#userrsonia

"This is absurd, Tony," Steve said, wringing his hands together. 

Tony sighed. He continued to pace in front of Steve, who was seated on his bed. 

"Why would you even lie about something like that?" Steve asked, looking up at him, mouth twisted in a frown. The teal flannel he had on, Tony noticed, brought out his eyes wonderfully.

That was a good question. To be fair, Tony was the last person enjoying this. He'd dug his own grave and now he had to lay in it. Or whatever the saying was.

"Because my sister wouldn't quit nagging me. I've explained this already, catch up old man,” Tony whined. 

"You could've asked her to shut up."

"Gee, why didn't I think of that?"

Steve shot him a glare. 

"You could just say you're not well and ask her not to come."

"Steve. She’s booked her tickets."

"You can say your 'boyfriend' is not well."

“For an entire month? Yeah, real smart,’ Tony said, throwing him an exasperated look.

“Okay then, tell her you broke up.”

Tony stared at him for a long moment.

"Look, I know I'm fucked but there's literally no other option."

Steve sighed, running a hand over his face. 

"But.. this is so weird!"

"I know. I know it is but I'd rather pretend to be with a close friend of mine rather than some whacko stranger who later turns out to be a serial killer."

Steve didn't reply, only gazed into the distance, thinking. 

"Never mind goody-two-shoes, I'll just ask Rhodey," Tony said after a while, bringing up his phone from his pocket. 

"No!" Steve almost yelled, causing Tony to jump. 

"What the f-"

"I mean, no, I'll do it. I don't.. want to be a bad friend," Steve said, clearing his throat. He didn't look Tony in the eye when he said this and Tony didn't quite know what to make of it. 

"Besides, I owe you one for the last time," Steve added, finally looking up at him. 

God, those eyes were beautiful. 

Tony wasn't in love with Steve or anything. It was a crush, that's all it was. A stupid teenage crush he’d developed from spending way too much time with him. Could you really blame Tony? He hung out with Steve on weekends, sometimes on college nights and in between classes. Steve had rubbed off on him and Tony just happened to find himself looking forward to spending time with him. And fantasizing about holding his hand. And sleeping with his head on his chest. And kissing him. 

So when opportunity presented itself in the form of an annoying sister, Tony thought it was a sign from heaven's above. Was it selfish? Possibly. Was he about to make an ass of himself and regret it forever? Definitely.

But no, he wasn't in love. 

"When is she coming?" Steve asked, standing up and running a hand through his hair. 

"God, I wish that were me," Tony muttered under his breath, momentarily distracted. 

"What was that?" Steve asked, quirking an eyebrow at him. 

"I said, never, if it were up to me," he answered hastily, looking away. "But I think she’s arriving on Saturday. I’ll text you."

Steve hummed, picking up his bag from the floor.

“Where are you going?” Tony asked, frowning. They’d barely spent an hour together. The moment Steve had entered, Tony had popped the question because it had been freaking him out.

“To Buck’s,” Steve answered nonchalantly, walking to the door. “See you later.”

Tony felt his heart grow heavier. 

“See you,” he muttered, more to himself as the door shut behind Steve with a soft click. Steve’s best friend was James B. Barnes a.k.a Bucky, a lanky dude who reminded him of Luke Skywalker and was every first and second year’s dream. Although Steve hung out with Tony more, Bucky had been with Steve since they were children. People had told him they were dating but every time Tony had accompanied the two, it never seemed like he was third-wheeling. Besides, if Steve was in a relationship, he’d mention it.

Right?

He texted Steve later that night, as he lay in bed, AC/DC’s “T.N.T” blasting in the background. 

She’s coming on Sunday. 28th.

He waited for two minutes, the dim glow of the screen illuminating his face in the darkness. He refreshed the chat twice but Steve didn’t seem to be online. With a pang he realised that perhaps, he was still with Bucky. He clicked his phone off.

He sat up in bed then, switching on the lampshade beside him. He switched his speaker off, and from the stack of textbooks that lay on his desk, picked a random one— "Theoretical Physics” by Leonard Lightman. Tony was studying to be a physics major and he wasn't the nerdy kind but he did adore science. He'd just read up on things and they'd make sense to him without him having to go through them twice. 

In Steve's own words, he was a fucking Genius. With a capital G. 

Just as he turned the page to String theory, his phone chimed. He leapt to it with unnecessary eagerness. He was disappointed to find that it was only his cousin, Sofia. The very Sofia who was the cause of his current predicament. 

What does your boyfriend like? I'm bringing gifts for everyone 👀

Tony groaned. Why the fuck did she have to be so extra? Sofia wasn't half as annoying as his other cousins but she could be obnoxious on occasion. 

I honestly don't know, he keyed into the textbox but then decided against it. He knew she'd pester him till she got the answer she wanted. 

He's not choosy at all but he's studying Art. 

Just as he hit send on this text, Steve's name flashed on his screen. He switched to his chat immediately, sitting up right on the bed. 

it's not like I have to meet her on Sunday right??? 

Of course not, Stevens

bucky says hi 👋

Tony smiled, laying down on the bed again. But the smile vanished as soon as he realised it was half past eleven. Wait. Why was he upset by this? They were still together— God, get a fucking life. 

Heyyy. 

you should go to bed, haven't you got like 4 tests tomorrow?? 

Tony grinned, quickly typing in a response. It wasn't a surprise that Steve remembered the littlest of things. That was Steve. When he cared for someone, he did it with all his heart.  

I do

And then, You sure you wanna do this?

Tony bit his lip as he hit send.

He had no impulse control whatsoever and the moment he'd blurted to his sister that he did have a boyfriend, he'd texted Steve. Steve, bless his soul, had come rushing to his bijou apartment and the rest was history. But that was Steve, again, selfless to a fault.

don't overthink it tony. I'd do anything for u

Tony's heart leapt a little at that and he had to breathe for a few seconds before typing in a response. 

Thank you, Rogers 

What would I ever do without you? 

Everybody knew Tony was a huge flirt but when it came to people he actually wanted to flirt with, he pulled shit like this. 

shut up and go to sleep, stark. night

Tony smiled in spite of himself, wishing him a good night as well. He clicked off his phone, sighing, only for it to ring a split second later. 

Sofia again. 

Ooooooooooh art major? 

That's hottttt

Tony's face burned as he read the text. Why? He didn't know. He wasn't actually dating Steve but the thought made him blush anyway. 

Hey, back off he's taken, he keyed in, tonguing his cheek and— What the fuck was he doing? Wasn't this situation, as a whole, morally wrong? But was it if Steve had agreed to it? He did say it was alright. 

He glanced at the time on the upper left corner of his screen. It was too late for a full blown existential crisis. He hit send on what he'd typed, trying to ignore the little flip his stomach did. 

He wasn't— couldn't be possessive of Steve; they were nothing more than close friends, even if they were going to pretend they were much more than just that. 

He shuddered suddenly realising that he might have to behave.. affectionately with Steve, to convince his sister. Oh boy. Would he have to kiss him some day? 

His phone chimed just then. 

Wooow, possessive much? Can't wait to meet him eeekk 😍

What had he gotten himself into? 

___