Visiting hours [Tony/Steve - Wednesday evening]

[playboy_philanthropist]

Tony wasn't quite sure what 'showing Steve around the lab' involved. The way Steve had phrased it, of wanting to see it because it was important to him, was new. Most of the time people came into his lab simply to find him for some other matter. Interruptions for signatures or meetings or human care. Even most of the visits he had to his lab since everyone had moved into the tower was a variation on the same. Bruce and Jane were the exceptions, but they were also fellow scientists. They knew the machines, knew the lingo, knew how to navigate through everything. It was work. Friendly work in the case of Bruce, but still work. This felt oddly personal. Probably even more so because even if Steve was catching on quick thanks to his laptop and google, he still didn't really know where to start trying to explain all the workings of his lab that was like a second skin to him.

Which was why when evening came around, he found he had lost a few hours tinkering on the Roadster in his lower labs, the display for the suits lining the back wall and holographic plans scattered all over the room, obscuring the view of the few motorcycles and prototypes and the few boxes that still hadn't been unpacked. He frowned when JARVIS informed him that Steve was looking for him. He mentally debated whether to just meet Steve up in the more public lab as he kept at his work before he puffed out a sigh. He instructed JARVIS to direct Steve down to where he was before he expanded a view of the engine to give himself something to focus on as he waited.

Comments

[capsteve_rogers]

It was almost like a maze, only JARVIS was around to act as a guide. Steve was glad that he and Tony had planned to meet tonight. Work had been a little frustrating, and he could use a break from it. After visiting the lab, he could focus on figuring out what to do about the issue with some nosy reporter that Fury had told him about, and he could start reading the classified file he'd also been given by Fury. That might have to wait until tomorrow, though, because he didn't think he could concentrate on the information about a newly turned operative, even one with an interesting name like Winter Soldier.

By the time he arrived in the lab, he had calmed down a little and wasn't so agitated. Anyway, it was pointless to let it upset him since there wasn't anything he could do to fix this or protect Clint from what might happen. Steve was frustrated, but he couldn't let his feelings for Clint cloud how he evaluated the situation. When he stepped into the lab, he smiled at Tony. "Hello, Tony. How are you?"

[playboy_philanthropist]

Glancing over his shoulder from where he was sitting, Tony returned the smile and then nodded his head to the side to let Steve know he could come farther into the lab. "Hey Steve. Doing alright. Haven't had nearly as exciting a time of it as you have," he said as he focused back on finishing the adjustments he was making. "Really glad that came out relatively well. Or at least well enough that you're sitting back here and texting. Did you see the apples in the kitchen? Hopefully some managed to stick around for when you got back."

He tilted his head and leaned closer in to get the proper vantage point to make sure he had things aligned right. "Just a few more seconds and I'll be at a stop point. Then I can show you around..." A frown tugged at his lips as that brought him right back to his previous dilemma. "Whatever you actually want to see and all, that is. There are a lot of labs."

[capsteve_rogers]

"I'm glad it went well, too. I was pretty anxious before it started, but then I felt better as the mission went on," Steve said, walking over to sit by where Tony was working. "If not for the getting shot and punched thing, the whole thing would have been aces. Fortunately, Clint was there to watch my back."

Steve nodded. "I got a few of the apples on Sunday. I was thinking about trying to make a pie or something, but I haven't taken the time to bake this week. I might over the weekend. Do you like apple pie? I've never made one, but they're delicious, so I can try."

"Take your time. I'll sit and watch." Steve smiled. "I want to see whatever you want to share with me. You love your labs, and I'd be interested in seeing what makes you so happy."

[playboy_philanthropist]

"Yeah, getting shot at isn't that much fun. Not that you'd need anyone telling you that. Do normal punches even hurt you? With all that super-everything?" he mused aloud, his hands still moving in a steady, practiced rhythm. "And that's good. He seems like good back-up when he isn't going all Children of the Corn on people's asses."

He laughed. "I will eat any of your experiments in the kitchen. Definite benefit of all of you being here: edible kitchen food stuffs. I like it."

He sat up a little straighter so he could look at Steve. "You're alright with sitting and watching? Well, that's unnerving. Actually all of that is unnerving." His brow furrowed as he ran the words over in his head and turned his attention back onto the engine.

[capsteve_rogers]

"Getting shot isn't fun, either." Steve smiled wryly. "It tingles and aches, even if it heals in a few days. Sure, punches hurt, but it's not the kind of pain that stops me or anything. Bruises heal quick." Steve didn't understand what corn had to do with Clint. "What are corn children?"

Steve snorted. "I'll be sure to mark any of the puppy treats I make, just in case they aren't something people would necessarily enjoy. It's nice that there are other people who enjoy baking and are willing to share their food with the rest of us."

"Why is that unnerving?" Steve asked curiously. "Is it wrong to sit and watch you work? Do you want me to just come back some other time? If you're busy, I can leave you alone."

[playboy_philanthropist]

"That... actually sounds very familiar, but with less blood." Tony made a face. "Well, usually less blood. Not as quick a heal time." His lips pulled to the side a moment. "Movie reference. Book reference too actually. Horror so not something you'll be wanting to see. Demon in a cornfield takes over the minds of the children of the town and convinces them to kill all the adults for a good harvest."

Tony shook his head as he let out a snort of amusement. "I'm always busy with something." He gestured at all the holographic schematics as if to prove it before his brow furrowed again. "Despite everyone sneaking in my labs, usually don't have company here, let alone company that watches me." A slightly fond smile quirked his lips. "Aside from JARVIS, but he's also just waiting to help when I need it. It's not a concept I'm used to."

[capsteve_rogers]

Steve bristled when Tony explained the reference about corn. "That's not funny," he said quietly. "I understand that you use humor a lot in your conversations, but that comparison is rude, Tony. You know what Loki had Clint do. He's responsible for people dying who were his friends, his colleagues, people who interacted with him daily. Now, he's stuck being around people who look at him and see the guy who killed their friends. Even those who understand it wasn't his choice remember what he did, and there are some who can't forgive. I hear and see it, and it's not a joke about cornfields and demons. It's Clint's reality."

He shook his head. "Sorry. It's just not something I find humorous. Especially not today." He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Fury told me that there's some reporter who's following a lead that it was a SHIELD agent who led the attack, and I guess there's been some articles published that are causing some trouble. It's frustrating because I don't know how to fix it and make it go away before it starts affecting Clint even more than it is," he admitted.

"Well, I don't know what most that stuff is, so I'm not going to be touching it or messing with it," he said. "You're good with all this, and it's interesting to watch you in your element. It's like watching Natasha fighting or Clint shooting his bow and arrows."

[playboy_philanthropist]

"Shit, it was just a reference," Tony blew out with a roll of his eyes. "Don't get your panties in a twist." His body was tenser than before, movements forced to be slower so that he wouldn't strip or wrench anything the wrong way. That last bit of news was troublesome though. Considering the line of conversation, there were only a few situations that Steve could be referring to. Any of those SHIELD should have had completely under control and internal affairs. Any lead would have to come from inside. And most likely purposefully seeking out the press...

"SHIELD is good at coming up with cover stories. Or at least they think they are. It'd be their word against a reporters and a matter of national security if the reporter actually has hard evidence on the matter. And who is to say that he wasn't uncover? That the victims weren't unfortunate accidents because of faulty equipment." He snorted. "Who is to say that all the people he killed are really dead?" He shrugged. "Whatever happens, you can't stop it from affecting him. You can't stop whatever is going to go on in here." He tapped a finger to his temple, not noticing that the gesture earned him a grease smear along his forehead.

He rolled his eyes, unable to stop the more snarky tone. "Oh, so, you don't know this is a car," he said as he gestured down at the roadster his was working on and then his hand kept moving to gesture towards everything else around the room without looking up. "Engine. Tires. Motorcyle. Shield. Well, shield prototype. That's not good for much other than leveling tables. Desk with computers. U. Suit. Suit. Suit..." He frowned finally look up to scan the room, remembering something else that had become a part of his lab in Malibu but that he wasn't sure where he'd put it here. "Hrm... Pepper award must still be in a box... I need to fix that," he mused quietly.

[capsteve_rogers]

"I don't wear panties. And my underwear aren't twisted." Steve wasn't sure what his underwear had to do with anything, but it was probably some kind of slang. He'd look it up later. "SHIELD already had a cover story. I wasn't able to ask Fury too much detail, but I know this must be causing Clint some trouble. I know I can't change how he thinks about himself and his actions, but I thought I'd try to figure out some way to stop it from becoming an actual story and having the fact that Hawkeye was the one who killed those people kept out of the newspapers."

Steve snorted. "I know it's a car, and I even recognize some of the parts. However, I didn't own a car, ever, and I don't know how to work on them or put them together. I took the subway or walked usually, but I can drive a motorcycle and a car. I learned from friends. You know, I probably need to see about getting a driver's license, just in case I need one. I was given a photo ID by SHIELD but I haven't gone through the process to take a driver's test. I was told I'd need to eventually."

[playboy_philanthropist]

"Idiom," Tony supplied automatically. "Could also be shorts, knickers, or whatever undergarment you wear getting in a bunch or knot. Basically me telling you to calm down." He snorted. "So sad to know other people mess up SHIELD's well written cover stories. And here I thought I was special." He pressed his lips together as he worked, his mind running through the information. "If there're articles actually being published, someone's doing it on purpose..."

He looked over at Steve in disbelief, his eyebrow quirking up. "You don't have any driver's licenses and you've been riding around the city on your motorcycle? You rebel you."

[capsteve_rogers]

Steve thought about it. "So people aren't calm if their underwear are bunched up? Is that why some people don't wear any underwear at all?" He blinked in that way that projected a sincere question even as he bit the inside of his cheek to keep from snickering. "Oh! That does explain those underwear I saw with nothing but a tiny strap in the back. I think that looks more uncomfortable than bunched up drawers, though."

Looking at Tony, he nodded. "Exactly. That's what bothers me. If some reporter is getting information that's somewhat confidential, it means it's deliberate, and someone from the inside is trying to get to Clint. I don't like that, Tony. I just don't know what I can do that wouldn't make things worse." He grinned suddenly. "Though I do have a new 'friend' who happens to be an evil Russian drug cartel leader, so the reporter better watch out or they might get disappeared." He was teasing, of course, but he knew that there wasn't much he wouldn't do to protect his team, especially Clint. Death wasn't one of those things, but there were other ways to remove a threat. He'd just rather think of a plan that left his conscience clear.

"I've never had a driver's license. There wasn't a need because I couldn't afford a car and didn't have access to one until the army. That's when I learned how to drive, but it wasn't official lessons or anything. There are probably all kinds of rules that I don't know." Steve made a face. "I don't much like tests. I need to stop putting it off, huh?"

[playboy_philanthropist]

Tony raised his eyebrow higher as he studied Steve's face a moment, not sure if the other man was joking or not. Well, when in doubt. He laughed. "There are much better reasons to not wear underwear," he said with a smirk. "And thongs are uncomfortable at first, but you'd be surprised at how quickly you get used to the feel of it."

He shook his head. "Clint might not be the target," he pointed out. "Not the final target at least. He could just be a convenient way to an end." He chuckled. "And look at that. Captain America playing nice with the Russian mafia. The Cold War must really be over," he teased back.

He waved a hand dismissively. "It's easy. Some say even easier now with automatic cars and all. You and me, we'll go out and take you to a parking lot and give you a proper lesson. In a car that is. You'll need to get your motorcycle license separate. Maybe need to sign you up for a driver's ed course too." He smirked wryly. "And probably should stop putting it off. Hero or not, I doubt the police will just deliver your ass back to the tower if they catch you driving without a license and you're too pretty for jail."

[capsteve_rogers]

"That's another reason that I need to find a way to make this nosy reporter stop because it could be even worse if the target is the whole team," Steve pointed out. "Every one of us has baggage, and we don't need that splashed across newspapers with sensationalized headlines." Looking at Tony, he arched a brow. "What do you think I should do? You know more about journalism and publicity."

Steve snorted. "I'm not pretty. Regardless, I don't want to visit jail, regardless of what you think of my appearance." He made a face. "A course? Like school? I haven't been to school since I was twelve, you know? Taking tests is crummy." Maybe he could have Clint help him study if Tony would show him the driving stuff. "But, yeah, I should probably go ahead and get that over with. Thanks for giving me a proper lesson."

[playboy_philanthropist]

"Nosy reporters don't stop," Tony said as he turned his attention back to the engine. "As long as there's even the possibility of a story, they'll go after it. And if no newspaper or magazine wants it, they can always just post it on the internet somewhere." He shook his head. "As king of sensationalized headlines, all I can say is roll with it. And outsource. Talk to Pepper, she's the real expert on publicity and journalism. I just show up, be my usual dazzling self, and nowadays try not to make too much of an ass of myself. But I do find that they'll print the story they want printed and fighting too hard to stop them only incriminates you more." He shrugged. "This reporter must have a price. SHIELD will find what it is and then be able to focus on the more important matter of cleaning house. Finding the leak is more important than some reporter."

He reached out and punched Steve's shoulder lightly. "You are pretty. If I was too pretty for jail at your age, you definitely are too pretty for it." He scratched at his cheek before returning both of his hands to the engine. "I'll have JARVIS get the information from the DMV website. Things may have changed since I got my license and, well, me and normal childhood series of events never went hand in hand." He raised an eyebrow. "Dropped out? Or were you special too and graduating high school at an even more insanely early age?" he teased with a snort.

[capsteve_rogers]

"I'll talk to Pepper. Maybe we can do something that makes the story a non-story," Steve mused. He could remember reading about scandals that never became scandals because of damage control and stuff that he'd never paid much attention to. He'd have to research it, he decided, because he could understand where Tony was coming from, but he also knew that Clint felt bad enough about what happened without a reporter stirring things up more. "We should also find the leak. I'll try to talk to Natasha and bring her into the operation."

Steve rolled his eyes. "We can drop the topic of my prettiness and focus on something else," he said, punching Tony's arm lightly. "That'd be swell. I can look it up, though. I don't want JARVIS to be overworked or anything." He shrugged. "Dropped out after my mom died. Bucky and I didn't want to deal with the orphanage, so we quit school and started working to make money. I did take a few classes at college, but it was art stuff and not really traditional. I wasn't there that long before I enlisted anyway."

[playboy_philanthropist]

"There you go. That's proper outsourcing. Pepper is a pro at putting out fires and Natasha-" Tony laughed as he shook his head. "She'll have your leak strung up by his balls from the helicarrier within a few days. It'll sort itself out though. We're all big damn heroes now and the press loves heroes. Especially when they chances to tear them down off their pedestals."

He smirked. "Aw, am I going to make you blush? Should I start going into detail about your sparkling orbs of sapphire brilliance? And the golden waves of fluffy hairness?" He brushed off the concern with a wave of his hand. "It won't take JARVIS any time with his processors. That's like not asking someone to pass the salt at dinner because it'll be too much effort." Finishing up his tweaking, he sat up an grabbed a towel to wipe his hands on. "Well, money isn't an issue now and you're not enlisted in any war, so you could always go back if you wanted. Not that you really need it considering you're already employed and all."

[capsteve_rogers]

"You're not gonna make me blush, but Pepper might not be so happy hearing about my hair and eyes," Steve said with a laugh. "Fortunately, she already knows that you're a smartass who likes to tease."

"Clint and I talked about college before, and I promised that I'd consider the possibility, but I don't know if it's something I'd want to do or not." Steve smiled. "Like you said, I've already got a job, and education isn't that important for someone like me. Anyway, I've always been the artistic guy, not the smart one."

[playboy_philanthropist]

"I don't talk to Pepper about your eyes and hair," Tony said before a mischievous smirk quirked his lips. "I talk about your ass."

He shook his head before giving Steve a look. "There are art colleges, you know. And despite what my college would say, it isn't always about being the 'smart' one. Plus artistic doesn't mean 'not' smart. It's that sort of thinking that is cutting all the arts programs from schools." He put his tools away before standing up and going to properly wash his hands in the sink. "Education is important to everyone. It just might not be the same sort of education. You'd probably do well in business classes. Or military science."

[capsteve_rogers]

"It is a nice ass. I can see why it would be a topic of conversation," Steve deadpanned, making a show of looking over his shoulder at his butt.

Steve frowned. "I didn't mean that art wasn't as important as other things. I just meant that I've never been very booksmart. I can do tactics and strategy, but there are sometimes I think that's more the serum than myself." He smiled wryly. "I know the serum was about physical stuff, but I can't help but wonder if it didn't do something to my brain, too, to make me better in the field and able to excel at military actions."

"I did look it up, after talking to Clint, but there were all kinds of requirements that I wouldn't have. I don't have a high school diploma, and you need to take some complicated looking tests to even apply because they need scores for that." Steve ducked his head and rubbed the back of his neck. "It's just overwhelming, and I don't know if I'm ready for all that yet."

[playboy_philanthropist]

"Well, if it improved your other organs, then it wouldn't be that surprising. There would have to be a bit of improvement anyways to deal with the heightened sensory input, but it would likely be a general overall thing..." Tony mused aloud before pressing his lips together. "That said, I wouldn't say any of your mental skills come fully from the serum. While excelling in military actions might be all great and all, the smarter you make your soldier, the harder they are to control. That's likely all you up there."

Turning back to Steve, he made a face. He couldn't believe that he was going to suggest this and he was certain his father was rolling over in his grave at just the thought of it. "There is always community college..." he said grudgingly. "Or continuing education courses. The requirements aren't as intensive and you can just take tastes of classes." He snorted. "That is if you want to do it the 'honest' way instead of just having someone toss some money around to get you into school. Although you mention the Captain America thing enough and you'll likely get at least five honorary degrees."

[capsteve_rogers]

"You think so?" Steve smiled slightly. Maybe he wasn't a genius, but he might be a little smart in other ways. There'd been a part of him that had felt the abilities he displayed in the field weren't really him but just more science at work. It meant something to hear Tony say that it probably wasn't just the serum that made him skilled.

Steve snorted. "You don't need to say community college like you're talking about puppy poo," he said, laughing softly. "I've never thought about alternatives. There weren't really many options in my time, and I hadn't considering trying something different. Maybe I could try a class and see what I like." He shrugged. "I'd rather do things honest if I choose to pursue that. I don't want Captain America to get a degree. I want Steve Rogers to go back to school, if that's what I decide."

[playboy_philanthropist]

"Yeah, I do," Tony said. Sure, Steve wasn't at the academic level that he and Bruce were at, but he was adaptable and observant. Even if he wasn't book smart, he picked things up quickly which was more than you could say about some people. "They may have upgraded your hardware and opened your thoughts a bit because you had new aspects to work with, but the processing is all you. I don't think they affected that."

He snorted as he rolled his eyes. "From my standpoint they're the same. Habit. A Stark only goes to the best, highest rated private schools around. I can hear my dad yelling from his grave that I'd have the audacity to suggest that Captain America should humiliate himself with something so atrocious as community college." He rolled his eyes again because he could actually hear that rant far too well in his head. "There are online courses you can take too. Actually entire colleges online. So you have a lot of options really."

[capsteve_rogers]

"I'm still just a human, not a computer," Steve reminded Tony, smiling slightly at the way Tony seemed to think about people. "But I'm glad the, uh, upgrade made the processor work better?"

Steve grimaced at Tony's reference to Howard. He wondered what had happened to Howard to turn him into someone that would care about something like schools and be such a snob. "Captain America would be humiliated at the notion that community college wasn't a suitable school for someone, especially when most people Captain America knew couldn't even afford to go to any college. It sounds your dad was clueless about what would humiliate me. Good thing you know me better," Steve said simply. "Clint mentioned college over the computer. I might enjoy taking an art class. We'll see."

[playboy_philanthropist]

"You'd be miserable as a computer," Tony said with an amused snort. "Or completely fry all your circuits. Programming has come a long way, but not nearly anywhere close to being able to handle the scope of your feelings."

He leaned back against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest as he rolled Steve's words over in his head and stopped himself from responding immediately. Which was hard to do, but considering that Steve was likely another one of those people who knew his father better than he ever did, he had to try. Especially considering the familiar smug satisfaction running through him that he'd managed to do something better than the old man.

"Those other people going would be alright," he said slowly, tasting each word. "They'd be pulling themselves up. Making themselves better. Working hard to improve their lot in life. But Captain America..." He snorted as he shook his head. "That demands respect. Meaning that if the Ivy Leagues weren't crawling over themselves to grab you up, there would need to be some change in their board." He frowned as his eyes tracked down to focus on the car. "That crack about being a laboratory experiment. I didn't mean it." He snorted as his lips pulled up in a wry smirk. "Ok, I did mean it. But that's because it was easier to think of you that way."

[capsteve_rogers]

"I'm real proud of you. You actually mentioned my feelings without that sneering grimace of disdain that you make unconsciously," Steve said with a grin. He listened as Tony talked about people going to community college, and he felt proud of Tony for considering other people who maybe took subways to work and hadn't gone to MIT.

"Why was it easier?" Steve ran his fingers through his hair and smiled wryly. "I meant what I said then, but it was based on a shallow image and the act you've perfected that I was too out of step to see through that easily." He shrugged. "I know you're a good man, and that it doesn't matter how much money is in your bank account because you'd still be a decent man who cares about those few people he lets get close."

[playboy_philanthropist]

Tony wrinkled his nose and narrowed his eyes at Steve. "And now you get the face because you are directing the feelings at me. They burn. Oh so much. The burn it is horrible."

And uncomfortable. He shrugged as he pushed himself off the counter and started a wide circuit of the room, pushing aside holograms as something to do. Movement always did help a bit, giving him another thing to focus on along with his thoughts. "Still don't know what you're talking about with this whole act business," he said, leaving the other bit hanging. He wasn't sure so sure that he'd have turned out decent if he hadn't had money. He'd seen that hunger and he wasn't sure if it would have combined well with how easily he could get bored. "You were closer to the mark anyways with your insults." He puffed out a sigh as he picked at a hologram, making small edits here and there as ideas sparked into his head.

"If all of... well... you-" He gestured vaguely back at Steve. "-was simply created by an unreplicatable serum and experiment, then the only way that someone could actually expect to compete and even beat you would be to have that same process done to them." He smirked wryly. "Which can't be done exactly the same way. Many people have tried and failed. So, it's an unrealistic goal and ideal to strive for that kind of unattainable perfection when the only reason it exists is because of some really lucky science experiment."