Chapter 2
Steve woke up late Saturday to finish the car he had due. He didn’t bother to wake Mary up letting her sleep in. Bucky, his best friend, and one of his employees had the day off so he had to work twice as hard to finish it on time. After 3 hours of working on the bottom part he got up to feel all the oil and grime on his shirt.
Since he hadn’t had the money to pay for the air conditioning bill it was extremely hot. He shed his shirt and got back to work on the hood of the car. He was grabbing a wrench on the table when he heard steps and a knock on the door. He hadn’t bothered to look up, still fixing a bolt, “Captain’s auto shop, what can I do for you?”
“Well I was hoping for some auto repairs, but from what I see it might turn into a magic mike show.”
Steve’s head shot up causing himself to hit his head on the top of the car. “Fuck” he looked up and made eye contact with Tony. He didn’t think he’d ever see him again especially in his shop.
“Hey Rogers.”
“Hey uh Hi Mr.Stark I mean Tony hey. What are you doing here?”
“Car needs fixing and I’ve been told you run a great place here. I also brought Peter thought it’d be nice to have a little playdate with Mary. Unless she’s busy with whatever 7-year-olds do.”
“Oh, Uhm yeah sure let me go get her and probably get a shirt on.”
Tony watched as Steve ran inside and as quickly as he could up the stairs. He called Mary down while he grabbed his cleanest shirt and tried to take as much sweat and oil off of him. Mary walked down the steps and into the garage to see Peter and Tony. She smiled and ran over to Peter.
“Come on I’ll show you the toys I have,” she said, pulling him to the corner of the shop where a small table with few toys stood. Tony smiled looking over at his son, the smile grew wider as he saw Steve walk over to him.
“So hey.” Steve put his hand out and Tony quickly went to shake it. He felt weird like shocks went through him when Tony touched him.
“Hey so the car should be here soon, and ah there it is.” Steve watched as a black car towed a beautiful red Edsel Corsair. Steve couldn’t help but eye the car that he would honestly marry if he could.
“Wow I mean this a classic!”
“1958 baby” Tony responded coolly as he watched Steve’s reaction to the car.
“I’m honored to even be in its presence. I haven’t seen a car like this in a while. What happened to it? looks fine to me.”
“I’ll tell you in a second. Happy you can head back to the tower or actually just go home take the day off I’ll wait for the car to be fixed so I can take Peter on a ride.” Steve heard the man who unhooked the chain keeping the car connected to the black one yell out an "ok boss."
Tony strolled back to where Steve was, “Well I don’t actually know what happened. But there's scratches and a few bolts where on the bottom of the car and I don’t know where they go. Don’t want to risk anything being wrong with it so here I am.” He passed a bag of bolts to Steve which he took with a confused look.
Steve slid his hand across the car taking in every detail noticing little things. “Looks like a 7-year-old when ham on it to me.” Steve laughed thinking it was a joke, but from the way Tony raised his eyebrow at Peter who was playing with Mary it seemed like that’s what happened.
“I’m guessing that’s actually exactly what happened. From the looks of it doesn’t seem like it’ll take long latest give me 20 minutes”
“Sounds great mind if I wait here. I kind of forgot to ask before sending my driver off.”
Steve looked around embarrassed that he didn’t have anywhere to keep him comfortable, he’s Tony Stark for crying out loud he’s not used to this. “Yeah yeah that’s fine with me. I don’t really have a waiting room or anything, but I can get you a stool?”
“That’s fine with me,” Tony responded standing around at the worn-down shop.
Steve ran to a closet and pulled out a dusty stool trying to clean it as fast as he could before setting it down next to the car. He gestured to it and Tony smiled awkwardly thanking him before sitting down crossing one leg over the other.
Steve didn’t know what else to say so he grabbed the mechanics seat and slid under the car. While he was checking for whatever bolts or wires were missing or cut he heard Tony speak up.
“So the Captain’s Auto Shop? You a secret pirate or something”
Steve chuckled, “Not exactly” he used his foot to point at the center of a wall which had the US Army flag and pictures of him and a few other soldiers.
“Oh shit I’m sorry should’ve guessed that. Uh thank you for your service.”
“No problem.”
“I’ve got a friend, well best friend in the service right now too.”
“Really?”
“Yup Mr. Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes of the Air Force. He’s a pain in the ass, but he’s my pain in the ass.” Tony said laughing at his words.
“Is he overseas?” Steve usually hated small talk, but with Tony he could small talk all day.
“Yeah can’t recall where he is right now though. Enough about him though, are you really ranked captain? I mean that takes at least 4 or 5 years in the service doesn’t it and it's very competitive to earn that rank from what I know.”
“Yeah I was given rank on my second tour in Kuwait. I was honorably discharged just a couple months after so I wasn’t captain for long, but the name kind of stuck.”
“I can see why Captain Rogers has a good ring to it.”
“I’ll take the compliment. You mind passing me the wrench it’s the red on-”
“Lug or Monkey?”
Steve was a little baffled, “uh Monkey please and thank you.” Tony reached down passing the wrench to his hands.
“You know tools who would have guessed.”
“Not just a pretty face Rogers.”
Steve suddenly remembered who he was talking to, a 15-year-old MIT graduate, and the mind behind every Stark Industries invention. “I completely forgot I must’ve looked so stupid asking for something by its color. I mean of course you would know.”
“It’s alright no worries.”
As he worked on tightening the bolts and checking the rest of the car he realized he didn’t know how Tony even found his place. “I probably should’ve asked this first, but how did you find my auto shop. I mean I don’t recall telling you and you don’t seem like the type to stroll down this neck of the woods.”
“Oh I completely forgot to tell you my working theory. Well last night I walked into my garage to find Peter on the floor and surprisingly found my car like this. He says he had absolutely nothing to do with it, but the pen and pencil marks on the door say otherwise. Nonetheless he consequently had a little paper he ‘found on the street’ with your auto shop's name.”
Tony took a little paper from his pocket and Steve got up to grab it. It was definitely Mary’s writing he could tell by remembering the night he had her rewrite it so she didn’t forget. He sighed looking over at her as she and Peter were whispering to one another and giggling.
“So I’m guessing those rascals made this plan. I just feel bad the car had to endure the mighty wrath of Peter.” Both men chuckled as Steve handed the paperback.
“I think it’s mostly Mary, she has a working theory of her own too.”
“Ah interesting, what’s the theory.”
“I’ll let you know once the experiments conclude.” Steve smiled turning his head looking directly into Tony’s eyes. He turned slightly red after just staring back and forth for a solid minute. He coughed turning his head to the car. “So um I fixed all the bolts that were loose and made sure to check for any issues, but it looks good to me now. You might want to get a professional to paint over some of the scratches. I wouldn’t want to mess this gorgeous car up.”
Tony stood up peering over to see the car looking good again. “How much?” he said, reaching for his wallet.
“It’s on the house. I mean it wasn’t a big job so there’s no point in charging you.” Steve quickly said.
“Oh no come on let me pay for it.”
“I’m serious Tony it’s alright” he said nodding no to Tony’s card.
“Fine, how about I repay you with dinner tomorrow. I can’t let you go without giving you nothing.”
Steve gulped not knowing if he could say yes or no. He didn’t have the money for a sitter right now and he didn’t want to ask his friends to give up their Sunday night.
“I don’t know if I could leave Mary on a Sunday. It’s a school night and she chooses dessert and she's very aggressive when it comes to her cookies.”
“How about I’ll bring food and Peter to where you live. I’ll make sure to bring cookies.” Tony called Peter who Mary followed right behind. Both kids looked up waiting.
Steve smiled and caressed Mary’s hair, “How do you feel about Peter and Mr.Stark coming to join us for dinner tomorrow, he promised cookies.”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Both kids said jumping up and down which caused both men to smile at them.
“Alright well we’ll see you both then, Pete get in the car.” He said as Peter waved goodbye to Mary who followed him to the car. “Where do you live by the way?”
“Oh uhm here. Well upstairs but here.” Steve said rubbing the back of his neck waiting for a weird reaction from Tony.
“Alright well that makes it easier then. I’ll see you tomorrow Rogers.” He got into his car but not before giving Steve a wink. Mary waved to Peter the entire time they drove out of the garage. Once Tony was out of sight Steve ran his hands through his hair smiling.
“Did you kiss?”
“What no!? And you missy are in trouble for this little spectacle you made.”
“That’s not fair! I got you a date with your crush.” She stomped her leg and crossed her arms just like Steve did.
“He’s not my crush and this also isn’t a date Mary. Now go upstairs and get cleaning. We have guests tomorrow. I’ll be up in a minute to help. I just gotta call a client, alright?.”
She huffed in response walking away and up the stairs.
They spent that day cleaning and making sure everything looked presentable. Steve didn’t know why he was putting so much effort it’s not like he had a crush on Tony Stark.
The next day Bucky and Sam both went in for work, but it was just sitting around waiting for a customer. Steve had been thinking about the dinner tonight, it wasn’t a date like he told Mary, but he still felt nervous.
“What’s up with you,” Bucky said nodding to Steve who was in the middle of a daydream. Before he could answer Mary walked out running to Bucky, “Daddy has a date tonight!” Bucky picked Mary spinning her around as she giggled then it hit him what she said. “Who has a date tonight?!”
Sam and Bucky both turned to him, “It’s not a date she has a wild imagination. Tony Stark and his son are coming over. I fixed his car for him yesterday and he’s repaying with dinner. It's honestly more for the kids to hang out.”
“Woah Woah Woah, am I going crazy or did you just say Tony Stark. As in Tony Stark the billionaire who owns stark industries.”
“Uh yeah that’s the one.”
“You fixed his car yesterday and didn’t feel the need to tell us?”
“I was surprised too. I mean I met him on Friday at Mary’s school who almost got suspended by the way.”
Bucky gave Mary one of his disappointed looks while she crossed her arms. “Austin deserved to get tackled!”
“Oh it was Rumlows kid. I'm proud then!” he gave her a high five while Steve just rolled his eyes.
“Continue with the story Cap,” Sam said, taking a sip from his water bottle.
“Well it was Tony’s kid who Mary stood up for and he got her out of the suspension. Apparently her and Peter, his son, made a little plan which resulted in his car needing to be slightly patched up and so he came in. Offered to bring Peter and food for dinner tonight cause I wouldn’t let him pay.”
“You didn’t let him pay!? He’s a billionaire! Do you really need-” Bucky covered Mary’s ears, “Do you really need to bang him that badly?”
“Buck!” Steve said gesturing to a confused Mary. “Oh she can’t hear!,” he said, uncovering her ears.
“Either way, I don't want her to accidentally hear something and me having to get a call from school wondering why my 7-year-old daughter is being corrupted with foul language.”
“You didn’t answer my question” Bucky said as Mary ran off to play with her toys.
“It wasn’t about that Buck I just didn’t want him to think I was taking advantage of his financial status, plus it honestly took less than 20 minutes to finish.”
“Do you like him though?”
Steve sighed, running his hands through his face, “I don’t I mean I've had a total of 2 conversations with him, and also you’re turning into Mary, she keeps saying I have a crush on him.” Bucky laughed hearing the little dilemma Steve was having.
“Hey at least she understands the whole attraction to both genders thing” Steve shrugged agreeing. “Yeah I guess so, but I hope she doesn’t think any time I’m nice to a guy it means I’m in love with him. Anyways can we please talk about something else? How’s Natasha, buck?”
“She’s hot.”
“Thanks for stating the obvious,” Sam said rolling his eyes.
“You think my girlfriends hot? You better watch it bird brain before I kill you in your sleep.”
“Oh please everyone thinks she’s hot and I could easily kill you before you kill me.”
“Oh yeah?” Bucky tackled Sam to the ground in a play fight while Mary ran over chanting “Fight fight fight!” Steve just sat back and watched, smiling at his little chaotic family.
They only had one client the rest of the day so Steve closed early letting them take the rest of the day off. He had realized he didn’t know when Tony was coming since he didn’t give him a specific time so he got in the shower at 6:15. He didn’t want to make it seem like he was trying too hard, but he didn’t want to look like he didn’t care. He just put on his jeans and a plain grey shirt which he ironed for no specific reason. He fixed his hair making sure it looked fine and put on some cologne. He sighed realizing how it looked like he was getting ready for a date, but he just repeated to himself that it wasn’t.
While he went to check his phone he got a text from Bucky.
Bucky: Have fun on your date ;) Natasha says hi
Steve just rolled his eyes and put his phone down a few seconds later he heard booms on the doors from the garage. He ran down knowing it was Tony. He opened the garage door and there stood Tony. He was holding 2 pizza boxes and a bag of those 2-liter sodas. Peter was smiling looking up at Steve holding a giant box full of cookies, he remembered.
“Hey, Uh here let me help you” he said, grabbing the bag and box from Peter's hand. “Follow me,” he said and they did. They went through the door up the stairs leading into the little place Steve and Mary called home.
He had a small table in the kitchen with 2 seats since only he and Mary ever sat there. Tony sat the pizza’s down while Steve called for Mary. He set the bags and cookies down to grab the paper plates from the shelf. He set them down on the table and Mary came in saying 'hi' to Peter and Tony.
“Dad can me and Peter eat in our room.”
“Yeah sure just make sure not to spill anything.” Mary smiled, grabbing her slices and drink.
“Me and my dad share a room together!”
“Really that’s so cool! Did you hear daddy they share a room! We should do that too.”
Steve took a sharp breath smiling at Peter’s comment. He knew most parents don’t share a room with their kid, but that’s what they had.
“I’ll think about it. Now run along munchkins and Peter remember no spilling.” Tony said ruffling his hair. Steve sat down watching them walk to the room.
He sighed, grabbing a slice for himself and turning over to Tony.
“She’s a cute kid,” Tony said, pouring coke into his cup.
“Thanks, so is Peter. He seems like a good kid.” Steve said, taking a bite of the pizza.
“He is, but he’s real smart too. He’s actually going through a spider phase right now. He will not stop talking about them, Wolfs, Huntsman, Widows name a spider and he’ll give you 10 fun facts about them.” Steve chuckled looking over to see the kids laughing and watching the TV.
“Excuse my rudeness I haven’t even said thank you. So thank you for the dinner and dessert.”
“Oh it was nothing I’m glad I was able to repay you for the car.” Steve smiled in return. “So you ride?” Steve coughed almost choking on his drink. “Hm?!” he said, trying to clean the soda from his chin. “You ride a motorcycle right? I saw it on Friday as we were leaving.”
“Oh- Oh yeah mhm. It’s my pride and joy second to Mary of course,” he said turning red from what he thought Tony meant.
“I’m not one for motorcycles, but that was one pretty bike.”
“‘Thank you and yeah it’s a hell of a bike. I have plans to go on a road trip with Mary once she is a bit older of course.” Tony nodded and grabbed another slice.
“So you say you were honorably discharged from the Army right?”
“Oh yeah that’s right.”
“I don’t mean to pry, but you said you had barely been ranked, Captain. What happened?”
“Oh well uh I was serving Kuwait as I told you, and while on a mission we got ambushed by a terrorist organization. One of my best friends was actually in the seat next to me when we got hit with a grenade. He lost his arm trying to get out; he works here with me actually.” Steve watched as Tony stayed intently listening to the story. “But uh we went down and while they shot back at us I stood in the line of fire dragging the attention away from those already injured. God knows I have the scars to prove it.” Steve said chuckling while Tony had half a frown half a smile on.
“They say they discharged me because I served enough time with the Army and did a heroic action that saved men from being captured and killed. I know why they actually pushed the discharge so much.”
“Why?”
“Well Mary was born around that same time, she was a few weeks old. I got a letter while I was getting treated that Mary’s mom, my I guess ex-fiancee had k- had passed. My general found out and pushed to get me discharged so I could get back home.”
“I’m so sorry about that, Steve I really am,” Tony said, putting his hand on Steve’s shoulder.
“It’s not your fault, but thank you.” Steve sighed and grabbed another sip of his drink wanting to defuse the vibe that had been set.
“So why did you want to open an auto shop?”
“No particular reason. I mean I was already somewhat good at fixing up trucks while in the Army and my friend Bucky losing the arm and all wasn’t helping him get a job. So I got the money and opened this place up. This used to be a breakroom apparently, but I turned it into a very small I guess homey apartment for Mary.”
“It sounds like a nice deal. You can never be late to work and you don’t have to worry about traffic.” Steve laughed as did Tony, and Steve couldn’t help but watch in detail how beautiful Tony looked laughing. He snapped himself out of thoughts.
“So let’s talk about you now.”
“Oh goody.”
“Tell me about what you do,” Steve asked and Tony started to go off on his new inventions and plans. How much he hated investors' cranky attitude, and so on so forth. Steve liked the way Tony spoke so passionately about his work and especially Peter. He took notice of how his eyes brightened along with his smile when talking about him.
While they laughed over a childhood story Tony was saying Steve checked his watch, 8:56. It was far too late for Mary to be awake.
“I hate to put an end to the evening, but it’s close to 9 and the kid’s got school tomorrow.”
“Damn you’re right, Peter come on!” They heard both kids huff in annoyance as they walked out.
“I’m not tired!” Peter said walking up to Tony while swaying back and forth ready to pass out on the couch.
“Mhm, whatever you say Petey. Tell Mr.Rogers and Mary thank you for having us.”
“Goodbye and thank you for having us Mr.Rogers. I’ll see you tomorrow Mary.”
Mary waved at Peter yawning.
“Say thank you for dinner and cookies Mary.”
“Thank you for cookies and Pizza Mr.Stark.”
Tony took Peter’s hand and looked up at Steve. “Oh before I forget here” Tony said, grabbing a card from his back pocket. “I never use these cards, finally putting them to good use.” Steve looked at the Stark Industries card which had Tony's personal phone number on it.
“Text me or call me whenever. This was nice we could do it again, kiddos or no kiddos.” He smiled as Steve escorted them outside. He waved back at Tony as he left his eyesight.
Steve locked all the doors to the doors and smiled to himself seeing the image of Tony laughing in his mind. He went back up and cleaned up the kitchen leaving as it was. He made his way to the bedroom to find Mary asleep on the bed. He picked her up quietly, setting her into sheets with a blanket. He got into his pajamas, turned the lights off, and went to sleep as he wondered when would be the next time he saw Tony again, not that he needed to.