Coffee Kisses

Steve Hated Coffee.

That needed to be said. Capital-H Hated. It was terrible.

As a scrawny kid growing up in Brooklyn, his ma and Bucky had basically forced tea down his throat, even when he wasn’t sick. Eventually, he got used to the taste, and it now brought him a source of comfort. Coffee, however, he detested. It was bitter and unpleasant to taste, dehydrated you, smelled terrible, and was just all around awful. Plus, thanks to the serum, caffeine didn’t really do anything for him.

Unfortunately, as he was bound to discover, the Avengers' resident genius could not function without a constant supply of the terrible dirt water.

1.
The first time Steve hated the fact that Tony drank coffee was a hot summer day in New York City. Intimidated, he stood outside Stark Tower and looked up. What was his earlier remark? “Big ugly building”? He was supposed to enter that tower, meet with none other than Tony Stark, and move in. Of course, if he had any say in the matter, he would settle for a lean-to on the side of the road. But, as luck would have it, Nick Fury had been musing about lodgings for the team and Stark had offered up his tower, free of rent, for all the Avengers. They were ordered to move in the next day.

It wasn’t that Steve didn’t like his team-really, he did! It was more a matter of Stark, specifically. Obviously, he and the other man had gotten off on the wrong foot, but after the battle of New York, there had been no time for apologies or getting to know one another. And although Steve was willing to forgive and forget, he was worried Stark would not be so open to friendly gestures.

‘That’s ridiculous,’ he argued with himself. ‘He’s willing to open his tower to all of us.’

Okay, so Steve was apprehensive. Sue him.

And, although he admitted that Stark was not the lowlife he had took him for, Steve was still wary of the loud, abrupt genius. Sure, he might be a good guy, but would they really get along?

Steve become aware that his standing still in the middle of a crowded sidewalk for so long had garnered some attention. Sighing, he shifted his duffle higher up on his shoulder and marched inside, feeling like he was facing a firing squad.

The nice lady at the front desk with a stud through her nose directed him to what she referred to as the ‘exclusive’ elevator.

“This will take you straight up to the private floors,” she explained. “press the button for the common room. Mister Stark will meet you there.”

Steve nodded, swallowed, and did what he was told. As the elevator rose, his tension grew. Why did they have to meet so far up anyways? He felt silly for being nervous.

The doors opened with a zing, and an arrow with a suction cup for a tip planted itself 3 millimeters from Steve’s ear before he had time to blink.

“Whoops, sorry Cap!” Hawkeye called, jogging over to retrieve his weapon with a carefree grin. “Thought you’d be Bruce. Wanted to see if I could make him angry.”

Steve was puzzled. “Don’t you think we should avoid provoking the Hulk out of respect to Mr. Stark’s property?”

“The top 15 floors are Hulk-Proofed,” a new voice entered the conversation, and Tony Stark strolled into view, a steaming coffee mug held in his hand. “Well, as Hulk-proof as I could make them. Still have yet to test it out though; Brucie-bear seems adverse to the idea, even though it is in the name of science. Well, dear Captain, won’t you step out of the elevator?”

All of this was said rapid fire in what seemed to be a single breath, and Stark had yet to look up from the tablet he was balancing on the arm his was holding his coffee with. Steve felt his nerves, which had calmed slightly, surge back vigorously.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Stark. Thank you for inviting me to your home.”

At this, Stark did look up. He seemed surprised for a split second, but an easy smirk passed over his features. “Oh captain, my captain,” he drawled, “There is no need for formalities here. Tony is fine, or genius extraordinaire, whichever you prefer.”

“How about ‘dipshit’?” Clint cut in, grinning as Tony shot him a dirty look.

“Only been here 2 hours, birdbrain, and you’re already disrespecting your landlord.”

“2 hours?” Steve asked. “Am I late? The notice said 2:30, so I…”

“No sweat, capsicle. You’re the only one to show up on time. Little Birdie here decided to come early and rob me of my lunch, Bruce had been here a week already, and the widow moved in sometime last night without my knowledge. Which reminds me, I really need to find out how she breached my security…” He trailed off, attention returned to his tablet, tapping furiously.

“And Thor?” Steve questioned.

“Hmm?” came the distracted reply. Brown eyes peered up at him. “Oh! Big guy is on Asgard right now, but he’s free to come and go as he pleases. I’m thinking of building a dimensional gateway on this floor so it will be easier for him to travel. Anyway, come on in, let me show you the place.”

And with that, they were walking, Stark talking at such a rapid-fire pace it was all Steve could do to keep up. When he had first met the man, his stature made him seem so small, until he had opened his mouth. Whatever you wanted to say about Stark, he could fill up any room with his words.

Lost in his thoughts, Steve had tuned back into the one-sided conversation in time to hear “…make a note of that, Jarvis.”

“Yes sir, should I inform Miss Potts?” came a reply in a British tone, causing Steve to jump and look around for the intruder.

“Oh, sorry Cap, that’s Jarvis, my AI. And no, please Jarvis. Pep won’t be happy to know I’m doing another potentially explosive experiment.”

“AI? Pep? Potentially explosive?” Steve asked cautiously as they arrived at a cozy area with couches adjoining a rather large kitchen.

Stark just laughed. “All will be revealed, don’t worry. You’ll meet Pepper soon.”

The British voice cut into the conversation, seemingly coming from the ceiling. “Allow me to introduce myself, captain. I am Jarvis, Mr. Stark’s Automated butler of sorts.”

“Aww, J, you’re so much more than that!”

Jarvis continued, ignoring Tony’s interruption. “IF you ever require anything at all, please feel free to ask me. I can be of use introducing you to the tower, and have taken it upon myself to start a file with the purpose of briefing you on the 21th century.”

Steve had never felt more out of his depth. “Th-thank you, Jarvis.”

“Don’t mention it, Captain.”

“Well!” Tony clapped his hands together, or attempted to, with all he was carrying. “Glad to see you’re making friends. Straight through here is the common kitchen, which reminds me, I need more coffee.” He downed what was remaining in his cup in one gulp, then hurried into what was quite possibly the largest kitchen Steve had ever seen. Counterspace wrapped around a gigantic island in the center. The walls were done in a light peach color, everything else tiled with marble. Despite its size, it seem homey and comfortable.

“Would you like something to drink, Capsicle?” Tony asked from the fancy coffee maker.

“Just some water. I’ll get it,” Steve responded, walking behind Tony to get to the sink.

Unfortunately, Tony chose that moment to turn around, and, apparently misjudging the distance between the two of them, crashed right into Steve.

Piping hot coffee spilled over both of them. Steve sucked in a sharp breath at the heat, while Tony remained largely unaffected.”

Tony swore. “I’m so sorry, crap. There’s a shower and new clothes on your floor, if you want to change. I’m such a klutz, honestly.”

Steve took a step back, plucking a little at the wet cloth clinging to his torso. “It’s alright, I’ll just get changed.”

Tony continued apologizing, the man’s awkwardness putting Steve to ease as he fluttered around the kitchen, moping up the floor with a spare rag. (Steve was surprised at that-he expected the man to have servants to clean up his messes, like Howard had.)

“Right, changed, let me just show you to your floor… shit I probably ruined your shirt, sorry bout that, I can replace it…”

“Did…did you say my floor?” Steve interrupted, flabbergasted.

“Hmm?” Stark looked up as he led them to the elevator. “Oh yes, each team member has their own floor, yours is 8th from the top, right below mine actually. Part of it is devoted to an art studio, I hope you don’t mind, but Peggy mentioned that you loved to draw, so I went ahead and added it.” Tony said this all like it was no big deal, and before Steve could even ask how he knew Peggy, the elevator doors opened at his floor and Tony continued. “Bathroom’s through there,” he said, pointing at a door. “Bedroom that way, you can drop your stuff wherever, I went ahead and bought you clothes, or Pepper did anyway, Fury gave me your measurements. Sorry again, bye.” And he was gone.

Steve stood in the entryway, coffee slowly dripping off him, his meager possessions in his duffle bag, staring apprehensively at the expansive space. His anxiety came rushing back, and he was overwhelmed with a feeling of being out of place. As he moved into the bathroom and shucked off his shirt onto the floor, he couldn’t help but hate the coffee Tony had spilled on him for interrupting what had almost been a Moment. The bitter smell of it wafted to his nostrils, and he made a note to ask Tony how he knew Peggy before he stepped into the shower and let the hot water wash all his cares away.