forum Marvel AU OxO?

Started November 29, 2019 by @ElderGod-Icefire

tune

"I am n–" Steve paused, his expression swiftly changing from annoyed to attentive. Disappointed? "…What?"

"You are." Tony replied, then smirked a little bit. "Mhm. Just for a moment, then he went back to the Resting Bitch Face."

Steve shook his head slightly, smiling at Tony's little smirk, "You're fucking with me, aren't you?"

"Nope. I can see if Sam got a picture, but I don't know if he did." He replied, shrugging his shoulders slightly.

Steve let out a flat laugh, "You can't be serious," He said, "–Even is he did take a photo, there's no way to know what he was actually feeling, or what he was disappointed about."

"See? You're totally all "woe is me he doesn't like me" and you're not even listening when I say you're wrong!" Tony griped.

"Oh, well I'm sorry," Steve said with his blatant sarcasm, "I'm sorry that I'm not totally up to the idea of risking my fragile, fragile friendship with him based off of what you're tellin' me. It's a pipe dream, Tony."

Tony groaned softly. "I'm not saying you have to risk the fucking friendship, Steve!" he replied, tearing a hand through his hair. "Do I wanna see you two happy? Yeah, I do. But I'm not saying to risk that friendship. I'm just saying that you are refusing to consider the fact that you might be wrong."

Steve bit down on his back molars, shaking his head as he stared at the ground, his arms still crossed. "Even if I did consider it," He said, pausing to acknowledge the thought, "Even if it's a miracle, and you're right about him…liking me back, I.." Steve sighed, "I…don't even know what to think about that."

"There's not much thinking required, Steve. This isn't the 40's. If you both like each other, then it's easy." Tony replied. "You can be together, if you want to be."

"I do," Steve answered, almost immediately, "I do– want to be with him, it's just…I don't know if he wants to be with me."

(i gtg soon, sorry)

Tony nodded slightly. "Right. That's why you need to…maybe not outright ask him, but the signs Are there if you look."

"God, I feel like a teenager again." Steve said with a tired laugh, "With all these…hidden feelings and…ugh." He sighed, his mind not even processing the fact that Bucky might've felt the same for years. "But are you sure?" Steve asked with a hopeful frown, "–Cause…I'm his best friend and It just…doesn't seem as obvious to me."

"Yes, Steve, that's why the signs aren't obvious to you." Tony replied, shaking his head slightly. "Because any signs you see you equate as friendship."

"But…" Steve tried, shaking his head in disbelief. Had he really overlooked those signs? The dancing, the affection…"So you're saying– he might feel the same? Like, present tense?"

"He might." Tony replied. "But…please, for my sanity, don't talk about it at this party, not where others can hear. You really, really don't want the tabloids to overhear that sort of conversation between you two."

"Yeah, for sure–" Steve nodded, picturing the flustered explanation tied to that situation, "And, I don't think I could handle…confronting him or whatever right now, my heads not in the right place."

Tony nodded. "Of course." He replied. He gave Steve a quick smile. "Thanks for telling me, though." He said softly.

Steve let out a weak laugh and ran a hand through his hair, "Hm, yeah." He sighed, tiredly tilting his head to the side, "And thanks for…um, listening."

Tony nodded. "Yeah, of course. Let me know if you need to talk or something again. Now, let's get back to the party." he said, taking a step towards the door.

Steve sighed, nodded once, and made a move towards the door. God, He thought, I hope this doesn't open a can of worms. The last thing I need right now is to agonize over this.

Tony opened up the door, and led Steve out and back into the atmosphere of the party. He was smiling. "By the way, Steve? I'm not going to tell the others unless you do."

"Thanks," Steve said with a nod as they discreetly rejoined the crowd, "I don't think I'll be telling them any time soon, even though they've all probably got their own theories," He chuckled, "I mean– Sam would never shut up about it, if he really knew."

Tony snickered softly. "No, he wouldn't, at that." he agreed with a slight smirk, looking over at Steve for a moment, then away again. "Now go enjoy the party."

"I was supposed to be enjoying it? We've practically invited the entirety of Wall Street," Steve said with playful sarcasm, smiling plainly at the crowd.