I know this chapter is short, but the next one is huge. (Halfway through writing it now.) I want to update the next chapter by Sunday - so that's my target. Things are wrapping up neatly.

It was funny how things had moved so fast and so suddenly. Steve and Tony grabbed a long (and rather expensive) cab back to the tower, whilst Natasha and Clint went to go bite the bullet in SHIELD. They hadn't formulated a plan yet – Steve was still trying to digest everything.

When they stepped back into the tower, Tony took a moment. He stared, eyes moving across the place as if it was the first time he'd been there in a long time. He smiled, tracing his fingers across some random parts of furniture, before turning to Steve.

He looked ready.

Sail

XVI

The Calm

Steve sat with his thumb circulating the edge of his cup of hot chocolate. It was still freezing out, the odd spell of snow happening once or twice throughout the day. Tony sat opposite him, looking at him with his hand protectively over his mug of coffee.

"So," Steve finally said after breaking the long silence. "You're finally back."

"Seems like it," Tony gave a small smile at that. "Thanks."

"For what?"

"For just… Being there." He tapped at the ceramic mug, his head dropping onto his palm as he just looked at the soldier. "I owe you."

"It's what friends do." Steve whispered into the mug before taking a deep swig. "You'd do the same for me."

"On the contrary," Tony extended his finger as if there was a new purpose in his eyes – as if there was more to the story than he originally thought. "I already have."

"…Sorry, what?" He narrowed his eyes. Tony was out of it for months, he didn't do anything for Steve. Sure he gave him a home and Steve respected that more than anyone – but it was hardly on the same level.

"This whole mess." Tony began, opening his free palm. Tony always spoke with his hands. "Was because I was protecting you."

Steve's lip parted. It was as if it had only just clicked into place. Super-Soldier program. How he should decide what happens. How Tony stopped it, stopped however far SHIELD was with the project. He looked down at his drink, partly guilty for not have piecing it together himself.

"You shouldn't have done it like that, Tony." Steve lifted his head, staring back into those eyes that seemed to regain the look of the old Tony. He found himself stopping a smile. "Why didn't you tell me straight away?"

"I needed SHIELD to make their move," he spoke almost casually. "Because I needed more than just you. They would have taken you in if they knew you knew." He gave a short sigh with that, a slow and exhausted one.

"So you thought you'd do it all by yourself." Steve didn't question it. He knew it was fact. The only problem was – he should be mad. Angry and screaming at Tony for doing this to him - Making him worry and watch his friend almost mentally die. "You're an idiot."

"I admit, if could have gone better," Tony offered a small smirk at that. He then stood up rather suddenly, causing the soldier to lift his head in reflex. The billionaire circled the table, before staring down at him when he was at his side. It was a moment of complete silence and Steve was sure neither party knew exactly what was happening yet. "I trust you."

To Steve, that was said more than enough in his lifetime. But the way that Tony said it, made it sound like it was the most precious thing in the world. His eyes softened, mirroring the silk look Tony was currently giving him.

"I know," Steve smiled warmly in response. "I won't let you down."

It was hard to be angry with Tony for long. By the time you had a chance to turn around and speak your mind it was too late. He'd said or done something that made him seem like the warmest wing to crawl under.

Tony remained staring at him for some time; and Steve couldn't help but just give a moment to look at him and think. These passed few months with their highs; lows and having Tony back made him appreciate the billionaire. What exactly he'd go through or put himself in to protect someone he trusts.

Steve never wanted to lose that.

"So what now?" Tony said in a low tone, eyes moving across to his coffee. He returned to it as if he was being called. Typical, really. Tony's first love would always be coffee.

"I actually have no idea, I thought we'd improvise." Steve admitted with a slight smile. "Because we're just so good at it."

"Ouch, my feelings." Tony chuckled as he brought the coffee to his lips. Steve noted the slight shake in his hand – an after effect maybe. There would be time to help Tony with whatever he was trapped in his own mind with – but later. One problem at a time.

"Natasha and Clint are giving our esteemed director the great news." Steve recapped it over in his head, eyes shifting to the steam coming from his drink. "I was hoping we'd just go in and talk. Maybe bust a head or two if we need to. But…"

"…But," Tony smiled at him, knowingly. "We need SHIELD. If we hurt them too bad we threaten our whole nations security. They know that. It's why they don't mind messing up a life or two."

"Right," Steve pointed to him. They were both smiling for some reason, almost as if they were in sync, knew what the other was thinking. "I'll never trust SHIELD again. Not with Fury in charge."

"So we need a new director," Tony shuffled in his seat.

"Someone who knows what to protect," Steve smiled at him, pressing his palms on the table. "Someone who I can trust."

"And someone who trusts you," Tony grinned in return. "Pepper's gonna hate the paper work."

Steve stood at that, as did Tony. They looked at each other for a moment, as if there was more to say, more to do. There always would be, but for now… They had a mission.

"Suit up, Stark." He said almost playfully.

"You're hilarious," Tony grinned at that. He took in Steve's expression. Not only an hour ago, he was ringing with confusion, and Tony had no doubt that Steve was still confused about some areas of the damned crazy multiple backfiring plans from two sneaky and genius pieces. But again, Tony was on the same wavelength as Steve. They needed to fix this and then slowly fix each other.

Funny really, he couldn't picture the future without him now.

"Hey Steve," Tony muttered as the soldier turned on his heel. He glanced back, Tony still grinning from earlier. "You look ready."