30 Day Writing Challenge
Day 13: Accusation
Stony, but...well, it's definitely Steve and Tony, I'll put it that way. I hope you're happy, woman. This is such crap.
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When Tony gets back from his trip to Miami for official Stark Industries business, the first thing he notices is that there are two large duffel bags parked by the elevator. He looks at them, confused, and goes further onto the floor he shares with Steve in Stark Tower, glancing around.
"Steve? I'm back."
The man in question comes out of their bedroom a few seconds later, walks calmly past Tony and his outstretched arms and squats, stuffing the shirts in his hand into one of the duffel bags on the floor. He zips it back up and stalks back into their bedroom, rummaging around in one of the drawers, as far as Tony can tell. Brow furrowed, he follows Steve into the other room and leans against the door.
"Did you get assigned to another mission or something?"
When Steve doesn't answer a second time, Tony knows something is wrong. He tries to step in front of Steve as he leaves the room and is pushed to the side. Steve isn't rough about it, but he certainly isn't kind. Tony follows on his heels.
"Steve, what the fuck is your problem?"
In the living room, a few feet from the bags, Steve stops and turns. He is angry, Tony can tell, but there is something else there as well. Tony's never really been able to read people, but if he had to guess, he'd say that Steve looked hurt, almost sad. He doesn't understand, so he just stares at Steve, waiting. When Steve crosses the few feet between them and stands only a couple of inches from Tony, staring down at him, Tony shrinks back. When Steve speaks, it's in a tone Tony's never heard him use before; quiet, distinct, cruel.
"Just tell me one thing, Stark. If you weren't going to be faithful, why the hell did you go through all the trouble of moving me in here? Making me feel like...like there was something different between us?"
Tony stares, mouth hanging open. Steve hasn't called him by his last name since before they got together, since before Tony had finally taken that leap and kissed Steve one day, mid-argument.
"Steve, I---" "You know what? Forget it. I don't want to hear it. I should've listened to everyone who told me that you'd never change. I should've known better."
Before Tony can even register that this is happening, too distracted by the tears in Steve's eyes and the bile rising in his stomach, Steve has turned away from him and is standing at the elevator, a bag in each hand. Tony stares after him, blinking numbly. When the elevator chimes, Tony snaps out of it and runs after Steve, holding an arm out to stop the elevator.
"Steve, I never--"
Steve holds up a hand and Tony stops.
"I'm not 'Steve' to you anymore. You can address me as Captain, or Rogers. Nothing else."
Tony's mouth fell open again as startled, confused tears formed in his eyes.
"But, Steve--" "Captain."
He frowned, and looked to the floor for a moment, arm still blocking the doors.
"Captain, I didn't--" "Let go of the door, Tony. Now."
He'd never heard Steve speak that way, or sound that cold. His heart pounding painfully behind the arc reactor, eyes wide and stomach flipping, Tony let go of the door and stood back. He was on his knees the minute the doors were closed. The misery washed over Tony immediately, and he sobbed in a way he hadn't experienced in a very long time. Pulling himself up off the floor onto the couch, Tony tried to figure out what was going on. Steve was everything; he made Tony a better person, told him when he was being a dick, somehow let Tony know that it was okay if he wanted to cuddle in the mornings without actually saying it....he loved Tony, so why was he leaving?
Fumbling for his phone, Tony dialed Bruce immediately, but it went right to voicemail. Bruce never did like keeping his phone on him. Tears still falling, hopelessly lost as to why Steve had left, he tried again. Clint didn't pick up either, his voicemail, still not set up after so long, picking up after several rings. Beginning to panic, Tony tried Pepper and her assistant picked up, telling Tony she was in a meeting. Finally, he gave in and tried Natasha. When her voice came over the line, Tony let out a sigh of relief, but before he could say anything, Natasha's cool, calm voice laid into Tony.
"How could you, Stark? You were always kind of low, but Steve never did anything to deserve what you did to him. You disgust me. I'll be there for you in combat, but nowhere else."
She hung up without waiting for a response.
Tony sagged even further, leaning back on the couch. They were all ignoring his calls. That had to be why no one was picking up. What had he done? Did no one have any faith in him? Well, why should they, right? It was his pattern. Why ever think that he could change for the better when his past said differently? Tony curled up on the couch, pulling his knees to his chest, his phone forgotten on the coffee table in front of him. He was alone; all alone. Again.