Hello!
Sorry it took me longer than expected to have the last chapter updated. I have no idea why it took so long... All I know that this chapter started at 5,000 or so words and after I proofed it a few times, it ended with 8,000 and plus words. Maybe that was it?
So i hope you like it. :)
Let me know what you think.
Chapter three
For the nth time this week, Dum-E is positioned at the door as if the robot is guarding the entrance, which is a scary thought. There's no telling what the bot will do to person trying to enter, not that they can get in when the lab is on locked down. And to make it worse, the bot has a fire extinguisher, which isn't good. Though Dum-E isn't normally a dangerous robot, the bot can cause quite a lot of damage without meaning too. Tony has been on the bad end of a few misused fire extinguishers, and he has the marks to prove it. "What are you doing, Dum-E?" he asks, giving the bot a look. "You should put that down before you hurt yourself… or me for that matter!"
"Boss," FRIDAY says, while Dum-E hums. "Dum-E has been on the internet again and has become fascinated in-"
Tony groans loudly, cutting off the AI, as U places a shady looking smoothie in front of him. "So let me put everything in prospective: one crazy robot, who thinks he's a guard dog, and another insane bot, trying to kill me with poisoned smoothies," he says, slowly, as he rubs his chin. Just when he doesn't think anything can get worse, it does.
"They only wish to show their-"
"Have you been talking to Vision lately?" he asks, his eye twitching. "Talking to him behind my back? I feel betrayed! Betrayed!" Though he knows that Vision wants to help, he detests the idea of Vision and FRIDAY talking—if that's the correct word for it. Tony isn't sure that he considers it talking if they're only transmitting information, but it's all the same to him. They're talking behind his back, and it pisses him off. He doesn't like when people talk behind his back unless it's to say how awesome he is.
"He only wishes to check on your status," the AI answers. "We have been researching the effects of prolonged separation."
The genius groans. "Are my babies worried about their papa?" he asks, knowing Vision isn't exactly one of his creations, but he's close enough. "I'm fine."
"Fine is not an appropriate term to use when defining your current state," she says. "With your IQ, I have expected a-"
"Oh, are you sassing me?" he says, a bit surprised. "Be careful, FRIDAY. I don't like you as much as I did JARVIS. Might donate you a college." He smiles slightly, remembering how much JARVIS had done for him. He misses that AI deeply.
"Then who will locks all of the doors on Captain Rogers and Sergeant Barnes when they try to enter?" FRIDAY asks.
Tony turns to U, eyeing the bot as it chirps. There's something about U and Dum-E that Tony can't help but love. Sure, they aren't as advance as some of his tech, but they're worth so much more. "Friday, are you messing with Cap and Metal Arm?" he asks.
"Yes, Boss," the AI replies. "They have caused my creator distress, so it is only logical to protect for you."
Tony chuckles, really chuckles. He doesn't know what he would do without his bots. "Oh, what have you done to our least favorite Super Solders?" Sure, it hurts to think of them, but FRIDAY has his attention now, and he needs this. He needs something to laugh at, because if he doesn't, his angst takes over, and all he can think about is pain. So he listens as FRIDAY lists what she has done to the Soldiers, who are trying their hardest to get into the lab.
*O*O*
A week or so has past, but the genius hasn't left the lab—not that he needs too. He has everything that he needs in the lab, including a small kitchen and a bathroom. There's no reason why he needs to go upstairs and face the rest of the Avengers. Why go upstairs and face their questions, when he has everything that he needs and wants? There's no reason to. He isn't hiding…though he knows that's a lie. He just doesn't want to admit that he's hiding, even if he can't deny it. He is hiding in his lab, and everyone knows it, which Tony hates. He hates that everyone knows he's a coward, hiding from Barnes and Rogers. God Damn. Why does he have to be so weak?
"Stupid," he mutters to himself as he stares down at one of his experiments. He tries to ignore the chaos around him and in his head, as he focuses his work, which at times can calm him. He tries to ignore Dum-E at the lab door, still holding a fire extinguisher. He tries to ignore U, making a large mess in the small kitchen. He keeps his eyes on the countless blueprints in front of him. He has lost count of how many open experiments he currently has, as he keeps pouring out new tech. After he had locked himself in his lab and his mind, the genius has barely slept, and without sleep, the only way he can keep himself sane is to work, which is great for his company… bad for him. Plus, a tired, grumpy, moody Tony Stark isn't good for anyone.
Shaking his head, Tony takes a deep breath and turns back to the device he's working on. He's working on a mother board, though he has been working on this damn thing for over an hour, and he can't see to focus. He only seems to be poking at the unfinished device. Literally, just poking. "Stupid," he utters again, feeling annoyed at his inability to do anything. He groans as he's unable to focus, and his anger takes over. Unable to do anything else, he just stabs the device.
Tony doesn't know how long he has been in his lab, as he can't keep track of the days, though he can ask FRIDAY if he wants to—not that he does. He doesn't need or want to be reminded of how long it has been since he had broken up with the two best things that has ever happened to him. He doesn't need to be reminded of the lo—nope, not love. Can't be— happiness that he has lost. He doesn't need to be reminded of how much of a failure he is.
Taking a few deep breaths, Tony tries to force those thoughts out of his head, and he will, even if he has to take a hammer to his face. He needs to move on, needs too, even if his heart doesn't want to. He can't be doubting the decision he made, wondering if it was a mistake…even if he is. Too hasty? Is he just being emotional? Barnes and Rogers do seem to care about him and they're correct that he's riskless. Plus, he has a huge ego, disobeying every order, and he's not the easiest person to get along with…
"No," he says softly. He's right. That relationship isn't going work with him, not when he's an ass with an ego the size of the moon. It was right to end it before anyone got hurt, not that he isn't hurting. It feels like someone has ripped out his heart and stepped on it. "What is your assessment of my mental state, FRIDAY?" he asks, softly.
The AI doesn't answer right away, taking a few seconds. "My recommendation is that you rest, Boss," she replies. "Studies has shown that eight hours of sleep can be-"
Tony lets out a harsh sigh, as he's in too much pain to deal with an overprotective AI. "Sleep is for the weak," he smiles with a fake cheer. His arm and leg are killing him. Sure, thanks to the nano, he's healing faster than normally possible, but it doesn't help with the pain. Without the good pills, he can almost feel his bones heal, and it's excruciating to say the least. Plus, his foot is in a walking boot, and his arm is in a hard, black brace, which makes it difficult to do anything. He just wants to rip them off, but his damn AI threatens to tattle every time he looks at them funny. Stupid AI. Stupid overprotective AI, who won't stop talking to Vision. Vision, who keeps giving taps.
However, he can't help but smile whenever she does, because though he'll never admit, he likes to be taken care of. He likes to be pandered at times, and at this moment, he wants nothing more than to be cuddled and pandered. He wants to be held like he's the most important person in the world, and even if he tells himself he can't, he wants it to be Steve and Bucky. He fucken wants them, though they probably won't be in the mood to cuddle with him. They were distant in their final days together. They were sleeping together in their own room, while he slept alone with his nightmares.
"Tones."
Why must he keep doing this? Why does he do this to himself? Does he like hurting himself? Is he a-
There's a scream on the other side of the room. "TONY! Get your crazy robot off me!"
Tony snaps back to reality, popping up. "Rhodey," he replies, not hearing his best friend enter. He wonders briefly if FRIDAY had alerted him, and he just missed it as his mind is on other things. "Dum-E, no." Tony yells, turning around in his chair. "Stand down." Though he knows, he shouldn't laugh, but the genius can't help but smile at the scene in front of him. The bot is chasing Jim around the lab with the fire extinguisher in its metal arm. "That's not the proper use of a fire extinguisher! Down boy. Down." He let out a smiling chuckle. "Don't make me give you away to a locate college."
Jim's eye twitches as the bot stops chasing him and returns to the door. Once again, Dum-E is standing guard with the fire extinguisher ready. "What the hell, Tony? Set your bots to kill me? Is FRIDAY going Skynet?"
Dum-E and U both clips as FRIDAY speaks, "I am only ensuring Boss's wellbeing."
Rhodes glances up, glaring at the ceiling. "Good for you, but you can do that to everyone but me! I'm the best friend!" he says, strengthening himself out. "Geez, did not sign up to fight Skynet."
"Understood," the AI replies.
Tony chuckles. Though he may not like his overprotective AIs, he must say it's funny to see them go into full guard dog mode. "She's been talking to Vision."
Rhodes laughs, as he carefully walks pass Dum-E and U, eyeing them. "Oh, has she? Teaching her to be more like JARVIS?" he asks, turning to the genius. Tony doesn't answer, and Jim waits a few seconds before adding, "Anyhow, I was sent to collect you. Everyone else is too scared of your killer bots to come get you. Dum-E is scary with that thing." He waves at the bot as he steps to Tony's side and places a supportive hand on Tony's shoulder. "Come on, Tones. You need a break. Let's go. You need fresh air."
The genius glances toward the warm hand on his shoulder before looking up at Rhodes' face, and he hesitates for a second before he sets down his tools. He can see the worry and concern in his best friend's eyes, and he finds it hard to tell him no. Besides, Jim knows him well, and he will call any buff that Tony tries. "And do what?" he asks, tiredly.
"Movie night. You've missed the last few, and the team's getting annoyed. Again, they would be down here themselves if it wasn't for Skynet," he says with a smile. "So here I am. So let's go. I'm not taking no for an answer."
After hearing what Jim wants, Tony knows he has to say no, even if the pilot fights him. He doesn't want—can't go to Movie Night, as there's no doubt that the Brooklyn Twins will be there, and he can't deal with them at the moment. His emotions are all over the place, and it's hard to think straight. "No," he says strongly without missing a beat.
Rhodes gives him a look. "This is not a request, and if I have to get Wanda and Vision down here, I will. I think FRIDAY will agree with me on this. You need rest. You look like the walking dead."
The AI does not waste any time in responding. "Colonel Rhodes is correct, Boss. A night's-"
"Traitor," Tony barks as his eye brow raises. Breaking out of Rhodes' grip, he turns in his chair. "Wanda and Vision?" he asks, slowly. Those are the last two that he expects Jim to use as backdate. Really the last two. Is the President busy? Is the Pope—which is probably a good thing because the things he would say- busy?
"Yea, Wanda's idea," he says with a smile. There's a devilish look on Rhodes' face and it doesn't sit well with Tony. "She says she'll use her abilities on you if you don't get your pretty ass upstairs—No, she didn't use those words. Get your mind out of the gutter, Tony!" He's staring at Tony as if he's daring him to say something. When the genius doesn't, Jim continues, "And for some scary reason, Vision agrees to help, which is frightening. Those two teaming up is terrifying. So glad that I'm not you." There's a grin on his chest.
There's no doubt to that, and Tony has chills thinking about it. He hates to see the damage those two can cause together. However, he can't be upstairs, not with Barnes and Rogers. "…I can't," he says slowly.
Rhodes takes a deep breath as he puts a firm hand on both of Tony's shoulders. "You can't hide in here forever, Tones," he says, softly. "I don't know what happened between the three of you, but you can't live in your misery. So get your ass out of that chair, and get upstairs or else." Tony opens his mouth to respond, but before he can, Rhodey adds, "And yes, I will cuddle with you."
Tony smiles, putting on a mask. He knows his best friend knows all of his masks, but he hopes Jim doesn't call him on it. "I am the best cuddlier."
Jim's silent for a few seconds, eyeing the expression on Tony's face. "Don't worry, Tones. I'll be your guard dog upstairs. Those Super Soldiers won't get pass me." There's a protective look on his face. "I'll blast them, and I think Ms. Skynet will assist me with that."
FRIDAY doesn't waste a second in replying. "It will be my pleasure, Colonel." Tony can't help but snort at this.
*O*O*
The genius freezes when he steps into the common room, and the Brooklyn Boys aren't even there yet. He hates to see how he'll react once the two Super Soldiers are. Is he going to fall apart completely? Is he going to fall down at their feet like a dog? Is he going to beg, telling them that he made a mistake? Is he going to cry?...Oh, god, he might, and he hates himself. He hates how emotional he's being, and he wants to punch his own self in the face. He's so fucken annoyed at his behavior. He isn't a teenager girl, and he needs to stop acting like one.
"Are you okay, Tony?" someone asks the stilled genius.
Tony doesn't answer as his brain goes into overdrive. The tiniest things are getting to him, and he doesn't know how to handle it. For example, he doesn't know where to sit. Sure, Rhodes has offered to cuddle with him, but he has no idea of where he's supposed sit. His old spot, before he started to date the Soldiers, is an oversized recliner, but Clint's currently in it and it looks like he has no interest in moving. He can't sit in the empty sofa that he sat in the last time, because that's where Barnes and Rogers sit. They've been sitting there for months, and Tony only sat there when he stared to date the two. And now, that seat's forbidden to him, so Tony stares, unsure where to sit.
"Tones, come here," Rhodey calls, pulling on Tony's sleeve and tugging him along. "Sit with me and Natasha."
"Okay," Tony utters as he follows after the Colonel, tripping over his heavy boot. He looks like a fool, as he struggles to keep up. His leg is killing him, and it's showing on his face with every step. He knows there's a noticeable twitch in his leg, and he knows everyone notices. If Steve and James were present (and still dating), they would sweep him off his feet and carry him around like a princess—not that he'll never admit to wanting that-, and damn it, he wants that. He wants it bad… Damn it, he curses at himself. Damn it all to hell.
As Tony battles himself in his own head, he's deadly silent and stiff, and when he snaps back to reality with a few more tugs, he knows everyone's watching him, and though that's normally what he likes, he wishes everyone would ignore his existence and turn to the television. What's the hell wrong with you? He yells at himself. He's acting like an idiot, unStark like. "Like something you see, Barton?" he asks, while smirking and taking a seat next to Natasha.
The Archer pops a few popcorns into his mouth as he watches Tony get comfortable between Rhodes and Romanoff. "What? You're going to be main show tonight," he says with a smile. There's a smirk on his face. A fucken smirk.
"Clint," Natasha says through her teeth, warning to shut up. Her eyes are shooting draggers.
"What?" Clint says, innocently, as he puts on a goofy smile. "Just wait until Barnes see Stark cuddling with you two." His smile is so large that planes can land on it, and Tony just wants to sock him. He's sure that he's not alone. If looks can kill, Clint would be dead, as Natasha is giving him a nasty look. "He doesn't like it when others cuddling with the genius. His genius," Clint continues with that stupid smirk.
Tony leans against Jim, as Natasha settles against the genius, interlocking her hand in his. "In case, you didn't hear the news, we aren't together anymore." He takes a deep breath as if to put on a mask. "Damn the media! They're slacking. Sleeping instead of working! They have one job. One job," he says, trying to ignore the ping in his chest. He also tries to ignore Wanda, who's staring at him with a knowing look.
Clint snorts loudly, as he stuffs a handful of popcorn in his mouth. "Doesn't stop Rogers and Barnes from moping around like someone had kicked their puppy. They keep pacing the hallway near the lab like some love sick teenagers trying to work up their nerves to talk to you. Not that they can, FRIDAY won't let them anywhere near you. She's threating to activate the Tower's security system on them." His stupid smile is growing as he eyes the engineer. "It's quite funny to watch, especially Barnes…though he may or may not have pulled a knife on me for poking fun."
Tony doesn't want to hear this and wishes they would all move the hell on. There's no going back. "And I wasn't there to see that?" he mocks. "Dang." He leans back into Rhodes' chest as if to hide from the rest of the room. It doesn't take long for Natasha to rest her head on his shoulder and pull his legs into her lap. Within seconds, her hand slips into the tight boot, massaging the tender skin beneath. The Genius can and might fall asleep like this, feeling contented against these two, and he hasn't felt like that for a while, which is probably why he can't recall the last time he has slept for more than two hours.
Seconds after wrapping himself in a blanket that he has pulled off the back of the couch, the famous Brooklyn Boys enter, and he can feel the temperature rise in the room. Tony can hear the squealing of shoes as the owners force them to a complete stop. There're probably marks on the floor from their shoes, which will probably take hours to clean. Tony's perfectly still as his eyes shift to the right to get a glimpse of the two soldiers. Even if he can barely make out their forms from his angle, he knows their attentions are zeroed in on him.
"Oh, look, it's Stark," Sam say, painfully loudly. "Is he cuddling with Nat and Jim?" he asks, innocently. There's a fucken smile on his face, a clear sign of what he's trying to do. The ass! "He lo—OUCH!" he yells as Barnes punches in the shoulder. The Falcon is almost knocked to his feet by the force of the punch, and it takes all that he has to remain upright. Rubbing the already bruising shoulder, he adds. "Hey, man! Not cool. Not cool."
Tony tries to hide himself deeper into Rhodey's chest, as Steve steps away from the glaring Bucky and the pouty Sam. The Super Soldier stops a few feet from Tony before he crouches down to get eye level with the mostly hidden Stark. The Captain is silent for a few seconds as he stares at the balled up genius, only able to make out his eyes. "How are you, Tony?" he asks, his voice shaky.
Tony glances at Steve, who looks as exhausted as he does. If he doesn't know any better, it looks like Steve hasn't been sleeping, and that doesn't sit well with Tony. He doesn't like to see Steve like this, so broken, because he isn't supposed to be like this. He isn't supposed to be broken… not like him. He's supposed to be strong, unbeatable. This breakup is supposed to be a good thing for the super soldier.
"How's the arm? The leg? Not in too much pain, are you?" Steve asks, not getting an answer from the silent billionaire. "Do you need something? I can get it for you. Just tell me." There's some hope in his voice, and it kills Tony.
Rhodes' face turns cold as he stares down the Captain. "Rogers, no," he says, unkindly. "I got him. You don't need to worry." Jim narrows his eyes between the two, almost daring them. "Why don't you two go sit down?"
"I must agree," FRIDAY replies, reminding the team to the AI's presence. "I can attend to Mr. Stark's needs."
Someone in the room coughs and mutters, "Skynet." But it doesn't cut the tension in the room.
Growling, Barnes marches toward the group as anger grows on his face. "No," he barks, his voice ice cold. "We have every right to check on him. Every right!" His hands are balled at his side as he eyes the room.
"No, you don't," Rhodes replies, glaring at them. "So back off."
That doesn't sit well Buck. "No! Why don't you make me?" he hisses, taking another step forward.
Tony can taste the tension, as everyone leans forward in their seats, ready for a fight. Wanda and Vision are in full alert, ready to step in at a second notice. Natasha hasn't moved an inch, though her grip tightens on the genius, and she's scrutinizing every movement. "I'm fine, Cap," Tony says softly, hoping that his answer will cut down the hostility in the room. "And, I'm good. Don't need anything."
"Okay, Tony," Steve says, slowly with a deep breath. His eyes wonder over Tony's form, hesitation present in his expression, as he gets to his feet. "I'll…I'll get more popcorn," he sighs as he turns away. There's a heaviness in his shoulders, and it looks like he has been slapped across the face. He looks like a kicked puppy.
Bucky, on the other hand, remains close, taking a seat on the right side of the empty sofa, which is odd for the former assassin. The Sergeant usually sits on the left side as it leaves his right side open to be cuddled with, as no one wants to cuddle with a metal arm, not that Tony will complain at the moment. There's nothing that Tony wants more than to be in both of his Super Soldiers' arms... No! They aren't his.
"So what are we watching this week?" Sam asks, breaking the deadly silence. He's standing next to Clint, making no movement to sit, and he's still rubbing his shoulder.
"Man of Steel," Tony shots out, trying to focus on anything besides Bucky, who's staring at him. No matter what's happening in the room, James is eyeing him, following his every movement, his every twitch. Tony doesn't understand what's going on with the silent man, as he shouldn't be sitting in Steve's spot, so close to him. He's messing with the flow of the room, the goddamn flow of the room; plus, he shouldn't be paying this much attention to the genius.
Still on alert, Sam turns toward Tony, giving him the stink eye. "No, we're not. I hate that movie."
"Oh, we know, Wilson." Clint replies as he rubs his ears. "Stop whining."
"We can watch Jurassic World," Natasha offers. She still has a protective hold over Tony, refusing to let go.
Tony eyes James from the corner from his eyes, and he's not surprise that the soldier's still eyeballing him. Feeling overwhelmed, he wants Bucky to look anywhere else but at him. He feels like Bucky is looking right through him. Why is he staring at him like this? "You just want to ogle Chris Pratt," he says, trying to keep his mask up.
Natasha pinches him, causing him to wink in pain. "And you don't, Stark?" she mocks, giving him a smirk.
Bucky shifts, leaning against the arm of the sofa. "He isn't his type," he says, dryly. Tony feels his heart skip a beat, but he doesn't respond. He doesn't know how to respond, because Barnes's correct, as he knows his type well, considering he is his type.
"Why don't you sit?" Clint asks Wilson, nodding toward the sofa where Bucky is sitting. It's one of few open seats in the room, not counting the floor or the beanbag.
"I don't have a death wish," Sam utters with a scared smile on his face. "Barnes has a knife and he isn't afraid to use it."
"He doesn't belong here," Bucky states, coldly. He glares at Sam for a second before turning back to Tony, sitting as close to the genius as he can.
Returning, Steve takes a deep breath as he walks back to the sofa with two bowls filled of different snacks. Stilled for a second, he eyes the left side of the sofa with a frown before he takes a seat. "Easy, Buck."
Bucky turns to him ever so slowly with a scowl. "No, the Punk belongs here with us," he snaps. "He belongs right in this spot! Not with him!" he yells, waving at Rhodes.
Once again, the room is on the edge of their seats, and Tony can't help but think this is a mistake. He shouldn't have left the lab. Why did he think this was a good idea? Why did he, or anyone, think he can be in the same room as the Brooklyn Boys? The tension between them can be cut with a knife. Even if Tony wants Barnes to be right, he knows he isn't, though it doesn't stop the desire to jump in between them. However, if he does do that, what good will it do? They have made it clear that they don't want him. A week of the silent treatment is clue enough.
Rhodes' grip tightens on Tony as if he's afraid that Tony is seconds away from bolting. "Why don't we just watch this movie?" he says with a sigh.
"Crap Science," Tony mutters as he tries to be as small as he can. "Dinosaurs don't look like that."
"Well, when you make your own dinosaurs, you can make them look any way you want, Tones," the Colonel says, softly.
Steve smiles softly as he watches the two. Anyone with eyes can see how much Rhodes cares for Tony, and they would be a fool if they think they can hurt Tony in front of Rhodes. "Don't give him any idea, Jim," he says. "We don't need dinosaurs roaming New York."
"Yea, it didn't work out so well in the second Jurassic Park movie," Natasha adds.
Sam chuckles as he takes a seat on the beanbag. "Plus, I don't want to be saving New York from T-rexes. I don't think my insurance covers dino bites."
"Does it matter? They won't want to eat you anyways," Clint replies. "You probably don't taste good."
"I taste better than you!" Sam shots back.
Tony looks over the blanket, trying to ignore Bucky who is still watching him. Is he channeling a dinosaurs? "I don't think that's something you should be proud of." He wants to enjoy this banter, but he just—
"Tell them, Stark," Wanda commands, interrupting the yelling, as she looks dead at him. In seconds, the room silences as they look between the Genius and the witch. There's a look in her eyes, a telling look, and it's clear that she won't take no as an answer.
Tony wants to ignore her and does try, but Wanda's staring at him, intensely. She can gave Barnes a run for his money, which is something. She isn't looking a way as her eyes are glued on him, and no one else dares to speak. "Tell them what?" he utters, looking away.
"Tell Captain Rogers and Sergeant Barnes, the truth," she says, monotone. "Your pain is not worth it."
Both Bucky and Steve shoot up and turn to Tony, who's trying to hide under the blanket. "Pain?" they utter at once. Worry morphs onto their face, and they inch closer to him. "Are you okay?!" "Where does it hurt?" they ask, shooting off rapid questions. "You need ice?" "Tell me and I will get it for you!"
Natasha perks up and turns to Tony, eyeing him. "Are you okay, Stark?" she asks, as she runs her hand over his boot.
Rhodes looks down at Tony, confusion written on his face. "Tones?"
Wanda's expression softens. "It is not physical. It is emotional," she states, her accent thick. "Tell them, Stark."
Tony feels everyone's eyes on him, and he hates it. He downright hates it, and he wants to punch everyone in the face for looking at him. Plus, he really hates how the Red-She-Devil is forcing his hand, because this will only hurt more in the end. Sometimes love isn't enough, and it isn't like they can love him. They're afraid to even say those words to each other in front of him. So why is she doing this? Why can't she leave things alone? She hates him for crying out loud! Or maybe, this is her goal! Pain and suffering
"I do not hate you, Stark," Wanda replies. "And I do not wish to cause you pain."
"Stay out of my head," Tony snaps.
Natasha places a supportive hand on his knee. "You said that out loud, Knuckle Head." There's fondness in her voice that he doesn't hear often from her.
Against his better judgement, Tony glances up over her blanket and peeks around the room, meeting everyone's gaze for a second before turning away. He takes a deep breath, knowing he can't hide from this. This woman has outed him, and he hates her for it… okay, no he doesn't, but he doesn't exactly like her at the moment—or any moment. "It won't change anything," he says as quietly as possibly.
Bucky steps toward him, crouching down, as he tries to meet Tony's eyes. "Come on, Punk. Talk," he says, softly.
"No," he says, trying to be as small as possible. "Why don't we watch the movie? Please."
Steve inches forward with hope growing on his face. "Tony," he begs. "Please."
"Fine," he snaps. "But this doesn't change anything. It can't!" He takes a few deep breaths, trying to prepare himself for the pain that's about to follow. He's about to admit that he has feeling in front of the whole damn team. He's about to reveal his own weakness; his father would kill him if he was alive. "I…I…l-love you two, idiots. You…mean… e-everything to…me." His heart's beating a million miles per second as he admits those cursed words.
He hates how these two make him believe that love is possible, when he knows it isn't. He wants to go back in time before he knows how amazing love feels. He wants to forget how much he likes it, because this heart ache is too much. Shaking his head, he turns away from the Brooklyn Twins and hides his face between Rhodey and the couch. He can't bear to see the rejection on their faces. He can't bear to see them hate him. He just can't. "Jim," he utters soft and shaky.
"I got you, Tones. It's okay." His best friend replies softly, keeping him close. However, his soft tones don't last long. "Back off, Barnes," Rhodes warns softly.
"No," Bucky growls. "Get your bloody hands off my punk before I break your arm."
Rhodes glares. "Oh, you want to go there? I don't think you hav-"
"It's fine, Jim," Steve utters, desperation in his voice. "We got him. It's okay. Trust me, please."
Jim isn't one to back down even when he's facing two Super Soldiers. "No," he declares, strongly.
"I agree with the Colonel," FRIDAY states, cutting through the tension. If Tony doesn't know any better, there's a tone in her normally monotone voice. "Cease your actions and step-"
"It is okay, FRIDAY," Vision says, his voice echoing. "Sergeant Barnes and Captain Rogers means no harm to Mr. Stark." He goes silent, and FRIDAY does not speak again, but Tony knows there something going on between the two.
Not answering right away, Rhodes groans loudly, as his hold on the genius loosens. This is a losing battle and he knows it as he looks at Vision. "Fine, but if you two hurt him, I will end you. Do you understand?" he hisses, warning them. "I will."
Steve sighs, but there's a huge smile on his face. "Don't worry, Jim. We have no interest in hurting him."
Without another word being said, Tony feels two pairs of arms carefully untangle him from his best friend and Natasha, and there's nothing he can do to stop them. Feeling his muscles twitch, he doesn't put up much of a fight against the two as they pick him up with ease and pull him to them. He does nothing when he finds himself in Bucky's chest and Steve's arms wrapped around them. Tony knows he's trapped as they rest their heads against his, but he wonders if he wants to do anything about it, as he feels so good in their arms. Really Good.
Bucky places a soft kiss to the top of his head. "We love you, too, Punk."
"You're just saying that," Tony says softly. "You don't mean it." Maybe, he needs to be fighting to get out of their arms.
Steve gently places his hands on Tony's face, caressing his cheek. "Tony, we wouldn't say it unless we meant," he says. "Trust me. I promise you that. We love you, and that will never change."
Bucky's expression has completely changed since he first entered the room, and he's smiling now. Tony can see it in his eyes. "I just want to hear him say it again. Say it again, Dollface."
"Bucky," Steve says smiling. "Give him a second."
Tony's brain is in overdrive, and nothing is making sense. He looks up to Steve as he leans into Bucky's chest, losing the urge to fight. He isn't sure what to make of everything. "I don't understand."
The Brooklyn Twins look at each other, sharing a telling look, before looking back down at the genius. "Talk to us. Please tell us what's going on in that head of yours."
Tony's insecurities are a curse, filling his head with doubt, and he doesn't know if he should believe them. "You left me alone," he says softly, almost too soft to hear. "You two would rather sleep together than with me." He knows his pain is visible in his face.
Barnes' hold tightens around Tony, refusing to let go. Bucky's hands are shaking around the genius. "No, that isn't it," he says slowly. His voice is shaky, a sign of how scared and nervous he is. He buries his face in the Genius' hair, breathing in his scent. "I love how you smell. I've missed it."
"I stink," Tony says, sadly. "Who wants to smell grease and oil?"
"I do, and no, you don't," Bucky denies, taking in another deep sniff of Tony's hair. "It calms me."
Steve is smiling as he looks upon his fellas. "Me too," he adds, putting his arms around them and holding tightly. "You both do. I don't want to know what I'd do without the two of you."
Tony tilts his head and glances around the room, wondering why it's so silent. Where's the banter from the peanut gallery? He doesn't miss it, but it's weird. He scans the room, noticing it's just the three of them. The rest of the room had cleared out at some point, leaving them to talk it out. "Then why?"
The expression on Bucky's face drops and he looks like he's physical pain. For a few long seconds, the former assassin is silent as he breaths in ever slowly. It's like he's about to do something painful. "I had…a nightmare…"
Tony closes his eyes, as he leans into Barnes' chest. "We all have nightmares, Barnes," he says. It comes out harsher than he tends, and he hates himself for it, because Bucky's nightmares are ten times worse than the normal person. "I hadn't been sleeping at all either."
Bucky's grip on the genius tightens, almost painful, as he closes his eyes and takes in another deep breath. "It… I'm so fucken sorry, Tony! So fucken sorry. It's…just…" He says, struggling to get it out. "The things… Hydra…" He closes his eyes as he takes in another dose of Tony's scent. "There're times… that I…forget where I'm. Thinking that I'm back with t-them." Steve's arms tighten around them, and James relaxes in them. "And at t-times, these nightmares…turn into night terrors, and… I… turn violent."
"Buck," Steve utters, bringing his hand up to Bucky's face. He wipes the tears away from his eyes. "It's okay."
Tony looks up, and he can feel his heart miss a few beats, noticing the pain in Bucky's eyes. It hurts, physically hurts, to see him like this, and Tony hates it. It makes him want to hunt down every last Hydra and rip them apart with extreme prejudice. He wants to kill them all, and he knows Steve feels the same as he stares at the Sergeant with an intense look.
"I thought…I was going to hurt you, Tony. I thought I would wake up and find you…in the puddle of your own b-blood. Killed from my own hand," Bucky whimpers, continuing. His voice is shilling, and it breaks Tony's heart. He sounds like he has lost everything that he has ever cared for.
Tony buries his hands in Bucky's shirt. "No, not possible. You wouldn't-"
"No, Tony. I will never hurt you on purpose, but…these terrors turn me into something I h-hate." Bucky has tears running down his face. "I t-thought I was going to hurt you in your sleep, and I couldn't- Can't have that. Can't! You mean so fucken much to me. So fucken much. You're everything to me!" He's sobbing now, as he struggles to keep going.
Steve places a kiss to the top of Bucky's head. "It's okay, Buck."
Bucky shakes his head, pushing away from Steve slightly. "S-Steve thought he could control it a-and…stop me b-before I did anything, but…" He runs his hands up Tony's arms before he falls back against Steve. "B-but I didn't trust myself… Steve either." He pauses to take another deep breath. "Didn't t-trust anyone to keep you safe, so I r-ran. I hid from you, when I shouldn't have. Steve tried to talk me out, t-trying to get me to see you, but I was-am scared. Scared that I might lose you. And with every s-second I didn't see you, I got worse. I d-didn't like the person I was becoming." He's having a hard breathing as he sobs, and it's heartbreaking. "Though it seems like I did by my own stupidity. But I couldn't—can't help it. Every time, I close my eyes, I see you d-dead in a puddle of your own blood, and…I lose it. Lose it. I need you, Punk."
"Bucky," Tony utters, feeling like someone has stepped on his heart.
"I love you, Punk," he says, a bit calmer. "It's you and Steve. I need you both. You both keep me sane, and I didn't realize how much at first. When you b-broke up with us, my world, my everything came crashing down," he utters. "I lost it. Completely lost it, and I all but punched Steve when you walked out."
Tony feels like he has been punched in the stomach. How did he misread everything? How did he think that they didn't want him? Can't love him? "I thought you didn't want me. I thought I was just some-"
Steve's hand weaves its way into Tony's. "No, you aren't," he protests, strongly. "You're so much more, Tony."
Bucky hums into Tony's hair as he calms down almost completely. He seems to relax with the genius in his arms. "So much more," he repeats, softly.
"And it's our—no, my fault that we didn't tell you sooner. I thought we would scare you away if we moved too fast, but it was the other way around." Steve pauses for a second to take deep breath. "I should've told you. We should've told you." He puts on a smile as he says, "I love you. I love you and Bucky. I've always loved the two of you; I was screwed the second I saw the both of you, and I knew it. It's love at first sight."
"And I love you and Steve," Bucky says, putting a finger under Tony's chin and lifting it up. "I don't know if I'd call it love at first sight as you both were- are idiots, who drove me up a wall. Seriously, you two drove me crazy at first, and I wanted to run in the other direction. So glad I didn't." His voice is raw and dry.
So this could've been avoided if he had said those three little words? If they had been honest with each other? "And I love you," Tony says, feeling like a complete fool. What was he so scared off? Why didn't his father see love for the gift that it is? "I love you," he repeats, feeling his chest tightens.
The Brooklyn Twins smile at that, and their smiles are the biggest smiles that he has ever seen. "We love you, too," they utter together.
Tony, even with the pain, is smiling, though he can barely feel it through his happiness. "Let's not do this again."
"Deal," Steve says with a grin. "Because Buck was a beast the whole time, ready to rip heads off. He may or may not have made Sam shit his pants a few times."
Bucky's eye twitches. "At least, I wasn't moping and crying the whole time like a certain person. Couldn't hold Stevie without getting boogers on me. He was a disgusting mess."
"Was not, Jerk," Steve shoots back.
"Were too, Punk," Barnes replies as he leans toward Rogers and pulls him in for a kiss. It's a wet kiss that has both men panting for air when they're finished. Their lips are red and wet, and their faces are hot and rosy. Tony doesn't feel left out as he watches them. He enjoys watching them, even if he say he doesn't—not that he can. Watching these two turns him on, and he wants nothing more than to rip off their clothes.
After pulling away, James doesn't wait a second before pulling Tony in for a kiss. It isn't as wet as the kiss with Steve was, but it's just as passionate. It's a slow kiss as it seems like Bucky is making up for lost time. He's exploring every inch of Tony's mouth with his tongue, and he's doing it with complete dominance. His hand travels under Tony's shirt, caress his soft skin, and Tony can't help but moan.
"Let's take this back to our room," Steve says, his voice husky. He's watching the two with an intense look in his eyes. "I think we all need to be reintroduce to each other. Been too long."
Tony is fully aware of what Steve is implying, and he's all for it, even if this wasn't the plan when Rhodes had pulled him out of his labs…Okay, maybe, this is too soon after everything that had happened. The Brooklyn Boys still abandoned him for a week, though he now understands why. Bucky's night terrors are nothing to joke about, and they need to be taken seriously, but Tony does to as well. However, they know this. They know everything.
Plus, he can't wait to touch, kiss, and lick every part of both of these men, and he can't wait to be squashed between two naked Super Soldiers. He can't wait to feel their hands caress every part of him, and even if he's wearing a boot and a brace, he isn't going to allow them to stop him from getting a good roll in the bed. "I'm up for anything," Tony says, smiling against Bucky's lips.
"Good, because there's a new position I want to try if you're up to it, Old Man," Barnes says, smirking like the punk that he is. "We wouldn't want to break you." His voice is soft, and even if he's teasing, it's clear he's worried about hurting Tony.
Tony's eye twitched. "Old? I am not old! Take that back! Besides, you two are the grandpas in this relationship, not me." Steve just laughs as the super soldiers get to their feet with the genius in their hands. They are close, each holding a section of Tony. "I will show you how young I am. You won't know what hit you."
"Can't wait," Bucky says, stepping away from Steve and shifting Tony's weight completely to him. He's now holding him bridal style as he stares at him with a goofy smile. "Let's just get you to bed."
"You better be there when I wake up," Tony says, turning deadly serious. "…I hate cold beds." He pauses for a second, wondering if he can say it. "But if…if you aren't-"
Steve looks at James, giving him a look before he turns back to Tony and caresses his face. "We wouldn't dream of it. Trust us. We won't do that again. Not again." He has a smile on his face as he looks into Tony's eyes. "You will never feel that way again…. If so, your crazy bots and AI, can blast us into space."
"I am glad that I have your blessing," FRIDAY says, interjecting without hesitation.
Buck snorts. "This AI will be the death of us."
Steve laughs, truly laughs. "Not that we don't deserve it," he adds, placing a kiss to Tony's forehead. "So no more cold beds, and besides, I want morning sex."
Tony laughs as Bucky adds with a grin, "So do I."
The Genius is happy, truly happy, and he's glad—for once—that Wanda forced him into something that he didn't want to do. He wouldn't be here with these men if it wasn't for her pushing. Yes, Steve, Bucky, and he have things to work out, but Tony has learned something this past week. He has learned that honest is the most important thing in this relationship, and if he wants this to work—which he does, he needs to be open and honest with his partners. He needs to tell them about his insecurities that his father had planted in his head. He needs to tell them what he's feeling.
He, also, needs to tell them those three little words every day for the foreseeable future, and he doesn't care if that makes him weak. He doesn't care if his father is rolling in his grave as he says them. He doesn't care if his father would be unhappy with his choices. He doesn't care anymore along as if he keeps feeling this way. He loves this feeling whenever he sees these men. Love isn't a curse; it is a cure. It is everything, and he sees that now. He sees it all.
"I love you two," he says as they make it to their room. Seeing them smile makes him the happiness guy ever, and who the hell cares if he is missing Movie night for another week. Heck, if he really cares, the three of them can watch a movie from their bed. He has all that he needs with these two, and he has all the excitement that he can ever want staring back at him. "I love you," he repeats, unable to stop himself from repeating those words over and over again, even when he can't even think.
THE END
I hoped you liked it. I know I enjoyed writing it.
Again, let me know what you think through the reviews. I hope the end didn't seem rushed. Don't want to drag on forever, and it seems to work to end it here.
Anyhow, I was thinking to doing another One Shot (if I can control myself and limit my words) or a short story (if I can't... probably). However, I am not sure what I would want to do if I did. So if you have anything that you would like to see, let me know!.