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“Legend says that on a full moon it will raise the spirits of the dead when lit by a virgin on Halloween night.”
Steve shifted uncomfortably on the sofa next to Tony. At their feet Clint sat on a pillow next to Natasha and Bruce, with a bucket of popcorn in his lap, shoving a fist of the salty snack into his mouth. Clint laughed at the movie. “Be hard to find one of those these days.”
“A black flame candle?” Tony asked
“No,” Clint said through his chewing. “A virgin.”
Steve knew there wasn’t a spotlight on him, but his face didn’t get the memo as it warmed with hidden embarrassment. When he proposed a Halloween movie night, he hadn’t expected this topic to be front and center. And with a children’s movie and everything!
He ran his hands on his pants, removing sweat that so unhelpfully decided to join in on Steve’s discomfort, as the conversation and the movie continued.
After the third reference to virginity, Steve had enough. “I’m going to get some candy,” he said as a way of excuse, though most of the gang was focused on the movie. But of course he could feel Tony’s gaze on him. The one person he didn’t want to know his secret.
In the kitchen, he idly searched through the candy bowl, not really seeing much of anything other than an excuse to clear his head.
A throat cleared from behind him, and he knew it was Tony, had heard his oh-so-familiar footsteps as he approached. Steve didn’t turn around.
“Trick or treat,” Tony whispered in a sing-songy tune.
Steve sighed, staring at the candy. “Treat.”
Tony’s hand reached out, touching Steve’s shoulder and prompting him to turn around. Steve did, meeting Tony’s inquisitive gaze. “You’re blocking all the treats. Unless…” Tony’s hand roamed upward from his shoulder, to cup the back of his neck. “Tell me if I’m wrong, which would be a rarity, let’s face it. But. It happens. You’re on the lookout for someone to help you…no longer qualify for the Black Flame Candle?”
Steve froze under Tony’s touch and his breath caught at his words. Silence hung between them for a moment, it felt as if life itself shifted under their feet. “What if I am?” Steve asked, voice husky.
Tony smiled. “Trick or treat,” he whispered again, the same sing-songy tune.
Steve swallowed around his nerves. “Treat.”
Rocking up onto the tips of his toes, Tony closed the space between them with a kiss, brief and full of promise. He slid his hand not around the back of Steve’s neck into Steve’s palm, before stepping back and looking into Steve’s eyes. “Follow me for a wicked good time.”
Tony started walking out of the kitchen, leading Steve towards the elevator. Steve’s heart raced, excitement coursing through his veins. He’d wanted this, wanted this with Tony for longer than he could remember. A grin broke across Steve's face as the elevator doors slid open and they walked in side-by-side, hands still clasped.
“Something wicked this way comes,” Steve managed in a breathy tone.
Tony squeezed his hand, the other pressing the button towards the penthouse. “Better make sure you have your broomstick ready.”
Steve groaned. “Oh boo, that was horrible.”
The elevator shot upward. Tony’s smile was infectious. “Keep calm and I’ll carry your wand."
“Please stop.”
"If the broom fits, I’ll ride it."
Steve tugged on Tony’s hand, pulling him close again. “You’re double, double toil and trouble. I guess I’ll have to shut your mouth the old fashion way.”
“Happy Halloween,” Tony whispered against his lips as the elevator opened the doors to the penthouse floor.