Post AoU for starkingenuity

[starspangledspandex]

He's old. Old enough to have settled down. Old enough he's letting other people save the world and only stepping in from time to time. There's no 'Honey I'm home' when he steps through door. There's silence and quiet. He makes dinner for one. His bed is cold. He sits and reads the paper while he watches the world move on outside. There's laughter in the hallway. Footsteps. No one knocks on his door. He eats leaning against the counter in the kitchen. Alone. All alone. 'I got no plans tomorrow night' echos in his mind.

Suddenly, no one is on the streets. There are no numbers in his phone. Everything empty and gone and there's just Steve. Steve standing in nothingness. 'Man out of time' 'Nothing but a soldier' 'You can't live without a war' 'Go home, Steve'

He jolted awake, hand raising to rub at his face and it shouldn't have been a nightmare at all but it is anyway. How alone he felt in this century. His friends helped, they did, but they couldn't always be here. He lived and breathed his life as an Avenger. What else did he have? Nothing. He shook it off, like he always did and got dressed, laced up his boots. Most of his team was out of the picture right now. Off doing whatever they did on leave.

Steve paced his room at the New Avenger facility, paced the hallways and spoke to the Agents that were here. He took a walk outside and thought of Tony. The billionaire visited every once in awhile but it'd been awhile. He didn't even know what the man was up to now but Steve... Steve needed to connect with someone to shake off the dredges of his loneliness, someone that wasn't just working here, someone he had a connection to.

So he called Tony.

Comments

[starkingenuity]

Romanoff told him not to bother. Tony told her that he'd take her wishes under consideration but that he wasn't looking for her. Banner had been his tie to reality when the world was going to shit. He actually cared, he talked to him, he played along. They were great together, better in so many ways than Pepper was. Not that Pepper wasn't great, but she had a company to run and sometimes that was more important than the man who gave her that company.

So Tony searched for Bruce Banner most of his waking day. He didn't have leads to follow, not like Sam did for Steve's missing in action bestie, so he was just having Friday run through every satellite scan in the last few months. He didn't know what else to try except that grid approach and it was wearing him out.

When the phone rang, when Friday told him who was calling, Tony almost told her to send it to voice mail. He was lonely. The Vision had his own thing going on and he wasn't JARVIS anymore. Pepper was at another convention, this one in Singapore he thought. Maybe Shanghai. Something with an S at the front, in Asia. He couldn't be bothered to remember. Banner was back on the run again...

So Tony cleared his throat and had Friday put the call through.

"Cap? What's our replacement band doing this time? Same old covers of the old songs we use to?"

[starspangledspandex]

"Team is on leave," he told him, still standing outside and staring out at the surrounding nature. "The military needed Rhodes. Sam has a mission from Fury." Which was actually Steve's missing person case. "Natasha and Wanda are visiting Barton."

They all had lives outside of this. He brushed it off, crushed it down, "Team is doing well. We've had a few successful runs."

He shifted, he needed a reason to just call the man up randomly, "We have some equipment we need you to take a look at when you have time to stop in."

[starkingenuity]

"Man, that kid isn't in college yet? How long has it been?" He actually didn't know. Days blurred together. He'd not made anything in a long time, not since Ultron. If anyone asked, he wasn't afraid of what he could do, he was more afraid of what he could not do. And that was starting to become an issue for him, giving him many, many sleepless nights.

He was almost about to make an excuse to go when Steve finally spoke up. The call wasn't just a courtesy. He needed something. Of course he did. Tony could save them, not through innovating technology, but repairing what they had already mastered.

It had to be better than not being needed at all though...right?

""Yeah, all right. I can be there in half an hour," he told Steve and hung up on him. Rude, he knew, but as he stepped into his new suit, letting the metal close up around him, he knew that he didn't want to stay here any more.

[starspangledspandex]

"No, I think it's going to be a few years," Steve replied with a small laugh and he was feeling a little better. A five minute conversation didn't fix his head but it made it easier to smash it down. It grounded him and that was what he needed right now.

He went to say 'thanks' and the line went dead. He sighed at his phone and went inside to warn the techs that Tony was on his way. They did have things that needed repairs and maintenance; he wasn't lying. He only hoped that Tony was around a little longer than just repairing the machines.

Steve waited in the lobby of the building. He didn't have anything better to do and he might as well show him what needed worked on himself.

[starkingenuity]

He took the armor. Taking the highway would have meant trying to leave Manhattan through the bridge and he wasn't that masochistic. The suit was fast. Cheap. Easy. Friday didn't like it being called that when she was downloaded into it but Tony had never really listened to JARVIS' feelings on the matter when he could and he was going to make the same mistakes again with Friday. He just knew it. Oh, once an AI abuser, always an AI abuser. Maybe they could form some sort of co-sentient bond over therapy if she ever got herself a body too.

And...yeah. Yeah he was still smarting over that. The Vision... He didn't even want to think about it.

Touching down just outside of the building rather than on the flight deck, Tony walked out of the suit as any person would a car and smirked a little at the blond figure standing in the lobby. "Oh, I give up the cape and now I have to be escorted into the building?" he teased. He knew Steve wasn't there to watch him.

Or...wait. Actually, maybe he was.

[starspangledspandex]

"No, I came to say 'hi' to Friday," Steve gave the suit a small salute as he stood from where he was leaning against the wall. He smiled jokingly at the older man, "I didn't have anything else to do today, figured I'd show you the machines myself."

Okay, so maybe he just wanted to visit with Tony. Don't mind him.

[starkingenuity]

"There's a hundred things to do as the leader of the Avengers and you couldn't think of anything except to flirt with my AIs? Unbelievable, Rogers. She's mine, hands off," Tony joked, hands in his pockets. He had on his suit interface shirt but he tended just to wear black jeans. More comfortable and held his wallet and phone...the only essentials of a modern day life.

"But fine, show me to your machines. If Fury is hanging out behind a tractor again, all bets are off."

[starspangledspandex]

"Things are quiet," he shrugged. It was part of his whole problem. When things were busy and the team was around he didn't have time for nightmares. He held up his hands, "Alright, I'll back off. Plenty of fish in the sea."

He led Tony down a quiet hallway toward the lab. They stocked things in here when they malfunctioned.

"How's the search for Banner?"

[starkingenuity]

Everything was fine right up to that little remark about Bruce. He was very, very touchy about that. They should have stuck to teasing each other over the AI, honestly.

"Banner's whereever he wants to be." And that wasn't with him. Tony thought he could share the man with Natasha since Bruce had to share him with Pepper (and he knew Bruce couldn't actually consummate anything considering an elevated heart rate could be the death of his partner). But to have his best friend run out on him so soon after his other best friend because a weird bio-vibranium gem-wearing Avenger?

It was all really hard to swallow. Tony had a lot of abandonment issues. A lot.

"So what happ... Let me get. Maximoff wriggled her fingers and blew everything up?" Tony mused once he saw the state of the machines.

[starspangledspandex]

Don't talk about Banner, got it. Steve was just trying to make conversation. No need to be touchy. He didn't say anything else about it. He knew when Tony was trying to change the subject.

"There was a slight mishap during one of our training sessions," he agreed.

[starkingenuity]

"She's trouble, Cap," Tony said, crouching to gaze at the mess his training machine was left in. "I don't know how, but she actually unplugged and unscrewed everything inside of this thing. I'm going to have to completely rebuild it. Friday?"

The AI came from his phone. "Boss?"

"Go home and get my kit. The stuff I have here isn't going to work." He smirked and stood up, turning back towards Steve. "So what's for lunch?" He wanted to have a conversation too. Otherwise he wouldn't have sped on out here.

[starspangledspandex]

"She's on our side," Steve replied with a shrug. He wasn't worried about it so long as her abilities weren't directed toward them. He trusted Tony's judgment on the machine at least. "I've done worse to your equipment."

He shifted toward the door, "I don't know what the cafeteria had today."

[starkingenuity]

"You've done a lot worse, but never so cruelly," Tony said, which sounded just a little, and understandably, cryptic. Tony hadn't gotten a chance to bond with the girl and he never wanted to, either. Wanda had messed with his head, and he still felt as if she kept on doing it.

It made sleeping impossible and there was literally no one he could talk to about it that actually wanted to talk. Besides, after what she had done to Banner.... All of those people, all of those innocents... It hurt him. It kept on hurting him.

Tony shrugged it off and slipped his hands into his pockets as he headed out to follow Steve. "Cafeteria food. Nasty. Let's go out."

[starspangledspandex]

"It's a machine," Steve said, not seeing the problem. It was cryptic enough that whatever Tony was concerned about wasn't an issue in his eyes. He didn't blame her for the continued nightmares either. Those he was pretty used to by now.

He raised an eyebrow, because it really wasn't that bad, and asked, "Did you bring a car in your pocket? All I have here is my bike." He thought a moment and then added, "Unless you want to join me on the back."

[starkingenuity]

"We could race?" Even Steve's souped up bike wasn't going to be able to outpace Iron Man unless he took the quinjet...and then that would probably break a lot of laws. Tony grinned, but shrugged it off. "But why risk dinging my suit on the third victory lap before you leave the gates? We'll take your bike."

He'd never actually ridden a motorcycle before. He was more of a car man, or a plane man. He hadn't even been curious. Until now.

"Where do they have you guys park? Avengers Lot A?"

[starspangledspandex]

"I think we both know my bike doesn't go supersonic," Steve laughed. They both knew who would lose that race and he was just fine with it. The less laws they broke the better. The Avengers were trying to get public opinion back in their favor.

"In the garage," he gestured in that direction and opened the door. "You know, we do have land based vehicles."

He crossed over to it and pulled a spare helmet out of the cabinet to pass over to Tony. "Suit up."

[starkingenuity]

"Yet. It doesn't go supersonic yet. I can help with that," Tony offered, glancing at the the tall blond as they walked. He enjoyed the banter. That was what he was missing the most out of all of this. He needed someone to speak with. Friday wasn't cutting it.

He took the helmet without question at least. His alter ego was a full set of armor, after all. Wearing a helmet didn't bother him in the slightest.

"Latest fashion huh? Why does everything you own have the American flag on it?"

[starspangledspandex]

"I'm not sure I need it to," he laughed lightly. How would he control it going that fast? It would be almost impossible. He was pretty sure it broke a dozen laws too. Steve would stick to his bike being a normal speed. "Plus, you'd hate to have actual competition."

Steve reached for a helmet too. It was easier to not have people gawk at him when they were driving. "Someone thinks they're being funny," he shrugged.

[starkingenuity]

"Stabilizers, AI whirly gigs-- I would explain this seriously if I thought you could follow along," Tony teased, doing up the chinstrap with a snort. Not his best look, but it would keep his mind intact should they get into an accident. Steve might just bounce a few times and pick himself up but Tony absolutely would not.

When he was seated behind Steve, arm around his waist, he couldn't help but laugh.

"Enjoy the ride, Cap." He wasn't explaining it but he did hope that Steve got it so he could laugh at the others discomfort.

[starspangledspandex]

"Hey now," Steve protested lightly. He thought he was doing pretty well for being 97. Technology wasn't going to be his forte but he used it without trouble and he knew what stabilizers were thank you.

He preferred having a Tony around that wasn't smeared on the pavement and would be avoiding accidents as much as possible. He snapped his own helmet on and yes, those were wings on the side, before sliding onto the bike.

For a moment, Steve didn't get it. When he did, he shook his head and then shot back, grinning over his shoulder, "Maybe I will." Steve enjoyed turning the tables on the other man when he could. Kept him young.

[starkingenuity]

What was that? "Did you hit your head?! Should I be worried about a concussion? I've seen you fall out of a four story building. What could concuss you?" Tony asked, first wide eyed and now beyond pleased. He truly was. Steve, lightened up, was a good guy.

He held on a little more tightly as the engines revved.

"Not in a suit of armor, Naughtpants. Be gentle!"

[starspangledspandex]

Steve laughed again, starting the bike and making sure Tony was situated. He didn't want him to fall off in general but before they even left the building would be a terrible record.

"I've been riding one of these since before you were born," he called over his shoulder. "You're in good hands."

He revved the engine again and this time actually took off. It wasn't that fast either. Otherwise he would behave, he promised.

[starkingenuity]

Tony liked the speed. It's why he raced. He was an adrenaline junky and this was definitely helping him get his fix as he pressed his hand into the tight, flat stomach of the other man and plastered himself against his back.

"You're in better hands!" he yelled over the wind and half against his shoulder. "Cradle robber!"

[starspangledspandex]

The ride was fast but it was also easy. Steve knew what he was doing and what to look out for to keep things steady. He didn't mind that Tony needed to press close. It came with the territory. He was just glad Tony was comfortable enough to actually hold on to him.

Steve laughed behind his helmet. He didn't have a comeback for that one but it was hard to talk over the rush of wind and the roar of his engine anyway. This was good. He didn't remember the last time he left the base for something that wasn't a mission. Steve was wearing himself thin.

Once in town, he slowed down to the speed limit and called over the bike, "Where should we eat?"

[starkingenuity]

Tony didn't ask the new AI. Friday was sweet but she was no JARVIS and Tony wasn't going to get emotionally involved with this one. Yes. He knew that was crazy to even think but you couldn't be an eccentric billionaire without being at least a little crazy.

"Are their restaurants in the sticks?" he grumbled. The small town feel was pretty much opposite of what Tony liked. "Chinese. Chain pizza and fast food-- Oh look, Starbucks. Out here. It really is taking over the world. Our choices are Dominos and Olive Garden," he laughed.