What is this?

Chapter Twelve

Tuesday was going pretty well. Nothing unusual. Steve was walking towards his last class, English class. He had so many questions in his head. Steve wanted to ask so many things from Tony. He looked inside the classroom to see Tony already sitting in his place. Steve sat next to the brunette. He tried to get some sense of all the questions he wanted to ask. At least so he knew which one to start with. The class started and Steve still hadn't asked anything. He started to get frustrated at himself.

"We celebrated my birthday yesterday. My parents were away for the weekend again, but mom didn't wanted to make up for that", Tony whispered.

He had noticed Steve getting uncomfortable, then guessed he should explain why he wasn't at school the day before.

"Oh, okay. That's nice", Steve nodded, still a little confused what he should continue with.

"Are you still sure it's okay if we go to the science fair together?" he settled with.

Tony was a bit surprised, but confirmed: "Yeah. That's what Bruce wanted. Plus it'll be nice, right?"

"Oh, yeah, definitely. I'm happy that you chose me", Steve admitted, continuing: "When should we see on saturday?"

"Hmm, the fair opens at nine, right? Come pick me up at eleven?" Tony proposed.

"Okay, eleven it is", Steve smiled.

Then, for some time, they stayed silent. Neither had no idea what the teacher was speaking about, but it didn't bother that much.

"About the..." Steve wanted to ask about what happened on the roof, but decided not to just yet: "I mean, Pepper. Has she done or said anything? And are you okay?"

"I guess. I haven't heard from after friday, which is nice", Tony shrugged his shoulders.

Steve nodded. He knew Tony was lying to some extend. Steve knew Tony wasn't okay with Pepper, but he also knew it was obvious and not a topic that should be prolonged.

After some time he finally had enough courage: "At the roof.. Were we gonna-? What really happened between us? What are we?"

He was supposed to ask just one question at time, but they all just flooded out of his mouth.

"Relax. I'm not really sure what happened. Or what it meant, or what are we. But maybe it's something that can't be answered that easily?"

"Yeah.. I guess you're right", Steve accepted.

He knew very well what he felt towards Tony, and what it all was on his behalf. But he wasn't gonna push Tony.

"Plus, we are going to the fair, right? I'm pretty sure we have the time and opportunities to find out", Tony whispered even quieter than before.

That made Steve smile a bit. Maybe he did have some chance with Tony.

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"Feelings are weird.." Tony thought out loud.

Bruce lifted his face from a school book: "Hmm?"

Tony rolled to his side on his bed: "I mean, Steve is nice. Really nice. And good looking?"

"And you like him?" Bruce added.

"No. Yes. No. Maybe. He's nice and funny. Plus he's really caring. And yes, he does look good. He's adorable when embarrassed. He has helped me a lot with the whole Pepper thing. I feel so safe and warm around him..." Tony came to a realization: "Oh god I think I like Steve."

Bruce laughed: "Well, took you long enough. You both are so hardheaded, though I think Steve realized his feelings way before you."

"But should I do? I've never liked a guy!" Tony jumped to a sitting position.

"Uhhuh, it can't be that different from girls? Just be yourself, and remember, Steve already likes you so you don't really have to impress him", Bruce reminded his bestfriend.

"What if I mess up? Or what if I'm not worthy of Steve?" Tony worried.

Bruce shook his head: "Tony, stop. Everything will be fine. You can't mess up that badly. Plus you're Tony Stark, where's your confidence now?"

Tony sat there quiet for a moment.

"I don't know... This time just feels different.." he admitted.

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"So, you and that Stark boy going on a date?" Bucky asked.

Steve was caught off guard, but managed to answer: "Uh, it's not really a date."

"C'mon, don't lie to yourself", Bucky patted Steve's shoulder.

"I'm not. We just never agreed that it would be a date. I'd like that, but I'm not sure Tony would..." Steve looked down.

"Umm, you're going to a fair with your crush and bought the tickets? PLUS you're picking him up? Of course it's a date", Bucky assured Steve.

"You really think so?" Steve doubted.

"Heck yeah. So just enjoy yourself!" Bucky laughed.

Steve smiled little and nodded. Was it really a date? All the points Bucky said were true, but did that make it a date? Steve would've happily called it so, but he wasn't sure what Tony thought. He didn't want to push Tony or make the whole thing awkward. But to be honest, Tony also hadn't said that wasn't a date.

"Oi, you coming? The practise is starting", Bucky called for his bestfriend.

"Oh, yeah. Coming", Steve came back to earth and followed the brunette.