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]

"Oh no, we only do that with permission." They both learned that lesson!

[heroic_jawline]

Steve nodded. "They always go," he whispered. "What am I doing wrong?"

[imafuturist]

Tony sighed and shifted a little to hug him for that. "The things they've all shred in common, like the things you have in common with any other Steve are the bad and the good."

[heroic_jawline]

Steve nodded, chewing his lower lip. "But he's still my best friend."

[imafuturist]

Tony nodded even as he wished it wasn't the case when it caused this much pain for Steve. "You have another chance here."

[heroic_jawline]

"But Bucky's been in Wakanda for years," Steve said softly. "So now I start thinking that he's avoiding me, too."

[imafuturist]

"He's recovering from something," Tony replied. "But... maybe you should spend some time there coming up."

[heroic_jawline]

Steve squeezed Tony's fingers. "You think so?"

[imafuturist]

"I think so," Tony replied, squeezing them back. "You need it."

[heroic_jawline]

"I don't want you to think I'm choosing him over you," Steve said.

[imafuturist]

Tony kissed him for that. "I'm telling you to go here, sweetheart."

[heroic_jawline]

"I will, then," Steve said. "I love you."

[imafuturist]

"You deserve to find that happiness," Tony murmured. "You hear me?"

[heroic_jawline]

Heard, yes. Believed might take some work. He kissed Tony's cheek. "Thank you."

[imafuturist]

"I'll be right here for you," Tony promised.

[heroic_jawline]

"Thank you," Steve murmured, kissing him again.

[imafuturist]

"But right now, this is about celebrating you," Tony murmured, kissing him back.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve smiled. "And I derailed it a little."

[imafuturist]

"Just a little," Tony replied. "But you needed to."

[heroic_jawline]

"But I just dumped without warning you," Steve said, then smiled softly, "which I would also do for you and I know is part of marriage, but I still feel bad."

[imafuturist]

Tony kissed him for that. "Well, you can make it up to me with letting me sleep in tomorrow morning," he teased.

[heroic_jawline]

"After tiring you out tonight?" Steve asked hopefully.

[imafuturist]

"Yes," Tony said, beaming at him. "Please."

[heroic_jawline]

Steve settled in next to him, sighing. "This is nice."

Now that he had finally talked things.

[imafuturist]

"Happy?" he asked, curling an arm around Steve's waist.