The Avengers - Stony Engagement - Contest Entry 2

Steve was on his way to Tony's room. Well, their room. Just yesterday Steve slept on the floor, while Tony was sprawled on the whole bed (which wasn't easy considering the size of their bed, but Tony had this rare ability to take over every surface while sleeping - just like a cat), snoring loudly, drunk into oblivion. And Steve couldn't leave him, seeing that his boyfriend completely doesn't know what is happening. And he just left him for a moment during the party. It was one of SHIELD's gala parties and Tony was gulping glasses of scotch one by one, assuring Steve that he is fine. But when Steve lost him for a moment, he was gone. And Steve got worried sick looking for him for few hours and ended furious seeing that his boyfriend already made it to the tower before him and slumped on the couch, his suit wide open, showing naked chest. Captain just scooped him in his arms, trying to get him to bed. But then Tony woke up, giggling, trying to snuggle with Steve, cheerfully babbling something about Steve being the love of his life, and yes, it was nice, but he knew it was all drunk-talk. He barely took Tony's suit off and just forced through his head one of his white shirts, too big for the brunet and lay him down, holding his hand till Tony fell asleep.

Captain entered the room, holding a glass of water and some aspirin. The blinds were halfway down, letting only a little amount of light to not disturb Tony's sleep. Steve sat on the bed and gently ran his hand through Tony's hair, who stirred at the action and blinked his eyes open.

"Ummhh… Where... Am I?" he rasped.
"Bed," Steve answered, still petting his hair.
"Weren't we suppose to go to a party..?"
"We were, you just don't remember it," Steve smirked. Tony moved his head, so Steve's hand was now on his cheek and he nuzzled into his palm.

"Why my head hurts?"
"You drank too much."
"How much?"
"And how do you feel like?"
"Like 'Oh God, have mercy and kill me now' too much.."

Steve just laughed slightly. He wanted to scold Tony, but seeing him like this, he knew that hangover was a sufficient punishment. He put aspirin in his mouth and put the glass with water to his lips.

"Drink," Steve said shortly, tilting the glass, letting Tony drink. He didn't protest and slowly gulped the whole water. The brunet sighed and crawled closer to Steve, nuzzling his face into the bigger man's lap. Steve put the glass down and moved his hand to pet his hair some more when he froze. He was looking at Tony's back. On the white shirt were some dark red spots. Dried blood. Steve's eyes widen in horror. He didn't notice yesterday when he was changing Tony's clothes that he was hurt. He took Tony in his arms and went with him into the bathroom. Tony whined faintly at the sudden movement.

"Shh, it's alright," Steve cooed, brushing his cheek at Tony's. He lowered Tony inside the bathtub, where he cringed feeling the cold, but soon Steve started to run some warm water from the shower head over his body, making Tony purr approvingly, liking the warm feeling. He thought that Steve was just giving him a bath, while the blonde was frowning seeing that water started to turn a slight pinkish color when it was raising blood. He didn't want to scare Tony, so he gently rolled the shirt up, taking it altogether while Tony lifted his arms to help him. He looked at his back and gasped loudly. Tony turned around at the sudden sound.

"Steve?" he looked at his boyfriend. Steve's mouth was wide open, as he was gaping on Tony's back. The skin was a bit swollen and irritated, but he was sure what he was seeing. On Tony's shoulder blades through the middle of his back was a tattoo. And it was not a regular tattoo. Those were words written in cursive: "Steven G. Rogers, will you marry me?"

"Steve? Is there something on my back?" Tony asked, slight panic in his voice. Steve quickly shook his head.
"Noo.." he whined, not knowing what to think. Tony didn't believe him. He made it out from the bathtub, stumbling, and stood in front of the large mirror in the bathroom, turning around to see what's on his back. He gasped seeing the tattoo. But after a while, when he read the sign, he whined and hid his face in his palms. Steve's heart clenched seeing that.

"Babe, it's okay, I didn't treat it seriously in the first place.." he started softly, getting closer to him. Tony lowered his hands and glared.
"No, it's not like.. Dammit!" he shouted angrily, stomping out of the bathroom. Steve blinked and followed him, as Tony was rummaging through the suit he wore yesterday. Finally he found what he wanted and took out a small, velvet box. Steve blinked again, looking at Tony.

"Steve, I.." he started, but stopped to rub his face in the next second. He slicked his hair to the back, trying to maintain at least some dignity, and started again. "I know it's not perfect and I didn't plan this like that. I got nervous and.. Lost control. But I mean it, Steve. I'm not in a suit as I planned, I reek of alcohol, and I think I'm seeing two of you, but that's okay, you both can marry me, if you want that it's, so.." he rambled, taking a breath, slowing down, "Steven Grant Rogers, will you marry me?" he opened the box to show Steve.. That it was empty inside. The blonde looked at the box and blinked in confusion. Tony looked on his own and next chucked the box to the floor, cursing that he can't do anything right. Steve quickly wrapped him in his arms, holding close, careful to not touch his back, knowing that the skin was probably still sensitive.

"Of course I will marry you, dummy.." he said softly, rocking him gently. Tony smiled big, wrapping himself tighter around Steve, leaning in for a kiss, but before their lips meet, his face turned pale, and he darted into the bathroom. Steve looked after his butt naked boyfriend, no, his butt naked fiancé, and shook his head, hearing as Tony hurled the contents of his stomach into the toilet. He was just hoping that their marriage won't start as their engagement did.

"Hey, Steeeveeee…"
"Yeah?"
"Uhh.. Found your ring… But I will buy you a new one…"

Steve didn't even want to know.