On The Edge. | Steve Rogers.

twenty three.

Issac hadn't actually expected Steve to follow him. He was merely playing around, and perhaps he'd taken it a bit too far, but he'd blame it on the alcohol. Regardless, he wouldn't exactly say he was complaining either. He could feel the weight of Steve's gaze as he left the living room area, and he could feel it again now as he slowed his pace in the dark hallway. He wasn't going anywhere specific, just trying to get away from wandering eyes.

Strong, warm hands suddenly gripped his waist and turned him around. He suddenly found himself pressed up against Steve Rogers, only barely visible in the dim lighting of the buildings around them shining through the large windows. He placed his hands against the male's broad chest to steady himself, eye level with his perfectly shaped lips. They look soft, he thought to himself.

Steve's chest was firm underneath his palms. He slowly moved his hands upwards, feeling the muscles of his shoulders before lightly draping his arms around the other's neck.

"Hi." He mumbled, voice low and gaze not once leaving Steve's mouth.

He watched closely as the muscles in his face pulled his lips upwards into a soft smile.

"Hey." Steve mumbled, his voice a bit deep and more husky than usual. It sent a shiver down Issac's spine he was sure Steve could feel with the way he was gripping his torso. Issac wasn't huge, probably around average size with a lean build. Yet he felt incredibly Tiny in Steve's hand, pressed up against his larger frame like this. "Can I kiss you?"

The question caught him momentarily off guard, immediately bringing his thoughts to a halt. His mind told him to think about it, truly consider what this might mean if they went any further, but his body was already surging into action.

"Please." He groaned, lightly tugging him forward to press their lips together. It was tentative at first, each of them testing the waters before Issac dove in, immediately deepening it as his fingers slowly ran themselves through Steve's cropped hair.He tugged slightly, eliciting a slight groan from the other as he felt strong arms tighten around him as Steve pulled him closer. He lightly pushed the other, his back hitting the wall behind him as he let out a small grunt. Issac pulled back slightly with a grin, noses brushing as neither moved away. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that." he whispered, lips grazing the other's as he spoke.

"Why didn't you?" Steve mumbled, thumbs gently rubbing circles into his waist.

Issac thought for a moment. There were many, many reasons as to why he didn't want to, or was hesitant to do so, yet if he began listing them not only would it ruin the mood but they would be there for a while. Instead, he settled for closing the gap between them once again, Steve being more than happy to reciprocate with passion and excitement. Perhaps it was the last beer he had that made him so confident all of a sudden, or maybe Natasha's little pep talk earlier that night, or perhaps he was simply tired of them constantly dancing around each other. He'd always had the 'what if' at the back of his mind and the liquid courage finally made him want to see if maybe, just maybe, his feelings would be returned. Boy, was he more than happy he did too, especially as Steve's tongue darted out and carefully prodded Issac's lower lip.

The term, putty in his hands, was the only proper term to describe Issac at that moment. While he initially started out confident and strong, he'd eventually let Steve take control, practically melting into him. In a way, he was almost thankful that a secretary from one of the lower levels alerted them the food would be arriving in five minutes. Not only was he worried how lost in each other they would get if they were allowed to go on any longer, but the thought of someone finding them like this immediately made Issac flush in embarrassment.

He reluctantly pulled back, sighing heavily as he let his head fall onto Steve's shoulder. He could feel the other chuckle as he gently rubbed Issac's back before reaching up to straighten out his hair, certain it was far messier than it had been ten minutes ago. Issac stepped back to carefully straighten out his shirt, clearing his throat as he focused his hearing on the talking in the other room. Everyone still seemed absorbed into their conversations, which was a good thing.

"They're gonna know." Steve chuckled softly, reaching out to fix the slightly rumbled collar of Issac's shirt.

"Don't remind me." He sighed, aggressively rubbing his face. He hesitated, carefully grabbing Steve's hand and playing with his fingers nervously. "What...what does this make us, exactly?"

Steve looked at him, smiling softly. His gaze wasn't hurt or offended, but caring and understanding. Understanding as in, he understood if Issac was unsure or felt unready for a serious relationship just yet.

"What do you want it to be?"

The brunett sighed softly through his nose.

"If you're implying that I want this to be a one time thing, I don't." He fought the urge to smile at how Steve's shoulders relaxed slightly. "I'm just...worried, about what will happen if this backfires."

Steve nodded, and he would be lying if he said he didn't share the same worry. He gently rubbed Issac's arms, thinking of the right thing to say at the moment.

"Regardless of what happens, we'll work it out, okay? And let's agree that we can't let it, under any circumstances, interfere with our jobs. Yes?"

Issac still felt a bit unsure, but nodded slowly. He sighed, tilting his head and smiling up at him.

"You're so good at that." He teased.

Steve simply laughed, shaking his head at the tipsy, more playful side of Issac. Once he was certain they looked presentable again, they both returned to the living room area just as Tony was bringing in several large brown bags of food. They laid everything out on the table in front of them before starting to dig in, all of them equally famished from a night of drinking, partying, and snacking on simple hor d'oeuvres for hours. They talked quietly amongst themselves, catching up on what was new and what wasn't, simple work things, and even sharing a few mission stories.

At some point the conversation had drifted to Thor's hammer, which rested on the table in the middle of empty food containers and beer bottles. Issac watched in amusement as each Avenger took turns trying to lift it, laughing out loud when both Rhodey and Tony, working together with their suit gauntlets, were unsuccessful. He felt a little bad, the volume of their new activity waking up Helen from her short nap, but at least she seemed to be enjoying this as well. Eventually all eyes landed on him and Natasha, the only two Avengers who hadn't made an attempt to lift it.

Issac grimaced and leaned back, shaking his head in response as Natasha merely chuckled.

"Oh that's not a question I need answered." She mumbled, taking a sip of her beer to avoid further questioning.

Steve returned to his side, leaning back and slinging an arm over the back of the couch, and in turn around Issac's shoulders. It was a subtle gesture, one that didn't seem to catch any eyes even as Issac leaned into it.

"All deference to the man who wouldn't be king, but it's rigged." Tony shrugged as he stood with Clint and Rhodey.

Clint nodded, moving to walk around him as he patted him on the back.

"You bet your ass." he shrugged.

Maria put on a look of feigned shock as she childishly pointed to Clint.

"Steve, he said a bad language word."

Steve looked nothing short of done at that point as he hung his head, chuckling shortly afterwards.

"Did you tell everyone about that?" he shook his head at Tony.

Issac covered his mouth to prevent himself from laughing again, feeling a bit bad for Steve. This was something he was never going to live down for the next ten years, at least.

Things were fine, they were calm, everything was normal up until the point that they weren't.