Chapter 1
If you had told Tony Stark that he would become best friends with Steve Rogers he would fully deny anything like that could ever happen, like in a million years. He’d laugh it off and might even add that you’re insane to say something as unbelievable as that. Or even to get your head checked for getting that crazy idea in the first place. But fate and chance sure changed that for him.
If anyone saw how the two of them had treated each other on their first meeting they also wouldn’t believe it either. They were polar opposites. Like fire and ice. Always repelling each other, never able to agree on anything without starting an argument first. But it happened anyway. As time went by and they really got to know each other, not just what they show on the outside but how they really were on the inside as well. They both found that they weren’t so different from each other.
Starting from getting each other’s back, from serious quarrels to playful banters, spending their off time together doing whatever came to mind (Tony’s mostly, which included getting Steve to watch all the fan favorite movies ever made. They would have their separate movie nights for that) to sharing their own inside jokes the two of them were now undeniably the best of friends.
And Tony, he couldn’t deny that it didn’t made him happy to be called Steve Rogers aka Captain America’s best friend in the 21st century.
So when Steve had confessed to him about Bucky being alive, brainwashed to work under Hydra as the Winter Soldier and how his best friend had killed his parents Tony didn’t know what to do. If they were their previous antagonistic-selves he would simply beat the crap out of the guy and kick him out of his tower. Maybe even quit the Avengers altogether. He would just have more reasons to hate the guy. It would have been so much easier to hate him. But Steve was his best friend now. Which made it so much harder.
And to think he told him this just before they got to watch the movie planned for that night. Way to ruin the mood.
Should he just accept it and move on? It wasn’t like anything could be changed. It’s something that had happened so long ago. But it still hurts more than he’d like to. He quickly ran passed Steve, getting out of the blond’s room and into his own, telling Jarvis to shut the door and forbid anyone from entering. The A.I responded that it was done and Tony quickly dived onto his bed. Burrowing his already tear stained eyes into the pillow.
He was secretly glad that Steve had decided not to go after him. He seriously couldn’t handle the super soldier right now. Right now he fucking needed to be alone. He had to get his emotions together because at the moment, they were all over the place.
The little happy memories he had of his mother came rushing to him. The time when she would take time off from her busy schedules of going to places with Howard or organizing charity parties, simply to spent time with her son and teach him how to play the piano (Her amazing talent which she hadn’t pursued after getting married with his father). She would be so happy. The only time Tony would get to see her tender loving smile and know that even if she doesn’t always show it she had loved him dearly.
She may have not been a very good mom but she was the only one he got and it made the truth about her death even sadder. To die in the hands of a cold blooded killer.
God, everything hurts. Why couldn’t the person who killed his parents be just some random Hydra soldier? Why did it have to be Barnes, Steve’s best friend since childhood? It was so complicated he can’t even laugh about it.
That night Tony cried himself to sleep.
~
It was almost a week since he and Steve had that conversation and that’s the same amount of time the two of them hadn’t talked to each other, properly that is. Well, Steve tried to, where else Tony couldn’t help but avoid him as if he’s carrying the plague. He knew it wasn’t his fault. The guy got no reason to be treated like this but the brunet can’t help it.
He just couldn’t face Steve. Not for a few more days.
They still worked together well, like that of finely tuned machines in the field as if they never had a problem in the first place. But their private life was a whole other thing. Tony didn’t speak to their captain for anything other than what was absolutely necessary both during missions and at home. He even avoided coming to team bonding activities like having lunch, playing cards or watching movies together.
The others couldn’t do much either when they heard about the incident. They knew how Tony would feel about all this, that he was heartbroken and in pain to hear about the news of his parents. That it will be quite a while before the brunet would feel better, things like this takes time to heal. The team didn’t hold it against Steve for the whole mess because they knew what he had done was the right thing to do. They believed that Tony will eventually come around to it. But for now, all they could do was watch their teammates try and settle it between themselves. They eventually would, they were best friends after all.
“Tony, please. Don’t avoid me like this.” Steve had told him one evening after they had just got back from some Avengers business they had to take care of. The super soldier had stopped him as he was making a beeline for his workshop.
“What? I’m not totally avoiding you, am I? I listened and followed all your orders during mission and worked well with the rest of the team so I’d like it if you leave me alone, Cap.” Tony scoffed. “I got work to do.”
“I can’t stand it, Tony. I don’t like it when we are like this.” He pleaded.
“Well, I don’t either. But I don’t want to talk to you so that’s that.”
"But Tony-"
Tony brushed passed Steve, bumping against his shoulder rather harshly as he did and closed off the workshop door as soon as he got inside. Telling Jarvis not to disturb him unless a world threatening danger occurred.
He spent some time to upgrade the repulsor of his armor as well as tweaking his teammate’s weapons for better performance in the battlefield. He didn’t feel like doing a whole new upgrade for them right then so that should do for now. He had been working for a whole five hour and his shoulders were starting to ache. He figured it was a good time to take a break.
He sat up straight on the chair and stretched his arms. God, that felt nice. He looked over at DUM-E and told him to make some coffee for him. The bot soon returned with a cup, looking quite excited because it had been a while since he was asked by his master to make him something. But when Tony looked inside the cup contained something which looked like coffee but smelled nothing like one. The engineer sighs.
“That’s not coffee a human being drinks. That’s motor oil; I can’t drink motor oil, DUM-E.” He says tiredly. He hadn't been able to have a goodnight sleep ever since that night nor was his appetite any good. His face was visibly tired and his eyes red with dark circles. He got up as he put the cup on his desk and went to the counter to make one himself.
After he returned with a hot, edible cup of coffee he sat on the couch and looked out at the night view. He felt as if everyone was feeling quite happy down there. Families spending time together, the kids smiling and laughing as they hold on to their parent’s hands. Group of friends who were out drinking, some playfully chasing each other on the streets.
He thought back to the time Steve told him the big news of his parent’s murder as he occasionally took a sip of his coffee.
Maybe he was taking this too seriously. Steve was brave enough to tell him about it even though he was sure Tony would be hurt by it. He hadn’t hidden it from him. That would have been a hundred times worse.
Tony was beginning to actually feel relief and happy that Steve had told him now that he was able to think back on everything that had happened with a clear mind. He thinks it’s finally time to let things go. Prolonging this was of no use at all. And frankly he missed his best friend. They had a lot of movies they had to catch up to.
And after that long while of brooding a gentle smile finally adorned his face.
~
Tony went over to Steve’s room, standing just outside his door. It had been a while and for some reason he was feeling quite nervous to even knock on his door. He awkwardly stood there with his hand hanging in midair, grimacing. Dammit, it’s just knocking the door, why was it such a hard thing to do right now? He’d done this a tons of times before all this shit.
He stood there for another five minutes or so trying to calm his nerves. Gathering enough courage to finally knock on the damn door. He heard a scuttling sound from inside as if Steve was currently busy with something or someone. Tony felt weird and somewhat angry at the thought that Steve would have someone in his room right now.
Wait, that was none of his business. Steve could bring a girl or two to the tower if he wanted. Tony’s got no problem with that. But, geez! Maybe he should come back another time.
“Who is it? Wait just a sec”, came the blonds’ voice. The door soon swung open and out came a tousled looking super soldier. His eyes widened in surprise on finding out that it was Tony.
Good, he was alone.
“Tony?...Um, what are you doing here? I mean..” He started, not knowing how to really continue his sentence.
“I just wanted to have a talk. Am I catching you at a bad time?” Tony says meekly.
“No, no. Now is fine. Please come in.”
Steve ushered him towards his bed, motioning him to take a seat. He was soon joined by the super soldier who looked like he was at a loss for words. “So, what can I do for you?”, he finally asked after some time. Scratching the back of his neck in a nervous manner.
“I wanted to apologize.” He started getting the blond’s attention; he then turned to look him straight in the eyes. “Steve, I’ve been an insufferable idiot the past week and I’m so sorry for the way I behaved with you. I was just so mad! And even though it wasn’t your fault I put all the blame on you when it was actually my fault. Please,... forgive me.” He says with glassy red, tired eyes.
Steve hates to see him like that. “God, Tony. Please don’t do that. It wasn’t your fault, Tony. How you reacted was totally normal. I’d be more worried if you weren’t.” Steve says as he brought him into a hug.
“But I treated you coldly over the past few days and stubbornly ignored you even when you wanted to talk to me. I feel so terrible.” He says choking up at the end, burrowing his head in the crook of Steve’s neck. Loosely returning the embrace.
“Tony, are you crying?” Steve asks but Tony quickly shook his head. He sighs. “I don’t care about all of that anymore. You have already apologized and honestly I’m happy with you just talking to me like this. I missed you, Tony.”
Tony’s eyes widened a bit at that. Then a smile starts to form on his lips. “I missed you too, idiot. You really forgive me?”
“How could I not? You’re my best friend. Apology gladly accepted.”
Tony laughed; it felt good to do that. His heart finally felt like a weight has been lifted. Steve wiped away his tears with the soft stroke of his thumb, smiling at the brunet ever so sweetly. Tony couldn’t help but blush on receiving such an intimate gesture from Steve.
Steve suddenly grabbed on his shoulders, opening his mouth in an attempt to say something, looking all serious. But all that came out was, “There are a lot of movies we’re behind on since last week. Mind if we get back to them?”
Tony mentally face-palmed. “I thought you were gonna ask me something serious. You got me all worked up for nothing.” He says with an amused pout, giving the blond a light punch on his shoulder.
Steve smiled. “What? It was an important question to me. I didn’t want to watch them by myself. I enjoy it best when I’m watching it with you.” Hearing that made Tony happier than it should.
“I guess it can’t be helped that I’m such a great person to be with.” He says crossing his arm. “Alright, go get the TV and DVDs ready, soldier. Oh, and by the way it’s your turn to prepare the snacks.” He continues in an off handed manner trying to act calm.
A chuckle escape from Steve’s as he gave one last look at the brunet before he went into his kitchen to prepare said snacks.
When Steve came back they huddled on his bed, sat close to each other and shared the blanket. Tony had a pillow he was holding onto as a kind of body pillow. He just liked having something to grab on.
With a flick of the remote the movie started.
He had missed this. Spending time with Steve like this was what he always looked forward to, the highlight of his day. He loved the warmth that Steve gave off when he sat close to him. The way their shoulders would occasionally bumped against each other, the way Steve would sneak a glance at him, smiling ever so slightly. It felt great.
.
.
.
.
Watching a whole week worth of movies in one night was NOT a good idea. When Tony got up his whole body ached like he’d done a strict training session the other night. He had forgotten that he never got back to his room that night and fell down from the bed screaming when he felt someone shifting under the blankets.
That woke up the soldier in an instant. Steve couldn’t help but laugh at his best friend who was sprawled on the floor, looking as shocked as can be.
“Good morning, Tony. Had a nice sleep?” He says in a teasing voice.
“Good morning my ass. Lend me a hand here. Isn’t Captain America supposed to me a chivalrous person?” Tony says as he stretched out his hand and soon found himself pulled up by Steve who kept smiling at him. He really wants to wipe that smug smile from his face.
“Coffee?”
“Yes. Coffee.”
With that they went out the room. Tony couldn’t stop feeling flustered on the fact that he had spent last night sleeping on the same bed as Steve. But Steve doesn’t look like that bothered him at all. Yeah, he was over reacting. It’s normal for best friends to sleep on the same bed. Totally normal.
They stumbled into the kitchen together and greeted their friends already there a ‘good morning’ in unison. Tony pulled put a chair to sit on while Steve made them coffee.
They gave the both of them an amused look. “I see the two of you have made up. That’s good.” Natasha says with a small smirk.
“More like they had a make-up sex to me.”, Clint commented with a cheeky smile. Tony choked on his saliva.
“No! We did not!" Tony exclaimed, horrified and embarrassed. "What the fuck, Clint? How the hell did you deduce that?” He says raising his eyebrow in a mocking manner.
“You both look totally disheveled like you had a rough sexy night. Also I saw you enter Cap’s room and I guessed you never left~”
“Oh my god. Barton, you ass! That’s so not what happened.”
“You don’t have to deny it, Tony. We’ll still love you all the same.”
“That’s it. You’re not getting any new upgrade from me. I hope SHIELD’s tech doing it for you.”
“I don’t hear you denying you spent the night together~”
“Aaargh! Steve, tell him to stop.” Tony begged in frustration.
“Alright, that’s enough, Clint. Stop antagonizing Tony. That’s an order.” Steve says from the counter, trying to grab a pan to make some omelette for breakfast. Tony stuck out his tongue at Clint.
“That’s not fair, Cap. You always take his side. Just because you got the h-!” Clint was cut off abruptly by a pan flying straight to his face, knocking him down from his seat with a loud thud. He groaned in pain caressing his face with his hands, rolling on the floor.
Tony’s mouth gaped open like a fish.
“Archer, are you alright?” Thor asked looking down from his cereal bowl as Natasha simply says ‘that’s gonna leave a mark’ as she continued polishing her guns. Bruce smiled nervously.
Soon realizing his action Steve’s eyes widened in shock, his cheeks going red. “Oh god! Clint, I’m so sorry.” He grimaced as he ran to him.
“Not cool, man. Not cool. That fucking hurts!” Clint hissed as he was helped up. The super soldier apologized again. He suggested taking him to the infirmary but the archer shook him off saying he was fine, it wasn’t needed and made his way to his room to get patched up. Bruce got up too, following him and signaling his teammates that he’ll take care of it.
Soon the rest of the team left leaving him and Steve.
“What was that all about?” Tony asks.
“What was what?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the part where you hit Clint with a pan?”
“Just a slip of the hand.” Steve says avoiding his gaze. Yeah, right. He didn’t believe him one bit. “I, ah, SHIELD wanted me for a covert operation so see you later, Tony.” With that the blond hurried out the room. Tony tilted his head utterly confused.
That night Steve went down to Tony’s lab to bring him a cup of freshly brewed coffee and some snacks like he always did. It felt good to go back to their usual routine. He saw him working on advanced things he barely understands like always. Steve smiled to himself as he approached him.
“Working hard as usual I see.” Steve says as he set down the cup and snacks on the free space of the table Tony was using.
“You work hard by doing vigorous training and I work hard doing these stuffs.....I was starting to think I won’t get to see you tonight.”
“What? Missed me already?” Steve teased.
“Nahhh.” He paused. “Maybe a little.” He admitted looking away.
At that moment Steve found his best friend to be quite….adorable. He shakes his head. That’s not something you think of your best friend, let alone a man. He was brought back to reality when Tony pokes him on his side.
“Got something on your mind?”
“No.” He answers rather sharply. “Um, not really.” He corrected himself.
“It must be Bucky, right?” Tony says sounding a bit sad but before he could explain himself Tony cut him off saying, “I made a program to help you locate the Winter Soldier based image recognition using the collective network of CCTVs across the world . It’s almost ready so just wait a little more days alright?”
“Wow, Tony. Thank you so much. I don’t really know what else to say. You are truly amazing.”
“What else do you expect from a genius such as myself?”
“Nothing but the best.” Steve says proudly. Tony smirks. “I guess I’ll leave you to it now. Goodnight, Tony.”
“Night, Cap. Thanks for the snack.” With a warm smile from Steve he got back to work.
Two days later Tony finished the program and told Steve about it. Using it they soon located the soldier and that night Steve and Natasha made plans.
The next morning Tony rushed out to the helipad hoping to catch Steve before he went out to retrieve the Winter Soldier. He was late for his meeting but what the hell. Wishing Steve good luck for his mission was more important to him. He’d need it. He was gonna try and take down a professional assassin.
He was lucky he caught him just before the Avenjet took off. Steve was dressed in his Captain America gear and currently doing some last minute check and Natasha already in the pilot seat, ready to go.
“Tony? I thought you were at your meeting already.” Steve says amazed.
“Well, I wanted to see you off and wish you luck. What? I can’t do that?” He raises an eyebrow.
“No, of course you can. I’m really happy you did. Thank you, Tony.” He let out a satisfied sigh. “I’ll be back soon. Have fun at your meeting.” He tells him with a smile.
“I’ll try, though it’s practically impossible to have fun at meetings, Steve, especially SI meetings.” Tony deadpanned.
That earned him a chuckle from the super soldier which the brunet returned. And with one last look Steve went inside the Avenjet and took off. Tony watched for a while until there was only a speck of black dot in the sky and went for his meeting. The rest of his day went unbelievably boring. He wished Steve was back already.
Steve and Natasha didn’t come back for the next three days. Tony was starting to feel restless with all the waiting. He would keep walking back and forth in the common room as his teammates watched him do this for hours on end until Clint got fed up and forced him to sit down. Even when he was in his workshop he couldn’t concentrate either.
On the fourth day Steve finally came back and he wasn’t alone. He and Natasha had brought back the Winter Soldier with them.
Tony ran out of his workshop to greet them. Feeling excited for Steve that he was able to finally bring back his long lost friend though a small part of him felt sad about it. Because from then on he’ll be the second best friend of Steve Rogers, because Bucky Barnes would always take top place in that aspect. And he was okay with that. He’s fine.
When he approached the hanger he saw Steve and the rest of the avengers who were already present and a new face which was James Bucky Barnes. He felt his chest tighten at the name. This person did kill his parents. But as Steve had said, he was controlled by Hydra so he shouldn’t just hate the guy. That’s just not fair.
“Tony! Come meet Bucky.” Steve called out to him, waving with a huge smile as soon as he saw him. The guy looked beat up and his exhaustion showed but that smile of his makes up for all that. Tony nodded returning the smile, walking up to them.
“Bucky, meet Tony Stark. He’s my best friend in the 21st century.” Steve introduced them to each other, clearly excited to meet up his two best friends.
They shook hands. One smiled as the other simply stares.
For some reason he felt like Barnes was squeezing his hands a bit too hard. But Tony shrugged it off as the soldier’s nervousness. Little did he know that from that day on his life would never be so peaceful again.