Stark Industries, Tuesday

[imafuturist]

Tony was very busy today trying to create the perfect coffee maker. So far it was able to fly and had a rudimentary AI installed in it.

Look, he was doing his best and this was what he came up with for today that didn't involve messy emotions or some awful, melodramatic monologue.

Because he could easily do that too. Don't you try him, Fandom.

[open post of course!]

Comments

[heroic_jawline]

Steve came down from an email exchange with Sam that was half logistics of running down potential Bucky sightings and half Steve flailing about potentially ruining everything, and stopped in the doorway to watch Tony work.

He smiled softly as he leaned against the doorjamb. Watching Tony working was one of his very favorite things.

[imafuturist]

They both could multitask their stupid drama like pros. It was a skill you learned as a superhero.

It took Tony a moment (and JARVIS dinging him with the gentle alert) to realize Steve was there and his work sort of hiccupped in response, coffee maker skittering across the desk as he cranked up the power source a little too hard.

"Hey."

Smooth recovery.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve smiled at him. "The coffee maker flies now?"

Small talk. There had been sooooo much small talk this week.

[imafuturist]

It wasn't weird at all!

"Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time." At 3 in the morning.

[heroic_jawline]

"And what time was that?" Steve teased, trying to keep his tone light.

Because he'd definitely being doing his share of avoiding this week, but he'd missed Tony.

[imafuturist]

"At a perfectly reasonable time where it makes sense for a coffee maker to fly," Tony said with as charming a smile as he could.

Oh god, when was the last time he trimmed his beard? Why didn't he think about these things?

[heroic_jawline]

Steve smiled back because he couldn't help himself. He stepped closer to the coffee machine. "So...2 AM after seventeen cups of coffee and no sleep for three days?"

...he might've been counting.

[imafuturist]

"Well, if you want to get technical about it..." Ah yes, deflection. His old friend. "Did you have breakfast?"

Better question would be 'was it even breakfast time?'

[heroic_jawline]

"A few hours ago, at breakfast time, yes," Steve said, making a face at himself.

He sounded like one of his damn PSAs.

[imafuturist]

"Oh." God, his internal clock was shot. "I was thinking we could have donuts and... talk."

Ominous.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve, who faced down Nazis and aliens without much drama, felt the color drain from his face and his eyes go wide.

"I think donuts are an anytime food," he said finally. "Sounds good."

Sounded terrifying.

[imafuturist]

Yep, that was the reaction Tony had been both expecting and sort of dreading.

"Want to pick up a dozen... or two."

Let them both gather their thoughts and all.

[heroic_jawline]

"I can do that," Steve said, reaching out to touch Tony's shoulder and biting his lower lip. "Anything for you?"

He was trying so hard to be normal.

[imafuturist]

"I probably don't need another coffee," Tony replied, swaying into him.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve wrapped his arms around him and held on tightly. "You made the coffee machine fly, Tony. You don't need another coffee."

[imafuturist]

"And it's too late for a mimosa, so my options are limited," he joked, hugging Steve back. You know. In a manly way that wasn't clingy.

Okay, it was a little clingy.

[heroic_jawline]

"You know, there's this swell thing called water," Steve said, not at all eager to let go. "Comes straight out of the tap for free, but I can also pick up a bottle of the exact same stuff for 15 dollars or something."

[imafuturist]

Why were they worried about this again? They were both equally dramatic about this shit.

"That sounds fake."

[heroic_jawline]

"Paying 15 bucks for something free?" Steve said, laughing. "It does."

[imafuturist]

"You are such an old man," he said fondly. "Go get me food. I've cleaned out everything in the mini fridge downstairs."

And a lot of protein bars.

[heroic_jawline]

"Give me twenty minutes," Steve said, finally pulling away. "I'll get donuts and this new fangled thing called 'fresh fruit', since you've probably smoothied everything in the place."

[imafuturist]

Tony snagged him by the shirt for one last quick kiss. Like a normal relationship would have. And they were perfectly normal.

"There was spinach in there too."

[heroic_jawline]

"So proud of you," Steve teased him, kissing him back.

Because kissing this week was soooo much better than trying to talk. Which they were going to do.

Oh God.

[imafuturist]

Talking meant potential rejection! Which was far too scary for guys who literally fought alien armies.

"Hush. If you're fast maybe I'll make you one too."

[heroic_jawline]

"And there's still protein powder upstairs if you get peckish," Steve said with a smile. "Back in a few."

And then he left the shop and didn't hyperventilate like some kind of Victorian heroine. He was probably too proud of himself for that.