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.

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[starkingenuity]

This was almost too much. Steve laughed and Tony thought it was all over but-- No. It wasn't. They were still careening towards each other and the longer it went on, the harder Tony wanted to play. The harder he wanted to play, the worse it was going to end. He knew that. He had ceased to care.

"Private lessons it is." The pizza disappeared fast, along with another two beers before Tony threw some cash down on the table and grabbed his helmet. "Well Cap? Shall we?"

This would be a train wreck. Tony was weirdly excited.

[starspangledspandex]

Nobody was breaking any by-laws right? There were always complications when teammates started having relations which one another. Right now, his interest in Tony was just that, interest. He was curious and well, he liked Tony when they weren't butting heads.

Steve could probably eat the whole pizza himself so yeah, it went quick. He was dated though and way more interested to see where this was really going. He finished his own beer and stood, nodding, "Let's head back."

He headed with Tony out to his bike and pulled on his helmet again.

[starkingenuity]

There was something just slightly unsettling with all of this. The game was a dangerous one and that had Tony's blood pumping but he couldn't get his mind off of Steve's attempts to mirror the finger licking. He was so gentle about it and his thoughts were still straying to what velvety softness might lie passed those lips when he hopped onto the back of the bike after Steve situated himself.

Tony slid his arms more sensually around the Captain, hands flat to muscle definition that was seriously unfair. Curious fingers trailed up his chest and then back down again where he not so discreetly cupped Steve for a moment. Oops?

[starspangledspandex]

He waited patiently for Tony to join him on the bike. Steve was reviewing their conversation to try and piece together which direction this was going to go. His mind strayed to wondering how talented Tony might be with his tongue if he was so willing to tease him with it.

His head tilted back toward Tony slightly as the man started to run his hands over him, silently assessing a response. Steve inhaled when the older man's hand wandered lower than he expected and yeah, that threw any doubts out the window.

"Might want to keep your hands to yourself while we're driving," he told him as he started the bike. He added, in a teasing tone, "I'll be too distracted to drive if they're as good as you say."

[starkingenuity]

There was definitely a few danger warning lights going off in his head but hey. Since when did he listen to those types of things? Never! To have Steve's weight suddenly in his arms like that was driving him to new and uncharted territories.

He liked it.

But why? Because he was lonely? Because Steve was being a good sort and teasing right back? Because Tony had made a new and brash move in gay chicken with touching like that?

He locked his arms around Steve's waist as they drove, breathing a little harder than usual in his own confusion.

[starspangledspandex]

There were so many ways for this to go wrong but what if it went right? Steve just wanted some kind of connection. After a week of nightmares about how lonely he was, it would be really nice to not feel that way.

At what point did it stop being a game of chicken? If Steve was asked for an opinion, touching seemed like a line in the sand. He didn't know he was playing anyway.

Yeah, he was playing along here but he was honestly interested. Wasn't there a place in Tony's world for that option? He drove faster on the way back to base. He was already warm and thinking about what might happen when they got there was not helping in the slightest. He was definitely aware of Tony pressed against him this time.

He parked the bike and flipped it off. "How was the ride?"

[starkingenuity]

Confusing? Disquieting? "Bumpy," Tony responded, grinning. More innuendo, though he thankfully had not gotten himself half a boner as he rubbed against the back of Steve's jeans. He would have had trouble figuring out what to do with himself if that was the case.

But now they were parked. The bike was in the New Avenger garage. There were people swarming around, though. Tony glanced at them almost distractedly and handed Steve his helmet.

It did not occur to him that Steve might actually be interested. Tony would lose his genius and person-reading cards after this.

[starspangledspandex]

"Well, at least you didn't fall off," he laughed again and took Tony's helmet so he could return them to his locker. There were way too many people around for his own liking and that was one reason he preferred to do whatever they were doing in private.

He glanced around and then focused back on Tony. "My living space isn't anything special but it's private."

[starkingenuity]

Tony gestured. "Lead the way." He knew the way. He helped to construct this place. He might not have put in as many finishing touches as he had in the tower but he knew where the living quarters were.

Tony used the opportunity to study the back of Steve's head and wonder just where this was going. He found himself a little distracted, however, by the spareness of Steve's space and how lonely it looked, even as he closed the door.

Here they were. Alone. And Tony was starting to realize that one of them wasn't playing.

[starspangledspandex]

Steve gestured that direction and he knew that Tony probably knew where the living quarters were but he didn't necessarily know which one Steve claimed as his own.

They weren't fancy. Small living room, bedroom, bathroom, tiny kitchenette. Some of the stuff from his apartment ended up here, particularly his record player and books, but it still barely looked lived in.

"I'd give you a tour but there's not much to look at," Steve laughed lightly, but it was almost tense. He was well aware how empty it looked.

"Need something to drink?"

[starkingenuity]

"Three beers is enough," Tony said, standing by the door. He could pursue Steve. He ought to. Back him up against something-- but you shouldn't go around pissing a super soldier off.

He didn't want to get punched. And he was sort of realizing that he might very well do worse damage by hurting Steve's feelings. That was no reason to go through with it though.

"It's... Been awhile. Honestly, wasn't expecting to get this far," he admitted.

[starspangledspandex]

"Water?" He offered, crossing into the kitchen just for something to do with himself and he poured himself a glass.

Steve was more than okay with being backed up against something. He thought about taking the lead himself but now that they were in private he figured it would be good to have some time to talk without innuendos everywhere.

He considered the words for a moment, leaning against the counter and said, "I'd hate to miss out on your hands." He gave Tony an easy smile, "But I understand. I'm just fine with hanging out."

Steve just learned his lesson about waiting.

[starkingenuity]

"Nah," he said to the water and shook his head. It wasn't the response he was really interested in anyway. Especially because Rogers had learned how to punk him, call him out, or was actually truly interested in him. As a person.

Which was sort of crazy. Tony arched an eyebrow and followed him.

"Question: you don't really like me so why is this of any interest to you? I mean, I know I'm hot--"

[starspangledspandex]

He shrugged, took a drink of his own water and watched Tony as he crossed toward him. Steve sighed at the question because it was his own stubbornness working against him here.

"I meant it when I said I'd miss you," he told him, blue eyes on the other man. It was a shame that Tony thought he didn't like him. "I like you, despite not agreeing with some of the choices you make."

[starkingenuity]

"Um..." Tony arched an eyebrow and leaned over the breakfast bar. It made him even shorter than Steve than he already was, but he needed the support here. "Okay. So. You know people don't like me unless they need restraining orders or I pay them... Right?"

Now he was confused and it showed on his face, eyebrows furrowing inwards ever so slightly as he looked up at his... Friend. Former leader.

He didn't know anymore.

[starspangledspandex]

"Guess I didn't get that memo," Steve replied with a frown. He wasn't allowed to like him? Was he trying to scare him off? He stood and leaned against the counter behind him, eyes still on Tony.

Probably. Maybe he just didn't know how to turn him down. It didn't make much sense considering all the flirting but hey, Tony was complicated.

"Look, if you're not interested, I get it," he told him. It wasn't even close to his first rejection. "We're both adults here."

[starkingenuity]

Okay so Rogers either excelled at this game or he actually liked him. That flirting hadn't been for amusement. It hadn't been a game. Steve was in it. And so Tony's face literally went blank because he could not figure out what the hell he was suppose to do or say about that. It was confusing. And not confusing in the good way either, the kind that made him want to tear it all apart to get at the truth. His brain was a little bit stuck here.

So he decided to just stare. Staring solved every single problem he world had ever know. Right?

"You weren't teasing...?" That sounded as if Tony expected the rejection. And actually, that was exactly it. "I don't understand. First for me, I know. We're all shocked."

[starspangledspandex]

The staring made him want to fidget but he didn't because Captain America didn't fidget. He figured he would let Tony work through whatever was confusing about the fact that Steve liked him.

"No?" His forehead creased. "I would have let it die after a few jokes if I was teasing." He wouldn't have let it go on for over an hour. "I don't know what's tripping you up. I thought I made myself pretty clear."

[starkingenuity]

Tony pressed his finger and thumb against his eyelids and pulled down. "Changed my mind about the drink. As strong as you've got," Tony grumbled and climbed up into a stool.

He kept waiting for Steve to laugh but Captain America wasn't a jerk. Not in that way at least. Tony kept waiting for the other show to drop just the same and he gazed somewhat forlornly at bar.

Anything Steve gave him would be downed as a shot. Even if it was just juice. He swung himself out of the seat then and pulled his shirt over his head. There was no reactor. Not even a scar. "Fuck it. Or both of us. Couch or bed?"

He was a lonely man. And sex was sex.

[starspangledspandex]

He pulled open his fridge to find out if he even had any alcohol. Turned out he did. Leftovers from hanging out, no doubt. Tony would be getting himself a vodka shot. Steve was sure Natasha wouldn't mind.

The sudden shift in attitude made him raise an eyebrow. One minute Tony was depressed about this and now he was ready to go? This whole thing was strange. He stared at the shirtless man for a moment and took another drink of water, setting down the glass before he pulled his own shirt off.

"I'm flexible, remember?" Steve grinned, tilting his head at Tony.

[starkingenuity]

"Shut up." Tony was to trying to be rude, he just was rude naturally. He also wasn't entirely sure where this was going but the chance of feeling someone else's hands on him was a chance he wanted, so badly, to take. He assessed the tiny sofa, loveseat really, and opted for the bed option instead.

Tony frowned at the almost cot-like bed in Steve's tiny room and smirked.

"Do you even fit on that?" he asked and no. No he didn't want an answer to that. Instead, he let his hands undo his belt buckle and fly, watching Steve with still a smidge of uncertainty.

[starspangledspandex]

He could only grin, not offended, and followed Tony into his bedroom. Some days, it felt like his bed wasn't any bigger than his couch but he did, in fact, fit on it. The room would fit a double bed, which he requested, but he suspected that particular requisition fell by the wayside somewhere along the lines.

"I don't usually have company," he replied, watching as Tony started on his pants and he dropped his shirt on the floor to do the same.

[starkingenuity]

This was all just a tiny bit bizarre. Tony pushed the jeans off of his really very round hips and stepped out of them, towards Steve. "Ridiculous. I'll send you something better." This whole thing felt like some weird respit in a war. Coming back after a battle to a tent to re confirm that everyone was indeed alive.

And he sort of needed that. He needed to know that he was breathing, that he could still feel.

And he really needed Steve not to see that he was wearing Captain America underwear.

[starspangledspandex]

"I'd appreciate it," he told him. "But you could just convince Fury to fill my request."

Steve could do with a reminder too.

It was so. very. tempting to comment on Tony's underwear. How could he not see the design on them? It was pretty obvious and quite recognizable. However, he refrained, keeping his eyes on Tony's face instead and now he shifted, slightly nervous.

This was... he didn't know what this was. Surprising? Weird? Regardless, he shoved his own pants down and stood in front of Tony in nice deep blue boxer briefs. They clung to him wonderfully.

[starkingenuity]

It was like they were back at playing chicken again, just a few inches from each other, only enough to keep from touching when they exhaled. Nothing else seemed to make a difference any more. The vodka wasn't enough to remind him of how stupid this was or how pointless in the end. There was no way to keep the strings off.

Tony saw his jaw, lifting his hand slowly to press it against Steve's chest the same way that Peggy had when she first caught a glimpse of him. He was so warm. Warm like Banner was warm. And hard.

Tony wet his lips, eyes on his fingers rather than on Steve watching him. He had to say something... "Just a prototype. Trying out different fabrics. I think a darker blue, what do you think?" Talking about boxers at a time like this was obviously a sign of nerves.