Chapter 11
Tony is happy. His communication with his other self that somehow managed to entice a Steve Rogers — were being a wonderful friend.
Stark — Tony likes to call him like that — is so similar yet different. Tony likes it when they talked and even hem and hums is speaks a lot about the topic they currently in. Like, they run experiment together, and Tony will go, “Hum?” and the other him will answer with an understanding tone, “Hm? Oh, yeah.”
Even Clint said that Tony basically each other minds, or, rather, reading their own mind to know what the other talk about. It was wonderful experience. But, at sometimes, they found themselves incredibly different, like people that know both of them long enough will manage to differentiate them just by looking at them.
Tony have many insecurities, that somehow it was influence his decision making. He afraid to make something that have risk. He’s more focused on upgraded the Avengers gear, something that already there, and focused to safety, plan b and plan c. It was good, of course, but Stark frustrated by it.
He can do more, but he’s scared.
While Stark is excited to try everything eventhough he knows he might knock his head on the roof again or blow the shit out of himself — Tony never let himself to do something potentially harmless. He even takes DUM-E rights to fire extinguisher that is almost become the second body of that bot!
And it’s only take Steve — Steve that did not marry a Tony Stark — to notice that the both of them is already swapped back to their rightfully place, although Tony choose to not say anything about the swap back.
“Tony. You’re back?”
Deg.
Tony freezes in his place, his fingers stop tinkering to whatever he do and slowly looked up to Steve with a handful of cutted fruit and a new cup of coffee. “H— how did you know...?”
Steve put the plate on the nearest table and then came hurriedly, approach Tony with relief in his place. He already raised his hands, whatever he wants to do with that hand — Tony didn’t know — because he quickly put his hand back for himself and then cleared his throat. “You never stack any snack when you work. The other you said he’s used to have someone to brought up food and snack for him and forced him to eat against his will,” Steve answered, glancing at a bag full of chips near Tony’s.
Tony, chuckled a bit at that. Yes, that was something Stark would say. Steve became quiet again, but his eyes never leaves Tony. His hands ached to touch. But he knew better rather than make Tony uncomfortable.
“Yes. Stark is—another me— is incredible. He already become close to my teammates faster than i ever be,” Tony said.
“You can get to know us. If you let us try.”
“I try. But you hate come close near me so i didn’t want to make you uncomfortable with my presence.”
Steve narrowed his eyebrow, with flabbergasted look. “Wait what? Who was uncomfortable?”
“You. You always mad at me and your dissapointed look... Well, i know better rather than intrude your peace.”
“I am mad at you because you never tell me when you were in danger. Remember a week ago, before you swapped, you gone to chase the ship of aliens? And almost not coming back?”
“They have Strange,” Tony argues.
“Does not mean you can go and chase him without a plan. What if something happens to you?”
“What if something happens to Strange?”
“I don’t care.”
“You are Captain America. Are you allowed to say something like that?”
“I don’t know. Did i? All i see is the man i love chasing an alien ship without back up and my heart feels like it was dropped from its place,” Steve exhaled aggresively, “I think i am gonna go rampage. If you comeback just a hour late. You lucky because Captain Marvel is nearby.”
“Y—you love me?”
“I know. Don’t make that face,” Steve, turn his face away from Tony. Looking hurt and all when he sees Tony eyes widening in surprise. “I know i am the least favorite person for you, but i— i can’t help it. I like you, i love you. My heart draw to you. Eventhough i tried to hide my feelings and act tough, it's never easy to be subtle. So i ended up fucking up many chances to befriend you because i was afraid you might know my feelings.”
“So you make that dissapointed and firm look whenever you see me is not because you hate me and my guts?”
”What?”
“Yes. What?”