A Christmas Miracle

It wasn‘t the first Christmas since Steve had woken up in the 21st century. The first one he‘d spent alone in his Brooklyn SHIELD-provided apartment, volunteering in several soup kitchens to kill time and watching a few modern classics of Christmas movies while attempting to make a roast like his mother had done in the years they could afford a piece of meat worthy the treatment. He‘d felt terribly alone and terribly sorry for himself, but got several calls from his Avenger-friends to check on him and repeatedly get invited to their holiday plans. He had refused then, not knowing what was acceptable at the time. They’d only met a few months prior, spending Christmas together might have been a little to much at that state.

Now, a year later, Steve had decided to not be so daft. When Nat or Clint or maybe even Tony invited him over Christmas Eve, he would accept. But he wasn‘t sure it would happen this time anyway. He hadn‘t heard from Tony in months, his last attempt to connect with the billionaire ineffective because they both had insane schedules. Clint was always AWOL during the holidays, one of those people vanishing into a nicer, warmer climate, coming back in the new year refreshed and happier than ever.

And Nat? Well Nat made a bit of a deal out of not celebrating Christmas, her being Russian and Christmas Eve and Day not having any meaning for her. At least that was what she claimed. But maybe Steve could convince her to have dinner together at least. They‘ve been working together for almost a year and even though Steve wasn‘t sure about how much of a friend she actually was, he felt comfortable with her around, enjoyed her wry humor, her candidness. Maybe he should take that first step this year and ask her over instead of waiting on her. 

Or maybe not.

Because now that Steve had spent twenty minutes on his vintage couch in his SHIELD-provided-D.C.-apartment, he felt how extremely exhausted he actually was. The last mission had run for over two weeks, and it had been excruciating. Steve felt deep, throbbing exhaustion in every bone, a headache that started to become really uncomfortable and an all over ickiness that he couldn’t really ascribe to anything else than not getting any rest in those past weeks. Maybe he should use his days off to sleep and have a few good meals and just relax. Company would be nice but it also sounded like work. With that in mind Steve started drifting a little, he’d stepped out of the shower before sitting down, felt clean for the first time in days, had the radio on, a station from New York that had modern classics from the 30s to 60s and it felt unthreatening and simply nice to listen to something familiar but still new and he let the piano solo in a smooth jazz piece wash over him.

Until there was shrill beep cutting through his fog. Steve jumped a little at the sound, feeling goosebumps all over himself. He had actually drifted into a nap because he was disoriented for a short moment, while the sound was repeated, his phone, on the kitchen counter, he realized. In contrast to everyone around him he had not yet adapted the habit of carrying it with him all the time.

Steve peeled himself off of his nice leather couch and walked over to the kitchen area, feeling his limbs being enormously heavy, his headache worse. He shivered again. The phone still rang even though it had been a moment now and Steve saw that Natasha was calling. He hesitated. Had he made up his mind about Christmas plans? He felt like maybe just sleeping for the next four days would be the best option. 

He sighed and answered the call.

„Hey, Nat,“ he rasped and cleared his throat, feeling an uncomfortable scratchiness.

„Hey, soldier. Saw Tony‘s message?“ Nat asked right away and Steve knit his brow. He had not seen any messages, thought for a moment he might not have gotten it. „He used the Avenger-Network.“

Well that explained it. Steve had not kept his Avenger-mail-address in check. If there was an actual mission he was contacted directly, the mails only contained PR-stuff and organizational things. Steve didn‘t have time for any of that at the moment.

„No, something wrong?“

„No, just we should get going in the following hour to be on time. Stark wants us to show up at the Stark-Industry Christmas banquet. A lot of potential donors for the relief foundation, a lot of shaking hands and smiling,“ Nat explained, and if she was annoyed to be dragged to New York a day before Christmas to attend a black-tie event, she didn’t sound it.

„I just got back from Belize. I‘m pretty exhausted,“ Steve tried to explain his aversion to the idea.

„Yeah sure, Mr-I-don‘t-need-any-vacation-Rogers,“ Nat joked with a huff. And Steve remembered the conversation she was referring to from a few months back in summer, when he had claimed to rather work than go on a trip somewhere, which was mostly due to avoiding too much alone time at a stretch. Work helped with the loneliness, to some degree.

„Yeah, I said that, didn‘t I?“ Steve admitted. „But the past weeks were quite busy, is there a way out of this? How much is Tony depending on our attendance there?“ Steve had no intention to risk a lower donation outcome for the relief foundation just because he was tired.

„You know him. If we cancel he will feel personally affronted. C‘mon, it‘s gonna be fun. Great food, great champagne, a few people to impress with our amazing looks,“ Nat tried to persuade him.

„Not so sure about that on my part, I don‘t even have a good suit,“ Steve argued, rubbing his eyes with the ball of his hand. He felt really tired, shivered again and had the overwhelming urge to just go to bed right then and there.

„Oh, that‘s been taken care of. Tony has something for you to wear, we just have to get to New York, dress up and then make nice for a few hours. I pick you up in thirty minutes, ok?“ she instructed and with that Steve hardly had any chance to talk himself out of this.

„Alright, I might sleep on the flight though,“ Steve announced tiredly, clearing his throat again because the scratchiness was back.

„Yeah, for all of the twenty minutes?“ Nat needled and Steve sighed, realizing they would hop on a Quinjet to get to New York faster.

„Pack a bag, soldier, we might spent another day in New York, unless you have actual Christmas plans, which I’m sure you don’t,“ Nat teased further.

„How can you be so sure?“ 

„Just a hunch.“

„Kay then, see you in a moment,“ Steve ended the conversation and went through his clothes in his head, preparing for a few days away, which was what he had wanted, wasn‘t it? Something to do on Christmas, with people that he liked. He should feel excited, happy or at least happier. But all he felt was bone-deep exhaustion and a really bad headache.

*

The ride to New York had been spent quietly on the Quinjet, after Nat had commented Steve really looked exhausted, as if she‘d been convinced he‘d made it up earlier to get out of the  Avengers-press-inconvenience. So by the time Steve had buckled up in his seat, Nat piloting, his eyes had that gritty feeling of not getting enough sleep and he rubbed them in regular intervals. He had also put the AC down because the drafty air made him shiver over and over again. In addition he was kind of parched and had to clear his throat regularly to fight the scratchiness he couldn’t really shake.

When the New York Skyline came into view, impressive in the dark sky with all the shimmering lights, Steve felt a little dread, being forced to move and even worse, dress in a fancy way and have smalltalk with unknown people for the rest of the evening and part of the night.

But first, Tony.

„About fucking time,“ the billionaire greeted on the platform of Avengers Tower, a smile playing  around his lips. Nat kissed him on the cheek to say hello, rubbing his shoulder.

„Hit some traffic, sorry. Also Steve needed almost an hour to pack his bag,“ Nat teased while Steve walked up to them.

„I did, I wasn‘t sure about the number of days I need underwear for,“ Steve countered with a smile, he and Tony giving each other a manly semi-hug and pat on the back. 

„As long as you feel comfortable with, you know that. You can always crash in your suite here,“ Tony argued. „Also, if you run out of underwear, JARVIS can buy you more.“

„Also, we have access to washing machines in the Tower,“ Nat reminded which made Steve smile, tiredly but hey, he tried.

„Also, you look like shit, in your Adonis-sexiest-man-on-earth kind of way,“ Tony stated and just then Steve shivered from head to toe. The icy New York wind freezing him thoroughly.

„He’s exhausted from the last mission,“ Nat said ominously.

„Why do you say this, as if it‘s not true?“ Steve asked only barely keeping his teeth from chattering, which pointed Tony to motion them to get inside. 

„Because you never get exhausted, maybe tired, but exhausted?“ she explained herself.

„Well, it‘s been a hard year for everyone,“ Tony mediated. „We get you an energy drink or something, just tonight and then you can get some rest, wherever you feel comfortable. If you don‘t wanna spend the night, I have you flown back right after the banquet.“

„No, I will stay here. It‘s easier and I’m kind of looking forward to be home for Christmas,“ Steve argued while they got on the elevator to head to the communal Avengers area.

„Good to hear. Me and Pep are having a quiet Christmas Eve tomorrow, eating at the tower, maybe some walk around Central Park later, a movie. You guys are very welcome to join in. Also on Christmas Morning we’re going to have a few people over for brunch. Bruce is going to come. Some friend’s of Pepper’s, not more then six people though. Again, happy to have you for that. And no worries. No gift-exchanges in any kind.“

„Sounds nice, count me in,“ Nat agreed and Steve was a little surprised she had done that so swiftly. 

„Cap?“ Tony asked facing the quiet man.

„Yeah, after I got some sleep, sounds like a plan,“ Steve agreed as well and then coughed into his fist, the scratchiness of his throat had gotten worse during the flight. His headache too. He needed something to drink.

„Are you ok? You really look washed out?“ Tony asked.

„Really tired, but ok,“ Steve answered.

„Probably the light in here,“ Nat mused and then they arrived on their floor.

The next hour they all spent preparing for the banquet, Steve starting with a scalding hot shower to get the freezing cold out of his bones. It helped a little and it also made his headache a little more bearable. He then made himself a cup of black tea for warmth, his throat and caffeine. Then he dressed in the suit Tony had provided him with, by far the most expensive thing he’d ever put on, well, apart from his suit, the Captain America suit, the new, Tony-improved version that cost 20,000 dollars. This black suit here had a shiny, silk lapel and was from Louis Vuitton, who Steve had never heard of. He also had a silken bow-tie, matching the lapel. The dress-shirt was the smoothest thing Steve had ever put on, so white it was almost blinding or at least made his eyes sting a little more then they already were. The collar fit perfectly, even though Steve would have preferred it a little loser, with his throat still not feeling great. The whole suit felt like hugging his body exactly, Tony must have gotten it tailored to Steve’s unusual size, with the shoulders wide but the hips very small. He had to admit, he looked pretty great in it, apart from his pasty face. The exhausting past weeks had really impacted on his normally fresh face, giving him an unnatural pallor, not the one his Irish ancestry normally caused, but a sickly sheen to it. His eyes had dark bags under them, his lips lacked color. He looked …, sick?

Steve furrowed his brow. Was he getting sick? He hadn‘t gotten sick since before the serum, so he had been convinced his body was able to fight everything off from then on. Why should that be different now? It surely was only the extreme exhaustion. He had gone too long without sleep and food on the last SHIELD-mission, had overworked himself a bit. A good night’s rest would sort it out again. And then he could have a nice Christmas with his Avenger-colleagues. He was actually looking forward to that, convinced the aches and heaviness would have been conquered tomorrow. And with that he stepped out of the room he had used to dress himself and headed to the communal area to wait for Nat.

*

The banquet was every bit Steve had imagined. Rich New Yorkers in expensive clothing posing around to make sure people see how rich and important they actually were. And of course all for charity. Steve didn’t know the majority of people Tony introduced him to and the first hour and a half he spent mainly listening to conversations he had no idea were what about. Nat was a natural with these people, most likely an occupational hazard, being able to lie on the spot. She seemed to have fun, drinking champagne and laughing at the right moment. Steve tried that too, not the champagne but pretending to be entertained by the people that he was drawn into a conversation with. It worked somewhat, but Steve felt he was fading fast. He was just too exhausted to begin with. His legs even getting a little shaky after a while. Also it was terribly drafty in Gotham hall, so much that Steve had a hard time keeping from shivering over and over again. He had no idea how Nat managed with her flimsy dress, that Steve had to admit looked amazing but also very very thin. Same for Pepper who wore a strapless gown and not even a shawl to protect her from the low temperatures of the room. 

After those first rounds of champagne and mingling people took their seats at the tables to have dinner while the entertainment program started on the stage. Steve picked at the six courses that were put in front of him, the fancy food not looking very appetizing to him. Nat sat next to him, taking a couple of the dishes off his plate to have them as well as her own, obviously being starved. Steve couldn’t get anything down, he just felt too off. Trembling on and off, his headache throbbing heavily behind his eyes, his arms and legs so heavy and his eyes, dammit his eyes were burning, the plethora of festive light decoration making it worse. Steve had turned quiet while they dined, only answering here or there when someone talked to him. His other neighbor was an elderly woman, Steve hadn’t gotten the name off. She was nice, not too all over him but she asked a couple of questions here or there, mostly about his childhood in Brooklyn where she had also grown up only a few years after he had. Under normal circumstances Steve might have even enjoyed that conversation, and he was sure Tony had seated her next to him for that exact reason. But tonight, nothing felt right.

Steve would have loved to order a cup of tea, his throat blazing in pain by then, but he wasn’t sure it was an option in a setting like this to order outside the dinner menu. He hoped they would hand out coffee with dessert, so that he could have a hot drink at some point.

„You‘re making that face again,“ Nat whispered to him and Steve had no idea what she meant but straightened up from his slight slouch, guarding his face, making it neutral again, if that was possible.

„What face?“ he croaked and Nat looked questioningly at him.

„The one you make when things get overwhelming. Your jaw has been clenching non-stop for the past hour,“ Nat answered in the lowest volume possible in their setting. Steve wasn’t sure how to answer. Yes, he was overwhelmed because this was all too much right this moment. But he could not simply excuse himself and head home. Home? Well, the tower.

„Are you ok?“ Nat asked after Steve had kept quiet. 

„Not sure,“ Steve gave in carefully.

„We can step outside for a moment, get some fresh air on the balcony?“  Steve thought about it and it sounded nice apart from the fact that it was freezing outside and he hardly kept himself from trembling openly in here already. But then again, the noise of the jazz-band and the clatter of cutlery on porcelain and the hum of continuous conversation was really hard to ignore and Steve didn’t know if he managed a lot more of this. A quiet moment might to wonders. So he nodded towards Nat and accepted her offer. 

So they both excused themselves for some fresh air, leaving the table between the last savory and first sweet course and while they did that, Nat went over to Tony and whispered something into his ear, which made the billionaire raise his eyebrows in question but she didn‘t add anything and that way they walked through the aisles of tables to get to the outside area.

Ice-cold air hit Steve in the face the moment they stepped out. They were not alone on the balcony, some people were smoking or doing the same as them, taking a small break. But it felt so much better than the noise-intense hall, the late night city providing a tranquility that made Steve sigh in relief. Until the cold temperatures had infiltrated his expensive suit. He saw Nat shivering a little next to him and quickly took off his dinner jacket to drape it over her shoulders.

„So chivalrous,“ she commented but her eyes kept on Steve, while he started shivering in earnest. They stayed like that for another quiet moment until Steve chattered with his teeth and Natasha pursed her lips.

„I’ve never seen you tremble like that from cold,“ she stated eventually, putting her hand on his arm, feeling the quivering muscles below the thin shirt.

„Don’t know what this is today. Been freezing on an off since noon,“ Steve tried to explain without making it much clearer. Now Nat furrowed her brow.

„Are you feeling ok?“ she asked sincerely, not in any way teasing.

„Tired, like I told you,“ Steve argued and then wrapped his arms around himself, quivering expressively, his whole body as it seemed. Nat put the dinner jacket back over his shoulders.

„No, take it and lets head back inside. You are shaking like a leaf,“ she instructed but Steve was hesitant. Yes, he was very cold and sore and everything felt off, but the quiet here outside, it felt like velvet wrapping him up.

„I need another moment,“ he managed to say and then coughed into his fist, this time it wasn‘t just a small hack but it actually grew into a wet coughing fit, that scraped Steve‘s throat something awful. Nat didn‘t say anything for a long moment, just rubbed his back a little. Once Steve was quiet again he closed his burning eyes, feeling how that was such a relief, leaning against the banister, just feeling how overly spent he was, everything was heavy and throbbing with pain. He couldn‘t imagine to go back in there and pretend another few hours to not be feeling dreadful. He felt so unwell, and it hit him all of a sudden. 

He was sick. 

He was coming down with something, pretty much there already, closing his eyes only brought one thing up he wished for. Bed. Laying his head down and wrapping up in several warm blankets, closing his aching eyes and drifting to sleep.

„Let‘s get back,“ Nat suggested again and unbeknownst to Steve‘s realization she just dragged Steve away from the banister back into the much warmer but much louder gala hall. They walked back to their seats, Steve feeling shaky, his knees being weak even, he chattered with his teeth, his dinner jacket back on which he tried to get deeper into to counteract the enormous chill that had taken over his whole body. Nat had led him back to his seat by then, his other neighbor not around and Steve sat down with a huff, taking a sip from his water glass, trying to fend of the achiness in his throat. He really dreaded the next hours but there sure wasn‘t anything he could do about it. He just hoped it wouldn’t get any worse than now, maybe he was able to excuse himself and go back to the tower after dinner and the entertainment was over. Maybe? Not likely though, because Tony wanted to parade him and Nat around for the donors to open their wallets a little more. Steve was part of the entertainment himself and he knew he wouldn‘t be able to muster the strength to smile through all of that any longer.

He noticed Nat hadn‘t taken her seat with him again and looked around for her in confusion. He saw her back with Tony, having taken a seat next to him where Pepper was absent for a moment. They talked quietly and because Tony was at another table, Steve had no idea what it was about. Then Tony looked into his direction and put his lips together, forming a thin line.

Uh oh. The billionaire wasn‘t happy with Steve‘s nightly performance, that was for sure. Tony got up from his seat and started across the hall into Steve‘s direction. Someone intercepted him and a couple of replies were swapped before Tony continued towards Steve, who felt weirdly at display. He sipped some more water, the throat ache getting worse before it felt a little better. Then Tony had reached him and leaned carefully down to Steve‘s ear, his warm hand on Steve‘s shoulder, squeezing for a moment.

„A word, Cap?“ Tony asked carefully and Steve grew wary.

„What‘s wrong?“ he answered, feigning confusion. 

„That‘s what I‘d like to know, come with me,“ Tony asked nicely but Steve had the impression he couldn’t really deny the request so the two left the table and headed for the direction of the restrooms, which Steve was glad for because he had dreaded the low temperatures of the balcony. They walked for a moment, down a hallway Steve normally had no access to, down a flight of stairs, Steve feeling his wobbly knees impressively and then they reached a quiet hallway, Tony entering a room, which looked like a dressing room for the performers, but it was empty.

„Take a seat,“ Tony instructed.

„What‘s going on?“ Steve asked instead.

„Please, humor me, ok?“ Tony asked nicely once again. Steve did as he was asked to and sat down on the sofa, Tony taking a seat next to him, taking out a small device, something he used to scan things, give JARVIS the chance to analyze data. He held it over Steve‘s forehead which made no sense at all to the super soldier, but walking back here had sapped so much energy, Steve just sat quietly for a moment to collect some strength. He even closed his eyes for a second, the gritty feeling burning behind his lids, in addition he shivered again and again. 

„Ok, Cap. Why the hell are you such a stupid idiot? What would you think will happen if you tell us you‘re not feeling well? We‘re not gonna kick you out of our secret club just because you‘re not super-duper-über-human anymore, ok? Are we clear about that?“ Tony began to rant the next moment and Steve opened his eyes in confusion.

„What?“ he only managed to croak, then coughed a little.

„You, Steven Rogers, are running a fever of 102.1 degrees. I would assume that‘s not the only thing not great right now?“ Tony explained and held the display out  for Steve to see who could only furrow his brow. He hadn‘t guessed to actually run a fever already, but it made more than sense.

„Tell me, I want to hear symptoms. I knew you looked off when you got here,“ Tony shook his head in disbelieve and then raised his eyebrows to get Steve to answer him.

„Throat is sore, and I ache all over,“ Steve came clear and now that he knew he had a fever, he felt ten times worse all of a sudden. „Pounding headache, my eyes burn and I‘m so cold.“

„Sounds like you‘re getting the flu or the meanest cold on the face of the earth,“ Tony assumed and sighed heavily.

„I‘m sorry, I know it‘s inconvenient with tonight and…“

„Would you quit that, who the fuck cares about tonight? You think I‘m gonna drag you through the rest of this even though you feel like crap? Seriously, Cap. What kind of person do you think I am?“ 

„I just assumed, it‘s important and all,“ Steve tried to defend himself.

„No, no it really isn’t. Also Nat has this down, ok? We get you home now, straight to bed, maybe you‘re super-blood is able to nip this in the bud over night and you‘re not sick for all of Christmas.“ 

„We?“ was all Steve had taken from Tony‘s answer.

„Yes, me and you. Gonna quickly inform Pepper about this, then I have Happy drive us home and we get you sorted out for the night, ok?“ Tony lay down the plan and Steve felt such a relief, his eyes welled up with tears.

„Hey, it‘s gonna be ok,“ Tony said softly, rubbing Steve‘s neck. „Have you tucked in bed in an hour latest, promise.“

Steve only nodded his head and tried to relax a little, while Tony swiftly left to inform the others about this. 

*

The drive back was uncharacteristically quiet, Tony normally filling every moment with chatter just to fill the void. But this time he kept his mouth mostly shut, while Steve leaned against his side of the backseat, his heavy head, aching forehead pressed against the cold window. He had tried to keep his eyes open but they shut on their own after a few minutes in the car. Steve felt the hum of the engine and the vibrations from driving and it kept him from really falling asleep. But when Tony gently shook him after the car had stopped Steve noticed he hadn‘t felt Tony draping his own dinner jacket over him, so he probably had drifted into a light doze.

They headed up the tower back to the Avengers suites. Steve tried to remember if the bed had been prepared in the room he had dressed in. He couldn‘t remember at all while they rode up the elevator, which was weird. He really must be sick, everything was unreal and far away, even his thoughts.

„What do you need?“ Tony asked all of a sudden, making Steve face him while leaning sluggishly against the elevator wall, Tony‘s jacket draped over this own, still trembling from the walk in the drafty parking garage.

„What do you mean?“ Steve managed to ask back.

„What makes you feel better? You can‘t take any cold meds or ibuprofen, isn‘t it? But what do you need when you fall ill? Certain kind of tea or cough syrup or kind of blanket? Anything?“ Tony cleared up. Steve put all the energy he still had into straightening up a little and coughed again into his elbow, hoping he wouldn’t spread this to Tony or Nat, whatever he had managed to catch.

„Not sure,“ Steve whispered afterwards and then the elevator arrived at their floor.

„Hot water bottle or rather cold compress? Gonna take your temp again once you‘re in bed,“ Tony announced while leading Steve out of the elevator and down the hall. The sick man was shivering non-stop and wobbly and looked like dropping down the first comfy surface he encountered.

„Just a warm blanket and some tea, should be enough,“ Steve said eventually, trying to remember anything that he always needed when coming down with something. His Ma had made a good soup, if they could afford it. She also brought most medicine from work, that helped clear Steve‘s chest and keep his fever down. When he lived with Bucky they didn‘t have medicine remotely as much. Bucky had always made calf packs when Steve‘s fever had been too high. Cough syrup, that was something he almost always needed, every cold going straight to his chest and staying there for weeks.

„Maybe something for the cough, I tend to get bad chest colds,“ Steve added even though he had no idea if that was still the case.

„Ok, a humidifier could help prevent that. Get into bed, I fetch what I can and make you tea? Any preferences?“ Tony said while they reached the room Steve would stay in for the night and yes the bed was prepared, but Steve knew Tony might have arranged that while they had been on their way back.

„Erm, chamomile or other herbal tea,“ Steve offered and saw Tony nodding his head.

„Sure thing, back soon,“ Tony said while giving Steve some privacy to undress. It took Steve quite a while to do that, and he had made the mistake to mainly undress down to his underwear, without having his sleep clothes at hand, which he then had to go and look for in the suite. Someone from staff surely having put his bag and everything in it in the designated compartment, wherever that was. So Steve walked around trembling and shaking and chattering with his teeth until he found his clothes in the walk-in closet which he hadn‘t even known existed. He threw his sweatshirt he‘d brought on and wanted to get his jogging pants on as well but decided against it, not knowing if he might be fine tomorrow or the day after and then craving his morning run. So he resigned himself to keep on freezing while he brushed his teeth in the adjacent bathroom and after finishing went straight to the king-sized bed, diving into the fresh sheets, a thick comforter at the foot of the bed which Steve wrapped tightly around himself. It felt overwhelmingly good for a few moments. The shivers ebbed down, his head ached a little less, he closed his sore eyes and just sighed in relief. He was actually lying down and he could sleep, wasn‘t supposed to keep himself awake because people needed him to do so. It felt so good.

Until it didn’t. Because the tightness in his chest that had developed on the ride back, got worse, the soreness of this throat was impressively getting more severe, chills broke over his body, making him shake in the bed. He crammed closer together, the trembling not impressed by that. 

„Cap?“ Steve heard a soft voice and then a hand was rubbing his back.

„So cold,“ Steve mumbled with a congested sniff and only then realized that he had actually just complained to Tony about not being warm. Pathetic.

„I have another blanket for you, but only if your fever isn’t too high,“ Tony answered to Steve‘s slightly frantic statement. Steve felt Tony sit down next to him on the bed, fumbling with the comforter Steve had in a death grip.

„Let me check your temp, Cap. C‘mon, unclench a little,“ he instructed and Steve turned on his back and let Tony put the scanner on his forehead, feeling the dreaded chills all over his body again, it did not seem to stop anymore.

„103. But looks like your hypothalamus isn’t satisfied yet. As long as you still have the chills use the second comforter, but when you start being hot take some layers off ok?“ Tony said and spread the thick, quilted blanket over Steve, swaddling him a little even, wrapping his feet tightly to keep drafts from entering the blanket worm.

„Also drink some water, and there is herbal tea on the nightstand right here. I got an order for a very potent cough syrup out. As soon as it was delivered I bring it and you can take a dose,“ Tony explained while Steve sipped from a straw held in front of him. The cool water making him shiver even more.  Then Tony put a weird device on the other side of Steve‘s bed, and switched it on. A very soft humming sounded and vapor appeared from an opening. Steve watched it with his red-rimmed, sore eyes, not sure what to make of this.

„Just an air humidifier, it helps with severe congestion, just a precaution, because you mentioned you get bad chest colds easily,“ Tony explained and now Steve understood, his fever-addled brain slowly catching up.

„Thank you Tony,“ he rasped and then turned on his side again, tightly burying into the blankets around him.

„No problem, remember to take a blanket off in a bit, and drink your tea. JARVIS will keep an eye on you ok? If you need anything just tell him and get some rest. Hopefully it‘s better tomorrow,“ Tony said low and gently rubbed Steve‘s arm and shoulder.

„Yeah, hope so. If not I‘ll head back to D.C. Don’t want to spread this around,“ Steve mumbled close to drifting to sleep.

„Yeah, that‘s not gonna happen but we talk about it tomorrow. Don‘t worry now,“ Tony almost whispered and then Steve felt the man getting off the bed while the first wave of fever warmth wrapped him up and dragged him down into restless sleep.

*

Steve had no recollection of the night, not that he had slept peacefully and without disturbance, he was sure of that. He felt like he had run a marathon after lying down but he had no actual memory of anything, not even of the weird fever dreams he very likely must have had, he always had when coming down with a high fever. 

Steve slowly turned around in the huge bed, the two comforters he had buried himself under when crawling into bed lay pell-mell on the bed, pushed away at some point during the night when his fever had broken. If it actually had broken? Steve wasn‘t so sure. He felt not as awful as last night but he definitely didn‘t feel great, the deep heaviness weighing him into the mattress, his head still ached, his throat ached even more, his chest felt tight and hot and itchy, his nose was all stuffed up and itchy. Steve slowly lifted his head, the room swimming a little before his eyes while he managed to sit upright on trembling arms. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt that weak but the sensation was so familiar, he moved on auto-pilot. Heavy limbs, achy head, goosebumps allover and a rattling cold shaking his frame, which meant fever, which meant possibly slight dehydration, which meant he needed to get into the kitchen for some water, maybe managing to make himself a cup of tea. Yeah, autopilot. Some things you simply don’t forget. It’s like riding a bike really. Steve had never done that as a kid, he didn’t have a bike. After the serum was the first time on a bike and he simply did it, just mounted it and rode off, no training to keep the balance, nothing. Weird, what the serum could do, made him able to ride a bike just like that but not able to fight a simple virus down in time for Christmas. Well, it couldn’t be held against it, Steve supposed. His non-serum body had often given out around Christmas as well. It was most likely the stress around this time of year and well, maybe flu-season setting properly in.

With that in mind Steve had managed to walk out of his room down the hallway to the communal kitchen, his arms draped around himself, shivering now that he was out of bed. His knees were so weak, his whole body screaming at him to sit down again. He was so parched which told him enough, he really needed some water. And when he entered the kitchen he saw that he was definitely not the only one. Natasha sat, halfway lay at the kitchen table, her head only held up by one hand supporting it, eyes half-mast, an unusual paleness to her face. Tony was behind her, making coffee as it seemed, still dressed in pjs. What time was it?

„What time is it?“ Steve asked aloud and both Avengers turned towards him, Tony raising his eyebrows and Nat actually opening her eyes to look at him.

„Look what the cat dragged in,“ she said, sounding a little more hoarse than she normally did.

„A little after 10, sit down, Cap. You look like hell,“ Tony said and was already at Steve‘s side, leading his elbow over to the seats, getting him on one of the bar stools next to Natasha.

„Great night?“ she asked him with a tired smile and then rubbed her whole face.

„Swell,“ Steve answered looking intently at Nat, noticing how exhausted she looked from up-close. „Don‘t tell me you‘re getting sick too?“

„Yes she does, yuppie-flu, entirely her fault too,“ Tony chimed in and then put a huge cup of very dark coffee in front of the spy. Steve furrowed his brow in question.

„I don’t regret a thing,“ she said before taking the cup between both her hands, blowing the heat of the drink down. Steve kept looking confused and then suddenly shivered from head to toe, his breath hitching several times before he sneezed explosively into his elbow while turning away from his friends. He sniffled afterwards, completely stopped up. Tony handed him a box of tissues which Steve was very thankful for.

„At least I don‘t do that,“ Nat argued before sipping her coffee.

„No, but barfing in my limousine is definitely worse than sneezing in my communal kitchen,“ Tony teased from behind them, putting the kettle on as it seemed.

„You what? Nat? Are you that ill. I‘m so sorry…,“ Steve began in worry when Nat put a hand on his biceps, squeezing lightly.

„Steve, I‘m hungover as hell. You didn‘t get me sick,“ she clarified and Steve felt stupid to not have caught that beforehand, but also he felt terrible, how was he supposed to keep up with them?

„Cap, how do you feel?“ Tony asked then when he put a mug with a tea-bag in it in front of Steve, casually feeling the sick man’s cheek with the back of his hand.

„Not much better, I’m afraid. What do you think is faster, the train or a plane-ride? I would say train because getting to JFK and all the security etc.?“ 

„You’re joking, right?“ Nat asked with narrowed eyes.

„He’s not. He actually thinks it would be the best option for him to head back to D.C.,“ Tony answered for Steve, who was now cradling the hot beverage just like Natasha had done. Nat was shaking her head now, sipping more coffee and then sat up straighter, as if her hangover had only been a ruse for Tony to trick him into making her coffee.

„Ok, let me be straight here for a second, Steve,“ she began and Tony took a seat next to her, obviously a paying customer for the following show. „You need to be honest with us, I‘m gonna ask you a question and if you give me any crap now, you will learn what it means to have me being angry with you. So, ready?“

Steve nodded his head in anticipation, not daring to take his eyes off of her.

„Are you the kind of person who craves some company when feeling crummy or are you someone who would prefer to hide in a dark cave and be left alone until feeling a hundred percent again? Remember, be honest.“

Steve kept quiet for a moment, he felt like shit, his fever was rising again, he could feel his chest getting congested, the room was spinning, but he was ok enough to know exactly where his answer would lead to and for the briefest second he was all inclined to state he always preferred to be left completely alone. Only for a brief moment though.

„Company actually,“ he mumbled and averted his gaze.

„Then why, pray tell, do you want to head to D.C. now? When you have the flu, on Christmas Eve, which you will spent in your apartment all alone, no one there to bring you a glass of water even?“ Nat was definitely not happy about this and her whole demeanor was a little angered.

„I really don’t want anyone else to get sick now,“ Steve tried to defend himself.

„We should test you for the flu, which I‘m pretty sure you have. And if that is the case, there is no reason to worry. We all got a flu-jab in October, all but you, because for some reason SHIELD felt it was unnecessary to give Captain America a flu-vaccine. Well, figures they got that wrong as well,“ Tony argued. „Also, should we be worried you fell ill? Should we maybe get SHIELD medical involved?“

„I’d appreciate if not,“ Steve answered low, his throat hurting when he spoke.

„I‘m sure it‘s enough to get him on the couch with a few blankets, gallons of tea and some tissues. Also Bruce is coming in the afternoon, he can add his two cents to this,“ Nat suggested.

„Is that what you want, Cap? Couch and movies and tea?“ 

And in all honesty, it was exactly what Steve wanted, but he also didn‘t want to addle any plans.

„That sounds nice but I don‘t want to inconvenience anyone…“

„No please, inconvenience me, you‘re my guest,“ Tony interrupted but it was not what Steve wanted to hear and Tony noticed that the same moment.

„Honestly Cap, you lying on that couch and napping and watching a movie and drinking tea is so far from changing any plans. Slow couch-Christmas with movies, remember? Going for a  walk if someone feels like it, but if not, all good, couch it is. So this is the perfect Christmas plan to accommodate your flu.“

„And if you feel too sick for company, you simply go to your room and rest some and then you come back if you feel like company again? No pressure. Just do what makes you feel better, which we really should start with right now, you look awful, soldier,“ Nat summed up.

„Yeah, right back at you,“ Steve countered with Nat being all pasty right in front of him.

„Well, only to make the transition easier for you. I‘ll be your couch buddy for the next six hours. C‘mon, let’s get comfortable!“ Nat announced and then took her coffee and went over to the lounge area. Steve looked at Tony with raised eyebrows and the billionaire just nodded his head.

„I’ll be with you in a moment, just get some stuff for you, sick people provisions,“ Tony explained and Steve sighed but then followed Natasha out of the kitchen.

*

The end-credits to The Empire strikes back were just beginning when Nat whipped her head around to Steve, eyes wide and brows raised in anticipation. The man in question lay spread out on the big lounge-sofa, swaddled in several blankets, propped up with three pillows, his bleary eyes half open, a wad of tissues gripped in his hand, which he dabbed his runny nose with, when it was leaking onto his upper lip again. He had hardly moved for the duration of the second Star Wars movie, the first he still had been sitting upright for, his feet on the couch.

„And?“ Tony interrogated now. „Blown away?“ 

„Why?“ Steve asked in confusion, had he missed something ground breaking? Not that the movie hadn’t been good. It was good, entertaining but not much more he guessed, although somewhere in between his hot, fiery eyes closed shut here and there. Maybe he had missed something.

„Did you know about the twist? Don’t tell me you knew this before?“ Tony asked his hopes on their way to get crushed.

„Twist?“ Steve asked in confusion. He really hadn’t paid enough attention.

„Luke being Vader’s son?“ Nat helped Steve out and he knew it should have made him feel excited but all he felt was sick. He was so sick.

„Did you follow the plot? How bad do you feel, Steve?“ Tony asked worry tinging his question.

„I followed, just tapped out here or there. And I knew about the father-thing. Read it somewhere I think, also that they are siblings, which felt weird when they kissed in the beginning,“ Steve argued and then tried to sit up somewhat, managing only after the third attempt.

„Tony? You know what time it is?“ Nat announced while Steve tried to order the pile of blankets around him.

„Oh, is it my favorite past-time of the day again?“ Tony asked in excitement and Nat smiled from ear to ear.

„Yes, it‘s time for, guess the temp!!“ they shouted in unison and Steve closed his eyes in resignation, having hoped they would not work themself so up about this but who was he kidding, spending time with the most competitive people on the face of the earth.

„After you,“ Tony said while Nat prepared for her turn to gauge the exact number of Steve’s current body temperature. She lay her head, the palm flat, on Steve‘s forehead for three seconds until Tony harrumphed to signal the time was up. Then she put the same palm to Steve’s neck, for another three seconds. Then it was Tony’s turn, Steve being a good sport let himself be touched for their entertainment, because in all honesty someone checking him for temperature was kind of a nice gesture and he felt weirdly taken care of.

„Ok, let’s do this, Cap,“ Tony announced and then put his knuckles to Steve’s temple, a different version of checking for fever than he had used the last two rounds. When his time was up he furrowed his brow and brought his index to his lips, sighing slightly.

„Tony? We’re on a schedule here,“ Nat reminded.

„Ok, I will use my lips on his forehead for the second time,“ Tony announced casually and bowed down to Steve, getting closer to his head.

„You what?“ the sick one asked doubtfully.

„It‘s a legitimate check-method, my mother did that with me?“ The billionaire argued.

„Yeah, but maybe that is a bit too intimate for Steve, what do you think?“ Nat tried to come to the rescue.

„Is it, Cap? Then I won‘t do it. But just you know, completely platonic forehead kiss, doesn‘t mean a thing,“ Tony explained and now Steve just sighed once more. He didn’t care, like not at all. He just wanted some quiet and to get it over with.

So he nodded his consent and the next moment he felt Tony’s rather rough lips on his sensitive skin for a good long second and then two and then…

„What are you doing?“ came the questioning voice from the entrance of the room. The lips were gone and Steve craned his neck to see if it was the person he thought might have come.

„Hey Pep, just checking Steve’s temperature,“ Tony explained nonchalantly. 

„Don‘t you think your method’s a little archaic and not exact enough? Have you tried letting JARVIS scan him?“ Pepper asked with a glint in her eyes.

„It‘s a quiz, Pep. Who‘s closer to the actual number wins, wanna go a round?“ Tony invited, when Pepper came over to the couch, dressed in casual but still somehow festive clothes, her hair made up and some make-up on, obviously having prepared for the night.

„I think it would be best if Steve gets some rest,“ she offered instead.

„Oh, of course, he is resting for most of the day already, this is just innocent fun at his expanse,“ Tony teased.

„I don‘t mind Pepper, really,“ Steve said low and then closed his eyes for a second. The darkness felt wonderful.

„Tony, he is obviously feeling very ill, leave the man be,“ Pepper instructed, a strictness in her tone that kind of killed the vibe a little.

„Ok, but for the last time can we do it? Nat and I have gotten our info already, just have to compare and take his temp for real. It’s the third time, it will decide for the night,“ Tony argued like a child.

„Just do it Tony,“ Steve mumbled from the couch, while Pepper had vanished to the kitchen, bringing the groceries she had bought.

„Ok, Nat? Wanna start?“, Tony invited.

„Yeah right, ok. 102.1, no, 102.2,“ Nat decided on.

„Last chance?“ She nodded her head. „Fine, we lock you in at 102.2. I say 101.9,“ Tony said and then got the scanner from the coffee table to hold it against Steve’s forehead.

„Pepper last chance?“ Tony called into the kitchen and now Pepper came back, with a cup of fresh tea in her hand.

„Ok, ok,“ she gave in, put the tea in front of Steve and then swiftly held the back of her hand to Steve‘s cheek, only for a short second. „Steve? You poor thing.“

„What do you say?“ Tony asked again.

„102.4,“ Pepper added to the conversation and then Tony took his hand away from the display which showed 102.9 degrees. With that it was silent for a long moment.

„Shit,“ Nat said after a while.

„Yeah, not good,“ Tony added.

„You should take something, Steve,“ Pepper offered, gently rubbing the ill man‘s shoulder.

„He can‘t, metabolism is too fast for normal drugs,“ Nat explained.

„Well, the fever is too high, it‘s not even four o‘clock yet.“

„It‘s ok. I think I will head to bed for a bit, get some sleep,“ Steve suggested and they all agreed that might be for the best. Steve got off the couch and swayed a little before the room righted itself and he started walking to his room, while Nat collected a few of the blankets and his tea to follow him and tuck him in.

„Has he been feeling this bad the whole day?“ Pepper asked  when the others where out of earshot.

„Not sure. Fever was fluctuating around 102 for the majority of the day, so this is definitely quite a change. Maybe some quiet and sleep helps a little and he can join us for dinner. I will call Bruce and discuss this with him, maybe he has an idea what we might give him to get the fever down for a couple of hours,“ Tony proposed and Pepper nodded her head.

„Yes, it would be sad if he can’t leave the bed tonight. But if it’s more comfortable, I’m sure we can eat here, so that he can at least take part.“

„Yeah, good idea, I think sitting at the table is pretty much out of the question but lying down here for another hour or two, might be possible.“

*

„Get inside Stevie, c‘mon, do you need another cold?“ Bucky called from inside, sitting at the kitchen table, his shirt taken off because the room was stuffy and hot, the heat from the day not leaving because of the downpour outside. Steve sat on the fire-escape, half soaked from the warm rain, enjoying the cooling effect after a day of incessant sweating.

„It’s July, Buck,“ Steve called back, scoffing at his friend‘s mother-henning.

„Last year you had the worst head cold on your birthday, summer or not, don‘t get cold, if you can help it,“ Bucky softly lectured and Steve rolled his eyes a little but not too much because he knew it wasn‘t that far off. His body had a weird reaction to cold, he easily came down with a sniffle from just getting a bit cooled off too much and he didn‘t want to be sick yet again, not with his only days off in the year right around the corner. So he stepped back inside, shaking his wet hair next to Bucky dripping onto the paper he was trying to read.

„Hey Punk, go, dry off. Let’s head out for one of Hester’s tin-cakes when the rain died down,“ Bucky suggested and Steve smiled widely. He loved those small cakes and he loved the smell of the city right after a heavy summer rain. The dust and dirt being washed out of the air for a few hours. If it wasn’t too humid or hot, he was able to breathe better with is sick lungs than he normally did.

So Steve headed back to the bedroom to change into dry clothes, the window wide open, the strong rain like a sound blanket wrapping up every other noise outside. The swoosh of the downpour like a strange animal, hissing in the distant. The sound of summer, of fresh air, of clean streets, of…

Steve suddenly jerked awake when the rain stopped. The rain? There was no rain outside, was there? He wasn’t really that confused but he hadn’t really noticed to drift to sleep and the sound of running water and his dream, that all mingled in his feverish mind to bring him that piece of dream-memory. Steve shook his head and slowly sat up in bed, while Nat casually strolled out of his bathroom, drying her hair in a towel.

„Why did you take a shower here?“ Steve asked, his confusion getting the better of him.

„I didn’t want to leave you so long,“ Nat explained. „Also, your shower is the nicest, best view and all.“ Steve wasn‘t sure what to answer, maybe she was sincere, maybe she was making fun of him, he had no strength to keep up with her anymore.

„You ok?“ she asked a little worried.

„Feeling pretty sick,“ Steve mumbled and then let his drop behind into the pile of fluffy pillows.

„Could you catch some sleep?“ Natasha asked while bringing the damp towel back to the bathroom, reappearing a moment later. Only now Steve noticed she had changed her clothes after the shower, wearing a nice but casual dress now.

„I think so, had some dreams,“ Steve answered, fighting the urge to cough down.

„Something good?“ she asked, having taken a seat on the bed next to him again, where she had spent the past couple of hours, reading and napping herself.

„Guess so, back in Brooklyn, our small apartment, in the height of summer, it was warm,“ Steve recalled and then felt Nat feeling his forehead.

„Yeah, we need to tackle that fever, Cap. Bruce has arrived, let him get a look at your blood. Maybe he can help?“ Nat suggested.

„By looking at my blood? Doubt that,“ Steve argued, because he needed to be careful. Not that he didn’t trust Bruce but still, blood samples had to be avoided at all costs.

„Let him check you out, ok?“ Nat tried once more, gently wiping some hair away from Steve’s forehead. He needed a haircut. Hadn’t had the chance to get one for almost two months now, the hair in front getting too long.

„Fine,“ Steve agreed and then slowly prepared for heading out to the communal area again. He had heard some people out there, preparing dinner most likely and had debated if he felt ok enough to eat with everyone. He really wasn‘t sure about it and it took some time until he managed to get up, he felt overwhelmed with a piercing headache, the overall body aches and shivers and the tightness of his chest. He coughed wetly and needed to sit down on the bed again to catch his breath. The humidifier had been on the past hours but still the deep chesty cough had taken over Steve’s bronchi, like it always did. He should try the cough syrup, Tony had gotten for him, but feared it wouldn’t work like all normal medication. Nat was right, maybe Bruce could help. 

So Steve collected all the energy he had and then headed for the bathroom to freshen up a little. Once he had managed that, he changed and swapped his sweatshirt with a sweater, that felt uncomfortable on his sensitive skin but looked a lot less like pjs. He debated changing into slacks as well, as he had actually planned, but decided to keep his joggers on. He just felt too sick for real life pants.

When he was finished, Nat had styled her hair and was looking a lot less hungover than in the morning. She appeared very put together and looked gorgeous as always.

„You look nice,“ Steve said in a hoarse voice.

„You look like putting on that sweater took more out of you than you had,“ Nat said and didn‘t want to be mean but just honest.

„Yeah, spot on,“ Steve admitted.

„Hey, just go back to bed, if you feel like it. You don‘t have to have dinner with us,“ she made sure Steve didn’t feel obligated to sit through this.

„I want to, at least want to try. Might go back to bed in half an hour, but at least have some food with you, ok?“ Steve said sincerely and Nat nodded her head.

„Alright,“ Nat agreed but rubbed Steve‘s back slowly while waiting for him to be ready to head outside.

They entered the dining area of the communal spaces, the smell of a roast and vegetables hang in the air, Tony was serving wine to Pepper and Bruce who had taken a seat already. Soft piano jazz was playing. The lights were dimmed, candles on the dining table, all perfectly set.

„Nat, Steve, s’good to see you,“ Bruce greeted and got up to give Nat a swift hug, Steve a pad on the back.

„Steve, how do you feel? Good enough for dinner with us?“ Pepper greeted and squeezed the ill man’s shoulder while he sat down at the table.

„I slept for a bit, probably not gonna feel any better today, but it’s Christmas,“ Steve explained him being around even though he didn’t feel any better yet.

„I get that, we have the first course here, it‘s soup. After that we can relocate to the couches, more comfortable for you,“ Pepper offered.

„No, don‘t worry about it, please.“

„Didn‘t we tell you to stop doing that? If you feel better on the couch we change locations, not a problem for anyone,“ Tony intercepted.

„True, also, Bruce, would you mind checking Steve out after dinner?“ Nat queried the Doctor in their midst.

„I can do that but you know I‘m not a medical doctor,“ Bruce argued carefully.

„No, but a serum doctor,“ Tony chimed in and was the last one to take a seat.

„Alright, but Steve, I might not be able to help you in any way,“ Bruce made sure the parameters were clear.

„I‘m sure, I‘ll feel better in a few days. It’s not a real issue, just some bad luck and exhaustion an an inconvenient flu,“ Steve identified.

And with that they started their Christmas dinner, creme of mushroom soup, chicken noodle soup for Steve to finally have something he could eat since last night. The conversation was flowing, Bruce reporting about his stint in Nepal in the last months, doing some relief work after the earthquake. Natasha and him had a lot to discuss as it seemed, Pepper and Tony chimed in when they had questions. It felt good to listen to Bruce again after all these months. Steve hadn’t talked to the man since their last interaction as Avengers sometime last year.

Steve followed the conversation as best as he could, while also eating as much of his soup as he managed. But he didn’t have much strength for anything else. The fever was just too high, sapping energy for over a day by now. Steve really was at the end of his rope, so much so, that when the main course was served by someone Tony had brought up from staff, Steve had the urge to excuse himself to head back to bed even though he wanted to spent more time with his friends, it was Christmas Eve, for god’s sake.

So he soldiered on for half the meal, hardly eating anything, listening to snippets of conversation, his head growing heavier by the minute, the chills also back by then, making it quite clear his fever was rising again. He fought down a nasty coughing fit and when there was no escaping it anymore left the dinner-table to hack wetly into a tissue, his chest burning and tight. It took him a couple of minutes to get the coughing under control and he had just managed to draw a normal breath again, not even wiped his streaming eyes yet when he felt someone taking him by the elbow and leading to the nearest couch seat, gently making him sit down.

„Steve, you really don’t have to force yourself through dinner. You must feel awful with a fever like that?“ Bruce said softly, after feeling the sick man‘s forehead with the inside of his wrist.

„Yeah, you‘re right. Should head back to bed,“ Steve gave finally in.

„You know what, there is something I have worked on before I left for Nepal. Serum-improved pain-meds essentially. After the attack on New York, when you got hurt and there was no pain relief for you available, I thought it might be quite daft to expect every ailment of yours to be healed quickly enough that pain killers were unnecessary. So I worked on it and there is a promising formula. I just changed a few components, making ibuprofen essentially a bit harder to metabolize, not something I would recommend for normal folks. Only problem is, I haven’t tested it much yet, JARVIS ran modulations though, nothing dangerous about it. The worst thing that could happen is that it’s not working and you don’t feel much relief. Would you like me to fetch it from the lab?“

Steve didn’t actually have to think about it because even the prospect of a few hours with a working pain killer and fever reducer sounded like heaven.

„I‘d appreciate it, really, Bruce,“ Steve answered. 

„Ok, I head to the lab, I‘m back in fifteen minutes, why don‘t you go to bed? I tell the other‘s you had enough for today,“ Bruce offered and Steve smiled shyly.

„Thank you,“ he whispered before coughing a few more times and then went back to his room, to get rid of the scratchiest sweater he had ever worn and to brush his teeth in record time only to dive back into cool sheets and all his pillows that were highly piled enough to let him breathe a little bitter, his chest not feeling all that great anymore.

Steve had no idea how long he had just lain there, dozing somewhat, when he heard someone entering his room, expecting Bruce to be back already. But when he opened his eyes it was Tony, with another cup of tea and a bottle of a sports drink.

„Gonna check your temp real quick ok?“ the billionaire explained and because Steve was so exhausted by then he only nodded his head and let Tony scan his forehead.

„High?“ came the question from the entrance where Bruce appeared, a bottle of pills in his hand. 

„Yeah,“ Tony replied and held the display out for the doctor to see. Bruce sighed audibly and went over to Steve‘s side, sitting down on the bed, feeling the man‘s heated arm with his palm and then back of the hand.

„Ok, this should really help. I give you one for now. It should bring some relief for three or four hours,“ Bruce instructed and handed out one pill which Steve put into his mouth and swallowed with the help of some Gatorade.

„Drink some more,“ Tony instructed and held the bottle with the straw up for Steve to sip more of the liquid. By the time Steve was done he was really really done and all he wanted was to sleep, the lights out, the room cool and quiet and he able to sleep. Without further ado Tony and Bruce left, not without Tony making clear JARVIS was ready to help whenever Steve needed anything and yes he would call for them if he felt worse, of course. And then they were gone and Steve alone and even though it was Christmas and he had the flu, he didn’t feel even remotely as bad as last year. Which was comforting on some level.

*

It was snowing during the night, tinting the sky into a lighter, orangy version of dark grey, even though on the 143rd floor it was not that obvious as down on the street. Still whenever Steve woke for a moment and glanced out the window he could sense the snow covering the city, felt how things got quieter, duller under the blanket of snow. He had loved that feeling as a child. Waking up and the noises from the night were are muffled, the night outside a little bit brighter than normally. He especially had loved it at Christmas, making everything a little more festive and special even. And in the morning when he woke up the view out of their window was so different, everything was clean and nice and it was so quiet outside.

This time, Steve wouldn’t be able to enjoy it the same way from up here but it was nice anyway, he thought while turning around to the big window panes on his right. It was still the middle of the night, but the sky wasn’t very dark and Steve had to smile until he felt new waves of the chills crush over him. This had probably woken him before. His fever was climbing again and Steve carefully sat up in bed, as best as he could. He felt so weak by now, only been sick for one and half days but it had taken so much strength out of him, he really hadn’t expected to feel like that again and as much as it was bumming him out, it also felt a little bit like a relief to know he was still a somewhat normal person. People got ill once in a while, they got tired, they got low. Steve didn’t want a life experience marked only by health and strength, feeling unwell here or there was important to take the whole human experience in, reminding you how amazing it was not to be sick. Even though right now he could very well do without the flu, if he could chose any of this he would definitely chose not being ill.

As he sat half upright in that huge bed and contemplated about all of this and his headache intensified, Steve heard a small knock on his bedroom door.

„Captain, it‘s Dr Banner, here to check on you,“ JARVIS explained.

„Ok,“ Steve said low and then tried to sit up more, while the door opened and Bruce walked in, a book in his hand, something that looked like he‘d read through it a few times already.

„Hey, Steve. JARVIS mentioned you woke up, can I check your temp real quick?“ 

„Sure, but you don’t have to, I’m ok. What time is it?“ Steve answered carefully before shaking impressively with more chills.

„A little after one, the others retired a while ago already. Well, not sure about Tony. You know how weird hours he keeps. I just thought I wait a bit, make sure you’re ok, when the meds wore off,“ Bruce explained while taking the scanner from the nightstand and holding it to Steve’s forehead.

„You stayed up because of me?“ 

„Partly, also wanted to have some quiet before bed and watch the snow, it‘s coming down hard right now,“ Bruce confirmed Steve‘s original musings.

„You really shouldn’t have, Bruce. I‘m fine on my own here,“ Steve answered a bit antsy all of a sudden.

„Hey, all good. Your fever got a little higher again, not as bad as during the dinner but would you like to take another dose of the meds?“ Bruce asked and already got a hold of the pill bottle. „I think we could try with two this time, will likely get the fever down completely for the rest of the night, a break for your body.“

„Ok,“ Steve answered shyly and then took the two pills from Bruce to down them with the last sips of his tea.

„Gonna get you new tea, alright?“ Bruce offered as well and this time Steve smiled briefly and just accepted the help.

„Thank you, Bruce.“

„No problem at all. As I said, a good book and the fresh snow keeping me company, a beautiful Christmas night,“ Bruce explained and then left with Steve’s tea mug, but kept his book on the bed. Steve closed his sore eyes for a minute or two, even the low lights that JARVIS had turned on when Bruce entered giving him a little grieve but then glanced at it, neither recognizing author nor title. He took the book up with shaking hands, looking at the back.

Truman Capote - In cold blood. That didn’t sound like a nice Christmas Eve read to Steve.

„I can recommend it, one of my favorites, reading it for the fourth time now, still holds up,“ Bruce explained while entering with a steaming mug in his hands.

„Sounds like a thriller or detective story,“ Steve said after reading the back-cover.

„No, not at all. It‘s about a murder yes, but it‘s more about why people do the things they do, the inhuman things, which we identify as reason to disqualify them from being a part of our society. It‘s a manifest on humanity really, on having empathy and compassion,“ Bruce explained while putting the tea on the nightstand.

„When my brain isn’t frying anymore, I might give it a chance,“ Steve answered but his eyes were closed already.

„Let‘s hope that will be soon, sleep well, Cap,“ Bruce said low and took his book away from the half-asleep, ill man.

„You too, thanks for the help and the tea,“ Steve mumbled and with that sunk into sleep again. This time, the double dose of the meds knocked him out completely. The rest of the night was absolute, blissful darkness for him. No aches and pains, no shivering, no restlessness even though he was dead tired. Only deep, restorative sleep.

And so much of it that it was after 9 o‘clock when Steve opened his eyes for the first time on Christmas Morning. He noticed it was daylight, and a clear day in addition to that, the sky was blue outside his room. But his bed was so cosy and he still felt the remnants of fever in his bones so he turned around and promptly continued sleeping.

The next time he woke up it was two hours later and Steve felt hot, sweaty and uncomfortably clammy in the damp sheets, his comforter pushed aside for hours already. And he sensed something else, he wasn‘t in pain anymore, no headache, his eyes felt ok, his throat was fine, his chest didn‘t feel uncomfortable anymore and considering the amount of sweat he was bathing in, his fever must have broken, for good it seems.

Slowly Steve got up and walked into his bathroom, feeling definitely on the weaker side but not as shaky and wobbly as he‘d done all of yesterday. He relieved himself, which was very necessary after a night full of high fever and lots of fluids and then took a long, well more than just sufficient and water-saving, shower. He relished the warm water rinsing away all the fever-sweat and dirt his body had exuded during his sickness and only now did he realize how quick he actually had recovered. Well, he wasn’t a hundred percent fighting fit yet, he felt remnants of the flu still in his muscles, the distinct weakness one only gets from several days of fever. But he was clearly over the worst already and knowing the serum and how it acted, he would feel completely fine at the end of the day again. And he felt the slightest bit guilty but only a little. He had been on the other side for most of his life, taking three weeks to get over a cold, two months to recover from something like the flu.

With that still in mind he finished his shower, dressed in fresh clothes, the jeans he brought, the sweater from yesterday, which felt so much softer now that there was no fever making his skin hyper-sensitive. 

When he walked back into the communal area, he didn‘t expect anyone to be there, figuring Nat and Bruce might still be asleep and Tony and Pepper in the penthouse doing their own Christmas. But he was quite wrong when he saw Bruce in the kitchen making what looked like pancakes, wearing a festive, holiday apron, contentment around his eyes Steve hardly ever saw there. 

„Good morning, merry Christmas“ Steve greeted and Bruce looked up from his pans, a little surprise on his face at seeing Steve up and dressed.

„Merry Christmas Cap. How do you feel? You look world‘s better this morning,“ Bruce greeted back.

„I feel a lot better, thank you for the meds again. I think it did the trick. Gave my body a chance to heal,“ Steve explained his seemingly miraculous recovery.

„S’good to hear you‘re better right in time for Christmas,“ Bruce answered and then took care of his pancake turning.

„Steve? Someone’s feeling good enough to wear people-clothes again,“ Tony said while entering the kitchen, coming from the sitting area as it seemed, carrying a tray he put dishes on the next moment.

„Good morning Tony, merry Christmas to you,“ Steve greeted his host sincerely and Tony turned towards him, giving him a small kiss on the cheek.

„Merry Christmas, you sure you feel up to being out of bed?“ he asked carefully.

„Yes, I really feel better, fever‘s gone,“ Steve argued.

„Great, just careful ok, don‘t overdo it,“ Tony insisted.

„This is what accelerated healing looks like Tony. The moment the serum has the upper hand, it‘s only a matter of hours,“ Bruce explained the peculiarities of Steve’s physiology.

„Hm, lucky you,“ Tony only commented and then left with the dishes to distribute in the lounge.

„How can I help?“ Steve offered the next moment.

„Just go and sit down, take it easy for now,“ Bruce said and Steve was about to insist he could chip in but he felt how languid he still was and maybe it was not the worst idea to actually take it slow for a bit. So he walked into the lounge and marveled for a second at the beautiful Christmas tree that he didn’t have any sense for yesterday when his had swam with fever and sickness. Nat and Pepper sat on the sofa, talking about their Christmases from childhood, Nat somehow describing typically US-American Christmas milestones which confused Steve a little considering her Russian background.

„Steve, come here, sit down. You’re looking much better today,“ Pepper invited at some point and Steve smiled and took a seat on the couch next to her.

„Serum kicked in overnight, feeling a lot better,“ Steve explained, but still Nat put her palm to his forehead to make sure he wasn‘t out right lying to them, which, ok, Steve understood. He wasn‘t the best in disclosing how he actually felt. But this here was different, he wasn’t at work and people wouldn’t die, when he gave in and said he was too hurt or too sick to go on.

„I’m glad, Steve,“ Pepper announced and then Bruce and Tony joined them with pancakes and coffee and they started having breakfast. Really nice breakfast with very fluffy pancakes and perfectly roasted coffee or so it tasted to Steve who hadn’t been able to eat for almost two days and enjoyed every bite and sip to the fullest. They also had Christmas cookies and eggnog afterwards which Steve only nipped a little because the taste of alcohol without the buzz was not really enjoyable.

„Ok, so, I told you guys no presents and such, but you know me, I’m a filthy liar, and no don‘t panic, no none has to give anything back,“ Tony announced at some point when they lazily lounged on the sofas and Nat only grunted in disapproval whereas Steve made a face.

„Tony, c‘mon, that’s unfair,“ he tried to reason but the billionaire had already gotten off the couch and left the lounge area to retrieve presents as it seemed.

„Don‘t worry guys, he does that to everyone, it‘s not a big deal for him,“ Pepper tried to calm them down.

„So Pep and me had already some gift-exchange this morning, that only leaves our dear Captain and Lady Assassin‘s Creed. And Brucie, we already established the donation is your gift,“ Tony said while handing Steve and Nat equally big packages, nicely wrapped and decorated.

„Yes, Tony, thank you again,“ Bruce said with a smile, while Pepper raised her brows in question.

„Oh, I‘m funding the relief foundation in Nepal for the next three years, rebuilding houses and infrastructure,“ Tony explained and Pepper‘s eyes got huge. „ No worries, Pep, private equity, not SI.“

„You sure about that?“ she asked a little anger still shining through.

„Yes, I‘ll sell the estate in Long Island, and some of Dad‘s art, s‘enough to finance Bruce‘s foundation for three years, JARVIS crunched the numbers.“

„Fine then, just…, fine,“ Pepper stated, not letting this dampen her Christmas mood.

„Tony, s’what I always wanted from Santa, new widow bites,“ Nat chimed in then, having unwrapped her gift and holding the wristbands up for everyone.

„Arc-reactor run, no problem with the batterie anymore. Just zap away,“ Tony explained and now Nat smiled widely.

„You’re not kidding? That is a fucking amazing present. Pretty sure our SHIELD quartermaster will rally against them which is another bonus. The man is an idiot,“ Natasha argued and then briefly got off the couch leaning over to Tony to give him a hug.

„Glad you‘re gonna enjoy them every way possible,“ Tony answered and then Steve opened his gift, expecting something for work as well and being completely thrown when he discovered a book on graphic design instead. A huge book, a whole history of 20th century graphic design as it seemed and Steve couldn’t believe Tony had anticipated his interest just like that. He had wanted to get something like this for a while but didn’t know where to start and didn’t want to go to a book shop and ask for help and make a fool out of himself for not knowing anything about it since the 1940s.

„Wow, that is not a book, it‘s a weapon,“ Nat teased upon taking in the dimensions of it.

„Tony?“ Steve began but didn‘t know what to say.

„Not right? No problem, we can go to the bookshop and you chose something you are more interested in,“ Tony offered sincerely.

„No, it‘s …, it‘s exactly my cup of tea,“ Steve answered.

„It is?“ Nat asked in confusion.

„How did you know Tony?“ Bruce asked them, not completely thrown for a loop as Natasha but also a little surprised.

„It was a gamble but I remembered my Dad mentioned you had something do to with graphics before the war. He didn‘t know exactly or he forgot what but it stuck with me,“ Tony explained.

„Yeah, I worked at a paper, trained as a type setter. Wanted to work my way up into the graphics department, layout and illustration,“ Steve explained.

„I would not have picked you for the artsy type,“ Nat there in.

„I‘m not, but it was always my number one interest, art and graphics, the met, the window decorations, book-illustrations. I drew a lot as a kid,“ Steve explained a little bit surprised how much all of that had meant to him at some point and how little it was a part of his life now.

„Ok, would you like to go to the Cooper Hewitt with me next week? There is an exhibition on danish interior design-illustrations,“ Pepper asked, her interest  piqued.

„I’d really like to do that,“ Steve answered with a sincere smile that made his eyes dance a little. „I have been avoiding the art museums here, not knowing if it would be overwhelming. All the artists and styles and movements I have missed.“

„I have a degree in American Art history, whatever you are confused about, just ask. If you enjoyed graphic design you won’t be lost with the evolution of contemporary  art. It’s all connected.“

Steve nodded his head and then opened the heavy book in his hand and just scanned a few pages, feeling something he hadn’t had in a while. Marveling at an illustration, a clever design, being intrigued by color and form. He had missed this and he hadn‘t even noticed.

„Thank you Tony, it‘s great, really,“ he said low and sniffled briefly, blinking the tear that collected in his right eye away.

„I‘m happy you like it and neither my Dad nor me was mixing this up. It could have easily been Barnes he had mentioned that about. I was still a child,“ Tony recalled and it made Steve laugh knowing how little Bucky had shared that interest with Steve.

„How about after napping the pancakes off for a moment and everyone wrapping up properly, we head out to Central Park for that walk?“ Natasha suggested at some point after it had grown a bit quieter.

„Oh that is a good idea,“ Pepper agreed.

„Sounds like fun,“ Tony added as well.

„Yes it does, but I‘m afraid I have to take off, a friend of mine invited me for Christmas Lunch, I should get going by now,“ Bruce explained his imminent exit.

„Oh no problem, Brucie, was nice to have you around though. Then just the four of us? Cap, you feel up to a bit of a walk?“ Tony asked carefully.

„Yeah, I do. Looking forward to it, it’s nice outside. Maybe not around the whole park but for a bit,“ Steve agreed and took his eyes off of his book for a moment.

„We take it slow and you just say when it’s too much so we had back,“ Nat offered and Steve nodded in agreement.

*

The air was clear and icy, the sky blue and bright, the fresh snow from last night glistering in the rays of the sun. It was the perfect scenery for a Christmas Day walk in Central Park. They entered the park at the corner of 59th and 5th and headed for Wollman Rink to watch the skaters, maybe strolling to the carousel if they fancied afterwards. Tony and Pepper walked arms interlocked, looking at the snow on the trees and bushes, whispering small teases into their ears and it looked like Tony had a really good time, even though he seemed a little out of place, walking the paths of Central Park in his Burberry Coat and Scarf, and his Gucci Loafers.

Nat and Steve were a few feet behind them, Nat arms wrapped around Steve‘s elbow as well, leaning into him while recounting about an exceptionally funny Christmas party at SHIELD a few years ago with their dearest director being perceivably intoxicated, which sounded kind of made up to Steve. He had burrowed a thick winter coat from Tony, an oversized cut, which made it possible for Steve’s shoulders to fit halfway normally. It was dark navy and made from parts Kashmir wool or something similarly expensive and out of reach for Steve. Natasha seemed to enjoy touching it and leaning her cheeks to it, cherishing the softness. Steve was just glad he had something to keep warm, his light windbreaker wouldn’t have cut it with the temperatures below freezing. He was also glad for the beanie he had been given. His ears were getting cold even with it on.

„Which, I suppose, you should feel ready for when entering an event with an open bar held by an organization consisting of mainly repressed individuals,“ Nat summed her story up.

„Repressed? In what way?“ Steve asked with a smirk.

„Every way you can imagine, but mainly emotionally. I don‘t think SHIELD recruits the average functioning joe. Those people want families and security and a house in the suburbs, not a good combination for our line of work,“ she argued.

„Maybe you‘re right about that. But an organization that big needs more members than the ones jumping into the fire the moment they have the chance,“ Steve thought out loud. Nat didn’t answer that directly and then Pepper and Tony stopped walking and turned around to them.

„How are we doing, kids?“ Tony asked with a wide smile on his face, a contentment unusual for him.

„Oh, all good daddy, Let‘s go for ice-cream after the carousel?“ Nat joined in jumping up and down.

„We just had pancakes for breakfast dear, ice-cream is out of the question,“ Pepper added as the voice of reason.

„Listen to mom, pumpkin. We won’t risk losing our appetite for dinner with the Liebermanns and uncle Bert‘s famous herring-sprouts casserole with caviar-crust,“ Tony went along.

„Oh bummer,“ Nat giggled while Steve made a face of disgust imagining the dish in earnest. He wasn‘t a picky eater at all, growing up when food was very scarce does that to you, but even he had his limits.

„Steve? You ok?“ Pepper asked at Steve’s reaction and he smiled briefly and wanted to state all was fine but he had been feeling a little shaky for a bit now. They had walked all the way from Grand Central and now a while in the park already and even though it was nice, the air crisp and fresh, the surrounding pristine, Steve had started feeling off at some point. He could still feel the remnants of his sickness throbbing in his muscles, his head a little achy again, and he started getting goosebumpy once more, the coat, as soft and extravagant as it was, not being very warm.

„I feel it bit tired, maybe I should head back, leave you to see the carousel without me?“ Steve suggested and he was secretly really proud of himself, not stating he was fine and everything was great but actually saying what he needed right now. Something he hadn’t done in a long time, not feeling comfortable with the people around him to do so since waking from the ice.

„Oh shoot, maybe you weren‘t completely over that flu yet? I can get Happy to drive you home?“ Tony offered.

„It‘s Christmas Tony, Happy has a few days off,“ Pepper reminded.

„Oh yes, no problem, we get another car service,“ Tony improvised.

„NO, no, relax Tony. I’m just tire quickly for another day or so. I’m not getting worse, just a bit shaky from having that bad fever last night, is all,“ Steve tried to deescalate.

„How a bout we head to Carnegie and have a hot cocoa and macaron or something, it‘s not too far, and we have a break before heading back?“ Pepper proposed and Steve smiled timidly. 

„You can go to the carousel, I just head back to the tower on my own, fine with that,“ Steve tried to ensure they kept with the original plan.

„I’d love some cocoa and a muffin, sounds like a great change in plans,“ Nat agreed with Pepper.

„Steve? If you feel like going back to the tower to rest, we go back, just say it but if you have enough energy for a hot beverage left we could find ourselves a nice bakery,“ Tony summed up.

„Ok, hot cocoa it is, but under one condition? I pay,“ Steve invited and Tony shook his head playfully.

„Out of the fucking question,“ Tony grumbled.

„Yes, great, let’s do that,“ Pepper interrupted him enthusiastically and with that they headed south to 59th again. They walked for almost fifteen minutes when they reached the end of the park and traversed into upper Midtown, keeping their eyes open for a nice little cafe. Once they found something, an American Diner with a huge cake selection, they entered and took in the nice warmth. There was Christmas Jazz playing and the tables were well filled but they found an empty booth in the back and Tony and Steve headed there and took their seats, taking their coats off to let the heated air wrap them up. Steve sniffled a little from coming in, his nose on the stuffy side still. He blew it discreetly, turning away from Tony.

„You’re sure you‘re ok? Not feeling ill again?“ Tony asked a little carefully, noticing how wan Steve still looked and how stopped up he sounded.

„No, I‘m ok, promise. The walk was a bit much I think, taking a break is a good idea.“

„Ok, when we get back you park yourself on the couch for the rest of the day, we still have to watch the third Star Wars movie,“ Tony announced and made Steve smile. „There‘ll be teddies, you will love it.“

„Looking forward to that,“ Steve commented and then turned around to look what Nat and Pepper were doing at the cake-display. They chatted with the waitress, comfortably laughing at something she’d said, not looking like they would come back the next moment. Steve wondered what they would bring, most likely a selection of different things and he noticed he really could eat something again, slight pangs of hunger coming from his stomach and he went through his head what he’d actually eaten in the past days which was next to nothing, no surprise he was starving. And then it hit him like brick.

„Tony, didn’t you guys wanna host a brunch today? Did I miss that?“ Steve asked sincerely perplexed.

„Oh that, no, don’t worry about it,“ Tony waved aside.

„What happened? Did you cancel it?“ 

„Yeah, we thought it might be for the best, …“

„Why?“ 

„Well, you know, …“

Now Steve‘s eyes grew wider.

„You didn‘t do that because of me?“, he asked in doubt, not getting why Tony and Pepper would uninvited people because one of their guests was ill.

„You know, yeah, to some extent. I mean, one of Pepper’s friends cancelled because apparently the flu is going around and we thought, it might be a good idea to postpone to New Year’s Day, That way no one’s sick and everyone can enjoy it.“

„You shouldn’t have done that,“ Steve said in a serious tone.

„Shouldn‘t have done what? Tony, how often do I have to tell you, don‘t google Avengers + nudes, it won’t make your life any better to see the male competition you face,“ Nat teased him.

„Well, we’re not really in the dark there, isn’t it? Thor has not internalized the use of bathrobes, Clint is the personification of exhibitionist and Steve, well looking at what the serum did to his outer appearance, why should it have stopped between his legs,“ Tony threw back, making Steve grunt slightly but smirk at the same time. 

„Yeah we were not talking about endowments, Tony just explained why you guys cancelled the brunch. I feel terrible, Pepper, you shouldn’t have done that just because I was ill, absolutely not necessary.“

„Steve, calm down. They wanted to do it, because they wanted you to be able to take part, healthy and in good spirits,“ Nat explained and then put a huge tray with various cake slices and four different muffins on the table, while Pepper handed out hot cocoas for Nat, Steve and herself, while Tony got a cup of black coffee.

„Still, it‘s not…“ 

„Ok, ok, stop this. You felt miserable last night. We didn‘t know if this might stick for longer if it might get even worse, we didn‘t think it would be great to throw a party while you lay in bed with 104 fever. S‘just not right, ok? And as I said, Pepper‘s friend is facing the same fate right now, sans the quick serum recovery unfortunately, so no. Postponing to a week from now is exactly the right decision here.“

„Steve, it‘s fine,“ Nat tried to make clear while swiftly squeezing Steve‘s hand.

„It‘s all good, don‘t worry about it,“ Pepper added as well and then sipped from her hot chocolate.

„There is something Pepper told me a few years ago that I always come back to when I feel antsy about things around me. I don‘t know how much it applies to you right now but let‘s see. 

„The reason you feel disconnected from people is not because you are alone, it’s because you live a life so apart from everything normal, that you cannot connect to normal people‘s experiences. Of course that mainly stems from being a billionaire in my case but the whole Iron Man stuff, not making it better. Not commuting to work, not working like other people do, not going down to the bakery to get some morning coffee and a danish, not going for a Christmas walk because people might bother me, talk to me. All of this, and so much more, it makes feeling alive very difficult. Your job in the past year and a half, going out on a limb here, not giving you the average American experience as well? 

„It takes some guts do do the things that you thought are not in reach anymore, the things that bring you closer to people because it‘s making memories with them. Like we are doing right now. You think three years ago I would have been sitting with friends in a diner on Christmas Day, eating a blueberry muffin? My Christmas interaction would have been to have the fancy foundation’s banquet and then drink myself silly and wallow in miserableness until the new year came and things would start to be my normal again, everything in my life rotating around me.

„I know, that‘s not what keeps you from drinking a beer with your new SHIELD-team, a too big ego. It‘s maybe something along the lines of not being in the right place, not knowing what to talk about. Like you mentioned this morning with the art museums. You don’t know were to start, what questions to ask, whom to trust to not make fun of you. I imagine that’s a very difficult and lonely position you maneuvered yourself into.

„But hey, we can only try. And to come all around here. I think you have to practice asking a bit more, asking for space, for help, for company. And I have to practice to make space for someone, to help them, to keep them company. That includes accommodating a sick friend, trying to make it easier for them to have a good time, not pushing a fancy banquet onto them and a tiring brunch-date on top of that. 

„And on your part it requires taking the offer and stating that maybe we should not walk  for another hour in the nippy air, because you‘re not feeling up to it yet.“

„Well said, Mr Stark,“ Pepper said with a wink and then gave Tony half of her blueberry muffin, which Tony stuffed into his mouth without biting off of it. Eating it with a glint in his eyes.

„New Year‘s resolution, Steve. Make other people accommodate you more,“ Nat suggested and sipped more cocoa.

„Yeah, make other people accommodate you more,“ Tony repeated and pointed with a fork he had taken up to eat a bite from the cheesecake in front of him towards Steve. „Accommodate other‘s more.“ he said and pointed at himself.

„Win — win,“ he added as an afterthought and grinned at Steve who in all of this had fought a small tear down that threatened to slip out of his eyes. He felt better, so much better than a year ago and Tony was right. He had to put in the work as well to have experiences like this. A perfect cup of hot chocolate in his favorite city with friends, really good friends, Steve started to realize.