Chapter Text
No one batted an eye when Tony Stark, recluse billionaire, decided to take a trip to his vacation home. No one except a few knew where it was. It was easier to hide his broken arm and bruised chest there.
On Tony’s first night there, he didn’t startle as he was awoken by someone joining him in bed. He felt the figure wrap their arms around him before pausing.
“Are you alright?”
“Am I ever?” The figure chuckled.
“I guess not. I didn’t hit you too hard the other day, did I?” Tony shook his head.
“No, you were fine. Widow got a lucky shot in and Thor managed to get my chest pretty bad. I’ll be fine though. I always am.” Steve sighed quietly.
“You could join us, you know. You’re always welcome.”
“Am I? Would the others really accept me after what I’ve done? I doubt it. But, while we’re on the topic, I really could use your help.”
“And you always have it, but I’m happy with the avengers.”
Tony smiled and wrapped his arms around the hero.
Tony Stark was Ironman, a known villain. Steve Rogers was Captain America, a known hero. Neither of them cared in that large house in the forest. Here they both knew they could simply be Tony and Steve, life partners.
That isn’t to say their... work issues weren’t mentioned, but it had always been like that. Each trying to tug the other to their side, but refusing to be swayed away.
They had spent countless weeks in the house. It was theirs, even though Tony legally owned it. They lived together, slept together, and spent time together. It was their get away.
That changed one day when Tony, as Ironman had been captured by the Avengers. Well, Steve wasn’t present, neither was Bruce (No one had seen Bruce for a few months. He was happily living in a cabin where he could do anything he wanted, but not hurt people. He was happy. Of the team, only Steve knew). Thor, Clint, and Natasha fought Ironman ruthlessly, catching him unaware.
They managed to shut down the armor and bring him in. They had never had him caught before. When Steve heard that they had Ironman he realised something. He couldn’t live without Tony and Shield would not simply let him go. Steve looked down at his shield and made a choice. Captain America died that day. Only Steve Rogers, the man with a plan, was left.
No one, not one single agent, found it odd that Steve wanted to interrogate the prisoner alone. It wasn’t hard having Jarvis talk him through how to get the armor down from where it was strung up, Tony still inside.
The armor was quite light, Steve noted as he carried it out the door, gun in hand. When the little agents tried to confront him, to stop him, they ended up with a bullet in the head. No one would miss them. Not like he would miss Tony.
Eventually he made his way out and to the quinjet Jarvis had summoned. The AI was extremely helpful. When the armor unfolded and Tony fell out into his arms, Steve simply held the scared man close and whispered sweet nothings in his ear.
Ironman had a new partner, and he wasn’t ever going to let him be taken again.