My Fault
Steve sat on the bed Tony was lying for two months, not speaking a word to anyone, barely eating and not sleeping. They brought Tony to the Baxter Building because Steve knew Reed Richards was the only one who could be able to help him. And he did, Steve wanted to believe he did but Tony was not waking. Richards was saying he was most likely---dead.
No, Steve would not give up. Tony would wake up. And Steve would never, never let him go again. Steve blamed himself. They used Tony to get to him and this was all his fault. He could never forgive himself.
“Please, Tony, wake up.” He begged for the millionth time. The door opened and Wanda came in.
“Cap, you should sleep. Your superhuman genes will not hold you anymore.” She sounded worried. Steve wanted to tell her it didn’t matter; he wanted to tell her he can’t leave Tony’s side for one second. But he didn’t. He had to keep his team on track and not worried for him.
“I’m fine, Wanda. I just want to stay with him, that’s all.”
“We have visitors.” Peter called from the corridor. “A lot of them.”
Steve was shocked once X-Men, Doctor Strange and the Young Avengers entered the room. He really did not want all these guests here with Tony; he would be uncomfortable from all this attention if he were-he were conscious. But they wouldn’t be here just to give their condolences.
“Hey, Cap.” Wiccan said, smiling warmly. Steve simply nodded.
“Captain, we are all Tony’s friends even he often claims to have none, we all care about him and were deeply sorrowed to hear these news.” Doctor Strange spoke. Steve looked to these people; even Magneto was there near Professor X. Cyclops was there with Angel. Wiccan and Hulking were there. Steve’s mind was off now, thinking of the adventures he experienced with these people along with Tony.
“Steven?” Charles called. Steve snapped out of his dreams.
“Oh, yes, thank you.” He replied sadly.
“That’s why we’ve been working on a theory on how to heal Tony.” Steve widened his eyes at this sentence. “You know Wiccan, Angel and I have healing powers.”
“But-but I thought those powers didn’t work when the body was—the brain was-dead.” Steve lowered his voice while saying this because he didn’t even accept that himself.
“We’ve have done some experiments and we believe that if we combine our powers, we might be able to heal him.” Angel said.
“But it is not for sure, you have to agree to this. We will not do anything unless you say so. It might also permanently damage him or cause his body to die.” Doctor Strange added quickly. Steve didn’t even think.
“Do it.” He had no other choice. “But give me a moment before please.”
They all nodded and left the room.
Steve held Tony’s hand, kissed his forehead. “I love you.”
***
From the nothingness, the dark formed before Tony’s eyes. He was not awake but he felt. He felt the pumping of his heart and he was able to think. And the first thing he could think of was Maria Hill pointing an enormous gun against Steve. He panicked, he had to save Steve. Why wasn’t he feeling anything? Why couldn’t he talk and see? Then he remembered; he did save Steve. It was all okay. Steve was alive. He was feeling hands on his chest now, he felt he was becoming a matter slowly from the numbness. Then he started hearing voices, muttering.
“Did it work?” This was Steve. Tony felt like he didn’t hear his voice in ages. Maybe he didn’t but he still knew it. “DID IT?!”
“Jesus, would you cool it off? My head is hurting.” Tony said but didn’t open his eyes yet. He was used to dark and was afraid to see what the light brings. But he eventually did open his eyes and saw all of his friends looking at him shocked.
“Tony?! Oh my god, you are fucking alive!” Steve cried out with happiness. He was so cute.
“What did I tell you about keeping it cool? And don’t swear Cap, it makes me really uncomfo-” Tony was unable to finish his sentence because Spiderman jumped on him.
“Jesus!” Tony said as Peter hugged him. “Okay, okay!”
Others also hugged him and eventually left. Now only the Avengers were in the room. Steve looked very disturbed and Tony didn’t like that. He just came back from the dead!
“We’ll leave you two alone. See you at the new Mansion. You will be coming this time, won’t you Tony?” Hawkeye asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Of course. I made a mistake and will try my best to make up for it. I can’t go back there.” Tony said, regret showing in his voice.
“Good.” Hawkeye nodded and they headed for the door. When they left, Tony looked at Steve, he didn’t look like he has been listening a word for the last two hours.
“Steve, I’m starting to think my coming-back-to-life upset you.” Tony said, half-jokingly and half serious.
“Of course I am, Tony. More than anyone. It’s just- it’s just that this was my fault. I almost caused your death.” Steve looked down.
“Don’t be ridiculous. That doesn’t even make sense. You didn’t throw me in front of you. Did you?” Tony said.
“Yes, but they imprisoned you because of me. They would torture you if Spiderman and others did not rescue you. And then, then you fucking come and jump in front of the fucking gun… my fault… it is all my fault.” Steve held his head in his hands. He looked so pained and Tony wanted to explain him how it was not his fault, how the things he did was his choice and responsibility. He wanted to make him happy.
“Steve, Steve those were all my making. You have no part in it. My choices and responsibilities. I didn’t even think you had a part in any of this, ever. And you don’t.”
“I know- I just can’t forgive myself for this. I need time. I cannot get you hurt again. I cannot let you get hurt again, Tony.” Tony felt really miserable. He didn’t want Steve to feel responsible and blame himself.
“Cap- listen to you. I got hurt because I chose it. I am Iron Man; nobody could easily hurt me if I don’t want them to.” Tony stated.
“You don’t know that. You have enemies. I have more. And if they can’t get me, they will come for you because—because you are my best friend and I care about you.” Tony muttered ‘obviously’ under his breath when he heard the word friend.
“Then we will fight them together. We are a team. We are partners. We can do it together.” Tony said hopefully.
“I know we can. I know we will. I just need time.”
“For what?”
“To figure out some things.”
“Okay.” Tony was sad. He was.
He will come around, he thought.
He left the room.