Stark Tower, NYC - Thursday

[imafuturist]

Steve finally let Tony go all out for his birthday. Sure, it was just the two of them in the penthouse suite of the tower, but he was still doing it! With way too much catering and fireworks all set up for the evening.

Which was honestly just what was expected from Stark Industries for the holiday anymore, but still.

Hopefully Steve would enjoy the massive, patriotic teddy bear waiting for him once they arrived.

[for the birthday guy and sp]

Comments

[imafuturist]

"You wouldn't like that one," Tony promised. "It wasn't up to par."

[heroic_jawline]

"Oh, so this was for my benefit," Steve teased. "I should thank you."

[imafuturist]

"I'm keeping you safe," Tony promised oh so innocently.

[heroic_jawline]

"Thank you," Steve said, smiling and kissing him again. He knew why Tony had been especially attentive and he deeply appreciated it.

[imafuturist]

Did it help that Tony was struggling to address the elephant in the room back in Fandom as he kissed Steve back? Because he super was struggling. But look at him trying! Kind of.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve put his plate aside to concentrate on kissing Tony.

Because kissing wasn't talking!

[imafuturist]

Steve, you couldn't hide from this! Well, you couldn't hide from this for long at least.

"That happy, huh?"

[heroic_jawline]

"It's my birthday," Steve said, "and you're here. I'm happy."

[imafuturist]

Tony kissed him again for that. "I'll take that."

[heroic_jawline]

"Good," Steve murmured. "I've needed you the last few weeks and I've not been good about asking."

[imafuturist]

"It's been... eventful," Tony agreed. "I was worried about you."

[heroic_jawline]

"I couldn't put it into words," Steve admitted.

[imafuturist]

"And now?" Tony asked, glancing over at him.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve sighed and rested his forehead against Tony's chest. "Now I'm trying not to overthink everything."

[imafuturist]

And there it was. The biggest problem for them both.

"Talk to me."

[heroic_jawline]

"Bucky came back," Steve said softly, "and I don't know how to process it."

[imafuturist]

"Do you think he'll stay?" Tony had to ask. Because he hadn't in the past.

[heroic_jawline]

"I don't know," Steve murmured. "I want him to, but I've wanted a lot of things and they haven't gone my way. He hasn't gone to Wakanda, and his fight went different to ours."

He blew out a breath. "And I'm trying to learn my own lessons from our fight and not get tunnel vision."

[imafuturist]

Tony pulled him over to kiss his temple for that. "This might be something we need to play by ear. Plans don't always... go to plan."

[heroic_jawline]

Steve slid his fingers through Tony's, needing the grounding. "I'm not grat at sitting back."

This was probably not news to Tony, Steve.

[imafuturist]

"You don't say," he teased gently.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve's lips quirked up. "It's a closely held secret."

[imafuturist]

Tony kissed his temple again for that. "I'm here for you. Support however this goes."

[heroic_jawline]

"Thank you," Steve murmured. "I'm trying not to push, even though that's not exactly my instinct."

[imafuturist]

"What's your instinct telling you to do?" Tony asked.