Work Text:
You’d think at first glance that Jimmy was a cold, stupidly serious old man.
That was far from the truth.
It’s the first thing Tango learned, when he and the other Avengers thawed him out of the ice. Jimmy was frozen younger, around to his age in fact, so he didn’t exactly act like an old man. Sure, he was old fashioned as all hell, and they constantly called him a grandpa for it, but that didn’t mean he actually acted like one. Jimmy was a soldier, first and foremost. So of course that was the most noticeable part of him at the very beginning. Cold, stubborn, distant, scolding. He was commanding and nagging and downright bossy. But that was just surface level. If you bothered to look deeper, you found the truth; the utmost sweetest and annoying man on earth.
Jimmy could be kind. Sweet. Gentle. He would hold you after a nightmare and whisper reassurance, he would hold the door for a stranger, he would chase down a person just to return their wallet. He’s sweet until he remembers that having friends means you get to tease them and bicker. But it’s arguably funnier, in Tango’s opinion, watching him drily tell Scar that he can and will squeeze him like a stress-ball if he hides his shield again or seeing him grin fondly while teasing Grian for his huge crush on Bigb.
Jimmy Rogers was human. Undeniably, adorably, human. That’s why Tango loves him so much.
But that didn’t change how different Captain America acted in comparison.
Because Cap was the version of Jimmy that was required to be serious. No matter the cost.
And there wasn’t anything inherently wrong with that, it’s just that, well…
Sue him, Tango wanted to see the man relax.
They’d been on a long term mission for the past week that’s essentially just been a manhunt and it’s still not over. Now they’re splitting up, with Jimmy taking half the Avengers and him taking the other. He can tell it’s getting to the Captain, by the tense of his shoulders. Even he’s exhausted of this.
Tango empathizes. This case has been brutal. They’re all tired of it. It’s just upsetting to see him like this. It’s not like they have much opportunity to rest, sure, but it doesn’t make it easier to see his best friend (and no, Cleo, that’s not denial, there’s nothing happening here—) so pent up, knowing there’s nothing he can do because the response will be I’m fine, Tango. Always am.
“Alright,” he says, handing Jimmy an earbud. “Should be a good temporary hold up until I can fix up the comms in your cowl at home.”
“Perfect.” Jimmy says, sighing a breath, “Thank you, Iron-Man. Honestly, you’re a lifesaver. Don’t know what I'd do without you.”
Tango’s thankful for the helmet, because he’s sure his ears are red right now. “Ofcourse! We’re friends, after all. Just be careful with that one, there’s a lot more chances of losing it because it’s not sewn in, so don’t go jumping out of planes, yeah?”
“I won’t.” Jimmy nods, and Tango tries not to frown. Normally this is the part where he goes no promises, and then he replies your the bain of my existence, and then they laugh and hug goodbye. Can he really just leave without making him feel just the slightest bit better?
“Hey,” he prompts, earning the other’s attention almost instantly, “Take care, Winghead. And stay warm. With where I’m going, I’m gonna need someone hot to hold. Though, you’d be such regardless.”
He can just tell Jimmy wishes he had his cowl up when he flushed red. “Don’t be crude.”
Tango snorts, “You consider that crude? Goodness, what were the 40s like?”
“A lot nicer than here.” Jimmy says, sounding a little too stoic for his liking. Normally his stupid flirty comments cheers him up. “Regardless, we should both get going. We’re burning daylight.”
“Suppose so.” Tango nods, yelling at himself for being unsuccessful. He should probably leave but dammit, he just wants to see him smile, even a little. “Do I get a kiss goodbye?”
The blush on Jimmy’s cheeks bleeds to his ears. “I— no.”
“Why not?”
“Why would you even want one?”
“I don’t know, who wouldn’t wanna kiss Captain fucking America?”
“Language.” Jimmy chides, “And where would I even kiss you? You have the suit on, I can’t even see your face.”
Tango scoffs, “Cap, it’s not glued to me. I can take off my helmet.”
“You realize that would give away your identity, right?”
That was true. He’d never bothered to tell anybody his actual identity besides Jimmy. But he thinks it would be worth exposing himself to the team just to kiss him. “So?”
Jimmy huffs and shakes his head, “If I didn’t know you better I’d think you were in love with me.”
“Who’s to say I’m not?” Tango says before he can stop himself. He mutters a curse under his breath. This really wasn’t the time to say to somebody that you may or may not be in love with them. Especially not Captain America.
Jimmy looks at him with widened eyes, then his shoulders sag, as if he’s come to some conclusion. “Yeah. Okay.” He chuckles lowly, and he’s finally smiling, but Tango can’t pin-point why. “Goodbye, Rollerskates. Don’t die on me.”
“Wouldn't dream of it.” Tango replies, not even getting the urge to roll his eyes at the nickname. He feels antsy, shifting on his heels as he watches the other walk away. “Yeah. Okay.” What type of reply is that to a joking-but-not-a-joke-not-that-he’d-admit-that confession? Was he uncomfortable? He didn’t seem uncomfortable. He’s never been uncomfortable with his flirtatious remarks before, but maybe this one was just different. Maybe saying he was in love with him was too much. He wouldn’t blame him, of course, if he didn’t like him back, but he really doesn’t wanna ruin their friendship. He was just trying to cheer him up.
“Hey, Shellhead!”
Tango snaps up at the name, and when he looks up he sees Jimmy farther away, turned back to look at him.
“Yeah?”
The Captain looks hesitant, just for a second, only to regain his footing. “You’re not my style, but keep dreaming darling!”
Tango flushes bright red, feeling like he might just faint from the burning feeling. The sound of the team’s laughter hits his ears before anything else. Jimmy looks sheepish, smiling shyly. He lifts his cowl up and turns around, walking away with his half of the team who are giggling like idiots. Tango scoffs in astonishment.
How could he have ever let himself forget that Captain America, at the heart, was an asshole?
He walks back towards his half of their team, and similarly they’re laughing at him. “Shut up. All of you.” Tango grumbles, walking past them to the Quinjet. That’s the last time he ever tries to cheer that man up.
“You really expect us not to laugh at that?” Scar asks, sounding giddy.
He rolls his eyes, “Yes, Carnie. Now shut up. Or you're benched.”
“You consider that a threat?” Cleo asks, looking at him with that gaze she gives when she knows exactly what you're thinking and she finds it amusing. He flips her off.
“Shut up and keep walking.”
“No— but seriously, seriously, can we talk about that?” Lizzie asks, flying ahead just to look him in the eyes, “Did you just get friendzoned? By Captain America?”
“Yes, Liz, and he just got couch-zoned.” Tango replies with a sigh. This is awful. He’s gonna kill Jimmy the next time he sees him. Maybe glue his shield to his arm or something. Serves him right for giving him so much trouble.
“Aw look guys, mom’s making dad sleep on the couch.” He flinks Scar on the forehead for that and he feels not an ounce of regret.
On the Quinjet, he finds himself sitting in a corner, trying to avoid overthinking things when he gets a message. It’s on a modified pager. He made it just so he could talk to Jimmy without being tracked. Though it’s supposed to be used for missions, they normally use it for less serious reasons. This is no exception.
I know you’re probably mad, but if it makes you feel better, I was kidding.
Tango rolls his eyes.
Uhuh. Sure. How comforting, Winghead.
I’m serious, Shellhead. My type is pretty obvious, it’s smart people.
Oh so not me, got it. Thanks. And by the way, when this is over, you’re sleeping on the couch.
Oh please, don’t be all moppy. You ARE smart. I don’t know how you don’t see it for yourself.
He tries to reply, but he gets beat to the chase.
And actually, to be more specific, my style is blonde, smart people who love rollerskates and sing 80s songs under their breath.
Tango blinks.
…So you’re dating someone?
It takes a couple minutes to receive a reply.
God I wish.
Tango bites at his lip. Maybe this hasn’t gone so bad after all. Maybe Cleo wasn’t wrong when she told him that there was something more to be found in him and Jimmy’s friendship and that the other would actually be interested in such.
I want to kiss you.
I…wouldn’t hate that.
Tango smiles fondly.
You love me.
I do.
I love you too.
I know.
When I see you again, I'm gonna kiss you. And then still makes you sleep on the couch.
He can just hear Jimmy’s hearty laugh from here.
Wouldn't expect anything less, darling.