ACDC blasted loudly throughout the lab and Tony was hyped up on coffee and beer. He had made real progress with the toaster project and had for the moment forgotten his worries about Steve. He happily worked away at his little machine, shouting along energetically to the lyrics and ignoring the burns and scrapes that littered his arms. He was lost in his own little world, away from people and their opinions and the stressful need to act to please. He was comfortable with the company of Jarvis and his robots, the only things that wouldn't judge or pressure him because he had created them.
"Sir, my protocols are being overridden." Jarvis' voice came out loudly and clearly despite the busy music, Tony frowned and dropped his tools on the bench. He turned quickly, just in time to see the blue eyed man enter his lab and fold his arms. The music stopped and there was silence.
Tony's first instinct was to turn around and walk away.
"Tony…" Steve's voice called out sternly, he tried to sound confident but the pain was clearly heard.
The engineer walked out of view, he didn't know what to do, but he was in no mood for confrontation.
"No, Tony, wait!" Steve shouted more assertively and followed Tony, catching up to him and grabbing his arm. Tony stopped walking but was motionless, showing no reaction to Steve's touch. There was a moment of silence as Steve gathered his words.
"I just, I just came to say that I'm leaving." Steve said solemnly, he'd given up. The words shocked Tony, he had not expected that.
"Why." He said blankly, his tone indicating no emotion, no happiness, but no remorse.
"Because…" Steve began slowly, "Because you're locking yourself away just to avoid me. You're probably not eating or sleeping and I'm not allowed to care. Because I messed up our friendship, I made you hate me, and now I just think it'll be best if I leave." He finished rambling and waited for a response.
"Sure." Tony spat. "Leave. Just like everyone else." His voice bitter and cold. He felt the grip on his arm loosen.
"Tony, what else am I supposed to do?" Steve's voice was close to yelling in exasperation. "You've made it clear you don't want me around, almost made me regret participating in your intoxicated advances, I can't stay here anymore with you acting like you never want to see me again! I thought, maybe, you liked me, or," Steve blushed a little "But you're either too embarrassed to admit it or it was nothing. Either way, I-" Steve was cut off as Tony turned around, he grabbed the soldier by the back of the neck and pulled him into a fierce kiss. Their lips collided in ecstasy and Steve wrapped his arms around the other, holding him close as if he'd never let go. All the memories of their closeness came back to them both as they did the one thing they'd wanted from the start. Tony slowly pulled back and rested their heads together, his arms draped around Steve's neck as he looked down.
"Don't leave…" He whispered as he fiddled with the collar of Steve's shirt.
"Tony, I…" Steve was lost for words. This changed things, right? Did this mean that Tony really did care, maybe he didwant him around, or was he being messed with again? His intention for coming here now seemed irrelevant, he hadn't expected this reaction and he didn't know how to proceed.
"Please. Don't leave." Tony repeated softly, his voice almost a whimper. He liked Steve, a lot, and he wanted him to be around, always. So why was it so difficult to face him? Was Steve's gender really that important to be in the way of what Tony wanted? It was confusing, and felt the tiniest bit wrong, but Tony wanted it, he wanted Steve.
"Okay." Steve agreed after a while. Tony's gentle tone was of utmost sincerity, Steve had never heard him speak like that and he'd even said please. Was that Tony begging? Tony pulled him into a tight embrace and buried his head in Steve's chest, sighing in content. Steve smiled and stroked Tony's back gently.
"Can we have a night, like the other? But without booze?" Steve asked and Tony looked up at him.
"Sure." He smiled warmly, swooning over Steve's gentle, innocent eyes. "Meet me in my room in an hour."
A/N Sorry for the short chapter guys, but I think you know what's going to happen next chapter, hopefully you can hold out ;)