When she saw Steve Rogers being consoled by two SHIELD agents, their arms around him and whispering in hushed tones Natasha Romanov knew Tony had messed up again.
She stood in the hallway, holding her daughter's bottle while she tried to eavesdrop on the conversation to no avail. Sighing, she headed for her bedroom, pressing her finger to the door and calling out to James, "My Tony has done something to upset your Steven again."
James looked up from feeding Antonia. "What's the asshole done this time?"
She frowned. "I'm not sure. Steven was in tears being pampered by that blonde woman Tony dislikes and another dark haired one."
James smiled. "Maria? She's a great field agent. I've never seen someone fight like that before and her high kicks are…"
Natasha's eyes narrowed. "You've never seen some fight with high kicks before? Really?"
James paled and shook his head. "Uh…I mean…she's…um…you're the best there is, obviously I…shit, I didn't…"
She smiled and walked over to him, leaning down and pressing their lips together. "I forgive you. But never discuss another woman's skills in front of me again or I will have to sever her spine in retaliation."
He grinned. "And I honestly believe that you would."
Natasha looked at their daughter, her blue eyes staring up at the two of them. "I only hope there is no more heartbreak, James. I cannot take this much emotion with all of my hormones mangled the way they are."
He pulled her into his lap and they held the baby together. "I'm sure it's nothing. As soon as she's done I'll go talk to Steve."
She kissed him and leaned her head back, sighing.
"And I will summon Tony."
Tony went right to the mansion after Steve, hoping that was the first place he would go. When he walked inside he was immediately stopped at the entrance by an annoyed Clint Barton. "Seriously, Tony? AGAIN? I thought you knew better."
He sighed. "I fucked up, Clint. I…I accused Steve of cheating on me and he was gonna propose to me."
Clint's eyes widened. "Seriously? You're an asshole."
Tony groaned. "What am I gonna do? I can't…god, he'll never forgive me for this."
Clint patted his shoulder. "I wish I knew what to tell ya, man. Grovel, kiss his feet, the works. Good luck."
Tony nodded and walked passed him, heading towards the room where they stayed when they were there only to be stopped by a short black haired woman.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Tony sighed. "Look, I gotta…"
She poked him in the chest. "I know what you think you gotta do. He doesn't want to see you, okay? I can't believe you accused him of cheating on you! After all the shit you've put him through!"
Tony glared at her. "You don't know anything about us, so fuck off."
The woman folded her arms. "Oh no? Who do you think was helping him set up the proposal, huh? He was gonna do it tomorrow! Your father was going to videotape it! You…god you're…"
"Miss Hill that's enough," came an authoritative voice from behind him, making Tony sigh.
"Yes Mister Stark," she said, saluting.
"Good day, Miss Hill. That will be all," came his father's command voice.
Maria nodded and glared once at Tony before turning and leaving.
Tony turned and frowned at his dad. "Thanks."
Howard Stark folded his arms in the exact same pose Maria Hill had a moment before. "Care to explain yourself?"
Tony sighed. "I can't, Dad. I'm an idiot, I…it's been over a year and I still can't trust in Steve loving me. I…I don't deserve him, I know that, but I…fuck."
Tony wiped his eyes and his father pulled him in for a quick hug. "It's all right, son. I'm here to help. Steve is sort of sequestered in your room for now and has already refused to see you if you came."
"If?" Tony whispered.
His father stepped back, sighing. "You can't blame the man, Tony. He doesn't even think you know him like he thought you did, you accused him of cheating on you when he has done nothing but fight to be with you since the day the two of you met."
Tony stared at his feet.
His dad sighed. "I got a room for you to stay in the meantime, but I know Natasha wants to see you and you can get some baby therapy. Come."
His dad pulled him down the hall towards Natasha and Bucky's room, knocking on the door. When Natasha opened the door and frowned at him Howard said, "He's all yours," and pushed Tony inside.
Natasha hugged him. "I heard. You stupid man."
Tony hugged her back, sighing. "I'm an idiot."
She smiled. "Yes, my Tony. But Steven still loves you anyway. James is with him now trying to mend things. Come and see your goddaughter," she said.
Tony stared at her. "Goddaughter? I…you…"
She grinned. "James and I have officially named you and Steven Antonia's guardians if he and I were to die. Isn't that wonderful?"
Tony frowned. "No. You're not gonna die! I…why…"
She kissed his cheek, leaning down and picking up the baby from her crib and handing her to Tony. "You're welcome. Now tell me what you are going to do."
Tony stared down at the now two month old baby, her hair now very light red and her eyes still the same blue they had been when she'd been born. "I don't know. I…god I was so crazy, I just jumped to the worst possible conclusion," he sighed and looked up at her, "Why do I always do that?"
Natasha frowned. "James is the same way, you are very much alike. Steven always has faith in people unless he has clear evidence of otherwise," she touched his arm, "You need to fix this, my Tony. Do you want to marry Steven?"
Tony looked down at the baby again and whispered, "Yes. As soon as he yelled at me I was so shocked but immediately I thought, god yes."
Natasha kissed his cheek and whispered, "Then all that you need to do now is ask him."
Tony's head shot up. "What? He won't even speak to me, 'tasha. How the hell am I…?"
She smiled. "We'll figure something out."
Tony frowned. "I don't think so. I…god, if you could have seen his face after he…"
"Hit you in the face? I can see the bruise."
Tony sighed, he barely felt the pain in his eye compared to the tightness in his chest.
"Yeah, I deserved it though. I'm such an idiot."
He handed her the baby and she frowned. "Tony?"
Tony shook his head. "I'm gonna go try to get passed his Amazonian army and at least talk through the door. Wish me luck."
Natasha smiled sadly. "Udachi," she whispered.
He took her hand and kissed it, leaving silently.
Once he was out in the hall he took a left heading towards his and Steve's room when he stopped at the situation room, hearing Steve's voice.
"I just don't know what to do anymore. I thought…after the past…that we were in such a good place, I…"
"Steve, he's always gonna be insecure about you. You've met the bastard. He's cocky about everything else but he has never thought he deserved you," Bucky said.
Steve had his back to Tony and he stood in the doorway, listening. "I know."
"Why would you want to marry that asshole anyway? He clearly doesn't deserve you if he's…"
Bucky stopped, noticing Tony in the doorway.
Steve turned and barely looked at Tony, turning his head away.
"Hi. I…"
"Stark, I don't think…"
"It's okay," Steve whispered.
Tony swallowed and walked all the way into the room, closing the door behind him.
"Could you…?" he started to ask but Steve cut him off.
"Bucky stays," he turned and glared at Tony, "Say what you want to say."
Bucky looked sympathetic but angry and Steve just looked hurt which made Tony's chest constrict again. "I know I was an asshole. I didn't…I'm so sorry. I don't know why I always think of…"
Steve wiped at his eyes and whispered, "I don't know if I want to fight to show you how much I love you if you're never going to trust me. I learned to trust you again, I thought…I just wish you could trust me like I thought I trusted you. I…god Tony, I had everything planned! I picked out the perfect…!"
Tony ran to him, grabbing Steve's hands, falling to his knees, and holding them to his lips and yelling, "Steve no! Please just listen. I…don't say anything until you just…"
Tears ran down Steve's face as he whispered, "I don't know what you think you can say to fix this but…go ahead."
Tony swallowed. "I know how much you love me but fuck, Steve, I…I can't even breathe when you're not here. I…you need to let me fix this. I'm sorry, okay? I…"
Steve sighed, looking at Bucky who just shook his head. "I'm out of this, guys. But Steve, I don't think you should trust more words when he's done nothing but…"
Tony snapped, "Says the man who accused the mother of his daughter of cheating on him when she was going to doctor's appointments!"
Bucky reared back, surprised.
Tony stood, still holding Steve's hands. "I'm so sorry, Steve. I know I can't make up for ruining this, but I damn well wanna try. Please."
He let go of Steve's hand and put his hand on the other man's face. Steve looked up and Tony kissed him, softly at first though their mouths quickly began exploring faster until both men were breathless.
Tony pressed his forehead against Steve's and closed his eyes.
"I love you, Tony. I don't think I can love anyone else," Steve whispered.
Tony sighed, pressing his lips to Steve's temple and whispering, "I don't want you to ever think you have to."
Steve stood and they hugged tightly, the silence of the room around them.
When they pulled apart Tony held out his hand and asked, "C'mon, I need to show you something."
Steve raised an eyebrow.
Tony smiled, blushing. "I'd say trust me, but after today I don't know how long it will be before I can use that phrase successfully again."
Steve did not look amused, but still took his hand. "We're going to have to work on your tact as well, I see."
Tony looked down. "Sorry, force of habit."
Steve laughed. "I know."
He led Steve out of the room, barely noticing that Bucky had long since disappeared. Tony felt pretty good about defending himself in front of Steve, though he knew it probably stung a bit harder than it should have.
He looked at Steve as they walked down the hallway, who just smiled back.
"Where are we going?"
Tony smiled, leading them out into the middle garden area and closing the door as they stepped outside. Steve sat down on a chair and Tony the other.
The silence that followed lasted minutes till Steve asked, "You have no idea what you're doing do you?"
Tony blushed. "I just…not really, no," he looked at his feet and Steve took his hand, kissing it. Tony looked up, "Will you ask me again?"
Steve frowned. "I don't know."
Tony sighed, a tear leaking down his cheek. "I'm so fucking sorry, Steve. I ruined everything."
Steve sat on the edge of his chair and leaned over, pulling Tony towards him into a kiss.
"Not everything, no. Just…that. We still have this. We're going to be happy, Tony. Even if it kills us."
Tony laughed. "You are about that?"
Steve nodded. "I'll make sure."
Tony climbed over to Steve's chair and they sat together in his chair, Tony with his head on Steve's shoulder. "Bucky is gonna hate me more now, isn't he?"
"I'm fairly sure he can't hate you any less."
Tony took Steve's hand. "I'm so lucky to have you, Cap."
Steve hugged Tony to him and whispered, "Who else would have you?"
Tony laughed and nodded, "Truer words were never spoken," he looked up at Steve, "I love you, Steve."
Steve smiled at him and said, "I love you too, Tony."
Tony smiled. "I know."
Luke Cage woke to the sound of deep baritone singing and smiled into the silk sheets beneath him.
God he loved being here.