* * * *
4 months later
Like with all things in life, it took some effort to make their relationship work. That, Steve had known from the start. From the moment he had taken Tony's file in his hands. From the moment their eyes had met in that boxing club an eternity ago. From the moment Tony had found out about his real identity. He'd known it wouldn't be easy. And it wasn't. On the good days, there was light banter, but there were also big fights to the point where they wouldn't talk to each other for days. In the end, though, they always made up, and every moment spent together was laced with trust, friendship, and above all, love.
As with all things in life, there was no going back. Every step was set in stone, and there was only going forward.
Some days were easier than others, and some seemed to rightly break them. But then, there had always been some kind of battle to face. Some kind of enemy to defeat.
Just like today.
Another enemy to face together.
Steve ran out on the rooftop, and the door flew open without missing a beat. "Hey," he called, as he jogged over to the landing platform.
"Hop and go, Cap. We're missing all the fun already."
Tony began to walk in his direction and gestured him near. "So," he began conversationally, like they weren't about to leave for a potential life-threatening mission. His faceplate was still up, and the trademark grin was on display as he looked down on Steve. Tony—as Steve had learned pretty fast—loved to loom over him whenever he was in the armor. Still, there was also a kind of domesticity behind Tony's voice that still elevated Steve to levels he had trouble admitting even to himself. "Ready for another cat-and-mouse with the Mandarin?" Tony asked, as he pulled Steve flush against the suit.
Steve stepped on Iron Man's boots and gripped the handles on the armor's shoulder blades tight.
"With you? Always."
A soft smile stretched over Tony's face. As usual, he gave Steve's ass a little tap, before he stretched both arms downward until they were up in the air.
And as they rushed over New York together, Steve felt peace settling within him. Peace he hadn't thought this world still had to offer to someone like him. Peace he had been so sure had died with him in the ocean. However, now—now Tony was in his arms, his body pressed against his, he felt whole. With all his ephemeral nature and skittishness—Tony had given him peace.
And he had infused him with life.
This was a fresh beginning—the start of something new. A missing piece falling into place.
Between Natasha, Clint, Bruce, Thor, Tony and him, the Avengers certainly were a homecoming for the most unlikely people—but Steve knew, it filled them all with a sense of belonging for those who didn't belong. Whatever would happen today, whatever the Mandarin decided to lay upon them next, they would face it together. Until then, they had each other.
In the end, that simple assurance was all that mattered.
