3 times Steve chickened out of asking Tony to dance and the first time he did it
The first time it strikes Steve that he could, if he wanted, ask Tony to dance, he never even gets the chance. They’re at one of the many galas they’ve been invited to this holiday season, and Tony looks incredible, as always. Tonight he’s wearing a velvet, navy suit that probably costs more than Steve’s motorcycle, cut and tailored perfectly to him. His hair is graying at the temples these days, and Steve’s pleased to see he hasn’t bothered to dye it into submission.
Steve wants to push his hands into the perfectly coiffed curls, but he doesn’t let himself linger on that thought too long.
So far, Tony has danced with Bruce, Natasha, and even Thor, for a minute there, so it’s not like it would be weird for Steve to ask. His palms starts to sweat at the thought of asking for it, though, because surely, Tony will see right through him. Tony will know.
“Why the long face, Cap?” Tony asks playfully, materializing at Steve’s side and nudging him with his shoulder.
Steve’s working up his nerve, trying to come up with something quick and quippy in reply, but in the end, it doesn’t matter.
Rhodey sidles up beside them, gives Steve a salute, and guides Tony back to the dance floor, their movements liquid, easy.
****
The second time it happens, it’s at Bucky and Sam’s wedding. Everyone is joining the happy couple on the dance floor, and Steve, thrilled for two of his best friends and surrounded by the people he loves most in the world, catches Tony’s eye.
The wink Tony sends his way makes his stomach do somersaults, and what can he do but make his way over to him?
“You clean up nice, Rogers,” Tony says, and there’s a hint of… something in his voice, velvety and smooth the way Steve hasn’t had directed at him before.
“You’re one to talk,” Steve says, gesturing at Tony’s perfect charcoal tux.
Tony opens his mouth, moves just a fraction of an inch closer, and really it would be easy, so easy, to pull him into his arms and into a dance. He wouldn’t really even have to ask, they could just… dance.
But then Natasha is smirking at him and twirling his way, yanking Steve into a dance while Tony grins from the sidelines and Steve’s heart sinks.
****
“You come here often?” Tony’s voice is warm and familiar by his ear, knowing, of course, that Steve has little use for bars like this, what with the whole, unable to get drunk thing.
“Yeah,” Steve plays along. “Never seen you here before, though.” It’s gotten easier, falling into step with Tony, matching his energy, flirting back, in Steve’s own careful way.
“Well, we’ll have to change that, won’t we?” Tony leans forward on his bar stool, a team night out now taking on an entirely new air of possibility. The bar isn’t their usual kind of place. It’s busier, for one thing, packed with people who could recognize them and ask for things: pictures, selfies, autographs… but tonight, everyone seems happy to leave the Avengers well enough alone.
So Steve sits with Tony, and they talk, and Steve thinks: it’s so easy.
And it is. Talking to Tony is the best part of his day, and tonight is no different. Which is why, when the music changes and Bruce and Nat and Clint make their way to the tiny, cramped dance floor, Steve almost suggests that he and Tony join them.
Before he can, though, Tony leans over, his hand warm on Steve’s knee, and asks if he can buy him a drink. And really, Steve can’t even think straight, let alone suggest a dance. He nods, because it’s Tony and a drink will be nice, something to do with his hands at the very least.
****
+1
“Dance with me?” Steve asks, winding his arm around Tony’s waist before he can reply. It’s so easy it’s almost hard to believe that a few short months ago, Steve’s palms were damp at the thought of asking Tony Stark for a dance.
“I thought you’d never ask,” Tony says with a wink. He seems happy enough to follow Steve’s lead, the music swirling around them. It’s Tony’s birthday, and he’d leaned into the celebration this year, letting Pepper and Maria Hill and Nat go over the top with their plans.
Tony is warm and solid and perfect in Steve’s arms, and when steve thinks about all those missed chances, all those almosts, he can’t help but lean in and kiss him.
“Can’t tell you how many times I wanted to,” Steve confesses quietly.
“Tell me,” Tony asks, grinning up at him under the bright lights of the room.
Steve does.
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QUEER-FANSHIPPERS
Calling out to other fans who queer-ship for support! The dark-ish, romcom-ish, historical-ish pirate show Our Flag Means Death is one of the few that has actual queer-couples prominently featured on the show.
The main romantic pairing were regularly shipped in fandom long before it was revealed this was not a queer-baiting tactic, it was actually happening...
And this is just ONE queer/non-heteronormative couple out of many more.
It's a fun show with a wonderful cast and crew who are not only supportive through their work, but many of who reach out to fans through special events and social media.
And now Max/WBD has cancelled that. One of the few cannon-supported examples where shipping queer-based couples weren't just fantasies, and it's been squashed.
I recommend y'all check out the show, but also please help protest the decision to cancel this unique series before it had the chance to complete its full arc:
Thank you all ❤️
Following @galaxypuppy708's example, btw:
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