Work Text:
‘Hey Steve, We had a very interesting last night. Love to stay and elaborate on that but have to take my playful pet baby – Toothless for a run. Left some hangover cure you might need. Feel free to use the shower or anything else you need. Be back soon. T.S”
Steve was squinting at the note in his hand, confused as to where he was exactly. He can tell he’s in bed. He is wearing a size too tight for his frame and his boxers. A sharp ache in his head and his throbbing back pulled him out of his wonderment. Blindly reaching for the aforementioned hangover cure, aspirin, and water, next to his phone. Downing them one by one, Steve started to get flashes of last night.
12 hours ago
It had been 3 months since he was cheated on and broken up with Brock. His friends gave him only so long to get over it and dragged him to a new club in town, to drink away his funk. Nat had showed up to his apartment with his best friend Bucky and raided his closet for a club fit. After a half hour of convincing and death stares, Steve had surrendered to their siege all while pouting at the blue henley and dark wash jeans outfit hugging his 5 '11' frame and the mousse Nat was handing him for his blonde locks.
The club was called Web. The nightclub featured web-themed décor, gravity-defying acrobatics, and pulsating neon lights with a dance floor streaked with red and blue lasers. Signature cocktails like "Web Shooter" and "Arachnidian'' were served by men and women in red/blue lingerie and corsets. His friends found a booth and trapped him in the middle so he wouldn’t sneak away. Steve saw Clint and Sam join them a little after with a tray of Jäger bombs from the bar. Conversations started to flow after that, all about each other's day jobs and everything. Relationship and date topics were purposefully avoided or segued off for which Steve was grateful. Conversation slowed down as another round of shots were dispersed and Steve could say that was when things got a bit hazy.
The last vague memory he has is of talking to someone at the bar. Then a hot bouncer pulled him away from the bar. He remembered the hot bouncer as at first glance you’d think he’s a bit different from those traditionally, hunky bouncers. Yet there was a strength in those sinewy arms that pulled him off to the side. Then his vision filled with dark amber and warmth in his cheeks. The last detail he remembered was that silky black hair between his fingers.
12 hours later
Steve’s phone buzzed with notifications, drawing his attention. Messages from Bucky and Nat flooded his screen, their tones ranging from worried to teasing. He quickly texted them back, assuring them he was fine, just a bit hungover. While his headache was mild now as he hydrated, his back still throbbed and redness to his knuckles said familiar situations he’d gotten himself in the past. He could assume his back ache was a result of the hook up he had. Did he get himself into a fight too? With more questions than he had just waking up to a note, Steve decided to call Sam for more details.
While dialling Sam, Steve’s eye’s went to the note on the bedside table. He saw an upside down, framed photo of a very happy ‘pet baby’ on a couch. Steve now really wanted to meet this cute dog. Definitely not the hot bouncer he had one night stand with. For now, Steve was ignoring the hot bouncer. He was staying because he never got to meet Toothless. Yes. He’ll meet Toothless and leave the hot bouncer to his life.
The sound of a key turning in the lock made him pause. As he tried getting out of bed, the bedroom door slammed open to a black blur bounding at him. It was a midnight black Labrador and the name Toothless - like the dragon from one of those kids movies, made sense now. Stepping in after was the hot bouncer. Steve really should stop calling him that. In daylight , the man was an inch taller than him. Sweat rolled off his forehead down his thick eyebrows framing his light amber eyes. His natural tan stark contrast against a ratty black tank and joggers. Steve tried not to drool like Toothless at the sight in front of him. Toothless broke the reverie between the two humans in the room with an enthusiastic bark. Steve couldn’t help but smile as the dog eagerly sniffed and licked his hand.
"Hey, you're awake," the man said, slightly out of breath. "I hope Toothless didn’t wake you."
Steve felt a blush creep up his neck as he stood up and out of bed, trying to smooth out the wrinkles in his borrowed shirt. "Uh, yeah. I mean, no, he didn’t wake me. I, uh, stayed to meet him actually," Steve stammered, feeling his awkwardness intensify under the hot bouncer’s amused gaze. He chuckled, wiping his forehead with a towel he had acquired from…somewhere. Steve really should pay attention to the conversation. "Sure, it’s Toothless? Not because you missed me?" He teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “I’m Tony, by the way. I was a Bouncer at the club last night where we met '' the hot Bouncer - Tony - added to Steve's tongue-tied look. Breaking out of his haze, Steve changed the subject asking, "I remember my friends dragging me to the club—Nat, Bucky, Clint and Sam. What happened to them? Did they leave before me?"
Tony chuckled. "Your friends are quite the group. Nat and Bucky were the first to leave, probably around midnight. They tried to get you to come with them, but you refused. Said you were having too much fun." Steve's embarrassment deepened as he realized how he must have looked.
Tony downed water from a bottle, looking like every wet dream Steve would have into the far future. Steve's insides melted while his eyes followed a water trail from Tony’s chin down his neck. Not wanting to look creepy, he looked away, fake looking for his stuff. He missed the once over and amused grin from the hunk in sports wear.
“Your clothes are on the chair here. You were not really keen on keeping them on last night.” Steve hid his face in his hands and stifled a groan. “I made some coffee. Feel free to help yourself.” Steve peeked through his fingers to see Tony walk into the ensuite and sighed. Steve felt a shiver go down his spine in embarrassment. He looked around to find his clothes folded on a desk chair alongside his watch and wallet. Changing back to his day-old outfit, Steve scurried out of the room ignoring the running shower. Wish Tony invited- NO! enough embarrassment for now.
Following the smell of coffee, Steve started noticing the stylish chrome apartment as Toothless followed him around. A coffee machine beeped on the chrome counter of an open plan living room and kitchen. Steve fetched a mug trying very hard to remember and forget everything that transpired over last night. Perching on the bar stool, he enjoyed his coffee. The bedroom he walked out of seemed to be one of two rooms. The living room had an attached balcony with a view into the streets.
His mind wandered, shame still burning the back of his neck. This was not his first hook up, but it is the first time he woke up to the person he hooked up with. Steve was notorious for getting attached to one-night stands in the past and getting his heart broken. Tony was the only guy that hadn’t walked out before he woke up, or in this case, kicked him out after said night. How he decided to go after the first hot guy he met months after his breakup will be a puzzle for future Steve. because he could hear the faint sound of the wardrobe opening and closing. Toothless, who was lying down next to his feet, also perked up and barked at the bedroom door.
“Coming!” Tony’s voice came through the door. Moments later he emerged from the bedroom looking refreshed and much more put together in jeans and a fitted t-shirt. His wet hair was tousled, and Steve tried not to stare. Toothless immediately bounded over to Tony, tail wagging furiously. Tony proceeded to fill Toothless’ bowl with food.
"I see you found the coffee. Feeling any better?" Tony asked, offering Steve a warm smile. He nodded, feeling slightly more at ease now as he answered. "Yeah, the coffee helps. Thanks. And, uh, thanks for last night, too. I heard from you that I might have refused to go with my friends and then caused some trouble at the bar?"
Tony grinned. "Oh, you weren't a trouble. Up until a guy tried to spike your drink. I had to intervene, that being my job. Then you were a big trouble and pretty adamant about staying.”
Steve felt a rush of gratitude. "Thank you. Really. I can’t believe I almost...I mean, I appreciate you looking out for me."
Tony waved a hand dismissively. "It was nothing. You’re a good guy, Steve. Besides, I enjoyed talking to you. Even if you were a little tipsy. You were funny and sweet, even drunk."
Steve blushed slightly, looking down at his feet for a moment. "I must’ve made quite an impression."
Tony laughed, a warm, infectious sound. "You did. You were telling me all about your art and how your friends had dragged you out to help you get over a breakup. I felt bad for you, but I also thought you were pretty amazing for trying to move on and have a good time."
Steve nodded, trying to piece everything together. "I vaguely remember talking to you at the bar, but it’s all a bit hazy."
Tony now sat across the bar from him, coffee in hand, “I don’t blame you, as I said you were pretty drunk.” Tony’s eyes tracked his blush going down his collar.
Steve laughed bashfully, scratching the back of his head. "Well, I usually don’t wait around to meet my one-night stands' pets for breakfast either," he admitted, wringing his shirt. He’d dismiss it as a hook up himself. He didn’t know how he’d react to Tony dismissing him as this ticked every box of a typical one-night stand. He couldn’t admit to himself that ‘I want to meet your cute dog again’ act was to see Tony again.
Something shuttered in Tony’s expression and his amused grin slipped to an amused yet sympathetic smile. "Good to know. But just to clarify, we only came back to my apartment last night. You saw Toothless and got completely distracted. Ended up cuddling with him on the couch."
"Seriously?" Steve tried not to shriek as his blush deepened. OH GOD! Oh god! He cuddled with a dog all night?! Cute dog, But STILL.
Tony chuckled. "Yeah. You were adorable, though. Toothless loved you and you seemed pretty content."
Steve buried his face in his hands, groaning, “I can’t believe this. I’m so humiliated. I’m sorry for the trouble. I have to go."
Steve jerked out of the bar and started towards the door but a gentle yet firm touch to his hand stopped him. "Hey, don’t be. I’ll admit I tried not to laugh too hard but mostly it was cute. You were very cute.” Tony said, as he took a step closer to Steve. “It’s not every day I meet someone who gets along with Toothless so well either."
"Well Thanks for not kicking me out and for being so nice about everything." Steve mumbled, eyes everywhere except Tony. A tiny squeeze to his fingers made him look up into the light hazel eyes that had mesmerized him in the first place. “I never wanted to and never would kick you out Steve. I want to get to know the sweet, funny guy that I met last night.” Toothless took that moment to jump up on them and give some happy barks, as if he’s agreeing with Tony. “And I’m pretty sure it would make my pet baby sad if I kicked out his favourite snuggle buddy.” Tony scratched behind Toothless’ ears as he licked Steve’s unoccupied hand.
The silence helped settle Tony’s words and Steve realized Tony wasn’t kicking him out. He wants to get to know Steve. He probably wanted to go on a date - a breakfast date maybe. Would it be too soon?
“I hope it’s not too soon but um…” Steve looked up once more from Toothless to see Tony closer than before. He saw cracks of nervousness in his confident smile. “Do you wanna get breakfast together? It could be our first date or-”
“YES!” Steve jumped at the chance for a breakfast date. Twining their fingers together, Steve breathed out to give a blinding smile reflecting his joy. “Yeah, I would like a breakfast date” Steve admitted more bashfully, as his own expression reflected on Tony’s face.
“Great! Um do you mind if Toothless comes along? He gets a bit cranky if-”
“Well, a cute dog is definitely a bonus on a date with a hot bouncer” Steve babbled and both men froze at the phrasing. But it was too late as Tony broke out of the shock first. “Hot bouncer huh?” Tony mused. Steve was sure his neck would stay red permanently after all the blushing today. He hid his face in Tony’s shoulder as an arm snaked around his side, emanating a whine from Steve. Toothless, sweet baby that he is, tried to get in between them to not to miss out on cuddles.
They chuckled together and Steve earned a sweet peck from Tony. As Steve dropped down to pet Toothless, Tony walked around the apartment picking up his wallet, keys, leash and sneaking a small treat packet for Toothless. Once again, he felt a barely there ache in his back, raising some questions. Steve decided to ask as Tony came back and knelt next to him getting Toothless leashed.
“Um Tony-” He got a questioning look, so he continued, “This is awkward. But um- You said I slept on the couch, but I woke up in your bed in what might have been your shirt. So, um-” Tony once again giggled at the question as he got up and gave him a hand to do the same.
“I didn’t want to mention this because you’ve been shamed enough” oh what more did he do? Steve tried to wrack his brain for any more antics he got up to. His thoughts came to a halt when he felt a breath across his neck and hands once again on his back.
“You fell off the couch before I could get you some blankets. So, I got you off the floor and tried to help you to bed. You uh-” Tony snorted a giggle and continued “ah tried taking off your clothes, tripped and fell onto the bed while your head was stuck in your shirt." It was Tony’s turn to hide his face in his shirt to suppress his laughter and Steve to curse his past self for being this clumsy while drunk. He still couldn’t believe Tony wanted to go out with him. That is…
“You still want to go out with my clumsy, stupid self?” While his tone suggested he was making light of the situation, his eyes told a story of fear and doubt. Steve saw Tony come to a silent decision, he pressed their lips together, hands on his back pulling him into Tony’s chest. There were fireworks going on somewhere as the dread and shame settled in Steve’s stomach gave way to butterflies. The kiss was deep and passionate, like Tony was chasing away every inkling of trepidation about them. Steve chased the lips that were breaking away from little consoling pecks. Steve came back to earth, hands tangled in the hair on Tony’s nape and legs jelly.
Would you believe me now? I want to go out with your cute, dorky self, Steve Rogers.