✦ your local clown ✦

“I must have been cursed,” Stephen grunted to himself, reaching for his tissues and pausing when he found the box empty. He could have sworn he just opened that box this morning, and it wasn’t even noon yet. “Now I really think I got cursed.”

“Stephen!” Tony’s voice yelled.

“And it’s getting worse.” Stephen sighed as the door was thrown open and Tony strolled in. “Please make whatever it is that you need quick.” He said as he stood and made his way to his closet, opening it and pulling out a new box of tissues. 

“You sound like hell,” Tony commented.

“Thanks. Now, what do you need?” Stephen sniffed again as he tried to tear open the tissue box, cursing under his breath when he ended up ripping the whole top off instead of just the part that made it easy to pull out individual tissues. Apparently, this headache was ruining his usual grace. 

“Are you sick?” Tony asked, stepping closer to Stephen.

“I don’t get sick.” Stephen scoffed.

“I’m pretty sure you are, doc.” Tony clicked his tongue. “Remember last week when I was basically a walking zombie?”

“Yes. You had the flu, and we practically had to tie you down to your bed to get you to rest.” Stephen went back to his desk, setting the box of tissues down, and fought with it until he finally got one out. “I swear you are more stubborn than me, and I am surprised that is possible.” He added before blowing his nose.

“And I think you’re going to need to be tied down as well,” Tony said. 

“Firstly, you can’t tie me down. Secondly, I am fine. I do not get sick.” Stephen tossed the tissue away before applying sanitizer to his hands. 

“Firstly, don’t underestimate me. Secondly, you’re not fine. You are sick.” Tony counted off with his fingers, adding a bit more sass to his echoing of Stephen’s phrasing. “Come on. Let’s give you some classic ‘Stark home remedies’.” He went over to Stephen and placed his hands on his shoulders, turning him toward the door. “Ever bit into raw ginger before? That will clear you right up.” 

“I am not doing that.” Stephen planted his feet on the ground, but an extra nudge from Tony made him take a few steps, and he had to keep walking to make sure he didn’t fall over. 

“There’s more than the ginger. There’s also garlic. We can steam your face. Stuff like that.” Tony used the advantage he managed to get and kept pushing, getting Stephen out of his office before nearly fumbling over himself when Stephen stepped to the side and faced him. 

“No to all of that,” Stephen said. “I am fine. I do not get sick. I only need to-” He suddenly stopped and made a face Tony knew all too well. 

“Bathroom, bathroom, bathroom!” Tony shouted, pushing Stephen and this time not getting any resistance. “And there it is.” He grimaced as Stephen threw up into the toilet. “There, there, just let it out.” Tony patted Stephen’s back. “At least your hair isn’t long enough for me to have to hold back. And your phone was still on your desk so you won’t be tempted to text an ex.” 

“What?” Stephen said after a spit. 

“I’m used to helping people who get sick from drinking; new territory for me.” Tony chuckled, pulling his hand back to let the cloak remove itself from Stephen’s back. “Think you can get some water?” He asked the magical fabric, watching it fly off right after. “So, what was that about not being sick?”

“You did this to me. You cursed me.” Stephen groaned. 

“I told you to leave me be, but no, you insisted on making sure I was fine. So I guess it’s my turn to babysit.” Tony rubbed at Stephen’s back this time while his other hand grabbed some toilet paper and handed it to him. “Although, I feel like magical sick is different than what I had going on.”

“I don’t know.” Stephen sighed, wiping his mouth before dropping the toilet paper into the toilet and flushing it. “Maybe some proper rest would do me some good.” He added, seeing his cloak return with a glass of water wrapped up in it. “Thank you.” Stephen stood up and took the water, rinsing his mouth out a few times before downing the rest of the drink. 

“Alright, let’s tuck you in with a bedtime story.” Tony clapped his hands as he straightened up.

“I don’t need that.” Stephen rested the glass on the edge of the sink. 

“Well, too bad; you’re getting it. You’re getting taken care of by the Tony Stark.” Tony worked with the cloak, pushing Stephen from behind while the cloak wrapped around his wrists and pulled him from the front. “I’ll even put on a maid's dress like on that SpongeBob episode.”

“No.” 

“You must really be sick if you’re denying that experience.” 

“I’m going to throw up again.”