StarofHonor

"Safe Abortion for All.

No Compromise - No Apology"

Steve chuckled, “I don’t know Tony. All these OSHA laws now- makes hanging around in just an undershirt and some jeans with a hardhat more difficult.” He teased, enjoying the meal himself. “Though I’m sure if you really wanted you could find me a project where you could see me from your window.” He winked at the other man and chuckled again softly.

“Hell- you should see me in an apron.”

Tony glanced over, chuckling softly and shook his head slightly. “That’s such a shame, though you know, Steve… if I really wanted to, I could just put you to work on projects here in the Tower. And I wouldn’t allow you to wear a shirt,” he commented absently. 

“Well, there are some things I’m rebuilding myself. Wouldn’t hurt to have a little muscle around though, Tony stated with a smirk as he watched the other man finishing up his own food and leaning back in his chair. "You think I’d let just anyone work around in my lab? Hell no. Some stuff I need in there is delicate machinary. But… some of it is also pretty heavy.”

“Oh sweet Jesus that burns.” He hissed and rubbed at his face. “You can’t just say stuff like that Stark.” He said laughing “not that I’m opposed- just surprised you’ve got a matching version of your lace in my size.”

Steve chuckled, “I don’t know Tony. All these OSHA laws now- makes hanging around in just an undershirt and some jeans with a hardhat more difficult.” He teased, enjoying the meal himself. “Though I’m sure if you really wanted you could find me a project where you could see me from your window.” He winked at the other man and chuckled again softly.

“Hell- you should see me in an apron.”

Tony glanced over, chuckling softly and shook his head slightly. “That’s such a shame, though you know, Steve… if I really wanted to, I could just put you to work on projects here in the Tower. And I wouldn’t allow you to wear a shirt,” he commented absently. 

Steve laughed. “Well wouldn’t you? Famous AI of a notoriously good tipper with a good taste in food? It’s practically a badge of honor to get a takeout order from Tony Stark.”

“Well I like to keep busy you know. Just keep my hands going. I may not know all of the fancy tech you’re putting in but I do know my way around a hammer and rivet gun.” He said laughing. “I’d like to think I’ve been keeping out from being underfoot too much though.”

Tony smirked a bit and laughed. “I think they’re less excited about Jarvis and more excited about the fact that I pay them very well, yes,” He added, digging into the dinner that Steve had made for them both and looking at him across the table. He tilted his head a bit and shrugged slightly.

“Again, not sure if it’s about the fame of the name or the price I pay.” Most people looked at him and saw either Stark Industries or Iron Man. Very few people actually saw Tony Stark. Anthony Edward Stark was a mystery to most people. Sometimes Tony preferred it that way, others… he hated it.

“I made sure to get some.” Steve explained “it’s good for a quick pick me up if I need the sugar.”

Steve gave a soft chuckle and a slight shake of his head. That Tony was constantly going like that wasn’t healthy. He wondered if there was ever something that let the man relax a bit and switch his brain off, even for just a few moments.

“Chicken with penne pasta in a cream sauce with sun dried tomatoes, caramelized onions and some capers.” He laughed.

“… You can have water or juice.” Steve threw a teasing smile back at him. “But we can scotch after. I want you to be able to taste my cooking after all.”

“How you holding up by the way? You’ve been going nonstop for months.” He asked and steered Tony over to where he’d plated them up food already. “If you want seconds there’ll be plenty left.” Steve assured him.

Steve gave a soft chuckle and a slight shake of his head. That Tony was constantly going like that wasn’t healthy. He wondered if there was ever something that let the man relax a bit and switch his brain off, even for just a few moments.

Steve turned his head when Tony came in, smiling at the other man.

“Hungry work dealing with people huh?” He teased and moved away from the stove to grab a second plate. “Sure is though. Glad to see you eating. I was starting to think you ran purely off coffee and adrenaline.” The tease was gentle, though Steve did give a subtle look over the man. Dashing as always- even if he looked exhausted.

Humming softly Steve plated them both up a good portion and set the plate and some silverware down in front of Tony. “What can I grab you to drink?” He asked and gave a little grin “and don’t say coffee.”

“Hungry work dealing with people huh?” He teased and moved away from the stove to grab a second plate. “Sure is though. Glad to see you eating. I was starting to think you ran purely off coffee and adrenaline.” The tease was gentle, though Steve did give a subtle look over the man. Dashing as always- even if he looked exhausted.

And Steve makes him promise to be careful before tugging at his arm and asking, “gimme another kiss?” Sam’s waiting on Bucky, but this is more important. So he brushes Steve’s hair off his forehead and kisses the skin there, his temple, his cheek, his smile as Steve says, “Love ya, jerk.”

Bucky says “love you, punk. Back in two days, tops.”

And it hurts to leave Steve and Alpine behind in that big, warm bed, but he has to — because he’s making the world a little safer for them.

But maybe he’s gone a few days longer than he expects, so he comes home with flowers. Daisies because Steve likes those. He comes in quietly, in case Steves sleeping, because it’s 3am. But Steve had been on the couch trying to wait up for him, because he doesn’t wanna go to bed without him again.

Steve’s up and across the floor as soon as the lock clicks. He waits for Bucky to lock the door behind him, because Steve knows he needs to. Because for some reason it makes him feel just a little safer. Steve’s already giving him a once over for injuries as he takes his jacket off, but he’s okay. Only a little scraped and bruised. And he’s all keyed up, still got a system full of adrenaline and he’s been missing Steve so bad. He’s too old for this shit and he’s tired. But he’s okay because when he falls into bed it’s with the love of his life. He’s okay because he’s got a husband and a cat and an annoying co-worker that he only pretends to hate sometimes. He’s okay because the million bad things he’s seen come in equal measure with a million good things.