Steve dragged Natasha to go with him to the jewelry store; in their disguise, of course. He wore a baseball cap low over his face, the classic 'I’m-not-Captain-America' look, while Natasha sported a dark wig and sunglasses.
In the car, Steve was a bundle of nerves. His hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly that Natasha thought it might snap in half. He kept glancing at her, then back at the road, and occasionally muttered something under his breath that she couldn’t quite catch.
“Steve,” Natasha said finally, crossing her arms. “What’s going on? You’re acting like you’ve just committed a federal crime.”
Steve didn’t answer at first, his jaw tightening. Natasha raised an eyebrow. “Did you?”
“What? No!” Steve blurted, almost swerving. “I just—I need your help. You’re... better at this kind of thing.”
“Better at what?” she asked, her confusion mounting. “Shopping for jewelry? Who even—oh my God.” Her eyes widened. “Is this about Peggy?”
Steve groaned. “No! Nat, it’s not about Peggy.” He let out a long sigh, finally pulling into the parking lot of the store. He turned to face her, his expression serious but tinged with panic.
“I’m getting an engagement ring,” he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper as if the words were a state secret.
Natasha blinked. “An engagement ring? For who?”
“For Tony,” Steve admitted, his face turning beet red. “Tony Stark.”
For a long moment, Natasha just stared at him. Then, she threw her head back and laughed so loudly Steve swore the salespeople inside could hear her.
“Nat!” he hissed, glaring at her.
“Oh, this is rich,” she wheezed, wiping at her eyes. “You—you dragged me here for this? Cap, you’ve been living in the twenty-first century for how long now, and you still don’t realize you could just—”
“Nat,” Steve interrupted firmly, his face a mix of exasperation and pleading. “I need this to be perfect. Tony deserves... something real. Something thoughtful.”
Natasha studied him, her laughter dying down as she saw the sincerity in his eyes. For all his nerves, Steve meant every word. She leaned back in her seat, smirking.
“Well,” she said, shrugging, “this is going to be fun. Let’s pick out something that will knock Stark off his obnoxious, billionaire-sized ego.”
Steve groaned again but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at his lips.
They headed into the store together, ready to take on the unexpected mission of a lifetime: finding the perfect ring for Tony.
The jewelry store smelled faintly of polished wood and perfume. Rows of glass cases sparkled under the bright lights, showcasing rings, necklaces, and other trinkets that cost more than Steve’s entire savings from his pre-serum days.
Natasha strolled in with the air of someone who belonged there, while Steve hung back, shifting nervously from foot to foot. A sales associate approached, a wide, professional smile plastered on her face.
“Good afternoon,” she said warmly. “How can I help you two today?”
“We’re just looking—” Steve began, but Natasha cut him off.
“We need an engagement ring,” she said smoothly, flashing the associate a winning smile. “Something timeless but bold. Unique but classic. You know, a statement piece.”
The associate brightened, clearly eager to assist. “Of course! Who’s the lucky bride?”
Natasha’s smirk grew wider as she glanced at Steve. “Actually, it’s for—”
“Me!” Steve interrupted, his face turning crimson. “It’s for me. I’m proposing to my boyfriend.”
The associate’s smile didn’t falter, though Steve swore he saw her eyes widen ever so slightly. “How wonderful! Congratulations. Let me show you some options.”
As the associate led them to a case filled with glittering rings, Natasha leaned in close to Steve, whispering, “Relax, Rogers. She’s seen weirder, I guarantee it.”
“Easy for you to say,” Steve muttered back.
The associate unlocked the case and began pulling out a selection of rings. “Do you know what style your partner might like?” she asked.
Steve hesitated. What would Tony like? He could picture the man’s smug grin, his snarky comments, the way he lit up a room without even trying. Tony was flashy but also sentimental, a contradiction in a three-piece suit.
“I... I think he’d want something elegant but not too traditional,” Steve said finally. “Something that reflects who he is.”
The associate nodded thoughtfully, pulling out a ring with a platinum band and a square-cut diamond that sparkled like a miniature arc reactor.
Natasha raised an eyebrow. “Looks like something Tony would wear to match one of his suits,” she said. “But does it scream ‘Steve Rogers loves you’?”
Steve frowned. “No. It’s too... cold. Tony’s warm. Bright.”
The associate tilted her head. “How about this one?” She brought out another ring, this one with a rose gold band and a fiery orange sapphire at the center. Smaller diamonds framed the gemstone, catching the light with every movement.
Steve’s breath caught. It was beautiful, vibrant, and unique—just like Tony.
Natasha smirked, clearly noticing his reaction. “That’s the one, isn’t it?”
Steve nodded slowly. “Yeah,” he said softly. “That’s the one.”
The associate beamed. “Excellent choice. Shall we size it for you?”
“Yes, please,” Steve said, his nerves momentarily forgotten.
As they wrapped up the transaction, Natasha leaned against the counter, watching Steve with an amused expression. “So, what’s the plan, Rogers? Candlelit dinner? Stark Tower rooftop? Or are you just going to wing it?”
Steve chuckled nervously. “I was thinking... a quiet moment. Just us. Something simple.”
Natasha gave him a look. “You’re proposing to Tony Stark, Steve. Nothing about that man screams ‘simple.’”
Steve sighed, tugged the front of his baseball cap. “I’ll figure it out. He’s worth it.”
Natasha smirked, patting his shoulder. “You’re braver than I thought, Cap. Good luck.”
Steve smiled, pocketing the ring. Now all he had to do was ask Tony—and hope the genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist said yes.
They exited the jewelry store, the tiny velvet box tucked safely in Steve’s jacket pocket. As soon as they hit the pavement, Natasha was on him.
“So,” she began, her voice dripping with mock seriousness, “does Stark like to be wined and dined, or are you planning to impress him with your old-fashioned charm?”
Steve groaned, unlocking the car. “Nat, can you give it a rest?”
“Absolutely not,” she replied with a wicked grin, sliding into the passenger seat. “This is too good. Captain America, swooning over Iron Man. Never thought I’d see the day.”
Steve rolled his eyes as he started the car, but his lips twitched in amusement. He’d never hear the end of this.
The teasing continued as they pulled out of the parking lot. Natasha throwing out increasingly ridiculous proposal scenarios, “What if you skywrite it? Or serenade him? You can sing, right?”
Until Steve finally said, “Nat, I swear, I will make you walk back to the Compound.”
She smirked but mercifully fell silent.
—
They finally reached the Avengers’ compound as the sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The towering structure stood quiet, a deceptive calm that Steve knew wouldn’t last once he stepped inside.
As he parked the car, Natasha hopped out with her usual grace, tossing him a knowing look. “You better practice that poker face, Rogers. Stark’s going to sniff out that you’re hiding something the second you walk in.”
Steve smirked, patting the pocket where the ring was safely tucked away. “I’ll manage. Just don’t give me away.”
“No promises,” Natasha said, winking as she sauntered toward the entrance.
Steve took a deep breath, straightening his jacket as he followed. The weight of the ring in his pocket felt heavier than it should, and he found himself running through potential proposal scenarios in his head.
Dinner? Too predictable. The lab? Too impersonal. Maybe—
“Cap!” a voice called, jolting him from his thoughts.
Sam strode into the hallway, a towel slung over his shoulder. “Took you long enough. What were you two up to?”
“Just running errands,” Steve said casually, keeping his tone steady.
Natasha, however, grinned wickedly. “You know, Sam, Steve’s got some big plans—”
“Nat,” Steve interrupted, shooting her a warning glare.
She held up her hands in mock surrender. “Relax, Cap. I didn’t say anything.”
Sam raised an eyebrow, glancing between the two of them. “Uh-huh. You’re acting weird, man. What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” Steve said quickly. “Just... tired from the drive.”
Sam gave him a skeptical look but didn’t push further. “Alright, whatever you say. Tony’s in the lab, by the way. Been tinkering all day. Said something about improving the suit’s propulsion system.”
Steve nodded, muttering a quick thanks as he and Natasha continued inside.
“You’re terrible at this,” Natasha whispered, smirking.
“I’m not used to sneaking around,” Steve muttered back.
“Well, get used to it,” she replied. “This is only phase one.”
As they entered the main living area, Steve spotted Bruce and Clint engaged in a heated debate over a movie playing on the big screen. Wanda sat nearby, flipping through a book, while Thor was busy polishing Mjolnir.
“Steve!” Thor boomed, his voice carrying across the room. “Are you alright?”
Steve winced, his free hand brushing his jacket pocket as if to ensure the ring was still there. “Something like that.”
Natasha grinned, plopping onto the couch. “Don’t mind him. He’s just had a long day.”
Thor frowned, studying Steve closely. “You seem troubled, my friend. Is there a foe that requires smiting?”
“Not exactly,” Steve said, trying to keep his tone light. “Just some... personal stuff.”
Thor nodded solemnly. “Ah, matters of the heart. Fear not, Captain! Love is a battlefield I know well.”
Natasha snorted, earning a glare from Steve.
Before anyone could press further, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Steve turned just in time to see Tony strolling in, a grease-stained rag slung over his shoulder.
“Speak of the devil,” Natasha muttered under her breath.
Tony didn’t notice her comment, his attention already on Steve. “Rogers, you’re back. Good, I need your input on a new design—something about streamlining the shield dynamics for optimal aerodynamic performance.”
Steve smiled, his heart skipping a beat at the sight of Tony’s usual energy and charm. “Sure, I can take a look.”
Tony’s gaze lingered for a moment, his brow furrowing. “You okay? You seem... off.”
“I’m fine,” Steve said quickly, slipping his hands into his pockets to hide his nervousness.
Tony narrowed his eyes, clearly not buying it. “You sure? You look like you’re hiding something.”
Steve forced a laugh, shooting a quick glance at Natasha, who was enjoying the scene far too much. “Just tired. Long day.”
Tony didn’t press further, though he gave Steve one last curious look before turning to head back to the lab. “Alright, well, come find me later. Don’t keep me waiting too long, Cap.”
As soon as Tony was out of earshot, Natasha leaned over, whispering, “You’re doomed.”
Steve sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I just need the right moment.”
Natasha smirked. “Better find it fast. Stark’s going to figure it out before you even get the words out.”
Steve smiled faintly, his fingers brushing the velvet box in his pocket. ‘Soon,’ he thought. ‘Just hang on a little longer, Tony.’
—
Steve entered his room, shutting the door softly behind him. He crossed the room to his desk and pulled open a drawer, carefully tucking the small velvet box inside. For a moment, he stood there, staring at the drawer as if it might vanish.
With a deep sigh, he straightened up and let himself relax, his shoulders loosening for the first time all day. He stared into the air, his thoughts wandering to Tony and the monumental question he’d soon ask.
“Okay, Rogers,” he muttered to himself. “Be strong.”
Taking another steadying breath, he pushed the thoughts aside for now. Tony had said he needed him in the lab, and Steve didn’t want to keep him waiting. He left his room and made his way through the compound, his footsteps echoing faintly in the quiet hallways.
When he reached the lab, the glass doors slid open with a soft hiss, revealing Tony in his element. He was surrounded by holographic displays and half-assembled machinery, his hands moving with practiced ease as he adjusted a glowing schematic floating in the air.
Tony glanced up, spotting Steve immediately. “Oh, great, you’re here. Come, dear, you’re gonna try on the design.”
Steve blinked. “Oh—okay.” He obeyed without hesitation, stepping further into the lab as Tony gestured him toward a small platform.
Tony moved quickly, his energy infectious. “Alright, so I was thinking—your shield’s great and all, but wouldn’t it be even better if we incorporated some advanced propulsion tech? You know, for those situations where you’re, I don’t know, falling out of a plane or chasing bad guys at high speeds.”
Steve stepped onto the platform, watching as Tony grabbed a set of prototype gauntlets from a nearby table. “Propulsion tech... in the shield?”
Tony smirked. “Not just the shield. You. It’s about time we upgraded Captain America’s whole package.”
Steve raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sure I need an upgrade—”
Tony rolled his eyes. “Of course you do. You’re perfect, Steve, but perfection can always be optimized.”
Steve couldn’t help but smile at Tony’s enthusiasm. “Alright, what do I do?”
Tony held up the gauntlets, nodding toward Steve. “Slip these on. They’re calibrated to your biometrics, so don’t worry—they won’t explode or anything.”
“Comforting,” Steve said dryly, but he slipped the gauntlets on without complaint.
As the gauntlets powered up with a low hum, Tony stepped back, crossing his arms as he studied Steve. “How do they feel?”
“Not bad,” Steve admitted, flexing his fingers.
Tony grinned. “Good. Now, try this.” He tapped a button on his tablet, and a small holographic target appeared across the room. “Launch your shield like usual, but let the gauntlets assist you.”
Steve nodded, sliding his shield off his back. He took a stance, aimed at the target, and threw.
To his surprise, the gauntlets activated mid-throw, sending a burst of energy that accelerated the shield’s speed. It hit the target with a loud clang, embedding itself into the wall.
Steve’s eyes widened. “That’s... impressive.”
Tony smirked, clearly pleased. “Told you. Now imagine that in a real fight. You’d be unstoppable.”
Steve retrieved the shield, turning it over in his hands. “It’s definitely something. But won’t this make me... too reliant on tech?”
Tony waved a hand dismissively. “Please. You’re still the same old Boy Scout—just with a little extra Stark pizzazz.”
Steve laughed softly, shaking his head. “You’ve outdone yourself, Tony.”
Tony leaned against the table, watching Steve with a glint in his eye. “I do that a lot, don’t I?”
Steve nodded, his heart warming at the sight of Tony’s proud, mischievous grin. “Yeah. You really do.”
Tony didn’t stop with the gauntlets. With a gleam in his eye, he stepped closer to Steve, his gaze flickering between the shield and the man holding it.
Steve straightened instinctively, his posture going ramrod stiff as Tony closed the distance. His breath hitched slightly, and he exhaled in a soft huff, trying to keep his composure.
Tony, of course, didn’t notice—or maybe he did and just chose to push further. Sliding up to Steve, he placed a hand on the Captain’s arm, his fingers brushing against the firm muscle beneath the fabric of his shirt.
Steve froze.
“Maybe we could adjust—” Tony began, his voice thoughtful as his thumb absently traced along the seam of Steve’s sleeve.
“N-no! I'm fine—” Steve blurted out, his laugh awkward and a little too loud. “No adjustments needed.”
Tony raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the sudden outburst, but he didn’t pull back. “You sure? I mean, I’ve got a million ideas for how to make this even better.”
Steve’s face was burning, his cheeks a deep shade of red that he couldn’t hide. “I’m sure,” he managed, his voice softer this time.
Behind the nervous smile, though, he made no move to step away—or to stop Tony’s hand from lingering on his arm. There was something grounding about the contact, even if it made his heart race like he’d just run a marathon.
Tony tilted his head, studying Steve curiously. “You’re acting weird today. Did something happen on your little errand run with Nat?”
Steve shook his head quickly. “Nope. Nothing happened. Everything was fine.”
Tony squinted at him, clearly unconvinced. “Uh-huh. You’re a terrible liar, Rogers.”
Steve let out a shaky laugh, shifting his weight awkwardly. “Maybe I’m just tired.”
“Or maybe you’re just hiding something,” Tony countered, his tone teasing but his gaze sharp. His hand lingered for a moment longer before he finally stepped back, much to Steve’s simultaneous relief and disappointment.
“Fine,” Tony said, throwing his hands up. “Keep your secrets, Cap. But don’t think I won’t figure it out.”
Steve let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding, his pulse still racing. “I’m not hiding anything,” he said, even though he could feel the small velvet box practically burning a hole in his drawer upstairs.
Tony smirked, clearly not buying it, but he didn’t push further. Instead, he turned back to his workstation, muttering something about fine-tuning the propulsion tech.
Steve watched him go, his heart still pounding as he ran a hand through his hair.
‘How does he do this to me without even trying?’ he thought, swallowing hard.
Steve stood there for a moment, gathering his courage. He cleared his throat softly, glancing toward Tony, who was still absorbed in his work.
“Oh, if you’re done—with your work and all,” Steve began, his voice hesitant. He fidgeted with his fingers, feeling oddly like a nervous teenager. “You won’t mind if we go for a night ride?”
Tony paused mid-tinker, the wrench in his hand hanging in mid-air as he turned to look at Steve. His eyebrows arched slightly in surprise. “A night ride?”
Steve nodded quickly, his voice a little steadier now. “Yeah. I mean, if you’re free. Just the two of us. You know, go out, enjoy the evening.” He straightened his posture, trying to appear more confident. “I thought it could be nice. Maybe... an evening date on my motorcycle.”
Tony leaned back against the workbench, crossing his arms as a slow grin spread across his face. “Date, huh?”
Steve flushed, but he nodded, standing his ground.
Tony whistled low, clearly amused. “Careful there, Rogers. You’re starting to sound like Thor with all this grandiose, chivalrous energy.”
Steve chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “I just thought it’d be something different. Something... special.”
Tony studied him for a moment, his expression softening. “Alright, Cap. You’ve got my attention. A date night it is.”
Steve’s face lit up, his blue eyes bright with excitement. “Great! I’ll go get the bike ready.”
Tony smirked, already removing his work gloves. “Let me grab a jacket. Can’t have the great Captain America showing me up, can we?”
As Steve hurried out of the lab to prepare, Tony watched him go, shaking his head with a fond smile. ‘Rogers, you’re full of surprises tonight.’
What Tony didn’t know was that this ride was about to be more than just a casual date. For Steve, it was the first step toward asking the most important question of his life.
—
Tony stepped out of the compound, his cozy jacket zipped just enough to fight off the evening chill. The soft glow of the compound’s exterior lights cast a faint halo around him as he walked toward Steve, who was waiting by his motorcycle.
Steve had gone the extra mile with his look—wearing a sleek leather jacket that hugged his broad shoulders perfectly. His hair was deliberately tousled, an effort to give off that ‘bad boy’ vibe. But to Tony, Steve still looked like the most adorable golden retriever trying to play tough.
Tony’s gaze swept over him, taking in every detail. He smirked, eyes sparkling with amusement. “Well, look at you, hotshot. Did you step out of a ‘50s biker movie, or is this your way of seducing me?”
Steve, already feeling the heat creeping up his neck, tried to play it cool. He pushed off the bike, standing tall, and replied, “Evening, beauty.” His voice carried an air of confidence, but deep down, his heart was pounding, and his back was already damp with nervous sweat.
Tony tilted his head, clearly impressed but not fooled. “Smooth, Rogers. Real smooth. But you might want to ease up before you melt into a puddle.”
Steve laughed awkwardly but quickly regained his composure, holding up two helmets. “This one’s for you,” he said, offering Tony the sleeker of the two.
Tony took the helmet, stepping closer until he was just within Steve’s personal space. “You know, this whole ‘bad boy’ thing you’ve got going on? Not fooling me for a second.”
Steve grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. “Is it that obvious?”
“Painfully,” Tony teased, tapping the helmet lightly against Steve’s chest. “But it’s cute, so I’ll let it slide.”
Steve’s blush deepened, but he quickly gestured to the bike. “Hop on, then. Let’s make this ride worth it.”
Tony climbed onto the bike with ease, his arms wrapping around Steve’s waist as the Captain settled into the seat in front of him. “Lead the way, Captain Leather Jacket,” Tony said, his tone playful but warm.
Steve smiled to himself as he started the engine, the sound roaring to life beneath them. This is it, he thought. The perfect start to what’s going to be an unforgettable night.
The motorcycle roared to life as Steve revved the engine, the low growl echoing through the compound's open courtyard. Tony held on tighter, his arms wrapped snugly around Steve's waist, his head resting lightly between Steve's shoulder blades.
The wind rushed past them as they sped down the empty road, the city lights twinkling in the distance. The night air was crisp and cool, and the faint scent of pine trees lingered in the breeze as they rode through quieter outskirts.
“So,” Tony shouted over the noise of the bike and wind, his voice muffled but still teasing. “Are you going to tell me where we’re headed, or is this your way of kidnapping me?”
Steve glanced back briefly, a lopsided grin on his face. “That’d be the weirdest kidnapping ever, considering you could just buy your way out.”
Tony laughed, tightening his grip slightly. “True. But if you’re going to whisk me away, at least let me know if there’s food involved.”
Steve shook his head with a soft chuckle. “You’ll see. Patience, Stark.”
“Not exactly my strong suit, Rogers,” Tony quipped, resting his chin against Steve’s shoulder for a moment.
The two fell into a comfortable silence for a while, the hum of the engine and the rhythm of the ride filling the space between them. Steve occasionally glanced at the rearview mirror, catching glimpses of Tony’s content expression. It was a rare moment to see the billionaire so relaxed, and it made Steve’s heart swell.
The road opened up to a stretch of countryside, the city skyline behind them growing smaller with every mile. The stars were starting to peek through the darkness, scattered across the inky sky like diamonds.
Tony broke the silence again, his voice softer this time. “You know, I can’t remember the last time I just... let go like this.”
Steve’s grip on the handlebars tightened slightly. “That’s why I thought we should do this. You deserve to take a break sometimes, Tony. You work too hard.”
“Work keeps the world spinning,” Tony replied, though his tone was less convincing.
Steve glanced back at him again, his voice gentle. “The world doesn’t need you to carry it alone, Tony. You’ve got us. You’ve got me.”
Tony didn’t respond right away, but Steve could feel the subtle way his arms tightened around him, like an unspoken acknowledgment of those words.
They reached a winding hill that climbed toward a scenic overlook, the city lights below now nothing more than a distant glow. Steve slowed the bike, the roar of the engine lowering to a rumble as they pulled up to a clearing.
“Here we are,” Steve said as he parked the motorcycle, his voice tinged with anticipation.
Tony climbed off first, stretching slightly before taking in the view. The stars above were dazzling, uninterrupted by city light pollution, and the rolling hills around them were bathed in the soft glow of moonlight.
“Okay, Rogers,” Tony said, his voice light but curious. “You’ve officially piqued my interest. What’s the plan now?”
Steve got off the bike, his movements steady and purposeful. He pulled off his helmet, letting his hair fall slightly into his face, and set it down. He gestured to the blanket and small basket he’d tucked into the bike’s side compartment earlier.
“I thought we could just... enjoy the view. Talk. Relax,” Steve said, his voice soft but earnest.
Tony raised an eyebrow, a slow grin spreading across his face. “A picnic under the stars? You really are a sap, Rogers.”
Steve shrugged, a sheepish smile on his face. “Maybe. But you’re here, so I must be doing something right.”
Tony laughed, shaking his head, but his eyes were warm. “Alright, Boy Scout. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Steve laid out the blanket as Tony settled down, the two of them sharing a rare, quiet moment in a world that was always moving too fast.
As Steve and Tony settled on the blanket, the conversation flowed easily. They talked about everything from old missions to Tony’s latest upgrades for the Avengers.
“So, when are you going to stop adding rockets to everything?” Steve teased, his blue eyes sparkling under the moonlight.
Tony smirked, leaning back on his elbows. “Rockets make everything better, Cap. I’m just trying to bring the team into the twenty-first century. You should thank me.”
Steve chuckled. “I’ll thank you when one of those rockets doesn’t almost blow me up.”
Tony grinned. “Fair. But admit it—you were impressed by the gauntlets.”
“Alright, I’ll give you that one,” Steve admitted.
Their laughter settled into a comfortable quiet, the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of crickets filling the air. Steve, still smiling, reached into his pocket, fingers brushing for the velvet box that held his big question.
But it wasn’t there.
Panic washed over him. He froze, his mind racing as he frantically checked his other pockets, trying to keep his movements subtle. But it was no use—the box was gone.
Tony, noticing Steve’s sudden change in demeanor, frowned. “What’s up with you? You just went pale as a ghost.”
Steve felt the color drain further from his face. How could this happen? He’d checked a dozen times before they left the compound.
“I—uh...” Steve stammered, struggling for words. His shoulders slumped as a wave of disappointment crashed over him.
He couldn’t meet Tony’s eyes, his gaze fixed on the blanket beneath them. “It’s nothing,” he said flatly, his voice devoid of its usual warmth. He stood up abruptly, brushing off his pants. “Let’s go home.”
Tony blinked, surprised by the sudden shift. “Steve—what’s going on?” he asked, his tone now laced with concern.
Steve shook his head, avoiding the question as he walked back to the motorcycle. There was a heaviness in his movements, his earlier excitement completely gone.
Tony watched him for a moment, his brow furrowing as he tried to piece together what had just happened. But Steve didn’t offer any answers.
By the time Tony reached the bike, Steve was already seated, the engine humming softly as he waited. He didn’t look back or call out for Tony to hop on—he simply stared ahead, his posture tense, as if trying to will himself not to crumble under the weight of his disappointment.
Tony sighed softly and climbed onto the bike, wrapping his arms around Steve’s waist as he always did. But this time, the warmth and playfulness from earlier were gone.
The ride back to the compound was silent, and the night that had started with so much promise now felt like a missed opportunity.
Steve’s heart sank further with every mile, the loss of the ring a cruel reminder of how easily things could go wrong. For now, all he could do was take Tony home and try to figure out how to salvage the moment he’d been dreaming of.
—
The motorcycle ride had been tense, and now the atmosphere inside the compound was no better. The quiet halls were dim, save for the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the massive windows. Most of their teammates were already asleep, the stillness of the night amplifying the weight of the unspoken tension between them.
Steve parked the bike, dismounted, and headed inside without a word, his long strides carrying him quickly down the hall. His jaw was tight, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides.
Tony followed, his confusion quickly shifting into concern. “Cap! Talk to me. What’s going on? What’s the matter?”
Steve didn’t stop. He was moving too fast, heading toward the large floor-to-ceiling window that offered a breathtaking view of the city. His shoulders were stiff, his movements hurried as if he were chasing something just out of reach.
Tony caught up and grabbed Steve’s arm mid-step, forcing him to stop.
They froze in place, moonlight casting down on them like a spotlight, highlighting every emotion etched into Steve’s face.
“Steve,” Tony said, his voice soft but firm, “what is going on with you tonight?”
Steve sighed heavily, finally turning to face Tony. His eyes were tired, the weight of his own frustration and disappointment pulling him down. “It’s nothing,” he mumbled, his voice carrying the same melancholy tone from before.
Tony’s jaw tightened. He wasn’t used to seeing Steve like this—distant, withdrawn. It felt wrong. He missed the bright, cheerful energy from earlier, the golden retriever optimism that Steve carried so effortlessly.
“Hey,” Tony said, his tone gentler this time as he took Steve’s hand in his own. “It’s alright. You can talk to me.” He reached up, placing his other hand on Steve’s cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over the stubble there.
Steve tried to avoid his gaze, but Tony held firm, his touch grounding. Eventually, Steve’s watery blue eyes met Tony’s.
“Baby,” Tony started, his voice soft with concern, “what’s wrong—” His words trailed off as something caught his eye. “—Oh my god, what is that?”
Tony leaned past Steve, his gaze locking onto a small velvet box peeking out from the corner of the window ledge.
Steve’s head snapped to the side, and his face went from pale to beet red in an instant.
Holy shit.
That’s why the box hadn’t been in his pocket earlier. He must’ve dropped it when he was rushing to set up the picnic.
Without thinking, Steve darted toward the box, snatching it up and clutching it tightly in his hand.
Tony crossed his arms, his patience clearly wearing thin. “Cap, if you say another ‘It’s nothing’ at me, I swear I’m throwing you off the roof.” His voice was firm, but there was no mistaking the note of worry beneath his words.
Steve stood there, holding the box in both hands like it was the most fragile thing in the world. His palms were sweaty, his heart pounding as he looked at Tony, who was now eyeing him with equal parts curiosity and exasperation.
With a deep breath, Steve cautiously approached, his steps slow and deliberate.
“Alright, Rogers,” Tony said, his tone low and serious, “you’ve got about five seconds to explain before I lose my mind.”
Steve stopped a few feet away, fidgeting nervously with the box in his hands. His gaze shifted between the box and Tony’s piercing brown eyes.
Steve took a deep breath, his fingers trembling as he clutched the velvet box tighter. But he didn’t open it—not yet.
“I need to tell you something,” Steve said, his voice softer now, yet filled with a vulnerability that Tony rarely heard.
Tony raised an eyebrow, folding his arms as he waited. “I’m all ears.”
Steve smiled faintly, though nerves still danced in his eyes. “Earlier tonight, I dragged Natasha to a jewelry store. I needed her help picking out something special—something important.”
Tony’s expression shifted slightly, his casual curiosity turning into something sharper. “A jewelry store? For what?”
Steve hesitated for a second, but he pushed forward. “For... a ring.”
Tony’s face immediately hardened, his eyes narrowing. “A ring? Let me guess,” he said, rolled his eyes. “For Peggy? Steve, she’s dead. She’s been gone for decades. When are you going to get over—”
Before Tony could finish his sentence, Steve dropped to one knee.
Tony froze, his words dying in his throat as he stared down at Steve, who held the box in his hand.
Steve’s voice was steady now, filled with determination. “Tony Stark, you are the most brilliant, infuriating, and wonderful person I’ve ever known. You drive me crazy, but you also make me better. Every moment with you reminds me why I came back to this time, to this place. It’s you. It’s always been you.”
He opened the box, the engagement ring inside catching the moonlight and gleaming brightly.
“Will you marry me, Tony Stark?” Steve asked, his blue eyes looking up at him with a mixture of hope and love.
Tony’s eyes widened, his mouth falling open in shock. For a moment, he seemed utterly speechless. “Oh... my god,” he finally whispered, his voice barely audible.
The words hung in the air between them, and for a brief moment, Steve feared he’d misread everything. But then Tony’s lips began to curve into a smile—one that grew wider and brighter until it was unmistakably genuine.
“You idiot,” Tony said, his voice trembling slightly as he reached down to cup Steve’s face. “Of course, I’ll marry you.”
Relief and joy washed over Steve as he stood, pulling Tony into his arms. Tony kissed him fiercely, their laughter mixing with the quiet hum of the city below.
The moonlight shone down on them, turning their quiet corner of the compound into a moment that neither of them would ever forget.