616 fics for bingo

[laireshi]

I finished one line of my bingo card :)
These are all 616.

So, here:
- groundhog day (616, rated teen, 2600 words, spoilers for Avengers 31 and there are warnings in the end)
link to ao3
Summary: There are some sacrifices Steve isn't willing to make, but with the Time Gem, he doesn't have to.

- au: space (616 based, rated gen, 692 words)
on my tumblr

Steve still missed Earth, sometimes.

When he felt like that, he usually went to his quarters, because no one could quite understand. No one remembered “the old planet”, as they called it. Even Tony, who always just got Steve – he too was born on a space ship. Earth was a legend to him. It had been just luck he’d gone on a research excursion and found Steve in the Arctic.

Steve never regretted it. But sometimes he missed what used to be his home.

Home.

It was this ship now, Avenger, and specifically, it was Tony. Tony’s soft smile and Tony’s blue eyes and Tony’s warm arms. Tony’s voice, and Tony’s breath on his skin.

Steve wasn’t sure what Tony saw in him, a relict of a century long passed, but he knew he didn’t have reasons to think that way. It was only on days like these, when he’d give anything to walk on a New York street again, that he questioned himself, questioned Tony.

This was a part of why he didn’t go to his quarters now: they were Tony’s, too, and Steve didn’t want to bring his mood down. Instead he took a tablet that couldn’t really replace an old-fashioned paper and charcoal and went to the upper deck, where he could sit alone and watch the stars.

Here was when doubts left him, usually. He loved Earth and always would, but he had spent his childhood reading sci-fi stories and dreaming of stars, and now it was his life; travelling faster than light between the galaxies, getting to watch alien planets and beautiful nebulas. Sometimes they would leave the ship just to sightsee, because while all of the crew might have been born in space, no one knew all of it and the mysteries were always there, and sometimes they would leave the ship armoured up, helping whoever requested it. It turned out heroes the world always needed heroes, be it on Earth or thousands of light years from it.

Steve, deep in thoughts, didn’t notice anyone arriving till warm hands settled on his shoulders and Tony kissed the top of his head.

“Stop brooding,” he said, but he wasn’t laughing at him or even teasing – Steve could see honest worry in his eyes.

The bright node set in Tony’s chest shone right in Steve’s eyes, and he didn’t mind. He put his hand on Tony’s cheek, gently. “I’m not.”

Tony raised his eyebrows.

“Okay,” Steve allowed. “But you don’t have to worry. I’m happy here.”

“I know,” Tony said, and settled next to Steve. “I won’t ever understand. I don’t have a homeland like you do.”

Steve pulled him closer to him. “But you have,” he said. “This, here. The stars. That’s your home.”

Tony looked at him and smiled softly. “No.” He touched Steve’s chest, over his heart. “This is.”

Steve’s breath caught in his throat.

“Steve,” Tony sighed. “I love you. I would settle back on Earth with you if that made you happy.”

It wouldn’t, not really, because Earth was empty and abandoned and nothing like the planet Steve remembered, but that wasn’t important. Tony’s words were perfectly honest, and Steve knew he loved space, loved travelling and discovering still new things.

“I’m happy here,” Steve repeated. “I really am.”

Tony looked at him sideways. “We could find a planet that’s similar. There’s New Earth –”

Steve kissed him to shut him up.

“No,” he said. “I’m happy right here, with you. And tomorrow, when we’re light years from here, I’ll be happy too.”

Tony sighed. “Then what is it?”

This was what Tony couldn’t understand, because he’d never had a place that was his like New York was for Steve.

“Imagine being away from the Avenger,” Steve said, quietly. “In a good place. A place that made you happy. But still, away from your ship.”

Tony bit his lip. He nodded after a few seconds. “I’m sorry,” he said.

“Don’t.”

Tony leant into Steve and kissed him again, and Steve kept his arms around him.

He’d never come back to Earth. But he had all of space, and he had Tony.

- cuddling (616, New Avengers era, rated gen, 564 words)
on my tumblr

“Good night,” Peter said finally, and left the room, leaving Steve and Tony alone.

Steve turned to Tony. He was sitting on the sofa next to him, looking at the now empty door. “I miss them,” he said quietly, and Steve knew he didn’t mean the team that have just gone to their bedrooms in the Tower.

“Me too,” he answered honestly. “But I’m glad we have this.”

Tony laughed without a shade of humour in it. Steve knew it was the date; exactly nine months since the mansion burnt. He’d been doing his best not to think of it, but he was glad Tony talked to him instead of closing himself in the workshop.

“It’s a good team,” Tony admitted after a while. “I’m glad you forced me to do this.”

“I didn’t –”

“You did,” Tony said, and smiled a bit easier. He bumped his shoulder against Steve’s. “You did.”

“Okay,” Steve gave up. “But it was for the best.”

“Yeah,” Tony said.

“I’m glad you’re here too,” Steve said, because he thought Tony needed to hear it, and it was more than true.

“Well, it is my Tower,” Tony said, carefully not looking at Steve.

“Tony.”

“I know.”

“Do you?” Steve challenged.

“Yes.” He looked at his hands for a moment, then back at Steve. “Yes.”

“Good.”

“That time, without the Avengers,” Tony started saying and then shook his head.

“I missed it,” Steve finished for him. He still did, the old team, but this one, Luke, Jessica, Peter, even Logan – they were family. And Tony, of course, but that didn’t need saying. Tony was always there. “I missed you,” he said aloud, because that was it. That was why it hadn’t even occurred to him, at the Raft that they were fighting as a team, before Tony arrived.

Tony touched his arm briefly. “I’m here now. But if I weren’t. You just need to call me. You know I’ll always come for you.”

There was more to it than he was saying, and Steve returned the sentiment with all of his being. “Back at you, Shellhead,” he said.

Tony smiled lopsidedly.

Steve reached out and put his arm around him, pulled him closer. Tony went easily; if he was surprised, he didn’t show it. He returned the embrace and leant his forehead on Steve’s shoulder.

Steve wanted to say something, to tell Tony exactly how happy he was to be here with him, that they managed to lead a team together again, despite how the Avengers had disassembled the last time … But Tony probably knew all of that, and Steve didn’t want to spoil the quiet moment of closeness. Tony was always in motion, running somewhere, inventing, thinking how to make the world better. Having him relaxed next to Steve, not in a hurry, was too rare a moment, and Steve was going to cherish it.

Steve could feel Tony’s breath against his collarbone, and he realised he’d unconsciously started making circles on Tony’s back, but Tony didn’t say anything, so he couldn’t mind, and Steve didn’t stop. It was good, just the two of them, together like that.

They could help each other with the bad memories. Make new, better ones. It was good. Steve wanted it to last forever.

They sat quietly together, just keeping each other in their arms, for a long time.

- injury/illness (616, New Avengers era, rated gen, 793 words, fluffy fluff warning)
on my tumblr

When Steve finally saw Tony, he was trying to wave off a young man in EMT clothes. Tony looked terrible: he was pale, his face tight; his clothes were rumpled and torn in places, and that was how Steve could see that the arm Tony was cradling against his chest was very obviously swollen.

Steve sighed inwardly and jogged to him. He barely stopped himself from reaching out to touch him. “Tony,” he said. “What happened?”

Tony winced. “Isn’t it all over media already?”

“Because that’s the reliable source of information,” Steve snorted.

Tony tried to smile at that. “Kronos’ security sucks,” he said. “But the explosion was on the other side of the building.”

Steve knew Tony was a strong man, even without the armour, but that was of little help when there was a bomb in the building he was in.

“Get checked out,” Steve said, and the EMT shot him a grateful look.

“I’m fine,” Tony said automatically.

Steve knew the only situation when Tony was hurt and not insisting he was all right was the one when he was also passed out.

“Pretty sure your arm is broken,” Steve said. “Get checked out.”

Tony winced. Steve knew he was already thinking of the way to convince him to let Iron Man stay an active team member. Really, after all this time he should’ve learnt. Just because Tony didn’t care for his physical well-being didn’t mean Steve didn’t either.

***

Tony was sulking.

Steve wasn’t going to call him out on that, though. The picture Tony presented was absolutely miserable. He was changing his position constantly, trying and failing to find one he would feel comfortable in. His left hand was in a sling and, knowing Tony, he though it was just getting in the way. He had his tablet leant against one knee now and was jabbing at it as if personally offended him. The bright screen illuminated his face in ghostly blue, sharpening bruises that were just beginning to blossom.

Steve stood next to him and kissed the top of his head. “Sure you don’t want to lie down?”

“I have to work,” Tony said.

“You’re hurt.”

“Yes, in the most stupid way possible,” Tony said. “On business negotiations.”

Steve had to admit that was funny, in their line of work. Still, Tony had to be tired. At least Steve managed to convince him to stay out of his workshop: the last time Tony had broken a bone, he’d tried to invent an armour that would work as a cast.

“You can as well rest today,” Steve told him.

Tony sighed. “I’ll be useless for a month. Longer than that, probably.”

Steve circled him and knelt in front of the sofa Tony was on, so that they were on the same height. He looked him in the eyes. “You are never useless.”

Tony huffed a breath and looked away.

Steve knew what this was really about: the fracture wasn’t serious, but it was still an arm injury. It still stopped Tony from working in the workshop, and if anything went wrong with it, he might loose his full mobility for good. And that wasn’t something Tony would deal with well. Or at all.

But he needed to rest, not to worry about it.

“Come on,” Steve said, quietly. “Just try and take a nap. I’ll stay with you. And then we can watch a movie.”

“Steve.”

Steve leant forward and kissed him, gently. “You are tired.”

“Fine,” Tony gave up. “But tomorrow I’m working.”

“Deal,” Steve said, and took the tablet from Tony. He sat next to him, and Tony carefully arranged himself so that he was leaning against Steve’s chest, and Steve ran his hand through Tony’s hair.

It wasn’t long before his breath calmed down.

Steve kept him close. Tony hated being injured. Steve just hoped he could make it more manageable for him.

He looked around. He didn’t mind sitting with Tony, but he thought there was a sharpie on the table –

Yes. Steve reached for it and smiled to himself.

***

Tony stirred, as he always did when waking up. Steve grinned to himself.

“Hi, Shellhead,” he said.

“Ste –” Tony stopped. He bowed his head closer to his left arm. “Steve.”

Steve couldn’t see his face, but he sounded as if he tried to be stern and ended up moved. Good.

Steve had drawn a small picture of Iron Man and Captain America holding each other’s hands on Tony’s cast.

Tony was silent for a long moment, until Steve started to worry if it was really a good idea. Then he grabbed one of Steve’s hands and brought it to his lips, kissed it slowly. “Thanks,” he muttered.

Steve pulled him closer.

- writing format: non linear (616, rated teen, 1755 words, spoilers for Avengers 31, time travel shenanigans,
time travel related character deaths that might or might not be temporary
)
on my tumblr

There’s a pain in his face unlike anything he’s ever felt.

He can’t see, not really, but Tony is there, in his armour, and Steve can see him sharper than he has for days, when he did everything he could not to look at him.

Tony’s there, even though he should be in Raft, and then Steve can’t think. The pain in his head explodes, and a thin laser goes straight through the RT.

Tony falls down, and there’s blood spilling from inside the armour, and the RT is dark and dead.

Steve raises his hand to his eye and realises what has just happened, what the Ultron-him has done to him.

There’s a time gem in his hand, and he closes his fist over it and feels it shatter.

***

The year is 5000, if Tony is to be believed (he’s not; except he’s always been good with numbers and he doesn’t need to lie about them, Steve knows).

The sky is full of Sentinels. There aren’t future Avengers around them to greet them.

Natasha and Kevin look around. “What do you think happened here?”

“Think future, high-tech equivalent of nuclear war,” Tony says. He looks around. Steve hears his heavy steps, doesn’t turn to look.

“Or,” Tony adds, and stops.

“What,” Steve says. They can’t play at the “I’m so much smarter, I won’t tell you what’s going on” now. No matter that Tony has for months.

“Look up,” he says, and even though his voice is just Iron Man’s cold, modulated one, Steve can’t hear the defeat in it.

He looks up, and the sky is red, and another Earth is approaching.

“That’s not how incursions work,” Steve says.

“It’s not,” Tony agreed. “Or maybe it wasn’t, five thousand years ago.”

“It’s a short time for the universe,” Kevin says.

Steve knows Tony wants to answer, but there’s light around them again, and whiteness, and Natasha and Kevin fall down, and Steve has to watch them die in all too quick motion, and he thinks, enough.

He tries to go after Natasha, and Tony catches his arm and keeps him in an iron grip.

***

Tony’s hand on his face should feel familiar.

Instead it almost burns, as if he was pouring acid straight onto Steve’s cheek, even though his touch is gentle. Emotionless. Medical.

He’s scanned Steve eye five times already, and Steve let him, because while just being in one room with him hurts, Tony is a genius.

(Steve knows he’s not; he doesn’t need a reminder that could also kill him; he knows he’s not half as smart, or resourceful, or creative, he knows Tony does not need him and never has, and it makes it all worse: he didn’t have to use him, of course he didn’t, and yet he has; as if Steve was nothing more than a toy, used for easy amusement and nothing else)

The point is: Tony is a genius, and Tony can disarm his fucking eye. Before Steve kills someone.

“Well,” Tony says, his voice dry, as if something amuses him, but he doesn’t care to share. Why would he? It’s not as if Steve would understand. “Good news: that device – not exactly a bomb. It won’t kill anyone accidentally.”

“Tell me,” Steve spits out.

Tony looks exhausted in the strong lights of his lab, and he doesn’t look at Steve.

“It won’t do anything you wouldn’t,” he says. “It won’t harm your friends. Don’t worry about it.”

Don’t worry, when there’s Ultron tech in his eyes, don’t worry, and it’s not that what bothers Steve in Tony’s words, it’s the previous part, it’s how Steve knows Tony is lying.

***

He has to fix it.

He wishes it was because he knew Tony was essential to saving the world and stopping Ultron 500 years ahead. He wishes it was because Tony made the world a better place. He wishes it was because of anything but what was true: he wishes it wasn’t because after everything Tony has done to him, he still couldn’t stop caring for him.

That Tony doesn’t think anything of him doesn’t matter.

He has to fix it.

***

Tony doesn’t even try to fight as SHIELD agents take him to Raft, and the sky is red, incursion-red, for the last time.

Steve doesn’t know how many planets he’s killed. All he says is a lie, in the end.

The time gem is heavy in Steve’s pocket.

***

Future-him – except, not really; the man is nothing like him, he just uses his name – inserts something into his eye. Steve thinks it should hurt, but he can’t feel a thing –

That’s a lie.

But he won’t think of Tony, won’t wonder what happened to him – he was in the armour, the gas shouldn’t have affected him … What if they tried to strip it off him, what if they tried to take the RT? No, Steve’s not thinking about it. Because Tony sure as hell does not think about Steve, past the cheap amusement he can offer.

“It’s a bomb, Captain.”

A bomb in his eye, and Steve can’t even feel scared before the light he’s come to associate with the time gem appearing.

***

Ultron is attacking Earth, again, and Steve feels like he’s seen it before, but he can’t remember.

It’s his second favourite nightmare, these days, forgetting everything that matters.

Steve fights with the Avengers, and buys time for Hank Pym and Richards to try and outsmart Ultron (that’s all he’s good for: brute strength. But even then, he’s got nothing on Carol. Why is he pretending?).

He asks where they’re at, he asks for help, he asks for ETA, and none of the so-called geniuses can help him, and he hears what they’re not saying. Tony was the one good with weapons and machines, and Tony’s dead.

***

He’s in 2062, and he’s alone if not for the future Avengers looking at him, but no one reaches for their weapons.

“Clint,” he says. “Send Tony back early.”

***

They’re all in Tony’s lab, alive.

Steve pockets the gem before anyone can see it. “I have no idea what happened,” he lies.

Tony’s left gauntlet shines bright red, and Steve knows what it means.

***

He has to fix it, and he tries to warn himself before Ultron’s Avengers put the bomb in his eye.

He fails.

***

Tony pushes the button and the other Earth burns.

The other Earth, full of their Avengers who jumped there to try and stop it from both sides.

The other Earth, that was too close, and yet too far to ever help them.

Maybe if they had more time.

Steve knows this is what Clint will not forgive Tony for.

***

He tries to warn Tony, to say that after the incursions, Ultron will come, but Tony doesn’t listen, drunk out of his mind and treating him like a hallucination.

***

Tony knew, Steve realises that, Tony knew and thought Steve wouldn’t mind killing him, that Steve would be relieved to get rid of him.

Tony was an idiot, and Steve wishes he could use present tense.

He picks up one of Tony’s spare gauntlets and puts it on. It fits him, but barely; Tony had leaner hands than him.

But he has taught him how to use the armour.

***

It’s easy in the end, and he’s standing in Tony’s lab.

“It won’t do anything you wouldn’t,” Tony says. “It won’t harm your friends. Don’t worry about it.”

Younger Steve doesn’t look at him, his gaze fixed on the wall. There’s an easy fix when someone’s head holds a weapon: you can just blow it up. Steve aims the gauntlet at his younger self, and fires.

He doesn’t get to see Tony’s reaction.

***

The year is unknown, and Steve can just imagine Tony’s face as he says it, and then he’s annoyed that he has to face the armour.

“Take it off,” he says, and Tony, miraculously, listens, pull of his helmet.

The Earth, if they’re still on it, is bare. There’s nothing but stones in sight. It exists, even though the last thing they saw was an incursion. Or maybe they’re in the past now. Tony doesn’t know, how should Steve?

“It’s you who had the time gem,” Tony says, suddenly.

“I remember,” Steve snaps.

“Yeah,” Tony laughs, and it sounds empty. “You’ve said that already.”

Steve wants to hit him, but they’re at the end of the world, and what’s the point?

“I trusted you,” he says, and watches as Tony takes a step back from him, looking as if he’s in pain.

“I was doing the right thing,” he says, though he sounds just broken. “To save the world.”

“Yeah, and it worked splendidly.” Steve gestures around them.

“We saw Avengers of the future,” Tony says. “They lived, it must have worked.”

“So it was all worth it,” Steve says.

Tony steels himself. “Yes.”

“And nothing mattered. The Avengers world. The team. Us working together again. None of it mattered past your grand plan.”

Tony is silent.

“Answer me!”

“Why?” he asks, quietly. “It killed me to do that to you. But it didn’t stop me. I would do it again. What do you want to hear?”

Steve doesn’t know.

“Time gem was yours,” Tony says again.

“I’m not the one who got us here,” Steve says.

“Aren’t you.”

He’s not, because there’s no fucking point to them sitting at the end of time, arguing.

“Why,” Steve says, finally. “Just tell me why.”

“I knew you’d hate me,” Tony says. “But it would mean you were alive to do it. And that would be enough for me, Steve.” He sounds so open Steve almost believes him. “The Avengers world … it was not a lie,” he adds, quietly. “I did that for you. I know it doesn’t mean much, now. I know nothing will be enough. But I believed that if there was one good thing to come out of it all …” he trails off.

Steve is gripping his shield so hard it hurts.

Tony matters so much more than anyone else, and Steve can’t force himself to say anything to him.

“What would you do to save someone you loved?” Tony asks, so very quietly that Steve isn’t sure it’s not just his imagination.

He answers all the same, truthfully. “Anything.”

The time gem appears in front of him, and he catches it.

(I had no idea how to post it. I hope it works?)