Chapter Text
“You would really rather do this than come play pick up with me and Sam?” Bucky ask, leaning on the wooden wall that he was attempting to paint.
“As fun as it would be to watch you to trade insults for hours, i promised Ms.Dale Id help out with the set design since they’re so far behind.” He says, purposely getting paint on Bucky’s elbow that’s leaning on the prop.
“Hey! That’s just uncalled for.” Bucky says with a laugh, rubbing the paint away.
“Besides, you love when it’s just you and Sam playing one on one because then you can guard him closely the whole time.” He says with a smirk, knowing it’s going to illicit an offended look from the other man.
He has no idea why bucky tries to deny his crush on the other man, it’s almost as dumb as Sam denying his own feelings.
But if they wanna spend the other afternoon playing gay chicken, that’s on them.
“Okay, that’s just rude. And you think i don’t know that a certain someone who another certain someone has a crush on even though someone won’t admit it to his certain best friend is going to be in this musical?” Bucky says, raising his eyes conspiratorially.
“Wait, which certain someone am i in this?” He asks, furrowing his brow.
Bucky rolls his eyes before continuing, “Pretty boy Stark is the lead in this play, is that a coincidence?”
He feels himself blush a bit, even though he tries to play it cool by denying it, “Is he? I had no idea.”
“Suuuuuuuuure sure sure. And it’s definitely easier volunteering to paint a whole ass set than to just talk to him and ask him out.” Bucky says with a smirk.
“Just like it’s easier to tell someone you like him than pull his metaphorical pig tails for 8 months?” He retorts, ducking out of the way of a smack that Bucky aims at him.
“I am going to-“ Bucky starts before the theater director walks out of the wings and cuts him.
“Leave the theater Mr.Barnes? Because it is cast members only right now.” Ms.Dale nearly shouts in that theatre voice that nearly all directors use.
“Already out of here.” Bucky says, giving him one more look before he goes.
“As I was saying, this is our final week before the show premieres, which means the only people allowed in here are the people who are actually a part of the play. We don’t need friends or fans distracting all of you.” She said dramatically, as though this was a Broadway premiere and not a high school production, where the audience would be more family and friends than critics.
“And that especially means you Mr.Stark, if you could focus more on the play and not flirting with every cast member, stage hand, and adoring fan that comes in here, I would be much appreciated.” She continued, giving the younger man a look.
He looks shocked at being called out for all of too seconds before his face changes into his trademark smirk, “I can try my best, but I can’t make any promises.”
“I nearly regret casting you, my dear boy, but sadly you’re the only one who could come close to matching pitch during “Tonight”.” She said with a dramatic sigh, as though no one could understand the plight of a high school drama teacher.
“I could always give it another shot Ms.Dale” Zemo, a smug looking boy who had been trying to get cast as a lead since day one offered.
“I said what I said Zemo, we hardly need a round two of your audition. Now, as you know, West Side Story, is a classic. A musical that has lasted the generations, spoken to the masses. That we are going to be groundbreaking in giving a new twist. Instead of Tony and Maria, it will be featuring Tony and Marco.” She said triumphantly, clasping her hands together in joy.
The entire cast and crew break out into whisperings of confusion, not only had a Maria been cast, but Pepper and Tony had been practicing together for weeks now.
“Yes, yes, I know this comes to a shock to all of you, but sadly Ms.Potts, the only candidate for a female Maria had to take leave suddenly. Her grandmother in France has taken ill and she and her family flew out to be with her. Since I refuse to listen to “I Feel Pretty” be butchered to death, we will now be having an impromptu audition for all the gentleman here. On your feet boys, this is your big chance!” Ms.Dale bellowed dramatically.
The looks on the faces of the male cast members ranged from excited to confused to slightly concerned for Ms.Dale’s state of mind.
Steve looked at the other male cast members, wondering who could possibly be a match for Tony, who was easily the best singer and dancer in the school. He was 90% sure this play musical would now resemble Tony falling in love with a piece of wet cardboard more than a love story.
He half heartedly painted as he watched the other man collect their sheet music and began to practice their audition, their song being “Something’s Coming”. He knew this was going to be a difficult audition, the song had a unique rhythm to it that most people musically tripper over.
He would never tell anyone (especially Bucky) but he secretly loved the musical, which was part of the reason he volunteered for set design. His mother was a huge fan of musical theatre and more often than not could be found singing in the kitchen to Into the Woods or Phantom of the Opera.
He had also been more than happy to sing along the male vocal parts since he was old enough to, but only in the secrecy of their apartment. He had been bullied a bit for being feminine looking when he was younger (which admittedly had stopped when he grew six inches and 50 pounds), but still didn’t feel like putting himself out there again.
He looked at the group of guys practicing and secretly rated them. Rhodey may actually have a fair shot at the role, he had a good enough voice but he couldn’t picture him and Stark faking that kind of chemistry after being friends for so long. Thor also had a good voice, but was heavy on his feet during choreography. Loki could dance like a swan but usually refused to share the spotlight so he was probably out. Barton was pretty good at both dance and singing, but he knew he and Tony wouldn’t be able to pretend to be in love for three minutes, much less a whole play. Bruce wasn’t even pretending to practice his lines, he had his role and had refused to audition for anyone else.
And then there was Zemo, who was singing so off key it hurt his ears.
He slowly watched the men audition, some doing better than he expected and some worse. He was pretty sure Rhodey was going to be cast, he seemed to be the only one able to stay on the difficult rhythm of the song and able to add some moves to it.
He had to hold back a laugh as Zemo sang one whole bar before Ms.Dale cut him off.
“Zemo dear, not all of us are meant for musical theater. Thank you.” She said bluntly, with a tight smile.
Zemo looked so pissed that he thought he might be watching Zemo’s supervillian origin story as he stalked off the stage.
“Well. Thank you all boys, for reminding me why you all won your original roles. I supposed that means Mr.Rhodey-” She begins dejectedly.
“What about him?” Tony asks, pointing across at the stage towards him.
He looks around at first before realizing he’s pointing at him specifically.
“Me?” He asks, frozen with his paintbrush in his hand.
“Yeah, you.” Tony says with a laugh.
“I- I’m here for set design.” He says, holding his paintbrush up as proof.
“Ms.Dale, you did say an impromptu audition for all the gentleman here, and he is here.” Tony says with a smirk that he can’t quite get the meaning of. He’s not sure if the other man is being serious or trying to embarrass him.
“Indeed I did. Mr.Rogers, grab a song sheet.” She says, gesturing to one of the other men to hand him one.
“Oh no, I don’t-” He says in protest, backing away from the song sheet being handed to him.
“Don’t be scared, it won’t bite.” Tony says, with a tone that could either be playful or nasty, but riles him up either way.
“I was going to say, I don’t need a song sheet. I know the song Ms.Dale.” He says, with a cold smile to the other boy. Even though he knew in a million years, he wouldn’t actually do the play, he can’t help but to show off a bit for the other man, who obviously thinks he’s king of the theatre.
“Well, color me shocked and delighted. Whenever you’re ready Mr.Rogers.” She says, her hand on the remote to cue the music.
He gives her a nod, and hears the music begin to swell. The familiar notes come out, upbeat and joyful. He focuses on the empty seats in the audience, pretending there’s not one else in the theatre and begins to sing.
He hears his voice, much clearer and louder than it sounds in the apartment, staying on tempo and belting out the lyrics he knows by heart. He can’t help but glance at Tony, who appears to be in a state of shock, his mouth wide open.
The final notes of the song come to a close and then he suddenly feels anxious, standing on the stage with everyone looking at him, nobody saying a word.
“I-I-I haven’t sang on stage before, so if I was off-key…” He trails off, wishing someone would say something for the love of-
“Well. I think we have our Marco.” Tony says, his face breaking into a smile as he begins to slowly clap, the rest of the theatre troupe joining him.
“Oh….no.”