Steve & Tony's Apartment, Stark Tower But 50 Percent Scale, Thursday Morning

[heroic_jawline]

Steve was trying to get out the door for his classes today, truly he was. Every time he turned around, though, he was blocked by duffel bags labeled "HOWLING COMMANDOS" or neat, compact and heavy hatboxes with "PEGGY" and "SHARON" on them. The suitcases labeled "BUCKY", "BUCKY (OTHER)," and "BUCKY (OTHER OTHER)" had already been shoved against the wall with some super-strength and he honestly wasn't sure if the giant safe labeled "NEVER ENOUGH" that was blocking the elevator belonged to him or to Tony, but either way, it wasn't moving.

So he'd retreated to the kitchen and the comfort of reheated bagels from New York and ignoring the "FOOD INSECURITY" box blocking his way to the pantry.

It was gonna be a day. He could tell.

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[heroic_jawline]

"That sounds like a good plan," Steve said, smiling. "Lead the way."

[imafuturist]

Tony maneuvered his way around boxes, not looking at them because he did not need to know. "Maybe we'll figure out where they come from."

[heroic_jawline]

"So they can't return?" Steve asked a little eagerly.

[imafuturist]

"Hopefully," Tony muttered, focused on the readings as what looked like a very stylish Hermés bag dropped with 'EMOTIONAL REPRESSION' on it that he just kicked to the side and kept at it.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve didn't need a bag to tell him that was happening. He rested his hand on Tony's shoulder, trying to apologize with his presence.

[imafuturist]

"What are you waiting for? Get to shooting," Tony suggested.

Because this was a Tony issue. Like so many things were. Meant to be dissected alone at 2 am while working on a new armor that could totally... patch things.

[heroic_jawline]

"Do you have a prototype you want me to try out?" he asked.

[imafuturist]

Tony's eyes darted around for something that was deemed safe for people who weren't Tony to test out.

"It's just sonic waves," he hedged.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve nodded. "Show me how it works?"

[imafuturist]

"I'm working on it for Rhodey. It's a non-lethal blast of concentrated sonic energy. Should incapacitate someone. Higher levels than that are... too damaging."

Hello, Blackbolt.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve nodded. "So it should just knock the baggage around?" he asked.

[imafuturist]

"Pretty much. Works on enhanced people better than most things."

Somewhere, Daredevil was so annoyed.

[heroic_jawline]

"You trying to shoot me?" Steve teased.

[imafuturist]

"No." Okay, explaining things was clearly a bad idea. "How--how about a different thing," Tony suggested, searching for something better.

[heroic_jawline]

"Sweetheart," Steve said, eyes wide and very earnest. "It's okay."

[imafuturist]

"Here, the repulsor from the stealth suit," Tony said, holding it out to him. "It's just quieter."

Because the noise was sort of an aesthetic choice. It had seemed cool.

[heroic_jawline]

Maybe Steve should start with the giant 'MOTHERHENNING' bag that dropped between them?

[imafuturist]

Maybe the 'SELF DESTRUCTIVE' one that plopped down next to it!

"I'm taking notes," he decided, going back to his work station.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve strapped on the repulsor and aimed right at both of them.

This was strangely cathartic, actually.

[imafuturist]

"Good?" Tony asked, ignoring the tool box of 'NEEDY',

[heroic_jawline]

"Very good," Steve said. "You should try it."

[imafuturist]

Tony smiled at that, pleased to accomplish it. "I'm fine. Taking readings."

The shooting was for Steve.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve was definitely looking for a Howard bag to destroy with prejudice.

[imafuturist]

What, the very old looking trunk labeled 'TERRIBLE SON' that Tony had thought was well hidden?

Tony was focusing real hard on those readings. He could totally make this barrier... if he asked Reed to help.

[heroic_jawline]

"Oh, absolutely not," Steve told that trunk, firing on it until it was starting to smoke.