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Tony had never been fond of team building exercises, especially ones that were based on slumber party games. But he couldn’t say no to Steve - not when Tony’s teenage crush on Captain America still haunted him - so here he was, a grown-ass adult, playing a game of Truth or Dare.
At least Natasha had gone easy on him; Tony had chosen Dare and she challenged him to put his armor on backwards. “Obviously the boots are a no-go,” he’d commented, and she nodded in agreement. The rest of the pieces were a tight fit, but as long as he didn’t try to bend any of his joints, he managed it.
That said, JARVIS had to talk him down from a near panic-attack when the helmet closed around his face without the HUD activating. Thankfully, only a few seconds passed before Natasha agreed that he’d met the dare.
Now it was Steve’s turn and to no one’s surprise, he’d chosen Truth. Natasha grinned. “Do you have feelings for a fellow team member?”
“Of course I do,” Steve answered glibly. “I care about each and every one of you. I’m surprised you had to ask.”
“That’s not what I meant, Cap.” Her grin turned impish. “I’m talking romance, or desire. Any combination of the two.”
Steve swallowed hard and looked down at his hands. “Yes.”
“Really? Who?” Clint blurted out and Natasha shot him a sharp look.
“I’m the inquisitor here,” she broke in. “And Steve already answered the question. So now it’s Thor’s turn.”
As their demi-god companion took the dare to eat five boxes of frosted strawberry PopTarts in three minutes or less, Tony’s mind reeled at Steve’s revelation. His first thought was that Natasha was the object of Captain America’s desire, but then Tony recalled his teenage years, where he’d been convinced that Captain Rogers and Sergeant Barnes had been the WWII equivalent of Achilles and Patroclus.
And now that the former Winter Soldier was transformed - more or less - back into Bucky Barnes, it was easy to believe that he and Steve were more than friends.
“It’s your turn, Bucky,” Natasha stated; Tony startled, wondering if she was somehow reading his mind. But then she added “Truth or Dare.”
Bucky looked warily around the room; clearly still not wholly at ease in this sort of environment. “C’mon, Buck,” Steve said with an encouraging smile. “We’re all friends here. This is just for fun.”
“Yeah, no one’s going to ask if you took out JFK or anything like that,” Clint added, only to get one of Natasha’s elbows in his side.
“Okay - Truth.”
“Who does Steve have feelings for?”
“Why do you think I would know?” Bucky asked, raising one eyebrow.
“You can’t answer a question with a question - that’s cheating!” Clint jumped in, getting another elbow from Natasha as she locked eyes with Bucky. Their staring contest dragged on for a few long moments, while Steve sat there uncomfortably.
“Not me,” Bucky finally replied, one corner of his mouth quirking up. “That’s all I’m gonna say.”
Steve huffed out a relieved breath while Tony revised his theory. Assuming Bucky wasn’t lying, who else would Steve be interested in? Natasha was back at the top of the list, and Thor was an impressive specimen of manhood, of course. Even Clint was handsome enough, if you could put up with his impulsiveness.
“Okay - I think that’s enough team building for one night,” Bruce announced, standing and stretching. Steve practically leapt to his feet and strode out of the room, with Bucky following.
Tony joined them in the elevator, planning to head to his workshop, but as soon as the door closed, Bucky pressed the hold button. “You gonna tell him, punk, or shall I?”
“Bucky!” Steve exclaimed, his cheeks reddening.
“Tell me what?” Tony asked, a mix of curiosity and nerves making his pulse race.
“That he’s sweet on–” Steve clapped a hand over Bucky’s mouth.
“You, Tony,” Steve confessed. “It’s you.” He took a deep breath. “I know we got off on the wrong foot, and that you’re still getting over Pepper, but I can’t help falling for someone as smart, and kind and funny as you.”
Bucky pried Steve’s hand off his face. “Doesn’t hurt that you’re - and I quote - ‘a looker with a great caboose’.”
Tony couldn’t help but bark out a laugh. “Here I thought you two were hooking up!” The matching looks of disgust on their faces triggered another laugh, even as Tony took Steve’s hand.
“It just so happens I’ve had a crush on Captain America for quite some time,” Tony explained, then tossed his head in Bucky's direction. “ How about we ditch this third wheel, sunshine, and go get some coffee?”