A ROMANTIC EDUCATION - STEVE/TONY AU [CHAPTER 4] 

Previous Chapters: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3 

Tony just looked at Steve getting upset and leaving the class, leaving him with a feeling of satisfaction after managing to shut the other boy up.
Did I overdo it this time? Naah.. he wondered to himself. He tried to get this argument out of his head but it was the first time he actually got into a fight with someone. At least Steve did seem to have some kind of personality and that intrigued Tony. He lazily opened his book and didn’t pay much attention to the actual lesson. A random thought about him apologizing to Steve passed through his mind but he quickly shoved it away and waited for the end of the lesson.

By the end of the first class, Steve had managed to compose himself, he sat in his next and most dreaded lesson; science. His head was set down on the book that he was supposed to have read last night, he tried to read it but it made no sense. Complicated numbers, figures, elements and experiments. None of it made any sense to him at all. His mop of blond hair covered the textbook as he felt demoralized by the mere thought of finals in a couple of weeks.
 
At last, the school bell rung and Tony quickly threw all his books in his bag, walked outside the class with Pepper waiting for him. “What’s on next?”, he asked, messing his hair and took a water bottle from her as she instinctively held it out for him to take.
“Tony are you okay? You seem a bit… Upset”, Pepper asked. She knew Tony way too long and could understand what was going on, even though his face was pretty much expressionless.
“I’m fine.” Tony snarled. “Where’s my next class?”
“You have..science, it’s in the other building”, Pepper replied, knowing that Tony was lying to her.
“At least that’s more interesting, I highly doubt that the lecture will be about something I never heard before though.” Tony muttered to himself and started walking. “Hey Pepper? What’s your opinion about that Steve guy?”, he asked.
“Steve Rogers? Well..he seemed like a proud guy, used to people liking him… Why do you ask Tony?” Pepper asked suspiciously.
“It’s nothing, I’ve just saw him again in the class and our reunion was… Exceptional. And-Oh for God’s sake!”
They reached the science lab and Tony could see Steve sitting by the window in the front row. Luckily some empty places were left a few desks behind him and Tony walked toward the spaces quickly trying not to make any eye contact with Steve. I’ll just talk to reception later on, I need to check if we’re having all our classes together.
Steve looked up as he felt the chair behind him move, turning around he spotted the young millionaire, again. He simply just shook his head and opened his textbook, trying to make sense of all the jibberish.
Tony didn’t feel comfortable with this. He just pretended that nothing happened, as the other students were staring at them, possibly hoping for another argument. For once,he didn’t like the attention that he obtained. He opened his book and started reading some random pages, just to make people stare way from him in boredom. On the the other hand he couldn’t stop looking at Steve’s back either, trying to notice any sort of movement that could indicate his current mood.
Steve’s head sank lower and lower until once again, his forehead was against the book. He was tired of studying something that he didn’t understand and felt like he was totally out of his depth. He couldn’t care less about Tony who was sat behind him, as long as he didn’t try shooting spitballs or doing something to provoke him, he would just leave him be. After all, he had tarnished his ‘nice guy’ reputation enough for one day.
The teacher stepped into the room, and today was the day that they were assigning lab partners.
Tony continued to look at Steve. He seemed tired and maybe embarrassed from his body language. Tony was confused and couldn’t really understand how Steve was feeling, so he just tried not to pay any attention to him. He wouldn’t do anything to annoy him even though he caught himself wanting to get the boy’s attention.Without saying a word, he proceeded to observe the teacher that came in.
“I am going to put you in pairs according to your seating arrangements, it will just make things easier for us to deal with. So pair off now.” The teacher instructed. At that very moment, Steve looked up, eyes filled with what appeared to be, horror. He was going to have to work with Stark for the rest of the year. He raised his arms,
“Ma’am, can I move seats?”
“No, Rogers. Stay where you are, you should be happy you’re working with Mr Stark, I hear hes quite the wizz. Perhaps he’ll rub off on you.”
“B-but!”
“No excuses, Mr Rogers, now join your desk with Mr Starks and we’ll continue setting up.”
Steve rubbed his temples as he did as he was told, pushing the two desks together with ease and sitting opposite Tony, arms folded with an intimidating glare.

Next Chapter:  Chapter 5