Who: Tony Stark, Steve Royama When: Current, in the last week or so. I think they've crossed that threshold now. Where: Steve's apartment What: Tony's sleeping over. Clearly, logically, this leads to a discussion of "That time Steve bought condoms at an 'intimate' shop," the ethics of big box stores and retail work in general, and so on. Talk moves on to plans with dating, and uh, something more. Rating/Warnings: Nothing too off color, despite the topic Status: Complete
Tony's having a sleepover, and he's wearing a sort of subtle Captain America themed shirt and some flannel trousers with just a bit of Vael plaid trim on them. He's dutifully having some water along with some pills in the kitchen for - it's not migraine, but probably not a bad idea to be careful. "I'll be right in there, Steve."
“Sounds like a plan.” Steve’s got a few things queued up that probably won’t push a potential migraine to come out of the situation, but he’s also fine with shutting that off if they want instead. He’s wearing full on Avengers pajama bottoms, and a shirt featuring the film logo. Hey, they came with a hilarious pair of cheap slipper socks that it’s not cold enough to wear yet, but that he thought were fantastic.
"Maybe tomorrow we could go down and play with the kittens some? See if Bucky has opinions on which to get?" Tony heads in to join him. He still feels - exposed, when he's getting changed into pajamas, so he kind of slides into this habit of one last thing before curling up with Steve. "I think I need to get some slippers. Or thick socks or something. The floor gets cold sometimes up at the apartment."
“Definitely a good idea.” Steve stretches a little. “Well, if the floor’s cold...give me just a second.” And he’s heading over to the sock drawer and producing the slipper socks in question, still on a little card that says “free!” followed by “with purchase” in much smaller letters. There’s cartoon faces for most of the current TV Avengers and some logos in between.
“I especially like Natasha’s face on these.” He points that out.
"That is really nice. Is this a thing? The wearing franchise stuff to sleepovers?" Tony pulls them on. He's not super cold here, but - well - low blood pressure. It's a thing. "So -" He works himself on the Sultan. "Want a kiss? How are you doing, since I was off fretting about what is probably just the weather shifting?"
“I think it’s starting to be?” Steve laughs. “I needed a couple of extra ones for things cooling down and they had this as a SET. And sure, kisses are good.” He leans in.
"Point them out to me some time, and I can pick some up." Tony leans in for that kiss and sighs happily as he gets into a comfortable angle with Steve. "This good?"
“Oh definitely.” Steve nods. “Walmart, actually. Target usually has decent ones too. Walmart’s kind of a…” he winces. “I don’t like their politics and how they cancel out small business but they’re cheaper.”
"It's a mess isn't it?" Tony hms. "I mean - there's some of the big box stores that aren't as awful, but retail work in general is horrible. One reason for buying second hand if you can and trying to support smaller places. But I can get the appeal of just getting something that works."
“I mean, for food and stuff, local’s definitely the way to go. But yeah.” Steve makes a face, “it’s sort of a mess all around that way, you’re right. I DO have to respect the owner a little, though. Well, founder. Getting everything in order from a...sort of a general, sort of a department store to make these had to be...something.”
"I think - well - support the workers? I mean, if you're buying there, be friendly, and give back to the city?" Tony leans on Steve's arm. "I'm not used to - uh - usually I had a ton of stuff, and usually had something that'd work? Other than food. So it's different here, when you suddenly realize you want to know what's a low effort but ethical option for - I don't know - a necktie."
“Definitely.” Steve agrees with that. “When it’s the only job some people can get in the area, it does change things a LOT. And huh. It’s really sort of different for me even though I’ve been around a while. I mean I still learn things about shopping that are...Well, let’s just say I REFUSE to be a Prime member. And I’ve got the financial status and living situation to have the privilege. But I know people aren’t that lucky.”
"Yeah. Maybe - we could team up? I know sometimes stuff like shopping gets tiring for me. I think the Vaels have a sort of system where they have a running list." Tony leans to kiss his cheek. "Want to put something on? I'm horrible at being flirty. Talking seductively about shopping lists."
“Shopping lists have their ways of being seductive.” Steve points out. “I mean, for certain shops, CERTAINLY they do.” he laughed. “Well, personally, it was a bit embarrassing to be accidentally led to one, but...Thor was as lost and then dismayed as *I* was. Clint? Thought it was HILARIOUS.”
"So wait - was it not even -" Tony grimaces. "It can be a fun time, I mean if you go to the right place. Some of the stuff isn't my thing, but I mean - you can make 'intimate' shops a pleasant time. I tend to be super - buying for other people is very - I drop stuff on your shoe like a cat, and try to have it be better than a grasshopper leg."
"It's . . . intense, I guess?" Tony's trying to explain. "Think like - going to a fancy import shop, and someone telling you that no, I want this box of fancy figs, to cook something just for you, and we'll have a good time? Only it's even more personal than just dessert. I think that's why grocery shopping feels lighter to me? Even if it's for a date, or dinner with us, it's hard to feel as serious and easy to screw up when we're staring at weird labels."
"Which uh - yeah. My anxiety, my box of mousetraps, but - I try to warn people that if you - uh - literally or metaphorically take me to buy - stuff, I'll be kind of jumpy and shy and weird." Tony smiles lopsidedly. "It'd be neat though. To, try, I mean. Maybe quietly with a website."
“I thought we were going to a BOOKSTORE.” Steve shakes his head. “I mean, TECHNICALLY I suppose it WAS sort of a bookstore, but...not the sort of books you pick up for a little light beach reading, usually. Clint uh…” He sighs a little. “Mine’s got weird issues with authority figures, which Tony understands only too well and back then, when this was all going on, well...they fed off of each other’s energy. Thor, they just assumed would genuinely enjoy the surprise and think it was funny. BUT he really wanted to try the Harry Potter candy and bookstores usually have them.”
Thor HAD found other candy, but it wasn’t really the sort anyone would feel comfortable BUYING, Steve remembers, with a little laugh. He DID pick up an edible lingerie set that Steve assumes was enjoyed on a trip to New Mexico Thor took a few weeks later, but…
“And huh. THAT I could see. Food boutiques ARE kind of intimidating. When a candy store is overwhelming, to an adult, it’s probably a sign you need to step back a little somewhere along the way.”
"Yeah, exactly. I get too worked up on what stuff means instead of realizing that no, as long as I'm not deliberately buying the wrong goldfish crackers, we'll be fine." Tony hms. "You know - a porny bookstore wouldn't be - I think I'd be more okay with that? As long as the really out there stuff was sort of opt in, versus here's the store owner's favorites. But yeah - the rest. I can see it being a thing when you were just hoping to buy some candy and get something to read that had nothing excessively throbbing."
Tony clears his throat. "So . . . I can't resist. Did - did you buy anything neat?"
Steve laughs. “Thor bought an edible bikini, and was texting someone about sizing the entire time we were in there, so I imagine he and his girlfriend had an...interesting experience. I did pick up some basics, just in case. You can’t be too prepared when it comes to the essentials, right? “ He pauses. “They had patriotic condoms. Do what you can for your country?”
"Do you - need condoms?" Tony's tilting his head. "I suppose you wouldn't want to risk it with folks who could get pregnant, but I'd assume the anti-disease stuff would make it not matter with folks who couldn't? Or do you like them?" He's okay with them, since he's not a jerk, but - he hasn't really met people who likes the idea of them. It's usually kind of weird to find out that Mr. Playboy tries to be more careful about that kind of thing. But it's Steve? Steve cares.
“Not right now.” Steve laughs. “And I mean, look, when you’re me, you also end up the guy who people come to for that kind of thing. But yeah, definitely not risking pregnancy is a huge thing and there were a few women then who I thought I MIGHT end up close to. I’m just not sure what version of my DNA would carry over, the altered stuff or the asthmatic weakling genes. I didn’t want to stick somebody with that. It’s less a judgement thing as it’s a real pain in the ass to grow up with.”
"I can imagine. I mean - with the heavy metals in my old bloodwork, I'd - I worry sometimes, if Morgan's fine, but she seems okay?" Tony kisses Steve's temple. "TV? Or are you enjoying this?"
“She does seem to be.” Steve nods at that. “Which is a good thing. I mean, I’d guess...didn’t the movie version find a way around the reactor? I’m trying to remember the details but she didn’t come around until after the half annihilation of that universe, so…”
Maybe that was better.
He kisses back.
“This is good, talking. But we could find something too. I’ve got our playlists for stuff cued up and then they have some recs.”
"I'm up for that." Tony snuggles an arm around Steve. "Have you and Bucky done this? I mean - spent the night like this. I wouldn't mind, if you asked, and I mean, I'm kind of an ass if I did mind, but I wouldn't. And . . . I think he'd enjoy this, if he wanted it." In his head, this makes sense. Steve likes Bucky in impractical fashionable tight jeans, and Bucky likes Steve even other dimensional copies of Steve. Bucky was just in prison, and in a war, and the poor man might like a huge soft bed and a Steve.
“Nah, since he’s mostly been over at yours or we’ve done it together.” Steve says, shrugging. “It’s been more of a group thing than anything. I think it’s not really something either of us have thought about, you know? You and I’ve had a lot more time to get to know each other. I like Bucky, I think he likes us, but it hasn’t happened yet is all. He’s DEFINITELY invited though. I think he’s having some journey of self discovery or something at the moment.” he adds, joking a little. But, it’s honestly only a little.
He leans over and kisses the side of Tony’s neck a bit. “Honestly though, have you noticed how neither he or I communicate all that well with actual words? Pretty sure that’s because we’re used to being able to read the respective one’s mind about this stuff. Well, any stuff.”
"Is that a please talk to him thing? Or a 'let us do our thing' thing?" Tony wraps an arm around Steve. "Mostly I just want him to - he's had a rough time. You and him both. I want both of you happy."
“More of a we’re figuring things out thing?” Steve shrugs. “And yeah he HAS. I think if he had a problem with how things were going he WOULD bring it up, if that helps.”
"Are we doing okay?" Tony tilts his head. "I'm kind of - I've honestly know a lot of ways to screw up a relationship. And sex too, to be honest. But I am enjoying this, and it's - probably one of the most healthiest relationships I've had since I was - uh - probably too young to be trying for this."
Steve snorts. “Your college days must have been FASCINATING, Tony. But I think we are. I mean if there was a problem, one of us would SAY, right?”
"There's a reason why Rhodey has a ton of patience and I owe him a lot." Tony reaches to fiddle with Steve's hair. "And uh - mostly it's a - are we going around the bases fast enough sort of junk. But that's anxiety talking. I'll try to say things if something comes up."
“I mean, I’m not really sure what’s standard?” Steve admits. “I’m not positive what the modern version of stuff involves.”
"Are we talking - I mean, there's a bunch of options ou -" Tony trails off. "Mostly I just like being with people. Half my bad idea sex involved being lonely, or finding someone attractive and smart, or being drunk. Or all three mixing. But - we can talk about it? Modern stuff is probably not that different from 1940's stuff, just more legal."
Since he's pretty sure contraceptives were illegal in the 40's right?
"This is . . . uh - the best relationship I've been in? I mean, Pep and I were good, but I was a mess most of the time with her." Tony can see how they might do better, in the end of the world? But - he's not sure.
“Hmm?” Steve blinks. “I mean relationship wise, when you make moves, that kind of thing. I mean I’m not sure what most people are doing so there’s that. That’s about all I’m thinking of. And I like this too. It’s working out well, I think.”
Tony looks thoughtful. "So - I mean, can't I just say that I really love you, and I'd like to spend the night tomorrow with a plan of exploring what we like?" “I think that’s reasonable and like a good thing.” Steve pauses. “I wasn’t sure when you WANTED to, and I didn’t want to force anything. I know you’ve had, well, one hell of a time lately, before you got here. And I wondered if that was making you want to maybe not approach things for a while. But I”m down for trying stuff out. More than.” He grins.
"Problem is, I'm here all 'am I being normal correctly?'" Tony kisses his cheek. "But we can do that. I'd like it a lot."
Steve smiles. “I mean, normal seems like it’s PRETTY subjective. Don’t think I can think of anyone who’s exactly normal, even for our...actually, given what we’ve been through? Normal’s a STRETCH. To say the least.”
He grins and strokes Tony’s arm a little. “Me too. I’m definitely ready.”
"So - are we doing this date night and ordering takeout? Are you into that? I'm honestly just into you, so it'll be good either way."
“Hmm that’s probably the best way to go around it.” Steve smirks,. “We probably want something that won’t get weird reheated.” And they might want to avoid Mexican.
"I can't tell if that's innuendo or practicality speaking."
“I mean, I think it COULD be both?” Steve shrugs. “I was going for more of the, in case we’re distracted thing myself but if you WANT that to be innuendo.”
Tony laughs and squeezes his hand. "I just can't picture getting pulled into a hug as soon as I arrive kind of frantic desire, but - that's more that I can't picture you so frantic with excitement? I'd feel like I was screwing up, a bit, I think if you were? Which is probably more that my college days were screwed up stuff. Uh - but - I do want this? And you."
“I definitely want this.” Steve nods. “And I don’t wanna rush you. Is the thing. I don’t…” He pauses. “I think people assume that me trying to be respectful sometimes is me not being INTERESTED. I’d just rather know for sure. And now that I know you do...that changes a whole lot. But I’d thought starting out slow. Definitely the usual greeting stuff and moving it along a little til we get there?”
"I'm honestly not used to that, I guess. I mean - people go Dr. Stark, but it's not -" Tony waves a hand. "It's what I can do, or what I should've done usually."
Steve snorts. “I mean that’s more what I’d say is for academic conferences, not anything else. So, you know. And I think what you can do is fair but it’s ALSO about what the other person can do. It’s not a...well it’s fifty fifty, not seventy thirty.”
"I'm kind of bad about it. I get so excited by the thirty, and so aware that my - uh - thirty kind of is lopsided like a kid's first attempt at a cup, that I never really - think about the other twenty?" Tony waves a hand. "Helps when I hear you being okay with things. But - it's okay? I don't think you're rude or disrespectful at all. You're not - doing stuff I asked you not to do. That's important."