shieldborne | Negotiations (for buildsomething)

That eyeroll makes Steve feel like they're on more familiar territory. If there's any hesitation or trepidation behind it, he misses it for the moment. And probably there are dozens, even hundreds of euphemisms they could choose for the game they're playing, but Steve is not that interested in the semantics. At least not yet.

He chuckles at Tony's quip, nodding his understanding at last, and drums his fingers on the table thoughtfully. "Like I said earlier, I'm not in heavy circulation these days. Dating is awkward, and one night stands don't do anything for me."

He's not trying to sound judgmental. But like he's told Natasha, it's been hard to find someone with shared life experience. Steve's not looking for instant commitment, but someone he can connect with on some level is just important. "So...yeah. I'm not going to be looking on my own account."

"I don't want to cramp your style," he adds. "But I think I'd prefer if you didn't sub for anyone else. Sleep with whoever you want, I mean, but if you're okay with it, I'd rather keep this between us. How do you feel about that?"

One of Tony's eyebrows twitches into something wry. It's not as if he's not well aware of the general opinion on his relationships. Even if they are nothing like they used to be, he does have a reputation for a reason.

But he does at least take a pause to think about it. The other night had been an aberration for a lot of reasons, though he doesn't blame Steve for possibly assuming otherwise.

"Agreed," he says finally, simply. Honestly, if Steve hadn't been there, that first experience probably would have been enough to put him off the entire thing. He's not all that eager to try again with an unknown and he's far past the age where he felt a need to try things just for the sake of trying them.

"So the next question is. What do we say if someone asks?"

Steve may be a little biased. Somewhere under the stripes and spangles he's partly still the awkward 90-pound invalid who got dragged on double dates by his best friend, and never did learn how to approach women with charm and aplomb. (With the possible exception of Peggy, who he learned to approach by following her lead, hence most of his success with her.) In short, he's used to assuming everyone is having more sex than him, and that's fine. Plus, Tony is aggressively charming. If his metaphorical dance card isn't full, Steve assumes, it could be.

He smiles at the agreement, nodding, and then goes pink again as he considers that question. The team will figure things out no matter what they say. At least, they'll pick up on the fact they're sleeping together, and probably be content to not ask about the details of those sessions. That'll be awkward, but tolerable. The real problem is if someone outside the team starts asking obnoxious questions. The Avengers aren't exactly media darlings, but someone, somewhere, might seize upon their intimate affairs as a way to sell magazines.

He really doesn't like that idea.

"I...don't know about that one," he says quietly. "Obviously the others will know, sooner or later. That's no big deal. Aside from that...You're the one who's had press conferences before. What would you say?"

He can't really argue on the first part -- being a nosy bastard is practically part of the job description even if they didn't all live together, but it's not like the team is going to judge whatever they get up to. Well. They might give them shit for it, but Tony's pretty sure they're at the point where nobody's taking it seriously.

For the rest...Tony exhales hard as he leans back and folds his arms across his chest. "Depends," he said finally. "There are different ways you can play it. Obviously the...details of it are nobody's business but ours. But if we were going to actually go public with a relationship."

He trails off, eyes going distant as his brain runs through all the options at once. Well, there was always a possibility that they could just keep everything to the tower and spend the rest of the time as business as usual. But even to Tony, that feels wrong somehow. Maybe they aren't going steady or however Steve phrased it, but he's not going to pretend it means nothing to him just because the press can be assholes.

"Honestly," Tony says slowly, letting himself focus back in on Steve, "I'd be most willing to just wait and see if anyone noticed and then play it from there. But you're the one who'd be catching the worst of it. There's nothing anyone can say about me that hasn't been said before and everyone knows it. But you...you haven't had a major scandal yet."

Steve can take teasing from the team. Friendly harassment is a long way from bullying; it's just how comrades-in-arms show affection. He learned that thoroughly in the army, although he and Bucky were assholes to one another long before that. Anyway, Tony is one of the more enthusiastic people he knows at giving him shit, so surely it won't be so bad if they're both on the receiving end. ...Right?

The phrase go public with a relationship actually gives Steve a chill. Nothing good has ever come of him being in the actual limelight, and the idea that he owes any kind of explanation of his own doings and desires to anyone other than those closest to him goes right against his grain. The clench of his jaw and sudden stillness says more about his thoughts on the matter than any words he might dredge up could.

Except then he thinks about Tony and how he's dealt with all this bullshit for years somehow. He doesn't doubt it's one of the many things he needs a break from thinking about, and his gaze softens as he searches the other man's face. "There's no reason it should be a scandal."

"No, really. I know people will frame it that way if they want to, for whatever reason they can find." Bad boy Tony Stark seducing the innocent Captain America? It'd sell magazines, he imagines.

"But maybe it's time I took a stand, anyway." No one really asks his opinion on political or social issues, and that suits him fine, but if or when it comes out he's in a relationship with another man, people will be asking.

He shrugs, awkward and a little sheepish to find this is so much more complex than he expected. "I think waiting and seeing what happens is a good idea. There's no reason to make it anyone else's business before we've settled into it."

Tony quirks an amused look at him -- just because there's no reason it should be a scandal doesn't mean someone won't try to find a way -- but wonder of wonders, he just lets it go. Gives Steve a slight shrug and a flicker of a smile.

"Fair enough. And there's always a chance this whole thing turns out horribly and we never want to try it again and then it's all a moot point anyway." That's Tony. Always trying to give himself an emotional way out, just in case.

But he just clears his throat. "So anything else we need to cover? I do have a request, if you don't mind."

Steve has no doubt someone will find a way. He may not have much firsthand experience with the media, but he been unfrozen long enough to make some observations. Maybe it's the Information Age. There's so much data, commentary, supposition and extrapolation available, none of it has to be of any quality. It just has to catch peoples' eye.

"I think we should be able to continue to work together even if we screw this up," Steve tells him with a wry little smile. "But I don't think it's going to be a disaster. I wouldn't...pursue you this way, if I did."

He may not be able to make Tony's life any easier with this, but he doesn't aim to make it harder, either. "I think we should make a list of soft and hard limits, but we don't have to do it together. And a safeword, unless we're just going to use green, yellow, red...but I have a request, too."

"We can start with yours."

It's the word pursue that makes Tony pause for just a second. It's not that he doubts Steve's intentions at all, and he's clearly on board with everything, but a dark part of Tony's brain still can't help thinking that this is something Steve is just willing to help him out with. That it's for his sake. Reminders that no, Steve is definitely into this, wants this, are still catching him off guard.

He'll get used to it. Probably.

As it is, he shakes his head slightly to clear it. "I told you I'm pretty much willing to try anything, right? And I am. But I'd...like it if you told me what was going to happen, first. I don't need you to narrate everything or something like that, but like. A quick rundown before we get started. Let me know what to expect."

Hopefully, it will help him handle his reactions better. He may be willingly giving up control at least for a little bit, but he's never quite going to be able to stop trying to manage the world around him. He thinks Steve is already aware of that, he's not exactly subtle about it. But it doesn't hurt to get the point across.

"What's yours, then?"

Hopefully, once they're actually doing things rather than talking about them, Steve's enthusiasm for this will be harder to miss. He's been thinking about it already, trying to work out scenarios that will get Tony into the headspace he wants and deserves without nudging either of them too far from their comfort zones.

So, then, Tony's request makes perfect sense. "I think that's supposed to be best practices anyway," he says. "Especially when you're starting out. What I think I want to do first, if you're amenable, is mostly just light to moderate bondage. And maybe make some drawings of you, if you're all right with that."

A blindfold might be interesting, too...but one thing at a time. Steve takes a breath and reaches across to put his hand over Tony's. "Maybe it's a dumb, but I want to kiss you. Outside the context of a scene."

To establish physical intimacy, would be the easy, lazy way to explain the urge to do this, and he's tempted to fall back on it, aware of how sappy he sounds right about now. But Tony's been doing his best to be honest, so Steve will stay the course, as well.

Bondage is fine, that's pretty much where they started with this to begin with, the askance look Tony can't quite suppress is more at the idea of just...hanging there while Steve draws him. It's not that he objects, he just can't imagine that someone as, well, twitchy as he is will do well with enforced stillness. But what the hell, he's trusting Steve with the rest of it. If he finds it objectionable, he'll say so.

But Steve is still talking. Tony blinks once in response. And then lets out a completely startled laugh. Out of everything they've talked about so far, kinky sex and all, that's what Steve feels a need to specially request? The incongruity of it is amazing.

"Really? That's all?" Tony's still grinning wide like he can't help himself. All showmanship, he suddenly throws his arms wide. "Why wait? Come kiss me, you fool."

Steve will just have to try to make sure he doesn't get bored, and be prepared to interrupt his sketching if he does.

He's clearly not sure what to make of that laugh; he hesitates, somewhere between backpedaling and hackles going up. Of all the things they've discussed today, asking for a kiss makes him feel the most vulnerable, maybe just because he's done bondage scenes without sexual content, or maybe because...maybe because Tony. Goddamn Tony Stark.

He's not sure whether this has to do with him being willing and trustworthy or whether Tony has some kind of attraction to him specifically. And it really is enough to just be trustworthy, particularly knowing how many emotional barriers Tony has. Still, who doesn't want to be wanted on their own merits, just a tiny bit?

"Well," he protests mildly, relaxing a little as he finds that grin reassuring rather than mocking, "like I said, not everyone likes everything."

But he's game to take the invitation, sliding closer on the edge of his chair and pulling the other man into his arms, resting his palm against the nape of his neck. He feels like he should have, in effect, a parting shot here. Something Shakespearean: Peace! I will stop your mouth.

It can wait. He seals his lips over Tony's gently and sighs, letting his eyes close.

Edited (Post coffee rereading.) 2017-06-06 13:55 (UTC)

Tony is very good at deflecting, always has been. Give him an inch and he'll talk circles around anything. Even when he's being completely honest, there's almost always still something he can't help but hold back, some level of snark and affected disinterest that keeps him just a little distant from everything. It gets him in trouble more often than not, but it's a very old defense mechanism.

And for all that, it's very hard to maintain that distance in the face of one gentle kiss. Tony thinks he might understand a little why Steve was so uncertain about this one thing in face of everything they've been talking about. If Steve had gone in for deep, dramatic liplock like Tony half expected, that would have been simple. Sex is easy, everyone just looks for a good time and that's the end of it. This is...not that. There's an emotion here that Tony's having a hard time placing, and isn't sure he wants to yet.

It's light and it's almost sweet, and Tony lets out one soft exhale and leans into it. Maybe he's just caught up in the moment, but he doesn't try to push for more, doesn't try to make it anything dirtier. Just lets it be what it is.

Yes, well, he's talking to a guy who carries a shield, and there's a certain appropriateness to that choice of weapon. Steve's defense mechanisms are a little different, but boy are they there, and nearly as stubborn as Tony's.

But this; this has potential to breach walls for both of them. Steve's pretty sure whatever they get into from here on out, he'll be revealing as much of himself as Tony is. It's an intimidating prospect, but worth it. Very worth it if the kiss is any indication.

He was half prepared for something theatrical, although he comes into the contact with the most gentle of intentions. Steve likes kissing, and has as long as he can remember. Close physical contact is very much his vice, as well, if it can be called a vice. He leans in until there's very little air between them and deepens the kiss, all unhurried softness. His thumb traces small circles on the back of Tony's neck, and he makes a low, satisfied sound before drawing back to let them both breathe.

"...yeah," he says, with a slight husky edge to his voice. "That's what I was lookin' for."

Just that touch on the back of his neck makes Tony shiver a little, though the kiss isn't helping. He's a tactile person at heart, but it's not something he lets himself indulge much in. Too easy for it to go badly with the wrong person. Something like this, intimate but not overtly sexual is exactly the kind of thing he often finds he wants but is never sure how to ask for.

It's a helpful reminder that if this all goes the right way, he won't have to.

"Yeah," Tony echoes, his own voice a little rough, and he can't help letting his tongue quickly sweep over his own bottom lip. One tiny kiss and he already feels slightly off center. This is either the best or worst idea he's ever had.

"Probably a dumb thing to ask," Tony murmurs, mouth curving into a slight, amused smile, "but does this mean we're doing this outside of the whips and chains routine? Because I'm okay with that."

This time it's Steve's turn to let out a surprised little laugh. He leans his forehead against Tony's, another soft, intimate gesture. "Nah. It's not dumb. More or less what I was trying to figure out. But you have a way with words I don't."

He's smiling, eyes hooded and peaceful. It seems likely that he's just as affected by this as Tony. Lazily, he slides the hand on the back of Tony's neck up to ruffle his hair at the back of his head, apropos of nothing but affection. "Seems like the answer to both our questions is 'yes'."

His smile widens a little. "I mean...we don't have to do the whips and chains routine at all, but definitely not all the time. Just this is pretty good."

The faint humming sound Tony gives in reply is undeniably pleased. Now they're definitely getting somewhere. Not that he can just leave it there.

"Just this? I don't know about that." Tony's smile flashes to something almost wicked for a second. "'Cause I have to tell you, I've had a few thoughts about your uniform and me on my knees."

Now this line of conversation is much more in Tony's comfort zone. Between that and the physical contact, he's lost any of the tension he might have had. But even though he's teasing, it doesn't mean he's not completely serious about it.

With Steve's forehead against his, Tony can no doubt feel the eyebrow-raise that comment prompts. He blushes a little again too, though, smiling at the same time. There's a quiet clearing of his throat before he responds: "So you like the spangles after all. I knew it."

His fingers curl in his hair, enough to scratch blunt nails lightly against Tony's scalp. "Any other thoughts you want to share with me?"

Rather than backing off now that they've broken the ice with a kiss, he seems to be easing into Tony's personal space a little further. His free hand moves up his side lazily to rest against his ribs.

"I have a healthy appreciation for a skin tight outfit," Tony agrees easily. He's practically arching into the hand in his hair like a cat at this point, eyes sliding closed in appreciation. He likes a good head massage, what can he say. It means he's pressing a little closer to Steve in general, but it's not like he has a problem with that.

"Oh, plenty," he adds slowly, drawing the words out as his voice lowers a little. It's warm and amused and clearly trying to see what kind of a reaction he can get. "But a man can't give up all of his secrets at once."

Steve feels vaguely triumphant, watching Tony relax into the stroking. This feels more natural than the entire previous conversation, soft and comfortable. The talk-through had to happen, and they may still have to work a few things out later, but this may ultimately be a better way to communicate.

He chuckles quietly and just barely brushes his lips against the corner of Tony's mouth. The drop in pitch in his voice earns a little shiver. "Going to make me work for them, hm? It might not be a bad idea to just...do some more of this first, before we break out the whips and chains. You think? You already spent last night in my room, anyway..."

"Why Steven," Tony says, pulling back just enough to give Steve the full view of his best dramatic eyelash-flutter, "are you propositioning me?" And then he leans in to kiss him again before he can answer, because Tony is exactly that kind of a jerk. But the kissing is good and it hopefully makes it pretty clear exactly what his answer is.

And honestly, it's not a bad idea. The sex obviously, sex with Steve is never going to be a bad idea, but also a chance to let them get to know each other in this context before things get exotic.

Plus, he probably owes Steve for not letting him wallow in that headspace the other night. He can think of a whole lot of increasingly creative ways to do it, too.

"You be-" he begins to respond, eyes sparkling with laughter, but the kiss cuts him off, and he finds he doesn't mind.

His response is as gentle as the first kiss, at least to start with, but he's getting the feeling Tony's just warming up. Not to be outdone, he slips his one hand around to the small of his back, pressing him closer, and makes an encouraging little moan.

He wasn't specifically pushing for them to do this right now, tonight, but if they keep up with this makeout session that might be what ends up happening. Steve is definitely on board. When the kiss breaks, he tilts his head and nuzzles at the hinge of his jaw, breath warm against his skin. "We should have thought of this sooner."

"If I had any idea you were anything but a flat zero on the kinsey scale," Tony says, voice completely dry, "I might have suggested it." It's only partially a lie, he might not have ever brought it up, but he definitely have thought about it more. It hardly matters, though, since Tony is much more interested in mapping the line of Steve's jaw with his mouth than he is in arguing semantics.

And there's a whole lot more investigating he'd like to do, but the way they're sitting isn't exactly the most comfortable. Much as Toby might snort at the idea of feeling his age, his back is already starting to complain a little. There's always the couches tucked into the corner of the workroom, but that feels almost hilariously teenager.

Instead, with an apologetic little nip to the underside of Steve's jaw, he unravels himself enough to slip out of the chair and perch right onto the edge of his workbench. Once he's situation, he grins wide and sharp and tangles a hand in the front of Steve's shirt to pull him back in close again.

"Mmhh." His head rolls back a little at that nip, but he loosens his grasp enough to let Tony move away and up to the workbench. "If it makes you feel any better, I've never done anything with a guy that didn't involve being tied up or smacked around."

Which may explain why this isn't something he thought of until now. Because offering to dominate or submit to Tony is a little different than making out casually in his lab. Steve thinks his own attitude may be somewhat ass-backwards here, but he's used to feeling that way by now.

"So," he lets himself be pulled closer, grinning and putting his hands just above Tony's knees. "You're on your bench. You want me to work on you, huh?"

This actually puts Steve at a perfect height to nuzzle up under Tony's chin and give back the attention he was just getting. His breath feels rapid and hot, and his hands knead at the other man's legs distractedly. "I mean, I don't mind moving to one of our rooms, but this is...this is you, this room."

Tony's arms slide over Steve's shoulders as he presses in, but any attempt at smoothness is instantly ruined as Tony suddenly coughs out a laugh. "Oh my god that was terrible. That might be the most amazing line I've ever heard, I'm getting it framed." And he does look delighted, still chuckling to himself as his hands map down the line of Steve's back.

Steve's not wrong, though. The workshop is his in a way that very few other places are. The outright amusement fades a little in the face of Steve's mouth against his skin, though Tony's still smiling as he tips his head back to bare his throat.

"Let's see how things go, hm?" One hand keeps investigating the muscles of Steve's back while the other slides up to tangle into short blonde hair. "No planning. I forbid it."

Steve huffs, because he knew it wasn't a good line, but he didn't think it was that funny. Still, he likes to hear Tony laugh. Anyway, Steve said he could be dominant; he never said he could be seductive.

He nips lightly, chuckling just because he's savoring the moment. "Mnnhm. You're welcome. Tell you what, I'll get someone to make you a cross-stitch of it for the wall in here."

The way he's being touched feels very right, and he can feel his own shoulders un-tensing under Tony's hands. It might be nice to just let go under that attention some time. It'd probably make Stark all smug, but that might be worth it.

"You forbid it, huh?" he murmurs against his pulse points, moving down and then around the front of this throat. "So now you're in charge? I don't remember us discussing that."

It's only a playful challenge. A little give and take from both of them is probably what's in order right now.

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