The soldier and the metal man

Popped the cherry

Ch. 4

Tony had started having feelings for Steve.

The only problem was that Tony Stark didn't do relationships. They were too complex, required too much time and energy. It was easier just to screw around. Less painful in the end, too.

Still, Tony couldn't get Steve off his mind. He thought about how happy and grateful Steve had been for the evening they'd had out, and about all of the good qualities that Steve had.

Steve, too, seemed to be thinking of Tony. Ever since they'd gone out, he'd been walking around the tower in a wonderful mood.

Tony wasn't sure what to do. Finally, he decided to seek the advice of another. He hoped that maybe Bruce could provide some clarity.

00

"So, you have feelings for someone but you don't want to be in a relationship with them? Why?" Bruce was in the medical room, cleaning off some of the equipment that Tony had bought for him.

"I'm not good at relationships."

"What do you mean?"

Tony sighed. "They always... go bad. They start off fine, but we always end up hating each other."

"I see. The person who you care about... do they care about you, too?"

"They do."

"Well, I'd say it comes down to how much you really care about them. If you really feel happy around them, or if you care about them, then you ought to go for it. Life is short. Love is important."

"But what if it fails?"

"Then it fails and you both move on."

"That's... logical."

"Love is important. In the end, it's all we have."

"Actually I'll have billions of dollars and -"

"You get what I mean, Tony," Bruce said, glaring at him. "Besides, what does money matter when you're old and sick? It is more important to have someone who loves you. And love is always a risk. Something so great always comes at a risk."

"I suppose you're right."

"I know I am."

Tony smiled. "Thanks, Bruce. I think I'm going to go call them now."

"No problem. Hope it helped!"

00

Tony had ended up going to Steve's room and asking him on another date. He went directly over, not wanting to give himself time to over think it.

Steve had answered the door in a pair of jeans and a wrinkled shirt. His hair was splayed in all directions. When he saw Tony, though, he started trying to fix himself up.

"Tony! I'm sorry, I was taking a nap."

Tony shrugged. "Don't worry about it. I just came to ask if you wanted to go out again this weekend."

"I'd love to!"

"Great. Saturday at eight, then?"

"Sure!"

Tony left a minute later, thinking about how adorable Steve was when he had just woken up.

00

Saturday's date had been a intimate dinner in a restaurant that was styled to look like a crystal cave. It was in New Jersey, so Tony had driven them over. Steve seemed to enjoy both the casual environment and the uniqueness of the place.