2013

Tony sighed and looked over to the other half of the bed longingly. Steve Rogers was sound asleep, his big muscular arms wrapped gently around the genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist...insomniac.

JARVIS was more or less a good enough doctor, considering Tony hated paperwork and could keep himself going just fine. Problem was, as the years went by, the lack of sleep, or at least good sleep, was becoming more scarce.

But when one is the Tony Stark, one does not have time for such pleasantries.

Tony twisted onto his back and slowly sat up, not wanting to disturb his sleeping beauty. Arms still in his lap, he reached over and quietly pulled out his Stark Tablet. There was always something he had to do.

Because when one is the Tony Stark, one has to always be on top of things. Speaking of things, it became everything.

The sun started to come up a few hours later, and he could feel his eyes burning. He rubbed them irritatingly, wanting to at least get one thing checked off of his never-ending list.

JARVIS was worried, but he knew better to say anything, as Tony insisted not to wake up the good Captain.

Steve had enough trouble with nightmares himself, and, being the leader of the Avengers, coming out to Tony and the team, the whole dating thing, trying to learn how to work the TV, and the whole still adjusting to this new crazy world he woke up in...it was a lot.

Tony wanted Steve to want for nothing, and took it upon himself to take him under his wing, well, also inviting everyone else into the Tower after the Battle of New York. He could not keep his undying love for the man a secret for long...even Thor caught on pretty quickly that the two were flirting and needed to start courting each other, whatever that means.

Yawning, he could not take it any more, so he put the tablet onto the nightstand and snuggled back down into those big arms, whose owner welcomed happily.

"Can't sleep?" The soldier mumbled.

"Never..." Tony said as if it were obvious.

"Bruce told me melatonin is good. I've tried it for a couple weeks now..."

"It certainly has helped you." Tony closed his eyes. "But I'm not going to get addicted and OD on the damn things. And yes, I know they're natural, but..."

"Tony..." Steve scolded lazily.

"Yes, dear?" Tony asked over his shoulder. He felt a kiss on the back of his neck.

"Please don't say things like that."

"Sorry, I get more and more pessimistic, as there are still not enough hours in a day to get done what I need to get done."

"You could always ask for help..."

"Sweetheart, I appreciate the offer, but-"

"Not from me, I can't even update my phone. I mean, just talk to Fury. Tell him you're too busy to take on any more SHIELD projects. Have Bruce help you out. Take more breaks, because honey, you can't run on fumes forever." Steve turned Tony around to look him in the eye.

"You know I can't resist your annoyingly adorable puppy eyes." As if on cue, Steve looked more pathetic, making Tony melt. "Ok, fine, I promise I'm going to try to shuffle things around a bit."

"You can also try to get things checked off your list. I hear it makes you feel more accomplished, therefore boosting morale and giving you the determination to get more done."

"Did you go to a seminar or something?" Tony laughed.

Steve blushed.

"Hey, I'm just playing." Tony kissed those red hot cheeks. "I'm so proud of you. In less than a year, you have gone through so much and are trying so hard to fit into the modern ages. I mean, I have to take some credit, since I jumpstarted your enthusiasm and all. There's more to life than just SHIELD...like this." Tony sweetly kissed Steve, who hummed approvingly.

"And there's more to life than just work." Steve raised an eyebrow, Tony looking defeated.

"I know, I know. I can do more..."

"No, Tony..."

"I mean better. Geez, I need some sleep."

Steve pulled Tony back down into the covers, both falling asleep peacefully.

JARVIS decided to let them sleep as much as they needed.

Even after all of that, the nightmares always came. And Tony knew there was no pattern, no cause...it just happens. Luckily, he had gotten much better with his wormhole situation whilst saving New York, and, well, the world.

Nowadays, his focus had been on Steve. The poor thing kept twitching, shaking, even screaming into the night. The war itself was a horrible time to live through. It was a hard life. But what really terrified Steve was the ice.

It was so cold. Slow. And painful. He hated it.

That first mission with the Avengers was a hard week for Steve. He had hardly slept. But what can one do after sleeping for almost 70 years? Go to sleep that night, just back on schedule like it was nothing?

It took a long time to adjust. And Steve was a bit snippy throughout their meeting on the Helicarrier. Looking back on it, he was shocked as to how rude he was to Tony, and he felt like a jerk when Tony insisted he and the rest of the Avengers move into the Tower, as it needed to be rebuilt anyway after Loki...and the Hulk.

Some time after Tony had opened up his home to Steve, something clicked between the two. Steve was forever grateful for a home, and a friend, heck, the Avengers were basically family nowadays. It was chaotic, and not everyone always got along, or someone was always off on a mission or a random trip to Asgard, but at its core, Steve was proud to call his team his makeshift family.

And Tony was at the heart of it all.

He bent over backwards for Steve, making him feel comfortable, appreciated, and even loved. It took a while, and a lot of coaxing from everyone, but Steve finally summed up the courage to confess his feelings for Tony. And as if it were meant to be, Tony 100% reciprocated those said feelings.

They became inseparable. They became best friends. They became workout partners. They became late night movie marathoners when the rest of the team was too tired or bored to continue [except for Thor, he loved the moving pictures].

They became each other's anchor.

Because when people live together, they really get to know that person, the good and the bad.

And they both knew that each other had many demons that haunted them at night.

Nights were hard...but they were always there for each other...because they loved each other.

And nothing was going to stand in their way...