Steve watched nervously as the portal closed. He gasped a heavy breath as he thought Tony would be trapped up there forever, but let out a sigh of relief as Tony fell from it at the last second.
As the Hulk brought him down safely, Steve couldn't help but smile. Until he walked up, and Tony wasn't breathing. The rest of them stood idly by, but Steve just couldn't. Maybe, just maybe, if he-
No, Steve was a professional. No feelings could get in the way of that.
Except, Tony was almost completely gone. This could be Steve's last chance to truly be irrational. Besides, maybe the shock of it would wake Tony up again.
With that thought, he leaned over Tony, and kissed him gently. When he pulled away, Tony was still unresponsive.
Steve was shocked that he heard no sound around him, other than the solemn silence that follows such grave fate ahead for Tony. There was no shock at Steve's act, just a sad atmosphere for Tony.
Steve didn't move from Tony's side, and he felt a hand on his shoulder. A hand that was fairly strong, which was trying to hold him together. Steve looked back, and looked to Thor with weak gratitude.
There was not one of them that wasn't thinking, in that moment, that the life of Tony Stark was over. In grief, the Hulk vocalized in growls. Which, by some miracle, made Tony's eyes snap open.
Steve's face manoeuvred into a wide smile. Tony was alive! A miracle by all standards. And, right after he had done the act that had finally proven he wasn't totally selfish. The real question was whether or not the team would make Steve confess what was behind the display he made on a dying Tony.
Tony weakly smiled, as he looked upon the members of his team with anguished faces. "You really didn't think I'd go that easy, did you?"
Thor smiled. "You had us fooled, friend."
Tony shrugged. "Ah well, so how did you wake me up?"
Hawkeye smiled. "We tried a couple things, but Hulk lashing out his voice ultimately got you."
"Alright, just please tell me nobody kissed me," Tony said in a humorous tone. His eyes widened as the circle was completely silent, and every one of them looked oddly secretive. Tony took a deep breath, and sighed. "Okay, who just couldn't resist?"
Steve bit his lip, and looked down to Tony with a flushed face. "I did."
"Cap? Well then, I think we have some things to talk over. Don't you?" Tony asked in his mischievous tone, that made them all grin.
"The fight's over, you may go." Thor said politely.
Steve still looked worried. "Before we talk, I think you need medical attention."
Tony rolled his eyes. "Take's more than this to get me." Steve's eyes widened, as with little support, he got onto his feet again. "Let's go.