Chapter 5
Steve didn’t see Stark for almost two weeks after overhearing Stark’s conversation with Rhodes in which it was revealed that Stark was attracted to Steve. New armor would be very useful for the team to have, especially if it made the team safer. A new computer system wasn’t necessary as Steve couldn’t imagine that Stark would come up with anything different enough that Steve would bother with it any more than he did already. Personally, Steve was of the opinion that Stark, and people like him, relied too much on computers and math like statistics when just going with your gut would get the job done.
Maria Hill was another person like Stark. Steve had, in the beginning, faithfully read every line of every report she sent him, but in the last month, with so little new information being given and so much of the old information graphs and charts of what was found out about Hydra’s and Bucky’s movements, he had started just flipping through them. It wouldn’t be a problem. It’s not like those graphs and charts would actually find Hydra. Really, they were just a way to make people like Stark, or Hill, feel like they were doing something. While people like Steve, who waited and were ready for when Hydra attacked, actually chased them down and accomplished things. Miss Hill might like a new computer system, but then she wasn’t really a field agent either. Steve would have to explain that to Stark when he finally gave him his little present; Stark’s time would be much better used creating new gear for Falcon, Hawkeye and Black Widow. Getting Falcon’s gear repaired would be a much better use of Stark’s time.
Stark’s infatuation with Steve was something that had preoccupied his mind ever since he overheard that conversation. While it was never something he had ever thought of before, Steve wasn’t disgusted by the idea. He didn’t really like Stark that much, but he did have to admit that he was useful in his own way; when Steve could get him to do what he needed. And Stark was good looking. Not as good looking as Stark thought he was, but he had nice brown eyes and Steve liked the way he had to look up to meet his own when Steve stood close to him. Steve didn’t know what he would decide to do, but when Stark got back from yet another vacation to Hawaii, he would have to pay more attention to him. He would want to be sure that it was worth it if he decided to try something with Stark.
Having a relationship with Stark would be a lot of hassle, but it would probably make it easier when Steve had to rein Stark in. No, what would be a problem, would be if Steve decided that Stark was just too much trouble to be worth it. If that happened Steve knew that Stark would throw a hissy fit and would probably take it out on the team, and Steve, as if it wouldn’t be his own fault. Steve would have to think more about if that was a chance he was willing to take, while he was busy trying to find Bucky.