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You're not that person anymore.
But I was.
And now you're not. People do bad things, Tony. It doesn't make them bad people.
I've done a hell of a lot more bad than good.
I have faith in you, Tony. You have a good heart, mistakes and all.
You have too much faith.
You don't have enough.
The conversation faded back to their usual banter as the tension wore away, and Steve found himself immensely relieved. As the meeting wore on, Steve eventually told Tony to just get some sleep, he'd seen him in class tomorrow. This turned out to be a good idea, since Nick dragged the meeting on until almost five in the morning. Steve was running on nothing but fumes, a hot shower, and a catnap when he showed up to school the next morning.
Steve slipped into Tony's classroom quietly, taking a minute to observe Tony at work before announcing his presence.
"—emember, make any final adjustments now, once we get out there the red pen comes out and your project grades come down!"
Tony was in the middle of the room, walking the aisles between the desks, picking and prodding at student's projects as he gave instructions. Catapults? Interesting.
"My god, Ruffalo, this is a work of art. Seriously. If you don't enter in the science fair, I'm entering you myself."
"I don't think you can do that, Prof. Stark." The boy, Mark Ruffalo, rolled his eyes at Tony.
"No, no, I wouldn't enter your project, that's stealing, I'll enter you. As my project. Presenting, a Tony Stark original…wait for it…" Tony drum-rolled on Mark's desk. "The Incredible Fluffalo!"
"And what exactly would I do?"
"Science on demand, of course. The peons at this school are easily impressed, I'm sure you'll think of something." Tony grinned, moving on. "Alright people, remember, if Robinson asks, what are we catapulting?"
A couple perceptive students glanced at him, but Steve held a finger to his lips—don't tell.
"Ping pong balls," the students recited dutifully.
"Right-o, kiddos." Tony clapped his hands together gleefully. "I can't wait to see the look on his fa—"
"I turn my back for a few days and you become a mad scientist." Steve laughed, announcing his presence. "Nice, Tony."
"Steve!" Tony nearly leapt out of his skin, and the students burst into laughter. He scowled at them. "You little rats, you're supposed to be on my side!"
"And what are we catapulting really?" Steve raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing, nothing," Tony sing-songed, "Don't you trust me, darling?"
"Not in the slightest."
"I'm hurt, Steven, hurt deeply."
"If he says he'll kiss it better, I swear I'll puke," one of the students muttered. It was one of the ones in the back, no way Tony could've heard, but Steve's face felt like it was on fire.
"I think they're cute." One of the girls shoved the boy who'd spoken in the shoulder. "Don't be a hater."
"No one's hating anything, I just don't wanna see em suck face when we could be pelting em instead."
"You're such a guy," the girl complained.
"You're not hurt, you're scheming." Steve tried his best to ignore the still-bickering students. "I don't like it when you scheme, it spells bad things for me. I think I still have bruises from last time."
"Oh, come on, this is going to be fun!"
"Our definition of 'fun' varies."
"Would I lie to you, Steviebear?"
"Yes."
The students laughed again.
"If you keep insulting me, I'm revoking your visitor's pass to my class of awesome."
"No, you won't." Steve rolled his eyes knowingly. "You need a test dummy."
"Very true." Tony grinned, throwing an arm around Steve's shoulders enthusiastically. "Come on, test dummy, your calling awaits! Kids, grab your projects, we're heading to the quad!"
As they made their way outside and set up the projects, Steve couldn't stop overhearing the kids. He was usually pretty good about selective hearing—he had to be, or he'd get a sensory overload every time he stepped outside—but the kids kept saying Tony's name and his name and he just couldn't stop listening.
"Dude, they're definitely together."
"Five bucks says they're not."
"Ten bucks says you're blind."
"Fuck off. I'm just saying, if they were,wouldn't they be more obvious?"
"Could they be more obvious?"
Steve was distracted from the two betting boys by two girls, giggling amongst themselves.
"It's like watching my parents."
"How many years of detention you think I'd get if I shouted at them to just kiss already?"
"Don't do that, Mr. Robinson might turn so red he'd implode."
"Mr. Stark would probably give me an A."
Steve flushed a bit, but then he overheard another boy, very ardently attempting to convince a couple others of his case.
