Sentinel/Guide AU for starkingenuity

[starspangledspandex]

Things have been going remarkably well between them. Even if the beginning was somewhat rocky, their compatibility was obvious and not just to them. Steve was old-fashioned and though his instincts made it clear what they wanted, he did things the "right" way. There were dates and gifts and just general wooing. They talked about it and they were ready.

He smiled at Tony, watching him as he worked and couldn't stand it anymore. "Tonight," he said, then added, for clarity, "We should bond tonight."

Maybe not the most romantic proposal but he figured he shouldn't smother Tony in it anyway or the man would get sick of it. No the rarity made it special.

Comments

[starkingenuity]

Oh Tony didn't mind the wooing inwardly though he did have to bust on the Captain every time he brought him flowers or left him a card when he was busy beating out the dents in his suit (or some other piece of metal that had gotten crunched during the attack on New York) and was too busy for lunch. He had never expected to meet a Sentinel he was so compatible with while saving the world, while he was seriously dating someone he loved, or just before they both almost died but science and biology didn't really have rules for that.

He still remembered, almost fondly, how they had been yelling at one another on the bridge of the helicarrier, male posturing and chest thumping one moment, and the next, eyes locked, they both just knew.

In Steve's day, there would be courting, marriage and then bonding. In the twenty-first century there was usually less circumstance. You can't fight biology and compatibility like that and most Guides and Sentinels got to it pretty quickly wherever they could make a nest and the details were hashed out later.

At least this dating thing allowed Tony to break it off cleanly with Pepper. She understood how it was, or said she did, but normals didn't really get it. How could they when there was no feral, biological imperative to find your other half?

So things had been going slow. Tony was pretty much all blue balls all the time but he liked Steve and kept liking him each and every dinner or movie they went to. It was probably strange for Guides these days to like the Sentinels they bond with first but hey, why not be old fashioned for once?

He was in the middle of welding when Steve decided that tonight, on their six month anniversary (JARVIS reminded him that morning) that it was the night. He almost welded his leg in surprise and turned to look fully at the blond.

"Is bond old man speak for bumper bowling or mini golf? Or do you mean actual bonding?"

[starspangledspandex]

He laughed lightly and shook his head, "Actual bonding." Steve shrugged, knowing he didn't need to explain himself, but figured it wouldn't hurt anyway. "I waited seventy years for this. I don't want to keep waiting."

They were both superheroes. Either of them could die at any moment and maybe that was a morbid thought but it was also realistic. He didn't want to go without experiencing the completion of a bond. He didn't think Tony did either, at least not now that he knew someone so compatible existed.

Plus, there was only so much he could fight his instincts.

"If you're not ready, I understand," he backtracked slightly because he didn't want to be pushy. They talked about this but that was another thing entirely to actually committing to it. He was pretty sure the Guide wouldn't have an issue with it. "But it will be easier to keep me even and clear headed that way."

[starkingenuity]

"Wait." Tony removed his thick leather gloves and pinched his eyebrows together. "This isn't a business meeting, okay? We aren't going to discuss statistic or probabilities and I would blow you out of the water anyway and have to keep doubling back to explain everything." He teased because he cared. He also teased when he didn't care but that wasn't the case right now.

He put his gloves down. He removed his apron and his protective eye wear.

He turned.

"For the record, JARVIS, put this on the record, I wanted to do this after Thor went home and Banner headed back to private practice in Mumbai and you started commuting to DC for the work week." He had been willing to bare his neck before the glass had been picked out of his back from Loki's tantrum in the tower. "So don't keep waiting on account of me. And don't make this a competition. I've been waiting a lot longer than you, Sleeping Beauty!"

[starspangledspandex]

His eyes were warm as he watched Tony and he huffed out a short laugh. Steve didn't mean that to be as cold as it sounded and he was sure Tony knew it. They were both ready, well past it actually and Steve said brightly, "Well then, for the record, I want to bond tonight."

He tilted his head, questioningly, "Is that enough time for a nest?"

[starkingenuity]

"Yep. Maybe. Probably. Are we ordering in?"

Tony didn't need to watch Youtube how-tos on nest construction. He could feel how he wanted it and he'd been planning it in the back of his mind for months now. He already had the blankets he would be shredding and the pillows that would be good on his back and knees-- Blue balls, Captain. Steve had no idea how difficult it had been for Tony to be celibate. He hadn't even touched himself--

--err. Too often at least. He was still human after all.

"Or are we doing this fancy with dinner first out?"

[starspangledspandex]

Considering this was spur of the moment decision making, Steve didn't really have a plan. He shrugged, oh so helpful, and said,"I don't know. Do you want to go somewhere?"

[starkingenuity]

Tony very slowly cocked his head to the left, both eyebrows furrowing. "Go and get that pizza we like from Brooklyn. Should keep you occupied long enough for me to get started."

He was right in the middle of a project but the way he suddenly felt the need to rush upstairs and get to work probably indicated how much he really did not want to prolong this. He was excited.

A hand to Steve's chest and Tony leaned in to press his mouth to the blond's. "Oh! Get tacos too. For the fridge. I have a feeling tonight might take a few days."

And off he went, those annoyingly amazing hips swaying as he did.

[starspangledspandex]

He nodded, agreeing with that idea completely and it would definitely keep him occupied. He leaned into the man and returned the kiss, blue eyes bright.

"Pizza and tacos, got it," Steve said, watching Tony's hips sway as he left. If the man needed anything else, he was sure he would text him. He wanted to leave and get back quickly as well. He took a car because he wasn't carrying a pizza on his bike and called ahead to order it so it would be waiting on him.

He dutifully stopped to get tacos as well before he headed back to the house. "Jarvis, tell him dinner is here," Steve told the AI as he moved into the kitchen.

[starkingenuity]

"Mister Stark has requested that you bring one pepperoni into the bedroom and put the rest in the refrigerator," JARVIS piped up on response to Steve's statement. There was little in the AI's voice to give away what Tony had been planning but there didn't have to be either.

A trail of rose petals would guide the way. See, Tony could be romantic too. There were two glasses of champagne as well on the hall table by the bedroom.

Tony had spent the last two hours that it took for Steve to fight New York traffic weaving together their nest in the center of the room, the blankets and pillows coiled expertly, soft leaves and more flowers woven in together. It was less romantic and more a natural inclination for a Guide to nest with organic materials.

Tony stood, wearing a silk robe, and looked over the blue jeans and white tshirted man carrying the pizza in.

He'd seen a porno start like this once.

[starspangledspandex]

"Thank you JARVIS," Steve said with a small smile and he did just that. He raised an eyebrow at the petals, surprised and endeared that the Guide--his Guide--would go to these lengths to make this actually romantic. He picked up the glasses with champagne carefully in his free hand and stepped into the room with the pizza.

His eyes scanned the nest, then shifted to Tony, approving of both. "Now I feel overdressed," he teased, setting the pizza and champagne down. "This looks wonderful," he added, because it seemed right to compliment the man, not that he needed a bigger ego than he already had.

[starkingenuity]

"That's because you are overdressed," Tony said, stepping out of the nest and standing just at the high lip. He wanted his Sentinel to be the one to put him back there... But pizza first. Okay, it wasn't that romantic but it just smelled so good... Tony pressed in close, champagne in one hand and a grin on his face. "Maybe it's good that we waited so I didn't have to make a nest out of a pile of coats."

He was extremely proud of what he'd done. He might have even had JARVIS take some pictures. He might have instagrammed them too. Pride was one of his weaknesses!

[starspangledspandex]

Pizza could be romantic. It just depended on the context. He was pretty sure being in a hurry to get to the fun parts didn't quite count. He smiled and nodded, "This is better. I know it was hard to wait. I wanted... I wanted to do this right."

He flipped open the lid to reveal the pizza. Steve didn't exactly keep up with instagram so he hadn't seen the pictures. Broadcasting it all over social media would not be his first choice for announcing their bonding but he wasn't going to be upset about it either.

"Eat up," he told him, offering the man a piece of pizza. Steve would fix his being overdressed problem as soon as they were finished.

[starkingenuity]

You didn't have to tell Tony Stark twice. Champagne in one hand, pizza in the other, he had a really very delightful dinner standing up and giving eyes to the Sentinel. He could feel his pupils dilating and it had nothing to do with how delicious the meal was. Every bite was getting them closer to being naked and...

Tony actually paused for a moment and, chin lowered, lifted his eyes up towards the blond.

"I can't believe that I'm going to say this, but just in case the heat of the moment turns you into the top... I err... I've never done it that way."

Imagine that. Tony was actually unfamiliar with something!

New Thread line!

[starkingenuity]

"They won't do anything," Tony countered, sitting up immediately to try and stand. That was a lot harder than he thought it might be and his mind swam behind his eyes as he leaned heavily on the back of the couch. "Not if you stay here with me. They'll never touch you...or your bondmate...again."

The others would have been alerted by now. Bucky couldn't stop them all and he wouldn't leave his Sentinel. Probably.

His programming might allow him to in ways that Steve's could not. Tony wasn't really sure how that all worked, Banner was their go man on that one. "You belong with me, Steve Rogers! I've been waiting half a century for you!"

Works for me!

[starspangledspandex]

He shook his head, staggering backward, "You don't understand."

The Captain didn't know what to do right now. He couldn't get out anymore than his Guide could get in and he was relatively sure that the man was in danger because he hesitated, because he couldn't complete his mission. What if Hydra was coming for him? For them?

"I don't... I don't remember," he said, which was sort of a lie, he remembered but it was all a mess and it wasn't in order. Steve dropped to his knees with his hands still on his temples.

[starkingenuity]

"I understand," Tony insisted, following at what he hoped was a safe distance. Any moment now and Steve's Guide was going to be in distress and Tony needed to make sure that the blond was focused on him.

It would have been easier before. They could have delivered the medication, they could have dissolved the bond, but Tony wan't sure if it would outright kill Steve now... And he would rather the man he loved be alive and not with him than dead.

The thought brought tears to dark eyes.

"I understand because you're all I think about. Because life is torment without you. I know we couldn't bond the way we wanted to, and I want what's best for you, but I need you to be Steve Rogers again! You're not a murderer!"

[starspangledspandex]

"They hurt us," he insisted, in a desperate and pained tone. Tony didn't know what it felt like to be strapped down and electrocuted until there was nothing in his head but the Soldier.

Over the mask, his blue eyes flicked up to Tony, listening even if his head was messed up. These last six months were hell on Earth for the Captain and his bondmate. This was just making it worse. His gaze shifted from Tony to the hologram, now paused, on the two of them lost in one another. He recognized his face and from the pieces that were peeking out behind his crumbling programming, he knew it was the truth.

"I don't feel like Steve Rogers," he said. "I... I only see pieces."

[starkingenuity]

Tony didn't state the obvious that it was stupid to return to people that hurt you. He pressed his lips together and told JARVIS to stop the play back. If it hurt Steve to see, it hurt Tony too. Memories like that...

Sometimes he wished he didn't have them.

"I can help you remember. And I can help Bucky remember too. He did once. It took time. But it's possible."

[starspangledspandex]

No, it didn't make sense but they found them. They came for them. A world didn't exist in his mind where Hydra wasn't waiting around the corner.

His forehead creased, trying to think and he gave the man a wary look. This felt like another trap. It all felt like a trap.

Bucky? Was that The Soldier? He ground his teeth together behind his mask. He didn't like this but it was him in the video. Tony knew who they used to be. There was no other explanation.

His head hurt and his gaze shifted to the door, to where his Guide was, making him frown. "How do I know this isn't a trap?"

[starkingenuity]

"You don't," Tony replied, taking a drink. "But you're the one who came after me. And you're still not trying to kill me. Ruined my carpet and my window, but I think you know, deep down, that I would never hurt you."

He set his glass down carefully and moved not to intercept so much as to offer a hand to the Captain.

By then the Soldier had been subdued and knocked out. He wasn't hurt, just sleeping. Tony could see that fear in Steve's eyes for his Guide and it hurt him.

"You'll be allowed to be with him," he whispered. "Put down the gun."

[starspangledspandex]

He could feel, at least, that his Guide didn't have serious injuries. They might have knocked him out but he was alive and not necessarily in danger.

His blue eyes were still wary over his mask as he listened to Tony and watched him move. He was a captivating man, even the Captain could see that much.

His forehead creased again at the whisper and his gaze shifted to the empty space the hologram had been. Was the Soldier actually his? He didn't remember happiness but he could still see it. It could be why his target muddled up his head and made his bond waver.

"But..."

What if he didn't want the Soldier when he remembered? He shook his head, his eyes shifted back to Tony and he lowered the gun, dropping it to the floor. He cautiously took the man's hand still not quite convinced he wasn't turning them over to someone who would do the same thing to them.

[starkingenuity]

Tony had never been the romantic one. He made grand gestures but it wasn't romance. Steve taught him so much, though. And it was from Steve's play book that tony brought Steve's hand to his mouth and kissed the back of his gloved knuckles.

"You're going to have to kneel. I'm sorry. But you're still dangerous. I can't quite trust you not to hurt our friends yet."

[starspangledspandex]

The Captain--Steve? The Captain?--blinked at Tony kissing his knuckles. It made him feel warm but he didn't understand quite why. His forehead creased again as he tried to figure it out and he glanced toward where the hologram had been again. They were supposed to be a bonded pair. Tony had said as much. He obviously still cared for 'Steve Rogers'.

Most of his expression was hid behind his mask but he was leery. Making himself vulnerable... it wasn't something he enjoyed to do. It took time to relax even when they were renewing their bond. He eyed Tony silently and then did as he was asked, kneeling smoothly in front of the man.

[starkingenuity]

Tony let out a long sigh of relief and headed towards the control panel to call in the Calvary. "He remembers me. He didn't shoot. Be gentle with him. He won't fight."

Hopefully.

Even so, it was Thor that led the way into the room. His eyes were softer than usual as he gazed at the remains of his friend. "Will you come willingly, friend Rogers? We will take you to your mate."

Tony had gotten pretty good at hiding his pain but he still flinched to hear Thor acknowledge Bucky as his mate.

[starspangledspandex]

He stayed kneeling even as the door finally opened. Steve only partially recognized the people that poured in the room and Thor, mostly from their tussle at UN.

The Captain frowned at the man--he still wasn't sure he liked the use of Rogers--but nodded. It was important to see his mate. He needed someone to give him some stability. His head was a mess.

"I will cooperate."