A ROMANTIC EDUCATION - STEVE/TONY AU [CHAPTER 13]
- Previous Chapters: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3 , Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6,Chapter 7,Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Steve stood by a bus stop, though the area seemed to be much rougher than the one around school. “Yeah, we’ve got our lives planned and it’s going to go like we want it to, Peggy and I will work hard to achieve it. Hell we’re both going to be in the military some day and it’ll be the best thing we can get.” His mind was now drifting into thoughts of the future and it made him smile a little.
“Good for you. I hope that you get what you want.” Tony said, not managing to hide a sad tone in his voice. He noticed that Steve was smiling with such glee and he tried once again to leave what happened to the locker room behind. He wasn’t a bad man. He wouldn’t ruin someone’s life to get his way, even though he seemed like a person that would do so to the others.
“Why so sad, Stark? The thought of me with Peggy upset you or something?” He asked looking at the young genius as the bus arrived; a dingy looking bus that was crowded. The jock stepped on, paying for the ticket and stood up, holding on to a small loop of plastic to keep him upright.
Tony wasn’t used to public transport, but he took out his wallet and paid, moving next to Steve, still having no idea where they were heading to. He tried to sound uninterested. “Of course not, I hope you get what you want in life, because I’m used to see people hoping and getting upset when nothing goes well”. The bus started running and Tony bumped into Steve’s chest. “Oh, sorry, forgot that I need to hold on those”, he said quickly, getting on his tip toes to reach the loop. Steve looked down at Tony and couldn’t help but laugh,
“You’re too short to hold on to these.” He said, “Just hold my arm or something.”
“I’m fine”, Tony said looking away. He wouldn’t let Steve embarrass him like that, and he wouldn’t hold his arm in public either.
“Come on, the journey gets far more rough the closer we get to mine, just swallow your pride for once.” He said, “Don’t make me grab you to hold you instead.”
“To yours?” Tony said swallowing nervously. “I’m not holding on to you, at least not here”, he muttered, trying to hold the loop tighter.
“Oh come on.” Steve said, rolling his eyes, “Fine.” He said placing his hand over Tony’s to hold it in place firmly, “That better?” He asked, looking down at Tony.
Tony muttered something and nodded. He wouldn’t admit that he liked the sudden change of Steve’s attitude towards him, and his hand felt so warm against his. “Yeah, I guess”, he managed to say, avoiding looking back at Steve, who was just looking down to him.
The only reason that Steve was being nice to him was because he seemed upset. As much pleasure as he took in seeing Tony struggle, it wasn’t the same as being upset and out of your comfort zone.
“Yeah we’re headed to mine; I need to get some stuff before I go to the court.” He said,
“Court?” Tony asked again. He wasn’t sure if he liked where this was going. He shifted nervously and tried to not further touch Steve’s hand.
“Yep, riverside court.” He said as the bus reached a halt, he got off, sliding his hand away from Tony’s as he jumped off the bus and walked further until he was in front of a scruffy looking block of apartments. He walked into the building that seemed to have a grey interior and led Tony up a couple of flights of stairs until he reached the 5th floor. Immediately burying his hands into his pockets he pulled out some keys and opened the door, “You can make yourself comfy while I get some stuff.” He said
Tony followed Steve awkwardly, having no idea where he was, but he figured that this is where Steve was living. So different from his big house, but again, his father was Howard Stark. He walked inside the apartment, looking around, again noticing how different everything was. He didn’t want to comment on anything, but he guessed that he should say something nice. “Lovely place”, he managed to say while looking back at Steve. “Can I sit down and wait?” he said, pointing out to the couch.
“Are you kidding? This place is falling apart, but it’s the best place I could get that was close to school.” He said, “Sure, take a seat.” Steve walked into his room and put his school bag down, picking up a gym bag instead and putting it in the living room, then taking off his jacket and draping it over the sofa. He pulled off his shirt too and put on a basketball vest and a grey hoodie; looking like a typical person from the area that he lived in.
Tony sat down waiting awkwardly once again, while Steve went in his room, coming back with his gym back. He looked at him carefully, and then realized that Steve was changing in front of him. Again. He didn’t even know him for more than a day and he kissed him and saw him changing twice. His well-built body was standing right there, while they were both alone, with nobody else around and had all the privacy they wanted. Tony started to shove away thoughts of them both doing things, and he crossed his legs nervously, hoping that Steve wouldn’t see that he was feeling uncomfortable. He was doing all his best to hold himself back; he promised he wouldn’t go after him again.
Steve looked at his watch, “Well we’re doing well for time, and so we can just chill out for a bit. You want anything to eat?” He asked, walking into the small kitchen that wasn’t separated from the living room - it all seemed like one big room. Even the appliances were pretty retro, considering they were gas or hand lit as opposed to being electric, and he didn’t even have a microwave.
“I’m fine”, Tony managed to say, somewhat with a broken voice. He reminded himself to offer Steve to fix some of his kitchen stuff at some point later. It was clear that Steve didn’t notice anything yet, and Tony thought that he was doing well so far.
Steve heard the crackle in Tony’s voice and looked over at him, walking up to him and arching an eyebrow, “What’s wrong with you, you seem… uh… uncomfortable.” He said, his eyes immediately going down to see Tony’s folded legs and he tried to hide a laugh, “Really, Tony? And you were the one talking about what was in my pants this afternoon.”
Tony shifted more in his sit nervously. “Shut up, Rogers”, he snapped. “Yours was showing way more”, he added childishly.
“I wasn’t even… I mean… What got you all riled up? At least I had somewhat of a cause; I’d just had a shower.” He said, trying to explain without sounding crude.
“I think I made it quite obvious in the locker room”, Tony replied. “And trying to excuse yourself doesn’t work either”
“So what I can’t even change my top without you getting… excited?”
“Are you always so hilarious Rogers?” Tony said with an angry tone. Steve was provoking him, and that got Tony annoyed because it was true.
“I guess I am.” He said, sitting down on the small sofa next to Tony, “Sorry I don’t have a TV or anything, I’m pretty happy with books, plus I spend all of my time out anyway.” He was trying to avoid the subject that Tony had brought up; the whole crush that Tony had on Steve, he didn’t want to make things awkward.
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