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[ well that... wasn't what Tony expected. though maybe he should have.]

...yes. Though the emphasis was more on the company than the beverage. You okay?

Just fine.

I don't think that's a great idea right now, Tony. I've got some work to do.

You have work to do? What about after?

It's a lot of work.

It's a lot--

[ oh fuck that shit, Tony is almost insulted that Steve would even try lying that terribly. when Steve answers, the engineer sounds just a little annoyed, and maybe a little tired.]

What the hell, am I supposed to believe that or be insulted by the effort you put in?

[ a pause, and a hiss of noise from Tony.] Seriously, Steve. What is going on.

I'm busy.

[ He responds to the irritation with irritation, as usual. ]

What answer did you want?

The truth would be nice.

[ then, softer: ]

Please, Steve.

The truth?

[ Here it comes. ]

What about the truth you supposedly told me? That everything was fine? You told me we would try, and it's my fault for taking your word, but you can't contact me now and pretend that this is normal.

... what the hell are you--

[ right. Loki said that he wanted to hurt Steve, that he called Tony his boyfriend, that--

there is the sound of movement, Tony hissing a curse at moving metal before he speaks to Steve again.]

Loki.

I don't want to talk about this, Tony.

[ It's already set as far as Steve is concerned, and while he's not happy, he's not going to pick stupid fights. ]

[ there is a beat of silence while Tony weighs the situation before:]

I do, Steve. Loki told me he spoke to you. He didn't tell me--whatever. It didn't end well.

[ another pause, this one broken with the sound of Tony dropping himself into a chair of some sort and it squeaking, maybe the movement will even muffle the emotion in his voice. ]

Can we please talk, Steve? I don't want to have this conversation on the phone.

[ He should just tell him to forget it. But Tony is a friend, and Steve sighs, unable to completely shut him out. ]

All right. Where do you want to meet?

[ the sigh that escapes isn't planned, but Tony is relieved. after the last twenty-four hours he wouldn't be surprised if Steve just said no.]

... well I wasn't kidding about needing coffee, if you don't mind?

[It's not his expectation to work things out that wins Steve over but his concern for what sounds like a friend in need. He may have issues with everything that happened, but Tony needs to talk to someone. He reluctantly agrees for that reason alone. ]

All right. Give me twenty minutes. I'm out.

[ Steve shows up with damp hair and a gym bag indicating what he was doing before coming by the coffee shop. The work out interrupted, he quickly showered and made his way over, looking serious. ]

[ by the time Steve makes it to the coffee shop, Tony has coffee clutched in both his hands and is irritating the hell out of nearby patrons with his constant fidgeting and tapping of his foot. still, when he sees Steve, gym back slung over his shoulder, there is a quirk of a smile on his lips despite the fatigue that lines his face. ]

... thanks.

[ it's quiet as he holds out the coffee, tries not to think about how he is going to explain everything.]

[ Despite the more serious frown, Steve does look concerned as he takes the coffee, nodding his thanks. ]

What did you want to talk about?

He told me... Loki told me that he talked to you.

[ there is a sigh, Tony looking down at the coffee for a moment, flickers of something wistful crossing his face.]

Well, I suppose from what I understood, it was more like he taunted you and attempted to win some kind of fucked up competition and I just-- I'm sorry. I thought I was being honest with you before, when we talked on the roof, but I guess Loki wasn't as honest as I thought he was and--

[ he looks up, and cocks his head as he looks at Steve. ] I told him that he hurt me and he-- he left. Just like that.

[ Steve's expression is unreadable for a moment. He takes what Tony says in thoughtfully, sipping his coffee as he takes in the way Tony looks worn. That hits harder than the words. He doesn't react until the last part, and then his brow creases with worry. ]

What do you mean he left?

I mean he left me. Which considering we had just become a thing to leave, is almost impressive.

[ there is a hollow laugh as he shakes his head.]

Like that was going to hurt me less.

Have you called him?

[ There isn't a lot of room for Loki to leave to, and if he's trying to spare Tony like Tony believes he is, then he clearly needs a talking to. ]

[ that just makes Tony sigh, taking a moment to sip his coffee. ]

Left him a message. He wasn't-- wasn't in his room at the Sanctum. I just-- fuck.

Okay. We can find him. There aren't that many places he'll go.

It'll be all right.

[ Tony blinks up at Steve. leave it to him to think like that--]

No, Steve. He broke up with me. Pretty sure when you vanish in the middle of a date with the words "I'm leaving you" he doesn't want to be found. I just-- more than anything, I am sorry. I'm sorry that you thought I lied, I didn't-- I wasn't aware of how he felt and--

[ look where that got him ]

[ The lines of disapproval deepen as Tony tells him Loki left during a date. Who does that? Okay, so maybe he would do that, but only for important business! For work, not to hurt his partner. Steve places a hand on Tony's arm. ]

It's okay. I'm not that surprised. It's Loki, he didn't tell the truth. The- stars are in the sky and it's another day. He left because he was jealous and hurt and maybe he even thought he was helping you. If you talk as much as we talked when I spoke to him, I doubt he really heard much of anything you were saying.

Can't say I don't think running off like that isn't spoiled, but if you want to talk to him, we can find a way.

Steve, no-- I don't--

[ Tony sighs, runs a hand through his hair and is quiet for a moment as he marshals his thoughts together. on the one hand, he does want to talk to Loki to figure out just what the hell the god thought he was doing, but on the other--

Tony needs time, he is still hurt, still has an echo of betrayal in his chest and maybe it was better like this for a while. ]

I don't want to. Not right now. He used my feelings for him as a way to try and hurt you, Steve. He never outright lied to me, but-- he didn't tell me the truth either. Also, he heard everything I said, maybe too well.

And I am telling you because I said I would be honest, not because I want you to help fix us or something. That is on me and him, no one else. And I am sorry for what he said even if-- even if I don't know exactly what it was, but it stemmed from me not communicating.

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