Sorry for the late update guys! I don't like writing filler material so there was a bit of a delay even though I have several future chapters finished. I threw in some more cute!Tony and a bit of foreshadowing to make it interesting. And also that classic line from "Crazy Stupid Love," because it's so true.

Tony woke up slowly, feeling warm and content, before snuggling further into his massive plush comforter. God, the last time he felt so relaxed, it had been the morning after a long night of vigorous love-making. Tony yawned and stretched languidly, feeling a satisfying ache in his muscles as he recalled the previous day. He smiled, remembering his dinner with Steve, and he flopped over onto his stomach, burying his head into the mattress. His muffled voice called out, "What's the time, Jarvis?"

"Just after noon, Sir."

Tony's spectacularly messy bed-head popped out from under the covers, "Noon!" He hadn't slept this late in...damn he couldn't even remember the last time he even had a proper sleep. He began to struggle out of the sheets when he paused, "You know, what? Wake me up in another hour or two, will ya?" He fell back into the mess of sheets, yawning again.

"I would advise against it, Sir. Mr. Rogers has been waiting for you since his arrival at 9:00 am."

Tony sprang up, his back cricking as he groaned, "Dammit, why didn't you wake me up sooner!"

"I informed Rogers of your whereabouts upon his arrival, and he insisted I let you rest until you woke up on your own. In the meantime, he has been in the gymnasium, waiting for you to join him when you're ready, Sir."

Tony rolled his sore shoulders, not feeling too pleased about the idea of spending the day exercising. He stood up and did a few stretches to warm his body up, and decided against having a shower since he was just going to work up a sweat soon anyway.

"Tell him I'll be down in a few minutes,"

"I already have, Sir."

Tony threw on some exercise gear, and headed downstairs, still waking up after his abnormally long sleep. Passing the kitchen, he grabbed a couple pieces of fruit for breakfast (mostly to appease Steve) and set off toward the gym.

Meanwhile, Steve had spent the last fifteen minutes in the pool, setting up the lane lines Jarvis said he could find in the storage unit. He swam back and forth across the water, securing the lines and making sure they were straight, and then doing a few laps himself in the cold water. He knew Tony would be pretty sore after they way he pushed him yesterday, so a nice long warm up in the pool would do him some good. Steve hovered in the deep end, blinking some of the irritating chlorine out from his eyes when he was suddenly overwhelmed with the sensation that he was being watched. Steve spun around in the water, his hands already in a combative position despite the setting.

"Woah, easy there soldier, I was just admiring the view."

Steve let out a breath. Of course it was Tony. Despite his six month leave from the army, his fighting reflexes still kicked in whenever they pleased. He swam towards the ladder and heaved himself out of the water, shaking his wet hair out of his eyes. He looked over at Tony, "I take it you've figured out what we're doing today?"

But Tony was staring unabashedly at Steve's body, the banana he was eating hovering in Tony's grip just under his mouth. It looked like he was trying to form words, his jaw moving and no words escaping. Tony finally managed, weakly, "It's like you're photoshopped."

"Er..." Steve just stood there, feeling that damn blush spreading across his face and neck, over being stared at so candidly.

Tony seemed to shake himself out of his reverie, looking from Steve to the pool, " Oh hell no. There's no way I'm taking my shirt off when you're just standing there with...with," he gestured accusingly with his hands, banana peel flapping wildly, "with all of THAT."

Steve sighed, "I really don't care, Tony. This isn't a time for pride."

The other man crossed his arms over his chest, "Of course you can say that, when you have the body of a... well you know. Just no. Nope, not happening." He took a massive bite out of the banana and chewed it with contention.

Steve sighed again, "Look, I understand where you're coming from, I really do."

Tony scoffed and rolled his eyes, but Steve pressed on, "But like I said a few days ago, there's no judgement going on, on my side, Okay? I mean, heck, your body went through an enormous amount of stress recently; I would be shocked if you looked like you were in your prime."

Tony's shoulders slumped a little, "Oh my god. I'm acting like a sixteen year old girl." He looked up at Steve, his expression completely distraught.

Steve lasted one second before he burst out laughing, "I'm glad you said it before I did."

Tony mocked a hurt look on his face, just barely suppressing a grin himself, "You're a cruel man, Steve Rogers."

Steve sobered up slightly, "Look, if it's really a problem, just keep your shirt on."

Tony punched him lightly on the shoulder, "Lemme' get changed, you prick."

Two minutes later, Tony was jogging out in a pair of swim trunks, and Steve had to use all his willpower not to stare at the other man and act like a complete hypocrite. The truth was, even though Steve knew Tony's condition, he still wasn't prepared for the emaciated look of the other man. Compared to the pictures Steve had seen over the years, this Tony Stark looked at least 20 pounds thinner, and that was without considering the fact that muscle was 18% more dense than fat. But what stood out even more than Tony's weight loss, was the piercing blue light of the arc reactor laying in his chest.

Steve stupidly opened his mouth without thinking, "Can you...I mean, is it waterproof?" He grimaced, his blush returning.

"Yeah, I've gotta cover it with a plastic bag every time I shower," Tony said in his most sarcastic tone, "you're kidding me, right?"

Steve was shaking his head, "I'm so sorry, Tony. That was completely...just..I'm sorry!"

He looked like he was on the brink of a full-out panic, and Tony quickly interceded, placing a hand on the other man's shoulder, "It's okay, big guy. Really it's..."

Steve looked up at the hesitation, but then Tony began again, "Holy shit, you're like a rock." Tony's other hand came up and he gripped Steve's shoulders, before moving his hands down to his biceps. Steve flexed convulsively and felt goosebumps on the back of his neck. He saw, as though in slow motion, Tony's hands moving towards his pectorals, and Steve tensed. But then Tony seemed to come out of his trance, and his hands fell back to his sides.

Steve blinked a few times, and gulped in air, as though he had been deprived of it for the last two minutes.

"Wow, okay, now that was inappropriate. Sorry."

Steve tried to reply, but nothing came out before Tony was talking again, "Scratch that. I'm not sorry, because WOW. But, uh," his eyes searched Steve's, "okay, well I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable. Ease up, soldier." He playfully slapped Steve's arm and turned towards the pool, "Seriously though, it's like someone designed you. Genetics sure dealt you a full hand, lucky bastard." He chuckled, and Steve tried to join in with a very forced laugh of his own.

Tony gave him a queer look over his shoulder, then shrugged, "Anchor's aweigh," and he jumped into the pool. The moment his head breached the water's surface as he came up for air, Tony howled. "Son of a bitch, that's cold!" He gave Steve what could be interpreted as a suspicious glare, though his mop of wet hair was completely covering his eyes.

Steve gave a real grin, "I thought you could use the wake-up."

Tony brushed his hair from his face and looked accusingly at Steve, "You're a jerk." Then his expression went immediately to a grin, and gave a huge splash with his limbs, showering the other man with icy cool flecks of water, "Now get back in here before I change my mind and go back to bed."