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The trip back to the future is as quick and jarring as their trip to the past. Thor is beaming at them when they stumble back to the present, hammer in hand. Bruce looks quietly pleased from his place by the computers. Standing front and center, in all his super soldier glory, is Steve. He has his patented Captain America Lecturing face on.
“Whatever lecture you’ve probably been working on since we left you can can it right now,” Tony says, “also you left your shield.”
Steve has the grace to look mildly embarrassed by that as he accepts his shield back, it doesn’t stop him from continuing his lecture.
“That was reckless. You guys got sloppy and then you were about to go into battle wounded like that?”
“Thankfully there wasn’t a battle though because somebody recklessly travelled back in time, and risked erasing themselves from history, to fight them for us,” Tony says pointedly.
“Which I wouldn’t have had to do if someone hadn’t let me get kidnapped,” Steve says.
“Hey,” Clint interrupts, “you are never allowed to scold us for being reckless again. Do you know how many fights of yours we had to break up? Is that all you did in the thirties; fight every guy twice your size?”
“The Captain had a rebellious youth?” Thor asks excitedly, “Was he battling knaves and other blackguards?”
“I don’t know if battling is the word I would use,” Clint says. Meanwhile Bruce has zeroed in on Tony’s bandages which are beginning to bleed through. He and Steve herd Tony into a nearby chair so Bruce can take a better look.
“By the way Cap, you weren’t half bad as a wayward youth,” Tony says fondly.
“Thanks. I’m pretty sure that’s the blood loss talking, but thanks,” Steve says. Then he reaches out and ruffles Tony’s hair. Tony groans and bats at his hand.
It’s not the same Steve they left behind in the 30s, or even the same Steve the pulled out of the ice a few years ago, but Tony feels a rush of affection for the Steve they have now.
“You’re smiling weird. It’s definitely the blood loss kicking in,” Steve says.
Tony just continues to smile, because telling him what he’s thinking would be much too sappy, and yeah maybe it is partially blood losses fault. It’s ok though, Bruce is working on it. He’s going to be fine.
“After Bruce is done, who’s up for Star Trek? Or maybe The Hobbit. Or both. Both is good” Tony says.
"Rest first, then television," Bruce says firmly. Tony nods, adrenaline finally abandoning him. He closes his eyes and tips his head back lulled by the background noise of Natasha and Clint enthusiastically telling Thor of Steve's youthful exploits. Steve occasionally interrupts to protest halfheartedly. A strong feeling of contentment surrounds the cabin. It's nice, Tony thinks as he dozes off to sleep.