Archive of Our Own

To think, it had started off as a perfectly, nice normal day.

Tony was even on his best behavior, or as close to as he would ever get. He was on time to his meetings, and didn't even make that many snarky remarks toward his board (less than five! practically a miracle!). Their new product launch was going better than planned, and the last time Tony graced the trashy tabloid side of the news, it was clear it was a blatant lie!

So Tony Stark was good. Iron Man was good.

Really, the karma balance should be in favor.

He was in a good mood!

Until he wasn't.

Of course Nick Fucking Fury, the Man in Black himself, decided that he was, in fact, going to ruin his day.

He got a call from a secure number, and all it took was five words for Tony's whole world to change.

"Captain America has been found."

Captain America.

Steve Goddamn Rogers. 

The man in the star spangled suit that carried a shield.

A hero, to many, before and after his disappearance. Including his father, who had always been obsessed with the man, and determined that he could be found. He had spent time, money, and effort, way more than he had ever done with his own son, to try to make that belief a reality. He had died before he could ever get confirmation.

Now decades later, the leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. was calling him to say his father was right.

"So now we have closure," Tony said evenly. "Are you going to lay him to rest or will you keep the poor man deep in your facilities as a glorified lab experiment?"

There was a long pause, and then, "Stark. You don't get it."

"I don't get what?" Tony asked, a touch of impatience in his voice. "You found Cap's body and I suppose because my father's the one that left the money to keep funding his search and you can't exactly tell him so you're informing his next of kin. I'm flattered."

"Stark." Fury's voice was firmer this time. "He's alive."

And for once, Tony didn't have anything to say. Alive. How? It has been, what, seventy years since the plane crashed? How was he supposed to survive for seventy years?

"If you want more information, you will have to come here," Fury informed him. "I won't be disclosing any more information over the phone. This will remain a secret for the foreseeable future." Tell anyone, and they'll never find your body, is what he was clearly saying.

"Sure, sure, these lips are sealed," Tony said absentmindedly. His brain was usually ahead of, well, everyone's, and had been since he was a child, and now it felt like he was struggling to catch up. He hated the feeling. "Send me an invite, a real nice one, the gold lined kind, and I'll make sure to pop in and check out our Not so Sleeping Beauty."

"You'll get a time and a location and that's it," Fury shot back. "We'll be in touch, Stark."

"Looking forward to it, Nick!" Tony said, throwing in some faux cheerfulness in his voice that he knew would bug the other man. He got silence and an ended call instead of a response.

Not unexpected. At least he got the last word.

But now that Fury was gone, he was left alone with what he had just shared.

Captain America was alive. Steve Rogers was somehow alive. Did he look the same? Impossible, right? Had he aged in the ice? Was he an old man who missed out on all his youth, decaying away unconscious? He sure as hell hoped he was unconscious, because the alternative was actually terrifying.

Captain America. Steve Rogers.

Steve.

He remembered his blue eyes, his sharp cheekbones, his laugh. How stubborn he was. Determined to always do the right thing and trying to fight for what he was right, even at a time where his heart and impulsiveness were too big for his body.

How was he supposed to face him now? Could he lie and pretend? What would Steve say? There's no way he wouldn't recognize him, and how the hell could he ever explain what he did?

Tony had spent years acting as what he experienced, what he went through, was just a long dream, or a delusion, or the drunken fantasy, but he was older now.

He couldn't pretend, and once he faced Steve Rogers, he wasn't sure if he'd ever able to go back.

Because he wasn't just his father's obsession. The people's hero. A martyr that was made into a being that could do no wrong after his death.

Steve Rogers could very well be the love of Tony Stark's life.

And he wasn't sure what to do about it.

THEN (Fall 2007)

It wasn't as Tony ever intended to time travel. He was a futurist, looking ahead (and unfortunately had been compared to his father one too many times in that sense, including by Obie, who obviously meant it as a compliment. It wasn't one, but Tony loved him and well, he didn't want to upset his late father's best friend by reminding him how little the two Stark men were fond of each other), not behind. Sure, going ahead might be a little interesting, seeing how far humanity's advancements could take them, yet even then, the appeal was lacking. 

It would feel like cheating, and Tony wanted credit for all his ideas.

So Tony didn't plan to make a time travel device.

But the thing was Tony was drunk. He was incredibly, absolutely wasted. It usually wasn't a hindrance. There had been many times where he had worked on something, either half asleep, or half drunk, or both, and then came out with an invention that was going to make him look even more of a genius, and make the company a ton of money.

It was supposed to be a watch. Just a watch. He had started it as a gift for Rhodey, something to resemble a communicator from Star Trek, since he was secretly a Trekkie. Or at least he used to be. "Helps turn my brain off for a bit," he claimed back when they were at MIT together (and Tony had made fun of him relentlessly for it). It'd be a fun throwback. But of course, anything Tony made would be better than anything the show had come up with way back when.

Anyway, he was bored and drunk and fidgeting. His brain was going too fast to keep up with and he decided to follow his instincts. The results were just as he imagined it - it looked amazing. Now he just had to fix the date. He fiddled with the digits, the time, the date, the year. It was so old fashioned in that sense. What he didn't expect was that his now tired and shaky hands continuously fumbling the date. He kept going backwards instead of forward. The tiny part of his brain that was still rational knew that he should leave it, come back to it when he was fully sober and maybe even change the dials completely, but the majority of him remained stubborn. A little dial wasn't going to beat Tony Stark. That was ridiculous.

But he kept pushing it back instead, blinking rapidly, as sleep called his name. He wouldn't succumb to it. Yet, his hands stopped cooperating and he paused in his actions for just a moment. Maybe he needed to sit down. Or get some coffee. Or ... stop his watch from glowing. Wait, stop his watch from glowing?

He was suddenly more awake and alert than he had been most of the night. His watch was glowing, emitting a blue light that was gradually getting bigger and brighter. Drop it. Let it go. Get away from it.

Tony couldn't do any of those things, just watch in confusion and horror as it washed over him.

Then nothing.

NOW (Present Day circa 2012)

Tony was fine. Absolutely fine.

He had not heard from Fury in about two weeks, and maybe it was for the best. Definitely for the best. Now he could just pretend that call never happened and he would move on with his life. A very busy life that involved running a top company and being the genius billionaire playboy philanthropist that he was.

No room for Captain America and whatever he was like after 70 years on ice.

He was certainly not worrying or wondering what S.H.I.E.L.D was doing. Absolutely not hacking their systems to figure out if there were any updates (there weren't).

And he was doing a great job of acting as though the call didn't affect him at all, if he did say so himself.

"Tony, what is going on?" 

Or maybe not.

Tony faced Pepper and gave her his best, most charming grin.

It didn't work, and she just stared at him pointedly, and raised an eyebrow. "Tony."

Well, he wasn't going to give in that easily. What would he even say that wouldn't give her more worry? Playing innocent was the right way to go. "Why, Pep, light of my life, whatever are you talking about? I'm always on my best behavior."

She narrowed her eyes. "You've been off for weeks at this point."

"But you can't say I haven't been on my best behavior!" He said triumphantly. Which was true! No scandals, no disruptions. Just him showing up.

"Hmm." She didn't (and couldn't) dispute his point, yet her tone and expression hadn't changed either. "But you're not acting like yourself. It's as if you're here and a million miles away at the same time."

There was genuine concern in her voice and he felt a smidge of guilt. Tony didn't want to worry Pepper. She was one of the most important people in his life and had been through enough over the years as it was.

"I'm fine, Pep," he said, instead of being sarcastic.

"You don't look fine, Tony," Pepper replied firmly. "The last time you were acting off and out of character like this ..."

"I'm not dying, Pepper," Tony interrupted. "I promise." He ran his hand through his hair and decided to be vague and tell some version of the truth. After all, Pepper was not going to let it go until she got some answers. "Look, I talked to Fury a few weeks ago, and he said something that has been in my head. But it'll be fine." I hope. "I'd love to tell you but apparently I'm sworn to secrecy and I know that man will know."

"Tony Stark exhibiting discretion," Pepper said, visibly impressed. "I don't know whether I should thank Fury or be afraid of him."

"No need to be afraid," Tony said confidently. "You're Pepper Goddamn Potts."

"He does seem intimidating, along with that Russian who worked with him," Pepper said, though she didn't actually seem put off.

"You could take him," Tony said. "I believe in you."

She snorted. "Pass. I am grateful that he saved your life."

"Technically Romanov was the one who stabbed me with the needle," Tony reminded her. "But I suppose he played a part." He received an eye roll for that one. "It's true!"

Pepper let out a deep breath, rubbing the bridge of her nose with her fingers. "So you're really okay? Anything you need to talk about?"

"I'm fine," Tony assured her.

Maybe.

It was enough for Pepper, who realized that she wasn't going to get much more out of him, but threatened to keep an eye on him and go directly to Fury himself if he kept this up or she decided he was getting worse. Which was a formidable threat. Nick Fury would not know what hit him.

Tony definitely wasn't going to warn him. Where was the fun in that?

It turned out that Pepper hadn't kept her concern to himself. It wasn't long after he went home for the day that he got a call from Rhodey, who was just "checking in." Tony indulged him for a few minutes before getting to the point. 

"So Pepper talked to you, huh?" he said, going for the blunt option. He loved Rhodey but he really didn't want to have this conversation again. A part of him was actually concerned that he would be worn out and reveal too much. Obviously, he hadn't told anyone, including Obie, of his time travel adventure. There was no chance anybody would believe him and if he had, well, even he knew that time travel technology shouldn't be exploited by the masses. 

"I can't call to chat?" Rhodey asked, using a similar type of nonchalance that he had had attempted with Pepper earlier that day. Tony was more entertained than Pepper had been, but it was about the same level of success.

"You can, and I always love hearing your dulcet tones, honey bunches of oats, but if you wanted to to be more subtle about your intervention, you and Pepper should have at least tried to alternate days, or given enough room for doubt. Some room. Any room. Same day ain't cutting it, peaches."

"Fair," Rhodey accepted. "She did tell me that you were okay, but I wanted to check in myself."

"I'm flattered, apple pie," Tony said, and honestly, he kind of was. It wasn't as if he hadn't had Pepper and Rhodey before, Rhodey more than Pepper, and of course Happy too, but after everything that went down with Obie, it was good to know who had his back. Obie's betrayal had hurt, deeper and longer than he would ever admit out loud, far after he was dead, but having them eased some of the pain. Most of it.

"You better be," Rhodey joked, thankfully unable to decipher his thoughts over the phone. "So, you're good?"

"I will be," Tony said, half lying. He sighed, purposefully dramatic. "I'm not causing trouble and instead of appreciating me and showering me with gratitude, you are all suspicious!"

"We just want you to be you, Tones," Rhodey said easily. "With maybe, less explosions."

"You should aim for more realistic goals," Tony said, smirking, and Rhodey laughed.

"A guy can dream."

They fell into an easy catch up, the kind that Rhodey pretended to call over. It was easy to talk to Rhodey. That was his best friend, someone who had seen him when he was young, when he was down, and at his worst. He was almost sad when they hand to hang up. Everyone knew he was more into text messaging, but he made exceptions outside of work. Just for a couple people.

They were worth it.

And he would try to be better for them.

But when he went to bed that night, he didn't dream.

He remembered.

THEN (Brooklyn, 1943)

Tony groaned as he came to. His mouth was dry and tasted gross, but he was otherwise immune to most hangover side effects by now. He opened and closed his eyes a few times, adjusting to the light. Wait, the light? He opened his eyes suddenly and sat up. Where the fuck was he? The last thing he remembered was being in his lab, making a watch for Rh- the watch! Tony looked down to see said watch in his hand, cracked. Yeah, whatever that thing did  was not going to be easily reversed until Tony figured out how to fix it. Speaking of which, what had it done? Teleportation?

"Uh, sir, are you okay?"

The next thing Tony realized was that he wasn't alone. Which he should've figured out sooner, or immediately even.S ure, he had security, but he was Tony Stark and well versed on being very careful about his surroundings. Apparently not. "Maybe this will teach you not to drink and tech, Tony," a voice that sounded suspiciously like Rhodey said. His best friend was mostly fondly exasperated by his antics and the military had been helped at times too, but he worried, especially when it came to working in his lab when tipsy/drunk. "You're going to wake up one day having saved the world or taken over it, I can't tell which one."

"Sir?"

Oh, right, again, not alone. Tony turned toward the sound of the deep, male voice that was speaking to him and found himself meeting intense blue eyes. Those eyes were on an angular face and filled with concern.Those eyes were really pretty - really, the whole man was pretty - and Tony (though very aware of his own bisexuality) really couldn't afford that thought right now.

"Hi," he said. "You look familiar." Oops, he didn't mean to say that but the truth was he did. He wished he could place him.

"I wish I could say the same," the man said, lips twitching. "Do you know where you are or how you got here?" Tony squinted at him, slightly suspicious. It wouldn't be the first time that someone has "pretended not to know him". Yet this guy had a very open face (he knew they had barely met but Tony considered himself pretty good at figuring out people's intentions. It's how he knew to hire Pepper Potts, the best PA he'd ever had, and befriended Rhodey, though Rhodey would say he appointed himself to take care of "Tony's dumb ass") and he seemed to genuinely believe what he was saying.

"Shame," He said, leaning against the wall, sitting up higher. He wrinkled his nose. "Something tells me I'm not in Manhattan anymore."

The man raised his eyebrows in surprise. "No, you're in Brooklyn. Should you be in Manhattan?"

But Tony was too caught up on the first part of his sentence. Brooklyn? So the watch was, in fact, a teleportation device. He didn't know whether to be impressed with himself (he could be later in the safety of his own place) or just annoyed. Maybe both.

"Ideally," Tony groaned. "Ugh, what a day." He shook his head. "Not making it your problem. Thanks for checking in -"

"Steve, Steve Rogers," the man said, offering his hand, and Tony shook it, pretending he didn't feel sparks. He wondered if the name was a coincidence or the guy's parents were a fan.

"I'm ..." Well, he didn't know him, right? He could have a little fun with this first, and then give the guy a reward later. "Edward ... Edward Anthony ... Potts." There, that was a good one. 

"Nice to meet you, Edward, even if it could be under better circumstances," Steve said evenly.

Yeah, never mind, he wouldn't get used to being called "Edward". "Call me Tony, I go by my middle name."

Steve let out a laugh, to Tony's surprise. "Of course you do." At Tony's quizzical expression, he added, nudging his head, "My best friend, Bucky, does the same."

Bucky? Didn't the real Steve Rogers have a best friend named Bucky Barnes? This was getting stranger by the moment.

"Will he tell me how you always play good Samaritan to randoms passed out on the street?"

"He definitely would," came a steady voice behind him and Tony spun around to see a tall man in dressed in a military uniform. He had dark hair and sharp features, and huh, he also looked like the pictures of the real Bucky Barnes. The few that Tony had seen. What is going on here? He had a bad feeling about ... all of this. "He loves finding strays. Or protecting them."

"I don't always-" Steve protested. "And you're not that different!"

Bucky shrugged. "Mostly because I need to make sure you don't get your ass kicked."

"I could've had him," Steve muttered, clearly referring something in particular, but Tony was out of the loop. He hated being out of the loop.

"You get into a lot of fights then?" Tony said. Steve was crouching next to him, but the man had a slim figure and he estimated that he was a couple of inches shorter than Tony himself. "Are you a good Samaritan or a secret bad boy, Steve Rogers?"

Steve flushed. "I just, I don't like bullies."

"Understatement," Bucky chimed in.

"Well, I can't I'm not glad he stopped by," Tony said. "Could've ran into worse people." He patted his pockets and slumped. No phone, no wallet. Damn it. "Any chance you got a phone on you that I could make a call on?"

"You should be more careful," Steve said, eyebrows furrowing. "And a phone? I could probably get you access to a payphone but I don't think they make phones small enough to fit in your pocket." He smiled as if Tony was telling a great joke.

A payphone? A sense of horror was filling Tony's being, and he couldn't stop it.

"Did you hit your head?" Steve asked, worried again, probably over whatever expression Tony was making. "Like I said, you need to be careful."

"Maybe you too," Tony shot back, schooling his expression, as he quickly tried to figure out what was happening. All he knew was that something was wrong, very wrong. He eyed Bucky warily. "Since you seem to be heading out ... soldier? Or coming back?"

"No, he's going," Steve said, stiff. Even Bucky's expression wasn't exactly joyful. Well, going to war wasn't exactly fun and games, as Rhodey liked to remind him.

"Yeah, shipping out tomorrow," Bucky said.

"Where are you heading to?" Tony asked, needing to distract them while he put the pieces together. "Middle East?"

Bucky frowned. "No, London first, and then we'll see. Probably Germany if I am seeing some active duty but I have only received my orders. Won't know enough details till I get there."

"Germany? What is this, the 1940s?" Tony asked, confused. It wasn't as if he didn't know the US had military bases everywhere, but active duty in Germany? Was that a thing?

Only to get two blank stares at him.

"Uh, yes?" Steve said. "Sir, I thought you were okay. Maybe I should've asked more questions. What year do you think it is?"

"What year is it actually?" Tony asked.

Steve and Bucky looked over at each other.

"It's 1943."

Oh fuck.

NOW

It took three and a half weeks for Nick Fury to reach out again, and it really isn't even him that showed up in the end. Tony and Pepper were in his penthouse, going over work, when JARVIS announced none other than his right hand man, Coulson, or as Tony liked to all him "Agent".

He was a lot friendlier with Pepper than he was with Tony.

"Director Fury wants to see you," Coulson announced.

"Did Neo not deem me worthy of his time?" Tony asked, unable to resist the Matrix reference.

"He certainly hasn't heard that one before," Coulson said, expression unchanging and as unimpressed with Tony as he ever was. He had to admit, he found the guy kind of amusing. Tony would bet good money that he would make an excellent British palace guard. Those guys never flinched. Silently, he pictured Coulson in the uniform and tried not to giggle out loud.

Coulson may or may not have mind reading abilities, but his gaze got sharper, as if he knew that Tony wasn't behaving (boy, Tony hoped he didn't have mind reading abilities).

"Is it an emergency?" Pepper chimed in.

"Not so much, more of a courtesy really," Coulson said.

"Does Fury do those?" Tony muttered under his breath, and he may not have super powers but his hearing was just fine, and Coulson didn't glare at him but he also didn't quite not glare at him. 

"You should be lucky he's in touch with you at all."

"Oh, please, like Fury ever does anything out of the 'goodness of his heart'," Tony said. "Likely, he is honoring some old contracts my dad definitely had them sign at some point." He paused. "This is about Cap, right?" Coulson's lips twitched, and Tony grinned. "It's okay, Agent, I know you're a bit of a fanboy. How was meeting the old man?"

"Wait, should I be here for this?" Pepper asked. "I can go."

"Miss Potts, I trust you to be more discreet that your other half over here," Coulson said kindly.

"You can call me Pepper, Phil."

"Phil? Agent has a first name?" Tony asked. Of course he knew that, but he never did look like a "Phil" or "Philip" to him.

"You definitely can't call me that," Coulson made sure to say.

"You will always be 'Agent' in my heart and mind, Coulson," Tony promised, putting his hand over his heart. Coulson didn't roll his eyes but he could tell that it took some amount of restraint.

"So what is going on then?" Pepper asked, already having put the pieces together and had figured out whatever was going on was the cause of Tony's weird mood over the past few weeks. To his credit, he had managed to put aside his Captain America feelings, at least in public. In private, well, that was between him and Jarvis and he knew his trusty AI wouldn't tell. Unless he was in severe danger, but that was not going to happen.

Coulson looked at him, as if expecting to blurt out the news but Tony just waved his hand forward. "It's your stage. Grab the mic!"

That brought out he crinkle in Coulson's forehead. It shouldn't amuse Tony as much as he did.

"Tony," Pepper said pointedly, and he gave her a big smile.

"I hope you're fairly compensated, Ms Potts," Coulson said. "You are stronger than most."

"I do okay," Pepper said. "And I've found there's a lot worse out there."

"Fair enough," Coulson conceded.

"I'm not sure if I should be flattered or insulted," Tony said, mock pouting.

"It's definitely not a compliment from me," Coulson said.

"Depends on the day," Pepper said, but her tone was warm.

"So are you going to make the grand announcement or will I have to?" Tony said impatiently. He kind of wanted to see Pepper's reaction on this one, and well, also find out if Coulson had any more details.

Coulson sighed. "Not to encourage or enable your behavior, but yes." He cleared his throat. "As you're well aware, ever since Captain America's plane crashed seventy years ago, people have been searching for the remains. A few months ago, the expeditions we've been running in the Arctic found something. Or rather, someone."

Pepper gasped, fully engrossed. As far as he knew, she had never been a big superhero fan, or mentioned Captain America at all, but well, who wouldn't be curious about one of the biggest unsolved mysteries there was? "You found the body?"

"Not only that," Coulson said, "He's alive."

"He's alive?" she asked, voice raising. "How? Where? What?"

"Why?" Tony threw in, unable to help himself. He received matching glares for his input and made a show of zipping his lips together.

"It seemed that when he crashed his plane, he did go unconscious at some point and then was frozen, but the serum protected him all these years." Coulson shook his head. "In fact, he hasn't aged a day since he crashed."

"That's ... that's crazy," Pepper breathed out, and Tony wasn't sure if he was breathing at all.

"Are you saying Disney and his cryo brain plans was ahead of the game after all?" Tony managed, needing to focus on something, anything, but the information Coulson was giving out.

"The super soldier serum was an essential part of it," Coulson said dryly, oh so very dry, conveying a ton of judgement in a steady look and a few words.

"And he was unconscious the whole time?" Pepper asked, regaining Coulson's attention, which was helpful, so Tony could panic in peace. Thank goodness for Pepper. Asking the questions Tony didn't know how to, without showing his hand.

"As far as we can tell, no," Coulson answered. "He was just in an extended coma and after he went unconscious, he never stirred."

Thank God for that. He was glad Steve didn't feel any pain.

"So, body is steady? And he's no longer in a coma?" Tony questioned.

"He woke up a week ago," Coulson informed them.

"So physically he's fine, and how's the brain?"

If Coulson was surprised that Tony had given up on the sarcasm, he didn't show it. "Captain America is alert -"

"And aware he's no longer in the 1940s?"

What a turn of events. They had met when Tony had inexplicably time traveled to Steve and now it was Steve's turn to wake up in the future. Except there was no going back for him.

Coulson hesitated, which, yes, they did something, and it didn't go that well. Tony could read them like a book.

"What did you do?"

"I'm not at liberty to discuss our methods," Coulson said, which was code for 'we fucked up and I'm not going to let you hold it over us, Stark'. "The Captain is fine now, and he is adjusting fairly well to the news. All his neurological tests have come out clear."

And how many holes did he leave in your precious S.H.I.E.L.D building first? Can I find the footage?

He chose to exhibit restraint, because he still had questions, and he had a feeling this wasn't just a grand notice, but a lead up to something else.

"Wow, that must be crazy," Pepper said, shaking her head. "I can't imagine what it's like to wake up one day and you're so far from home."

"Been there, done that, and it kinda sucks, Pep," was what Tony didn't say. He was going to take that particular secret to the grave with him.

"Captain Rogers is adjusting well, but he has long proved adaptable," Coulson said. It was funny to watch calm, cool, collected Coulson give out information while clearly secretly fanboying. It was a thin line between being professional and wanting to extol all his hero's virtues and Coulson was walking it.

Then again, they were both pretending not to feel something that they did for one Steve Rogers, so they were on the same page. If Coulson knew what Tony knew, well, he was pretty sure the other man wouldn't recover from the shock. 

"So, what does Fury want from me?" Tony might as well get straight to the point. 

"I believe Director Fury did promise you an introduction," Coulson said reluctantly. It probably pained him to think about his hero and his least favorite nuisance in the same room. But alas, that was above him. "Captain Rogers has also expressed curiosity about you."

Had he? Well, of course, he was close to Howard. Why wouldn't he want to know his son? It left a sick feeling in his stomach, that after what they shared, he could only be Howard Stark's son, once again. Unless he told the truth. Would Steve believe him? What would he think about the fact that he maybe could've saved him sooner and then left him to his fate?

And maybe, just, maybe Steve Rogers didn't see what they had the same way Tony had. The brief but meaningful moments were, in fact, brief. Would he be mad at Tony for lying then? Or would he better off if Tony lied now?

"I hope you told him about my wonderful traits," Tony said pleasantly.

"Oh yes, every single one of them," Coulson said pointedly. "You can meet him tomorrow at 0900. Don't be late."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Tony said. Less than a day to get it together to meet Rogers? It was not enough. Then again, he wasn't sure how much time would be enough. Weeks? Months? This might be the thing that Tony procrastinated on. Fury definitely gave him a last minute invite to throw him off.

"Miss Potts, you are welcome to join in," Coulson said kindly.

"Did Director Fury okay that?" Pepper asked.

"I am sure he'd see your presence as a positive," Coulson assured her.

"I can't believe you want Pepper to come and try to babysit me," Tony said, crossing his arms. "No one puts Tony in a corner. And don't worry, I'll be on my best around Snow White over there." 

"As you can see, this is why you may be needed," Coulson said. "Of course always welcome."

"I don't want to intrude," Pepper said, frowning. 

"You won't," Coulson and Tony managed to say at the same time, and Tony smirked at Coulson's mild annoyance

"You won't," Tony repeated. In fact, it would be good for Pepper to be there. He needed support and he wasn't going to ask for it himself, so honestly, he owed Coulson for making that suggestion. Not that he'd ever tell him of course.

"0900 then," Coulson said, and gave them further instructions on where to go and proper ID/clearance. Soon, he was gone and it was just Pepper and him again.

"So, this was what had you all ..." She stopped. They hadn't talked about Captain America, but she knew his father's attachments and involvement with the man. Understood the rare snarky comment that Tony had made.

"It was a shock," Tony admitted. "Like, who knew? Other than my dad. At least his money paid off in the end."

Pepper nodded absentmindedly. "Do you really want me to there tomorrow?"

"Yes, you can meet the man, the myth, the legend too," Tony said, nudging her lightly. "Don't tell me you aren't a little curious, even if you aren't a fanboy like our Agent over there?"

"A little curious," Pepper confessed. "The fact that he's here, coherent and still the the shape he was when he left? Incredible. It is a miracle."

"Yeah, a miracle indeed."

She shook her head. "So Captain America, huh?"

All Tony could do was nod. "Captain America."

THEN (1943, New York)

Steve insisted on Tony coming with them, back to their place, so he can get checked out. Tony was reluctant, Bucky was even more skeptical, but Steve Rogers was stubborn.

And apparently, he was the actual Steve Rogers?

Captain America himself, obviously before the serum.

Despite himself, Tony found him charmed by his determination and inner strength.

"I think I'll find myself a way back home," Tony tried. He needed to fix the stupid watch and go back to where he came from. Fucking time travel was not on his bingo card, and getting stuck in the 40s sounded like a genuine nightmare. And he couldn't do that while supervised by one Steve Rogers.

"You didn't even know what year it was!" Steve sputtered, and Bucky was not much of a help, clearly resigned to their fate at some point in the journey.

"Who doesn't lose track of time now and then?" Tony said, waving his hand. "Life's a mess, there's a war, you can't expect me to know what date it is."

"You weren't acting as if you forgot what week or month it was," Steve argued. "You didn't even know what year it is! And it sounded you thought it was earlier than you expected, not later. That is weird."

"And you want to invite the confused man into your home?" Tony tried.

"He's got a point," Bucky threw in.

That got both Bucky and Tony a glare. "I think that if he was actually dangerous, he wouldn't be actively trying to get away from us. He is only a danger to himself at this point."

"Wow," Tony was a little offended. "I am not only older than you -"

"Age does not equal wisdom," Steve interrupted, and hey, the history books hadn't told him that was a little shit. Did the serum wipe that out? Or maybe that wouldn't have fit the narrative. 

"And I can take care of myself!" he declared, refusing to sway. He realized he could run and Steve likely wouldn't catch up, but he was self aware to know that he'd just end up lost again, no idea where he was (it wasn't as though he spent a ton of time in Brooklyn to know it's layout in 2007, much less 1943). Besides, he wasn't sure that Steve wouldn't send Bucky after him and well, he was in good shape. Not that good shape though. "I need to find a way back to Manhattan."

"Do you have anything to get you back there on your own?" Steve asked, stopping in front of an apartment door that Tony figured was theirs.

"Not at this point," Tony hedged.

"Inside," Steve snapped, and Tony, who hated following orders, found himself obeying, much to his chagrin.

"That was easier than I thought," Bucky said cheerfully, clearly entertained by their bickering. "Now what?"

Just then the lights flickered. "Is that an omen?" Tony asked, only half joking. 

"That's the wiring," Bucky said. "If that creeps you out, you should see the pipes."

Tony found that he kinda wanted to see the pipes. Fixing things! That's what he was good at! And if he couldn't leave immediately, at least he could do something.

"Got a toolbox?" he asked.

Bucky looked surprised. "Yeah, some basics." 

"Show me what you got."

He did, and before long, Tony had the pipes and the wiring figured out.

"Damn," Bucky whistled. "I knew all along it was a good idea for Steve to bring you home."

Steve rolled his eyes at Bucky and then his expression shifted from the constant state of bewilderment it had been in since Tony started showing off his skills. "Are you some of plumber? Engineer?"

"Something like that," Tony said, washing his hands. "Something like that."

"Look," Bucky offered, "We're heading to the Expo tonight ... why don't you come along if you're not in a rush?"

"The Expo?"

"Oh jeez, Bucky, are you still on that?" Steve groaned.

"Hey, Howard Stark is supposed to unveil a flying car!" Bucky protested. "It's going to be awesome! I'm shipping out tomorrow, might as well have some fun tonight. I even lined up a date for you." Bucky side eyed Tony. "You're still welcome."

The Stark Expo. Howard Stark. Of course. Maybe, just maybe, that might be his key home. What would he say? "Hey, dad, it's me, your future son. Can you help me get fix my time travel device and get home?" He was going to get locked up for certain.

"I'll try not to be a fifth wheel," Tony said.

"I don't want to be any wheel," Steve added.

"It'll be fun," Bucky said.

"I've got nothing else to do," Tony agreed. "If you don't mind me taking a shower and borrowing some clothes."

"Come on, Potts, my stuff will fit you better," Bucky said, leading him to a bedroom. Steve sighed and followed them.

Howard Stark. The father he hadn't seen in decades.

At the very least, this was going to be interesting.

NOW

Tony wasn't nervous. That was his story and he was sticking to it. Even as they were lead to Captain America himself by one Nick Fury, he wasn't experiencing butterflies at all. Nope, no way. Those were things that didn't happen to Tony Stark.

He took a deep breath and let Pepper enter the room first. Because he was a gentleman of course. Nothing more, nothing less.

Which was why he heard Steve Rogers before he saw him.

Steve was definitely a gentleman, a product of his era, and had already had risen to great Pepper. He opened his mouth to speak, when his eyes landed on Tony and that turned into a gape.

Yeah, of course he recognized him. Or at least he thought he did.

He could see his mouth forming the word "Tony" and it took everything in him to keep his face bland and not react.

"So they weren't lying," Tony said, speaking first. "Captain America in the flesh. You are the real deal or a very good clone, and I don't think S.H.I.E.L.D is going to spend that kind of money."

"Uh ..." Steve was clearly at a loss for words.

"I know, I look like my father, except even more handsome, right?" He gave his best media smile and offered his hand. "Tony Stark."

"Yes, Steve Rogers," Steve said, visibly shaken, before he gathered himself. There was a lump in his stomach that was slowly getting bigger and a feeling that he could only call guilt eating at him steadily. This wasn't fair to Steve. Not fair at all. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Stark. I've heard all about you."

"More lies than truth, I'm sure," Tony said placidly. "And please, call me, Tony. I know you actually knew my father, but I'm not him."

"Tony."

He had almost forgotten how nice his name sounded like coming from Steve's mouth. To distract himself, he rested his now free hand on Pepper's shoulders. "This is Pepper Potts. She's the CEO of Stark Industries and well, to be honest, Coulson apparently doesn't trust me with you alone."

"I've heard you promised to behave, Stark," Fury said, reminding him he was still in the room. Like Tony could forget.

"Please, Agent knows better than to expect such a thing from me," Tony said airily. "That would never hold up in court."

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Steve mouthing the word 'Potts' and was filled with dread. Oh no. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Potts," he said, shaking her hand too. "I, I used to know a Potts back in the day."

"I'm sure it's common name," Tony said.

"Probably so," Pepper said apologetically. "Could go either way. My grandparents had a lot of siblings."

Steve perked up and Tony ached. "Any chance there was an Edward in there?"

Pepper paused. "No, well, I have a cousin named Edward ..."

"You do?" Tony didn't know that.

"Yes, Tony, surprisingly I never gave you my family tree," Pepper teased. "Not that you would've remembered it anyway."

"You know me and names, Pep," he said, shrugging.

"Anyway, he might've been named after someone but it was definitely not on my dad's side unfortunately," Pepper said, genuinely apologetic.

"Worth a shot," Steve said, a little disappointed but also not surprised. Tony assumed he had a lot of those recently.

He wanted to say that the meeting got better, but it only got more progressively awkward. Steve didn't know what to do with Tony, looking, like well, Tony (and being him too), and Tony didn't know how to deal with Steve, and Pepper could only make nice for so long. Tony asked the right questions the wrong way, and he had mixed feelings about his father, despite them being nicer than what he would've felt had he not made a trip to the past.

It was both too soon and not soon enough by the time they parted ways.

"Well, that was weird," Pepper said, on their way back to the penthouse. "Tony, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he lied, convincingly. "Anyway, how'd he live up?"

"I'm not the person who should be answering that question," Pepper said. "I'm not the one with all the notions about Captain America."

"Yeah, well, that's what happens when you're surrounded by it," Tony murmured. "When you literally recreate a whole new element based off his shield to save your lie."

"You going to see him again?" Pepper said.

"Probably not," Tony said. "I don't think we have much to say to one another." A lie. "And I doubt that we will have any reasons to cross paths going forward."

And he pretended that didn't hurt. That he didn't want to sit with Steve and tell him all that he missed. Let him into the current world and ask about how he was adjusting. Steal him away from S.H.I.E.L.D. and keep him for as long as he could. Forever ideally.

It wasn't in the cards. So they'd go their separate ways. Steve was alive.

That was good enough.

It was fine if Tony didn't see him again.

Little did he know he was about to be very wrong.

THEN

The Expo was interesting. Tony held back, and watched as Steve fumbled with whatever friend that Bucky's date brought along.

He also watched his father on stage, putting on a show. He's so young, was strangely the first thing that ran through his mind. And somehow, more free. The person on stage didn't match the disappointed, serious man that Tony had grown up with. The flying car rose up, which to be fair, was impressive for its time, before crashing down once more. He knew that part already.

"It would've been pretty neat to have a flying car," Bucky mourned.

"People aren't very good drivers on the ground, Bucky," Steve said. "What do you think, Tony?"

"Probably for the best that not everyone has access," he said, which was tame for him. He was trying to not stand out, or draw much attention.

Their nights do take a drastic turn after that. Steve had wandered off at some point and Bucky said he would go after him. Tony went in another direction, only to witness someone running off with a ... briefcase?

"Hey, stop him!" A familiar voice yelled.

Tony was closer, especially when the thief headed in his direction, and all it took was him sticking out his foot to catch the guy, and snatch the bag that went flying. 

"You did it!"

And now Tony was face to face with Howard Stark himself. His sudden arrival made the guy leap up to his feet, and run away, losing himself in the crowd.

"Do you want to go after him?" Tony said, not really sure what to say to his father (his father!), a man who was currently younger than Tony was now. "This belong to you?"

Howard took the offered briefcase. "No, as long as I have this, it'll be fine. That guy better not show his face again though." He frowned, a little of the dad he knew coming out.

"Who was he?" Tony asked.

"My now former assistant," Howard said. "So hard to get good help around here. Anyway, thanks, pal. What's your name?"

He almost told him and then corrected himself quickly. "Edward Anthony Potts, sir. Tony."

"Well, Tony, any chance you're looking for a job?" Howard said wryly, shaking his hand.

"Sure, but I don't exactly have much papers or references," Tony admitted. "You sure you want to trust me after-" He gestured in the direction the guy had gone. "That?"

"Can't get any worse, can it?" Howard said, shrugging. "And it's fine. How about you give me a demonstration of what you know tomorrow and I'll see for myself? I'll send a car for you. Where do you live?"

He recalled the address that Steve had given him as they left, in case they got separated at the Expo, and rattled it off, shocked at this turn of events. He just wanted to know the man, and now he was going to possibly be working for him? No better way to get back or have access to any tools (they would be inferior to what Tony had but also superior to what anyone else had in this time) that will help him fix his watch.

Tony got Howard's card, and a promise to see him tomorrow.

Only to find out in the meantime, Steve had run into a Dr. Abraham Erskine.

Looked like they were both heading to where they were supposed to be.

"I can't believe you met Howard Stark and he gave you a job," Steve said incredulously. "You have the most interesting luck, Tony."

"Yeah, well, maybe you kick started my good luck," he said.

"By what? Existing?"

"Exactly, you existed, and I met you, and now my luck is better." Tony wasn't flirting. Not really. Okay, kind of. But Steve blushed so pretty, even as he was rolling his eyes and shoving Tony away. And yeah, maybe he wanted to kiss him just a little, even now. Especially now. He knew what time period he was in. Aware that Steve Rogers was very straight. Tony had been reckless and dumb in the past, but he wasn't that dumb or reckless.

"Give a rest," But he did look a little pleased. "Glad you didn't run?"

"How did you know-" Tony sputtered.

"Had that look in your eye," Steve said, proudly. "Would've sent Bucky after you, just so you're aware."

"Now you know why I didn't run," Tony told him, smugly.

"Just for that?"

"Maybe not ... just for that." He winked. "I obviously wanted to keep hearing you yell at me. It has been a while since I've been scolded that way."

"It'd do you some good to hear it more," Steve snarked. "You might learn to behave."

"Where's the fun in that, Rogers?" Tony asked playfully. "So you're heading off to war, just like your buddy?" 

"I'm heading off to something," Steve said wistfully. "I want to make something of myself, you know?"

"You will," Tony said confidently.

"How do you know?" Steve asked. "Because you're one of the few people who have said it and sound like you absolutely believe it."

"Let's just say I have a hunch," Tony said. One of the main rules of time travel, at least in the movies, were that you couldn't change or spoil history. He knew better than to give away Steve's literal growth.

"All right, Tony, whatever you say."

"See, that is an attitude and phrase you should work on! It'll make you much happier."

An eye roll was what he got for that one.

"So Bucky's gone? You didn't want to go with him and the girls?"

"No, they're, no," Steve said quietly.

"No dating for you?" Tony couldn't help but ask. "I thought I heard him say they were going to go dancing after the Expo."

"I'm not much of a dancer," Steve said. "Not a lot of girls lining up to get with a guy who they have to lean down for."

"Idiots," Tony said. He wasn't going to pretend that he wasn't shallow, but Steve was just had a light to him. A intense vibe that had Tony drawn to him like a moth to a flame. "Well, hey, the right person will find you."

"You a romantic, Tony?" Steve asked, lips quirking and eyes filled with an emotion Tony couldn't recognize.

"Not really," Tony said, cringing. "I've never been much for long term relationships. People don't really see me as that person, and I am not looking to be."

"Maybe the right person will find you too," Steve suggested softly.

Maybe.

Or, his brain chimed in, the right person already has.

NOW

Aliens. Space. A god of Thunder. A scientist who could turn into a literal rage monster. An assassin, whose partner had been brainwashed and kidnapped and was on the loose? And oh yeah, Captain America. Again.

What the hell was Tony's life?

He hadn't expected to be escorting Loki back would lead to finding his brother, who was also a God, except not a bad guy? Either way, tall, blond, and muscular that had an intimidating scowl and a hammer, wasn't exactly jovial.

At least he didn't want to take over the world, or whatever Loki was going about on when they found him. Very cliche. At least he could do something creative. Why was it always the same thing with these people? Human inferiority, their superiority, blah blah blah. Tony heard it all.

To make it wore, the tension between him and Rogers was off the charts.

They kept getting on each other's nerves; Tony found him easy to provoke and Steve seemed to be on the edge the entire time. A combination that wasn't working well for anyone.

Coulson died, because they were too arrogant to see past their own egos, and Tony felt awful for it.

It got them together, like he would've wanted to though.

Tony would agree it shouldn't have taken that for it to happen. He would feel the guilt for it later. Right now, they had a world to save.

Despite all the issues they had with their personalities (and Tony could admit, he was try to throw Steve off his scent earlier), they worked perfectly. Smoothly. Steve anticipated his actions in a way that he had never seen. Granted, he worked alone, at least in his suit, but that was for a reason, He could never imagine having a partner. Someone who he could fight beside with.

Now, working with Steve (and hell, everyone else), he could see it. A partner. A team.

Tony knew better than to ask for more than was offered.

But as he flew the bomb into space, the only regret he had was not asking for more. He wanted to call down to Steve, to say that he was sorry. That he should've taken the second chance for what it was, instead of running away from it. At least given him a chance to say yes, instead of letting his fear of rejection make him assume he would just say no.

As he closed his eyes and let go, he just wished for one more chance. And did something he rarely did, when it came to his personal life. 

Hoped.

THEN

Life was hectic, to say the least. He had proved himself to Howard Stark, who cared more about what he knew than what he had. Tony was in awe of different he was. Not just in age, but personality. Howard was affable (and yes, he knew his father was able to be charming), but it was more genuine now. Had the war taken that away? Marriage? Tony himself? Just life in general?

He supposed he would never know.

But working with Howard got him dragged to London, so he could see Steve.

And he saw Steve.

Before he entered the chamber, where he was getting a pep talk from Peggy Carter, and where he was able to give him a reassuring smile across the room. The thing was he didn't remember how it had all gone wrong.

Not until it was already happening and then it was all over.

But he wasn't supposed to change the past.

He tried not to feel guilty about it.

Howard Stark did.

And well, he could the similarities between him and his father.

Steve was frustrated. The military was frustrated. And Tony desperately wanted to go home. He didn't need this on his shoulders. There was already so much there.

Except he hadn't had the time to fix his watch, too busy chasing after the father who didn't know he was his father. He enjoyed the work, hell, he even liked getting to know his dad in a way he never did in life. Howard was impressed with him and he heard "nice work" or a version of it more than he never had growing up.

It was hard not to get emotional.

"Well that was quite a show you put on," Tony said, once he found Steve after they had given him dry clothes. And now he had seen him up close, this was the Captain America he grew up hearing about. His muscles and body were distracting, but it's those eyes that still had Tony in a chokehold. "I have to admit, it's a little weird to look up at you."

"How do you think I feel?" Steve asked, exasperated. "This is, this was a lot."

"You sounded like you were in pain," Tony said quietly. He had gripped the edge of the railing hard when he heard Steve screaming, and it took everything in him not to make the stop.

"It hurt," Steve admitted, "but I knew it wasn't going to be a walk in the park."

"Worth it?" Tony asked, tilting his head.

"We'll see," Steve said. "Not for them, I think."

"What's going to happen to you?" Tony asked, frowning. He knew for fact Steve wasn't going to land up in some lab, but also wasn't sure how long it would take before the press tour.

"I've heard things, but I'm going to wait it out." He smiled weakly at Tony. "Still think I'm going to make something of myself?"

Tony squeezed his (now much bigger) arm. "Yeah, you gotta listen to me. I know."

"Then I'll believe you."

"Good."

Steve stopped by before he was being sent out. "I don't know when I'm going to see you again, but I just wanted to say thank you."

"I'll be around, Rogers," Tony assured him. For now, anyway. "But if you want, write me a letter now and then. I'll try to respond when I can."

"Deal." Steve straightened his back and closed the distance between them and hugged Tony. "Thank you. I'm glad I found you."

"Me too," Tony said. "Me too."

Tony intended to lean over and press his lips to Steve's cheek. Affectionate. Casual. (Not brotherly though). But Steve turned his head and he caught his mouth instead. He froze, unable to move forward but also also not move back.

Only for Steve to kiss him back, pulling him closer. 

"Did you mean to do that?" Steve asked, breathless.

"No, but I wanted to, for a while," Tony admitted.

"I was, I was hoping," Steve said. "Because I did too. Is, is that okay?"

"More than."

"And you'll write to me?" Steve asked hopefully.

He should say no, he should tell Steve that this was a bad idea, because it was unfair. Tony was going home. There was no future for them, not even if he found a way to get Steve's plane not to crash. But he wanted to be selfish, he wanted to be with Steve. So he did.

"Yeah, I'll write to you," he found himself promising instead.

And hoped that this wouldn't leave him devastated.

It did, of course. He knew how history played out, and he had to let it play out. Watched Steve turn from a show into a hero. Listened to him make saves. Have wins and losses. Watched him survive Bucky Barnes.

And had to suffer his plane crash, hear his last words.

Loved him all along. 

In the night, he quietly fixed his watch and left a letter to Howard, thanking for everything.

Then he went home.

Heartbroken. Alone. Promising never to mess with time travel or anything like it, and forget Steve Rogers for good.

And well, he ended up kidnapped three months later, so life got a little out of the way.

Even if Steve never go away from his heart.

NOW

He was alive.

Somehow, he had made it, and he was awake and Steve Rogers was looking at him with a smile on his face. Dirty, but still beautiful. "Please tell me no one kissed me," he said, but he wouldn't have minded if Steve had kissed him.

Maybe he would get that chance after all.

They had won. Beaten the aliens. Closed the portal, and now they had even arrested Loki, who was going to be on trial back in Asgard. That was not his problem. He was happy that it was out of his jurisdiction.

With his newly formed (temporary) team, they stumbled and got schwarma. He wasn't even that hungry really, but the aches and pains of well, the past few weeks, caught up with him. Tony was happy to rest.

Tony invited anyone who wanted to to come back to his place. The Tower was partially destroyed but nothing that couldn't be fixed.

Weirdly, Steve Rogers was the one who took him up on it.

"What a day," Steve said tiredly. "I could use a shower. Or five."

"I have hot water and better pressure than where you've been," Tony promised, as they entered. He introduced Steve to Jarvis, who took to the AI much better than most people had in the past.

And showed him to a guest floor. He found some clothes that would be a little tight but fit, and told him that Jarvis would help him find him if he needed Tony later.

Steve found him. In the lab. Which was in tact.

He whistled. "This is pretty neat."

"Yeah, it's something," Tony agreed. "Good shower?"

Steve nodded. "Yeah, thanks. And for the hospitality."

"Least I could do." You took me in first. And he had no idea how to bring that up. Previous internal promises aside.

"Look, Tony, I know we didn't get off to a great start," Steve began, hands fidgeting as his eyes darted around the room. "But I wanted you to know that I really-" Then his voice stopped, as his eyes caught something.

Tony caught his gaze and then realized he was looking at the watch. The time travel watch, which he had taken out when he got into the lab. The one he had never been without and Steve clearly recognized.

"Steve-"

"I was wondering," Steve murmured. "But it sounded so crazy. But you have the same name and it looked like you and ... Tony-"

"Steve," Tony said fearfully.

"It's you? It was you then?"

Tony nodded.

"But why? How?"

"Time travel," he said. "I was making a watch. I ended up with you."

Steve had a myriad of expressions on his face -anger, hope, joy, confusion. But he wasn't walking away, which was all that Tony could ask for.

"Were you ever going to tell me?" Steve demanded. "If I hadn't found out?"

"Yes, not at first, but after the portal, yes, I was going to tell you. I swear. And I know you don't have to forgive me, but I want to explain."

Steve looked conflicted, but also his eyes were wide. "You know what was craziest? I was kinda hoping it was you. It felt impossible, but when I woke up, all I wanted was you. And you're here. I've lost so much already, Tony. I don't. I'm pissed, don't get me wrong, but I don't want to lose you again."

"I don't want to you lose you again too," Tony said, offering his hand.

Steve took it.

"Then let's not. Tell me. Everything."

And Tony did.

There was some ways to go, but they weren't going down that path alone.

Never again.