#inbox

[billionaires]

Prompts, starters, etc. Anything goes!
Canon point default to after/during Homecoming but feel free to request others.

Comments

[valuedstrength]

I like your creativity. I also like when you stop making jokes about me being frozen alive.

[billionaires]

[ that's actually good info even if it really makes him want to come up with a capsicle joke. instead he takes his cue to be a bit serious for a change, and also because curiosity is eating him up inside. ]

OK i'll bite. what can i do you for, my dear captain?

[valuedstrength]

I need you to help me destroy my suit and make it look like an accident.

[billionaires]

wow that is specific. as much as i love blowing things up usually, i haven't seen your resignation letter hit nick's desk.

not like i'm watching him or anything

[valuedstrength]

If you say so, Stark. The truth is I hate that thing. It's ugly, it doesn't fit, and the protection isn't there. We're lucky I only took one direct hit because the suit barely covered me.

Your dad did a better job in the 40s than SHIELD does now. I don't see them admitting it anytime soon so I've got to get rid of it myself.

[billionaires]

gtk that thing was as flimsy as it looked

[ relieved steve doesn't want to quit, now he's just hype he gets to build his favorite hero a suit. it's the stuff of dreams, really. but he knows he should play it cool... for tony that's a different order than most. ]

i'm out in malibu but why don't i send you a plane? i'm way ahead of you, sorry to be predictable.

[ the truth is he's dying to show steve what he's been working on. this just gives him an excuse. ]

[valuedstrength]

I couldn't have predicted that. [Seriously. His head is spinning!]

And isn't that expensive? I can take a train or something if you have something to show me. Wouldn't want to put you out.

[billionaires]

a train will take you like a week to get here and i'm impatient wow

[valuedstrength]

are you sure this won't be a bother?

[billionaires]

be at the air field in an hour. ciao for now ❤️

i'd apologize for the icons, but shut up i'm getting to it!!!

[valuedstrength]

[Steve doesn't really know what possesses him to come. It's true he'd be prone to impulsive decisions before waking up from the ice. His place in the world is deeply uncertain. For once in his life, he's deeply aware of how impulsive he's being. That doesn't actually stop Steve from being impulsive. He packs a bag with a change of clothes, the suit in question, and some basic hygiene and takes off to the air field.

The flight is both uneventful and a strange new experience at the same time. By the time they land, he's amazed by how flight has changed and deeply overwhelmed by the process. He actually looks relieved at the sight of Tony and doesn't hesitate to jog lightly towards him. He offers his hand to shake on reflex.] Stark. It's good to see you.

wow i'll take that into consideration

[billionaires]

[ tony climbs out of his bright orange audi, a spectacle as always, his frame tightening just enough to be noticed when steve runs towards him. he knows he isn't about to be attacked, and he knows they aren't on that friendship level yet where he'd get a big bear hug, but he still waits like something is about to happen. there's a bright smile he usually reserves for photo-ops these days, and he looks down at steve's offered hand through red-paned shades. why is this always so... awkward? is it just his own social awkwardness reaching out to greet the other man's or is it something deeper?

before letting it get too weird, tony takes steve's hand firmly, nodding in a way that's meant to be reassuring. he taps steve's arm with his shoulder as he turns to gesture towards the car, signaling that he should toss his stuff in the open trunk. ]

Yeah, uh... you, you too, buddy. [ it's only now that he's realizing he hasn't seen him since the battle, and subsequently schwarma. ] Why don't we do this more often? Or like, at all?

[valuedstrength]

[Steve notes the tightening frame without taking measures to slow down or stop himself. That reaction is something to be puzzled over later and the ones to follow. The truth is he doesn't know Tony at all. Maybe this will help with that.

He gently deposits his bag into the trunk, closing it shut once that's done. Steve stares at Tony for a second, trying to puzzle out why he's asking now, before just shrugging.] I missed seven decades and you have a company. We're busy.

[Even if it's plausible and somewhat true, it's also an excuse. Steve knows it. They're not hanging out because there's a tension between them. Steve has no idea how to address it much less understand why it exists.]

[billionaires]

[ tony wrinkles his nose at those excuses, recognizing them instantly for what they are. but he doesn't commentate for a change, instead getting behind the wheel and putting on his seatbelt, turning to make sure steve does the same as the car doors lower automatically and lock with a rhythmic click. ]

Safety first, Captain. [ is all he says before zooming off for the highway. he lets the silence stretch until they've successfully made it onto the turnpike, dodging motorbikes and other suicidal LA drivers on the way back out to the ocean. ] Ever been here, to the West Coast, before?

[valuedstrength]

[Steve follows Tony's lead, putting on his seat belt and trying not to be too weirded out by an automatic door. He did see a car float for a few seconds. This isn't much by comparison, he reasons.

Steve enjoys the silence for what it is. There are hideous drivers that make him look competent by comparison. It's actually fascinating to see how Tony skates around them with ease that he almost misses the question.

He glances away from the window to Tony, offering a slow head shake. The regret is hard to miss in his eyes.] No, we were going to go with Morita after the war. Always wanted to see the country.

[billionaires]

Well, right here's a pretty good place to start.

[ he nods, realizing he probably should have realized that could be a sore subject. he goes uncharacteristically quiet as the hollywood sign and general city mayhem slowly give way to rolling hills and nothing but green and blue for miles. he turns on his music at a respectable volume as the traffic begins to thin out too and he can actually drive closer to the speed limit. ]

[valuedstrength]

[Steve nods in response. It's not to feel both disappointed he's not with Morita now or guilt that he can't appreciate a man who flew him here to begin with. He gets lost in this tug of war until the music comes on. That breaks him from his gentle spiral. The soldier smiles, foot tapping lightly.] This is good. What is it?

[He reaches into his jacket for a small notebook and pen. He opens to a very short list at this point. He hasn't made past Steve Jobs portion yet.]

[billionaires]

[ tony's eyes light up a little behind his shades, pleased that captain america approves of his music evil while also feeling silly for even caring about that. he opens his mouth to answer when he sees that notebook from his periphery. ]

What is that? [ he demands, sounding a bit more like his old bratty self than he intends before remembering steve asked him a question first. he changes lanes before answering and turning back to the road as they prepare to get off the exit. ] Aerosmith, if you liked that there's plenty more where it came from.

[valuedstrength]

[At first, Steve stiffens. If Tony mocks this, he's definitely out. He'll blow up the suit himself if he has to. The answer is sensitive one. He opens his mouth to answer only to get the information he wanted. Steve mouths out the band name as he writes it down. He closes it and deposits the items back in his jacket before he answers.] It's my list. The doctor recommended it. It's a way to help me figure out what I missed without getting overwhelmed.

[Yes, that is definitely an explanation he has been bullied with repeatedly.]

[billionaires]

[ tony pauses at that, unable to react right away as they turn off, the road sharply turning as they head back down the incline only for the road to ramp up into another mountain range. it's probably best that he get a moment anyway, to think, instead of spitting out the first thing that comes to mind. ]

What's on it so far? [ it's soft, curious, the scientist in him coming out. ] I'll let you know if you're missing anything big.

[valuedstrength]

[It's such an amazing transition that Steve is almost grateful he doesn't. He shouldn't be so impressed by another mountain range and yet he is. Steve thinks he'll doodle it before bed which as far as his planning for today goes.

He smiles at the offer. Steve is overwhelmed, but welcomes any suggestion. He loves to learn period.] I Love Lucy, the Moon Landing, Berlin Wall, and Steve Jobs. Not bad?

[An actual question. He can't be sure.]

[billionaires]

[ his gaze clouds over briefly, though mostly invisible to steve. he turns down the record before speaking up over it, dream on playing quietly now. ]

Jobs, huh? He was a smart guy. [ somehow, he manages to hold back the "i'm smarter" - maybe just because it's harder to speak ill of the dead. they were acquainted, after all. friends, possibly, even. tony lets out a steadying breath thru his nose. ] 9/11.

[ he hates to layer tragedy on tragedy, but it's important in this instance. ]

[valuedstrength]

[He respects Tony for conceding that even without knowing much of the guy's work. Steve gets his notebook and pen back out. The way Tony says it sets off alarm bells, but he ignores them. The music is good and that's a research project to be done from the safe house he's been assigned for now. It doesn't matter if the soldier doesn't feel particularly safe there. It beat the streets.] Okay.

[He jots it down carefully before putting it back.]

[billionaires]

[ he nods, trying to think of a more fun item for steve's list while they drive. eventually, they come to a long and winding dirt road with mountains to one side and the ocean to the other. it's easy to see why howard chose the place so many years ago as a mansion on the cliff's edge slowly comes into view, miles away from anything or anyone else. ]

Elon Musk. [ he says as he parks the car in the veritable parking garage, strategically close to the hotrod steve will have to pass on his side to enter the house. ] That should be a fun one.

[ tony pulls off his glasses and winks before tucking them in his breast pocket, the metal of the ear clinking against the metal unit in his chest as he unbuckles and pulls his seat back to grab steve's bag. that's what you do with guests right??? he looks unsure, but easily throws the duffel over his shoulder. ]

You pack light. Can't relate.

[ as they make it row-by-row through the cars, LEDs above their heads turn on by an infrared sensor, much more seamless and less abrupt than a motion detector might. there's a pad by the door and he gestures for steve to do as he does, placing his thumb against the screen so JARVIS knows it's them. ]

Welcome home, sir. [ comes the instant and surprisingly warm greeting over the intercom system as they're buzzed in by the AI. ] And welcome to Malibu, Captain. The guest room has been prepared for your arrival.

[valuedstrength]

[The view is beautiful on the ride there. Steve carefully catalogs all of it for later. This is the kind of scenery as artist can only dream of. He'd be an idiot not to get it on paper. The suggestion is noted without him bothering with the notebook as they head inside. He's nervous, of course.

This place is unlike anything he's ever seen before. It's definitely too rich for his blood. He's a long way away from any place he can crash for the night. Still, he follows the other man with a quick thank you for taking his things. He follows Tony's lead, putting his hand on gently on the pad as expected. His head snaps in the direction of the voice, visibly confused.]

Thank you, sir. That's very kind of you. [He manages uncertainly after a beat. Steve glances at Tony as he presumably continues to trail after him like a lost puppy.] Thanks for letting me stay.