Washington D.C., Memorial Day - Monday Afternoon

[imafuturist]

Though they'd spent the first half of the day with Steve's obligations and Tony going to visit Rhodey and Carol, now they were meeting back up in D.C. in an attempt to make the day a little less somber for a whole variety of reasons between the two of them.

Tony tried his best not draw attention to himself in the classic sunglasses and baseball hat method as he waited along the parade route for Steve to arrive.

It was super effective. Kinda.

Just go with it, okay?

[for that one guy!]

Comments

[heroic_jawline]

Steve had finally talked his way out of being in the parade, as well as being in the VIP box. The Senators had been insistant, but the generals had taken one look at his stricken face as they'd gladhanded the few remaining WWII vets and cut him loose.

It was still slow going to get back to Tony. Steve was in his dress blues with far more medals than he thought absolutely necessary, and it made him extremely noticeable. He was stopped every few steps and thanked for his service, and even wished a Happy Memorial Day, which made him wince.

He finally got up to where Tony was waiting, looking drawn and tired behind the for-the-public smile. "Hi."

[imafuturist]

"I shoulda brought you a change of clothes," Tony said, taking that all in with a little sigh. He reached up to give Steve's arm a squeeze in a perfectly acceptable for the public fashion.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve's eyes fluttered closed for just a moment before he shifted back into being a stoic soldier. "It's alright," he said. "We don't have to stay for the entire parade. I met most of the guys before they started marching."

[imafuturist]

"I'll buy some pie for after," he promised, daring to give Steve's hand a quick squeeze before pulling back.

[heroic_jawline]

"That's why you're my favorite," Steve murmured, turning his attention to salute the color guard as they marched past.

[imafuturist]

"Rhodey and Carol say hi," he said, leaning close to be heard over the crowd.

[heroic_jawline]

"How are they doing today?" Steve murmured back. "I need to call Sam later. He was spending the day with Riley's folks, and that's really going to take it out of him."

[imafuturist]

"Drinking and having a roof top barbecue at Jan's insistence," he replied. "It's good that Carol got to come into town for the day. She's been spending a lot of time up in space."

[heroic_jawline]

Steve nodded, visibly tensing as the float honoring the fallen of World War II rounded the corner.

[imafuturist]

Tony pressed into his shoulder, sticking close as he could without turning himself into a koala bear the entire time the float passed by.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve finally breathed again once the float and its contingent of veterans had passed by. "They're fewer each year," he said, wiping at his eyes.

[imafuturist]

"Yeah," he agreed quietly, reaching down for a quick hand squeeze.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve squeezed back, holding on almost painfully tightly. "Let's get some pie."

[imafuturist]

"I'll even let you get it a la mode," he teased gently, tugging him along to escape the crowd.

[heroic_jawline]

"Thank you," Steve said sincerely.

[imafuturist]

"We can even do that couple thing where they sit on the same side of a booth if you want," Tony offered once they were free of some of the crush of people.

[heroic_jawline]

"Please," Steve said, looking a little wobbly now that the entire parade wasn't staring at him. (Or so it had felt.)

[imafuturist]

He pulled Steve's hand up to kiss the back of once they were in the clear. Because they were both complete saps about those sorts of gestures.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve noticeably relaxed at that, remembering to breathe normally again.

This day was always going to be unbelievably hard.

[imafuturist]

"We can go home right after and spent the night on the couch," he added, only letting go of Steve's hand to open the door to Steve's preferred D.C. diner.

[heroic_jawline]

"That sounds wonderful," Steve murmured before pasting a friendly smile on for the waitstaff, who recognized him immediately.

[imafuturist]

Tony smoothly placed himself between Steve and them, smiling and waving a he guided Steve over to an empty booth. "Coffee and his usually elderly person soda, please!" he called over his shoulder.

[heroic_jawline]

"He certainly doesn't have an elderly person ass," the waitress getting their order said not quite quietly enough.

Steve turned bright red.

[imafuturist]

Tony raised an eyebrow at that, going with his unimpressed CEO look of silent judgement. Because other people weren't allowed to make Steve blush.

Or feel uncomfortable.

[heroic_jawline]

"Sorry, sir," the waitress said, looking abashed and scuttling off.

"Thanks," Steve said, sliding into the nearest booth.