It’s one thing to know that Tony is on the way. It’s another to hear him heralded by whispers and camera shutters, the attention of an entire ballroom shifting as the man appears.
The hostess’ grip on Steve’s arm tightens and she huddles closer. On his other side, a man who had been making small talk pauses and laughs, low and pleased. “Oh, this is an interesting turn of events. Is he here for you, Captain?”
Someone else clutches at his sleeve. “Are we in danger?”
Steve doesn’t respond or even look away as a crowd starts to form around Tony. He thought he had seen Tony in his element before, in the workshop or even in the armor. This is different, like watching all of Howard’s careless charm tempered by something harder, a foregone conclusion rather than a bid for attention. The way he approaches reminds Steve of a scene from a nature documentary, a shark moving through schools of fish.
When Steve had sent the text, it had meant to be commiserating more than anything else, that they were in the same uncomfortable boat. Tony had said, warned really, that he was going to make a scene. This isn’t the kind of big, flashy distraction Steve had been expecting.
The exchange between Tony and the hostess-- she has a name, Steve cannot for the life of him remember it right now-- has heads turning, phones raising. Tony's words should be insulting. Steve isn't anybody's merchandise, for all that everyone seems to feel entitled to Captain America. But the way Tony says it makes something still in the back of Steve's mind, any response he had dying on his lips.
Is he here for you?
The touch is brief, barely more than a nudge, more welcome than anything else this evening. Tony’s gaze is softer now, but all that focus makes it crackle across Steve’s skin like static. He manages a curt “excuse us” before they head to the bar.
He’s suddenly very aware that anything they say or do here will be everywhere within seconds. Any scene he would have made probably pales in comparison to what’s happening right now.
"Can we-" He takes a breath, ducks his head to be closer so that Tony can hear when he says quietly, "Can we just go home?"
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The hostess’ grip on Steve’s arm tightens and she huddles closer. On his other side, a man who had been making small talk pauses and laughs, low and pleased. “Oh, this is an interesting turn of events. Is he here for you, Captain?”
Someone else clutches at his sleeve. “Are we in danger?”
Steve doesn’t respond or even look away as a crowd starts to form around Tony. He thought he had seen Tony in his element before, in the workshop or even in the armor. This is different, like watching all of Howard’s careless charm tempered by something harder, a foregone conclusion rather than a bid for attention. The way he approaches reminds Steve of a scene from a nature documentary, a shark moving through schools of fish.
When Steve had sent the text, it had meant to be commiserating more than anything else, that they were in the same uncomfortable boat. Tony had said, warned really, that he was going to make a scene. This isn’t the kind of big, flashy distraction Steve had been expecting.
The exchange between Tony and the hostess-- she has a name, Steve cannot for the life of him remember it right now-- has heads turning, phones raising. Tony's words should be insulting. Steve isn't anybody's merchandise, for all that everyone seems to feel entitled to Captain America. But the way Tony says it makes something still in the back of Steve's mind, any response he had dying on his lips.
Is he here for you?
The touch is brief, barely more than a nudge, more welcome than anything else this evening. Tony’s gaze is softer now, but all that focus makes it crackle across Steve’s skin like static. He manages a curt “excuse us” before they head to the bar.
He’s suddenly very aware that anything they say or do here will be everywhere within seconds. Any scene he would have made probably pales in comparison to what’s happening right now.
"Can we-" He takes a breath, ducks his head to be closer so that Tony can hear when he says quietly, "Can we just go home?"