Whee! Thank you for the prompts, they are such a lovely part of my day. <3 I'd like another follow up to the fake dating mission, please! :D https://www.tumblr.com/airas-story/823798666150166529/another-follow-up-for-the-fake-dating-mission
Sequel to one, two, and three.
It’d been almost an hour and Sam was wondering whether Tony would break Steve before they managed to get Stephen and Tony to see sense. Steve had officially created a dating profile with Natasha’s help—and the dings from his phone meant that it was getting a lot of attention—had admitted to an alarming number of childhood shenanigans, and posted some of his art on his barely used social media profile that Natasha had started for him years ago, which had only increased the number of notifications coming from Steve’s phone. And that was just the start.
Tony was showing no mercy.
Admittedly, Sam thought that some of Tony’s dares might be good for Steve—he really did need to date and showing off his art only made him look more human to those idolizing him—but that wasn’t the point of it all. The point of it all was to get Tony and Stephen to see sense.
The rest of them hadn’t gone unscathed—amongst other things, Sam had been dared to eat an habanero, seeds and all, and was just glad they hadn’t had any spicier peppers in the compound—but he was starting to question the reliability of this method of matchmaking.
Sure, Tony had kissed Stephen and had admitted to Stephen being his favorite in a fairly basic ‘truth’, Stephen had needed to list his desired traits in a partner—which had been so obviously a description of Tony, that Tony had to be oblivious for not realizing—as his own ‘truth’ and then sit on Tony’s lap for a ‘dare’. Both Tony’s and Stephen’s cheeks had gone pink and not quite lost that color yet, but beyond that there was nothing. That wasn’t even all of the truths and dares thrown in their direction, and yet Tony and Stephen were still very obviously in denial.
Sam was almost at the point where he voted they just shove the two of them in the closet. But given it was Tony and Stephen, Sam doubted there wasn’t a closet in existence that could hold them if they didn’t want to be there. The downside to utter competence.
Despite their current failures, Natasha didn’t seem deterred, and she was once again up—having just proven that it was possible, if uncomfortable, to eat a tablespoon of cinnamon in one minute—and Sam couldn’t help but hope that this time was the time they got the right reaction. Her gaze was focused on Stephen. “Stephen, truth or dare.”
Stephen narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. “Truth,” he said after a moment.
Natasha smiled, her smile shark sharp. Sam could tell something big was coming and he grabbed a few chocolate covered cashews to enjoy what he hoped was their moment of victory. “Do you love Tony?”
Sam nearly choked on the cashews. They weren’t supposed to get that direct! That hadn’t been the plan.
Stephen froze in place while Tony let out a startled noise, even as he stared at Stephen wide eyed, though Sam wasn’t sure if it was hope or panic in his eyes.
Stephen glanced at Tony, then back at Natasha, then back at Tony. There was a forfeit, for anyone who chose to back out, but no one had used it yet. If Stephen used it now, then Sam knew they’d have made anti-progress.
“I do,” Stephen said, though his tone was not quite as confident as Stephen normally managed.
“You do?” Tony blurted out, staring at Stephen in shock.
Stephen shifted uneasily. “Yes, but that’s… you don’t have to… That is to say…”
Sam caught sight of Natasha rolling her eyes. “You know, Stephen, it’s your turn. Why don’t you ask Tony truth or dare.”
Stephen once again glanced from Natasha to Tony. “Tony,” he said slowly. “Truth or—”
“Truth,” Tony said, cutting Stephen off in his apparent eagerness. It was nice to see that, affirmation in place, Tony was more than willing to get with the program.
Stephen took a deep, heavy breath. “Do you love me?” Stephen asked.
“Madly,” Tony said, before pulling Stephen in for a kiss that was surprisingly desperate for two men who had kissed less than an hour ago.
“Finally,” Sam muttered, satisfied.
Tony pulled back, looking at him. “You know, in hindsight, you guys were not subtle.”
“And yet it still took you an hour to pick up on it,” Natasha pointed out.
Tony’s nose wrinkled in disgruntlement. “Let’s not dwell,” he said. “Am I to take it that this game is over, now that you’ve achieved your goal. Or do I get to torture Steve again?”
Sam laughed as Steve immediately protested Tony having another turn. He threw back another handful of cashews before leaning back, utterly satisfied. All in all, it’d been absolutely worth it.
Another follow up for the Fake Dating mission, please! 😁 https://www.tumblr.com/airas-story/817361692756508672/could-we-get-a-follow-up-for-the-fake-dating?
Sequel to one and two.
“Seriously?” Tony asked, sounding a mix of amused and horrified. “Are we teenagers?”
Natasha’s expression was perfectly genuine, and Sam was honestly impressed. “Truth or Dare is excellent for team bonding.”
“I’m not sure I agree with that,” Stephen murmured, just loud enough to hear. “I thought this was a party,” he added louder. “Not a team bonding exercise.”
“Multi-tasking,” Steve said cheerfully. “We can do both.”
Vision spoke up, as instructed. “I’ve never had the opportunity to participate in what I’ve been told is a staple of both the teen and college years.”
Sam saw Tony look immediately conflicted. Natasha was right, he had a weak spot for Vision. Of course, it was Natasha and she was very good at knowing about people’s weak spots. “Well,” Tony said slowly. “I suppose it is a party game…”
Stephen gave in next, just as Natasha had predicted. If they’d used Vision as Tony’s weak point, then they'd used Tony as Stephen’s.
Sam had to admit that he was a little hesitant about the game himself. Yes, it was going to give them multiple chances to get Tony and Stephen to see sense—there was a pre-approved list of truths and dares to pose to the two—but it also meant the rest of them were fair game. Sam didn’t want to know what truths Natasha could wrangle out or dares that Tony could think up.
Truth or Dare was far better than spin the bottle or seven minutes in heaven, which had been considered for a short time. Sam wasn’t ashamed to say he’d helped Steve put the kibosh on those, even if Wanda had promised she could make sure the bottles landed on the right people.
They all settled on the floor, different snacks settled around them. Sam stole the chocolate covered cashews, narrowing his eyes at Steve who looked like he wanted to take a few. These were Sam’s.
“All right,” Tony asked. “Who starts?”
“I do, of course,” Natasha said. She smiled at Tony, eyes glinting with devious glee. “Tony, truth or dare.”
Tony wrinkled his nose. “I don’t think I considered just how dangerous this game was going to be,” he said. “I’m not sure I trust you with either a truth or a dare.”
Natasha just arched an eyebrow, smug and challenging.
Tony, of course, wasn’t the sort to back down from a challenge. “Dare,” he said. “Please remember, you’re not allowed any dares that will have my PR team sending Pepper after me.”
Sam snorted, because honestly? Fair. “No dares that will have the Avengers PR coming after any of us,” he agreed.
That earned an exaggerated sigh from Natasha. “Well, if you insist on putting limitations…” She looked at Tony. “We’ll start easy. I dare you to kiss…” She looked around the room as though trying to decide who to make Tony kiss. They’d played around with the ‘jealousy’ card, but had decided not to go that route—something about the psychology of rewards versus punishment. “Stephen,” she finally finished.
The faintest hint of pink touched Tony’s cheek—Sam didn’t think he’d ever seen Tony blush before—before he shrugged nonchalantly. “All right, get over here Stephen.” Since the two had—to no one’s surprise—sat next to each other, it was as easy as Stephen leaning in.
The kiss lingered a little longer than was really necessary, but that was somewhat the point. Stephen pulled back, a little pink in his cheeks, too.
“All right,” Tony said, looking mostly unaffected—Sam didn’t buy it—looking around gleefully. “Steve, truth or dare.”
“Dare,” Steve answered, expression making it clear he had no intention of backing down.
Oh. That was dangerous. Here was to hoping Tony didn’t break Steve before they got Tony and Stephen to see sense.
Could we get a follow up for the fake dating mission snippet? https://airas-story.tumblr.com/post/815825017981026305/stephen-and-tony-fakedating-for-a-mission
Thank you for all the lovely snippets! <3
Sequel to this one.
“We should celebrate,” Sam said, watching Tony and Stephen with what he hoped was hidden fascination. The two of them kept leaning into each others’ space and touching each other in ways that could be considered overly familiar, before realizing what they were doing and jerking back and trying to pretend they hadn’t.
“What are we celebrating?” Tony asked, pulling his gaze away from Stephen and to Sam with what seemed like extensive effort.
“The early end to a terrorist cell and the containment—”
“—and hopeful rehabilitation,” Stephen emphasized, the same way he’d been doing ever since they’d apprehended the apprentice helping the terrorist cell and whisked them away to Kamar-Taj.
“—and hopeful rehabilitation,” Sam agreed, “of the sorcerer helping them.” He spread his hands in an isn’t that obvious way.
“I agree,” Steve said quickly. “We should definitely celebrate.”
“We deserve it,” Natasha added.
Tony snorted. “Deserve it? You guys just want a party. Last I checked, Stephen and I were the ones who did all the work in dealing with this particular threat. Don’t forget, we had to infiltrate a cruise ship full of the worst lovey-dovey tripe I’ve ever experienced.” He shuddered. “Everything was pink and there were hearts everywhere.” He paused, tone turning thoughtful. “Though I didn’t mind the chocolate.”
“The pink was rather atrocious,” Stephen agreed. “But I’d really think you’d have better taste in chocolate. The chocolate was rather lackluster.”
“That’s because you’re a chocolate snob,” Tony teased, leaning towards Stephen with a sparkle in his eyes
“As everyone should be,” Stephen said. “I’m just surprised that you, the rich billionaire, would enjoy chocolate too often compared to wax.” He was leaning into Tony’s space, equally teasing. Sam had seen this body language over and over on the security cameras, and at this point, there was a good 50 percent chance of one of them stealing a quick kiss. At least that would have been the case on the cruise.
It must have been Tony who almost gave into the impulse, because he practically jerked back and away from Stephen, frustrated confusion in his eyes.
“We’ll make sure to make you and Stephen the guests of honor,” Natasha told Tony, bringing the attention to her and away from Tony and Stephen and the mixed signals they were sending each other. “But the celebration is happening.”
Given the extensive plan that almost the entirety of the Avengers roster had put together while Tony and Stephen had been off on their mission to turn this celebration into the ultimate get-them-together-for-real-this-time event, this celebration was definitely happening.
“As long as the decorations aren’t pink,” Tony agreed with a shrug. “I will agree to a party.”
“And as long as the chocolate is not the cheap, waxy abominations from the cruise,” Stephen added. “A proper celebration requires proper chocolate.”
“Snob,” Tony teased again.
Stephen sniffed in exaggerated superiority. “Not my fault I know quality when I see it.” Given he was looking at Tony as he said that, something soft but a little sad and confused in his eyes, told Sam everything he needed to know: Stephen and Tony desperately needed the rest of the team to help the two of them figure things out.
“Well then,” Steve joined in. “The celebration—” he exchanged meaningful glances with both Sam and Natasha, “—is a go.”
Stephen and Tony fake!dating for a mission. They’re just a little too comfortable with each other though.
“Shit,” Sam said, leaning back in his chair as they watched the video feed of the security cameras of the cruise ship from the helicarrier, far enough from the cruise ship to be out of sight as long as their retro-reflective panels kept working, ready to be called in if necessary. Not that he thought it would be necessary, Stephen and Tony were both competent on their own. Together? Sam honestly didn’t think there was much they couldn’t handle. They had worked well together from the start. Watching them? Sam was starting to think there were a lot of things about the two of them that… worked well together. “Do they realize?”
Steve gave Sam a confused look while Natasha shook her head. “They have literally no idea.”
No idea. How could they have no idea? Watching them it just felt so obvious. Stephen and Tony had finagled their way onto this specific couples cruise last minute, and now they were ‘playing’ at being deeply in love while they carefully planted a few bugs on a certain select people and in certain select places. Sam had to admit he was impressed, because even watching he hadn’t actually seen Tony place any of the bugs, but four had already gone online after being properly set.
Natasha had said Tony was sneakier than he looked, but Sam honestly hadn’t believed her. Natasha had also been the one who said that Tony and Stephen could pull off this particular con. Sam hadn’t believed that either, not until now.
Steve cleared his throat slightly, clearly looking for an explanation. “Who doesn’t know what?” he asked.
Sam waved at the video feed where they were all watching. “Those two. They’re in love with each other.”
The look Steve gave him was baffled. “Yeah. That’s how it’s supposed to look.”
Sam shook his head. “No man, they’re in love with each other. And they don’t know.”
Steve shook his head. “They’re not—”
“No,” Natasha interrupted. “Sam’s right. They’re in love with each other and don’t know. Why else do you think I said we should send Stephen and Tony?”
“This is a new terrorist cell working with a disgruntled apprentice who left Kamar-Taj and is using love charms to control people,” Steve reminded them. “Stephen handles the magic, Tony gets into the files on this new group.”
Natasha pointed at Steve as though he’d hit the nail on the head. Even though he very much hadn’t. “Exactly. An apprentice who is using some sort of love charm. Love charms can’t work on people who are already in love. I asked Wong about it. Stephen and Tony aren’t at risk for getting compromised.”
They all looked at the security feed again. Tony was laughing, head thrown back and the delight obvious on his face even through a security feed. Stephen was watching him smugly, a soft expression on his face. It was that expression that had clued Sam in. Finally. Because that… that wasn’t something the average person could fake. On the screen Tony stopped laughing, grinning at Stephen and the look in his eyes was… well, smitten.
“Huh,” Steve said, tone thoughtful. “And they don’t know?”
“They have no idea,” Natasha said. “I was kind of hoping this mission would clue them in. Knowing them, though, they’re going to convince themselves that they’re just that good at acting.”
Steve frowned, and Sam could practically see him deciding that they obviously couldn’t let that stand.
Sam wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not, because when Steve decided things couldn’t stand, he didn’t exactly just sit back. He had to do something. Sam almost felt bad for Tony and Stephen, but really… it was for the best. And if Steve decided they had to do something about this… well, Sam was always up for helping Steve when it was a good cause.
Stephen was on Captain Americas side during the Civil War but after seeing how things were going and beginning to worry about Starks health, he swaps sides.
Stephen arrived five minutes too late to help.
“What happened?” he asked Natasha.
Natasha shook her head. “We’re not sure, exactly. Barnes tore his way out of here. He’s on the loose now. Steve and Sam are after him—” Her expression tightened at that. “I suspect even if they do find him, they’re not going to be telling us.” She gave him a scrutinizing look. “They might call you, though.”
Stephen didn’t react to that. Things between the Avengers—and Stephen as Kamar-Taj’s liaison—had been tense since that meeting at the compound, where Ross had shown up, thrown his weight around, and left the Avengers to argue it out between themselves. Stephen had found himself backing Steve in the argument.
Kamar-Taj couldn’t be under the control of the UN. Their work spanned dimensions, and governmental agents simply didn’t have sufficient knowledge to be governing Kamar-Taj’s actions.
“You’ll tell us if Steve calls?” Natasha asked.
“Where’s Tony?” Stephen asked, instead of answering the question. Things were too complicated, right now, to be making definitive statements. It depended entirely on what Steve called him to say.
Natasha pursed her lips, but then gestured behind her to a closed door. “Trying to talk Ross down,” she said. “He’s trigger happy, at the moment.”
Stephen didn’t point out that it was people like Ross that were turning Steve off of the Accords. He did understand that Tony couldn’t just ignore the Secretary of State, but that didn’t make the situation a good one.
Tony came out of the room, looking exhausted. There was a cut on his temple and a bruise around his eye that was darkening. He was rubbing at his arm. “My left arm is numb, is that normal?” He didn’t seem to actually be asking anyone, just complaining.
The words had Stephen jerking to attention though. “Your arm is numb?” he asked. “Are you in pain anywhere else? Any discomfort in your chest?” Tony blinked at him. “Pain in your neck or jaw? Shortness of breath? Irregular—”
“I’m not about to have a heart attack, Stephen,” Tony interrupted. “I’m fine.”
“I notice you didn’t actually answer any of the questions,” Stephen pointed out. “Meaning at least one of those other symptoms is present.”
Tony ran a hand over his face. “Stephen.”
“Sit down and let me take a look at you.”
“I have 36 hours to—”
“Sit. Down,” Stephen ordered.
Natasha gave Tony a look. “Just let him,” she said. “I’ll start figuring things out.”
Tony rolled his eyes, but sat down.
“Send a medkit our way. The EMTs should have arrived,” Stephen told Natasha as she exited. He approached Tony. “What’s this 36 hour problem?”
Tony sighed. “Ross wants to send special ops after Barnes, Steve, and Sam,” he said. “And I don’t want to hear it, Stephen. Ross is Secretary of State and since Steve hasn’t signed the accords he doesn’t have any protections under it.”
Stephen arched an eyebrow, but left it. “Kamar-Taj won’t sign those accords,” he said. “We can’t.”
Tony rubbed a hand over his face. “The accords aren’t set in stone. It’s a living document, one that can be amended so it will keep everyone safe. The public and us.”
“But it hasn’t yet,” Stephen said. “I can’t put Kamar-Taj in that position.” Someone at the door interrupted them, medkit in hand, and Stephen retrieved it. He grabbed the stethoscope to check Tony’s heartbeat. It was fast and irregular, Stephen noted grimly.
“What if I could get a provisional agreement written for Kamar-Taj,” Tony asked. “The Accords council has been working with us. They were even going to give Steve protections after the disaster in Bucharest.”
Stephen didn’t know enough about Bucharest to have a statement on that.
“What would this provisional agreement look like?” he asked.
Tony shrugged, grimacing a little as he did. Stephen made note to check for stiffness or injury. “I can’t speak for Kamar-Taj, I don’t know your needs. But if you tell me what you need, reasonably, then I think the Accords will work with us on the provisional agreement until the Accords get to a place you’re comfortable with.”
Stephen hesitated. “You said 36 hours,” he said. “To find Steve before Ross does.”
Tony’s expression was grim. “Well, I better work fast, then. You done reassuring yourself I’m not about to have a heart attack?”
“No,” Stephen said. He reached into Tony’s pocket and pulled out his phone. “You start making calls, I’m going to make sure you don’t stress yourself into an early grave.” He paused, then rested a hand on Tony’s knee. “I do know you’re trying to protect all of us,” he said softly. “And I do want to help.”
Tony’s smile was wan. “Then let me get Kamar-Taj something provisional, so you can.”
Unfortunately, when a lot of fans dunk on a character for reasons I find silly, especially if they willfully misread the text to do so, the fandom punching bag then becomes my favorite character. I could have liked them a normal amount, but the constant bad takes annoyed me and now I am unstoppable.
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