A/N: Wow, this is even later then normal -_-

The rest of the car ride back was border-line uncomfortable. No one said anything and Tony was quietly freaking out. If he had time to prepare, this would be easy. But seeing as Steve was in the middle of a lecture right now and had no clue what was happening, but brunet nervously bounced his knee up and down.

It was another full minute before Pepper once again spoke up. "Stop that, you'll be fine." Tony didn't reply, but his leg stopped bouncing. "Seriously, though. What's gonna happen? Steve will get home, see that Howard's there, and act like nothings going on. We aren't gonna say anything. Steve's not gonna say anything. And you aren't gonna say anything."

"So, recap: Your dad's not gonna find out," Rhodey added from the back. "Am I right, or am I right?"

Tony turned to once again look at Pepper, who smiled at him, then back towards the road. "Yeah, no. You're right. I'll be fine. Nothings gonna happen."

It wasn't long before Pepper found an empty parking space by Tony and Steve's apartment. Tony didn't see Howard's car any where around, but he would have gotten a driver or parked somewhere else.

Tony opened the door, stepping out into the crisp, late fall air. He waited at the curb for Rhodey and Pepper to walk around the car, then turned on his heal toward his apartment building. They talked about Rhodey's service time and how long he was going to be in New York while Tony himself stayed silent.

It was... odd how much this was effecting Tony. Pepper-like always-was completely right. Nothing was going to happen. So Tony took one last breath to calm himself before fishing out his keys and unlocking the now present door. However, when he pushed the key through the door knob, he realized it was unlocked. What the-Howard. Y'couldn't have waited? Tony thought bitterly. At least I know he's here now.

"Tony?"

"Yeah, it's me. I've got Pepper and Rhodey with me, too."

"Oh... good. Glad to see them."

The three walked into the small-ish apartment and Tony threw his keys onto the table in the hall.

He could hear that his father was doing something in the kitchen-probably getting a drink -so he motioned for Pepper and Rhodey to wait in the main room while he talked to Howard. He stepped into the room, seeing that the elder Stark was, in fact, poring a scotch into a short, round glass. "We need to talk, Tony."

"Figured as much," he mumbled. He moved to sit down at the round table and tucked his chin into his hand. Howard looked at him through the now half empty glass, but didn't say anything.

"You're friends with Justin Hammer, correct?" he asked eventually.

"...Kinda."

Howard nodded and set the glass down before turning to look out the window. Before him lay a very expensive view of Brooklyn thank you very much. Of course, Howard payed for that view, but Tony liked to forget about that.

He turned back around to once again face Tony. "You know his father and I are friends as well."

"Well, I do now."

He nodded again. "You know I..." he cleared his throat. "I heard some things the other day. Third hand from Justin. Through his father." He was facing the window once again.

Tony rolled his eyes. "That doesn't-" The words quickly died on his lips. While it wasn't huge news (not anymore, anyways) that Steve and Tony were together, a lot of people knew about their relationship. He licked his lips nervously. "That doesn't tell me anything."

Howard quickly spun on his heals to face the teen. "Do you realize how embarrassing this was for me? To hear-from Micheal Hammer, of all people-that you're-"

The front door opened and Steve's voice rung out, "Tony? Who's here?" He heard footsteps from the hallway rushing to greet Steve. He should have known Pepper and Rhodey would be eavesdropping.

Tony had to strain his ears to hear Pepper quietly telling Steve that Tony was, in fact, fine and yes, that was Howard yelling but it's ok, they're talking at least. He looked back to Howard, whom never stopped glaring at him. His jaw was tense from grinding his teeth and a vein was popping on his forehead. "I should have seen this coming," he softly spoke. "It's only disappointment from you, Tony."

He could hear Rhodey and Pepper trying to explain the situation to Steve, as well as keep him out of the kitchen. That dulled down to a soft roar pounding in his ears-however-as anger rose up in Tony. "It's disappointing? I'm disappointing?" He voice rose as his tolerance plumited. Tony was vaguely aware that Steve was becoming worried and trying to get through Pepper and Rhodey. Thank god they were smart enough to keep him from rushing into the kitchen 'cause the next thing Tony knew, Howard was staggering back from Tony with a bloody nose. "Don't you dare tell me that now that I'm happy, I'm a disappointment!"

"You little piece of shit," Howard hissed. He drew back his bloody hand and brought it down with such a force that Tony could immediately feel his left eye bruise. It was Tony's turn to stagger back... right into Steve's chest.

The blonde put his arms around Tony while he cupped his swollen eye. "Don't," Steve growled.

"Get your hands off of my-"

"Get out!" Pepper shrieked. "He's not your son! I'm sure he agrees with me when I say no father would do that to his kid! Get out! Get out! Get! Out!" Seeing Pepper go into a melt down and Rhodey take Howard by the arm and throw him out the door made Tony smile a little. Steve burrowing his face into Tony's neck helped a little bit, too.

"You okay?" he mumbled.

No. "I'll be okay."

"That didn't answer my question." Steve pressed a chaste kiss into the spot where Tony's shoulder met his collarbone.

"I'll be okay," he repeated.

"Okay."

A/N: So, yeah. This is late. But! I think I'm back in my groove! *Happy dances*

But awwwwww, guuuuyyyys! You're all so sweet! You give the best reviews! I couldn't tell you how much I appreciate it. You guys keep me going!

This chapter was even more fun to write than usual and was inspired by (guest) ILOVEHULK who said "...I would also like to see what Howard says if Tony tells him!"

While I'm also mentioning reviews I want to thank jack2724 and HeartsColide who said they didn't care that it was late. Thanks lovelies!

~Jessi