So, here's the next one. Sorry for the delay. Once again, it was too much knitting that distracted me from writing. And this one wasn't really easy to write, either.

X-Rated

Tony wasn't avoiding the Hawk. Well – not really.

Alright.

Fine.

He was trying not to be alone with him in the same room. Without being too obvious about it, of course. Because, to be honest, another day had passed since their latest run-in and, well, that small voice that had whispered at him the Hawk wasn't actually faking it? It had grown pretty loud. And insistent.

He didn't know, thus, how he had managed to end up in the kitchen alone with the Hawk. Who was giving him that look again.

"Uh – hi", Tony said.

The Hawk put his hands in his pockets and remained silent.

"Coffee?"

Stupid question. It was greeted with more silence. Tony poured himself a mug – and set it down on the kitchen counter without drinking.

This was awkward. He hated awkward.

It wouldn't pass if he just ignored it, though.

Right, better address this before it actually turns into a problem.

Tony took in a deep breath.
"Listen, I don't know what this is all about …"

"You want to know what this is all about?"
The Hawk's voice was soft. He was almost whispering.

No, actually, I don't wanna know.

Too late.

Before Tony realized what was happening, the Hawk had crossed the distance between them, seized him by the arms and started kissing him. Tony was too startled to even think of trying to struggle. At least, for a few moments.

Long enough to take note that the Hawk definitely knew what he was doing there. Right, this probably wasn't on Tony's personal top ten list of "Best Kiss Ever" but it wasn't bad. Except that Tony definitely wasn't into guys and least of all the Hawk but how to tell Mr. Super-Assassin that you didn't fancy him without running the risk of waking up dead the next morning?

"Jesus!"

One word was all it took to turn awkward into "Please let me drop dead right now!"

Of course, it just had to be Rogers who walked in on them.

Go figure.

Tony pushed the Hawk away.
"Uh, Steve, I swear this isn't what it looks like …"

Rogers said nothing. He was staring at them in shock.

"Oh, come on." The Hawk rolled his eyes. "He caught us. No good denying it anymore. That guy might be a bit old-fashioned but he's not stupid, you know?"

He looked Tony right in the eyes and then – winked at him before turning to Rogers.

Ah, I see.
Tony barely managed not to grin.
You really were only playing, after all. And now, you want me to play along.

Should he? After all, he had a reputation to lose. On the other hand – this was Rogers. Captain Prim-and-Proper. Mr. Old-Fashioned. Should he really pass up the opportunity to see him squirm?

"Guess you're right, Feathers."
Tony rubbed the back of his neck.

"You. Two."
Rogers blinked several times and shook his head.
"I thought you and Miss Potts –"
He gave Tony a stern glare.
"Does she know about this?"

"Pepper? Of course she does!"
Tony gave a small laugh.
"She's pretty open-minded about this, actually. You see, as long as it's just other guys – not girls …"
He shrugged.

Rogers turned to the Hawk.
"And what about you and Tasha?"

"Oh, we're partners. And friends. Pretty close friends, actually. But that's it."
The Hawk smiled.
"Besides, sometimes, her and Pepper like to join in, you know?"

"Erm …"
Rogers' cheeks turned a really pretty shade of pink.

Tony somehow managed to keep a straight face and give an enthusiastic nod.
"Oh yeah, they do and –"

"Alright", Rogers cut him off, raising his hands. "It's none of my business, really, and as long as no one's getting hurt just – do whatever you're doing. I don't wanna know. Just –"

He hesitated.

Tony raised his eyebrows.
"Just?"

Rogers took in a deep breath.
"Not on the counter, OK? We're all using it for preparing food."

And with that, he turned and left.

"Not on the counter?"
Tony's eyebrows climbed even higher.

The Hawk shrugged.
"He does have a point there. So – your bedroom or mine?"

"Why, you …"
Tony tried to slap him but the Hawk dodged his hand with a laugh.

"Come on, for a moment, you thought it was all real, didn't you?"

Tony hesitated, then nodded.
"I can't tell whether it was an Oscar-worthy performance but yes, you got me there – for a moment."

The Hawk grinned.
"Good enough for me."

"Soooo …"
Tony put his arm around the Hawk's shoulders and pulled him along as he slowly started to walk away from the kitchen counter.
"How did you find my collection of X-rated movies – and how did you get the Capsicle to actually watch them?"