Chapter 5
Five months and counting since Steve has been unfrozen from the ice, and this is the first party he's gone to.
Thank god.
'Party' being a relative term, in this case, because apparently it's a benefit for starving African children, or something to that effect.
So, basically, it's a couple dozen rich people in swanky dresses and suits, all glaring at each other and smiling too much for Steve to be comfortable. Actually, it kind of creeps him out.
And then, of course, there's Tony, being his usual charming, self abusive self.
Steve's not sure if he should be disturbed or impressed, because Tony is schmoozing his way through the entire guest list, flirting and making small talk before moving onto his next target.
Steve just watches his progress with his eyebrows raised: it's train-wreck beautiful, not wanting to look but unable to tear his eyes away-
This is Tony Stark, from channel five, from the front page, from the talk shows. Tony Stark with a dazzling smile like a shark bite, Tony Stark tying a cherry stem with his tongue and winking, Tony Stark laughing that fake laugh and-
hating it, Steve knows.
Finally, when Tony has come full-circle, he nudges his way forwards.
"Hello," he says, smiling, then stopping when he catches his reflection in a glass. "Do you guys mind if I borrow Tony for a minute?"
The woman grins at him, ruby-red lips parting over stark white teeth. "Anything for Captain America," she purrs, sickly-sweet.
"Uh, thanks," Steve says. "Tony?"
Tony downs the rest of his glass. "Sure thing, Cap."
Steve walks him over to the corner by his elbow. When they're out of earshot, he folds his arms.
"There's been an emergency. Official Avenger business."
Tony's grin gains momentum. "Thank fucking god. What is it this time? Radioactive asparagus storming the city? Is 'asparagus' the plural? Asparaguses? Asparagasi?"
Steve's mouth flickers upwards. "Really?"
"First thing I could think of, and it wouldn't be the weirdest thing to happen to us this month," Tony says flatly.
Steve nods. "True. But this is worse."
"Do tell."
Steve pauses, before realizing that he didn't actually have a lie prepared and giving himself an internal slap.
"Uh," Steve says. "Okay, I was lying to get you over here. You- I am physically cringing watching you do all this."
Tony just blinks at him for a few seconds. "Soooo... that's it? No dire emergency?"
"Tony," Steve says, and again, the something hits him like it's been doing for months now.
He knows what it is- he knows, it was like this with Peggy, she would be combing her hair, or laughing, or even just standing there, and Steve would feel it consuming him from the inside out.
Tony looks at him expectantly, all show and walls and glossy smile, and Steve feels the overwhelming something crush his ribs.
He wants to run his thumb over Tony's bottom lip, catch it with his teeth, press his mouth to his hipbone, trace his spine with his tongue. He wants him tired, he wants him pissed off, he wants him grinning and doubled over laughing. He wants him slurring from exhaustion, he wants his wrists, his ankles, he wants him so much is half-hurts, he wants him- he wants all of Tony, everything, even the Stark part.
He gets stuck saying it, though, and instead says, "Can we- god, Tony, can we just go home and watch the original movie of Buffy that everyone says is horrible?"
Steve sees the smile finally reach Tony's eyes and the something rears up Steve's throat and threatens to spill over.
Tony reaches up to scrub at his stubble. "Well, I guess if people don't miss me too much. I'm paying for this shit, anyway. Can't even remember what it's for."
"Starving African children," Steve prompts.
"Ah," Tony says. "That. Where are the rest of us?"
"Uh, Clint's over at the chocolate fountain," Steve says. "Thor is currently outdrinking the entire party, and I think Bruce and Tasha are sitting in the corner, glaring at everyone. Politely."
"Okeydokey," Tony says. "Avenger Assemble, then."
Steve bats him on the shoulder. "I'm the one that says that."
Tony rolls his eyes. "Well, text everyone."
"Already here, bitches," a voice says from above them both.
They look up, and Clint is dangling from a wire in the ceiling.
"Clint," Steve calls. "Seriously?"
"I got bored," Clint calls back. He gives a two-fingered salute to the people who are now all staring. "Hey, everyone. This is what your taxes to go."
"Get down, you moron," Tony sighs.
Steve's gaze catches on Natasha and Bruce, who are making their way through the crowd.
Natasha's hand is near her thigh, where Steve knows she keeps a knife strapped to at all times. Even in the shower, according to some disturbing reports. "We got trouble, Cap?"
"Steve's bored," Tony announces quietly as Clint drops down. "We're going to go home and watch the shitty Buffy movie. You guys coming?"
Natasha looks at Clint, who shrugs. "We're game."
"I don't think I can take another second of the horrible music they have here," Bruce says. "And everyone keeps referring to me as 'the angry green guy,' and then inching away from me. Except for this one drunk guy who kept poking me and trying to make me Hulk out."
Steve looks him over. "Did he stop?"
"Nah, Natasha decked him. Thanks, Tash, by the way."
"My pleasure," Natasha says. "Where the hell is Thor?"
"Getting alcohol poisoning," Steve answers.
Natasha sighs. "I'll go and get him. Don't wait up."
"Great," Tony says, clapping his hands together. "Now, can we all pretend this is something really urgent so we can get out of here, because there's someone advancing on us and I really don't want to fund his auction, or whatever it-"
"Tonyyyyy!" A fat man in a tight suit slaps him hard on the back. "How've you been?"
Tony smiles tightly. "I've been just dandy, Slim," he says, shooting Steve a look. "But sadly, I must flee. Official Avengers business."
"Ah, I see how it is," Slim says, waggling his finger at him. "Can't avoid me forever, Stark!"
"I can try," Tony mutters to his retreating back. And then, to the others, "Let's vamoose, quick, before everyone starts asking me for shit. Come on, go, go, go."
-
When they get to the Tower, the news is showing the footage on Steve on a jetski, again.
"I swear to god," Tony says, "They play it on a loop. What's so great about Captain America on a jetski, anyway?"
Steve pats Dummy on the head as he passes. "I liked it."
"Yeah, you liked it," Tony says through a mouthful of water. "the problem is that everyone else did, too."
"Captain America shirtless and drenched," Clint says. "What's not to like?"
Tony eyes him. "I thought you were straight."
"Back at you," Clint bumps his eyebrows. "Doesn't mean I can't appreciate the male body. Especially one like Cap's."
Steve is very determinedly not blushing. "Thank... you?"
"Thank you," Clint shoots back. "Now we get interesting news stories, rather than ones about 'the most recent time Tony got wasted in public and did something stupid.'"
Silence, where Tony looks at the ground and everyone else stares daggers at Clint. Natasha widens her eyes pointedly.
Clint clears his throat. "Joke. That was a joke. I was joking. I, um. Sorry, Tony."
When Tony looks at him, it's that plastic smile again. "It's fine."
"Tony," Steve says, and then stops. "You were, uh. Drinking when I came over. You said you wouldn't drink at the party."
Tony twists his hands together, his smile diminishing. "I didn't," he says.
"You were when I-"
"It was soda water," Tony says, finally looking up. "I checked. I got the help banned from serving me."
"You- oh. That's-" Steve feels a grin creep up his face. "That's really good, Tony."
"Mmm," Tony says.
Steve starts: "No, really, that's-"
"So, Buffy?" Tony's smile is practically straining his cheeks, and everyone glances at each other.
Steve deflates slightly, but he can't stop smiling, albeit a bit sadly. "Buffy," He agrees. "Jarvis, play the movie."
-
Tony excuses himself halfway through, proclaiming that he can't sit through another minute of it because it's a disgrace to the series- which it is, he says- and starts towards his room.
But come on. When two depressed alcoholics breed, they tend to have a depressed alcoholic.
Steve, because he's a bastard, corners him in the hallway.
Tony tries to brush him off, saying, "Steve, I'm really tired, y-"
"Clint didn't mean it," Steve cuts him off. "And we're all proud of you for what you're doing, Tony. You're doing really well."
"Uh-huh," Tony says, not looking at him. "Honestly, Steve, just let me go, I'm exhaust-"
"Tony," Steve says exasperatedly, putting his hands on Tony's shoulders, and okay, now Tony's paying attention.
Steve's grinning as he says, "You. Are. Doing. Great."
Tony forces back a smile. "Oh. Kay. Steve. Can. I. Go. To. Bed. Now. Pretty. Please."
Steve lets him go. "Sure, Tony, you should've asked before."
Tony glares at him, but it doesn't come out very menacing since he's sort of smiling now.
Steve holds up his hands in surrender and turns back, heading for the lounge again.
Tony watches him leave, tired and wanting a drink and stupidly in love with Steve.
He can hear Natasha and Clint arguing over the special effects, Thor asking something about the 'strange modes of dress,' and Bruce telling them all to shut up so he can actually watch the movie.
Steve glances him over his shoulder. "See you in the morning, Tony."
"See you," Tony nods at him, and then he's full-on grinning.
"Home," He says quietly. "Huh."