[Steve makes a small noise in his throat, somewhere between simple pleasure and flat-out arousal, and resists the urge to melt into a puddle on the bed. He can't remember the last time anyone touched him with anything like casual affection, and that alone is enough to almost make him want to cry.]
Electromagnetic? Does that mean I'm gonna start sticking to things? [It's half a joke - he's pretty sure electromagnets don't work like that - and half serious, because...he doesn't know how electromagnets work.] T'Challa let me borrow a pair of vibranium gauntlets in Wakanda, but they were all- [he waves a hand vaguely] panther-y.
[Which probably isn't a surprise, considering that it's Wakanda, and they like cats.]
Asshole. [Steve very gently nudges him with an elbow.] I'm gonna fall asleep here and you'll have enough caffeine in you to sneak off and work or something. [He pauses, then adds,] When you sneak off, check on the kid, okay? He's...he's had it rough.
[ oh you sweet summer child. Tony snorts but continues to run his hands through Steve's hair, a little amused at how much longer his hair is compared to his Steve's. makes it easier to run his fingers through it actually.]
No, not even a little. I mean, I can make it do that if you want, but not the point. And the fact that T'Challa lent you anything is-- high commendations. He is notoriously picky about that kind of thing.
[ even more than he is actually. which is-- saying something. but it is clear from the tone of his voice, the edge of a smile in his words, that Tony is amused by this whole conversation. at how Steve is relaxing more and more against him, fighting against the fatigue that is plaguing him. and Tony doesn't blame him, fighting Thanos must have been taxing, more taxing than the day he has had.
sure, getting your ass kicked by Carol Danvers isn't a walk in the park, but easier than the alternative surely. ]
The kid-- oh, Peter? It's weird to see him so young. [ he isn't where he is from, weirder still to realize just how close of a bond he and the other Tony share. but he also isn't about to leave him without support. he might not be the Stark that this world is used to, but he was going to do what he could to help. ] You need some water there, Steve?
[Right now, Steve is the equivalent of a sleepy kitten. His eyelids feel heavier and heavier, and he keeps having to resist the urge to just fall asleep leaning against Tony. The rhythmic strokes feel good, and, hell, if having longer hair means he gets petted like this, he's going to end up looking like Thor soon.]
Probably the least he could do after I brought Thanos's invasion to his doorstep. I needed something to face an alien army with.
[Don't ask why he didn't have his shield then. It's part of that whole long story that will probably come out in an emotional rush at some point.]
That his name? All I know is that he's from Queens. [They've only met twice now, both in the middle of a fight. He hasn't exactly had a chance for a proper introduction.] You shoulda seen him the first time we met. I dunno what he was thinking, dragging a kid into a fight between Avengers. [Like he hadn't had Wanda out there, but that's different - Wanda's older, for one thing, and used to fights.]
[ a sleepy, and an oddly cute kitten. Tony really isn't sure what to do with that wow. so he doesn't think about it too hard at all and keeps the soft movements going. it is easier for him to just act right now than think. which isn't something he is used to but he will take it.
the engineer snorts at the words, clearly not quite believing what is being said.]
Sure you did. Still, high praise or something. And yeah, Peter is a kid but, if he is anything like the Peter I know, there would be no real keeping him out of a fight. Not if he saw a reason to be in it. Fucking brilliant kid. Well, probably. I don't know. Shit, it's gonna be weird to try and relearn everything with people again.
[ like your weird and easy acceptance of his affection. and the softness around the edges. he likes it but really doesn't want to think about why.] How old is he? Doesn't look like he's outta high school, and that's even earlier than me donning the fucking suit.
Along with all the warriors of Wakanda. And Bucky.
[He vaguely thinks about checking in with Bucky and Sam to see how they are - to make sure they made it through, to reassure himself that they're alive - but he's too comfortable right here, and he's sure they'll understand if he just rests a little bit and gives the serum some time to work.]
Uh, two years older than he was the first time I met him, and he wasn't real old then. Old enough to shoot his mouth off at me while he grabbed his shield with those webs, but you know how New Yorkers are. Mouthing off before we can even walk.
[And apparently running off to space to fight Thanos. They grow up so fast.]
Just...just talk to him. [The words are slurred as he finally falls asleep on Tony, snoring softly. Yep, he's out like a light.]
he's weirdly adorable when he is being all soft and cute and--
there is a moment where Tony's mind seems to all but bluescreen while Steve actually falls asleep on his shoulder, the action making it really hard for him to process much else about Steve's comment about New Yorkers and mouthing off. Tony is sure that he has something to say about it, probably, but also--
well times like this are not common, even in his universe where he was a great deal closer to Steve. this kind of vulnerability was something else. so needless to say, it was difficult for Tony to get himself out from under the sleeping Steve and off into the rest of the tower where the others were residing. he does at least wait for about twenty minutes, just mindlessly carding his hands through Steve's hair as he mumbles quietly to FRIDAY about this universe and what could be done to make sure that things were stabilised. and who he should go see to talk about multidimensional rifts in time.
then he slinks out of the room, after pulling up a blanket for Steve of course, and goes in search of Peter (who cries on him. a lot. it was a weird experience but he kinda likes this kid, can see why his other self might have kept him around since he is brilliant underneath all the tears). then he finds Pepper (whom he thanks, and tells her that he might not know how things were here, might not be the Tony she was used to, but he would do what he could to help in whatever way possible). then he finds himself some more coffee (leaves the tower, in disguise) before he wanders his way down to where he was informed there was a workshop.
what. it was his safe space okay.
and that is probably where Steve will find him when he wakes up, his undersuit replaced with the fresh clothing (that is still clean, for now), cold coffee just in range, and the schematics of more than one suit flung up around him to tinker with.
oh, and arguing (talking to loudly?) with FRIDAY.)
Are you seeing this? I don't even know where this idea came from, how the hell do you stabalize time travel but not know how to integrate nanite technology into your marrow? How fucking-- ugh, read those specs to me again, FRI, we have like twenty years to catch up on here.
[Steve's not surprised to wake up and find Tony gone, but he feels faintly disappointed that the other man didn't at least come back to stay with him. He might not be the Tony Stark he's used to, but he slips comfortably - maybe too comfortably - into the hole left in Steve's life, the hole that, if he's being honest, has been empty since Siberia. (It's his fault, he knows that, but that's never made the pain of it any easier.)
Groaning in pain, he eventually makes his way out of bed and into the shower, where he finds that some impressive bruises are blooming all over his body. Not exactly a surprise, all things considered. At least he has clean clothes to put on, and there's food waiting when he gets out of the shower, and he's pretty sure someone needs to nominate Pepper as a saint. He carries the food along with him as he goes looking for Tony, eating as he wanders through the tower. Like a lodestone, he's pulled down to the workshop, the most logical place for any Tony to be.]
...I don't know what a nanite is, but that doesn't sound very safe.
[Steve finishes off his burger, then rummages through a greasy bag and pulls out something wrapped in paper and shoves it at Tony.]
You haven't eaten anything yet, have you?
[He doesn't wait for an answer, just puts it in Tony's hand and gets another burger out for himself. His body really needs the calories right now.]
Scott brought the quantum...stuff. He just figured out how to make it work safely - Bruce tried, but he couldn't get it right.
okay so maybe Tony is predictable in the fact that he would rather just drink lots of coffee and use whatever time he has awake to make things in order to forget about all the bullshit that has been going on in his life. his universe? who knows, either way, Steve is correct in assuming that Tony has foregone the whole 'eating' thing in favour of trying to make sense of this universe and where everyone stood in it.
or maybe just where his other self stood in it.
let's just say that, after reading a few files, Tony hates himself a little more. he didn't think it was possible but-- well he should probably stop thinking that.
the engineer snorts a little and goes to wave Steve off, only for said hand to be filled with burger and--
oh. okay.]
Food is for those of us that burn twenty thousand a day there, Captain. Also, nanites are completely safe, thank you very much. They are are the only reason that I am alive right now.
[ well, mostly. the main reason why he is alive right now at least. the rest is probably the force of the hit that Carol delivered to him being projected into ripping through space-time or something. but that is neither here nor there nor now. with s sharp grin, Tony takes a bite out of the burger, makes a small noise of contentment, before turning back to the schematics.]
At least Lang knew what he was doing. Kind of. I guess. Why didn't anyone ask Richards? Or fucking Doom for that matter. Wait, no, they aren't-- this universe is weird never mind. Also, wow you forgot to tell me that I was an asshole more than the usual here, Steve. Like--
[ he would say more, but shoving more food in his mouth is a better call.]
Greasy diner food is for everyone, Stark. Unless you really want one of those awful smoothies. [Steve makes a face at the thought. Even he hadn't been able to stomach those, and he'll eat just about anything that stands still long enough. Hopefully this Tony isn't on a similar health food kick.
He takes a seat on a stool nearby, only processing about one word in ten as he eats. Is Tony an asshole? Well, yes, but that's just Tony. He's always been a good man underneath it all, even when he and Steve had their differences. And in the end, he came through, he stared Thanos down and snapped him into dust. So maybe it's an unfair assessment, but on the other hand, another Tony should be qualified to judge. Steve just blinks.]
I told you about Germany.
[But not about Siberia, and he hadn't touched Ultron, hadn't mentioned the five years Tony hid away from the world after Thanos. So maybe he's omitting a few things - but, to be fair, it's a lot to talk about, a lot that cuts dangerously close to Steve's emotions. He still remembers a gaunt Tony ripping his arc reactor off and shoving it into Steve's hands, utterly defeated, filled with self-righteous anger and loss and maybe a little madness from slowly starving to death in space for three weeks.]
I don't exactly have anything else to go by, you know.
[ does he wince a little at the use of Stark there? yeah, maybe a little bit. enough. it is-- weird. because on the one hand, this isn't his Steve, isn't his universe, and from what he has managed to figure out through rifling through the internet, this Steve and whatever Tony he had here were not that close. hell, they were barely even the Avengers for more than half a decade before shit hit the fan. but on the other hand-- well, it's still Steve. he stills thinks that maybe there would be more there.
apparently, there isn't.
swallowing the bite of burger, Tony waves off the mentions of Germany, doesn't talk about how it could have been so much worse (tries not to think about Steve, his Steve, with blood splattered on his uniform, the wrong shade of red), how it seems that he tries and tries and tries in every universe and fails just spectacularly and wonderfully in each one. ]
Good, keep your expectations low there so I can reach them. Maybe even surpass them, but I'm not gonna hope. Hey, you want a new shield? Actually, fuck that, you are all getting new suits because this is just abysmal and I'm getting more and more annoyed with myself here.
[Sorry, Tony, he's still only latching onto half of what you're saying.]
I'm not sure why we needed new suits for time travel, but- [he gestures cluelessly] Probably something to protect us while traveling through the Quantum Realm.
[Digging through the bag, he pulls out a smaller bag that's soaked with grease and holds it out for Tony.]
Do you want fries? God, I would kill for an egg cream right now. [He wonders how long it would take to get one delivered, if anyone even makes them anymore.] Can you even get the vibranium for a new shield?
[ honestly, probably for the better that you don't actually manage to hear what he is saying. most of what he is saying. and also not saying. best that you don't hear what he isn't saying. just-- yes, keep feeding him. keep his goddamned mouth busy so he doesn't say something that he shouldn't.
Tony snags the fries with a mumbled thanks, turning back to schematics and information because it is that much easier to look at.]
T'Challa will have lots, I am sure. I can trade him for more advanced tech that I am pretty sure I have because you guys seem to be about half a century behind in basically everything. Even if that doesn't work, we can go for something else. New and shiny, just like you.
[Steve's very busy stuffing his own face, and feeding himself and Tony at the same time requires all his focus. Well, okay, not really, but Tony talks at the speed of light (yes, Tony, he knows that's not physically possible because light is faster than sound). So, clearly, the best way to get him to shut up is to make him keep eating. Steve takes another fry out of the bag and just starts trying to feed Tony himself, one fry at a time.]
I'm not shiny and new, I'm a hundred and five goddamn years old. [He doesn't feel shiny and new, not after everything he's been through. He feels old and tired, like he's actually lived an entire century.] Show some respect for your elders, Tony.
[Especially when those elders are shoving delicious fries in your face.]
Trust me there, sparkles, you are so not that old. You're missing a lot of bitterness to be really old.
[ being on ice totally doesn't count okay. also wow that is still so fucking young compared to what he knows. and Tony is laughing, something small and quiet as he bites fries out of Steve's fingers, his own fingers busy with pulling up blueprints and flinging around equations.
it is easier to deal with that, numbers that are out of date and in need of attention than to look at you and see someone who isn't all that fond of himself. not that Tony blames Steve at all, but it is still hard.]
I was old here too, kinda surprising that. Weird how so many things just... don't line up. At least we weren't married here.
You've only just met me- and sparkles, what the hell?
[That laugh brings a smile to his face - and a slightly different feeling on the occasions when Tony's teeth or lips brush his fingers. His emotions surge within him, a strange mixture that Steve can't manage to sort out. This Tony isn't as prickly, isn't determined to push everyone away from him.]
Married? [Steve furrows his brow in confusion. He doesn't sound insulted by the comment, just bemused.] Were we married back in your world? [Am I taking you away from your Steve? he almost asks, but stops just in time, blinking at his confusion. He's not taking anyone, he doesn't think.]
I have just met you, but you're still a Steve Rogers and we are pretty good friends where I am from. And seriously, you're so bright and shiny. It makes perfect sense.
[ is Tony laughing at you just a little bit? maybe he is. eyes bright and amused as he takes more fries easily. it is clear that is okay with a type of closeness, especially with Steve, has some sense of comfort when it comes to being in he personal space, and having Steve in his space in turn. maybe it is him being less likely to push everyone away, or maybe he has just been a part of the Avengers, has had a steady family, longer than his counterpart was afforded.
he was a lot younger, after all.
with a bark of a laugh, Tony claps a hand to Steve's shoulder.]
No, no we weren't, work married maybe, but there is a universe where Anthony Stark is Natasha Stark and we get into far fewer arguments apparently. I guess we take our frustrations out in the bedroom rather than the boadroom.
[There's a wistful look on his face, one that says that it might have been nice to have a closer friendship with Tony. He hasn't had many friends these last five years - mostly Natasha, and she's gone now. And even though Thanos' victims are back, he still feels lonely. This Tony is so much more open, so much friendlier - so free with his touches.]
Natasha Stark? [Steve echoes the name with raised eyebrows.] I- [Tony's next statement makes him blush and choke on a mouthful of fries. Give him a second.]
How do you know so much about other universes, anyway? [lalala CHANGING THE TOPIC.]
[ you do what you think you need to do in order to save face there, Tony notices. and is amused. it is nice to be the one with the upper hand just a little bit. ]
Mmm, Natasha is nicer than Antonia honestly, so I am okay with it. You doing okay there? [ the look on his face makes it clear that he means that but also-- well still laughing, even as he smacks his hands against Steve's back, between his shoulder blades, to help with the choking.
taking note of that reaction.]
Mmm, have had more than one run in with them before, we aren't as isolated in our universe with the others, mostly thanks to Richards and Doom, but eh. [ and also that time where his universe and another kinda collided together and destroyed each other. but he doesn't remember that, so.] You really never had to deal with that before?
[Barely. Look, they're kinda backwards, okay? Steve's coming to realize that more and more as he talks to Tony. Superheroes and aliens and other dimensions are a fact of life for them, not just something that happens once every year or two.]
Is there seriously someone named Doom? Because that's kinda on the nose, even for a supervillain. I mean, I've watched some Bond movies, plus, you know, Red Skull and all.
[He assumes Doom is a supervillain, because what else would someone with that name be?]
[ Tony whistles, low and long, an amused look on his face at how little interaction this universe has had, not just with other universes but within itself as well.]
Damn, that is something. Your whole universe is shiny and new, not just you.
[ until he finds something else to call you, you're getting sparkles. sorry.]
Mmm, fucking Victor Von Doom. King of Latveria and actual pain in my ass all the time. You know the fucker tried to be my partner for a while? [ he makes a large motion with his hand, a few equations moving as he does.] Tried to tell me he was turning a new leaf or some shit.
[ and actually-- didn't do half a bad job at it but like hell he was gonna say that.]
...seriously, no Doom here? You are never getting rid of me now. Never.
he should because it takes him all of point two seconds to realize how you misconstrued that and:]
Oh for fuck's sake, no! Not like that, fuck. [ give him a second to gag please.] Wanted to become like, a sidekick deal. Despite him having tried to blow up New York like a month prior with Doombots.
[ okay okay he will smack against your back now. he supposes.]
If I'm gonna date a villain, it's gonna be Madame Masque or Loki.
[Steve coughs and splutters until the cheeseburger dislodges itself, and, hey, Tony isn't letting him die, that's reassuring. And he's not taking another bite when Tony mentions dating Loki, so he only chokes on air this time.]
Loki?
[There is a pained look on his face right now. He really thought you had better taste than that, Tony.]
Yeah, not Old Man Loki, the younger one. Hipster of Manhattan or whatever he is. Hangs out with Billy Kaplan and-- wait, shit. You don't have any of those. Hey, FRIDAY, be a doll and dredge up some info on Loki here, please?
[ because your reaction, Steve, makes him think you gotta just have the old man version.
and stop judging him. seriously. ]
You guys do have Loki, right? Like--- oooh, wow, okay that-- why is his hair so long? That is a look. Suit's a good fit though. Really? Wouldn't date him at all? Or at least bang him?
[ is he spinning a picture of Loki after visiting Strange a little while back into your face? maybe he is. to tease.
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Electromagnetic? Does that mean I'm gonna start sticking to things? [It's half a joke - he's pretty sure electromagnets don't work like that - and half serious, because...he doesn't know how electromagnets work.] T'Challa let me borrow a pair of vibranium gauntlets in Wakanda, but they were all- [he waves a hand vaguely] panther-y.
[Which probably isn't a surprise, considering that it's Wakanda, and they like cats.]
Asshole. [Steve very gently nudges him with an elbow.] I'm gonna fall asleep here and you'll have enough caffeine in you to sneak off and work or something. [He pauses, then adds,] When you sneak off, check on the kid, okay? He's...he's had it rough.
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No, not even a little. I mean, I can make it do that if you want, but not the point. And the fact that T'Challa lent you anything is-- high commendations. He is notoriously picky about that kind of thing.
[ even more than he is actually. which is-- saying something. but it is clear from the tone of his voice, the edge of a smile in his words, that Tony is amused by this whole conversation. at how Steve is relaxing more and more against him, fighting against the fatigue that is plaguing him. and Tony doesn't blame him, fighting Thanos must have been taxing, more taxing than the day he has had.
sure, getting your ass kicked by Carol Danvers isn't a walk in the park, but easier than the alternative surely. ]
The kid-- oh, Peter? It's weird to see him so young. [ he isn't where he is from, weirder still to realize just how close of a bond he and the other Tony share. but he also isn't about to leave him without support. he might not be the Stark that this world is used to, but he was going to do what he could to help. ] You need some water there, Steve?
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Probably the least he could do after I brought Thanos's invasion to his doorstep. I needed something to face an alien army with.
[Don't ask why he didn't have his shield then. It's part of that whole long story that will probably come out in an emotional rush at some point.]
That his name? All I know is that he's from Queens. [They've only met twice now, both in the middle of a fight. He hasn't exactly had a chance for a proper introduction.] You shoulda seen him the first time we met. I dunno what he was thinking, dragging a kid into a fight between Avengers. [Like he hadn't had Wanda out there, but that's different - Wanda's older, for one thing, and used to fights.]
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the engineer snorts at the words, clearly not quite believing what is being said.]
Sure you did. Still, high praise or something. And yeah, Peter is a kid but, if he is anything like the Peter I know, there would be no real keeping him out of a fight. Not if he saw a reason to be in it. Fucking brilliant kid. Well, probably. I don't know. Shit, it's gonna be weird to try and relearn everything with people again.
[ like your weird and easy acceptance of his affection. and the softness around the edges. he likes it but really doesn't want to think about why.] How old is he? Doesn't look like he's outta high school, and that's even earlier than me donning the fucking suit.
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[He vaguely thinks about checking in with Bucky and Sam to see how they are - to make sure they made it through, to reassure himself that they're alive - but he's too comfortable right here, and he's sure they'll understand if he just rests a little bit and gives the serum some time to work.]
Uh, two years older than he was the first time I met him, and he wasn't real old then. Old enough to shoot his mouth off at me while he grabbed his shield with those webs, but you know how New Yorkers are. Mouthing off before we can even walk.
[And apparently running off to space to fight Thanos. They grow up so fast.]
Just...just talk to him. [The words are slurred as he finally falls asleep on Tony, snoring softly. Yep, he's out like a light.]
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oh no
he's weirdly adorable when he is being all soft and cute and--
there is a moment where Tony's mind seems to all but bluescreen while Steve actually falls asleep on his shoulder, the action making it really hard for him to process much else about Steve's comment about New Yorkers and mouthing off. Tony is sure that he has something to say about it, probably, but also--
well times like this are not common, even in his universe where he was a great deal closer to Steve. this kind of vulnerability was something else. so needless to say, it was difficult for Tony to get himself out from under the sleeping Steve and off into the rest of the tower where the others were residing. he does at least wait for about twenty minutes, just mindlessly carding his hands through Steve's hair as he mumbles quietly to FRIDAY about this universe and what could be done to make sure that things were stabilised. and who he should go see to talk about multidimensional rifts in time.
then he slinks out of the room, after pulling up a blanket for Steve of course, and goes in search of Peter (who cries on him. a lot. it was a weird experience but he kinda likes this kid, can see why his other self might have kept him around since he is brilliant underneath all the tears). then he finds Pepper (whom he thanks, and tells her that he might not know how things were here, might not be the Tony she was used to, but he would do what he could to help in whatever way possible). then he finds himself some more coffee (leaves the tower, in disguise) before he wanders his way down to where he was informed there was a workshop.
what. it was his safe space okay.
and that is probably where Steve will find him when he wakes up, his undersuit replaced with the fresh clothing (that is still clean, for now), cold coffee just in range, and the schematics of more than one suit flung up around him to tinker with.
oh, and arguing (talking to loudly?) with FRIDAY.)
Are you seeing this? I don't even know where this idea came from, how the hell do you stabalize time travel but not know how to integrate nanite technology into your marrow? How fucking-- ugh, read those specs to me again, FRI, we have like twenty years to catch up on here.
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Groaning in pain, he eventually makes his way out of bed and into the shower, where he finds that some impressive bruises are blooming all over his body. Not exactly a surprise, all things considered. At least he has clean clothes to put on, and there's food waiting when he gets out of the shower, and he's pretty sure someone needs to nominate Pepper as a saint. He carries the food along with him as he goes looking for Tony, eating as he wanders through the tower. Like a lodestone, he's pulled down to the workshop, the most logical place for any Tony to be.]
...I don't know what a nanite is, but that doesn't sound very safe.
[Steve finishes off his burger, then rummages through a greasy bag and pulls out something wrapped in paper and shoves it at Tony.]
You haven't eaten anything yet, have you?
[He doesn't wait for an answer, just puts it in Tony's hand and gets another burger out for himself. His body really needs the calories right now.]
Scott brought the quantum...stuff. He just figured out how to make it work safely - Bruce tried, but he couldn't get it right.
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YOU'RE NOT HIS REAL DAD!!!!okay so maybe Tony is predictable in the fact that he would rather just drink lots of coffee and use whatever time he has awake to make things in order to forget about all the bullshit that has been going on in his life. his universe? who knows, either way, Steve is correct in assuming that Tony has foregone the whole 'eating' thing in favour of trying to make sense of this universe and where everyone stood in it.
or maybe just where his other self stood in it.
let's just say that, after reading a few files, Tony hates himself a little more. he didn't think it was possible but-- well he should probably stop thinking that.
the engineer snorts a little and goes to wave Steve off, only for said hand to be filled with burger and--
oh. okay.]
Food is for those of us that burn twenty thousand a day there, Captain. Also, nanites are completely safe, thank you very much. They are are the only reason that I am alive right now.
[ well, mostly. the main reason why he is alive right now at least. the rest is probably the force of the hit that Carol delivered to him being projected into ripping through space-time or something. but that is neither here nor there nor now. with s sharp grin, Tony takes a bite out of the burger, makes a small noise of contentment, before turning back to the schematics.]
At least Lang knew what he was doing. Kind of. I guess. Why didn't anyone ask Richards? Or fucking Doom for that matter. Wait, no, they aren't-- this universe is weird never mind. Also, wow you forgot to tell me that I was an asshole more than the usual here, Steve. Like--
[ he would say more, but shoving more food in his mouth is a better call.]
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He takes a seat on a stool nearby, only processing about one word in ten as he eats. Is Tony an asshole? Well, yes, but that's just Tony. He's always been a good man underneath it all, even when he and Steve had their differences. And in the end, he came through, he stared Thanos down and snapped him into dust. So maybe it's an unfair assessment, but on the other hand, another Tony should be qualified to judge. Steve just blinks.]
I told you about Germany.
[But not about Siberia, and he hadn't touched Ultron, hadn't mentioned the five years Tony hid away from the world after Thanos. So maybe he's omitting a few things - but, to be fair, it's a lot to talk about, a lot that cuts dangerously close to Steve's emotions. He still remembers a gaunt Tony ripping his arc reactor off and shoving it into Steve's hands, utterly defeated, filled with self-righteous anger and loss and maybe a little madness from slowly starving to death in space for three weeks.]
I don't exactly have anything else to go by, you know.
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apparently, there isn't.
swallowing the bite of burger, Tony waves off the mentions of Germany, doesn't talk about how it could have been so much worse (tries not to think about Steve, his Steve, with blood splattered on his uniform, the wrong shade of red), how it seems that he tries and tries and tries in every universe and fails just spectacularly and wonderfully in each one. ]
Good, keep your expectations low there so I can reach them. Maybe even surpass them, but I'm not gonna hope. Hey, you want a new shield? Actually, fuck that, you are all getting new suits because this is just abysmal and I'm getting more and more annoyed with myself here.
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[Sorry, Tony, he's still only latching onto half of what you're saying.]
I'm not sure why we needed new suits for time travel, but- [he gestures cluelessly] Probably something to protect us while traveling through the Quantum Realm.
[Digging through the bag, he pulls out a smaller bag that's soaked with grease and holds it out for Tony.]
Do you want fries? God, I would kill for an egg cream right now. [He wonders how long it would take to get one delivered, if anyone even makes them anymore.] Can you even get the vibranium for a new shield?
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[ honestly, probably for the better that you don't actually manage to hear what he is saying. most of what he is saying. and also not saying. best that you don't hear what he isn't saying. just-- yes, keep feeding him. keep his goddamned mouth busy so he doesn't say something that he shouldn't.
Tony snags the fries with a mumbled thanks, turning back to schematics and information because it is that much easier to look at.]
T'Challa will have lots, I am sure. I can trade him for more advanced tech that I am pretty sure I have because you guys seem to be about half a century behind in basically everything. Even if that doesn't work, we can go for something else. New and shiny, just like you.
[ okay gonna eat a fry now wow.]
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I'm not shiny and new, I'm a hundred and five goddamn years old. [He doesn't feel shiny and new, not after everything he's been through. He feels old and tired, like he's actually lived an entire century.] Show some respect for your elders, Tony.
[Especially when those elders are shoving delicious fries in your face.]
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[ being on ice totally doesn't count okay. also wow that is still so fucking young compared to what he knows. and Tony is laughing, something small and quiet as he bites fries out of Steve's fingers, his own fingers busy with pulling up blueprints and flinging around equations.
it is easier to deal with that, numbers that are out of date and in need of attention than to look at you and see someone who isn't all that fond of himself. not that Tony blames Steve at all, but it is still hard.]
I was old here too, kinda surprising that. Weird how so many things just... don't line up. At least we weren't married here.
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[That laugh brings a smile to his face - and a slightly different feeling on the occasions when Tony's teeth or lips brush his fingers. His emotions surge within him, a strange mixture that Steve can't manage to sort out. This Tony isn't as prickly, isn't determined to push everyone away from him.]
Married? [Steve furrows his brow in confusion. He doesn't sound insulted by the comment, just bemused.] Were we married back in your world? [Am I taking you away from your Steve? he almost asks, but stops just in time, blinking at his confusion. He's not taking anyone, he doesn't think.]
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[ is Tony laughing at you just a little bit? maybe he is. eyes bright and amused as he takes more fries easily. it is clear that is okay with a type of closeness, especially with Steve, has some sense of comfort when it comes to being in he personal space, and having Steve in his space in turn. maybe it is him being less likely to push everyone away, or maybe he has just been a part of the Avengers, has had a steady family, longer than his counterpart was afforded.
he was a lot younger, after all.
with a bark of a laugh, Tony claps a hand to Steve's shoulder.]
No, no we weren't, work married maybe, but there is a universe where Anthony Stark is Natasha Stark and we get into far fewer arguments apparently. I guess we take our frustrations out in the bedroom rather than the boadroom.
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Natasha Stark? [Steve echoes the name with raised eyebrows.] I- [Tony's next statement makes him blush and choke on a mouthful of fries. Give him a second.]
How do you know so much about other universes, anyway? [lalala CHANGING THE TOPIC.]
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Mmm, Natasha is nicer than Antonia honestly, so I am okay with it. You doing okay there? [ the look on his face makes it clear that he means that but also-- well still laughing, even as he smacks his hands against Steve's back, between his shoulder blades, to help with the choking.
taking note of that reaction.]
Mmm, have had more than one run in with them before, we aren't as isolated in our universe with the others, mostly thanks to Richards and Doom, but eh. [ and also that time where his universe and another kinda collided together and destroyed each other. but he doesn't remember that, so.] You really never had to deal with that before?
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[Barely. Look, they're kinda backwards, okay? Steve's coming to realize that more and more as he talks to Tony. Superheroes and aliens and other dimensions are a fact of life for them, not just something that happens once every year or two.]
Is there seriously someone named Doom? Because that's kinda on the nose, even for a supervillain. I mean, I've watched some Bond movies, plus, you know, Red Skull and all.
[He assumes Doom is a supervillain, because what else would someone with that name be?]
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Damn, that is something. Your whole universe is shiny and new, not just you.
[ until he finds something else to call you, you're getting sparkles. sorry.]
Mmm, fucking Victor Von Doom. King of Latveria and actual pain in my ass all the time. You know the fucker tried to be my partner for a while? [ he makes a large motion with his hand, a few equations moving as he does.] Tried to tell me he was turning a new leaf or some shit.
[ and actually-- didn't do half a bad job at it but like hell he was gonna say that.]
...seriously, no Doom here? You are never getting rid of me now. Never.
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[oh god he's choking on another cheeseburger please don't let him die
that's it, that's the tag]
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he should because it takes him all of point two seconds to realize how you misconstrued that and:]
Oh for fuck's sake, no! Not like that, fuck. [ give him a second to gag please.] Wanted to become like, a sidekick deal. Despite him having tried to blow up New York like a month prior with Doombots.
[ okay okay he will smack against your back now. he supposes.]
If I'm gonna date a villain, it's gonna be Madame Masque or Loki.
[ because reasons. don't judge him. ]
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Loki?
[There is a pained look on his face right now. He really thought you had better taste than that, Tony.]
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[ because your reaction, Steve, makes him think you gotta just have the old man version.
and stop judging him. seriously. ]
You guys do have Loki, right? Like--- oooh, wow, okay that-- why is his hair so long? That is a look. Suit's a good fit though. Really? Wouldn't date him at all? Or at least bang him?
[ is he spinning a picture of Loki after visiting Strange a little while back into your face? maybe he is. to tease.
he has learned you are fun to tease.]
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Not without a genuine emotional connection, and I don't think I'd ever be able to make one of those with Loki.
[You know, even if he wasn't dead.]
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