Avenger Ships

Why Bed Bath & Beyond? (Stony)

Tony sighed dramatically as they rounded the corner. "We have toothbrushes. You know that right? And they're much better than these." Tony picked up the plastic packaging like it was garbage. "Ours are electric and everything. They even have special modifications that I added so they're molded specifically to our mouths."

"I know." Steve continued picking up different toothbrushes and intently studying their features. "I just like to look."

"If you're this bored at the tower, you could just ask me to build something for you. I could add waterslides to the pool or more training sequences to the gym. I could make an escape room that..." Tony's voice trailed off as he got lost in thoughts about modifications in the tower. He hardly noticed Steve move over toward the bedding section.

"Do we have to go through this again? The silk sheets we have are-"

Steve cut him off with a wave of his hand. "I know."

"Yeah, you just like to look." Tony settled into a lawn chair nearby. "You know, things are different in the modern world, but there are much cooler things I could show you. You don't have to spend your Saturday in a Bed Bath & Beyond."

Steve just shrugged. This always happened. Once every couple weeks, Steve would announce his plans to go to some mundane spot and invite his boyfriend along. Tony would gripe about it, but inevitably join because he really loved spending time with Steve. He'd be good for the first hour, then taper off into boredom. He'd complain and make suggestions for better date spots. Steve would agree to go another day. It was basically a routine now. Tony didn't understand why. In the past two months he'd been dragged to Ikea, Sears, Home Depot, and Target. Steve rarely bought anything so he couldn't help but question why he kept going to these places? Was Steve looking for something specific? Did he know he could order pretty much anything online?

"Steve, remember amazon? It's that site online where you can..."

Two weeks later, Tony was slumped over his lab bench. He'd just finished his latest improvement on Sam's wing pack. He'd been up for more than twenty four hours, but the thrill of finishing a project pushed one last surge of energy through him.

"JARVIS, where's Steve?" Tony spoke quickly, wanting to go on a date to celebrate. Sam's latest problems with the wings had been tough. Tony struggled to think of a repair for weeks until an idea came to him in the shower. He'd been half-naked when he rushed down to his workspace. Thankfully, Steve provided clothes, food, and water during his several day long engineering binge.

"Mr. Rogers has been out of the tower since 11am this morning."

Tony checked his watch. It was now five. Where was Steve? He didn't mention anything about work or other plans today.

"Did he mention where he was going?"

"He and Mr. Barnes left in jogging attire. He said he would be making a few stops and to inform you not you worry. 'Hey Tony, I'm going out today. I'll be back before six. I left some sandwiches in the fridge. Please eat. I love you.'" JARVIS played back Steve's request.

"Okay." Tony went upstairs and showered off all the grease. He sat down on the bed for a quick nap before bed. Several hours later, he woke up to a dip in the bed and a warm body laying against him.

"Steve?" His voice was garbled with sleepiness.

"Go back to sleep Tony." Steve kissed his forehead. "JARVIS told me you finished your project. Good job. Now you should get some rest." Steve whispered in his ear and Tony contentedly drifted back to sleep.

He woke up to a stream of bright light in his eyes. "JARVIS, shut the blinds." He groaned "What time is it?"

"It is currently 11:47."