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]

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."

[letmetakeaselfie]

"It's Pepper's favorite." And he'd become fond of it too, obviously. But it felt nice to deviate from the norm, even if it was only for tonight. "I can eat her favorite with her and your favorite with you. Then it's not cheating." :)

[valuedstrength]

"Said like a cheater." He winks a second later like the punk he is. Steve digs into the pizza after that. It is as good as he expected. He lets out a hum of appreciation as he continues to eat. "I decided I'm okay with you using me like this." He says between bites. It's certainly working out for him.

[letmetakeaselfie]

"Wow. How magnanimous of you." Tony ducks his head with a smile after taking a bite. It's so easy to forget why they're here when they're bantering about pizza. Tony knows he can't draw this out too much longer, appetite already waning halfway through his first slice. His demeanor shifts instantly, he sets the food down and glances away. "...I need to tell you something."

All of this had started because they weren't honest with each other, right? The only way he can break the cycle is proactively.

[valuedstrength]

Steve stares at him for what feels like a century. It's hard not to be nervous given what happened with Ultron. "Okay." He sets his pizza aside. This is progress, right? He's telling him before the next killer robot comes stumbling out of nowhere. "What is it?"

[letmetakeaselfie]

"I may have..." Okay, that's not a good way to start his sentence and he realizes it, grimacing instantly. Time to blurt, the only tried and true method Tony has for telling anyone anything of consequence. "I found him. Bucky Barnes." He's trying to prepare himself for the backlash this will bring, frame tensing up even as though he expects Cap to hit him.

[valuedstrength]

He stares in stunned silence. The blood starts rushing into his ears as he tries to sort out if those words actually came out of Tony's mouth. He knows they did though. Somehow Tony knows about his side project. He managed to accomplish what Steve couldn't.

Steve doesn't miss the tension, but he can't be bothered to care. Only one things matters now. "Where is he? Where's Bucky?"

[letmetakeaselfie]

"He's safe," Tony whispers, looking into Cap's eyes though it's the hardest thing he thinks he's ever had to do. "I can give you the coordinates."

[valuedstrength]

Steve balls his hands into fists. He'll be the judge of that. The shock gives way to blind determination. "I'm listening." It doesn't take a genius to guess his next move. He's leaving.

[letmetakeaselfie]

"...Good because I'm not done yet." Tony hitches in a breath. It would be so easy to just send Steve on his way, but then what? Bucky kills him or Bucky gets away again. Neither of those outcomes work for him. He bites into his lip. His voice fills with hurt and betrayal. "Were you going to tell me he killed my parents?" That's one hell of an omission.

[valuedstrength]

There's a flash of anger in Steve's eyes. He can't believe he wants to talk about his parents at a time like this. Living people are still in danger. "No because he didn't do it. HYDRA did." He seriously can't believe Tony can't see the difference; that he's delaying this on a technicality. Yes, Bucky's body was used as a weapon in the murder. Bucky hadn't been driving it for a long time.

"Now where is he?"

[letmetakeaselfie]

He sighs. The truth is he doesn't want to talk about the accident now, but the way Steve dismisses him is disheartening. As always, though, Tony isn't taking 'no' for an answer. "I'm going with you." There's still no anger in Tony's gaze, only resolution. He will see this out to whatever end it brings.

[valuedstrength]

Steve tries to find a legitimate reason to say no. He's got nothing though. Tony is holding all the cards her. He sets his jaw. "Promise me you won't hurt him." Right now that's his chief concern. He can't risk Bucky's safety for anything.