Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Challenges listed at the bottom.
Word Count - 1185
Fic Detail - TonySteve / Post battle fluff
Back And Forth
Throwing his hands up in the air, Tony turned and walked away.
"We're not done discussing this, Tony," Steve shouted behind him. "This is important."
"I am not going back and forth with your over this. It's done," Tony replied, not even bothering to turn back around. "When you accept that, we'll be golden."
"You can't keep doing this!"
Tony stepped into the elevator and ordered J.A.R.V.I.S to take him down to the workshop. He was angry, but he was also bone tired and he really didn't have it in him to keep arguing with Steve over something that was already over and done with.
…
"Steve told me what happened."
"Of course he did," Tony muttered, rolling his eyes.
Pepper snorted. "You know it's only because he worries about you, right?"
"Sure, Pep. I just… don't see the point in going over it over and over again, you know? There's no tactical advantage, especially when all he does is scream at me for putting myself in danger. We're superheroes who fight to protect the world. The danger is inherent."
"I think he's more bothered about the way you keep throwing yourself to the front of the fight," Pepper said. "He seems to think you have a death wish."
Frowning, Tony looked up at the screen Pepper's face was on. "He thinks I'm what, suicidal?"
"I don't think he thinks that so much as he worries that you'll endanger yourself in the place of one of your teammates. He doesn't want you to think you're expendable, but it comes out more in anger than concern."
"I… isn't that what a team does?"
Tony rubbed at his temple. He couldn't seem to do right for doing wrong and he was beginning to wonder if this whole team thing really was better than just doing things alone. Answering to other people was stressful!
"You should speak to him," Pepper recommended. "He's calmed down now and he's… just talk to him, Tony. Please."
"When did the two of you become best friends, anyway?" Tony asked, scowling up at her. "Aren't you supposed to be team Tony?"
"I am always team Tony, which is why I think you should speak to him. And you should also do the paperwork I sent you yesterday."
"Uh huh. I think I'd rather do the paperwork. I'll see you for lunch tomorrow?"
"You will; and Tony?"
"Hmm?"
"Get some sleep, okay? You look exhausted."
"I'm really feeling the love, Pep."
Laughing, she ended their call and disappeared from the screen, leaving Tony to slump in his chair.
…
"Pep said you wanted to see me," Tony said, stepping into the kitchen a few hours later.
Steve looked up and winced slightly, leaving Tony to wonder just how bad he looked. Steve didn't look much better though, sitting at the table with his head in his hands, and the most forlorn look on his face Tony had ever seen.
"I'm sorry for being so angry with you," Steve said quietly. "I know it was the right move, Tony. I just… why does it always have to be you that gets hurt?"
"It's a few bruises, Cap. I'll heal up in no time."
"It could have been so much worse though."
"But it wasn't. You've got to stop thinking about the could-have-beens, it'll drive you mad."
Tony debated on coffee, but it was probably a bad idea. Crossing to the fridge, he pulled out the milk instead and poured himself a glass.
"I just… it's always harder when it's you."
Tony frowned and looked back at Steve. "Why when it's me? If this is because I'm human—"
"It's not," Steve hurried to correct. "It's… because you're you, and I just… the thought of you being badly hurt terrifies me."
"I… don't understand," Tony admitted.
Steve got up from the table and crossed the room to Tony, almost trapping him in against the counter. "I know you know I spoke to Pepper earlier."
"Right," Tony agreed, not sure where this was heading. His neck wasn't pleased with the way he had to crane to meet Steve's eyes but he couldn't make himself look away.
"She told me that maybe, the way I feel about you… maybe it's not so hopeless."
Storing the information that he'd have to berate Pepper away for later, Tony asked, "And how is it that you feel, Steve?"
"You're the most infuriating, incredible man I've ever had the pleasure of knowing, and I'm so in love with you that every time you put yourself in danger, it makes me sick to my stomach."
"I… what? You're not… that."
"I am. I think, I hope, that maybe it's not as unrequited as I thought?"
"I, uh. Yeah. I mean. No. I mean. It's not unrequited," Tony stumbled.
Moving slowly and broadcasting his movements, Steve leant down and covered Tony's mouth with his own in a soft kiss. Tony's brain froze for a moment, unable to believe what was happening. When it seemed like Steve was about to pull away, Tony's brain finally decided to come back online and he reached up to cup Steve's cheek, holding him in place as he deepened the kiss.
Steve hummed against his lips and moved his hands, resting one of them against Tony's hip. It didn't have the effect he'd hoped for, as Tony flinched at the touch, breaking away from Steve to gasp in pain.
"Tony?"
Tony tried to move, but Steve still had him somewhat trapped against the counter and he used that to his advantage to hold Tony in place while he gently lifted Tony's shirt to peer at his side.
"A few bruises?" he asked, incredulously as worry once more filled his eyes. "Tony, you're black and blue!"
"I had J scan me," Tony promised. "Nothing is broken, Steve. It's just bad bruising, I promise."
Steve looked ready to argue, but then he softened and carefully wrapped his arms around Tony. "Come on. I'll run you a bath and you can soak for a while. Hopefully it will help."
"Steve, you don't have to—"
"Please," Steve asked. "Please just… I'd never ask you to stop being Iron Man, I just… when you're injured… please just let me look after you."
Tony hesitated for a moment before he nodded. "I… okay. I. Okay, Steve. I can do that."
Steve bent his head to press a soft kiss to Tony's temple. "Thank you."
…
The bath was just what Tony needed and by the time Steve helped him out of it, he was surprised he could still stand. Steve half carried him to the bed, and helped him under the covers, smiling down at him.
"Stay," Tony requested sleepily when it looked like Steve was about to leave.
"Not going anywhere, Sweetheart," Steve promised, standing up to shuck his jeans and tug his shirt over his head. He laid down on the bed beside Tony and tugged him carefully into his arms.
"Sleep."
"Hmm. Love you," Tony murmured, already half asleep, his eyes drifting shut.
"I love you too, Sweetheart."
Written for:
Olympics, Bonus round - 4 - Badminton - (dialogue) "I am not going back and forth with you over this. It's done."
365. 308. Tactical