Stark Tower but Small, Monday morning

[heroic_jawline]

Steve stared at his reflection in the mirror, running his hand over his now beardless jaw.

"Feels weird," he muttered, walking out of the bathroom and reaching for the jacket of his dress uniform. His eyes went across all of the ribbons, making certain none of them were out of place or crooked, then pulled it on and gave his reflection one final look.

"Tony?" he called out. "I'm heading to Arlington."

Now that he wasn't a wanted felon he was back on the speakers circuit for Memorial Day. He'd resent it, but he had too many friends to visit in that cemetery. Making nice with Ross for a half hour was nothing compared to their sacrifices.

Comments

[imafuturist]

Tony went to kiss him for that, but had to stop and pat Steve's now smooth face. "Oh, I think I'm going to miss the beard."

[heroic_jawline]

"It's been a while," Steve agreed, smiling. "I feel lighter."

[imafuturist]

"You look it too." Even if Tony liked it. But also the uniform was very nice.

[heroic_jawline]

"It's nice to feel like I don't have to hide," Steve admitted.

[imafuturist]

"Will you be okay today?" Tony asked, still touching Steve's cheek.

[heroic_jawline]

"As much as I normally am," Steve said. "It's never a fun day."

[imafuturist]

Tony sighed and leaned in for a kiss. "Get going. The faster you go, the faster you'll be back."

[heroic_jawline]

Steve nodded. "Give Rhodey my best," he murmured as he pulled back. He was pretty certain that was Tony's next call.

[imafuturist]

"You do the same for your Rhodey and Sam if you see them," Tony replied, helpfully smoothing the lines of Steve's jacket.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve nodded. "Copy that," he said. "I love you."

[imafuturist]

"Love you more," he teased. Mostly because Steve needed some things to focus on today.

[heroic_jawline]

"I'll be back in a few hours," Steve said. "I'll steal you some canapes."

He would not.

[imafuturist]

"Holding you to it!"

All canapes would be devoured to avoid conversations with half the people there and Tony knew it.

[heroic_jawline]

"Unless they're bad."

They'd be bad. Steve would eat them anyway.

"See you soon."

[imafuturist]

Tony did not go to the lab after calling Rhodey as he waited for Steve to come back. Which was probably a sign he knew how tough the holiday could be for him. So, he was on the couch with a dog asleep, half on his lap with some ridiculous science documentary on that he wasn't even paying attention to as he sorted through emails from the office.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve came back into the living room with perfect posture, no canapes, and a tightness around his eyes that always showed up after a visit to the cemetery.

"Sam and Rhodey say hello."

[imafuturist]

Tony reached out for him to join him on the couch.

"How's Rhodey doing after the whole..." Being replaced for months on end.

[heroic_jawline]

"It's a little bumpy," Steve understated. "He and Tony are still trying to find their rhythm again."

[imafuturist]

"And Sam?" He was working into the Steve thing to give him time to build up into it.

[heroic_jawline]

"Sam was only there for a little while," Steve said. "He went off to pay his respects to the Afghanistan fallen."

[imafuturist]

Tony leaned into him, shifting the dog so he was on both their laps now. "And you?"

[heroic_jawline]

"They're still trying to figure out what to do about the Howling Commando memorial," Steve said a little dryly. "They'll probably just keep it there and just hope Buck and I die soon."

[imafuturist]

"Nope," Tony said firmly, grabbing Steve's hand. "Not happening. Nuh-uh."

[heroic_jawline]

Steve squeezed back. "When have you known me to make life easier for bureaucrats?" he asked.

[imafuturist]

"Never and I'm going to insist you keep it that way for my own sanity," Tony replied, glancing back at him.