stardustly | YOU WERE A VISION IN THE MORNING LIGHT. ( amelioraate ).

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YOU WERE A VISION IN THE MORNING LIGHT. ( amelioraate ).

One stipulation for freedom following the rather messy division from the Registration included taking black op gigs, something Steve really didn't mind one bit. His group of Secret Avengers worked for SHIELD now under the brand new direction of one Tony Stark. The deal undoubtedly from his negotiations in the first place, something Steve felt grateful for because trials or the Raft weren't exactly wonderful alternatives. The failure did sting, however, and Steve knew one day the others would regret it but for now he had to be apart of the team and make sure everyone remained safe.

The current gig should have only lasted two days tops but Steve ran into some complications, which Natasha looked none too pleased about when he arrived back to his apartment. He really needed to find a way to Widow proof his place to make it more difficult for her to break in. She reminded him twenty thousand times to not be late getting back because they were celebrating Tony becoming the Director and Commander Rogers needed to be there. He wanted to be there, of course, but could he help the rogue operatives nearly BLOWING HIM UP? How about no and thanks for all the concern.

With a roll of his eyes, he listened to her lecture, heading to the shower when she finished up. He rolled his eyes again when he saw an outfit already placed on the bed for him. Those jeans were not his and were far tighter than anything he would willingly wear. Why would Tony care what he wore anyway? The man didn't feel for him what he felt, sadly enough. He would just pine until Tony found someone else to be with and then he would sigh. It sounded like a good enough plan to him.

It took thirty or so minutes for him to get to the venue, Natasha promising to meet him there later. Seemed a little fishy to him but he let it go, a little too excited to congratulate Tony and offer him the gift he managed to nab on the way back to the States. When he arrived, the place looked cosy, almost intimate and he felt confusion working over him. Did he have the wrong place?

DID TONY PLAN A DATE INSTEAD?

Oh no.

He stood there awkwardly, taking in the candles (how many were there??) and the soft music playing, which sounded more like from his time than anything current.

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Looking back at it all, Tony probably should have known that something was up the second it was Bucky that was endorsing this outing like it was the best damn idea to have ever crossed their minds. A congratulatory party for him and his, ah, rise in the ranks (Tony still isn't sure if it was a promotion or a way to punish him for all the shit that had gone wrong in the last few years, he wouldn't put it past Maria). A congratulatory party at one of the restaurants that he loved and, not that he paid attention or anything, that Steve also loved as well.

Yeah, his bullshit detectors should have gone off at that little fact, and maybe at the too-wide grin that Bucky shot him as he slid out the door promising to meet him at the place and 'for the love of god, Stark, take a shower'.

Granted, the former assassin told him to take a shower often, being one of the few people that slunk his way into the workshop on a regular basis and had seen Tony in the centre of the storm that was his creation process. At least this time he still had both his eyebrows and there was no smell of burnt hair in the air, he tended to be a little more careless when he was stressed out and, who knew, becoming director of SHEILD was kind of stressful.

So was trying to tamp down on feelings for a guy that was about seventeen leagues too good for you and perhaps the only person on the damn planet that knew you and all your damn masks. Steve Rogers was-- well, he was a pain in Tony's ass and the stupid asshole was all but embedded in his heart, red and white and blue shards of shy smiles and stern looks that made Tony wish he didn't care so much about keeping his friendship. It was a little known fact (no it wasn't, anyone who knew Tony could tell you) that he thought too much and felt too much and was head over heels for Steve; except Steve.

Tony had long since decided that Steve was either straight and honestly didn't notice the way he got almost literal heart eyes around the man, or he was aware and just didn't care about Tony at all that way.

Tony was pretty sure it was the latter.

So when he slips into a designer suit (black, with barely there accents of blue, a suit Steve once said looked 'nice' on him), he thinks nothing about the situation or the fact that everyone brushes off his offers of a ride to the venue claiming they already have rides. In fact, Tony ends up taking a car himself, no driver, and pulls up to the place fashionably late (traffic, of course, he didn't mean to be late, no matter what Natasha might say).

Really, Tony doesn't realize that this is a goddamned set up until he is smiling brightly at the woman at the front and walking almost square into Steve's broad shoulders, still standing in the walkway to the---

"You have got to be fucking with me."

Peering over Steve's shoulder, Tony felt his stomach sink at the sight that greets him.

Those fuckers.

In all honesty, Tony would me more than okay with it, could play it off as something like a joke, a misunderstanding or something, if it weren't for the look of near-horror that was on the blond's face and shit, that hurts more than he would like it to. Like Steve honestly is horrified that he had been set up with Tony. That he was--

"Uh, so, either I am interrupting you worming your way into the cozy Russian relationship or-- You know what, that doesn't matter, I am just going to-- go."

Yeah. That's a good idea, ~~running~~leaving.

There were so many thoughts racing through Steve's mind, each one slipping just from within his grasp before he could really consider it. Sometimes, it happened to him a lot, the whole jumbled mind thing but everyone swore he shouldn't worry about it. He found himself in a different time, an era he just didn't belong to. Coming to terms with it proved more difficult than he could ever imagine but only one person treated him just like everyone else. A one Tony Stark. Admittedly, not exactly like everyone else because Steve did notice Tony seemed a little less guarded around him but the man didn't react to him with kid gloves, didn't get the 'awww' eyes when he confused something. It made him feel less out of sorts and it meant everything.

Actually, it meant too much. The fear of losing their bond kept him from saying anything regarding his feelings. But honestly even if he didn't feel afraid about messing things up he still wouldn't say anything. Talking about emotions didn't work very well for him, unless, of course, during impassioned speeches meant to motivate others into action. He could talk for awhile on his thoughts, beliefs and hopes for inclusion but about how he actually felt? No, he balked and kept things very superficial and on the surface.

Tony often saw through the masks, though, and again he couldn't lose it. But standing there staring at the romantic scene he realised he could right now. Tony had met someone and all his efforts would now go there. All their little moments would be over and Tony wouldn't need Steve checking in on him or dropping off food because he always forgot to eat when he became caught up in something.

His chest hurt so bad and he couldn't breathe properly. The only thing halting his panic being the sound of Tony's voice behind him. Ironic. Turning quickly, Steve reached out for Tony for some reason, his actions on complete auto pilot.

"W-why would you go? Don't you want me to go? You obviously have something planned with - someone," Steve began, fingers tightening just a tad on Tony's arm but not enough to hurt or bruise. He always kept very strict attention towards his strength and other heightened senses. The disdain in his voice as he said 'someone', well, he couldn't help it. "I can - give you - your gift later. I just wanted - to say congratulations."

He let go slowly, stepping back to give them both a little space. "You'll be really - great for the team. You know -" He shook his head. "I just must have misunderstood. I'll - see you later." He knew for a fact he didn't misunderstand Natasha but it seemed to be a better excuse than anything else his mind came up with.

His whole 'being in love with Tony' thing had officially flown out of control.

Offering a tight smile, he tried to quickly walk out of the place and towards his motorcycle, all the while his mind inventing all sorts of scenarios. Each one more painful than the last and Steve really didn't do well with change, especially when he finally felt comfortable with something. His dynamic with Tony made him actually feel safe and he never experienced that anywhere else. Feeling safe with a man like Tony Stark probably wouldn't make sense to anyone else given his unpredictability but he never let him down. Minus the whole Registration bit but he couldn't hold it against Tony forever. Tony would see the error in his ways eventually.

But what would he do now? He should have never wrapped himself up so tightly with someone else. He should have never allowed himself to become comfortable with what never existed in the first place.

Tony goes from having a complete understanding and grasp of the situation at hand (however much it might cause him pain to think of Steve with other people, he can accept it because, honestly, Steve deserves the best really) to realizing that maybe the rug had just been pulled out from underneath his feet and then thrown over his eyes because, uh, what.

When he first stumbled into Steve's back he was sure that someone was trying to jokingly set them up, or that maybe Steve really was part of the cosy Russian assassin marriage that Natasha and Bucky had going on and this was just Bucky's way of telling Stark to stop making eyes at 'his fella' or something. And Tony could deal with that, maybe. A little. He would learn to deal with it because Natasha and Bucky were fucking amazing and that wasn't just because he thought about how many ways they could kill him with a plastic fork. They would be good for Steve, because Steve needed Bucky and Natasha was a strong woman and--

Whatever. Tony couldn't think about that now, no. Right now he had to figure out how the hell this went from bad to worse because suddenly Steve isn't there and--

"Wait, Steve!"

Shit shit shit, this was so -- fucking Barnes and Romanova. They both know (they would have to know) how Tony feels about Steve, how he has been trying to carve the pieces of red white and blue out of his heart since they dragged him out of the ice, how Tony hasn't had a long and stable relationship since Pepper because he feels like he is cheating on Steve which is ridiculous but-- Now they are here and it has to be a set up but Steve seems horrified by it all, trying to throw it at the idea that Tony is seeing someone else (ha, like he could ever) and--

"For fuck's sake, Steve stop!" The words are all but shouted at the retreating blond, Tony letting one hand curl around Steve's bicep with more than a little force, but at least he isn't worried about it bruising. Tony tries to yank Steve back, knowing full well that the blond won't move unless he wants to, Tony has sparred with him enough to know the balance he has. "This isn't-- I'm not seeing--- Oh my god I am going to murder your best friend, I am sorry but it has to be done."

The genius lets go of Steve to run his hands over his face and through his hair, the once neatly (or at least more neatly) styled look turning into its usual mess as he waves off the maitre d who was giving them a concerned look. The area is cleared quickly, leaving the two of them alone. Tony isn't sure that is a good thing.

"Steve, what the hell do you think is going on here?"

There were too many thoughts scattering in his mind, each one far worse than the last because Tony being with someone else hurt worse than just about anything. He really tried to be supportive of the idea in the past but actually seeing the romantic setting ruined all such progress he believed he made. Why couldn't Tony want HIM? They could be good together, balancing one another out and bringing something the other missed. Sure, they often butted heads even in the best of times but it worked for them. Tony made him examine things more than he would have and Steve helped the other man focus his sometimes erratic attention. Tony always wanted to take on too much and became so wrapped up in whatever his mind latched onto. Something Steve actually found admirable and tried to adopt more of - paying attention to more of the details.

If only he did so now.

Hearing Tony's voice, Steve allowed for the pulling and pushing to stop him, his feet planted firmly at a steady halt. He wanted to keep running, preferably far, far away but Tony's voice sounded nearly desperate, something he couldn't ignore even if he wanted to. Why, oh why, did he have to care so much? Stupid Stark with his smirky face.

"Good luck trying. I'm sure Nat has traps set everywhere on their floor," Steve responded in a very poor attempt to try and lighten the air and take away some of Tony's - panic? Why would Tony look so worked up anyway? Did he not want Steve to know about his new relationship? Steve tried to not judge some of the selections but none of them were good enough for Tony. He couldn't help wanting the best for him.

What. Did Tony want him to have to say the words aloud? Clearly, Tony didn't have feelings for him but to be so cruel about it seemed below the man. Rubbing a hand over the back of his neck, Steve tried to keep his voice steady. "You wanted to -- celebrate your promotion with -- your date. I must have gotten the information wrong about the party -- with everyone for it. We can -- celebrate later. Don't you want to be there for your date? It's really set up nice in there." Actually, incredibly romantic but more old school traditional than Tony seemed to like. It never occurred to him to consider the style was for HIM.

Being a genius, Tony was starting to put together the pieces and holy fuck, he does not know how he got here, or how he got lucky (because despite knowing that he isn't good enough for Steve, that he is only going to tarnish Steve Rogers, he thinks he gets this now). And yeah, maybe he shouldn't be threatening to kill Bucky, he should send the asshole flowers or something. Or new knives, whatever assassins want these days. Because, if Tony is reading this right, putting together the pieces of who set this up (Bucky and Natasha) with the scene that is waiting for them back in the restaurant (candles and ambiance and intimacy, it seems like he isn't the only one who has been sitting quietly with shards of something more than friendship piercing his heart.

"Steve, that's not--" He laughs, actually laughs, incredulous and perhaps slightly insane and steps closer to Steve with a look on his face that is torn between hope and wonder.

Because nobody knows Steve better than Bucky. Not even Tony, with all the time that they spend together in the lab, or on missions, or sparring, there are still things that Tony doesn't know about Steve the way the soldier does. And it seems like Bucky thinks they would work together. Which, when you look at their history, when you look at how they are constantly orbiting each other no matter what, isn't that hard to think of as being a good idea.

Even if Tony isn't good enough for Steve.

Even if Steve deserves the best of the best, something Tony isn't sure he can give him. But he knows that he can give Steve all of himself. Every fibre of his damaged heart.

When Steve stammers out his answer, what he thinks is going on here, the smile on Tony's face grows until he is standing very muchly so in Steve's space. "Yeah, yeah it is a nice setup, a little old timey for me, but I know a guy who might appreciate it."

One work roughed hand comes up to slide along Steve's jaw and Tony gives the blond more than enough time to react to his movements, it being clear what he is intending to do, before he closes the gap and kisses Steve as softly as possible.

"Pretty sure this is a set up for us, Commander."

The laughter did not in any way help Tony whatsoever with how much pride Steve had and his hands resting on his hips fully displayed this. The 'excuse me' clearly running along his face with eyes narrowing furthered it but for the moment he didn't snap anything. He tended to not hold back choice comments when it came to Tony, unlike with others, and he never really understood why. Sometimes, he said things he probably shouldn't to other people but never at the level as with Tony. He didn't hold anything back and sometimes it scared him. Tony saw far too much and wormed his way too far inside of Steve's carefully placed walls.

The sudden hand on his cheek startled him but not more than the LIPS pressing against his. Tony lips. Tony lips were against his lips and made him wonder if he managed to fall asleep. Did he bump his head on the way to his motorcycle and slip into dream world where everything wonderful happened? But no, it felt a little too real and before Tony worried and moved away, Steve kissed back, at least, he attempted to. The wide grin stretching across his face made it a little difficult.

"You kissed me," Steve voiced, his eyes a little wide with sudden realisation. Oh. The whole set up - Natasha and Bucky were going to hear a lecture, after, the celebrating, of course.

Mentally shaking himself, Steve gestured back towards the restaurant. "Well, do you still want to celebrate, Director?" Since when did 'Director' sound at all sexy? It never did before, then again, no one as sexy as Tony had ever assumed the slot. He supposed being sweet on your boss probably fell in line with his 'never going back protocol' thing. The squeaky clean image the world had of him always confused him when he never went by the rules or guidelines of, well, anything. "Maybe, a longer kiss at some point."

Honestly, the pose does nothing to help with the laughter on Tony's lips, even if he isn't laughing at Steve so much as he laughing at the absurdity of the whole situation. He cannot believe that it took the combined effort of their friends, and Tony knows that it was more than the just Russian duo to be blamed for this, for the two of them to finally get a clue about all of this. Sure, Tony had wanted, still wants, and is more than aware that he is not what will ever be good for Steve, but that doesn't seem to matter.

Steve has always made him want more, to think that maybe there was some part of him that was worth more.

Maybe-- maybe he could try this with Steve, and not fuck it up. It was a long shot, looking at his track record, but gods he wasn't sure he had ever wanted anyone more than he did Steve Rogers. And he is sure, despite the kiss being nearly chaste in its brevity, that his want is more than clear on his face as he steps back, warm laughter on his lips.

"Yeah, yeah I did. I have wanted to for a damned long time too, Steve." Tony lets his hand, still curled against Steve's jaw, to slide along the curve of his neck, feel the heat and the pulse beneath Steve's skin and Tony wants so much he aches.

But there was a lovely set up and, for once, Tony should try to do this the right way. With another quick kiss, this one playful and light, Tony finally stepped back, but didn't remove his hand. "Mm, I like how you say that. And I think there is lots to be celebrated, don't you?"

Tony turns back towards the table, only turning back to smirk a little at Steve. "Besides, with the plans I have, we are going to need our energy."

The constant push and pull between them only allured Steve more and in so many ways Tony made him more. Tony made him want to try harder and be better than he expected he could be. Who would he be without Tony in his life? What would he have become without their bond driving him forward? In some ways, he believed he wouldn't have kept pressing forward if Tony hadn't been there to constantly ignite his inner fire. If only he knew beforehand how many other ways Tony would spark something within him. He felt it now, tingles and heat running along his skin to pool warmly in his stomach. It made him want so many things, most of which he needed to not think of right now.

Leaning into the touch, a warm smile filled Steve's face and he already enjoyed being touched and having the opportunity to touch as well. He had never been the most touchy person but not because he didn't enjoy it but mostly because he never had the opportunity. Back in the day, there were hugs and other small touches from Bucky and his ma but since arriving in the current time period he had kept mostly to himself. The way Tony touched him now made him realise how touch starved he had been.

"I do," Steve murmured, stepping back to walk towards the table to pull out Tony's chair, his steps only faltering from the man's teasing words. Damn. "Is that so?" Steve asked, pushing in the chair once Tony situated himself. "Good thing I naturally have a lot of energy huh?" he continued, sitting down across from Tony with a shy smile. He wanted to be closer still but knew he needed to wait. They needed to do things properly, after all.

"What are you in the mood for?" His skill with innuendo lacked as much as his flirting but at least he tried. It counted for something, right? "If you - had the chance, what would you have this look like? More chrome and metal?" His lips twitched as his fingertips grabbed for one of the menus. "A lot more showy huh, shellhead?"

Edited 2017-05-05 21:39 (UTC)

They were a very unlikely duo, that was more than apparent between the two of them; the past and the future, the unmovable object and the unstoppable force. And yet they worked so well together in more ways than even Tony had dared to think about. Steve was one of the only people that Tony felt could go toe to toe with him, could stand in the fires Tony had created and give back just as good as he got and-- well, it was a rare thing and a wonderful thing and god Tony wouldn't give it up for the world. And it was horrifying to him that it had taken them this long to get their act together.

That it took their friends to make them realize that maybe there was more to their bickering and fighting and good-natured ribbing than either of them had thought (than what Tony had always hoped for).

The genius notes the way Steve leans into the touch, lets his smile soften ever so slightly as he pressing his fingers a little more firmly against the heat of Steve's skin as they make their way back to the table. Tony can't help the pleased look that flashes across his face when Steve pulls his chair out, something fond and a little more than enamoured flickering in his eyes before he sits down. At the slight strain in Steve's words, Tony tips his head back, knowing the line his neck makes as watches Steve from beneath his lashes.

"Mmm, it is so. " His smile is sharp, wanting, but he doesn't press the issues as Steve takes his own seat, just raises his brow at the comment of more energy and files that away for later. "I am more in the mood for tasting you, but this place is nice at least."

It is said easily enough, Tony reaching for the menu with the faintest smile on his face. Sure, they were going to have a nice meal first, but Tony couldn't quite help himself. Not with Steve sitting there looking so damn good. "What are you trying to say there, Winghead. I would have opted for a night in, thank you very much. Maybe some good Italian with the best silverware brought out."

Being able to just freely look at Tony kept taking his breath away and while he tried to not stare, he couldn't help it. There were sights they took in all over the world with various missions but nothing else compared to the beauty of an unguarded Tony Stark smile. They were few and far between, after all, and Steve couldn't believe he kept getting them. It made the protectiveness rise up higher in him to protect Tony from everything else. There were few things he really had in his life and what he did have he protected with every single ounce within him. The list mostly rested with Bucky and Tony because they both made him feel like something other than the supposed legendary Captain America. The others meant well and he would fight for any of them but they saw him as a walking history lesson just like the rest of the world. He couldn't really blame them and maybe he didn't give them a chance to see beyond his certain surface levels.

A slight shiver worked up his spine from the words, his eyes remaining carefully trained to the menu to not do something suddenly like move over and kiss Tony again. This time far more passionately than before. Limitations didn't really work well for Steve and he knew for a fact Tony didn't even know what the word meant. They would end up banned from the restaurant for good and Steve actually liked the place and felt comfortable there.

"I'm saying you're showy," Steve commented with a smirk, daring to look up at Tony over the top of his menu. Big mistake. Why did Tony have to be so sexy? "You missed a golden opportunity there for another innuendo. If even I see that you know you messed up." Meaning Tony could have mentioned wanting something Irish, given Steve is, in fact, Irish. "I have heard so much over the years about the seduction skills of one Tony Stark. How he can make anyone puddy in his hand but I'm just not seeing it."

The waiter happened by and Steve couldn't help the smirk on his face. He liked feeling like he had an upperhand for once. "I'll have the roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, this vegetable medley thing and mac and cheese." He needed carbs, okay.

Edited 2017-05-08 20:04 (UTC)

The thing about hope, Tony thinks, is it burns away a great deal of common sense when it really should be wrapping itself up in it. Sure, perhaps the point of hope was that you went against all the odds and maybe ended up with something better than you thought possible, but it also-- it left you with very little to hold onto when you finally managed to find yourself falling off the ledge into the waiting arms of very terrifying things. Hope doesn't really give you wings, it just gave you a blindfold so you didn't see the drop coming. And gods, it was on hell of a drop that hope had led him to here, and the edge felt like the heat of Steve's skin against him and the look on his face that he gives Tony. And while Tony knows that hope has blinded him from the reality of being with Steve, Tony doesn't quite care right now and is more than willing to let Steve push him right over if that would make him happy.

Sitting there, across from Steve and his quiet smiles, Tony knows that he is well and truly okay with falling off the edge and into whatever might be in the freefall.

So long as Steve was falling with him.

"I am not showy, Steve. I am privileged." Another smile, honest and bright, before he continues with," and I enjoy making sure the people I like are aware that I like them. I wouldn't call that showy." His laughter is light, and Tony rests his chin in his hand as he looks at Steve. "You want me to seduce you? What, my stunning personality and wit hasn't done that already? I am a little hurt by that, Steven."

Not really, but there is a tremor there, a worry that maybe all Steve wanted was something easy, fun-- no the kind of relationship that Tony wanted. Sure, he was known to have a short fling here or there but Tony was always better in relationships, and he knows he wouldn't survive Steve being a short term thing.

The waiter interrupts though, giving Tony time to recover, even if he didn't falter much. "I will have the steak with the lobster tail, asparagus as the side please? Thank you."

Once the waiter has left, Tony turns his attention back to Steve and leans into his chair a bit. "What were you saying about energy?"

As old-fashioned as they come, Steve didn't really understand the whole concept of light, fun and casual. One night stands were lost on him because when did it leave time for courting and really grasping onto a person? He preferred to slowly warm up to someone because he didn't easily give himself away. Even before the crash, Steve kept mostly to himself out of habit and very few were close to him. This continued in the current era and while plenty could claim to be near and dear to him, they didn't actually know him. They knew of him and what he allowed to be seen.

Tony, however, peeked through the walls he had up and in some ways it downright terrified Steve. What if Tony found it not worth it in the end? What if he didn't like Steve and preferred the Captain America persona far more? It had happened before, far more times than Steve cared to count.

"Stunning might not be the word I'd use," Steve responded, swirling his water in his glass a little to give his hand something to do. He didn't want to keep grabbing for Tony when they were supposed to be eating normally.

He let Tony suffer just a little longer before he added, "More like breath-taking." The whole flirting thing didn't come naturally to him but he wanted to try for Tony's sake.

"Oh, you've seen me on missions, Shellhead. You know the stamina I have." It had to translate to other activities, right? While he never really tested things, he still figured he could tease Tony with the possibility of it. He knew he didn't need much sleep, in the very least. "I just finished an op and I'm here feeling fine." He paused for a moment. "It went fine, by the way, Director."

Grinning, he took a drink of his water. "Usually, I'm grilled. If you're always going to be this laidback, I really am happy you got the job."

The whole point of a one night stand was to have no grasp of the other person; no strings, no attachment, no possibility of being hurt if things don't pan out the way you hoped. Tony has a soft heart, despite what so many though, which is why he often favoured one night stands over getting into relationships. You can only be burned so many times before you start to fear the fire. And yet-- here he was with Steve, willing to get burned all over again.

It would be worth it, at least he thought so.

Tony laughs at Steve, gaze catching on the swirl of water, the way Steve seemed almost awkward in his own skin for a moment, and he has a ripost on his tongue, when-- breathtaking. It makes Tony falter a little bit, not because of the word Steve uses, but the honesty in his words as he says it. Tony stares at Steve a moment, eyes wide, before his face melts into a soft smile that is rarely seen.

"Careful, Steve. You might make me think you like me." Easy confidence in the words, but it's clear with the look he gives Steve that he appreciates the honesty. "And I think that sounds a bit like a challenge there. How long does your stamina last, I wonder."

It is meant to be a musing thought, something that Tony can throw on the table and dance around with a teasing smile and perhaps a few flirtatious looks, but then he finds himself thinking about it and-- oh. Well then. Perhaps that is not going to work out quite the way he wanted. Not when he thinks about Steve and his stamina and the body that Tony knows lies beneath the suit he is wearing. About how long he has thought about being able to get to take Steve apart, about--

"Mmm, sorry, should I ask for a mission report over dinner? I thought that might in bad form." Another smile, Tony's fingers idly tracing the line of the glass. "There is a comment about being laidback and other positions while giving missions reports, but we do have dinner to get through."

If nothing else, Steve usually maintained a very, very honest and rather blunt viewpoint, having little qualms about expressing his feelings and often displeasure with matters. Passion roamed thickly within him and if he felt others were being slighted, well, he never held his tongue then. Whether inspiring speeches or disapproval rants flowed depended on the situation. Sometimes, just a sigh and a glare could work well enough. But when it came to emotions and expressing his deeper feelings, Steve struggled far more. His patriotism soared but his emotional attachment shook at his core constantly enough to keep him a certain distance from everyone else. Mostly, because he didn't really fit as well as he hoped to, his eyes often shifting longingly to the past where things made a lot more sense.

The only thing which made a lot of sense of the future rested in front of him with a smile on his face he never witnessed before. "We can't have that. It might go to your head then where will we be?" Steve offered back with another easy smile filling his face. He could do this easily - bouncing retorts back and forth but soon enough they would slip into something more meaningful.

"I'm not really sure. I've never really tested it. I mean, beyond what is needed for ops and missions." He offered a small shrug but his stomach twisted a little as images scattered around in his mind. Things he pictured plenty in the past but now they were actually possible. The anticipation and sheer want would do him in. Seriously.

Tony wouldn't help with behaving, would he?

Clearing his throat, the waiter appeared right then to place their plates of food down, giving Steve something else to focus on. If he could eat with the knots and heat pooling in his stomach. He had never felt such a desire for someone else and the lingering feel of Tony's lips on his hadn't been enough. "How do you - feel about becoming the Director. Has it sunk in yet?" He needed to focus on something else and not about getting up from the table and - nope, nope, nope.

Futurist. That was what they called him, that was what he was; he saw the future long before it was possible and worked towards achieving things that were impossible. Since he was young, Tony Stark had been peering into the worlds that would be and building an altar to the future to worship at. He prided himself on being able to see things coming before others, and yet-- and yet he really never saw this coming. Never saw a future where Steve was sitting across from him with a smile on his face and teases on his tongue. A future where there was so much more possibilities than what Tony saw upon first glance.

Futurist, yes. But also rational, so he always waved off the thought of him and Steve as something of more of a dream than a future.

This might be one of the first times that Tony was so very pleased to be proven wrong.

"We would be in trouble, that is for sure," he responds with another easy smile and a tip of his head, eyes still shining with humor. This was such a natural thing with Steve, banter and humor, but Tony could feel something else beneath the surface; and undertow that he is very tempted to let take him under and drown him.

The urge to skip dinner completely for other far more interesting things is only compounded when Steve tells him that information, with a straight face and god, Tony wants to test so much, fuck that Tony just wants. Taking a sip of water to assuage the dryness in his throat, the newly appointed director sits himself up a little straighter, leaning in towards Steve and has something of a terrible idea on the tip of his tongue when the waiter appears.

It was probably better for them to fuel up anyway.

"Mmm, not really? I mean, it is nice in the sense that I can finally make sure that the right calls get made but-- I feel like I was kind of already doing that already." There is another smirk, Steve knows better than most how inclined Tony was to disregard orders if he thought there was a better way; a more helpful way. He picks up his knife and fork and cuts into the steak before him.

Perhaps the moan that he gives is a bit exaggerated, but he will claim that the steak is perfectly done.

A relic of time, fit for a museum exhibit but Steve actually lived it everyday, having to somehow contend with the fact his natural instincts and attitudes were old fashioned in the new era. It constantly made him feel out of place, out of time and he really doubted his abilities to acclimate in a culture he found too fast paced. The world focused so much on technology it seemed, a never-ending striving for more, more, more and it left other things to fall to the side. What about forming genuine connections and living in the moment with those around you? Sure, there were advancements he felt pleased as punch over but he still preferred to hold actual things in his hands - such as books and records. He may have gotten on board with CDs but digital albums left little to be desired.

Together, they brought a merger of the past and the future; various beginnings with strands of historical foundations. It made them stronger but it also set a sort of divide on how they viewed things and what their reactions would be. In the best circumstances, it sprung discussions forward but in the worst of moments, it led to only arguments and bickering.

"I'll try to not give you too much trouble," Steve responded with a smirk as he dug into his food. He nearly dropped his fork right on the floor from the moan, though. How completely obscene but of course a Tony sort of thing to do. Swallowing thickly, Steve shifted in his seat a little. A white hot want surged through him but he tried to ignore it and continue eating the food. He barely tasted anything. Damn it, Tony.

"You're terrible," he muttered, drinking a big gulp of his water. He should have suggested they have the food to go. "I kinda can't believe this is even happening." He took another couple of bites, somehow. "I wonder if this will be against protocol. Dating your boss is kinda frowned on, isn't it?"

He gave a grin this time, just considering how the others would take the news. Slowly, he reached out to run his fingertips along Tony's arm, needing to touch him in some way.

It is incredibly difficult for Tony to concentrate on the future, on anything really, when he has Steve right there in front of him; all smiles and flashes of blue that makes something in his stomach twist. He is so far gone that it is ridiculous, wrapped up in all the strings of history and the past when he should be focused on the future before him. Not that he would change it, not at all. Steve was-- well just because Steve was something of the past embodied, he was also something good; something that Tony could look to when he found himself wavering in his choices, in how he saw the world.

There has been more than one instance where he has chosen something simply because he thought of how Steve would look at the situation, how Steve would look at him for making that choice. Perhaps it wasn't the healthiest way to deal with things, but-- Tony was sure that it was a truth that Steve was, and always will be, the better man out of the two of them.

And when he is here, faced with Steve teasing him and smiling at him like he is worth something-- well you can't blame him for wanting to hold onto that for as long as possible.

"Oh? And what is making you change? I am sure you giving me trouble is part of the deal, isn't it?" There is a knowing look in his eyes as he watches, perhaps a little more poignant about eating than he might usually be. But he wants, and it is so easy to toe that line with Steve, to see how far he can push until one of them snaps.

When protocol is mentioned, the look on his face turns teasing, a wicked smirk barely hidden by his fork. "So I shouldn't as for private mission reports in my office? I am sure the desk is strong enough, but if protocol is a thing you are worried about..."

Giving a theatrical sigh, Tony puts his fork down and letting his arm move closer and into Steve's touch before dismissing table manners that would have Howard rolling in his grave, grabs a piece of lobster to pop in his mouth with his fingers. After dipping it in butter, of course. And then having to lick said putter off his fingers.

How terrible.

Tony doesn't break eye contact the whole time.

In a lot of ways, Tony opened up his eyes to see a bigger picture than just the more narrow focus he tended to have with a lot of objectives. Oftentimes, Steve set a mission for himself, figured out all the little details to reach it and then went for it. Usually, a few quick turnaround and he knew his impulsive nature could be dangerous but it also saved the day a lot of the times. Sure, he might end up more banged up than if he took the time to consider the bigger picture but he always healed eventually. The lack of concern for his own safety probably should have worried him more but again he never really dwelt on the bigger picture of it. Tony, however, made him see beyond his own focus to what rested beyond and what could stem from the actions. The man tended to look more to the future and what could be than existing in the present terms. It made them very balanced if they worked together and moved past the bickering of being 'more right' than the other.

"One reason you took the job huh?" Steve responded with a more lopsided smirk resting on his face. He didn't exactly have the best reputation with authority figures but he often disregarded rules and all sorts of protocols if he needed to in the pursuit of justice. At times, he behaved more like a vigilante than an agent but at least with the more secret ops it gave him freedom to handle things as he desired to.

Tony's words painted a very vivid picture and Steve needed to use every ounce of restraint he possessed to not moan out loud. Damn it, Tony. "Uh -" Nope, nothing else followed the word since Tony melted his brain into a goo all over the table.

Of course, Tony did not stop there and his eyes followed the movements closely. The heat evident on his face and at last he reached his own breaking point. "How did you get here?" Steve asked, knowing his own motorcycle would not work. The bathrooms maybe? Tony might not agree to public bathrooms, though. But maybe if he worked him up enough.

Lightly his nails dug into Tony's arm, letting his breath hitch audibly in his throat. Two could play the teasing game, Stark.

They worked well together, something that people have always said about them since they first came together as a team. They managed to balance each other out and push each other forward and-- well, in cases like this, they were just able to push each other. Because that was what they were doing, they were pushing and toing the line as best they could in public, and Steve gave as good as he got.

It was more than a little admirable because Tony was-- well he wasn't exactly going easy. Not that the thought of Steve pressing him against the desk in his new office, shoulders wrapped in the blue of his Commander uniform, was something that left him completely unaffected, but he had played that fantasy in his mind more than once, it didn't make him want quite as much as it might Steve.

And it did affect the Commander. Tony moans lightly around the salty burst of butter against his tongue, eyes still on Steve. He watches, just as entranced, as Steve's mouth opens and no real sound comes out and, fuck, the fact that he could make the other man look like that, look at a loss, was heady. The following noise, something hitched in his chest, is less for the show of things and more because he can't quite believe his luck.

"Mmm, it is delicious lobster, would you like some, Commander?" There is a flash of teasing there, a taunt, but it doesn't really hold out against the look Steve gives him, the way he grips his arm and fuckfuckfuck, Steve really could play just as well if not better than him. The nails against his skin, the sound of Steve's breath catching makes Tony consider public indecency charges, and not being let back into this place. Just for a moment.

Thankfully (or unfortunately) he reigns himself in, just a bit, though it is clear he is fraying at the edges. "Car. Why-- Why do you ask?"

Oh, there were plenty of things he wanted at the moment but he wouldn't include the lobster among the list. Eyes darkening considerably, Steve forgot all about his food (a feat considering how much he loved to eat), his fingers running circles over where his nails had just dug into Tony's arm. The sparks it caused only pooled the heat more in his stomach. It made him want more than he ever had before, a dizzying array of emotions considering he never actually thought Tony would want him in the first place. How far had they come to reach a point like the one they were currently in?

"I'd like to see your car," Steve murmured, licking slowly over his lip, more because his mouth felt dry than trying to be alluring. But if it worked for both objections then so be it. If it also made Tony want to leave then even better. "We can - get the food to go?" The suggestion nearly felt desperate but he couldn't bring himself to care at the moment not when he had wanted Tony for so long. Since nearly their first encounter with meeting one another, which he'd never admit to. Not easily anyway.

Removing his grasp from Tony, he stood up to find the waiter (after a slight pause, thanks Tony), asking for some to go bags and the check. He also made a quick order for some dessert because he had a few ideas for it.

After he took care of all of it, he returned to the table, fingertips brushing over the back of Tony's neck. "You ready, Director? Or are you just all talk?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

YOU WERE A VISION IN THE MORNING LIGHT. ( amelioraate ).

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