After Nat and Steve revealed the news, all the plans kicked into a higher gear. They met with Tony and Pepper's wedding planner. While the cost was a little high for them, Tony came through again. Being the billionaire that he is, he took care of the cost. With Natasha at work, Steve gets some one on one time with his friend.
"Tony you know you're going to have to watch this nice guy stuff. You've worked so hard to cultivate your image as this selfish, uncaring playboy. If word gets out that you actually have feelings, the press will have a field day with."
He reacts with feigned shock at Steve's comment.
"You're right, Rogers. Oh the horror of it all! Hang on a minute; I better turn the music up. Your apartment could be bugged!"
After sharing a good laugh, the two friends get back to discussing Steve's career options after he finishes his degree.
"So are you really considering teaching? There's so much more you could do. I've got it, why don't you come to work for me? Stark Industries could use a new chief of security. You could keep all of the undesirables away who want to buy out my company."
"You know I appreciate the offer. But I've given a lot to help keep this country free. Now I want to slow down, give something back to the kids. Teaching art could be the way to do that. Professors' Coulson and Nathan encouraged me to pursue art as a career."
"That's noble. It's why you were always the best of us in our little group back in high school."
"Yeah, maybe, look at what you and Bruce have done though. The development of an artificial heart, and using gamma radiation to cure cancer. Those are truly worthwhile pursuits."
"Well, my Dad developed weapons. I have no doubts you saw some of them in all their glory overseas. But I also heard the reports of injured soldiers coming back from war. Bucky for example. My Dad has always had enemies. It was a foreign rival, Vanko I think, copied some of my Dad's designs. I got a look at them a few years back. The counter measures I started developing prevented more casualties. And since we're on the subject of Bucky, I've been working on a more advanced prosthetic. There are ones out there that work like a human arm and hand. They're great, but I'm working on one that can be connected to muscles, and nerve endings. In essence, giving someone the full motor functions they had before."
"Are you talking cybernetic?"
"It's the concept I'm working on. It's not ready by any means, but with a few more years of development, it could revolutionize the way we look at battle injuries."
"That would do a lot of good. You might want to suggest it to Bucky."
"I intend to. But I have to ask about the wedding. Have you and Red decided on a location yet?"
"We're looking at several chapels here in New York. We were also considering a wedding on the beach."
"Really, a beach wedding? Well there are ten great ones here. It would actually fit with the two of you. Did you have a specific one in mind?"
"Only one comes to mind. Given Natasha's family heritage. Brighton is where I was thinking."
"Brighton Beach, or Little Russia. You haven't discussed this with her yet, have you?"
"Nope, she suggested the beach wedding, especially since she'll be four and half months into her pregnancy. But I wanted to surprise her."
"Not a bad idea. I'll get to work on finding a beach house. I'll cover the cost of that as well."
"Tony, you shouldn't spend that much money on this. I'm sure we can find another way."
"I'm not taking no for an answer. Steve, we've been friends for a number of years. And it's true that we didn't get along when we first met. So let me do this. Consider it my wedding gift to you. After all it was you who helped me realize that my dad wasn't the jerk I thought he was."
Tony's father was always obsessed with his work. Everything he did was for the betterment of mankind. When the work became his only focus, he didn't notice that he was pushing his only son away. And just after his eighteenth birthday, a car accident took Howard and Maria away from Tony. This is where Steve came in; the two young men were able to bond over the loss of a parent. And with Bucky and Bruce, the four became inseparable until they all graduated.
"All right, then this is your wedding gift for Nat and I. I'm sure she'll appreciate it as much as I do."
"I hope so. I still get the feeling that she doesn't like me very much."
"Oh, she doesn't. Give her time, eventually you'll grow on her, like one of those annoying zits. You know; the kind that no matter what you do they don't go away."
"Whoa. Her sense of humor must have rubbed off on you. You've never been able to crack a joke like that before."
After their laughter abates, the two friends part ways. Within three days Tony was able to secure a beach house, not only for the wedding, but for all the pre-nuptial festivities. The real surprise would end up being that he purchased it for the happy couple. Yeah, he went a little overboard, but even he wasn't immune to feeling like he was in debt to Steve. For a friend, he was willing to destroy his image of being uncaring.