When Steven arrived at the meet and greet, it wasn't as chaotic as he thought it would have been. There seem to be instructors every 5 feet, making sure no one got too out of hand. Figures. They let us get closer to them, but still keep us segregated in a sense. But Steven wasn't worried about that now. He had his eye out for a specific person.
It took him a few minutes, but Steven found him on his own way to the punch bowl. Anthony was standing by a pillar, seemingly avoided the large masses of people toward the middle of the grand hall. Punch in hand, Steven walked in the direction. On the way over, he gave himself a quiet pep talk.
"Okay Steven, this is your chance to get closer to the answer. Just don't blow it by saying something stupid.".
He made his way over to the brunette, standing close next to him, but not close enough that it was awkward.
"Some party, huh?" Steven said in a sarcastic tone, or about as sarcastic as he could make himself sound.
Anthony smirked, and spoke with an even more sarcastic undertone.
"Oh yeah, the best party ever.". He then scoffed.
"Really it is just an opportunity for the Day Class fangirls to get closer to their objects of obsession.".
He then mockingly batted his eyelashes dramatically. Steven let out a small chuckle.
"Well, I am not going to argue with you on that one.".
Anthony grinned and extended his hand to Steven.
"Tony Stark." He introduced himself.
So, not Anthony. Tony. He liked to be called Tony.
Steven took his hand and lightly shook it.
"Steven Rogers.".
Tony smirked a little.
"Steven... So I now know the name of the guy who's been watching me for the past week, huh?".
Steven's face dropped. Tony knew all along. What was Steven going to do? He probably freaked the guy out.
"Sorry..." were the only words he could think of to come out. Tony lightly chuckled.
"Man, its fine. At least you don't stare at me drooling like some of the Day girls seem to. You stare more like you're trying to break me apart and figure out what makes me work.".
Steven still looked a little uneasy, but Tony just sort of shrugged it off.
"Most people would find that creepy, but I work that way with actual mechanical objects, so I understand.".
Steven's face wore an expression of relief and confusion.
"Good... I think...".
"It does make me wonder though," Tony continued "why exactly have you been watching like that, if you don't mind me asking?".
Steven's got a bit nervous, but he explained himself.
"Ever since I came to this school, I have been trying to figure out what is really so different about the night class and the day class. Y'know, what made you guys to be considered 'Elite'.".
Tony shook his head, as if to tell Steven he understood what he was saying.
Steven continued.
"I wanted to find an observation subject, to help me find answers. And then you came out of nowhere. You seemed different from all the others in the White Mass. Might be because you're younger than the normal entering age. And knowing from experience, its hard to get into this school, especially for a younger student. So I figured that meant there was something about you that made you special enough to be at this school, let alone Night Class material.".
Tony stood there quietly for a moment, lightly nodding. Steven could tell that he was thinking about what was said. Tony then turned to Steven.
"Steve, - may I call you Steve?".
Steven nodded his head.
Tony gave a small grin.
"I like you." He said cheerfully.
"You seem pretty cool. Granted, most people would find what you are doing a little creepy, but I understand you're just a guy looking for answers. You and I have that in common.".
Steven lightly smiled at the comment. He didn't think Tony would be so understanding about what he had been doing.
"Plus, y'know, its nice to know someone that actually fluently speaks the same language as you.".
Steven chuckled at that.
"Tell me about it.".
Tony clasped a hand on Steven's shoulder.
"C'mon Steve. Walk with me, Talk with me.".
They walked and talked for the remainder of the event, and had started to get close. Steven wasn't really getting closer with his answers, but he was gaining something he hadn't had in a long time;
A friend.
A few months had passed, and the boys had gotten along swimmingly. They would hang out during the "Designated Convening Time" that the students now had. The meet & greet had been a way to test the waters of that plan, so they now all had an hour before transition where they could mingle with the other class. They were all however still watched like hawks by a group of selected "officers". Nevertheless, it was nice that their meeting wasn't just a one time thing.
It was now December, and all the students were leaving the dorms for the holidays. All of them except Steven.
"So, where are you going for the holidays Steve?" Tony asked curiously.
Steve just kind of looked at him with a small smile.
"I think I am staying here.".
Tony looked at him, sort of confused.
"You're going to stay here with the kooky headmaster and his two 'guard dogs'? Wouldn't you rather go see your family?".
Steven looked away from Tony, realizing he had never talked about this with him before.
"I would... But I don't have anymore family to go to. So I am stuck here.".
Tony looked at him with an understanding gaze, but then it quickly turned into a look of determination.
"No. You're not stuck here. You're going to come stay with me for the holidays.".
Steven looked at Tony surprised.
"You cant just do that, I have to have permission from your legal guardians and then the head master before its even considered a possibility."
Tony widely smirked.
"That won't be a problem. You just make sure you start packing.".