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

[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.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve leaned in and gave him a soft, slow kiss. "I'm still here. I promise."

[imafuturist]

"Better be," he teased lightly.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve kissed him again, this time between the eyes. "Today reminds me of a lot of people who aren't. I don't make the promise lightly."

[imafuturist]

Tony closed his eyes and nodded slightly. "I know. I had JARVIS order pizza when you arrived in the building."

[heroic_jawline]

"From Brooklyn?" Steve guessed.

[imafuturist]

"Well, the Manhattan places wouldn't deliver," he said, leaning into Steve's side like he was never leaving that spot.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve curled both arms around him and held on tightly. "Thank you," he said sincerely.

[imafuturist]

"Well, I knew you weren't sharing those canapes," he teased gently.

[heroic_jawline]

"There wasn't enough to fill me up," Steve admitted. "I kept bringing them to the Korean War vets."

[imafuturist]

Because WWII vets were even thinner on the ground.

"Were they at least good ones?"

[heroic_jawline]

Steve wiggled his hand. "They tried. The mozzarella sticks weren't bad."