Phil hated this. Tony was a angry, guilty mess. S.H.I.E.l.D got intel that there is a small terrorist group in Bhutan,China had gotten a hold of old Stark weapons, replicating them to the best of there abilities. So not only do they have to stop the Stark weapons, they have to find a way to stop the replication. Phil told Tony all of this, debriefing everyone on the bus about it. Once it was done, Tony stormed off to there room. May gave him approval to go after him, nodding her head to Phil. He nodded back to her, following Tony to there room. He knew May would take care of everyone and get everyone ready.
He gently walked in there room. "Tony?" Tony was at there mini bar, making the strongest drink he can. Phil swallowed. Tony hasn't been drinking for a long time. He felt a sting in his heart at that realization.. Tony hadn't answered. He walked in, closing the door. "Tony? Are you alright?" "Do I look alright?" Phil walked closer but not too close. He wanted to give him his space if he chose to walk out of the room. "No. but I want you to talk to me so I can help." Tony gave a small laugh that lacked any form of amusement. It sounded wrong coming from him like that. "Unless we find all those weapons and take out every single one of those bastards. Nothing." Tony took a long gulp from his tumbler glass. Phil could smell it. It was a vodka drink but there was barely anything mixed in. Tony winced at the taste before placing it down on the small table. Continuing.
"My weapons, that I made to help people, are out there in the hands of monsters killing and hurting innocent people. Even kids." Phil frowned. "It's not your fault there-" "No. It is my fault Phil. Before I was Iron man, when I was CEO I was an idiot. I was a selfish idiot that thought nothing could go wrong. Who would take my stuff? That wasn't even a possibility. Then that cave happened and Damnit! Phil, it opened my eyes up. And now my weapons are still out there, still hurting people. So yes, Director Coulson. This is my fault." Tony glared, trying to look as angry as possible but Phil could see those dark eyes water up. The guilt that was eating his boyfriend alive. Phil went to move but before he could do anything Tony left the room, slamming the door. Phil sighed deeply. He hated how helpless he felt. To everything. He would have followed again but he knew there was nothing he could say that would help Tony feel any less guilty.
Within a few hours they were landing the bus in China. Making sure to be as far away from people as possible. Take the SUVs to the sight. May got in the drivers side of one while the rest of the team got ready in another. Phil went to Tony who had his suit case Iron Man armor. Phil frowned. "I'd would rather you drive with us. We don't know what they-" Tony didn't say anything as he armored up and flew. Phil nearly growled. He knew Tony was being eaten alive by guilt but that doesn't give him the right to ignore him. He just prayed Tony would be ok when they got there. They didn't know what was ahead of them. Which is what he was trying to tell his headstrong boyfriend.
He nearly jumped out of the car when he saw Tony slumped against a tree without his suit, which was currently open. He ran to him. "What happened? Are you ok?" Tony frowned. "Fine. Damn EMP field got me. I can't go in there with the suit." Phil half glared, helping him out. "I tried to warn you." Tony was quiet,glaring at the ground. Phil forced him to stand straighter, looking determined in his eye. "And just because you feel guilty and awful doesn't mean that you can give yourself the right to ignore me. Or the team. We just want to help you." "I would say I don't need help-" "You do." Tony just gave Phil a mall smirk but it was weak. "Well what now? I can't give cover without the Iron Man suit and it's useless around here." Phil helped him to the SUV. "We'll figure it out."
And by figure out it, Phil meant they would be ambushed soon after by Chinese soldiers armed to the teeth, pointing several rifles at them. May and Skye had there guns out, Fitz was already standing in front of Simmons who was terrified. Tony looked around, swallowing. He felt so exposed without his suit. "Phil...plan." Phil swallowed, putting his gun away. Starting to speak there language, his hands up in surrender. "Nin hao. Wo de mingzi shi fei er Coulson. Wo yu S.H.I.E.L. you yixie feifa wuqi. Women xiang taolun." (Hello. My name is Phil Coulson. I am with S.H.I.E.L.D. You have some illegal weapons. We'd like to discuss them.) Tony just stared in awe. He knew Phil could speak fluent Spanish and french. But freaking Chinese to? After that it was a discussion between Phil and whatever leader of this little outfit. Then one of them pointed to Tony, speaking in whispers. Tony took a step back. The leader spoke, after speaking to the man pointing to tony. Phil took a step in front of him, seeing it a well.
The leader spoke. "Zhe shi weida de Tony Stark?"(is this the great Tony Stark?) Phil kept his composure, no mater how terrified he was for tony. "Ta Bushi chule zhe yidian."(He isn't apart of this.) The leader suddenly nodded to one of his people. One of them quickly reached out, grabbing Simmons and Fitz apart. Both cried out in fear. Simmons yelled. "Ahh! Coulson!" Tony watched in horror. He couldn't let this happen. Phil spoke quickly. "Rang tamen qu!Meiyou yige shi fenkai de zhe yidian!"(Let them go! None of them are apart of this!) The leader spoke. "Gei women Tony Stark." (give us Tony stark.)Phil was about to speak when Tony stepped forward to him. He nodded to the leader then turned to Phil. It took all Phil had not to cling to Tony and keep him there. He knew how terrified he was must have been showing because Tony hugged him. "Keep them safe then get rid of these monsters. Don't you worry about me." Phil couldn't speak thru the lump growing in his throat. Suddenly Tony was ripped away from Phil, being forced to walk with a rifle to his back. As the leader walked away with Tony, so did the others.
Once it was clear, he ran to Fitz and Simmons who got thrown to the ground. "Are you two alright?" Simmons was shaking, tears falling down her face. Fitzs arms were around her. "Sir, Tony..." May spoke next, walking to them. "We'll get him back. For now lets listen to him and get to work." Skye was shaking her head. "I can't believe he just tuned himself over. To them." Phil was so thankful May chose to speak because he's pretty sure if he did he'd break down. He's never been so scared in his life. Wondering what they were putting Tony thru. If he'd be alive or even the same person after. He didn't realize he was zoning out into a panic attack until May touched his shoulder. Then he jumped into a fighting stance. "Phil." She said sternly. But her voice got softer. "We'll get him back. Lets go." Phil nodded shakily, following her to the SUVs. How did this all go to shit?
Tony hated to admit this but it was exactly like the cave. Well, he wasn't hooked up to a car battery so that was one advantage. But they still wanted him to fix the weapons they stole from him. But at the same time he kept having flashbacks. His anxiety and PTSD were at an all time high and he really shouldn't be surprised at that but he is. It takes all he has not to hyperventilate into unconsciousness. But they come in with buckets of water and rags and car batteries. (he knew that would come into play) the leader come way too close for his comfort. Right in his face, tilting his chair back, putting a very sharp knife to his cheek. Cutting it slightly.
Tony hissed thru it. The leader spoke. "You fix the weapons. We let you go." Tony was taken aback by the English but glared. "I'm not helping you do shit." Boy that actually took a lot more then he thought to get out. He was terrified and trying not to get sucked into his own mind of flashbacks. The man nodded before cutting a long line down his arm effortlessly. Tony winced, hissing thru it. "That...that all you got? my...grandma could do better-" The leader growled, slapping with the knife harshly, cutting his face as he did causing a huge gash. Tony cried out in surprise more then anything but it was stinging like a bitch. Then his chair was turned over and suddenly he was drowning.
Back on the bus Coulson put everyone to work on infiltrating the compound and getting Tony back. He couldn't eat. He couldn't drink. He felt sick to his stomach with worry and knew as soon as he would eat something it would just come back up. He watched the security screen of the lab, watching Fitz and Simmons and Skye work for a way to hack into the compound or at east turn the EMP field off. May and a few others were gearing up and practicing before leaving Coulson to over think and worry himself sick with fear. He could only hope and pray that Tony was alive and still of his own mind.
It took all Tony had not to cry and scream in pain. He was strapped to a chair, naked for all these monsters to see. He isn't sure how long he's been here. He can only assume hours. It's nighttime now. It was day when he was taken. He can see thru a small window. He was beaten, bruised, a gash on his cheek, arm. Dried blood felt like it was everywhere. He's not sure he's ever been this bloody. This was starting to border on worse then Afghanistan. His head was pounding and his body felt like it went thru a meat grinder. He held on, knowing Phil was working his ass off to rescue him and kill these bastards. Suddenly the leader walked in, the metal door making a loud thud as it closed. Tony tensed, seeing him walk in with a car battery and a bucket of water.
The leader walked to him, leaning him, nearly nose to nose. "Work with us. Save yourself this pain and you can walk out of here." Tony worked up enough saliva and blood to spit in his face. "Fuck off. I'm not helping you hurt innocent people-" The man stood back, throwing the bucket of ice water on him, making him tense and cry out, out of surprise more then anything. Then the man brought down the jumper cables that were connected to the car battery and placed them on his shoulders, making the horrifying pain of electricity run thru him, making him spasm and nearly flail if not for being strapped down. He wanted to scream and cry and sob and dear God he wished he was home on the bus. Safe and warm and wrapped up in Coulson. He smells like coffee and newly pressed suits with just a hint of apple. Once they were gone he slumped, unable to stop the sob that escaped. He was in so much pain and just wanted to be home. The man raised his voice. "Work with us!" Tony growled, tears continuing to fall. "Just fuck off-" He was cut off as the jumpers came back down on him again, fearing he may be done for.
They finally got intel on the compound and how to get in. Phil was dressed in his suit but he had his blazer off, in just his button down and tie but an added bullet proof vest as he geared up with as many weapons as humanly possible. May was gearing up next to him, adding ammo to the guns. "Phil. Are you going to be able to keep a clear head?" Phil just cocked his gun, the loud metallic sound echoing his thoughts as he looked at her. "crystal. Lets move out. ETA 10inutes. I'll get the cars ready."
May nodded. He could feel his blood sugar was at an all time low. He was shaking like a leaf and he worried he wouldn't be able to shoot straight but with the adrenaline going thru him he shouldn't have a problem. He just wanted Tony back. He's been in there captivity for two days. He hasn't slept or eaten in any of that time. Too focused on tony. Too worried. Too terrified. He needed him back.
Tony wasn't sure when he blacked out. He kept going in and out of consciousness. He felt like he was covered in blood and everything throbbed and ached and he really, really wanted a nice fluffy bed, maybe a bath. With his agent holding him and helping him. He thought he heard gun shots. He groaned. The leader that was inside the room with him quickly went around the chair, gun to Tony head but his free hand grabbed his very limp dick gripping it hard as he could. Tony was newly alert from the suddenly pain and just the feeling of disgust. This monster was touching him. Touching him where only Phil was allowed. He felt like he was actually going to be sick.
Yes. He did hear gun shots and cries of pain, coming from the hall. Then suddenly the door exploded into the room falling in a metal heap as Phil walked in, gun raised. Looking a little beaten but so very pissed off. He had his gun aimed at the leader until he saw Tony was a hostage and was that man holding Tonys...oh this man was going to die horribly. Phil was about to speak when Tony spoke up, best he could. "He speaks English Phil! Don't waste your ti-" The man growled, pistol whipping him into unconsciousness. Phil glared,the gun still held high. Then man grinned. "I have your little lover. Let me keep him, let him work for us and we will let him go. In time."
Phil nearly growled. "He won't work for you. He would rather die then work for you. But I'm not gonna let that happen." Then leader glared and Phil saw the smallest movement and shot the mans hand holding the gun. The man cried out in pain and Phil ran over, kicking his face in then straddling him, punching the man's face over and over and over until May made her way in and forcefully pulled Phil off the now dead leader. The mans face was nothing but blood and skin and tissue. Phil was still an angry heap. Weakly struggling until May forced him to calm down, holding his face to look at hers. "Lets get Tony." Phil stalled. Remembering suddenly why he was there. His hands were red from blood and the beating. He had gotten so lost in rage he had forgotten. Tony was barely awake as Phil got up, holding his face as May cut the ropes. "Tony! Tony, stay with me ok. It's Phil. Its me." Tony's lip trembled. "P-phil?" Phil smiled sadly, his eyes watering. "Yeah. Tony. I got rid of the monsters. Your safe. You saved so many people." Tony nodded weakly before slumping into his arms as the straps were cut. Phil held him, being careful of his wounds.
Within a few minutes Tony was rushed to med bay of the Bus. Most of his injuries were able to be treated on the bus. But phi worried about his mental state. Once Phil saw that Tony was in good hands of Fitz and Simmons, he suddenly felt very, very weak. And sleepy. He leaned against the wall for support. May saw this with worry. "Phil? Are you ok?" He nodded weakly. "Yeah. Just need...some...coffee..." he trailed off as he suddenly collapsed on the med bay floor. May rushed to him, Just in time to catch him before he hit the floor. Skye who was walking down there saw this, rushing into the hospital like room to get Simmons.
Phil groaned before looking around then he felt a hand on his. "Hey, take it easy. Your in med bay." He looked over, seeing Tony in the chair. Looking batted and bruised and a large scar going down the side of his face, freshly stitched up. Phil nearly gasped. "Tony...your here..." Phil had to keep his composure. He wanted to cry from sheer relief. He continued. "You shouldn't be out of bed. You should be in recovery." "And you should be eating. You have any idea how low your blood sugar was? Nearly nothing." Tony glared, softly. "I was gone for nearly two days Phil. You didn't eat." "Or sleep." Tony gave a weak glare. "You need to take care of yourself."
Phil just looked at Tony, holding his hand tightly. "I couldn't. I was too worried. I was scared it would just come back up." Tony nodded, getting up with a wince before leaning down and kissing his boyfriend. Phil kissed back softly, relishing the feeling of Tony alive and kissing him right here. Tony pulled back."your on medical leave for the week." Phil pulled back, eyes wide.
"What? I can't." "You can and you will. You need to get your strength back. Between Agent May and Romanoff, I think S.H.I.E.L.D will be in good hand while you rest." Phil still frowned while Tony held him. Phil frowned. "I'm sorry I wasn't there when you woke up. I'm sure you were scared." "A little. But then they told me what happened. And I was more scared of what was happening to you. I love you Phil. No matter what shit I may go thru, you'll always come first."
Phil nodded, hugging him close. "I'm just glad to have you back. Your alive. Your still you."Tony smiled sadly. "Yeah. I'm still me. With maybe a few more nightmares added in." "we'll cross that bridge when we get to it." Phil just relaxed into Tony's hold. Just so glad to have him back. Fearing he would lose him if he let go and vowing to protect him better in the future.