Chapters

A Dance in the Dark

Tony awoke and was hit with a bright light. 

"Jarvis close the blinds and dim the lights to 30%" Tony states blankly. He felt his head rise up then slowly fall back down like if he was on a big warm pillow. He feels around because he wanted to explore what he was on before he opened his eyes. He stuck his hand straight down the covers and gently touched the dip from smooth surface.  His hand trailed down until he stopped at something long,soft and very wet. He stroked the object and took time to notice how heavy it felt in his hands. Whatever was under him gasped and moved. Wait, moved? Tony opened his eyes and looked up. A warm smile spread across his face as he looked at the blonde he rested his head on. His super soldier laid peacefully on the pillows, dreaming an abyss of anything and everything. Tony giggles gleefully at the words, His super soldier. Then last nights events came clear to his mind and he nudged Steve's chin with his head, replaying the memories in his head.

Tony walks down the stairs hand intertwined with Steve's. He let go of Tony's hand as he approached the bar to snatch a bottle of  Bacardi. Tony watched interested as  he pulls out a bottle of Jack Daniels Whiskey Sour Mash, the one Steve got for his birthday. Then he pulls open the fridge  taking out the gallon of iced tea Bucky had made earlier. He takes out a shaker putting some ice then pouring in the iced tea. He fills the rest of the way with the Jack Daniels, closing the cap and attempting to shake the bitter liquid like an experienced bar tender.  Tony actually thought he was at a bar with how complex Steve made everything look. He shook the bottle before tossing it to the other had shaking violently before repeating the process a couple more times. Steve smirked when he glanced at Tony's fascinated face. Then the dummy had the idea of tossing it behind his back with his eyes closed. Miraculously the caught it , after taking 4 steps attempting to catch it before it falls. Tony let out a violent giggle that made his sides hurt, and Steve watches him and smiles as he finishes pouring his drink. They chatted about embarrassing times before Steve brought up the subject of past relationships. 
"So how many girls have you loved before me?" Steve asked swirling the ice in the cup. 

"Oh, um...I...It's" Tony stuttered. Steve smiled  at Tones sudden nervousness. 

"One night stands don't count, unless they actually meant something to you." Steve says cutting  Tony's stuttering off. 

"Oh," Tony says with a sigh. "Then I have only truly loved one girl..."  Tony's voice trails off as he stared blankly at  his cup of ice. Tony thought back to the day Pepper had died. Tony was there. He was right there. He could have saved her. She kept screaming his name until her grip eventually just gave out. Tony watched her tumble down gasping as her body hit the ground. She fell from a 30 story high building. If tony just had the suit near him Pepper would be safe. She would be here with him. In his head a voice, Pepper's voice called out to him.

"Tony, I know your upset and you think that this is all your fault." She sang into his ear . Her ghostly hand  grasped his human one. 
"It's not my love. I'm happy that you were able to find love and move on."  She smiled and then dissipated after saying I love you. 

"Who is this special girl then?" Steve says walking to put his glass in the sink. 

"Pepper, Pepper Potts" Tony says. It's been 2 years since he had said her name aloud. He felt pretty good. 

"Oh where is she now, is she pretty?" Steve says taking his seat next to Tony, clearly interested in this girl Tony loved so much. 

"Yes, she was the most beautiful girl I have ever seen." Tony says. 

"Jarvis pull up a picture of  me and Pepper." Tony smiles staring at the TV in front of them.

"As you wish  sir." Jarvis says as a picture of him and Pepper appears.