Chapter Text
"Well, I for one think it's a great idea," Steve Rogers says. Currently, the Avengers are gathered for a meeting. The public requested the Avengers to make an appearance at a school to say a few encouraging words.
"Of course you do. You're a goody two shoes," Tony Stark retaliates. Steve chuckles, not at all offended by the comment.
"I think it's a good chance for us to show kids that the Avengers aren't just fighting twenty four seven. We can be role models to them, not just superheroes."
The Avengers looked at eachother, some clearly more on board with the idea than others.
"I don't do well in crowded spaces," Bruce chimes in.
"I don't like kids," Natasha follows.
"I'm just not going," Clint shrugs. Steve sighs, looking back to Tony with a sheepish smile.
"You'll come at least, right, Tony?" Steve asks, a hopeful look on his face. Tony sighs, then nods reluctantly.
"Yes, I'll come. Drop the little act," Tony mumbles. Steve tries not to look as pleased as he is, but everyone caught the wide smile he tried to hide by looking down.
Steve and Tony arrived at the school they were invited to on Friday morning. It was a modest building, a high school with two floors and an outside area for students. When they entered the school, they were met by the very excited principal. The man was short but burly. He had shoulder-length hair and a big smile on his face.
"Captain America! Iron Man! So glad you could make it. Please, come inside!"
The man ushered them in quickly, his smile never leaving his face. He led them to the office.
"We'll have an assembly for the kids to meet you at the end of the day. Around 1 o'clock. How does that sound, Cap?"
Steve chuckled at how excited the man seemed, and extended his hand.
"How about I introduce myself first? Please, use Steve."
The man took his hand and shook eagerly.
"Oh, yes! I'm Mr. Love. I... I know who you both are already. Obviously. Hehe." Steve smiled in response, then nudged Tony.
"Ahem. Right. Well, you can call me Tony. Or whatever you want. I'm not picky."
Mr. Love nods, then gestures for them to sit. He clasps his hands together, taking a breath before speaking.
"Let's go over the assembly."
It was simple enough. Steve would walk on-stage after Mr. Love introduced him, then he would thank him and say a few words about responsibility and what not. After a bit, he would mention Tony, who would then fly in from the roof in true Tony Stark fashion.
Steve looked over the slides again and again, reading the vague script they had to follow. He sat down and sighed, looking up at Tony who was wiping off his glasses.
"You sure you're going to fly in? Seems a bit flashy, no?"
"Flashy is my middle name, Stevie."
"No it isn't. It's Edward. Is this really necessary? I thought the whole reason we were here was for the kids to see us as normal people?"
"You're so serious all the time, Cap. The kids will love it. Come on, what do you think they'll actually be here for? The Iron Man suit is awesome."
Steve drummed on this thigh before sighing.
"Fine. But you have to speak about how you built it. And be safe. I don't need any kids getting hurt. Or you, okay?"
Tony grins, looking over Steve’s concerned figure.
"Going soft on me, Rogers?" Tony loved how easy Steve was, he was watching the color rise up his face.
"I'm just... being careful. I can do without traumatized kids. It's not fun, trust me," Steve cleared his throat, calming himself down a bit. He stood up, wielding his shield.
"I'm gonna go get on stage. Good luck, okay?"
"Break a leg."
Steve waited to hear his cue from Mr. Love before walking onstage. He waved as applause rippled throughout the room. He had a big smile on his face, one that wasn't forced but from how happy he was to be here.
Steve waited for the noise to die down before he adjusted the microphone to talk into it.
‘’Good morning, everyone. I’m sure you know by now, but I’m Steve Rogers, Captain America. I’m so thankful to be here to speak to you all. You -
know, when I was in school…’’
Steve went on about how different schools are today, all the opportunities kids get that he didn’t get back when he was going to school. Tony listened the whole time, uninterested, just waiting for his time to fly in.
‘’...Speaking of which, I have my own friend I’d like for you all to meet,’’ Tony finally heard Steve say, that was his signal. Iron Man then flew in from a window in the school, and immediately there was cheers and gasps. He landed on the stage next to Steve, who was smiling at him. Iron Man smiled back, even though he couldn't see it under his helmet.
Iron Man doesn’t need to use the microphone, as he simply connected his suit to the speakers in the auditorium. He clears his throat before he speaks.
“Hello, all. I was going to introduce myself, but you already know who I am. And I know you wanted to see more of the cool stuff, but Cap here insists I give you a lesson in manners or whatever…’’
Steve chuckles at this, and he finds himself hanging onto Tony’s every word. He didn’t even feel the time pass just listening to Tony speak, but the next thing he knew he was being walked off stage to take pictures with kids.
Tony made Steve feel lots of things. Angry, annoyed, exasperated. Yet the only thing Steve can remember feeling today from him was joy. He remembers all the smiles Tony brought to his face, and the color… Yes, Tony often made Steve blush. He hated how easy he could do it, darn that man.
But it was all in good fun. Steve knew Tony only flirted with him because it was his personality. And plus, Steve didn’t like fellas. He hadn’t even thought about anyone romantically since before he woke up. So in short- no, Steve Rogers does not have a crush on Tony Stark.