☠ ⟶ he was supposed to be alone, his boyfriend wasn’t due back for HOURS & yet as the syllable of his name was streamed into the room ( a label that still felt foreign even after a year of recovery ), there was no denying the sheer fear that etched into frazzled veins, hoping that the worship towards hydra hadn’t been heard by the other man. metallic pin that was bound within calloused digits was thrown in apparent stealthy motion underneath the cushioning of the sofa, frame then rising with swiftness ( i wasn’t doing anything, i swear ), whilst oceanic orbs gave the guilt away in spades. not to mention the fact cheeks had taken on an embarrassed blush of crimson, heart beating up a frenzy within caged chest whilst there was a nervous energy dancing within his stomach that made him nauseous. tony couldn’t have heard anything, right? there was no way he could pick up on the whispered phrase that was stated under steve’s breath; or at least that was his prayer of reasoning, forced ( anxious ) smile tainting his features quickly. ❛baby! you’re – you’re home early, is everything okay?❜
much better to place the focus upon his boyfriend as opposed to himself, using the vocals of distraction as he bridged the gap between himself & the other male, muscular arms instantly wrapping around broad neck in order to plant a intimate, shaken kiss against opposing features. maybe if he kept this up, perhaps if he was within stark’s company, what had just happened? would be nothing but a blip on the radar, nothing to worry about. ❛you should have told me you were coming back sooner! i would have rustled up some lunch —-❜ ever the domesticated house-husband & yet the last thing on his mind would have been to eat.
even as opposing arms wrapped around his neck and the kiss was pressed upon his lips, tony was still in complete and utter disbelief at what he had just both seen and heard. was steve really trying to brush it under the rug right now like it was nothing? he had spent so long away from hydra, tony had been so damn proud of him for how far he had come without them -- yet now? he was seemingly still bound to them and stark couldn't help but wonder how long this had been happening. did he do this everytime tony was out of the house? would he just find his old hydra gear and reminisce? the thought made his stomach turn, gaze eventually looking up towards his boyfriend which caused a slight hitch of breath to become audible; usually it was because of how unbelievably perfect he was and how tony would be in disbelief that he was even here -- but now he couldn't help but wonder if perhaps this time it was because he was AFRAID. what if he woke up tomorrow and steve would be gone? what if he decided to pick up his things and head on straight back to hydra? he had gone through this at the beginning of their relationship, sleepless nights just watching steve to make sure he didn't run, the constant worry that if he looked away for a moment, he'd turn back and the love of his life would be gone.
❛----wh-what was that? what were you just doing?❜ words were slightly more shaken than he had thought they would be, gaze never once leaving the opposing males as his heart now hammered wildly within confines of his chest. he was almost afraid to know the answer, he was SCARED that the former captain would perhaps realize that his loyalty to hydra meant more and waste no time in turning on his heel to leave -- but tony had to have SOME faith in him, right? he had come this far, maybe this was just a one off thing he didn't have to worry about. ❛i...i heard what you said and i saw you hold that pin ------ what’s going on?❜