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[billionaires]

𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓲𝓪𝓵 𝓽𝓮𝔁𝓽

𝓿𝓲𝓿𝓪𝓬𝓲𝓸𝓾𝓼 𝓿𝓸𝓲𝓬𝓮𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓵

𝓯𝓪𝓷𝓬𝔂 𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷

Comments

[valuedstrength]

[Steve meets his gaze and truly feels miserable. He put too much on Tony, he feels. It's better this way, he thinks. Steve didn't like the secrets even if they felt necessary at the time.] As soon as we're done here. We were always together before the war. I'm honestly surprised he kept himself away for this long while I'm sick.

[He rubs his eyes as the memories flood back. They are dimmer and the color and sound is off thanks to his eyes and bad ear. The content is still there though.] He hovered whenever it got bad. The fact that I can get sick again isn't going over too well with him so if I'm not with you, I'll be with him. I'll ask questions and let you know what I find out. I'll come back every night. If he's really himself, he'll respect it even if he doesn't like it.

[billionaires]

I can't say I blame him. It's freaking me out too.

[ that steve can get sick. he pulls out the tissue the man gave him again and presses it to his nose just in time for a sniffle. god, this place is pathetic. ]

I don't like the idea of you being alone with him. [ but he's respecting it too. they have to trust each other. right? those were his own words. he shuts his eyes against the impending pressure in his head, it feels like it's about to explode. ] I keep... I keep having this dream. It's a nightmare, actually.

[ he snuffles again before putting the tissue back in his pocket and fixing steve with his miserable stare. ]

If you die, I'm gonna be pissed. Okay?

[valuedstrength]

[Steve hears him out. He wouldn't be any happier in his position, but at least they're not fighting over it. That's a small comfort in a sea of discomfort. It's not that Steve is any less sick than the other man. He just wears illness like an old coat. The pressure in his head is like an old friend. He thinks he's sniffled out for now.

His brow knits at the nightmare. He wants to ask, but he's not sure that's fair right now. Steve does reassure him.] We're still a team. I'm not leaving you without a fight here.

[That's a promise though note the here. He can't say the same back home. His expression softens at the rest.] And whatever you're afraid of... you know I'm here. We can talk about it when you're ready.

[billionaires]

[ the look he gives steve is bloodshot, he's toast. but he's hanging on by a thread right now, because this is important. he picks up the discrepancy and pretends he doesn't: here. loud and clear, wow. the second this is over, so is their truce. he gets it. but he's too tired to hold back anymore. ]

This. I'm afraid of... this. Losing you. It being my fault. I'd say this qualifies.

[ steve protecting him from a murderer, he means. ]

[valuedstrength]

[Steve looks completely confused in response. If anything that should be his line. That says everything about how Steve sees their relationship. He doesn't have the first clue what Tony thinks or feels. It's going to bite him again sooner rather than later.] Why would you be scared of that before today? You're the one who almost died for us. Even if I went down protecting you from the Winter Soldier, it'd still be on me. If I had protected Bucky when it counted none of this would have happened. Why would you ever think my death would be your fault?

[billionaires]

You're the leader of our team, but I'm its daddy. I've wanted this for a long time, a team to protect the world - as awesome as I am, even I need help. And when I found you— helped find you, I know. I'm working on it. Humblebrag, much? But, no, look, it's.

[ jesus christ his head hurts. he rubs at a temple, trying to piece together a sentence isn't going great right now. ]

I'm responsible for what happens to you. Just like he was. My dad. It's not just you, though, it's all of them. All of us. If you guys get hurt, that's on me. Because this whole project... it was my idea.

[valuedstrength]

[Steve can only shake his head. That's wrong on so many levels. He has to accept this is how Tony sees it if only because he can't change it. He can only make a gentle suggestion; steer him in the right direction.] I respect you feel that way. Really. I need you to understand that I'm a soldier who volunteered to be part of a war where death was as common as breathing. Most of us didn't come back. Don't put what happens to me on yourself. You're just asking to get hurt.

[He was never built to last.]

[billionaires]

[ god this is getting worse and worse. typical them, actually. the back and forth is almost comforting, in a way. ]

You keep saying you respect me, what I think, as a way to dismiss me. You didn't sign up for this war, Cap. You fought yours and won. I'm the one who dragged you back into the ring.

[valuedstrength]

[Steve actually doesn't have a counter-argument for that one. He realizes that Tony is right on both counts. He is dismissing him. Tony also made sure he came back from the dead. He crosses his arms in front of him uncomfortably. In a way, Tony really isn't all that different from Astoria. She dragged him in because he's good at what he does too without ever asking if it was what he wanted.] You did what you had to do. I'm not angry about it anymore.

[It's just a bad fit; living.]

[billionaires]

[ anymore. he lets out a shallow breath. ]

I'm sorry.

[ for disturbing his rest, for all the bullshit that came after. ]

[valuedstrength]

[Steve says nothing for a long second. He should dismiss or accept the apology. He was wronged even if done with the best of intentions. Instead he smiles and offers a shrug.] Living isn't the worst thing that can happen to a guy. I got to meet people I had no business ever meeting. I don't regret that.

[billionaires]

[ he looks confused for a moment, but then he's tipping his head to concede the point. ]

You did get to go on a solo miss. with Black Widow. Life goals, right there.

[valuedstrength]

[Steve smiles fondly as he recall their time together.] Yeah, I can see why. She's an excellent partner. I'm sorry I was so hard on her before. We could have been working like that a lot sooner.

[billionaires]

[ oh wow that was kind of adorable???? ]

It's strictly professional between you guys, right?

[valuedstrength]

What? Of course it is. [Said in the tone of what?? So innocently.] ... Except for that time she kissed me for mission-related purposes and made fun of me for being bad at it. That was unprofessional.

[billionaires]

[ his face moves through like, five different expressions. he opens his mouth, then shuts it again, then shakes his head. this precious man?!?!? ]

Which part was unprofessional, the kiss or her making fun of you?

[ his lips twitch tellingly. he's gonna break any second. ]

[valuedstrength]

[He looks so put upon!!!] The making fun of me. I respect that apparently kissing in public is a great way to avoid HYDRA, but I could do without the comments. I never claimed to be a playboy. I'm not making out with people just to rack up experience points. This isn't a video game.

[billionaires]

[ oh. my. god. annnnd he's laughing. he's laughing so hard that the cold currently residing in his chest comes out to play and soon he's also hacking up a lung. #worthit though. ]

[valuedstrength]

[THE LONGEST SUFFERING SIGH EVER.] Yeah, yeah. I'm old-fashioned. It's hilarious. Try not to kill yourself laughing about it.

[billionaires]

Sorry, sorry. [ he's not really, but he finally gets himself under control, though he does have to wipe tears from his eyes with that same convenient tissue. ] Anyway- we're both gonna cool it on the deathwishes here. Deal?

[valuedstrength]

Deal but, only if you don't spend all your time laughing about my love life or trying to set me up with someone. I've jumped out of a plane to avoid it in the past and I won't survive the fall here.

[Is that a joke or did he literally do that?? You decide, Tony.]

[billionaires]

[ that gets a thousand-yard stare. ]

I hate when I literally can't tell if you're joking or not. [ wait. ] What were we talking about? Oh yeah, our pal Buckeroonie.

Do you need to go back over there tonight? [ he'll deploy his puppy dog eyes if he has to!!!! ]

[valuedstrength]

[Steve gives him a funny look in response. He can't blow off his childhood best friend even if he tried to murder him those few times.] I think I do. Why?

[billionaires]

[ tony sighs and shakes his head. cap, when will you learn? ]

When was the last time you actually slept, man?

[valuedstrength]

[Steve has to actually pause and think about it which is the problem in itself honestly.] I don't know. Maybe yesterday.