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Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count: 380


Unrequited… Yeah, Right


Clint nudged Natasha, and then nodded his head to where Tony and Steve were walking in front of them, arguing naturally.

Weren't they always?

Natasha snorted when she saw what Clint had seen, and shook her head. Even when he was irritated with the genius, Steve was looking after him.

He'd tugged Tony closer, wrapped his arm around his waist even, and was holding his umbrella over both of them so that Tony—who never thought to bring an umbrella of his own—didn't get sick.

They were so comfortable together, so relaxed in physical affection in a way neither of them were with anyone else, that their combined obliviousness hurt Nat's soul.

Bloody idiots.

They were both determined to believe that the less than platonic love they held for the other was unrequited.

Because they were idiots, obviously.

"Oh, hey look at the rainbow," Clint pointed out. "Wanna go find the end of it and make a wish for those two to get their heads out of their asses?"

Natasha snorted. "They need more than a rainbow, Clint."

Tony sneezed and then groaned, wiping at his nose pitifully with a soft tissue. Despite Steve's best efforts, gallivanting around New York in the rain hadn't done him much good.

He pulled his blanket tighter around him and closed his eyes. He just wanted to sleep off the cold and hide until he was better.

He was trying to attract Steve, after all, not scare the poor sod away.

Apparently Steve didn't get the message from JARVIS that Tony didn't want to see anyone though, since, when he opened his eyes to the smell of tea and soup, it was to find Steve sitting beside his bed, reading on his Stark-Tab.

"What are you doing here?" Tony murmured.

"You're here," Steve replied, gesturing to the blanket. "You shouldn't be alone when you're not well."

"Steve—"

"I'm not leaving, you're going to try and eat a little soup and get some more sleep, and I'm not arguing with you," Steve said softly, smiling at him. "Okay?"

"I… yeah Yeah, okay. Thanks, Steve."

Tony snuggled back into his blankets before Steve handed him the bowl and a spoon. Even if he never had more from Steve, at least he had this.

That was okay.


Written for:

Advent: Scenario: Sharing an umbrella in the rain/snow

Holiday Crackers: Trinket: Rainbow

Stocking: 22. Small Framed Photos: (emotion) comfortable

Big Dinner Bash: Yorkshire Puddings: Relaxed

Insane: 121. Umbrella