biggerstick | (no subject)

No, no, I can tell by now. That was definitely unimpressed and now it's moved into smug.

Close but no cigar. What do you want on your hot dog?

... you have no idea of how nice I'm being right now... I'll... I'll have whatever you're having.

[ has to think that one through for a moment before rolling his eyes and opening the fridge. ]

I was in the army, Tony, you've gotta try harder than that.

I'm not trying at all! I am doing the opposite of trying. You're gonna feed me, trying would be both rude and counterproductive.

All right, then shut up and get out the condiments.

[ moving off to open a cupboard, the hot dogs in one hand ]

Oh, that was rude. Rude and kind of dirty.

[getting the condiments though, even as he keeps talking]

Who's the bad influence? Is it me or is it Barnes?

Army, Tony. You think those guys watched their mouths for my sake?

No, but I thought you'd watch yours being a role model and all.

That what I am right now? A role model for Tony Stark?

[ lifts the hot dogs a little as though this proves his point ]

See, I was gonna do the emotional sharing thing. But now I won't.

Well, then, I apologise.

[ finding a frying pan! ]

Dad actually tried to make you a role model, at least I think that was his angle, maybe. It was hard to tell with him.

[grabbing drinks from the fridge]

. . . I guess that's what Captain America's for.

[ hot dogs are getting dumped into the pan. ]

There were comic books. I don't think they were even in print by the time I was born, but I got them anyway.

Aw, jeez.

[ sighs a little ]

One time the guys got their hands on some and passed 'em around to read out loud.

I'm sorry your life is endlessly bizarre. [holds up a coke] Drink?

[ nods ] Thanks.

[hands it over without shaking it beforehand look at how nice he's being]

Do you regret it?

...

Uh. That's intrusive, isn't it? You can ignore me.

[ just smiles ]

Not really, no. It got me where I wanted to be. And the thing with the guys was embarrassing, but so long as they knew that wasn't me it didn't really matter.

[ shrugs, and it's startin' to smell like delicious meat product in here ]

... I'm not sure that's what I asked but I'll take it.

[and approaches because food is excellent and he's starving]

— oh. The serum?

[ places a couple of unadorned hot dogs on a plate and hands it to Tony ]

Yeah, sorry. Invasive and personal.

Thanks.

[eats, keeping his eyes on Steve]

[ loading up his own plate and leaning against the counter with it. he nods at Tony's chest. ]

Do you?

Didn't I just say invasive and personal?

[he doesn't sound angry though, he takes another bite of his food before speaking again]

It's not the same. I mean, I didn't volunteer, this [he pokes at the arc-reactor] happened to me. Do I wish I didn't have a hole in my chest? Yeah, I do. But I wouldn't...

[long sigh, tapping the table in front of him]

I'd been naive until it happened. That cave and... everything that happened, it was an eye-opener.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I wish it hadn't had to happen? But I'm glad I learned what I did. And I don't regret becoming Iron Man in the least, so there's that.