Steve's POV
"Tony! Let's go we are going to be late" tony was basically the epitome of showing up 'fashionably late' to everything. But I loved watching his face light up from the attention he received after making the perfect entrance.
"I am coming! Have you seen my tablet? I swore I left it on the nightstand, and now it's missing."
I groaned at that "Tony, honey, it's a party for you and what you have accomplished with your new SI upgrade. How about you refrain from working for just the two hours and enjoy for a while huh?" Tony was always a workaholic, it's something I have always admired about him. But off-late it was getting out of control. Ever since the fainting episode one week ago he has seemed a little off. It's been obvious that he's been having trouble sleeping, I know that from all the tossing and turning he's been doing at night. He's not been spending as much time with the team either. I just hope this party is the break he needs.
"Okay, I am ready let's go! Happy is already waiting for us with the car. Are Clint and Tasha coming with us or are they driving on their own?" He said walking in dressed dashingly as always finally back with his usual finesse. I couldn't help stop for a moment and take him in. Tony stark in all his glory, and he was all mine. I grabbed his hand as he walked towards me and put my other arm around his waist pulling him in for a kiss. God how I loved this man. "Mm do you have any idea how much I love you?" I said nipping at his lip. I felt him relax in my hold as he melted against me sighing, our foreheads touching.
"Definitely not as much as how much I love you" He said breathily. "But probably close."
He let go of me, catching hold of my wrist pulling me towards the door, "let's go"
I followed him out the door "Clint and Tasha are already there waiting for us" I informed him.
The drive was quick enough, courtesy of Happy the ever skilled chauffeur who drove through the traffic with insane ease which almost had me jealous.
"Mr. Stark! What can you reveal about the new SI upgrade?" and so began the evening of paparazzi and drinks. I just wanted tony to have a little fun tonight.
TONY'S POV
The party was already in full swing. Perfect to make my entrance. I was not interested at all in tonight's party just wanted an early night with Steve. But everyone seemed so excited about the party especially Clint, so I couldn't cancel it. I decided to make a quick (but, grandeur entrance as usual) and have a couple of drinks and answer a few quick questions and make my way home. Bed sounded so good to me right now. I have been awake for the past 32 hours working on the suit which was damaged in the battle last week. You never know when it's going to be needed again. Best to always be prepared.
I felt Steve squeezing my shoulder to let me know he's off to meet some people. I nodded at him and watched him disappear. Seeing pepper at the bar I called out to her and headed towards her.
"Hey Tony! I see Steve dragged you here earlier than your normal" she said giving me a hug.
"He keeps me on my toes" I shrugged. I waved at the waiter to give me some scotch
"You up for meeting a few people? "She said already looking around searching for the people she needed me to get acquainted with.
"um think I am going to lay low today " I told her as I settled on one of the bar stools nursing my drink. That was enough for pepper to understand I didn't want to be disturbed. Bless pepper, she definitely knew me better than anyone. She gave me quick kiss on the cheek as she herded the people already lined up to speak to me towards her.
"TONY!" look at this!" I turned towards the voice to see Clint and Thor balancing three shot glasses on each of their shoulders trying not to spill any. Always trust these two to be the entertainers at a dull party. I gave them a thumbs up and a smirk before I turned back to the bartender indicating for a refill.
"You know Tony, it's not very nice if you don't participate in your own party" I turned towards Bruce who sat down on the stool next to me. He turned to the bartender and said "that's enough for him "and cut me off.
"Hey! Why did you do that!" I bellowed irritated. It was the only fun I was having all night and I had had only one.
He turned towards me giving me an appraisal before saying "Are you okay tony? Something wrong? I have never seen you this anti-social ever before"
"I am fine, just peachy. This party is a bummer. Who planned it anyway? I should fire him."
"Tony I don't think the problem is the party. I have watched you sitting here ever since you arrived and drinking the same glass of scotch for the past hour. Something is wrong, what aren't you telling me?"
I was tired enough already, why was Bruce being so question-y? I shrugged, turning towards the bar and grabbed the peanuts and popped a few in my mouth.
"Alright let's get this party started, shall we? "I said getting up from the stool and walking towards the crowd.
Steve's POV
Just as I started towards Tony I saw Bruce sit down next to him. Engaging him in some sort of conversation. Not even my serum enhanced hearing could pick up on what they were saying over the loud music. Tony has been sulking this whole time. But I was not able to get to him sooner, stuck in my obligations to greet everyone I knew.
I watched them talk for a while .Suddenly Tony got up and walked towards the center of the dance floor.
Well, look at that! Guess Bruce fixed whatever his problem was because all of a sudden Tony was the center of attention of the party and seemingly enjoying every moment of it.
Two hours later and after a lot of talking to people the party finally seemed to be winding down.
I tracked Tony down , he was sitting with Pepper and Rhodey and the rest of the team talking animatedly about something exploding. I walked up behind him and turned him around in his chair to face me "and then the ashes- Steve! I was just telling them about the purple monster we blew up the other day" I waved to pepper and Rhodey and they raised their glasses to me as a quick greeting. I looked back down at Tony and put my hand under his chin tilting his head up and kissed him hard.
"well, looks like someone's had too much to drink!"clint said, always ,always interrupting these little moments.
"He may be right" tony quipped pulling away "but I assure you it was definitely not me" he made a pouty face at Bruce who just shrugged back.
I finally looked at tony for the first time since we arrived at the party. He looked somewhat pale and very exhausted. The fine lines at his eyes crinkling more than ever. I was still holding him facing me and felt him sag into my arms listing completely into me like he had just lost all his energy. If I was not the one holding him I would have never noticed it.
"You okay?" I asked him quiet enough only for him to hear. But am sure both the super spy's heard as well because I noticed them turn their heads ever so slightly towards tony to see his response.
He just nodded his head seemingly not interested and spoke up "So I guess me and Steve are going to be taking this party to a whole new level now" everyone gave him a disgusted look while I blushed and followed him to the car. Well that was one way to say it's time to leave ,I guess.
"Did you have fun today?" I asked him as Happy pulled the car out of the parking lot.
"As much fun as these boring parties can get" he replied before yawning and snuggling into me. I put my arm around him and pulled him closer to me letting him rest his head on my shoulder. He was asleep before we reached the Highway.
Tony's POV
"-ny"
"hmm?"
"Tony, we are home, you can go back to sleep once we go upstairs and change into something some comfortable. Come on "
"okay"
I felt Steve nudging me more "you have to actually move tony. Come on, do you want me to carry you upstairs? " that woke me up.
"no, no I can walk " I woke up feeling groggy and tired . Maybe Steve carrying me is not such a bad idea.i got out of the car with Steve's hovering over me(wait, why were there two of him?). He said something to happy and turned towards me "one foot in front of the other, come on" he was practically supporting most of my weight already and I was so tired, I sagged further into his hold. He stopped in the common room dragging me into a more upright position and ran a hand through my hair waking me up again "Did you eat anything at the party?" he asked me suddenly doubtful.
"All he had were peanuts at the bar" Bruce, you traitor! I made a face in the general direction of his voice.
"Bruce, you are always getting me in trouble" I mumbled
"I'll go make him a sandwich" Bruce replied instead. I felt myself being lowered onto the couch. Someone was lightly slapping my face, well it had to be Steve, who else.
"Bruce I think something's not right" Steve sounded panicked. I whined as Steve shook my shoulders in order to wake me up.
"-et me seep" why wouldn't they just let me go back to sleep? The couch was so soft and comfortable and steve was warm. Then the warmth suddenly left, what the hell?
"steeeve" I whined moving to the left in hope of finding his warmth again. I felt more hands on me
One moving to my hair and brushing it back, I arched into it feeling heavenly. A couple more pulled me into a supine position on the couch. Finally!
"Tony, hey can you open your eyes? Look at me please. Can you tell me what's wrong?" No Bruce, I just want to sleep.
"wanna ssleep" I slurred.
"I know tony but before that can you just open your eyes for me? just for minute, I promise."
"Nat can you bring some water? And a thermometer ,he feels unusually warm" when did Nat get here?
"tony? babe, I need you tell me what's wrong" again with the slapping
"clint grab a cloth and run it with some cool water" clint too?huh. I was missing a lot of things.I pried my eyes open .Steve was sitting on his knees next the couch hand in my hair looking more worried than ever. Bruce was holding my wrist in his hand looking at his watch. I pulled my hand away and tried to get up. But I was immediately stopped with Steve's hand on my chest pushing me back down.
"Tony? Just lay still for a minute okay? What's going on with you?" Steve looked like he might burst into tears from worry. I pushed at their hands more firmly and sat up.
"Steve I have been up for the past 32 hours, so of course I am tired. Nothing is wrong. Bruce tell him I am fine" I told him quickly before he could say anything about me laying still. Clint and Nat chose that moment to come back into my line of vision holding various things.
"Hey tony? Are you okay?" Clint asked .I sighed just waving him off tired of explaining.
Bruce took what looked like a thermometer from Nat's hand as Steve sat next to me and she handed me a glass of water. I didn't take it immediately so she held it up to my lips while Steve tipped my head towards the glass to drink it. Well guess I am drinking the water then.
But I actually felt more awake and alert after drinking the water. I zoned out again for a second and hands unbuttoning my suit bought me back to reality.
"Hey! Stop that!" I tried to smack the hands away but Nat glared at me and I had to keep still. She gracefully slid of my blazer and undid the top few buttons of my shirt and she dropped to her knees in front of me one hand cupping the back of my neck effectively holding me still and looking directly at me she asked-
"What's going on with you?" Nothing! Geez..
"Nothing is going on just like I told ste-" I turned to my left to where Steve was just sitting to find him gone .I looked up puzzled. "Where did Steve go?" I asked confused. Now everyone was staring at me like I was the crazy one. Nat reached over to grab the wet cloth from Clint and wiped my face and neck with it. And damn did that feel good!
"Where's Steve?" I asked again.
"He went to bring you a change of clothes from your room." Okay, but why couldn't he just go up to his room and change there? And then sleep on his own bed?
"Because Bruce thinks you might be sick and we are taking you to shield medical" oh. On that note, where did Bruce go?
Wait, hold your horses. medical? NO.
"I don't need to go to medical! I am fine, see?" "I am just tired, and I was drinking at the party, I just need to sleep it off!" I pushed off the couch feeling dizzy almost instantly but I pushed the feeling away as I walked past Nat and Clint into the elevator.
"J, take me to my room"
The elevator opened "sir, your floor" Jarvis said as if he too thought there was something wrong with me. "I am aware, Jarvis" I spit out walking into my room to find steve and bruce standing in the middle of the room ,steve holding my black sabbath shirt in his hand, and discussing something with the utmost sincerity. They both turned around immediately as I entered the room, steve, immediately walking towards me and reached for me. I pushed his hands away and walked towards the bed still in my party dress shirt and pants and quickly snuck under the covers.
"I am going to sleep" I told them both and shut my eyes.
"ton-"
Steve's POV
"ton-" I started to say in argument but Nat interrupted me walking into the room with clint
"He's pissed" she said "we may have let slip that we were taking him to medical" I groaned internally. tony hated hated doctors. It usually took a team effort to get him looked at by a medical professional after a particularly gruesome battle.
"Although he does seem more coherent now" Clint said. "He's probably just tired like he said"
"Could be, But he's never this tired. And he's been seemingly tired the whole week. And not to mention today at the party he wasn't exactly himself either." Bruce explained. All of us nodded in agreement looking at tony who was trying very hard to ignore all of us.
His head peaked out from under the covers "steve can we sleep now? just you and me? In our room?"
I sighed and looked at the others shaking their head in amusement. He had just scared us all half to death a moment ago from his lack of cognition and now here he is making sarcastic remarks.
"He seems okay to me " clint declared walking out
Bruce muttered his goodnights and left
"I am still worried" Nat whispered so tony wouldn't hear "Have Jarvis call me if you need me" she said kissing my cheek before walking out.
"I will, thank you, Nat"
I quickly changed into my nightwear and snuck into bed pulling tony close and turning him to face me just so I could have good look at him. He curled into me sighing in contentment. Maybe he was just tired. That didn't make any of us any less worried though. I ran my hands through his hair, too wound up to fall sleep but still exhausted all the same.
"tony?" I asked him as quietly as possible
"mm-?"
"you would tell me if something was wrong won't you?"
I didn't receive any response to that. Only his quiet breathing as he snuggled closer into me tucking his head below my chin.