Chapter Text
SI had managed to get fifteen temporary satellites launched within three days of the battle, allowing the good people of the world to once more let robot voices design their routes to Grandma's house, or whatever use civilians had for GPS. The tender for the permanent ones were practically in the bag, Tony was told; his new designs were spectacular work even by his standards.
The Avengers had settled back into the mansion as soon as the builders had finished the repairs, everyone doing a passable job of trying to get past the invasion's fallout. Jan and Thor were, of course, the most convincingly upbeat. Tony was going to buy them ponies in thanks, really he was.
Hulk was still missing, the footage of Ross grinning at Bruce the last Tony had been able to find, so the satellites were all programmed to search for Gamma signatures. There really didn't seem to be much else to do, and that rankled. Hulk could look after himself, sure, but Bruce? And Avengers needed to stick together.
Tony pulled up the surveillance file again, simultaneously running all the Fake Cap footage. It was tough to admit, but on sixteenth review, he had to admit that aside from fucking Tony, the Skrull had been a damn near perfect imitation until after Tony had bolted.
Why had it kissed him? Why had it kissed him, he thought, more angrily. It hadn't been for a tactical or strategic advantage, surely?
Tony drummed his fingers on the table. There was one way to find out, of course. Did he want answers enough to do it, though?
Of course he did. Tony shoved away from the table and headed for his bedroom.
****
Tony strode into 42 in armour of a different kind: perfectly pressed three-piece Zegna, Bvlgari cuff links and Converse sneakers. He didn't think he could trust himself around the Skrull, so better to remove the temptation of the gauntlets and trust in his prison-engineering and the guards.
It was standing in the middle of a cell, force shield faintly blue tinted to make it possible for visitors to be sure it was working. Tony stopped two feet away, and stared at the guard until he turned and walked back towards the station.
'Hello, Tony,' it said, using Cap's voice. 'What a pleasant surprise.'
Tony folded his arms. 'Why?'
'Why what?' it laughed, stepping right up to the barrier and baring pointed teeth. 'Be specific, Tony.'
Tony'd faced worse insinuations from any ten reporters you could name, so he just cocked an eyebrow. No point getting upset over implied insults. 'Why did you fuck me? There was no tactical advantage, you didn't try and drive a wedge between me and the Avengers. You didn't even try and destroy my faith in Cap. So why do it?'
The Skrull gave him a lascivious once-over, then licked its lips. 'Because I could see the way you watched this body. You were gagging for it, and it amused me to take you. You're a sweet ride, Tony Stark; maybe you've come here for another taste? I'll oblige you, if that's the case. Even let you pretend I'm him.'
Tony shuddered, unable to help himself, and the Skrull moved right up to the barrier.
'Why did I do it?' it singsonged, then grinned even wider. 'Because of the way Steve Rogers really feels about you. It amused me to picture his reaction when he found out; have you told him yet? Did you take footage?'
'What's that supposed to mean?' Tony snapped. 'You don't know what he feels.'
The Skrull threw its head back and laughed. 'Of course I do, Tony. I had a direct line to his brain. I know everything he loves, everything he hates. Everything he's ever had for breakfast.'
'Fine,' Tony refolded his arms. 'Let rip. How does the Captain really feel that amused you so much?'
The Skrull studied him for a moment. 'I'll give you two options,' it said at length. 'Either could be true. First, that he's a product of his times and the idea of two men together...' it gave a theatrical shudder. 'And when he finds out, he won't be able to look at you, let alone work with you for the roiling disgust in his belly.'
Tony felt sick at the thought of Steve hating him. He swallowed hard. 'And the second?'
The Skrull stepped back, smirking. 'Second option is that he's madly in love with you, and I took you so you would both know that I had you first. Every time you touch, if he ever gets that far, every time he takes you to bed, you'd know it'd been me first.'
Tony laughed, a full-body guffaw. 'Sweetheart,' he said, wiping a tear away. 'You're about twenty-five years too late for that honour. Were you so focussed on being Steve that you neglected to read even one tabloid?'
The Skrull hissed uncertainly, apparently unsure where it'd gone wrong. 'You don't-'
'Yeah, no,' Tony grinned. 'You gave yourself away on the second one, sugar lumps. Any time you get frothing at the mouth, it tends to mean that's the right answer. Villain Interrogation 101.'
Tony laughed at its pole-axed expression again, and went home. 'Madly in love' was bound to be poetic license, but so long as Steve wouldn't full-on hate him for liking the occasional dick, this was workable.
****
T'Challa appeared out of nowhere when Tony walked into the mansion.
'You're one day going to wind up flattened by the Hulk if you keep that up,' Tony muttered, surreptitiously rubbing at the arc reactor. It probably wasn't possible for him to have a heart-attack while it was working, but he resented Panther's apparent destruct-test approach to that theory.
'Perhaps,' T'Challa inclined his head, and then just stands there, like it wasn't him materialising out of the shadows at Tony with intent.
'OK, what?' Tony demanded, throwing his hands up and glaring. 'Or is this just the new and improved welcome home greeting? Because if so, I'm registering a complaint.'
'I heard what you said,' T'Challa turned, presenting his profile and staring up the empty staircase. 'When you thought no one could hear.'
'What are you talking about?' Tony shoved his hands into his hair. He felt about three seconds away from screaming if he couldn't get to his lab and its myriad distractions.
T'Challa turned back to face Tony, and Tony got the impression of eyes narrowing under the mask. 'You told...' he twitched, shaking his head. 'You did not tell the fake Captain America that you-'
'Shut up,' Tony said, tone flattened completely. 'Whatever I did or did not say, it hardly matters now.'
'What you said and what you feel remain extremely important,' T'Challa countered, raising a hand and reaching out. 'I do not think you intended to-'
'This some sort of blackmail attempt?' Tony snapped, slapping T'Challa's hand away.
'Of course not,' T'Challa gave the impression of frowning again, and Tony ran out of the last little trickle of his never-impressive patience.
'Warning me off him?' he shot T'Challa the grin he reserved for reporters associated with J Jonah Jameson, and strode towards his private elevator, calling over his shoulder 'Don't worry, Panther. I'm not dragging this out of the past. I have things to do, so if you'll excuse me.'
Jarvis slammed the door behind him, cutting off whatever T'Challa attempted to say to Tony's back.
'Jarvis, you win all the prizes,' Tony slumped against the wall. 'Lockout for the whole level until I cancel it, OK honey?'
'As you wish, sir,' Jarvis murmured, speeding the car to its maximum velocity. 'There is a fresh pot of coffee waiting for you.'
'God,' Tony groaned, staggering to the pot. 'If it was legal, I'd marry you today.'
'Thank you, sir,' Jarvis had the ghost of a grin in his voice. 'But I would have to decline. Thank you for the consideration, though.'
'Any time, baby,' Tony laughed, feeling relaxed for the first time in a long time. 'Any time at all.'
****
'Will you spar with me?'
Tony started into the door frame, surprised to find someone else in the gym at this hour. 'Steve. I-'
Steve looked uncertain, and wow, that was not an expression Tony wanted on Captain America's face ever, let alone to be the one who put it there. He took a deep breath and nodded. 'Sure, Cap.'
It was like watching the sun come out; the grin spread slowly across Steve's features, and he dropped his towel at the edge of the mat. So much for working out some of his tension; Tony could feel his blood pressure rising as he took in Steve's shoulders, his arms. Tony was epically screwed.
He was so intent on berating himself, he missed Steve's first rush, and wound up staring at the ceiling with no clear memory of how he'd wound up on his back. '...ow.'
Steve hauled him back to his feet, brushing Tony's shoulders off and smiling. 'That's why regular sparring is a good idea, Tony.'
'What,' Tony dropped into a crouch, turning to keep Steve in view as they circled each other. 'To ensure I'm as bruised as possible to keep my ego in check?'
Steve feinted left, then right, and kicked at Tony's legs. He managed to dodge, but his fist went wide by a mile.
'So you can't get taken down,' Steve grabbed Tony's arm, flipping him easily and straddling his hips, pinning Tony's hands by his head. 'So you can't get pinned in a fight.'
'I fight in two hundred pounds of metal, Cap,' Tony tugged his arms uselessly. He really wanted Steve to let him up; this position had way too many sense-memories attached, and if he didn't move...
Tony dropped his head back, gritting his teeth and squeezing his eyes shut so he wouldn't see the horror on Steve's face. His traitorous cock was pressing up against Steve, and there was no way to write that off, was there? It was only a matter of time before Steve noticed, then at best there would be discomfort and avoidance. At worst, Steve would hit him. Leave the team, maybe, and all because Tony had no self-control. Fuck what the Skrull had said, that lying bastard. Steve was totally going to freak out...
He could feel Steve shift, leaning forward without letting Tony's wrists go. 'Tony,' Steve whispered, face close enough for his breath to hit Tony's lips, and he rocked his own hips against Tony's.
'Jesus fuck!' Tony shouted, eyes snapping open. Steve was hard too! That wasn't... 'Jarvis!'
'Yes sir?'
'Is 42 still secure?' he demanded, hope and horror warring in his chest. 'Where's Captain America?'
Steve's face fell, he let go of Tony's wrists and climbed off him in one swift move, collapsing to the mat and carefully keeping his hands in plain view. 'Tony, I-'
'Captain Rogers is in the gym with you, sir,' Jarvis announced. 'He is the genuine article.'
'Oh, thank God!' Tony launched himself in a tackle, knocking Steve flat and clambering up to kiss him again. 'Thank God, thank God!' he gasped into Steve's mouth. 'I was terrified-'
Steve gripped his shoulders and pushed him back just far enough to lock gazes. 'Tony, you don't have to-'
'Oh, fuck that noise,' Tony pulled away, sliding down and pulling Steve's sweat pants to his knees. He froze for a moment; they were identical, but he shook himself. Of course they were identical. Tony glanced up at Steve, who'd propped himself on his elbows to watch. He grinned, maintaining eye-contact and slid his lips down Steve's shaft, relishing the way Steve's eyes rolled back.
He bobbed his head, fast and dirty, growling deep in his throat when Steve's hands started tugging at his shoulders.
'Come on,' Steve said, pushing and pulling. 'Tony, God! Turn around!'
Oh! Tony crawled around, letting Steve's cock slide from his mouth as Steve manhandled him into place, dragged his pants down and sucked Tony's cock down.
'Fuck yes,' Tony hissed, Steve's hands curled around his thighs, pulling them wider with every thrust. Tony slipped a hand past Steve's balls to rub at his perineum, grinning at the choked noise that elicited. He rolled Steve's balls in his free hand, sucking on the head of Steve's cock, swirling his tongue around before sliding all the way down, loving the pressure of Steve forcing his throat open.
He stayed still for a long moment, swallowing around Steve's cock. Steve, sloppy and inexperienced, but all the more hot for that, groaned. The vibrations startled Tony, but not nearly so much as the two fingers Steve shoved into him.
He arched back, shouting, and Steve pulled out immediately. 'Oh my God, Tony are you all right?'
Tony dropped his forehead to the crease of Steve's thigh, panting. 'It's good, I'm fine. Just,' he twisted to shoot a reassuring grin at Steve. 'A little warning next time? And maybe some lube?'
Steve turned bright red, looked at his fingers then back to Tony, and slid them into his mouth. Tony could see Steve's tongue laving his fingers, couldn't look away from Steve's face as he pulled his spit-slicked fingers out and put them against Tony's entrance again. He didn't press in, though, just let his fingers circle gently until Tony gasped and came onto his throat.
Tony glanced down at Steve's erection, leaking precome onto Steve's belly, and got up, walking quickly over to the supply of condoms and lube he'd long since learnt to keep in every room. Helped keep from spoiling the mood, he'd found.
'Tony,' Steve called after him, sitting up. 'Was that-'
Tony came back, settling back into Steve's lap and leaning forward to lick the taste of himself out of Steve's mouth. Steve's hands came up, sliding into his hair as Tony reached behind himself to start stretching himself. He went a little too quickly, perhaps, but it was Steve, the real Steve at last.
He had to shift a little to roll the condom on, then pushed Steve's shoulders until he was lying flat, positioned himself, and slid all the way down.
Steve gasped, hands flying to Tony's hips to pull him down as far as physically possible. His grip was going to leave bruises, but Tony was more than OK with that. He rested there for a few breaths, getting used to the stretch again, then started rocking up and down. Just an inch or so, but enough to make Steve's fingers clench, his hips to thrust.
'Tony, Tony,' Steve panted, lips trailing across Tony's collarbone, and down to the edge of the arc reactor. 'I didn't... I wanted so bad...'
'Shh,' Tony brushed his hand across Steve's brow, tilted his chin up for another kiss. 'I've got you, you can let go.'
Steve let out a mewling cry, eyes squeezing shut as his arms closed almost painfully around Tony's waist. He shuddered, clearly on the edge, and Tony couldn't help but note the suddenly-apparent differences between the real Steve and the fake one.
The Skrull had looked the same, felt and tasted the same, but it hadn't touched Tony like he was precious. It had never opened its eyes to stare up at him like it couldn't believe he was really there. It hadn't been able to fake the love Tony could see in Steve's face.
Tony smiled, pressed his lips to Steve's temple, and said 'I love you, Steve Rogers.'
Steve gasped and came, mouth open and staring wonderingly at Tony. Tony brushed his lips over Steve's again, and held on tight.
Steve slipped free, and Tony rolled over to lie down, sprawled sweaty and oh-so-satisfied on the mat as Steve climbed to his feet and went to clean up. He couldn't help the grin that seemed to have permanently welded itself on his face. Good thing he fought in a full-face mask, he snickered. Hard to get AIM or Hydra to take you seriously when you looked like you'd taken an industrial dose of happy pills.
Steve reappeared with a damp cloth, carefully wiping Tony clean before lying on top of him to kiss him again.
'I wholly approve of this full-service operation,' Tony murmured into Steve's mouth, still grinning. 'Keep it up and there's a sizeable bonus for you at Christmas.'
Steve hummed happily, and pulled back to stroke a gentle hand down Tony's neck. 'Why did you think the imposter had escaped before? I mean, you didn't-'
Tony felt the smile drain off his face.
'I... oh,' Steve looked confused. 'Did he-' he stared down at Tony, with a growing horror on his face. 'Did he force-'
'No!' Tony rolled Steve over, pinning him to the mat. 'God, no. I just... before we knew it wasn't you, he and I... it came onto me, and I thought it was you, and I never thought you'd ever, not with me... and then I found out, and I just. I had to be sure it was really you this time.'
Steve blinked up at him, one hand coming up to stroke Tony's hair. 'OK.'
'OK? OK-OK? What?' Tony stared at Steve.
Steve smiled a little grimly, grip on Tony's waist tightening posessively. 'OK-OK. If I'd known what it had done, I would have snapped it in half, and if I ever see it again I might still, but you said...' he trailed off, flushing a deep pink. 'Or was that just in the moment?'
Tony leaned in close, pressing his forehead against Steve's. 'Of course I love you. I've loved you my whole life, it feels like. I'll go on loving you even when you figure out what a horrible mistake this was and you run off with Maria Hill to have terrifyingly competent babies-'
'I love you too,' Steve slapped a hand over Tony's mouth, expression shifting between horrified and elated. 'And I'm not running away with anyone except you.'
'Well, OK then,' Tony climbed to his feet, extending a hand down to Steve. 'Let's take this show on the road.'
'The road is bed in this scenario, right?' Steve asked, sliding his hands down Tony's back to cup his arse. 'Because I'm not anywhere near done with you yet.'
'Oh, Cap,' Tony grinned into another kiss. 'The road is whatever you want it to be.'
'I love you too,' Steve said. 'I don't know if I said that yet.'
'I think you could stand to say it again,' Tony licked a trail down Steve's throat, setting his teeth against Steve's collarbone. 'Oh, at least five times a day for the rest of my life.'
'You're on,' Steve cupped his hands around Tony's head. 'For the rest of my life. Now, take me to bed.'
Tony laughed, and dragged Steve to his room. They didn't come out for two days.