There ain't no doubt I love this land // God Bless the USA

[billionaires]

The Tower is a frenzy, the way it has been every year since Steve Rogers returned to the land of the living on July the 4th. No matter how much and how often the man insists that Tony and everyone else just celebrate as usual and leave his birthday out of it... well. He's ignored. Loudly. And with many, many fireworks.

Tony had always loved the holiday and gone all out with lavish parties all as an excuse to show off his pyrotechnics, but even he took it to a whole other level when the element of Steve's birthday came into play. Pepper and Rhodey are hard at work in the kitchen and there are people absolutely everywhere. All with garish red, white and blue clothes of course.

He mills about the party making sure everyone is well hydrated and well fed, all while carrying around a beer he doesn't seem to be drinking but rather nursing all night long. There's also a stage he's set up so everyone can tell their favorite Captain America stories, which hands down, Bucky is winning. He's putting in a good effort though.

And they all end on the rooftop with apple pie and the stupidest fireworks ever. Ones that flash in LED lights and spell USA and form Cap's shield. Any ludicrous thing you could think of.

Comments

[cheeseburgerfirst]

She tracks down Stevie wearing the most ridiculous sunglasses ever, an American flag bandana worn as a headband, and an adorable romper, delighted to catch up with the other woman at last. They've gotten dragged away by respective crowds a few times, and now is the first time they've been alone all night. It's also the first time she's been alone with Stevie since becoming engaged so they have a lot to jam about. Right after Bucky gets through the lake of fire story for like the tenth time.

"Go home, Barnes, you're drunk!" she calls, throwing an empty paper cup at the stage before turning to Stevie with a bright smile. Blinding, really. And with an antique diamond on her finger no less.

[knowscompassion]

Stevie has had a busy evening entertaining guests for her birthday. Not the funniest job, but they're so sweet she can't say she minds it. She has to appreciate how insane some of these Cap stories are. All in all, it's a colorful reminder of how her life has changed for the better since waking up.

Seeing that stunning ring up close is another side of that. She never thought of herself as the marrying type, but it still excites her to see love blossom like this. "Don't heckle the senior citizens, Toni." She reminds her with a grin. Usually she's all about restraint, but her honest opinion slips out anyways. "You look stunning."

[cheeseburgerfirst]

"Okay, but he really does need to pick a different story." A light warning they both know is entirely devoid of true threat. She would listen to Bucky's drunken stories all night and then some with absolutely zero complaint. That is, if there weren't appearances to keep up.

She flushes a little bit at Stevie's praise, pushing her glasses into her hair to get a good look at the other woman. "Uhmm, pretty sure that's you," she counters, shaking her head. The necklace is an especially good touch. "What's the verdict?" Stevie always tried to stop this party, but Toni couldn't help herself. Last year they had a pretty nasty argument about it, actually. She wants to know if there's going to be damage control again or if they're cool.

[knowscompassion]

Stevie laughs in response. She knows Bucky is never going to stop telling that one so there's no point in fighting it. Soon it's her turn to be embarrassed by the praise. They both know dressing herself has never been her strong point either. Every once in awhile she manages something.

She shrugs at the question. She remembers how much it pissed her off last year to have a huge show made over her. It felt false and cheap. She couldn't shut up about it in typical Rogers fashion. This year it carried more weight somehow. Maybe it's because at this point she's more comfortable or it's now morphing into a tradition. She's clearly not waiting to go off like last time. "Everyone's been great. I've gotta admit the light show is starting to grow on me." She waves off the conversation quickly to skip to what she wants to know. "But, forget about all that. I want to hear about you. C'mon." There is a ring. Talk about it!!!

[cheeseburgerfirst]

"It only took me six months to plan this time." So you better appreciate, basically. It would have taken longer, but she had the New Year fireworks show too. Toni frowns when Steph changes the subject, not even sure what she's asking about at first. "What about me? It's your day, buddy."

[knowscompassion]

"The ring trumps a birthday!" Stevie reminds her in mild frustration. She's a romantic at heart. It's hard not to stand here and admire the situation. "C'mon tell me all about it. Pretty please?" She does her best to use the puppy eyes she apparently has when she wants to as Bucky likes to inform her.

[cheeseburgerfirst]

Toni looks down at her ring then back up at Stevie, a little deer-in-headlights. Did she really forget to...? Well, shit. "Oh. So, I'm engaged now..." That even feels strange to say out loud. She gestures to a couple vacant chairs, snagging a glass of champagne from a waiter milling about before all but collapsing into one. She hasn't had a break yet and playing hostess is exhausting, even when it technically isn't your party. "To Pepper," she clarifies unnecessarily, shrugging a shoulder like it's no big deal. Of course it is, but it also had felt like such a normal progression for them she must have forgotten to share it altogether.

[knowscompassion]

All she can do is stare in response to that explanation. It's a good thing they're sitting because she might actually fall over in shock at how casual Toni is about all this. Marriage is still a big deal to Stevie. It's not something that just happens even if they've essentially acted as a married couple since she met them.

"I figured." She replies dryly. Doubt creeps into her head and she noticeably turns away from Toni. "Was this supposed to be a secret or something?" One she wasn't supposed to pick up on being the question beneath the surface. Deeper than that? Is she not important enough to share the news with? Maybe this party really is just a show and not a weird way Toni shows her affection.

[cheeseburgerfirst]

"What?" she asks, making a face. "Of course not." She lifts her hand so Stevie can get a good look at the ring. "I must have got so caught up planning the party... It was all over Twitter, you really have to check that thing." Seriously, tourists took pictures galore of the whole thing, it was epic.

"There was sky-writing, and a horse-drawn carriage. It was very Lifetime movie."

[relicta]

She somehow convinces him to head to the pool with her. Clint and Kate are playing chicken against Luke and Jessica and it's kind of super entertaining. Knowing she'll need to work up to getting him in the pool, she instead tows him to two lounge chairs away from the majority of the others, wanting to have a moment with him already. Nat knows he must be overwhelmed by all of this, he's barely said a word to her all night.

"Hey... Happy Birthday," she offers lightly, handing him a small packet wrapped with the funny pages. Inside he'll find exact replicas of his original dogtags and a corner of a piece of paper containing her characteristic scrawl. It just says 'Welcome back.'

[inthecold]

None of this has been easy for him. Steve could never dream of complaining though. They're all so good to him. Why not let them have their fun? It's left him withdrawn and skittish though so when Nat pulls him off, he's more than happy to go off with her no matter how nice everyone has been to him.

It's sweet relief when it's just them again. The gift is unexpected, but he doesn't hesitate to accept it. He pulls back the wrapping paper and... the effect is immediate. His eyes brighten as he reads his name, number, and rank once again. The note is what truly does him in. A few tears slip down his cheeks and he looks down. It probably isn't good to cry at your own party, but it can't be helped. This is the best gift he could have asked for.

[relicta]

Natasha scoops up his tears with a finger, flicking them off his face and taking them as a sign that she did good. She knows in that moment she would kiss him if they were truly alone, and that knowledge brings back her conversation with Bucky in a big way. She can't lead him on like she does everyone else -- this has to be real. He deserves that, after everything he's been through.

"You're welcome," she says softly, admiration shining through the tiny smile she turns on him. "Are you having a good time?" She knows Tony goes all out and there's probably not much she could do to convince him otherwise, but it's still valuable information to have. If Steve is completely miserable here, she will do something about it.

[inthecold]

He doesn't cry any further after that. Instead he opens up the chain with practiced ease (muscle memory stays if nothing else) and puts it on. The weight of tags and how they feel against his chest feels unbelievably right. He almost thanks her aloud before he realizes she gets it like she always does. He doesn't really have to say it.

The note goes into his pocket to be framed at some later date no doubt. The question spoils the moment even if it shouldn't. It's a pretty basic thing to wonder at one's own birthday party. Steve immediately looks uncomfortable. He should like this, but nothing about this is relaxing to him. It's work to appear and act "normal" so he doesn't offend anyone. At least with Luke and Jessica were easier to handle since they seemed to be sensitive to his situation, but the rest exhausted him completely.

"They're nice." He offers diplomatically.

[relicta]

She smiles wanly and nods her understanding. That means he's in way over his head. He's handling it well then, considering, but that's been him all the way through. Brilliantly adaptable. It's her turn to get watery eyes when he puts the tags on, turning away to watch the silliness going on feet away from them in order to pull herself together.

"They are," she agrees just as diplomatically, gesturing to the pool as team Hawkeye goes down, splashing them a little in the process. She rolls her eyes as Clint gasps for breath dramatically. "...What do you think? Wanna show them how it's done?" One eyebrow lifts way up, knowing it's a bit underhanded. Steve doesn't back down from a challenge easily.

[inthecold]

He can't help the smile that comes to his face. Some things stay even after it's all said and done. His love for facing challenges dead on remains. This is infinitely easier than surviving a noisy party. "I think we can show them a thing or two."

He only pauses to move the note to a safe spot before heading for the water. It's never easy to subject himself to the cold willingly, but the need to overcome and live manages to trump his fears.

[relicta]

A grin breaks out over her face at his easy agreement, even knowing she had him backed into a corner. She's smack-talking Clint even as she hops out of her jeans and t-shirt to reveal a starred one-piece that's about as festive as she gets. She pulls her hair up into a quick bun and kicks off her flats before descending the steps with Steve, checking out of the corner of her eye to make sure he's good.

"Hope you're ready to actually try," she quips to Luke and Jess, hanging off Steve's elbow in preparation for climbing onto his back. Also just kinda because she wants to.

[inthecold]

Getting in is simpler for Steve. He only has to take off a simple white t-shirt to go with the American flag trunks Tony gave him and tossing it onto the nearest chair before getting in. (He took off his jeans and sandals before they entered the pool area for reasons that really only make sense to him.)

He takes a deep breath before stepping in, grateful Natasha is there to keep him grounded. He's grateful that neither Jessica nor Luke act like they noticed his hesitation with every step despite the fact they're as observant as he is. He adjusts himself so that it will be slightly easier for her to climb up even if he knows it's largely unnecessary. "I was going to say lose." He quips quietly.

[valuedstrength]

It is the end of the evening. Things have quieted down significantly with most people having moved on to the next party or gone home altogether. Steve has finally relaxed enough to button down his dress shirt and actually drink the mead that Thor refuses to stop smuggling to him.

He's never quite sure how to feel about these parties. They're both for him and not really. He appreciates the effort all the same. He thinks that's enough even if he's ending the night by hiding away and drinking alone which he swears is not a reflection of his opinion on the party itself.

[letmetakeaselfie]

Tony has to make the rounds, saying bye to everyone and making sure they get on safely. In that time, he loses track of Steve. He knows sometimes he goes overboard and Independence Day is rarely the exception. So many things he loves all in one holiday, and then Steve's birthday to boot; he definitely gets carried away. He starts hurrying through his host duties so he can track down the other man, all but throwing guest bags at people so he can check on Steve.

The rooftop bar is the last place he expected to find the man, but here he is. Tony is a little out of breath from searching, but a smile comes over his face when he sets eyes on Steve, warm and friendly. "There you are. He brought the good stuff again, huh?" He gestures to the bottle of booze before moving to take a seat. It isn't until he sits that he realizes how much the night has taken out of him. Sometimes he has to wonder if it's worth it when it's probably not exactly the way Steve would prefer to spend his birthday.

[valuedstrength]

That expression does a lot to soften him up. He smiles in return without wasting another second. Steve shifts towards Tony as he speaks, nodding in response to the question. "Yeah, he made some jokes about being worthy and gave me another bottle. Said Heimdall will check to make sure I actually drink it this time instead of throwing it in the closet with the others."

He's not all that comfortable with drinking the strong stuff after adjusting to life where he couldn't even get a buzz if he wanted to. It is his birthday so he feels he can make an exception just this once now that everyone else has gone off. He takes another sip, enjoying the warmth briefly before adding, "Sorry about taking off. I know I'm a super soldier and all, but they exhaust me." The fact that he does admit it already tells him he probably shouldn't have started this, but what's done is done.

[letmetakeaselfie]

One corner of his mouth goes up at that, pulling out a shot glass and holding his hand out for the bottle. Thor would never let him drink any, but he only wants a taste!! "Let me help," he urges, however small his part would be. He's not been drinking much at all recently which Steve must have noticed.

When the man goes on though, he sobers, nodding as he pours himself the smallest finger of the stuff and prepares to fall down the rabbit hole again. At least it's with Steve this time, so they're both probably safer than they either would be alone. "Yeah, I know. Look..." When he meets Steve's eyes he swallows, not wanting to say what he was about to say. This party is important to him, but not if it's hurting the other man. He takes the smallest sip of the mead, wincing visibly before going on; apparently having needed the liquid courage. "If you don't want me to do this next year, I won't. Sorry I didn't give you a choice before now." He knows that was selfish.

[valuedstrength]

Steve initially hesitates, but has just enough mead in him to convince himself it can't hurt. He second guesses himself a little once he remembers he hasn't actually seen Tony drink lately. Welp. Mistakes were made, etc etc. The wince doesn't do much to reassure him either.

What Tony says makes for an excellent distraction though. He never expected to get an out from these parties. He's wanted it, of course. These really do drain him. Once it's being offered, he ends up shaking his head.

"It's fine. I can see how much you love putting on the show. That's worth talking to a lot of house guests; so many guests." He takes another sip before continuing, "Do you even know half these people personally?"

[letmetakeaselfie]

Does he love it? He used to. And it's like having a taste of who he used to be. But everything is so drastically different now. "Half?" he repeats, shaking his head. "At least... that. Yeah. Totally."

Tony shrugs a shoulder, staring down into the amber liquid in front of him. "I used to know them. Or at least people like them." Those used to be his people. Now that's become a much smaller group, and he can't exactly call that a bad thing.

[valuedstrength]

Steve snorts in response. Normally that would annoy the Hell out of him. Right now he finds it endearing. "I guess I'll never get why you want so many people around." He admits honestly. That's easy for him to say since only a handful of people have ever liked him for who he was truly.

He gestures from Tony to himself a couple of times. "See this is all I need. And the rest of the team." He tacks on like an afterthought. He'd hate to be unclear now.

[letmetakeaselfie]

"Because it quiets the voices inside my head." Half joke and half... very, very real. Tony bites into his lip when Steve goes on. He never meant to make the man feel like he wasn't enough for him. This is about Tony's shortcomings, not his.

"Next year it'll just be us. Avengers slumber party." He makes a face while taking another very delicate sip from his glass. He's so going to regret this soon, he can feel it already.