lost boy (stony college au) [✔]

Chapter Four

Steve hadn't heard from Tony in almost thirty hours.

He didn't want to worry, he absolutely didn't, but Tony texted him non stop most days, and Steve hadn't seen him since their 'almost' study break the afternoon before. He had received only one text after Tony had left for the day, a short sweet note telling him that he wouldn't be by that night, so Steve could get some actual sleep, and that he would see his beautiful ass later.

Steve had sent back about a dozen kissy-faces, knowing it would make Tony laugh, and put his phone on silent for the rest of the night.

He had slept great, completely undisturbed, and had woken up lonely as hell, itching to hold his boyfriend -boyfriend- they weren't even calling each other that yet, but Steve didn't care. He was already half in love with Tony anyway.

After a long day at the library, he'd fully expected to open his door and find Tony asleep on the couch, just like he had a few other times. The first time it happened, they had had a huge argument about boundaries and breaking and entering and how could Tony possiblythink something like this was okay, and no it didn't matter that Tony could pick almost any lock because he was a genius, and Tony had rolled his eyes, planted a loud kiss on Steve's lips, and snatched his keys, running down to a shop to get a copy made for himself.

Steve had tried to be upset about that, but couldn't quite manage it, and had just sighed and kissed Tony back anyway.

Then he started coming home to Tony passed out of the couch, or raiding his fridge, or curled up in a recliner reading, and it was perfect. Steve refused to think about how crazy it was that the twenty year old he hadn't known a month ago now had a key to his place, and instead just focused on how happy he was every time Tony smiled at him.

But Tony wasn't there tonight, hadn't been there at all, and it was nearly midnight, and Steve still hadn't received any replies back from any of his texts.

Finally, and hating himself for doing it, for thinking what he was thinking, Steve grabbed his keys and headed out for the party house Tony had called him from before."

*************
"Hey man." Steve took a step back and smiled politely when a teenager opened the door. "I'm looking for Tony, you seen him?"

The kid was wasted, eyes barely open, balancing himself on the door jam.
"Dave's not here, man." He collapsed into hysterical laughter, joined by several voices from inside.

"Wonderful. I walked into a Cheech and Chong movie." Steve sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Look. Tony. He's about five foot nine, dark hair, has kind of a goatee. Always wears black. Gloves with no fingers? Um... oh he has a tongue ring?"

The kids eyes lit, well as much as they could considering how spectacularly out of it he was, and he grinned. "Oh. Tony. With the tongue ring. Yeah man I know him. Everybody knows him. Everybody loves Tony."

Steve looked away, his stomach twisting a little. "So is he here, then? Can you tell him Steve is here? Or-or point me in the right direction at least?"

"Outback." He jerked a thumb around the building. "Last I saw he was headed out back. Might not want to disturb him though. Pretty sure he and Ty are busy. Trust me, you don't want to mess with Ty when he's busy."

"Ty. That's- just.... Goddammit." Steve cursed under his breath and walked around the house quickly, following an alley. "Tony!" He called, getting angrier with each step he took. "TONY!"

Noises around the corner had him moving faster and he finally heard Tony's voice, sounded sluggish and annoyed. "Ty what the fuck. Let me go."

"What's the problem Tony? We've gone a few rounds before, what's one more?"