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]

"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.

[starspangledspandex]

Steve was not touching that particular line of thought with a ten foot pole, so it was a good thing that Tony kept it to himself.

"Seems to me like there are," Steve responded, eyeing the choices himself. No, there weren't many and none of them were particularly fancy but it was food. He preferred something a little more populated but with the New Avengers still working out some kinks it was better they were in a quiet area.

"Pizza it is," he decided, pulling into the parking lot and flipping off the bike. "Take the helmet with you. People keep taking them."

Apparently, Captain America items were popular. He couldn't fathom just why but he didn't want to have to replace yet another helmet.

[starkingenuity]

"The paragon of justice gets stolen from?" Tony couldn't help but laugh, putting the helmet under his arm as they started across the street. Tony wasn't entirely thrilled with the Not Real New York Style pizza but there was little he could do about it now. The sticky red and white table clothes, the plastic water tumblers...

Ugh.

It was a little more bearable that the old woman hostess didn't seem to recognize them though and told them to sit anywhere. Tony led the way to the back booth.

"So how was the ride for you?" he grinned. "Gotta say I enjoyed it."

[starspangledspandex]

"And in a town this size," Steve shook his head. He still couldn't believe it but hey, if they needed a helmet or money that bad, they could have it. "I must look like a pushover," he grinned because even he knew that was far from true.

Steve followed Tony to the back booth and slid into it. He gave the other man an amused smile, "It was great. In looking forward to going again."

[starkingenuity]

There it was again, that shock. Steve probably had no idea what gay chicken was but Tony was sorely tempted to start playing. "Oh yeah? Better than going solo?" How many euphemisms could Tony get to before he outright laughed and ruined it? "What part do you like best, Cap? Being in control or having something warm to push back on when you take the curves?"

And of course, that was when the same older woman decided it was time for their order. Tony ordered them a couple beers, mozz sticks and two baskets of wings to start. He figured that the finger licking might add to the game.

[starspangledspandex]

No, he didn't know what gay chicken was, he was pretty sure that wasn't a thing back when. He did, however, realize that Tony was full of euphemisms today. The other man didn't need to laugh for him to figure out it was on purpose.

Two could play that game. He waited until the waitress disappeared again to respond.

"It's definitely more exciting with a partner," he told him. He leaned forward and added with a tease, "Especially one with such good hands."

Wow, okay, that one was pretty forward. Even he would admit that one. Steve was just rolling with it here but... well, Tony was eye catching. He thought about it once or twice--what could he say?

Steve really didn't have an answer to the other part. It was like he had a lot of experience in the area. Finally, he shrugged and said, "That's a tough one. I'm pretty flexible. I don't ride with a partner very often."

[starkingenuity]

This time Tony was able to catch his surprise before it showed on his face. Their beers were brought out and he cracked one open on the bucket because he did not have super human strength like some people here did.

He sat the hand that evidently was so good on the neck of the bottle and slid his thumb to the rim. "You have no idea how good my hands really are. All they did was hold on this time."

He lifted the bottle to his lips and tipped his head back to drink. There was a puckered sound when skin and glass separated.

"Now, when you say flexible... Just how flexible do you think?"

[starspangledspandex]

He accepted a beer too and no, he didn't have any trouble getting the top off. Steve would forever be the one everyone asked to open jars for them.

Steve took a sip of his drink as he gave the other man an amused head shake. See, here was the problem. He couldn't tell if he was actually being flirted with or well, what were a few innuendos between friends? It wouldn't be the first time.

"You're right, I don't," Steve agreed, and there were plenty of very obvious statements he could make about Tony showing him, but this was now the point where he was awkward. He just didn't know. "It's a shame."

He raised an eyebrow as he took another drink and watched Tony, then shrugged, "You've seen me in the field. I have some gymnast training. I have to keep limber so I don't strain anything."

Everytime he turned around he was learning something new. He expanded fighting styles on a regular basis and some of them required a lot of flexibility and movement. On top of that, Natasha was showing him some things and her moves tended to use her full bodyweight.

"I'd say pretty flexible."

[starkingenuity]

"You only need to ask," Tony said with a subdued sort of smirk, voice soft and eyes, somehow, even softer. The way he looked up through his lashes was devastating. "I'm sure I can show you all sorts of things. Things you can use with or without a partner or varying degrees of technicality." He was talking about mechanics here. But hey. His hands were still in play. He took another sip of his beer.

Maybe it was the fact that he hadn't gotten laid in just over a year. Or maybe that Steve looked good in this sort of light, but Tony was getting warmer than a few sips of 6% alcohol could do.

"And you can demonstrate that flexibility. An even exchange."

[starspangledspandex]

Okay, that made it far less of a conundrum because no one looked at someone else like that unless they were flirting. This wasn't his intention in calling Tony out here but hell, what an offer.

Steve considered him a moment, blue eyes searching the older man, before he said, "Sounds like you're an expert."

He took another long drink and leaned forward on his elbows on the table. "I don't think I'll get a better deal than that."

[starkingenuity]

The point of this was to make Steve uncomfortable and flushed and maybe stammer something about it all being unholy or against god. He was looking for entertainment. Not a full on flirting. And yet..

That's what they were doing.

"Romanoff might give me a run for my money in that department but I'm a lot less cold about it," Tony said. It was a little chevanistic actually and he would apologize if it ever got back to her but she did get put into his company specially to half seduce him. So...

All's fair?

Tony exhaled slowly and set the beer down as their appetizers were brought out. He pulled apart and mozzarella stick slowly, watching Steve.

"And there's some things I'm more skilled at as I've been doing it a lot longer."

[starspangledspandex]

Well, he wouldn't get any of that sort of stammering. Little known fact about Steve Rogers was that he swung both ways.

He snorted, "Well Romanoff's moves are strictly for fighting." Steve didn't want Tony to get the wrong idea here. He wasn't sleeping with Black Widow. She was pretty well taken at this point anyway.

He picked up his own mozzarella stick and took a bite without playing with it. His eyes were still completely focused on Tony--were they really doing this?

Yes, it seemed like they were. "Oh?" He raised his eyebrows again and took a breath, just a pause of hesitation before he added, "Well in that case, how could I refuse?"

[starkingenuity]

This was going longer than he thought it would. It was getting a little more... Indepth. Tony wasn't stuck or stymied though. Talking was one thing. Getting to the rest was another.

He licked at the melting cheese between his fingers, no longer looking at the other as he tried to reevaluate as sexily as possible.

"Maybe we should think about eating fast then," he said, diving into the wings. "Eat up. You'll need your strength."

[starspangledspandex]

Steve tried not to say anything he wasn't prepared to back up with action. He lived in a world where people's word should mean something. Flirting with Tony was unexpected but well, it wasn't like he didn't look.

Tony licking his fingers wasn't helping.

"Yeah?" He grinned. "I'm not the old man here."

[starkingenuity]

"Which one of us is ninety seven and participated in World War II?" Tony shot back, more amused than usual. He wasn't really feeling his age right now. If anything, he was feeling pleasantly and particularly young, the same way he felt when flirting with younger women.

Now, he had dabbled from time to time with men, but it had never been as satisfying as it was with women. Tony was a public figure and bedding female one night stands just played better in a world where congressmen and senators shamefully hid in public restrooms for a little hanky panky with the same sex.

The last time he'd even bothered with another man was almost two decades ago. So really, what he was doing now was suppose to be just for fun.

"Unless you meant to say experienced. I'll take that one."