A Morning Surprise
They both stood there after Tony said the words.
Tony couldn’t believe he did that. He fucking said it. He watched Steve’s face, he looked afraid to say anything.
“I can’t believe you made me do this.” Tony said, regretting his decision since Steve didn’t say anything. I’m just gonna go now. Just, give me some time, ok? Don’t follow me.” Tony said, not looking at him, just wandering around the room like crazy.
Steve just nodded. “Okay.”
Tony stormed out of the room, he actually felt really relieved that he confessed it, finally. But he wasn’t sure what would happen after. They loved each other and now what? The answer was pretty simple, Tony knew but he was never in a serious relationship. He never cared that deeply about anyone before and he was so fucking afraid that he would ruin this thing they had. He still though about his parents and how he used to disappoint them. He knew it was not his fault but still, he couldn’t let his past go. He was excluded by his family so he didn’t even get the chance to make friends or form relationships. So even after their parents were gone, he was still left with the lack of confidence and the seemingly big ego people associated him with. He never trusted people or let them trust him. He tried not to care for people or let them care for him. But somehow, Steve ended up caring for him, he loved Tony. How the hell did that happen?
Tony went to his room, jumping on his bed and immediately regretting it. Since Steve fucking slept here last night, it smelled of him and Tony was not sure he could bear it. He felt happy but he also felt upset. He just lied on his bed, his eyes locked on the ceiling. He honestly didn’t know how long he stayed like that but it was dark when his door was knocked. Please not Steve, please not Steve, please-
“Tony, open the door.” That was not Steve.
Tony walked to the door, unlocking it and opening it slowly. “Hi, goldilocks.” He said.
“Greetings. How are you?”
“How am I? We’ve been friends for decades and that’s the first time you are asking me that, Thor.”
“You look troubled.” Thor said, actually sounding worried.
“I am troubled. I-” Tony reminded himself that Thor didn’t know about him and Steve.
“Is that about our fellow Captain America?” Thor smirked. Thor actually smirked.
“Come on, give me a break. How the hell do you know?” Tony didn’t even care anymore. Thor was one of his oldest friends and he was glad he didn’t have to tell him himself.
“He is in the same state as you, Tony.” Thor said understandingly. Thor changed a little, huh?
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Tony said.
“You do not need to talk to me of it, but you need to talk with him.”
“When did you get all thoughtful?” Tony asked.
Thor just grinned.
***
A party.
Everyone flirting with Tony.
Steve hated parties. Steve hated the way Tony touched people when talking to them or laughing with them. He specifically hated people who touched him back.
Tony was avoiding him for a week, again. Steve understood that he needed space after what he had said but he just really wanted to talk to him. Not that Tony didn’t talk to him, but they were never alone. Tony always got away when there was nobody else but Steve in the room. Steve made his mission to catch him alone tonight. If only that Carl dude got his hands off him. He hated Carl. He wanted to rip his hands off and make him eat them. Okay, he was a jealous guy. But he felt like now that they confessed it to each other, he had the right to be jealous. Not that it stopped him before.
He saw Carl asking Tony if he wanted something to drink and went to get them. Steve took the opportunity to go talk to Tony.
“Hey.” Tony said as he saw him approaching. “How do you like the party?” It was obvious that he was trying hard to not to bring up the subject.
“I don’t. I want to talk to you.” Steve stated, serious but calm.
“I-”
“Hey, Tony, got the drinks- oh, hi Cap.” Steve wanted to punch Carl in the face. “Good night, eh? We were just talking about how I plan to add my newest prototype to Tony’s-”
“Can we have a moment?” Steve interrupted him. Carl looked disappointed that he couldn’t explain himself and Steve liked it. Carl nodded.
Tony followed Steve without protesting, Steve thought maybe he was ready to talk. They went into a room where they could be alone.
“Steve look, let me talk first.” Tony said worriedly. Steve had no idea what he was worried about. “I know I suck, I said that thing and now I’m avoiding you, throwing parties and all, I know I really really suck. I don’t deserve a guy like you, I know I don’t- I have no idea why you like-love me, or if you still do. Look, I’ve never loved before- not like this and it terrifies me. It scares the shit out of me. I have no idea what to do and I’m afraid I will ruin everything if I-I talk to you. I didn’t even know I could deeply care about someone until you came into my life and I was like, wow, this guy became my best friend and then I suddenly realized you weren’t just a friend and I was one hundred percent absolutely sure that you didn’t feel the same way about me, because you were prefect and it was impossible. Then you told me that you loved me and I swear I wanted to tell you back, I did. But it didn’t come out. Every time I told someone that I loved them, they just ignored me and kept pushing me away, my parents never said it back, they never told me they loved me and here you were with your whole confidence, telling me you loved me. I had no idea what to say, and I couldn’t say that I loved you, not when I was sure I would hurt you eventually because I hurt everyone around me. Hell, I’m still afraid of you getting hurt because of me or getting hurt at all but I finally said it and I am relieved that I did. But I don’t know what to do, I don’t. What do I do?” Tony was out of breath because he just said all of this without stopping for air and walking up and down in the room, looking adorable, Steve thought.
“I love you so much.” Steve said without thinking. He just wanted Tony to be happy.
Tony looked at him with surprise because of his sudden statement.
“I-I love you too. More than I could imagine. And believe me when I say this because I am a genius industrialist who can imagine a lot.”
Steve thought Tony looked adorable when he babbled. He smiled warmly. “Can I kiss you know?”
“Please do.”
Steve did.
***
“So, what do we do now?” Tony asked, reluctant. They were in the tower; Steve was making breakfast for Tony and the other Avengers. They were not awake yet.
“I don’t know, should we go on a date?” Steve asked flirtingly. This guy.
“What are we? 16 year olds?” Tony laughed.
“Should feel young again every once in a while.” Steve said as he cracked another egg.
“Okay, if you want to, we will go on a date.” Tony said. This was better than he imagined. It was not weird at all-since they were besties for decades- and it felt real. Tony was really happy for the first time in his life. He really hoped that would last.
“Should Jarvis wake the others?” Tony asked when he saw Steve was done with the breakfast.
“Okay.” Steve replied.
“Oh, wait. Do we- do we tell them?” Tony asked, hesitating. He didn’t want to ask the wrong questions.
“Do you want to?” Steve raised his eyebrows, Tony felt like this was a test or something. He thought about it, and he realized he did want to tell his friends about this.
“Yes. Do you?” Steve smiled warmly.
“Of course.”
“Jarvis, Wake the Avengers up.” Tony said.
Thirty minutes later, all of them were in the kitchen, bathed and dressed. Natasha was throwing little paper pieces to Clint and he was- of course- catching them before they hit him, Janet and Hank were arguing- as always- over a pancake which Janet claimed to be over-cooked, but Hank said it was better this way. Logan was just sitting and staring to the food with murderously hungry eyes but Tony guessed he was too polite-heh- to reach for them yet. Wanda and Simon were sitting on a couch very closely- it was a big couch but whatever, Tony still felt bad for the Vision.
“What’s the deal, Cap? You never cook for us except Tony.” Clint said, smirking. Tony almost coughed.
“Wha-what do you mean? I always cook.” Steve cleared his throat and turned around to cook some more pancakes.
“Oh, really? So it wasn’t you that time when I asked for an omelet and got an answer like ‘Do I look like your housekeeper?’ and not the mention the yummy breakfast you made for Tony an hour after you said that to me.” Clint was obviously very pleased with himself because of that observation. Tony rolled his eyes at him and gave him a look that said ‘shut the fuck up’. Clint shrugged and continued eating the bacons.
Steve looked like he was very annoyed with Clint, but Tony knew that would pass in no time. It was like this with Steve, he could never get angry at anyone more than a couple of minutes.
“Actually you are right.” Steve said with a determination in his voice. “I do always cook for him.” Clint stared at him with a questioning look, not seeing where he was going with this. “That’s because…” Steve stopped, looking at the rest of the Avengers, now everybody giving their complete attention.
“Because… um… I- we…um..” Steve was never good at confessions. Except that one time, Tony thought.
“Fuck it,” Tony said and gave him a little kiss on the lips, Steve obviously didn’t except that but he looked pleased with Tony’s decision. Tony would really like to deepen the kiss but he probably shouldn’t so he pulled back.
Tony turned around to see others’ reaction. He was a bit afraid, if he must admit.
Clint yawned and shrugged as he threw bacon into his mouth. Tony actually heard him say “finally”. Natasha looked a bit surprise, but just a little and she also continued eating her breakfast after giving Tony an affirmative smile.
“I’m so happy for you guys, I always knew you would finally realize you loved each other.” Wanda said, walking towards them with Simon. He was smiling widely. Wait, did everyone know or something?
After Janet told them never to marry and Hank snapped at her for preventing a good relationship because she couldn’t be in one, they finished their breakfast and everyone was back on their thing.
It was a good day in New York, there were no chaos and no villains.
Tony soon regretted he actually thought this was possible.
The Tower’s window shattered into millions of pieces as Tony tried to activate all the Marks to protect his unprepared friends. Tower was a very safe place and it was not many times that it was easily compromised like this.
Tony told Jarvis to activate his latest prototype and wore the armor.
“Jarvis, who is this?” Tony asked when others got up and stood ready to fight. Tony looked at Steve who looked very worried.
“My technology cannot match the signals coming from the cause of the explosion, Mr. Stark.”
“Don’t be silly, you are the most intelligent technological intel-” Tony stopped when the thought occurred to him. He cursed loudly. He looked at his friends who also understood who was coming.
“Hello, Stark.” He heard his voice then saw his body floating in the room.
Tony then knew they were fucked. Again.
“Kang the Conqueror.”