Second Chances

Twenty-seven

It is all perfectly fine, Steve tells himself because it is. This was better than before. Before he had the responsibility and being a boyfriend, now he was just a friend. Plus, Steve never liked dating anyway. Steve and Bucky didn't even really "go out". One day they just decided to get married, but they had already been living like they were. So this was perfectly fine. And Steve almost believes it is when he is one his 107th skype call with Tony, 153 days and twelve hours from the last time he had seen Tony in person. And it is fine because they are friends and they are better off as friends. 

“Oh my God, what the hell is this guy doing?” Steve groans, pointing at the TV when the batter fucking misses the ball three times in the row.

“He’s trying his best, Steven,” Tony says, and Steve shakes his head because, with the way Tony is teasing, Steve can almost imagine he is right there on the couch with Steve watching the same Dodgers game. But they aren’t. Tony is in Malibu and Steve is in Brooklyn, but they turned the TV on at the same time, and they are using FaceTime so it makes it easier.

“He’s doing horrible. The Dodgers were better when they were with New York. Just admit it, Tony.” Steve says, and he smiles when he sees Tony shaking his head through the little Stark Tablet perched on his coffee table.

“I’m a futurist, Cap. It doesn’t work like that.” Tony sighs, and Steve ducks his head, slowly shaking it.

“The Dodgers are not good.”

“Then pick somethin’ else to watch!” Tony argued, and Steve crossed his arms over his chest.

“I can’t. I’m a loyal fan.” Steve pouted when Tony’s huff of laughter came through the receiver.

“Do you even like baseball?” Tony asks. “C’mon. You are the perfect All-American boy. Blonde, blue-eyed, tall, muscley, Army vet turned FireFighter, and frankly, I don’t believe it. There has got to be something un-American about you. Please, tell me you like Rugby or something.” Tony begged.

Steve looked over at the camera and said dryly, “I’m gay, Tony.”

“Well, no shit Sherlock! I meant like...I dunno, do you like apple pie?”

“Peggy makes the best apple pie.” Steve sighed, and Tony huffed.

“Okay, thoughts on...Pick-up trucks?” 

“They’re not bad,” Steve lifted a shoulder, and Tony groaned.

“Do you like country music?” 

“I only listen to it when I’m in Natasha’s car. She likes Carrie Underwood.” Steve answered, and Tony shook his head.

“God, Steve, you are so─ah! I’m usually good at reading people, and you aren’t the hard-ass good boy, I know it.” Tony whined, and Steve chuckled.

“Okay, something not Good-boy-American about me.” Steve thinks for a moment, and then he smiles. “When I was in the third grade, my mother had just taught me about how if you put baking soda in vinegar it gets all foamy and makes like a volcano, and I thought it was really cool, and I wanted to show my church pastor so I filled his entire car up with baking soda and I poured vinegar in it.”

Tony’s quiet for a moment and Steve has to look down at the tablet to make sure he didn’t disconnect. But Tony’s still there, watching Steve with a blank expression. Steve raises an eyebrow at Tony, trying for a smirk, but it quickly falters when Tony’s facial expression stays the same. Steve is about to open his mouth and say something when Tony starts laughing.

“Oh, my─haha! Fuck, Steve, that’s not even that bad, I just─how the fuck did you manage. What did you─lord.” Tony curls into himself, covering his mouth as he laughs into his hand.