Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.

Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count: 813


Oblivious


Sitting beside Steve's hospital bed was a vicious reminder that despite the advantages the serum gave him, the Hulk was the only one of them that was truly invulnerable. Steve was just as likely to be hurt as everyone else.

Tony hated that.

The doctors—and the team—had tried to placate Tony with soft science facts that Steve would be fine, but it hadn't helped. Tony hadn't moved from the seat for three days, and the whole time he'd been replaying the climax of the battle, the last moments when he'd thought they were done and safe and then Steve wasn't.

They were supposed to be the elite—they were, he knew, he wasn't doubting the amazing things that the team had done—but he couldn't get past the fixation that they'd all fucked up.

They'd let their guard down too fast, and now Steve was in the hospital, still sleeping three days later.

"You should try and sleep some," Bruce said from the doorway, violating the quiet of the room. He stepped inside, handing Tony a steaming mug.

"Coffee?" Tony asked, accepting the mug.

"Tea," Bruce corrected. "I thought it might help you get some rest."

"I'll rest when he wakes up," Tony muttered, but he sipped at the tea anyway, because it was warm and still somewhat caffeinated and he really didn't want to leave to get himself coffee. Steve didn't like waking up on his own in hospital; it reminded him of when he first woke up at S.H.I.E.L.D.

"We can take it in turns while you sleep," Bruce suggested, and Tony felt his face flush.

He hadn't meant to say that outloud.

"I'm fine, Bruce," he said. "If I really need to sleep, I can sleep in the chair. I've slept in worse places."

Bruce snorted, and Tony could only dread to think what his imagination was coming up with, but he let it slide. His reputation had certainly been earned in his youth, after all.

The two of them sat in silence for a little while, until eventually, Bruce left, squeezing Tony's shoulder gently as he did so, promising someone would be by soon to check in on them. It was like having babysitters, and a small part of Tony railed against it, but he didn't say anything.

He knew the rest of the team were just as worried about Steve as Tony was; they just had a better handle on it.

Leaning back in his seat, Tony stared out of the window. The sky was darkening, and he could see a single star. More would join it, he knew, and he'd count every one of them while he waited and he'd wish on all of them for Steve to be okay.

It wasn't much, but it was the best he could do.

"Let him sleep."

Steve blinked tiredly at the doorway and smiled when he saw Nat.

"He's okay?" Steve asked, nodding to Tony, who was fast asleep in the armchair beside Steve's bed.

"Exhausted. He hasn't moved and he hasn't slept for the four days you've been here," Natasha said softly, approaching Steve's bed. She sat on the edge of it. "He really loves you, Steve. More than he's ever loved anyone before, I'd wager."

Steve smiled fondly at the genius and then nodded at Natasha. "I'm starting to realise that."

"Good," she said. "Maybe you'll put him out of his misery soon then, and tell him you love him too."

"He knows."

Natasha shook her head. "He really doesn't. I know you think you're being obvious, but you're really not. Not to him, at least. It's like a flashing red beacon to the rest of us, of course, but he'd an oblivious idiot about matters of the heart."

"You really think he doesn't know?"

Natasha snorted. "I know he doesn't. You should tell him. But first, you should get some more sleep before he wakes up. I'll stick around for a bit, kay?"

Steve yawned widely and nodded his head. "Thanks, Nat."

Tony dropped the violet comforter on Steve's lap, and then placed the last book he'd been reading, a tablet and a new sketchbook and pencils within reaching distance.

Steve was fine, but he indulged Tony anyway, pulling the comforter over him properly, and smiling his thanks.

"Okay, I think you have everything you need," Tony murmured, accepting the drink and snack plate Bruce fetched for Steve and put them on the table too.

Steve grinned when Tony yelped as he pulled him down beside him on the sofa.

"Now I do," he replied, wrapping his arms around Tony. "I love you, dumbass. That you think I don't makes me question your genius."

"You, I, huh?"

"I love you."

"I… really?"

"Really, really."

Tony's small smile slowly grew until he was beaming at Steve. "I love you too."

"I know."


Written for:

Showtime: 4. Elite

Empire: 26. Tea

Shelf: 10. Climax

Scamander: 14. Placate

The Hulk: Invulnerable

Christmas Eve Boxes: Chocolate: Toblerone: Quiet

Advent Calendar: Colour: Violet

Nativity: Shepherds: Star

Stocking: 3. Silly Putty: (word) fixation

Stickers: Norbert(a) - 3. Vicious

Insane: 79. Imagination