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Gryffindor Auction Prompt: Day 30, Auction 4: "It's because I care, you idiot!"

Word Count: 461

Cuddle Me Better

"You're always shouting at me," Tony said, frowning. "Why are you always shouting at me?"

"It's because I care, you idiot," Steve said, shaking his head, even as he dragged Tony close enough to wrap in a hug. "You need to stop putting your life in danger like that, Tones."

"I have a literal suit of armour."

"You do, but you're still a squishy human inside that tin can, and I'd really like it if that squishy human could stay in one piece."

Tony grumbled under his breath but he nodded and tucked himself closer against Steve, tucking his hands under Steve's jumper because the super soldier always run hot and it was December and Tony hated the cold.

"Movie?" Steve offered, a peace offering as well as just because he wanted to keep Tony close for a while.

He always did after a close call.

Tony nodded. "Sounds good. Hot chocolate?"

Steve snorted. "I'll make you hot chocolate, yes."

…

"You're never allowed to shout at me for being an idiot ever again," Tony declared.

Steve blinked at him, confused. He'd only just opened his eyes, and he wondered to himself why Tony looked like he'd been on a three day bender.

His hair was wild on top of his head, his clothes crumpled and torn—and was that blood? It had better bloody not be—and he looked exhausted.

"You've been unconscious for two days," Natasha filled in the blanks for him, when it became clear that Tony wasn't up for using any more words. "It was touch and go for a minute there, Cap. Probably don't do it again, our genius can't take the stress."

Tony tried to glare at her, but she just reached over to ruffle his hair. "Are you gonna let me take you home now?" she asked softly. "You need to sleep."

Tony shook his head stubbornly. "I'll go home when he does."

Steve stared at him for a long moment and then looked at Nat. "What are the odds of me getting out of here tonight?"

"Slim to none," she replied. "Though I think you'll be healed enough to come home tomorrow."

Steve nodded and then shifted in the bed, ignoring the pain from his fast healing injuries. "C'mon, Tones."

He patted the bed beside him.

"What are you doing?" Tony asked him, frowning. "You need to rest, and you—"

"Won't rest or sleep or heal if I know you're sitting there, absolutely exhausted, and being a stubborn git. Come up here and cuddle me better."

Tony did.

And Steve was pretty sure he healed faster because of it, but nobody else seemed to agree with him.

They just called him a sap, while Tony blushed prettily.

Steve couldn't find it in himself to care.