man of iron

Steve stayed in the corner while he watched the medical examiners. He didn’t want to look like he was prying, but Steve was just keeping an extra protective eye on the man. After what he probably been through Steve didn’t want any trouble for him. Though he didn’t think anything else would happen to him while he was in the chopper, but Steve had a hard time trusting people lately. Things just weren’t the same, and society had changed drastically since the the 1940s. He knew it wasn’t healthy to hold on to the past, but sometimes he had a hard time doing so. Things were just so different. Steve shook those thoughts out of his mind and returned his attention to the situation in front of him.

Steve shook his head as the man thanked him. Steve didn’t feel like he needed to be thanked. Steve was just doing his job, and even though he had made it personal, he still didn’t need to be thanked. His thanks was finding Tony in the desert alive. Steve gave him a look that clearly spelled ‘Are you serious?’ “Are you sure about that? I’m no doctor but you could probably use some sleep and a decent mean.” Steve was suddenly wondering when the last time the man slept or ate something nutritional. Both of those things weren’t going to happen properly until they got back into the states. 

"Are you trying to say you’re not a fan of your current dressing?" Steve playfully teased. Steve had packed a spare back just in case they found Tony. Steve was always planning ahead, it usually turned out to be a good thing. Steve went the the corner and pulled out a black gym back before handing it over to him. "While I’m sure thousand of women would love to see you strut off the plane naked, I did bring some extra clothes just in case." he chuckled. "Sorry if it’s not what you’d like, but I had other things on my mind." like trying to find and save him. Steve titled his  head curiously at the other man as he noticed the shiny blue arc reactor coming from Tony’s chest. Now that was not normal at all, and he was fairly certain that he did not have that before Afghanistan. "Tony." he started, nodding at his chest. "What happened?" he asked in a soft concerned tone, He wasn’t pressuring Tony to tell him but he genuinely wanted to know. 

"I mean, if you like it, that's all up to you," he teased right back. "I never knew you swung that way, Captain." It was all in good fun, of course. He took the clothes from Steve's hand, realizing where Steve's gaze had gone to. Of course--of course. Should he start off his long series of debriefings with Rogers? Should he get some practice. The only thing that Tony was afraid of was that he would start and never stop, and that was never a good thing, especially about the hole in his chest.

"Shrapnel got into my chest. This powers an electromagnet to keep the shrapnel away from my heart." His tone was considerably more hushed as he put on the shirt quickly, trying his best to cover the glowing up. He'd gotten used to it, but he was not used to the scrutiny of others staring at it and his hideous collection of scars around it. It seemed he was finally back in the real world, and the worst part was that he wasn't sure he wanted to be there.

"I'm fine, really. Do you have any cheeseburgers on here, by any chance?"

Tony jogged over to the elevator door, pressing the up button a little impatiently. It was clear that he had too many espresso shots and not enough actual sleep.

She ignored the man’s first sentence. “Finally.” A small smirk crossed her lips. “Yes, I have to seduce the local millionaire.” Natasha glanced at him. “A woman needs a little time off. What about you ?”

"Millionaire? Now who's this?" he inquired, curious. "I'd have to say the same for me."

The God took several steps forward slowly, eyes narrowing as he watched the other closely, ready to attack if he needed to. “I am here trying to live in peace,” Loki growled, watching the other closely.

"I see you don't have that glow stick you had before. Whatever happened to that?"

"I'm walking," he responded, immediately tensing up when he heard the familiar tone, ready to summon the armor to his skin if need be. He'd rather not do that, but if Loki tried to put his hands on him, he wouldn't hesitate. 

Shaking, she turned her head and kissed his cheek, “I just.. I can’t believe you’re here… That you’re okay.”

I should've, he thought, but wisely chose not to say it aloud, instead letting his fingers thread through Pepper's hair. "Like I said, I'm not going anywhere. I think I deserve a day or two off."

Another attempt at his usual sarcasm. This time, it wasn't as pathetic. 

"You certainly look the part of a party-girl, Agent Romanoff. I'll get you a drink. You on a mission?"

"I was so worried," Pepper whispered, voice shaking more than the bottle in the engineer’s hand. "I… I saw you… Fly into that wormhole and fall, and.. And I missed your call, Tony, I-I’m sorry.”

Tears were falling freely down her face by this point and she moved in closer, by inches, and rested her head against him. “I’m sorry Tony… I’m sorry… I, I thought you were dead and I didn’t get to talk to you…”

Tony Stark didn't cry.

"Stop apologizing," he murmured, tone hoarse, letting her lean on him. He'd almost died plenty of times--so why was it so different now?