stardustly | au scenarios open post

19-what? [It startled him badly enough that he let himself be tugged along without so much as a twitch. That was...well, Tony would have said impossible, but a lot of things he thought were impossible were proving to be less so. Improbable, then.

His head was still swimming, his thoughts feeling oddly unconnected, but a few things were trying to pull themselves together. Like the fact that if this was real and he really had managed to time travel. And if this was Brooklyn in the 30s. Then this tiny guy who looked like Steve might....actually be Steve. Holy shit.

Intellectually he'd known how Steve had looked before the serum, but actually seeing him in person was a different story. He was just as demanding, but it seemed sharper some how. Like he didn't actually expect to be listened to.

All of it was enough to have him following along slightly dazedly until he finally put enough thoughts together to tug back on the grip possibly-Steve had on his arm. Not enough to stop, just to get his attention.]

Hey. I really am okay.

[ In the very least, they were moving and away from the docks and the seedier part of town. Not that his apartment location fared much better but there were often those who kept an eye on the place to keep the worst of the riff raff away. There were usually bigger fish to fry a little ways down anyway with the 'hidden alleyways.' The few locations where people were more free to be 'who they were inside'. Given they kept an eye and ear out for the coppers, of course.

They were nearly at the street towards the apartment building when the guy started yanking and insisting on being okay. Sure, fella, he'll start believing you when you stop exclaiming about every little thing and swaying on your feet.

Giving a very familiar unimpressed look, he jerked his free hand forward. ]

Home sweet home if ya stop your yappin. Ya look like you could use a drink. [ A little bootleg moonshine that Bucky most certainly did not know he possessed. The guy worried far too much about his 'health' anytime he drank anything. ] Come on, put that spring in ya step and let's get a move on it.

Oh my god. [He muttered it more to himself, and even Tony wasn't sure if it was at the dogged insistence or at someone actually suggesting he drink something.

But he did at least keep moving, part out of curiosity and part -- what else was he going to do? He was either actually stuck in the past or this was an incredibly vivid hallucination and either way he was just going to have to play along. Apparently.

He wasn't completely convinced that this Steve wouldn't just punch him if he didn't do as he was told, either. Which was a fascinating idea to try to wrap his head around. Not that it was going to keep him from running his mouth. Tony never had learned when to just shut up.]

You usually bring strangers home with you?

[ For a moment, the question nearly felt like concern but he quickly brushed such thoughts aside. Why would some strange fella care what he did or didn't do for that matter? They meant next to nothing to each other and once the man healed up he would be along his way. Preferably, before Bucky arrived home and started asking questions.

He could try and use the ploy of bringing a fella home but Bucky would quickly see through it. When did he EVER have someone willing to come home with him anyway?

When they arrived at the door, he fished out his key but still needed to use some force to get the door opened and then just as much to shut it behind him. Their apartment kept falling apart all around them. ]

Only the ones with nice smiles. [ Steve finally responded with, wandering into the bathroom to grab for some first aid supplies. ] Sit down so I can get a look at your head. You lemme know if anythin' stings, alright? [ Not that he'd stop his cleaning of the wound but still yet. ]

You got yourself a name, fella? Or should I just make somethin' up?

[Tony shot an unimpressed look at Steve's retreating back, but gingerly settled himself into the nearest chair. As his head settled a little, the bruises apparently covering him were starting to make themselves known, because of course they were. Tony was starting to get the sense that he'd been in one hell of a fight, if the head injury hadn't made that clear.]

Tony [he called back almost absently, much more interested in cataloging his surroundings than dwelling on his various aches. The place was tiny and beyond rickety, even with a concussion Tony could spot at least three things in easy few in desperate need of a fix.

Maybe if Steve didn't take his head off, he could try to find a wrench or something as repayment. It would at least give him something to do while he tried to figure out what he was supposed to do next.]

[ Tony. At least, now he had a name to refer to the fella who kept staring at him. A sort of staring he didn't really know what to do with because it seemed to have little to do with his actual appearance. It confused him but intrigued him more than it should have.

Returning with the supplies, he scattered them on the barely standing kitchen table. First, he needed to clean the wound and then apply the bandages, all things he learned to do from his dear mother and also because of the scraps he usually found himself in. He always tried to clean up before Bucky found out since he worried far too much about him.

Grabbing for the alcohol, he put some on a swab and started to dab at the various cuts he saw. There were plenty of them now that he had himself a look. Curious. ]

Do ya remember anythin' that happened to ya? Looks pretty nasty. You in trouble or somethin'? [ He paused for only a moment before he added - ] I'm Steve, by the way.

Always. [He made a slight face at the sting, but kept still otherwise from the ease of long practice. Usually it was him doing this for himself, but the principle was the same.]

But no, don't really remember.

[There were flashes of things, an endless army and six colored lights. A rip in the sky that threatened to make his heart start beating too fast. But nothing he could pull together into a coherent narrative, and he was reasonably sure that wasn't just because of the blow to the head.

He peered at Steve as the other man bustled around trying to fix him up. He couldn't help trying to find flashes of the man he knew in this younger, angrier version. Somehow knowing that all of this was still buried somewhere under Captain America explained a lot.]

Thanks. By the way.

[ The unconcerned air around the fella really should have troubled him more than it did because he looked like death warmed over. Shouldn't someone care about being so beat up and in trouble? But the man appeared almost calm in a way, eerily so. By that point, there were more than enough warning bells sounding off in his mind but Steve ignored every single one as he tended to and instead he kept his eye on the current objective. Moving his attention from something could be impossible at times.

Continuing to dab over the cuts and marks, he let out a little hum of acknowledgement. ]

Don't mention it. [ When he finished up, he took the bloodied swabs to the bin to toss them inside. He'd have to remember to tell Bucky they weren't his before he dove into a panic. ]

You havin' trouble rememberin' anythin' else or just what happened to ya? [ He paused for a moment to go over to grab a glass of water for the guy and some bread. ]

Not in trouble with the law, are ya?

[Tony huffed a laugh at the question and leaned back a little. He did actually feel slightly better now that he'd been seen to, not that he was going to admit it. Or mention how many bruises he could still feel under his clothes. Nothing Steve could do about those anyway.]

No, no law trouble. Scout's honor. And nothing that should come after you, if that's what you're worried about.

[He was pretty damn sure of that. Whatever this had been, it couldn't have followed him decades into the past.

Though what was he even going to do if it had? Not like he had his armor here. Probably. He fixed Steve with a look.]

You didn't see anything else around me, did you? Anything like metal?

[ While not entirely convinced of the words, he decided to not press the matter for the time being. Nothing or no one had stormed after them so far and he still had a little bit before Bucky happened by. ]

Ain't worried 'bout that. More worried 'bout what's wrong with ya.

[ Something metal? The fella grew odder by the moment but again, he decided to not press the matter. ] It was a shippin' yard by the docks. Was plenty of metal around. You'd have to be more specific.

[ The question made him consider the thief angle a little more. The guy looked a little flashy for their part of town, which usually signalled a few options but the fella didn't look like one of those owner types. ]

Drink the water and eat. You should get some rest while you can.

I got the shit kicked out of me, that's what's wrong.

[Probably. It was a good bet, considering everything he could feel. And he wasn't going to attempt to explain to this young, irritable Steve exactly what kind of fights he was used to getting into it.

Which, speaking of. He was pretty sure that the armor was distinctive enough that even the oblique reference would have pulled something. Safe to say the armor wasn't here, then. That was...probably a good thing, but Tony couldn't help but roll his shoulders a little uncomfortably. It meant that no one could get their hands on it, but it also meant that he was defenseless in a way that he really wasn't used to anymore.

Something to deal with later. He blew out a breath and took a long drink of water before something Steve had said filtered through.]

'While I can'?

[ Things weren't adding up and Steve needed to decide what to do quickly before the situation turned worse, not just for him but for the Tony fella too. If the guy wanted to stick around then he needed a story of some kind, one where there wouldn't be a lot of questions. His appearance didn't really project low key, though, and it'd be another problem,

Better question would be why he even cared in the first place. ]

What kinda fight was it? Looks pretty brutal. You goin' round in back alleys? [ like he could even talk there. ]

[ with a wave of his hand, he moved around in the kitchen to start looking for dinner things. ]

Dontcha worry none 'bout that now. Ya need to worry 'bout your story for bein' here.

Hah. Definitely not a back alley. [That much he was sure about, even if the rest of it was still fuzzy. If it whatever it was had been enough to wreck him so badly, it had to have been big. Something tugged at the back of his mind, but the thought dissolved as soon as he tried to reach for it, leaving only a stab of pain behind his eyeballs. Okay, maybe work on that after the concussion faded.]

My story, huh?

[It was quiet, almost more to himself. As suspicious as this Steve seemed to be, he was also surprisingly helpful. And not asking questions. It should have made him worry, but all Tony could feel was pathetically grateful.]

Well that one's easy. I got mugged, nothing left but the clothes on my back.

[ Mugged made sense, especially with how the fella looked and the slight wild appearance in his eye. The look caused all kinda of questions to float around in his mind but he still kept them quiet. Later on, he'd voice plenty, especially before Bucky found the chance to. ] Where you from anyhow? Never seen ya round these parts.

[ A fancy sort of air surrounded the man and had to put him uptown. Why would he slum it, then? Unless he wanted to visit the alleyways. ]

If ya were lookin' for the - areas - they've been cleared out. Coppers found out 'bout em and tried to make a few arrests.

[One of Tony's eyebrows arched upwards.] 'Areas'?

[Something illicit, clearly. Was-- huh, was prohibition still a thing? History that hadn't involved technology wasn't exactly Tony's strong suit.]

And Manhattan, to answer your question. I don't know how I got here. Maybe whoever hit me dumped me there.

[It was, surprisingly, completely true. Someone had clearly dropped Tony there, even if he had no idea who. Or what.]

[ There were plenty of missing parts to the story; the man holding back for some reason but why and for what purposes? It easily roused his suspicion but he swallowed it all down any time he looked at the state of the guy. A good wind looked like it'd knock him over. ]

Where things happen ya don't want no one findin' out about. [ Common sense, really.]

Must'a made someone real mad to drop you on the docks to have 'em deal with ya.

I'll have to tell my - roommate you're here because - [ He waved his hand between them as if it explained everything but Bucky would be a tad nicer to Tony sticking around if he thought Steve was sweet on him. Two men happened to be illegal but their apartment building and block had a more open minded view than most. ]

Because...

[It felt a little like Steve was speaking a different language and not just because of the old fashioned -- or was that modern now? -- slang. He was clearly expecting Tony to understand all those offhanded references and vague innuendos and all of it was going right over Tony's head. He was reasonably sure it wasn't just the concussion, either.

He finally just sighed a little and fixed Steve with a look.]

Look. You've done a lot for me, and I appreciate it. I can get out of your hair if you think it's going to be a problem.

[He had no idea what he'd do at that point, but he didn't know what he was going to do right then either.]

[ Horrifying enough the guy didn't seem to understand, which meant he would have to spell it out. Letting out a breath, he tried to not pink right up from the mere thoughts colliding around in his mind. What if Tony felt disgusted by just the hint of being with him? No one usually looked twice at him, after all, and the dames were never interested in him, not even with talking. They only saw one thing - someone weak and undesirable.

Frowning from the thoughts, he grabbed for Tony's glass to refill it with water and set it back down. ]

Bein' with me. Sweet on me. It'd explain your sudden appearance here and could say you saved me from some big fella. [ A more believable story than anything else already discussed. ] If ya can't - I can help find somewhere else for you.

[Tony just blinked once. That would be more believable? In the forties? Clearly he'd missed a few things about the Steve he knew. Thought he knew.

He couldn't help but give this Steve a slightly askance look, though.]

I saved you? You really think anyone would buy that?

[That much, he was still sure about. Steve did whatever the hell he wanted, regardless of his size.]

But sure, okay. I was defending your honor and you were just so impressed with my bravery that you just had to take me home.

[He added a quick eyelash flutter to the statement. Why take an inch when you could have a mile.]

More like you tried and got your ass kicked. I felt bad for ya and bought you home.

Things happened after that.

[ Tony didn't look disgusted by the possibility, at least, or ready to turn him over to the authorities. In his neighborhood, things were far more liberated and there were bent people all over the place. All of them indulging in the secret places they set up were and there. Maybe one day, so many people wouldn't have to hide.

He wouldn't have to hide or feel so disgusted by his inner feelings. How could love be thought of as so wrong?

You okay with that? I don't bring fellas or dames home usually.

Things.

[He echoed the word with amusement, mostly at the entire situation. Steve suggesting they act like a hookup. If he weren't still slightly convinced this was all a very thorough hallucination, Tony might have asked him to write it down for posterity's sake.]

Sure. There are worse stories we could be telling. And this way we get to tell everyone you think I'm pretty.

[ If he rolled his eyes any harder, he would likely hurt himself in the process. The sigh only enhanced the whole picture of why is this happening to me? But there were clearly worse people he could have been stuck with trying to help.

Drinking his own glass of water, he shook his head. ]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. But you might be pretty under all that mes on your face. [ In actuality, he found Tony very attractive but he couldn't just say that. Just no. ]

Anythin' ya allergic to or don't like eatin'?

[He might have made a show of pressing a hand against his chest like he was getting the vapors, but Tony just chuckled. It was maybe the weirdest situation he'd ever been in -- and that was really saying something -- but this was still Steve. And despite everything, Tony couldn't help but feel oddly safe in that tiny little threadbare apartment.

He shook his head, then leaned it back against the wall. The throbbing hadn't settled at all, but he was at least getting used to it.]

I'll eat anything. And I'll pay you back.

[ At the dramatics, a smile twitched at the corners of Steve's lips. The fella needed to watch it or he might develop actual feelings, which neither lf them needed. Tony was well out of his league and two men faced far too many issues with being together. If anyone found out it could be the end, a fact Bucky informed him of often enough. ]

What are ya goin' pay me in? Smiles and snark?

[ With a wider grin, he started to pull things out to make it soup. Not the best but they at least had meat, potatoes and a few vegetables to go in it. More than they usually had. ]

How are ya with choppin'?

I might. I've been told I've got a good smile.

[He said it with all the dignity he could muster, which wasn't much considering he still had his head tipped back. Though he did find himself forced to lift it enough to give Steve a look at the question.]

I can probably manage to keep from including any fingers, if that's what you mean. Are you seriously going to put an inured man to work?

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