I'm Spongebob? (Stony AU)

Chapter 8: So this is a date then?

Tony almost made it through the week without bothering Steve. Almost. After having talked to the man well into Tuesday morning, he figured he should give him a break. Leave him alone. The only problem was that Tony couldn't get him out of his head.

"Are you sure this isn't just some rebound guy for you?" Bruce had asked him earlier that day after Tony had finished describing Steve's adorable ineptness with technology. "I mean, you just broke up with Pepper last month. She introduced you to her new boyfriend last week. Are you positive that what you are feeling isn't your way of forcing yourself to get over her? Or getting her to see she didn't break your heart? That you can just bounce back up and find a new partner." Bruce asked as delicately as he could. He didn't want to offend his best friend but he just wanted to make sure that what was happening was in both Tony' and Steve's best interest.

Tony gave him a death stare then with a roll of the eyes said, "Bruce you aren't my therapist, stop psychoanalyzing me."

"Oh good, so you are aware that my title isn't your therapist. I was worried. Considering how many times you've sat me on this sofa and you laid down there." Bruce bantered.

"This has nothing to do with Pepper, Steve is... I mean I know it sounds crazy considering I've only known for a short while but..." Tony finally answered not knowing how to end.

"Okay then call him." Bruce replied.

"No. Ever since I drunk called him I've been nothing but a bother. Plus I'm pretty sure he's at work right now. He's a jo-" Tony said rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.

"Journalist yeah you told me." Bruce cut in. "And isn't he the one who called you at three am Tuesday morning? Call him. Tonight."

Tony slowly nodded, already thinking up his excuse for calling.

"As for right now. We have to go to that Innovators lunch downtown. Yeah, I know, I don't want to go either. But we have to." Bruce said as he got up from the sofa. "Come on."

****

"Rogers how was your first day with the art side of the company yesterday?" Fury asked Steve as he came up to his desk.

"It was good." Steve smiled, going over Wednesday's workday and his meeting with the other artists.

"Good. Listen, I have a favor to ask you. I know usually Hill is the one that covers reviews, but her kid got sick and she took a personal day. We need three review articles by tonight and since you already finished your article and used to work in reviews..." Fury trailed off.

"Sure!" Steve said remembering his days in review, though he always enjoyed the places he went to he could never help but feel guilty, it felt like the company was paying him to go out and have fun. "What are the places?"

"Some fancy restaurant downtown. A comedy movie that came out today, the one with those five guys. And the zoo. Feel free to bring along a friend." Fury smiled handing him the company card.

Steve grabbed his stuff and headed to Sam's desk.

"Hey, you almost done?" Steve asked leaning on the desk. He was met by tirade of laughter.

"If I'm lucky I'll be done by Buck's wedding." Sam said not moving his eyes away from the computer.

Steve picked up some of the files scattered on the desk. "I told you not to take on so many assignments at the same time." Steve sighed. "So I take it you're not free today?" He held up the company card.

"Oh buddy I wish I was. You know who you should call though? Your date. The one that kept you up all Monday night." Sam said making kissy faces at his computer as he kept typing.