The Other Stark

Leaving

When I called Pepper we decided that tomorrow at one is the time to meet up. Until then Steve and I had the whole day to ourselves. We spent it acting like your typical couple. I started packing, he cooked lunch. We played music and danced. Steve is a great swing dancer. We watched a movie and fell asleep on the couch together.

The lunch was slowly approaching. I had decided to hit a local sports bar. Tony is going to need a drink for this. Plus if he is in a relaxed climate maybe he won't freak out. Steve and I had just made it to the front door when an iron man suit hit the ground right outside. I turned from the door and greeted Tony as he stepped out of the suit. I pulled him close to a hug and when we let go he gave Steve a nod. Steve then held my hand as we headed inside and was escorted to a booth in the back. Way in the back. You never know how Tony is going to act after all. "Where is Pepper?" "Oh you know she has CEO stuff to do. Things come up last minute. She was sad that she couldn't make it tho" Damn, Pepper was my buffer zone. She is really good at keeping Tony calm.

Once we were seated Tony cracked, "wow you two are still dating. Didn't think it would last this long." I could tell Steve didn't appreciate it but all I did was role my eyes at him. It was the perfect time to bring up the move but I decided at least to wait till I ordered a pitcher of beer. I only poured one for Tony and myself seeing as Steve can't get drunk, but I was in the need of some liquid courage. About thirty minutes into small chit chat I brought it, "Well I'm graduated Tony. Time to think about the next chapter of my book" Tony then looked excited and winked at me, "ah want to go back to your old man. Not to old to work with me yet are you." I didn't think he assumed that we would go back to how it was in Miami. I poured another beer and took a giant gulp when Steve spoke up. "Actually Tony-" but then I shot a "Steve please he is my father let me break it to him" Then Tony looked like he was going to pass out. He seriously kid, "Oh god you are pregnant aren't you. It's OK you don't have to do anything too drastic, we will get threw this-" I stopped him there "God dad no, can you not embarrass me for one day. I am not having a baby. For your information Steve asked me to move in with him." Tony figured it out by now but continued to distract from the issue. "So moving back to your home town are we Brooklyn. Couldn't stay away from us Starks now could you." I whispered to Tony in a pleading voice, "come one Tony. I am trying to be nice about this. I have to grow up" I then grabbed Steve's hand and rested it on the table, "Steve needs to stay in DC, with my education I can easily get a job there. We are going to be like a normal couple. I'm leaving in a week to be with him and move on with my life." Tony just got emotionally distant and ordered another drink. After we were done eating I looked at Steve and suggested, "Maybe I should stay for another drink with Tony. Meet you at my place tonight? In time for our workout?" He nodded and kissed the top of my head hugging me bye. I felt bad but Tony was keeping everything in. Once he was gone I held Tony's hand and kissed it. "Come on dad its not that bad. I'm just growing up that is it. You know you are always welcome to visit me and I will always love you" he took another swing of his beer and looked out the window. "I never thought it would be so fast. I still remember the first time you looked up and smiled at me. You never were serious about boys and then boom this come up out of nowhere." "I know dad, and even if you don't want to admit it, Steve is a good man. He is perfect for me on top of that he compliments me is ever way I fall short, like you and Pepper." He pulled out some cash for the check and threw his arm around my shoulders as he led me out. "Ok, but you know what Toni? You at least owe me a day of just us two before you leave." I nodded at him, "wouldn't have it any other way." He looked around and when he climbed into the suit asked, "Want a ride back?" I rolled my eyes, "As much as I live training fast in the cold, and as much as I really want to ruin my hair. I think I will pass, thanks for the offer tho. I watched as he took off and then I hailed down a cab for myself.

Before long Steve had to leave to go back to DC. This goodbye was not as sad as I got to kiss him and say, " See you in five days" all I did was pack and clean for the next three days. On the fourth day I spent the whole time with dad in his lab as he asked me questions like, "now are you really sure you want to do this."

Then the day arrived that I moved in Steve's apartment and for about six months everything was normal. Except the only problem was that I found it boring. I worked a 9 to 5 at a lab for the Smithsonian, which was cool and all just so serious. I got away with a lot more than a normal person could. I still always had AC/DC playing when I worked and I had a beer fridge still. I think it's because I don't like people and this was the first time I actually had to deal with them. I wasn't happy with work, and sometimes Steve would be gone for months at a time. I am still really proud of him, and I can't just take Captain America away from America, but I was beginning to think it effected our relationship. Living with a significant other is hard, maybe Steve and I were just too different. He had his own routine from before I moved and he stuck to it. 

I'm the morning I felt him get out of bed to run as usual. A few hours later I got up to start my day. The Smithsonian had me looking like a lab monkey
No privacy. Looked down when I felt my phone vibrate, "mission. Don't wait up." I went to grab a beer. Yep that is what our relationship sums down to. Is this what my life is going to be like from now on. I'm basically just some trophy wife to the Smithsonian and Steve. Some days I just want to go back home to NYC. My family can go on without me but I don't know if I can play this housewife bullshit.