocked and appalled, and maybe even a little turned on."

"It is" the blonde insisted, closing his eyes to let the wind dry the sweat from his brow "Gosh, it's gorgeous in New York. I know it can be a pit, but you can't tell up here."

Tony chuckled in his throat.

The most beautiful thing in the world was smiling in his arms right now.

Tony faltered at the thought. Since when was he such a sap? He'd let himself get soft, please. Steve was more beautiful than New York? What was he, drunk?

"Look at the skyline!"

Tony broke into a grin. Nah, he was just in love.

And that was fine by him.

xXx

Tony dropped them down onto the platform outside the loft floor, thrusters cutting out at the last second. He peeled off his helmet with a scowl, that piece was pretty much fried. They hauled themselves down the slope and to the door to the living room, putting in the code before pushing inside. They sighed at the familiar side, then cringed in unison at the gaping hole in the floor from their bout of science earlier. They'd forgotten about all of this in the rush to get out.

That meant the lab was still a mess.

The heroes exchanged a look and a huff, "Tomorrow."

"There they are!"

Pepper and Rhodey came from the kitchen area, the CEO looked pale and worried. Happy standing off the side, smiling when he saw the two heroes. Tony met the woman half way with a bright smile, ready to spout off a hundred apologies and offer her whatever she wanted. He didn't get out a single before he got a sharp smack across the mouth, he hissed at the sting of it.

"Why?" Tony whined, nose scrunched up petulantly "Pep, I told you: You break it, you buy-"

Pepper grabbed him around the shoulders and dragged him into a hug, digging her nails into his hair and forcing him close. He huffed and let her, face still smarting from the blow.

"What is with this new trend of hitting me before showing me some lovin' ?" Tony griped "Guess I'm just a lucky guy."

"You scared me! You stupid, stupid, selfish man" her voice broke at the end, she pulled back and glared with glassy eyes "If you think you're getting away with this, you are so wrong. We're going to have a long talk about this and you're going to stop being-"

"What? Stupid? Selfish?" Tony insisted, smile returning at her concern.

"Yes! Those things" Pepper slapped his shoulder, he swayed "Next time you're going to die, at least give me a two week notice. You can't just spring this kind of stuff on me."

They hugged again, laughing breathlessly in each other's hair.

"I'm sorry" he whispered.

"I know" she sighed "Are you really better?"

"Yeah, all fixed."

"Good" Pepper shoved him away, wagging a finger in his face "No more nonsense. This company can't take it."

"Yes, mother."

She smacked him across the head for good measure, "Don't 'mother' me."

Tony managed to get away when she started hugging and praising Steve, in a much gentler tone he noted. Rhodey held out his hand and after a moment he took it, his smile warm.

"Listen, man, I wanted to apologize" Rhodey began, sounding genuine.

"Don't, it's fine."

"No it's not" the colonel insisted "I should've trusted you."

"I'm the one who put you in this position."

"Oh it's totally all your fault" Rhodey shot back "But I'm still sorry it went down like this."

"That's all I wanted to hear" Tony grinned "So we're good?"

Rhodey could see the shimmer of uncertainty under the man's bravado, "Yeah, we're cool."

Their shake turned into a fist bump.

"Good to have you back, buddy."

Rhodey was about to back some smart comment about how technically he was on the right side all along when Steve came up to them, jaw set as if to bite back the words he wanted to say. Rhodey smiled nervously, recalling the words they'd exchanged in the tower not too long ago. The gym was still destroyed from the little suit-on-suit battle he had started. Tony was tense in his suit, watching them both carefully in search of aggression.

Steve offered his hand. Rhodey hesitated but ended up taking it, shaking it firmly. The captain's eyes softened before he dragged the other soldier into a tight man hug. Rhodey lost his breath, huffing as he was picked up off his feet. The embrace was desperate, like an assurance.

"You're a good man, Colonel" Steve's voice was rough as he set the man back down, not the least bit embarrassed about the hug "You did well today."

Rhodey picked his jaw up and put aside his confusion, "Thank you, captain. You were pretty impressive yourself."

Steve smiled.

"So" Pepper cast her eyes around the room "Where's Natalie?"

The men looked between one another, silently agreeing the captain should be the one to tell her. Steve walked over and took the woman by the arm, urging her to sit down. Rhodey raised an eyebrow at his best friend, flipping his palms up to indicate the hug.

"He actually likes you" Tony replied in hushed tones, heart heavy at the thought of explaining to Pepper that her crush was a spy "He's just protective of me. We're kind of building a little family here. And he's happy not have lost another soldier."

Rhodey cleared his throat, heart warmed a little from the implication, "He's a good man. You got lucky. I don't know how, but you did."

Further into the room, Steve was sitting Pepper down onto one of the couches. The woman was still pale but there was hurt in her eyes now, not fear. Steve bit down on the side of his lip, baffled by how articulate he was on the field but stumped when it came to the emotional side of things. Especially when it wasn't his direct involvement. He couldn't speak of Natasha's true heart but he could tell the CEO what he knew. Hopefully that was enough.

"There is no Natalie Rushman" Steve confessed.

"What?" Pepper laughed, a fake sound that hurt the captain's heart "Of course she is."

The soldier shook his head slowly.

"Oh really?" Pepper was chock-full of sarcasm but a glimmer of hysteria was starting to shine through "Then who exactly has been running our lives for the past two months?"

"Her name is Natasha Romanova " Steve explained, each word cracking Pepper's denial just that much more "Do you remember the organization Coulson's with? S.H.I.E.L.D.? She's one of their best agents. She was planted here when they found out Tony was sick."

Pepper's lips parted, brow wrinkled up as she tried to process what she was hearing. Natalie was...Natasha? The woman she had shamelessly fantasized about was...what? A secret agent? A spy?

"So 'Natalie' was all a lie?" Pepper clarified slowly, pulling herself through the realization bit by bit "That woman...was here for Tony. Was that all she was supposed to do?"

Steve choked back a thousand apologies and excuses, almost unable to watch the proud woman fall apart in front of him, "Yes."

Pepper fingers raised to her lips, remembering the kiss she'd shared with the undercover agent. It had all seemed so real at the time. The way she'd held her hand on the plane, the way she'd touched her hair, that kiss at the Expo...had it all been fake? Had that been 'Natalie' not Natasha? Who had kissed her? Who has she started to fall in love with?

"Where is she?" Pepper asked suddenly "I need to talk to her."

Tony knelt down at her feet, still lodged in the Iron Man suit and looking just as exhausted as did when he came from from Afghanistan.

"Pep" even the always-articulate Stark was running short of words "She's...she's gone."

Shocks of hurt chased across the woman's face, taken aback by the news. It was bad enough she had lost her heart but now she was losing her pride. It was one thing to slip into Stark Industries to spy on Tony, it was a whole other thing to seduce her and gain her trust. But had it really been a seduction? She remembered that night in her apartment and the commanding kiss, the one that had left her breathless and warm. The other woman had taken all the control, swamping her with her own desire.

Pepper cringed, embarrassment flushing her cheeks. What S.H.I.E.L.D. must think of her...what Coulson must think of her. She knew he knew, he had to. She looked around the room, swallowing a whine of dismay when she saw it on the faces of her friends. They had all known.

She scraped up the remains of her dignity, sniffling softly.

"Well" Pepper forced a smile "She did a very good job, didn't she?"

Tony's smile was sympathetic, "Yeah, she did."

The woman tilted her head back, blinking back the tears that were threatening to fall. She's spent years surrounding by men, trying to prove her worth and her strength with each breath and step. But this was almost too much. How in the world was she supposed to keep running Stark Industries at this rate?

"I can't do this anymore, Tony" Pepper tried to smile but it failed, she looked to the man and saw only understanding in his eyes "I think it's best if I resign."

Steve's eyes widened, "Pepper, you don't have to-"

"Steve" Tony cut him off gently, still reeling from just how drawn his beautiful ex-secretary looked "It's her decision. Will you stay as Vice? For me?"

She nodded stiffly, "If you take back responsibility. I need you to help me with the media. I can't have my face on everything. I won't do it alone anymore."

"I'll be there" Tony took one of her hands from the vice grip she had on her skirt, bringing it close enough to kiss "I promise."

The rare tender touch was enough to break down the rest of her walls. With a strangled sound of grief, Pepper threw herself into his arms. This hug was more desperate than the last. He put a metal hand on her back and the other in her hair, comforting her as best he could.

"I'm so stupid, Tony" Pepper breathed, a few tears escaping.

"No you're not" Tony actually kissed her temple "You're really not."

Rhodey and Steve quietly excused themselves while the two clung to one another, the woman's sobs echoing through the floor.

xXx

Tony and Pepper all but vanish from the Tower for the next two days. They traveled all over New York and further to DC, tackling fires from the Expo backlash. The PR department and Rhodey wove up some stories and spread them, cooling a lot of the heat. At first it seemed like Team Stark would be on their own but after the proof that all the stolen technology was destroyed was presented the government reluctantly backed them up. It took a lot of promises on Tony's part, and for his credit he had tried to be nice. Eventually he gave them the ultimatum, telling them to shut up and deal with it.

"Iron Man isn't going away, so you better just suck it up and get it over with."

And once the major new channels starting running in favor of Stark Industries again, the fires stopped.

The public, as always, had backed Tony Stark up from the beginning. At the main conference they'd lined up outside and cheered for him, a chant of 'Ir-on Man! Ir-on Man!' echoing through the streets.

"My promise to the public is that if this ever happens again, I promise not to destroy half of Flushing Meadows taking care of it."

They'd only cheered harder.

Steve had given them breathing room, electing himself guardian of the Tower for the next two weeks. He had cleared the lab himself, using JARVIS as a guide to what could be reused and what could be thrown away. Once he and the DUM-E's got all the rubble and pieces cleared out of the way, the contractors showed up (ordered by Tony himself, already signed and paid for their privacy.) He'd given his help when it was needed but they seemed to know what they were doing.

Then at the end of the week, on a lazy Friday evening, the news channels erupted.

Steve had been relaxing in his bedroom with a small knife and an apple, peeling off the skin in one lazy movement while the TV played in the background. His mind had been drifting to the sketches on his wall, torn between covering it back in white or painting a mural of sorts over it. He'd only really painted a few times, it would be a fun little project to fill in the normal hours.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, sir. But there's something you should see."

Steve had given up trying to get JARVIS to call him by his first name. What started as 'Captain Rogers' had turned into 'Master Rogers', and for some reason he took it as an acceptance from the AI. If he knew Tony, the man had probably programmed JARVIS to deal out respect as he deemed fit.

"Go ahead."

Steve was too busy concentrating on keeping the peel in once piece to notice that the TV screen split up into a dozen different screens, each one a different new program. Bits and pieces of audio broke through, JARVIS sifting through them to bring out the important lines.

Captain America was spotted, in the flesh, at the Stark Expo.

Footage from the Expo shows a man many claim to be America's first super hero.

But is it a real deal? The guy's been gone for almost seventy years.

Listen, no one wants Captain America to be back more than me, but the guy just can't be real.

Witnesses claim the masked man destroyed drones on the ground, saving their lives.

He was in an Iron Man suit, for God's sake! He's obviously just another Stark stunt!

Steve sat up straight, knife slipping through the peel as he gaped at the TV. It seemed like every news station was running the Captain America story at once, competing with tons of footage and a variety of theories. Most of them were spouting his praises but the impossibility of his existence, a few channels were getting nasty, and only a handful were hopeful and optimistic about the whole thing.

But they all had one thing in common – they wanted to know if it was really Captain America.

"Oh jeez" Steve set the apple down "Has Tony seen this?"

"Master Stark and Miss. Potts are watching a few of the channels at the conference room in DC."

"Can you tell Tony he needs to come home for a night?" Steve inquired "No big rush, but we really should talk about this."

"Indeed, sir, I shall inform him immediately."

Steve rubbed a hand over his eyes, "Thank you."

"Shall I turn off the news, sir?"

"Please, if you could."

"May I recommend a movie?" JARVIS sounded almost timid.

Steve smiled, "Of course."

The screen went dark for just a moment, grey and white fading in to reveal curly lettering that read Holiday Inn. Steve's smile grew, he hadn't gotten a chance to see this particular movie back in the day. He crossed his legs and picked back up his apple and knife, resuming his peeling while the music began to play.

"Thank you" he whispered "If I could hug you, JARVIS..."

"You're more than welcome, sir."

xXx

The next night, Steve found himself watching a very different movie with company.

Tony had tucked them in the dark rec room and put on an old Batman movie, a bowl of popcorn drenched in melted butter tucked in the brunette's lap. They slipped in and out of discussion about the Captain America hype going around, the bouts of silence more thoughtful than awkward. They were stuck in a particularly long one, the soldier was hyper-focused on how in the world a gorilla strip tease was supposed to be attractive. Surprisingly it was Stark who broke the silence.

"You don't have to do anything about it" Tony explained softly "S.H.I.E.L.D. will throw a fit but they can't really stop you, you're not technically an agent yet."

"I'm as good as theirs" Steve pointed out "And Fury knows I have every intention of returning."

The other rolled his eyes, "Yeah I still wish you hadn't told them that. Those jackasses don't need anymore guns in their arsenal."

"You want me to stay here, is that it?" Steve teased him, laying his arm across the couch behind the man's head "You did say once I was Stark Industries property."

"You're mine, I told Fury that" Tony growled, settling just a little closer to the man and getting an arm around his shoulders for the effort "There's still so much you don't know yet, Cap."

The soldier tore his eyes from the screen and leaned into the man, brushing his nose across his earlobe, "Like what?"

"Like the fact your mask will come off" Tony shoved a handful of popcorn into his mouth "There's no hiding anymore, Cap."

"I hid my identity once" Steve's brow was creased "I plan on keeping 'Steve Rogers' separate."

"Good luck with that" Tony scoffed, then saw the hero pull away with a concerned and slightly offended expression "I don't mean anything by it, seriously. It's just not easy to hide in the world right now. It's less hassle to just be open about it and stay on high alert. That's why I'm Tony Stark, the Iron Man."

"Why can't I be Steve Rogers in here and Captain America out there?" Steve pulled away completely, getting the feeling that the billionaire was trying to tell him what to do "I don't see the problem."

The man raised a dark brow, "You'd know the problem if you hadn't broken all the phones I've given you."

"They were frustrating" the soldier shot back.

"Well every other person in the US has a phone, and those who don't have internet access" Tony explained patiently "And almost every phone has a camera that can snap a glimpse of your face in seconds. It takes someone barely a minute to upload that picture to the internet. I know you haven't been on much but imagine a very large, nosy JARVIS that only wants to know what you look like."

Blue eyes widened, "That happens?"

"Every day, ask any politician" Tony hated crashing reality down onto his soldier's head but this was kind of necessary "Your face is already out there as my boy toy, it's not long before they find your name. And once they see a resemblance they'll never stop trying to put you two together."

"They already have, I think" Steve chewed on the side of his lip.

"People are dumb, Cap. Seriously, they're like a box of painted rocks" Tony flicked a piece of popcorn, managing to catch it in his mouth "But a single person, like a reporter, is smart enough to ruin everything."

The blonde scratched the back of his neck, getting tense from all this stress.

"I just told them the truth, they can't do anything with that" Tony pointed out "One less thing to worry about."

Steve turned his eyes back to the screen but didn't really see what was going on, his mind still stuck on his secret identity. If he didn't have that separation...well, he didn't really have his family anymore. His mom was gone, his squad was gone, everyone involved with the project was either dead or too old to really remember anything.

"I'd protect you" Tony offered, lapping the butter off his fingers while gauging the soldier's reaction from the corner of his eye "You know that, don't you? You're completely safe here."

"What do I really have to lose anyways?" Steve thought out loud "I don't have any family or friends that aren't already associated with you. I've been seen with you out in public, at the gala and at Monaco. I fought alongside you at the Expo and the cameras seemed to have captured the entire thing on tape. They'll put two and two together."

"There aren't too many broad-chested blondes who can lift cars out there in the world" Tony offered the popcorn bowl as a peace treaty "People already see Iron Man and Captain America as a team."

Steve took a few pieces and popped them in his mouth, thinking back to the memorabilia room the other had, "And you like it?"

The genius ducked his eyes guiltily, "Maybe."

"Well if they're a team..." the soldier sighed like it was a big deal "What's so bad about Steve Rogers and Tony Stark being a couple?"

Tony perked up, "Seriously?"

Steve started to smile at the man's enthusiasm, "I don't see why not."

The bowl skidded across the table in front of them, wobbling dangerously and sending a few kernels tumbling on the glass. Tony slid into the soldier's lap, curling his fingers across the man's neck and pulling him up into a kiss. Steve moaned loudly as the hard body settled on his hips, his hands coming up to clutch at strong thighs to hold them in place. The kiss was warm and conveyed wave after wave of content, the genius humming against his lips.

He's never seen Tony this pleased about something, it was endearing.

It was like a promise for their future, sealed with a kiss.

xXx

Natasha knew the moment someone arrived at her window but she didn't shot it. She inched for her knife but it didn't seem to be a threat, her skin would be sizzling if it was and this was more of a buzz. She had been busy packing up the last of the Rushman alias's apartment when she'd first felt it, the tingle at the back of her neck that alerted her to being someone's main objective. She could almost see them in the glass now, she pulled out her knife and prepared for a one-hit kill.

Knuckles rapped against the window glass, she lowered the knife to the table.

Natasha turned around to a see a familiar set of sharp green eyes peering at her, "Clint, what the hell are you doing out there?"

"Dangling" came the casual drawl, his gloved hand disappearing above his head to grab the ledge again "Wanna let me in?"

"You could've used the elevator and the door" Natasha griped, knowing very well he would never do it "We're seven stories up."

"Hence the implied 'move your ass' part" Clint shifted "Open it or I'll kick it in."

"You're such a brat" the red head walked over and unlocked the window, the man swinging inside the moment he could squeeze through "I thought you were in South America?"

"I had to wrap it up, just got back today. Fury needs me for something" Clint shed his gloves and jacket on the bare table, making himself at home "It was a kind of a rush job."

She fixed the window back in place, "How'd that turn out?"

He hissed through his teeth and flexed his fingers in the air, "Messy."

She wrinkled up her nose, "It happens."

"Nice place, a cover?" but Clint already knew that, he plopped down on the couch and propped his feet up "Phil said you were infiltrating Stark Industries but he didn't have time to brief me. What have you been up to?"

Natasha started from the beginning, leaving out everything on Pepper while she got them both some wine. How Tony had been sick, about how good Captain America turned out to be, and how Vanko had tried to steal the technology only to be shot.

Clint stopped mid-drink at that, "A sniper? Was it one of ours?"

"All the Director told me was that it was internal" she sat back and kicked off her heels.

"Great, that's probably why I'm here now" the other groaned and let his head drop back on the couch "Either I'm going to get scolded for not getting back sooner to do the job or Fury's going to rub some rookie sniper in my face."

"It was no rookie" Natasha assured him "The hit was clean. The guy was in and out, he wasn't seen on a single camera. It was professional."

"Joy and rapture" Clint downed the rest of his drink before tilting the glass at her "Hit me."

She poured until it was nearly full, he took down half of it without hesitating.

"It must've been rough" Natasha observed.

Clint belched behind his hand, sinking further into the couch, "South America is rough this time of year."

Natasha wasn't sure how to change the subject so she just blurted it out, "I've been compromised."

Clint's eyes almost cut into her, "What happened?"

The pure concern and the underlying if anyone fucked with you I will kill them made her relax, at least enough to let the subject of Pepper to come up. It was like a dam broke beneath her heart, words rolling off her tongue without her permission.

"I screwed up so badly" Natasha confessed "There was this woman, Pepper. She was the CEO and she's beautiful. She has these legs that go on for miles and a smile even you would go for."

Clint nodded but didn't say a word, he was picky of his partners and his friend knew it.

"I seduced her" Natasha raked her nails through crimson curls, trying to understand why in the world she had done it "She wasn't my main objective but I worked under her, I was with her all the time, and it's impossible not to flirt with her. She gets all worked up over things and I loved being the one to calm her down. She counted on me for so much, I ran her life."

"Sounds like she appealed to that dominant streak in you" Clint teased.

The other agent cut him a glare, "You're the exact same, don't start with me."

His smile faltered, "I'm not like that anymore."

"What?" Natasha snapped "It was only-"

She broke off her own words, remembering just how long ago it had been since they'd tried a relationship on the job.

"Four years ago" Clint stated bluntly "Things have changed a lot since then. I've tried a few people, the usual meek natured types I used to go for, but they didn't do anything for me. I'm starting to think I need someone who's a bit more hands-on, you know?"

He waved away the notion, "But you're telling me about this Pepper. What happened between you two?"

"Nothing serious until I went to her apartment" Natasha smiled nervously at her friend's shocked expression "I told her I thought she was perfect, and I...I kissed her."

Clint's jaw dropped a little, "You slept with a target's best friend?"

"I barely touched her!" Natasha countered but it sounded weak even to her own ears "We didn't kiss again until I broke cover. I promised her we'd talk and I don't have time. Tomorrow 'Natalie Rushman' will be scrubbed clean from the Stark Industry database and I'll be on call for my next mission."

"When does it start?"

"I don't know" Natasha took up her glass, draining it easily "Coulson told me to expect a call any moment to head over to Moscow. A few agents have gone missing over there and I think they want me to either break them out or find out where they are."

"That means you'll be gone for a few months" Barton rubbed his fingers over his jaw, the stubble there scratching him "Tough. Are you going to try and see her before you leave?"

"I think so" Natasha started off with confidence but slowly started breaking down with each word "Maybe. I think so. Fuck, I don't know."

She dropped her head into her hands, letting out a frustrated growl, "This is my own fault. I shouldn't have fallen for a civilian. If Fury finds out my reputation is shot."

Clint clicked his tongue thoughtfully, "What matters more to you? Black Widow or Pepper?"

"Pepper, obviously" the agent replied instantly, she picked up her head to reveal an amazed expression "That was way too easy."

"Someone's got it bad" Clint teased, topping both their glasses off with the rich red wine "What's she like on the inside?"

"She's funny, sharp" Natasha had thought about it enough to make lists of the woman's praises "She can take the attention of entire room. She's passionate. She's so smart, Clint! She's so bright and I just want to touch it, I just want to be apart of it."

The pure misery in her voice was rare, a tone he almost never heard. It wasn't nightmare-bad or you-almost-got-killed sadness, it was incurable misery. For once he couldn't take it away, he couldn't hold her and tell her he was fine or it wasn't real. This was something different, this agony was deep in her heart where he couldn't reach.

"I think you should go for it" Clint replied decisively "She sounds awesome. I've never seen you talk about someone like this before."

"The fact that it's a woman doesn't bother you?"

Clint gave her a look, "Nat, please, I thought we were past this. Between the two of us we have an even list of men and women."

Natasha scoffed, "I think you mean 'boys' on your part. I've yet to see a real man in your bed."

Clint's lips turned up in a smile, "Like I said, things are different now."

"Yeah" she sighed, kicking her feet up on the table "Things were a lot simpler back in the day. It was you, me, a bed, a comm link to Coulson, and fake sex. It was easy."

"You try doing push-ups for almost an hour" Clint pushed her, getting a laugh "My arms were numb for twenty minutes after that!"

"We could've just had sex for real!"

"Listen here, pretty girl, I'm not into having sex while my boss listens in."

Natasha chuckled, curls spilling across the back of the couch, "It's kind of like having your dad walk in on you."

Their laughter died as the statement really drove home. Neither had really had dads, not in the technical sense. It was a sour note. Clint scooted closer and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, clinking their glasses delicately.

"Here's to falling in love when it's least convenient" he offered.

Natasha didn't say anything, but she leaned into the touch and drank to it.

xXx

Tony put together a large press conference in just two days, calling every nosy reporter and big name news channel he could think of. He liked to pretend he did it all himself but once word of Captain America attending got out there it was impossible to stop them from swarming for an invitation.

Tony had arrived way ahead of time, making sure everything was running smoothly as the press began to arrive. Pepper was by his side the entire time, taking things for him ("Just give it to me, he doesn't like being handed things") and cutting people off when they tried to weasel questions in.

"Coulson called" Pepper stated as they walked backstage, eyes on the tablet in front of her "He asked us not to do this. He said S.H.I.E.L.D. wanted to keep Captain America quiet."

"Did you tell him to bite me?"

"Of course" she smirked "But I assured him it was with all your love."

"Good, perfect."

"Speaking of..." Pepper tapped his shoulder "Steve's here."

Tony turned and there he was, the perfect man. Steve looked like he'd just stepped out of an old World War II romance novel, either that or straight out of teenage-Tony's dreams. How many times had he fantasized about turning around to find Captain America in the doorway waiting for him? Like in the old movies, just a dramatic turn and – bam! The most handsome soldier in all the world had been standing just out of eyesight.

Tony may have looked sharp but he was no Audrey Hepburn and Steve wasn't Fred Astaire.

But that didn't matter, not with his soldier looking so sharp.

Steve was clad in his dress blues, shoes polished to a shine and hair combed neat and swept perfectly. His broad shoulders held lots of metals and trinkets, buttons shining in the light and lined up neatly down the length of his torso. His hat was clutched between his hands, the golden eagle plaque shining just as brilliantly as his buttons.

Steve caught sight of the pair and smiled, exposing those pearly whites.

"Look at him" Tony breathed "He's an honest-to-God angel, Pep. I can't throw him to these sharks. I've seen his file, he's only – what? Twenty-three? Half my age."

"He'll be just fine" Pepper promised, smiling sweetly when she saw the pure concern on her boss's face "You've never thought about his age before."

"I've never announced to the world I'm in love before" he couldn't seem to catch his breath.

"Don't be so dramatic" Pepper jabbed him in the side "Pull yourself together. This is the one time he needs you to be a Stark."

The switch was flipped, he wiped the lovesick look off his face and replaced it with a broad grin. Steve came right up, eyes casting around the backstage area to take stock of who was where and the privacy level. A habit Tony found smart as well as endearing, another protective streak in the soldier.

"Nervous?"

"Maybe just a little" Steve admitted "I saw all those people."

"Don't be" he raked his eyes up and down the blonde "You look dashing. Try not to steal any more hearts than necessary out there."

Steve chuckled low in his throat, "I'll try."

"You look charming" Pepper tucked her tablet under her arm before she reached up to fix the soldier's tie just a fraction "They'll hang off your every word."

Steve nodded, "I only have one message and it's the truth. They'll have to listen."

Pepper tapped his cheek lightly, "You keep thinking that, sweetheart."

"Stop hogging him" the genius grabbed the woman lightly by the shoulders and switched their positions, running his fingers over the soldier's lapel "It's your big moment, you say whatever you want. You can't be anymore dramatic than me telling them I was Iron Man. That was a big blow-up. A few deep breaths, that's all it takes."

Steve held onto the words rather desperately when he was led to the stage, Rhodey was there waiting for them. Steve took the spot beside the colonel, sharing a respectful nod. Tony took the podium, Pepper close by as support. The Stark spoke smoothly, keeping their questions muted with quick words. The banter was easy, fluid, and soon enough he got to the point.

But on the other side of things, Tony couldn't breath past the lump in his throat. He was getting nervous for the soldier, the hungry eyes of these reporter stirring up the butterflies in his stomach. He kept his smile strong and his charm on full blast, and he didn't dare to look to the captain as he got to the heart of it all. He had the soldier's hat in one hand, he had taken it from the man in hopes to anchor himself.

It was kind of working.

"I think it's time we address these rumors of Captain America" Tony could see the flutter of anticipation in the crowd at his words "Today I've brought the only man in the world who can give you the absolute truth. Here he is, signed-sealed-and-delivered, Captain Steven Rogers."

Tony stepped aside, applauding with the rest of the audience as he took his place beside Pepper. Steve stepped up to the podium looking every inch the super hero he was, chin high and shoulders squared as if the entire world were watching. He'd explained to him briefly about the cameras and how they'd be recording live, but the soldier hadn't seemed to nervous about that particular fact.

"I'm afraid I'm out of practice with speaking in public" Steve flashed that smile and more than a few mics swayed in mid-air "So I can't promise to answer question you have. I believe there's only one that matters right now."

Steve chose a camera and looked into it, trying not to imagine all the faces out there that were staring at his own, "I am Captain America."

He might as well have punched a hole in a pool, the reporters all stood instantly and started raining questions down upon him. It got loud and bright all of a sudden but he kept his cool, after being inside the CAP-100 this was a piece of cake when it came to sense distortion.

"Captain! You were seen with Stark at the last charity gala! What's your relationship?"

"Was that you at Monaco?"

"Rumors state you're a fraud, what would you say to that?"

"Your face has been in the papers for months with Mr. Stark, why have you waited so long to resume super hero work?"

"Many have claimed you and Mr. Stark are a couple. Is that true?"

"Are you the original Captain America? How old are you?"

"How long have you and Mr. Stark been together?"

"Captain! Is this another Stark publicity scheme?"

Steve let the questions go on for a few more seconds before he raised his hand, "Please."

The reporters slowly quieted down, mics raised and cameras set on his face. Every eye was on him, he held everyone's complete attention like a giant beacon on the dark.

"It doesn't matter whether I'm who I claim to be or not" Steve began, letting his eyes slowly roam to every face one by one to get his point across "It doesn't matter what kind of relationship Mr. Stark and I have. I regret those years I disappeared, I do, when I was unable to help this country and the people who mattered most to me. All that matters right now is that I'm back...and I'm fit to fight."

The reporters stood still and quiet, blinking up at him like he'd just given them a new truth.

A petite female reporter took a step closer, putting her mic to her lips.

"Captain?" she asked, voice stilted in her hesitance "May I ask a question?"

He nodded, giving her an indulgent smile.

"Do you still believe in what you did back then?" she inquired, hope shining in her eyes "Do you still stand for the same things?"

"I will carry the same moral code as I always have" Steve replied, tone softening as he opened up just enough to show them his sincerity "I believe in people, ma'am. I believe they can be so good. Even in this new world, I see hope. I see it here, in you – in all of you."

Tony watched the crowd carefully, surprised at their reaction. They were looking up at Steve like he was some kind of messiah, glassy eyes wide as they hung on to each world. Some of them slowly sat down, mics hanging limp in their hands as they just listened.

"I know some people would like to call us vigilantes and accuse us of abusing the system" Steve was speaking of all the masked heroes out there, not just himself "I can't speak for all of them out there, I can only tell you that I'm not above the law and I don't intend to act like it. I'm just a kid from Brooklyn who met an amazing man and got really lucky. In more ways than one."

Steve's eyes skidded over to the billionaire, speaking a thousand more words in just that shared look.

"That man gave me a gift, and I want to share that gift with those who can't defend themselves" Steve turned back to the cameras, but that little flush from just seeing Tony's grin was still on his cheeks "My armor may be new, but my shield is the same and it's just as strong as ever."

Steve's smile was blinding, the petite reporter actually seemed to swoon back into her seat.

"Honestly, I hope you don't need me" Steve admitted "But if you do, and even if you don't want it, I'll be here. Ready to defend you."

Dead quiet had settled over press conference. The reporters who'd come to take pictures had their cameras in their laps and a thoughtful looks upon their faces. Some cameras threatened to sag as their operator peeked around them to get a good look at the soldier, as if contemplating whether he was for real or not.

Steve nodded sharply, "Thank you for your time."

Steve walked towards the end of the stage, passing the genius. Tony spanned his fingers across the soldier's shoulder blades, nodding and mouthing 'good job' at him. The moment he touched Steve, the crowd started clapping. It grew in seconds, everyone from reporters to generals had risen to their feet to give him a standing ovation. It became a roar, filling the room until it was almost alive.

Standing side by side, the couple tossed up matching peace signs and grins.

The next day, that picture was on the front of every major newspaper across the country.

xXx

Steve stood at the kitchen counter with a mug of fresh tea cradled between his palms, eyes drifting lazily over the paper spread out before him. He'd slept in before spent the entire day in the new and improved gym testing out the reinforced punching bag Stark had made for him. It was flattering to have specialized equipment in their home. Huh, their home.

Steve swept his wet blonde locks back, he had barely bothered to dry off before coming up to Tony's kitchen. It was bigger and better equipped than his own, the tea spread growing more and more each grocery trip thanks to Pepper's observant nature. He didn't want to admit it but he was kind of waiting on the billionaire to get home. He was off at a conference in upper New York, firmly cementing his position as CEO again and reiterating the non-weapons policy Stark Industries was taking.

Apparently some people were starting to stray and it was pissing Tony off.

The genius had been gone since yesterday shortly after the conference, promising to be back before the next night was out. The sun had been dead for hours, the moon was swollen in it's place.

Steve took a sip of his tea, hiding his smile as he scanned another picture of the two of them. It was of them in Monaco before the incident, talking lowly with their heads together. It wasn't as if he had to wait up on the man, he just wanted to. It was one of the many unspoken things between them, a silent agreement in their relationship to be there for one another. Tony would be exhausted after his trip and the soldier wanted to be there as a shoulder to lean on or just to listen.

No matter how brash Tony came off, Steve knew the man liked to be listened to. And even if he didn't understand half of what Stark was staying, the sentiment was still there. Tony's mind worked in a fascinating way and it was interesting to listen to his train of thought, leaving something like a bread crumb trail for Steve's more down-to-earth mind.

Tony's voice had a rhythmic quality to it, it was actually nice when he wasn't insulting anyone.

The faint ding of the elevator echoed through the floor, he smiled around the rim of the cup. His heart started picking up it's pace as he caught the sound of the Italian leather on the hard wood, signaling the man's approach. In moments Tony appeared around the corner, shucking off his tie and looking exasperated with the world.

"They're idiots, they're all complete morons."

Steve drank to that, "Bad meeting?"

"I might as well have been talking to myself" Tony admitted, shedding his jacket and tossing it on the nearest chair "I think they're trading old Stark weapons overseas. I'll look into it more tomorrow, it's just a hunch right now."

"I'm not surprised" Steve sighed "If you find anything I'll suit up and come with you."

"Thanks" Tony's smile was small but sincere "I've already hunted down a few suppliers and I have a couple red-lighted. JARVIS watches them at all times, any suspicious activities and we'll have the coordinates in seconds."

"I'm guessing Stark weapons are a hot commodity?"

"More than you know, gorgeous" the endearment rolled off his tongue before he could think, he tensed up and dropped his head to keep their eyes from meeting. He rubbed the back of his neck, working out some of the stiffness there and praying that the soldier didn't catch it. When he finally worked up the courage to look the man in the face he found him smiling softly, cheeks dusted pink like a doll.

"How's the new core holding up?" Steve inquired, swirling the last bit of his drink.

"Perfectly, and why wouldn't it be?" Tony raised a dark brow "I made it."

"But how do you feel?"

"Great, actually" the man came into the kitchen, leaning against the fridge and enjoying the cool steel along his back "It really does feel like new batteries."

"And your blood?"

"Nearly clean" he shot him a wink "Stop worrying. I told you I'd handle it and I did."

"Barely" Steve downed the rest of his drink, walking over to the sink to wash it out. He ran the water clear and hot, adding a dollop of soap to work on the few dishes he'd left from his dinner. There was a dishwasher and lots of disposable dishes in the flat but he preferred this act, it reminded him of being in the kitchen with his mother on soft Sunday mornings. Fresh sunlight would spill into their little kitchen and they'd stand side by side, her wrist deep in suds while he dried. They'd talk about art, music, school, anything really to take their minds off both their failing healths. Their neighbor's record player could be heard through the wall, playing a recorded piece from the new movie at the time Holiday Inn. Thanks to JARVIS he'd finally seen it but he had already known most of the music, his neighbor had some money to spend and a healthy obsession with Bing Crosby.

Steve whistled softly to the music playing in his head, remembering the record like it was yesterday.

"You're...easy to dance with" he sang softly, humming the rest.

Tony had never imagined the captain could carry a tune but it wasn't horrible, a bit like his own with that deep bow to it. He was thinking up a few jokes, most of them involving the Star Spangled Banner, when his eyes caught on the soldier's form.

Steve really was something to look at. His hair was still wet, mussed up and sending little droplets of moisture down the line of his neck. The white t-shirt he'd adorned was sticking to him in places, clinging to his muscles in a way that enticed someone to just look. Tony loved those broad shoulders and the way they tapered down to his solid waist. He knew the swell of the abs there but not well enough, he had yet to truly explore that area with his mouth.. As Steve washed the dishes the muscles in his back flexed and jumped, shoulder blades gliding beneath the shirt in graceful arches.

Tony started chewing on his lower lip as he imagined the other places his mouth hadn't been. He had yet to see the captain naked up close and personal, the cameras and the brief glimpses he'd gotten to their rare couplings hadn't been enough to satisfy the demon in him. And what a sinful monster it was, lust bringing a growl up from his chest. His eyes worked down the man's body to settle on the curve of his ass, almost hidden by the sweatpants he wore. He'd grabbed that ass a few times and could confirm it was as tight as it looked.

The man's cock started to take an interest in his thoughts.

Steve stepped back and bent down to grab a towel out of one of the drawers, the genius had to bite down on his lip even harder to stifle his groan. Tony reached down and palmed the growing bulge in his dress pants, dark eyes seeking every curve of the soldier all at once. He'd never been much for art but he definitely had an eye for beauty and Steve had caught it.

Steve wouldn't do any public magazine modeling, but maybe Tony could convince him to take a few "tasteful" photos for his computer backgrounds. All of them. Something with him covered and grease and posing on a motorcycle...sweat glistening on his brow, his hair swept back. A male pin-up with stone washed jeans, ripe strategically placed below the curve of his ass and across the top of his thighs.

Tony couldn't stop this moan, eyes glazed over in his fantasy.

"Are you too tired to eat?" Steve threw over his shoulder, stacking the dishes up as evenly as he could on the counter "There's still some of that oriental food you like in the fridge."

"You ordered Chinese?" Tony replied a little dully, trying to drag himself out of his pin-up daydream.

"JARVIS did" Steve confessed "I'm terrible over the phone. It's not like back then, there's no central operator and not everyone speaks English. They're very impatient if I don't know exactly what I want. I think I'm ready for a new cellphone though, I'd like to give texting another try."

"I'll take care of it" Tony offered, breath hitching when the other's shirt rode up to reveal a slice of skin just at his hipline. He caught a glimpse of a prominent hip bone and that's all it took to launch him into a new fantasy, one where he straddled those hips and rode the soldier until he screamed. And just like that he decided when their first time would be.

Tonight, right now. Slow and hot, passionate, sweet, filled with filthy talk and slow strokes.

"We've worked our asses off the past few days" Tony began, quietly closing the distance between them as the blonde drained the sink "I made a new element and you came out to the public, not to mention the CAP-100's success and our team up at the Expo. Pretty Earth-shattering stuff. I think we deserve a bit of a reward, don't you?"

"I like the sound of that" Steve made sure to wash all the soap from his hands, drying them on the towel he'd used for the dishes "What kind of reward?"

"A nice one" Tony came up behind him, snuggling in real close. He wrapped his arms around the soldier's waist, their height mis-matching at just the perfect angle for him to drop kisses along the side of his neck. Vanilla was still clinging to his skin from the shower, it was starting to become an aphrodisiac to the genius. Steve sighed and closed his eyes, letting the man do whatever he wanted. Tony took this permission in stride, keeping his touches sweet as he let a hand start wandering over the man's stomach.

"We deserve only the best kind of prize" Tony's voice was low, weaving a spell against pale skin with his lips and words "We've done so much...we deserve some personal time."

"Mmhmm" Steve tilted his head back, parting his lips to sigh when teeth scraped over the sensitive flesh. Tony's fingers eased under the hem of his t-shirt, tracing the lines of his jeans before his thumb settled just below his belly button.

Tony grinned, still mouthing the man's pulse while he stroked his thumb through his happy trail. The golden hair was almost soft under his touch, the shifting muscles beneath his hand reminding him it was a man he was trying to seduce. He pressed the evidence of his desire against Steve's firm ass, the soldier responded with a happy sound and a subtle rock back into him.

"One rule" Tony grazed his lips across the blonde's ear "I get to pick."

Steve braced his hands on the sink, the touch of the man's hard length through layers of clothes enough to send little sparks of lust through his groin, "What do you want?"

Tony inched his hand higher, skimming taut flesh until he reached those infamous pecs. He raked his nails across the muscle, the blonde hissed through his teeth.

"What would you give me?" Tony's voice was like a silk scarf across his neck, tightening up to leave him gasping for air.

"A-Anything, Tony" Steve replied, no trace of captain in his voice "Anything."

Tony's thumb grazed a pink nipple, finding it already stiff and waiting. So the man was as turned on as he was, the little pants and the the goosebumps giving him away. The genius wanted to push it, he wanted to start this night off with his intentions on the table. He admitted to half-baked daydreams about seducing the soldier with champagne, soft music, and an old romantic movie. But he could make due. Why not now? Why wait?

Tony tried for something romantic only to have the truth come out.

"I want to fuck you" he purred into the man's ear.

Steve's body went stiff, the brunette caught sight of the soldier's hands curling tighter along the edge of the counter. He was afraid he'd pushed too far too fast, Steve barely tolerated his cussing when they weren't on the edge of changing their whole relationship. He wanted to explain that it wouldn't just be fucking, it would be making love but that was just too embarrassing a phrase to utter.

He was on the verge of re-evaluating the entire conversation when the younger man raised his head enough to look over his shoulder, eyes dyed the color of a storm and face flushed with more than embarrassment. The skin beneath Tony's lips grew hotter, the blush working it's way down his neck.

"Would you really?" Steve whispered, surprise and apprehension mixing in his voice.

"In a second" Tony promised, fingers coming back to life to seek the other nipple "I would have you in every way you can imagine. The thought of you bent over my desk is enough to keep me warm down in the lab. In my bed, the jet, in the living room, while watching movies, it doesn't matter. Anyway you would let me."

The blonde shuddered, eyes slipping shut as the images flashed through his mind.

"I've been dreaming about it since I was thirteen" Tony admitted, trailing the edges of his nails across the man's ribs to get another little sound out of him "Every other night, there you were. But it was always Captain America fucking me."

Steve outright moaned at the thought of a young Tony dreaming about him, wanting him desperately and writhing in his bed. It should've felt hollow to think of a young boy desiring his body so fiercely that he dreamt of it, but all it did was fuel his own libido. The soldier's sweats were tented. His desire would ashamed him except he could still feel the other's hard flesh against him.

Tony urged him to turn around and he obeyed, he found the genius equally as flushed.

"Tonight I don't want that" Tony stated "Tonight I want Steve Rogers."

Steve took a slow breath in an effort to calm himself down, "I want that too."

"Thank God, this could've been really embarrassing" Tony teased, taking the blonde's hand "Let's go up to my room."

Steve stood still, "I can't...be with you in a bed where you've had so many other people."

Tony's smile didn't even falter, "The day you moved in I threw away that mattress and everything on it. Six hundred count sheets and smooth pillows, you'll think you're being blown in heaven."

Steve couldn't help but laugh at the vulgarity of that statement, "How thoughtful."

"I try" he brought up the man's hand to his lips, kissing the calloused fingertips "Come with me."

Steve nodded, /Always./

xXx

Steve had never been in Tony's room before. It was bigger than he had imagined, faerie lights dotted along the edges of the ceiling and floor now that the sun was down. The artist in him noted the shade as bright cerulean, a recurring theme in Stark's work.

"Twenty-three percent light" Tony muttered between their kisses "One hundred percent windows."

Steve was confused until he saw that JARVIS had changed the brightness, the lighting adjusted to the perfect balance of intimacy and privacy. He could still see every bit of him but the shadows were a blanket, a curtain from reality and the prying world. But the world was out there, the tinting on the wall-wide windows disappearing to reveal the hues of Manhattan. He gaped, allowing the genius to rain attention on his neck as he marveled at yet another futuristic device in the Stark Tower. His own windows had blinds, this was something new.

Tony noticed the blonde's awe and tightened his grip on his hand, "Let me show you."

The pair walked over to the window, gazing out on the magnificent city. From this high up it felt like being in the Iron Man suit, like he could touch the stars if only he reached up high enough. It was just a floor up from his own view but it was completely different. Maybe it was the heady mix of emotions in his chest or maybe just being with Tony, but it looked even more breathtaking at the moment.

"It's..." Steve began, looking for the right word.

"You surpass it" Tony interrupted smoothly "Trust me, you put the skyline to shame with that profile."

The soldier looked to him, "You don't have to seduce me, Tony, you've got me."

"Do you want me to lie?" Tony leaned against the window, still looking the man over "Fine. You're as homely as the broad side of a house. I'm definitely not thinking about letting you fuck my mouth up against this window right now. And I'm certainly not contemplating having sex with you here just to show this city you're mine and mine alone. You inspire no lust in me, these pants just make it look that way."

Those words made his ears burn. Steve couldn't help but look down, he could see the curve of the man's cock tenting the trousers. He was glad for his own practical underwear keeping his own in check, there was nothing more embarrassing than looking like an adolescent.

Tony grinned, "Don't tell me the wholesome Captain America likes to be talked to like a ten dollar whore?"

"Of course not" Steve shot back, shedding his damp shirt to make the man's breath hitch "But I think Steve does."

"You can't possibly look at yourself and not see all that" Tony pushed off the window, eyes glued to the sculpted torso.

Steve looked in the window at his reflection, brow drawn together, "I just see me."

The brunette's smile grew more affectionate, "You're still not used to it, are you?"

"Not really" Steve confessed "I had a while back then but the war made it all go pretty fast. Before I knew it I'd lost my best friend, and after that I met a metal man who flew through the sky."

"I wish it had been like that" Tony got a far away look "I lived an eternity before I met you."

Steve remembered the man's capture, the torture he wasn't supposed to know about, the way he'd gotten his reactor. One day Tony would tell him but it wouldn't be today, he didn't want to ruin the tender thing blooming between them. He reached out and grabbed the man by the back of the neck, pulling him into a kiss that cleared both their mines. Tony moaned softly before pulling away, backing up until he could sit down on the bed.

"Strip" it was a gentle command, a question in his eyes.

Steve took a few hesitant steps toward the bed, stopping in front the genius before raking his teeth across his lower lip. His heart was like a trapped rabbit in his rib cage, threatening to jump out any second at the thought baring his body to this man. It was another one of those trust issues, the ones Howard had planted and both Starks had nourished with lies and hasty decisions. But this was no moment to doubt. Not with those startling dark eyes begging him.

Steve hooked his thumb in his pants, pushing them down to let them pool around his feet. He kicked them aside, keeping his eyes on the floor as he grabbed the elastic of his underwear. He didn't want to see any flashes of disappointment. He'd seen a woman in nothing but her underwear gyrating on Tony's lap, this mediocre show of his body probably did little for the playboy. He bent down and shed his underwear, revealing the evidence of his lust at last.

Steve finally managed to look up, eyes widening at the sight of the other man stroking himself through his pants. The billionaire's gaze was burning him as it took in every inch of his body, lingering on his swollen cock as if it were a prize.

"Come here, gorgeous" Tony husked "Let me touch you."

Steve walked closer without fear, gaining confidence with every heave of the man's chest. Tony moved faster than the soldier thought he could outside his suit, striking his ankle and throwing his balance off. A strong hand seized his neck and pulled him down, forcing him face-down on the mattress. Steve responded on instinct, breaking the hold and flipping around to fist and pull dark hair. He sat up and dragged the genius into his bare lap, the expensive pants against his erection pulling a whine out of him.

Tony settled happily into his lap, "You got me."

"That was a cheap shot" Steve grabbed him by the belt loops, thankful the man had shed that particular accessory on the way up to the room "And you're not even naked yet."

"I don't know" the genius let his fingers tease drying blonde locks, pushing them out of the man's eyes "There's something sexy about you being completely naked between my thighs while I'm still dressed."

Steve shifted, the friction against his cock enough to make him leak, "How do you plan to have me with all these layers?"

"Soon" was his only answer.

They kissed again, this time more slowly. Steve's hands started fumbling against buttons in an effort to remove the man's shirt, managing somehow to get them free without ruining the material. In all honesty he wanted to rip the dress shirt apart. Yet there was a satisfaction to pushing it down the man's arms, exposing him just a little more.

Steve pulled away, "Is this silk?"

Tony looked down at his dark silk, "It's the best thing for keeping the reactor light contained in a white shirt."

"I've never seen a...what do you call it now? Technically?"

"Muscle shirt."

"Strange" Steve chuckled to himself "I've never seen it look like this. Only you could pull this off."

Tony grabbed the hem and pulled it over his head, tossing it over the edge of the large bed. The reactor bathed the soldier, highlighting his eyes and the thick chest. It was a new experience.

"Confession time?" he offered, hoping to keep the mood light.

Steve stilled his fingers in mid-air, cutting off his intention to trace the scarred skin around the reactor, "What is it?"

"I haven't been naked with another person since all this happened" Tony gestured to the device "The few times I let off some tension I kept my shirt on. You're the first in a long, long time."

"I think it suits you" Steve dragged him closer, nosing the protective glass along the reactor. He jerked back with a gasp, surprised that it was almost buzzing. He couldn't hear a hum but he could feel it, reminding him of the raw power they'd both felt when it was created.

He searched for the right word, "It's...purring."

A laugh bubbled from the genius's lips, "It likes you."

"Does it still, you know, glow when you're happy?" Steve asked, leaning in to kiss it this time.

"I don't think so, but I can't really tell" Tony watched the soldier trail more kisses downward, lips grazing scarred flesh soon enough "It's always bright around you."

Steve smiled, his fingers joining his exploration of the flesh he'd longed to touch.

"I can make a filter if it bothers you" Tony babbled, he could feel the pressure (and not much else) but the sight of the man shamelessly enjoying himself sent fire through his veins "No one wants a big night light shining in their face their first time. Could put the shirt back on."

"Don't you dare" Steve snapped, then softened "Do you know how long I've waited for you to let me touch this? It's so..." he dragged his teeth along the smooth tissue "Intimate. You're the first to touch me at all, and I'm the first to touch you here."

"It's like we're virgins" Tony snarked, getting a sharp bite right beside his nipple "You act like a wilting flower, Cap, but I think there's a sex kitten in there somewhere."

Steve dug his other hand into the man's hip, snagging a nipple between his teeth and biting. Tony bucked against him, fisting blonde hair and forcing him into a kiss.

"Maybe a sex cougar" he corrected against his lips before kissing him harder, releasing soft locks in favor of working open his pants. It was struggle to get them off, he ended up flopping down onto his back and wriggling out of them. They both laughed as the frustrating material clung to his legs, it took the captain's grip to finally yank them off. He was toeing off his socks, throwing out a comment about the unsexy side of spontaneous sex, when he realized the other's eyes had glazed over.

"What's wrong?" Tony started to sit up only to have a broad palm smack across his chest, pushing him back down. He watched him carefully but obeyed the silent command, the soldier shifted out from under him to kneel on the bed. He wet his lips at the sight of that full-cock, serum-enhanced or otherwise it was impressive. He couldn't wait to feel it on his tongue again, against his stomach, inside him...they had all the time in the world again.

"I've never really touched another man like this" Steve stated the obvious, eyes still lingering on the thick cock hidden under dark underwear "Can I...try?"

The iron hero couldn't help but goad him, "Try what?"

"You know" his ears felt warm again, he hated how inexperienced he came off "What you did with your...your mouth, on the plane. Can I try?"

"You can try whatever you want" Tony relaxed into the bed, parting his legs a little in a sign of trust "I'm game."

"Just...lie still for me" Steve snagged the edges of the man's boxer briefs. He actually closed his eyes for a moment and took a breath, psyching himself up so he didn't make any embarrassing lustful noises when he finally saw the man naked. Tony wasn't the only one who had dreams. He pulled them down and off, letting them join the rest of their clothes on the floor. The soldier lost all the breath in his lungs and couldn't quite catch it back, he memorized every inch of flesh in front of him.

"I know you said you look your best in those suits" Steve sounded wrecked, he knew he had a lovesick look on his face but he couldn't help it "But right now...I can't think of a single person in the world who would turn you down."

He cut his eyes up to the man's face, eyes bright and fierce, "No one can see you like ever again, no one but me. I'll gouge their eyes out if they even dare."

Tony could feel all his blood rush further south. Why in the hell was that so incredibly hot? Maybe a little bit of Captain America in bed tonight wouldn't be such a bad thing. He attention was stolen as the soldier shifted back and down, kissing just beneath his reactor again. He trailed down his smooth stomach, keeping his touch light until he reached the sensitive 'v' of his hips. Part of his hip bone fetish was because that particular area on him was-

"Ah!"

Steve looked up, surprised at the high pitched noise the older man made. Tony seemed just as surprised, a hand coming up to touch his mouth like he wasn't sure what just happened. Steve looked down at the smooth flesh, not as defined as his own but strong and apparently sensitive. He smiled before kissing along the muscle again, dragging his teeth across it to get a moan out of the genius. A hand laced in his hair, not quite gripping but an anchor nonetheless. He suckled until he brought up a dark hickey, the musky scent of the man's drowning his senses. He sat up a little and decided to just go with it, releasing his nerves and letting his desire take over.

One little noise of anticipation from the other hero shattered any hesitation he had left.

Tony's gaped as the soldier took him firmly in hand, giving him a few sure strokes that put him at full glory. Steve wet those pink lips before touching the crown, tasting and experimenting with the texture of his cock. Tony forgot what it was like to be with a virgin, how new everything was. It was a breath of fresh air. The other man was highlighted by his reactor and the LED lights, giving him somewhat of an angelic glow. It was obscene to watch him start to take in his hard flesh but fuck if it wasn't good. Hot pleasure shot up through his body as the soldier slowly swallowed down his cock, making little pleased noises with each bit more he managed.

Steve pulled off with a wet pop, mouth already swollen and red as he tried to catch his breath, "You made it look so easy."

"Please tell me that's a call for practice" Tony tried not to moan it out but it was hard when your childhood hero just had your cock in his mouth.

"Does that mean I'm doing it right?"

Tony huffed out a chuckle, "Anything with your mouth on my dick is right."

"Vulgar brat" Steve muttered against the side of his cock, taking one more breath before trying again. The flesh was heavy on his tongue and blood-warm, pulsing against his lips with each hard suck. It was strange and new, the pure male hormones on his palate driving a base desire in him to full flame. He made up for his lack of technique with enthusiasm, working the flesh the way he had liked done to him. He gripped what he couldn't get down his throat, remembering what movement got the most sound so he could do better next time.

Tony couldn't shut his eyes. Steve was even more beautiful with his plush lips wrapped tight around his cock. He felt a little bit like a dirty old man but he had always liked his partners sweet faced and young. He fisted his hand in blonde hair again, loving the color against his skin.

"I think my love of blondes started with you" he gasped out, heart jolting in his chest when blue eyes fluttered open to gaze up at him. Steve pulled off of him again, rearing up on his knees and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He stopped and gazed down at the slick skin, he carefully licked the excess back up.

The taste of pre-cum danced across his tongue, he made sure to get it all.

Tony sat up and tugged him into a kiss. Tasting himself on the other hero's tongue made his hips flex, desperate for more friction. If he'd been ten years younger he would've made the blonde drink down his cum before getting it up again to fuck him, right now he wasn't sure how well that plan would go. It had been a trying week, his body was still recovering from the poison, and-

"Stars above" Steve said it like a curse, his voice strained "Tony...I want you to own me."

Suddenly Tony felt ten feet tall and invincible. He would get off ten times tonight if it meant satisfying his pretty soldier.

Tony touched the man's jaw, "Lay back."

Steve dropped his eyes, realizing what was coming next, "Okay."

The brunette slid over to the end of the bed while the other got settled further up against the pillows. He dug through the bedside drawer and grabbed the slim tube of sweet-smelling slick he had bought just for this occasion. His cock was swollen and needy against his stomach, he could barely think past the constant throb of want coursing through him. His fingers skimmed the edge of a condom, he paused.

Tony grabbed the string of golden wrappers and held them up questioningly, not daring to look over his shoulder. This decision was completely up to Steve. Everyone and their mother knew about Tony's sexual prowess, he wouldn't blame the man if he wanted him to glove up. The thought of sinking into tight, bare heat was dizzying but it wasn't his choice.

"Don't bother" came the soft reply to the silent question.

Tony smiled gratefully and tossed them back in the drawer, turning to crawl back up the bed. He paused when he saw how good Steve looked against his sheets, the dark navy stark against his pale skin. Steve's eyes were wide and honest, his expression unguarded.

/I am the luckiest guy in the world/ Tony smile widely, flashing all his teeth /This is a dream and I'm going to wake up any moment. Don't let me wake up before it's over./

Steve's eyes darted to the lubricant in the man's hand, breath hitching. It was an innocent act, one of nerves and desire, but it reset the other's lust for a moment. Tony crawled up to his side, splaying his fingers across the soldier's stomach.

"Are you sure you trust me with this?" Tony asked, refusing to meet his eyes as he watched his fingers stroke the firm flesh "I know I'm an ass, I lie and drink and fuck everything in a skirt. It doesn't matter what I said earlier, we can do whatever you want. You can have me or we could just stop, I wouldn't blame you."

Steve sighed and grabbed the man by the back of the head, /Just like his father. That Stark mask comes off when he really cares about something. He's just as insecure as me./

"You said you loved me" Steve began, saying it out loud for the first time since the roof "Did you lie about that?"

"No" Tony replied honestly, cringing as the truth was ripped out of him by that steady gaze "If we're being honest here...I've never loved anything more."

"Then it's fine."

"How can you say that?" Tony looked over the naked body in front of him with reverence "You could have anyone, seriously. You could share this with anyone."

"We fight, Tony" the soldier explained softly, growing hotter under the man's close inspection "We have a thousand problems to get through, and this won't make it all better. But it's okay because it's what we both want. Trust is a process, right?"

Tony leant down and mouthed a sensitive nipple, getting the other to arch up, "Sex changes everything."

Steve shuddered, the brush of beard against his stiff flesh sending the blood rushing back to his cock, "N-Not for Tony Stark."

"Maybe not before" Tony left the peak wet, catching the blonde's eyes "Steve, if I'm inside you...I don't think I can let you go."

Steve's smile was blinding, "Then don't."

Words died between them, a kiss sealing off anymore doubts or worries. Tony rolled onto the the soldier, both moaning as they touched skin to skin for the first time. It was almost unbearably hot, hands grasping and stroking in hopes of finding every inch of bare flesh. It was all about touch. They rolled, Steve's weight settling over him for only a few brief moments before they rolled back. It was fluid, a subtle fight for dominance that they knew Tony would win.

"I've wanted to touch you for years" Tony breathed, teeth biting flesh that would heal before the night was over.

"Big talk" Steve shot back with more confidence than he really felt, he grabbed the lube and shoved it into the older man's hand "Show me."

"Just you wait, pretty boy, you'll be seeing stars."

The man's smart mouth descended on him, working down his length with the same expertise he'd displayed on the plane all that time ago. Steve whined and rocked his hips, he'd never been so worked up in his life. The sensations were still new and they mucked up his mind, he barely registered that the other was slicking his fingers up for the main event. How long would he last like this? All this waiting and wanting...he doubted either of them would last long.

A warm hand slid between his thighs, something slick touching his entrance as if asking for attention. He parted his legs more, giving the last permission. Tony's tongue swirled around the sensitive crown as he pushed in, making the soldier cry out at the double sensation. The gel seemed to cool the burning, close to the fresh sensation of mint.

"Made this just for you" Tony licked up a stripe up the thick sex in front of him "Modified to fit your healing rate, takes the sting out."

"Thoughtful" Steve sighed with a smile, chest stuttering as he tried to keep his voice steady. His head felt light and his eyes wouldn't stay open. It was overwhelming to say the least. A second finger slipped inside him as the man took him all the way down his throat, wrenching an obscene moan from the flushed blonde. He didn't know how much time went by after that, between the other hero's talented mouth and insistent fingers he fizzled out of reality.

Steve came back when lips took his, he managed to pry open his eyes to find the man staring back.

"There you are, gorgeous" Tony smiled "I thought I lost you for a second."

Steve whined when the man's calloused fingers slipped out of him.

"Are you ready?" Tony strokes his hands down his thighs.

He nodded, "Please, I feel...empty."

The older man moaned at those words.

It was a slow dance, a deep kiss shared before Steve was rolled on his stomach. A pillow was pushed beneath his hips with the promise that it would help, his thighs parted by rough hands. Steve grabbed another pillow and clung to it, breath coming faster as he listened to the other slick more lube along his cock. Tony wasn't small, maybe not up to his serum level but still more than he thought such a small hole could take. His face was hot to the touch, heart pounding a warrior rhythm in the base of his throat. He could feel everything, his skin hypersensitive.

Tony's lips skimmed the soft skin below his ear, "You look gorgeous like this, Cap. Thinking of keeping you like this all the time."

"Impractical" Steve grunted, arching his hips up when he felt the hard length brush his thigh.

"More like incredibly sexy" Tony teased, getting him to smile "Just breathe. It will only hurt for a second."

"Then it'll get better?" he asked hopefully.

"Don't worry" the genius actually nuzzled him "Tell me to stop and I will. It's not like taking a punch."

For once Tony Stark was gentle and careful, easing in the impossibly tight body with a slowness he didn't think he was capable of. They both groaned, the hard body beneath him arching up for more. Once he was sheathed to the hilt he stilled, droplets of sweat rolling down his spine as he panted against the blonde's shoulder.

Steve pushed back, pupils blown wide and mouth wide open, " 'M not glass. Fucking move."

Tony smirked at the swear, shifting his grip on the man's hips to get a better hold. He set a hard, slow rhythm...long strokes that made Steve growl and spread his legs for more. His man was no wilting flower, he'd said that earlier. This was just proof. He took it like a soldier, pushing back and demanding more with each pump of his hips. It wasn't a rough coupling by any means but it was hot, driven by lust and the need to cement their relationship.

It was a claim, one they placed on each other.

Each time Steve clenched up around him it said, No more women, just me, forever.

Every time Tony hit that sweet spot inside his lover he said, See what I do to you? See how I make you moan? No one else can do this for you.

Steve could feel the wetness in his eyes but he didn't care. This was what he wanted his first time to be like, full of passion and with someone he loved. A scientist and an artist, two bodies creating something beautiful together. This would be their equalizer. Here, right now, it didn't matter that Tony was a hundred times smarter than he would ever be. Here they created together, they invented, they tried out new things on a level playing field.

They were creating their own love. Maybe a little rough around the edges...but it was theirs.

Soon enough they felt the fire in their bellies, the deep spiral that meant the beginning of the end. Steve found himself shoved to the edge of his climax almost by his lover's words alone, the filth the man uttered in his ear making his cock drip and stain the sheets beneath. The reactor digging into his back added a whole new sensation, each thrust inside him branding the shape into his flesh.

"So pretty all spread out for me" Tony nipped marks into the man's neck "It's all I've been thinking about for months. You're so tight, barely letting me in...so hot on the inside. I can feel you winding up, gorgeous, I know how close you are. I haven't even touched your cock and you're ready to spill for me."

"Tony!" Steve moaned and bit into the pillow, his thighs threatening to give out as they trembled. He'd never in a million years believe he could come without a touch, but from the liquid heat building up at the base of his cock he thought it was possible.

"You want me to touch you?" Tony sounded just as needy as he was "You want me to make you come?"

Steve nodded, ripping the material beneath his fists the second the man's hand curled around his aching flesh, "Close."

"I've got you" the older man drove into him hard, abusing that little bundle of nerves inside the soldier "I've always got you."

"Ah!" Steve pushed back hard, the heat cresting up through his loins "Tony!"

Tony would never be able to replicate this sensation, this pure moment. His hero tightened up around his cock better than any women had ever done, the powerful body beneath his trembling and rocking almost helplessly as his orgasm overtook him. It was a beautiful thing to watch Captain America toss his head back and whimper Tony... like a prayer.

Tony felt his own climax tear through him, he bent down and buried his nose in the dip of the man's spine. He found his release to the scent of vanilla and cum, the heady mix fogging up his brain. Steve made the sweetest keening sound as he was filled, hips still flexing as he took every drop.

They weren't sure how long they stayed like that, pressed together and panting, but it was long enough for the hickey Tony had bit into his lover's flesh to heal. The genius pulled out carefully, rubbing his thumb across the red rim to check for blood.

"Does it hurt?" Tony rasped.

Steve shook his head, slowly raising up on his arms. He tossed the cum stained pillow off the bed, behind him the genius pulled off the over-sheet and kicked it off the edge as well. The soldier turned and sat down on the bed, he could feel the other's essence trickling out of him. It was kind of satisfying to know that Tony had never spilled inside anyone else.

They got a good look at each other and smiled.

"You look happy" Steve pointed out.

"And you look tired" Tony countered.

An opposite for both of them.

"Shower?" the genius yawned.

Steve shook his head, crooking his finger at him, "Bed."

"Caveman talk" Tony laughed, crawling up the bed to collapse against the pillows "Even sexier than pillow talk."

Steve started to reply but the moment his head hit the pillow he found himself yawning.

In moments, with only their hands touching, they fell into the best sleep they'd ever had.

xXx

The sun hinted at the horizon, shades of lavender and pink painting the sky beautifully. Stark Tower caught the light first, just starting to shimmer in the early hour. In the lab the DUM-E's hummed and went about their maintenance work, fixing what they could and scanning the floors for any remaining rubble. Little bots lazed across the upper floors to sweep and sanitize, their little attachments buffing the hard wood behind them.

It was a normal day.

In the highest floor of that tower laid two super heroes, face to face and buried waist-deep in blankets. The morning had a chill and JARVIS seemed to think the temperature was fine, letting them bask in each other's warmth instead. Their bodies still stained with cum and dried sweat clinging to their skin, the two of them had never been so content. They'd awaken an hour ago but had refused to move, they hadn't even spoken.

Steve scooted closer and brought his fingers up to tangle in dark hair, smiling softly, "I like your hair better when you don't slick it back. I forget how long it is."

The locks fell over the man's brow, just starting to get into his eyes.

"Gotta look professional" Tony slurred, face half buried in the pillow.

"Last night..." Steve bit down on his lip.

"You hurt?" Tony woke up a bit more, blanketing the hand in his hair "I can get you something for it."

The soldier shook his head, "I'm okay."

The other relaxed more, " 'M glad."

"You know, when you said you loved me, I was afraid you just wanted me to stop yelling" Steve confessed, still sifting through the dark tresses "I know we've been getting closer, but I couldn't comprehend that someone like you would want someone like me."

Tony took his hand out of his hair and kissed it, "Someone like you?"

"Thought you'd want someone more on your level, intellectually" Steve explained "I know I sound like an insecure jackass. I'm ruining it, aren't I?"

"More cursing? Why, Captain..."

Steve pushed his face into the pillow, wondering if he could smother himself and get the tender moment back.

"Look at me, gorgeous."

The nickname made his heart flutter like a bird, he turned his head and looked to the genius again.

"It took my months to work up the nerve to tell you I love you" Tony played with the strong fingers, lacing them with his own "It's a hard thing for me to admit. Caring is...new. So I may not say it a lot, but I mean it. Because..."

Tony's voice was weak, he hated being so vulnerable. He closed his eyes pressed the man's fingers to his forehead, hiding the tenderness on his face behind his hand.

"Because you're the only person I've ever wanted to say it to."

Tony yelped when he was tackled, rolled over twice before the soldier settled on top of him. The blonde was positively beaming at him, flashing all those pearly whites and dimples. Tony could see that kid from Brooklyn there in his smile.

"Why?" Steve asked, still smiling like a kid on Christmas "Why are you doing all of this for me? The suit, the rooms, this side of you – why?"

Tony rolled his eyes, a smile breaking out over his own face, "Someone has to look out for you."

They kissed slow and sweet, enjoying this moment for all it's intimacy.

Steve parted first, "I can make waffles."

Tony considered the possibilities, "JARVIS, time."

"Seven twenty-three AM, sir."

"Too early" the older man grabbed blonde hair and pulling him down into another kiss "Waffles for lunch."

Steve hummed against his lips, "Deal."

They weren't perfect by any means, but maybe imperfection was underrated.

xXx

Later that day, after waffles and syrup sweet kisses, Tony got a call from Fury to come to an address. He arrived to find armed agents outside an abandoned, run-down building. He'd been led through the facility by a suited escort to a cement room with high windows, crates lined along the walls. Some cases were open and set up to reveal screens depicting everything from news of the Expo disaster to the damage reports, one display holding only the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo. There was a table in the middle of the room lined with files, a chair on either side of it.

Tony sat down in the nearest one, looking around again. There were a few guards in the room but they were all silent, no sign of Fury. He tapped the desk, scratched his beard, ran his hands through his hair, then finally broke down and snagged one of the files. It read Avengers Initiative in bold letters, along with a smaller Preliminary Report. He had no idea what this was. Well, he had an idea, but it had been an off-hand comment from Fury about a group.

A hand came down and smacked the report onto the table, he looked up to see the director standing on the other side of the table, "I don't think I want you looking at that."

Tony raised a brow in silent question, the man sat down.

"I'm not sure it pertains to you anymore" Fury clarified, bringing up another file "Now this, on the other hand, is Agent Romanova's assessment of you. Read it."

Tony took the folder that was slid over to him, flipping it open to scan through the contents.

"Ugh, let's see. Personality...compulsive behavior" Tony rolled his eyes "In my defense, that was last week when I was dying and all."

Fury's hard look didn't falter.

"Prone to self-destructive tendencies. Yeah, again, dying."

The man didn't even blink.

Tony found another phrase that bugged him, "Textbook narcissism. Fine."

He kept going, perking up when he reached the end, "Here we go. Recruitment assessment for the Avengers Initiative. Iron Man: Yes."

Tony flashed the man a smirk, "See? I'm awesome."

Fury cocked his head, "Read on."

Tony pulled a face and flipped it back open, following the text, "Tony Stark...what?"

The billionaire's heart dropped into his stomach, "Tony Stark not recommended."

Tony slammed the file down, drumming his fingers across it, "I don't get it. How can you approve me but not approve me? You're not getting my suit and no one could possibly man it as well as I can. There's nothing wrong with me anymore. I got a new ticker, I patched things up with Steve and we're stable-ish. I'm even CEO again. Responsibility, honesty, I'm on it. I even built Cap a suit, how cool is that? Tell me I'm not Avenger material. I dare you."

Fury laced his hands together, setting them on the table in a deliberately calm manner, "At this juncture, we would prefer to bring you in as a consultant."

"You couldn't afford me" Tony snapped back "Whether you like it or not, Cyclops, I'm kind of a super hero now."

"You're not our type of hero" Fury countered.

"I'm fine now!"

"But for how long?" Fury barked, the genius reared back "How long will you stay sane? How long until you get bored or you go rogue? How long until our rules don't suit you anymore?"

Tony scoffed, "I can follow rules when it comes to saving lives."

"Really?" the director needled "Because it seems like when it comes to doing what you think is right the rules end up getting bent."

"Then let me straighten them out for you" Tony snatched up the file that read Captain America, brandishing it like a badge "If I'm out, so is he. No Iron Man? No Captain America. We're a team now."

"I can't count on Rogers keeping you in check all the time."

"Well that just sucks for you" Tony smirked, throwing down the folder "Because he won't join without me. There's no way he'd leave my side. So either approve me or lose your leader, you choose."

Tony stood so hard he knocked his chair back, offended and hurt by the assessment. He practically growled at the guard to let him by and he obeyed, the genius disappeared into the hall.

Fury leaned back in his seat and rubbed his thumb across his temple. He didn't get paid enough to deal with spoiled rich kids who wanted to play with their toys in public. Stark had a lot to prove before he was Avenger material. Hell, he wasn't even sure the initiative would make it off the ground. He swept his gaze over the files spread out before him, wondering not for the first time if this Avengers thing was even a good idea. His phone vibrated in his jacket pocket, he yanked it out with an impatient grunt. He flipped it open and pressed it to his ear, barking out an order to speak.

There was silence over the line.

Fury bared his teeth, "Who the hell is this?"

"Peek-a-boo."

The voice was like gravel to his ears, he knew it all too well. He snapped his phone shut and tossed it on the table, irritation replacing any real anger he may have felt.

"So I take it you heard everything?" Fury spoke to the empty expanse of room "You can come out. Stark's gone."

A crate on the far right shifted, a rumbling sound coming from inside. The guards immediately drew their weapons, he held up his hand to signal them to stop.

"Don't even bother" Fury stated "It's a waste of time to shoot him. Trust me, I've tried."

A blade slid out from the edge of the crate, wiggling around a little before hitting the latch. With a twist the metal was popped and flipped open, the blade shooting back inside. After a moment the lid was lifted, revealing just who he thought it had been.

"Oh goodie, you've changed into your suit" Fury drawled sarcastically.

"Yeah, that civilian get-up wasn't really working for me" the man hopped out of the crate and started stretching. The suit matched the color of his mask, a thick utility belt slapped across his waist along with two pistols. His favored swords were crossed across his back, more weapons most likely hidden on his person.

"How did you get in there?" Fury sounded exasperated "And what happened to whatever was in there?"

"I dunno" the man shrugged, looking back inside the crate "Can't really remember what was in there to start off with. I think it was round...or square...or something. Some kind of shape."

The director grumbled under his breath, scrubbing a hand over his face, "You could've just used the door."

"You know me and doors" the man strolled over, kicking back up the chair Stark had left and spinning it around so the back faced the other man "They always seem to fall on me."

Fury watched the man sit down and fold his arms across the back of the chair. He didn't often deal with him, at least not in the positive way, but this had been an extreme circumstance.

"You did good on Vanko" Fury admitted, knowing it had to be said eventually.

"Aw, Nicky, it was nothing" the man was teasing him "I'm always happy to help old friends. Don't know why you didn't let the Iron Fury take care of it. Him and Captain Underpants had that guy hands down."

"It's not that we don't trust Stark" the director replied "We just can't let evil guys with special tech run around for very long. It was easier."

"You could've had anyone do it" the man put his hand to his chest in mock-flattery "I'm just ever so flattered you chose me."

"You have S.H.I.E.L.D's gratitude and good favor" Fury continued, sounding as if he was reciting off a card "We will remember this."

"You and your lackies are real sweet and everything, and I'll keep the good favor, but you can trade your gratitude for my payment" the man replied smoothly, resting his chin on his folded hands "And you can wipe that look off your face, I don't want to be apart of your little club. No matter how cool your jackets are, I'm a mercenary first."

"Agent Barton" Fury spoke into the comm, getting a confirmation before he gave the other anti-hero his attention "You wouldn't like them anyway. It's a team, not really your thing."

The suited man's eyes shot to the door that opened, revealing none other than Clint Barton holding a duffel bag and a box. He didn't look pleased as he walked in, dropping the duffel on the table.

The suited man huffed, "I thought my demands were specific enough. I wanted him in a bunny costume."

Fury smirked, "And I told you that was only a condition if you agreed to wrestle him into it."

"Touché."

"Deadpool" Clint intoned.

"Hey there, Hawk" Deadpool batted his lashes at the archer "Did you miss me?"

The archer grunted, unzipping the bag, "Full payment for your one lucky shot."

"And?" the anti-hero insisted.

Clint pulled out a gun from the duffel, assembling it in seconds as he rambled off the specifics, "Your new L115A3 AWM sniper rifle. Bolt-action, effective to one thousand four hundred meters. Five round detachable box magazine, both day and night optics, two sets of sights, and the two days worth of ammo you requested."

Deadpool cocked his head, "And...?"

Clint growled and slid the box he'd been holding across the table, "Your damn doughnuts."

"Awe, Hawk, you're so cute when I make you do what I want" Deadpool chuckled and flipped open the lid, pushing up his mask and devouring one of the glazed treats in seconds "That hit the spot."

The archer just stared at him, "I don't get you."

"Have your needs been met?" Fury cut in sharply.

"Let's see" Deadpool spoke around another doughnut "Money, gun, doughnuts, and all delivered by my favorite pert-assed assassin. Yep!"

"Director?" Barton inquired, wondering what to do now.

"Here" Fury handed him a file from the stack on the table "You need to get down to New Mexico, Coulson needs you with him. There's a situation. And once that settles down I have a special mission back over seas for you."

Clint hissed through his teeth as he took the folder, "Back to South America? Because I left some fire behind there-"

"Think more Middle Eastern, third world country" Nick smiled "You'll love it, it's very dark and war-weary."

"Joy and rapture as always, Director" Clint saluted him with the folder "You'll be fine here?"

Fury looked back to the masked man watching and listening carefully, "Oh I can handle him. Our business is almost through."

"Whatever you say" the archer shrugged, looking to the anti-hero "Try to stay out of trouble, would you? The last time you were in New York I had to clean up your mess."

"That was one zombie virus" Deadpool defended "And I totally stopped it before it got out of hand."

"One zombie virus outbreak is one too many" Clint spat "Kill you later, numbnuts."

"Only if you can find me in that stick-scope of yours" Deadpool called after him, watching him leave with a waggle of his eyebrows "Do you recruit by skill or by how many quarters you can bounce off an ass?"

"Eventually I'm going to let him put an arrow in your eye socket" Fury tucked the folders away in his briefcase, keeping an eye on the man as he stood up "One more thing before you leave."

"Another favor? I could use a new leather jacket" Deadpool ranted, pushing his gun back into the duffel with ease.

"I got my hands on some footage from those Hammer drones and a particular alley in the west side of the Stark Expo" Fury feigned nonchalance, gauging the man's reaction "A young man caught my eye. He took down a drone all by himself. Strength, speed, the boy was obviously enhanced."

Deadpool was whistling as he fixed his doughnuts into the duffel, zipping it up.

Fury turned it up a notch, "It's been a while since S.H.I.E.L.D. has come across that type of mutant. Some of our scientists have been itching to try and remake the super soldier serum, I think that boy would be a good ground base, don't you? You must've seen him in action?"

Deadpool heaved the duffel over his shoulder, but his whistling had stopped.

Fury thought he had missed the mark so he looked down, straightening the folders, "I gave the order that if found, he's to be brought in for dissection and analysis."

Four shots rang out, one from each guard in the room. Fury found his head forced back by a cool blade, the edge cutting into his skin and sending blood dripping down his neck. The other blade stabbed into the sleeve of his gun hand, stopping him from going for his weapon in seconds. Deadpool's face loomed over his own, those dark eyes crinkled from the snarl behind his mask. Blood spurted from his bullet wounds but they didn't seem to even slow him down.

"That kid is off limits" Deadpool growled fiercely, all joviality gone from his voice "If I even smell one of your grubby agents near him, I'm coming after you."

One agent fired twice more, succeeding only in spilling more blood across the floor.

"You understand me?" the man hissed "Every agent who puts a hand on that kid will return to you in a fucking bucket!"

Fury smirked, "So he's under your protection?"

Deadpool retracted his blades and slid them into the sheaths on his back, blood staining crimson rivulets down his suit. He heaved his duffel bag further up his shoulder, rolling his neck as if to relieve a bit of a crick in it.

"Nice doin' business with ya, Nick" Deadpool turned and tossed him a lazy wave "Laterz."

Fury watched him go, blood creeping lazily down his neck. He grabbed a handkerchief out of his pocket, brushing off his agents concern while he pressed the cloth to his leaking wound. It was shallow but the point had been made. He'd never issued a hit on the teenager they had caught a glimpse of. Hell, he'd only gotten a brief look of what he thought had been Deadpool pulling the kid into an alley out of danger. It had been a shot in the dark.

"Sir!" Maria Hill burst into the room, looking pissed "I'm sending a team to-"

"Don't" Fury informed her "Let him go."

"Sir, he-"

"I know" Fury cleared his throat "No real damage. It wouldn't do you any good, that guy is damn near invincible. But there is something you could do, Agent Hill."

She looked defeated, "What?"

"I want you to put Wade Wilson and Unknown #23 into the Avengers Initiative file" Fury replied, ignoring her shocked look "For organization's sake."

"Organization" Maria's frowned "Sure."

Fury pulled the cloth away, gazing down at his own blood.

This wouldn't be the last of Tony Stark or Wade Wilson, and he had a feeling Unknown #23 would soon have a name of his own.

---

Well that's that. There's a lemon and some wrapping up, I'm not sure if I'm completely happy with it but there it is. SO MANY SPELLING ERRORS! I really hoped you liked it and I'm so glad you stuck around.

But wait! My dears, my loves, it's not over. Not by a long shot. We still have the epilogue to do!

Don't part on me now, the ride has just begun.