Tony drove them back to the tower, parking, and getting out. "Come on, grandpas. Time to see your new home." he said teasingly, a faint smirk on his lips.
Bucky was silent, as he had been for the entire ride, getting out of the car and looking around. He had never buckled up, having never had to before and not thinking that maybe he should. He raised his eyebrows a little as he looked up at the tower.
Steve shook his head at the grandeur of the tall tower. Every window was polished to a shine, reflecting a distorted city and skyline surrounding them. He looked at bucky, wanting to see his reaction. He could've never dreamed of such a sight. This city, this world- was so advanced, it was beautiful.
Bucky let out a soft breath, his raised eyebrows his only outward expression of surprise or shock. He shook his head a little, raking a hand through his hair and looking up at the tower curiously.
Tony let out a quick, sharp breath. "Come on. Let's go inside." he said, and started walking.
Steve followed Tony into the building, realizing that staying out in the open might not be too good of an idea. The steel gray– almost silken-like interior with a touch of uniqueness was interesting to look at. The receptionist– uptight looking, and the conversations of the businesspeople surrounding the lobby were stopped dead in their tracks as soon as Tony was in sight.
Tony grinned, and waved to the receptionist. "Good morning." he said, and led his guests inside. Turning to Steve and Bucky, he said, "I'll get you two passes for the building later." he looked at Bucky. "Well…maybe not you." he frowned a little bit, and led them into the elevator, putting in a key and taking them upwards.
Bucky was silent, looking around curiously.
The elevator whirred to life as it pulled them up, several floors at a time at near lightning speed. It was silent, save for the quiet music in the background. Steve watched the floor numbers chime and change, gradually increasing to their floor.
Tony waited until the doors opened, and led them out. "Welcome to the living area of the tower." He said with a quick smile. "You guys have rooms one level up from this; this is just the main area. My own rooms are elsewhere in the building."
Bucky nodded a little, quiet as he followed Tiny out of the elevator.
Twisting and sleek modern furniture adorned the floor and wall of the space- all polished to a shine. The intricate colour schemes pleased and overwhelmed him. Quite the decorator, Steve thought to himself, suddenly craving his dimly lit apartment with creaky floors, and his soft bed- nearly too short for him. He thought of the late mornings in bed, where dust would waft into an orchestra of waves in the beams of sunlight coming from his window, chain-smoking and listening to nothing. It seemed, with all the newness in the world at this time, that was all Steve had left of what used to be. My own private Brooklyn.
Tony let out a soft breath. "Well. Uhm… here, I'll show you to your rooms." He said, and led them back into the elevator, punching in the number for the next level.
Bucky followed him in again, silent. The many colors were strange to him. He didn't quite understand why so many were necessary.
Steve followed Tony back into the elevator, wondering if Nat was around. Maybe it would be good for Bucky to meet her. She had the whole 'silent but deadly' thing going on too, so maybe they'd get along.
"How many floors does this thing have?" Steve questioned, marvelling at the wall of buttons next to the sliding doors.
"93." Tony replied with a faint grin. "It's one of the tallest buildings around. If I could get it 7 stories taller, I'd be at a hundred stories." he looked proud of his tower. One of his lesser accomplishments, in comparison to others, but nonetheless, a feat to be proud of.
Bucky raised his eyebrows a little bit, but didn't say anything. He didn't think he had ever been in a building so tall before, though.
"Geez," Steve said, chuckling, "That seems a bit excessive."
How anyone could want such a building, he didn't know. Tony was a busy man, that was true, but all this– shine and luxury made Steve feel uneasy. All he'd ever wanted was a family– a place to call home, and someone to come home to. All he had was an image and impossible daydream: the world was calm, taken care of. Steve wakes up next a faceless figure, kissing them good morning and then holding his faceless child…all blank faces in his dream of love.
He knew this could never happen, he would never be able to let someone in– that way. He'd come to terms with it; it wasn't a problem anymore. So why did he feel this dull ache?
"Some might think you're making up for a deficiency somewhere else, Stark." Bucky said slowly. His voice was slightly raspy, unused to being used anymore.
Tony let out a surprised laugh. "He speaks!" He looked at Bucky, smirking. "And I can assure you that I am not lacking anything, especially not what you're insinuating. If you like, I can show you later." He winked, and led them out of the elevator.
(lmao what dos he mean)
Steve glanced at Bucky's sudden talk, but brushed it off, following Tony out into the short hall. Two doors, He noticed, as Tony had said. "Right- our rooms." Steve nodded, hoping that the bedrooms wouldn't be too fancy, or anything like the living room. "They're connected if that's okay." He said to Bucky.
(uhm… basically that the tower is so big because Tony's er…dick isn't lol. So basically Tony is saying he can prove it later by…you know. Doing the do)
Tony nodded. "Yeah, here they are."
Bucky shrugged a little. "It's fine, I guess." He replied, crossing his arms a little as he followed Steve and Tony.
(OHMygod lmaoo)
"Right," Steve said, turning to Tony, "Again, really appreciate this– thank you," He said, extending a hand for him to shake. "Hopefully…everything works itself out."
(yeah hahaha)
Tony shook Steve's hand. "Yeah no problem. Everything you might need is in there." He said. He winked. "Including the lube. Bye!" He waved, and started walking away before Steve could protest.
Bucky blinked, but didn't say anything.
Steve's eyes widened at Tony's last comment, as if things couldn't get more awkward…
"H- that… Tony.." Steve fumbled, shaking his head, "Always jokin' round…" He sighed. Was that really the way he talked about Bucky? Everyone around them seemed to think so– it just didn't seem right. It was impossible, never..going..to happen…
Bucky shrugged a little. "It's fine." He replied. He had heard worse. Experienced worse, too, some little voice inside whispered. It also said that he didn't want to remember, for his own good, and…he sort of believed it.
"Yeah," Steve said, leaning on his door, feeling the smooth and polished plastic…whatever it was behind him. He smiled softly, "Look, I…want you to know, my door's always open. If you ever feel like talking…or anything," He shrugged, wanting to meet his eyes, tired, tired, blue, and darkened, "I just want to make sure you're okay."
Bucky shrugged a little bit. "Yeah, alright." He replied. He glanced at Steve for a moment. "I uhm…thanks." he finally said. "For all the help."
"Yeah," Steve said again quietly, biting his lip and nodding before going into his room. Behind the closed door, he leaned his head and slouched his shoulders, sighing. His back travelled down the door, sliding tiredly to the floor with his knees bent to his chest. I just… "I just..what?" He muttered to himself, "I just want to jump off a cliff?" Steve suggested sarcastically, chuckling humourlessly. "I just wish he hadn't pulled me out of the river?" He shook his head.
Bucky went into his own room, and immediately half tore the place apart in a search for hidden cameras or microphones. It was his HYDRA training, embedded so deeply in his psyche that he couldn't hardly escape it. Satisfied that nothing that shouldn't be there was there, he out everything back together and sat down on the bed.
After a minute, Steve went over to the bed, sheets tightly tucked without a crease and the comforter smooth and almost…silk? He turned away from it and fell backwards like a tree in a forest, landing on it with his arms spread, barely reaching the sides. The silence was so numbing and…gentle, almost. Steve glanced at the glass doors across the room, probably a balcony, probably connected. He dragged himself off the bed, leaving folds and ridges where he had lay. Steve pulled the door to the side, the sound almost like a vacuum, and stepped out into the balcony.
Bucky sat on the bed for a while, examining the room. To one side was the door to the bathroom, which both his room and Steve's were connected to. On the other side was the closet, and directly ahead was the door out of the room.