Hey there. As I said in the note of the last chapter, this chapter has some nsfw stuff. It's right at the end but if you don't want to read it just stop after you see UMTB. I'll see you at the end.


A week after surgery Tony was able to leave medial. He was stupidly thankful for being able to leave. The room was beginning to feel claustrophobic. Rhodey was able to stick around until Tony was realized, but like always he was called back to base for a new mission. Tony hated it but at least Rhodey always comes back with some sort of funny story about what was going on.

What sucked the most was the cast and crutches he was provided with to move around. It just made the injury obvious to everybody who dared to look at him. The cast was always visible because he couldn't cover it. None of his pants fit around it with the exception of his sweat and sleep pants and putting a sock over his foot was a no go. It was just too hot in the tower for socks. It was the middle of July and even with all the advancements in the tower, it was still hot.

Although, the heat had the added benefit of Steve walking around in tank-tops or just plane shirtless. So, Tony couldn't really complain about the heat too much.

What was really nice was a couple of days after Tony got back home, Steve whipped out his paints and made Tony's cast look so much more attractive than the stark white it had originally been. That had been a nice evening. Tony was feeling drowsy and a bit nauseous from his pain medication so the two of them had curled up in the living room to watch a movie from Steve's list. As Tony relaxed on the couch, Steve just busted out his paints and turned Tony's cast into one of the boots from the Iron Man armour. It looked amazing and made Tony feel a little bit better about everything.

But, the happiness couldn't really last that long. At the end of July Tony was forced to attend a board meeting. He didn't want to. Steve didn't want him to. Pepper didn't want him to. Nobody wanted him to. Nobody except to Board of Directors who either somehow had no idea what was going on or just didn't give two shits about Tony's health. Tony had his money on option two.

What sucked, even more, was that Tony needed help just getting to the meeting. They had discovered that Tony using his crutches put too much pressure on his arc reactor and was causing him more pain than he needed to be in. So, Dr. Cho, had him stop using them. That, in turn, lead to Steve helping Tony around everywhere like a protective puppy. Around the tower it was cute. Steve would carry Tony places and help him hobble around. He made Tony laugh to keep his mind busy. Being carried was the perfect height for kisses.

But outside of their home Tony just knew that people would call him all sorts of nasty names. Sometimes words hurt more than a god flinging you off a building and breaking your leg.

Arriving at the board meeting should have been uneventful if Tony had been on time. He was five minutes late because when he was finishing up brushing his hair in the bathroom his foot slipped and his injured leg hit the side of the sink. Steve needed to run back to their room to grab Tony's pain medication before things got worse.

So, now he and Steve were late by 5 minutes and that lead to everyone staring at the duo as Steve helped Tony hobble to his chair so he could sit down. Steve sat down right next to him so that Tony could rest his leg on his lap.

"Stark! Are you aware of how unprofessional this is? Bringing your Boyfriend into a company meeting?!" shouted one of the members of the board. He was an older man who had been there from way back in the day with Stane. Actually, it was Stane who had appointed him onto the board so it was no surprise that he liked to stir up trouble with Tony.

But, before Tony could answer, Steve, being Steve, spoke up.

"First of all, I've signed all the NDA's needed to be here. Second, Tony needs help getting around. The crutches aggravate the damage done to his chest so he can't use them anymore. Third, this is really none of your business." Chastised Steve as he started down the board member.

"So, Stark can't even speak for himself? What has the world come to where a Stark is now completely useless?"

"I can speak for myself just fine." Hissed Tony, his voice still laced with pain while he waited for his pain meds to kick in. "I'm just injured and on pain meds so of course I'm going to be a little bit slower. It's not the end of the world if it takes me a second longer to answer one of your stupid questions." Sassed Tony and Steve smiled at him. Tony was starting to gain some more confidence in himself and it was showing. Plus seeing Tony get mad at the board member was its own reward.

So, as Tony talked and explained things to the board, Steve glared daggers at all of them. He didn't need any of them messing with his Tony while he was injured… or ever.

Thankfully, the meeting didn't last too long. Tony and Steve were more than ready to get back home so they could relax. They'd had enough of old men thinking that they know more than them. Tony was the brains of the operation and the creator of most of SI's new green tech. These old men had nothing on him.

What didn't help things was getting bombarded by the press as they exited the building to head back to the tower. Why the fuck wasn't the meeting held at the tower? Hell if Tony knew. All he knew was that he was in pain and pissed off and the press weren't helping at all. Steve quickly helped him over to their car, but it was too late. The press had pictures and stories would be written by the end of the day.

And once again the press was divided and brutal. One group thought that it was cute how Steve was helping Tony while he was injured. The other were calling Tony useless seeing as he couldn't be Iron man while he was injured. There were so many nasty names going around that Steve had to block Tony's access to the news and social media just to keep him calm.

Unfortunately, the damage was already done.

Tony was more withdrawn after the media went crazy. He refused help from everyone and he stopped eating as regularly. Steve was worried sick about him. He tried his best to keep Tony's mind occupied from all the shit that was going on, but there was only so much he could do and Steve was running out of ideas. He needed to keep Tony's overactive mind occupied so that he wouldn't be able to focus on all the shit around them. He needed Tony to eat and sleep and get help when he needed it. They were a partnership and when one partner was hurting then the other was too.

It took a few days, but soon, Steve had an idea. There was a conversation that he and Tony had had a while back. They were cuddled together in bed talking about their childhoods. Tony had brought up the multiple instances of asking his mom and Jarvis if he could have a pet cat. Tony loved cats. They were just so fluffy and cuddly but also assholes when provoked. So really, they're just like Tony. Howard hadn't allowed pets. Something about them being useless for Tony to be around. So, Tony made his own. When he was 11 he'd made a robotic cat that he was so ever proud of. But sadly, Howard destroyed it. It had really messed up Tony seeing that happen and since then he hadn't thought to get a pet of his own.

But maybe now was the time to change that.

One afternoon while Tony was down in the lab working on making a new, more efficient electric engine, Steve snuck out to go visit the local animal shelter. When he arrived he wanted more than anything to just make a b-line for the dog. Steve loved dogs but living in the middle of Manhattan in a high rise tower wasn't the best for a doggo. Maybe someday when he and Tony retired and moved away from the city he could have his dog. But for now, this was a trip to make Tony happy.

Steve had decided early on that getting a kitten was the best option. He wanted Tony to have his new friend for a long time. Plus, if how Tony treated his bots was any indication, this cat was going to be spoiled rotten and loved.

Steve walked down the rows of cages looking at all the different kittens the shelter had. There were grey ones, tiny little calicos, ones that looked like clouds with legs, ones with smooshed in faces. They were just all so cute, Steve hoped that every last one of them would go to a good home. But, Steve was still on the hunt for a kitten that would be a good match for Tony.

Steve was about to go ask for help when he saw it. A cage in the back corner. In it was the tiniest, fluffiest, black kitten. Steve walked closer to get a better look. As Steve approached, the kitten started meowing and pawing for him. Steve smiled and reached through the bars with his fingers to pet the poor little thing. The kitten looked up with her big green eyes and meowed at Steve again. And that was when Steve saw that the kitten had a little patch of white on her chest. Just like Tony and his arc reactor. This was meant to be.

After Steve had talked with one of the agents working at the shelter and signing all the forms he needed too, he was able to bring the little kitten home. This was going to be purrfect! Pun absolutely intended.

Once Steve arrived back home he took the kitten out of her carrier and bundled her up in his jacket. After checking with JARVIS, Steve made his way over to the living room where Tony was watching a movie and working on his tablet. When Steve entered, Tony looked up and narrowed his eyes.

"Where did you go and what are you hiding under your jacket?" asked Tony and Steve smiled.

"I was out getting you a present."

"Why…?"

"What, can't a man just get his fella a present just because?" teased Steve as he carefully sat down next to Tony on the couch.

"He can… So, what is it?"

Steve smiled and gently took the little kitten out from his jacket and placed her in Tony's arms. Tony's eyes widened and he immediately started cooing and petting the kitten. There were a few unshed tears in his eyes as he spouted nonsense babble and giggled when the kitten pawed at his nose. Just watching the two let Steve know that he'd made the right decision. Tony and this kitten were made to be together.

"So, do you like her?" asked Steve with a smile.

"I love her Steve. Thank you so much." Whispered Tony as tears formed in his eyes. This was his childhood dream come true and it was purrfect.

Steve was just happy that Tony was smiling again.

"So, what are you going to call her?" Tony thought hard for a moment. He had a few ideas in mind but only one seemed just right.

"Acorn. I think I'll call her Acorn."

Everyone living in the tower loved Acorn. Bruce would pet her to help calm down. Natasha and Clint would laugh as they played with the cat and a laser pointer. Thor proclaimed her to be a "Tiny beast of great might". It was great. Acorn also tended to follow Tony everywhere. The two were hardly ever seen apart. Most of the time Acorn was seen perched on Tony's shoulders when he was lazing around.

Having Acorn also had the added benefit of Tony getting back on a schedule. Tony got up in the mornings and eat breakfast with Steve and the cat because if Acorn wasn't fed at exactly 7:00 am she would let you know.

So, Tony started getting a little healthier with the help of Steve's love and a little kitten named Acorn.

UMTB

In mid-August, after Tony had had his cast on for about 5 weeks he was finally taken off his pain medication and allowed a little more freedom. And by more freedom, Tony meant he was allowed to have steamy make-out sessions with Steve again without feeling like absolute shit.

Which was why Steve was currently on top of Tony in their bed kissing him senseless.

It had been so long since they were able to do anything like this and both parties were more than happy to be at this point. Hands slowly began to wander and Steve found himself gently grinding down on Tony while Tony's hands fisted themselves in Steve's hair. Tony let loose these sweet little sounds and Steve began to feel bold. Maybe tonight was the night they finally moved on a bit from just kissing.

"God Anthony. You're so perfect." Husked Steve as he trailed kisses down Tony's neck.

"Please, Steve." Whined Tony as his breathing picked up.

"Please what Darlin'?"

"Please touch me." And that had Steve grinning and kissing Tony even harder.

Contrary to popular belief, Steve was no blushing virgin. He'd learned everything in the back allies of Brooklyn in the 1930s while Bucky covered for him. He knew what he was doing when it came to pleasure. He may have been small back then but he had a very nicely sized dick. That wasn't the serum. That was all Steve. Plus, Steve currently had a whole lot of pent up sexual energy. He hadn't had sex since arriving in the future and there was only so much he could do with his left hand. Having Tony here with him, ready and wanting, this meant everything to Steve.

"Just close your eyes for me, sweetheart. Close your eyes and just listen to my voice. I'll make you feel good darlin'. Just let me know if there's anything you don't want me to do." Cooed Steve, his Brooklyn accent slipping through a bit.

Tony nodded and did as he was instructed.

Steve started by just running his hands over Tony's chest while peppering his face with kisses. Tony sighed and wound his arms around Steve's shoulders so he could hold him close. His eyes remained closed as per Steve's instructions.

"God Tony. The things I want to do to you." Whispered Steve as he slowly pulled Tony's and his pants off.

The cold air hit their erections and sent shivers down their spines. Steve quickly leant over and opened up his bedside table and grabbed a bottle of lube. Even if they weren't having penetrative sex yet he wanted Tony to be comfortable. He wanted to take things slower with Tony to make sure they were both comfortable. Plus lube is important. Steve drizzled some lube on his hand and took his and Tony's lengths in his hand. Broth groaned out at the feeling and Steve started a slow pace.

"Maybe someday I should tie you up. Keep you safe and bound while I make love to your body. Maybe you can ride me or I can have you on your stomach so I can watch that pretty ass of yours. Make you feel so good, baby." Breathed Steve as he sped up his movements. He could feel Tony beginning to tense up and his face was painted in pure bliss.

"Steeeeve." Moaned out Tony and Steve kissed him sweetly while tightening his grip on their cocks.

"Do you need to cum baby doll? I want you to cum for me, Anthony. Want to see you come undone." Commanded Steve as he thrust his hips down into Tony's to add to the delightful pressure building.

Tony cried out as he spilled between them. The sight was beautiful and Steve quickly followed. Tony tried to get his breathing under control while Steve grabbed some tissues from the bedside table. To clean them up a bit. They could wait till the morning to shower. Steve laid down on his back once he was done and gently pulled Tony onto his chest, careful not to jostle his leg.

"Fuck Tony. You're so perfect. So good for me." Cooed Steve and Tony smiled at the praise.

"You're good for me too Steve. Don't know where I'd be without you by my side."

Tony ended up falling asleep with his head pillowed on Steve's chest. Steve just held him close with a very dopey smile on his face. Seeing Tony just give in to the please Steve was giving him, seeing Tony give his trust to him, it was amazing. Steve knew he wanted to move things forward with Tony. Wanted to take things to the next step. But he wanted to do it right. He wanted Tony to be out of his cast. He wanted to take him out on a nice date. He wanted to show Tony just how much he truly meant to him.

Steve fell asleep thinking of all the ways he would get Tony to smile.


So, What did everyone think? It's been a hot minute since I've written any smut so I hope I did alright. Also, Tony with a tiny little kitten. What's not to love? I think we can all agree that it's adorable. And, do not fret, Steve will be getting his good doggo in the future.

Also, fun fact. I have two cats. I have an orange tabby is named Cheddar as you may recall from a note a few chapters ago. We call him McScreamy and he likes being a dick outside. My other cat is named Kate and she has so many nicknames that I've lost count of them. We mostly call her Bitchy because she's a bitch who thinks it's funny to hide at the bottom of the stairs at night to pounce on people but then gets mad when we accidentally step on her because she's a back and brown tabby and hard to see in the dark.

I'll see you soon. -Shadows (PS. Next chapter is like 90% smut)