This had been unexpected. Rhodey had finally gotten a small holiday from the military and had decided to surprise his best friend by dropping by and spending some time with the energetic genius. Meaby play video games and share a beer or something.
So he enters the Avengers Tower and enters the elevator.
"Greetings Colonel Rhodes. It is good to see you tho I was unaware about your arrival" a smooth British voice of Jarvis greets him.
"Hey J. Yeah I thought I'd surprise Tones so if you could not tell that I'm coming that would be appreciated."
"Of course Colonel. Sir is currently at the common floor and I think it would be good if you would go there to assist him. He seems to be in distress"
In distress? "Yes, of course, Jarvis take me there now, please" why is Tony in distress? Worry curls around Rhodey as he wills the elevator to move faster.
As the elevator stops at the common room Rhodey could hear shouting. Or more specifically Tony shouting.
He steps into the room watching the scene before him. Tony was in front of him back facing Rhodey shouting at Captain America, Black Widow and Hawkeye. Their faces mixed with shock and sadness.
"I'm just so Tired! Tired of feeling like I'm not even a person but someone's problem that shouldn't exist!"Tonys words were filled with such pain that it made Rhodey's heartache. He wanted to protect. He could see the awkward and shy teen back in the MIT in Tony. Before he knew he was approaching the genius from behind.
" But I'm sorry that I do and I will continue to be what I am and not what anyone wants! And if you people can't see it then that's your problem. I'm sorry that-" and he was hugging Tony cutting him off sentence. Bringing the smaller man to his chest and wrapping his hands around the genius like when they were younger after Tony and bastard father had a fight on the phone.
He can feel Tony cling to him. Hiding his face into his broad chest. So he tightens his own crip.
"Excuse me who are you?" Captain America Asks seemingly snapping out of his trance.
"I'm Tonys Best Friend and that's all you need to know. Now I'm taking him to his floor and we will be having a conversation later" He promises with a no bullshit tone.
Then he pics Tony up and walks in the elevator, it starts moving on its own thank you, Jarvis.
Tony has started to cry now small sobs escaping him making Rhodeys heart ache even harder. Wanting to make the genius smile and wipe the tears away.
He hums as he starts carding his fingers through Tony's hair as they settle down on the bed. Then they just sit there. Letting Tony let all of it out.
Soon Tony's sobs turn silent sniffles. Rhodes keeps waiting.
A small voice so small that he almost misses it.
"Mmm... Rhodey...I'm sleepy..." Rhodey's hear melts so he just smiles and whispers soothingly back.
"Shhh... Tones it's okay, you're okay. You did well I'm proud of you. You can sleep now. I'll be here when you wake up" he then continues carding his fingers in Tony's hair as the smaller man falls asleep on him"
"Jarvis tell me what happened" he whispers
So Jarvis complies telling The Colonel what happened on the mission and the lecture which led to Tonys inevitable break down.
Rhodey ponders on that. Seeing that this had been a misunderstanding. He can see that Captain's frustration on not following orders but the way he just assumed and didn't let Tony explain. Besides, even a leader should stand down and listen to others and their tactics. Not always is the leader right.
So obviously he tells this to the captain after calling him up and giving the most murderous glare if the guy dares to wake Tony up. But at first, he did want to hear the captains side. He did not get this far in his job by assuming.
"He never listens on the field he just does his own thing even when I give him an order" the captain explains as Rhodey had expected.
"Well have you asked him why? Did you think why he would go against you?" Did you-" "Because he is not a team player that doesn't care about others but himself"
This gets an eyebrow raise. Tony can be a hard cookie but selfish? No.
"Don't interrupt me. I outrank your ass. Now I know Tony can be hard sometimes but no matter how the papers try to ruin him and how he keeps up his mask Tony is not selfish. He let you in his home he gives you food and a home and armory. He is trying to be better. So you do not get to call him selfish. Not you." He whispers angrily careful not to wake the sleeping genius on his lap up.
"The reason I asked did you ask him why is cause if Tony had followed your command 5 people and Tony would have gotten badly hurt. You would know this if you had asked."
The captain looked at him for a while shame flashing on his features. Rhodey sighs.
"Listen I understand that as a leader you have a responsibility and such you should be able to let others make their own moves if needed. I know you are new to everything but I'm sure it was like that back then too. But you should talk to him instead of assuming. He can seem reckless but usually, he does choose what was the best course of action"
The captain nods acceptingly at this looking down.
"Yes, I will talk to him and apologize. I realize I went too far. And bringing up his father was clearly too far. He seems not to like him" he frowns as he said this.
"Yes, his father was not the best. And no let me explain! He might have been great back in the day but the Howard he was after was not a nice person. So I wouldn't bring him when Tony is present" Rhodey explains.
Captain Nods again.
"Well then. I won't mention him. And it's good to see that Tony has a friend to back him up. It would be great to get to know you. You know under better circumstances."
Rhodes smiles. It would take a while that he would be all friendly with this guy but for now, they part with him calling the man Steve and Steve calling him Rhodey.
Now alone with Tony, he watches the younger man with gentle eyes. He can't feel his legs anymore but damn if he moves he would be a disappointment to his country and himself so he stays thinking how this has become his life. But one thing he knows is that he doesn't regret it.
And if the team treats Tony better thanks to Rhodey. Well, even tho he suspects he doesn't have to know. Because Rhodey would do anything to his brother.
Notes:
Here it is a part 2.
I made Rhodey not bash Steve too hard cause I think he is an rational adult who would want to know all details first.
Thank you for reading please leave a kudos and Comment if you can those make my day :D