Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.

Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count: 560

Scare Away The Nightmares

Tony leant back against the sofa cushions, relaxing happily as he kicked his shoes off. His slate grey tie was already untied and hanging loose around his neck, and his jacket had been discarded almost as soon as he'd stepped out of the elevator.

"Hey you," Steve said, padding into the room.

Tony jumped, opening his eyes. "You're like a ninja! Someone so big shouldn't be so silent, oh my god, Steve."

Laughing, Steve dropped onto the sofa beside Tony, raising his arm when the genius leant into his side. "JARVIS told me you were back. How was the gala?"

"Same old," Tony replied, snuggling in against Steve's chest. "You're so warm. I'm just going to, uh, live here for the next week if that's okay with you. Pepper hasn't let me have a minute all night."

"It was for a good cause though, right?"

"Hmm. The Maria Stark Foundation is always a good cause, especially at the big gala. Just… tiring. The older I get, the less I want to perform."

"You shouldn't have to perform," Steve grumbled. "You being who you are should be enough for anyone to hand over their money; you convince me to do stupid stuff all the time."

"Baking is not stupid, Steven."

"It is at three in the morning," Steve replied, fondly. "You should go to bed, Tones, get some rest."

Tony snorted. "Comfy now."

"Sleep, you menace."

Tony yawned and then nodded, patting Steve's chest before he sat up. "You're right, I should go to bed. See you in the morning?"

"See you about lunchtime," Steve corrected with a smirk. "Get some rest, Tones. You've earned it."

…

Two hours later, and Tony was sitting at the breakfast bar, his hands wrapped around a cup of tea. Nightmares were the worst, and this one had been particularly bad.

He'd put his glasses on—horn rimmed monstrosities that Pepper had chosen for him—because he was tired and he really couldn't be bothered putting his contacts back in.

"I didn't know you wear glasses."

Steve had made noise at least, coming down the hall, so Tony didn't startle this time. He just shrugged, his eyes never leaving his mug. Steve wrapped his arm around Tony's shoulder.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Really don't."

"Okay. Come with me?"

Tony looked up at him then, and after a pause, he nodded and stood, and let Steve lead him from the kitchen.

The mug of tea was left forgotten.

"I can't go back to sleep," Tony said, when he found himself in Steve's bedroom. "I'll just have another nightmare and—"

"I'll be right here if you do," Steve said, gently nudging Tony towards the bed. "Get in, Sweetheart."

Tony did, and Steve followed him, not hesitating to wrap himself around Tony like a particularly friendly octopus. It wasn't the first time they'd shared a bed, and Tony was pretty certain it wouldn't be the last.

"Go to sleep," Steve murmured. "I'm right here, nothing can hurt you when I'm here. You know I'd never let anything get near you if I thought it meant you harm."

"You can't punch nightmares, Steve."

"No," Steve agreed. "But I can cuddle you after them and scare them away."

Tony snorted, but he closed his eyes. Maybe, with Steve here to 'scare away' the nightmares, he actually get some rest.

Written for:

Character Appreciation: 9. Horn rimmed glasses

TV Spree: 5. Write about someone having a nightmare

Forecast: 12. "You're like a ninja!"

EnTitled: 12. Write about relaxing after a big event

Treasure Hunting: Slate Grey