If you know what's good for you, stay away from me.

[letmetakeaselfie]

Tony had felt extremely out of the loop following everything. Between Clint and his family and all the team seeming to want nothing to do with him, he had more or less left it be. He and Pepper had had some major date nights to catch up on and Steve and Nat seemed busy training everyone besides. As much as he missed them... Well, frankly, he doesn't feel missed himself and so he stays out of it. At least, overtly.

There had been some interesting bit of intel he'd overheard at the party. Between the Falcon and Cap, no less. Steve's new friend he seemed to trust above the Avengers. Objectively, Tony couldn't fault it. But his gut twisted with the knowledge. He kept it to himself, however, getting to work on his own in secret. It doesn't take long to track down the Winter Soldier all things considered, but he doesn't dare spook him by letting him know he's found. He knows it's time to let Steve in on the secret, but he fears what the other man will think.

He invites him over under false pretenses, not like all their other circumstances hadn't been. They hadn't seen each other since Tony had left HQ, and though he knew a disgusting amount about Steve, no Captain America trivia will help him with this meeting. Tony jumps when F.R.I.D.A.Y. announces the arrival of Cap and his bike, trying to pull himself together enough to tell Steve he went behind his back one more time. Not like he's any stranger to the sensation, but no one seemed to think anything of betraying him and so neither did Tony in the end.

"Hey, pal," he greets warmly, clapping Steve on the shoulder as he shows him in. "How's... everything? Everyone. Do you want coffee? Or, we could order something." He's doing that nervous thing again. Tony swallows and waits for Steve to speak.

Comments

[valuedstrength]

"Tony." Steve stares down at him curiously. He's not sure what he's done to make him nervous already. He literally just got here. Steve doesn't suspect the truth for an instant. For now, he's taking it in stride. Maybe he's just imagining things. "I am a little hungry. If you don't mind."

[letmetakeaselfie]

"Of course I don't mind, buddy, come on." Tony waves him on to the kitchen and pulls them out a coke each, setting the cans heavily on the counter. "How's pizza sound?" He's coming across too accommodating maybe. Hopefully this isn't as date-rapey as he fears.

[valuedstrength]

"Pizza sounds great." He reaches across the counter for his drink while never looking away from Tony. This is actually as date-rapey as he fears. "Is everything okay?"

[letmetakeaselfie]

Oops. "Tell FRIDAY what you want, she'll call it in." He gestures to the ceiling and cracks the tab on his soda. "Everything is... is. You?"

[valuedstrength]

Steve gives him a look before complying. Prepare for the meatiest meat pizza ever. Once that's done, he gets back to the question at hand. He's not going to press Tony any further for now if only to spare his feelings. He knows it's been rough for him to step back after what happened with Ultron. Why make it worse by pushing matters?

"Busy. Rhodes and Sam are easy to work with, but Vision and Wanda...." He shakes his head fondly. "It's like Natasha and I are raising a couple of kids now."

[letmetakeaselfie]

He can take it, okay. Bring on the meat. Tony snorts at the assessment, shaking his head fondly. "You're not wrong." They're the youngest on the team now, but it is funny. Since Cap and Nat used to be... and now they're team leaders. He's proud of them though. As discouraging as it is to have to take a step back, it's impossible to mistake his gaze for anything but ridiculously fond.

[valuedstrength]

Steve ducks his head and smiles shyly. Yeah that fondness is hard to miss. He feels a little self-conscious about being on the receiving end of it. "Guess not. I am raising a guy who is only a couple months old." He hesitates for a beat before adding carefully, "You know you should come see him sometime. I've caught him sitting by the rubble of the jet a few times. He can't explain why he does it, but I think he misses you. "

[letmetakeaselfie]

Misses him. Tony frowns. "He doesn't even know me." It's a touch defensive, but mostly he's just confused. Then again, maybe Vision is too. He looks down at his hands.

"I don't think everyone would appreciate me stopping by." Three guesses who that's about, and the first two don't count.

[valuedstrength]

Steve lets it go. He sure as Hell can't explain any of it. He barely understands how Vision was born in the first place. The allusion Tony is making is within his power though.

"Natasha can take Wanda out while you visit." He offers even if it isn't much. The guilt on his face makes it clear he doesn't like this option at all. It feels too much like enabling a bad situation. "But, if you really don't want to come then fine. I understand."

[letmetakeaselfie]

His frown evolves into an all out scowl. "You don't have to do that." Wanda belongs there -- not him. It's wrong to drag her out so he can be there. "And I didn't say..." He sighs, composure fading fast. He doesn't want to have a fight, that wasn't why he'd invited Cap here though it may well be inevitable.

"I'm not afraid of her." It's defensive, sure, but there's accuracy to it. He's terrified of the things she made him see, yes, but she was just a confused girl in the end. Steve was doing right by her. "I just doubt she wants to see me." Never mind that Tony Stark wasn't usually the type of man to be considerate to such an extreme.

[valuedstrength]

He can't deny it so he doesn't. Steve glances away uncomfortably. "She just needs time." The thing is that he truly believes that. He managed to get over Wanda violating his mind and Tony unleashing a robot army on all of them. Surely she can get past something that Tony didn't actually do.

He glances back at Tony swiftly. "Do you want to watch something while we wait?" Clearly talking isn't going anywhere. It's not like Steve knows Tony is aware of where Bucky Barnes of all people is.

[letmetakeaselfie]

"...Have you gotten through the rest of Disney yet?" There are probably a few new ones, Tony doesn't even know. He's just going to beeline for the couch to try and break up some of the tension in the air. Maybe they could just not talk about Wanda. Or the Avengers. Or Ultron. Do they need to talk at all? This was a terrible idea.

[valuedstrength]

Steve follows after Tony with his phone in hand. He actually downloaded an app just for this purpose. Right now looking through it is all the distraction he needs. He doesn't set out to let things get awkward, but sometimes it seems like the only way they can be.

"Let's see. I haven't seen Brave or Tangled yet."

[letmetakeaselfie]

"Ohh... Tangled." Yep, that's happening. Queueing it up now. "As much as I love a good ginger... This one has a cool horse. And an iguana." A beat. "What have you got there? Is that like an app... to tell you what movie to watch?" Because that sounds handy actually.

[valuedstrength]

Steve holds out his phone after grabbing a seat on the couch. He's feeling more at ease already. "Yep. It's my personal Disney checklist. Neat, right?"

[letmetakeaselfie]

"Very neat." Tony nods his approval, pointing to Rapunzel in the opening credits. "Did you know it took them six years to write the programs they needed to make her hair move?" Of course he would know that.

[valuedstrength]

"...You're kidding me." Steve leans forward to actually study the movement for himself. It is surprisingly true to life. He can believe it'd take years to achieve that. "That's so amazing. Maybe if I ever take a vacation, I could learn to do that." He laughs like it's a joke, but it actually sounds nice to his ears. Maybe in another life.

[letmetakeaselfie]

"You should." It's said seriously. Tony could figure out the mechanics of it, but Steve had the artistry and patience for that he could never muster up. Do it for the good of the world, Steven. "Not that any of us will ever get vacation again." Wait.

"Have you ever gotten a vacay, period?"

[valuedstrength]

"No." Steve answers instantly. He never did make it far away from SHIELD after the Battle of New York. There's definitely no time now. "But, it's not like I'm in the minority there. It's not a big deal."

[letmetakeaselfie]

Huh. Figures. "We should do that one day..." Vacation, possibly together?? If they can get past all this other stuff. This scene between Rapunzel and Flynn should be distracting enough, but it isn't, his insides chourning with his secret. Eventually he has to break through, catching his eyes on Steve's. "Steve, I have to--"

Except that's when the doorbell rings. Tony freezes, upset to get interrupted again though all he can do is sigh resignedly and make his way to the foyer. The delivery guy knocks when he doesn't move fast enough. "Coming, coming!"

[valuedstrength]

"Yeah." Steve doesn't believe they will actually do it. He thinks they should objectively. They're all burned out. Steve meets Tony's eyes. He's honestly expecting to be called out on his insincerity, but the pizza breaks it up. He smiles in amusement. "Must have heard about your tipping rate!" Steve shouts after Tony. He's walking over to go help like a true gentleman who has no idea about the bomb that was nearly dropped on him.

[letmetakeaselfie]

He smiles as Steve comes to help, rolling his eyes at the quip. Though Tony always does tip far too much, it's kind of a problem... He shoves some money at the delivery man who's staring at him in wonder. Tony wonders if he wants an autograph or something, but he couldn't even begin to guess who from. He's not about to start Civil War here and the guy seems to think he should pocket his $50 and take off before Tony asks for change. Probably wise, he thinks it's sound anyway.

Saddling Cap with the pizzas, he shuts the door and goes to find some paper plates he hides from Pepper for just these occasions.

[valuedstrength]

Steve bobs his head when the money comes out. Yes, it's business as usual. He brings the pizzas to the table and takes a seat as he waits for Tony to come up with those paper plates no one (especially Pepper) knows about. "I don't know about you, but I can't wait to dig into this. It smells amazing."

[letmetakeaselfie]

"Yeah, totally," he agrees distractedly, putting two pieces on his plate and going back to the couch after ripping off a paper towel. He knows Cap will probably eat the rest of the pizza to his face now but he's made his peace with that. "It's weird to have pizza without pineapple. This is like, the first time in five years." He laughs at the realization. His father probably rolled over in his grave every time he and Pepper put in an order.

[valuedstrength]

Steve settles for four slices before returning to the couch. They both know he'll end up finishing this thing easily. It helps to pace himself while hanging out with other people. The constant food in mouth can be distracting.

He smiles as he sits down. "You should have said something. I'm open to pineapple."