HELLOOOOOO. I'm sorry about the wait for this I kinda went on holiday and forgot to tell you guys. Sorry. *hides behind Thor* Is it safe to come out?

There's quite a bit of dialog here so I thought I should outline that it's from Steve's POV first and then Tony's POV.

Anyway here is the next instalment of this fantabulous story and I hope you enjoy :D

For the third day in a row Steve was sat beside Tony's bed. He felt absolutely terrible. This was all his fault. Had he not gone that step to far, had he not been a complete idiot none of this would've happened. Tony would be safe and he wouldn't be drowning in his own guilt. The others had told him that this wasn't explicitly his fault and that Tony would've been in another lab accident some day, but he couldn't help but feel there was something extra this time.

Bruce had said it was Tony's choice as to whether he came back or not. Well what if, because of what he had said, he wouldn't come back? He'd never see him again. No more snark, no more recklessness...no more Tony.

"Jesus Capsicle I can hear your guilt-ridden thoughts from here."

He looked up. There smiling...well, grimacing at him from the hospital bed was the one man he was worried about. The one man who he would do anything for. The one man who, as soppy as it sounds, holds a special place in his heart. ... Okay. Never saying that again.

"Are you just gunna stare or are you going to help me sit up?"

Oops. He'd been staring. Staring was creepy. Lets stop staring. Brain in gear Steve! He moved over to help him sit up, Tony swayed a little where he sat but managed to stay up.

"Are you okay? You seem a bit...out of it."

"Yeh, they must have me on some sort of happy drug. Oh well..."

An awkward silence descended over the two men. Neither knew what to say to the other and Steve hadn't come up with anything that didn't come close to professing his undying love. So he chose to let Tony take the lead...

"How long was I out?"

"A week. The whole team was really worried. You gave us quite the scare."

"I'm sorry."

WHAT? Tony Stark never apologized at all. Yet here he was saying sorry for something that really wasn't his fault. Something had changed whilst he was asleep, he wasn't the same man anymore...if it was possible, he was better.

"Sorry? Tony it really wasn't your fault. If anyone's sorry its me! I took it too far in our last argument and I just can't believe how much of a complete dick I was! I'm really sorry and...and...I-err...I think we should make a better effort to be friends, as opposed to arguing each day."

For a minute there he thought the Captain was going to say I love you, but that would be way beyond his wildest dreams. Okay seriously, what had they put him on? But Steve had just apologized for something that was only partly his fault. He had riled Steve up and he only deserved what he got.

On another note, Steve just called him Tony. He never does that, it's always 'Stark do this' and 'Stark do that'. Never Tony.

"You just called me Tony." (So much for the brain to mouth filter...)

"So? I always call you Tony...don't I?"

"Nah, usually its always Stark get the robots, Stark do the dishes..."

"Oh."

They fell into an uncomfortable silence once more. Damn it he was going to have to be the bigger man here and open up a little. He really dislikes doing that.

"Look Captain, I don't think you can take all the responsibility for this...ah-ah let me finish." He said when Steve started to interject. "I rile you up because, well most of the time it's really funny but other times because I'm just not in the mood. I haven't been in a good place recently and I'm sorry that I decided to take that out on you. Also if anyone in this room is a dick, its me. I mean seriously, what possessed me to grab the burning hot soldering iron? Also I'm not quite undrugged enough to process the fact that Captain America just called himself a dick."

Steve chuckled. Tony liked that sound. He wanted it to happen more often. It sent warm tendrils all over him. Oh lordie he was turning into a sappy romance novel. God help us all.

"I don't know. You always were a bit of an idiot."

"Hey! I'll have you know I am a certified genius. I'd have to lose over 70 IQ points to be even considered an idiot."

"Ah but are those IQ points for er, intellectualness or for common sense? Because you're definitely lacking in one of them."

"Intellectualness, really? Anyway, I'm not lacking in anything dear Captain" He said with a wink.

"Shut up. You're definitely back to normal then. Making dirty jokes already. You've only been awake 10 minutes."

"Mmmm yes. Awake. Now that you mention that I might just shut my eyes for a bit ya know. Charge up the brain cells so I have enough retorts to wind you up with."

"That's not all you charge those brain cells for." Steve said with a smirk.

"Shock horror! Steve Rogers just made a dirty joke! Be it a shitty dirty joke, but still! I must have woken up in an alternate reality."

"Oh go back to sleep you colossal dumbass. One of us will be here when you wake up."

"Still a genius. Yes boss."

He closed his eyes and started to drift off, it was nice being friends with Steve. They actually got on surprisingly well, although he was going to have to have a word with Bruce about the medication he's on. He's pretty damn sure they're making him slightly high and definitely less Tony than normal.

"Oh and Steve?"

"Yeh?"

"Thanks for being here when I woke up."

Steve gave him a small, soft smile. It was one of the most adorable things he'd ever seen. (Okay, definitely high.)

"Your welcome Tony."

Things were looking up.

They watched the two main leaders of their little family via the surveillance link. They seemed okay. Tony had woken up and they hadn't managed to kill each other. Actually if you looked really closely you would almost say they were flirting.

"Well guys, I think mommy and daddy have made up."

"Out of interest Clint, which one is mommy?" Bruce asked

"Hmmm I'm not sure. Tony spends more time on his hair but Steve does all the cooking and cleaning."

"Steve is so mommy." Natasha piped up.

"I do not understand. They are both men. How can one be considered a mother?" Thor asked.

The whole group chuckled. Thor generally had that effect on people. What with his capes and his old English speak.

"Don't worry about it mate. I guess now all we've got to do is wait for them to kiss and make up."

There were multiple nods of agreement. This was going to be an interesting few weeks.

Tadaaaaaa. I hope that came across better than it did in my head. Yes the other members of the team are going to meddle with Tony and Steve's love life. Yes it's going to be fun. And Yes I think you should all review and make me happy :)

Until next time my friends.

TonysBiggestFan xx